Descent of the Demon Master

After listening to the explanations regarding Kim Seok-Il and Lee Seong-Hwi…

"What an intriguing series of events…" Wiggins muttered while smiling strangely. "Things could have been even more deadly for us if the Japanese had successfully made landfall. After all, they had a collaborator. The enemy would have had in-depth knowledge of our operations. That would have allowed them to act more quickly and unpredictably."

Lee Hyeon-Su nodded. "Yes, they could have."

"However… Hmm. This is clearly an oversight, Mister Lee. I was under the impression that all the opponents my lord has suppressed became a part of the organization. So, even before I could join the team, there was a problem like that festering away in some secret corner…?"

"My apologies, master. I should've told you about this situation sooner."

"No. Don't apologize. You're not to blame."

Wiggins was a part of the team that confronted Lee Jung-Geol and his men. However, Lee Seong-Hwi was long gone from the Assembly by then. It made some sense that Wiggins didn't know about him or the situation involving Kim Seok-Il.

Bang Jin-Hun roared in anger. "No one here is at fault, okay! Sure, those two motherf*ckers might have lost their damn minds, but who could have predicted that they would try to sell their own country out?!"

Wiggins subtly frowned while glancing at Bang Jin-Hun. "Actually, it's not entirely impossible, Mister Bang."

"The relationship between a country and its citizens is contractual in nature. They must assist each other so they can continue moving forward together. Unfortunately, many governments around the world wish to obfuscate this fact and educate the masses into remaining blindly loyal to the flag and holding undying patriotism. However, the fundamental truth cannot be tampered with.

"If the country stops providing assistance to you… Well, I'm sure you've seen many instances of people emigrating elsewhere or becoming hostile toward their own people."

"N-no, hang on. Even if that… is true, uh… Huh. I guess you're right." Bang Jin-Hun hastily agreed with Wiggins after suppressing his instincts to throw a tantrum.

'Uh-whew! Don't be a jackass, Bang Jin-Hun!'

Bang Jin-Hun was ready to kick himself. After all, he had almost blurted out something he should not say out loud.

Vator and Wiggins were here in this room. In a way, didn't they also discard their own countries to join the Martial Assembly?

Of course, neither of these men should be compared to a traitor like Lee Seong-Hwi, since they hadn't betrayed or antagonized their countries. However, who could predict what might happen tomorrow?

Anything could happen, including the Assembly suddenly getting into conflict with Great Britain or some such!

In that case, Bang Jin-Hun should stop being a dummy and not argue about the importance of patriotism and whatnot.

Wiggins subtly grinned as if he had seen through Bang Jin-Hun's thoughts. "Thank you for your understanding, Mister Bang."

"N-no, don't say that. I should apologize for my immature behavior instead." Bang Jin-Hun stuttered, obviously unable to hide how apologetic he felt.

Unfortunately for the two men, though, someone in this room wasn't too impressed by this exchange.

"Are you two finished? Then, let's get back to the topic at hand, shall we?" Kang Jin-Ho grunted loudly.

'Gee, whiz…! Really?'

Bang Jin-Hun stared at Kang Jin-Ho, who had the galls to unhesitantly wrap the situation up and move on, with a mixture of gratitude and unhappiness. Didn't Kang Jin-Ho understand how sensitive this topic was for Bang Jin-Hun and Wiggins!

"So, what do you think?" Kang Jin-Ho asked Lee Hyeon-Su.

Although that question sounded abrupt and vague, Lee Hyeon-Su was smart enough to figure out what Kang Jin-Ho wanted to know.

"Sir, I think he was involved."

"Mm…" Kang Jin-Ho frowned slightly.

"I couldn't help but think that something didn't smell quite right with this event, sir. The timing of the Japanese invading us was genuinely strange. It felt rushed. And there weren't any signs to look out for, either."

The others in the room slowly nodded contemplatively.

The Japanese's invasion attempt happened abruptly. Since the Korean Martial Assembly handily defeated the enemy, the invasion itself didn't seem significant anymore.

However, had they failed to defend themselves properly… The Korean martial society would have been utterly crushed. Obliterated out of existence!

That was how large-scale the invasion attempt was. And an event this big would've inevitably given off some rumblings in the grapevine. That was just how it worked in this neck of the woods.

"Yes, it's a well-established fact that Japan has drooled over Korea for a long time now. There's no doubt about that. However, that was on the level of one gumi. A united army boasting experts from all over Japan should not be simple to create, even if the gumi taking the lead is Shinichi-kai. That was why I've been suspecting someone else, and…"

"When you say someone else…?"

