Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 164

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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 164
Beop-gak’s demeanor was nothing short of solemn.
Rather than anger at transgression, his face bore the anguish of one betrayed by those he believed walked the same righteous path.
-Did the Namgung Family truly conspire with those stained by ash to persecute Baek Do, and not content with that, attempt to murder this child?
Mere words. A simple question.
But.
The one who spoke was Beop-gak, a disciple and elder of the Shaolin Abbot, bearing the honorable title of Jeong-sim Arhat.
That made all the difference.
‘Had I asked instead.’
What reaction would those Namgung Family members have shown?
In the same situation, they would have sneered. They would have dismissed me.
Or perhaps they would have raged, accusing me of tarnishing the noble Namgung name.
Regardless of the truth.
In other words, even if I asked, it would have meant nothing.
Why?
Because no answer would change anything.
Such was the existence of a young master from a minor martial family in Gangwon.
‘It’s a bit sad. Though it’s inevitable.’
That was why the question posed by Jeong-sim Arhat Beop-gak carried weight.
He possessed the qualifications to serve as a witness.
In the Martial Arts World, where the logic of power reigned supreme, he wielded a force more certain than any other.
‘I’ve been so frustrated with Namgung Cheon-hu that I’ve even entertained such absurd thoughts.’
Despite having circumstantial evidence and suspicions, and even confirming the facts through Chu Dal.
The Baek Family could not punish Namgung Cheon-hu.
We could not publicize what we had uncovered.
Because we lacked proof.
That’s why I even indulged in the foolish fantasy of possessing some device that could record a scene from the past in perfect detail.
‘Though of course, such a thing could never exist.’
Therefore, to expose someone’s wrongdoing, a witness was necessary.
A witness capable of standing behind their own words.
In other words, someone whose accumulated past could prove their integrity.
Whether that came from their family’s power or their own.
‘Jeong-sim Arhat Beop-gak would be perfect.’
If the Shaolin Beop-gak stepped forward as a witness, staking his name against the Namgung Family Head’s wrongdoings, who could cry out that he was lying?
Not even the Namgung Family Head himself could.
The tangible and intangible power Beop-gak possessed was of that magnitude.
“Why do you not answer? I shall ask again. Did the Namgung Family truly conspire with the Black Sword to harm Baek Do?”
Namgung Cheon-hu did not respond. From the moment Beop-gak appeared, he had kept his eyes firmly closed, taking no action whatsoever.
Instead, Namgung Cheon-hu’s subordinates moved.
The Changcheon Sword Sect members of Great Namgung drew their blades in unison, pointing them at the Soga-joonim.
Tap. Tap. Tap. Tap.
“I humbly address Elder Beop-gak of Shaolin. I wish to convey a message left behind by the Family Head of the Great Namgung. I am Namgung Seong-il, Second Commander of the Changcheon Sword Sect of the Namgung Family.”
Namgung Seong-il, having assumed a respectful sword salute, continued speaking.
“Everything you witnessed is true. However, I wish to inform you that our Namgung Family has not deviated from the righteous path, nor do we harbor any such intention.”
“Then what did this humble monk witness?”
Namgung Seong-il’s gaze turned toward Namgung Cheon-hu.
His eyes were utterly devoid of emotion—something one could never imagine directed at a superior until moments before.
“I believe Shaolin is also aware of the bloodshed that occurred at the Sword King’s Pagoda.”
“Indeed. You speak of the incident where the demonic sect’s spawn caused a massacre?”
“Correct. At that time, the Family Head suffered a grave wound from the demonic sect’s spawn, and as a result, fell into demonic possession.”
“Demonic possession.”
Beop-gak immediately grasped what Namgung Seong-il was driving at.
“So all of this was committed by the Family Head while possessed by demons? Then you—by following him, you tacitly approved of it, did you not?”
“That is true. However, this was done simultaneously to assess the severity of the possession and to investigate the Baek Family.”
“Investigate?”
Namgung Seong-il turned his head.
‘Why is this bastard suddenly looking at me?’
“The main family harbors suspicion that the Baek Family may have been touched by the hands of the demonic sect’s evil spawn.”
