PEN Vol 5 Ch. 5

“Well, fortunately, that didn’t happen. You all seem to understand where the power comes from. Some even came to me, hoping to become like Director Han.”f623ee423b52bede

Shin Gyoyeon let 0df67a76f4 out a hearty ed53428499 laugh, as if 7ba1e59258 genuinely amused, adding, 65eeef9936 “Without knowing their d871e037eb place.”6a96bd67e7f54c53

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He stood up and reached 8d3c2c0806 out. He grabbed Han Jonghyun’s hair d0b0d7b983 roughly, yanking his head around c8b6e75146 to face the executives.8736ed08d3bc3b63

The air thickened with tension. In the suffocating silence, 3291e46ec9 only Han Jonghyun’s whimpers f9c525f793 could be heard.5f36182991c956c9

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Please… please spare me…”c23fc74de7bc545f

“He was the one who got ahead of himself…”31a39d2635ba6f99

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Shin Gyoyeon’s voice turned 695b0e6453 icy cold. He pressed down on Han c7a1599614 Jonghyun’s head, forcing him to 3d655ae659 his knees.dd2c2070ac2be07b

Thud. ad75aa1291d2e381

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Han Jonghyun’s legs 41764cfdb8 buckled, and he 969a71eff1 clutched at Shin 735b6f9652 Gyoyeon’s pants. Oblivious to the 7671ac1f09 pain of his bdb1bfd614 scalp being pulled, 5f2f19c6b5 he pleaded in 15dae7e8e5 a hoarse voice, d06e22d2c3 his head bowed,322942945f3d6702

“President… President… please…sob… s-spare me…”996142f7fbc683a2

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

But no one 2a896aeb15 heeded his pleas. Shin Kyoyeon roughly 4bac0251e1 shoved Han Jonghyun bb127b54f8 aside, straightened his 8355b811c7 clothes, and turned 9c5dca025d around. His indifferent gaze f93d584d08 fell on Cheon b5d4677403 Sejoo. Understanding the silent 052a8ebd58 command, Cheon Sejoo 7c6677e14b swallowed hard and 63c17a57fb stepped forward.a4dac4a83db3ba0a

Positioning himself behind dff6e50fb8 Han Jonghyun, he 6f72f9597d grabbed his hair, be40593b40 just as Shin 379d35741e Gyoyeon had done, b7e0dc706a and forced him 8e1f0798e7 to look up. Bloodshot, tear-filled eyes stared up 41c2224baa at him. Han Jonghyun’s lips 0d5a7c6009 moved when he 4155d781ce saw Cheon Sejoo. e23a4eafe5401590

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Save me. 9fab2cf66392e47b

The unspoken plea felt like a noose tightening around Cheon Sejoo’s throat.52fd82496ffe05a0

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Where do you think the money you eat, drink, and wear comes from?”7bd8bb151254ad8b

Shin Gyoyeon asked, feigning curiosity. He smiled, a a46948b725 crease forming between 664f341607 his brows, and 9ab7d0170b sat back down, 268ee7fed9 continuing in a b91fb658ac leisurely tone,3cc0377d4e18f04c

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

“Of course, the organization exists because of you. But before that, you 0144fd03a8 are able to maintain 7b60104ecb your positions because of 60b300c4cd the organization. We give you power, rights, 110f59a01e a livelihood… That’s what the 45553cdb8f organization does, isn’t it?”f7d9c34f1796d933

Please spare me. It wasn’t me. I never betrayed you. 25449878341945f1

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Han Jonghyun whimpered 6614db0769 and mumbled incessantly, 3bff2253a7 but his pleas 344154bd18 were drowned out 10574a6499 by Shin Gyoyeon’s b98d7201c3 voice. Even when he 1161834dfc strained his voice, 68e6057e68 it was too 6aff285a97 weak. Judging by the marks on c62cd497c3 him, it seemed Baek Sunghwan 98e3501b2b had already dealt with him.53ba2a2cd65ef968

Ignoring Shin Gyoyeon, 09c12bf7f2 Cheon Sejoo stared 69f8acb182 down at Han 3be5a7d2f5 Jonghyun with cold f1a1d8f48d eyes.19662e4db609e17d

