Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 2120

The US position was quite understandable.

Even if they pretended otherwise, the country most interested in fostering martial artists was the US. In fact, when you think about it objectively, the only country that actually implemented a plan to cultivate martial artists under state leadership was the US.

Whether that plan succeeded or failed is another matter, but there’s no denying that their interest in martial artists was genuine.

So, for them, the martial arts of the General Assembly and Kang Jin-ho’s guidance would have been an enticing bait.

Up to this point, Kang Jin-ho could understand.

Of course, going to the US to guide those who would become martial artists would be quite a bothersome task, but Kang Jin-ho had already resolved to take responsibility for this whole situation to a certain extent.

He could endure that much. If he could gain the full support of the superpower that is the US in return, it was definitely a profitable deal.

But the problem was…

“The Creation King’s demonic arts, huh?”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled wryly, and Goh Han-bong cautiously opened his mouth.

“It seems that’s what the US is truly after.”

“The General Assembly’s martial arts are already set to be released worldwide, as declared by the Assembly Head. Of course, not all martial arts of the General Assembly are the same, but even if they obtain better martial arts, it would be difficult to make a significant difference.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded silently.

“But the Creation King’s martial arts are different.

The Creation King’s martial arts have already been proven in terms of their power. Along with the Assembly Head’s martial arts, they are proven to be the most superior martial arts currently in existence.”

“If they can succeed in cultivating martial artists based on the Creation King’s martial arts, they won’t lose the initiative in the military power competition that will occur in the future. I think that’s what they’re thinking.”

“Hmm.”

Kang Jin-ho took a long drag of his cigarette.

Otherwise, he felt like he would burst out laughing.

Did he hit the nail on the head?

Yes, that’s what he had to say. Considering the US’s intelligence capabilities, they would have already figured out that Kang Jin-ho’s martial arts and the General Assembly’s martial arts were different. If so, they would have wanted to get their hands on the best martial arts they could.

The US’s demands and Goh Han-bong’s reaction were both reasonable when you think about it. Nevertheless, the reason why Kang Jin-ho found it hard to hold back his laughter was because of Lee Hyun-soo’s trickery.

‘That crazy bastard.’

It seemed that the US had succeeded in figuring out the level of the Creation King’s martial arts, but they didn’t seem to fully understand the characteristics of demonic arts.

‘Well…

It’s not that strange.

Demonic arts are quite common within the General Assembly, but in reality, it’s difficult for anyone who isn’t a demonic cultist to properly understand them.’

“So, Lee Hyun-soo made the proposal first?”

“…Yes. But… the US also seemed to want it. So, Director Lee must have cleverly taken the initiative to make the proposal first.”

Goh Han-bong cautiously glanced at Kang Jin-ho. He seemed worried that his words might cause harm to Lee Hyun-soo.

However, Kang Jin-ho didn’t feel like scolding Lee Hyun-soo at all. On the contrary, he felt like applauding him.

‘That insane bastard.’

On the surface, it was a deal where the US had nothing to lose. After all, it was difficult for the US to stop the current trend on its own. Once the floodgates have been opened, it’s impossible for one country to block them.

The important thing wasn’t that Kang Jin-ho was releasing the General Assembly’s martial arts to the world. It was that the perception that martial arts were something anyone could learn had already taken root.

Humans always try to obtain what they can get, don’t they? If it were possible for a country to control people’s desires, things like crime and drugs would have been eradicated long ago.

Trying to forcibly block it would only drive martial arts underground. Of course, martial arts had been circulating underground until now, but the problem was that the martial artists who went underground in that way would not be controlled, unlike the martial artists of the past.

Who could guarantee that the crimes and terrorism by martial artists that each country had been worried about before this incident wouldn’t only occur in the US? At that time, the burden the US would have to bear would be incomparable to what it is now.

It would be better to take the lead in the world that is about to unfold. If they could firmly take the lead even in the martial arts sector, Pax Americana [a term referring to a period of relative peace in the Western world led by the United States] would continue for at least a hundred years.

And Lee Hyun-soo would have fueled this desire of the US.

That devilish bastard probably also hinted to the US that Kang Jin-ho possessed the Creation King’s martial arts. So that they would become greedy and openly demand it from Kang Jin-ho.

From the US’s perspective, the Creation King’s martial arts would be the most powerful weapon to lead the next generation.

But…

‘It’ll be too late once they realize it’s poison.’

The instability of demonic arts wouldn’t actually be a big problem. The US would also be aware of that fact to some extent. The US isn’t a country that fears the use of guns because of the problems they have.

And Kang Jin-ho could also help with that problem.

However, it seemed that the US hadn’t properly grasped another characteristic of demonic arts. The fact that those who have reached a higher level can exert a powerful influence over those who haven’t reached that level.

‘This is absurd.’

In other words, right now, Lee Hyun-soo had offered the most powerful bait he could to the superpower that is the US, and at the same time, he had set a trap that would allow Kang Jin-ho to exert influence over the martial artists they would cultivate.

