Chapter 38
Chapter 38
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 38
Chapter Title: Patriarchs Gather
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A few days later, the messengers dispatched to various corners of the realm returned safely to the Yuk Clan Great Compound. Replies were bound to their legs.
Upon checking the letter, Yuk Mu-hyeok rose from his seat at once.
His perceptive grandson's prediction had come true exactly as foretold. Satisfaction welled up within him, but so did the measures that needed to be taken.
Yuk Mu-hyeok took Grand Steward Choe Rim with him and headed to Flying Stream Pavilion. His grandson happened to be out, leaving only his son and daughter-in-law to guard the hall.
"Where is Jin-yang?"
"He's probably at the training grounds."
"He's diligent. Good, that's how it should be."
The father and son had always been as cold as ice toward each other. This was the first everyday conversation since Yuk Eon had been chased from the family. Both felt awkward and uncomfortable. Unable to bear it, Yuk Eon tried to stand first.
"Please wait a moment. I'll send a servant to fetch him."
"No need. I've come in person because I have something to entrust to you both as well."
"Even to my wife?"
"Yes."
A curt reply. Yuk Eon struggled to maintain his composure. Meanwhile, Dang So-so couldn't hide her anxiety and trembled slightly. She stood awkwardly, only watching her father-in-law's expression.
Then, an unexpected question flew at her.
"Do you keep in touch with your family?"
Dang So-so's eyes widened. Yuk Eon, sitting beside her, was equally surprised. They never imagined the family head would utter the word "in-laws." They had heard firsthand how Yuk Mu-hyeok had referred to the Dang family.
Dang So-so swallowed the surge of hot emotion rising within her.
"No, Father. It's been a long time since contact was cut off due to the distance."
"It's not easy traveling from Zhejiang to Sichuan."
Yuk Mu-hyeok readily agreed and subtly revealed his intent.
"I'll lend you a messenger, so at least let them know the recent news. And pass along my message while you're at it."
"What is the matter...?"
"Something big is about to happen soon, so tell them to stay cautious. That should be enough for your in-laws to understand."
"Yes."
Dang So-so was no fool; she had eyes and ears. She knew the ominous atmosphere hanging over the family these past few days.
Her husband had already hinted at it. So she accepted her father-in-law's order without resistance.
At the same time, she felt puzzled.
This was the father-in-law who had never once treated her as a daughter-in-law. Yet suddenly, he was mentioning her family.
What could have changed his heart? The couple shared the same疑問.
"Now go fetch Jin-yang."
Yuk Mu-hyeok said to Dang So-so. It was a roundabout way of telling her to leave. She bowed gracefully and hurried out of the room. Worry flickered in her glance back over her shoulder.
Yuk Mu-hyeok spoke again once Dang So-so's footsteps had completely faded.
"With contact cut off for so long, you haven't introduced Jin-yang to your family, have you?"
"No, that's correct."
"From now on, take good care of your wife's family. Even if you don't need it, Jin-yang will require help from his maternal relatives."
"What do you mean by that?"
Yuk Eon asked sternly. To bring up help from her family now? It was shameless. He had never treated them as in-laws even once.
He knew his son was no ordinary child. He was aware of the ambitions he harbored. But the family head's overt attitude was another matter.
Was he perhaps selecting his grandson as a replacement for his son? Would he push him too hard to fill the previous void?
Such suspicions and worries surfaced first.
"Why pretend not to know?"
Yuk Mu-hyeok frowned in displeasure. When Yuk Eon didn't respond, he lowered his voice and continued.
"That child is already astride the horse, whether by his will or others'. Now that he's on the Yuk family register, he'll inevitably face all sorts of storms. So connections should be broad. The Haenam Sect alone is far from enough."
"......"
"You've watched him closely all this time, yet you still don't see? Jin-yang has ambitions. He has the talent to roam the jianghu and stand tall as a martial artist."
Even as he said this, he subtly drew a line. He made no mention of the position Yuk Jin-yang would hold within the family. He was merely offering a lifeline called "opportunity"; the rest would have to be seized personally.
"So shouldn't we give him the chance?"
"Now, of all times?"
"It's not too late even now."
Yuk Mu-hyeok cut him off decisively and steered the conversation.
"Your nephews have already undergone their coming-of-age rites. They're now exchanging marriage talks with other families. They've even made faces with court officials. That means they're far ahead."
"......"
"And for the time being, I'll keep Jin-yang with me, so bear that in mind."
"Pardon?"
"I plan to keep him by my side and watch him closely."
Yuk Eon felt suffocated.
The family head hadn't come for some half-hearted father-son reconciliation. He had come to inform him that he was taking his son away.
"And you should start doing some work too, shouldn't you?"
"What do you mean?"
"They call you Pavilion Master, but isn't your son handling all the dirty work?"
Yuk Eon scowled.
"Do you think I wanted that position?"
"So you plan to cling to it forever?"
Sharp words flew like arrows. Yuk Eon bit his lip.
Yuk Mu-hyeok issued the order to leave with an utterly cold expression.
"I've said all I have to say. I'll wait here in this room, so bring Jin-yang when he comes."
His tone indicated that was all for Yuk Eon. Though indignant, Yuk Eon held back for his son's sake.
