Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1356. Enraged (1)

The road to an airport, any airport, was bound to be chaotic.

Over a hundred million people went through Beijing’s busiest international airport during its busiest year. That was at least double that of the Incheon International Airport in South Korea, which was reputedly one of the busiest airports in the world.

As a traveler who had used this airport’s facilities several times before, Choi Yeon-Ha knew how congested the road from Beijing to the airport was.

But her situation this time was somewhat different from her previous travels.

Whoooosh!

The black sedan she rode in was being escorted by police vehicles from the front. Other road users immediately parted left and right to move out of the way after noticing the sirens-blaring cop cars in their mirrors.

Thanks to this development, Choi Yeon-Ha’s vehicle was traveling quite smoothly on this supposedly congested stretch of China’s road network.

Just who... really are these people?

Choi Yeon-Ha furrowed her brow.

Even she could tell that Cai Kechang was not a public official, so how could he order China’s Ministry of Public Security around as if it answered to him?

Besides, those people in the hotel were definitely soldiers, weren’t they?

After experiencing so many things in a brief window of time, Choi Yeon-Ha found herself unable to process what was happening to her.

“Excuse me?”

When Choi Yeon-Ha broke her silence, Cai Kechang riding shotgun slightly turned his head to stare at her through the rearview mirror.

“Yes? Is there something bothering you?”

“Do you mind if I ask you a question?”

“No, please go ahead.”

“Just who are you people, exactly?”

Cai Kechang couldn’t help but let out a wry chuckle just then. “Now this is unexpected.”

Choi Yeon-Ha tilted her head. “What do you mean?”

“People asked me that many times throughout my life, you see? But I never expected that question to come from you, too. Aren’t you Kang Jin-Ho’s partner?”

“Say his girlfriend, please. Or I’m gonna start feeling old.”

“...Of course.”

Choi Yeon-Ha sighed deeply. “You speak as if you know Mister Jin-Ho pretty well, so don’t you also know that he is not a talkative person? I genuinely don’t have a clue as to what’s going on here.”

Cai Kechang briefly nodded. He wasn’t all that surprised to hear this. To him, this was not the issue of Kang Jin-Ho being talkative or not.

From everything Cai Kechang had learned so far, he estimated Kang Jin-Ho to be a type who strictly separated his personal life from the martial world. Although the boundary separating those two had gotten a little shakier recently, Kang Jin-Ho probably didn’t feel the need to explain the martial world to Choi Yeon-Ha yet.

Kang Jin-Ho couldn’t have predicted they would experience an event like this in China, after all!

“Miss Choi, to clarify... Are you curious about our identities? Or Mister Kang Jin-Ho’s?”

Choi Yeon-Ha narrowed her eyes. “Of course, I’m talking about you people.”

“In that case, I’m not sure what to tell you. For now... Mm, how about chivalrous warriors? Yes, that’s who we are.”

“In other words, a gang of organized criminals? Like the mafia?”

“...But we’re chivalrous warriors?”

“Isn’t that the same thing?”

Cai Kechang briefly pondered this argument seriously. Hmm...? She’s not exactly wrong, is she?

“Very well. Let’s say it’s similar.”

Choi Yeon-Ha groaned deeply while sinking into the car seat.

She already heard about Kang Jin-Ho being the top boss in South Korea’s organized crime. Of course, Kang Jin-Ho and Lee Hyeon-Su both vociferously denied that and said the two concepts were totally different, but to her ears? They were one and the same.

To think she’d become one of those girls who dated a crime boss one day!

When one worked long enough in the entertainment industry, one would inevitably witness a few actresses getting involved with such unsavory characters for one reason or the other.

It felt like Choi Yeon-Ha mocking those actresses for voluntarily ruining their lives happened only yesterday, yet here she was, busy dating the Final Boss representing South Korea’s underworld!

Not only that, but he was a... globetrotting chivalrous warrior, no less.

Choi Yeon-Ha asked again. “You are one of those, right? The Triads? Or the Dark Society or whatever it’s called?”

“No, we’re not.”

Choi Yeon-Ha was about to scoff at that reply, but Cai Kechang explained his logic first.

“You could say we are actually worse than them. They get scared by the sight of the Public Security people, after all.”

“...That is a fairly honest voluntary admission, isn’t it?”

Cai Kechang grinned deeply. He genuinely found Choi Yeon-Ha quite entertaining to talk to. Her guts could easily give the Demon King a run for his money, that was for sure!

Whether it was Cai Kechang or the driver currently behind the wheel of this vehicle, all martial artists fundamentally emitted some level of oppressive pressure. So, for Choi Yeon-Ha to remain unfazed despite being subjected to this pressure? It could only mean she was one heck of a gutsy lady.

Choi Yeon-Ha asked another question. “What is your relationship with Mister Jin-Ho?”

“Mm? Why are you curious about that?”

“Well, because it looks so odd to me. You two didn’t seem to get along at all, you know? Yet you gave him gifts and even helped me out, too. I just can’t wrap my head around whatever this relationship is.”

