Chapter 2: Calamity of Clan Extermination
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 2: Calamity of Clan Extermination
Shouldering a massive wooden log, the boy repeatedly squatted and stood.
The muscles on his back were sharply defined. Occasionally, he would hold a horse stance, remaining in a low squat.
This was Jeong Yeon-shin, the fifteen-year-old third son of the Jeong Family Manor of Henan.
“Young Master, it is time for the feast!” a servant shouted from the entrance of the training ground.
The thick-browed boy did not answer.
I have to finish my set.
Only after ten more repetitions did he set down the log and casually pick up his discarded shirt.
His frame was not particularly large, yet even at rest, the muscles wrapping his entire body resembled solid diamond. It was an extraordinary physique. Not only did his body look far beyond his years, but it was so bizarre that he almost seemed to belong to a different species. Even he thought so.
The Jeong Family Dynamic Art… It’s finally complete.
His martial arts differed from the typical Qi Meditation, which involved sitting cross-legged and breathing in the world’s natural energy. He had discarded his family's heart cultivation art, which he felt merely instructed one to sit and breathe pointlessly.
Instead, he had dismantled its mnemonic and re-engineered it into a dynamic cultivation art—one that accumulated energy through movement. This was only possible because he had been able to manipulate energy with ease since childhood, and the durability and elasticity of his acupoints were on a completely different level from an ordinary human's.
There was a time when he believed brotherly love could exist even among half-siblings. He had gone around suggesting they try learning his new art.
The responses he received, however, were strictly bound by common sense.
—You created a martial art?
—What if we suffer Qi Deviation? Will you take responsibility if we die?
—Do you think you have the talent of a Grandmaster or something?
Faced with their scornful mockery, he gave up. The boy stopped creating martial arts mnemonics. The indifference of the family head had been one thing, but the sting of his siblings' words was another, made all the sharper because they were true.
A Grandmaster, huh.
In the Jianghu, the term ‘Grandmaster’ carried a different meaning from its common usage. It referred to the founder of a martial art worthy of establishing a new sect. Even excluding those who were Grandmasters of both religion and martial arts—such as Zhang Sanfeng of the Wudang Sect, or Batuo, Bodhidharma, and Huike of Shaolin—no martial artist would deny the title to the patriarchs who had established the orthodox arts of the other Nine Great Sects.
It was a grand concept.
Jeong Yeon-shin had never dreamed of becoming a Grandmaster, nor did he place much significance on creating martial arts. He had simply wished for them to grow stronger together.
So, he steadily practiced the Jeong Family Dynamic Art all by himself. Perhaps, deep down, there was also a desire to prove them wrong.
Its efficacy was undeniable. Whenever he practiced sword techniques or trained his body, the targeted areas grew immensely strong. His internal power stimulated and tightly compressed his muscles, resulting in his current body.
I’ve achieved great completion. Just now.
He was certain of it. The martial art he had casually dubbed the ‘Jeong Family Dynamic Art’ had reached its peak potential. Through his training, he realized that his physical body could not possibly grow any stronger than this. Unless compared to the legendary martial monks of Shaolin, his physique was likely a rarity even within Henan Province.
That is, unless he was merely a frog in a well, looking up at the Henan sky.
“Young Mas-ter!”
“I'm coming,” Jeong Yeon-shin gave a half-hearted reply to the servant’s urgent call. He knew exactly why the man was so anxious.
The head of the Jeong Family Manor was a strict, patriarchal man. Yeon-shin's mother, the third wife, had passed away after a difficult labor. In an era rife with superstition, especially in a backwater place like this, he was seen as the child whose difficult birth had killed his mother. No one in the family looked upon him kindly—not even the family head.
As long as the food is good, that's enough for me.
Jeong Yeon-shin walked on, not caring in the slightest. With no relatives to show him affection, he had naturally become absorbed solely in martial arts. He had no grand ambitions of achieving fame or making a name for himself in the Jianghu; he simply found joy in studying them.
As he passed by the guest quarters, he heard the voices of the guests' children reciting texts.
“Recite Chapter 1, Section 4 of the Compendium of the Great Ming.”
“Our long-eared, short-statured compatriots returned from the heavenly gates, destroyed the wicked Yuan, and established the Great Ming alongside Taizu.”
“Chapter 1, Section 8.”
“A massive demon pursued our compatriots, but we were able to annihilate them by closing the gates in time.”
These were passages familiar to Jeong Yeon-shin. He smirked and walked past.
“You're late, you foolish brat.”
