Marching Out
Part 18: Marching Out
Luoyang Sword House, Wongak-jeong.
Restricted Zone — the Grand Conference Hall.
"The North… you say?"
The Grand Preceptor of the Gongdong Sect asked again, his face blank with shock as he stared at Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon.
"That is correct."
The Eldest Young Master nodded without hesitation.
"Just as my father, the Supreme Patriarch, secured recognition as patriarch through the conquest of the south, and left an achievement no one could deny…"
From the highest seat in the hall — the place of supreme honor — the Eldest Young Master looked down upon the assembly.
"I, too, will do the same."
His voice alone filled the silent Grand Conference Hall, ringing from wall to wall.
"I will personally bring the hammer down upon the North's afflictions, quell its chaos, and restore order…"
Wherever his gaze swept, those seated in attendance straightened their postures without thinking.
"…and I will make it known to every corner of the realm that the seat of Heir to this House belongs to me. All will come to understand it."
Heir.
The weight of that single word rolled through the assembly like a shockwave.
Eldest Brother has just declared, for the first time in an official setting, that he means to become the Heir…!
To Yeon So-hyeon's right, Fourth Young Master Yeon Bi's face broke into a smile of pure, unreserved satisfaction.
It feels like a dream…!
How many times had he pictured this moment — in waking hours, in sleep, again and again without end?
At last, my lord…
A quiet ripple passed through the eyes of Elder Yeom, who sat close to the Eldest Young Master.
Heh-heh… before this old man dies, I may yet live to see the Eldest Young Master lead the Luoyang Sword House…!
To Yeon So-hyeon's left, Gong Ryang bared his teeth in a smile.
And beyond them — Se-a, Master of the Hyeonwol Pavilion; Yeon Ha-eung, once known as Legged Rumor; even Jeong-a, the Eldest Young Master's chief maid — countless others who had watched Yeon So-hyeon's path until now each wore a smile of their own.
"…However, Eldest Young Master."
Of course, those who had joined his cause only more recently could not hide their concern at this sudden talk of the North.
"If there is a grave problem in the North, and if you resolve it, then of course — as you say —"
As if the words themselves had grown heavy, the Gongdong Grand Preceptor's voice grew cautious.
"As you say, you would draw much closer to the seat of Heir. But —"
The former Sect Master of the Jeomchang Sect rose from his seat and took up the question in his place.
"This is military action beyond the borders of the settled world. Is it truly something that may be done without the Imperial Court's leave?"
He finished the question boldly enough — then, true to character, began stealing glances at the Eldest Young Master's face.
H-he wouldn't take offense at this, would he…?
Damn it. Maybe I should have been more careful about reading the room.
Soft laughter stirred around him.
"The Jeomchang Sect Master has raised a perfectly valid point," Yeon So-hyeon said, nodding.
The former Jeomchang Sect Master exhaled in private relief.
"On that matter, it would be better if you heard it for yourselves."
"…Heard it ourselves?"
Doubt clouded the faces of those who had not been briefed on the Eldest Young Master's grand design.
Heard it themselves? What did that mean?
But before the question could settle, doubt turned to sheer astonishment.
"Yeon So-hyeon, Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword House — receive His Majesty the Emperor's imperial decree!"
As the rear doors opened and the voice rolled in, every person present shot to their feet by pure reflex.
"I receive His Majesty the Emperor's decree!"
Yeon So-hyeon brought his hands together, then dropped to one knee and led the cry in a voice that filled the hall.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live! Ten thousand years of life!"
The assembly roared after him.
"Long live the Emperor! Long live! Ten thousand years of life!"
The Imperial Envoy, Buma-dowi, unfurled the decree with a sharp snap and began to read in a voice heavy with authority.
Yeon So-hyeon, Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword House, shall be the keenest blade of Our person and of the Empire!
We hereby grant him all authority necessary to that end!
Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon — restore order to the chaos and lawlessness of the northern territories! Remove every affliction that plagues them, and raise high once more the majesty and discipline of the Empire!
The Imperial Envoy's voice, carrying the Emperor's authority, thundered through the vast Grand Conference Hall.
