Be Careful When Agreeing to Terms and Conditions - Be Careful When Agreeing to Terms and Conditions chapter 71

7. Human or Good Man (7)

After the death of King Empress, Liyue was in turmoil. This was because the main premise of the national governance system had collapsed. Liyue was a kind of theocracy. All ruling rights were vested in Liyue’s guardian deity, Emperor Amwang, and seven rulers who were entrusted with this authority ruled Liyue on behalf of Emperor Amwang. This system has never been shaken even in the thousands of years since Liyue was founded.

However, the death of King Empress highlighted the need to fundamentally change Li Yue’s ruling system. Being a god does not mean enjoying eternal life. He could die for any reason, or he could come down from his seat for some reason. This has long been proven by the replacement of five of the seven gods of the Tivat continent. Nevertheless, the people of Liyue were trying hard to turn a blind eye to that fact.

Even if the King of Darkness dies, it will be after countless years have passed. Such easy judgment was once again putting Li Yue to the test. Will Li Yue, without the King of Darkness, be able to enjoy the same prosperity as before? The majority of Liyue people, who had never thought about it even once, could not give a definitive answer to that question.

The people of Liyue were anxious. Unable to know what would happen to Li Yue without the King of Darkness, they were preoccupied with wondering who was to blame for the mistakes of the past rather than what to do in the future. Doubt and confusion bloomed like mold and spread through the alleys of Liyue. The thing that worked best with the anxious public was ‘conspiracy theory.’

Rumors filled with plausible logic, but no physical evidence. The story that ‘Liyue Chilseong is behind the assassination of King Empress’ spread throughout Liyue. Although no one said it out loud, people were now looking at Liyue Chilseong with suspicious eyes. And this was a great burden for Liyue Chilseong, who had to immediately resolve the national chaos and stabilize the political situation.

Power had such difficult properties. In order to prevent corruption, it is necessary to decentralize power, but in a chaotic situation like the present, concentration of power was more important than anything else. For this purpose, Liyue Chilseong asserted the authority derived from Liyue’s history and tradition. Liyue Chilseong had ruled Liyue as an agent of the King of Darkness for thousands of years, and used his authority to claim himself as the representative of the late Emperor of Darkness.

However, the existence of ‘Amwangjegun’ stood at the foundation of this authority. The King of Darkness is always right. The premise that Liyue’s guardian deity could not make a wrong decision was the basis for solidifying the position of Liyue Chilseong, trusted by the King of Darkness. And this belief was cracking after the death of Emperor Amwang.

The King of Darkness also dies. Even God can be wrong. So, the Seven Saints of Liyue, who were trusted by the king of kings, may have been trusted due to the wrong judgment of the king of kings. And they killed King Amwangjegun. Once the seed of doubt began to sprout, it was easy to grow. Liyue, which had been gradually finding stability under the guidance of Liyue Chilseong, began to stir once again.

It was the worst situation for Liyue Chilseong. Even so, it was not power that was transferred in a normal way. In a situation where they had no choice but to take over power due to the sudden death of the most powerful person, rumors that could fundamentally shake their authority were extremely threatening. This was because popular support was also important in the change of power.

Right now, Li Yue was creaking. Among the seven stars of Liyue, some were watching this situation closely, while others remained silent. And someone was stepping forward to resolve this situation. And one of the Seven Stars of Liyue, Okseong Gakcheong, was one of the last among them.

It was late at night. The streets of Liyue, originally bright as day with red lanterns at night, were shrouded in cold silence, as if reflecting the turbulent times. Gakcheong walked down the street and chewed his lips. Li Yue was now on such a precarious foundation. But when stabilizing it isn’t enough, shake it? The steps of each office were leading to a branch of a certain upper level.

It was late at night and there were only a few employees left at the top. It was safe to say that all employees except security personnel had left work. However, light was still leaking from the office on the top floor of the building, where the most important person was staying. Her legion ascended her steps, not even sparing a glance to her gatekeeper, who recognized her and bowed her head in astonishment.

It didn’t take long before the door to the office burst open. As soon as each office opened the door, they glared at the owner of the office with angry faces. As expected, he sat down and looked through the documents.

