The World's Greatest Troublemaker

Chapter 144

"Wasn't that the property of the Three Thousand Merchant Group?"

"I told you it's mine."

Ham Seopyo said as if it were no big deal.

"That is food extorted from the common people. So it is right to return it to the common people."

It was food that had been taken in addition to all the taxes collected from other regions. It was the first time Mok Wigun had heard of it.

But since the world is so messed up, it's not strange that such a thing happened. A greedy official might have done such a thing when the Three Thousand Merchant Group said they would buy food.

But is that the only such case? It's a common occurrence everywhere. In that case, you should punish the ones who did such things. It's troublesome if you cause damage to the people who bought it with money.

"Your way of thinking is interesting. Then are you saying that people like the merchant group or me can suffer a loss?"

Ham Seopyo's expression hardened a little.

"Have you ever farmed? And do you know how much tax is collected?"

What a funny thing to say.

'You brat. Even if I had farmed, I would have farmed a hundred times more than you, and I've been extorted much more severely than you.'

He had really been extorted to the point of shedding tears of blood. He had almost starved to death. And you're going to steal and distribute it like this? I can say for sure that that is not a solution.

"So you're going to take everything that was extorted and distribute it?"

"That's the plan."

"What if it's extorted again? What if the people who received it are caught or killed for being your accomplices?"

At Mok Wigun's words, Ham Seopyo's expression became a little more serious.

"Then I will make them pay a corresponding price."

Mok Wigun looked at Ham Seopyo quietly.

"A price? From what I see, you might be able to do that in this area, but I don't think you can if they are in a higher position or have more power."

At Mok Wigun's direct words, Ham Seopyo was flustered.

"You're right. Since my power is not yet large, the strong ones are out of the question. But someday it will be possible."

Ham Seopyo said that he had started in a small village at first, and people who responded had gathered to form the current force.

"So it's definitely possible."

"Well? That's a little different from what I think."

There is a limit to growing in that way. Just about the current level? If you're lucky, it might be possible to rule over one region. But you can't expand your power beyond that.

Honestly, this was also possible because there was no leading force here; if there had been a strong force, it would have been impossible to grow like this.

"So it seems the current level is the limit. And aren't you slowly feeling that yourself?"

It is not an easy task to lead a force to this extent. It's the same with growing it like this. It means he is a quite outstanding person. His ability, combined with enormous deliberation and effort, plus luck, has resulted in the current force. There is no way a person of that level would not know that it is difficult to grow beyond this.

"Besides, are you going to do that for everything in the world, not just this area?"

That is even more impossible. Ham Seopyo could not answer. He was lost in thought for a moment and then opened his mouth.

"You are not an ordinary person."

"Everyone says so."

"Then how do you think this problem can be solved?"

He's a pretty righteous guy. Ham Seopyo had the idea that the world was wrong now and that it needed to be corrected. Well. It's a good idea. But the world has always been like that.

"Was there ever a time when there were no problems? The age of Yao and Shun? The great peaceful era? There were problems then too."

"But... it's too severe now. Isn't it even hard for people to make a living?"

Mok Wigun took a breath and then said calmly.

"If you want to change the world, build up your strength first. Without strength, you can never change the world."

But it won't be easy. Because you need many things to build up your strength. Money and power are also essential. But if you join hands with such things, you will move away from the direction you want.

"Hmm..."

It wasn't that Ham Seopyo hadn't thought about such things. But he had chosen his own beliefs instead of joining hands with money or power. And he had endured a really difficult time to get here.

"The power to change the world... To be honest, it seems difficult to obtain it with my current method."

At Ham Seopyo's words, Mok Wigun showed interest. It was because it was not an easy thing to judge the situation so objectively. It is especially more difficult for a person who is deeply immersed in their own beliefs. So such people usually head for the path of ruin without even knowing it.

- Hey. Isn't he okay?

Mok Wigun asked.

- He's a rare person. Seeing that he admits that, his judgment seems to be okay too.

Ham Seopyo raised his head and asked.

"How do you live?"

"I'm very simple. I only protect my people."

"Only your people?"

Mok Wigun said yes.

"What ability do I have to do something for all the people in the world? I'm not interested in that, and I can't do it. Instead, I protect myself and my people no matter what happens."

"My people..."

Ham Seopyo seemed to have a lot on his mind. It's understandable, since he was suddenly in a state of confusion. But such thoughts are for when you are alone.

"So I have to take my food."

"Hmm... that's troublesome. Because we also need food."

Mok Wigun smiled.

"Doesn't what you're trying to do now seem similar to me?"

I definitely take care of my people. What Ham Seopyo was doing was similar to that.

"Is that so? You could see it that way."

Returning what was extorted is just a pretext. The reality is to secure his own safety.

"So you can't return the food?"

