Chapter 11
Chapter 11
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 11
Chapter Title: Pretext
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“They say you've brought someone in?”
Yuk Eon, having heard the full story from his son, widened his eyes. Yuk Jin-yang nodded.
“I needed a sparring partner.”
“The family head isn't one to hand people over easily. It seems our Jin-yang has truly captured his grandfather's heart.”
Yuk Eon's expression turned bitter.
“But if that's the reason, why not come to me? Even after being away from the martial world for so long, I'm not so rusted that I can't oversee your training.”
“Last time I saw, my cousins always had people following them around.”
Yuk Eon laughed at his son's innocent reply.
“Now I see—you must have envied their grandeur.”
“I'm sorry.”
“No need to apologize. You're part of the Yuk Clan, so it's only natural for you to have subordinates.”
It was a self-deprecating tone.
Yuk Jin-yang subtly observed his father.
He seemed utterly detached from family affairs, as if he still didn't consider himself a true member of the clan.
This was troubling. If his father's lethargy continued like this, it wouldn't do. For him to fully engage in the succession struggle, he needed his parents as a solid shield.
Yuk Jin-yang responded patiently.
“You and Mother too.”
“Hm?”
“Since both of you are part of the Yuk Clan, you should have people attending you as well.”
Yuk Eon's eyes flickered briefly. The agitation was short-lived. He quickly composed himself and patted his son's head.
“Haha, a father using the people his son brought in? Can't have that.”
“I want Flying Stream Pavilion to be bustling with people coming and going, just like my uncles' residences.”
“I see.”
Yuk Jin-yang could sense his father's troubled heart. But he said nothing. Sometimes, silence was the best answer.
“Then I'll take my leave.”
He bowed and exited.
Outside, Hwang Dal-pyeong stood rigidly beyond the papered door.
Their eyes met. Hwang Dal-pyeong hurried over and reported.
“Young master, the formalities for the selected personnel have been completed. They're all gathered in the guest hall. Let me know whenever you'd like to meet them.”
“You handled it? I didn't give any such orders.”
“The family head entrusted it to me. However...”
Hwang Dal-pyeong trailed off. Yuk Jin-yang could guess the rest from his hesitant glance and finished for him.
“You're wondering why I picked people evaluated as having poor aptitude?”
“Yes, did the family head set a limit?”
“No. I chose them all myself from the roster.”
“A strategic move considering reputations, then.”
Hwang Dal-pyeong said it casually, as if peering into Yuk Jin-yang's thoughts. It hinted at the insight that would later earn him the title of the family head's confidant.
Yuk Jin-yang nodded.
“If I'd taken all the top-grade guests into Flying Stream Pavilion, my uncles would have thrown a fit from the start. And gathering talent doesn't guarantee they'll stay.”
“True, but does that mean you're skipping the assignment ceremony?”
“Skip? I don't even have a choice in the matter.”
At the innocent remark, Hwang Dal-pyeong blinked in surprise. So flustered that he stammered out his thoughts unprompted.
“Young master, you mustn't take the assignment ceremony lightly. It may seem like a mere formality on the surface, but fierce competition brews beneath.”
“To attract and retain talent?”
“Exactly. They dangle all sorts of perks. At this rate, no one will choose Flying Stream Pavilion. Moreover, did the family head promise that those assigned this time won't switch affiliations?”
“No, he didn't.”
Hwang Dal-pyeong's face hardened.
“Then it's even worse. Flying Stream Pavilion might end up with no warriors left!”
Yuk Jin-yang gave a faint smile, utterly unperturbed, without a trace of worry.
“Don't worry. I have my own plans.”
Despite saying so, Yuk Jin-yang didn't seek out the guests right away.
From dawn, he headed straight to Martial Valor Hall.
To thoroughly study the manuals for Ten Thousand Rivers Single Source Art and Moon Stream Subtle Steps.
How much time had passed?
Yuk Jin-yang turned his head. Sunlight poured through the windows, dyeing the hall's floor bright yellow. Dawn had given way to midday.
It was a mere instant for reading and comprehending the manuals. Yet his genius, which he believed touched the heavens, made it possible.
Moon Stream Subtle Steps is mostly grasped.
Yuk Jin-yang closed the manual with a snap. His mind was fatigued, but his mood was refreshed. The sense of accomplishment was to blame.
Now it was time for training closer to real combat. Not just internalizing theory, but etching the sensations into his body.
Leaving Martial Valor Hall, Yuk Jin-yang headed to Flying Stream Pavilion's guest quarters.
The gate guard straightened rigidly, tension evident. Yuk Jin-yang addressed him leisurely.
“Could you gather some people for me?”
“Of course. What are your orders?”
“Assemble all the warriors recently assigned to Flying Stream Pavilion.”
Flustered by the sudden command, the guard nonetheless obeyed promptly.
Soon, men and women of various types appeared.
“We heard you called for us.”
Their expressions were sullen. Veiled dissatisfaction at being summoned to run errands for a brat.
As expected, their spirits need breaking.
Yuk Jin-yang gestured toward the outside with his chin.
“Follow me to the training grounds.”
He strode off after the curt words. Baffled by the lack of introductions, they followed cluelessly.
The destination was Flying Stream Pavilion's attached training ground. Impressively spacious for one linked to a hall.
