Descent of the Demon Master

‘Maybe he is really insane?’

Nakata Yuji was going through a serious dilemma at this moment.

Kang Jin-Ho was obviously not an idiot. And he certainly wasn't the type to act thoughtlessly, either. A man with a faulty brain could never unite the Martial Assembly or slip through the Crimson King's fingers.

Besides, didn’t Kang Jin-Ho also escape from the trap Nakata Yuji had set?

In that case… Just who was this Kang Jin-Ho?

This individual was a completely different existence from the image of Kang Jin-Ho in Nakata Yuji's head, which had been created through a collage of information, stories, and rumors of his achievements and actions.

Weirdly enough, the real Kang Jin-Ho turned out to be an idiot. Reckless. And completely insane, to boot! But he still dared to threaten the Japanese?

Who threatened who here? That bastard… Threatened Nakata Yuji and the rest of the Japanese warriors?

“Hah…” A disappointed sigh left Nakata Yuji’s lips. At this point, he couldn’t even laugh in dismay anymore.

A group of people who should not be insane… had gone insane. Not just one or two, but four of them, no less!

If Kang Jin-Ho had shown up here by himself, Nakata Yuji wouldn't have had this much of a hard time comprehending this situation. That was because he knew about the risk of encountering the phenomenon called Qi Deviation.

It was not uncommon to see martial artists going insane while trying to reach higher realms of cultivation. However, what were the odds of all four men suffering from that phenomenon at the same time? Not very likely.

‘In that case… Did they shoot themselves up with narcotics or some such…?'

Even Nakata Yuji felt dismayed by his own suspicion. However, how was he supposed to explain this absurd situation without equally absurd explanations?

“So, you want us to…” Nakata Yuji forced himself to say something. “...Jump off this ship if we want to live? Did I get that right?”

Kang Jin-Ho didn't bother to respond. Wondering if his meager Korean language skills had failed him, Nakata Yuji turned his head to stare at Lee Seong-Hwi with eyes filled with lots of questions.

Lee Seong-Hwi’s expression remained stiff as he snarkily responded. “I told you already.”

“…?”

“That you’d encounter a lunatic beyond your wildest imaginations.”

“Huh…”

Since Lee Seong-Hwi replied this way, didn't that mean Nakata Yuji heard everything correctly?

That was when he gave up on deciphering Kang Jin-Ho's intentions.

Conversations were meant to take place between human beings. When someone couldn't be talked to or reasoned with, the world would refer to him as a madman. And attempting to converse with a madman was nothing more than a waste of time.

Nakata Yuji could only smile wryly. “I don't know what's in your mind, Kang Jin-Ho. But I'm not interested anymore. Tonight, you will…”

“Geez, you talk too much,” Kang Jin-Ho abruptly cut Nakata Yuji off. “I don't care what you think, okay? And I don't feel like verbally explaining everything to you. Your job is simple. Translate what I say to your friends behind you. That's it.”

“…”

“I do not show mercy to anyone baring their fangs at me. However, you could say this situation is a bit of an exception. Since you are invading South Korea… Does that mean you're technically not baring your fangs at me? Or are you?”

Nakata Yuji furrowed his brow. What on Earth was Kang Jin-Ho even talking about now?

“Since it’s kind of vague, I decided to give you all a way out. So, start translating already.”

Nakata Yuji was getting royally irritated now.

‘How did a moron like this even…’

Kang Jin-Ho was like a legend within the East Asian martial societies. That much was undeniable. And the rest of the world held a similar view, too.

Any powerful individual possessing a faction of some kind and savvy enough to keep their eyes on the global events would've heard about Kang Jin-Ho's name by now.

Kang Jin-Ho was a man who secured his territory and built his base in a location sandwiched between the two global powerhouses of China and Japan. He pulled off feats most people thought were impossible with consummate ease. And lastly… He even fought the one-and-only Crimson King and lived to tell the tale.

The Crimson King's prestige and name value within the martial world was incalculably massive. As such, Kang Jin-Ho's stock rose up exponentially for simply surviving that battle. And the rumors of the Crimson King's faction entering an unofficial pact with the Martial Assembly had basically sealed the deal.

No one would dare look down on Kang Jin-Ho after all that had happened. Those who viewed him as a lucky bastard who had somehow swallowed up some useless wasteland no longer dared to compare themselves to Kang Jin-Ho.

That was who Kang Jin-Ho was. So why… Why did someone like that commit an act of sheer lunacy like this?

‘No, wait…’

Nakata Yuji suddenly had an epiphany. It felt like an answer to an enchanting mystery had finally been found.

