Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1257. Mediating (2)

“Hmm.”

Chang Min slightly raised his right arm to look at the crimson-colored flesh just below the wrist. That was clearly a wound.

Even though he was looking at an injury, a hint of a subtle grin was still etched on Chang Min’s face.

‘Not bad.’

The Elders of the demon cult were not responsible for this injury, but the Demon Flames pouncing on him like crazed beasts were. Although it was nothing more than a flesh wound, the Demon Flames still deserved praise for injuring Chang Min like this with their meager skills.

In all honesty, Chang Min still did not acknowledge the Demon Flames.

‘No, this is not quite that, now is it?’

It’d be more correct to say Chang Min wasn’t happy with how the Demon Flames were acknowledged by the demon emperor, despite not following what he thought of as the correct path.

The Chinese demonic cultivators continued to hold on to their identity as the demon cult believers despite years of oppression from the orthodox factions. And they didn’t have much to show for their sacrifices until recently. However, the Korean demonic cultivators received a high tier demonic cultivation and enjoyed the fruits of being powerful warriors just because they were lucky enough to meet Kang Jin-Ho.

Chang Min heard that those young Koreans still had to pass a stringent test to receive that demonic cultivation, but that still wasn’t enough to satisfy him.

In that sense, the ‘expedition’ to Japan this time proved to be an excellent opportunity for Chang Min. His plan was to take these fools, who lacked understanding of what demonic cultivation was and didn’t know the demon cult’s values, and teach them how pitiful they actually were!

‘And I’m also going to show them what it means to serve my liege from close by!’

Humans unfortunately suffered from this tendency to take the stuff given to them for granted. For instance...

People born in China, or Korea for that matter, took for granted the easy availability of food. However, would children born in the poorest corners of Africa, or some other regions experiencing extreme poverty, have the same attitude?

Just like that example, the status enjoyed by the Demon Flames was something countless demon cult believers ardently wished for, even now. Becoming a member of the demon emperor’s personal guards was an unparalleled honor to the demon cult believers, after all!

In other words, that was not a position some fools with no self awareness should call their own!

That had been Chang Min’s mindset when he began pummeling the Demon Flames in these so-called training sessions, but his thoughts had to change somewhat after fighting them like this.

The Demon Flames’ killing intent and obsessive madness were not something even Chang Min could scoff at.

‘Is this the case of, as expected from the ones chosen by my liege?’

To think Kang Jin-Ho could strengthen a bunch of weak riff-raffs to this level in only one year! A flood of renewed respect filled Chang Min up just then.

He was now genuinely curious. Just how much stronger would these youngsters get?

If they could endure the training Chang Min and the demon emperor gave them and even overcome the competition from the young demon cult believers rapidly rising up through the ranks...

Just how much would they be able to achieve?

‘Maybe...!’

Maybe recreating the legends of the ancient Demon Flames, warriors who dyed the heaven and earth in terror in the ancient era, could become a possibility one day. Although, Chang Min was somewhat bummed by the fact that the ones recreating the legends wouldn’t be the demon cult believers.

‘I must change, too.’

Chang Min quietly closed his eyes.

Of course he understood the truth already—the demon emperor didn’t only ‘belong’ to the demon cult. Not anymore.

The demon emperor was no longer satisfied by conquering just Zhongyuan like in the ancient past. He was currently in the process of conquering and ruling over even more things under the sun.

As proof, not only had he brought the demon cult successfully under his wings, he even conquered the Korean Martial Assembly and Europe’s Round Table, too. And now, he began his reign over the Japanese martial society!

With how much the situation had changed, it’d be arrogant and unreasonable to expect the demon emperor’s attention to remain fixed on the demon cult all the time.

Chang Min would remain as the demon cult’s honored Elder. However, the demon emperor couldn’t stay as a ‘mere’ cult leader now. It was about time Chang Min accepted this fact.

‘Even then!’

There was this one thing he absolutely could not give up on.

Chang Min obviously couldn’t predict what other factions or experts would come under the demon emperor in the future. Regardless of what, though, the demon cult must remain the strongest, most loyal faction serving the demon emperor!

This was that one goal Chang Min couldn’t give up on. He could not yield that position to a bunch of Koreans who took for granted the demon emperor’s favor and the stinking Europeans who only submitted to the demon emperor’s strength!

