Chapter 343: v14c18 - Marching Out
Volume 14 Chapter 18 – Marching Out
Luoyang Sword Family, Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment.
Restricted Area, the Great Master of the Kongtong Sect asked back to Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon with a blank expression.
Great Conference Hall.
“The north… you say?”
“Indeed.”
The Eldest Young Master nodded readily.
“Just as my father, the Grand Patriarch, established achievements through the Gangnam subjugation that left no choice but to acknowledge him as the Patriarch…”
The highest seat of the conference hall.
The Eldest Young Master, sitting in the highest seat, looked down at the assembly and spoke.
“This Eldest Young Master will, likewise,” only the Eldest Young Master’s voice echoed through the quiet conference hall.
“personally deliver a hammer blow to the woes of the north, quiet the chaos, and restore order,” every time the Eldest Young Master’s gaze swept past, those present at the meeting unconsciously straightened their postures even more.
“so that I may spread widely to all quarters that the position of this family’s Young Patriarch belongs to this Eldest Young Master, and make everyone realize it.”
Young Patriarch.
The heavy impact given by that word swept through the gathering.
‘Big Brother, for the first time, declared in an official setting that he would become the Young Patriarch…!’
On the face of the Fourth Young Master, Yeon Bi, sitting to the right of the Eldest Young Master, a smile of supreme satisfaction hung.
‘It is like dreaming…!’
How much had he in dreams and in waking hours, pictured and pictured this moment countlessly.
‘Finally, my Lord…’
In the eyes of Elder Yeom, who was sitting in a seat close to the Eldest Young Master, gentle ripples arose, Gong Ryang, who was sitting to the left of Yeon So-hyeon, grinned showing his teeth.
‘Hehe, before this old man dies, I will be able to see the Eldest Young Master leading the Luoyang Sword Family…!’
“…….”
“…….”
Other than them spanning from Se-ah, the Lord of the Crescent Moon Pavilion, and Yeon Ha-eung, the “Rumors with Legs,” to Jeong-ah, the Head Maid of the Eldest Young Master, many who had watched Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon’s footsteps thus far wore their own respective smiles on their faces.
“…However, Eldest Young Master.”
Of course those who had joined relatively recently expressed concern over the suddenly heard news of the north.
“If there is a major problem in the north and the Eldest Young Master resolves it, of course, just as you said—” as if feeling burdened while speaking the voice of the Kongtong Sect’s Great Master grew cautious, the former Sect Leader of the Diancang Sect rose from his seat and continued the question instead.
“just as you said, you could become closer than ever to the position of Young Patriarch.”
“This is military action beyond the border. Is it something that may be committed without the permission of the Imperial Court?”
“…….”
Even after finishing the question confidently, checking the Eldest Young Master’s expression by glancing here and there was behavior typical of him.
‘C-could this perhaps displease the Eldest Young Master…?’
‘Ah, damn. Should I have read the room a bit more?’
While drawing stifled laughs from around, as Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon nodded, the former Diancang Sect Leader let out a sigh of relief inwardly.
“The Diancang Sect Leader has raised a sufficiently valid issue.”
“Regarding that part, it would be better to hear it directly.”
“…Directly, you say?”
Questions appeared on the faces of those who had not been notified of the Eldest Young Master’s grand plan in advance.
What did directly even mean?
But before their doubts could even fade, their expressions turned into astonishment.
“Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family, Yeon So-hyeon, receive the imperial decree of His Majesty the Emperor!”
“……!”
At the voice heard as the back door opened just as everyone stood up reflexively from their seats, eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon clasped his hands and, kneeling down, led the shout with a thunderous voice, and everyone followed suit, shouting behind him.
“We receive the imperial decree of His Majesty the Emperor!”
“May you live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!”
“May you live ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!”
The Prince Consort, with a voice full of majesty, unfurled the decree with a snap and read it aloud.
“Yeon So-hyeon, the Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family, shall be the sharpest sword of Us and the Empire!”
The voice of the Prince Consort, acting on behalf of the Emperor’s authority, rang out loudly throughout the vast conference hall.
“We bestow upon him all the necessary plenary powers!”
“Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon shall rectify the chaos and disorder of the northern territories! Eliminate all woes and firmly establish the majesty and discipline of the Empire!”
