The Ruler of Darkness

Book 8: Chapter 19

Luoyang Sword House, Sword House Construction.

The Chief Executive’s office.

An elder of the Luoyang Sword House holds a position high enough to sit in the seat of honor even when dining with the heads of most small and medium-sized families.

“…….”

However, it was quite a spectacle to see three such elders gathered together, not showing any arrogance, but instead sitting politely and respectfully. This was indeed an unusual sight.

“Hmm.”

They had no choice but to behave this way because the owner of the office they had entered was not hiding his discomfort.

“You’re saying that 2nd Young Master’s faction is making such a demand of me?”

The Chief Executive of the Luoyang Sword House Construction business – the head of Sword House Construction – frowned.

His large hands, covered in scars from years of labor, crumpled up the proposal from 2nd Young Master’s faction.

“Chief…!”

“How can you call it a demand? Why do you phrase it like that?”

It was an act of rudeness that anyone would find incomprehensible.

But rather, the elders from 2nd Young Master’s faction were clearly trying to appease the Chief Executive, their desperation evident.

“It’s not a demand, but merely a proposal from our side. And isn’t it a very favorable proposal?”

In the Luoyang Sword House, there were those who were already in such powerful positions that they couldn’t become elders, and the Chief Executive of Sword House Construction was one of such individuals.

“The compensation you’re offering is indeed substantial.”

Even in the eyes of the head of the most renowned construction company in Luoyang, beyond Luoyang in Henan Province, and throughout the Central Plains, the proposal offered by 2nd Young Master’s faction was certainly excellent.

“I-Isn’t that right?”

The elders from 2nd Young Master’s faction brightened at his words.

“In return, we’re only asking for a small favor from the Chief-“

“A small favor, you say?”

The Chief Executive of Sword House Construction cut him off.

“You call it a small favor to ask our Sword House Construction to reject all requests from the Eldest Young Master’s faction for the time being?”

At his words, the elders from 2nd Young Master’s faction waved their hands dismissively.

“It’s not like any actual requests have come in yet, right?”

The Chief Executive of Sword House Construction replied gruffly.

“But if they want to rebuild the Valley of Sin before the Dragon and Phoenix Conference opens, the Eldest Young Master’s faction will have no choice but to request our services eventually.”

The elders from 2nd Young Master’s faction looked at each other and smiled.

“That’s true, but.”

“Haha. There’s no way they have that kind of funds.”

Even in the unlikely event.

Even if Yeon So-hyeon’s faction somehow overcame the financial pressure they were currently under, it would be impossible for them to hire Sword House Construction, which was famous for its expensive commission fees.

“Even so, from the beginning.”

The Chief Executive of Sword House Construction raised his scarred hand to point at himself.

“To try to drag me…”

Then he pointed at the floor.

“And this Sword House Construction into what’s nothing more than a muddy water fight of heir succession politics, that itself doesn’t sit well with me.”

He threw the crumpled proposal on the floor in front of the elders.

“This conversation ends here.”

It was a dismissal.

“Oh dear, oh dear…”

The elders clumsily got up from their seats.

Although they were being rejected and essentially kicked out, surprisingly, there was no sign of embarrassment on their faces.

“Our side has already submitted all the business rights specified as compensation in the proposal, separate from the proposal’s compensation, to Sword House Construction for commissioning.”

“They were delighted when we brought in such big deals on our own.”

“By now, they should be preparing the approval documents to submit to you, Chief.”

At these words, the Chief Executive’s caterpillar-like thick eyebrows twitched.

“…….”

Seeing the Chief Executive at a loss for words, the elders from 2nd Young Master’s faction smirked.

“It’s something to be congratulated for. To gain all those large business rights just by sitting still.”

“However, due to those large commissions, all of Sword House Construction’s manpower near Luoyang will have to be mobilized.”

“In this situation, whether the Eldest Young Master makes a request or not, Sword House Construction won’t have the capacity to get involved in the Valley of Sin project.”

The smiles on their faces deepened.

“After spouting about political neutrality, surely you wouldn’t reject our side’s commissions at your level, Chief?”

“…….”

It was a tactic bordering on the extreme that only 2nd Young Master’s faction, holding vast funds, political resources, and substantial vested interests, could employ.

They grabbed the doorknob of the office and said,

“The reason our side made this proposal to you, Chief, is solely out of respect for you, who created a success story from the bottom up.”

