Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 138

—————
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 138
Yang Hwi whistled softly to himself.
‘Wow, look at that murderous glint in his eyes.’
Well, it was only natural he’d look that way.
His carefully laid plans had completely fallen apart because of me.
He probably didn’t realize that my interference had destroyed everything.
But at the very least, the difference between being at the Sword King’s Estate and holding the Blood Demon Sword in his hands would make his emotions turbulent.
‘Come to think of it, he hasn’t asked. I thought he’d question me about the Blood Demon Sword the moment he saw me.’
I planned to play dumb about the sword’s whereabouts, but I expected him to at least probe why I myself remained unharmed despite wielding the demonic blade.
‘Well, asking outright would be strange too.’
A sinister thought suddenly crossed my mind.
Should I scratch at this wound instead?
“Namgung Soga-joonim, it’s truly fortunate that your body has recovered so well. I thought you’d need much longer to recuperate.”
Namgung Cheon-hu’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
He was trying hard not to show it, but he was clearly irritated.
“Thanks to you, I was able to recover quickly. I express my gratitude.”
“Just words?”
It was an unexpected response, and Namgung Cheon-hu’s eyes widened slightly.
Then came a snort of ridicule.
“Ha! You’re quite different from before?”
Before? How did I act back then?
Ah, that’s right—Elder Dang had gone out of his way to grovel first, trying to minimize the humiliation.
“Well, a person’s demeanor changes depending on the situation, doesn’t it?”
“I heard the Baek Family’s patriarch is an upright knight-errant, yet his son doesn’t seem to have inherited that. Ah, is it because you’re adopted?”
He threw out his words as if delivering a triumphant blow.
Yang Hwi grinned and nodded affirmatively.
“Yes. As you know, I come from begging on the streets. Should I apologize?”
“….”
This well-bred young master of a prestigious family dares to try winning with words?
If you want to settle things with wit instead of swords, you should crawl through the assassin underworld for at least ten years first, boy.
“…Where is the Baek patriarch? A guest has arrived, yet he doesn’t show himself.”
Cancel that. This kid really knows how to provoke.
“Wouldn’t it be proper to show respect to the patriarch of a family?”
“Hmm. This Soga-joonim returns courtesy with courtesy, as a rule.”
“Ah! Then I’ll speak more freely, Namgung Sohyeop.”
I stared at Namgung Cheon-hu’s hardening eyes and smiled brazenly.
Boy, did you think I’d back down with talk like that?
“Sohyeop, why that expression? Do you perhaps know the saying about the victim becoming the aggressor?”
Aura erupted from Namgung Cheon-hu.
Not to be outdone, Yang Hwi released his own energy in response.
As the atmosphere continued to escalate, a familiar voice cut through the tension.
“Elder Brother!”
Jegal Seol-ha, who had followed behind without my noticing, tapped my shoulder lightly.
At that same moment, every eye among the Namgung Family members fixed upon her face.
Only then did I realize she wasn’t wearing her veil.
“Oh dear. The veil…”
Namgung Cheon-hu, having composed his emotional turmoil, directed a question toward Seol-ha.
“You are…?”
“It appears you must be the Soga-joonim of the Namgung Family. I’ve heard much of your reputation. I am Seol-ha of the Jegal clan.”
As Seol-ha finished speaking with a bright smile, a fresh wave of commotion rippled through the Namgung Family warriors.
‘Look at that bastard Namgung Cheon-hu blushing in front of someone younger than his own brother.’
Acting his age, was he not.
Of course, Seol-ha’s beauty was truly remarkable.
Ever since her beauty had begun to bloom like a flower in full blossom, even I would catch my breath each time I saw her before I could adjust myself.
Had I not been watching her since childhood, I might never have adapted at all.
-Elder Brother, how can you speak that way to the Soga-joonim of the Namgung Family?
I wondered why she had suddenly revealed herself and interjected, but it seemed she was worried.
-It won’t matter how I speak. If anything, I need to provoke their temperament.
