27. A bewildered Cha Seong-tae approached as he witnessed an immense amount of wealth entering the Plum Blossom Pavilion.
"What is all this wealth? Where did you get it? Have you learned to steal?"
"This is the money embezzled by the Golden Phoenix of the Black Cat Gang. It's also the construction funds for a martial arts inn like this."
"You brought the Black Cat Gang's money here?" Cha Seong-tae looked utterly dumbfounded.
"Yes."
"Why?"
"It's my intention. The heart of Jeom So-i, the heart of the Lord of Hao Moon, the heart of a thief."
"I understand the thief's mindset, but what if the Black Cat Gang comes after us? They are the ones who take money, not the ones who lose it. They are the ones who beat up thieves."
"I'm also someone who can hit back, so it should be fine, right?"
"Sigh..."
Until now, I had killed the three brothers of the Jo family, the remnants of Heuk Seon-bo, and the Golden Phoenix, but I had never given it my all.
Moreover, I knew that the leader of the Black Cat Gang was in a situation where he couldn't pay attention to Ilyang County.
He probably wouldn't even have enough time to train day by day.
However, if I went into detail about this, the atmosphere would become even stranger, so I needed to move on appropriately.
"If the Black Cat Gang attacks, I can negotiate with their leader."
"Negotiation sounds good."
"Or I can defeat the leader of the Black Cat Gang. Or I can torture and interrogate him. Or I can make him my subordinate."
"Subordinate, sounds good. Torture? That's a clever idea. I was worrying for nothing."
"Or I could just kill him. I have plenty of methods."
As those around us listened intently, they all sighed and avoided my gaze, while Cha Seong-tae muttered with a dazed expression, "You should say something that makes sense to put my mind at ease. Ha..."
I looked at Cha Seong-tae and replied briefly, "It does."
Receiving suspicious glances was something I was used to, but I also felt the need to reassure the people.
"Alright. It seems the poor souls are worried again today. I understand. Gather the leaders of Hao Moon at the open space of the Zaha Inn for a moment. We need to ease their worries."
"Who are the leaders? I don't know exactly yet."
In fact, later on, I too would not know who the leaders of Hao Moon were, just like Cha Seong-tae.
I would recruit almost everyone from the lower ranks as I went around.
Hao Moon was originally a group formed by working people.
So in a sense, it could also be called the Labor Sect.
In work, there is no distinction between high and low.
However, in the martial world, there were many distinctions, and it was taken for granted.
Thus, the majority of the martial world became my enemies.
"First, Jeong Deok-soo of the Jeom Sect."
"Yes? Brother Deok-soo?"
"Are you looking down on Brother Deok-soo?"
"Oh, that's not it. The soup is really delicious."
"Just bring Uncle Geum Cheol-yong of the Iron Sect and Yeon Ja-seong of the Chuk Sect."
"Um, what about the person in charge of that procession earlier?"
"Leave him be. We need to observe more."
"Understood."
A bonfire was lit in the open space of the Zaha Inn, and the small leaders and I sat around it.
Geum Cheol-yong spoke.
"Our leader has something to say."
"Yes."
Since Geum Cheol-yong was present, I began speaking formally.
"I will now speak about the code of conduct for Hao Moon. Please forgive me if my words are disjointed. I do not wish to deliver grand speeches, but rather hope to share my true feelings with you."
"Speak comfortably."
I looked at the crackling firewood and opened my mouth.
"From now on, everything that happens in Hao Moon is my responsibility. If there is a problem, say that the leader of Hao Moon caused it. If someone comes asking where the leader of Hao Moon is, just tell them where I am. If someone presses for answers, say it is something only the leader of Hao Moon knows. This is the first rule of conduct for Hao Moon."
In summary, it would be my fault.
I finished speaking and looked at the small leaders.
As expected, they exchanged glances, their expressions saying, "What nonsense is this?" The elder, Geum Cheol-yong, asked again to confirm, "Is it all the leader's fault?"
"That's right."
Geum Cheol-yong tilted his head and said, "How can this be the code of conduct for an organization? Please explain further."
"Alright. I should explain further. I have no talent for noodles, so I turned my sights to the martial world."
"Really?"
"Let's move on. However, Uncle Geum, who runs the Iron Sect, and Brother Deok-soo, who runs the Chunyang Inn, probably have no interest in the martial world. Not now, nor in the future. Isn't that right?"
The two nodded.
"What interest would we have in the martial world?"
"That's impossible."
I looked at Yeon Ja-seong and Cha Seong-tae.
"These two will likely feel the same way."
Cha Seong-tae thought inwardly, 'Not me,' but he didn't speak up due to the atmosphere.
"And most of Hao Moon will feel the same way. But I am different. Without needing to give various examples, countless people who carry out tasks like Jeom So-i, the innkeeper, the courier, the coachman, the soldiers, the cooks, and the vendors have died countless times in the martial world.
It is a world where one cannot even question the injustice of their deaths. Probably, it will continue to be so in the future. Through this Hao Moon, I want to save one person, two people, three people... as many as I can from dying.
And I intend to hold accountable for the unjust deaths of those who have died, no matter who the opponent is."
During my time as a madman, whenever the Demon Cult and the Martial Alliance, the Black and White factions clashed, countless innocent people died as if it were a war.
