Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Part 5: The Meeting's Conclusion
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Luoyang Sword Clan,
Elder Yeom's training ground.
"Alright, everyone understands, right?"
The Law Enforcing Lioness, Yeom Baek-ha—known by her nickname the Law Enforcing Maiden—was giving the explanation.
"The training you're hearing now is being held because a special training period has been declared by the main family's Law Enforcement Court."
Dozens of warriors were gathered closely in front of her, sitting.
"It's to strengthen the discipline of the main family in light of the recent incident in the Inner Court. Have you all followed so far?"
A warrior sitting next to one who was nodding off burst into laughter at her words.
"Haha, miss. Even we understand that much."
Another warrior laughed as well.
"We're not some street thugs from Luoyang's markets..."
"Aren't you looking down on us too much?"
As they chattered noisily, even the dozing warriors pretended to laugh along.
Yeom Baek-ha let out a sigh and opened her mouth.
"Alright then, here's a question for our warriors, learned and cultured as you are. What is the main family's 'Supreme Executive Council'?"
One warrior answered energetically.
"Isn't it the strongest organization?"
"It's the scariest place!"
"It's also the most important organization!"
Yeom Baek-ha clutched her face and sighed.
Given how well they wielded swords, if they had studied properly, they all would have become Law Enforcing Lionesses instead of warriors.
She somehow composed herself and continued the training.
"The main family's Supreme Executive Council is currently led by the Acting Family Head, and it's also the name of the current regime. It's the main family's ultimate decision-making body, with the authority to forcibly intervene in matters that neither the Elder Council nor the subordinate organizations can resolve on their own."
"...Doesn't that mean it's the strongest?"
"It sounds like it means the scariest place..."
"My answer was right! You're saying it's the most important organization!"
Yeom Baek-ha nodded roughly.
"Yes, yes. You all did very well."
The warriors clapped vigorously.
Yeom Baek-ha waved her hand to stop the applause and posed another question.
"Then, does anyone know how many members make up the Supreme Executive Council?"
"Three, right?"
"...I thought it was five."
Yeom Baek-ha forced a smile.
"The answer is 'no one knows'."
The warriors jeered at her.
"Hey, that's a trap question from the start!"
"You ask how many and say 'no one knows'—are you making fun of us?!"
"...Sorry."
"It's fine!"
"Anyone can make a mistake!"
Yeom Baek-ha's smiling face twitched.
"Now, not only the number of Supreme Council members is unknown, but their identities are as well. Why is that?"
"For protection, I suppose!"
"They're in important positions, but not all practice martial arts, so it's a fine measure."
This time, reasonably sound answers came back.
Since VIP protection was part of their training, that made sense.
"Yes! Good answers."
Everyone clapped excitedly.
"Now, now. But the most important reason is to check the concentration of all power in their hands."
Yeom Baek-ha continued her explanation patiently.
"In exchange for their immense authority, they must uphold a vow of silence, never revealing their identities to anyone, anywhere."
"...Well, then they can't even brag about it."
"Hmm. In that case, I won't do it. Being my success is my mother's only pride."
"...Ah, yes. Right. They're making noble sacrifices for the Luoyang Sword Clan."
A squad leader listening at the front shot to his feet and shouted.
"So we must all emulate them, arm ourselves with thorough warrior spirit, and possess infinite sacrificial devotion for the main family! Understood?!"
Everyone answered loudly and vigorously.
Yeom Baek-ha wanted to just collapse right there.
'Ah... I want to quit this training right now...'
Whether his master suffered or not, White Tiger was hopping around happily in the training ground.
* * *
Luoyang Sword Clan.
Elder Council, Grand Assembly Hall.
After the Inner Court Chief Steward's remarks, the elders' demands led to another recess being declared.
Elders gathered by faction whispered conversations back and forth.
"It's been a while since that Inner Court Chief Steward spoke up."
"Probably because he had a big clash with the Eldest Young Master this time."
"Is that the sort of thing to make that guy flinch?"
"At least his pride must be hurt. It was practically like the Eldest Young Master holding a send-off ceremony in his own front yard."
Elder Yeom's faction was exchanging words as well.
"What if the Supreme Executive Council unexpectedly lifts the Eldest Young Master's seclusion? What happens then?"
"Do they have any reason to do that?"
"I'm just saying, let's talk about it."
"If we must think about it, even if they lift the seclusion, as long as it prevents civil war, it won't harm neutrals like us."
Elder Yeom spoke up.
"Besides, the Eldest Young Master's seclusion was going to end someday anyway."
Everyone nodded in agreement at his words.
"Right. He has that 'betrothal' of his."
"...Then wouldn't the Supreme Executive Council try to recover the Family Head Seal somehow? The seclusion isn't the issue."
"You think the Eldest Young Master would trade his seclusion for the Family Head Seal?"
"I absolutely wouldn't in his place."
"The discussion is a mess."
