Chapter 206 : Jaseung, Confesses
Chapter 206: Jaseung, Confesses
“What exactly am I wrong about?”
At Yeo Su-in’s question, Baek Seolyoung replied calmly.
“I didn’t come here alone. I brought someone who can easily subdue a man creating a disturbance while intoxicated by the atmosphere, so you’d better be careful.”
Her warning was quite accurate.
The person protecting her while hiding was Lee Jaseung. That was the only reason he had permitted this in the first place. He had allowed her to participate in this operation only under the precondition that he would protect her personally.
Yeo Su-in secretly raised his energy to scan the surroundings. However, he failed to realize that someone was hiding.
Lee Jaseung was concealed at a distance where Yeo Su-in couldn’t detect him.
Since there was a clear difference in martial arts skill between the two, that distance wasn't very far. It was close enough to save her in an instant if something happened.
“I’d like to check at least once to see who’s hiding.”
At Yeo Su-in’s words, Baek Seolyoung stared at him and spoke in a cold tone.
“Stop acting like a child and let’s talk business.”
In this moment, she was surprised at herself for being able to act so composed.
The advice Mujin gave her before she came here had been helpful.
“My Lady, don't think of it as acting. Think of it this way. Take this as an opportunity to look back at yourself by becoming someone else.”
“An opportunity to look back at myself by becoming someone else?”
“Yes. Become a completely different person. And enjoy it.”
“Enjoy it you say?”
“There aren't many chances in life to become someone else. Even if people want to, they can't. But you’ve gained the chance to live such a life. And in the very exciting role of betraying the Alliance Leader. This isn't something to worry about how much you’ll tremble, but something to think about how much you’ll enjoy it.”
She didn't know about the rest, but the part about it being an exciting role and the command to enjoy it resonated with her.
She wasn't lying; she was enjoying herself.
Yes, let’s enjoy it then.
She kept controlling her mind that way.
And at the final moment, she thought of one more thing.
Yeo Su-in wasn't someone to be feared, but someone worthless. Just a pitiful man.
The moment she saw Yeo Su-in enter the room, she realized her efforts had paid off.
She didn't feel afraid of him at all.
That was why she could nonchalantly spit out such incredible words.
“I’ll be honest with you. I was asked to tempt you here today. They told me to find out everything about you.”
Yeo Su-in narrowed his eyes at her words.
“Why are you telling me this?”
“Because I know you won't be fooled. That person doesn't realize how great a man you are.”
For a moment, Yeo Su-in’s expression twitched. He recalled the insults Lee Jaseung had thrown at him earlier.
“You speak as if you know me well, young lady.”
Once again, he used the term young lady instead of lady.
Baek Seolyoung smiled and said.
“Women instinctively know about men.”
As she spoke, she emptied the wine glass she was holding.
“He's too arrogant a person. And because of that, various problems arise.”
“What problems?”
She turned the subject. However, that statement was also an answer to the previous question.
“I am a person with great ambition.”
Baek Seolyoung stared straight at Yeo Su-in.
In the past, this wouldn't have been easy. But now she had developed grit, and she had the skill to back up that grit. Moreover, she had three hundred years worth of inner Qi.
It was a gaze enough to convince Yeo Su-in. He truly felt that her ambition was great.
“At the same time, I am a realistic person.”
She was unstoppable. If she had only tried to read prepared lines, she might have been caught already.
But she had become a completely different person now.
“He dreams of unifying the world. But I think that’s nothing more than a dream. I’ve given everything to climb to this position, and I don't want to die fighting you. Occupying just the Orthodox part of Jianghu is enough for me.”
Only now did Yeo Su-in feel like he understood what she was thinking. She believed that Lee Jaseung couldn't achieve world unification.
“What is it you want to say?”
Yeo Su-in asked the core question of the day. He was curious what she intended to do through him.
However, her answer was unexpected.
“I didn't prepare words regarding that.”
And then came an even more surprising remark.
“You find that answer yourself.”
* * *
When Baek Seolyoung returned to the Alliance, she felt like she might collapse.
“Hahaha. You did truly well.”
Dan Woobin even gave her a thumbs up.
Baek Seolyoung said to Mujin.
“It’s thanks to Captain Mu’s advice. Thank you.”
Then Dan Woobin and Ma Young-gi stepped to his side.
“What exactly did you advise her?”
“Behind our backs, nonetheless.”
Since he had scored points alone, the two of them naturally pouted.
