Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 12

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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 012
The Dual Harmony Six Union Technique is, as the name suggests, a cultivation method that harmonizes two different aspects—inner and outer qi—and accepts natural qi from the six unions to simultaneously advance both the body and spirit.
“In other words, the more you push your body to its limits, the more qi you can accumulate. So stop slacking and bend lower, Heon-so.”
Baek Heon-so, drenched in sweat and trembling, barely managed to respond.
“But… older brother… this is too hard… I feel like I’m dying…”
Beside him, Yang Hwi, maintaining the same posture, answered with a voice that trembled yet remained composed.
“In terms of physical conditioning alone, you’re doing better than me. You should at least endure more than I do.”
“Uuugh, y-yes…!”
Though a young master of a martial arts house, he was only seven years old. Yet Baek Heon-so refused to give up as long as Yang Hwi persisted beside him.
Like a fledgling following its mother, he strived to follow Yang Hwi’s example.
However, Baek Heon-so harbored one complaint.
“Older brother, ugh, why doesn’t Yeon-yeon train like we do…?”
Unlike the two brothers who cultivated the Dual Harmony Six Union Technique with maximum physical strain, Baek Yeon-yeon’s training beside them appeared as light as dancing.
“Don’t envy her. Yeon-yeon is a girl—that form suits her better.”
The Baek Family’s Three Celestial Swords pursue the essence of speed and solidity.
In other words, they possess two directional paths.
“As a girl, Yeon-yeon has limits to developing solidity.”
Once one transcends the realm and reaches a level where inner qi compensates for physical deficiency, it becomes irrelevant.
But considering how important it is to reach that level, the training methods must differ.
“However, we are different. To wield a sword more solid than anyone else, we must first build a body that is equally solid.”
“But… ugh, Father didn’t teach us this way…”
“He acknowledged my method was correct after observing it.”
“Uuugh, this is too… hard…”
Finally, Baek Heon-so collapsed.
Yang Hwi, whose undertrained body had gathered even his willpower to endure, simultaneously sprawled across the Training Grounds floor in a wide X shape.
Yet a satisfied smile lingered at the corners of Yang Hwi’s mouth.
‘Still, that brat has some real tenacity worth using.’
For a seven-year-old child to reach the limits of his body in a single training session was no easy feat.
Even most adults, without innate ruthlessness, would struggle to approach those limits, let alone reach them.
The problem was that in my past life, I used that ruthlessness for envy and jealousy.
“Well done, Heon-so. Rest a moment, then we’ll begin again.”
“Huff… huff… y-yes…”
Despite feeling as though he might die, Baek Heon-so did not ask to stop.
It was truly difficult, but older brother’s words were never wrong. If he said to do it, then it could be done.
Baek Heon-so had come to possess such conviction.
Then it happened.
“Young Master Hwi. You have a visitor.”
“Ah, Steward.”
An unexpected guest had arrived for Yang Hwi.
Not that his arrival was unwelcome—he was simply unexpected.
“Brother Gu, haven’t we still had matters to discuss? It’s been over a month without word, so I came directly to find you.”
“Ah, that’s right, isn’t it?”
In truth, I remembered perfectly.
When I had stripped Cheongsa-bang’s coffers, I had dangled the promise of making Jeong In a concubine to manipulate Gu Ak into compliance.
I simply hadn’t visited him immediately because I needed time.
‘This should be enough to make him properly anxious.’
Gu Ak, who had been waiting rather than visit first out of pride, could no longer contain himself and came to Baek Manor.
It was proof he had become sufficiently desperate.
“Brother Gu!”
Concealing my true thoughts, I flashed a bright smile and rushed toward Gu Ak, covered in sweat and dirt.
Naturally, Gu Ak recoiled with visible displeasure.
“What are you doing, brother?”
“I’m just so delighted to see you.”
A lie. I simply saw those pristine silk robes gleaming in the light and wanted to soil them.
“It seems you were training in martial arts.”
“Yes, I was.”
“Hmm….”
Gu Ak knew well the level of the Baek Family’s inherited martial techniques.
However, he wasn’t insensitive enough to openly tell someone to their face that their diligent training had its limits.
