novelraw Chapter 111 : Anyway, Just Like an Old Fox
Chapter 111 : Anyway, Just Like an Old Fox
Chapter 111: Anyway, Just Like an Old Fox
The name that burst out of Yang Sobo’s mouth was not a simple recollection.
It was as if he had dragged out a wraith buried deep in the heart of the Chinese community for over a decade and planted it squarely in the middle of this banquet hall.
As I felt the lukewarm heat of the teacup placed before me, I picked apart the expressions of the leaders one by one.
The first to catch my eye was Incheon’s Noh Deok-su.
What surfaced on his gaunt face was pure shock, and beneath it, bewilderment he could not conceal.
The exact expression a human made when a forgotten past—or a past one wished to forget—suddenly appeared before their eyes.
‘So that man was deeply involved in Wang So-gun’s death in one way or another.’
Seated beside him, Daegu’s Son Gye-san was different. The good-natured smile was nowhere to be seen, and the gaze behind his glasses was moving faster than ever.
His fingers trembled faintly, as if flicking invisible abacus beads.
‘A thorough merchant. The weighing has begun.’
Gunsan’s Jin Tae-gang was overt. Rather than trying to understand the situation, he seemed to be enjoying it. Likely because he could clearly hear the sound of cracks forming in the old order.
The faint smile hanging at the corner of his lips suggested he thought this chaos was a new opportunity for himself.
‘That man wants the board overturned more than anyone.’
Lastly, President Wang of Busan. A complicated anguish lay across his face. He roughly knew what I had done in Busan. And even the circumstances surrounding So-ryong.
‘President Wang is a self-preservationist who just wants all of this to pass quietly.’
I lifted the teacup and took a sip of the lukewarm tea.
Only now did everything come into view. And I realized it—Yang Sobo’s true intention.
He had thrown out the past wraith called Wang So-gun as bait, forcing the internal enemies who had long been holding their breath to reveal themselves of their own accord.
‘Vicious. To even make use of a dead man.’
And the one who had laid out this board was me. From the moment I went to find So-ryong, Yang Sobo must have been drawing this picture.
But either way, it had nothing to do with me. Since the place was already turning into a mess, all I had to do was take as much profit as I could.
Just then, Noh Deok-su snapped out of his shock, slammed the table, and stood up.
“Are you in your right mind right now, Yang Da-in? Bringing the son of a traitor into this sacred place!”
His voice tore through the silence of the banquet hall. It was booming enough to be hard to believe he was old.
Noh Deok-su was subtly inciting the crowd. He emphasized and repeated the word ‘traitor,’ framing this situation not as Yang Sobo’s personal decision but as an act that disrupted the order of the entire Chinese community.
Sure enough, uneasy murmuring spread like waves among the mid-level managers seated at the outer tables in response to Noh Deok-su’s words.
But Yang Sobo did not budge an inch. Instead, he looked up at Noh Deok-su with cold eyes and quietly asked back.
“A traitor, you say. Do you truly believe that, Noh Deok-su?”
The honorific ‘Noh Da-in’ vanished from Yang Sobo’s mouth. That small change alone made the air in the banquet hall as sharp as a blade.
“If you truly believe that, then there’s nothing I can do. But…….”
Yang Sobo slowly rose from his seat. With a single movement of his, all noise died away. He placed a hand on So-ryong’s shoulder and declared to everyone in the banquet hall.
“I will no longer stand by and watch as my younger brother is buried in history bearing the stigma of a traitor. The restoration of Wang So-gun’s name. This is the first agenda I wish to announce to everyone gathered here today.”
His words became a massive ripple that swept through the banquet hall. Noh Deok-su’s face flushed red with rage.
“You’ve gone mad! Yang Sobo, you’ve finally lost your mind! You’re trying to revive the dead and throw the living into chaos! Is that truly for our sake?”
Noh Deok-su too threw away the honorific he used for Yang Sobo. Though he was older, he cast aside the mask of mutual respect they had worn as ‘Da-in,’ figures who encompassed the entire Chinese community.
