The Ruler Of Darkness - Chapter 610



Only Noblemtl

Episode 610

Part 10: Bait

Early morning.

Even before the sun had risen, the elders gathered in the conference hall of the Luoyang Sword Society’s outer court were in an uproar.

“Have you heard…?”

“I heard that too.”

It wasn’t because someone had asked us to gather at this early hour.

But they had no choice but to gather here.

It was because completely unexpected news woke them up from their sleep.

“Last night, in the name of the Director General of the Royal House, I would like to convey this message to the entire Royal House….”

“It is said that in times of emergency, you ordered your servants to follow the Grand Duke’s orders as their top priority. Is that true?”

Someone asked me that though.

“… … .”

“… … .”

No one could give a definitive answer.

“Fuck…!”

One of the elders swore.

“Even though we filled this large conference hall with elders from our hometown, there isn’t a single person who can answer this question properly?!”

“I can’t help it….”

The other elders shook their heads.

“Isn’t this a story about that hospital and not some other place?”

“It has been extremely difficult to obtain proper information within the hospital from the beginning, but now… .”

“After the Grand Duke’s ‘book price incident’, weren’t all those who were loose-lipped purged?”

“Besides, the hospital is currently on the highest alert level….”

“ha….”

Sighs burst out one after another here and there.

“If, indeed, the Archduke and the Chief of the Royal Guard joined hands-.”

“-No! Isn’t it an overinterpretation to say that the two of you just held hands?!”

“Huh?! Then, if it were you, would you entrust your emergency situation to someone you didn’t even hold hands with?!”

And as the loud voices began to circulate, all sorts of noises began to come out from the excited people.

“From the beginning, I was giving that Archduke too much time…!”

“Then what do you want me to do…?!”

“Now, we have to think of even extreme measures…!”

“What?! Don’t talk nonsense…!”

But, like that.

Even as heated arguments were taking place here and there, there was one person who kept his mouth shut.

“… … .”

He was Elder Biao.

He is now.

I was completely unable to concentrate on the stories my fellow elders were telling me about this visit.

“I am pleased to introduce Elder Pyo to you all.”

Obviously.

Just yesterday.

“Did you say Elder Pyo?”

He was becoming the central figure of this huge sect.

I was introduced to these great people, and I was introduced to those great people, and I was on the verge of getting along with them.

He himself was on the verge of becoming a star.

but.

“The Sword Lord announced in the central square that he would confess to the series of tragic events that occurred immediately after the fall of the former Supreme Lord…!”

Since then, everything has been a mess.

Everyone’s attention was focused on Geomjon’s revelation.

And as expected, the brilliant new beginning of ‘Jungjin Elder Biomafeng’ ended up being wasted.

‘no….’

Elder Pyo Ma-pung thought with a blank expression.

‘Am I a mid-level player now…?’

Maybe it’s because it’s so early.

Perhaps because of the circumstances, the key figures of the factions were not gathered together like yesterday.

It was natural that there were no outsiders here, and the senior elders of each sect were exchanging opinions with the elders who followed them.

‘if….’

What if key figures are gathered like yesterday, but no one looks for them or calls them?

“… … .”

like that.

When Elder Pyo Ma-pung was imagining the worst.

“Ah! Now that I think about it…!”

One of the fellow elders who were exchanging heated arguments shouted:

“Among us, now! Aren’t there those who have access to more advanced information?!”

When Elder Pyo Ma-pung came to his senses, it was already.

“Elder Pyo…!”

“Yes, Elder Pyo was there…!”

Then everyone nearby gathered around Elder Pyo Ma-pung.

“Elder Pyo, please check with the senior elders…!”

“If it’s them, they would know something more…!”

“Elder Pyo, aren’t you now practically a senior elder in our sect…?!”

“Ah, that’s….”

Gulp.

Cold sweat ran down my face.

But amidst the expectations of those around him, there was no choice but to give Elder Pyo Ma-pung a different answer.

“… Let me ask you something.”

“Heh heh…!”

“As expected, it’s Elder Pyo…!”

Elder Pyo Ma-pung walked forward as if he was being pushed, with everyone’s gaze on his back, mixed with anticipation and jealousy.