Yet I immediately discerned Gu Ak’s true thoughts from the way he trailed off.
“It seems you wish to say that pouring effort into martial arts with such limitations is futile, Brother Gu.”
It was natural to think so. Gu Ak had reached the first-rate level at a young age.
This meant he possessed not only innate talent but had also learned superior martial techniques and added bone-grinding effort to his training.
“…Ahem. No, that’s not it. The Baek Family’s martial arts have a solid foundation, so there’s nothing wrong with achieving great things.”
Gu Ak refrained from mentioning reaching a higher realm, and that was the truth.
One could see this from the fact that even Baek Moo-ryang, who as the family head of a martial house never neglected his training despite his busy schedule, remained at the second-rate level.
‘Well, it’s true that building a solid foundation is good.’
Had it been otherwise, I would have employed drastic methods to transmit the Heavenly Fire Primordial Energy Technique and the Open Heaven One Hundred Eight Sword Technique—both martial arts I had created myself—to Baek Moo-ryang.
“Let us retire to my quarters. Follow me, Brother Gu.”
“Very well.”
I led Gu Ak into my room and summoned a servant to request tea.
“Please wait a moment, and I shall bring the tea shortly.”
“Hmm.”
Gu Ak seemed displeased about something, and moreover, he kept glancing around nervously.
I immediately grasped what was troubling him.
‘Ah, I see. He doesn’t wish to reveal his weaknesses in a place where one cannot know if there are ears listening.’
It was characteristic of those Heuk-do men to always suspect and feel uneasy in situations where they couldn’t find peace of mind.
“Brother, don’t be like that. Come with me instead. I’ll show you a fine place and offer you proper hospitality.”
The words spoke of hospitality, but the true meaning was that I wished to conduct our confidential discussion somewhere I could control.
Since it mattered little to me where we conversed, I readily agreed.
“Then shall we do that? However, you must obtain permission before going out. And I should wash up as well.”
Leaving Gu Ak in my room, I first rinsed away the sweat and dirt, then changed into fresh clothes.
Then I headed toward the steward’s quarters.
“Brother!”
At the sound of Baek Yeon-yeon’s voice, I turned my head toward the Training Grounds.
“Training isn’t even finished yet—why did you wash up already? Where are you going?”
Baek Yeon-yeon asked with a face full of curiosity. Baek Heon-so standing beside her said nothing, but seemed equally curious at heart.
“I need to go out and have a conversation with Brother Gu, Yeon-ah.”
“Tch, you’re going out to play by yourself?”
Watching Baek Yeon-yeon puff out both cheeks like a dumpling, a warm smile naturally spread across my face.
“Instead, I’ll bring back lots of sweet candies when I return. And I’ll get you some chicken skewers too, So.”
“Really? You promise?”
“I, I also promise, Brother.”
Looking at my two adorable younger siblings, I held out my pinky finger, then stopped my steps in front of the steward’s quarters.
“Steward, it’s Yang Hwi.”
“Come in.”
The interior of the room was old and worn, yet clean. The desk was piled high with documents and books.
After observing the scene for a moment, I got straight to the point.
“I wish to go out for a brief time.”
“Oho, how much profit this time?”
“Pardon? Steward… isn’t it a bit much to connect all my actions to money?”
“Then this isn’t a profitable venture?”
“That’s not quite it.”
“As expected. I always trust Young Master Hwi.”
Though the direction of his trust seemed somewhat peculiar, I felt pleased to be trusted.
‘I should make sure this becomes profitable too. For the steward’s sake, if nothing else.’
Leaving the steward’s quarters and returning to my room, I gestured to Gu Ak.
“I’ve obtained permission. Let’s go, Brother Gu.”
“Good.”
The moment Gu Ak stepped outside the Baek Family Estate’s gate, he suddenly hoisted me up onto his shoulder.
“Are you using lightness martial arts? But where are we going?”
Watching me dangle there without a trace of alarm, completely composed, Gu Ak clicked his tongue.
“There’s only one place for the son of Hong Gyo-bang-ju to go. Though it’s still a bit early.”
