Chapter 742: Such a piece of trash is no longer my husband.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 742: Such a piece of trash is no longer my husband.
Tap.
Joo So-yang pulled a small booklet from her sleeve and placed it on the table.
"This is the proof."
Her brilliant eyes sparkled as she continued.
"............."
Watching her, Yoon Je-gyeom silently reached out.
Grip.
He immediately picked up the book and began to read it slowly.
He focused with all his might, as if determined not to miss a single character.
The elders in the meeting room watched the scene in silence.
Flip.
Rustle.
Before long, the only sound echoing through the room was the turning of pages.
Flip.
Rustle.
After some time had passed...
Thud.
Yoon Je-gyeom finally closed the booklet.
".......Is it true..... Is the content of this... booklet... really the truth?"
He spoke, his eyes trembling as he looked at Joo So-yang.
"These are the findings from the Hao Clan’s independent investigation over the last twenty years."
Joo So-yang nodded and continued.
The book she had handed to Yoon Je-gyeom contained the records of a private investigation conducted by the Hao Clan. It was a comprehensive compilation of information regarding the serial rape and murder cases that had occurred within the Cheonmu Alliance.
And this comprehensive information pointed to a single person as the culprit.
The great hero who saved the Murim.
The respected Leader of the Cheonmu Alliance.
Lee Jae-won.
"........I see."
Yoon Je-gyeom nodded in grim acceptance.
The Hao Clan was known as the 'Heavenly Ear' for having ears in the sky, and the 'Earthly Eye' for having eyes in the ground. If the information came from an investigation by the Hao Clan itself, there was no way it could be a lie.
How could he not accept it?
"......I always thought it was strange," Yoon Je-gyeom began slowly, his tone calm but heavy. "How the Cheonmu Alliance, the most powerful and thorough organization in the Murim, could fail to catch the culprit for over twenty years."
The Cheonmu Alliance was undoubtedly one of the most powerful organizations among all single factions. The number of warriors under its command alone was as vast as three or four major sects combined, and the martial prowess of each individual was no less than that of any great sect's disciples.
Thus, it had always been a mystery. Why such a magnificent and great alliance couldn't catch a mere serial killer.
They couldn't catch him.
How could they dare to catch the culprit when he was the very leader of that great organization?
"It was him..... That bastard.... He was the one who killed... our Hwa-ah..."
Yoon Je-gyeom’s eyes began to redden.
It wasn't that he hadn't known the truth. He had already faced the reality through the witness, Ja So-ryeong.
However, a small seed of doubt had remained in a corner of his heart. He had wondered if the Demonic Cult might be manipulating the situation. Given their mastery of schemes, it was a distinct possibility.
But today, even that tiny doubt had completely vanished.
He had come face-to-face with physical evidence.
The handwritten records of the serial rape and murder cases, investigated and documented personally by the leader of the Hao Clan—the organization called the Heavenly Ear and the Earthly Eye.
"....Ugh... Sob.."
Soon, Yoon Je-gyeom began to shed heavy tears. The pain for his granddaughter, who had met such an unjust death, welled up within him.
Seeing this, the elders lowered their heads with solemn expressions. They, too, were fathers and grandfathers. They could empathize with Yoon Je-gyeom’s agony to some extent. If they were in the same position, they would have wailed just as loudly.
Yoon Je-gyeom wept and wept without end, until the sorrow for his granddaughter’s tragic death subsided even a little.
After crying for a long time...
"........I have shown you a pathetic sight."
Having calmed himself somewhat, Yoon Je-gyeom wiped away his tears and spoke.
"No, Uncle..... No one here thinks it was pathetic...."
Joo So-yang spoke with an expression full of pity. She was also a mother. If such a thing happened to her daughter, she wasn't sure she could even maintain her sanity. Because of that, she understood Yoon Je-gyeom’s heart and resonated with his endless sorrow and rage.
"If you want to cry..... you may cry more."
"No. I have cried enough."
