Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 258

Swoosh.

Kang Jin-ho quietly drew his Red Dew [a sword].

The shining blade revealed itself, and a sense of calm washed over him.

There was a time when he felt this sword was like an extension of his own limbs. When he drew it, it always drew blood. Red Dew was his limb and his solution.

When there was conflict, he drew Red Dew; when there was opposition, he drew Red Dew.

That was the norm in that era.

The man, Kang Jin-ho, who prided himself on being an intellectual, had become assimilated into the ways of the Murim [martial arts world] as he experienced it.

And, ridiculously, Kang Jin-ho, now a Murim person, was adapting to the modern world.

There was one thing he must not forget in this world.

This was not the Murim, and no conflict could be resolved with Red Dew.

But…

Swoosh.

Kang Jin-ho sheathed Red Dew and quietly closed his eyes.

‘If that’s what they want, it’s a different story.’

They were the ones who resorted to violence first, not him. If that was the case, Kang Jin-ho would respond to them in the same way.

Then they would know.

How half-hearted their methods were, and how great the price would be for provoking Kang Jin-ho.

There was no way he could just let those who attacked him go. Kang Jin-ho might tolerate it, but the Heavenly Demon Lord [a title from his past life] would never allow it. Absolutely not.

‘I’ve been patient for too long.’

Now that he had what he wanted, there was no need to hold back any longer. Now, the Yeongnam Association [a regional martial arts group] would pay dearly for provoking him.

In the darkness, Kang Jin-ho chuckled softly.

“Jin-ho!”

“Yes!”

Kang Jin-ho, who had been laughing, jumped up from his seat.

“Come out here for a second! The light bulb went out, and Mom can’t reach it.”

“I’ll change it.”

Kang Jin-ho tossed Red Dew under the bed and went out of the room. If anyone knew that such a historic demonic cult sword was being treated like this, they would shed tears of blood, but for Kang Jin-ho, it was a matter of course.

Even when he was part of the Demonic Cult, he had been nagged endlessly to take better care of his sacred artifact.

As he was taking the light bulb from his mother and changing it, Kang Eun-young came home from work.

“Oppa! Oppa!” [Oppa is a Korean term used by a younger female to address an older male sibling or close male friend.]

“Huh?”

“Come here! Come here!”

Kang Eun-young sat on the sofa without even changing her clothes and called for Kang Jin-ho.

“Why?”

“I have something to say, so come here, Oppa.”

“…Okay.”

Wondering what she was up to this time, he sat across from her, and Kang Eun-young said with a bright smile.

“I heard the store is packed these days?”

“Yeah.”

“It’s all because people are flocking in after seeing you on that drama, right?”

“That’s right.”

“Okay, then it means it was a good thing you appeared in the drama, right?”

Kang Jin-ho narrowed his eyes. The way she was leading the conversation was a bit strange, and it was obvious she was going to ask him for something.

“What do you want to say?”

“Oppa, listen. You got this many customers just from appearing in one drama. But if you don’t keep appearing in dramas, the customers will leave. If you want to keep increasing sales, you should appear in a drama again, don’t you think? This is me, as your sister, genuinely worrying about you.”

“Listen carefully, little sister.”

“Huh?”

“I haven’t said anything until now, but you have a habit when you lie.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah.”

“What, what is it?”

“If I tell you, you won’t be able to tell when you’re lying next time. So, it’s better not to lie about it being pure concern.”

“Hehe.”

Kang Eun-young’s face flushed slightly. She tried to gloss over it with an awkward laugh, but it was too obvious.

“Oppa! Just appear one more time. Please? The PD [Production Director] said if you appear just one more time, we can achieve legendary viewership ratings.”

“Tell them I’m not interested.”

“If you appear just one more time, the store will be overflowing with customers!”

“It’s enough as it is.”

“Those people will all leave soon.”

“I was hoping the customers would decrease a bit since there are too many, so that’s good.”

“Oppa!”

Kang Jin-ho frowned, and Kang Eun-young flinched and lowered her head slightly.

“It doesn’t seem like you’re doing this for my benefit. What do you want?”

“No, I don’t want anything?”

“I told you that you have a habit when you lie, didn’t I?”

“…You’re like a ghost, seriously.”

Kang Eun-young seemed to be pondering what her habit was, but it wasn’t something she could fix even if she knew it.

When people lie, their hearts beat faster. However, there are very few people who can notice it. Kang Jin-ho was one of those people.

“Director Jang said that if you appear just one more time, he’ll cast me as a lead in his next drama.”

“Hmm…”

“Oppa, do you know how amazing Director Jang Hak-sun is? Even Choi Yeon-ha appears in his dramas. Please help me just this once? Please?”

Kang Jin-ho quietly looked at Kang Eun-young before opening his mouth.

“Listen carefully.”

Kang Eun-young put her hands together and nodded as Kang Jin-ho’s voice seemed to lower.

“If it seems like I have to help for it to succeed, then it shouldn’t have been started in the first place. Do you understand what I mean?”

“Uhh…”

“I’ve already helped you a lot so far. Right?”

“Yes, Oppa. I know that. I’m always grateful.”

“It’s not difficult for me to help you once. But what’s the point of getting a role that way? If you want to get a lead role, work harder. Got it?”

“…Okay.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded, and Kang Eun-young cautiously glanced at him.

‘His reaction is a bit strange?’

Usually, after being scolded like this, one would become dejected, but there was no sign of that at all. It was as if he knew this would happen.

