Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 114

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Third-rate Martial Arts Family, Greatest Under Heaven – Episode 114
“Jin Sam, how’s your body feeling?”
“Good. Thanks for worrying about me, Jin Sam.”
“Don’t mention it. We’re the Baek Sprout Three Threes, after all!”
“That’s right. Now that you’ve come to the main house, the Baek Sprout Three Threes is finally complete!”
“…Am I actually included in that nickname?”
“Of course. We need three Sams for it to be the Baek Sprout Three Threes.”
Common folk without means or education often gave their children numbers as names.
Names like Wang Sam, Wang Chil, and so forth.
Since the Baek Sprout Group had many orphans and children from unfortunate circumstances, names naturally overlapped—and it just happened there were three boys named Sam.
“Wang Sam! Jang Sam! And Jin Sam! Together, the Baek Sprout Three Threes!”
“It’s finally complete!”
Jin Geum-bo’s son, Jin Sam, spoke hesitantly.
“But my name is written with the character for ‘ginseng,’ not the number three…”
“What does it matter? It’s still pronounced ‘Sam’ anyway.”
“Jin Sam, why don’t you ask your father to change your name to the number three character?”
“That’s a bit much…”
Yang Hwi, overhearing the conversation between the three Sams, let out a quiet chuckle.
“These little ones are adorable, playing around like that.”
Well, it was a good sign. It meant their familiarity was deepening into genuine bonds.
After more than a month of being beaten together, camaraderie naturally sprouted.
Or perhaps it was more accurate to call it the sympathy of shared suffering.
‘At this rate, I can take a break from Chasing Qi and Opening Meridians for a while.’
For nearly a month straight, I had been massaging the bodies of the Baek Sprout members almost daily.
The consumption of true qi was enormous, making it an exhausting time even for me.
It would have been impossible without consuming eight more Spirit Pills at Geom Wang’s Fortress and pushing past the second stage of inner cultivation.
Physical training divided into two categories.
External and internal.
While there was still room for external advancement, it was time to begin internal training in parallel.
Strengthening the meridians, maximizing the efficiency and speed of true qi circulation.
Most importantly, I needed to break through the meridians I hadn’t yet opened.
Connecting all meridians through opening the Conception and Governing Vessels was one of the prerequisites for reaching the pinnacle.
‘Thanks to relentlessly pursuing Chasing Qi and Opening Meridians, my true qi circulation has improved dramatically.’
With memories from my past life, I could manipulate true qi in ways others couldn’t match.
However, handling true qi well and having superior true qi circulation were different things.
The former belonged to technique, while the latter belonged to the realm of the body.
To put it simply, it was like this.
A path becomes firmer and cleaner the more people walk upon it.
In that sense, meridians were also paths.
‘Because I pushed true qi to the point of overload, the meridians became tougher and wider.’
It was precisely why I had resorted to methods bordering on violence to conduct the Chujung and blood refinement.
By channeling the Hwacheon Seon-gi through my hands and feet, I could simultaneously advance my own cultivation.
“Elder brother!”
A lively voice rang through the air.
I turned my head with a brightened expression.
“Yeon-a!”
Baek Yeon-yeon bounded toward me with sprightly, deer-like steps.
“Elder brother! Kyaa! It’s been forever!”
Baek Yeon-yeon was as affectionate and adorable as ever.
My precious younger sister, growing up beautifully just as she had in my past life.
“Is that so? You’ve returned from the academy?”
“Yes! I’m staying at the main house for a month.”
“I see. Welcome home.”
Unlike Baek Heon-so, who devoted himself entirely to martial arts, Baek Yeon-yeon had been attending the academy for about two years now.
For the Baek Family to become the hegemon of a region and earn respect as leaders, we needed to cultivate not only martial prowess but also cultural influence.
In this regard, the Baek Family possessed one advantage.
Our matriarch, Jeong In-hwa, was the daughter of a renowned scholar from the region.
This was why Baek Yeon-yeon could study at the Yangsu Academy, the most prestigious academy in Gangseong Province.
‘The problem is that in my past life, Yeon-a’s death was connected to the Yangsu Academy.’
The Yangsu Academy, named after Ouyang Xiu, a native of Yuanzhou in Gangxi and one of the Eight Great Prose Masters of the Tang and Song dynasties.
