Chapter 66
Chapter 66
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: uly
Chapter: 66
Chapter Title: The Duke Yansheng's Burden
-----------------------------------------------------------------
A short while later, Yi Jeong-baek returned. His eyes were noticeably more hollowed out. He looked mentally exhausted. The man he had just been speaking with was now lying in the corner, staring blankly at the ceiling.
Yuk Jin-yang glanced at the man and asked,
"Who is he?"
"He's the Duke Yansheng."
"That man?"
Yi Jeong-baek merely gave a bitter smile in response to the skeptical question.
There was no trace of the dignified aura befitting a sage's descendant from the Duke Yansheng. He appeared only as a shabby, weary old man. It seemed he had endured no small amount of hardship.
Yi Jeong-baek lowered his voice and cautiously asked,
"Were you perhaps expecting the image of a deeply learned and benevolent scholar from the Duke Yansheng?"
"Wouldn't anyone? If he's a descendant of the Sage."
"Reality is a bit different. Because of the extraordinary expectations from those around them, they have to be cautious with every single action."
Yuk Jin-yang replied indifferently,
"Isn't that the case for any scion of a renowned family?"
"On top of that, while they inherit the title of Duke Yansheng generation after generation, their opportunities for government service are restricted. As a result, most Dukes Yansheng fall into listlessness. It's been that way for generations."
"Government service is restricted? Why is that?"
The answer to this question came via transmission of voice.
—Think about it. What would happen if a descendant of the Sage gained fame in the court?
—They'd gain excessive renown. Enough to make even the Emperor wary.
—Exactly. It doesn't mean they're plotting rebellion. But from the Emperor's perspective, who must bend all things to his will, a minister's voice growing too loud is inevitably uncomfortable.
Yi Jeong-baek cleared his throat with a cough and added,
"That said, the descendants of the Sage can't just venture into the jianghu either. Naturally, they end up ruined."
The ancestors' fame had become poison to their descendants.
There was no sympathy. There were far more people in the world scraping by at the very bottom. For the Duke Yansheng to despair over not being able to enter government service was a blessing from heaven.
However, the reason for his listless appearance was understandable in itself.
Humans are not beings who live contentedly just because their material needs are met. It was easy to imagine that the shattered dream of a soaring career had dealt a significant blow to the Duke Yansheng.
Yuk Jin-yang spoke up again,
"But why is he so despondent now? In this situation, he's not suddenly lamenting his own fate of being unable to serve in office."
"He's worried about his family. He wants us to rescue those taken south."
Yuk Jin-yang let out an involuntary hollow laugh.
It was a naively innocent request from someone utterly ignorant of worldly affairs. To demand his family's rescue when his own life was in immediate danger.
"He's quite something. Does he not grasp the current situation properly?"
"Probably. We deliberately kept it from him. No point in agitating someone who can't even practice martial arts."
"Still, don't we need to make it clear to him now?"
Yi Jeong-baek crossed his arms and shrugged ambiguously.
"The problem is that we need to draw out the Duke Yansheng's cooperation. Of course, this mission was ultimately just to rescue him from the Emperor's hands. But now that he's in our grasp, it's right to make use of any useful card we have."
"As long as we can borrow the Duke Yansheng's name, we'll have legitimacy."
"Exactly. Regardless of his actual learning, the weight of the name Duke Yansheng is no small thing. In terms of legitimacy alone, Prince Yan is clearly at a disadvantage. To reverse it in one stroke, we need the fame of the Duke Yansheng—or rather, his ancestors."
Prince Yan's justification for raising his army was clear.
[I will slay the court eunuchs who have blinded the Emperor.]
Anyone could see it was an excuse from a rebel.
The fact that the Emperor had struck first at the Feudal Princes was irrelevant. If the empire belonged to the Emperor, it was only natural that he could dispose of the princely titles at his whim.
But if the Duke Yansheng lent his support, the story would change. There would undoubtedly be people whose hearts wavered—whether those ostracized by the court or ambitious sorts seeking greater power.
It was unlikely they would truly follow Prince Yan just because of a word from the Duke Yansheng or his name alone. What mattered was having a suitable excuse to avoid sullying their names in the annals of history.
Yuk Jin-yang sighed. With political issues entangled, the situation seemed even more tangled.
'It's somewhat fortunate that I've encountered cases like this before. Well, compared to the Duke openly making unreasonable demands during the mission, this is actually better.'
Yuk Ju-jin had added all sorts of excessive requests even while carrying out the mission. In comparison, the Duke Yansheng's plea was endearing. Recalling that time eased his mind a bit.
Beside him, Yi Jeong-baek thumped his chest and boasted confidently.
"Don't worry too much. Everything will work out fine."
"I hope so."
At that moment, Yuk Ryul approached and plopped down beside them.
"The emergency treatments are roughly done. Most can walk on their own now. Lucky their bones and sinews are sturdy."
"Uncle, how about we scout for an escape right away?"
Yuk Jin-yang repeated to his uncle the same discussion he'd had with Yi Jeong-baek. Yuk Ryul stroked his chin.
