#Inside #44 --〉 #Essence
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#Inner Chamber (5), Camp Roberts
"Let me get straight to the point."
Gyeo-ul spoke.
"Why do you think the 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」 should accept you?"
In response, the elderly Kang Yung-sun smiled with satisfaction, jotting down her contentment in her notebook.
「I never thought I'd be faced with such a question.」
「I always assumed I'd either be turned away without a word or accepted without reason. It's always been the former until now.」
Her context was easy to understand.
"If you expected the latter, it's probably because of Deputy Jang."
The old woman readjusted her pen. Her neat actions seemed slow, yet the speed at which she completed sentences was surprisingly fast.
「I don't mean it in a bad way.」
「Our survival until now has been thanks to kind people like Yun-cheol. Among them, Yun-cheol truly provided a lot of help. We are deeply grateful.」
「It's just that, sometimes, his kindness was overly considerate.
It implied that he didn't see disabled individuals as equal. Yun-cheol himself had admitted as much, suggesting that self-reliance was impossible not because of the hostile environment or the lack of opportunities, but because these people's conditions made it so.
"I understand. It's easy for a good person to become that way when living in a bad world."
At Gyeo-ul's remark, she smiled again.
「It seems that the reasons people follow you are not just due to your courage.」
"You're making me embarrassed. Anyway, could you answer my initial question?"
Kang Yung-sun nodded.
「Having experienced countless rejections, I've often thought about what I'd say if ever given the chance. I pondered a lot before coming here.」
「I'd like to talk more about the organizational advantages the Gyeo-ul Alliance and Mr. Gyeo-ul could gain, rather than what each of us can offer individually.」
「Please bear with me, even if it takes a while.」
This was unexpected. Rather than individual backgrounds, skills, and personalities, she spoke of organizational advantages—a topic Gyeo-ul had already considered. He had been contemplating accepting disabled individuals not just out of a vague sense of justice. Gyeo-ul reacted positively.
"Take as much time as you need; it's your opportunity."
Wearing a grateful smile, the old woman carefully penned down her thoughtful insights, one line at a time. The first page finally filled with this content:
「Firstly, the refined reputation.」
「Many from other groups spread bad rumors about Mr. Gyeo-ul. The most common label is 'human butcher'. Murders occurring dozens of times daily are falsely attributed to you.」
"Even I was somewhat worried until we met today, despite Yun-cheol's assurances. Perhaps those who have sought shelter in the Gyeo-ul Alliance are partly driven by fear?"
「If you accept us, such a reputation will significantly subside.」
「Then, many who hesitate to join the Gyeo-ul Alliance might find it easier to make a decision.」
「Regrettably, few see disabled individuals as equals. To everyone, it will appear as though the Gyeo-ul Alliance has taken in such useless people. Mr. Gyeo-ul will be viewed as someone who knows how to care for the unfortunate.」
「Emperor Liu Bei established the Shu Han through kindness and virtue.」
「Win over the hearts of the people.」
Her noble writing style reflected her seasoned years. It also contained about half of what Gyeo-ul had anticipated. While reading, he asked:
"Do you like the Romance of the Three Kingdoms?"
The old woman covered her mouth and wrote a sentence.
「Due to circumstances, I've lived a life where books were more familiar than people.」
"Ah."
Nodding, Gyeo-ul returned the notebook to the old woman, who immediately began writing the second page. It was clear that she had given this a lot of thought; she never hesitated or corrected herself as she wrote.
「Secondly, we're trustworthy people.」
「As mentioned, our survival is due to the help of kind people like Yun-cheol. In other words, we can serve as a bridge connecting the Gyeo-ul Alliance with the kind-hearted from various groups.」
「Once people know we're here, some might consider relocating. Other groups aren't exactly pleasant places. Those who are kind often bear losses.」
「Even those who don't move will likely hold goodwill towards the Gyeo-ul Alliance.」
「Ultimately, it's not much different from what I mentioned first.」
Though not entirely different, it was an aspect Gyeo-ul hadn't considered. He had already made up his mind, but he was curious to see how far the gracefully aged woman had thought ahead. After finishing reading, he returned the notebook, and she began filling the third page.
「Lastly, we offer the eyes and ears of our disabled individuals.」
「This is just my opinion, but isn't there a burden you're feeling, Gyeo-ul?」
「The Gyeo-ul Alliance has grown at an astonishing pace and will continue to do so. Rapid growth inevitably leads to side effects. People are always the problem.」
「You'll find it increasingly challenging to know more about the Gyeo-ul Alliance. Whom to trust, whom to filter out. Someone like Yeo-il is bound to surface and incite suspicion within you.」
「Hence my advice. Gather information through us, the disabled.」
「There's an invisible barrier between the disabled and the non-disabled. No matter how kind a non-disabled person is, they find it difficult to treat disabled individuals entirely as equals. Disabled people are always, to some extent, isolated. They don't easily unite with non-disabled individuals. I'm suggesting this because I believe it can be utilized.」
After reading, Gyeo-ul pondered. He felt that the survival of seventeen disabled individuals was not solely due to the help of kind people.
"Who is Yeo-il?"
