Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 149

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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 149
“Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol. We need to talk.”
Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol couldn’t suppress a derisive snort.
It was only natural.
“Talk? What talk! After stabbing me in the back like that! Do you possess even a shred of conscience!”
Hearing a dark path cultivator speak of conscience was absurd, but Namgung Cheon-hu kept his true thoughts unspoken.
Though it grated to tolerate such a contemptible creature’s outburst, restraint was necessary now.
“There seem to be many watching eyes. If you have no intention of speaking privately, then leave.”
….
Even consumed with rage, Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol couldn’t issue an expulsion order.
Though he’d lost his composure, his sinister nature allowed him to maintain at least basic discretion.
“Follow me.”
Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol led the way to where the other dark path cultivators couldn’t see.
The moment his steps ceased, Namgung Cheon-hu spoke.
“First, let me clear up this misunderstanding. Did I say I stabbed you in the back? Rather, I’ll ask you—how were you stabbed in the back?”
“That is…! That is….”
Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol, about to shout in indignation, closed his mouth.
‘Now that I think about it.’
“You’ve realized it. You never informed me of when or through what route you’d enter Gangwon.”
It was true. Though they’d made a secret pact, he hadn’t trusted them enough to provide proper information.
“Our agreement was that if I provided you with information, you would use it to damage the Baek Family. I ask again—how were you stabbed in the back?”
Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol had risen to his current position through both martial prowess and cunning schemes.
He immediately grasped Namgung Cheon-hu’s intent.
“Still, I must press this point. Why did you attack us? And why did you lead the charge yourself?”
Namgung Cheon-hu offered a bitter smile.
“It was a trap set by Baek Yang-hwi, that young one.”
“Did he discover our secret pact?”
“Impossible. How could he discover it without evidence?”
If the secret pact were exposed, it would be Namgung Cheon-hu, not Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol, who’d be in dire straits.
The dark path side could simply claim they were trying to exploit their alliance with the righteous path, but the righteous path would never accept such an excuse.
“I maintained the utmost secrecy. Only one subordinate knows of the pact. Ah, I’ve thought of another question.”
Namgung Cheon-hu’s eyes narrowed.
“Baek Yang-hwi moved as though he knew of the pact’s existence. If not from my side, then the secret must have leaked from yours. How exactly do you manage your subordinates?”
Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol couldn’t bring himself to deny it.
After all, the Namgung Family’s patriarch had extended his hand to the dark path.
To be honest, he’d shared the truth with several subordinates precisely to use it as leverage.
‘I cannot admit this.’
Already suffering catastrophic losses, falling into a disadvantageous position would drive him to madness.
But Namgung Cheon-hu, as if understanding Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol’s inner thoughts, changed the subject.
“Regardless of other matters, there’s no doubt that Baek Yang-hwi views my Namgung Family with the same hostility as the Honam faction. Today’s catastrophe stems from that.”
“So you were aiming for a tactic of using one to defeat another.”
“Precisely correct. The true nature of the trap.”
“Namgung Cheon-hu, why should I believe your words?”
“I came alone to this death ground to prove it, but if you won’t believe me, there’s nothing more I can do.”
In truth, Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol had already been persuaded by Namgung Cheon-hu’s words.
Realistically, there was no reason for Namgung Cheon-hu to extend his hand first and then stab him in the back.
The Changcheon Sword Sect Members of the Namgung Family had suffered the greatest losses if he had dug the trap himself.
In a sense, they had become sacrificial pawns just like the Hyeong-san Sect.
‘Baek Yang-hwi. A terrifying man.’
He had attempted to make the Hyeong-san Sect and Namgung Family mutually destroy each other based on mere suspicion without certainty.
Such a feat was difficult to accomplish with ordinary cunning, so one could say this man possessed a nature closer to the dark path or heterodox sects.
“Then, what is your reason for coming here alone?”
“It’s obvious.”
“Indeed. It seems merely breaking the Baek Family’s spirit isn’t enough for you?”
A glint of killing intent flickered in Namgung Cheon-hu’s eyes.
“The Baek Family is… dangerous. I intend to sever their bloodline completely.”
“Dangerous, you say. I cannot deny it.”
Certainly, the Baek Family—or more precisely, Baek Yang-hwi—is far too dangerous.
Because of his exceptional talent?
No.
No matter how talented an individual is, a single person cannot defeat an organization.
Of course, throughout martial arts history, individuals overpowering forces was quite common, but he is still young.
What is truly dangerous is that he has never failed even once until now.
‘He’s not merely skilled in schemes and stratagems. At this level, it’s as if heaven itself aids him.’
“Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol. Since all the masters of Honam have already been decided, you must have been dreaming of expanding into Gangwon. What if we took Gangwon together?”
“By exterminating the Baek Family?”
“By taking the vacant position.”
Gangwon is a region located between Honam, where the Hyeong-san Sect holds sway, and Anhui, where the Namgung Family rules.
For Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol, it was an extremely tempting proposal.
“You’re serious, Soga-joonim. Is this acceptable? If we tighten our grip further, the chances of this being discovered would increase.”
“When there is a greater danger ahead, why would I fear a lesser one?”
“That is also sound reasoning. So then, what is your method?”
Though he spoke of taking Gangwon together, the crucial element was the strategy.
Before being a minor martial family of Gangwon, the Baek Family was a force protected by the Dang Family, the Jegal Family, and Shaolin.
“It seems we cannot succeed with half-hearted schemes. Do you agree?”
“I concur. Rather than schemes, it would be better to construct the board such that no strategy can penetrate it.”
“Then I have one thought, Soga-joonim.”
“Speak.”
“Lose every battle. Suffer defeat after defeat.”
It was absurd, yet Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol immediately grasped his intent.
“So you’re planning to strike after catching them off guard?”
“We still hold the advantage in numbers. If we sweep them away in one blow, there won’t be any lingering problems.”
It was a sound argument.
“After elevating our authority through this fabricated victory, I’ll open the path for you. Annihilate the Baek Family Estate in a single strike.”
Hyeong-san Eum-hyeol fell into contemplation.
What if he tore apart those adoptive parents right before that arrogant brat’s eyes?
What kind of tongue-lashing would he display then?
It was truly delicious to imagine.
“Very well. I’ll trust you one more time. But I’ll need proof.”
Thus, a secret pact was forged in the darkness.

