Chapter 543. Condensing (3)

Chapter 543. Condensing (3)

Many deserted roads could be found simply by leaving Seoul's city limits and entering the outskirts. What was interesting about these areas where seemingly no one lived and not many cars drove past was the presence of several luxurious-looking buildings.

People of higher standing who wished to hold private meetings away from the public's eye often used these establishments despite their astronomical cost.

And that was the situation with this particular establishment. Despite the late hour, this deserted road was illuminated by bright headlights. This stream of bright lights seemed to climb higher and higher up the mountainside.

The destination for this stream of light was an expansive estate with traditional Korean buildings that could only be reached by traveling for quite some time on this road. No, perhaps calling this place a 'traditional estate' was underselling its sheer majesty. The more fitting description would be a 'palace'.

Many black luxury sedans were gathering in front of this palace's entrance. Employees on standby smartly helped with parking. As for the honored guests riding in the back, they exited their rides and strode into the palace without even bothering to look back once.

Once past the grand gateway, the guests were greeted by the sight of a neat stone pathway. Walking along this path would lead them to a separate building located a little deeper in the estate.

As soon as Lee Jung-Geol approached the entrance, the employees on standby silently but smartly opened the doorway for him to enter.

“Thank you for coming such a long way, Assembly Master Lee.”

“Mm...!” Lee Jung-Geol nodded quietly. He scanned the interior and noted the presence of many important-looking men surrounding a large table topped off with expensive alcohol.

“This way,” someone called out to Lee Jung-Geol and gestured to him to take the empty seat of honor.

Lee Jung-Geol briefly wondered whether to decline or not. However, he didn't see a need to do that. So, he didn't stand on ceremonies and headed to the seat of honor. After settling down, he took in the familiar faces of the people around the table. His position afforded him a good view of everyone.

'There are more here than I thought...'

Back when he was still the Assembly Master... This was the sight welcoming him whenever he held a meeting. Folks who looked up to him, their gazes containing subtle hints of wariness and respect. Although, that was a story from the past, and it didn't concern Lee Jung-Geol anymore.

While Lee Jung-Geol was swimming in the reminiscence of his past, more people arrived to fill the empty spots around the table. Once everyone was seated, a bout of silence descended in the room before someone quietly spoke up. “It seems everyone who's supposed to be here has arrived, sir.”

Lee Jung-Geol slowly nodded before raising his voice. “I'm not sure what to call this occasion.”

The men in the room politely but awkwardly chuckled. In the past, this meeting would've been referred to as a periodic get-together or conference of the Martial Assembly's executives. However, that was no longer the case. No one here had the qualifications to organize a meeting in the name of the Martial Assembly.

Another man addressed the crowd. “The... occasion isn't really important, wouldn't you say? Indeed, the important part is that we are finally getting to enjoy each other's company again.”

“Yes, you're right,” Lee Jung-Geol wryly smiled back.

Even though this meeting was ostensibly about rekindling old friendships, everyone gathered here knew that that was just a cover story. Lee Jung-Geol suddenly thought of a perfect term to call this meeting.

'Yes, this is a meeting of traitors, isn't it?'

Lee Jung-Geol had to work hard to suppress a bout of wry laughter wanting to force its way out of his mouth. His thoughts were proven by how no one was trying to engage in small talk with someone else. If these people were really here to rekindle their friendships or whatever, they should've been busy yapping away about mundane things by now. However, they were all too busy avoiding making direct eye contact.

“For now, why don't we enjoy our meals first, gentlemen? I'm sure you're all feeling peckish.”

The surest way to get the conversation going was the 'right' mood. Enough booze and good food in the system were bound to lessen the tension and lower the wariness. That would be when people become more willing to talk.

A few rounds of booze went around, followed by the indisposable companion of a gathering like this, the tales of the good old days. That did wonders in relaxing the mood greatly. Only then did the whole reason for this get-together begin to surface.

“Right! It was never like this in the past, but now!”

“...”

The slightly heated atmosphere had washed away the initial wariness and awkwardness. Even before the suddenly interfering silence could do its job, the booze managed to overpower it.

