The Ruler Of Darkness - Chapter 589



Only Noblemtl

Episode 589

Part 14: Waiting

“Then, now…!”

On the playing field, neatly laid out flat stone slabs.

Two young warriors were aiming their swords with nervous expressions.

“Let’s begin today’s first match of the Yongbong branch…!”

Waaaa …

A giant gong rang loudly, and the young warriors clashed amidst the cheers of the crowd.

Although the VIP seats had a commanding view of the scene, no one was really concentrating on the game.

“Hmm… .”

far.

The head of a large family from Wuhan, Hubei Province, looked around and narrowed his eyes.

“… I hardly see any people from the sword family.”

“That’s right.”

The person who approached him and answered was the owner of a famous merchant house in Anhui Province.

“Right now, the atmosphere inside the sword shop is not good.”

The head of the household from Hubei Province chuckled at Anhui Province’s words.

“Actually. From the beginning, has there ever been a quiet day in that house?”

After Grand Duke Yeon So-hyeon ended his seclusion.

The Luoyang Swordsmanship Clan did not escalate into a full-scale civil war.

As the head of the family from Hubei Province said, there were large and small conflicts both inside and outside, centered around the succession structure.

“But now, the conflict is entering its final stages.”

Yeon So-hyeon returned to the Luoyang Swordsmanship School.

But in terms of the atmosphere.

The forces within the Luoyang Sword Family did not seem to be willing to readily acknowledge Grand Duke Yeon So-hyeon as the head of the small clan.

“… I didn’t expect to be able to see the coronation ceremony of the Sogaju easily, but I didn’t expect the resistance to be this strong.”

It seems a shame that there is less to see.

“Tsk,” said the head of a household from Hubei Province, clicking his tongue.

“That’s true. But isn’t it true that you reap what you sow?”

“As you sow, so shall you reap…”

Anhui Province’s merchant smiled wryly.

“This is all the result of the Archduke recklessly interfering with the Sixteen Imperial Clans.”

“Hmm….”

Among the people here.

There was no one who did not know about the splendid deeds that Yeon So-hyeon had carried out in the imperial capital.

“… But, I heard that the heads of the sixteen clans haven’t even properly entered the imperial capital yet?”

“Still, that’s it.”

The head of Anhui Province’s Chamber of Commerce made a meaningful expression.

“They are the heads of the sixteen families.”

Okay then.

The head of the household from Hubei Province, sensing something in those words, turned around and looked at him and asked.

“…Do you know something?”

The head of Anhui Province’s Chamber of Commerce said with a faint smile.

“Currently, according to the intelligence of the ‘Central Kingdom Merchants’ Federation’… .”

He lowered his voice even further, as if no one would hear him.

“It is said that the Sixteen Clans are exerting tremendous pressure on the businesses of all Luoyang Sword Families throughout the Central Plains.”

“Across the entire Central Plains…?!”

The head of a famous large family, the head of the family from Wuhan, a large city in Hubei Province, was also famous, but even to him.

It was a story of dizzying proportions.

“Yes.”

“No, is that even possible…?”

The head of the family in Hubei province had a trembling expression.

“Even if they are the Sixteen Clans, they are projecting their influence throughout the Central Plains? And against that Luoyang Sword Clan?”

Even if you have the ability to do that.

It was unimaginable how much blood loss would be incurred in return.

“That’s why I told you. The Grand Duke touched the Sixteen Clans too hastily.”

The corners of Anhui Province’s businessmen’s mouths twisted.

“They are boldly giving up even the core interests of the local area that they would never normally take out of their pockets.”

Throw away the flesh and take the bones.

It was a decision that went beyond the level of being prepared to bleed, to the point of taking on a major hemorrhage.

So, towards the Luoyang Swordsmanship.

Those who had hostile intentions revealed them without reservation.

“What the Archduke did was to psychologically corner the giants who were the heads of the sixteen families.”

Even a rat will bite if it’s cornered.

but.

What if those weren’t rats, but the most powerful families in the Central Plains?

“Ugh… .”

The head of the family from Hubei Province shook his head.

“You’re crazy, you’re crazy. Is that really true…?”

The merchant from Anhui Province answered immediately.

“This is information that has been verified by the highest level of the Central Plains Merchants’ Federation.”

“Ugh… .”

The head of the family in Hubei Province sighed and muttered.

“I heard that the ‘Yangtze River Canal Expansion Project’ that the Grand Duke was pushing for has virtually come to a halt….”

“hmm…?!”

Valuable information that I was waiting for.

