Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1061. Responding (1)

“What’s the current situation?”

The Iemoto asked in a calm but withdrawn voice. He usually spoke like a man with all the time in the world, but not today. Not a speck or hint of leisure could be felt in his voice.

As a matter of fact, he sounded surprisingly irritable. And a generous dollop of anxiety dripped thickly from his voice instead.

Yohei frowned ever so slightly at this change in the Iemoto’s attitude.

One of the duties of a leader was to always maintain a calm demeanor no matter how anxious he was. Up until now, the Iemoto had fulfilled this duty quite well... But at this moment, at least, he seemed to have forgotten completely about it.

‘However, it’s not all bad news, now is it?’

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Currently, only Yohei, the Iemoto, and Cai Kechang were present in this room.

Putting on a facade of leisure in front of Cai Kechang was meaningless. After all, such an appearance wouldn't fool his eyes, anyway. Besides, he knew how precarious Shinichi-kai's situation was better than the top leaders of the clan, to begin with!

What was so amusing in this situation was that the Iemoto had decided to discard his facade even in Yohei's presence. Which could only mean...

‘...The Iemoto considers me as a close confidante!’

Yohei desperately forced the corners of his lips from instinctively curling up. What an ironic development this was.

Until recently, Yohei had been a member of the vocal opposition standing against the Iemoto. Not only that, but he was also considered a quasi-leader of the opposition, to boot! So, to think that the Iemoto would view someone like that as a close confidante!

What was so ironic about this development was that Yohei didn’t feel any urgent need to correct the Iemoto’s mindset.

‘The old adage proves right once again.’

When faced with internal enemies, create external enemies... Nothing was better than waging war to quell the internal unrest. As long as the war between nations raged on, the schism between the parties would get mended, and the proverbial hatchets would get buried for the time being, after all!

“For now, no one is openly opposing the invasion anymore,” said Yohei.

The Iemoto silently nodded. The leaders of the various clans had already heard all the explanations by now. Anyone still unwilling to accept the reality of this situation didn't deserve to be called a leader.

“However, that doesn't mean everyone is on board, sir.”

“As expected,” the Iemoto grunted while frowning deeply.

Of course, it was unreasonable to expect to persuade all those reticent fools with some flowery words.

The Iemoto spoke in determination. “We don't have a choice but to ask for their cooperation, then. Yohei, I want you to identify the ones still not on board as of yet. I'll personally meet them all. Even if I have to bow my head...!”

“How foolish!”

The Iemoto clamped his mouth shut and slowly turned his head. That was when he spotted Cai Kechang loudly tutting away.

“...What did you say, Cai Kechang?”

“I said, you’re being foolish!” Cai Kechang responded flatly.

The Iemoto’s mustache quivered noticeably. Even if Cai Kechang was an authoritative figure within the Crimson King’s faction, and even if Shinichi-kai couldn’t even hold a candle against that gigantic organization...

How dare Cai Kechang say something so rude toward the head of another organization!

“You bastard...!”

Cai Kechang grunted. “You can drop the virtuous man act, okay?”

The Iemoto clamped his mouth shut again. It felt like Cai Kechang’s snide remark was stabbing him like a cold dagger.

Cai Kechang smirked after noticing the Iemoto’s reaction. “Oh? I guess you’re displeased by me calling it an act? In that case, let me apologize. However, do know this. I didn’t say that with a bad intention. A leader obviously should hide their true self and pretend to be a virtuous and caring person, after all. However...!”

The smirk instantly vanished from Cai Kechang’s face, and his voice became harder, colder.

“...That story is only applicable during times of peace.”

“...”

“The story during wartime is obviously different. Those who wish to be guided by a caring and kind leader would still want to be under the leadership of a vicious but determined commander during the war. So, lowering your head and asking for cooperation in times like this will only damage your reputation in the long run.”

“Mm...!” The Iemoto narrowed his eyes.

Yohei quietly observed the two men’s exchange before raising his voice. He thought now would be the right time to butt in. “Without getting their cooperation, securing our forces will take much longer.”

“Obviously. However...!” Cai Kechang leaned against the back of his chair and muttered flatly. “There are two ways to make a lazy swine move again. One, entice it with food. Or kick it in the butt.”

