Weapon-Eating Bastard [EN]: Chapter 61

The elders’ perception of Lee Tae-hong was simple:

A gray figure who never took a stand and pretended to be virtuous.

Lee Tae-hong literally never took sides in the political maneuvering within the family.

He didn’t overtly support any of Lee Tae-shin’s children and quietly performed his duties.

Some might see that as noble and admirable.

But to those in similar positions, he seemed like a hypocrite putting on a show.

Therefore, the elders all shared a similar opinion of Lee Tae-hong, who attended this meeting fully aware of the agenda.

‘He’s probably here to side with Chul because they’re both from illegitimate backgrounds. Does he think being an elder gives him influence?’

And Lee Tae-hong knew what they thought.

‘Their thoughts are so predictable. Old, sly foxes.’

Lee Tae-hong sighed inwardly, observing the narrow-minded and conservative remarks exchanged in the conference room and the scrutinizing gazes directed at him.

‘I have such an impressive nephew that I have to attend these uncomfortable gatherings. Now that I think about it, isn’t Chul pushing for this leap forward to gain something like this?’

In reality, Lee Tae-hong’s reason for attending this unpleasant meeting wasn’t to support Lee Chul.

It was the opposite.

And it was at his young nephew’s request.

“Well, let the elders suggest appropriate alternatives,” Elder Council Chairman Lee Chul-joong said calmly, passing the responsibility back to the elders.

Lee Tae-hong pondered for a moment.

‘Hoo, Chul. I really don’t know if this is the right thing to do.’

But he’d been asked, and he’d come this far, so he couldn’t back out now.

It was a difficult path, but if that child overcame it, a great reward would follow.

“I have something to say.”

The elders’ gazes immediately focused on Lee Tae-hong as he raised his hand.

“Hmm, the Chief Manager has something to say?”

Lee Chul-joong narrowed his eyes, studying Lee Tae-hong.

“I believe the Chief Manager is quite close to that youngest… *ahem*… the youngest member of the family.”

The Elder Council Chairman smiled, his wrinkled eyelids crinkling further. His tone was friendly, but his words carried a hidden barb.

Lee Tae-hong closed his eyes briefly and began his performance.

“Yes, that’s right. How can I dislike him when he tries so hard? However, I do think this matter is a bit excessive.”

“Excessive…”

Lee Chul-joong repeated the word and chuckled softly.

Lee Tae-hong continued.

“Clearly, Chul has addressed the justification, but tradition and procedure cannot be ignored. I think it’s necessary for the youngest to understand that he can’t do whatever he wants before he goes any further.”

“Haha, I thought the Chief Manager quite disliked the traditions and procedures of this family?”

‘As expected, he’s a formidable old man.’

Lee Tae-hong forced a smile.

“I’m getting old now. Why wouldn’t I understand the importance of those things? However, as a working-level employee, I was reluctant to deal with those aspects, fearing rigid enforcement.”

The elders sneered, listening to Lee Tae-hong’s words.

‘He was pretending to be a scholar, but now he’s backing down?’

They’d thought he would side with the “illegitimate child,” but instead, he was strengthening the Elder Council Chairman’s position.

‘Did he belatedly develop a desire for power?’

The elders considered this.

“Hmm, I understand the Chief Manager’s intentions. So, what kind of plan are you suggesting?”

“If there’s no justification for the Elders to oppose, then we can create one. In fact, this issue isn’t something to worry about so much.”

“Is that so?”

Lee Chul-joong’s expression was clearly satisfied.

Lee Tae-hong felt a sigh threatening to escape, but he pressed on.

“In the end, isn’t the best justification this? That we can’t be certain whether the youngest will act in a way that tarnishes the family’s name. The fact that he hasn’t yet proven his ability.”

“Let me reiterate, the Head of the family has acknowledged that he has become a 5th grade warrior [referring to a level in their martial arts system].”

“Will the Head of the family really formally acknowledge that?”

Lee Chul-joong’s eyes curved into a crescent moon.

‘There’s no way.’

Even if it were true, it hadn’t been proven.

“So… ahem.”

Lee Tae-hong paused, his mouth open, about to speak the final words.

The moment he uttered them, it would be irreversible.

‘Damn it. You cunning fellow. Do it yourself!’

Lee Tae-hong finally spoke.

“Chief Manager?”

“Ahem! I’m sorry. So… we should set the stage for proof.”

“A stage? Are you perhaps talking about a duel?”

“Yes, that’s right. Considering the youngest’s actions so far, he will never refuse.”

“Not a bad idea. If you put it that way, the Head of the family will also be convinced. So, who should he face?”

“Wouldn’t it be best to entrust it to the person who recently returned from warrior training?”

“The seventh?”

“The seventh isn’t a bad choice, but considering Chul’s personality, he wouldn’t accept a fight that wouldn’t benefit him.”

“Then… the sixth, perhaps?”

“Yes, wouldn’t Seol-ah be appropriate? If you’re worried about the difference in realm, you can simply place plausible restrictions on Seol-ah.”

Lee Tae-shin’s sixth child, Lee Seol-ah.

And the youngest member of the family, Lee Chul.

A duel between the two.

‘Not a bad method.’

Lee Chul-joong leaned back in his chair, pondering.

‘Moreover, I heard from Madam Baek that the sixth child harbors animosity towards Chul.’

With this incident, Chul would experience failure.

If that happened, his arrogance would be shattered, and he would stop acting like a wild horse.

‘But… to hear this plan from the Chief Manager of all people…’

Lee Chul-joong turned his gaze and looked around at the other elders.

“I think this method is acceptable. What do the other elders think?”

“I also think it’s not bad.”

“If the Elder Council Chairman thinks so, then it must be fine.”

