Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 306

“Chairman Hwang Jung-hoo?”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

“When people get older, they tend not to admit their mistakes. Especially if they believe they’ve done nothing wrong, it becomes even harder for them to show leniency to others.”

“That’s true, but…”

“Chairman Hwang Jung-hoo’s sons made mistakes. So, Chairman Hwang Jung-hoo punished them.”

“Yes. It was clearly their fault.”

“So, who became happy?”

Cho Kyu-min closed his mouth.

This was a direction he hadn’t considered.

Who became happy? Happiness…

‘No one.’

No one became happy. Chairman Hwang Jung-hoo’s sons fell into ruin, and while Hwang Jung-hoo regained his position, he now lives alone in that vast mansion.

With his ties to his children severed, his connections with his grandchildren were also cut off, and he didn’t have any close relatives. Hwang Jung-hoo’s father was from North Korea and came down to South Korea with Hwang Jung-hoo and his older brother during the war.

Hwang Jung-hoo’s older brother had no descendants, so…

‘He’s completely alone.’

He could understand why Hwang Jung-hoo was so fixated on Kang Jin-ho.

“Does it look good?”

“But…”

Cho Kyu-min couldn’t accept it.

“I don’t think someone with that much power and influence would be struggling just because he doesn’t have a good relationship with his family. Chairman Hwang Jung-hoo is still someone who can shake the country with a single word.”

“Power and wealth are meaningless in the face of death.”

“Yes, well, that’s true.”

That’s a general statement.

If given a choice between a wealthy life without family and a poor life with a happy family, how many people would choose the latter?

If they were offered Hwang Jung-hoo’s wealth in exchange for strained family relationships, most would choose the latter.

‘Am I too materialistic?’

Thinking that way, he was reminded of his mother. Cutting ties with parents who only wish for their children to succeed back in their hometown.

“I don’t want to say something obvious like ‘human relationships are heaven-sent.’ In fact, it hasn’t been long since I started thinking that human relationships are that important.”

“Hmm…”

Even in the Central Plains [a region in China often used in martial arts stories], where Kang Jin-ho lived, it wasn’t uncommon for fathers to kill their children, or children to kill their fathers. Historically, there were countless instances of monarchs killing their own children or usurping the throne by killing their fathers.

Even in modern times, with advanced information technology that reveals the reasons behind incidents and the media reporting them extensively, patricide still occurs frequently. How much more common would it have been in the past when the cause of death couldn’t even be properly determined?

“It’s just, how should I put it…”

Kang Jin-ho chuckled.

“He’s not being honest with himself.”

“…That seems to be the case.”

“Even if he now misses them and feels the absence of his children, he’s someone who can’t turn back on his own. So, wouldn’t it be okay for someone to give him a little push?”

Cho Kyu-min frowned. He was definitely against this idea. It felt like stirring up trouble. If things didn’t go well, his relationship with Hwang Jung-hoo might become awkward, and if things did go well and Hwang Jung-hoo’s relationship with his children was restored, it would be like creating a rival within Jae-kyung for Kang Jin-ho.

“Either way, it’s a loss for us.”

“It’s alright.”

Kang Jin-ho smiled faintly.

‘Because I’ve received so much.’

He and Hwang Jung-hoo were bound by a contract.

Because Kang Jin-ho had helped him recover from his illness, Hwang Jung-hoo had paid him. If Hwang Jung-hoo had stopped there, that would have been the extent of their relationship. The money Hwang Jung-hoo had paid him was more than he had expected.

But Hwang Jung-hoo didn’t stop there.

He didn’t see Kang Jin-ho as just a benefactor. He considered him a partner to share his life with, and half of his family.

Since then, the support Kang Jin-ho had received from Hwang Jung-hoo was immeasurable. Even though Kang Jin-ho hadn’t done much for him.

If you receive something, you have to repay it. But there was nothing Kang Jin-ho could do for Hwang Jung-hoo. He already had everything.

If there was anything he lacked, it was only one thing.

“I feel like I keep asking the same question…”

“Yes?”

“What is the real reason you’re doing this?”

The same question.

But each time he asked, a different answer came out. Kang Jin-ho finally revealed the reason he had kept deep in his heart.

“Everyone dies.”

“Yes.”

“And when that moment of death comes, they look around.”

“There’s nothing more bitter than realizing ‘there’s no one around me’ at the moment of death.”

Kang Jin-ho quietly closed his eyes.

He couldn’t forget the gaze of the Azure Horse, who had looked at him with complex emotions.

If he had paid a little more attention to his surroundings, if he had thought a little more about others, things might not have turned out that way. If he had listened a little more to what others had to say.

The price of heading towards destruction was only one thing.

A conflict with the world.

It felt like everyone in the world except Kang Jin-ho was hostile towards him.

Although the circumstances were slightly different, Hwang Jung-hoo must be feeling something similar now. He might have felt joy in regaining the company he had built up over his lifetime and returning to his position, but after a few years, he would realize that the only thing left for him was the company.

Did he feel proud at the moment of death after reviving the Demonic Cult [a fictional martial arts sect] and building an unparalleled reputation?

Absolutely not.

All that remained was regret and remorse.

Kang Jin-ho didn’t want Hwang Jung-hoo to feel that way. He didn’t feel sympathy for Hwang Jung-hoo’s children. To be honest, he wasn’t even interested in them. What he was thinking about now was that there were parts that could only be filled by blood relatives, and that they were the only ones who could provide that to Hwang Jung-hoo.

