Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1402. Reversal Of Fortunes (2)

The Blood Demon’s figure rose up quickly from the shadows in the cell. However, he then immediately kowtowed, which rendered the earlier act of standing up pointless.

“I pay my respect to the true ruler of all things demonic!”

Kang Jin-Ho furrowed his brow. “You can drop the weird-sounding modifiers.”

“Then, I pay my respect to the demon emperor!”

“Let’s talk like people from this era, okay?”

“Got it, sir. Well, I’m back.”

“...”

Although that change was rather abrupt, Kang Jin-Ho still preferred this version of the Blood Demon. He lightly tossed the newspaper he had been reading at his visitor.

The Blood Demon grinned brightly after noticing the photo of Kim Myeong-Chan dominating the front page.

“So, did you enjoy what I have done, sir?”

“You sure have created a splash, haven’t you?”

“I thought that was what you wanted?”

Kang Jin-Ho smirked while staring at the Blood Demon’s grinning face.

The Blood Demon during the ancient Zhongyuan days had this gloomy, foreboding aura about him, but not his current-day counterpart.

Then again, the modern-era martial artists should be more or less like this. Kang Jin-Ho had obviously run into many modern-era martial artists in the Martial Assembly, but the difference this time was that none of them had a comparable counterpart from the ancient Murim days.

Seeing the ghost from the past alive and well while smiling affably like this made Kang Jin-Ho feel somewhat weird.

“I didn’t think your government would cooperate so readily like this,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“They don’t have much to lose, after all.”

“Didn’t they have to sacrifice that Central Commission member or whatever that was?”

The Blood Demon smirked. “To them, someone like that is a mere chess piece they can throw away at any given moment, sir. Besides, this trade shouldn’t be a bad one for that person, anyway. I’m sure they must’ve promised the poor member a lot of... nice things in return.”

Kang Jin-Ho stopped caring about this matter after that. The Chinese would surely take care of it on their own without his interference, anyway.

“Still, they are more enthusiastic than I thought.”

“Losing a little bit of face and sacrificing one member of the Central Military Commission in return for getting your cooperation? They must’ve thought it was a good trade, sir.”

“And you must’ve had a hand in persuading them, I’m guessing?”

A much-more subtle grin now formed on the Blood Demon’s face. “I would love to take the credit for it, yes, but the truth is... This has been a part of their plan all along.”

The Blood Demon briefly stopped talking there and gauged Kang Jin-Ho’s response before explaining himself.

“They are fully aware of the situation you’re in, sir. Between the option of pressuring the Korean government to secure your release or gaining your favor even at the cost of straining ties with South Korea... They have simply chosen the best option available.”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled wryly.

China was supposed to be his enemy. He obviously couldn’t deny the life he lived in ancient China, but in the modern era, China was simply a land of danger to him, not a place offering security or friendship.

But now, the country that should have been his shelter, South Korea, was trying to bury him. Meanwhile, the land of danger across the Yellow Sea was extending a helping hand in his direction.

What a mysterious turn of events this is.

Despite living three lives, Kang Jin-Ho realized “life” was still an indecipherable mystery.

“Okay, so...” Kang Jin-Ho mouthed a cigarette. “...Is this the end, then?”

“Of course not. They will step up their pressure on your government, sir. They will not stop until they offer you Kim Myeong-Chan, still alive and kicking, on a silver platter.”

The Blood Demon cautiously licked his lips.

“However... What is your wish, sir? If you demand it, we shall bring Kim Myeong-Chan to you right now.”

“I see. Then why haven’t you done that?”

A cruel smirk slyly floated up on the Blood Demon’s lips. “We thought that wouldn’t be what you wanted.”

Another wry chuckle left Kang Jin-Ho’s lips just then.

The Blood Demon was acting as if he knew Kang Jin-Ho’s personality well, even though they only had a couple of not-so-amiable encounters until now. That flabbergasted Kang Jin-Ho a little, but what dismayed him instead was that... He realized he couldn’t bring himself to say the Blood Demon was incorrect in his assumptions!

“Sir, no one wants to see their sworn enemies enjoy a painless death. Given half a chance, I’m sure everyone would like to see their enemies gradually wither away into empty husks while suffering as much pain as possible.”

Kang Jin-Ho cocked an eyebrow. “That sounds more like you have a personality problem for thinking that way, though?”

“Maybe that is so. Even so, I believe you’re not as forgiving as that, sir. However, if I have been too presumptuous, please punish me as you see fit.”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled while lighting his cigarette.

