Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 2065

Reaching (1)

Humans cannot truly understand the actions of others.

They merely pretend to understand each other. No matter how hard they try, they can’t read each other’s minds.

They just guess, pretend to understand, and believe they are not different from each other.

But…

There are times when they fully understand each other’s emotions, at a specific moment.

The Black King looked at Baek Yeon-hong, who had closed his eyes with a peaceful expression.

‘It’s a relief, at least.’

It meant his end wasn’t difficult.

The Black King slowly approached and reached out to pick up Baek Yeon-hong, but paused for a moment.

Somehow…

He was afraid that the moment he touched him, Baek Yeon-hong’s peace would disappear.

He hesitated for a long time with his hand outstretched, but eventually grabbed Baek Yeon-hong’s shoulder. He was afraid of losing his peace, but he also didn’t like leaving him standing like that when he had finally found rest.

Fortunately…

Baek Yeon-hong’s face was still peaceful as he collapsed into his arms.

‘Can I…’

Can my death be accompanied by such peace?

‘Of course not.’

He wasn’t like Baek Yeon-hong.

Baek Yeon-hong was an infinitely free man.

He wasn’t bound by his life, nor was he oppressed by his origins. Even though he belonged to the strictest sect in the Jianghu [the martial arts world], he was freer and more reckless than anyone else.

And in the end, he even toyed with his own life and path, meeting the end he wanted.

Perhaps…

The reason why the Black King was so fond of Baek Yeon-hong, to the point that the other Twelve Blades couldn’t understand, was because he envied that freedom.

But the Black King was not. The Black King could not become Baek Yeon-hong. He was someone who could not let go of everything like Baek Yeon-hong.

‘If I could, I would have done it a long time ago.’

Unlike Baek Yeon-hong, who had lived half his life enjoying it, the Black King had lived only for this moment. For him, giving up his current goal was the same as denying his entire life.

Perhaps Baek Yeon-hong knew that fact as well.

Even so, he must have believed it was possible. He must have said that if he let go, he would be at peace, and he would see more.

But…

“I am…”

The Black King’s hand, holding Baek Yeon-hong, tightened.

“I’m not as great as you think.”

How much more must he lose?

How much more must he lose and suffer to get what he wants?

Step, step.

The Black King carefully placed Baek Yeon-hong behind the chair where he had been sitting.

“Black King…”

Was it because he didn’t seem like his usual self?

Liu Yang approached him with a worried expression. But the Black King simply shook his head calmly.

“There’s nothing to worry about.”

“But…”

“Do you know what’s bothering me?”

“It’s that I don’t feel sad.”

Liu Yang closed his mouth.

He seemed to understand.

The Black King had witnessed countless deaths and experienced countless losses. He probably couldn’t even feel proper sadness in moments when he should feel it.

The Black King slowly stood up and looked at the remaining Twelve Blades.

“You all look pathetic.”

“Black King…”

“You’ve all worked hard.”

This was definitely not the result he had wanted. But he couldn’t say that the result he faced was worse than what he had wanted.

Perhaps…

‘Maybe it’s better this way.’

There was definitely a question in his heart.

Could he really accept this victory, which was decided in such a way? Could he really be satisfied with a victory that he had achieved without directly fighting the Demonic Lord?

The Black King twisted his lips.

Yes, and no.

He might be satisfied with what he had gained through the battle, but someday he would have stood before the Demonic Lord. The story of the world might end, but their story would not have ended.

So…

“It was bound to end up like this.”

The results of the previous battle were now meaningless. Now, all that remained was the battle between him and Kang Jin-ho.

That single battle would decide everything.

What was at stake in this war.

The future of the Murim world [the martial arts world].

A fierce clash of positions and standpoints.

And…

Even the long-standing feud between them.

All of that had finally reached its destination.

“Black King.”

Kongryung, who had regained his senses, stood in front of him and looked at him.

“I know.”

He knew that this was not the time to be lost in sentiment.

“Black King…”

Dogwi also barely opened his mouth to call him.

Hwansa was also looking at him with a miserable appearance. Even Jangwang, who had relatively fewer injuries, had an expression on his face that was not much different from Hwansa or Dogwi.

The Black King looked at them, then at the bodies of Shin Chang and Baek Yeon-hong, and slowly nodded.

“Why are you all making such faces?”

“Do you think I’m going to lose?”

Kongryung chuckled softly.

“Of course not. I wouldn’t even dream of such a thing.”

“That’s how it should be.”

The Black King lightly clenched and unclenched his fist.

The human Yang Chen might lose. But the Black King could not lose.

He had bet too much on this.

‘But that…’

The Black King raised his head and looked across. He saw Kang Jin-ho in his eyes.

‘You must be the same, right?’

They had both bet too much.

It couldn’t be helped. People’s shoulders carry the weight of their years. Those who have lived their lives without knowing when to let go are forced to endure a terrible weight.

So…

Tricks wouldn’t work.

“Of course, I’ll come back victorious. But…”

“I won’t listen to any ‘buts’.”

