Chapter 619: Ha... This Bastard’s Using His Head, Isn’t He?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 619: Ha... This Bastard’s Using His Head, Isn’t He?
"What did you say?"
Sun-woo asked, his expression clouded with bewilderment.
"An expulsion order has been issued from above."
At his question, Paeng Ga-ryeon, the Law Enforcement Hall Master, spoke with a look of deep regret.
"Expulsion? They’re telling me to leave?"
Sun-woo asked her, looking utterly dumbfounded.
"..........Yes."
In response to Sun-woo’s question, Paeng Ga-ryeon nodded slowly, her expression heavy.
"Ha..."
Sun-woo let out a hollow laugh.
He had expected they wouldn't just sit idly by.
Spraying poison on a crowd of protesters was, after all, an act of such atrocious malice that it was unthinkable for a supposed pillar of the Orthodox Faction.
Because of that, Sun-woo had even been bracing himself for a potential war with the Cheonmu Alliance.
He had intended to pay them back in kind if they tried to use this incident as leverage to threaten or coerce him.
But contrary to his expectations, the Cheonmu Alliance was simply ordering him to leave.
This ruins my plans...
Sun-woo’s expression turned troubled.
He had been fully prepared for a massive showdown.
But being told to just get out so abruptly left him in quite a bind. It was a result he hadn't anticipated at all.
"What does the expulsion order say?"
Sun-woo asked Paeng Ga-ryeon, curious about the details.
"......Here it is."
Paeng Ga-ryeon reached into her robes, pulled out a letter, and handed it to him.
Sun-woo took the letter and began to read it slowly.
[Hear this, Jang Sun-woo. Driven by the emotion of anger, you unleashed a deadly poison upon those who came to support the Great War of Righteousness and Demons, causing them horrific psychological trauma. This is a crime so grave that you should be formally indicted by the Alliance on charges of assault and stand trial.
However, I, the Alliance Leader, also fully recognize that I cannot place the blame entirely on you. I am aware that those who suffered the consequences had caused you significant harm first.
They camped in front of your residence, shouting and singing at all hours for three days and nights, causing you continuous distress.
This was beyond mere rudeness; it was an act of utter lawlessness. I have judged that your anger was based on circumstances that warrant consideration.
Furthermore, the Cheonmu Alliance, which has the duty to maintain order and security within its walls, merely stood by and watched their behavior, allowing the situation to escalate.
Therefore, the leadership, including myself, has concluded that the fault for this incident does not lie with you alone.
Taking all these circumstances into account, the leadership and I have reached a single conclusion.
That is to permanently expel you from the Cheonmu Alliance.
The Alliance operates on rules agreed upon by its members.
If those rules are not followed, one cannot remain within the Cheonmu Alliance.
You have broken the rules, and I believe this is a justifiable reason for your expulsion.
Therefore, I formally demand your departure from the Cheonmu Alliance.
You shall never set foot in the Cheonmu Alliance again, nor shall you involve yourself in any of its affairs.
Furthermore, you may not seek help from the Cheonmu Alliance even in times of crisis, and the Cheonmu Alliance will not involve itself in whatever may happen to you.]
"Ha... This bastard’s using his head, isn’t he?"
Sun-woo let out another hollow laugh as he spoke.
He could almost hear the gears turning in Lee Jae-won’s head.
"What... what is it, Sun-woo-nim?"
As Sun-woo laughed, Paeng Ga-ryeon asked him with a puzzled look.
"It’s just cute how he’s trying to be clever."
Sun-woo replied in a calm tone.
"....Cute?"
"He’s trying to save the Alliance’s face while getting rid of an eyesore like me. His cheap trick is just so transparent."
Sun-woo smirked as he continued.
It was obvious. Lee Jae-won’s dog-like scheme was plain to see.
He intended to uphold the Alliance’s dignity while simultaneously expelling Sun-woo, knowing full well that Sun-woo wouldn't be able to refuse.
"A cheap trick?"
Paeng Ga-ryeon tilted her head, looking at Sun-woo.
What did he mean by a cheap trick?
"This guy laid the groundwork so I can't even say no."
Sun-woo continued calmly.
"I’m stuck. I have no choice but to leave."
".......Are you really planning to leave?"
Paeng Ga-ryeon asked, her face full of worry.
