Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 131

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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 131
The Black Way exists everywhere and nowhere.
This held true for Namchang, where the White Way faction of Baek Ui-mun had long reigned as the dominant force.
“I have no idea where all these Black Way bastards keep crawling out from.”
“It’s Namchang, sir. In a major city like Sungdo, it would be strange if there weren’t Black Way branches operating.”
“But more than ten branches have banded together to demand protection money? Namchang is clearly within Baek Ui-mun’s territory, is it not?”
Looking at it this way, Elder Brother had his naive side.
Black Way gangs existed precisely because this was White Way faction territory.
“Elder Brother. What does a White Way faction need to earn the praise and admiration of common folk through righteous conduct?”
“Well, superior martial prowess… Ah, I see.”
“Exactly. They need Black Way and heterodox villains to defeat.”
Whether it was Black Way scum or heterodox bastards, they kept resurfacing like rats in the darkness no matter how thoroughly they were exterminated.
Fundamentally, the Black and heterodox represented necessary evils for White Way factions.
So that sword-eaters could receive reverence instead of fear from the powerless.
“But there are hardly any Black Way gangs in our Baek Family’s territory, are there?”
“That’s right. We’ve been putting excessive effort into eradication and rehabilitation.”
This was what made the Baek Family exceptional.
Even in Kangbuk, where nine sects and five great families positioned themselves two or three to a city, there would be more Black Way gangs than in Baek Family territory.
“In any case, Elder Brother. Please bring Miss Chu and the Female Lord here. I have something to say when we’re all together.”
Shortly after, four people gathered in Yang Hwi’s guest quarters.
Or five, if you counted Adu munching on rice cakes in the corner.
“I’ll speak plainly. Baek Ui-mun stands behind these Black Way branch activities in Namchang.”
Not “likely stands,” but “stands.”
His tone carried absolute conviction.
“Young Master, do you have reason to believe this? Even when this woman was on close terms with the Baek Ui-mun Lord, I never heard rumors of connections to Black Way branches.”
“The circumstances are too convenient.”
“It is the nature of Black Way scum to prey on the weaker side.”
That was true. Most people would think the same way.
Which was precisely why the Baek Ui-mun Lord could employ such tactics.
Because they were already corrupt, suspicion would fall on them less readily.
But.
‘Baek Ui-mun used the Black Way to build legitimacy in my past life as well.’
A fact I only discovered later, after everything ended when I was employed by them.
In my early days as a wandering assassin after leaving the clan, I had limited experience in the martial world, so I realized it too late.
‘I was furious about it then. I’ll repay them in full now.’
Besides, it didn’t matter if Baek Ui-mun wasn’t actually behind it.
Because.
“Even if they aren’t, I’ll make it so they are. The Black Way disturbances in Namchang are the work of Baek Ui-mun.”
“…”
“…”
After a brief silence, Yeo Gu-wi opened his mouth.
“A frightening assertion indeed.”
“Is it? Then allow me to ask this.”
Yang Hwi continued with a faint smile.
“The Black Blades are mobilizing en masse, yet Baek Ui-mun, who has positioned himself as the master of Namchang, remains inactive. Why is that?”
“….”
Because he hopes the newly formidable rival, the Baek Family Head, will suffer losses.
By merely observing the situation, he can achieve killing without drawing his blade.
“Baek Ui-mun prioritizes the Baek Family’s interests over the suffering of common folk. Therefore, as the First Son of the Baek Family, I intend to correct this.”
“….”
“….”
Silence descended once more.
Gu Ak nodded slowly, Yeo Gu-wi was bewildered by this bold side of Yang Hwi he’d never witnessed before, and….
Chu Yong-wol simply gazed at him steadily.
‘As expected… Namgung Cheon-yeong is truly remarkable.’
The reason So Wol-hyang found fresh admiration was simple.
The Ascending Dragon of the Sword from the Baek Family Head of Muzhou. First Son Yang Hwi.
A late-stage martial artist talented enough to earn the epithet “Dragon’s Call,” and a young hero steadily rising in renown through recent righteous deeds.
At first glance, Yang Hwi appeared to move with righteousness as his supreme value.
But in truth, it was somewhat different.
