WeTried Translations
Translator/Editor: ZERO_SUGAR
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Chapter 139: The Rear Waves of the Yangtze Push the Front Waves (13)
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“It was a tremendous honor to meet the Leader of the Guangdong Martial Alliance!”
“...You delivered the letter remarkably quickly. Thank you.”
“Not at all! I wanted to come at once to see the place where the Leader of the White-Robed League, who rose to Hunan’s Three Greats at such a young age, learned and grew up. But to meet the Martial Alliance Leader as well... Truly... I am deeply moved!”
The young martial artist’s face reddened and their eyes sparkled as they clasped their hands and withdrew.
Their steps were light. They appeared to be a first-rate expert with exceptional mastery of lightness art.
“...”
Yi Yubaek stood blinking until the young martial artist disappeared from sight. Then he let out a hollow laugh.
“What in the world is going on?”
A martial artist from the Central Plains came to Guangdong and was that overwhelmed?
And what were Hunan’s Three Greats?
How had Yeon Sowol become the Leader of the White-Robed League in the first place? What even was the White-Robed League?
“He sent a letter just recently, too.”
It had been less than two weeks ago. An outstanding martial artist had delivered a letter then as well. Judging by the dates, the messenger must have possessed extraordinary lightness art.
Everyone had been surprised that someone like that had run an errand delivering a letter, and that every gesture had been so respectful.
Yet another letter had arrived.
This messenger seemed even more skilled than the last.
Judging by the dates, they had crossed the distance from Hunan at an absurd speed.
They had also been even more polite than the previous martial artist.
In his last letter, Sowol had confidently claimed that he had become famous.
It seemed that had not been an empty boast.
“Hmm.”
Yi Yubaek forced down the corner of his mouth, which kept trying to rise, and slowly opened the letter.
His expression stiffened.
[My closest friend among those I met here has died. Her name is Moyong Ha. I wish to avenge her. But I fear that, if things go wrong, I may come into conflict with Yuezhou’s provincial governor and bring trouble upon the Guangdong Martial Alliance and Father as well.]
The letter calmly laid out what had happened and what troubled him now.
The handwriting was steady, but Yi Yubaek could read the concern and fear within it.
“...That boy. Is he worrying about me?”
Yi Yubaek sighed.
The provincial governor of Yuezhou.
He would not be an easy opponent.
Even the seventh-rank county magistrate of Shinheung County carried exceptional authority within Shinheung County. How much greater would the authority of a fourth-rank provincial governor in a major city like Yuezhou be?
A conflict with such a man could be seen as defying the authority of the government, and even the Emperor.
But...
“That is what it means to be a person of Jianghu.”
Yi Yubaek smiled faintly.
What mattered to a person of Jianghu was how they conducted themselves.
If one raged about without knowing heaven from earth, like a reckless fool, one would be broken and killed. But if one knew when to stand firm and when to yield, one could carve out a path that had never existed before.
Yi Yubaek had already taught Yeon Sowol well how to conduct himself.
‘So there’s no need to worry. He’s already better than I am.’
He took out a brush and wrote a reply.
He left out all the long-winded explanations.
Only four characters.
[If you examine yourself and find yourself upright.]
* * *
The martial arts tournament had ended.
One person stood tall, while the other sat on the ground.
“...”
“...”
The spectators could not speak.
They had been overwhelmed by the terrifying yet beautiful melody of martial arts that had unfolded on the platform, unable to move even a finger at will.
“That was a fine match.”
The man standing alone, Jin Hyeogo, drew his black spear in against his body and clasped his hands.
“Ugh... This is as far as I go.”
Shin Si-ye shakily rose to her feet, sheathed her sword with trembling hands, and returned the salute.
“I learned a great deal, Hero Jin.”
“The feeling is mutual.”
After two draws, their third match had finally produced a winner.
Jin Hyeogo had defeated Shin Si-ye and become the final champion of the martial arts tournament.
As everyone remained caught in silence, a four-man palanquin began to move smoothly.
Even the bearers were experts. They leaped lightly onto the platform, yet the palanquin did not shake in the slightest.
A massive parasol rose above it in place of a roof, while railings surrounded its four sides in place of walls.
