Chapter 17
Chapter 17
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 17
Chapter Title: First Mission
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Finally, the assignment ceremony came to an end.
The scholars from the Grand Steward's office led the assigned warriors out of the grand training ground first. They were heading off to inform them of their future conduct and the locations of their respective groups.
The patriarch, who had been lost in thought for a moment, soon rose to his feet.
"I'm famished. Everyone, let's head to the Jade River Tower. There's still plenty to discuss."
"Yes, Father. Let's hurry there. I've already instructed the servants to prepare a meal."
Yuk Seo responded promptly. It was the privilege of the eldest son—to always stay closest to his father, no matter where they went.
The second son, Yuk Hang, frowned and shot his brother a glare. He couldn't stand the sight of Yuk Seo fawning over their father.
Soon, the bloodline of the Zhejiang Yuk Clan and the key retainers all set off after the patriarch in unison. A long procession formed.
Suddenly, the patriarch's gaze turned to the end of the line. Yuk Gyun stood there, head bowed low.
The patriarch opened his mouth and berated him without warning.
"And where do you think you're going?"
"Pardon?"
"A nobody without a position dares to set foot in the Jade River Tower?"
It was blunt abuse. His icy demeanor halted the footsteps of those around them. Yuk Gyun's face flushed red with shame and anger.
The silence was brief. Leaving his frozen son behind, the patriarch strode away briskly.
Yuk Gyun clenched his fists. Veins bulged on the back of his hands. In the end, he turned away with a wretched expression. His retreating figure was utterly pathetic.
Yuk Jin-yang observed the scene from the corner of his eye.
'Is Grandfather trying to completely cut off the Distant River Pavilion?'
Judging by his cold attitude, it certainly seemed that way.
"Hey, our little maknae. Your skills were pretty impressive, huh?"
At that moment, someone approached with overly familiar words. Lifting his head to see who it was, his expression stiffened.
It was Yuk Ju-jin.
The enemy who had haunted his dreams even after returning to the past.
Yuk Jin-yang struggled to keep his face neutral.
Whatever had happened in his previous life, this was a cousin he had never even interacted with now. There was no benefit in showing hostility.
Mistaking his stiff demeanor for awkwardness from unfamiliarity, Yuk Ju-jin pressed on undeterred.
"Oh, do you not remember me? We met during the Mid-Autumn Festival."
"Of course I do. Sorry for the late greeting, Cousin."
"We haven't interacted much until now, that's true. But family is family—call me 'Brother' casually. Let's get close, like real siblings."
"If Brother insists."
Yuk Jin-yang replied with a faint smile. It was a fake one, with only the corners of his mouth turned up.
Even as he showed signs of wanting to end the conversation, Yuk Ju-jin kept chattering.
"Anyway, you're going to be busy from now on."
"What do you mean by that?"
"With the Distant River Pavilion in such a state, the Flying Stream Pavilion will have to fill the gap and take over their roles, right? That's probably why we're heading to the Jade River Tower now."
Yuk Ju-jin spoke with exaggerated flair. His eyes closely watched for a reaction.
To Yuk Jin-yang, the incongruous acting was simply laughable.
Yuk Ju-jin was never one to cling to familial bonds. If anything, he was the type to be wary of his own blood to protect his own interests.
In that regard, he clearly took after his grandfather. Yuk Mu-hyeok had risen to patriarch by purging his own kin.
"I see. I'm rather ignorant of family affairs."
"You'll be swamped. Running missions all over the world, you won't even have time to train your martial arts."
"The missions must be quite demanding."
"If you want to grow the Flying Stream Pavilion big, you need to take on tough missions and rack up achievements. That's how you attract talent."
"Thank you for the advice."
Yuk Jin-yang bowed politely. Pleased with the response, Yuk Ju-jin patted his shoulder.
"If anything's tough, feel free to come to me."
It might look like concern for his well-being, but there was no sincerity. Pure deception.
Gazing at that smug face, Yuk Jin-yang renewed his vow. He would make sure to etch the sight of it twisting in agony into his memory.
The banquet hall in the Jade River Tower.
Even with luxurious food laid out before them, silence hung heavy. No one paid attention to the meal; all eyes were fixed on the patriarch.
