Book 13: Chapter 14: A Blind Man with Open Eyes

The Elders' Hall Grand Assembly Hall.

Despite the fact that due to the nature of their status as elders, a large number of them were always away on business trips.

Moreover, despite it being only.

An extraordinary elders' meeting to process just a single agenda item.

Rather, more members than usual were occupying seats in the Grand Hall.

"A lot of people have come."

As an elderly elder expressed his impression like that.

"…Even so, it is only a little over half the number, though."

An elder newly appointed recently asked him with a reluctant expression.

"Is this amount considered many?"

To the new elder who was attending the Elders' Hall for the first time since his appointment, the elderly elder smiled.

"Normally, even if only half attended properly, we expressed it as a full house and chatted with laughter."

A fellow elder in the seat on the right cut into their conversation naturally, as usual.

"Lately, it is my first time seeing so many people attend like this."

It was possible because they belonged to the same faction.

"Indeed."

The elderly elder narrowed his eyes and looked at the assembly.

"…Even those who normally entrusted the exercise of their voting rights to a colleague and did not even show their faces all attended."

At those words, the elder in the right seat shrugged his shoulders.

"Aren't you, who say that, attending for the first time in a while yourself?"

At that, the elderly elder gave a bitter smile.

"In this kind of situation, there is no way other work would catch my hands."

He was the one who had run to the Elders' Hall in a hurry as soon as he heard the news about the Eldest Young Master.

"That is true."

The elder in the left seat, who likewise had been frequently absent due to business normally, stroked his chin.

"Because the issue of no confidence against the current Bank Director and the resolution on the new Bank Director candidate were matters where agreements had already been completely finished under the table beforehand."

"Right."

The elderly elder nodded his head.

"Originally, today was a matter that would end just by voting formally."

"Originally, that is."

For a moment.

A heavy silence hung.

"…"

"…"

Although no one brought it up first.

Everyone was surely thinking about the source of this matter getting tangled.

None other than the Eldest Young Master.

'…Just what. The Eldest Young Master.'

'…With what confidence is he picking a fight with the entire Elders' Hall?'

A fundamental question that could not be solved no matter how much they thought or exchanged opinions.

That question was coiled in their heads, as heavy as the silence hanging in this place.

"…By the way, you."

A fellow elder who felt uncomfortable with that silence subtly spoke to the new elder.

"Yes?"

"Do you know such a saying?"

"What…?"

He spoke with a smile on his face.

"In the Elders' Hall, the result is decided by vote, but—" as he started the sentence with a smile like that.

The elder on the right, who caught what he was trying to say, tried to pick up the words.

"That result is—" at that moment.

"—That result is decided before the vote."

"…!"

That voice.

Did not come from within their faction.

And it was not even a word heard from the surrounding seats.

"That contradictory saying is a very old maxim in the top political circle of the Luoyang Sword Family."

When they reflexively turned their heads back.

There was the figure fluttering a black fine silk coat.

"Eldest Young Master…!"

Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon was there.

While everyone jumped up from their seats.

"Is it your first attendance?"

Yeon So-hyeon, who approached with swaggering steps, patted the new elder on the shoulder.

"Ah, yes. It is, but…"

"Remember it well."

Patting his shoulder, it was an action like treating a subordinate.

"It is a saying that tells how big and important prior agreement is in this field."

But because the attitude was so natural, the new elder reflexively nodded his head and accepted it in a daze.

"I-I see."

"I will be looking forward to you showing good activities as an elder of the Main Family in the future."

When Yeon So-hyeon said so, gently fixing his collar which had become crooked as he hurriedly stood up.

"Th-thank you…!"

The new elder reflexively expressed his gratitude.

Was it gratitude for the Eldest Young Master's teaching?

Was it gratitude for the words that he would look forward to him?

Or was it gratitude for personally fixing his disheveled attire?

"No need to thank me."

Like water flowing, naturally.

The Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon even extracted a word of thanks.

No matter how new he was to the Elders' Hall.

The opponent was in his fifties, and was a person who had even gone through all kinds of hardships to rise to this position.

The Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon handled such a person like handling a child, even if it was a surprise.

"Eldest Young Master…!"

But unlike that new elder.

The other fellow elders around blushed at Yeon So-hyeon's behavior.

