Descent of the Demon Master

Lee Hyeon-Su stared at Kang Jin-Ho in pure stupefaction.

The Assembly Master wanted to go where? Japan? Lee Hyeon-Su reflexively swallowed his saliva down his dry throat.

Kang Jin-Ho acting on his whims seemingly without a care in the world was nothing new. However, it was getting progressively trickier to find responses to these sudden flights of fancy from Kang Jin-Ho.

"A-Assembly Master, sir…!" Lee Hyeon-Su tried to say something despite his voice trembling too much to form coherent words. Despite his desire, though, his brain couldn't think of what to say.

'What should I say to change his mind?'

The inside of Lee Hyeon-Su's head had gone totally blank. No suitable words popped up in his mind. Fortunately, he had a capable helper willing to step forward for his sake.

"Going to Japan, you say…?" Wiggins muttered while rubbing his beard.

'Huh. I gotta learn how to be like that.'

Lee Hyeon-Su was suitably impressed by Wiggins right now. Unlike Lee Hyeon-Su, who was careless enough to reveal how flustered he was, Wiggins was a model of serene composure.

"It's not a bad idea, my lord." Wiggins smiled brightly. "I admit you're right on this matter. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. If the enemy wronged you, the only correct recourse is to make them pay the appropriate price."

Kang Jin-Ho wordlessly stared at Wiggins with a look that said, Now that you've gotten your preamble out of the way, get to the main topic.

Wiggins coughed briefly under his breath, then stated the rest of his opinion. "However, my lord? Everything has its time and place."

"Time and place, you say?" Kang Jin-Ho slightly furrowed his brow.

"Yes. The right time and place…" Wiggins paused there and glanced at others in the meeting. He was silently asking them to join him when the time was right.

After noticing Lee Hyeon-Su's subtle nod, Wiggins resumed from where he left off. "Now isn't a bad timing, my lord. No, you could say it's actually quite excellent. The enemy should be mired in utter chaos after tasting a crushing defeat. And their fighting spirit should be at rock bottom, as well. If we go by the teachings of the Art of War, this could be the best time to strike. It's just that…"

Everyone's gaze locked on Wiggins as he spoke.

"...You could also be spending this time doing something more productive, my lord. Something that might mean more."

Kang Jin-Ho's frown deepened, and he was about to say something.

However, Wiggins beat him to the punch and continued to speak in his usual shameless manner. "Of course, I'm not saying you're wrong, my lord. And Sir Vator's opinion is also perfectly valid. We mustn't just sit here and act like a punching bag. What I am saying, though, is that we don't have to make our enemies pay the price right now."

Kang Jin-Ho silently stared at Wiggins again. However, that cold gaze failed to faze Wiggins. This silent stand-off continued on for a few seconds more, then…

"Hmm…" Kang Jin-Ho turned his head away to look at everyone else. "Is this what everyone else thinks, too?"

Lee Hyeon-Su hurriedly came to Wiggins' assistance. "Assembly Master, I agree with my master here. Yes, I'm also angry about the people we lost. However, I believe our revenge can wait. It doesn't have to be right now.

"That's because the Martial Assembly is currently in arguably its most crucial phase of development. I can't even calculate all the setbacks we will encounter while you vacate your position, sir. Please, I urge you to reconsider."

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at Vator next. "Vator, Chang Min. Your position on this matter was not the same as these two. Do you still feel that way?"

"No, master," Vator shook his head. "Tell me, were you thinking of leading a small group to attack the Japanese?"

"Yeah, I was."

"Then, I'm also against your idea, master."

"I agree with the Mongol, my liege!" Chang Min replied loudly. He sounded much more forthright than anyone here for some reason. "My liege! If you had ordered me to lead the cult believers and bring you the heads of our enemies, this lowly old servant would have dedicated his life to obey you!

"I would never hesitate to offer my life to make your wishes come true! And the cult believers will also never hesitate to sacrifice their lives to carry out your orders. However!"

Chang Min prostrated on the floor again and planted his forehead on the floor.

"Please, please! Please reconsider your plan! Your physical well-being is more significant and valuable than anything in this world to us! Death can come for me hundreds, nay, thousands of times, and I would still not be afraid. However, I'm terrified by the possibility of some physical harm befalling you!"

Kang Jin-Ho furrowed his brow again.

"I also think the same, master," Vator powerfully nodded his head. "My stomach is churning at how I keep agreeing with this old fart, but…. I'm definitely not okay with your idea of going to Japan with only a few people. Especially when we have a good idea of what might be waiting for you at your destination. It's a solid no from me."

"Mm…!"

"Master, you need to be more aware of your position. You're the Martial Assembly's core. Its everything. You need to understand that the entire world will start targeting you."

