The Ruler Of Darkness - Chapter 612



Only Noblemtl

Episode 612

Part 12 Separate Room

‘This is….’

Like many elders in the clan, Elder Hojung is also like that.

I have never met Yeon So-hyeon this closely before.

And he is now.

I was feeling it.

‘Grand Duke Yeon So-hyeon…!’

Yeon So-hyeon took the seat that Won-ju Hak-un-hyeong had sat in as naturally as possible.

Although, there was another chair next to it where Elder Hojung had sat.

“Good morning, Your Highness.”

“Good morning, Oewonju.”

Instead of sitting across from Yeon So-hyeon, Won-ju Hak-un-hyeong chose to stand next to him.

Physically and status-wise.

It was as if a person who could be called a giant was assisting Yeon So-hyeon.

And that appearance.

Even in the eyes of Elder Hojung, it was too much.

It looked natural.

“Elder Hojung.”

“Yes, yes?! Your Highness…!”

Elder Hojung quickly put his hands together and bowed his head at Yeonseonhyeon’s call.

A cold sweat dripped from his forehead to the floor.

He sank to his knees.

This was because the appearance of Yeon So-hyeon, who seemed infinitely relaxed, and the appearance of Elder Ho-jung were so contrasting.

“Above all, first.”

Yeon So-hyeon sat upright in her chair with a dignified posture and looked at him as she spoke.

“On behalf of the main family. In the past, because we failed to properly resolve the chaos, many loyal members of the sword family, including Elder Hojung, suffered. I apologize.”

Yeon So-hyeon placed her hand on her chest and bowed her head with dignity.

“That should never have happened, and I will do my best to make sure that something like that never happens again.”

“… … !”

Elder Hojung couldn’t close his mouth.

Yeon So-hyeon’s apology.

It was a type of behavior that Elder Ho-jung had never expected among all the actions of Yeon-seon-hyeon that he had thought of.

“Elder Hojung.”

“Ah, yes…! Lord!”

Oewonju Hakunhyeong looked at Elder Hojung, who had suddenly come to his senses, and smiled faintly.

“Are you not going to accept the Grand Duke’s apology on behalf of your family?”

“…ah!”

When was the last time that I, a senior elder, was so flustered and confused?

It was to the point where I couldn’t even remember properly.

“Me too…! At that time, I failed to live up to the family’s expectations, and I did not behave in a manner befitting the position of elder of this family…! I apologize…!”

“good.”

Slurp.

Yeon So-hyeon poured the strong liquor that was on display into a glass and handed it to Elder Ho-jung.

And he clinked his glass with that of Elder Hojung, who accepted the glass in a daze, and said:

“With this, we owe each other nothing for the past.”

“… … !”

And only then did Elder Ho-jung realize it.

After ten long years had passed.

He had come across an unimaginable and precious moment: the ‘official apology from the Luoyang Swordsmanship School.’

“… … .”

Elder Ho-jung closed his eyes and trembled.

It is indeed so.

It was a moment of mixed emotions.

Yeon So-hyeon and Hak Woon-hyung, the two of them, did not interrupt his moment and just waited quietly.

And then, soon.

“Your Highness.”

Elder Ho-jung opened his eyes and slowly bent his stiff joints and knelt before Yeon-seon-hyeon.

And he politely raised the glass he had received from Yeon So-hyeon with both hands.

“Your Highness has pardoned me, a sinner of many kinds. I will repay your kindness by working as hard as a dog and a horse until my bones turn to dust!”

Yeon So-hyeon smiled with satisfaction.

Although he himself spoke of a complete pardon, Elder Ho-jung continued in this chaotic situation.

He did not just pretend that his sins had disappeared or been forgotten.

“On behalf of this family, I take your oath.”

Yeon So-hyeon lifted her glass and poured it into her mouth in one gulp.

And then, Elder Hojung also raised his glass high above his head and emptied it in one gulp.

“Hmm… It’s a good drink. But it’s from Oewon.”

“Yes, Your Highness.”

Yeon So-hyeon looked back at Hak-un-hyeong, the head of the household, and said.

“Seeing how they have such expensive liquor being displayed so carelessly in the foreign country, I should have the inspection department properly inspect the foreign country.”

“Is that so?”

In response to Yeon So-hyeon’s joke, Hak Woon-hyung, the head of the household, shrugged his shoulders and responded with a joke.

