Chapter 564: Someday... I’ll Dig It Up.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 564: Someday... I’ll Dig It Up.
"From the Alliance Leader himself?"
Heo Sam-gwan looked at Lee Jae-won with a questioning expression. He hadn't expected the previously silent Lee Jae-won to suddenly speak up.
"It is my own business... How could I... remain silent any longer?" Lee Jae-won continued in a calm tone.
"For someone saying that, you certainly kept your mouth shut for a long time," Heo Sam-gwan replied, his gaze still filled with suspicion.
"I apologize. I was so overcome with shame at having to reveal my private failings that I could hardly bring myself to speak."
Lee Jae-won offered an apology, his expression contrite. His demeanor was brimming with apparent regret.
"No, it's fine. Who wouldn't be ashamed to air their dirty laundry?" Heo Sam-gwan said evenly.
"I am grateful for your understanding."
"Don't mention it." Heo Sam-gwan shook his head. "Now, please tell us. Why is there a discrepancy between the wives' accounts?"
"It is simple. It is because I have not been on equally intimate terms with all of them." Lee Jae-won’s expression turned somber.
"What do you mean by that?"
"As the Alliance Leader, I have only shared my bed with three of my wives. I did so in secret, away from the others. It is only natural that the rest were unaware of these trysts."
"......How... could that be..."
"Love is not something one can control at will, is it? I tried, but I could not reignite a heart that had grown cold."
Lee Jae-won turned his sorrowful gaze toward Joo So-yang, Paeng Ga-ryeon, and Hwangbo Yu-yeon.
"I do not love you. There is no other reason... I cannot even bring myself to say I am sorry... or ask for your forgiveness..."
He looked at them with eyes full of grief, appearing as though he felt immense guilt for failing to distribute his affection equally.
"................"
The three women fell into a collective silence at his words. This was an official setting, attended not only by the wives but by the entire leadership. In such a place, Lee Jae-won had officially declared that he did not love them.
From a woman's perspective, it was an insulting, vulgar, and horrific situation. Their own husband had essentially announced to the world that they lacked any charm as women.
What could they possibly say in a situation like this?
"..........Alliance Leader."
Heo Sam-gwan slowly broke the silence. "Are you... truly... telling the truth?"
"I am sincere... I no longer love them... and that is why I did not seek them out for secret meetings."
".......I see."
Heo Sam-gwan replied calmly and fell into deep thought. He had never imagined the Alliance Leader would play such a card. To clear himself of suspicion, he had dragged his wives' honor through the dirt. Who could have predicted such a move?
With things having come to this, it was difficult to press him further. Had it been a clumsy, pleasant-sounding lie, Heo Sam-gwan could have found a flaw and pressured him. But he couldn't easily interrogate a man who had just thrown his wives' reputations into the gutter. The sheer impact of the statement gave it a perverse kind of credibility.
"...Then... between the Hour of the Rat and the Hour of the Tiger, you were..."
"As Lady Zhuge said, I was at her quarters... I intended to reaffirm our marital bonds after a long time."
".............."
"I did not expect my private affairs to be exposed in such a manner...... It is truly embarrassing."
Lee Jae-won’s face flushed slightly as he spoke, looking every bit the man mortified by his secrets being revealed.
'Hell yeah, fing jackpot! This is peak! Absolutely legendary!'*
Of course, contrary to his outward appearance, he was screaming with joy inside.
'F yessss! I’m saved! Ju-kyung! Zhuge Ju-kyung!'*
He felt a surge of affection for Zhuge Ju-kyung. Just when he was about to be cornered as the culprit, she had stepped in as his relief pitcher and flipped the script. She hadn't just provided an unexpected alibi; she had become his witness.
'This is why you gotta have the right wives, damn it!'
Lee Jae-won felt a wave of gratitude toward the wives who had stood up for him. Thanks to their perjury, he now had a way out.
'From now on, the Great Matriarch is Zhuge Ju-kyung. That bitch Joo So-yang is disqualified!'
