Chapter 623: Sword Emperor Yoon Je-gyeom
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 623: Sword Emperor Yoon Je-gyeom
"Hwaaaa-aaa-yawn!"
Lee Jae-won opened his mouth so wide it looked like it might tear as he let out a massive yawn.
"Fuck, I’m bored out of my mind."
Lee Jae-won was drowning in boredom.
It had already been two days since he decided to expel Jang Sun-woo, and about a full day since the notice had been delivered to him.
During that time, Lee Jae-won had sat still, waiting for Jang Sun-woo’s reaction. His own response would depend entirely on how the man took the news.
If Sun-woo resisted, Jae-won intended to summon every member of the Cheonmu Alliance and publicly humiliate him. If he left quietly, Jae-won planned to attach a tail to him to monitor his movements.
But no matter how long he waited, there was no news.
The expulsion notice had definitely been delivered through Paeng Ga-ryeon, yet there was absolutely no reaction.
That was why he was bored. He needed a reaction to counter it. If there was no reaction, what the hell was he supposed to do?
Is he actually ignoring me?
A rather plausible thought flashed through Lee Jae-won’s mind. The idea that the bastard might be ignoring his decision altogether.
No, as reckless as that prick is, surely he wouldn't...
But Lee Jae-won soon shook his head slightly. It seemed impossible.
No matter how much Jang Sun-woo lived life according to his own whims, he was strictly a guest. If the host told him to leave, he had no choice but to go—at least, if he wanted to maintain the personal freedom he so cherished.
Knock, knock, knock.
The sound of someone tapping on the door began to ring in Lee Jae-won’s ears.
"Who is it?"
Lee Jae-won wiped the boredom from his face, replacing it with a dignified expression before speaking in a calm tone.
"It is the Law Enforcement Hall Master, Alliance Leader."
Paeng Ga-ryeon’s voice drifted in from outside.
"Enter."
Lee Jae-won spoke with as much gravity as he could muster.
Creeeeeak.
The door opened, and Law Enforcement Hall Master Paeng Ga-ryeon revealed herself.
"I greet the Alliance Leader."
Entering the office, Paeng Ga-ryeon offered a very polite bow as she looked at Lee Jae-won.
"Hahaha, welcome."
Lee Jae-won let out a forced, hearty laugh and continued.
"What brings you here?"
He asked her with sparkling eyes, his intent clear: Get to the point.
"I have something to discuss regarding Young Master Jang."
"Speak."
Thump, thump.
Lee Jae-won felt his heart race. He seemed unable to contain himself at the news that word of Jang Sun-woo had finally arrived.
What happened? Did he resist? Did he accept it? Or did he ignore it?
Lee Jae-won stared intently at Paeng Ga-ryeon’s lips, anticipating what would come out next.
"Young Master Jang left alone at dawn today."
Paeng Ga-ryeon continued in a flat tone.
"At dawn today?!"
Lee Jae-won’s expression turned to one of bewilderment. It was completely unexpected.
He left? And at dawn, no less?
"Yes... I am told he completely vacated his quarters and departed early this morning."
"Hmph... Did he truly leave? You’re sure he didn't just go out for a stroll?"
Lee Jae-won asked back with a suspicious look. He didn't seem to find the fact that Sun-woo had simply left very believable.
"He reportedly left with all his belongings packed. If it were a mere stroll, there would be no need to pack everything."
Paeng Ga-ryeon spoke with a composed face.
"...Was there nothing else? No message he wanted delivered? No letter left behind?"
"Nothing at all."
Paeng Ga-ryeon replied firmly to Lee Jae-won’s question.
".........I see."
Lee Jae-won nodded as if accepting the fact.
"You’ve worked hard... Is that all you had to report?"
"It is."
"Understood. You may leave. I need to think."
"Understood, Alliance Leader. May you find peace."
Paeng Ga-ryeon bowed slowly and deeply. She was incredibly polite. Then, she immediately turned and left the room without a hint of lingering.
"Hah."
Once her presence had completely vanished, Lee Jae-won let out a hollow laugh. He hadn't predicted this sudden move from Jang Sun-woo at all. Even if he had accepted the decision, how could he leave so quickly?
I thought he’d put up a fight...
A look of disappointment crossed Lee Jae-won’s face. In truth, he had expected Sun-woo to resist fiercely. Given his dog-like personality, Jae-won anticipated he would clash with the Alliance.
