Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 540

Venturing a bit away from Seoul, into the outskirts, there are quite a few deserted national roads.

What’s interesting is that in these places, where no one lives and there aren’t many cars passing by, several rather luxurious buildings have been erected.

High-ranking individuals who want to hold meetings discreetly often used restaurants in these remote areas, despite the exorbitant prices.

The same is true now.

Even though it was late at night, the deserted national road was lit up by bright headlights. The river of headlights wasn’t flowing downwards but rather upwards, towards the mountains, as if in reverse.

The place where the river of headlights was headed was a classic-style tile-roofed house that only revealed itself after going quite a way up from the national road.

No, rather than a tile-roofed house, it was more appropriate to call it a ‘palace.’

Black sedans were gathering in front of the large gate.

The waiting staff quickly helped with parking, and those sitting in the honored seats got out of their vehicles and went inside without looking back.

Passing through the gate, they followed a small stone path further inside, reaching a detached building at the innermost part. As the waiting staff opened the door, they went inside without hesitation.

“You’ve worked hard to come here.”

“Hmm……”

Lee Jung-gul nodded silently. Inside, a lavish feast had already been prepared, and many people were sitting around the table.

“This way.”

There was a hand guiding him to the vacant honored seat.

Should I refuse?

There’s no need to do that.

Lee Jung-gul didn’t refuse the guiding hand and headed to the honored seat. Once seated, he could see the faces of those who had already arrived at a glance.

‘More than I expected.’

When he was the head of the Assembly, this was always his view during meetings. Those looking up at him, and the gazes of caution and respect mixed together.

It was something that had nothing to do with him anymore.

While Lee Jung-gul was slightly caught up in the past, people continued to arrive and take their seats. After all the empty seats were filled and a little more time passed, a low voice emerged.

“It seems everyone who is coming has arrived.”

Lee Jung-gul nodded silently.

“I don’t know what to call this gathering.”

An awkward laugh escaped.

In the past, this gathering would have been called a regular meeting or conference of the Assembly. But not now. There was no one here who had the authority to convene a meeting under the name of the Assembly.

“What does it matter what kind of gathering it is? Isn’t it important that we can all see each other’s faces after a long time?”

“That’s true.”

Lee Jung-gul smiled bitterly.

Everyone was pretending to be friendly, but they all knew that wasn’t the real intention.

Lee Jung-gul realized there was a rather appropriate word to describe this gathering.

‘It’s a conspiracy.’

He forcefully swallowed the laughter that was about to burst from his lips.

The fact that there was hardly any conversation proved it. If it were just a gathering to see each other’s faces and share friendship, there should have been countless conversations by now, but everyone was busy avoiding each other’s gazes.

“Let’s eat first. You must be hungry.”

It was the atmosphere that finally broke the silence. Once they had some food and drinks, the tension would naturally ease, and then the words would flow freely.

After several rounds of drinks and a few old stories that were inevitable at a drinking party, the atmosphere became warm.

And then, the words they really wanted to say began to come out.

“So, it was like that in the past, but now!”

The slightly tipsy atmosphere washed away the awkwardness. Before the silence that had suddenly crept in could exert its power, the alcohol covered it.

“That’s right. In the past, everyone had affection and a sense of purpose.”

“Even just looking at the Yeongnam Association. How fiercely did we fight against those guys? My friend even died at their hands. But now, they’re saying we’re one body or whatever, and those guys are running rampant in the Assembly. I don’t say it, but inside, I’m so frustrated I can’t live.”

Complaints began to erupt.

The pent-up grievances poured out all at once, like a dam bursting.

“Honestly, what have they done for the Assembly!”

“We did all the work. Who led through that harsh era!”

“Let’s say the Assembly Head is like that. Young blood is good, I get it. Who’s saying anything? But the fact that the guy he’s keeping as his right-hand man is from the Yeongnam Association, does that make any sense? What does that Yeongnam Association guy know to be telling us what to do in the Assembly’s affairs?”

“It’s been a long time since we had a general meeting. Even though the Assembly is a place that trusts the Assembly Head, it wasn’t like this in the past. At least there was a will to listen to the opinions of the directors and elders. The reason why Assembly Head Bang could be so rampant during his time as a director was because the previous Assembly Head recognized that authority, wasn’t it!”

“Of course! Absolutely!”

Lee Jung-gul couldn’t erase the bitter smile that appeared on his face.

‘It’s like a nursing home.’

In the past, these people led the Assembly. But even to Lee Jung-gul, they seemed old. They had already started talking about the past. Young people don’t talk about the past. Those who are intoxicated by the glory of the past are already dead.

It was annoying that these old men were the ones having this important conversation, but there was no one else who would join him except for these old men.

‘Bang Jin-hoon was beyond my expectations.’

With his stubborn personality, he thought that a big problem would arise soon, but surprisingly, Bang Jin-hoon, who became the Assembly Head, abandoned his hardline stance and began to use appeasement tactics.

