Chapter 49
Chapter 49
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Huangbo Clan
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The reactions were immediate.
Urgent reports poured in from all directions. Messenger birds flitted in and out of the alliance halls' windows without respite, while couriers dashed breathlessly through the markets and main streets.
Within the alliance, talk of the current situation bubbled up frequently. Debates raged particularly over the news of Prince Yeon's alarming momentum.
"They say Prince Yeon captured three passes at Changseong in just a few days."
"Does that even make sense? It's gotta be rumors. Just a ploy to shake public sentiment with empty bluster."
"It's possible, though. Prince Yeon was the top contender among the imperial bloodline in both martial arts and military prowess."
"The troops stationed at Changseong are the Great Ming's elite. Their loyalty to the Emperor is rock-solid. Plus, there are rumors of Gold Guards deployed there too. You saying he crushed them all?"
"Let's wait and see for now."
Unlike the rank-and-file warriors' cautious stance, the alliance leadership took swift action. They dispatched forces to key locations.
A visitor arrived for Yuk Jin-yang as well. But it was an unexpected one. He widened his eyes at the sight of his uncle, Yuk Ryul, whom he had parted from at the main compound just recently, promising to meet again.
"Long time no see. Wow, you shot up even taller in just a few months."
His uncle's demeanor was as affable as ever, but his attire told a different story. He wore crisp martial robes, and at his waist hung not just a sword, but an unfamiliar identity token from the Yuk Clan Great Compound—a horn plaque carved from water buffalo horn.
Yuk Jin-yang asked his uncle the reason for his visit.
"Same here. But what brings you?"
"Alliance business."
Yuk Ryul added quickly after his curt reply.
"You've been assigned a mission too."
"What kind?"
"You're coming with me to Shandong. Just the two of us."
Yuk Ryul emphasized the last part.
Shandong Province. The stronghold of the Huangbo Clan, famed for their Strong Fist techniques. It was also a vital hub connecting Hebei, the Central Plains, and Jiangnan via the coastline—a place where roads led in all directions.
"Uncle, tell me the details first."
"The Huangbo Clan. Those bastards are finally making their move. They're plundering the common folk to stockpile grain. Has to be for supplying the Emperor's official army. We need to stop it."
"The Emperor's playing dirty too, isn't he? Dumping all the blame on the Huangbo Clan."
"The sorrow of a pack of dogs."
Supplying a massive army inevitably came with heavy taxation.
Unavoidable sacrifices, perhaps, but the people's perspective differed. Levying grain would sour public sentiment without fail.
What good was the Son of Heaven's army punishing rebels if the masses hated them? Someone had to absorb the people's wrath in the Emperor's stead.
But two people seemed too few to take on the Huangbo Clan. Yuk Jin-yang didn't hide his doubt.
"Won't we be short-handed?"
"We're just reinforcements. Alliance forces are already in Shandong."
"And the specifics of the mission?"
"Recon and disruption. Burn the granaries they've stockpiled in Shandong."
"What about the officials in charge? They won't just hand over the keys."
Yuk Ryul shot him a meaningful glance.
"Who’s gonna punish us for killing officials when there's no one left to do it?"
"I get how important this is. When do we leave?"
"Right now. The Patriarch's already given permission, so just say your goodbyes to your parents."
Yuk Jin-yang furrowed his brow at the blunt response. It was too sudden. But he couldn't press the issue. His uncle's expression was too grave.
Yuk Ryul patted his shoulder apologetically.
"I know it's sudden, but there's no time to waste. This is happening all over the land, not just Shandong. Anyway, I've packed everything you need—just bring yourself."
As he said, two sturdy horses stood tethered outside the lodgings, laden with gear.
Yuk Eon's face was slightly tense as he saw his son off. He had steeled himself, but worry seeped through in his parting words.
"We'll be apart for a while. By the time you return, we won't be here."
The couple had decided to head to Fujian Province together. Yuk Eon figured there was no point leaving his wife alone.
"Don't underestimate the Huangbo Clan just because their history is short. They built their current position through real skill."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"One more thing. Never trust the local officials. You've seen it yourself—plenty are corrupt, colluding with the Black Path or fallen to cults."
Yuk Jin-yang nodded silently. His calm demeanor eased Yuk Eon's mind instead.
Dang So-so, on the other hand, looked pale as a ghost. Her clasped hands trembled. After biting her lip for a long moment, she finally spoke in a feeble voice.
"Do you really have to go?"
Dang So-so was a daughter of a martial family too. She understood the situation rationally. But a mother's worry overrode her reason.
Understanding that, Yuk Jin-yang adopted an even more resolute attitude.
"It's our duty as Yuk clansmen. How can I shirk it?"
"Somehow, our boy's grown up without me noticing."
Dang So-so lifted her arm with a tearful expression. Her soft, tender hand brushed back his hair.
For some reason, it was hard to meet her gaze. Her worried mother's eyes felt oppressively heavy.
"Just come back safe. And send letters often."
"Yes, Mother."
Yuk Jin-yang felt a lump in his throat. His uncle Yuk Ryul's pleased smile beside them only made it worse.
Yuk Ryul chimed in with a grin.
"Don't worry too much. I'll make sure to bring your son back safe, no matter what."
"Hearing that eases my heart a bit."
Dang So-so nodded gratefully.
