Chapter 747: Why Are You Coming Out From There!?
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 747: Why Are You Coming Out From There!?
"Could it be that the Alliance Leader is mistaken?"
Joo So-yang spoke, a smile of incomparable allure playing on her lips.
As they beheld that smile, the gathered masses wore dazed expressions. They were utterly entranced, as if a celestial maiden had descended from the heavens.
‘That... that... fucking bitch!’
Meanwhile, Lee Jae-won’s face contorted into a fierce scowl.
His irritation surged like a tidal wave at Joo So-yang’s sudden appearance and her blatant attempt to thwart him.
Everything had been perfect.
The speech was a success.
The people were moved by his words, erupting in cheers.
Everything was going exactly as planned.
So why did she have to show up now and spout such utter bullshit?
‘Goddammit, there’s a limit to how much you can rain on someone’s parade.’
Lee Jae-won began to glare at Joo So-yang with eyes full of murderous intent. He intended to crush her spirit.
In response, Joo So-yang met his gaze head-on, staring back with an unwavering look. It was as if she refused to back down.
After a tense silence, Lee Jae-won finally spoke in a calm tone.
"......Mistaken? That is impossible. I suspect it is you, Madam, who is laboring under a great delusion."
His voice began to ring out across the grounds, booming so that every person present could hear him.
‘Let’s just clean this up first, you cunt.’
Lee Jae-won’s eyes glinted with lethal malice.
If it were up to him, he would have drawn his Formless Sword right then and there to gouge out those arrogant eyes, but managing the situation came first. He had to refute Joo So-yang’s ridiculous claims.
"This serial rape and murder case can only be the work of the same culprit. The bodies were dumped in the same locations at the same times; the horrific mutilation from sexual abuse and the cause of death are identical; even the estimated times of death match perfectly... There isn't a single detail that doesn't align. So how can you make such a reckless statement, claiming that Jang Sam is not the culprit?"
Lee Jae-won continued, his cold gaze fixed on Joo So-yang.
Every aspect of the current case was perfectly identical to the previous ones. Under such circumstances, how could anyone suggest it wasn't the same perpetrator? It was absurd.
"Aren't those all things that could easily be imitated?" Joo So-yang asked in a soft voice.
"That’s preposterous!" Lee Jae-won barked, his voice rising sharply. "There are limits to imitation! How could someone replicate every single detail so perfectly!?"
"The serial rape and murder case is incredibly famous and well-known. After all, the culprit hasn't been caught for over twenty years. Wouldn't it be quite simple to copy such a famous incident?" Joo So-yang countered, staring him down.
"That is mere speculation! The methods are identical! How can you be so certain it's a copycat?"
"I should ask you the same. The methods are merely similar... so how can you be so certain it's the same culprit? Why do you deny the possibility of a copycat?"
Joo So-yang threw his own logic right back at him.
"Do not answer a question with a question!" Lee Jae-won roared.
"Fine. Since you're so curious, I'll answer. I'm not saying I'm certain it's a copycat. I'm simply saying we should leave the possibility open. The possibility that it might not be the same person."
Joo So-yang continued, a cold smile on her face.
‘This fucking bitch keeps changing her tune.’
Hearing her words, Lee Jae-won felt his blood boil.
Just a moment ago, she was acting as if the culprit definitely was a copycat, and now she was talking about "leaving possibilities open." It was a classic tactic to muddy the waters.
"There is no need to leave any possibilities open! The evidence is already clear! What possibilities are you talking about!?"
"Evidence? Exactly what evidence are you referring to?" Joo So-yang asked, looking genuinely puzzled.
"I have here the Incident Report written by the Law Enforcement Hall Master! It includes the formal opinion concluded by the head of the Law Enforcement Hall, the finest investigative body in the Murim!"
Lee Jae-won raised the Incident Report, his voice booming. He had already secured the opinion of the highly credible Law Enforcement Hall Master. What evidence could be more definitive than this?
