Descent Of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 767

External enemies strengthen internal bonds. Many powerful figures have maintained internal control by creating external enemies whenever internal rifts appear.

However, having an external enemy doesn’t always produce positive results. You need to secure the forces to prepare for the external enemy, and you can’t neglect surveillance. Manpower is consumed, and it also hinders planning.

The General Assembly was exactly like that.

From the moment Kang Jin-ho got involved, the General Assembly always had to prepare for external enemies. Initially, it was just internal power struggles between Lee Jung-geol and Bang Jin-hoon, but soon they had to fight with the Yeongnam Association, and then face the massive enemies of Japan and the Hong Wang faction.

It’s true that those wars made the General Assembly grow, but it’s also true that they blocked the momentum for further expansion.

And now, for the first time, the General Assembly has created an environment where it can focus on the internal, not the external.

The conclusion reached by the leadership was unanimous.

Reorganization and reform of the system for rapid growth.

Kang Jin-ho entrusted all authority to Wiggins and Lee Hyun-soo.

“I was thinking of getting involved to some extent…”

“Please calm down.”

“You can look at it again when everything is done.”

“…Should I?”

Lee Hyun-soo dissuaded Kang Jin-ho with the logic that there was no need to use a butcher’s knife to catch a chicken. [Meaning, don’t use excessive force for a minor task.]

‘It doesn’t seem like there’s going to be any need to butcher a cow?’

He felt like he was being taken advantage of, but he couldn’t argue because Lee Hyun-soo was running around like his feet were on fire. There might be quite a few people who don’t think so, but Kang Jin-ho was a man with a conscience.

If Kang Jin-ho got involved, it would only increase their workload, not reduce it. Kang Jin-ho wasn’t shameless enough to stick his nose in, knowing that fact.

In the end, Kang Jin-ho ended up wandering around the General Assembly, looking for something to do.

“You trash!”

A person flies through the air.

Kang Jin-ho stared blankly at the scene. There are many punishments that humans can inflict on each other. In a way, human history could be seen as the history of the development of punishment.

Since ancient times, humans have researched how to torment people more painfully and efficiently. A unique method of execution is a basic option for those called tyrants.

Some were outrageous enough to throw people into boiling oil, and others were perverted enough to peel off people’s skin. But no tyrant or executioner of the past would have seen such a sight.

“Hiiiik!”

“You bastards! I’ll fix your rotten minds for sure!”

Bator’s pot lid-like hand grabbed the back of the neck of the fleeing man.

It’s not just an expression. Bator’s hands are really as big as pot lids. The person caught by Bator didn’t seem to be small either, but when Bator grabbed him, he was like a child.

‘I’ve seen that face somewhere.’

The person caught by Bator had a good name given by his parents, Gong Young-gil, but unfortunately, Kang Jin-ho didn’t remember Gong Young-gil’s name.

“Hwaaaap!”

With a shout, Bator threw the person he was holding up into the air. The person soared into the air like a pebble leaving a child’s hand.

Kang Jin-ho stared blankly at the scene.

The person was ascending higher than the General Assembly’s main building. There have been many people throughout history, but would anyone have had such an experience?

It was a rare experience to go skydiving without having to take an airplane, but the screams alone were enough to guess how the person having that rare experience felt.

“Hwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaak!”

It seemed like it was quite the experience.

Bator watched Gong Young-gil, who had soared into the sky, with a stern face, and then snatched his neck again with one hand the moment he fell.

“Krrp!”

A strange sound came from Gong Young-gil’s neck.

Bator pulled Gong Young-gil close and shouted in a voice like he had swallowed a train whistle.

“You morons! What did I tell you!”

Gong Young-gil couldn’t answer.

“Can’t you hear me!”

Of course, he could hear him.

If you couldn’t hear him speaking at that volume, you’d be deaf. There was no way that Gong Young-gil, who had perfectly good ears, wouldn’t hear it. It’s just that he couldn’t understand Chinese.

Kang Jin-ho wondered if he should translate. But he didn’t think Bator would be doing this without knowing that, so he kept his mouth shut.

“I asked what I said!”

“Y-you told us to memorize everything you said before you returned.”

‘He understood?’

Kang Jin-ho’s mouth slightly opened.

Is this what they mean by hearts connecting even when words don’t?

No, it doesn’t seem like such a heartwarming scene?

It’s certainly possible that Gong Young-gil had been studying Chinese like crazy while Bator was in China, but no matter how you look at it, it didn’t seem like he understood Chinese.

The human survival instinct is truly great.

“You!”

Bator threw Gong Young-gil to the ground. Gong Young-gil fell over without resisting. From the moment he was caught by Bator, resistance was meaningless.

“What can you do if you can’t even make an effort! I’ll fix your rotten minds today!”

Bator moved forward and threw anyone he could grab into the air.

People popped into the air like popcorn. Kang Jin-ho, who was watching the scene, shook his head and turned away.

‘This isn’t the place.’

He couldn’t get involved there.

His master was teaching his disciples, what could he do by getting involved?

