Chapter 590: The Scheme of the Sinister Snake
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 590: The Scheme of the Sinister Snake
Lee Jae-won’s expression twisted into one of utter bewilderment.
The words that had just spilled from Tang Jin-seol’s lips were nothing short of preposterous.
A Great War of Righteousness and Demons?
It was the massive armed conflict between the Orthodox Faction and the Demonic Cult that had occurred twenty years ago.
A catastrophic war that had annihilated countless sects and driven numerous chivalrous heroes to their deaths.
A battlefield that had turned everything in the Murim into a mountain of corpses and a sea of blood, drenched in deep crimson.
It was an event etched into memory as a horror that must never be repeated—a literal calamity for all martial artists.
And yet, she was suggesting they start such a war all over again? What on earth was she thinking?
"Wife, are you in your right mind right now?"
Lee Jae-won asked, his eyes narrowed with suspicion.
He genuinely wondered if she had lost her sanity. If she hadn't, how could she possibly utter such madness?
"Of course I am, Alliance Leader."
Tang Jin-seol let out a seductive, lingering laugh before continuing.
"Didn't I tell you? The sacrifice of many innocent lives is inevitable."
"Even so! A Great War of Righteousness and Demons? This is crossing the line!"
Lee Jae-won flared up, his voice rising in anger.
Twenty years ago, during the original war, Lee Jae-won had been the one at the front lines, commanding the forces and ultimately bringing the conflict to an end.
He knew the dangers of that war better than anyone else.
That was why he had no choice but to recoil. It was a war so gruesome that even Lee Jae-won, who usually treated human lives like flies, found it horrific.
"The line... and who defines where that line is?"
Tang Jin-seol smiled faintly, as if finding his reaction amusing.
"What is that supposed to mean!"
Lee Jae-won’s face crumpled into a scowl.
He felt a surge of irritation, expecting her to dodge the point with more vague, airy nonsense.
"Alliance Leader, didn't you just say a moment ago that you didn't care how many people died?"
Tang Jin-seol looked at him with a calm, steady gaze.
"I... I did, but..."
Lee Jae-won’s voice trailed off, his expression faltering.
He had indeed said those words. However, he lacked the sheer audacity to actually trigger a Great War of Righteousness and Demons.
If the truth ever came out, everything he had built up until now would vanish in an instant.
It was that dangerous. It was a gamble so risky that even he, a man worshipped by the masses, felt the need to play it safe.
"Alliance Leader."
When Lee Jae-won remained silent, Tang Jin-seol spoke up slowly.
"What are you so afraid of?"
She asked, her voice tinged with genuine curiosity.
"If... if a Great War begins... many people... will die..."
Lee Jae-won stammered, his face filled with anxiety.
"That’s not it, Alliance Leader."
Tang Jin-seol shook her head gently.
"You aren't truly worried about people dying."
Her eyes glittered with a sinister, snake-like light.
Flinch.
Lee Jae-won’s body jerked involuntarily. Her wicked voice sent a sickening shiver through his chest.
"What... what are you talking about!"
He raised his voice again, as if trying to hide his discomfort behind anger.
"What you’re actually worried about is the anxiety that you might lose everything."
She continued, a captivating smile playing on her lips.
"You’re afraid that everything you’ve built over the last twenty years might crumble in a single moment."
Tang Jin-seol stared at him with eyes full of absolute certainty.
"That... that’s not it... I am... truly... worried about the peace of the Murim..."
Stung by the truth, Lee Jae-won stammered out a pathetic excuse.
But she wasn't wrong. He was terrified. Terrified that everything he had achieved would disappear.
"Alliance Leader, you can be a bit more honest with me."
Tang Jin-seol’s voice turned soft and soothing.
"I can understand everything about you."
"Everything... about me...?"
"Yes. I can understand no matter what you do. Even if you are a serial rapist and murderer who has spent decades victimizing countless women... even if you are a cold-blooded man who framed your own disciple for all your crimes just to protect your reputation... even if you are the one responsible for the massacre of the Gu Clan... even if you are a selfish man who doesn't care if the innocent die as long as you get your revenge... and even if you are an indecisive man, hesitating because you're afraid of losing what you've built."
Tang Jin-seol watched him with that same sinister gaze.
"You... you..."
Lee Jae-won stared at her, his face pale with shock. He had never expected to hear those words from her.
"Are you surprised?"
Tang Jin-seol let out a thin smile. To her, Lee Jae-won’s wide-eyed, stunned expression looked almost cute.
"..............."
Lee Jae-won’s jaw hung open as he stared at her blankly. He had no idea what to say.
She knew everything.
She knew he was the culprit behind all the rape and murder cases that had plagued the Cheonmu Alliance for decades.
She knew he had framed his eldest disciple, Jang Sam, to protect the Alliance's honor.
She knew he had wiped out the Gu Clan simply to vent his spite against Gu Ja-yeop.
Chill.
A cold shiver ran down his spine. The realization that she had been watching him all this time, seeing through every layer of his life, filled him with an indescribable dread.
How... how does she know everything?
It was terrifying. The fact that she had known his every secret and had simply stood by, watching.
"You... you knew... everything..."
Lee Jae-won spoke, his eyes trembling as he looked at her.
"Yes. Unlike the others, I am no fool."
Tang Jin-seol nodded in affirmation.
"......Why... why have you stayed silent until now?"