“We also wanted to hear your definitive answer, just in case.”

They bowed their heads slightly.

“Next time, we’ll come with an even better proposal worthy of your definitive answer.”

“Once again, congratulations on winning these large projects without any competition.”

They left, leaving the door wide open without closing it.

“Well then.”

They walked away with leisurely steps, sweating but maintaining composure under the Chief Executive’s piercing gaze.

“…….”

The secretary waiting outside rushed in and carefully tried to close the office door.

The Chief Executive of Sword House Construction spoke.

“Until I rescind my order, don’t let anyone approach.”

“Yes, Chief.”

After all presence had disappeared, the Chief Executive spoke.

“…With this, everything has happened as you said.”

He shifted his gaze to the inner room directly connected to his office and said,

“Young Master.”

The high-quality door of the inner room opened silently, and Yeon So-hyeon poked his head out.

“Wow. As expected of the renowned Chief Executive of Sword House Construction, even the inner room attached to your office is impressive.”

The boy expressed his admiration while feigning nonchalance, and the Chief Executive of Sword House Construction did not hide his discomfort at the Eldest Young Master Yeon So-hyeon’s ambiguous attitude.

“Don’t misunderstand.”

He rose from his seat, his massive frame looming.

The prosthetic leg that replaced the leg he had lost at a construction site in the past creaked.

“Young Master. The reason I allowed you to hear this conversation was solely to clearly show that Sword House Construction will maintain neutrality in the heir succession dispute.”

He revealed the same intimidating presence that had made the elders from 2nd Young Master’s faction sweat, growling,

“Not to join hands with you, who has neglected your responsibilities for so long.”

Having long known of Yeon So-hyeon’s abilities from the past, he warned,

“If there’s even the slightest hint that you’re plotting to push Sword House Construction into the mud-“

“I know. Then you would choose to overturn the entire situation rather than comply.”

Yeon So-hyeon interrupted him, calmly sitting down across from him.

“So please, sit down, Chief. It’s straining my neck to look up at you.”

Seeing Yeon So-hyeon’s joking manner, the Chief Executive, gritting his teeth, had no intention of obediently sitting down as told.

“You heirs need to understand how this Sword House is being sustained right now.”

Although he had no internal energy, his presence seemed to press down on the spacious office.

“Even at this moment, factions following each heir and those who only care about their own interests are ruining this Sword House!”

His angry, booming shout echoed through the office.

“People like us are the last pillars supporting the Sword House that’s trying to crumble from within!”

It had been over ten years since they lost their leader.

The twisted and corrupted Luoyang Sword House was undoubtedly being maintained because people like him were still holding on.

“This Sword House, this Sword House Construction, is my hometown, our hometown!”

Glaring at Yeon So-hyeon, who was leisurely pouring himself tea, he raised his hand to point out the window.

“We, the businesses of this Sword House, built the main family, and we built this Luoyang!”

“You’re right. This Young Master fully acknowledges your hard work.”

Yeon So-hyeon’s gaze turned towards him.

“But what about the materials used to build that Luoyang? The foundation?”

Yeon So-hyeon’s gaze was calm, but the Chief Executive’s massive frame involuntarily flinched.

“The current Luoyang, this Luoyang Sword House, was built with the blood and sweat squeezed from the poor.”

“…….”

The Chief Executive, who had been looking down at Yeon So-hyeon, slumped back into his seat.

“…As the number of poor increased, the main family’s businesses reaped enormous profits. I won’t deny that.”

Yeon So-hyeon nodded.

“I’m not denying that your blood and sweat are mixed in there as well.”

He put down his teacup and continued.

“That’s why I haven’t made any requests or demands of you or Sword House Construction, right?”

Yeon So-hyeon had not made any requests, demands, or favors related to the Valley of Sin or Walnut Village.

“…Isn’t that just because you lack funds?”

“That’s also true.”

At the Chief Executive’s slightly softened demeanor, Yeon So-hyeon burst into laughter.

“I am trying to gather funds from here and there, but I haven’t secured enough to comfortably place an order with Sword House Construction.”

It was true.

Even including the funds invested indirectly by the Tang family, it was barely enough to push forward with the original plan.

It was an insufficient amount to place an order for the reconstruction of the entire area with Sword House Construction.

“…Is it alright if the project isn’t completed before the Dragon and Phoenix Conference?”

To his question, Yeon So-hyeon shrugged.