Yoon Je-gyeom shook his head slightly and spoke.
"Is it not better to bite them to death than to sit and wail?"
Yoon Je-gyeom’s expression turned murderous. Now that his grief and sorrow had been vented, it seemed only murderous intent and rage remained.
"You are right. We must have revenge."
Joo So-yang nodded. She felt his words were correct. Sorrow could be postponed. It could wait until after all revenge was complete.
"Do you intend to reveal the contents of this book to the people?"
"Yes, I plan to distribute them all at once during the speech."
Joo So-yang confirmed his question. They were already in the process of printing countless copies from the master plates so that everyone who came to the training grounds could read it.
"They will not believe it easily."
Yoon Je-gyeom looked at her with a worried gaze. Humans, by nature, tend to see only what they want to see and believe only what they want to believe. Therefore, they would not believe it easily. They would desperately want to believe in the great hero, Lee Jae-won, the powerful Leader of the Cheonmu Alliance.
"That would be true if this book were the only evidence."
Joo So-yang continued in a calm tone. She was well aware that the case records of the Hao Clan Head alone would not be enough to persuade the masses. The reputation Lee Jae-won had built over decades was not something that would crumble so easily under a single piece of paper.
However, she was not worried. She had secured witnesses who could overturn the entire situation.
"Is there other evidence?"
"There are witnesses. Witnesses that even the public will have no choice but to accept."
Joo So-yang’s eyes sparkled with conviction. She was certain. With the witnesses she would bring forward, the tide of public opinion would turn completely.
".........Remarkable."
Yoon Je-gyeom let out a breath of admiration. He was genuinely surprised by Joo So-yang’s thoroughness in preparing for Lee Jae-won’s downfall. Since when had she been making such preparations?
"To think you had prepared so perfectly..."
"It is all thanks to my collaborator."
Joo So-yang spoke with a bright smile. The one who had gathered the evidence that Lee Jae-won was the culprit of the serial rape and murder cases was none other than Sun-woo.
Her beloved husband.
Without him, she would never have been able to complete such perfect preparations.
"I do not know who it is, but they are truly a benefactor."
"A benefactor indeed."
Hearing Yoon Je-gyeom’s words, Joo So-yang let out a pleasant smile. He was a benefactor in every sense. He was the precious husband who had taught the joy of being a woman to someone who had spent every day consumed by loneliness.
"More importantly.... will you be alright?"
"About what?"
Joo So-yang tilted her head and asked back.
"Though he is an atrocious criminal like no other in the world, he is still privately your husband and the father of your daughter."
Yoon Je-gyeom spoke in a level tone. Even if Lee Jae-won was a piece of trash like no other, from Joo So-yang’s perspective, he was her only husband and the father of her child. He wondered if she felt any psychological pain about bringing him down.
"Such a piece of trash is no longer my husband. Nor is he the father of my daughter."
Joo So-yang’s expression turned cold.
"He is merely a criminal who has committed a sin. And if one has committed a sin, is it not only natural that they receive punishment?"
She spoke with a firm, decisive tone. She had just found a new husband who loved her more than anyone else in the world. Why would she feel sympathy for such a piece of trash? It was preposterous.
'......This child.... has hardened her heart.'
Watching her, Yoon Je-gyeom thought that Joo So-yang had completely steeled herself for the sake of the greater good.
"You are right."
Yoon Je-gyeom eventually nodded.
"If he has committed a sin, he must be punished. So that he may pay the price for his crimes."
His eyes began to glint with a vengeful light. He would be punished. It was the natural order of things for a sinner to face judgment.
"I intend to pass judgment on Lee Jae-won. A judgment befitting his crimes. And to do that, I need your help."
Joo So-yang looked around at the assembly.
"Elders...... no....... Uncles....... Can you help me? Can you help me... restore order to the Murim?"
Joo So-yang looked at them with a wistful gaze. That wistfulness began to tug at the elders' heartstrings. They were deeply moved by the righteous spirit Joo So-yang displayed in standing up for justice.
