The Ruler of Darkness

The newly appointed female executive committee member was momentarily at a loss for words, then began to speak again.

“Eldest Young Master, this executive committee member expresses gratitude for your spirit of sacrifice for the sake of your family. At the same time, as a member of the Supreme Operating Council, I would like to apologize for the actions of this council.”

Yeon So-hyeon shook his head.

“I have already received that apology. Here, in this council.”

“…Then.”

“The reason I bring this up again is because you all dared to make a deal with the Second and Third Young Masters, hiding that fact.”

The female executive committee member swallowed hard.

They had hidden and not publicly acknowledged the goodwill the Eldest Young Master had shown.

And without the knowledge of the Second and Third Young Masters, they had made a deal to protect them from the Eldest Young Master wielding his authority as the head of the family.

She opened her mouth with some difficulty.

“Eldest Young Master, about that deal…”

“Wait.”

The executive committee member, who had been silent until then, interrupted her.

“That deal was inevitably made to fulfill a promise that this council had made to you, in return for the goodwill you had shown.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes, it is.”

“It doesn’t seem like that promise is being kept properly now, is it?”

“…We are making efforts.”

At this point, the female executive committee member had to admit to herself.

The same was true for the newly appointed male executive committee member.

Before the arrival of the Eldest Young Master, the chairman’s words in the preliminary meeting were right.

This meeting could not proceed or decide anything without the presence of Yeon So-hyeon, the Eldest Young Master.

And such a conversation could never be recorded.

She closed her mouth.

* * *

Silence lingered for a while.

A confusing and chaotic situation.

The newly appointed male executive committee member, having organized his thoughts, cautiously started to speak.

“…What promise did this council make to the Eldest Young Master at that time? Can someone explain?”

The executive committee member who had just conversed with Yeon So-hyeon answered.

“At that time, the council made one promise to the Eldest Young Master.”

He continued calmly.

“The promise was to prevent the competition among the successors from escalating into a large-scale conflict.”

The female executive committee member sighed.

“I understand. I see that both points you made are valid.”

She continued.

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

She recalled that time.

“What we demanded from them was to strictly follow certain rules to prevent the intensification of the competition. And…”

Rubbing her temples, she added.

“…Moreover, the council is gradually losing control over the competition among the successors.”

Another executive committee member added,

“Of course, we still have perfect control over the succession competition.”

“But as time goes on…”

Another executive committee member spoke up.

“It will become increasingly difficult to prevent the power players within and outside the family from overtly supporting their chosen successors.”

If the Second and Third Young Masters continued their competition in this balanced state, those supporting them were bound to increase exponentially.

The female executive committee member sighed again.

“And that would ultimately lead to an unstoppable avalanche.”

“And the same problems would arise even if someone starts to gain an upper hand.”

Those who had banded together and increased their strength up to that point were unlikely to accept defeat and back down easily.

No, rather, they would start to act the moment defeat loomed closer.

There was neither a reason nor a means to stop them from increasing their power from now on.

One of the executive committee members asked Yeon So-hyeon,

“…So, Eldest Young Master, you have decided to resolve this issue yourself?”

“That’s right.”

Yeon So-hyeon straightened his shoulders and addressed them.

“Today, I request the Supreme Operating Council, acting in its capacity as the family head, to formally and publicly rescind the order confining me to my residence.”

“….”

“….”

Amid the prolonged silence, one of the committee members spoke.

“I understand what you’re saying. So, from now on…”

At that moment, the newly appointed male executive committee member interrupted.

“I object.”

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

“Rather, we should now intensify the confinement order for Yeon So-hyeon, the Eldest Young Master, and if possible, imprison him in Wongak Pavilion! And if possible, he should be placed under house arrest!”

Again, there was silence.

However, the female executive committee member also sighed and cautiously agreed with his statement.

“…It’s a shameless thing to say, but it’s a point with merit.”

Yeon So-hyeon remained expressionless.

She couldn’t look directly at his face as she continued.

“Everyone here agrees that the Eldest Young Master’s abilities are exceptional.”

She spoke with her eyes closed.

“However, precisely because of his exceptional abilities, if his confinement is lifted, the competitors will escape the council’s control even faster.”

Yeon So-hyeon directed his question towards where her voice was coming from.

“Even if I give up my position as the acting head of the family right here?”

Her eyes flickered intensely.

“…That would be.”

Before she could continue, the newly appointed male executive committee member drew the line.

“It doesn’t matter. Without the position, you will resort to even more extreme methods, and the outcome will be the same.”

Yeon So-hyeon pressed on.

“What if I agree to follow the rules you set?”

“Yes. This executive committee member knows that the Eldest Young Master is perfectly capable of cunningly twisting the rules to his advantage.”

The female executive committee member nodded.

“…I agree with that. Ultimately, the Eldest Young Master’s attempts to bend the rules and the council’s efforts to enforce them will cause a massive rift in the family.”