"It's Cai Kechang, of course."

"Bingo," Wiggins lightly clapped his hands. "I agree. That man is not the type to stay his hands and watch from afar. If his hands are tied, he'd surely try another method to trip us."

"And Japan was Cai Kechang's pawn this time."

"Indeed."

Lee Hyeon-Su cocked an eyebrow. "However, that alone doesn't explain why Lee Seong-Hwi and Kim Seok-Il were on that ship."

Wiggins shook his head. "No need to overcomplicate things, Mister Lee. It's not as if every puzzle must have a neat solution. Those two wanted to use the Japanese to attack us, and Cai Kechang could have reached out to them. A mutual goal would have naturally brought them together."

"Yes… That's a good possibility."

Kang Jin-Ho silently listened to the two men's discussion before groaning under his breath.

'It feels like a thorn is digging under my fingernail…'

Not just any thorn, but something small and persistent! It didn't trigger severe pain or hinder one's movement. But it still sent this vague, persistent stinging sensation every time one tried to move, causing one to keep looking at their hand to find the source.

That was what this situation felt like.

Lee Seong-Hwi could not be counted as Kang Jin-Ho's opponent anymore. That was true during their first encounter, and now, the gap between them had widened to the point where nothing Lee Seong-Hwi did could harm Kang Jin-Ho physically.

In that case, it should be fine for Kang Jin-Ho to completely ignore that man. But he couldn't. Lee Seong-Hwi's presence was subtly getting on Kang Jin-Ho's nerves. This wasn't because his brain had calculated the odds but more like his instincts were warning him.

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at Wiggins and Lee Hyeon-Su. "Are we sure Cai Kechang was behind this event?"

Lee Hyeon-Su shook his head. "We don't have any concrete evidence, but there's no doubt about it, sir. We've been thinking that it's about time he tried something underhanded, and… Well, I'm sure he wouldn't just sit back and watch the Martial Assembly grow even stronger without any roadblocks."

"I see. Then, he must be fuming out of his mind right about now."

"If he had received the reports, yes."

"Hmm…" Kang Jin-Ho furrowed his brow. Whether it was China or Japan… They were trying their luck by prodding and poking Korea. And him, too. He didn't like this feeling one bit. "In that case, are we supposed to take this attack lying down?"

Lee Hyeon-Su sat forward in his chair. "Actually, sir? I was hoping I could discuss something related to this event with you. I'd like to make some… personal moves, if you'll allow me."

"Personal moves? What do you mean?"

"The thing I'm thinking of isn't kosher enough to officially mobilize the Assembly's resources. That doesn't mean we must forgive their indiscretion, though. If I have some funds to play with… I give you my word that something amusing will happen in China."

Kang Jin-Ho cocked a brow while staring at Lee Hyeon-Su.

There was this suspicious-looking grin etched on Lee Hyeon-Su's face. It eerily resembled the smirk on Kang Jin-Ho's face earlier when he was thinking about how to handle the politicians.

"Very well, I permit it."

"Thank you, sir!"

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at the meeting attendees. "I'm leaving the Chinese matter with Lee Hyeon-Su. As for Japan, we'll discuss that issue after we wrap this one up first."

"Thank you, sir."

"No need to thank me," Kang Jin-Ho shook his head while leaning back against his couch.

Of course he wanted to charge straight into Japan right now if he could help it. But he still held himself back.

Kang Jin-Ho's motivation wasn't solely fueled by his anger. Getting angry at enemies trying to destroy him was a given, but what he wanted went beyond venting his rage. No, he wanted a payback for all those who had died because of the Japanese's choice!

Celebrating one's victory was all good and well. However, one should never forget the sacrifices made to achieve this victory. Counting the loot from victory and punishing the guilty were two different things, after all. It was just that now wasn't the right time yet.

Kang Jin-Ho grunted. "Also, I…"

Before he could say something, a knock on the conference room's doorway interrupted him. Everyone's gaze immediately shifted toward the door.

This was a meeting of top-level executives, so any regular Assembly members wouldn't dare interrupt it… Unless something unexpected had happened.

"Come in," said Kang Jin-Ho.

The door opened immediately, and a martial artist making a very stiff face entered before bowing deeply toward the executives. "My apologies, sirs! However… We thought we must inform you of the news right away."

Kang Jin-Ho cocked an eyebrow. "News? What is it?"

"Sir… A VIP is heading toward South Korea as we speak."

"A… VIP?" Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head. He couldn't remember anyone being called that, at least not after he joined the Assembly. "Who is this VIP?"

