Descent of the Demon Master

"My apologies, Assembly Master. I was unable to notice the situation due to how chaotic everything was," Lee Hyeon-Su lowered his head apologetically.

"No, don't apologize," said Kang Jin-Ho while waving his hand. "It's not your fault, Chief Lee. Even if you knew, there was nothing you could have done, anyway."

After saying that, Kang Jin-Ho leaned back in the seat and wordlessly drummed on his knee with his fingers.

'Ten lives, is it…?'

That was fewer than expected. Considering the number of martial artists participating, as well as how many Japanese warriors had shown up this time, ten people losing their lives seemed insignificant enough to brush aside without a care in the world.

Of course, that was not going to happen under Kang Jin-Ho's watch.

Not all numbers were equal. For instance, ten loaves of bread were just that, bread. But ten human lives? Their true value could never be signified with mere numbers.

Kang Jin-Ho was currently experiencing a strange set of emotions.

Ten people dying wouldn't have been something to be concerned about for his old self. After all, a war was fought with human sacrifices. It'd be impossible not to see any loss of life when people were fighting to the death.

He had witnessed countless sacrifices and warriors dying in the heat of the battle. And no, he wasn't simply recalling the ones he had killed. His comrades, people who fought alongside him… also died in countless numbers.

Even then, Kang Jin-Ho didn't spare too much thought on them. So, what was different about this situation to make him feel this way? This situation, it…

Kang Jin-Ho slowly rubbed his face. "...Lee Hyeon-Su?"

"Yes, sir."

"Compensate the family members of the ones who didn't make it home."

"Understood."

"Make sure they receive appropriate compensation. Got that?" Kang Jin-Ho coldly muttered, prompting Lee Hyeon-Su to weightily nod back.

"Sir. I know it's not much of a consolation for those families, but I'll still ensure that people don't think of the Assembly as uncaring toward victims of unprovoked attacks on us."

"Okay. I'll leave it to you," said Kang Jin-Ho. The aftertaste left in his mouth remained bitter, however. And he wasn't sure why that was.

Was it because Kang Jin-Ho used to be less invested back in Zhongyuan whenever it was time to deploy the demon cult's forces? Or did he change from that version of himself into something more human…?

Whatever the answer was, searching for it didn't seem important right now. What was important, however, was that Kang Jin-Ho didn't feel good about this situation.

"Okay. Let's move on. Continue, Lee Hyeon-Su."

"Yes, sir!" Lee Hyeon-Su righted his posture, then resumed his briefing. "The battle location has been blocked off with the cooperation of the Navy and Coast Guard, sir. We've allowed the Japanese rescue ships to enter the territorial waters, and they seemed to have finished retrieving all the survivors."

"I see. What about the cruise ship, then?"

"It's completely sunk beneath the waves, sir."

"Is that right…?" Kang Jin-Ho contemplatively nodded.

He didn't want to leave behind unnecessary evidence since a ship going down was still a sensitive, painful topic for the Koreans.

Lee Hyeon-Su noticed the look on Kang Jin-Ho's face and tried to reassure the latter. "The ocean depth in that area is pretty deep, so it's unlikely that people will notice, sir."

"Mm… But you can never predict how things will work out."

"Even if the ship is discovered, it shouldn't be a problem for us, sir. It was registered as a Japanese vessel, after all. And it'd be the Japanese who would have to provide an explanation to the world."

Vator smirked at that. "In that case, it wouldn't be a bad idea to let the world know, wouldn't you say?"

"...That's an evil but admittedly fun idea, sir," Lee Hyeon-Su wryly smiled.

Trouncing the Japanese so thoroughly didn't mean the animosity toward them had dissipated. Subduing an armed thief breaking into your house without too much harm to yourself wouldn't suddenly make you more sympathetic toward said thief, after all!

...And that hostile feeling would only be more intense if this thief was responsible for previous break-ins, too!

Lee Hyeon-Su scanned everyone before continuing on. "Results-wise, we have gained so much from this war. Soon, the news will spread all over the world. And no one will ever underestimate the Martial Assembly again. Although we've lost some things… What we gained in return is even greater."

"Indeed," Wiggins nodded and joined his disciple. "We've suppressed the expeditionary force of not some random country but Japan's. I can't stress enough how impressive our achievement is."

The details of what happened would probably get omitted, but the crux of the story, Koreans kicking Japanese warriors back to where they came from, should still spread unchecked.

Vator tutted. "Japanese aren't all that tough, so what's all this big hullabaloo for?"

Wiggins playfully cocked an eyebrow. "They are certainly much stronger than Mongolia, though?"

"Say what now?!"

