Book 13: Chapter 5: The Standing of the Eldest Young Master

Early morning.

Luoyang Sword Family.

Sword Family Bank, Head Office.

The Sword Family Bank was notorious for opening leisurely and beginning to serve customers only after the sun had risen high.

But what could one do?

The side holding the money was that side, so the one in need had to endure.

However today's Sword Family Bank Head Office was different.

“Good grief…! You! Have you still not finished cleaning the street?!”

A middle manager of the Sword Family Bank, who had come out to inspect, shouted in surprise.

“Oh, sir…!”

The servants waved their hands and bowed their heads apologetically.

“We are employing three times as many people, sir! At this rate, it is progressing much faster and cleaner than usual—” normally, the middle manager would have showered the servants with nagging to enforce discipline, but instead, he picked up a spare broom and began sweeping the street himself.

“That is enough!”

“Give that to me…!”

“Sir?!”

While the servants were dumbfounded, the middle manager urged his subordinates.

“Are you sightseeing right now?! What on earth are you all doing?!”

The servants were put out for only a moment by the sight, which was hard to believe came from the employees of the Sword Family Bank who normally put on all sorts of airs.

They soon were able to learn the reason.

“He is coming…!”

From afar, a Sword Family Bank employee running and sweating profusely shouted.

“The Eldest Young Master is coming!”

* * *

It was a sight to behold.

The Sword Family Bank, notoriously haughty.

Furthermore, the entire staff of the Head Office lining up at the entrance and bowing deeply to welcome someone was an extremely rare precedent.

“……”

Although sword-bearing maids and servants followed behind him, only the sound of Yeon So-hyeon's footsteps rang too clearly in their ears.

“……”

In a silence where one could almost hear the sound of sweat dripping from deeply bowed foreheads onto the marble floor, step, step.

In the past would it have been like this if the Master of the Luoyang Sword Family visited?

No.

Right now, they were crushed under even greater awe and fear than back then.

'The Grim Reaper…' among those gathered here there was no one who had forgotten the night when the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon last visited the Sword Family Bank, even in their dreams.

“Quickly subdue anyone who resists!”

“Lethal force has been authorized!”

The personnel wearing the red uniforms of the Central Inspection Department who came rushing in.

The swords held in their hands were stained with the red blood of the corrupt employees of the Sword Family Bank who resisted and refused arrest and their footsteps dotted the white marble with red blood and the screams of those vomiting red blood did not cease, making it a day where even the air was red.

And.

“Without leaving a single one behind.”

At the very front of them, was the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.

“arrest them all.”

So to the employees of the Sword Family Bank who could not forget that day even if they wanted to the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon was no different from the Grim Reaper.

“I greet the Eldest Young Master.”

Of course he was not only feared by everyone, at the end of the line of employees who were frozen like stone statues, the Director of the Sword Family Bank, who welcomed Yeon So-hyeon with a bright smile, was the prime example.

“Long time no see, Bank Director.”

* * *

The Bank Director's office.

While the white morning sunlight illuminated the room and the fragrance of tea drifted subtly through the office, the Bank Director said, naturally yielding the seat of honor to the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.

“I have issued instructions to cooperate fully with any requests coming from the Central Inspection Department and the investigative agencies.”

“You are going through a lot of trouble, Director.”

Yeon So-hyeon calmly commended his hard work.

“I heard the Inner Courtyard is conducting the investigation quite harshly.”

The Chief Manager of the Inner Courtyard, who had seized the opportunity, was biting into the Sword Family Bank with relentless thoroughness.

“What trouble could it be?”

The neatly dressed Bank Director shook his head lightly.

“Rather, my mind is much lighter.”

Not just in words but compared to when they last met, he actually seemed to have found much more peace of mind.

“They were those who regarded the family's money as their own, and the family's power as their own power. They are merely receiving the punishment they deserve, and I…” he paused for a moment to choose his words, the old man spoke with infinite humility and politeness, just like when he met Yeon So-hyeon that night.

“……”

But Yeon So-hyeon knew that the reason the Bank Director hesitated was to select language appropriate to speak in front of the Eldest Young Master, and that his heart and resolve were already standing firm like a thick stone pillar.

“…I, too, know that my responsibility for failing to properly crack down on them from within all this time is heavy.”

“If I must take responsibility and step down, I will gladly do so.”

Setting down the teacup he was holding, Yeon So-hyeon spoke.

“…Is that why you took no action, even though you knew of the 'vote of no confidence' against you that is about to begin in the Elders' Hall?”

“……”

If the vote of no confidence passed with a majority in the Elders' Hall, the Bank Director would have to leave his position, letting go of everything.

“Your political enemies are not letting this opportunity slip by and are trying to tear you apart.”

Although the Bank Director had actually provided decisive tips and assistance for the reform of the Sword Family Bank there was no way his long-time political enemies would miss such a golden opportunity, so they brought up the issue of accountability and initiated the vote of no confidence in the Elders' Hall.

“It will not end with merely stepping down.”

Yeon So-hyeon warned in a quiet tone.

“Your political enemies have already joined hands with the Yeon family blood relatives.”

They, in common held a clear grudge against Yeon So-hyeon and the Bank Director who helped him.

“…Is negligence not also a sin?”

Through the morning sunlight streaming through the window the old man's eyes that Yeon So-hyeon looked into were astonishingly clear.

Eyes without a single shred of greed.

“If they waste their political influence just to bring down this one old man, that would not be so bad either.”

“…They will chew you up without leaving even a bone behind.”

“Haha, even if they chew on the bones of an old man that have been creaking for a long time, there will be no flavor to chew on.”

