Chapter 145 – Competition for the Succession (2)

Won Chan-hyuk of the Phantom Serpent Sword was a member of the True Dragon Sword Clan’s Elder Council. Unlike most of the other elders who walked the path of the sword, he was greedy and had a fondness for extravagance.

So much so that he was derisively nicknamed the ‘Greedy Sword’ by the lower-ranking warriors.

But for all his greed, his martial skill was exceptional, and he had a knack for drawing people to him.

Thus, many elders followed him. It might seem strange that people would follow one so greedy, but it was also due to Won Chan-hyuk’s nature of fiercely protecting his own.

Instead of staying in the Elder Council, Won Chan-hyuk chose to live in the outer castle. He built a rather large estate there, where he lived with his followers.

“Hmm. Who should I choose?”

Which of the four candidates would best serve his interests?

If it were a matter of wealth alone, he would have to choose the third young master, Kang Hyeon-woo, but that side was already swarming with so many jackals that Won Chan-hyuk wouldn’t see much profit.

As for the other three, each had a shortcoming.

“If only the first young master still had the disposition he had before becoming one of the Eight Dragons, I wouldn’t mind supporting him.”

The way Yu-jin had been honest about his desires back then had greatly impressed Won Chan-hyuk, but the way he had acted after becoming one of the Eight Dragons had disappointed him.

That was why he felt a strange reluctance, even though he wanted to support him.

It was then that his brow twitched faintly, and his eyes began to tremble. Something was ominously grating on his nerves. Goosebumps even broke out on his arms.

“What in the world is happening?”

The elders of the True Dragon Sword Clan were all highly skilled, but Won Chan-hyuk was a cut above the rest. For a power so ominous and strong as to give him goosebumps to appear—Won Chan-hyuk shot up from his seat in alarm.

Something of unknown identity but immense power was approaching. No, he had thought it was approaching.

But Won Chan-hyuk was stunned. Yu-jin was already sitting in a chair in the room, a smile on his face.

‘How on earth!’

Won Chan-hyuk couldn’t help but think it. His greedy lifestyle often put his life in danger, so he always kept his senses spread in all directions to ensure his safety.

For Yu-jin to have slipped past his senses and be sitting quietly in the room, he couldn’t help but be astonished.

“Y-Young Master!”

“It’s been a while, Elder Won Chan-hyuk.”

As Yu-jin spoke with a bright smile, Won Chan-hyuk tried to rise from his seat. But he couldn’t.

A masked figure, who had appeared without him noticing, was holding a sword to his throat.

Being caught off guard by Yu-jin was one thing—Yu-jin’s realm was higher, after all—but to be caught off guard by another person right after left Won Chan-hyuk speechless.

“Ah, it would be troublesome if you moved recklessly. I’m here to punish you, Elder Won Chan-hyuk. In truth, you’ve committed a crime so great that I’d be justified in striking you dead on the spot, but you are an elder, after all. A certain level of courtesy is required.”

Yu-jin’s voice echoed through the house. It was a cheerful voice, and Yu-jin was smiling, but Won Chan-hyuk trembled involuntarily. He could sense from Yu-jin’s demeanor that he had not come with good intentions.

“Watch your mouth, Young Master! I am an elder! How can you show such arrogance to an elder? Even for you, this is unacceptable! Show some respect!”

As Won Chan-hyuk raised his voice, Yu-jin lightly shook his head.

“Of course, the need to respect the elders remains unchanged. But you, Elder Won Chan-hyuk, are a bit of an exception. I know the elders get involved in matters of personal gain, but you’ve gone too far.”

‘D-don’t tell me?’

Having a guilty conscience, Won Chan-hyuk’s face momentarily wavered. But, true to his cunning nature, he immediately masked his expression and glared at Yu-jin with a face full of rage.

“I never knew you were this kind of person, Young Master. Do not slander someone without proof.”

“Proof… you mean this?”

Yu-jin took out several sheets of white paper and tossed them in front of Won Chan-hyuk. Picking them up, Won Chan-hyuk immediately began to read.

Instantly, his face turned deathly pale, and his body trembled so violently it was visible to others.

The bundle of papers he held meticulously detailed all his corrupt dealings. He didn’t know how it was discovered, but everything was written there.

This alone was a grave crime, but his greatest sin was this.

“You have some nerve. To think you’d dare embezzle the True Dragon Sword Clan’s public funds. There’s a limit to greed, Elder Won Chan-hyuk.”

At Yu-jin’s words, Won Chan-hyuk instinctively gripped the sword at his waist. The moment he did, Eun Seol-rin pressed her blade against his neck, and blood began to trickle from the cut. But Eun Seol-rin’s true intention was not merely to wound him.

“Kuaaaargh!”

Won Chan-hyuk let out a loud scream, feeling a pain as if every blood vessel in his body was being torn to shreds. Yu-jin then handed a small pill to the masked Eun Seol-rin, who took it and forced it into Won Chan-hyuk’s mouth.

Only then was Won Chan-hyuk released from the agony, gasping for breath. It was an immense pain he never wanted to think of again.

