Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1070. Revising (5)

“Minister Seok, the word condone is not quite correct in this context,” said Lee Hyeon-Su in an attempt to put the brakes on Seok Dong-Su's rampage. “What we are looking for isn't condone but cooperation.”

“Cooperation? Really?”

“Yes, sir.”

“And that notion alone is arrogance in itself!” Seok Dong-Su growled. He didn't even try to hide his displeasure anymore. “It seems you're very proud of this Martial Assembly, but in the eyes of the government? Your Assembly and this martial world are nothing more than just some overblown criminal underworld, okay? In that case, why should we cooperate with you lot?”

“That’s not what I meant by cooperation, sir,” Lee Hyeon-Su shook his head. “What I meant was the two sides existing in a mutually beneficial relationship. The Assembly becoming a registered, legally recognized business entity will definitely help the government and the country. For instance, the annual tax revenue will get a sizable boost, and...”

“Now you're mistaken about something,” Seok Dong-Su firmly waved his hand to cut Lee Hyeon-Su off. “Go talk to the Commissioner of the National Tax Service if you want to keep talking about collecting tax. You came to see me because you know solving the tax issue ain't gonna be enough to deal with this situation.”

“...Yes, Minister Seok. That’s correct.”

“What I'm talking about here is duplicity. Duplicity! You lot say the law doesn’t apply to you, yet you still want the protection of the law for your wealth? I can’t condone that! In life, it's either you go all in or don't even bother. If you wish to become a legal business entity, be full-on law-abiding citizens. Don’t want that? Then forget about legalizing your assets and whatnot.”

Lee Hyeon-Su clamped his mouth shut. This was obviously an unacceptable offer.

Telling the martial world to go legit was the same as telling the martial artists to give up on their current lifestyle. After all, martial artists could not exist in their current form in a society under the rule of law.

‘This minister should know this, too.’

Obviously, Seok Dong-Su should be fully aware of it. Yet he still went ahead and said all this nonsense. It could only mean he was planning to ruin this negotiation.

‘However, is that even possible?’

Lee Hyeon-Su found this situation extremely strange. Even though he was negotiating with Seok Dong-Su, objectively speaking... They were not the main actors of the negotiation itself. No, they were merely proxies for the higher-ups who weren't so keen on personally showing up here.

Lee Hyeon-Su might be the chief of the Assembly’s administrative department and could even be called the second-in-command, but he still did not dare speak on behalf of Kang Jin-Ho.

As for Seok Dong-Su, he might be the minister in charge of South Korea’s Ministry of Economy and Finance and ranked ninth in the government’s hierarchy, but... Did his position give him the authority to speak on behalf of the entire country?

In short, both men were nothing more than puppets working for their higher-ups who couldn’t directly address each other due to various circumstances. But here was a puppet who deliberately severed its strings to act on its own accord...!

‘This is troublesome...’

Lee Hyeon-Su frowned slightly.

His job here was to secure a suitable price tag for the already-decided plans to go ahead and negotiate the taxation issue. However, the plans he and the people back at the Assembly thought were a done deal... didn't seem so “done deal” anymore.

“Minister Seok, surely you understand your demand is impossible to humor.”

“Really? Then, we have nothing more to discuss,” Seok Dong-Su emptied his cup in one go. “This negotiation will end here, then!”

“Minister Seok!” Lee Hyeon-Su’s voice grew a little louder just then.

However, Seok Dong-Su responded with an odious smirk on his face instead. “I don't know what you people are scheming, but one thing is for sure. You really don't have any respect for the Korean government, do you? Did you honestly think we at the government would happily launder your filthy blood money for a chance to make a quick buck?”

“...!”

“Well, if it was one laundering, then sure, maybe. But I know you people will keep asking us to launder more and more money for you. Listen carefully, okay? We don’t have any desire to dance to your corrupted tune.”

“That is a misunderstanding. We've already severed our ties with illegal business activities. That is why the legalization...”

“Ah, ah.” Seok Dong-Su waved his hand again to interrupt Lee Hyeon-Su. “I’ve heard that story too many times to count, okay? Countless people like you said that same nonsense over the years. Can you guess what happened to them?”

Lee Hyeon-Su sighed deeply. With this exchange, he got to confirm one thing for sure. This minister had no thoughts of negotiating.

“Minister Seok. Do you mind me asking you a question?”

“Sure. Go ahead.”

“Is this your own decision? Or the government’s position?”

