Book 11: Chapter 6: Imperial Capital

The Imperial Capital, a certain place.

The political world of the capital that ruled the empire was like a giant boulder of Mount Tai rolling.

Although it was incredibly slow and sluggish to move.

“…They say that once it starts rolling, it causes a landslide and shifts the earth's crust.”

The voice of the one who muttered so was terribly hoarse.

The owner of the voice, which had been damaged by burns to his airway, was none other than the Second Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family.

It was Yeon Ja-cheong.

“I heard that the former patriarchs of the Sixteen Families are going to have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor.”

That was.

The boulder of Mount Tai rolling.

And a precursor to a landslide.

“Is it really true?”

In his voice, which was always full of strong self-assurance, there was, rarely.

A mix of blatant bewilderment.

“Yes. That is correct.”

The one having a private meeting with the Second Young Master was from the Intelligence Department of the Luoyang Sword Family.

It was the Branch Manager of the Imperial Capital Branch.

“We are still in the process of securing the exact list, but the information that they will have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor has been proven to be a clear fact.”

*Grind.* the ink-black armor enclosing Second Young Master Yeon Ja-cheong's left hand made an unpleasant metallic sound.

“…I do not understand the situation at all.”

“I am in the same position.”

At that shameless answer, the Second Young Master's red eyes flashed fiercely from behind his golden mask.

“Is it not your job to find that out?”

Murderous intent was even contained in his voice.

However.

“Do not misunderstand.”

The opponent's voice was low.

“I am merely cooperating in sharing information with the Second Young Master under instructions from the 'highest level' of the Main Family.”

The Imperial Capital Branch Manager of the Sword Family's Intelligence Department only twitched an eyebrow despite the Second Young Master's immense, murderous gaze.

“The Second Young Master is not yet the next patriarch of the Sword Family, and I am not your subordinate…” her white eyes were dry of any emotion.

“And this is the Imperial Capital, not Luoyang.”

*Grind.* the glove enclosing the Second Young Master's left hand made a noise, conveying that he was highly displeased.

“Insolent bitch.”

“When the day comes that I ascend to the position of Young Patriarch, I will personally tear you to death.”

“I wish you luck.”

With a one-sided attitude, she rose from her seat as if her business was finished.

She had the power to do so.

Just as she had said.

This was the Imperial Capital.

And she was not only the branch manager of the Luoyang Sword Family's Intelligence Department, but also one of the giants of the Imperial Capital.

“I will share additional information with you as soon as it comes in later.”

“Get out.”

Toward the Second Young Master, who sat in the darkness scattering red light from his eyes, she calmly bowed her head and left the room.

“Lord.”

As soon as she left the room, his subordinate, who had been waiting at the entrance, came in and reported to him.

“The Sixteen Imperial Capital Families have notified us of the location for the emergency meeting.”

“I understand.”

The subordinate immediately bowed his head and went outside.

Following that subordinate, the Second Young Master's tacticians came in.

“It seems things are going well in your favor, Lord.”

“Indeed.”

“It is a good thing that the patriarchs of the Sixteen Families are looking for you as soon as the matter involving the former patriarchs erupted.”

One of his tacticians nodded.

“It means you have shown a clear presence among them.”

“It also means you are a necessary existence to them.”

Another tactician also stroked his beard and smiled.

“The former patriarchs. Behind those old demons having an audience with His Majesty the Emperor, there must be—” however, there was ease in their expressions.

“That fellow Yeon So-hyeon.”

“Certainly, the talent of that fellow, who has no proper foundation, to move those old demons is surprising, but…” they had also heard the information about Yeon So-hyeon, which was changing from moment to moment in Luoyang.

Because.

“Even so.”

“No matter how much that fellow Yeon So-hyeon flies and runs, everything is in the palm of your hand, Lord.”

The tacticians smirked and exchanged meaningful smiles.

“The more that fellow moves those old demons.”

“The more your position will solidify among the current patriarchs of the Sixteen Families who hold the real power.”

That was true.

That day, when he departed for the Imperial Capital.

From that moment on, the Second Young Master had moved with that goal in mind.

“Although they would not have cooperated with us originally, once they find out that fellow Yeon So-hyeon has been meeting all the former patriarchs, the current patriarchs will surely want to join hands with us!”

That day.

Just as his mother, Grand Madame Ouyang, had said.

The more Yeon So-hyeon bound the former patriarchs together and moved them.

The current patriarchs would have no choice but to band together to respond to it, and the position of the Second Young Master, who had warned them in advance and gathered them, was bound to become solid.

“Certainly, even if what is happening now is a precursor to a landslide.”

“It will surely be a crustal shift in favor of you, Lord.”

“…….”

*Grind.* but even though things were playing out that way.

The Second Young Master, who was sitting still in his seat, felt somewhat uncomfortable.

“…What is the news from the Great Immortal Merchant Group?”

The news that the Great Immortal Merchant Group was hurrying to withdraw had already come in.

“That is…” watching his expression, a tactician spoke up.

“We have not received any additional news yet.”

The distance between the Imperial Capital and Luoyang was not close.

Although information kept coming in, the current situation could not be shared in real time.

“But isn't Grand Madame Ouyang in Luoyang?”

As if trying to please the Second Young Master, who seemed to be in a bad mood, or to soothe his mind.

The tacticians carefully opened their mouths.

“As long as she is there, she will surely handle whatever happens well enough.”

“It would be best for you to focus entirely on the Imperial Capital, Lord…” while the tacticians endured the uncomfortable silence, the Second Young Master was lost in thought.

