Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 145

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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 145
Of course, Namgung Cheon-hu did not simply comply with Yang Hwi’s urging.
“Our Namgung Family has agreed to perform a separate unit role beginning several days from now. We were in the midst of preparing accordingly.”
“That is true. However, intelligence has arrived.”
“Then shouldn’t you at least tell me the contents of this intelligence? You haven’t even disclosed the purpose of this expedition.”
A fair point. Yet it could be countered with a single statement.
“Didn’t you say in the previous strategy meeting that the Baek Family is the lord and the Namgung Family merely a subordinate, so you would simply follow along?”
Despite saying such things, when Yang Hwi presented a strategy different from expectations, he had immediately voiced his opinion and interjected.
In any case, the words had been spoken—that much was fact.
“Please honor your words. Time is of the essence.”
As Namgung Cheon-hu, there was no choice but to comply.
“…Very well.”
“We shall assemble before the main gate of the estate in half a shichen.”
Having succeeded in persuasion—or rather, notification—I too had to prepare for departure.
I had no idea how it would unfold, but my intention was to create chaos regardless.
Half a shichen later.
Over forty martial artists from the Baek Family, the Dang Family, and the Namgung Family had gathered.
With more than thirty peak-stage masters assembled, it was truly an elite force.
“I shall explain as we travel. Everyone, follow me.”
Sensing that Namgung Cheon-hu was about to ask something, I preempted him and unleashed my lightness technique.
Even as we moved, I offered no detailed explanation, glossing over it vaguely.
At some point, Namgung Cheon-hu’s patience wore thin, and he asked directly.
“Baek Sohyeop. Don’t dance around it—at least tell me the objective. We need to know what we’re facing so we can determine our response and issue instructions beforehand.”
‘Hmm. I’ll give a rough explanation and gauge his reaction.’
“Now that we’ve come this far, I suppose I can speak. We are marching to strike down the black bandits of Honam.”
“Honam?”
“Yes. According to intelligence, the black bandits of Honam have mobilized to provide assistance.”
“If that’s the case, their numbers must be considerable. Why did you bring only forty?”
“According to intelligence, the main family’s operations are being leaked. That’s why we selected only those we can trust and set out with the objective kept secret.”
I had merely made excuses—it was all lies.
Well, even my conversation with Heuk-gyeong Bang-ju could be called intelligence, if one stretched the definition.
Still, it was enough to silence Namgung Cheon-hu.
‘Your head must be spinning now, isn’t it, boy?’
Feeling a secret satisfaction, I sent a transmission to Jegal Seol-ha, who was running beside me.
-Seolha. Thank you for stepping forward so readily.
-Don’t mention it.
Among the group were two who belonged to neither the Baek Family, the Dang Family, nor the Namgung Family.
They were Jegal Seol-ha and Adu.
I spoke frankly.
-You came along knowing full well. In this matter, you’re my insurance.
I brought Jegal Seol-ha along not only because her yin techniques excelled against multiple opponents, but also to have the Jegal Family as a trump card should circumstances demand it.
There was no way the perceptive Jegal Seol-ha hadn’t noticed this.
Yet she smiled brightly and responded nonetheless.
-Insurance, you say? Isn’t it a younger sister’s duty to aid her older brother?
I’m truly grateful you’d put it that way.
Any man worth his salt must repay both kindness and enmity tenfold.
I’ll make sure to return this favor greatly in the future.
“From here on, we traverse Gilju.”
We had left the Baek Family Estate’s territory and reached the lands controlled by Heuk-gyeong.
Yet I didn’t cease my lightness technique.
“From this point forward, we’ll move only through mountains and fields, avoiding the main roads.”
It was to evade any unwanted eyes.
“Combat may break out immediately upon reaching our destination, so please be mindful of your inner energy consumption and physical stamina.”
Crossing the vast expanse of Gilju took a total of four hours.
Gilju, the westernmost region of Gangwon. Honam, bordering Gilju.
Only upon reaching that boundary did we stop moving.
‘Fortunately, we have considerable time to spare.’
