Return of The Mount Hua – Chapter 1342. I’ll go save you (2)
Editor: Hoamzz
Co-Translator: Xoxo
Seomun Yu, a financial official in the Military Division of Evil Tyrant Alliance, stood before the dizzyingly tall white stairs.
He slowly adjusted his attire, tightening his belt and pulling up the loose ends of his trousers.
“Huu....”
Only after completing his preparations did he slowly ascend the stairs.
Tak. Tak.
The sound of his footsteps against the marble echoed all the way down to the vast square below.
Some say the existence of these marble stairs was a direct manifestation of Jang Ilso's peculiar taste. Unnecessarily grand stairs. Unnecessarily grandeur. A perfect reflection, they say, of Jang Ilso's notoriously flamboyant character.
'Those fools know nothing.'
Anyone who had climbed these steps themselves would never utter such words. Not if they understood the immense tension one must endure each time they ascend these steps to face Jang Ilso.
At the end of this pristine white path lies the great hall, so magnificent that even the word 'grand' falls short of describing it, greeting those who reached the top.
How could those who merely gaze up from below understand this overwhelming presence?
“Huuu....”
Another deep sigh escaped his lips. Whether it was due to the blazing sun or the sheer tension, beads of sweat glistened on his forehead.
“I am here to report to Lord Ryeonju.”
The Red Hounds (Prev. Red Dogs) guarding the great hall glared at him with gleaming eyes. If it was Jang Ilso’s order, these hunting hounds would bare their fangs to both allies and enemies alike. Facing them was not an easy task even for someone within the ranks of Myriad Man Manor.
The Red Hounds' gaze thoroughly scrutinized Seomun Yu's entire body.
Though he was merely a scholar who could never hope to inflict even a scratch on Jang Ilso no matter what he tried, they still maintained their vigilance against him.
"Enter."
Only after the hounds opened the doors did Seo Mun-yu complete the grueling process of entering the great hall. The subtle fragrance rising from the incense burner wafted into his nose.
The great hall was less a place for conducting official duties and more a space meant for audiences. In the center of that almost desolate space sat a massive throne. And there, draped in a red robe embroidered with magnificent golden dragons, Jang Ilso lay in a half-reclined position.
This great hall was by no means a massive one.
Seomun Yu realized this anew.
The great hall that seemed so vast and desolate felt almost narrow the moment his gaze fell upon Jang Ilso. Had the great hall been any smaller, one might have found it impossible to even breathe in the face of Jang Ilso's overwhelming presence.
Though Seomun Yu had served Jang Ilso for several years now, these audiences never became any easier no matter how many times he through it.
Swallowing nervously, Seomun Yu began walking forward with great care.
Perhaps it would have been less nerve-wracking to bow and crawl his way closer, but Jang Ilso did not tolerate such unnecessary formalities within his line of sight. Thus, he had no choice but to face him head-on.
“...Ryeonju-nim.”
Jang Ilso, half-reclining on the throne that resembled a lavish bed, slowly opened his eyes.
The pale, listless gaze revealed beneath his lids carried an air of boredom and lethargy, yet Seomun Yu felt a shiver down his spine as if something were piercing straight through him.
"Re- Report... The ledger regarding supply procurement."
Seomun Yu carefully offered the ledger in his hands.
In moments like this, he couldn’t help but resent Ho Gamyeong’s absence. Originally, this ledger should have been finalized with Ho Gamyeong's approval without reaching Jang Ilso. But with Ho Gamyeong away, he had no choice but to go directly to Jang Ilso.
Jang Ilso’s eyes moved slowly, fixing on the ledger in Seo Munyu’s hands. He stared at it for a moment before raising his hand slowly.
At this, a waiting servant carefully brought forward a large seal that had been placed behind him. The seal symbolizing the leader of Evil Tyrant Alliance was encircled by a golden dragon carved on its surface. Even the Emperor's jade seal likely wasn’t as ornate.
"Here is the seal."
The servant held the seal before Jang Ilso's hand. He picked up the seal with an indifferent gesture and tossed it toward Seomun Yu.
Tung! Tung!
The precious treasure symbolizing Evil Tyrant Alliance rolled across the hall floor like a worthless stone. Seomun Yu’s back broke out in cold sweat as he stared at the thrown seal.
