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Translator: uly
Chapter: 5
Chapter Title: Martial Valor Hall
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The Patriarch's order was carried out immediately.
The servants newly decorated the empty hall. Old dust was swept away, and new furniture filled the space. The name of the hall where Yuk Eon's family would stay was Flying Stream Pavilion.
Light blue drapes signaling the presence of a resident were hung on the walls and ceiling. It took less than an hour for the stark interior to transform.
"We'll move over your belongings from your previous residence as quickly as possible."
The servants left those words behind and exited the room. Finally, only Yuk Eon's family remained.
Dang So-so slowly looked around her surroundings.
Her dazed gaze lingered briefly on the bright yellow furniture. It was carved from golden-threaded nanmu wood, said to have been used even for pillars in the imperial palace.
The elegant texture of the silk drapes adorning the interior evoked the image of gentle ripples. It was a distinctive feature of the straight-woven cloud-patterned gold silk, a tribute item to the imperial court.
It was a luxury even the Dang family couldn't enjoy. Rather than joy, a sense of burden came first.
"Of all places, here."
Yuk Eon's reaction was markedly different. With an expression lost in reminiscence, he slowly examined the interior of the room. Dang So-so asked.
"Do you have some connection to this place?"
"This is where I stayed as a child."
Yuk Eon's gaze, which had been scanning traces on the walls, turned to his son. He placed a hand on Yuk Jin-yang's shoulder. His trembling eyes fully revealed his heavy heart.
"I'm sorry to you. To burden you with such a heavy load."
"I don't think that way."
On the contrary, Yuk Jin-yang felt as if he could soar into the sky.
In a world where one's status was determined solely by bloodline,
even a lifetime of effort by a commoner's child couldn't attain what the Yuk clan's blood kin obtained with just a few words.
He had been recognized as a member of such a clan. How could he not be pleased? Even for revenge, he needed to establish a foothold here.
It was then, as he tried to calm his excited heart.
"Jin-yang, from now on, you must be careful with your actions."
Yuk Eon's low voice settled in his ear. It was a whisper so small that Dang So-so couldn't hear it.
"Your talent is exceptional. Everyone in the clan will soon know. The more that happens, the more schemes will come your way. You must suspect even goodwill."
"I'll keep that in mind."
"Good. You're clever, so you understand fully."
Yuk Jin-yang nodded. It wasn't hard to grasp his father's intent.
Not too close, not too far. Neither approach too near nor stay too distant.
Yuk Jin-yang thought differently. He understood his father's heart but did not agree.
A bird that flies high does not fear the sun. Fearing the scorching heat would mean chasing others' tails forever.
His resolve was firm.
He would rather burn to death than fail to soar high.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
The next day, early in the morning, a visitor arrived.
The middle-aged man in white scholar's robes who had greeted their family on the Mid-Autumn Festival. It was the Grand Steward.
"What brings you so early in the morning?"
Yuk Eon asked.
"The Patriarch has assigned a teacher to instruct his grandson. He commands that you meet your master."
"A teacher already? Isn't that a bit excessive? The child is still having trouble adapting to the main family's atmosphere."
"It's an order directly from the Patriarch."
Yuk Eon clicked his tongue and stepped back. The Grand Steward's gaze turned to Yuk Jin-yang standing beside him.
"Then follow me, Young Master Jin-yang. Ah! And I am Choe Rim."
"Please take good care of me."
"Haha, that's what I should say."
Yuk Jin-yang followed Choe Rim and set off.
Leaving Flying Stream Pavilion, the place they headed to was the grand training ground.
Boom! Thud! Clang!
From morning, many people were immersed in training. It was a familiar sight to Yuk Jin-yang.
A man standing alone leisurely approached Yuk Jin-yang. He had a slick, smooth impression. In contrast, the energy he exuded was immensely sturdy. It differed greatly from his soft appearance.
A feeling of vast power condensed while quietly settled. It seemed like the unique control of a master.
Choe Rim led Yuk Jin-yang to the man and then discreetly stepped aside.
The man spoke to him without reservation.