"I have no justification to stay here."
Sun-woo shook his head from side to side.
Sun-woo wasn't a member of the Cheonmu Alliance. If anything, his status was that of a guest.
If the owner of the house tells a guest to leave, how can the guest stubbornly insist on staying?
"....It’s not like you were ever one to follow orders.... You even flatly refused the command to participate in the Great War of Righteousness and Demons..."
Paeng Ga-ryeon muttered, looking at Sun-woo with a bewildered gaze.
Until now, Sun-woo had treated the Cheonmu Alliance’s demands like a barking dog, ignoring them completely.
Hearing that such a man was actually going to leave naturally felt strange.
"That was because I didn't feel like doing it, so I just acted out. This time is different."
Sun-woo replied calmly to her words.
"How is it different?"
She stared at him, still not understanding.
"I refused to join the war because there was no justification for me to join. I’m not a member of the Cheonmu Alliance. But this time, the situation is different. Since I’m a guest and not a member, I have no choice but to comply quietly."
Sun-woo explained as he looked at Paeng Ga-ryeon.
"....But it’s so unfair... They were the ones who picked a fight first."
Paeng Ga-ryeon spoke with an aggrieved expression.
She felt it was unjust. In her mind, Sun-woo was nothing but a victim.
To kick him out like this was fundamentally wrong.
"Even if it’s unfair, there’s nothing I can do. If I’m inside the Alliance, it’s only right to follow the Alliance’s laws."
Sun-woo continued with a calm face.
Sun-woo had proclaimed his own brand of individualism in front of the protesters.
On the premise of not harming others.
And on the premise of respecting the freedom of others to ensure his own freedom was guaranteed.
Therefore, he had to leave quietly.
Respecting their freedom meant following the laws they set in their own territory.
If he were to stubbornly refuse to leave now, it would be an act that contradicted the very individualism he had declared.
"..........Can't you just stay?"
Paeng Ga-ryeon asked Sun-woo, her face filled with gloom.
She seemed deeply saddened by the thought of him leaving like this.
"No."
Sun-woo spoke very firmly. Without a hint of hesitation.
"Uuu... uuu... uuu..."
Upon hearing that firm rejection, Paeng Ga-ryeon’s eyes began to well up.
The thought that she was definitely going to be separated from him brought her to tears.
Seeing this, Sun-woo slowly approached her.
Pat, pat.
"....It’s not like it’s easy for me to leave you all behind either.."
He spoke softly, stroking her hair.
".....Then... you can just stay, can't you?..."
Paeng Ga-ryeon said, looking up at Sun-woo with tearful eyes.
"You know I can't do that, don't you?"
Sun-woo countered, looking back at her.
"I’m surrounded by enemies, and the owner of the house is practically performing a ritual to get me to leave. In this situation, there’s nothing to be gained by stubbornly staying and betraying the principles I’ve set for myself."
Sun-woo continued in a level voice.
Currently, Sun-woo had no reason to remain in the Cheonmu Alliance.
While he was concerned about the women, they were his wives in name, so the Alliance wouldn't be able to openly lay a hand on them. Besides, it was obvious they would reunite at the Tang Clan in a few days anyway.
In such a situation, there was absolutely no reason to stay and break his own convictions.
"Instead, they’ll just try to restrict my actions and intimidate me. For now, it’s right to step away. For everyone’s sake."
"I...... I don't want you to leave."
Paeng Ga-ryeon spoke, her eyes brimming with tears.
"Even so, I have to go. Because it’s the right thing to do."
Sun-woo stared at her with a serious expression.
".........Sob... hic..."
Hearing Sun-woo’s words, Paeng Ga-ryeon finally began to sob.
She realized his will was firm.
He was serious. He truly intended to leave.
"Hic... uuuugh... sob."
That was why she was sad. That was why the tears fell.
The thought that she didn't want to let him go like this consumed her.
"Uwaaaaaah..... hic.. sob.. ugh.."
Soon, Paeng Ga-ryeon’s crying became even more intense.
Ha.... her reaction is quite extreme..
Seeing this, Sun-woo looked troubled.
He hadn't expected Paeng Ga-ryeon—not Joo So-yang or Hwangbo Yu-yeon—to react so violently.
