Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1126. Approaching (1)

“You sure love to take your time, don’t you?”

Cai Kechang stared in disappointment at the crowd before him. He had already traveled between China and Japan a dozen-plus times by now.

‘You bunch of useless trash!’

Cai Kechang often heard that the Japanese were meticulous and cautious, but what happened here didn't deserve such nice-sounding evaluations. Forget meticulous, these people were shockingly inefficient and absurdly cowardly!

Even though these people finished their preparation in the proverbial blink of an eye for the previous invasion, they timidly hung back this time and dragged their feet while not even bothering to lift a single finger.

What irritated Cai Kechang even more was the fact that these bastards weren’t pretending here, either!

They all understood the reason for invading South Korea. And they all agreed that this war was essentially a race against time.

Even then, their preparations were still dragging on and on!

If this were in China, Cai Kechang’s people would've already arrived in South Korea to wage war. But these accursed Japanese just didn't want to get a move on!

‘You bunch of cowards!’

The reason for their lack of action was simple. Despite knowing they had the justification, none of these cowards wanted to take responsibility! This part of their nature meant their priority would always be finding a way to avoid getting blamed in case of a failure.

Cai Kechang couldn't help but wonder if Japan's infamous culture of stuffy bureaucracy was rooted in the Japanese people's desire to avoid taking responsibility.

The Iemoto glanced at Cai Kechang. “No need to be so impatient, Cai Kechang. Our preparations are almost finished, after all.”

“Almost finished, you say?” Cai Kechang snorted derisively. “I had no idea that you’ve changed your strategy to waiting Kang Jin-Ho out until he died of old age! If so, I should commend you for a job well done so far. If you wait for, I don’t know, a hundred years? Then, Kang Jin-Ho would be a dead man for sure. Is that when you will invade South Korea?”

The Iemoto relaxedly muttered, “I can’t help but wonder about this whenever you’re here. Are you sure you’re Chinese? Because I heard somewhere that Chinese people are rather terrible at being sarcastic.”

“It obviously depends on who you're talking to,” Cai Kechang replied while groaning deeply.

Although he'd dearly love nothing more than to kick the backsides of these useless idiots, this was Japan, not China. The best he could do was keep egging them on, not command them like a boss.

The Iemoto calmly addressed Cai Kechang. “We received a message from Kanto.”[1]

“Mm?” Cai Kechang slightly narrowed his eyes at this news.

The factions in Kanto contacted their rivals in Kansai?

The center of the Japanese martial society was undoubtedly the Kansai region. However, on the surface world at least, everyone agreed that the one in charge was the Kanto region.

That was because the Kansai region enjoyed overwhelming superiority in martial arts, but it still lagged behind the Kanto region in the financial power aspect and population density.

Since that was the case, it'd be unwise to ignore the Kanto region's combat strength.

Cai Kechang cocked an eyebrow. “So? What did they want?”

“They expressed their desire to join us.”

“Hmm...?” Cai Kechang slowly rubbed his chin. The increase in the overall combat strength should be a good thing, no?

‘I don’t need to sweat the details here, right?’

If this was in China, things obviously would have been different.

Troops that didn't share your chain of command joining your side didn't always lead to a positive result in a war. However, this business was not something Cai Kechang should concern himself with.

He might have been more wary of the Kanto region's motives had his ultimate goal been a complete and utter victory over the Koreans, but it wasn't. He only cared about exhausting the Koreans' strength!

“What are the odds of the Kanto people playing tricks on us?”

The Iemoto replied relaxedly. “They aren’t that stupid.”

“Hmm...”

Considering the relationship between the two regions, the odds of Kanto stabbing Kansai in the back weren’t low.

‘I guess I should trust the Iemoto’s capabilities on this one, then.’

Cai Kechang intently stared at the Iemoto before nodding slightly.

“It’s encouraging news, indeed.”

The Iemoto smirked subtly. “So, no need to urge us on, wouldn’t you say? Now then, tell me. What is the current status of the support you’ve promised us?”

Cai Kechang tutted slightly. “We’ve already finished our side of preparations.”

“Already?”

“What do you mean, already? You people are the excessively tardy ones here.”

The Iemoto nodded deeply in satisfaction. “I see, I see! Then, when will this support arrive on our shores?”

“They are currently traveling on a ship.”

“As expected of you!” The Iemoto chuckled lightheartedly. It seemed he didn’t feel as pressed for time as Cai Kechang was.

Cai Kechang growled quietly. “I've done my part. Now, it's your turn to honor your side of the deal.”

“Of course. You can always rely on the trustworthiness of the Japanese people.”

A slimy smirk subtly floated up on Cai Kechang’s face.

