Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 140

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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 140
The moment Baek Heon-so unleashed his momentum, So Gwan-ju of Namcheon Muwangju lost his will to fight.
At an age not yet in his twenties, he had reached the tail end of the Second Tier, his martial prowess and skill sufficient to glimpse beyond the First Tier.
So Gwan-ju was undoubtedly a late-stage master with martial talent and skill worthy of note even in Gangwon.
Yet Baek Heon-so had transcended that level entirely.
‘He was clearly at the beginning of the Second Tier… How could he achieve such growth in merely half a year…’
Engulfed in frustration, So Gwan-ju nonetheless assumed a defensive stance out of ingrained habit as he observed Baek Heon-so’s blade.
Clang!
The moment sword met sword, So Gwan-ju grasped a singular truth.
The courtesy felt in the sword technique. He had thought himself destined to become a sacrifice to showcase his opponent’s prowess, yet it felt different.
‘I see. A thoughtful young master.’
Though a wager hung over this match, the duel remained nothing more than a friendly exchange.
Rather than choosing to flaunt himself, Baek Heon-so was suggesting they harmonize together as swordsmen and savor a moment of joy.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
“Hah!”
“Excellent technique! Allow me to take the initiative this time!”
“By all means, come!”
Swords clashed repeatedly. Shouts of spirit and occasional exchanges of words echoed through the banquet hall.
The two embodied the very essence of a duel—testing each other’s strength to foster mutual growth.
“Hahaha, these young masters are grasping the true meaning of martial combat.”
“We had our moments like that as well.”
“Truly a pleasure to witness.”
While warmth suffused the banquet hall, one person felt only despair and wretchedness.
Namgung Cheon-hu’s gaze remained fixed upon Baek Heon-so, unable to tear away.
‘First Tier. And one of the three enlightenments of the Peak Realm at that.’
Unlike his initial shock when the momentum first erupted, Baek Heon-so had not ascended to the Peak Realm.
He remained in the First Tier, having merely attained the enlightenment of righteous intent.
Still, at that age, reaching the Peak Realm would be martial talent worthy of discussing dominion over all under heaven.
No, with merely his current display… he possessed more than enough to claim such dominion.
He did not shine with the brilliant radiance of Namgung Cheon-yeong’s talent, like a star in the firmament.
Yet at that age, with such prowess? Wherever he traveled under heaven, he would be counted among the exceptional talents.
Had Baek Heon-so been his own younger brother, Namgung Cheon-hu could not have welcomed him.
For he overwhelmingly surpassed those of his own generation.
‘Cheon-yeong… my dear Cheon-yeong…’
A younger brother young yet blessed with outstanding talent.
Martial prowess so exceptional that the entire family already believed he should inherit the position of family head, passing over himself who had already risen above the position of Soga-joonim.
Yet despite all this, a younger brother who genuinely loved and followed his elder.
Namgung Cheon-hu could not bring himself to like Namgung Cheon-yeong.
He could only suppress the hatred from growing, barely maintaining the limit.
And yet. And yet.
“He is my proud younger brother.”
The moment Yang Hwi’s words vibrated through the air, Namgung Cheon-hu felt a sensation like flames spiraling upward in a whirlwind within his chest.
“How is that possible?”
Baek Yang-hwi was an adopted son. A beggar scrounging in the streets had entered a martial family and reached this point.
Therefore, his younger brother Baek Heon-so could only be a rival.
How could he take pride in a rival wielding the weapon of outstanding talent and targeting him?
“How? It’s only natural for an older brother to be proud of his younger brother, Soga-joonim.”
“….”
“Besides, I was the one who taught that boy to be this way in the first place.”
In that moment, Namgung Cheon-hu grasped the difference between himself and Yang Hwi.
It was an intensely powerful realization, and simultaneously, a terrifying one.
‘I… have never once taught Cheon-yeong martial arts.’
Namgung Cheon-yeong had always followed him around, pestering him to watch his martial techniques, yet Namgung Cheon-hu had merely praised him after watching his demonstrations—he had never actually taught him.
He could not have done so.
‘Yes, Baek Yang-hwi. You were a genius too.’
A genius that reminded him of Namgung Cheon-yeong, or perhaps even more so—such was the faint impression he had.
Truly, a martial prodigy bestowed by heaven itself.
