Descent of the Demon Master

The Iemoto silently and patiently observed the rising sun. The dawn was breaking.

To him, a sunrise was nothing special. Martial artists like him didn't need to sleep as long as regular people, so they had ample opportunities to watch the sun rise from the East.

Despite being intimately familiar with the sight of the morning sun rising up to chase the darkness of the night away, this particular sunrise still instilled a special feeling in the Iemoto.

'It must be time.'

According to the expedition's schedule, the ship should be reaching Korea about now.

"Hmm. The peninsula, is it…?"

The Iemoto felt his heart flutter a little when he mulled that word.

The Korean peninsula held such a strange significance to Japan. Despite having exceeded the Koreans in various aspects, the Japanese still couldn't acquire that land for one reason or the other.

Japan was an archipelago, a chain of islands. These islands probably offered everything a Japanese person would ever want. Being satisfied with Japan's current territory could be a… "happier" way to live out the rest of one's life.

However! Those who called Japan their home always suffered from a thirst. A thirst that varied in scope and intensity depending on people!

This thirst was all about the limitations imposed by an archipelago. For the longest time, Japan's rulers had been tortured by the knowledge of living inside a geographical trap, an archipelago, no matter how much stronger or influential the country had become. This was why Japan tried to take over the Korean peninsula every chance it could find.

After all, the peninsula was like a master key that would unlock the gateway to the vast Asian continent, at least in the eyes of these Japanese rulers.

Unfortunately for them, though... The results of their attempts always ended in disappointment. Japan waged many wars and even succeeded in annexing the Korean peninsula. However, with time, Japan was always forced to let go of the peninsula and return to these cramped islands.

This history repeated itself many times already.

Once upon a time, the Iemoto viewed these historic attempts as a fool's errand.

In this day and age, acquiring physical territory via military campaigns was pointless.

If one boasted enough power, one could rule over another country without resorting to physically taking over their land. Methods like economic and political manipulations were sufficient enough in this era to conquer the whole world.

Since that was the case, why sacrifice so much just to take over another country in the old-fashioned way? When money and diplomacy had replaced guns and swords as tools of war in the current era?

That was what the Iemoto used to think in his youth.

'Well, my thoughts on this matter haven't changed all that much, but…'

But, Iemoto's stance had altered a little over the years.

When he successfully acquired the vast land called Kansai, Iemoto was washed over by feelings of… slight frustration, not fulfillment.

That was when the Iemoto had an epiphany. He realized the difference between a land that still had territories for him to conquer and a land that didn't.

Many nations of the Asian continent drew their arbitrary borders and did their best to maintain their territories. Compared to Japan, which didn't have to worry about other nations invading it, their lives seemed so desperate and poor.

However, those people enjoyed something the Japanese didn't. And that something was "possibility."

The Iemoto knew that those borders were not eternal. He knew that a country could get swallowed up by its neighbor at any given moment. Or, a country might devour its neighbors.

That was the possibility. The possibility of increasing one's territory until one's country could become a massive global powerhouse!

However, what about Japan? Could Japan conquer even more if its denizens were satisfied with living on these cramped islands?

Was the Iemoto supposed to be satisfied with the territory he possessed and the power he wielded?

'Don't make me laugh!'

That kind of mindset was no longer sustainable.

Only after reaching the point where he couldn't conquer anymore did the Iemoto realize something about humanity. And that was… Expansion, exploration, and invasion were indelible parts of human nature!

Why did Rome try to conquer so much land? Even though they already possessed the center of the known world at the time? Why did they continue to wage war and invade other territories?

What about the USA? Why did it continue to get involved in warfare? When it was already renowned as the global superpower with the might to match the claim? It could've enjoyed unprecedented peace without getting physically involved in conflicts taking place in distant lands, yet it still did not stop extending its grubby mitts everywhere.

Why did the USA and Rome do all this? It was simple. Because they were not satisfied.

At the end of the day, a nation was still run by humans.

Whether it was an individual or a group, this story did not change. All decisions were based on human nature. And humanity could very well be the most greedy species on Earth.

Humans didn't know the meaning of satisfaction. They didn't know how to settle for what they already had. They always strove to acquire a lot more than what was in their possession! And the Iemoto was a mere human, just like everyone else!