An ordinary martial arts expert couldn't have accomplished all those amazing feats. Strength alone simply wasn't enough, after all. Maybe Kang Jin-Ho's lunacy played a sizable role in him accomplishing many of those incredible feats.

When a crazy gamble only a madman would make paid off handsomely, most bystanders would call that shocking and extraordinary. However, being shocking and extraordinary was a dual-edged blade.

When everything worked out in your favor, you'd experience unprecedented improvement and growth.

However, what if things were not going your way? That tendency to shock would only serve as the trigger to utterly destroy your empire.

Until now, Kang Jin-Ho experienced the former. And now, he’d get to experience the latter!

After wrapping up his analysis of Kang Jin-Ho, Nakata Yuji turned around to face the rest of the Japanese warriors.

“I'm not sure if you know this, but…” Nakata Yuji started addressing the warriors. He decided to humor Kang Jin-Ho this time as his way of paying respect to Kang Jin-Ho's final moments. “This young-looking gent before your eyes happens to be Mister Kang Jin-Ho, the leader of the Korean Martial Assembly.”

Everyone’s eyes grew wider at this revelation. Those with sharper wits silently observing the situation also stood there in stupefaction, their jaws hitting the floor.

That was Kang Jin-Ho? The man they heard so much about after boarding this ship?

The purpose of this expedition wasn't to completely take over South Korea. No, it was more about destroying the Korean Martial Assembly and killing Kang Jin-Ho in the process. Taking over an entire country would require a lot more personnel and time, after all.

However, their target was now standing right before their eyes? On this very ship, no less?

“Is he crazy?”

“Wow. I don’t know what to say.”

Rather than pleased, the Japanese warriors were flabbergasted. But then, what Nakata Yuji said next broke open the dam.

“And this gent here mercifully has offered to spare your lives if you jump into the sea right now. So, I want you to express how grateful you are.”

Everyone began guffawing loudly. Even as they laughed, their disbelieving gazes still landed on Kang Jin-Ho.

“Maybe he really is insane?”

“The Korean b*tches must have several screws loose in their small heads!”

The laughter grew in volume until it became a full-on commotion. However, no one tried to stop them from laughing. That was because not a single Japanese warrior here found the situation something to be concerned about.

The way these people interpreted this situation, there could only be two potential outcomes waiting for them tonight.

Either Kang Jin-Ho died or tried to run away by jumping into the ocean below. Both of those options sounded pretty good to the Japanese. Although, they would prefer to kill Kang Jin-Ho while he was still on the ship!

Nakata Yuji leisurely turned his head and stared at Kang Jin-Ho. “Well, then. I’ve passed along your message as you ordered, dear Assembly Master.”

Kang Jin-Ho smirked. “Are you the one in charge here?”

“Although I'm still lacking in many areas, yes, I've been entrusted with that role."

“Got it. Let me ask you something, then.”

“Sure, go ahead.”

Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes slightly. “Is there a man named Nobuo among your ranks?”

Nakata Yuji’s expression crumpled once more. To think Kang Jin-Ho would mouth that name in this situation! Was he an extreme idealist or something of that nature?

While scowling, Nakata Yuji casually replied, “Don't worry, he's being well taken care of. Yes, he's still alive, although I don't think you'll get the chance to speak to him, Assembly Master.”

“Where is he, then?”

Nakata Yuji chuckled in dismay. Even he could no longer maintain the intensity of this situation. Not anymore. “What would knowing that benefit…”

“Hah, this piece of sh*t just can’t stop yapping, now can he?” Bang Jin-Hun suddenly butted in. “Listen here, you f*ck! A smelly little Jap bastard like you should know your place! When the Assembly Master asks you a question, don’t be cheeky and answer him properly! Do you understand me, you dumb f*ck?”

Bang Jin-Hun proved to Nakata Yuji that Kang Jin-Ho wasn’t the only lunatic in this place.

Since he no longer felt like wasting his breath talking to these insane bastards, Nakata Yuji pointed behind him and curtly replied, “Nobuo is confined in one of the cabins on the first floor below deck. If you wish to see him, why don't you break through these men first?”

“Oh, is that right?” Kang Jin-Ho contemplatively nodded, then broke his silence. “Which means… I can start now.”

“Master, why are you still talking to them when we all know what would happen anyway? Besides, these fools can’t even understand what you’re saying,” Vator grumbled impatiently. Even Wiggins silently nodded in agreement.

“Hah, these fellas… I’m telling you, you two are way too hot-tempered for your own good. No, wait… Maybe they became hot-tempered after joining us?” Bang Jin-Hun tutted away but still stood next to Kang Jin-Ho.

Nakata Yuji watched in disbelief.

‘Are they serious? Crazy buffoons!’

