Yeon So-Hyeon, who was to attend the Supre Operating Council eting, was carried in a palanquin by four bearers, racing through the main streets without hesitation.
In the rapidly changing landscape they crossed, there was no sign of any pedestrians.
Even beyond the walls and looking out the windows, no one was visible.
This was the power of the priority authority that the organization known as the Organ held within the Luoyang Sword House.
Are you not feeling dizzy?
It was a question from the commander sitting opposite.
While the bearers run with agility, covering our eyes, circling the sa alleys several tis, or occasionally jumping over rooftops, you ask if Im not feeling nauseous?
Yeon So-Hyeon leaned back.
It was difficult to lean back comfortably in the cramped palanquin.
I apologize, but
Its a directive. I know.
The commander, who had been bending his body as much as possible to give Yeon So-Hyeon space, smiled.
.
After he sent a silent ssage to his subordinates, the warriors who were running around the palanquin, guarding it, adjusted their formation more widely.
Then, they took out small bells from their bosoms and shook them.
However, peculiarly, no sound of the bells could be heard.
Is this the Organs unique sound-blocking stance?
Yeon So-Hyeon asked, to which the commanding warrior replied silently.
Yes, thats correct. Your ears are sensitive. With this, my silent ssage will not leak out.
Yeon So-Hyeon, without responding, simply nodded his head.
You must have many questions after seeing my signal, but please understand that our travel ti is short and so is the ti I have to explain.
He continued with his silent ssage without waiting for Yeon So-Hyeons reaction.
According to a source only I know of
Information starting like this usually had very low credibility.
Yet, Yeon So-Hyeon silently listened to the entire ssage.
That signal had significant value.
At an unspecified ti in the past, the second and third young masters were summoned by the Supre Operating Council eting.
Yeon So-Hyeons eyebrows twitched slightly.
They received a firm answer from the Supre Operating Council eting. That was
He looked straight at Yeon So-Hyeon, who sat with his eyes covered.
The Supre Operating Council eting has decided not to let the current head of the family influence the selection of the successor.
Yeon So-Hyeon closed his eyes behind the blindfold.
The commanding warrior hurried his silent ssage.
Im not asking you to believe right away. Soon, when you et the top mbers, youll be able to verify it through their actions.
He looked at Yeon So-Hyeon with earnest eyes.
I beseech you, Eldest Young Master.
His emotion was palpable even through the silent ssage.
Please be cautious of them. And make sure to maintain all courtesies so as not to disturb their moods.
They seed to be nearing their destination.
He conveyed his urgent advice as quickly as he could.
For now, it is ti for you to bow your head as much as possible. Only by overcoming this crisis can you later pursue a greater cause
Yeon So-Hyeon interrupted him.
When I return, a different commanding warrior will accompany according to the regulations, right?
Its a matter of security, so I cannot give you a direct answer.
The commanding warrior replied in a doubly cautious manner using silent ssaging.
Yes, that is correct.
Then, Yeon So-Hyeon replied to him using silent ssaging.
In that case, I will say what I have to say now.
The commander was startled by Yeon So-Hyeons silent ssage that penetrated his ears.
!
His surprise was so evident that the Organs warriors outside felt his agitation and instinctively reached for their swords.
There is no issue here! The Eldest Young Master is preparing, everyone keep your distance and maintain vigilance.
The sound-blocking stance was lifted.
The destination was imminent.
You know, how to, use martial arts?
His silent ssage was unstable, revealing his psychological turmoil.
It seems you are fighting a lonely battle within the Organ.
Yes.
Listen well. This is the sa advice I gave to your brother and my friend, the forr head of the Organ.
!
Yeon So-Hyeon had realized who he was just from the signal.
The palanquin stopped at its destination.
Rember this if you ever face a situation you cannot handle alone.
As Yeon So-Hyeon was assisted out of the palanquin by the commanding warrior, he continued the silent ssage.
In this Sword Family, there is , Yeon So-Hyeon.
The commander felt as if Yeon So-Hyeon, behind his thick blindfold, was looking directly at him.
If there was a reason for your brothers death, it was undoubtedly because he forgot or ignored my advice.
Another team was approaching to take over the guard duty.
Co find .
The warriors from the other team entered the range where they could eavesdrop on the silent ssages.
The commander could only stare blankly at Yeon So-Hyeon.
He could read nothing from the face of the boy his brother had praised so highly.
Are you alright?
Snapped back to reality by his subordinates question, he responded.
Ah, Im fine. Listen, everyone. We will now move to the first withdrawal point.
The Eldest Young Master had already disappeared.
As he ran using agility techniques with his subordinates, he rembered his brothers will.
He thought of his brother, who had been the forr head of the Organ.
The will he had read over dozens of tis, morizing every word.
If you are reading this will, it surely ans I am dead.
His brother had been nonchalant even in preparing for his own death.
If so, it must be because I forgot or ignored the advice of my close friend, the Eldest Young Master.
Rember, my brother.