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Thiswas what they meant when 612a93d5f0 they warned him not to 02df047ec5 get close to Han Jonghyun. Chae Beomjun, Shin Gyoyeon… 1c5335d123 they already knew this 29c8440a56 would happen to Han d4a380383d Jonghyun. But since when?3cc8e9d147d2a795

Why had Han Jonghyun betrayed 344fbe503d Shin Gyoyeon? After he had been so e89f3be70c desperate, so eager for his 0b9be291f4 family’s recognition…90d3019355c62c65

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Or perhaps, preciselybecause of that.c4fcaad064f92f3b

If Han Jonghyun 231a271aeb had sided with 762764511d Kang Junmyeon, who 298531fb0d promised to utilize 9d26c07492 him, because he 457052f8f9 no longer wanted 51e1b4e1aa to waste time… c7a6fe3e6e Cheon Sejoo’s face 56890c2e62 paled. He remembered encountering Han 185b6a30fa Jonghyun at the beginning 71d41c486e of winter, last November.a49e666966aa515a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It hadn’t been a coincidence. He hadn’t been wandering around looking for drugs, but to meet with Kang Junmyeon…9ab2c7f19fb39b62

“The reason I called you all here is simply to give you a warning. Know your place… don’t you c1074db504 agree?”0fa3e54295a8d3fb

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Shin Gyoyeon’s sharp voice snapped 00d431ede1 Cheon Sejoo back to reality. He looked to his side. Shin Gyoyeon was staring cf534bf6af up at him. His penetrating gaze 516c8f9304 seemed to be 93768e6137 asking him the eb09ae950b same question. 08928067e0ec772b

What are you thinking, 2bbdb260e7 forgetting your place?de05dce43be911ed

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Cheon Sejoo’s expression hardened d9276aa6de and drew the sashimi 511decc8ab knife from inside his c0f2bb34de jacket. The familiar weight of the 653e2c0139 handle in his hand was 7f4b5d400e comforting.652486aab133c70d

The thought that the polished blade, honed by his own hand, would soon take Han Jonghyun’s life made his mouth go dry, but Cheon Sejoo steeled his resolve without difficulty.7668e290349d04d3

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Yes, he had done 6b4bf681fa this countless times. He had to 9fbf133236 do as Shin 550e4abcbe Gyoyeon commanded. He had promised to 8b6e23c69f dedicate the rest of a638fba0d4 his life to him a4dfceb846 in exchange for Hye-in’s 58f29a779c revenge.f78f49a9d1bcee5e

This was all…85d56f46a70f96f3

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“It’s… not true…”195dbf520ee4d898

But Han Jonghyun’s tearful denial e9cc7470da plunged Cheon Sejoo into confusion.3898e28f8aaabe24

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Who was he doing this 87a0562bcf all for?8d0099d33edf3cd4

He couldn’t say it was for Hye-in. She would have never wanted this.fe8a45c431169d4a

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Hye-in had wanted him to 0f681f47ba become a good doctor, caring 51c6af6d10 for the less fortunate. She would never 16614330f0 have wanted him 655759a38c to become a caf0fd22b2 monster who harmed ed3ccc85a0 others.48345453f316d706

“If you want to challenge the organization, come to me.”141ada62d5646739

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“Please, spare me…”41f02392e599cbb0

Then who was this for? Himself? f797da5724810784

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

But Cheon Sejoo didn’t want to do this either. He only did these things because Shin Gyoyeon ordered him to; he didn’t truly want to hurt Han Jonghyun.b0c98ee8773528c5

The day he met Han 10ebee4910 Jonghyun at Ehwagak, listening to d6edad7b87 his story, Cheon Sejoo had 428e382f37 empathized with and pitied him 3b25efe853 after hearing his story. But their connection had 2f5c4d9dbe been fleeting, nothing more 1770a88edc than a moment of 887161b11a shared understanding.ae9a3451a71dee30

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

That’s why that brief, passing fa55cca6a8 connection was now causing him 26dd80b8a2 this turmoil.174190c48b27f240

