In a certain quarter of the Imperial Capital.
The political world of the empire’s ruling city was like a great boulder on Mount Tai²—slow and ponderous to move, but once it started rolling…
“…it triggers a landslide that reshapes the very earth.”
The voice that spoke the words was painfully hoarse, ravaged by burns to the throat. It belonged to none other than the Second Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Clan, Yeon Ja-cheong.
“I’ve heard the former patriarchs of the Sixteen Imperial Families are having an audience with His Majesty, the Emperor.”
That was it. The boulder on Mount Tai was beginning to roll. This was the harbinger of the landslide.
“Is it true?” For the first time, a rare and naked bewilderment crept into the voice of a man who had always been defined by his unshakeable self-assurance.
“Yes, it is.”
Meeting with the Second Young Master in private was the head of the Luoyang Sword Clan’s intelligence division, the director of the Imperial Capital branch.
“We are still working to secure an exact list of names, but the intelligence that they will have an audience with the Emperor has been confirmed as fact.”
KRR-DDEUK.
The inky black gauntlet encasing Yeon Ja-cheong’s left hand emitted a grating, metallic shriek.
“…I don’t understand this situation at all.”
“Neither do I.”
At the brazen reply, the Second Young Master’s crimson eyes flashed menacingly from behind his golden mask.
“Is it not your job to find out?” His voice was now laced with killing intent.
“Let us not be mistaken,” the woman replied, her own voice low and steady. “I am merely cooperating and sharing information with you under orders from the ‘highest echelons’ of the Main Clan.”
The director of the Imperial Capital intelligence branch merely twitched an eyebrow in the face of the Second Young Master’s suffocating aura. “You are not yet the next Patriarch of the Sword Clan. I am not your subordinate…” Her pale eyes were devoid of all emotion. “And this is the Imperial Capital, not Luoyang.”
KRR-DDEUKK.
“Insolent bitch.” The gauntlet screeched again, broadcasting his profound displeasure. “The day I become the Young Patriarch, I will tear you to pieces with my own hands.”
“I wish you the best of luck.”
With a dismissive finality, she rose from her seat. She had the power to act this way. As she had said, this was the Imperial Capital, and she was not merely a branch director for the Sword Clan’s intelligence division; she was a major figure in the city’s political landscape.
“I will share any further information as soon as it comes in.”
“Get out.”
She gave a curt nod to the man sitting in the shadows, his red eyes burning like embers, and left the room. The moment she was gone, a subordinate who had been waiting at the door entered.
“My lord. The Sixteen Imperial Families of the Imperial Capital have sent word of the location for an emergency meeting.”
“I see.”
The subordinate bowed and departed, replaced by the Second Young Master’s retinue of advisors.
“Things seem to be proceeding in your favor, my lord.”
“Indeed.”
“For the patriarchs of the Sixteen Imperial Families to seek you out the moment this news about the former patriarchs broke is a very good sign.”
One of the advisors nodded. “It means you have established a distinct presence among them.”
Another stroked his beard and smiled. “It also means they need you.”
“The former patriarchs… Behind the matter of those old demons having an audience with the Emperor, there is undoubtedly—.”
“That bastard, Yeon So-hyeon,” the advisor finished.
“It is certainly surprising that a man with no real foundation could move those old demons, but…” They had all been receiving the constantly updating reports about Yeon So-hyeon from Luoyang. Still, their expressions were relaxed. Because…
“In the end…”
“No matter how high that bastard Yeon So-hyeon flies, everything is still playing out in the palm of your hand, my lord.”
The advisors exchanged sly, meaningful smiles.
“The more he moves those old demons…”
“The more your own position among the current patriarchs of the Sixteen Imperial Families—the ones who hold the real power—will be solidified.”
And it was true. From the moment he had set out for the Imperial Capital, this had been the Second Young Master’s gambit. Normally they would never cooperate with us, but once they learn that Yeon So-hyeon has been meeting with all the former patriarchs, the current patriarchs will have no choice but to join hands!
Just as his mother, the Grand Matron Ouyang, had said that day. The more Yeon So-hyeon united the former patriarchs, the more the current patriarchs would be forced to band together in response. And the Second Young Master, who had warned them of this in advance and brought them together, would see his own standing become unassailable.
“This may be the harbinger of a landslide, but…”
“It will be a geological shift that works in your favor, my lord.”
“…”
KRR-DDEUK.
But even as things unfolded as planned, the Second Young Master, sitting motionless, was deeply unsettled.
“…What of the Great Immortal Merchant Guild?”
He had already received news that they were preparing to withdraw.
“That is…” An advisor began, choosing his words carefully. “We have not yet received any additional reports.”
The distance between the Imperial Capital and Luoyang was not short. Information was flowing, but it was not yet a real-time feed.
“However, is the Grand Matron Ouyang not in Luoyang?” another advisor interjected, attempting to soothe the Second Young Master’s foul mood. “As long as she is there, she will surely handle any situation that arises. It would be best for you to focus solely on matters here in the capital…”
KRR-DDEUK.