Kang Jin-ho quickened his pace.

“Uwaaaaaaaak!”

“Please save me! Uwaaaa! Save me!”

Desperate screams echoed behind him, but Kang Jin-ho tried to ignore the scene.

“Hmm.”

Wiggins scratched his chin with his one remaining hand.

“Miss Lee?”

“…Please call me Lee Hyun-joo. It feels strangely old-fashioned.”

“I respect your preferences. Okay, Lee Hyun-joo. I’ve read the report well. So, among these numerous problems, what do you think is the most urgent issue to address?”

“The establishment of the accounting department.”

“What’s the reason for that?”

Lee Hyun-joo took a deep breath. Dealing with Wiggins was a different kind of burden than dealing with Lee Hyun-soo. He didn’t shoot sharp remarks like Lee Hyun-soo, but his gentle demeanor and the transparent glint in his eyes that didn’t match his soft impression made her feel like he was digging into her soul.

“It’s not something to be proud of, but the current financial management of the General Assembly is too haphazard. It’s not clear exactly how much money comes in, how much goes out, and how much each department uses.”

“Why?”

It was always like this.

He gently asked about things she never wanted to say.

“It’s because the former chairman intentionally made the flow of funds opaque to create slush funds.”

“A common method. But if it was used properly, the assessment of being common might be excessive. So, you’re going to establish an accounting department and make the flow of funds transparent?”

“Yes. The special activity funds that the elders used to use have disappeared, and the funds that were provided to the chairman have also disappeared. And all the sources of funds that belonged to the General Assembly but didn’t come into the General Assembly have been recovered. I think we need to establish an accounting department and unify the accounting.”

“How long do you think it will take?”

“It depends on who takes charge. It depends entirely on the ability of the person starting it.”

“That’s why I’m asking the head of the accounting department.”

Lee Hyun-joo clenched her fist.

Lee Hyun-joo, who was treated as Lee Hyun-soo’s secretary and didn’t even have a proper title. If she was given that position, it would be the first time she would have a proper title.

She didn’t like the title, but she wasn’t in a position to pick and choose. The thirst that was burning her up made her accept even muddy water like it was ambrosia. [Ambrosia is the food of the gods in Greek mythology, implying something incredibly desirable.]

“I will normalize it within ten days.”

“Good. I’ll give you a week.”

“Is there a problem?”

“No, there isn’t. I will report back within a week.”

“I’ll be waiting for a good report.”

As Lee Hyun-joo turned to leave, Wiggins smiled and said.

“It would be good to find reliable and capable people. It doesn’t have to be from within the General Assembly. It won’t be easy to find practitioners here, so bring in anyone who is capable.”

“Yes!”

“Don’t they teach basic accounting in universities these days? In that sense, how about it? Road? We have a part-time position available, would you like to try it?”

Kang Jin-ho, who was watching the situation from outside the door, quickly turned and ran away.

“Oh dear…”

Wiggins smiled gently.

“I heard you majored in business administration, but it’s a big problem if you’re weak in accounting. Hey, Miss Lee.”

“…It’s Lee Hyun-joo.”

“Okay, Lee Hyun-joo. Wouldn’t it be a problem if the Chairman doesn’t even know how to read financial statements?”

“It is a problem.”

“Since ancient times, the education of the king has been the responsibility of his subjects. Please prepare a clean textbook.”

“Yes!”

Sweat broke out on Kang Jin-ho’s back as he ran down the stairs.

“From that side to that side! Yes!”

Jang Min pointed with his hand.

“It’s crooked, you bastards! Make it sharp like a knife! Don’t you understand what I’m saying?”

“Sorry, Elder.”

Jang Min was setting up tents.

The General Assembly had mobilized containers and other means to provide as much accommodation as possible, but it was impossible to accommodate so many people. They managed to secure space to lie down, but it was impossible to live a human life.

Even Jang Min, who didn’t care about human rights, had no choice but to come up with a solution. They had to secure sleeping quarters somehow until the new accommodations were completed.

In the end, Jang Min asked Lee Hyun-soo to procure a large number of tents and began setting them up in the training grounds and other open spaces. It would be difficult for ordinary people to live in tents for a few months, but the warriors, who were relatively resistant to heat and cold, would be able to live without much difficulty.

Moreover, they had lived such harsh lives in China that they didn’t think much of this level of inconvenience. Sometimes, a life spent crawling on the ground can be helpful.

“Pull it tight! Taut! Taut!”

A huge tent was created in an instant.

Jang Min nodded as he watched the scene.

“Are you doing well?”

“Ah, Great Demon Lord!”

As soon as Jang Min found Kang Jin-ho, he tried to prostrate himself on the ground. But Kang Jin-ho reached out and grabbed Jang Min.

“Let’s skip such formalities outside.”

“But Great Demon Lord, all hearts are in the manners that the body performs…”

“Does your respect diminish if you don’t show manners?”

Jang Min, who had been looking at Kang Jin-ho quietly, smiled.

“That won’t happen.”

“Then that’s good.”