Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 558

“Kang Jin-ho.”

Lee Hyun-soo spoke, his voice slightly lowered. But his calm tone didn’t reflect the turmoil within. Ever since Kang Jin-ho’s declaration, his heart had been pounding like a first love rekindled after years apart.

However, he needed to project composure. He worried that if he showed any excitement, the atmosphere would ignite instantly.

“I understand your point. But… it’s not that simple in reality.”

Kang Jin-ho stared at Lee Hyun-soo, his gaze quiet and unreadable. It was as if he had no thoughts at all.

Feeling the pressure of that gaze, Lee Hyun-soo spoke first.

“We are weak.”

The words he least wanted to utter.

But they were necessary.

“Of course, we’re not just weak. Objectively, the Assembly has made remarkable progress in the past few months. We’ve redirected manpower previously consumed by the war of nerves and skirmishes with the Yeongnam Association, and we’ve absorbed the Yeongnam Association without major issues, unifying our command structure. Even within the Korean martial world, not just the Assembly, we’ve never been this powerful since the nation’s founding.”

Historically, there were times when the martial world was more prosperous. However, the Korean martial world, divided into factions, had never been united and spoken with one voice as it did now.

In that sense, this might be the golden age of the Korean martial world.

But that was all.

Being the strongest Assembly in history didn’t mean they could compete with neighboring countries.

“But the surrounding countries won’t just stand by while we build our strength. If we become a threat, they’ll try to crush us.”

Wiggins, who received the translation, frowned.

“But Mr. Lee, even if we don’t build our strength, they won’t leave us as a neutral country. Historically, those who pursued balanced diplomacy have always met the same end.”

“Of course, I’m aware of that as well.

But such extreme actions as now…”

“You’re talking nonsense.”

Bator, who had been silent, finally spoke.

“You’re making a big mistake. In this matter, the master’s words are absolutely correct.”

“…Why is that?”

“Because they won’t wait.”

Bator scoffed.

“The Warring States period [a period of Chinese history marked by constant warfare] isn’t an era where you can survive by holding your breath.

Look beyond our borders. East Asia is now a Warring States period with numerous warlords running rampant. Do you think anything will change if you stand there with your hands down and your head turned away?”

“Bator.”

Lee Hyun-soo sighed.

“I agree it’s a Warring States period. But you’re overlooking one thing. The Warring States period we learn about in history is just a short chapter, but in reality, it’s a history of hundreds of years of turmoil.”

“Hmm?”

“If we hold our breath, we can buy at least a few decades. No matter how fast times have become.”

“Hahahaha!”

Bator burst into laughter. Everyone turned to him, startled by his sudden outburst. The laughter was filled with obvious ridicule and contempt.

“I thought this was a great place since the master was involved, but now I see it’s just a bunch of know-it-alls showing off.”

“Bator.”

Kang Jin-ho’s voice was slightly sharp, and Bator immediately bowed his head.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be rude. Be respectful.”

“Yes, Master.”

Bator bowed politely to Kang Jin-ho and then looked back at Lee Hyun-soo.

“It’s not me who failed to consider the differences, it’s you.”

“…Why is that?”

“The Warring States period in history is a battle between kingdoms. You don’t know the difference between a kingdom and a faction.”

Lee Hyun-soo’s eyes were filled with questions.

“A kingdom is ultimately connected by bloodline. Even if I don’t finish it in my time, my son, my successor, will achieve my goals for me. But the people you’re dealing with now aren’t connected by blood. If they can’t finish it in their generation, it will end.”

Lee Hyun-soo’s brow furrowed.

“The Hong King and the other kings are getting old. They’ll try to unify the world before their lifespans end. That fight isn’t far away.”

“Hmm…”

Lee Hyun-soo swallowed a groan, as if he hadn’t considered that.

“In the meantime, they’ll try to eliminate any obstacles. No matter what method they use. In the end, the master’s opinion is correct. If we don’t build our strength to prepare for the coming great war, this place will eventually be caught up in the war and destroyed.”

“I agree as well.”

Knight Wiggins nodded vigorously.

“I’ve seen many conflict zones while on the Round Table [a reference to King Arthur’s knights]. Every situation is different, so I can’t say for sure that this is the right path, but one thing is certain: those who have been complacent, thinking ‘we’ll be fine,’ have all paid the price.”

“But!”

Lee Hyun-soo said firmly.

“Taking a hardline stance in this situation could hasten our demise.”

“Of course, it could. But isn’t the expected outcome different?”

Lee Hyun-soo tried to speak several times, but eventually sighed.

It wasn’t that he didn’t understand what they were saying. But…

‘This isn’t a game.’