With only these four? Even though there were well over a thousand Japanese elite warriors here?

“If you surrender now, I promise your deaths will be swift and…”

Before he could finish his offer, Nakata Yuji sensed someone grab his arm and roughly yank him back. He reflexively tried to counterattack but stopped after realizing there was no hostile intent behind this yanking.

Nakata Yuji looked back to discover Lee Seong-Hwi urgently pulling him back into the crowd in a clear attempt to get away.

“W-what do you think you are doing, Lee Seong-Hwi?!”

Lee Seong-Hwi replied like a growling beast. “You must not die tonight. You hear me?”

“Say what? Me, dying tonight?”

What nonsense was Lee Seong-Hwi talking about here?

“I want you to open your eyes wide and witness what’s about to happen here. And then… Command your men properly. If you don’t want to get completely slaughtered, that is.”

Slaughtered? Did Lee Seong-Hwi say the Japanese would get one-sidedly slaughtered?

Nakata Yuji was dismayed by that claim and was about to unleash a torrent of verbal abuse… But something stopped him before that happened. That something was Lee Seong-Hwi’s voice. It had never sounded this grave before. And it also contained… fear.

‘Fear? Lee Seong-Hwi is scared?’

Nakata Yuji might view Lee Seong-Hwi as a laughable little fool but still acknowledged the latter for this one thing—his lack of fear.

Lee Seong-Hwi acted like he had fed his fear to a passing stray.

Despite having nothing, Lee Seong-Hwi constantly smirked hatefully and never stopped making snarky comments in Nakata Yuji’s presence. In short, he was a man without fear. However, he was scared?

Nakata Yuji hurriedly fixed his gaze on Kang Jin-Ho next.

‘Just what... is supposed to happen here?’

That was when Kang Jin-Ho stretched his arm to his side.

Rumble, wuuooong…

The space suddenly wavered and distorted before two longswords emerged from there. That was another proof that Kang Jin-Ho's desire to fight the Japanese was indeed genuine.

Crack, crunch…

Kang Jin-Ho cocked his head left and right, then leisurely walked forward. His three companions closely followed him from behind.

It was as if they weren’t about to enter a life-or-death battle. No, their steps were light and airy, as if they were going on a stroll!

“Huh? They really are coming at us?”

“...Wow. Someone pinch my cheeks.”

It seemed Nakata Yuji wasn't the only person flabbergasted by this situation. Almost every Japanese warrior on the deck stared in disbelief at Kang Jin-Ho's group.

If Kang Jin-Ho was so adamant about killing himself, couldn’t he just jump into the ocean? Or stab himself in the gut with his fancy-looking swords? Why did he feel the need to commit suicide in such a creative and time-consuming manner?

The martial artist standing at the front of the pack cautiously stepped back as Kang Jin-Ho approached. The strength of everyone here combined should be enough to turn Kang Jin-Ho into a piece of bloodied meat, but facing him individually? That would be asking for a bit too much.

“Hey, fellas! Let’s f*ck this b*tch up togeth…”

Something weird happened just then.

‘...Eh?’

For some reason, this Japanese warrior couldn’t speak.

Wasn’t that weird, though? It wasn’t as if he got attacked nor did he get crushed by Kang Jin-Ho’s aura. So, why did his mouth suddenly stop functioning?

The Japanese warrior turned his head and looked back at Kang Jin-Ho. Nothing had changed about that man… Other than the hint of crimson dyeing the tip of Kang Jin-Ho’s lengthy sword. That was about it, really.

Indeed, that was a crimson hue. Crimson, like blood!

‘...Blood?’

Why was that sword dyed in a blood-like color? This was the final thought popping up in this Japanese warrior's mind.

Splaaaaaaash!

The bone-chilling noises akin to liquid shooting up in the air accompanied the grisly sight of dozens of severed heads simultaneously flying away. Fountains of blood followed right afterward from the severed necks to create gruesome watery fireworks dyeing the air scarlet.

Splaaaatter!

The sounds of gushing blood tried to break the eerie silence gripping the cruise ship’s deck. However, this heavy silence persisted. No one dared to speak. No one dared to move from their spot.

“I don't know if you can understand me, but I'll say this one more time,” said Kang Jin-Ho while lowering his swords. “...Every person on this ship will die.”

“…!”

“And it begins… now.”

Kang Jin-Ho, now covered from head to toe in all the blood, bared his white fangs in an eerie grin. And when the Japanese warriors saw that grin, they all instinctively realized something.

It seemed like something had gone terribly wrong here.

The moon slowly hid itself behind the clouds. As if it didn’t want to witness the slaughter about to unfold on this nameless cruise ship.

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