Chapter 716: I Guess I’ll Have to Go Back to the Cheonmu Alliance.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 716: I Guess I’ll Have to Go Back to the Cheonmu Alliance.
"My accomplice... is the Cheonmu Alliance Leader... Lee Jae-won... Everything that has happened... so far... was done with his full consent!"
Cha Do-jin spat out the truth without holding anything back.
Any thought of protecting the Alliance Leader had long since vanished from his mind. The ambition to climb to the highest echelons of the Cheonmu Alliance and seize power was gone as well.
All that remained was the paralyzing fear of suffering any more pain. His greed for power had been utterly crushed by agony.
"When you say 'everything,' exactly what period are you referring to?"
Joo So-yang asked, her cold eyes glinting.
She was certain of it now. With Cha Do-jin’s spirit half-broken and his rational judgment paralyzed by terror, she could uncover the full story behind every incident.
"Everything! I mean all of it! From the very first time we mimicked Jang Sam to post those large-character posters, to framing Hwang Sam—it was all done with the Alliance Leader’s approval!"
Just as she expected, Cha Do-jin began to pour out the facts. He even revealed things he should never have mentioned.
"You mimicked Jang Sam from the very beginning!?"
Joo So-yang stared at him, her expression one of pure disbelief. To think that the posters slandering the Alliance Leader were actually put up with his own consent—what on earth did that mean?
"After the posters slandering the Alliance Leader appeared, he came up with a scheme... He decided to make Jang Sam the suspect to escape the crisis... He figured that since Jang Sam held a grudge against the Cheonmu Alliance and the Leader, it would be... convincing enough..."
".........So that’s why you mimicked Jang Sam?"
"Yes... We intentionally placed those who used to be Jang Sam’s subordinates... in the commercial district where people gather... and killed them... Then we fled in a conspicuous manner... all to ensure there were plenty of witnesses."
Cha Do-jin continued to vomit out the sequence of events.
This was the Cheonmu Alliance’s most shameful secret, something that should never be spoken of, yet he didn't hesitate. His mind was filled with a single desire: to tell the truth and die peacefully rather than face torture again.
"........Then... who was the one mimicking him?"
Joo So-yang asked, her curiosity piqued.
The "Jang Sam" who had first appeared possessed martial arts powerful enough to easily elude the Black Tortoise Hall Master. She suddenly wondered about the identity of someone with such skill.
"......It was the Alliance Leader."
Cha Do-jin hesitated for a moment before blurting it out.
Breaking the initial silence had been difficult, but once he started, there was no stopping him. He was exposing even the most classified secrets.
"............."
Hearing his words, Joo So-yang fell into a heavy silence, her expression grim.
She knew Lee Jae-won was scum. She was well aware of the numerous misdeeds he had committed over the years. But she never imagined he would be so directly involved in this affair. It was completely unexpected.
You truly are beyond redemption... Lee Jae-won.
Joo So-yang’s gaze turned frigid. Her perception of Lee Jae-won, which was already bottom-tier, had plummeted into the abyss.
He had ruthlessly murdered a young rising star who joined the Cheonmu Alliance to practice chivalry. He had slaughtered a patriarch who had worked his whole life for his family’s happiness.
All for the sake of the Cheonmu Alliance’s prestige. All for his own power.
Tremble.
Soon, Joo So-yang’s entire body began to shake. An uncontrollable rage welled up within her.
How can someone with a human face do such a thing!
This wasn't the act of a human being. It was something only possible for someone who had abandoned their humanity.
"Cha Do-jin."
She called his name in a voice that was eerily calm.
"Y-yes... speak..."
Cha Do-jin replied, his voice trembling.
"Is this the 'Great Cause' you all spoke of? Sacrificing an innocent man just to save face... just to uphold your prestige... Is that the Great Cause you claim as your justification!?"
Joo So-yang was furious.
The founding principle of the Cheonmu Alliance was the realization of chivalry—helping the innocent weak and opposing the strong. Therefore, they had to be more righteous than anyone else, and more fair than anyone else.
But chivalry had vanished. Only ugly desire remained, fueled by Lee Jae-won and the rest of the leadership.
How could she not be enraged?
".............."
Cha Do-jin couldn't say a word. He, too, was fully aware that what they had done was wrong. Yet, he had carried out the plan anyway. To uphold the prestige of the Cheonmu Alliance and to protect his own power.
What could a man like him possibly say?
"You are trash, Cha Do-jin."