“You must be having a laugh,” Seok Dong-Su sneered openly. “My position is the government’s position, okay? Young man, it seems you greatly underestimate the position of a minister! I must say, this ain’t bravery but arrogance!”

Lee Hyeon-Su narrowed his eyes.

‘So, it’s the government’s position?’

In that case, how high did this go? To the top? Or...

Lee Hyeon-Su's narrowed eyes studied Seok Dong-Su's face for a good few seconds in eerie silence. Eventually, he raised his voice to ask another question. “When you say we should become law-abiding citizens... What did you mean by that, Minister Seok?”

“It’s as I’ve said. All the ‘special’ privileges you took for granted until now because it’s customary? That will be gone.”

“I don’t follow?”

“You're pleading ignorance now?” Seok Dong-Su smirked. “You kill as many people as you’d like and bury them in shallow graves to remove all traces. You dare mobilize the country's military even though you people are busy fighting each other. You dare spit on the faces of the police. You have a hand in all sorts of criminal activities but craftily utilize proxies to dodge the rule of law. And you even deal in drugs on top of that?”

Lee Hyeon-Su grimaced. “Yes, we admit to the first part of your accusation. However, please recant the last part. That unsavory business was the handiwork of the former Assembly Master. We have not touched any narcotics since our new Assembly Master assumed office.”

“Oho?” Seok Dong-Su sneered again. “Is this your attempt at cutting off your tail?”

“Something like that, yes.”

“Fine. It doesn't matter, anyway. One less crime on the list doesn't wash your hands clean of the other wrongdoings, after all! You dared to commit all those crimes in a country governed by laws and regulations, but now, you have the cheek to say you want to come out of the shadows and live under the sun as if you're some kinda upstanding citizens?!”

Seok Dong-Su’s speech grew more hostile and confrontational.

“I didn’t become a minister to condone such criminal behavior, okay!”

“Minister Seok...” Lee Hyeon-Su sighed deeply. “I fully understand what got you riled up. I do. However... Please remember that a minister serves for a limited term. But the martial world isn’t bound by such restrictions.”

“Mm...?”

“As long as the country exists, so will the martial world, sir. To create a law-abiding country, isn’t it in your best interest to help the martial world exist in the light? Nothing will change for the better if you shove us back into the shadows just because you are unwilling to accept the ways of the martial world. Wouldn’t you agree?”

Seok Dong-Su wordlessly filled his cup with alcohol again. freewēbnoveℓ.com

Meanwhile, Lee Hyeon-Su continued with his attempt to turn the situation around. “That is why I earnestly request that you reconsider, Minister Seok. Help us reach an amicable agreement, and we will cooperate with the government to the best of our abilities whenever possible.”

“Huh. Hahahaha...!” Seok Dong-Su chuckled hollowly. He laughed for an uncomfortably long time before his expression transformed in an instant. He gritted his teeth, his voice cold. “Just because I played nice with you, you forget your place and keep running your mouth off?”

“...Minister Seok!”

“Did you just threaten me now?!”

“...”

Seok Dong-Su's teeth grinding became louder. “A bunch of goddamn parasites of our society forgets their place because you got some money now? You remember this, brat. If the government wills it, we can wipe you leeches off the face of Earth in one go!”

“That was not a threat, Minister Seok. It’s merely a...”

“I’ve heard enough!” Seok Dong-Su got up with a loud huff.

“Minister Seok!” Lee Hyeon-Su raised his hand and tried to stop Seok Dong-Su from leaving.

However, the minister firmly put his foot down. “Let’s not waste each other’s time with this nonsense, okay?”

“But...!”

Once the aide got up, Seok Dong-Su didn’t bother to say anything else and headed to the exit. Lee Hyeon-Su could only stare in stupefaction, unable to think of a way to stop the minister.

“Ah, also...” Seok Dong-Su suddenly stopped and turned his head. He scanned Lee Hyeon-Su's expression like a slimy used car salesman before smirking even more detestably. “The eye-opening data you people provided me with? I’m gonna enjoy reading through that. And I’ll make damn sure to investigate every little thing that doesn’t seem legal or with questionable origins, okay? So, look after yourselves until then.”

“What? You...!”

“Even if you bastards are a bunch of criminals, it’ll be too embarrassing to just sweep the tribute you oh-so kindly handed in under the carpet without taking a gander, you see? Let’s say I’m a dedicated civil servant upholding his values. Hahahaha!”