-What do you mean by that?
-The Namgung clan won’t simply leave our Baek Family alone.
-What? Why would they target the Baek Family?
-There are circumstances behind it. I’ll explain later.
I could have groveled as much as necessary.
But even if I bowed, the Namgung Family’s attitude and decisions would not change.
Since I had come this far, I had no choice but to become their enemy.
“Namgung Sohyeop. What business brings you to this distant place? The main family does not welcome uninvited guests.”
Interpreted in the manner of assassins, it was a command to get lost.
It was also a question thrown to seize the initiative, knowing full well that the Namgung Family members could not simply leave.
“If you have business, proceed to the reception hall, state your purpose for this visit, and wait there. That is the courtesy an uninvited guest should observe, is it not?”
One of the warriors under Namgung Cheon-hu’s command could no longer contain himself and spewed forth indignation.
“You insolent brat! Your audacity knows no bounds! How dare you speak such nonsense about our master!”
It was natural for him to be angry—the Soga-joonim of such a prestigious family as the Namgung clan was being disrespected.
Though of course, I had deliberately provoked this reaction.
“What does it matter who the master is? I was merely pointing out the basic courtesy a person should maintain.”
“You dare—!”
An intent to kill seized my entire body.
A ferocity so vicious that an ordinary person with weak resolve would have died on the spot.
Of course, I didn’t even blink.
“Enough. All Changcheon Sword Sect members, exercise restraint.”
“…As you command.”
“Joon-myung.”
Namgung Cheon-hu’s eyes gleamed with profound depth as he regarded Yang Hwi.
‘No matter how I look at you, nothing reveals itself. Whatever your business is, you’ll have to speak it first.’
With such thoughts, he observed the Changcheon Sword Sect Members that Namgung Cheon-hu had brought.
Weren’t they all Changcheon Sword Sect Members during the last incident at Geom Wang’s residence?
Before, they seemed unremarkable, but their caliber has clearly changed.
‘Ah. So back then, he only brought along those limbs who had sworn loyalty.’
Now, everyone under his command was a supreme master.
In other words, this visit wasn’t Namgung Cheon-hu’s independent decision.
If he moved under the Patriarch’s authority, how far should I prepare myself…
Sigh, thinking really is such a tedious affair.
I wish I could quickly develop that Young Scholar and put him to good use.
That’s when it happened.
“Baek Sohyeop.”
The form of address had changed. The man who initially called out Baek Yang-hwi’s full name and thereafter addressed me as “you” now showed greater courtesy.
“I apologize for treating you familiarly, believing we had formed a friendship through our previous meeting. The main family has come this far to demonstrate consistency between word and deed, having endorsed the Baek Family’s intentions.”
Yet the courtesy was only in his tone of voice.
The emotions in his eyes. The temperament felt through his aura.
In every element save his words, I could sense Namgung Cheon-hu’s anger.
Exactly like a Namgung man—arrogant by nature, yet bending for now.
‘This bastard came with a scheme.’
A person of corrupt character only does what they don’t usually do when they want something.
“I understand. If you would wait in the reception hall, I shall inform the Patriarch of your visit and prepare accommodations.”
“Very well.”
After herding the Namgung men into the reception hall.
Yang Hwi immediately summoned Baek Moo-ryang, who had been in training, and explained the situation.
“Hmm. He said they came to demonstrate consistency between word and deed? I cannot fathom this at all. The Namgung Family should have no reason to regard us favorably, yet here comes such a visit.”
“Their true intentions are surely dark.”
Baek Moo-ryang did not utter foolish words like the Namgung Family, being a righteous martial clan, could not harbor schemes.
For whether righteous or orthodox, there was no reason they couldn’t weave hidden plots.
“From the Namgung Family’s perspective, our main family, which has been expanding power in Gangwon directly below them, must be a thorn in their eye. Especially since we’ve recently extended our territory to include Namchang.”
“Precisely. This visit certainly has intentions behind it.”
