Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 115

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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 115
A Pyoguk (鏢局)—an organization that generates revenue through transport and security services.
Having been a wanderer in my past life, I understood the nature of Pyoguk operations quite well.
I had even served as an escort agent myself, albeit briefly, so there was no way I could be ignorant of such matters.
‘While a Pyoguk can be considered a type of martial sect to which warriors belong, it operates on fundamentally different principles than ordinary sects.’
That was precisely why I could make such a proposal.
“Three thousand gold coins. I wish to purchase Changil Pyoguk for three thousand gold coins.”
What would happen if I went to the Namgung Family and said I wanted to buy everything they possessed?
Regardless of the amount, they would immediately draw their blades, claiming I had insulted the family.
Even if I fled, I would become the target of an assassination order.
But Yeo Gu-wi, the Guild Master of Changil Pyoguk, reacted differently.
“Th-three thousand coins…? Are you serious?”
“Would I jest before the Guild Master himself? Especially regarding a family enterprise.”
Changil Pyoguk boasted the greatest influence in Namchang, the capital of Gangwon Province.
The annual earnings from escort operations alone reached five hundred gold coins.
A year’s business could establish five solid enterprises outright.
And yet.
Three thousand gold coins—equivalent to three hundred thousand silver coins—was a sum substantial enough to shake the Guild Master’s resolve.
‘Three thousand gold coins. That amounts to six years of this Pyoguk’s profits, does it not…!’
Only six years’ worth, you say?
Only the ignorant would harbor such doubts.
When accounting for operational expenses and necessary reinvestment, a Guild Master could pocket merely one hundred gold coins annually.
‘Three thousand coins! More than double the accumulated family wealth passed down through generations… Hmm.’
Before Yang Hwi, with whom he maintained a subtly adversarial relationship, the Guild Master had revealed his emotions too openly.
Realizing this, Yeo Gu-wi composed his expression.
I observed the Guild Master with leisurely composure.
‘As expected. There’s room to negotiate. No—it’s overflowing.’
Baek Ui-mun had purchased Changil Pyoguk to provoke the Baek Seo-sang-dan.
The simplest solution was to bring Changil Pyoguk to my side.
‘Unlike martial sects, money is supreme when recruiting a Pyoguk.’
This was because, unlike ordinary martial organizations, Pyoguks were born from the pursuit of profit.
“Well? Three thousand gold coins. Is that insufficient to purchase your family enterprise?”
“Hmm….”
The Guild Master trailed off, his mind visibly working.
‘Since the opening offer is three thousand coins, if I wait, I might receive more.’
“Three thousand coins is certainly a substantial sum. However, this Pyoguk has been a family enterprise passed down through generations of the Yeo Family.”
His lips curved upward. Such a response meant he was already considering the sale.
“I see. Unfortunately, I have only three thousand coins to my name. What a pity. Since my business here is concluded, I shall take my leave.”
I rose to my feet, regarding the Guild Master with a meaningful smile.
“I will be staying at the Baek Seo-sang-dan’s estate. When we meet next, the offer will be twenty-five hundred coins, so do keep that in mind.”
I turned and walked toward the guest hall’s door.
I’d taken about five steps.
“Baek Sohyeop, wait a moment!”
‘He has the qualifications to stand above the Guild Master of Namchang First Pyoguk. His mind works quite quickly.’
“It’s too late. We’ll start at twenty-eight hundred taels.”
“….”
In that brief moment, beads of sweat formed on the Guild Master’s forehead.
He seemed to be deliberating quite seriously.
“Phew. The eldest son of the Baek Family is renowned for possessing both martial prowess and strategic acumen. I must say, I’m genuinely impressed. Please, sit down.”
The moment I sat, the Guild Master continued speaking.
“First, I must ask. Why make such a proposal?”
“As you know, to strike back decisively against Baek Ui-mun’s interference, I need to sway the Changil Pyoguk that he’s been manipulating to my side.”
“You speak of ‘swaying’ when you’re actually buying it outright? Your ambition is truly remarkable.”
