Chapter 713: Shall We Have a Chat?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 713: Shall We Have a Chat?
"Hahahaha! Hall Master Cha, have a drink!"
Lee Jae-won burst into a boisterous laugh as he raised his glass. Even at a glance, he looked quite flushed.
"Thank you, Alliance Leader."
Cha Do-jin, the Gyebang Hall Master, accepted the glass with a deeply respectful posture.
Clink.
The glasses of the two men collided, and the clear sound of liquid sloshing echoed through the room. Then, both men emptied their glasses in a single gulp. They didn't hesitate for even a second.
"Ho, our Hall Master Cha is quite the bold one. This is a pretty stiff drink, yet you downed it in one go."
Lee Jae-won spoke with an impressed expression. It was a strong liquor, far more expensive and potent than anything found on the market. He found it unexpected that the refined-looking Gyebang Hall Master would drain it so readily.
"How could a man leave anything in his glass? That is something only a wench would do."
"Khahahaha! Well said. Indeed, that is exactly how a man should be!"
Lee Jae-won let out another hearty laugh. Cha Do-jin’s blatant chauvinism felt incredibly refreshing to him.
I’m starting to like this guy.
Lee Jae-won felt a surge of goodwill toward Cha Do-jin. His way of speaking and his behavior were very much to his taste. But above all, the best part was that the man’s head seemed to spin just as fast as Zhuge Chan’s.
No, in terms of pure scheming, Zhuge Chan probably couldn't even touch Cha Do-jin’s heels. Unlike Zhuge Chan, who prattled on about petty chivalry or conscience, Cha Do-jin looked like the type who wouldn't care about innocent sacrifices if it meant maintaining his own power.
This guy wins by a landslide when it comes to plotting.
That was why he liked him. He liked that Cha Do-jin was greedy, selfish, and clever.
"Please, have a refill."
Cha Do-jin spoke as he lifted the bottle.
Pour...
He began to fill Lee Jae-won’s glass to the brim.
"Hahaha... Thank you."
"It is my pleasure."
Soon, their glasses clinked again, and the drinking session began to ripen. After some time had passed...
"...Hall Master Cha."
Lee Jae-won called out to Cha Do-jin, his face now deep red.
"...Please, speak, Alliance Leader."
Cha Do-jin replied, his own face slightly flushed.
"Are you... satisfied with the position of Gyebang Hall Master?"
"......I am not sure... what you mean."
"I’m asking if you’re content staying in that spot as a mere Hall Master."
"......Content... you say......."
At the question, Cha Do-jin put on a troubled expression. To be honest, he wanted to leave the Gyebang Hall, which mostly handled patrol duties, and enter one of the Four Great Halls where the core personnel were gathered. The size of one's power changed depending on the strength of their Hall.
However, he doubted whether he should reveal his true feelings. He wondered if this was a test. He agonized over what kind of answer he should give at this moment.
"......To be honest with you... I am not satisfied."
Having finished his deliberation, Cha Do-jin finally spoke his hidden truth.
"Ho... Not satisfied?"
"I was born a man; wouldn't I naturally want to be at the very core of the leadership?"
Cha Do-jin’s eyes glittered with a burning intensity. His gaze was filled with a raw lust for power.
Grin.
Seeing this, a thick smile spread across Lee Jae-won’s lips. The ambition in Cha Do-jin’s eyes was palpable. Now he understood why Cha Do-jin didn't care about the sacrifices of others to maintain power. The man was a madman—a madman obsessed with authority.
And...
Madmen are easy to use.
Lee Jae-won’s eyes sparkled. His expectations for the madman before him were rising. Cha Do-jin seemed like he would be useful—as a tool to maintain his own power.
"Hall Master Cha."
Lee Jae-won called him with a satisfied smile.
"Yes, Alliance Leader."
"What do you think of the position of Chief Strategist?"
"......What do you mean by that...?"
"Exactly what I said. How would you feel if I gave you the position of Chief Strategist?"
Lee Jae-won spoke with a playful expression, deeply curious about Cha Do-jin’s reaction.