Many died without any guilt.
I had no sympathy for the mad monkeys who fought and died among themselves.
However, I could not tolerate the innocent Jeom So-i, who was simply carrying drinks and snacks, being beaten to death for no reason.
Geum Cheol-yong asked, "I understand a bit, but how is that related to having an interest in the martial world?"
Geum Cheol-yong still seemed puzzled by my words.
I continued, "It is related. If there are injured or dead who belong to Hao Moon, I will know about it. If someone dies at the hands of the Black faction, I will kill that Black faction. If the White faction kills someone, I will kill them before I even question the Martial Alliance about it. I will be the protector of ordinary workers. However..."
I looked around at the people.
"I know that the act of protecting the weak will inevitably clash with the existing vested interests. The leader of Hao Moon can gain justification no matter who he fights against. That is because I am the representative of the weak."
In my previous life, I had no justification, which is why I easily earned the title of 'Madman.' Because of that, I was easily criticized and pointed at.
Whatever I did, I was called a madman, and I even bore the sins I did not commit.
In fact, I often did not bother to clarify.
With my temperament added to that, I became a martial world figure in the shortest time.
Now, I did not want that.
Who would understand the feeling of having to run away from the Martial Alliance while training to kill the leader of the Demon Cult?
Now, the situation was different.
If I did not properly utilize the rare opportunity given to me, I would not just be a madman, but a fool.
Yeon Ja-seong responded first, "I understand."
Cha Seong-tae raised his hand and then spoke, "Isn't it a bit hard to understand? For this code of conduct to have meaning, the leader must be incredibly strong, right? Let's say the Black Cat Gang attacks tomorrow. According to the code of conduct, we must say that this was all the leader's doing. No, let's say the Black Cat Gang accepts that. How will you handle the numerous sects and masters in the future?"
"That's a valid point."
I looked around at those who were waiting with bated breath and spoke words that they would find hard to believe.
"If I become the strongest in the world in the future, it will be resolved."
"……."
In the moment of suffocating silence, Cha Seong-tae hurriedly covered his mouth, but he failed to suppress a "Pff."
That served as a signal, and Geum Cheol-yong burst into laughter, Jeong Deok-soo laughed while holding his belly, and even Yeon Ja-seong chuckled.
Soon, Cha Seong-tae, as if encouraged, burst into laughter, and the small leaders erupted into loud laughter.
"Hahaha."
"Khahaha."
"In Ilyang County... the strongest in the world..."
"The innkeeper... Ah, my bad."
I looked at the smiling faces of the small leaders and smiled gently.
In truth, I found it amusing too.
The innkeeper of Zaha Inn being the strongest in the world...
Eventually, I too burst into laughter with the small leaders.
"Hahaha..."
After laughing for a while, I turned serious and looked at Cha Seong-tae.
"You should laugh a bit more moderately. You're about to die. The madman has tears in his eyes."
"Yes."
Geum Cheol-yong, just hearing my words, seemed to feel good and said, "You're still young, so if you dedicate yourself day by day, you might become a renowned master in the martial world in a few decades. A man should always have big ambitions. I will support our leader."
Yeon Ja-seong, with innocent eyes as if he had no doubts, said, "I will support you too. Become the strongest in the world. I will be both a member of Hao Moon and a supporter of the leader."
Yeon Ja-seong's ambition was to be the best in the construction field, so he was firm in wanting to support this mindset.
My gaze turned to Jeong Deok-soo, who had not said a word.
Jeong Deok-soo's thoughts were this: 'Becoming the strongest in the world is no child's play.'
I watched the complicated expression on Jeong Deok-soo's face and said, "Brother Deok-soo thinks it's impossible."
Jeong Deok-soo, being an honest man, nodded and replied, "Isn't it?"
"In what way?"
"There are countless sects, masters, and powers in the martial world, and there are countless geniuses in martial arts, most of whom start training before they can even walk, right?"
"That's true."
Jeong Deok-soo expressed what he had heard somewhere.
"Yet, the strongest in the world is said to be chosen by heaven."
That's right.
The strongest in the world is someone chosen by heaven.
And the mysterious man chosen by heaven is none other than me.
"That is me."
In truth, what matters more than the result is the mindset.
"Whether I become the strongest in the world or not is not that important. What matters is how much effort I put into living for that goal. Setting a goal and not dedicating oneself to it is not what a man should do. I, Jeom So-i, will strive for the goal of becoming the strongest in the world, but what will you all live for?"
I pointed at the small leaders.
"Think seriously."
At that moment, I wondered if I was indeed the man who was called a madman in my previous life.
But yes, I was.
In my previous life, I had no plans, but now I have plans.
In the future, I must take good care of Hao Moon so that I can fight against the Martial Alliance and clash with the Demon Cult.
If I become the representative of the weak, there will be no reason for me to be labeled as a martial world figure like before.
I must gain justification...
I must contest with the White faction over justice.
I can confront the mad monkeys of the Demon Cult with force.
And I can either beat the crazed members of the Black faction or take them in as subordinates.
This is the power of justification.
If someone pushes a different opinion against the majority of the world, if they succeed, they become a revolutionary; if they fail, they become a madman.
Unlike my previous life, I intended to be a successful madman.