Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1056. Interrogated (1)

“I’m home,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“Orabeoni~!” Kang Eun-Yeong trotted out of the living room to greet Kang Jin-Ho as soon as he stepped inside the Kang family residence.

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled softly at this sight.

‘I’m supposed to treat my subordinates like my family...?’

The idea itself seemed so simple in principle, but this was definitely the case of easier said than done. Kang Jin-Ho wasn’t sure which subordinate he should treat like his little sister, for instance!

Kang Eun-Yeong cutely frowned. “It’s kinda late, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. I had something to do.”

“Hnng~, makes sense. Jaegyeong’s famous for pushing their employees like crazy, after all!”

Kang Jin-Ho tutted. “I’m telling you, I’m not a Jaegyeong employee...”

“Oww, come on. Let’s just pretend you are for a little while longer, okay? It’s more fun that way, you know?”

Kang Jin-Ho's tutting continued. “What are you even on about?”

Besides, there was another thing to remember here. No subordinate of Kang Jin-Ho would be this tricky to converse with. When talking to Kang Eun-Yeong, he’d often find himself getting sucked into her pace.

“By the way, oppa?”

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at his little sister while taking his shoes off. “Yeah?”

“Yeon-Ha unnie was...”

“Mm? Who?”

“What do you mean, who? It’s obviously Choi Yeon-Ha.”

Kang Jin-Ho flinched nastily. “W-when did you two grow close enough for you to call her your unnie?”

“Don’t you know women can hook up and become best buddies in only one night?”

“...I'm sure that euphemism doesn't mean what you think it does.”

“Fut!” Kang Eun-Yeong stifled her laughter.

Kang Jin-Ho shook his head. “Okay. So, what about her?”

“Yeon-Ha unnie said all the preparations should be finished by next week, and I can transfer over to the new agency. But... Can I really do this, oppa?”

“Mm? Why are you asking me that?”

“I mean, you're the one who set me up with my current agency, Code, right? That's why I figured I shouldn't switch my agency without talking to you first. Yeah, I know. You opened this agency to make my life easier, but still.”

There seemed to be some kind of a misunderstanding brewing here.

All Kang Jin-Ho did was ask Choi Yeon-Ha to find out what was going on in Code. Everything else that happened afterward was all Choi Yeon-Ha's doing. Kang Jin-Ho had zero involvement.

Of course, he wisely didn’t mention that. Instead, he asked his sister, “Well, what do you want to do?”

“Me? Of course I wanna move.”

“And why do you feel that way?”

“I mean, you’re the president, right?”

“...”

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What a strange situation this was.

Kang Jin-Ho wasn’t doing anything special and just living his life as usual, yet strange titles kept getting added to his resume. He was a president and a chairman and an Assembly Master now.

Kang Eun-Yeong frowned slightly. “Code has been good to me, sure. But the situation there is getting weirder these days, so... I think I’ll feel more at ease in an agency you own, oppa. More importantly, though...!”

“Mm? More importantly?”

“Since Yeon-Ha unnie will be there, I can just leech off whatever crumbs she leaves behind, you know!”

“...”

Should Kang Jin-Ho rebuke his little sister for lacking ambition? Or praise her for being... pragmatic?

“Where’s your aspirations as a singer, Eun-Yeong?”

“Ahahah! You’re so funny, oppa! Saying stuff that only a teenager would say! We’re all in this to make a living, right?”

Well, she was technically correct. People were doing whatever they were doing to put food on the table. However, that didn't mean someone young like Kang Eun-Yeong should be saying such things!

Kang Jin-Ho groaned deeply.

“As an idol, moving to your agency will make things easier for me. After all, I can probably choose what I do and not let others choose for me.”

“I see. Then do what suits you the best.”

Kang Eun-Yeong pouted slightly. “Orabeoni. Your reactions have become so flat recently. I’m telling you, you don’t care about us anymore!”

“...Sorry. I’ll reflect on myself.”

