Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 128

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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 128
“What are you saying right now, Seolha!!”
Yang Hwi chuckled as he watched Jegal Seol-ha’s face flush red.
“Why? I already mentioned it to you beforehand. I asked what you’d think about posing as a musician at Yeongnak Street and walking the path of the Silent Way.”
“Huh? What?”
Bewildered, Jegal Seol-ha heard Eum Hu’s calm voice reach her ears.
“Namgung Cheon-yeong really does love to joke around. Is it so entertaining to make people misunderstand?”
It had already been nearly ten years since they’d spent months together on the boat.
Unlike Jegal Seol-ha, who had lost her composure at the mention of herself, Eum Hu had long since grown accustomed to Yang Hwi’s manner of speech and understood his true meaning from the start.
“Before Master arrived, Namgung Cheon-yeong said something to me. I cannot simply overlook a debt without repaying it, can I?”
Jegal Seol-ha, who had tried to look impressive in front of So Wol-hyang before being teased about it and then repaying the debt with words instead, was now being turned around.
“Elder Brother… I will definitely repay this debt, hehe…”
“The calculation seems off? Didn’t you say earlier that you were repaying how Namgung Cheon-yeong teased you?”
He looked at Eum Hu with a deliberate smirk.
From Yang Hwi’s perspective, since he was making a request anyway, it seemed better to bring a smile to her face.
‘No matter how much she practices the Silent Way, using a disciple of the Seong-eum Jade Spirit Sect for the family business is still using her, in a sense.’
It was better to get permission from Eum Hu, the sect leader, in many ways.
“Master. Would it be alright if I took Seolha with me?”
“I hear you’re in the process of creating a street called Yeongnak Street. Does Seolha wish to stay there?”
“That’s right! Since she’ll be staying with Sister Wol-hyang, I believe it will help both of us develop further as we share our cultivation.”
Eum Hu’s answer was simple.
“If Seolha is willing, then it’s fine.”
Huh? I didn’t expect her to agree so easily.
I had prepared various excuses in case she seemed reluctant, but they all became unnecessary.
“Hmph! Who said anything about going together?”
Jegal Seol-ha seemed slightly sulky, but this wasn’t something that could be called a problem.
“If you’re going to follow anyway, don’t drag out your words, Seolha.”
“That’s not it! I’m not going! Unless Elder Brother earnestly requests it.”
“Then Sister Wol-hyang will have to go to a foreign land alone with no one to rely on.”
“…Ugh! That’s cheating!”
If you’re upset, then you should have planned everything out in advance too, Seolha.
“Ah, that’s right. So Suk-su. I have something to tell you.”
So Suk-su, who had been standing by the kitchen listening to the conversation, was startled.
“Yes? What is it…?”
“Would you not come with me to Namchang? Your skills are too wasted in such a shabby place.”
He continued without waiting for an answer.
“If you simply follow me, I’ll set up a proper establishment for you and won’t even take a share of the profits. So Suk-su’s inn will be situated right in the most prosperous district of Namchang. What do you say?”
…It was too good an offer to refuse.
“I am merely grateful that you would offer such an opportunity to someone like me.”
And so I had acquired even the cook who would later be known as having the finest culinary skills in Hangzhou.
Why not be a bit more greedy?
“Master.”
“Speak, Namgung Cheon-yeong.”
“If it pleases you, would you not consider staying in Namchang as well? I would serve you well.”
Eum Hu had remained at Gok Yeol Mountain for the sake of nurturing her disciples.
While Jegal Seol-ha walked the Path of Ten Thousand Sounds in the secular world, there was no pressing need to stay at Gok Yeol Mountain.
Yet Eum Hu refused outright.
“I despise the hustle and bustle. Besides, according to what you’ve told me, it seems I have matters of my own to attend to.”
“Matters, you say?”
“Those vile demonic cult seeds. I must investigate them.”
When discussing the Sword King’s Spear, I had naturally explained about those Blood Cult bastards as well.
Eum Hu seemed to have decided this matter could not be left unattended.
‘Indeed. Gathering information about those cult dogs is important.’
Especially since their movements were diverging from what they had been in my past life.
“However, Namgung Cheon-yeong, I have something to say.”
“I am listening, Master.”
“How much are you planning to pay Seolha?”
“Pardon?”
“From what I can tell, you were planning to simply use her without compensation? The voice and melodies of the Heavenly Zither cannot be purchased with mere pocket change.”
