Chapter 488: The Reason Sun-woo Switched Sides.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 488: The Reason Sun-woo Switched Sides.
Click, clack, click, clack.
Paeng Ga-ryeon began to walk away with brisk, hurried steps.
Her face was flushed with rage, her features twisted into a fierce scowl.
'Kang Myeong! You... you... how dare you!'
She was fuming.
She was incensed that Kang Myeong was now setting his sights not just on her, but on her daughter as well.
She couldn't help but be furious.
After all, hadn't he already shared an intimate affair with her?
How could he then engage in such an amorous display with her own daughter, Lee Gi-yeon?
'Kang Myeong... you dared to kiss Gi-yeon...'
Paeng Ga-ryeon’s face turned even redder as she recalled the scene she had witnessed in Kang Myeong’s office.
Kang Myeong and Lee Gi-yeon had shared an incredibly deep, lingering kiss.
It was a sight so intense it would make any onlooker flush with heat.
Their tongues had intertwined with wet, squelching sounds, and their eyes had been filled with a lust hotter than a raging fire.
She was angry.
Just thinking about it made her blood boil to the point of explosion.
She wanted to tear him into a thousand, no, ten thousand pieces.
'Your arrogance pierces the very heavens!'
She thought to herself.
Kang Myeong had clearly crossed the line.
She had told him before:
Tell me whatever it is you want.
I will give you everything, no matter what it is.
That is what she had said.
But even so, her daughter was off-limits.
How could he target the daughter after already taking the mother?
It was preposterous, an act no different from a moral atrocity.
His arrogance had surpassed all limits, piercing the sky itself.
'I have to stop him.'
She decided.
She had to restrain him.
She couldn't let him run wild like an unbroken stallion any longer.
'...Kang Myeong!'
Paeng Ga-ryeon’s eyes began to glint.
Her gaze was thick with murderous aura.
*
Stomp, stomp, stomp.
Lee Gi-yeon walked away quickly, her face bright red.
Her mind was filled with a single thought: she had to get away from Kang Myeong’s office as fast as possible.
Just being in the same space as him made her feel overwhelmed by embarrassment and shame.
'Idiot! Moron! Jerk! Bastard! Stupid! Fool!'
Lee Gi-yeon cursed him incessantly in her head.
She was seething with anger at Kang Myeong for forcing a kiss upon her.
'It was my first! My very first!'
It was her first time.
Her first time kissing a man.
That was why she was even more livid.
Her precious first experience had been snatched away unexpectedly.
And at a moment she hadn't anticipated at all.
How could she not be furious?
'If he was interested, he should have asked to have a cup of tea first! How could he just grab my lips out of nowhere!'
If he had expressed his interest actively, she wouldn't have had a reason to reject him.
After all, he was the Heavenly Dragon Sword, Kang Myeong—the man touted as the greatest of the Cheonmu Alliance's Rising Stars.
What woman would dislike it when a talented, handsome man showed interest?
But this wasn't right.
How could he kiss her and grope her thighs when they weren't even dating?
And to a virgin who had never even properly held a man's hand before.
She was angry.
Angry at him for not following the proper steps.
If he was interested in her, shouldn't he have asked her out first, shared a cup of tea, gone flower-viewing, and built a rapport?
And then, shouldn't he have shyly and slowly held her hand, put his arm around her shoulder, and finally, eventually, kissed her?
How could he ignore that entire process and just follow his lust?
Even if her cherry-like, sparkling red lips were that tempting.
'I will never forgive him unless he gets down on his knees and begs!'
She thought.
She wouldn't forgive him easily.
He needed to be punished.
'I'll make him squirm!'
A punishment for treating her so recklessly.
*
"Yaaaaawn."
Kang Myeong stretched grandly and let out a long yawn.
Thud.
Then, he slammed his head down onto the desk.
He intended to take a nap.
Normally, this was behavior that would warrant disciplinary action for negligence of duty, but since Kang Myeong was fundamentally a degenerate who conserved his energy by sleeping during work hours, the sight wasn't out of place at all.
'This guy was living a surprisingly cushy life, wasn't he?'
He thought.