* * *
In the Baek Family Estate’s inner council chamber, Yang Hwi posed a question.
“Since circumstances have changed, our established strategy must change as well. Therefore, I ask the Family Head: what should the Main Residence do?”
“You seem to have something in mind already. Speak.”
Rather than presenting options himself, Yang Hwi turned his gaze toward Seo Seong-saeng.
Seo Seong-saeng, quick to read the room, rose to his feet.
“Regarding that, I shall speak. Ah, since this is my first time in such a gathering, there may be those unfamiliar with me. I am So Gara, having just returned after concluding matters in Nanchang. The Crown Prince calls me Young Scholar.”
Seeing him add such remarks even in a formal setting—this fellow certainly has a strong desire for recognition.
“The Main Residence has two options. First: having seized the opportunity, we move like tigers to seize Giljoo.”
The dark martial artists of Honam had stepped forward to aid Giljoo, the territory of the Heuk-gyeong faction’s original stronghold and five dark martial sect branches.
Thus, with the reinforcements gone, striking Giljoo now was the path to maximizing our gains.
“However, in truth, not striking Giljoo would lead to even greater profit.”
“What is your reasoning, Young Scholar?”
“Simple. The common folk of Giljoo, also called the Kekhoe—the Hakka people—despise foreign invasion.”
“Ah, then?”
“Precisely. We allow the dark martial artists of Honam to regroup and march toward Giljoo once more. Being the villainous sort, they’ll treat the common folk harshly. When discontent reaches its peak, if the Main Residence saves them…”
Previously, Seo Seong-saeng had argued to Yang Hwi that they should seize Giljoo and, together with Ak-an County, establish it as the Baek Family’s true base.
For a true base means more than merely occupying it—all the common folk must revere the Baek Family and regard themselves as one body with us.
“Though it appears a loss in the short term, in the long run it is the easiest path to winning the hearts of these insular Hakka people.”
Having finished speaking, Seo Seong-saeng gazed confidently at Yang Hwi.
His eyes seemed to ask: “This is the right answer, isn’t it?”
‘The little brat is somewhat irritating, but I must admit—his mind is sharp.’
I had only just told him of our victory over the Honam dark martial artists, so he scarcely had time to think.
Yet in such a brief span, he grasped everything and devised the optimal strategy. Truly, despite his youth, he deserves to be called a strategist.
“As Young Scholar says. The Main Residence faces two choices. We await the Family Head’s command.”
“….”
Baek Moo-ryang fell silent, his gaze sweeping across Yang Hwi and all the others.
Then a sigh escaped him.
“Hwi.”
“Yes, Father.”
“My son, sometimes I wonder if you’re testing me.”
I paused to reflect on myself.
‘Is there reason for Father to think that way…?’
I realized I could be misunderstood.
Of course, I hadn’t intended to test him sincerely.
It was simply.
“Not at all, Father. I know what decision you’ll make, and I admire the man you are for making such a choice.”
‘Because Father will choose differently than I would.’
Ultimately, the Baek Family should wait for the right moment and move to rescue the guest clans when their suffering reaches its peak, appearing as saviors.
The reason for this thinking was simple.
It would benefit the Baek Family most.
The faster the Baek Family grew, the more people we could save.
‘But… this way of thinking itself exists because of Father.’
The patriarch of a third-rate martial family and possessor of merely second-rate martial skill, yet he earned the epithet Si-hyeop-il-jeol.
The knight most befitting the unyielding chivalry of the common folk.
“I simply wished to hear what you would say after choosing the first option.”
Baek Moo-ryang smiled at my unexpected answer.
“Yes, that’s right. I believe we must act immediately. To stand idle before suffering cannot be called chivalry.”
The chivalry that abandons nothing, not even the smallest thing. It was the most fitting words for him.
I smiled and asked in return.
“Why is that? We need not consider the chivalry of the common folk that the Main Residence champions. Others won’t know anyway.”
Even if the Baek Family didn’t move immediately, people wouldn’t think it was a selfish pursuit of profit.
Since Honam’s Heuk-gyeong had intervened, it was natural to prepare thoroughly and fight defensively.
“I can say with certainty. Every martial family in the world that’s called a great clan will wait for the right moment and seize control of Gilju.”
I could say it with absolute certainty.
Because they had grown to be called great clans precisely by making such choices.
“Yes, that may be so. However.”
Baek Moo-ryang rose and swept his gaze across everyone in the conference hall.
“This patriarch will move immediately to strike Gilju. I will consider all the people of Gilju as those this family must protect. If anyone disagrees with this decision, speak your opinion.”
Naturally, no one objected.
Thus, the Baek Family’s expedition to Gilju was decided.
‘Well then, I should move as well.’
If Father refuses to abandon even the smallest thing, then my role as his son is to move accordingly while ensuring we don’t suffer losses—to paint the greater picture.

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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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