Chapter 706: A Lowly Scheme
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 706: A Lowly Scheme
—Jang Sam, the Public Enemy of the Murim, has appeared.
This short but powerful rumor had enough impact to throw the world into a state of shock.
Who was Jang Sam?
Was he not the Lust Demon who had been declared a public enemy after raping and murdering countless female martial artists over the past few decades?
Because he was the eldest disciple and the "sore thumb" of the Cheonmu Alliance Leader, his declaration as the Public Enemy of the Murim had been a massive topic of conversation at the time.
How could people not be astonished that such a man had reappeared after two years?
Those who first heard the rumor waved it off, speculating that someone must have misidentified him.
However, as testimonies from those who witnessed Jang Sam's appearance were added, the rumor began to gain credibility. There were dozens of witnesses.
Soon, the Cheonmu Alliance officially announced that Jang Sam’s appearance was not a mere rumor but the truth. They further revealed that he was the mastermind behind the malicious rumors recently spread about the Alliance.
Upon hearing the Cheonmu Alliance's announcement, the public began to curse Jang Sam with one voice. Their rage boiled over at his depraved behavior, which even involved insulting his own master.
The Cheonmu Alliance raised the bounty on Jang Sam’s head to 500,000 Nyang, and countless bounty hunters and martial artists became desperate to find him.
Consequently, the malicious rumors regarding the Cheonmu Alliance Leader vanished without a trace.
*
"You're saying it was Jang Sam who put up the large-character posters?"
Tang Jin-seol asked the Honju with an expression of utter disbelief.
"That is what the Cheonmu Alliance has announced," the Honju replied, nodding his head.
"Hah."
Tang Jin-seol let out a hollow laugh. She never imagined they would resort to such a scheme.
"What do you think?" the Honju asked her in return.
"It’s absolute bullshit."
"But they say there are dozens of witnesses who saw him."
"Human skin masks don't exist for nothing."
"Are you saying someone was impersonating him?"
"He wouldn't have appeared at such a convenient time otherwise."
The Cheonmu Alliance's front yard was currently hypersensitive due to the posters they had put up. To show his face there of all places? No one but an idiot would do such a thing.
"It seems there is someone as cunning as a viper in the Cheonmu Alliance."
Tang Jin-seol continued, her cold eyes flashing. She gave high marks to whoever had devised the plan to use Jang Sam. For a plan made on the fly, it was remarkably well-structured.
To think of using Jang Sam—a man whose infamy was known to all—as someone who harbored ill will toward the Cheonmu Alliance. Jang Sam had already been declared the Public Enemy of the Murim, so there was a natural probability of him being hostile toward the Alliance.
Furthermore, as the Alliance Leader’s "sore thumb," he was a figure everyone knew about. They had used that infamy to create a sensational topic, one powerful enough to bury all the malicious rumors about the Alliance Leader.
"To use his head like this..."
This wasn't a plan that could have come from Lee Jae-won’s mind. Lee Jae-won was vicious, but he wasn't smart.
"What should we do?" the Honju asked, curious about her next move.
Now that Jang Sam was rumored to be the culprit behind the posters, the plan to shake the Cheonmu Alliance by exposing Lee Jae-won had been neutralized. He wondered what countermeasure she would propose, knowing she wasn't the type to sit idly by.
"Hmm..."
Tang Jin-seol fell into thought. She seemed to be searching for a clever move to ruin Lee Jae-won’s plan. After contemplating for a while...
"I didn't want to use such a lowly method..."
Tang Jin-seol finally spoke, her elegant brow furrowed. She truly hadn't wanted to stoop so low, feeling it would diminish her dignity. However, to break through the current situation, a somewhat lowly method was necessary—a childish way to destroy the Cheonmu Alliance's credibility.
"...Do you have a plan?" the Honju asked. To him, there seemed to be no way out, as public opinion had already swung heavily in favor of the Cheonmu Alliance.
"It’s not that I don't have one," Tang Jin-seol said, still frowning. She clearly didn't like the plan she had come up with. "But this isn't the time to be picky."
