The Ruler of Darkness

Book 8: Chapter 16

Just before Yeon So-hyeon was about to sell off the Lee family’s Yeongwa Trading Company in separate parts.

Guard Cheong and Su-ran, members of Luoyang Spring and problem-solvers from the slums, were exchanging greetings with Yeon So-hyeon.

“Young Master, you have greatly enlightened us today,” said Guard Cheong respectfully, befitting someone who was once a member of a noble family.

“We at Luoyang Spring really need your help, Young Master,” Su-ran said, clenching her fists tightly.

“I’ll come to escort you when it’s time for the gathering tonight!”

“Please take care of yourself until then.”

Il-ryeong, the maid who had opened the door for the two leaving the room, approached Yeon So-hyeon to report.

“Master, Mistress Hong-dok requests an audience with you.”

“Let her in.”

She had been staying up late with the Fourth Young Master, engrossed in administrative work, and seemed to have been struggling with paperwork until just moments ago.

“I greet you, Young Master.”

She had been practically confined to the Fourth Young Master’s office in the Luoyang Sword House, so busy that she couldn’t even visit the fire site.

“You must be working hard, taking responsibility for the administrative tasks.”

“Not at all.”

Contrary to her reply, Yeon So-hyeon was well aware of the fatigue and pressure she was bearing.

The makeup covering her face was getting thicker day by day, making it impossible not to notice the extent of her fatigue and stress, even if one tried not to.

“I’m here to report on the information that just came in.”

She cleared her throat, trying to loosen her voice, which was chronically hoarse due to fatigue.

“A portion of the Sword House’s business support team has finally entered the full reconsideration stage regarding the business plan for the Valley of Sin.”

The part of the support team that had been discussing the need for reconsideration had now entered the reconsideration phase.

It was progressing at a speed that anyone would find suspiciously fast.

This was a move that blatantly revealed the intention to put strong brakes on the Eldest Young Master’s business.

Yeon So-hyeon nodded.

“The next step after full reconsideration would be the cancellation of business support.”

“…Yes. That’s what I suspect as well.”

Without the massive material and human support from the business support team, a project of such enormous scale as the Valley of Sin would inevitably face significant setbacks.

There had been many obstructive actions through officials, and Yeon So-hyeon had been resolving them with political maneuvering.

However, the reason the project could continue steadily even during that process was due to the power of the business support team.

Mistress Hong-dok sighed, massaging her stiff neck.

“Should we be grateful that we’ve benefited from the business support team even until now?”

The business support team had been supplementing the meager financial situation and human resources of the Eldest Young Master – Fourth Young Master’s side.

Now that the business support team had decided to side with the Second Young Master, it was as good as forewarning that the business plan would drift.

“Now we’ll have no choice but to face difficulties in progress, just as the Second Young Master’s bunch intended.”

Mistress Hong-dok smiled bitterly.

“The immediate problem will be the weakening of administrative power. It’s already at the limit, with us dividing personnel between the on-site headquarters and administrative staff.”

As long as the Fourth Young Master was at the Valley of Sin project site, she was the chief responsible person in the Fourth Young Master’s office.

“Especially since our side lacks talent that can resolve issues with the government…”

The middle-aged woman was on the verge of tears.

“I’m at a loss as to how to handle things from now on, so I had no choice but to seek an audience with you as soon as I heard this information…”

Seeing her on the brink of panic, Yeon So-hyeon smiled and shook his head.

“You don’t need to worry about that.”

“…Pardon?”

Yeon So-hyeon stood up from his seat.

“For now, just rest here for a while. I’m going to sell off the Lee family’s trading company and come back.”

***

Around the time when the Second Young Master’s side was meeting with the heads of influential families.

“Mmm…”

Yeon So-hyeon tapped the shoulder of Mistress Hong-dok, who was dozing off in the sunset light coming through the window.

“We’re almost there, so wake up.”

“Ah, just a little more-.”

She mumbled sleepily, then suddenly opened her eyes wide.

“I-I’m sorry, Young Master. I just…!”

“It’s alright.”

Yeon So-hyeon smiled at her and turned his gaze to the scenery outside the window.

“Huh? Isn’t this inside the Sword House?”

