Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 609

“Because I’m weak?”

Director Jo leaned back on the sofa, looking somewhat languid. In just a moment, his face seemed to have aged considerably.

He didn’t want to accept it, but he had no choice but to acknowledge the truth in those words. What other reason could there be?

“…So, if you’re strong, you’re allowed to take everything?”

“Let’s not pretend to be noble heroes, Director Jo,” Lee Hyun-soo said mockingly.

“What do you think was the reason the General Assembly was able to swallow up Korea? Was it because of the double-dealing, or because they had some extraordinary cause? Absolutely not. It was simply because they were strong. Don’t distort your memories. Don’t you remember how you grew in the early days of the General Assembly? Did you do some kind of independence movement? In that chaotic time, you attacked and devoured other sects, and that’s how you ended up on top.”

“That’s the method you’ve been using. The only difference is whether it’s internal or external strife. In the end, you were able to establish the General Assembly because you were strong, and now you’re losing it because you’re weak. Isn’t that the truth of the world?”

Director Jo bit his lip.

Lee Hyun-soo’s words were correct. There was no way to refute them.

“People are so strange. When they’re the ones taking, they shout that the world is all about power, but when they’re about to be taken from, they start looking for reason and justice. I ask you, when you trampled on other sects and established the General Assembly, did you consider their circumstances or justice? I don’t expect an answer, though.”

Lee Hyun-soo wore a sneer on his face.

That sneer made Director Jo feel miserable.

“You’re right.”

No matter how much one tries to sugarcoat it, the world is a jungle where the strong eat the weak. That fact doesn’t change.

“Yes, the strong eat the weak.”

Director Jo stared at Lee Hyun-soo and said quietly.

“I have one question.”

“Ask away.”

“That list is a lie, isn’t it? The reason you need my cooperation is because you realize that only cutting off the head of Lee Jung-geol without properly rooting out the problem won’t be good for the future of the General Assembly, right?”

“Hmm.”

Lee Hyun-soo neither confirmed nor denied it.

“You’re right. The strong eat the weak. That’s why I still can’t accept that we’re weaker than you. If we’re going to be defeated anyway, it wouldn’t be bad to fight to the death. Then I can accept that we’re weaker.”

Lee Hyun-soo’s face twisted.

What could he do when someone was determined to act foolishly?

“So, convince me.”

“Hmm, convince you, you say?”

“Yes. Why does it have to be Kang Jin-ho? Why! I still don’t think Lee Jung-geol is inferior to Kang Jin-ho. Yes, as a martial artist, Lee Jung-geol can’t beat the martial artist Kang Jin-ho. But being the head of an organization isn’t just about being strong. I think Lee Jung-geol is several times more capable as an organizational leader than Kang Jin-ho. So why does Lee Jung-geol have to give up his position to Kang Jin-ho! Tell me why! Is there no answer other than your so-called ‘the strong eat the weak’?”

Lee Hyun-soo laughed in disbelief.

“Director Jo.”

“I have dozens of answers to that question. But first, promise me. If I convince you, you’ll cooperate with us.”

Director Jo, who had been chewing on his lip, nodded.

“I promise. But if you can’t convince me, you’ll have to risk your life.”

“Of course.”

Lee Hyun-soo, with a smooth smile, took out another cigarette, put it in his mouth, and lit it.

“Well, it’s not that complicated. It’s very simple. To put it simply…”

Lee Hyun-soo began to explain.

“Was it time?”

“Yes.”

“Time, time… That’s a truly painful reason. Really…”

Lee Jung-geol laughed hollowly.

Time, time…

It was an undeniable reason.

“He said that the current Kang Jin-ho is definitely inferior to Lee Jung-geol in some aspects, and that it might be better for Lee Jung-geol to govern the General Assembly right now. The reason why the current General Assembly is becoming stronger compared to the past is based on Kang Jin-ho’s individual strength, not because the organization is developing.”

“That’s right…”

“But, Chairman.”

Director Jo’s voice trembled.

“That’s the same for us.” It was a voice filled with sorrow and resentment.

“The General Assembly is the same. It was the same in the past, and it is the same now. We are just following you, Chairman. We have failed to nurture a suitable successor, and we have failed to create a system that allows the General Assembly to develop on its own. If we win like this… it will be fine while you are here, Chairman. But when you are gone, the General Assembly will fall into ruin.”

Lee Jung-geol couldn’t open his mouth.

After death, after death…

When had he ever thought about such things?

Now, it wasn’t just about proving his own abilities, but also about ensuring that things would be okay even after his death. Was that why he could be considered important?

It was a disheartening story.

“Is that your reason?”

“In the end, time flows.”

Director Jo replied with a desolate expression.

“People change, and times change. Chairman, we are old. We can argue that we are better than the young people right now. We can hold on. But what about in five years?”

“What about in ten years?”

It was an obvious question.

“I trust you, Chairman. And as much as that, I cannot deny the ability of Kang Jin-ho, who has driven you into this corner. If their abilities are similar now, there is only one conclusion. Youth. They have that terrible, hateful, and desperately desired thing.”

“Yes, that’s how it is.”

