< Episode 106: Ritual of the Three Vessels (1) >
Lord Cheonjihoe standing with his back in front of the wide window.
His illness was clearly evident and his coughing appearance was nowhere to be seen.
Vice President Mong Seo-cheon’s expression as he looked at his back which was cast in shadow due to the light coming from outside the window was very strange.
“….”
Just half a month ago he thought there was no hope for him anymore because the lawmakers had given him the same diagnosis.
He was a person who had been ill for a long time.
Is it possible for a great general who had dominated a generation and gained fame to die in vain like this?
I was depressed but a twist happened.
Vice-leader Mong Seo-cheon who came to the main group’s residence after receiving a call could not help but be shocked.
He was cleaning up the blood-stained interior of the headquarters with the main body guard and the area around Hoeju’s residence was full of fallen bodies.
It was the main body’s first guard unit that was organizing the bodies.
They were all personally selected by the head of the company and were known to be his closest associates who never went beyond a radius of about 20 miles.
What happened while you were away?
After opening the door and entering the residence Vice President Mong Seocheon could not contain his astonishment.
[Hoeju?]
Hoeju who looked like he was going to pass away at any moment was standing still gasping for breath.
And in his hand was a sword and the sword was stained with the blood of the elders who had invaded the abode.
He still couldn’t forget that sight.
I never thought I would see Hoeju’s sharp and powerful eyes again which I had forgotten for a long time.
Is this really the Hoeju that was on the verge of death?
To him who was full of surprises and questions Hoeju spoke casually and in a businesslike tone.
[Two from the 1st Guard 11 from the 2nd Guard and 8 from the 3rd Guard… The rest are all members of the Presbyterian War.]
The number of people just mentioned…
[…Are you saying that they are all enemies or evildoers?]
[As you can see.]
[Hoeju. How can they be Ganja or not….]
[They pushed in with the bait spread through the net that had been prepared. They are all Ganja.]
[….]
The confident voice immediately sent shivers down the spine of Vice Chairman Mong Seocheon.
Although he talks as if it hasn’t been that long he has been ill for a really long time.
But looking at me now the long illness was clearly a lie.
Unless it’s a lie how can things improve in a short period of time?
‘…It’s terrible.’
He would think it was great if he could lie for just a few months but didn’t he appear to be suffering from illness for nearly ten years?
He even lied to himself who had been his closest aide and had been helping him since his youth.
I was at a loss for words because I had waited for this moment enduring patience for a long time not trusting anyone but with an extremely poisonous heart.
Rather than feeling sad that they had even hid it from him he was just amazed at why he went to such lengths to catch them.
‘What on earth are these?’
I was surprised that Hoeju was still alive and lost focus for a moment but I also had doubts about them.
The main body guard is made up of only the most trustworthy members and only those who have devoted themselves to the organization for a long time can enter the Presbyterian Hall after retirement.
But how can there be Ganja in this kind of guard and elder war?
[Who on earth would do something like this between the guards and the elders?]
It was something that even the members of the Justice League could not do.
To him who was perplexed Hoeju said something that was hard to understand.
[… He is Him.]
[Him?]
What on earth does that mean?
Was there anyone whom the Lord of the Association could call him?
While I was puzzled the Lord of the Association gave an order.
[Explode the red bomb.]
[If it is an enemy bullet do you really need to call an emergency call?]
[Now that we have bared our molars to the main committee and the council this is the best time to organize everything. Bring them all in.]
I obeyed his orders and detonated an enemy bomb.
Nearly 70% of the people in the inner city had gathered and the remaining people were still coming.
What is Hoeju’s real intention?
I don’t understand why they would go this far when there would be absolutely no reason to bring everyone together like this after hunting down the hidden criminals.
Rather it was difficult to do anything when so many people gathered together.
What on earth is a red flag?
Unless something is to be specifically announced such a convening in a situation where a large amount of kanji has been released at the Presbyterian Exhibition and has not yet been organized… wait…
‘Announcement? Are you going to make an announcement?’
What on earth is Hoeju trying to announce?
