Chapter 721: My Women Don't Betray Me.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 721: My Women Don't Betray Me.
"Sigh... I want to have sex... Sex... Sex..."
Lee Jae-won, slumped over his desk, began to chant the word "sex" repeatedly.
An immeasurable amount of time had passed since he’d last enjoyed a proper coupling. He had been so busy walking on eggshells that he hadn't been able to put his lower half to use.
At this rate, it felt like mushrooms were going to start growing in his crotch.
Sigh... Fuck... I should have just played dumb and shoved it into that bitch's hole back then...
Lee Jae-won’s face was thick with regret. It was a lingering resentment from when he was impersonating Jang Sam and failed to get laid.
Based on my eyes as a virgin appraiser, she was a one-hundred-percent pure virgin...
Lee Jae-won let out a lamentation. The fact that he’d had a virgin right in front of him and failed to take her hit him where it hurt.
Sigh... When will I ever see a virgin again?
His expression grew mournful. He wondered if he’d ever get another chance to devour a virgin.
Unlike twenty years ago when he first fell into the Murim, the world had become quite liberal. It was now overflowing with sluts who didn't bother guarding their virginity and spent their time tossing their skirts for anyone.
That was why he couldn't help but feel regretful. As time passed, encountering a virgin would only become more difficult.
Fuck, these bitches... They should guard their holes properly until they get married!
Lee Jae-won began to direct his baseless frustration toward the women of the Murim who had become so "open-minded." He convinced himself that the reason virgins were becoming a rare breed was entirely due to the women of the Murim turning lewd.
He was in the middle of criticizing the current state of the world when—
Knock, knock, knock.
Suddenly, someone began to knock on the office door.
"Who is it?"
Hearing the sound, Lee Jae-won assumed a dignified expression before speaking.
"It is I, Alliance Leader."
A familiar voice drifted in.
"Come in."
Lee Jae-won spoke in a calm tone.
Creeeeeak.
The sound of hinges grinding followed, and soon a man revealed himself. It was none other than the Chief Strategist, Zhuge Chan.
"I greet the Alliance Leader."
Entering the room, Zhuge Chan offered a polite bow.
"Good to see you. What brings you here?"
After receiving the greeting, Lee Jae-won immediately asked for his business. He had no desire to drag out a conversation with another man.
"I have something urgent to discuss, Alliance Leader."
At Lee Jae-won's question, Zhuge Chan opened his mouth with a grave expression.
"What is it?"
Lee Jae-won asked back, sounding puzzled. He was curious as to why the man was acting so serious.
"It seems... the Great Matriarch’s recent movements are suspicious."
"The Great Matriarch?"
Lee Jae-won tilted his head. By Great Matriarch, he meant the Heavenly Sword Empress, Joo So-yang. What did he mean by her movements being suspicious?
"Rumors are circulating that she has been meeting with elders from the former Murim Alliance lately."
"Isn't the Great Matriarch originally close with them? What exactly is the problem?"
Lee Jae-won spoke with a bored expression. It didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary.
In the first place, Joo So-yang was the daughter of the former Murim Alliance Leader and enjoyed the full support of the elders from that era. They projected their longing for the old Murim Alliance and their nostalgia for the former leader onto her.
There was nothing strange about her meeting with elders from the Murim Alliance. In fact, it was perfectly natural.
"However... the frequency is much higher than usual."
Zhuge Chan continued with a heavy expression. His point wasn't wrong. It wasn't strange for Joo So-yang, the precious daughter of the former Alliance Leader, to meet with those elders. To them, she was a treasure that evoked nostalgia for the old days.
But the frequency of these meetings was far too high. High enough to arouse suspicion.
"Well, perhaps they just have a lot to talk about. Or maybe they're planning a seventieth birthday party or something."
Lee Jae-won replied dismissively. Despite Zhuge Chan's words, he didn't feel any sense of crisis.
Actually, he didn't even care what Joo So-yang did. The moment she took Jang Sun-woo's side over his, he had lost all affection for her. He wasn't even curious about how she was doing.
"Alliance Leader, this is not a matter to be taken so lightly."