Kang Eun-Yeong sighed when her brother admitted to his fault without fighting back. She interlocked her fingers and stretched her arms in an exaggerated yawn of boredom. “Oh, by the way, oppa?”

“Yeah?”

“Yeon-Ha unnie said she’d send me a DM today, but nothing happened so far.”

“...”

“Did she DM you today, oppa?”

“No, she hasn’t.”

“Ehh... I guess she's super busy, like everyone says. Hnng~, I shouldn't be surprised, though. Her schedule must be absolutely insane right now.”

Kang Jin-Ho tilted his head. “Mm? Why?”

“Don’t you know? The drama she shot in China did gangbusters over on that side.”

“...?”

Kang Eun-Yeong chuckled loudly. “Then again, you wouldn't be interested in such things, right? I heard that Yeon-Ha unnie's show did so well in China that one of our local stations is thinking about bringing it over here. The show's the talk of the town right now.”

“...Oh, really?”

“Yeah. That’s why Yeon-Ha unnie must be crazy busy right now. Even then... She should still have enough free time to DM us, right?”

Kang Jin-Ho realized cold sweat had trickled down his forehead just then.

‘Now that Eun-Yeong has mentioned it...’

Choi Yeon-Ha would usually phone Kang Jin-Ho every now and then during the day. If she couldn't for some reason, then at least she'd DM various cute emojis to him. But today? There hadn't been any contact from her.

When Kang Jin-Ho thought about it, the timing of this development eerily coincided with the start of the ‘interrogation’ Park Yu-Min mentioned.

“Mm? Oppa?”

Kang Jin-Ho sobered up and looked at his little sister. “M-mm?”

“Are you tired? Maybe under the weather?”

“...Why do you ask that?”

“Your complexion is really pale, you know?”

“...”

When was the last time someone said that about Kang Jin-Ho’s complexion? He was freshly reminded of how even the high cultivation realms couldn’t handle the fluctuation of one’s emotional state.

He sighed deeply. “I... I’m going to wash up and go to bed.”

“Got it, oppa. Resting when tired is the right idea. You’ve been doing something totally unfamiliar, after all. Getting tired makes sense.”

‘I wish that was true, Eun-Yeong. I wish that was true...’

***

Kang Jin-Ho finished showering and stepped into his room. He silently stared at his phone before lying down on the bed.

‘Han Se-Yeon, is it...?’

It felt like he was taking out a yellowing, fading photograph from an ancient photo album.

What he meant by that was... He wasn’t fondly reminiscing about the past. Rather than that, it was more like the photo in question was so old that Kang Jin-Ho couldn’t even remember taking it. That was what this situation felt like.

He didn't feel anything in particular while looking at this photo, but other people were getting agitated by it instead. Which was rather ironic, at least in his view.

‘Han Se-Yeon...’

However, when he contemplated some more, Kang Jin-Ho noticed his feelings regarding this matter had become a bit... stranger.

The memories of sitting in that cafe and chatting with Han Se-Yeon for the last time were still vividly imprinted into Kang Jin-Ho's mind. He even remembered what he muttered to himself after she left him behind in the cafe, too.

‘I said I’m sorry, didn’t I?’

As for what the last thing he said to her...

Kang Jin-Ho sighed deeply.

‘I guess not all ‘I’m sorry’ means the same thing...’

Kang Jin-Ho’s genuine sentiment during that moment was closer to feeling sorry for her as a... human being? Unfortunately, he still hadn’t fully acclimatized to the modern era and was still in the process of becoming an actual functioning human being back then.

Of course, he still couldn’t say he had now become a modern-era man. But he had certainly made a lot of progress since then.

Back then, Kang Jin-Ho found it still too challenging to deal with all the worldly matters flooding him from seemingly every direction. That was why he couldn't differentiate between friendship and genuine feelings. Even now, he still hadn't deciphered what Han Se-Yeon said to him right before breaking up.

“Still, why now...”

An already-over relationship shouldn’t mean anything, no?

Kang Jin-Ho unlocked the phone and tapped on the messaging app. He felt a little weirded out while looking at the DMs that had abruptly ended at a certain point in time.