Cai Kechang chuckled affably. “You are quite sharp in your observation, Miss Choi. Unfortunately, even I’m not sure about what to tell you. It’s nearly impossible to explain our relationship with Mister Kang Jin-Ho in a... let’s say satisfyingly succinct manner, you see?”

“How come?”

“All relationships are like that, no? Simple yet complicated,” said Cai Kechang.

Maybe it was possible to define the relationship between Kang Jin-Ho and the Crimson King’s faction in one word. However, one word wouldn’t be quite enough to define the relationship between Kang Jin-Ho and the Crimson King, or the one between Kang Jin-Ho and Cai Kechang.

Choi Yeon-Ha chuckled helplessly. “That sounds like a line from some crime thriller. Do you like movies like that?”

“Unfortunately, I don’t particularly enjoy movies.”

Reality wasn’t as forgiving as fiction, after all.

“Besides,” Cai Kechang continued to explain. “Rather than a crime thriller, this situation is closer to a war epic. Or, if you wish to be more pedantic, perhaps a historical war epic? In crime thrillers, you often see characters give up on practical benefits out of things like emotions. But in reality, the only motivating factors for humans are practical benefits. Isn’t that right?”

“Hnng...?”

“You wanted to know what our relationship with Mister Kang Jin-Ho is, yes? I’m not sure why that’s important. What is important is that assisting him will be beneficial for us right now. Mister Kang Jin-Ho is very clear-cut about grudges and favors, after all.”

Choi Yeon-Ha cocked an eyebrow. “Does that mean I don’t have to be grateful for your help?”

“Of course you don’t have to. We’re merely... responding to Mister Kang Jin-Ho’s capabilities, you see? Think of it as one of the privileges of having an excellent boyfriend.”

“And I should thank my excellent boyfriend for being in danger, too?”

Cai Kechang chuckled slightly. “Well, that’s the price of dating a man like that, yes.”

“Wow, you’re all very cavalier about this whole thing, aren’t you?” Choi Yeon-Ha helplessly chuckled, but that chuckle vanished from her face. “Is Mister Jin-Ho safe?”

“Hmm...” Cai Kechang grunted lowly. “There are no certainties in this world, Miss Choi. However, I don’t foresee him getting injured.”

Cai Kechang sank into his seat while chewing out his words.

“We wouldn’t be doing this if he was someone that easy to kill. Our actions this time are... Let’s say it’s a bribe. Since we’ve gone out of our way to accommodate him to this degree, we’d like him to be more agreeable in the future with us.”

“A bribe, you say?”

“Yes, miss. I’m honestly scared of him, you see?”

Cai Kechang slowly shook his head. He wasn’t joking, either. His expression showed how scared he really was.

Choi Yeon-Ha couldn’t help but get reminded of Cai Kechang being someone not ordinary.

A man who loved to bluff wasn’t scary, but an honest man was. Humans usually tried to hide the fact that they were scared of someone. However, Cai Kechang unhesitantly revealed his weakness to a stranger.

“Still, thank you.”

“You don’t have to thank us, Miss Choi. This is all for...”

“It doesn’t matter what your reasons for saving us are. You helped us, and that’s that. If you hadn’t come, or arrived a minute too late, I might have committed a crime against my pants, you know?” Said Choi Yeon-Ha.

“Oh... It was my pleasure, then.”

Cai Kechang glanced at the rearview mirror again. Choi Yeon-Ha’s expression looked cold, but her personality was probably not as icy as her exterior suggested.

The driver flatly said, “We’ve arrived.”

Their vehicle slid to a gentle stop before the airport entrance.

Cai Kechang turned around in his seat to address the duo in the back. “We’ve already booked the plane tickets. You should find them at the airline counter. Our job will be over once you two return to South Korea safely.”

“Mm... I understand.”

Choi Yeon-Ha glanced outside the car’s windows, a hint of anxiety visible in her expression. After experiencing a situation like that, the idea of stepping into that airport, along with no one else beside Han Eun-Sol, made her very hesitant.

However, that didn’t mean she could ask Cai Kechang to accompany her inside as if she was a kindergartner.

“Okay. Let’s go, Eun-Sol.”

“Yes, noona.”

Han Eun-Sol got out first, then began taking out their luggage from the car’s trunk.

Cai Kechang climbed out of the car and bowed slightly at Choi Yeon-Ha. “Then, we’ll see you again next time.”

After saying his farewell, Cai Kechang slipped back inside the black sedan, and the vehicle drove right away down the road.

“Aigoo...” Choi Yeon-Ha finally let out a lengthy groan. “Eun-Sol?”

“Yes, noona?”

“What the heck is going on here?”

“...”

“Gimme a break.”

Choi Yeon-Ha roughly scratched her head. When she thought about this, none of her adventures involving Kang Jin-Ho ended in what she’d call a pleasant conclusion. Even though all she wanted to do was leave China with pleasant memories, this...

Sure enough, another crisis had fallen on them.

Choi Yeon-Ha groaned again. “Don’t you think our fate has gotten way too crazy lately? Isn’t this enough already?”

Han Eun-Sol gasped loudly. “Watch what you say, noona! I’m scared about you jinxing us!”