Jae-won had even planned to use that conflict as an opportunity to turn public opinion even more negative, isolating him from the world.
But that plan had gone completely down the drain because Jang Sun-woo had been far too obedient.
No... even so, why the hell would he sneak out at dawn like he was running away? A man called the World's Greatest Martial Artist?
Lee Jae-won couldn't understand it. Jang Sun-woo’s martial prowess was at a level where he had no equal under heaven. To put it bluntly, even if he fought the entire Cheonmu Alliance, his power was so great and magnificent that the outcome would be uncertain.
Why would such a man choose to flee in the middle of the night like a common thief?
"Pathetic prick."
Lee Jae-won cursed Jang Sun-woo. He thought of him as nothing more than an idiot who happened to have high martial arts skills. If one possessed such formidable power, shouldn't they act with boldness and dignity befitting that strength?
Yet, he acted like a shy little girl. And this was the man called the World's Greatest? It made no sense.
How did a guy with so little character get his hands on such powerful martial arts?
Lee Jae-won was puzzled. No matter how much he thought about it, the man was clearly sub-par, and he couldn't comprehend how he had obtained such immense power.
He was in the middle of venting his doubts, suspicions, and insults toward Jang Sun-woo when—
Knock, knock, knock, knock.
There was another tapping at the office door.
"Who is it?"
Snapped out of his thoughts, Lee Jae-won spoke in a dignified voice.
"It is your humble servant, Zhuge Chan."
It was the strategist, Zhuge Chan.
"What is it?"
Lee Jae-won asked with a look of curiosity. He was taken aback by the appearance of someone he hadn't summoned.
"I have come because there is urgent news to deliver!"
Zhuge Chan spoke with a very hurried voice. By the sound of it, it was something quite pressing.
How annoying.
Lee Jae-won frowned deeply. A wave of irritation washed over him.
"Enter."
However, Lee Jae-won granted him permission. He couldn't exactly kick out someone who claimed to have urgent business.
Thud!
As soon as permission was given, the door swung open and Zhuge Chan appeared.
"I greet the Alliance Leader!"
Zhuge Chan offered a polite greeting as he entered.
"Skip the formalities. What’s the matter?"
Lee Jae-won asked for the point immediately. He had no desire for a long conversation.
"A great event has occurred!"
Zhuge Chan continued with a very serious expression.
"What on earth is it that has you making such a fuss?"
Lee Jae-won asked, bewildered.
"The Sword Emperor has visited the Alliance!"
"What!?"
Lee Jae-won shouted back in shock. The news was startling and hard to believe.
The Sword Emperor? Wasn't he the supreme master of the Cheonmu Alliance who had washed his hands in a golden basin and retired from the Murim decades ago? Why would such a man visit the Cheonmu Alliance now?
"The Sword Emperor has arrived and requested a private audience with the Alliance Leader!"
"Where is he now!?"
Lee Jae-won asked urgently. The unexpected visit of such a legendary figure filled him with a sense of haste.
"I have temporarily settled him in the VIP Room."
"I shall go at once."
Spring!
Lee Jae-won bolted upright from his seat and began to walk briskly. Zhuge Chan followed closely behind him.
*
The Sword Emperor! The Sword Emperor! The Sword Emperor!
Lee Jae-won began to walk even faster, a smirk playing on his lips. His mood had soared at the unexpected visit.
Sword Emperor Yoon Je-gyeom.
A master of the blade who had once vied for the title of the World's Best Sword with the Sword Sovereign Yang Tae-san. A man who was once the leader of the Black Moon Hall, which, though now disbanded, was once called the strongest organization within the Cheonmu Alliance.
Beyond his martial prowess, he was a clever fox whose strategic mind, honed by years of experience, was incomparable to other hall masters. That was the Sword Emperor, Yoon Je-gyeom.
The fact that such a man was visiting the Cheonmu Alliance couldn't help but excite him.
The Cheonmu Alliance’s current strength was significantly depleted. Jae-won himself, considered the Alliance's top power, had lost an arm. The Sword Sovereign Yang Tae-san, the Hall Master of the Blue Dragon Hall and the man once called the World's Best Sword, had lost his life at White Flower Peak.
The Sword King Gal Ji-cheon, Hall Master of the White Tiger Hall, was now a cripple recuperating at the Tang Clan estate. And the Vice Hall Master of the White Tiger Hall, the Blue Water Sword Hero Gal Mu-ryang, was already a corpse.
