CLS-Chapter 227

 Chapter 227

“Ah, no, wait a moment.”

Wei Jeong-han raised his hand with a reluctant expression.

“But shouldn’t we at least find out what exactly happened and how the situation unfolded?”

Cheong Yeong-ja spoke with a cold face.

“Lord Wei, please step back for now.”

“No, that’s…”

“I understand your feelings, but right now Lord Wei is in charge of leading the Jeongmu Alliance. If you’re speaking as the head of Guangdong Wei Family, I’ll listen, but if you’re speaking from the position of Wei Jeong-han, the great hero in charge of the Jeongmu Alliance’s leadership, I will no longer listen. Which is it?”

Wei Jeong-han swallowed his words.

‘That damn bastard…’

He wanted to rush at Wei Yan-ho right now and kick his behind.

He had pleaded so earnestly for him to just stay quiet, and the moment he briefly left his side, his son had caused such a massive accident without missing the opportunity. How could he not be angry?

But then again, it wasn’t pleasant to just stand by and watch his son get dragged away to Mount Hua.

‘If someone’s going to scold him, it should be me!’

Though he always criticized his son for being embarrassing in front of others, he was still his child—how could he not find him endearing? Even if he scolded him, it should be him doing it, and even if he disciplined him, it should be him! No matter how wrong he was, he couldn’t bear to watch him get dragged away by other people’s hands.

“Hmm.”

But that didn’t mean he could abandon the role that the alliance leader and strategist had entrusted to him by claiming to be the head of Guangdong Wei Family in this situation.

“Come here.”

Wei Jeong-han quietly called Ho Cheol-san, who was standing in front of Cheong Yeong-ja.

Ho Cheol-san looked uneasy, but he couldn’t ignore Wei Jeong-han’s words. Moreover, the dignity that Wei Jeong-han was subtly emanating right now was no joke.

Looking at Ho Cheol-san who approached hesitantly, Wei Jeong-han spoke in a stern tone.

“Explain the situation.”

“I…”

“I’m asking you not as that bastard’s father, but as the leader of the Jeongmu Alliance. If you don’t trust me, call Instructor Seok.”

“No, that’s not it.”

When it came to fairness and impartiality, there probably wasn’t anyone in the entire Jeongmu Alliance who could match Wei Jeong-han. That was something everyone acknowledged.

“If that’s not it, then explain to me. There must not be even a speck of falsehood.”

Ho Cheol-san looked back at Cheong Yeong-ja with a completely frozen face. But he didn’t seem to have any intention of stopping Wei Jeong-han who was being this serious. Having no choice, Ho Cheol-san began explaining what had happened.

After hearing the entire story, Wei Jeong-han looked back at Wei Yan-ho.

“Is everything Ho Cheol-san said true?”

“Well, that’s…”

Wei Yan-ho scratched his head vigorously and said.

“There are parts that are excessively seasoned here and there, but I’d say the actions themselves are all correct.”

The seasoning and intentions were important, but Wei Yan-ho wasn’t particularly lenient even with himself.

“Hmm…”

Wei Jeong-han, who had roughly grasped the situation, swallowed his words.

Right now, only one problem was troubling his mind.

‘Does that bastard really have feelings for that girl?’

Wei Jeong-han’s gaze turned to Jin Ye-ran, who was at a loss because the incident had grown too big.

‘Even that appearance is pretty.’

Just looking at her face, she had no enemies.

She was invincible.

So it wouldn’t be strange if his heart was stolen by her.

Right now, that was more important than anything else. In Wei Jeong-han’s view, this wasn’t something that should have grown this big. Considering his personality, even if someone picked a fight with him, he was the type to roll away and return to his room at a level where he wouldn’t get beaten.

For such a guy to get annoyed enough to blow up a pavilion?

‘This is close to a matter of the heart…’

The problem was that the scope of this matter of the heart could shake the entire martial world. If he had caused just a moderate accident, they could have tried to handle it, but the level of this accident was too big.

Then…

“Sect Leader.”