“If drinking good alcohol is a sin, then I plan to continue to commit that sin.”

The sound of two people laughing echoed softly in the private room.

And it seems like he gained courage from that atmosphere.

“Your Highness.”

Elder Hojung carefully got up from his seat and asked Yeonseonhyeon.

“Did I pass the test…?”

His face was turned towards Yeon So-hyeon, but his gaze was directed at the maid Jeong-ah, who was waiting near the secret door.

Yeon So-hyeon smiled after seeing the gaze of the respected elder.

“Of course. But, it seems like everyone knows about my maid’s abilities.”

“How could you not know?”

Oewonju Hakunhyung joined the conversation and snickered.

“In fact, wasn’t it the Archduke who caused the rumors to spread about her?”

“… … ?!”

Elder Hojung looked surprised at those words, but soon…

“surely….”

He nodded as if he understood.

“Having the means to read the minds of rulers can have enormous influence, both internally and externally.”

indeed.

He was quick-witted, as befitting his position as a senior elder.

“yes.”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded and said.

“But, to be honest with you, she wasn’t brought here for you.”

“…then?”

When Elder Hojung asked with a look of bewilderment, Yeonseonhyun poured alcohol into his own glass and said.

“The Demonic Cult, which has been deeply hidden for a long time, is establishing itself in various places in the clan, and is causing chaos in order to increase its followers and make them its allies.”

“Yes.”

Elder Ho-jung, who was on a mission to spread bait to induce the Demonic Cult to install itself more blatantly, nodded.

Yeon So-hyeon looked at him and asked.

“How much do you think it will fall on them?”

“… … .”

for a moment.

Elder Hojung, who had been keeping his mouth shut, answered with a heavy expression.

“…I will never write that much.”

“yes.”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded.

“Whether I become a cow owner or my father rises, there are those who will have a hard time surviving.”

“… Yes, that’s right.”

Elder Ho-jung, who had also been in a similar situation, answered cautiously.

But Yeon So-hyeon didn’t care about him.

As long as he has mentioned the word pardon, he will not show any unnecessary actions that could create anxiety.

“How do you think the cultists within the clan will move at a critical moment?”

“to be honest….”

In front of other people.

Elder Hojung would have given a plausible answer even if he had to make up nonsense.

But the opponent was Yeon So-hyeon.

“I don’t know.”

“I guess so.”

Yeon So-hyeon didn’t care this time either.

“But it doesn’t matter.”

“yes…?”

“No matter what they do….”

Yeon So-hyeon emptied her glass in one gulp and continued speaking.

“They’re all going to die by me anyway.”

“… … !”

Elder Hojung held his breath.

Yeon So-hyeon didn’t develop even a single bit of internal energy.

No specific method was suggested.

But he just.

Just by opening his mouth to speak, he intimidated the veteran who had been through thick and thin.

“But, that’s that… .”

Yeon So-hyeon smiled faintly and continued speaking, sinking deeper into her chair.

“There must be some people who don’t fall for questionable groups like the Demonic Cult. Isn’t that right?”

“… Uh, of course.”

Instead of Elder Ho-jung nodding hastily, Yeon-seon-hyeon smiled as if staring through the wall.

“Among them, there will be those like you who can be considered normal, those who are simply passive, those who have already secretly joined hands with other forces, and those who are full of treasonous intentions, unrelated to the Demonic Cult, right?”

“… … ?!”

Elder Hojung understood Yeonseonhyeon’s exact meaning and shuddered.

“Your Highness, are you trying to distinguish between jade and stone in this situation…?!”

“What are you talking about?”

Yeon So-hyeon reacted as if asking what was going on.

“Almost everyone in my family who opposes me is gathered here in one place, and you’re just letting this opportunity pass you by?”

“But the situation-!”

“-Since it is such an extreme situation, it is easier and simpler to confirm and distinguish it.”

He pointed to the maid Jeong-ah standing behind him.

“From now on, she will be separate from the Demonic Cult. She will monitor everyone as much as possible, centering around this conference hall of the outer circle, and will verify and confirm the final outcome.”

A light flashed from Yeon So-hyeon’s eyes.

“Who is fit to be the elder of this family, and who is not fit to be the elder of this family.”

“that…?!”

Elder Hojung was speechless.

I couldn’t believe it.

In a situation where it is not known what the Demonic Cult will do at the moment, this Grand Duke is thinking of strengthening his inner strength.

