Descent Of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 781

Creating (2)

Receiving help from someone wasn’t a bad thing.

Especially for Bang Jin-hoon, it held a rather special meaning.

Of course, it wasn’t as if he didn’t have a childhood. At an age when he couldn’t do anything on his own, Bang Jin-hoon received help from many people.

He relied on his parents and received guidance from his teachers. However, after becoming an adult and reaching an age where he could decide his own life, Bang Jin-hoon did his best to stand alone.

Looking back now, it might feel a bit faded, but Bang Jin-hoon’s efforts had clearly produced significant results. Objectively speaking, he had a successful life.

He had risen from the bottom to a high position in the General Assembly, and before Kang Jin-ho’s appearance, he had even succeeded in creating a force equal to that of Lee Joong-gul.

If Kang Jin-ho hadn’t been there, the outcome of the battle might have been different, but even if he had lost to Lee Joong-gul, no one could have criticized Bang Jin-hoon for rising so far from the bottom.

However, Bang Jin-hoon himself felt a sense of regret.

Of course, the achievements he had accomplished alone were not small. But if there had been someone to help him or guide him, he could have achieved even more.

In that sense, Kang Jin-ho’s offer of help was a great opportunity for Bang Jin-hoon.

Bang Jin-hoon, who had never experienced receiving help or guidance from someone more skilled than himself, couldn’t hide his subtle anticipation.

Moreover, Kang Jin-ho’s words certainly made sense.

The principle of all things returning to their origin.

Even someone who has only played the piano their entire life, if they have reached an unparalleled level of mastery, their understanding of other instruments will naturally increase.

Especially if they were someone who had to play in an ensemble rather than solo.

According to Kang Jin-ho, he had once mastered orthodox martial arts. But even if Kang Jin-ho had only ever practiced demonic arts from the beginning, Bang Jin-hoon would have eventually accepted Kang Jin-ho’s help.

Kang Jin-ho had spent his entire life fighting against orthodox martial artists.

That meant he had spent his entire life researching how to efficiently defeat orthodox martial arts. Kang Jin-ho’s understanding of orthodox martial arts surpassed that of most masters.

So, of course, he could receive help.

If Kang Jin-ho helped, they could create the best martial art that the General Assembly, or even Korea, had never possessed.

‘I believed that…’

Bang Jin-hoon’s cheeks were twitching. Next to him, Kang Jin-ho was making an awkward expression.

“…Why take another step forward here?”

“Because that’s how you can split their head open.”

“But then your waist is exposed?”

“Isn’t it a good trade to give up a few ribs to smash their head?”

“Is there a guarantee that only your ribs will be broken? If they have a sword, your waist could be cut off.”

“Then wouldn’t it be better to split their head open faster?”

Bang Jin-hoon’s prickly stubble began to vibrate.

‘This bastard is crazy.’

It was an unholy thought.

But Bang Jin-hoon also had something to say.

Bang Jin-hoon was someone who valued respect from the heart more than mere outward politeness.

That’s why, after handing over the position of Assembly Leader to Kang Jin-ho and being promoted to the position of Director, he had been trying not to lose his respect for Kang Jin-ho. It wasn’t just because of his position that he bowed his head. He truly acknowledged and respected Kang Jin-ho as the Assembly Leader who would lead the General Assembly, and that’s why he bowed his head.

But this was really too much.

“No, what’s the point if we both die!”

“If you strike faster, you’ll get hurt less.”

“Isn’t there a way to not get hurt at all?”

“How can you hit their bones without giving up some flesh? That’s an inefficient thought.”

“Are you out of your…”

Bang Jin-hoon, who was about to say something, shut his mouth and lowered his head.

Looking at Kang Jin-ho’s firm reaction, he could tell. This wasn’t just empty bravado. This man really thought that way, and he had lived his life putting that thought into practice.

Realizing that, a new question arose.

‘How is this guy still alive?’

He should be dead.

No, man. If you had any conscience, you should be dead.

If you’ve been through battle with that kind of thinking and you’re still alive, isn’t that even stranger? You should have died. If you didn’t die, you should at least be missing an arm or a leg!

Bang Jin-hoon felt like he wanted to vomit blood.

Kang Jin-ho’s life was like this.

If someone swung a sword at his head?

How would most people react?

Generally, people with brains would choose one of two options. Either block it or step back. Which one they choose depends on their preference and personality.

But the answer Kang Jin-ho gave was completely different.

“Step forward, twist the point the opponent is aiming for, and in that gap, take their neck.”

‘What the hell is that!?’

If you could do that, what couldn’t you do? That’s why people defend.

This guy isn’t a demon because he learned demonic arts [a martial art focused on power and aggression].

Whether he was like that from the beginning, or whether his brain was completely soaked in demonic energy after deeply mastering demonic arts, it wasn’t something he could know now, but what was certain was that even if this guy abandoned all demonic arts and learned orthodox martial arts [traditional martial arts focused on balance and technique], his fighting style wouldn’t change at all.

Well, fine.

It could be like that. That’s Kang Jin-ho.

The problem was that Kang Jin-ho’s method kept trying to seep into the martial art they were currently creating.

“Assembly Leader.”

“Hmm?”

“…I’m currently creating the General Assembly’s martial art, you know.”