But for a moment, Won Chan-hyuk forgot about the pain that had just been inflicted upon him. His instincts screamed that something else was more important right now.

“W-what do you w-want from me, Young Master?”

At Won Chan-hyuk’s words, the smile on Yu-jin’s lips grew wider.

“This is why I like you, Won Chan-hyuk. You’re faithful to your desires, yet very wise. I quite like that about you.”

Yu-jin no longer used honorifics with Won Chan-hyuk, and Won Chan-hyuk didn’t mind. Being quick-witted, he knew Yu-jin wanted something from him, which was why he had asked.

“What I want is for you and your followers to support me. You’d better think carefully. Unless you want to taste that pain again until the day you die.”

Hearing Yu-jin’s words, Won Chan-hyuk’s spirit completely broke. It was an excruciating pain he never wanted to experience again.

He would rather cut his own throat than feel such agony again. Realizing he had no choice, Won Chan-hyuk opened his mouth.

“What do I get if I help you?”

“I’ll cover up all your past corruption. But once I become the clan head, you’d best be careful. If you ever covet the clan’s assets again, I’ll give you a taste of pain so exquisite you’ll beg for death. And who knows? You might even get to manage the True Dragon Sword Clan’s finances.”

At those words, Won Chan-hyuk’s eyes gleamed. His instincts were screaming at him. He had to seize this opportunity. In that instant, a cascade of thoughts flashed through his mind.

Even in such a situation, he coolly calculated the profits and losses of following Yu-jin. This ability to weigh gains and losses was one of his greatest strengths.

“I will follow the Young Master!”

Having finished his calculations, Won Chan-hyuk quickly changed his expression and bowed his head to Yu-jin, signifying his complete submission.

Watching Won Chan-hyuk, Yu-jin smiled. He had already perfectly grasped Won Chan-hyuk’s character.

Won Chan-hyuk was a man who would cast aside his pride for great profit. And Yu-jin had the power to offer him just that.

“I’ll trust your words.”

*Fwoosh!*

Yu-jin burned the papers he had brought, and Won Chan-hyuk looked at him with an even more moved expression.

“But don’t forget. No matter what corruption you commit or how you hide it, you can never escape my eyes.”

“I will keep that in mind, Young Master. No, our great Clan Head!”

At the words ‘Clan Head,’ Yu-jin smiled in satisfaction and nodded.

* * *

Those who followed Won Chan-hyuk obeyed his every word, so they pledged their loyalty to Yu-jin without hesitation.

Having turned more than ten elders to his side in an instant, Yu-jin headed for the Guardian Hall.

The Guardian Hall, composed of masters recruited from outside the clan, was currently maintaining a neutral stance. But Yu-jin had no intention of tolerating that.

“We are people who devoted ourselves to the True Dragon Sword Clan in reverence for the former Clan Head’s reputation. We have no intention of getting involved in matters related to the succession, Young Master.”

Na Yeon-ung, the Guardian Hall Master, stated his position as he looked at Yu-jin. Around him, numerous masters of the Guardian Hall had gathered, watching the two. Many of them supported Na Yeon-ung’s stance.

“That won’t do, Hall Master Na. The Guardian Hall is also a division of the True Dragon Sword Clan. As the clan’s successor, I cannot tolerate such an ambiguous attitude.”

“The former Clan Head respected our wishes, Young Master.”

His meaning was clear: the former clan head hadn’t forced them, so Yu-jin should also leave them alone.

“Is that so? It seems not everyone shares your opinion.”

“What are you talking ab—”

Before Na Yeon-ung could finish his sentence, masters from the Guardian Hall moved to stand behind Yu-jin. They numbered half of the Hall’s members. And at their center stood a beautiful woman in her forties, Jin Ah-rin of the Blood Butterfly Sword.

“Vice Hall Master, what is the meaning of this!”

Na Yeon-ung shouted, looking at Jin Ah-rin with a shocked expression. But unlike the agitated Na Yeon-ung, Jin Ah-rin answered without losing her composure.

“We are also members of the True Dragon Sword Clan. What’s the problem with us expressing our will, Hall Master?”

Jin Ah-rin’s words made Na Yeon-ung grit his teeth. The Jin Ah-rin he knew was a woman who had lost her husband and devoted herself solely to the sword.

When on earth did she meet Yu-jin and decide to support him?

Na Yeon-ung looked at the members standing behind Jin Ah-rin and Yu-jin. They were all known to be among the most skilled in the Guardian Hall.

They had all been persuaded by Jin Ah-rin to support Yu-jin. Realizing he could no longer change the tide, but unwilling to submit so easily, Na Yeon-ung drew his sword.

“The former Clan Head captivated me with his martial arts! If you can do the same, Young Master, then I will gladly follow you!”

“That’s hardly a difficult task.”

Yu-jin grinned, leaped out the window onto the Guardian Hall’s training stage, and Na Yeon-ung followed.

The two clashed. But the fight was not long.

“Keuk!”

Na Yeon-ung was on his knees, letting out a pained groan. His entire body was already covered in blood. He tried to force himself up, glaring ahead. But an irresistible, immense energy pressed down on him, heavy and absolute.