There was no need for a formal vote.

Lee Chul-joong nodded.

* * *

After that, a few more minor items were brought up, and the elders exchanged opinions.

However, the only item that truly sparked passionate discussion was Lee Chul’s situation, and the meeting quickly concluded.

“I didn’t see this coming, but have you finally come to your senses?”

The family elders, who outranked Lee Tae-hong, each offered a comment or two.

Lee Tae-hong simply responded with a bitter smile.

“Thank you for your hard work today, Chief Manager.”

“Elder Council Chairman.”

Lee Tae-hong forced a smile as he heard the voice behind him and turned.

“I think I misunderstood the Chief Manager all this time? What wind has blown to give you such insight? Haha.”

“It’s as I said earlier.”

“Ah, of course, I know the Chief Manager’s loyalty to the family well enough.”

Lee Chul-joong walked alongside Lee Tae-hong.

His footsteps were slow, befitting his age, as if deliberately emphasizing each step.

As they chatted, Lee Chul-joong suddenly stopped, and Lee Tae-hong stopped as well.

Lee Chul-joong still wore a smile as he spoke in a low voice.

“But you know, Chief Manager, when acting, small details are important. Eyes, voice…”

Lee Tae-hong paused.

“Acting? I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Lee Chul-joong smirked.

The smile was endlessly unpleasant and repulsive, like a snake opening its mouth.

“The Chief Manager steadfastly called the youngest ‘the youngest’ when everyone else called him an illegitimate child. Haha.”

Lee Chul-joong slowly walked away.

Lee Tae-hong stood still, watching Lee Chul-joong’s back.

* * *

Direct Lineage Exclusive Training Ground 1, Sungmoo Hall.

I stood before my eldest brother and said,

“It looks like it will be over today.”

My eldest brother smiled strangely at my words.

“Are you saying that after being so thoroughly defeated yesterday?”

“Didn’t you feel it too, eldest brother?”

I slowly drew my sword, and my eldest brother mirrored my action.

“Then show me.”

Swoosh! Bang!

I swung my arm wide, testing the sword’s balance.

Flexible and powerful muscles contracted and relaxed in rapid succession.

I swung the sword at angles that would have damaged the joints and muscles of an ordinary person long ago.

My eldest brother also swung his sword with an excited expression.

“Good!”

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Movements that would strain the body unfolded in quick succession.

“Haaap!”

My eldest brother seemed to be enjoying himself, as if engaged in a fun game with his younger brother.

Despite his apparent ease, I gritted my teeth and gave it my all.

Dozens of sword strikes stretched out before me, each aimed at an angle that was difficult to block.

‘I can block them all!’

Woo-.

The Evil Eye and Sixth Sense [heightened senses], honed through training in Cheonwisan, perceived every sword path, and my strong body endured.

But simply blocking wasn’t enough.

I tightened the tension in my body even further.

Clang! Clatter!

My eldest brother’s beloved sword, Byeokcheon [likely a named sword].

The founder’s sword, Black Night [likely a named sword].

Each time the two swords collided, a fierce roar erupted.

Kwaang-!

Byeokcheon, emitting a blue light under the sunlight, and Black Night, which seemed to have swallowed the light, collided with immense force.

My eldest brother was pushed back, scraping the ground, and I rolled away as if I’d been thrown.

But I quickly regained my footing and faced my eldest brother.

And.

“Hahahahaha!”

My eldest brother burst into hearty laughter.

“Congratulations! You’ve mastered the basics! You’re crazy! Crazy! To master the basics in just one month!”

It had been a month since I began receiving guidance from my eldest brother.

To be exact, on the 33rd day, I had mastered the basics of the Sungmoo style.

“Amazing. It took me three months to fully master the basics, but only a month for you! You’re truly a genius!”

“It’s all thanks to my eldest brother’s teachings.”

I replied, managing my ragged breathing.

Lee Myung-jung smiled, looking at his younger brother.

‘It took a week to grasp it, two weeks to get used to it, and only a month to complete it by applying it to the magical aspects!’

There are two key challenges in learning the basics.

First, the complete control of the body.

You must perfectly understand your body and be able to execute movements that are perfectly suited to it.

Second, the manipulation of a powerful magic system that complements a strong body.

The Martial Bone of the Sungmoo Lee Family isn’t simply applied to joints, muscles, and tendons.

It also extends to the magic system, which is far stronger than that of ordinary people.

Therefore, you must be able to manipulate even the flow of magic with extreme precision.

But Lee Chul had achieved both conditions in just one month.

‘Usually, there are difficulties with the magic…’

From the start, this child understood his body through intense training, and his talent for magic was, of course, beyond words.

“I will certify it. You have now completely mastered the basics.”

“Thank you, eldest brother.”

I sheathed Black Night and smiled coolly.

‘One month. It was faster than I expected.’

The commonalities with Manbyeon [likely a martial art or technique] helped, and I was already able to handle the magic aspect sufficiently.

I focused my eyes and clenched and unclenched my hands.

‘Manbyeon and the basics. If I can combine two similar things…’

I intuitively felt that I had taken another step towards a higher realm.

And with that one step, ideas about what I already possessed began to form.

My eldest brother noticed my expression.

“You not only realized the basics, but you also gained something more from it.”

In fact, what I gained was the basics, and what I already had was Manbyeon, so it was slightly different.

My eldest brother seemed to sense this and said,

“Yes, I’m thinking of creating my own movement.”

“Shall I help you?”

I smiled at my eldest brother’s offer.

“I would be very grateful if you would.”

The genius of the Sungmoo Lee Family, one of the Twin Stars, was offering to help me.

I accepted the favor without hesitation.

That’s how time passed again.

And news arrived from the Council of Elders.