Anhui Province’s Shang Huizhou Province’s merchants openly expressed their curiosity.

“Is that true? The Yangtze River Canal Expansion Project has been halted?”

What was the reason for revealing the information in the first place?

“Was that rumor true?!”

Why do the VIPs here not even pay attention to the game?

entire.

Wasn’t it meant to exchange fresh information and expand valuable connections?

“It’s not a ‘stop’. I heard that it’s just temporarily suspended.”

“Hoo, this is this… .”

The Anhui Province merchant stroked his beard.

“… That may also be due to the influence of the Sixteen Clans.”

“I can’t know everything about that great river. But….”

The head of the household in Hubei Province, who considered Anhui Province’s merchant family to be a suitable match, lowered his voice.

“In some sections, high-ranking officials in the area have stepped in to halt construction due to safety concerns, and in other sections, families who have suffered damage to logistics transportation due to construction have formed an alliance to block construction.”

He lifted his teacup, drank it once, and continued speaking.

“In that way, I heard that due to the obstruction across the Yangtze River, the construction has virtually come to a halt.”

“indeed….”

Exchanging information with influential figures in other regions is useful, but usually.

It was impossible due to practical limitations caused by the vast distances.

But now

Because of the ‘Yongbongjihoe’, that situation was possible.

“however….”

The head of the household from Hubei Province looked around and said:

“If something like that is happening all over the Central Plains right now, then this is strange.”

“Hmm….”

Anhui Province’s Shang Huizhou also looked around and nodded in agreement.

“That’s definitely true.”

His gaze, scanning the surroundings, was fixed on a group of figures on the other side.

They were figures from the Namgung family.

“The Luoyang Sword Masters are facing an unprecedented challenge from all over the Central Plains….”

“Is there anything special about the Namgung family’s movements?”

The owner of the restaurant came from Anhui Province.

And the loser of Anhui Province was none other than Namgung Se-ga.

The person who knows the news of the Namgung family most accurately, aside from the parties involved, is Sanghoeju.

“… Yes.”

Anhui Province’s Shang Huizhou’s eyebrows furrowed along with the wrinkles on his forehead.

“Normally, Namgung Se-ga is a group that has sharpened their teeth in the Nanyang Swordsmanship. But-.”

“-In this once-in-a-lifetime situation where the Luoyang Sword Family is shaken internally and externally, the Namgung Sega Family is not making any moves…?”

“…and that’s not all.”

Their heads turned in the opposite direction.

“…the Hwangbo family.”

The head of the household from Hubei Province, who had confirmed the identity of the Hwangbo family, let out a sigh.

“I’ve been watching you for a while now, but the undefeated Empress is nowhere to be seen.”

“The ancient swordsman Hwangbo Dusung Sogaju has also not shown himself to the outside world for quite some time.”

“Hmm….”

It was a strange thing.

“I thought that people like them would take advantage of this situation faster than anyone else.”

“That’s what I mean… .”

at that time.

Although they didn’t say anything, a thought crossed both of their minds.

‘no way….’

‘Was it true that the rumors that Prince Yeonsohyun’s realm was equal to or surpassed the highest of the Sega?’

but.

“… … .”

“… … .”

Neither of them said it out loud.

There was a rumor going around the streets like that.

It was a rumor and speculation that was too unrealistic for people in their position to easily bring up.

instead.

Instead of looking at the absent Empress Hwangbo Se-ga, they looked at the Namgung Se-ga.

“… … .”

“… … .”

The Supreme Head of the Namgung Family, beyond the view blocked by the figures of the Namgung Family.

The Sword King of the Uncrowned Emperor will have the answers to their questions.

* * *

“father….”

The current head of the Namgung family, Namgung Bukwi, seems to be feeling suffocated.

He called his father.

“Just like this. Are you just going to keep watching…?”

“… … .”

just.

There was no answer from the Sword King Namgungje (南宮?), who was fiddling with his sword on his lap.

“If we are to make a move, now is the perfect time. The sixteen families have begun a mad attack on the Luoyang Sword Family throughout the Central Plains…!”

“… … .”

but.

King Namgungje of the Sword still remained silent.

“father…!”

Gaju Namgung Bukwi leaned closer to his father and appealed to him.

“Right now, offers of cooperation are pouring in from the sixteen families to our family…!”

This kind of conversation cannot be left out even a little bit.

The surrounding Namgung Se-ga’s warriors further raised their internal power and strengthened their air barrier.

“This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity…! If you accept their offer even now, you can receive their vested interests that you would never have imagined before…!”

