Descent of the Demon Master

“You didn’t kill him, did you?” Kang Jin-Ho suspiciously asked.

Vator tutted. “Of course not, master. Do I look that thoughtless to you?”

“...I see. Then, what?”

“Lee Hyeon-Su is only half dead.”

Kang Jin-Ho's expression stiffened ever so slightly. If other people had said that, he could have brushed it aside as a joke, but not when it came from Vator's mouth. The big man was fully capable of turning jokes into reality, after all!

“Does that mean he's still alive?” Kang Jin-Ho asked while his butt subtly twitched. He was obviously anxious.

Vator saw that and smirked. “No need to fret, master. As I’ve said before, I’m not that thoughtless. I know how much you value that fool, so I wouldn’t really hurt him badly. No, I just scolded him harshly so he'd reflect on his actions like a good boy.”

Vator was attempting to assuage Kang Jin-Ho's fears, but that wasn't as straightforward as it sounded. After all, Kang Jin-Ho had no idea what Vator thought of as harsh.

“Whew…”

“If you were this worried, why didn’t you stop me earlier?”

“I couldn’t do that,” Kang Jin-Ho shook his head.

This wasn't for Lee Hyeon-Su's sake or for Vator to vent some steam.

Kang Jin-Ho was well aware of why Vator had been going around flipping the proverbial tables everywhere.

Realistically speaking, it was impossible for humans to continue forging ahead. It didn’t matter what their goal was, their resolutions would inevitably weaken with the passage of enough time. Their steps would gradually grow dull and unmotivated.

It wasn't the issue of one's willpower, though. Humans always had this side to them. That was why someone must step up to the plate a while later to wake everyone up and get them going again.

Kang Jin-Ho took up that role in the past.

He showed up at the Martial Assembly that had been going through the motions, flipped everything on its head, then forcibly dragged everyone into a new era. However, with Kang Jin-Ho's presence becoming a familiar fixture in these hallways, more and more Assembly members had begun to forget their missions again.

Only one cure existed for that… And that was to shock them into discipline. Unfortunately, Kang Jin-Ho personally stepping up again was no longer feasible. Unlike back then, he had a lot on his plate right now. Besides, the Assembly Master micro-managing every member would pose a bit of a problem, too.

So, Vator was the proxy doing that very job.

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled ruefully. “Looks like I've turned you into a villain. Sorry about that.”

“No need to sweat, master. Even I know I have the most free time on my hands. A man who's doing nothing should obviously step up in this case. Besides…” Vator smirked deeply. “This job suits my tastes just fine. Even if I had plenty of things to deal with, I'd still have taken on this job. I have a problem with fools who think too highly of themselves, after all!”

“Hmm…” Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded. “I see. In that case, what’s on your mind?”

“Master, I’ve been thinking about something.”

“Okay. And?”

Vator sheepishly scratched the back of his head. “Well, the… That demonic art you originally wanted me to master. Was it Iron Blood or something?”

“Iron Blood Demon Monarch Art.”

“Yes, that one.”

“What’s wrong? Are you having second thoughts now?” Kang Jin-Ho chuckled. “Unfortunately, you’ve already started with Mara Blood Flame Qi. Switching to Iron Blood Demon Monarch Art now will be incredibly difficult, even for you.”

“No, I don't have any second thoughts. I'm not shameless enough to go back on my word so soon. I was simply wondering if we could pass that demonic art to the kids I've been guiding.”

“...The kids you’ve been guiding?”

“Yes. The younger generation Martial Assembly boys. They aren’t my disciples, but… You know what I’m trying to say.”

“Hmm…” Kang Jin-Ho furrowed his brow. “Demonic arts are dangerous.”

“I know that, master.”

“Way back in the past, I tried to spread the demonic arts to as many people as possible.”

Vator stared at Kang Jin-Ho without saying anything, patiently waiting for the next part of the story.

“When I look back to that moment in time, though… That was too premature. And rather stupid of me, too. I used to think that providing the same opportunity to everyone could produce a better overall result. But I overlooked the simple fact that opportunities like that also accompanied great dangers. I don't have any excuses even if you kick me in the butt for my stupidity.”

Kang Jin-Ho sighed and rubbed his chin while taking his time.

“I don’t think spreading demonic arts is a waste of a valuable resource. No, what I’m worried about is the duality of demonic arts. Improperly imparting its knowledge can greatly injure and even maim the younger generation martial artists. You’ve already experienced this, so you know what I’m talking about.”