‘Hah. Don’t make me laugh!’

The least trustworthy people in the world just so happened to be these Japanese martial artists! They might be all smiles and handshakes right now since they were in a cooperative relationship, but the truth of the matter was that both sides were busy sharpening their daggers behind each other's backs, ready to stab at a moment's notice!

‘In fact, I’d rather deal with the Koreans if I could!’

His time in Japan helped Cai Kechang gain an epiphany on something. And it was about how “relationship” didn’t necessarily equal to “closeness.”

His main enemy was South Korea... and Kang Jin-Ho. This would never change.

Cai Kechang was prepared to do anything as long as it resulted in the utter destruction of Kang Jin-Ho and the Martial Assembly. He didn’t mind throwing his life away as long as doing so guaranteed Kang Jin-Ho’s demise.

In fact, he probably would do it with a huge grin on his face!

However, that was not the same as him hating Kang Jin-Ho's guts.

Cai Kechang's desire to kill Kang Jin-Ho no matter the cost was a great indicator of how much he acknowledged his enemy.

He acknowledged, and that was why he was wary. He acknowledged Kang Jin-Ho, and that was why he was scared.

It wasn't only Kang Jin-Ho, though. Cai Kechang also acknowledged the people surrounding that man. How could he not, when Vator was by Kang Jin-Ho's side? Even people like Lee Hyeon-Su and Wiggins, who irritated Cai Kechang to no end, deserved a great deal of respect.

Not just their capabilities, but their other aspects all deserved high praise.

In that case, what about the Japanese? Even though Cai Kechang was riding on the same boat, he just couldn't feel any respect for these bastards.

That was because he could easily guess all the dirty things these people were hiding behind their gentle but fake smiles.

Maybe that was the sign of their capabilities being superior to the Koreans. Still, Cai Kechang knew he just couldn't get along with these people.

“Since we're on this subject...” The Iemoto addressed Cai Kechang in his usual unperturbed tone. “It might be better for you to return to China as soon as possible.”

“Mm...?” Cai Kechang broke out of his thoughts and glanced at the Iemoto.

“Ah, ah, don’t misunderstand me, Cai Kechang. I’m not saying we wish to remove you from this project altogether. It’s just that...” The Iemoto smirked strangely. “We shouldn’t overlook the fact that you’re Chinese. There will be too many eyes watching when it’s time for us to take action, you see?”

“...”

“The ones in the leadership positions can at least think with their heads, so they will understand why we must receive China’s support or form a cooperative pact with your side. However, the underlings aren’t that smart or understanding. They will undoubtedly be displeased by your presence.”

“Oh, so you want me to get lost? Is that it?”

“Not quite, but still. I’m sure you'll agree that it's unrealistic for you to be the face of this operation.”

Yet another slimy smirk formed on Cai Kechang’s face.

How devious was this? He oh-so wanted to slap that dumb little grin off the Iemoto’s face right now. However...!

“Sure. I’ll get out of your hair if that’s what you want,” said Cai Kechang.

The Iemoto subtly cocked an eyebrow. “Hmm?”

“What's wrong? Did I agree too easily for your liking?"

“No, of course not. I knew you'd understand our situation, Cai Kechang.”

But it also meant the Iemoto had become leery about this situation, now didn't it!

Cai Kechang worked very hard to suppress the corners of his lips from curling up even higher.

The Iemoto was the type who must be in control of everything. And he was also the type who did not accept anyone daring to act outside his calculations.

Of course, only someone like that would be capable of growing his organization to this scale, but...

‘But, your ambition is too small.’

Such was its tininess that Cai Kechang wanted to mock it so badly right now!

The Iemoto probably saw himself as a shockingly rational person. However, someone who stood at the top shouldn't be a slave to rationality at all times. One must be prepared to disregard rational thinking depending on the situation. Only then would they become successful leaders.

Cai Kechang didn’t want to criticize the Iemoto for it, though. Expecting competency and broad-mindedness on the same level as the Crimson King or Kang Jin-Ho from the leader of a minor nation like this was being unreasonable, after all!

If the Iemoto had been that competent, he would have already finished uniting the Japanese martial society by now. And he wouldn't have amateurishly used his own faction, Shinichi-kai, as the leader in this so-called coalition.

The Iemoto’s probing gaze scanned Cai Kechang from top to bottom. He was obviously suspicious of what the Chinese could be scheming this time.

What a pity, then, that he failed to realize that staring at another person like this laid bare his intentions for everyone else to see!

“Hmph...!” Cai Kechang got up to leave.

In the end, these people were merely tools. Or dogs. It was foolish of him to expect dogs to behave the same as humans.

