The Fisherman's Profit
Members of the Supreme Operations Committee must never reveal their own identities, nor allow anyone else to discover them.
How, then, were official announcements and directives to be issued?
Would someone not simply appropriate the name of the Supreme Operations Committee and sow chaos?
That was why the Supreme Operations Committee possessed the Administrative Pavilion.
And the highest authority of that Administrative Pavilion was the Administrative Pavilion Master.
In other words, he was the proxy of the Supreme Operations Committee.
Word arrived that the proxy of the Supreme Operations Committee—the Administrative Pavilion Master—had come to visit the Third Young Master's encampment.
What announcement would there be? What orders would the Supreme Operations Committee issue?
Silence settled over the tent that moments earlier had seemed ready to burst with Elder Yeom and the entire command staff of the Third Young Master's side.
"......"
Watching them choke on that anxious, uncomfortable silence, Yeon So-hyeon let out a bright, unrestrained laugh.
"I wonder where all that earlier fire went. Why is everyone so tense?"
"......"
Some shot Yeon So-hyeon sideways glances; others glared with open hostility. A few kept issuing sound-transmission orders to subordinates outside, desperate to grasp the situation. Others were so busy turning thoughts over in their heads that they seemed not to have heard him at all.
"......"
Faced with a command that maintained its silence even under his blatant mockery, Yeon So-hyeon did not bother holding back. He chuckled, soft and continuous.
The faces of the Third Young Master's men flushed crimson; veins stood out on their foreheads.
As expected, the Young Master's personality is…
Elder Yeom shook his head inwardly at the sight. Among all the people he knew, no one toyed with an opponent already caught in the palm of his hand quite like Yeon So-hyeon.
Still.
He looked at the command staff that had hounded him for nearly an entire day and smiled to himself.
It feels good.
Elder Yeom was a man of legend, yet mismatched timing and place had left him with little connection to Yeon So-hyeon's father, the Grand Family Head. While rising by his own strength and earning recognition, he had never once received protection or aid from anyone.
Sword Peak Mountain Breaker.
Perhaps that name was the natural result of a man with nowhere to lean, standing tall of his own will until he himself became a mountain range.
And so he finally understood the sensation he had been feeling.
I was taking comfort in the Young Master's presence…
The realization drew a hollow inner laugh from him.
No more endless northern missions grinding him down. No more constant fretting to protect his standing within the Council of Elders. No more facing powerholders who clustered together like the Second and Third Young Masters' factions. No more daydreams of returning to the North to live as a simple warrior amid battle and tension.
At some point, all of it had vanished.
So that's how it is.
He looked at the boy sitting at the desk, eyes bright with interest, already anticipating whatever would unfold next. He looked at the reliable presence who casually disposed of every matter that had once weighed on him.
If he himself was the Sword Peak—a mountain range forged of blades—then that boy, First Young Master Yeon So-hyeon, was without question the vast earth that supported the entire range.
That person is…
A smile formed unbidden on the face of Sword Peak Mountain Breaker Yeom Gwak-chu.
My lord.
And so, when the proxy of the Supreme Operations Committee appeared leading his subordinates, Yeom Gwak-chu was the first to speak.
"The Administrative Pavilion Master of the Supreme Operations Committee's Administrative Pavilion has arrived."
His shoulders—broad as a mountain range—straightened, and his booming voice rolled through the tent as if it might tear the canvas free.
"The First Young Master of the main family is present. Therefore the Administrative Pavilion Master will first offer his greetings to the First Young Master."
Everyone stepped aside left and right.
Upon discovering Yeon So-hyeon perched on the desk, the Administrative Pavilion Master and his subordinates dropped to one knee together and clasped their hands.
"Administrative Pavilion Master Hwang greets the First Young Master of the main family."
"We greet the First Young Master of the main family!"
The greeting was impeccably formal, without a single point of fault. The personnel of the Administrative Pavilion bowed their heads a full level deeper than their master.
"......"
At that sight the command staff of the Third Young Master's encampment realized once more:
"......"
The boy who had been mocking them moments earlier—the boy they had glared at, the boy they had pressed—was the undisputed First Young Master of the Luoyang Sword Family.
First Young Master Yeon So-hyeon answered.
"A pleasure, Administrative Pavilion Master. I am First Young Master Yeon So-hyeon."
He gestured with easy leisure, and the Administrative Pavilion Master and his men carefully rose.
Still perched on the desk, Yeon So-hyeon regarded them.
"I have merely come for a brief observation. Pay me no mind and attend to your duty."
"Thank you, First Young Master."
The white-bearded Administrative Pavilion Master bowed in gratitude and unrolled the scroll he had brought.
"In accordance with the authority granted by the Sword Family Codex, I shall convey the orders of the main family's Supreme Operations Committee."
A man stepped forward one pace from behind him.
"Therefore let all present show proper respect, observe the Sword Family Codex, submit to the authority of the Supreme Operations Committee, and demonstrate loyalty to the main family."
Every person filling the tent dropped to one knee in unison.