“Scared, my foot...”

Then again, that might be the right response in this situation.

Choi Yeon-Ha looked up at the night sky. Even with the hours being what they were, the thick layer of dust and smog still blotted the skies above. Her impression of this place took another nosedive at that sight.

She was supposed to come here again? Since she had signed contracts, there was no other choice but to come here again in the near future. Of course, only after watching the situation develop on this side, that was.

When her thoughts reached that far, it felt like all the energy was abandoning her body in droves.

She glanced at Han Eun-Sol. “How are you holding up? You okay?”

“Yeah, more or less. I’ve already changed my underwear earlier, though.”

“...Should I say you did a good job?”

She wanted to praise Han Eun-Sol for acting so unflustered throughout this event. He might be her manager, but Han Eun-Sol was still a young man in his twenties. No one would’ve criticized him for ending up as a nervous wreck after experiencing a life-or-death situation, yet here he was, resolutely carrying out his duties as Choi Yeon-Ha’s manager!

“Let’s hurry and get out of this rotten country, noona. That’s the best remedy for us right now.”

“Right. I’m with you on that one.”

Han Eun-Sol picked up the luggage and walked ahead into the airport. Choi Yeon-Ha glanced behind her before following him inside.

Although going ahead without Kang Jin-Ho left a bitter taste in her mouth, she knew this was for the best. Didn’t she nearly die of cringe whenever she read a script about a heroine acting tough, only to get taken as a hostage? Or harm the main character in some other way due to her stubbornness?

Human beings should know their place and avoid causing harm to the people they cared about. Choi Yeon-Ha stubbornly remaining in China was not going to help Kang Jin-Ho at all. If anything, that would only put him in an even tougher spot.

“At least answer your phone, you dummy!”

Choi Yeon-Ha grumbled unhappily. Kang Jin-Ho and his stupid habit of turning his phone off whenever he was about to do something! Even though she had nagged him so much about it, he still hadn’t fixed that bad habit of his.

While gritting her teeth, Choi Yeon-Ha stomped her way past the airport’s entrance. She swore to educate Kang Jin-Ho properly once this crisis got wrapped up safely so that he would never turn his phone off.

If he couldn’t learn that lesson after a tenth nagging, all she had to do was nag him twenty times. If that was still not enough, she could keep nagging him until the counter hit thirty!

After getting their tickets at the airline booth, Han Eun-Sol and Choi Yeon-Ha stepped on the escalator heading to the departure area. Thankfully, it seemed their plane would depart pretty soon.

Han Eun-Sol glanced at Choi Yeon-Ha. “Do you want to eat something before leaving?”

Choi Yeon-Ha shook her head. “Nope. If I eat something now, I might throw up. Forget eating, all I want is to go back to Korea and lie down on my own bed.”

“That sounds like a great idea, noona.”

The two of them dragged their weary feet toward the departure gate. However, before they could enter...

“Please wait, Miss Choi.”

“Ng?”

Choi Yeon-Ha hurriedly turned around when someone called out to her. Cai Kechang, who had left earlier in that black sedan, was standing behind her. His expression could only be described as stiff.

“What’s going on?” Choi Yeon-Ha asked worriedly after noticing that expression. She had a hunch that something bad must’ve happened.

“Miss Choi, I must strongly advise you not to get on that plane.”

Choi Yeon-Ha’s expression hardened. “Could it be... Did they do something to that plane?”

“No, it’s not like that, but...” Cai Kechang grimaced, a hint of hesitation on his face.

Choi Yeon-Ha’s eyes opened wider since she didn’t think Cai Kechang was capable of making a face like that.

“I advise against returning to Korea at this stage. It seems something has happened there.”

Choi Yeon-Ha frowned deeply. “I... don’t understand.”

“As we also don’t have confirmation yet, I can’t tell you what happened in detail, but...” Cai Kechang sighed. “All I can do is ask you to trust us and stay in China for a little while longer, miss. I give you my word that you will be protected.”

“Are you asking us to become your hostages?”

“Never, miss. Definitely not. You will be treated as our honored guests.”

Choi Yeon-Ha silently glared at Cai Kechang.

She wanted to go home. Right this minute. Had this been any other situation, she wouldn’t even need a second to decide, but now...

“Take us to the safest and nicest hotel you can find. That should be doable, yes?” Choi Yeon-Ha calmly asked.

Cai Kechang nodded. “Of course.”

She then glanced at Han Eun-Sol. “Let’s go.”

“...But, noona? We’re not going back to Korea?”

“Didn’t you hear him? Something has happened back home. He wouldn’t have brought us to the airport if he wanted to deceive us from the get-go.”

“Well, that’s true, but...” Han Eun-Sol faltered, the end of his sentence drifting away.

Choi Yeon-Ha shifted her attention back to Cai Kechang. “Can’t you tell us what happened?”

“It’s... difficult to give you a definite answer yet.”

“Not even a hint?”

Cai Kechang sighed deeply. What he said next dug sharply into Choi Yeon-Ha’s hearing.

“From what we can tell... Something big has gone down in South Korea.”