"That's right."

"Then how about you buy as much as you need from me and return the rest?"

At Mok Wigun's proposal, Ham Seopyo answered right away.

"We don't have that much money."

"Then how about you do what I want instead of money?"

Such excellent troops have many uses. But Ham Seopyo also refused that.

"They are people who have gathered for the purpose of helping people. That's why we were able to come this far. So I can't make a promise when I don't know what kind of work you will ask for."

"You can't return the food, you don't have money, and you can't do the work. Then what are you going to do?"

At Mok Wigun's scolding, Ham Seopyo had a difficult expression. Mok Wigun made a proposal to such a Ham Seopyo.

"Then let's do this."

Mok Wigun had originally planned to beat them all up and take the food. But the person named Ham Seopyo seemed okay. The more talented people, the better. So he decided to test him.

"I will check whether you can protect the food you have taken now."

"What do you mean by protecting it?"

Mok Wigun held up two fingers.

"I will test you in two ways. If you pass both, I will just give you the food."

"Is that really true?"

The food brought from the Three Thousand Merchant Group was enough for the people in this area to eat for more than three years. Nearly a hundred thousand people. It was a truly enormous amount.

But he said he would just give it away. He didn't know what kind of test it was, but Ham Seopyo admitted that Mok Wigun was a person with enormous generosity.

"What is the test?"

"The first is to protect the food warehouse for the next three days."

Mok Wigun also told him the specific conditions.

"Our side will put a red paper somewhere in the food warehouse."

"Are you saying we have to prevent that? But it's not easy for soldiers to deal with martial arts masters..."

Ham Seopyo showed reluctance. At that, Mok Wigun waved his hand.

"Then it's not a test. Even if you just discover them trying to put it, no, even if you just see them approaching, I will acknowledge that you have blocked it."

He was telling them the time and place in advance, so how could they not do that much? Ham Seopyo thought so and accepted the first condition.

"The second is to have a confrontation with a hundred of our people."

A hundred members of the Light Wind Unit. And Ham Seopyo's unit, which was facing them, had no limit on the number of people.

"I heard you have about a thousand subordinates. It's fine if they all come out."

Protective gear can be worn, but the weapons used are practice weapons. Because it's not a confrontation to kill each other.

"Excluding cavalry, only infantry."

If cavalry is included, Ham Seopyo's side is absolutely advantageous.

"Instead, we will also exclude myself and the Light Wind Unit executives."

"But what do we have to do if we lose?"

"If you lose, you come under me."

"What?"

Mok Wigun asked with a look that said, 'Why are you surprised?'

"If you fail both, it means you can't even guard properly and your combat power is not great. But can you survive on your own? It's better to join the stronger side."

"Hmm. Such a condition is a bit troublesome."

This guy still hasn't come to his senses. Mok Wigun took out a plaque from his bosom. It was the general's manor's token.

"You know what this is, right?"

"That's. The Xue family's general's manor's token?"

"Yes. If I take this to the general's manor and ask them to subjugate this place, what do you think will happen? While asking them to mobilize about twenty or thirty thousand people."

If the Xue family's general's manor moves, they can't be defeated. Ham Seopyo trusts his subordinates, but the opponent is also a place famous for being strong.

Besides, if there is a difference of twenty or thirty times in numbers, this is a match that doesn't even need to be seen. No matter how much you enter a castle and hold a siege, it's a fight you can't help but lose.

"I'm giving you a chance because that's troublesome. And if you've heard the rumors of our Demon Dragon Manor, you should know."

The rumors of the Demon Dragon Manor were quite good. They don't take an absurd amount of money and they protect well. So the number of places that hung the flag with the horn drawn on it was said to be increasing.

"Is that the more correct way..."

Ham Seopyo admitted that he was in an unavoidable situation. It was a situation where he had to make a choice unconditionally. He judged that it was better to take the test than to wage war.

"Alright. I will take the test. Instead, you must keep your promise."

"I have never broken a promise so far."

And so, a strange test began.

* * *

"We must protect it today."

Ham Seopyo gathered his subordinates and earnestly requested. He thought it would not be easy since the opponent was a martial arts master, but he believed he could protect it.

He thought, how could they not discover it even if they approached secretly? But no. The opponent had entered the food warehouse at some point and had put a red paper. Not just one, but they had put them here and there.

"I will also stay up all night to guard, so everyone, be on your toes!"

If they are breached today, they will lose the first test. That cannot happen. Ham Seopyo went around himself and checked the state of the guard.

Pyon Juksu, who was watching from a distance, said.

"Hey. To be honest, isn't this a bit of a cheat?"

"Where is there a cheat in war? And a promise is a promise."

When the night deepened, Mok Wigun said to Pyon Juksu.

"Start."

(End of Chapter)