Chapter 394: Phoenix Hall Master Kang Ha-yoon
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 394: Phoenix Hall Master Kang Ha-yoon
Inside the Cheonmu Alliance meeting room.
"We must invade immediately!"
Gal Ji-cheon, the Sword King and White Tiger Hall Master, raised his voice and bellowed.
He was currently consumed by an uncontrollable rage. His younger brother and the Vice Hall Master of the White Tiger Hall, Gal Mu-ryang, had been brutally murdered.
"How dare those filthy Demonic Cult bastards murder a core official of the Cheonmu Alliance so mercilessly! Such a thing has never happened before, and it must never be allowed to happen again! We must strike at once to restore the dignity of the Cheonmu Alliance!"
Gal Ji-cheon’s face was flushed crimson as he spoke.
"Please, wait a moment, White Tiger Hall Master."
At that moment, Kang Ha-yoon, the Phoenix Hall Master sitting beside him, spoke up with a calm expression.
"You seem far too agitated right now. Please, compose yourself."
She continued in a steady, level tone.
"Do I look like I’m in a state to compose myself?! My brother—my subordinate—is dead! A hero who spent his entire life pursuing chivalry has been killed!"
Upon hearing her words, Gal Ji-cheon’s voice rose, thick with grief and resentment.
"And it happened right in the front yard of the Cheonmu Alliance, the place that boy loved most! How can you expect me to calm down?!"
Gal Ji-cheon roared, his face contorted with emotion.
He could not understand Kang Ha-yoon’s stance. His brother had admired Lee Jae-won, the Cheonmu Alliance Leader who had brought peace to the Murim, and had loved the Alliance dearly because of him.
For such a brother to be murdered within the very walls of the Cheonmu Alliance... how could he possibly remain calm?
"Nothing is gained by responding emotionally. We must approach this more rationally," Kang Ha-yoon continued calmly.
She thought to herself that Gal Ji-cheon was being far too impulsive. It wasn't that she didn't empathize with his pain over losing a brother and subordinate in an instant, but a war with the Demonic Cult was a matter involving the lives of hundreds, even thousands. It was not an issue to be handled with raw emotion.
"Phoenix Hall Master! I cannot understand a word you’re saying! Gal Mu-ryang is dead! Riddled with Demonic Energy! What more proof do you need?!"
Gal Ji-cheon glared at Kang Ha-yoon with eyes full of frustration.
"It hasn't been confirmed that this was the work of the Demonic Cult, has it?" Kang Ha-yoon replied in a composed voice.
"What?!"
"The only evidence is the Demonic Energy found on Vice Hall Master Gal’s body. How can you pin the crime on the Demonic Cult based on that alone? There are plenty of people outside the cult who practice demonic arts!"
Kang Ha-yoon pointed out the suspicious aspects. She was one of those who harbored great doubts about this incident. Specifically, she felt the investigation process had been excessively brief and hasty.
It had only been three days since the incident occurred. Yet, in just three days, the culprit and the motive had been perfectly identified—and they even had a perfect witness secured.
Normally, in a murder case, it took a considerable amount of time to confirm a suspect. To prevent the mistake of arresting an innocent person, the evidence was checked and re-checked meticulously.
But this case was strange.
The culprit was identified in just three days, and the conclusion was already drawn that they were a spy for the Demonic Cult. It felt as though the conclusion had been decided before the investigation even began. It was far too contrived.
That was why Kang Ha-yoon believed they needed to be more cautious—to ensure they weren't dancing to someone else's tune.
"Ha!"
Hearing this, White Tiger Hall Master Gal Ji-cheon let out a hollow laugh.
"Are you defending a murderer right now?"
"Excuse me?"
"That’s what it sounds like! In a situation where we have circumstantial evidence and even a witness, you keep spouting nonsense about how the culprit might not be from the Demonic Cult. To my eyes, it looks like nothing but an attempt to shield a killer!"
Gal Ji-cheon pointed a finger at Kang Ha-yoon, his voice rising.
"That is not what I am saying!"
Kang Ha-yoon raised her voice as well, refusing to back down.
"If that’s not what you’re saying, then what is it? I’m just a simple man, so I haven't a clue!"
"Should we not at least prevent an innocent person from being framed? I believe this case was concluded far too quickly."
"Wait a moment."
