Book 9: Chapter 4: Meeting or Encounter

A few shichen ago.

Luoyang Sword Family, Supreme Executive Council.

“With this, all the agendas presented today have been decided.”

At the words of the general affairs committee member, the Chairman pulled out his pocket watch with a platinum chain and looked at it.

“Today's meeting was long as well.”

Because even the supreme members were not supposed to know each other's identities, the venue for the Supreme Executive Council was often a secret cave.

Unless one looked at a watch, it was difficult to tell the time.

The Chairman raised his hand, pressed his tired eyelids, and spoke.

“It would be best to wrap things up for today around this point.”

At the old man's words, sighs of relief could be heard from various places beyond the curtains.

Since everyone knew their responsibilities well, they merely did not express that they were tired, but without exception, everyone must have been feeling the limits of their physical strength.

When meetings continued day after day to the point that even the Chairman himself, who had long since crossed the wall, was exhausted, what need was there to mention the state of the supreme members who lacked internal energy?

'But it cannot be helped.'

The Luoyang Sword Family is massive.

Its influence was not limited to ruling Luoyang, but extended beyond Henan, encompassing the entire North China region that surrounded the Imperial Capital.

And it reached to the branch families, vassal families, and business offices scattered all over the State of Zhongyuan.

That influence only differed in scale depending on the distance and location.

There was no place in the State of Zhongyuan where the influence of the Luoyang Sword Family did not reach.

“Ah, before that, there is a matter I would like to recommend.”

And the Supreme Executive Council of the Luoyang Sword Family was the organ that made all those final decisions.

“Everyone, please grasp in advance the background knowledge regarding the bulk trade route usage contract renewal with the Spanish side, which is scheduled for the next meeting.”

At the general affairs member's words, everyone swallowed a sigh inwardly.

Because it was obvious that their sleep time would be drastically reduced.

“The next meeting is scheduled to start in exactly four shichen.”

The general affairs member added briefly.

“Of course, if an emergency agenda arises, the meeting will be opened immediately. That is all.”

One could sense everyone throwing greetings as they stood up fiercely, packing their things in a hurry to leave.

“Wait.”

Everyone's movements stopped.

The Chairman spoke while reading a note that had just come in.

“I hear that the Eldest Young Master's ox cart is currently heading toward the Main Family.” ……!

At those words, the sounds of people swallowing their breath could be heard from various places.

Because the news that the Eldest Young Master was entering the Main Family was equivalent to saying that a storm was approaching. …….

Through the Chairman's qi perception, he could feel everyone's fine hairs standing on end and their heartbeats quickening.

All drowsiness must have vanished completely.

Unlike other agendas, each and every agenda related to the Eldest Young Master was extremely sensitive.

Even today alone, nearly half of the entire meeting was directly or indirectly related to the Eldest Young Master.

“…If so.”

The general affairs member opened his mouth.

“How about waiting like this and processing other agendas in advance?” ……!

It felt as if one could hear the breath of the supreme members being choked.

The Chairman wore a bitter smile.

“So that everyone can rest easy even for a short while, let us conclude the meeting for now.”

He added.

“However, since it is obvious we will be summoned at any time, each of you should check your emergency contact system once again.”

* * *

A deserted night mountain.

The Chairman did not head to his residence.

Even if he went back, it was an empty house anyway.

Since his wife had passed away, and his children had long since become independent and moved out.

Although he was walking along the trail of the wild mountain to cut off distracting thoughts as usual.

Today of all days, with every single step, major affairs of the Main Family seemed to follow him.

The cause was the Eldest Young Master.

'…They said the Eldest Young Master is operating the administration building of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment.'

That was the last information he had received about Yeon So-hyeon before he cut off all contact and walked the wild mountain.

'There is no way that person would return to Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment afterward and merely take a rest.'

Because the movements of the Eldest Young Master, starting from his visit to Mount Beimang, were at a level where describing them as breathtaking would be insufficient.

'Indeed, how will things turn out in the future…'

The sound of insects chirping, and the sound of owls hooting.

Today of all days, they only felt exceptionally frustrating.

No matter how much he was the Chairman of the Supreme Executive Council, which had reached the peak of the Luoyang Sword Family's formidable power, the affairs of the world were complex and full of difficulties.

The Second Young Master, who headed to the Imperial Capital, would draw in the patriarchs of the Sixteen Imperial Capital Families.

The Third Young Master, who was on an expeditionary warrior training journey, would return to the Main Family soon.

The Yeon family blood relatives wished for the Sword Family to return to being the Yeon Family, just like in the old days.

Would that be all?

