Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1311. Setting Off (1)

Lee Hyeon-Su’s expression could only be described as unbridled happiness.

We got the money~!

Of course, the Martial Assembly was a wealthy organization. But the thing with money was that... The stingier the one was with money, the better!

If one could spend someone else’s money to get something done, one should exploit the situation as much as possible.

Kang Jin-Ho tutted. “Are you that happy about this?”

“Of course sir.”

“But I’m not.”

“Sorry? Why not, sir?”

Kang Jin-Ho sighed deeply. “We’re only doing this because the government asked us to, so getting paid for it is correct. Even so, this money comes from people’s tax, doesn’t it?”

“Ehheii~, you’re saying something innocent again, sir.”

“Huh?”

Lee Hyeon-Su lightly tutted. “Wasting the valuable tax collected from all the hard-working citizens on useless endeavors is certainly a lamentable thing that must be stopped somehow. However, that story only applies before the tax is turned into the government’s annual budget.”

“...?”

As Kang Jin-Ho didn’t know much about the circulation of tax money, all he could do was blink his eyes in silence.

“It’s not like the government collects fresh tax because we asked for some financial backing, sir. No, we simply receive a portion of NIS’s operational funds, that’s all.”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

“Not at all. Even if we spend a nonsensical amount of government’s money, it’s not wasting citizens’ tax but... The dinner plans for those folks over at NIS will have to change from full-course meals to convenience store-special triangular kimbap packs, sir.”

Kang Jin-Ho’s eyes quivered ever so slightly. “Huh?”

Lee Hyeon-Su frowned after remembering something. “From what I heard, those bastards at NIS have been skimming a lot off the top of their operational funds for a long time now. I mean, do you remember what that Yi dude was wearing, sir? That was a name-brand item! A civil servant waltzing around in such expensive clothes? How does that make any sense, sir?!”

Why wouldn’t that make sense? Even if Yi Jong-Wuk was a civil servant, wasn’t he a high-ranking member of NIS? Since he was also working in the overseas intelligence department, his hazard pay must’ve been considerable, too. And what if he came from a well-off family?

Why did Lee Hyeon-Su always view the world in such a crooked...

“In any case, we’re not wasting people’s wealth earned through their blood and sweat, so don’t worry about it, sir!”

Wiggins sitting next to Lee Hyeon-Su chuckled gently.

“My lord... This fool’s personality might be questionable, but his logic is not. Because the operational funds allocated for intelligence officers are usually quite generous, even by our standards, you see?”

Kang Jin-Ho slowly shook his head.

“The one claiming the ownerless wealth first is the winner, my lord. Besides...” Wiggins smirked while rubbing his beard. “We can treat this as a part of the reward the government has promised us. It’s technically correct, since we’re stepping in to deal with their situation, isn’t it? Indeed, it’s only logical we demand for these kinds of things and get them, no questions asked.”

Questions should definitely be asked about that way of calculating things. However, judging from how Lee Hyeon-Su and Wiggins glanced at each other and nodded away, it seemed they were in total agreement over this matter.

Kang Jin-Ho thought, Yup, I must not get influenced by them.

He realized there was a need to keep a certain distance away from these two. Although Kang Jin-Ho respected both men a great deal, he still didn’t want his mindset to get infected by their way of thinking!

After briefly shaking his head, Kang Jin-Ho glanced at Lee Hyeon-Su again. “Okay. And where’s Mister Yi?”

“He returned to NIS. With drooping shoulders and all,” said Lee Hyeon-Su.

“He looked pitiful while leaving this office.”

Bang Jin-Hun scoffed before chiming in. “It’s fine, sir. That bastard deserved it. A punk like that, who rocks up here with his head held high and wants to show us who’s in charge from the get-go? He’ll only wake up after we crack his kneecaps and let him enjoy the taste of dirt for a while.”

Bang Jin-Hun grunted, his expression conveying his dislike of Yi Jong-Wuk.

Wiggins tilted his head. “You’re surprisingly uptight about this, aren’t you?”

Bang Jin-Hun’s cheeks twitched. “I’m not being uptight, you know? I mean, that nobody was looking down on our Assembly Master, wasn’t he?!”

“Hoh-oh?” Wiggins smirked in amusement. “It seems I need to reevaluate your loyalty toward my lord, Mister Bang. Elder Chang might consider you as his rival now.”

Bang Jin-Hun dismissively waved his hand. “Eii, it’s not like that. But disrespecting our Assembly Master is the same thing as disrespecting our entire Martial Assembly, you know? Also, that punk was too full of himself. Who the hell did he think he was, talking like equals to our Assembly Master? I should’ve cracked his skull right there.”