“What grounds exist for such suspicion?”
“Suspicious behavior at the Sword King’s Pagoda.”
I let out a scoff despite my disbelief.
“Suspicious? What exactly did this young master do?”
“There were witnesses who saw the young master of the Baek Family fleeing while wielding the demonic sect’s evil spawn’s sword during the tremendous torrent.”
I felt a chill despite knowing it was nonsense.
‘There’s no way anyone could have seen me bringing that sword back to the main family?’
Absolutely impossible. It was physically impossible.
Yang Hwi’s group didn’t get swept away by the torrent—we escaped through a gap in the ceiling.
In other words, this bastard’s words were a complete fabrication.
But… I had no way to prove it was a lie.
In the Martial Arts World, when those with power resort to coercion, there is nothing one can do but submit.
“Of course, it’s possible the witness was mistaken in the chaos. However, as a renowned family of the righteous path, the Namgung Family bore the responsibility to investigate this matter.”
“Continue, Donor.”
“Therefore, the main family sent none other than the Family Head and the Changcheon Sword Sect to the Baek Family to uncover the truth.”
“The Family Head, who was possessed by demons?”
Namgung Seong-il offered a bitter smile.
“The Family Head is truly a man of heroic character. We believed he could overcome it… though in the end, he could not.”
Despite the melancholic demeanor Namgung Seong-il displayed, Beop-gak’s brow twitched as he questioned once more.
“Yet you attempted to kill the child of the Baek Family.”
“We merely sought to gauge the extent of the Family Head’s demonic possession. Until the moment of death, if he did not change his mind, we intended to take him into custody.”
In other words, what Namgung Seong-il was saying amounted to this.
‘It was all just a theatrical performance, and they’re pinning everything on Namgung Cheon-hu.’
Cutting off the tail. An ancient and time-honored solution, frequently employed when secret misdeeds are exposed.
What makes it particularly special is using the Soga-joonim himself as that tail?
“Ha ha… Did the Family Head anticipate even this far? Ha ha ha….”
The one laughing hollowly was Namgung Cheon-hu.
Namgung Seong-il raised his voice to prevent Namgung Cheon-hu from continuing further.
“Soga-joonim! Please, I beg you, free yourself from the demonic influence! Please!”
It was a heartfelt cry, yet it also presupposed that whatever followed would stem entirely from that demonic influence.
‘Hmm. At this point, any further words or logic I add would be meaningless.’
It was hardly surprising that my throat felt constricted.
But I felt exhilaration instead.
So much so that the emotion burst forth as laughter.
“Ha ha ha ha!”
At my sudden outburst, Beop-gak’s gaze turned toward me.
“Donor. Why do you laugh?”
“Because I can’t help but laugh. Isn’t this a most fortunate turn of events!”
“…?”
“That the darkness shrouding the main family stemmed merely from the demonic influence of a mere Soga-joonim! I thought the Namgung Family was trying to crush the main family!”
I continued, observing Namgung Seong-il’s hardened expression.
“Truly a fortunate matter! And yet a regrettable one. To be so consumed by demonic influence as to commit such heinous acts. On behalf of the Baek Family Estate, I offer my sincere condolences to the Namgung Family, and I express that I harbor no ill will whatsoever regarding past events!”
Namgung Seong-il performed a respectful bow toward me.
“I am genuinely grateful for the Baek Family’s magnanimity, and I apologize for the misunderstandings and circumstances that led to these events within the Namgung Family.”
His manner was courteous, yet his true feelings showed through.
He must be feeling as though he were biting into an astringent persimmon.
‘Go on, speak, boy. There’s always something that follows gratitude or apology, isn’t there.’
I understood that the Namgung Family Head had even instructed him to use Namgung Cheon-hu as a disposable scapegoat.
But he couldn’t have anticipated even Beop-gak’s appearance.
After all, Beop-gak’s existence was a variable I myself hadn’t calculated for—a stroke of heavenly fortune.
“It was to clear the misunderstanding that had settled over the Baek Family….”
‘The boy’s laying his groundwork to the very end. Well, Beop-gak is watching anyway.’
