Chapter 47
Translator: uly
Chapter: 47
Chapter Title: Sword Wave Sweep
It seemed he had unintentionally provoked the opponent. The man's discomfort was fully palpable in his energy aura. A ferocious killing intent had transformed into sharp waves, pricking at his skin.
Yuk Jin-yang paid it no mind. He was too busy sorting through the flashes of insight streaking through his mind like lightning bolts. He had no spare capacity to even gauge the opponent's thoughts.
Boom!
The thud of his foot stamping down on the slate floor boomed like thunder. The piercing strike sliced through the air, carrying a gust of wind with it. Even as he raised his sword to block, Yuk Jin-yang's robes and hair whipped wildly.
With exquisite timing, Yuk Jin-yang twisted his blade, severing the follow-up assault. He shoved back the opponent, who was straining to hold his ground with raw power.
The foe held the edge in raw internal energy, but Yuk Jin-yang occupied the superior position. He forced the man into awkward footing, disrupting his ability to channel power effectively.
"Tch!"
Yu Baek clicked his tongue and staggered back—or so it seemed—before suddenly spinning in place. The violent rotation summoned a burst of power that unleashed a thunderous horizontal slash.
Yuk Jin-yang gripped his sword with both hands. He widened his stance to shoulder breadth, rooting himself firmly to the ground. In an instant, his sword stance shifted.
Moon Maiden Divine Art energy infused his arms, and as he cleaved downward in a vertical stroke, a heavy shockwave erupted.
Claaang—!
The collision unleashed a gale-force ripple. Yu Baek was the one repelled. Had the clash of energies wounded him internally? He gritted his teeth, his body stiffening.
The Moon Maiden Sword Art was unbound by rigid forms. In other words, it excelled at improvisation. No single style reached its peak, but against an opponent one step behind, it could seize control with masterful finesse.
Suddenly, he caught sight of the man's expression.
Yu Baek was visibly flustered. He clearly hadn't expected to be pushed this far, his face a mask of bewilderment.
'He must have seriously underestimated me.'
Meanwhile, Yuk Jin-yang was gradually assessing Yu Baek's level. Regardless of the techniques' potency, his mastery of martial principles outclassed the foe's.
Ching! Chaeng! Chaeng!
He hounded his opponent relentlessly. He gave no quarter to create distance, no moment to contemplate his next move. Entrusting his body to instinct, he advanced fiercely on his energy sense alone.
In the chaos of close combat, the Moon Maiden Sword Art's strengths shone, steadily cornering his foe. Yu Baek's face twisted in dismay as he clenched his jaw.
Boom!
A twisting stamp of the foot sent a heavy thud echoing. An ominous pulse of energy rippled outward. His body spun, launching a diagonal upward slash.
Yuk Jin-yang didn't meet it head-on. Stepping with Moon Stream Subtle Steps, he deflected the incoming force.
Separate from Yu Baek's realm, the Radiant Martial Divine Sword was undoubtedly a supreme art. There were plenty of points worth studying.
Especially its footwork, which amplified strike power. The full-body twist at the moment of unleashing energy was strikingly distinctive.
It was inevitable that the shockwaves would grow fiercer. The strain on the body would intensify accordingly, but a physique honed over long years could withstand it.
And there lay the key.
'I can integrate it into the Moon Maiden Sword Art.'
His body, tempered by the Moon Maiden Divine Art, had already reached an exceptional state. Not just in strength and endurance, but in recovery as well—it surpassed the norm. Yuk Jin-yang could endure the burden too.
It was a small but crucial breakthrough. One could credit it to the concepts left by his martial ancestors. Perhaps this was how legacies passed down through generations.
Such idle thoughts were fleeting.
A torrent of ideas flashed through Yuk Jin-yang's mind. He envisioned and evaluated countless possibilities in split seconds. To manage the mounting inspirations, he pushed his faculties to the limit.
Yuk Jin-yang twisted and stamped his foot. At the familiar motion, Yu Baek's eyes widened in shock.
"What...!"
With a cry of alarm, he stumbled backward.
Startled by the sudden strike? His footwork faltered in confusion, his panic evident in every motion.
Yuk Jin-yang plunged inward more boldly. Dodging the swung sword, he wedged into the space and expanded it. In an instant, his opponent's side was within reach.
Yu Baek frantically twisted away, counterattacking from a half-collapsed stance.
Bang!
The horizontal sweep of the Silver Dew Sword shoved Yu Baek's blade aside. It tore through his shockwave and charged onward.
The sensations were vivid.
In that moment, Yuk Jin-yang released his power. Pressing further might cleave the man in two. This was a spar—no blood could be spilled.
But the energy extended to its limit.
"Gahk!"
With a strangled cough, Yu Baek flew back, tumbling several rolls across the ground before slumping limply.
A stunned silence fell over the spectators.
Yuk Jin-yang was a direct descendant of the Zhejiang Yuk Clan, but only a newcomer who had just revealed himself. Many had eyed his late arrival with suspicion. They had dismissed his prior exploits as mere hype.
His opponent, meanwhile, was a famed prospect of the West Capital Yue Clan. Scarcely anyone had predicted Yuk Jin-yang's victory.
Yet he claimed an overwhelming triumph, mocking such doubts. The crowd could hardly believe their eyes.
The hush gave way to uproar.
"Truly astonishing!"
"What was that final sword technique? Its power was extraordinarily profound."
