Chronicles of the Lazy Sovereign Novel - Chapter 452

**Chapter 452: The Lazy One Does a Good Deed (2)**

Bang!

“Huh?”

Wei Jeonghan frowned as he saw Jangil burst through the door with a ghostly expression. Although they could both sense each other’s presence, entering without knocking and violently opening a superior’s door went against etiquette.

Although Jangil was usually blunt in his words, he never acted discourteously.

“What’s wrong?”

Something was amiss.

And, as if confirming Wei Jeonghan’s suspicion, Jangil, with a tense face, spoke:

“There’s something we need to verify.”

“Verify?”

“Yes.”

It was evident that Jangil had discovered something. But what the hell did that expression mean?

“Tell me.”

“Do you remember that secret manual?”

“Secret manual?”

“The secret manual, the Sword Emperor’s Treasure.”

Wei Jeonghan tilted his head.

“You mean the secret manual that Wei Yanho was selling?”

“Yes.”

“And what’s the problem?”

“……”

Jangil hesitated for a moment before answering firmly:

“We need to verify how many members of the Tang Family have learned that Sword Emperor’s Treasure. And if those who suffered the attacks are related to it.”

“You…”

Wei Jeonghan twisted his face.

Jangil’s words were not something that could be taken lightly.

“Are you suggesting that secret manual might be flawed?”

“I thought it was impossible.”

Jangil’s voice trembled.

“Too many people learned it. It should have been a momentous event, right?”

“True.”

“If so many studied it, how come only the Tang Family is having problems? On the contrary… if so many saw it and learned it, there shouldn’t be any errors.”

“So?”

“Today I changed my mind. Because this is the Tang Family.”

Wei Jeonghan sighed.

“Look, Jangil. Do you know how many factions obtained that manual?”

Jangil looked at him silently.

“From Shaolin and Wudang to the great sects, all of them took it. And none found any problems.”

“Yes, that’s how it was.”

“Even the Supreme Sovereign and the Master of Divine Abilities affirmed that there were no errors. Wei Yanho’s opinion was similar.”

Wei Jeonghan recalled Wei Yanho’s assessment of the manual:

*”A very well-made adulterated product. But even if you consume it, it won’t cause great harm.”*

“Yes. That’s why I let it pass. Even if someone created it with bad intentions, if there’s no harm, there’s no problem. But… there’s something that worries me.”

“What is it?”

“The only reason we listen to the interpretations of Wei Yanho and Shaolin is because we don’t have the capacity to analyze that manual.”

Jangil’s voice was firm.

“Centuries have passed since the *Muscle Change Classic* appeared, but no one in Shaolin dares to claim they’ve completely deciphered it. If secret manuals could be perfectly interpreted, they wouldn’t be difficult to learn.”

“What are you trying to say?”

“Secret manuals are difficult to understand for those who haven’t reached the level of their creator. They’re paradoxical. They’re created to transmit martial knowledge, but if you’re not up to par, you can’t discern their true content. You just follow the instructions without understanding them. In other words… even if the creator hid something, the apprentices wouldn’t know.”

Wei Jeonghan’s face turned grave.

“Then…”

“Yes.”

Jangil nodded confidently.

“If the creator of the manual is a stronger martial artist than Wei Yanho or Shaolin, no one could detect hidden traps in it.”

Jangil’s and Wei Jeonghan’s gazes met.

One full of determination, the other of doubt.

“What you’re saying…”

Wei Jeonghan hesitated.

It was such a shocking statement that he needed to process it.

“You mean someone distributed that manual with a hidden purpose, and that its creator might be someone more powerful than we imagine?”

“Yes. Exactly.”

“Listen, Jangil.”

Wei Jeonghan sighed.

“I recognize that you have a point. But it’s not realistic. Satisfying the level you mention would be difficult even for the Great Demon King of the past. Not because he’s my son, but Wei Yanho has exceeded any expectation. How strong would someone have to be to hide their intentions in a manual without him noticing?”

“Impossible?”

“Not impossible, but unrealistic…”

“The enemy is the Demon Cult.”

Jangil’s words carried enormous weight.

“The Cult has always been more than we think. Let me ask you: are you sure that, in twenty years, the Cult couldn’t raise a martial artist stronger than the Great Demon King? Is it because of your pride and knowledge about them, or simply because the impression of the Great Demon King is too strong?”

