Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 846

“That is the right choice.”

Nakada Yuji prostrated himself on the floor.

*Swoosh.*

At the same moment, the screen was raised.

As the leader revealed himself, Lee Sung-hwi and Kim Seok-il also lowered their heads. It wasn’t something they were told to do. Their bodies moved instinctively.

‘What is this?’

Kim Seok-il questioned his own reaction.

Why was he bowing his head so involuntarily?

He was once considered an absolute power himself. Wasn’t he a figure who held influence over Korea and manipulated it?

He was not so different from the leader.

He was the head of the Yeongnam Association, which controlled the Yeongnam region, and although he hadn’t conquered all regions, he was recognized as the most powerful figure in Korea. He was no different from Shin’nichikai, who held sway over Gwanseo.

Yet, the pressure he felt now was immense.

Kim Seok-il subtly raised his head to look at the leader.

Outwardly, there was nothing particularly remarkable.

He was wearing a traditional kimono, but that was a common sight in movies. His build was rather small.

‘Lee Jung-gul?’

If he had to compare the feeling to someone he knew, Lee Jung-gul would be the closest. A feeling of both shrewdness and ambition mixed together.

However, Kim Seok-il noticed something in the leader’s appearance that he hadn’t felt from Lee Jung-gul.

Cruelty.

Even in his gentle smile, a chilling aura could be sensed. You couldn’t read anything from his expression. It felt as if he was naturally concealing his true intentions and only showing what he wanted to reveal.

A shrewd power broker.

And a cruel power broker.

‘This is the leader.’

If a figure like Lee Jung-gul had been born into a powerful clan from the start and naturally grasped the power he was destined to hold, wouldn’t he have looked like this? Kim Seok-il bit his lip as he met the gaze that seemed to look down on everything in the world.

Perhaps in that man’s eyes, he and Lee Sung-hwi were no more than insects. No, maybe Nakada Yuji was the same.

It felt like he was looking at a cruel monster who had hidden himself behind a facade of rationality.

It was probably only because it was Kim Seok-il that he could perceive this much. If it were an ordinary person, they would just see a kind old man.

The neatly combed white hair fluttered slightly in the breeze.

Looking down at Nakada Yuji, the leader opened his mouth.

“What are the conditions for support?”

“They said they wouldn’t set limits on the financial aspect.”

“Has the financial power of the Chinese reached that level? Those who haven’t even managed to dominate their entire country?”

“It’s just talk. If we ask for an unreasonable amount, they will back down.”

“Hmm…”

The leader shook his head slightly.

‘It must be uncomfortable.’

Nakada Yuji could understand the leader’s reaction.

Complex.

For the Japanese martial arts world, China was a source of complex feelings. In reality, Japan had surpassed China. Although they were now being caught up and even surpassed in some areas, since the Korean War, Japan had never been behind China in terms of overall power.

However, during that long period, the Japanese martial arts world had failed to overcome China. [Muhak: a term referring to martial arts prowess and philosophy]

Muhak cannot be bought with money. No matter how hard they tried, they could not overcome the power that a great nation had built up over many years.

The only area where they were ahead was financial power, but the fact that they were receiving financial support from China was probably irritating the leader’s pride.

“The Hongwang Group…”

The leader, who had been lost in thought for a moment, nodded.

“Although I have made a choice, I am still not satisfied. Rather than facing the General Assembly directly, they are going to tacitly allow our power to expand? They are underestimating Japan too much.”

“They must be thinking beyond that.”

“Tell me.”

“First of all, they must be taking North Korea’s existence into account. There is a buffer zone.”

“But isn’t that the same for South Korea?”

“Still, they are people who have split from the same country. Right now, the South Koreans are at each other’s throats, so their relationship seems intense. If we enter South Korea, there will be even more conflict.”

“Indeed.”

North Korea was a country that would fire missiles towards Japan for no reason and make threats about turning the Japanese mainland into a sea of fire.

If they had a border with such people, it was obvious that more incidents than now would occur.

“The other is chaos.”

“Chaos?”

“If they don’t intend to kill all the martial artists in Korea… no, even if they do, it will take time to suppress their unrest. We have already experienced it, haven’t we? Even though we succeeded in the annexation, their guerrilla warfare did not stop for decades.”

“They are tenacious.”

The leader also nodded in agreement.

“Considering their national character, it will take several years just to manage the internal unrest. They must have thought that it would be better to have us, who have to manage our internal affairs even if we are bigger and stronger, behind them than the united General Assembly.”

“And after that?”

“There is no need to think about it. They will believe that they can unify China before that.”

Nakada Yuji lowered his head as if he had finished speaking.

‘Obvious tricks.’

None of what he had just said was particularly insightful. The leader knew all of this. He was not well-versed in Korean affairs, but he was a person who paid attention to international dynamics.

Nevertheless, the reason he asked Nakada Yuji as if he knew nothing was to test how well he understood the situation. If there was anything wrong with his answer or anything that didn’t make sense, Nakada Yuji would be pushed aside and lose his position in an instant.

