The Ruler Of Darkness - Chapter 620



Only Noblemtl

Episode 620

Chapter 20: Balance

“… Sapaechon?!”

The face of Namgung Bukwi, the head of the Namgung Se family, hardened.

As Yeon So-hyeon said.

Anhui Province, where the Namgung family’s hometown is located, was very close to Sapaecheon.

Yeon So-hyeon’s father.

Even when the best swordsman in the world, Yeongeomun, was conducting the Gangnam Expedition, he surpassed Namgung Se-ga.

“…father.”

Namgung Bukwi, the head of the clan who was standing behind his father, the Sword King Namgung Je, called out to him.

“If the Archduke’s words are true, we will be in great danger if we accept this alliance…!”

“Yes.”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded with a smile on behalf of King Namgung Je.

“Because above, the sixteen families of the imperial capital will be at odds with each other, and below, the demonic sect and the evil hegemons will be eyeing Namgung Se-ga.”

“…but.”

King Namgungje of the Sword opened his mouth.

“If there really is some kind of hidden relationship between the Demonic Cult and the Sapacheon, they will target us, regardless of whether we are allied with the Archduke or not.”

“That too.”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded again, keeping her smile intact.

“The reason Sapaecheon did not target Namgung Se-ga and Anhui Province until now was because they thought they lacked the strength to take the battle line on multiple fronts.”

“… Then, now.”

Namgung Bukwi, the head of the household, was impressed by Yeon So-hyeon’s calm words.

“Since you’ve joined hands with the Demonic Cult, does that mean you’ll do whatever Sapaecheon wants?”

Exactly.

And Yeon So-hyeon snapped her fingers.

“That’s exactly why Namgung Se-ga needs friends.”

“… … .”

The issue of compensation for the alliance suddenly shifted to a crisis in the Namgung family.

This was a completely new story.

Gaju Namgung Bukwi kept his mouth shut with a complicated expression.

but.

“But your highness.”

King Namgungje of the Sword spoke while still sitting deep in his chair.

“All of that. It’s based on your guess about the new headquarters of the Demonic Cult being correct.”

“… … !”

Gaju Namgung Bukwi came to his senses at the words of his father, King Geom.

“That, that’s right…! Your Highness, do you have any evidence for your guess?”

“If there is evidence….”

The smile on Yeon So-hyeon’s lips deepened.

“You will know if the Sapacheon is pushing into Anhui Province. If one or two cities in the south start burning, that will be clear evidence.”

“… … !”

In that regard.

The face of Gaju Namgung Bukwi was distorted and trembling, and the King of Swords Namgung Je narrowed his eyes.

“… Our request for evidence is not unreasonable, Your Highness.”

Yeon So-hyeon answered immediately.

“My words are not at all unreasonable, Your Majesty.”

“Archangel…!”

As the enraged Namgung Buk-wi was about to shout something, King Namgung Je raised his hand to stop him and asked.

“…Why is that so?”

Yeon So-hyeon answered Namgung Je, the swordsman who maintained a calm attitude.

“Because they are a demonic cult.”

“… … .”

When King Namgungje of Geomwang closed his mouth, Yeon Sohyeon continued speaking.

“As the Sword King must have seen, there have been many incidents that were suspected to be the work of the Demonic Cult. However, there have been few incidents that have been proven to be the work of the Demonic Cult. And.”

Yeon So-hyeon paused for a moment, leaned back comfortably, and said.

“The vast majority of the cases that have been proven were proven by Yeon So-hyeon.”

Yeon So-hyeon spread out her hands and turned them over.

“To put it another way-.”

King Namgungje of the Sword accepted the words.

“-Your Highness, without your level of ability, it would be difficult to prove the existence of the Demonic Cult.”

Yeon So-hyeon shrugged her shoulders.

“That’s right.”

“… … .”

“… … .”

The father and son of the two Namgung families kept their mouths shut.

A skill on the level of Yeon So-hyeon?

Those sitting here knew only too well how high that wall was.

“… in the past too.”

King Namgungje sighed and said.

“The devil’s cult was as secretive as a silently spreading plague.”

He crossed his arms and muttered, looking up at the ceiling.

“Now they have become even more suspicious and ominous, almost like ghosts… ”

Slurp.

“… … .”