“You…”

Wei Jeonghan contained his anger.

It was a rudeness.

An unparalleled rudeness.

But he couldn’t deny that it made sense. The Cult raised the Great Demon King, why couldn’t they raise someone stronger?

Besides…

*”Wooden doll (puppet)…”*

That name kept resonating.

Jeok Moku, who called himself a puppet.

*”Puppet? What a ridiculous name?”*

He was the Great Demon King.

The one who submerged the Central Plains in terror.

Before his appearance, the world didn’t consider the *Demonic Arts* so powerful. They allowed one to quickly reach higher levels, but not to transcend beyond.

Since the *Celestial Demon*, the Cult hadn’t produced the strongest in the world. They could be a dominant force, but never crush the martial arts of the Central Plains with an absolute warrior.

That’s why the Central Plains considered the arts of the Cult incomplete.

But after the arrival of the Great Demon King, those assumptions were shattered.

*”Supreme Demon.”*

The Great Demon King showed the world how terrifying a demon who reached the *Supreme Demon* could be.

The first to achieve it since the *Celestial Demon*.

He swept away the proud martial artists like leaves in the wind.

“It was a shock.”

At that time, the world was full of masters. In terms of power, perhaps more than now. Even so, no one could stop him.

The swordsman who boasted of being the best fell bathed in blood.

The so-called *”Best Fist in the World”* didn’t last even ten seconds.

Yes. That’s why the title of *Great Demon King* suited him.

Wei Jeonghan never thought he would see someone like him in his lifetime. Sure, Wei Yanho was incredible. His son, but a true monster.

Even so, in his opinion, not even Wei Yanho could compare.

Would Wei Yanho one day surpass Jeok Moku?

His mind said yes, but his heart denied it.

He changed history.

The pride of the world, almost destroyed by the demons, transformed its ambiguous ending into its own victory.

“It’s funny that not even in those circumstances could they produce a clear hero, and they resolved it with an alliance.”

No one could claim *”I killed the Great Demon King”*, even if it were a lie.

And now a demon stronger than him emerged?

However powerful the Cult was…

Wei Jeonghan gritted his teeth.

It was possible. He couldn’t deny it. His reluctance wasn’t due to respect for Jeok Moku.

If a stronger demon reappeared, could the world contain him?

Neither mountains of corpses nor seas of blood would suffice. Just remember what the world tried against the Great Demon King.

“You’re right.”

Wei Jeonghan admitted it. His certainty that the Cult couldn’t raise someone stronger was based on his personal impression. Rationally, there was no reason to dismiss it.

“If it’s the Cult, it’s possible.”

Jangil nodded.

“That’s why we must investigate. See if those who suffered the attacks learned that art.”

“I understand…”

Jangil bowed his head and turned around.

Then, Wei Jeonghan called him.

“Hey, Jangil.”

“Yes?”

Turning around, Wei Jeonghan hesitated.

“You… did you learn it?”

“No, no.”

Jangil denied. As a martial artist, the temptation existed, but Wei Yanho’s assessment dissuaded him.

*”It’s not worth it. It’s not a bad art, but you won’t gain much. It’s full of holes. Better to master what you already have. Your art isn’t bad.”*

“He told me not to learn it.”

“I see.”

Wei Jeonghan nodded weakly.

“Just one question.”

“Say it.”

“If your prediction is correct… If all this comes from the Sword Emperor’s Treasure that Wei Yanho distributed… what will happen?”

Jangil answered seriously.

“If… this manual caused this, but we can counteract it, we’ll be fine. If we can correct the imbalance in its energy.”

“And if not?”

“If not…”

Jangil fell silent.

There were no words. Just a fixed gaze at Wei Jeonghan.

That was enough.

Seeing Jangil’s gaze, Wei Jeonghan nodded.

“I understand. Go. I’ll investigate quickly and inform you. You might need to help.”

“I’ll do my best.”

“Good.”

*Click.*

As the door closed, Wei Jeonghan slumped into the chair.

“It can’t be.”

It mustn’t be.

Never.

If Jangil was right, the world couldn’t bear the consequences. And then…

“What will happen to Wei Yanho?”

If Wei Yanho were singled out as responsible, what should he do?

Wei Jeonghan jumped up.

It was not a time to doubt, but to act.

Clearing the dark thoughts, he left with determination.

But his shoulders, unlike always, drooped limply.