Chapter 254. If You Run While Youre Drunk (3)

Seol Jihu accompanied Hao Win to the door and bid farewell. Once Hao Win left, the personal guards that had followed him to Carpe Diems building went up to him.

Hao Win didnt say a word and walked to the street with a somewhat stiff expression.

Tk. A raindrop fell from the sky. Hao Win abruptly paused and tilted his head up.

The sun was still in the middle of the sky, yet the sky was dark. Rain clouds had rolled in before he noticed, and it seemed it would rain any moment now.

Tk, tk, tk, tk. As if to prove him right, more raindrops began to fall in the next moment.

A man wearing black sungla.s.ses glanced up before spreading open a jacket on his arm and approaching Hao Win.

Ming Jie.

The man who was putting the jacket over Hao Win paused at the sudden call.

You once asked me why I chose Carpe Diems leader, do you remember that?

.

Its simple. Because he s.h.i.+ned brighter than anyone else.

Hao Win continued while still looking up at the sky.

A man who accomplishes impossible feats. A witty problem-solver who brings a solution when everyone else is lost and sees the ingenious plan to completion. That is the Earthling and Irregular, Seol of Haramark.

Hao Win smiled faintly.

I witnessed it clearly at the Banquet. He visited the minority faction, consoling them to join his cause. He persuaded the majority faction and subdued anyone trying to break the harmony with violence. And when he brought up the idea of exchanging the Dissonant Wish I was deeply moved. He used his cards at the perfect timing. And I knew immediately that I could never do the same.

Ming Jie who was listening carefully said.

If you are trying to draw a comparison to Carpe Diems recent action, I would like to point out that violence is an employable method as well.

I acknowledge that.

Hao Win agreed right away.

Suppressing the enemy with your strength is a necessary method. I know that. But

Saying this, Hao Win looked back at the imposing building.

He was drunk.

.

Getting used to something is similar to being inebriated.

He spoke with a hint of regret.

The more you flaunt authority, the more you become addicted. The more you fall in love, the more you become enamored. And the more you use strength, the more you become drunk on it.

Similarly, the more you fall into madness, the deeper you fall. Almost like getting more inebriated as you drink.

The gentle drizzle was drenching Hao Wins clothes before he noticed. Hao Win took his eyes off the building and sighed.

He wasnt saying that it was bad to run while looking forward. There were certainly times when it was necessary.

The problem was the mental state of the person running.

Was he running while looking forward? Or was he unable to look anywhere else?

That wasnt all. He had to tread carefully even if he was running with a sharp mind, but now he was rus.h.i.+ng forward while intoxicated. He wasnt taking breaks to look back, nor was he looking around at the people running with him.

Hao Win smacked his lips for a long time before turning his gaze back down.

How are the remaining seven organizations movements?

Nothing seems out of the ordinary.

So theyve decided to lay low.

For now, at least. But given their personalities, I doubt theyll stay still for long.

This couldnt continue. An unjust attack could come flying at his back at any moment. In the worst-case scenario, he might even trip on an obstacle right in front of him.

The moment Seol Jihu fell, the hyenas biding their time would pounce excitedly and eat to their hearts content, not leaving behind even a single piece of meat, making sure that he could not stand up ever again.

Hao Win wanted to make Seol Jihu take a break, but the water had already been spilled. Just like Seol Jihu said, they were now in a situation where they had to see things to the end.

If they stopped halfway, it would be worse than not starting at all.

This was the cause of Hao Wins dilemma.

I doubt anything bad will happen with Miss Foxy by his side, but I guess theres no other way.

Hao Win muttered under his breath. Ming Jie finally put the jacket over him and lowered his hand.

Have you decided, sir?

Decided or not, we dont have a choice. Weve been forced.

It wasnt that they were in a horrible situation with no way out. They just had to help Seol Jihu so he could run while only looking forward until this matter was fully resolved.

In other words

The Triads will have to become Carpe Diems s.h.i.+eld for a while.

Announcing resolutely, Hao Win looked back at Ming Jie.

Can you contact a few rogues?

I have their contact info but may I know why?

Even as a s.h.i.+eld, Im not the type to sit around and take a beating. You can use s.h.i.+elds to attack too. You know, bas.h.i.+ng and striking.

Hao Win cackled as he took out a pack of cigarettes. Ming Jie tilted his head, but didnt ask any further.

Ill look into it.

Dont look for them in Eva, but in Haramark no, its fine as long as theyre not from Eva. Remember, they cannot be from Eva.

How many will we need?

Ming Jie asked bluntly.

Enough to observe all of Evas organizations. Bring them here as soon as possible. And be discrete.

Hao Win revealed his teeth and smiled.

Its war.

