The Ruler of Darkness - Book 4: Chapter 16

In the Luoyang Sword House, also known as Heavenly Clan, there were many places as mysterious as their reputation.

Wongak Pavilion, where flowers bloom all year round and never wither even in the harshest winter.

The forbidden area stretching behind Wongak Pavilion to Song Mountain, Forest Demon Realm.

The residence of the Patriarch, Deepest Part, where those without authority who step foot are beheaded indiscriminately.

The underground prison, where Asuras and Rakshasas are eternally confined to kill each other.

The residence of Lady Tang, the Grand Lady of the Tang Family, Ghostly Pavilion, where those who don’t visit at the right time and season disappear without a trace.

In addition to these, there were many other mysterious places in the Luoyang Sword House that were rumored but not openly discussed.

Among them, there was a place called Village of the Elders, which at a glance appeared to be just an ordinary village on a hillside inhabited by elderly people.

Those who knew the true nature of this place called it the Council of Elders of the Luoyang Sword House, referring to it with respect and fear.

***

Early dawn.

Luoyang Sword House, outskirts.

The Elder Council Head, known as the Small Giant, was walking up a hill.

Along the hill were fields of barley sprouts, winter-hardy leeks, garlic, and spinach.

Despite the sun not yet rising, diligent elders were tending to the fields.

Among the elders in shabby clothes, some faces were recognizable, but the Elder Council Head did not acknowledge them.

He acted as he had been taught by the previous Elder Council Head.

There was a reason why these people, who once accumulated unparalleled wealth, honor, and power, lived like mere villagers here.

An old man who just herded a flock of goats had retired from the position of Guest Hall Master before the Elder Council Head ascended to his position.

An elder meticulously inspecting barley sprouts was once the top warrior of the Luoyang Sword House, known for harvesting enemy heads with his precise movements.

The Elder Council Head passed them by and eventually reached the entrance of the village.

“This is the Village of Elders. What brings you here?”

Two middle-aged warriors dressed in worn-out guard uniforms stared intently at him.

Like the warriors guarding Wongak Pavilion, they were retired warriors belonging to the special task force directly under the Council of Elders.

“…I am the Elder Council Head of the main family. I have come to meet with the village chief as per our appointment.”

The warrior let him wait and walked into the village to confirm.

Despite having an appointment, the Elder Council Head sighed softly at the elders’ behavior of not informing the entrance in advance. These elders neither welcomed nor respected the active power holders, and even despised them.

“…I hear the sound of pigs being slaughtered.”

The guard responded indifferently to his observation.

“Yes.”

“Is there a feast of some sort?”

“I don’t know.”

“…I see.”

Soon, the middle-aged guard returned.

“Please leave your weapons here. You cannot enter with them.”

“I have none.”

“The use of inner strength is strictly prohibited inside.”

“I am aware.”

“Raising your voice or causing a disturbance will result in your expulsion.”

“Understood.”

Responding to each meticulous caution, the Elder Council Head swallowed another sigh.

***

In a quaint and shabby village hall, elderly people were huddled together, warming by the fire and chatting. They were too old to do any farm work.

When the Elder Council Head entered, no one paid him any attention.

“I, Wang Mo of the junior rank, come to seek guidance from the elders of our clan.”

Though the Elder Council Head bowed respectfully, all he received in return were cold sneers.

“The one who boasted about becoming the Elder Council Head on his first and last visit wants guidance now?”

The Elder Council Head sighed internally.

“…It was not to boast, but a visit to seek the council’s approval as per the procedure.”

“Look at him, talking back.”

“Such an insolent fellow. It’s always the likes of him who cause trouble and come seeking help.”

Accusations and finger-pointing filled the air.

The Elder Council Head mentally repeated the character for ‘patience’ to himself.

When an elder with a sinister-looking cane raised his hand, the hall fell silent.

The woman with her long, unkempt white hair was the village chief, the head of the Council of Elders, the Senior Elder Council Head.

“Well then, let’s hear what business brings you here.”

She did not even offer him a seat.

The Elder Council Head stood and spoke with formal respect.

“Actually, I came to seek guidance regarding the seclusion of Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon, but a conclusion was already reached at yesterday’s Supreme Operating Council meeting.”

“Starting from the official commencement of duties today, the decree to end his seclusion will be announced. I am aware of that.”

Her cloudy eyes fixed on the Elder Council Head.

“That’s why we only accepted your visit today.”

In other words, they did not want to offer any advice on the Eldest Young Master’s seclusion.

“…If even I, the Elder Council Head of the main house, am not to receive advice on such a critical matter, then what is the purpose of the Council of Elders?”

He meant it as a sharp retort, but the elders seemed astonishingly indifferent.

“This is just a village where elderly people with no duties or connections live.”

“Our joy lies in seeing calves grow and crops flourish, not in confirming our power.”

The Elder Council Head wanted to turn around and leave right there.

But he remembered the admonitions of the previous Elder Council Head and restrained himself.

