Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 944

The Master’s expression shifted, becoming unreadable.

‘Is this really the same person?’

He had observed Kang Jin-ho three times now.

Once in the airport lounge, another during the car ride back to the hotel, and finally at their previous meeting. Each encounter had left him with a different impression.

The first time, he was struck by Kang Jin-ho’s appearance, which seemed at odds with his powerful aura. The second time, he felt a pang of envy at Kang Jin-ho’s apparent freedom. And the third time, he was confronted with Kang Jin-ho’s raw power and audacity, which shattered all his previous assumptions and predictions.

And now…

Slurp.

Kang Jin-ho took a sip of coffee, his brow furrowing slightly.

“This coffee is dreadful.”

“It’s made with the hotel’s coffee maker…” Wiggins stammered, trying to offer an explanation.

Kang Jin-ho’s frown deepened as he looked at Wiggins.

“I should invite you to the General Assembly sometime. It wouldn’t be fair if you went back thinking this is what Korean coffee tastes like.”

“That would be wonderful, Lord,” Wiggins replied.

Watching Kang Jin-ho engage in casual conversation, the Master couldn’t help but wonder which of the Kang Jin-hos he had seen was the real one.

‘Can so many different facets exist within one person?’

He now understood why Wiggins struggled to describe Kang Jin-ho. Even if the Master returned to England, he would find it difficult to articulate the kind of person Kang Jin-ho was if asked.

It wasn’t as if he had multiple personalities. It was something more complex than that. It felt as though his personality shifted dramatically depending on his mood and the circumstances of the day.

“So,” Kang Jin-ho said, placing his coffee cup down and fixing his gaze on the Master.

“Why did you call me here?”

His tone hadn’t changed much, but the sharp edge that had been present before was now absent. The Master, noticing the shift, glanced at Wiggins, who gave a subtle nod, confirming his observation.

Then…

“I wanted to finalize our discussions.”

“Discussions, you say? Is there more to talk about?”

“The initial phase of our interaction, where we were essentially unarmed, is over. We’ve sized each other up. We know who we’re dealing with and what each of us wants.”

Kang Jin-ho leaned back on the sofa, showing no particular reaction. Then, a faint smile touched his lips.

Normally, Kang Jin-ho would have offered a slightly twisted smile at this point. Wiggins knew that maintaining an aloof attitude was a habit of Kang Jin-ho’s when speaking to someone he wasn’t close to.

But there was no hint of mockery in Kang Jin-ho’s smile now.

“Would you mind if I had a cigarette?”

“Please, go ahead.”

Kang Jin-ho pulled a cigarette from his pocket and placed it between his lips.

As he watched Kang Jin-ho slowly exhale smoke, the Master subtly changed the subject.

“By the way, your English is more fluent than I expected.”

“I learned it,” Kang Jin-ho replied, shrugging.

“English is a required subject in Korea. So, I picked up a decent amount.”

“It seems you’re capable of everyday conversation, so why bother with an interpreter?”

“I don’t like the feeling of a delay in my thoughts. Words should be intuitive.”

“I understand what you mean.”

Kang Jin-ho, slowly exhaling cigarette smoke, looked directly at the Master and said,

“You mentioned the relationship between the Round Table and the General Assembly?”

“Yes.”

“Tell me. What do you want?”

His tone was gentle, but it didn’t mean Kang Jin-ho had changed much. He was simply being more direct. His aversion to unnecessary things remained.

“The Assembly Head stated that I need power to achieve peace. Does that statement still stand?”

“That’s correct.”

“Are you sure?”

“Can’t you tell by my attitude?”

A smile formed on Kang Jin-ho’s lips again, but this time it was definitely a sneer.

“If I had lost to you, this meeting wouldn’t have happened. You would have tried to mold Korea as you pleased and move as you wanted. Isn’t that right?”

“…It’s hard to deny.”

“That’s why you need power. How about it? This is a place for conversation, but it was my power that created this conversation. If you deny it even while seeing it, there’s nothing more to say.”

The Master quietly nodded. He wasn’t denying the words. He acknowledged that Kang Jin-ho’s words made sense. However, he felt that wasn’t the whole picture.

“Then, very well. I will acknowledge that the Assembly Head’s will is not wrong either.”

“Hmm.”

Kang Jin-ho looked at the Master with a calm gaze.

Wiggins also clenched and unclenched his fist slightly.

‘Not bad.’

The atmosphere was flowing better than expected.

The reason he wanted this meeting to have a positive outcome wasn’t solely because of his liking for the Master. The General Assembly was currently isolated. Even if it was difficult to become a practical force due to the distance, there was a world of difference between having allies outside and not having them.

For the future of the General Assembly, they had to reach a good conclusion here.

“I acknowledge that the Republic of Korea and the General Assembly are operating with their own principles. And I also acknowledge that the development of the General Assembly is shaking the balance of East Asia, but it is also inevitable.”

The Master said firmly.

“And although it will be difficult, I will also acknowledge that the best situation is for the General Assembly to grow further and be able to keep Japan and China in check.”

