Chapter 1304
What the heck is this guy? (4)
Jeok Ho held his breath.
He didn’t dare to lift his head to gauge Jang Ilso’s reaction.
People generally assumed that the greatest challenge of serving Jang Ilso stemmed from his brutal demeanor, which required them to constantly be on guard.
But that was a misconception born out of unawareness of both Jang Ilso and Maninbang.
The most awkward aspect of serving Jang Ilso up close wasn’t the need to gauge his mood and adjust one’s demeanor accordingly.
Rather, it was the impossibility of distinguishing his mood that made it uncomfortable.
It was the same now.
Superficially, Jang Ilso appeared to be angry.
Although he hadn’t reached the point of anger, he certainly seemed displeased at the very least.
However, Jeok Ho had observed Jang Ilso for quite some time.
He knew well how futile it was to try to understand the man behind the outward appearance.
No matter what Jang Ilso showed on the surface, no one could know what lay beneath.
“He’s deceiving me…”
Laughter tinged Jang Ilso’s voice.
“…That Gamyeong, huh?”
Jeok Ho waited for his response without even making a sound.
There was no need for further thought.
All necessary reports had been completed.
Now, all that was left was to await Jang Ilso’s judgment.
Eventually, Jang Ilso’s gruff voice pierced through Jeok Ho’s ears.
“So, is that all?”
Jeok Ho slowly lifted his head without saying a word.
Though instinctively he tried to gauge Jang Ilso’s expression, half obscured by steam, it appeared as bored as ever.
“Not even worth making a fuss over, tsk tsk.”
“Ryeonju.”
“Is anyone there?”
“Yes, Ryeonju!”
A young attendant who had been waiting promptly rushed over.
In his hands, he carried a tray with liquor and cups.
Jang Ilso chuckled approvingly.
“Quick on your feet, aren’t you?”
The attendant’s face flushed slightly at the praise.
Jang Ilso poured himself a drink with a leisurely hand and raised the glass.
“When you’re done, you may leave.”
Jeok Ho’s fingertips trembled slightly.
As he had already anticipated, his task was complete.
Reporting what he had uncovered was his duty, and any judgment regarding it was solely Jang Ilso’s prerogative.
He dared not interject.
Yet Jeok Ho couldn’t easily withdraw.
Jang Ilso took another slow sip of his drink, his eyes fixed on Jeok Ho with a curious expression.
“Is there a problem?”
Jeok Ho hesitated before responding.
“Or perhaps, would you care for a drink together?”
“Ryeonju…”
He took a deep breath before continuing, knowing he was treading on thin ice but feeling compelled to speak up.
“I am aware of your unwavering trust in commander, Ryeonju. However, this matter is not one that can be easily dismissed.”
Jang Ilso regarded Jeok Ho with a hint of amusement as he listened to his words.
Jeok Ho remained composed as he continued.
“If it were only the minor sects involved, we could wait and see if there is any justification. However, personal contact with Haomun clearly crosses a line.”
There was a flicker of intensity in Jeok Ho’s eyes.
“Depending on the interpretation, it could be seen as engaging in unacceptable actions.”
Their gazes met, the air thick with tension between them. After a moment of silence, Jang Ilso let out a small chuckle.
“Unacceptable actions, you say?”
A sinister gleam emanated from his eyes.
“And what exactly does that imply?”
Jeok Ho bit his lip tightly.
“Ryeonju, the authority granted to the commander is extensive. While the authority to mobilize the martial sects lies solely with you, as you know, commander can act on behalf of Ryeonju. So, isn’t it possible for him to move the minor sects independently?”
“…So?”
“In other words…”
Jeok Ho spoke as if chewing his words.
“If commander were to join forces with Haomun with different intentions, based on his authority, inciting rebellion wouldn’t be too difficult for him.”
For a moment, Jang Ilso stared blankly at Jeok Ho, as if receiving an unexpected blow.
Jeok Ho swallowed dryly, waiting for his reaction to follow.
“…Rebellion?”
“…”
“Ha… hahaha.”
“….”
“R-Rebellion? …Hahaha! Oh, haha!”
The laughter, starting softly, grew more intense. So much so that the drink in the cup spilled into the tub as Jang Ilso shook with laughter.
“Hahaha!”
He held onto his stomach with one hand, laughing like that for quite some time.
He managed to stifle his laughter, wiping away the tears that had welled up with his fingers.
“Ah… I can’t remember the last time I laughed like this…”
Jang Ilso, with a twinkle still in his eyes, spoke gently.
“It was really fun. So, it’s time for you to leave now.”
“Ryeonju…”
Jang Ilso leaned back against the bath wall with a languid expression.
“Of course, you’re just doing your duty, but you should also consider my perspective. It’s amusing to indulge in meaningless tasks sometimes. Believing that Gaemyeong is behind a rebellion… I’d sooner believe that old man Beop Jong is growing hair on his head.”
“But this matter…”
“Enough.”
For a moment, Jeok Ho flinched.
When he looked up, he noticed that the emotion, if there had been any, had vanished from Jang Ilso’s eyes as if washed away.
Despite knowing it couldn’t be true, the air suddenly felt chilly and eerie.
“I don’t think you’re slandering Gaemyeong. But… you need to think about what you say.”
