Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1077. Discovered (2)

“I just don’t get it.”

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea, Kim Myeong-Chan, groaned deeply while reading the report.

‘How am I supposed to make heads or tails out of this situation...?’

He was a capable man who had managed to reach the lofty position of Prime Minister, but the truth was... Kim Myeong-Chan wasn't exactly the most ambitious man in history. He only wanted to acquire a bit of honor, acclaim, and maybe enough wealth to retire comfortably.

Rather unfortunately, several incidents of varying scale began occurring within and outside the country as soon as he took office. It was as if the heavens were hell-bent on not granting Kim Myeong-Chan a relatively pain-free term.

‘How can a person transform literally overnight?’

A person’s stance changing depending on the situation was par for the course. At least, such instances happened frequently in the game of politics.

A politician who couldn’t calculate gains and losses and cunningly change their stance as the situation demanded couldn’t survive in this neck of the woods populated by deplorable fiends.

However, that was the story for a politician’s stance. Things like opinions and positions could change at any time. But can a person change like that, too? Of course not!

However, today's event forced Kim Myeong-Chan to revise his opinion on this subject. After all, he witnessed a man who was perfectly fine yesterday show up as someone totally different today!

‘Just what did those people do?’

Those people, of course, were the Korean Martial Assembly.

That name caused an uncomfortable throb deep in Kim Myeong-Chan's gut like a large gallstone.

‘What did they do to turn a person into a complete loon in the blink of an eye?’

When Seok Dong-Su showed up at Kim Myeong-Chan's residence in the middle of early dawn, he acted like his life would be over if the Martial Assembly didn't get its way.

Even a politician who received the Assembly’s backing since the start of their political career wouldn’t have been as desperate to side with the martial artists like Seok Dong-Su!

“Prime Minister, sir! Sir! We must accept everything they have proposed! We have to proceed as quickly as possible, too! Sir! Please listen to me! You must listen! Don’t you understand what I’m saying to you, sir?! Please!”

There was no doubt about it. Seok Dong-Su was clearly terrified as words flooded out of his mouth.

His eyes didn’t know where to look. His complexion was flushed to an alarming degree. And his expression conveyed how desperate he was.

A man who made a living out of politics would’ve never made such an expression.

“What’s even crazier is that...”

Kim Myeong-Chan’s shock mostly stemmed from the fact that Seok Dong-Su maintained a perfectly functioning mind!

The unmistakable anxiety was easy to see from how his eyes constantly wandered around, but what he said was not as incomprehensible as his anxious demeanor suggested.

A nutcase wouldn't have been as... lucid as Seok Dong-Su was. And that was the source of the Prime Minister's confusion. He wouldn't have had an issue accepting that Seok Dong-Su had gone off the rails if the latter babbled on about some incomprehensible nonsense.

That would’ve made the explanation of Seok Dong-Su getting tortured by the Assembly’s martial artists much more plausible, after all!

However, Seok Dong-Su’s body was free from the signs of possible torture. And he clearly maintained his sanity despite his freaked-out state.

That was where the problem began, though. Seok Dong-Su sided with the Chinese and resolutely ignored the Prime Minister's orders yesterday. But he changed his tune overnight and was now shouting, “Free Pass!” for the Martial Assembly.

What could make someone have a change of heart this abruptly?

Squeeze...!

Kim Myeong-Chan clenched and unfurled his fists a couple of times. The pale skin on his palm seemed to reflect his current thoughts.

‘You could say this is a favorable development.’

The idea of the Chinese butting in was a dreadful one, indeed. Especially a situation like this one, where they tempted Korean politicians into doing their bidding. Responding to such interference would be very difficult.

So, Kim Myeong-Chan should be pleased with the Martial Assembly quickly and easily resolving this dreadful situation. It might not be such a good thing for Seok Dong-Su the individual, but from the perspective of the nation? It was ultimately for the best.

However, Kim Myeong-Chan didn't feel so good right now. Actually, it'd be more correct to say his mood was far closer to being the absolute worst!

‘How am I supposed to accept this development?’

Every story in this world had a different perspective. What you could see was not all there was to it.

The main point of concern in this matter was not Seok Dong-Su changing his stance and making things easier for everyone. No, it was the Martial Assembly beginning to exercise its “influence” over the politicians directly to have its way.

Kim Myeong-Chan silently rubbed his face.

‘And that was something I wanted to prevent no matter what...!’

