Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 139

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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 139
Aksoo County, located a short distance east of Akan County where the Gaecheon Baek Family resided.
This was where the Namcheon Martial Arts School stood, boasting one of the three greatest powers in Muzhou.
“First Elder, what do you think we should do about this?”
The main hall of the Namcheon Martial Arts School was filled with the school’s leadership, including its master.
The reason they were huddling together in worry was a letter that had arrived from the Baek Family Head of Akan County—or rather, from what was now being called the Gaecheon Baek Family.
“Who would have thought the Gaecheon Baek Family would request to move up the martial competition by six months?”
“I apologize, Father.”
So Gwan-ju, the one directly involved, lowered his head with a dejected expression.
“It’s done. Who could have foreseen things would turn out this way?”
“Indeed, So Gwan-ju. Even I praised you when we agreed to the martial competition six months ago.”
Everyone rallied to support So Gwan-ju. However, that didn’t make the immediate problem disappear.
“If I had known it would come to this, I wouldn’t have given them a year’s time in the first place.”
“That’s the truth of it.”
“Who could have known the Baek Family Head would become the Gaecheon Baek Family in just half a year?”
When the martial competition was first agreed upon, the Baek Family Head was merely one of three powers based in Muzhou, alongside Jeong Wol-mun and the Namcheon Martial Arts School.
That was certainly the case back then…
“To think they would swallow Namchang, which is two to three times larger than Muzhou, in one gulp.”
“And they even secured a plausible justification, along with a reputation that surpasses it.”
The Baek Family Head’s proclamation of the Gaecheon Baek Family, which had occurred months ago, was now shaking the entire martial world of Gangseong.
It couldn’t be helped.
Chivalry that doesn’t abandon the small for the great.
An unwavering will to care for all people without compromise.
Wasn’t this the very ideal of chivalry that anyone walking the path of righteousness would dream of?
“…To be honest, I’m envious.”
“Sigh. So am I.”
The Namcheon Martial Arts School was the weakest of the three powers in Muzhou.
Unlike the Gaecheon Baek Family and Jeong Wol-mun, each possessing two or three peak masters, the Namcheon Martial Arts School had only its master as a peak expert.
In a way, it was inevitable.
Unlike the other two powers—a martial family and a martial sect—the Namcheon Martial Arts School was, true to its name, a martial arts school.
It was their business to teach martial arts for payment.
While their disciples were scattered throughout Gangseong, creating a network of connections as dense as a spider’s web, their direct military strength was inevitably inferior.
“We planned to win the martial competition and demand that the Baek Family’s son study under us as the price of victory.”
“Now, even if we win, we cannot make such a demand.”
“Indeed. And among the observers of the martial competition, there’s even the Soga-joonim of the Namgung Family.”
The relationship between the Baek Family and the Namgung Family could hardly be called good, but they didn’t know this fact.
On the surface, it merely appeared that the Baek Family, now grown far too large compared to before, had even secured the backing of the Namgung Family.
“That’s not all. A Buddhist monk from Shaolin and the young lady of the Jegal Family are also said to be observing the martial competition…”
“It’s impossible. There’s no way we can handle this.”
At this point, it seemed the Namcheon Martial Arts School should wisely relocate its base.
Leaving Aksu Hyeon, where my family had lived for generations, was unthinkable.
“In any case, it’s clear that the Baek Family has drawn their swords.”
“Indeed. Especially since Jeong Wol-mun’s successor is also participating in the martial competition.”
“Judging by how they’ve escalated the stakes, they’re clearly using this as an opportunity to seize hegemony over the Murim.”
So Gwan-ju, unable to bear the deepening atmosphere of worry, cried out with resolute determination.
“Father. And Masters. Though I am lacking, I will surely achieve victory! I will win and request a path of coexistence with the Baek Family as the price of the wager!”
In truth, for Namchang Murim, So Gwan-ju’s victory was the only lifeline.
At the very least, it would allow them to plead for the avoidance of harsh measures.
“We believe in you, So Gwan-ju.”
“Well spoken, my son.”
But what truly worried them lay beyond that.
“Even if he wins, the crisis may not disappear.”
“Since time immemorial, the Murim has been ruled by the strong. The truth is, no one knows how the Baek Family, now standing in a position of strength, will act.”
