Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 117

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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 117
Yang Hwi and Baek Family Head Baek Ui-mun were acquainted.
Or more precisely, they were acquainted only from Yang Hwi’s perspective.
‘By years, it’s been well over twenty.’
In my past life, during the direct confrontation between Baek Ui-mun and Jeong Wol-mun.
Baek Family Head was my employer. As a master of the highest caliber, I had displayed remarkable prowess and had conversed with him quite frequently.
‘Back then, I thought he was quite an exceptional guild master.’
Indeed, a person’s perspective changes according to their circumstances and experiences.
The Baek Family Head of my past life was someone who, in the eyes of the twenty-two-year-old me, lacked nothing in particular.
Having doubled the influence of Baek Ui-mun through immense greed as his driving force, he should have been praised not merely as adequate but as possessing outstanding capabilities.
‘Yet such a man now displays such glaring deficiencies.’
Judging from his words, it was clear that Baek Family Head had no idea what relationship had formed between Yang Hwi and Yeo Gu-wi.
If it were Baek Ui-mun, they should have possessed a reasonably decent intelligence network, making this quite peculiar.
‘Well, ultimately, the competence of the one wielding a tool matters most.’
With such thoughts, I continued speaking.
“Changil Pyoguk became a branch of Gaecheon Pyoguk in Nanchang several days ago.”
“You’re saying you purchased Changil Pyoguk?”
“That’s correct.”
Baek Family Head, who snorted once, commanded Yeo Gu-wi without further ado.
“Guild Master Yeo. Reconsider your decision. If you’re determined to sell Jeong Pyoguk, let me, Gong Ya-hyeok, purchase it instead.”
“That’s the matter at hand. The transaction has already been concluded.”
Tap!
I tapped the table and looked at Yeo Gu-wi.
“Master of Changil.”
Not Guild Master of Changil Pyoguk, but Master of Changil.
A single phrase meaning that since his position and circumstances had changed, he should not dwell on the past.
Though I merely spoke the title, it was sufficient to bring Yeo Gu-wi back to his senses.
“Family Head Gong. By what authority do you issue commands to this master?”
“What? Have you forgotten the favors Baek Ui-mun has bestowed upon Changil Pyoguk? How can a person be so ungrateful!”
“Favors? What favors! I’ve long been irritated by your way of thinking, Family Head Gong. I received proper compensation for performing the duties of the pyoguk—why should that make me indebted!”
The fire was lit. Yeo Gu-wi began enumerating one by one the humiliations he had suffered in his subordinate position.
“Under the guise of requests, I had to provide separate bribes to Family Head Gong every time! And now you speak of favors? How absurd!”
“Changil Pyoguk monopolizing all of Baek Ui-mun’s requests was the price! Thanks to that, we gained the status of Namchang First Pyoguk, and now you speak differently!”
“You’re insulting this pyoguk right now!”
“I raised and nurtured you with care, and you repay me with betrayal, you ungrateful wretch, and now you speak of insult!”
“Wretch? Did you just call me a wretch? I will not tolerate further disrespect!”
“You dare! Who do you think you’re being disrespectful to!”
Yeo Gu-wi, his killing intent sharpened, trembled.
“I had not intended to speak of this, but it seems I must. I have much to say to the Elder Council of Baek Ui-mun.”
“You dare cross the line. Do you think I will simply sit idle?”
“If you don’t stay quiet? Is there another way besides cutting off the escort business and trade contracts?”
“Interesting!”
I folded my arms and wore an intrigued expression.
‘Well, well, there certainly have been many amusing developments.’
It seemed there were still things left unsaid.
As for Gong Ya-hyeok, this fellow was certainly lacking compared to his previous life.
Had he changed as he aged, or was there some other variable at play?
Either way, the current situation favored the Main Residence.
‘Perhaps I should press a bit more and make things easier.’
“Guild Master Yeo!”
I raised my voice slightly, and both Gong Ya-hyeok and Yeo Gu-wi turned their heads simultaneously.
“Young Master. I have shown myself in poor form. I apologize.”