"......"
The sole exception was First Young Master Yeon So-hyeon, still dangling one leg and making no move to rise.
"Ahem."
Perhaps he had received some prior hint. The Administrative Pavilion Master's eyes met Yeon So-hyeon's for a brief moment, yet he paid it no further attention. He cleared his throat, steadied his voice, and continued.
"I convey the decision of the Supreme Operations Committee."
Had it been left to Yeon So-hyeon's taste, he would have drawn the moment out for effect. But the Administrative Pavilion Master was a man faithful and loyal to the duty assigned him.
"His Majesty the Emperor's loyal servant, the Governor of Luoyang, has taken responsibility for the recent unrest and resigned. He has further ordered that the crimes of the unenlightened and unpitied commoners be reduced, and that they be sentenced to permanent labor service."
"......!"
The Governor of Luoyang? Why bring him up now?
The man was said to be bedridden at home with illness. Why was his name suddenly appearing here?
Labor service…?!
Just how are events progressing…?!
The pupils of the Third Young Master's men shook as though an earthquake had struck.
"Thus the Supreme Operations Committee of the Luoyang Sword Family, as subjects of the Empire, must also obey the orders of the Governor of Luoyang, who executes the will of His Majesty the Emperor."
What is this nonsense?!
The main family's Supreme Operations Committee is taking its cue from a mere Governor of Luoyang?!
In name the reasoning is correct, but…
Without so much as a glance at them, the Administrative Pavilion Master pressed on.
"Acknowledging the main family's failure to properly care for the people, and in accordance with the Governor of Luoyang's order, the guidance and responsibility for them henceforth…"
His gaze turned to Yeon So-hyeon.
Every head that had lifted to make sense of the situation followed that gaze.
Looking straight at Yeon So-hyeon, the Administrative Pavilion Master finished:
"…are completely entrusted to the First Young Master of the main family, Yeon So-hyeon."
Yeon So-hyeon answered at once.
"I, First Young Master Yeon So-hyeon, have clearly received the entrustment of authority."
The Administrative Pavilion Master bowed his head.
"May the heroic spirits of the great Luoyang Sword Family bless the path ahead of First Young Master Yeon So-hyeon."
What had just happened?
"W-what?"
The silence did not last.
"J-just what is this…?!"
Someone shot to his feet.
"I understand that we must wash our hands of the matter. But to hand every last laborer over to the First Young Master?!"
Once one voice rose, the protests spread like wildfire across dry grass.
"If we surrender them all to the First Young Master, how are we supposed to finish the construction?!"
"Even if we begin recruiting anew this very moment, this is no longer the foundation stage—it is the finishing work! Finishing! The stage that demands skilled hands!"
"There's no way newly gathered riffraff can meet the scheduled completion date!"
The Administrative Pavilion Master thundered:
"Silence!"
The shout carried not a scrap of internal energy, yet it held an authority they could not refuse.
"......"
Those who thirst for power have no choice but to submit to power.
"The conveyance of the order is not yet finished. Resume proper manners!"
Not yet finished?
Every face went deathly pale.
"......!"
As if they already foresaw what would come next. Anyone who failed to sense even that much could never survive in the political arena of the Luoyang Sword Family.
Luoyang Sword Family, Administrative Pavilion.
The office of the Administrative Pavilion Master.
In the master's absence, it was the Vice Administrative Pavilion Master who received the Left and Right Grand Strategists of the Third Young Master's side.
He finished speaking and drank the tea set before him. The Left and Right Grand Strategists could not.
"W-what did you just say?!"
Had youthful blood simply smashed through the wall of reason?
"Not only handing every laborer over to the First Young Master…!"
Grand Strategist Zhuge shot to his feet and jabbed a finger.
"But entrusting the completion of the Dragon Phoenix Gathering arena itself to the First Young Master as well!"
Alongside the decision to honor the Governor of Luoyang's written order, that had been the Supreme Operations Committee's additional decree.
"Are the Supreme Councilors in their right minds?! That Yeon So-hyeon has neither experience with large-scale construction, nor any organization to support him, nor any preparations whatsoever!"
Tea spilled from the overturned cup, soaking the table and dripping onto the floor.
"Grand Strategist Zhuge."
The Vice Administrative Pavilion Master, who had been watching the scene with a frown while half-hiding his face behind his own cup, lifted his gaze.
"Are you, standing before me, insulting the main family's Supreme Councilors and insulting the main family's First Young Master?"
Unconcealed rage glittered in his eyes.
"That is—"
"Shut your mouth."
Grand Strategist Zhuge closed his lips with a start. But the situation, like his teacup, was already spilled water.
"I have disliked you people for a long time."
The Vice Administrative Pavilion Master made no effort to hide his contempt for the Left and Right Grand Strategists.
"'Grand Strategists' this and that. Men who play at the long-ruined 'Murim Alliance games'…"
Just as the Second Young Master's side had its strategist collective, the Jiangnan Four Groups, so the Third Young Master's side had its Military Department.
