Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 724

Deliberation (5)

Outside, Kang Jin-ho saw long lines stretching out.

He frowned slightly at the sight.

“Haven’t they finished taking applications yet?”

“We’ve received applications from most of those gathered in the common area. More than half have decided to follow the Demon Lord.”

“But?”

“There are still people arriving. Even with the Demon Lord’s arrival, it was impossible to gather all the demonic cultivators from the vast Central Plains in one place.

The rumors spread, and those who have only just arrived have formed that long line.”

“Hmm.”

Kang Jin-ho looked at the long line, seemingly lost in thought.

‘This is going to take longer than I thought?’

Kang Jin-ho had expected that the Hongwang Clan would already know he was here.

‘Things have gone very differently than expected.’

Initially, he had planned to stabilize Korea while drawing attention here. It wouldn’t take much time.

With Wiggins, Lee Hyun-soo, and Bang Jin-hoon lending a hand, they could put out the immediate fires.

Meanwhile, Kang Jin-ho’s plan was to teach demonic arts to the Demonic Cult and raise a counterforce within China.

Moving these people as a group was not part of Kang Jin-ho’s original plan.

If the actual situation of the Demonic Cult hadn’t been more dire than he had anticipated, he wouldn’t have taken such a risk.

Thanks to that, the situation had become quite dangerous.

The Hongwang Clan was surely chasing after Kang Jin-ho. Moreover, countless demonic cultivators were gathering here.

If they weren’t blind, they would have noticed the gathering of demonic cultivators.

If the Hongwang Clan knew that Kang Jin-ho had learned demonic arts, they would naturally suspect his involvement. It wouldn’t be strange if they attacked right now.

But he couldn’t just leave behind those who were eager to join.

“When will the applications be finished?”

“It will take at least two more days.”

“One day.”

Jang Min bowed his head slightly.

“We will only accept applications for one more day. Those who arrive after that will not be accepted.”

“Then what about them?”

“Tell those who want to come to find their way to Korea on their own. Moving as a group is the problem, not individuals entering Korea. It shouldn’t be too difficult.

But we’ll need someone to control them so they don’t all rush in at once.”

“I will see to it.”

Kang Jin-ho nodded.

“Now it’s a race against time. We’ll finish all preparations by tomorrow and depart.”

“S-So urgently?”

“If we don’t hurry, it’s them who will be in danger.”

Kang Jin-ho looked at those applying with a heavy gaze.

Even if the Hongwang Clan attacked, Kang Jin-ho was confident he could escape. He was not someone who could be defeated by a mob of nobodies.

But these people were different.

The enemies that looked like clawed cats to Kang Jin-ho would be like monsters to them.

And protecting all of them amidst their onslaught was impossible for Kang Jin-ho.

They had to leave before that happened.

“It won’t be easy.”

Kang Jin-ho muttered quietly.

He never expected that something like this would go smoothly. Kang Jin-ho knew better than anyone that the world was not easy.

While he was worrying, the enemies were also worrying. And while he was making efforts, the enemies were also making efforts. The enemies didn’t exist to be defeated by him.

So far, he had been excessively lucky. Kang Jin-ho was aware of that fact.

If the Hongwang Clan had sent a martial artist of Bator’s level to Korea as soon as they discovered him, or if the Hongwang himself had come to capture him, Kang Jin-ho would have been defeated without putting up a proper fight.

The result of coincidence and carelessness aligning with a slim probability was the current situation.

Would this luck continue in the future?

Of course, it could.

But if he made plans based on that belief, the result was obvious. He would experience the feeling of his head and body separating, something he had never felt even in his past life.

“With so many people gathered in one place, are there no problems?”

“They are martial artists. They can endure most inconveniences. If they want to change their future, they must have the will to do so.”

Kang Jin-ho looked at Jang Min with a surprised expression.

He felt like applauding just because Jang Min didn’t start with ‘Because the Demon Lord has bestowed grace as vast as the sea.’

“I know it’s not easy.”

“Yes, Demon Lord.”

“But sometimes, regardless of the difficulty, there are things that must be done.”

“I will keep that in mind. I will surely accomplish the task you have given me, Demon Lord.”

At that moment, someone approached them. Kang Jin-ho looked up and saw a familiar face.

‘Was his name Joo Kang?’

Joo Kang, who had been traveling with them since Sichuan, was slowly approaching them. He was hesitating, perhaps because Jang Min and the others were there, or perhaps because Kang Jin-ho had become more intimidating.

“What is it?”

“I wish to have an audience with the Demon Lord.”

As soon as he spoke, he threw himself onto the ground.

That wasn’t a bow. He was literally throwing himself onto the ground.

Kang Jin-ho pressed his temples with his fingers.

‘Why is he doing this again?’

He could understand Jang Min, who was steeped in old-fashioned etiquette. What was the point of scolding someone who only knew that way of showing respect? He would have to change him slowly.

But Joo Kang was a modern person.

“Get up and talk.”