He treated the Yeongnam Association, which had been so hostile, as no different from the Assembly, and by promoting Lee Hyun-soo, he proved that his words about not discriminating between the Yeongnam Association and the Assembly were not just empty words.

Thanks to that, the Yeongnam faction and the Assembly, which had been hostile to each other in the beginning, were now merging. Especially among the younger generation.

‘He’s leading it surprisingly well.’

He thought he would lack experience, but he was doing better than expected. Except for one problem.

‘A generational shift isn’t that easy.’

If a generational shift is carried out as radically as it is now, dissatisfaction will inevitably erupt.

Moreover, these are martial artists.

Martial artists tend to have longer lifespans and longer primes than ordinary people. Even at the age of seventy, when ordinary people would have to retire, they are still very energetic. It was natural for dissatisfaction to erupt when they tried to push these people to the back without any proper incentives.

“It wasn’t like this in the past. Moreover!”

One of the directors said, his face flushed, as if spitting out words.

“What are those foreigners wandering around inside the Assembly? When did the Assembly become such a mixed stew, I’m saying!”

“This is the Korean Martial Arts Assembly. The Korean Martial Arts Assembly! When did this place become the International Martial Arts Assembly? Okay, let’s say times have changed, and foreigners can come and go. But that should be the end of it. What are they doing? Teaching? Is it even right that those people are going around teaching the kids!”

“It’s not just the foreigners that are the problem. Isn’t demonic arts being spread within the Assembly right now?”

“What did you say?”

“Didn’t you know? Demonic arts. It’s said that under Assembly Head Bang’s approval, they are teaching demonic arts to young martial artists.”

“They’re teaching that cursed martial art to the kids? Has Assembly Head Bang gone crazy?”

“……Well, he’s still a person with a brain, so it can’t be that kind of demonic art. There must be something different.”

“Is this something that can be ended just by saying it’s different! It’s demonic arts! Demonic arts!”

The room began to stir. The atmosphere reached its peak.

But Lee Jung-gul knew.

‘They’re all talk.’

If they really had the courage to rebel against Assembly Head Bang, they wouldn’t be whispering here. They would have already started something before things got this far.

Since they couldn’t do that, they gathered here like rats. Dogs are still dogs, no matter how many of them gather. They can never become wolves. If they were a pack of wolves, they would have already torn apart the loosened Assembly.

‘A dog is just a dog.’

The difference between dogs and wolves is clear. Wolves know how to survive in packs, but dogs need someone to give them instructions. A pack of stray dogs that have gathered haphazardly can’t even beat one wolf.

Besides…….

There was a crucial problem.

“Hmm……”

As Lee Jung-gul quietly made a sound, the room instantly became silent.

Lee Jung-gul was pleased that his authority still worked, but he didn’t show it outwardly.

“I understand that there are many complaints. And that everyone feels the same.”

“Yes, former Assembly Head.”

“Why wouldn’t we?”

Lee Jung-gul’s title had subtly been upgraded from director to former Assembly Head. Lee Jung-gul didn’t miss that fact. He also noted who showed discomfort when the words ‘former Assembly Head’ were spoken.

The basics of politics are to distinguish between allies and enemies. And a seasoned politician also distinguishes those who are allies now but will become enemies later.

And the best politician doesn’t make allies.

Everyone is an enemy.

The people here are only following him now because they have a reason, but if they judge that Lee Jung-gul has no power, they will turn around right now and try to score points with Assembly Head Bang by informing him of this movement.

Lee Jung-gul licked his dry lips.

“But what can we do?”

“Assembly Head?”

“In the end, there’s no way unless we defeat that Kang Jin-ho.”

The moment Kang Jin-ho’s name came out, the room became as cold as ice.

Coughing sounds, as if someone had choked, leaked out here and there.

‘Useless things.’

Those who had been boasting about how bravely they had fought just a moment ago were now looking at each other’s faces like dogs with their tails between their legs. It was a sight that made him want to curse, but Lee Jung-gul tried to understand the situation.

At least, it wasn’t something to curse about.

That day.

That day when Kang Jin-ho single-handedly stormed into the Yeongnam Association, everyone here saw what he did.

It was a sight that made even Lee Jung-gul sweat just thinking about it.

How much more would it be for them?

“Ahem.”

Only awkward coughing sounds filled the room.

If the opponent was Bang Jin-hoon, the story would have progressed rapidly. But the moment they assumed the opponent was Kang Jin-ho instead of Bang Jin-hoon, the story couldn’t go any further.

As far as they knew, Bang Jin-hoon was Kang Jin-ho’s most loyal supporter. In other words, Bang Jin-hoon was under Kang Jin-ho’s protection. If they tried to drive out Bang Jin-hoon and regain their status, they would inevitably clash with Kang Jin-ho.

“That……”

A voice broke the silence.

It was a word that no one wanted to hear, but someone had to say it, and it finally came out.

“How about we try to confront Kang Jin-ho?”