Chapter 174: It Won't Work on Us

TL: FoodieMonster007

When Jo Yibaek reached the summit of the highest mountain near the Murim Alliance, he found the Murim Alliance Chairman standing at the edge of a cliff. The Chairman had his hands clasped behind his back.

"Chairman."

"Jo Chairman, you've arrived? Come over here."

Jo Yibaek stood beside the Murim Alliance Chairman. The view from so high up was excellent.

"The scenery is magnificent."

"That's why I come here often."

"We can enjoy this beauty all thanks to you, Chairman. The hordes of the Demonic Cult can't act out because you firmly support the jianghu, can they?"

"I'm grateful you say so."

The Murim Alliance Chairman had asked to meet here, so Jo Yibaek expected to discuss the marriage proposal. By suggesting a mountain summit instead of the Murim Alliance, Jo Yibaek assumed he wanted a frank conversation as parents, away from prying eyes.

"Jo Chairman."

"Yes, Chairman."

"How long have we known each other?"

"I believe it's been almost thirty years."

"They say time flows like water. To think it's already been that long."

The two men stood there for a moment, reflecting on the years that had passed.

"Is there a particular reason you called for me today?"

"I asked to see you about your son."

Just as I thought. Jo Yibaek's expression brightened, realizing he was summoned for the marriage proposal as expected. He had promised to support the Murim Alliance with a vast sum of money. Their lukewarm attitude had made him wonder if things were not going well.

It's too much money to refuse, isn't it, Chairman?

Jin Paecheon slowly turned his head to look at Jo Yibaek.

"Have you, by any chance, heard of the Heavenly Enlightenment Society?"

The sharp question could have stopped a heart, but Jo Yibaek answered calmly.

"I've never heard of them."

He even asked calmly what kind of group it was.

"They claim to be one of the mysterious sects, and I understand they've been involved in many wicked deeds."

"The murim is full of all sorts of trash."

"Jo Chairman."

"Yes, Chairman."

"It seems your son is involved with that trash."

Though Jin Paecheon spoke cautiously, his gaze was sharp enough to pierce right through Jo Yibaek.

"What do you mean by that?"

"I'm saying that Jo Young Lord has been recruited by the Heavenly Enlightenment Society."

Jo Yibaek was startled. His reaction was so natural it was impossible to tell if he was genuinely surprised or just pretending.

"Your son, Cho Sin, was recruited by the organization called the Heavenly Enlightenment Society and attempted to kidnap my granddaughter."

As his surprise grew, Jo Yibaek's voice rose.

"That's absurd. With the marriage talks underway, why would he do such a thing unless he's gone mad? There must be some misunderstanding."

"I wish that were the case, but we have clear evidence."

"What kind of evidence?"

"We have a confession from someone who received orders from Jo Young Lord."

"It could be a confession meant to frame my son."

Jin Paecheon remained silent with his hands clasped behind his back, gazing at a distant, sheer rock mountain. The minds of the two men were now directed at each other, far sharper than that jagged peak.

"Chairman, please let me see my son. I'll meet with him and hear what happened."

"According to the Alliance's regulations, I can't do that."

"Considering our past relationship, you can't do this to me."

"You're right. Considering our past relationship, I can't do this."

Jin Paecheon's cold, stern gaze shot toward Jo Yibaek.

"I know that you are a member of the Heavenly Enlightenment Society."

"!"

"Don't even think about denying it."

Jin Paecheon released his qi. A frosty, sharp aura assaulted Jo Yibaek. It crashed down upon him like a violent ocean storm, filled with the raw desire to kill.

Jo Yibaek gritted his teeth and resisted the pressure. His precarious body felt as if it could be pushed off the cliff at any moment.

The storm that seemed ready to tear him to shreds soon subsided slowly. Jo Yibaek found his footing on a small island in the vast sea.

"I don't want to end our long relationship this way. Only I and one of my subordinates know about this matter."

Just as Geom Mugeuk had said, Jin Paecheon was giving Jo Yibaek a way out.

He did not pressure Jo Yibaek by asking if he was a leader, simply calling him a member. By saying only he and one subordinate knew, he implied that the matter could be covered up if Jo Yibaek cooperated.

Jo Yibaek knelt before the Chairman.

"There were circumstances beyond my control."

"I understand. When you have many people to lead, you sometimes have to walk paths you don't wish to."

"I don't know what to say to your generosity, which is as vast as the sea. I am sorry, Chairman."

Tears streamed from his eyes. They flowed so freely that they seemed undeniably genuine.

