Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 14

—————
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 014
Yang Hwi gazed at the notices plastered throughout the marketplace, a satisfied smile crossing his face.
Ah, whoever wrote these notices certainly has a way with words, don’t they?
“Hehehehe, truly eloquent, wouldn’t you say? Those who wish to reclaim their severed bonds of kinship, come to Baek Manor!”
Watching Yang Hwi, Gu Ak’s expression grew displeased.
“The money spent hiring people to create these notices and spread rumors has exceeded a thousand silver taels. Little brother, you absolutely must make this succeed.”
“Thanks to me, you’ve earned thousands of silver taels—is a thousand really so precious? And this is for Rang-rang’s sake, no less? When I was chatting at her quarters today, I had much more to talk about.”
“Ugh… I’d like to silence that glib tongue of yours…”
Two days had already passed since Rang-rang arrived at Baek Manor.
Gu Ak, whose face had flushed with indignation at Yang Hwi’s clever words, suddenly wore an expression of unease and displeasure.
“Little brother. Though your words ring true and I’ve allowed Rang-rang to come to Baek Manor, if you harbor any other intentions, we shall become eternal enemies.”
Gu Ak was a direct member of Hong Gyo-bang, one of the three major Black Island factions that dominated Ak-an County, while Baek Manor was unmistakably an orthodox sect.
Moreover, it was a righteous martial arts family so upright that its patriarch had earned the epithet “Unwavering as Bamboo.”
No matter how much he had agreed, it could not be comfortable for him to see his betrothed residing at Baek Manor.
“Have no concerns. My father has also given his approval.”
It was only natural, but Yang Hwi had visited Baek Moo-ryang the very day he brought Rang-rang and told him everything he could.
“Though my father found it distasteful to protect the betrothed of a Black Island member, he is not one to stand idle while a helpless woman faces danger.”
Gu Ak nodded in agreement. He could trust Baek Moo-ryang’s word above all others, unlike anyone else.
To such a degree that he trusted it more than his own subordinates who shared his table.
“Unwavering as Bamboo would never be that sort of man.”
“Ahem. It is improper to address the family head and my father in such a casual manner.”
In that instant, Gu Ak’s expression seemed ready to burst with frustration.
“There’s only a six-year difference between me and Unwavering as Bamboo! It’s you who’s strange for consistently calling me ‘older brother’ when I’m practically your uncle!!”
‘If you count my past life, you’re younger than me, boy.’
Yang Hwi let out a quiet chuckle and changed the subject.
“Shall we overlook such trivial matters? In any case, we should have results by tomorrow.”
“Now that I think about it, you never mentioned who would volunteer to be Rang-rang’s father. Just who are you planning to bring that requires such an elaborate scheme?”
“Well, let’s just say someone capable of killing even a master at the peak realm.”
Gu Ak let out a scoff.
“I, a hero of this generation and a prodigy of Black Island, have yet to surpass the peak realm even past thirty. The peak realm is the wall I cannot breach. So what would someone capable of killing peak masters need with becoming a courtesan’s father?”
“When one is desperate, they’ll volunteer to be anyone’s father or mother. Besides, what’s so special about a peak realm master?”
Watching Yang Hwi respond so nonchalantly, Gu Ak was left speechless.
“Peak realm masters are nothing special? If that were true, our faction would have conquered Ak-an County long ago.”
It was not an unreasonable statement. Counting by martial prowess alone, even Hong Gyo-bang, one of the most renowned in Ak-an County, had only one peak realm master—its hall master.
A realm where one could claim to be the greatest master in a provincial region.
That was precisely the peak realm.
But.
‘What’s so special about the peak realm? In my past life, I surpassed that wall before reaching my twenties with just family martial arts.’
“In any case, I must take my leave. To break through that lofty peak realm wall, I cannot neglect my training.”
Yang Hwi had been spending his days in constant cultivation lately.
If not for Gu Ak’s impatience—unable to wait even two days before charging in—I would still be in the Training Grounds right now, dedicating myself to rigorous cultivation.
“If you claim to be a hero, then wait with dignity. I shall send word shortly.”
“…I trust you. Father’s expression is far from ordinary. My brothers view this as a self-inflicted embarrassment. Ensure they don’t think I’ve acted foolishly.”
“Yes, yes.”
Yang Hwi returned directly to Baek Manor. After completing all assigned training, I secluded myself in my quarters under the pretense of studying and writing.
‘This should suffice for organization.’