“I know?”

“It’s just my opinion… but if we go in the direction you’re suggesting, the moment the martial art is completed, the General Assembly might have to change its name to the Demonic Assembly or the Blood Assembly.”

Kang Jin-ho, seeing Bang Jin-hoon’s blazing eyes, coughed awkwardly.

“Is it that bad?”

“It’s not ‘that bad’!”

Bang Jin-hoon spat fire.

“You said you had a high understanding of orthodox martial arts, but what is this! This is demonic arts based on orthodox martial arts!”

Kang Jin-ho made a dissatisfied face.

“The base is completely different.”

“Whether you slash with a sword or chop with an axe!”

“It’s different…”

He was about to burst.

Bang Jin-hoon forcefully suppressed his rising anger. He wanted to shout… no, he felt like he had already shouted several times, but anyway, he needed to calm down.

“What I want to create is orthodox martial arts.”

“What is orthodox martial arts?”

“Huh?”

Kang Jin-ho spoke with a dissatisfied face.

“What’s the standard for what you call orthodox martial arts? I think all kinds of martial arts that operate based on basic and stable internal energy [a concept of vital energy in traditional martial arts] can be called orthodox martial arts?”

“…Wow, are you going that far?”

Bang Jin-hoon, looking exhausted, took a step back.

If he carelessly got involved in this, he would end up debating what orthodox martial arts were all night long.

“I, I don’t know that well. But I don’t think the direction you’re going is the direction the General Assembly should be aiming for.”

“What is the direction the General Assembly is pursuing?”

“Well…”

Bang Jin-hoon closed his mouth.

Direction?

How should he explain that?

The direction of the martial art he was trying to create in his head clearly existed. But it wasn’t something that could be explained in words. Something vague, like grasping at clouds.

“It’s hard to explain it exactly. But no matter how I think about it, this isn’t the right direction.”

“Why not?”

“Because this isn’t the direction the General Assembly has been going in.”

Kang Jin-ho quietly looked at Bang Jin-hoon and sighed.

“I think I need to address this, so I’m going to say this…”

“…Yes?”

“There are people who place great importance on preserving tradition, but in reality, the ancestors didn’t really want that.”

Bang Jin-hoon’s eyes filled with question.

“They didn’t want that?”

“They couldn’t.”

Kang Jin-ho sighed and said.

“People who create something always want something better. Those who chase the past don’t develop. Those who create always abandon their attachment to the past. New disciplines, new schools, and new lives… they always come from the hands of those who have drawn a line with the past.”

Bang Jin-hoon’s body trembled.

He understood what Kang Jin-ho was saying.

“The people who created the martial arts that Director Bang is using as material were always looking for something better than before. They were people who tried to create something innovative that was different from the past. But those who accepted it taught others to simply follow, using the past martial arts as a textbook. That’s where it went wrong.”

Those who teach tell you to follow.

But the creators who are the basis of their teachings tell you to surpass them.

Which one is right?

“The times have already proven it. Shaolin monks can’t beat Muay Thai fighters. Muay Thai fighters are pinned to the ground by Jiu-Jitsu and choked, and those who have mastered Jiu-Jitsu are defeated by the strikes of mixed martial arts fighters.”

“That’s because they don’t have internal energy.”

“Did they lose because they didn’t have internal energy, or was it because their weaknesses were hidden because they had internal energy? Which one is it?”

Bang Jin-hoon couldn’t answer.

“Of course, it’s different. Shaolin created martial arts to handle internal energy, and modern sports are developing to win without internal energy. But that doesn’t mean that the martial arts of the past are perfect.”

“You’re right.”

Bang Jin-hoon had no choice but to admit it.

The direction martial arts should take was actually presented elsewhere. While the martial arts world was protecting the values of the past, the world was comparing the revealed martial arts and establishing the way forward.

“But we can’t just accept it as it is. Martial arts aren’t a sport where you wear gloves and prohibit low kicks.”

“Then is it tradition?”

Bang Jin-hoon pursed his lips.

What Kang Jin-ho was saying was clear. To create something new, it was important to analyze the past, but there had to be something clearly different.

“Is it practicality?”

“That’s what I think. Martial arts are no longer martial arts. If they were the goal in the past, now martial arts are just a means. Isn’t it enough to just get stronger?”

He didn’t understand.

But there was definitely room to think about it.

“Assembly Leader, you always confuse me.”

“Is that so?”

Bang Jin-hoon scratched his head.

“I can’t do it right now. I need time to adjust. I’ll think and worry about it all day today. And then I’ll talk to you again.”

“That’s enough.”

Kang Jin-ho got up from his seat.

Then, he coolly turned around and tried to go outside. But Bang Jin-hoon didn’t let Kang Jin-ho leave feeling refreshed.

“But that doesn’t mean you’re right, Assembly Leader. I think there’s a difference between emphasizing practicality and foaming at the mouth and trying to kill someone?”

“Normal people don’t call that practicality. They just call it crazy… well, whatever.”

Kang Jin-ho’s hand, which was holding the doorknob, tightened. The poor doorknob was crumpled like it was made of paper.

Seeing that sight, an awkward smile appeared on Bang Jin-hoon’s face.

“…Come to think of it, that might be what practicality is.”

The law is always far away, and the fist is always near.