“I’ll create an opportunity.”

Cho Kyu-min still looked displeased.

He probably couldn’t understand it.

“But please promise me one thing.”

“What is it?”

“If Chairman Hwang Jung-hoo refuses, promise me you’ll stop. That’s the condition.”

“That’s something I don’t even need to promise. I’m just providing an opportunity. The choice is his. Even if he pushes them away with a cold heart, I’ll accept it if that’s his choice.”

“In that case…”

Cho Kyu-min shook off the last bit of unease.

‘It feels like I’m doing all the work for someone else.’

Wasn’t Jae-kyung rebuilt thanks to Cho Kyu-min and Kang Jin-ho’s efforts? Yet, as soon as Jae-kyung was revived, it felt like they were bringing the successors back into the company.

‘I absolutely can’t stand that.’

Cho Kyu-min clenched his fist under the table.

It was fine if Kang Jin-ho didn’t inherit the company. He hadn’t decided to follow Kang Jin-ho because of his wealth. But it was a different matter if what was in Kang Jin-ho’s pocket rolled out.

Even if Kang Jin-ho didn’t own Jae-kyung, the first right and option to own Jae-kyung should belong to Kang Jin-ho. After Kang Jin-ho gave that up, it was none of Cho Kyu-min’s business who divided it up.

‘I need to make a move…’

The first person that came to his mind was Director Baek Young-gi.

Currently, Baek Young-gi was the second-in-command at Jae-kyung and the person who hated Hwang Min-jae and Hwang Min-soo the most. If he consulted with him, he might find a good solution.

“The meat is delicious.”

“It looks dry though.”

“It’s a matter of taste.”

Cho Kyu-min sighed as he looked at the medium-rare steak on his plate.

‘Not everyone can have the same thoughts.’

Just like their taste in meat was different, he and Kang Jin-ho couldn’t have the same thoughts about the same event. Acknowledging each other and aligning their directions was the best way to maintain their relationship.

“I should thank you for one thing.”

“Yes?”

“For consulting me about this.”

Kang Jin-ho smiled gently.

“Is there anyone else I can consult with?”

“I won’t disappoint you.”

Cho Kyu-min cut a piece of the reddish steak and brought it to his mouth.

“Are you going home?”

“I have to stop by somewhere first.”

At Kang Jin-ho’s words, Cho Kyu-min pointed to the car.

“Get in. I’ll take you.”

“No. It seems like someone’s already here?”

“Yes?”

Cho Kyu-min turned his head with a puzzled look, and at the end of the parking lot, he saw a familiar and unique figure.

‘I can tell who it is just by the shadow.’

Just by looking at the shoulders that seemed twice as wide as other people’s and the short-cropped hair, he could tell who it was.

“Hello.”

That nonchalant greeting was also very fitting.

‘He chose the wrong profession.’

He looked like someone who should be working in that field. Just by looking at his face and demeanor, it seemed like disputes would be resolved without having to lift a finger.

‘Well, it’s not that different.’

Whether it’s a martial artist or a gangster.

In some ways, gangsters were better. At least they knew to fear the law. Who would have thought that such people were lurking in the shadows in a safe country like South Korea?

“Is there something on my face?”

“Ah, no. It’s been a while.”

“Well, it hasn’t been that long.”

Bang Jin-hoon smiled affably.

Unlike his intimidating appearance, Bang Jin-hoon’s tone was gentle. And even with that face, he looked decent when he smiled brightly.

Maybe it was Bang Jin-hoon’s way of getting along with people…

‘He has good people skills.’

They said he had many followers, and it seemed there was a reason for it. If he had a bad personality with that face, people wouldn’t follow him.

“It seems like I’ll have to take you today.”

“Hmm, I guess I have no choice. I’ll hand him over.”

“Thank you.”

Kang Jin-ho was being treated like an object.

“It seems like we should have a drink together sometime, just the three of us?”

At Bang Jin-hoon’s words, Cho Kyu-min nodded.

Cho Kyu-min needed to get to know Bang Jin-hoon in his own way, and Bang Jin-hoon couldn’t help but pay attention to Cho Kyu-min.

‘He’s a person of interest.’

And the one who was looking at the other with more intensity was Bang Jin-hoon.

If you were to simply consider social status or the importance of their work, Cho Kyu-min was someone he didn’t need to pay much attention to.

But Bang Jin-hoon couldn’t help but be on high alert about Cho Kyu-min.

‘They’re having meals together alone?’

If that was the case, he must be one of his closest confidants. From Kang Jin-ho’s perspective, there wouldn’t be much difference between Bang Jin-hoon and Cho Kyu-min. The overwhelming difference in martial power that Bang Jin-hoon possessed would be like comparing the height of acorns in Kang Jin-ho’s eyes.

In the end, it was about affinity.

Bang Jin-hoon instinctively knew that the power hierarchy was determined by who was closer to Kang Jin-ho and who had more influence.

“And Kang Jin-ho!”

Bang Jin-hoon glared at Kang Jin-ho with his fierce eyes.

“Yes?”

“When are you going to have a meal with me!”

“……Yes?”

Kang Jin-ho’s face went blank, and Cho Kyu-min turned his head to suppress his laughter.