Chapter 117
Chapter 117
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: Heavenly Silkworm Brocade Robe
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Leaving behind the unsettling encounter with the Bangcheon Sect, the group set off once more. Their journey lay along the official road to Huguang, then northward to Kaifeng.
The procession of the army, led by iron-clad cavalry, approached with an overwhelming aura of menace. Every time the riders on their warhorses glared, the shadowy figures hiding in the brush retreated even deeper.
The proudly fluttering banner of King Chu was the finishing touch. No ordinary expert would even dream of challenging them.
Thanks to that, their path became smooth sailing once they joined the official road. Bandits in the area who collected tolls all scattered like rats.
In stark contrast, the officials' attitudes were lukewarm at best. They didn't openly show hostility, but their discomfort was plain as day. Every county they passed through was the same.
The problem was King Chu and the Yuk Clan Leader, those two men.
Both were figures under the court's watchful eye, and who knew what ripples their presence might cause down the line. They were far too prominent for some minor county magistrate to handle.
Yet the mid- and small-sized sects behaved differently.
They seemed desperate to forge ties with the group, offering every courtesy imaginable. Even after repeated refusals, some insisted on introducing their children to make connections.
"As expected, the more ignorant they are, the less they know their place. Even with their obvious wariness, they drag out their kids anyway."
The door to the guest quarters burst open. Won Young shook her head as she entered the room and flopped down onto the seat.
She had only stepped out for a short walk, but whispers followed that the young heirs of the Baek Clan manor hosting them had pestered her for "friendly conversation."
Yuk Jin-yang smiled faintly.
"Did you handle it well?"
"Since we're guests here, for now. If they keep pestering, I'll give them a proper lesson then."
"From the way you're talking, it seems your body's recovered quite nicely."
"Of course it's healed. I was pretending to be an invalid just to keep clueless fools away, but it didn't help at all."
Won Young grumbled. Her attitude suggested this was all too familiar. Yuk Jin-yang looked at her with pity. It must be terribly inconvenient to draw unwanted attention every time she ventured into the jianghu.
Won Young furrowed her brow slightly.
"Who knows who's pitying whom? Your little sister asked about you. Whether you had a lover or a fiancée lined up."
"Me?"
"Yeah, you. I brushed it off saying I didn't know about your personal affairs."
Yuk Jin-yang laughed it off.
'A lover.'
There had never been anyone like that in his past life either. He had married a distant branch member of the Yuk Clan, but there was no real affection between them. It was purely a political arrangement for both.
It was even less possible now. He had goals to achieve. No room in his heart for anyone else.
Even setting aside personal matters, it was the same. He didn't know about other families, but in the Zhejiang Yuk Clan, the family's intentions always took precedence over romance.
'Well, their intentions are purely political too.'
Yuk Jin-yang hoped they wouldn't act rashly anymore. If word of their antics reached his grandfather, who knew what trouble it would stir.
From behind, Yu Baek teased in a mischievous tone, providing specific details.
"It seems you've had plenty of such experiences already? Like before coming to the alliance gathering, for instance."
"No, nothing like that happened to me."
Only after his firm denial did a name come to mind.
Admirers rarely approached him first. There was Jeong Yak-bin, a disciple of the Haenam Sect. During the incident there, she had called him a benefactor and asked if they might meet again.
But it wasn't a promised connection. She must have sensed that intuitively.
Yu Baek's expression changed in an instant, looking at him with pity.
"Well, even the boldest person wouldn't dare flirt with the Yuk Clan Leader right there watching. He's so strict about matters of romance between men and women."
"Is the Yuk Clan different?"
"Ours is a bit more lenient. Thanks to our founding ancestors living so freely."
Fair enough. Yuk Jin-yang accepted it readily. The founding ancestors of the Xuzhou Yuk Clan, Emperor Gaozu Liu Bang and Emperor Guangwu Liu Xiu, were emperors known for openly showing affection to women.
Yuk Jin-yang suddenly turned toward the door. A servant tending to them outside made a noise.
"What is it?"
"His Highness is summoning Great Hero Yuk."
"The King?"
"Yes. He wishes a private audience, so come quickly."
King Chu was using the inner quarters of the Baek Clan manor. For a guest to occupy the host's chambers was a true reversal of roles.
Yet the King showed no awareness of their hospitality. He accepted it as his due.
It was the arrogance befitting royalty. The world belonged to the Liu Clan, so such honors were nothing to fuss over.
And now, that exalted figure was showing Yuk Jin-yang the utmost respect.
"I've been too busy to thank you properly until now."
Those were his first words upon facing him directly. The silk screen that should have hung between them was fully drawn back. This violated protocol.
Except in unavoidable circumstances, the face of an emperor or feudal king was not to be casually shown.
But exceptions existed—for trusted aides or those deemed worthy of respect. King Chu was treating Yuk Jin-yang as such. He bowed his head in gratitude.