Beneath the parasol’s shade, an old man with snow-white hair and eyebrows sat upright on a lavishly carved wooden chair.
Rumble!
At the same time, soldiers and commanders flooded onto every part of the platform with a thunderous roar.
Flap!
Flap!
Heavily embroidered banners fluttered from all directions.
Flying leopards, savage goblin faces, and elegant cranes were vividly embroidered on them. Words such as “Command,” “Yuezhou Official Hall,” and “Maintain Silence” rippled in the wind.
“Silence!”
Someone shouted loudly enough for all of Yuezhou to hear.
“Suixian Grand Master, provincial governor of Yuezhou and Commanding Defense Commissioner! His Excellency Yang Hoeam has arrived!”
Boom!
Booom!
Low drumbeats rang out from every side, thundering against their chests.
Thump! Thump!
The soldiers, who had somehow seized control of every corner, stamped their feet and struck the ground with their spear shafts.
Their display of power was so overwhelming that the spectators turned pale and frozen, barely able to breathe as their eyes darted around.
Jin Hyeogo and Shin Si-ye, the stars of the final match, silently clasped their hands and lowered their heads.
Thump!
For an instant, the soldiers stamped in unison.
Then all fell silent.
A great crowd had gathered, yet not even the sound of breathing could be heard.
Was the distant splashing the sound of fish striking the surface of Dongting Lake?
Only the occasional flap of a banner disturbed the stillness.
Then Yang Hoeam’s voice rang out.
“Martial artist Jin. Congratulations on your victory. I knew you would win.”
His voice was light and teasing, easing the taut atmosphere.
Jin Hyeogo answered gently.
“Did Your Excellency know? Until just moments ago, I did not. Junior Shin’s sword was so sharp that I wasn’t sure I could defeat her.”
“You are as fond of false modesty as ever.”
“Perhaps Your Excellency is simply too broad-minded.”
Their light exchange was a kind of signal.
It told everyone that they could relax.
The spectators read the mood and finally breathed more easily. A few even laughed softly.
Yet the arena, which had begun to grow slightly noisy, became quiet as a graveyard again the moment Yang Hoeam raised a hand.
“You have not only honed your martial arts to stand tall and become an example to countless people, but restored Yuezhou’s pride as well. I should reward you.”
At his gesture, a civil official standing behind him stepped forward carrying a large silver tray.
Gold ingots were piled upon it. Inside a fitted wooden case lay a single book.
“That is...!”
The spectators stared at the glittering gold and swallowed, but Jin Hyeogo’s eyes never left the book.
<Pure Unity Spear Method>
“You should know it. It is an advanced spear method left behind by a deceased master. I selected it carefully because I thought it would suit your spear arts. Study it deeply, and you may gain new insight.”
Jin Hyeogo accepted the book with trembling hands.
“...It is a secret manual I have searched for everywhere. It is an excellent spear method in itself, but it is priceless to me because it is a single insight that can fill what I lack. I will not forget this kindness.”
Jin Hyeogo’s voice trembled, and his eyes reddened slightly.
Yang Hoeam only grinned as if it were nothing.
“What kindness? Between us? Do you remember? In our youth, we roamed Dongting Lake together and subjugated water raiders.”
“I still dream of it sometimes.”
The mood warmed.
The spectators began whispering among themselves again.
“That’s right. Come to think of it, His Excellency the provincial governor is from Hunan as well.”
“I heard the stories too. Even in his youth, he gathered heroes and worked tirelessly to ease the lives of the common people.”
Yang Hoeam gave not only Jin Hyeogo but also Shin Si-ye words of encouragement, along with some gold and a high-grade spiritual elixir.
That was not all.
He called up the notable martial artists who had performed well throughout the tournament one by one and awarded them gold.
The martial artists were pleased to receive the gold, but they took even greater pride in being personally called upon by Yuezhou’s provincial governor.
At last, every martial artist had left the platform.
Yang Hoeam sat quietly for a while, as if savoring the silence, and slowly surveyed them all.
Then he asked casually, “Well? Did you enjoy the days of the martial arts tournament?”
Countless spectators answered at once.
“Yes, Your Excellency!”
“We did!”
A benevolent smile appeared on Yang Hoeam’s lips.