"So you're my nephew's son! I can tell even without an introduction. Your uncle Yuk Eon fathered a son who takes after him exactly."
His voice was thick yet cheerful. The sudden closing of distance left no chance to respond.
The man introduced himself first, unperturbed.
"I'm Yuk Ryul. In the martial world, I'm also known as the Soaring Wave Sword, and by the Patriarch's order, I've been tasked with teaching you."
It was a name and title he'd never heard in two lifetimes combined.
'Perhaps because he wasn't part of the eldest son's faction, he was either eliminated later or left the clan.'
Yuk Jin-yang thought so as he bowed in greeting.
"Please take good care of me, Uncle. I'm Yuk Jin-yang. Should I perform the disciple's bow?"
"What need is there between family."
Yuk Ryul grinned and waved his hand.
"Your father and I were like blood brothers. Treat me comfortably."
"I will."
A faint smile played on his lips, but he didn't let his guard down.
He wasn't fool enough to trust blindly; he had his previous life's experiences and his father's advice.
That smile seemed to mean something else to Yuk Ryul. He looked embarrassed and tilted his head.
"You're even more composed than I thought. I was worried you'd be intimidated by the family atmosphere."
"I've often been told I take after my father."
"What? Haha. He may be different now, but back in your age, your uncle was remarkable. He was called the Flower Prince more than the Jiangnan Sword Dragon. The precious young ladies of martial clans were lovesick over him."
Yuk Ryul's faint smile faded as he recalled old memories. Then he got to the point.
"Have you learned any sword arts before?"
"Aside from the Three Disasters Sword Method, I've only learned the Moon Maiden Divine Art until now. I'm ashamed of my late start."
"No shame in that. It's like having a solid foundation. Moreover..."
Yuk Ryul trailed off. He realized it was inappropriate to mention their impoverished background.
"Anyway, the martial art I'll teach you is the Moon Maiden Sword Art. It's the foundational art that pairs with the Moon Maiden Divine Art."
Finally. Yuk Jin-yang struggled to hide his pleased expression.
In his previous life as Jang Un, he hadn't received the Yuk clan's martial arts. Beyond the issue of not being blood kin, there was another reason.
His talent.
The genius ability to reverse-engineer martial arts on the spot and devise counters.
The Patriarch had been wary of Jang Un's aptitude. Thus, while demanding research on other clans' arts, he never taught Yuk clan martial arts or allowed close observation.
Not even once.
He knew only the names and characteristics of the arts at best.
"But don't underestimate it just because it's foundational."
Before he knew it, Yuk Ryul had drawn his sword from the jade-adorned belt sash. The pure white blade gleamed brilliantly, absorbing the sunlight. The treasured sword looked quite elegant in its master's hand.
Yuk Ryul revealed his pride in the clan's ancient heritage.
"Entry is easy, but mastery is hard. Legend has it even Wudang's Chang San-bong was influenced by the Moon Maiden Sword Art when creating the Taiji Sword. Though Wudang denies it."
"Is the art's origin that ancient?"
"The presumed creator, the Moon Maiden, lived in the Spring and Autumn period. Chang San-bong was from the Song dynasty, so over a thousand years separate them."
"Then it wasn't originally the Yuk clan's hereditary art from the start."
"But the only place where the manual remains intact is our clan."
The chit-chat ended there. Yuk Ryul returned to the main topic and explained the principles the Moon Maiden Sword followed.
"The Moon Maiden Sword Art pursues utmost simplicity."
"Different from quick sword arts?"
"Different. The Moon Maiden Sword focuses on achieving maximum effect with minimal movement. It's not bound to a single identity. Speed or power are secondary gains."
The kind explanation continued.
"Erase unnecessary motions for generating power from your mind. You must know how to unfold the optimal sword path from any moment, any stance."
"Since response is key, internal energy circulation speed must be fast. I see why the Moon Maiden Divine Art is the foundation."
"You catch on quickly."
Yuk Ryul's lips curved into a smile.
"You're right. To wield the Moon Maiden Sword Art, you need a body tempered by the Moon Maiden Divine Art. It's safe to see it as a sword method tailored to that heart art."
