Chapter 1205: How Is This Different (Part 5)

An overflowing amount of wine sloshed around. Jang Ilso, gazing down at the wine glass, tilted his head in contemplation under the dim light.

"Did he leave?"

"Yes, Ryeonju-nim. He just left."

"Tsk."

Jang Ilso, seeming dissatisfied, raised the wine glass to his lips with a somewhat bitter expression.

"He's too soft. I had some expectations because they say he was recognized in the merchant world, but..."

"...I would like to agree with you if possible, but honestly, I would like to say that it is amazing that he came to his senses after just one visit."

"Hmm?"

"Considering the current state of Ryeonju-nim."

"Tsk tsk. You've been applying honey to your tongue lately. That's how those in power become corrupt."

Ho Gakmyung chuckled at Jang Ilso's not-so-critical criticism.

"Then will you throw me out?"

"Mm."

Jang Ilso, making a slight groaning sound, nodded.

"That won't do. If the one who's called the leader of the business world is such a fool, where would I find someone to replace you?"

He slowly inhaled and continued speaking.

"Being weak-hearted is one thing, but I thought, as a merchant, he'd at least have a bit of cunning in his head..."

"It must been difficult to understand."

Ho Gakmyung lightly laughed, lifting the mood.

In their eyes, Ryeonju-nim was probably just a tyrant. However, when such a tyrant declared that he would use his wealth to help the common people, it must have seemed strange from their perspective.

"That's why they're foolish."

Jang Ilso, with a bitter tongue, spoke with a sense of dissatisfaction.

"A merchant pursuing only profit, not even understanding what profit truly is."

"..."

"The reason rulers promote virtue and order is not because they are virtuous, but because it's the best way to handle the foolish commoners. If he understood that, he wouldn't have reacted like this. While it might not apply to others, a merchant should understand that virtue and order are beneficial."

Ho Gakmyung let out a sigh.

"For Ryeonju-nim, it might be natural for you, but for ordinary people like us, it's not an easy task."

"You're being overly dramatic. If it were you, you would have naturally known."

"...That's true, but..."

Ho Gakmyung chuckled bitterly.

The reason rulers turned into tyrants was not because they were greedy but simply because they were foolish. A truly greedy king should become a perfect guardian of law and order, as that brings the most benefit.

If everyone in the world acted according to their desires, ignoring laws and order, chaos would ensue. It would require huge amounts of power and funds to stabilize such chaos. However, if people adhered to virtue and upheld order, the king could reap the benefits without exerting any effort. It was to the extent of being ruthless.

"Even those so-called righteous factions should learn a thing or two. Things like virtue, order, and righteousness. Commoners familiar with such principles wouldn't casually draw their swords on others even when facing starvation."

"..."

"Like taming a wolf into a dog by feeding it, humans are enslaved by virtue."

Jang Ilso laughed heartily.

"Those righteous sect bastards say that a sword that slays wrongdoers is virtuous, so why shouldn't I use their virtue as a weapon?"

"That's very true."

If rumors spread that the Evil Tyrant Alliance emptied their warehouse to aid the common people, the residents of Gangnam may find it hard to criticize the faction's actions in the future.

Perhaps, while Jang Ilso might appear cruel to the martial artists, he could be seen as exceptionally merciful to commoners. It's even possible that, in the future, they may become hostile to the righteous factions to repay the kindness they received.

Regardless of the outcome, for Jang Ilso and the Evil Tyrant Alliance, it was never a loss. With the potential for such significant gains, why would he hesitate to use money and others to obtain what they desired?

"However..."

Ho Gakmyung smirked.

"It's a bit amusing. At this rate, perhaps Ryeonju-nim will be called the world's greatest hero." [not sure what "협의" is, translated to 'hero']

"Hahahahahaha!"

Jang Ilso burst into laughter.

"Hero? Hahahahaha! Not bad at all! Uhahahahaha! Does that make me the Hero of Guangdong (廣東覇俠)?"

Jang Ilso held his stomach while laughing. Because he knew it was hard to completely rule out that possibility.

Hypocrisy and virtue were just a hair's breadth apart. If someone were to practice hypocrisy under the guise of virtue throughout their life and die without revealing that their virtue was hypocrisy, wouldn't they ultimately become a virtuous person who practiced virtue throughout their life?

It didn't matter what Jang Ilso's intentions were when performing virtuous acts. If those who benefited from his virtue began to praise him, he might, in the end, be evaluated as a true hero.

"Hahahaha. That's good. A hero... sounds splendid, doesn't it?"

"It's not always a laughing matter... Half is a joke, but the other half is not."

"Hmm?"

Jang Ilso raised an eyebrow and looked at Ho Gakmyung with narrowed eyes. Ho Gakmyung then spoke seriously.

"If the meaning of a hero is someone who sacrifices what they have to help others, then even now, it's not entirely wrong. No matter how abundant the Evil Tyrant Alliance's finances are, doesn't this endeavor incur astronomical costs?"

"Tsk. You're acting like a beggar."

Jang Ilso frowned.

"Master of Ten Thousand Gold, that money demon, has more than enough wealth saved up to handle it easily."

