Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1034: Getting a Job (4)

During the Kang family’s breakfast…

“A job?”

“As an intern?”

“In Jaegyeong?”

The three puzzled voices of his family hitting him in the face left Kang Jin-Ho utterly speechless, unable to respond. But then…

“O-okay, so! You’re getting a job as an intern in Jaegyeong, son?”

Thankfully, three questions quickly combined into one, allowing Kang Jin-Ho to finally nod.

“Yes. Things have worked out that way.”

Kang Jin-Ho's mother, Baek Hyeon-Jeong, asked hurriedly, still failing to comprehend this turn of events. “What are you talking about, son? Didn't you say you were starting your own business?”

“...Yes, I did. I'm still doing it, as a matter of fact.”

“Then, why are you getting a job in Jaegyeong?”

“It's not getting a job per se, but more like I'm going there to learn, mother. I'm going to attend Jaegyeong's new employee training program.”

“Ah… So you’re merely participating in one of those new employee orientation thingies?”

“Yes, mother.”

Baek Hyeon-Jeong frowned slightly. “Why so suddenly, though? You didn’t seem interested when we told you to study and prepare to get a job, after all.”

Kang Jin-Ho subtly licked his lips. What he said from this moment would prove crucial.

“What happened was… Chairman Hwang found out about my business venture and contacted me.”

“Oh, Chairman Hwang did that?”

“Yes, mother. He told me about how important it was to know the basics of running a business. Instead of rushing into it blindly and ending up doing a sloppy job, he said I should get some training under my belt first.”

“As expected of Chairman Hwang…!” Kang Jin-Ho's father, Kang Yu-Hwan, animatedly nodded away. “Yes, he's right, son. Running a business is not child's play, after all. You shouldn't start something so risky without thorough preparation.”

“Yes, I also agree,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

What a heartwarming scene this was.

Kang Jin-Ho gently smiled. As long as he could finish the family discussion on this note, then…

“Hold on. Isn’t this weird?” Kang Eun-Yeong suddenly blurted out.

“…!” Kang Jin-Ho’s gaze urgently snapped toward his little sister. And his brows quivered slightly after noticing the unimpressed look on her face. “What is weird?”

“What does running a business and joining Jaegyeong have to do with each other? Isn't the new employee training program meant to teach the newbies the ropes? As in, how things are done in a company? Since you're running a business, shouldn't you attend a business management course instead?”

“…!”

Kang Eun-Yeong’s observation was sharp, indeed!

All the gentleness and love in the eyes of Kang Jin-Ho’s parents were quickly replaced by puzzlement and suspicion.

Kang Jin-Ho glared weirdly at Kang Eun-Yeong for her trouble.

She cocked an eyebrow. “What is it, oppa?”

“...It’s nothing.”

What could a man with something to hide even do or say here? Nothing, that was what! Kang Jin-Ho ruefully licked his lips before resuming his explanation. “Running a business means I'll have people working for me. And Chairman Hwang said I need to know what these people do to effectively utilize them.”

“Mm… Indeed!”

“Yes, you can trust his wisdom.”

Kang Jin-Ho’s parents nodded in acceptance, giving him a moment to sigh in relief without anyone noticing it.

‘For sure, Chief Jo’s help in situations like this is indispensable…’

When Kang Jin-Ho confessed that he had no idea how to talk to his family about this situation, Jo Gyu-Min worked his magic and produced a list of expected questions and potential answers.

Although Kang Jin-Ho had become more adept at conversing with people these days, convincing others was still beyond his capability, after all!

However, Kang Eun-Yeong still stared at Kang Jin-Ho with suspicion. And he was forced to sneakily avoid meeting her glare.

‘Looks like working in the entertainment industry has honed her senses.’

Kang Eun-Yeong might not be able to find holes in the logic, but it seemed her keen senses had picked up hints of oddness in Kang Jin-Ho’s body language.

“Hhhhng?” Kang Eun-Yeong let out a snort filled to the brim with hidden meaning, then smirked softly. “Does that mean you're now a Jaegyeong man, oppa?”

Kang Yu-Hwan lightly clapped. “Kuh-euh~! My son, a Jaegyeong man!”

“Just the sound of it alone makes me happy, son! A Jaegyeong man! To think we'd live to see the day when my son can proudly call himself that…” Baek Hyeon-Jeong muttered, seemingly about to dab her tears away while doing so.

“...N-no, everyone. Please listen. I’m not getting a job in Jaegyeong. I’m just attending one of their training programs.”

Kang Yu-Hwan weightily nodded. “That’s just the start, son!”

Baek Hyeon-Jeong voiced her thoughts next. “You get a good result in this training program, and they might hire you later, son. You’re already favored by Chairman Hwang, and getting good grades is your specialty, after all.”

Kang Jin-Ho sensed how low his family’s trust in him had fallen from what his mother said.

Without saying anything, Kang Jin-Ho dug into his food while making a weird expression.