All who studied here came from powerful families and influential households.
‘Well, my standing is entirely different from my past life, when I barely managed to gain entry through recommendation. I won’t end up like I did before.’
Still, I decided to take precautions whenever the opportunity arose.
I was in the midst of catching up on gossip with Baek Yeon-yeon and strengthening our sibling bond when—
“Young Master Seo.”
Gu Ak, who had approached unnoticed, called out to me.
Baek Yeon-yeon’s eyes lit up at the sight of Gu Hwa-hwa perched on Gu Ak’s shoulders.
“Hwa-hwa!”
“Oh! Sister!”
Baek Yeon-yeon caught Gu Hwa-hwa as she bounced down and spun her around.
“Kyaaa! I missed our Hwa-hwa so much!”
“Me too! I missed you, sister!”
“Aww, really? Here! Here! Since you’re so cute, I’ll pet you!”
“Kyahaha! Kyahaha!”
Gu Ak and I fell silent for a moment, contentedly watching the scene before us.
With the Baek Family Head’s two darlings together, cuteness seemed to overflow.
“By the way, Elder Brother Gu. What brings you here?”
“Forgive me for my scattered mind. We have a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
“It is Miss Chu Yong-wol of the Baek Trading Company. The Han Supervisor is currently attending to her, but she is asking for you, Young Master.”
Hmm. It’s obvious they’ve come asking for the next novel.
Now that I think about it, it’s been roughly three years since I last released one.
I’ve certainly been busy during that time.
Besides, there hasn’t been any urgent need for large sums of money recently.
“Understood.”
I moved to the pavilion where the Supervisor’s office was located and opened the door.
“Han Supervisor. I’ve arrived.”
Han Supervisor and Chu Yong-wol, who had been conversing with serious expressions, turned their heads.
“Young Master Baek! It’s been so long!”
“It has been a while, Miss Chu.”
Chu Yong-wol, who had been taller than me when we first met.
Now there was a height difference of about one and a half heads, so I had to lower my gaze considerably to meet her eyes.
“Miss Chu. I’ll prepare the next novel soon. Since the reputation of ‘One Stroke Masterpiece’ is spreading beyond Kangxi Province, let’s elevate our influence even further through the next work.”
“Ah, Young Master. Today’s visit isn’t related to the novel.”
“Then what is it?”
Chu Yong-wol, her expression grave, continued speaking.
“We’ve come to request the Baek Family’s assistance.”
Assistance?
The Baek Seo Trading Company, which started as a bookstore, has been conducting business primarily in books and paper while steadily expanding its influence.
There shouldn’t be any immediate need for martial clan support.
“Is it regarding escort services?”
“No. It’s for defense.”
Defense. I think I understand what this is about.
“Could it be that Namchang’s merchant guilds are attacking the Baek Seo Trading Company?”
“Young Master is always remarkably perceptive.”
Chu Yong-wol sighed and began her explanation.
“While the identity of ‘One Stroke Masterpiece’ being Young Master Baek is a secret, the fact that our company walks in step with the Baek Family is now widely known.”
“That’s true. Whenever we needed supplies or the company’s assistance, we always contacted the Baek Seo Trading Company.”
“Because of that, pressure has been mounting from Namchang’s merchant circles—specifically from the escort houses. I’ve come to discuss this matter.”
The Baek Seo Trading Company, while located in Namchang, entrusted all its commercial escorts to the Baek Family’s Gaecheon Escort House.
It seems the escort houses in Namchang have seized upon this point.
‘The reason they’re deliberately stirring up trouble is…’
Namchang, the provincial capital and largest city of Kangxi Province.
In such a city, there is one martial sect that feels threatened by the Baek Family’s rise.
“Baek Ui-mun of Namchang First Sect. They’re the ones behind this.”
“Exactly. More precisely, it’s Changil Escort House.”
Just hearing the name told me what kind of place it was.
“They took their name from Namchang First.”
“That’s right. Changil Escort House is the largest escort operation in Namchang. Furthermore.”
“They maintain close ties with Baek Ui-mun.”
“That’s the correct answer.”
The picture became clear enough.
“Since there’s no justification to provoke directly, they’re moving the Changil Piao Bureau to attack the Baek Seo Trading Company, which appears to be an ally of the Baek Family.”
