Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 2104

Koh Han-bong slightly straightened his back.

It was an unconscious act to break free from the suppressed situation and regain his usual composure. Koh Han-bong, who had carefully managed his expression to conceal his true feelings, opened his mouth, feigning a relaxed tone.

‘Well, that’s a rather unusual thing to say.’

Koh Han-bong smiled faintly.

‘Ultimately, the will of the General Assembly is the same as the will of the Chairman, isn’t it?’

‘That’s correct.’

‘But when I met with him, I recall the Chairman being very forward-thinking about this whole situation. To the point where he was willing to compromise if necessary. I’m curious if the Chairman’s thoughts have changed in the meantime.’

Lee Hyun-soo shook his head as if there was nothing to consider.

‘I don’t know what kind of conversation you had with the Chairman, Prime Minister, but I don’t believe the Chairman’s position has shifted significantly.’

‘Then, isn’t what Director Lee is saying now… a contradiction to the Chairman’s opinion?’

Lee Hyun-soo smiled faintly.

‘It’s alright. Everything regarding this negotiation has been entrusted to me.’

Koh Han-bong, unable to hold back, finally frowned.

What kind of nonsense was this? In the first place, Lee Hyun-soo was merely a messenger sent to convey Kang Jin-ho’s position. Of course, since Kang Jin-ho had personally chosen Lee Hyun-soo as his messenger, it was understandable that some personal opinions would be mixed in, but it was not right for him to act completely against Kang Jin-ho’s intentions.

In other words, this was an overreach of authority. And a fatal overreach that could completely twist the situation.

But Koh Han-bong couldn’t point that out.

The reason was very simple.

‘He’s not someone who wouldn’t know that.’

There was no way someone like Lee Hyun-soo wouldn’t understand that fact. Then, this wasn’t a mistake, but a thoroughly intentional act.

Then, how should this situation be interpreted?

At that moment, Lee Hyun-soo grabbed his tie and pulled it slightly.

‘Until now, as the director of the General Assembly, I have conveyed the position of the General Assembly, Prime Minister. Now, from this point forward, as Lee Hyun-soo, an individual, may I convey our position to Prime Minister Koh Han-bong?’

Koh Han-bong couldn’t readily nod. He understood that the meaning behind those words was heavier than he initially thought. But under Lee Hyun-soo’s gaze, which was staring intently at him, Koh Han-bong’s head eventually nodded.

‘Very well.’

‘The Chairman will definitely not break the agreement in any way. But… the other side will be different, right?’

‘That’s a misunderstanding.’

Koh Han-bong shook his head.

‘Each country desires peace. More than Director Lee thinks.’

‘Yes. Of course, they will.’

Lee Hyun-soo smiled faintly.

‘They’ll have to put out the fire they’re currently in. Before the fire spreads to me.’

‘But… what will happen after that urgent fire is extinguished? Will they still acknowledge the exclusive status of the Murim [Martial Arts World] then?’

Koh Han-bong closed his mouth. After hesitating for a long time, Koh Han-bong opened his mouth with difficulty.

‘Once a treaty is signed…’

‘Yes. It can be broken at any time, right? Isn’t that the nature of international relations?’

The fact that he couldn’t bring himself to say no frustrated Koh Han-bong.

‘Of course, I’m not doubting the Prime Minister’s sincerity. I fully understand that you have done a lot for the General Assembly and that you are still trying to work as a partner of the General Assembly.’

‘Thank you for thinking so.’

‘However…’

Lee Hyun-soo’s gaze reached Koh Han-bong.

‘It’s worth considering what the Prime Minister’s influence means to those standing behind you.’

Koh Han-bong closed his eyes tightly.

Just a moment ago, he had asked Lee Hyun-soo if he had the authority to present an opinion that contradicted Kang Jin-ho. Now, Koh Han-bong was receiving that question back.

Whether he could truly represent those standing behind him.

Lee Hyun-soo had said yes, but Koh Han-bong couldn’t bring himself to say yes. Compared to them, Koh Han-bong was nothing more than a nobody.

‘The world doesn’t run on goodwill. We know that fact better than anyone, Prime Minister.’

Lee Hyun-soo wore a chilling smile.

‘We are well aware that one day, the Chairman’s existence could also become like that of a hunting dog after the hunt is over.’

‘Director, that’s…’

When Koh Han-bong couldn’t continue, Lee Hyun-soo looked at Koh Han-bong with a smile.

‘So, I will say what the Chairman cannot bring himself to say.’

‘What the Chairman wants is for all Murim to live lives that are not special. To allow others to enjoy what he himself could not obtain, what he desperately wished for.’

Lee Hyun-soo continued calmly.

‘The Chairman will be able to endure a lot for that goal. To concede and concede again, and perhaps even endure being insulted.’

Lee Hyun-soo smiled bitterly.

‘Well, maybe it’s because of a compensation mentality for what he couldn’t achieve himself, or maybe it’s a sense of debt for what he received from the Black King. Yes. Whatever the reason, the Chairman is now thinking about the entire Murim world rather than his own safety. That’s a clear fact.’

‘Then why…’

‘But…’

Lee Hyun-soo’s lips twisted bitterly.