Zhuge Chan spoke with a frustrated look. He felt stifled by Lee Jae-won’s indifferent attitude toward a matter that shouldn't be brushed off.
"The people the Great Matriarch has been meeting frequently were the leadership of the former Murim Alliance. They still wield considerable influence within the Murim."
"And what exactly is the problem with that?"
Lee Jae-won spoke as if he truly didn't understand. Whether they had influence or not, weren't those old farts just ghosts who had faded into the background of history? What was the problem with meeting them often? He couldn't wrap his head around it.
"Alliance Leader, are you not currently on bad terms with the Great Matriarch?"
Zhuge Chan spoke in a level tone.
"...........That’s true."
Hearing this, Lee Jae-won responded with a displeased look. It was a fact known to everyone in the Cheonmu Alliance that his relationship with Joo So-yang had soured. It was widely known that she had personally protected Jang Sun-woo from him.
"In such a situation, the Great Matriarch is continuing to meet with these influential giants. Frequently enough to be suspicious. Does that not strike you as odd?"
Zhuge Chan looked at him with a serious gaze as he spoke.
"...Are you saying the Great Matriarch is plotting some scheme to overthrow the Cheonmu Alliance?"
".......It is best to keep all possibilities open."
Zhuge Chan spoke calmly. It was an affirmation.
"That’s nonsense!"
Lee Jae-won immediately denied it. He thought the idea was absurd.
"Even if we are on bad terms, she is the mistress of the Cheonmu Alliance! She is my wife, the wife of the Cheonmu Alliance Leader! You think she would overthrow the Cheonmu Alliance? Do you honestly think that makes sense?"
Lee Jae-won shouted, looking incredulous. He was irritated by Zhuge Chan’s attitude of spouting such ridiculous bullshit.
Even if they were fighting, she was still his wife. She was the woman he had married, swearing a vow of a hundred years. And she was trying to overthrow the Cheonmu Alliance, which was essentially his everything? What kind of dogshit logic was that?
"Is your relationship with her not completely fractured right now? It is a very real possibility."
Zhuge Chan continued with a cold expression. She had already risked her life to stand against Lee Jae-won to save Jang Sun-woo. It wasn't an exaggeration to say she had turned her back on the Alliance Leader.
"You're wrong. You're dead wrong."
Lee Jae-won denied it vehemently. To him, it was nothing more than nonsense.
"It’s been over twenty years! Since the Great Matriarch and I made our vows! Do you really think a bond of twenty years would crumble in an instant?"
Lee Jae-won’s face turned beet red as he glared at Zhuge Chan, raising his voice. He was furious that this guy, who knew nothing about his relationship with Joo So-yang, was speaking so recklessly.
The Joo So-yang he knew would still love him. Even if she was acting out right now because of his neglect, it was obvious that deep down, she was craving his affection. So how could such a woman betray him?
"Alliance Leader... please, be more rational..."
"I am being perfectly rational!"
Lee Jae-won roared, his voice booming.
"I’m being more objective and rational than ever!"
He screamed in a voice thick with rage. He couldn't control the surge of emotion.
"What do you think you know about the relationship between me and the Great Matriarch to be running your mouth like this?! How dare you utter such blasphemy based on a few superficial observations!"
Wuuuuuuuuuung!
Lee Jae-won began to radiate a terrifying murderous aura. His pent-up anger had transformed into pure killing intent.
"Guh... ugh... aaargh..."
Zhuge Chan, exposed to the killing intent, began to groan. An unbearable pressure weighed down on his entire body.
"Kh-ack... Alliance... Leader... Spare... me..."
Zhuge Chan looked at Lee Jae-won with bloodshot eyes and begged for his life. He felt like he was going to suffocate to death.
Whoosh.
'Ah...'
Seeing this, Lee Jae-won instantly dispelled his killing intent. He realized he had gotten too worked up.
"Hah... hah... hah..."
As soon as the killing intent vanished, Zhuge Chan began to gasp for air.
".....I apologize. I got too excited."
Lee Jae-won offered a half-hearted apology. He wasn't actually sorry, but he figured it was better to apologize to maintain his image as a dignified leader.
