Chapter 545. Condensing (5)
Words like 'deal with' should never be thrown around carelessly. Especially in this context, when Lee Jung-Geol wasn't talking about dealing with issues related to Kang Jin-Ho, but eliminating Kang Jin-Ho outright!
No one here was slow-witted enough to not notice that subtle difference in Lee Jung-Geol's wording.
“Mm, well... Uhm...”
However, no one was willing to say something concrete. Only the tense silence of not knowing how to react deafeningly resonated within this room.
'Indeed, a bunch of trash...!'
Lee Jung-Geol inwardly tutted. Even though these men wanted someone to say those words out loud, they started avoiding each other's gazes as soon as their wish had been fulfilled!
Then again, Lee Jung-Geol wanted to see these kinds of reactions, to begin with. That was why he brought this topic up a little earlier than he'd usually have done. And he got what he wanted in the form of this icy-cold tense atmosphere.
One of the directors cautiously piped up. “Is such a thing really possible, sir?”
“Well, it all depends on how committed you are,” said Lee Jung-Geol.
“But, commitment alone is...”
Hints of people wanting to back out were much clearer to see now. Lee Jung-Geol good-naturedly chuckled at that.
'It's too late for you lot now.'
That was because the moment Lee Jung-Geol brought up that topic... Everyone in this room became accomplices. And the only way for an accomplice to survive was to either work together with the rest to commit the perfect crime or... confess to the authorities. However...!
Lee Jung-Geol quietly addressed his audience. “Kang Jin-Ho doesn't care about you, gentlemen. Even if you wish to do something, he won't back you as he has done for Bang Jin-Hun. That means you have two options available to you. Grow old and irrelevant in the background, or try to regain your former prestige.”
Almost everything he said just now was garnish. The meat of what he wanted to say, so to speak, was Kang Jin-Ho not caring about these people. It was his way of implying that anyone thinking of betraying the group by snitching should think twice since Kang Jin-Ho wouldn't even reward them with breadcrumbs. And these old men were smart enough to take the hint.
Since this was a gathering of wily raccoons, they didn't need another explanation, which pleased Lee Jung-Geol somewhat.
“In that case... We can realistically only make one choice here,” said Director Jo. “That man needs to be removed from the picture, or nothing will change for us.”
“Yes, that's certainly one way of looking at this situation.”
“However, Former Assembly Ma... No, forgive me for my rudeness, Assembly Master, sir.” Director Jo stopped himself to change the honorifics, which pushed the atmosphere beyond the point of no return. “That man, Kang Jin-Ho... He's no pushover, sir. If I'm being honest, I do not wish to fight him, no matter what. And I'm sure everyone here shares my sentiment.”
Yet another bout of silence descended on the room.
“...Even then! You still brought this topic up, sir. Which can only mean you have a plan of some kind?”
“I told you already. I do know of a way.”
“...Do you mind sharing that with us, sir?”
“Unfortunately, no,” Lee Jung-Geol shook his head. “Yes, I know that a plan needs to be shared first before it can be realized. However, this plan will only mean something among friends and collaborators.”
Those words now implied that Lee Jung-Geol didn't trust everyone in this room. Director Jo quickly caught on, and then his probing gaze began scanning the crowd. “I agree with the Assembly Master, everyone.”
The old men in the room momentarily flinched when Director Jo's gaze swept past them—the time to choose had come. Should they turn their heads away to express their rejection? Or meet Director Jo's gaze?
However, Director Jo chose a much more direct approach. “Everyone, we're colleagues. Friends. Comrades in arms who survived various battlefields together! However... We are no longer young. So, I won't blame you if you wish to look after your own benefits and live for yourself now. Actually, I'd say that's the wisest way to spend your twilight years.”
“I-indeed, Director Jo. No one stays young forever, after all.”
“Yes. That is why I will never resent you. However, let me make this request to you all. We are all comrades in arms. Even if we have to walk different paths, let us not stab each other in the back. That would be even more excruciating than death itself.”
Everyone in the room nodded contemplatively.
Director Jo was quite crafty with his words. These old men used to fight each other intensely over benefits in the past. Even before Bang Jin-Hun started challenging Lee Jung-Geol for the Assembly's leadership position, these men formed cliques and even tried to assassinate others.
