#1127: This Place, This Is Hell. (2) — Return of the Mount Hua Sect

“Excessive?”

“Yes.”

Ho Ga-Myung spoke with a stern face.

“Even those executed today cannot be called mere small fry. They were all people who held important positions in the Black Ghost Fort and the Pirates.”

“Is that so?”

Jang Ilso appeared indifferent, as if he had little interest in such matters. Ho Ga-Myung had already expected this reaction. Yet, it was still his duty to speak his mind.

“If we drive out such people like this, ultimately, we cannot avoid weakening our strength.”

“Hmm.”

Jang Ilso glanced briefly toward the door and muttered something unexpected.

“I did tell them to come slowly, but it would be good to bring some alcohol and rest first.”

“…Alliance lord.”

A sigh escaped from Ho Ga-Myung’s lips.

“I do not misunderstand what Alliance Lord thinks. But, as you know, our situation is not so relaxed. The power of those to be executed is regrettable, but what is more regrettable are the administrative gaps that will arise from their absence. It will take quite a long time to replace them.”

Only then did Jang Ilso look directly at Ho Ga-Myung. His pale eyes remained indifferent. Ho Ga-Myung swallowed dryly and continued.

“I do not intend to oppose Alliance Lord’s will. I just wish to ask if it might be possible to reduce the number of those to be executed a little, for the sake of Alliance Lord and the Four Sects Alliance.”

“Hmm.”

“They are already terrified. If the Alliance lord shows mercy, they will never dare to oppose you again.”

“Ga-Myung, Ga-Myung.”

“Yes, Alliance Lord.”

“I always feel this way.”

“Yes.”

Jang Ilso looked at Ho Ga-Myung with a strange smile.

“You don’t seem suited for the Evil Sect.”

“…What?”

Ho Ga-Myung’s eyes widened at the absurd remark. If the mind-reading Ho Ga-Myung was told he didn’t fit the Evil Sect, how would others react?

Because it came from the great Jang Ilso, it was hard to refute; if anyone else said it, everyone would have scoffed immediately.

“How…”

“Isn’t that so?”

Jang Ilso chuckled.

“The Evil Sect doesn’t usually talk about showing mercy, nor say they won’t dare oppose again.”

“But that…”

“I know.”

Jang Ilso laughed softly like a sigh and said.

“They’ve seen what fear is once, so they think they won’t dare oppose again.”

“Yes, I…”

“But you see.”

Jang Ilso abruptly stopped speaking and his eyes glowed coldly.

“People are not as wise as you think. Most do not reflect on a lesson once learned; they soon forget it.”

“…”

“And then they think of it in a favorable way. Those who opposed Jang Ilso were eventually released and survived, so maybe they think they can try again once more?”

Ho Ga-Myung pressed his lips tightly.

“Yes. Humans are like that. Especially those of the Evil Sect.”

Jang Ilso waved his hand dismissively, as if the thought alone made him sick.

“Humans easily forget kindness but never forget grudges. But there is something they forget even less than grudges. Do you know what that is?”

“…”

“It is fear.”

Jang Ilso’s eyes darkened chillingly.

“Fear deeply engraved in one’s bones. The fear that resisting will only lead to a fate worse than death. The fear that I can never defeat him.”

“…”

“What moves people is exactly that intense fear.”

“Alliance Lord.”

Ho Ga-Myung quietly looked at Jang Ilso and spoke. He knew asking was pointless, but it was just his genuine curiosity about Jang Ilso.

“Do you not trust your subordinates?”

“You say interesting things.”

Jang Ilso chuckled.

“There are those worth trusting in this world. But do you mean to trust those vermin? I’d rather trust those Justice faction guys. At least they are not this fickle. They are as steady as oxen.”

A sigh escaped Ho Ga-Myung’s lips. That answer felt unsurprising, making him feel frustrated.

“But, Alliance lord, I did not advise showing them mercy. Even those vermin must be used if necessary, right?”

“Of course, that is true. If only decent people remain, you would be the only one left in this Evil Sect.”

Jang Ilso wore a strange smile.

“How about it? Shall we try again, just the two of us like before? Like those harsh times when we had nothing?”

At the mention of old times from Jang Ilso, a rare smile appeared on Ho Ga-Myung’s lips.

“To be honest, it doesn’t seem so bad, but we can’t go back, can we?”

“I see. It’s a pity. Ga-Myung, we have come too far.”

“But isn’t that what the Alliance lord wanted?”

“Of course.”

Jang Ilso does not fall into regret. He does not long for the past. His gaze is always toward tomorrow, not the past, and toward higher places, not here.

It is a strange thing.

Jang Ilso has obtained many things. What once felt like a dream, no, rather a delusion, he made real and forcibly crushed beneath his feet.