Kang Jin-Ho sighed deeply. Since everyone was so against his idea, what choice did he have?

What if Kang Jin-Ho ignored their opinions and went to Japan anyway? Of course, he could do that.

However, that was not what Kang Jin-Ho wanted to do as a leader. One of the things he was consciously focusing on to change himself from his old ways was listening and not ignoring other people's advice.

'If Azure Demon was here to witness this scene, he… He might have collapsed in shock with foam in his mouth.'

Kang Jin-Ho couldn't help but chuckle wryly. The more he experienced moments like this, the more he grew to realize how harsh and cruel he had been toward Azure Demon.

If they ever meet again in the netherworld, Kang Jin-Ho swore to buy Azure Demon a hearty drink to apologize.

He glanced at everyone and nodded. "Very well. I understand. I'll reconsider."

Lee Hyeon-Su's expression brightened immediately.

"However, I'm only agreeing to postpone my trip. That's it. I have no plans of ending things here."

"Of course, Assembly Master. It's the same story for us as well."

"Indeed. We must not be anyone's punching bag, my lord."

"Do not worry, master. I will take the vanguard when the time is right."

With that, this matter seemed about ready to be wrapped up. Kang Jin-Ho glanced at Lee Hyeon-Su again. "Chief Lee."

"Yes, sir?"

"I will not postpone this trip forever."

"Understood, sir."

Kang Jin-Ho nodded, then got up to leave. "You don't need me for the rest of the meeting, so I'll excuse myself first."

"Thank you for your hard work, sir!"

Kang Jin-Ho left the conference room as everyone bade him goodbye.

Lee Hyeon-Su intently observed this scene before sitting back in his chair. He wiped the strands of cold sweat trickling down his forehead. Even a lengthy sigh leaked out on its own from his mouth. "Whew…"

"You did well," said Wiggins as he patted Lee Hyeon-Su on the shoulder.

"No, master. I should be thanking you," Lee Hyeon-Su chuckled. "And everyone else, too. Thank you."

Vator snorted, evidently not impressed by something. "Hmph. I wasn't helping you. I merely thought this was more logical."

Lee Hyeon-Su smiled brightly back at Vator. "Still, without your objection, it would've been nearly impossible to change the Assembly Master's mind."

"Is that right? That's not the impression I got, though?"

"I beg your pardon?"

Vator's expression became unreadable as he studied Lee Hyeon-Su. "My master will likely not do something if you're against it."

"...E-eii, that can't be right, sir."

"I don't know what your view of this situation is, but that's what I think. Out of everyone here, my master values your opinion the most, you see?"

"N-no, hold on. That can't be right…" Lee Hyeon-Su looked at the others and silently asked for their help. But they were all nodding away in agreement with Vator instead!

"Yes, there's certainly some aspect of that."

"Indeed, my liege seems to believe this brat a little too much sometimes."

Lee Hyeon-Su realized that the mood was subtly turning against him and hurriedly tried to change the topic. "I-in any case, I think we've dodged the bullet here, everyone. We've somehow talked the Assembly Master out of doing this, after all."

"Did we really?" Vator glanced at Wiggins, his expression even more unreadable than before.

Wiggins contemplatively nodded. "Mm… Yes, I agree with you."

Lee Myeong-Hwan tried to sneak into the exchange between the two. "Would you mind sharing instead of keeping it to yourselves?"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk…" Wiggins tutted in disapproval. "My lord trusts you so much, yet you still don't know how he operates?"

"…"

Although Lee Hyeon-Su had so many things he'd like to get off his chest, now didn't seem like the right time for it.

When Lee Hyeon-Su obediently kept his mouth closed, Wiggins kindly explained the situation. "My lord won't remain patient for long."

"Sorry?"

"Not too long from now, he will find another pretext to bring up this matter with Japan."

"...Ah!"

Wiggins sighed at length. "Once he sets his mind on something, my lord will continue obsessing over it. Even now, he must be thinking about how long he must wait before invading Japan."

Lee Hyeon-Su slowly nodded in agreement. That definitely sounded like Kang Jin-Ho he knew.

Then again, Kang Jin-Ho always acted this way. Other people's objections might force him to back off on something, but he'd always get his way in the end.

When Lee Hyeon-Su combed through his memories, he couldn't recall the last time Kang Jin-Ho didn't get his way on things others had objected to.

"My lord wouldn't be him without that kind of drive," said Wiggins. "That is why you must always consider my lord's inclinations. No exceptions. To be able to maximize my lord's…"

Just before Wiggins could finish his speech…!

"You cunning bastards!" Chang Min suddenly started roaring while pointing at everyone in the room. "How dare you commit such a sacrilege against my liege by discussing him when he's not present! You…! You abominable crap-stained bastards worthy of death!"