"The Zhejiang Yuk Clan has been raising a dragon. How else could someone his age possess such skill?"
"You, go find out everything about that boy right now. Especially if he's betrothed. Hurry!"
The excitement spread even to the high seats.
"What a bold one."
Yu Cheong-a propped her chin on her outstretched hand.
She had unwittingly slipped into her pre-rejuvenation speech patterns. Her old words—that a young body speaking like an elder looked unbecoming—now rang hollow. She was that shocked.
Her fine brows furrowed delicately. Her gaze was fixed solely on Yuk Jin-yang. No trace of concern for her fallen grandson.
She had raised him too indulgently. Talented, yes, but without worthy rivals among his peers, his arrogance had swelled. This defeat would teach him humility—a good lesson.
Thus, her interest turned more to Yuk Jin-yang.
Yu Cheong-a murmured.
"To discern the principles of the Radiant Martial Divine Sword in such a short time. No ordinary talent."
Her eyes saw it clearly: the bizarre swordplay Yuk Jin-yang had unleashed incorporated the Radiant Martial Divine Sword's essence.
"But the sword art's lineage seems rooted elsewhere?"
"He might have created it on the spot."
"Right there in the moment?"
Yi Jin-geol looked puzzled, while Jeon Gal-hwan showed keen interest. The three elders' eyes naturally turned to Yuk Mu-hyeok. He spoke slowly.
"Moon Maiden Sword Art."
All three faces twisted in shock.
"Moon Maiden Sword Art? The Yuk Clan's foundational technique?"
"Your Martial Valor Hall has no shortage of worthy sword arts. Why that one?"
"Sticking to basics by choice? Or did you not teach him any others?"
The Yuk Clan head snorted.
"Moon Maiden Sword Art and Moon Maiden Divine Art are the roots of Yuk Clan martial arts. Without strong roots, branches cannot extend far."
"Those roots look plenty sturdy."
Jeon Gal-hwan blurted in disbelief, a peculiar smile curling his lips.
"Don't tell me you're coddling your grandson? Guiding him only along the righteous path, away from detours?"
"A fine blade needs no extra flourishes from the smith. That's all."
"I've hit the mark! Miscellaneous arts have their charm, but they hinder true growth. With such prodigious talent, no need to sully his eyes with third-rate tricks."
"......"
"Who knew the great Yuk Mu-hyeok would invest so much in his grandson's studies. Your eldest might feel slighted."
The clan head smirked faintly.
"None of your concern."
His gaze flicked sideways. There sat his elder brothers, stony-faced as they watched their nephew.
Meanwhile, Yuk Eon wore a worried expression for his son.
The clan head smiled inwardly.
His sons would realize it now. Complacency was over. They would strive to solidify their positions—whether to surpass this sudden rival or protect their own.
"Time to wrap things up. The entertainment's gone on long enough."
Yet the commotion refused to die down. Unlike the clan heads, who merely marveled, the major forces from each clan dissected the bout in detail.
"As expected of a noble house's direct heir. A body honed to perfection."
"His innate frame is impressive too. A bit more bulk might help, but considering his age, it's superb."
"Really only fifteen? His energy control was unnaturally precise. At that age, I could barely grasp the basics."
"I heard he favors long-range weapons. Was the intel wrong?"
"Maybe Yu Baek couldn't unleash his full power. No need to close distance against someone suppressible by sword alone."
Yuk Jin-yang felt the stares directed his way. Intensely so—even without energy sense, he knew. He took it positively; he had left a deep impression.
It was then, as he cupped his fists in salute to the fallen Yu Baek.
"Well done. You've upheld my face."
His grandfather spoke, placing a hand on his shoulder.
By now, the other clan heads had descended to the training ground.
"......I saw it well."
The grudging words came from Yu Cheong-a. She eyed Yuk Jin-yang sullenly, evidently troubled by her grandson's defeat.
—It must sting. She excuses it as a humility lesson for him, but he was the clan's cherished young talent.
His grandfather's intent transmitted directly into his mind. No vocalization. Not sound-transmission via voice, but a higher art like Imperial Energy Voice Projection or Wisdom Light Heart Speech.
Yuk Jin-yang marveled anew at his grandfather's realm while maintaining a composed demeanor. The surrounding clan heads were absolute powers ruling their domains. They wouldn't act rashly over this.
Pleased by his poise, Yuk Mu-hyeok heaped on praise.
"You've not neglected your Moon Maiden Divine Art training."
"How could I?"
With a peerless divine art on the line. He swallowed the rest as Yu Cheong-a interjected unexpectedly.
"But that sword art—have you named it? Seemed like you improvised it."
"Sword Wave Sweep Art came to mind."
A name inspired by its ferocious, wave-like onslaught. It embodied confidence and resolve to sweep aside all obstacles.
"A bold, grandiose name. But fitting. That power warrants the word 'sweep'."
A smooth curve graced Yu Cheong-a's lips.
"Though the energy release resembled the Radiant Martial Divine Sword. Not accusing—just curious. Imitating a martial art isn't that simple."
"The Radiant Martial Divine Sword was truly impressive. Witnessing a peerless divine art broadened my horizons."
"I see. Unlike your grandfather, you have a silver tongue. I like it."
The Yuk Clan head scowled but soon spoke to conclude.
"No one will doubt your qualifications now. Let us proceed with the rite."