Descent of the Demon Master

“No, wait a second...”

Kang Jin-Ho stared in clear discomfort at the man bowing on one knee right before his eyes.

How bizarre was this? So, so very bizarre!

Usually, people knelt in front of someone as a proof of their respect and loyalty. And this man must be kneeling before Kang Jin-Ho for the same reasons.

Even then, Kang Jin-Ho was uncomfortable about this situation. Why? Because the kneeling man's eyeline was still higher than Kang Jin-Ho's! Wasn't this basically the same as an adult kneeling down to match a little kid's eyeline?!

Only one person in the entire world could physically match Kang Jin-Ho's eyeline even after kneeling down, and that person's name was... Vator.

Indeed, that was the identity of the kneeling man!

“...Where did you hear that, Vator?”

“My liege!” Vator roared out, his voice echoing in the surroundings like a thunderclap.

Kang Jin-Ho squeezed his eyes shut while spreading around a barrier of qi. If Vator spoke in that loud voice again, people nearby might think that a foghorn had exploded or something and rush outside their rooms to look!

“China is dangerous, my liege,” said Vator, the look in his eyes withdrawn. As if he wanted to emphasize the fact that he was maintaining his level-headedness.

That meant Vator was most likely correct in his assumption. Even so, Kang Jin-Ho still felt uncomfortable.

The difference between nagging and harassment was whether the 'victim' held any affection toward the 'aggressor'. If harassment came from a good place, a place of care and affection, then it qualified as nagging.

Most people knew that the intentions behind nagging were usually for the 'victims' to become better people and for them to experience potentially a better situation. Even then, they wanted to be spared from constant nagging. Which was surely one of the quirks that made humans such complicated creatures.

Kang Jin-Ho's current mood was exactly that.

“The Crimson King's faction is still targeting your life, my liege. They must know by now that I have chosen to go under your wings, which will obviously result in their much more aggressive and antagonistic approach. With your situation like that, entering the enemy's front yard is no different from washing your neck and offering it to their blade."

“Mm...” Kang Jin-Ho sighed deeply.

One of the most uncomfortable situations in the world was being subjected to someone's nagging. Especially when they were completely correct!

“I understand what you're saying, Vator.”

“My liege, China is off-limits.”

“However, I must still go.”

“...Do you have a good-enough reason for that?”

“Mm, well...” Kang Jin-Ho sheepishly scratched his cheek. That led to Vator's eyes scarily bulging.

After regaining his composure, somewhat, Kang Jin-Ho stared at Vator. “I don't know what you've heard, but it's not what you think.”

“It's not? Then... what?”

“It's as I said. My reason isn't that.” Kang Jin-Ho casually shrugged his shoulders. “I can't tell you the specifics, but there is a reason why I must travel to China. It has to be done sooner or later, anyway. As you've said, things will only get more dangerous as time goes on. In that case, I must travel there as soon as possible.”

“Hmm...” Vator narrowed his eyes and carefully studied Kang Jin-Ho's expression. He spied how serious his liege was and weightily nodded away. “If it's a matter that must be done, then it shall be done. What's worse than danger falling on you is surely your ambition crumbling into pieces through inaction.”

Kang Jin-Ho was having a bit of trouble managing his expression as he listened.

How should he describe this scene? A three-year-old was building a sand castle, but a childcare worker suddenly showed up out of nowhere to clap encouragingly while snapping photos of this scene to upload to their preferred social media... Something like that?

Although that might sound 'normal' in most circumstances, that scene should take on a different meaning when the three-year-old in that hypothetical situation possessed the mind of an adult.

When Kang Jin-Ho took over Vator's mind and turned the big man into an ally, he wasn't expecting to see this kind of result. Wasn't the big man the so-called Warrior of the Wild Plains? Someone who didn't want to be tied down by anything? So, Kang Jin-Ho figured Vator would remain indifferent, nay, downright unfriendly, even after his mind had been taken over.

But, to think Vator was actually a super-loyal type!

Obviously, Kang Jin-Ho couldn't release Vator at this stage. The Martial Assembly was suffering from an extreme lack of experts, and finding a replacement on par with Vator's caliber was asking for an impossibility, after all!

