Chapter 566: Better a Happy Piece of Trash Than a Wretched Hero
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 566: Better a Happy Piece of Trash Than a Wretched Hero
"................"
A heavy silence began to settle over the meeting room.
It was the silence of those who had lost their words, stunned by a shocking truth they had never anticipated.
The Leader of the Cheonmu Alliance, a man who should have been more upright and innocent than anyone else.
The Greatest of All Time, a man who commanded the respect of the entire world.
The hero of the Great War of Righteousness and Demons, the man who had saved the Murim from the Demonic Cult’s invasion.
To think that he was the true culprit behind the serial rape and murder cases—the only stain on the Cheonmu Alliance’s reputation?
What could anyone possibly say in such a situation?
They simply kept their mouths tightly shut.
After a long, agonizing silence, Joo So-yang finally spoke.
"Tang Jin-seol."
"Yes, Great Matriarch? Speak your mind," Tang Jin-seol replied with a bright, beaming smile.
"..........It is a story that is truly hard to believe... but... if... if what you say is true, then you have spent decades shielding him while knowing his criminal history. That makes you no different from an accomplice!"
Joo So-yang glared at Tang Jin-seol with sharp, piercing eyes.
"My, you use such frightening words. An accomplice? I merely stood by and watched."
"And you believe standing by was the right thing to do?"
Joo So-yang’s face contorted in anger as she questioned her.
"I couldn't exactly choose to die, could I?"
Tang Jin-seol’s response was remarkably bold.
"What!?"
"Think about it, Great Matriarch. If I had revealed the truth back then, what would have happened to me? I would have been killed, or treated like a madwoman and exiled to live the rest of my life in a cage."
She spoke with a playful glint in her eyes.
"And my daughter would have lived a life of misery, branded as the child of a lunatic mother."
"......That is mere speculation."
"It’s not speculation; it’s a certainty. Do you really think the incompetent Law Enforcement Hall, which couldn't even identify the real culprit until now, would have believed me?"
Tang Jin-seol let out a derisive snort.
"..............."
Joo So-yang fell silent.
She couldn't refute it.
Unlike now, the public’s support for the Alliance Leader in the past had been absolute, bordering on fanaticism.
If anyone had named him as a suspect in the rape and murder cases, they would have been subjected to a brutal public lashing. Lee Jae-won possessed a reputation so massive that Tang Jin-seol’s name alone would have meant nothing against it.
"Even if they had believed me, it would still be a problem. What do you think would have changed if the Law Enforcement Hall identified the true culprit?"
Tang Jin-seol looked at the silent Joo So-yang and continued.
"He is the world's greatest master, one who has reached the Profound Realm—a man called a Half-Immortal. What exactly could the Law Enforcement Hall have done to someone like him?"
"..........."
Joo So-yang bit her lip hard.
She wasn't wrong.
Even if the truth were revealed, there was nothing they could do. He had reached a height so distant that it was beyond the reach of mere mortals.
"I’m not greedy. As long as my current power, luxury, and safety are guaranteed, that’s enough for me."
"Your power and luxury are stained with the blood of countless women. Do you feel no guilt whatsoever?"
Joo So-yang glared at her with a sharp, judging gaze.
"Is that really my concern? It’s tragic, yes, but not tragic enough for me to risk my life over..."
"You are a truly wicked woman."
"For a woman of the Tang Clan, that is a very high compliment."
Tang Jin-seol offered a deep, lingering smile.
"Then why reveal this truth now? If you wanted to maintain your power, wouldn't it have been better to keep your mouth shut forever?"
Joo So-yang asked, her expression filled with doubt.
"Because our dear husband’s madness has caused things to spiral further than expected. I don't think this will blow over just because I keep quiet."
Tang Jin-seol put on a troubled expression.
"So, cooperate with me. Let’s make sure our beloved husband is cleared of all suspicion."
Her eyes sparkled as she made the proposal.
"What!? Are you saying we should cover up these crimes!?"
Joo So-yang’s voice rose into a shout.
"Yes, exactly."
Tang Jin-seol answered coolly.
"I cannot do that."
Joo So-yang’s expression turned resolute.
