Chapter 27
Chapter 27
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 27
Chapter Title: Traces of Insight, Shadows of Invasion
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Yuk Jin-yang drew closer to the stone etched with traces. The marks were far more vivid up close. Even though the surface had been worn away by the passage of time, the depth of the wounds carved into its core was considerable.
'Some of these traces look familiar.'
Even the parts he had mistaken for weathering were trajectories of techniques and strikes. Following their flow naturally evoked a certain martial art.
Swirling Stream Chaotic Flowers Art. One of the Zhejiang Yuk Clan's recommended fist techniques. He had once mimicked it as used by his loathsome cousin and turned it back against him.
This confirmed it. The one who left these traces on the stone was undoubtedly his ancestor.
'So this is the opportunity Grandfather mentioned.'
Yuk Jin-yang had no intention of moving. He was utterly absorbed in the stone.
The others watched him with baffled expressions, stealing glances at his demeanor.
"Hey."
Only after Sa Jong-seop called out to him politely did Yuk Jin-yang snap out of it. He gave an awkward smile.
"I apologize for the unintended rudeness."
"A single fleeting clue can become the foundation of a supreme divine art. It's a moment no warrior can afford to miss, so I understand. So, any enlightenment?"
When Yuk Jin-yang shook his head, Sa Jong-seop readily suggested,
"Take your time examining it. But first, let's pay our respects to the elders."
The group finally reached the summit of Yeomo Peak.
Grand halls stretched along the ridgeline extending from the peak. Their forms, harmonizing with the winding mountain contours, evoked the image of a massive fortress.
As they passed through the sect gate, curious gazes poured in. Murmurs followed.
"Who are they?"
"Haven't you heard? The Yuk Clan came to aid our sect."
"Tch, they look about my age."
Sa Jong-seop's glare kept them from approaching too closely, but everyone showed intense interest.
Yuk Jin-yang joked lightly,
"Your disciples are full of energy."
"Guangdong Province is one vast battlefield. The younger disciples with lower ranks have been assigned to the safest headquarters. Please forgive their somewhat frivolous behavior."
Sa Jong-seop's stiff reply came with a displeased sweep of his eyes over the disciples. The teenagers hurriedly scattered.
The group headed to a particularly ornate hall. It was the elders' chamber. Sunlight settled on the turquoise glass ornaments atop the high eaves, scattering like grains of waves in dazzling brilliance.
Sa Jong-seop asked the gatekeeper,
"Are the elders inside?"
"Yes, they're all attending to sect affairs."
"Send word. Guests from the Yuk Clan have arrived."
Moments later, the gatekeeper who had entered the hall returned.
"They bid you enter."
Opening the antique doors revealed a vast office. Seven elders sat around a central round table. They were the Haenam Sect elders, all appearing older than Sa Jong-seop.
Sensing their presence, the elders turned. Before they could speak, Yuk Jin-yang offered a formal fist salute.
"I'm Yuk Jin-yang from Zhejiang."
"Just as we heard, you're young."
One elder flicked his sleeve. The gatekeeper standing behind closed the door and exited the office.
"We've heard all the reports on your achievements. You'll be treated as honored guests. Rest well."
"Thank you."
The elders gestured for them to leave. They seemed busy filling the void left by the sect leader.
Yuk Jin-yang had no particular business, so he felt no attachment to prolonging the meeting. Besides, he could always ask Sa Jong-seop any questions.
Speaking of which, he had one.
"Might I inquire about the sect leader's recovery?"
"Hmm."
Sa Jong-seop shook his head firmly.
"He still requires rest. And I can't share more information than that, even to a guest."
In stark contrast to the unimpressive encounter with the elders, the Haenam Sect's hospitality was lavish beyond measure. They were assigned a separate annex, and despite the island's scarce resources, a feast of delicacies was laid out.
Considering it was wartime, the extravagance was almost embarrassing.
Thanks to that, it wasn't until evening turned to night that they found some leisure.
Yuk Jin-yang slipped out of the annex and passed through the sect gate. The stone with traces was nearby.
Summer's night sky arrived slowly and faintly. Before full darkness settled, the moon rose. Its shy glow whispered down to the earth. Relying on that light, Yuk Jin-yang examined the stone.
'These are definitely the trajectories of Swirling Stream Chaotic Flowers Art, but at some point, the spacing between them narrows dramatically.'
The speed of the technique's unfolding had accelerated.
'On the other hand, the depth has shallowed.'
Speed increased, but power decreased. It was clear the art was executed at extremely close range to the target.
Suddenly, the name of the second technique from the Ten Thousand Rivers Single Source Art manual came to mind.
Chaotic Waters Fury.
It was a technique with much of its oral formula lost.
All that remained was to bind the enemy and fill surface with point. He had to infer from the name alone: a brilliant grasp of water's profound principles.
'But what if it's not solely composed of Brilliant Grasp of Water?'
A hazy enlightenment teased at the edge of his mind. He immersed himself so deeply in the martial art that his head ached. Piecing together scattered fragments like a puzzle, turning vague conjectures into clear concepts.
A chain of lightning-fast follow-ups extending from Brilliant Grasp of Water. The core wasn't Brilliant Grasp at all.
