Volume 4 Chapter 9 – Mockery

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Translated by Rain

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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The female new high councilor was momentarily speechless, then spoke again.

“Eldest Young Master. This high councilor expresses gratitude for your spirit of sacrifice for the main family. At the same time, as a member of the Supreme Executive Council, I apologize for the actions of this council.”

Yeon So-hyeon shook his head.

“I already received that apology in the past. In this very council.”

“…In that case.”

“The reason I brought this up again is because you, who hid that fact, dared to use it to make a deal with the Second and Third Young Masters.”

The female new high councilor gasped.

They had hidden the goodwill the Eldest Young Master bestowed and had not even publicized it.

And they had made a deal with the Second and Third Young Masters, who were unaware of that fact, promising to prevent the Eldest Young Master from brandishing the Patriarch’s Seal.

She had also been present at that trading table.

She spoke with some difficulty.

“Eldest Young Master. This high councilor, regarding that deal…”

“Wait.”

A high councilor who had remained silent until then interrupted her words.

“That deal was a promise this council made to you to repay the goodwill you bestowed, a transaction that had to be inevitably made to keep that promise.”

“Is that so?”

“It is so.”

“It seems that promise is not being kept properly right now, though?”

“…We are making efforts.”

By this point, the female new high councilor had to admit it internally.

It was the same for the male new high councilor as well.

In the preliminary meeting held before the Eldest Young Master’s arrival, what the Chairman had said was correct.

This council could not decide on anything and proceed without the party involved, Yeon So-hyeon, being present.

And they could never leave such a conversation in the records.

She shut her mouth.

* * *

A long silence hung for a while.

A dizzying and chaotic situation.

Having finished organizing his thoughts, the male new high councilor cautiously spoke.

“…Would someone explain what kind of promise this council made to the Eldest Young Master back then?”

The high councilor who had just conversed with Yeon So-hyeon answered.

“This council promised the Eldest Young Master one thing at the time.”

He calmly continued.

“That the competition among the successors would not lead to a large-scale conflict.”

The female new high councilor sighed.

“I understand. I also see that the words of both individuals are correct.”

She continued.

“The deal with the Second and Third Young Masters was inevitable to keep the promise with the Eldest Young Master.”

She reflected on that time.

“Because what this council demanded of them was that they must abide by several rules to prevent the competition from intensifying. And…”

She rubbed her temples and continued speaking.

“…Also, this council is gradually losing control over the successor competition.”

Another high councilor added.

“Of course, we are still controlling the successor competition perfectly.”

“But as time goes by in the future…”

Yet another high councilor continued.

“It will become difficult to prevent the powerholders inside and outside the main family from blatantly promoting their chosen successors.”

If the Second Young Master and the Third Young Master continued their competition in such an equal state, those supporting them would surely snowball.

The female new high councilor sighed.

“And that will eventually become an unstoppable landslide.”

“And the same problem will occur even if someone begins to gain the upper hand.”

Those who had rallied tightly and expanded their influence up to that point would never meekly accept defeat and step back.

No, rather, they would start taking action the moment defeat drew near.

Yet there was neither justification nor means to block them from expanding their influence starting from now.

One of the high councilors asked Yeon So-hyeon.

“…Then, Eldest Young Master, you have made up your mind to resolve this issue yourself.”

“Yes.”

Yeon So-hyeon squared his shoulders and looked down upon them.

“Today, I request that the Supreme Executive Council officially and publicly lift the seclusion order placed upon me, in my capacity as acting Patriarch.”

“…”

“…”

In the midst of the prolonged silence, one of the high councilors spoke.

“I understand what you mean. Then, from now on…”

Just then, the male new high councilor interrupted.

“This high councilor objects.”

Just as everyone was at a loss for words, he asserted even more strongly.

“Rather, even now, we must specify the seclusion order against the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon and lock him in Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment completely! And if possible, we must confine him!”

Once again, everyone fell silent.

However, the female new high councilor also let out a sigh and cautiously expressed agreement with his words.

“…I know it is shameless, but it is an argument that makes sense.”

Yeon So-hyeon was expressionless.

She continued speaking while unable to look straight at his face.

“That the Eldest Young Master’s abilities are outstanding is something all high councilors in this place agree on.”

She rather spoke with her eyes closed.

“But precisely because the Eldest Young Master’s abilities are so outstanding, if his seclusion is lifted, the competition will escape this council’s control even faster.”

Yeon So-hyeon asked toward the direction her voice was coming from.

“Even if I renounce the Patriarch’s Seal in this place?”

Her pupils trembled violently.

“…That is.”

Drawing the line in place of her, who could not bring herself to continue, the male new high councilor spoke.

“It does not matter. To the extent you lack the Patriarch’s Seal, you will employ even more extreme methods, and the result will manifest the same.”

Yeon So-hyeon asked once more.

“Even if I say I will follow the rules you set?”

“Yes. This high councilor knows that the Eldest Young Master has the capability to subtly twist the rules as much as he wants.”

The female new high councilor nodded.

“…That is also what this high councilor agrees with. Ultimately, the struggle between the Eldest Young Master trying to twist the rules and this council trying to crack down on him will cause a massive crack in the main family.”

Yeon So-hyeon shook his head.