"If I hadn't known, it would be one thing, but now that I know the truth, I cannot let this pass!"
Joo So-yang looked at Tang Jin-seol with burning eyes.
Though she had become more covetous of power than chivalry over the years, this was something she could not overlook. As a human being, it was a line that could not be crossed.
"And what will you do? Are you going to announce to the world that the Alliance Leader is the culprit?"
"I wouldn't put it past me!"
"Even though he’s your husband?"
"That doesn't matter. If a crime is committed, punishment must follow. How can I overlook such hideous crimes just because he is my husband!"
Joo So-yang spoke in a calm, steady tone.
At the very least, she was a woman who understood human decency.
If it were a matter of a personal grudge, perhaps it would be different, but she could not forgive Lee Jae-won for committing such disgusting and horrific acts simply to satisfy his lust. Even if he was her husband.
"Then on what grounds do you intend to name the Alliance Leader as the culprit?"
Tang Jin-seol asked, sounding genuinely curious.
"........You said it yourself.... That he has a specific scent. We can present that as evidence!"
"But you’ve never smelled the Alliance Leader’s scent, Great Matriarch."
"That’s... if you testify..."
"I have no intention of doing that."
Tang Jin-seol replied with a refreshing laugh.
"What!?"
"I said I have no intention of doing that. Why should I?"
Tang Jin-seol asked back, as if she truly didn't understand.
"Are you saying you’re going to stay silent until the very end!?"
Joo So-yang’s voice rose again, her eyes filled with fury.
"Yes, that is my plan. I don't want the fact that the Alliance Leader is the true culprit to become known."
Tang Jin-seol spoke with a composed face.
She looked utterly unbothered, showing not a shred of guilt.
"Tang Jin-seol! Do you have no sense of human decency!? How can you know of such foul deeds and pretend to know nothing until the end!?"
"Decency doesn't put food on the table."
"What!?"
"And it’s not just food. Decency can't give me absolute power, it can't give me money, and it certainly can't give me beautiful jewels."
She looked at Joo So-yang with cold eyes.
"So why should I give up my comfortable life for the sake of 'decency' when there’s nothing in it for me?"
Tang Jin-seol continued, looking as if she found the whole concept baffling.
"If it’s revealed that the Alliance Leader is the culprit, the Alliance will be ruined. And if that happens, I’ll have to give up everything I’ve enjoyed until now. The absolute power to make people act as if they’re dying with a single word... I don't want to give that up."
Her eyes shone with a chilling light.
"The absolute power, the immense wealth, the beautiful jewels—all of it. So, I will not cooperate. Nothing good will come from the truth being revealed."
Tang Jin-seol’s expression was firm.
".....You are truly selfish..... Tang Jin-seol."
"I’m just being rational."
"How is that rational!? You are ignoring the countless victims who died in agony just for your personal gain!"
Joo So-yang screamed at the top of her lungs.
"The living must go on living. The dead should just stay silent."
".......You are a truly piece of trash."
"Better a happy piece of trash than a wretched hero."
Tang Jin-seol smiled as if she found the situation amusing. Her expression was bright, showing no sign of offense.
"...............Fine. I won't accept any help from the likes of you."
"A wise choice. It would have been troublesome if you hadn't given up and kept demanding my testimony."
Tang Jin-seol looked satisfied.
"I’m so grateful that you’ve given up like this."
"I have no intention of giving up."
Joo So-yang spoke in a calm tone.
She hadn't given up. She intended to dig up the truth somehow and reveal it to the entire world.
"Then what will you do?"
"I will find evidence by any means necessary, have him arrested, and make him face the judgment of the law."
"I told you, it’s impossible."
Tang Jin-seol shook her head. It seemed Joo So-yang had spent too much time training her martial arts and not enough time using her head.
"Didn't I just tell you? There is no one capable of binding him. If you try to uncover the truth, you’ll be murdered. He is a cruel demon."
"...........If everyone joins forces!!"
