Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 15

—————
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 015
Wuzhou Agan County, Jiangxi Province, where the Baek Family Estate stood.
Like other regions of Jiangxi Province, Wuzhou sustained itself through harvests from vast plains and trade via the rivers and canals that crisscrossed the land, but Agan County was different.
The Liuhuanghu, renowned throughout Jiangxi Province as a scenic marvel, lay right beside it.
With the staggering number of travelers, connoisseurs, and idle wanderers visiting Liuhuanghu each year, Agan County flourished with taverns, inns, and pleasure houses.
In other words, there were plenty of opportunities to extract wealth.
“The Martial Arts World differs little from place to place, but Agan County hosts numerous martial sects, particularly dark path factions. Among the establishments with signboards, even excluding the disreputable ones, four names stand out.”
“Red Bridge Hall. Cheongsabang. Shuhu Zhi Hui. Jiaozhen Hall.”
The old man—no, Yeo Un-jeok—rattled off the four names as though he’d known them all along. Yes, I’d expected him to have investigated this much. The conversation would move faster now.
These four gangs that dominated Agan County. Among them, Hong Gyo-bang-ju aspires to become the hegemon of Agan County.
The crucial matter was Hong Gyo-bang-ju’s intentions, but Yeo Un-jeok focused on something else.
“You’re lumping Shuhu Zhi Hui in with the gangs. Aren’t they a righteous faction?”
Shuhu Zhi Hui was indeed a coalition of martial sects that had to espouse righteous pursuits—security work, escort services, and the like.
‘They merely masquerade as righteous while operating in the light.’
Yang Hwi shrugged and continued.
“What does that matter? In any case, Agan County sees various martial sects, particularly dark path gangs, constantly forming and dissolving alliances. They’re fighting over what originally belonged to the main family.”
It was true that Agan County developed around Liuhuanghu, but the Baek Family’s founding ancestor had laid its foundation.
This was precisely what the location of the Baek Family Estate at Agan County’s center proved.
“So what is it you wish to say, Young Master?”
Yang Hwi withdrew the sword he’d been holding to Yeo Un-jeok’s throat and collapsed onto the ground.
“My legs ache with age. Since this conversation will take time, I’ll speak while seated.”
“My legs hurt because I’m getting old. Since this story might get long, I’ll sit down and chat.”
Was this something to say before an elder?
“I meant only that I hoped you’d be comfortable. If you’re going to keep me standing, there’s no reason for you to remain in such an awkward position, is there?”
Yeo Un-jeok quietly settled onto the roof’s ridge beam.
In the meantime, I mentally reviewed my logic for persuading Yeo Un-jeok once more.
‘At the moment when Rang-rang was being coerced, the old man and Hong Gyo-bang-ju could never live under the same sky.’
This meant Yeo Un-jeok would never become Hong Gyo-bang-ju’s ally.
So I needed to make Yeo Un-jeok an ally of the Baek Family and, as a bonus, devise a scheme to weaken the dark path gangs of Agan County.
‘And accomplish the original purpose of Rang-rang and Gu Ak living together for a hundred years.’
“Young Master. Speak. What business do you propose we undertake together?”
“It’s simple. We topple Hong Gyo-bang-ju, who stands as an obstacle to Rang-rang’s happiness.”
Yeo Un-jeok’s eyes deepened.
“Chaos will ensue regardless of the method. The Baek Family will gain opportunities. Surely you’ve orchestrated this entire game?”
I inwardly clicked my tongue.
This is why one must be cautious when dealing with seasoned old foxes.
Since I had no intention of hiding it anyway, I spoke confidently.
“Correct. However, I don’t move solely for profit. You may not know, but Rang-rang’s betrothed is someone I share a sworn brotherhood with.”
“…First, I must ask something out of curiosity. How did you learn the identity of this old man?”
“…First, I should ask what I’m curious about. How did you come to know the identity of this old man?”
That’s because you caused a blood massacre in your past life, and word spread about it.
I couldn’t tell him the truth.
“Did you know I was a beggar before I entered the sect?”
“I’m aware.”
“One of the things beggars do to pass time is memorize the faces and personal details of criminals with bounties on their heads.”
It was true. The Beggar Sect even sent people periodically to spread such information.
