Return of Hades - chapter 04

Return of Hades:

Episode 4

“Is it the Confucius speaking?”

The chief officer tilted his head and asked.

It was a reaction of confusion.

Of course. It was someone who had just attended a family meeting stepping forward to take on a task.

“Yes. It’s not a particularly difficult task.”

“Certainly, that is true, but…”

The people in the meeting room nodded their heads.

Wi Ji-Yeon chose to participate in an event that Cheongun Sanghoe was hosting.

“Cheongun Sanghoe has had a good relationship with our Wi Ji clan since my grandfather’s time. It seems we must go congratulate them as this year marks their 30th anniversary.”

“The words of Confucius are correct.”

The chief officer nodded.

Cheongun Sanghoe was one of the few financial lifelines for the Wi Ji clan, and it held value in itself.

‘Although it hasn’t yet entered the top ten trading groups of the Central Plains, it is among the top five in Shanxi.’

Moreover, it was evaluated that in just a few more generations, Cheongun Sanghoe could aim for a spot among the top ten trading groups of the Central Plains.

The Wi Ji clan could not afford to neglect it.

“Normally, I would think it would be fine for someone like Lord Jaekyung or the external chief officer, who have regular connections, to go. However, given the special circumstance of the 30th anniversary, I believe it is appropriate for me to go, as I am the heir of the Wi Ji clan.”

‘Besides, there’s a specific reason I need to go there this time.’

“Ahem.”

At Wi Ji-yeon’s words, a few people coughed uncomfortably. They were all supporters of his uncle. But Wi Ji-yeon continued speaking regardless.

“Is there anyone who objects?”

“……”

No one raised their hand.

They merely looked at each other.

This was partly because Wi Ji-yeon’s logic was impeccable, but also because Wi Ji-seon, who was seated at the head of the table, did not raise any objections.

After a moment of silence, Wi Ji-yeon spoke.

“I suppose there are no objections. Then I will take it as decided. Chief officer.”

“Yes, Confucius.”

“Please make sure to record this. We mustn’t have any dissenting voices later.”

“Understood.”

The chief officer recorded Wi Ji-yeon’s words. It was the moment when the last agenda of the family meeting was decided.

* *

Although the schedule for visiting Cheongun Sanghoe was set, there was nothing immediate that Wi Ji-yeon needed to do.

The gifts would be prepared by Lord Jaekyung and the external chief officer, and there was still quite a bit of time before then.

There were roughly three months left.

Even considering that it would take about half a month to travel, it was more than enough time.

Naturally, Wi Ji-yeon did not waste that time.

Swish!

“Wow.”

Every time he performed a precise movement, admiration arose.

But Wi Ji-yeon continued his training without paying any attention to it.

Along with it came a rising sense of exhilaration.

It was the power of the Golden Vajra Yaksha Heart Technique.

This martial art, learned in his previous life, was rapidly enhancing his physical abilities the more he trained.

Was that all?

Vroom.

After finishing his physical training, he always practiced the Immovable King Heart Technique to regulate his vital energy.

Vital energy was a life force.

As the life force rose from the lower dantian and circulated through his body, vitality surged again.

This meant he had the strength to train again.

Thus, the training continued.

Swish!

“Impressive.”

“You’ve been training hard for over half a month without proper rest.”

“I can hardly believe this is the same Confucius we knew.”

“It seems the shock of almost being poisoned was truly significant.”

Wi Ji-yeon had been training almost nonstop, except for eating and sleeping.

Silently, but continuously.

That appearance resembled a monk engaged in ascetic practices rather than martial artist training.

However, the martial artists sharing the training ground could not stop him.

They were overwhelmed by the change in his aura that had begun at some point.

“This won’t do; we can’t fall behind.”

“Right. If Confucius is working that hard, how can we afford to rest?”

“As Confucius said, we are the swords of the Wi Ji clan. Let’s increase our training volume.”

They were not merely surprised.

Especially those passionate about the clan and martial arts were greatly inspired by Wi Ji-Yeon.

The result, of course, was voluntary training.

They increased their training hours and made efforts to grow stronger without anyone telling them to.

To be of help to Wi Ji-yeon, the future clan head, and to the Wi Ji clan itself.

“Humph.”

But where there is light, there is also darkness.

Not everyone was pleased with the changing atmosphere of the martial artists.

Among them the most notable was Wi Ji-dae-hyeok.

The acting clan head and son of Wi Ji-seon.

* *

Recently, Wi Ji-dae-hyeok had been in a foul mood.

It wasn’t because he had been kicked out of his usual hangout, Honglu, for causing a scene.

Nor was it because he had been reprimanded for associating with the black market and losing money in gambling.

The reason for his anger was

‘Wi Ji-yeon. That bothersome guy.’

It was because of Wi Ji-yeon, the legitimate heir of the Wi Ji clan.

At first, he hadn’t paid much attention.

No matter how legitimate an heir he was, Wi Ji-yeon didn’t seem to care much about martial arts or the clan.

He had acted like a person with no motivation for a decade since the previous clan head’s death, enough to disappoint the clan elders who initially supported him.

‘But now that guy!’

Suddenly changed.

Ever since he had been almost poisoned.

In truth, Wi Ji-dae-hyeok didn’t know exactly how the poisoning incident had occurred.

All he knew was that Wi Ji-yeon had completely transformed since that day.

‘It seems some impetuous person among those following my father caused this incident.’

What a foolish choice it was.

Because of that, a guy who could have been left to fade away had awakened.

‘Anyway, I can’t just let him be.’

