Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1308. Infiltrating (3)

“Yes. Then, we’ll proceed as discussed,” said Kim Myeong-Chan to the person on the other side of the line.

The Prime Minister of the Republic of Korea lit up a cigarette as quietly as possible. He then carefully puffed at it. Unfortunately, the sensation of the cigarette smoke traveling down his throat felt especially unpleasant today.

“Fuu~...”

He quickly exhaled the smoke, then smiled while talking on the phone. 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

“Yes. We will definitely uphold our side of the deal. Yes. Hahaha... There’s no need to be worried about such things, Mister Lee. My life might be worth as much as a fly’s, but I still have some fight left in me, I’ll have you know.”

Kim Myeong-Chan picked up his pen and began jotting a few things down on a notepad.

“Yes... We’ll wrap our preparations as quickly as possible. Then, we’ll speak again later.”

After exchanging some meaningless farewells, Kim Myeong-Chan ended the call and sagged on his chair.

“Fuu-woo...”

His head throbbed from a powerful migraine.

What an abominable bastard he is.

The one on the other side of the line, Lee Hyeon-Su, could be described as a truly strange man.

Considering his age, he should still be full of immaturity and naivety, but his ruthlessness exceeded most politicians’, while his sharpness was more than enough to embarrass seasoned reporters.

Worse still, he’d emit this spine-chilling air every once in a while. That alone ensured that even the one-and-only Kim Myeong-Chan could never speak plainly with Lee Hyeon-Su.

The Martial Assembly, is it...?

In Kim Myeong-Chan’s view, Lee Hyeon-Su should be nothing more than Kang Jin-Ho’s loyal subordinate, something like a right-hand man. Yet dealing with a single subordinate was still enough to exhaust Kim Myeong-Chan to this degree.

Looks like I’ve gotten old.

To think that dealing with a brat would tire him out so much like this!

Kim Myeong-Chan slowly massaged his face. Unfortunately, he must accept reality.

A politician’s downfall didn’t come from losing the public’s trust. No, that happened when said politician started believing that they were an incredible individual. They would think that someone so incredible couldn’t make mistakes. That they could not be wrong, regardless of what they did.

An egotistical politician would not see their incompetency and failings, which led to their eventual downfall.

It was wise to acknowledge reality as it was.

Kim Myeong-Chan should just acknowledge that he was being pressured by a wet-behind-ears brat. Only then would he be able to think of a countermeasure!

Indeed, Lee Hyeon-Su is a terrifying man, but...

Kim Myeong-Chan sighed under his breath.

He’s still a youngster.

The other side was in a rush.

If Kim Myeong-Chan was in Lee Hyeon-Su’s shoes, he would’ve focused on their long-term relationship rather than trying to extract as many benefits in the short term.

That was because relationships built on benefits would crumble once there were no more benefits to be had. However, those riding on one boat were bound by the same fate, regardless of benefits and losses.

No, wait. It’s possible that the Assembly has no plans of going all the way with the current administration.

Kim Myeong-Chan caught himself subconsciously looking down on Lee Hyeon-Su again. This was turning into a bad habit of his.

“Prime Minister, sir. You don’t look so good,” said Yi Jong-Wuk.

“Really?”

Kim Myeong-Chan sighed while mouthing the cigarette. Of course he wouldn’t look so good right now.

After all, his stomach was just about ready to give up from all the stress and burden.

Even though Kim Myeong-Chan was a grizzled veteran of politics who had experienced all sorts of ups and downs over the years, this matter still weighed heavily on him.

“Prime Minister...”

“Yes? What is it?”

Yi Jong-Wuk spoke gravely. “I’m still not convinced that this is the right way to handle this matter.”

Kim Myeong-Chan furrowed his brow.

“Look here, Mister Yi.”

“Yes, sir.”

“You... Mm, how many years has it been since you started assisting me?”

“Three years, sir.”

“I see.”

Kim Myeong-Chan smiled ruefully. Three years... That certainly was a long time.

“When you’re a politician doing your thing, certain moments will plunge you deep into pits of dilemma.”

“Sir...?”

“You see, the moment when the line you don’t want to cross aligns with the line the country is willing to cross... Such moments will eventually come.”

Yi Jong-Wuk slowly nodded. He had heard about this several times already.