“It’s a secret. You’ll keep the secret, right? My Lady.”
“Of course.”
When Baek Seolyoung smiled brightly, Mujin laughed triumphantly.
“Hahaha.”
Dan Woobin pulled Mujin’s ear, demanding he tell them, but deep down, he was grateful to Mujin.
While carrying out this operation, he had been so worried and anxious about Baek Seolyoung. No matter how much Lee Jaseung was protecting her, there was no telling what sudden variables might arise.
He had also worried whether she could pull off this role properly.
But she had accomplished this task more brilliantly than anyone.
“I think you truly have a talent for this.”
At Dan Woobin’s praise, Baek Seolyoung smiled and spoke.
“This is the last time.”
She meant it sincerely. Although she hadn't trembled at all in that spot, she had been shaking all over while coming from there to here.
But on the other hand, she felt good.
Just as she had told Lee Jaseung, she felt that such experiences became the foundation for her growth.
Of course, all of this was possible because she had faith that Lee Jaseung was protecting her.
For some reason, the protagonist of that protection was staying silent.
“Why aren't you saying anything?”
“The acting was excellent. I almost got caught.”
He meant that her acting was so good he almost burst out in anger.
Everyone roared with laughter at the confession that didn’t suit Lee Jaseung. Sometimes, the uncharacteristic side of someone brings joy to everyone.
Baek Seolyoung asked Dan Woobin again.
“But will that bastard be fooled?”
“He won't be.”
“Pardon?”
“Because he absolutely won't be fooled, this operation will succeed.”
It was an incomprehensible statement.
She looked at Lee Jaseung. Lee Jaseung also shrugged his shoulders with a puzzled expression. He had left this entire operation to Dan Woobin.
Baek Seolyoung asked Dan Woobin again.
“How will things proceed from now on?”
Dan Woobin replied with a relaxed smile.
“He’ll bring an answer soon. We just need to wait while doing what we need to do until then.”
* * *
The Great Demon’s hands were trembling as he read the letter.
“Is this information that came up through official procedures?”
At his question, the subordinate who delivered the letter replied quickly.
“Yes, it is. However, the content was so grave that I reported it, though the probability of it being true is very slim.”
The content written in the letter was truly shocking.
It was a report stating that Yeo Su-in would join hands with Lee Jaseung to strike the Demonic Cult in reverse.
“Yes, it’s nonsensical content.”
The Great Demon also admitted it. It was such out of the blue content that it should have been thrown away as impossible.
But the Great Demon couldn't crumple the letter and throw it away.
It was because the content wasn't something that could easily leave the hands of someone who desperately hoped it was true.
The Great Demon narrowed his eyes and read it repeatedly.
Treason.
The word treason seemed to grow large and jump off the paper. No one can survive if they are entangled in treason. Even if it is the only remaining successor.
Now that the Vice Cult Leader is dead, if he could even eliminate the successor Yeo Su-in, he could become the next Cult Leader himself.
If things continued without change and Yeo Su-in ascended to the position of Cult Leader, the first person to be eliminated would be himself.
He was relatively unskilled in schemes and maneuvers.
The possibility of changing that outcome was slim.
But couldn't this absurd single page of a report create some kind of miracle? Couldn't it be the beginning of a new history?
“Does this have anything to do with Yeo Su-in proposing to the orthodox bastards to strike the Black Way Alliance together?”
“There is that possibility.”
The subordinate replied while watching his reaction. Since nothing had been revealed yet, he couldn't give any definite answer. However, knowing the relationship between the Great Demon and Yeo Su-in well, he couldn't state the opinion that this letter was absurd.
The Great Demon said lowly.
“So Yeo Su-in is plotting treason huh.”
Since it was said in a stronger tone than before, the subordinate was slightly startled.
The current Cult Leader Yao Hong had also ascended to the position through treason. It was a situation where it wouldn't be strange even if the history of treason repeated itself.
The subordinate slightly played along with the Great Demon’s mood.
“If Lee Jaseung accepts this proposal, the possibility of this information being true increases.”
“While pretending to strike the Black Way Alliance together, they will join hands and plot a conspiracy?”
Just then, another subordinate delivered a letter and disappeared.
The content written in the letter added strength to the previous report.
It stated that Yeo Su-in had met Baek Seolyoung secretly.
“Something is suspicious. Why would Young Master Yeo meet the wife of the Murim Alliance Leader?”
The Great Demon added even greater suspicion to the subordinate’s doubt.
“There's something. There's definitely something!”
