Chapter 733: Undercurrents
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 733: Undercurrents
'Damn it, what is this...? I haven't... claimed anyone... yet. What the hell... fuck.'
Hearing Zhuge Chan’s words, Lee Jae-won fell into a silent, deep contemplation.
It made no sense to him.
How could a raped and murdered corpse be discovered in a brothel when he, the true culprit, was right here?
"Has a suspect been identified?" Lee Jae-won finally asked, his voice slow and measured.
He was asking about the culprit’s trail.
"We won't know for sure until the detailed autopsy results are in... but for now, we suspect it’s the same person from the previous incidents."
"By the previous incidents, do you mean Jang Sam?"
"........That is correct."
Zhuge Chan nodded with a calm expression.
"The basis for that judgment?" Lee Jae-won asked back, feigning suspicion.
It couldn't be the same person. He had been holed up in his office the entire time. How could he have committed a crime? It was preposterous.
"The condition of the discovered corpse was remarkably similar to the previous ones."
"Similar?"
"Yes. The limbs were twisted at unnatural angles, there were clear signs of sexual torture everywhere, and most notably, the neck had been twisted around three times. It was nearly identical to the previous rape-murder cases."
Zhuge Chan continued, his expression grim.
'Fuck.'
Hearing that, Lee Jae-won cursed inwardly. Based on the description of the body alone, it was exactly the same as the crimes he had committed.
'What the hell is going on...? How... how did this happen...?'
Lee Jae-won felt a wave of confusion. With his shallow intellect, it wasn't easy to grasp the situation properly.
After some time had passed...
'Wait, could it be a copycat crime?'
Suddenly, Lee Jae-won’s eyes sparkled. His thoughts had finally clicked into place. If it was a copycat crime, everything made sense. Someone who admired him was mimicking the rape-murders that had occurred so far.
He remembered seeing something like that while surfing the web once—that some crazy bastards mimic crimes just to gain notoriety. It had to be one of those lunatics. Or perhaps it was a malicious piece of trash trying to pin all their sins on Jang Sam to escape the line of fire.
"......Have you identified the body?"
"Not... yet."
Zhuge Chan replied, looking somewhat ashamed.
"Isn't identifying the victim the most basic of basics?! How can you fail at something so fundamental!" Lee Jae-won barked, feigning anger.
"The face was severely pulverized, which is causing delays in the identification process."
"Pulverized?"
"Yes. It appears the face was ground against the floor, likely during the process of discarding the body."
"......I see."
Lee Jae-won nodded as if accepting the explanation. That made sense. When he dumped bodies in the brothels, the victims' faces would often get scraped against the ground. It happened because he would toss them carelessly out of laziness.
'Wait.'
A flash of inspiration struck Lee Jae-won’s mind.
'This might be an opportunity.'
A faint, almost imperceptible smile began to tug at the corners of his mouth. He realized the situation wasn't bad at all.
"Where is the body now?" Lee Jae-won asked, his voice turning cold and serious.
"It is currently being held at the Law Enforcement Hall."
"Is that so?"
Upon hearing that, Lee Jae-won stood up from his seat.
"Where are you planning to go?"
"I intend to meet with the Law Enforcement Hall Master."
"The Law Enforcement Hall Master?"
"Yes. If it is indeed the work of the same culprit as you say, the situation is grave. It would mean the Cheonmu Alliance failed to stop Jang Sam’s crimes. Therefore, I must verify it myself through the Hall Master—whether the body truly bears the same marks as the previous cases."
Lee Jae-won spoke with a dead-serious expression. Of course, it was an excuse. His reason for going was simple: to ensure the conclusion was reached that Jang Sam was the culprit. To turn him into a foul criminal once again.
'The backlash will be severe, but........'
If an official announcement was made that Jang Sam had struck again, the prestige of the Cheonmu Alliance would undoubtedly take a hit. It would be an admission that they allowed Jang Sam to commit a crime right in Jinan, which was practically the Alliance's front yard.
'But I have to endure it.'
It was a price worth paying. Using Jang Sam as a Public Enemy of the Murim would boost the unity of the martial artists in Jinan. Generally, people tend to unite when they have a common enemy. By creating a target to loathe and criticize, a sense of camaraderie and fellowship is born.
