Chapter 1304: Who The Hell Is That Guy? (Part 4)

Jeokho took a breath.

He didn't even attempt to lift his head and gauge Jang Ilso's mood.

People generally assume that the biggest pain in serving Jang Ilso is having to be mindful of his cruel disposition.

However, that's just talk from those who don't know Myriad Man Manor and Jang Ilso well.

The biggest challenge for those who serve Jang Ilso up close is not having to change their attitude by being mindful of Jang Ilso's mood.

On the contrary, it's challenging because it's impossible to gauge Jang Ilso's mood.

It was the same now.

On the surface, Jang Ilso seemed angry.

Even if it wasn't as far as anger, he at least appeared displeased.

But Jeokho had been observing Jang Ilso for quite a while.

It was futile to judge a man like Jang Ilso based solely on his outward appearance.

Regardless of what Jang Ilso showed on the surface, no one could know what was inside him.

"He's deceiving me...."

Laughter was embedded in Jang Ilso's voice.

"That Gakmyung?"

Jeokho waited for Jang Ilso's reaction without making a sound.

There was no need to think.

All the reports had been completed.

Now, all that was left was to wait for Jang Ilso's judgment.

Eventually, Jang Ilso's deep voice penetrated Jeokho's ears.

"Fine. Is that all?"

Jeokho slowly raised his head without saying a word. Even though he knew it was meaningless, he instinctively observed Jang Ilso's expression. However, the face, partly obscured by steam, now looked as bored as ever.

"You're making a fuss for nothing, tsk tsk."

"...Ryeonju-nim."

"Who is it?"

"Yes, Ryeonju-nim!"

The young servant who had been waiting hurriedly approached. In her hand, she held a tray with alcohol and cups.

Jang Ilso praised her with a grin.

"What a quick-witted kid."

The girl's face blushed slightly. Jang Ilso poured alcohol with slow hands and showed the filled cup.

"When you're done, go."

Jeokho's fingertips trembled slightly. As expected, his task was done. Reporting what he had found was his job, and passing judgment on it was solely Jang Ilso's responsibility. He couldn't dare to interject.

But Jeokho couldn't easily withdraw. Jang Ilso, sipping the alcohol in a leisurely manner, looked at Jeokho with questioning eyes.

"Do you have any problems?"

"...."

"Or perhaps, want to have a drink together?"

"Ryeonju-nim...."

Jeokho took a long breath.

It was presumptuous, but now was the time to speak up, even if it meant being presumptuous.

"Ryeonju-nim's trust in the Commander is solid, I understand that."

"Hmm."

"But this matter is not something that can be easily overlooked."

Jang Ilso looked at Jeokho as if finding it amusing. Jeokho calmly continued speaking under that gaze.

"If it was only the smaller sects that were involved, we could wait and see if there was any reason for their actions. However, personally contacting the Hao Sect is clearly crossing a line."

A hint of heat flashed in Jeokho's eyes.

"Depending on the interpretation, it could be seen as engaging in actions that shouldn't be taken."

Jang Ilso's languid gaze met Jeokho's. Steam still lingered between them.

After silently observing Jeokho for a while, Jang Ilso chuckled softly.

"Actions that shouldn't be taken."

A disdainful light poured out of his eyes.

"I'd like to hear what that means."

Jeokho bit his lip.

"Ryeonju-nim, the authority given to the Commander is extensive. Of course, the authority to mobilize the Evil Tyrant Alliance lies solely with Ryeonju-nim. However, as you know, the Commander can delegate all that authority. So, isn't it possible for him to mobilize the smaller sects on his own accord?"

"...And?"

"In other words..."

Jeokho spoke as if chewing the words.

"If the Commander harbors different intentions and joins forces with the Hao Sect, it wouldn't be difficult for him, based on the authority he holds, to orchestrate a rebellion."

Jang Ilso stared at Jeokho blankly for a moment.

It was an expression as if he had been unexpectedly hit out of the blue.

Jeokho swallowed dryly, waiting for his next reaction.

"...A rebellion?"

"..."

"...Ha... Hahaha."

"..."

"A rebellion? Hahaha. A rebellion! Hahaha! Ahahaha!"

The laughter, starting quietly, grew more intense.

During his laughter, the alcohol in the cup spilled into the tub as he shook his entire body.

"Hahaha! Hahaha!"

Jang Ilso, holding his stomach with one hand, laughed for a long time.

Then, wiping away the tears that had trickled down with his fingers, he managed to control his laughter.

"Ah... I don't know how long it's been since I laughed like this..."

Jang Ilso, still with laughter in his eyes, said with a playful twist.

"It was really fun. So, now, go."

"Ryeonju-nim..."

Jang Ilso leaned against the bathhouse wall again with a face full of pleasure.

"Of course, you must be busy fulfilling your duties, but you should also consider my position. It's interesting to be involved in meaningless matters at first. Believing that Gakmyung is conducting a rebellion—well, it's better believing in the old man in the courtroom is growing hair on his head." [idk last part]

"This matter is not that..."

"Stop."

At that moment, Jeokho's body twitched.

When he raised his head, the emotions that had been in Jang Ilso's eyes seemed to have washed away, leaving them cool and absent.

Even though it was impossible, the air felt chilly and eerie as he stared into those eyes.