The original Kang Myeong had lived quite comfortably.
As an office worker, his only job was stamping documents, and since he was in an affair with the Law Enforcement Hall Master, no superiors dared to pressure him.
It was the perfect life—getting paid to just hang around.
'This is why a person needs talent.'
Kang Myeong realized once again how important martial arts were in the Murim.
If Kang Myeong had possessed mediocre martial arts, he never would have enjoyed such privileges.
It was during this moment of leisure.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
Suddenly, someone began pounding on the office door.
"Unit Leader! Unit Leader!"
An urgent voice followed immediately.
"......Who is it!"
Kang Myeong spoke in an annoyed tone.
"It's me, Paeng Jin!"
"Come in."
Creeeeeak.
As soon as Kang Myeong gave permission, the door opened and Paeng Jin appeared.
"What is it?"
Kang Myeong asked, his expression clearly showing his irritation.
"We have a problem!"
"What kind of problem?"
"The Great Matriarch has arrived!"
"The Great Matriarch?"
"Yes!"
"Why is that a problem?"
"The Great Matriarch is looking for you, Unit Leader!"
"Me? Why?"
Kang Myeong asked back, looking confused.
"I think she's here to interrogate you."
"Interrogate me?"
"It's likely about the incident the other day when the Young Lady almost got hurt."
"Wait, I'm the one who got hurt! Why are they the ones coming to interrogate me? I should be the one demanding answers!"
Kang Myeong shouted, flaring up.
"Tell her to go away. Tell her I'm busy."
Kang Myeong spoke, making his displeasure obvious.
"But... well... even so, issuing an Expulsion Order to the Great Matriarch is..."
Hearing Kang Myeong's words, Paeng Jin hesitated, looking troubled.
It seemed he felt uncomfortable about kicking Joo So-yang out.
"Sigh... what a pain."
Kang Myeong scowled deeply.
He let out a heavy sigh.
Anyone could see he was thoroughly annoyed.
"Where is she now?"
"I've asked her to wait in the reception room for now."
"Fine. Tell her I'll be there as soon as I'm ready."
"Understood."
Paeng Jin bowed his head slightly at Kang Myeong's words.
Then he immediately turned around and left.
It seemed he was going to relay the message to Joo So-yang.
Smirk.
Once he was gone, a thick smile spread across Kang Myeong's lips.
He thought her timing was impeccable.
'Nice, Joo So-yang.'
Kang Myeong cheered internally as he slowly stood up.
Then, with a relaxed stride, he began to walk.
Toward the reception room where Joo So-yang was waiting.
*
Reception Room
"You've come."
Joo So-yang spoke in a calm tone.
"I hope you have been well, Great Matriarch."
Kang Myeong looked at her and offered a slow greeting.
"I don't think I've been particularly well, Unit Leader Kang."
Joo So-yang replied bluntly.
"May I ask the reason why?"
"Don't you know the reason all too well yourself, Kang Myeong?"
"Hmm... well, I'm afraid I have no idea what you're talking about."
Kang Myeong shook his head from side to side.
He acted as if he were completely clueless.
"People say you are as dull as a bear and as stubborn as an ox. But seeing you now, it seems people's eyes are failing them. To describe someone as fox-like as you in such a way."
Joo So-yang spoke with a cold smile.
"Thank you for the compliment."
Hearing her words, Kang Myeong replied with a bright smile.
"In any case, I have been quite uncomfortable because of you."
"And why is that?"
"There are two reasons. First, I was incensed by the fact that you almost harmed my precious daughter. My anger wouldn't subside easily."
"I apologize for that. It seems my competitive spirit was excessive, leading me to almost make a grave mistake."
"You certainly know how to sugarcoat it. Especially after harboring such murderous intent."
"That is a misunderstanding on your part, Great Matriarch. How could I harbor murderous intent toward a fellow member of the Law Enforcement Hall?"
Kang Myeong spoke with a sly expression.
"Hmph, you certainly have a silver tongue."
Joo So-yang snorted.
"Still, if the Great Matriarch is truly uncomfortable, I shall offer a formal apology. Since such a high-ranking person has graced this humble place with her presence, how could a lowly man like me not offer even a word of apology?"
