Chapter 1127: This is Hell, This Place (Part 2)

"Too great?"

"Yes."

Ho Gakmyung spoke with a stern face.

"Just the ones executed today are not to be called insignificant. They were individuals who held certain positions in the Black Ghost Castle and Su Lo Chae, weren't they?"

"Oh, really?"

Jang Ilso seemed indifferent, as if he didn't care about such things. Ho Gakmyung had expected this reaction. However, it was still his duty to say what needed to be said.

"If we dismiss such individuals... ultimately, we cannot avoid the weakening of our overall strength."

"Hmm."

Jang Ilso glanced toward the door and muttered something unrelated.

"I did say to come slowly, but it would be nice if she brought some liquor first."

"Ryeonju-nim."

A sigh escaped from Ho Gakmyung's lips.

"It's not that I don't know what Ryeonju-nim is thinking. However, as you know, our situation is not that relaxed. The power these executed individuals possessed is regrettable, but even more regrettable are the administrative gaps that will arise when they are gone. It will take quite some time to fill those gaps."

Only then did Jang Ilso look directly at Ho Gakmyung. His light-colored eyes remained indifferent. Ho Gakmyung swallowed dryly and continued.

"It's not about trying to oppose Ryeonju-nim's intentions. It's just... for the sake of Ryeonju-nim and the Evil Tyrant Alliance, I wanted to ask if it would be possible to reduce the number of those to be executed a bit."

"Hmm."

"They are already terrified. If Ryeonju-nim shows mercy, they wouldn't dare to oppose Ryeonju-nim again."

"Gakmyung, Gakmyung."

"Yes, Ryeonju-nim."

"I always feel this way."

"Yes."

Jang Ilso gave a strange smile as he looked at Ho Gakmyung.

"You don't seem to fit with the Evil Sect."

"...Yes?"

Ho Gakmyung's eyes widened at the absurd statement. If such words came from anyone other than Jang Ilso, people would have burst into laughter upon hearing that the stern and authoritarian Ho Gakmyung didn't fit with the Evil Sect.

"What..."

"Aren't I right?"

Jang Ilso chuckled.

"Those Evil Sect guys asking for mercy, they won't resist again if mercy is shown?"

"But that's..."

"I know."

Jang Ilso smiled, then sighed.

"Once you've seen something frightening, you probably won't have the courage to resist again."

"Yes, I..."

"But here's the thing."

Jang Ilso, with a firm tone, narrowed his eyes sharply.

"People aren't as wise as you think. Most, after learning a lesson, don't reflect on that lesson; instead, they forget it shortly afterward."

"..."

"And then, they twist it into something favorable for themselves. Those who opposed Jang Ilso eventually got away and survived, so wouldn't it be okay to try again?"

Ho Gakmyung tightly sealed his lips.

"Right. That's human nature. Especially those of the Evil Sect."

Jang Ilso waved his hand dismissively. It seemed nauseating just to think about it.

"Humans easily forget favors, but they never forget grudges. However, there's something they can't forget more than grudges. Do you know what that is?"

"..."

"It's fear deep in their bones. The fear ingrained in their very being. The fear that resisting alone would be a better death. I have a fear that I can never overcome, even more than grudges."

"..."

"What drives people is precisely that intense fear."

"Ryeonju-nim."

Ho Gakmyung, looking at Jang Ilso in silence, finally spoke. He knew that asking was meaningless, but it was just his pure curiosity about Jang Ilso.

"Don't you trust your subordinates?"

"You're saying interesting things."

Jang Ilso chuckled heartily.

"There are no trustworthy people in the world. Do you believe in those leech-like bastards? Rather than trusting them, I'd rather believe in the righteous sect hypocrites. At least they are not fickle. They're as straightforward as a cow."

A sigh escaped from Ho Gakmyung's lips. The answer felt unexpectedly disheartening, making the situation even more stifling.

"However, Ryeonju-nim, I am not advising you to be kind to them. Shouldn't we use even such vermin-like individuals as necessary?"

"Of course, that's true. If we left only human-like beings alone, then the Evil Tyrant Alliance would have only you left."

Jang Ilso gave a strange smile.

"How about it? Do you want to try it again, just the two of us, like in the past? In those days when we had nothing and it was harsh?"

As Jang Ilso spoke of the past, a rare smile appeared on Ho Gakmyung's lips.

"To be honest, it doesn't seem that bad... but we can't go back, can we?"

"Yeah, that's right. It's regrettable. Gakmyung, we've come too far."

"But isn't that what Ryeonju-nim wanted?"

"Of course."

Jang Ilso doesn't fall into regret. He doesn't long for the past. His gaze is always towards tomorrow, not the past, and towards a higher place than this.

It's strange.

Jang Ilso has obtained many things. Many things that once felt like dreams... no, rather, many things that felt like delusions have become reality, and he forcibly trampled them underfoot.

But Jang Ilso's life is not much different from the past.

From a lowly beggar, he became the leader of Myriad Man Manor, and eventually became the Lord of the Evil Tyrant Alliance. The only things that changed for Jang Ilso were that his dwelling became a bit more extravagant and the alcohol he drank became a bit more expensive. These were things that could have been achieved without becoming the Ryeonju of the Evil Tyrant Alliance.

