Weapon-Eating Bastard [EN]: Chapter 215

Weapon-Eating Bastard – Episode 215

A snow mountain located near Northern Europe.

Far from where he was supposed to be, handling a task assigned by the main family, Lee Gun-sung stood in an unexplored region of Northern Europe.

“My Lord.”

A massively built man appeared behind Lee Gun-sung.

“It seems the matter has been settled. What’s the result?” Lee Gun-sung asked, still walking leisurely.

“The Elder Council Head is dead.”

A strange light flickered in Lee Gun-sung’s eyes at his subordinate’s words.

“It seems things played out quite interestingly. How did Hyung-nim [older brother/term of respect] handle it?”

“The Acting Head of the Family did not move a single step from the conference hall in America.”

Lee Gun-sung’s head turned slightly towards his subordinate.

“Then it was the youngest.”

Lee Gun-sung narrowed his eyes as if surprised.

“Explain in a bit more detail.”

The subordinate lowered his head and slowly continued. “The Bastard’s martial prowess was beyond imagination. The Elder Council Head mobilized all available forces in a hurry to meet the Bastard at the main gate, but he was instead subdued.”

Lee Gun-sung still wore a smile as he listened to the report.

“The youngest did it alone, you say.”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“It seems the youngest’s martial strength was stronger than I anticipated.”

Lee Gun-sung’s eyes shone sharply even in the darkness.

Of course, several factors must have contributed to Lee Chul facing such a strong force single-handedly. The higher-ranking warriors probably couldn’t exert their full power to protect the lower-ranking warriors, and there might have been compatibility issues, such as Lee Chul using techniques that made him stronger in multi-on-one combat.

“So, what is the current situation in the family?”

“The Intelligence Department and the Spirit Sword Unit seem to be thoroughly controlling information, but some information is leaking out bit by bit. The Acting Head of the Family returned immediately upon hearing the news.”

“What about the youngest?”

“After the incident, he disarmed himself and was taken into custody by the Judicial Court. The subsequent issues are currently under investigation, so I couldn’t get detailed information.”

He went into the Judicial Court.

‘He’s not an easy opponent.’

That confident appearance will leave a strong impression on the warriors of the Soongmoo Lee Family.

“Heh heh.”

Lee Gun-sung chuckled softly, stopped walking, and faced the wind blowing along the ridge of the snow mountain.

Below his feet, a dizzying cliff and darkness unfolded.

Lee Gun-sung’s bright red lips curved like a crescent moon.

“He hid his teeth? He’s smarter than I thought.”

Lee Gun-sung recalled his meeting with the youngest.

He didn’t expect him to be able to do this much; he might have misjudged Lee Chul.

Or perhaps, he was just acting that way.

Either way, he’s different from what he expected.

Lee Gun-sung chuckled as if amused.

Looking at Lee Gun-sung, the subordinate quietly asked.

“My Lord, what should we do from now on?”

“Do not interfere with this incident itself. After all, it’s just one old man, driven mad by his lust for power, who died. He was someone who would have been ousted someday anyway.”

Lee Gun-sung said that and erased his smile.

“However, it seems like it’s time to start moving.”

Changes will soon come to the Soongmoo Lee Family.

And the big axis of that change is Lee Chul.

‘To hide it so well and then reveal it, can I take that as a sign that you’re ready, youngest?’

He didn’t know what aspect of himself Lee Chul saw, but Lee Chul was wary of him and revealed his true colors after several years.

Then, Lee Gun-sung’s job was decided.

Whoo-oong!

Lee Gun-sung turned his head and looked down the cliff.

And as the wind blew, the scenery below was revealed.

In the dimly lit darkness, countless human shadows lurked below.

Squeak!

A light sound of stepping on snow came from behind Lee Gun-sung.

“You’re here? You should have contacted me.”

It was an old man with a cane.

He walked unsteadily and greeted Lee Gun-sung.

“It’s been a while, Puppeteer. Did you change bodies again?”

“Well, I don’t really know if this body is a puppet or the real one. My soul was shattered during the Church State incident.”

Tuk tuk.

The old man, no, the Puppeteer, tapped his head and chuckled softly.

“The preparations?”

“It still needs some time. The materials are so good, you see.”

The Puppeteer clicked his tongue and chuckled, and Lee Gun-sung turned his head and looked down the cliff.

There stood humans… no, puppets.

Without a single piece of cloth, they didn’t even shiver once in the extreme cold where even breath froze.

No, they were actually generating heat.

Their whole bodies were flushed red, and they were emitting hazy steam around them.