If it traded some power for countermeasures at extreme close quarters? After all, Ten Thousand Rivers Single Source Art already boasted the exceptional single-strike absolute technique, Dragonfly Skimming Water.
If Dragonfly Skimming Water pursued overwhelming might, then Chaotic Waters Fury clearly sought variation.
It was then.
"Young master!"
In that moment of certainty, an unexpected shout shattered his focus. Yuk Jin-yang clicked his tongue and turned. So Yun-un was rushing toward him with an urgent expression.
"What is it?"
"Enemies... enemies are coming!"
"......What enemies?"
"Several large ships appeared off the coast, and the Jin Clan Patriarch himself is at the prow!"
Yuk Jin-yang doubted his own ears.
Gong――, gong――, gong――.
The heavy gong tolled, signaling the emergency. Proof that So Yun-un wasn't drunk and babbling nonsense.
Yuk Jin-yang unleashed his lightness skill and retraced his steps swiftly. His sleeves fluttered wildly in the whipping wind.
"Explain in detail. What's that sound? The Jin Patriarch showing up out of nowhere?"
The Haenam Sect headquarters was on an island. For defense, the coast should be ironclad. If the coastal outpost was breached, Sa Jong-seop's demeanor would have been far less composed.
"Reports say ship wreckage is floating offshore. They speculate it broke through after shaking off pursuers."
"They used hidden cannons!"
The Guangdong Jin Clan had finally crossed the line.
Upon reaching the sect gate, Sa Jong-seop was already there, leading White Bridge Division members and Flying Stream Pavilion warriors to greet them. Yuk Jin-yang cut straight to the point.
"I heard the Jin Patriarch is here."
"Yes, our miscalculation."
Sa Jong-seop's face was grave.
"What exactly happened?"
"The bastards finally crossed the line. Who would have thought they'd smuggle out cannons and hide them. It seems they've pierced every defensive line."
Trusting the strait had led to lax defenses—a fatal error.
The elders remained at headquarters, but the enemy had their patriarch in person. Their accompanying force wouldn't be small or weak. Victory was uncertain for either side.
Hainan disciples formed ranks in perfect order. Amid the chaos, Jeong Yak-bin was leading the young ones to evacuate somewhere.
Following her direction with his gaze, Sa Jong-seop made a subtle offer.
"You can leave if you wish. The elders approved it. Follow Yak-bin, and you'll find the evacuation route."
"What are you saying?"
"You've already fought more than enough. But I can't in good conscience ask you to stay until the bitter end."
Yuk Jin-yang didn't reply, instead gauging the Flying Stream Pavilion warriors' resolve. They all burned with fighting spirit.
They were warriors too. None were weak enough to flee from a fight coming to them.
"We'll fight together."
"It might endanger your life and your men's. Especially yours—you killed the Jin Patriarch's second son."
"If I feared grudges, I never would have set foot in the martial world."
"......Thank you. I'll relay the plan as soon as it's set."
After a brief thanks, Sa Jong-seop led the White Bridge Division away. Watching his back, So Yun-un muttered slyly,
"That guy's awfully embarrassed."
"Quiet."
After rebuking him, Yuk Jin-yang raised a crucial matter.
"Jin Won-gi?"
"Pressure points sealed, locked in the brain prison."
"Kill him if necessary."
"Wouldn't a hostage be better?"
Yuk Jin-yang pondered briefly and shook his head. Leaders of great sects often saw sacrificing pawns for the greater good as natural. Much less blocking the Jin Patriarch with a mere nephew.
Flaming torches drove back the darkness. The Haenam Sect awaited the enemy in full readiness. Some of the hundreds of warriors blocked the sect gate, while the rest hid among trees and underbrush.
"There... they're coming......"
Someone murmured.
Shadows flickered in the gloom. Gradually approaching, they revealed clear forms. Yuk Jin-yang quickly counted. Even with the patriarch present, their numbers weren't vast—seemingly only elites.
A middle-aged man in fine silk robes stepped forward. His bearing marked him as the Jin Patriarch without doubt.
He slowly scanned the ranks of opposing Haenam Sect warriors. Facing imminent battle, he showed no tension. Was this the composure of a clan leader?
"A fine night for blades to dance, isn't it? Well, I've come for my nephew. And I can avenge my son while I'm at it."
"......"
"Yet your island's defenses were paper-thin. Thanks to that, I arrived easily. My sincere gratitude."
"Jin Patriarch, have you gone mad? Cannons aren't something you can buy off with mere wealth."
Sa Jong-seop stepped forward from the Hainan side to parley. The Jin Patriarch spread his arms and cocked his head.
"Is that so? Then where are the government troops to punish me?"
"......"
"Thanks to the young emperor's foolish antics, I got this chance. Letting opportunity slip over mere law would be idiotic! Evidence? Just kill the witnesses."
"Even if you topple our gate and tear down the plaque, it won't matter. The Zhejiang Yuk Clan supports us—we can reclaim the island anytime."
"I know that much. And that the insolent whelp from that clan killed my son. But hesitating over such reasons? Can't call yourself a martial artist then. Right?"
Shing. Without waiting for a reply, the Jin Patriarch drew his sword. The blade gleamed coldly. With a ferocious grin, he bellowed,
"Charge!"
Sa Jong-seop's voice echoed in tandem.
"Repel them!"