Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Sword Clan Golden Seal
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Holding the young So-hyeon, who was weeping for his lost mother, his father spoke.
"Do you happen to know what your mother wanted to leave you with as her final words?"
The young So-hyeon nodded.
"...Mother seemed to hope that I would never commit murder."
Surprise flashed across his father's gaunt face.
"How did you know that?"
The young So-hyeon kept wiping away the endless stream of tears with his sleeve.
"I was born under the Heavenly Killing Star, so I guessed that was what she meant to say."
"...Who dared to tell you such a thing?"
"I peered into the celestial patterns, and the stars whispered it to me."
His father was at a loss for words.
He was astonished by this child's abilities every single day, but he could never grow accustomed to them.
Reading the heavens was tantamount to reading the secrets of heaven.
Such a feat was permitted to only a tiny handful in this vast world.
Patting his son's back, he forced out the words with difficulty.
"...Your father does not necessarily believe that this Heavenly Killing Star is something evil."
"...Why is that, Father?"
His father, who had spent his life buried in books, racked his brains as hard as he could to persuade his extraordinarily intelligent son.
"Do you know of Emperor Taizu, who founded this Middle Kingdom?"
"Yes. I've read all of the Veritable Records of Taizu and the draft histories passed down by Lord Ju, who once served as one of the two great scholars of the imperial family. And also what was written by Grand Historian Mak Pyeong-ri, who was a founding merit of the Middle Kingdom..."
"Yes, yes. I get it."
He hurriedly patted his son's back to stem the endless flow of words.
"Your father—well, what I mean is... I want to talk about how much blood was shed before Taizu established this nation."
"...Blood, you say?"
"Yes. And it's not just him. Among all those who walked the path of hegemony in this land long ago, how many sage kings left their names in history?"
"But among them were the worst tyrants as well, were there not?"
"Exactly. That's what your father means. Even on the same path of hegemony, they are divided into sage kings and tyrants."
"But the Heavenly Killing Star is more than just that..."
"How about a little wager?"
His father looked down at the young So-hyeon.
"...A wager, you say?"
"Yes. You're just like your mother and love helping people, so from now on, help your father handle the clan's minor affairs."
A smile appeared on his father's haggard face.
"They'll all nag if you step forward, so we'll do it secretly, just the two of us."
The young So-hyeon's tear-filled eyes sparkled.
"Just the two of us?"
"Yes. Our little secret."
His father roughly ruffled the young So-hyeon's hair.
* * *
It started with truly trivial matters, but his father soon realized there was no need for that.
The child grasped the clan's complexities far faster than his own height was growing.
And the young So-hyeon's gaze didn't stop at the clan alone.
"Father. From my analysis and observations of the weather patterns, it seems a great drought is coming this time."
"...Then I must instruct the main house's business corps to stockpile grain as much as possible."
"That won't be enough. In the end, due to the schemes of corrupt officials and merchants, it won't reach those who need it most."
"Do you have a plan?"
The young So-hyeon replied in a bright, clear voice.
"First, since there are shrines to Mother throughout Luoyang, we can distribute relief directly from there. And pressure the local officials to..."
Sure enough, a massive drought struck the northern continent, just as the young So-hyeon had predicted.
But the Luoyang Sword Clan and the government opened their granaries, distributed grain, controlled prices, and cracked down on corruption, preventing millions of starvation deaths across the north—or so the scholars later wrote.
In about a year, the young So-hyeon had shattered the Luoyang Sword Clan's outdated customs, ushering in innovations.
* * *
Then one sweltering summer day.
"Father! Father! According to the reports, the 'usury interest rate cap law' we tried in Luoyang is working successfully!"
"Ah. Is that my So-hyeon?"
"Father...?"
Yeon So-hyeon, who had burst joyfully into his father's chambers, froze.
In the dead of night, his father was donning armor.
"What has happened?"
"It's nothing. It seems some minor issue has cropped up in Jiangnan again."
His father's greatest achievement was the successful stabilization of Jiangnan, hailed inside and outside the clan as the "Jiangnan Campaign."
Even after stabilization, however, the rapidly growing Jiangnan region—thanks to the port-opening edict—saw big and small incidents continue yearly.
Once fully armored, his father dismissed the inner court's attendants.
"Here, take this."