What if he had possessed talent like Baek Yang-hwi?
Namgung Cheon-yeong would have simply been an adorable and talented younger brother.
All the problems he was currently facing would have vanished.
Crrrunch!
A chilling sound emanated from Namgung Cheon-hu’s jaw.
This time, Yang Hwi could not suppress his laughter.
‘How does it feel, you bastard?’
Baek Heon-so had transformed dramatically in half a year.
Not only had he reached the first-rate level, but he had also attained the Righteousness Resonance, one of the three peak enlightenments.
It was a martial achievement impossible for someone of Seo’s age to accomplish, so Namgung Cheon-hu must believe that the boy possessed extraordinary talent.
Reality was somewhat different, though.
‘Well, Seo doesn’t lack talent entirely.’
The boy I had thought was mediocre did possess talent.
Specifically, the talent to fully accept instruction.
Seo was a better student than anyone else.
Whatever I taught him, he strove to learn with all his might.
And the reason this was possible: blind faith.
Baek Heon-so literally followed whatever I taught without a shred of doubt.
He endured prolonged suffering at my words that his body would be perfected through mere beatings.
To embed the enlightenment of Righteousness Resonance into his body, he accepted my aura with his entire being for days on end.
In some ways, it was crude and violent training.
Yet the result was the birth of a first-rate master who awakened to Righteousness Resonance at fifteen.
‘In my past life, I couldn’t overcome the second-rate barrier until my early twenties.’
At that time, the Baek Family, despite being a martial clan, had to accept the young Baek Heon-so—barely third-rate in martial prowess—as their Family Head.
Unlike my father Baek Moo-ryang, who broke through the second-rate barrier with nothing but third-rate martial techniques as the legendary Gae-cheon-sam-geom in his past life, Baek Heon-so lacked such talent.
‘It was certainly that way then. But now… I’m proud of you, Seo.’
My chest swells with emotion. I feel both satisfied and grateful to Seo.
The transformation in Seo was proof that the path I myself was now walking was the correct direction.
‘Well, let me enjoy the spectacle a bit longer.’
I leisurely savored the contorted expression on Namgung Cheon-hu’s face.
Watching the emotions contained within it, I felt a thrill run through me.
Yes, such an expression suits the Namgung clan well.
Namgung Cheon-hu had consistently displayed arrogance since our first meeting.
He was a man perfectly suited to the Namgung Family’s distinctive temperament.
And now, that very man wore an expression steeped in inferiority and wretchedness.
‘Having provoked him this far, whatever schemes he attempts in the future will be easier to counter.’
After all, a person who has lost their composure inevitably makes mistakes.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
After approximately one hundred exchanges, the martial contest between Baek Heon-so and Namcheon Muwangju So Gwan-ju concluded.
Afterward, Jeong So-gun took her turn and similarly displayed a contest well-suited to entertaining the gathering, and all three martial contests came to an end.
“Hahaha! Our young ones have truly shown us something splendid.”
“Why don’t we all give them a round of applause!”
“When else would we have such an opportunity to clap our hands together! Splendid indeed!”
The three elders received a torrent of applause, their faces beaming with satisfaction.
Only Namgung Cheon-hu remained rigid, his hands clapping stiffly without warmth.
“Namgung Soga-joonim. Did the entertainment our young ones displayed not please you?”
“Ah. No, that’s not it. I simply had other matters on my mind.”
“I see. Then let us properly enjoy the feast.”
It was just as Baek Moo-ryang was about to order his servants to bring out food and wine.
“Family Head. It seems you may have forgotten something.”
The one who spoke was Namcheon Muwangju.
“Forgotten something, you say?”
“Wasn’t the true nature of this contest a wager? Though things changed somewhat with Jeong Wol-mun’s participation, a promise is a promise.”
Baek Moo-ryang’s expression grew slightly troubled. He had deliberately intended to pass over this matter without mention.
Yet Namcheon Muwangju, despite his son’s defeat, brought up the agreement.
“We agreed that the victor would ask the loser for one favor. So I would appreciate it if the Family Head would state what you desire of this martial hall.”
“The victor is not the Family Head, but Seo. So shouldn’t Seo be the one to make the request?”
Namcheon Muwangju shook his head.
“The form may have been that way. But you know it, and this martial hall master knows it too. This contest was truly a confrontation between the Baek Manor—no, the Gae-cheon Baek Family and the Namcheon Martial Hall.”
