Chapter 204 : Woobin, Plans
Chapter 204: Woobin, Plans
The Asura Demon Sect’s proposal threw Jianghu into an uproar.
It was a significant event just for the Asura Demon Sect to suggest a meeting with the Orthodox Faction, but the fact that the reason was to strike the Black Way Alliance was something no one had ever expected.
The Great Hall of the Murim Alliance, where an emergency meeting was held, was also buzzing with that story.
Centered around the Alliance Leader’s grand chair, the heads of various organizations were lined up to the left and right. Since Lee Jaseung had not yet entered, they were talking freely among themselves.
"Isn't this actually a good thing? Let's take this chance to drive out all those Unorthodox bastards!"
"That is absolutely out of the question. Joining hands with the Asura Demon Sect is something that can never happen!"
While some were in favor, others were adamantly opposed.
"But can we really trust those Demonic Cult bastards?"
"They wouldn't play tricks after making such a large-scale announcement. Think about it. No matter how much it's the Demonic Cult, they can't completely ignore the public opinion of the Murim."
There were those who doubted, and those who tried to persuade them.
"When have those Demonic Cult bastards ever followed morality?"
"Even if that's the case, if we take precautions in advance, we can sufficiently defend ourselves. Furthermore, didn't the Unorthodox Alliance Leader die recently? It'll be hard to find a better opportunity than this."
In the midst of that, there were even those who flattered.
"Anyway, our new Alliance Leader is truly amazing. He's leading the way in rooting out corruption, and now hasn't the chance come to wipe out even the Black Way Alliance?"
Others quickly chimed in.
"That's true. I was inwardly anxious because he's young, but seeing even the Demonic Cult suggest such a thing, I feel relieved."
Lee Jaseung entered the room while opinions were still divided.
The noisy interior became quiet in an instant.
The one following behind Lee Jaseung was Mujin, the head of the Virtuous Heroes.
As soon as Lee Jaseung sat in the grand chair, he asked the Chief Strategist, Sa Jo-pyeong.
"Strategist, what do you think of this matter?"
This was a matter that had to be asked of the strategist first. Sa Jo-pyeong stepped forward.
"It is a heaven-sent opportunity. Let's wipe out the Black Way Alliance this time."
He was in a position of supporting the Demonic Cult’s proposal.
In fact, he had recently been unable to establish a foothold within the Murim Alliance. That was because Lee Jaseung had not given him any power, leaving him in the position of a useless bystander.
Therefore, he considered this proposal from the Demonic Cult as a golden opportunity to show his abilities.
"Along with the new Alliance Leader, this Alliance is taking the lead in rooting out corruption. The perception of Jianghu’s people looking at the Murim Alliance has also improved greatly. If you wipe out the Unorthodox groups in this situation, you will truly become a great hero and receive the respect of everyone in Jianghu, my Lord."
Those who agreed nodded their heads.
Then, the Azure Dragon Captain, who had maintained an opposing stance, cautiously opened his mouth.
"But shouldn't we focus on internal stability at a time like this?"
Sa Jo-pyeong looked at him and spoke calmly.
"Of course. However, everything has its timing. It has truly been a long time since the Demonic Cult has pursued such a friendly policy toward this Alliance. This would likely be impossible if it weren't for the trust in our new Alliance Leader."
He intentionally placed the Alliance Leader at the forefront.
He was using the point that it would be difficult to easily reject this proposal if it was said that the Demonic Cult acted this way because they recognized the new Alliance Leader.
As expected, no one stepped forward. There was no reason to go against the Chief Strategist's wishes when he was actively supporting the proposal. This was because no one yet knew what kind of meaning this proposal from the Demonic Cult contained.
Right then, someone spoke with a booming voice from the doorway.
"The Demonic Cult is traditionally composed of people whose hidden motives cannot be known!"
Turning around, Yeo Beom and several elders were entering.
Sa Jo-pyeong frowned at their appearance.
Yeo Beom had been pushed to the Elders' Council after being caught receiving bribes by Sa Jo-pyeong. Although Lee Jaseung was behind that incident, Yeo Beom firmly believed it was something Sa Jo-pyeong had done independently.
