Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 167

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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 167
“Your words carry righteousness, Younger Brother Chu Dal. What if we let him go for now?”
“Right. It’s not like he’s going to fight anyone, so there’s no real need for us to go together.”
Watching Dang-gun and Dang-yeon take Chu Dal’s side, Yang Hwi’s expression grew awkward for a moment.
‘I don’t have a single supporter.’
It would be stranger to refuse when he simply wants to find the benefactor who saved his life.
It would have been nice if Gu Ak, who understands the situation, were here with us.
‘If I’d known it would come to this, I should have dragged Elder Brother Gu along by force.’
In fact, I had already tried to persuade him to come, but he refused firmly.
Something about how if he traveled all the way to Sichuan and back, his daughter Hwa-hwa might forget her father’s face.
It was a perfect reason that even Yang Hwi couldn’t argue against further.
“Elder Brother. Why are you silent? Just let me find them quickly and then I’ll go to Sichuan. Please give me permission.”
‘You’ll absolutely never find them quickly, you fool!’
Your benefactor is right in front of you now.
There’s nothing to find in the first place.
If I’d known it would be like this, should I have just told him I was his benefactor when I saved him?
‘No, if I had, I wouldn’t have developed this playful relationship with Chu Dal like we have now.’
Back then, that Chu Dal was absolutely terrifying.
Because he had forcibly learned a heart technique that severed emotions, he had almost no expression, and with an unnaturally grave demeanor, wouldn’t he have gone around saying “benefactor, benefactor” all the time?
Just thinking about Chu Dal showing such a sight….
A chill ran down my spine!
‘Ugh. That can’t happen. You’re right, Am.’
“Elder Brother. Since Chu Dal wants this, please give your permission. I will protect your side as your true younger brother!”
Baek Heon-so finished speaking with eyes gleaming brightly.
‘What’s wrong with him now.’
From his attitude, I could sense some determination to reclaim a position he felt he’d lost.
In the old days, it might have been cute, but the current Baek Heon-so had become a fifteen-year-old boy standing six feet tall after undergoing Seon-gi’s interrogation and blood refinement.
It was creepy rather than cute.
Besides, a true younger brother? When you think about it, your blood doesn’t run the same either, Seo.
‘So is everyone except me on the side of sending that Chu Dal fellow?’
“Chu Dal. If you go, where will I get my information?”
“We’re heading to the Dang Family anyway, so there shouldn’t be any particular need for information. If it’s really necessary, I can just ask the Dang Soga-ju.”
“That’s right, Younger Brother Hwi. If you’re curious or want to know something, you can use the main family’s information network.”
“If that doesn’t work, I’ll assign one person from the Baek Li Pavilion.”
Hmm. Failed to keep him with the information excuse.
“Chu Dal… Seolha and Adu have already left, and if you go too, I’ll be so lonely….”
“Elder Brother! I’m here! This Baek Heon-so will fill that void!”
A fierce light blazed in Baek Heon-so’s eyes.
…You fool. Don’t you have any sense of the situation?
In any case, my appeal to emotion also failed.
“That’s right, Elder Brother. Then shall I take my leave?”
“Wait.”
“Ah, why!”
At this point, I had to resort to my final measure.
Since ancient times, when sages faced crisis, they employed one tried-and-true method of salvation.
It was deception.
In other words, a lie.
“Chu Dal, Chu Dal, the character for shameful…”
“Hey, I’m not shameful!”
“The otter character, Chu Dal.”
“I don’t look like an otter either!”
“This brat?”
I continued speaking as Chu Dal quickly covered his head.
“The truth is… I know who your benefactor is.”
“Huh? Is that really true? Then why didn’t you tell me… wait.”
Chu Dal’s eyes narrowed. Suspicion crossed his face.
“You’re not lying just to keep me from leaving, are you?”
“Absolutely not.”
“Then swear by the honor of the Baek Family of Gaecheon.”
“I swear. I truly do know who your benefactor is.”
‘Because it’s me, after all.’
In any case, it wasn’t a lie.
I did know who the benefactor was.
Well, to be precise, I should say it wasn’t a lie yet.
‘To deceive someone, you must blend truth with falsehood!’
This was a stratagem even found in the Art of War itself.
The deception of feinting east while attacking west!
“Since you demanded it and I’ve even sworn an oath, I suppose I can continue. The reason I haven’t told you who your benefactor is until now is simple.”
“What is it?”
“Because your benefactor didn’t wish it.”
“What?”
Chu Dal’s expression turned to surprise.
“Why would that be?”
“Think about it logically. Would a true knight-errant boast about saving one child?”
“…”
“Your benefactor was a knight-errant like a painting come to life. The ambition he harbored and the presence he radiated were heroism itself. Would such a person truly wish to receive thanks for saving a young boy like you?”
Yang Hwi continued, his eyes filled with admiration.
“He became the very reason I came to embrace chivalry in my heart. His spirit of righteousness was… so beautifully pure.”
“Ah yes… he did seem like that sort of person.”
“In any case, your benefactor would not wish for you to seek him out.”
“I see. But Elder Brother, shouldn’t I still express my gratitude? Think about it. A child you once saved grows up and comes to find you, offering thanks. Wouldn’t that normally bring immense joy and overwhelming emotion?”
