Volume 5 Chapter 2 – Opening Move (1)

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Translated by Rain

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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At Yeom Baek-ha’s explanation about the Special Task Force, the military strategists swallowed hard.

“Everyone is an expert…?”

“They are people who have the potential to become guard warriors? All of them?”

It was not strange for the military strategists to be surprised.

In the first place, unless one was born with talent for internal energy, no matter how excellent of an internal energy mind law one learned, one could not become a martial artist.

Therefore, those among them who ‘crossed the wall’ to become experts were extremely rare.

Yet, they were not just simple experts, but possessed the qualities to become guard warriors, who were called the signboards of the Sword Family.

“But it is a bit strange…”

One military strategist continued, stroking his short beard.

“If it is an organization where such people are gathered, we should have heard at least their name.”

The answer came from right next to the white tiger.

“That is probably highly likely because of their origin.”

The voice, phlegmy and hoarse, allowed one to guess the age of its owner.

“Origin… you say?”

“Elder strategist. Please give instruction for the junior scholars.”

The one called the old military strategist was an old man with white hair and a face full of wrinkles.

“By any chance, have you all heard of the ‘nameless warriors’?”

The old man, who had a small frame and a back that was already bent as much as it could be, was precariously supporting his old body on top of a donkey.

His advanced age was not just any advanced age, so he was an old man who seemed to have no choice but to be an exception, even in the Sword Family where everyone had to walk on their own feet unless there was a special circumstance.

“…If it is the nameless warriors, are you perhaps speaking of the ‘Dark Department’?”

At the word ‘Dark Department,’ all the military strategists shut their mouths and let out low groans.

It was the same for Yeom Baek-ha, who had already made the same guess.

They had no choice but to do so.

For no one could easily handle the weight and depth carried by the name of the Sword Family’s Dark Department.

Dark Department.

The name of the group that did what could never be done in the name of the Luoyang Sword Family, for the benefit of the Luoyang Sword Family.

Those who deeply immersed themselves in the Dark Department left behind no aliases, no names, no reputation, and nothing at all.

Referring to such people, they were called ‘nameless warriors.’

“Well, this is just this old man’s groundless speculation, so do not think too deeply about it.”

The old military strategist, lightly refreshing the atmosphere, looked at Yeom Baek-ha.

“More than that, this old man cannot help but pay attention to the lady’s discernment in recognizing that they are the Special Task Force directly under the Elders’ Hall.”

Yeom Baek-ha wore a bitter smile beneath her veil.

“I only recognized them because they are wearing the uniform that was in the practical education materials for the Law Enforcement Envoys.”

At her words, the old military strategist stroked his white beard.

“…Come to think of it, a uniform. Why is the Special Task Force, which is said to only receive the orders of the Elders’ Hall, wearing uniforms and guarding the Eldest Young Master’s Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment?”

That was precisely Yeom Baek-ha’s doubt as well.

“Do you perhaps have an opinion, old military strategist…?”

At Yeom Baek-ha’s question, the old military strategist wore a benevolent smile.

“This old man knows nothing of intra-family politics. Which is to say, it is none of my business.”

It was an absurdly irresponsible way of speaking, but Yeom Baek-ha did not mind.

She knew well that factors other than war, where blood and flesh splattered, were not areas of interest for this old man.

The old military strategist sent a subtle look toward Yeom Baek-ha.

“Rather, this old man is curious about the lady’s opinion.”

“It is not much of an opinion, but rather just the brief insight of a young girl…”

Yeom Baek-ha opened her mouth while stroking the back of the white tiger, which showed clear signs of nervousness.

“…The Elders’ Hall rarely interferes in worldly affairs. It is even rarer for them to involve themselves in intra-family politics. Nevertheless, the fact that experts who only receive the orders of the Elders’ Hall are guarding Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment means…”

Yeom Baek-ha’s gaze turned toward the eight experts.

“It is either an indirect expression of the Elders’ Hall supporting the Eldest Young Master in the succession structure, or it means the Eldest Young Master has gained their loyalty. And whichever it is…”

The two people opened their mouths at the same time.

“It is terrifying.”

“He is a terrifying person, the Eldest Young Master.”

Elder Yeom’s sword squad, which was one of the highest elite sword squads of the Sword Family.

Although their true power was displayed only when soldiers were given to form a complete organization, nevertheless, their individual abilities were by no means lacking.

The Eldest Young Master was showcasing a force that lightly overwhelmed such people.

And that was on the very first day of opening Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment, ending his long confinement.

“Just what is the Eldest Young Master…”

Yeom Baek-ha’s eyelids trembled slightly.

She was a person who had passionately admired Yeon So-hyeon in hidden places, although it was not public.

She had pride in having an understanding of his genius more than anyone else.

A lonely genius who was not recognized.

A being who had no supporters and was not recognized by others, but in reality, no one could ignore.

However, she had never once thought about Yeon So-hyeon as a ‘man of power.’

Medicine, strategy, character, insight… the Eldest Young Master, who possessed genius abilities in all aspects an individual could show.

Such an Eldest Young Master was now revealing his ability as a ‘leader.’

He was proudly flaunting the power he held.

The Eldest Young Master shook the Inner Courtyard, one of the deepest layers of power within the Luoyang Sword Family.

Although the detailed circumstances were unknown, he had made the Supreme Executive Council withdraw the confinement order and even use an emergency order.

Even now, the crowd filling the main road was visible.

The congratulatory delegations, stretching long behind Elder Yeom’s procession, were visible.

‘They even said His Majesty the Emperor personally issued an Imperial Decree.’