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

From a worthless wanderer to the leader of the Ten Thousand People Clan, and eventually the Alliance Lord of the Evil Sect, the only changes for Jang Ilso are a slightly more luxurious room and more expensive alcohol. These are things anyone could achieve without being the Alliance Lord of the Evil Sect.

Yet Jang Ilso devours everything greedily, like a voracious fish craving desire itself.

“So shouldn’t we find a way to utilize even such people? A rusty sword is better than none.”

Jang Ilso quietly looked at the white sake cup at eye level and spoke.

“Ga-Myung.”

“Yes, Alliance lord.”

“Isn’t power like a sword?”

“…A sword?”

“Yes, that’s right. Do you know what is important when making a fine sword?”

“…Using good steel.”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“But if all you have is scrap metal, isn’t it basic to use even that scrap?”

“Of course. But surprisingly, the most important thing in making a fine sword is not about the materials.”

“What is it?”

“Not being greedy.”

“…”

Ho Ga-Myung furrowed his brows slightly. It was not easy to understand what Jang Ilso was saying.

“Suppose you have one lump of steel to make a sword and a little extra steel. How would you make the sword?”

“Well…”

Ho Ga-Myung answered very logically.

“Make the blade with one lump of steel and use the remaining steel for the handle. Or mix it into the sheath…”

“Yes, that makes sense.”

Jang Ilso nodded as if agreeing, but what he said next was somewhat different from Ho Ga-Myung’s expectation.

“Then you ruin the sword.”

“…What?”

Jang Ilso laughed softly as if amused.

“If steel goes into the handle, the sword’s weight changes. It deviates from the ideal weight. If steel is mixed into the sheath, which is meant to protect the sword, it becomes unnecessarily hard. Then the blade gets damaged.”

“…”

“The best way is to make the sword with one lump of steel and discard the extra. Or you can sell it.”

Jang Ilso turned the liquor bottle upside down. Frowning at a drop falling, he sighed and continued.

“But most people cannot discard that extra steel. Those who use it for the sheath or handle are better off. But do you know what most do?”

“…I don’t know.”

“They put all the steel into the blade.”

“…”

“That makes it an expensive but worthless sword, worse than a cheap iron sword. Yet people wield it as if it were a great blade. They don’t realize that using such a sword diminishes their true skill. Or maybe they know but can’t give up their greed.”

A sigh escaped from Ho Ga-Myung’s lips.

“Are they the extra steel?”

“Yes, you understand it well.”

Jang Ilso slowly stood up.

“That’s greed. Knowing it’s useless and hard to sell, you should discard it immediately. But you don’t. Because you think you might use that steel someday.”

“…”

“Power is not something you can hold like extra steel and forget. Its mere existence controls me. Do you understand?”

“Alliance Lord.”

“I don’t need any extra that dulls me. Power must fit perfectly in my hand like a fine sword. Wielding a sword mixed with impurities and a dull blade is a clown’s act. Those that are bloated and move on their own must be beheaded or burned to ashes.”

A playful yet sly smile suddenly appeared on Jang Ilso’s lips.

“In the process, it serves as a good lesson to others, so you get the highest price. Isn’t that right?”

Ho Ga-Myung finally nodded.

The enemy is overwhelmingly strong. Therefore, Ho Ga-Myung tried to grow the Evil Sect more. But Jang Ilso seemed to think differently.

Then they must follow Jang Ilso’s will. He is the one who moves this power.

“Ga-Myung.”

“Yes, Alliance lord.”

“The wars we will face from now on will be different from before. We will have to face multiple enemies in many places, not just one.”

“…”

“If those fools move as they please each time, we will lose even battles we could have won.”

Ho Ga-Myung nodded.

He knew that well too.

“So first, we must make them as dogs, not humans. Dogs that bark when told and wag their tails when told. Those who refuse to become dogs should be allowed to die as humans. That is true mercy. Understand?”

“…Can they really become Alliance Lord’s dogs?”

A fierce aura darkened Jang Ilso’s face.

“Of course. If those who don’t obey are all killed, and they learn that disobeying me is a fate worse than death at the enemy’s hands, humanity will disappear.”

“…”

“It will take a long time. A tedious process must be endured. But once all that is finished…”

Jang Ilso’s eyes stared at the ceiling. No, it would be more accurate to say he looked beyond the ceiling at something else.

“Only then will I earn the right to hold the world in my hands.”

Ho Ga-Myung’s hand trembled slightly. Had Jang Ilso ever spoken such words before?

“If so, I will simply follow.”

Then it must be done. Even if it means staining all of the Southern Land with blood, not just the Evil Sect.

“Yes.”

Burning desire filled Jang Ilso’s eyes. Ho Ga-Myung’s heart flared hotly as well.

Then Jang Ilso suddenly seemed to remember something and said, “Ah.”

“Before that, go bring some alcohol.”

“…”