“… … .”

But still.

King Namgung Je’s mouth did not open, and the heart of the head of the household, Namgung Bukwi, became anxious.

“Why on earth are you doing this?!”

I even crossed a line that I would never have crossed normally.

“Where did you say that our Namgung family should surpass the Luoyang Sword Family and become the best family in the Central Plains?!”

His voice rose.

“Are you scared?!”

Now that we’ve gotten to that point.

“… … !”

“… … !”

The key figures of Namgung Se-ga, whose hearts were about to drop, immediately turned toward the audience.

Cold sweat ran down my back.

It was the kind of conversation that no matter how central the family figures were, they shouldn’t even pretend to hear.

“Have you lost your fighting spirit because the Grand Duke’s realm is beyond your imagination?!”

Gaju Namgung Bukwi pointed to the sword his father was caressing and shouted.

“Even when the greatest sword in the world existed, Father didn’t draw it…! Crownless Emperor! The dishonorable name of ‘Sword King without a Crown’!”

Namgung Bukwi’s voice grew loud enough to shake the surrounding air.

“In the end, are you really going to take me to the grave like that…?!”

“… … .”

“… … .”

The key figures of Namgung Se-ga wanted to block their own ears.

The cold sweat soaked my back and seemed to be running down my clothes.

Ugh, ugh.

and.

The same goes for Namgung Bukwi, the head of the household, who was also sweating profusely on his face.

‘Damn it…!’

As a result of being too excited, I ended up touching my father’s sore spot.

but.

On the one hand-.

‘Oh my! I feel so refreshed…!’

Until now.

My father, King Namgung Je, who only talked and retreated to the back room, was always the one making important decisions for the family.

In that name.

How long was the period of time when I lived a life where I was the head of a household but not the head of a household, oppressed by that existence?

“… … .”

He gritted his teeth, prepared to be hit by the Sword King.

but.

In fact, the words that came out of King Namgungje’s mouth were incredibly calm.

“…I see.”

Even.

The Sword King was smiling bitterly.

“Is that what you thought of my name, the Sword King of the Unrivaled Order?”

“father…?”

that.

It was a completely unexpected reaction.

“… Yes. I too have been ashamed of that name many times. Rather, in the past. I often felt the urge to think that it would have been better if I had fought the best sword in the world and died.”

“… … .”

When Namgung Bukwi held his breath at those heavy words, the Sword King laughed.

“… But.”

Yes, that’s right.

The Sword King was smiling.

And that laughter was never the laughter of someone who gave up or reproached themselves.

“I don’t regret the decision I made while waiting.”

rather.

It was full of pride.

“Because of my decision back then, the Namgung family did not become the best in the world, but they maintained their current position. Because of my decision back then, the best swordsman in the world back then has now fallen, but I am still alive and well. The sword king of the rank of Emperor Mu?”

The Sword King laughed heartily.

“Let those who want to curse behind my back curse, and let those who want to point fingers at me point fingers. Me.”

He said with a smile on his face.

“I am proud of my name.”

“…father.”

The voice of Gaju Namgung Bukwi was locked.

However, King Namgungje of Geomwang did not allow him to become sentimental.

“Did you say it was a once in a lifetime opportunity?”

“father…?”

King Namgung Je stood up from his seat, holding his sword like a cane, and said:

“Now that things have gotten to this point, everyone around me is saying, ‘The Archduke reaps what he sows.’ Is this because he has psychologically cornered the heads of the sixteen families?”

“… … .”

Gulp.

Gaju Namgung Bukwi swallowed dry saliva.

His father, King Namgung Je, was not in a state of despair and was simply watching the games of the Yongbongjihoe to console himself.

With his ability to do so, he was able to hear all the conversations taking place in the VIP area.

“Do you think so too?”

When King Namgung Je turned around and asked, the head of the household, Namgung Bukwi, nodded.

“…yes.”

Then the Sword King chuckled.

“Then, didn’t Yeon So-hyeon know that things would turn out like this?”

“… … .”

Gaju Namgung Bukwi kept his mouth shut.

The Sword King asked with a laugh.

“Still. Wasn’t one of the leaders of the opposition forces in the Sword Family, the head of the Foreign House?”

“…yes.”

Gaju Namgung Bukwi nodded.

“As things turned out, the power of foreigners grew stronger.”

“Good.”

As soon as he arrived in Luoyang, King Jian had already become acquainted with the Oewonju through their first meeting.

The Sword King said.

“Try to reschedule your appointment with him.”