‘Should I... contact her first?’

However, wasn’t it too late during the day to do that?

‘No, hang on. It’s not too late right now. I think?’

Rather than foolishly wait and worsen the situation, maybe he should...

-What are you doing?

Flinch!

Kang Jin-Ho flinched nastily when a DM abruptly popped up on the screen. What was up with this dastardly timing!

Since he was already looking at the DMs, pretending to have not read it was out of the question now! In fact, the “1” mark next to the message rapidly disappeared to say he had read the dang thing![1]

-Oh? You were reading the DMs?

To make matters worse, Choi Yeon-Ha was super-sharp in things like this. All escape routes had been effectively blocked off now.

‘Wait. Escape? Why?’

Why was he supposed to escape? When he hadn’t done anything wrong?

Kang Jin-Ho sucked in a deep breath before carefully and slowly typing away on the phone's screen. He could move his fingers one hundred times in a second if he wanted to, but not when it involved typing on screen. He just couldn't do it!

-Actually, I was thinking of messaging you just now.

Choi Yeon-Ha’s reply arrived instantly.

-Hmm? Now that’s surprising coming from you.

-Thank you, I guess?

-Are you free tomorrow? I have an open spot in my schedule.

-I have to attend the newbie training tomorrow. How about on the weekend?

-Are you free tomorrow?

“...”

Kang Jin-Ho’s fingers trembled ever so slightly.

-I’m not, but I’ll make time.

-Then, see you around lunchtime. Twelve on the dot, my place.

-Understood.

-Okay. Sleep well now.

This messaging app... More specifically, what was up with this whole direct messaging thing...?

‘No, rather than the app, I guess words are the true mysteries of life instead.’

Even though he only read a handful of brief sentences, he still felt the full brunt of the sender’s emotions. What a mysterious phenomenon that was.

Maybe Kang Jin-Ho had progressed enough as a human being to sense the intended emotions hidden within such texts.

Even so, maybe...

‘...I think not knowing is better in this case, though!’

Kang Jin-Ho thought he could feel icy winds blowing out from those texts on the screen!

He squeezed his eyes shut while putting the phone down. It seemed he should ask for a leave of absence tomorrow.

***

“Nice to see you again, Mister Jin-Ho.”

“...Hello to you, too.”

Kang Jin-Ho entered through the door and was greeted by Choi Yeon-Ha in plain clothes.

‘Her expression... doesn’t seem so bad?’

After spotting her bright smile, Kang Jin-Ho wondered if all the messages he received the night before were figments of his imagination. If not, maybe he was being a little too paranoid?

“I heard you were busy, Miss Yeon-Ha.”

“I am. Unbelievably so, you know? Honestly, it's been killing me,” said Choi Yeon-Ha jokingly while guiding Kang Jin-Ho into her living room. “Am I supposed to give you something to drink since you're a guest and all? Sorry, I never get visitors to my home, you see?”

“Oh, uh... I’m fine.”

“You might be, but I’m not. Since you’re so particular about your coffee... Mm, how about tea? Would you like some tea?”

Kang Jin-Ho urgently replied, “Coffee, please.”

“...You don’t want to change at all, do you?” Choi Yeon-Ha chuckled helplessly while pointing at the couch. “Take a seat. I’ll be back in a jiffy.”

“Of course.”

Kang Jin-Ho watched Choi Yeon-Ha head to the kitchen and cautiously settled down on the couch. Although the cushions felt comfy, why did he mistakenly think there were pins and needles poking him in the butt...?

Why did a comfy couch feel so uncomfortable?

Choi Yeon-Ha returned literally a few seconds later and placed a can of vending machine coffee in front of Kang Jin-Ho.

Kang Jin-Ho silently stared at that cold can.

Choi Yeon-Ha tilted her head. “Mm? What’s wrong?”

“No, it’s nothing.” Kang Jin-Ho shook his head while briefly wondering if there was a connection between a person’s fastidiousness and a can of instant coffee.

