Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1233. Is that so? (3)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
“Da- Danju-nim!”
“What’s with the fuss?”
“A- Advisor-nim has arrived, sir!”
“What? Already?”
The face of Gwak Bo (곽보(郭普)), Danju of Myriad Man Manor's Dongshim Unit (동심단), turned pale.
“Wasn’t he supposed to arrive at least two days from now?”
"That's what I understood as well, sir..."
Gwak Bo looked hurriedly looked outside. The boat heading to Hainan had not yet been finished, but Ho Gamyeong had already arrived. Two whole days ahead of schedule, at that.
“W- What are we going to do about this…?”
Gwak Bo was staring blankly at the boats still under construction when he suddenly startled and shouted.
“The- There’s no time for this! Where is the Advisor now?”
"They say he just entered the outskirts, sir!"
“Form ranks! Everyone, stop what you’re doing and form ranks! The Advisor is arriving! What are you doing, you damned fools! I said form ranks immediately!"
Those who heard the word ‘Advisor’ were terrified and ran towards Gwak Bo frantically. As the commotion stirred up the area, the laborers stopped and looked over in confusion.
“You lot, keep working as you were! Don’t stop!”
"Yes."
The martial artists of Myriad Man Manor who had gathered quickly formed ranks with tense faces. All eyes fixed on the forest path leading to them.
Drip.
Thick beads of sweat rolled down some of their faces. It wasn’t just due to the scorching sun.
Originally, the Dongshim Unit was in charge of Myriad Man Manor's operations. It could be said that it was a direct organization under Ho Gamyeong, along with the Military Divison that served as Ho Gamyeong's arms and legs.
It was natural to be nervous when their immediate superior suddenly showed up on the work site earlier than scheduled.
"St- Stand straight!"
"Yes!"
The sound of someone gulping dryly rang out clearly.
Moments later, a group of martial artists appeared through the path between the bushes.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
Leading the Military Division, Ho Gamyeong strode toward the shore leisurely.
In the stillness akin to death, Ho Gamyeong's gaze moved from left to right. His face was colder than words could express, but his eyes were thoroughly examining everything that was happening on the shore without missing a single thing.
"We greet the Advisor!"
"We greet the Advisor!"
The lined-up Dongshim Unit simultaneously knelt and paid their respects.
Myriad Man Manor. Now a formidable force ruling not just Guangdong, but all of Gangnam.
And within its ranks, there were only two men to whom others would kneel in such a manner: Paegun Jang Ilso and the Advisor, Ho Gamyeong.
It wasn't difficult to guess Ho Gamyeong's firm standing within Myriad Man Manor just by seeing this scene.
Gwak Bo lay flat on his stomach and snuck glances at Ho Gamyeong. But as always, his expression was cold, giving nothing away.
“Danju.”
Just then, Ho Gamyeong's voice struck like a blow to Gwak Bo's weak point. Gwak Bo flinched and quickly lowered his head even deeper. The white shore sand stuck to his forehead, now damp with cold sweat.
“Report.”
“Yes, Advisor-nim! W- We have completed requisitioning boats for Hainan expedition, and as per instructions, additional boats are under construction. However… due to recent foul weather, the boat construction isn't complete yet."
Having said that, Gwak Bo kept his head still as much as possible and looked up only at Ho Gamyeong's expression once. Then hurriedly lowered them again.
“T- Two days! The construction will be completed in two days!”
Crunch.
Then, a small sound reached his ears. Recognizing it as footsteps on the sandy beach, Gwak Bo arched his back and buried his head even deeper.
Crunch.
Ho Gamyeong's foot steps stopped just in front of his head.
Gwak Bo's back and face became drenched in sweat.
"Two days, you say?"
Gwak Bo raised his head, his pale face trembling. When he met Ho Gamyeong’s icy gaze, his body felt as if it was being pierced through.
"You have an interesting way with words."
“A- Advisor-nim....”
“I ask again, Danju. What were my orders?"
"Advisor-nim... you said you would lead the armies here in two days, and ordered all preparations for the advance to Hainan to be completed by then."
“Indeed, that is what I said.”
