Chapter 154: v7c4 - Old Hounds (1)
Volume 7 Chapter 4 – Part 4 Old Hounds (1)
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Luoyang Sword Family, Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment.
“Have you rested sufficiently?”
Il-ryeong, one of the triplet maids, bowed politely.
She was the one who had been waiting in Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment for the Second Young Lady.
“I had a good rest without any worries for the first time in a very long while. A refreshing feeling like this is almost unfamiliar.”
The Second Young Lady, Yeon Seo-rin, rotated her shoulders and wore a refreshing smile.
“Then, although it is a bit early, how about preparing dinner?”
Yeon Seo-rin shook her head.
“No. I must return now. The only reason I was able to endure up to this hour was because this place is Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment.”
“…Is that so.”
“What is with that expression.”
At Il-ryeong’s words, which were ambiguous whether it was a question or an agreement, Yeon Seo-rin burst out into a “Kuhahat” laughter.
“Playing the role of the Second Young Lady of this family is no easy task!”
She added.
“And it seems your master has a much harder time than I do, so please pay more attention to that side.”
“…Yes.”
Yeon Seo-rin laughed heartily and patted Il-ryeong on the back.
Seeing Il-ryeong stagger, unable to withstand the strength, Yeon Seo-rin wore an “oops” expression and asked her.
“More than that, I heard that the shrine of my fairy mother, that is, the Grand Madame, is located somewhere in this Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment…”
Il-ryeong nodded, swallowing the stinging pain in her aching back.
“I shall guide you.”
* * *
“Eldest Brother…”
The Fourth Young Master looked at Yeon So-hyeon with tearful eyes.
“I heard that you have not been able to sleep properly for several weeks.”
Yeon So-hyeon replied while scribbling with a brush, his head lowered toward the desk.
“I am fine.”
Even though he said he was fine, how could one believe those words literally?
Yeon So-hyeon lifted his face and wore a bitter smile.
“Are you not also busy to the point that even two bodies would not be enough? I told you that you do not need to worry about me.”
Although he reached out and ruffled his hair, the Fourth Young Master still withdrew after leaving words of worry and comfort.
Only after the gaze his young younger brother had directed at him until the very end was cut off, Yeon So-hyeon lifted his head again and sighed softly.
“Though my body knows no fatigue…”
He put down the brush, picked up a carving knife, and carved a piece of wood.
Even for Yeon So-hyeon, whose strategy was called divine calculation, limits clearly existed.
From the Dali Duan Family to the Sichuan Tang Family, and even the Sixteen Imperial Capital Families.
How could it be easy to establish and realize plans to manipulate families, every single one of which could be called feudal lords, in the desired direction?
And would Yeon So-hyeon establish plans looking only at them for the time being?
Moreover, would the big picture in his head be only that single sheet?
Inside his head, the landscape and power dynamics of the entire Central Plains nation, crossing over time and space, were moving frantically.
He worried for several nights, thought about it again, revised it, and then drew it in his head.
In the midst of that, how many times had his patience almost snapped?
Despite that, he endured and endured again.
Each time, he carved a Buddha statue.
Because…
‘For those bastards, merely being devoured by the Scripture of Controlling Darkness and Shaking the Heavens and suffering eternally is far too insufficient.’
The things they had to do… no.
The things they “must” do were waiting for them until the very last day their lives came to an end.
* * *
He crafted a smile as if playing tricks in front of the old devils.
He focused on boasting his skills and mesmerizing them.
‘If I were to summarize only the results briefly, it could have been greatly condensed, but…’
However, Yeon So-hyeon created a flow regarding the transaction process, as if he had become a storyteller himself.
He drew their interest, stimulated their appetite, surprised them by presenting new perspectives, and shook them continuously and frantically.
To the point of wondering if there had ever been a time he had endured this much after returning to the past through the Scripture of Controlling Darkness and Shaking the Heavens.
He humored them.
He endured and endured again.
* * *
Present, Mount Beimang, the Gongson Family Mansion.
A few butlers who were like the hands and feet of Gongson Na-gang were withdrawing.
They had just been moving busily for Yeon So-hyeon and the former patriarchs, who had relocated to a deeper part of the garden.
“From now on, you must make sure that no one can approach any longer.”
Beside them, Gongson Na-gang firmly instructed the head of security of the mansion.
“Regardless of their status, from now on, cut down all those who approach by force.”
A blatant killing intent swirled in the old man’s eyes.
“If something like earlier happens again, all your necks will be cut. Do you understand?!”
At the shrill voice, the head of security answered with a tense face and tried to withdraw.
“Wait.”
Grabbing him, Gongson Na-gang said in a low voice.
“…Write down the names of everyone who witnessed the sight earlier.”
“…Yes.”
Having finished his business, Gongson Na-gang walked for a long while and returned to the deep part of the garden.
There, the figures of the former patriarchs drinking poured water and chatting could be seen.
“Were you all sharing some interesting conversations?”
At his words, a former patriarch roared with laughter.
“We were talking about going back to the Imperial Capital and seeing the eyes of the fellows who kicked us out widen.”
At his words, the other patriarchs chimed in with enjoyment.
Gongson Na-gang also chimed in appropriately while turning his gaze to Yeon So-hyeon, who was standing quietly in the corner.
“What thoughts are you harboring so deeply, Eldest Young Master?”
Honorifics were not awkward at all.
“It is nothing in particular. Rather than that…”
As if suddenly snapping out of it at his words, the Eldest Young Master shook his head and opened his mouth toward the former patriarchs.
“Although I am also glad to see the lords enjoying yourselves…”
At the sound of his voice, the gazes of the former patriarchs gathered as if absorbed.
