Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 137

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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 137
Something fell before my eyes with a soft thud.
Namgung Cheon-hu, his complexion pallid and worn, stared intently at the small wooden box.
Above his head, a displeased voice poured down.
“Tsk. Still haven’t recovered?”
The voice of his father and Family Head, Namgung Il-geom.
The injuries Namgung Cheon-hu sustained at the Geom Wang Fortress were the sort that required at least a year of careful recuperation to heal.
Had it not been for the Namgung Family’s secret martial technique, he might have lost everything as a warrior entirely—such was the severity of his wounds.
Yet in his father’s voice, in the Family Head’s tone, I detected not a trace of concern.
‘Is it that he doesn’t feel it, or that it doesn’t exist?’
With such thoughts, Namgung Cheon-hu picked up the wooden box.
With a soft click, the box opened to reveal a single mystical pill emanating an ethereal fragrance within.
“…An elixir, I see. You said there was no elixir to spare for a worthless son like me.”
The Namgung Family, befitting a great martial clan, possessed secret elixirs of profound power.
Had I been able to consume such an elixir immediately upon returning from the Geom Wang Fortress, I would have long since shed all my injuries and risen again.
“It seems you’ve had need of my position as Young Master, Father.”
Namgung Il-geom did not answer. It was the truth, after all.
Instead, he issued a command.
“Recover as quickly as possible and go to Gangseong.”
Gangseong. That cursed Gangseong.
Namgung Cheon-hu immediately grasped what task Namgung Il-geom intended for him.
“It seems the Baek Family Head has grown large enough to displease your eyes, Father.”
After losing all his limbs at the Geom Wang Fortress and being placed under house arrest, Namgung Cheon-hu still knew nothing of what had transpired in Namchang, Gangseong.
“The Baek Family Head… those wretches have grown presumptuous. They know not their place.”
As I waited in silence, Namgung Il-geom continued.
“They call themselves the Gaecheon Baek Family and have proclaimed they will walk the path of Gaecheon.”
Gaecheon—to become a shield that covers the heavens and protect all the powerless of the realm.
“Ha! Arrogance beyond measure! And stupidity to match!”
Namgung Cheon-hu inwardly agreed with Namgung Il-geom’s words.
An unyielding chivalry? To overlook not even the smallest thing for righteous chivalry?
‘Yang Hwi, wasn’t that the boy’s name? He couldn’t possibly be foolish enough to do something like this.’
An ancient tree that faces a tempest does not bend—it breaks, its roots torn from the earth.
But what of the reed?
Caught in the currents of hardship, it bows here and bows there, yet preserves the integrity of its own roots.
If one truly pursues chivalry, one must be like the reed.
Sometimes bowing, sometimes compromising, yet never losing one’s roots.
“If one chooses the path of the ancient tree, one must be like Shaolin—absolute martial prowess! A force worthy of discussing supremacy under heaven!”
Yet the Baek Family Head was not even an ancient tree.
Jang Han was merely a seedling that sprouted anew from the fruit of a tree that had once been ancient, but was still nothing more than a sapling.
A slightly stronger wind would topple it without fail.
“So become the wind and try it, Cheon-hu.”
“It seems the seedling has received generous fertilizer.”
Namgung Il-geom did not deny it.
Both Namgung Il-geom and Namgung Cheon-hu understood that merely declaring an unyielding resolve was nothing more than a casual jest over drinks.
“Yes. The Jegal Family has sided with the Baek Family Head.”
“The Jegal? They should be preoccupied with the matter in Hubei alone.”
“Yet they offered aid regardless, which suggests their connection runs deep.”
As expected, the patriarch of the Namgung Family would hardly concern himself with the affairs of the Baek Family.
The long history of the martial world had proven what became of a resolve without power.
Namgung Il-geom was not targeting the Baek Family, who had declared their resolve from nothing, but rather the enemy lurking behind them.
“You still view them as puppets.”
“Then what other possibility exists?”
The Baek Family Head first caught the attention of the Namgung Family’s intelligence network through the Dang Family.
More precisely, they believed the Dang Family had presented him as a puppet to expand beyond Sichuan.
By common sense alone, the fact that they had surrendered portions of ancestral estates as tribute made it impossible for him to be anything but a puppet.
“You were wrong. The Dang Family was not the mastermind. The entire scheme was orchestrated by that Wa-ryong Family.”
The Baek Family. The Dang Family. And the Jegal Family.
