Chapter 1342: Go to Rescue (Part 2)

Seo Mun-yu, the financial officer of Ho Gakmyung's department in the Evil Tyrant Alliance, stood at the top of a steep white staircase.

He carefully adjusted his attire, tightening his waistband and lifting the hanging hem of his robe.

"Hoo..."

Only after preparing himself did he slowly ascend the stairs.

Tap. Tap.

The sound of footsteps on the marble echoed all the way to the large square below.

Some said that the existence of these marble stairs reflected Jang Ilso's extravagant taste. Unnecessary stairs. Unnecessary grandeur. A true embodiment of Jang Ilso's unrivaled flamboyance, as known to the world.

'Those who don't know anything.'

If one had climbed these stairs, they would never utter such judgments. Those who faced Jang Ilso, climbing these stairs, would understand the immense tension involved.

Once everyone ascended the pristine path, they were greeted by a vast arena that could not be adequately described as grand.

How could those below truly comprehend the overwhelming impression?

"Hoo..."

He sighed deeply once again. Whether due to the scorching sun or the tension, sweat gathered on his forehead.

"I've come to report to Ryeonju."

The Honggyeon guarding the front of the arena glared at Seo Mun-yu. Jang Ilso's reputation meant that even fellow members of the Myriad Man Manor found facing these hunting dogs, who bared their fangs without distinguishing friend from foe, no easy task.

The Honggyeon scrutinized Seo Mun-yu from head to toe.

Since he was just a secretary, even if he used every means, he wouldn't be able to pluck a single hair from Jang Ilso's body. Nevertheless, they did not ease their tension when facing Seo Mun-yu.

"Enter."

Only after the Honggyeon opened the door did Seo Mun-yu finally reach the arena after a long and tedious process. A faint fragrance wafted into his nose from the incense burner.

The arena was more of a place for imperial meetings than for official duties. In the center of the spacious area was a large throne. And there, lying diagonally on a red cloth embroidered with a golden dragon, was Jang Ilso in resplendent attire.

This arena was by no means large.

Seo Mun-yu realized it anew.

Although the arena seemed vast to the point of desolation, seeing Jang Ilso made it feel cramped. If the arena were narrower than it is now, Jang Ilso's presence might have been suffocating.

Even though it had been several years since Jang Ilso was enshrined here, getting used to this sight was not an easy task.

Swallowing his dry saliva, Seo Mun-yu walked cautiously forward.

It would have been less nerve-wracking to bow and approach with his body lowered, but Jang Ilso did not allow such courtesy within his line of sight. So, there was no choice but to face him directly.

"Ryeonju-nim."

Jang Ilso, who had been lying on the bed-like throne, slowly opened his eyes.

When his pale, seemingly bored light-colored pupils were revealed, Seo Mun-yu shivered as if something was piercing through him.

"R-report... This is the ledger for the material supply."

Seo Mun-yu cautiously extended the ledger in his hand.

At times like these, he resented Ho Gakmyung for leaving his post. Originally, this ledger did not need to be presented to Jang Ilso; it should have been confirmed at Ho Gakmyung's level. However, Ho Gakmyung's absence forced him to present it directly to Jang Ilso.

Jang Ilso's eyes slowly moved to the ledger held in Seo Mun-yu's hand. Staring intently at the ledger, Jang Ilso raised his hand slowly.

At that moment, a servant who had been waiting brought a large seal placed behind him. The symbol of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, the golden dragon intricately carved in gold, wound around the seal. Even the emperor's jade seal seemed less splendid than this.

"The seal, sir."

The servant held out the seal in front of Jang Ilso's hand. Without much care, Jang Ilso took the seal and tossed it towards Seo Mun-yu.

Thud! Thwack!

The precious seal symbolizing the Evil Tyrant Alliance rolled on the inner court floor like a worthless pebble. Cold sweat poured down Seo Mun-yu's back as he looked at the fallen seal.

Was it permissible to touch it with one's hands? Wasn't it inherently disrespectful, and wouldn't it be unspeakable even if one's throat went dry?

However, Jang Ilso seemed indifferent, lazily turning his body as if it didn't matter.

"Just stamp it and leave." 

"Yes...? Yes, Ryeonju-nim!"

