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Translator: uly
Chapter: 3
Chapter Title: Ancient Prestigious Family's Martial Genius
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"Mother wishes to see you. It's the Double Ninth Festival, a time for family harmony. Come back to the main house and show your face. Of course, bring your wife and nephew too."
"Won't Father and the family elders object?"
"Mother has grown much weaker lately. Her final wish is to see her youngest son's face at least once more, and even Father can't refuse that. He's pretending to relent."
"That sounds like Father still hasn't forgiven us."
"Do you think it would be that easy? He's the one who must uphold the family's discipline. By law, we should have severed ties completely, but settling for a branch family separation is Father's way of showing some mercy."
Yuk Eon bit his lip.
The decision to place their family here had been Yuk Mu-hyeok's. His intentions were obvious. He couldn't bring himself to kill his son, but he had no intention of letting him go entirely.
It was to guard against the remote chance that the Yuk Clan's martial arts might fall into another family's hands.
"I didn't mean to ask for the punishment to be lifted."
"I know. It's not some half-hearted scheme. You just want to reconcile with Father, don't you? After all, you were the son closest to him."
The conversation paused for a moment.
Yuk Eon fell silent, deep in thought.
It had already been over a decade since he left the clan. He hadn't set foot near the main house in all that time. It wasn't simply a matter of pride.
The insulting words he heard upon departing had been the trigger.
—Sichuan Dang Clan? Ridiculous. Is that what that woman tells you?
—Father!
—Do you even know how many interests and political maneuvers are tied to your marriage? Do you have any idea what damage our clan would suffer if we yield? That's what I'm saying. If I had my way, I'd confine you and execute that brood of mongrels outright!
He gave up on the conversation there. Faced with his father's unyielding attitude, Yuk Eon closed his heart as well.
And he left the main house quietly.
It was to protect his beloved wife as the head of the household. He feared she might fall ill from the humiliating cold treatment.
The elders, blinded by the nobility of bloodlines, were targets of suspicion too. He dreaded they might resort to schemes.
That's why he left a thread of connection instead of full severance. To survive, he had to humbly accept his father's mercy, humiliating as it was.
If the head of the Zhejiang Yuk Clan truly flew into a rage, that blaze of fury would engulf not just their family but their wife's clan as well. Yuk Mu-hyeok, the unrivaled strongest in the world, possessed more than enough power for that.
Yuk Eon asked in a low voice.
"Brother, to be frank, does Father know about your visit today?"
"Sharp as ever, you rascal."
Yuk Hang nodded readily.
"He wants to see his grandson's aptitude. He's about fifteen now, isn't he? You've probably already passed on the Moon Maiden Divine Art. As scions of our clan, it's time he started showing his mettle."
Yuk Eon's face hardened.
That meant if no aptitude was shown, he wouldn't be treated as a clan member.
The punishment for an outsider learning family martial arts was clear.
Exterminate the roots (削株堀根). Remove the source of calamity in advance. That was the ironclad law of the Zhejiang Yuk Clan.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Yuk Eon soon called his wife and son.
"On Double Ninth day, we have to go to the main house."
"...The main house?"
"Yes. Father says he wants to see his grandson's face after all this time."
Wrinkles formed on Dang So-so's fair brow. Her face filled with worry. It wasn't just concern about the harsh in-laws.
Dang So-so squeezed out a whisper.
"They might even take an interest in Jin-yang from my family."
Like Yuk Eon, she too had severed ties with her clan. Half by choice. She didn't want a bloodbath in the world because of them.
No matter the Zhejiang Yuk Clan's prestige, the Sichuan Dang Clan was no pushover—a formidable powerhouse and influential family in the martial world. The standoff ended by their departure from the jianghu might reignite.
"Don't worry. Nothing will happen."
Yuk Eon gave his wife a faint smile to reassure her. But his hands were trembling.
This might be walking into the lion's den of his own accord.
But there was no choice. Yuk Hang's personal visit made the purpose clear. He was prepared to use force if necessary.
Against his second brother, with a body long removed from the jianghu, resistance was near impossible. It would only lead to pointless death.
In this situation, he could only trust in his son's aptitude.
Soon, self-loathing overwhelmed Yuk Eon.
For a fifteen-year-old's talent to be his only hope. Nothing crushed a man's pride more than failing as a family head.
Yuk Eon spoke in a desolate tone.
"Jin-yang."
"Yes, Father."
"Be extremely careful at the main house. Answer Grandfather's questions honestly and politely. And..."
Seeing his father's twisted expression, Yuk Jin-yang nodded quietly. But his inner thoughts differed.
This was a chance for the Yuk Clan's former hunting dog to enter the main house as direct kin.
He didn't care about being slighted.
He could rebuild his standing from scratch.
His previous life had been one of meager talent, full of flaws and frailty.
This life would be different. It had to be.
Only then could the hunting dog take revenge on his master.
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The Zhejiang Yuk Clan's main residence in Hangzhou, the Yuk Clan Great Compound, was a sanctuary solely for the clan. The vast complex of dozens of buildings was surrounded by moats and high walls, rivaling an emperor's villa or a feudal lord's palace.
In truth, the Zhejiang Yuk Clan wasn't uniquely extravagant.
Most ancient prestigious clans lived in such opulent estates. The Zhuge Clan, adhering strictly to ancestral precepts, might be an exception.
Yet they faced no accusations of exploiting the people or excessive luxury.
Because these estates weren't built by forcibly conscripting commoners. They were the accumulation of wealth and glory over long history.
This was also the source of ancient clans' pride in scorning upstarts.
Yuk Jin-yang looked up.