As Gwak Bo gulped, that chilling voice whispered again near his ear.
"Did that mean finish the ship construction by my arrival?"
“....”
“It seems Myriad Man Manor has grown lax in the absence of Paegun. Seeing how our Danju thinks it's fine just to finish his work on time shows such complacency mindset."
"Pl- Please execute me, Advisor!"
Gwak Bo pressed his forehead into the sand, bowing fervently.
When people hear 'Myriad Man Manor’, they inevitably think of Jang Ilso's name and his cruelty.
But the person who was actually most feared within Myriad Man Manor wasn’t Jang Ilso. To the ordinary members, Jang Ilso was a being floating above the clouds and an object of envy, not someone who they come into daily contact.
Moreover, Jang Ilso doesn’t particularly concern himself with minor details. As a result, most of the occurrences within Myriad Man Manor never even reach him. The one who managed sect members in his stead was none other than Ho Gamyeong.
In truth, the meticulous and uncharacteristically disciplined structure of Myriad Man Manor, unlike the typical Evil Sects, owes more to Ho Gamyeong than Jang Ilso.
Enemies of Myriad Man Manor fear Jang Ilso, but the members of Myriad Man Manors fear Ho Gamyeong. For it was neither enemies nor Jang Ilso who punished them, but Ho Gamyeong.
“Tell me.”
Just then, Ho Gamyeong's voice pierced Gwak Bo's ears again.
"What punishment would be appropriate for a Danju who failed to properly execute orders from his superiors?"
Gwak Bo bit his lips hard.
Had it been anyone else, he might have tried to offer an excuse. But the Ho Gamyeong he knew wasn't someone who would accept excuses. Every order Ho Gamyeong gave took into account the capability of the person, the conditions they faced, and every conceivable variable that could arise. Thus, there could be no justification.
"As, as per the rules of Myriad Man Manor... fo- for one who fails to execute minor orders due to lack of ability, there's demotion of rank and..."
"Ability?"
At that moment, Ho Gamyeong's voice, which grew even more subdued, squeezed Gwak Bo's heart.
"Why is someone lacking ability sitting in Danju's position?"
“A- Advisor-nim....”
"And was this truly caused by lack of ability?"
Gwak Bo couldn't bring himself to say anything.
"While other members are out in foreign lands, facing enemies for Myriad Man Manor, the one left behind is enjoying himself like a king. Something that could have been finished days ago, yet here you are, still holding onto it."
“....”
“Bring it.”
"Yes!"
As soon as Ho Gamyeong’s order was announced, a Military Division officer behind him pulled out a scroll from his robe and handed it over.
Ho Gamyeong took it with indifferent hands and unrolled it. After silently checking its contents, he threw the scroll in front of Gwak Bo.
"Look at it."
“Th- This is....”
When Ho Gamyeong looked down without any explanation, Gwak Bo picked up the scroll and read the written contents with trembling eyes.
Immediately, Gwak Bo's face turned deathly pale.
The scroll contained a detailed account of what Gwak Bo did while Jang Ilso and Ho Gamyeong were away.
‘H- How could this…’
This was not the sort of information that could be gathered in a single day. In other words, even in that urgent situation while heading to the Yangtze River, Ho Gamyeong had placed surveillance on Gwak Bo back in the rear.
“What do you want to say?”
“A- Advisor-nim....”
"Did you enjoy yourself?"
The corner of Ho Gamyeong's mouth twisted slightly. To others, it might have looked like a scowl, but for Ho Gamyeong, it was a smile.
"While the members of Myriad Man Manor were bleeding on the front lines, the one left in the rear didn’t even devote himself fully to support. Instead, you were frequenting pleasure houses, indulging and reveling."
"Pl- Please spare my life, Advisor-nim!"
Gwak Bo slammed his forehead hard against the ground. He knew that Ho Gamyeong wasn’t someone to whom excuses would hold any sway. If he wanted any chance of preserving his life, his only option was to admit everything and beg for mercy.
Ho Gamyeong looked down at Gwak Bo with an expression empty of any feeling.
"I don't particularly dislike trash like you. It would be too much to expect more from someone born that way."