Wiggins grinned deeply. Well, Mister Bang isn’t wrong.

Even the Prime Minister walked on eggshells around Kang Jin-Ho. And the latter only allowed this relationship to continue because he respected the office of this country’s Prime Minister.

Knights of the Round Table had no superiors other than the leaders of their respective nations. For instance, when Wiggins was still the Knight of Britain, no one could issue orders to him other than the Queen and the Prime Minister. That was what it meant to represent Britain’s martial society.

But Kang Jin-Ho was the Martial Assembly’s Master, which easily surpassed the authority and class of the Knights of various European nations.

Even the Director of NIS would have to bow his head and mind his tone around Kang Jin-Ho, so for a mere manager of an NIS department to try his luck at putting the Assembly Master in his place!

If something similar happened in Europe, that manager would’ve lost his job on the spot, and still wouldn’t have anything to complain about.

Wiggins chuckled again. “It’s all because the hierarchical structure in Korea has not been established properly, Mister Lee.”

In Europe, the ruling class and the martial world had been co-existing since well before the eras of democratic governments. In other words, from the days of ancient kingdoms and empires. But in South Korea, such a structure had only taken the proverbial baby steps recently. It was still nothing more than some foundation being laid out.

The other side—the government people—didn’t have any examples to follow on how to deal with the martial world. As such, issues like the one with Yi Jong-Wuk would inevitably occur.

Bang Jin-Hun grunted. “And that’s why we gotta discipline the punks when we get the chance! Only then will these government bastards behave themselves properly!”

“Hmm... Yes, you have a point there, Mister Bang. Perhaps we’re being too gracious about this.”

When Wiggins thought a bit more about it, Bang Jin-Hun was right. Human relationships depended on how people responded to different situations.

If insults and discourtesy were accepted with a smile, the other side would inevitably view you not as a gracious person, but as a pushover. Or a moron.

“Hmm. It might not be a bad idea to fix their poor behaviors sooner rather than later,” said Wiggins.

Lee Hyeon-Su proudly announced, “Don’t worry about that, sirs. I’ve already poured my entire being into this matter.”

“...”

“...”

As everyone stared at him suspiciously, Lee Hyeon-Su relaxedly reclined in his seat, a content smirk etched across his face and his fingers interlocked.

“Us tormenting that man is, in reality, pointless. The real torment can only come from his superiors, sirs. And when it’s the direct superior? The torment will amplify to the extremes. I’m sure he’ll have to experience Hell on Earth trying to get what I asked for approved by his higher-ups. By the time he’s gone through four rungs in the hierarchy, I’m guessing he’ll be this close to jumping out of the nearest window. It’d be nice if the one giving the final approval was the Prime Minister himself.”

Everyone began thinking roughly the same thing just then.

What a venomous, scary bastard!

This bastard probably doesn’t bleed like a human being when pricked with a needle!

The executives had a fresh reminder of what kind of person Lee Hyeon-Su was.

“In any case. Lee Hyeon-Su and I are going to China, so take care of the Assembly in our absence,” said Kang Jin-Ho while scanning everyone in the office.

“Do not worry about anything, master!” Vator replied as he snorted like a bull. “Everything here is settled nicely, so nothing too bad will happen. On the other hand, contact us promptly if something happens on your side. I don’t want to imagine you facing a crisis on a land so far away from here.”

“Sure. I give you my word,” said Kang Jin-Ho, then turned his head slightly to glance at Lee Hyeon-Su. “Besides, aren’t I taking an alarm system with me, too?”

“I’ll contact you within a second if something happens,” said Lee Hyeon-Su, his expression confident. “I definitely don’t want to die, so if I think something is a bit dangerous, Imma call you right away and ask for backup. Even if the event balloons in scale, and we must fight an all-out war, please don’t blame me for it.” 𝘧𝓇ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝘣𝓃ℴ𝓋𝑒𝑙.𝑐𝘰𝑚

“...”

The executives were worried about something else entirely now!

Wiggins casually shrugged. “As long as you return to us safe and sound, my lord.”

“That I will. In the meantime, look after this place. By the way, you don’t need me here until my departure date, right?”

Kang Jin-Ho got up to leave.

“Then, fortunes be with you, my lord.”

Bang Jin-Hun energetically asked, “Do you want escorts to the airport, sir?”

Kang Jin-Ho frowned slightly. “No, don’t do that...”

“Why not, sir? We’ll bring banners and everything, you know?”

Kang Jin-Ho helplessly shook his head at Bang Jin-Hun’s sense of humor, then strode toward the exit.

“We’ll contact you later, sir.”

“Mm.”

While receiving everyone’s farewells, Kang Jin-Ho exited the office.

