Chapter 1233. Dominating (3)

Akinori’s hands trembled in shock.

His eyes scanned the blood-soaked chamber. Thick blood was seeping through the tatami mats on the floor.

It didn’t matter where he looked, because all he could see were mangled corpses and pools of blood.

Meanwhile, Chang Min was sitting on a chair in the middle of all the dead bodies while nonchalantly wiping the blood away from his face.

“

Tsk

...!”

He rubbed the blood coating his hands, his expression conveying his displeasure.

“Blood of non-believers always feels so icky to me.”

Akinori’s quaking eyes landed on Chang Min.

Why was the Elder of the demon cult so relaxed? Even the butcher who had slit the throat of a pig just now wouldn’t be as relaxed as Chang Min was while wiping the blood off his face!

Was it because Chang Min was a dotard? No, of course not!

If he could, Akinori would’ve dearly loved to go back in time and tear his tongue out for spewing such a stupid and insane remark!

Now he understood why Kang Jin-Ho had sent Chang Min here.

‘No, hang on! Even then, isn’t this way too much?!’

Everyone in the room was dead. All those who were supposed to receive Kang Jin-Ho’s message from Chang Min and deliver it to their gumis had been ripped apart into unrecognizable shreds! This seemed a bit too excessive for...

“Akinori.”

Akinori immediately bowed when Chang Min called out his name. And no, this wasn’t some superficial show of respect like before. His gesture conveyed how scared and awed he was by Chang Min.

“Yes, Elder Chang!”

“Take out the trash. And bring in the replacements by tomorrow.”

“Understood!”

Akinori raised his head ever so slightly. After studying Chang Min’s expression briefly, he cautiously spoke up.

“Forgive me for this insolence, but...”

“No need to hesitate, Akinori,” said Chang Min while dismissively waving his hand. “Speak what’s on your mind. An organization where people are too afraid to communicate is bound to stagnate and rot from within. This is our liege’s belief. That’s why in the cult... No, that’s not right. In the Martial Assembly, it doesn’t matter where you’re in the hierarchy, you’re still allowed to speak your mind.”

“I see. I’ll definitely remember that, Elder.”

Although this particular sermon wasn’t as lengthy as the others, Akinori still learned a lot about Chang Min from it.

‘To Elder Chang, the demon emperor really is his god.’

An expert boasting this level of strength displaying such unquestioning loyalty to someone else? That had to be one of the rarest things to see in the martial world.

The pride or ego of an expert was indescribably high.

They dedicated their entire lives to martial arts, eventually acquiring incredible strength after enduring unforgiving, painful, and often lengthy training. As such, they were all intensely proud of their achievements. Their sense of self-worth was nearly unquantifiable.

So, imagine how enormous the self-esteem of an expert on Chang Min’s level must be.

However, whenever the name of Kang Jin-Ho was brought up, Chang Min’s expression would transform into that of a devout believer eagerly talking about a divine being they believed in.

Such was his fervor that even someone clueless would get the sense that Chang Min was talking about something of great significance.

‘My loyalty is a joke compared to Elder Chang’s.’

For better or worse... Akinori could only express his awe and respect at Chang Min.

“Elder Chang, these trash used to hold positions of importance within their own organizations. However, if you also slaughter the next batch like this...”

“Akinori?”

Chang Min spoke in a calm but weighty tone to shut Akinori up.

“Remember this.”

“I’m listening, Elder Chang!”

“All living things on Earth are bound to put their interests before everything else. I’m not suggesting that is wrong. However, now that you serve the demon emperor, you must remember this. Those who dare insult or slander our liege no longer have the right to walk this earth ever again!”

“...I will remember that, sir.”

𝒇𝙧𝙚𝓮𝔀𝓮𝒃𝙣𝓸𝒗𝒆𝒍.𝙘𝒐𝒎

“We must prioritize our liege’s commands above all else. However, the sole exception to that is our duty to protect our liege’s dignity. How can we claim to be loyal servants when the bastards daring to slander our liege are still alive?!”

Chang Min’s loyalty was verging on madness, as evidenced by the passionate tone of his voice and gesture.

“Elder, I’ve said something meaningless. Please forgive me,” said Akinori.

“No, there’s no need to apologize. It’s a good thing for you to seek answers to questions you’re unsure about.”

Chang Min smiled just then. And it was a gentle smile belonging to a kindly grandfather. If only his entire figure wasn’t soaked in fresh blood...!

Unfortunately, all that blood soaking his silver hair until it had turned red ensured that even Akinori couldn’t view Chang Min as a good-natured grandpa!

“Besides, you seem to be mistaken about something, Akinori.”