Baek Hyeon-Jeong wasn't finished, however. “I was so worried about you straying down the wrong path lately, son. But I'm relieved to hear that your mindset has changed for the better. And! How wonderful it is that Chairman Hwang still cares about you.”

“…Mother, I never strayed.”

“What do you mean? You refused to resume your studies, then started some part-time job and began doing some weird who-knows-what, and now, we don't even know where you hang out these days.”

Stab.

It felt like a sharp dagger had mercilessly stabbed Kang Jin-Ho in the chest.

“You never tell us what you're doing or where you are going. And you frequently leave the house, too.”

Stab.

“We used to be thankful about you not staying out the whole night, but now? You don't come home for days on end lately.”

Baek Hyeon-Jeong’s words hurt. Kang Jin-Ho shuddered at all the sharp word daggers stabbing him.

“At least your friends were all nice people. And we could proudly boast about our son being a good person, but now… Jin-Ho, are you still friends with Yu-Min these days?”

“...Y-yes, mother. We are still friends.”

“Good to hear, son. Since you have made some money, I figured you'd lazily live off your savings, but then, you started a business out of nowhere. I was so worried about you throwing all that money away on some hair-brained scheme.”

Baek Hyeon-Jeong’s expression was filled with doubt as she stared at her son.

Kang Jin-Ho kept his head low while silently munching on his food.

In the past, his parents would look at him with happiness and pride whenever they sat around the family dining table. It was as if they were already full without touching any of the food.

But now? Kang Jin-Ho had somehow become a total stranger with such caring gazes. And the greatly simplified menu on the dining table seemed to perfectly mirror Kang Jin-Ho's current standing in the family.

Of course, he knew no one was to blame here but himself.

Getting more and more involved in the Assembly's business meant he now had more things to hide from his family. After all, he'd have to explain far, far too many things first if he were to reveal his business with the Martial Assembly and then cross his fingers and hope that his family would understand.

However, doing so would not be a good thing for his family. Ordinary people needed to live ordinary lives, after all.

‘...The Assembly must become a legal entity, no matter what.’

This situation helped Kang Jin-Ho finally understand the family trouble the Martial Assembly members often lamented about.

What did it matter if the martial artists made a lot of money and remained devoted to their families? To other people, the Assembly members would always look like unemployed bums, gangsters, and con artists, anyway!

“Your mother's right, son. Even though I've been trying not to say anything… I am a little relieved to see that you have settled down somewhat.”

Even his father?! Kang Jin-Ho was given yet another reminder of how low his family’s trust in him had fallen and could only fake-cough awkwardly.

“I’m sorry for making you worry. However, I promise you that I’m not doing something idiotic.”

Kang Jin-Ho figured putting on a reassuring display now could help him here, but…

Baek Hyeon-Jeong suddenly yelled, “That’s what they all say!”

“…”

“Who would be stupid enough to say, ‘Yes, I’m doing bad things’ while going around doing bad things! No one would do that!”

Kang Yu-Hwan nearly fell off his chair. “H-honey, please calm down first.”

Baek Hyeon-Jeong tutted loudly at her husband. Meanwhile, Kang Jin-Ho sneakily wiped the cold sweat streaming down his forehead.

His sky-high cultivation realm meant Kang Jin-Ho wouldn't sweat even under the glare of harsh mid-summer sun, yet someone like him still couldn't overcome the intense pressure of this situation!

“Also!” Baek Hyeon-Jeong opened her floodgate once more as if she couldn't let go of this opportunity. “Eun-Yeong told me about you trying to set up a talent agency! Is that true?”

Kang Jin-Ho’s head cocked to a strange angle, then he slowly, oh-so-slowly, turned toward his little sister. However, it seemed Kang Eun-Yeong had spotted something interesting outside the window, because she resolutely refused to turn her head and show her face.

Kang Jin-Ho grimaced slightly. “Mother, it's not what you think.”

“Jin-Ho, my son…! I'm deeply worried about you,” Baek Hyeon-Jeong sighed loudly enough to cause a minor earthquake. “I'm not saying all this because I don't trust you, son. However! All parents are like this, you know? No matter how old their children get, all parents will forever worry about them. As if… As if their little kids are wandering near the river. So, when I heard about how you were trying to jump into another business venture you have no idea about…”

That was when Kang Jin-Ho hurriedly cut in and spoke in a reassuring tone. “No, mother, wait. You really don’t have anything to worry about. I won’t be the one running that agency, you see? Someone else will oversee the day-to-day management.”

“Oh, is that right? And who will that be?”

Kang Jin-Ho momentarily faltered just then. He began wondering how to formulate his answer, but…

But Kang Eun-Yeong deftly seized this opening and began humming in delight! “Mom! It's Miss Choi Yeon-Ha! Yes, that Choi Yeon-Ha!”

“...Choi, Yeon, Ha?” Baek Hyeon-Jeong’s glare grew razor-sharp once more.

That was when Kang Jin-Ho inwardly swore to make Kang Eun-Yeong pay once he got through today’s ordeal.

