Chapter 61
Chapter 61
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Part 11: Rumors and Schemes
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One day, a rumor began circulating within the Luoyang Sword Clan.
“The Eldest Young Master is ending his seclusion, or so the talk goes. Have you heard?”
At one servant's words, another pricked up his ears.
“What nonsense is that? That Swordless One…”
“Hey, watch your mouth. This is the main road.”
They were servants waiting on the main road for the elders' meeting to end.
“Ahem. Anyway, even if he ends his seclusion, then what? Is he going on a martial world journey or something?”
Another bored servant chimed in.
“I heard the Supreme Family Head ordered his seclusion in the first place because he had no talent for martial arts and no will to even pick up a sword.”
The servants murmured among themselves.
“So when his father collapsed, he just holed up in his room, right?”
“Well, you could say he had reason to resent it, but as the eldest son of the family, that’s exactly when he should have stepped up.”
“The Supreme Family Head must have seen through him ages ago.”
“Yeah, that’s why he was put in seclusion at such a young age.”
An old servant clicked his tongue.
“He used to be famous for being so clever and quick-witted… what on earth happened?”
A young servant scoffed.
“Wasn’t it all just empty rumors?”
Another servant piled on.
“If he was really that exceptional, the Supreme Family Head wouldn’t have ordered his seclusion to begin with. There’s a reason for everything.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
“More importantly, the Supreme Family Head gave his permission?”
“Exactly. Without his say-so, no one could end their seclusion on their own.”
Just then, the main gate opened, and people in silk robes poured out.
Their conversation ended as if it had never happened.
The waiting servants hurriedly followed behind the elders they served.
Elderly scholars quickened their steps while talking.
“Have you heard the rumors?”
“I heard it from someone in secret, but it’s less a rumor and more a certainty.”
“I hear his first move involves the Fourth Young Master’s upcoming venture.”
“Oh my.”
They glanced around cautiously before continuing in hushed tones.
“‘He’ gave his permission?”
“He” referred to the Supreme Family Head.
“If the rumor’s true, then it’s because ‘he’ and the top operations council made the decision.”
“Otherwise, no one could end their seclusion without permission.”
“That’s why even when ‘he’ collapsed, the Eldest Young Master couldn’t break his seclusion.”
“Hah. Things are going to get noisy for a while.”
“Even if he steps up now, isn’t it too late for him to become Acting Family Head? I can’t make sense of it.”
The conversing group halted.
They and the servants trailing them bowed deeply in unison.
High-ranking figures were passing by.
“Have you heard?”
“Of course.”
They stroked their beards, exchanging grave words.
“This is bound to stir up a storm like a gale wind.”
“The Eldest Young Master breaking seclusion at a time like this? I can’t predict what’ll happen next.”
Their faces darkened.
“How’s the mood in your faction?”
“What’s there to say? Just the rumor alone has everyone’s souls flying and spirits scattering, bodies trembling without anchor.”
“Our faction’s the same. Those who remember the Eldest Young Master’s past self are at a complete loss.”
They coughed repeatedly and shook their heads.
“If the rumor’s true, what judgment led the Supreme Family Head to release the Eldest Young Master from seclusion at this moment…?”
“Surely the top operations council isn’t trying to handle things on their own?”
“Oh please, as if they would. The Supreme Family Head may not show his face, but his eyes are still sharp as ever.”
“True. After he collapsed, the top operations council has admirably supported him.”
“In the past decade, the main family has grown unprecedentedly. No one can deny their contributions.”
Everyone nodded.
“…And nothing’s set in stone yet, right?”
“Exactly. Well said. We shouldn’t let a mere rumor sway us at a time like this.”
He clicked his tongue.
“That just shows how deep a shadow the past Eldest Young Master cast over the main family.”
“Ten years in seclusion, and he still has this presence…”
“…Call him the Swordless One now, but those in the know, know.”
They agreed in heavy silence.
Just then, the attendants leading them stopped.
“The family elders are approaching! Clear the way!”
“The elders are coming!”
The attendants called out, bowing deeply in unison.
The high officials halted and bowed respectfully in greeting.
A group of elders walked amid armed escorts and retainers.
In other families, they might ride palanquins or carriages as they pleased.
But this was the Luoyang Sword Clan, where the Martial Spirit thrived.
By strict family law, unless there was special cause, all walked on their own two feet.
‘Damn it. Why the hell is that Eldest Young Master causing a ruckus now?’
‘Hah. If I could read that devil’s mind, would I be an elder in the Sword Clan? I’d be the Prime Minister in the imperial palace.’
They conversed via sound transmission into the ear.
Elders without internal energy relied on their closest warriors.
‘We’ve finally made “Swordless One” a familiar slur among the masses, and now this is a problem, he said.’