In that moment, effectively unlimited authority over the North was placed in Yeon So-hyeon's hands. Those who did not know the true nature of the bond between Emperor and Eldest Young Master could only stare in stunned disbelief.
"This servant, Yeon So-hyeon!"
Still on one knee, his back straight as a spear, the Eldest Young Master's voice carried to every ear in the hall.
"I shall obey His Majesty the Emperor's command at once!"
A short while later.
Wongak-jeong, the Guest Reception Chamber.
"Haaah…"
The Imperial Envoy drained in a single draught the cold tea the twin maid Il-ryeong had brought him, then let out a long breath.
"Your voice was quite thunderous," Yeon So-hyeon said with a smile, teasing him lightly.
"That was not the skill of a man who practiced once or twice. How many times did you rehearse, exactly?"
"Ahem. In truth…"
The Imperial Envoy scratched his nose with a sheepish laugh.
"It was my first time entrusted with so grave a duty as delivering His Majesty's decree. I spent several nights without sleep, practicing."
Yeon So-hyeon smiled.
"Well. Given the content, you would have been all the more tense."
There was steel beneath the words.
"…As you say, Eldest Young Master."
Having recovered his composure, the Imperial Envoy nodded and spoke in a low voice.
"Even knowing that imperial authority in the North has scraped the bottom of the well, to suddenly grant 'all necessary authority' to a man without even an official post…"
In truth, it was less a grant than a full delegation of power.
"Such precedents are rare even in the history books."
He stroked his short beard and shook his head slowly.
"…I even considered pretending I had never received this decree at all."
Here, at last, was the reason he had been watching the Eldest Young Master in secret.
"And yet you delivered it in the end."
At Yeon So-hyeon's words, the Imperial Envoy gave a heavy nod.
"I did. I did."
His gaze turned full upon the Eldest Young Master.
"…I have not had sufficient time to observe you. But —"
It was a look that could pierce through a man. Most would have averted their eyes on instinct. Yeon So-hyeon did not.
"I was certain you are a man of talent enough to unravel this difficult problem."
Then the Imperial Envoy shook his head once, briefly, and corrected himself.
"No."
He chose his words again.
"I had the instinct that you would not merely solve this difficulty — that you would reshape it entirely to your own design."
In the depths of the Imperial Envoy's gaze, Yeon So-hyeon could feel a loyalty burning hot toward the Emperor and the Jungwon Kingdom.
"I beg you — do not betray His Majesty's trust, not to the very end, Eldest Young Master."
"Set your mind at ease."
Meeting his eyes, Yeon So-hyeon spoke slowly — and with absolute certainty.
"I have been, I am, and I will be. To the very last of lasts — I will remain at His Majesty the Emperor's side, as friend and as ally."
Once more, the Grand Conference Hall.
"…Well, I'll be damned."
The former Sect Master of Jeomchang clicked his tongue.
"The Eldest Young Master said he would give us a greater opportunity, but I never imagined that opportunity would arrive so soon…"
He was remembering the exchange between Yeon So-hyeon and the Gongdong Grand Preceptor only a short while earlier.
"Eldest Young Master — are you saying you can offer each sect a greater opportunity still?"
"Of course."
Why the Eldest Young Master had answered so readily was now crystal clear.
"…In a chaotic North, small skirmishes will be commonplace, and localized battles will hardly be rare," said the Sect Master of Zhongnan, stirring from thought.
"Opportunities to earn merit will be overflowing — and furthermore —"
The Gongdong Grand Preceptor took up the thread.
"—furthermore, this is work done under His Majesty the Emperor's command. In due course, the Imperial Court will issue rewards according to the merit each man earns."
"Hoh… indeed…!"
Drive and hunger poured off the men as they traded low, eager words.
Whatever titles they held on paper, at their core they were the same: men who lived to drench themselves in an enemy's hot blood at the knife-edge between life and death, and to savor the taste of victory.
In short — martial artists.
…So this is the secret stratagem the Eldest Young Master spoke of — the means by which our War Department might rise again.
As for the sword generals of the War Department, they twitched as if ready to leap from their seats that very instant.