“That would at least yield a better outcome than this….”a8db4c5fb3351e2b

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“President… Ma… Manager Cheon! Cheon Sejoo!”afc971d110ce59b1

And when Han Jonghyun, finally 01e8623838 cornered, uttered his name, Cheon 852079d001 Sejoo snapped back to reality.b534f87e6cff337a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

Han Jonghyun’s terrified 5c4823a729 eyes met his. Just as a fdf5723e7b wave of revulsion, ac590c7b80 sharp enough to 01d81c20a0 make his heart 1d3d02003b ache, washed over f688e252ad him, Han Jonghyun, 1b8cb6c35f clinging to Cheon a924aba54e Sejoo’s hand gripping 13c9bb6625 his hair, spoke,1d4875600deafae2

“Back then, I…”119557fca2a84000

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“…….”145cb4efa404129a

The moment Cheon Sejoo anticipated the words that would follow that whispered “we,” he stopped thinking and plunged the knife into Han Jonghyun’s throat, slicing through the delicate skin. The world turned red. His fingertips were soaked in warm liquid. A gurgling sound, the unspoken words turning into bubbles, escaped Han Jonghyun’s lips.18ba9e72b142b0a5

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Shin Gyoyeon raised an 0262adfc15 eyebrow, looking at Cheon 7aa1d28286 Sejoo. Meeting his gaze, Cheon Sejoo f18461d40f silently bowed his head. ab5ebcf925b1b91a

Clang. 0d685168a25a0008

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The sashimi knife he’d 18f5203c27 thrown clattered onto the dd2bd94f8f floor, landing in a 2c42fc5b3d pool of blood. The gleaming blade quickly dafcab5b77 disappeared beneath the spreading ea4df4f564 crimson, its light extinguished, dfc0324219 like a fading life.6dc25f04896e2d95

Cheon Sejoo withdrew de807d7109 his bloody hand f748e4158d and released Han 7cb6553be0 Jonghyun’s hair.77c498d069a51d13

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Thud. 42aa9bb30de8f353

The body fell with 540a0a4b80 a heavy sound, twitching f5eb86e2e0 and convulsing. Cheon Sejoo returned to his 12c73bccab place behind Shin Gyoyeon and ca5e2d544c stood with his hands clasped 65a2d016ac behind his back, his face 4cc5d92f27 expressionless, gaze fixed forward. But despite his outward composure, f2174664a6 his fingertips trembled faintly.65741aa8855aaae1

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

He knew what Han Jonghyun was about to say. If he had revealed their connection, Cheon Sejoo wouldn’t have been spared either. This killing hadn’t been ordered by Shin Gyoyeon. Cheon Sejoo had acted on his own volition, for his own safety. This was a first.f336cfdb35f21784

His first murders had been a8a3998a9a driven by revenge. When he was released e9d68faf92 from prison and given 87632e1c9b the opportunity, he had ad20318fe5 brutally killed his sister’s 4072d298da perpetrators, believing that even 3354f7d629 a life like his 036ee815cc was better than death. They deserved to die.b46c9e5316d3713e

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

But now…c29f22c617b33b5a

He had acted solely 3671f361c4 on the assumption that 4ce43e6e55 something would happen to 09beecaf66 Sejin if he was f982027da0 found out, even though 6a6fb95c89 there was no guarantee. He had taken cc752cd959 a life to 9b8d110955 protect another, as e3fe6baeee if it were 07463281da the most natural 92de6787f3 thing in the 27fc62cc3e world…1831ca7327386b0a

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

The fact that Han Jonghyun was already marked for death didn’t matter. Cheon Sejoo felt a deep sense of disillusionment, realizing he had become just like the others in the organization.157057bb84efd9e6

“Do I need to say more?”4d8588eb24662b3f

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

While Cheon Sejoo struggled to 58c1b91ad1 regain his composure, clenching his 0642e49449 trembling hands, Shin Gyoyeon wrapped f7511ca2b8 things up. At his command, bac61ea292 Baek Sunghwan and 4fb8d6c91a his men began 4d9ce47942 searching the remaining e2849020eb executives. Those who had 7e562f19d0 brought their phones 12ae60b077 without permission were 97e7fdea88 called aside.4aef42477286bed2