"I don't believe you're slandering Gakmyung. But...you should know what you are saying when you open your mouth."

"I..."

"The one who granted that authority to Gakmyung was none other than me."

Jang Ilso laughed. His lips had regained a rosy hue.

"And you're saying now that my choice was wrong. Do you understand?"

"I, I didn't intend to..."

"You said you knew."

Jang Ilso's eyes curved like a crescent moon.

"If you intended to say that, this bath wouldn't still be this transparent, would it?"

A shiver ran down Jeokho's spine. In an instant, he envisioned the scene of this clear water turning crimson as if tainted by his own blood.

"Anyway, it's commendable. I understand your loyalty, so just leave."

But Jeokho stubbornly refused to back down.

Jang Ilso sighed and refilled the empty cup with alcohol. It was good to have loyalty, but dealing with those whose intelligence didn't measure to up to their loyalty was quite bothersome.

"Ryeonju-nim."

"Do you still have something to say?"

"...It's not about the intention; it's about discussing the danger."

"Danger?"

"Yes. You can't peer into people's hearts. So, wouldn't it be better to just observe the Commander? If we combine the forces led by the Commander, the smaller sects in the south, and the Hao Sect's power, they would have enough strength to threaten you."

"..."

"I'm not cautioning against the Commander. It's the Thousand-Faced Gentleman. If he's behind all of this..."

If by some extraordinary chance, something like that were to happen, it might be irreversible.

Although it might not seem easy to oppose Jang Ilso outwardly, the crucial point was that the Thousand-Faced Gentleman and Ho Gakmyung were behind the scenes.

They wouldn't move easily without certainty.

In the worst-case scenario... maybe an irreversible situation was already unfolding.

So, it would be better to act swiftly...

"Hmm."

However, Jang Ilso still calmly stared at the alcohol in the cup, wearing a peculiar smile.

Without a hint of hesitation, he gazed at the calm liquid, then asked,

"Gakmyung making a deal with the Thousand-Faced Gentleman?"

"..."

"And plotting against me?"

"Even if it's not to that extent..."

"Then, is there any other way out? I have no choice but to die."

Jeokho, momentarily taken aback, hurriedly raised his head.

With widened eyes, he questioned.

"Ryeonju-nim?"

"Why?"

"N-no... I mean, why would you say such a thing..."

"Don't act like a child."

Jang Ilso's smile deepened. It was a smile that seemed to face an enemy, yet his voice remained composed.

"If I've misjudged a person, then there's nothing to say even if I die, right?"

"Do you trust the Commander to that extent?"

"No."

Jang Ilso said uninterestedly.

"That applies to you as well. The task was assigned by me, and the authority given is mine. If that authority turns to target me, there's nothing left but to offer my neck."

"And that authority..."

"That's an unacceptable thing to say. I'm not a god. If I held on to everything, I would end up as a person who had nothing."

With flushed cheeks, Jang Ilso opened his mouth, revealing white teeth.

"Isn't it better to die from being stabbed in the back while moving forward than sitting and rotting away? Don't you think so?"

"..."

"Now, step back."

Jeokho let out a deep sigh.

"Then, at least send me to Guangdong. I will verify it with my own eyes."

"Not possible."

"Why..."

"I'm not sure... If it's you, wouldn't you try to capture Gakmyung if you suspect even a little problem? Whatever Gakmyung is up to."

"..."

"Gakmyung must have a reason for moving like this. It probably won't harm me. So just leave it be."

After finishing his words, Jang Ilso slowly drank the alcohol.

Jeokho's face turned numb.

Even Jeokho, who genuinely devoted himself to Jang Ilso, sometimes couldn't understand this side of Jang Ilso.

"...I'll step back."

Jeokho left the bathroom slowly, leaving Jang Ilso, who didn't open his mouth anymore, behind.

Jang Ilso, glancing at Jeokho's departing figure, turned his head and smiled at the servant.

"Do you have other drinks prepared?"

"R-right away, Ryeonju-nim!"

"Oh my, oh my. Don't run. The bathroom floor is slippery. You might get hurt."

Watching the young servant running out, Jang Ilso, who had smiled faintly, turned his head back and stared at the ceiling, leaning against the wall.

Steam condensed on the ceiling.

While staring at it, he muttered softly,

"Gakmyung..."

Was Ho Gakmyung plotting rebellion? There was no need to even consider it from the beginning.

And even if such a thing were to happen, it wouldn't matter.

Because if he died, that was it.

But it seemed certain that Ho Gakmyung was scheming something.

Moreover, he was doing so without reporting to Jang Ilso and even ignoring the orders Jang Ilso had given first.

What on earth could be the task that Ho Gakmyung had to carry out like this?

"Not even in a position, risking your life. Is it really necessary?"

Jang Ilso absentmindedly ran his finger across his lips.

As his finger slowly traversed his lips horizontally, he murmured,

"...Is there something there? Right?"

Something would probably be incredibly dangerous and enticing to Jang Ilso.

Because Ho Gakmyung wanted to eliminate it at all costs.

A name floated into Jang Ilso's mind.

But he couldn't possibly be there.

Jang Ilso smiled wryly at his thoughts.

The inevitable had already happened, so what was strange about there being something that shouldn't be there?

"Hmm."

His two eyes twinkled.

"I should check it out."

The corners of his mouth rose slightly.