Chapter 1532 Making Preparations (2)

Yi Myeong-Hwan tensely stared at the entrance.

The conquest of Japan was completed not too long ago. Of course, he knew that their achievement couldn’t be called “complete” in its truest sense.

Making the Japanese warriors acknowledge and accept Korea’s dominion over them was simply impossible. They might have accepted their reality, yes, but their mutinous streak was still bubbling under the surface even now.

What the Demon Flames had done was decrease the potential avenues for the Japanese to stage a rebellion, and ensure that they would think twice before doing something foolish.

That is already amazing, if I say so myself.

Had Yi Myeong-Hwan been in charge of this operation, he still wouldn’t have completed it in ten years. But Chang Min only needed a few months to get it done.

...All while training the Demon Flames at the same time, too!

This process helped Yi Myeong-Hwan realize something important. He still couldn’t tell if the Demon Cult was powerful, but Chang Min certainly was. Not just his martial prowess, either; mere mortals shouldn’t even dare compare their skills to Chang Min’s.

Well, I guess that’s also true with our Assembly Master.

Now that he thought about it, he no longer held many of his preconceived notions regarding demonic cultivation. If he was being honest with himself, he used to feel a little leery about mastering demonic cultivation until recently. But “hanging out” with Chang Min and a few other Demon Cult elders in Japan had changed his mind quite a lot.

Having said that, he still didn’t hold a favorable impression of the ordinary Demon Cult members even now.

“By the way, are you sure he’s coming?”

“Why does he want us to gather here, I wonder?”

Yi Myeong-Hwan could hear his comrades behind him whispering to each other.

Indeed, he and the others were present in this place precisely because Kang Jin-Ho had summoned them.

They had returned from Japan some time ago, but Kang Jin-Ho’s busy schedule meant they couldn’t officially pay their respects to their boss. That had been the situation so far, but then, Kang Jin-Ho abruptly told them to gather in the auditorium today.

“Am I the only one getting tense? Is it okay to pop in and out of a loo right now?”

“What the hell, dude? How many times are you gonna visit the loo today?”

“What am I supposed to do when it feels like I’m gonna leak right now?!”

“A martial artist who can’t hold it in? Don’t make me laugh. If you think you can’t control it, just let it out, and then dry yourself afterward, okay?”

“Wha?! What kinda bullsh...”

Before the commotion could get louder, though, the entrance opened with a loud thunk! and Kang Jin-Ho strode inside. The Demon Flames tensed up and stood at attention.

Yi Myeong-Hwan swallowed his saliva. If he was being honest... He had been looking forward to this moment, at least a little bit.

Because we’ve become stronger.

Training under Kang Jin-Ho’s supervision was tough but effective. However, with all the things on his plate, he simply couldn’t supervise the Demon Flames for extended periods.

But the story during the trip to Japan was different. Excluding the time needed to deal with his tasks, Chang Min devoted all his free time to training the Demon Flames. Thanks to his dedication, Yi Myeong-Hwan and his comrades grew stronger by leaps and bounds in a relatively short time.

By his own estimation, he must’ve grown at least twice as strong as before. He had no doubt about it. Which meant that even the one and only Assembly Master would have no choice but to praise the...

Flinch!

Yi Myeong-Hwan’s complexion lost all color in an instant. That was because this indescribable and absurd level of aura was leaking out from Kang Jin-Ho’s figure!

“W-wow...”

“...!”

Yi Myeong-Hwan could sense his peers’ getting flustered and stunned right behind him. In other words, they were also sensing the same thing as him right now!

It feels like my entire body is being crushed!

Or, more correctly, it felt like a titan was wringing him dry right now. Yi Myeong-Hwan’s flesh was twisting, and his breathing clogged up from this unseen pressure.

But, why? What did we do wrong this time?

Yi Myeong-Hwan urgently combed through his memories in a desperate attempt to figure out what he and others had done wrong, but then, he saw Kang Jin-Ho’s relaxed face.

“My bad, I couldn’t welcome you guys back personally earlier. Even though I knew you all worked hard over there. All the work got in my way, you see.”

“...!”

That was when Yi Myeong-Hwan noticed that Kang Jin-Ho was his usual self. And that led to a new epiphany dawning on him; the one who was being weird wasn’t Kang Jin-Ho, but him. And the other Demon Flames!

C-could it be...?

Yi Myeong-Hwan and the rest of the Demon Flames had gotten stronger. In other words, their comprehension of demonic cultivation had deepened, and their cultivation realms had risen up considerably, too. Didn’t Yi Myeong-Hwan praise himself for getting twice as strong just now?

Ah. So, I can finally sense it, eh?

A martial artist getting stronger also meant their perception of other people’s energies would become much sharper, too. On top of that, the Demon Flames had been mastering demonic cultivation. Those walking the path of demonic cultivation would always be more sensitive toward the strength of others walking the same path.