Tang Jin-seol’s cold eyes glittered. It was a lowly but efficient method. She decided to prioritize that efficiency.
*
"The Geumjin Merchant Guild and the Samil Merchant Guild have sent sponsorship funds."
Zhuge Chan spoke with a respectful attitude.
"How much is the amount from each?"
"The Geumjin Merchant Guild sent 50,000 Nyang, and the Samil Merchant Guild sent about 30,000 Nyang in silver."
"They certainly overextended themselves."
Geumjin and Samil were small-to-medium-sized guilds. For them, such amounts were bordering on excessive.
"A letter was enclosed stating they wish to contribute to the subjugation of the Demonic Cult."
"Rare guilds indeed, knowing how to practice chivalry."
Lee Jae-won spoke with a smile on his lips. Who would hate people giving them free money?
"In addition, messages have arrived from the Jinmun Sword Clan and the Oh Family stating they will send reinforcements."
Zhuge Chan continued in a calm tone.
Heh... This is it.
Lee Jae-won wore a satisfied smile. Ever since the malicious rumors were buried under the news of Jang Sam, sponsorships for the Cheonmu Alliance had been pouring in. Thanks to the restoration of trust in the Alliance, those who wanted to curry favor had begun sending support again.
"Good. This will be a great help in subjugating the Demonic Cult."
Lee Jae-won spoke with a pleasant smile. "The Strategist will handle the deployment of personnel."
"Understood." Zhuge Chan nodded.
"Is there anything else to report?"
"The Black Tortoise Hall Master has proposed organizing a task force."
"A task force?"
"Yes. He said he must hunt down and kill Jang Sam, who has dragged the honor of the Cheonmu Alliance through the mud."
"Allocate the budget and give him permission to form it with whoever he wants."
Lee Jae-won readily agreed. He thought it wouldn't be bad to show the public their hostility toward Jang Sam. Doing so would only make their story more credible.
"I will see to it." Zhuge Chan bowed deeply.
"Is there nothing else?" Lee Jae-won asked, looking at Zhuge Chan.
"Nothing more."
"Good work. You may leave now."
Lee Jae-won immediately issued an expulsion order to Zhuge Chan.
I should just go jerk off.
He wanted some time to himself. It had been a while since he’d rubbed a virgin pussy. He’d been using it as mental fodder lately, and it didn't feel half bad.
"............"
However, despite Lee Jae-won’s order to leave, Zhuge Chan remained in his spot, showing no intention of moving.
"Do you have something else to say?"
"...Alliance Leader."
"Speak."
"Will this really be alright?" Zhuge Chan asked, his voice full of worry.
"What are you talking about?"
"...Framing Jang Sam as the culprit." Zhuge Chan looked at Lee Jae-won with anxious eyes.
"Strategist!" Lee Jae-won raised his voice sharply. His shout echoed through the room. "...Can you not shut that mouth of yours?"
Lee Jae-won’s face contorted in a blatant scowl. He was enraged that Zhuge Chan would dare speak of something that should be handled with the utmost caution.
"Everything is going so well, so why do you bring that up so recklessly!"
"I... I am sorry... But the anxiety simply won't go away... If this matter is ever exposed... the Cheonmu Alliance will be completely ruined..."
"How could it be exposed? Public opinion is on our side, and the people are on our side, so how could it possibly be exposed!"
Lee Jae-won spoke with a frustrated expression. Public opinion had shifted so completely it was as if it had been redesigned for the Cheonmu Alliance. Everyone was on their side. So why was he being such a wet blanket? It was bad luck.
"But... isn't the risk too great? If... the real... Jang Sam appears... and reveals the truth... then the fact that this was all a trick to cover up the malicious rumors will be out..."
Zhuge Chan spoke, still looking at Lee Jae-won with trembling eyes. He was still uneasy. If, by some chance, the truth came out, they would lose everything they had built. How could the Leader act so nonchalantly?
