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Translator: uly
Chapter: 7
Chapter Title: Martial Valor Hall
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Yuk Jin-yang subtly turned his head to look at Yuk Ryul. It was a gaze demanding an explanation. Yuk Ryul readily revealed the family head's true intentions.
"This child will serve as your secret line to the family head. The Grand Steward can't come and go every time, after all. From now on, any orders the family head has for you will come through Hwang Dal-pyeong."
"Even with you here, Uncle?"
"I'm affiliated with the alliance, so I can't stay here regularly."
"The alliance? Ah, so you were part of the Five Harmony Alliance as well."
The alliance of ancient clans formed with the imperial court's backing. The Five Harmony Alliance was the cornerstone to suppress the martial world.
Yuk Ryul nodded with a face full of pride.
"It's the duty of a prestigious house. You'll be heading to the Five Harmony Alliance yourself after your coming-of-age ceremony."
"Me?"
It was news to Yuk Jin-yang. In his future memories, the Yuk Clan of Zhejiang had no ties to the Five Harmony Alliance.
Yuk Ryul was more surprised by his lukewarm reaction.
"It seems your father hasn't told you. If you don't mind, I'll explain."
Yuk Jin-yang nodded. Internally, he keenly felt the difference in eras.
In his previous life, the Zhejiang Yuk Clan had severed ties with the Five Harmony Alliance. It was practically an expulsion. This happened a few years before Jang Un entered as a son-in-law.
"The imperial court played a big role in establishing the Five Harmony Alliance. You know what its purpose is, right?"
"To keep the martial world in check by closely aligning the imperial court with the ancient clans?"
The realm was vast. The imperial guards alone couldn't protect the common folk. The chaos of the late Yuan had allowed unorthodox sects to rise everywhere. They were no opponents for ordinary officials.
Scolding local officials yielded no results. Even dispatching imperial inspectors was futile. There were even cases where suppression armies failed. Most elite troops trained in martial arts were needed to guard the northern borders and the capital.
The rivers and lakes were beyond the reach of the court's solemn edicts. It required real force, not empty commands from the distant palace.
Finally, the imperial court drew its sword. And the perfect blade to point at the martial world was a warrior from the rivers and lakes.
The court and the imperial family selected the ancient clans for this role.
The hegemons rooted deeply in their regional homelands for ages. The scions of prestigious houses who had already achieved great feats once.
Unlike upstart clans that were mere brutish warriors, they possessed the identity of nobles and scholars. They understood the basic principle that to enjoy power and influence, they must respect the imperial court.
To embrace these ancient clans and forge close ties, the Five Harmony Alliance was formed. And for decades, it oppressed the martial world.
The outdated custom of officials not meddling in martial affairs crumbled, and the principle of officials and martial artists coexisting spread across the land.
These days, no one in high society even mentioned the Nine Great Sects when discussing the supreme powers of the martial world.
"At the same time, it's a leash. In exchange for the immense imperial support through the Five Harmony Alliance, each clan must periodically send qualified kin to join."
"It also serves to check each other between clans."
"Sharp as ever. It's where the blood kin of each clan gather. Competition is inevitable."
Especially since the level of support varied by performance. They would surely keep tabs on each other's movements.
Yuk Jin-yang recalled the Yuk Clan of his previous life.
After the eldest son Yuk Ju-jin became family head, the Zhejiang Yuk Clan was expelled from the Five Harmony Alliance. Due to their lax and corrupt family traditions.
But Yuk Ju-jin accepted the punishment without resistance. Clearly to avoid scrutiny from other ancient clans and the imperial court. To more easily connect with the northern remnants.
"From the ancient clans' perspective, it's not all loss. We prefer a well-ordered peaceful era over a blood-soaked age of chaos."
"And as a bonus, it secures wealth and glory through bonds with the imperial court?"
"Sharp-tongued. Can't deny that."
Yuk Ryul gave a wry smile and subtly changed the subject.
"Anyway, I was with the Five Harmony Alliance when urgent circumstances arose. I got orders to return, so I can't stay here any longer."
"Then what about my future training? Do I learn from someone else?"
"Follow me."
Yuk Jin-yang trailed after Yuk Ryul without knowing why. As they crossed the vast compound after walking for a while, Yuk Ryul suddenly turned and asked.
"Do you know of the Martial Valor Hall?"
Martial Valor Hall. At the sudden term, Yuk Jin-yang's eyes widened. Yuk Ryul nodded as if he expected it.
"You've heard of it, then?"
"Just the name from Father."
Yuk Jin-yang pretended ignorance despite knowing. A calculated act. For now, he needed to play the naive youth unfamiliar with clan affairs.
Yuk Ryul explained as if he'd been waiting.
"The Martial Valor Hall is like the cradle of the Yuk Clan's martial arts. All the martial techniques accumulated over a thousand years slumber there."
"Truly impressive. A thousand years... Hard to even fathom."
"No need to be intimidated already. The family head seems to favor you. He wants you to learn freely rather than under a specific master."
"I am deeply honored."
"You deserve it. Piercing the essence of the Moon Maiden Sword Art in a single day. It'd be strange not to have high expectations."
