Chapter 1642: Are You Happy? (Part 1)

Ho Gakmyung blinked, his hand covering his face.

'Was it a dream?'

It was an old story, long forgotten now.

Vivid memories, tinged with faded edges by the passage of time.

Cold air brushed against his nose. It was still dawn, a time familiar to Ho Gakmyung for waking. He had made efforts not to waste a single day since then.

As he quietly sat up, the blanket slid off his chest.

His gaze fell upon his chest. A body that could be described as somewhat thin, adorned with numerous scars.

Though not comparable to the scars carved into Jang Ilso's body, the scars on Ho Gakmyung's chest vividly testified to the life he had lived since that day.

Surviving beyond all those times, Ho Gakmyung was now preparing for one final battle to seize control beyond Gangnam, extending to Gangbuk.

Thus, he had to ask himself.

'Am I still... ruthless?'

It was a mantra to Ho Gakmyung. Something he must adhere to even if his life were to end.

A means to achieve his goals, yet in some ways, the primary rule preceding those goals.

Ho Gakmyung remained motionless, eyes closed. A heavier silence settled in the room than when he was asleep.

How much time had passed?

When Ho Gakmyung slowly opened his eyes again, they were dark.

Thud.

As he stepped off the bed and opened the door, his attendant approached.

"To eat..."

"No. Prepare my attire."

Ho Gakmyung's cold gaze turned towards the attendant. No, it wasn't aimed at the attendant standing before him but somewhere beyond.

"I must see Ryeonju-nim."

His voice was firmer than ever.

The mansion wasn't large, especially compared to the headquarters of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, making it easy for Ho Gakmyung to reach Jang Ilso's abode.

But upon arriving at Jang Ilso's residence, Ho Gakmyung suddenly halted.

Then he silently looked up at the sky.

Still a long time until sunrise. The night sky remained unchanged since 'that time'. But what about people? Were those under this sky the same as back then?

Countless memories flashed through his mind.

Facing formidable enemies, fiercely battling, enduring life-threatening wounds and wandering through adversity, desperate times fleeing from pursuers, the day when he first proclaimed the name Myriad Man Manor...

Growing up amidst those times, Ho Gakmyung, once a young man from Hongan, was now a middle-aged man, and the insignificant White Ghost Sect, which barely held sway over a small alley in Guizhou, had become the ruler of Gangnam, the Evil Tyrant Alliance.

No one believed it. Not even Ho Gakmyung himself.

But they... Jang Ilso accomplished that miraculous feat. That was why Ho Gakmyung had no regrets.

It wasn't because of their remarkable achievements.

It was because Jang Ilso remained Jang Ilso. If only that were preserved, even if he had remained a mere beggar wandering the alleys of Guizhou until now, Ho Gakmyung would have no regrets.

Because Jang Ilso was still Jang Ilso, Ho Gakmyung could remain Ho Gakmyung.

Therefore...

A faint sigh escaped from Ho Gakmyung's lips. Yet, even as he silently stared at the chamber, he eventually moved forward.

The guards stationed in front of the residence bowed deeply upon seeing Ho Gakmyung. Though they should have pretended to obstruct him at least once.

His complexion hardening in response, Ho Gakmyung silently stood in front of the door.

"Ryeonju-nim. It is Gakmyung."

There was no reply.

Nevertheless, without waiting, Ho Gakmyung grasped the door handle. The guards flinched, but they didn't attempt to stop him.

Entering Ryeonju's quarters without permission was an act punishable by death on the spot. However, within the vast Evil Tyrant Alliance, only one person, Ho Gakmyung, was exempt from that rule. The guards naturally understood this fact.

Click.

The firmly closed door swung open, and the cold night air poured into the room. Ho Gakmyung entered without a hint of hesitation, closing the door behind him.

The air inside was so dense with darkness that it felt oppressive, illuminated only by struggling candle flames.

The scene overlapped with the moment when he first met Jang Ilso in his dreams. Though the atmosphere here was much cleaner than the bleak space back then, the air in this room was eerily reminiscent of that dry and desolate feeling.

Ho Gakmyung's gaze reflexively focused on one place.

In the deep darkness where the small lamp failed to reach, among the deepest and thickest shadows.

Soon, amidst the flickering lanterns tinged with a crimson hue, a blue ghostly light emerged.

Even Ho Gakmyung momentarily caught his breath. It was an eerie flame, intertwining with inexplicable emotions, as if burning chaotically.

"Ryeonju-nim."

Jang Ilso was there. In a place not much different from where Ho Gakmyung had seen him in the past.

"Is it you?"

"Yes."

Ho Gakmyung nodded.

"What brings you here at this hour?"

Ho Gakmyung didn't immediately respond.

Soon, the ghostly light swayed gently.

Accompanied by footsteps, Jang Ilso emerged from the dim light. Clad in plain white attire, without any makeup. He was familiar to Ho Gakmyung... But now, Jang Ilso seemed somewhat unfamiliar.

