I Was the Strongest Sword God in My Past Life

part 26

“What do you think? Have you not changed your mind?”

At Hwang Chung’s words, Jien bowed his head.

‘It seems… he is determined to drag me into the succession fight.’

But I won’t be easily subdued. The quest was not to become the successor.

“I have no desire to join the fight of tigers as a wolf. It is a tiger that subdues another tiger.”

“Ha-ha-ha, would a vote among tigers settle the fight?”

“Vote!”

Jien shouted involuntarily, or perhaps it was a calculated reaction. Though he feigned surprise with his words, the corners of his mouth rose on their own.

“Father! This is about choosing the clan leader. To decide it by a mere vote…”

“A mere vote? This is a process where the successors choose their leader themselves. If they choose their own leader, they will surely accept him. My mind is made up. I’ll give you one day. Just one day. You brothers vote for the next clan leader. To avoid a tie, I, the current clan leader, will also cast my vote.”

As Hwang Chung’s words fell, Hwang Yuseong’s face turned dark.

Hwang Yuseong thought Hwang Chung favored the second son, Jien.

‘So I sent assassins! But that damned bodyguard woman…’

The second son was clever but mad. Mad with love. That was his only weakness.

‘The day he went to meet the Nangong girl was the perfect opportunity!’

It was too late for regrets now. What if Hwang Chung’s vote went to Jien?

‘Too disadvantageous, far too much.’

Just as Hwang Yuseong was about to express his opposition, Jien stood up.

“I will renounce my claim to the succession.”

Hwang Yuseong and Hwang Cheolsan, in shock, dropped their cups simultaneously. The reaction mirrored that of everyone at the banquet. To throw away the chance to become the wealthiest in the world?

But Hwang Chung alone was not surprised and spoke leisurely.

“Renounce? What is the reason?”

“I was attacked by bandits because I left for the Nangong house.”

“I am well aware of that.”

“I have no intention of becoming the clan leader and the father of the martial family. I intend to become the husband of a woman.”

Though I heard it from a servant, the Namgung clan has a custom of taking in sons-in-law. It was a convenient excuse for Jien.

“Ah, so you would forsake all this wealth? Is that what you’re saying?”

“Gold is sweet, but it’s a devil’s hand that blinds us to the truth. If that hand causes me to lose someone I truly love, then there’s no profit left.”

Perfect lines.

Perfect acting.

Even an acting professor at the Academy would stand and applaud if they saw this scene; Jien’s performance was that flawless. His true intention was to quickly decide on a successor and close the gate. But outwardly, he was packaged as a lover whose name would live on in District 3.

“Indeed, you are clever. Seeing how quick you are with numbers, you must have the blood of a merchant. Don’t you have the ambition to hold the world in that vessel of yours?”

To Hwang Chung’s question, Jien replied firmly.

“Miss Nam is my world, and having embraced her, there’s no room left for anything else.”

At Evan’s words, Hwang Chung burst into laughter.

“Ha, hahaha! Very well. If that’s your wish, I’m pleased. Yuseong, Sanchul.”

“Yes, Father!”

“Yes, Father!”

Swallowing their saliva, everyone focused on Hwang Chung’s next words.

“The one chosen by the second son will be the next clan leader. Any objections?”

Hwang Yuseong looked at Hwang Sanchul.

‘That fool must know. I’m better than the stupid youngest.’

Hwang Sanchul also looked at Hwang Yuseong.

‘The brothers don’t get along. If I play my cards right…’

Two dreams under one roof.

In the same place, Hwang Yuseong and Hwang Sanchul were dreaming different dreams.

* * *

Back at the detached house.

Only Jien and Liza were there.

Everyone, even the servants, had been dismissed to ensure caution in this operation. Evan asked Liza with a hesitant expression.

“Didn’t I tell you, Liza?”

“Isn’t this a loophole?”

A loophole, indeed.

Such naive talk. Even if it’s an illusion, there’s no intention to take it lightly or repeat the same mistakes.

“What are you talking about? I’ve kept to the quest’s objective.”

The quest was, after all, to determine the successor of the Golden Gate.

“Do I really need to be the successor?”

“Well, that’s… true.”

“After all, it’s a level 3 gate. Such a lukewarm ending suits it.”

“So, Hwang Yuseong, Hwang Sanchul. Which one is it?”

To Liza’s question, Jien answered nonchalantly.

“I don’t really care. If I had to choose, it would be Hwang Yuseong.”

“Why?”

“Because the hierarchy in Sector 3 is strict. They chose the eldest son.”

Hwang Yuseong has more influence than Hwang Sanchul, and more justification than the youngest. But Liza seemed displeased, her expression sullen.

