Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1996

Kang Jin-ho’s gaze drifted towards the window. It was an ordinary scene, except for the unsettling absence of people on the streets.

‘Ominous.’

A palpable tension seemed to have settled over the entire city.

“Have all the civilians been evacuated?”

“Yes.”

Hongwang and Chaikechang were in the back seat. Chaikechang answered Kang Jin-ho’s question.

“It wasn’t an area with many private residences to begin with, given its location.”

“I suppose.”

“But just in case, I know the government searched every corner and evacuated everyone.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

The worst-case scenario had to be avoided, but they couldn’t afford to be unprepared.

“What’s the situation?”

“There’s no particular movement. Now that the Black King has made his stance clear, there’s nothing to do but wait. For them, the Black King’s will is paramount. However…”

Chaikechang frowned as he spoke.

“Those occupying the front cannot be said to be following the Black King’s orders. They may agree with the Hawk King’s opinion, but they are not under his direct control.”

“I see.”

“They must have overheard the conversation between the Black King and the Lord. Some have defected… but many still remain.”

Chaikechang sighed.

“The fact that they remain there despite others leaving can only be seen as an intention to block the Lord’s entry. Of course, I don’t think the Lord won’t be able to break through, but it’s better not to waste any strength…”

Chaikechang was right.

They were dealing with the Hawk King. Even a small waste of strength could determine the outcome of the battle.

Considering the repercussions of that battle, it was not something to be taken lightly.

“How about changing your mind now? We can take care of them. They’ve gathered from all over, so we can’t predict their exact strength, but the Hongwang Clan’s elites should be able to wipe them out.”

“Forget it.”

Kang Jin-ho shook his head.

“It’s not just about showing off. It’s because it shouldn’t be resolved that way.”

“Yes? What do you mean…”

The answer came not from Kang Jin-ho, but from Hongwang.

“The Black King accepted the Demon King’s challenge to prove that he wasn’t fighting against martial artists.”

Chaikechang turned to Hongwang.

“But if we mobilize our forces to attack those who don’t even belong to the Black King’s faction, it would look bad.”

Hongwang shook his head.

“Even if we win, it would sow seeds of division. We have to prevent people from saying that it would have been better if the Hawk King had won.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded silently. It wasn’t a complete explanation, but it wasn’t far from his intentions.

However, Chaikechang still seemed doubtful.

“I understand the intention. But isn’t that a matter for later? They’re not opponents that we can afford to think about the aftermath while fighting.”

“This isn’t a matter of logic. It’s a matter of aesthetics. But for martial artists, aesthetics are sometimes more important than logic.”

Hongwang grinned.

“The reason you can’t lead people, even though you have a better mind than me, is simple. People don’t follow those who move purely by logic. What you need to show is what kind of being you are, not how much benefit you can give.”

Chaikechang closed his mouth. He didn’t fully understand Hongwang’s words.

But if Hongwang said so, there must be a good reason.

Something he couldn’t understand.

Chaikechang glanced at the two of them and sighed.

‘How can they be so calm?’

The fierce battle they were about to face was sure to be more difficult than any battle they had experienced so far. Could there be a situation more fitting for the phrase ‘going to the battlefield risking one’s life’?

But neither Kang Jin-ho nor Hongwang seemed much different from their usual selves.

It was truly amazing and mysterious. If Chaikechang were in their position, he would have been crushed by the pressure.

The driver’s foot on the accelerator felt particularly cruel today.

But regardless of Chaikechang’s unease, the car carrying them soon arrived at their destination.

“We’re here.”

“Hmm.”

Kang Jin-ho opened the car door and got out. He saw the backs of tanks lined up in rows.

‘It’s endless.’

It was a scene that couldn’t be described as merely brutal.

Tanks lined up as far as the eye could see, their cannons aimed forward, with self-propelled artillery deployed behind them. In between, soldiers with fierce expressions stood armed and ready.

If violence were to be embodied in reality, there could be no more fitting scene.

But the scene didn’t showcase the power of the People’s Liberation Army. [The People’s Liberation Army is the military force of China.]

Rather, it emphasized the fact that those occupying the area must possess great power, enough to warrant such a large force.

Cars stopped one after another.

Those who got out of the cars approached and stood beside Kang Jin-ho.

“…It’s terrifying.”

Even Lee Hyun-soo shook his head, seemingly overwhelmed by the sight.

Several people who appeared to be commanders approached and exchanged words with Chaikechang before giving instructions to the front. Then, one of the tanks that had been lined up without even a gap for a person to pass moved forward, opening a path.

“Hmph…”

A low groan escaped from Hongwang’s lips.

The figures of martial artists standing densely packed came into view through the gap opened by the tank.

The distance was only a few hundred meters.

The martial artists stood as if guarding the center, facing the tanks that surrounded them.

‘It’s quite a symbolic scene.’

Lee Hyun-soo gave a wry smile.

Seeing this scene, he understood why they hadn’t abandoned their positions.

