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Translator: uly
Chapter: 6
Chapter Title: Unprecedented Talent
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Before they knew it, all eyes in the training ground had turned to the two of them. The warriors who had paused their own training to watch the spar exchanged their own quick assessments.
"Does that even make sense? Even the eldest young master of Cloud Sea Hall couldn't grasp and demonstrate the principles in a single try."
"Blood will tell. He's still direct lineage, after all. Not pureblood, sure, but his mother's Dang Clan is a renowned rising house."
"Too early to say. Maybe he got some prior instruction from his father."
"You need more study of human anatomy. If he'd trained in Moon Maiden Sword Art beforehand, his upper body would've developed more."
"So it's pure talent, then?"
Conversations filled with shock and admiration stirred up a commotion. Yuk Jin-yang's achievement was that astonishing.
Yuk Jin-yang kept his composure, unaffected by the atmosphere, and fixed a calm gaze on his uncle. His eyes asked how it had been.
Yuk Ryul's lips twitched. No words came out.
His hand gripping the sword trembled faintly. He had definitely felt it in that clash of sword energies. Just now, Yuk Jin-yang had unmistakably employed the Moon Maiden Sword Art.
There were flaws to point out. Immature aspects were clearly visible.
Paradoxically, that very fact proved Yuk Jin-yang's innocence. It cleared him of suspicions that he'd been secretly taught the Moon Maiden Sword beforehand.
But barely half a day. He hadn't even received proper instruction. Just the principles and oral formulas of the art, and a single demonstration.
It was impossible to believe. His tightly pressed lips held countless questions.
After hesitating and choosing his words several times, Yuk Ryul finally managed to speak.
"Truly impressive."
Setting aside his bruised pride, he gave the recognition due as a martial artist.
Yuk Jin-yang slowly bowed his head and cupped his hands in respect.
"It was a valuable experience. It's clearly an art that requires more practice to wield freely."
"No need to downplay it to spare my face. Even in the main Yuk Clan compound, teeming with all sorts of monsters, no one's ever been like you. It's downright bizarre."
He had held back in the exchange. Even so, it didn't change how remarkable Yuk Jin-yang's accomplishment was. That sword clash had been mere instruction, not a contest to measure their respective levels.
Yuk Ryul shook his head slowly and asked,
"How old are you?"
"Fifteen."
"Hah."
Merely fifteen.
At that age, Yuk Ryul himself had been racking his brains, unable to comprehend the intricacies of martial theory—despite having started training far earlier than Yuk Jin-yang.
Most clan members had been the same. Save for the rare exceptions like the current clan head, whose names would echo through history.
He rummaged through his memories. Recalling the countless talents of the Zhejiang Yuk Clan, but the conclusion remained unchanged.
As far as Yuk Ryul knew, across his generation and the ones below, no genius in the clan could compare.
Even expanding the scope beyond the Yuk Clan to the entire martial world, it might be the same.
Finally snapping out of his reverie, Yuk Ryul steadied his mind with effort.
Talent was one thing. But the Moon Maiden Sword Art wasn't so shallow that one could claim mastery from a single insight.
"You learn quickly. We can advance a bit further."
"I would be honored to receive your instruction."
Yuk Jin-yang clasped his hands together and replied with polite posture. Contrary to his courteous demeanor, inside he burned with an insatiable thirst for learning.
He wanted to climb higher, faster.
For revenge, yes—but his greed for supreme martial arts burned just as fiercely.
Things he had been forced to abandon in his previous life due to his own limits.
'In this life, I won't miss a single one.'
The training continued.
"The Moon Maiden Sword Art has eight forms. Also called the Eternal Eight Methods. These summarize thirty-two forms left by the Moon Maiden into eight by our clan."
"Inspired by the eight strokes of calligraphy, grouping techniques with common traits to heighten completion?"
"...Your understanding is swift. That's a good thing."
With such a quick learner for a disciple, the master had little left to teach.
Now more at ease, Yuk Ryul glanced sideways at the surroundings. Spectators crowded everywhere. More had arrived upon hearing the news. He tuned his ear to their murmurs.
"Wasn't today the first day of training?"
"It was."
"Not even a full day—half a day, and he's already grasped the Moon Maiden Sword Art?"
"Damn it all, what kind of brain does he have?"
"Born with it, plain and simple."
It was exactly that. The moment Yuk Jin-yang heard the oral formulas, he put the teachings into practice. Growth as if he'd skipped the process of comprehension entirely.
Yuk Ryul's feelings as he watched were profoundly complex.
He'd thought it was just a kitten, but it felt like beholding a tiger cub. One that might grow into a great tiger ruling the greatest mountains, not some lowly hill.
What judgment would the clan head and direct bloodline make upon seeing this young one?
It felt like a typhoon was approaching the long-quiet Yuk Clan.
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"Mastered the Moon Maiden Sword Art in one go?"
"According to Yuk Ryul, yes. He says once the boy refines his stance precisely, there's nothing more to teach."
"Should we give the kid some spirit elixirs? He seems drained—scared stiff by a single swing from his much younger nephew."
Yuk Mu-hyeok brushed off Choe Rim's words with a laugh, as if it were nothing. Choe Rim continued relaying the updates from beside him.
"Rumors are spreading like wildfire through the clan. They say a once-in-millennia talent has appeared in the Yuk Clan."
"Good grief. Do those fools have nothing better to do?"
"He's direct lineage, after all. Can't help drawing more attention."
Yuk Mu-hyeok paced the rear garden with hands clasped behind his back. Contrary to his casual front, his mind was a whirlwind.
It defied reason. The Moon Maiden Sword Art was the clan's foundational martial art, true—but no mere novice could imitate it after one look.
