Chapter 103: An Unexpected Variable (3)

“Indeed, this should be sufficient.”

Cheon Yeongha nodded as she read through the report submitted by the Black Gold Sa Clan.

“Well then…!”

“Sa Cheongmun, who conspired with outside forces of the Cult to commit treason, shall be executed. As for the Sa Clan, a small fine shall be imposed for the negligence in managing their direct bloodline. That will be the end of it.”

This was more than enough to say they had covered the sky with their palm.

“All other charges and dispositions against the Sa Clan are to be rescinded. You’ve worked hard, Clan Leader.”

As the expression on the Thunder Essence Fiend Sa Myeongrin brightened, the sound of someone clicking their tongue openly echoed around them.

“Tsk!”

“Disappointed, Jin Gun-ak?”

“To be honest, yeah. Would’ve been nice if they suffered a little more.”

“Don’t push the Sa Clan too far. They’ve already drained their mental energy over the past week.”

“Hmph!”

Normally, Jin Gun-ak wouldn’t have stopped at just mocking them for expending a little mental effort. But this time, he ended his provocation with just a scoff.

That was because he knew all too well that the chaos awaiting the Sa Clan was only just beginning.

“Alright, let’s wrap up the Sa Clan’s case here…”

Cheon Yeongha swept her gaze across the elders seated in the Elder Council.

It seemed that some of the lower-numbered elders, who had been absent before, had shown up with sullen expressions—perhaps heeding the previous warning.

All elders were present, except for the now-vacant seat of the Seventh Elder.

“Everyone looks rather displeased.”

“Well, we were dragged here by force. Not surprising, since those guys hold all the voting rights anyway.”

The Eighth Elder, Blood Flow Spear Yang Sobyeong, grumbled.

Yang Sobyeong, who had only one eye, was notorious among the elders for being an absolute martial arts fanatic.

Accordingly, he also held the record for the lowest attendance rate among the elders.

“Even so, as an elder, you should at least fulfill your basic duties—for the sake of your clan’s standing.”

“…Tch!”

The Yang Clan of Sinchang, Yang Sobyeong’s original clan, had been a prestigious spear clan since before the Northern Song Dynasty.

While their influence didn’t reach the level of the Six Great Demonic Clans, they had consistently produced peak-level masters across generations, making them a prestigious house in their own right.

However, because of their Orthodox roots, they had long been the target of significant scrutiny and pressure, despite their reputation.

“But why do those old coots look so grim? Doesn’t seem like it’s about the Sa Clan issue.”

At Yang Sobyeong’s remark, the expressions of several heads of the Six Great Clans twisted.

Just as Yang Sobyeong raised an eyebrow, sensing he had hit a sore spot—

Cheon Yeongha let out a sigh and said,

“You still haven’t fixed that habit of running your mouth without reading the room.”

“Oh? Something really happened?”

“…It’s good to train your martial arts, but maybe try listening to the outside world a bit, too.”

“I’m not that bad. At least I’m not openly dozing off like that guy over there.”

“……”

“……”

Everyone’s eyes turned to one corner.

There sat the Twelfth Elder, Yama Blade Endless, arms crossed and eyes closed in silence.

From the evenness of his breathing, it was clear he was in a deep sleep.

“Well… yeah.”

“He’s better off asleep. No need to wake a beast unnecessarily.”

If awakened, Yama Blade was an even greater headache than Yang Sobyeong.

In fact, letting him doze quietly as he was now was the ideal outcome.

“Enough chit-chat. Let’s get back to business.”

Cheon Yeongha clapped her hands, shifting the mood in the room.

“Now that the Sa Clan issue is settled, let’s move on to the next matter. Some of you may already be aware—there’s been an incident in the Hwan Clan.”

The Fifth Elder and head of the Heavenly Illusion Hwan Clan, White Horse General Illusion Demon Hwan Pyeong, spoke quietly.

“The Phantom Soul Demonic Sword has been stolen.”

“…That’s not something one can just steal, is it?”

Nine-Cloud Blood Claw Wang Garak blinked in disbelief.

Several other elders, hearing this for the first time, had similar expressions.

