Chapter 89
I Became the Successor of the Martial God
Chapter 89.
Yoo Tae-rang's report could not continue and ended there.
Originally, after this report, a celebratory banquet to welcome him would have been held.
But that, too, was canceled.
“What should we do with this corpse...?”
"Throw it into the snowfields and let the beasts feed on it. We can't bury a traitor in the family cemetery."
"Understood."
The instructors cleared away Shin Woo-hyun's corpse, and the servants cleaned up the dirtied conference hall.
The others, seemingly unable to shake off the shock from moments ago, left while whispering among themselves.
The only one left was Yoo Baek-jun.
"Hmm."
He watched as the people cleared the body and tidied the conference hall.
His expression was blank, making it impossible to discern what he was thinking.
[Yoo Tae-rang]
Strength: S
Agility: S
Stamina: S
Magic Power: B+
[Unique Ability: Sword Demon (S)]
[Traits: Sword Mastery (S-), Superhuman Physique (A+), Sword Prodigy (A), Combat Instinct (A), Ruthless Charisma (A), ……]
In truth, Yoo Baek-jun was looking at Yoo Tae-rang’s status window. He had used the Observer’s Gaze to read it when they had faced each other earlier.
‘A monster-like bastard.’
Yoo Baek-jun clicked his tongue.
His stats were S-rank, and most of his traits were A-rank.
Considering that his own stats were currently A-rank and his traits were still incomplete,
The gap was overwhelmingly vast.
‘You throw a guy like that into the game’s early stages?’
Moreover, Yoo Tae-rang grows stronger.
As Yoo Baek-jun’s character grows, so does he, meaning the gap between them will only widen with time.
‘I have to kill him.’
A sigh escaped him involuntarily.
"...Yoo Baek-jun."
Someone approached him then.
It was Yoo Jung-yeon.
"Sister."
"What do you know?"
"......"
Yoo Baek-jun turned to look at her.
Their eyes met. Without saying a word, he stepped forward.
His shoulder brushed against Yoo Jung-yeon.
"If you want to know, come here."
At that moment, their hands touched, and Yoo Baek-jun passed her a note with something written on it.
"Without anyone knowing."
Yoo Baek-jun left the conference hall.
Yoo Jung-yeon watched his retreating figure, biting her lip.
* * *
Late at night, Yoo Jung-yeon left her mansion unnoticed and headed to another.
Her destination was Yoo Jong-min’s mansion.
Now, it was a place where no one lived anymore.
"Why here...?"
Only bitter memories remained.
The contrast between how the mansion looked when Yoo Jong-min was alive and its current desolate state made it feel even more sorrowful.
Yoo Jung-yeon descended to the basement.
"No one’s here."
Yoo Baek-jun had told her to wait here.
She let out a sigh and was about to sit on a nearby crate when—
Thud!
"...?!"
With a loud noise, the floor lifted.
Yoo Jung-yeon drew her sword like lightning, aiming at the source of the sound. Soon, the floor fully opened, and a man emerged from beneath.
It was Yoo Baek-jun.
"You—why were you down there...?"
"Surprise?"
"What kind of nonsense is that?"
He climbed up nonchalantly and sat on a crate opposite her.
His body was covered in dust.
"Phew, what kind of dust is this? It’s been decades since anyone used it, so the inside’s a mess."
"Inside? You mean under the floor?"
"Yes. Ah... The Sword Saint family has emergency passageways built underground. I used one to get here."
"Why?"
"Why? Because there are too many eyes watching me now, so I had to come secretly."
The secret passages connected each mansion and led outside.
Only a handful in the family knew about them, making them perfect for covert movement.
"So that’s how it is."
Yoo Jung-yeon seemed to be hearing about it for the first time.
For a moment, she wondered why Yoo Baek-jun knew about a passage even she didn’t—but now wasn’t the time for that.
"What do you know?"
Silence fell between them.
For years, Yoo Jung-yeon had sought the truth behind her younger brother Yoo Jong-min’s death.
His death had been far too sudden and suspicious.
But she had found nothing.
‘Brother Yoo Tae-rang...’
Yoo Jung-yeon bit her lip.
Shin Woo-hyun had testified that Yoo Tae-rang had tried to kill Yoo Baek-jun. Yoo Baek-jun had dismissed it as a plot by someone trying to stir up trouble, but
she couldn’t shake the feeling that wasn’t his true belief.
‘If... if Brother Yoo Tae-rang really did try to kill Yoo Baek-jun, then...’
He wouldn’t stop at just one sibling.
Perhaps she could finally uncover the truth she had been searching for all these years.
That thought crossed her mind.
"What do you want to know?"
"You know what I want to know."
Yoo Baek-jun smirked.
"Was everything Shin Woo-hyun said true? That Yoo Tae-rang ordered you killed?"
"I told you, it’s someone’s scheme."
"You expect me to believe that?"
"Why wouldn’t you?"
"......"
Yoo Jung-yeon fell silent.
Yoo Baek-jun stared at her intently.
"Maybe you’re doubting him yourself, aren’t you? Brother Yoo Tae-rang."
"What are you talking about?"
"Isn’t it true? Brother Yoo Jong-min’s death was far too sudden. Do you remember?"
"How could I forget?"
Yoo Jong-min’s death had unfolded like this:
While on patrol with his closest aides, he discovered a gate and went to assess the situation, only to vanish without a trace.
Later, his body was found, and the surviving aide who had accompanied him reported what happened.
"It was an Emission-type gate. They went to assess the situation but encountered a horde of monsters and couldn’t escape, resulting in their deaths."
