Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1336. Executing (1)

Vroooom...

A high-end vehicle with the Crimson King in it sped down the road.

Cai Kechang sneakily turned his head to see what the Crimson King’s expression was like. Of course, avoiding his liege’s ultra-sharp perception was impossible, no matter how subtle his movement was. But being cautious like this should be seen as more courteous than brazenly turning his head.

The Crimson King’s expression was not easy to define. Although he outwardly seemed expressionless, Cai Kechang still spotted a hint of unhappiness wrapped up in great satisfaction.

Cai Kechang grew curious. What was on the Crimson King’s mind right now? What was the emotion filling up the Crimson King’s heart after he successfully shared liquor with the Demon King in a meeting he had been looking forward to for so long?

“Are you curious, Cai Kechang?”

The Crimson King suddenly broke his silence, and Cai Kechang flinched slightly.

The Crimson King grinned. “Don’t fret, for I haven’t mastered something like a mind reading technique. However, making a face of a man dying of curiosity and still expecting others not to notice you is being too unreasonable, wouldn’t you agree?”

“My sincerest apologies, my liege.”

“No need to apologize. Being curious is not a crime, after all. Now ask. I shall answer.”

Cai Kechang nervously swallowed his saliva. Of course he knew that interrogating his liege was extremely rude and unbecoming of a loyal servant, but he just couldn’t win against his curiosity.

“How was it, my liege?”

“I’m guessing that you meant my meeting with the Demon King.”

“Yes, sir.”

An unreadable smirk floated up on the Crimson King’s face just then.

“He has become inconceivably stronger.”

“...”

“I have overcome a wall. As such, I was confident of the Demon King no longer posing any challenge to my strength. However, he proved me wrong today. While I was gaining strength, he too, had been working hard to improve himself. And his improvements... sent shivers down my spine!”

Cai Kechang furrowed his brow. For a moment there, he couldn’t understand what the Crimson King meant. But that was because he was there, too. Seeing Kang Jin-Ho with his own two eyes confirmed that the Demon King hadn’t changed at all compared to the past.

No, that wasn’t quite correct. It was more like...

“I would never dare compare my discernment to that of yours, my liege, but... In my humble opinion, I thought the Demon King’s viciousness, his darkness, has become diluted instead.”

The “Kang Jin-Ho” Cai Kechang witnessed the last time could be described as the devil descending to the mortal realm.

Until that moment in time, Cai Kechang didn’t know such a person could even exist. Even the Dark King, reputedly a monster who ruled over all evil spirits on Earth, failed to instill such visceral terror in Cai Kechang’s heart like Kang Jin-Ho had.

But the “Kang Jin-Ho” appearing today was much closer to that of an ordinary young man, not some bloodthirsty demon. Even if a man could behave differently during battles and in daily activities, the vibe Kang Jin-Ho gave off today was still far too different from back then.

The Crimson King chuckled. “Yes, I’m sure it looked that way to you.”

“...?”

“Don’t misunderstand me as I wasn’t trying to disparage your capabilities, Cai Kechang. I assure you, no more than five people in this world can perceive the Demon King’s true nature.”

Cai Kechang’s frown deepened. “Does that mean he’s gotten closer to the completion of his martial arts?”

“Not necessarily,” the Crimson King lightly shook his head. “The closer you reach the top, the mellower you will become... Well, is this what you were trying to say?”

“That’s what I heard, my liege.”

“I see. Then? What about me?”

Cai Kechang had no issue with understanding what the Crimson King was asking him here.

The Crimson King was the figurative embodiment of the martial spirit, a physical powerhouse who had achieved the absolute pinnacle of supremacy.

However, even as his martial realm rose higher and higher, his overwhelming aura of the king had not mellowed or became withdrawn. On the contrary.

Since that was the case, the Demon King’s situation should have been the same, so why...?

A subtle grin remained etched on the Crimson King’s face as he observed the confused Cai Kechang.

I’m sure he can’t understand it.

His understanding of the separate concepts of “demonic” and “evil” was not high enough, after all.

Cai Kechang would never be able to understand Kang Jin-Ho because he didn’t know how to differentiate a cultivator mastering demonic cultivation and a person with an evil nature.

There was no denying how intelligent Cai Kechang was. Unfortunately, no one on this planet was capable of perfectly analyzing something they had never experienced before.

