Chapter 196
I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 196.
The memorial service had concluded.
While the family members were busy cleaning up, Yoo Tae-rang quietly observed the scene.
Jeon Dae-kwon and Lee Gun-mo stood by his side, and he conversed with them.
“Young Master, are you serious?”
“To think of staging a rebellion while the family head is away—what on earth are you thinking…?”
“Hey, you! Keep your voice down!”
“It’s fine. No one will hear us anyway.”
Jeon Dae-kwon sharply rebuked Lee Gun-mo for his careless remark, worried someone might overhear.
But it was an unnecessary concern.
“I’ve already cast a Silence spell around us. No one will hear our conversation here.”
“O-oh, I see. But is there really a need to talk about this here…?”
“Wouldn’t a place like this draw less suspicion? With so many people around, no one would think we’re discussing something secretive.”
“Hmm…”
Jeon Dae-kwon slowly nodded.
“…Is Yoo Baek-jun really that dangerous of an opponent?” Lee Gun-mo cautiously asked.
Yoo Tae-rang frowned as if reluctant to answer but eventually spoke.
“Yes. If left alone, he could become an even more troublesome adversary than he is now.”
“So you plan to deal with him now. But isn’t a rebellion too extreme?”
“I’ve already thought through how to handle the aftermath. Just trust me and follow my lead.”
“……”
His words implied they should stop asking questions and silently obey his orders.
The two masters hesitated, and noticing this, Yoo Tae-rang’s gaze darkened.
“Are you saying you won’t join me?”
“N-no, that’s not it…”
“It’s just… we need more time to think…”
Yoo Tae-rang scoffed.
“The two of you have been with me for a long time. You’ve followed me since I was young and worked hard to make me the family head. Isn’t that right?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Then you should also know just how many dirty deeds you’ve committed along the way.”
“……!”
Jeon Dae-kwon was stunned.
“W-what are you implying?!”
“Are you threatening us?!”
“Of course not. How could I threaten those who’ve supported me for so long? I’m just reminding you to think carefully. If I don’t become the family head—”
The two masters gulped. Yoo Tae-rang continued, slowly and deliberately.
“Your misdeeds… will be exposed by Yoo Baek-jun. Given how poorly you two get along with him, it’s inevitable.”
“Then, if you become the family head…”
“What is there to worry about? If that happens, everything you’ve done will be seen as loyal acts to secure my position.”
His words promised to bury their past misdeeds.
Hearing this, Jeon Dae-kwon and Lee Gun-mo realized they had no choice.
Only one path remained for them.
“…What do you need us to do?”
“I’ve already prepared a route.”
Yoo Tae-rang turned his back to them.
“Use it to gather as many people as possible.”
Step, step.
Yoo Tae-rang walked away across the snow-covered field.
The two masters could only watch his retreating figure with deeply conflicted eyes.
* * *
For a while, Yoo Baek-jun enjoyed peaceful days.
At least, that’s how it appeared on the surface. Beneath the calm, he was tirelessly busy.
“Life… I wish it were easier.”
“You always say that, Young Master.”
“Yeah…”
Han Seong-ah, standing beside him, smiled wryly.
Yoo Baek-jun always moved as if chased by something, but after finishing his tasks, he’d slump down like a drained battery.
The problem was, he’d soon start looking for new work before the day was even over.
“If I become the family head, I’ll be even busier, won’t I?”
“Probably. It’s bound to be more hectic than just being the successor. You’ll be responsible for the entire family.”
“I guess so. Sigh…”
He could already see his future buried in paperwork.
To avoid that, he’d have to delegate as much as possible to those he trusted.
Like Han Seong-ah before him.
“…Young Master, why are you looking at me like that?”
“How am I looking at you?”
“Like you’re plotting something… as if I’m prey.”
“You’re imagining things.”
The position of Grandmaster would also be vacant. He needed people who could fill that position—those with skill and who could be trusted.
Yoo Baek-jun whistled as he picked up his phone.
“Bigtums, how’s the work going?”
The person on the other end was Bigtums, currently on the floating island.
He had entrusted him with certain tasks.
—Oh, yeah, yeah. The equipment? We’ve got a stockpile of gear made from black iron in the warehouse. Perfect timing for field testing.
“That’s great. We’ll be putting them through some rough use, but that shouldn’t be a problem, right?”
—Heh, of course. I’ll send them secretly through the route you mentioned.
Minimizing casualties among their forces was a priority.
The best way to do that was to equip them with top-tier gear. Yoo Baek-jun believed black iron gear was the answer.
Knock, knock.
“…….”
Just then, there was a knock at the door.
Han Seong-ah tensed, sensing an unfamiliar presence outside.
“Come in.”
The one who entered was a man clad in black.
His face was completely concealed, dressed in one of the Intelligence Division’s uniforms.
“Who are you?”
“An Song-hyuk of the Intelligence Division. I’ll be assisting you in place of Jeon Soo-yeon.”