“Hmm? I didn’t call you to reprimand you. But congratulations are in order.”
“For what reason?”
“You’ve become the owner of Yeongnak Road. You’re destined to become the greatest magnate of Namchang First Pyoguk—how could I not offer congratulations?”
“Ha, it’s all thanks to Baek Sohyeop. What have I done to deserve such praise?”
“That’s precisely why you should accept it. You’ve gained tremendous profit simply by sitting still.”
The Baek Family Head’s face hardened visibly.
“Guild Master Yeo. You say you’re the owner of Yeongnak Road?”
The Baek Family Head also knew that Yeongnak Road was the name of the street the Baek Manor would create after clearing the slums.
But that Yeo Gu-wi was its owner—this was entirely unexpected.
“I understood the Baek Manor was handling the slum clearance entirely. The Baek Manor would also bear the costs, so how did you become the owner?”
“This is not a matter for the Gong Family Head to meddle in.”
“Answer me at once!”
The Baek Family Head erupted in anger at Yeo Gu-wi’s insolent response.
I answered in his stead.
“The Main Residence gave Guild Master Yeo three thousand gold taels.”
“What, what! Three thousand gold taels…?”
The Baek Family Head was shocked. He was so startled his face turned pale.
Three thousand gold taels.
While it’s said to be enough to establish roughly a hundred respectable inns and taverns, it’s true that one doesn’t fully grasp just how enormous a sum it truly is.
Three thousand gold taels is money that can control an entire city.
And not just any city, but one as substantial as Nanchang, the capital of a province.
‘Simply put, it’s money that could shake the entire Baek Family Head’s branch to its foundations.’
“Where do you spout such lies! The Baek Manor couldn’t possibly have such funds!”
That would have been true. Before we looted the Geom Wang Fortress.
“For a man to be so startled over a mere three thousand taels—where could such a sum even be used? The total investment for Yeongnak Road is a full six thousand taels.”
The Baek Family Head’s eyes bulged from their sockets.
When he heard the figure of three thousand taels, a sense of crisis had dominated his entire body, but now the amount had doubled in an instant.
“Of which four thousand taels’ worth of shares belong to Guild Master Yeo.”
The reason it was four thousand taels instead of three thousand was simple.
When Yeo Gu-wi heard the proposal, he added another thousand taels from his personal funds.
Not only did the three thousand taels I paid go entirely to the Baek Family, but I’d also drawn in someone else’s money—truly a stroke of good fortune.
“Haha! Why speak of shares, First Son? We’ve become one body, so there’s no need for such distinctions.”
“Is that so? Even if it’s mere courtesy, those are pleasant words to hear.”
“Mere courtesy? Please recognize this Yeo’s sincerity, First Son.”
I turned my head toward the Baek Family Head with a gentle smile.
“Yeong-hwi Road will find its luster fading.”
With six thousand gold taels, I possessed sufficient power to make it so.
A street bearing such an arrogant name—”eternally radiant”—would look utterly ridiculous if overshadowed by the newly risen Yeong-nak Road.
The Baek Family Head’s expression transformed into something one might see directed at a mortal enemy.
The bearing of one prepared to stake everything on a single outcome.
“So you’ve betrayed the main branch and attached yourselves to those scraps of the Baek clan in Wuzhou. I understand now. You are enemies of the main branch.”
Only now realizing this? I’d already begun preparations days ago.
“Since I’ve been slapped, I’ll sever that neck. I’ll cut off all commissions to Baek Ui-mun immediately. How long do you think you can last?”
Seeing Yeo Gu-wi’s expression stiffen slightly, the Baek Family Head continued with confidence.
“Is that all? You call it Yeong-nak Road, I see. It appears you intend to create a street similar to my Yeong-hwi Road, but that’s mere fantasy. Chefs! Artisans! Courtesans! Regardless of field, all those called the finest of Nanchang gather on Yeong-hwi Road. Yeong-nak?”
Unpleasant laughter filled the guest room.
“Puhaha! What use is eternal pleasure if it’s merely second-rate amusement! You can never hope to rival the glory of Yeong-hwi Road!”