His negative perception of demonic cultivation techniques, plus the prejudice built up after running into various demonic cultivators in the past, had blinded Cai Kechang to the point where he couldn’t accurately evaluate Kang Jin-Ho anymore.

It was an amusing situation, wasn’t it? Of course, the Crimson King had to admit that this was a difficult concept to comprehend.

The demonic cultivation was evil. Those who mastered demonic cultivation were called demonic cultivators. But not everyone mastering demonic cultivation was evil by nature. Hopefully, Cai Kechang would get to learn this valuable lesson one day.

“My liege, do you mean to say that the Demon King has gotten so much stronger now?”

“Yes, he has.”

“Strong enough that... Even you have to be wary of? Even though you have overcome the wall?” Cai Kechang asked incredulously.

The Crimson King wordlessly nodded, as if he didn’t have to explain himself.

“But... But...?” Cai Kechang muttered, his brows furrowing.

As a cultivator who had reached a high-enough martial realm, Cai Kechang knew the truth. He knew that the act of mastering martial arts and acquiring strength was very, very unfair.

Why was it unfair, though?

That was because relentless hard work and heavy investments didn’t always result in improvements of one’s strength. Acquiring greater strength was different from, say, climbing a mountain.

Of course, climbing a steep mountain would be an arduous task. Climbers must put their bodies through relentless torture, and failing to gauge their physical limits would prove to be fatal in many cases, too.

However, a mountain could be overcome eventually if the climber tried hard enough. They could get closer to the summit by one foot even as they died. But not martial arts.

The act of mastering martial arts boiled down to the concept of overcoming one’s wall. Once overcome, the cultivator would face an even taller, more imposing wall blocking their path.

No matter how much one struggled and desperately tried, one would still fall back to their starting point if they couldn’t find a stable footing on this wall. In short... Unless one found a way to overcome the wall, they would never take another step forward in their martial path.

A wall blocking the path of someone like the Crimson King was so tall that Cai Kechang couldn’t even imagine it. He was certain that the massiveness of this wall was impossible for human standards to define.

But the Crimson King had finally overcome such a wall. With that, his strength should have improved by leaps and bounds compared to his past self.

However, Kang Jin-Ho had also overcome a wall facing him to stand in the same realm as the Crimson King? How was that even possible?

“My liege, I...”

“No need to fret,” the Crimson King replied with a simple head shake. “I’ve already stated my reason for delaying our battle. I merely wish to avoid reenacting the scene from a snipe and a clam, not because I dread the prospect of fighting the Demon King.”[1]

The Crimson King’s eyes grew withdrawn, distant.

“The Demon King and I will have our fated battle one day. And that will be the day I complete my martial arts.”

His voice carried conviction and much power.

Cai Kechang silently studied the Crimson King’s face. His liege said Kang Jin-Ho was his nemesis, didn’t he?

What a bizarre development this was.

Anyone with even passing knowledge of the Three Kings would say, ten times out of ten... no, a hundred times out of a hundred, that the Crimson King’s true nemesis was one of the other two Kings. Or maybe both.

No, wait. I’m sure my liege thought that way as well less than one year ago.

But now, the Crimson King said his nemesis was none other than the Demon King. Not because he didn’t win their first battle, however. And no, it definitely was not because he failed to kill his opponent despite giving his all.

Whether it was Kang Jin-Ho or the Crimson King... They must be sensing something different, something other people couldn’t sense, from each other. That vague explanation was the only way to make sense of so many incomprehensible things.

“My liege, may I be so bold and ask you about something?”

“You may,” the Crimson King coolly nodded.

Cai Kechang nervously swallowed his saliva again. “Sir. We have an alliance pact with the Korean Martial Assembly. There is no denying that. And we have revealed our intention not to be hostile toward them while they stay in our country.”

“Indeed. What of it?”

“However, none of that means we’ll allow them to do what they came here for, sir. Or have I misread your intentions?”

The Crimson King subtly cocked an eyebrow while glancing at Cai Kechang. The latter was implying that he’d uncover the true purpose of Kang Jin-Ho’s visit to China and interfere without being openly hostile.

“Cai Kechang, do you know why the Demon King is in China?”

“My guess is for assassination, my liege.”

The Crimson King furrowed his brow. “Assassination?”

