Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 678

‘Lee Sung-hwi?’

[Yes, Lord.]

‘Lee Sung-hwi, huh…’

The image of Lee Sung-hwi rushing at him when he took the kids to the amusement park flashed in Kang Jin-ho’s mind. Just thinking about it made him frown.

At that time, his appearance was firmly etched in Kang Jin-ho’s memory.

It wasn’t because he possessed great martial prowess or anything special. The only reason Kang Jin-ho remembered him was because of one thing.

An unusual level of hatred.

It might sound strange to say this, but those who had opposed Kang Jin-ho had their own reasons.

Some were trying to kill Kang Jin-ho under someone’s orders, while others wanted to eliminate him by any means necessary because his existence was an obstacle to their own goals.

But among them, Lee Sung-hwi was a bit peculiar.

It was true that Kang Jin-ho had clashed with him, but Lee Sung-hwi harbored an excessive amount of hatred towards Kang Jin-ho.

Even Kang Jin-ho, who never forgave those who clashed with him, couldn’t understand his extreme behavior.

Kang Jin-ho could discern the types of emotions that surged in his heart.

This is unease.

From Kang Jin-ho’s perspective, Lee Sung-hwi was not a significant figure. Compared to his master, Lee Jung-gul, he was just a fledgling, and his martial prowess wasn’t particularly impressive.

Nevertheless, the reason Kang Jin-ho couldn’t completely ignore Lee Sung-hwi was because of his extremism and audacity. No one in the Assembly, nor anyone in the Hong King faction, would have dared to attack Kang Jin-ho in an amusement park filled with ordinary people.

But he did it without hesitation.

Whether it was the result of thorough calculation or simply an impulsive act, he was an existence that was outside the realm of Kang Jin-ho’s common sense.

‘I should have finished him off back then.’

Among those who had been caught by Kang Jin-ho, Lee Sung-hwi was the only one who had escaped his grasp against his will. Recalling that fact, Kang Jin-ho wondered if he and Lee Sung-hwi might be entangled in a more sinister relationship than he imagined.

[It seems they are targeting you, Lord. Now that you’ve moved to China, this is a good opportunity for them.]

“Hmm…”

Kang Jin-ho nodded as if in agreement.

South Korea was almost completely under control. It wasn’t that there were no martial artists outside the Assembly’s influence in South Korea, but they were so scattered that they couldn’t exert any real influence.

It was something that Lee Hyun-soo had stated definitively, so it was safe to believe.

Therefore, targeting Kang Jin-ho in South Korea was close to impossible.

The only way they could possibly target him was by recruiting a master stronger than Kang Jin-ho and engaging in a secret duel, like Bator had done before.

However, with Lee Sung-hwi’s abilities and connections, it was almost impossible for him to recruit a master stronger than Kang Jin-ho.

Then, they would have no choice but to resort to numbers.

China, which was outside the Assembly’s influence and had worse public safety than South Korea, was the perfect place for them to carry out their plans.

Even Kang Jin-ho would target himself when he was in China if he were in the same situation. It was the most logical thing to do.

“If they’re targeting me, are they leading the remnants of Lee Jung-gul’s faction?”

[That’s impossible. I have completely grasped their forces and am monitoring their movements. A few might slip through, but they can’t deceive my eyes and move en masse. Besides, even if they move as a group, I don’t think they would pose a threat to you, Lord. They know that very well.]

“Hmm…”

Kang Jin-ho nodded quietly.

They had already seen a demonstration.

Those who knew what kind of power Kang Jin-ho possessed wouldn’t dare to provoke him. They would also know what kind of retaliation they would face if they attempted a coup and failed.

Of course, Kang Jin-ho had been more lenient than before. Looking back at the Yeongnam Assembly incident or when the Japanese martial artists had targeted him, he had responded as leniently as possible. He hadn’t even gotten his own hands dirty.

But that had actually shocked them even more.

Those who had targeted Kang Jin-ho were swept away by Ma Yeom. Those who had been caught by Bator were annihilated. Even Knight Wiggins had crushed the elders.

Those who thought they only needed to catch one lion had realized that tigers and bears were already positioned around the lion. They had to break through them to even reach Kang Jin-ho.

Moreover, Kang Jin-ho was getting stronger by the moment.

So how could they dare to dream of targeting Kang Jin-ho?

Perhaps someday, when the fear wears off, some crazy people might reappear. But at least not now. Right now, the fear of Kang Jin-ho that dominated them was at its peak.

That was why Kang Jin-ho had left his position without worry.

“He didn’t seem that resourceful. Did he join forces with an outside power?”

[It seems he’s allied with Kim Seok-il.]

“Kim Seok-il, huh…”

That’s a nostalgic name.

“Looks like they’re planning a reunion?”

[If these are the kind of classmates, I’ll pass.]

“I agree.”

Kang Jin-ho smiled wryly.

The ties of ill fate must be severed decisively.

That was why he had never spared those who had even a little bit of malice towards him in the past.

Bad relationships always came back to haunt you.

Even though he had lived like a hedgehog, he had eventually been betrayed by Cheongma and died. And yet, he was repeating the same mistake.

