Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1068. Revising (3)

The reason for that was simple enough. You didn't have to worry about jumping through various hoops to reach the upper stratosphere of society where the true movers and shakers of the country resided when taking this path in life.

You only needed to pass one exam to become a prosecutor or a judge. That was it.

Having political power at your grasp meant you have succeeded in life. That used to be the popular mindset. But things had changed lately.

These days, parents didn't wish for their kids to become prosecutors. No, they wanted to see... materialistic success! The meaning of success, as defined by South Korean society, was rapidly moving on from political power to financial power.

Even then, Seok Dong-Su still believed political power was superior as it enjoyed a certain privilege that others did not.

Financial power might be enough to shake the world around. Whether it was to make people submit or revel in luxury ordinary masses could only dream of... Money could turn them into reality.

The wise old folks believed honor was one of the privileges only political power could seize. But now? Financial power was steadily proving that notion as false, too!

However, there was still an exception. One exception that financial power could not do anything about! And that was political power’s ability to access... the secrets of this world!

A smirk floated up on Seok Dong-Su’s lips without him realizing it.

Many secrets existed in this world. The public knew about the existence of secrets in the form of conspiracies but did not dare dig deeper and uncover the truth.

‘I mean... Think about it.’

Why were some parts of the files on the Kennedy assassination still classified? Just how many people still alive could claim to have seen the full version of the Three Secrets of Fatima?

Besides those, plenty of other secrets still withheld from the public existed all over the world. But the truth behind them would never be revealed. Not even money could change that.

Only a small number of people wielding political power recognized by the world was permitted to get close to the truth.

No wonder Seok Dong-Su was obsessed with maintaining his grip on political power! The ecstasy he'd feel after being allowed to learn about a secret the public had no access to had been truly intoxicating.

It was just that... Not all secrets made him feel that way. As a matter of fact, sometimes he’d be forced to confront some uncomfortable truths.

‘The martial world, is it...?’

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The Korean Martial Assembly? Didn't that name sound like it belonged to an organization run by a bunch of scammers parading around as martial artists?

‘Well, at least the name is straightforward, so that’s something...’

The truth hidden in the shadows was stunning enough to render that clunky name as a cute attempt at being silly. When Seok Dong-Su first heard the truth about the martial artists, he thought he was being pranked.

Since the other person was joking with him, Seok Dong-Su obviously responded in jest back then. But what he got in return was a serious-as-heart-attack glare. Only then did Seok Dong-Su realize this was no joke. That those people’s existence was one of the secrets of this world.

‘And it's something that makes little sense, too!’

How unpleasant! Seok Dong-Su felt displeased by merely thinking about this topic.

To him, peeking behind the curtains to learn more about the secrets of the world was undoubtedly one of the greatest pleasures in life. However, learning about the existence of the martial world filled him with displeasure, not joy.

The reason for that was simple enough.

“...Those people are beyond the scope of the law? Really?”

Seok Dong-Su chuckled hollowly.

This was the 21st century. Where in South Korea would the rule of law not be in effect in this day and age? It wasn't as if they were still stuck in the era of the military junta ruling over the masses with an iron fist!

A group that large and prosperous couldn’t be controlled by the country’s laws? What kind of nonsense was that?

What dumbfounded Seok Dong-Su even more was that South Korea wasn’t the only country with its own martial society. Whether it was Japan, China, or even Europe and the United States... These blasted people could be found practically everywhere!

‘Just why are we leaving them alone?’

Since Seok Dong-Su knew, other high-ranking public officials should also know about the martial world’s existence.

‘I just don’t understand why a country like China would leave those people alone.’

The Chinese government dreamed of completely controlling its nation. Such a government would never accept a group of people unwilling to submit to its rule, so why was it doing precisely that, even now?

Seok Dong-Su leaned against the backseat of this luxurious vehicle and closed his eyes. His mind began replaying the conversation he had not too long ago.