A noble spirit.

A resolute resolve.

However, Yeon So-hyeon did not like such things.

“…….”

Not a single bit.

He did not like it.

The old man's attitude was just like his own back when he was swordless, before returning through the Scripture of Controlling Darkness and Shaking the Heavens.

That was why Yeon So-hyeon had absolutely no intention of letting the old man follow in his own footsteps.

“…Lately, the Main Family is changing a lot.”

Without any introduction at Yeon So-hyeon's sudden words, the Bank Director replied with a slightly confused face.

“…Yes, yes. That is correct.”

In any case, since Yeon So-hyeon's words were a statement of fact he nodded.

“As for me, since I have been busy being called around for various investigations and inquiries lately, I have not been able to properly hear or see it firsthand, but…” a faint smile hung on his face as he looked at Yeon So-hyeon.

“I know very well that the Eldest Young Master is achieving excellent results.”

Seeing the old man's smile, Yeon So-hyeon was certain.

This old man, right now was trying to sacrifice himself, fearing that he, who had been unable to take proper action against all kinds of corruption and crime that occurred at the Sword Family Bank, would become a great political burden to Yeon So-hyeon.

“Yes, indeed.”

Yeon So-hyeon shrugged his shoulders intentionally.

“In just a few weeks, I have changed many things. Though it is still far from enough.”

Leaning back in a relaxed posture, he continued.

“Do you not wish to see it?”

“…See what?”

Looking up at the elegantly decorated ceiling, Yeon So-hyeon replied.

“Once I finish all this work in the Main Family, are you not curious about what the Main Family will look like?”

The old man smiled bitterly at those words.

“I want to see it, Eldest Young Master. Of course, I am naturally curious.”

Yeon So-hyeon threw another question.

“Do you not wish to see that sight by my side?”

“That is—” Yeon So-hyeon cut off the Bank Director's words and continued the questioning.

“Do you not wish to cross all those hardships and tribulations with me and see the completely transformed Main Family in the future?”

As if painting that picture, Yeon So-hyeon waved his hand in the air while looking at the ceiling.

“The appearance of the true greatest family under heaven.”

Instantly, that image shimmered in the old man's mind.

“…….”

That was by no means because the few words of the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon and his hand gestures embroidering the air gave such a realistic description.

“The majesty of a real Luoyang Sword Family, united as one under an upright Patriarch.”

Because that was the old man's lifelong desire, and his life's wish.

“Without mentioning Evil Tyrant Heaven or anything else, an overwhelming power that no one would dare to stand tall before!”

The old man bit his lip without realizing it, and the hand gripping the armrest of his chair tightened.

Did he say they were the weak bones of an old man?

“The name of the Luoyang Sword Family, echoing clearly beyond the Four Seas, across the continent, and even among the great powers overseas!”

Contrary to those words, the armrest firmly gripped by the Bank Director was screaming instead.

“Do you truly!”

Yeon So-hyeon, who had been looking up at the ceiling in a relaxed posture, had stood up at some point and was looking at the Bank Director with a straight posture.

Had he even grown taller in just a few weeks?

Looking down at the Bank Director, Yeon So-hyeon's appearance—his sense of intimidation—was such that it seemed hard for anyone to dare call him a boy anymore.

“Do you not wish to build such a Luoyang Sword Family with your own hands? irony”

The Eldest Young Master's black, transparent, and deep eyes pierced the old man's eyes, staring directly into his soul.

The Bank Director's answer was predetermined.

“I want to see it with my own eyes…! Yes, of course I want to see it!”

He had sprung up from his seat, raising his aged body without realizing it.

“And naturally, I want to rebuild the Main Family with my own hands! Is that not obvious?!”

Until just a moment ago the old man who had suppressed himself in order to silently sacrifice himself was gone.

“Even if someone tells me not to! Even if someone stops me, I want to do it!”

Standing in that place was only a tireless fighter possessing the heart of that youth who had thrown himself into the Luoyang Sword Family back in the day, harboring the grand ambition of the winds and clouds in his hot chest.

“But…!”

Even so, the experience and wisdom piled layer upon layer with age were holding him back.

“The Eldest Young Master expending effort to protect this old man will be an extremely wasteful matter.”

No matter how well-rounded a person is if they are in a position of power, political enemies naturally sprout like mold in a damp basement.

Moreover, let alone that because of his active cooperation with the Eldest Young Master and the investigative authorities, grudges and resentment had exploded, creating even new enemies.

“Even if you must step over this old man's corpse, the Eldest Young Master must take even a single step forward to lead the Main Family to a better place—” Yeon So-hyeon cut off his words.

“No.”

“If anyone is to become a corpse to serve as a path and road for others, it is I.”

Yeon So-hyeon raised his hand and pointed to himself.

“This Yeon So-hyeon will be the first to become a corpse.”

At some point, the Eldest Young Master's speech had shifted to informal speech, but that felt only extremely natural.

“I do not sacrifice anyone.”

What arrogant words.

Had it been someone else rather than the Eldest Young Master saying those words the Bank Director would have immediately scolded them to wake up to reality.

However, on the contrary because it was Yeon So-hyeon, those words came with a completely different meaning.

'I will not sacrifice anyone.'

“…Eldest Young Master. Is there a way even now?”

Seeing the combativeness return to the Bank Director's eyes, the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon smiled.

“It seems you have been so pressed by the inquiries and investigations that you truly could not pay attention to outside matters.”

That smile was filled with confidence.

“How much this Yeon So-hyeon's prestige has changed in the Main Family, see for yourself from now on.”