That was when Yang Sobo looked at me.
“Baek-gun. You tell them. What happened when you found So-ryong.”
At last, I was thrown into the very center of the storm.
Yang Sobo was speaking to me. If you truly want something from me, then help me now and prove your worth.
‘Anyway, just like an old fox.’
Even if he handed everything over to So-ryong, with the government’s policy of expelling the Chinese, there were things that had to be wrapped up regardless.
In other words, he was using this situation to throw me out as bait and make me help him.
“Greetings.”
I stood up from my seat and began with a greeting. Not toward the leaders, but first slightly bowing toward the attendees at the outer tables who were wavering.
“I’ll start from the point when I found that child.”
I conveyed what had happened in Busan plainly, without embellishment.
What kind of predicament Wang So-gun’s bloodline had been in, and who it was that had been targeting him.
The expressions of those listening to my story changed by the moment.
Some showed anger, some sympathy, and others wore indifferent faces.
After finishing the factual account, I naturally passed the baton to Lee Cheong-ho.
Receiving my look, Lee Cheong-ho stood up. After glancing around, he revealed the fragments of truth he knew.
The truth behind Wang So-gun’s alleged betrayal. That cold, cruel truth was enough to plunge people into even deeper confusion.
When Lee Cheong-ho sat back down, I opened my mouth one last time.
“As a third party, not directly involved, I’d like to say this…… Whether Wang So-gun was a traitor or not no longer seems to be the important issue. The real question is whether there are still forces left who are trying to use Wang So-gun.”
“…….”
“If such people still remain, then the existence of that child, So-ryong, becomes a problem. And if they’ve been cleanly dealt with, then it’s of no concern at all, isn’t it?”
I spoke in a firm voice and deliberately looked straight at Noh Deok-su. It was a silent question asking which side he stood on.
Realizing the meaning of that gaze, Noh Deok-su’s cheek trembled violently with anger.
That was when Jin Tae-gang, who had been silently listening until now, finally opened his mouth.
“All right, let’s assume it’s all true. Then why are you here? Let’s say that child, So-ryong, attended as Wang So-gun’s only bloodline. Fine. But why are you here? I think you should explain that first.”
As if I had been waiting, I looked at Yang Sobo. He read my intent and slightly shook his head.
“That’s not for me to answer. I think you should answer it yourself, sir.”
With that, I sat back down. It still wasn’t time for my story.
“For now, this child’s future is the second agenda item, so let’s deal with the first agenda first and talk after.”
It was Yang Sobo’s unilateral declaration. Jin Tae-gang also did not add any further objections.
By his animal instincts, he seemed to sense that now was not the time to oppose Yang Sobo. After all. No matter how much the Empire of Gold might be shaken, for Yang Sobo—who had once dominated the Chinese community—dunking one such thing was hardly any trouble at all.
‘He knows exactly when to strike and when to pull back, like a ghost.’
Yang Sobo, who overwhelmed everyone present with his distinctive weight of presence, looked around the room again and spoke.
“If you have anything you’re curious about now, ask.”
Noh Deok-su continued to glare at Yang Sobo with his mouth firmly shut, but he did not step forward himself.
Instead, his hands and feet moved. As if responding to Noh Deok-su’s glance, one of the Incheon-side attendees cautiously raised his hand.
“Da-in. We understand Wang Daehyeong’s circumstances. However, he is someone whom you personally punished as a traitor. ‘Once cast out, one can never return.’ Isn’t that the iron rule of our organization? Overturning that rule—even if you are Da-in—”
It was polite, but within it was a rebuttal hiding a sharp blade. All eyes in the banquet hall once again turned to Yang Sobo.
Yang Sobo nodded.
“Your name was Lee Geon-myeong, was it?”
When Yang Sobo pinpointed his name exactly, Lee Geon-myeong’s shoulders twitched. As he soon nodded, Yang Sobo opened his mouth again.
“You’re right. Iron rules are important. The reason we Chinese were able to take root in this unfamiliar land was because we had unshakable rules and trust.”
