Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 144

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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 144
The path back to Gaecheon Baekga.
Jegal Seol-ha watched Yang Hwi running silently ahead.
He was always mischievous and equally warm-hearted, someone she never felt burdened talking to or joking with.
But now it was different.
‘This is the first time I’ve seen Senior Brother make such an expression.’
My peer senior brother was someone who never lost his playful, confident smile in any situation.
Even during the greatest crisis we faced together—at the Hall of Five Senses—wasn’t that the case?
When I myself had given up, unable to muster the courage, he would curl his lips upward and find a breakthrough.
‘When I was melting into the illusion, unable to even gather my senses… when I awoke, Senior Brother was waiting for me as if nothing had happened.’
What was the first thing Yang Hwi said then?
Ah, it wasn’t words.
He let out a loud “Wak!” and startled me half to death.
‘Senior Brother must have been reliving that terrible past countless times as well.’
Yet he still had the leisure to joke around.
And now that same person was…
Lips pressed tightly shut. Eyes cold yet burning with fury.
“So Senior Brother… is someone who gets angry too.”
The words escaped my lips before I could stop them.
Dang-gun, running beside her, responded to her murmur.
“Not to this extent, but it’s not the first time, Miss.”
“Ah. You heard me?”
Jegal Seol-ha, looking slightly embarrassed for a moment, continued speaking.
Actually, noticing Yang Hwi’s attention, she sent a transmission instead.
-Has Senior Brother shown this side before?
-Indeed, Miss. When suppressing bandits, he carried killing intent, and during the Sword King’s Fortress, it was downright murderous.
Bandits. Sword King’s Fortress. Both were stories from times when I wasn’t there.
Suddenly, jealousy flared within me. Every memory I’d made since becoming Eum Hu’s disciple had been with Yang Hwi.
But it seemed Yang Hwi had memories that didn’t include me.
At the same time, I wanted to know more.
-Would you tell me the details?
-I shall.
The story of annihilating a bandit den that had taken villagers hostage and committed extortion.
The story of going to Sword King’s Fortress to strike at the Namgung Family’s blind spot, only to encounter disciples of the Blood Cult.
‘The bandits… I understand that. Senior Brother shows no mercy to the demonic sects.’
Though I’ve never witnessed it directly, I can infer it from his usual words and actions.
It was also one of the reasons Eum Hu cherished Yang Hwi.
‘But during the Sword King’s Fortress incident… why did he get angry?’
Yang Hwi is someone who merely chuckles even when his past as a destitute orphan and beggar is mocked.
For such a person to show anger and emit killing intent meant there was a significant reason behind it.
The more I learned about him, the more mysteries seemed to unfold.
‘A person brimming with secrets is someone untrustworthy, and yet….’
Jegal Seol-ha’s gaze turned toward Yang Hwi.
Her Peach Blossom Body technique allowed her to perceive the depths of one’s spirit.
A boulder scarred by countless wounds, yet all the more formidable because of them.
Though at present, a fierce tempest swirled around that stone.
Still, a boulder symbolized the immutable—someone more trustworthy than anyone in this world, perhaps even as much as Father himself. That someone was Yang Hwi.
‘How absurd when I think about it. I rely on and trust my senior brother more than my own blood brother? He’s called my senior, yet we’re the same age.’
His spirit was as steadfast and solid as his actions suggested.
Following the current of her thoughts, her eyes drifted toward Dang-gun.
A broom plant. Its slender branches swayed and shifted with the wind’s direction and force, changing shape with each gust.
Yet its roots gripped the earth deeply, unyieldingly.
‘He’s exactly the sort of person my senior would keep close. Though I suspect becoming close to him will be difficult.’
It wasn’t that Dang-gun’s appearance was unpleasant.
From the start, she felt this way toward most people in the world—practically everyone, in fact.
It stemmed from a past where nearly everyone around her had been a source of fear, compounded by spending most of her childhood alone in the mountains with Eum Hu.
Of course, there were exceptions.
She gazed upon Adu’s spirit.
Pristine white jade, unmarred by a single dark speck.
Different from blank paper. Paper absorbs ink when splattered upon it and becomes stained, but jade does not. It simply wipes clean.