They passed several halls. Next to the rear garden stood a majestic three-story stone pagoda, towering like a watchtower. Built of stone to guard against fire.
The plaque read "Martial Valor Hall" (武湧泉濫). A grandiose phrase meaning martial arts overflowing like a gushing spring.
Yuk Ryul stood still at the entrance, gazing up at the Martial Valor Hall without entering. Complex emotions filled his eyes as he looked at the plaque.
"A thousand years. An unimaginably long time. As eras passed, the branches of martial arts proliferated. To the point of needing to build a library to store them."
The foundational martial art of the Zhejiang Yuk Clan was solely the Moon Maiden Divine Art. The rest were the results of ancestors' accumulation and flourishing.
The older the technique's origin, the easier it was for countermeasures to emerge.
Just look at Shaolin's Seventy-Two Ultimate Arts. Once hailed as the world's greatest.
It had dominated the Tang-Song era without compare to other sects' arts.
But that past glory had long faded. Time had allowed extensive study and analysis.
For that reason, the Zhejiang Yuk Clan pursued constant innovation. Relying on the great tree's roots but not clinging to them. Thus, countless branches extended, blooming myriad flowers.
"And some manuals will have red ink marks on the cover. Be cautious with those."
"Why is that?"
"The originals are lost or damaged, making the true techniques hard to discern. Even if leaked outside, it won't cause much harm."
"That doesn't seem to be the only purpose. Isn't it also to encourage devising techniques without relying solely on manuals?"
Yuk Ryul's eyes widened in surprise.
"Right, your guess is spot on. One ancestor left a precept: Don't rely on forebears' achievements; let new branches continually extend across the world."
As Yuk Ryul placed his hand on the iron gate, he spoke.
Kiiiek.
The heavy sound of metal scraping the dirt floor rang out. The gate, thick as a man's arm, slid open easily like a paper screen. His expression remained utterly serene, channeling internal energy.
"Impressive."
Yuk Jin-yang couldn't help but exclaim in admiration.
The interior of the Martial Valor Hall was filled with the refined scent of ancient books.
White marble bookshelves lined the walls. The floor, ceiling, and pillars were also stone. Precautions against potential fires.
His gaze swept the surroundings before settling on the shelves.
In his previous life, he had desperately tried to enter this place.
To find a way to heal his lowly body stuck at the lower dantian. It was akin to grasping at straws.
He had been that desperate, but the family head at the time, Yuk Ju-jin, invoked clan laws and never granted entry. Only blood kin could access the Martial Valor Hall.
"It'll take quite some time to examine everything."
Yuk Jin-yang suddenly asked.
Truthfully, it was meddlesome curiosity. He had memories from his previous life. With that knowledge alone, distinguishing gems from pebbles wasn't hard.
He was simply wondering how others found the techniques they sought here.
"Most get advice and choose accordingly. There's also some standardization, so no need for much deliberation."
"I see."
"Typically, after learning the Moon Maiden Sword Art, one trains footwork with Moon Stream Subtle Steps or adds palm strikes with Swirling Stream Chaotic Flowers Art. If you want, I can stay today and give specific guidance."
"Since it's my first time, I'll browse alone. Is there any limit on viewing time or frequency?"
"No, once permitted, you can enter freely. But manuals cannot be taken outside under any circumstances. No copying either. Just remember that rule."
"I'll keep it in mind."
As he bowed solemnly in response.
"And this is a gift."
A pristine white sword was thrust before him, catching his eye. Midway on the scabbard, silver-inlaid characters stood out.
Silver Tear. Seemed to be the sword's name.
Yuk Jin-yang hesitated before asking.
"A gift?"
"I noticed last time you didn't have your own sword, so I prepared one. Use it from now on."
"I'm too humbled to accept. It seems like a treasured blade with history; how could I."
"History, what history? It's just a sword hammered with some care by a blacksmith. Take it without burden."
Yuk Jin-yang reluctantly took the sword. Burdensome, yet curious.
"Why are you so good to me?"
The question slipped out unbidden. Weapons held special meaning for warriors. Not something to give lightly for brief training aid.
Yuk Ryul revealed his inner thoughts.
"I once received help from your father. But he left abruptly without giving me a chance to repay the favor."
It was a story he'd never heard.
He wanted details, but Yuk Ryul continued without pause.
"So think of it as an uncle's gift to his nephew. Every Yuk Clan member has their own famed sword anyway."
"...Thank you. I'll treasure it."
"I'll be waiting to see you at the Five Harmony Alliance."
Yuk Ryul turned and walked away, waving.
Yuk Jin-yang watched him for a while, then slowly turned toward the bookshelves.
He quickly scanned the titles on the spines.
Diverse they were. From fist, palm, finger, claw, and kick striking arts to weapon techniques using all manner of exotic arms, and even profound internal energy methods. Encompassing every realm of martial arts.
Yuk Jin-yang took a deep breath. Steel ing himself.
What teachings lay within these thousand-year-rooted arts? Would the genius that sustained him thus far shine here too? Excitement and ambition surged together.
"Alright, let's see."
His eyes sparkled as they roamed the shelves.