This excuse was sufficient.
“I’m currently using a reversed appearance technique.”
Ah, so that wasn’t his real face? I didn’t know that.
“You used the alias Yeo Un-hyeok—cloud and red. Human psychology is simple; when people suddenly use an alias, they often slightly modify their real name. I took a guess based on that.”
I added more explanation to make it more convincing.
“Moreover, Rang-rang’s jade token. Something so exquisite and imbued with such special functions couldn’t be made by just anyone. The alias ‘Gerok Wi-ma’ naturally came to mind, so I took a shot.”
“…You gained certainty by observing this old man’s reaction.”
“Correct.”
Yeo Un-jeok laughed helplessly.
“I’ve lived cautiously my entire life, yet I let my guard down because my opponent was a child.”
“It’s not your mistake, sir. There’s a saying to be wary of women, the elderly, and children—because these three types are particularly good at lowering one’s guard.”
“True… it’s less my mistake than the young master being exceptionally talented for his age. But I’m not without flaws. Did you know who Rang-rang’s father is before you attached that name to her?”
People really do need to age to gain wisdom. He didn’t miss even the smallest gap—truly sharp as a blade.
“In truth, your appearance was a variable I hadn’t accounted for. My original plan was different. But that’s not important. So then, wouldn’t you like to hear the scheme of a young prodigy who’s exceptionally talented for his age?”
Yeo Un-jeok stared at Yang Hwi, who wore a shameless smile.
Then he sighed.
“Judging by your stubbornness, I won’t get what I want unless I hear you out. Speak.”
“First, I’ll begin by stating that the greatest purpose of my scheme is Rang-rang’s happiness. As a righteous member of the Baek Family, I promise you this, so you can trust it.”
“I’ll be the judge of that.”
“Of course. To cut to the chase, I intend to use a discord strategy to make the Black Fiends destroy themselves.”
“You’ve cut off too much of the head and tail. How exactly do you plan to do this?”
I drew upon some of the thirty years’ worth of future memories stored in my mind.
Yeo Un-jeok. In my past life, you… I brought the reason you became a martial world criminal and caused a blood massacre at the Red Bridge Hall.
Originally, Gerok Wi-ma Yeo Un-jeok wasn’t a martial artist but someone whose profession was restoring ancient texts and artifacts centuries old.
However, since restoration and forgery were merely a hairline apart, he possessed the ability to make newly created documents appear hundreds of years old.
This brought him misfortune that ruined his life.
He became entangled in the Sword King’s Tomb Incident, a blood massacre that occurred roughly twenty years ago.
He had forged dozens of maps for a substantial fee, thinking they’d be used as entertainment for wealthy young masters, unaware the mastermind was the Blood Fiend Alliance.
The Blood Fiend Alliance—the foremost evil sect and a tyrant controlling an entire province of Guizhou.
At that time, the Blood Fiend Alliance was engaged in fierce psychological warfare with several righteous sects of Honam, including the Hwangbo Family.
The scheme the Blood Fiend Alliance devised was to lure righteous martial artists into a trap using false maps and slaughter them all—a complete success that would later be called the Sword King’s Tomb Massacre.
As a result, the Hwangbo Family, one of the Five Great Families, collapsed, and the righteous sects that existed in Honam fell into complete ruin. Yeo Un-jeok became a martial world criminal.
In a way, he was a pitiful old man. He had simply done work for money, knowing nothing, yet incurred the wrath of the righteous sects and became a criminal.
Because of that, he lost his wife and was separated from his young daughter for life.
‘In your past life, you died alongside a blood catastrophe. This time, I’ll ensure you can spend your remaining years in happiness with your daughter. In exchange, become the strength of the Baek Family.’
“I will spread a secret manual.”
“A secret manual?”
Yeo Un-jeok’s expression hardened.
“I suspect you understand why I became a public enemy of the Martial Arts World, but this old man does not know of martial arts profound enough to serve as bait.”
“It doesn’t matter. The secret manual that you will create and spread won’t contain martial arts, but rather counter-methods.”
In my past life, I had strived to encounter countless martial arts to develop the family’s techniques.
Among them were naturally the martial arts of the dark path sects stationed in Ak-an County.
