Chapter 1398. Making A Deal (3)

The Blood Demon’s head remained planted on the floor.

His gesture was filled with utter respect and awe toward the strong, which was Kang Jin-Ho in this case.

Kang Jin-Ho suddenly had this strange realization just then. Even though he was currently a part of South Korea’s martial society, it was China that respected and feared him the most. Especially those who grew up listening to the legend of the Demon Cult under Heavenly Crimson Demon Emperor’s rule; they found Kang Jin-Ho so incredibly challenging to deal with.

He only had to look at Chang Min’s behavior. Or the Blood Demon’s attitude, for that matter.

Of course, this Blood Demon had tried to ambush Kang Jin-Ho earlier. But that only meant his respect and awe were genuine. He now knew that death would have swiftly come for him if he was disrespectful, after all!

The Blood Demon cautiously spoke. “We wish to have you on our side.”

Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes. “Even though you went to great lengths to kill me?”

“Because we’ve failed to do so,” the Blood Demon replied plainly.

“What makes you think I’ll obediently cooperate with your side?”

“No, sir. We don’t think that way.”

“And why not?”

“We don’t have a way to survive without you.”

“

Hmm

...?”

The Blood Demon spoke with even more caution. “The recent event has pushed our relationship with the Three Kings to a historically low point. To ensure our continued safety, we must acquire one simple thing—a power to maintain the balance. A power that stops the Three Kings from making the first move.”

The Blood Demon carefully raised his head to glance at Kang Jin-Ho.

“And you possess that power, sir.”

“...”

The Blood Demon didn’t wait for Kang Jin-Ho’s response and continued to lay out his case.

“Our side believed we already possessed the necessary power to stand as equals against the Three Kings and their factions. We believed that our military and firearms, when utilized properly, should give us the edge in combat. However, the battle against you has taught us how foolish we have been.”

Kang Jin-Ho slightly jerked his head back and hit the wall behind him, causing a dull knocking sound to echo in the cell.

“From what I’ve experienced in North Korea, modern weapons should be more than enough, though?”

“Not at all, sir. Such an onslaught is only possible in North Korea. For instance, your government knows you’re here, but they would never bombard this place with mortars and missiles.”

Indeed, the Blood Demon was right. Something like that would be unthinkable in a country as developed as South Korea. Even firing a cannon on an uninhabited mountain would get discovered pretty quickly by the public.

China might be a massive country, but it also boasted a massive population. Fooling their eyes and gagging all those people would realistically be impossible, even for the Chinese government.

“Worse still, our opponent isn’t just one, like when we were confronting you, sir. Once a war erupts between the Three Kings and us, it will be akin to a civil war. Do you know what China fears the most?”

Kang Jin-Ho curiously asked, “Are you saying it’s a civil war breaking out?”

“China in its current form is a nation where it's trying its best to avoid the repeat of history. It’d not be strange to see land being split up and opportunistic groups declaring independence at the first hint of an opening.”

Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded.

If a civil war broke out, China could perhaps return to the time where the land is being divided between kingdoms.

In that case, it made sense that the central government would do everything in its power to stop a civil war from breaking out. China’s considerable power came from its size and population, after all. Losing one-third of its population would equal losing nearly half of its global influence.

“I see. Carry on,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“To

them,

forming an alliance with you is not a mere choice. It’s not a matter of rationally weighing pros and cons. No, it’s for survival. It’s a crisis they must urgently resolve to ensure their continued survival!”

Kang Jin-Ho silently stared at the Blood Demon, then took out a cigarette from his pocket. After mouthing it, he lit it up with a lighter.

Soon, the distinctive gray smoke lazily scattered in the air.

“

Hmm

...” Kang Jin-Ho glanced at the Blood Demon while exhaling the cigarette smoke. “So...”

A strange smirk floated up on Kang Jin-Ho’s lips just then.

