Luoyang Sword Clan, Wongakjeong. Restricted Area. Grand Assembly Hall.

“…The North, you mean?” the Grand Master of the Kongtong Sect asked, his expression dumbfounded as he looked back at the Grand Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.

“That’s right,” the Grand Young Master replied with a firm nod. “Just as my father, the former Patriarch, secured his position as Patriarch through the conquest of Jiangnan, I shall achieve the same feat.” The Grand Young Master, seated at the head of the hall, the highest position, surveyed the assembly with a sweeping gaze. “In the same manner, I shall accomplish this.”

In the quiet hall, only the Grand Young Master’s voice echoed. “I will personally deliver a decisive blow to the troubles in the North. I will put an end to the chaos and restore order.” As his gaze swept over them, the attendees unconsciously straightened their postures. “And in doing so, I will proclaim to all the world that the position of Young Patriarch of the main clan belongs to me.”

Young Patriarch.

The weight of that title sent a shockwave through the room. Hyung-nim, for the first time in an official capacity, he’s declared his intention to become the Young Patriarch! A deeply satisfied smile spread across the face of the Fourth Young Master Yeon Bi, seated at his brother’s right. It feels like a dream—this is the moment I’ve pictured countless times, in my dreams and in my waking hours.

Finally, my Liege… A quiet ripple passed through the eyes of Elder Yeom, who sat near him. Hoho, so I will live to see the Grand Young Master lead the Luoyang Sword Clan after all!

Gong Liang, seated to Yeon So-hyeon’s left, bared his crooked teeth in a grin. Beyond them, from Se-ah, the Mistress of the Crescent Moon Pavilion, and Yeon Ha-eung, the “Rumor With Legs”, all the way to his Head Handmaiden, Jeong-ah—the many followers who had watched Yeon So-hyeon’s journey this far—each wore their own distinct smile.

“…But, Grand Young Master.” Naturally, those who had joined the sect more recently were the first to express concern about the sudden news. The Kongtong Grand Master began, his voice cautious, “If there’s a significant problem in the North, and you resolve it, as you said…” He trailed off, clearly feeling the gravity of the topic.

“As you mentioned, it would bring you much closer to the position of Young Patriarch,” the former Sect Leader of Diancang said, rising from his seat to continue the discussion. “However, this is military action beyond our borders. Is that something we can undertake without the Imperial Family’s permission?” He finished the question boldly, but true to form, he immediately began darting nervous glances at the Grand Young Master.

Oh, hell. Did I overstep? I hope I didn’t piss him off… Maybe I should have waited…

His anxiety was so evident that it drew a few quiet chuckles from the others.

“The Sect Leader of Diancang has raised a perfectly valid concern,” Yeon So-hyeon nodded, and the former Diancang Sect Leader let out a silent sigh of relief. “As for that matter, it’s best you hear it directly.”

“Directly, Grand Young Master?”

Those unfamiliar with the Grand Young Master’s grand plan were bewildered. Who had the authority to speak directly to him? But before their confusion could dissipate, it was replaced by stunned shock.

“Yeon So-hyeon, Grand Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Clan, please attend and receive the edict of His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor!” The rear doors swung open, and everyone instinctively rose to their feet in response to the booming voice.

“I humbly attend His Majesty’s edict!” Yeon So-hyeon clasped his hands, knelt, and led the chant in a resounding voice, “Ten thousand years! Ten thousand years! Ten thousand times ten thousand years!”

The assembly erupted in unison, “Ten thousand years, ten thousand years, ten thousand times ten thousand years!”

The Imperial Son-in-Law, his voice brimming with dignity, unfurled the scroll with a sharp snap. “Yeon So-hyeon, Grand Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Clan, you shall be Our and the Empire’s sharpest sword! To you, We grant all necessary authority!” The voice of the Emperor’s representative reverberated through the vast hall. “Let the Grand Young Master Yeon So-hyeon restore order and discipline to the northern territories! He shall eliminate all troubles and uphold the dignity and strength of the Empire!”

In that very moment, Yeon So-hyeon was effectively granted absolute authority over the North. Those who were oblivious to his connection with the Emperor were left in awe as the Grand Young Master’s voice boomed out, resonating powerfully from his kneeling position. “Your humble servant, Yeon So-hyeon! I shall immediately execute His Majesty’s command!”

***

A short time later, in a guest room at Wongakjeong.

“Phew.” The Imperial Son-in-Law exhaled deeply, having finished the entire glass of cold tea that Il-ryeong, one of the twin maids, had brought him.

“You certainly have a booming voice,” Yeon So-hyeon quipped with a smile. “That didn’t sound like your first or second attempt. How many times did you practice?”

“Ahem. Well, actually…” The Imperial Son-in-Law blushed and scratched his nose. “It was my first time being entrusted with such a significant role, so I—I may have stayed up for a few nights practicing.”

Yeon So-hyeon chuckled. “Well, considering the contents of that edict, I’m sure you were.” There was a hint of sarcasm in his words.

“You’re right about that, Grand Young Master.” The Imperial Son-in-Law, regaining his composure, nodded gravely. “I understand the Imperial Family’s authority in the North has reached its lowest point, but to suddenly grant ‘all necessary authority’ to you, a man without an official position—it was less a ‘grant’ and more a ‘delegation’ of power. I’ve only read of such rare precedents in history books.” He stroked his short beard and shook his head. “I even considered pretending I never received the edict.”

This single statement revealed the reason behind his secret observation of the Grand Young Master.

“But you delivered it anyway.”

The Imperial Son-in-Law nodded heavily, his gaze intense. “Yes, I did. I may not have observed you for long, but I became convinced that you are a man of talent capable of resolving this difficult problem.”