“Fella... Do you know why criminal organizations are not wiped out yet? Yes, I'm talking about criminal organizations, not individual criminals. Why do you think the cops are leaving those organizations alone? When they could get wiped out if that's what the government wants?

“The truth is that we have tried. Several times. And they got wiped out... Only to be replaced by different criminal organizations. In other words, you can't get rid of them.”

Seok Dong-Su subtly chewed on his lips. If that was the logic, why clean one’s house? After all, trash would pile up again even if you take them out. Dust would still accumulate on surfaces you’ve already cleaned, so why bother?

It wasn't about cleaning up everything in a momentary fit of passion but fostering a civil environment through constant management. Seok Dong-Su believed that was the key.

“Of course, that can't be all there is to it. Those folks can't be quickly and simply taken care of like some common criminal organizations, after all! However, even if it was possible... We must never touch them.

“Do you think various powerful governments around the world left them alone due to insufficient military strength? No! A country with its martial society gone will be exposed to crimes perpetrated by foreign martial artists. Those people only care about their own mother nations but have little regard for others, you see?”

Seok Dong-Su's expression crumpled subtly. Merely recalling that conversation nearly pushed his temper to the boiling point.

“That is why... Make sure this negotiation goes well, Minister Seok. This is what the... higher-ups want from you.”

What a pathetic sight that was. To think the people charged with leading this country would say something so pathetic!

Seok Dong-Su sighed deeply, then glanced at his chauffeur. “Are we there yet?”

“We’re almost there, sir.”

“Hmm...!” Minister Seok Dong-Su frowned in displeasure.

There was no doubt that these martial artists were more terrifying than he bargained for.

Just after he learned about the Martial Assembly's existence, Seok Dong-Su was suddenly contacted by several important figures from various industries.

‘In other words, those punks have already greased all of their palms!’

Some of those people contacting Seok Dong-Su for a private chat were the kind of big fish he’d normally never get to meet. But such people were already bought and paid for by the Martial Assembly!

‘This might be one of the biggest corruption scandals in history.’

Bribing politicians happened pretty frequently. Starting from “respected” media companies to top corporations in the country, and even civic organizations with no ties to such entities...

Folks with rights and interests to look after always tried to create connections with those in power. Why? Because...

Even though political power didn't directly serve as a source of wealth, it certainly could help you monopolize the avenues of making money!

It was easy to differentiate between who got bribed and who was not. Whenever a specific policy from Seok Dong-Su's department got a corporation in some spot of bother, people who weren't even acquaintances would sneakily try to contact him.

It'd not be an exaggeration to say all those people were in the pockets of various corporations.

‘But I got contacted by more people this time than when I was dealing with a large corporation...’

What a laughable development this was. Because it implied that a bunch of thugs half-unrestricted by the rule of law possessed pockets deeper than most large corporations and could freely bribe some of the most powerful people in this country!

But now! These cockroach-like bastards weren't satisfied with what they had and wanted to emerge into the open? And even demanded a negotiation with Seok Dong-Su, too?

‘Fine! Let's see what kind of a facade you're gonna put on during this meeting!'

Seok Dong-Su had zero plans of playing ball during this negotiation. Of course, he was prepared to acknowledge and accept what needed to be acknowledged and accepted. That didn’t mean he’d go along with everything the other side wanted like a well-behaved dog!

“Sir, we’ve arrived,” said the aide riding shotgun in the front passenger seat.

“Hmph.” Seok Dong-Su grunted and looked outside the car’s window.

‘How fancy and old-school.’

Their current location was the front entrance of a traditional high-class restaurant on the remote outskirts of Seoul.

Seok Dong-Su had already come here a few times before for meetings with folks the public shouldn't be aware of. Even then, the familiar silhouette of this establishment looked different in his view today, most likely due to the meeting about to take place inside.

Rumble, pitter-patter...!

What soured Seok Dong-Su’s mood even further was the intense rain. Should he say something felt deeply ominous about this setting?

No one would be happy with the rain stupid enough to fall just as the Summer heat began easing its grip on Earth.