"Just what are you doing now—!"

"What do you mean, what."

The Eldest Young Master cut off the words and chuckled.

"This Eldest Young Master merely offered a small piece of advice and encouragement to a new elder who is welcoming such a personally historic moment of entering the Elders' Hall of this time-honored Luoyang Sword Family for the first time."

Then, he shrugged his shoulders as if wronged and said.

"Aren't you all being too sensitive."

Words of incomparable impudence.

The Eldest Young Master himself who said so was entering the Elders' Hall for the first time, was he not?

"…!"

Before the elders, whose speech was momentarily blocked, could bring up any words.

"Then, good work, everyone."

The Eldest Young Master moved his steps without bothering to deal with them further, as if he had no interest in them.

"…"

The elders who were about to say something closed their mouths.

"…"

"…"

Because the entire Grand Hall of the Elders' Hall, realizing the presence of the Eldest Young Master.

All of the elders.

Had stopped all movements and were looking at the Eldest Young Master.

"…"

"…"

In an unnatural silence unbelievable for the Grand Hall which had been so noisy just a moment ago.

Step, step.

Only the sound of the footsteps of the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon and the elders following him.

Step, step.

Was echoing, reflecting off the spacious Grand Hall.

"…"

And in the tension where only those footsteps existed.

The gaze created by over a hundred pairs of flashing eyeballs.

Those gazes were watching Yeon So-hyeon like freshly honed blades.

"…"

"…"

Sharp glances as if trying to dig out the unknown insides of the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon, entrails and all.

Glances burning as if to burn Yeon So-hyeon alive, full of anger.

"…"

The intimidation generated by the nearly one hundred elders of the great Luoyang Sword Family assembled in the Grand Hall.

"…"

In that space where there was not a single word.

The pressure was to the point that even the Deputy Lord, who volunteered to guide the Eldest Young Master right in front of him, swallowed dry saliva.

Gulp.

But.

"Deputy Lord."

Casually, abruptly.

As if ignoring all that tension, Yeon So-hyeon spoke.

"Is the VIP seating over there?"

What was the Eldest Young Master's heart made of?

At that calm attitude, the Deputy Lord, who had stared at the Eldest Young Master blankly for a moment, answered hastily.

"Ah, yes…! That is correct, Eldest Young Master!"

The Deputy Lord, who snapped out of it, made an even bigger fuss, even showing his gold teeth.

"Oh dear…! Oh my. I should have guided you properly. My apologies, Eldest Young Master…!"

Guided like that, the gaze of Yeon So-hyeon, who moved his steps again, suddenly turned to the opposite side.

'…The Lord of the Law Enforcement Court and the Lord of the Inspection Department.'

"…"

Yeon So-hyeon's gaze, which exchanged looks with those two powerful figures for a while, directed behind them.

There were those who had been sending the stickiest gazes to Yeon So-hyeon from the beginning.

"…"

"…"

They were casting gazes that were no less than murderous intent, without a bit of moderation.

Gazes hating the very existence of the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon, as if they would rush in and strangle him to death right away.

'…These old men eating away at the family.'

Although it was not all of them.

The majority of them, who were the main culprits of the Sword Family Bank incident, were.

The elders of the Yeon bloodline.

'That bastard of an Eldest Young Master!'

'What kind of grudge does he have against us on earth?!'

'Before we die, we will kill you first!'

They wanted to chop that calm face with an axe right away.

And saw with a saw the torso displaying such an arrogant attitude.

"Ahem."

At that time, along with the sound of coughing.

"I am Elder Hwangmok, in charge of conducting today's extraordinary elders' meeting."

As one elder stepped to the center and began to speak to the assembly.

All the elders' gazes turned toward him.

"Since the extraordinary elders' meeting is scheduled to start soon, please all take your seats—" the one who appeared behind him was the Lord of the Elders' Hall.

"Not soon, but starting right now. Everyone take your seats immediately."

Standing next to Elder Hwangmok, who was in charge of conducting the meeting, he continued speaking with his hands clasped behind his back.

"Today, by the authority granted to this Lord, all miscellaneous procedures will be omitted."

Although he usually joked around.

And showed the appearance of dozing off, the Lord of the Elders' Hall.

Could hardly be seen with such behavior in his steel-stiff complexion now.