Anyway, after that, Yeo Beom interfered in everything Sa Jo-pyeong did, and he appeared today without fail.
"Since the matter is important, the Elders' Council must also step in. I hope the Alliance Leader will permit it."
At Yeo Beom’s words, Sa Jo-pyeong looked at Lee Jaseung. He wanted to dismiss them immediately, but Lee Jaseung did not do so.
"Since you're already here, go ahead and speak."
In fact, it was Lee Jaseung who had secretly contacted and called Yeo Beom.
Yeo Beom spoke loudly.
"Joining hands with the Demonic Cult is something that can never happen."
The quick-witted Yeo Beom guessed why Lee Jaseung had called him. It was a sign to break Sa Jo-pyeong’s argument.
Regardless, the current matter was a big opportunity for Sa Jo-pyeong. If he handled this well, he could leave the Elders' Council and become the backbone of the Alliance.
Sa Jo-pyeong countered his argument.
"It's not simply a matter of joining hands with the Demonic Cult. It is an opportunity to change history."
Then, Yeo Beom asked with a look of utter ridicule.
"An opportunity to change history?"
"That's right. It's a historical transformation that will break the structure of the Orthodox, Unorthodox, and Demonic Cult and turn it into a dual structure of Orthodox and Demonic Cult."
"Do you not think about the risks involved?"
"Great deeds always come with risks."
The two men stood in stark opposition.
The people in the hall were divided into pros and cons and continued to argue back and forth. Among those who had stayed silent, there were people who supported Yeo Beom. They changed their words and took Yeo Beom’s side.
Eventually, Lee Jaseung stepped in to mediate.
"Let's discuss this matter a bit more."
At Lee Jaseung’s words, everyone bowed their heads.
Sa Jo-pyeong’s face was full of annoyance as he withdrew. If Yeo Beom hadn't appeared, things would have gone according to his wishes. No matter how powerful the Alliance Leader was, he couldn't ignore the opinions of the Chief Strategist and the key figures of each unit.
Only after everyone had withdrawn did Dan Woobin enter the room.
"You did well."
Dan Woobin had been listening to the conversation inside from outside.
A situation where Yeo Beom and Sa Jo-pyeong were in a tight deadlock was exactly what Dan Woobin wanted.
Ultimately, if internal opinion existed in a divided state of conflict, this matter could be decided according to Lee Jaseung’s will. Leading the situation this way could be seen as the artistry of politics.
The problem was Yeo Su-in’s true motive.
"He probably knows that we'll refuse. Why would he make such a proposal?"
Since Lee Jaseung would never strike the Black Way Alliance with his own hands.
"No matter how much I think about it, I couldn't figure it out."
"Of course you couldn't. Because the reason doesn't lie in common sense or logic."
"Huh?"
Lee Jaseung had already reached a conclusion.
"It is to mock me."
"What? You mean it's a trick to mock you, my Lord?"
"That's right."
Dan Woobin asked again with a surprised face.
"How does this become a mockery?"
"The very situation where I have to strike the Black Way Alliance can already be seen as a mockery. Furthermore, he knows that we have no choice but to refuse. He'll use that point to pressure us. He'll spread rumors that we're cowards who can't even join hands with the Demonic Cult, and he'll also spread rumors that we're afraid of the Black Way Alliance."
"Are you saying he made such an enormous proposal for that kind of reason?"
Lee Jaseung nodded.
That day, Yeo Su-in must have been deeply wounded by him. People of that sort have personalities that require them to take revenge. He wouldn't be able to stand it if he didn't do something like this.
"My goodness! He truly is a madman."
"We must assume he is even worse than that."
This time, Dan Woobin nodded. There is no one who can follow Lee Jaseung when it comes to the ability to accurately read people. If Lee Jaseung said so, it was so.
"It seems we should first eliminate Yeo Su-in."
"That would be good, but he is the successor of the Demonic Cult."
Killing the successor of the Demonic Cult meant going into an all-out war with the Demonic Cult immediately.
They weren't ready for that yet.
Dan Woobin thought for a moment and then spoke again.