I inscribed a title onto the blank cover of the manuscript.
[Record of the Canopy Sword]
[Harmonious Heaven Primal Origin Technique]
I had compiled everything—the enlightenments from my past life and the two divine techniques I had created—into the form of a book.
It was, in essence, a secret manual.
‘The pages are still crisp and the ink hasn’t fully dried, so I cannot present it to Father in this state….’
No matter. A solution will present itself soon enough.
With such thoughts, I gazed out the window. Time had passed considerably, and a full moon now hung brilliantly in the sky.
‘The timing feels right. I do hope he comes tonight.’
I immediately crossed my legs into a seated position. Just as I had done for the past two nights, instead of sleeping, I spent the night cultivating the Harmonious Heaven Primal Origin Technique, maintaining heightened spiritual awareness.
Roughly two hours had passed in this manner.
While operating the Harmonious Heaven Primal Origin Technique with maximized spiritual awareness, I detected a faint vibration—a subtle noise arising from the manipulation of true qi.
‘Ah, so that was it. He didn’t simply give the jade pendant to the girl and leave without thought—this was the real purpose.’
The jade pendant I had received from Rang-rang trembled delicately upon the table.
It resonated in response to vibrations seeping in from outside.
I seized the jade pendant and stepped outside.
‘The trembling grows stronger as I draw closer. I need only trace the direction of the vibration.’
The source of the trembling was the tallest building near Baek Manor, specifically its rooftop.
I couldn’t enter through the gates at this hour, so I would need to scale the walls or leap across rooftops with this young body.
‘Well, after a month of training, this is hardly difficult.’
With a light leap, I reached the rooftop in just three bounds and turned my gaze toward an old man standing to one side.
“You seem fond of the full moon, Old Man.”
An elderly figure in tattered clothes, carrying a worn pack on his back.
Deep wrinkles bore the marks of life’s regrets, and his eyes, though weathered and faded, still gleamed with an undiminished resolve.
“Living alone, the nights grow lonely. What brings a young master such as yourself here?”
“Someone asked me to summon a guest, so I’ve come to dispel your solitude.”
Upon hearing that I had come in response to a signal, a flicker of recognition crossed the old man’s face.
“Your spiritual awareness is quite exceptional, young master. However, guests come in two varieties—those who are invited, and those who are not.”
“The invited will not come, so why not share a brief conversation with an uninvited guest?”
As I finished speaking and withdrew the jade pendant from my robes, the old man’s expression hardened.
“I ask you not to misunderstand. Rang-rang said she no longer needed it and gave it to me as a gift.”
“…It seems a more detailed explanation is necessary.”
“If you wish to converse, shouldn’t we exchange names first? Ah, but I suppose you needn’t bother. You already know who I am.”
Just as I said, the old man already knew my identity.
Before I could send out the signal—or more precisely, right after seeing the notice and shedding tears of emotional turmoil.
After I had investigated everything about the Baek Manor.
“I heard the Baek Manor’s head adopted a poor beggar boy, but it seems he was actually eyeing his talent.”
“That’s rather hurtful to hear.”
“My apologies. I spoke the truth without thinking. I should apologize for calling you a beggar, Young Master.”
“Please apologize for calling me talented instead of a beggar.”
“?”
“It’s true that I was a beggar, but it’s not true that I’m merely talented. I’m not just talented—I’m a once-in-a-thousand-years prodigy. Some call it a talent unparalleled in the ages.”
“….”
The old man suddenly realized he was being drawn into Yang Hwi’s rhetorical trap.
“Young Master. I harbor no resentment toward the Baek Manor. I simply wish to see the young lady called Rang-rang for a moment, then I’ll leave quietly.”
“Elder. I’m sorry, but as someone of a second-rate martial sect’s standing, I only converse with those who have properly introduced themselves.”
Then did you ask everyone’s name one by one when you were begging in your beggar days?
The old man swallowed words he was about to speak without thinking and instead gave his name.
“Yeo Un-hyeok.”
“Red Cloud. What a poetic name you have.”
“Your name is equally impressive, Young Master. The Baek Family Head seems quite skilled at naming.”
“He gave me a name far too grand. What name did you give your daughter, Elder?”
“…Arang.”
“Yeo Arang. It seems you hoped your daughter would grow up bright and cheerful.”
“Exactly so. Now then, I would like to hear your answer to my request.”
The old man’s face looked truly desperate.
For a moment, I felt the urge to let him meet Rang-rang, schemes and all be damned.