‘I’m sorry, but I don’t have that kind of sense of debt. No, not just me, but all the Murim of the General Assembly, the Red King faction, and the Round Table have not found a reason to be sorry to the ordinary people of the outside world, nor do they feel a sense of debt to the Black King who died first.’

‘Director…’

‘So, I’ll make it clear.’

Koh Han-bong clenched his fist without realizing it.

‘As long as the Chairman exists, we will follow his will. Unless he changes his mind, we will cooperate as much as possible to help you achieve the world you want. However…’

Lee Hyun-soo’s eyes emitted a cold light.

‘Whether your intentions change, or you reveal your hidden claws, if anything happens that harms the Chairman in any way…’

Lee Hyun-soo’s voice, like a growl, pierced Koh Han-bong’s ears.

‘All the Murim under the General Assembly will not hesitate to give up their lives to tear your throats out. Don’t forget. We don’t have the power to destroy the world, but we have the power to deal with a few of you at any time.’

‘If you want war, we can give it to you anytime. But what you will gain will be the victory of a world where you do not exist. This is…’

Lee Hyun-soo smiled faintly.

‘A warning.’

‘Of course, well, it’s a personal opinion. Very personal. It has nothing to do with the official position of the General Assembly, so you don’t have to worry too much about it.’

Koh Han-bong took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat from his forehead. Then he let out a deep sigh.

‘…You said it was a personal opinion?’

‘Of course.’

‘…Ultimately, those personal opinions will come together to form an agreement, right? The thoughts of others won’t be that different from Director Lee’s, will they?’

‘No. I’m actually considered a moderate, if you have to categorize me.’

Koh Han-bong closed his mouth.

‘At least, I’m the one who argues that we shouldn’t move until you harm the Chairman. There are already those within our ranks who are arguing that we should preemptively eliminate you and move to have those who are friendly to the Murim seize power.’

A deep sigh escaped from Koh Han-bong’s mouth.

‘I have definitely understood what you have said.’

‘Then I’m glad.’

‘However, one last thing…’

‘Yes.’

‘There’s one thing I’d like to ask.’

‘Go ahead.’

Koh Han-bong pushed up his glasses that had slipped down.

‘That… so to speak, as Lee Hyun-soo personally, the safety of Kang Jin-ho is more important than the safety of the entire Murim world, is that what you’re saying?’

‘That’s correct.’

‘I don’t quite understand how that’s possible…’

No matter how loyal Lee Hyun-soo was to Kang Jin-ho, how could he compare the lives of tens or hundreds of thousands to Kang Jin-ho?

But Lee Hyun-soo answered without a moment’s hesitation.

‘Prime Minister, I am not a politician.’

Lee Hyun-soo continued calmly.

‘Frankly, from my perspective, it doesn’t matter if the Murim world disappears completely tomorrow. The Murim don’t see each other as comrades as much as you think. Rather, until recently, they were nothing more than enemies who had to kill each other, let alone cooperate.’

‘So why should I move for a grand goal like the future and safety of the Murim world, which doesn’t even touch my skin? To me, that’s nothing more than a nuisance.’

‘Then why…’

‘Because the Chairman wants it.’

Lee Hyun-soo shrugged his shoulders.

‘That’s all the reason I need.’

Lee Hyun-soo closed his eyes for a moment. He seemed to be organizing his thoughts, and then he slowly opened his eyes and continued.

‘I still have the expectation that the Chairman will be able to resolve this whole situation stably. He’s always someone who exceeds my imagination.’

‘I think so too.’

‘But that’s only possible at the cost of the sacrifice of the human Kang Jin-ho.’

‘So my position is simple. The Chairman will protect the Murim world. He will protect the Murim. So I won’t think about such complicated things. All my capabilities will be used solely to protect the Chairman.’

‘Director Lee…’

‘For that…’

Lee Hyun-soo bared his teeth.

‘I can do anything.’

Koh Han-bong’s fingertips trembled slightly.

Seeing that, Lee Hyun-soo scratched his head awkwardly.

‘This, the story has become a bit serious. Anyway…’

Clap!

Lee Hyun-soo clapped his hands lightly to change the atmosphere.

‘The branches in Europe and East Asia will be finished soon. After that, the General Assembly will officially begin controlling the Murim. Prime Minister, I will stabilize this chaotic situation within a month.’

‘……Yes.’

‘So please convey my words well.’

Koh Han-bong let out a hollow laugh. What words should he convey?

Official? Or personal?

‘Then.’

Lee Hyun-soo got up from his seat as if he had nothing more to say.

As Lee Hyun-soo bowed his head and left, Koh Han-bong threw out words that he didn’t need to say.

‘The Chairman must be happy.’

‘To have a confidant like Director Lee.’

Lee Hyun-soo only turned his head to look at Koh Han-bong and smiled faintly.

‘It’s the other way around. I’m the lucky one to have met the Chairman.’

‘I hope that luck can be with the Prime Minister as well.’

‘I hope so too.’

Lee Hyun-soo, who bowed his head lightly, opened the door and left.

Koh Han-bong, left alone, got up from his seat and walked to his desk. He opened a desk drawer and took out a cigarette. It was something he should report immediately, but he wanted to rest a little now.

‘Harmony…’

Koh Han-bong closed his eyes quietly.

‘It’s always the most difficult thing.’

Too far and arduous.

Yes, that’s what it is.