Yuk Jin-yang and the warriors faced each other. He spoke first.
“You'll be my sparring partners.”
“Sparring, you say?”
A man bluntly questioned him.
Yuk Jin-yang stared at him steadily. Had he not yet grasped the household's atmosphere? His attitude toward a superior was quite curt.
On the other hand, he was rather lucky. Showing that demeanor to another direct descendant would have spelled trouble.
“Yes. I selected suitable people from the roster for footwork training. That's you.”
The warriors' eyes twitched. One asked back with a displeased look.
“How can we assist?”
“Through sparring.”
The curt reply seemed mere bravado to the uninformed warriors.
They took pride in being martial artists. Feeling belittled by a fifteen-year-old boy ignited their fighting spirit.
“Sparring...? But there are more of us. What format do you want?”
“All of you, together. At full power.”
With that, Yuk Jin-yang clasped his hands behind his back. An overt display of condescension. Deliberately to provoke them into giving their all.
The ploy worked perfectly. They stepped forward in unison, cupping fists in salute—accepting the challenge.
“If that's what you want.”
“Such remarkable spirit.”
“Please teach us a move. We'll approach it with a learner's mindset.”
Their words were polite, but tones sharp. Some smirked mockingly.
Yuk Jin-yang merely nodded instead of replying.
The warriors exchanged glances and spread out in a wide circle. A siege formation surrounding Yuk Jin-yang at the center.
After slowly scanning their faces, Yuk Jin-yang spoke.
“You may draw your weapons.”
In response, auras surged from all directions. Multiple figures kicked off the ground simultaneously, charging in. Overlapping shadows loomed darkly overhead.
Moon Stream Subtle Steps.
Yuk Jin-yang lightly stomped the ground. A ripple-like wave of internal energy spread.
Swoosh.
In an instant, he vanished from the warriors' sight. Only a faint trail of his gliding form remained. Fists and kicks whiffed harmlessly into empty air.
“What?!”
“What the...?”
Shocked exclamations erupted everywhere. Even these seasoned martial artists were thrown off.
By now, Yuk Jin-yang watched them from ten paces away.
“Sloppy group attack.”
His words stabbed directly at their pride. A chill silence fell over the training ground.
A man with cestus on both hands spoke grimly.
“Isn't that obvious? Group attacks require coordination, and we're just now trying to sync up.”
“Then come at me alone.”
“Very well.”
With the reply, the man stomped forward. His footwork shook the ground violently.
Boom!
The distance closed in a flash. He thrust his arm, unleashing inch-force. Power gathered at his fist tip exploded outward.
Bang!
The resounding echo spread. Some watched anxiously at his bold strike, fearing harm to a direct blood relative.
Unfounded worry.
The attacker's face stiffened. Despite the strike's power, he felt no contact at his fingertips. Another miss.
Just one step away. Yuk Jin-yang stared steadily at him, disappointment plain on his face.
“I can't really feel the difference between many and one.”
“Urk!”
Gnashing his teeth, the warrior closed in aggressively. Losing composure, he unleashed a barrage of crude strikes.
Yuk Jin-yang showed no sign of countering. Focused solely on footwork, true to his goal of honing his dynamic vision.
Moon Stream Subtle Steps' core lay in aggressive internal energy use. Incorporating inner breath technique for erratic movement.
Blind speed wasn't enough. It differed fundamentally from common footwork. It required exquisite balance, backed by intricate energy manipulation from the Yongcheon acupoint.
Shhh...
Yuk Jin-yang envisioned flowing river waters. The imagery infused his movements.
He stepped lightly. Energy rippled gently across the ground like a pond's surface. His body, planted atop it, yielded to the flow. He glided in the direction the energy guided.
His opponent couldn't track the leisurely path. The punches held power but were all blocked or sliced empty air.
Yuk Jin-yang suddenly realized.
If I hadn't built my foundation with Moon Maiden Divine Art, I'd be exhausted already.
Moon Stream Subtle Steps consumed far more than other footworks. Due to simultaneous use of inner breath and steps. Not suited for prolonged deployment.
Thwack! Thwack!
After several futile swings.
Finally, even the warrior recognized the footwork's unnatural grace. Those watching from behind felt the same.
The evasive steps extending from dodges were endlessly fluid. Formless energy from the Yongcheon acupoint flowed like water, supporting his body. Evocative of leaves drifting on a fair wind.
None voiced it aloud, but all inwardly marveled.
Fast, yet unpredictable...!
No recoil despite the speed. Like gliding across the ground.
What trick is this? Moves without even grounding properly. Comparable to渡江 with a single reed.
Reactions that long-time Yuk Clan servants wouldn't show.
Most direct descendants could perform Moon Stream Subtle Steps. It was merely a basic technique. The Yuk Clan's martial arts delved far deeper.
But these gathered warriors were mostly newcomers. Their knowledge of Yuk martial arts came only from rumors. No chance to witness its prowess firsthand.
Thus, Yuk Jin-yang's display was simply astonishing.
“Huff... huff...”
At last, his opponent showed exhaustion. Propping his knees, he panted and looked up. Beads of sweat from his hair dripped like rain.
Yuk Jin-yang turned his head.
“Are you all just going to watch?”