*

The Carpe Diem building had several meeting rooms as Kim Hannah had created one on each floor in consideration of creating multiple smaller teams in the future.

Todays meeting took place in the great meeting room which was s.p.a.cious enough to fit over 100 people.

Evas organizations have split up their territories well, but thats only when it comes to land. For business, they mostly operate together.

Kim Hannahs voice had enough force to fill the entire room.

The only difference is which side is in charge and which side takes more benefits.

Kim Hannah looked back at a chalkboard which contained three provisions.

Evas organizations make money through three primary methods. The first is real estate, the second is slave hunt and trade, and the third is loan-sharking and prost.i.tution.

Jang Maldong furrowed his brows.

Among these, Leader Seol Jihu recently led the charge to ruin the slave hunt and trade. Its hard to say its been stopped 100 percent, but with the royal administrators declaration and the royal family strengthening their border patrol, the organizations should stay quiet for a while.

In truth, Seol Jihu had more than ruined the slave hunt and trade as he had directly affected future prospects as well.

Everyone knew that the organizations suffered a great loss. Now, Evas organizations were choosing to lay low rather than take action.

But that didnt mean they would let Carpe Diem do as it wished. They had to be scheming to make up their losses somehow. Since real estate was an a.s.set they almost fully owned, they wouldnt be able to milk any more money out of it.

So, its highly likely that theyll s.h.i.+ft their focus on loan-sharking and prost.i.tution.

They were already milking this revenue stream, but now they would squeeze it dry. After all, even a dried squid would produce some water when wrung.

People who arent familiar with Eva call it the City of Priests, but the ones who are familiar call it the City of Luxury and Pleasure.

Kim Hannah placed her hands on the long table and looked around.

Has anyone gone outside at night?

Mm, I have.

Hugo nodded while smiling in satisfaction.

Evas nightlife is well known. For one, its cheap. Its also fun picking and choosing who you

Hugo trailed off, unable to finish his sentence, as Seol Jihu stared at him fixedly. Kim Hannah smiled.

Right, Evas nightlife is flocked by Earthlings. Why do you think that is?

Isnt that obvious? They borrowed money from loan sharks and failed to pay up, so they were pulled into prost.i.tution.

Chohong spoke apathetically.

Yes, thats right. Can you take a look at the paper I gave you?

Kim Hannah said as she raised a piece of paper she had handed out earlier. After a few ruffles, her voice rang out again.

I personally went out to gather this information. One woman couldnt endure Paradises difficult livelihood and borrowed money from Evas organization. The amount was 30 silvers. Four years went by and now

Kim Hannah looked down at the paper and took a brief pause before looking back up.

The amount she owes is 70.8 silvers.

That was an annual interest of 34 percent. It was the same as borrowing 15,150,000 won on Earth and having to return 35,743,000 won four years later.

Seol Jihu gasped at the super high interest rate.

For just 70 silvers

Yi Seol-Ah tilted her head and murmured carefully.

Just?

Well, look at you, arent you a rich man.

Kim Hannah and Maria glared at him simultaneously. Seol Jihu dropped his head.

Listen, most men have been conscripted away and only women are left in the city. They cant work as coachmen and no one will use them as porters. These women have to take care of their parents and their childrens livelihood by themselves. Can you still say its just 70 silvers?

No, I

Dont shoot your mouth off if you havent experienced it personally.

Phi Sora also chimed in with a frustrated tone.

Thinking about it again, Seol Jihu had only become rich from the PaG.o.da of Dreams expedition. Before that, his entire savings consisted of half a piece of gold, several hundred silver coins, and three or four decorations.

And that was after he was successful in many other missions and made good money.

More importantly, Earthlings and Paradisians had vastly different ways of making money and vastly different earnings. With a long war that had continued on for dozens of years, the reality of Paradise was that Paradisians who were at the lowest social cla.s.s found it difficult to even see a single silver coin.

There was a reason people said organizations were n.o.bles, Earthlings were peasants, and Paradisians were slaves.

Chohong locked her hands and stretched them up.

Uwaaaaah! So youre saying charging so much in interest is illegal and we should go beat them up for it?

Kim Hannah shook her head.

No, thats not true.

?

Lending money and receiving interest in return. That isnt illegal in the slightest.

Chohong paused and blinked in confusion.

The annual interest rate of 34 percent, this amount has been agreed upon by the royal palace. They cannot and should not do anything to break it.

Seol Jihus eyes narrowed.

Even 34 percent is a lot lower than where it started. Originally, the amount was excessively high, being quadruple of what it is now, and when people failed to pay back the amount, the loan-sharks would take the right to their property and land. Administrator Sorg Khne eventually got wind of it and did his best to protect the citizens interests. While he succeeded in protecting the land rights, he couldnt do anything about the actual amount owed.