He glanced at the rude customer’s face, then turned his gaze back to the documents. His low voice rang out.

“It’s been a while, Mr. Gakcheong.”

“…… “You’d better quit right now.”

However, the voices of each office responding to the calm voice of the owner of the office, that is, Si-woo, were not good. Hearing her boiling voice, Siwoo signed a document. And he still spoke without even looking at each office.

“I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”

“Don’t act like a fool.”

At the firm voice of each office, Siwoo’s eyes turned to each office again. Gakcheong saw his shameless face and his body trembled.

“This is a rumor you are spreading… Who knows? “I heard that the People’s Party made a lot of noise.”

“hahahaha, this is so… “There are a lot of people in Liyue who are very interested in what other people say.”

Siwoo’s slightly sarcastic tone of voice sparked fire in Gakcheong’s eyes. Each of them clenched their teeth and pressed his lips.

“You mean… ….”

“Isn’t that wrong?”

Siwoo’s words came to me so quickly. Gakcheong’s fine eyebrows narrowed, but Siwoo didn’t care. He continued his words in a calm voice.

“The Emperor Empress was assassinated, and Liyue Chilseong seized power. The process is so smooth. There are seven leaders, and there is not even a word of common quarrel. “Isn’t it strange?”

“…… “It’s just a guess.”

Each office sharply dug into Si-woo’s logic, but Si-woo just smiled. His eyes became a little fierce.

“I don’t think the person who issued the wanted order based solely on speculation should say that.”

“It’s a basic story. Of course, the scene has been sealed off, but if anyone escapes, a wanted order must be issued. And you’re not saying this because you really have doubts.”

Siwoo was also silent at those words. Because it wasn’t wrong. Each office snorted at that attitude and continued speaking.

“Are you trying to have a fight with Eung-kwang? It looks like they want to install a new board… Even so, Eung-gwang is not an easy opponent to beat.”

Hearing those words, Si-woo sighed, “Whew.” He got up. Siwoo turned around and looked out the window as if he was a little worried, and then he asked.

“Is that person named ‘Eunggwang’ even a god?”

The sudden question left each office speechless. She seemed to think about it for a moment, but then she couldn’t help but furrow her brows slightly and ask back.

“…… What?”

“You could even become a god. “That person named ‘Eunggwang’.”

Each office remained silent. It was because I couldn’t understand Siwoo’s intentions. When each office said nothing more, Siwoo turned back. Siwoo and Gakcheong’s eyes met. Siwoo had a face that he didn’t like about something.

“If you are not God, you will inevitably make a mistake if you shake it. No matter how hard you try to have all the information, there are limits. So, start with what you can do. And again… ….”

Siwoo slowly began to walk. Siwoo’s footsteps stopped just before he passed his desk. Siwoo’s fingers tapped the desk. Tap, tap, tap.

“…… “If there is an intention, it must be common for both parties.”

Hearing those words, Gakcheong looked closely at Siwoo’s expression. Siwoo’s face showed no particular emotion. Annoyance, dissatisfaction. Well, such trivial emotions. But it was strange. Those eyes were so harsh that Gakcheong was a little confused.

What does Siwoo really want to say? So, each office gave up the joke and answered in a calm voice.

“Well, I’m not sure?”

Siwoo said, huh, and swallowed a laugh. There was a lot of murmuring about who was making fun of someone, but each office tried to ignore it.

Siwoo continued. His gait also began to flow again.

“It’s strange. A wanted order has been issued, and the charge is ‘assassination of a soldier’… Cheonam-gun is so quiet. “Isn’t it normal for us to immediately search all of Liyue and catch them?”

“…… Liyue is also in chaos now. “Cheonam-gun must be on standby just in case.”

Siwoo was not left speechless despite the counterarguments from each office. Siwoo’s words flowed like water.

“It’s only for a few days. Does it make sense to remain calm even after the power system was reorganized around Liyue Chilseong? “If you are accused of murdering a soldier, your arrest is an urgent priority.”

Silence, each office did not necessarily deny it. Her gaze was slightly distracted. It seemed like each office was avoiding Siwoo’s gaze.

The guess was turning out to be correct, Siwoo was convinced at that time. He spoke in a stronger tone.