Is it to let people know that they are alive and well?
Because of the situation it was difficult to guess Hoeju’s true intentions.
however
“It’s a ley line!”
“The ley line has come back to life!”
Vice President Mong Seocheon’s eyes widened at the sound of shouts coming from outside.
‘!?’
What does this mean?
The ley lines have returned to the Heaven and Earth Association?
Why did they who were supposed to protect the North come to the circuit?
Unlike other sects in the case of ley lines it could be said that it was virtually impossible to return to the circuit without special reasons.
In order for them to re-enter the circuit they only need permission from the congregation leader.
That means
‘Are you saying the owner called them?’
* * *
-Rumble!
A group dressed in red fox fur entered the center of Cheonjihoe Square as if in a triumphal procession.
They were the ley lines one of the two axes that formed the basis of the Heaven and Earth Association.
“spur? Why the ley lines?”
Moyok the right-hand man of Grand Duke Na Yuliang frowned and looked at them.
Even if they are fundamental how did they return here after being driven out from the center of power a long time ago and going to the north?
What was surprising was that it was no different for Nayulryang.
‘Yangjeong matriarch….’
The tall middle-aged man with a sharp appearance who stood majestically with his arms crossed at the head of the group was Yang Jeong the head of the leyline family.
He had seen him in the past when he was a child and attended the General Assembly of Heaven and Earth.
At that time Na Yu-ryang had only learned martial arts for a few years so he could not estimate the extent of Yang Jeong’s inaction.
However he was not expected to be a particularly strong man because he had been forced to defend the north by the Heavenly Powers for a long time.
However a strange look appeared in Na Yulyang’s eyes.
As expected it was difficult to guess the extent of the Yangjeong family’s inaction.
Not feeling it in terms of energy means that you are at the same level or higher than yourself who has reached the pinnacle of Hwagyeong.
‘….’
How can it be this strong yet unknown?
It would not be an exaggeration to say that with this kind of inaction he was in the same line as the Five Kings who received the title of Eight Stars even among the lowest executives.
Grand Duke Na Yuryang’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.
It may be said that Master’s power was great but a man of that level was not someone who could be suppressed at all costs.
Moreover wasn’t it known that Master had been suffering from illness for a long time?
He was sure to expect a twist.
Nevertheless the fact that the head of the ley line and the ley line that had been so quiet until now coincidentally appeared at this time…
[Didn’t you know? Lord Huais has no intention of handing over the position to Confucius or any of his disciples.]
At that moment the words of Yul-myeong the messenger of the Presbyterian Church appeared in Na Yu-ryang’s mind.
The moment I thought of those words the strangely complicated pieces of the picture began to fit together.
The Presbyterian War began to move saying that the details of Hoeju had deteriorated.
At the same time as the purge of the elders Hoeju showed himself alive and well rather than dying.
And the ley line that appeared with an emergency call.
-closely!
Na Yulyang’s fist was clenched with such force that blood flowed out.
It wasn’t an understatement.
Everyone including himself had been playing in the palm of Master’s hand.
My mind doesn’t become complicated but rather feels empty.
This is my first time feeling like this.
‘Ha…haha.’
It is truly a strange day.
He thought of himself as emotionless but he seemed to feel a combination of emotions.
It was such an emotionally sinking moment.
-Listen!
A voice that resonates like an echo.
The voice full of genuineness made everyone’s ears ring.
Exclamations of exclamation flowed from all over the place at the profound spirit of the gathering.
This alone proved that it was healthy not only in appearance but also in everything else.
-In the meantime while suffering from illness this committee learned that there were evil people hiding within this association.
The square was agitated by these words of the leader.
So are those who are now being cut off at the tip of the spear the same wicked people that Hoeju spoke of?
Hoeju continued what he was saying.
-Look carefully at those who have been executed. Do you know who they are?
In response to this question from Hoeju everyone’s eyes turned to the lost supply and demand.
There were faces I didn’t know but they were members of the Presbyterian Church and among those who received the title of elder there were some with great reputation.
Therefore from the perspective of the people gathered at the meeting the sight of those who were executed was quite shocking.