He had been told that the success of his position as Elder Council Head depended on how much advice he could garner from the Council of Elders.

“…Aren’t you the respected and well-treated elders of the main house? To think you wouldn’t offer advice on an issue concerning the Eldest Young Master…”

The Senior Elder Council Head’s wrinkled face was unreadable.

“The respect and treatment we receive are merely in return for our past dedication to the main house.”

Her cane clinked, producing a clear sound.

“Beyond that, we are nothing more than mere villagers.”

The Elder Council Head looked incredulous.

“Mere villagers? Yet these ‘mere villagers’ have the authority to approve the Elder Council Head of the main house, and the power to nominate the heads of the Guardian Court and the Judicial Court?”

He stepped forward.

“And these same people elect the highest-ranking members of the Supreme Operating Council meeting that leads the main house?!”

He realized he had raised his voice and regretted it instantly.

The gaze of all the elderly people, huddled together in the cramped hall, was now fixed on him.

Each one of them was a person who had once dominated an era.

Their eyes held no aura, no spirit.

He found himself unable to move.

The Senior Elder Council Head slightly shook her cane, and the clear sound echoed again.

Regaining his composure, the Elder Council Head looked at her.

“We are mere villagers who have no interest in power, authority, or political influence.”

She smiled faintly.

“That is precisely why such significant authority was granted to us.”

The Elder Council Head was at a loss for words, and she waved him off.

“If you have no further business, you may leave.”

Other elders chimed in.

“Yes, go on back.”

“Play your power games down there with the children.”

The Elder Council Head closed his eyes for a moment, then once again composed himself with a respectful demeanor.

“…May I then seek guidance on the current succession issue within the main house?”

“…There’s a succession issue in the main house?”

“I’m not well-versed in such complex matters.”

The elders feigned ignorance, pretending to clean their ears or staring into space.

The Senior Elder Council Head clicked her tongue.

“It seems you’re not fit to join the Council of Elders.”

“…What do you mean?”

Instead of her, other elders around her spoke up.

“Don’t interfere.”

“Don’t get involved.”

The Senior Elder Council Head pointed at him.

“Pretend you haven’t seen, pretend you haven’t heard.”

Frustration creased the Elder Council Head’s forehead.

“…But that is the first lesson taught to those who enter the main house.”

“Feeling important now that you’re the Elder Council Head? Think you’re something special because others call you ‘the Small Giant’?”

“…Are you chastising me for being arrogant?”

The Senior Elder Council Head looked at him with distant eyes.

“Do you know why a grand clan like ours doesn’t have a clear rule for choosing a successor?”

“…It means to choose the successor in the wisest manner possible at the time, doesn’t it?”

One elder burst into laughter, and others joined in, mocking him with spittle flying.

The laughter subsided as the Senior Elder Council Head waved her cane.

“The main house belongs to the Yeon family, and in every generation, there’s always a true successor among the direct descendants of the Yeon family. That’s why there has never been a rule for selecting a successor in this family.”

The Elder Council Head thought of the current potential successors.

Each was formidably qualified, making it impossible to choose.

“…Then this must be a very special era.”

“No, this era is no different from any other.”

He sighed.

“With all due respect, the main house of today is on a different level from when you were active. It has become much larger and more powerful. And with that, more complex.”

It was a veiled criticism of her referring to the Luoyang Sword House as the Yeon family house, as if it remained unchanged from the past.

The Senior Elder Council Head, revealing her missing teeth, sneered at him.

“The Elder Council Head from two generations ago thought he was one of the thirteen members of the emergency committee and then disappeared. It looks like you’ll end up like him.”

The Elder Council Head clenched his teeth.

“…I am too dull to understand your words, lacking the wisdom to grasp your guidance.”

“That’s all the advice you’ll get from here.”

The Senior Elder Council Head slammed her cane down forcefully.

“Leave this village immediately.”

Although the Elder Council Head remained outwardly polite, he was seething inside as he descended the hill.

The elders in the village hall clicked their tongues.

“What’s the use of speaking if he won’t listen?”

“If he can’t see what’s shown, showing is futile.”

They had not held back in giving advice for the sake of future generations.

Don’t get lost in the power struggle.

The main house is the Yeon family’s domain.

Among the direct descendants of the Yeon family, there is always a true successor of a different caliber.

So don’t think too highly of yourself.

Don’t interfere,

Don’t get involved,

Don’t pretend to hear,

Don’t pretend to see.

There is no succession issue in the main house currently.

***

The elders slowly got up from their seats and headed towards the spacious yard where pigs were being roasted.

As they walked, they chatted amongst themselves.

“Now that the biggest concern of the main house, the succession issue, has been resolved, it’s a cause for celebration.”

“On such a day, it’s fitting to slaughter a pig, when else would we do it?”

“It’s fortunate that ‘that guy’ has changed his mind.”

“But this time, he didn’t weed out the highest-ranking members.”

“Ah, that guy’s picky about people.”

“Indeed.”

“It’s so hard to find a decent person in this great clan that meets his standards…”