Chapter 12
Chapter 12
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 12
Chapter Title: Guidance and Rumors
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No answer came back.
Their expressions were already crestfallen, morale broken. Yuk Jin-yang paid them no mind and continued pressing the attack.
"No one else with any spirit? What a disappointment."
"......"
"If you're that scared, then come at me all together. Wheel fighting or group attack, I don't care."
It was provocative talk. Only then did a few step forward with bravado.
Their approach to the spar had completely changed. Even their stances and gazes were different. They encircled him at a distance, like facing a ferocious beast.
However.
"Ugh, block the gan direction!"
"No, it's not! It's gon!"
"Not a single one of you can track him properly......!"
They couldn't follow Yuk Jin-yang's movements. They were toyed with like hunters who had encountered a cunning beast.
In the drawn-out process, only Yuk Jin-yang kept improving. His footwork grew even lighter, and gliding through space felt more natural.
On the other hand, the warriors who charged showed signs of fatigue first. Before the time it took to drink a cup of tea had passed, half had dropped out.
The stragglers lay sprawled in the corner of the training ground, breathing raggedly. They all looked frustrated.
"......Damn it."
"Never thought we couldn't even graze him with all these people."
It wasn't just a difference in the martial arts they had learned. The gap was fundamental, in their very aptitude. That fact left a bitter taste in the warriors' mouths.
Talent had always been something that disturbed others' minds simply by making the disparity felt.
"Back in my village, I was the prodigy."
Someone grumbled in lament. Another snickered beside him.
"For guys who know a bit of martial arts, who hasn't heard that? What's so special about it?"
"Exactly. My whole family had high hopes. They said I'd make a name in the military."
"That's how everyone dives into the martial world, dreaming of glory."
The last speaker glanced sideways at Yuk Jin-yang.
"But once you're out in the world, you finally realize. There are talents on a whole other level."
"So, are you just going to sit there defeated?"
Yuk Jin-yang cut in. He slowly approached the warriors. They froze, gauging his intentions.
"You there."
It was a sudden call-out. The warrior who had first charged at Yuk Jin-yang looked baffled. Without giving him time to question, Yuk Jin-yang continued.
"Did you learn the Resolute Strong Fist? I know it's the military standard. You must be from there."
"Pardon? Ah...... Yes. I served in the military for a time."
The warrior nodded and cautiously asked,
"But how did you know?"
"I could tell just from your stance."
Yuk Jin-yang plopped down beside the warrior. Unlike before, his demeanor was friendly. The warrior was puzzled but listened to what followed. There was resentment, but he figured he'd hear him out.
"Moreover, the Resolute Strong Fist specializes in powerful punches. Yours had some bite."
It didn't sound like empty flattery. The warrior grudgingly replied,
"No hits landed, so what good is power?"
"I could see exactly where you were aiming."
"What do you mean by that?"
The warrior straightened up. His reluctant reaction had turned to interest.
"You stuck too rigidly to the prescribed forms—almost extremely so. Your punch trajectories were too straightforward. How about mixing in some feints?"
"You could really see that?"
"You can't dodge every attack with footwork alone."
Yuk Jin-yang pointed to his eyes. It meant his eye technique backed it up.
The warrior stammered in unwitting defense.
"B-but the core of Resolute Strong Fist is powerful strikes and linked chains. Mixing feints would disrupt the forms and weaken the power. How could those coexist?"
"Did the military teach you to put the same power into every move? Doesn't seem like it to me."
"Ah......?"
It was insight deeper than his own understanding of the art. Reason overrode pride. The warrior fell silent and listened intently.
"Vary the qi allocation per movement. That alone becomes a great variation. The forms won't disrupt either."
Even after the explanation, the warrior's face remained dubious. It felt too vague.
Yuk Jin-yang sighed and slowly stood. All eyes turned to him. They had been eavesdropping while pretending not to.
Yuk Jin-yang ignored them and demonstrated the forms.
"This was your trajectory."
The warrior's face went blank. Yuk Jin-yang was tracing the Resolute Strong Fist's path. As if he had fully internalized the art.
"Try changing it like this."
The flow shifted. Unstoppable like a winding river, yet leisurely like a gentle breeze. Subtlety infused the punches through control of strength alone.
"Get it now?"
The warrior stared dazedly, replaying the scene. Then his face lit up. Inspiration struck like lightning.
Enlightenment.
With a moved expression, the warrior sprang up and clasped his hands in salute.
"Young master! I will never forget this grace."
It was a dramatic reaction. But also perfectly natural.
In this world, even a shred of advice was precious. Outside blood ties or master-disciple bonds, receiving instruction was exceedingly rare. Sound advice from a stranger was fateful fortune and grace.
Besides, these weren't scions of great clans. They had felt the world's indifference starkly. Yuk Jin-yang's actions couldn't help but impress them deeply.