“While it seems unlikely they would overstep after proclaiming the righteousness of Gaecheon’s chivalry…”
“Righteousness can easily become tyranny. They could justify controlling all of Murim under the pretext of performing greater acts of chivalry.”
“You speak truly.”
Not a single person among them had ever met the Baek Family Head or their senior members.
The only member of the Baek Family they had encountered was the young second Young Master, Baek Heon-so.
Because of this, they could only worry and feel anxious.
The Murim, after all, could be a terribly heartless place.

* * *
Four days passed, and a martial competition arena was erected in the center of the Gaecheon Baek Family’s main estate.
It was early evening. Yang Hwi, who had been directing preparations for the banquet, moved to greet the approaching Namgung Cheon-hu, accompanied by several subordinates.
“You’ve come out early, Namgung Cheon-hu.”
“I was growing bored in my quarters.”
“You’ll find it quite entertaining very soon, so please wait just a bit longer.”
‘It really will be entertaining. Thanks to you, I think I’ll have quite the enjoyable time myself.’
“Hearing you say that makes me anticipate it. Your brother is fifteen, correct?”
“Yes. From what I know, he’s around the same age as Namgung Cheon-hu’s younger brother.”
“We’re the same age, more or less. Well… age is just a number anyway.”
Namgung Cheon-hu’s eyes swept across the Baek Family servants working throughout the grounds.
Then his gaze shifted to the Changcheon Sword Sect members he had brought with him.
“I hope it will be as entertaining as you say. Though I’m uncertain whether it can satisfy the eyes of this young master, raised within the Namgung Family.”
I could say with certainty:
“It will satisfy you.”
“Your confidence in your brother is remarkable. It seems the bond between you is quite strong.”
“My brother is truly adorable and listens well to his older brother.”
“He has no choice but to be adorable. A younger brother who follows his older brother is simply that kind of existence.”
‘I never expected this man to say such things.’
I was slightly taken aback. I’d expected Namgung Cheon-yeong to be grinding his teeth at me.
No, perhaps they’re still on good terms.
Since Namgung Cheon-yeong is around sixteen years old, it’s the age where one admires and follows an older brother, after all.
‘Hmm. Then rather than sowing discord, it would be better to provoke his inferiority complex.’
While maintaining a calm expression, I adjusted my plan slightly.
Indeed, to truly irritate someone, one must gather various pieces of information beforehand.
Know yourself and know your enemy—victory in a hundred battles.
Though I’m not sure if that saying applies here.
“My younger brother still has much to learn. I fear he might tarnish the eyes of Namgung Cheon-yeong.”
“Is that so? How fortunate. To have an ordinary man as your younger brother.”
“There’s nothing fortunate about it.”
“Setting aside Cheon-yeong’s excellence, if your younger brother, the legitimate heir of the Baek Family, possessed outstanding talent, the Baek Family would not be running as smoothly as it does now.”
Namgung Cheon-hu seemed to realize that genuine sentiment had leaked through, and he fell silent for a while.
But it was already too late.
‘The inferiority complex approach is the right one after all.’
And calling me an ordinary man—our Seo isn’t the sort to be called that by the Namgung clan.
Especially not when the one saying it is a true mediocrity who, even at thirty years old, hasn’t shed the epithet of “dragon” from his name.
‘This will be quite entertaining.’
Once the preparations for the banquet and the martial arts arena were complete, all the senior members took their seats.
Yang Hwi also sat beside Baek Moo-ryang.
“Soga-joonim, we shall now begin the banquet. I hope you will thoroughly enjoy the entertainment we have prepared.”
“You are too kind.”
“Moreover, I wish to express my gratitude to the esteemed members of the Namcheon Martial Arts School and the Jeong Wol-mun who have made the difficult journey here.”
Originally, today’s banquet was meant to welcome the Namgung Family’s Soga-joonim, but upon advancing the scheduled martial match, invitations were also sent to the senior members of the Namcheon Martial Arts School.
As the scale expanded, the people of Jeong Wol-mun were also invited.
Thus, the Namcheon Martial Arts School Master and the Jeong Wol-mun Master were also present at the banquet.
“You are most kind. We are simply grateful for the invitation, Family Head.”
“I share the same sentiment, Family Head.”
“I am relieved to hear you say so.”
Following this, the participants of the martial match appeared in the center of the banquet hall.