As he reached the banquet hall, his half-brother, the eldest, greeted him ‘warmly.’ Seeing his brother glare at him with narrowed eyes, Jeong Yeon-shin's chest muscles twitched.
“It has been a while, Brother.”
“If you're late, hurry up and sit down,” Jeong Nam-san, the eldest son, scoffed.
Nodding slightly, Jeong Yeon-shin sat at the very end of the long dining table and surveyed the room. To the left and right of the family head, who sat at the head of the table, were the Grand Madam and the second wife. Below them sat Jeong Nam-san and his wife, their daughter, and so on, down to his fifth older sister.
Though sitting at the lowest seat when he had younger siblings was contrary to proper etiquette, the family head's indifference, combined with the nagging of the Grand Madam and the second wife, had long since reduced him to a direct descendant in name only.
Thanks to that, my life has been comfortable.
Since he held no heavy responsibilities, he had neither duties nor obligations. Yet, the food was always plentiful, allowing him to focus entirely on his training.
He looks ecstatic.
The smiling gaze of the family head was fixed on his square-jawed second brother. The gathering was a send-off for the second son, who was soon to depart to study under the Zhongnan Sect.
The Zhongnan Sect was a powerhouse vying for the top spot in Shaanxi Province, a region comparable in size to a small country. As one of the pillars of the Nine Great Sects, it was a prestigious and grand sect that stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Mount Hua Sect, competing for the honor of being number one in Shaanxi. To enter as a registered disciple of one of the Nine Great Sects was an immense honor.
So much so that this feast was incredibly lavish, even while the rest of the continent was rotting from famine.
As the family head raised his cup, the rest of the family followed suit.
“Ever since my late father, a disciple of Master Dawn Sword of the Zhongnan Sect, founded this clan, I have dedicated my life to its prosperity. Had I wished to spread my name across the world, I too would have inherited the ultimate techniques of Zhongnan! But how could I abandon the family business? I am simply overjoyed that my son, at least, will follow in my late father's footsteps and ascend Mount Zhongnan.”
“It is indeed a glorious day.”
“My warmest congratulations, Brother.”
The family head claimed he could have become a disciple of the Zhongnan Sect if he had wished. The family members flattered both him and the second son. To enjoy a satisfying life in the Jianghu, it was often better to be the head of a snake than the tail of a dragon. The Jeong Family Manor was a major landowner and the de facto keeper of public order in the county. Within Xinye County, their influence was comparable to that of the county magistrate. Here, they had no reason to envy the Nine Sects.
Even if he enters the Zhongnan Sect, as a low-ranking disciple, he'll probably start by dusting the ancestral tablets of the grandmasters.
Jeong Yeon-shin simply ate to his heart's content.
“These days, wouldn't you say Zhongnan is half a step ahead of the Mount Hua Sect?”
“Indeed. Some outstanding young experts have recently descended the mountain.”
“Looking at the Great Battle of Shaanxi, that certainly seems to be the case. After all, the Cloud Sword Dragon himself slew the leader of the unorthodox factions that were rampant in Guanzhong. The Plum Blossom Swordsmen of Mount Hua may be strong, but they cannot compare to Eldest Senior Brother Cloud Sword Dragon.”
The second son was already calling the rising star of the Zhongnan Sect ‘Eldest Senior Brother,’ as if he were already a disciple.
Jeong Yeon-shin let out a quiet chuckle and reached for a pancake, only to freeze.
The family head was glaring at him with disapproval.
Should I have joined in on the flattery?
The family head spoke slowly. “I hear the third son spends all day at the training ground. What is your progress with the Jeong Family Divine Sword?”
“The principles of our family's martial arts are too profound for me, so I have struggled to achieve even minor mastery. I am deeply ashamed,” Jeong Yeon-shin replied, politely straightening his posture.
The Jeong Family Divine Sword was the unique martial art of the Jeong clan. As was often the case, the name was grand, but in reality, it was merely a degraded compilation of the first half of the Zhongnan Sect's Thirty-Six Swords of the World, patched together with a shallow understanding. This was how many lay disciples of Taoist sects like Zhongnan and Mount Hua established their own families.
Strictly speaking, according to sect rules, this was a grave sin of betraying one's master and ancestors. In reality, however, as long as a reasonable donation was periodically offered to the main sect, they tended to turn a blind eye. The main sect received wealth and provisions, while the lay branch enjoyed protection under the main sect's name. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement.
I focused on the dynamic cultivation art precisely because of the Jeong Family Divine Sword.