Jang Sam would be the perfect scapegoat to incite the public's rage and absorb their vitriol. And their unity would soon translate into the military strength of the Cheonmu Alliance.
'What a sweet deal this turned out to be...'
A thick smile spread across Lee Jae-won’s face.
"If the Law Enforcement Hall Master concludes it is the same person, what do you intend to do?"
"I will issue a Pursuit Order," Lee Jae-won replied, his cold eyes glinting. "I will secure the cooperation of everyone in Jinan to form a united front and deploy a Heavenly Net. No one will be able to leave Jinan."
"Cooperation from everyone?"
"That’s right. Not just the martial artists residing in Jinan, but the government offices, hunters, merchants, farmers, blacksmiths—everyone with eyes and ears will be brought into the fold."
"......Then a grand public announcement will be necessary."
"Indeed. Just in case, please look for a suitable location."
Lee Jae-won made the request to Zhuge Chan. For a massive public announcement, they needed a large space capable of accommodating a vast number of people.
"Understood. I shall do so."
Zhuge Chan nodded in agreement.
"Thank you. Now, I shall head to the Law Enforcement Hall."
Lee Jae-won immediately turned around and began walking out, without a single shred of hesitation.
Zhuge Chan watched Lee Jae-won’s retreating back with eyes as cold as a bitter northern wind.
*
Law Enforcement Hall
Step, step.
Lee Jae-won walked briskly. He wanted to use a movement technique and sprint, but he suppressed the urge. It was to maintain his dignity as the Alliance Leader. How could the majestic leader of the Cheonmu Alliance move so frivolously within the headquarters? It was unthinkable.
He maintained a solemn expression as he walked. After a while, he finally arrived at his destination—the production factory that manufactured evidence and culprits exactly as he desired.
Creeeeeak.
Lee Jae-won pushed the door open without hesitation and strode inside, heading straight for Paeng Ga-ryeon’s office. Before long, he reached the private office of the Law Enforcement Hall Master.
Knock, knock, knock.
Lee Jae-won knocked slowly.
"Who is it?"
A familiar woman’s voice echoed from within. It was the voice of Paeng Ga-ryeon, the Law Enforcement Hall Master and one of his wives.
"Ahem... It’s me."
Lee Jae-won cleared his throat twice before speaking.
"Come in."
Creeeeeak.
With her permission, Lee Jae-won opened the door.
"Welcome, Alliance Leader."
As he entered, Paeng Ga-ryeon greeted him with an affectionate expression.
"It feels like it’s been a while."
"It really does. I’m sorry, I should have visited more often..."
Paeng Ga-ryeon immediately apologized.
"No, the lack of visits was mutual, was it not? Think nothing of it."
The two shared slight smiles, creating a warm atmosphere. To an outsider, it looked like a very harmonious scene.
"By the way, what brings you to the Law Enforcement Hall today?" Paeng Ga-ryeon asked curiously.
"I heard from the Strategist. A body was brought in," Lee Jae-won said, his eyes gleaming. "I want to hear the Hall Master’s opinion on the matter."
"My opinion?"
"Yes. The Strategist mentioned it was remarkably similar to the rape-murders previously committed by Jang Sam... Is that true?"
"Yes, it’s true."
Paeng Ga-ryeon nodded and began to explain.
"The body was covered in marks very similar to the previous victims. Traces of unidentified semen, abuse involving sexual torture, the cruelty of twisting the neck... and furthermore........."
Paeng Ga-ryeon began to detail the similarities one by one, making it easy for Lee Jae-won to understand.
'Ugh, such a chatterbox.'
Lee Jae-won let her words go in one ear and out the other, simply waiting for her to finish. What he wanted was the conclusion. He had no use for such long-winded explanations.
".....So... I’ve concluded that it’s likely not the same person......."
"What?!"
Lee Jae-won’s voice spiked in surprise. The conclusion was the opposite of what he had expected.
"Why would you say it’s not the same person?!" Lee Jae-won asked back, looking bewildered.
"Didn't I just tell you? The situation is far too strange to treat them as the same culprit."