The Phantom Soul Demonic Sword was the sacred relic of the Heavenly Illusion Hwan Clan—equivalent to the Sect Leader’s Seal in the Nine Great Sects.

“Have they caught the thief, Clan Leader Hwan?”

“If they had, this matter wouldn’t have been brought to the Elder Council.”

Cheon Yeongha answered Gwang Ra-hee Yeo-jin’s question.

“The one who stole the Phantom Soul Demonic Sword is none other than a direct descendant of the Hwan Clan—Flying Phantom Sword Hwan Ryung.”

Flying Phantom Sword Hwan Ryung.

Even if he was a direct member of the Heavenly Illusion Hwan Clan, he wasn’t someone memorable among the ranks of clan leaders—except that some had taken note of him due to a recent incident.

“…He participated in the recent Young Cult Leader Exchange Ceremony, didn’t he?”

“That Sa Cheongmun guy too… why are all the participants in that thing causing trouble?”

The Elder Council erupted into noise.

“I heard that kid was humiliated pretty badly by the eldest son of the Jin Clan?”

At those words, someone’s nose lifted proudly.

That person shrugged with a smug grin.

“Hoho, hohoho! Well, Yeomyung just did what he always does. Nothing particularly noteworthy.”

“Would you at least wipe the grin off your face when saying that?”

“Shameless. If my son did that, I’d be carrying him around on my back!”

Though complaints were thrown from all directions, Jin Gun-ak paid them no mind.

Even in his eyes, the feat his eldest son had pulled off this time was overwhelming!

“Could it be that, from the shock, he stole the Phantom Soul Demonic Sword…?”

“We can’t rule out any possibility. To be honest, we haven’t identified any clear causality.”

“Hey, maybe you should’ve managed your kids better?”

Jin Gun-ak teased Hwan Pyeong in his usual laid-back tone, but Hwan Pyeong—famous for his unreadable expression, rivaling even So Mun-yak—showed no reaction.

Instead, other clan leaders shook their heads in resignation.

“Damn, never thought I’d see the day when a Jin Clan brat gets to show off as an heir.”

“Back in our day, not causing trouble was considered good upbringing. At that level, he’s worthy of praise. It’s just hard to stomach.”

“So? Where’s that Hwan Ryung guy now?”

Hwan Pyeong replied,

“He fled north toward Ten Thousand Mountain. The clan’s elite are pursuing him, but somehow, he’s shaken off all of their tracks.”

“What? Is that for real?”

Given Hwan Ryung’s current level, at best he was between a First-rate Martial Artist and Master Level.

He absolutely shouldn’t have been able to escape the Hwan Clan elites’ pursuit.

“He has an accomplice.”

Only then did the elders begin to understand why this issue had reached the Elder Council.

“…‘Them,’ is it?”

“I can’t be certain, but the possibility is high.”

Cheon Yeongha rested her chin on her hand and spoke.

“He may have been humiliated at the Exchange Ceremony, but all Hwan Ryung received for it was a light punishment. And yet, he still caused trouble.”

“Are you sure we all agree on the definition of ‘light’ here?”

“That… probably not. From what I heard, the punishment was something like secluded meditation.”

Unless they had severed one of his limbs or crippled his Dantian, it could indeed be considered light.

“Then why?”

“That’s exactly the issue. There was no reason for him to act out. That’s why I’m asking… Jin Gun-ak, did your eldest son have any other conflict with Hwan Ryung outside of the Exchange Ceremony?”

Jin Gun-ak shook his head after a moment of thought.

“Not that I know of. If he attacked out of embarrassment just because someone pointed out his martial arts flaws, then he’s a world-class idiot.”

“Huu… That does seem to be the case.”

A deep worry cast over Cheon Yeongha’s face.

“In any case, Hwan Ryung fled north toward Ten Thousand Mountain and vanished at some point. Judging by the direction he took, it wouldn’t be strange if he passed through the Thousand-Day Pass.”

“If he carelessly approaches the Thousand-Day Pass, he’ll be captured right away, won’t he?”

“If he has an accomplice, any kind of variable is possible.”

“So, Grand Elder… what exactly do you want to do?”

