Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 118

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

Third-rate Martial Arts Family, Greatest Under Heaven – Episode 118
After parting ways with Yeo Gu-wi, I returned to my quarters.
It was the estate where the main headquarters of Baek Seo-sang-dan was located.
Adu, who had been sitting in lotus position in the garden near the main gate, suddenly opened his eyes wide.
“Yang Hwi. What were you doing to come back this late?”
I glanced up at the sky. The sun hadn’t even set yet, so what did he mean by late?
“I was busy earning money for offerings, so bear with me.”
“This humble monk waited long. So give me some sweets.”
When I handed over a bundle of candies and pastries I’d bought on the way, Adu’s face brightened considerably.
“Thank you, benefactor. Amitabha Buddha.”
“When you throw a tantrum if I don’t give you anything while calling me benefactor, the other monks find it absurd.”
After taking a jab at him, I headed toward Chu Yong-wol’s quarters.
Though she hadn’t yet reached adulthood, she was already fulfilling the role of vice-leader, so Chu Yong-wol had her own personal office.
“Miss Chu. I’ve arrived.”
“Ah, Young Master Baek.”
Chu Yong-wol, buried under piles of documents, lifted her head upon hearing my voice.
Her face was full of exhaustion, but the worry and anxiety from before were gone.
This was because the pressure on the guild had disappeared once Changwol Pyoguk became the Namchang branch of Gaecheon Pyoguk.
“Did your discussion with Guild Master Yeo—or rather, Patriarch Yeo—go well?”
“Yes. However, Baek Family Head interrupted us midway.”
I summarized the conversation I’d had with Baek Ui-mun and relayed it to her.
Chu Yong-wol, who had been listening intently, nodded.
“That’s not wrong. Surpassing Yeongnak Road with Yeonghwi Road is never an easy task. Simply put, you’d have to overcome a hundred years of history.”
I knew that.
Moreover, I held in my hand the very card that would make this difficult endeavor manageable.
‘So So-so, So Wol-hyang. With her alone, Yeonghwi Road is nothing.’
However, Chu Yong-wol’s thoughts seemed to differ.
Suddenly, she wore an apologetic expression.
“Young Master Baek. To spend such a fortune for this guild—five thousand gold coins no less. I was truly moved.”
From Chu Yong-wol’s perspective, the result of seeking help due to pressure from Baek Family and Changwol Pyoguk amounted to nothing less than the establishment of Yeongnak Road.
It was only natural that she harbored both apology and gratitude.
“Please don’t make such an expression. There’s no need to apologize when I’m not operating at a loss.”
“I understand your confidence, but… wouldn’t generating profit be quite difficult?”
Since we needed to earn five thousand gold coins just to break even, it was natural for Chu Yong-wol to think that way.
But.
“Profit isn’t limited to money alone. For the main family, simply shifting from a defensive position to an offensive one is already a gain.”
“Ah! Now that you mention it, the initial goal was to check the Baek Family by pressuring this guild.”
I nodded and spoke again.
“Now that I’ve given them justification, I intend to make Namchang definitively part of the main family’s territory. I ask for much support from Baek Seo-sang-dan.”
“I absolutely will! If the plan proceeds as intended, this guild stands to gain the most!”
Seeing Chu Yong-wol clench her fists tightly, I couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle.
True to someone who walks the merchant’s path, the thought of earning money seemed to energize her naturally.
“In any case, I plan to stop by the main family residence and stay for about a month, then depart immediately for Hangzhou. Please prepare carriages and passage by ship according to the schedule.”
Since Hangzhou in Zhejiang Province is located to the northeast of Gangwon, stopping by the main residence would double the journey distance.
But it was unavoidable if I wanted to inspect the training of the Baek Seo-sang-dan members and perform the Acupoint Piercing technique on them.
‘Well, it will take at least half a year to complete the Yeongnakro anyway.’
Now that I think about it, I should also consider ways to accelerate the construction.
A six-month gap could become a fatal weakness.
‘If I consider timing as well… yes, that would be the right approach.’
Near Huangshan in southern Anhui, there exists a sect called Manmok Bang.
It was closer to a livelihood faction of carpenters gathered together rather than a true martial sect, but all who belonged to it had cultivated inner energy, and their capabilities as craftsmen were unparalleled under heaven.
‘Is it true that Manmok Bang constructed all the numerous temples of Huangshan, which are famous for their exceptional beauty?’
True to its name, the rumor about Manmok Bang was that they could create ten thousand different forms using only wood.
If I entrusted them with the commission, they would certainly provide great assistance in constructing the Yeongnakro.
‘The only problem is… I would have to go to Anhui.’
At Geom Wang’s Fortress, I had dealt a heavy blow to the back of the Namgung Guys’ heads.
Since I had even exposed my face to Namgung Cheon-hu, he was surely grinding his teeth in anger.
…Would there be any problems?
‘I wonder what that bastard Namgung Cheon-hu is doing about now.’