“Hmm, where is Jeon Soo-yeon?”
“She’s preparing the trap you requested. To catch that red fox…”
“Good.”
Yoo Baek-jun used his Observer’s Eye to check An Song-hyuk’s status window.
Just in case.
Fortunately, nothing seemed amiss.
‘Jeon Soo-yeon has a good reputation and isn’t bad at judging people. I can trust her choice for now.’
Yoo Baek-jun held out his hand, and Han Seong-ah handed him a map.
He unfolded it and pointed to a specific location.
“Your task is simple.”
“Go to this location. There should be an Emission-type gate there—one that requires a sizable force to clear.”
“Understood, Young Master.”
“Retrieve proof that the gate has opened. I’ll assign Park Chan-kyung and Cheon Min-ju to assist you.”
“What should I do after retrieving it?”
Yoo Baek-jun answered nonchalantly.
“Report it to Yoo Tae-rang. Tell him the gate has opened.”
“To Yoo Tae-rang? Why…?”
“Why? Isn’t it obvious?”
He looked at An Song-hyuk, who seemed puzzled.
“By then, he’ll be acting family head.”
“……?”
The words made no sense to An Song-hyuk.
But he didn’t press further. If Yoo Baek-jun had a plan, he’d follow it without question.
“Leave it to me. I’ll return as quickly as possible.”
An Song-hyuk vanished.
Yoo Baek-jun leaned back deeply into his chair.
“Now, it’s almost time for Father to leave.”
Preparations for Yoo Tae-rang’s scheme had made time fly.
Yoo Baek-jun smiled faintly.
“…Let’s trust Grandmaster Ja-yeon’s acting skills.”
Once Yoo Moo-hak left the family, his plan would begin.
The signal for its start would come from Ja-yeon.
‘He must be desperate to kill me…’
Yoo Baek-jun pictured Yoo Tae-rang’s face—the cold visage of someone who hated him.
‘But in the end, I’ll be the one who survives.’
* * *
A week passed.
“Take care of the family in my absence.”
“Yes.”
Yoo Moo-hak left the family.
He didn’t disclose his destination but mentioned he’d be away for about a week.
In his absence, Ja-yeon would serve as acting family head—a natural choice given Yoo Moo-hak’s trust in her, and no one questioned it.
‘Why not me?’
Except for one person: Yoo Tae-rang.
This wasn’t the first time Yoo Moo-hak had left, nor was it the first time Ja-yeon had taken his place.
So there was no reason to be surprised or angry.
But Yoo Tae-rang, feeling his influence wane, grew increasingly anxious.
‘Does he not trust me?’
His frustration mounted with each passing day.
The crushing failure he’d experienced for the first time, coupled with growing criticism after the memorial service, weighed heavily on him.
“Young Master.”
Then, welcome news arrived.
“Grandmaster Ja-yeon has fallen ill.”
“What?”
The news that Ja-yeon was bedridden.
“She’s asking for you.”
For the first time in years, Yoo Tae-rang visited her residence—a modest home, much like her personality.
He’d frequented it as a child but stopped after she refused to teach him swordsmanship.
“…….”
He headed to her room.
The door creaked open, revealing her lying in bed with Joo Jung-won, the family pharmacist, by her side.
“Are you busy?”
“No, Young Master. I’ve just finished my examination. Shall I give you two some space?”
“That would be appreciated.”
Joo Jung-won bowed and left.
Only Ja-yeon and Yoo Tae-rang remained. She looked at him from her bed.
“Ah, you’ve come.”
“Ja-yeon, I heard you’re unwell.”
“Yes. Age spares no one. The old injuries ache, and the doctors say if I push myself, I might never hold a sword again…”
“Then who will act as family head in your place?”
After a long pause, Ja-yeon spoke.
“How about you take the role, Young Master?”
“…Me?”
“Yes.”
Yoo Tae-rang’s face twitched.
This sudden offer—how should he take it?
But…
‘Not bad.’
As acting family head, he’d wield power equal to the family head’s.
If used wisely…
‘I can eliminate Yoo Baek-jun and his faction. They’ll return exhausted, making it easier to finish them off.’
With Ja-yeon bedridden, the opportunity was perfect.
It felt like heaven itself was handing him a chance.
“Very well.”
So he didn’t refuse.
“Thank you, Young Master.”
He accepted the offer without hesitation.
Ja-yeon bowed her head in gratitude.
“No need. It’s my duty as the successor. Rest well and recover.”
“Yes, I will.”
Yoo Tae-rang turned away.
His mind raced, adjusting his plans on the spot.
A dark smile crept onto his lips.
‘Fortune favors me. Only a fool would let this slip.’
He clenched his fist.
‘This time, without fail… I’ll kill Yoo Baek-jun.’
As Yoo Tae-rang left, Ja-yeon watched his retreating figure.
Her eyes were filled with indescribable complexity.