Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1123. Delivered (3)

“Shall we get going, my lord?”

Wiggins approached Kang Jin-Ho while beaming in satisfaction. It was finally time to leave this place behind and go home.

Kang Jin-Ho cocked an eyebrow. “You seem oddly satisfied.”

“Haha...” Wiggins sheepishly scratched the top of his head. However, his voice didn't sound sheepish at all. “At the end of the day, an alliance is meant to help its members realize their benefits sooner, my lord. An alliance with no potential benefits to be had is not a real alliance.”

“Sure.”

“That’s why I had to stay behind and discuss benefits with the Master, my lord. Although I knew I could have picked a better time, waiting forever for that perfect opportunity would have been rather stupid of me, so...”

Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded.

Leaving matters like this to Wiggins was the correct call. Kang Jin-Ho didn’t have to do everything by himself, after all.

“Even so, I have to say, this is not a nice feeling at all,” Wiggins chuckled helplessly. “Even though it was not my intention, it still felt like I was threatening someone who was already driven to a corner, you see...”

“I’m sure that was what you were going for, master,” Lee Hyeon-Su pouted and sourly retorted, only to flinch and look away when Wiggins sharply glared at him.

Wiggins tutted before resuming his impromptu briefing. “In any case... Our discussion went well, my lord. The Master said he’s onboard.”

“That’s good to hear,” said Kang Jin-Ho, the corners of his lips subtly curling up.

“With this, our business with the Round Table is completely and cleanly wrapped up, my lord. We can leave the mop-up operations to the Master and Besley. Now that the biggest stumbling blocks in the organization, Wellinger and Kramer, are no longer in the picture, the Knights should not have enough motivation or the energy to keep rebelling against the Master.”

“Don’t let your guard down,” said Kang Jin-Ho, his expression remaining flat, as he headed toward the portal. “All humans learn to adapt. And once they are done adapting, they’ll try to change things. The situation might seem settled to you right now, but one day, someone will try to oppose us and change the status quo.”

“Mm...! You’re right, my lord. I will remember to stay on my toes.”

Although he said that, Wiggins knew nothing would happen for a while. And he was quite sure of it, too.

Wiggins studied Kang Jin-Ho in a renewed light.

Since a portal connecting two countries now existed... No, even if the portal didn’t exist, Kang Jin-Ho had other ways to enter England. Since the Knights and others knew that, they would never dare say anything regardless of how bad their dissatisfaction got.

That was how severe the mental trauma Kang Jin-Ho had gifted the Knights was.

Even though Kang Jin-Ho had never targeted him, Wiggins still felt his family jewels tighten from what transpired in the grand hall. In that case, how much worse would it be for those who did get targeted?

As long as Kang Jin-Ho was alive and kicking, and the Knights too terrified of him to do anything remained in their roles, the Master would continue to enjoy absolute domination over the Round Table.

‘But then, that will become the noose around the Master's throat instead.'

The Master had a taste of what power was like.

He might have explained his actions as a sacrifice meant for the future prosperity of the Round Table to Besley, but Wiggins didn't believe a single word coming out of the older man's mouth.

And Besley was probably the same since he was not an idiot. He simply didn't have any other choice but to go along in that situation, that was all.

Those who had experienced the enticing taste of power would inevitably grow obsessed with keeping it. The Master knew his source of power was Kang Jin-Ho.

Simply having the Master in the position allowed Kang Jin-Ho to control the Round Table as he saw fit. And he could just dump all the annoying, complicated administrative work on the Master’s shoulders while pocketing all the benefits.

‘That should be good enough.’

This was the moment of their long and twisting maneuvering finally coming to an end. As relief began settling in, Wiggins felt a hint of unexplainable sorrow seep into his heart.

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at Wiggins. “Looks like you have a lot to get off your chest.”

“Oh. No, it’s not like that. But...”

An awkward smile formed on Wiggins’ face.

“It'd be a lie to say I’m calm and unaffected, my lord. Regardless of what anyone says, the fact that I’ve spent the majority of my life in the Round Table won't change, after all. Leaving this organization was a major decision for me. But now, I must do all this to the Round Table, too... Mm. In any case.”

After all that had happened, it only made sense that Wiggins was in a complicated mood.

“However, let me make myself clear, my lord. I’m not rueful about what happened. What has bummed me out is the fact that I didn’t manage to learn more from the Master during our stay here. After all, I found a potential lead in this place. If only I could stay here and work on it a little more, then maybe...!”

“Oh, really?” Kang Jin-Ho looked back while heading toward the portal. The news of Wiggins finally stumbling onto a lead to overcome his wall had piqued his interest.