Seo Mun-yu vigorously nodded his head. With trembling hands, he carefully picked up the fallen seal. It was as if he feared the golden seal might shatter into pieces.

After constantly wiping away the sweat that kept entering his eyes with his sleeves, he finally stamped the seal with great effort.

It was over. Now he could finally leave this place.

Almost involuntarily, a sigh of relief escaped him. It was truly a breath of relief that lasted only a moment.

However, a little later, Seo Mun-yu raised his head and saw it. Jang Ilso, who had been lying with his back to him, had already turned his gaze back to him.

In an instant, a cold chill ran down Seo Mun-yu's back.

"Hmm."

The corners of Jang Ilso's lips, colored like blood, lightly curled upwards. Jang Ilso, who had been staring at Seo Mun-yu with an expression impossible to fathom, spoke slowly.

"Come here."

"Yes...?"

"Bring that here."

Seo Mun-yu's face turned pale in an instant. Jang Ilso spoke again, this time with a softer smile.

"Hurry."

In the end, as if enchanted, Seo Mun-yu approached Jang Ilso. He cautiously extended the ledger he had been holding, and Jang Ilso, with a slow touch, took it and perused it.

"Hmm."

A strangely laughter-tinged sound emerged.

A moment later, with a thud, Jang Ilso covered the ledger. He looked at Seo Mun-yu and smiled.

"I guess you don't know."

"..."

"This doesn't suit your taste, huh? Even if you look, you won't understand. Do you get what I mean?"

Seo Mun-yu nodded his head repeatedly.

"This Gakmyung, how on earth does he manage such things? The folks at the Myriad Man Manor can never figure it out."

The tone was playful, and the voice was light.

However, Seo Mun-yu seemed to shrink even more. Jang Ilso, who was gazing at him with an inscrutable expression, wasn't smiling in the slightest.

"Tell me."

"W-what do you mean...?"

"Is this ledger accurate?"

"Y-yes, Ryeonju-nim!"

Seo Mun-yu started to pick up the ledger frantically, now turning a bluish color.

Jang Ilso, who hadn't even asked, continued speaking.

"How can there be falsehoods in a report presented to Ryeonju-nim? I've thoroughly checked whether the numbers in the ledger match the current inventory in the warehouse."

"Hmm?"

"T-there was absolutely no negligence! Please believe me. Even the slightest mistake in the numbers recorded in the ledger and the current count of items in the warehouse has been meticulously verified!"

"Is that so?"

"I've been meticulous! Please trust me."

Seo Mun-yu bowed his head as if he were about to squish it. However, seeing Jang Ilso's gaze fixedly staring at him, he cowered even more.

"Tell me."

"W-what else do you want to know...?"

"Is this ledger accurate?"

"Y-yes, Ryeonju-nim!"

Jang Ilso, now with a faint smile, watched Seo Mun-yu hasten to serve.

"It fits exactly, huh?"

The sharpness in Jang Ilso's eyes softened again. Nodding slowly, he seemed somewhat bothered.

"Well, fortunately."

Seo Mun-yu's body relaxed with relief. His attire was now soaked with sweat.

"Gakmyung left, so you must be going through a lot."

"I am doing my best to fill in the Commander's position, even if it's just a small contribution."

"Good answer. But that alone is not enough."

"Yes?"

Jang Ilso grinned.

"Gakmyung's job is not just about matching ledgers. Those who come into direct contact with me need to know me better."

Seo Mun-yu looked at Jang Ilso with eyes that indicated he didn't understand. In response, Jang Ilso's eyes drew a gentle curve.

"Do you understand what I'm trying to say?"

"I, I... do my best..."

"Well, well. You shouldn't if you don't know."

Jang Ilso reached out. The thin, white fingertips and long nails touched Seo Mun-yu's forehead, slowly moving down. From the end of the eyebrow to the cheek.

"Remember this. I don't dislike those who try to deceive me."

"Ryeonju-nim, I..."

"What I don't like is..."

Sting.

Jang Ilso's nail caused a sharp pain on Seo Mun-yu's cheek. The nail had penetrated his skin. However, Seo Mun-yu couldn't even blink.

"Those who can't deceive me."

Jang Ilso's lips at the corner of his mouth brightened strangely. It was truly a bizarre laughter.

Thunk.