For a moment, the only sound that filled the room was the sound of Yeon So-hyeon tilting her teacup and pouring tea.

“… Your Highness.”

King Namgung Je of the Sword spoke to Yeonseonhyeon in a slightly hoarse voice.

“I completely agree with what you said about the secrecy of the Demonic Cult, but at the same time, I have my doubts.”

Yeon So-hyeon answered while enjoying the scent of tea.

“What is it?”

“You are….”

King Namgungje leaned forward and asked in a low voice.

“He is not the kind of person who would make mere conjectures or assumptions just to gain favorable terms in alliance negotiations.”

“You overestimate me.”

Yeon So-hyeon shrugged her shoulders in a sly manner, but King Namgung Je did not give in.

“What else do you know?”

“… … .”

Yeon So-hyeon fiddled with her teacup, seeming to think about something, then placed it on the table.

Click.

And he answered.

“There is a demonic cult inside the main house.”

“… … ?!”

“… … .”

Yeon So-hyeon continued speaking, watching the two rich men’s eyebrows arch upward.

“It’s not something recent. It’s been a long time. It was before my father collapsed.”

I thought that was where his story ended, but he continued his revelations.

“And the Northern General of the Murong clan also used the same method as my father and was unconscious.”

“hmm….”

Gaju Namgung Bukwi opened his mouth, pressing his distorted and trembling face.

“Your Highness, I have heard that the Northern General has risen since you returned from your trip to the North, but could it be…?”

“Yes.”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded.

“I cured him.”

“that…!”

“That’s not all.”

Yeon So-hyeon raised her hand and interrupted Namgung Buk-wi’s exclamation.

“According to what I personally investigated at the palace, in fact… .”

Yeon So-hyeon’s voice lowered.

“It has been confirmed that His Majesty the Former Emperor also died as a result of the methods of the Demonic Cult.”

“… … ?!”

“… … ?!”

This time, even the expression on the face of King Namgung Je, who had been expressionless, collapsed.

Yeon So-hyeon shrugged her shoulders slightly as she looked at the wealthy Namgung Se-ga.

“While I was in the Hwangdo, I did some research.”

“…under.”

King Namgung Je of the Swordsmanship Department touched his wrinkled forehead.

“You said you treated the Northern General and used that information to research His Majesty the former Emperor….”

“At that time, medical records were kept under very strict security, but as you know, His Majesty the Emperor trusts me deeply.”

“The Emperor’s Grand Tutor… .”

When Gaju Namgung Bukwi muttered and agreed with Yeonseonhyeon’s words, King Namgung Je of the Sword King pointed out the key point.

“Just now, clearly. I heard that your father, the best swordsman in the world, was also attacked using the same method.”

“ah…!”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded, leaving behind the sigh-like admiration of Gaju Namgung Buk-wi.

“Yes.”

“Of course you are treating your father right now.”

“Yes.”

King Namgung Je’s speculation gained speed.

“The Demonic Cult will not see it. The Demonic Cult within the Sword House will also move, and if there are external forces as you assume, they will definitely respond when the time is right.”

“Yes.”

Yeon So-hyeon added an explanation.

“In fact, I have been steadily provoking the demonic forces within the family ever since I returned-.”

King Namgung Je of the Sword continued speaking.

“-If that were the case, we would all have known. There would have been chaos already.”

“But they are not moving quickly.”

Yeon So-hyeon clicked her tongue briefly.

“They are still leisurely securing additional teachings and teaching staff from within. This is a job where time is of the essence.”

“Then, that story-.”

“That means that when the time comes, there will be a force outside that will sympathize with you. A force that is strong enough to make you confident.”

Gaju Namgung Bukwi tightly closed his eyes.

“… So it’s a failure?”

“It is the result of simple elimination.”

How many forces are there in the current Central Plains that can stand up to the Luoyang Swordsmanship?

If you erase them one by one, what remains is…

There was only a huge coalition force called Sapaechon.

“earlier….”

King Namgungje opened his mouth as he recalled what Yeonseohyun had said.

“Your Highness, when you said that you would know when Sapaichuan invaded Anhui Province, that wasn’t just sarcasm.”

“Yes.”

“…Your Highness.”

Namgung Bukwi, who had his eyes tightly shut, said with a sigh.

“Because I have to move before I can raise the best sword in the world.”