Youth.

That damned youth.

That youth was taking everything from him.

His last plan, his trusted subordinates, and…

‘Is it even my life now?’

Lee Jung-geol nodded and said.

“I understand. You may go.”

“Chairman.”

“Then you must have already made preparations. Tell them. Tell those who will not follow me to leave. Then they can save their lives.”

“…Chairman.”

“My friend.”

Lee Jung-geol sighed deeply.

“I am not as great a person as you think. I am still forcing myself to hold back my anger. At least let me not show a pathetic sight at the last moment. I beg you.”

Jo Nam-pyeong couldn’t say anything.

What could he say to Lee Jung-geol now? No matter how well he tried to sugarcoat it or put forward a noble cause, he was just a traitor.

Jo Nam-pyeong bowed silently in place.

He bowed to Lee Jung-geol’s back as he looked out the window. After bowing silently, Jo Nam-pyeong slowly turned and left the room.

‘I’ve lost everything.’

Lee Jung-geol was quietly looking down at the forest.

Beyond that forest, Kang Jin-ho would probably be there.

‘It’s a bad fate, a bad fate.’

What would have happened if Kang Jin-ho hadn’t appeared?

Would Lee Jung-geol have been able to take control of the Korean martial arts world without any problems?

That wouldn’t have been the case.

Nothing in this world is easy. Even if it wasn’t Kang Jin-ho, he would have had to face Kim Seok-il. And Kim Seok-il was not an easy opponent. However…

Still, there would have been a possibility.

A possibility of unifying the Korean martial arts world and creating the world he wanted.

A handful.

The last remaining possibility was now slipping out of his hands. Like sand that would eventually slip out of his hands no matter how tightly he held it.

“Is anyone outside?”

No sooner had he spoken than the door opened, and several people entered.

“…What are you doing, why aren’t you running away?”

“Run away… Chairman, you’re quite the comedian.”

“Where are we supposed to run to? If we go home, there’s only our children and daughters-in-law. I’m more afraid of them than those guys. Sigh, if I run away from here, I’ll have to stay cooped up at home, I’d rather die.”

“I’d rather stay here than get nagged by my wife at home. Don’t try to kick us out.”

Lee Jung-geol chuckled.

“Even rolling in a pile of dog poop is better than death.
Don’t be stubborn and go.”

“Hey, let’s be clear. Are you going to roll in a pile of dog poop, Chairman?”

“I can’t do that.”

“See? Don’t force others to do what you can’t do yourself. That’s why you haven’t gained any popularity.”

“That’s right, that’s right! To be honest, it’s a bit too much. You have to give orders that are actually orders. What? Infiltrate the Yeongnam Association and find out what Kim Seok-il is doing? Ugh, because of the sword I got hit with back then, my side still aches when it rains, and I can’t sleep.”

“But you managed to do it, didn’t you?”

“I had to do it. That’s how it was in the past.”

Lee Jung-geol smiled bitterly as he watched the elders chattering away.

‘It’s like a funeral home.’

Well, that’s how it always was.

When there was something truly sad, they would chatter even more. If even one person cried because they were sad, they were afraid that everyone would start crying.

How many comrades had they lost in the long conflict? When they died, they didn’t cry. They just shared a drink and chattered all night long.

One cup, then another.

They would pass their worries and sorrows with the alcohol.

Yes, that’s how it was.

Then, isn’t today the same?

“Shall we have a drink?”

“How can you say let’s have a drink when we’re facing the enemy?”

“You’ve gone senile, you’ve gone senile.”

“Hey, what’s wrong with one drink?” Everyone laughed at Lee Jung-geol’s words.

“Hey, I know you’ve hidden some wild ginseng wine in the Chairman’s cabinet.”

“Did you see it?”

“I don’t even know if that’s real wild ginseng wine.”

“What are you talking about? I made it myself. It’s real wild ginseng wine.”

“I mean, maybe some bastard secretly drank it and filled it with soju [a clear, colorless Korean distilled alcoholic beverage]. Do you think it would still be there?”

“What? You bastards.”

“Hehehe, what does it matter if it’s wild ginseng wine or soju? If it’s the last drink, soju might be better. Bring it out. Let’s have one drink each. Just one drink each.”

Lee Jung-geol smiled.

So sadly, and so happily.

Lee Jung-geol took out the wild ginseng wine, poured a drink for each of them, and raised his glass. Then, he quietly opened his mouth.

“Thank you for everything.”

“It’s a shame that the end is like this… but I, and we, have done our best.
Now, all that’s left is to die magnificently.”

It was quiet.

The elders’ gazes were clearly fixed on Lee Jung-geol.

Ah, that’s right.

It was like this in the past too.

They would take out a cheap rice wine and shout, “Let’s die magnificently.”

In those days when they had nothing but youthful vigor.

One cup, then another.

“Let’s have a drink. The King of the Underworld will have better drinks prepared in the afterlife.” Lee Jung-geol closed his eyes and drank the alcohol in one gulp.

He wouldn’t die pathetically.

‘Come, Kang Jin-ho. I’ll show you how an old man dies.’