I shrugged my shoulders.
“But I must confirm something. Does the Baek Family Head possess such a fortune of three thousand taels?”
“Twenty-eight hundred taels. The way you’re asking suggests you won’t sell unless it’s paid in full immediately.”
“My tongue truly slips before you. Correct. This is a major decision on our end as well, so shouldn’t we satisfy at least a modicum of greed?”
A fair point. From the start, I’d intended to pay in full to handle matters swiftly.
I pulled out a bundle of promissory notes from my pocket.
“Three thousand taels in gold notes. Ah, I should remove two before handing them over.”
The Guild Master’s eyes widened as he took the bundle.
Then he let out a long sigh.
“Quite the feeling. You came here confident from the start.”
“Rather than confidence, I came determined to make this happen. It would be more accurate to say I had faith in my ability to do so.”
“Heh.”
The Guild Master marveled at Yang Hwi’s strategic mind and his boldness.
“Sohyeop. Are you truly fifteen?”
“I’ve turned sixteen after my birthday.”
“I simply cannot believe it. Had my own son inherited even half of Sohyeop’s qualities, he wouldn’t have fallen to temptation.”
‘That would be true. If not for the weakness of an inadequate successor, three thousand taels wouldn’t have been enough.’
Yeo Gu-wi’s son was notorious throughout Namchang as a wastrel.
If the guild were left to him, its prosperity would certainly decline.
Since the family business couldn’t continue to flourish indefinitely, it was better to sell it and keep the money.
One could endure squandering money, but losing the family business would be unbearable, if only for pride’s sake.
“However, there’s something I must tell you. A considerable portion of this guild’s earnings come from commissions by Baek Ui-mun. Are you aware?”
This was the reason for the close exchange between Baek Ui-mun and Changil Pyoguk, and why Changil Pyoguk had accepted Baek Ui-mun’s manipulation.
“I’m aware.”
“You’re buying it for three thousand taels in gold, but its value could drop by half.”
Yang Hwi gave the Guild Master a slightly surprised look.
‘There was no need to mention this fact. He’s a more decent person than I expected.’
Should I adjust my plan slightly?
“You understand that as well. Furthermore, I’m aware that the moment you step back from the front lines, a considerable number of the couriers will abandon the guild.”
The couriers of a guild occupy a position somewhere between the martial artists of the martial world and wandering mercenaries.
Though they belong to a guild organization and receive regular stipends for their work, they resemble wandering mercenaries in that they shift their allegiance to pursue better conditions.
For this reason, guilds and their couriers in the martial world are often classified as semi-official organizations and martial artists.
“What matters as much as profit is the situation the guild faces and the capabilities of its leader. In that sense, might I offer a proposal?”
“What sort of proposal?”
“Changil Pyoguk will become part of Gaecheon Pyoguk, which our main family operates.”
“I anticipated as much.”
“I will establish a new division called Changil-dang within Gaecheon Pyoguk. Would you take on the role of division leader?”
In other words, I was asking him to transfer ownership of the guild while continuing to work alongside me.
“In return, I will add two hundred nyang to the twenty-eight hundred nyang, and provide you with a satisfactory salary as well.”
The guild master marveled once more at my magnanimity.
“Can I trust you, Guild Master? What if you use me as a spy for Baek Ui-mun?”
My answer to this was straightforward.
“You don’t seem like the type to engage in unprofitable ventures. Besides, Baek Ui-mun couldn’t afford to either.”
In other words, I was confident I could make any collusion between the Changil Pyoguk master and Baek Ui-mun disadvantageous.
“Do you have reason for such confidence?”
“Of course.”
I reviewed the plan I had just modified on the spot once more.
Originally, I had intended to find a suitable talent and entrust them with it.
But using the Changil Pyoguk master seemed far more efficient.
‘People naturally aspire to climb higher. All the more so if they’ve lingered long in the position of second-in-command.’
I smiled faintly and brought up the next matter.
“Would you not wish to become the overlord of Namchang?”
