Cha Seong-tae, his face pale, approached as he watched the enormous amount of wealth being brought into Maehwaru.

"What the hell is all this? Where did you even get it? Did you turn into a thief or something?"

"This is the embezzled fortune of Ban Sa-ung, the Golden Phoenix Pavilion Lord under the Black Cat Gang. It will fund the construction of martial inns and clan halls."

"You brought the Black Cat Gang’s money here?"

Cha Seong-tae looked utterly dumbfounded.

"Yeah."

"Why?"

"Because I felt like it. A pawn’s decision. The Hao Clan Lord’s decision. The decision of a thief."

"I get that you're a thieving bastard, but what if the Black Cat Gang storms in here? They don’t get robbed. They do the robbing. They’re the ones who beat the crap out of thieves."

"Well, I’m pretty good at beating people up too, so I think we’ll be fine."

"Hah…"

I had already killed the Jo Brothers, crushed the lackeys of the Black Lotus Guard, and eliminated Ban Sa-ung—all without exerting my full strength.

And I knew that right now, the Black Cat Gang Leader was too occupied to focus on Ilyang County. The man barely had enough time to train, let alone send forces after me.

But if I started explaining all that in detail, the mood would turn even weirder. So I decided to keep it simple.

"If the Black Cat Gang comes for us, I’ll just have a talk with their leader."

"A talk, huh?"

"Or I’ll just beat him up."

"Right, right. Good plan."

"Or I could torture him. Or maybe even recruit him as one of my subordinates."

"Ah, taking him in as a subordinate. That’s a solid plan. Torture? Wow, what a brilliant strategy. Clearly, I worried for no reason."

"Or I could just kill him. Lots of options."

As I finished speaking, the onlookers, who had been eavesdropping, sighed and averted their gazes.

Cha Seong-tae, wearing a dazed expression, muttered under his breath.

"Could you… say things that actually make sense?"

I looked at him and responded curtly.

"It makes sense."

I was used to being met with doubtful stares, but I also understood the need to reassure people.

"Alright. Looks like you poor souls are worried about something again. I get it. Tell the leaders of Hao Clan to gather at the open yard of Zaha Inn. I’ll put your minds at ease."

"Uh… who exactly are the leaders? I’m still not sure."

Honestly, even I wouldn’t be able to keep track of them all later. I planned to recruit nearly every underdog I came across.

The Hao Clan was originally a group of working-class people. In a way, it could even be called the Labor Sect.

There is no noble or lowly work.

But in Jianghu, there were strict social hierarchies.

And that was why most of Jianghu was my enemy.

"For now, just call Jang Deok-soo of the Inn, Geum Cheol-yong of the Forge, and Yeon Ja-seong of the Architectural Guild."

"What about the guy who oversaw the convoy earlier?"

"Leave him. I need to watch him a little longer."

"Understood."

***

That night, we sat around a bonfire in the open yard of the under-construction Zaha Inn.

Geum Cheol-yong spoke first.

"Our Clan Lord has something to say."

"Yes."

Since Geum Cheol-yong was present, I spoke politely.

"I will now explain the guiding principles of Hao Clan. Please bear with me even if my words are scattered. I’m not here to deliver some polished speech—I just want us to share an understanding."

"Go ahead and speak freely."

Watching the crackling firewood, I began.

"From this point forward, everything that happens within Hao Clan is my responsibility. If any issues arise, say the Clan Lord did it.

If someone comes looking for the Hao Clan Lord, just tell them where I am.

If someone demands answers, say only the Clan Lord knows.

That is our first rule."

Simply put:

Blame me.

After I finished speaking, I glanced at the leaders.

As expected, they all exchanged bewildered looks, as if wondering what kind of nonsense I was spewing.

Geum Cheol-yong, the eldest among them, asked for clarification.

"So… everything is your fault?"

"That’s right."

He tilted his head.

"How can this be a guiding principle of an organization? Explain further."

"Of course. I’ll elaborate.

I had no talent for making Gaedu noodles, so I turned to Jianghu."

"Is that true?"

"Let’s just move on.

But you, Geum Cheol-yong, who runs the forge, and you, Jang Deok-soo, who runs the Chunyang Tavern, have no ambitions in Jianghu, correct? Not now, and not in the future?"

Both men nodded.

"Why would we get involved in Jianghu?"

"Not even worth considering."

I then looked at Yeon Ja-seong and Cha Seong-tae.

"They’re the same."

Cha Seong-tae thought otherwise, but the atmosphere stopped him from speaking up.

"And most of Hao Clan will be like that too. But I am different.

No need for a long list of examples—countless innkeepers, carriage drivers, blacksmiths, food vendors, and merchants have been slaughtered by martial artists.

And in this world, there is no justice for them.

That won’t change anytime soon.

Through Hao Clan, I want to prevent at least a few deaths.

And for those who have already died unjustly, I will seek retribution, regardless of who the killer is."

During my time as Crazy Demon, whenever wars broke out between the Martial Alliance, the Demonic Cult, or any other sects, innocent people died in droves.

They died for no reason at all.

I couldn’t care less if a bunch of martial artists killed each other.

