The Ruler of Darkness

“I can’t remember the last time I smelled the aroma of tea.”

The former patriarch of the Gong family laughed heartily.

“It seems the effects of the treatment are showing a bit more.”

At Yeon So-hyeon’s words, he simply nodded with a pleased expression.

“Is that all? Tea enjoyed with a welcome and esteemed guest has an aroma beyond what the nose can detect.”

The old man, Gong Ryang, placed the teacup on the table.

“From now on, our Gong family will spare no effort in supporting Young Master in all aspects you require.”

“That is…”

Before Yeon So-hyeon, who was concerned about the Gong family getting involved in the succession struggle of the Luoyang Sword House, could express his refusal, the old man shook his head.

“I had maintained the hollow name of the Imperial Sixteen Families, thinking that a time like this might come one day.”

Gong Ryang gave a bitter smile.

“I only hoped for a child to be born who could properly utilize these legacies.”

Without daring to comment on the internal affairs of another family, Yeon So-hyeon quietly listened to the old man’s words.

“None of my children or grandchildren had sufficient caliber.”

Gong Ryang’s words meant that it was obvious no more chancellor candidates would emerge, starting from him as the last of three generations.

“My eldest son in the imperial capital may have grand ambitions, but he lacks the will to see them through due to his weak backbone.”

The old man clicked his tongue and tapped the blanket covering him, as if dissatisfied.

“Even if that fellow receives this family’s legacy, he will only be preoccupied with maintaining it. He won’t be able to accomplish anything significant with this legacy.”

It was a harsh evaluation.

However, in the words of Gong Ryang, who could be considered one of the symbolic figures of the reform faction in the imperial capital, there was an unwavering determination that could not be compromised.

“Young Master.”

The old man’s eyes, burning from a deep place, turned to Yeon So-hyeon.

“To set Luoyang straight, the Luoyang Sword House must be set straight, and to set this empire straight, the imperial capital must be set straight.”

His hand gripped Yeon So-hyeon’s hand with unprecedented strength.

“You are the only one who can do that, Young Master.”

It was too grand a topic for individuals to discuss, but Yeon So-hyeon answered without hesitation.

“I will keep that in mind.”

Gong Ryang smiled at the immediate response.

“Indeed, you give an instant answer. When you said you had ended your seclusion, this old man was certain.”

He spoke as if reading Yeon So-hyeon’s mind.

“If you weren’t prepared to reshape the Luoyang Sword House and the world, a great man like Yeon So-hyeon would not have ended his seclusion.”

“…As expected of Elder Gong, you are precise.”

The old man, who had served as chancellor for a short period after the war began and had prevented the worst situations, laughed heartily.

“Good. That’s it. That’s why this family’s legacy should be used for Young Master and no one else!”

From where did that strength well up?

The old man’s impassioned speech continued.

“You can use this old man’s name for any reason, anywhere from now on. Whether it’s the wealth or the hollow reputation of the Gong family, you can freely use it as you wish. Consider the people of the Gong family as your own.”

Gong Ryang tapped his chest.

“From now on, this old man will support your every move, Young Master.”

“That is…”

“Are you worried about my eldest son in the imperial capital? Are you concerned that this old man may lack power?”

The old man pulled out a small, luxurious box from under the thick pillow he was leaning on.

“Take a good look, Young Master.”

And when he opened the box, wasn’t there a seal made of jade inside?

“This is the Gong family’s patriarch seal.”

“…!”

“Contrary to what is known outside, the current patriarch of this family is still this old Gong Ryang.”

Even Yeon So-hyeon couldn’t help but be surprised.

“This old man has been waiting for a day like today and has not passed the patriarch seal to anyone until now.”

His eyes flashed with a force that could pierce through anything blocking the way.

“From now on, Gong Ryang, the patriarch of the Gong family, will fully support you with everything this family has.”

***

Of course, there was still a long way to go to bring about the level of change desired by Gong Ryang and Yeon So-hyeon.

But both Yeon So-hyeon and Gong Ryang knew that each and every step from now on would lead to changes, big and small.

And naturally, the first step was Luoyang and the Luoyang Sword House.

“The Lesser Patriarch of the Sword House.”

“That would be the foremost, indeed.”

Gong Ryang, moistening his throat, nodded heavily and spoke.

“Young Master’s decision to choose North Mang Mountain as the first move was a brilliant one that even this old man couldn’t have imagined. Of course, the results are also very remarkable.”

“We have only just fastened the first button.”

“Not just the first button, but fastening it very remarkably!”

Gong Ryang slapped his knee.

“The top authorities in Luoyang will have clearly seen what moves Young Master made in North Mang Mountain.”

They were just individuals whose sphere of influence was Luoyang.

In Luoyang, they were able to exert influence more easily and greatly than even the Sixteen Families whose base was in the imperial capital.

“And they will be unable to hide their astonishment at the relationship between the former patriarchs of North Mang Mountain and Young Master that will be revealed in the future.”

And as such, Yeon So-hyeon’s reputation would become even greater and more widely known.

“But that is insufficient.”

“Indeed.”

Gong Ryang agreed with Yeon So-hyeon’s words and added.

“North Mang Mountain is a very secretive place, and what happens here rarely reaches the streets.”

“You’re right.”

“So Young Master will now showcase the ‘second button,’ correct?”

The visit to North Mang Mountain was the first button.

And now it was time to fasten the second button.

“Yes. For the second button, I have prepared the ‘Valley of Sins.'”

Gong Ryang’s eyes sparked with fire.

He had instantly realized that this wasn’t just about the joint business venture that was currently known to the outside world.

“Indeed, indeed…”

The old man gave a meaningful smile.

“So that’s why you brought in those old horses…! I see!”

Yeon So-hyeon smiled brightly.