“My liege must travel to China, but it's dangerous there. What a dilemma this is. In that case... Mm…” Vator nodded contemplatively, then slowly rose back up to his feet. “Then, we must come to a compromise, my liege. You can go to China, but only with a group of trained escorts.”

“...Eh? Escorts?” Kang Jin-Ho blinked his eyes in flabbergast.

“A group of escorts doesn't always mean the strong warriors protecting the weak. Even if it's you, surely you must understand that there is no winning against the numbers game.”

Kang Jin-Ho was forced to nod in agreement there. How could he not know that? He was killed in that manner in his previous life, after all.ɴᴇᴡ ɴᴏᴠᴇʟ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs ᴀʀᴇ ᴘᴜʙʟɪsʜᴇᴅ ᴏɴ ɴovᴇl_Firᴇ.ɴet

He used to boast that no one under the heavens could rival him, but against a combined assault of the top experts? Never mind having no rivals, Kang Jin-Ho had no answers back then!

Maybe, Kang Jin-Ho's reason for evolving and improving the Martial Assembly was his subconscious desire to avoid meeting that fate again.

“A group of escorts, is it...?” Kang Jin-Ho muttered. Despite Vator's good argument, he was still unwilling.

First of all, Kang Jin-Ho didn't enjoy having an entourage following him around. Even the Demon Flames from the past were not a group of escorts but his private combat force. They only accompanied Kang Jin-Ho when their presence was deemed necessary. Most other times, they acted separately. So, to be told he needed a group of escorts now was a bit...

“...Difficult for me to accept.” Kang Jin-Ho firmly shook his head, prompting Vator to pay more attention to what was being said. “Don't misunderstand me. I'm not brushing aside your recommendation of creating a group of escorts. However, candidates meant to serve me as my private force are still too weak. Against Chinese experts, they will likely be hindrances instead.”

“Yes, you're correct,” Vator nodded in acknowledgment. “However, you're mistaken about something, my liege. I never suggested you should take those riff-raffs along with you. Even if you've personally guided them, seedlings like them require time to grow. I also oppose taking those younglings to China.”

“Hmm?” Kang Jin-Ho opened his eyes wide in confusion and stared at Vator. “Then, who...?”

“Obviously, it's me!”

“Say what?” Kang Jin-Ho's eyes nearly popped out of their sockets.

Vator tutted. “Isn't it obvious, my liege? Where are you headed to, again? It's China. Tell me, who is more knowledgeable about China than me in the Assembly?”

Of course there was no one. Which was rather obvious, wasn't it? After all, Vator had come from China. Even though he was a Mongol, he used to live in China, so he should know that country like the back of his hand. But that was not the important point here!

Kang Jin-Ho cautiously asked, just in case. “You... want me to take you along as my escort?”

“Yes! Also!” Vator turned his head and stared directly at Zhang Dajing standing timidly some distance away. “Since your destination is in China, it will be smart to take that man along as well. He's a born-and-bred Chinese, after all!”

“N-no, wait. Vator!” Kang Jin-Ho hurriedly raised his hand in a clear fluster. Even though not much could faze or fluster him, this exchange sure did! “You want me to take you along to China?!”

“Yes, that's what I said. Isn't that such an exceedingly logical solution?” Vator casually shrugged his shoulders as if he couldn't see any problem with this idea.

Kang Jin-Ho now looked flabbergasted. “What? Even though every martial artist in China will know about your arrival as soon as you step inside the airport?”

Vator flinched slightly. “...!”

“Okay. Let's say you somehow avoided attracting attention at the airport. However, if you accompany me out on the streets, won't everyone in the world recognize who you are?”

“...”

“I'd rather walk around with a neon sign strapped to my back. Yet, you still want me to take you with me?”

Vator rubbed his chin while frowning slightly. “Hmm... We will find a way.”

“What way? I don't think there's one.”

“No! There is always a way!”

“Listen to me. Being stubborn about this won't...”

“Do not worry, my liege. Zhang Dajing and I will find a way. So, do not argue and take us with you.”