The young So-hyeon recognized it at a glance from the wrapped bundle.
"Isn't this the main house's Family Head Seal? Why give it to me...?"
His father placed the Family Head Seal in the young So-hyeon's hand.
"At this point, can your father call it a win?"
The young So-hyeon, owner of extraordinary intellect, grasped his meaning instantly.
"The wager?"
His father knelt to meet the young So-hyeon's eyes.
"For nearly a year, you've accomplished things worthy of a sage king."
"It was all because of you, Father..."
His father shook his head.
"There's no rule in this clan that only sword wielders can become Family Head."
"...."
His father placed hands on both the young So-hyeon's shoulders.
"You've already proven you can be a Family Head surpassing your grandfather and me."
"Father..."
His father stared intently into the young So-hyeon's eyes.
"This campaign of mine will proceed in utmost secrecy."
"Why is that?"
"Your father has been away from the clan too often, pouring effort into Jiangnan for so long—lately, I've been hearing troubling talk within the clan."
The young So-hyeon, privy to the top-secret intelligence reserved for his father alone, nodded quietly.
"So while I'm secretly away, I want you to fill my absence with this Family Head Seal."
His father enveloped the young So-hyeon's hands—and the seal—in his large ones.
"Can you do it?"
Resolve filled the young So-hyeon's eyes.
"...Entrust it to me."
A deep smile graced his father's face.
"You've finally got a proper man's face."
"...I'm embarrassed."
His father gripped the young So-hyeon's hands tighter.
"Since ancient times in this clan, when the father was away, the eldest son was the head of the house."
One Family Head spoke to the future Family Head who would inherit the clan.
"Protect it. Protect your elder sister and younger siblings, protect your mothers, protect this clan."
Yeon So-hyeon stepped back from his father and bowed deeply.
"...I shall obey your command."
His father rose and solemnly received the bow.
"I entrust it to you."
With that, his father departed the clan.
* * *
"The Family Head is suffering from a minor contagious illness, so for the sake of those without inner power, from now on, all matters will unavoidably be handled from his chambers—announce this."
Seated in the chambers, Yeon So-hyeon issued command after command.
"Seal the chambers now. Prohibit entry to all except inner court personnel rank six or higher, regardless of security clearance."
The inner court's stewards rushed about executing Yeon So-hyeon's orders.
"All reports and intelligence bound for the Family Head shall come straight here. All approvals will proceed via documents."
The inner court chief steward replied.
"Yes, Eldest Young Master."
"Inner court chief steward."
"Speak."
Yeon So-hyeon looked at him.
"I am not the Eldest Young Master now. I am..."
He placed the Family Head Seal on the desk.
"The Acting Family Head of this clan."
The inner court chief steward immediately bowed long and deep.
"I shall obey the Acting Family Head's command."
* * *
Though the Family Head was absent, Yeon So-hyeon's ruthless efficiency left no void.
The clan members, initially a bit unsettled, soon resumed their duties as usual.
Late one night, as Yeon So-hyeon immersed in work stepped out to the inner courtyard for fresh air...
"...This is strange."
No matter how many times he checked, it was the same.
The celestial patterns warned him of a small but clear crisis.
"Inner court chief steward!"
At his call, the chief steward—who shadowed him like a ghost—immediately bowed deeply.
"From now on, dramatically increase the volume of intelligence coming to me. All raw data, even before processing by each intel division."
"...That volume will be immense."
Yeon So-hyeon was firm.
"It doesn't matter. We must not overlook even the smallest report."
"I shall obey."
* * *
Submerged in a sea of documents for a time, Yeon So-hyeon pondered.
'This is a clear sign of treason. The active collaborators are still few, but...'
He couldn't punish everyone who might link up later at this stage.
He decided to go fishing.
* * *
One hot summer day.
A massive upheaval began at the pinnacle of the Luoyang Sword Clan.
It unfolded so secretly and swiftly that those around had no idea.
Some vanished abruptly; others submitted sudden resignations and fled to their hometowns.
Some were dragged to the Central Inspection Pavilion; others thrown into underground prisons whose locations were unknown.
In that single midsummer, over a hundred top Luoyang Sword Clan main house personnel disappeared.
Even in that scorching summer, the clan's elite trembled in fear, sealing their windows tight at night.
Later, they called that summer's great purge the Blood History.