In other words, even the absurd 34 percent interest was the result of hard negotiation.

I wonder what would have happened to this city if not for the Federation and Tigol Fortress.

Marcel Ghionea muttered to himself.

But what Kim Hannah said next delivered a twist.

That doesnt mean theres nothing to dig into.

Seol Jihu and everyone else turned their attention to Kim Hannah.

Its nothing difficult. Theres a very simple and easy solution.

What is it? Get on with it.

Chohong made an irked expression, and Kim Hannah tilted her chin slightly. Then, she spoke.

We just have to buy out their debts. Simply put, well be paying off their debt in their place. Then Paradisian women will be able to escape the cycle of pain theyve gotten themselves into, right?

In an instant, everyone made dumbfounded faces.

This way, we can also shake the foundation of the gold mine the organizations have been using for the past several years. Without women, they cant operate their business.

What?

The first one to react was unsurprisingly Maria.

Are you crazy, Unni?

No way, thats bulls.h.i.+t!

Chohong looked dumbstruck as well. They werent the only ones who objected as others also chipped in, saying things like, Thats all you could come up with after all that?

Only Seo Yuhui maintained her silence, her eyes closed in contemplation. Even Jang Maldong looked a little taken aback.

Mm, I know you mean well, Miss Kim Hannah, but

He furrowed his brows, stopping short of finis.h.i.+ng his sentence. Kim Hannah was smiling, enjoying the ruckus with her arms crossed. It was as if she expected this reaction.

Miss Hannah?

At that moment, Seo Yuhui opened her mouth.

Do you think its possible?

It was a question that was purely hypothetical. But Kim Hannah went, Oh~ in surprise.

No, well have to try it to know for certain, but its more likely to fail.

Then

Its bait. It doesnt matter if you sprinkle it or not, but its probably better to do it.

You mean theres a real plan.

Thats still in the works. Ill let everyone know when I confirm it.

Seo Yuhui nodded. Kim Hannah looked around at everyone else.

Any other concerns?

.

Feel free to speak your mind. I understand you have misgivings about the plan. But if youre going to raise questions, can you do it now? I hate it when people cut in.

Surprisingly, the mumble died down. Only doubtful gazes remained. It was unlikely that Paradises infamous scammer would have brought up a losing scheme, but Chohong was reluctant as she just couldnt understand the true meaning.

I mean its not that I cant do it. But it just doesnt make sense. Even if were well-off, how can we pay off everyones debts? Maybe if its just a part of it

Yeah, just a part is fine.

What?

Even a king is unable to take care of all the poor. So we just have to help a little for the sake of this plan. Thats more than enough.

Kim Hannah took out a new piece of paper.

I surveyed around 40 households yesterday. The sample size is small, but they each had around 87 silver coins in debt. Just by donating a gold coin, you can save about eleven people. Ten would be able to save 110.

Kim Hannah smiled sweetly.

And you all have gold eggs, gold coins, silver chunks, silver coins, gems, and more. Thousands in total.

I have a question as well.

Jang Maldong raised his hand.

Even if we pay off their debt, that wont solve the underlying problem. These women have to use most of the money they make by prost.i.tution to pay off the interest, but it isnt as if Paradisians arent taking a single copper coin home. Of course, the organizations are leaving some for them so these women dont die of hunger, but its true that this is how these women make their living.

He was right. Just because the women would be relieved of their debts, it didnt mean they would be free to live happy lives. Unless their livelihood was guaranteed, they would have to borrow money again or continue prost.i.tution.

Thats true. But that problem can be solved by temporarily donating food as well. With our money, of course.

Maria groaned yet again.

Hm

However, Seol Jihu was thinking that this plan was entirely doable in the short term. Only the prices of land and High Ranker equipment were absurdly expensive. Other items prices were relatively normal.

In the past, although it was only possible with the Haramark Royal Familys help, Seol Jihu had helped to accommodate hundreds of villagers from Ramman Village with a single gold bar.

Chohong sent a sharp glance.

Youre not forcing us, are you?

Of course not. Were planning to use a part of the organizations funding. You dont have to pay anything if you dont want to.

Jeez, you make it sound like youre being nice and giving us a chance to be generous.

Well, its rare to get opportunities like this.

Haha, youre right, its hard to get opportunities to burn money like this.

As Chohong commented sarcastically, Maria cheered her on from the side. Regardless, Kim Hannah raised two fingers.

Even if you can receive two benefits from it?

Chohongs eyebrows went up.

Youre not going to say, Oh~ You can gain the favor of the public~ are you?

That is important to us, but if you dont care

Kim Hannah obediently folded one finger. However, she still had one finger up.