"Mm…"

The Iemoto let out a quiet little grunt.

His ancestors must've held the same beliefs as him. Those people didn't bother with the Korean peninsula when there were still things to be acquired within the Japanese islands. However, they inevitably turned their attention to the mainland when Japan couldn't contain their ambition or provide them with enough satisfaction.

...Not because they were Japanese, no, but because they were human beings!

The Iemoto quietly closed his eyes. He was doing his utmost best to remain calm, but this task proved trickier than he thought. He believed not a single drop of hot blood remained in his veins, but the truth might have been something else. Such as… He hadn't found a reason to get his blood boiling again!

'Hmm. I'm beginning to regret this.'

If he knew he'd feel this way… The Iemoto would have personally joined the expedition!

He probably subconsciously believed another event exciting enough to get his heart fluttering would not occur again in his lifetime.

The Iemoto kept preaching how the arrogant Chinese martial society needed to be taught a lesson but knew that was impossible to do so.

Considering the Iemoto's age, this expedition could've been his last chance to participate in a physical battle. When he thought about how he had missed this potentially final chance, a hint of regret silently stabbed him in the heart.

'Remember, serene mind…'

The Iemoto gently picked up the folded hemp cloth next to him. Then, he serenely polished his favorite weapon resting on his lap. This fine piece of Japanese craftsmanship didn't require any further maintenance, as evidenced by how impeccably smooth and pristine its blade was. However, the Iemoto's action was not about polishing his weapon but his mind.

Shuffle, rustle…

The noise of hemp cloth brushing over the sharp blade quietly echoed in the room.

The sounds of birds chirping in the distance coupled with the insects chirruping and the small water wheel by the garden's pond turning… All these sounds symbolizing peace danced in harmony with each other to herald the morning's arrival. And so…

Some time passed by serenely like this before the Iemoto abruptly stopped polishing his blade. He silently sheathed the weapon back in its scabbard, then carefully placed it on the katana stand.

He settled down in his seat, then calmly issued his order. "Come in."

Shortly afterward, the door silently slid open, and a man kitted out in elegant but antiquated traditional attire carefully entered on his knees. "I humbly greet the Iemoto."

"Mm. I assume we've received the message by now?"

The Iemoto usually placed a great deal of importance on etiquette and rituals. So, for him to ignore the etiquette protocol and go straight to the point could only mean he had not managed to maintain a serene mind.

The man in the traditional attire bowed deeply. "Yes, sir. However…"

The Iemoto furrowed his brow ever so slightly. A non-answer like this could only mean something unexpected, something unfavorable, must've occurred to the expedition.

The Iemoto sucked in a deep breath.

'Well, that's how life works, isn't it?'

This was the case of "Man proposes, God disposes."

It didn't matter how foolproof and perfect a plan was, things never really worked out exactly according to said plan. Humans were always at the mercy of timing and heavenly luck and could only pray that everything worked out in their favor.

Besides, losses were an indelible part of any military expedition, anyway.

"I see. It seems the enemy has cottoned on to our grand plan," said the Iemoto.

"My apologies, sir. It is as you have thought."

"Hmm. That means we must've suffered losses, then. Which is unfortunate but unavoidable at the same time. Then, how bad are our losses? Even if the Koreans had learned about our plan, I assume our forces still made landfall without too much trouble. Isn't that how they contacted us?"

The man in the traditional attire faltered and hesitated even more.

Something about that hesitation displeased the Iemoto, and his cheeks twitched from this emotion. "Baiken."

"Yes, Iemoto!"

"Answer me. What happened to the expedition?"

The man in the traditional attire, Baiken, squeezed his eyes shut in dread. Even if the contents of his report were too nightmarish to reveal to the Iemoto, it was his duty to do so.

Baiken sucked in a deep breath, then cautiously raised his voice. "We're still in the middle of verifying the situation, but…"

"But?"

Baiken's voice grew heavier and gloomier. "Sir, the call came from an individual claiming to be a member of the Korean Martial Assembly."

Twitch!

The Iemoto's brows twitched noticeably. "The call came from… the Koreans?"

"Yes, sir."

"What did that individual say?"