Vator facepalmed grandly. "Old fart… Can't you read the room first before butting in?"

"You're no different! If only you weren't so loyal to my liege, I'd have already cracked that dense skull of yours!"

"My skull is what now?" Vator's brows quivered ominously. "Old fart! It seems you still have not figured out your situation yet! I'm no longer the same man you fought back then! You've gotten even older in the meantime, so you better watch what you say if you don't want artificial joints to replace all of your creaky bones!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, tsk!" Chang Min tutted loudly. "For an uneducated brute, you sure know how to run your mouth, don't you! You should stop it now, or your already dull brain will get even duller!"

Vator shot up to his feet. "You! Come outside, right now!"

Chang Min yelled right back. "You think I won't?!"

The sight of Vator and Chang Min growling at each other made Lee Hyeon-Su very nervous. Unfortunately, the only one capable of diffusing this situation, Wiggins, was too engrossed in savoring the aroma of his coffee to care.

"M-master! Shouldn't you stop this?!"

Wiggins tilted his head while looking at Lee Hyeon-Su. "Mm? Stop who?"

"These two, of course!"

"And who will do that?"

"…"

Lee Hyeon-Su almost blurted out, "What do you mean, who! It's obviously you!" just then. But he admirably held himself back.

Wiggins smiled oh-so-innocently when Lee Hyeon-Su glared at him. "Hahaha. What can anyone do about a fight between a bear and a tiger? Let them be. The fight will naturally resolve itself once one of them is dead."

"…"

Lee Hyeon-Su sometimes couldn't help but think about something. And that was…

Maybe Wiggins was the wackiest member of Kang Jin-Ho's entourage?

"Master! How could you say that!" Lee Hyeon-Su raised his voice in unhappiness.

"Mm? What's the matter? Is there a law that states I must do something in this situation?"

"Even so! You should at least try to stop those two!"

"Huh? They aren't just grown-ups, but old enough to be grandfathers. Two granddads want to punch each other in the faces, so how can a youngling like myself step in? You might as well call the nearest retirement home and ask them to send specialists instead."

Lee Hyeon-Su groaned loudly, then looked behind him.

Vator and Chang Min were still growling menacingly at each other. Wiggins was still savoring his coffee like a proper gentleman. As for Bang Jin-Hun, he was resting his chin on his hands in utter silence for some time now, evidently too deep in thought to intervene…

'Wow. What a sh*tshow this is.'

Lee Hyeon-Su wasn't sure how all these people were working together under one banner.

'For sure, without our Assembly Master, nothing in this place will function properly…'

Kang Jin-Ho was an indispensable person for the Korean Martial Assembly. However, that was not solely because of his overwhelming strength.

He was the magnet that attracted all these individuals overflowing with disparate personalities to his cause. If Kang Jin-Ho were to disappear tomorrow, the tenuous connections tying these people together would instantly crumble.

Watching this scene only strengthened Lee Hyeon-Su's resolve to delay Kang Jin-Ho's trip to Japan as much as possible.

"Mister Lee, you should be minding what actually matters to us, not this nonsense," said Wiggins.

Lee Hyeon-Su blinked his eyes. "I'm sorry?"

"I'm talking about the youngsters, of course."

"Youngsters? What do you mean?"

Wiggins sighed grandly at how Lee Hyeon-Su failed to understand him. "The youngsters of the Assembly must be in a festive mood. They have done something incredible, after all."

"Yes, they are."

"We must ensure that their passion and excitement are utilized in the right way. Opportunities to show off their prowess while following orders wouldn't come around every single day. So, feed just the right amount of carrots to the youngsters and help them keep their minds focused on improving their strength."

"...I see. Understood." Lee Hyeon-Su nodded.

Wiggins smirked after noticing Lee Hyeon-Su's tightly clenched fists. This was what victory did to people.

Most people had this preconceived notion that the shock from a loss spurred the losers to put in more effort. However, that was not exactly true.

What actually helped people grow was victory. Those who tasted victory now knew how sweet it was. And they also knew defeat would rob them of this feeling. That was why they would inevitably put in more effort to stay as winners.

Through this one victory, the Korean Martial Assembly acquired valuable rewards of confidence and future possibilities. As for what they had lost, well…

'I'm sure they will make their move soon.'

Now that the Martial Assembly had bared its fangs, the folks on the other side of the globe wouldn't just sit back and watch anymore.

'...Master.'

Wiggins' expression hardened as he glanced outside the window. What would it feel like to face off against the Round Table as enemies?

Although Wiggins wasn't sure yet… He had a hunch that the answer would come to him soon enough.