Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: 고대세가 무공천재 58화
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Duel Against the Embroidered Guards
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They cupped their fists in greeting right away. Both wore refreshing smiles.
"From the Alliance, I presume? I am Embroidered Guard Yun Hyu."
"We've been waiting. Embroidered Guard Yun Kang here."
Same surname. Perhaps blood relations.
Unlike the woman who had thoroughly concealed her identity, their attitude was far more open and unreserved. Yuk Ryul sneered at them mockingly.
"Looks like Embroidered Guards these days reveal their identities so openly."
"We hide them under normal circumstances. No need to right now."
The one named Yun Kang replied. He fiddled with his stylish mustache, exuding arrogance. From his appearance and tone, he seemed to be the superior.
"I've long heard of the fame of the Soaring Wave Sword. It would have been splendid to exchange pointers as fellow disciples of the jianghu, but the timing is unfortunate."
Yun Kang glanced at the group from behind and probed casually.
"Looks like you've captured a prisoner. So, have you extracted all the information you wanted?"
"No idea what you're talking about."
"Let's not beat around the bush, among those in the know."
Yun Kang let out a deep sigh and spread his arms wide. As if to signal he meant no harm. Yet the aura he hadn't fully restrained was razor-sharp. He could draw his sword at any moment without surprise.
Yun Kang's gaze shifted to Yuk Jin-yang.
"Isn't the young hero beside you the lately renowned Jae-cheon? The court has taken notice of you as well. Quite the outstanding new talent."
He unhesitatingly uttered Yuk Jin-yang's courtesy name, Jae-cheon, which wasn't widely known. The intent to flaunt their intelligence network was obvious.
Along with the implication that they had already grasped their side's strength came a subtle threat. They appeared firmly resolved not to yield easily.
"No wonder headquarters emphasized it so earnestly. Said we mustn't underestimate you due to your age. And here we meet like this."
"I had no idea the court was interested in me. I'm at a loss."
"We always watch the exploits of promising new talents closely. That's our job."
Bones were embedded in their back-and-forth words.
Yuk Ryul twisted his lips.
"My nephew may be exceptional, but enough with the nonsense. If you intend to draw blades, we'll gladly oblige."
"We're not jianghu folk who debate cause and effect with a single sword. We're entangled in far more complex political matters and logic."
Yun Kang's eyes narrowed.
"First, something to clarify: we have no ties to the cultists."
"Absurd."
"Hard to believe, I know, but it's the truth. The reason we were dispatched wasn't to collaborate with or control the White Lotus Cult, but to monitor them instead."
An unexpected piece of good news. Assuming it was true.
If their words held, the power structure shifted. The Alliance no longer faced all factions alone. It was a three-way struggle: the Five Harmony Alliance versus the White Lotus Cult and Hwangbo Clan, and the Embroidered Guards.
The factional entanglements were vine-like in complexity, but the situation hadn't worsened. Quite the opposite. The other forces wouldn't all band together against the Alliance.
Perhaps the Hwangbo Clan and White Lotus Cult were the outliers.
Yet Yuk Ryul scoffed at the Embroidered Guards.
"We know full well who's backing the Hwangbo Clan, and you expect us to buy that?"
"It was purely their own initiative."
"The Embroidered Guards couldn't rein in a single upstart clan? Your reputation must be in tatters."
"We've been suffering manpower shortages lately ourselves. Your side too, no doubt?"
Yuk Ryul frowned but held his tongue.
"In any case, this incident was never our or the court's intention. We were dispatched here precisely to set things right."
"Who diverted the officials?"
"We evacuated half. The other half died or cooperated with the Hwangbo Clan. Those Hwangbo scum clearly crossed the line, and we're gathering ironclad evidence to punish them."
Yun Kang drew a firm line. No signs of deception. Though certainty was impossible given they were Embroidered Guards.
Yuk Jin-yang interjected with a question.
"So, you're saying we should join forces?"
"No. We're hardly in a position to clasp hands willingly. Even with a common enemy, we're bound to clash again sooner or later."
Yun Kang continued promptly, leaving some leeway.
"Of course, we could yield a step. If you return our youngest."
Yun Mun's gaze was fixed squarely on the Embroidered Guard woman the group had detained. Yuk Ryul replied indifferently.
"How do we know that woman's one of yours for sure?"
Yuk Ryul's attitude was blatant. He openly bared his hostility.
Yuk Jin-yang inwardly empathized with his uncle. Few in the jianghu harbored fondness for Embroidered Guards. Even for an ancient clan.
They resorted to every dirty trick imaginable to keep the jianghu in check. Even the Hao Clan and assassin sects shuddered at them.
Yun Kang gave a wry smile in response.
"We already know there was a clash. Your presence here means our youngest was defeated. And I'm no idiot to optimistically misjudge warriors like you."
"Should I express gratitude, then?"
"For what."
"But why stand by and watch the White Lotus Cult? If you could infiltrate as officials, you could have acted long ago. No need for us to step in."
"To secure solid evidence. With the Hwangbo Clan involved, our room to maneuver is limited too."
With that, Yun Kang probed further.
"I've shared quite a bit to build trust by now. Will you accept the earlier proposal?"
Yuk Ryul shook his head.
"Impossible."
"Hmm."
"Still can't trust your side. Can't hand over a prime suspect and witness so easily."