Predicting who the true ringleader was among these three presented no difficulty whatsoever.
Whether by the scale of their power, their renown, or the depth of their schemes.
It could only be the picture drawn by the Jegal Family.
“So you must step forward, Cheon-hu. Go and deface their painting.”
Only then did Namgung Cheon-hu understand why Namgung Il-geom was issuing this command while even granting him the spiritual elixir he had previously withheld.
To deface a painting with ink—the hand that touches black ink cannot help but become stained.
‘…Ha.’
In other words, Namgung Il-geom’s command was this:
Someone must soil their hands, and that someone must be you.
“Is this not a fine opportunity? Why not give Cheon-yeong a chance to earn merit as well?”
Namgung Il-geom’s brow immediately furrowed.
“He is but a child, not yet of age. Merit? That boy earns merit for the main family simply by training his martial arts.”
…Yes, that is not wrong.
With his younger brother Namgung Cheon-yeong’s martial talent, he could advance the main family’s martial arts.
It is true that he earns merit merely by training.
“Cheon-hu.”
Suddenly, Namgung Il-geom’s voice softened.
“Since the incident at the Sword King’s Pagoda, your standing has not been what it once was. The elders all criticize you alike. Will you not regain what you have lost by earning merit?”
True words. There would surely be martial forces to accompany him to Gangxi, and this was an opportunity to fill the gaps left behind at the Sword King’s Pagoda.
But.
‘Lord Patriarch. No matter how you dress it up, Cheon-yeong’s hands cannot remain unstained.’
I laughed. Unable to voice it, I wept within.
If only I had possessed talent.
Had I possessed martial talent that shone brilliantly, earning the admiration and reverence of others through its very existence.
‘If I do not have it, I will obtain it. Without fail. By any means necessary.’
A desire takes root in my heart. This, too, is darkness.
I lifted the undulating black curtain and read my true nature beneath.
-Staining my hands? Insufficient.
-Even if my entire body turns black, is it not enough if I can simply possess it?
The voice within me spoke truth.
I will possess everything I desire without fail.
“I have a condition, Soga-joonim.”
“A condition? I have given you this opportunity, yet you speak of conditions?”
“You did not raise this Soga-joonim to be a fool or an idiot.”
Words far too presumptuous for a Soga-joonim to speak to his Soga-joonim, or for a son to speak to his father.
Yet Namgung Il-geom laughed heartily.
“You are right, Cheon-hu. I am pleased. Speak your condition.”
“I will obey your command. In return, I ask that you provide me with as many martial forces as I require and support me with information. I will personally select all personnel.”
“Very well. That was my intention anyway.”
In Namgung Il-geom’s judgment, his second son, Namgung Cheon-yeong, would need more time before ascending to the position of Soga-joonim.
If the Soga-joonim position remained vacant during that time, other jackals might foolishly dare to covet what was above them.
Therefore, it was better for Namgung Cheon-hu to execute this command brilliantly and maintain the Soga-joonim position for now.
After all, the one destined to become the future Namgung Family Head was Namgung Cheon-yeong.
It was a fate that could not be otherwise.
“Then go. Rest and recover, then move immediately.”
“I obey.”
Namgung Cheon-hu gazed at the door Namgung Il-geom had closed behind him for a moment.
Then, without the slightest hesitation, he swallowed a spirit elixir.
‘They say the symbol of the Baek Family is the white hawk.’
Then I shall become a raven.
Even if I stain my feathers black, I will devour the white hawk and soar through the heavens once more.
With black wings, I will become the master of the azure sky.
-Yes, that is it precisely.
Listening to the voice that echoed once more, Namgung Cheon-hu sank deeper and deeper into the abyss within.
For five hours.
A span of time long enough for the setting sun to rise again in the azure sky.
With his depleted vital energy fully restored, Namgung Cheon-hu emerged into the training grounds.
It was to attune his rusty body.
“…Cheon-yeong.”
“Ah! Elder Brother!”
There was a visitor in the training grounds.
My younger brother, Namgung Cheon-yeong.
“Elder Brother! Oh, it seems your body has recovered!”
Though blessed with martial talent from heaven itself, Namgung Cheon-yeong was still but a child.
He had only reached the first-rate realm.
Yet he had seen through my condition—a master at the peak of perfection.
‘Cheon-yeong.’
Namgung Cheon-yeong, unaware of his brother’s inner turmoil, simply brightened with joy, his eyes gleaming.
