Cleaning up after a battle is more challenging than one might think. Especially when the battle ends in a defeat, the leader of the troops inevitably faces numerous problems: plummeting morale, disrupted supply lines, and an enemy that could strike again at any moment. Most of all, there's the looming fear that the next battle could also end in defeat.
To handle all this is akin to restoring a nearly shredded cloth to its original state. Yet, Ho Gakmyung, the general of the Evil Tyrant Alliance, was surprisingly managing everything with relative ease. He was the kind of person who could fully comprehend and accept that such tasks were beyond his abilities alone, as was evident now.
The temporary tent was far from lavish or luxurious—it was rather bleak. However, anyone who set foot inside dared not voice such thoughts, all because of the man lounging lazily on the large chair in the center.
Though he wasn't exuding any particular aura or performing anything extraordinary, the man's mere presence dominated the entire tent.
"And?"
Jang Ilso, slouched in the wide chair, asked nonchalantly as he glanced around.
"I'm not one for beating around the bush. What is it that you want to say?"
Sun Palace Lord Jin Pyeong bit his lip. Throb. The wound inflicted by the brat from Mount Hua in the last battle still ached. It was an injury that could have cost him his life. Although the scars from that battle no longer marred his body, the memory of that moment couldn't be erased or burned away.
But what truly tormented Jin Pyeong now was not the wound left by that brat. Grinding his teeth, he spat out his words.
"What are you planning to do about that Thousand-Faced Gentleman?"
Jin Pyeong's eyes flared with anger, as if they would pierce through Jang Ilso at any moment.
"You must have heard that he attacked me! So why is he still roaming around here, alive and well? Why?"
His furious shout echoed through the tent.
The truth was, it was a lie that the Thousand-Faced Gentleman was walking around freely. Since the last battle, he had been in seclusion. But everyone knew what Jin Pyeong was really trying to say.
"Answer me, Leader! Is this really the way of the Evil Tyrant Alliance?"
What enraged Jin Pyeong after barely surviving, teetering between life and death for days, wasn't the defeat itself. Nor was it the countless deaths of his men. It was the fact that the one who ambushed him and triggered all of this had not been punished at all. He couldn't tolerate such leniency.
"I'm asking you now!"
Jang Ilso didn't even flinch. He gazed at Jin Pyeong with half-closed eyes and spoke in a dismissive tone.
"I've told you before, I don't like beating around the bush. Just get to the point."
Jang Ilso slowly leaned forward, peering at Jin Pyeong with a sly smile.
"What do you want? Tell me, what do you want?"
"...His head."
"...Hmm."
"At least an arm. No, I want a leg! Otherwise, I won't be able to quell my anger!"
Jang Ilso tapped his cheek lightly with his long fingers, as if deep in thought.
"If this matter isn't resolved, we of the Sun Palace will return to the Southern Sea immediately. This is..."
"Is that a warning? Or a threat? Which one?"
Jin Pyeong clamped his mouth shut. The chilling look in Jang Ilso's eyes as he chuckled with his chin resting on his hand was unmistakable.
"It's not a difficult task. Yes, it's not difficult at all. If a crime has been committed, punishment must follow. Isn't that right?"
Just as Jin Pyeong was about to nod eagerly, Jang Ilso continued.
"But... wouldn't that be a bit unfair?"
"...Unfair?"
"The Thousand-Faced Gentleman did commit a crime. He attacked a comrade. But... if that's a crime worthy of losing a limb, what punishment should be given to the one who directly caused our defeat by failing to stop a mere brat?"
At that moment, Jin Pyeong's face hardened visibly.
"Leader, that's..."
"Answer me. What punishment should they receive?"
It wasn't that Jin Pyeong had no response. He simply couldn't answer. The murderous intent in Jang Ilso's smiling face was so palpable it could be seen with the naked eye.
The fear of Jang Ilso, momentarily forgotten in his boiling rage, quickly cooled Jin Pyeong's blood.
"I..."
But he didn't back down easily. Not because of his anger, but because the pride of the Sun Palace was tied to him, and for that, he couldn't simply retreat.
Jin Pyeong bit his lip hard.
"If that's your answer, Leader... we'll return to the Southern Sea."
Jang Ilso sighed with genuine regret and shook his head.
"Oh dear, oh dear. Why do you keep acting more foolish?"
"...Leader!"
"Don't you see yet? There's no way back for you now."
Jin Pyeong gritted his teeth at Jang Ilso's words, taking them as a threat. But Jang Ilso's next words were different.
"The war will soon be over. Neither we nor they have the strength to continue. What do you think will happen next?"
For a moment, Jin Pyeong's eyes flickered.
Again, Jin Pyeong was no fool. He understood the meaning behind those words.
After the war, there would be victors and the vanquished.
In this situation, where both sides had already committed most of their forces, there would be no truce where they'd just retreat and draw new borders. The only ending was one side being utterly crushed.
And when that happens...
Would the victor, after devouring everything, be satisfied with just holding the land of the Central Plains?
As Jin Pyeong remained silent, Jang Ilso chuckled.
"Once you've stepped into the mire, it's impossible to get out clean. You either survive, covered in filth, or die in it. There's no third option."
"This..."
"And sadly... to survive in that mire, you have to use whatever you can. Even if it means stabbing your comrade in the chest."