A majestic five-story pavilion dominated his view.
It stood imposingly amid the clouds. It was the Yuk Clan Great Compound's most splendid banquet hall, Jade River Tower.
Nine grand gates led to Jade River Tower, flanked by ornate halls.
The entire compound spanned about 20,000 pyeong.
Rivaling an emperor's villa or a feudal lord's palace.
He'd heard in his previous life that even the site selection matched its grandeur.
Chosen by feng shui as an auspicious site. Thus, the Yuk Clan had preserved its domain through countless dynasties.
Yuk Jin-yang glanced at his father's face. Complex emotions mingled there.
'Well, it's the main house after over a decade.'
Yuk Jin-yang felt the same感慨.
As a son-in-law, he'd never sat there before. Jade River Tower. His changed status felt real now.
Yuk Jin-yang passed through the rear garden with his father.
The interior was already bustling like a marketplace.
A prestigious clan's festival wasn't just family. It teemed with guests indebted to the clan or seeking favors.
None acknowledged Yuk Eon's family. Instead, they whispered behind hands or averted eyes upon meeting gazes.
'Severed ties, huh?'
Yuk Jin-yang kept his expression neutral, staring ahead. Petty fools weren't worth his attention now.
Sacrifice the body for greater good, as they said.
He wondered how those gazes, now like eyeing a helpless scarecrow, would change later.
"Wait here a moment. I'll go greet the guests."
Yuk Hang tried to slip away.
'That man's no gentleman either.'
Yuk Jin-yang clicked his tongue inwardly.
Abandoning his brother's family to unfriendly stares while escaping alone. Quite the skill at feigned ignorance and insult.
Fortunately, the wait was short.
A middle-aged man in white scholar's robes emerged from within. The crowd parted like the sea. He bowed deeply to Yuk Eon with utmost courtesy.
"It's been a long time, Youngest Young Master."
"Grand Steward."
"Please enter the banquet hall. Everyone awaits."
"I want to see Mother first."
The Grand Steward's expression clouded slightly. He approached Yuk Eon and whispered.
"Lady Grandmother's condition has worsened in the meantime. She's in no state for visitors now. I'll inform you later."
Yuk Eon nodded faintly, his face somber.
Upon reaching the banquet hall, the Yuk Clan's direct descendants were already seated. Yuk Jin-yang's gaze swept the room quickly.
Most faces were unfamiliar. Even those from his previous life looked much younger than he remembered.
But three stood out unmistakably, youth unchanged.
Yuk Mu-hyeok's eldest son, Yuk Seo.
Eldest grandson, Yuk Ju-jin.
The successors who would inherit from Yuk Mu-hyeok. And enemies from his previous life.
Finally...
The imposing elderly man at the head seat. He was the head of the Zhejiang Yuk Clan, Yuk Mu-hyeok.
Many titles described Yuk Mu-hyeok.
Unrivaled under heaven.
Zhejiang Old Fiend.
Yangtze Overlord.
In his previous life, he'd never met him. By then, Yuk Mu-hyeok's era had passed, succeeded by eldest son Yuk Seo, then grandson Yuk Ju-jin.
But he'd heard endless tales of Yuk Mu-hyeok's feats. Some dubious in veracity.
Exchanging hundreds of blows with Emperor Hongwu without a victor. Severing the neck of the crimson dragon plaguing the Yangtze. Crushing the head of the yokai that summoned a night parade of a hundred ghosts.
All testifying to Yuk Mu-hyeok's reign as the absolute sovereign of the martial world.
And now, in this moment.
Yuk Jin-yang felt it clearly. The rumors held not a shred of exaggeration.
He'd met countless martial artists in his previous life. As the Yuk Clan's son-in-law, opportunities abounded. Some were peerless grandmasters worthy of the title.
Yet none compared to the aura Yuk Mu-hyeok exuded now.
It felt like facing a towering, majestic mountain. Just standing before it made his body shrink instinctively.
Fierce tiger-like eyes emitted oppressive light. Their abyssal depths were impossible to fathom. Merely meeting them crushed with sheer dignity.
"It's been a long time, Clan Head."
Even as his son paid respects, Yuk Mu-hyeok merely clicked his tongue. Ignoring the greeting, he gestured with his chin to an empty seat. The lowest one.
Yuk Eon and his family sat quietly.
"You've held out quite long out there."
A thorny remark flew as if anticipated. From Yuk Mu-hyeok's third son, Yuk Gyun.
"Flowers wilt after ten years, they say. Ah! Your wife's clan excels in poison arts, right? Maybe she keeps our youngest enthralled with some aphrodisiac bedroom technique?"
Dang So-so's face flushed crimson at the sudden lewd taunt.
As Yuk Eon, face contorted, prepared to retort—
Bam!
The table slam brought instant silence.
Yuk Mu-hyeok's eyes flashed sternly.
"It's a festival day. Mind your words."
"S-Sorry, Father."
It wasn't just the offender Yuk Gyun. All heads bowed in unison. Like vassals before a lord. A sign of the clan head's sky-piercing authority.
The table soon filled with lavish dishes. Seeming to gather specialties from across the realm.
Following etiquette, the clan head raised his cup first.
"On this Double Ninth Festival, our long-separated family gathers. With the clan's harmony restored, how could we not rejoice?"
Gaudy words masking emptiness.
'Harmony, my foot.'
Yuk Jin-yang snorted inwardly, observing.
Even after wine made a round, the heavy mood lingered. For a while, only chopstick sounds continued.
Suddenly, Yuk Mu-hyeok spoke, targeting abruptly.
"What is your name?"
His narrowed gaze fixed on Yuk Jin-yang.