After teaching the oral formula, Yuk Ryul stood before the wooden dummy to demonstrate the forms.
Whoosh!
Sword wind grazed his cheek. The sword path shown in an instant contained various changes.
Yuk Jin-yang grasped the principles the art pursued.
He had heard the Spring and Autumn period, when the Moon Maiden Sword Art was created, was a chaotic era. A barbaric age ignorant even of benevolence, righteousness, propriety, and wisdom. The era's circumstances seemed infused into the martial art.
The Moon Maiden Sword Art's forms emphasized efficiency thoroughly.
It was the aesthetic of restraint.
The sword-swinging process was reduced to extremes. Thus, it was free from identities like quick or heavy swords. It could transform into any form.
To kill a person, leaving a knuckle-deep wound in a vital point was enough. No need for convoluted trajectories.
Misinterpreting Yuk Jin-yang's thoughtful silence, Yuk Ryul spoke comfortingly.
"It's hard to grasp at once. The concept is somewhat abstract. It might be faster to embody it with your body rather than analyze with your head."
Yuk Jin-yang didn't think so.
He had already understood and interpreted the oral formula in his mind. His transcendent talent swiftly opened the horizon of ascent.
"The key is the Mingmen and Quze acupoints."
"...Hm?"
"The points for concentrating qi. For simplicity, upper body movements starting from the waist seem most important."
Yuk Ryul was speechless. He could only gaze astonished at his nephew dismantling martial principles.
Yuk Jin-yang gestured with his eyes to the rack in the corner of the training ground, silently seeking permission. Yuk Ryul let out a hollow laugh but nodded.
He selected a suitable training sword and gripped it.
"To verify the principles, I need to swing it myself. May I humbly request a spar?"
"You're too hasty."
Yuk Ryul, who had been smiling throughout, finally turned serious. Irritation showed in his furrowed brow and wide eyes.
"Requesting a spar after hearing one oral formula? No. Impatience helps not at all in learning martial arts."
His attitude was as if looking at a foolish child. He was convinced the brief instruction hadn't led to full comprehension.
Yet Yuk Jin-yang did not yield.
"I request it."
Yuk Ryul shook his head.
Before long, the treasured sword in his hand pointed straight ahead. Cold light glinted from the tip.
"If you insist, I'll give you a lesson. To make you realize your limits."
"Thank you."
Yuk Jin-yang quietly replied and assumed a stance.
A low stance with the sword pointed down.
Deliberately emptying his upper body to draw in the opponent. To induce him.
Calm breathing awakened his body. Qi circulating through his whole body activated, gradually accelerating.
There was vitality invigorating his entire form. Swift and abundant.
Hummm...
He felt the qi swirling inside. It surged as if about to burst.
Yuk Jin-yang recalled the insight just gained. His innate sense turned the vague formula into clear principles. That was enlightenment.
Qi and flesh merely complied.
He condensed the overflowing elevated energy. Layered power refined and settled into his body.
The martial art, transcending the limitations of verbal formulas, finally took form in a concrete stance.
Boom!
The fierce sound of stomping shook the entire training ground. It came from Yuk Ryul. His dashing momentum was ferocious.
Yuk Jin-yang stared steadily at his opponent.
He saw the sword's diagonal trajectory approaching. It was swift like a whirlwind yet powerful.
He felt the opponent's energy aura wrapped in wind bearing down. Naturally, the flow drew in his mind. A single line aiming from the collarbone across the chest.
Instinctively recognizing and awakening.
The vanishing point where the opponent's central axis would collapse with just a light breeze.
How to swing the sword to target it.
Yuk Jin-yang lightly moved his sword. Mingmen and Quze. Energy concentrated there pushed his body like rapids.
Using only arm and waist movements, he raised and slashed upward. Concise without superfluous motions, yet potent due to qi concentrated precisely where needed.
A single ray of light shot upward.
Clang!
Clashing metal let out a fierce cry.
The spar ended in one exchange. The two separated. The one pushed back was Yuk Ryul.
Gasps of surprise erupted from all directions.