Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1332. Drinking Together, Face to Face (2)

Lee Hyeon-Su narrowed his eyes while walking up the stairs. Wasn’t this like they got caught right in the middle of the enemy territory?

In the middle of this vast city called Beijing, how did they run into the one and only Crimson King? But it happened, and there wasn’t much Lee Hyeon-Su could do about it now.

Other people looking at this situation might think voluntarily waltzing into this building, seemingly without a plan, was a suicide. But they were wrong. Once the Crimson King had detected their presence, space and distance had become meaningless. Fleeing was no longer an option in this situation.

Even then, Lee Hyeon-Su still instinctively calculated an escape route. If the worst possibility came true, he must allow Kang Jin-Ho to escape, at the very least...!

Cai Kechang subtly turned his head to stare at Lee Hyeon-Su. An openly mocking smirk was etched on his face.

“You should waste your calories on something more productive, Lee Hyeon-Su. You’re about to eat expensive food, so it won’t do for you to waste it all on useless daydreaming.”

“Don’t you worry, Cai Kechang. Your money will go a long way in replenishing my energy, anyway.”

“Hah. Hahaha.”

Cai Kechang chuckled loudly.

“Good, good! Yes, we’ll definitely take care of that. You’ve picked an excellent restaurant, however. My liege, the Crimson King, also enjoys dining in this place. They make great food.”

Lee Hyeon-Su sighed under his breath.

If he had to pick that one person he didn’t want to talk to, let alone be in the presence of, Lee Hyeon-Su would unhesitantly choose Cai Kechang. That was how bad his opinion of that man was.

Even if Lee Hyeon-Su didn’t have bad blood with Cai Kechang, and they had met under a more favorable circumstance, he just knew he’d not enjoy his Chinese counterpart’s company. The two men were far too incompatible.

Hang on. Is this the case of hating someone just like me?

Although he didn’t want to admit it, Lee Hyeon-Su would’ve behaved the same as Cai Kechang had he been in the same position. Knowing that only irritated him even more, though!

Cai Kechang glanced at Kang Jin-Ho next. “Sir, having such an incompetent servant must’ve been hard on you.”

“Incompetent?” Kang Jin-Ho smirked. “I never thought of him that way. No, you could say he always excels in everything he does.”

“...I see. You mean that.”

Cai Kechang wanted to mock Lee Hyeon-Su, but smiled affably instead after realizing Kang Jin-Ho meant what he said.

“He’s a lucky man, isn’t he? To think he can serve the Demon King when he’s still so lacking.”

Kang Jin-Ho cocked his head a little. “It’s all thanks to his competence.”

“Indeed, sir. Although I’m unwilling to admit it.”

Cai Kechang and Kang Jin-Ho chatted away as if they had known each other for a long time. And Lee Hyeon-Su found this... spectacle just so mystifying to behold. Considering their relationship, they should be exchanging barbed insults while sharpening their blades, but no!

However, someone else in this group was even more mystified by this situation than Lee Hyeon-Su.

Choi Yeon-Ha dazedly muttered, “Just what is going on here?”

Lee Hyeon-Su glanced at her, his expression cramped in awkwardness.

He understood where her confusion and panic came from. She didn’t know about the backstory leading up to this situation, after all.

“Uh... Mm, I can tell you that someone very, very high up the Chinese society has invited us,” said Lee Hyeon-Su.

“Eh? By renting out the whole restaurant? No, the whole building?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Then, how high are we talking about? Is this person an executive in the CCP?”

“Uh, well... That’s...”

How should Lee Hyeon-Su explain the Crimson King?

The CCP playing a significant role in Chinese society was already a well-known fact at this point. Even so, could a mere “executive” of the Party be compared to the Crimson King?

That man controlled one-third of this vast country, which translated to fame and influence extending to all corners of the planet. Besides, his power wasn’t limited to physical strength, either.

The Korean Martial Assembly respected the Korean government but acted independently of it. Meanwhile, the Crimson King’s faction practically had control over half of the CCP. Rather than the Party working closely with the martial society, the martial artists were controlling the Party as they saw fit.

Even if the Crimson King’s status didn’t match, say, the Premier or the President, it had to be just below those two sky-high positions.

“I guess he’s on the same level as the members of the Politburo Standing Committee.”

“Ehhh? A member of the Politburo Standing Committee?!” Choi Yeon-Ha gasped loudly, her eyes widening in shock.

Choi Yeon-Ha’s knowledge of Chinese politics was nearly zero, yet even she still knew about how lofty the position of the member of the Politburo Standing Committee was. The Communist Party ruled over the countless Chinese people, and the members of the Politburo Standing Committee ruled over the Party. Out of over one-point-something billion Chinese, only seven could call themselves the members of this ultra elite group. In short, this was the ultimate apex of power in this country.

Lee Hyeon-Su hurriedly tried to correct Choi Yeon-Ha. “Not an actual member, but someone on the level of a member, ma’am.”

