The Ruler of Darkness

Those with splendid backgrounds who were merely dropouts that couldn’t control their temper and chose the easy path.

At first, Yeon So-hyeon’s words pierced the hearts of the Four Heroes of the Yellow Lake like arrows, inflicting wounds.

However, they soon felt each and every word Yeon So-hyeon had spoken becoming heavy rocks pressing down on their chests.

‘But it seems they weren’t merely a pathetic bunch using chivalry as an excuse to indulge in a life of leisure.’

Yeon So-hyeon looked down at them, immersed in silence, and inwardly let out a small sigh of relief.

‘Although I had no choice but to meddle for the sake of Elder Gong’s feelings, fortunately, it wasn’t a complete waste of time.’

The time Yeon So-hyeon had invested in them was not very long, but considering how many plans he could come up with, devise, check, and make decisions in that time….

It was time too precious to spend on a few ‘mere’ martial artists.

The words Gong Ryang had spoken when introducing Yeon So-hyeon to the Four Heroes of the Yellow Lake, that ‘Yeon So-hyeon is a busy person doing great things and is taking time out of his precious schedule to impart teachings to them,’ were not at all exaggerated.

The sound of the walls on either side of the hole punched through by Yeon So-hyeon’s fist collapsing echoed.

“…!”

Gong Damwoong’s companions, who had been lost in deep thought, raised their heads with a start.

“Hmm.”

As Yeon So-hyeon waved his hand, the acupuncture needles suppressing Gong Damwoong’s acupoints were sucked into his sleeve as if by magic.

“….”

Gong Damwoong, who had been paralyzed but also lost in deep thought like his companions, grunted and propped himself up on his knees.

His face was still flushed red with bulging veins, but it stemmed from embarrassment rather than anger.

After rising from his position, Gong Damwoong, before anything else, clasped his hands and bowed deeply to Yeon So-hyeon.

“I have received a great lesson from Warrior Yeon.”

His companions also came to their senses at those words.

They straightened their posture and respectfully saluted Yeon So-hyeon.

“We have received a great lesson.”

The Four Heroes of the Yellow Lake were individuals who could accept the criticism of Yeon So-hyeon, who was about ten years younger than them, and pay their respects without hesitation.

Yeon So-hyeon raised his evaluation of them inwardly by a level and also clasped his hands and bowed to them without hesitation.

“I have merely meddled and spoken harsh words. If there’s anything you have gained from it, it’s not my teaching but the enlightenment you have attained on your own.”

Yeon So-hyeon did not boast or mock them for overwhelming them with his strength and logic.

“Therefore, there is no need to thank me.”

Gong Damwoong shook his head.

“As the saying goes, bitter medicine is effective for illness, and unpleasant words are loyal advice. We have been thoroughly enlightened by the teachings you have bestowed upon us, so we only ask that you accept our gratitude.”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded.

“I will accept your gratitude.”

As Yeon So-hyeon cleanly accepted the gratitude without any lingering feelings, the faces of the Four Heroes of the Yellow Lake brightened somewhat.

“Warrior Yeon, may I ask one more thing?”

Gong Damwoong stepped forward and spoke.

“The fact that you have imparted teachings about chivalry to me means that the work I must do while following you from now on is related to that, correct?”

“That’s right.”

“Then…”

At those words, Gong Damwoong hesitated for a moment before directly bringing up his request as usual.

“Would it be alright if my companions also join me on that path?”

At those words, his companions’ gazes turned to Yeon So-hyeon.

It seemed they all shared the same intention without needing to ask separately.

“Of course.”

Yeon So-hyeon, with his hands clasped behind his back, smiled brightly.

“Th-thank you, Hero. Then, when and where should we come to see you-“

“Right now.”

Yeon So-hyeon interrupted him and answered.

“Prepare all the necessary equipment and board the carriage waiting outside.”

“Pardon?”

As his grandson made a dumbfounded expression, Gong Ryang, who had been watching until then, shouted.

“Didn’t you hear what the 4th Young Masterid?! What are you doing standing there like an idiot?! Prepare and board the carriage at once!”

At his resonant shout, not only Gong Damwoong but also his companions rushed out of the training field in a flurry.

As they disappeared, a smile returned to Gong Ryang’s face, which had been stern.

“Thank you, Young Master. Thank you.”

Entrusting his grandson was something Yeon So-hyeon could have simply refused from his perspective.

But Yeon So-hyeon not only took in his grandson but also gave him a sharp lesson to bring him to his senses, didn’t he?

“No, Elder Gong.”

Yeon So-hyeon spoke while straightening his disheveled sleeves.

“If there wasn’t a well-cultivated character as a foundation, no matter what I did, it would have been like playing music to a cow. Seeing the friends he associates with, it is all thanks to the excellent discipline you have instilled in him.”

At those words, Gong Ryang burst into a pleased laughter.

“By the way, that was a magnificent martial arts display, Young Master. How did you hide such skills until now and endure the nonsense of being called the ‘Swordless One’?”

Although Gong Ryang was not born with the talent to cultivate his qi, his accumulated experience allowed him to recognize that Yeon So-hyeon’s skills were beyond extraordinary.

Instead of explaining the detailed circumstances, Yeon So-hyeon smiled.

“Thanks to that, I, who have ended my seclusion, can aim for a more dramatic performance, can’t I?”

“Indeed, you are right.”

Gong Ryang nodded repeatedly with a smile.

“Following the visit to North Mang Mountain, the Valley of Sins, and now your martial arts as well.”

With a satisfied smile on his face, he spoke as if prophesying the future that would unfold according to Yeon So-hyeon’s intentions.

