Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: 고대세가 무공천재 55화
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 55
Chapter Title: Replicating the Golden Leaf
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Yuk Jin-yang suddenly felt his uncle's peculiar gaze upon him.
After speaking, he realized his mistake. Such knowledge came from experience, not talent. It wasn't something a fifteen-year-old rookie just stepping into the martial world should casually spout.
"Jin-yang."
"Yes, Uncle."
"Where on earth did you learn such knowledge? It's quite astonishing for a fifteen-year-old's insight."
"From books. Before coming to the main family, I mostly spent my time reading books."
Yuk Jin-yang quickly offered his excuse. Fortunately, he had prepared one in advance, anticipating something like this might happen someday.
"Is that so?"
He didn't seem convinced. To change the subject, Yuk Jin-yang reminded his uncle of the current situation.
"First, shouldn't we decide on our immediate course of action?"
"Indeed. You're right."
Yuk Ryul paced back and forth for a long while with a hardened expression.
"I don't know what trick they used, but it's likely they've seized our communication network."
"What will you do?"
"The situation has become too dangerous. You take this woman and return to Henan first. Then request reinforcements."
"What about you, Uncle?"
Yuk Jin-yang asked in return.
"I have to go to Qufu County. Someone needs to accurately assess the situation."
"I'll go with you."
"No."
Yuk Ryul shook his head firmly.
"As I said, it's too dangerous. We don't even know if the Five Harmony Alliance forces we dispatched in advance survived. I promised your parents I'd bring you back alive no matter what."
"We've already clashed with the Hwangbo clan's group twice, and forged letters arrived as if they were lying in wait. The enemies' surveillance net likely extends all the way to this Seongmu County."
Yuk Jin-yang explained in a calm tone. It was too late for him to turn back now. No one knew how many enemy troops were deployed in the vicinity.
Understanding his meaning, Yuk Ryul's expression twisted.
"So that's why they were waiting for us in advance."
"Instead of splitting up, it would be better to link up with the detachment sent to Qufu County."
Going back was too far now. Advancing was no easy task either. It was like being mired in a swamp.
Yuk Jin-yang once more voiced his opinion to his deeply pondering uncle.
"To do that, it seems you'll need my help."
"...No choice, then."
In the end, Yuk Ryul nodded with a sigh, as if accepting the situation. Before fully accepting him as part of their combat strength, he acknowledged that keeping him close was the safer option.
"Very well. But know that if it gets dangerous, I'll send you back right away."
"In that situation, separating from you would be more dangerous, don't you think?"
"You're mistaken. It means I'll prioritize saving you, even at the cost of my own sacrifice."
Caught off guard by this sudden declaration of resolve, Yuk Jin-yang fell silent. His uncle's gaze, now utterly serious, fixed upon him.
"I'm not trying to flaunt adult responsibility. It's a reminder to recognize your position."
"..."
"In a dire emergency, you must not be bound by personal sentiments. You are a direct descendant of the Yuk Clan. If you are captured or slain, it could escalate into a disaster beyond our control."
Yuk Jin-yang nodded gravely. Yuk Ryul gestured with his chin toward the Imperial Guard woman.
"Now, take care of that woman. We can't carry her, so release her acupoints, but ensure she absolutely cannot use her internal energy."
"Understood."
Yuk Jin-yang approached the woman. He meticulously adjusted her acupoints to prevent self-harm or resistance.
Soon, she regained consciousness. A flurry of emotions flashed across her face in an instant: confusion, shock, contempt, and rage. Her shoulders twitched. She tried to lash out immediately, but her body wouldn't obey, so she raised her voice in bewilderment.
"You... you didn't cut off my arm...!"
"It's not severed, so rest easy."
Yuk Jin-yang spoke leisurely as he grabbed and lifted her arm himself. Only then did she realize her mistake, averting her gaze in embarrassment.
"I merely sealed your upper body's movement with the Physician's Acupoint and twisted your qi flow. There won't be any aftereffects."
"That's 'merely'?"
Her expression darkened fiercely at his absurd response.
"Your scheme is plain as day. Unconscious, I'd be dead weight, so you're making me walk on my own to drag me along, right?"
"Since you understand, this will be quicker."
Yuk Jin-yang gripped her arm and pulled her to her feet.
"For the time being, you'll have to come with us."
"Do I have a choice?"
"Of course not. Behave. If you refuse, we'll have to take corresponding measures."
"Measures?"
"All sorts of vicious techniques to toy with body and mind. Don't think those are the Imperial Guards' exclusive domain. Do you believe we refrain from them out of ignorance?"
Yuk Jin-yang lowered his voice to a chilling tone. It was meant to intimidate, and it worked splendidly. The woman clamped her mouth shut. Her spirit seemed broken.
There was a reason her attitude had softened considerably. When it came to cruel methods, the ancient clans were no slouches either. It was thanks to the transmission of all manner of secret arts from the ancient era rife with human sacrifices.
They simply lacked the notoriety of the Imperial Guards. But the common perception was that if they set their minds to it, they could match the Imperial Guards or even the unorthodox sects.
Yuk Jin-yang hadn't actually been taught those secret arts, but the enemy had no way of knowing that. That was the reason she had no choice but to fall for the bluff.
The woman glared venomously, trembling with fury as she spat.
"Fine, I'll play along with your tune. Go ahead and strut around. Your arrogance will surely be your poison."
"Indeed. But for you, captured by the likes of us, it must be far worse."
She looked utterly incensed, as if she wanted to swallow poison outright.
Yuk Jin-yang sensed a gaze and turned his head. His uncle was looking at him with an odd expression.
"Why is it?"
"Your father is known as the mildest among the Yuk clansmen."