Lee Jae-won asked, his expression one of pure confusion. He couldn't wrap his head around it. If she knew everything, why had she kept her mouth shut? It made no sense to him.
"Because I had no reason to speak."
Tang Jin-seol answered his question effortlessly.
"What!?"
Lee Jae-won asked again, still lost. What kind of logic was that? No reason to speak? Was that something a female martial artist of the Orthodox Faction, who supposedly valued chivalry, should say?
"It’s not like I would gain anything by revealing it, would I?"
"............"
Lee Jae-won fell silent. Her sheer audacity left him speechless.
"If the truth were revealed, wouldn't Kyung-ah become the daughter of a criminal? I would become a criminal's wife. Moreover, I might have to give up everything I’ve achieved so far."
She continued in a matter-of-fact tone.
"And even if I had told the truth, would the members of the Alliance have believed me? They are so obsessed with you that it borders on fanaticism."
Tang Jin-seol smiled playfully. The Cheonmu Alliance’s faith in Lee Jae-won was absolute. In such a situation, there was no way they would have believed her if she tried to expose his hideous crimes. Reputation often held more power than the truth.
"Besides, if I had gone around spreading such things, would you have just sat idly by, Alliance Leader?"
"............"
It was true. If she had tried to expose his crimes, he would have put a blade through her, wife or not. She would have been a stain on his perfect image.
"In that situation, why would I bother spreading those facts?"
Her eyes glittered coldly.
"............"
Lee Jae-won looked at her with a gaze full of fear. He was getting goosebumps.
To protect her own power...
To protect her own life...
She had known the truth behind every single incident and had feigned ignorance for decades. How could he not be chilled to the bone?
".......Then why are you telling me all this now?"
Lee Jae-won asked, his suspicion growing. He wanted to know her motive. These were secrets she had kept buried for decades. They were the kind of secrets one should take to the grave, because the moment they were uttered, one's life was forfeit. He needed to know why she was revealing them now.
"To give you trust."
Tang Jin-seol replied calmly.
"Trust?"
"Yes. The trust that I am on your side."
Tang Jin-seol let out a captivating smile.
"I am on your side even though I know every facet of who you are. I am taking an enormous risk by doing so. I want you to recognize that."
"I don't understand."
Lee Jae-won shook his head slowly.
"Why? Why side with me now?"
He looked at her, genuinely puzzled. It made no sense. Right now, he was like a kite with a severed string. His reputation had hit rock bottom after he attempted a lethal move against a rising star who had already surrendered. And because that same rising star had cut off his arm, he had even lost his title as the World's Greatest Martial Artist. Furthermore, his political standing had withered away after he assaulted Joo So-yang, the Great Matriarch who held the support of numerous elders.
Why would she choose to align herself with him now?
"Would you believe me if I said it was out of love for you?"
Tang Jin-seol asked with a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"As if."
Lee Jae-won glared at her coldly. They hadn't shared a bed in decades. He had avoided even meeting her eyes because he found her sinister. There was no way she had any love left for him.
"Oh my... how heartless."
Tang Jin-seol let out another alluring smile.
"Give me a real reason, Tang Jin-seol. Otherwise..."
Lee Jae-won’s eyes turned murderous.
"You will die to ensure your silence."
He spoke with a heavy, warning tone.
Vrooooooom—
A terrifying, violent aura began to radiate from his body.
"A reason... a reason..."
Tang Jin-seol smiled as if she found the threat amusing.
"The reason is simple. It’s more profitable this way."
"Profitable?"
"Yes, profitable."
Tang Jin-seol’s smile thinned.
"To be honest, the current situation isn't good. It wouldn't be strange if you were suddenly impeached. But if you are impeached, it becomes very problematic for me."
She continued in a level voice.
"I would have to give up everything I enjoy. The honor, the power, and the wealth that comes with being the wife of the Cheonmu Alliance Leader. I refuse to let that happen."
"So you’ll help me?"
"Yes. You maintaining your power for a long time is exactly what I want."
Tang Jin-seol flashed a charming smile.
"Well? Is that reason enough for you?"
She looked back at Lee Jae-won.
"........It is."
Lee Jae-won conceded. If she had babbled more nonsense about love, he would have crushed her skull. But she had provided a reason he could actually understand. Siding with him for profit—that made perfect sense.
"Then, can you trust me now?"
"............"
Lee Jae-won nodded silently. Now that he knew she was completely on his side, he felt there was no further need for suspicion.
"I’m glad. I’m glad the Alliance Leader trusts me."
Tang Jin-seol looked genuinely pleased.
"Now, shall we return to the main point? You’re afraid, aren't you? Afraid of losing everything in an instant."
She looked at him with those sinister eyes.
"......Yes."
Lee Jae-won nodded, finally admitting it. He realized there was no point in lying now that everything was out in the open.
"I’m terrified... that this paradise I worked my ass off for twenty years to create will vanish! This paradise where everyone looks up to me, everyone likes me, and everyone lives only for me! I’m afraid it will all come crashing down!"
Lee Jae-won threw away his mask of hypocrisy and spoke his true feelings. He wasn't afraid of innocent people dying; he was afraid of losing his paradise.
"I understand, Alliance Leader."
Tang Jin-seol nodded in agreement.
"I don't want the paradise you created to disappear either."
Her snake-like eyes shimmered.
"That is why you must start the Great War of Righteousness and Demons. To protect your paradise."
She looked at him with absolute conviction.
"Because if you don't, your paradise will surely crumble."