* * *
One of the differences between third-rate warriors and first-rate masters and peak experts was the dantian.
In the martial world, those who achieved unity of mind, energy, and body and transcended the limits of human capability were called peak experts.
Therefore, warriors at the peak realm could wield abilities not granted to ordinary humans.
For example, the opening of dantians other than the lower dantian.
“Gasp! Gasp! Damn it. Damn… it…!”
Qi resides in the lower dantian, essence dwells in the middle dantian, and the upper dantian receives spirit.
Combined, this is essence-qi-spirit. And the essence of the middle dantian was precisely prenatal qi and true original qi.
The innate force that warriors commonly called potential—the original energy that allows life to enjoy life.
“That cursed demon sword! If only it weren’t for that cursed demon sword!”
Angry murmurs leaked from his lips. Namgung Cheon-hu’s face was gaunt and skeletal, as if he had aged more than a decade.
It couldn’t be helped.
More than a month ago, a few weeks back.
When trapped in Geom Wang’s Fortress, Namgung Cheon-hu had grasped an unknown demon sword, and his spirit was suppressed by the demonic nature contained within it, causing him to rampage madly.
Up to that point, it was manageable.
Well, not manageable.
Though he suffered massive damage—his teeth grinding and blood flowing backward—
He could have accepted it as unavoidable.
The problem was that while rampaging, he had also triggered his latent potential.
Without that, he would not have been able to slaughter dozens of the Cheongjeon Sword Brigade under his command.
‘I’ll need at least a year of recuperation to restore my damaged original qi.’
Recuperation meant wasting an entire year without proper cultivation.
Considering that those who squander their innate qi typically suffer physical deterioration and often die prematurely, it wasn’t much of a sacrifice.
It was only possible because I had reached the pinnacle realm and mastered an exceptional divine technique.
Of course, it would require grinding effort and relentless dedication until my teeth ached.
‘I swear it. I will repay this tenfold.’
That accursed Shaman who dared exploit someone bearing the Namgung name.
And those wretched retainers from the Da Family and Baek Family who acted without knowing their place.
I vowed to return this humiliation a hundredfold.
“Truly pathetic.”
Namgung Cheon-hu’s body went rigid.
“Ah, Father.”
“For now, do not address me as such. I find it difficult to believe you are my son and the Soga-joonim of the main house.”
The distinctive, weighty aura of the Namgung filled the entire training ground.
The master of the Azure Heaven Namgung, one of the Five Great Families Under Heaven.
The Family Head, Namgung Il-geom.
He had arrived.
“…Family Head.”
“Did you have time to sit there grasping at dirt? After losing subordinates, bringing shame to the main house, and even damaging your true original qi?”
“…”
Namgung Cheon-hu offered no response.
It wasn’t that he had nothing to say.
Whatever he said, Namgung Il-geom—both as Family Head and as his father—would dismiss it as excuse and pretense.
‘…Father. Why are you so cold to me alone?’
Namgung Il-geom’s eyes, clicking his tongue as he looked at him, held only displeasure.
Disappointment would have been preferable.
Those eyes, devoid of any expectation, wounded Namgung Cheon-hu all the more deeply.
“Look to your younger brother and learn. You hold the position of Soga-joonim yet show nothing but insufficiency day after day.”
“…”
Namgung Il-geom’s attitude had not always been this way.
There was indeed a time when Namgung Cheon-hu received the expectations of the entire household, including his father.
But everything changed on the day his fourteen-year-old younger brother first drew his sword.
“Remember this, Cheon-hu. What you possess is but an illusion that can vanish at any moment.”
‘It won’t vanish. You will seize it and place it in my younger brother’s hands.’
Unspoken resentment. He stared intently at Namgung Il-geom’s receding figure.
‘Father. No—Family Head. I will become the master of the main house. By any means necessary.’
Darkness settled in Namgung Cheon-hu’s eyes.
A darkness that transcended mere black.

* * *
I could no longer contain myself and cried out.
“You brat! Stop eating! There won’t be anything left for dinner!”
Adu’s cheeks bulged as he pouted.
“But riding in a carriage is so boring.”
“Boredom is just a feeling—why are you stuffing your belly because of it!”
“My mouth.”
….
I shouldn’t have brought this fool along.
Since we weren’t going to Hangzhou to fight, a glutton who was all bulk and no use was worthless to me.
‘Why did I bring him as a companion anyway?’
Ah, right. He didn’t want to be separated from me and followed along.
“That’s why I told you to stay and play at the main house.”
“The senior monk said to follow good people.”
“You were separated before. I said you wouldn’t run away if there were people you knew.”
“But you said it would take a long time. Can I have more rice cakes anyway?”
….
A sigh escaped me naturally.
“Sigh. It’s ridiculous enough traveling to fetch a courtesan alongside a monk, and now I have to worry about provisions too.”
“A courtesan? A pretty woman?”
“…How do you even know that? You’re a monk.”
“The senior monk told me.”
Anyone called a senior monk would be at least a first-generation disciple, or perhaps an elder.
Such a person spoke to Adu about a courtesan?
Of all people, to Adu?
I gave it serious thought.
…Is Shaolin falling into decline? There were no such signs in my past life.
“Riding in a carriage to meet a woman. You must like women.”
“That’s not it, boy. I’m doing this to earn rice cake money.”
It was an absolute truth without a shred of falsehood.
Without her from Hangzhou, there was no way to make Yeongnakro flourish.
Conversely, if I could only bring So Wol-hyang—Miss So—to Yeongnakro.
‘I could make Yeongnakro the center of Gangnan elegance, rivaling Suzhou and Hangzhou.’
Several hundred years before now, a talented woman was born in Hangzhou.
A beauty transcending mortal standards—the most beautiful under heaven.
Called the finest in all skills—poetry, calligraphy, painting, and dance—a woman of eight talents.
Thus, posterity called her:
The greatest courtesan of all ages, So So-so.
“Upon a blue-maned horse, riding in a jade-wheeled carriage, I met you. Where shall our hearts be bound? Your answer lies beneath the pine and cypress of Seling.”
Reciting a slightly altered verse of So So-so’s poem, I recalled a fleeting moment from my past life.
So Wol-hyang. The very day I formed a bond with her—a descendant of So So-so who constantly strove to surpass her predecessors.
“Young Girl, even in death I would sing for Namgung Cheon-yeong. So please… would you not spare a corner of your memory for me?”
‘So, my lady. In this life, sing while you live. Not for me, but for our Baek Family. And for your own dreams.’

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