Jin Paecheon's expression was simply bitter as he looked down at him. This was a man he had known for thirty years, yet he had chosen betrayal. Was it the other's fault? Or was it his own for making him feel he had no other choice?

"Just hand over the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman. Then all of this will be in the past."

He did not say it directly, but it was a promise to forgive him. Jo Yibaek took the offered lifeline and breathed.

"That man recruited even my son without my knowledge. That is something I can never forgive. I'll have a meeting with the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman tomorrow, so please bring my son to that location."

"You said tomorrow?"

"The Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman is not far from here."

This meant the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman was within a day's journey. It was truly surprising, like finding the darkest place under a candlestick.

"You've made a wise decision."

"Then I'll arrange the meeting and contact you. Thank you once again for your grace, Chairman."

Jo Yibaek bowed deeply and turned away.

With each step, his expression slowly hardened. It held neither warmth nor coldness. It was devoid of any emotion, making it impossible to guess his thoughts, but one thing was certain. He was a completely different person from the man who had knelt and shed tears.

A moment after Jo Yibaek disappeared, Geom Mugeuk appeared in his spot.

"Is it alright to let him go back without surveillance like that?"

"It will be fine."

Geom Mugeuk actually hoped that letting him go free would make him do everything in his power. That way, they could take care of everything at once.

"We should consider the possibility of his betrayal. Asking you to bring his son tomorrow is a proposal to exchange his son for the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman. Doesn't that mean he doesn't fully trust you, Chairman?"

"He suspects I might change my mind after capturing the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman?"

"It would be fortunate if that's all he suspects. He might even join hands with the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman and set a do-or-die trap. Right now, I'd say it's fifty-fifty. Please leave what comes next to me."

The situation was dangerous whether Jo Yibaek betrayed them or not. After all, their task was to capture the unknown Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman.

"Are you really saying you'll handle it alone?"

"If they harbor any other intentions, it could be dangerous. It's not a matter for a person of your esteemed status to handle alone."

"And you won't be in danger?"

"Because it was my job from the beginning."

Jin Paecheon stared at Geom Mugeuk for a moment. He had a surprising thought. How wonderful would it be if Geom Mugeuk were a martial artist of the orthodox sects?

"Don't be too disheartened by his betrayal. That man was always a villain. He was just hiding himself while by your side, Chairman. Your side acted with good intentions, and his side with malice. That's all."

Geom Mugeuk was even consoling him. Jin Paecheon wanted to have a drink with this Geom Mugeuk.

"Will you have a drink with me?"

Geom Mugeuk had wanted to part on good terms with the Chairman. He saw no reason to refuse a drink with just the two of them.

"Let's drink here. I'll go buy some."

"I'll be waiting."

"Is there any particular liquor you prefer?"

"Bring something strong."

Geom Mugeuk vanished from the spot in an instant.

A moment later, Jin Paecheon was startled. Geom Mugeuk had returned with a bottle of liquor in his hand. No matter how exceptional his movement arts were, it was not enough time to have gone down the mountain and back.

"Did you have liquor buried on the mountain?"

"It's been a while since I've had a drink, so my craving made my steps a little faster."

When returning from West Lake before, Geom Mugeuk had not deliberately used his movement arts to catch up and hurt the Chairman's pride, but he had not intentionally come back slowly today either.

"I brought some good cups, too."

He poured Jin Paecheon a drink.

SHHHHH.

At that very moment, someone appeared. It was the martial artist who had always been concealed around Geom Mugeuk. It was the first time he had revealed himself.

"I will check the liquor."

He used a silver needle to check if the liquor was poisoned.

I thought he would be a sharp, angular person, but he was a man with a round, warm impression.

I could tell. This man was the one the Murim Alliance Chairman trusted the most. Just as Father has Hwi, the Chairman has this man.

This loyal subordinate had stayed near me all this time and knew I was not the type to poison liquor, yet when it came to the Chairman's safety, he did not allow even the slightest lapse in vigilance.

Only after confirming the liquor was not poisoned did he conceal himself again.

"You could have at least said hello before leaving."

When I expressed my disappointment, half-joking and half-serious, Jin Paecheon smiled faintly.

"He's always been an inflexible person, so I hope you'll understand."

"I know that well. The person I'm fondest of was once my bodyguard, too."

"Why is he not your bodyguard now?"

"I forced him away, telling him to stop following someone else's life and to live his own."

Hearing Geom Mugeuk's words, Jin Paecheon felt a strange emotion. Because his personality was nothing like a demon, he felt a sense of desire, but at the same time, a strange fear. It was a fear that began with the question, what if this man becomes the Heavenly Demon?