“And no matter how panicked Li Yue’s leadership was, it makes no sense that they had even lost their ability to make normal decisions. Even if Lumine is strong, she has no means to assassinate the Dark Lord. Even though he is suspicious, he is a hero of Mond, and diplomatic friction is a natural course… “Li Yue, who has to immediately resolve the chaos, is willing to risk diplomatic friction to issue an arrest order.”

“…… So, what do you want to say?”

As Siwoo’s words became longer, it was each office that put the brakes on. But Siwoo still had something left to say. He walked towards each office. Slowly, one step at a time. Every time he took a step, his words continued one by one.

“Someone did something. When King Amwangjegun was assassinated, Eunggwang, who was at the scene, issued a blockade order. I would have been embarrassed, so that was probably the best decision. But after that, it was so smooth. “It’s as if someone had always assumed this situation.”

And soon Siwoo’s steps stopped in front of each office. Gakcheong and Siwoo’s eyes met. Siwoo had a calm face, and Gakcheong also had an innocent face.

Both knew. The fact that the emotions contained in each other’s gaze are not like that.

“So, Lumine was needed. Until Li Yue Chilsheng took power, a scapegoat was needed to focus the public’s attention. And, as if he had been waiting, he was the one who united the Seven Stars of Liyue and sought power, and who must have always been concerned about the absence of the King of Darkness, which the people of Liyue had never imagined…….”

Soon Si-woo’s words became lower. It was an informal language, not an honorific, and a tone used when dealing with equals. However, neither Siwoo nor each office seemed to care about this. Siwoo slightly tilted his upper body and whispered in Gakcheong’s ear.

“…… Gakcheong, you are the only one.”

In response to those growling whispers, each office said nothing for a while. She made eye contact with Si-woo for a moment, then looked away, and then.

“…… Of course, I can’t fool you. You.”

He grinned and smiled. It was a beautiful smile, but it was the smile of a politician.

*

There was a cold silence. Each office has now acknowledged this. My guess is correct. So, the mastermind behind this situation was not only Eung-gwang. Rather, it could be said that the government offices behind the scenes were the main culprits of this situation.

Liyue Chilseong, who is not a good man but a human being, takes real power. This was exactly what someone had planned. She was not a god, but a woman who wanted to open the era of humans.

But the beginning was sudden. The King of Darkness suddenly dies and falls upon his body, that too on the day of the Cheongshin ceremony. This was something that could not help but be perplexing, no matter how many different possibilities it might have been thinking of.

So, you gain time. The method was simple. If someone is pointed out as a scapegoat, the public’s anger will be directed at him or her. And when attention was turned, the real power was seized without any opposition and that was the end. An extremely simple and efficient method.

Of course, this was entirely a demonstration of the competence of each office. It is said that all of Liyue Chilseong are people who are worried about the future of Liyue, but even so, their directions must have been different. However, within that short period of time, each office united the will of the Seven Stars of Liyue and created the current system without any sign of division.

There were still clumsy aspects. However, once things gradually stabilized, the ruling system centered on Liyue Chilseong would create a ‘human Liyue’ as each government dreamed of. And because it was such a government office, it would have been possible to gather the will of the Seven Saints of Liyue in the chaotic political situation following the sudden death of Emperor Amwang.

It was fortunate for Li Yue. There was at least one official who was preparing for an emergency. However, that was a story limited to Li Yue.

“There is a slight misunderstanding, but the wanted order itself was not issued by me. That is the authority of the Heavenly Authority. However, it is true that I did not intentionally ask you to collect the wanted notice.”

“…… “Why did you do that?”

At my quiet voice, each office snorted as if asking something obvious. She said.

“Because Liyue is more precious. “How can an individual and a nation be held on the same scale?”

“Lumine is more important to me.”

At my words, each office fell silent for a moment. She glanced at me, then sighed as if she knew she was sincere. She said in a slightly softened voice.

“…… I’m sorry about that. But, I couldn’t help it. I am Liyue Chilseong. Of course, I had no choice but to prioritize Liyue’s future.”

I looked dissatisfied with those words. It was a story I heard over and over again. But the answer I could give back was the same.