Yang Sobyeong asked with a slight curl of his lip.

“I don’t want this matter to spread too far.”

Cheon Yeongha’s will pressed subtly on the entire Elder Council like a formless force.

“Hmm!”

“Hmph!”

Several elders, unable to withstand her pressure completely, cleared their throats.

“I intend to assign one of the elders to join the pursuit party.”

“Going that far?”

“If an external force is involved, then this isn’t just the Hwan Clan’s problem. And if someone was able to evade the Hwan Clan’s tracking forces, then this much is necessary.”

Surprisingly, there was little resistance.

In the face of external threats, the Six Great Clans always set aside their differences and united.

It was an unbroken, unwritten law among them.

“Then who?”

“The heads of the Six Clans will be difficult to spare. I’d like to take volunteers from among the other elders. Is there anyone willing?”

Silence quickly fell over the room.

Naturally, no one wanted to volunteer for such a troublesome and thankless job.

Just as if she had anticipated this result, Cheon Yeongha was about to offer a bait.

“If someone participates in this matter, I will personally…”

“I’ll go.”

But before she could finish speaking, someone volunteered!

“White-Faced Demonic Palm Elder?”

“That’s unexpected.”

The Tenth Elder, White-Faced Demonic Palm Jang Gil-san, who had remained silent until now, stood from his seat.

“Haven’t had anything to keep me busy lately anyway. So I just need to catch the kid?”

“That’s right.”

“Will I be going alone?”

“Not quite. The Cheon Clan will assign a subjugation unit under your command. Just take them with you.”

“One of the Thirty-Four Demon Squads?”

At Jang Gil-san’s question, Cheon Yeongha shook her head with a slightly apologetic expression.

“It’ll be the True Blood Unit.”

A faint twitch crossed Jang Gil-san’s face.

“…That’s the rookie squad, isn’t it?”

“Still, in terms of individual skill, they’re not inferior to most of the Thirty-Four Demon Squads.”

The Jin Blood Unit—a team of young bloods, mostly in their twenties, selected from the Cheon Clan’s branch families.

The number was around twenty. Naturally, being selected into the Jin Blood Unit meant they were essentially future pillars expected to lead the next generation of the Cheon Clan.

However—

“No thanks if I have to babysit brats.”

The Cheon Clan—an apex family. Its members. And youth acknowledged for their strength and talent.

When all that’s combined, it amounted to a group of troublemakers, each with strength and pride to match.

“If it’s not due to your own fault, even if they’re all annihilated, it won’t matter. It’s about time those kids got some real combat experience anyway. This is a good chance.”

Cheon Yeongha looked at Jang Gil-san with earnest eyes.

“At the very least, they won’t drag you down.”

“……”

As Jang Gil-san fell silent, regretting having stepped up prematurely—

“This will be a good opportunity for Elder Jang. That is, if you manage to get on their good side.”

“Who knows? Maybe instead of us climbing one step up to fill the Seventh Elder’s seat… Elder Jang might take it directly.”

Other low-numbered elders began sending words of encouragement to Jang Gil-san.

In their eyes, it was crystal clear that none of them wanted the job.

Letting out a long sigh, Jang Gil-san said,

“Huu, I won’t take it back, so do shut your mouths.”

At those words, silence instantly fell over the Elder Council.

Cheon Yeongha clapped her hands and nodded.

“I’m very pleased that Elder White-Faced Demonic Palm has volunteered. Preparations will be completed immediately, so please stay behind after the meeting.”

At that moment, someone urgently asked,

“Elder Chief, is that the end of today’s agenda?”

“Yes, it is.”

“Then, I’ll excuse myself. Something urgent came up.”

The speaker was none other than Jin Gun-ak.

With a stiff expression on his face, he stormed out of the Elder Council chamber.

“…What’s gotten into the Asura King all of a sudden?”

Gwang Ra-hee Yeo-jin widened her eyes.

“Click click… he must’ve realized something.”

Nine-Cloud Blood Claw clicked his tongue.

“Realized what, exactly?”

“Obviously…”

After glancing briefly toward the head seat, he lowered his voice to a whisper.

“That this whole incident… isn’t going to end here.”

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