‘More than that, shouldn’t we at least trip him up?’
‘Who? You? It’s Yeon So-hyeon! The opponent is that devil Yeon So-hyeon!’
‘Calm down, everyone. It’s still just a baseless rumor, isn’t it?’
‘No evidence anywhere confirms the rumor as true; only that he’s confirmed to act as advisor for the Fourth Young Master’s venture, he said.’
‘The comatose Family Head wouldn’t issue such an order.’
‘The top operations council, currently managing as acting head, has no reason to make that decision.’
The top elders knew the top operations council was running the Luoyang Sword Clan in place of the unconscious Supreme Family Head.
‘Nonsense!’
An old elder snapped.
‘If a mere rumor spreads this fast without room for distortion, it’s undoubtedly that devil’s scheme! How do none of you see it?! Or are you pretending not to?!’
‘There are signs of that, but it’s premature to pin it on the Eldest Young Master, he said.’
‘What tricks could a shut-in pull off on this scale?’
‘I suspect the Fourth Young Master’s side.’
‘It’s more convincing than a secluded Eldest Young Master, he said.’
‘Then…’
An old elder cut into someone’s transmission.
‘Seclusion?! Good point. Do you know why the Family Head ordered that devilish brat into seclusion to begin with?’
His emotions roughened, making the transmission shaky.
‘It was because that devilish genius was behind that horrific bloodbath!’
‘Isn’t that just a rumor?’
The old elder thumped his chest in frustration.
‘Too many people died back then! Far too many!’
Clear terror laced his transmission.
‘What other reason could the Family Head have had to order his seclusion?! Tell me!?’
Someone clicked their tongue.
‘The reason for the seclusion order hasn’t been officially revealed. Don’t speculate.’
‘Weren’t there rampant rumors of discord between the Family Head and Eldest Young Master back then? And other credible hypotheses, as I recall.’
‘What?! Are you saying I’m the type to believe rumors?!’
‘Then, do you have evidence?’
‘Evidence?! I am the evidence!’
‘Calm down, he said.’
‘You lot were outside the main family back then, or not high enough up, so you can afford to say “calm down.”’
The old elder’s face trembled with rage.
‘You don’t know a damn thing about him!’
Even profanity emerged, wrinkling noses all around.
‘I’m withdrawing from this gathering! Don’t contact me about it anymore!’
The old elder and his aides broke off and went their separate way.
The remaining elders glanced at them.
‘Cowardly old fool. No matter how brilliant, he’s just a seventeen-year-old brat. Scaredy-cat.’
‘He barely survived that bloodbath. Still hasn’t recovered from the shock.’
‘Anyway. We need countermeasures now, he said.’
‘First things first: find out who spread the rumor.’
* * *
“Who spread it doesn’t matter.”
Elder Yeom, leaning in his chair, addressed the staff heatedly debating.
“It’s all unfolding according to that Eldest Young Master’s intentions anyway.”
His words silenced the rowdy room.
They weren’t fully convinced, but since it was their elder speaking, they acquiesced for now.
One staffer cautiously spoke up.
“Then how should we respond?”
He phrased it as a question about his lady’s treatment.
The rumor of the Eldest Young Master ending seclusion made it harder for neutral Elder Yeom to arrange his daughter’s care.
“Everyone, withdraw for now. I’ll decide soon.”
Those filling Elder Yeom’s office flowed out like waves.
Once they were gone, Elder Yeom rubbed his neck.
“…Damn it, Eldest Young Master. My nape still chills at the memory, and now you’re coming for my throat?”
He pictured Yeon So-hyeon from the slums that day, smiling at him.
“…This is maddening.”
Rising from mere warrior to elder, his stage had always been external.
Thus, he knew little of past or secluded Yeon So-hyeon.
But precisely because of that, he accepted the Yeon So-hyeon he’d met without prejudice.
“What are you really aiming for?”
* * *
“Such a rumor is circulating in the Luoyang Sword Clan?!”
Crescent Moon Pavilion Master Se-ah removed her pipe, exhaling smoke.
“Yes. I’ve confirmed it multiple times directly with my sources inside the clan.”
The client who’d come to buy information wiped cold sweat from his face.
“I came to verify the Fourth Young Master’s venture, but got this bombshell instead.”
He clicked his tongue in awe.
“As expected of Crescent Moon Pavilion. Always worth every coin.”
“Heh heh. You flatter me. But…”
Se-ah crossed her legs the other way.
“I also have crucial information on the Fourth Young Master’s venture…”
“Really?!”
The client half-rose from his chair, eyes wide as saucers.
“But this isn’t a rumor—it’s all verified facts.”
A sly smile curved her lips.
“It’s a bit pricey, but will you buy?”