With that, Seok Dong-Su exited the room. Lee Hyeon-Su shuddered in indignation while glaring at the empty doorway.

‘That... goddamn swine bastard!’

The barely endurable humiliation washed over Lee Hyeon-Su. Blood rushed to his face, making it harder to breathe. Even his vision fogged up just then. He had to repeatedly clench and unfurl his fists several times to calm himself.

Several deep breaths later, he finally regained some semblance of calm. That was when his lips quietly parted on their own.

“No, wait.”

Despite his agitation, Lee Hyeon-Su's mind was still functioning clearly. And it was warning him as loudly as it could.

‘There’s no way that as*hole minister would suddenly act this way.’

Although Seok Dong-Su yapped on about some flimsy sense of justice, politicians were always motivated by benefits, not the idea of upholding justice. Since that man tried to stop the cooperation between the Assembly and the Korean government... There must be something in it for him!

However, who could even promise a reward generous enough to sway a...

“...No f*cking way.”

Lee Hyeon-Su's jaw slowly fell. He could think of one person who could do that. Even then, to think that stinking bastard would have a hand in this sort of thing, too...!

Lee Hyeon-Su urgently pulled out his phone. This wasn’t something he should ponder alone. Besides, he needed to urgently alert the Assembly of what had transpired.

***

The black sedan carrying Seok Dong-Su in the backseat rapidly scythed down the road. Inside this sleek vehicle breaking through the curtains of rain was Seok Dong-Su politely speaking to someone on his phone.

“Yes, sir. It’s done.”

Seok Dong-Su spoke in fluent Chinese. In other words, the person on the other side of the line wasn’t Korean!

“I’ve handled it as you’ve instructed. However, I’m still a little worried. My higher-ups instructed me to produce a favorable result, so for me to disrupt the proceedings like this... Thank you. I have nothing to worry about, knowing you’ll deal with the fallout for me!”

A deep grin spread on Seok Dong-Su’s lips.

“Yes, of course! I won’t forget, sir. Ah, by the way, I apologize for bringing this up again, but your promise...”

Seok Dong-Su’s complexion brightened as he listened.

“Hahaha! Of course, sir! I definitely know how awe-inspiring your influence and reach is. As long as you decide it is so, things will surely click into their places. Of course. I’ll do as you say and believe in you, sir! Then, please have a good day.”

Seok Dong-Su ended the call, then hurriedly wiped away the streams of sweat on his forehead.

‘Holy sh*t... How the hell did he know, anyway?’

How did that person, who was a member of the National People's Congress Standing Committee, know about Seok Dong-Su's meeting with Lee Hyeon-Su today? And phone him at the perfect timing?

Of course, it didn’t matter how. As long as it opened a new path for Seok Dong-Su, that was!

‘Heh. An undivided support from a Standing Committee member, is it...?’

The smirk on Seok Dong-Su’s lips grew even more slimy.

South Korea was ostensibly an ally of the United States, but only a fool would dismiss China's influence on Korean politics these days. With the situation delicately poised like that...

Receiving the full support of a member of China's all-powerful Standing Committee, who wielded even more power than Korea's President, could help Seok Dong-Su reach the heights of status previously possible only in his dreams!

After all, wasn’t he already seen as the unofficial face of the pro-China faction in the government? That was why he had no qualms with doing this for that Standing Committee member.

‘Still, this is... concerning.’

The potential reward, as promised by the Chinese, for hindering the Martial Assembly was jaw-droppingly shocking. Didn't that mean the Chinese government was deeply wary of the Korean martial society?

‘In other words... I better pull my socks up!’

Nothing was a better indicator of the Martial Assembly’s scariness than the powerful Chinese government being wary of them. Seok Dong-Su threw away any disdain he held toward the Martial Assembly just then.

He knew this would be the start of a war.

“Hey,” Seok Dong-Su glanced at his aide. “Gimme the documents again.”

“Yes, sir.”

Seok Dong-Su’s eyes dangerously gleamed as he gripped the documents containing the Assembly’s information.

‘If we can’t play along... I must destroy you as thoroughly as possible!’

This was how Seok Dong-Su lived his life. This was his life's mantra!

While reading the documents, Seok Dong-Su earnestly pondered the best possible methods to completely sever the lifeline of these cheeky bastards called the Martial Assembly.

...Unfortunately, he had no idea who he was about to mess with.