Wei Jeong-han quietly called Cheong Yeong-ja.

“This incident was caused by the quarrel of our children.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Whether it’s the Jeongmu Alliance or Guangdong Wei Family, we will compensate for all property damage caused to Mount Hua. So couldn’t you leave this situation to us?”

“That’s impossible.”

“This happened within the Jeongmu Alliance.”

“But this is Mount Hua!”

Cheong Yeong-ja’s eyes blazed with fire.

“And Mount Hua is in charge of running this tournament. When starting the tournament, it was decided that anyone who causes any disturbance would definitely have their participation qualifications revoked and be punished. And the authority to escort criminals belongs to us.”

For a moment, Wei Jeong-han’s face twitched.

“Criminal?”

That word was gently scratching at Wei Jeong-han’s insides.

“Just because children had a sparring match and blew up some measly pavilion, what kind of crime does that constitute that you use the word ‘criminal’!”

“Are you saying that damaging Mount Hua’s historic pavilion is not a crime? Is that the Jeongmu Alliance’s position?”

The situation was becoming increasingly serious.

Both Wei Jeong-han and Cheong Yeong-ja thought they should compromise at a reasonable level, but it was difficult to find that point of compromise. At some point, their words began to escalate, and now it had become difficult for either side to back down first.

‘What should I do?’

Wei Jeong-han fell into contemplation.

Actually, handing over Wei Yan-ho wasn’t that difficult. No matter how angry Mount Hua was, it would be difficult for them to impose severe punishment on Wei Yan-ho for something like this. If they did, they would be called petty, and they would find it difficult to handle the Jeongmu Alliance’s protests.

So for now, it would be right to obediently hand over Wei Yan-ho…

‘Would that bastard actually follow along obediently?’

Wei Jeong-han agonized.

‘If only he were moderately strong, how good would that be.’

Even if he were as strong as Wei San-ho, there would be more solutions available.

Even if he tried to say ‘Look, you did wrong, so just follow along appropriately and stay there for a while and come back,’ if Wei Yan-ho shouted ‘Oh no, I can’t go’ and overturned everything, Mount Hua would be blown away.

He could guarantee that the people here absolutely couldn’t stop Wei Yan-ho. If you considered whether this number of people could handle a transcendent master, wasn’t it too obvious?

“I express my sincere apology to Mount Hua.”

Wei Jeong-han slightly bowed his head.

Then he questioned himself inwardly.

Was he standing here now as a father, or as a member of the Jeongmu Alliance?

Perhaps it might be called heartless. But at times like this, he had to erase his emotions as a father. What he could teach his son now was only this kind of thing.

Not being swayed by personal feelings, but thinking and acting for the greater cause and justice. Perhaps they might curse him for being heartless.

Wei Jeong-han, who confirmed once more that there wasn’t a single doubt in his heart, spoke as if declaring.

“If you’re going to revoke his participation qualifications, I’ll accept it. If you ask for compensation, I’ll provide compensation. But!”

Wei Jeong-han’s tone was incomparably firm.

“It’s impossible to hand over the custody of the children I’m managing for something like this. I cannot accept that.”

Wei Jeong-han was certain.

Even if it had been someone other than Wei Yan-ho in the same situation, he would have said the same thing. Rather, it was because the one who caused the accident was Wei Yan-ho that he had momentarily considered whether to hand him over.

Wei Jeong-han, who had cleared away his doubts, proudly puffed out his chest.

“Is that the Jeongmu Alliance’s position?”

“That’s right.”

“Do you have the qualifications to represent the Jeongmu Alliance?”

Wei Jeong-han didn’t waver even an inch.

“Of course I do.”

“Even if the Jeongmu Alliance suffers damage because of that choice?”

Wei Jeong-han didn’t even hesitate.

“If I follow the greater cause and believe in good intentions, and the Jeongmu Alliance suffers damage as a result, then naturally it’s something the Jeongmu Alliance should bear. If I were to fear that, then the Jeongmu Alliance would no longer be a place I should believe in and follow.”