"T-that is…" Baiken bit his lower lip. "Sir, we still haven't confirmed if this individual is really the head of one of Martial Assembly's departments, but… According to his testimony, our expedition is currently adrift and lost in the ocean between Japan and the peninsula…"

"Did you say… adrift?"

"Yes, sir. The expedition's ship has sunk, while our warriors are floating on the ocean with nothing but life jackets. At least, that is what the Korean man told us. Apparently, if we don't send a rescue team right away, all of our surviving warriors will become fish food…"

The Iemoto didn't respond verbally. Even so, Baiken could easily tell that the Iemoto was barely holding back his unimaginably terrifying rage right now. The way the Iemoto's fingertips trembled intermittently was all the proof Baiken needed.

"Baiken, didn't you say none of this has been verified?"

"...Yes, Iemoto."

"Then…!" The Iemoto's voice grew icier and icier. "You came to me to report unverified claims of an enemy agent?!"

Baiken planted his forehead deeply on the floor. "Please forgive my incompetence, Iemoto! However, we believed these claims were not baseless."

"Is that so? Why?"

"First of all, the expedition did not contact us on time. Even now, our men have failed to call us. Their ship should have reached the peninsula by now, so this silence could only mean the expedition has encountered trouble en route."

"I see. And?"

"And the fact that the enemy knew about the existence of the expeditionary forces and the sea route they'd use to reach the peninsula should not be ignored, sir. Such information cannot be verified by having a spy in our midst."

"And?"

Baiken gulped nervously before resuming his report. "The coordinates we were given are within Joseon's territorial waters. We don't have the means to verify the situation in that location, sir. For now, we've asked our government to help us secure satellite photos of the region, but…"

"That will take too long!" The Iemoto growled.

"Sir! Understood! Once we have all the relevant information to determine if the expeditionary forces have encountered the enemy resistance on water and lost… To be more precise, thoroughly annihilated, then we…"

Crack, crunch!

The Iemoto's fingers dug into the tatami mat on the floor, forcing Baiken to stop talking immediately.

Indescribably rage burned in the Iemoto's face as he chewed on his lips. "This… You…!"

Such was the intensity of his rage that he couldn't even string along a cohesive sentence.

The expedition had lost? Even before it could step foot in Joseon?!

The Iemoto growled angrily. "Did the enemy resort to firing a torpedo at the ship?"

"Sir, we have no way of verifying that right now."

"Then, what exactly can you verify?!"

"S-sir…! Please permit us to dispatch ships to confirm the situation and rescue the survivors. If we rescue them, it should be possible to investigate what happened to the expedition."

The Iemoto sharply yelled at Baiken. "Didn't you say the coordinates were within Korea's territorial waters?!"

"They have allowed us to rescue the survivors, so it should not be an issue, sir!"

"This…! You…!"

Baaaaang!

The Iemoto finally slammed his fist on the floor. His face was flushed red to a point where it couldn't possibly get any redder.

"Dispatch the ships! Right now! Bring me those idiots who couldn't even die like warriors! Drag them all home, now!"

"Sir!" Baiken hurriedly bowed, then ran outside the room.

The Iemoto shot up to his feet and roared in rage. "Those incompetent bastards!"

Claaang!

He abruptly yanked his sword out from its scabbard. The azure blade aura gushed out from the weapon and utterly destroyed the carefully groomed garden into oblivion.

"You! How could you! How could you lose even before reaching the peninsula?! How is that even possible?!"

The Iemoto's roars continued as rage filled him to the brim.

"Nakata Yuji, you…! Just what were you doing?! And Kazeichi, you… Hmm?"

The Iemoto stopped raging and bit his lower lip. The skin broke, causing crimson blood to trickle down his chin.

'Wait… Kezeichi also lost?'

Nakata Yuji getting killed wasn't so surprising to the Iemoto. However, Kazeichi also lost? That was not something the Iemoto ever expected to see in this lifetime.

That was when a name suddenly popped up in the Iemoto's head.

'...Kang Jin-Ho!'

Without a doubt, that bastard must've done something underhanded!

"...I will not show you any mercy, Kang Jin-Ho! I swear it!"

I shall kill you, no matter what! I will do whatever it takes to make that happen!

The Iemoto's rage, now as cold as Arctic storm winds, rapidly transformed the destroyed garden into a frozen wasteland.