“Yes, my lord. It seems the problem is how it’s impossible to wield a sword and cast magic at the same time. No matter how much you shorten the time needed to switch between the two, it’ll never be simultaneous, you see?”

“Yes, that’s true.”

Wiggins groaned softly. “It feels like I’ve encountered a fundamental limitation of the path I’ve chosen, and I’m not quite sure what to do.”

Kang Jin-Ho curiously asked, “Why? Can’t you do both at the same time?”

“No, my lord. That’s impossible. Unless I split my brain into two.”

“Huh? But it is possible, though?”

“...I beg your pardon?” Wiggins stopped walking and dazedly stared at his lord.

Kang Jin-Ho stared back weirdly at Wiggins before glancing at Lee Hyeon-Su instead.

Lee Hyeon-Su pointed at himself to confirm if the task of explanation had been dumped on him. And he immediately got to work after Kang Jin-Ho nodded in silence.

“Master. Although I've not mastered such a cultivation method myself, I know of one that might be what you've been looking for. It’s called the Twofold Will Art. Haven’t you heard of it before?”

Wiggins faltered. “I’m not all that knowledgeable about Eastern martial arts, you see...”

Lee Hyeon-Su smirked deeply. “The Twofold Will Art is a mind cultivation art designed to allow a cultivator to use two disparate cultivation techniques. The idea is that using one type with the right hand and another type with the left should help you become unparalleled on the battlefield. Although, it’s basically as good as lost to time by now.”

Wiggins blinked his eyes in surprise. “How come?”

“I’m sure you can already guess why, master. Using two different cultivation techniques simultaneously would certainly be useful, but... You still have to master two different techniques. The Twofold Will Art can help you split your thought process to use two different martial arts. But it doesn’t improve the speed of cultivation, you see? So...”

“Ah. Your rate of improvement will be slower compared to when focusing on only one cultivation method.”

“Yes, master. Unsurprisingly, people figured that digging one deep well was better than spending the same amount of time digging two shallow wells. So, no one masters that mind technique anymore. Also, the difficulty of the Twofold Will Art is rather atrocious, too. But, uh...”

Wiggins' eyes subtly quaked. “...It should suit me in my current situation. Is that it?”

“Yes, master.”

Wiggins stopped walking, his expression stupefied.

He had been trying so hard to find a way to solve his problem. Yet, to think that an off-hand banter could lead to the answer he had been desperately searching for!

As it turned out, Kang Jin-Ho’s advice of looking inward to find the problem and the Master’s advice of seeking others’ opinions proved 100% correct.

Had Wiggins not looked into himself to figure out the problem, he wouldn't have tried to master this Twofold Will Art even if he heard about it. Had he not asked others for advice, Wiggins wouldn't have learned about such a cultivation technique's existence in the first place!

“M-my lord! Is it possible for me to master this Twofold Will or whatever it’s called?”

Kang Jin-Ho replied with a casual shrug. “Probably.”

“Even though my system of martial arts is different?”

“It might have been impossible if the Twofold Will Art was designed to improve your qi cultivation. But it’s closer to cultivating your mind. So, I think it should be doable. Sure, the process of learning it will not be a cakewalk for you, but having a different system shouldn’t stop you from learning it in the first place.”

Sparks began flying out of Wiggins' dangerously gleaming eyes. He found the solution in the most unexpected place!

Wiggins didn’t give up on the pursuit of strength because of his lack of desire. No, it was solely because he couldn't find a way to overcome the wall standing in his way!

When he realized a potential path had finally been found, all of his suppressed desire exploded onto the surface.

“My lord! Please teach me this Twofold Will Art! I must learn it, no matter what!”

Kang Jin-Ho coolly nodded. “Mm! That’s a good mindset.”

“I must..."

“But...” Kang Jin-Ho abruptly cut Wiggins off. “There’s a small problem.”

“...When you say small, how small is the problem?”

“I don’t know the Twofold Will Art.”

“...I beg your pardon?”

Kang Jin-Ho sheepishly looked away. “The thing is, the Twofold Will Art is an orthodox cultivation method. Actually, it’s one of the exclusive cultivation arts belonging to Wudang. So, yeah... Of course I don’t know it.”

“...!”

Wiggins’ face reddened considerably. Even though Kang Jin-Ho spoke as if he knew everything! “M-Mister Lee! What about you?”

“Sorry, but I also don’t know.”

“...”

Lee Hyeon-Su also sheepishly looked away. “Obviously I wouldn't know stuff like that. I wouldn’t waste my time memorizing cultivation sutras like that, you know? I can’t even master what I know, after all.”