Yohei’s expression stiffened beyond description. Even if this was a figure of speech, there was simply no way a proud Japanese like him would feel pleased by a Chinese bastard comparing other Japanese to a swine!

“In a normal situation, you could use food to lure the pigs out. That will keep everyone's pride intact, after all. However, the stupid pigs that get lost and wander around while the barn's on fire deserve a firm kick in the rear.”

“You're one to talk!” The Iemoto loudly gritted his teeth. “You were busy telling me not to act like a virtuous man, yet it seems your plan was to give us the runaround with a Zen riddle instead!”

“Ah? Oops, my bad. I should have considered the level of intellect of my audience first.”

The Iemoto silently glared at Cai Kechang.

Despite the intensity of the glare, though, Cai Kechang still cracked a smirk and nodded away. “Yes, that’s it. That’s the kind of look I wanted to see!”

Cai Kechang cackled before coolly shrugging away.

“I’ll stop my provocations here since I might not walk out of here alive at this rate. Anyways. The method is simple. Make the unwilling ones cooperate by creating a suitable pretext.”

The Iemoto frowned. “Isn't that what we've been doing until now?”

“And... Make an example out of a gumi that still doesn't want to fall in line. You do that by killing every single person in it!”

“...!”

Yohei and the Iemoto sharply turned their heads and glared at Cai Kechang.

“Did you say... every single person?!”

“Let's not pretend to be innocent little lambs here, shall we?” Cai Kechang cackled again. “I'm sure you all know this already. The process of strengthening your authority is always accompanied by bloodshed. But to shed some blood, you need a suitable justification first. And historically speaking... The best justification has always been war. You can justify anything by saying everyone needs to unite and cooperate unquestioningly to avoid the crushing defeat in the war.”

“You... You do not know the current situation in Japan!”

“Sure. I don’t know its current situation. But I do know Japan’s history quite well. And Japan’s preferred method of strengthening a warlord’s power has always been war. Or am I wrong?”

The Iemoto quietly chewed on his lips. He wanted to argue back but couldn’t. Cai Kechang had hit the nail on the head, after all.

“From where I am, this arrangement makes little sense to me. You probably think you’re walking on a tightrope while delicately balancing justifications and benefits. In my view, though? It’s just a sign of weakness.”

“Watch what you say, Cai Kechang!”

“A man who is not determined to stain his hands with blood doesn’t deserve to stand on top. You might think you have shed enough blood, but no. That’s not bloodshed. You were merely getting rid of obstacles. That’s all!”

Cai Kechang bared his fangs in a ferocious grin.

“Shedding blood means you're prepared to rule through fear. Making others fear you through power... You can only do that by being unfair. No one will fear you if the harshness of the punishment is appropriate for the crime. Actually, they would underestimate you instead.

“When a trifling little crime no one would care about is dealt with a punishment unimaginably cruel and vicious... Now that is when people will start fearing you!”

The Iemoto’s expression grew as stiff as it could get while he glared at Cai Kechang.

Just how many trials and tribulations had tried to hamper the Iemoto's journey to the top? He was understandably proud of having overcome all those obstacles. However, after listening to Cai Kechang... Several thoughts began intruding into the Iemoto's head.

‘If this man has been by my side, wouldn’t my status be so much different... So much higher by now?’

The Iemoto couldn’t help but think about what happened and what could have happened.

Up until now, his schemes and strategies had been all about finding the enemies’ weaknesses, and distinguishing when to bow his head and when to drive the nail home. That was about it.

Acquiring power that way was undoubtedly a difficult ordeal, but the Iemoto had eventually succeeded in his goal. Having said that...

Cai Kechang was not wrong, either. “Power” not established through force ran the risk of losing its grip on the masses through just a few well-placed words.

As proof, the Iemoto only had to look at how the leaders of the clans dared to bare their fangs and almost started a revolt just because they lost a few young elites!

‘In the end... Power does not last forever.’

Even in times of outward peace, struggles for power continued on internally. And the power that remained resolute and unflappable even in the face of a crisis was the true power.

A ruler who lost his footing from even the smallest, most insignificant crisis and swayed about like a tiny boat caught in a storm did not deserve the power he wielded.

The Iemoto suddenly gained an epiphany on why so many leaders in power tried desperately to become dictators.