Watching Jang Ilso emerge from a corner far from the bed, Ho Gakmyung asked.

"You didn't sleep?"

"Just woke up a bit early."

"...Is that so?"

"What's the matter?"

There was a hint of a growl in Jang Ilso's voice. Such roughness was familiar to Ho Gakmyung, yet also unfamiliar.

Ho Gakmyung simply kept his gaze fixed on the place where Jang Ilso was. A corner of the room devoid of any furnishings. The most desolate spot in this space.

"Why don't you get some rest?"

Jang Ilso closed his mouth and looked at Ho Gakmyung. It was only a moment of silence, yet the pause was enough for Ho Gakmyung to notice that Jang Ilso's voice had softened noticeably.

"I just had a lot on my mind."

It was the familiar voice and gestures that Ho Gakmyung knew.

"I just needed some time to sort things out. But more importantly... What was it? I asked, didn't I? How many more times do I need to ask before you answer?"

"I came only to ensure Ryeonju-nim's well-being."

"Well-being?"

"Yes."

Jang Ilso pierced Ho Gakmyung with his gaze, then burst into laughter.

"...Am I being immature, or are you acting like an old man? Constantly worrying about every little thing."

Jang Ilso walked slowly and sat down in a chair.

"Care for some tea? Or perhaps some alcohol?"

"No, thank you."

"How dull. Sit down. Looking up strains my neck."

But Ho Gakmyung simply continued to gaze silently at Jang Ilso instead of taking the indicated seat. Jang Ilso narrowed his eyes.

"...Seems like you didn't just come here to check on me."

"..."

"If you have something to say, say it. Or should I continue waiting?"

Ho Gakmyung strained to fully decipher Jang Ilso's gaze directed at him. Soft affection and firm trust. And...

"Ryeonju-nim. Do you remember?"

Jang Ilso furrowed his brows lightly, as if questioning the sudden remark.

Ho Gakmyung continued calmly.

"I had a dream."

"A dream?"

"Yes. The time when I first met Ryeonju-nim."

At that, Jang Ilso chuckled.

"Even dreaming about good memories."

"At that time, Ryeonju-nim entrusted me. Always remain ruthless. At any moment."

Ho Gakmyung closed and opened his eyes, almost imperceptibly.

"That statement has been my first principle for me. Although sometimes I couldn't uphold it due to my lack of ability, I have always strived to maintain that ruthlessness."

Jang Ilso nodded lightly in response.

"That's right."

"Now I understand. Why Ryeonju-nim gave me such an instruction. What you wanted from me. So, I have one question. Did I live up to Ryeonju-nim's expectations?"

Jang Ilso looked at Ho Gakmyung with a slightly more suspicious gaze.

"That seems rather out of the blue. Why are you asking this?"

"Is it difficult to answer?"

Jang Ilso let out a deep sigh and pressed his temple.

"Alright. You've... exceeded my expectations. If it weren't for you, I would have become a forgotten skeleton, decaying somewhere in Guizhou. Well, that wouldn't have been such a bad life either."

Ho Gakmyung nodded calmly.

"Today, I woke up and reflected on myself. Am I still ruthless?"

"..."

"The answer was 'no.'"

Ho Gakmyung's eyes sank deeply.

"Even though I should be ruthless, I couldn't. That's why I am now determined to be ruthless. It's the first thing you demanded of me, and above all, it's what should take precedence."

Jang Ilso showed a hint of fatigue.

"The preamble seems particularly long today. So, what do you want to say?"

"Then, how about you, Ryeonju-nim?"

"...What?"

Ho Gakmyung met his gaze squarely.

"What I demanded of you, Ryeonju-nim, wasn't relentless dedication, unwavering will, or overwhelming strength. Just one thing...have some leisure."

Jang Ilso's expression stiffened slightly.

"So, I ask you. Do you have leisure now? Are you behaving like someone who already possesses it, rather than striving to obtain it?"

In Ho Gakmyung's chilling question, Jang Ilso's eyes flickered faintly.

"Answer, Gakmyung. What do you mean?"

Raw, unfiltered emotions seeped through his voice, much like the first time Ho Gakmyung had seen Jang Ilso.

Ho Gakmyung took a short breath and stared directly at Jang Ilso.

"Why do you think I consider myself unable to be ruthless?"

"...I told you to answer, didn't I?"

"I'll ignore the first question."

"What?"

Ho Gakmyung's face was completely rigid, almost glaring at Jang Ilso.

"Does Ryeonju have leisure?"

"..."

"...No. That's fine too. I'll ask again, Ryeonju."

Ho Gakmyung's eyes overlapped with Jang Ilso's.

The ruler of Gangnam, Paegun, who had everything, and the young Jang Ilso, who was still growing.

Two seemingly similar but different individuals.

Although time had passed and they seemed unchanged, there was one thing that was unmistakably different.

"So, are you happy?"

Jang Ilso's face momentarily changed, his pupils turning a vivid blue. It was a clear hostility that he had never shown to Ho Gakmyung before.