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Vol.6 Act 1 - Heaven's Clothes, Seamless
RoD Vol.6 Chapter 18
by BlossomTLThe Ruler of DarknessLuoyang.
A bustling street near the North Mang Mountain checkpoint.
Elder Kang of the 2nd Young Master’s faction didn’t even have the presence of mind to wipe the sweat trickling down his broad forehead.
“…So, what did you say just now?”
A civil official belonging to a branch bloodline of the Sixteen Clans shrugged his shoulders.
“It’s exactly as I said.”
“So you’re saying the Eldest Young Master is coming and going from the Sixteen Clans as if it’s his own house, without any invitation?”
Pretending not to notice Elder Kang’s eyelids twitching for the sake of maintaining face, the civil official nodded.
“That’s correct. I just returned from confirming that the Sword House’s Eldest Young Master left our clan.”
“…”
“Then I’ll be going.”
The civil official politely bid farewell and left the teahouse, scanning his surroundings.
“…”
Having already ceased thinking and deducing on his own, Elder Kang handed the warrior standing by a piece of paper to record the situation.
***
Luoyang Sword House.
2nd Young Master’s Faction, Grand Assembly Hall.
The information delivered by the warriors accumulated steadily, albeit relatively slowly.
And the more information piled up, the quieter the Grand Assembly Hall grew.
“…The eighth clan visit, is it?”
“…Yes.”
“I heard he even dined with the retired clan head at the previous clan?”
“Yes.”
“He went in without any prior appointment and got a free meal?”
“…Yes.”
“Does that make any sense to you?!”
As an elder suddenly lashed out at a scholar, Elder Hahu patted his shoulder.
“For now, let’s set that part aside. We’re continuously investigating the Eldest Young Master’s connections to the Sixteen Clans, so it’s best we focus on what we need to focus on.”
Elder Hahu clapped his hands to draw the attention of those around him.
“Now! Here’s what we need to analyze at this point.”
The gazes of the entire assembly gathered on him.
Pointing to the names of the clans laid out in order on the large table, he spoke.
“We need to analyze the order in which the Eldest Young Master is visiting these clans. If we can analyze this, we’ll be able to grasp what priorities the Eldest Young Master is moving according to.”
Another elder also nodded.
“Indeed. If we analyze the order, we may even be able to speculate how the Eldest Young Master is able to come and go from the clans after the Kong Clan without any invitation.”
Time passed in this manner.
“Information that the Eldest Young Master has entered the tenth clan.”
Leaving behind only those words, the warrior hurriedly vanished from the Grand Assembly Hall.
Because the atmosphere in the Grand Assembly Hall was far too heavy.
“…”
No one, not a single person was speaking.
The Grand Assembly Hall was filled only with the smoke from the scholars’ and elders’ cigarettes.
“Um…”
A scholar cautiously raised his hand.
He was a young scholar who had joined the 2nd Young Master’s Jiangnan faction not long ago.
As everyone’s attention focused on him, he momentarily shrank back.
“Ah, n-never mind.”
Elder Hahu shouted.
“It’s fine! Say whatever it is!”
At those words, the young scholar carefully opened his mouth again.
“We’ve all put our heads together and pondered, but forget guessing the Eldest Young Master’s intentions, all that’s left are analyses that don’t even make sense, no?”
Elder Hahu nodded.
“True. To begin with, before we even guess the Eldest Young Master’s intentions, visiting clans of the Sixteen Clans’ caliber in this absurd order itself doesn’t make sense.”
There existed intricate power dynamics among the clans.
That was why the matter of which clan one visited first was an extremely important issue.
Because these power-oriented aristocratic clans were the sort to sometimes stake everything on their prestige.
Yet currently, the Eldest Young Master was disregarding those power dynamics and barging ahead with his visits.
The young scholar scratched his head.
“Then perhaps… From the beginning, there was no meaning at all to the order?”
“What did you…?”
“I mean, what if the very attempt to find intent in the order is utterly meaningless…?”
What kind of nonsensical remark was that?
“Someone of the Eldest Young Master’s stature moving while ignoring power dynamics without any intent…?”
As everyone’s gazes conveyed their disdain toward him, the young scholar deeply bowed his head.
“…My apologies.”
Just then, a chief scholar who had been lost in thought in the back row abruptly stood up.
“Could it be…?!”
Disregarding whatever looks he received, he dashed to his office and returned with a worn-out piece of paper.
“Everyone, take a look at this!”
The paper he unfolded on the large table was none other than an old map.
“This is…?”
The chief scholar explained.
“This is the work of an unnamed painter depicting North Mang Mountain 150 years ago.”
“Why is that painting relevant now…?”
“The reason this painting was in my office is precisely because of this.”
