Chapter 104
Chapter 104
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 104
Chapter Title: Part 4: Chess Power
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The office, designed to allow only the bare minimum of natural light, was astonishingly neat and orderly.
Not a single painting hung on the walls, no luxurious crafts adorned the space, not even silk for decoration.
It was an utterly practical and businesslike room, so empty that it offered no clues whatsoever about the temperament of its owner.
Yeom Baekha bit her pale lips.
'No, perhaps this very scene reflects the owner's state of mind:'
Black marble imported from Yunnan covered the entire floor, exuding an oppressive presence. The pillars were whole trunks of precious black ironwood, and the massive, heavy desk was crafted from a single piece of ancient cypress wood, lacquered to perfection, its age impossible to guess.
'Profound dignity, unmistakably present amid extreme restraint.'
As her sharp eyes probed the intent behind the room's furnishings, Elder Yeom greeted Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon with utmost courtesy.
"The elder of the main house, Yeom Mo, pays his respects to the Eldest Young Master."
Yeom Baekha, careful to steady the tremor in her voice, sought his permission as well.
"The enforcer of the main house and daughter of Yeom Mo pays her respects to the Eldest Young Master. As my body is unwell and I cannot fully observe the proprieties, I beg your compassion and forgiveness."
"I understand completely. No need to mind at all."
Yeon So-hyeon smiled faintly and extended his hand, gesturing to the chairs prepared for the Yeom father and daughter.
"Please, this way."
He rose from his seat to greet them, yet did not step forward eagerly. Without a single fold of his robe disturbed, he simply spread his hand in guidance.
Even as he did so, his spine remained perfectly straight.
Every motion was elegantly measured, infused with disciplined dignity. It clearly revealed his noble lineage, along with the refinement and rigorous education befitting it.
'He's a completely different person from back then.'
In that moment, Yeom Baekha realized it.
The boy physician in plain clothes she had met in Walnut Village was entirely different from the man before her now.
The figure standing before her and her father was none other than the 'Eldest Young Master' of the great Luoyang Sword Clan, Yeon So-hyeon.
* * *
The conversation proceeded smoothly.
Elder Yeom congratulated the Eldest Young Master on the end of his seclusion.
The Eldest Young Master received the prepared gift with joy, expressing his gratitude, and Elder Yeom offered prayers for his health and achievements.
Though sensitive or overt topics lurked everywhere, the two deftly avoided them.
The talk remained strictly at a sociable level, smoothed over with diplomatic phrasing where necessary.
It was far more cordial than Yeom Baekha had anticipated.
She rejoiced inwardly while attentively listening to every word exchanged.
This experience was invaluable, irreplaceable—and when she succeeded her father as head of the Yeom family, it would surely shine brightly.
"By the way, how fares your work, Elder Yeom?"
The Eldest Young Master savored the aroma of the tea prepared by a maidservant, his demeanor impeccable as he gently steered the conversation.
"I hear you're handling a most important mission related to the North?"
Elder Yeom sipped his tea casually in response.
"If it were a private matter, I might dismiss it as trivial, but as it's the main house's business, I approach every task as vital."
"I've heard there are difficulties?"
"Every endeavor brings issues great and small, regardless of importance. I simply give it my all."
The Eldest Young Master nodded with concise sincerity.
"Truly admirable. With figures like you, Elder Yeom, the main house's future is indeed bright."
"I am unworthy."
Perhaps such words were premature from an Eldest Young Master who held no real power yet.
But with fitting poise, Elder Yeom brushed it off gracefully.
The Eldest Young Master pressed further.
"Why not share the details of this mission? Though I lack influence, I'm curious about any troubles concerning the North and our house."
Elder Yeom's hand paused as he set down his teacup.
Yet the mission itself wasn't classified, and the Eldest Young Master could easily learn of it if he wished. So he explained as naturally as possible.
Leaning forward slightly, the Eldest Young Master nodded along, interjecting affirmations as Elder Yeom spoke.
"I see. In summary, it's a mission to secure the contracts for repairing the fortresses and gates requiring major work after the Northern War."
"Precisely."
The Eldest Young Master nodded more slowly and continued.
"But you're facing obstacles between General Guo Rui, who holds final say on contractor selection, and the Northern Autonomous District's Governor, the administrative head of the region?"
Elder Yeom smiled bitterly and bowed his head.
"Indeed."
"The capital has deferred decisions to the field?"
"They're men of such influence that we can't afford to slight them..."
"A thorny issue."
"I shall simply do my utmost."
Yeom Baekha sighed deeply to herself.
In truth, the problem ran far deeper and more complex than the conversation revealed.
The rift between the general's and governor's houses—already strained—had turned into bitter enmity amid this war.
Any attempt to bridge them was tantamount to carrying planks into a fire.
Choosing sides was impossible.
Even with one side's approval, the affronted opposition would block the projects indefinitely.
Moreover, before these powerhouses' rivalry, titles like 'Hero of the Northern War' or 'Elder of the Luoyang Sword Clan' held little sway.