"The position of Chief Strategist... is currently held by Zhuge Chan, is it not? How could I possibly..."
"Even so, what if I decided to put you in that seat?"
Lee Jae-won asked again, intending to confirm the man’s greedy ambition once more.
"..........I would not let the opportunity slip through my fingers."
Cha Do-jin spoke in a calm, steady tone.
"You wouldn't let it slip?"
"I would seize the chance given to me and climb to the very top."
Cha Do-jin stared at Lee Jae-won with eyes full of ambition. He didn't want to miss this. The upper echelons were currently occupied by heroes of the Great War of Righteousness and Demons and Lee Jae-won’s in-law factions. Opportunities for an outsider to squeeze into such a place were rare. He didn't want to let go of a chance that might never come again.
"..........."
Lee Jae-won stared at Cha Do-jin in silence. He could read it—the massive ambition swirling in the man's eyes.
"Khahahaha!"
He burst into laughter again. It felt like he had acquired a very useful hunting dog.
"Good! Very good! If the opportunity arises, I shall exert my influence."
Of course, the opportunity would be made. In a war against demons, death was a common occurrence. It could come for anyone—even the Chief Strategist, Zhuge Chan.
I’ve found the one to replace him.
Lee Jae-won let out a satisfied smile. He had been looking for someone to replace Zhuge Chan anyway, and now, the perfect candidate had appeared. How could he not be satisfied?
Thump.
"Thank you, Alliance Leader."
Upon hearing Lee Jae-won’s words, Cha Do-jin stood up abruptly and bowed deeply in gratitude—at an angle so steep it looked more like servility than mere politeness.
"Hahahaha! Our Hall Master Cha certainly knows his manners... Or should I say, Strategist Cha?"
Lee Jae-won began to chuckle, clearly pleased. Being flattered was always a thrill, especially when it came from someone as capable as this man.
"Now, now, straighten your back and take a glass... Today, we drink until we can't see straight."
Lee Jae-won said, lifting the bottle.
"Understood, Alliance Leader!"
Cha Do-jin replied immediately, without a hint of hesitation.
"Hahahaha!"
"Khahahaha!"
Soon, the room was filled only with the laughter of the two men.
*
"Hic... Hic..."
Cha Do-jin stumbled along, hiccuping repeatedly. His footsteps were erratic and out of sync.
"......I drank... too much..."
Cha Do-jin muttered, his face completely flushed. It seemed he had overdone it while trying to stay in the Alliance Leader’s good graces.
"Hehehe..."
But he didn't feel bad. Catering to the Alliance Leader was a chore he usually loathed, but the rewards were worth it.
"Chief Strategist... Chief Strategist..."
Cha Do-jin began to mutter to the empty air with a giddy grin. Lee Jae-won’s promise to give him the position of Chief Strategist wouldn't leave his mind. Aside from the Alliance Leader, the Chief Strategist held a supreme position that no one could touch. Just thinking about ascending to such a rank made his heart pound and his body feel hot.
"Hehehehe."
The core leadership was mostly comprised of heroes who had fought in the Great War of Righteousness and Demons or members of Lee Jae-won’s in-law families. For someone like him, who hadn't participated in the war and had no powerful backing, it was a position that should have been far out of reach. But now, a chance had appeared—a chance to rise to the center of power.
"Hehehehe."
Cha Do-jin’s laughter grew thicker.
"You seem to be in a very good mood."
Suddenly, an incredibly soft voice pierced his ears.
Shiver.
Hearing that voice, Cha Do-jin felt a sudden chill. The tone was gentle and kind, but the fact that someone had approached him so closely without him sensing a thing made his skin crawl.
"Wh-who is it!?"
Startled, Cha Do-jin quickly turned his head to find the owner of the voice. And there he saw her—a noblewoman as beautiful as a lily.
"The... Great Matriarch?!"
"It is a pleasure to see you, Gyebang Hall Master."