Yuk Jin-yang swallowed his embarrassment and turned from his mother in this life.
"Let's go, Uncle."
"Right."
With that, Yuk Ryul kicked his horse's flank. The startled beast bolted forward. Yuk Jin-yang quickly bid his parents farewell and chased after his uncle.
A fierce headwind whipped at them. The distant horizon filled his wide-open view.
Yuk Ryul ahead urged his horse faster. Yuk Jin-yang whipped his mount to keep up. The passing scenery blurred into thin threads.
The sights of villages gradually faded.
Escaping the human world painted in every color, the surroundings filled with vibrant greenery. Just a short distance from civilization, and it felt like another world entirely.
Riding hard, Yuk Jin-yang felt a sense of liberation. Inhaling the vast natural qi deeply, it finally sank in.
The jianghu. He was back in the jianghu.
It took three full days of relentless riding, day and night, to reach the outskirts of Shandong from Henan.
The pair skipped the relay stations. In normal times, they'd flash their tokens and swap horses, but officials wouldn't cooperate now.
Their only rests were brief camps in the fields, using the ground as beds. They pushed with utmost urgency.
By the time they reached Zhaohyun, the border between Shandong and Henan, the horses were foaming at the mouth, exhausted. The spent beasts soon lolled out their tongues and collapsed.
"Good thing they held out till we arrived."
Yuk Ryul muttered as he unloaded the gear.
Without a moment to catch their breath, they scanned the surroundings.
Silence blanketed everything. No sign of life, not even birdsong or insects. Even the guards who should have been posted were nowhere to be seen.
The relay station loomed like a shrine to ghosts, eerie and desolate. Beyond it, the mountains glowed in full autumn hues, but this spot felt uniquely barren and shadowed. Unsettling, even.
Yuk Ryul broke the silence with praise, lightening the mood.
"You did well. You ride pretty damn good for that pace."
"Thanks. But doesn't this place feel off?"
Yuk Jin-yang narrowed his eyes.
Central Plains relay stations bustled with people and goods, meticulously maintained. This one in Zhaohyun was different. It looked abandoned.
No signs of battle, which was especially suspicious.
"Not even the station master in sight. Too negligent for mere slacking."
"You're right. Doesn't look attacked either."
"We should prepare for a fight."
They moved cautiously, alert in all directions. Shortly after leaving the station, a small village appeared.
It was as they entered the market.
"This is too much!"
"It's for the greater good. Cooperate quietly."
A group of warriors was bullying the locals, carts loaded with grain in tow. No sign of the officials who should intervene.
"We just finished the harvest. We scraped together just enough to eat, and now you're taking it all? What are we supposed to do? How do we survive the winter?"
"Dig up roots if you have to. Gonna ruin the grand plan over a little hunger? You ignorant fools."
"Roots in midwinter? Grand plan my ass—it's your own greed. Step on my corpse then!"
"Fine, if that's your wish!"
One warrior snarled at the desperate commoner's outburst, half-drawing his sword.
Yuk Jin-yang and Yuk Ryul exchanged quick glances, then nodded in unison.
Yuk Jin-yang struck first. He closed the gap in an instant and thrust out his hand. The foe couldn't react. His fist connected squarely with the exposed torso.
Crack!
The shockwave boomed like a cannon. The struck man spewed blood and crumpled. His convulsing body went limp, eyes rolled back.
Shock rippled through the group.
"What the...?"
"Who the hell are you?!"
The man's comrades flinched in surprise. Yuk Jin-yang quickly counted.
One, two, three... Six.
Not too many.
Yuk Jin-yang unleashed Moon Stream Subtle Steps. He glided like the wind, slipping into their midst—right at the center. He drew his sword.
The Silver Dew Sword in his grip traced a crescent arc at his command. Razor-sharp sword qi swept over them like raging waves.
Slash!
Sand and dust billowed from the sword wind. Crimson blood mingled, shimmering through the haze like scattered maple leaves.
Heads of those touched by the trajectory rolled across the ground. Their eyes bulged, unaware of their fate until the end.
Yuk Jin-yang sheathed his blade and surveyed the area. Terrified villagers scattered in all directions.
Yuk Ryul grabbed one of them.
"S-Spare me!"
"Calm down. Just need to ask something."
Yuk Ryul glanced sidelong at the corpses by his nephew's hand. They didn't seem like Huangbo Clan warriors. Their attire especially.
All wore nameless cloth bands around their foreheads. Beyond fashion, they shared an embroidered silver lotus pattern—a mark of the cult, strictly forbidden by imperial law.
Yuk Ryul pressed the villager urgently.
"Did they say who they were?"
"Y-Yes? Oh! They said White Lotus Sect. Claimed we had to offer grain to reach the True Emptiness Homeland."
The unexpected answer hardened Yuk Ryul's face. Yuk Jin-yang's too.
White Lotus Sect. The cult that aided Taizu in founding the Great Ming, only to cross the line and face purge.
They had resurfaced. At the worst possible time.
Yuk Jin-yang asked,
"Were the Huangbo Clan tied to the White Lotus Sect?"
"Nothing in my briefing. Higher-ups probably didn't know either. They'd have acted if they did."
Confusion showed on Yuk Ryul's face, but he regained composure quickly.
"Looks like our Emperor's playing with fire."
In a flash.
Yuk Jin-yang's senses picked up approaching presences from afar.