“Yes, my liege. A high-ranking official from North Korea entered China not too long after Kang Jin-Ho’s arrival. Considering that both of them are staying in Beijing...”

“Leave him be.”

“...”

The Crimson King sank deeper into the cushions. “In fact, assist him if it’s within reason.”

“But, my liege...?”

“Cai Kechang.”

“Yes!” Cai Kechang sat up straight. He could sense hints of criticism in the Crimson King’s tone.

“I’m well aware of how hard you’ve been working for our sake. And I understand full well that we came this far all thanks to your sacrifices. I am grateful for that.”

Cai Kechang hurriedly lowered his head. “...! M-my liege! Please, I don’t deserve such praise. A lowly servant like me wouldn’t have been much of a help to you. Everything our faction has achieved is all thanks to your excellence and strength!”

“Being too humble can be seen as arrogance, Cai Kechang. Raise your head.”

“Y-yes, my liege!”

Cai Kechang sat up straight again.

“First of all...” The Crimson King smirked deeply. “If the Demon King wants to assassinate someone, then it’s over for the target. Unless someone possessing my level of strength is guarding the target, the outcome will be inevitable. Even an army won’t be able to stop him.”

“Mm...!”

Cai Kechang gasped softly. Although he was a little confused by this assertion, the Crimson King sounded confident. In that case, his prediction must be right.

“Secondly...” The Crimson King glanced at Cai Kechang. “Why is the Demon King trying to kill this high-ranking North Korean?”

“There is a rumbling of a looming coup d’état, my liege. If left alone, something major will happen in North Korea soon. This high-ranking individual is known to be a hard-liner, so him seizing power might pose a significant threat to South Korea.”

“No, not only to South Korea,” said the Crimson King while smirking again.

“But, my liege. The worsening situation in South Korea isn't necessarily a bad thing for us.”

“I know that. And that’s what I’ve been trying to say, Cai Kechang.”

“I... don’t follow, sir.”

“We constantly walk on the edge of a precipice, Cai Kechang,” said the Crimson King, his voice much graver than usual. “One misstep, and we’ll fall into the endless abyss below. However, what concerns me more is... Our defeat could mean the future of China and its people would fall into darkness.”

“Yes, that is so, my liege.”

The prospect of either the Azure King or the Dark King ruling over China terrified Cai Kechang. While the Dark King acted like the embodiment of malice and all things evil, it was impossible to guess what the Azure King would do.

“As such, we stopped at nothing to reach our goal. Because we believed our success will lead to peace on this land. However, have you not noticed that our determination has begun affecting our beliefs and principles lately?”

Cai Kechang subtly chewed on his lip. What an accurate and... objective criticism that was.

“Yes, his method is befitting that of the Demon King moniker. However, his goal is ultimately for peace, is it not? All for the sake of protecting the region’s peace, the Demon King has risked his life by coming to China, yet the people ostensibly upholding the righteous path are trying to hinder him? Don’t you think that’s ironic?”

Cai Kechang bowed his head again.

It wasn’t as if he conceded he was wrong on this one. Doggedly sticking to one’s principles would make it difficult to achieve one’s ultimate goal, after all. Despite thinking that way, however...

My liege is correct.

A leader must become a dreamer for his people. Only those willingly risking their lives for things, like righteousness and noble causes that average people might think of as insignificant, could move the public’s heart and bring them to their side, after all.

“I shall do as you say, my liege.”

“Besides...”

“Yes, sir?”

The Crimson King smirked meaningfully. “Even if we don’t interfere, plenty of others will do that, anyway.”

“...!”

The Crimson King glanced outside the window, his smirk deepening.

They were living in the era of chaos. The Crimson King could feel it.

He could feel in his soul that the entire Asian continent was boiling under the surface. Seemingly all the malice in the world was focusing on China. And soon, the chaos of unprecedented scale would impact this land without mercy.

However, the Crimson King was looking forward to that day.

Chaos was merely a step leading toward purification and stabilization. By the time chaos settles down, the continent should have regained its peace. And the Crimson King and his faction would get to enjoy eternal glory at the end of it all.

He swore to make this dream a reality.

1. “A snipe/crane and a clam” is a well-known Chinese parable. It’s about a stubborn snipe and an unyielding clam it wants to eat. Neither yields until a fisherman comes by and snatches them both. ☜