He pointed with his finger at the ultra-luxurious residential district of North Mang Mountain.
“The painting left by the painter, who was ignorant of the laws at the time, roughly indicates the locations of each clan’s mansion.”
At those words, everyone rushed to the large table to check the order of the Eldest Young Master’s visits on the painting.
“Even if it’s from 150 years ago, the Sixteen Clans have remained unchanged since then, so there shouldn’t be much difference from the current structure.”
Those who couldn’t get close to the painting due to the gathered crowd climbed on others’ shoulders or even stood on tiptoe, struggling to see the painting.
“…This is?!”
The folding fan held in Elder Hahu’s mouth fell to the floor.
The chief scholar who had brought the painting gave a hollow laugh.
“…The rookie’s words were right.”
Another elder grabbed his forehead with his trembling hands.
“To think the order truly had no meaning at all…”
Staggering, Elder Hahu pushed through the gathered throng and plopped down on the chair prepared on the podium.
“…”
His hand habitually rose to his mouth to find the folding fan he had been biting, but that folding fan had fallen to the floor and been trampled and crushed by the surging crowd.
‘It was simply the order of proximity to the entrance?’
The Eldest Young Master was disregarding power dynamics and visiting in the order of proximity to the checkpoint.
The Kong Clan he had visited first was the clan whose entrance was closest to the checkpoint.
Another elder muttered, unable to conceal his trembling voice.
“How…? How is the Eldest Young Master able to do this?”
***
In the past, Yeon So-hyeon’s childhood.
Young Yeon So-hyeon asked.
“I want to help more people not only in Luoyang but throughout the entire Central Plains.”
With an expression of not knowing what to do with the adorableness, his father stroked young Yeon So-hyeon’s head.
“Sure. Sure. Once you grow up a bit more, you’ll be able to do it as much as you want.”
“Sigh…”
Young Yeon So-hyeon shook his head vigorously.
“No. The future is a matter for the future, Father. What I’m asking about is the method at this point in time. Because a more effective and efficient methodology for projecting influence is necessary.”
Young Yeon So-hyeon lowered his head as if asking how he couldn’t know even that.
“Oh, I-I see…”
“The current bureaucratic system of the Central Plains is excessively rigid, and under the vertical chain of command starting from the physically distant Imperial Court, the officials are mired in self-preservation and nepotism, repeatedly engaging in corruption. Nevertheless, if I were to point out the advantage of that vertical and hierarchical chain of command, it would be that when a decision is made at the highest level, it can be implemented uniformly without exception through a system encompassing the entire Central Plains. That is why I seek to borrow the wisdom derived from the monarchical knowledge and generational knowledge of you, Father, who stands at the apex of this vast vertical chain of command called the Sword House…”
“Wait, wait a moment! Alright. I understand. I get what you’re saying.”
The father, who had momentarily treated his eldest son like any other ordinary child, stroked his short beard.
“Uh, umm.”
His eyes wavered incessantly, and cold sweat flowed down his forehead.
What kind of answer should he give to avoid disappointing this genius son and give a splendid answer as a father?
“Umm. Then wouldn’t befriending the most powerful figures in the bureaucracy be the easiest way to convey your intentions?”
Young Yeon So-hyeon’s eyes sparkled.
“The most powerful officials, you say?”
“Yes, that’s right!”
The father hurriedly nodded.
“So for example, the clan heads of the Capital’s Sixteen Clans who defend the Imperial Court…?”
***
Luoyang, North Mang Mountain.
The Capital’s Sixteen Clans, Gongsun Clan.
The main gate opened, and Yeon So-hyeon’s armored horse carriage emerged, boasting of its massive weight.
The steel wheels rolled, emitting fierce noise and sparks, and the two spirit beasts exhaled rough breaths.
The eyes of the butlers watching the ultra-expensive cobblestones being shattered in real-time quivered fiercely.
“Ho-ho. So that’s the rumored Iron Fortress of the Medicine Fairy!”
Nevertheless, the skinny and irritable-looking owner of the mansion didn’t seem to pay any mind to such things.
Finally, the carriage came to a complete halt, and the door opened.
An elegant beauty stepped out first and waited for her master with a graceful demeanor.
“I didn’t expect you to personally come out to the courtyard to welcome me.”
Along with a melodious voice, Yeon So-hyeon, the Eldest Young Master of the Luoyang Sword House, descended from the carriage.
The sight of his black satin overcoat elegantly fluttering in the spring breeze was impressive.
“Young Master Yeon!”
The old man’s desolate face brightened as if seeing his beloved grandson.
“Isn’t this the first time we’re meeting face to face like this?”
“That’s right. As you said, this is our first in-person meeting.”