“Why, you useless...!”

“Holy cow! Why don’t you respond like that to the Assembly Master?”

Wiggins’ blood pressure skyrocketed, but he admirably held himself back. Now wasn’t the time to waste his energy arguing with his dear disciple!

“Fine! Then, do you think anyone in the Assembly knows?”

Lee Hyeon-Su tilted his head slightly. “I’m not sure, since this technique is as good as gone... Maybe someone among the previous generation of directors might know it, but they, well...”

Kang Jin-Ho and Vator sent all of them to the netherworld, didn’t they? And Wiggins also played a sizable role in that.

“...!”

“Oh, I’m pretty sure the former Assembly Master knew about the technique.”

“The former Assembly Master... You mean, Director Bang Jin-Hun?!”

“No, I meant Director Lee Jung-Geol.”

“Are you messing with me?!”

Wiggins couldn’t hold it anymore and punted Lee Hyeon-Su toward the nearest wall.

“Why do you keep telling me about a bunch of dead people!”

After crashing into the wall, Lee Hyeon-Su hurriedly got up. Thankfully, his sturdiness was incomparable to ordinary people since he was also a martial artist!

Lee Hyeon-Su yelled back in exasperation. “Please listen to people till the end, master! Until the end!”

“Listen what to the end? You want to hire a spiritual medium or something?!”

“Oh, come on! You know there’s a person who has inherited the former Assembly Master’s martial arts!”

“Who? Lee Seong-Hwi? We don't even know if he's still alive or not at this stage..."

“No, not him! The granddaughter!”

“...Eh?” Wiggins tilted his head. “Granddaughter? You mean... Miss Lee?”

“Yes, her! Even though she couldn’t reach her grandfather’s level of strength due to her lack of talent, she still learned everything he had to teach, you know! So, Hyeon-Ju might know something that could help you.”

“Mm! Yes, that sounds plausible.” Wiggins animatedly nodded. “Let’s hurry, my lord! We must return right away!”

“S-sure thing.”

Lee Hyeon-Su was about to demand an apology from Wiggins by using the pretext of being Lee Hyeon-Ju's boyfriend. However, that plan had to be shelved after noticing the half-crazed look on Wiggins' face.

Judging from the hints of killing intent gushing out from those eyes, carelessly cracking a joke right now might result in Lee Hyeon-Su getting admitted to a hospital with all of his bones broken!

‘He's genuinely happy about this, isn't he?'

Wiggins usually never lost his composure. Of course, since he was human, he’d sometimes get surprised or flustered, but completely throwing away his rational mind like this and freaking out so openly? Lee Hyeon-Su could swear he had never seen Wiggins acting this way.

Then again, it could mean Wiggins’ desire to improve his strength had been suppressed for too long and too intensely until now.

While Wiggins hurriedly took the lead, Lee Hyeon-Su sneakily sidled up to Kang Jin-Ho. “Sir?”

“Mm?”

“Director Wiggins has found a way to get stronger, so I was wondering... What about me, sir? Isn’t there a suitable cultivation technique for me? One that can, you know, make me stronger?”

“Director Lee.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Let’s stick to what we’re good at, shall we?”

“...Of course.”

Lee Hyeon-Su pouted, but his expression swiftly changed to a grin at the sight of Wiggins activating the portal.

‘Well, it is a good thing.’

Wiggins getting stronger was great news for not just the Martial Assembly, but also for Lee Hyeon-Su. And Wiggins being able to narrow the gap between him and Vator before it could grow even larger was even better news.

An organization like the Martial Assembly didn’t need a second-in-command. What this meant was that no one must claim the title of the second strongest. Only then would the directors constantly keep each other in check!

Lee Hyeon-Su curiously asked, “Assembly Master? How much stronger will master become after getting his hands on the Twofold Will Art?”

“Hmm. I wonder,” Kang Jin-Ho smirked softly. “Although it’s difficult to estimate...”

Kang Jin-Ho pondered his answer for a bit before his smirk deepened.

“At least he’ll become someone worthy of sparring with.”

Considering Kang Jin-Ho's personality, that was a high praise, indeed.

Wiggins loudly cried out, “It’s open! Let us hurry, my lord!”

“Mm!”

Kang Jin-Ho briefly nodded, then headed into the portal. As for Lee Hyeon-Su, he glanced behind him before stepping inside the portal connecting the two countries. He could barely see the faint white light at the end of the dark lengthy corridor.

‘I'll pray for your success, Master.’

This was the moment of the curtains closing on their adventure in the Round Table.