Yuk Jin-yang felt their intense gazes.
Soon, the other warriors' eyes sparkled too. They looked like children eyeing a toy.
"Do you have any advice for me?"
"Could I ask about swordsmanship?"
"Please teach me too. I'll listen carefully."
Their attitudes had flipped completely. Desperation seeped through earnestly.
A smile curved Yuk Jin-yang's lips. Everything was going according to plan.
"Gladly. But on one condition."
"Yes, name it."
"Today's events......"
"Ah! Of course, we'll keep it secret."
The group beamed happily. They looked thrilled to have earned special favor from their young master. A sense of superiority for being chosen.
Yuk Jin-yang shook his head. A gesture that instantly dashed their expectations.
"Spread it far and wide. Make sure no one in the Yuk Clan Great Compound is unaware."
Yuk Jin-yang's advice proved highly effective in every case. The guests' attitudes toward him inevitably changed. They treated him with utmost respect, like a benefactor.
Naturally, word spread.
It was about the Flying Stream Pavilion warriors suddenly showing remarkable progress. Some even visited the pavilion discreetly to verify the rumors. And confirmed they were true.
"Come on, tell us the story."
A tavern near the Yuk Clan Great Compound.
Warriors gathered in twos and threes at a place renowned in Zhejiang for its cuisine. The round table overflowed with delicacies. Lavish spending unfit for their attire.
They were all warriors of the Zhejiang Yuk Clan. Excluding the ten from Flying Stream Pavilion, affiliations varied. Especially many awaiting assignment.
The man who first asked pleaded with eager eyes.
"What favor did Flying Stream Pavilion's young master grant you? Seeing your eye-opening progress, I can't help but be curious."
"What favor? That's a vague question."
A Flying Stream Pavilion warrior set down his empty cup and spoke.
"We each got different advice. The young master examined us one by one."
"Really? Not privately taught arts from Martial Valor Hall or anything?"
"Watch your words! Are you suspecting the young master of breaking taboo by taking out manuals?"
"No, just in case."
The evasive man asked again.
"Then what sorcery explains your amazing achievements?"
"I got advice on Resolute Strong Fist. They each received fitting instruction for their arts."
Fellow Flying Stream Pavilion warriors nodded. Adding their testimonies.
"He pointed out bad habits I didn't know about, and it all made perfect sense."
"Not just advice—he even demonstrated."
"Truly amazing. He replicated our forms and trajectories after seeing once."
Warriors from other divisions raised eyebrows. Some exchanged meaningful glances.
The persistent questioner spoke for them again.
"You're not exaggerating, are you?"
"Why think that?"
"Ten people with different arts, and a fifteen-year-old young master giving tailored advice to each? Would you believe it in my shoes?"
"Believe it or not, your choice. If you're suspicious, visit Flying Stream Pavilion anytime. We'll introduce you to our young master."
It was confident. Rumors about Yuk Jin-yang added credibility. Onlookers chimed in as if convinced.
"Come to think, there was that rumor about Flying Stream Pavilion's young master mastering Moon Maiden Sword Art in a day."
"He beat Distant River Pavilion's young master in sparring too. No doubting his talent."
"I've heard he's a prodigy of the realm. The clan head is very pleased."
The doubters' momentum softened.
Even the one who mentioned lies changed tack. He feigned humility with a jest.
"Grateful for the favor, but won't it bother the young master?"
"Our lord is most generous. Don't judge by age."
"You guarantee it?"
"Guarantee. He said warriors sharing knowledge transcend status—bring anyone like-minded."
Some grasped the implication and exchanged looks. Recruitment followed eagerly.
"Think it over. Flying Stream Pavilion's future is bright. Might even promote to hall before Distant River Pavilion."
"Hm."
"Just look at the heir. Our young master trounced theirs."
That was when.
"The heir—what did you say?"
A chilling voice rang out. A group entering the tavern glared at them. Distant River Pavilion warriors.
A woman pushed through, leaned over the table threateningly.
"Sounds like I heard something unseemly. Say it again."
"Unseemly? Just stating facts."
The Flying Stream Pavilion warrior smirked. His eyes weren't smiling.
Their gazes clashed fiercely in the air. The woman spat,
"Don't they teach basic etiquette? Never speak carelessly of your lord. Though trash like you wouldn't know."
Blatant provocation. The listeners didn't respond mildly.
"Getting worked up over banter? Must take after your petty lord."
"Got cocky once assigned? You couldn't even meet my eyes before."
"Feeling like a senior now?"
The man added,
"Above all, your young master lost to ours—plain fact. Worry about your own before lecturing on etiquette."
"I tried to warn nicely."
Bam!
The woman slammed the table. Dishes and cups rattled. Eyes blazing, she snarled,
"Want to go?"
"Fine, show us Distant River Pavilion's skills."
As the man shot back undaunted, chaos erupted in the tavern.