Chapter 85
Overseer So Seok-ha wet himself in short spurts as he pleaded.
“Great Hero, I beg you... show mercy...”
“I will say it once more—mercy is not mine to give. Beg it from those you have wronged. Who knows? They may yet show you grace.”
As the laborers approached him, Overseer So Seok-ha hurriedly dropped to the ground and bowed his head.
“I was truly in the wrong! I will compensate each and every one of you! I’ll sell everything I own and divide it among you!”
Pressing his forehead to the dirt, he shouted in desperation.
“Beating a wretch like me to death—what good would that do you? A nyang of silver... no, two nyang each, you’ll all get your share!”
An older laborer stepped forward.
“Hey, Overseer So. You love silver so much, is that it? That’s why you did all this? Do you think the rest of us would have done what you did, just for coin?”
“No, no! I only meant that I want to make things right... however I can...”
“Overseer So, how will you make things right for the ones who died? Do you even know how many white bones lie rotting in those tunnels? How do you intend to pay for their lives?”
“I swear—I never thought it would come to this. All I did was find laborers as instructed by the Sangbang master...”