“I’d like you to move up the schedule a bit.”

“Oh-ho. This is quite interesting. You’re modifying the schedule.”

Lee Gun-sung remained silent at the Puppeteer’s words.

The Puppeteer shrugged.

“Well, fine. I received the materials from the masked guys. It won’t take long.”

“Then I’ll leave this side to you. Finish it within at least two years. I’ll be going now.”

“Yeah, yeah, do that. Take good care of the material supply.”

“Don’t worry about that.”

Lee Gun-sung stared down at the humans lined up below the cliff before turning his body.

Soon, the wind blew.

It was the bleak and cold wind of the snow mountain.

“I guess it’s about time I tried a Family Head competition.”

The giant’s eyes widened slightly at Lee Gun-sung’s casually uttered words.

“First, shall I cut off my father’s hands and feet?”

Father, Lee Tae-shin’s hands and feet.

That expression was mainly used in the family when referring to Chief Choi.

* * *

Several days had passed since the incident caused by Lee Chul, or rather, depending on the perspective, caused by the Elder Council Head.

Despite the passage of time, the atmosphere in the Soongmoo Lee Family was grim.

It couldn’t be helped.

The Soongmoo Lee Family’s incredibly young direct descendant (even a despised bastard) had beheaded none other than the Elder Council Head.

Thud! Thud! Thud!

At this very moment, reconstruction work was in full swing in front of the main gate that Lee Chul had destroyed.

People passing by had no choice but to reflect on the existence of Lee Chul, whether they liked it or not.

Therefore, the grim and quiet air was merely a superficial atmosphere.

The Soongmoo Lee Family was seething in many ways.

And.

The Acting Head of the Soongmoo Lee Family, the eldest Lee Myung-jung, had to urgently convene an Elder Council meeting as soon as he returned to the family after finishing his external business.

“I received a report on the detailed circumstances on the way here, but first, I would like to hear a detailed explanation of the situation.”

At Lee Myung-jung’s instruction, the heads of each department and the directors of the Elder Council’s affiliated organizations let out deep sighs and looked at each other.

No one could easily open their mouths.

Whether they were people of the Elder Council Head or not.

Whether they were neutral factions or not.

“Since no one is speaking, then the Chief Manager… um? Where did the Chief Manager go?”

Lee Myung-jung frowned as he scanned the assembly.

“…Chief Manager Lee Tae-hong is currently in custody, Acting Head of the Family.”

The Director of the Censorate answered without realizing it, then closed his mouth under the glare of those around him.

“Custody? Why is he?”

“Ahem, that is…”

“I’m going to die of frustration. Hey, nephew. Tae-hong was arrested on suspicion of colluding with the bastard. The Judicial Court seems to be trying to charge him with aiding and abetting or being an accomplice or something?”

The one who spoke was the Training Supervisor’s Director, Lee Baek-chul, who was tilting his head back and forth.

Lee Myung-jung’s eyes turned coldly at his words.

He had received a report.

But that report was just a vague report that everyone related to Lee Chul had been detained.

But he never imagined that even his uncle, Lee Tae-hong, who held a high position in the family, would be arrested.

“The Judicial Court Director handled all of that, but he’s dead, so I don’t know who should say it? Keuheuheu!”

Even with the Training Supervisor’s rough words, the conference hall was still filled with sighs and coughs.

Lee Myung-jung looked around the assembly and said in a low, subdued voice.

“I am not in a very good mood right now.”

Koo-oong!

At Lee Myung-jung’s words, a cold chill descended upon the conference hall.

Most of the faces, except for Lee Baek-chul and a few elders, turned pale as they looked at Lee Myung-jung.

Lee Myung-jung was not someone who would do this.

But he was showing his power so strongly.

“If you continue to remain silent after this moment, I will consider it as ignoring me. Don’t think that I will treat you all with respect forever.”

Lee Myung-jung was also a lion.

At his threat, the Deputy Director of the Judicial Court, Lee Gu-baek, finally rose from his seat.

One by one, detailed explanations of the situation followed.

The Deputy Director of the Judicial Court was not originally part of the Elder Council Head’s faction, and he was someone who knew how to value his life, so he focused on describing the phenomena and situations as objectively as possible.

“So, the current damage situation is as follows.”

The Deputy Director handed Lee Myung-jung the prepared materials.

Lee Myung-jung chuckled at the contents.

-Elder Council Head Lee Chul-joong deceased.

-Judicial Court Director and 2 other Upper Council Elders deceased.

-23 members of the Silent Sword Unit deceased, the rest all with injuries from which they cannot recover.