The beautiful noblewoman, Joo So-yang, greeted him with a bright smile. She possessed a strange, heterogeneous beauty that seemed to exude seductiveness, sensuality, and purity all at once.
"........It is a pleasure... but what brings you here?"
Cha Do-jin asked with a bewildered expression. He couldn't understand why she, someone he had no real connection with, would suddenly appear before him.
"I wanted to have a chat."
Joo So-yang replied with a soft smile.
".............."
Cha Do-jin fell into a brief silence. He couldn't fathom her intentions. He had barely even made eye contact with Joo So-yang a handful of times, let alone established a friendship. For such a woman to approach him? It made no sense. Suspicion and a vague sense of unease began to rise within him.
"I am sorry, but... as you can see... I am quite intoxicated."
Cha Do-jin used his drunkenness as an excuse to decline. He intended to avoid the situation for now.
"Oh, what should I do? I really must have this chat right now."
Joo So-yang spoke, her voice laced with exaggerated regret.
"..........You are being unreasonable... My Lady."
Cha Do-jin’s voice betrayed his frustration. If someone was heavily intoxicated and trying to leave, wasn't it basic etiquette to let them go? Why was she being so stubborn?
"How about this? We can just blow away all that Alcohol Poisoning. Then you’ll be able to talk with a clear mind, won't you?"
".........Then there would be no point in having gotten drunk, would there?"
".....Hmm."
When Cha Do-jin firmly refused, Joo So-yang adopted a contemplative expression.
"Then I suppose it can't be helped."
She spoke with a look of disappointment.
She’s going to let me go.
Seeing this, Cha Do-jin felt a wave of relief. He thought she had given up.
"I'll help you sober up."
Joo So-yang flashed a bright smile.
"Pardon?"
Cha Do-jin asked back, looking puzzled. What on earth did she mean by that?
BAM!
That question was the last thing Cha Do-jin remembered before his consciousness began to fade. He had been knocked unconscious by a sudden, overwhelming impact.
Thud.
Cha Do-jin’s body collapsed onto the ground, looking quite pathetic. Joo So-yang looked down at him with cold eyes. It seemed she was finally ready to have a smooth conversation.
Grab.
She seized Cha Do-jin by the collar.
Drag...
And she began to drag him away.
*
Cha Do-jin slowly opened his eyes. As he did, the blurry silhouette of a woman began to enter his vision. He focused his eyesight, sharpening his gaze. The blurry figure gradually became clear.
"The... Great Matriarch?!"
He was instantly struck with horror. The woman standing before him was indeed the Great Matriarch, Joo So-yang. He couldn't understand it. Why was she here?
"I see you're awake."
Joo So-yang spoke as she looked down at him.
"Ah!"
Hearing her voice, Cha Do-jin finally remembered. He remembered that he had been knocked out—and that the one who did it was Joo So-yang.
"What is the meaning of this!"
Cha Do-jin’s face hardened as he raised his voice. To knock someone out without warning—what kind of behavior was this?
"I told you. We need to have a chat."
Joo So-yang replied in a calm tone.
"Even so! To knock a person out and drag them away!"
"I had no choice. You were trying to leave."
"I will formally file a complaint about this matter!"
Cha Do-jin began to express his extreme displeasure. This was an outrageous act by any standard, and he had every right to be angry. If anyone heard of this, they would surely take his side.
"I am leaving!"
Spring.
He stood up abruptly. He intended to walk away immediately.
Clank.
At that moment, the unpleasant sound of chains reached his ears.
"Huh?"
Puzzled by the sound, Cha Do-jin looked down. And there he saw them—thick chains tightly binding his feet. Cha Do-jin’s face filled with bewilderment. How had this happened?
"I tied you up beforehand in case you tried to run away. It's for the sake of a smooth conversation."
Joo So-yang spoke with a warm, gentle smile.
Flinch.
Meeting that smile, Cha Do-jin’s body flinched involuntarily. The moment he saw her expression, he felt an indescribable chill.
"Shall we have a chat?"
Joo So-yang smiled at him—a smile as cold and biting as the northern wind.