Book 9: Chapter 21: Watching the Fire

The Third Young Master's side, Military Advisory Department.

In the hanging garden prepared on the top floor of the Military Advisory Department pavilion, one person was suffering.

"Sect Leader of Diancang. Instead of just keeping your mouth shut like that, why don't you speak!"

"Your Diancang Sect left the operational area without authorization, without receiving approval, and without even requesting it."

As the Left and Right Grand Tacticians pressed him sharply, the former Sect Leader of Diancang shook his head, tearing at his hair inwardly.

'Ah, dammit.'

It was fine to escape after stirring up controversy over the person in charge.

However, the subsequent events flowed differently from his expectations and were becoming tangled.

"Since you said you were reluctant to speak in front of others due to your face, Sect Leader, did we not prepare a separate seat like this?"

"Could it be?"

Grand Tactician Sima's eyes flashed chillingly.

"Were you not the ringleader?"

"The ringleader, what do you mean by that?"

The former Sect Leader of Diancang flinched inwardly and retorted reflexively.

However, Grand Tactician Sima was someone who was thoroughly experienced in seeing through such shallow acting.

"We have secured testimony that just before your desertion, there was an incident where someone intentionally caused confusion in our command by questioning the person in charge."

"I know nothing about it."

Grand Tactician Sima was a tactician of the Martial Alliance until the very last moment of its dissolution, and he was a figure who steadfastly guarded his position even during the terrible political chaos at the end of the Martial Alliance.

"Do not play innocent, former Sect Leader of Diancang. If you act like this, we have no choice but to return it to you in 'the very way you did it.'" grand Tactician Zhuge, whose outstanding abilities were recognized by everyone enough to be selected as a Grand Tactician at the young age of his thirties, replied while waving his white feather fan.

"The way I did it…?"

"You are not asking because you do not know, are you? Although it is said that the Northern Hengshan Sect took the primary responsibility, he is currently missing."

That meant that they would create a controversy over responsibility, just as the former Sect Leader of Diancang had done, to make the former Sect Leader of Diancang the next sacrificial offering after the sect leader of the Northern Hengshan Sect.

"The command, which is currently tied down at the campsite, wants the next scapegoat."

The former Sect Leader of Diancang shouted like a fit.

"What kind of false accusations are you people called Grand Tacticians making?! Rather, I am someone who should be commended for my merit!"

At those words, Grand Tactician Zhuge frowned.

"Commended for your merit? For what reason?"

The former Sect Leader of Diancang wiped his hands, which were soaked in cold sweat, secretly and shouted.

"I sensed the crisis and immediately withdrew the troops under my responsibility, preserving our combat power!"

He passionately justified his actions as if spitting fire.

"How is the state of the troops currently remaining at the campsite? Isn't it said that those complaining of mental distress reach nearly thirty percent?! If we include those who are keeping their mouths shut out of their pride as martial artists, this is a time when the power of our faction has plummeted!"

"Even if that is the case—" the former Sect Leader of Diancang pushed forward without giving him a chance to interrupt.

"In such a situation, I succeeded in preserving Diancang's power through an excellent decision! Not only are you not giving me an award for that, but you are trying to punish me instead!"

He now began to babble whatever came to his mind.

"You, the Military Advisory Department, are the ones! Aren't you trying to make a scapegoat to escape the controversy over responsibility in this incident?! I will not just sit back and take this! I will gather our elders right away and…!"

Although he kept talking non-stop, splattering spit, he was sweating cold sweat profusely inside.

'Ughhhh! Yeon So-hyeon, you devil-like bastard!'

He shouted inwardly with his heart full of resentment toward the Eldest Young Master.

'What on earth are you doing right now?! Why aren't you showing any movement?!'

His miscalculation arose from there.

Originally, according to his calculations, the Third Young Master's camp should have been in an uproar, as if it had caught fire, due to the Eldest Young Master's movement.

'Only then would my desertion issue be buried…!'

However, for some reason, Yeon So-hyeon was.

Shutting himself up in Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment, he remained silent for over a day.

He was called to the Military Advisory Department and was being interrogated about the crime of unauthorized departure and the creation of a scapegoat that took place in the command at the time.

'Please! Please! Be helpful just once in my life! You devil-like bastard!'

Even while thinking that, his mouth was moving non-stop.

"…Therefore, this self officially raises doubts about the qualifications of the Grand Tacticians, and at the same time, through a vote of confidence—!"

Grand Tactician Sima slammed the table.

"Stop!"

The tea set on the table overturned with a clatter.

He shouted, distorting his old, wrinkled face like an evil deity.

"I have heard enough of your nonsense! As of this moment, our Military Advisory Department will begin an official investigation into the circumstances and…!"

