Chapter 727: Migrating (2)

Chapter 727: Migrating (2)

Plenty of different types of power existed in this world. Among them, three particular types of power could be seen as the most influential.

They were... Financial power. Political power. And physical power.

At the dawn of human civilization, physical power reigned supreme. However, as the human race continued to develop and mature, political power quickly took center stage and started reigning over physical power. What about now, though?

'These days, it's the financial muscle.'

Chang Min wasn't an 'old' man. Yes, he was physically older than anyone in this place. However, he consciously worked very hard not to fall behind in times.

In his eyes, money was the true power controlling the world in the current era. In the past, political power could bring you all the riches under the heavens, but now? Money could buy you all the political clout you'd ever want.

It was easy enough to guess by observing the attitude of the younger generations. Whether it was now or back then, the reason for pursuing martial arts was to become stronger. However, the reason for needing strength had changed.

In the past, strength brought you fame, honor, and political power. Top experts acknowledged by others in Gangho were targets of envy. Simply by being physically stronger, these experts could live an aloof life like a crane. However, what about now?

Who would pursue strength if the reward was hiding away in some remote mountain valleys and living free from all worldly desires?

'Indeed, the mindset has definitely changed.'

The reason why the majority of martial artists cultivated in this day and age was... Because they could make a decent living out of martial arts, that was why! If the path of martial arts provided precisely zero assistance toward making money, Chang Min was dead sure that at least 80% of the currently active martial artists would've abandoned the martial world a long time ago!

In the end, money ruled everything. So, being rich in such a world would be an enormous advantage.

Even then...

"My lieeeeege!" Chang Min cried out, forcing Kang Jin-Ho to frown deeply. Whenever Chang Min raised such a passionate roar, Kang Jin-Ho couldn't help but feel a bit nervous about the incoming nagging. "This servant is deeply worried about this situation, my liege!"

"Worried? Why?"

Chang Min weightily nodded at Kang Jin-Ho. "Is it really possible to guarantee so many benefits for the cult believers, my liege? If it is, then I have nothing more to wish for in this life. However, if the promised benefits do not materialize or the support gets suddenly cut off... It will be worse than not starting this process, my liege."

"I know that already," Kang Jin-Ho replied, his attitude still unfazed. "What I proposed is perfectly doable."

"But... The cost must be considerable...?" Chang Min cautiously asked.

"Don't worry. I can calculate that much," Kang Jin-Ho dismissively waved his hand to shut Chang Min up.

What was there to worry about, anyway? The Martial Assembly was already paying its members monthly wages, after all.

The Assembly paid the martial artists under its roster salaries and provided them with cultivation methods and techniques. In exchange, the members were expected to make themselves available whenever the Assembly needed something done. This was the basic principle of the Assembly's operation.

If the demon cult members could smoothly become a part of this operation, what Kang Jin-Ho promised shouldn't put too much strain on the Assembly. Of course, the number of members dramatically increasing in a short window of time would strain any organization. Thankfully, though, the Martial Assembly didn't have to worry about the biggest question mark in this equation, funds, as it was practically swimming in money at the moment.

The Assembly might be flush with cash, but its inability to use that money to nurture a larger, stronger combat force had not been answered yet. So, as long as the interests of the Assembly and the demon cult believers matched... Trivial issues could always be sorted out later.

Of course, it'd be Lee Hyeon-Su's job to sort such stuff out. If the poor man heard about this, he might froth at the mouth and pass out, but... What could he or anyone do? This was for everyone's sake, after all!

Kang Jin-Ho firmly believed everyone had their uses, and that they should pull their weight after getting paid. Lee Hyeon-Su received a fair enough salary every month, and stuff like this was what he was hired to do, anyway.

"Also..." Chang Min carefully raised his voice, still looking worried about something. "Even if everything is indeed possible, this servant isn't quite sure if it's the right thing to pay the cult believers stipends..."