Ever since she became his slave for trying to kill him, she had always been timid and cowed.
Seeing her react so passionately now was actually quite awkward for him.
Hug.
Sun-woo quietly pulled the crying Paeng Ga-ryeon into an embrace.
Pat, pat.
He began to pat her back so that she could calm down.
"It’s okay... it’s not like we’re parting forever."
Sun-woo tried his best to soothe her.
"Hic... but..... but..."
Despite Sun-woo’s comfort, Paeng Ga-ryeon couldn't control her surging emotions and continued to pour out her sorrow.
Sun-woo quietly comforted her until she had completely calmed down.
After some time had passed, Paeng Ga-ryeon remained still, her face buried in Sun-woo’s chest.
It seemed she had finally regained some composure.
"Are you feeling better now?"
Sun-woo asked, looking down at Paeng Ga-ryeon, who still had her face buried in his chest.
".........Yes."
Paeng Ga-ryeon answered in a tiny voice.
She seemed quite embarrassed about bursting into tears like a child in front of Sun-woo.
"I mean, how did the great Law Enforcement Hall Master become such a crybaby?"
Sun-woo teased her playfully.
"...........I’m sorry."
Hearing that, Paeng Ga-ryeon immediately apologized.
She felt bad for making him worry.
"What are you sorry for?"
Sun-woo chuckled.
Her being embarrassed yet cautious felt quite cute to him.
"Anyway, don't worry. Just because I’m leaving the Cheonmu Alliance doesn't mean our connection is severed."
".............Yes."
Paeng Ga-ryeon answered in a dejected voice, her head hanging low.
"You’ll probably see me within a month."
Sun-woo continued, looking at her.
"Really!?"
At Sun-woo’s words, Paeng Ga-ryeon quickly snapped her head up and stared at him with sparkling eyes.
Unlike her previous slumped state, her face was now full of life.
"Really."
"Are you coming back to the Cheonmu Alliance?"
she asked, her face bright with hope.
"No."
Sun-woo shook his head, denying it.
"It’s not me who’s coming; it’s you all."
Sun-woo pointed a finger at her.
"Us?"
Paeng Ga-ryeon asked back, looking puzzled.
"Once I leave the Cheonmu Alliance, I plan to head to the Tang Clan."
Sun-woo said calmly.
"Ah!"
Hearing that, Paeng Ga-ryeon let out an exclamation as it clicked.
She had completely forgotten about the Tang Clan.
Come to think of it, Sun-woo was the secret power pulling the strings of the Tang Clan from behind the scenes.
If he was kicked out of the Cheonmu Alliance, where else would he go?
"So that’s why within a month..."
Paeng Ga-ryeon trailed off, her expression showing she understood.
She realized why Sun-woo said they would meet within a month.
The Cheonmu Alliance was scheduled to be stationed at the Tang Clan to supply military goods.
In other words, they would have to visit the Tang Clan.
Sun-woo was telling her to see him there.
"Exactly."
Sun-woo smiled and nodded at her words.
"So make sure you come to the Tang Clan as quickly as possible. Got it?"
"..........I understand, Sun-woo-nim."
She nodded her head in response.
And she made a vow. She would find a way to head to the Tang Clan as fast as she could.
"Good girl."
Sun-woo gently stroked her hair, as if petting a pet.
".............."
Paeng Ga-ryeon blushed as she felt Sun-woo’s touch.
She felt like she could become addicted to his gentle hand.
After stroking her hair for a while, Sun-woo slowly pulled his hand away.
"Ah..."
Paeng Ga-ryeon let out a regretful sigh.
She was disappointed that he had stopped.
"Ga-ryeon."
Sun-woo, having removed his hand from her head, called her name.
"...Ye... yes, please speak.."
Paeng Ga-ryeon stammered slightly in response.
"I have a favor to ask."
Sun-woo continued, staring at her with steady eyes.
"....Haah... yes... anything... I’ll do... anything you ask.."
Meeting those eyes, Paeng Ga-ryeon answered with a dazed, dreamy look.
She was getting excited, wondering if he was going to ask her to spend the night with him.
"Go and bring the other girls here."
But unfortunately for her, her expectations were completely off the mark.
"............."
She made no effort to hide her disappointment.
It seemed there was no chance of her getting pounded tonight.