Chapter 206
I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 206.
“Kuaaak!”
“Damn bastards!”
In the northern part of the family, the resistance forces were fighting against the rebels.
They were fighting desperately, but the number of enemies was overwhelming.
“The barricade! Hold the barricade!”
“If this falls, it’s over!”
Thanks to the barricade, they could hold on, but there would inevitably come a limit.
They couldn’t hold out like this forever.
“They’re toying with us.”
“Yeah, they’re not launching full-scale attacks but repeating light offensives, waiting for us to tire out.”
Moo-jang and Chang-yeon, leading the resistance, accurately grasped the current situation.
The enemies weren’t pushing recklessly.
They were waiting for the resistance to exhaust themselves, showing signs of biding their time for something.
“Still… we have to hold on.”
“Hmm, we must. If we just hold out, the family head will return. Then this situation can be resolved.”
Moo-jang and Chang-yeon desperately held their ground against the rebels’ attacks.
Their only hope was that the intelligence division would report the family’s turmoil to Yoo Moo-hak.
“Hold the barricade! Send the wounded to the rear for treatment! Once the bleeding stops, return to the defense immediately!”
“Just a little longer! Hold on a little longer!”
But that was their mistake.
First, Yoo Moo-hak had completely disappeared, so no matter what methods the intelligence division used, they couldn’t report to him.
Second, Yoo Tae-rang’s faction within the intelligence division had completely blocked the information, preventing any reports from being made.
“Keuhk!”
“Ugh… ugh…”
Thus, their desperate struggle was effectively meaningless.
They would flail helplessly until they collapsed, ultimately dying at the hands of the rebels.
That’s how it should have been.
—Waaaaah!
“What’s that?”
A sound was heard.
A battle cry from afar.
Moo-jang and Chang-yeon looked in the direction of the sound.
Soon after, the clashing of weapons accompanied the cries.
“Someone’s fighting.”
“But… who could it be?”
“It’s our young master.”
A voice from behind. Moo-jang and Chang-yeon swung their swords like lightning.
The man behind them stepped back as if he had anticipated it, raising both hands.
“Oof. Even though I knew it was coming, I still got hurt… spare me, please.”
“Who are you?”
Blood dripped from his body.
Even though he had predicted the attack and dodged quickly, he couldn’t avoid it entirely.
The man smiled awkwardly.
“An Song-hyuk from the intelligence division.”
“Why is one of those snakes here? Didn’t you all side with Yoo Tae-rang?”
“Section Chief Lee Ja-yae and Yoo Tae-rang’s faction tried to take over the intelligence division.”
“…Tried?”
It was a strange choice of words.
Because it was in the past tense.
“Lee Ja-yae is dead. The young master personally dealt with her yesterday, and the intelligence officers who followed her were also killed.”
“……!”
An Song-hyuk’s next words explained the meaning behind his peculiar phrasing.
“Yoo Baek-jun had already anticipated this situation. He prepared troops in advance.”
“That sound must be from those troops. We thought they were enemies.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
Moo-jang’s expression brightened.
They had thought they were cornered with no way out, but a lifeline had appeared.
And then—
Kang! Chang!
Noise from the rear.
Behind the resistance, outside the family grounds.
The sound of blades clashing.
“Is this sound also from our allies?”
“No, this is the enemy.”
“The enemy?!”
Chang-yeon frowned.
Now he understood why the rebels had been stalling for time.
They had reinforcements coming from the rear.
“Quickly, we need to deploy troops—”
“It’s fine.”
An Song-hyuk stopped them.
“The entire intelligence division has mobilized. Don’t worry about the rear.”
“Then our task is simple.”
Moo-jang and Chang-yeon quickly realized what they had to do.
They drew their swords.
“Draw your swords! We’ll eliminate the traitors before the family head returns!”
“Lower the barricade!”
The barricade descended.
Moo-jang and Chang-yeon stood at the forefront of the resistance, facing the enemies head-on.
An Song-hyuk, watching them, smiled.