The political power was inevitably influenced by the wealthy and those capable of unleashing violence. Why? That was because money and strength were the foundation required to build one's political power.

Countries without a proper framework of governance were always under the thumb of criminal gangs or ruled by warlords.

One didn't have to look at various regions of Africa ravaged by various warlords to know this was true. The situation in Mexico, with its drug cartels having free reign, should be enough proof.

Politics were surprisingly fragile against the threat of violence. This story didn’t change much even in a properly functioning country.

Even the United States, widely acknowledged as the Number One superpower on Earth, couldn’t separate its politics from the enormous wealth injected by its military-industrial complex. And Japan’s political elite were locked into a relationship with the Yakuza they couldn’t get out of even if they wanted to.

If one dug even deeper and took a look at the martial world hidden in the shadows... One would begin wondering if they could find a country in existence that was free from the influence of the martial artists.

However, at least South Korea somehow managed to retain its “purity” until now. Its martial society had never been strong enough. And the previous military regime ensured that the folks hidden in the shadows didn't dare approach the political movers and shakers.

But now...

‘Maybe this is the warning shot. Or the signal flare.’

Seok Dong-Su's actions had given the martial artists the excuse to directly interfere in South Korean politics.

Taking the first step was the hardest part. Once that happened, the second step would always be easier.

Now that the martial artists had experienced eliminating Seok Dong-Su, they wouldn’t hesitate to replicate the feat if someone else decided to get in their way again.

If such things were allowed to continue, the Korean political sphere would naturally be put under the thumb of the Martial Assembly--just like in China, where its leaders couldn't escape from the influence of its martial society despite wielding such incredible power.

“...Damn you, you fool!”

Kim Myeong-Chan muttered in anger without even realizing it. Everything was the fault of that greedy, stupid bastard, Seok Dong-Su!

Kim Myeong-Chan wasn’t humoring the Martial Assembly bastards because he was a nice guy or the martial artists were indispensable patriots. Of course not! Even he agreed that those Assembly people were nothing more than troublemakers and thugs.

The best method to tame a vicious hound was not a sturdy leash but delicious food and snacks. A dog with a full belly would never bite its owner, after all!

So, how did Seok Dong-Su forget that a starving dog would bare its fangs at its owner threatening to beat it with a stick? And even viciously bite back if needed!

Just as Kim Myeong-Chan’s thoughts reached there...

Knock, knock! freewёbnoνel.com

The Prime Minister looked up and away from the report at the sound of someone knocking on the door. Before he could say anything, though, his aide beyond the doorway spoke first.

“Sir, your guest has arrived.”

Kim Myeon-Chan sighed deeply. “Got it. Let him through.”

“Yes, sir.”

Kim Myeong-Chan reached out for a cup of half-cold coffee and gulped it down. His throat felt dry and cracked. It even felt like his saliva had stopped flowing.

‘I must end it here.’

He stared tensely at the doorway. Soon, it opened to reveal a figure of an impeccably groomed young man.

This man bowed deeply and introduced himself. “It’s an honor to make your acquaintance, Prime Minister. I’m Lee Hyeon-Su from the Korean Martial Assembly.”

“I see. Welcome, Mister Lee. Have a seat over here.”

“Thank you, sir.”

The first impression of this young man seemed quite favorable. In a way... He reminded Kim Myeong-Chan of a salaryman fresh off the elite training course.

Of course, Kim Myeong-Chan was not a fool and knew this Lee Hyeon-Su was emphatically not that kind of a man. The Prime Minister knew today’s guest was a wily fox... No, a wolf! A wolf that would tear at his throat given half an opening!

“First of all, I apologize for taking up your valuable time, sir.”

“Oh, no. Don't worry about that, Mister Lee. I was the one who asked you to come here, after all. Hearing you say that is making me embarrassed.”

Lee Hyeon-Su didn't say anything else and bowed deeply again. He was obviously trying to convey he was the junior, the lower-ranked person, in the hierarchy to the Prime Minister.

However, Kim Myeong-Chan didn’t view that gesture as “lowly” at all. Not even close.

‘Yes, I know I’m being biased here.’

He knew that there was no reason to view that young man as overbearing based on the initial impressions alone. It was just that his preconceived notion toward the Martial Assembly had affected his sentiments somewhat.

“Mister Lee, let’s not beat around the bush, shall we? Can you tell me what happened to Minister Seok Dong-Su?”