“…Since this all happened because my abilities are too outstanding, I have nothing to say. But still, does this not seem a bit too much?”

“I was trying not to say this far…!”

At the attitude that was calm and even shameless under such circumstances, the male new high councilor clicked his tongue.

“In the first place, do you not think it is a shameless act for the Eldest Young Master to step forward now?”

“High councilor…! I understand your meaning, but please be careful with your words and actions…”

Yeon So-hyeon shook his head.

“Not at all.”

“Are you not even thinking of the blood that the innocent people of the main family will shed because you, the Eldest Young Master, are stepping forward now?”

“I do not know what you mean.”

Yeon So-hyeon wore a twisted smile.

“In the Yeon clan, if blood flows while I, a direct descendant, claim my legitimate rights.”

His gaze sharpened.

“That price in blood must naturally be paid by my family.”

Under the pouring sunlight, Yeon So-hyeon bared his teeth.

“Do not delude yourselves into thinking you are the masters of this family.”

The high councilors gasped.

“Eldest Young Master…! You should also be careful with your eloquence! This council has had its current status recognized based on legitimate procedures.”

Yeon So-hyeon mocked.

“Do not talk about legitimate procedures. You thieves.”

“What…?!”

She was so dumbfounded that she was speechless.

“…Yeon So-hyeon, you bastard!”

The male new high councilor trembled with rage.

“Look at this shameless young brat!”

His shout laden with internal energy rang loudly through the stone cave.

“When your father, the Grand Patriarch, collapsed in the past, was it not you who gave up the legitimate order of succession?!”

He was hopping mad.

“If you had stepped forward back then and faithfully performed the role of acting Patriarch with your high-and-mighty abilities, the main family would not be placed in such a complicated situation now!”

He pointed his finger at Yeon So-hyeon.

“And someone like you prattles about the price in blood now?! Saying you cannot trust us now, so you must step forward yourself?! What a…!”

Sensing that his words were about to become too heated, the female new high councilor intervened.

“Eldest Young Master! Although I understand your resentful and angry position, this council has proven its capability with excellent results so far! So trust us and…!”

Her words were true.

Under the system of the Supreme Executive Council, the Sword Family was growing continuously every year at a fearsome pace.

Yeon So-hyeon could not hold back and burst into laughter.

It was a roar of laughter.

“You guys proven your capability…? I trust you…?”

He practically rolled around on the floor.

Her deep patience snapped right there.

“Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon! Your arrogance has truly reached its peak!”

“It seems you will only snap out of it after you truly shed tears of blood from your eyes!”

“…Everyone, stop.”

It was the Chairman’s voice.

However, no one paid attention to that weak voice.

From where he lay, Yeon So-hyeon spoke to them.

“Is it not you guys whose arrogance has reached its peak, and you guys who must shed tears of blood from your eyes to snap out of it?”

“Sure! You bastard! Now that nothing goes your way, you think everything coming out of your mouth is speech!”

“Contempt of the Supreme Executive Council is subject to summary execution, so feel for yourself how terrifying that crime is!”

It was unclear which of the two new high councilors pulled the rope signaling an emergency first.

But in any case, a bell rang noisily outside, and the Agency warriors waiting outside the door immediately poured in.

“Force this man to his knees immediately! We shall conduct a summary trial here and now!”

“Even if I have to bet my position as high councilor if necessary, I will twist your legs today, Yeon So-hyeon!”

At that shout, the Agency warriors hastily approached Yeon So-hyeon.

Yeon So-hyeon ignored them.

He merely lay there and wore a twisted smile toward the Chairman’s direction.

“Everyone, get out!”

When the Chairman’s angry voice finally erupted, the Agency warriors’ steps halted on the spot.

“Chairman! The summonee has crossed the line! If we let this pass, everyone will look at the high councilors as a laughingstock!”

“If the Chairman acts like this, we will not stay still either!”

At that moment, a formidable wave of Qi erupted from the stone cave where the Chairman sat.

“Do you dare to ignore this Chairman’s command in the Supreme Executive Council room of the main family?!”

For a moment, it felt as if an earthquake had occurred.

The high councilors covered their ears, and the Agency warriors tumbled like fallen leaves all at once.

As the Chairman waved his hand, they were flung out into the corridor as if swept by a massive broom.

And as he pulled his hand back, the massive stone door shut with a fearsome force.

Fine dust fell from the ceiling of the stone cave due to the aftermath.

It was something that occurred in just a single breath.

It was truly a technique fitting the term divine might.

“Eldest Young Master…”

However, only sadness was buried in the voice of the Chairman who had displayed such divine might.

“…Eldest Young Master, do you plan to repeat this every time there is a new high councilor?”

What did this mean?

What did ‘this’ refer to?

Moreover, why was the Chairman using extreme honorifics toward Yeon So-hyeon?

The two new high councilors, who had been hopping mad until now, felt bewildered.

“Of course.”

The gazes of the new high councilors hastily turned toward the lying Yeon So-hyeon.

“Since you do not pass down your own shameful history, shouldn’t I, the sole witness, at least pass it down?”

He got up and stood.

The fine dust that fell from the ceiling scattered from his body.

“Before ascending to that position and running this entire family as if it were your own, shouldn’t you know your own original sin first?”