“Demonic cultivators can never rebel against the demon emperor. This is not a question of one’s loyalty, either.”

There was a time when Yi Myeong-Hwan was puzzled by Kang Jin-Ho’s lack of oversight over the Demon Cult believers. The one who solved his curiosity was Chang Min.

When he heard this explanation back then, Yi Myeong-Hwan couldn’t quite understand it. But now, he could.

The deeper one’s comprehension of demonic cultivation, the easier it was for one to see the truth! Or, in this case, the true depth of Kang Jin-Ho’s strength!

He now knew how incredible Kang Jin-Ho’s attainment in demonic cultivation was.

Even though we were by his side all this time...!

Yi Myeong-Hwan thought he knew. He honestly believed he had a good idea of... of how terrifying this young man with a non-threatening demeanor really was deep inside.

Driiip...

Beads of cold sweat trickled down Yi Myeong-Hwan’s face nonstop.

They would surely get used to this pressure with enough time. This feeling of being crushed shouldn’t last. Indeed, it was only happening because the Demon Flames hadn’t come face-to-face with Kang Jin-Ho in a while.

“What’s with this atmosphere?” Kang Jin-Ho cocked an eyebrow, then glanced at Yi Myeong-Hwan. “Did something happen?”

“N-no, sir.”

Yi Myeong-Hwan hurriedly wiped the sweat away from his face.

Kang Jin-Ho frowned in puzzlement while staring at the stiff-faced Demon Flames, then addressed them again. “It must’ve been tough for you over there.”

“Not at all, sir!”

“The matter with Japan shouldn’t have been yours to deal with. It feels like I’ve forced you all into clothes that didn’t fit you. For that, I apologize.”

“That’s not true, sir! We’ve gained so much during our time in Japan!”

“Really now?” Kang Jin-Ho asked rhetorically, the corners of his lips curling up. “I heard that Chang Min was relentlessly putting you through your paces. But... despite what I’ve heard, you don’t look all that confident about yourselves?”

Oh, that? Yes, sir. We had that thing, sir. Definitely. But it’s evaporated now.

That thing really existed, sir. I swear. That confidence thing or whatever it’s called.

However, how are we supposed to be confident in your presence?!

Now Yi Myeong-Hwan understood why Chang Min always spoke so highly of Kang Jin-Ho. Without a doubt, Chang Min must be able to see so much more than the Demon Flames could. And obviously, could sense much more than them, too.

That explained Chang Min’s behavior. From his perspective, Kang Jin-Ho must’ve looked like the avatar of demonic cultivation itself.

N-no, hang on. Elder Chang has already said that to us, hasn’t he?

Ah, ah! Dear Elder Chang! Please forgive this idiot for calling you a zealot. I genuinely had no idea!

Kang Jin-Ho asked, “So? What did you gain, then?”

“...”

“Answer me, Yi Myeong-Hwan.”

Another flood of cold sweat broke out on Yi Myeong-Hwan’s forehead.

“W-we have, uh, so...”

Even as the sweat flooded down his face, he squeezed his words out somehow.

“A little... bit. We’ve gotten... a bit... stronger, sir, I think. Just a tiny bit...”

He somehow stopped himself from adding a few unnecessary details like “As tiny as a rat’s tail” or “As tiny as ant tears.”

“Is that right?” Kang Jin-Ho studied Yi Myeong-Hwan’s face with some interest. “If that’s true, I should confirm it, then.”

“I, uh... I’m sorry?”

“Get yourselves ready and come out to the training area. I’ll personally confirm how much stronger you all have gotten.”

“...!”

Kang Jin-Ho smirked before turning around and leaving the auditorium.

“...!”

The Demon Flames, who had been too dazed to figure out what had transpired, began glaring murderously at Yi Myeong-Hwan.

“What is the matter with you, you prick?! How could you say that we’ve gotten stronger?!”

“Did you lose your goddamn mind?!”

“What are you going to do about this, Myeong-Hwan?!”

Yi Myeong-Hwan sounded flustered while trying to defend himself. “H-hold on?!”

Weren’t all these bastards confidently smirking around only a few minutes ago while thinking that the Assembly Master would praise them? So why were they doing this to him all of a sudden?!

“I-it’s not like I was lying, so why...”

“Shut the hell up, you piece of sh*t!”

“You and your big mouth!”

Yi Myeong-Hwan found this situation indescribably unfair. However, it wasn’t as if he couldn’t understand where their grievances were coming from, either!

I mean, even I’m about to lose my dang mind, so...

If this had happened in the past, everyone here wouldn’t have raised such a fuss at the prospect of Kang Jin-Ho confirming the result of their intense training. Actually, they would’ve gladly rushed outside at this wonderful opportunity to learn from their Assembly Master. It had been too long since the last time it happened, after all.