Kang Jin-Ho frowned deeply. "Chang Min, there is no such thing as labor without compensation."

"But, my liege... This servant humbly believes that money should not be the motivating factor for the believers' loyalty."

"Oh? Then, what do you think should be the motivation?"

"...Of course, it should be respect toward the demon emperor and their devout faith."

"Did you say respect?" Kang Jin-Ho chuckled derisively. "You think people will respect you when you're busy exploiting them without compensation?"

"It doesn't matter," Kang Jin-Ho grunted.

Chang Min slightly raised his head to look. His eyes caught the still-unconcerned figure of Kang Jin-Ho leisurely smoking away.

"Don't be mistaken, Chang Min."

"..."

"I'm not trying to be nice to them. As the demon cult believers... As the people who converted to the demon cult and must obey and follow me, they are entitled to such benefits."

"My liege? Are you saying you're not showering the believers with your goodwill?"

"Salaries received by workers while working for a company cannot be called the CEO's goodwill, now can it? You will receive treatment equal to your abilities. That is all."

"But, uh..." Chang Min was about to say something only to clamp his mouth shut.

Kang Jin-Ho already knew what Chang Min wanted to say, however. "Yes, this treatment is excessive considering the believers' current strength."

"Indeed, my liege."

"It's our job to ensure they eventually possess the power and skills matching the favorable treatment, Chang Min." Kang Jin-Ho deeply sucked at the cigarette before leisurely exhaling the unhealthy smoke. "As things stand, those people don't deserve to receive any of these benefits. However, things will surely change from now on. We must mold and guide them until we feel that they fully deserve all the benefits they receive. Our job is to shorten the time it takes to reach that stage, Chang Min."

"I shall do my best, my liege!"

"Besides..." Kang Jin-Ho stubbed the cigarette out on the nearby ashtray. "Those who take the benefits for granted and don't do their best will eventually face appropriate punishment. I'm not doing this because I pity the believers. I will not continue to be generous to those who fail to prove themselves. Those who fail to keep up or obey will naturally be eliminated and expelled. They will soon learn that, to enjoy the benefits, they must deal with their responsibilities first."

"My liege!" Chang Min went down on his knees to kowtow again.

'The legend of the demon emperor was not exaggerated, after all!'

Chang Min couldn't tell if this direction was the right one. He didn't even have the ability to judge if Kang Jin-Ho was on the right track. What Kang Jin-Ho wanted to achieve seemed well out of Chang Min's scope of discernment. Even then, he still realized something crucial just now.

'My liege is looking much further ahead than I can imagine!'

Whether this direction was correct or not didn't seem to matter anymore when the demon emperor could see things that Chang Min was unable to. How could the demon cult not become even stronger with someone like that at the helm?

Heavenly Crimson Demon Emperor's fame of spreading the Age of Demonic in the past wasn't earned through his martial prowess alone! While stewing in the fresh reminder of this historical fact, Chang Min cautiously raised his voice again. "My liege, one more thing, if I may...?"

"Really now...?" Kang Jin-Ho furrowed his brow. Although it was great to exchange questions and opinions with his subordinates, why did Chang Min want to ask so many questions in one sitting? "What is it this time?"

"My question might be construed as impudent in a certain sense..."

"Stop beating around the bush and out with it."

"Well, uh..." Chang Min smiled awkwardly. Kang Jin-Ho was instantly enveloped in anxiety after seeing an expression that Chang Min usually didn't make. "My liege, elders will surely... receive better benefits, yes?"

"..."

"After living almost a century inside a cave, my joints are giving me trouble every morning, you see...? Perhaps a residence where us elders can stay in comfort could be a..."

"...I'll pay special attention and make it happen, okay?"

"Your grace will even touch the heavens, my liege! All hail the demon emperor!"

Kang Jin-Ho sighed deeply without even meaning to.

No, it's money that touches the heavens, Chang Min.

It's money...