“So far, everything is going as the young master planned.”
He raised his head.
Beyond, outside the family grounds, a blizzard raged.
“Now, all that’s left is to stop the Black Shadows.”
***
Perhaps it was because Yoo Baek-jun had summoned the frost fairies, but a blizzard was raging over Seoraksan.
Most likely, the summoned fairies had taken a liking to the environment and were now playing around.
“…….”
“…….”
Thanks to that, the snow piled up thickly, making it even harder to see ahead.
Jeon Soo-yeon and her subordinates were hiding, making full use of the environment.
“Ugh… huu…”
Jeon Soo-yeon’s face was pale. She stared at the raging blizzard with wide eyes.
Beside her, Min Yi-jae remained calm as ever, but his face was also pale.
“Th-the young master… there’s something he always says, like a catchphrase.”
“…What is it?”
“He says he wants to live life effortlessly…”
Brrr!
Jeon Soo-yeon shivered.
“S-seeing this scenery, his words suddenly came to mind.”
“…Hmm.”
Min Yi-jae nodded slightly.
Silence fell between them again. Jeon Soo-yeon, who had been watching the front, found the quiet awkward and tried to continue the conversation.
“W-well, I don’t think we’ve ever been this busy before.”
“…I agree. That bastard Yoo Baek-jun first lured me with sweet words. After signing the contract, he made me work like this.”
Min Yi-jae smirked.
But he didn’t dislike it. He owed him a great debt, but even without that—
“Watching him run around tirelessly every day… I couldn’t bring myself to say no.”
“Right?”
“Well, it’s not like we’re doing anything bad, either.”
Busan, Seoul.
Both would have suffered great damage if not for Yoo Baek-jun’s arrangements.
He took the lead, moving busily, and the tasks he assigned were ultimately for good causes, so they couldn’t refuse.
Nor did they want to.
“And there’s even a promotion…”
“…What?”
“N-no, it’s nothing.”
Jeon Soo-yeon grinned.
She was about to say more, but Min Yi-jae cut her off.
“They’re coming.”
“……!”
Jeon Soo-yeon signaled to the intelligence division members waiting nearby.
In the distance, through the blizzard, a group of people approached.
“Are those…”
“The Black Shadows.”
The Black Shadows.
True to their name, they wore pitch-black robes covering their entire bodies.
Hundreds of enemies were approaching.
“It seems the subordinates and executives of the Black Shadows are coming personally. This won’t be easy…”
“…Yeah.”
Jeon Soo-yeon nodded.
The intelligence division chief had given her the authority to command the division.
This situation was an opportunity to test her readiness to become the next chief.
“Our task is simple. Buy time… Absolutely don’t push yourselves. If it gets dangerous, fall back immediately.”
Jeon Soo-yeon gave the signal.
The enemies drew closer.
“…Let’s begin.”
As soon as she spoke, traps hidden beneath the snow activated.
Traps ensnaring the enemies.
Jeon Soo-yeon and the intelligence division charged at the enemies, swords drawn.
***
Meanwhile, in the family’s main residence.
Yoo Tae-rang was in the main building.
The mansion where his father, Yoo Moo-hak, had stayed and managed the family’s affairs.
Specifically, in the family head’s room.
“This is Father’s room…”
Yoo Tae-rang looked around.
It wasn’t his first time here.
He had been summoned countless times by Yoo Moo-hak.
But.
“Is this the family head’s view?”
Standing at the head of the room was a first for him.
Yoo Moo-hak had always stood by the window, receiving reports.
Yoo Tae-rang stood alone by the window now.
“…….”
And looked outside.
Just as Yoo Moo-hak had done.
—Beautiful scenery, isn’t it?
A voice echoed.
A gloomy, ominous voice.
—This is the sight you’ve longed for, isn’t it? You’ve always wanted to become the family head.
In the corner of the room.
Where the light didn’t reach, in the pitch-black darkness, the Sword Demon revealed itself.