Lee Hyeon-Su raised his head a little. According to the intel, Seok Dong-Su was supposed to be several times more impatient than the Prime Minister. Yet Kim Myeong-Chan went directly for the crux of the issue, even as his expression remained welcoming like a kind grandfather.

“My apologies, sir. I’m not quite sure how to answer you on this one,” said Lee Hyeon-Su.

“Does that mean you don’t want to tell us?”

“No, sir. That’s not what I meant. It’s just that even I’m not sure what happened to Minister Seok.”

“You are not sure?” Kim Myeong-Chan muttered quietly while furrowing his brow. He didn't even bother to hide his displeasure at the fact that his guest had shown up without the knowledge of something that crucial.

“Please don't misunderstand me, sir,” Lee Hyeon-Su quickly replied. He obviously had noticed the shift in the Prime Minister's expression. “It’s not just me. Almost everyone in the Martial Assembly has no idea what happened. That’s usually the story whenever our Assembly Master gets directly involved.”

“...Your Assembly Master got involved, you say?”

“Yes, sir,” Lee Hyeon-Su replied, then sucked in a deep breath. “Our Assembly Master is a difficult person to describe or explain. Especially considering the unique nature of being a cultivator. However, I can assure you that Minister Seok will never oppose the Assembly’s business again now that he had a chance to speak to the Assembly Master in private.”

Kim Myeong-Chan narrowed his eyes. Did this young man know the significance of what he just said?

The way Kim Myeong-Chan heard it, Lee Hyeon-Su was making a barely disguised threat.

The problem now was deciphering whether Lee Hyeon-Su knew what he was doing or that statement was an unfortunate slip of the tongue. And Kim Myeong-Chan couldn't readily figure that out yet.

“Very well. Let’s move on from Minister Seok’s situation, then.”

“Of course, Prime Minister.”

“We will wrap up the Assembly’s request within three days. With that, your side shouldn’t have any other headaches to worry about.”

Lee Hyeon-Su briefly bowed. “Thank you, sir.”

“However, that’s from the ruling party’s perspective. To quell the official opposition’s dissatisfaction, I’m sure you will have to prepare a sizable gift.”

“You don’t have to worry about that, sir. We’re already in discussion with their representative.”

“...I see. At least you’re quick on your feet,” Kim Myeong-Chan muttered, then nodded slightly. “That means this matter is just about wrapped up, is it not?”

“Yes, Prime Minister. Once it clears the legal hurdles.”

“Good. Then we need to clear something up before moving on.”

Lee Hyeon-Su slightly raised his head to stare at the Prime Minister. He spotted Kim Myeong-Chan subtly wetting his lips.

Kim Myeong-Chan wasn’t tense because of the presence of this brat in his office. No, it was the powerful organization called the Martial Assembly that had this brat’s back!

‘I can sort of understand why all the high-and-mighty folks around the world can’t shake off the influence of the martial world.’

Merely talking to Lee Hyeon-Su was enough for Kim Myeong-Chan to figure this one out. And that was how terrifying the power of the martial world could be!

‘Well, just take a look!’

The young man before Kim Myeong-Chan's eyes looked so plain. Unassuming. Despite his sharp facial features, no one in their right mind would associate this young man as someone capable of unleashing heart-stopping violence.

However, if this young man wanted to, he could easily break Kim Myeong-Chan's neck right now even before the agents could rush inside the office.

In other words...

‘If the Martial Assembly decides to eliminate me, no one in this world can stop them!’

Unless Kim Myeong-Chan crawled inside a bunker no one could access and isolated himself from the rest of the world, he’d have no methods of preventing the martial artists from harming him. The moment those martial artists got near him would be when he no longer decided his own fate.

A politician's career was as good as over once he isolated himself from society.

It was a catch-22 situation at its finest. If one wanted the Martial Assembly to stay away from them, one had to quit being a politician. However, being a politician meant one would have to associate with the Assembly.

An extreme irony, indeed!

The power wielded by a nation easily overwhelmed and suppressed the martial artists. However, it could only discourage the organization, not the individual.

That was precisely why those wielding incredible political power could never ignore the martial artists’ demands. After all, the might of the law was always out of reach when the might of the fist was right in front of your face!

Even if that was true...!

Kim Myeong-Chan calmly but firmly asked Lee Hyeon-Su.

“Is the Martial Assembly planning to get involved in Korea's politics, Mister Lee?”