Vator slowly nodded. He had to acknowledge that Kang Jin-Ho was right. Didn’t he already experience the dangers of accepting demonic qi? He fully empathized with what Kang Jin-Ho was worried about, but…

“However, master,” Vator spoke, his voice stiff. “Yes, I get what you’re worried about. And I even agree with your opinion… At least about halfway, that is. However, you and I both know that’s not the full story.”

That stiffness in Vator’s voice was actually his confidence. That he knew he was right.

“Without someone to guide them, it will be difficult. That I agree. However, I’ll be right by their side, constantly monitoring them. And you’ll also be assisting us, anyway.”

Kang Jin-Ho clamped his mouth shut. This matter certainly was worthy of further consideration, but Vator seemed unwilling to grant Kang Jin-Ho enough time for that.

“Master!”

“Mm?”

“I won’t rush into this thing. I know it’s not the most urgent matter in the world right now. Even so, I believe it’s worth thinking about. Yes, demonic arts are dangerous. However, they are the most effective methods available to us. You know as well as I do that we have no choice but to shoulder a certain amount of risks.”

Kang Jin-Ho silently nodded. Vator was right. Since he had already decided to trust others and charge straight ahead, it was useless to have second thoughts and doubts now. “Very well. I’ll consider it.”

“Then, you will…?”

“It's just that I can't right now. Not in its current form, anyway." Kang Jin-Ho roughly scratched his head.

Even though Iron Blood Demon Monarch Art didn't match his preferred style of martial arts, what choice did he have?

“Passing down Iron Blood Demon Monarch Art in its current form is no better than forcing the martial artists into jumping inside a burning house with straws strapped to their backs. I need to make it safer, even if it means watering down the overall power.”

Vator tilted his head. “Huh? Weren’t you trying to hand over the original to me?”

“You’re different, Vator.”

Obviously, Kang Jin-Ho had faith in Vator's capabilities. And on top of that, Vator pursued absolute strength. If he learned that Kang Jin-Ho improved safety and stability at the cost of power, Vator would've blown his top in anger.

Kang Jin-Ho helplessly shrugged his shoulders. “I need to draw a line somewhere. It’s not like I can keep my fingers crossed and hope for the best all the time.”

“Hmm? Something about that doesn’t sound like you, master.”

“You think so…?” Kang Jin-Ho sighed under his breath before standing up. “Anyways. I’ll think about it for a bit before giving you a proper answer. It might take some time, though.”

Vator tilted his head again. “Going somewhere, master?”

“Well…” Kang Jin-Ho briefly nodded. “I’m going to speak to someone.”

***

Dew formed on the cup containing ice-cold coffee. Kang Jin-Ho wordlessly stared at this sight.

Truth be told, he wasn't really into iced coffee. The thing was, he didn't even need to differentiate between cold and hot beverages, all thanks to his cultivation.

No matter how hot the midday sun in the middle of Summer was, it couldn't bother Kang Jin-Ho. So he had no need to deliberately seek out cold drinks to quench his thirst even as other people around him were baked into oblivion by the scorching temperature.

Since the confines of temperature didn't affect Kang Jin-Ho, he preferred his coffee piping hot instead. The aroma seemed to come alive a bit more when it was warm, after all.

Even so, he still ordered a cup of iced coffee. Was that a subconscious response to the frustration creeping into his heart?

‘Who knows?’

Maybe he did it on a whim, nothing more.

Just as his thoughts reached that far, he heard the cafe’s doorbell chime. Kang Jin-Ho looked up and discovered a familiar figure of a man stepping through the doorway. This man scanned the cafe’s interior, spotted Kang Jin-Ho, then smiled brightly.

Kang Jin-Ho smiled back at him. It was always nice to have someone smile back without any pretense. A gesture as simple as that still held the mysterious power to uplift anyone's mood.

The man walked up to Kang Jin-Ho’s table while waving his hands. “Sorry, I’m a bit late.”

Kang Jin-Ho shook his head. “It’s fine. I only just arrived here, you see.”

“It feels like I haven’t seen you in ages, Mister Jin-Ho. No, hang on. It’s not just the feeling, is it?” The man chuckled heartily.

Kang Jin-Ho also began chuckling back without being aware of it.

‘I feel at ease again…'

This was something he hadn’t felt all that often recently.

The man settled on the other side of the table and asked, “Did your trip to China work out as well as you intended?”

