Chapter 717: Everything Will Go According to Your Will
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 717: Everything Will Go According to Your Will
"Ugh... uuuugh..."
A man began to toss and turn on his bed, letting out pained groans. Even at a glance, he seemed consumed by agonizing discomfort.
"Uuuugh... ugh..."
His groaning and thrashing grew more violent, as if he were trapped in the throes of a horrific nightmare. After some time had passed—
"Aaaaagh!"
The man finally bolted upright with a piercing scream. He had awakened.
"Haah... haah... haah... haah..."
He panted heavily, his breath coming in ragged gasps. It had been a nightmare. He had dreamed of his legs being shattered, of being subjected to unspeakable torture until he was left in a state where he could neither live nor die.
He quickly scanned his surroundings.
"Phew..."
A sigh of relief escaped his lips. The sight that met his eyes was his own quarters.
...It was just a dream.
He felt a wave of relief wash over him, realizing that those ghastly memories were nothing more than a nightmare. But just as he was settling into that relief—
Knock, knock, knock.
Suddenly, someone began to knock on the door.
Twitch.
The man flinched violently at the sound, his body trembling.
"...Who... who is it?" he asked, his voice shaking as he stared at the door.
"It is I."
A deeply familiar voice drifted through the wood.
"Please... please come in!"
The man’s face brightened. It was the voice of a dependable ally.
Creeeeeak.
The door swung open, and a middle-aged man stepped inside. He was a reliable supporter, a man who understood him, and the lifeline that would carry him to the highest echelons of power.
It was the Cheonmu Alliance Leader, Lee Jae-won.
"Alliance Leader!"
The man tried to push himself up completely.
Huh?
But his body wouldn't move as he intended. There was no strength in his legs. He slowly lowered his gaze.
His two shattered legs came into view.
The moment he saw them, he knew. The nightmare hadn't been a dream at all.
"Stay down. Why are you trying to get up with those injuries?"
Lee Jae-won waved his hand, urging him to remain still.
"It seems the Gyebang Hall Master’s loyalty to the Alliance Leader is truly deep."
A familiar voice spoke from behind Lee Jae-won.
No... it can't be...?
The man, Cha Do-jin, turned pale. The moment he heard that voice, an uncontrollable terror surged within him. He shifted his gaze behind Lee Jae-won.
There she was. The fiendish woman who had tortured him with a dry, emotionless expression, devoid of even a flicker of feeling.
"The... the Law Enforcement Hall Master!"
Cha Do-jin shrieked in horror.
"I came because I was worried," Paeng Ga-ryeon said, looking at him with a face full of feigned concern.
"............"
Cha Do-jin fell into a stunned silence, his mouth clamped shut. His body was frozen by an indescribable, overwhelming fear.
"It was a close call. To think you were suddenly ambushed like that," Lee Jae-won added with a somber expression.
Ambushed? I was ambushed?!
Cha Do-jin stared at him, bewildered. What was he talking about? His body was ruined because he had been tortured. What kind of bullshit was this about an ambush?
"It must have been someone harboring a grudge against the Alliance," Paeng Ga-ryeon said calmly.
"Most likely... considering they dared to attack a member of the leadership," Lee Jae-won replied, his eyes flashing coldly. His anger flared at the thought of his cherished subordinate having his legs broken in an attack.
"............"
Cha Do-jin remained dazed, unable to keep up with their conversation.
"Still, it’s a relief. If the Black Tortoise Hall Master and the Law Enforcement Hall Master hadn't been there, you might have lost your life," Lee Jae-won continued.
Black Tortoise Hall Master? Law Enforcement Hall Master? What the hell are they talking about?!
Cha Do-jin screamed internally. He couldn't understand a word Lee Jae-won was saying. Wasn't it Joo So-yang and Paeng Ga-ryeon who had done this to him? So why were they telling a different story?
Attacked by someone with a grudge against the Cheonmu Alliance? Saved by the Law Enforcement Hall Master, who was practically his mortal enemy?
He was confused. His head began to throb. The sudden situation and the information overload sent his mind into a tailspin.
"...What... exactly... do you..."
Cha Do-jin slowly opened his mouth. He intended to vent his rage and ask what kind of nonsense this was.
"It was truly a stroke of luck. If we hadn't been on our way back from a martial duel, we wouldn't have even found you," Paeng Ga-ryeon suddenly interjected, cutting him off.
"Isn't that right, Gyebang Hall Master?" she asked, a faint smile playing on her lips.
"...Y-yes... that's right."
The moment he met that smile, Cha Do-jin immediately agreed with her. He wanted to scream. He wanted to shout that it was all a lie, that this demonic woman was the one who had broken him.
But he couldn't. The massive terror that had crushed his spirit had rendered his body capable of nothing but obedience.
"I may have to reward you separately for this," Lee Jae-won said in a level tone.
Cha Do-jin was the man he had recognized as his next chief strategist. He was his personal hunting dog, a man who wouldn't hesitate to commit any vile act to maintain power. Thinking that Paeng Ga-ryeon had saved such a man, Lee Jae-won felt she deserved a reward.
"I simply did what was expected of a fellow member, Alliance Leader," Paeng Ga-ryeon replied with great humility.
Lee Jae-won smiled satisfactorily. He was pleased by her apparent loyalty to the Alliance. To him, loyalty to the Alliance was synonymous with loyalty to himself, its master.
"By the way, Hall Master Paeng."
"Yes, please speak."
"Have you identified the assailant?"
"They were wearing a mask, so it was difficult to make a proper identification," Paeng Ga-ryeon replied, shaking her head.
"Then, what was the level of their martial arts?"
"They were a master on par with the Black Tortoise Hall Master, at the very least."
"...Indeed. To escape his hands so easily, they would have to be at least that strong."