The atmosphere in the venue quickly heated up; its noise level also rose rapidly. However, Lee Jung-Geol knew what was really going on here.

'All bark and no bite, the lot of you...'

If these old men really had the courage to rebel against Bang Jin-Hun, they wouldn't be herded into this room to complain to each other. No, they would've done something before the situation had reached this point.

But that was impossible, so they were gathered here like a mischief of rats. No, should they be called dogs instead?

No matter how many dogs gathered, they would always be dogs, not wolves. If these people really were wolves... The Martial Assembly with a more easygoing attitude would've been ripped apart by them already!

'Right. Dogs can only be dogs...'

The difference between a mutt and a wolf was unbridgeable. Wolves instinctively knew their survival depended on forming a pack, but dogs needed humans to lead them. A pack of stray mutts wouldn't even win against a single wolf.

Most importantly, though... These people faced a far more decisive problem.

“Hmm...” Lee Jung-Geol quietly cleared his throat. However, that was still enough to silence the noisy venue. His mood improved after learning that his authority still worked with these old men, but Lee Jung-Geol was wily enough not to show that on his face. “Gentlemen. I know you're all dissatisfied. Everyone here is indeed unhappy.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Former Assembly Master, sir... Yes, we're dissatisfied. However, how can we not?”

Lee Jung-Geol's official title of a 'director' was sneakily upgraded to 'former Assembly Master'. Obviously, Lee Jung-Geol didn't miss that. And he also didn't miss those who seemed uncomfortable with the sudden upgrade of his title.

One of the basics in politics was discerning your allies from your opponents. And wizened politicians even knew how to sniff out the current allies that might turn into future opponents. As for the best, smartest politician...

They never made allies, to begin with. Because, everyone was an opponent in politics.

All these men were here only because they thought following Lee Jung-Geol was still worth the trouble. If they determined that Lee Jung-Geol didn't have any power in the organization, these men would swiftly abandon this meeting and run toward Bang Jin-Hun to tell him about what happened... All for the sake of earning some brownie points!

Lee Jung-Geol licked his dried lips and sighed. “However... What can we realistically do about it?”

“A-Assembly Master, sir?”

Lee Jung-Geol narrowed his eyes and scanned the venue. “Without defeating Kang Jin-Ho first, there's nothing we can do about this situation.”

The mere mention of Kang Jin-Ho's name instantly brought the proverbial Ice Age into the room. Some people began coughing uncomfortably as if they were choking on something.

'A bunch of trash...!'

Lee Jung-Geol inwardly tutted. Up until a few moments ago, these old men proudly boasted about being the bravest, manliest warriors out there, yet... But now, they acted like cowering dogs with their tails tucked between their legs, their eyes nervously darting about and gauging the uneasy mood. This shameful sight was worthy of all the insults imaginable, but Lee Jung-Geol tried to be more understanding.

At least, they didn't really deserve to be insulted too harshly, anyway. After all, everyone here had witnessed the event of that fateful night. They had all seen what Kang Jin-Ho did to the Yeongnam Group by himself.

Even Lee Jung-Geol felt a streak of cold sweat trickle down his spine simply by remembering that night! Since that was the case for him, things should be no better for these men.

“Kuh-hmm, hmm...!”

Awkward-sounding fake coughs continued to fill the room. If these men had been talking about Bang Jin-Hun, their discussion would've rapidly progressed. However, when Kang Jin-Ho was designated as their opponent, no one seemed willing to keep the discussion going.

As far as these old men knew, Bang Jin-Hun was Kang Jin-Ho's most loyal supporter and helper. In other words, Bang Jin-Hun was under Kang Jin-Ho's wings. So, if they were to drive Bang Jin-Hun out and regain their former prestige, confronting Kang Jin-Ho was simply unavoidable.

“Well, uh...”

Someone finally broke the silence and cautiously raised his voice. The words no one wanted to hear but still hoped for someone to say them... came from this man.

“How about we confront Kang Jin-Ho, then?”