Cai Kechang didn't see the need to demand too many things from a group of lowly tools that would get discarded soon.

“Well, if my presence makes you uncomfortable, I should leave.”

The Iemoto subtly cocked an eyebrow. “You want to leave right now?”

“What’s the matter? Do you enjoy my company that much?”

The Iemoto silently studied Cai Kechang’s face. And that made Cai Kechang scoff inwardly.

This aging bastard demanded his guest to leave, yet when Cai Kechang acquiesced, he suddenly grew anxious? What a typical small-time player mindset this was.

‘However... Even a small-time player like him has his uses.’

A man so suspicious of everyone and naturally cautious toward everything like the Iemoto should not carelessly make mistakes.

Cai Kechang scanned the crowd before focusing on the Iemoto again. “I’ve already given you everything you need. I provided you with all the support necessary and even showed you what must be done. So, the rest is up to you. It would have been nice if I could stick around and help out some more, but... Well, if you find my presence a bother, it can’t be helped.”

“Everybody has an unavoidable circumstance or two,” said the Iemoto.

“Of course they do.”

Cai Kechang feigned a hint of ruefulness just to see what might happen, but the Iemoto ruthlessly stopped it before it could go any further.

“However, you’d do well to remember this...!” Cai Kechang subtly growled at the Iemoto. “If you still fail to produce a desired outcome even after I went out of my way to support you...! You better prepare yourself. Do your absolute best if you wish to hold on to your life!”

The ones to lose their temper from that provocation and start yelling weren't the Iemoto, but the others in the room.

“What was that?!”

“You insolent bastard!”

The Iemoto raised his hand to stop the people around him from starting a commotion. “Let him be.”

“But, sir!”

“I said, let him be!”

The others in the room promptly shut their mouths.

Regardless of what Cai Kechang thought of him, it was clear that the Iemoto exerted unquestionable authority and control over these people.

‘That makes sense, no?’

Since that cautious man had been in control of his organization for who knew how long, he must've purged every single voice of dissent a long time ago before they could become a problem.

The remaining people here were sycophants who swore their undying loyalty and obeyed his command to the letter—of course, whether they were genuine or not was still up in the air!

“Then, I hope we won’t have a reason to see each other again,” said Cai Kechang.

“No. We will see each other again. Very soon.”

Cai Kechang silently stared at the Iemoto before smirking. “That’s fine by me.”

...And then, he turned around without a moment’s hesitation and left the room.

The Japanese warriors in the room raised their voices in anger once Cai Kechang exited the room and the doors closed behind him.

“Sir! Are you going to let that insolent bastard leave?”

“Give me your command, sir! I'll make sure that bastard will never leave our archipelago alive!"

“Don’t bother,” said the Iemoto.

“But, sir!”

“Tsk! I told you to let it be, didn’t I!”

“...”

The Iemoto glared intensely at the exit. “We still need to exploit him further. Since he’s such a useful little clown, I don’t mind tolerating his rude behavior.”

“But, sir!”

“Besides! That’s not important to us right now,” the Iemoto coolly waved his hand to dismiss everyone’s complaints. “Now, focus!”

“...”

“Do not forget that the subjugation of South Korea will also be a war to decide our fate. We must focus our efforts on that front for the time being. Do not dally with getting the Kanto region’s cooperation. We must finish everything as quickly as possible!”

“Sir, yes sir!"

The Iemoto narrowed his eyes as the crowd roared energetically back to him.

‘Cai Kechang...!’

Spotting the hints of contempt hidden in Cai Kechang’s gaze was not a problem for the Iemoto. However, he ultimately didn’t care. After all, he had witnessed the Chinese idiots crying about strange-sounding justifications like how mighty their country was and that they were doing it for a great cause, only to spectacularly crash and burn too many times to count.

‘You think you’re using me, don’t you?’

What was ironic in this situation was that the Iemoto hadn't lifted a single finger but still managed to extract enormous support from China. Only the idiots obsessed with some great cause or achieving some grand ambition would do something so foolish as this.

Soon, Cai Kechang and the rest would learn. They would learn that, if they lacked the ability to pluck the fruit from a tree right now, they should not drool after the potential harvest of rice in the distant future. Because they would die of starvation before that happened!

‘Unfortunately for you, it’ll be too late by the time you realize that!’

The Iemoto grew genuinely curious about how Cai Kechang would look at him after Japan successfully conquered South Korea.

“Do not dally! From this moment on, we’re racing against time. Before this month is over... We shall erect Shinichi-kai’s flag on the burnt remains of the Martial Assembly HQ!”

1. Kanto is a region in Japan, like Kansai. ☜