"This must be troubling for you."
Elder Yeom tried to deflect smoothly once more.
"I have allies among the elders cooperating with me, so good news should come soon. Rather than that..."
But Yeon So-hyeon showed no intent to end the topic.
"If this isn't resolved, you'll be in a bind, won't you?"
Elder Yeom was too shrewd to blurt out, 'Do you have wisdom to offer?'
"Haha. If so, it would be my own misfortune. This time, I'll offer generous luck money and hold a grand ritual."
He tried to pivot with humor, but unusually, the Eldest Young Master persisted.
"Failure here would cast serious doubt on your political acumen as an elder. Other factions must already be harping on it..."
Elder Yeom ceased attempts to change the subject and simply gazed at the Eldest Young Master.
The Eldest Young Master ignored the stare and continued calmly.
"Even within our faction, your position would waver. Unlike others, the neutrals prioritize results over pretexts."
The Eldest Young Master smiled subtly, ambiguously.
That chilling smile sent shivers down Yeom Baekha's spine.
It was the first raw, unfiltered expression the Eldest Young Master had revealed.
"You defeated the Sword Lord of Mount Hua, earning an unprecedented promotion to elder, and your merits in the Northern War were exemplary."
The Eldest Young Master toyed with his teacup with long fingers, reciting like a poem.
"But the war's significance has faded, its glories dimmed. Without chances to shine as a 'war advisor,' a dragon confined to Luoyang now entangled in political and diplomatic quagmires, teetering on the edge..."
Elder Yeom's thick brows twitched.
"What are you driving at, Eldest Young Master?"
His voice was low, menacing.
The gentle atmosphere had ended.
Yeom Baekha forgot even to swallow.
Though no auras clashed, the room felt more perilous than blades crossing.
After a moment facing Elder Yeom's heavy expression, the Eldest Young Master spoke.
"I'll help you."
"What..."
Elder Yeom started to respond, then swallowed his words.
Nothing suggested it was safe to reply hastily.
Yeom Baekha's mind raced, sparks flying.
"I'll help."
The Eldest Young Master pointed a long, straight finger at himself.
"I, the Eldest Young Master..."
Then at Elder Yeom.
"Will aid you."
Only after a long pause could Elder Yeom move his parched lips.
"...What do you desire in return, Eldest Young Master?"
But the Eldest Young Master answered without hesitation.
"No price needed."
He leaned back in his chair, interlocking his fingers.
"You, Elder Yeom, are the first among the house elders to personally congratulate me on ending my seclusion."
A long curve drew across the Eldest Young Master's lips.
"Consider it my humble token of gratitude."
Stunned by the unforeseen reply, Elder Yeom sought to buy time.
"That's too generous..."
But the Eldest Young Master ignored him, calling out toward the door.
"Is anyone there?!"
A maidservant appeared at once.
"Bring the roster from the Yuanjue Pavilion waiting area."
"As you command."
"Eldest Young Master..."
Elder Yeom tried to interject, but the Eldest Young Master pulled the writing implements on the desk and began scribbling without pause.
"General Guo Rui is the eldest son of the Guo family, overseeing defenses in four Northern districts. An unusually prominent riser in his clan."
The Eldest Young Master displayed marvelous skill, writing and speaking simultaneously.
"However, the Guo family head—his father—still lives. He once developed the Northern Autonomous District's plains, deemed impossible by all, basked in the previous emperor's favor, and retired from the capital's political scene as a titan."
Elder Yeom replied dazedly.
"I know that. But..."
The Eldest Young Master cut in.
"But you're about to say he vowed never to meddle in family affairs after retiring, to secure his successor son's position?"
"Y-Yes."
Yeon So-hyeon smiled, stamping his seal on the completed letter.
"But if he receives my letter, it's different."
Yeom Baekha unwittingly joined in.
"Your letter, Eldest Young Master?"
Though she had intruded where she shouldn't, he answered without minding.
"When his reclamation project stalled long ago, he exchanged many letters with me for a comprehensive, systematic development of the Northern Great Plains. Productive, splendid times."
"Pardon...?"
The father and daughter gaped, calculating the Eldest Young Master's age then.
"He's as stubborn as he is faithful, never one to betray a favor. With a touch of tact, he'll surely grant a mere civil engineering request."
Before finishing, the Eldest Young Master started a second letter.
Elder Yeom couldn't hold back.
"And the Governor?"
"Even simpler."
The Eldest Young Master wielded his brush.
"His young concubine, who monopolizes his affections, will sway him."
"What relation do you have with that young concubine...?"
He chuckled.
"We met once as children over a brief affair, and even now, she sends me love letters. I reply with drawings each time."
Finishing the text, he added an orchid and a pair of butterflies in the corner.
In an instant, a masterpiece was born.
"She'll persuade the Governor just to prove her worth to me."
The Eldest Young Master placed his hands over the two letters and looked at Elder Yeom.
"Well?"
He asked with a deep smile.
"Do you want these letters?