Chapter 41
Chapter 41
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 41
Chapter Title: Voyage on the Grand Canal
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The passenger boat on the third deck sliced through the current. A favorable tailwind pushed from behind.
The surroundings were in full autumn glory. Crimson foliage cascaded along the canal, as if vibrant embroidery adorned fine silk.
Yuk Jin-yang mulled over the riddle his grandfather had left him.
Creating a martial art. It was uncharted territory he had never attempted.
To Yuk Jin-yang, martial arts had always been something belonging to others.
Stealing and learning them, or analyzing and dismantling them—that was one thing. But devising one tailored to his own body? He had never even considered it.
It was a difference in perspective.
In the past, he hadn't dared to aspire to such transcendent realms. His physical shortcomings had naturally defined his limits.
That was why his grandfather's advice struck him like a fresh shock.
'Where do I even start?'
Yuk Jin-yang recalled countless martial disciplines. Most were too eclectic to serve as models. Their foundational principles were crude.
Supreme arts weren't called divine techniques for nothing. The more refined the discipline, the closer it came to toying with the truths of all creation using just a single sword.
The Hainan Soaring Wave Sword was the closest thing, but its acquisition wasn't exactly honorable. He had delved into its origins just to mock Bae Ji-hak's life.
If anyone asked about its origins, he'd have little to say. It might even spark needless misunderstandings.
'No need to rush.'
Experience could be built anew. Traveling the world and clashing with countless masters would yield insights. Rather than fret now, it was better to look ahead.
That was when it happened.
"I've got some intriguing news. Care to hear it?"
Hwang Dal-pyeong's voice came from beside him. His face was pale, seasick it seemed.
Yuk Jin-yang snapped out of his meditation and asked back.
"What news?"
"A reply from the main house has arrived. Delivered by pigeon tied to a leg."
"Hadn't the Five Harmony Alliance leaders already responded?"
Hwang Dal-pyeong leaned in closer and nodded.
"They had. But word is, this one's from Yangyang."
"Yangyang... the Nangong Clan?"
"That's them for sure. The other families are probably racking their brains right now too. Martial artists settle things with swords, but this has entered the realm of politics."
It clicked perfectly.
"You settled on the Nangong as proxies to handle the task."
"What do you mean?"
Yuk Jin-yang lowered his voice and explained everything to Hwang Dal-pyeong.
"I proposed a plan to the clan leader. To stockpile timber in advance for rebuilding cities after the war."
Hwang Dal-pyeong caught on immediately.
"Using the Nangong as figureheads to execute it."
"They're in Huguang, after all. Routes from Sichuan and Yunnan to Huguang, then Huguang to Fujian. Finally, Fujian to the capital."
"Shall we sneak in on it?"
Yuk Jin-yang tilted his head.
"Think we can?"
"Sichuan timber is top-notch, but Fujian has trees too. No imperial-grade rosewood or ebony, but reconstruction isn't just for palaces."
Yuk Jin-yang understood Hwang Dal-pyeong's point.
"Officials' offices need rebuilding too. Plenty of burned villages from the wars."
"Fujian timber can cover that demand easily."
"We could toss some jobs to the merchant guilds too."
"Eat the pheasant and the egg both."
Hwang Dal-pyeong looked satisfied just thinking about it.
Fujian's port in Fuzhou buzzed with rare energy.
The waterfront teemed with boats. Laborers hustled loading cargo, merchants clamored to ship their goods, and some even set up stalls hawking candied fruit and snacks.
It was the first such scene since the maritime ban lifted. Merchants who remembered Fuzhou's former prosperity felt a strange nostalgia.
Yi Pil-do muttered unwittingly.
"Can't recall the last time this place was packed with people and goods."
"Over a decade, I'd say."
The old steward, who had managed the guild's affairs for generations, replied. Even his wrinkled face brimmed with emotion.
Yi Pil-do asked.
"Everything the young master ordered done?"
"The timber? We'll fill the warehouses soon. But why order so many giant logs?"
"Seems for construction materials. Specifically requesting mature trees like that."
"Building a new hall here?"
"No idea. Don't get curious yourself. Curiosity can be poison for merchants."