The executives remained in their seats for a long, long time. And only after the distant rumble of an exotic supercar’s engine grew fainter in their hearing did their complexions change.

Wiggins stared at the biggest person in the room. “Sir Vator?”

“Yeah?”

“Can we set up an escape route through Mongolia in case of an emergency?”

“Yes, we can. I’ve already stationed several trustworthy people near the borders to China. But I’m not happy about my master crossing the Dark King’s territory.”

“I see. Since we can’t be sure of whether the Dark King’s faction views us as enemies or not, we should be careful about that side as well. What about you, Director Bang?”

“Don’t worry,” Bang Jin-Hun coolly shrugged. “I’ve already sourced the ship that will be on standby in international waters. One word from us, and our best-trained folks will enter China right away.”

“Very good,” Wiggins slowly scratched his chin. “As for me, I’ve requested the Round Table for mages specializing in long-distance teleportation. It might be difficult for me to cover that distance alone, but with the assistance of others, entering China will surely become so much easier. And...”

Wiggins’ expression grew withdrawn as he gazed coldly at Lee Hyeon-Su. “In case what we’re worried about does come true... You will not be our priority. You know this, don’t you?”

“Of course,” Lee Hyeon-Su replied, his eyes remaining resolute. “Our priority is rescuing the Assembly Master no matter what. I’m more worried about you hesitating, master. Remember that one second of hesitation can change everything.”

“That won’t happen.”

“Glad to hear that, then.”

The executives stared at each other in silence for a while.

They all agreed that Kang Jin-Ho stepping up this time made sense, since none of them was suitable. However, that didn’t mean they could kick back and relax.

Losing Kang Jin-Ho meant everything they had done would go down the toilet. They would lose their meaning. Knowing this, they couldn’t help but feel that several escape routes they had already procured were still hopelessly inadequate.

...And they also knew that saying all these things in front of Kang Jin-Ho would only get them a light rebuke from him, as he’d most likely say all these preparations were pointless.

“Chief Lee,” Wiggins suddenly called out.

“Yes, master?”

“Can we flip the script and monitor the NIS?”

Lee Hyeon-Su furrowed his brow. “It won’t be easy, but...”

“Find a way. The NIS people know too much about us. If we were talking about a handful of operatives, then fine, it’s not a big deal. But it’s an entire branch of the government. And governments tend to exploit the information they have to extract as much benefits for themselves. Not figuring out NIS’s movements can come back to bite us terribly in the future.”

“Understood. I’ll find a way.”

“Good.”

Wiggins nodded in satisfaction.

Lee Hyeon-Su grimaced. “If you can think of a way, master, please tell me right away. Also... I’m thinking of deploying more people than initially planned, everyone. Since the information was leaked to the Chinese government, the odds of the Crimson King’s faction getting wind of it are also uncomfortably high, you see?”

The Crimson King’s faction! The atmosphere in the room grew icy in an instant when that name was brought up.

Some recalled the Crimson King’s face, while someone recalled Cai Kechang. It didn’t matter which one they remembered, though, as mere memories were enough to make them hold their breath for a second.

“Our influence in the administration will become unshakable if we get this done properly,” said Lee Hyeon-Su. “The Assembly Master probably thinks this is not a big deal, but the situation is far more complicated than it looks on the surface. I’m sure you all are aware of this, too.”

“Of course.”

Vator and Bang Jin-Hun animatedly nodded. They knew East Asia’s sensitive state of affairs better than Wiggins.

Wiggins glanced at everyone. “We don’t know where variables will pop up. Unfortunately, we don’t have enough wherewithal to prepare for them all. So, we’ll simply do what we can by focusing the Assembly’s efforts on securing our Assembly Master’s safety the moment he leaves the country. As such, please do your absolute best.”

“Mm...!”

“Got it, Mister Wiggins.”

“Don’t worry about that, master.”

Wiggins nodded, then reclined in his seat. North Korea and China, was it...?

If he was being honest, something about this situation bugged him a lot.

Two names that roused the most uncomfortable reactions from the Assembly were involved in this matter. Even Wiggins didn’t think he’d be dealing with North Korea like this.

Maybe... Things might escalate beyond what we’d like to see.

The powder keg called East Asia was primed and ready to explode at any given moment. The Korean martial artists taking over Japan’s martial society had pushed the state of affairs past a point of no return.

China would surely stop viewing South Korea as a potential enemy, but one that was already right by their doorstep. Meanwhile, the glares of other nations must already be trained on South Korea by now.

However, dangerous situations also present great opportunities.

This trip to China had the potential to decide.

To decide who could be an ally... and who was the enemy!