But I refused to accept the senseless deaths of innkeepers, bartenders, and merchants—people who had nothing to do with their conflicts.

Geum Cheol-yong asked,

"I can understand that to some extent… but how does that mean you’ve set your sights on Jianghu?"

He still wasn’t fully grasping it.

I continued.

"It matters because if someone in Hao Clan is injured or killed, I will know.

If they die at the hands of underworld thugs, I will slaughter those thugs.

If they are killed by orthodox sect warriors, I will storm the Martial Alliance before asking questions and butcher them.

I will be the protector of those who simply want to work and live in peace.

However…"

I paused, glancing around at the others.

"The act of protecting the weak will inevitably clash with the existing powers of Jianghu—I understand that.

But because of this, I will always have justification for my actions.

I am the one who speaks for the powerless."

In my past life, I had no justification for what I did.

That was how I ended up with the nickname Crazy Demon so easily.

And because of that, I was too easily condemned, too easily blamed.

No matter what I did, people called me a lunatic. I even ended up shouldering crimes I never committed.

And honestly? I couldn’t be bothered to explain myself.

On top of that, my temper ensured that I became the most wanted man in Jianghu in record time.

This time, I wouldn’t make that mistake.

Who could possibly understand the frustration of having to train in seclusion just to kill the Demonic Cult Leader, while also running for my life from the Martial Alliance?

But things are different now.

I've been given a rare opportunity, and only a fool would waste it.

Yeon Ja-seong was the first to speak.

"I understand."

Cha Seong-tae raised his hand and said,

"There’s something I don’t quite get… Doesn’t all of this only work if you’re insanely strong?

Let’s say the Black Cat Gang attacks tomorrow.

According to your rules, we’re supposed to tell them that this was all your doing.

Fine, let’s say we survive that. But what about all the other sects and powerful warriors?

How do you plan to deal with them?"

"That’s a valid point."

As the group fell silent, waiting for my answer, I casually stated:

"Well, if I become the strongest under heaven, it won’t be a problem."

"……."

For a moment, absolute silence.

Then—

Cha Seong-tae tried to cover his mouth but failed.

"Pfft."

That was the signal.

This translation is the intellectual property of Novelight.

Geum Cheol-yong burst out laughing, Jang Deok-soo clutched his stomach, and even Yeon Ja-seong let out a chuckle.

Finally, as if emboldened by the others, Cha Seong-tae lost it completely.

And with that, the entire group erupted into uncontrollable laughter.

"Hahahahaha!"

"Aahahahahaha!"

"From Ilyang County… to the strongest under heaven…"

"A pawn wants to—oh, my bad."

I watched them laughing hysterically and smiled.

Because, honestly?

It was funny to me too.

A mere inn servant, claiming he would become the strongest in Jianghu…

Ridiculous.

And so, I joined them.

"Hahahaha…"

After laughing for a while, I turned to Cha Seong-tae and scolded him.

"You’re laughing too much. Do you wanna die? Look at you, even tearing up."

"Y-yes."

Geum Cheol-yong, still grinning, said,

"Well, you’re still young. If you dedicate yourself day after day, maybe in a few decades, you could become a renowned master.

A man should dream big.

I’ll support our Clan Lord."

Yeon Ja-seong, always sincere, nodded in agreement.

"I support you as well.

Become the strongest under heaven.

I will remain both a Hao Clan member and your patron."

His own goal was to become the greatest architect, so he respected my ambition.

I then turned my gaze toward Jang Deok-soo.

His thoughts?

"Becoming the strongest under heaven? What kind of child's play is this?"

I watched the complicated emotions on his face and said,

"So, Deok-soo hyung thinks it’s impossible?"

Jang Deok-soo, always straightforward, nodded.

"Yeah."

"And why is that?"

"There are countless sects, warriors, and genius martial artists in Jianghu.

Most of them start training before they can even walk."

"That’s true."

Jang Deok-soo then quoted something he’d heard somewhere.

"But in the end… heaven chooses the strongest."

That was correct.

The strongest warrior under heaven is someone chosen by fate.

And I…

Had literally been chosen by some mysterious celestial being.

"That’s me."

But in truth—

What mattered more than the outcome was the mindset.

"Whether or not I actually become the strongest doesn’t matter.

What matters is how I live my life in pursuit of that goal.

A man without a clear goal is no man at all.

As Yi Zaha, I will dedicate myself to becoming the strongest.

And you all—what will you dedicate your lives to?"

I pointed at the group.

"Think about it. Seriously."

At that moment, I wondered—

Am I really the same man who was once called the Crazy Demon?

But yes, I was.

In my past life, I had no plan.

This time, I had one.

If I nurtured the Hao Clan properly, I could challenge both the Martial Alliance and the Demonic Cult.

If I became a defender of the weak, they wouldn’t brand me a villain like before.

Because justification was everything.

With justification,

I could debate justice with the orthodox sects.

I could clash in strength with the Demonic Cult’s madmen.

And I could either kill or recruit the lunatics of the underworld.

That… was the power of justification.

If a person challenges the world’s status quo,

If they succeed, ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) they become a revolutionary.

If they fail, they become a lunatic.

This time, I would succeed.

I would become a successful lunatic.