“Nevertheless, it was an unseemly affair. For this, the Namgung Family shall surely repay the Baek Family’s demonstrated generosity.”
“Ah, is that so? If you’re offering, I certainly won’t refuse. When you speak of repayment, how substantial are we talking? Ah, forgive me. Being one foot in the merchant world myself, I find myself inadvertently calculating. A repayment from the Namgung Family surely cannot be insignificant, ha ha ha ha ha!”
“….”
“You believe me?”
“…It is for the Family Head to decide, but I trust he shall honor that trust.”
“Indeed, Monk Beop-gak. Since this arose from accumulated misunderstandings, I believe this should suffice.”
Beop-gak stared at me with vacant eyes for a moment.
‘So this is why the donor said I need only follow along….’
Beop-gak could hardly fail to sense the suspicion lurking in this situation.
And so, Beop-gak felt admiration for me.
‘Truly a perceptive donor. Your heart runs as deep as a thousand-fathom well.’
Even borrowing Beop-gak’s name, I could not punish the Soga-joonim of the Namgung Family.
Though he committed evil deeds, he remains of the Namgung bloodline, and the authority to punish rests with the Namgung Family itself.
Moreover, the pretext of Mara had been presented.
‘Though frustration and anger would be justified, to extract maximum family benefit with merely three inches of tongue…’
Beop-gak’s gaze turned once more toward Namgung Cheon-hu and Namgung Seong-il.
“Amitabha Buddha.”
The Buddhist invocation that escaped unbidden carried anger within it.
Though I did not know the precise circumstances, it was certain that the Namgung Family harbored dark intentions.
‘But… if such is the will of the victim, the donor…’
“Amitabha Buddha. Having heard both your words, I understand the situation. However, even if consumed by Mara, a crime remains a crime! The Namgung Family must impose fitting punishment upon the Soga-joonim’s misdeeds.”
“Of course, Monk.”
“Convey to the Family Head of Namgung that I, Beop-gak the Arhat of Pure Mind, shall bear witness.”
“I shall relay that as well.”
“Furthermore, this temple shall distribute notices to all donors, informing them that Namgung Cheon-hu, the Soga-joonim, fell into Mara and committed his evil deeds.”
“…Naturally it should be so. From the start, the Family Head of our main house shall be the first to announce this and display an attitude of remorse.”
Upon hearing this exchange, Yang Hwi let out another cry of exultation.
‘Meeting the monk was truly heaven’s fortune. I have managed to inflict far greater damage than anticipated.’
Not content with extracting compensation, I had even turned Shaolin’s gaze toward Namgung.
Originally, the Namgung Family had intended to use Namgung Cheon-hu as a sacrificial pawn to wipe their hands clean, but now that was no longer possible.
And on top of that, to brand the Soga-joonim with the dishonor of collusion with the Black Sword!
‘The greatest asset of the Five Great Families of the realm is… reputation.’
The acclaim and reverence bestowed upon them by the masses of the world as noble houses.
The strength of the Nine Sects and Five Great Families stems more than ninety percent from this.
In other words, the Namgung Family, in attempting to kill the mouse that is the Baek Family, had instead been bitten and wounded.
‘Well, it’s merely a scratch the size of a fingernail. This much satisfies me.’
A scratch the size of a fingernail would be a mortal wound to a mouse, but to a human, it is merely a surface wound.
I had never expected this alone would bring down the Namgung Family.
Yet it could still become a wound that stung quite painfully.
‘If only the arrested Namgung Cheon-hu could make the wound more disfiguring.’
In that respect, being unable to kill Namgung Cheon-hu was actually fortunate for the Baek Family.
Fortune or not, I still had to repay the cursed deeds committed by Namgung Cheon-hu.
In that sense.
“Monk.”
“Speak, Donor.”
“Would it not be better to proceed to our main house first, rather than linger here?”
By now, Father and the Dang Family members should have returned to the main house.
Moreover, thanks to my prior instructions, the renowned figures of the region would be gathering at the Baek Family Estate.
‘If I cannot kill him, then I must send him back utterly humiliated. Ah, this will be entertaining.’

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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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