The old man, unlike someone from the Capital who valued etiquette as if it were his life, approached Yeon So-hyeon first with a laid-back demeanor.
“…Even seeing you with my own two eyes, I still can’t believe it.”
“Is that so?”
Yeon So-hyeon burst into loud laughter.
“…It’s truly unbelievable.”
The old man’s eyes held half amazement and half bewilderment.
“To think that the person I, Gongsun Nakang, who served closest to two Emperors, had been exchanging letters with since then was such a young child…!”
***
In the past, Yeon So-hyeon’s childhood.
“Father!”
Young Yeon So-hyeon came running.
“Oh my, has our So-hyeon come?”
The father lifted his eldest son with both hands and embraced him.
“Haha, you rascal. What news have you brought today?”
Young Yeon So-hyeon asked his father with a beaming smile.
“I’ve established friendships with the clan heads of the Capital’s Sixteen Clans! What’s the next step now?”
The father’s brightly smiling face froze in place.
“…What did you just say?”
Yeon So-hyeon shouted again.
“I said the stage of forming friendships with the clan heads is complete! So the next stage is…”
“No, wait, wait a moment.”
The father shook his head.
“So-hyeon, you’re saying you’ve formed personal friendships with the clan heads of the Capital’s Sixteen Clans?”
“Yes. Not with all of them yet, but…”
Young Yeon So-hyeon nodded with a puzzled expression.
“…?”
Seeing his father blinking like a cow, Yeon So-hyeon opened the silk pouch he had brought.
“Here are the invitations sent by the clan heads.”
Indeed, inside the silk pouch were invitations stamped with seals that were extraordinary at a glance.
“Father…?”
“Those old monsters sent invitations…?”
With the expression of someone seeing something incomprehensible, the father asked young Yeon So-hyeon.
“How in the world did you do this?”
Young Yeon So-hyeon grinned brightly.
“It wasn’t all that difficult!”
Navigate to Other Arcs
Regular Chapters
Vol.1 Act 0 - An Initial Encounter
Vol.1 Act 1 - The Ruler of Darkness (Opening Act)
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 03
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 04
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 05
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 06
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 07
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 08
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 09
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 10
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 11
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 12
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 13
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 14
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 15
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 16
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 17
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 18
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 19
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 20
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 21
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 22
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 23
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 24
- RoD Vol.01 Chapter 25
Vol.2 Act 1 - The Ruler of Darkness (Opening Act)
- RoD Vol.02 Chapter 01
- RoD Vol.02 Chapter 02
- RoD Vol.02 Chapter 03
- RoD Vol.02 Chapter 04
- RoD Vol.02 Chapter 05
- RoD Vol.02 Chapter 06
- RoD Vol.02 Chapter 07
- RoD Vol.02 Chapter 08
- RoD Vol.02 Chapter 09
- RoD Vol.02 Chapter 10
- RoD Vol.02 Chapter 11
- RoD Vol.02 Chapter 12
- RoD Vol.02 Chapter 13
- RoD Vol.02 Chapter 14
- RoD Vol.02 Chapter 15
- RoD Vol.02 Chapter 16
Vol.2 Act 2 - The Swordless One (The Curtain Rises)
Vol.3 Act 2 - The Swordless One (The Curtain Rises)
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 01
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 02
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 03
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 04
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 05
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 06
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 07
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 08
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 09
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 10
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 11
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 12
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 13
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 14
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 15
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 16
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 17
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 18
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 19
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 20
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 21
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 22
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 23
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 24
- RoD Vol.03 Chapter 25
Vol.4 Act 2 - The Swordless One (The Curtain Rises)
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 7
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 1
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 10
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 11
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 12
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 13
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 14
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 15
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 16
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 17
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 18
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 19
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 2
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 20
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 21
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 22
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 23
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 24
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 25
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 3
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 4
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 5
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 6
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 8
- RoD Vol.4 Chapter 9
Vol.5 Act 2 - The Swordless One (The Curtain Rises)
Vol.5 Act 3 - The Other Side of the Moon
- RoD Vol.5 Chapter 14