Wi Ji-dae-hyeok had a dream.

If his father became the clan head of the Wi Ji clan, he would follow in his footsteps and seize everything in the clan.

Although he had a younger brother, he was the legitimate heir. Moreover, his younger brother, Wi Ji-jung-hyeok, was obsessed with martial arts and had no interest in politics or the position of clan head.

Therefore, he had to suppress Wi Ji-yeon by any means necessary.

That way, his father could become the clan head.

But how?

‘I heard that guy is going to Cheongun Sanghoe as a delegate.’

It was not a difficult task.

No, it wasn’t even a task.

He just needed to go, deliver a gift, occupy a seat, and then return.

But what if that guy succeeded and returned?

‘It’s obvious he would become even more confident.’

After all, it was a public activity.

Moreover, building a relationship with a trading company like Cheongun Sanghoe would indeed be a great help.

Wi Ji-dae-hyeok pondered for a moment.

How could he sabotage that guy’s mission?

The conclusion came quickly.

‘If I prevent him from going, that’s it.’

Of course, he couldn’t just block him without any reason.

That would be a family event.

But if there were a valid reason for him not to go to Cheongun Sanghoe?

‘Then I could stop him.’

Wi Ji-dae-hyeok smiled slyly.

That valid reason could be fabricated easily.

‘If a bone were to break, he wouldn’t be able to go to Cheongun Sanghoe.’

With that thought, Wi Ji-dae-hyeok stood up and headed straight for the training ground.

* *

“Suddenly a spar? Isn’t that a bit out of the blue?”

Wi Ji-yeon frowned when he saw Wi Ji-dae-hyeok, who had come to interrupt his training.

But Wi Ji-dae-hyeok asked as if there were no issues.

“I heard you’ve been diligently training lately, so as your elder brother, I came to teach you a thing or two.”

“To teach me, you say.”

Wi Ji-yeon chuckled at Wi Ji-dae-hyeok’s words.

In appearance, it wasn’t a problematic statement.

They were cousins, and it was true that Wi Ji-dae-hyeok was three years older.

Even though Wi Ji-yeon was the heir, Wi Ji-dae-hyeok was the son of the acting clan head, who had managed the Wi Ji clan for over ten years.

Thus, he couldn’t pick a fight over the statement of teaching him.

‘In reality, at this point, Wi Ji-dae-hyeok has likely trained in martial arts much longer than I have.’

Of course, he wasn’t purely there to instruct him.

‘What he’s thinking is obvious.’

Wi Ji-yeon knew Wi Ji-dae-hyeok well.

He was an ambiguous character, not as politically skilled as his father, Wi Ji-Seon, nor as talented in martial arts as his brother, Wi Ji-jung-hyeok.

Yet his greed was immense.

That guy had begged his father, Wi Ji-Seon, to make him the secondary clan head the moment he ascended to the position.

‘Given that he’s such a person, he wouldn’t look kindly upon me.’

He believed that the position of secondary clan head should naturally be his, but now that Wi Ji-yeon had regained his senses, that was no longer the case.

Perhaps the reason he was suggesting this spar was

‘To show off with a grand victory? Or to try to sabotage my trip to Cheongun Sanghoe?’

Whatever it was, the reason was obvious.

It was also a reason not worth worrying too much about.

‘Since this sudden proposal has come, wouldn’t it be better to give him a taste of his own medicine?’

Wi Ji-yeon briefly pondered.

The thought didn’t take long.

“Alright. Let’s do as you say, brother.”

“Great! You won’t take back what you said?”

Wi Ji-dae-hyeok was as happy as a child who had received a reward.

He quickly halted the training taking place on the training ground and set up a sparring space.

He also allowed enough time for many people to come and watch the spar.

“Are you going to spar with Lord Yeon and Lord Dae-hyeok?”

“Shouldn’t someone stop this?”

“Even though Lord Yeon has been training hard lately, there’s a significant difference in their training periods.”

Those who had a favorable view of Wi Ji-yeon whispered with concern.

Some even approached Wi Ji-yeon and cautiously asked if he should reconsider.

But Wi Ji-yeon merely caressed the staff he had been using for training.

As time passed.

“I will now begin the spar!”

Perhaps thinking that the audience was now sufficiently gathered, Wi Ji-dae-hyeok announced in a loud voice.

When sparring for instruction, there would usually be a three-count concession, but this time there was none.

He simply swung his sword with the intent to injure Wi Ji-yeon.

However.

Thwack!

Wi Ji-dae-hyeok let out a foolish sound as his fierce strike was blocked.

His eyes widened in surprise.

The opponent had merely stood still and moved the staff slightly, yet his strike was easily blocked.

“Not bad!”

But he soon dismissed his doubts and continued his assault.

After all, his purpose was to give Wi Ji-Yeon a hard time. If he could break even one bone, that would be enough.

So.

‘Let me finish this quickly!’

Wi Ji-dae-hyeok unleashed the Great Wind Sword Technique.

It rained down like a massive wind, aiming to overwhelm Wi Ji-Yeon.

Or rather, it was supposed to.

Tap.

“Huh?”

Wi Ji-dae-hyeok let out a foolish sound as his attack was blocked in an instant.

Wi Ji-yeon’s staff had already intercepted the path of his sword.

But that wasn’t the end.

The tip of the staff, having claimed space first, twisted like a snake.

Then.

Thwack!

“Cough!”

Struck directly in the solar plexus, Wi Ji-dae-hyeok fell to the ground, clutching his chest.

Everyone watching that scene gagged in astonishment.