That statement was undoubtedly true. The claim that the Black Ghost Castle was the wealthiest organization in the world was not an exaggeration. The money they amassed through just salt smuggling was enough to shock even Ho Gakmyung, who managed the finances of the massive Myriad Man Manor.

However...

"Ryeonju-nim, this is a huge task. It might hold up for now, but using the accumulated money to sustain this effort will inevitably reach its limit."

"Don't worry about it."

Even with Ho Gakmyung's concerns, Jang Ilso waved it off as if it were insignificant.

"So, spend every penny without leaving a trace, buying all the grains and goods."

"Ryeonju-nim, if we continue like this..."

"Tsk, foolish boy. Instead of being frustrating, think about it."

Jang Ilso slowly stood up from his seat. Then, he approached Ho Gakmyung step by step.

"What is money?"

"...Yes?"

"What about gold?"

"Well..."

Attempting to respond, Ho Gakmyung eventually fell silent. At that moment, a meaningful smile spread across Jang Ilso's lips.

"That's right. Do you understand? Money itself is nothing. It's people who give it value. Without the agreements between people, money is just a useless wad of paper, and gold is nothing more than a brittle lump that can't make a single sword."

"...?"

"What does gold mean to someone starving to death? Even if it's said to be a house full of gold, to a starving person, it's worthless, isn't it?"

"...That's true."

"Soon... yes, soon it will come."

Jang Ilso's face was filled with a fierce light.

"In an era where a bag of rice, enough to fill a hungry stomach immediately, is more valuable than a pile of receipts stacked like mountains. An era where a rusty piece of iron that can forge a sword is more valuable than gold flowing like a river!"

Watching Jang Ilso like that, Ho Gakmyung forgot to breathe.

Jang Ilso slowly traced his crimson lips with his index finger.

"When that time comes, what was believed to be right in the world will be slammed to the ground, and what was considered sin in the world will rise to the heavens."

A devilish smile spread andhe murmured in a voice so deep that it seemed to echo in the darkness.

"That era... the era that will burn down everything the world has piled up is soon..."

A blue light emanated from Jang Ilso's eyes.

"It will begin in my hands."

Ho Gakmyung trembled.

To most, the two letters 'stability' represented the symbol of peace. However, for this man, stability was not such a thing. The only reason he needed stability was for one thing – to not care about what was behind him.

That way, he could devote himself to breaking and killing enemies.

What Jang Ilso performed was an unparalleled goodness. However, the result of that goodness ultimately led to unparalleled evil. What should one call the act of performing the utmost good to establish a regime of the utmost base evil?

No, there was no need to call it anything.

'Because it's meaningless.'

Jang Ilso didn't distinguish between good and evil. Whether it was good or evil, he simply acted without hesitation to achieve what he desired.

If he needed to undertake acts of righteousness to win the world, he would willingly do so. And even if he had to commit the most heinous sins, he won't hesitate.

What he seeked was nothing but desire. A desire burning so darkly that it was pure.

As if it had nothing had happened, Jang Ilso lightly placed his hand on Ho Gakmyung's shoulder, the vitality from his face disappearing.

At that moment, Jang Ilso spoke lightly.

"What is needed now is not something obtainable with wealth. So... before that wealth becomes a useless scrap of paper, it must be used up, don't you think?"

"...I understand."

"Good."

Tak, tak!

Jang Ilso lightly tapped Ho Gakmyung's shoulder twice and turned around. Then, he approached the table and picked up a glass placed on it. After pouring the alcohol in one breath, he said.

"In that sense."

"...Yes?"

Without turning his head, Jang Ilso continued.

"It's starting to get irritating. I don't have the patience to leave the knife behind me forever."

"Are you referring to Southern Island?"

Understanding immediately, Ho Gakmyung nodded.

"Don't worry. I've just received news that the relationship between the Ten Great Sects and the Heavenly Comrade Alliance has become irreparable."

"Hmm?"

"If things go this way, they won't move easily as they'll be restraining each other. In that case, Southern Island will truly be in an isolated position. I will take care of it myself."

"You?"

"If Ryeonju-nim steps in directly with regards to Southern Island, I won't be able to live it down. Please entrust it to me."

"Hmm..."

Jang Ilso let out a slight sigh and raised his head. Soon after, he nodded slowly.

"That's fine. Do as you wish."

"Thank you."

When Ho Gakmyung, who had deeply bowed his head, slowly lifted his head, Jang Ilso had already withdrawn his attention and was looking out the window. He remained motionless, deep in thought.

To avoid disturbing Jang Ilso's contemplation, Ho Gakmyung left the room as quietly as possible. Only when he was far enough away did he increase his pace.

'Southern Island...'

Ho Gakmyung's eyes gleamed coldly.

Until now, he had left Southern Island alone to avoid giving a pretext for those camped across the river to move. In fact, with the power of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, they could have wiped out Southern Island at any time.

'It's time to repay the humiliation received at Plum Blossom Island.'

This was not just revenge against the Ten Great Sects. It was a means to clearly convey to all those who judged them what the words of those resisting the Evil Sect meant.

"In the style of the Evil Sect."

With a cold smile, Ho Gakmyung quickened his pace. A subtle excitement began to emanate from his every step.