Eum Hu finished speaking and looked at Jegal Seol-ha, who proudly nodded and lifted her chin high.
To be honest, I had only planned to provide food and lodging, but it seemed that wouldn’t suffice.
“Surely you don’t think I would exploit such a lovely junior sister without proper compensation. I’ve already planned for it.”
I spoke with confidence while my mind raced behind the scenes.
I’d need to bring not just Sister Wol-hyang, but several courtesans as well.
And there were so many other things to fill the Yeong-nak House with.
‘This is going to cost far more than I anticipated.’
…Han Supervisor might not like this either.
I’ve already spent five thousand taels.
It seems I won’t be able to return home for a while.

* * *
The Baek Manor conference hall for family elders.
Han Supervisor slammed his hand down on the table.
Bang!
“We must provide full financial support, even if we must take on debt!”
Everyone in the conference stared at Han Supervisor with bewildered expressions.
His stance was the complete opposite of what they had expected.
Yeo Un-hyeok posed the question on behalf of the group.
“Han Supervisor. According to the letter sent by the Young Master, beyond the five thousand taels he took with him, additional funds may be needed. We were discussing this matter. Are you truly certain about this?”
To be honest, Yeo Un-hyeok couldn’t understand how Han Supervisor could be so energetic about this.
A full five thousand taels. And not in silver, but in gold.
No matter how necessary it was to secure Namchang, he was suggesting spending such an enormous sum?
The Han Supervisor he knew should already be lying in bed with a cold compress, groaning in distress.
But.
Bang!
Han Supervisor slammed his hand down once more and cried out loudly.
“This is the Young Master’s endeavor!”
“….”
“….”
As everyone fell silent, Han Supervisor closed his eyes and gazed toward some distant place.
Seeing without seeing.
His appearance was like that of an enlightened sage observing the mortal world through the divine power of heavenly sight.
“Aaahhh! Aaahhh! A premonition has come upon me!”
“…What premonition?”
“The divine presence has descended!”
Han Supervisor, we agreed to call that divine possession, not a premonition.
“Whatever the cost, there’s no doubt he will earn back even more! Why should we hold back? Family Head! We must send money to the Young Master, even if we must take on debt!”
…It was terrifying.
How could one person believe in another so blindly?
Family Head Baek Moo-ryang swallowed hard.
Perhaps he was witnessing the birth of a new religion unfold before his very eyes.
“Han Supervisor. Even so, taking on debt seems a bit much, doesn’t it?”
“Isn’t it all earned by the Young Master anyway!”
Well, that’s true. I can’t deny it.
“Why hesitate! Gather everything and send it! By my authority as Supervisor, I will reduce all family members’ salaries to half for the time being! That includes you, Family Head!”
“Han Supervisor!”
“Supervisor!”
“That seems too extreme!”
“I have a fox-like Rang-rang and a rabbit-like Hwa-hwa… a family depending on me….”
“Baek Ik-gak-ju, prepare to carry the funds to Namchang!”
“….”
It was a farce that unfolded at the Baek Manor while Yang Hwi and his entourage made their way back from Hangzhou to Namchang.

* * *
[I am sending one thousand gold taels—all the wealth I can immediately gather through Baek Ik-gak-ju. Please use it well, Young Master, and I humbly ask that you return three thousand taels.]
[I earnestly pray that the Young Master will put it to good use and return three thousand taels.]
After reading the letter in full, Yang Hwi’s expression grew bitter.
“…Did the Supervisor truly cut my stipend?”
Gu Ak, who had delivered the letter, wore an expression of profound grievance.
“He truly did! Truly! Elder Brother Seo, does this make any sense? With two mouths to feed, my income was halved! What supreme master in this world receives such treatment?”
…In truth, Gu Ak was rather poorly treated for a supreme master.
Yang Hwi silently drew out his purse and handed Gu Ak a single gold tael.
“A daily allowance, Elder Brother Gu.”
“Thank you, Young Master!”
Watching Gu Ak bow deeply, Yang Hwi found himself briefly contemplating whether this was what it meant to be a family head.
“Ahem. If all goes according to plan, we shall see profits beginning today. The reduced stipend will be more than restored by next month, so have no worries, Elder Brother Gu.”
More than a month had passed since I parted ways with Eum Hu and returned to Namchang.
What I mean to say is that Yeongak Street was beginning to take on a proper appearance.
