Chapter 595: Asking the Sword God for Help
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 595: Asking the Sword God for Help
"The Great War of Righteousness and Demons?!"
Sun-woo asked again, his expression clouded with bewilderment. He wondered if he had misheard her.
"Yes... the Great War of Righteousness and Demons..."
She repeated herself as if to confirm his question. Upon hearing her words, Sun-woo’s face turned grim. It made no sense to him. How could a war that ended over twenty years ago break out again?
"Tell me everything. In detail."
"The Palbok Hall Master said it... that if things continue like this, the Great War of Righteousness and Demons will happen..."
"Why?" Sun-woo asked, still looking confused.
When the Tang Clan was nearly destroyed by the Demonic Cult, the Cheonmu Alliance had stayed silent and merely watched. Why were they finally drawing their swords now?
"It seems... it’s because several allied factions were recently massacred."
"Didn't you say they hadn't identified a suspect yet?" Sun-woo asked back, puzzled.
".........Well... it seems they’ve concluded that it was the work of a demonic practitioner who mastered demonic arts..."
"Paeng Ga-ryeon."
Sun-woo called her name in a calm tone.
"What happened?" he continued, his voice tinged with a hint of a rebuke.
Sun-woo had clearly given her an order. He had told her to monitor the progress of the case and inform him once a culprit was identified. But now, they had already concluded it was a demonic practitioner? What on earth was going on?
"....I... this is the first I've heard of it."
As Sun-woo pressed her, Paeng Ga-ryeon spoke with a frightened expression.
"You’re the Law Enforcement Hall Master. How does it make sense that you don't know?"
"It’s true! No official conclusion was ever reached regarding the case. We did find traces of demonic energy, but it felt too artificial... so we decided to put it on hold until new clues surfaced..."
Paeng Ga-ryeon continued, looking deeply wronged. She felt truly mistreated. A proper conclusion hadn't even been reached, so how could the culprit have already been identified as a demonic practitioner?
".....Is that so?"
Sun-woo’s expression grew serious.
'Their stories don't match.'
He was suspicious of the discrepancy between the two accounts. One claimed the culprit was a demonic practitioner, while the other claimed no one had been identified. They were making completely contradictory assertions.
'I need to check the reality of the situation.'
Sun-woo’s eyes gleamed. He felt the need to find out exactly what was happening.
"Really... I... I didn't know.... Please... believe meeee..."
Just then, Paeng Ga-ryeon’s sobbing voice began to pierce Sun-woo’s ears. Snapping out of his thoughts, Sun-woo looked at her in surprise.
"Sob... hic... ugh..."
She was covering her small face with both hands, tears streaming down.
'Ah, I made her cry.'
Sun-woo looked awkward. He realized he might have reacted too sharply.
"Ga-ryeon, I’m sorry."
Sun-woo apologized as he looked at her.
"Hic... it’s... it’s... okay... I’m... hic..."
Despite his apology, she showed no signs of stopping.
Step, step.
Sun-woo silently approached her.
Grab.
He pulled her into a sudden, firm hug.
Pat, pat, pat.
Then, he began to gently pat her back.
"I’m sorry... I startled you, didn't I?" Sun-woo apologized in a soft voice.
"...It’s... really okay..."
"How is it okay when you’re crying like a child?"
".........."
Paeng Ga-ryeon lowered her head in embarrassment. It was mortifying to have shed tears so easily at her age.
"I didn't mean to scold you. So, don't be upset."
"....Okay."
Paeng Ga-ryeon nodded slightly. Her mood had instantly improved just because Sun-woo apologized.
"Good girl."
Sun-woo gently stroked her hair.
Flush.
"..........."
Whether she enjoyed the stroking or not, Paeng Ga-ryeon silently blushed.
"When I get back later, I’ll fuck you first. Just wait for me."
".....Yes."
Hearing those words, a faint, happy smile played on Paeng Ga-ryeon’s lips. It seemed all her lingering resentment had vanished.
"Then, I’ll be going. Don't fight and stay well-behaved."
Sun-woo spoke as he looked at the women lying on the bed.
"Yes~"
"Understood~"
The women replied in unison.