"Of course! Young Lady!"
Gye Sang-deuk, her most ardent supporter, was the first to raise his voice and shout. He was so moved that hot tears were even streaming from his eyes.
"Certainly! Realizing justice! Is that not the dying wish left by the late Alliance Leader!? How could we ignore it!?"
Another elder followed, agreeing vehemently.
"That's right! This is about carrying on the late Leader's legacy! How can we stay still!?"
"We have seen your righteous spirit, Young Lady! We wish to join you in that spirit!!"
"Whatever choice you make, we will follow!"
"We are your swords! Wield us whenever and however you wish!"
One by one, the elders began to stand up. With reddened eyes, they began to shout passionately. It was a truly strange sight. The elders of the Murim, whose average age was seventy, were cheering with hot tears in their eyes.
"Everyone... truly... thank you.... Elders.........."
Joo So-yang looked moved by their fervent support. Gratitude for the elders who remained her strength until the end welled up within her.
"No..... Uncles."
Joo So-yang addressed them all as 'Uncle.' It was the title she had used long ago, before she had even reached the age of twenty.
And her calling them 'Uncle' shook the elders' hearts even more violently. Memories of their righteous youth and the nostalgia of the Murim Alliance days surged powerfully from deep within their hearts.
Soon, the meeting room began to fill with the heat of the elders' passion.
*
"Then, I will conclude today's meeting here. Thank you for coming, Uncles."
Joo So-yang spoke as she gave a polite bow.
"Not at all! If the Young Lady calls, we must come from anywhere!"
"That's right! Do not give it a second thought! Call us anytime!"
"It is only natural to call upon your subordinates! Why would you express gratitude!? It is preposterous!"
The elders began to react vehemently.
"I have never once thought of you as subordinates, Uncles. To me, each and every one of you is like precious family."
Joo So-yang spoke with a soft smile.
".....Young Lady."
"....Young Lady..."
".....My Lord..."
Hearing those words, the elders looked overcome with emotion. Not a single word she spoke was anything less than beautiful.
"Then, I shall take my leave first. Uncles..... have a good night."
Joo So-yang spoke with a lovely smile. Then, she immediately turned around and walked out. The elders watched her retreating back in silence.
Thud.
The door closed, and her figure completely disappeared.
"She has truly.... grown up well.."
Gye Sang-deuk, who had been silent, spoke with a satisfied smile.
"Indeed... Is this not all thanks to the excellent lineage and educational values of the former Alliance Leader?"
"It is an undeniable fact....... A tiger's cub is bound to be a tiger, after all."
The elders continued to praise Joo So-yang.
"By the way, once Lee Jae-won is judged, the Young Lady will be all alone, will she not?"
"That's true.... What shall we do......"
"Should we perhaps arrange a match for her?" one elder suddenly suggested.
"No, where in the world is there a man worthy of the Young Lady!?" Gye Sang-deuk shouted, sounding quite agitated.
"Well, then are you saying we should just let her live alone for the rest of her life!? For the future of the Alliance, shouldn't she have a son?"
"That is certainly not wrong....."
"But.... there is no one who meets the standard."
One of the elders spoke with a grave expression. Joo So-yang was a woman so magnificent that the word 'perfect' suited her naturally. It seemed impossible that a man worthy of her could exist.
"If it were that man, Jang Sun-woo... he might be a good match......"
Gye Sang-deuk spoke with a look of deep contemplation.
"Are you in your right mind!? The Young Lady is old enough to be Jang Sun-woo's aunt!"
Hearing this, Lee Se-jin raised his voice and shouted. What kind of nonsense was this?
"What, you brat?! Are you saying the Young Lady is lacking!?"
Gye Sang-deuk’s face turned red with anger as he raised his voice.
"No, logically, isn't the age gap far too large!?"
"Age doesn't matter in love!"
"Shouldn't we hear the opinions of the people involved first!?"
"This brat is talking back again!"
Soon, the meeting room became noisy and chaotic once more.