“Monk, shall I buy you some delicious rice cakes when we return?”
Adu bounced excitedly even as they ran, his face bright with joy.
“Really? Wow!”
Though she could perceive others’ spirits and rarely opened her heart to people, she found herself warming to Adu remarkably quickly.
More precisely, she could lower her guard faster with him.
It was because Adu himself showed no difference between his outer and inner self—he opened his heart completely.
‘If not for the monk, I wouldn’t have made such a request back then, asking him to conceal me with his qi.’
Recalling that moment, her lips curved upward slightly.
That was the first time she had seen Yang Hwi so startled.
‘Yes, let’s consider today’s events as witnessing yet another new side of my senior brother.’
What did it matter if he harbored secrets or carried burdens?
That scarred boulder would never betray her.
Then she would simply come to understand him gradually.
‘Oh, that reminds me.’
The thought of understanding him brought someone to mind.
‘Chu Dal, wasn’t that his name? I wonder what form his spirit takes.’
One thing was certain, at least.
If my senior brother keeps him close, he cannot be a bad person.

* * *
“Aaaaaahhhhh! Aaaaaahhhhh!”
While my disciple shrieked like a vengeful spirit trapped in the underworld, I enjoyed a leisurely game of janggi by myself.
“Aaaaaahhhhh! Ahhh!”
When the screaming ceased and my disciple’s head drooped, I finally moved.
Not to comfort him, but to strike his vital points and revive him.
“Gasp?! Ugh, Aaaaaahhhhh!”
Chu Dal screamed anew, thrashing in agony.
Watching my disciple, I offered him words of encouragement.
“There is reason behind an unbroken lineage of martial meridians flowing without interruption. Though not quite equal to the thousand-year legacy of Shaolin, our sect’s martial arts have endured centuries without severing. Disciple, the suffering you now experience—that is the very source of that strength.”
“Aaaaaahhhhh! Gasp, Uuuugh….”
Chu Dal barely managed to respond to his master through gritted teeth.
“You never said it would hurt this much…!”
“Hmph, you were the one who said you’d endure even hell itself if it meant change.”
Chu Dal clenched his teeth so hard his gums began to bleed from the excessive force.
He was right. This suffering was of his own making.
If he could not endure it, it would remain mere torture. But if he persevered, it would become ascetic discipline.
“If you fear it, do not continue. I shall do it in your stead.”
My sworn brother had offered to do what Chu Dal could not accomplish himself.
Therefore, I too must be willing to do something for my sworn brother.
With such brilliant talent, I had to catch up to Yang Hwi, who walked ahead alone. This much pain was something I had to endure.
“Our Yeong-gwi Sect is merely a thieves’ organization. For us who must conceal and hide, the title of Divine Thief’s Meridian was bestowed because we endured through such lengthy ages that our name spread far and wide. So disciple, persevere. If you endure, you shall gain what you seek.”
“I understand…!”
I touched the janggi pieces once more.
Yet I could not bring myself to place them down.
In truth, I had been playing janggi alone precisely because concentrating all my attention on my disciple was painful.
‘The connection I accepted at the Crown Prince’s request has become infinitely precious.’
Though it began as another’s favor, Chu Dal had become a presence equal to my daughter Rang-rang and my granddaughter Gu Hwa-hwa.
His innate talent aligned perfectly with the Yeong-gwi Sect, and he devoted himself to training without fear of hell itself, revering and respecting me as a father. How could I not cherish him?
“Gasp, ugh… Master.”
“Speak.”
“Please, just talk to me… say anything…!”
I sighed. Perhaps it was for the best.
“I did not realize the pain would be this severe. This master entered the sect in his old age and could not undergo the Asura Hell Grand Method you are receiving now.
Suddenly, Chu Dal laughed.
“Ugh, hehehehe. Just from the name, it sounds like a demonic technique.”
“It is said the name was given because the pain is so intense. Our sect’s ancestors had a mischievous side….”
I paused mid-sentence. A bone-chilling cracking sound emanated from Chu Dal’s hands.
Without question, the bones in his hands had shattered into dozens of fragments.