But none knew who, for what reason, on what basis—guesses only.
No one grasped the full picture.
* * *
One early autumn evening, as nights began to chill.
His father returned in secrecy, just as he had left.
"Acting Family Head! I've heard all you've accomplished! Your father's heart is filled with relief!"
His father entered the chambers, face brimming with pride for his son.
"...So-hyeon?"
The chambers were pitch black, lit by not even a single candle.
"Father..."
His son, the young So-hyeon, was huddled under the blankets, sobbing.
He rushed over and embraced the young So-hyeon.
"Father..."
"Yes, your father is back. What on earth happened?"
Trembling violently, the young So-hyeon raised his small hands.
"Too many people died. I had to kill too many. Too much blood was shed."
The young So-hyeon sobbed.
"I merely cast bait, yet too many moved. Too many..."
His father hurriedly patted his back.
"It's all right. Weren't they all enemies of this clan? Weren't they all traitors to the realm?"
His father reproached himself.
The eldest son he had seen was so mature, handling even things he himself dared not attempt with ease—like a true adult.
But the boy in his arms was merely a six-year-old child.
One delicate and tender-hearted, just like his mother.
"I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."
He held his son tight and apologized repeatedly.
Was there ever such a foolish fool?
Was there ever such an inadequate father?
"...That's not it."
"What do you mean?"
The young So-hyeon looked up at him with a trembling voice.
"I enjoyed it too much. The process was more fun than any game."
"....!"
"...I fear this self of mine too much."
* * *
A few days later.
The Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon received orders to seclude himself.
No official reason was given, sparking rampant speculation.
In truth, it was to completely isolate and protect his young son from the outside.
In the garden of Won-gak Pavilion, where petals fell singly, father and son sat amicably.
"When your heart has settled, tell me anytime."
"Yes, Father."
"Your father still thinks he won the wager. You felt not just pleasure, but fear of your own actions as well, didn't you?"
"...Yes."
"...For now, just give this foolish father a chance to act like one."
Protecting one's child was a father's duty.
His father stroked the young So-hyeon's hair and departed.
* * *
The following winter.
Word came that his father had collapsed.
Along with letters his father had prepared for emergencies, a pouch containing the Family Head Seal was delivered to the young So-hyeon.
* * *
Around the time the Elder Council Lord visited the Elders' Hall, at Won-gak Pavilion.
"Master! We finally found it!"
Illyeong came running in excitedly.
Jeong-a took the wooden box and opened it, revealing a black overcoat within.
"This is...?"
Yeon So-hyeon smiled and answered.
"A coat woven from black silkworm silk."
Everyone's faces filled with astonishment.
"A garment from that precious black silkworm silk..."
He pulled out the black overcoat.
"It's the coat Father prepared in advance for the day I became Acting Family Head."
"...Ah."
Everyone's expressions turned solemn.
Ignoring the reactions, Yeon So-hyeon unfurled the coat.
"I'm not Acting Family Head yet, but shouldn't I wear it on a day like today?"
With Jeong-a's help, he donned the overcoat.
"Pfft...!"
Illyeong, seeing Yeon So-hyeon in it, turned away abruptly, stifling laughter.
"...The coat is too big."
Jeong-a said, covering her mouth.
It was oversized even for the seventeen-year-old Yeon So-hyeon.
"...How much did Father think I'd grow?"
He muttered, flapping the excess sleeves.
Jeong-a smiled softly.
"He must have hoped you'd grow sturdy enough that even this black silkworm coat wouldn't suffice, no?"
"...You always surprise me."
Yeon So-hyeon smiled, doffed the coat, and draped it over his shoulders.
"Then for now, I'll wear it like this."
The gathered Triplet Maids clapped enthusiastically.
"You look dashing!"
"As expected of our master!"
"Eek!"
Yeon So-hyeon gazed at the sun rising in the east.
It was the first day after seclusion ended.
His expression was wistful.
"Now it begins, Father."
Chapter 2.5
Eldest Young Master
"Unfortunately, a superabundance of dreams is paid for by a growing potential for nightmares?"
불행히도, 꿈을 많이 꿀수록 그만큼 악몽을 꿀 확률도 높아진다.
-피터 유스티노프 [Sir Peter Alexander Ustinov, 1921.04.16~2004.3.28]