Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 680

Support (3)

“It seems there are forces targeting the Lord.”

“Wasn’t that expected?”

“It’s a bit more organized.”

“Hmm.”

Wiggins stroked his chin.

“A protruding stone is bound to be struck. Is that a Korean saying?”

“Did you say a protruding stone?”

“Yes, a protruding stone. There’s no better way to describe the Lord. The world, which was somehow rolling along in balance, is about to stumble over a protruding rock, isn’t it?”

Lee Hyun-soo nodded lightly, agreeing with Wiggins’ words.

‘Indeed, things were peaceful before the Lord appeared.’

There were minor conflicts, like the war-like atmosphere between the Yeongnam Association and the General Assembly, or internal strife within the General Assembly, but compared to now, it was a truly peaceful era.

At least, there was no need to worry about invasions from other countries.

“An organized attack… It’s plausible. But it’s unexpected. I thought your intelligence network didn’t reach other countries? Is there a force I don’t know about?”

“It’s not that. There was someone who provided the information.”

“May I ask who it is?”

“There’s no need to hide it. It’s Lee Jung-geol’s granddaughter.”

“Lee Jung-geol’s granddaughter?”

Wiggins looked around and subtly turned his body. He seemed to have decided that this wasn’t a conversation to have in a place where many people were training.

“Shall we go this way?”

Lee Hyun-soo followed Wiggins out of the training ground and into his office. As Lee Hyun-soo sat down, Wiggins took out a cigar and offered it.

“Care for one?”

“I’m sorry, but I’ll stick to mine. Cigars don’t suit me.”

“As you wish.”

Wiggins cut the cigar and lit it leisurely, then opened his mouth with an intrigued expression.

“You said Lee Jung-geol’s granddaughter?”

“Yes.”

“That’s strange. I didn’t think you’d let such a dangerous person live.”

“She’s not much of a threat. Lee Jung-geol’s forces have lost their power, and she doesn’t have the ability to rally them in his place.”

“You, of all people, should know that humans sometimes want a puppet, not just a leader to guide them?”

“Yes, I know. But I didn’t think it was necessary to eliminate her and cause a backlash.”

“That’s strange. Not like you. Lee Jung-geol’s granddaughter…”

A playful look appeared on Wiggins’ face.

“Is it perhaps… affection?”

Cough!

Lee Hyun-soo, who was smoking, coughed violently. The smoke caught in his throat, causing an unbearable stinging sensation.

“What are you talking about, Mr. Wiggins!”

“Isn’t it a reasonable deduction? Your ages seem to be roughly similar. If a cold person like you makes a different judgment than usual, it means there’s an issue that can’t be solved rationally. Like love, for example.”

“That’s not what people usually call reasonable, Mr. Wiggins. She’s Lee Jung-geol’s granddaughter. She’s my sworn enemy.”

“Do you know where the story of Romeo and Juliet comes from?”

“I know that there’s a writer that England will be forever proud of. But that’s a novel, Mr. Wiggins.”

“Reality sometimes easily surpasses novels. If you’re so adamant about denying it, I won’t pry any further.”

“I’d rather avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.” Lee Hyun-soo shuddered. Romance?

No way.

His pride as a bachelor was wounded. And even if he were to meet someone, it would never be her.

“Did they contact Lee Jung-geol’s daughter? Hmm, that’s strange. If they weren’t planning to take her and set her up as a puppet, there would have been no need to do that. And they released information? What’s the probability of it being a trap?”

“Almost none. It seems they’re the ones who have feelings for her, not me. But she chose reality.”

“A tragedy, a very sad one.”

“It’s fortunate for us. Anyway, there’s something I need to ask you, Mr. Wiggins. Please answer honestly.”

“Go ahead.”

“You can teleport, right?”

“You’ve done quite a bit of research.”

Wiggins smiled as if he was impressed.

“That’s right. You’re planning to use me to send support to China, aren’t you?”

“Yes. If possible, I would like your help.”

“One must earn their keep. But don’t expect too much. My teleportation isn’t a power, it’s magic. Magic is a transaction that requires a cost to use. My teleportation is proportional to distance and the number of people. I can’t move a large number of people over a long distance. To China, it would be at most two or three people.”

“That’s enough.”

“Not for support, then?”

“Insurance is necessary.”

“A rescue… That’s my specialty. Just give the word anytime. I’ll do my best.”

“The word? How could I possibly give you orders, Mr. Wiggins? I’m just asking for a favor.”

“Hmm…”

Wiggins looked at Lee Hyun-soo as if he was displeased.

“Being cautious is certainly helpful. But sometimes, excessive caution can cause you to miss opportunities.”

‘Why is a young man at the peak of his confidence so timid?’

Wiggins scanned Lee Hyun-soo from head to toe like a scholar observing an animal. Feeling burdened by his gaze, Lee Hyun-soo took a step back.

“Actually, there’s no need to think about it.”

Wiggins took a puff of his cigar.

White smoke slowly escaped from his mouth.

“It’s quite remarkable that someone who didn’t have proper martial arts skills survived in this harsh world and made it this far. But conversely, it means you’ve been through a lot of hell. Every day must have been a continuous tension of walking on a knife’s edge, so it’s no wonder you’re cautious.”