"We received communication from Europe, sir. And they said a super VIP has boarded a plane bound for South Korea…"

"…! Could it be?" Wiggins slowly rose up from his seat.

Plenty of people in South Korea could be referred to as a VIP. However, in Europe? Or, more specifically, the Round Table?

That label was reserved for only a few individuals. And they were the Knights of the Round Table.

Only people on that level of importance could make the Round Table directly alert the Assembly of a "VIP" arriving in Korea. In other words, someone at least on par with a Knight was on their way here.

However, Wiggins had a strong hunch that that wasn't it.

'No. A Knight wouldn't make a move like this.'

A Knight would only come here after being dispatched for a mission or to deliver a private message. Alternatively, to start something untoward.

If this trip had been about delivering an official message from the Round Table, it would've said something before a Knight got on the plane.

So, this development would not have happened unless it was an individual's independent decision. But a Knight who could unilaterally decide on a trip to South Korea? And someone who was not afraid to let the Koreans know ahead of time…?

"Sir, according to their caller, someone called the Master is coming to Korea…"

"The… Master…!" Wiggins gasped as he fell on his chair.

Plop!

Kang Jin-Ho watched Wiggins rub his shocked face and groaned softly again. "I have to say, folks of the martial world love to create waves, don't they?"

He could tell from Wiggins' reaction that the biggest international fish Assembly had ever seen since its establishment was coming to Korea.

Kang Jin-Ho rubbed his chin. "The Master, huh? What is that person planning?"

"I'm not sure, but…" Wiggins muttered, then got ready to explain more about the Master of the Round Table. However…

Rrrriiing!

Kang Jin-Ho's phone suddenly rang to break the tense atmosphere.

"Mm? My bad. Hold on…" Kang Jin-Ho muttered while taking the phone out of his pocket. However, just as he touched the power button to turn his device off, he saw what was on the phone's screen. And his finger immediately distanced itself from the button. "...Huh?"

Kang Jin-Ho hurriedly unlocked the phone to confirm the message. And his expression gradually stiffened as he read it.

"...Sir?"

"Assembly Master? Did something happen?"

Everyone in the room grew deathly tense at this never-seen-before visceral reaction from Kang Jin-Ho. He didn't get flustered by the news of the Japanese invasion, so for him to make that kind of face over a text message?

"N-no, you see, uh… It's not what you… Mm…"

"That kind of face" was none other than panic. Kang Jin-Ho was actually panicking?!

Everyone's tense eyes hurriedly moved away from Kang Jin-Ho's face to his phone.

'Was it a private DM?'

'What did that message say?'

Before anyone could see the message, Kang Jin-Ho sneakily put the phone away. "Uhh, mm… Okay, so! That Master or whatever he's called? He's currently on his way to Korea?"

Wiggins nodded while still looking at Kang Jin-Ho weirdly. "Yes, my lord."

"Wiggins?"

"My lord."

"A guest is coming, so we should welcome him properly. Since his side contacted us first, doesn't that indicate that he wants to talk to us?"

"...Yes, it does indicate that."

"Then, what should we do?"

Wiggins furrowed his brow while pondering his reply, then sighed deeply. "My lord, I should be the one to welcome him. That feels like the right thing to do. Even if it feels uncomfortable and even awkward, it's impossible to keep avoiding this situation, after all."

"I see. If you feel that way, I'll leave it up to you."

"He's a high-value guest visiting this country for the first time. As such, we will have to up our game considerably to accommodate his needs. If you grant me the necessary authority, I will cooperate with Chief Lee here and ensure there are no issues during his stay."

"Mm… Got it. Do what you think is the best."

Wiggins nodded. "Also, you need to set aside a date for a face-to-face with the Master, my lord."

"Me? Why?"

"The Master most likely isn't coming here to see me, my lord. Which means you must decide whether to meet him or ignore him altogether."

Kang Jin-Ho pondered his options before nodding once. "I'll meet up with him. It's not something difficult, anyway."

"Understood. Then, we'll proceed with that meeting in mind. Now that we've decided, what will you do now, my lord?"

"...Well, it looks like I gotta get to the airport myself," Kang Jin-Ho sheepishly said.

"I beg your pardon? Oh, do you wish to welcome the Master with us?"

"No, not that. I gotta welcome someone else."

"...Huh?"

Kang Jin-Ho didn't respond to Wiggins' confused face and simply turned his head to gaze at the distant skies beyond the window.

That was because the "real" VIP was currently coming home from China.