The King spoke again.
"Thanks to you, I survived. After crossing death's door multiple times, I truly realized how invaluable your aid was."
"But it was not I who repelled Gong Son-sul..."
"Of course, Elder Yuk earned great merit too. But your help pleases me more. Above all, it was you who braved dangers even my closest retainers feared."
His voice carried genuine goodwill and sincerity. The life-or-death duel with the Sword Ghost Leader, that bloody battle, had evidently left a profound impression even on a noble feudal king.
King Chu turned and picked up a neatly folded robe from the seat beside him.
It was a long robe woven so meticulously that not even a stitch was visible. The material seemed like silk, shimmering with an odd luster. A chill aura clung to it as well.
"Take it."
Yuk Jin-yang received the turquoise long robe from the King. The color was beautiful, but the touch was so soft it sent shivers down his spine.
"It's a Heavenly Silkworm Brocade Robe. Have you heard of it?"
Yuk Jin-yang's eyes widened. He was shocked and flustered.
Silkworms born with innate spiritual energy were called heavenly silkworms.
The silk they produced carried a mystical aura, tougher and stronger than steel, surpassing even the fabled hair of the Human-Faced Demon Spider.
A garment made from it could not be scratched by ordinary weapons. Rumors even claimed it blocked some emission arts.
It was a supreme treasure anyone would covet, priceless beyond mountains of gold. Only someone of the King's exalted status could bestow it so casually.
"You already know of it. Among the masses, it's called a priceless treasure, but not for the imperial clan."
"..."
"So, I had a spare. It's yours now."
"This is too grand for me to accept."
"You are more than worthy. Take it."
He considered refusing again, but the King's insistence carried irresistible force. Reluctantly accepting, the King pressed further.
"Try it on."
No sooner had Yuk Jin-yang draped the Heavenly Silkworm Brocade Robe over his shoulders than it shrank to fit his frame perfectly. The peculiar luster vanished, making it look like an ordinary martial robe.
Yuk Jin-yang asked,
"Is it supposed to do that?"
"Yes, to protect its wearer. It doesn't reveal itself, which makes it all the more valuable—unlike the Human-Faced Demon Spider's hair, which draws every expert's eye."
"Ah..."
The King gazed at him steadily before speaking abruptly.
"I once dreamed of roaming the jianghu freely, unbound by the duties of royalty."
"Is that so?"
Even royals had their troubles, it seemed. As he pondered, a chuckle escaped the King.
"Just youthful folly, of course. I had no talent for martial arts. But seeing you reminds me of those days."
The King fell silent. His gaze wandered as if lost in old memories.
A breeze slipped through the door crack, flickering the lantern on the wall. Then he spoke again.
"Once we reach Kaifeng, our paths will rarely cross. So wear that robe and roam the jianghu at will. Let me hear tales of you even from the royal palace's depths or distant frontiers."
"I shall."
"Go now. It's late."
Yuk Jin-yang bowed in response.
As he exited the inner quarters toward his own lodgings, he ran into his grandfather, who was pacing outside.
"Why are you out here?"
"The older you get, the less sleep you need. And the moon is bright tonight. I wanted to savor the ambiance."
Finishing, his grandfather scanned him and smiled oddly.
"The King gave you a precious gift."
"...Yes."
"A Heavenly Silkworm Brocade Robe. For you, who hasn't mastered protective aura yet, it's truly useful."
"It's far too much for me."
"Come to think of it, I have something for you too."
Yuk Jin-yang's heart pounded fiercely. More than when receiving the unexpected gift from the King. There was only one thing his grandfather might give him.
At last, the long-awaited words sprang from his grandfather's lips.
"When we return, let's begin your personal martial arts instruction."
"May I ask what art it will be?"
"What do you desire?"
The question looped back. Yuk Jin-yang answered without hesitation.
"A heart method."
He had created his own sword art and protective meridian art, and had the Ten Thousand Rivers Single Source Art for fist techniques. But his heart method remained stagnant.
Right after facing Gong Son-sul, Yuk Jin-yang had keenly felt the need for another heart method beyond the Moon Maiden Divine Art.
The Moon Maiden Divine Art was certainly an excellent foundational technique. It built internal energy swiftly and strengthened muscles and bones.
Yet it often fell short in wielding powerful true qi. Its purpose was limited to forging a sturdy vessel. The "water" to fill it had to come separately.
Above all, he thirsted for higher realms of internal energy cultivation. His past life's regret burned: dying without even opening the central dantian.
"A heart method."
The Yuk Clan Leader's steel-gray gaze pierced Yuk Jin-yang. After a brief silence, he nodded.
"I could give you a manual from the Martial Valor Hall, but since we're at it, I'll pass on my unique art instead."
"Really?"
"Yes. But the transmission will wait until we return to Kaifeng."
"Understood."
Yuk Jin-yang fought to suppress his rising smile.