However, Director Jo called everyone here 'comrades in arms' to tie them together and gave them a figure of hope to rally behind. His tactic had been quite manipulative, but no one seemed to have noticed it yet. Even if someone did notice it, though... They should know that trying to back out of this discussion at this stage would only invite trouble instead.
Director Jo reached out to the porcelain alcohol bottle, then opened its lid. He cut open a small nick on his fingertip, then dropped a single droplet of his blood into the alcohol.
“Only those prepared to drink this alcohol should do so. If you're unwilling... I advise you to leave now. I, Jo Hwa-Pyeong, swear on my name that everyone who chooses to leave now will not be inconvenienced in any shape or form. If you wish to express your discontent, however... I ask you to speak to me first. That is all.” Director Jo snarled like a beast.
Then, he passed the bottle containing his blood to the person next to him. This old man silently stared at the bottle for some time before pricking a little wound on his fingertip to drip his blood into the booze as well.
And so... the bottle went around the table until reaching Lee Jung-Geol's position. He narrowed his eyes while glancing at the people before him.
'No one has left...'
He did expect this turn of events. People easily got swept up in the moment, after all. And they were even less likely to admit to their mistakes. They would try to explain away their mistakes by saying it was all for the bigger picture. That the end result would speak for itself, so everything should be fine as it was.
People capable of honestly admitting to their mistakes and reflecting on them were as rare as hen's teeth. In that case, what about Lee Jung-Geol? Was he making a mistake, too?
'No, I am not.'
Lee Jung-Geol pricked his finger, then dripped his blood into the booze.
Drip, drip...!
The soft noises of the droplets landing on the booze echoed from the bottle.
“Well, then. Let us share this...”
Before Lee Jung-Geol could finish, though, Director Jo suddenly got up from his spot, then gulped down his alcohol in one go. After finishing his booze, Director Jo strode toward Lee Jung Geol, only to respectfully settle down next to the former Assembly Master and offer his empty cup.
“Sir. Do you mind filling my cup?”
“...You know, I could've gone to you myself.”
“Of course you can't do that, Assembly Master,” said Director Jo with a gentle smile. However, something about that smile seemed a little sinister. “Everything needs to have a hierarchy established, wouldn't you agree? What do you say, sir? Would you like to fill this cup with that alcohol?”
What Director Jo said here was a provocation. He was asking if Lee Jung-Geol was strong enough to shoulder this burden.
Lee Jung-Geol responded to that provocation with a soft chuckle. “It's been a while since I last poured for someone. Even so... Shall we?”
“Thank you, sir.”
Director Jo's cup soon filled up with the alcohol containing blood. Once his cup was brimmed to the edge, he received the bottle from Lee Jung-Geol, then silently filled the latter's cup. And then... The two men wordlessly gulped down the booze.
“Assembly Master, sir. It'll be an honor serving you again.”
“Mm. It'll be my pleasure, too.”
Director Jo stepping back was the signal for others to come forward next. Lee Jung-Geol proceeded to fill everyone's cup one at a time. Once they all finished drinking their share of the booze, the light in their eyes had changed noticeably.
'Yes, now that is encouraging.'
Lee Jung-Geol smiled meaningfully. There was a good reason why organizations couldn't give up on clunky ceremonies despite endless complaints and whinings. Such things might look like a waste of time to those lacking a sense of belonging. If you were already loyal to an organization, though, its ceremonies and rituals had the effect of inspiring and instilling further loyalty.
...Just like now.
Lee Jung-Geol scanned the old men gathered in this room and addressed them jovially. “And now...! All of us are in the same boat from this moment on. Do remember that we will all perish together if this ship capsizes.”
“Hahaha... We've already lived long and fulfilling lives, sir. If we can smile proudly during our final moments... Well, that would be a blessing in itself. We wouldn't dare dream of such luck, anyway. All I can do is express my gratitude for giving us this opportunity,” said Director Jo.
“Yes, sir. Thank you, Assembly Master.”
Lee Jung-Geol nodded weightily. “In that case, let us stop beating around the bush. I'll consider everyone here brothers in arms sharing one destination. Well, then... I've been observing Kang Jin-Ho until now. The reason why I decided to submit to him was his remarkable strength. I thought he needed to be studied from close by since that could give me a clue on how to defeat him.”