Jin Pyeong's face trembled uncontrollably. Unable to endure the anger and humiliation any longer, he began to twist his body. At that moment, Jang Ilso smiled and spoke up again.
"Let's make it half. Half of the wealth that Hao Sect has accumulated so far. That should be enough as compensation, don't you think?"
Jin Pyeong stared at Jang Ilso with a slightly surprised look.
"If it's not enough, I'll add a little more myself. It's partly my fault for not managing things properly. I'll even provide something extra from the wealth that the Black Ghosts had accumulated in the past. It should be enough to save face. How about it? Are you satisfied?"
After a brief moment of contemplation, the Sun Sovereign nodded slowly.
Though he hadn't come expecting compensation, the amount Jang Ilso had offered was enough to astonish even the Sun Sovereign. With such money, not only could they solidify the Sun Palace's position, but they could also stabilize Yunnan, which would soon fall into their hands, in no time.
With such a sum, any anger could be easily suppressed.
"Make sure you keep your promise…"
"Of course."
Jang Ilso picked up a wine bottle and poured it into an empty cup.
"I've never broken a promise before."
His snake-like eyes pierced through the Sun Sovereign, still holding a smile.
"Drink up. Wine is a good medicine to shake off old emotions."
Jin Pyeong reached out and took the cup. He hesitated for a moment but then slowly drank the wine.
Jang Ilso watched him with a faint smile.
Jin Pyeong was unaware.
Of the cold gaze seeping out from Jang Ilso's finely narrowed eyes.
An infinitely cold and deep gaze, like a bottomless abyss, was drawing Sun Sovereign Jin Pyeong into a profoundly deep place.
After the Sun Sovereign had left, Jang Ilso remained in the tent, lifting the cup filled with wine and staring at the shimmering liquid that seemed on the verge of spilling over.
Somehow, it stayed contained in the cup, just like the current Evil Tyrant Alliance.
"Was he satisfied?"
At Ho Gakmyung's question, Jang Ilso still kept his gaze on the cup and replied.
"That's not important. What's needed in such times is not satisfaction, but understanding."
"Understanding…"
"To put it more simply, a justification that can be understood, don't you think?"
Jang Ilso smiled broadly.
"Even though he looks like that, he's a valuable person. Such individuals sometimes value grand justifications more than practical benefits."
Ho Gakmyung nodded in agreement.
It's not the wealth that's important. What matters is that the wealth was obtained in the name of Hao Sect's apology and the Evil Tyrant Alliance's compensation. For the Sun Sovereign, it would provide ample military achievements to present to the palace members.
'It's pitiful.'
From the Sun Sovereign's perspective, there's some validity to feeling wronged. Even if the Sun Sovereign were to hold Ho Gakmyung responsible and take his life, it could be accepted.
But the current handling is truly pitiful. If there was a grudge against the Hao Sect Leader, he should have confronted him directly. Even though he's in seclusion, he hasn't left the battlefield. To seek Jang Ilso's help in discussing Hao Sect Leader's matter…
'It might mean he had no intention of holding the Hao Sect Leader accountable from the start.'
Or perhaps it was a calculation to avoid losing such a force before the impending war. In any case, this would keep the Sun Sovereign silent for the time being.
"It's always like this."
"What?"
"It's always precarious."
Jang Ilso said, still gazing at the cup that seemed about to overflow.
"Exerting full strength is far from stable. Problems are bound to arise, and there will always be disturbances. It's like it's on the verge of bursting."
Ho Gakmyung unknowingly nodded along.
"That's the true ability—to handle such disturbances."
Muttering to himself, Jang Ilso suddenly cast his gaze toward the tent's entrance where the Sun Sovereign had exited.
"A child is rather easy to handle. If you give them candy, they'll stop crying."
"Are you worried about the Thousand-Faced Gentleman?"
"Even old ginger is easier to handle than you might think. Those who value their own lives above all else don't take risks. No matter how deep the grudge is."
Jang Ilso's eyes grew cold and heavy.
"Truly difficult to handle are those whose desires are unclear."
Ho Gakmyung realized who Jang Ilso was referring to.
"Back then, where were they?"
"They ascended the mountain and entered Wudang."
"No, no. Gakmyung, I'm asking what happened next."
"…Yes?"
"After that, they disappeared for about a day. Then they calmly rejoined the alliance. Isn't that right?"
Ho Gakmyung affirmed. But internally, he harbored doubts.
Such things could happen anytime, especially on a battlefield where lives are at stake.
It was right after a significant defeat. It wasn't unusual to ponder all day whether they should remain with the Evil Tyrant Alliance. It wasn't something to hold against them. After all, one doesn't have multiple lives.
Yet, Jang Ilso, who knew this better than anyone, was bringing it up.
"Ryeonju-nim. They…"
"I know, Gakmyung. Nothing in this world is certain."
The conversation seemed to be in sync yet oddly off. But before Ho Gakmyung could fathom the reason for the discord, Jang Ilso spoke up.
"But you see. Even if it can't be made certain, isn't it possible to place a knife to their neck?"
"…"
"Bring the Blood Palace Lord."
Jang Ilso's mouth twisted into a strange smile.
"I'm curious. What exactly are they thinking?"
Even his usually calm eyes began to seethe with a mysterious energy.