Yeon So-hyeon shook his head.

“…All because my abilities are too outstanding. I have nothing to say to that. But don’t you think this is a bit too much?”

“I didn’t want to say this, but…!”

In response to his calm and brazen attitude, the male executive committee member clicked his tongue.

“Do you not think it’s shameless for the Eldest Young Master to be stepping in at this point?”

“Executive committee member…! I understand what you mean, but be a bit more cautious with your words…”

Yeon So-hyeon shook his head.

“Not at all.”

“Don’t you think about the innocent blood that will be shed in the family because of you stepping in now?”

“I don’t understand what you mean.”

Yeon So-hyeon smirked.

“In the Yeon family, as a direct descendant, it’s my rightful claim. Whether or not blood is spilled because of it.”

His gaze sharpened.

“The responsibility for that blood is naturally on my family.”

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

“Don’t mistake yourselves as masters of this family.”

The executive committee members swallowed hard.

“Eldest Young Master…! Please be mindful of your words as well! This council has legitimately attained its current status through proper procedures.”

Yeon So-hyeon scoffed.

“Don’t talk to me about legitimate procedures, you thieves.”

“What…?!”

She was speechless with disbelief.

“…Young master Yeon So-hyeon, you insolent brat!”

The male executive committee member trembled with rage.

“Have you ever seen such shameless audacity in one so young?!”

His powerful voice echoed through the cavern.

“Wasn’t it you who gave up your rightful succession when your father, the former grand family head, fell?!”

He was livid.

“If you had stepped up then with your so-called great abilities and faithfully performed the role of acting family head, our family wouldn’t be in such a complicated situation now!”

He pointed accusingly at Yeon So-hyeon.

“And now you talk about blood price? Now you claim you can’t trust us and must step in yourself?! This is…!”

As his words grew more heated, the female executive committee member interjected.

“Eldest Young Master! We understand your anger and frustration, but this council has proven its competence with excellent results! Trust us and…”

Her words were true.

Under the highest operational council, the Sword House had been growing tremendously every year.

But Yeon So-hyeon couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

It was a guffaw.

“You’ve proven your ability…? I should trust you…?”

He rolled on the floor laughing.

Her patience finally snapped.

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

“Looks like you’ll only come to your senses after shedding blood tears from your eyes?!”

“…Enough, everyone.”

It was the chairman’s voice.

But no one paid attention to his feeble voice.

Lying on the ground, Yeon So-hyeon addressed them.

“It’s you who have reached the peak of arrogance, and it’s you who need to shed blood tears to come to your senses, isn’t it?”

“Alright, you brat! Now that nothing goes your way, you think anything that comes out of your mouth is right!”

“Insulting the Supreme Operating Council is a crime punishable by summary judgment. Let’s see how serious that crime can be!”

It was unclear which of the new executive committee members first pulled the emergency alert cord.

But, in any case, the bell rang noisily outside, and immediately, guards from the Organ waiting outside poured in.

“Immediately force that man to kneel! We shall pass judgment on him right here!”

“If necessary, I will stake my position as a senior member to twist and break Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon today!”

Upon this outcry, the Organ’s warriors quickly approached Yeon So-hyeon.

Yeon So-hyeon ignored them, simply lying there and directing a twisted smile towards the chairman’s direction.

“Everyone, leave!”

Finally, when the chairman’s roar erupted, the warriors halted in their tracks.

“Chairman! The person in question has crossed the line! If we let this pass, everyone will mock we, the senior members!”

“If the chairman acts like this, we won’t stay silent either!”

Then, from where the chairman sat, an overwhelming wave of energy burst forth.

“How dare you ignore the command of the chairman in the Supreme Operating Council chamber?!”

It felt like an earthquake had struck.

The senior members covered their ears, and the warriors tumbled like falling leaves.

With a wave of his hand, they were swept out of the corridor like dust by a giant broom.

And when he pulled his hand back, the massive stone door slammed shut with a formidable force.

Dust fell from the ceiling of the cavern due to the aftermath.

It all happened in a single breath.

It was a technique truly befitting the term ‘divine power.’

“Eldest Young Master…”

However, the voice of the chairman, who had displayed such divine power, was laden with sorrow.

“…Do you intend to repeat this each time there’s a new senior member, Eldest Young Master?”

What did he mean by ‘this’?

And why was the chairman using such a respectful address towards Yeon So-hyeon?

The two newly appointed senior members felt a wave of confusion.

“Of course.”

Their gaze hurriedly turned to Yeon So-hyeon, who was still lying down.

“If you refuse to recount your shameful history, shouldn’t I, the only witness, do so?”

He rose to his feet.

Dust from the ceiling scattered off his body.

“Before you ascend to that position and act as if you own the entire family, shouldn’t you first recognize your original sin?”

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