Unlike his earlier claim of hunger, the patriarch didn't even touch his utensils. Instead, he spoke of official matters.
"A few days ago, emissaries from the Haenam Sect came. It seems the security in Guangdong has been unstable lately, with shady groups stirring up trouble even as far as Hainan Island. They asked for our help."
"Guangdong... Isn't that the Jin Clan's territory?"
The second son and Vast Sea Hall Leader, Yuk Hang, furrowed his brow.
"Could it be their doing?"
"Uncertain. But the Guangdong Jin Clan has long viewed the Haenam Sect as a thorn in their side."
The Guangdong Jin Clan was a rising house that had made its name in the late Yuan Dynasty, amassing vast wealth through smuggling and salt production.
Their reputation wasn't great. They were infamous for conscripting commoners into forced labor and freely buying and selling slaves.
'And they were Yuk Ju-jin's lackeys.'
Yuk Jin-yang recalled old memories. He had no direct dealings, but he knew the name.
Rumor had it they were Yuk Ju-jin's hidden funding source. The tribute they paid periodically amounted to hundreds of thousands of taels—equivalent to a third-rate sect's annual income.
Yuk Jin-yang was certain the rumor was true.
Otherwise, Yuk Ju-jin in his previous life couldn't have mobilized such funds while evading the imperial court and orthodox sects.
"To top it off, the Haenam Sect's sect leader isn't in good health."
The patriarch's meaningful words scattered his thoughts.
"Their elders are aged, and the disciples who should be stepping up are still too young. Their influence must be quite weakened by now."
"With the northern situation so precarious, the court won't be able to intervene."
"Which is why the Haenam Sect reached out to us."
The Yuk patriarch smirked.
"Conveniently, we have ties to Hainan. Holding a debt over them wouldn't be bad."
It was news to him. Hainan warriors rarely meddled in worldly affairs. The Zhejiang Yuk Clan had no particular reason to covet Hainan either.
Even the uncles looked puzzled.
"Do we have any connection with the Haenam Sect?"
"We did. No direct ties with the sect, but a distant ancestor once resided long-term on Hainan Island."
The patriarch shifted the topic there.
"That said, the Haenam Sect only wants minimal involvement from us. They don't seek full-fledged aid."
"They don't want to incur a debt they can't repay."
Enmities and debts in the jianghu were never taken lightly. Failure to resolve them properly often led to bloodbaths.
Besides, the gap in power between the Haenam Sect and Zhejiang Yuk Clan was clear. Helping drive out wolves could end up inviting tigers instead.
The eldest son, Yuk Seo, chimed in during the exchange between patriarch and second son.
"Isn't that a good thing? A chance to extend our influence into southern Guangdong without much effort."
"True enough."
"Father, leave this to me. Cloud Sea Hall has plenty of spare manpower."
Yuk Seo subtly revealed his ambition. A wrinkle formed on the patriarch's brow.
"It's just a minor support role for the Haenam Sect. Is there reason to mobilize Cloud Sea Hall for that?"
"It's a chance for the new recruits from this assignment to gain experience. Handing leadership to Ju-jin would look good too. It'd save their face."
Was that really all? Yuk Jin-yang sensed intuitively that some scheme lurked behind this.
'Perhaps this very matter was the trigger for subjugating the Guangdong Jin Clan.'
One prerequisite was needed: the Haenam Sect's approval. Or at least their acquiescence.
Not a difficult matter.
With the sect leader absent, the Haenam Sect's room to maneuver was limited.
A group without a central figure inevitably fractures into factions. They would prioritize internal control, with no bandwidth for external issues.
Post-resolution handling of the Guangdong Jin Clan would heavily reflect the Zhejiang Yuk Clan's will.
As Yuk Jin-yang pondered, a quarrel broke out between the two uncles.
"Brother, don't you think you're being a bit too greedy?"
"What?"
"Last time, you sent Ju-jin to Shandong under the excuse of gaining experience, didn't you? Things nearly went south."
"You bastard!"
Bam!
The patriarch slammed his foot down. The subtle wave of pure energy emanating from him instantly quelled the commotion.
"How dare you raise your voice here."
The quiet voice carried an aura that pressed down like a weight on their shoulders.