Even though this man was clearly not Azure Demon, his actions still reminded Kang Jin-Ho of his second-in-command from the ancient Zhongyuan days.

“You did good,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“Then...” The light in the Blood Demon’s eyes gleamed brightly. “Forgive me for this insolence, but... W-well, I’d like to inquire about... Mm...”

“Just ask, will you?”

“Of course. Although it’s a bit cringe to ask this...”

“...?”

Has speaking normally without resorting to slang always been this difficult? How could the Blood Demon not have the in-between like everyone else?

“...Sir, does that mean you will accept us?”

“I’m not sure yet,” Kang Jin-Ho smirked again. “Didn’t you imply that all you have done so far is deliver my message to the other side?”

“Yes, that is so.”

“Yet you want to be rewarded for that?”

“I wouldn’t dare, sir. Of course, I have prepared something else for you.”

“I see. Then, ask me again afterward.”

The Blood Demon grinned brightly. But it was a smile where his eyes weren’t smiling at all.

However, Kang Jin-Ho still liked that smile, although not only because he, too, had a twisted soul.

“Oh, and...”

“Yes, sir?”

“What do they want from me, exactly?”

“Oh, that. Well...”

***

“So, uh... a bodyguard, sir?”

Lee Hyeon-Su asked incredulously.

Kang Jin-Ho silently nodded.

“But, uh, is that all? Really?”

Lee Hyeon-Su couldn’t help it but ask again.

“Yeah. Really.”

Kang Jin-Ho and Lee Hyeon-Su exchanged dazed gazes through the thick acrylic glass.

“But, they... Isn’t it more like, they would have actual demands later down the line? Something like that?”

“No. He said there wouldn’t be anything like that.”

“Huh...?” Lee Hyeon-Su racked his brain for a bit, then chuckled in dismay. “Well, it’s not like I don’t understand why they would go this far, but...”

The one extending a helping hand was, of course, the Chinese government. Or, more correctly, the Central Military Commission that controlled the People’s Liberation Army.

They targeted Kang Jin-Ho not too long ago and waged a mini-war of sorts, and that unfortunate experience must’ve taught them that fighting against the Three Kings would still be impossible with their current strength.

“Isn’t this funny, though?” Lee Hyeon-Su frowned. “They must’ve thought they were strong enough to start something, but when they did, they got their butts handed back to them. So they come begging to you instead?”

“Yeah, that’s basically it.”

Wiggins grinned bitterly while listening to this conversation. “Yes, this situation is funny in a twisted way, but something like this happens more often than you think.”

“Well, yes. That’s true...”

Wiggins shook his head. “Honestly, this event has made me more scared of the Chinese now.”

“Sorry? Why?”

When Lee Hyeon-Su looked at him quizzically, Wiggins kindly explained his thought process. “If you were in their shoes, would you have been able to kowtow to my lord soon after the mess you’ve created?”

“Uh? Well... Mm...”

That would be easier said than done. First of all, it’d be deeply embarrassing. Shameful. Only a handful of other events in life would be as humiliating as this one, after all.

“Yet the Chinese higher-ups readily did that. Isn’t this quite a demonstration of their willpower? One where they’ll do anything to get what they want?”

Lee Hyeon-Su contemplatively nodded. “Yes, that’s certainly one way of looking at it. Regardless of what, though, isn’t this a good thing for us?”

“Indeed, it is. Very much so. In fact, I’d love to kiss them if I could.”

“...I don’t think they’ll appreciate the gesture, Wiggins,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

Indeed, the Chinese wouldn’t. They would probably hate it, as a matter of fact!

“Still, my lord? Nothing in this world is for free. As they have extended their helping hand to you, I believe you’ll be forced to repay the favor in the future.”

“It’ll be fine,” Kang Jin-Ho replied with a casual shrug.

“Without a doubt, their demand will be substantial, considering...”

“If I don’t like it, I’ll just ignore their demands.”

“...!”

Wiggins’ eyes trembled just then.

“I’m sorry?”

“I said, if I don’t like what they are demanding from me, I’ll just say no.”

“B-but, what about the deal...?”

Kang Jin-Ho smirked. “What will happen if I break the deal off?”

“Well, that’s... Mm?”

They would end up as enemies, in that case. Like right now.

In other words...?

Wiggins rubbed his chin. “I see. Nothing will change from the current situation, then.”

“That’s right.”

Lee Hyeon-Su tilted his head in confusion. “I don’t get it, sir. I mean, the Chinese aren’t idiots, you know? They must know that there’s the risk of us telling them to take a hike. And that would mean all their hard work had gone down the drain.”