The nail gradually dug in deeper. The sensation made Seo Mun-yu's mind infinitely hazy. No, it wasn't the pain that was taking away his consciousness; it might be the fear of what he had to face next.

"Tell me."

Jang Ilso's gaze was chaos itself.

Something uninterpretable was boiling incessantly. It was changing continuously without stopping for a moment.

Just having those eyes in front of him made Seo Mun-yu's heart constrict.

"What Gakmyung is up to..."

Jang Ilso's lips, as red as blood, slightly opened, revealing white teeth.

"Tell me what that kid is trying to do, deceiving even me."

All Seo Mun-yu could do was nod his head incoherently.

After a moment, Jang Ilso, who had leaned back against the throne with his chin, tapped the acupoint on his temple interestingly with his fingertips.

"To Southern Island?"

"Y-yes!"

Seo Mun-yu was now on the verge of collapsing.

Jang Ilso hated formality, but now, he couldn't even remember such things. He could only desperately nod and bow.

"Hmm."

Releasing a faint exhale, Jang Ilso remained silent for a while.

Seo Mun-yu couldn't dare to guess what was going on in his mind. No, he couldn't even attempt to make such a guess.

"Hahaha."

Finally, a small laugh escaped Jang Ilso's mouth. It seemed absurd at first, but then it appeared as if he was genuinely enjoying it.

"What Gakmyung is up to..."

Jang Ilso's voice was certainly more lively than before.

"It's Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword."

Seo Mun-yu swallowed dryly. His tense throat felt as if it were tearing from the strain.

In front of Jang Ilso, there was nothing Seo Mun-yu could do but reveal everything he knew.

However, this cannot be attributed to his fault. After all, hadn't the time that Ho Gakmyung had agreed upon passed?

Besides, it wasn't a situation where he needed to pay attention to Ho Gakmyung's instructions. Despite Ho Gakmyung's admonitions and Seo Mun-yu's position of following the Commander's orders, the fact remains that ultimately, Ho Gakmyung deceived Jang Ilso.

If the one who submitted all these reports was Ho Gakmyung himself, Seo Mun-yu might have been able to avoid his wrath. However, it was not the case now. If Jang Ilso were to get angry, that wrath would be directed entirely at Seo Mun-yu.

All of Seo Mun-yu's attention was focused on Jang Ilso. The wound on his cheek that had already dried up went unnoticed as it reopened, letting blood flow.

However, Jang Ilso, who seemed to have closed his eyes and sunk somewhere deep, remained silent for a long time.

How much time had passed?

After what felt like an eternity to Seo Mun-yu, Jang Ilso opened his eyes.

"Gakmyung..."

With faintly colored irises emitting a mysterious light.

"You did something quite presumptuous. Quite interesting."

Surprisingly, there was not a hint of anger towards Ho Gakmyung in his voice. It was as if he had found an amusing plaything, nothing more.

Jang Ilso slowly got up.

His crimson robe, like blood, stretched out on the floor as he stood.

"Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword...Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword."

Jang Ilso, who had been looking somewhere distant beyond the bowed Seo Mun-yu, smiled quietly. It was a twisted smile.

"If you come out to this extent, I can't help but welcome you, right? Hmm?"

Jang Ilso took a step. Although Seo Mun-yu flinched and lowered his head, Jang Ilso, as if Seo Mun-yu wasn't even worth noticing, walked past him towards the door.

The languor and lethargy that was visible just moments ago were now nowhere to be found. Each step he took was overflowing with power.

Thud!

When he forcefully opened the door with both hands, the waiting Honggyeon all lowered their heads obediently.

Jang Ilso commanded.

"Summon the Leaders. And all the Honggyeon!"

"Yes, Ryeonju-nim!"

The Honggyeon swiftly ran out. Jang Ilso, who had no interest in those who had already departed, stood at the top of the stairs. The vast land unfolded before him, beyond the grand headquarters of the Evil Tyrant Alliance.

"Mount Hua's Chivalrous Sword."

Jang Ilso's two eyes drew a creepy curve.

"It seems the fun is over here, right?"

His eyes portrayed an eerie charm.

A seemingly peaceful world.

However, in Jang Ilso's eyes, it was clearly visible.

From the distant south, the scene of flames rising like blood covered the world.

Once the flames rose, they would not be extinguished until they swallowed the entire world and burned it into ashes.

Never.