Cheong Yeong-ja felt his chest becoming stuffy looking at this completely stubborn man.

‘How can he be so impossible to communicate with?’

Single-minded. He was far too single-minded.

But on the other hand, he also felt it was impressive.

Whether in terms of power or situation, he was clearly at a disadvantage, yet look at that appearance without a single waver.

‘They said Wei Jeong-han was a great hero of the world…’

Those words seemed to be quite accurate. If this weren’t such a situation, he could request a drink based on his current favorable impression, but right now he had to show his dignity as Mount Hua’s sect leader.

“I understand the Jeongmu Alliance’s will well. I don’t want to hear that I oppressed the Jeongmu Alliance with my power!”

Cheong Yeong-ja also didn’t yield an inch.

“Right now I’m not only Mount Hua’s sect leader but also the operation committee chairman of the World Martial Arts Tournament. No matter how powerful the Jeongmu Alliance is, it cannot ignore matters agreed upon by all the world’s organizations. If you won’t comply to the end, I have no choice but to make you comply by force!”

Cheong Yeong-ja and Wei Jeong-han’s gazes intertwined in midair.

And at that moment!

“Father!”

Wei Yan-ho seemed to call Wei Jeong-han in a somewhat moved voice.

Yes, my son!

This father will protect you!

But don’t misunderstand. This isn’t because you’re my son, but purely as the leader of the Jeongmu Alliance…

“I’ll just go.”

“Eh?”

Wei Jeong-han’s head whipped around.

“Go? You’re going?”

“Yes.”

“Where?”

“Over there.”

Wei Yan-ho casually pointed toward Cheong Yeong-ja.

Wei Jeong-han’s face began to be colored with anxiety.

What is this bastard up to now?

“You don’t need to do that because of me. There’s no need to get red-faced over something that’s not even important. If I committed a crime, I should receive punishment. It’s unfortunate but there’s nothing to be done about it, so I’ll just follow along and rest peacefully in the prison for a few days… no, reflect and come back.”

This bastard?

Wei Jeong-han’s face turned bright red as he realized Wei Yan-ho’s intention.

‘This guy, now I see…’

He caused this incident because he was too lazy to participate in the tournament and compete!

No wonder the basis and justification seemed strange.

Since Wei Jeong-han knew too well what kind of person Wei Yan-ho was, he understood Wei Yan-ho’s inner thoughts…

“No! You said it all yourself from the beginning, you rotten bastard!”

As Wei Jeong-han couldn’t contain himself and rushed forward, Wei Yan-ho quickly dodged Wei Jeong-han’s fist and ran toward Cheong Yeong-ja.

“Huh?”

“Quick! Please take me away quickly.”

“Huh?”

“Please lock me up in prison quickly. Otherwise I’ll get beaten to death.”

“Huhh?”

Cheong Yeong-ja’s eyes were colored with bewilderment.

No, this situation isn’t that kind of situation… How did this become…

“Hand that bastard over to me! Quickly!”

Wei Jeong-han trembled with rage, unable to rush all the way to Cheong Yeong-ja.

“Hand him over?”

Wei Jeong-han beat his chest as if frustrated.

“If you take him now, you’re doing exactly what that bastard wants! The punishment I’ll give will be greater than any punishment Mount Hua will impose! If you want to punish him, hand him over to me!”

What is that man saying?

As Cheong Yeong-ja couldn’t grasp the situation, Wei Yan-ho urged him.

“What are you doing! There’s a criminal here! You need to quickly arrest him and lock him up in prison!”

Now he was even holding out his hands in front as if asking them to bind him.

When had Cheong Yeong-ja, who had lived in a pure and clean temple, ever encountered such an absurd situation? The criminal was turning himself in, and the father who had been trying to protect that criminal until just moments ago was jumping around in fury.

‘I should avoid getting involved with the Wei Family.’

As Cheong Yeong-ja was deciding that he should withdraw from his relationship with them once this matter passed, a booming voice was heard.

“What’s all this noise about!”