“....”
"But I still am Myriad Man Manor's Military Advisor. As you know, Bangju especially hates fat pigs with greasy bellies. Particularly pigs that fatten themselves by sucking the blood of their comrades."
“Ad- Advisor-nim....”
“Jang Gan (장간(長干)).”
“Yes! Advisor-nim.”
"Seal his martial arts, flog him, then sentence him to six months of hard labor."
"Yes!"
"And confiscate every last bit of wealth he’s amassed."
"Yes!"
Flattened against the ground, Gwak Bo pounded his forehead into the dirt as he cried out.
"I thank you for your mercy, Advisor-nim!”
In some ways, it was a harsh punishment—considering it was for failing to complete his task on time.
Still, Gwak Bo felt nothing but relief. He knew that for Ho Gamyeong, this was an exceptionally lenient sentence.
But his relief shattered with Ho Gamyeong's next words.
"And when he returns from labor, sever the tendons in those useless legs of his."
“Ad- Advisor-nim!”
Gwak Bo’s eyes flew wide open as he stared at Ho Gamyeong in shock. Ho Gamyeong spoke coldly.
"With excess energy to spare, he's bound to cause trouble. If he can't walk on his own feet, he'll be able to focus on his work."
"A- Advisor-nim! Advisor-nim! I was wrong! P- Please! Anything but that...! Advisor-nim!"
"Carry it out."
"Yes."
Those standing behind Ho Gamyeong grabbed the wailing Gwak Bo and dragged him away.
A desperate scream echoed across the shore, but Ho Gamyeong didn't even glance in the direction.
"Who's the vice danju?"
“I, I am, Advisor-nim.”
"Complete the boat construction without any issues."
"Yes! Then, in two days..."
“It seems you don’t understand me. I said to build it properly. No doubt you’ve thrown them together just to meet the deadline. Check everything from the beginning and bring me a proper plan. If anything goes wrong with the boats, you'll wish you could die but won't be able to."
“I, I will keep that in mind.”
Ho Gamyeong's gaze briefly fell upon the laborers. The rhythm of their hammering now carried tension.
"I'm going to my quarters."
"Yes!"
As Ho Gamyeong turned around, Jang Gan quickly followed him.
“Advisor-nim. If you wanted to make an example, wouldn't it be better to just kill him..."
“No need.”
Ho Gamyeong cut him off as if not needing to hear the rest.
"If someone has any use at all, there's no need to kill them. Killing him would bring only fleeting satisfaction. What's important is to utilize even such people properly so that they can be of benefit to Myriad Man Manor.”
"...Please forgive my ignorance in failing to grasp your insight."
Ho Gamyeong moved on without responding.
'Now I understand why Bangju is concerned about the rear.'
Even Myriad Man Manor's danjus, who know better than anyone what kind of people Jang Ilso and Ho Gamyeong are, commit wrongdoings as soon as they're out of their sight. What would it be like for those further down the ranks?
If Hainan causes even a little trouble, there will be an overflow of people either joining in or trying to take advantage of the situation.
'So it must be dealt with thoroughly.'
Ho Gamyeong glanced back, his eyes fixing on Hainan far in the distance.
"Hmm?"
"…Is something wrong?"
After silently scanning the sea with narrowed eyes for a while, Ho Gamyeong shook his head slightly.
"Nothing. Must be fish. My nerves must be on edge.”
“Yes, Advisor-nim.”
“Give the laborers a helping hand.”
"...Pardon?"
"A storm is coming soon."
Jang Gan looked out into the distance at the unexpected words. Indeed, waves were growing, and dark clouds were rolling in from afar.
The weather in the Southern Sea was notorious for its unpredictability.
"Our schedule might be delayed a bit."
“It’s an expected variable.”
Ho Gamyeong spoke as if unbothered.
"Ensure the ships under construction are well-secured. It doesn’t look like an ordinary storm."
“Yes, I will keep that in mind!”
Kureureureureung!
A faint thunderclap sounded in the distance. Ho Gamyeong smirked.
“From Hainan’s perspective, they must be hoping this storm never ends."
The smile on his face was chillingly cold.
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