“Indeed, they aren’t idiots,” Wiggins chuckled. “I’m certain they are aware of that possibility. However, that’s in the future, isn’t it? As long as they can use my lord’s fame right now to discourage the Three Kings from making their moves, they probably think this is all worth it.”

“Hmm... I guess that makes sense.”

“Even if my lord hadn’t accepted their proposal, the Chinese would’ve still tried to free him. The difference between him being locked up and being able to move freely is absolutely enormous, after all.”

Lee Hyeon-Su’s expression grew surprisingly somber as he studied Wiggins’ face.

Wiggins cocked an eyebrow. “What’s the matter? Have you thought of something important, Mister Lee?”

“No, it’s not that, but...”

A strange smirk suddenly floated up on Lee Hyeon-Su’s face.

“I was wondering about something, you see? Even though you have such profound insight on things, why were you acting like a puppy urgently looking for a loo before this event ha...”

Smack!

“Ouuuuuch?!”

Lee Hyeon-Su writhed in pain and fell down from his chair while grabbing his shin nearest to Wiggins.

As for Wiggins, he was uncharacteristically red-faced all the way to his ears. He fake-coughed several times before smiling awkwardly at Kang Jin-Ho. “In any case, my lord.”

Kang Jin-Ho cocked an eyebrow. “Really? Just moving on from that, now are we?”

“Yes, please. If you don’t mind.”

Kang Jin-Ho couldn’t help but chuckle just then.

The mood inside this visiting room was a clear proof of how much the situation had improved for them. The only thing his companions did during their last visit was sigh constantly as if they were at a funeral, but here they were, all smiling and cracking jokes.

“So... How will they respond now?” Lee Hyeon-Su asked while sneakily getting back up. He wisely changed the subject, knowing another mischievous streak from him might really land him in a hospital with a broken shin!

Wiggins tilted his head slightly. “When you say they...?”

“I meant Kim Myeong-Chan and his collaborators.”

A deep smirk formed on Wiggins’ face. “Hmm. I wonder. If it was up to me... I’d have rushed here and gotten down on my knees to beg.”

Kang Jin-Ho tutted. “He was here earlier.”

Wiggins stared back at Kang Jin-Ho in slight surprise. “I see... But he must’ve returned empty-handed?”

“Yeah.”

“Then, he won’t have any other choice,” Wiggins replied with an even deeper smirk. “He’ll raise his guard and defend desperately against the incoming hits. He might last for a while if he’s good at defense, but... Hmm? I’m not sure how effective his guard will be with all of his limbs severed now.”

Everyone in the room all smirked... Except for Bang Jin-Hun.

He scanned his companions and tutted in unhappiness. “What the hell... Are we a bunch of villains in some gangster movie or something? With a mindset like that, no wonder our boss got locked up in jail!”

“...”

Everyone stared at Bang Jin-Hun in dismay.

He shot back. “What? Have I said something wrong?”

“N-no, not really. Rather than something wrong...”

Wiggins groaned and promptly gave up explaining, then glanced at Kang Jin-Ho instead.

“My lord. The tide has turned in our favor, but the situation hasn’t been resolved yet. We shouldn’t just do nothing and wait for China to finish this off. We’d also like to add fuel to this fire, so please give us your permission.”

Kang Jin-Ho coolly nodded. “Sure. Do what you want.”

“Thank you, my lord,” said Wiggins, the light burning in his eyes sharper and more resolute. “It’s time to revert everything back to how it used to be. We will teach the enemy how costly it is to provoke you and the Martial Assembly.”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled and addressed Wiggins. “Sure thing. Before that, though...”

“Yes, my lord! Give us your orders!”

“Go and get me a can of cola.”

“...”

“And it’s your boss who has sorted out this problem, so stop acting like a super-competent employee.”

“...”

After getting hit by those truth bombs, Wiggins meekly got up while making a wounded face.

Unfortunately for him, though, Kang Jin-Ho wasn’t finished yet.

“Oh, and by the way?”

“Y-yes, my lord?”

“Not the blue one, okay? Get me the red one.”[1]

“...”

“Where’s your common sense, man?”

“But I... They only had the blue cans...”

Kang Jin-Ho looked utterly disgusted just then while staring at Wiggins. “You Englishmen can be so... Urgh.”

“...”

Wiggins was deeply aggrieved, but couldn’t think of anything to say to defend his honor.

1. LOL, Pepsi vs. Coke has spilled over to this novelkiss as well, I see. ☜