“That is good. But...”
His presence changed in an instant.
“You have enjoyed yourselves enough by now, have you not?”
Boom!
The soldiers stamped their feet in unison and drove their spears into the ground.
The spectators quickly shrank back, reading the mood.
“A daughter of the prestigious Moyong Family of Liaoning suffered a horrific death on this land. I had to find the culprit. And I did. It was the water raiders of Dongting Lake. Those detestable bastards, connected to the Yangtze River Waterway Stronghold, whose roots could never be torn out no matter how hard one tried.”
Yang Hoeam swept his cold eyes across the crowd.
“I have endured until now. I wished to immediately lead soldiers in a sweeping assault, but I waited for the right time. Instead, I dispatched many soldiers here and took great care to ensure that this martial arts tournament ended safely and enjoyably. I put in that much effort for your enjoyment.”
The arena grew quieter.
A few people nodded as they listened.
Those who saw them cautiously nodded along.
“But you have already enjoyed yourselves. It is time to act. Here and now, I declare war on the water raiders. To that end, I will impose a complete travel ban throughout the Dongting Lake region. Every pleasure house and tavern with a view of Dongting Lake will close.”
A few people were startled.
Even the pleasure houses and taverns would be closed?
But they saw the others, rigid as ice, giving faint nods and followed suit.
Well, the provincial governor had said nothing despite how chaotic things had been.
He said they were going to war with the water raiders. They could secretly collude with the water raiders through the Dongting Lake shore, so this made sense...
“I also warn the martial artists of Yuezhou. Do not move about carelessly. We do not know who may be in league with the water raiders. Anyone caught moving about recklessly will be dealt with severely.”
The martial artists looked at one another.
But they saw famous martial artists nodding with expressions that said, “That could happen,” and, “That’s right,” so they nodded along.
In truth, those famous martial artists had all received gold moments earlier.
The atmosphere was being shaped steadily.
Exactly as Yang Hoeam wanted.
Until Mid-Autumn Festival, Yuezhou would fall under his ironclad control.
The martial arts tournament was ending with Yang Hoeam displaying his authority.
It was a fitting conclusion to a tournament enjoyed by all of Yuezhou. The highest-ranking person in Yuezhou had come to praise them and bring it to a close.
But even then, people felt an inexplicable sense of unease.
‘What is it?’
‘It feels like something is missing.’
‘Something...’
Like an itch trapped inside a shoe.
Like a thirst that would not go away.
* * *
“Sowol.”
Jin Geol called to Yeon Sowol.
He looked openly nervous.
“Are you really going in? In this atmosphere?”
Yeon Sowol and his group stood above the basin where the platform had been set up.
Soldiers and commanders stood in orderly rows.
Banners fluttered.
Yang Hoeam had the entire arena under his control.
If he signaled for people to laugh, they laughed. If he tightened the atmosphere, they all fell silent.
The authority of Yuezhou’s provincial governor shook the entire area.
It seemed impossible to put a crack in this atmosphere.
No. Was it even all right to try?
Would it not be like striking a rock with an egg?
If they opposed a provincial governor like this, would his anger reach their families as well?
But...
Rustle.
Yeon Sowol took a letter from his robe.
It was the reply he had received from Yi Yubaek that morning.
Jin Geol recognized it and asked, “Is that it? The reply your adoptive father sent?”
“Yeah.”
Yeon Sowol nodded and unfolded it.
[If you examine yourself and find yourself upright.]
Only four characters.
Jin Geol peered at it from behind and muttered, “Mencius.”
“Yeah.”
Mencius was one of the Four Books and Five Classics, required reading for anyone who wished to learn. The maxim was a passage from it.
Jin Geol, deeply versed in Confucian learning, naturally knew it. So did Yeon Sowol, who had learned only the basics since coming here.
If you examine yourself and find yourself upright.
Jin Geol and Yeon Sowol spoke the next line together.
“Though ten million people stand in my way, I will go.”
A shiver ran through Jin Geol.
His expression suddenly tightened with emotion.
Yeon Sowol carefully folded the letter and put it back into his robe.
With unwavering eyes, he parted his lips.
“Let’s begin.”
Footnotes:
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