Lee Jae-won looked thoughtful, seemingly trying to deduce the culprit based on her words.
No! That bitch... your wife is the culprit!
Watching this, Cha Do-jin desperately wanted to reveal the truth. He wanted to scream that her words were false, that it was all a blatant lie, and that the culprit wasn't some anonymous attacker but the wife standing right next to him.
But he couldn't force the words out. Not a single sound would come.
"Now that I think about it, Alliance Leader, didn't you say there was a leadership meeting scheduled for today?" Paeng Ga-ryeon asked, as if she had just remembered.
"Ah, yes. We are to discuss the matter of Hall Master Cha’s ambush."
Lee Jae-won nodded. An attack on a member of the leadership within the Cheonmu Alliance was not something the other leaders, who prioritized their own safety above all else, would take lightly. It would likely be a long, tedious meeting regarding future countermeasures.
"Why don't you head over? the others will be waiting."
"Hmm... but... I am concerned about Hall Master Cha."
"I will take good care of the Gyebang Hall Master. So please, go without worry," Paeng Ga-ryeon said with a deceptive smile.
"Then, may I leave him in your hands?"
"Of course. Are we not fellow members of the Alliance?"
"I'm counting on you, then."
Lee Jae-won spoke with a satisfied expression.
NOOOOOOOO!!!!
Cha Do-jin screamed internally. He couldn't let him leave. But still, no sound came from his throat. It was as if his lips had been sealed shut with glue.
"It seems Hall Master Cha is in a lot of pain. He finds it difficult even to speak," Paeng Ga-ryeon smoothly added, filling the silence.
"...I see."
Lee Jae-won accepted this. It made sense that extreme pain could make speaking difficult.
"Then, I shall take my leave."
Without further hesitation, Lee Jae-won turned away to meet the demanding members of the leadership.
Creeeeeak.
Thud.
The door closed, and Lee Jae-won vanished completely.
"Aaah... ahhh..."
Cha Do-jin let out a faint moan of despair. He was left alone with the demonic woman.
"It seems our Gyebang Hall Master has a lot he wants to say?"
A chilling voice pierced his ears. It was Paeng Ga-ryeon.
Shake, shake.
Cha Do-jin, his face pale, shook his head violently in denial.
"Oh, don't be like that. It’s obvious you have much to say... and I’m not such an unobservant woman."
Paeng Ga-ryeon spoke with a gentle smile.
"I’ll listen... go ahead and speak."
She began to urge him, demanding he confess what he had intended to blurt out to the Alliance Leader.
Shake, shake.
Cha Do-jin continued to shake his head incessantly. He knew that if he told the truth, he would have to taste that horrific pain all over again.
"You’re not being very cooperative."
Paeng Ga-ryeon looked disappointed. She then reached into her wide sleeve.
Slide.
She pulled out a knife adorned with numerous, oddly shaped blades.
"Hieeeek!"
Cha Do-jin shrieked instantly. The nightmare memories came rushing back, plunging him into a pit of terror.
"This is all your fault, Hall Master Cha," Paeng Ga-ryeon said in a pitying voice.
"Sp... spare me..."
"Who said anything about killing you? I’m just... going to give you a little more education... the right way."
Paeng Ga-ryeon wore a cruel smile.
"Alliance Leader! Alliance Leader! Save me! Alliance Leader!"
Cha Do-jin began to scream toward the door. Lee Jae-won had only just left; he was still close enough to hear.
"It’s no use," Paeng Ga-ryeon said, looking at him with mock sympathy. "I’ve already completely sealed the room with a Qi Barrier."
"...A... ahhh... ah..."
Despair clouded Cha Do-jin’s face. An unspeakable, vast hopelessness had found him.
Step.
Step.
Paeng Ga-ryeon began to walk slowly toward him, a warm, friendly smile on her face.
"Sp... spare me... please... spare me... I... I was out of my mind... please... please spare me... No, just kill me... I’ll die... please... just kill me... please... please..."
Cha Do-jin begged and pleaded. He begged her to kill him, to give him an end without pain.
"I can't do that. You are an important witness," Paeng Ga-ryeon replied, shaking her head.
She slowly brought the grotesque blade toward him. She brandished the Blood Lament, the tool said to make even the most heinous criminal repent.
"GYAAAAAAAAGH!"
Soon, Cha Do-jin’s screams echoed through the room—a sound so horrific it was painful to hear.
*
"How is he?"
Joo So-yang, a noblewoman exuding mature elegance, asked in a calm tone.
"I have brought him to absolute submission, Madam," Paeng Ga-ryeon replied with a deeply respectful posture.
"Is there any chance he might betray us?"
"None."
Paeng Ga-ryeon’s expression was firm. The Blood Lament, the ultimate torture device, was a wicked thing capable of shattering a human’s spirit. Even the ambitious Cha Do-jin could not endure its horrors. His will had been completely broken. In such a state, the thought of betrayal was impossible.
"Still, I would like you to be careful. For Lord Sun-woo’s plan, not a single mistake can be tolerated."
Joo So-yang’s cold eyes glittered as she pressed the point. She had already received secret orders from Sun-woo, and to carry them out, Cha Do-jin’s cooperation was absolutely necessary.
"I understand. I will shake his spirit a few more times to ensure he is thoroughly trained."
Paeng Ga-ryeon accepted the command politely. While she believed he was already sufficiently broken, she had no intention of questioning Joo So-yang’s words. It was unthinkable for a mere slave to oppose the will of the primary wife.
"Excellent."
Joo So-yang smiled with satisfaction. She found Paeng Ga-ryeon commendable for following every word without a hint of hesitation.
Everything will go according to your will.
Joo So-yang’s eyes sparkled as she thought of Sun-woo, who would be far away in Sichuan.