"....What exactly is so strange?"
"It seems you weren't paying attention to what I was saying, Alliance Leader."
"....My apologies..... I was lost in thought.."
Lee Jae-won’s face flushed with embarrassment.
'How humiliating. Fuck.'
He felt exposed, knowing she had realized he was spacing out.
"It’s fine. It happens. I’ll tell you again."
Paeng Ga-ryeon shook her head slightly and continued.
"First of all, the way the victim was handled is different from before."
"What do you mean? I clearly heard the condition of the body was similar."
"The sexual torture and the brutal killing are indeed similar—enough to believe it’s the same culprit. However, I believe the fact that the victim’s face was pulverized is evidence that we must view these two cases as separate."
"......Weren't there a few previous victims whose faces were ground up as well?"
"The situation is different. While the previous victims had their faces scraped due to carelessness during transport, this victim’s face was intentionally crushed. To the point where identification is impossible."
Paeng Ga-ryeon’s sharp eyes glinted.
"Jang Sam never touched the faces. He had no reason to go out of his way to do so."
She spoke with absolute conviction.
"......But surely you can't conclude it’s not the same person based on that alone?"
"There are other differences as well."
Paeng Ga-ryeon nodded and continued.
"The previous victims were all members of the Cheonmu Alliance who had gone missing. Most were members of the Phoenix Unit. But this victim is not a member of the Alliance."
"If the identity isn't confirmed, how can you be sure of that?"
"Because no members are currently missing."
Paeng Ga-ryeon frowned slightly as she spoke. She seemed a bit annoyed by Lee Jae-won’s ignorant question.
'This bitch.'
Seeing her expression, Lee Jae-won cursed inwardly. He was irritated that she would openly show her annoyance just because he didn't know something.
"I understand.... Hearing that, it does seem more likely that it’s not the same person."
"Yes. Personally, I view it as a copycat crime. The culprit is likely someone else."
Paeng Ga-ryeon’s eyes sparkled with certainty.
"........However, Hall Master."
"Yes, go ahead."
"........Wouldn't it be better if it were the same culprit?" Lee Jae-won suggested in a subtle tone.
"What do you mean by that?" Paeng Ga-ryeon asked, looking confused.
"Are the times not chaotic enough as it is? If another serial rapist-murderer appears now, the public’s anxiety will skyrocket."
Lee Jae-won spoke with a face full of feigned concern.
"..........Are you telling me to maintain the stance that Jang Sam is the suspect in this case as well?" Paeng Ga-ryeon asked, her expression turning somber.
"I’m not forcing you. I just think it would be for the best."
Of course, it was a forced demand. If she didn't listen, he planned to persuade her as many times as it took.
"But that would damage the prestige of the Cheonmu Alliance."
"Is that not a price we must pay to prevent even greater chaos?"
Lee Jae-won looked at Paeng Ga-ryeon as he spoke.
"But..... if this ever comes to light..."
Paeng Ga-ryeon spoke with a look of hesitation.
"Don't worry about that. Even if it does come out, no one will blame us. You aren't a god, Hall Master; how could you possibly know the whole truth? If someone points out we were wrong, we can just apologize, say we made a mistake, and move on. The masses have a temperament that cools as quickly as it boils, after all."
"Still, lying on purpose is a bit..."
Paeng Ga-ryeon looked reluctant.
'Why is this bitch playing hard to get today?'
Seeing her hesitation, Lee Jae-won scowled. He was deeply dissatisfied with her uncharacteristic resistance.
"Wife, listen to me. There are such things as white lies in this world. Lies told for the public good are entirely forgivable. So, do not feel guilty."
Lee Jae-won softened his expression and continued.
"So, please announce the official position—that this crime was also committed by Jang Sam."
Before long, Lee Jae-won’s words had shifted from a suggestion to a command. All to pin the crime on Jang Sam once again.
Hearing his words, Paeng Ga-ryeon appeared to fall into deep thought. Then, as if finally relenting, she nodded. She had accepted Lee Jae-won’s proposal.
'Hehehehe... Just as planned.'
Internally, Lee Jae-won let out a villainous laugh. He felt that everything was proceeding exactly according to his design.