“….”
The guild master fell silent, listening intently to what would follow.
Soon his eyes widened.

* * *
One of Gong Wol-hyeok’s hobbies, as the Family Head of Baek Ui-mun, was the art of tea.
Precious tea leaves procured from the distant regions of Yunnan and Sichuan, and as hot water was poured, a fragrant aroma stimulated his nostrils.
‘No matter when I drink it, the fragrance is exquisite.’
A luxury I could only enjoy because I had seized the position of Namchang First Pyoguk from Baek Ui-mun.
Money brings happiness to people.
Doing and possessing what was impossible for others was itself the highest pleasure.
‘So I must seize more. Ever more.’
This inclination of Gong Ya-hyeok’s was also the reason why Baek Ui-mun, which had once been the righteous sect of the illustrious Baek Do, was now in this generation openly expanding its influence and pursuing profit.
“You there.”
The door to the Family Head’s chamber opened immediately, and a subordinate entered.
“You called for me, Family Head?”
The Baek Ui-mun Family Head wore a satisfied expression.
“Check whether anyone has arrived from the Baek Seo-sang-dan.”
“Understood.”
The subordinate, performing the salute of respect, launched his body through the air using lightness technique.
The power to command people with merely a word.
Authority that only the possessor could enjoy.
‘But… it is still insufficient.’
Greater power. More wealth and glory.
Though I enjoy much, it all feels inevitable.
I lack it, and must seize more and hold it in my grasp.
Gong Ya-hyeok believed he deserved such things.
‘Therefore, I must certainly seize the power and authority held by the Elder Council and make it my own.’
Baek Ui-mun. True to its name, a sect born when a hundred masters of skill united their will.
Because of this, the Family Head’s authority was not particularly great.
In fact, the authority to select the successor Family Head for the next generation rested with the Elder Council.
Moreover, any major decision required the Elder Council’s approval.
‘The Baek Family. Troublesome, but an excellent pretext.’
Such was Gong Ya-hyeok’s plan.
Naturally, when a powerful external enemy emerges, it unites the interior as one.
And at such times, the authority of the leader could only grow stronger.
‘Make the Baek Family an enemy of this sect to expand my authority and gather the disciples’ will toward me…!’
The Baek Family’s influence had grown noticeably in mere years, and from their actions, there was clearly a brilliant strategist lurking within.
If I could make the Elder Council, sensing a threat to the Family Head’s authority, take action.
After a full conflict emerges, through covert schemes, I could lead the Elder Council’s decisions to failure and make them bear the blame for the mistakes.
‘From then on, the surname of the Baek Ui-mun Family Head will be Gong for generations to come.’
Wealth and power. Such good things—surely I cannot enjoy them alone.
Good things should naturally be passed down to one’s children as well.
“Family Head. The Baek Seo-sang-dan has sent neither a person nor even a single letter, it seems.”
“It seems you still have plenty of room to spare. I’ll need to tighten the screws further.”
If I step in directly now, it would damage my reputation.
In that regard, the Changil Pyoguk, which maintained close ties with Baek Ui-mun, was an excellent card to play.
While I treated them as equals on the surface, they were essentially subordinate to Baek Ui-mun, so I could manipulate them as I wished.
“I’ll write a letter for you to deliver to the Changil Pyoguk.”
“Understood, Family Head.”
I leisurely picked up my brush and filled the blank page with characters.
If I may say so myself, my calligraphy exuded an air of refined literary cultivation.
I, Gong Ya-hyeok, was the very embodiment of a hero skilled in both the martial and literary arts.
“Here. Deliver this.”
Watching my subordinate dash away, I lifted the Yunnan tea once more to my lips.
The taste and aroma remained exquisite.

* * *
A reply came back from the Changil Pyoguk Guild Master.
Naturally, he would have accepted the proposal, so I leisurely unfolded the letter and read it.
[This is to inform the Baek Family Head.]
[As of today, the Changil Pyoguk ceases all operations. Please take note.]
“What?”

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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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