Chapter 162: Return to the Demonic Sect
The atmosphere in the League Leader’s hall was nothing short of peculiar.
The leader’s close aides showered the inspection team with praise for their successful verification.
Yet, beneath the surface, anger and concern simmered.
“How dare they… attempt an assassination right within our League’s grounds…!”
“And they even tried to kill the inspection team, didn’t they?”
“Such scoundrels deserve nothing less than death!”
The murderous intent emanating from the senior officials was so intense that it felt suffocating.
Three assassins knelt before the Grandmaster, trembling like mice cornered by a cat.
Their faces were so swollen from beatings that they were barely recognizable.
Just then, the doors to the hall swung open, and Jeon Tae-soo and Deung Wang-pae entered.
With grave expressions, they glanced at the captured assassins before taking their places.
Finally, the League Leader spoke.
“As you all know, the Chief of Sabi River has demonstrated the inspection team’s exceptional abilities during this verification process. Therefore, I intend to officially approve the current inspection team. Does anyone object?”
No one spoke up.
Instead, those supporting the leader’s decision chimed in.
“That’s the right course of action.”
“The current inspection team has shown capabilities far beyond our expectations. Who would oppose?”
“If anyone does, we should question their motives! Ahem!”
Seop Cheong and a few others voiced their support rather forcefully, clearly aware of Deung Wang-pae’s presence.
Deung Wang-pae and Jeon Tae-soo remained silent, merely observing the proceedings.
At this point, the approval of the inspection team was not the issue.
The real problem lay with the assassins dragged before the assembly.
‘If those scoundrels start talking, everything I’ve built will crumble. What now?’
Deung Wang-pae glanced anxiously at Jeon Tae-soo.
‘There’s only one way. Solve the problem you created.’
Jeon Tae-soo, sensing Deung Wang-pae’s gaze, gave a barely perceptible nod.
Then, stepping forward, he feigned ignorance and asked, “Who are these people?”
The leader’s aides responded heatedly.
“Don’t even ask! These wretches tried to assassinate our inspection team!”
“Such audacity! How little must they think of our League to attempt such a thing?”
Jeon Tae-soo furrowed his brow and asked again, “Is that true? When did this happen?”
“They attempted it yesterday at Tongmun Pavilion. But things didn’t go as planned, and they failed.”
At Seop Cheong’s words, Jeon Tae-soo suddenly shouted and strode forward.
“You scoundrels! Is it true you dared to look down on our League and attempt an assassination?”
”…”
The assassins were at a loss for words, bewildered by the situation.
The one who had hired them was now feigning outrage, leaving them unsure of how to respond.
But no matter what, revealing the client was against the unspoken rules of their world.
“Just kill us!”
The assassins shouted in unison.
Jeon Tae-soo’s expression darkened.
“What are you boasting about? Could it be that the one who hired you is among us?”
He suddenly pointed a finger.
In the direction he indicated stood a woman with a furrowed brow—Seo Rae-hyang, held as a hostage.
She had attended the meeting out of curiosity about the Sabi River.
Since it wasn’t a secret meeting, the League had allowed her presence.
But unexpectedly, Jeon Tae-soo had pointed her out.
All eyes turned to Seo Rae-hyang.
If she truly was the client, it would be a grave matter.
A second war could break out right after the first had ended.
However, the assassins remained silent.
They were determined to keep their client’s identity a secret.
Jeon Tae-soo had anticipated this reaction.
Assassins, bound by trust, would protect their secrets with their lives.
And they were thoroughly indoctrinated to do so.
Yet, Jeon Tae-soo had a different reason for pushing them so hard.
“Could it be… was it really the Blood Sect?”
“Impossible…”
“But the Blood Sect isn’t friendly to our League, is it? They might hold a grudge against the Chief of Sabi River for leading the negotiations.”
“Even so…”
The seeds of doubt were sown.
If the League were to go to war with the Blood Sect again, Deung Wang-pae would seize another opportunity.
With external conflicts, internal matters like the inspection team would be sidelined.
‘Heh, Jeon Tae-soo has been quite clever.’
Deung Wang-pae finally allowed himself a smile.
This was enough.
Now, all that remained was to eliminate the root of the problem.
As expected, Jeon Tae-soo turned to the assassins once more.
“You scoundrels! Will you not speak?”
“Just kill us, we said!”
“Fine! I’ll grant your wish, you wretches!”
In an instant, Jeon Tae-soo leaped into the air and struck the assassins’ heads.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
It happened in the blink of an eye.
The three assassins fell, their heads shattered, dead on the spot.
Everyone watching was left speechless, staring at Jeon Tae-soo in shock.
Only Deung Wang-pae breathed a sigh of relief.
‘Well done. If those mouths had started moving, it would have been bad for both of us. Thankfully, the most troublesome problem is gone.’
At that moment, strategist Gu Yoon shouted.