“Even those former patriarchs only realized it after I explained, but you figured it out right here and now. You’re remarkable.”

Gong Ryang waved his hand.

“This old man has only guessed the big picture. Anyone could make such a conjecture, couldn’t they?”

Nevertheless, Gong Ryang’s mood seemed much better.

“If Young Master can do that much, it can become a tremendously remarkable second button.”

His face flushed with excitement.

“Hmm. Remarkable. Remarkable indeed.”

He even clapped his hands and nodded to himself, then shook the long string hanging by his side.

“Bring the boy in at once!”

His voice echoed as he shouted outward.

Not only Yeon So-hyeon’s treatment but also the revived hope was infusing vitality into his body.

“Boy…?”

Before Gong Ryang could answer Yeon So-hyeon’s puzzled expression, a resonant voice was heard from outside.

“Grandfather, it is I!”

Even though the voice contained no internal energy, it was enough to slightly ripple the tea in the room.

“Come in at once!”

“Yes!”

With a loud response, the door opened.

What appeared was a giant youth, large enough to fill the not-so-small entrance.

“Grand…!”

His forehead directly collided with the upper door frame.

“Ouch.”

The impact was so strong that even Yeon So-hyeon, sitting in the room, could feel the vibration.

It seemed as if the door frame would shatter.

“You rascal! Are you trying to destroy the house?!”

The giant, who had lowered his head to enter the room, scratched the back of his head.

“Hehe. You should blame the low door, not scold your precious grandson.”

He seemed to be in his mid-twenties.

His face was a bit rough, but he smoothly handled the situation with amiability. He noticed Yeon So-hyeon.

“Oh! This small guest must be the esteemed guest Grandfather has been waiting for.”

“You impertinent fellow!”

An inkstone immediately flew at his head.

With a thud, the inkstone split in half and fell to the floor, but he brightened his face and rejoiced instead.

“Oh my! Grandfather has regained enough health to throw an inkstone ‘again’! What a joyous occasion!”

Then, as if he were about to dance alone, he burst into laughter.

“We must hold a feast today!”

He then performed a deep bow toward Yeon So-hyeon.

“You must be the noble person with the Yeon surname that Grandfather always mentioned. It is an honor to meet you. I am Gong Damwoong.”

“…Yeon So-hyeon. Nice to meet you.”

As Yeon So-hyeon replied with a wry smile, Gong Ryang covered his face as if embarrassed and spoke from the side.

“Although he may seem lacking, he did rank second in the state examination, so he shouldn’t be stupid enough to be useless.”

Then, Gong Damwoong, who had risen and sat on the floor, grumbled.

“If it weren’t for that ‘Kang’ fellow with glasses, the first place would have been mine.”

Gong Ryang erupted in anger.

“What’s the point of blaming others?! You should know your own shortcomings!”

Then, Gong Damwoong hit his chest.

Each time he hit his chest, it sounded like a large drum.

“Oh, Grandfather! That fellow was a monster who never forgot anything he saw once, even back in the academy! It’s unfair to compare an ordinary person like me to such a monster!”

He then made a frustrated expression.

“And what about the fact that our entire class was put in a difficult position because he refused the official position and ran away despite ranking first in the state examination?!”

Yeon So-hyeon casually asked.

“Perhaps the name of that Kang fellow with glasses is…?”

“His name is ‘Kang Ho.’ Have you heard of him?”

At that answer, the image of Kang Ho from the Censorate immediately came to Yeon So-hyeon’s mind.

“Forget about the class being in a difficult position! Weren’t you the one who kicked away the official position and left?!”

Gong Ryang shouted at his grandson, pointing his finger.

“How dare you blame others when you were the one who stuck a high-ranking official to the wall?!”

Gong Damwoong grumbled.

“…If that fellow hadn’t asked me to turn a blind eye to an eunuch from the Min family who violated the rules of the palace, I wouldn’t have done that.”

“Stupid boy! If you weren’t my grandson, your head would have flown off instantly!”

At those words, Gong Damwoong laughed heartily.

“That’s why I respect and love you, Grandfather, isn’t it?”

Seeing his grandson’s unyielding attitude until the end, Gong Ryang, whose face was red with embarrassment and anger, finally sighed.

“Young Master. This pathetic fellow is the next patriarch of our Gong family.”

“Does that mean…?”

The old man nodded.

“He is strong as an ox, has learned martial arts, and his head works quite well, so he won’t hold you back, Young Master.”

He added briefly.

“Since Young Master mentioned that your next move is the Valley of Sins, you can take him and use him as a soldier.”

At those words, Gong Damwoong laughed.

“Indeed, I will watch and see with anticipation how the noble person, whom Grandfather praised until his mouth went dry, will employ this Gong Damwoong with his outstanding skills!”

It was a subtle provocation.

‘He’s like a warrior of the Sword House.’

A personality that doesn’t believe others’ evaluations until experiencing it firsthand.

Yeon So-hyeon, who until recently would have chosen to leave such individuals alone and surprise them later with his wit, smiled brightly.

‘Now there’s no need to choose the roundabout method.’

“What’s there to watch?”

“Pardon?”

To Gong Damwoong, who blinked his eyes, Yeon So-hyeon said.

“How about testing it right now?”

“With what?”

Yeon So-hyeon smiled.

“With strength.”

Gong Damwoong’s eyebrows twitched.

His protruding solar plexus and his physique, trained beyond what he was born with, showed that he had undergone considerable training.

“…Are you serious?”

“I am.”

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

The capabilities and stability of the Yangeuisimgong, which had reached its peak, had now been sufficiently verified.

The path to freely use martial arts had opened up for him.

‘It’s also about time to shed the label of ‘the young master of the Luoyang Sword House who doesn’t know martial arts.”

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