The surroundings of the Second Young Lady, where some of those Yeon family blood relatives had become the mainstay and were showing an unusual atmosphere.

The Fourth Young Master, who was said to be blooming a lordly image equal to or greater than the Second and Third Young Masters.

The Elders' Hall, which was constantly looking for a chance to convert to a cabinet system.

And even the fact that the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon, who had shown extraordinary abilities since childhood, had ended his seclusion and begun his full-scale moves.

Leaving aside all other minor and major affairs and looking only at the successor structure of the Luoyang Sword Family, the situation could not be any more complicated than this.

In such a situation, predicting the future was useless.

From experience, he knew well that at best, it was nothing more than a blind man groping the floor with his bare hands to find his way.

'…Unless it were the Eldest Young Master, who is said to see a thousand li away from where he sits.'

Like the winding clouds glimpsed between the branches passing above his head.

His mind was merely complicated.

'At this rate, there is no longer any meaning to this walk.'

The old man, holding his hands behind his back, let out a sigh close to a lament toward the empty air.

Since the Eldest Young Master had returned to the Main Family, urgent information would pour in at any moment, and it was obvious that an emergency meeting would be held soon.

'…I should go to the meeting place in advance and at least organize the matters.'

Only then would he be able to catch up with the ideas and speed of thought of the young supreme members.

'Since that accursed day.'

The day the Patriarch collapsed, and his close aides showed their blades of greed.

'…Although I decided to dedicate everything to the Sword Family.'

He merely resented his body, which grew older day by day.

Even if he maintained a thorough self-management close to that of active warriors, he could not overcome the power of time.

'Now, is the only thing I can do simply praying for the succession of the Main Family to be settled before this body grows older and becomes useless…'

The weight of the responsibility he had carried for nearly ten years felt fresh once again.

But even at that moment.

The old man did not stop his steps.

His spirit, bound by deep guilt and heavy responsibility, did not allow his body to stop even for a moment.

'Yes, let us return.'

It was so.

He had to return.

But the path was not visible. ……!

The night path, which until just now had been clearly visible due to his body imbued with internal energy, was somehow only dark.

It was not merely dark, but a darkness that was like pitch-black.

Even the winding clouds hid themselves in the darkness cast over the sky.

The trail, which was so familiar that he could walk it even with his eyes closed, was endlessly unfamiliar.

The other side of the trail felt like the entrance of a bottomless abyss gaping open toward him.

——.

Moreover, what was this ominous whistling sound that had been reaching his ears since a moment ago?

And what was this sulfur smell that sharply stabbed his nose as if twisting his sense of smell? …….

Thinking it strange that his breathing was growing rough, his breath dispersed like midwinter every time he exhaled.

His body, which possessed immunity to cold and heat, was feeling a chill.

'…A formation. No, is it a demonic art?'

The old man possessed deep and rich experience accumulated over a lifetime, and had also experienced mysterious events that others would find difficult to encounter in a lifetime several times.

“Who is there?”

He calmly raised his internal energy, protecting his upper dantian as he asked.

From experience, attempts such as immediately using lightfoot technique to escape without looking left or right would only provoke a mysterious entity needlessly. …….

However, even for the old man who maintained such composure, the moment the whistling sound abruptly stopped as if in response to his question.

He could not help but feel a chill run down his spine.

A heavy silence descended, as if the low mountain were dead.

There was no sound.

Even the sound of the wind blowing.

“I do not know who you are, but I am merely a passerby—.”

At the moment he opened his mouth once again to overcome his anxiety.

“I know well who you are.”

A voice like boiling molten iron.

However, could that, which was like the whispers of thousands scratching his ears, truly be called a voice?

“Chairman.”

At that title, this time for sure, the hairs all over his body stood on end.

“…Show yourself.”

Along with a low shout, the Chairman immediately drew the old long sword he wore at his hip.

The teaching of some Daoist that one should not provoke the opponent was no longer needed.

It was not tolerated for a member of the Supreme Executive Council to have their identity discovered.

In order to complete the role he carried.

In order to fulfill his responsibility.

Whatever happened, he had to protect his position as Chairman.

“Did I not tell you to reveal your identity?!”

His shout, filled with bottomless internal energy, shook the surrounding terrain.

As if mocking him, the opponent replied with a distinctive metallic sound.

“Would you say you do not know me—.”

'Now…!'

The sword light cut through the darkness.

That single strike seemed to split the forest, split the ground, split the wild mountain, and split the veil of darkness cast over the sky beyond.

It was a single strike that, even if called perfection, was not lacking in the slightest.