"Just what official duty do you hold in this Luoyang Sword Family? What is your actual rank? Has anything ever been formally appointed?"
Nothing had.
"......"
Men who had sprouted like mold the moment the Grand Family Head collapsed and the succession crisis flared, riding the coattails of the Grand Family Matrons' authority. Men whose affiliated factions had grown so strong that they now swaggered about as if they were something within the Sword Family itself.
That was the gaze the Vice Administrative Pavilion Master leveled at Grand Strategist Zhuge.
"I believe the position of the Supreme Operations Committee has been fully conveyed."
He raised a hand and pointed toward the exit.
An order to leave.
"But this is far too one-sidedly advantageous only to the First Young Master…!"
Grand Strategist Sima cut the younger man off.
"Brother Zhuge."
Under the old man's gaze, Grand Strategist Zhuge lowered his head.
"…Kuk."
Grand Strategist Sima rose without revealing emotion, observing every courtesy.
"Thank you for your time. I express deep gratitude for the Vice Administrative Pavilion Master's courtesy."
The Vice Administrative Pavilion Master stood and accepted the greeting.
"…I have merely performed my duties."
Even without official titles, the Left and Right Grand Strategists wielded formidable authority and power within the Third Young Master's camp. Warning them not to cross the line would have to suffice.
"Then."
Feeling sharp gazes on their backs, the Left and Right Grand Strategists departed.
"Damn it!"
On the main road leading back to the Military Department of the Third Young Master's camp, Grand Strategist Zhuge made no attempt to hide his foul mood.
"Yeon So-hyeon! That damned bastard…!"
At a glance from Grand Strategist Sima, the escorting troops shifted to block the eyes of passers-by.
The old man did not look upon the fuming youth with disapproval. Rather, his gaze carried a quiet envy for that volcanic passion and spirit.
"Brother Zhuge. You said something once before."
"What do you mean…?"
Grand Strategist Sima smiled calmly and recited the earlier conversation.
"After the matter of the Family Head Seal then in the First Young Master's possession was resolved, you said this:"
"…I was merely a little disappointed because everything unfolded exactly as expected."
A gloomy shadow crossed Grand Strategist Zhuge's handsome face.
"Is the First Young Master whom so many in this Sword Family feared truly only this much?"
That clever mind could not possibly have forgotten the exchange.
"......"
Toward the young man whose expression had hardened, Grand Strategist Sima continued with a smile.
"That First Young Master somehow moved the Governor of Luoyang—a man who cares only for self-preservation."
"…There must have been a bargain. One worth throwing away the post of Governor."
"And in this short span of time he has already finished coordinating with the leadership of the laborers who started the unrest."
"Which is why those ignorant fools who had been running wild without knowing the sky or earth are now so docile."
"Moreover, there was the commotion caused by that Amcheonjonza."
"…If not for Amcheonjonza, the Beheading Unit of Mount Heng North Flow would have succeeded. Just what relationship exists between Amcheonjonza and the First Young Master?"
As Grand Strategist Zhuge reviewed, one by one, the moves the First Young Master had arranged in places they had never even suspected, goosebumps rose along the back of his neck.
"…A terrifying man. That First Young Master."
"Indeed. That is why the Supreme Operations Committee reached its decision."
Having fully recovered his usual composure, Grand Strategist Zhuge answered in a low voice.
"…This decision is as good as a declaration that the Supreme Operations Committee has no intention of settling the succession issue with a simple two-faction war."
"And that the First Young Master has proven ability excellent enough for them to acknowledge him so."
"…And that, as we see now, even while having the finished rice stolen pot and all, we can no longer lodge a proper protest."
"Because we were the ones who first violated orders and moved troops without authorization."
Having attempted unauthorized use of force, then turning around to raise formal objection to an official decision of the Supreme Operations Committee?
Suicide.
"This must be the First Young Master's ability you were hoping for, Brother Zhuge."
The young genius of the Zhuge Family—who had never in his life found a true match—closed his mouth.
"......"
Watching him, Grand Strategist Sima of the Immortal Wind Dao Bone chuckled softly through his teeth.
First Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.
Unlike the immortal-like air of his laughter, the deep eyes turned toward the far end of the road glittered with excitement and anticipation.
This is going to make everything far more interesting from now on.
The response to the unrest was concluding with a surprise attack none of them had imagined.
It was their complete defeat.
Entrust the completion of the Dragon Phoenix Gathering arena to First Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.
At the Supreme Operations Committee's decision, the mouths of the Third Young Master's men simply would not close.
"......"
"…Th-that…!"
Watching them stand there with jaws hanging open yet unable to form a single coherent word, First Young Master Yeon So-hyeon snickered.
"Well now."
He savored the gazes gathering upon him and spoke as if to himself.
"I merely came to observe, yet suddenly I find myself the man in charge. Well, it can't be helped."
A thick smile curved his lips.
"Since things have come to this, shouldn't I simply do my best?"
At those shameless words, every mouth was stopped once more.