I understand, but I couldn’t accept it. However, each office continued talking even after seeing my displeased expression.

“You know everything now, so stop. This is sincere advice. Because you have now crossed the line, Eung-gwang has a lot more options to take. This means that the scope for public persecution through power has increased.”

At the same time, each office added words as if showing mercy. It seemed to be a sign of goodwill in its own way.

“If we stop at this point, I will talk to Eung-gwang well. And I am willing to compensate appropriately later. Because it’s true that we wronged your colleague. I don’t know officially, but unofficially I apologize on behalf of Chilseong…….”

“That can’t be possible.”

Siwoo’s answer, which he gave with a deep sigh, was again an honorific, but the content was a firm refusal. The faces of each office frowned.

“So, isn’t it true that it was Cheon Kwon-seong who touched Lumine first? Even if you receive an unofficial apology, from the outside world, it will look like you’ve screwed up, and there’s no guarantee that people who will mess with Lumine won’t appear in the future, right?”

“…… But you’re going to turn all of Liyue into enemies?”

From Noble mtl dot com

Each office complained that they were now fed up with the system. To her, Si-woo may have seemed stubborn. But Siwoo was serious. Once he touched Lumine, he had to see the end. That way, you won’t have to mess with Lumine in the future.

Of course, if there was no chance of winning, Siwoo would have chosen to give up. Because he won’t die once he touches his tail. However, Siwoo still had a few cards left that he could use.

“Why do I turn all of Liyue into enemies? “I have one on my side here too.”

“Who is that…?” ….”

Each office tried to question the question as if they were dumbfounded, but then closed their mouths as if they realized something. Each person turned his head here and there and looked around. But now there was no one in the office. Except for Siwoo and Gakcheong.

Each office had a look on their faces saying, “No way!” She pointed her finger at herself, still frowning.

“…… Surely, me?”

Siwoo nodded his head as if he got it right. Each office soon looked dumbfounded. Her mouth opened freely.

“No, why am I on your side…” ….”

“I heard Lumine is meeting her predecessors.”

At those words, the mouths of each office fell silent. She looked at Si-woo blankly. Before he knew it, Si-woo had lost his anger and had become a calm and gentle face.

Gakcheong seemed to hesitate for a moment, then she asked.

“…… “They said they don’t know his whereabouts.”

“Then shall I say I know? Cheonam-gun comes in with his eyes black and asks where he is? And, I really didn’t know at the time. “I still don’t know the details of his whereabouts.”

This was also a story I heard through Tartaglia. Because it would be too risky for Lumine and I to contact each other now. It seems that Lumine chose her good men as a means to oppose Li Yue Chil-seong. I don’t know how she will wake up and persuade those arrogant good men, but in the end, it was helpful to me.

Each office was silent. An abacus must have been popping in her head. She was looking at me intently, as if she wanted to know if what I was saying was true or false. But I was confident. Because it wasn’t a lie.

“It will be worth seeing when the ancestors come. Wouldn’t you have imagined that good people with no interest in worldly affairs would come together so quickly? At least I would have thought it would come after the current system was stabilized… “I’m really looking forward to the reaction of the good people who saw the King of Darkness dying and seven humans taking his place.”

If there was even a rumor going around that those seven people had assassinated the King of Darkness, I wanted to add that, but I stopped. This was because I realized that there was no need to add more words after seeing the expressions on each office’s already serious expressions.

Gakcheong chewed his lips once again. Her once relaxed face turned stern.

“…… “Were you aiming for it?”

Actually, it wasn’t. Whether Rumine meets her predecessor or what she does, you will have to listen to the story to find out. But in the end, it worked out well, and I had another card in my hand. That was all the story. However, bragging is part of a merchant’s daily life, so I snorted as if it was natural.

“How can you fight without a target? Then… ….”

I held out my hand. Each office looked down at my outstretched hand in annoyance. But the board had already passed. She had her question posed to her.

“What do you want to do? Loyalty with Eung-gwang and Li Yue’s future. “Is this worth hanging on a scale?”

Each person looked at my face and my outstretched hand alternately, and eventually sighed. She held my hand together with her face still annoyed. In fact, she didn’t even have to ask.