And the US had thoughtlessly taken the bait.

Isn’t he a crazy bastard?

What kind of person in the world would think of gambling against a country like the US, in such a chaotic situation, not even in peacetime?

The more he thought about it, the more absurd it was, and he couldn’t help but laugh.

If things went according to Lee Hyun-soo’s plan, Kang Jin-ho would be able to sit back and create a result where he would be cultivating people who were no different from his private army, using the US’s manpower and capital.

Of course, it would be best if that private army wasn’t used.

“Assembly Head?”

“Ah!”

Kang Jin-ho, who had laughed once, shook his head.

It seemed that he would have to talk to Lee Hyun-soo when he returned to the General Assembly. He wanted to know what he was thinking when he did this.

“Please say you’ll accept it.”

“Are you serious?”

“There’s no reason not to accept it. The Creation King’s martial arts aren’t particularly necessary for me either.”

It was true that the high-level demonic arts that the Creation King had mastered were superior to ordinary demonic arts, but in reality, Kang Jin-ho had plenty of demonic arts of that level. If he wanted, he could create them in a matter of days.

They were something that the US desperately wanted, but they were meaningless to Kang Jin-ho. It was the best card to use in negotiations. So why would he hesitate?

“That’s a relief.”

Goh Han-bong sighed in relief.

“Actually, I couldn’t tell you… but right now, some countries are very suspicious of the Assembly Head’s actions.”

“Suspicious?”

“Yes.”

Goh Han-bong nodded and looked at Kang Jin-ho.

“I don’t think so, but some countries that are trying to take the lead in hegemony [dominance or leadership, especially by one country or social group over others] are interpreting the series of actions that the Assembly Head is taking as an attempt to create a transnational martial arts organization.”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled wryly.

“Really…”

“I know what you’re thinking, Assembly Head. But this is a serious problem for them. What could be more frightening than a military force created within their own country that is not under the control of the state? Especially from the perspective of those who run the country.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

That was also true.

Especially from the perspective of politicians who think about everything politically, everything Kang Jin-ho was doing would be suspicious and frightening.

“But now that you’ve decided to join hands with the US, even at a loss to yourself, those concerns will be dispelled.”

“…That’s a relief then.”

It was ironic.

Kang Jin-ho certainly had no intention of doing so. But unlike what Goh Han-bong said, the possibility of such a thing actually happening had arisen because Kang Jin-ho had accepted the US’s proposal.

And if it were Lee Hyun-soo instead of Kang Jin-ho…

‘He’d try to pretend he wasn’t.’

He would subtly make other countries wary of the US taking the lead, and he would make them want demonic arts as well.

He would distribute stable martial arts of the General Assembly to the civilians, and he would induce the combatants cultivated by the state to learn more destructive demonic arts. It would sound reasonable at first glance.

If that happened?

Kang Jin-ho stopped thinking.

This was something even he couldn’t handle. Depending on the situation, it meant that a situation could arise where all the demonic beings competitively cultivated in numerous countries would come under Kang Jin-ho’s control.

He didn’t want to do that, and there was nothing to gain by doing so.

But…

‘At least there’s no better safety device than this.’

There were only two ways to avoid being discarded after being used.

One was to prove that you still had the ability to catch other prey,

and the other was…

‘To bite and kill the owner.’

Kang Jin-ho’s eyes darkened slightly.

He didn’t want to bite and kill his owner, but it wouldn’t be bad to make them understand that they would have to risk their lives if they wanted to put him in the pot.

Kang Jin-ho stubbed out the cigarette that had burned down in the ashtray and put a new cigarette in his mouth.

“Is that all you need?”

“Yes, Assembly Head.”

“Then…”

Kang Jin-ho smiled slightly.

“I trust that you’ll handle it well… but please wait a few days before conveying this conversation.”

“I understand what you mean.”

Kang Jin-ho also needed to give the impression that he had given up something he didn’t want to after much deliberation. The more he did that, the more they would value what they had gained.

“And if there’s anything else you can get, get it.”

“Of course. Just in case, I’m already compiling a list of items for negotiation.”

“And…”

Goh Han-bong hesitated slightly, and Kang Jin-ho took the lead.

“Yes, it’s okay.”

“Thank you, Assembly Head!”

It meant that it would be okay for the government to get involved in the negotiations under the pretext of Kang Jin-ho’s negotiations. Kang Jin-ho was willing to extend that much favor to Goh Han-bong.

In the first place, if the country of Korea benefited, Kang Jin-ho would also benefit.

Goh Han-bong reached out his hand with a pleased expression.

“I will convey the Assembly Head’s position in a well-packaged manner. The US will also understand the good intentions of the Assembly Head’s intentions. I will do my best to prevent any unnecessary misunderstandings.”

Kang Jin-ho smiled deeply at those words.

“Please do your best.”

Kang Jin-ho’s hand, which grasped Goh Han-bong’s hand, was slightly warm.