The old woman answered in writing.
「A treacherous figure who incited Sun Quan's suspicions to gain power.」
"Isn't it possible for disabled individuals to become like Yeo-il as well?"
In response, the elderly woman shook her head instead of writing. Gyeo-ul managed a smile.
"You're honest."
Kang Yung-sun returned his smile. Gyeo-ul posed another question.
"Now, I'd like to hear what each of you can do. I'd love to have a little chat as well."
The nodding old woman handed over the personal profiles of the disabled group. She had prepared and brought it with her. Gyeo-ul read through the densely packed contents meticulously. Even the personal strengths and weaknesses assessed by Kang Yung-sun were included.
A few individuals possessed relevant careers and skills. The polio patient with 11 years of experience operating heavy equipment was notably impressive. There were also an English teacher and an electrical technician. However, considering the world's current state, there were some individuals whose roles were limited. For example, programmers.
Observing her sign language, the disabled individuals began to gather closer. A sight-impaired person was gently led by another. After asking them a few simple questions, Gyeo-ul reached a final decision.
"Very well."
As he looked at the brightening faces, Gyeo-ul smiled once more.
"Welcome to the 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」. I look forward to working with you."
Then he called Yun-cheol.
"Please help these people settle in. Help find their places, bedding, and introduce them around."
"Understood! Thank you! You'll be blessed!"
He seemed more excited than even the disabled individuals. With great enthusiasm, he led the new members away. The people of the 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」 watched them with deep interest.
Among them was Park Jin-seok. After exchanging a few words and seemingly understanding the situation, his expression darkened. He approached Gyeo-ul directly.
He didn't come alone. Two others stood a few steps behind, members of the battle squad Jin-seok had already begun forming as a prospective combat squad leader. Unlike with Yura, the squad was now composed entirely of the appropriate-age military veterans. He had received post-approval from Gyeo-ul, under the assumption that he would soon become a combat squad leader. Gyeo-ul thought the extent of his rights was within acceptable boundaries.
But not now.
"What brings you here, Jin-seok?"
"I just heard something strange. Is it true you've decided to accept disabled individuals?"
"Yes, it's true."
His casual response seemed to provoke Jin-seok. The young man questioned again, looking troubled.
"What on earth are you thinking?"
"Is there a problem?"
"There are many."
Jin-seok sighed.
"Those people are burdens. If we have the resources to take in the disabled, shouldn't we take in people who can genuinely contribute instead? Our alliance has an abnormally low number of able-bodied members for its size. Taking in seventeen able-bodied men could form a combat squad and more."
"That's true."
"You, leader, are genuinely kind and amazing, but at times, you're overly idealistic. I want to help the disabled too. If I ever truly had the chance to assist, I would. As an individual, I mean."
He paused momentarily, assessing Gyeo-ul's reaction. Seeing no explicit disapproval from the young leader, he continued.
"As a leader, you've placed a burden on everyone in the alliance. You need to distinguish between public interest and private satisfaction. Conscience is a personal satisfaction."
"It's not personal satisfaction."
Jin-seok's face showed doubt. Gyeo-ul calmly explained.
"As the representative of the 「Gyeo-ul Alliance」, I considered the overall benefit to the alliance before making a decision."
"Can you explain what that benefit is?"
"I can, but I won't."
"... Why not?"
"Because you didn't follow procedures."
"Procedures?"
"Yes, procedures. Matters regarding the combat squad can be addressed directly with me. Even though you're provisional now, you're going to become a combat squad leader soon. But for other matters, you need to go through the deputy leaders. That's their role."
Jin-seok wore a perplexed expression. Gyeo-ul continued.
"The membership review was conducted by the deputy leaders, and today, it was Deputy Yun-cheol who introduced the disabled community. Other members also go to the deputy leaders first when they have things to say to me. Yet, you're different. Don't you think this behavior oversteps your bounds?"
No one had officially set these rules. However, as the alliance expanded in size, certain unwritten rules naturally formed. While only titles were assigned, people themselves expanded the rules and order. Such is human social nature.
'There must have been roles from the deputy leaders as well. Especially deputy leader Min Wan-gi.'
Without them, unnecessary hierarchies, coercion, and impractical procedures would have been attached.
It was Gyeo-ul's role to make the unwritten rules public.
Jin-seok hesitated.
"I didn't mean to ignore them."
"I know. It's still an awkward time for everything. Make sure to pay attention next time."
Now was the time for a smile. Gyeo-ul naturally created one.
His gentle warmth reassured Jin-seok. Apologizing, he withdrew with a sense of defeat. The two people watching seemed to console him as they walked away.
The rules would spread through their words.
---------------------------= Author's Note ---------------------------=
Ultimately, there was not a single kind-hearted reader in this novel...
WhiteBean would likely rage over the troublesome readers sent her way.
Still, I can't be the only one suffering.
Please, go and pester her to release the next chapter.
Oh, and don't forget to upvote!
---------------= Clacky's Corner ---------------=
For those confused who WhiteBean is, they are the Author of Wind and Star that was promoted last chapter. I checked and it has 2383 chapters. I planned on tackling it, but it appears it's a novelpia novel. :(