At the same time, hostility began to bloom toward the wives who had refused to lie for him. He could overlook Hwangbo Yu-yeon since she was a dim-witted pushover anyway, but Joo So-yang and Paeng Ga-ryeon were different. With their wits, they should have caught on and joined the perjury to defend him. Yet they had refused. How could he possibly look at them with favor now?
'You fing bitches. You’re never getting a taste of my meat club ever again.'*
Lee Jae-won made a vow. As soon as this situation settled, he would kick them all out.
As the saying goes, the wife should follow the husband. How could they heartlessly refuse to lie when their husband was in such a dire crisis? It was preposterous. They would have no right to complain even if they were cast out.
"................."
Heo Sam-gwan kept his mouth shut. Instinctively, he knew Lee Jae-won was the culprit. His gut was screaming at him, pointing a finger at the man. However, he could no longer pursue the matter now that Lee's presence elsewhere had been "proven."
To push further would mean making enemies of not only the Alliance Leader but also the wives who had defended him. Martial artists were, by nature, incredibly prideful—the type to draw swords the moment they felt slighted. If he declared he didn't trust their word, he would be antagonizing the Zhuge Clan, the Jinju Eon Clan, and the Moyong Clan. Being insulted would be more than enough justification for them to retaliate.
'Damn it... Damn it all!'
Heo Sam-gwan cursed inwardly. Rage boiled within him at the fact that the killer of his dearest friend was right in front of him, yet he couldn't even interrogate him properly.
'For now... I’ll let it go.'
Heo Sam-gwan calmed his nerves. Overreaching now would only lead to political isolation. He had to keep his head down until he found perfect evidence.
"So, has my absence from the scene been proven?" Lee Jae-won asked, looking at the grim-faced Heo Sam-gwan.
"......Of course.... You are the Alliance Leader, are you not? One who even bared his shameful secrets to prove his innocence. How could I possibly doubt you further?" Heo Sam-gwan forced himself to hide his burning frustration as he spoke.
"I am so grateful that the Hall Master of Palbok Hall is so understanding." Lee Jae-won expressed his thanks with a look of deep moved.
"Not at all. I am the one who should apologize for interrogating you so suspiciously." Heo Sam-gwan bowed his head in apology.
"There is no need for that. Even for the Alliance Leader, a proper investigation requires questioning. If you have any doubts in the future, feel free to ask anytime."
Lee Jae-won spoke with a magnanimous expression, projecting the image of a truly great man.
".........I am simply moved by the Alliance Leader's sense of fairness."
"Hahaha..... You're flattering me so much I'm getting embarrassed again."
Soon, a warm, friendly atmosphere began to flow between the two men.
'Someday... I’ll dig it all up...'
'I’m gonna have to kill this guy eventually too... I’ll have to plan it better next time so I don't get suspected.'
Of course, their internal thoughts were entirely different. The smiles on both their faces only grew deeper.
*
After the meeting ended, the six wives remained in their seats. It was due to a strict order from the Great Matriarch, Joo So-yang, to stay behind.
"............"
The women remaining in the conference room stayed silent, eyeing Joo So-yang. Though they were all women known for their fierce and fiery temperaments, they were overwhelmed by the atmosphere and the immense reputation of Joo So-yang, the first wife and the Best Among Women.
"Lady Zhuge."
Joo So-yang, who had been silent, finally spoke, calling out to Zhuge Ju-kyung.
"Yes, Great Matriarch."
"What were you thinking, telling such a ridiculous lie?" Joo So-yang glared at her with sharp eyes.
"L-Lie? What do you mean?" Zhuge Ju-kyung stammered slightly, feigning innocence.
"Lady Zhuge, I dislike repeating myself." Joo So-yang frowned. "So tell me clearly the first time. Why did you spout such nonsense?"
A menacing aura began to radiate from Joo So-yang.