Because she was a member of each government. For her, her top priority was to stabilize her current regime.

“…… Brother-in-law Ok will not budge on this matter. Still, I can’t take an active role, because it’s Eung-gwang who is currently representing Liyue Chilseong… But with the problems of her predecessors at stake, she won’t be able to cross her line. Then she doesn’t have to worry about the good guys, right?”

Each office bluntly stated such conditions, but I had no intention of being satisfied. I said with a shameless smile.

“No, I don’t know about the ancestors. However, I will request arbitration. And, while you are doing your best, please prevent a tax investigation.”

Each office glanced at me, but my smile did not break. ‘Tax investigation’, it was not the work of brother-in-law Ok. Of course, just the fact that the jade body does not move is of great help to the top. This was because land and architecture were often subtly intertwined with the top.

Okhyeongbu was also the place to handle disputes over the use or ownership of land where buildings or warehouses were located. So, it can be said that each office itself is helpful, but what all top organizations fear the most is the ‘tax investigation.’

It was not a question of whether or not there was tax evasion. Once a large-scale tax investigation began, there was no one at the top that would not be caught. Tax law is surprisingly open to interpretation, and above all, the larger the top end, the more inevitably things are missed in accounting.

For example, even if top employees eat meals at the top’s expense, they may lose their receipts. If such things accumulate several times, it can turn into something big, which can lead to a tax hit or even arrest.

Preventing such a malicious tax investigation is impossible no matter how much money is spent. However, each office was different. She was a magnate who sat at the top of the Liyue Seven Saints, and at the same time, she was a person who had a great contribution in forming a ruling system centered on the Liyue Seven Saints.

Perhaps, if she uses her powers, she will be able to prevent the tax investigation. That’s why I went out of my way to stimulate each audience and bring the story to this point.

And as if my guess was not wrong, each office obediently agreed to my conditions even though they looked annoyed.

“…… Okay, but that’s it. “Aren’t you just trying to make too much of your money through arbitration?”

With those words, I finally breathed a sigh of relief. I thought each office would come visit me at some point, but it was fortunate that I came after reading a little more information. It seemed that today’s negotiations ultimately turned out to be a success.

I think I can do a little bit now. I thought so. As my mind relaxed, the cold atmosphere naturally eased. I had now even found the time to tell jokes to each office.

“This is an exemplary attitude for a merchant. What do you think, are you in love?”

However, the various offices seemed to have not yet fully recovered from their anger and did not seem to like my joke. She glared at me. And then he stomped on my foot.

I had no choice but to scream and complain of pain. Even after seeing me like that, each office just nodded and turned their heads.

“…… “You’re annoying.”

That night, the honeymoon relationship between me and each office that each office had longed for was established. Of course, it wasn’t the way each office had hoped.

It was the best way for me. The full-scale bidding competition began now.

**

Gam-u was in a state of confusion all day long. It was because of the news I heard last time. Is it true that Siwoo’s younger brother spread such malicious rumors? In that case, Liyue Chilseong and Siwoo had no choice but to split up. Even if he was Si-woo’s younger brother, he couldn’t turn Li Yue Chil-seong into an enemy and get away with it.

I couldn’t get my hands on things that day. This was despite the fact that she was given less than half of her usual amount of work, taking into consideration the fact that her state of mind was complicated. It was late at night when she finished her work and went out to sleep, the same time as always.

Gamwoo followed her steps without knowing where she was heading. Gamwoo, it was difficult. She has not been able to solve anything since the death of her respected King Jegun. He also raised his voice and fought with Siu. It would have been better if Gam-woo had been patient at that time and if he had comforted Si-woo a little more.

It was a meaningless assumption. If you can’t control your mind now, how can you control it then? But Gam-woo kept thinking of Si-woo.

When it’s hard, when she’s lonely, and when no one recognizes her hard work. When she met Si-woo, she could feel that everything was no big deal. As I talked to Siwoo, my worries suddenly became concerns about performing, and my loneliness became warmth. So, when she was having a hard time like these days, she couldn’t help but think of Si-woo reflexively.