“In the end, a country is simply a gathering of many people. The problem with that is that what’s right and what is the line they wouldn’t cross differ drastically from person to person. Do you get the significance of that?”

“Not exactly, sir.”

“The country never moves according to my wishes. Respecting everyone’s opinions and wishes means the country will sometimes have to veer off from what I think is for the best.”

“...”

“As such, everything a country does can be categorized into one of the four types. Things that must be done. Things that should be looked at. Things that shouldn’t be done. And finally, things that must never be done.”

Kim Myeong-Chan helplessly shrugged.

“Depending on how you categorize things, the... shall we say nature? The nature of a country and its administration will change depending on that. As for the matter at hand...”

Kim Myeong-Chan’s expression grew stiff, his voice heavier.

“Regardless of which administration or country, it will be categorized as a ‘Must be done’.”

“...”

“If you wish to continue on this path as a career politician, you’d do well to remember that. There is no such thing as morality in a country’s government. Morality is bound by human emotions and it dictates how humans should behave. Yes, a country is a gathering of humans, but it’s not human. That’s why human emotions shouldn’t even be considered when running a country.”

Yi Jong-Wuk sighed under his breath.

He already knew all this, but his heart was still unwilling to accept it. In a way, he’d make an excellent administrator, but a failure as a politician.

“Even after considering that, sir... Isn’t the risk far too high?”

“Indeed. The risk is high. But compared to what will happen if we do nothing? Such a risk is negligible.”

“Sir, what if the operation is a success?”

“...What are you implying?”

“If they succeed, we’ll become accomplices to the Martial Assembly’s activities. Considering what we stand to lose, isn’t it safe to assume that they will benefit so much more than us?”

“Indeed, that could be true.”

It seemed that Yi Jong-Wuk had a clearer understanding of this situation than he let on initially.

Since the administration requested the Martial Assembly with the elimination of a high-ranking North Korean individual, it was basically saying it’d expose its shameful secrets to the other side. Even if this mission was necessary for the country, a government sanctioning the assassination of an individual would obviously be unjustifiable.

Anyone finding it out would lead to a massive scandal. And then some!

Choosing the Martial Assembly as the partner in this scheme was the administration openly suggesting that they should cooperate together until the end.

“If I may be so bold, sir... Frankly, I’m concerned about this,” said Yi Jong-Wuk. “We’re completely exposed to them, but we have no way of detecting their movements. What if they start harboring ill thoughts towards us...?”

“Look here, Mister Yi.”

“Yes, Prime Minister.”

“Humans can be stupid.”

“...?”

“However, the government isn’t stupid. No, wait. I misspoke. A government can be stupid. But that depends on the crisis it’s facing.”

Kim Myeong-Chan interlocked his fingers and rested his chin on them.

“We’ve already performed our due diligence on the Assembly. We tried to find ways to keep them in line. This matter is merely a part of this process. Mister Yi, do you know what the absolute worst situation is for us?”

“That’s... the Assembly figuring out our weakness and trying to use it to their advantage.”

“No. That’s incorrect. The absolute worst situation for us is the Assembly turning their backs on us and becoming antagonistic.”

“...”

“An opponent you can reason with and negotiate with? Someone like that is no longer a terrifying adversary. It’ll ultimately depend on the conditions put forward, but you can still control someone like that. What you should really be concerned about is creating opponents you can’t even talk to.”

Kim Myeong-Chan slowly shook his head. The administration and the Martial Assembly falling out? He didn’t even want to imagine what might happen if that potentially worst crisis came to pass.

It’d mean that the sole organization beyond the control of the government would become the nation’s enemy, after all. Most likely, no one would know how to respond in a situation like that.

I must prevent that catastrophe, no matter what!

Even if the administration was forced to pay a hefty price!

Yi Jong-Wuk sighed. “Does that mean we must always be mindful of the Assembly?”

“Mister Yi...”

“Yes, sir?”

“Are you a politician? Or an administrator?”

“I...”

Before Yi Jong-Wuk could respond, Kim Myeong-Chan cut him off.

“If you see yourself as an administrator, then sure, it’s fine to think that way. No point in digging deeper only to create further trouble for yourself, after all. The best way to handle unruly wild dogs roaming the front of your house is tossing tasty treats in their way and becoming their friends. Since those dogs could become your house’s guardians.”