“Listen.”

“Black King!”

The Black King sighed deeply.

“I’m not saying this because I lack confidence. I’m sure he’s saying the same thing over there. That man is that kind of person.”

“If I happen to lose, don’t resist and do whatever that man tells you to do.”

“Black King, but…”

“The easiest way to drag the future into hell is simple. To fight forever, forever. To divide, hate, and forever.”

“That would be throwing everything I’ve tried to achieve into the gutter. The winner takes all. Isn’t that all there is to it? We wanted to protect a world where that barbaric rule applies. Isn’t that right?”

Discontent appeared on the faces of the Twelve Blades. But in the end, they all nodded.

“It’s a good thing Baek Yeon-hong is dead.”

“…I agree. It might have been troublesome if that guy was still alive.”

The Black King chuckled and slowly bowed his head to the Twelve Blades.

“B, Black King.”

“Thank you for betting your last remaining lives on me.”

The Black King raised his head and smiled.

“Now… it’s time to reap the rewards.”

“We believe in you.”

The Black King smiled quietly and slowly turned around.

‘I’m a little excited.’

Many things flashed through his mind.

But let’s put those aside for now. For now, he wanted to be true to the emotions of the human Yang Chen.

“Now…”

It was time to go meet his old friend.

“Lord.”

Kang Jin-ho frowned.

“Why do you look like that?”

“But…”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

Lee Hyun-soo, who was always so calm, was now looking at him with a face that looked like he was about to cry.

“Lord…”

His mouth, which used to spew out words like a flowing stream, was now repeating the same words like a parrot.

As if he had become a fool.

Kang Jin-ho chuckled again.

“Anyone would think I’m going to die.”

“…Of course not.”

Lee Hyun-soo clenched his fist tightly.

With his crude imagination, he couldn’t picture Kang Jin-ho losing. No matter who the opponent was, Kang Jin-ho would never lose.

Never.

But…

‘Why am I so anxious?’

Perhaps it was because he had already lost someone he shouldn’t have lost, but his chest kept feeling heavy.

“Lord.”

At that moment, Lee Myung-hwan walked towards Kang Jin-ho.

“…I believe you will definitely win.”

Kang Jin-ho quietly nodded.

“I still have a lot to learn from you, Lord.”

“I don’t know.”

Kang Jin-ho looked at Lee Myung-hwan with a smile.

“I don’t think there’s anything left for you to learn?”

“I’m still far from it. Very far.”

“Time will take care of that.”

Kang Jin-ho lightly patted Lee Myung-hwan’s shoulder.

“What can time solve?”

Kang Jin-ho turned his head at the cynical voice. The Blood King, who had appeared out of nowhere, spoke with a sullen face.

“Don’t forget. The Blood Cult has a contract with the Demonic Lord. If the Demonic Lord dies, then I’ll do as I please.”

“…That’s quite a scary threat.”

“Hmph.”

The Blood King shook his head as if he didn’t like it. In his eyes, Kang Jin-ho seemed quite carefree.

“Master.”

Bator reached out his thick hand and pointed across.

“That guy.”

“…Huh?”

Bator grinned.

“If you beat that guy, Master will be the best.”

“I’ll break his neck!”

Kang Jin-ho scratched his head with his finger.

“I never thought of it that way.”

Indeed, his and Bator’s brain structures were different. To think of saying things like being the best in this situation.

But well, it wasn’t anything new.

Hadn’t he been watching those childish humans fight each other until now?

‘I’m not much different.’

No.

Perhaps Kang Jin-ho was the most childish of them all.

“Demonic King.”

Hongwang limped towards him and spoke.

“Are you ready?”

“Well, more or less.”

“I won’t say any crap like ‘let go of the burden’.”

Kang Jin-ho slightly widened his eyes and looked at Hongwang. He never expected such words to come out of the dignified Hongwang’s mouth.

“Because you are someone who can fight even with that burden.”

“I have never put anyone above me. But if I must…”

Hongwang glanced at the Black King and continued.

“I’d prefer the Demonic King.”

“That’s an honor.”

He knew.

This was Hongwang’s way of cheering him on. For Hongwang, who wasn’t good with words, to say this much was quite a big deal.

“So, make sure you win.”

Hongwang grabbed Kang Jin-ho’s shoulder tightly. As if he was transferring the remaining strength he had.

“I will.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded, and Hongwang patted his shoulder once before stepping back.

The next person Kang Jin-ho had to face was wearing a very different expression than before.

“Demonic Lord.”

Jang Min sighed softly and opened his mouth.

“To be honest, I didn’t want to see this match.”

“The tangled threads of fate sometimes lead to unexpected outcomes. In my opinion, this is no longer a battle of who is stronger.”

“So, I dare to ask you, Demonic Lord.”

Jang Min looked at Jin-ho with an extremely serious, and at the same time, extremely earnest gaze.

“Are you the one who will end the life of the Azure Horse with your own hands?”

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes calmly met Jang Min’s gaze.