In fact, it was the moment when unlimited plenary powers over the north were granted to Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon, so while everyone who did not know the relationship between the Emperor and the Eldest Young Master could only be astounded, the voice of the Eldest Young Master, kneeling with his back straight, resounded in everyone’s ears.
“……!”
“……!”
“Your subject, Yeon So-hyeon!”
“Shall immediately receive the command of His Majesty the Emperor!”
* * *
A moment later.
Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment, VIP Room.
“Phu—” emptying the cold tea brought by the triplet maid Il-ryeong in one gulp, the Prince Consort let out a long breath.
“Your voice was ringing loudly.”
Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon smiled and cracked a joke to the Prince Consort.
“It did not seem like a skill practiced once or twice; how many times did you practice?”
“Ahem. Actually…”
The Prince Consort scratched his nose as if embarrassed and laughed.
“Since it was my first time playing such an important role of delivering His Majesty the Emperor’s decree, I stayed up for days practicing.”
Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon laughed and spoke.
“Well, since the content was what it was, you must have been even more nervous.”
Subtly there were bones in his words.
“…Just as you say, Eldest Young Master.”
The Prince Consort, regaining his calm complexion, nodded and spoke in a low voice.
“Even if the power of the Imperial Court hits rock bottom in the north, to suddenly bestow ‘necessary plenary powers’ upon you, who holds no official office…”
In fact, rather than a bestowal it was closer to a delegation of authority.
“I have only rarely seen such cases even in history books.”
Stroking his short beard, he shook his head.
“…I even thought about pretending that I had never received this decree.”
Why the Prince Consort had been observing the Eldest Young Master in secret was understandable from this point.
“But in the end, you delivered it.”
At the Eldest Young Master’s words, the Prince Consort nodded heavily.
“I did. Indeed.”
His gaze directed toward the Eldest Young Master.
“…Although I have not watched you long enough,” under that piercing gaze, most people would have avoided his eyes first, but eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon did not avoid it.
“…….”
“I could be sure that you are a talent capable of fully resolving this difficult problem.”
Saying so, the Prince Consort shook his head briefly.
“No.”
He corrected his words and spoke again.
“I had an intuition that you would not only solve this difficult problem, but reshape it as you wish.”
Yeon So-hyeon, in the depths of the Prince Consort’s gaze could feel his loyalty burning hotly toward the Emperor and the State of Zhongyuan.
“Please, do not betray the trust of His Majesty the Emperor until the very end, Eldest Young Master.”
“Do not worry.”
Yeon So-hyeon, looking into his eyes, slowly
“I, now as in the past,” but surely expressed his will and intention.
“And in the future, even to the absolute end, I will remain by His Majesty the Emperor’s side and be a close friend and an ally.”
* * *
Back in the Great Conference Hall.
“…My word.”
The former Sect Leader of Diancang clicked his tongue.
“The Eldest Young Master said he would give us a greater opportunity, but to think it would come so quickly…”
He was recalling the conversation between the Eldest Young Master and the Kongtong Sect’s Great Master from just a moment ago.
“Are you saying that the Eldest Young Master can provide even greater opportunities to each sect?”
“Of course.”
Why the Eldest Young Master had given such a prompt confirmation was the moment that reason was clearly revealed.
“…In the chaotic north, small skirmishes will be common place, and we might even see localized warfare.”
The Sect Leader of Zhongnan, lost in thought, opened his mouth.
“Opportunities to establish merits will be overflowing, and even—” the Great Master of Kongtong took over the words.
“—even more, since this is a task undertaken by imperial command, there will be separate rewards based on our achievements from the Imperial Court later.”
“Oh, indeed…!”
A sense of overflowing motivation could be felt from those who were murmuring and exchanging words.
Fundamentally whatever titles they possessed, drenching their entire bodies in the warm blood of enemies at the crossroads of life and death and enjoying victory was their essence.
“Haha, I look forward to it.”
In other words, they were martial artists.
As for the Sword Family commanders of the War Department, they flinched their bodies as if about to leap out at any moment.
[…Is this the secret plan the Eldest Young Master mentioned for our War Department to rise again?]
[Indeed…]
[If our War Department performs actively in the north, returning to the Elders’ Hall is fully possible.]