“The project will be finished, and the Valley of Sin will be renovated before then.”

“Without commissioning Sword House Construction?”

“We won’t be commissioning you.”

How on earth?

Instead of asking about methods he knew he wouldn’t hear anyway, he moved on to the next question.

“…Was it because you never intended to place an order in the first place that you told me to accept 2nd Young Master’s faction’s offer?”

“That’s right. Didn’t I tell you from the beginning? To reject once and then accept the next proposal.”

“You certainly did. But that way, Sword House Construction’s neutrality would be shaken-“

“It won’t be shaken.”

Yeon So-hyeon interrupted him with a smile.

“If I were to place an order with Sword House Construction, it might be a different story, but I won’t be placing any orders to begin with. So only the parties involved will know about that deal.”

“…As long as I don’t use the compensation we receive from the deal with 2nd Young Master purely for my personal greed, there won’t be any weaknesses to exploit.”

“You’re not the type to indulge in personal greed, so there won’t be any weaknesses to exploit.”

Yeon So-hyeon’s gaze clearly held trust as he looked at him.

“So ‘before it’s too late,’ make sure to accept 2nd Young Master’s faction’s next proposal.”

Yeon So-hyeon turned his eyes towards the window.

“…If that happens, your position will become even more solid with the business rights you gain.”

The Chief Executive of Sword House Construction stroked his chin.

“Also, as Sword House Construction’s performance grows, it will be easier for our members to resist external temptations….”

The Chief Executive nodded with a dubious expression, then suddenly looked up.

“But Young Master, what do you mean by ‘before it’s too late’…?”

Yeon So-hyeon didn’t answer that question.

“You’re doing well.”

Yeon So-hyeon stood up.

“Just keep doing as you have been until now.”

“…….”

The Chief Executive inwardly groaned as he watched the Eldest Young Master rise from his seat.

‘What on earth is this Young Master plotting…?’

Not just the phrase “before it’s too late,” but looking back, in all previous conversations, the Eldest Young Master had seemed to have no worries or concerns about the impending war.

‘He’s taking care of me, the Chief Executive, in this situation? As if I have nothing to do with the war?’

Is the Eldest Young Master trying to gain favor from him?

It couldn’t be such a childish thought as hoping that he, having received favor, would act on his own for the Eldest Young Master’s benefit.

‘Surely not….’

If so, then.

‘Is the Eldest Young Master confident in his victory…?!’

“Ah. By the way, Chief.”

Yeon So-hyeon spoke as if he had just remembered something.

“Are you and Sword House Construction responding to the disturbances at the Dragon and Phoenix Conference stadium site?”

To his question, the Chief Executive, his mind in turmoil, shook his head.

“While our Sword House Construction is in charge of site development, the response is the responsibility of the client, the Third Young Master’s faction. It’s also a decision of the highest executive council. Our personnel have completely withdrawn.”

“I see. It’s better to keep that distance.”

The Chief Executive gave a sour look to the Eldest Young Master who was now concerned even about matters that no longer concerned him, but Yeon So-hyeon paid no attention and gulped down the rest of his tea.

“Thank you for the tea.”

Then, without any lingering attachment, he turned towards the window.

It seemed he intended to move outside through the window, avoiding gazes, just as he had when he entered.

This appearance of having not a single regret formed a stark contrast with 2nd Young Master’s faction, who had lingered until the very end.

“…Young Master.”

As Yeon So-hyeon was about to open the window, he turned back, and the Chief Executive momentarily closed his mouth.

“…….”

He seemed confused for a moment about why he had called out to the Eldest Young Master.

“…I’ll order the guards to take a brief rest, so your journey back should be more comfortable.”

“That’s welcome news.”

Yeon So-hyeon opened the window.

The sun had already set, and the night wind from Luoyang ruffled his hair.

“The Eldest Young Master’s next move will be related to the clan’s judicial institutions, I suppose?”

The Chief Executive was already aware that the judicial institutions within the Luoyang Sword House, such as the Law Enforcement Agency and the Inspectorate, had been in an uproar since morning.

“You’ve made your choice.”

Yeon So-hyeon gave him one last look.

“I’ve merely given them a choice as well.”

He leapt out, disappearing through the window.

“…….”

The Chief Executive, after staring at the space where Yeon So-hyeon had been for a moment, repeated the words he had left behind.

“…A choice, huh.”

The wind blowing in through the window felt unusually cold.