“...But that’s basically the same, no?”

Choi Yeon-Ha’s eyes subtly quaked. Even she understood that Korea’s high-ranking political offices paled in comparison to equivalent positions in China’s government. While Korea’s high-ranking politicians were either appointed or elected into their office, the Chinese high-ranking politicians were basically the living embodiment of power.

Choi Yeon-Ha cautiously asked, “Why... Why would someone like that want to speak to us?”

“Corrections. It’s not us, ma’am, but him,” said Lee Hyeon-Su while gazing at the back of Kang Jin-Ho’s head.

“He... Just what kind of things is he involved in, exactly?”

Why are you asking me that, ma’am? You’re his girlfriend, so you should know better than me, right?

Lee Hyeon-Su sighed under his breath again, before glancing at Choi Yeon-Ha.

Today could very well be his last day on Earth. In case of an emergency, he must ensure Kang Jin-Ho’s escape. That meant he must forget about the safety of a potential burden like him. And, depending on the situation...

Choi Yeon-Ha cocked an eyebrow and stared back at Lee Hyeon-Su. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“I’m sorry?”

“Something about the way you looked at me felt wrong?”

“...Maybe you just don’t like me, and that’s why you felt that?”

“Mm? That could be the answer, too.”

“...”

Why was she so honest? Excessively honest, no less!

Walking up the stairs from the empty first floor led them to a massive second floor. In the middle of this massive hall was a large round table, and one man sat behind it, obviously waiting for the arrival of his guests.

The man saw Kang Jin-Ho’s group walking up the stairs and leisurely got up, then spread his arms open.

Lee Hyeon-Su instantly felt his breathing clog up. Inconceivable pressure from the man’s presence crushed down on him mercilessly. Even though that man didn’t make any threatening gestures or raise his aura!

He was an existence that trampled on all things under the heaven with his mere presence alone!

The... Crimson King!

A gasp of shock leaked out of Lee Hyeon-Su’s mouth. He wanted to praise himself for not kneeling down immediately.

That man’s presence alone declared to the world merely by existing. It declared that this was the true king’s presence!

And the Assembly Master fought against such a man...?!

Lee Hyeon-Su knew Kang Jin-Ho well. He believed no one could be stronger than the Assembly Master. His belief was based not only on knowledge, but on faith, too. However, now that he had witnessed the Crimson King with his own eyes...

He couldn’t help but think that his Assembly Master deserved a praise for fighting against such a king and walking away as equals.

The Crimson King was physically smaller than Vator. Of course, one could never say he was a tiny man, but still, he didn’t breach the realm of Titans like Vator had. Even then, for some reason...

Lee Hyeon-Su kept thinking that the Crimson King was so much larger and physically more impressive than Vator.

It had to be the Crimson King’s kingly aura and presence warping Lee Hyeon-Su’s perception of reality.

“What’s the matter?” Choi Yeon-Ha curiously asked.

“...! Ah.”

Lee Hyeon-Su sobered up instantly and glanced at Choi Yeon-Ha. It seemed she was not under the intense pressure as he was.

Did that mean non-cultivators, as in ordinary people, couldn’t sense the Crimson King’s aura?

One could only discern as much as they knew. Since that was the case, what could Kang Jin-Ho see now?

Lee Hyeon-Su shifted his gaze toward the back of Kang Jin-Ho. He was genuinely curious about the face the Assembly Master must be making right now.

His gaze shifted away from Kang Jin-Ho’s back and landed on the Crimson King again. The latter was dressed differently from the last time.

During his intense battle against Kang Jin-Ho, the Crimson King was kitted out in a golden dragon robe fit for a king. But now? He was dressed like a common man, with a pure-white top and a pair of black pants.

Other than the top being a modernized version of the changshan, there was nothing special about the way the Crimson King was dressed.[1]

But there was something special about his appearance, and that was...!

I thought the Crimson King’s age was close to one hundred years old, so how...?

Lee Hyeon-Su furrowed his brow slightly after realizing that the face of the Crimson King belonged to that of a middle-aged man still filled with vitality. His hair was thick and dark, while the neatly groomed beard adorned his face. 𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Just how lofty did one’s martial realm have to be to bend the passage of time like that?

While Lee Hyeon-Su was thinking about that, Cai Kechang politely walked up to the Crimson King and bowed deeply.

“I brought them, my liege.”

“Mm...!” The Crimson King locked his gaze on Kang Jin-Ho before grinning brightly. “It has been truly a long time, oh Demon King. I’m greatly pleased that we can finally speak again face to face. And the sight of your ruddy health relieves me to no end.”

Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes ever so slightly. “You’re unexpectedly welcoming.”

“Aren’t you glad to see me?”

“Of course, I...” Kang Jin-Ho deliberately dragged his words out. “...am glad to see you.”