“Even for such a large clan, shouldn’t there be more responsibility?”

“It’s all an illusion anyway…”

Jien stopped speaking and looked at Liza. Yes, an illusion. With a bitter expression, Jien listened as Liza raised her voice.

“At least we should filter out villains who send assassins with poisoned arrows!”

Liza pointed to her left eye, her magical tool.

“Are you going to use the magical tool?”

Jien seemed willing to go along with that. Even if it was just a gate, leaving such a villain unchecked felt unsettling.

“Don’t overdo it. You understand?”

“Yes. Don’t worry. Since the vote is tomorrow, neither will come to the annex tonight, right?”

“That’s likely.”

Jien nodded.

‘And the situation is favorable.’

Liza’s role was that of a bodyguard. Being in the annex, she wouldn’t be suspected. In fact, given the circumstances, if someone were to say to get rid of Liza, they would be the ones under suspicion.

‘As long as Liza is by my side…’

The moment the other party speaks.

Her eyes will reveal the truth.

* * *

Someone opened the door to the annex where Jien was.

“Brother, there’s something I want to say.”

“Yes, come in.”

At Jian’s words, Liza burst into laughter. Jian looked down at Hwang Sancheol with an arrogant stance.

But Hwang Sancheol, as if minor things didn’t matter, immediately knelt down.

“I must become the clan leader.”

“Sancheol, with the eldest brother here, how could you become the clan leader?”

At Jian’s natural acting, Liza was impressed.

“The eldest brother is too violent. Didn’t you see him beat someone to death over a quarrel last time?”

‘No. I don’t remember seeing that. In fact, I don’t remember anything at all.’

“Yes, I saw it.”

Jian nodded nonchalantly. Liza was now struggling to hold back her laughter, almost to the point of crying.

“Gulp!”

Hwang Sancheol, after scanning Liza with a cold gaze, appeals again.

“The eldest brother becoming the clan leader? I am opposed.”

“Really? It’s not that you want to be the clan leader?”

At Jian’s question, Hwang Sancheol just swallowed his saliva.

“……”

“For the revival of the clan, such a temperament is necessary.”

“But……”

“It’s a small matter, but strict punishment can sometimes be a painting for a distant landscape, can’t it?”

At Jian’s words, Hwang Sancheol’s expression fell.

“Yes…, the eldest brother is more suitable than me.”

“But you are also right.”

Hmm?

Hwang Sancheol sneakily checked Jian’s expression.

“What do you mean……?”

“The eldest brother is too violent, maybe you are the material for a clan leader.”

At Jian’s bait, Hwang Sancheol wanted to scream. With this atmosphere, he would be the owner of the Golden Gate tomorrow.

“That, that’s right. If I become the clan leader, I will not forget this favor. For the younger brother’s matters, I would run barefoot…”

“No, what I want is not that.”

“What do you desire? Gold? If I become the clan leader, the marriage you will have with my sister-in-law will be envied by the most desirable partners……”

At that moment, a stigmata on Liza’s hand shone, and a golden light wrapped around the beautiful walls.

When Gian glanced at Liza, she nodded.

‘Are you saying this story is true?’

Gian nodded at Hwang San-cheol’s words.

“I can feel the sincerity.”

“Yes, brother! I will surely keep this promise.”

“No, what I want is one thing. Answer my question now, and that’s the end of it.”

Gian’s attitude felt strange, but Hwang San-cheol didn’t care. Just one answer to a question.

“Do you know who was behind the bandits who attacked me?”

Gian asked.

“Eh, yes?”

“It’s strange, isn’t it? The bandit used an arrowhead smeared with poison and ran away after seeing my bodyguard.”

Hwang San-cheol thought.

He knew well that the bodyguard woman next to Gian was a monster. But a mere bandit?

Even if she was dressed in military attire, she was a pretty female warrior. It was strange that the bandit gang fled at first sight.

“Could it be.”

Hwang San-cheol realized he was also a prime suspect. Cold sweat ran down his forehead.

“I… I don’t know anything about it.”

Finally, the answer Gian had been waiting for came out. Once again, a golden light swirled in Liza’s eyes watching from the side.

Liza’s stigmata, Dike.

The magical tool of Dike is the eye.

The golden light swirling in Liza’s iris was the reaction of the magical device, the Eye of Truth. Its efficacy, as the name suggests, is to distinguish whether the other party’s words are true or false.

Nod.

Liza nodded again. True. Gian let out a long sigh.

“Hwang San-cheol. You are the next clan leader.”

“Me, really?”

“Yes. Big brother…”

Gian’s eyes flashed.

The chill of his words froze the air.

“He is not qualified.”

Bang!!

“Seems like an interesting story is being told.”

Hwang Yuseong entered.