“Your Highness.”

“hmm…?”

Hak-un-hyeong, who had been quietly listening to the conversation, stepped forward.

“Actually, I’m a little embarrassed too.”

He spoke carefully to Yeon So-hyeon.

“In a situation like now where we don’t know what the Demonic Cult is planning or how, wouldn’t it be better to assign her to the joint tracking and surveillance team against the Demonic Cult?”

“I told you, Lord Oewon.”

Yeon So-hyeon answered with a sly smile.

“No matter what happens, they’re all going to die by me.”

“but-.”

“-Oewonju.”

Yeon So-hyeon cut him off.

“Look to the future beyond tomorrow.”

“yes…?”

Yeon So-hyeon smiled calmly at the two elders, Hak-un-hyeong and Ho-jung, who were looking at her with bewildered expressions.

“The Demonic Cult is a huge threat. But in this family. Even if we eradicate the Demonic Cult today, it doesn’t mean that tomorrow won’t come. It doesn’t mean that a bright future is guaranteed.”

Yeon So-hyeon gestured as if telling me to look beyond.

“It is necessary to think about the enemy, prepare, and be prepared. But above all, at any moment.”

He said, pointing to his head.

“We must never stop thinking about the future of our family.”

“… … .”

“… … .”

Is this the Grand Duke Yeon So-hyeon?

Both of them were speechless at Yeon So-hyeon’s remarks that showed the absurd size of the bowl.

“… Huh, really.”

As if the foreigner Hakunhyung had lost.

He shook his head and laughed.

“His Highness the Grand Duke resembles the Supreme Lord exactly….”

“under…!”

Yeon So-hyeon smiled at him.

“Until last night, you were saying things like I was anxious or something. How dare you say things like that.”

“That’s right.”

At his joke, the head of the household, Hak-un-hyeong, nodded and smiled honestly.

“Now, I can tell you that my heart is leaning a little more towards Your Highness.”

“haha.”

Yeon So-hyeon, who showed an expression that said she was taken aback by his honest expression, stood up and lightened the mood.

“By the way, Elder Ho-jung.”

“Oh, yes! Your Highness!”

When Elder Hojung answered, Yeonseonhyun looked at him and asked.

“I heard that your power base was Changsha?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

Elder Hojung answered with a slightly bewildered attitude, not understanding the intention.

“The reason I have my current position in my family is because the city of Jangsa is quite far from the sphere of influence of the Luoyang Sword Family.”

“Then, is your influence there still sufficient?”

Elder Hojung answered immediately without even thinking twice.

“Of course.”

“That went well.”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded and spoke to him.

“Elder Hojung, I have a favor to ask of you.”

Elder Ho-jung jumped at those words.

“Please? What do you mean…!”

He immediately knelt down on one knee and clasped his hands together.

“Give me whatever order you want, Your Highness.”

“Then, I give the order.”

Yeon So-hyeon gave an order to Elder Ho-jung.

“Cease your missions related to the Demonic Cult for a while, and put Jangsa and all nearby contacts on emergency standby.”

“Jangsa and its vicinity, you mean…?”

“okay.”

Yeon So-hyeon spoke as if she was asking for advice in response to his bewildered reaction.

“You must. No matter how small the information is. You must convey the news from there to me faster than anyone else in Luoyang.”

Although he didn’t understand what was happening at the time, Elder Hojung answered coolly.

“I will obey your orders…!”

“good.”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded at him and put on the black silk coat that the maid Jeong-ah had given her.

“Are you going back?”

The foreigner, Hakunhyung, asked.

“Yes. I have an appointment with the Yongbongjihoe. But…”

Yeon So-hyeon spoke to him as if giving him a request.

“Regarding the bait mission that Elder Hojung was in charge of-.”

“-Don’t worry. The Director of the Department and I will take care of it.”

“Oh, that’s sturdy.”

It wasn’t just empty words, it was truly reassuring.

The two people who were like his father’s right and left arms were together, so to Yeon So-hyeon, they were like a thousand troops and ten thousand horses.

“It’s nothing. But….”

Oewonju Hakunhyeong shrugged his shoulders and asked Yeonseohyun.

“You must have a big schedule since you’re going all the way to Yongbong Branch at this point.”

“Ah, that’s right.”

Yeon So-hyeon answered nonchalantly.

“Before it’s too late, I’m planning to meet the Sword King, Namgung Je.”