“Excellent.”

Passed.

Nakada Yuji inwardly let out a sigh of relief.

With this, his position would be secure for a while. If he had failed this test, he might have had to watch someone else take the opportunity he had worked for.

“There must be coordination for the expedition.”

“If Shin’nichikai takes the lead, who wouldn’t follow?”

“That’s right. Of course, that’s right.” The leader gave a subtle smile.

“But if I don’t take the lead and step back, I won’t be qualified to claim the prize called Joseon [historical name for Korea]. Isn’t that right?”

“…That is correct.”

“Issue a summons in my name. Those who participate will be given territory. But those who retreat will not be given anything. That is the law of this world.”

Nakada Yuji bit his lip.

‘Like a greedy old man.’

The purpose of war is to win. The moment the purpose becomes wealth and fame instead of victory, other factors interfere. Such things can be discussed after winning.

However, this old man was now turning this war into a land grab, and he was planning to use those blinded by greed as cannon fodder.

It was infuriating, but it made sense.

If the damage increased that way, it would be a loss for Japan as a whole, but it would not be a loss for Shin’nichikai at all. Depending on the situation, they could seize the weakened territories of other groups, or they could just maintain the status quo.

Either way, Shin’nichikai’s authority and control would be strengthened.

It was a scheme to discard uncertain gains and secure definite advantages.

Even though he understood this scheme, Nakada Yuji had no choice but to participate in this trend. There is such a thing as momentum in the world. Even if it seems like a loss right now, if you can’t ride that momentum, you will be eliminated in an instant.

“I will do so.”

“And…”

*Thump.*

The leader placed his hand on Nakada Yuji’s shoulder.

“Since it’s something you pushed for, you should see it through to the end.”

“I would like you to take the lead of the expeditionary force.”

“Is that possible? I was the one who opposed the invasion.”

“It’s quite an interesting situation that someone who opposed the war is leading the war. So, no one will think that you will drive them to their deaths with unreasonable orders.”

Nakada Yuji bit his lip.

“Of course, your Yamakawakai will take the lead, right?”

“…Of course.”

“Excellent.”

The leader, who had patted Nakada Yuji’s shoulder a couple of times, slowly walked to the edge of the floor. Looking at the elegantly decorated garden, the leader quietly opened his mouth.

“There is no need to worry so much. If you achieve merit, you will be rewarded accordingly. That is my iron rule.”

Nakada Yuji nodded.

That was true.

If he had only used his ability and power to suppress others, the old man would never have reached his current position. He was suffocating when he was controlling, but he definitely favored those who showed their abilities. And he gave rewards beyond their merits to those who had achieved them.

That was why he was a person who was scary but worth following.

“Then…”

Nakada Yuji hesitated and closed his mouth.

However, the leader nodded as if he had already understood.

“I will give you three.”

Three.

Nakada Yuji’s mind became complicated at the word three.

‘Four is a sure win, one is a sure loss. Three isn’t bad. It’s definitely worth a try.’

“I am grateful for your grace.”

“It would be wise to be careful. It will still be too much for you to handle.”

“How could I dare to handle them? I will just ask and beg.”

“That’s a good attitude.”

Nakada Yuji turned his body, spreading his arms.

“It seems like the story is mostly over. I thank the people who came from Joseon. In the spirit of welcome, I have prepared a simple meal, so I hope you will enjoy it with me.”

Lee Sung-hwi and Kim Seok-il nodded without answering.

It was a one-man show.

Since the story began in this room, he couldn’t shake the feeling that everything had been orchestrated by that man.

“Well, let’s go first.”

As all three were guided away from the floor, the smile disappeared from the leader’s face.

“Kageichi.”

“Yes.”

A man dressed in black from head to toe fell from the shadows of the ceiling.

Looking at the man prostrating on the floor, the leader narrowed his brow.

“What do you think?”

“Everyone wants something different.”

“I think so too.”

“But it’s not a bad game. Everyone’s desires are in the leader’s hands.”

“Is that so?”

It was different from when he listened to Nakada Yuji. The leader, who had heard Kageichi’s words, nodded and turned his gaze to the garden.

‘Kang Jin-ho…’

It was a name he had heard quite often.

“I wanted to see him at least once.”

The leader stroked his beard as if he was sorry at the thought that he would never hear that name again.

“It’s just a matter of starting what our ancestors couldn’t achieve. They are pushing me before I start myself. They will now know that the dream of Greater East Asia has not yet disappeared.”

Kageichi disappeared back into the shadows without answering.

‘Foolish bastards.’

Everyone was trying to use him. Those Joseon bastards, the Hongwang Group, and even Nakada Yuji.

Even the bastards who would gather after hearing his message would be expecting scraps from his immense power.

They pretended to be afraid, but they were not truly afraid.

But that was fine. That was what the leader truly wanted.

‘There is no better chess piece to use than those who think they have the initiative.’

Now, what kind of game should he play with those chess pieces?

The leader quietly stuck out his tongue and licked his lips. It already felt like a thick, bloody smell was coming from the west.