Yet Yuk Mu-hyeok's intellect fully accepted it as plausible.
His youngest grandson was a radiant gem. He'd spotted it at first glance during the Mid-Autumn Festival gathering.
Even among the assembled direct lineage, the boy's aura stood out distinctly. A rare occurrence.
All of Yuk Mu-hyeok's descendants possessed their own merits. At minimum, none lacked to be called masters in the martial world. Yet the youngest grandson asserted his presence even among them.
Comparisons were inevitable.
The eldest grandson, raised with utmost care and fed the finest elixirs.
The youngest grandson, stuck studying in some rural backwater.
Yet Yuk Jin-yang's energy felt clearer, more refined. That was why he'd posed that mischievous question earlier.
The result had been humiliating.
Eldest grandson Yuk Ju-jin had been embarrassed, while the young one neatly parried his prank.
And not even a full day later, he'd shown yet another astonishing feat.
Yuk Mu-hyeok's steps halted. A meaningful remark slipped out.
"Does the boy truly possess the makings of a grandmaster?"
"Perhaps. He carries the blood of both the Yuk Clan and the Dang Clan, after all."
The clan head's eyebrow twitched.
"That's precisely the problem—that Dang Clan. If only it had been the Sichuan Dang Clan... Not my ideal match by any means, but they wouldn't have left my son buried in the countryside for over a decade."
"..."
"And what's the use of fine seed in barren soil? It's like planting a lotus-petal orchid in the desert or releasing a dragonfish into muddy waters. Half his growth window missed—how could he thrive properly?"
The clan head deftly changed the subject. Sensing his discomfort with the prior topic, Choe Rim quickly followed suit.
"Who knows? Release a flood dragon from a stream into the great ocean, and it might ascend to the heavens."
"Calling it a flood dragon without proper verification? Overdoing it."
His mind wandered elsewhere.
His feelings toward his youngest son's family remained poor. But letting hatred ruin major affairs would be foolish.
After a brief hesitation, Yuk Mu-hyeok spoke.
"Have Yuk Ryul return to his original duties soon."
"To the Five Harmony Alliance?"
"If he truly has grandmaster potential, wasting him on basics is foolish. Better he comprehends alone. Opening the martial repository should suffice."
An assessment born from Yuk Mu-hyeok's own experience. The Grand Steward nodded without objection.
"Understood."
"And assign a sharp one to the boy's side."
"A sharp one?"
"Yes. Someone tenacious enough to shadow his every move, keen enough to read between the lines. Increase his guard as a bonus."
The Grand Steward hesitated briefly before asking,
"Will you clip his wings before he ascends?"
"Clip him? I'm assigning a useful limb to aid him. The guard's to prevent any fools from scheming."
Yuk Mu-hyeok snapped irritably.
Too valuable to discard. The thought had circled his mind since the Mid-Autumn Festival.
That day, the clan head had agonized endlessly.
How to deal with a grandson bearing heretic blood. Whether to forgive his defiant son, or impose collective punishment on the daughter-in-law.
But the persistent issue of succession had tipped the scales.
A capable but unexceptional eldest son.
The grandson he'd sired.
Both dissatisfied him, despite being the best among the direct line.
In peaceful times, the eldest son alone would suffice.
But the world was far from tranquil.
Not only did remnants of the Northern Yuan linger, but black道 factions risen in the late Yuan still sowed chaos.
In such turbulent eras, blind defense wouldn't do. They needed a hero bold enough to strike decisively.
"Our founding ancestor was a mere bandit, yet rose as a hero. Grand Progenitor Han was the same."
"Young Master Jin-yang's talent pleases you. A flood dragon remains one, even raised in a brook."
Choe Rim artlessly echoed the clan head's earlier words. A chuckle escaped Yuk Mu-hyeok's stern lips.
"Yes, I'll watch for now."
"Then...?"
Tsk, Yuk Mu-hyeok clicked his tongue and added,
"The child himself is blameless."
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After that first day of training, Yuk Jin-yang felt overt stares observing him from all directions.
'Probably people from the other factions.'
He had anticipated it.
The Zhejiang Yuk Clan currently lacked a proper heir. Every direct lineage member qualified for the seat.
Yuk Jin-yang was no exception. His uncles and cousins had ample reason to wary of his sudden appearance.
Should he have hidden his abilities? Yuk Jin-yang didn't think so.
Biding time while curled up lacked both time and foundation.
Clan head Yuk Mu-hyeok's days were numbered—not by lifespan, but because soon, despite years left, he'd shed worldly ties and ascend as an immortal.
Information only Yuk Jin-yang, who knew the future, possessed. Generously, a few years. He had to settle things within that span.
And given the clan head's emphasis on talent, Yuk Jin-yang was certain he wouldn't be left alone after revealing his gifts.
A few days later, his prediction proved spot on.
"Today, I have someone to introduce you to."
He arrived at the training ground for morning practice.
Beside the already-present Yuk Ryul stood an unfamiliar face. A young boy dressed in scholar's robes. Faint waves of pure energy emanated from him—he'd trained in martial arts to some degree.
"I'm Hwang Dal-pyeong, from the Steward's Office."
The boy scholar bowed politely. His tone was refined yet confident.
"By the clan head's order, I'll be assisting Young Master."
Yuk Jin-yang carefully schooled his expression. To hide his delight.
Hwang Dal-pyeong—the man who would later rise to Grand Steward, called the confidant of future clan heads. A talent who would surely shine under his wing.
Neither Yuk Mu-hyeok nor the current Grand Steward could have overlooked his potential. Assigning such a brainy aide meant they held high expectations for Yuk Jin-yang.