-Each Captain of the Four Gods Unit and each Elder, as well as 3rd and 4th grade warriors, all seriously injured.

-Soongmoo Gate destroyed.

-Some of the outer walls destroyed.

…

It was a terrible damage situation.

He wondered if the main family had ever suffered such extreme damage since the Great War.

“…By the way, you said that the youngest voluntarily confined himself in the Judicial Court?”

“Yes, that is correct. Immediately after the incident… he disarmed himself and accepted the arrest.”

“…”

Lee Myung-jung wondered whether to believe it or not.

Even if it was the youngest, he couldn’t believe that he would be intact after driving back the main family’s forces so much.

“That’s true. That guy was fine even after the incident. He walked in on his own two feet.”

“…I see.”

Lee Myung-jung paused for a moment at Lee Baek-chul’s addition, then his eyes lit up.

‘I see. He’s smart, youngest.’

Despite causing a shocking incident, he acted confidently without violating the family’s rules.

If he had wanted to, he could have acted arbitrarily in the main family, and no one would have been able to say anything.

“What is the progress of the investigation?”

“Hah, currently, we are verifying the facts. First… we are comparing the Judicial Court’s investigation facts with the youngest Gongja’s [young master] data. Most of the investigation has been completed, and we have currently requested the Nine Dragons Association to confirm the facts as the last step.”

The biggest issue in this case is whether or not there was collusion and treason.

Lee Chul claimed that the Elder Council Head contacted the Nine Dragons Association and instigated his assassination.

The Judicial Court claimed that Lee Chul colluded with the Nine Dragons Association under the Elder Council Head’s instructions.

Both sides have evidence, but it is insufficient, and ultimately, the truth must be heard from the Nine Dragons Association.

The report continued after that.

The current atmosphere of the Soongmoo Lee Family was chaotic in many ways.

Administrative processing was delayed because the Chief Manager was in custody, and a significant portion of the work was also stopped due to the death of the Elder Council Head and the deaths of the Upper Council Elders.

It was then.

One of the elders, who had been sitting in an uncomfortable position, opened his mouth.

“…Acting Head of the Family. May I say something?”

It was one of the Upper Council Elders, the Director of the Black Mist Garden.

An Upper Council Elder, but a neutral director who did not belong to either the Elder Council Head’s faction or the direct descendant’s faction.

He was somewhat conservative due to his age, but as such, he was someone who valued principles.

“Please speak.”

“I know that the Acting Head of the Family cherishes the youngest Gongja. But I am worried that you may be bringing in some personal feelings.”

“Are you saying that I took the youngest’s side?”

The Director of the Black Mist Garden shook his head.

“Surely not. I recognize the Acting Head of the Family’s fairness more than anyone else. However, since the investigation is not over yet, I am saying that you may ruin things with a biased view towards either the Elder Council Head or the youngest Gongja.”

It was a principled criticism befitting the Director of the Black Mist Garden’s usual tendencies.

In fact, his expression did not change at all.

“I understand.”

“As I said before, looking at the incident itself, it is impossible to know who is at fault on either side. In the end, this means that the investigation must be conducted after the Nine Dragons Association’s response comes. However, I think it is necessary to discuss the youngest Gongja’s handling of this incident.”

Lee Myung-jung took a deep breath and nodded.

Lee Chul’s handling.

That is, the content about killing the Elder Council Head’s direct descendants using force and causing damage to the family.

If he was really wronged, shouldn’t he have been investigated according to the family rules?

“Some voices are saying that the youngest Gongja’s… methods were excessive.”

Lee Myung-jung also knew.

The Director of the Black Mist Garden softened the words, but such stories were circulating among a small number of people.

-Was Lee Chul killing the Elder Council Head out of revenge for being mistreated as a bastard?

It was content that ignored Lee Chul’s intentions.

“What do you think, Director of the Black Mist Garden?”

The Director of the Black Mist Garden paused for a moment, then shook his head.

“It is true that it is difficult to make a decision on either side. But since this is the Soongmoo Lee Family, I don’t think there is a problem with the victor beheading the loser.”

“I see.”

“But wouldn’t the solution to all these controversies lie in clarifying the truth?”

Silence fell for a moment after those words.

In the end, there was only one way to solve all these controversies and problems.

That is the Nine Dragons Association’s answer.

Who was the traitor?

Who crossed the line?

Who was the truth, and who was the lie?

“Since they said they would give us an answer by today anyway, the results will come out if we wait.”

Silence filled the conference hall after Lee Myung-jung’s words.

And a moment later.

Knock knock!