“Your attitude makes me wonder. It’s like you’re not here as their messenger. You shouldn’t have a reason to be so open about their information, so what are you playing at?”

“It is as you perceive, sir,” the Blood Demon spoke respectfully while bowing deeply again. “That is their intention. They will try to enter an alliance with you, no matter the cost. However, it’s not genuine. They do not wish to swear loyalty to you. They might be waving a white flag right now, but! Given half a chance, they will have no issue with betraying you.”

“But you won’t? Is that what you want to say?”

The Blood Demon looked up at Kang Jin-Ho, his eyes arching into a pair of crescent moons. Despite the weird smile, however, the light burning in those eyes conveyed how serious he was.

“Sir. I am their dog.”

“So you’re aware.”

“But my reason for being their dog is extremely simple. This was the only way for me to survive.”

Kang Jin-Ho cocked his head a little. “So you became their dog? To live?”

“Do you think my decision was wrong?” The Blood Demon asked. “Since Tibet was brought up, allow me to use that example once more. The Potala Palace fell because it failed to grow its forces sufficiently enough, sir. It remained a weak faction until its suppression. That’s what had happened to the Demon Cult, as well. If you hadn’t shown up when you did, the Demon Cult wouldn’t have lasted another generation. It would have become yet another footnote in humanity’s turbulent history.”

Kang Jin-Ho nodded slowly in agreement. The Blood Demon’s assertions were correct.

The Demon Cult, or at least its name, owed its continued existence to Chang Min. Because he lived, the cult could carry on. However, Chang Min was not immortal. Once he passed on, the cult would’ve lost the glue holding it together and crumble out of existence altogether.

“The Demon Cult was persecuted. But the severity of the persecution it faced cannot even compare to what the Blood Cult has experienced. Everyone ostracized us. Even by those who walk the same demonic path.”

“Don’t make me laugh,” Kang Jin-Ho smirked derisively and corrected the Blood Demon. “You didn’t get ostracized. No, you rejected the world. When I was unifying the demonic path through the Demon Cult, the Blood Cult was the only one that rejected me. The Blood Demon of that era declared their intention to walk their own path.”

“Yes... And that foolish decision has led to our current situation. If the Blood Cult’s surviving members could go back in time, they would most likely try to punish the Blood Demon of that era for making such a decision.”

Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes and stared at the Blood Demon. “So? What do you want to say to me?”

“Please accept us!”

Bang!

The Blood Demon planted his forehead on the ground.

“We wish to correct the mistakes of the past, sir! We seek a shelter, a place to rest. Just as how the Demon Cult has found stability and prosperity under your wings, we at the Blood Cult also wish for a roof to shield us from the storm and walls to keep us safe. If you allow us this opportunity, we will swear our allegiance and serve you loyally.”

The Blood Demon spoke earnestly, the light in his eyes gleaming sharply.

“Give me your permission, and I will resolve this situation. I know what they want. And I can also make use of the information they possess. No one knows better than me at figuring out how many benefits you can extract from them.”

Kang Jin-Ho stared silently at the Blood Demon for a while before muttering indifferently. “That’s not something a man who sent jiangshis to kill me should say.”

“Sir, as I’ve said before, I am merely a dog. A dog doesn’t know other ways of deciphering its opponent’s strength other than biting first. Only after trying and then getting beaten up would a dog realize who its true master is.”

Kang Jin-Ho smirked softly. “Are you trying to say you got beaten up properly by me?”

“I merely figured out who the true master deserving of my loyalty is.”

Humans believed science and modern weapons ruled the world. The Blood Demon was the same in that regard. So, he chose to side with those stronger than him. But his thoughts had gone through a significant change after experiencing the calamity called Kang Jin-Ho.

Yes, the era when science and guns truly ruled over everything would happen one day. However, it was still too early.

As long as monsters in human guises still lived and breathed, the martial world would continue to exist. That was what the Blood Demon now believed.