Yi Jong-Wuk silently nodded.

“However, if you see yourself as a politician, you should also consider adding one more condition. Being friends is fine, but also remember to install traps.”

“...”

“An administrator will put out treats and get into an agreement with your opponents. But a politician... While preparing top-quality meat to become friends with the wild dogs, a politician will also get a pot ready to boil those dogs alive.”

Yi Jong-Wuk subtly bit his lip. Didn’t this imply that Kim Myeong-Chan was not only being friendly with the Assembly but also preparing a rope to ensnare the martial artists, too?

In that case, does that person also know?

Yi Jong-Wuk had his suspicions. Even if Kim Myeong-Chan was South Korea’s Prime Minister, he couldn’t do this alone. It wasn’t the issue of his capabilities, of course. No, the problem was with the extent of his authority.

Of course, without Kim Myeong-Chan acknowledging it, digging any further would be difficult.

“Besides, now isn’t the time to worry about that, Mister Yi,” said Kim Myeong-Chan.

“Sir.”

“The Korean Peninsula’s future hangs in the balance in this operation. You can dwell on your personal feelings afterward.”

“Understood, sir.”

Kim Myeong-Chan’s eyes grew more withdrawn.

I hope they do a good job over there.

This operation must go as smoothly as possible. Even a minor mistake could turn China and North Korea into South Korea’s enemy in the blink of an eye.

Although international politics relied heavily on countries turning a blind eye every so often, the difference between when turning a blind eye and not turning was still enormous.

“Sir? Are you worried about the operation?”

“Of course. Why ask something so obvious?”

Yi Jong-Wuk shook his head. “That’s because you don’t look as concerned despite the seriousness of the situation, sir.”

“...”

Kim Myeong-Chan looked up at Yi Jong-Wuk. It seemed the latter had a discerning eye.

He couldn’t chuckle and brush this matter aside now. A politician letting his true inner thoughts known was not a good thing, after all.

Yi Jong-Wuk’s observation was correct. Despite the importance and risks of this operation, Kim Myeong-Chan wasn’t as tense as he should be. Even though his brain could imagine many outcomes in case the operation was a failure, all these possibilities didn’t seem to rouse much sense of danger in his heart.

But why?

That’s because I simply can’t imagine it.

He couldn’t imagine Kang Jin-Ho failing on the mission he had personally taken up on. Maybe the person who overestimated the Assembly Master the most in this world was Kim Myeong-Chan.

How unfortunate. Really now.

If only Kang Jin-Ho could become a friend! He’d have been a source of incredible strength.

Of course, Kim Myeong-Chan was no fool and knew that no such thing as eternal friends existed in the murky world of politics.

In this world, those who couldn’t be friends had to be crushed underfoot.

Kim Myeong-Chan glanced at Yi Jong-Wuk and asked, “Then, are all the preparations finished?”

“Yes, sir. They were finished well ahead of time.”

“Good. Hand over all the related intel to the other side. Don’t forget to confirm if they want something else from us.”

“Understood, sir.”

“Pay special attention to how they will contact our agents in China. Remember, the ones you will speak to are civilians, even if they are doing our bidding. Using the method we’ve been relying on until now can lead to issues.”

“Understood. I’ll go over the operation two, no, three more times to make sure.”

“Good. Now, you may leave.”

Yi Jong-Wuk bowed deeply before leaving the office. Kim Myeong-Chan took out a fresh cigarette before slowly mouthing it. It felt like he was smoking a lot more these days.

Before he lit the cigarette, Kim Myeong-Chan chuckled helplessly.

“The one starting things is me, and the one paying the price will be me, too...”

In this world of politics, the “Turning the Blind Eye” was considered more important than anything.

That meant Kim Myeong-Chan’s power amounted to only that much. However, he swore to rise even higher one day. To reach a position where he’d not have to worry about the consequences even after instigating things!

The Martial Assembly... No, Kang Jin-Ho could be the key to unlock that position.

Kim Myeong-Chan closed his eyes while mouthing the still unlit cigarette.

It felt like this clingy and insistent tiredness was trying to drag him toward somewhere unfathomably deep and dark.