The place Gu Ak headed toward was Ho-yeong-ru, the largest of the pleasure houses owned by Hong Gyo-bang.
The characters meant “lake” and “shadow”—true to its name, it was the pleasure house with the best view of Yu-hang-ho, the famous sight of the region, and was always crowded with travelers and idle gentry.
“Welcome, Young Master!”
“Everyone! The Young Master has arrived! Come out and pay your respects!”
‘My goodness. The Heuk-do-pa members are calling me Young Master.’
Though watching this made my face itch with embarrassment, Gu Ak acted as though it were natural.
“Bring wine to the most lavish room. As for the courtesans…”
Gu Ak gazed at Yang Hwi with an amused smirk.
“There’s an old saying: men and women shouldn’t sit together after age seven. In other words, once you pass seven years, you’re capable of acting like a man. So what would you like, little brother?”
“Would Father punish me for this? I’m not even allowed to visit courtesans, let alone drink.”
“Tsk. If that’s what you say, little brother.”
Yet moments later, the table that arrived held wine. A wine bottle sat upon it.
“See that teapot over there? You’ll sip tea, little brother. I, on the other hand, need to drink.”
“….”
‘This is too much. Telling me to drink tea while watching someone else gulp down wine.’
It would be rather shameful to ask now if I could try some wine after making such a convincing excuse.
Setting aside what Father would do if he found out, wine wasn’t good for a young body anyway.
‘…It’s better not to touch it at all until my foundation is complete. Yes… that’s definitely the right choice….’
I knew it. It was correct.
In my previous life, I spent over a decade as a wanderer.
And wanderers and alcohol are inseparable companions.
Gulp.
Gu Ak chuckled upon seeing me swallow hard.
The boy acting as though he understood the taste of wine was utterly amusing.
“Care for a taste?”
“…Never mind.”
“Your tone just turned stubborn. Seems you want some.”
My expression turned stubborn to match my tone.
“Should I take my leave?”
“Even if you go, you must honor our agreement. Remember that you, little brother, have failed to pay me for over a month.”
“People can forget things, you know—ah, my true feelings just slipped out!”
Gu Ak’s brow twitched.
“You dare forget an agreement with me, Gu Ak? And you even brought up Rang-rang while doing so.”
Rang-rang. So that was the name of the woman Gu Ak yearned for, the one he pursued despite his father’s opposition.
In my previous life, I hadn’t paid much attention and never learned her name.
“Well, since you’ve come all this way, Gu brother, it’s settled. The one in need always loses.”
“I’m beginning to want to make you feel that need, little brother.”
“I could tell Sister Rang-rang that Gu brother is threatening a young, innocent child like me.”
Gu Ak’s eyes blinked rapidly for a moment.
“Sister? Why would Rang-rang be your sister?”
Yang Hwi replied with a subtle smile.
“If she’s your beloved, wouldn’t she be my sister as well?”
“….”
All this time, Gu Ak had endured and tolerated hearing Rang-rang called “that woman” and “this woman” by his father and brothers.
Now, seeing another person address his beloved with respect as “sister” naturally lifted his spirits.
Whether he said it knowingly or unknowingly, this young one was no ordinary schemer.
“Enough. Now tell me—how can I make Rang-rang receive Father’s approval? Father wishes for me to make a strategic marriage.”
“I am aware. The other party is also a direct-line young lady of one faction, so she cannot become a concubine.”
In other words, if things continue as they are, Rang-rang can become neither Gu Ak’s wife nor his concubine.
‘In the end, Hong Gyo-bang-ju will kill Rang-rang. As a result, a blood vendetta will descend upon Red Bridge Hall.’
Rang-rang believes herself to be an orphan abandoned by heaven, but in truth, there exists a father who searches for his lost daughter.
Moreover, a father with the power to unleash a blood vendetta upon Red Bridge Hall, one of the Heuk-do Bang-pa factions that dominates Ak-an County.
‘How can I arrange matters so that he becomes an ally of our Baek Family?’
After a brief moment of contemplation, Yang Hwi opened his mouth.
“Brother Gu, ultimately the problem arises from the fact that Miss Rang lacks a background, does it not? Therefore….”

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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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