"You've all gone mad with ambition, it seems. No thought of cooperation among yourselves?"
At their father's rebuke, the sons flushed red.
The patriarch continued, glancing at them pitifully. His tone had softened.
"And what did you hear from my earlier words? We just need to go through the motions. Whether Cloud Sea Hall or Vast Sea Hall, it's excessive."
"Then who do you plan to dispatch...?"
Yuk Seo asked cautiously, gauging the mood.
"Doesn't the Flying Stream Pavilion have forces now? How about entrusting it to Jin-yang?"
All eyes snapped toward him.
The two sons hurriedly raised objections.
"J-Jin-yang? Father, he's not even undergone the coming-of-age rite yet. It's too early for jianghu travels, let alone a mission."
"The Haenam Sect won't look kindly on it either. Fine for routing some black path thugs, but this mission is different. We need someone renowned."
The opposition was blatant. Were the uncles already conscious of his presence?
'Unlikely.'
He dismissed it inwardly. They were simply overly ambitious. That was Yuk Jin-yang's assessment.
If they truly intended sabotage, there were more effective ways—like luring him into a mission and ensuring failure. Far better for clipping the wings of a jianghu novice.
"Everyone has a first time. Fifteen is more than enough to step into the jianghu. For a Yuk clansman, at least."
Dismissing the protests, the patriarch turned.
"That's my view, but what does our grandson think?"
"If entrusted to me, I'll do my utmost."
Yuk Jin-yang rose and cupped his fists in salute.
His bold demeanor won approval. Some retainers smiled warmly—a clear show of favor.
Others darkened their faces. Some even exchanged glances with the Cloud Sea Hall Leader or Vast Sea Hall Leader.
Yuk Jin-yang took careful note of their faces.
Those who prioritized the sons' moods over the patriarch. Reactions unlikely without shifted loyalties. They had likely been absorbed into the uncles' factions already.
When the lord ages, retainers' eyes turn to successors. Positioning for the new era to secure their spots. Some vassals had already chosen sides for the future.
"Jin-yang goes to Guangdong. I'll grant him full authority for this matter."
The patriarch declared at last.
Yuk Jin-yang maintained a calm composure, showing no outward joy. Too many eyes were watching.
The patriarch asked,
"First mission—must be tense. Any specific support you request?"
"Flying Stream Pavilion members alone will suffice."
Yuk Jin-yang quickly added,
"In return, once the mission succeeds, permit us to establish a new branch in Hu'nan."
"A branch? Hm."
The patriarch pondered briefly before agreeing readily.
"No reason to refuse."
The Zhejiang Yuk Clan's domain was vast. Beyond Zhejiang Province where the main house stood, influence extended in all directions.
The patriarch alone couldn't manage it all. Clan members had to share the duties.
Like the emperor dispatching regional kings to govern borders, the direct bloodline oversaw branches in the patriarch's stead.
Cloud Sea Hall in Zhili, Vast Sea Hall in Huguang, Distant River Pavilion in Jiangxi.
It wasn't a burden for the factions either. The immense revenues from branch farmlands and businesses formed their foundation.
The Flying Stream Pavilion would need such funding streams to prepare for the future.
The patriarch, after a moment's thought, inquired,
"Hu'nan spans Guangxi, Guangdong, and Fujian—a vast area. Which specifically?"
"Fujian."
Yuk Jin-yang subtly gauged the reactions around him.
His eldest uncle shot him a fierce glare.
Cloud Sea Hall's branch in Zhili was imperial territory under direct court control. Its importance dwarfed other regions. Holding it granted networks to sway the realm.
Yet such a reaction despite that. Bottomless greed.
"Satisfied with Fujian? It boomed once on trade, but it's been declining since the sea ban."
"Fujian suffices for me."
A choice possible only because he knew the future.
The sea ban would soon lose effect and become a dead letter. Not even the emperor's stern decree could halt greed for wealth.
When that happened, Fujian Province would flourish anew. Rivaling Sichuan, the "heavenly granary."
In his previous life, Cloud Sea Hall monopolized those revenues. This fortune arose because they originally handled this mission. Bolstering their funds propelled them ahead in succession struggles.
No longer. Yuk Jin-yang intended to methodically strip away everything that should have been theirs.