But now? After having sensed Kang Jin-Ho’s true strength?! It felt more like they were about to get dragged into an abattoir, not a training area!

“We... We still gotta go, though.”

“Yeah, we have to.”

The Demon Flames slowly forced themselves to stand up, their expressions as sorrowful as young cows. They willed their reticent legs and trudged out of the auditorium.

“Myeong-Hwan, you son of a b*tch.”

“You and your stinking mouth...”

“We should’ve left him behind in Japan or something. Or dumped him in the ocean between Japan and Korea.”

Yi Myeong-Hwan squeezed his eyes shut while enduring the torrent of insults and abuse.

Fine! Bite my head off. Do it!

The Demon Flames dragged themselves until finally reaching the designated training area. And then... Their trembling eyes took in the sight of Kang Jin-Ho in the distance.

Ah. So, this is what it feels like.

It was at this very moment that Yi Myeong-Chan and others finally realized how terrified Kang Jin-Ho’s enemies must’ve been.

Yup, I was stupid to think that I knew everything.

The truth was crystal clear to him now. This was what it felt like to face Kang Jin-Ho!

“Gee whiz...”

Yi Myeong-Hwan groaned without realizing it.

There couldn’t be that many people in this world capable of emitting such an overwhelming aura while standing all alone like Kang Jin-Ho.

Kang Jin-Ho casually glanced at the Demon Flames. “So? Who wants to go first?”

Yi Myeong-Hwan squeezed his eyes shut. Yup, I knew he’d say that.

Other people might not have predicted it, but Yi Myeong-Hwan could. He definitely knew Kang Jin-Ho would ask that! And he also knew that the one who would bear the brunt of that question would be him, too!

“Yi Myeong-Hwan. Come here.”

You see?! You see! How can a man be so stupefyingly consistent like this?!

While grimacing deeply, Yi Myeong-Hwan cautiously emerged from the crowd and walked up to Kang Jin-Ho. What saddened him even more was all the gazes of schadenfreude mercilessly stabbing into his back.

You stinking bastards!

While training like hell in Japan, didn’t these bastards talk about how they were all brothers united for one cause? That their fellowship would never be broken?!

The wise old “they” said a man should never trust anyone in this world, and they were proven right once more!

Yi Myeong-Hwan sucked in a deep breath while standing in front of Kang Jin-Ho.

Right... Don’t cower!

Of course he knew Kang Jin-Ho was strong. However, that didn’t mean Yi Myeong-Hwan’s strength had not improved, either.

Kang Jin-Ho must be progressing at his own rate, sure, but hadn’t Yi Myeong-Hwan gotten stronger himself, too? It wasn’t as if the opponent’s stupendous strength would automatically negate all of his growth up until now, anyway!

Yes, I’ve gotten a lot stronger.

Yi Myeong-Hwan briefly squeezed his eyes shut before opening them. His breathing had stabilized by then, and some hints of confidence began creeping back into his heart.

“I’m ready, sir.”

“Hmm?” Kang Jin-Ho studied Yi Myeong-Hwan again in amusement. “Looks like you’re feeling confident, then?”

“It’s... not that I’m confident, sir,” said Yi Myeong-Hwan unwaveringly. “However, I also don’t want to trample on all the hellish training we’ve been through, either. I know I’ve gotten stronger than before, sir. Not believing in that is the same as spitting in my own face.”

“Hmm...?”

“I’ll do my best, sir. Please evaluate me as objectively as possible, then either praise me or get angry at me. I will use your evaluation as a springboard and become even stronger.”

Kang Jin-Ho grinned deeply. Yi Myeong-Hwan was much bolder than before. Maybe the improved cultivation realm wasn’t the only thing the Demon Flames had gained in Japan. Spending time with Chang Min seemed to have matured them mentally as well.

“It really must’ve been tough for you in Japan, then.”

“Don’t mention it, sir.”

Kang Jin-Ho nodded in satisfaction. Unfortunately for the Demon Flames, though...

“My evaluation, you say... Very well. I should also give my all to evaluate you, then.”

“...?”

Yi Myeong-Hwan instinctively realized that Kang Jin-Ho sounded rather suspicious just then and hurriedly stared at his boss.

Shruuuuung...!

Kang Jin-Ho stabbed his hands into his subspace before extracting the Crimson Destiny and Azuremourne.

Eeeeh? Sir? Why are you taking out your weapons? Ehhhhh?

That wasn’t the end, however.

FWHOOOOOSH!

Demonic qi suddenly gushed out from Kang Jin-Ho’s figure before enveloping him.

“...?!”

Now completely cloaked in the inky-black demonic qi, Kang Jin-Ho addressed Yi Myeong-Hwan, the darkness around his mouth area wavering to match his voice.

“Well, then. Shall we confirm how much you’ve all improved?”

Excuse me, sir? Isn’t that, like, cheating?

...

...Excuse me, sir? Sir?!