We had departed during daylight and arrived as night fell.
To confront the black bandits of Honam, it seemed we’d need to wait until dawn.
“Everyone, rest now. The Baek Family will handle the watch, so the Namgung Family—our most crucial force—should especially focus on recuperation.”
It was all an excuse to prevent the Namgung warriors from wandering beyond our sight.
I still wasn’t certain whether I’d grasped their hand, but precisely because of that uncertainty, caution was necessary.
After resting throughout, it was when the sun’s face appeared once more beyond the mountain ridge.
-Young Master. A group of warriors approaches from the west.
-Based on their attire, they appear to be black bandits. Their number is one hundred and twenty-three.
-Half of them wear unified clothing, suggesting they belong to the same sect.
‘So the Hyeong-san bastards gathered sixty of their own and scraped together other black bandit gangs.’
I relayed the message from the sound transmission and took a combat stance.
Beyond the busily preparing warriors, I observed Namgung Cheon-hu’s face.
An expressionless visage that revealed nothing.
No matter. I’d soon find out.
-Seolha. From now on, monitor Namgung Cheon-hu’s expression and demeanor.
-Yes, older brother.
Had they learned that the Baek Family’s sortie would come days later?
The black bandits were moving leisurely along the main road.
Naturally, the two groups—black and white—came to face each other on the road.
I felt the black bandits’ agitation upon recognizing our presence.
I fixed my gaze upon the one dressed most flamboyantly among them.
‘Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol.’
The man who, backed by the Blood Assassin Alliance, had become one of Honam’s leading figures.
A detestable wretch who uses the very plaque of the Hyeong-san Sect that he personally annihilated, now presuming to call himself their sect leader.
“My, what unexpected guests we have. I never imagined a welcoming crowd would be waiting for us.”
Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol stepped forward, his voice dripping with false cheer.
He’d always worn that same mask in my past life.
A bastard who conceals his true nature behind pleasantries while needling people relentlessly.
“Did straw get lodged in your skull, or have your eyes gone completely blind? Does this look like a welcome to you?”
Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol’s mouth snapped shut in an instant.
He clearly hadn’t expected such crude insults in return.
“Who might this young master be?”
“You know perfectly well, so why ask, you fool?”
“I ask because I don’t know, friend.”
Dou—a term meaning a fellow traveler on the same path.
Primarily used by Taoist Priests when addressing others.
“Friend? I’d sooner befriend a dog than break bread with an idiot like you.”
“Quite a sharp tongue you have, friend.”
“What did you say? I’m afraid I don’t speak dog, so I couldn’t quite catch that.”
“….”
Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol fell silent again. He clearly hadn’t anticipated such blunt, relentless opposition.
“The eldest young master of the Baek Family. What an honor to meet the renowned Ascending Heaven Sword Dragon.”
“You said you didn’t know who I was.”
“What brings the young hero of Baek Do to the domain of Heuk-gyeong?”
“You said you didn’t know who I was.”
“…And with dozens of warriors at that.”
“You said you didn’t know who I was.”
“….”
The third silence. Finally, he’d caught on. I had no intention of engaging in proper conversation.
‘Childish perhaps, but this is exactly the right approach for dealing with that bastard.’
He’s the type to pounce the moment he sees an opening, always needling away.
I needed to strike first and drill into his thick skull that he wouldn’t win at word games.
“No answer? You said you didn’t know who I was?”
“It seems the friend has no intention of conversing.”
“How can a person converse with a dog?”
“Ha, why not? The world is full of people worse than dogs.”
“Well, I happen to despise wasting time. Though I suppose I can afford to give you one chance.”
I asked just one question.
“Why did the Honam people come to Kangwon?”
“We set out for a leisurely excursion with my subordinates. There’s nothing left to see in Honam anyway.”
“Oh, what nonsense.”
Truthfully, I’d planned to dismiss whatever he said as nonsense anyway.
If I wanted anything resembling a genuine conversation with that bastard, I needed to provoke him further.
“Trying to have a conversation with a beast was foolish after all.”
As I shook my head, the facial muscles of Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol twitched subtly.
