Chapter 37
Chapter 37
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 37
Chapter Title: Falcons Dispatched
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Three hawks soared into the sky from the Yuk Clan Great Compound. Letters were tied to their legs. Their tail feathers were dyed a deep purple, a sign that they were no ordinary beasts. They formed a communication network in place of carrier pigeons.
Choe Rim watched them silently until they vanished beyond the horizon before finally turning away. His destination was the clan leader's office.
The room had been filled with direct relatives just moments ago. Now, only the clan leader sat there alone, a smile spreading across his face.
Choe Rim carefully made his report.
"The Purple Flame Hawks have been dispatched. They should arrive in three days."
The Purple Flame Hawks were falcons said to cover two thousand li in a single day. They were spiritual creatures in truth. Though extravagant replacements for carrier pigeons, they underscored the urgency of this matter.
Noting Choe Rim's subdued expression, the Yuk clan leader asked with a mischievous glint.
"You look like you have a lot of questions, my friend."
"I apologize for failing to grasp your profound intentions, Clan Leader. Why did you have me write a letter with such content?"
"Didn't my grandson explain it all? We need to buy time for Yeonwang. He's right. With letters sent in all directions, Yeonwang will soon catch on. He'll start gauging our intentions first."
It was like having eyes everywhere on the ground. Any martial organization in the jianghu had to endure such surveillance. Just as the Yuk Clan monitored Yeonwang's residence and his direct territories.
Yuk Mu-hyeok had turned this to his advantage. By deliberately leaking information, he muddled the enemy's thoughts.
"Then, why use the term 'hunt'?"
"The other clan leaders will have plenty on their minds too. It's not easy to reveal one's true feelings in a letter."
That was why he had chosen "hunt." It was a roundabout way of saying they should gather to discuss grave matters.
Understanding the implication, Choe Rim said admiringly,
"I never realized the youngest young master had such deep schemes."
"I was surprised too."
Yuk Mu-hyeok replied flatly, though his inner thoughts differed.
It was simple yet hit the core. Better than his children, who were bogged down in petty gains and justifications, narrowing their vision.
The kin of prestigious families differed from reclusive Daoists or Buddhist monks detached from fame and fortune. They enjoyed worldly power their whole lives, bearing the duty to elevate their house's honor.
Sometimes, they even had to dirty their hands. To survive tangled interests and treacherous politics. The difference between ascetics meditating in deep mountains and a tiger clan reveling in secular authority.
They must always cloak themselves in grand justice while eyeing family benefits. They could neither shun politics as filthy nor discard stratagems as cowardly.
Thus, his grandson's words—focusing not on who would win between Yeonwang and the emperor, but whom to side with—pleased him all the more.
"But how will you persuade the other clan leaders?"
"My grandson gave me a good line. 'Those late to the feast get only scraps.' The clan leaders will understand. They all believe they have a stake in this nation's founding."
"It will be a spectacle."
Choe Rim imagined the four great families' leaders assembling. Truly grand.
Since the realm's unification, they had never gathered in one place. Each guarded their assigned direction, leaving no spare capacity.
There were other reasons too.
The assembly of the Four Great Families of the Five Harmony Alliance was a matter even the imperial house viewed warily.
The four clan leaders were absolute beings who had slain the myriad monstrous entities rampant in the late Yuan. Should they turn their weapons against the throne, it could spell catastrophe.
Normally, it would entail immense political pressure.
But merit could cover faults. There was a reason for the saying "success makes a king, defeat a bandit."
"What scale for the procession?"
"Make it as lavish as possible. Draw all eyes under heaven. That way, we can tie down the imperial troops too."
"I'll prepare several three-deck pleasure boats."
"And seek prior understanding from the old sects. The new families won't mind, but no need to startle them unnecessarily."
"Understood."
Choe Rim bowed and exited the Crystal Sea Hall. His steps toward the Grand Steward's office were swift. Time was of the essence.
The Yuk clan leader's procession rivaled a king's royal tour. It demanded propriety and awe. Schedules with local officials and groups needed coordination too.
For smooth preparations, they had to move quickly from now on.
Yuk Eon and Yuk Jin-yang walked in silence the whole way. They remained wordless from leaving the annex hall to reaching the annex.
Only upon arriving at the door did Yuk Eon speak.
"Uncle Yuk Ryul sent a letter. Asking if you're wielding the sword well."
"Uncle Yuk Ryul, you mean? Ever since returning from the Haenam Sect, I've had reason to use it."
"Truth be told, I was shocked to hear that. Yul isn't the type to send gifts; he's not that affectionate."
"He mentioned owing you a debt, Father."
"Hm?"
Yuk Eon tilted his head, then burst into laughter as memory returned.
"Ah! Yes, there was that. When the boy was young, he was quite frail, so I looked after him a lot. You've felt it too—our clan isn't an easy place."
"That's true."
"We got along like real brothers back then."
A useful fact.
Information that might prove handy in the future.
To solidify his position in the clan, he needed broad support. High martial prowess alone wasn't enough. Countless interests intertwined.