The unidentified opponent seemed to have used some method, making the voice heard from all directions so that the location could not be specified, but the old man, who possessed extraordinary ability regarding sound, had already succeeded in tracing it back.

He was merely looking in the wrong direction and talking to deceive the opponent.

It was an outstanding wit that was hard to believe was a trap conceived and executed in an instant, and a swordsmanship that far exceeded it.

If the opponent had been an ordinary expert, anyone would have been cut in two by that single strike.

“As expected.”

Had it been an ordinary expert.

The Chairman's sword was caught in the opponent's grasp like a lie. ……!

Showing teeth as sharp as needles and as dense as a shark's jaw, the opponent admired.

“Indeed, the one who was called the absolute of the Sword Family in the past. That reputation of being called the Sword Venerable was by no means in vain.”

The person who had been the first sword of the Sword Family until the appearance of the Grand Patriarch, who later came to be called the Sword Master.

The opponent knew not only his current identity, but also all of his past.

Even so, the Chairman's gaze did not waver in the slightest.

Free of all thoughts.

Evil and wickedness dared not invade.

For the moment he entered battle, he, who had been called the Sword Venerable in the past, had already completed his mental armament to the limit.

“Hup!”

For ghosts or monsters, sword forms or stances meant to deal with humans were useless.

Along with a clear shout of energy that was hard to believe belonged to an old man, his old blue steel long sword vibrated as if to tear the air.

“…Ho?”

Due to the application exceeding the limits of the Sword Ring, the opponent had no choice but to release the sword from his hand.

Not missing that moment, the Chairman retrieved the sword and instantaneously secured distance using the Shift of Form and Position technique. …….

The Chairman's bizarrely transparent gaze only now confirmed the figure of the opponent, which was fully revealed.

The luster of the mask, white like the moon hung in the night sky, gleamed ominously.

Two strands of blue goblin fire rising above the eyeless mask swayed, scattering sparks.

That appearance was so distinctive, how could the Chairman, who was well-versed in information, fail to recognize him?

“…Dark Venerable.”

The opponent shrugged his shoulders and laughed.

The surroundings shook as if sympathizing with the laughter.

“That is correct.”

The entity within rumors.

At the appearance of the Dark Venerable, whose existence could only be confirmed in rumors, the Chairman's deep eyes narrowed fiercely.

According to one theory, was he not an entity that punished evil on behalf of the indifferent heaven and earth?

“…Has the earthly agent of heaven's punishment come?”

The Chairman spoke in a bitter tone.

“Indeed, this old man's sins are endlessly deep, so I dare not measure their depth. However…”

The sword clutched in his grasp howled fiercely.

“I still have a mission left to fulfill on this earth!”

Unyielding.

Even while the surroundings were being eroded by the demonic qi of the Scripture of Controlling Darkness and Shaking the Heavens, which was called a demon of a thousand ages, there was not the slightest wavering in his will.

"—-!"

In that brief moment of a single blink of an eye.

Dozens of sword strikes embroidered the air, and fist, leg, and palm clashed dozens of times between them.

The surrounding land was terribly torn, and the forest was overturned.

It was a fierce battle of such magnitude that any martial artist would have had their eyes opened and gained enlightenment just by watching, but.

Over the sword momentum of the old man who had been called the Sword Venerable in the past, an indelible shadow of time was cast.

'Ah. Age. Time.'

Had it been the past, he would have swung and thrusted the sword ten more times.

'Resentful and ironic fate.'

Had it been the past, he would have struck and blocked ten more times.

Why did the Grim Reaper seek him at this critical time of all times?

His state of no-thought was collapsing.

But at the same time.

As the sword strikes repeated again and again.

Even stopping his breathing, wonderment welled in the eyes of the old man swinging the sword.

'Why on earth…?'

The opponent was clearly holding back.

He had revealed unavoidable openings several times, and the opponent could have attacked him at any moment during those times.

But he did not do so.

'Moreover, these martial arts are…'

What the entity called the Dark Venerable was displaying was, without exception, orthodox martial arts.

And those martial arts were, without a single exception, all stored within the Luoyang Sword Family.

If there was something peculiar, it was that the opponent seemed to have mastered all of those martial arts.

There was no way his eyes reading the martial arts could be wrong.

'Ah…!'

At that moment, the Chairman realized.

'How could I possibly miss something like this…?'

The opponent's height.

The opponent's build.

The opponent's hands.

Without a doubt, the characteristics matched someone he remembered.

Even down to the bottomless knowledge of martial arts.

Clearly, the figure before his eyes was…

'The Eldest Young Master!'