“That’s right.”

Mistress Hong-dok, who followed his gaze to the rapidly changing scenery outside the window, opened her eyes wide.

“This street is clearly heading towards Wongak Pavilion…”

At that moment, the window to the coachman’s seat opened, and the maid holding the reins reported.

“We will soon arrive at the street in front of Wongak Pavilion.”

“……!”

As soon as her report ended, Mistress Hong-dok wiped her drooling mouth and quickly took out her portable makeup kit to fix her makeup.

With the skillful speed control of the maid who had become quite adept through continuous practice, the horse-drawn carriage stopped smoothly in front of Wongak Pavilion without needing to use the braking device.

“…Where is this?”

Mistress Hong-dok, who had gotten off the iron fortress following Yeon So-hyeon, couldn’t hide her bewilderment at the unfolding scene.

“Come on! Hurry and move it inside!”

“Be careful of the corner over there!”

It was a scene of numerous servants moving furniture and such into buildings that had been empty until now.

“Weren’t these buildings that have been empty all this time?”

As she said, the buildings in front of Wongak Pavilion had been expanded, renovated, or constructed during the emergency order, even though they seemed unnecessary at the time, and had remained empty since then.

“What on earth is happening right now?”

Yeon So-hyeon smiled and answered her question.

“Didn’t you report that we were absolutely short on administrative power? That’s why we’re filling the administrative buildings.”

Mistress Hong-dok knew that the empty buildings in front of Wongak Pavilion were to be used as administrative buildings in the future, but she never imagined it would be now.

Because originally…

“Originally, what’s the use of just filling the administrative buildings with furniture? We need personnel who can immediately handle administrative work-“

“Young Master!”

Her words were cut off by the shouts of people rushing out of the administrative building.

They were all dressed in neat attire, but with their sleeves rolled up and sweating profusely, as if they had been carrying furniture along with the busy servants.

“We greet the Eldest Young Master of the Sword House!”

“We were in the middle of finishing up together after receiving word that you would come in person.”

“The person in charge will be out soon!”

Before Mistress Hong-dok could ask what the situation was and who these people were, an old man appeared along with a group dressed in silk clothes.

“So you are that Young Master!”

The old man with a large build unsuited to his age brightened up upon seeing Yeon So-hyeon.

Judging by his attire and the behavior of those around him, he was clearly an elder from a high-ranking family.

Yeon So-hyeon gave a wry smile towards him.

“Elder Gong Yeo, you must be busy with your duties as the head of the Gong family’s Grand Academy, yet you came in person?”

Gong Yeo, the younger brother of Gong Ryang, the head of the Gong family, and the head of Luoyang’s Gong family Grand Academy, laughed heartily.

“Shouldn’t this old man see the Eldest Young Master who the family is united in helping at least once?”

He had been visiting various families since the morning at the request of his older brother and family head, Gong Ryang.

“I came in person to lead these people who are responding to the Eldest Young Master’s request.”

The old man, who had been wanting to meet Yeon So-hyeon in person after hearing his brother Gong Ryang’s high praise, had finally used the request as an excuse to come to Wongak Pavilion himself.

Yeon So-hyeon bowed deeply to Gong Yeo, looking at the people who were still continuing to come out of the administrative building and gathering around.

“There are far more people than I heard about. I’m grateful for your kindness, Elder.”

In response to his words, Gong Yeo waved his hand.

“This old man didn’t exert any special effort. It’s all because this empire is so rotten that it doesn’t properly utilize such talented individuals.”

He pointed to the people around him.

“All of these people are graduates of the Gong family’s Grand Academy. Despite their outstanding abilities, they were unable to enter official positions or were stuck in minor posts because their family names were deemed insufficient.”

Indeed, as he said, the eyes of the gathered people were intelligent and upright, regardless of age.

“And…”

Gong Yeo leaned in slightly towards Yeon So-hyeon and spoke in a low voice.

“There are also those who, despite reaching high official positions due to their background, resigned after conflicts with the corrupt upper echelons, like that damned Gong Damwoong.”

“I see.”

Gong Damwoong was one of the Four Heroes of Huanghu and also the next heir to the Gong family.