Could he dare touch it with his hands? Wouldn't that itself be sacrilege, an offense worthy of execution?
But Jang Ilso turned around and lay down as if it didn't matter to him at all.
"Stamp it as you see fit and go."
“Huh...? Y- Yes, Ryeonju-nim!”
Seomun Yoo nodded vigorously.
With trembling hands, he opened the ledger and carefully picked up the seal from the floor, as if he were afraid the golden seal might crumble at his touch.
He wiped the sweat dripping into his eyes repeatedly with his sleeve and painstakingly pressed the seal onto the ledger.
It was done. He finally could leave this place.
Unknowingly, a brief sigh of relief escaped him. A sigh that lasted less than a moment.
But when Seomun Yu raised his head a moment later, he saw it. Jang Ilso's gaze, who had turned away from him, was now staring directly at him once more.
A cold chill ran down Seomun Yu's spine in that instant.
"Hmm."
The corner of Jang Ilso's blood-red lips curved up slightly. With an unreadable expression, he gazed at Seomun Yu and spoke slowly.
“Come here.”
"...Pardon?"
"Bring that here, would you?"
Seomun Yu's face instantly turned pale. Jang Ilso’s smile grew a fraction softer and continued his word.
“Come now.”
In In the end, Seo Munyu approached Jang Ilsou as if in a trance. When he carefully extended the ledger he was holding, Jang Ilso took it with a languid gesture and skimmed through it.
“Hmm.”
A strangely amused sound escaped his lips.
After a while, Jang Ilso closed the ledger with a soft snap and looked at Seo Munyu with a faint smile.
“I don’t understand.”
“....”
"These things really don't suit me at all. No matter how much I look at it, it just won't register in my head. Do you understand what I mean?"
Seomun Yoo nodded repeatedly.
"How does that guy Gamyeong handle such tasks? These scholars are incomprehensible creatures.”
It was a playful tone and a lighthearted voice.
But this only made Seomun Yu shrink further into himself. Jang Ilso’s eyes staring at him were devoid of any amusement.
“Tell me.”
"Wh- What it is...?"
"Is this ledger accurate?"
"O- Of course it is, Ryeonju-nim!"
Seomun Yu’s face turned pale as he scrambled to explain.
Even things Jang Ilso hadn't asked about.
“H- How could there possibly be any falsehoods in a report I presented to Ryeonju-nim? Not a single number or detail in this ledger is incorrect! I personally checked every figure matched perfectly with the items currently within the alliance’s inventory!”
“Hmm?”
“There wasn’t the slightest oversight! Please believe me.”
Seomun Yu bowed his head deeply as if trying to drive it into the ground. Jang Ilso let out a strange laugh at the sight.
“Perfectly accurate, you say…”
Jang Ilso's sharp eyes relaxed and grew languid again. He nodded slowly as if the matter held no importance to him.
“That’s a relief.”
The tension drained from Seomun Yu's body. His clothes had become damp with sweat without his noticing.
"You must be having a hard time with Gamyeong away."
“I’m doing my utmost to humbly fill the role of Advisor, however inadequately."
“That’s a good answer. But not enough.”
"...Pardon?"
Jang Ilso smiled softly.
“What Gamyeong does isn’t merely about balancing ledgers. Those who deal with me directly need to understand better what kind of person I am."
Seomun Yu looked at Jang Ilso with bewildered eyes. Jang Ilso's eyes drew a gentle curve in response.
“Do you know what I’m trying to say?”
“I, I’m not....”
“My, my. That won’t do.”
Jang Ilso reached out his hand. The tip of his slender white fingers, with their long nails, touched Seomun Yu's forehead and slowly traced downward. His touch skimmed the edge of Seomun Yu’s eyebrow and slid down his cheek.
“Know this. I don’t dislike those who try to deceive me.”
“Rye- Ryeonju-nim. I....”
“What I do hate…”
Tick.
A sharp pain shot through his cheek where Jang Ilso's nails had touched. The nails dug into his skin. But Seomun Yu dared not even blink.
“...are those who fail to deceive me.”
The corners of Jang Ilso’s mouth widened unnaturally. It was a truly wicked grin.
Tuduek.