Yet, Jang Ilso was devouring everything as if seeking desire itself.

"So shouldn't we find a way to utilize even those people? Even if it's a rusty knife, it's better than nothing."

Jang Ilso help up a white liquor glass at eye level and spoke quietly.

"Gakmyung."

"Yes, Ryeonju-nim."

"Isn't power like a sword?"

"...A sword, you say?"

"Yeah, that's right. Do you know what's important when making a good sword?"

"...Using good steel."

"That's right."

"But if all you have is inferior steel, isn't it basic to make use of that inferior steel?"

"Of course. However, surprisingly, when it comes to making a good sword, the most important thing isn't the material."

"Then?"

"It's not being greedy."

..."

Ho Gakmyung furrowed his brow slightly. Understanding Jang Ilso's words wasn't easy.

"Let's say you have one piece of steel for making a sword and a bit more as a spare. How would you go about making a sword with that?"

"Well..."

Ho Gakmyung gave a very practical response.

"Use one piece of steel for the sword blade, and the remaining piece for the hilt. Otherwise, mix it into the scabbard...."

"Yeah, that's right."

Jang Ilso also nodded, as if acknowledging the correctness of the statement. However, what he said next was somewhat different from Ho Gakmyung's expectation.

"In that case, the sword would be ruined."

"...What?"

Jang Ilso chuckled as if finding it amusing.

"If one piece of steel goes into the hilt, the weight of the sword changes. It deviates from the ideal weight. If you mix one piece into the scabbard, which is meant to protect the sword, it becomes unnecessarily tough. Then, the blade may get damaged and become useless."

"..."

"The best method is to make the sword with one piece of steel and discard the rest. Well, you could sell it."

Jang Ilso turned the liquor bottle upside down. Watching a drop of liquor fall, he sighed and continued.

"But, you see, most people can't bring themselves to discard that extra piece of steel. Those who use it for the scabbard or the hilt, as you said, are relatively better off. However, most people do something else. Do you know what?"

"I... don't know."

"They put that spare piece of steel right into the blade."

"..."

"It's nothing more than trash, more expensive only in terms of value than a cheap iron sword. Yet people swing it around as if it were a great sword. They don't know or perhaps can't let go of the fact that using that sword undermines their own skill. Or maybe they know but can't give up their greed."

A sigh escaped from Ho Gakmyung.

"Are they the spare steel?"

"Yeah, they are."

Jang Ilso slowly stood up.

"Greed, you see, is like that. When you know it's practically useless and even hard to sell, you should immediately discard it. But people can't bring themselves to do it. They think that even such steel might come in handy someday."

"..."

"Power is like spare steel; you can't forget it and let it go. Just by existing, it can control me. Do you understand?"

"Ryeonju-nim."

"I don't need spare things that would make me rusty. Power should fit perfectly in my hands like a good sword. Swinging around a sword with impurities, swinging it without proper control... That's what fools do. Those who are unwieldy and move recklessly... they need to be eliminated, whether by cutting their throats or burning them alive."

Jang Ilso's lips formed a playful yet meaningful smile.

"In the meantime, I am teaching a good lesson to those who remain, so I won't be paying a high price later. Doesn't that make sense?"

Ho Gakyung eventually nodded in agreement.

Their enemies were formidable. That's why Ho Gakmyung had sought to expand the Evil Tyrant Alliance further. However, Jang Ilso had a different perspective.

In that case, one must follow Jang Ilso's intentions. He was the one moving this force, not Ho Gakmyung.

"Gakmyung."

"Yes, Ryeonju-nim."

"The wars we'll face from now on will be different from what we've experienced before. We'll have to confront not just one enemy, but multiple enemies in various places."

"...."

"If those foolish ones keep acting on their own every time, we'll inevitably lose even in wars we could have won."

Ho Gakmyung nodded in agreement. It was a fact he was well aware of.

"So, first, we need to turn them into dogs, not humans. If they need to bark, let them bark; if they need to wag their tails, let them wag. For those who refuse to become dogs, let them die as humans. That's true mercy. Do you understand?"

"Can they really become your dogs, Ryeonju-nim?"

Jang Ilso's face had a youthful appearance.

"Well. If I were to strike down and kill all those who do not follow my commands, and make them realize dying in the hands of an enemy is preferable to disobeying my orders... Humans disappear."

"...."

"It will take a long time. We'll have to go through a tedious process. But if everything comes to an end..."

Jang Ilso's eyes stared at the ceiling, or rather, beyond the ceiling, as if gazing at something beyond existence.

"Finally, I will have the qualifications to grasp the entire world."

Ho Gakmyung's hand trembled slightly. Was there a time in the past when Jang Ilso had uttered such words?

"If that's the case, I will simply follow."

That's what needed to be done. Even if it meant staining all of Gangnam, not just the Evil Tyrant Alliance, with blood.

"Yes."

Intense desire flickered in Jang Ilso's eyes. Simultaneously, Ho Gakmyung's heart also boiled with fervor.

At that moment, Jang Ilso seemed to recall something.

"Ah. Before that, go and bring some liquor."

"...."

"We need to change the atmosphere a bit..."

"...."

A sigh escaped from Ho Gakmyung's lips.