He saw too many flaws that needed correcting. Even a casual glance revealed a plethora of sword paths with bizarre flows. If he were to practice it formally, he knew he wouldn't be able to resist modifying the technique. Sometimes, wounds from one's early years dictate one's behavior. The mockery of his siblings had driven the boy, somewhat irrationally, to focus solely on the Jeong Family Dynamic Art.
The family head clicked his tongue. “Your eldest and second brothers are already looking toward great completion. Since your effort is commendable, I shall ask no further, but you must reflect on whether you are truly putting in the work at the training ground.”
“I will take your advice to heart.”
Jeong Yeon-shin clasped his hands in a polite salute and waited until the family head's gaze drifted away. He did not care how his siblings looked at him.
Caring about them will only end up hurting me.
Jeong Yeon-shin turned his attention back to the feast. Popping a piece of perfectly fried Southern-Fried Chicken Leg into his mouth, he casually listened to the conversation.
“Between the unorthodox factions in Guanzhong and other matters, the political climate is unusual. Chief Steward.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
“Are our information networks being established properly? I don't expect us to reach the level of the Beggar Sect or the Hao Sect, but we should at least be able to mimic a fraction of the great sects’ secret lines.”
“We should be able to manage something, at least here in Xinye.”
“Good, very good.”
Just then, a voice rang out.
“The experts of the Zhongnan Sect have arrived!”
It was Jang, the gatekeeper. In an instant, the banquet hall fell into an uproar. They had received word that someone was coming to pick up the second son, but they hadn't expected them so soon.
“Hurry, bring them in! No, wait! I will go myself!”
His dignified posture vanished. The family head scrambled to his feet, flustered as he prepared to welcome the distinguished guests. Everyone else in the room did the same.
I'm curious.
Jeong Yeon-shin usually detested troublesome matters and would have slipped away to the training ground. But this was one of the Nine Great Sects. Experts from the Zhongnan Sect were a different story. When else would he get the chance to see renowned martial artists whose fame spread across the world?
“I wonder what kind of master has arrived?”
“Could it be the Cloud Sword Dragon? Or perhaps someone of the elder generation?”
Filled with anticipation, his siblings looked like excited children for once. Jeong Yeon-shin blended into the crowd, making himself as inconspicuous as possible, and headed toward the main gate with them.
The family head, who had rushed ahead using a lightness skill, was already bowing deeply to three individuals, his hands clasped.
“I am deeply honored that you have personally graced our humble manor. I am Jeong Dae-myung, the head of this family.”
The three individuals returned the salute, but the appearance of the woman leading them was far from ordinary. She possessed golden hair that looked like melted gold and ears as long as leaves. Her features, beautiful yet exotic, were like those of a descended heavenly maiden, but that was secondary to her striking presence.
“A Brightfolk…!” the eldest, Jeong Nam-san, muttered in a low groan.
Glancing back, Yeon-shin saw him staring shamelessly, his manners completely forgotten. He clicked his tongue inwardly.
So the Brightfolk really do look just like the descriptions in the books. Fascinating.
Although Xinye County once enjoyed fame as a strategic hub, it had remained a small village ever since a battle between bizarre entities at the end of the Yuan Dynasty altered its terrain. It was a rare opportunity for the villagers to encounter a member of the Brightfolk. It was said that these ‘compatriots of the Central Plains,’ who had descended from the heavens to establish the Ming Dynasty alongside Taizu, could only be seen in Beijing, the military, the Nine Sects, or prestigious noble families.
I heard a Brightfolk physician visited our house when I was born.
He didn't know the details. He couldn't ask the manor's master, and the servants who might have known all avoided him.
“We are deeply moved by your warm hospitality. I am Yeo Il-shin, an elder of the Zhongnan Sect.”
The Brightfolk elder of the Zhongnan Sect smiled. It was a smile so beautiful it was refreshing to behold, yet no one present with even a modicum of worldly knowledge could bring themselves to smile back.
An elder of the Nine Sects who is also a Brightfolk?
If so, she was a founding contributor to the Great Ming Empire. It was said that the Brightfolk did not age. She must have played a major role in driving out the Yuan Dynasty alongside the founding patriarch of the Zhongnan Sect.
“I… I failed to recognize an immortal!”
It wasn't just the family head. The family members behind him, as well as the guests who had come out to watch, all clasped their hands and bowed deeply. Some even prostrated themselves.
Isn't that a bit excessive?
Jeong Yeon-shin had only bowed moderately while clasping his hands. Just as he slightly raised his head, his eyes met those of Yeo Il-shin, who was staring at him with a peculiar expression.