That in the Luoyang Sword House, there is Eldest Young Master Yeon So-Hyeon.
He clenched his teeth.
If he cos out of seclusion and returns to the world, make sure to et him.
He earnestly hoped that Yeon So-Hyeon would overco this crisis.
Ever since rumors of Yeon So-Hyeons seclusion began, he had been searching for information to aid him.
Finally, he had succeeded in conveying the crucial information he had learned to Yeon So-Hyeon.
The Supre Operating Council eting has decided not to let the current head of the family influence the selection of the successor.
Now, it was up to Yeon So-Hyeon.
* * *
Luoyang Sword House, the camp of the 2nd Young Master.
Han Myeong-hwi, the strategist of the 2nd Young Master, spoke to Elder Son.
The conclusion will co by today.
Elder Son, sitting relaxed with the 2nd Young Masters chief strategists, nodded.
The Supre Operating Council eting never delays matters. The issue of the Eldest Young Master will be resolved by today.
They were all waiting for new information to arrive.
Chief Choi, biting his nails, asked Elder Son.
The Supre Operating Council eting wouldnt break their promise to our lord, would they?
Elder Son chuckled.
If our lord were the only one present, perhaps. But the third prince was there too. The top mbers will surely keep their promise, if only for their own reputations.
Elder Son smiled kindly.
If they lacked trust and credibility, well
The strategists eyes turned towards him.
Would they have silently accepted the continued operation of the main house in the absence of the head of the family?
His eyes sparkled.
The power players in the main house?
* * *
Yeon So-Hyeon, still blindfolded, followed the Organs warriors, walking incessantly.
The heavy footsteps of the warriors echoed in his ears, lingering like tinnitus.
Yeon So-Hyeon was grumbling.
The location of the Supre Operating Council eting always changes irregularly, anyway.
He muttered under his breath.
Such actions are just an excuse for security, rely to psychologically pressure the summoned. Its utterly unfair to do this to soone who is not a criminal.
The commanding warrior responsible for internal security replied.
If you have complaints, formally protest to the Organ, swordless one.
His tone was full of sarcasm.
It would be pointless, though.
Yeon So-Hyeon shrugged.
Really? If I really decided to charge in, you would be destroyed like before, wouldnt you be okay with that?
.
Didnt your seniors tell you enough stories about ?
There was no reply.
Instead, for so reason, their footsteps quickened.
Yeon So-Hyeon, his arms locked by the warriors at his sides, was now being practically dragged along.
Hey, guys! Ill go easy on you this ti, so lets slow down!
Of course, they only got rougher.
Yeon So-Hyeon laughed and giggled as he hung onto them.
You guys, Ill rember all of this.
Do as you please, swordless one.
* * *
Proceed straight ahead.
They untied Yeon So-Hyeons blindfold and pushed him forward.
Yeon So-Hyeon staggered before regaining his balance.
Guys, it was just a joke, isnt this a bit too much?
Behind him, a stone door closed with a thud.
Heartless bunch.
Yeon So-Hyeon shook his head and headed down the long corridor.
Artificial streams flowed along both sides of the lengthy corridor.
Above the streams, the ceiling opened, allowing natural light to filter through.
Only the Sword House could afford such extravagance, the best in the Central Plains, Yeon So-Hyeon thought with a twisted smile.
The array set up along the corridor tried to shrink him psychologically and unsettle him.
But such a re array could never affect him.
He lightly humd a tune, moving with a carefree stride.
Reaching the end of the corridor, a large hemispherical space revealed itself.
Please stand in the center, Eldest Young Master.
A modulated voice, neither male nor female, echoed, a result of the huge hemispherical stone caverns acoustics.
This used to be a personal training ground for my father
Yeon So-Hyeon muttered to himself, standing in the center of the cavern.
Sunlight stretched down from the hole in the ceiling, illuminating him.
We deeply regret that situation, Eldest Young Master.
But please try to understand our circumstances.
It was a different person, but again a modulated voice.
And these voices were coming from the small caves pierced around the hemispherical stone cavern.
Nine caves, nine individuals.
Yeon So-Hyeon slowly turned around, greeting them.
Its been a while, nine mbers of the highest committee.
As if he had just realized sothing, Yeon So-Hyeon slapped his palm.
Ah. There must be so new mbers since my last visit. Nice to et you, I am Yeon So-Hyeon.
There was no reply.
He smiled.
Its odd only I am greeting. How about everyone exchanges greetings?
A modulated voice responded.
The highest committee mbers do not exchange such pleasantries.
Another voice continued.
According to the strict internal rules of the Supre Operating Council eting, all mbers involved must neither know nor attempt to know each others identities.
Yeon So-Hyeon shrugged.
At least two of you are seeing for the first ti since becoming committee mbers.
.
Not to boast, but
Yeon So-Hyeon smiled.
Committee mbers who have ever faced in this place wouldnt ever respond to such trivial conversation.
Reviews
All reviews (0)