Vator was immediately triggered by that provocation, but Wiggins expertly handled the big man's scary glare. "Have I said something incorrect, Sir Vator?"

"...Be grateful that you're missing an arm, Wiggins. I'd have turned you into human mulch if you still had all your limbs intact!"

"I am always grateful," Wiggins smirked and leisurely raised his prosthetic arm.

That left Vator with no other comeback, and he could only ruefully smack his lips.

'I can't win against that.'

After handily suppressing Vator, Wiggins turned his attention toward Kang Jin-Ho next. "However, my lord…"

"Mm?" Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head slightly.

"We might have won, but that didn't mean we also profited materialistically from this battle. Objectively speaking, we've traded our people's lives for some global fame. And that is about it. This thing called fame might sound like it could help but is actually utterly useless."

"Yes, I agree."

"So, it feels like we'll be incurring a lot of losses by walking away like this… How about we tighten the screws a little more, my lord?"

Kang Jin-Ho locked his gaze on Wiggins. "Tighten the screws, you say?"

"Yes," Wiggins grinned while rubbing his chin. "The Japanese must be in a state of utter chaos and panic right about now. Trying to quell the internal unrest alone should be taking away most of their attention. So, if we jump into that messy fray with demands of reparations for this invasion attempt… Things will become even more chaotic for them."

Lee Hyeon-Su quickly voiced his agreement. "Sir. They won't be able to handle it."

"...And we will be able to make the Japanese cough up monetary compensation rather easily," said Wiggins as a follow-up.

"Monetary compensation, you say…?" Kang Jin-Ho muttered quietly again.

"Yes, my lord. Japan is a wealthy nation, so we should be able to extract a lot of goodies from them. Please allow me to take up on this task. After all, I'm quite adept at leading negotiations of such nature."

Kang Jin-Ho leaned against the seat again and looked up at the ceiling. "Money, is it…?"

For some reason, he found this situation somewhat humorous.

"So, human lives can be exchanged for money, is that it?"

Wiggins clamped his mouth shut at Kang Jin-Ho's response.

"Compensation isn't meant to be paid that way. Money? Sure, money is important. However, some things in this world are more important than money," said Kang Jin-Ho, his voice getting colder. "And the fitting compensation for the loss of life is… Their lives!"

Kang Jin-Ho bared his fangs in a ferocious smirk. And when everyone witnessed that smirk… They all instinctively realized something.

This meeting was never about discussing the aftermath of the battle against the Japanese. The Assembly's war against them might have ended, but Kang Jin-Ho's war was still ongoing!

"However, my lord… What exactly do you have in mind?"

Kang Jin-Ho's smirk instantly dissipated, and he became stone-faced at Wiggins' question. He wordlessly took out a cigarette, then lit it up.

Soon, gray smoke rising from the tip of the cigarette lazily scattered in the air.

"Anyone can start a war," said Kang Jin-Ho, prompting everyone in the room to focus on him even more. "However, no one can end this war because they feel like it. After all, I'm not finished yet."

Kang Jin-Ho stopped there and took another deep puff of his cigarette. More gray smoke slowly escaped from his mouth and nostrils.

While his face was half-obscured by the smoke, Kang Jin-Ho resumed addressing everyone. Although, he chewed out his words like a menacing devil this time. "Anyone attacking me will die. However, those who flee will be spared."

"…"

"That is my rule. However, what about the Japanese this time?" Kang Jin-Ho asked, his gaze lingering on his subordinates, one person at a time. "Did they attack me?"

"No, not technically, sir."

"Then, did they flee?"

"...That is also a no, sir."

Kang Jin-Ho took another puff before stubbing the cigarette on a nearby ashtray. "The ones who initiated this war weren't the warriors on that cruise ship. Yes, some other people started this war, but they have not paid the price for it."

Kang Jin-Ho's voice became even icier. Harsh. So much so that it even began sounding like metal being scratched by something coarse!

"So, they suffered a crushing defeat, huh?" Kang Jin-Ho smirked ominously. "In that case, who got crushed? If the leaders didn't get crushed, is it really a crushing defeat? No matter how damaging the defeat is, is it as damaging as the pain of your body getting actually crushed?"

Lee Hyeon-Su tensely swallowed his saliva. Kang Jin-Ho's intentions seemed crystal clear at this point. However, what he proposed was far too reckless to be carried out in reality!

"B-but, Assembly Master…" Lee Hyeon-Su raised his voice, knowing his role was to interject in moments like this one. "I understand your wishes, sir. However, our enemies are still stronger. Winning one battle doesn't guarantee another victory down the line. Please consider postponing another full-on battle against the Japanese, especially in our current state."