‘The provocation is finally taking effect.’
“Ascending Heaven Sword Dragon. Since you already know everything as you say, let’s stop spouting nonsense. Where did you learn that the main sect passed through here?”
He seemed ready to talk now.
Then it was time to extract information.
“Where else? I heard it from someone who’s in league with you.”
It wasn’t a lie. I learned it thanks to Heuk-gyeong Bang-ju.
I recalled the last conversation I had with Heuk-gyeong Bang-ju before we parted ways.
“Heuk-gyeong Bang-ju. The primary objective of our Baek Family is to check the Namgung Family and escape from Am. So I propose this: we will only oppose the black bandits of Honam and Gilju.”
“How can I trust your words?”
“I stake the honor of the main family.”
“How presumptuous—the honor of the Baek Family, which champions the righteous path of Gaecheon.”
A proposal I made after learning of Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol’s involvement.
In response, Heuk-gyeong Bang-ju answered by revealing a piece of information.
“I’ll tell you the timing and route of the Honam black bandits, including the Hyeong-san Sect, entering Gangwon. Let’s see how you use it.”
Such was the situation, but from Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol’s perspective, he couldn’t be certain that Heuk-gyeong Bang-ju was the one who leaked the information.
Being a cunning man, he would have woven his web in multiple directions.
‘I’m curious which one he’s thinking of.’
That was when it happened.
-Elder brother. There’s definitely something with Namgung Cheon-hu.
A telepathic message came from Jegal Seol-ha, whom I had asked to observe Namgung Cheon-hu’s demeanor.
So he did show suspicious signs.
Then.
“Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol. Uncharacteristically, you trusted a person. How foolish. Now it’s time to pay the price.”
The man who had been scrutinizing my gaze and expression suddenly burst into laughter.
“Hahahaha! Hahahaha! Calling me foolish! How long it’s been since I heard such words! Hahahaha!”
A thick killing intent spread through the air.
“You heard the information and brought merely forty or so. They look like skilled warriors, but will it be enough? It seems you’ll be the one paying the price for your arrogance. Or is that just my thought?”
To be honest, I could have prepared greater forces.
There were two reasons I didn’t.
A larger group increased the risk of being discovered during movement.
Moreover, it could have obscured our true purpose.
“Have you already forgotten the cause we gave you? The righteous path of Gaecheon. Sending villains when the situation is unfavorable is not our way.”
As I drew my sword, the members of the Baek Family followed suit.
The Dang Family members also prepared to deploy poison and hidden weapons.
The Changcheon Sword Sect members, receiving a signal from Namgung Cheon-hu slightly late, raised their swords last.
-Kiiiiaaaa!
The sword trembles. The cry of a hawk bursts forth with the vibration.
“What good is a warrior exchanging words? In the end, only the victor is right. Let’s test who that is.”
“For once, you speak sense. I’ll make you regret it, you insolent whelp.”
The dark practitioners, led by Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol, unleashed a palpable killing intent.
Yang Hwi smiled faintly and stepped backward.
“Regret? How absurd. The Great Namgung Family knows no regret in its path!”
“….”
“…?”
“Soga-joonim of Namgung! Carve the laws of the Great Namgung into these presumptuous fools who know their place!”
The Baek Family members, who had received advance warning, withdrew in unison.
The Dang Family, already positioned in the rear, naturally formed a formation where the Namgung Changcheon Sword Sect Members took prominence.
“In battle, command authority must rest with the strongest force’s commander! From this moment, the Baek and Dang families shall follow in Namgung’s wake!”
“…Baek Sohyeop.”
For all his talk of command authority and such, the stage was already set.
There was no avoiding direct confrontation now.
Namgung Cheon-hu had maintained his expressionless facade throughout, but now he could not hide his dismay.
“We shall follow, Soga-joonim!”
‘Honestly, I still don’t know if you two shook hands or not. But here’s the thing.’
A smirk escaped me.
‘You’re both enemies of the Baek Family regardless, aren’t you?’
So then….
Go ahead. Kill each other.

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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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