“Perhaps things will not be that easy. Once they learn that the lords have joined forces, they will also make corresponding decisions.”
At those words, those who had shown excited appearances nodded without exception.
“Of course, it is as the Eldest Young Master says.”
“Is it not true that a precious fruit is sweeter only when it is that much harder to obtain?”
Their gazes turned toward Yeon So-hyeon, harboring blatant desire.
“But of course, the Eldest Young Master here will use some means.”
“Will you not lead us with that divine calculation-like strategy?”
They rubbed their hands, giggling, and shining their eyes as they gradually stepped closer to Yeon So-hyeon.
Of course, Gongson Na-gang could not be left out of that spot either.
“Now, now, Eldest Young Master. Quickly give us the next move!”
The old man rushed forward, revealing his teeth that had begun to collapse, and wore a distorted smile.
“Surely! Having made us anxious up to this point, you do not intend to make us just wait with stretched necks from now on, do you? Right? Right?”
The old men wore bizarre expressions tangled with insidious smiles that revealed their insides, gloomy laughter, and endless desire for power.
“Eldest Young Master!”
“Eldest Young Master…!”
It was a disgusting sight.
Yeon So-hyeon did not budge from his spot, as if nailed down.
No emotion showed on his face.
Without even blinking an eye, he looked down proudly at each of their twisted gazes and every single one of their nauseating behaviors.
‘Nauseating things.’
Now, they would consume whatever Yeon So-hyeon offered.
And as if that were not enough, they were now trying to climb completely onto Yeon So-hyeon’s back without really giving anything in return.
‘As expected, they do not know how to be satisfied in the slightest.’
Like hungry ghosts who can never escape hunger no matter what they put in their bellies.
Continuously feeding such people is…
‘…a foolish act.’
A chilly aura flashed through his eyes.
Though it was only for a split second, it certainly looked like a pale-blue ghost fire.
“…Come to think of it.”
Yeon So-hyeon smirked and smiled.
“Earlier. A certain lord said that I coordinate between the lords.”
When Yeon So-hyeon opened his mouth again, the old devils stood in place, looking only at his mouth and nodding.
“Yes, that is right.”
“Is that not the Eldest Young Master’s role?”
Yeon So-hyeon slowly nodded.
“If so, shall we start with that thing called ‘coordination’ first?”
At those incomprehensible words, the old devils stared blankly only at each other.
Since the “coordination” they had mentioned referred to correcting issues that might arise between them as the work progressed.
But was the work not before it even started now?
“…Speak, Eldest Young Master.”
“We will listen.”
Everyone waited with stupid faces only for Yeon So-hyeon to spoon-feed them food.
“Hmm.”
Stroking his chin for a moment and pausing, Yeon So-hyeon suddenly asked them.
“Could it be that someone among you is already harboring bad intentions and thinking of other things in the back?”
At those words, everyone burst into laughter, smiled, and waved their hands.
“How could that dare happen?”
“It would be difficult to even imagine such a wonderful opportunity existing in the rest of our lives.”
“If there is someone who thinks like that, they will be laughed at by everyone.”
Ignoring their words, Yeon So-hyeon stared at only a single person.
“Everyone says so. Do you agree, Lord Yang?”
“Of course, Eldest Young Master.”
The former patriarch of the Yang Family, who was called Lord Yang, answered calmly without even a change in expression.
“For the Eldest Young Master to visit Mount Beimang at this point is indeed like the help of heaven.”
He stroking his white beard and squared his broad shoulders, which did not suit his age.
“I, Yang O-dan, spent my entire life in the military and went through crises in countless battles, surviving through luck in several of them. However, it is the first time I have had such a great stroke of fortune.”
Yeon So-hyeon wore a meaningful smile.
“Indeed. Fortune…”
And then, he crossed his arms in an exaggerated manner.
“Does this great fortune Lord Yang speaks of refer to fortune overlapping twice, by any chance?”
At those words, the eyebrows of the Yang Family’s former patriarch twitched.
“I have absolutely no idea what the Eldest Young Master is talking about.”
To the point that at his calm voice and attitude, even the other former patriarchs wore expressions showing they did not know what Yeon So-hyeon was saying.
“Oh. I see. Twice.”
Yeon So-hyeon nodded.
“Separate from my coming to find you, it seems you originally had a plan you were concocting.”
* * *
Gongson Family Mansion, Guest Reception Room.
Although she had ridden in the steel carriage along with the Eldest Young Master, his Chief Maid, who did not dare join that conversation, was quietly staring out the window.
“By any chance…, is there something about the tea that you do not like?”
“No.”
At the butler’s words heard from behind, the Chief Maid shook her head.
“I was merely appreciating the scenery for a moment.”
She lifted the teacup and moistened her lips with an elegant posture that did not feel like a maid at all.
“The aroma of the tea is very good.”
Her eyes directed outside the window were glowing eerily in gold.
As if looking at somewhere beyond.
And her plump lips parted silently.
As if whispering to someone beyond.
* * *
“Eldest Young Master!”
The former patriarch of the Yang Family burst into an angry roar containing heavy internal energy.
The surrounding trees trembled at that voice to the point that it seemed to speak of his boundary.
“Do you dare to mock this Yang O-dan?!”
As he, who shouted as if ready to spit lightning, shook his sleeves, a gust of wind arose instantly.
“If you intend to frame this Yang O-dan like this, I will not just sit idly by!”
In that blatant and clear warning, a chilly killing intent that would freeze the gathering to the bone was coiled.
But—
“Is that so?”
The corners of Yeon So-hyeon’s mouth widened as if ripping apart.
“However, I will not sit idly by either.”
It was a smile mocking the former patriarch of the Yang Family, which was called the Divine Spear Yang Family in the Jianghu.