The former Sect Leader of Diancang felt his vision go dark.

Taking advantage of his darkened vision, he squeezed his eyes shut and prayed earnestly inside.

'This devil-like Yeon So…, no. Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon! Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon!'

"We will investigate the incident that took place in the command tent at the time to the very end, uncover the truth, and surely find the culprit who deliberately incited public opinion to create a scapegoat!"

'Please save this old man just once!'

Grand Tactician Zhuge picked up in a cold tone.

"Also! Apart from that matter, we will officially handle the matter of the Diancang Sect's desertion to establish discipline for the command of the camp…!"

The former Sect Leader of Diancang cried out inwardly like a scream.

'Eldest Young Master! Please!'

Did his earnestness somehow reach the indifferent heavens?

"Left and Right Grand Tacticians!"

At the shout of a high-ranking tactician who hurriedly ran into the hanging garden, the former Sect Leader of Diancang snapped his eyes open.

'Co, could it be…?!'

"What is it?! I gave instructions not to disturb at all—" the high-ranking tactician shouted without even having the leisure to observe the uncomfortable feelings of the Left and Right Grand Tacticians.

"It is urgent news!"

"The Supreme Executive Council has made an official announcement regarding the disturbance at the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering stadium construction site!"

Following him, a messenger ran in panting.

"It is urgent news! The ox cart confirmed to be carrying the Eldest Young Master has left Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment! The destination is currently being tracked!"

Grand Tactician Zhuge leaped up from his seat.

"What?!"

The tea set that had been rolling around on the table because Grand Tactician Sima had slammed it eventually fell to the floor and shattered with a loud noise.

'He finally moved…!'

He was saved.

In stark contrast to them, the former Sect Leader of Diancang felt joy as he looked up at the sky with his eyes closed.

"If he was going to do this, why did he delay until now…?!"

Grand Tactician Sima sighed as he raised his old body from his seat.

"We must at least confront them properly! Prepare to go to the Administration Pavilion of the Supreme Executive Council immediately!"

They hurriedly left the place.

'Oh, I believed in you, Eldest Young Master!'

Left alone in the hanging garden, the former Sect Leader of Diancang cheered inwardly.

'Now that a fire has fallen on their feet, they have no time to pay attention to me!'

With that, he also quickly left the hanging garden.

If it was a spark dropped by none other than that Eldest Young Master.

It would not just make their feet hot, but it would soon become a massive fire that would burn down the storehouse and cause a wildfire.

By that time, the fact that he had left the campsite 'a little early' would become a trivial matter.

It was a time to quietly watch how the situation unfolded without catching anyone's eye for the time being.

'Thank you! Eldest Young Master!'

He never imagined that a day would come when he would express his gratitude to the Eldest Young Master, even if only in his mind.

Thus, the hanging garden was left empty by everyone.

Only the shattered, high-class tea sets rattled in the wind, as if mocking the behavior of the Third Young Master's camp.

* * *

The construction site of the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering stadium.

The Third Young Master's side campsite.

The command side of the Third Young Master was protesting fiercely.

"Elder Yeom!"

"Now, you people should withdraw!"

"Even if it is the Supreme Executive Council, isn't this too much?!"

It was to the point where one's ears ached from the sound of dozens of people gathering and shouting.

'Good grief…'

Elder Yeom, who was perched on the desk, clicked his tongue inwardly and opened his mouth.

"Everyone. This elder was delegated the authority to investigate and control the acts of insubordination that occurred here by the Supreme Executive Council—" feeling that Elder Yeom's words were getting a bit long, they cut him off without fail.

"Isn't the investigation enough at this point?!"

On the first day, they had also scrambled due to the confusion caused by the Dark Venerable, but after a day passed, they grasped the situation.

"The Supreme Executive Council clearly gave us the authority to resolve the disturbance!"

"But looking at your actions now, Elder Yeom, it is clear that investigation is secondary, and you have your eyes set on resolving the disturbance!"

Elder Yeom spoke once more with patience.

"This elder has no intention of snatching away your merit. I am merely following the resolution of the War Department that enforces the will of the Supreme Executive Council—" at the same words that had already been repeated dozens of times, the members of the Third Young Master's command rushed in instantly.

"Then, it is not the Supreme Executive Council, but the War Department that is trying to intervene in our affairs!"

"We will officially protest to the War Department! Do not expect us to let this matter pass easily!"

Elder Yeom swallowed a sigh once again beneath his characteristic blunt facial expression. "……."

The sect leader of Zhongnan, who was standing in the back with his arms crossed and met Elder Yeom's eyes, shrugged his shoulders without saying anything.