"Forget it. I have no desire to hear words that aren't sincere."
Joo So-yang raised her hand and waved it dismissively.
As if an apology was unnecessary.
"Hmm, then I am curious. If you didn't want an apology, why did you come all this way personally? Is it perhaps because of the other reason you mentioned?"
Kang Myeong asked her with a curious look.
"Correct. The purpose of my visit is related to the second reason."
Joo So-yang nodded slightly.
"May I ask what that second uncomfortable reason is?"
"The second reason is the fact that you have reached the Super-Peak Realm."
"Why should that be uncomfortable? You should be praising a proud junior of the Cheonmu Alliance for achieving such a great feat."
"Feigning ignorance... you really are a fox."
Joo So-yang spoke with a cold smile.
"Normally, as you say, it would be a matter worthy of praise. A brilliant talent emerging in the Cheonmu Alliance means the Alliance's power grows even stronger."
Joo So-yang continued in a calm tone.
"But unfortunately, with the succession competition right around the corner, I cannot possibly praise you. Your strength will be a threat to Seol-ah."
Joo So-yang's cold eyes glinted.
"Are you afraid of me?"
Kang Myeong looked amused.
"I am. Because you could become a variable that prevents Seol-ah from receiving the succession position."
Joo So-yang nodded slightly.
"I don't understand. Doesn't the Great Matriarch already have an outstanding talent like Jang Sun-woo? I heard he's a handsome, well-built, and perfectly skilled all-rounder... With such a man by your side, why would you fear a commoner like me?"
Kang Myeong looked at her as if he truly didn't understand.
"One cannot call a man who reached the Super-Peak Realm in his mid-twenties a 'commoner'."
Joo So-yang shook her head.
"I have no choice but to be afraid. Because you possess possibility."
"Possibility?"
"The possibility of winning the succession competition."
"You're flattering me too much."
"I am serious. Only you and Jang Sun-woo are the only two who hold that possibility. The only two possibilities for winning the succession competition."
Joo So-yang spoke with an incredibly serious expression.
"Is that possibility why you came to see me?"
"I couldn't just let it slide. I don't think Jang Sun-woo will lose, but I don't want to tolerate any variables."
"What do you intend to do with me? Do you plan to crush me before that possibility can be realized?"
Kang Myeong asked with a dead-serious face.
"No. Quite the opposite."
Hearing Kang Myeong's words, Joo So-yang smiled faintly and slowly shook her head.
"Kang Myeong, come under Seol-ah."
Joo So-yang spoke in a calm tone.
"I will grant you whatever it is you desire."
Kang Myeong looked stunned as he listened to her.
".............You're joking, right?"
He finally spoke.
His tone was one of utter disbelief.
"I am not particularly fond of jokes."
Joo So-yang shook her head.
".....Ha..."
Hearing that, Kang Myeong let out a hollow laugh, looking bewildered.
He looked completely dumbfounded.
"I am currently supporting Lady Lee Gi-yeon."
"Such things can be changed at any time. Just as Jang Sun-woo switched to our side."
Joo So-yang spoke with a faint smile.
"......I'm so stunned I can't even find the words."
"I fully understand. Jang Sun-woo had the same reaction."
Joo So-yang spoke with an understanding expression.
"But in the end, he too came over to our side. Quite willingly, I might add."
"...........What on earth did you promise him?"
Kang Myeong looked at Joo So-yang with trembling eyes.
"What do you think?"
".......I don't know."
Kang Myeong shook his head.
"Do you want to know?"
Joo So-yang asked with a smile.
"I do."
Kang Myeong nodded heavily.
"Then please wait a moment."
Joo So-yang spoke with an amused expression.
Wuuuuuuuuuuung.
Then, she began to deploy a Qi Barrier, enveloping the interior of the reception room.
Perfectly, without leaving a single gap.
"The reason Lord Sun-woo switched sides was thanks to my vulgar, horny bitch-pussy~"
Joo So-yang spoke as she looked at Kang Myeong, her eyes glazed over with a dazed, lustful look.
Saliva was even trickling from the corner of her mouth.