This very evening, shortly from now, a performance was scheduled at Baek Baek-ru, the first establishment to be completed.
“I trust only you, my brother! Truly, I do! Please make this work!”
“….”
Contemplating once more the desperation of a family head’s position, I stepped out of the guest quarters with Gu Ak.
“Come then. Today is a momentous occasion—Sister Wol-hyang’s inaugural performance on Yeongak Street.”
I paused mid-step.
I had encountered a middle-aged man whose expression was as desperate as Gu Ak’s, pacing anxiously.
Yeo Gu-wi, the former master of Changil Pyoguk and now the patriarch of the Gaecheon Pyoguk’s Namchang branch.
Come to think of it, he was the one with the most at stake today.
“Patriarch.”
“Young Master! Will it truly be alright? So much rests upon today! Moreover, it is the entire fortune of our Yeo family!”
“…Rest assured. You shall have no cause for regret.”
Though my words were reasonable, Yeo Gu-wi could not shake his anxiety even after hearing my bold assurance.
Seeing is believing, so rather than offer further reassurance, I quickened my pace.
“Hmm. Elder Brother Seo, you said construction on Yeongak Street began just over a month ago, did you not?”
“That is correct.”
Yet there were already numerous pavilions erected around it.
The sight suggested half a year had passed since work began.
“The craftsmen of Manmok Workshop are truly remarkable. They build with such elegance while maintaining such remarkable speed.”
“Though it has required considerable expense, I must say.”
Of course, it was an investment well worth making.
Time has always been more precious than money.
As our conversation continued, we arrived at the Baek Baek Tower, the first establishment completed on Yingluo Street.
“Its appearance differs quite significantly from ordinary pleasure houses.”
“It was built according to special requests.”
Typically, pleasure houses cater to a select few guests, selling wine and entertainment in private chambers.
However, the Baek Baek Tower had opened its entire first floor to the public, with a stage resembling a martial arts arena positioned at its center.
“So the structure allows many people to gather around the stage while enjoying wine and food.”
“Precisely. We designed it so that more people could witness Wol-hyang’s dance performance all at once.”
On the stage, people bustled about making final preparations for the performance that would soon begin.
I watched Jegal Seol-ha from the corner, where she was tuning various instruments.
Dressed to conceal her figure and wearing a thick cotton robe and a wide-brimmed straw hat that hung low, no one’s gaze fell upon her.
“Quite a crowd has gathered.”
“We promoted tonight’s performance generously, spreading word far and wide.”
“I hope all this effort yields worthwhile results.”
“It will. It certainly will.”
That was the moment.
Ding, ding-ling, ding-ling-ling!
Countless people had gathered, waiting for the performance to begin.
Thus the venue was filled with chatter and idle conversation.
Yet the instant Jegal Seol-ha’s melody commenced, the noise fell silent as if a wind-stirred forest had suddenly stilled.
Ding, ding-ling, ding-ling-ling!
“My! Such profound tones!”
Someone inadvertently gasped in admiration, only to fall silent under the disapproving stares of others.
Jegal Seol-ha’s melody possessed a depth that demanded one’s complete attention and appreciation.
‘The essence of peach blossoms,’ I thought.
This was no mere performance.
The melody carried the function of an innate constitution.
It possessed a special quality that drew people’s hearts together and unified them.
‘If not careful, Wol-hyang’s dance could be overshadowed.’
Yet moments later, I realized my concern was misplaced.
Ding, ding-ling, ding-ling-ling!
A woman emerged, her movements flowing with the soft and enchanting melody.
“Oh my…!”
“How can she be so beautiful…!”
“Has an immortal maiden descended to our realm….”
Exclamations burst forth from all corners, yet this time no one shot disapproving glances.
All shared the same sentiment.
Soon So Wol-hyang released her exquisite jade-like voice.
[Kindness and righteousness weigh as heavy as mountains, while deep affection flows as vast as the sea.]
[When years pass and my aspirations are realized, I shall repay your virtue in kind.]
I found myself smiling without realizing it.
A Response Poem to the Venerable Monk. So Wol-hyang appeared ready to fulfill her promised payment for a single verse today.
‘I’ll show them what I’m truly capable of.’
Today’s performance would undoubtedly stir Namchang’s heart.
Because she was no longer merely an ordinary courtesan.
The qi that filled the entire hall—rivaling even that of Jegal Seol-ha—was proof of her transformation.

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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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