"I was thinking the same. Now that he's lost blood kin, the Young Clan Head's eyes must be completely bloodshot. He'll pursue us relentlessly, even if it strains his forces. The longer we stay here, the more time we give them."
His gaze turned to Yi Jeong-baek.
"Jeong-baek, you said the source of power for the formation comes from the Sage's shrine, right?"
"Yes. Precisely, four places inside the shrine."
"My nephew and I don't know the local terrain, so you'll have to take the lead. Can you do it?"
The most efficient way to deal with a formation was to destroy its foundation. Remove the mediums establishing the spirit formation, and no method could repair it.
Finding the Life Gate serving as an entrance could allow escape, but it was rarely easy.
Unless the formation master lacked skill, they would never expose their own entrance to the enemy, no matter what.
"It's not a matter of possibility or not. I'll definitely do it. But you need to buy me time."
According to Yi Jeong-baek, there were four suspected foundation objects in the shrine. A typical Four Directions Formation structure. It was generally used to disrupt senses and create illusions.
'Good that it's not a Five Directions or Eight Directions Formation.'
Formations grew more costly with more directions, but their utility increased proportionally. Eight Directions Formations could even possess lethal power.
"I'll buy time no matter what. This might be our last chance to escape."
Yuk Ryul added in a low voice,
"If reinforcements from the Huangbo Clan arrive, it's truly over. Right now, after beheading Bulbi-in, might actually be the best opportunity. Of course, provided you're in condition to fight consecutively."
"We're fine. The wounds are just scratches, and the fatigue will recover with a good night's rest."
Yi Jeong-baek answered immediately. Yuk Jin-yang nodded in agreement.
Finally, Yuk Ryul made the decision.
"Alright. We move in two days."
The two days of night and day passed in the blink of an eye.
During that time, the group honed their sword qi while focusing on recovery. Even those who could barely stand the day before now volunteered for battle. It was a firm resolve not to send their comrades to the front lines alone.
The night before the operation.
Yuk Jin-yang woke early. Outside was still pitch black. Not even starlight pierced the heavy curtain of darkness; the moon was nowhere to be seen.
Occasional gusts of cold wind blew. The autumn chill felt desolate. A few warriors tossed and turned. Even for tough veterans, it was an uncomfortable bed.
"You're up early."
At his uncle's voice, Yuk Jin-yang turned his head. Yuk Ryul was perched on the windowsill, standing watch. He continued, still gazing outside.
"Why aren't you sleeping more?"
"I'm fine. Time to switch."
"No, I can't sleep anyway."
Yuk Jin-yang smoothed down his tousled hair and approached his uncle.
"Did you see something?"
"No. But I sensed presences. Quite bold ones. We've shown no movement at all so far, so they're definitely itching for action."
"It'll be a fierce battle."
Yuk Jin-yang fiddled with the sword sheath at his waist and glared outside. In the thick darkness, human shapes seemed to flicker. It was hard to make out forms in the night. He muttered inwardly,
'I'll cut them all down soon.'
Time flew by like an arrow.
The darkness lifted, and the sun finally rose. The Meng Society warriors were all up without needing to be woken, their battle spirits sharpened.
"Let's go."
Yuk Ryul and Yi Jeong-baek took the lead. Yuk Jin-yang guarded the rear, protecting the carriage carrying the Duke Yansheng.
Even those unable to fully muster their qi formed ranks. They would die together if need be.
Whoosh!
No sooner had they burst through the door than hidden weapons and arrows rained down from all sides. The group drew their weapons and deftly deflected them.
No enemies showed themselves. It seemed they intended to wear them down purely with projectiles.
The Meng Society warriors unleashed lightness skills and charged. The arrow storm thickened as they neared the shrine. By the final alley, it was dense like a giant net, filling every space.
In the end, a few warriors groaned as arrows struck them. Fortunately, none fell, but the loss of combat strength stung. Yuk Ryul bellowed,
"Everyone, keep your wits about you! We've got a long way to go!"
He wasn't referring to distance. It meant the trials they still had to overcome to escape.
Soon, the group emerged from the alley. The ornate shrine loomed before them. Still, no enemies appeared. Just an empty clearing.
Yuk Jin-yang, confirming the scene belatedly, felt a sense of unease and frowned. He pushed to the front and addressed Yuk Ryul.
"Uncle."
"I know. It might be a trap. But we've come this far; no alternatives. Turning back now, they won't let us go."
Yuk Ryul signaled Yi Jeong-baek with his eyes. Nodding, he headed toward the shrine to inspect the formation, followed by Meng Society warriors.
Yuk Jin-yang scanned all directions with his senses. Not even killing intent registered, let alone presences. Only chilling silence.
'It must be a place they have to defend at all costs. What is it?'
He suppressed his anxiety and moved to approach Yi Jeong-baek to stand guard. That was when it happened.
"Kill them all!"
With a thunderous command, enemies poured out from all sides. An ambush. Like bulls shaking off fear, they charged fiercely, intent on splitting the group in two.