'At least they’re good at answering.'
Seeing this, Sun-woo smirked. He began to walk away.
Creeeeeak.
He pushed the door open. Immediately, the young and vibrant figure of Lee Ye-seol came into view.
"Where should I go?" Sun-woo asked her, looking curious.
"I’ve shown him to the reception room for now."
"Good job."
Sun-woo reached out and stroked her hair a couple of times.
"Hehehehe."
Lee Ye-seol let out a soft giggle, seemingly enjoying the gentle touch of his hand.
Step, step.
Sun-woo left her behind and began walking toward the reception room where the Palbok Hall Master was waiting.
*
Gnaw, gnaw.
Palbok Hall Master Heo Sam-gwan began to bite his nails nervously. He was dying of impatience, and the fact that Jang Sun-woo had yet to appear only added to his anxiety.
Gnaw, gnaw.
Gnaw, gnaw.
Heo Sam-gwan bit his nails over and over until all ten were bitten down to the quick. After some time had passed...
Knock, knock, knock, knock.
The sound of someone knocking on the reception room door echoed.
"Come in!"
Hearing the sound, Heo Sam-gwan shouted immediately. He knew Jang Sun-woo had arrived.
Creeeeeak.
The door began to open as soon as his permission was given. A man soon revealed himself from behind the door.
The man currently hailed as the World's Greatest Martial Artist.
It was the Sword God, Jang Sun-woo.
"Greetings, Palbok Hall Master."
Sun-woo greeted him in a calm tone as he entered the room.
"Welcome!"
The Palbok Hall Master welcomed him enthusiastically. The person he had been desperately waiting for had finally appeared. How could he not be glad?
"What brings you to see me?"
Sun-woo asked directly. He didn't want to beat around the bush.
"Why don't you take a seat first? This will be a long conversation."
Hearing this, the Palbok Hall Master gestured toward a seat. This wasn't a conversation to be had while standing.
"Understood."
Thud.
Sun-woo nodded in agreement and sat down.
"Now, please tell me. What is the business that brought you here?" Sun-woo asked calmly.
"Whew..... Alright.. I shall tell you."
Heo Sam-gwan let out a deep sigh and slowly began to speak.
"If things continue like this, the Great War of Righteousness and Demons will break out."
Heo Sam-gwan continued in a somber tone.
"Please, use your power to stop the start of that horrific war."
Heo Sam-gwan pleaded.
"What do you mean? The Great War is going to happen?" Sun-woo asked, acting as if he didn't know.
"Recently, several allied factions of the Cheonmu Alliance were massacred... and the Demonic Cult has been identified as the culprit."
Heo Sam-gwan continued with a grim expression.
"That’s slightly different from what I know. I heard the culprit hadn't been identified yet?"
"The Alliance Leader claimed he saw the scene himself and identified the culprit. He said it was a successor of Honma, a former Elder of the Demonic Cult."
"Honma?"
Sun-woo asked back, puzzled. Honma? Wasn't that the Demonic Cult Elder that Lee Jae-won had luckily killed when he first entered the Transcendent Realm? Why would his successor be appearing now?
"Indeed. He said so after personally inspecting the scene. He claimed the culprit was undoubtedly Honma’s successor. Then, he hastily summoned the leadership to discuss the matter."
"So it was decided at that meeting, then. To invade the Demonic Cult."
Sun-woo spoke as if he finally understood.
".........That is correct."
Heo Sam-gwan replied in a dejected voice.
"The allied factions all belonged to the families or sects of the leadership... They are all crying out for revenge and have declared their intent for war against the Demonic Cult... The Alliance Leader also agreed with them, saying it is necessary to draw the sword to protect the peace and stability of the Murim."
He continued with a heavy expression.
"Were there no opposing opinions?" Sun-woo asked curiously.
War was inherently something to be avoided. The fear of not knowing when one might die usually gripped everyone. Hearing that they had agreed to such a blatant proposal for a Great War was strange. How could they make such a decision?
".........None except for me.... Everyone else... insisted that we must invade the Demonic Cult."
Heo Sam-gwan spoke with a pained expression. The thought that he couldn't extinguish the spark of this terrible war filled him with self-loathing.