Yang Sobo began gently, as if acknowledging his argument. But his eyes alone were cold as ice.
“There was a bloody purge back then. The greatest number were swept away in Incheon, and I know well that because of that, your hearts are not at ease.”
The bloody purge. Those who remembered that time whispered in low voices. Yang Sobo’s gaze stabbed into Noh Deok-su like ice.
“But…… it’s also true that the greatest number of people who kept urging Wang So-gun to betray us were in Incheon. Perhaps that faction still remains. Lee Geon-myeong, what do you think?”
“…….”
Flustered, Lee Geon-myeong looked at Noh Deok-su as if seeking help. But Noh Deok-su did not even look at him, only continuing to glare at Yang Sobo.
“If that weren’t the case, wouldn’t there be no reason to oppose Wang So-gun’s restoration so vehemently? It’s not like Wang So-gun is going to crawl back out of his grave.”
Yang Sobo delivered his final notice.
“I’ve decided so. And my word takes precedence over those old rules. If anyone objects to this decision, we’ll settle it in our own way.”
It was a firm voice that allowed no further rebuttal.
Listening to him, I tilted my head.
Our own way. Did the Chinese community really have its own method for resolving disputes?
As if he had read my doubt, Noh Deok-su asked back.
“What method are you talking about, Yang Sobo.”
“I want to reclaim my younger brother’s honor, and you want to protect the organization’s iron rules, don’t you? Then is there any other way? Three Battles, Two Wins (三戰兩勝).”
As the words Three Battles, Two Wins cut through the air of the banquet hall, the room began to stir uncontrollably.
‘Three Battles, Two Wins? Does that mean following the opinion of the side that wins through duels?’
Now all eyes turned to Noh Deok-su. Would he accept this proposal, or would he tuck his tail and retreat as things were?
The last pride of an old lion was placed on the testing ground.
Whether because of everyone’s gaze, or because of pride, Noh Deok-su answered quickly.
“Fine. I accept. I cannot accept that child.”
“Good. No need to drag it out. We’ll do it at the end of today’s gathering. There are still agenda items left.”
“It’s an old rule that it be done under the Elders’ attestation.”
“I expected that, which is why I invited the Elders. It should be about time for them to arrive…….”
At that moment, the doors of the banquet hall opened, and several elderly men appeared, leaning on canes or being supported.
As they entered, everyone rose from their seats, with Yang Sobo at the fore.
“Elders!”
The ones who reacted even more strongly than Yang Sobo were the regional leaders. Jin Tae-gang’s reaction was the most intense of all.
“No, Grandfather! Of all places, why would you come here!”
His voice was filled with heartfelt concern along with joy.
“Heh heh. Tae-gang. This old man isn’t dead yet.”
“Even so…….”
Yang Sobo stepped forward and bowed deeply to them in respect.
“It’s an honor to see you, Elders.”
“Yes, Yang Da-in. It’s been a long time. We were told you needed us old men, so we came.”
“Yes. We intend to resolve the dispute through Three Battles, Two Wins.”
I hadn’t realized he had prepared this thoroughly. From the start, Yang Sobo had no intention of resolving this through conversation.
Another old man showed interest.
“Brother Jin (陳兄). When was the last time Three Battles, Two Wins was held…….”
“It’s been well over ten years.”
“Then before we go to the afterlife, we’ll get to watch a proper spectacle. We welcome it wholeheartedly.”
After offering his respects, Yang Sobo issued orders to the regional leaders.
“Escort the Elders to their seats.”
All the leaders except Noh Deok-su respectfully guided the Elders to the seats of honor at the central table. With the appearance of the retired kings, the weight of the banquet hall grew incomparably heavier than before.
“The first agenda will be decided by duel, and then we’ll move on to the second agenda.”
Everyone once again fixed their eyes on Yang Sobo’s mouth.
“I will be leaving this land.”
As if the first agenda had been nothing at all, a far greater storm swept through the entire conference hall.