“...!”
“I've been biding my time until now while hiding the truth even from my own granddaughter. And now, it's time to collect the reward for my patience, gentlemen. I sincerely hope you won't forget or misunderstand what I'm about to tell you all.” Lee Jung-Geol watched the subtly flickering flames of passion burning in these old men's eyes and chuckled in his mind. 'Yes... Now, die for my sake.'
Since ancient times, no one could tame a wily fox. No matter what.
***
“You've done well, Director Jo,” said Lee Jung-Geol.
“Thank you, Assembly Master. But I only did what was expected of me.”
“Still, that doesn't diminish the good work you did. I won't forget your contribution tonight.”
“Thank you, sir!” Director Jo gratefully bowed his head. His previous forthright attitude was nowhere to be seen now, his bowed head showing no signs of coming up.
Lee Jung-Geol chuckled softly. “You did well to work the crowd, Director Jo.”
“I wasn't entirely acting back then, sir. I, too... have been frustrated by the recent developments in the Assembly, you see? So, when you personally called me... Allow me to express my gratitude for choosing me.”
Lee Jung-Geol nodded. “I won't be afraid of challenging a difficult road with dependable people by my side. I'm glad to have you on board, Director Jo.”
“Thank you, Assembly Master.”
On the surface, at least, these two men looked like a ruler and his trusted retainer. Even if no one knew what they were thinking about deep inside except themselves.
“By the way, sir...” Director Jo scanned the empty venue while tilting his head slightly. Everyone had left after agreeing to hold another get-together in the near future. “Is there a need to hold another meeting, sir?”
“Director Jo. Do you know what you need to do when a fish is caught in your net?”
“...Shouldn't I scoop it out of the water immediately?”
“Trying to do that right away will allow the fish to slip through your fingers. So, you leave the fish alone for a while. It'll struggle to escape, only to get itself even more tangled in the net. That's when you catch it.”
“...Aha!”
“The time I've given them is the fishing net, Director Jo. Even though I said I'd explain my plan, I haven't told anyone anything concrete tonight. So, even if they were thinking of betraying me, they have nothing to tell. That means they have no choice but to wait,” said Lee Jung-Geol. “Bide their time until the next meeting, at least. However, the longer it takes, the harder it is for them to avoid looking like they were only sticking around to feel the situation out first. Once they realize the other side has nothing to offer, they will have no choice but to stick with me.”
“...As expected of you, sir.” Director Jo nodded in admiration at Lee Jung-Geol.
This man was a tiger who used to lead the Martial Assembly for decades. Even if he had been confined to a dark cave somewhere, a tiger would never morph into a dog overnight.
“Once they realize I'm the only one they can bet on... They won't have a choice but to stick with me regardless of what schemes and plans I come up with. That is when I'll start my dragon hunt, Director Jo...!”
“Assembly Master... Will it really be possible?” Director Jo cautiously asked, hints of worry visible in his eyes.
“No need to worry,” said Lee Jung-Geol. “My brain is still functioning, you see? Kang Jin-Ho might have astonishing foresight, but... You should not underestimate me, either. This is something I have great confidence in, Director Jo.”
“I see. I trust you, sir.”
“Oh, and...” Lee Jung-Geol smirked odiously. “I have to say, that thing you said earlier left a deep impression on me. We need to gouge out poisoned wounds? That's what you said, right?”
“Yes, I did.”
“Well, Director Jo... There is another way.”
Director Jo narrowed his eyes in puzzlement as he stared at Lee Jung-Geol. There was another way? But, how?
“In short, it's fighting fire with fire. Or, in this case, fighting poison with another poison. To remove the poison, sometimes you need to swallow a more potent poison. Even if you risk dying from doing so...!”
Lee Jung-Geol's expression became deathly cold as his words came to an end. Director Jo could only bow his head at that chilling expression on the former Assembly Master's face.
Kang Jin-Ho was undoubtedly strong. However, he should learn something important soon. Being strong didn't necessarily ensure one's survival. No, only those who survived in the end had the right to call themselves the strong ones. Of course, by the time he learned this truth, it'd be too late for him.
“Well, then. Shall we get going now? No need to rush, though. We can take our time, anyway.”
The corners of Lee Jung-Geol's lips curled up.
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