Certainly…
If the War Department distinguishes itself in the North, a return to the Elder Council is more than possible.
Some even drew their blades to inspect the edge. Men who had caught the scent of blood on pure instinct — of course their blood was running hot.
"To mobilize troops, we will need the Elder Council's consent, of course."
"But the Eldest Young Master has already received an imperial command, has he not?"
Those without martial training were no less aflame with purpose, locked in heated debate over how to drive the matter forward as swiftly as possible.
"Justifications can always be manufactured, and obstructionist maneuvers to delay procedure are hardly difficult…!"
"Then the fastest path to approval would be to bypass the Elder Council entirely and receive orders from the Supreme Operations Council…"
"And then there's the matter of funding…"
When the Eldest Young Master returned to the Grand Conference Hall, it was only natural that they came swarming to him with questions.
"Everyone seems to be enjoying the banquet thoroughly," he remarked.
"Eldest Young Master…!"
But the barrage of questions never landed. His mouth opened first, and from it fell commands as sharp as drawn steel.
"Yeon Bi!"
"Yes, Eldest Brother! Give your command!"
"From this moment, you are the one responsible for Luoyang!"
Yeon Bi dropped to one knee where he stood and clasped his hands.
"Yes! I receive your command!"
The Eldest Young Master's personal campaign — and the empty seat he left behind would be filled by the Fourth Young Master.
"Elder Yeom!"
"Yes, my lord."
"I entrust you with command of the forces!"
Yeon So-hyeon's orders continued without pause.
"Our troops are to be limited strictly to warriors who possess inner energy!"
Elder Yeom, no less than Yeon Bi, dropped to one knee without a second's hesitation and received the command.
"Loyalty!"
"Deputy Head!"
"Yes! Eldest Young Master!"
Elder Ham, Deputy Head of the Elder Council, went to his knees at once. Yeon So-hyeon's order fell upon his bowed head.
"By any means necessary. Secure authorization for the troop deployment as fast as humanly possible!"
A smile of pure confidence curved Elder Ham's lips. Yeon So-hyeon had already laid the foundation within the Elder Council. This was the ideal stage on which he could wring more than ten parts of ten from his political skill.
"Yes! Leave it to me!"
The answer had barely left his mouth before the next name was called.
"Head of the War Department!"
"Please give your command."
The old general offered a military salute, and Yeon So-hyeon's directive settled upon him as well.
"I leave all matters of supply and troop readiness to you — and the full span of administrative procedure as well."
A difficult charge. But was that not the War Department's specialty — its very reason for existing?
"I will see it done."
The answer left the War Department Head's mouth at once.
"Hong-dok Ji-ju!"
"Master of the Hyeonwol Pavilion!"
Names and orders poured from Yeon So-hyeon in a relentless stream — and in the midst of it, a sound transmission reached the War Department Head's ear.
Head of the War Department.
It was none other than the Eldest Young Master himself, still issuing spoken commands without pause. Startled by the mastery of the Two Polarities Mind Method that made such a thing possible, the War Department Head answered faithfully all the same.
…Yes, Eldest Young Master!
As for the war fund problem — pay a visit to the Sword House Bank.
Even as he continued giving orders aloud, Yeon So-hyeon glanced toward the War Department Head and offered the faintest of smiles.
The Banker and the First Director of the Hobop Court will resolve the funding issue with the secret funds of the Yeon bloodline that were seized during the investigation.
"…!"
Yeon So-hyeon's list of directives was drawing to a close when —
"Eldest Young Master!"
— the former Sect Master of Jeomchang thrust a hand high and put a question to him.
"Is this present roster of appointments not predicated on your absence? We do not yet know how long the preparations will take. Is it truly necessary to name these people now —"
"No."
Yeon So-hyeon cut him off.
"I will be absent starting this very moment. These appointments are needed now."
"…What?"
Those who failed to grasp his meaning wore the same blank, flustered look as the former Jeomchang Sect Master.
Yeon So-hyeon bared his teeth in a smile.
"I am departing at once, leading only the minimum force that requires no authorization."