The new legend of the demon emperor, the one about to be written in this era... Chang Min swore that it’d be the demon cult bringing that legend to life!

Crack!

Chang Min slowly but powerfully clenched his fist.

Demonic qi focused on his arm and began healing the injury. When it came to the rate of recovery, no orthodox cultivation method could match the demonic cultivation. However...

The price it demanded was also high.

Chang Min loved the demon cult more than anyone else, but that didn’t mean he had blind faith in demonic cultivation methods. The way he saw it, these cultivation methods were double-edged swords sharper than any known blades.

A blade so sharp that even a moment’s carelessness could harm the weapon’s master—that was the demonic cultivation!

Despite cultivating for over a century, Chang Min still tensed up at the idea of unleashing his demonic qi. Thankfully, though, he wasn’t the only one who knew about the dangers of demonic cultivation.

“It looks like I’ll be able to provide you with something new and better, Chang Min. I’m sure it’ll help you out greatly.”

Chang Min closed his eyes again.

Even though the demon emperor had gotten powerful enough to remind everyone of the legendary exploits from the past, he didn’t rest on his laurels. Even now, he continued to research and refine demonic cultivation and techniques in an effort to better himself.

A new demonic cultivation method for Chang Min?

‘Huh. Huhuhuh... To think I can still become stronger at my age!’

Chang Min couldn’t control his excitement. Even though he was old enough to think about sleeping inside a coffin, here he was, growing elated by the possibility of getting even stronger!

A demonic cultivation method that was not only stronger, but also more stable? What an impossible-sounding dream that was.

Countless demonic cultivators tried and failed countless times already. In a way, one could say this was the final ‘goal’ all demonic cultivators should strive toward. A goal that was eternally out of reach, just like a distant mirage!

However, Chang Min had no doubt that it’d come true.

‘If my liege can’t do it, who can?’

Not to forget, Kang Jin-Ho was not the type to make empty promises.

Craaack!

Chang Min clenched his fist tightly enough for his bones to pop. That was when...

Knock, knock!

He heard someone knocking on his door and gradually withdrew his demonic qi. “Come in.”

Creak!

The slightly aged door cautiously opened, and a familiar figure stepped inside the room before bowing deeply. “Did you call for me, Elder?”

Chang Min wordlessly stared at Yi Myeong-Hwan without saying anything. He suddenly had a small epiphany just then.

The values and customs of the demon cult he had been upholding until now would be theirs to inherit in the future. The demonic cultivators from China would obviously do their best, but it’d be foolish to keep denying that these Demon Flames would lead the cult after he and the other aged Elders had passed on.

Yi Myeong-Hwan tried to gauge Chang Min’s mood, then bowed even deeper. He felt suffocated by Chang Min’s aura.

“Yi Myeong-Hwan.”

“Yes, Elder.”

“I have a question for you.”

“Understood. Please ask.”

“What does the demon emperor mean to you and your comrades?”

“...”

Yi Myeong-Hwan couldn’t readily reply. The question itself wasn’t all that unexpected, but when he tried to answer, he couldn’t organize his thoughts properly.

“Do you mean the Assembly Master?”

“Yes.”

“I...”

Yi Myeong-Hwan mulled over his reply for a long time. But Chang Min didn’t urge the young man on and patiently waited.

A little while later, Yi Myeong-Hwan finally broke his silence, although his voice sounded a little more withered than usual.

“I do not know, sir.”

That was not what Chang Min wanted to hear. However, he didn’t look disappointed while waiting for Yi Myeong-Hwan to explain himself.

“I’m not sure what we think of the Assembly Master. But that’s because we don’t know what he wants from us.”

Chang Min narrowed his eyes. “Is that right?”

“However...” Yi Myeong-Hwan chewed on his lips. “Personally, I don’t think it’s important.”

“You don’t?”

“Yes, Elder. We are merely the Assembly Master’s tools. What matters to us is obeying his command until our final breath. I feel that thinking too deeply, or trying to give too much meaning to what we do, goes beyond what a tool should do.”

“Huh.”

Chang Min chuckled hollowly. Now that was definitely not the answer he wanted to hear.

“How irresponsible. And foolish, too.”