Yeon So-hyeon smiled, thinking of the bear-like man who would be sweating profusely maintaining order in the Valley of Sin right now.

“Then these people…”

Mistress Hong-dok, who had caught on to the situation to some extent, carefully interjected, and Yeon So-hyeon nodded.

“These are the talented individuals who will now take charge of this Young Master’s administrative building.”

Gong Yeo added a word.

“Not only are there those who held official positions, but also those with experience in famous trading companies, and those who have served the Gong family with utmost loyalty. In other words, you can deploy them to various practical tasks without burden.”

Mistress Hong-dok inwardly clicked her tongue at his words.

‘Empty administrative buildings and talented individuals gathered as soon as part of the support team moved. The Eldest Young Master foresaw that this would happen from the beginning and made preparations in advance…!’

Yeon So-hyeon called out to the assembled personnel who had completed their gathering.

“This Young Master welcomes you all!”

He unhesitatingly displayed his presence as a ruler.

That voice, filled with weighty inner energy that overwhelmed the audience, clearly pierced everyone’s ears.

“I would like to arrange a welcoming party for you all, to start building friendships, but…”

A playful smile spread across Yeon So-hyeon’s face.

“Looking at your faces, it seems you’re itching to get to work right away.”

“That’s right!”

“Correct!”

Smiles spread among the crowd along with their responses.

“Now is the time to show your abilities that the world has ignored.”

They were the ones who wanted recognition from the world more than anyone else.

“Now is the time to change Luoyang, and further, to reform the Central Plains Empire.”

They were the ones who wanted to change the world more than anyone else.

As years and days passed, the Central Plains Empire had become deeply corrupt and rotten.

But even so, how could there not be talented individuals with ambition and ability in this vast continent?

Rather, because it was so rotten, there were those who had been shunned by the power elite who formed their vested interests based on blood ties and connections, yet continued to hone themselves.

As soon as they heard that Gong Yeo, one of the leaders of the reform faction, was gathering people, they flocked together without a moment’s hesitation.

“Those who are ruining this Luoyang, and this empire, are tightening their grip on our necks.”

The Lee family and the families included in the Second Young Master’s forces were synonymous with the corrupt vested interests.

With the full backing of the Gong family and the Cheong family, who were representative reformists, Yeon So-hyeon, standing at their forefront, was no different from a suddenly rising supernova.

“Therefore, we…”

Yeon So-hyeon raised his fist high.

“Instead of enjoying a half-hearted welcome party now, we will share our first drink together later, toasting to our victory!”

Thunderous cheers and applause erupted in response to Yeon So-hyeon’s words.

Amidst the cheers, Yeon So-hyeon made eye contact with each of them and waved his hand, then finally spoke to Mistress Hong-dok.

“Mistress Hong-dok. You are the chief responsible person for this administrative building.”

“……!”

“With the ability you’ve shown so far, you’ll be able to handle it sufficiently.”

To appoint her, the Fourth Young Master’s closest aide, as the chief responsible person for the administrative building.

It was truly a groundbreaking personnel decision.

“I’ve already made this decision with Bi, so for a while, focus on integrating with the administrative staff from that office to minimize any gaps in work.”

“Young Master…!”

Mistress Hong-dok’s face showed a mix of great shock and deep emotion.

She knelt down and said,

“From now on, I will never disappoint you, Young Master.”

“Don’t feel burdened.”

Yeon So-hyeon patted her shoulder and said,

“Doing as much as you’ve done so far is more than enough.”

At his words, Mistress Hong-dok smiled playfully with a flushed face.

“…If I keep doing what I’ve been doing, I’ll collapse from overwork.”

Yeon So-hyeon burst into laughter at her words.

***

A little while later, in the office of the administrative building.

“Thanks to you, Elder, we’ve filled the administrative power vacuum that would have occurred when the business support team left.”

Gong Yeo, who was drinking tea, waved his hand at Yeon So-hyeon’s words.

“It was nothing. More importantly, Young Master…”

The old man’s eyes narrowed.

“The Second Young Master’s side’s counterattack is just the beginning.”

Despite the words tinged with concern, seeing the expectation deep in those eyes, Yeon So-hyeon smiled meaningfully.

“I haven’t even started yet either.”