He opened his eyes and looked down at Yeon Soo-hyeon and his father, King Geom.

“Time is running out.”

“… … .”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded without answering.

“… Your Highness.”

The voice of Namgung Bukwi, the head of the household, who realized that a knife had been inserted right up to his neck without him knowing, was hoarse.

“Are you confident in the internal discipline of the Inspectorate?”

He spoke to Yeon Soo-hyun with a face that seemed to have aged several years in an instant.

“Isn’t the opposition to you very strong? Even if you anticipated all of this, if the Sword Family collapses from within-.”

“-I don’t think you have to worry about that, Gaju.”

These were the words of King Namgung Je of the Sword.

He kept his gaze fixed on Yeon So-hyeon and spoke to his son, Namgung Buk-wi, the head of the household.

“There’s no way the Archduke would miss something like that.”

He asked Yeon So-hyeon.

“The Director of the Inner Court and the Lord of the Outer Court. They were all in cahoots with you. Aren’t they?”

“… What?!”

Gaju Namgung Bukwi was startled and looked back and forth between his father, Geomwang, and Yeonseohyun.

“Is what you just said true, Your Highness…?!”

How embarrassing.

He was the one who stuttered even when he spoke.

“Oh, no. All in one go? This was all a set-up? When and where did it all start…?”

If the stories about the Demonic Cult felt like a knife to the throat, this story felt like a strong blow to the back of the head.

“G, then now…!”

He started rambling in shock.

“Even the Sixteen Houses of the Imperial Family were fooled into giving the Oewonju Hakunhyeong enormous power to distribute key vested interests on their behalf, so that he could gather opposition from the Grand Duke… ?!”

His eyes grew wide as he spoke.

“Huh…?!”

“For reference.”

Yeon So-hyeon shrugged her shoulders toward Namgung Buk-wi, the head of the household.

“The foreign capital is still faithfully performing its role. However.”

A smile appeared on his lips.

“If I become the next owner of the Sword Family, those who received the core interests of the Sixteen Clans will also have to pledge their loyalty to me.”

If that happens.

The sixteen families of the Yellow Emperor ended up transferring their core interests to the Luoyang Sword Family without any gain.

“… … .”

Gaju Namgung Bukwi was speechless.

I think I have experienced enough to know what kind of person Yeon Soo-hyun is and what kind of abilities she has.

He is always out there.

dripping.

At that moment, a knock was heard on the door.

“Come in.”

This was the residence of the Namgung family, but the rich people did not care what Yeon So-hyeon said.

They were busy trying to sort out their complicated minds due to the successive revelations.

“…excuse me.”

The one who opened the door and came in was the gatekeeper, Talmyeonggwigeom (奪命鬼劍).

Yeon So-hyeon accepted the note he handed her and asked.

“Who won?”

The ghost sword with its clothes in rags and bleeding from wounds all over its body made an impression.

“… This note arrived just before the match was decided.”

Yeon So-hyeon shrugged and unfolded the note.

“What you couldn’t finish before is also a skill.”

“… … .”

Ugh.

The sound of the Talmyeonggwigeom gnashing his teeth in silence was heard.

“…then.”

King Namgung Je stood up from his seat and said.

“I will take care of business for a moment, Your Highness.”

“Are you trying to contact Hwangbo Se-ga?”

“…exactly.”

Now I didn’t even want to know how Yeon So-hyeon had guessed that.

“If the Sapaecheon River moves, Hwangbo Se is also not someone else’s business.”

Yeon So-hyeon shook her head.

“You don’t have to do that.”

“… … ?”

Yeon So-hyeon showed the note she was holding in her hand.

“It seems that the Empress of the Hwangbo family has already decided on a side.”

“… … ?!”

“… … ?!”

Yeon So-hyeon spoke to the frozen Namgung Se-ga’s father as if reciting a poem.

“The Empress of the Hwangbo Family has joined hands with the Demonic Cult, but the old faction has lost its glory. The Martial Arts Alliance that once fought against the Demonic Cult no longer exists. Instead, there are sixteen families in the Hwangdo who manipulate the Central Plains to their own liking, and in Gangnam, there is the Sapaecheon that has become stronger than ever. The balance is shaken.”

Yeon So-hyeon summarized the current situation in one sentence.

“Soon all the walls in the world will collapse.”