‘That’s impossible. Only if my plan succeeds can the father and daughter live happily together.’
“Rang is in a betrothed relationship with Gu Ak, the son of Hong Gyo-bang-ju. They genuinely love each other.”
“I know that.”
“Then do you also know this? Hong Gyo-bang-ju views Rang as a tool to discipline his son, who is talented but disobedient.”
I continued, recalling my scheme.
“Hong Gyo-bang-ju ruthlessly exploits those whose weaknesses he has discovered. He is cold-blooded and harbors ambitions beyond his station.”
“Don’t approach recklessly and expose your weakness? Don’t worry. I’ve walked a path where one cannot survive without skill, regardless of appearances.”
“My point is that to Hong Gyo-bang-ju, even his own son is merely a tool to be used. As for Gu Ak’s weakness, you need not be told.”
Only then did the old man’s face change drastically. Composure vanished, replaced by a murky, sinister aura.
“Is there danger to Arang’s safety?”
“Rang is in a state of poison intoxication.”
I recalled the faint toxic aura I had sensed when Rang-rang served me tea.
There was no need to say who had administered the poison.
“Let me say this once more: Hong Gyo-bang-ju is a man who would exploit the father of a courtesan his son cherishes without the slightest hesitation. Especially one burdened with such a fatal weakness.”
Yang Hwi recalled his past life.
The old man who never found his daughter even before Rang-rang’s death.
He later discovered a jade token sold on the black market, investigated the circumstances, and burned with hatred toward Hong Gyo-bang.
Thus, the old man mobilized all his resources to incite bloodshed within the Red Bridge Hall, and as a result, the Red Bridge Hall was annihilated.
“The situation is quite complicated, isn’t it? A daughter found after more than a decade of being lost. A daughter facing death at the hands of her beloved’s father. The Heuk-do Bang-pa, commanding dozens of martial artists including one master at the pinnacle. And now a young brat suddenly appears spouting all manner of nonsense.”
“Well. Complicated or not, it’s only my life at stake. Thank you for informing me, Young Master. But I would appreciate it if you would refrain from involving yourself in this old man’s affairs going forward.”
Hmm. This development differs somewhat from my plan.
Throughout his words, Yang Hwi had hinted that he possessed a strategy.
‘I thought he would at least listen to what I had in mind.’
There was no choice. I would have to employ a drastic measure.
“Martial Arts World’s Public Enemy, he who changes deer into horses—Yeo Un-jeok.”
In that instant, the old man’s form—Yeo Un-jeok, who had used the alias Un-hyeok—surged toward Yang Hwi like a flash of light.
But.
An extending arm. An opening palm. For the first time, a hand emerged from the sleeve—covered in scars and calluses, resembling the claw of a raven.
As if time had slowed, all of it became vividly imprinted upon Yang Hwi’s retina.
I drew upon the true energy dwelling in my dantian. I supplemented my insufficient experience by treading upon the true threshold.
Without removing my gaze from those hands, without a single wasted movement.
Yang Hwi struck the raven-claw hand upward, then brought the Gwan-su to the old man’s throat.
Thus, the exchange of moves concluded with Yang Hwi’s victory.
“…You are no mere child.”
“Yet you ambushed a child. Is that all you have to say?”
“I had no intention of harming you. I merely intended to subdue you and extract a promise.”
“I understand. You did not infuse your inner energy into your strike.”
That was precisely why I could defend and counterattack.
Whether through carelessness or restraint, the old man had shown mercy in his technique.
‘Still, had the difference in martial prowess been overwhelming, it would have been meaningless.’
Fortunately, Yeo Un-jeok’s martial prowess was low for a Martial Arts World Public Enemy.
After all, he had not become a public enemy through martial arts villainy.
Changing deer into horses—reconstructing a deer to become a horse.
This old man’s true specialty lay not in martial arts, but in another domain entirely.
“Old Master. I harbor no intention of opposing you. Rang is truly a fine person, and you are her father. That is why.”
“…What is it you wish to say.”
“All problems stem from the fact that Rang’s betrothed has Hong Gyo-bang-ju as his father. Supreme martial prowess. The force of the Red Bridge Hall. The problem is that one who possesses power is not virtuous.”
Yang Hwi’s lips curled into a slight smile.
“So, will you not join me in a certain endeavor? For Rang’s—your daughter’s—happy future.”
Though perhaps premature, it was time to begin eliminating the Heuk-do-pa members to create space for the Baek Manor to expand.

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