Then why did she bring it up?

“Oppa, so what I’m saying is…”

“Huh?”

“If it’s difficult for you to appear again, could you just meet my manager oppa [another term for older brother, used by females to address older male friends or colleagues] once? That shouldn’t be too difficult, right?”

So, this was it.

She was like a fox, a fox, and now she was trying to play with her brother’s head, which made him laugh.

“Why that person?”

“…Right now, it’s chaos because of you. But you don’t have an agency, and no press releases are going out, so it’s hard to use you for media play.”

“Media play?”

“If you become popular, I’ll become popular too. I’m your sister.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded, and Kang Eun-young grabbed his arm and clung to him.

“Oppa! Please do an interview and let some articles come out. Please? I’m working hard on filming right now, but I’m not getting enough attention, so I’m feeling down. Please?”

Kang Jin-ho sighed deeply.

“An interview?”

“Yeah. They say it’s easy to get on the entertainment news main page if you just do an interview. If you do an interview with our friendly media company, nothing bad will come out, and they’ll edit it well. Oppa!”

Kang Jin-ho pressed down on Kang Eun-young’s head.

“Now you’re even selling your own brother, huh?”

“Hehehe.”

“…I’ll think about it.”

“Yay! You’re the best, Oppa!”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled and pushed away Kang Eun-young, who was clinging to him.

“Go wash up.”

“Huh? Am I dirty? Oppa, did you see me that way?”

“Do you want me to tell you the truth?”

“No. Just stop there. I was wrong.”

Kang Eun-young shook her head and got up from her seat. Kang Jin-ho, after confirming that Kang Eun-young had gone into her room, was about to go to his own room when the phone rang.

“Hmm?”

Who could it be at this late hour?

Kang Jin-ho frowned as he checked the screen.

Lee Hyun-joo.

She had suddenly called Kang Jin-ho.

“Hello.”

“[Kang Jin-ho, I’m sorry for contacting you so suddenly.]”

“Yes. What’s the matter?”

“[Could I ask you for a favor?]”

“Let’s hear it first.”

It didn’t seem like they were in a position to grant favors, but there was no harm in listening. Besides, he had been indebted to her once before.

“[I’m in front of your house right now, could I see you for a moment?]”

In front of his house?

Kang Jin-ho frowned.

His home was a territory he had to protect. There was no way he would tolerate a martial artist loitering right in front of it.

“It seems you didn’t hear my warning not to come here recklessly.”

“[It’s not like that…]”

“Let’s talk after we meet. Where are you now?”

“[Right in front of your house.]”

“I’ll go out now.”

Kang Jin-ho hung up the phone and headed for the front door.

“Where are you going?”

“A friend came by, so I’ll be back soon.”

“Don’t be late.”

“Yes.”

The words coming out of his mouth were gentle, but Kang Jin-ho’s eyes were burning low.

He had clearly warned her once, but for her to come all the way to his house was nothing short of disregarding him.

‘After experiencing me, she’s still doing this?’

It was incomprehensible.

But it didn’t matter. If she didn’t know him well yet, he would make sure she knew him properly.

As he stepped out of the front door, Lee Hyun-joo, who was standing in the alley, bowed her head deeply when she saw him. Kang Jin-ho quietly looked at her. Her slightly pale face and trembling hands suggested that she hadn’t come without a reason.

“What’s the matter?”

“I…”

Lee Hyun-joo trembled as she looked at Kang Jin-ho, then suddenly knelt down on the spot.

Kang Jin-ho stared at Lee Hyun-joo with a blank look.

He had no idea why this woman was suddenly acting like this.

“What are you doing?”

“I’m really sorry for asking you this. But you’re the only person I could turn to, Kang Jin-ho.”

“Skip the preamble…”

Kang Jin-ho said in a cold voice.

“Just get to the point. I need to go back in soon.”

“P-Please help me.”

“Huh?”

“My grandfather is in danger. But there’s no one to help him. Please, I beg you. Kang Jin-ho, please help my grandfather.”

Kang Jin-ho tilted his head as if he didn’t understand what she was saying.

“So, your grandfather is in danger, and you need my help?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Why?”

“Huh?”

Kang Jin-ho replied in a cold voice.

“Is there any reason why I should help you, or rather, your grandfather? It doesn’t seem like there’s any reason for me to go through the trouble of helping someone I don’t even know.”

“I know it’s an unreasonable request. But…”

“If you know it’s an unreasonable request, then you won’t be upset if I refuse. Be careful on your way back.”

As Kang Jin-ho finished speaking and was about to turn around, Lee Hyun-joo urgently grabbed his arm.

“If you save my grandfather, we can do a lot for you. My grandfather is the chairman of the Martial Arts Assembly.”

Kang Jin-ho shook his head.

“I don’t want anything from you.”

“Kang Jin-ho, please!”

Kang Jin-ho sighed softly as he looked at the sobbing Lee Hyun-joo.

There should be some context, but she was cutting off the beginning and end and coming out like this, he didn’t know what to do. Moreover, the old Kang Jin-ho wouldn’t have cared whether she cried or not.

But…

‘You told me to be someone who can reach out.’

The face of the head nun kept appearing in his mind. She had told him to be someone who could reach out first, but if he coldly turned away someone who had come to him for help, what would the nun say?

‘This is tiring.’

Once again, he realized that he was not the person the nun wanted him to be, and Kang Jin-ho opened his mouth.

“First, tell me what’s going on.”