‘Damn it…!’

His footsteps were moving briskly, but his gaze was wandering around without any place to go.

‘Who should I ask…?’

If, yesterday.

If we had even exchanged greetings properly, that would be fine, but he himself didn’t even say hello.

I didn’t even receive a proper introduction.

In the meantime.

“… … !”

By chance, Elder Pyo Ma-pung’s gaze, which was wandering around, discovered a person.

The figure was standing in one corner of the conference hall, but he was the kind of person who felt like wherever he was, it would become the center.

“Elder Hojung…!”

Besides, he yesterday.

Wasn’t this the same person who was praising Elder Pyo Ma-pung’s achievements and introducing him to other key figures?

Even.

Elder Hojung last night.

I also heard that after visiting an unknown place, he had a private meeting with the head of the foreign hospital, Hak Woon Hyung.

An exclusive meeting with a foreigner!

“Elder Hojung…!”

Elder Pyo Ma-pung hurriedly pushed his way through the crowd and approached him.

“hmm…?”

Elder Ho-jung, who was giving instructions to his aides, noticed Elder Pyo-ma-pung approaching and pretended not to notice him.

“Elder Pyo.”

“Elder Hojung…!”

Just the fact that he pretended to know made me feel so reassured.

“Elder Ho-jung, is there anything I can do to help our sect?”

“You?”

“Yes… Elder Hojung!”

Elder Pyo Ma-pung approached him and spoke in a subtle tone, reminding him of yesterday’s events.

“Now that I have my own position, I want to fulfill the responsibilities and dedication that befit my position…!”

Elder Hojung is checking notes being passed around here and there and listening to whispers and transmissions.

Elder Pyo Ma-pung’s words had to be interrupted several times, but eventually.

“surely….”

He somehow managed to convey his intention, and Elder Ho-jung nodded.

“Elder Pyo, you are dependable.”

“Elder Hojung…!”

Elder Pyo Ma-pung’s face brightened at once, but Elder Ho-jung’s next words sent his mood crashing down to rock bottom.

“Please, don’t let your fellow elders get too agitated. Please comfort and encourage them. I believe in you.”

“Oh, that’s it. I-.”

and.

That was the end.

“Please take good care of me, Elder Jungjin Pyo.”

As if there was a report he couldn’t receive in a public place, Elder Ho-jung was surrounded by his close associates and headed to a separate room.

“…Elder Hojung?”

The hand of Elder Pyo Ma-pung, which had been extended towards him, remained in the air in vain.

“… … .”

blankly.

From the mouth of Elder Pyo Ma-pung, who had been standing for a long time, isolated from the surrounding noise.

Suddenly, and.

There was a sound of teeth grinding.

‘Shit…!’

My eyes turned red and my whole body trembled with anger.

‘Shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit, shit…!’

His own broken future.

Anger towards Elder Hojung.

The gossip and laughter you will hear from your fellow elders.

Hatred and shame towards one’s own shortcomings.

Everything seemed to be tangled up and turning his head black.

Then, at that time.

There was a voice calling me.

“Elder Pyo Ma-pung.”

“… … !”

Elder Pyo Ma-pung, who had come to his senses, looked back and held his breath.

at all.

It was because there was a person there that he had never expected.

“you are…?”

An old man with a large scar on his face introduced himself to Elder Pyo Ma-pung with a friendly smile.

“I am the head of the Sword Family Merchant Ship.”

“No, no…! You don’t need to introduce yourself! How could I not recognize the Lord of the Sword Merchant Ship…!”

Elder Pyo Ma-pung could not have not known him.

He is the head of the Geomga Merchant Ship, which is on par with Geomga Architecture, and.

“Obviously. We met briefly yesterday, right?”

The opponent yesterday.

This was because he was one of the key figures of the Oewonju faction who was present at the very place where the introduction was cut off.

“Yes, that’s right…!”

Elder Pyo Ma-pung’s face brightened.

Yeah, what’s the big deal about a mere elder like Hojung?

Isn’t the head of the Geomga Shipyard, also known as the ruler of the East-West Grand Canal, recognizing you?

“From what I see, you seem to be a very ambitious person.”

“Oh, no, Your Majesty.”