‘I fought countless times and learned every subtlety. Creating counter-methods would be child’s play.’
I smiled faintly.

* * *
Seven weeks later.
The Baek Family Estate received an uninvited guest in broad daylight.
“Brother Gu. The Baek Family Estate is a legitimate orthodox sect, yet you visit far too frequently, don’t you think?”
“Little brother! After waiting not four days as promised, but ten whole days, you dare not praise my patience and instead speak like this!”
Watching his face flush crimson with rage and his heavy breathing, I thought perhaps “Blood Face” would have been a more fitting epithet than “Blood Patriarch.”
“In any case, welcome. I happen to have something to discuss with you.”
I guided Gu Ak to Rang-rang’s Residence.
“Father!”
“Rang-rang!”
After the lovers, reunited after ten days, had sufficiently enjoyed their reunion, Gu Ak held Rang-rang’s hand while looking at me.
“So how is your scheme progressing? When will the supreme master you promised appear!”
“Hmm? I never said I would bring a supreme master.”
“What?”
Before Gu Ak could explode in anger, forgetting Rang-rang’s presence, I quickly continued.
“I said I would bring someone who could kill even a supreme master.”
“Isn’t that the same thing!”
“Is killing a person only possible through martial arts? There is poison, there is money, there are many methods. Ah, since we’re on the subject, let us have a private conversation.”
I stepped outside the residence where Rang-rang couldn’t hear before continuing to speak to Gu Ak.
“Did you perhaps know?”
“Know what?”
“Your counter-question reveals you didn’t. Sister Rang-rang is in a state of chronic poisoning.”
Gu Ak’s face immediately contorted like a fierce demon.
“Wait, wait. Before you explode in anger, hear me out first. You must know that the family matriarch, my mother, is in poor health and receives regular visits from physicians.”
“My patience is not abundant. Speak quickly.”
What a temperament. I continued immediately.
“Sister Rang-rang’s complexion looked particularly poor, so I had her examined by a physician. The doctor said she was in a state of chronic poisoning. You’re welcome to call another physician to verify.”
“…Rang-rang was truly being poisoned?”
“The poison itself is mild, but periodic doses of toxin lead to a chronic poison that results in death. It’s understandable that Brother Gu didn’t know.”
Even when Gu Ak had shared tea with Rang-rang at her residence just moments ago, he’d sensed nothing amiss.
The poison was so faint that even I, with my distinctive sensitivity, wouldn’t have detected it without my keen perception.
“The person who ordered the poisoning… I don’t think we need to search very far for them.”
“….”
Gu Ak couldn’t bring himself to continue speaking.
There was only one person who would poison Rang-rang.
His own father—Hong Gyo-bang-ju.
“Father, how could Father possibly…”
“He probably intended to remove Rang-rang as an obstacle and push forward with your marriage arrangements. Or perhaps… he planned to use Rang-rang as a hostage to control you, Brother Gu.”
Gu Ak was the only one among Hong Gyo-bang-ju’s children to reach the First-rate realm.
Having achieved First-rate status before even reaching thirty, he was the kind of talent who might even break through to the Transcendent realm with proper cultivation.
And since ancient times, a ruler’s greatest rival has always been his own son.
“Haha, hahahaha.”
Gu Ak laughed hollowly, the emptiness etched across his face gradually transforming into something else.
Something deeper and hotter—an emotion called rage.
‘Good. I’ve brought Gu Ak to my side with this.’
“Brother Gu, now is not the time to earn Hong Gyo-bang-ju’s approval for Rang-rang.”
“You’re right… it does seem that way.”
“Do you wish to protect Rang-rang?”
Gu Ak turned his head to gaze toward Rang-rang’s residence.
His eyes glistened with tender affection.
“Rang-rang… she was the driving force that allowed me to endure those suffocating, hellish days. For her sake… I can do anything.”
I’d thought he’d fallen in love after coming of age and frequenting the pleasure quarters, but it seemed there was a far more poignant history beneath the surface.
‘Perhaps Gu Ak’s surprisingly decent character, despite his dark path, owes everything to Rang-rang.’
With such thoughts, I continued speaking.
“Brother Gu, if that’s the case, there is only one path forward.”

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