‘This matter with Miss Wol-hyang as well—while he’s building his reputation through righteous acts… Namgung Cheon-yeong doesn’t pursue righteousness itself.’
The Yang Hwi she had observed since childhood always moved for his family’s sake.
It was simply that the Baek Family Head, his clan, pursued righteous valor as its primary virtue.
‘I may be misjudging people, but….’
At least, the Yang Hwi that Chu Yong-wol perceived was such a person.
So when it came to liking or disliking him, she leaned toward liking.
“The main family has always prioritized the lives of common folk. Should Namchang become the Baek Family’s domain, the common people of Namchang would likewise enjoy better lives. For instance, a daily existence free from the torment of Black Blade gangs, as in this very situation.”
In other words, defeating Baek Ui-mun was also part of righteous conduct.
It was an utterly self-serving and convenient assertion, yet….
It was rational and calculated.
While walking the path of righteous valor that the family pursued, he would not hesitate to employ any means, so long as the premise of righteousness itself remained unshaken.
Like a merchant.
‘If a martial artist from a clan pursuing righteousness possessed such exceptional commercial talent, would they appear like this?’
With such thoughts, Chu Yong-wol rose to her feet.
She swept her long robes and bowed to Yang Hwi.
“Our merchant house also maintains a shop on Yeongnak Street. We suffer severe losses from the Black Blades’ activities, and thus beseech the First Son of the Baek Family to take pity on these wretched common folk and extend your righteous hand.”
Though called allies of the Baek Family, the Baek Seo-sang-dan was nonetheless an independent merchant house and an organization of common people.
In other words, at this moment, Chu Yong-wol and Yang Hwi had created a pretext together.
A justification for the Baek Family Head of Muzhou to lead his forces into Namchang.
‘Indeed, Miss Chu truly possesses a sharp mind.’
Yang Hwi chuckled softly and posed a question.
“Lady Yeo. Can you immediately block them with the Baek Family’s elite warriors and the escort corps of the Gaecheon Escort Agency?”
“It’s difficult. Those Black Blade bastards wreak havoc and then flee.”
When an opponent employs hit-and-run tactics, even if the defending side outnumbers the attackers tenfold, they cannot completely prevent the assault.
“Especially since their numbers exceed ours as well….”
“Indeed. Then, as Miss Chu mentioned, the suffering of the common folk visiting Yeongnak Street will be severe.”
“Yes. Cries of anguish are echoing from all directions.”
“Yet Baek Ui-mun refuses to move his heavy frame… I cannot simply stand by and observe, not when I’ve inherited the martial way of Baek Do, which pursues righteousness.”
Yeo Gu-wi’s face hardened slightly.
“However, Namgung Cheon-yeong. If the Baek Family Head sends a large force… that moment becomes war with Baek Ui-mun.”
“I understand.”
This is precisely why Baek Ui-mun likely believes the Baek Family cannot move easily.
They would never imagine the Baek Family would dare send a massive force into Baek Ui-mun’s territory—enough to eliminate ten Black Blade factions.
‘In truth… that’s correct. It would be a foolish act, giving Baek Ui-mun justification.’
Killing an intruder in one’s own courtyard is not wrong—it is a natural action.
And in terms of the number and quality of warriors under command, the Baek Family Head still remained significantly weaker than Baek Ui-mun.
Eliminating the Black Blade bastards would be manageable, but a direct confrontation with Baek Ui-mun….
Like Jeong Wol-mun in my past life, the Baek Family Head would face annihilation.
But.
But here’s the thing.
‘In the end, this is all about justification.’
Conflicts between martial sects ultimately favor whoever controls the narrative.
And Yang Hwi possessed one more justification—something that could turn Baek Ui-mun’s blunder into an irreversible mistake.
‘I feel somewhat sorry toward Seolha.’

* * *
Namchang was a great city.
As the capital of a province, it flourished with such vitality that even the outer districts had formed bustling marketplaces, surrounded by countless residences.
I glanced around, taking in the number of buildings.
‘With this many people around, a commotion would certainly draw a crowd.’
The reason I had ventured all the way to Namchang’s outskirts was simple.