As the two continued to argue, Paeng Ga-ryeon, the Law Enforcement Hall Master, spoke up.
"Are you saying the Law Enforcement Hall’s judgment is unreliable?"
She glared at Kang Ha-yoon with a sharp, piercing gaze.
"It’s not that it’s unreliable, but rather my opinion that we should proceed with more caution."
"Isn't that the same thing? How arrogant! Since when does the Phoenix Hall Master interfere in the affairs of the Law Enforcement Hall?"
She shouted, her voice thick with anger.
"That is not what I meant!"
"Then what did you mean? From where I stand, it looks like the Phoenix Hall Master is simply running away from reality."
Paeng Ga-ryeon spoke with a sneer on her face.
"Running away from reality?"
Kang Ha-yoon looked at her with an expression of pure absurdity. What kind of nonsense was this? Running away from reality?
"Aren't you just trying to deny that the murder suspect is a member of the Phoenix Hall? Perhaps out of fear that it might tarnish your own reputation?"
"What did you say?!"
Kang Ha-yoon snapped, her temper finally flaring. She felt Paeng Ga-ryeon was openly insulting her.
"Are you insulting me right now?"
Kang Ha-yoon glared at Paeng Ga-ryeon with eyes filled with murderous aura.
"You were the one who started the insults, Phoenix Hall Master. How dare the Phoenix Hall tell the Law Enforcement Hall how to do its job?"
Paeng Ga-ryeon replied with a cold smile.
"I don't understand! How is suggesting a more careful investigation to avoid condemning an innocent person an insult?!"
Kang Ha-yoon spoke with a look of utter bewilderment. She truly couldn't comprehend it. She was merely stating a logical point that anyone should be able to accept, so why was it being taken this way?
"The Law Enforcement Hall has already closed this case. Your refusal to accept it can only be seen as a challenge to the authority of the Law Enforcement Hall."
Paeng Ga-ryeon continued in a flat, dismissive tone.
"What kind of investigation is concluded in three days? Especially when the culprit hasn't even been caught!"
"That is simply how the Law Enforcement Hall judged it! We have even secured a witness!"
"Then bring the witness here! I must question them myself!"
"Do you not even know the Alliance Law stating that the identity of a witness in a murder case must never be disclosed?"
Paeng Ga-ryeon looked at her as if she were being ridiculous.
In principle, the safety of a witness in a murder case was strictly guaranteed. Keeping their identity secret was the baseline, and they were to be protected by the warriors of the Law Enforcement Hall until the culprit was caught.
To ask for such a witness to be brought out was absurd. How could someone who harped on about principles and rules suggest breaking another rule so easily?
"......"
Kang Ha-yoon fell silent. As Paeng Ga-ryeon said, the protection of a witness's identity was a matter clearly stated in the Alliance Law. Given Kang Ha-yoon’s personality, she could not argue for breaking one rule just to uphold another.
Seeing her silence, Paeng Ga-ryeon wore a mocking smile. She felt a sense of satisfaction at having taken that stiff, upright woman down a peg.
"I apologize. My request to bring the witness was out of line."
Kang Ha-yoon apologized, looking at Paeng Ga-ryeon with a dead-serious face. Even she realized her request had been unreasonable.
"However, I will not withdraw my opinion that a re-investigation is necessary. I cannot accept this. I do not know who the witness is, but I believe it is wrong to conclude an investigation based on the testimony of a single person. We need more concrete physical evidence."
Kang Ha-yoon expressed her opinion with a determined gaze. She believed there should be no precedent for branding someone a criminal based on suspicion alone without physical evidence. No matter how certain a witness might be, how could a case be closed based solely on testimony?
In a murder case, a witness isn't always telling the truth. They could even be the real culprit, pretending to be a witness to frame someone else. That was why she believed a re-investigation was necessary—for the sake of a more thorough inquiry.
"You really are impossible to talk to!"
Paeng Ga-ryeon raised her voice, her tone laced with irritation. She was fed up with Kang Ha-yoon’s constant objections. To reject the investigation was to reject the decision of the Law Enforcement Hall, and to reject the Law Enforcement Hall was to reject her. How could she not be annoyed?
This sly wench... she hasn't even managed to produce a single child, yet she dares to challenge me?