"How about assassinating him and framing Mountain and Cheon Myeongin for it?"
"Mountain and Cheon Myeongin?"
"Yes. Mountain lost most of his subordinates, but according to our analysis, he has not yet revealed his true strength. The Asura Demon Sect will likely analyze it that way too."
Lee Jaseung agreed with those words. He was a man who had accumulated massive wealth and power behind the scenes with Jang Wonso for a long time. It was clear he had a hidden card.
"We make the Demonic Cult exhaust all of his strength. We can achieve a result that weakens both sides."
Lee Jaseung nodded. It was a plausible method.
However, there was a part that bothered him.
It was Yim Sayeon.
If Mountain was involved, Cheon Myeongin would also be involved, and eventually, Yim Sayeon would be involved too. In the end, she would become a sword that cuts the Demonic Cult and then breaks.
Her face, smiling brightly at him, came to mind.
While he was unable to make a decision, Dan Woobin spoke again.
"But I recommend the second method."
In other words, he had prepared another way.
"What is it?"
Dan Woobin’s words were surprising.
"We make the Demonic Cult Leader Yao Hong eliminate Yeo Su-in."
"You want to incite a division?"
"A mere division wouldn't be enough."
"Then?"
Then, a significant sentence popped out.
"We frame it as a rebellion."
Lee Jaseung’s eyes sparkled at the word rebellion.
It was a word that explained the entire operation in one breath.
Rebellion.
He thought it was the best method.
The Yeo Su-in he had identified would be hiding strength much greater than Mountain’s.
It was a much better thing for him to clash with the Demonic Cult.
But the problem was the method.
"Do you have a plan?"
Then, Dan Woobin answered with sparkling eyes.
"Yes."
"What is it?"
Then, Dan Woobin gave a surprising answer.
"We accept this proposal."
The best policy when caught off guard is to conversely strike the opponent’s weak point.
Dan Woobin had clearly noticed something in this proposal that would lead to his downfall.
"Supposing this matter is successfully concluded and the Murim Alliance and the Demonic Cult join hands to strike our Alliance. Both the Murim Alliance and the Demonic Cult will have to dispatch all of their elites. The preparation period alone will take several months."
That was true. Since it wasn't done in secret but revealed publicly like this, the Black Way Alliance would also make full preparations.
"Do you think Yeo Su-in has actually received permission from the Demonic Cult Leader for all of this?"
Lee Jaseung’s eyes sparkled at Dan Woobin’s words. There was no way he had received permission. It was nothing more than a scheme he threw out to mock him.
But what if this actually went forward?
"The moment this matter is already agreed upon, Yeo Su-in will be burdened with a huge problem."
The primary division would begin just with that.
"Furthermore, after the Vice Leader Elder Demon Lord died, the Great Demon has taken real power. As you know, he is known to have a very bad relationship with Yeo Su-in."
"You want to move him?"
"Not just move him, we should stir things up using everything we have. We're fanning the flames so he can burn brightly."
Lee Jaseung spoke significantly.
"You mean we shouldn't use our own stove for this dish?"
"Yes. We use their stove, their water, and their chef."
Dan Woobin added a word with a grin.
"You told me not to get my hands dirty for this dish, yes? I'll make it so no one gets their hands dirty."
"Hahahaha."
Lee Jaseung laughed pleasantly. He hadn't heard the detailed plan yet. But something resonated with him.
A war between the Cult Leader and the successor.
It didn't matter who won or lost. If this plan succeeded, the Demonic Cult would suffer a fatal blow.
And the most important thing.
Dan Woobin’s counterattack.
Recently, he had been dragged around by those guys.
But finally, Dan Woobin had found a clue for a counterattack.
Then there was no need to worry further.
Lee Jaseung said readily.
"I leave this operation entirely to you. Carry it out to your heart's content."
Then, Dan Woobin bowed his head with an emotional expression.
"Thank you, my Lord."
Dan Woobin went outside, and Lee Jaseung walked to the window.
They were exchanging moves. Whether this choice would become the prelude to victory or a losing move would be known at the moment the game was decided.
As always, he would simply do his best.