Namcheon Muwangju deliberately brought up facts that had been left unspoken.
Baek Moo-ryang regarded him in silence for a moment before posing his question.
“Then I ask you, Master. Will the Namcheon Martial Hall comply with whatever our main residence requests?”
“A promise is a promise. I intend to honor it.”
Tension had settled across Namcheon Muwangju’s face.
He had not forgotten the reason he had come this far.
Today, he intended to completely settle the matter of Wuzhou’s hegemony and the relationship with the Baek Family.
Even if that resolution proved disadvantageous to Namcheon Muwangju.
‘Better to sweep away the festering wound cleanly than let it fester.’
It was then, as Namcheon Muwangju waited for an answer with such thoughts, that it came.
Baek Moo-ryang’s answer was extraordinarily simple.
“I am grateful.”
“Grateful? For what?”
“The ancestors of my Main Residence founded this family to protect the common folk of Gangwon. Yet my inadequate descendants have failed to carry on their will.”
Baek Moo-ryang rose as he continued speaking.
“So I am grateful, Muwangju. I have long harbored gratitude toward Namcheon Muwangju. I know well the deeds you have performed for the common folk of Gangwon.”
Namcheon Muwangju is a martial school that accepts payment for martial arts instruction.
But at the same time.
It is also a Baek Do martial sect that has protected countless people by accepting the children of the poor as disciples and sheltering the disciples’ families.
“I am grateful. Truly grateful.”
“Family Head….”
“So I shall speak plainly. If the Baek Family may make one request of Namcheon Muwangju, then this is my request as Family Head. Continue to exert yourselves for the common folk as you have done before. Allow me to continue living with gratitude in my heart.”
After hearing all of Baek Moo-ryang’s words, Namcheon Muwangju’s expression became difficult to describe.
The Family Head could have used the agreement as a pretext to demand Namcheon Muwangju’s submission.
He could have ordered them to leave Wuzhou, for an unbowed force at his base was bound to be irksome.
But he did not.
Continue living so that I may remain grateful?
It was essentially the same as asking for nothing at all.
Even without such a request, Namcheon Muwangju intended to continue the work it had done in the past.
In this moment.
Namcheon Muwangju understood what he must say to Baek Moo-ryang.
‘If he is such a man… there is no shame in bowing one’s head!’
Rising just as Baek Moo-ryang had, Namcheon Muwangju performed the fist salute.
“Family Head—no, Family Head! I, Nam Seong-han, Master of Namcheon Muwangju, humbly beseech you! Please allow us to change the name of Namcheon Muwangju to Gae-cheon Muwangju!”
Baek Moo-ryang’s expression became deeply troubled.
He understood well what the Muwangju’s request signified.
“Master. You place this old Baek in a difficult position.”
“Having grown into manhood and witnessed great purpose, having seen a great person and found the opportunity to follow a great hero—how could I refuse?”
“To change the name of a martial school? Your ancestors would reproach me if they knew.”
“Rather, your ancestors would approve! To walk alongside the will of the ancient Baek Clan—no, the Gae-cheon Baek Family—is a glory! As you know, Gangwon, especially Wuzhou, was originally the land of the Gae-cheon Baek Family!”
Namcheon Muwangju showed no sign of releasing the fist salute until Baek Moo-ryang accepted his request.
After hesitating for some time, Baek Moo-ryang nodded.
“For now, let us enjoy the feast together, and we shall discuss this matter again later.”
A warm and harmonious atmosphere spread through the banquet hall.
A romantic scene fit for the pages of some fantastical novel.
We had agreed to discuss it later, but the path that lay ahead for the Baek Family and the Namcheon Martial Alliance was already clear.
Moreover, the members of Jeong Wol-mun also bore the marks of intense deliberation in their eyes.
In other words, this gathering had become a place of unity for the Wuzhou Martial Arts World.
“….”
Namgung Cheon-hu remained silent, his gaze fixed upon Baek Moo-ryang, the Namcheon Muwangju, and Jeong Wol-mun.
I recalled the events of the past and the words Yang Hwi had spoken today, while also remembering the figure Baek Moo-ryang had cut just moments before.
Within my heart, darkness rippled and swirled.
‘The Baek Family Head must be destroyed. Without fail.’

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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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