He shook his head, correcting himself. “No, I had a gut feeling that you wouldn’t just solve this problem. You would bend it to your will.”

Yeon So-hyeon could see the burning loyalty to the Emperor and the Central Plains deep in the man’s eyes. “Please, Grand Young Master. Do not betray His Majesty’s trust in the end.”

“You don’t need to worry,” Yeon So-hyeon met his gaze, speaking slowly but with absolute conviction. “Then, now, and in the future, until the very end, I will remain by His Majesty’s side as his close friend and his ally.”

***

Back in the Grand Assembly Hall.

“Well, best me…” The former Diancang Sect Leader sighed, clicking his tongue. “The Grand Young Master promised us a ‘greater opportunity,’ but I never imagined it would materialize so swiftly.” He was recalling the exchange from moments before.

—“So, you mean the Grand Young Master can offer each sect an even greater opportunity?”

—“Of course.”

Now, they all understood the source of his confidence.

“In this chaotic land of the North, small skirmishes will be commonplace, and we’ll likely witness localized wars,” the Zhongnan Sect Leader mused. “Opportunities to accumulate merit will be abundant, and what’s more…”

The Kongtong Grand Master continued, “…this is all being orchestrated under His Majesty’s direct command. We’ll receive separate rewards from the Imperial Family based on our accomplishments.”

“Hoh, indeed…!”

A palpable sense of ambition and eagerness filled their quiet conversations. At their core, regardless of their official titles, they were warriors.

“Heh, I’m eagerly anticipating this.”

Their very essence was to tread the fine line between life and death, to feel the searing heat of their enemies, and to relish victory.

[So, this is the secret plan he alluded to, one that will enable the War Department to rise again.]

The Sword Clan Armed Generals of the War Department were visibly twitching, as if poised to spring into action.

[This is it… If we distinguish ourselves in the North, we can undoubtedly secure our place back in the Council of Elders.] 

Some even drew their swords, examining the edges. The scent of blood had reached their noses, and their bodies thrummed with anticipation.

“We still need the Council of Elders’s approval to mobilize troops,” one voice said.

“But the Grand Young Master has an Imperial Mandate, doesn’t he?” another countered.

Even those who weren’t martial artists were filled with their own brand of zeal, engaging in a heated discussion on how to push the agenda forward.

“They can still create pretexts to obstruct or delay the process!” one exclaimed.

“In that case, the fastest route is to bypass the Council of Elders and obtain approval from the Supreme Operations Council,” another suggested.

“And then there’s the matter of funding,” a third added.

“And then there’s the matter of funding.”

The Grand Young Master returned to the hall before speaking, “It appears that everyone is enjoying the banquet.”

“Grand Young Master…!”

The strategists immediately rushed him, eager to bombard him with questions. However, before they could begin, Yeon So-hyeon spoke. “Yeon Bi!”

“Yes, Hyung-nim! Please give your command!”

The Grand Young Master’s order cut through the air, as sharp as frost. “From this moment on, you are in charge of Luoyang.”

Yeon Bi immediately dropped to one knee, cupping his hands. “Yes! I accept your command!” This marked the first order for the Grand Young Master’s personal expedition: the Fourth Young Master would hold Luoyang in his absence.

“Elder Yeom!”

“Yes, my liege.”

“I am entrusting you with the command of the troops. Our forces will be restricted to martial artists who possess internal energy.”

Like Yeon Bi, Elder Yeom knelt without hesitation. “I obey!”

“Deputy Head!”

“Yes, Grand Young Master!” Elder Ham, the Deputy Head of the Council of Elders, immediately knelt. Yeon So-hyeon’s command was decisive.

“I don’t care what means you use. Secure the approval for this expedition, and do so faster than anyone anticipates.”

A confident smile spread across Elder Ham’s face. With the foothold Yeon So-hyeon had already established in the council, this was the perfect opportunity to unleash his political talents to their fullest.

“Yes! Consider it done!” The moment he finished, Yeon So-hyeon’s call continued. “War Department Chief!”

“Please give your command!” The old general snapped into a military salute.

“I am entrusting you with all logistics: supply lines, troop preparations, and all administrative procedures.”

It was a monumental task, but it was precisely what the War Department existed for. “I will see it done!” the old general answered instantly.

“Crimson Poison Branch Head!”

“Crescent Moon Pavilion Master!”

As Yeon So-hyeon’s commands cascaded one after another, the War Department Chief was startled by a voice echoing in his mind. It was a telepathic message from the Grand Young Master, delivered even as he continued issuing verbal orders without pause. The old general, astounded by this display of the Dual Principles Cultivation Art, swiftly responded in his mind. “Yes, Grand Young Master!”

“Regarding the war funds, please visit the Sword Clan Bank.”

Amidst giving another order, Yeon So-hyeon glanced at the old general, a faint smile playing on his lips.

“The Bank Manager and the First Department Head of the Court of Judiciary will handle the matter. They’ll utilize the slush funds they confiscated from the Yeon clansmen during their investigation.”

“!”

As Yeon So-hyeon’s rapid-fire orders finally slowed, the former Diancang Sect Leader shot his hand into the air. “Grand Young Master! Aren’t all these appointments based on the assumption that you’ll be absent? We don’t even know how long the preparations will take! Do we really need to make all these decisions right now—“

“No.” Yeon So-hyeon cut him off. “They are necessary because I will be absent starting right now.”

“I’m… sorry?” The former Diancang Sect Leader, along with many others, looked completely bewildered.

Yeon So-hyeon grinned. “I’m marching out immediately, taking only a minimal force that requires no formal permission.”