“...!” Kang Jin-Ho clamped his mouth shut, his cheeks twitching ominously. “...For now, I need to discuss this with someone.”

***

“I've already taken care of all the necessary steps. There's nothing to worry about,” said Lee Hyeon-Su.

Kang Jin-Ho grimaced deeply. “...”

Lee Hyeon-Su didn't notice that grimace and smiled like a smooth operator. “If you run into another problem like that, just come to me next time. Although such an issue might be difficult to resolve through the Martial Assembly, it'll be a cinch with Jaegyeong's involvement. We've arranged a cargo plane for you. As for airport security, our side will deal with that. I will have a van waiting for you once you touch down, so don't go through the security checkpoint and use the VIP exit.”

How capable. So, so bloody capable!

Completely unaware of how his capabilities have become a noose tightening around Kang Jin-Ho's neck, Lee Hyeon-Su smiled brightly like a kid waiting to be praised.

“...It seems you've done an excellent job here,” Kang Jin-Ho quietly muttered.

“Fufufu~. It's my job to eliminate potential inconveniences and discomforts during your travels, Mister Jin-Ho.”

“Really? But a few have already popped up, though?”

“I'm sorry?”

“No, forget I said anything…” Kang Jin-Ho groaned. What was the point of whining about them when inconveniences had already reared their heads!

Lee Hyeon-Su tilted his head in confusion. He briefly recalled how Vator suddenly barged into his office the night before and demanded the poor Lee Hyeon-Su to find a way for the big man to accompany Kang Jin-Ho into China... Without getting found out, no less.

It sounded as if Vator was thinking about hiring smugglers, but there was no reason to go through such a cumbersome route. One of Kang Jin-Ho's plus points was that he had connections to both the world of martial arts and the financial sector. Both worlds had some things they couldn't deal with on their own strength, but combining their individual advantages through Kang Jin-Ho could clear almost every hurdle.

Unfortunately, that near-infinite potential had become a shackle tying Kang Jin-Ho down instead!

Kang Jin-Ho frowned slightly. “...We're talking about illegally entering another country here. Will we be okay?”

“While we're on that subject... I heard that Chief Jo has already given you a plane ticket. Mister Jin-Ho, please discuss such things with me instead in the future. Don't tell me you were naive enough to think that the Crimson King's faction has no agents planted in airports.”

“O-of course not,” Kang Jin-Ho smirked, albeit a little unconvincingly.

“If you had climbed on a plane with your name on the passenger list, the Crimson King's men would have surrounded the entire airport before you could even land. I really hope you weren't thinking of using that plane ticket, Mister Jin-Ho. You accepted it simply because you didn’t want to hurt Chief Jo’s feelings, right?”

“Of course,” Kang Jin-Ho nodded animatedly while maintaining a poker face. As if to emphasize that he'd never make such mistakes. Sometimes, having thick skin was a necessity.

Lee Hyeon-Su smiled. “Great! So, when should I set the date of departure?”

“Sooner the better,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“In that case, I'll set everything up as soon as possible. Although, finding a suitable airport will take a bit of time. Please be patient in the meantime.”

“Mm...” Kang Jin-Ho nodded, then hesitated slightly. In the end, though, he had to ask that one thing he shouldn't ask. “By the way...?”

“Yes?”

“Am I really going? With Vator?”

“Huh? But that's what Sir Vator told me?”

The thoughts of something had gone terribly wrong kept invading Kang Jin-Ho's mind, but he also felt that the point of no return had already been crossed.

“If that’s the situation… Got it,” Kang Jin-Ho sighed, then lifelessly pushed himself off the chair. His steps heading toward the office's exit were just as lifeless, too.

For some reason, Lee Hyeon-Su thought Kang Jin-Ho's shoulders looked uncharacteristically small today.

Kang Jin-Ho opened the door and exited the office... Only to encounter Vator waiting outside with a wide grin stuck to his face.

In fact, he looked greatly entertained by this situation as he threw a wholly unnecessary quip at Kang Jin-Ho. “This trip will be a lot of fun, my liege.”

“...”