“Our trading company has also come to understand the circumstances in this manner.”
If it were merely pressure from a single piao bureau, we could simply ignore it.
But if Baek Ui-mun is backing them, the situation becomes entirely different.
Better to take precautions early rather than wish we had stopped it with a hoe when we’re stuck using a pickaxe.
‘Baek Ui-mun… quite an aggressive faction. In my past life, they even annihilated the Jeong Wol-mun sect.’
Besides, for the main family to assert itself as the hegemon of Gangseong, we needed to control Namchang, the provincial capital.
How convenient that they’re picking a fight with us now—it’s like getting slapped on the cheek when you wanted to cry.
“Young Master Hwi. What do you think would be best? I believe we should first convene a council meeting and discuss this matter.”
Doing so would disturb Baek Moo-ryang, who had once again fallen into deep meditation.
“There’s no need for such formality. It’s hardly a serious matter.”
“Hardly serious, you say? Do you perhaps have a clever scheme in mind?”
I grinned, watching Han Supervisor and Chu Yong-wol’s eyes sparkle with anticipation.
“This is a perfect opportunity. I’ve been thinking it’s time to expand into Namchang anyway, and this works out nicely.”
Besides, I was planning to take a break from those Baek A-dan fellows’ interrogations for the next month or so—might as well make a light trip there and back.
“I’ll go to Namchang directly and resolve this matter.”
“Ohhhhh!”
Joy bloomed across Han Supervisor’s face.
“Our talented young master steps forward once again! Go! You’ll surely bring back mountains of profit!”
‘Well, this time I’m planning to spend money rather than earn it.’
Though, I intend to pull out even greater gains than that, so in a sense, it is still earning.

* * *
That very day, I packed my belongings and set out from the Baek Family estate with Chu Yong-wol.
Unlike before, when the Tang Siblings, Gu Ak, and Chu Dal had accompanied me, now I traveled alone.
‘I don’t know about the others, but without that rascal Chu Dal, it feels rather empty.’
Without the one who had clung to my side from my past life to this one, constantly bickering—it was somewhat lonely, I must admit.
Especially since there was nothing to do while riding in the carriage anyway.
“Yang Hwi. This humble monk is hungry.”
‘…Well, he’s here at least.’
The creature occupying half the carriage.
It was Adu.
“Just be patient a little longer. We’ll arrive at Namchang soon.”
“Will you buy me rice cakes? Please offer this humble monk some rice cakes as alms.”
Adu thrust forward a hand the size of a pot lid.
I thought that to fill that palm with rice cakes, I’d need silver coins rather than copper.
“Fine. I’ll give you alms. But in return, let’s work hard today too. Remember what I said before? Those who don’t work—”
“—shouldn’t eat either! This humble monk is a diligent laborer. Amitabha Buddha.”
The carriage clattered onward, clip-clop, clip-clop.
About an hour after Namchang came into view.
The carriage came to a halt before the gates of the Changil Escort House.
I cupped my fist and bowed to the gatekeeper.
“Would you be kind enough to announce us within? We have an honored guest.”
“Forgive me, but who might you be?”
“I am Yang Hwi of the Baek Family. Once you inform them, they will know.”
Sure enough, my party was promptly escorted into the escort house.
After waiting briefly in the reception hall, the master of the Changil Escort House appeared.
“Hmm. I never expected such an uninvited guest. I am Yeo Gu-wi, master of the Changil Escort House.”
“A pleasure to meet you, Master.”
“What brings the recently renowned Heavenly Ascension Sword Dragon to my humble establishment?”
The master’s face bore a mixture of caution and indifference.
‘No doubt he assumes I’ve come to cajole or plead with him.’
In such moments, one must shatter expectations.
Spectacularly, at that.
“I’ll be direct with you. I wish to purchase the Changil Escort House.”
The master’s face twisted instantly.
“Sell my family business? Are you insulting me now! You’ve gained some fleeting fame and grown arrogant, haven’t you!”
The master’s sharp rebuke. Yet I smiled gently.
“Three thousand gold taels.”
“No matter what you offer, I have no intention of—what did you just say?”
Shock washed over the master’s face.
It was far too large a sum to refuse outright without even hearing the terms.
‘Let me show you what true extravagance looks like, Baek Ui-mun.’

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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