“In just a few days, whenever two or more people gather in Luoyang, the first thing they will talk about will be you. And they will be unable to resist wanting to know the truth behind those rumors!”

Is it true that the young master met with the former patriarchs of the Sixteen Families?

What skills did the young master use to frequent those families in North Mang Mountain as if it were his own home?

What is the young master currently doing in the Valley of Sins?

And is it really true that the young master, known as the Swordless One, possesses internal energy and has learned martial arts?

Just how remarkable is Yeon So-hyeon that everyone is talking about him like this?

Gong Ryang, who had been speaking like a child, excited as if Yeon So-hyeon’s affairs were his own, hit his forehead.

“Oh my, I got carried away and kept holding up the busy young master.”

“No, Elder Gong.”

Gong Ryang, seated in the wheelchair, looked up at Yeon So-hyeon and asked.

“Is Young Master also heading to the Valley of Sins right now?”

“That’s right.”

Despite Yeon So-hyeon going to that ominous and dangerous place in the middle of the night, Gong Ryang, whose faith in him was as solid as diamond, clapped his hands instead.

“Excellent. When you need to strike, you must strike relentlessly.”

Then he continued.

“Due to the late hour, this old man cannot provide much immediate assistance, but if there is anything you need, please let me know.”

“In that case, I have a few requests to make of you right now, Elder Gong.”

***

Gong Damwoong’s companions, although unsure of the reason, were preparing themselves with the help of the Gong family.

“For what reason did Warrior Yeon hide his martial arts skills until now?”

“Hmm.”

The man wearing a hero’s headband shook his head at the question of the woman who had finished hastily packing her belongings with the help of the Gong family’s maids.

“The Luoyang Sword House is the number one family in the world, and the political landscape within it is said to be as complex as the political circles of the imperial capital. Even if outsiders like us discuss it, I don’t think we’ll have a productive conversation.”

“That’s true.”

The woman, who readily nodded, glanced at the man sitting alone in the corner, still sweating.

“From what I can see, you’re perfectly fine without a single injury, so please put your mind at ease now.”

The man with a bushy beard, who had charged at Yeon So-hyeon and gotten beaten, let out a groan.

“No, I know I’m not injured, but…”

The man with the hero’s headband nodded.

“Indeed, if such a tremendous force had flowed through you, there might be internal injuries that aren’t visible. Even with Warrior Yeon’s high realm, no matter how cleanly he executed the technique…”

He could say that because he had some knowledge of internal energy techniques.

“That’s right! Then even now, it would be best to start with qi circulation and-!”

The man with the bushy beard shook his head.

“I have already checked my meridians and danjeon.”

He wiped the sweat from his forehead.

“…There was not a single issue within me.”

“Then…?”

Everyone’s gazes focused on him.

“Warrior Yeon used that sophisticated internal energy technique in a single instant. Clearly, that tremendous force was released behind my back. But at that time, I couldn’t feel anything at all.”

He raised his eyes and looked at the others.

“Just what was that technique we witnessed?”

At those words, everyone’s expressions turned astonished.

“Not only was there no problem left behind, but he couldn’t even feel the flow of the force…”

Even the one among them most knowledgeable about internal energy techniques couldn’t grasp it, so they all gave up on finding an answer.

Instead, a common question arose in their minds.

“Just how high is Warrior Yeon’s realm…?”

The realms of the Four Heroes of the Yellow Lake here differed slightly from individual to individual, but they were all at the point of vaguely sensing the existence of the ‘wall’ ahead of them.

“Could he be right in front of the wall?”

“Or is he in the midst of challenging the wall?”

“…Surely he hasn’t already transcended the wall, right?”

The expression ‘transcending the wall’ referred to becoming a ‘master’ and entering the realm of the extraordinary among the extraordinary.

“…Even Lee Gongnyeo, known as a once-in-a-generation genius in the Central Plains, transcended the wall after turning twenty. But isn’t Warrior Yeon only seventeen this year at most?”

It was hard to even imagine that there was a martial genius surpassing that genius among geniuses, Yeon Seorin the Heavenly Swordsman.

“….”

The man who had been pondering Yeon So-hyeon’s internal energy technique while stroking his chin clicked his tongue.

“…It’s no use discussing it among ourselves.”

His gaze turned to Gong Damwoong, who was groaning in the corner.

“Brother Gong, what have you been struggling with all this time?”

“Ah, sorry.”

Gong Damwoong, who had been grunting behind a screen for a while, appeared before them with an extremely uncomfortable expression.

“Pfft!”

Even though he had put on the largest armor available in the residence, it couldn’t accommodate Gong Damwoong’s giant-like physique.

It looked like an adult wearing a child’s clothes, and everyone burst into laughter without realizing it.

“Brother Gong! Just what is that appearance?”

“Are you going to a battlefield right now?”

At their words, Gong Damwoong blinked his large eyes and said,

“Huh? Did I not mention it?”

He spoke to his companions.

“We are currently heading to the Valley of Sins.”

At those words, everyone’s expressions hardened.

Then they all called for servants and rushed out.

“Bring a set of armor here too! No, three sets! The sturdiest ones! And also bring a shield, anything will do!”

“Go and check if there are any spare swords! And we also need daggers or short swords!”

“We don’t know how to wear armor, so we need servants and maids who can handle armor right away!”

Normally, Gong Damwoong wouldn’t have been able to hold back his laughter at the sight of his companions making a fuss.

But his face only showed heavy tension and a chilling sense of exhilaration.

“The Valley of Sins.”

He muttered while stroking his chin.

“Of all places, it had to be one of the Five Evils…”

He recalled the stories he had heard from the senior chivalrous warriors and heroes he usually associated with.

‘Never approach the Five Evils.’

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