...Like those martial artists!

The aide hurriedly got out of the car, then unfurled an umbrella before opening the back door. Seok Dong-Su scowled a little while slowly climbing outside. He noticed no one was standing by the entrance to welcome him like the last time.

Had this been a visit meant for leisure, a few hostesses would have been waiting there, vivaciously raising a fuss to make him feel welcomed. But not today.

Since today’s visit was related to his... work, the establishment was savvy enough to not have any witnesses around.

Seok Dong-Su glanced at his aide. “Where to?”

“The Camellia Room, sir. It’s this way,” said the aide before guiding the minister from half a step ahead.

Seok Dong-Su didn't say anything else and followed his aide into the corridor shaded by the eaves of antique tiles. Once they walked past a few old-school palatial structures, a detached building in the distance entered their view.

‘It's that detached building, eh...?'

Seok Dong-Su’s expression crumpled subtly again.

He had been inside that building only once before. That was when he was in a private meeting with his political party’s leader. The leader’s camp had booked the place back then.

Not even someone occupying the lofty position of a government minister of this country could easily rent that place out. But a bunch of thugs actually could?

“...Hmph!”

A harrumph leaked out of Seok Dong-Su’s lips.

Once negative thoughts began taking root in his mind, everything his eyes could see became more fuel to the fire of irritation.

“This way, sir.”

Seok Dong-Su didn’t say anything to his aide and strode unhesitantly toward the detached building. He could sense his aide hurriedly folding the umbrella and rushing after him.

The manager of the establishment was waiting for Seok Dong-Su inside. He bowed forward ninety degrees to welcome the minister. “Welcome to our humble establishment, dear customer.”

Dear customer, was it...? Seok Dong-Su’s expression crumpled a little again. There was no way this manager didn’t know who Seok Dong-Su was. After all, they had run into each other several times before already. Even then, the manager specifically omitted ‘minister’ in his greetings.

‘What a fastidious customer service this is. Enough to irritate me even more!’

The manager’s intentions were clear enough: he did not see Seok Dong-Su entering his establishment today.

Although such a... “service” might seem insignificant, it was one of many thoughtful little services this establishment offered to justify its sky-high price.

“He’s waiting for your arrival inside,” said the manager with a considerably gentle smile.

Seok Dong-Su suppressed his displeasure as much as possible and nodded back. Even if he was irritated, the only person in here he could unleash his irritation to was his aide.

Even a government minister could not afford to act willy-nilly in front of a manager who knew so many dark secrets hidden deep within the political sphere. Even a small misstep could come back to bite Seok Dong-Su in the arse, after all!

Seok Dong-Su silently followed the manager to reach the deepest room in the building.

The manager politely knocked on the door. “Sir, your guest has arrived.”

“I see. Please let him through.”

The manager politely and expertly opened the door. Seok Dong-Su licked his lips and unhesitantly stepped through the doorway. He saw a man standing in the middle of an elegant and high-class room.

“Thank you for coming, Minister Seok,” said the man while bowing deeply. He raised his head again, a bright smile etched on his face. “My name is Lee Hyeon-Su, the chief of administration in the Martial Assembly.”

Seok Dong-Su thrust his hand forward. “I’m Seok Dong-Su.”

“It’s an honor to make your acquaintance, sir.”

The two men shared a brief handshake before settling down on the opposite side of a large dining table. Once the aide stood behind him, Seok Dong-Su silently scanned Lee Hyeon-Su.

The quiet, withdrawn gaze scanned every part of Lee Hyeon-Su for what seemed like an eternity.

“So...” Seok Dong-Su finally broke his silence and went straight to the heart of the matter. “What is it that you want?”

Lee Hyeon-Su dryly swallowed his saliva at that opening salvo.

‘This isn’t going to be easy.’

He could sense the undisguised hostility emanating from the minister's gaze. After confirming that his opponent today didn't come here with kind intentions, Lee Hyeon-Su smiled smoothly like a professional while starting the negotiation.