"Pardon?"
"Hm, never mind. Perhaps you take after your grandfather. He showed no mercy either. It's hereditary."
"What do you mean?"
Yuk Ryul shook his head slowly. He added that it had been a foolish thought. Yuk Jin-yang felt an indescribable awkwardness at his uncle's demeanor.
The group hurried onward once more. The deeper they ventured into Shandong, the more tragic scenes they witnessed. The roadsides were littered with countless corpses of those who had starved to death.
When passing through weed-choked fields or forests, they occasionally sensed killing intent. It was the gaze of bandits. They seemed like common folk who had only recently turned to banditry, still clumsy in their ways.
'If they were seasoned greenwood outlaws, they would've fled at the sight of us alone.'
They were naive folk ignorant of the martial world. Yuk Jin-yang saw no need to pursue them.
The areas they had passed through were still better off. Despite the plundering, people remained, which spoke to their circumstances. They still had roots and hope to cling to life.
The nearby villages were different. Abandoned fields and houses lay scattered everywhere. There was no sign of human presence, not even the cry of an animal. Even slash-and-burn farming had been forsaken, with wildflowers blooming freely.
The ruins, having endured the tragedy and been abandoned, stood alone in verdant harmony with the clear blue sky, evoking a strange sense of pathos.
Yuk Jin-yang asked.
"How about camping here? There are still buildings left, so we could avoid sleeping rough."
"No, let's press on a bit further. We need to meet people and learn the recent situation."
"I doubt we'll gain much..."
Yuk Jin-yang trailed off but didn't oppose further.
Fortunately, before night fully fell, the group arrived at a village that still had inhabitants. The situation there wasn't great either. Only four or five households clung together, barely scraping by.
The villagers' hearts weren't overly stingy. The group paid silver and obtained lodging and a meal.
A small house provided as an inn. In its yard, Yuk Jin-yang looked up at the sky. It was a night where pale moonlight seeped through the clouds like thin mist. Humid and dark, rain seemed imminent.
The group gathered reeds, broken fences, and the like to start a fire. Soon after, the old man who had given them the house arrived with food. A modest meal of dried tofu and wild mountain vegetables.
"I'm embarrassed by how little we've prepared."
"How can we guests complain about such hospitality?"
Yuk Ryul, who had come outside, accepted the bowls.
Though the group had brought their own provisions, they were emergency rations to be conserved as much as possible. It was better to resolve things with money when they could.
"Could you perhaps tell us any recent news?"
"Might you gentlemen be from the Alliance?"
The old man's tone shifted.
"I was wondering why such noble guests were wandering these parts."
At their nod, the old man shared various rumors. From tales of officials fleeing with their wealth and retainers, to martial artists prowling all over Shandong.
Yuk Jin-yang set down his bowl and asked.
"You said martial artists?"
"I'm not certain of the details. I haven't seen them myself. But from what I heard, they were too disciplined to be bandits, yet their appearances varied unlike government troops."
"Then they must be warriors from sects."
Yuk Ryul accepted it readily. Once the old man had collected the bowls and left, the uncle and nephew lowered their voices further to exchange opinions.
"Of all times, for other sects to get involved."
"The Hwangbo clan's doing, no doubt."
"Likely. A clan claiming hegemony over a region would have deep ties with the local minor defenses."
If rumors were spreading, they must have been moving openly. It wasn't the behavior of skilled assassins. They had undoubtedly roped in clumsy minor sects.
"Recruiting disposable manpower like this—it's a ploy to concentrate their main forces."
"They'll come at us in rotations. Conserve your strength and use it sparingly. We must guard against waste."
Yuk Ryul rose, saying he was going to bed.
The night deepened further. Snores came from behind. Yuk Jin-yang slowly closed the paper door and stood at the center of the yard. He intended to train during this spare time.
'This is the first time I've properly seen the Imperial Guard's martial arts.'
The structure was exceedingly refined. Not only the Tiger Wind Forest Art, but the lightness skill as well—its nature differed from Moon Stream Subtle Steps, so learning it would prove highly useful.
Yuk Jin-yang knew well how to utilize his own talent. Using others' martial arts as models to fertilize his own achievements. Having broadened his discernment with superior arts, it was only right to assimilate them.
He recalled the woman's form from that morning. The moment she had assumed her stance.
"Fooling around."
A sharp voice pierced the silence. The Imperial Guard woman, who had awakened at some point, stared at Yuk Jin-yang from the darkness.
"Stealing someone else's training. How rude."
"Do I need manners with a thug like you?"
Yuk Jin-yang ignored her mockery. It didn't matter if she kept watching. After all, she wouldn't uncover the roots of his martial arts; she'd merely witness him replicating the Imperial Guard techniques she already knew.
"If copying the superficial form allowed true replication, why would we need manuals? Without grasping the true principles, it's futile effort."
"Quiet."
With a curt reply, he drew in the clear night air. Qi flowing from his dantian moved quietly along his meridians throughout his body.
Contrary to the woman's expectations, Yuk Jin-yang had already discerned the principles of her lightness skill.
The key lay in the joint movements that controlled recoil, combined with a posture that did not resist the wind. Just as one yields to the current to advance, the same principle applied when facing the wind.
Yuk Jin-yang asked.
"What's the name of your lightness skill?"
"Think knowing the name lets you unravel a martial art's secrets? If so, the world's supreme techniques would belong to all."
"I asked for the name, not an explanation."
"...Golden Leaf."
The moment he heard the answer, with a light exhale, he kicked off the ground. Yielding to the flow, he folded his shoulders. His form curved, swimming through the air for a moment like riding a current.
The woman, about to scoff, drew in a sharp, involuntary breath.
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