His retreating footsteps were heavy.
Once outside, Yuk Eon trembled with rising humiliation. But in one corner of his mind, he understood his father's decision.
'Already astride the horse.'
It wasn't just about his son.
Yuk Eon was in the same position. Even if he tried to withdraw from family competition now, his greedy brothers would never leave their branch alone.
To protect his family, Yuk Eon too had to change from before. The belated realization reminded him of his son's suggestion.
'He told me to take charge of the Fujian branch. My son... I don't know if he foresaw this or just got lucky.'
Not long after Yuk Eon left the room.
Grand Steward Choe Rim, who had been standing still like a rice straw, quietly spoke up.
"You did that on purpose, didn't you?"
"Yes. I couldn't stand seeing that pavilion master loafing around while dumping everything on his son. Even if only to avoid losing his boy, he'll come out fighting desperately."
Even as he said it, Yuk Mu-hyeok seemed doubtful and added,
"I wonder if that was enough stimulus."
"He's always been perceptive. He'll understand well."
"Tch, what a shame. If only that fool had gotten his act together sooner, I wouldn't have needed to come like this."
"Don't be too hard on him. It's all heaven's will, isn't it?"
"At least I found a clever grandson late in life. So that fool needs to step up too."
The last words were almost to himself.
The Yuk family head leaned back in his chair, muttering on.
"I don't know how long I'll live, so he needs to build his own foundation to protect his son. Even if I hand it to him, it'll be snatched away or he'll drop it himself."
A sensitive topic naturally arose. Choe Rim smiled faintly to reassure the family head.
"You're still hale and hearty. Heaven knows your merits and will grant you a long life."
"You worry about your own health first. Even if I go, I'll rest easy knowing you're still in this house."
"When you retire, I'll be the one to leave. There's that poem about the Yangtze's undercurrents pushing out the forefront waves, isn't there?"
"But for branches to grow from a tree, the roots must be strong."
The family head sighed deeply. It was rare for him to show such sentiment.
"I can't help but feel uneasy. Who knows what the one succeeding me will do. I hope it's just the frets of an old man lamenting fading years."
"......"
"I had no choice but to spill the blood of kin, but I hope my children and grandchildren never have to."
Was it a late-life upheaval that changed his heart? Choe Rim felt uneasy about the family head's demeanor but listened silently.
"Yes, I've said too much. It's not something you can stop anyway."
"No, I must do what I can."
The family head slowly shook his head.
"If kin strife truly breaks out, just step back one pace and observe. And occasionally advise whoever succeeds me."
"I'll keep that in mind."
Choe Rim inwardly sighed in relief.
He had been slightly worried the family head might aggressively push Yuk Jin-yang.
If so, the entire family would erupt in chaos. Unless Yuk Jin-yang proved his worth himself, power forced upon him would be hollow. It could never command true authority.
Fortunately, the family head merely cherished his belatedly acknowledged youngest grandson without intending to designate an heir himself, as he had declared.
Reading his thoughts from his expression, Yuk Mu-hyeok grinned slyly.
"What, did you think I'd dance a sword dance for Jin-yang's sake?"
"My apologies. My thinking was shallow."
"I told you before. A serpent doesn't ascend to the heavens on a path opened by another."
"You did."
"I am, after all......"
The conversation paused at footsteps from outside. Yuk Jin-yang's voice came.
"May I enter?"
Instead of answering, the family head flicked his sleeve while seated. A strand of energy released, and the paper-screen door swung open on its own. Without even touching it.
It was the feat of Attracting from the Void.
Yuk Jin-yang's face, standing beyond the threshold, lit with astonishment. To use Attracting from the Void just to open a door? It was excessive. Or perhaps his inner energy was so profound he didn't consider it a waste.
The family head gestured for his dazed grandson to sit.
"Sit."
"Yes, Grandfather."
No sooner had he sat than the family head got to the point.
"Replies have come. Eight days from now, four patriarchs of the Five Harmony Alliance will gather in Kaifeng for a hunt. So I've called to ask your opinion."
"I'm sorry if this causes you trouble."
"Trouble? The patriarchs of the four great families are converging on Kaifeng. It's unprecedented since the realm's unification."
Yuk Mu-hyeok probed subtly.
"Yet you still think the Regional Kings will act?"
"Yes."
Yuk Jin-yang answered firmly. Yuk Mu-hyeok then tried to refute his judgment in a subtle tone.
"Blood ties run deep. If the Regional Kings bow their heads to the Emperor and beg forgiveness even now, the crisis might yet be averted."
"I can't speak for the others, but Prince of Yan will surely rebel."
"Why?"
Because it's a predetermined future.
But he couldn't say that. His grandfather sought not prophecy, but rational deduction.
Yuk Jin-yang recalled information on Prince of Yan, Zhu Di.
Among the Regional Kings, Prince of Yan was the most exceptional in martial prowess.
Not only as a general commanding troops, but in martial arts as well, he had shown outstanding achievements. He could handle even the Nine Great Sects' masters who came to test him.
Such a man had seized the perfect opportunity. He wouldn't let it slip.
"Because a dragon seeking ascension does not fear storms and winds."