Elder Pyo Ma-pung waved his hand and spoke with an embarrassed expression.

“I’m just struggling to survive in this chaos.”

“We all do.”

Ending the short conversation with a smile, the head of the swordsmanship ship patted Elder Pyo Ma-pung on the shoulder.

“I look forward to your future activities.”

“Oh my, this is-!”

At that moment, Elder Pyo Ma-pung, who was trying to express his gratitude, heard a voice that no one else could hear.

[If. you.]

It was close transmission.

[If you want to have real power, not a mirage-like one, come to ‘us’.]

“…thank you.”

Not a mirage of power.

What real power!

And then there’s us.

“then.”

The trembling gaze of Elder Pyo Ma-pung turned to the back of the head of the swordsman who was moving away.

In the hands of Elder Pyo Ma-pung, who was chasing the figure disappearing into the crowd of people.

“… … .”

Before I knew it, I was holding a note that had been handed to me.

* * *

The conference room of the chairman.

“… Good job.”

After checking the contents of the report in his hand, Wonju Hakunhyung spoke.

“The head of the Sword Masters’ ship has bitten one of the ‘baits’ you threw out, Elder Hojung.”

Elder Hojung was not surprised by the expression of Hakunhyung, the head of the household, who said that Elder Pyomapung was bait.

From the beginning.

This was because it was an intentional action on his part when he received the mission from the head of the foreign affairs department, Hak Woon Hyung, the previous night.

He rather than-.

“Just now. You said the upper rank of the Sword Masters, right…?”

Elder Hojung’s wrinkled eyes trembled.

“Are you saying that he was a cult member hiding in the family you mentioned yesterday…?”

It was unbelievable.

But the head of the household, Hak-un-hyeong, shrugged his shoulders calmly.

“I guess we’ll have to check that from now on.”

“Okay, okay…?”

Elder Ho-jung revealed his embarrassed feelings.

“No, even if we take the bait, how on earth can we track and monitor a big shot like the head of the Sword Merchant Marine and figure it out?”

A hollow laugh escaped his lips.

“The author is one of the top executives of the most powerful and independent power organization of this family! Independent military organization, independent intelligence organization…! Even!”

Elder Hojung’s voice rose without him knowing it.

“Even the author is a man who has his own independent battle fleet in the East-West Grand Canal…!”

but.

However, the head of the household, Hak-un-hyeong, barely listened to what he said.

“Hmm….”

I was muttering as I checked the contents of the next note.

“Meanwhile, another person is taking another bait. Elder Ho-jung, you have been doing a great job since dawn.”

“My Lord…!”

Elder Hojung’s voice rose like a scream at the response of the outsider, Hakunhyung, who was like a question and answer.

“I have been spreading baits as ordered by the Lord of the Outer Circle, but this is getting too big! This is getting too big!”

He pointed outside and shouted.

“What is happening out there right now is something that a mere elder like me cannot handle alone…! Even if the Lord of the Outer World were to step in himself, it would not work…!”

Surveillance on a massive scale.

And it was a mission that simultaneously required ultra-precise verification.

And on top of that.

Aren’t each and every one of these targets the most powerful and influential figures in this family?

“This is not us! Even if all of the best surveillance personnel from the Naewon, who are considered the best in internal surveillance, were to come out, it would be an impossible mission!”

“Is that so?”

“Of course!”

Elder Hojung tapped his chest, feeling very frustrated with the attitude of the outsider, Hakunhyung.

“If we are to succeed in keeping this mission secret, not only the inner circle! Even the Supreme Executive Council and their arch-rivals must all participate…!”

He shouted and then paused.

“Everyone has to come forward…?”

The existence of the Demonic Cult.

A conversation I had with a foreign minister during a private meeting last night.

And there are even rumors about the Chief of Staff and Yeon So-hyeon.

Pieces began to come together in his head, one by one.

“The Director-General of the Internal Affairs Bureau, the Supreme Executive Council, the Grand Duke, and the Lord of the External Affairs Bureau…?”

A chill ran down his spine.

My mouth opened without me knowing.

“no way…?”

“… … .”

The foreigner, Hakunhyung, answered without saying a word, but with a smile.