—Engrave this sight in your mind. You will become the family head, and from now on, you’ll see this every day.
“The sight I’ll see every day…”
A smile formed on Yoo Tae-rang’s lips.
—How about it? Now that you’re the family head, don’t you want to reshape this family to your liking?
“Reshape it?”
—Yes, kill those who annoyed you and turn this family into a place solely for you.
“That’s…”
—From now on, you’re the family head. No one will dare oppose you.
The Sword Demon whispered insidiously.
—Think of it as a reward. A reward for your long efforts…
“…A reward.”
The Sword Demon had been appearing frequently lately.
When Yoo Tae-rang’s mind was firm, the Sword Demon didn’t show itself.
Its frequent appearances now were proof that Yoo Tae-rang’s mental state was unstable.
“You’re right.”
Thus, even words he would have normally denied—
“If I become the family head… I’ll dye this family in my colors.”
Madness flickered in his eyes.
The Sword Demon, watching him, smiled in satisfaction and retreated.
—You said you wanted to become the family head. You asked me for power. I granted your wish and gave you immense power.
The Sword Demon whispered, but Yoo Tae-rang, lost in his own thoughts, didn’t hear.
—Everything comes with a price. Do you know the cost of the power you wield? Yoo Tae-rang.
Slowly, the Sword Demon’s form faded away.
“Young master.”
As the Sword Demon vanished completely, the door behind it opened.
Ha Yeon-jeong entered.
“The resistance is almost dealt with. The suppression in the north is nearly complete. Once we handle Moo-jang and Chang-yeon, the remaining enemies will lose their will to fight and surrender.”
“…….”
Yoo Tae-rang looked at her with an expression devoid of emotion.
“Is something wrong?”
“…No, it’s nothing.”
He shook his head.
“Do you want me to step in?”
“Yes. It would be best if you personally handled the finale.”
“Not a bad idea.”
Just then, cheers erupted outside. The sound of victorious shouts.
“It seems we’ve won a great battle.”
“Hmm.”
Ha Yeon-jeong smiled faintly.
She assumed their allies outside had achieved a major victory.
Yoo Tae-rang thought the same and looked out the window.
“……!”
His eyes widened to their limits.
“This is…”
What he saw was completely different from what they had expected.
Enemies had appeared throughout the family grounds, and their allies were being slaughtered.
Yoo Min, Yoo Jung-yeon, Cheon Jong-won, and the resistance were launching a counterattack.
Yoo Tae-rang gasped.
“Ha Yeon-jeong!”
“Y-yes! Right away!”
She tried to rush outside to assess the situation.
But before she could—
—Kyaaaaah!
The roar of a fierce beast.
Yoo Tae-rang turned toward the sound.
There, standing—
“Y-Yoo Tae-rang! It’s dangerous!”
“Kuhk?!”
A massive dragon, roaring furiously.
The Thunder Dragon, its maw wide open, lunged at the mansion where Yoo Tae-rang was staying.
The upper part of the mansion, the room Yoo Tae-rang was in, was swallowed whole by the dragon in one bite.
Grrrrumble!
The building shook violently.
In an instant, the ceiling was torn away, and debris scattered everywhere.
The lightning scattered by the dragon set the mansion ablaze, causing a fierce fire.
—Aaaargh!
—F-fire… ugh!
Those caught in the aftermath screamed in agony.
Some were engulfed in lightning and their bodies burned, while others were trapped in the collapse.
The once-peaceful family grounds had turned into chaos in an instant.
‘I need to get out.’
As Yoo Tae-rang hurried to escape the mansion—
Someone burst into the room.
He raised his hand high.
—Kyaaaaah!
The Thunder Dragon, which had pierced through the mansion and flown far away, returned.
Back to its master’s grasp.
“Yoo Baek-jun!”
To Yoo Baek-jun.
He swung the returned Thunder Spear fiercely and looked at Yoo Tae-rang.
A savage grin spread across his face.
“I’m here, you bastard.”
Grind!
Yoo Tae-rang gritted his teeth.