“What shall we do?”
“First, treat this fact as top secret. And concentrate all the spies on Yeo Su-in.”
“Yes! Understood.”
Left alone, the Great Demon stood by the window with his hands behind his back.
He knew well that the conversation he just had with his subordinate was all nonsense.
Yeo Su-in was not a guy who would ever betray. Even if he did betray, he would do it when he became stronger than the Cult Leader.
But the Great Demon also knew.
That there was no place where ‘forcing a narrative’ worked as well as here, where power is entangled.
He would frame him properly and get rid of him.
* * *
“Something is suspicious.”
At Do Cheolgi’s words, Yeo Su-in nodded.
But he was lost in other thoughts.
“Are you listening to me?”
“I am listening.”
Knowing he was still lost in other thoughts, Do Cheolgi let out a light sigh.
But he didn't nag him further. It was because Yeo Su-in hated being disturbed when he was thinking. He had already disturbed him twice, so even if he was his right hand, it was dangerous to irritate him further.
Then Yeo Su-in shook his head.
“I don't know, I just don't know.”
“What are you talking about?”
“What does she want from me?”
“Didn't I tell you? That something is suspicious.”
Only then did Yeo Su-in look at Do Cheolgi.
“That she's deceiving me?”
“Yes.”
“Of course, that could be the case.”
“Then why are you agonizing over it so much?”
“Because it might not be.”
“Young Cult Leader!”
He didn't want to be a nagger in this situation, but Do Cheolgi was feeling a strange sense of crisis.
While serving Yeo Su-in, he had seen how he treated various women.
But now it was different. He had never treated a woman so seriously. It should be something to be happy about, saying he had finally found true love, but Do Cheolgi was feeling a great sense of crisis.
“She is...”
“What about her?”
“It’s nothing.”
It was exactly this point. He had never seen him react so quickly before.
“Do Cheolgi.”
“Yes.”
“Don't worry. I am an expert in conspiracies. I am the one who sent all my seniors and juniors to the other world with them.”
Recalling old times, Do Cheolgi lowered his head. Originally, worry is something you do for humans. The Yeo Su-in of that time wasn't human. Now he had even grown older.
Yeo Su-in added with his two eyes shining coldly.
“I’ll make them regret using her.”
* * *
“Do you regret it?”
At Baek Seolyoung’s question, Lee Jaseung replied.
“No.”
The two were sitting together in a large wooden bathtub. It was a long and large tub with space to spare even if they sat and stretched their legs.
Baek Seolyoung was washing Lee Jaseung’s back from behind. Her pure white body was reflected in the water, shining even more beautifully.
“Didn't you say it? That you wanted this to be an opportunity to grow.”
“Yes.”
“If it's that kind of thing for you, why would I regret it?”
“Thank you for believing in me.”
Splash.
Lee Jaseung turned his body.
Embarrassed to face him, Baek Seolyoung also turned her body. Naturally, it became a posture where Lee Jaseung was looking at her back.
Lee Jaseung’s hand touched her back.
“Ah, I'm fine.”
She was slightly nervous, thinking he might try to wash her back.
Fortunately, Lee Jaseung’s hands passed her back, caught her two arms, and pulled her lightly toward him.
Lee Jaseung wrapped one arm around her and took her hand with the other. Now she was in a posture leaning comfortably against Lee Jaseung’s chest.
She could feel it. The various emotions contained in Lee Jaseung’s touch. That he felt sorry, that he truly hoped she would grow. That his will to protect her at all costs was contained within.
Soon, Lee Jaseung spoke in a calm tone as if confessing.
“Do you know why I hated you getting involved in this matter so much?”
Lee Jaseung had shown his displeasure to the point of flustering Dan Woobin.
“Why?”
“Honestly, I hated seeing you tempt that bastard. I hated even you being in the same space as him. Well, it would’ve been the same no matter who it was, not just him. Even if it were a hundred year old man.”
Lee Jaseung couldn't see the happiness on the face of the turned away Baek Seolyoung. It was the first time he had expressed jealousy. She felt so very good that she felt like she might fly into the sky.
“It was just words without a soul anyway.”
“Even so.”
Baek Seolyoung leaned against Lee Jaseung’s chest again.
“Ah, it’s so comfortable and nice.”
Thank you for speaking honestly. Thank you for thinking that way. Thank you for valuing me so dearly. Thank you....
Splash, splash.
The water splashed cheerfully at her pleasant splashing of her legs.