Today was the day the forces sent from the main family would arrive.
“Young Master. Word has come that they will arrive in approximately one hour.”
A report from the messenger I had sent to confirm the exact arrival time.
I nodded and surveyed my surroundings once more.
The Baek Family warriors led by Gu Ak, and behind Yeo Gu-wi stood the flag bearers of the Gaecheon Escort Agency’s Namchang branch.
And Adu as well.
I had deliberately left Jegal Seol-ha behind.
There were reasons she could not be here today.
“Seolha, you didn’t send a separate letter to Uncle, correct?”
“No. But why do you keep asking since yesterday?”
Jegal Seol-ha continued with a puzzled expression.
“You know how it is. If Father learns I’ve ventured into the secular world, he’d attach dozens of guards to me without hesitation. With all that fuss, I’d never be able to properly walk the path of the Silent Way.”
“I suppose that’s true.”
“Besides, he’d sulk about me not visiting the main family first, and that’s annoying.”
….
The cute little Jegal Seol-ha who once openly declared “I love you, Father!” in childhood no longer existed.
Only an independent, somewhat reckless version of Jegal Seol-ha remained.
‘Who on earth did she take after to become like this… Ah, that’s disrespectful to my teacher.’
In any case.
“I was just curious.”
“Are you nervous before something big? How silly.”
That was when it happened.
A commotion erupted from behind as hundreds of martial artists appeared.
Leading them was the Baek Family Head.
“Hahahaha, who is this! None other than the Young Master of the Baek Family!”
“Baek Family Head. What brings you to this place?”
I offered a respectful salute with a light fist gesture, but the Baek Family Head responded with a sneer instead.
“What brings me? As the head of this branch that presumes to lead Namchang, I could hardly ignore the news that reached my ears!”
‘Arriving precisely when the forces land to greet them. So he has indeed been listening closely to the main family’s movements.’
Since I had already anticipated this, I maintained an expressionless face rather than showing alarm.
But the Baek Family Head seemed to think my composure was bewilderment.
-I never expected you to be this foolish. This makes things easier, boy!
A transmission through sound? That’s my specialty.
It’s a shame I can’t respond, as revealing one’s true thoughts beforehand is poor strategy.
As these thoughts crossed my mind, an intense aura began to emanate from ahead.
Martial artists rushing forward, led by a swordmaster, their bodies light as they soared through the air.
They were warriors belonging to the Cheonwoo Corps—the elite martial force of Baek Family Head Baek Moo-ryang and the Baek Family.
“Everyone, halt!”
At the command, the Cheonwoo Corps members stopped in perfect unison.
Baek Moo-ryang gazed at those standing before him with deep, penetrating eyes for a moment.
The first to speak was the Baek Ui-mun Sect Leader.
“You are Baek Moo-ryang, the Family Head of the Baek Family in Namchang, are you not?”
Baek Moo-ryang clasped his fist in salute.
“It appears you are the Sect Leader of the renowned Baek Ui-mun, the foremost sect of Namchang. I, Baek, offer my respects to the esteemed Sect Leader.”
The response to his courteous greeting was a cold command.
“Everyone, draw your blades!”
At the order, the Baek Ui-mun disciples simultaneously unsheathed their swords.
“For generations, Namchang has been the domain of our Baek Ui-mun! What could the Baek Family possibly be thinking, leading such a force into Namchang? You must provide a clear and convincing explanation! If your reasons are unsatisfactory, you will pay the price!”
The Baek Ui-mun Sect Leader added as if he had nearly forgotten something.
“And if you dare use the Black Blade Bandits as an excuse, we will show no mercy. Our sect has not merely overlooked their movements—we have been waiting for the right moment to uproot them entirely!”
As the Baek Ui-mun Sect Leader finished speaking, his face flushed with the elation of a successful scheme and the joy of impending victory.
“….”
Baek Moo-ryang remained silent, his gaze fixed upon the Baek Ui-mun Sect Leader.
Yang Hwi too watched his father quietly.
Not a trace of bewilderment appeared on the faces of father and son.
Because they had already exchanged letters regarding today’s events.
‘Father, today is the day.’
At last, our Baek Family will cast our declaration of intent.

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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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