NABC Book 4: Chapter 5
Book 4: Chapter 5
Book 4: Chapter 5
Luoyang Sword House,
Elder Yeoms Training Ground.
Now, you all understand, right?
Yeom Baekha, known as the Executioner Princess and a Law Enforcer, was explaining.
The training you are receiving now is due to a special training period declared by the main houses Judiciary Council.
In front of her were dozens of martial artists sitting closely together.
This is intended to strengthen the discipline of the main house following the recent incident in the inner court. Have you all understood so far?
A martial artist sitting next to a nodding-off companion burst into laughter at her words.
Ha-ha, miss. Even we understand that much.
Another martial artist also chuckled.
Were not ruffians from the streets of Luoyang
Isnt this underestimating us a bit?
Their chatter caused even the dozing martial artists to pretend to join in the laughter.
Yeom Baekha sighed and continued.
Okay, then I have a question for our well-educated and cultured martial artists. What is the main houses Supreme Operating Council?
One of the martial artists confidently answered.
Its the most powerful organization, isnt it?
The scariest place!
And the most important organization!
Yeom Baekha covered her face with her hands and sighed.
If only they were as good at studying as they were with swords, they all might have been Law Enforcers.
She composed herself and continued the training.
The main houses Supreme Operating Council currently acts as the Acting Head of the main house and is also the name of the current system. Its the ultimate decision-making body of the main house, with the authority to forcibly intervene in issues that the Elder Council or other subordinate organizations cant resolve on their own.
That means its the most powerful, right?
It seems like it means the scariest place
I got it right! It means the most important organization!
Yeom Baekha nodded noncommittally.
Yes, yes. You all did well.
The martial artists clapped enthusiastically.
Yeom Baekha waved her hand to stop the applause and posed another question.
So, does anyone know how many members make up the Supreme Operating Council?
Three members, isnt it?
Uh, I thought it was five.
Yeom Baekha forced a smile.
The answer is nobody knows.'
The martial artists booed her.
Hey, wasnt that a trick question?
Ask us how many members there are and then say nobody knows as the answer, are you making fun of us?!
Sorry about that.
Its okay!
Anyone can make a mistake!
Yeom Baekhas smiling face twitched slightly.
Now, the number of commissioners in the Supreme Operating Council, as well as their identities, are not known. Why do you think that is?
Maybe its for their protection!
Being in such important positions, they might not all be skilled in martial arts, so I think its a good measure.
This time, a more thoughtful answer came back.
Given that guarding important figures was part of their training, such a response was expected.
Yes! Those are good answers.
Everyone clapped happily.
Now, now. But the most important reason is to prevent the concentration of all power in their hands.
Yeom Baekha continued her explanation in a gentle tone.
They possess immense authority, but in exchange, they must keep a vow of silence, never revealing their identity to anyone, anywhere.
Oh, then they cant even brag about it anywhere.
Hmm. Then I wouldnt want to do that. Being successful is the only thing my mother brags about.
Ah, yes. They are making a noble sacrifice for the Luoyang Sword House.
One of the martial arts chiefs sitting at the front stood up and exclaimed.
So we all must follow their example and arm ourselves with the spirit of true martial artists, embodying an endless spirit of sacrifice for the main house! Do you understand?!
As the regular meeting of the Council of Elders concluded, the elders who had been confined rushed out of the Great Hall.
Well then, Ill see you at the next regular meeting.
Take care until then.
Exiting the Great Hall, they returned to being the dignified, cultured elders that they were known to be.
As they dispersed to their respective paths, one of the elders telepathically asked Elder Son.
Your earlier words, they were true, werent they?
Elder Son, with a smile on his face, replied.
Do not worry. The Supreme Operating Council will never leave the heads seal in the hands of the Eldest Young Master.
Can I trust that?
Of course.
He sent the telepathic message with unwavering confidence.
After all, its a direct word from 2nd Young Master, my lord.
* * *
In the empty Great Hall.
Was this the best decision?
The Head of the Law Enforcement Council asked.
Was there another way?
The Head of the Judiciary Council also inquired.
There were ways. Plenty of them.
The Head of the Elder Council sighed.
But none of them were the best among the best, were they?
Sending it to the Supreme Operating Council was the best judgment.
If they, who hold all the power and authority, take over, they will prevent the worst outcome.
The Head of the Elder Council took a deep breath.
Thats the problem. That there was only one option that could be considered the best judgment.
His gaze turned towards the main entrance of the Great Hall.
There was only one main door in the Great Hall.
Whether leaving or entering, that door had to be used.
The Head of the Law Enforcement Council spoke up.
I heard that this incident in the inner court started with just one surveillance investigator.
The Head of the Elder Council nodded.
Was his name Kang Ho? I know of him because of my acquaintance with his grandfather.
And it was the Eldest Young Master who specifically summoned that Kang Ho.
The Head of the Elder Council sighed.
Ultimately, the Eldest Young Master, by merely moving a single low-ranking surveillance officer, has shaken the entire inner court.
The Head of the Judiciary Council spoke in a subdued voice.
Moreover, with the premeditated spread of rumors, he left me with no other choice. He forced the Judiciary Council to make that scene in the central square.
Its unimaginable that a person with no power or influence, who has been in seclusion for ten years, could orchestrate such a thing.
The Head of the Elder Council slowly nodded.
The Inner Court Supervisor, that old monster, was also caught off guard unexpectedly
Though everyone here might feel the same, this isnt because we are hostile towards the Eldest Young Master.
Its simply because he is an excessively dangerous individual.
While he is at his weakest now, we must cut the problem at its root.
And we have played our strongest card, the Supreme Operating Council, the most powerful tool we can mobilize from the main house. Our judgment is correct.
Do you all realize?
The Head of the Elder Council smiled wryly.
We all knew these details and had made our judgments before even having this conversation. Yet, here we are, gathered and discussing what seems redundant.
The Heads of the Law Enforcement and Judiciary Councils remained silent.
It was because they were anxious.
Despite having made all calculations and taken the strongest action possible,
The Head of the Elder Council shook his head.
Somehow, it reminds me of the Blood History era.
There was no response.
The Head of the Elder Council moved his reluctant steps.
Towards the only exit.
Its been a while since Ive visited the clan elders.
Suppressing his reluctance, he deeply sighed under the weight of the oppressive mood.