*Grind.* there was no answer from the Second Young Master.

“…….”

'That arrogant bitch…' he was recalling the face of the Imperial Capital Branch Manager of the Intelligence Department, who had left after sharing the information as if unilaterally notifying him.

'If the one in this seat were that fellow Yeon So-hyeon instead of me, would she have been so stiff?'

There was no way to know.

But his senses whispered to him, 'She would not have been.'

Although it was just a hunch.

If the one in this seat were Yeon So-hyeon instead of him.

Her attitude would have been different.

“…The former patriarchs of the Sixteen Families.”

His hoarse voice echoed through the space.

*Grind.* it felt as though the burns he had suffered in his childhood were still burning half of his body and his airway.

Every time he heard that voice of his, he felt his self-hatred grow.

Just as much, his desire to become the Young Patriarch and place everyone in the Sword Family beneath him grew.

And his hatred for Yeon So-hyeon also grew.

“That fellow Yeon So-hyeon must be related to those old demons having an audience with His Majesty the Emperor.”

Murderous intent thickened heavily in his voice as he spoke the name Yeon So-hyeon.

“We must find out for what reason and how on earth they came to have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor.”

He had once thought.

When Yeon So-hyeon's hand had not been revealed in the Imperial Capital.

'Has he already achieved the goal he intended to accomplish through the old demons?'

—He had once thought.

And.

Now, the former patriarchs were meeting the Emperor.

Yeon So-hyeon's hidden hand.

That picture was gradually revealing itself.

Was that picture merely a sketch?

Or.

Had Yeon So-hyeon already drawn the entire picture, and before putting down his brush.

Dotting the eyes of the dragon.

Only the task of drawing the dragon's eyes in the painting remained?

“Of course, Lord.”

The tacticians, who had been enduring the uncomfortable silence at his words, quickly nodded.

“Even if we cannot grasp it completely, we should at least calculate various cases in advance and prepare.”

“We expect to obtain additional information in the upcoming meeting with the patriarchs of the Sixteen Families.”

“Certainly…” one of the tacticians muttered while stroking his beard.

“To make the Emperor and those old demons, who are no different from enemies, meet—” it was an amazing skill, although he was an enemy.

He, who was about to say that, quickly shut his mouth.

“……!”

It was because the Second Young Master's red gaze was directed at him.

“I-I apologize!”

He immediately knelt down, and the Second Young Master turned his head as if he did not even want to look.

“The Emperor is just a folding screen anyway. The old demons are merely retired old men who cannot be called influential figures.”

“Y-Yes, indeed!”

At his words, the tactician who had made a mistake quickly nodded.

“The real power holders of this Imperial Capital are the current patriarchs of the Sixteen Families who have made an agreement with you, Lord!”

If anything was to be added, it would be around the Min Family, which had produced the new Empress.

Instead of replying, the Second Young Master waved his hand.

“All of you, get out.”

The tacticians immediately bowed their heads deeply.

“We will hasten the preparations for the meeting with the current patriarchs of the Sixteen Families.”

In the empty study.

The Second Young Master muttered in a low voice.

“…Yeon So-hyeon.”

How could a name of just three characters be so hateful.

* * *

Luoyang, Valley of Sin.

“Aren't His Majesty the Emperor and the former patriarchs of the Sixteen Families as good as enemies?”

The patriarchs who had refused to pledge loyalty to Yeon So-hyeon were whispering.

While the District Chiefs were having a private meeting with the Eldest Young Master.

The patriarchs were talking among themselves in a separately prepared reception room.

“That is certainly true.”

“It was those old demons who thoroughly took advantage of the situation of His Majesty the Emperor, who ascended the throne at such a young age after the late Emperor passed away…” at the words of one of the patriarchs who snorted, everyone nodded.

“They were no different from the Ten Eunuchs.”

“If they had not stepped down, taking responsibility for the Northern War, they would still be wielding the power of the Imperial Court at their whim.”

“Even though those old demons stepped down, aren't the Sixteen Families still exerting the most massive influence in history?”

“Indeed.”

“The next patriarchs inherited the influence of those old demons just as it was, and they are still swaying His Majesty the Emperor as they please.”

“There was also a rumor that the current patriarchs were behind the retirement of the old demons.”

Their conversation continued endlessly.

Even in a situation where they had to make a decision upon which the fate of their entire family rested—whether to pledge loyalty to Yeon So-hyeon or not—their conversation did not break.

Even in a situation where they had to make a decision on which the fate of their entire clan depended, their conversation did not cease.

The news brought by the two District Chiefs was that shocking.

“…….”

But.

Even amidst that whispering, there were those who remained silent.

[…If the movement of those old demons originated from the Eldest Young Master.] at the telepathic transmission from the Acting Patriarch of the Seo Family, her husband, the son-in-law, nodded.

[At least, the highest-ranking officials of the Luoyang central government must judge it to be so.] it was because the conversation he had had with the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon a moment ago came to mind.

[…That is probably why they stepped back, even going so far as to write a letter of apology to the Eldest Young Master.] the son-in-law, who had transmitted the message up to that point, hardened his expression.

[…Just as the Eldest Young Master said, the estuary of the Yellow River might be changing.] the Acting Patriarch did not particularly want an answer either.

[Do you mean the flow of the times is changing?] the son-in-law did not answer.

It was because they were feeling the answer to that question themselves.

“…Hmm.”

“…Hmm.”

“His Majesty the Emperor and the old demons…” and the other patriarchs, whose conversation had decreased noticeably from a certain moment.

Were now gradually feeling it.