Chapter 1342
I am going to save them. (2)
Sapaeryeon’s Head of Financial Affairs, Seo Munyu, stood in front of the towering white staircase, shrouded in darkness.
He meticulously adjusted his attire, tightening his belt and straightening his drooping collar.
“Hoo…”
Only after completing his preparations he started climbing the stairs slowly.
Thud. Thud.
The sound of his footsteps on the marble resonated throughout the large square below.
Some say the existence of this marble staircase reflects the distinct bad taste of Jang Ilso. Unnecessary extravagance. Unnecessary grandeur. It’s said to be a testament to Jang Ilso’s unparalleled flamboyance as known to the world.
‘Those who know nothing.’
Those who have personally climbed these stairs would never utter such evaluations. Only those who understand the immense tension one feels when going up these stairs to face Jang Ilso can truly comprehend.
After climbing the immaculate white steps, one is met with a grandiose spectacle beyond mere words – a massive hall that dwarfs the ascending figure.
How could those below possibly comprehend the overwhelming sense of it?
“Hoo…”
Once again, a deep sigh escaped. Whether due to the scorching sun or the tension, beads of sweat dotted his forehead.
“I’ve come to report to Ryeonju.”
Red Dogs guarding the entrance of the hall stared at Seo Munyu with gleaming eyes. These hunting dogs, known for baring their fangs at both foe and friend alike, were not easy to face, even for those within Maninbang.
The gaze of the Red Dogs scrutinized Seo Munyu from head to toe.
Though he was just a humble scholar, no matter what he did, he would not be able to put even a scratch on Jang Ilso’s body, but even so, Red Dogs did not relax against Seo Munyu.
“Enter.”
Only after they opened the door could Seo Munyu finally complete the long and arduous process and enter the main hall. The subtle scent wafting from the lit incense tickled his nose.
The main hall served more as a place for audiences than for official duties. In the vast space, a large jade throne was placed at the center. And there, adorned in a luxurious red robe embroidered with golden dragons, lay Jang Ilso.
This main hall was by no means small.
Seo Munyu realized this anew.
What had seemed vast and spacious now felt cramped upon seeing the figure of Ryeonju. If the hall had been any smaller, the presence of Jang Ilso would have been suffocating.
Even after several years of serving Jang Ilso, Seo Munyu never got used to the nerve-wracking experience.
Swallowing dryly, Seo Munyu cautiously walked forward.
It might have been less nerve-wracking to kneel and approach, but Jang Ilso didn’t allow such things within his sight. Thus, there was no choice but to face him directly.
“Ryeonju.”
Jang Ilso, who was lying on the bed-like throne, slowly opened his eyes.
As Seo Munyu glimpsed the languid and indifferent light in Jang Ilso’s pale eyes, he felt a shiver as if something were piercing through him.
“Th-the report… It’s about the ledger of supply inventory.”
Seo Munyu carefully extended the ledger he held in his hand.
Seo Munyu couldn’t help but resent the absent Ho Gamyeong at times like this. Originally, this ledger should have been verified with Ho Gamyeong’s without the need for Jang Ilso’s involvement. However, due to Ho Gamyeong’s absence, Seo Munyu had no choice but to present it directly to Jang Ilso.
As Jang Ilso’s gaze slowly shifted to the ledger in Seo Munyu’s hand, he raised his hand lazily.
At that moment, a servant, who had been waiting, cautiously brought forward a large seal that had been placed behind him. The surface of the seal, symbolizing the authority of Sapaeryeon, was intricately carved with a golden dragon. It seemed more splendid than even the emperor’s seal.
“I have verified it.”
The servant held the seal right in front of Jang Ilso’s hand. With a careless gesture, he picked up the seal and tossed it towards Seo Munyu.
Thud! Clatter!
The precious treasure, symbolizing Sapaeryeon, rolled across the floor like a worthless pebble. As Seo Munyu stared at the fallen seal, cold sweat dripped down his back.
Was it even appropriate to touch it with his hands? Wasn’t it inherently blasphemous, leaving him speechless?
But Jang Ilso seemed indifferent, casually turning his body to lie down as if it didn’t matter.
“Just make it quick and leave.”
“Yes… Yes, Ryeonju!”