"Please help!"
Thud!
The Palbok Hall Master, Heo Sam-gwan, slammed his head onto the table.
Thud!
The skin on his forehead tore, and blood began to flow.
Thud!
Blood started to soak the table.
Thud!
The wound opened further, and the amount of blood increased. Yet, Heo Sam-gwan continued to slam his head without pause. He was offering a humiliating plea to a young man much younger than himself. Begging for help. Begging him to stop the Great War.
"Palbok Hall Master, stop this. Why are you acting so violently?"
Sun-woo began to restrain Heo Sam-gwan. Why was he slamming his head until his forehead split and bled?
"Will you grant my request!?"
Heo Sam-gwan asked, his eyes shining with a glimmer of hope that his plea might be heard.
"......What exactly do you want me to do?"
Sun-woo asked, looking curious. Since the conclusion had already been reached, how was he supposed to help? It seemed public opinion had already turned as well.
"I want you to ensure the Great War of Righteousness and Demons does not happen."
Heo Sam-gwan looked at Sun-woo with a steady gaze.
"Hasn't the decision already been made? How am I supposed to overturn that?" Sun-woo asked back, not understanding.
"The method is simple. You must oust the current Alliance Leader, Lee Jae-won, and ascend as the new Alliance Leader yourself."
"Ha."
Sun-woo let out a hollow laugh. New Alliance Leader? What kind of nonsense was this?
"Do you think that’s possible?"
Sun-woo asked, genuinely curious. He wondered if the man was actually serious.
"Of course, I believe it is possible."
"That’s absurd. How can I oust a perfectly fine Alliance Leader?"
Sun-woo shook his head in denial. He had gained explosive popularity recently. He had cut off Lee Jae-won’s arm and even knocked him unconscious, earning the title of the World's Greatest Martial Artist. But even so, challenging the position of Alliance Leader was out of the question. It had been twenty years. That was how long Lee Jae-won had reigned and solidified his foundation. There was no way he could be ousted.
"The current Alliance Leader is losing public support. I believe there is a chance if we exploit this situation."
Heo Sam-gwan continued, looking directly at Sun-woo.
"I refuse."
Sun-woo shook his head and declined. Of course he would. Why would he take on the unwanted position of Alliance Leader? It was a pointless burden.
"Young Master Jang! Please, think about it more! If things go on like this, the Great War will inevitably happen! Hundreds, thousands of innocent people will die!"
"Isn't it unavoidable? It was a decision made by the Alliance leadership."
"You speak as if it’s someone else’s problem!"
"It is someone else’s problem. It’s not my problem, is it?" Sun-woo replied indifferently.
"What!"
Heo Sam-gwan flared up and raised his voice. He didn't like Sun-woo’s cynical attitude. How could a martial artist living in the Murim say something so selfish?
"Do you have no sense of justice! If you don't act, hundreds and thousands will die! How can you just stand by and watch!"
Heo Sam-gwan shouted, the veins in his neck bulging.
"I’m not standing by. I’m just not interested."
"How can you not be interested!"
"I’m busy enough living my own life. And you want me to pile the lives of hundreds and thousands on top of that? There’s no way I’d accept such a thing."
Sun-woo spoke with a cold expression. He wanted to return to the Tang Clan immediately and live a happy life buried in the arms of his wives. But to take over as the Cheonmu Alliance Leader and stop a Great War? Why would he do something so troublesome? He wasn't some saint or hero. He only protected his own minimal conscience. He had no intention of becoming a hero who saved thousands of lives.
"You have more than enough ability!" Heo Sam-gwan said.
If it was Jang Sun-woo—the man who had severed the arm of the Absolute Martial God—he certainly had the power to stop it. To stop the Great War. So why did he choose to be a bystander? Why did he intend to just watch? He couldn't understand it. He couldn't understand it at all.
"Just because I have the ability doesn't mean I have to use it for others, does it?"
Sun-woo spoke in a calm tone. Upon hearing those words, Heo Sam-gwan was struck with horror. The statement, which lacked even a shred of Chivalry, was utterly shocking.