How would this look from their side?

Tanks lined up endlessly, their cannons aimed at them.

It was a symbol of the power of this world. That power, that ruthless violence, was aimed at the world of martial artists. It was no different from the situation the martial arts world was facing now.

In this situation, leaving their positions would be enough to feel like surrendering to the outside world.

“They’re full of poison.”

Chaikechang nodded unconsciously at Hongwang’s assessment.

A thick killing intent could be felt in their gazes towards them. The soldiers, reacting to that killing intent, were also glaring at the martial artists with hostile eyes.

A tightly drawn string.

‘It’s a wonder that a violent incident hasn’t broken out yet.’

Such a string could snap if someone accidentally touched it.

It wouldn’t be strange if one of the overly tense soldiers accidentally fired a shot, or if one of the excited martial artists charged at a tank.

If that happened, a bloody incident would surely break out.

The expressions of those standing together darkened.

They, too, saw in this scene the situation the martial arts world was facing. Although the Black King was said to be in control, that was just on the surface.

Everyone knew that all of this was ultimately the result of the screams of martial artists being pushed to the fringes of the world and withering away.

And now, they might be trying to cut off even that last death rattle.

Click.

Kang Jin-ho put a cigarette in his mouth and lit it.

Then, with indifferent eyes, he looked back. Those who met Kang Jin-ho’s eyes all nodded slowly.

“Lee Hyun-soo.”

“Yes, Lord.”

“I’m counting on you to watch our backs.”

Lee Hyun-soo bit his lip until it bled.

“…Yes. The aftermath… the aftermath is… mine…”

Lee Hyun-soo couldn’t continue his words and lowered his head.

After trembling for a moment, Lee Hyun-soo lifted his head and looked at Kang Jin-ho with a face that was as normal as ever.

“Leave the aftermath to me. But don’t take too long. I’m hungry because I haven’t had lunch. Let’s finish quickly and go eat a nice meal at Hongwang’s place.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

“Okay. It won’t take long.”

That was enough.

They weren’t the kind of people who needed long conversations.

Lee Hyun-soo would know. That the aftermath Kang Jin-ho spoke of had many meanings included in it.

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

Lee Hyun-soo was the only one he could entrust with the rear. Even if his martial prowess wasn’t outstanding, it didn’t matter. To Lee Hyun-soo, martial prowess was only a small part of the equation.

Because Lee Hyun-soo was there, he could fight without any regrets. Lee Hyun-soo would take care of the aftermath.

“I’m counting on you, Lee Hyun-soo.”

“Tsk, not that I trust you.”

“To have to leave the rear to that bastard. Sigh, what a fate…”

“Keep a close eye on the Assembly.”

The directors of the Assembly each left a word for Lee Hyun-soo.

There were kind words and barbed words, but what was in their eyes was clearly trust.

Lee Hyun-soo bit his lip again.

“…You all seem to have forgotten, but I’m Lee Hyun-soo. It’ll be much better when I do things my way than when you’re around. So don’t worry about unnecessary things and go.”

“That mouth of his.”

“But he’s reliable.”

Wiggins lightly patted Lee Hyun-soo’s shoulder.

“Take good care of my daughter.”

“No! Don’t talk like you’re not coming back!”

“Hahaha!”

The directors of the Assembly passed by Lee Hyun-soo and stood at the front. Lee Hyun-soo closed his eyes tightly as he watched them all pass him by.

He knew.

This wasn’t a path to death.

Rather, Lee Hyun-soo was needed to fight with all their might. Even if they died fighting, they could have the assurance that there was someone who would protect their loved ones.

This was the trust they could show Lee Hyun-soo.

“Then…”

Kang Jin-ho slowly exhaled cigarette smoke and took a step forward.

“Let’s go.”

“Yes.”

Kang Jin-ho, Jang Min, Bator, Wiggins, Bang Jin-hoon, Hongwang, and Master.

Including the Blood Demon, who was hiding his presence, a total of eight people passed through the tanks and began walking towards the place where the martial artists were gathered.

Thud, thud, thud.

The faces of the martial artists hardened as they saw them walking at a leisurely pace.

Easily several thousand.

The number was astonishing, how had they gathered so many?

The martial artists all turned to look at Kang Jin-ho and the others and began to emit a fierce killing intent.

A killing intent that made their bodies tingle.

The soldiers in the back were even more surprised by that killing intent and retreated in a fluster.

Some were terrified and aimed their guns, some were surprised and quickly took their fingers off the triggers, and some even sat down on the spot.

But…

Even while receiving the formidable killing intent that flew through the air, the seven’s steps did not falter in the slightest.

“This is quite…”

Hongwang twisted his lips.

“A grand welcome.”

“I agree.”

Kang Jin-ho also smiled.

Feeling the chilling killing intent, he realized that he had come to the battlefield.

Thud.

Kang Jin-ho walked into the storm of killing intent.

With each step he took, the smile on his lips grew even deeper.