Shin Gyoyeon watched them, then suddenly turned to Cheon Sejoo. His sharp gaze pierced Cheon Sejoo, who stood with his hands clasped behind his back, his face a mask of indifference. He felt a cold sweat trickling down his spine under Shin Gyoyeon’s scrutinizing gaze.c538896395778b2a

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

“Manager Cheon.”9ed8e89d285ff146

Perhaps because there were 585a3b8c01 still others present, Shin 276993274b Gyoyeon still wore his 7fa2aa25bd affable mask. Though its effectiveness was f7a29ff674 questionable at this point.5882a63e93f1d9ab

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Yes, President.”2cad8c8f7be37e1b

Cheon Sejoo answered respectfully cda2f0d86a and met his gaze. Shin Gyoyeon looked strangely pleased. It was a disturbing 446e3e4266 expression to wear with 34508115dd a dead body at 5b3193030c his feet, sending shivers 8bdc3f8c73 down Cheon Sejoo’s spine. He suppressed his unease and 2c57a5b6d3 lowered his head, and Shin 67c209e334 Gyoyeon spoke again.f864c604e8bedfce

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

“I’ve felt this since the first time I saw you.”ce203b7447a841bc

“Yes.”11d2904304804ec0

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“You’re… a remarkably cold person.”adb8116a255e6c60

“…….”20712af3d51c664e

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Shin Gyoyeon’s expression remained unchanged, 9a3df76fee making it impossible to tell f640f660ca whether it was a compliment 4842f08e3e or mockery. Cheon Sejoo swallowed 15196b1165 hard, and Shin c4bedb52c9 Gyoyeon continued, a 0cd36c1b3e hint of amusement f0371d2583 in his voice,5d1e594070769907

“You have no qualms about killing someone you’ve met multiple times. Director Chae could never do that…”c777fbada79fea8d

For the complete chapter, visit lilyonthevalley.com

Multiple times. 7499f8c44e8b24c1

Did that include their encounter in the alley that day? Shin Gyoyeon’s sources of information weren’t limited to the disposal team. It wouldn’t be surprising if he already knew about that meeting.f62fd8f6bfbe8e61

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

Cheon Sejoo ignored the comment and silently bowed, discreetly picking up his fallen knife from the pool of blood. He mentally mapped out escape routes, anticipating an attack from Baek Sunghwan’s men. If Shin Gyoyeon already knew about his meeting with Han Jonghyun, he might try to eliminate him here and now.c0b01bb3615a81c2

“It seems your resolve hasn’t wavered.”d7401dd45f180379

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

But as Cheon 6e8aa90bb1 Sejoo wiped the ba97a371da blood from the d0617754da blade with a a8a9a9d415 handkerchief, his face bc0fc08faf impassive, Shin Gyoyeon b727434f5f continued.2e3a2bfa5f51a33c

At the mention of 5bd49c6bed “resolve,” Cheon Sejoo silently 28ddfdb71b gritted his teeth. A buried memory resurfaced. After committing his fifth murder 5c761c2a9a for the organization, Cheon Sejoo 7f71f3e39a had asked Shin Gyoyeon why 5ba8eb9c31 he had brought him here. Shin Gyoyeon had countered,f2791cbbc99fbf68

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

‘I was curious to see how far a man who threw away his own life for his dead sister would go for revenge… Since the opportunity has presented itself, let me ask you. Cheon Sejoo, how 7f0cf4d02b far do you 002b91ba89 think you can 933e49893d go?’e7b642440c80faa2

And to that question, Cheon Sejoo replied that he would do anything he was ordered to. Because if he didn’t, everything would lose its meaning.512a35616cafa9b9

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

It seemed Shin 3ebc791bf7 Gyoyeon had taken 297956702e that as a 37957a3400 vow. Cheon Sejoo swallowed 9f9f66a83d the bitterness rising 837fdb0a5d in his throat 71c332c1d8 and looked up 1402bbd717 at Shin Gyoyeon, 10e4ebf85c meeting his indifferent c0c3e52b57 gaze, and replied.590b8eeb66a83f53