-This committee worked hard for a long time to track them down. And they finally revealed their hidden molars due to the rumor that the details of the main body were at their worst.
-Wow!
-Gurgling!
The blood that flowed from Nayuliang’s fist dripped onto the floor.
Where did it all go wrong?
Although Hoeju did not mention it directly anyone who looked at those who were executed could guess that Elder Jeon was at the center of this trouble.
At the point when they failed and were purged Nayulryang was in a state of crisis on all sides.
Even though I did not completely trust the Presbyterian Church the fact that I continued to contact them and received help does not change.
If he uses this as an excuse he can purge himself as well.
It was for this reason that many of the forces following him now looked nervous.
Meanwhile Mo Yak wrapped Na Yulyang’s bleeding fist with a cloth and spoke in a low voice.
“Confucius be confident.”
“….”
“It is true that the purge of the Presbyterian Church is justification for attacking us but there are many people who follow Confucius for that to happen.”
It was almost half of the force.
They supported Grand Duke Na Yu-liang as the next successor and in fact they are together.
At that point if you try to deal with Na Yu-ryang and all of them by tying them up with Jang-ro-jeon the situation will escalate out of control to the level of internal strife.
“…That’s why I prepared it.”
“yes?”
“The ley line.”
Moyak frowned and denied these words from Nayuliang.
“No way. Even so how can it be that he is not among his disciples?”
“Because they are the only ones who are qualified to become a leader even though they are not of heavenly blood or disciples.”
“What do you mean? Then the Lord Hoe called the ley line… Ah!”
Moyak’s eyes widened.
If the head of the council hands over the succession rights of the council to the head of the ley line or his family his priests including the archduke Na Yu-ryang will be in a disadvantageous situation.
This means that this situation was anticipated and prepared from the beginning.
Mo Yak had no choice but to stick out his tongue.
How many moves ahead did he plan this?
‘…It’s the worst.’
If the head of the family is not in a bad state due to illness and is in good health and wants to hand over the right of succession directly he will be able to completely change the situation by taking time.
Those who support it are literally supporting it but if the company is alive and well the situation is different.
Support will gradually be directed to the successor chosen by the owner.
If that were the case there was only one way to turn it around.
At that time Hoeju continued speaking.
-The reason we have gathered everyone today is not just to announce that the evil group has been hunted down. One is to let people know that this place is still alive and well…
Everyone’s attention was focused.
-The other is to announce the successor to the position that has been vacant for a long time.
At those words he started shaking here and there.
Since the purge of the Presbyterian Church had been carried out they were predicting the degree to which Grand Duke Na Yuryang who had been in contact with them would be excluded from the right to succession.
However when he suddenly announced that he would nominate a successor the atmosphere could not help but become agitated.
At their reaction the corner of Yang Jeong’s mouth the head of the ley line twitched.
He was the only one who had been waiting for this moment through an agreement with the owner of the club at the time.
[Cheonmaek has been in power ever since this association was established but that is not fair.]
[Do you mean to give the ley line a chance?]
[okay.]
An unexpected suggestion.
I had no choice but to accept that tempting offer.
The head of the association at the time had a request from him along with his proposal.
[But I can’t just give you a chance.]
[What do you want?]
[Simple but difficult.]
[Simple but difficult?]
[that….]
As a sect free from the influence and eyes of the conference we will have a single supreme power that no other group can match.
And inaction befitting the position of leader.
For this purpose it was Yang Jeong the head of the ley line who worked tirelessly in the north and prepared everything he requested.
He was confident that the power of the current ley lines was the greatest of all time.
Now that the preparations were completed and he returned to the circuit with great splendor it was the head of the family’s turn to keep his promise.
Hoeju continued his words as if living up to his expectations.
-The head of the previous Cheonmaek family including this chair have been fulfilling their responsibilities as heads of the Cheonjihoe for a long time since the conclusion ceremony but this does not fit with the ritual of the three veins which is the basis of this meeting.
Sammaek consciousness.