Originally, Paeng Ga-ryeon didn't harbor any great ill will toward Kang Ha-yoon. It was more a feeling of contempt. Despite being the Second Wife, Ha-yoon had failed to produce an heir. For such a woman to stand up to her made her blood boil. What did this lacking woman, who had nothing but her own martial prowess, think she was doing?
"I am simply saying what is right," Kang Ha-yoon replied calmly.
"Is that so? Then let’s ask the people here. Let’s see if the Phoenix Hall Master’s words are truly right! Anyone who thinks the Phoenix Hall Master is correct, please raise your hand!"
Paeng Ga-ryeon looked around the room as she spoke.
"......"
"......"
At her question, everyone in the room remained silent.
In truth, if one followed the rules and principles, nothing Kang Ha-yoon said was wrong. However, no one wanted to take her side. They didn't want to cross the White Tiger Hall—which, along with the Blue Dragon Hall, held the most power—nor did they want to offend the Law Enforcement Hall, the alliance's oversight body.
"Heh."
When no one raised a hand, Paeng Ga-ryeon smiled with satisfaction. She felt a surge of joy at having publicly humiliated Kang Ha-yoon.
"See? It seems there is no one on the Phoenix Hall Master’s side here."
Grit.
Kang Ha-yoon gritted her teeth. She had never imagined the organizations within the Alliance would be this corrupt. She couldn't understand it. Wasn't framing an innocent person an act of injustice? How could a group that supposedly revered chivalry see such injustice and simply let it pass?
"I still cannot accept this! How can a culprit be confirmed by the testimony of just one person? There is no guarantee that the witness isn't lying!"
Kang Ha-yoon’s eyes flashed as she practically shouted. Even if she had no allies, she felt she had to say what needed to be said.
"Don't worry. The witness would never lie."
Paeng Ga-ryeon replied with a meaningful smile.
"How can you be so sure?!"
"That’s because..."
Just as Paeng Ga-ryeon was about to continue...
"It’s me."
A familiar voice suddenly drifted in from outside the meeting room.
"......"
"......"
"......"
The people inside the room fell silent all at once.
Creeeeeak.
The door to the meeting room opened, and a man revealed himself. He was a handsome, middle-aged man dressed in pure white robes, with an elegant sword hanging at his waist.
"......Alliance Leader."
Kang Ha-yoon spoke with a hesitant expression.
Indeed, the handsome man who had entered the room was none other than the Cheonmu Alliance Leader, Lee Jae-won.
"I said it’s me," Lee Jae-won said, looking at Kang Ha-yoon.
"What do you mean?" she asked, confused.
"I am the witness," Lee Jae-won replied with a slight smile. "I saw the suspect together with Ja So-ryeong, who had gone missing on the day Gal Mu-ryang was murdered."
"......"
"Are you doubting me, by any chance?"
"......"
Kang Ha-yoon fell silent. She had nothing to say. If it had been any other witness, she would have questioned the credibility of the testimony. No matter who it was, she would have scrutinized and verified everything. Grudges and relationships could change; a friend you’d die for yesterday could become a mortal enemy today, and vice versa.
But if it was Lee Jae-won, the story changed.
The hero who had saved the Murim from the Demonic Cult in the past. The Leader of the Cheonmu Alliance. The strongest man under heaven. No one could doubt him. Why would the supreme leader of the Cheonmu Alliance kill his own subordinate? Especially the Blue Water Sword Hero, Gal Mu-ryang, whom he admired and even praised? It was simply unthinkable.
"This is disappointing. To think the Phoenix Hall Master would doubt me."
When Kang Ha-yoon remained silent, Lee Jae-won spoke with a look of feigned disappointment.
Kang Ha-yoon lowered her head even further. Seeing this, Paeng Ga-ryeon felt a rush of triumph. It was refreshing to see that insufferably arrogant woman put in her place.
After a moment of silence...
"......Alliance Leader."
Kang Ha-yoon, who had been hanging her head, slowly looked up and spoke.
"Yes, go ahead," Lee Jae-won replied with a light smile.
"May I ask exactly what scene you witnessed?"
She looked Lee Jae-won straight in the eye as she spoke.
Look at this girl.
Meeting her gaze, Lee Jae-won maintained his relaxed expression, but internally, a flicker of irritation rose. He hadn't expected Kang Ha-yoon to talk back to him like that.