"The problem is we can't predict how they'll judge or move—neither them nor the Eldest Young Master."
Elder Yeom interjected.
"This issue will probably resolve once we see their decision."
Their gazes turned to the ones Elder Yeom pointed at—the elders of the Second and Third Young Masters' factions.
* * *
"We support sending this agenda to the Supreme Executive Council!"
"We agree as well!"
The elders in Elder Yeom's faction nodded.
"Elder Yeom's prediction was spot on."
"They wouldn't make a decision harmful to the heirs they serve."
"They must be confident the Supreme Executive Council will block the Eldest Young Master."
"We have no grievances against the Eldest Young Master, but..."
"Still, we can't just release someone who could trigger the worst scenario of civil war."
"Then let's vote in favor as well."
Elder Yeom nodded too.
But his mind was complicated.
If the Supreme Executive Council summoned the Eldest Young Master, he couldn't predict what conversation they would have or how they would clash.
But it was obvious that the Supreme Executive Council, at the pinnacle of all power in the Luoyang Sword Clan, would impose significant restrictions on the Eldest Young Master in some form.
That was why his heart felt uneasy.
Deep down, he wanted the Eldest Young Master trapped in the One Enlightenment Hall.
If that happened, the burden regarding his daughter's treatment would greatly lessen.
Yeon So-hyeon's words from that day came to mind.
'I am merely a physician and the Swordless One—what about you? Can you just be the father of one child?'
As he gritted his teeth hard, the vote began.
* * *
"This agenda will be forwarded to the Supreme Executive Council!"
The Elder Council Lord struck the gavel hard to proceed.
The conclusion was reached.
"Next is the agenda on internal reforms in the main family. Due to the unfortunate incident recently in the Inner Court..."
It took less than an hour for the Elder Council to grasp the Eldest Young Master's situation and reach a conclusion.
* * *
The Elder Council's regular meeting ended, and the confined elders poured out of the Grand Assembly Hall.
"Heh heh, see you at the next regular meeting."
"Please take care."
Having exited the Grand Assembly Hall, they reverted to being perfectly sensible, dignified, and cultured elders.
As they dispersed each to their own paths, one elder transmitted to Elder Son.
'That remark earlier—was it true?'
Elder Son replied with a smile on his face.
'Don't worry. The Supreme Executive Council will never leave the Family Head Seal in the Eldest Young Master's hands.'
'Can I believe it?'
'Of course.'
He sent the transmission laden with infinite confidence.
'It's what my lord, the Second Young Master, told me directly.'
* * *
The now-empty Grand Assembly Hall.
"Was this the best course?"
The Protector Court Lord asked.
"Was there another way?"
The Law Enforcement Court Lord asked as well.
"...There were ways. Many."
The Elder Council Lord sighed.
"But they weren't the best of the best, were they?"
"Sending it to the Supreme Executive Council was the soundest judgment."
"With all their power and authority, they'll prevent the worst outcome."
The Elder Council Lord drew in a breath.
"That's the problem. That there was only one choice worthy of being called the best."
His gaze turned to the Grand Assembly Hall's main gate.
The Grand Assembly Hall had only one main gate.
Whether entering or exiting, everyone had to use that door.
The Protector Court Lord spoke.
"I hear this Inner Court incident started from a single inspection investigator."
The Elder Council Lord nodded.
"Name was Gang Ho, I think? I know the name because he has ties to the child's grandfather."
"And it was the Eldest Young Master who specifically summoned that Gang Ho."
The Elder Council Lord groaned.
"...In the end, the Eldest Young Master used a single low-level inspection officer to shake the entire Inner Court."
The Law Enforcement Court Lord spoke in a low, sunken voice.
"On top of that, through prior rumors, he left me no choice at all. He forced the Law Enforcement Court to make that scene in the central plaza."
"It's unimaginable that this was done by a single person who had been in seclusion for ten years, with no power or authority."
The Elder Council Lord nodded slowly.
"Even the Inner Court Chief Steward, that old monster, took an unexpected blow..."
"Everyone here is the same, but it's not because we antagonize the Eldest Young Master."
"It's simply because he is far too dangerous."
"We must nip him in the bud while he is at his weakest."
"And we have played our strongest card available in the main family: the Supreme Executive Council. Our judgment is correct."
"...Do you all realize?"
The Elder Council Lord gave a hollow smile.
"Before we even had this conversation, we already knew all this and had made our judgments. Yet here we are, gathered and spouting useless talk."
The Protector Court Lord and Law Enforcement Court Lord fell silent.
It was because they were uneasy.
Even after all calculations and taking the strongest possible measure,
The Elder Council Lord shook his head.
"...For some reason, it reminds me of that 'Blood History' time."
There was no reply.
The Elder Council Lord took reluctant steps.
Toward the sole exit.
"...It's been a while since I visited the family elders."
Suppressing his unwillingness, he let out a deep sigh from the stifling feeling.