‘This far?’

Wiggins’ eyes widened slightly.

Acknowledging this much was akin to declaring that the Master would no longer hinder the growth of the General Assembly. And if you looked closely at the meaning of those words, it also implied that Korea’s growth was necessary for the stability of East Asia.

Then, of course, support would follow.

‘This is more unconventional than I thought?’

Even if they formed a formal non-aggression pact and provided support indirectly, it would be more than satisfactory. But the Master was going one step further. This was a sign of an alliance.

‘Is it resolving this quickly?’

That couldn’t be. Wiggins’ cold reason waited for the Master’s next words. The Master he knew was not someone who would make such a foolish deal.

The real deal was coming now.

“For the stability of East Asia and the relationship between the two assemblies, I am willing to support the General Assembly. That support will include economic support, human resources support, and information support. Of course, if an alliance is formed.”

He was going one step further.

Now Wiggins couldn’t laugh anymore.

If the goods on offer were substantial, the price would naturally be high. He couldn’t imagine what the Master was going to take in return for these goods.

“If you’re done, let’s get to the point.”

And Kang Jin-ho also knew that all of this couldn’t be given for free.

“The condition is very simple.”

The Master stared at Kang Jin-ho calmly.

“Just keep what you said, Assembly Head. That alone is enough.”

“What I said?”

“Yes. That you want peace.”

The Master smiled gently.

“If you want power for peace, there’s no need to turn that power outward. Peace will naturally follow just by having power.”

Kang Jin-ho gave a subtle smile.

“Stop beating around the bush and get to the point.”

“Yes, I will tell you. There is only one thing I want. If you make a pledge here that you will not invade other countries, the Round Table will promise to fully support Korea.”

Wiggins opened his mouth without realizing it.

‘This?’

He hadn’t considered this. He never thought they would approach it this way.

Now that he heard it, he could understand. This was the best move for the Round Table. No, it might even be the best move.

Even if the Round Table purified Korea and created it together, the problem of East Asia would not disappear. The question of who would take over the empty Korea would remain. A clumsy joint venture could draw both Japan and China into the Korean Peninsula.

Then the Round Table would inevitably have to station a huge force in Korea. A force that could prevent China and Japan from pushing into Korea with a half-hearted resolve.

That would be an enormous cost and a waste of power. And its effectiveness wouldn’t be that high either.

But if Korea grew as it was, and grew with the support of the Round Table, it could fulfill that role without wasting any power.

On the premise that Korea would not invade China or Japan.

If that happened, the three countries of East Asia would enter a period of forced peace for a while. The longer that period would be depended on how strong Korea became.

‘Did he think of this from the beginning?’

Wiggins bit his lip tightly.

It was a good move.

It was a move that felt like he had been hit hard in the back of the head. The Master was proving here that he hadn’t won that position by luck.

There was no reason for the General Assembly not to accept this.

The General Assembly didn’t really have any intention of invading other countries in the first place. Preemptive strikes were always a consideration, but the reason was to reduce the probability of an attack from an excessively expanded foreign country and to prevent the battlefield from being in Korea, not to gain profit by taking over other countries.

If the support from the Round Table was greater than the benefits that could be gained from a preemptive strike, there was no need to make a preemptive strike. If only one more thing was added here…

“Of course, it’s not like we’ll just stop there. The Round Table will participate as an ally the moment another country invades Korea. No matter what country it is!”

That one thing was added.

The Round Table’s participation was significant. Moreover, given the Master’s nature, there would be no participation at a level that was just for show. As much power as needed, or even more, would be put into the Korean Peninsula.

It was an absurd condition.

It was a condition that made one doubt if there was any reason to offer such a condition.

If it were Wiggins, he would have accepted this condition without a second thought. And he would spend the rest of the time making sure the Master couldn’t back out.

Wasn’t this enough?

No matter how strong Kang Jin-ho was, there was no reason not to accept such a condition, logically speaking.

“Hoo…”

Kang Jin-ho slowly exhaled cigarette smoke.

And then he looked at the Master calmly and smiled gently.

“Is there anything in England that Korean women would like?”

“…Excuse me?”

“If you don’t know, have your secretary look into it. I’ll have to give a gift.”

The Master and Wiggins, not knowing what was going on, looked at Kang Jin-ho. Kang Jin-ho, with a cigarette in his mouth, leaned back on the sofa.

And at that moment, Wiggins realized it.

Coldness.

A coldness that hadn’t been there before was felt from Kang Jin-ho.

Kang Jin-ho, putting out the cigarette in the ashtray, glared at the Master in a slightly lowered posture.

“If I hadn’t been in a good mood today, you wouldn’t be alive right now. As a price for saving your life, a gift or two would be okay, right?”

The Master, at a loss for words, shut his mouth tightly.

At that moment, Kang Jin-ho bared his teeth.

“You’re taking my kindness for granted. Try talking back one more time. I’ll make you wish you were dead.”

A murderous intent that made it hard to breathe gripped the Master’s heart.