So Gwan-ju of the Namcheon Martial Arts School, and the daughter of Jeong Wol-mun.
‘Jeong Wol-mun sent the sect master’s younger brother instead of the sect master himself.’
Indeed, Jeong Myeong-gun, the Jeong Wol-mun sect master, is several years older than Yang Hwi.
Considering seniority and propriety, it would have been strange for Jeong Myeong-gun to step forward.
“I offer my respects to all the esteemed elders.”
“I am ashamed to display such inadequate skill.”
So Gwan-ju of the Namcheon Martial Arts School performed the martial salute with an attitude befitting a junior.
Jeong So-gun, standing beside him, also spoke with humility.
“But where is Seo?”
At Baek Moo-ryang’s question, one of the household servants answered.
“He was in the midst of training and lost track of time, so he hurried to prepare and make his way here.”
“I see. I’ve shown you honored guests an unworthy appearance. Please forgive me.”
“Not at all!”
“Surely the wait itself is part of the enjoyment, is it not?”
I stole a glance at Namgung Cheon-hu’s profile and found my lips curling upward without thinking.
I genuinely looked forward to seeing what kind of reaction Namgung Cheon-hu would show shortly.
“My apologies for the delay!”
Baek Heon-so, who appeared in the banquet hall, hurriedly bowed his head to those around him and began offering his apologies.
The appearance of Baek Heon-so was… utterly different from several months ago.
“Young Master. Is this truly the boy who came seeking the martial master you met half a year ago?”
“Yes, that’s correct. It’s been a long time, Namcheon Martial Master.”
Even if Jeong Wol-mun, seeing Baek Heon-so for the first time, could be excused, the Namcheon Martial Master could not hide his astonishment.
The last time he saw him, this person was brimming with youthful charm, yet now he had suddenly appeared as a young man.
“Remarkable, his physique is truly impressive to behold.”
“Yet he is still of a boy’s age. How is this possible…?”
“It seems the Family Head’s son possesses exceptional bone structure!”
“Thank you for the praise, Jeong Wol-mun.”
Hearing the words of admiration from those around, I puffed up with pride as though the praise were directed at me.
Since I was the one responsible for Baek Heon-so’s transformation, every word I heard was delightful.
‘It was worthwhile to infuse him with vital energy to his limit.’
One of vital energy’s functions is to guide the body in the correct direction.
When infused into one who is underdeveloped, it can even induce the growth of the body itself.
This was also the reason I possessed a fully developed physique at fifteen.
“Since there are three martial contestants, we shall conduct two matches.”
First, the two parties to the promised match would test their skills against each other.
Baek Heon-so and So Gwan-ju ascended the martial stage.
“I look forward to this, So Gwan-ju.”
“I shall learn from you, Young Master Baek.”
After exchanging courteous bows, the two blades displayed the aura of their edges.
Watching this, I felt my heart pounding.
My gaze remained fixed on Namgung Cheon-hu’s profile.
Namgung Cheon-hu, who had not taken his eyes away since Baek Heon-so appeared, his gaze deep and unwavering.
What he was thinking was perfectly clear.
“As the elder, I shall yield the first move.”
“As the junior, I gratefully accept.”
The moment So answered respectfully and raised his momentum.
Everyone in the banquet hall felt astonishment.
“This aura is…!”
“Intentional Qi Manifestation!”
“How can a boy who has merely reached the Ji-hak stage possibly…!!!”
“Surely not the Absolute Perfection Realm… No, that’s impossible!”
Crash!
Namgung Cheon-hu rose to his feet without sparing a glance at the toppled chair.
His gaze, which had been fixed so intently on Baek Heon-so, unconsciously shifted toward Yang Hwi.
Namgung Cheon-hu, who had clearly lived his entire life drowning in inferiority toward his younger brother.
Baek Heon-so, who at merely fifteen years of age had demonstrated the enlightenment of a merchant’s insight, and Yang Hwi, his elder brother.
Observing the turbulent emotions swirling in Namgung Cheon-hu’s eyes, Yang Hwi uttered a single phrase.
Words that Namgung Cheon-hu could never have brought himself to speak.
“He is my cherished younger brother.”
Rage—no, an emotion far more violent than that.
Namgung Cheon-hu’s face contorted in anguish.

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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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