Joo So-yang looked at him with cold fury. Then, she raised her foot and placed it on his right leg.
Press.
She began to grind down with her foot, infusing it heavily with internal energy.
Crack!
"Aaaaaagh!"
A scream erupted from Cha Do-jin’s mouth. The sheer agony of his bone shattering surged through him.
Press.
Ignoring his screams, Joo So-yang raised her foot again and crushed his left leg.
Crunch!
"Aaaaaaaaagh!"
Another scream tore through the air. Both of his legs were now completely mangled.
"I’ll leave it at this for today. You still have work to do."
Joo So-yang glared at him with a chilling gaze.
Part of her wanted to gouge out his eyes and cut off his limbs—and that three-inch tongue of his that had deceived so many. But she couldn't do that yet. His role wasn't over.
"Ugh... hnghh..."
Cha Do-jin began to groan continuously in pain. The agony was so intense that tears welled up involuntarily.
Thud!
Disgusted by the sight of him, Joo So-yang kicked him squarely in the jaw.
Bam!
Cha Do-jin’s head slammed into the ground, and he lost consciousness instantly.
Joo So-yang turned away without a lingering thought. He wasn't even worth looking at.
"Hall Master."
Joo So-yang turned her head to look at Paeng Ga-ryeon.
"Yes, please speak," Paeng Ga-ryeon replied, bowing politely.
"Break his spirit completely. Make sure he can't try any tricks. He will be a vital witness."
Joo So-yang spoke, her cold eyes flashing.
".........Do you intend to reveal the whole truth?" Paeng Ga-ryeon asked with a serious expression.
"I do."
Joo So-yang nodded. She intended to expose everything—the ugly truth of the incident orchestrated by the Cheonmu Alliance.
"It will be a difficult fight," Paeng Ga-ryeon added, her face full of concern.
It was bound to be a grueling battle. The people she would be facing were cunning foxes who had spent decades in the political arena, and a great hero who had saved the Murim decades ago.
How could opposing such people be easy? They would desperately hide the truth to maintain their power and would likely frame her instead to protect their sanctuary.
Even if she was a martial artist praised as the Best Among Women, it was going to be an uphill battle.
"It can't be helped. If we let this slide... if we cover up the truth completely, they will sacrifice innocent people again and again just to maintain their power. I cannot tolerate that..."
Joo So-yang spoke in a calm tone. There was no way she could accept it.
".........Do you plan to... destroy the Cheonmu Alliance?"
"The Cheonmu Alliance I knew has been gone for a long time."
Joo So-yang’s voice remained steady. The Cheonmu Alliance she once respected no longer existed. The brave chivalrous warriors who stood together to protect the weak and face the strong were gone.
In their place, only ugly foxes remained. Foxes who thought nothing of sacrificing the innocent for the sake of power.
That was why she could make this decision. The decision to dismantle the Cheonmu Alliance.
"Are you sure you'll be alright?"
Paeng Ga-ryeon looked at her with worried eyes. She was concerned by the sheer recklessness of the decision.
"Do you think I'm being reckless?"
Perhaps noticing the concern in her gaze, Joo So-yang asked back with a look of surprise. It felt quite strange to have this wicked woman worrying about her.
"........To be honest, yes. I think it's reckless."
Paeng Ga-ryeon nodded, revealing her true thoughts. It seemed far too dangerous.
"It's alright," Joo So-yang said with a soft smile, as if to reassure her. "Believe it or not, I have quite a few supporters."
Though she held no official position, she had many backers. Her background as the daughter of the Murim Alliance Leader provided a foundation for the full support of many elders.
"Besides, don't I have the most reliable ally of all?"
Joo So-yang’s cheeks flushed a soft peach blossom pink as she spoke, looking like a young girl dreaming of her first love.
Seeing that, Paeng Ga-ryeon knew exactly who that "reliable ally" was.
*
"Husband, please try some of this."
Un Ga-ryeo spoke as she handed over a large piece of meat.
"You should eat some too. Why do you keep trying to feed me...?"
Sun-woo replied with a look of embarrassment. Un Ga-ryeo had brought a packed lunch to his office, suggesting they eat together. But for some reason, instead of eating, she was busy trying to feed him.
"Just watching you eat happily makes me feel full, you know? So please, hurry and try it."
Ignoring Sun-woo’s protest, Un Ga-ryeo forced the meat into his mouth.
...I'm fine, though...
Chew, chew.