If this were a game, you could just start over the moment you failed. But this isn’t a game. The moment you fail, everyone dies. Therefore, Lee Hyun-soo’s idea was to minimize the risks.

“Without provoking…”

At that moment, Kang Jin-ho spoke to Lee Hyun-soo.

“If there’s a way to get stronger without provoking the other side, we’ll do that. So, what is that method?”

Lee Hyun-soo couldn’t say anything.

There were dozens of excuses he could make, but none of them were methods he could be completely sure of.

Kang Jin-ho stared at Lee Hyun-soo for a while and then spoke.

“Finding the perfect method would be the best way.”

Lee Hyun-soo bit his lip slightly.

“But doing nothing and wasting time to find the perfect method is the worst option.”

He had no choice but to nod.

This was why he couldn’t be a leader, why he had to remain an aide.

There is no perfect scenario in the world. Sometimes, you have to close your eyes and run, ignoring the obvious risks.

The ability to decide on the timing and method is called decisiveness. Lee Hyun-soo lacked decisiveness.

“Tell me if a better method comes up. Then I’ll stop at any time and follow the method you propose. But until then, I would appreciate it if you would follow my method?”

Lee Hyun-soo sighed.

It was his position to follow even if Kang Jin-ho just told him to shut up and follow. But what could he say when Kang Jin-ho was being so polite?

“I will follow. However, as you said, Kang Jin-ho, I will find a way to stop this situation.”

“If you do your best on this side as well, that would be even better.”

“You don’t have to worry about that.” Lee Hyun-soo gulped down water as if his insides were burning.

‘Am I being too realistic?’

He knew there was nothing more absurd than pushing reality into a place where dreams were being discussed. But he couldn’t help but discuss reality. He refused to die dreaming. Humans are beings who must always have their feet on the ground.

“The goal is clear.”

Kang Jin-ho spoke.

“As long as the surrounding countries pose a real threat, we must build the strength to fight against them. If I could have done it alone, I would have, but that’s impossible. There’s a limit to individual strength.”

He had already experienced it once.

And it was a miserable experience.

No matter how strong he was, he couldn’t withstand the combined attacks of the Righteous and Demonic martial artists.

‘That’s what war is like.’

But it wasn’t something to resent. That’s what war is like in the first place. It doesn’t matter what means or methods are used. If someone is stronger, they should be defeated even if it means using a combined attack. Why should someone stronger than me give up and fight one-on-one?

It’s no use regretting it after losing and having everything taken away.

So, they have to get stronger.

Not only him, but everyone. So that no one can take anything away from him.

“The goal of getting stronger is clear, and we’re also thinking about the methods. But…”

Kang Jin-ho turned his head and looked at everyone clearly. No one avoided his gaze.

“It’s something I can’t do alone. I know that now. I know that I can’t do everything, and that there are many things that others can do better than me. So, please lend me your strength. I want to move forward together.”

A faint smile appeared on Bang Jin-hoon’s lips.

‘Yes, this was it.’

The person who should have the most complaints about Kang Jin-ho here wasn’t Lee Hyun-soo, but Bang Jin-hoon.

Even though Bang Jin-hoon had risen to the position of the Assembly’s leader with Kang Jin-ho’s help, the current Bang Jin-hoon was nothing more than a puppet.

The main decision-making power had already been handed over to Kang Jin-ho, and Lee Hyun-soo had more influence over those decisions.

Who wouldn’t be dissatisfied in this situation?

Nevertheless, Bang Jin-hoon was surprisingly not dissatisfied.

He himself was curious about the reason, but at this moment, the reason became clear.

Kang Jin-ho doesn’t walk alone.

That’s what a martial artist is like.

The strong believe they are superior. Therefore, they trust their own decisions more than the words of others.

Lee Joong-geol was like that, and Kim Seok-il was like that. And even Bang Jin-hoon was no different from a dictator within his own faction.

But Kang Jin-ho’s crucial difference was that.

That person is stronger than any previous leader, but he doesn’t believe he can do everything himself. He honestly admits his shortcomings and readily extends his hand.

Sometimes he is stubborn, but even then, he doesn’t hesitate to open his ears.

That’s why they can think they are walking together.

This isn’t Kang Jin-ho’s kingdom.

It was a community they were leading together.

“Then, may I say something?”

Bang Jin-hoon said with a smile, and Kang Jin-ho also greeted Bang Jin-hoon with a smile.

“Of course.”

“Well, I don’t know about anything else…”

Bang Jin-hoon said, his smile unwavering.

“Please guarantee my position as the Assembly leader first. I’m getting a little anxious these days because more and more people stronger than me are being recruited.”

“……”

Kang Jin-ho reluctantly nodded at Bang Jin-hoon, who was looking for his own interests first, regardless of the community or anything else.