There was even someone who drew his sword to check its blade. It was only natural that their bodies heated up as they smelled blood instinctively.
Meanwhile, those who did not practice martial arts were filled with enthusiasm in their own way, engaging in heated discussions for the rapid execution of the matter.
“Although the consent of the Elders’ Hall is needed to mobilize troops.”
“In the first place, has the Eldest Young Master not received an imperial command?”
“Still, justification is what you make of it, and they can easily carry out sabotage to delay the procedures…!”
“Then, the fastest way to seek permission is to bypass the Elders’ Hall and receive the order of the Supreme Executive Council…”
“And then there is the cost issue…”
To those who rushed forward to fire off questions as the Eldest Young Master returned to the conference hall:
“It seems everyone is sufficiently enjoying the banquet.”
“Eldest Young Master…!”
It was natural that they rushed to throw questions at him.
However rather than the onslaught of questions, Yeon So-hyeon opening his mouth and a command as cold as frost falling from it came first.
“Yeon Bi!”
“Yes, Big Brother! Give your command!”
“From now on, you are the person in charge of Luoyang!”
Yeon Bi knelt on the spot and clasped his hands.
“Yes! I will receive the command!”
The personal campaign of the Eldest Young Master.
The instruction was that the Fourth Young Master would fill that vacancy.
“Elder Yeom!”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“I entrust the command of the troops to you!”
Yeon So-hyeon’s command continued.
“Our troops shall be limited only to warriors possessing internal energy!”
Elder Yeom also, just like the Fourth Young Master Yeon Bi, knelt without hesitation to receive Yeon So-hyeon’s instruction.
“Loyalty!”
“Deputy Lord!”
“Yes! Eldest Young Master!”
The Deputy Lord of the Elders’ Hall.
As Elder Ham knelt immediately, Yeon So-hyeon’s command fell upon his head.
“Use any means and methods. Obtain permission for the military departure as quickly as possible!”
A confident smile appeared on the lips of the Deputy Lord, Elder Ham.
Since Yeon So-hyeon had already secured a foundation in the Elders’ Hall it was an ideal situation where he could draw out his political capability to more than ten tenths.
“Yes! Leave it to me!”
As soon as that answer finished, Yeon So-hyeon’s calling of names continued.
“Lord of the War Department!”
“Please give your command.”
As the old general showed military courtesy, Yeon So-hyeon’s instruction was given to him as well.
“I entrust overall supply, preparation of troops, and all administrative procedures to you.”
A difficult task.
But was that not the specialty and the meaning of existence of the War Department?
“I will receive it.”
The answer immediately popped out of the Lord of the War Department’s mouth.
“Red Venom Spider!”
“Lord of the Crescent Moon Pavilion!”
While Yeon So-hyeon’s naming and instructions poured out breathlessly, a sound transmission was heard in the ears of the Lord of the War Department.
[Lord of the War Department.]
It was none other than the sound transmission of the Eldest Young Master, who was busy delivering commands with his mouth. Although flustered by the wonders of the Dual Principles Mind Art, the Lord of the War Department replied faithfully.
[…Yes, Eldest Young Master!]
[Go visit the Sword Family Bank regarding the issue of securing war funds.]
Yeon So-hyeon, while giving instructions, glanced at the Lord of the War Department and wore a slight smile.
[The Bank Director and the Head of the First Department of Law Enforcement will resolve the fund issue with the slush funds of the Yeon blood relatives confiscated during the investigation.]
“……!”
As Yeon So-hyeon’s instructions were gradually drawing to a close, the former Sect Leader of the Diancang Sect raised his hand high and asked a question:
“…Eldest Young Master! Is not the current lineup under the assumption of the Eldest Young Master’s absence? In a situation where we do not know how much time preparation will take yet, whether that lineup you just spoke of is needed—”
“No.”
Yeon So-hyeon cut off his words.
“Since I will be absent immediately from now on, it is a lineup needed now.”
“Pardon…?”
As those who did not understand what that meant wore blank expressions along with the former Sect Leader of Diancang, Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon smiled, showing his teeth.
“I will set out first immediately from now on, leading only the minimum number of personnel that do not require permission.”
“……!”