"Hah... huff... No... It is I... who... spoke... too boldly..."
Zhuge Chan apologized instead. He had suddenly realized how dangerous it was to provoke the Alliance Leader.
Just now... he really intended to kill me.
Zhuge Chan looked at Lee Jae-won with a pale face.
"Anyway...... the Great Matriarch... would never do that... There must be another reason for her frequent meetings..."
Lee Jae-won spoke with a feigned calmness. There was no way Joo So-yang would do such a thing. They were just slightly at odds; she was merely throwing a tantrum.
She wanted him to notice her. She wanted his affection. She wanted him to be jealous. Whenever he gave her affection and attention, their relationship would be mended in an instant. At least, that’s what Lee Jae-won believed.
"..........."
Zhuge Chan remained silent. Despite Lee Jae-won’s defense, his suspicions had not faded.
This motherfucker. Just like a typical Zhuge, he’s full of suspicion. Fuck.
Watching him, Lee Jae-won cursed inwardly. He felt stifled by Zhuge Chan’s refusal to let go of his doubts even after he’d explained it so clearly. It felt like he’d swallowed a thousand dry sweet potatoes.
"......It seems you still haven't let go of your suspicions."
Lee Jae-won spoke as he looked at Zhuge Chan.
"......I apologize."
Zhuge Chan immediately apologized, admitting that he still had doubts.
"Whew..... If you say so, I suppose I have no choice."
Lee Jae-won let out a deep sigh.
"I shall have a direct meeting with the Great Matriarch myself."
He spoke slowly as he looked at the strategist. He didn't really want to, but he intended to move his own feet for the sake of this annoying bastard.
"......A direct meeting with the Great Matriarch?"
Zhuge Chan asked back, surprised. He hadn't expected the Alliance Leader to personally confront her.
"Yes. I will go myself and ask her the reason. Furthermore, I’ll make sure to fully restore our relationship, so you can put your anxieties to rest."
Lee Jae-won spoke with a look as if he were doing a great favor.
"Even restoring the relationship?"
Zhuge Chan looked astonished. Their relationship was practically at rock bottom. To think he could restore it with a single meeting—how could he not be surprised?
"It won't be that difficult for me."
It wasn't hard. If he just showed her a bit of attention and affection while she was sulking, the relationship would be mended in no time.
At this rate, I might even have to have sex with her.
Lee Jae-won frowned slightly. Thinking about Joo So-yang’s ignorantly large tits and ass made him feel strangely unpleasant.
But for the peace of the Cheonmu Alliance, I have no choice.
However, Lee Jae-won soon hardened his resolve. He decided he was willing to sacrifice his body for the peace of the Alliance.
"Well? Can you accept that now?"
Lee Jae-won asked in a much softer tone. He was asking if the man was satisfied.
".........If you can restore your relationship with the Great Matriarch.... then I, too, can be satisfied."
Zhuge Chan nodded slowly. If they could truly reconcile, his worries would vanish—the worry that she was trying to overthrow the Alliance. Furthermore, reconciliation would bring stability to the Alliance, as Joo So-yang’s supporters were quite numerous.
"Then it’s settled. I’ll set up an appointment with her in the near future."
Lee Jae-won spoke calmly.
".....Thank you, Alliance Leader."
Zhuge Chan bowed his head deeply in gratitude.
"It’s fine. I’ve only done what was natural."
Lee Jae-won feigned modesty. Humility was, after all, a virtue of the Cheonmu Alliance Leader.
"If we’re done talking, you may leave. I wish to be alone."
Lee Jae-won issued an expulsion order. He was telling him to get lost since they were finished.
"Then I shall take my leave."
Zhuge Chan bowed politely once more and turned to leave without hesitation. Lee Jae-won watched his retreating back intently.
Thud.
The door closed, and Zhuge Chan completely vanished from Lee Jae-won’s sight.
That son of a bitch, acting like he knows everything.
As soon as he left, Lee Jae-won spat out a curse. His anger hadn't fully subsided.
"My women don't betray me, you dumbass."
He spoke with eyes sparkling with absolute certainty.