Sun-woo began to chew the piece of meat.
It’s delicious.
He was internally impressed. With every chew, a mysterious savory flavor spread throughout his mouth.
"How is it?" Un Ga-ryeo asked with a gentle smile.
".....It's good."
Sun-woo told her the truth. The meat was flawlessly prepared and delicious.
"Really?" Un Ga-ryeo asked, her face brightening.
"Yeah, really. You could open an inn right now."
"Hehehehe."
Pleased by his compliment, Un Ga-ryeo let out a shy giggle.
"I'll pack it for you every single day!"
"No, you don't have to go that far...?"
"You're always so busy, Husband. I'm afraid you'll just grab something quick or skip meals altogether."
"I'll be fine..."
Since reaching the state of the Ethereal Body, Sun-woo was at a level where he didn't need to obsess over food. He could draw vitality directly from Nature Qi.
"Well, I'm not fine with it!"
Un Ga-ryeo refused adamantly. Her maternal instincts had kicked in, making her want to feed him as much as possible.
Hearing her words, a faint smile played on Sun-woo’s lips. Her warm heart, worrying about whether he ate or not, was clearly felt.
"Thanks, Ga-ryeo."
Sun-woo expressed his gratitude for her concern and care.
"I only did what was natural."
"What's natural to you feels so warm to me."
Sun-woo slowly reached out and pulled her into a tight embrace. He could feel her body heat against him.
"...........I love you."
Mwah.
Sun-woo kissed her forehead.
Flush.
Un Ga-ryeo’s face turned bright red. Sun-woo’s sweet words and the light kiss made her heart race.
"........I love you too."
Schlurp.
Un Ga-ryeo kissed Sun-woo’s lips.
Mwah.
Mwah.
The kiss gradually deepened. Their bodies were heating up from the light contact.
"Shall we go to the bed?"
Sun-woo pulled back slightly and asked as he looked at her.
"....It's too far... Just... do it here..."
She made a rather bold suggestion. To have sex in the office where someone could walk in at any moment—it was incredibly daring.
But I don't hate the idea.
In fact, it didn't bother him at all. If anything, it stimulated a certain sadistic urge, making him want to do it even more.
Sun-woo slowly reached out.
Squish.
He grabbed one of her large tits.
"......Hah-ah."
A shallow moan escaped her lips.
That’s a good sound.
Hearing that moan, Sun-woo thought it was as beautiful as the resonance of a gayageum crafted by a master artisan. He slowly moved his hand downward, intending to relentlessly attack her lower abdomen.
Twitch.
Right then, his senses picked up something rushing toward them at an incredible speed.
Dammit.
Sun-woo cursed under his breath and quickly pulled his hands back to their original positions.
"Why?"
Un Ga-ryeo looked at him, confused. she didn't understand why he was stopping.
Bang!
"Sun-woo-yaaaa!"
The door burst open, and the expected intruder made her appearance.
A peerless beauty with a cute impression—the centuries-old Human-Faced Spider, Yorang.
"I told you to knock before coming in, didn't I?" Sun-woo said, frowning slightly.
"But I couldn't help it! Something urgent came up!"
"Something urgent?"
"A letter came from Joo So-yang!"
"A letter?"
Sun-woo looked puzzled. It had only been about two days since he sent her a letter asking for an investigation. How could a reply have arrived so quickly?
"Yeah! It’s addressed to you."
"But why are you the one delivering it?"
Usually, such tasks were handled by the pavilion members in charge of administrative work. Why was the Head of the Jaegyeong Pavilion herself delivering a letter?
"I was bored, and I wanted to see your face... Hehehe."
Yorang smiled brightly. Unless it was the end of the month, she often had plenty of free time. Even delivering a letter became a form of entertainment for her.
"Anyway, thanks."
Sun-woo took the letter and thanked her. Regardless of her reasons, she had gone through the trouble of delivering it personally.
Rip.
He unfolded the letter and began to read it slowly, as if determined not to miss a single character.
After some time had passed...
Tremble.
Sun-woo’s body began to shake.
Whoosh!
Simultaneously, the temperature in the room plummeted, as if it had suddenly become the middle of winter.
"What... what’s wrong?"
Seeing his ominous state, Yorang asked with a tense look. She wondered what could possibly be in the letter.
"I guess I’ll have to go back to the Cheonmu Alliance."
Sun-woo spoke calmly, his eyes flashing with a murderous aura.
"As Jang Sam."