“I beg your pardon?”

Chang Min smirked softly. “Our liege has commanded us to subjugate this country.”

“Yes, I know.”

“However, he never said we must subjugate this place... while keeping it as intact as possible.”

“...!”

Akinori’s eyes quaked subtly just then.

“Our liege said we must be merciful. However, those who reject and slander our liege have no right to receive my mercy. I shall only extend my mercy to those who serve our liege, Akinori. Any bastard refusing to do that should not complain when I rip him apart into thousands, nay, millions of pieces!”

That declaration sent a chill of dread down Akinori’s spine. However, he also felt reassured now.

‘Yes, it was a fatal mistake to invade South Korea, Iemoto.’

Akinori no longer had any loyalty toward the Iemoto. That didn’t mean he didn’t feel sorry for the former leader of Shinichi-kai, though.

Even if Kang Jin-Ho was excluded from the evaluation, the Martial Assembly’s strength still far exceeded the Iemoto’s estimation. Chang Min was an excellent example.

Whether it was the Iemoto or his advisers, they couldn’t have imagined that someone as cruel and powerful as Chang Min served Kang Jin-Ho with such undying loyalty.

“Foolish thoughts will inevitably cloud your mind if you think too hard about something, Akinori,” said Chang Min.

Akinori hurriedly bowed his head.

“Your role is to bring together those who will heed our liege’s commands. If we keep filtering out the chaff, eventually only the useful seeds will remain.”

“Understood, Elder!”

That was when the door to the chamber opened abruptly, and a familiar figure stepped in. This figure, a Caucasian male, scanned the gruesome scenery for a few seconds, then deeply furrowed his brow.

“I see that you’ve started things off on a bloody note, Elder Chang.”

“

Hmm

?” Chang Min smirked a little at the Caucasian man.

“It’s good to see you again, Elder,” said the man, the Master of the Round Table.

“Yes, it’s been a while, Master.”

The Master bowed slightly in Chang Min’s direction. The latter reciprocated the gesture with a simple nod, too.

As they couldn’t really argue about whose social standing was higher, Chang Min chose what he thought was a suitable way to express his respect toward the Master of the Round Table. Meanwhile, the Master did the same to the most respected Elder of the demon cult. Both men tacitly agreed that this should suffice for now.

“Elder... Don’t you think you’re being a little too extreme from the get-go?”

Chang Min casually shrugged. “This much seems about right for a group of fools that didn’t know who they were dealing with. Wouldn’t you say?”

The Master scanned the room’s state again while making an unreadable face.

Chang Min had a point. The outcome wouldn’t have been too different even if the Master had been in charge. Maybe he would have tried to preserve the corpses a little bit better, but that would be it, really.

The Master was too jaded to criticize others for taking a different path when every path eventually led to a mass slaughter, anyway!

“Indeed, the shock-and-awe tactic can be rather effective at times. However, now there’s no witness left to speak of this carnage, which is unfortunate,” said the Master.

Chang Min nonchalantly waved his hand. “I was planning to send back the corpses to their respective organizations. No need for us to foot the bill for their burial.”

In other words, Chang Min wanted to teach all the Japanese gumis what the outcome for rebelling against the Assembly looked like by ‘returning’ these mangled corpses to them.

‘As I thought, Chang Min is...’

...No pushover.

When the Master first became aware of the Korean Martial Assembly through Wiggins, the notion of a tiny organization in a far-flung corner of East Asia possessing incredible potential sounded like a stupid little daydream. Only after meeting Kang Jin-Ho did the Master figure out why Wiggins chose the Assembly over the Round Table.

Recently, though, the Master’s opinion on the Martial Assembly had changed again.

‘The Assembly Master isn’t the only one.’

The directors supporting Kang Jin-Ho were all equally incredible individuals. Especially Vator and Chang Min—these two were so strong that even someone like the Master found it difficult to deal with them.

But Chang Min’s case seemed more

special

.

The Master couldn’t quite understand why an expert as powerful as Chang Min, who also enjoyed the backing of a sizable faction, swore his allegiance to Kang Jin-Ho.

‘Then again, the Martial Assembly isn’t a place I can figure out with my common sense, anyway.’

Trying to apply common sense would only make the Assembly harder to comprehend. The wise thing would be to just accept that organization as it was.

“I wanted to discuss a couple of things with you, Elder Chang,” said the Master. “Our role in this affair was to take over Shinichi-kai’s base, which we have done. However, we weren’t told when we can pull our troops out. Have you heard anything from the Assembly Master?”

Chang Min casually shrugged. “You can pull out at any time. In fact, you can do that right now if you want.”