"Sixteen went in, but only two made it back alive. I remember it vividly."
"Doesn’t that seem suspicious? That Yoo Jong-min couldn’t escape and died?"
"......"
Yoo Jong-min’s unique ability was related to speed. He was famous for his swift swordsmanship.
And yet, he couldn’t evade monsters and died?
The aide who had reported the situation claimed Yoo Jong-min had died protecting them.
But,
"Look at me, Sister."
Yoo Baek-jun pointed at himself.
"Shin Woo-hyun was my closest aide, having taught me since childhood. Even someone like that betrayed me. Do you think Yoo Jong-min was any different?"
"So you’re saying his aide betrayed him?"
"Who would know if he lied when he’s the only one who saw what happened?"
Yoo Jung-yeon exhaled deeply.
"Interesting story. But you know this, right? It’s all just speculation."
"True."
"If what you’re saying is correct, why haven’t you openly accused Yoo Tae-rang? You’re acting differently now than you did in the conference hall... You suspect him, don’t you? Am I wrong?"
"Yes, you’re right."
Yoo Baek-jun admitted with a smile.
His candidness left Yoo Jung-yeon momentarily stunned.
"There’s no evidence, Sister."
"Evidence..."
"As you said, it’s all speculation. Do you think someone like him would fall just because of that?"
"No, he wouldn’t."
"Exactly. If anything, I’d be the one in danger."
Yoo Baek-jun reached into subspace and pulled out a thick stack of documents filled with papers.
He handed them to Yoo Jung-yeon.
"Take it."
"What’s this?"
"Clues obtained from interrogating—ahem, questioning Shin Woo-hyun. Things related to Yoo Tae-rang, and—"
Yoo Jung-yeon opened the file.
As he said, there were various clues: how Yoo Tae-rang had persuaded Shin Woo-hyun, what Shin Woo-hyun had done under his orders,and the tasks Yoo Tae-rang had assigned him.
"There’s also information related to Yoo Jong-min."
"Jong-min...?"
Yoo Jung-yeon’s expression changed.
"Under Young Master Yoo Tae-rang’s orders, I made contact with an organization called the Black Shadow. I knew nothing—just delivered what he told me to."
"......"
"But the timing was quite impeccable. It was right before Yoo Jong-min’s death."
"You’re not saying..."
Yoo Baek-jun nodded.
"It’s highly likely Yoo Jong-min walked into a trap."
"And Yoo Tae-rang set it?"
"It’s still just speculation, but..."
Yoo Jung-yeon took a deep breath.
She seemed to be trying to calm her shock at the sudden revelation.
But it wasn’t easy.
"Wait, then... does that mean Yoo Ri-an and Yoo Soo-kyung also died by Yoo Tae-rang’s hand?"
"Hard to say. But, well."
Yoo Baek-jun shrugged.
"The probability isn’t low, is it?"
"......"
Yoo Jung-yeon staggered.
She had thought they all died in unfortunate accidents. But if Yoo Tae-rang was behind it...
She was in danger. So was Yoo Baek-jun in front of her, and even Yoo Min, who had no interest in the family head position.
Perhaps even Yoo Kang-ho.
"How? They’re siblings... why?"
Yoo Jung-yeon shook her head.
Yoo Baek-jun looked at her as if puzzled.
"Sister, I’m more surprised that you’re surprised by what I’ve said."
"What?"
"What kind of family is the Sword Saint family? What values does it prioritize above all else?"
"The strong devour the weak, survival of the fittest..."
Yoo Jung-yeon let out a bitter laugh.
"Think about it. Do you really think this didn’t happen in the generations before ours?"
Yoo Baek-jun leaned close to her ear.
"Do you think our father was any different?"
"......!"
He lightly patted her shoulder.
"Investigate the clues I’ve given you. Preferably alone. Don’t even trust your closest aides."
"...You think even my aides could betray me?"
"Yes."
"Fine. You’ve given me too much to process, but... it’s not bad."
Yoo Jung-yeon ran a hand through her hair.
That’s right—it wasn’t bad. Why had she wanted the family head position in the first place?
To uncover the truth behind her beloved brother’s death. As the family head, she could use her authority to gather information more easily.
‘I finally have a lead.’
Yoo Jung-yeon carefully stored the clues Yoo Baek-jun had given her and stood up.
"Leaving already?"
"There’s nothing more to say."
"I suppose not."
"Still, thank you. I don’t know if this is true yet, so it might be premature... but let’s meet again after I’ve looked into it."
Yoo Jung-yeon thanked Yoo Baek-jun and turned to leave the basement.
But then, as if suddenly remembering something, she turned back.
"Still, you wouldn’t give me this information for free. What do you want from me?"
Yoo Jung-yeon looked back at him.
"Yoo Baek-jun. What are you after?"
"An obvious question, Sister."
Yoo Baek-jun smiled as he answered.
"I want the family head position."
"You? Over Yoo Tae-rang? Do you really think that’s possible?"
"My instructors used to say I had no talent for martial arts."
That’s how it had been.
His body was the worst for learning martial arts. No trace of talent could be found in him.
"Look at me now. Who would say I have no talent?"
"So the family head position is the same?"
"It’s not impossible."
His words were audacious.
But considering Yoo Baek-jun’s achievements over the past two months and his role in the recent incident,
His claim felt almost natural.
"Interesting. I’ll root for you, then."
Yoo Jung-yeon said her farewells and left.
The basement fell silent once more.
‘Of course you should. Otherwise, both you and I are doomed to die.’
Yoo Baek-jun smiled bitterly and descended back the basement.