"Couldn't it have been fabricated?" Joo So-yang remarked nonchalantly.
"Fabricated!? Did you just say fabricated!?" Lee Jae-won asked back, looking utterly incredulous.
"Yes, fabricated. Perhaps someone was bribed to write a false report?" Joo So-yang continued with a composed expression.
‘That bitch...’
Upon hearing those words, Lee Jae-won’s eyes began to flicker uncontrollably. A wave of anxiety washed over him—could Joo So-yang actually know something?
‘No, fuck, that’s impossible.’
He quickly shook his head. It couldn't be.
The fact that the Incident Report was fabricated was a secret known only to him and Paeng Ga-ryeon.
How could Joo So-yang possibly know?
Not only himself, but Paeng Ga-ryeon would have also kept her mouth shut. She wouldn't want her own corruption to be exposed.
‘She’s just taking a lucky guess... that’s it...’
Lee Jae-won convinced himself. She was merely making a wild stab in the dark. There was no other logical explanation.
"Great Matriarch!" Lee Jae-won shouted, his tone rough with feigned anger. "Are you now doubting the Law Enforcement Hall Master, who has protected the Alliance Law for decades!? A woman who has delivered justice to the wicked and is known to be more fair and incorruptible than anyone else!?"
He began to deliver a passionate speech about the integrity of Law Enforcement Hall Master Paeng Ga-ryeon.
"She is not a woman so weak-willed that she would commit such a foul act just because someone bribed her! She is a woman of firmer resolve than anyone! How can you disparage her steadfast character in such a way!?"
Lee Jae-won began to act increasingly agitated, as if he were the one being insulted. He believed that the more he did this, the more public opinion would sway in his favor.
"Why are you doing this? Is it perhaps because of the friction between us? Did I not clearly apologize? Are you committing such a lawless and rude act simply because your feelings haven't softened? And you, the mistress of the Cheonmu Alliance! You should be ashamed!"
Lee Jae-won began to lash out at Joo So-yang. He was trying to frame her.
He wanted to paint her as a lawless woman who slandered the incorruptible Law Enforcement Hall Master out of a personal grudge—a foolish woman ruled by her emotions, incapable of deep thought.
Murmur, murmur.
Buzz, buzz.
Lee Jae-won’s plan worked brilliantly. The crowd began to stir, a loud chatter filling the air. They were undoubtedly hurling criticisms at Joo So-yang.
‘You messed with the wrong person, you fucking bitch!’
A thick smile began to spread across Lee Jae-won’s lips. He felt he had finally landed a decisive blow.
"I was merely raising a reasonable doubt. It has nothing to do with personal feelings."
"It is not reasonable at all! You are doubting the Law Enforcement Hall Master, who is more impartial than anyone!"
"Who knows? Perhaps the impartial Hall Master was pressured into writing a false opinion."
"You really are impossible to talk to! Who on earth could pressure the Law Enforcement Hall Master? Even the other Hall Masters view her as the Grim Reaper!"
The Law Enforcement Hall Master held a very special position within the Cheonmu Alliance. She possessed the power of summary investigation, a right usually reserved for the Alliance Leader.
Normally, for Law Enforcement members to investigate another hall, they needed a warrant issued by the Alliance Leader. This was a tactic used by the leadership to prevent power from concentrating within the Law Enforcement Hall.
However, the Law Enforcement Hall Master was an exception. She had been granted the power of summary investigation by the Alliance Leader.
If she wished, she could investigate anyone, anywhere, at any time.
Consequently, many Hall Masters feared her greatly. She had the power to raid their halls whenever she pleased.
So, who could possibly pressure such a woman? It was an absurd notion.
"Isn't there one person? Someone who could pressure even the Law Enforcement Hall Master, who is called the Grim Reaper."
Joo So-yang stared at Lee Jae-won with cold eyes as she spoke.
‘That... that bitch!’