The current clan leader's will would decide succession, but surrounding reputation could sway it.
Thus, vassals and branch kin could not be ignored.
This wasn't jianghu logic. It required political calculus.
Some preferred smooth pebbles over flawed gems. Once gilded, they were all the same.
There were surely those coveting a puppet clan leader with fine facade.
Yuk Jin-yang particularly eyed the clan elders. Old men stripped of all authority under Yuk Mu-hyeok.
In his past life, Yuk Mu-hyeok never named a successor to the end, claiming none worthy.
The elders, meanwhile, uniformly backed eldest son Yuk Seo. No effort to seek true gems. They needed a pliable pebble, not a clan-shining jade.
Who knew when they'd reveal their fangs? Yuk Jin-yang planned to build as many friendly factions as possible.
"So, is Uncle Yuk Ryul trustworthy?"
"Trustworthy."
Yuk Eon gave a wry smile and hesitated briefly.
"Your grandfather once told me this: People aren't to be trusted blindly; they must be gauged. No matter who."
"Ah."
"He explained why. Even if one saint exists among ten thousand, what guarantee is there that the one beside you is that saint?"
Yuk Jin-yang recalled his past life. He nodded instinctively at the wisdom.
"By the way."
Yuk Eon changed the subject.
"This matter will disrupt branch operations considerably. Once it starts, you won't have time to stop by."
"For now, I'll send Hwang Dal-pyeong with a few Flying Stream Pavilion warriors. But I'm still concerned. Not ready to entrust it fully."
"Fair enough. He lacks experience still."
"So, Father, could you take charge of the branch?"
"Me?"
Yuk Jin-yang nodded, gauging his father's eyes.
"I have few I can trust."
"That's not the whole story, is it? Last time, it seemed you'd bonded with those who went to Hainan together."
Yuk Eon saw through his son's excuse. Yuk Jin-yang smiled awkwardly and revealed his true intent.
"You still seem uneasy in the jianghu. Even at the main house, you looked uncomfortable."
"Oh dear."
A hollow sigh escaped. Yuk Eon rubbed his forehead and muttered,
"I thought I hid it well, but you saw through it."
"Mother probably knows too."
"I see."
Yuk Eon murmured. He paced without readily answering his son's proposal.
"This isn't something I can decide on the spot."
In the end, his reply was a deferral.
"The bottle's empty! Bring a fresh tray quick!"
A voice thick with rage pierced the corridor sharply. It was Distant River Pavilion Leader Yuk Gyun's drunken rant. Leaning crookedly against the wall, he looked utterly disheveled. No trace of a prestigious bloodkin's dignity.
Creak.
The sliding door opened. Yuk Gyun's gaze turned toward the sound. Beyond the threshold stood not a servant with a tray, but his loathed eldest brother.
Yuk Gyun spat a low curse.
"Damn it."
The other's reaction was equally cold.
Yuk Seo scowled, surveying the room's mess. Empty bottles and dishes littered everywhere.
"Drinking in broad daylight. I thought Father's scolding had curbed that habit."
"What, come to mock me?"
"Where's Hong-seo?"
"What'll you do with him?"
Yuk Gyun retorted curtly, lifting a bottle to his lips.
"...Sent him to the training grounds. If talent falls short, effort must compensate."
"But no one catches up to someone with both talent and effort. You saw that brat Jin-yang shine at the last family meeting. He's no pushover."
The irksome nephew's name soured Yuk Gyun's gut.
The assignment feast incident had hit Distant River Pavilion hard. No one wanted to stay anymore. Especially fatal was doubts over his son Yuk Hong-seo's talent.
"That wild-raised pup, uneducated till now, spouts plausible realm predictions and steals Father's heart. Your son can't match him. Talent differs from the start."
"Come all this way just to pick a fight? And you're no position to lecture on talent in our house's eldest line. Your son, I mean."
Yuk Seo ignored the sharp retort.
"I know. But aren't I the eldest son and you the next?"
"Father already shattered primogeniture."
"Recall the dynasties. Even emperors who seized the throne via coups invoked eldest succession for their heirs. Primogeniture always precedes merit selection. Best way to avert needless strife."
Yuk Gyun ground his teeth at his brother's calm words.
"Hmph. If averting strife, he wouldn't have given second brother the deputy seat."
"Infighting in a sect is self-harm. Father values ability, fine. But do the elders and Father's aides want clan division?"
"..."
"Most have no choice but to back me."
No reply came. Yuk Seo proposed softly,
"Why not give up and join me?"
"Ha? Cut the nonsense."
Despite the scoff, Yuk Seo pressed on.
"I'll secure your share properly. Even your nephew's if needed. No regrets. Even if you branch off, enough for three generations."
"Want successor? Convince second brother first."
"How trust that schemer."
At his brother's curt reply, Yuk Gyun drained his cup. Wiping his mouth, he sneered,
"So I'm the easy mark?"
"Still twisting words, I see."
"Get out. No send-off."
Yuk Seo turned slowly. Just before crossing the threshold, he added,
"My offer stands. Come if you change your mind."