The pillars that supported the Cheonmu Alliance had either lost their lives or been maimed. Their total strength was essentially cut in half.
In such a situation, Yoon Je-gyeom’s visit was more than welcome. Jae-won believed that Yoon Je-gyeom’s martial power could sufficiently fill the void left in the weakened Alliance.
Hehe... I wonder how much stronger he’s become.
Fifteen years ago, he had been at the very peak of the Mid-Transcendent Realm. It was impossible to predict how much stronger he had grown since then.
I’ll win him over no matter what! No matter what!
Lee Jae-won’s eyes filled with determination. The determination to recruit him by any means necessary. If he played his cards right, he would gain a powerful pawn he could move at will. How could he not be motivated?
Step, step, step.
He walked with purposeful strides until—
Creeeeeak.
Arriving at the VIP Room, Lee Jae-won threw the door open and looked inside.
There, he saw an elderly martial artist who exuded an air of simplicity and frugality.
It was the Sword Emperor, Yoon Je-gyeom.
"It has been a long time, Alliance Leader."
Yoon Je-gyeom, who was sitting in the room, greeted him as he looked toward the open door.
"It is an honor to see you again, Senior."
Hearing his greeting, Lee Jae-won responded with a polite bow. Both men’s faces were filled with bright smiles.
"My goodness, how long has it been, Senior?"
Lee Jae-won asked with a broad grin. His face was full of genuine delight.
"Let’s see... has it been about fifteen years? I can hardly remember... Hahaha."
Yoon Je-gyeom replied with a warm smile.
"You should have reached out or come by for a visit sooner."
"I am a man who has already washed his hands in a golden basin. Why would I come to see martial artists? Hahahaha!"
Yoon Je-gyeom burst into a jovial laugh.
"Even if you’ve retired, a senior is still a senior. Surely you didn't think I would treat you poorly?"
"Hahahaha... how could that be? Do I not know the Alliance Leader’s character better than anyone?"
"Hahahaha... I suppose that’s true."
The two continued their harmonious conversation, punctuated by frequent laughter.
"By the way, how have you been spending your time?"
Lee Jae-won asked curiously.
"Oh, I’ve just been traveling here and there, touring the Central Plains."
"Touring the Central Plains?"
"Indeed. I visited the rugged Five Great Mountains... and I saw the magnificent snowy plains of the North Sea with my own eyes."
Yoon Je-gyeom continued with a deep smile.
"Hahahaha... You’re living a better life than I am, Senior... seeing all the sights of the Central Plains for yourself."
Lee Jae-won responded with a boisterous laugh.
"If you’re envious, you should retire soon as well, Alliance Leader. A world entirely different from the thin ice of the Murim will unfold before you."
"Hahahaha... I would love to do so, but... it seems the time has not yet come."
Lee Jae-won spoke with a hint of regret in his expression.
"Ah, I’ve misspoken... Indeed, it’s unlikely a capable man like the Alliance Leader could retire so easily."
"Hahaha, Senior, you flatter me too much. I’m so embarrassed I can hardly lift my head."
Lee Jae-won waved his hand dismissively.
"Don't be so modest. Have I said anything that isn't true?"
Yoon Je-gyeom spoke with an amused expression.
"Hearing that you truly think so makes me even more embarrassed."
"Tsk, the Alliance Leader is far too humble. A man needs to know how to show himself off a bit."
Yoon Je-gyeom clicked his tongue slightly in mock disapproval.
"Showing off isn't what’s important."
Lee Jae-won continued with a bright face.
"If one works hard and makes steady progress, won't someone eventually recognize it even without self-promotion?"
"Oho... you’ve got me there. I didn't realize the Alliance Leader was such a deep thinker."
Yoon Je-gyeom spoke with an impressed look.
"I’ve always been this deep, Senior."
"You seem to have grown quite confident now."
Yoon Je-gyeom spoke with a look of approval.
"Hahahaha... I’m just joking."
"Khahahaha!"
Soon, the VIP Room was filled with the laughter of the two men.
They laughed for quite some time until—
Snap.
Yoon Je-gyeom suddenly stopped laughing. It was incredibly abrupt.
"But, Alliance Leader."
He continued, his expression turning dead serious as he looked at Lee Jae-won.
"What on earth happened to that arm?"
He pointed toward Lee Jae-won’s empty left sleeve.
At that, Lee Jae-won’s face became grave beyond measure.