Since that attitude felt as if to say it was his own fault so it could not be helped, Elder Yeom's stomach became even more uncomfortable.

Unless the Supreme Executive Council made an official announcement regarding this matter, his embarrassment would continue.

'Lord…'

He threw his gaze in vain toward the direction of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment in the distance, where Yeon So-hyeon, who was said to have lost consciousness, was located.

Although he had heard the news that Yeon So-hyeon had collapsed, he did not show any signs of being particularly worried.

For some reason, that Eldest Young Master.

It was to the extent that he thought that even collapsing might have been an action within his calculations.

"Instead of just keeping your mouth shut! Speak up a bit?!"

"If you are going to do that, return control of this place to us and return to the Main Family right now!"

They gradually approached Elder Yeom and shouted even louder.

Although the movements of protest grew larger and became more threatening.

"Are you threatening this elder, who has currently been delegated all authority from the Supreme Executive Council?"

Elder Yeom held his ground firmly like a mountain range, just like his moniker of Sword Mountain Splitting Peak.

'Though I do not know how much longer I can hold out.'

At that moment, a voice that seemed to enjoy his troubled inner thoughts was heard.

"Well, to think I would be able to see the sight of that famous warrior, Sword Mountain Splitting Peak, being pushed this hard…!"

That clear voice, which openly sneered at those pushing him, was a voice that had now become familiar to Elder Yeom.

'Lord—!'

As Elder Yeom looked in the direction from which the voice was heard, the gazes of the crowd followed his.

"Indeed, the skill of the orthodox leaders who were formerly affiliated with the Martial Alliance is amazing! It seems that the future of the Luoyang Sword Family is very bright, so I feel good."

The sect leader of Zhongnan, who was watching the situation from the very back, said unconsciously with a bewildered expression.

"The Swordless One…?"

Yeon So-hyeon, who had entered the tent at some point, beamed a wide smile at that sect leader of Zhongnan.

"That is right. I am your friend, Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon."

Power entered Yeon So-hyeon's eyes. "……!"

The sect leader of Zhongnan, who had babbled the name 'Swordless One,' felt a chill at that gaze and hurriedly took a step back. "……."

Inside the tent, which had become enveloped in an uncomfortable silence before anyone knew it, Yeon So-hyeon looked around the crowd and wore a twisted smile.

"My. Since everyone is welcoming me like this, I do not know what to do with myself."

Elder Yeom threaded through the groaning crowd and bent his giant body to give a polite greeting.

"I greet the Eldest Young Master of the Main Family."

Only then did the members of the Third Young Master's command reluctantly clasp their hands and greet Yeon So-hyeon.

"…I greet the Eldest Young Master of the Main Family."

There was also someone whose voice crawled in, as if he hated to even offer a proper greeting.

Yeon So-hyeon did not care about such things and headed toward the innermost part of the tent with his characteristic swaggering steps.

"This Eldest Young Master merely came to watch, no, excuse me, to observe, so you do not have to mind me."

He perched on Elder Yeom's desk, which the elder had been leaning on.

Then, crossing one leg, placing his elbow on it, and resting his chin on his hand, he spoke.

"What are you doing? Go on."

An elder of the Third Young Master's side stepped forward, grinding his teeth.

"…Eldest Young Master. Information that you are behind this matter has been continuously circulating since yesterday."

Then, the others also stepped forward one by one.

"Take responsibility and explain how this situation is unfolding!"

"Return the control of this site to our side right now!"

There was also someone who smirked.

"Instead of explaining and taking responsibility, explaining first and then taking responsibility is also good."

Whether they did so or not, Yeon So-hyeon did not even spare them a glance.

"You have worked hard all this time, Elder Yeom."

Elder Yeom stood by his side and shook his head.

"Something like this was nothing."

At that moment, when the members of the Third Young Master's command felt something strange in their calm composure.

"Report! It is said that the Administration Pavilion Lord of the Supreme Executive Council has currently passed the outer checkpoint!"

The warrior who was standing guard outside entered the tent and reported.

"The Administration Pavilion Lord of the Supreme Executive Council?!"

"Isn't he a person who is like the agent of the Supreme Executive Council?!"

"That would mean that the Supreme Executive Council intends to make a significant announcement…!"

Their gazes, which had become confused for a moment, turned toward Yeon So-hyeon one by one.

This point in time when the Eldest Young Master, who was rumored to be behind this decision of the Supreme Executive Council, visited their campsite.

Was it not too coincidental?

"Oh. Really? The Supreme Executive Council moved?"

Yeon So-hyeon pretended not to know what was going on, feigning surprise, and then wore a thick smile on his face.

"Now is the time to watch the fire properly."