Now only the heavenly and earthly veins remain but this means that all of the three fundamental veins are given the opportunity to become Hoeju.
-So now I’m going to give that opportunity to other Macs as well.
No sooner had Huiju finished saying this than Yang Jeong the head of the ley line spoke loudly with sincerity as if he had been waiting.
-I am just grateful that the Lord of the Association said he would give this opportunity to this ley line in respect of the 3-maek consciousness which is the foundation of this meeting.
-Roaring!
“Do you mean to give the right of succession to the Ji-maek rather than Confucius?”
“I guess so?”
“Was that the reason why the ley line returned to the main circuit?”
“under! “What’s going on?”
The old sects knew this well.
However all sects that did not follow the Cheonmaek and mentioned the rituals of the Three Vessels were all purged or relegated to outer castles or branches despite their contributions to opening the conference.
The leader of the time was in effect declaring that he would revive the ritual of Sammaek which had almost become obsolete.
‘As expected.’
Grand Duke Na Yu-liang’s eyes were colored with disappointment.
He may not have known that Master didn’t even care about them from the beginning.
But why did he accept them as his disciples?
Was it simply to continue the legacy of Heavenly Vessel?
Whatever it was I think I learned how to feel disappointment for the first time thanks to you.
-closely!
okay.
If that’s what Master’s true intention is I don’t think there’s any need for me to have regrets any longer.
Sitting still and taking what was spoon-fed to him was not his style anyway.
And Master made one mistake.
No matter how much he needed a justification if he wanted to give the ley line a chance through the ritual of the three veins there was room for him to delve into it as well.
He himself is qualified to compete with the successor of the ley line as he is the successor to the radish of the celestial line.
This was his only loophole and his way out.
In response Nayuliang opened his mouth and tried to announce that he as the Cheonmaek would also participate in the ceremony of the Sammaek.
“cloth….”
But that was right then.
“Master!”
Nayuliang frowned at the familiar voice.
‘Jangneungak?’
It was the voice of his second priest Jang Neung-ak.
His appearance caused a stir everywhere.
At the point when Hoeju announced that he would perform the ceremony of the three veins Yang Jeong the head of the veins accepted it but stepping forward was tantamount to announcing his intention to participate in the ritual.
Grand Duke Luo Yuliang looked at him and couldn’t help but snort.
‘How dare you do something like that?’
He couldn’t tell where to put it and where not to put it.
Of course it’s not that you can’t understand.
He must have come forward because he thought his position was being shaken by the purge of all elders.
However it is too much for your vessel.
Master if he were to go to Sammaek for a ritual he would be forced to withdraw due to his shortcomings.
Then Jang Neungak opened his mouth as if he wanted to announce his intention to participate.
“If it is a ritual of the Three Vessels doesn’t the Moon Vessel also have a chance?”
‘!?’
His words erupted in laughter from the forces and ley lines that followed Grand Duke Na Yuryang.
“Foot.”
“Walmac? Hot.”
I thought he was going to say that he was participating in the ceremony of Sammaek but he suddenly mentioned Wolmaek who disappeared a long time ago which was absurd.
Yang Jeong the head of the ley line opened his mouth with a similar sneer on his face.
“Confucius Zhang. Of course since it is a ritual of the three veins the Wolmaek also have a chance but their veins were cut off a long time ago. But why should I do such a thing in this place….”
“there is!”
At that time Jang Neungak interrupted him.
At this one of the eyebrows of Yang Jeong the head of the ley line rose upward.
No matter how much he is a disciple of Huaiju he cut off his own words as the leader of one of the three veins the ley line and says such nonsense in a situation like this?
“Whew. Confucius: I do not say things carelessly that I cannot take responsibility for…”
“The heir of Wolmaek is here!”
‘!?’
what? Wolmaek’s successor?
What are you talking about?
It was a moment of puzzlement.
A road opened in both directions from a crowd other than that of Archduke Nayuliang and the forces of the ley line and someone appeared.
‘Tree tillage?’
< Episode 106: Ritual of the Three Vessels (1) > end
ⓒ Hanzhongwolya