The smirk on Kang Jin-Ho’s face deepened. “Is your tongue made of purest silver? Sweet-sounding words keep rolling out of your mouth nonstop.”

Bang, bang!

The Blood Demon slammed his forehead twice on the floor. Even as fresh blood leaked out from his torn skin, he kept kowtowing at Kang Jin-Ho.

“Sir, you can kill me if doing so will appease your anger. I will gladly offer my life to you once all this is over. That is why I beg you, please spare... No, please take the members of the Blood Cult under your wings, like the believers of the Demon Cult.”

“Raise your head,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

The Blood Demon cautiously looked up. Fresh blood from his forehead trickled down his face.

“I don’t spare anyone who dares target my life.”

“Yes, I’m fully aware.”

“However...” Kang Jin-Ho leaned against the wall and muttered indifferently. “Exceptions always exist.”

For instance, exceptions like Vator and Lee Hyeon-Su. In that case, should the Blood Demon be added to the list of exceptions? Maybe.

“...Blood Demon?”

The Blood Demon bowed deeply again. “Yes, give me your orders, sir.”

Kang Jin-Ho plainly spoke. “I don’t trust you.”

“...”

“Trust is built up over time. I don’t have a reason to believe your loyalty, while you don’t have a realistic way to prove how loyal you are.”

“But I...”

“Loyalty that is dependent on benefits offered isn’t loyalty at all.”

The Blood Demon subtly chewed on his lips. Kang Jin-Ho was right about this. Loyalty shouldn’t demand compensation. Asking for safety in exchange for his loyalty was no different from making a deal.

But this was the best—and the only—thing the Blood Demon could do in his current situation.

Did that mean his gamble had failed?

Just before the Blood Demon closed his eyes in despair, Kang Jin-Ho said something unexpected first.

“So, stop yapping about loyalty and whatnot. I’m not interested. And I’ve never asked for it, to begin with.”

The Blood Demon’s head shot up.

“Offer me tangible benefits. Then I will protect you and give you a place to plant your roots. I shall give you a chance to continue existing as yourself and as your cult. But how much I grant you will depend on how much you are prepared to offer me.”

The Blood Demon’s complexion brightened instantly. “Of course, sir! That’s a given! I swear to you, I will not disappoint you!”

“So, stop with this cringe act. You’re making me almost throw up.”

The earnestness suddenly vanished from the Blood Demon’s face. He then grinned mischievously like before while looking up at Kang Jin-Ho’s face. “Was I being that obvious, sir?”

“Yeah. So much so that I felt repulsed.”

“My sincerest apologies, sir. I figured you’d be more understanding if I got all dead-pan and super serious. Even if that’s not my style.”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled. He didn’t care either way. But this was a good development, nonetheless.

“Listen, Blood Demon.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Whether it’s the Blood Cult or the Demon Cult... All things that belong to the demonic path are mine.”

“...!”

Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes. “Go. Go and prove your worth. Your actions will determine how much value I place on you.”

“Then... sir?”

The corners of the Blood Demon’s lips curled up weirdly.

“Do you mind if I cause a bit of a scene out there?”

“No. Do as you see fit.”

The Blood Demon shot up to his feet before bowing deeply again.

“Sir! Please be patient for a little longer. I shall teach what hellish pain is like to those who dared to oppose you!”

“Good. However, remember this.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Don’t rely on martial arts to fix this situation.”

“Of course, sir. You would already be holding their severed heads if that had been your intention all along.”

Not just any necks, but ones stained in fresh blood, no less!

“Now, go.”

“Yes, sir! No, my liege! I shall pay my respect to you again in the near future!”

The Blood Demon’s figure melted into the surrounding darkness. Once his presence had completely vanished, Kang Jin-Ho mouthed a fresh cigarette and lit it up.

This is getting interesting.

Something unexpected was about to unfold, it seemed.

Sitting here and observing what the Blood Demon had in store could be a fun way to pass the time.