“...Now? Are you sure?”

The Master tilted his head in confusion.

Only Chang Min and a handful of the Elders were in Japan right now. Since that was the case, wouldn’t the withdrawal of the Round Table’s troops create a noticeable void in the combat strength?

“Elder, that might trigger a rebellion.”

“That’s what we want,” Chang Min grinned brightly. “Sometimes, those who obediently kowtow can be scarier to deal with. Because you don’t know what they are really thinking about. However, those who dare rise up and fight you? Although annoying, they aren’t scary at all. Killing them all will sort the situation out, after all. Don’t you agree?”

This time, even the Master could not smile at what was said.

‘Killing them all, is it...?’

Out of the remaining warriors in the Japanese martial society, how many would willingly take up arms against the Korean occupiers? The Master wagered that the number should be quite high.

So, killing them all could lead to the collapse of the Japanese martial society. The situation would eventually reach a point where all Japanese warriors had withered away and disappeared from existence.

“Elder Chang, may I say something?”

“Sure, suit yourself.”

“A merciless ruler might be able to maintain a moment of stability, but he will eventually fall into ruin. That is an inevitability.”

What the Master had said was a theory most people widely regarded as correct. But Chang Min had other ideas.

“No, that isn’t right,” Chang Min replied with a smirk. “It’s not the case of the merciless rulers failing, but more like history only remembering failed oppressors. Successful rulers become saints and role models, after all. History is written by victors, is it not?”

The Master was aware of how much older Chang Min was compared to him. Knowing that, the weight behind Chang Min’s words felt so much heavier.

Although he lost a little bit of ground in the battle of logic, the Master still had an ace up his sleeve.

“However, I’m sure the Assembly Master wouldn’t have resorted to indiscriminate violence. Indeed, he would’ve given them a chance first.”

“

Mm

...?”

Chang Min furrowed his brow. Not because his mood had soured, however.

After mulling over what the Master had said, Chang Min nodded slowly. “I will consider your advice. If that is my liege’s preferred way of handling things, I must also follow his example.”

“Well, strictly following his example might not be necessary...”

“Very well.”

Chang Min kept nodding away in acceptance.

“That is indeed what I must do. Next time, I’ll give the Japanese a chance. Will that be fine, then?”

“You’ve made a wise choice, Elder Chang,” said the Master.

Chang Min subtly narrowed his eyes. “You are an expert at putting people in a tough spot, aren’t you?”

“This is all for the sake of benefiting everyone, Elder. The Assembly’s prosperity will have a direct impact on the Round Table, after all.”

“

Hoh-oh

?” Chang Min smirked weirdly just then. “Now I’m curious. What were you planning to do with that

direct impact

you speak of?”

“Let me make myself crystal clear, Elder Chang. I do not have any thoughts of going against the Assembly Master. So I ask of you to direct your

mischievousness

elsewhere.”

Chang Min smirked deeply, then coolly nodded. “Very well. Since we’re both busy men, let’s conclude our meeting here.”

“Agreed. Then, until next time.”

The Master bowed slightly, then turned around to leave.

A slight gasp of relief leaked out of Akinori’s mouth when the Englishman exited the room. The conversation between the two men sounded casual in some ways, yet the weight and the force behind each word were as ferocious as warriors battling it out in an arena of death.

‘People like them are my liege’s subordinates?’

Whether it was Chang Min or the Master of the Round Table, they all easily rivaled the Iemoto in impressiveness. No, if one’s martial prowess was also included in the evaluation, they easily surpassed the Iemoto, and then some. Yet such powerful individuals openly expressed their loyalty to Kang Jin-Ho!

Akinori couldn’t help but feel that the person he took on as his master was even more amazing than he had thought.

Chang Min muttered quietly once the Master had exited the room. “My liege would’ve done things differently, you say...?”

A subtle smirk was etched on Chang Min’s lips.

‘How foolish.’

Despite having ‘experienced’ Kang Jin-Ho so much, it seemed the Master still had no clue who, or what, the demon emperor was. Nothing in this world could possibly quell Kang Jin-Ho’s rage once it had erupted.

“Akinori!”

“Yes, Elder!”

“Quickly finish your assignment. Our liege is waiting for our report even as we speak.”

“Understood!”

Akinori rushed outside the room. Chang Min’s eyes, observing the Japanese’s back, remained cold and withdrawn.

“It’s still not enough.”

Many more people must become aware of the demon emperor’s might. And even more people must kowtow before the demon emperor’s feet! And Chang Min would be the one to make that happen.

“Let’s start with this country.”

An evil smirk slowly formed on Chang Min’s face.