And the ones who had to face such an Eldest Young Master were her and her father, Elder Yeom.

The one she admired was thus facing her, having become a massive wall whose end could not be seen.

‘Father…’

Her gaze turned toward her father’s back, standing calmly at the very front of the procession.

* * *

“…It has been a long time.”

Those were the first words of Elder Yeom, who had been standing calmly for a long time.

A few faces remaining in his memory were among the Special Task Force.

“Aya, it has been a long time. Well, now that you have become an elder, your complexion looks very bright.”

“It seems you still recognize the face of a peer warrior.”

The reply that returned with a smile was not all that affectionate and favorable.

Under normal circumstances, Elder Yeom’s subordinates would never have tolerated such an attitude, but at the word ‘peer,’ they all focused silently on enduring the pressure.

Elder Yeom continued, wearing a bitter smile.

“I know you want to test the juniors, but it seems enough now, so how about withdrawing your momentum?”

At that, Elder Yeom’s peers joked.

“Oops, it is an order from an elder of the Main Family, so should we listen?”

“No, no. We only obey the orders of the Elders’ Hall, so no matter if it is the words of an elder, we should not obey, should we?”

Elder Yeom shook his head.

“This is not an order, but a request.”

Hearing that conversation faintly, Elder Yeom’s subordinates once again realized what kind of people were standing in front of them.

They were people to whom an elder of the Great Luoyang Sword Family had to make a request, rather than issue an order.

“Uh, ahem. Since the famous Elder Yeom requests so…”

“What do the other brothers think?”

“It seems we have done enough to not feel ashamed of our uniform in front of our juniors…?”

It was just when Elder Yeom’s peers were stealthily reading the countenances of the other Special Task Force members.

“What on earth are you doing with guests in front of you right now?!”

A shout like a midwinter frost flew toward the Special Task Force members who were slyly looking at each other.

It was a roar so loud that not only Elder Yeom’s subordinates but even the white tiger was startled.

At the voice that seemed to pull out one’s very soul, everyone’s gaze turned toward the inside of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment’s main gate.

Glowing with bright yellow eye light, the one who revealed herself was none other than a woman.

Appearing with several maids in tow, she possessed a beauty that seemed to radiate a halo and a force that seemed to press upon everyone’s mind.

But the next thing was even more surprising.

“Aigo, Lady Jeong-ah. It is not that we did that on purpose…”

“We also have, you know, our face in front of our juniors…”

Not only had their momentum vanished cleanly, but those fierce experts were actually bowing and scraping while showing loose smiles to the beautiful woman.

However, the woman called Lady Jeong-ah let out another shout.

“Lady? I am the Head Maid of this Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment!”

At the words Head Maid, the audience stirred once again.

Yeom Baek-ha, who had previously seen Jeong-ah at the House of Benevolence and Love in Walnut Village, could not help but be even more surprised.

‘I thought she was an extraordinary person even back then… but to think she commands such experts.’

The Head Maid of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment looked at the flustered experts with a razor-sharp gaze and said.

“Since you committed rudeness to the master’s guest, the snacks the maids made for the Special Task Force today will be considered as non-existent.”

At those words, the Special Task Force members wore expressions as if they were about to faint.

“N-No, Head Maid. If so, the other members will try to eat us alive!”

“P-Please don’t do that and listen to me, Head Maid! Head Maid!”

Yeom Baek-ha, who had grown up with warriors since childhood, could understand well.

“Silence, everyone!”

That the attitude those Special Task Force members were showing now was not born simply from feelings of affection, but was melted with a respect that could not be obtained unless it was for a warrior they acknowledged.

The respect as a warrior that could never be obtained even if they regarded her as a young lady intimately, or even if they feared her as the Law Enforcement Lady.

An appearance without distance that could be shown because she had earned that respect.

For some reason, Yeom Baek-ha could not help but feel dazzled by the sword belt worn by Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment’s Head Maid, and the sword hanging from that belt.

In her ears, the whispering of the military strategists was heard.

“…It seems that Head Maid is the very person whom the Second Young Master and the Third Young Master blatantly coveted.”

“Haha, with such beauty, such bearing, and such elegance, I can sympathize a little with the hearts of the Second Young Master and the Third Young Master.”

At the young military strategist’s words, the other strategists nodded their heads in unison.

However, Yeom Baek-ha could not help but be surprised once again by their words.

‘That Head Maid is the protagonist of the rumors…?!’

Whether he had the same thought as her, the old military strategist also muttered while shining his eyes beneath his long eyebrows.

“According to the information, that Head Maid was definitely not a warrior…”

In the meantime, the Head Maid of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment, who had flatly dismissed the desperate pleas of the Special Task Force members, bowed deeply to Elder Yeom.

“I dare to offer my apologies for the ‘guards’ of Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment showing such a rude appearance.”

And at the reaction of Elder Yeom that followed, Yeom Baek-ha and the old military strategist could not help but be surprised yet again.

“Please raise your head. Since this is nothing more than a private matter between this elder and my long-time acquaintances, it is not something the Head Maid should bow over.”

In Elder Yeom’s actions of politely wrapping up the situation by clasping his hands, there was undoubtedly the meaning of respect toward a warrior.

Yeom Gwak-chu, the Sword Mountain Splitting Peak, who was one of the true guard warriors of the Luoyang Sword Family.

It meant that Head Maid was a warrior worthy of receiving the respect of such a warrior.

‘Just what…’

Just what had happened to that woman, who was known to not know martial arts and have no talent for internal energy.

And by what means did the Eldest Young Master make a mere maid into a warrior worthy of recognition by the Sword Mountain Splitting Peak.