After filling each other's cups, the two men toasted and drank.

"Do you enjoy drinking?"

"I don't drink often, and you?"

"I also drink occasionally."

Drinking after such a long time reminded me of the Drunken Demon. I wonder if he's still drunk, swimming around in that lake?

In a sense, it was a precarious situation on the eve of a decisive battle, yet the drinking session with the Chairman was calm and peaceful.

This was likely because both men knew well that life-changing events are not things you can suddenly prepare for and overcome. You face them with the life you have lived until that point.

"Is your father well?"

The Murim Alliance Chairman asked about the Heavenly Demon.

"He is well."

"Seeing you makes me want to see the Demonic Cult Leader. It's been quite a while since I last saw him."

"I'll pass on the message when I return. Father will be pleased as well."

"I doubt that. Your father probably wants to kill me."

"And what about you, Chairman?"

"I felt the same way until now…"

After a brief pause, Jin Paecheon revealed his honest feelings.

"My mind changed after seeing you."

He thought that when the current Heavenly Demon dies, this Geom Mugeuk would become the next Heavenly Demon. For the sake of the orthodox murim, would now not be a better time? Surprisingly, he was having such thoughts about this young man.

"How is your relationship with your father?"

"It was awkward, but it's gotten much better recently."

"That's a relief."

"It got better while playing Go with him. Father learned Go from our Cult Head Strategist and beats me every time. On the other hand, the strategist I got doesn't know how to play Go."

"A strategist who can't play Go?"

"I knew it! The same reaction. I'll be sure to tell my strategist. That even the Murim Alliance Chairman had the same reaction!"

The Chairman laughed at Geom Mugeuk's banter.

"I also went hunting in the mountains with Father. We even had a drink at an inn. Do you know how the innkeeper reacted when Father came to the inn?"

Geom Mugeuk deliberately spoke of the times he spent with his father. He recounted them as cheerfully as possible, and Jin Paecheon listened to Geom Mugeuk's stories with a smile.

Geom Mugeuk knew the sadness hidden within the Murim Alliance Chairman's smile. He was a father who had lost his son. He could not dare to imagine what that felt like, but he could tell that he was thinking of his own son right now.

And as always, Geom Mugeuk was someone who believed that emotional wounds should not be buried.

"Do you think of your son often?"

For a moment, the Murim Alliance Chairman flinched. His expression changed from moment to moment. Anger and bewilderment, then sadness and longing. All sorts of emotions flickered across his face in a short time.

"Sometimes."

Jin Paecheon said no more and drank his liquor. Geom Mugeuk also asked no more and drank his.

Had he ever been asked this question after his son's death? Probably not. Who would dare to ask the Murim Alliance Chairman such a thing?

"Let's go together tomorrow."

"No, I'll go alone."

"I know you're a master without equal, but it's dangerous to go alone."

"If we mobilize the Murim Alliance's masters, there might be someone among them connected to the Heavenly Enlightenment Society. If the secret gets out and the Heavenly Enlightenment Society Chairman escapes, we'll probably never find him again."

"Then let's go, just the two of us."

Geom Mugeuk knew Jin Paecheon was being sincere. He was genuinely impressed. What kind of Murim Alliance Chairman in the world would suggest going to a place where he might face death, and with none other than the bloodline of the Demonic Cult Leader?

He felt that as long as Jin Paecheon was standing strong, the orthodox sects murim would also remain strong.

"Chairman, you have something else you must do."

"What is that?"

"You must prepare for the case that the True Dragon Manor Master betrays you. He's facing a crisis where everything he's built his entire life could be lost. You said you would forgive him, Chairman, but will he really believe that? If not, he'll use every means at his disposal."

"For example?"

"They tried to use Miss Jin through the marriage proposal, so we used Cho Sin. We used him a bit more aggressively than they did. So, how do you think they'll react?"

Jin Paecheon's expression hardened as a certain scenario came to his mind.

"While you and I are on the move, they might target Miss Jin. They'll think, 'You used my child, so you'll get a taste of your own medicine.' Since it's a life-or-death choice, they'll send an extraordinary master. You must be there, Chairman. Protect your family."

Seeing the worried look in Jin Paecheon's eyes, Geom Mugeuk raised his cup.

"For once, please trust the demonic path and leave it to me. No matter how vicious that evil is, it won't work on us."

Jin Paecheon drank with him.

They shared just one bottle in a short time, but it was better and more memorable than any drinking session he had ever had.

Putting down his last cup, Geom Mugeuk bowed politely.

"I will say my farewells today. Please take care of yourself until we meet again."