Seo Munyu vigorously nodded his head.
With trembling hands, he unfolded the ledger and carefully picked up the fallen seal from the floor, handling it as delicately as he could, as if it could break.
After repeatedly wiping the sweat from his brow and brushing away the droplets that kept creeping into his eyes with his sleeves, he finally managed to stamp the seal with great effort.
It’s done.
Now, he could barely leave this place.
Unknowingly, a sigh of relief escaped his lips briefly. Truly, it was a sigh that lasted only a moment.
But shortly after, when he lifted his head, Seo Munyu noticed something. The gaze of Jang Ilso, who had been lying on his throne, had suddenly returned to him.
For a moment, a cold chill ran down Seo Munyu’s spine as Jang Ilso’s attention seemed to pierce through him.
“Hmm.”
The corners of Jang Ilso’s lips, dyed red like blood, curved up lightly. With an expression impossible to interpret, Jang Ilso, who had been staring intently at Seo Munyu, spoke slowly.
“Come here.”
“Yes?”
“Bring that here.”
Seo Munyu’s face turned pale in an instant. Jang Ilso spoke a bit more gently.
“Hurry.”
In the end, Seo Munyu approached Jang Ilso as if in a trance. He carefully offered the ledger he had been holding, which Jang Ilso took with a slow hand and began to look through it.
“Hmm.”
A strangely amused sound escaped him.
Moments later, with a thud, Jang Ilso closed the ledger and looked at Seo Munyu with a smile.
“I don’t know.”
“…”
“This sort of thing doesn’t suit everyone’s temperament. Some just can’t grasp it, no matter how hard they try. Do you understand what I mean?”
Seo Munyu nodded continuously.
“How does Ho Gamyeong manages to do this kind of thing? I’ll never understand those folks well versed in bureaucracy.”
It was a playful tone with a light voice.
But Seo Munyu, on the contrary, hunched over more. Jang Ilso’s gaze fixed on him wasn’t the least bit amused.
“Tell me.”
“W-What… do you mean…?”
“Is this ledger accurate?”
“Y-Yes, of course, Ryeonju!”
Seo Munyu began to hastily speak and answer the questions that haven’t been asked, his face turning pale blue.
“How dare I present falsehoods in the ledger I brought to Ryeonju? Not a single digit or grain of sand is amiss in the ledger! I’ve meticulously verified that every number recorded in the ledger matches precisely with the current inventory within the compound!”
“Hmm?”
“Not a single bit of negligence! Please trust me.”
Seo Munyu bowed his head as if he had been stabbed. Seeing this, Jang Ilso let out a strange chuckle.
“Matches precisely…”
Jang Ilso’s sharp eyes softened again. Slowly nodding his head, he seemed to be bored by everything again.
“Well, that’s a relief then.”
Seo Munyu felt a wave of relief wash over him. His clothes were now damp with sweat.
“You must have had a hard time with Gamyeong being absent.”
“I’m doing my best to fill in for the commander’s duties, however modestly.”
“That’s a good answer. But it’s not enough.”
“Uh… Yes?”
Jang Ilso grinned mischievously.
“Gamyung’s job isn’t just about matching ledgers. Those who interact directly with me need to know better.”
Seo Munyu looked at Jang Ilso with a puzzled expression. In response, Jang Ilso’s eyes drew a soft arc.
“Do you understand what I’m trying to say?”
“I, uh… well…”
“Ah, never mind. It’s okay if you don’t know.”
Jang Ilso reached out his hand. His thin, white fingers, with long nails, touched Seo Munyu’s forehead before slowly trailing down, grazing the end of his eyebrows to his cheek.
“Remember this. I don’t hate everyone who tries to deceive me.”
“Bu… But, Ryeonju. I…”
“What I don’t appreciate is…”
Sharp.
Seo Munyu felt a sharp pain where Jang Ilso’s nail touched his cheek. It had pierced his skin. Yet, Seo Munyu couldn’t even blink.
“But these are the things that cannot fool me.”
Jang Ilso’s mouth twisted into a chillingly bright smile. It was a truly sinister laugh.
Thunk.
The nail dug in deeper and deeper. The sensation left Seo Munyu’s mind in a haze of endless confusion. No, it wasn’t just the pain that was clouding his mind, but perhaps the fear of what he might have to face ahead.