The Baek Family Head, shouting arrogantly, kicked open the guest room door and stormed out.
“Truly, he’s like an empty cart.”
A jab at how loud his voice was despite having nothing of substance.
“Gong Ya-hyeok has always been somewhat that way. He became Family Head as the result of preparations and schemes spanning his father’s and grandfather’s generations, yet he acts as though he achieved it himself. In any case, I apologize, First Son.”
“For what?”
“For showing such incompetence before you. As a subordinate and as an elder, I’m deeply ashamed.”
The corners of Yeo Gu-wi’s mouth rose briefly before falling again.
“But his words held truth. Nanchang lacks distinctive attractions. Our Baek Family’s location in Wuzhou Agan County—we don’t have scenic lakes like those blessed lands, you see.”
That much was certainly true. Nanchang had developed into a city and earned recognition as a provincial capital precisely because of its advantage as a transportation hub.
Saying people traveled through easily also meant there were no towering mountains, deep valleys, or vast rivers and lakes nearby.
“If we cannot draw people through scenery, only one means remains—people themselves. In that regard, Yeong-nak Road will indeed struggle to surpass Yeong-hwi Road.”
Dishes crafted by chefs with exceptional skill.
Ornate halls designed and built by seasoned carpenters, then adorned with paintings by brilliant artists.
The halls filled with the exquisite melodies of master musicians, accompanied by beautiful courtesans dancing in harmony.
Yeong-hwi Road possessed everything, and all of it deserved to be called the finest of Nanchang.
The secret to becoming the most prosperous and vibrant entertainment district in Nanchang.
“We can simply recruit people from elsewhere. With enough premium payment, we should be able to secure talented performers and craftsmen.”
“Your words aren’t wrong, but courtesans cannot be obtained so easily.”
Courtesans are typically classified into three ranks: first, second, and third.
Those called first-rank courtesans—possessing the refined knowledge of a great scholar in poetry, calligraphy, and painting, capable of engaging in witty conversation with cultured gentlemen, while also blessed with exceptional beauty—were never common talents.
“Without first-rank courtesans, I believe it will be exceedingly difficult to give Yeong-hwi Road’s patrons reason to turn their steps toward Yeong-nak Road, First Son.”
The most exceptional courtesans in Nanchang were virtually all affiliated with establishments along Yinghui Road.
Unlike other entertainers, courtesans were often bound to their houses as indentured servants, making it impossible to buy them out regardless of the price offered.
“Moreover, all the influential families and powerful figures in Nanchang have connections tied to Baek Ui-mun.”
It was clear that Baek Ui-mun would subtly pressure them while coaxing and cajoling them into compliance.
Getting them to abandon Yinghui Road and set foot on Yingluo Road would be an arduous task.
“Now that I think about it, I’m losing confidence. Can we truly bring ruin to Yinghui Road…?”
Yeo Gu-wi trailed off, his gaze drifting subtly toward Yang Hwi.
From his tone and expression, it was clear he was thinking about recovering his investment.
“Guild Master Yeo.”
“Speak, Crown Prince.”
“It seems a crisis has arrived.”
“…Surely you haven’t forgotten what I prepared for such circumstances?”
I answered leisurely, tilting my wine cup.
“That’s not it. When a crisis comes, there should be something I gave you to unfold.”
“Hmm? You mean the contingency plan?”
Yeo Gu-wi’s expression began to shift subtly.
Watching him, I couldn’t help but smile.
“Open the paper marked with ‘One’ from the contingency plan.”
“Oh! Did you anticipate this entire situation?!”
Yeo Gu-wi’s face filled with anticipation as he opened the envelope containing the contingency plan.
The paper marked with ‘One’ contained only three lines.
[Above there is heaven, below there is Suzhou and Hangzhou]
[Hangzhou’s three generations of beauties]
[The Seo Clan of Hangzhou, the descendants of So So-so]
Nevertheless, Yeo Gu-wi could only gasp in astonishment.
“This cannot be! Could it be… So So-so?!”

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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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