Lee Hyun-soo smiled bitterly.

Who would be happy if someone else understood their inner self so thoroughly?

“I think of it as a medal.”

“That’s what you call a scar.”

“It’s already healed.”

“Then, shall we call it a scar?”

“I can’t win against you.”

Lee Hyun-soo sighed.

This man is uncomfortable.

He respects his abilities and achievements, but in front of this man, he feels like a child. Even Kang Jin-ho didn’t make him feel this way.

The feeling a child has when facing a lion is completely different from the feeling they have when facing an adult.

“I understand that you’re saying I’m too cautious. I also understand that it can be a weakness. I’ll try to correct it in the future, so you don’t have to worry.”

“You don’t understand at all.”

“…Yes?”

Wiggins shook his head.

“If traumas were so easily overcome, all the psychiatrists in the world would starve to death. That’s why they make a living. Strong mentality and caution? No, those aren’t things that can solve it. You have to eliminate the root cause, that’s what I’m saying.”

“The root cause, you mean?”

“If it happened because you weren’t strong enough, then you need to become stronger.”

Lee Hyun-soo wore a subtle smile.

“That’s what I wish for, but it’s not easy. My body isn’t specialized in that area. Even if I learn the same movements for the same amount of time, I’m not efficient. I even tried to learn demonic martial arts from Kang Jin-ho… but I don’t think I’d be as efficient as others even if I learned demonic martial arts. I think it’s better to focus on what I’m good at now.”

“You’re pretending to be rational, but you’re actually scared.”

Lee Hyun-soo quietly looked at Wiggins.

“Is that my weak spot? I apologize.”

“No. You hit the nail on the head, so I have nothing to say.”

“You’re also good at hiding your emotions. Good. But you don’t have to. It’s better for me to receive an apology for what I pointed out. That way, I can receive your gratitude.”

“Yes? What do you mean…”

Wiggins smiled and replied.

“The reason you’re not interested in martial arts is because you’re not efficient at it. No matter how hard you try, you can’t achieve the same results as using your brain. Isn’t that right?”

“…That’s right.”

“Then I’ll solve that problem for you. Do you have any intention of becoming my disciple?”

“Yes?”

Lee Hyun-soo’s eyes widened. Not with joy, but with surprise.

After a moment of silence to organize his thoughts, Lee Hyun-soo bowed his head.

“I appreciate the offer, Mr. Wiggins. But I’ve decided not to be obsessed with martial arts.”

“It’s not that you’ve decided not to be obsessed, it’s that you can’t be obsessed.”

“That might be true. But I don’t have any regrets. If I were ten years younger, maybe, but I don’t think I’ll make much progress by learning something new at my age. Rather…”

“If it were possible?”

Lee Hyun-soo stared at Wiggins without answering.

This man is not one to make empty promises. If someone else had said this, he would have been angry, asking if they were making fun of him, but the weight of this man’s words made it impossible to even think that.

“There isn’t only one path in the world. There are dozens of branches of martial arts. Surely, there must be one that suits you.”

“But I’m old…”

“Regardless of age, if there’s a path where you can grow through your own efforts, would you consider becoming my disciple?”

Lee Hyun-soo pursed his lips.

From now on, he shouldn’t open his mouth carelessly.

Perhaps this answer could greatly influence Lee Hyun-soo’s life.

‘What should I say?’

Is that really possible?

No, that’s disrespectful to Knight Wiggins. He wouldn’t say something frivolous. If he says it with conviction, it’s definitely possible.

Is it possible without taking up too much of my time?

Damn it, that’s nonsense. Everything in the world requires effort. There’s no one who will drag someone lying down to the top of a mountain.

Then…

Lee Hyun-soo raised his head and met Wiggins’ eyes.

Then, he slowly opened his mouth.

“Are you confident that the trust I place in you will be rewarded?”

“That’s a foolish question.”

Knight Wiggins lightly extended his hand. At that moment, Lee Hyun-soo, who felt a heavy shock as if his head was ringing, bent over.

Lee Hyun-soo, holding his head, raised his head with questioning eyes.

“I don’t know where you want to go, so how can I answer? I should be asking you. How far do you want to go?”

How far do I want to go?

Isn’t that too obvious?

“I think that if you start something, you have to see it through to the end.”

“Very good. Then you should open it yourself.”

“The door of truth that countless people have explored for thousands of years, yet have not reached. No one has dared to claim they have reached the truth. How about it, do you want to embark on that arduous path? I’ll tell you in advance, it will be a very difficult and painful path. It will be a path full of hardship, are you okay with that?” Lee Hyun-soo chuckled and said.

Pain? He’s already used to that.

“Should I call you Master?”

Wiggins wore a warm smile. He extended his hand as if welcoming his new disciple in his later years. Lee Hyun-soo smiled and reached out to take Wiggins’ hand. No, he was about to take it.

But before he could even extend his hand, Wiggins opened his mouth.

“Let’s start with kneeling.”

“…”

Lee Hyun-soo’s face contorted, not having imagined that the path of hardship would be this kind of hardship.