Meeting that gaze, Lee Jae-won knew instantly. He was the one she was pointing at.
"Are you... doubting me now?" Lee Jae-won asked in a heavy tone. His voice was thick with simmering rage.
"That's right. I am doubting you, Alliance Leader."
Joo So-yang nodded and spoke with conviction. She wasn't intimidated by Lee Jae-won’s furious voice in the slightest.
"Joo So-yang... can you take responsibility for those words?" Lee Jae-won asked, his voice dripping with murderous intent. "You are currently defaming the honor of the Cheonmu Alliance. You are painting me, the Alliance Leader, as a villain who presents fabricated evidence."
Lee Jae-won glared at her with a sharp gaze. "I ask you once more. Can you take responsibility for that?"
"I wouldn't have said it if I couldn't take responsibility."
Joo So-yang met Lee Jae-won’s gaze calmly. There wasn't a single tremor in her eyes, even as she faced his dense bloodlust.
"Fine." Lee Jae-won nodded. "Then let us ask the Law Enforcement Hall Master directly. Whether she was threatened by me, or whether she truly spoke the truth."
Lee Jae-won made the proposal, his eyes full of confidence. It was a bet he couldn't possibly lose.
"If she were being threatened, how could she possibly tell the truth?" Joo So-yang replied with a coy expression.
"Are you afraid?" Lee Jae-won asked, his face full of mockery. "You were so confident, but I guess it was all talk in the end."
"What did you say!?" Joo So-yang raised her voice as if offended.
"Can't you just ask her properly? Ask her why she judged it to be the work of the same culprit... until you are satisfied."
"............"
Hearing Lee Jae-won’s words, Joo So-yang looked as if she were deep in thought. She seemed to be calculating her options.
‘Just a little more and she’ll bite!’
Seeing her hesitation, Lee Jae-won thought that with just a bit more prodding, she would give in.
"If there's a contradiction in her logic, wouldn't that be an opportunity for you? It would serve as evidence to support your ridiculous claims."
Lee Jae-won began to entice her with sweet words, urging her to accept his proposal.
"..........Fine."
Finally, Joo So-yang nodded. She had accepted his offer.
‘Stupid bitch!’
A deep smile spread across Lee Jae-won’s face. He felt a sense of satisfaction, thinking he had tricked the dumb Chinese bitch with his natural silver tongue.
‘Foolish woman, your choice will drag you straight into the abyss.’
Lee Jae-won was certain of his victory. It was a match he couldn't lose from the start. There was no way the meticulous Paeng Ga-ryeon would have left any contradictions. There would be no flaws whatsoever.
"Then I shall have the Law Enforcement Hall Master brought here."
Lee Jae-won immediately turned his head toward the back, assuming she would be among the other high-ranking officials.
"There's no need for that," Joo So-yang said in a calm tone.
"What?" Lee Jae-won asked back, looking puzzled. No need to call her? What did that mean?
"Because she is already here."
Joo So-yang spoke with a gentle smile and slowly turned her head toward the back.
"Come out."
She spoke the words lightly.
Click. Click. Click.
The sound of light footsteps began to echo.
Then, a woman emerged from behind Joo So-yang.
Sharp eyes that held a hint of malice. A nose so sharp it looked like it could cut. A stubborn mouth that screamed of rigid formality.
She was a noblewoman who was beautiful but gave off a piercingly sharp impression.
It was Law Enforcement Hall Master Paeng Ga-ryeon.
Click. Click.
Paeng Ga-ryeon took her place beside Joo So-yang. Then, she stared at Lee Jae-won, who stood opposite them.
Her gaze was incredibly cold.
‘What the fuck!?’
Facing her, Lee Jae-won wore a look of utter bewilderment. The sight of Paeng Ga-ryeon appearing from behind Joo So-yang was completely absurd.
‘Why are you coming out from there!?’
Lee Jae-won’s eyes began to flicker with frantic uncertainty.