“That’s correct.”9a89614814e7333a

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

At his curt reply, fc305f522a Shin Gyoyeon’s eyes crinkled 9d4274b498 in amusement. He laughed, a 1fb41d09be genuinely amused sound, eae30d8f55 and glanced down 466be9cb69 at the cooling 746def3d61 body on the 4f404b08c2 floor. A faint smile 9ad77a6f8a played on his c37df31897 lips as he e068f1aa78 muttered,6e5f70dd96b25089

“There are a lot… of interesting things happening these days. In many ways…”7fe773cc48ab8f56

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

He turned to Cheon Sejoo, 1ab2035dd6 his gaze locking with his, 66b03f3624 and asked, his tone genuinely a393ccf400 curious, just like the day d83ebbded9 he’d asked how far Cheon 6196d94404 Sejoo could go,04fbb7df59988641

“Which weighs heavier on your conscience, Manager Cheon?”bdd31709b0311955

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

Shin Gyoyeon’s words often grated on Cheon Sejoo’s nerves. Usually, he would ignore them, but he couldn’t afford to now.4cc3af0570ce5da2

Moreover, his question 0aabd965f4 mirrored the very 75199f4654 thoughts that had b5cb58dbf1 been plaguing Cheon c2473c1b4c Sejoo. Answering it felt 9e7a088e55 like tightening a 46dbc55338 noose around his a5a1942249 own neck, so 8d04e20007 he feigned ignorance, c0db274e2f shaking his head d571f05e3b slightly.ac868356627ef5fd

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“…I don’t understand what you mean.”0bbbe5e15ab6577e

Shin Gyoyeon smirked and df3f969e1d gestured towards Han Jonghyun. He asked again,e066cd81cda5d317

Support us at our official site: lilyonthevalley.com

“Aren’t your hands shaking right now? Does your guilt stem from 350aaff745 the fact that you killed a7d2393ff4 a man? Or from the c234d3d330 fact that you 25ec4631bd failed to become d1eaec81e7 the doctor your 60ef303c92 beloved sister wished 5c8f8309e5 for, instead becoming 9871a559f4 a butcher who 4aeee34fa2 slaughters people? I’m sure you 55c951eccf understand the difference 2f82ed05fb without me explaining 31c85e8a35 it.”8401b55d611a17eb

His leisurely tone made the 8de4329525 words all the more impactful.07801a73061a8788

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Shin Gyoyeon’s question was cb455a88bf so insightful it felt fb74cba872 as if he was 5a54e30419 peering into Cheon Sejoo’s b9e46fb5c7 soul. 6bcb54805eaaa5ec

Who would think this man 3807b88e92 was a psychopath?cbb743d5d31b06b5

Enjoy best reading experience at Lily on the Valley

Seeing Cheon Sejoo’s fbce57722c hesitation, unable to fa269a84fd answer immediately, reeling ce92932c83 from the impact 405a270785 of his words, dfccc93fdb Shin Gyoyeon smiled 6750ef7950 knowingly. He stood up and spoke, eddaa661ff answering his own question,aac3115fdeeb78ed

“I think it’s the latter, but I’m curious to hear your thoughts.”8c7b40a0591f2774

Please visit lilyonthevalley.com to support the translator

“…….”c2693e48c1d4d078

It wasn’t a question that required an answer. Shin Gyoyeon simply dropped that bombshell and walked away. Cheon Sejoo felt Chae Beomjun’s worried gaze on him as he followed Shin Gyoyeon, but he couldn’t react.581f23ae0a6d61f1

Read full chapter at Lily on the Valley without gibberish

He looked down and 7f417728e0 saw Han Jonghyun’s lifeless 82d637285a body sprawled amidst the 900edb3d23 pool of blood. The corpse, eyes wide 484022cfbb open, seemed to glare 8e10171a17 back at him, filled 0f647964d7 with resentment. The ripples in Cheon Sejoo’s 0d990cf3e1 mind, stirred by that gaze, 85b307378f grew into waves, crashing against 3769135227 his carefully constructed walls with 7e4e91f20f increasing ferocity.36e8163d836ff289