- RoD Vol.5 Chapter 15
- RoD Vol.5 Chapter 16
- RoD Vol.5 Chapter 17
- RoD Vol.5 Chapter 18
- RoD Vol.5 Chapter 19
- RoD Vol.5 Chapter 20
- RoD Vol.5 Chapter 21
- RoD Vol.5 Chapter 22 - Battle Begins
- RoD Vol.5 Chapter 23 - Attack
- RoD Vol.5 Chapter 24 - Complete Victory
- RoD Vol.5 Chapter 25 - Tranquility Amidst Notion
Vol.6 Act 1 - Heaven's Clothes, Seamless
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 1 - Golden Demon Snake
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 10
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 11
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 12
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 13
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 14
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 15
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 16
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 17
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 18
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 19
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 2 - Heaven's Clothes, Seamless
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 20
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 21
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 22
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 23
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 24
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 25
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 3 - External Hardness, Internal Hardness
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 4 - Sword House Castle Walls
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 5 - Unpredictable (1)
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 6
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 7
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 8
- RoD Vol.6 Chapter 9
Vol.7
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 1
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 10
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 11
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 12
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 13
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 14 - Dominance
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 15 - Brothers
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 16 - Vibration Steps
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 17 - Breakthrough
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 18 - Hand and Foot
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 19 - Where the Vice Pools
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 2
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 20 - Uninvited Eyes
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 21 - Unpaid Price
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 22 - Influence
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 23 - Between Brothers
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 24 - The Second Day
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 25 - Sisters
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 3
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 4
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 5
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 6
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 7
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 8
- RoD Vol.7 Chapter 9
Vol.8
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 1 - Reverse Thinking
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 10 - Down to the Last Cornerstone
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 11 - Fingerprint
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 12 - Double Front
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 13 - Destruction of the Family
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 14 - Blood Relations
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 15 - Intensification
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 16 - Counterattack and Preparation
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 17 - One-Man Army
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 18 - Parasites in Lion's Body
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 19 - Make a Choice
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 2 - Parting and Reunion
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 20 - Reason for Existence
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 3 - The New House of Compassion
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 4 - The Path to Follow
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 5 - Miscalculation
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 6 - The First Clash
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 7 - Lightning Strike
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 8 - Turning Point
- RoD Vol.8 Chapter 9 - Moment of Revealing One's Hand
Advanced Chapters
Vol.8
Vol.9
- 🔒50RoD Vol.9 Chapter 1 - Removing Firewood under the Cauldron
- 🔒50RoD Vol.9 Chapter 10 - Creating Destiny
- 🔒50RoD Vol.9 Chapter 11 - Response and Repayment
- 🔒50RoD Vol.9 Chapter 12 - Scapegoat
- 🔒55RoD Vol.9 Chapter 13 - The Trap
- 🔒55RoD Vol.9 Chapter 14 - Judgement
- 🔒55RoD Vol.9 Chapter 15 - Birthright
- 🔒55RoD Vol.9 Chapter 16 - Gehenna
- 🔒55RoD Vol.9 Chapter 17 - Blood Rain
- 🔒55RoD Vol.9 Chapter 18 - Aftermath
- 🔒55RoD Vol.9 Chapter 19 - Black Situation
- 🔒50RoD Vol.9 Chapter 2 - Those Waiting for Spring
- 🔒55RoD Vol.9 Chapter 20 - Return
- 🔒55RoD Vol.9 Chapter 21 - Watching the Fire
- 🔒55RoD Vol.9 Chapter 22 - Reaping the Benefits while Others Fight
- 🔒55RoD Vol.9 Chapter 23 - Everything Going as Wished
- 🔒55RoD Vol.9 Chapter 24 - Consolation of Spirits
- 🔒55RoD Vol.9 Chapter 25 - Life Goes On
- 🔒50RoD Vol.9 Chapter 3 - Torrential Rain
- 🔒50RoD Vol.9 Chapter 4 - Meeting or Encounter?
- 🔒50RoD Vol.9 Chapter 5 - Flash Shadow and Instant
- 🔒50RoD Vol.9 Chapter 6 - Riding the Tiger
- 🔒50RoD Vol.9 Chapter 7 - White Rice
- 🔒50RoD Vol.9 Chapter 8 - The Solution
- 🔒50RoD Vol.9 Chapter 9 - Persuasive Power and Authority
Vol.10
- 🔒55RoD Vol.10 Chapter 1 - Fanaticism and Devotion
- 🔒55RoD Vol.10 Chapter 10 - First Steps
- 🔒55RoD Vol.10 Chapter 11 - Above All Others
- 🔒55RoD Vol.10 Chapter 12 - Destiny
- 🔒55RoD Vol.10 Chapter 13 - Prestige
- 🔒55RoD Vol.10 Chapter 14 - The Big Picture
- 🔒55RoD Vol.10 Chapter 2 - Neither Monk nor Layman
- 🔒55RoD Vol.10 Chapter 3 - Anonymous Letter
- 🔒55RoD Vol.10 Chapter 4 - Inn
- 🔒55RoD Vol.10 Chapter 5 - Changing Currents
- 🔒55RoD Vol.10 Chapter 6 - The Imperial Capital
- 🔒55RoD Vol.10 Chapter 7 - Loyalty and Oath
- 🔒55RoD Vol.10 Chapter 8 - The Old Minister
- 🔒55RoD Vol.10 Chapter 9 - Loyal Subject