“Has Father finally given you the Spirit Elixir? How wonderful, Brother!”
A monster that would steal everything from me, whether intentionally or not.
Yet because he was still young, he remained a younger brother who followed and revered me.
‘Every time you act like this, I find it unbearable.’
“The Soga-joonim has issued his command. I will depart for Gangxi soon.”
“What matter calls you to Gangxi, Brother?”
“As you know, our main family’s seat in Anhui and Gangxi are neighboring regions. A threatening element has emerged in Gangxi.”
“Hmm? Is it the Black Path or a heretical sect?”
“No. For now, it is the White Path faction.”
“Then it is not a threat but a competition, is it not? Competition elevates both sides, so it is a good thing!”
He speaks the truth. In other words, an idealistic truth.
One divorced from reality.
“Yes, you are right. I will endeavor to make us worthy competitors.”
“Yes! Ah, Brother! Would you not watch my sword technique? It has been so long!”
‘Cheon-yeong. You wish to inflict another wound upon your brother, do you not?’
I concealed my true feelings and nodded.
Namgung Cheon-yeong then began his sword dance.
Swish! Swish! Swish!
His blade carved through the empty air.
The void is emptiness itself, yet my younger brother’s sword clearly severed something within it.
And I could see it.
Though he merely swung a steel rod, the heavens themselves were reflected in it.
‘He has not yet reached the transcendent realm, and already the heavens shine through his blade.’
Only admiration poured forth from such martial talent.
The greatest martial master of future generations would surely be my younger brother.
It is a destiny already written, one that shall never change.
Unless he falls before reaching that exalted position.
‘This is why the Soga-joonim cherishes Cheon-yeong so dearly.’
But hear me, Cheon-yeong.
I cannot yield to you.
‘Not even if you trust and follow me as your elder brother.’
The next day.
Namgung Cheon-hu departed for Gangxi, leading a martial force of his own selection.
With the foundation already sketched, ready to create beauty even with only black ink.

* * *
After matters in Namchang had been settled to a reasonable degree, I returned to the Baek Family’s main residence in Muju.
Adu naturally accompanied me, and an unexpected visitor had also claimed a place among us.
“Seolha. Your master probably expects you to walk the Path of Ten Thousand Sounds in Namchang. Are you sure it’s right to follow me?”
“Ehehe. Elder brother, think about it.”
“What?”
“What is the Path of Ten Thousand Sounds? It’s a path to fill sound, and a path to hear ten thousand sounds. How could you possibly fill ten thousand sounds in a single location?”
I wasn’t swayed by Jegal Seol-ha’s eloquence.
“So what’s your real reason?”
“Three months was enough. I’m bored without you here, elder brother.”
“You just don’t want to keep pretending to be a musician.”
Caught red-handed, Jegal Seol-ha laughed prettily with a bashful smile.
“Ehehe.”
‘I suppose so. After spending years on the mountain learning only martial arts, the thought of continuing to play musician once I left must be unbearable.’
Especially having inherited the martial prowess of Pacheon Eumhu, an absolute master.
She probably wanted to wander the realm, see injustice and lend her strength where appropriate, and play the role of a wandering heroine.
The hearts of young martial artists all tend toward the same desires.
“But why did you follow me? I’ll be staying at the main residence for a while. Won’t you be even more bored?”
Jegal Seol-ha shook her head as if the very notion was absurd.
“There’s no way you’d stay quiet like that, elder brother.”
“But I would? I really would?”
“Even if you would, those around you won’t let it happen. You’re someone who always brings turmoil wherever you go.”
“….”
It was hard to deny, especially knowing that a great storm would soon arrive.
That was when it happened.
“Young Master!”
A servant burst through the door, shouting.
“A guest has arrived from the Namgung Family!”
“I told you so.”
Jegal Seol-ha smiled smugly, as if to say ‘I knew it.’
I hurried outside toward the main gate.
Along the blue stone path that led from the main gate to the central hall of the sprawling Baek estate, martial artists of the Namgung Family walked in procession.
At the front stood someone with a familiar face.
“Baek Yang-hwi. It’s been a while.”
I stopped before him and lifted the corners of my mouth habitually.
“You look well, Cheon-hu. I didn’t expect you to recover so quickly.”
Namgung Cheon-hu also lifted the corners of his mouth, mirroring my expression.
“Ah, thanks to you, it seems.”
A sharp and heavy atmosphere began to settle over the surroundings.

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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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