Choi Yeon-Ha settled down on the couch next to Kang Jin-Ho. “You know, it’s getting harder to see you nowadays.”

“That’s because things are hectic right now.”

“For me? Or for you?”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled sheepishly. “I don’t think I’m to blame this time.”

“Hnng? What about before, then?”

“...Yes, that was my fault."

Choi Yeon-Ha chuckled back. “At least you know how to own up. That’s great.”

Kang Jin-Ho sheepishly smiled again before trying to change the topic. “I heard your TV show was doing great...”

“Whoa. How did you know about that? Wait, someone told you?”

“...Yes. Eun-Yeong did.”

“I knew it. You aren’t the type to care about such things, anyway.”

Choi Yeon-Ha had already figured out that she shouldn’t expect such things from Kang Jin-Ho. Besides, she didn’t want him to focus on her filmography, anyway.

Indeed, her desire was for Kang Jin-Ho to see her as Choi Yeon-Ha the human being, not Choi Yeon-Ha the famous actress. Whether her films and shows did well or not shouldn't matter in how he viewed her. The goal was to make him treat her the same as always.

Kang Jin-Ho coolly nodded. “Glad to hear your show is doing so well.”

“Of course. I went through such an ordeal to shoot that thing, after all! So it better do well!”

Choi Yeon-Ha still reflexively gritted her teeth whenever the memories of the shoot in China popped up in her mind. As for the show itself, it was doing really great in China. However, it was still only the beginning. Not in the metaphorical sense, either, since the broadcast had begun not too long ago. The ratings were still climbing up higher and higher.

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at her. “I’m guessing the reactions have been positive?”

“Yup. And it’s even better among the people in the industry. I keep getting scripts from Chinese producers. And lots of them want to see me in person, too.”

“That sounds great.”

“Yes, it is, but I'm not gonna commit to them. Honestly? I'm not gonna go through with another location shoot in China. Unless it's a really good script, then maybe. But for now? I don't even want to look in that direction.”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled softly.

‘I’m relieved to hear that.’

The idea of Choi Yeon-Ha heading back to China didn't please Kang Jin-Ho one bit.

By now, the people in the Crimson King's faction must've realized Choi Yeon-Ha was in a relationship with Kang Jin-Ho. In that case, her waltzing right into the proverbial mouth of the hostile tiger was the last thing he wanted to happen.

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at the coffee can before grimacing a little. “So... What did you want to see me about?”

“Do I have to have a reason to see you? I just called you over 'cuz I wanted to.”

“I was just curious, that’s all.”

Choi Yeon-Ha grinned brightly back at him. Only then did Kang Jin-Ho sigh in relief under his breath. She seemed like her usual self.

In other words, there didn’t seem to be any issues here. Maybe Kang Jin-Ho was being paranoid for no reason?

“How’s the newbie training? Things must be hectic for you, too,” said Choi Yeon-Ha.

“It’s more or less doable,” Kang Jin-Ho replied with a casual shrug.

“Really? Even though your expression says otherwise?”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled. “Well, I can't have everything the way I want, you know. That means I'll have to go with the flow sometimes.”

“I feel the same way. If I could, I'd love to kick back and do nothing but play at home for the next three days straight and forget about work altogether. But I can't stop making hay while the sun shines. Since, you know, I'm never quite sure when the sun will stop shining.”

“Yes, I agree,” Kang Jin-Ho sighed softly again. It didn’t surprise him to hear that Choi Yeon-Ha was also as mindlessly busy as he was. And that roused this sense of comradeship in his heart.

Just before he could offer some words of comfort, though, Choi Yeon-Ha seized the initiative first. “Ah, that’s right. There’s something else I wanted to ask you about.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“Who is Han Se-Yeon?”

“...!”

Choi Yeon-Ha was smiling. It certainly was a bright, carefree smile. In fact, it was very carefree and way too bright!

Cold sweat began trickling down Kang Jin-Ho’s spine just then.

1. A subtle little “1” appears on unread messages in Kakaotalk, a popular Korean messaging app. ☜