The nails sunk deeper. That sensation made Seomun Yu's mind grow increasingly hazy. No, it might not be the pain that was eating at his mind, but the paralyzing fear of what was yet to come.
“Tell me.”
Jang Ilso's eyes were chaos incarnate.
An incomprehensible storm of emotions and thoughts swirling without rest. Not stopping for even a moment, constantly changing.
Just being before those eyes made his heart constrict repeatedly.
"What Gamyeong is plotting..."
Jang Ilso's blood-red lips parted slightly, revealing snow-white teeth.
"What that child is trying to do, going so far as to deceive even me?”
Seomun Yu could only nod frantically.
A moment later.
Jang Ilso leaned back against his throne, propped his chin on one hand and tapped his temple with his fingertips as if intrigued.
“Hainan?”
"Y- Yes, that is correct!"
Seomun Yu bowed so low his head nearly touched the ground.
He knew well that Jang Ilso detested excessive formalities, but this was not the time to worry about such details. He could only desperately kowtow again and again.
“Hmm.”
Jang Ilso let out a faint nasal sound and remained silent for a while.
Seomun Yu dared not try to guess what was going through his mind. No, he couldn't even try to guess.
“Ha... hahahaha.”
A soft laugh soon escaped Jang Ilso's lips. He was dumbfounded, but in a way, he seemed to be infinitely enjoying himself.
“...I was wondering what he's been planning."
Jang Ilso's voice was clearly more excited than before.
“Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword.”
Seomun Yu swallowed dryly. His throat parched from tension and felt like it was being torn apart.
He had no choice but to reveal everything before Jang Ilso. All that he knew.
But this can't be said his fault. Hadn't the time Ho Gamyeong promised already passed?
Moreover, this was no situation to concern himself with Ho Gamyeong's instructions. Despite Ho Gamyeong's directives and Seomun Yu's position requiring him to follow the Advisor's orders, the fact remained that Ho Gamyeong had deceived Jang Ilso.
Had Ho Gamyeong been the one to submit this report personally, perhaps Seomun Yu alone might have escaped the wrath. But not now. If Jang Ilso became enraged, all his wrath would inevitably fall upon Seomun Yu, standing alone in this hall.
All of Seomun Yu's attention was fixed on Jang Ilso. He didn’t even notice that the previously dried wound on his cheek had reopened and bleeding.
However, Jang Ilso remained silent for a long time as if he had already closed his eyes and sunk deep into somewhere.
How much time had passed?
After what felt like an eternity to Seomun Yu, Jang Ilso finally opened his eyes.
“Gamyeong....”
His pale eyes glinted with a strange light.
"Has done quite a presumptuous thing. How amusing."
Surprisingly, his voice carried not a trace of anger toward Ho Gamyeong. Instead, it carried a peculiar heat, like the delighted curiosity of a child uncovering a new toy.
Jang Ilso rose slowly to his feet.
His blood-red robe trailed long across the floor.
“Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword.... Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword.”
Looking past the prostrate Seomun Yu, Jang Ilso stared into the distance and smiled faintly. It was a somewhat twisted smile.
“If they’ve come this far, I suppose it would be rude not to extend a proper welcome. Hm?”
Jang Ilso took a step forward. Seomun Yu lowered his head in panic, but Jang Ilso passed him by as if he had no interest in him and headed for the door.
The indifference and lethargy he had shown until just now had vanished without a trace. His every step now brimmed with an unyielding aura of domination.
Kwang!
As he flung open the doors with both hands, the waiting Red Hounds bowed their heads in perfect unison.
Jang Ilso commanded.
"Summon the danju. All the Red Hounds as well!"
“Yes, Ryeonju-nim!”
The Red Hounds quickly ran off. Without sparing a glance at those departing, Jang Ilso strode to the top of the grand staircase. The vast land stretching beyond the magnificent Evil Tyrant Alliance headquarters came into view at once.
“Mount Hua Chivalrous Sword.”
Jang Ilso's two eyes drew a chilling arc.
“Your little tantrum ends here.”
A world that appeared endlessly peaceful.
But Jang Ilso could see it crystal clear.
The sight of blood-red flames rising from far in the south, engulfing the world.
And once those flames had ignited, they would not stop until the world was reduced to ashes.
Never.
|Note
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