"If Jang Sam appears, we just have to kill him immediately! Besides, who would believe his words? No one in this world would take Jang Sam's side. So stop worrying about it!"
Lee Jae-won began to coax and soothe Zhuge Chan.
"..........But..."
"I do not like repeating myself."
Lee Jae-won glared at Zhuge Chan with stinging eyes. He was fed up with Zhuge Chan’s frustrating behavior.
What a fucking coward. Why would we get caught?
Lee Jae-won began to sneer inwardly. Seeing a man as old as he was trembling with fear made him look pathetic.
"Leave now. I don't want to look at you anymore."
Lee Jae-won issued the expulsion order again. He didn't want to see that frustrated face for another second.
"......My apologies."
Zhuge Chan offered a polite apology. It seemed he had indeed troubled the Alliance Leader.
Slam!
"We have a problem!"
Suddenly, the door slammed open, and a man appeared. He was a man with a sharp, cynical impression—Cha Do-jin, the Black Tortoise Hall Master.
"What is the meaning of this rudeness!"
Lee Jae-won scolded him, his face contorted at the sudden intrusion. In the Cheonmu Alliance, it was customary to knock before entering, no matter how urgent the situation. How could he be so disrespectful?
"Forgive me, Alliance Leader... the situation is just so urgent..."
"No matter how urgent, shouldn't you maintain basic etiquette? If everyone ignores manners, what will become of the world?"
Lee Jae-won began to berate him. To burst in without knocking was no different from ignoring his authority. Lee Jae-won loathed being ignored. The memory of being treated like an invisible man before he fell into the Murim remained a deep wound. That was why he scolded him even more harshly—to ensure he would never be looked down upon again.
"If this happens again, I will deal with you strictly according to Alliance Law!"
".....I am sorry."
Cha Do-jin bowed repeatedly, offering his apologies.
"So, what is it?"
Lee Jae-won ignored the apology and asked for his business. He didn't know what it was, but he wanted to finish it quickly and have his happy time alone.
"It’s a disaster! Alliance Leader!" Cha Do-jin raised his voice urgently. "Jang Sam has appeared!"
"Jang Sam?!"
Lee Jae-won asked back, looking bewildered. Jang Sam had suddenly appeared? What was he talking about?
Is this bastard... trying to plead his innocence?
In an instant, a murderous aura began to flicker in Lee Jae-won’s eyes. From Lee Jae-won’s perspective, Jang Sam had to remain a criminal for the rest of his life, whether the charges were a frame-up or the truth. The appearance of the real Jang Sam was bound to be unpleasant. If Jang Sam started claiming his innocence, things would get complicated.
I have to kill him.
And so, he decided. He had to kill him. Quietly, so no one would know. To keep him as a criminal who harbored a lifelong grudge against the Cheonmu Alliance.
"Where did Jang Sam appear?"
Lee Jae-won asked for Jang Sam’s location, his eyes flashing with murderous intent. He intended to go and kill him personally.
".....Wuhan...."
"Wuhan? That would be Hubei Province. Fine. I shall go myself."
Lee Jae-won immediately stood up. He intended to go after his head without delay.
"........Hefei, Zhengzhou, Taiyuan, Changsha, Hangzhou, Guangzhou, and Chengdu."
"What?"
Lee Jae-won asked back, his expression showing he didn't understand.
".....The places where Jang Sam... appeared... are eight in total..."
Cha Do-jin continued, his voice trembling.
"Tell me the last place he was sighted!"
Lee Jae-won spoke, his brow furrowing deeply. He was busy enough as it was; why was this report so damn messy?
Ignorant bastard... doesn't he know how to get to the point?
He began to curse Cha Do-jin in his head.
".....It was... simultaneous."
Cha Do-jin finally spoke.
"Hah?"
"Jang Sam appeared in eight different regions at the same time!"
Cha Do-jin shouted, his face filled with utter bewilderment.
"............"
And upon hearing those words, Lee Jae-won’s face went blank.
What kind of bullshit was this?