“I shall keep that in mind. First, let us go greet our guests.”
The Namgung Family Members in the reception hall maintained the same demeanor as outside.
Should one call it strict, befitting those who valued propriety and form, or rather like soldiers who refuse to relax their guard in enemy territory?
Either way, it mattered little.
“Namgung Patriarch. I am Baek Moo of the Baek Family of Gaecheon.”
“Pleased to make your acquaintance. I am Namgung Cheon-hu of the Namgung House.”
After exchanging names briefly, Baek Moo-ryang immediately
“Though I know it is improper, I cannot restrain my curiosity and must ask one question. What brings you to our humble family?”
“The head of the Baek family once proclaimed in Namchang that under the four characters of Gaecheon Baek family, you would not bow and would care for all—showing your benevolence.”
‘This bastard’s dropping honorifics again?’
While Yang Hwi felt the urge to lash out, Baek Moo-ryang showed no sign of concern whatsoever.
“Indeed, that is so. But what does that have to do with the Namgung Family embarking on this distant journey…?”
“It is simple. Our family head was greatly impressed by the banner of the Baek family. As it happens, the western reaches of Gangwon are plagued by the Black Blades, so he has commanded us to lend our strength in carrying out the benevolence of Gaecheon.”
“Ah, I see.”
The Black Blades in Gangwon were already plotting large-scale movements.
Now that I had proclaimed the benevolence of Gaecheon, I had justification—I would not simply stand idle and watch the Baek family.
Accordingly, the Baek family was also preparing and making ready.
“Of course, the Gaecheon Baek family would have no need for the assistance of our main branch. However, the more hands available, the better. I would be most grateful if you would permit us to participate in this righteous endeavor.”
-A masterful move.
-A request that cannot be refused.
The more forces we gathered, the easier it would be to eliminate the Black Blades, and thus the fewer casualties among the common people.
As the Baek family that had proclaimed the benevolence of Gaecheon, I could not refuse the Namgung Family’s offer.
‘There’s no way this is purely intentioned. Do I really need to keep several peak masters with hidden agendas at my side during this conflict with the Black Blades?’
Which was it?
Were they simply trying to place their spoon in the bowl?
Or were they trying to change who owned the spoon?
Or perhaps they meant to overturn the table entirely?
Watching Namgung Cheon-hu’s face as he smiled meaningfully in my direction, I felt my insides twist irritably.
‘Well, whichever it is, I’ll make sure it benefits the main family. I’ll absolutely ensure that.’
Beyond that, my irritation wouldn’t let me let this pass so easily.
Since I was receiving this uninvited guest, I might as well make thorough use of him—that would be proper courtesy.
“Father, I have something to say.”
“What is it?”
“Since these honored guests have come with such noble intentions, I believe we should hold a banquet to welcome them properly.”
“Your words are wise.”
Baek Moo-ryang nodded in agreement, though a hint of bewilderment crossed his face.
Given Yang Hwi’s nature, he would never say such a thing.
“However, a banquet should naturally have something entertaining to captivate the guests.”
“Hmm? Entertainment, you say? What do you mean?”
“I believe we could arrange something quite fitting. What if we moved forward the promised martial match with Namcheon Martial Academy?”
I turned my gaze toward Namgung Cheon-hu and elaborated further.
“In truth, a martial wager has been arranged between my younger brother and the academy master of a nearby martial school. If you would permit it, I thought to advance the match to serve as entertainment for the banquet. What do you think?”
“As a guest, I cannot refuse the host’s invitation. It does sound amusing, so do as you wish.”
Namgung Cheon-hu readily accepted.
The way his eyes rolled suggested he’d already hatched additional schemes, but it mattered not.
There was no way the situation would unfold according to his designs.
‘First, I need to test Namgung Cheon-hu’s mettle and see what he’s truly after.’
Pondering what emotions Namgung Cheon-hu harbored toward Namgung Cheon-yeong, Yang Hwi’s lips curled into a subtle smirk.

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