“Yes!”

Joo Kang jumped up. Looking at Joo Kang’s red and swollen forehead, Kang Jin-ho’s head started to ache.

“Don’t bow from now on.”

“Yes?”

“…If you must show respect, bowing your head is enough.”

“Ah, I understand.”

“And stop using that way of speaking…”

“Yes. I understand.”

Kang Jin-ho shook his head.

It wasn’t like he had a historical drama gene attached to his body that was infecting those who approached him, but why did everyone seem so eager to use that kind of speech when they saw him?

“What is it?”

Kang Jin-ho, having corrected the situation, waited for Joo Kang to speak.

“I have something to say.”

“Go ahead.”

“I don’t know if I’m in a position to say this, but…”

Joo Kang was still hesitant, so Kang Jin-ho sighed.

“I’m not exactly someone with a lot of free time. I’d appreciate it if you could tell me your business quickly.”

“Th-Then, maybe next time.”

Kang Jin-ho looked up at the ceiling.

“No, say it again.”

“Yes?”

“Tell me your business right now, within 10 seconds.”

“Can I become stronger?”

Kang Jin-ho stared at Joo Kang. It was a completely unexpected question.

“I thought I already told you.”

“I’m sorry, Demon Lord. But… I humbly ask that you resolve my inner turmoil.”

“Inner turmoil, huh.”

Joo Kang asked in a trembling voice.

“I will follow the Demon Lord. Even if I hear that I cannot become stronger, I will still follow the Demon Lord.

So please tell me the truth. Demon Lord, can I… can I become stronger?”

Joo Kang’s legs were trembling.

Kang Jin-ho fully understood how much courage he had mustered to ask this question.

Jang Min frowned and tried to step forward.

“You foolish man! The Demon Lord has already!”

Kang Jin-ho lightly raised his hand to stop Jang Min.

“It seems what I said wasn’t enough?”

“N-No, it’s not that. But…” Joo Kang looked up at Kang Jin-ho.

“I believe in the Demon Lord. What I don’t believe in is myself.”

“Yourself?”

“Yes.”

Joo Kang hesitated slightly before continuing in a trembling voice.

“The Demon Lord is strong. The Demon Lord would have been strong even without mastering demonic arts.

I cannot simply follow the Demon Lord, believing only in the strength and vision you have shown, because the reality I have seen is not easy.”

Kang Jin-ho said nothing, just listening to what Joo Kang had to say. That was what Kang Jin-ho needed to do right now.

One by one, the demonic cultivators around them began to gather.

“My level is low, but I have also mastered demonic arts. But I have never once felt that I was strong. Demon Lord, if I believe in and follow you, can I become stronger?

Can I become stronger than those righteous sect people who treated me like a bug? Can I escape this wretched weakness?”

The last words were almost a cry.

Kang Jin-ho knew.

This was not a matter of logic. Explaining how strong they would become was meaningless at this moment.

All those who had gathered had similar expressions.

The pent-up resentment and sorrow were overflowing. They were trying to appear composed, but they couldn’t control the surge of emotion rising from their chests.

So, what should he say to them?

Kang Jin-ho opened his mouth quietly.

“Becoming stronger depends on yourselves.”

“No matter how good the martial arts or the environment I provide, it will be meaningless if you don’t make an effort. So, make an effort. If you make an effort, you will see a path.”

Joo Kang looked at Kang Jin-ho with a slightly dazed expression.

At that moment, Kang Jin-ho spoke again.

“Such obvious words are useless, aren’t they?”

The corners of Kang Jin-ho’s mouth curled up.

“The fact that you are following me to Korea means that you will become my subordinates. Right?”

“That is obvious.”

“You don’t need to worry about whether you can become stronger. You should worry about whether your bodies can endure the process of becoming stronger.

Because I will make you strong. I, myself.”

Kang Jin-ho looked around with a firm gaze.

“I promise you in my name.”

His voice, filled with inner energy, echoed through the common area. Although his voice was not loud, everyone heard his words clearly.

“Just like the Demonic Cult in the past, your existence will become the terror of the world, and your names will become objects of fear.

I will make it so that no one, no one will dare to ignore you.”

Kang Jin-ho asked expressionlessly, looking at Joo Kang, who had bitten his lip tightly.

“Is that answer enough?”

“…It is enough.”

Kang Jin-ho’s smile deepened.

“If hearing those words is enough to comfort you, then that worry isn’t that serious. Don’t try to find the answer from me. I will only give you the means.

Achieving your goals is your responsibility.”

Kang Jin-ho glanced at Joo Kang and turned around. Bator and the others followed Kang Jin-ho.

“Finish the preparations for departure quickly.”

“Yes, Demon Lord!”

Jang Min’s face was also filled with determination. He understood that this one move would determine the Demonic Cult’s fate for the next thousand years.

‘Let’s see how they react.’

Kang Jin-ho chuckled quietly.

A grand festival that had been absent for a while would begin. A festival that no one could help but be excited about.