It was a funny thing. It’s hard because of Siwoo, but that makes me think of Siwoo more. As she continued her tired steps, Gam-u suddenly came to her senses.

It was in front of an upper building. As she walked blankly, thinking of Si-woo, it seemed like she had somehow leaked onto the road. Gamwoo bowed her head. Even so, there was no need to go back there. Even if I go in, it will probably be to carry out some official work.

It was just as she was about to turn her steps. Her gatekeeper, who was standing guard in front of her upper building, spotted her and cried out in surprise.

“No, aren’t you the owner’s sister-in-law?”

“Oh, well, I don’t think that’s… ….”

Gam-u was startled by her sudden cry and ended up answering. But before she could say any more, the gatekeeper made a fuss and led her to the entrance of her upper building. Gam-woo still felt miserable about her.

It seems like you don’t know yet, ‘Ui-nim.’ Gam-woo was about to leave after giving a suitable excuse to her doorkeeper, when her gaze suddenly landed on the top floor of the building.

The light was on. That alone made Gamwoo feel like his thoughts had stopped. She seemed a little hesitant, but eventually she entered the upper building. Perhaps because it was late at night, there were no employees. Gamwoo sighed deeply.

What are you going to say now? But when she thought about it, she felt like she was the only one who could stop her brother Si-woo’s reckless actions. If I tell you well, will you understand? And if we talk about it, maybe he can reconcile.

Then, it goes back to the way it was before… ….

Gamwoo, who had such faint expectations, quickened his steps. She climbed the stairs and stood in front of the office. The door was slightly open. Perhaps it was a sign that someone had rushed in, but Gam-u stopped while trying to put her hand on the door handle.

There was someone inside. It was two people’s voices.

“…… No, that means stepping on her feet?! “If you get a little more annoyed, I’ll just crush her toes, okay?!”

“So, why didn’t you tease me a little bit? And the man who just trusts her face and casually says something like that should suffer.”

A familiar shadow and voice. At that moment, Gamwoo held her breath and hid next to her door. Her dark hallway was obscured by the faint rays of light coming from her office. Gamwoo collapsed, leaning against the wall.

Why was I hiding, even Gamwoo couldn’t understand. But even then, her sensitive ears were picking up all the conversations coming from inside her office.

“I really feel unfair, but I can’t say anything because the opponent is Liwol Chilseong… ….”

“…… You said everything was fine just now? “I was very impressed.”

The sound of grumbling and scolding. Although it looked like they were fighting on the outside, I could feel some kind of connection between the two. Anyone could see that they were a man and woman who got along well. And she knew very clearly who the two men and women talking in her office were.

Her superiors, Ok Seong-seong and Si-woo. The moment Gamwoo realized that fact, he slowly raised her body. The hallway was cold and quiet. The office was warm and bright, and Gam-woo felt scared as if the clear contrast was because of Si-woo.

Will she have to walk this dark and cold path from now on? Just like when Siwoo wasn’t around. Before that, I felt fine, but when I felt the light and warmth again, I felt miserable. Gamwoo walked her steps slightly unsteadily.

Yes, it may not have mattered to Siwoo who he was. Before she knew it, she had become close to her boss, Ok Hyeong-seong, and was laughing and talking like me. His face didn’t show any worry or worry like Gamwoo’s. There was no loneliness. Innate light and warmth. Gam-woo felt that way about Si-woo. There are probably plenty of flying insects that are attracted to that warmth.

Just walking down the road, I thought as I walked.

Wasn’t that seat originally mine? He stays by Si-woo’s side, and when Si-woo teases him, his face turns red. They made jokes and made each other laugh, and then comforted each other when they shared their concerns. It was such a warm place. Siwoo’s side.

But, why? Of course, Okhyeong, no.

Why that woman?

Gamwoo’s eyes sank coldly. His mood was similar to before he entered the upper building. He was lonely and miserable. However, Gamwoo could feel the cool chill rising between them. That soggy feeling, that boiling yet cold sensation passing through his chest.

Yes, it was a feeling he felt for the first time in his life. Although Gamwoo did not know the name of that emotion yet.

“…… Each office.”

The voice that was spoken alone like that was so cold. Gamwoo was startled and opened his eyes wide.