"Lord. Does that mean we will proceed directly to the vote on the motion of no confidence right now?"

"Indeed."

For a moment, the assembly murmured.

The Grand Hall became noisy as each clique and faction exchanged opinions.

"If there is anyone who has a complaint about the proceedings, suggest it right now."

"…"

Normally, due to the unique atmosphere of the Elders' Hall.

Someone would have thrown a complaint.

But now, no one expressed dissatisfaction.

"…"

"…"

Although everyone had different expressions.

Since wanting to reach a conclusion quickly was a single mind for all.

"…Then, understanding there are no complaints. I immediately declare the meeting open."

Even as the tension heightened to the point of making the skin prickle.

"The vote of no confidence will be conducted by secret ballot, as prescribed in the Sword Family Code."

Befitting his alias of 'Little Giant,' he did not show a single inch of shaking even in the brutal atmosphere.

Elder Hwangmok, who was in charge of conducting the meeting, announced additional explanations.

"And for that vote, the no confidence motion will pass only if a majority of the total votes approve…"

But was it because their attention was stolen by the relentless progress of the meeting?

"However, if the invalid votes exceed thirty percent of the total. After a brief recess, a revote will be conducted…"

None of them.

Saw the blue ghostly fire that momentarily flashed from the depths of Yeon So-hyeon's eyes looking at the Yeon bloodline elders.

* * *

The voting ended.

And the counting of votes was in full swing.

"The securing of votes is…?"

Conversation was going back and forth among the elders of the Yeon bloodline.

"Already finished."

On the desk, there was a large sheet of paper where all the elders' names were marked.

Like his words, a red circle was drawn on most of the names.

"Although we had to make new contacts and negotiate since morning because that bastard of an Eldest Young Master suddenly intervened."

Normally, like a law.

There was always those who tried to adjust the terms of the deal at the last moment.

But today, there was not even such a person.

"Because that bastard of an Eldest Young Master firmly touched the elders' pride today, it ended up easier than usual instead."

In the Elders' Hall, the result is decided by vote, but that result is decided before the vote.

Just like those words.

They had already succeeded in securing sufficient votes in advance.

"Then, I will announce the result of the vote counting."

The conclusion was already made.

Unlike the new elders displaying curiosity, the mid-level elders had indifferent expressions.

"The approval will exceed seventy percent. It should be considered over."

"Even if there is opposition, it will only be a few votes following the Eldest Young Master."

"Now, it's time to meet the new Bank Director candidate."

The voting result would be announced within the margin of error.

"…By the way."

One of the elders in the assembly muttered.

"In the end, if so. What was the Eldest Young Master's aim?"

At that time.

Elder Hwangmok, who unfolded the note containing the result, began to announce it.

"Voting result. Seventy percent approval."

Deep smiles hung on the elders' faces.

"It hit exactly seventy percent. It's over."

"Serves you right, Eldest Young Master."

What would Yeon So-hyeon's expression be like right now?

Without exception, all the elders' gazes gathered on Yeon So-hyeon.

"…Is he smiling?"

Because that smile was so clear even from afar.

They could confirm the meaningful expression hung on Yeon So-hyeon's face.

"However…"

Embarrassment hung on the face of Elder Hwangmok, who was continuing the announcement.

"As a total result, the invalid votes are thirty percent of the overall."

The sounds of gasping for breath were heard here and there.

"…What?"

"The invalid votes are thirty percent of the total?"

Elder Hwangmok also spoke with a face as flustered as theirs.

"Since the invalid votes correspond to thirty percent of the total. In accordance with family law, after a brief recess, we will proceed with a revote."

"No, what is this talking about?!"

"How on earth can invalid votes come out to be as much as thirty percent?!"

As if trying to overcome the growing murmurs, Elder Hwangmok almost shouted.

"I would be grateful if all elders actively utilize the recess time to make sure you make a clear decision in the revote!"

No one paid attention to Elder Hwangmok's words.

"A revote?!"

"Nonsensical…?!"

Amidst the confused murmurs shaking the assembly.

"In the Elders' Hall, the result is decided by vote, but that result is decided before the vote."

Yeon So-hyeon's low laughter was mixed within the shouting voices going back and forth.

"Now it begins."