And then they would regenerate, allowing him to freely manipulate the ten strands of heavenly silkworms of the Hidden Shadow Silk Binding technique.
“Master, is there… any news from the main family?”
Chu Dal was consumed by endless days of hellish cultivation and the Grand Dharma, but Yeo Un-hyeok maintained constant correspondence with the main family.
“As it happens, a letter arrived yesterday. They say the main family is waging war against the Black Blade Martial Alliance in Jiangxi.”
“Kuk, shouldn’t we be going too…?”
“No need. A war of this scale will likely last over a year.”
Though he’d recently heard that the Young Master had swiftly consumed Namchang in mere months.
But expanding a martial sect’s territory naturally required considerable time.
“So endure. When the main family needs us, we shall appear at precisely the right moment and demonstrate our worth.”
“Kkeuk, hehehehe. My brother will be utterly shocked.”
“Of course he will. You’re performing so admirably.”
Chu Dal would transform. There was no other way.
The funds required for the Grand Dharma amounted to tens of thousands of taels in gold—it would be a waste otherwise.
‘If the Young Master knew, he might feel betrayed.’
The Yeonggui Sect possessed vast wealth. A martial lineage known as the Divine Pivot for centuries could hardly lack resources.
Yet when they first formed their connection, they had offered no financial support to the impoverished Baek Family.
Even as guilt and remorse weighed upon them for ignoring the family’s circumstances despite receiving such profound kindness.
They could not face the previous Divine Pivot, their master and benefactor of the previous generation, nor could funds be withdrawn due to sect regulations.
‘Still, that fellow Eum Hu will lend her strength as a member of the Baek Family…’
Yeo Un-hyeok smiled softly.
The Young Master of the Baek Family—destined to become a hero commanding the realm, should he not perish.
He envisioned his disciple standing at that man’s side.
‘Young Master. From what I hear, this war will be far from easy. Hold on just a little longer. I shall soon lend my strength.’
Yeo Un-hyeok possessed absolute certainty.
The Yang Hwi he knew would lead them to victory with wisdom and cunning surpassing all others.

* * *
“Father. I shall mobilize my forces.”
Baek Moo-ryang blinked as Yang Hwi burst into his study.
His son’s demeanor was decidedly unusual compared to his normal composure.
“Hwi?”
Just days ago, this same son had displayed such caution and strategic thinking.
This sudden shift in tone was rather disconcerting.
Yet Baek Moo-ryang did not deliberate on feasibility or impossibility.
“Very well.”
The consent came so easily that Yang Hwi faltered momentarily.
Upon seeing his father’s expression, he regained his composure.
“You’ve calmed yourself. Then will you tell me your reason?”
“I met with Heuk-gyeong Bang-ju.”
“What! Why would you do such a thing!”
Seeing anger frost across Baek Moo-ryang’s face, Yang Hwi continued.
“I obtained intelligence and now have something to verify. Time is pressing, Father. Grant me the top ten from our main house, including Baek Ik-gak-ju Gu Ak. I intend to make the same request of Dang Soga-ju.”
“…I shall hear the details later. You have my permission.”
“Thank you, Father.”
I had already given Dang-gun advance notice on the way here.
After requesting Gu Ak to make preparations, I headed directly to the residence where the Namgung Family members were staying.
“Namgung Soga-ju! Intelligence has arrived and our plans have changed! We must mobilize immediately!”
“What are you saying so suddenly, Baek Sohyeop?”
“It’s urgent! First, let us prepare!”
Namgung Cheon-hu could not hide his bewilderment. I pressed him with deliberate urgency while grinding my teeth in secret.
‘Whether you’ve joined hands with the Hyeongsan-pa Youngsters or not, I still don’t know.’
Whether I knew or not, I had to move to verify.
Since the situation was unclear, creating variables through sudden action would be advantageous.
‘Hyeongsan-pa. And the Namgung Family. Regardless of how the underlying scheme is drawn, these two remain unchanging enemies.’
So let me create a current that makes them destroy each other first.
If they truly are joining hands, the picture will be quite beautiful.
‘You bastards, things will never flow as you intend.’

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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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