“I’m guessing Lee Hyeon-Su already gave you a blow-by-blow?”

“He was rather unwilling to talk about it, actually,” the man, Jo Gyu-Min, smirked suspiciously. “Mister Lee is not a nice person, if I'm being honest. He tries to siphon as much info from our side but doesn't want to give me any from his side. He said he wanted us to cooperate, but all he did care about was his own benefits. Yup, he's definitely not a nice man. Taking me to the cleaners like that and all!”

“Haha…!”

It seemed everyone's evaluation of Lee Hyeon-Su was pretty much the same.

Jo Gyu-Min leaned back. “But… What did you want to speak to me for?”

“How about ordering some coffee first?”

“Ah, that’s right. My apologies, my schedule’s been rather hectic lately…”

“When was the last time it wasn’t?”

“...Well, you got me on that one,” Jo Gyu-Min chuckled wryly before ordering his coffee at the cafe's counter. He waited for his coffee by the counter before returning to the table. “Hmm, so. You… don't look so good, Mister Jin-Ho.”

“It's because things have been busy for me, as well.”

“Being busy is a good thing, actually. Better than sucking on your thumb doing nothing because you don’t have anything to do, at least.”

“Oh? Is that how you really feel?”

“...I gotta say, we're slaves to money, Mister Jin-Ho.” Jo Gyu-Min roughly scratched the back of his head. “I'll be honest with you. Starting from… I guess around two years ago? I've been thinking how nice it'd be to relax for a whole week without worrying about anything.”

“You’re so busy you can’t even get a week-long vacation?”

“Well, technically, no. I did ask for a week off, but it was just impossible to get away from all the work, you see…”

“…”

Jo Gyu-Min sighed deeply. “Humans are such strange creatures, don't you agree? I'm constantly thinking about doing this and that while buckling under the weight of my workload, you know?

“I don't have any spare time even if I want to do all the things I used to enjoy doing. So… I kept telling myself I'd wait until I got my vacation. But when I finally got some time off... Things just didn't feel the same as before, you know what I mean? And I kept thinking about my work, too.”

“...I guess that’s how you’re built, Mister Gyu-Min.”

“Yup, I won’t deny that.”

Never mind being addicted to work, Jo Gyu-Min had now become one in body, mind, and spirit with his job!

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled slightly. “I think it'll be fun to have you join the Martial Assembly, Mister Gyu-Min. We have several people who are remarkably similar to you, you see?”

“Where’s the fun in working alongside a bunch of zombies? No thank you.”

The OG zombie was badmouthing his fellow zombies without any self-awareness, it seemed!

“Before all that, though…” Jo Gyu-Min peered deeply at Kang Jin-Ho’s face before raising his voice. “You never look for me unless you want something, so I’m assuming something must’ve happened this time?”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled wryly. Not looking for Jo Gyu-Min unless he wanted something…? Although he wanted to say that wasn't the case, even Kang Jin-Ho knew this was the unfortunate truth. Not much he could use as an excuse, then. “I'm sorry. I couldn't call because things were seriously busy on my end.”

“Of course I know that. I wasn't trying to criticize you, so don't get flustered like that! It doesn't even suit you.” Jo Gyu-Min chuckled cheerily. “I was just curious, anyway. If you wanted to discuss company matters, you'd have come to my office, so I thought it was kinda strange when you asked me to come here instead. Is this matter something more personal in nature?”

Kang Jin-Ho nodded. “Yes.”

“...Really?”

“Am I not allowed to?”

“Well, no. That's not it, but…” Jo Gyu-Min stared openly at Kang Jin-Ho's face. “I gotta say, now I'm genuinely curious. Mister Jin-Ho coming to see me about something personal… Let's not waste time, shall we? Please tell me what's been bothering you.”

Kang Jin-Ho briefly sucked in a deep breath. He frowned slightly, wondering where to begin, while staring back at Jo Gyu-Min.

He eventually broke his self-imposed silence. “I’m not sure if I’m doing the right thing.”

Jo Gyu-Min’s expression became a little somber. “Mm…”

He put the coffee cup down, then pulled his chair closer to the table. He then leaned his head closer to his clasped hands. “Sounds like we’re about to discuss something serious, then? However, we have plenty of time, so no need to rush, Mister Jin-Ho.”

Looking at Jo Gyu-Min’s gentle smile put Kang Jin-Ho’s mind at ease. At least… by a little bit.