There was no reply from the Second Young Master.
“…”
As his advisors endured the uncomfortable silence, he was lost in thought. That arrogant bitch… He pictured the face of the intelligence director who had left after delivering her one-sided report. If it had been Yeon So-hyeon sitting in this chair instead of me, would she have been so stiff?
He couldn’t know for sure. But his instincts whispered, No. Though it was only a feeling, he was certain that if it had been Yeon So-hyeon, her attitude would have been different.
“…The former patriarchs of the Sixteen Imperial Families.” His hoarse voice echoed in the room.
KRR-DDEUK.
It felt as if the burns from his childhood were still searing half his body, still scorching his throat. Every time he heard his own voice, his self-loathing grew, and with it, his burning desire to become the Young Patriarch and place everyone in the Sword Clan beneath him. And his hatred for Yeon So-hyeon grew in equal measure.
“That bastard Yeon So-hyeon must be involved in those old demons gaining an audience with the Emperor.” The killing intent in his voice thickened as he spoke the name. “We must find out why, and how, they managed to arrange an audience with the Emperor.”
Not long ago, when he had seen no sign of Yeon So-hyeon’s influence in the capital, he had thought, Has he already achieved his goal with the old demons?
And now, the former patriarchs were meeting with the Emperor. Yeon So-hyeon’s hidden hand, his grand design, was slowly being revealed. Was this merely the underpainting? Or had he already finished the masterpiece, with only one final touch remaining?
‘Paint the Dragon, Dot the Eyes’ or the finishing touch.
“Of course, my lord,” his advisors quickly agreed. “Even if we cannot uncover the full details, we must anticipate the various possibilities and prepare for them. We hope to gain more information at the upcoming meeting with the patriarchs.”
“It is certainly…” one of the advisors began, stroking his beard, “quite a feat to make the Emperor meet with those old demons, who are practically his sworn enemies…” He had meant to comment on his rival’s impressive skill, but he quickly bit his tongue.
“!”
The Second Young Master’s crimson gaze was fixed on him.
“F-Forgive me!” The advisor immediately dropped to his knees. The Second Young Master turned his head as if the sight of him was repulsive.
“The Emperor is nothing but a folding screen. The old demons are retired old men who no longer hold any real power.”
“Y-Yes, that’s right!” the disgraced advisor hastily agreed. “The real power in this capital lies with the current patriarchs of the Sixteen Imperial Families, who have allied with you!” And perhaps the Min Clan, which had produced the new Empress.
The Second Young Master waved a hand in dismissal. “All of you, get out.”
His advisors bowed deeply. “We will hasten the preparations for the meeting with the patriarchs.”
In the now-empty study, the Second Young Master whispered a name into the darkness.
“…Yeon So-hyeon.”
How could a name of only three syllables be so utterly hateful?
***
In the Valley of Sins of Luoyang.
“Aren’t the Emperor and the former patriarchs of the Sixteen Imperial Families practically mortal enemies?”
The patriarchs who had refused to pledge loyalty to Yeon So-hyeon were murmuring amongst themselves. While the District Chiefs met privately with the Grand Young Master, the clan leaders had been left to wait in a separate reception hall.
“That’s certainly true.”
“Those old demons thoroughly exploited the Emperor’s position when he ascended to the throne at such a young age, after the previous Emperor passed…”
“They were no different from the Ten Eunuchs.”
“If they hadn’t been forced to step down and take responsibility for the Northern War, they’d still be wielding the imperial family’s power as they pleased.”
“They may have stepped down, but don’t the Sixteen Imperial Families still wield an unprecedented amount of influence?”
“Indeed.” The patriarchs nodded in agreement at one man’s sneering comment. “The current patriarchs inherited the old demons’ influence and continue to manipulate the Emperor as they see fit.”
“There were even rumors that the current patriarchs had a hand in the old demons’ retirement.”
Their conversation flowed endlessly. Even in a situation where they had to decide the fate of their entire clans—to pledge loyalty to Yeon So-hyeon or not—they couldn’t stop talking. The news brought by the two District Chiefs was simply that shocking.
“…”
But amidst the murmuring, there were those who remained silent.
[…If the old demons’ movements originated with the Grand Young Master,] the Acting Matriarch of the Seo Clan sent a sound transmission to her husband.
[Then there is no doubt that the highest officials of the Luoyang Central Government Office believe so,] he replied, nodding. […Which is why they backed down and even sent a letter of apology.]
After sending the message, the son-in-law’s expression hardened. He remembered his earlier conversation with Yeon So-hyeon. […As the Grand Young Master said, the mouth of the Yellow River may be changing its course.]
[You mean the tides of the era are shifting?]
He did not answer. She did not need one. They were both feeling the answer for themselves.
“…Hmph.”
“…Hmm.”
“The Emperor and the old demons…”
At some point, the chatter among the other patriarchs had dwindled. They, too, were beginning to feel it.