"............I had no choice." Zhuge Ju-kyung finally spoke in a subdued voice. "If I hadn't, the Alliance Leader would have been in trouble."
"And that justifies perjury!?" Joo So-yang asked with a stern expression.
"Then was I supposed to just leave him be? When the Alliance Leader was being framed as a murderer!" Zhuge Ju-kyung snapped back, her voice rising. She was offended by Joo So-yang’s accusatory tone.
"If he wasn't the culprit, he would have proven his innocence himself. Why would you make the situation even more grave with a lie!" Joo So-yang shouted back, rebuking her harshly.
"Do you think that's something a wife should say? Instead of helping your husband, you're saying we should just watch!"
"Perjury is a crime. Does it make sense to commit a crime yourself just to shield the Alliance Leader?"
"............"
Zhuge Ju-kyung fell silent. Since Joo So-yang was speaking from a position of moral correctness, she had no rebuttal.
"Admit to the perjury immediately and apologize to everyone!" Joo So-yang commanded, glaring at Zhuge Ju-kyung.
"I don't think we can do that."
It was Tang Jin-seol, standing beside her, who spoke up in a dry voice.
"What!?"
Joo So-yang’s face contorted in anger. She was incensed that Tang Jin-seol dared to flatly refuse her.
"I said we cannot do that."
"And why not?"
"Because we shouldn't." Tang Jin-seol replied with a charming smile.
"I dislike people who beat around the bush, Lady Tang." Joo So-yang glared at her with a hostile gaze.
"We're quite different then. I personally prefer being indirect." Tang Jin-seol countered effortlessly.
"............Tang Jin-seol... since when did you become so stiff-necked?"
Perhaps enraged by Tang Jin-seol’s arrogant attitude, Joo So-yang unleashed her fighting spirit, speaking in a threatening tone. A crushing pressure immediately flooded the entire conference room.
"I wonder. Is there any reason I shouldn't be?"
"Amusing. To think a wench like you would defy me."
"Defy you? This is what we call a coordination of opinions." Tang Jin-seol let out an alluring smile.
"Fine. Then give me a reason for this 'coordination.' Why must you not admit to the perjury?"
"Well, I suppose I could tell you if you're that curious....... but could you withdraw your fighting spirit first? Unless you're planning to fight, that is."
"A fight only happens between those of equal level, you vixen of the Tang Clan."
Having said her piece, Joo So-yang instantly withdrew her aura. The heavy pressure that had been weighing down the room vanished at once.
"Whew..... I can finally breathe."
Once the pressure lifted, Tang Jin-seol let out a sultry smile. She pulled a short bamboo pipe from her sleeve and placed it in her mouth. Then, manifesting Samadhi True Fire on her fingertip, she lit the end.
Puff. Puff. Puff.
She began to puff on the pipe.
"Haaa.... Admitting to perjury would be problematic." She spoke as she exhaled smoke. "If we admit to it, Lady Un and I, who joined in, would all become accomplices."
"Is that not simply the consequence of your own actions?"
"Hehe, how cruel. And here I thought we were all family, eating from the same pot..." Tang Jin-seol let out a captivating smile.
"If that's your only flimsy reason, I'll be the first to report you myself."
"Calm down, Great Matriarch. That isn't the only reason we can't admit to the perjury."
Tap. Tap.
Tang Jin-seol flicked the ash from her pipe.
"Speak plainly. Don't even think about playing games with me," Joo So-yang said threateningly, her eyes wide as if she wouldn't tolerate another prank.
"Understood, Great Matriarch. Then I'll get straight to the point." Tang Jin-seol continued with a composed expression. "We cannot admit to the perjury."
She looked Joo So-yang straight in the eye.
"Because if we do, it will be revealed that our beloved husband was the one who massacred the Gu Clan."
She scanned the other wives with a mysterious, haunting gaze.
"I assume none of you want that kind of ending, do you?"
The smile on her lips deepened. And as they heard her words, the expressions of the other wives were dyed with pure horror.