“Speak.”
Jang Ilso’s gaze was pure chaos.
Something indecipherable simmered within it, constantly churning, never ceasing to change.
Just having those eyes in front of him made his heart tighten incessantly.
“What schemes is Gamyeong plotting…”
Jang Ilso’s blood-red lips parted slightly, revealing white teeth.
“…to deceive even me?”
All Seo Munyu could do was nod his head frantically, his mind racing.
After a moment.
Seated on the throne, leaning back with his chin in hand, Jang Ilso tapped his temple as if he became interested.
“Is it Haenam?”
“Y-Yes, indeed!”
Seo Munyu felt like his head was about to touch the ground.
He knew Jang Ilso disliked formalities, but right now, he didn’t even have the capacity to consider such things. All he could do was desperately bow lower and lower.
“Hmm.”
Jang Ilso let out a faint chuckle but remained silent for a while.
Seo Munyu couldn’t dare to guess what was going on in his mind. No, he couldn’t even attempt to guess.
“Ha…. Hahahaha!”
Gradually, a small chuckle escaped from Jang Ilso’s lips. It seemed absurd, yet at the same time, oddly enjoyable.
“…So, what’s been going on.”
Jang Ilso’s voice was noticeably more animated than before.
“It’s Hwasan Geomhyeop.”
Seo Munyu swallowed dryly. His throat felt as if it would tear from tension.
In front of Jang Ilso, there was no choice but to lay everything bare. He had to reveal everything he knew.
But this couldn’t be attributed to his own fault. After all, hadn’t the agreed-upon time with Ho Gamyeong already passed?
And it wasn’t a situation where he needed to heed Ho Gamyeong’s instructions. Despite Ho Gamyeong’s urging and Seo Munyu’s position of having to follow his orders, the fact remained that ultimately, Ho Gamyeong had deceived Jang Ilso.
If the one who submitted all these reports was Ho Gamyeong himself, Seo Munyu might have been able to avoid his wrath. But not now. If Jang Ilso were to be enraged, that anger would be directed entirely at Seo Munyu, who was present in this very place.
Seo Munyu’s every nerve was focused on Jang Ilso. He didn’t even notice the blood flowing from the reopened wound on his cheek, which had dried long ago.
However, Jang Ilso remained silent, as if he had already closed his eyes and sunk into a deep place.
How much time had passed?
It felt like an eternity to Seo Munyu before Jang Ilso finally opened his eyes.
“Gamyeong-ah… has done quite the audacious thing. Quite amusing, I must say.”
His light-colored eyes emitted a peculiar gleam.
Surprisingly, there was not a hint of anger in his voice regarding Ho Gamyeong. It was filled with a peculiar enthusiasm, like a child finding an intriguing toy.
Jang Ilso slowly rose to his feet, his crimson robe cascading down to the floor.
“Hwasan Geomhyeop… Hwasan Geomhyeop.”
Gazing beyond the prostrated Seo Munyu, Jang Ilso chuckled softly, his laughter twisted in a peculiar way.
“If he has come to me like this, I can’t help but welcome him. Hmm?”
Jang Ilso began to stride away. Seo Munyu, startled, lowered his head, but Jang Ilso paid him no heed as he made his way towards the door.
The lethargy and languor seen just moments ago were completely washed away. With each step, his stride exuded power.
Thunk!
As he swung the door open with both hands, the waiting Red Dogs lowered their heads obediently.
Jang Ilso commanded.
“Summon the Danjus and all of the Red Dogs!”
“Yes, Ryeonju!”
Red Dogs swiftly dashed out. Jang Ilso, paying no attention to those already departing, stood at the top of the stairs. Beyond the grand headquarters of Sapaeryeon spread out the vast expanse of Gangnam.
“Hwasan Geomhyeop.”
Jang Ilso’s eyes drew a sinister line.
“No more of accepting this foolish behavior.”
In a world that seemed endlessly peaceful, Jang Ilso’s eyes saw it clearly.
They beheld the sight of bloody flames rising in the distant south, engulfing the world.
Once ignited, those flames would not be extinguished until they had devoured the entire world, leaving behind nothing but ashes.
Never.
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