‘How did things end up this way, though?’

Once upon a time, Kang Eun-Yeong was a cute little sister who hung on Kang Jin-Ho's every word. And Kang Jin-Ho's parents never questioned him and always offered him their full, unending support. In short, they were like those perfect parents only seen in fairy tales.

But now…!

Baek Hyeon-Jeong sighed. “I’m worried, son. Worried, I say.”

“Mother, I assure you, this person is quite capable, and…”

“That’s not what your mother’s worried about, son.” Kang Yu-Hwan decided to interject just then. “I’ll be honest. Even I’m worried about this, Jin-Ho.”

“Father?”

“Son, you can never predict what will happen during people's relationships. Especially when it comes to the relationship between a man and a woman. What will happen to this agency if things between you and Miss Yeon-Ha don't work out?”

Kang Jin-Ho clamped his mouth shut. His father was right about this point.

“Father, that… won’t happen.”

“Oppa,” Kang Eun-Yeong sighed deeply. “No one can say that for sure, you know? I mean, let's be honest here, okay? You also didn't know things would work out that way with that unnie back then, right?”

Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head. “That unnie?”

“Yeah. Se-Yeon unnie.”

“…”

He was taken slightly aback by the sudden and unexpected mention of Han Se-Yeon's name.

Kang Eun-Yeong continued to lament. “Even I was surprised, you know? Who would’ve thought that that unnie would change her mind like that?”

“That's enough,” Kang Jin-Ho hurriedly and firmly put a stop to this discussion.

Kang Eun-Yeong pouted unhappily. Her expression said she was annoyed about not being able to air her grievances regarding Han Se-Yeon’s conduct.

“Father, mother…” Kang Jin-Ho solemnly addressed his parents. “I know I have been giving you cause for concern by failing to communicate with you on why I'm so busy lately. However, please believe me when I say I'm still the same person you know and remember. I will be able to show you the results soon, so please, I ask of you to believe in me.”

“Son, of course we trust you.”

“We really do.”

Baek Hyeon-Jeong and Kang Yu-Hwan smiled gently. Their expressions were as gentle as in the past.

“However, son…” Kang Yu-Hwan sat forward, his expression suddenly getting more solemn. “Don't try to do everything perfectly.”

“Father? I don’t understand.” Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head.

“Your mother and I aren’t unhappy about you being a disappointment, son. No, this is… This is more like us whining like kids. You used to talk and discuss everything with us, but now… You’re all grown up and do what you must do without talking to us anymore.”

“…”

“Yes, we knew the time would come sooner or later, but it feels like it came too soon. And that's what makes us rueful and a little sad. That's all. Regardless of the outcome, we won't be disappointed or overjoyed, so don't worry about the pressure, son. Whether you fail or become a success story… Remember, you will always be our son.”

Kang Jin-Ho dazedly stared at his father before silently nodding away.

‘I… I've been an arrogant idiot.'

He suddenly realized how arrogant he sounded just now while telling his parents how he'd prove himself with the results. This was probably not what his parents wanted to see or hear from him. However, somewhere along the line… Kang Jin-Ho began thinking that a good result would resolve any and all strife plaguing his family life.

Kang Jin-Ho lowered his head. “I apologize, father.”

“No, no. Don’t apologize. All parents feel left out when their sons going through puberty lock themselves in their rooms, you know? That’s why they nag and even pick fights as a way to talk to their kids. So, don’t worry too much about it, Jin-Ho.”

“This was a mistake on my part, father. From now on… I’ll make sure it won’t happen again.”

Although Kang Jin-Ho was the one apologizing and begging for forgiveness, he didn’t feel bad about it. At all. Even if he had reached the pinnacle of martial arts and lived twice as long as his father… Parents were still parents. His father was still his father.

Realizing that invaluable truth only made Kang Jin-Ho overjoyed instead.

Baek Hyeon-Jeong beamed brightly. “Good! Then… My son is about to work for Jaegyeong!”

Kang Jin-Ho faltered slightly. “W-wait, mother. I’m just an intern…”

“Which means! We gotta get you a nice business suit! Jin-Ho, we are going on a shopping spree after breakfast, so get ready!”

“...W-wait, mother.”

Kang Eun-Yeong urgently raised her hand. “Mom! Me too! Let me come with you!”

“Of course! Let's go! Let's go and have a mother-of-all shopping spree today!”

Kang Jin-Ho’s complexion paled, and he urgently shifted his gaze. However, when his son’s pleading gaze landed on him, Kang Yu-Hwan wordlessly put his utensils down and sneakily got up.

“Oops, look at the time. I better hurry and head to my cafe…”

“F-father…!”

“I wish you godspeed, Jin-Ho.”

When his father abandoned him among this pair of starving wolves and fled the scene, Kang Jin-Ho could only sit there and stare in stupefaction.

‘He really threw his only son away…’

Now that was a truly heartless thing to do to his only son!

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