“Cai Kechang...! That’s not how we do things over here,” said Yohei.

He was clearly trying to act as a mediator in this conversation. Unfortunately for him, though...

Cai Kechang didn’t even spare a single glance in Yohei’s direction. His gaze was fixed only on the Iemoto as if to say Yohei’s presence didn’t even matter in this conversation.

The Iemoto glanced at Yohei. “Listen, Yohei.”

“Yes, Iemoto.”

“Contact each and every gumi. Tell them we need funds for the upcoming expedition... And it’s time they cough it up.”

“Sir?” Yohei’s eyes grew wider. He inadvertently asked back in shock. “B-but...! Iemoto, sir! We’ve agreed that the financial support will come at a later stage...”

“Do as I say, Yohei!”

“...!”

Yohei subtly bit his lip.

Without a doubt, some would vigorously oppose this decision. After all, the gumis had already finished negotiating and came to an agreement over the funding issue. So, abruptly moving up the timetable without consulting the gumis would definitely create voices of discontent and opposition.

But the bigger problem here was that the Iemoto obviously knew all this... And still chose to issue that command!

‘In other words, he's deliberately stoking the opposition...'

...To follow through on Cai Kechang’s so-called advice!

“Iemoto, sir...” Yohei was about to say something, only to hurriedly clamp his mouth shut.

They wanted to make an example out of the opposition. And Yohei couldn't help but think that he could be included in the category of the 'opposition' depending on what he said right now.

Yohei nervously swallowed his saliva before sneakily glancing back at the Iemoto. And that was when he discovered the leader of Shinichi-kai glaring coldly at him.

“Sir. I will do as you say,” said Yohei in defeat, his head bowing deeply.

Inwardly, though, he was screaming, ‘Dammit!’

The target of Shinichi-kai's aggression wasn't the only thing that had changed.

Regardless of the events leading up to the decision, the gumis of Kansai had already agreed to wage war against South Korea. And the command was entrusted to the Iemoto.

That fact alone changed the status of the game greatly. The Iemoto now could wield the blade however he wanted to under the justification of achieving victory in the war. However, that blade... could also target Japan, not just South Korea!

This was the moment Yohei finally recognized that possibility.

‘Are we really doing the right thing?’

Pacifists had always been a fixture throughout human history. Some of them even argued against war waged for a clear purpose.

Reading about them in history books always frustrated Yohei to some degree, but now that he found himself in those people’s shoes... He thought he could understand the sentiments of those pacifists.

A nation's interests didn't necessarily align with an individual's interests.

Even if Japan emerged victorious in the upcoming war, what would Yohei get out of it when the Iemoto would surely use the war as the pretext to slaughter every opposing voice and secure his power base?

‘Dammit... It’s already too late!’

Unfortunately, it’d be most unwise to voice his opposition right now. Doing so would only reward Yohei with a quick and immediate beheading, after all!

Cai Kechang sneered derisively. “Looks like you’ve finally finished analyzing the situation.”

“...!” Yohei slowly raised his head to glare at Cai Kechang.

The Chinese man’s smirk could only be described as soul-chilling.

Cai Kechang continued to stoke the flames. “All wars start with bloodshed. But true wars start with the blood of your kin, not your enemies. Those who are too afraid to shed their countrymen’s blood... have no right to talk about victory!”

“He’s right, Yohei!” The Iemoto firmly nodded.

This discussion didn’t take long, yet the Iemoto’s expression had already subtly changed. His facade of leisure and gentleness was completely gone now. Even the hints of anxiety and fear had disappeared without a trace. Only malice and venomous determination remained.

The bone-chilling killing intent dripped nonstop from the Iemoto's previously gentle gaze.

Yohei bit down hard on his lip.

Cai Kechang! He was undoubtedly a venomous snake. A snake who dared to slink into Japan by himself to shake up the Iemoto to the core and drag the whole country into a spiral of destruction and war...!

The sly snake spitting out deadly venom faintly smirked.

Yohei grimaced deeply.

‘As long as that venom is directed at South Korea, everything will be fine, but...!’

‘Venom’ did not differentiate between allies and enemies. Since that was the case... The country destroyed by that venom in the end might not be South Korea, but Japan!