The corners of Kang Jin-Ho’s lips curled up on their own. He was so glad that he could barely contain himself. He was this close to charging straight at the Crimson King right now. However, he suppressed the intense desire to fight and triumph boiling deep within his heart.

He stared at the Crimson King intently before breaking his silence with a withdrawn voice. “You... have overcome the wall.”

“Indeed, all thanks to you. Yes, I should thank you for the enlightenment.”

“Thanks to me, you say...?”

“Let us have a seat first.”

Kang Jin-Ho nodded briefly, then settled down on an empty chair. Lee Hyeon-Su and Choi Yeon-Ha fidgeted nervously for a bit before taking up the empty seats left and right of Kang Jin-Ho.

The Crimson King glanced at Cai Kechang. “You sit, too.”

“I’m honored by your generosity, but... My liege, I would never dare sit on the same table as you,” said Cai Kechang, then his icy glare stabbed into Lee Hyeon-Su across the table. “Unlike a dog who dares to sit together with his master and eat the same food. You are not trained well, it seems.”

Lee Hyeon-Su felt his anger bubble up and shot a sharp glare back at Cai Kechang. However, the Crimson King’s presence stopped him from retorting to that provocation.

“Fufufu, a dog, you say...?” The Crimson King subtly chuckled, then glanced at Kang Jin-Ho next. “What say you, oh the Demon King?”

Kang Jin-Ho casually replied, “Well, a dog sitting with his owner could be seen as naughty and badly trained. Sure. However, calling one’s guest a dog out of the blue is also against manners, isn’t it?”

“You heard him, Cai Kechang.”

When the Crimson King said that, Cai Kechang’s face reddened instantly.

“Now, apologize.”

“Please forgive me, sir. I was being thoughtless,” said Cai Kechang, his head bowed. However, he was clearly bowing toward Kang Jin-Ho.

After realizing that the target of the apology wasn’t him, Lee Hyeon-Su’s anger bubbled once more, but he did his absolute best to suppress it.

I want to rip that bastard apart!

Was there anyone else in this world capable of angering Lee Hyeon-Su to this degree?

Whether it was the way he spoke or acted, Cai Kechang had this power to piss Lee Hyeon-Su off.

“Besides...” Kang Jin-Ho casually muttered, “The current era no longer cares about whether a dog dines with his master or not.”

The Crimson King guffawed. “Hahahaha! You’re indeed correct. You heard him, Cai Kechang. Now, take a seat.”

“But...”

The Crimson King smirked and dismissively waved his hand. “A man from the ancient past has criticized excessive etiquette-seeking. And it’s quite unsightly for the people of the present to obsess over one’s manners. Tell me, Cai Kechang. Who among us do you think cares about manners and such?”

Cai Kechang quietly nodded. For sure, Kang Jin-Ho was a man from the ancient past. He was a returner, after all.

A man like that didn’t care about manners, so pointing out their lack of etiquette would only paint Cai Kechang as an outdated fool. A boomer, in other words.

Without saying anything else, Cai Kechang cautiously pulled out an empty chair next to the Crimson King and sat on it.

Clap!

The Crimson King lightly clapped. Several servers appeared on the stairs and politely bowed.

He glanced at them. “Bring us our food.”

“Yes, sir!”

The servers all disappeared from sight, and Lee Hyeon-Su sighed under his breath again. He just couldn’t calm down at all.

The more he thought about it, the more absurd this situation seemed. To think he’d be dining with the one and only Crimson King in the middle of Beijing!

Should he call this their last supper or something?

Gee whiz, it feels like we’re pigs, and they are feeding us water before butchering us.

Lee Hyeon-Su sneakily shifted his gaze to Kang Jin-Ho. Even though his heart was pounding away in anxiety, his boss looked so unperturbed. And no, that wasn’t just a facade, either—Kang Jin-Ho was genuinely relaxed.

Lee Hyeon-Su was tempted to dissect Kang Jin-Ho’s heart and guts to figure out just what they were made of!

Unable to endure the silence that had descended into this space, Lee Hyeon-Su decided he must do something to change the atmosphere.

“First of all, I’d like to express my gratitude for inviting us to...”

The Crimson King suddenly raised his hand and cut Lee Hyeon-Su off. The latter immediately clamped his mouth shut.

The Crimson King grinned nonchalantly. “My apologies, but there is something I’d like to clarify first before we get to the business at hand.”

“A-ah, yes, of course!”

The Crimson King spoke in a considerably gentle tone, yet the power contained within was still undeniable.

His gaze shifted to the person next to Kang Jin-Ho. “You are Miss Choi Yeon-Ha, yes?”

“M-me?”

Choi Yeon-Ha gasped in surprise, her eyes widening, when her name was suddenly brought up.

1. Changshan, AKA changpao or dagua, is a form of paofu—Chinese robe—derived from the Qing dynasty qizhuang, the traditional dress of the Manchu people. ☜