"Disappointing. I proposed it in goodwill, yet this is the response."
His words and expression clashed. Yun Kang drew the two short swords horizontally sheathed at his waist. Yun Hyu did the same.
"Then, we'll have to take her by force."
Killing intent surged openly from the Embroidered Guards' auras. Far more ferocious and blade-like in sharpness. Yuk Jin-yang moved his hand near his waist, ready to draw at any moment.
Yun Kang proposed.
"Let's have those of matching skill duel. Drawing blades on the birthplace of sages—inauspicious, yet it carries its own poetic charm."
"All talk, no action."
With those words, Yuk Ryul stomped forward.
Ching! Chae-ang! Chaeng!
Light steps raced across the ground like clawing talons. Sword gleams amid swirling auras, the surrounding air rippling like a mirage. This fight wouldn't conclude easily. Intervention seemed difficult too.
Yuk Jin-yang, diverting his attention from his uncle, stared steadily at his opponent, Yun Hyu.
His attire resembled a scholar more than a warrior. Unlike the increasingly tight-fitting uniforms in the modern jianghu, his wide-sleeved pure white robe accentuated it.
His features still held a youthful tinge, but he appeared a bit older than a peer—around twenty, perhaps.
The aura flowing through his body possessed steel-like solidity. It evoked the presence of a battle-hardened veteran.
Yun Hyu urged in a calm tone.
"Draw your sword. I've wanted to cross hands with you once or twice. A chance to witness the Yuk Clan's swordsmanship, hailed as one of the world's finest—truly delightful."
"Your superior too—aren't you all overly interested in me?"
"You've been under the Embroidered Guards' close scrutiny lately. On par with already famed later-generation experts. Perhaps destined to be a peerless master representing the next era."
Intense light gleamed in Yun Hyu's eyes.
"Humbly, I'm called a prodigy myself. Allow me to serve as the touchstone to measure your achievements."
"What if I don't draw?"
"We know you're versed in fist and palm arts too. But your true specialty is the sword, isn't it."
Yuk Jin-yang twisted his lips and assumed a stance. The starting form of fist-palm techniques.
"That makes me even less inclined to draw."
"Then I'll force your hand."
With his reply, his form pierced space like an arrow. Contrary to his leisurely demeanor, Yun Hyu's lightness skill was swift and incisive.
The ten-pace gap closed in an instant. The headwind he brought grazed his cheek.
Two swords danced like scattering petals, tracing graceful arcs. Their movements bore clear distinction per arm, as if wielded by separate beings.
Most jianghu sects didn't regard dual-wielding swords as orthodox. Without reaching independent arm control, it paled against a single sword.
Yet Yun Hyu's dual swords were utterly free of bodily constraints. The two blades exhibited entirely different motions, weaving endlessly variable flows.
Yuk Jin-yang observed his opponent's swords more intently.
Languid breeze and crashing torrent. Opposing natures dwelled in each blade—one swift yet insidious, the other fierce and majestic.
'Influence of the Lake Parting Wind Forest Art is visible.'
Yuk Jin-yang discerned the martial art's nature. The Lake Parting Wind Forest Art's signature claw strikes and palm methods were fused into the man's swordplay. Especially the wristwork freely manipulating the short swords.
An insight reached without even a few exchanges.
'Pay it back in kind—should be fun.'
Yuk Jin-yang's arm extended, coiling wind, tracing a graceful trajectory. Eerily similar to his opponent's motion. Save for lacking a sword in hand.
The thrusting strike from his left hand barely grazed below the wrist. It had veered off after falling for his feint.
Instead of flesh, cloth tore and fluttered wildly. Undeterred, he unleashed his other hand. The subtleties of profound martial arts unfolded.
The hand that lightly deflected the opponent's right sword formed an eagle's talon. A seamless sequence in a split second. A technique of the Lake Parting Wind Forest Art.
Whoooosh!
The claw strike targeted the crown.
Yun Hyu's complexion drained pale upon realizing the art's origin. He swiftly deployed his movement technique. Flipping midair proved effective in the dire moment.
Truly nimble footwork. It stirred fresh admiration.
"The Embroidered Guards' movement arts are impressively concise. Quite tempting."
Yuk Jin-yang voiced his honest admiration.
Unlike the Moon Stream Subtle Steps, which pursued unity of footwork and gaze, it honed solely body movement. Sudden and succinct, ideal for stabbing at openings.
Yet the practitioner himself couldn't conceal his stunned expression.
"Hoo."
He exhaled lightly. Not from labored breath, but relief. Cold sweat trickled down Yun Hyu's cheek. With a gravely serious expression, he asked Yuk Jin-yang.
"That martial art just now—how did you know it."
"The Lake Parting Wind Forest Art?"
"Yes."
Yun Hyu clenched his teeth briefly in answer. As his feigned courtesy peeled away, raw emotions surfaced. Envy and inferiority.
"With most of the manual lost, it's now a secret art transmitted only within the Embroidered Guards—how do you..."
"You don't need the manual to learn a martial art."
"What was that?"
Yuk Jin-yang nodded toward right behind. There stood the Embroidered Guard woman.
"I've already faced it once. And your swordplay—it seemed derived from the Lake Parting Wind Forest Art."
"......"
"Twice is plenty to mimic the art."
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