“I…”
“It was none other than me who granted Gaemyeong that authority.”
Jang Ilso chuckled, his lips regaining a flush of color.
“And you’re implying that my choice was wrong. Do you understand?”
“I… I didn’t mean…”
“I know you didn’t.”
Jang Ilso’s eyes curved like a crescent moon.
“If that was your intention, this water wouldn’t still be so clear,”
he said, sending shivers down Jeok Ho’s spine. For a moment, he imagined the transparent water turning crimson with his own blood pouring out of his body.
“Anyway, it’s commendable. I understand your intentions well enough, so leave it at that.”
But Jeok Ho remained stubbornly in place. Jang Ilso sighed and refilled his empty glass with liquor. As earnest as it was, dealing with those whose determination outweighed their reason was quite bothersome.
“Ryeonju.”
“You still have something to say?”
Jang Ilso asked.
“It’s not to discuss intentions, but rather to discuss the danger.”
“Danger?”
“Yes. Human hearts are not something we can see through. So, shouldn’t we just consider the facts? With the forces led by commander, the southern minor sects, and the power of Haomun combined, they become a formidable threat to you, Ryeonju.”
Jeok Ho paused for a moment before continuing.
“What I’m wary of isn’t commander exactly, but rather Cheon Myeon Susa. If he’s behind all of this…”
It would be an extremely rare occurrence, perhaps even a one-in-a-million chance. Yet, if such a thing were to happen, it would be irreversible.
While it might not seem easy to confront Jang Ilso outwardly, what mattered was that the forces at play were possibly orchestrated by Cheon Myeon Susa and Ho Gamyeong. Without certainty, they would never move easily. In the worst-case scenario… it might already be a situation beyond reversal.
“So, we need to act quickly…”
“Hmm.”
However, Jang Ilso continued to look calmly at the liquor in his cup, wearing a strange smile. Without a hint of wavering, he looked at the liquor and asked.
“Is Gaemyeong conspiring with Cheon Myeon Susa?”
“…”
“And targeting me?”
“Well, not to that extent…”
“Then what’s the alternative? Death.”
Startled for a moment, Jeok Ho quickly raised his head. With widened eyes, he asked.
“R-Ryeonju?”
“Why?”
“Oh, n-no… Why would you say such a thing…”
“Don’t act like a child.”
Jang Ilso’s smile deepened, a wise smile as if facing an enemy, yet his voice remained composed.
“If I misjudge someone, isn’t it fair for them to have their say even in my death?”
“Do you trust commander to that extent?”
“No.”
Jang Ilso replied seeming totally uninterested.
“It’s the same for you. It’s my task, my authority. If that authority targets me, I have no choice but to yield.”
“As for that authority…”
“That’s out of the question. I’m not a god. If I try to control everything, I’ll end up as nothing more than a person who’s reached their limit.”
His lips, reddened with a flush, parted to reveal white teeth.
“Isn’t it better to die from a knife in the back while advancing forward than to rot away sitting in one place? Isn’t that so?”
“…”
“Now, leave.”
Jeok Ho let out a deep sigh.
“If… If I do, at least send me to Guangdong. I’ll verify it with my own eyes.”
“No, you can’t.”
“Why…”
“If you suspect even a little, you’ll try to hunt Gaemyeong down, no matter what he’s doing.”
“…”
“There must be a reason why Gaemyeong is moving like this. It won’t harm me. So just leave it be.”
After finishing his words, Jang Ilso slowly took a sip of his drink.
Jeok Ho’s face was blank. Even he, who sincerely pledged allegiance to Jang Ilso, sometimes couldn’t understand him at all.
“I’ll leave.”
Jeok Ho said quietly, looking at Jang Ilso, who remained silent. Slowly, he left the bathroom behind.
Catching a glimpse of his departing figure, Jang Ilso turned his head and smiled faintly at the young attendant before asking.
“Is there any other liquor prepared?”
“I-I’ll bring it right away, Ryeonju!”
“Oh, don’t rush. Don’t run. The floor here is slippery. You might get hurt,”
Jang Ilso said softly, watching the young attendant rush out.
The steam hung in the air, forming droplets of water. Gazing at it intently, he muttered softly.
“Gamyeong-ah…”
Was Ho Gamyeong plotting treason? There was no need to even consider such thing from the outset.
And even if such a thing were to happen, it wouldn’t matter.
Death would be the end of it.
However, it seemed certain that Ho Gamyeong was scheming something. And not only that, but he was doing so without reporting to Jang Ilso, and even ignoring the orders Jang Ilso had issued first.
What could Ho Gamyeong possibly be up to that required such extreme measures?
“Are you willing to risk your life for it?”
Jang Ilso absentmindedly ran his fingertips over his lips.
He slowly ran his lips horizontally and murmured,
“There’s something there, isn’t it? Right?”
And that something would probably be as dangerous and enticing to Jang Ilso as it gets.
Since Ho Gamyeong seemed willing to do whatever it takes to eliminate it.
One word came to Jang Ilso’s mind.
But that could never be there.
Lost in thought, Jang Ilso chuckled softly. Something that couldn’t be there when it had already happened – what was odd about its presence?
“Hm.”
His eyes shimmered.
“I suppose I should look into it.”
The corners of his mouth lifted ever so slightly.
Comments