“I’m sorry, Elder.”

However, this answer satisfied Chang Min in a different way.

“Even so, I like your answer. That’s right, what matters to us is obeying his command.”

“...”

“Yi Myeong-Hwan.”

“Yes, Elder?”

“I’m old.”

Yi Myeong-Hwan immediately replied, “But you’re still in good health, sir.”

Indeed, there was no doubt that Chang Min was in ruddy health. Maybe too much so!

However, Chang Min shook his head to convey that his thoughts on the matter were different.

“To me, how much energy this body still has left or how long I can hold out means little. But what’s certain is that I find it difficult to attempt new things.”

“But, Elder. Attempting new things isn’t the only way forward.”

“You sure know how to kiss ass, don’t you? But your assertion this time is wrong. Why? Because my liege wishes for new things.”

“...?”

“His will must become our will. However, it seems I’ve reached my limit. Unfortunately, it’s a similar story for other Elders, too. Even the next generation of demonic cultivators lacks the strength.”

Yi Myeong-Hwan silently listened, having realized that Chang Min didn’t call him here to issue some new commands.

“Although I don’t want to acknowledge it, you and your group are the only ones capable of inheriting my will to lead the demon cult and serve the demon emperor right now.”

“...Elder?”

“Throw away your arrogant assumptions, Yi Myeong-Hwan. I still have not acknowledged you. You are all still way too weak to serve my liege, after all. And you lot still don’t know anything. And you’re all hopelessly lacking in every department to lead the demon cult! That’s why...”

Chang Min’s eyes began burning brightly.

“Before it’s too late, I will personally impart my knowledge to you fools and mold you into experts better suited for serving my liege. I’m not talking about combat strength alone. No, you will all transform into true demonic cultivators under my watch!”

Yi Myeong-Hwan bowed deeply. Usually, in a situation like this, he should be kneeling. But the Demon Flames did not kneel before anyone beside Kang Jin-Ho.

“Thank you, Elder.”

“I must warn you, this path will not be easy. You think you can endure it?”

“Of course,” Yi Myeong-Hwan looked up and stared at Chang Min without a shred of hesitation.

He sometimes used to worry about this very situation. The Demon Flames mastered demonic cultivation. On top of that, they were no longer a part of the Assembly’s command structure. In that case, who were they affiliated with? The Martial Assembly? Or the demon cult?

However, here was Chang Min, providing the answer Yi Myeong-Hwan had been looking for.

“However, Elder. We only obey the Assembly Master. Since that’s the case, us leading the cult is a bit...”

“You fool...!” Chang Min bitterly chewed his words out. “The cult isn’t merely a collective of demonic cultivators. No, it’s a gathering of those who wish to fulfill the demon emperor’s will. It’s a home that welcomes those who pledge their loyalty to the demon emperor! Those who are resolved to sacrifice themselves to his cause! Tell me, are you or your comrades lacking in any of those aspects?”

“No, Elder.”

“Then nothing is stopping your group from leading the cult.”

Yi Myeong-Hwan bowed deeply again. “I can’t tell you for certain that we’re fit to lead the cult, Elder. However, I do know that we are still not good enough right now. We wish to become stronger. Please show us the way, Elder Chang!”

“Hmm...!” Chang Min nodded in satisfaction. “Very good! In the end, the only way for a demonic cultivator to grow their strength is through combat. Prepare yourselves, since I shall show you more bloodshed than you can ever stomach! And you will surprise my liege with your improved selves when you return to Korea.”

The corners of Yi Myeong-Hwan’s lips subtly curled up. Surprising Kang Jin-Ho? Nothing would bring him more joy than doing that as long as it was actually doable.

“Elder, we’ve all resolved ourselves already.”

“Good! Then, get ready. Things will get hectic from tomorrow onward.”

“Understood. Then, good night.”

After Yi Myeong-Hwan cautiously left the room, Chang Min continued to clench and unfurl his injured hand.

‘Hmph!’

He still didn’t like the Demon Flames. That much had not changed. However, his personal feelings shouldn’t cloud his judgment regarding the demon cult’s future.

‘If they aren’t up to my standards, all I have to do is make sure they are!’

All these were for the glory of the demon emperor!

The light in Chang Min’s eyes burned coldly.