‘Have I become too soft?’

This world and that world were not the same, so he couldn’t live the same way as in the past. Even if he had to be more lenient in some areas, this was a separate issue.

[Lord, that’s why I’m suggesting this, but how about returning to South Korea? I know you have things to do in China, but nothing is more important than your safety.]

“No, not now.”

[Lord, please reconsider. Of course, I know that their abilities are unlikely to put you in danger. But right now, you need to be extra cautious.]

“I know.”

Kang Jin-ho sighed softly.

‘This is troublesome.’

That’s the inconvenience of holding a position. If it were the Kang Jin-ho of the past, he would have ignored whatever Lee Hyun-soo said. But now that he had taken the position of the head of the Korean Martial Arts Assembly, he couldn’t ignore his advice and act as he pleased. If he wanted to do that, he shouldn’t have taken the position in the first place.

But he had things to do here.

Returning to South Korea now wouldn’t be helpful. It would be sacrificing the whole for the sake of avoiding one danger.

Then?

“I’ll consider it. I’ll try to finish things here as quickly as possible and return.”

[Understood, Lord. I’ll leave it to you.]

“Okay then.”

Kang Jin-ho hung up the phone and sighed.

‘They won’t leave me alone.’

Just when one thing was finished, the next thing came rushing in. It felt like time was passing by itself as he dealt with the endless stream of tasks.

‘Lee Sung-hwi, huh…’

A smile appeared on Kang Jin-ho’s lips.

‘Maybe it’s for the best. If they’re going to make a move, they might as well make it big. It’ll draw attention too.’

Kang Jin-ho chuckled softly.

“What are you doing there?”

Kang Jin-ho, who had been grinning ominously in a dark corner of the filming set, scurried forward at Choi Yeon-ha’s call.

“I’m coming now.”

Kang Jin-ho was doing things that would make his mother or Kang Eun-young lament.

Lee Hyun-soo, who had hung up the phone, leaned back in his chair and sighed.

‘He has no intention of listening.’

He knew it.

No matter how much he talked about the danger, the person wouldn’t even listen.

At least Kim Seok-il in the past would wave his hand in front of him when Lee Hyun-soo gave him sincere advice, but he would seriously consider the matter.

If he had to compare Kim Seok-il and Kang Jin-ho, he would choose Kang Jin-ho without a second thought. But every time Kang Jin-ho acted like this, a sense of sadness washed over him.

‘What sin did I commit in my past life…’

Were all his superiors so eager to torment him?

“Ugh, I’d rather die than suffer.”

Don’t underestimate him.

He was the best aide.

If his superior was constantly trolling, he would take that into account and do his job. That was the true role of an aide. Complaining that his superior didn’t listen to him was something anyone could do. Doing what others couldn’t was what was called ‘competence’.

Lee Hyun-soo was someone who was obsessed with competence.

He had no intention of sitting back and crying just because his surroundings weren’t helping and his superior was running around causing trouble.

‘I’ll block everything!’

Just as Lee Hyun-soo was gritting his teeth, someone knocked on the door.

“Come in.”

Squeak.

The door opened, and a familiar face hesitantly entered Lee Hyun-soo’s room.

“Did you call for me, Manager?”

“Ah, sit down.”

“…Yes.”

The person who entered the room was Lee Myung-hwan.

‘Why did he call me?’

Lee Myung-hwan sat on the sofa with a very uneasy expression. The person he wanted to avoid the most in the Assembly was Kang Jin-ho, and the second was Lee Hyun-soo. This ranking was probably something everyone in the Assembly could agree on.

“Coffee?”

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t usually drink coffee?”

“It’s not that I don’t…”

Lee Hyun-soo smiled bitterly as he watched Lee Myung-hwan, who couldn’t bring himself to finish his sentence.

‘He must be very uncomfortable.’

Lee Hyun-soo knew very well how others thought of him. And he didn’t have any particular complaints about it. Lee Hyun-soo himself had encouraged them to avoid him.

While a boss who treated them gently like family was necessary, a boss who brought tension to the organization was also necessary. If Kang Jin-ho was in charge of bringing tension overall, then he had to be the strict mother-in-law.

Whirr.

Lee Hyun-soo, who had brewed two cups of coffee from the coffee machine, placed one cup in front of himself and handed the other to Lee Myung-hwan.

“Syrup?”

“I’m fine.”

Lee Myung-hwan accepted the cup of coffee that Lee Hyun-soo had handed him, looking apologetic.

“How’s life these days?”

“There are no particular problems. It would be better if people didn’t look at me like I’m some kind of monster every time I pass by, but that’s something we have to endure.”

“Like a monster?”

“It seems like a strange rumor has spread… but it’s nothing you need to worry about.”

“I see.”

Lee Hyun-soo didn’t ask any further. If he wanted to find out, there were dozens of ways he could, but there was no need to push someone who didn’t want to talk.

“Well, I understand. Let’s get to the point. Pick out some decent guys. About twenty for now.”

“Yes?”

“I’m talking about you guys.”

Lee Hyun-soo took a sip of his coffee and continued.

“We need to go to China.”