“What is the meaning of this, Jeon Tae-soo!”
“I apologize if I was out of line. But seeing those who dared to mock our League standing there so brazenly, I couldn’t contain my anger… I’m sorry, strategist.”
Jeon Tae-soo bowed respectfully.
Gu Yoon clenched his fists.
“Even so, they were crucial witnesses! And now they’re dead…”
“They were professional assassins. No amount of torture would have made them talk. Look at their faces. Despite the harsh treatment, they never revealed their backer. Isn’t that proof enough?”
Jeon Tae-soo glanced at the Chief of Sabi River.
The Chief nodded.
“That’s exactly right. They admitted to the assassination attempt but refused to name their backer.”
“I suspected as much. But I acknowledge my actions were rash today. If you wish to punish me, I will accept it.”
“Hmm.”
Gu Yoon remained silent, merely glaring at Jeon Tae-soo.
As the hall buzzed with murmurs, the League Leader raised a hand to quiet them.
“We cannot bring the dead back to life. We will address this matter later. For now, let’s proceed with officially appointing the inspection team. Does anyone object?”
The inspection team could be appointed by the League Leader’s authority.
But given the controversies from the start, he wanted to ensure there were no lingering doubts.
No one spoke up.
Deung Wang-pae and Jeon Tae-soo were dissatisfied, but they were content that their secrets remained hidden.
The League Leader nodded slowly.
“Very well. With no objections, I hereby appoint the temporary inspection team as the official inspection team.”
As soon as the League Leader’s declaration ended, thunderous applause erupted.
People came forward to offer their congratulations.
As the Chief of Sabi River ascended the platform, Gu Yoon presented the appointment document.
The Chief accepted it and returned to his place, tucking it away.
“The inspection team will do its utmost to cleanse our League of injustice.”
“We have high expectations, Chief.”
“May we begin our duties immediately?”
“Why not? You’ve been appointed as the Chief of the Inspection Bureau, and today the inspection team has been officially approved. You’re complete now, aren’t you?”
“Thank you, League Leader. Then… as the Chief of the Inspection Bureau, I will undertake my first mission.”
“Hmm?”
Both the League Leader and Gu Yoon were puzzled as the Chief of Sabi River walked forward.
Deung Wang-pae frowned.
‘What is he up to?’
Meanwhile, the Chief of Sabi River stopped in front of Jeon Tae-soo and reached for his waist, drawing his sword, Veritas.
His eyes locked onto Jeon Tae-soo.
“What… are you doing?”
Jeon Tae-soo asked, frowning.
In the next moment,
Swish!
Slice!
Thud, roll, roll…
Blood spurted, gushing forth!
“Ah!”
The warriors standing near Jeon Tae-soo recoiled in shock.
Jeon Tae-soo, suddenly headless, spewed a fountain of blood from his neck before collapsing with a thud.
The League Leader and Gu Yoon were left speechless, mouths agape at the unexpected turn of events.
The hall fell into a stunned silence.
Blood continued to pour from the fallen body, pooling on the floor.
The severed head, rolled to the side, seemed to stare blankly, as if pondering its fate.
It was Deung Wang-pae who finally broke the silence.
“What… what is the meaning of this!”
His voice, initially a whisper, grew louder, resonating with power.
“As the head of the Inspection Bureau, I carried out my duty.”
“W-what did you say?”
At Sa Bi-gang’s icy response, Deung Wang-pae’s eyes widened in disbelief. Wasn’t this the subordinate he had favored the most recently?
He shouted, practically foaming at the mouth, “Does the head of the Inspection Bureau think he wields absolute power? How could you execute the leader of the Paecheon Group without so much as a word? Are you out of your mind?”
“According to the alliance’s rules, anyone who murders innocent women and children, seduces married women, conspires with the demonic cult to betray the alliance, or endangers the very existence of our group can be summarily judged by the head of the Inspection Bureau. And… the same goes for those who attempt to assassinate the leader.”
Deung Wang-pae’s eyebrows twitched. “Which of those crimes are you accusing the former leader of?”
“The crime of attempting to assassinate the leader.”
The room erupted into murmurs.
“What did he just say? Did he claim Leader Jeon Tae-soo tried to kill the alliance leader?”
“When did that happen?”
Deung Wang-pae furrowed his brow deeply and shouted, “That’s absurd! On what grounds are you slandering Leader Jeon Tae-soo?”
“We have both evidence and witnesses.”
“What?”
“Bring them in.”
At Sa Bi-gang’s quiet command, the doors to the leader’s hall swung open, and Tang Yi-hyeop and Mae Seol-ran entered swiftly. Mae Seol-ran held herbs wrapped in paper, while Tang Yi-hyeop had two men in tow, bound and trembling with fear.
Sa Bi-gang flashed a sly smile at Deung Wang-pae. “Here are your evidence and witnesses.”