Wiggins also dropped his relaxed demeanor and joined his disciple. "I agree with Mister Lee, my lord. If you're dead-set on making the Japanese pay, please give us more time. A combat force strong enough to overwhelm our enemies should be ready in due course. Wasn't there an Eastern proverb about how a nobleman's revenge could take a decade and still wouldn't be considered tardy?"

Unfortunately for Wiggins and Lee Hyeon-Su, some people in this place didn't seem to agree with them.

"My liege! Enemies dared to attack you," said Chang Min, his expression distorted in rage. "They might have targeted South Korea, but even a fool can tell their true aim was you, my liege! They dared to harm you. In that case, how can we not punish them severely for their sin?!"

Chang Min roared in anger before prostrating in front of Kang Jin-Ho.

"My liege! Give me your orders! I shall lead the faithful cult members and cut off the head of every enemy! Soon, they will learn of your everlasting glory!"

Vator casually shrugged. "I don't want to agree with this old fart's opinions if I can help it, but this time? I'm on his side, master. They struck us first. Sure, we managed to fend them off, but that does not change the fact that they provoked us first.

"It's pretty obvious to me. Not punishing the Japanese will make people think that South Korea and the Martial Assembly can be messed around with as long as you have sufficient strength."

Wiggins furrowed his brow. "Isn't that mindset too extreme to…"

Vator tutted. "That's not something you should be saying. Have you forgotten? This is how the martial world operates. An easy target will eventually get devoured by the others. And that easiness isn't always determined by one's strength."

"…"

"Others will be wary of provoking a bastard who is weak but still tenacious enough to bite into the ankles of anyone beating him up. However, if you are strong but never hit back against bullies, everyone is bound to provoke you at least once to see where your limits lie. So, if you don't show them you mean business, you will be marked as an easy target."

Vator resolutely voiced his opinion, then glanced at Kang Jin-Ho.

"In times like this? Nothing could be more important than showing the world, master. The Assembly will be receiving plenty of attention soon, after all! We've already tangled with the Crimson King and his people. And now, we've tangled successfully with Japan, too. Being the center of attention will be a given after all that chaos. We better show them we mean business right now. Or we might never get a chance to do that again."

Wiggins sighed softly under his breath.

In terms of principles, Vator was absolutely spot-on. This was the martial world's way of doing things. Nowhere else was more fitting than this world for the concept of the strong preying upon the weak.

The issue here was there were various factors determining the "weak" in this equation. A powerful but naive fool sometimes could get devoured by a weaker but more tenacious and driven bastard.

Wiggins agreed to all this. However, logically speaking… The timing was just wrong.

The Martial Assembly was still in the middle of its "growth" period. Demonic cultivation methods had been distributed to those who wished to master them. Meanwhile, a new cultivation method had been created recently, as well. Not to mention, the organization's structure was being reformed to something more efficient.

Finally, Kang Jin-Ho and Co. were in the middle of legalizing the Martial Assembly. So, for them to wage another war?

'It's too reckless.'

Victory or defeat ultimately didn't matter in this scenario. Regardless of what the result would be, both sides would walk away with losses of varying severity. Maybe the losses could end up too severe to be recovered from!

However, the current opponent could be suppressed without incurring any further losses if they wait for a bit. Kang Jin-Ho should know this, so why was he being so impatient? He only had to sit still for a little while, so why?

As if to dispel Wiggins' confusion, Kang Jin-Ho calmly raised his voice. "It looks like you're all mistaken about something…"

Naturally, everyone locked their gazes on Kang Jin-Ho.

"I never said we'd wage a full-on war. No, I merely said the ones responsible must pay for what they have done."

"I'm sorry?" Lee Hyeon-Su dazedly asked back.

The enemy this time was Japan. And it was clear who was behind this event… which was Shinichi-kai, Kansai's largest, most powerful clan! How was Kang Jin-Ho planning to make such a powerful enemy pay without waging a full-on war?

"The buck must stop at the top, right? Only one person fits that bill. Wouldn't you agree?" Kang Jin-Ho asked, the light in his eyes withdrawn and cold.

"...Sir? Do you mean the leader of the Shinichi-kai?"

"Yes, him," Kang Jin-Ho expressionlessly nodded. "People died. Without Nobuo alerting us, the number of the dead would've been even higher. The debt of blood can only be repaid through more blood."

"But, how…?"

Even before Lee Hyeon-Su could finish asking, Kang Jin-Ho replied first.

"I'll personally go to Japan."

Lee Hyeon-Su's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets at that shocking reply.

"An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," said Kang Jin-Ho.

Bone-chilling killing intent flooded the conference room just then.