"Even then, it’s impossible. Didn't you feel anything during the Heavenly Demon’s invasion? The Murim Alliance, which was the symbol of the Orthodox Faction before the Cheonmu Alliance, was torn down by the Heavenly Demon’s hands. And you want to oppose the Alliance Leader, the man who killed that very same Heavenly Demon? Is this some new way to commit suicide?"
Tang Jin-seol mocked Joo So-yang with a sneer.
"Nothing will change no matter what you do. So, choose between cooperating or staying silent. Don't go inviting a useless death."
Tang Jin-seol sent a chilling warning toward Joo So-yang.
Grit.
Joo So-yang bit her lip. She was boiling with rage at the fact that, as frustrating as it was, she couldn't refute those words.
Thud.
She abruptly stood up from her seat.
Step, step, step.
She began to walk toward the exit of the meeting room without hesitation.
Creeeeeak.
Slam!
She vanished out the door.
Tang Jin-seol watched her retreating back, then turned her gaze back to the rest of the group.
"Is there anyone else who refuses to cooperate?"
She asked the other wives with a seductive smile.
Thud.
Hwangbo Yu-yeon, who had been sitting quietly, quickly stood up. She hurried toward the exit and disappeared from sight.
Nod, nod.
Tang Jin-seol nodded as she watched. Given her fragile nature, it made sense for her to leave.
"And anyone else?"
Once she was gone, Tang Jin-seol spoke again.
Slide.
Then, Paeng Ga-ryeon slowly rose from her seat.
"Oh my, does Lady Paeng also intend to refuse my cooperation?"
Tang Jin-seol asked, looking at Paeng Ga-ryeon with surprise.
Paeng Ga-ryeon was a woman just as consumed by the desire for power as she was. It was baffling to see such a woman make a seemingly conscientious choice.
"...........I am the Hall Master of Law Enforcement..... As one who upholds the law, how can I allow such a thing to stand?"
She spoke in a calm, steady tone.
"Huhuhu... how interesting..... coming from the woman who framed Jang Sam."
Tang Jin-seol smiled mockingly.
She couldn't help but laugh hearing those words from Paeng Ga-ryeon, the woman who had framed the Alliance Leader’s eldest disciple, Jang Sam, for the rape and murder cases.
"...........How do you know about that?"
Paeng Ga-ryeon’s eyes widened in shock.
"Wasn't the situation a bit too contrived? A collateral relative of the Paeng Clan just happened to be raped and killed by Jang Sam, and the Law Enforcement Hall just happened to raid the scene immediately?"
Tang Jin-seol continued with a mocking smile.
Since she already knew Lee Jae-won was the true culprit, the Law Enforcement Hall’s staged actions were transparent to her. She had seen right through the process of framing Jang Sun-woo.
"Isn't it hilarious? The Hall Master of Law Enforcement, who pinned a foul crime on an innocent boy just to win a succession struggle, talking about upholding the law."
"................"
Paeng Ga-ryeon couldn't say a word.
No rebuttal came to mind. It was an undeniable fact that she had framed Jang Sam to eliminate a rival. What could she possibly say in this situation?
"Well, if you want to back out, I won't stop you. This sort of thing has to come from the heart; it can't be forced."
Tang Jin-seol spoke with a captivating smile.
"Go ahead and leave."
Tang Jin-seol smiled broadly.
Grit.
Paeng Ga-ryeon ground her teeth at the sight. Then, she immediately walked out of the meeting room without a single lingering look.
Tang Jin-seol watched Paeng Ga-ryeon leave. Once she was completely gone, the smile vanished from her face instantly.
"Then, can I assume that those of you remaining are all willing to cooperate with me?"
"............"
Not a single person answered her question.
"Very good."
Tang Jin-seol spoke with a smile, clearly pleased by their reaction.
Silence was as good as consent.
The remaining wives were surely on her side.
A deep smile began to form on Tang Jin-seol’s lips. She took comfort in the fact that she had secured half of the six wives.
"Then, I shall now tell you the plan in earnest."
Tang Jin-seol’s expression became incredibly serious. She was a completely different person from the one who had been laughing and acting flighty just moments ago.
Gulp.
The women swallowed hard.
And they waited.
They waited for Tang Jin-seol to open her mouth and reveal the plan.