They were paid for it, so reasons didn't matter. A merchant's virtue lay in clean deals, not prying into irrelevancies.
Yi Pil-do changed the subject.
"Keep the ledgers tight. Three-tenths of profits go to the young master. Report any funny business immediately."
"Of course."
A shadow crossed the old steward's indifferent face.
"Something wrong?"
"Just regretting it. Three-tenths of sales as tribute? If I'd known smuggling would open so soon..."
Yi Pil-do cut him off sharply, face stern.
"Watch your words!"
"My mistake."
The old steward shrank back. Yi Pil-do led him into a quiet alley. A loaded question followed.
"Anyone else grumbling like that? Or just dissatisfied?"
"Among the merchants? A few. With all the ominous rumors, they're worried about getting dragged into trouble..."
Even common merchants had eyes and ears. They were already on alert, gauging the situation. Information could make or break fortunes.
"Tell me immediately if it happens again. Need to act before they stir trouble."
"Do we owe the Yuk Clan that much loyalty? I don't get it. Is it because you're chamber president now?"
"No. It's because he's our lifeline."
The old man tilted his head.
"Lifeline?"
"Took me seeing how the world's turning to realize. Why the court suddenly opened sea routes, even defying Emperor Taizu's edict."
"I don't follow."
Yi Pil-do sneered.
"Fattening pigs to slaughter. Preparing for war with the regional kings."
"..."
"Can't requisition if the granaries are empty, right?"
"Y-You knew they'd seize it and launched ships anyway?"
Yi Pil-do nodded. As long as the ban held, Fuzhou guilds would wither. They couldn't compete with northern or central merchants.
Even in Jiangnan, Zhejiang guilds dominated, with direct court ties.
Smuggling was an offer Fujian merchants couldn't refuse. Better than dying of thirst now, even if split later.
"Smuggling's not the point. I'm looking beyond."
"The young master giving us work?"
"We already got one. Who ordered the timber?"
The steward fell silent. Yi Pil-do gazed skyward, hands behind his back.
"And we're already tied to him by interests. With him overseeing Fujian, he won't discard us easily. We'll be his foundation."
Yi Pil-do knew the Yuk Clan's situation roughly. How fierce the succession struggle was.
That was why he didn't underestimate Yuk Jin-yang's ambitions. Taking a branch at such a young age meant he eyed the top seat.
"So we won't be abandoned lightly."
"That would be ideal."
"It will be."
Conviction laced Yi Pil-do's voice.
The passenger boat slowed as it cut through the Grand Canal's current. Milky foam scattered wildly.
It docked at the port. Servants bustled unloading luggage. So much that disembarking took ages.
Yuk Jin-yang waited his turn, admiring the view. Sunset fields blended with rugged mountains like an ink wash painting.
This was Henan. Once Shaolin and Beggars' Sect territory.
Now, it was famed as the Five Harmony Alliance headquarters. A sign of the alliance's might, eclipsing even the Nine Great Sects' fame.
One servant hung the Zhejiang Yuk Clan banner on a cart. It fluttered proudly in the breeze. Onlookers at the port whispered.
"Even the Zhejiang Yuk Clan has arrived. Are all four alliance clan leaders gathering?"
"Explains the rumors of bandits and brigands vanishing."
"Not just them. The Seven Black Woods Lords, calling themselves black path overlords, have all gone into hiding like rats."
"Sun rising in the west."
"Best to shelter before the typhoon hits."
The group pressed on, ignoring the murmurs.
Kaifeng outskirts were deep in harvest. Golden fields basked in autumn sun. The party melted into the serene, peaceful landscape.
"The season of heaven-high geese and fattened horses."
The Yuk clan leader sighed. His tone and words meshed oddly.
Autumn had long been called the season of war for its bounty. Fields full of grain to feed soldiers and beasts, horses fattened for cavalry.
Third son Yuk Gyun, attending at his side, ventured carefully.
"Prince Yan must have timed it deliberately. Harvest everywhere for army rations."
"Watch your mouth. The alliance is near."
"...Yes."
The group continued. The city's straight walls, like crane wings, drew closer.
Kaifeng.
Once capital of the Great Song. A city of eternal nightlights. Scarred by tragedy of flames in war.