‘Hmm? Well, that’s true, but…’
“So if you tell me who it is, I’ll go visit them right away. Please tell me.”
“….”
“Elder Brother?”
“I certainly know that person’s epithet and name, but… what if we did it this way instead?”
I felt cold sweat trickling down my spine as I desperately racked my brain.
“Rather than the child you saved visiting you without any notable epithet, wouldn’t you feel greater joy when they arrive as one of the most renowned martial prodigies under heaven? Wouldn’t you?”
“Well….”
“That’s precisely why I brought you along to the Sichuan expedition. Isn’t it better to go after rising from Il-chudal to at least Baek Ri-chudal, rather than visiting with some unremarkable epithet?”
“Ah, I keep telling you—Il-chudal isn’t even my epithet!”
“Oh my. Chu Dal, Chu Dal, the character for shame….”
“It’s not shameful!”
Watching Chu Dal puff out his cheeks indignantly, I lifted the corners of my mouth.
This should certainly shake his composure, and the excuse is plausible enough. Perfect.
“In any case, refute me if you can. Would you rather go as an unknown nobody, or as a renowned martial prodigy?”
“….”
“Ah, that’s right. Let’s do this instead. The Dragon-Phoenix Gathering will be held in three years. You’ll step forward then and be recognized by all as an outstanding martial prodigy. After that, you can visit them!”
“….”
“The reunion with your benefactor will be all the more meaningful!”
Chu Dal, who had been pondering, gave a small nod.
“If Elder Brother truly knows who they are, there’s no need to waste time searching for them. But why can’t you tell me now and have me visit later?”
“Huh?”
“It wouldn’t be difficult to tell me, would it?”
But the thing is….
“Chu Dal.”
Baek Heon-so stepped forward at the opportune moment.
For reference, Chu Dal and Baek Heon-so were the same age and had been getting along like friends for some time now.
More precisely, they had become rivals burning with inexplicable competitive spirit.
“Elder Brother must have his reasons for not saying. He’s your Elder Brother, after all.”
“Hmm. That’s true.”
“Even I’ve often felt frustrated when Elder Brother doesn’t explain things clearly, but looking back, it was all consideration for me. Isn’t this situation the same?”
Dang-yeon, who had been listening to the conversation, smiled faintly and guided her horse beside Baek Heon-so, patting his shoulder.
“Our Seo truly trusts Hwi’s Younger Brother with all his heart? What you just said was quite impressive.”
At her touch, Baek Heon-so blushed like a simpleton and lowered his head.
“No, Sister.”
“Don’t be modest. Trust between brothers is very important. My Elder Brother is always nagging me about something.”
“That’s because you’re the one who gives him reason to nag, isn’t it?”
“See? Even now, nagging.”
Baek Heon-so, who had been embarrassed, subtly distanced himself from Dang-yeon and looked back at Chu Dal.
“Anyway, Chu Dal. Elder Brother always surpasses our expectations. Trust and wait. He swore an oath on the honor of our main family, after all.”
Persuaded by Baek Heon-so, I turned my gaze toward Yang Hwi.
“Elder Brother. I will train even harder. But you must tell me the truth later.”
‘Good. Well done, Seo. Excellent!’
Thinking such thoughts, I nodded seriously.
“Of course. It’s all for you. When the time comes, you’ll know who your benefactor is. I swear this on the name of our main family as well.”
When that time would come remained undecided.
At least the immediate crisis had passed.
I needed to change the subject quickly before the flames reignited.
“By the way, Elder Dang. Something suddenly occurred to me.”
“Speak, Hwi’s Younger Brother.”
“What do the Dang Family members think of us?”
Father Baek Moo-ryang’s decision to send Yang Hwi and Baek Heon-so to the Dang Family stemmed from the Ten-Year Pact.
The Dang Family was counted among the most renowned clans in the realm, and the Dang Clan—what the world recognized as one of the great families.
Yet by nature, the Dang Family could only be a tool of the Nine Sects and the Five Great Families.
The Baek Family, which once produced the greatest martial artist under heaven and held a seat among the Five Great Families, had fallen so far that even the local Heuk-do Faction dismissed them as third-rate.
The Ten-Year Pact between such a Baek Family and the Dang Family was simple in its terms.
If the Baek Family grew within ten years to become a prominent martial clan even in Gangseong,
then together with the Dang Family, they would simultaneously conquer both east and west of Honam to expand their power.
“Our main family has earned recognition as the foremost martial clan in Gangseong since the Heuk-do purge. Will the Dang Family’s senior members be satisfied with this?”
In truth, the Dang Family had no reason to ally with the Baek Family of the past.
Even with their leash held tight, the power gap between the Dang and Baek families at that time exceeded several hundredfold.
Even now, the Dang Family remained three to four times stronger.
“To be honest, it’s ambiguous. The Baek Family’s current military strength is frankly insufficient to begin conquering Honam. And… even our Dang Family.”
Since the Sword King’s Blood Massacre decades ago, Honam had become the domain of Heuk-do.
No matter how devastating the blow to Honam’s Baek Do had been, there was one reason why an entire province had become Heuk-do’s realm.
“Honam is… essentially the territory of the Blood Sect.”
The Blood Sect—the foremost heterodox force.
The Blood Sect, which decades ago had been the primary force behind the Sword King’s Blood Massacre that swept away Honam’s Baek Do, was a power so vast that even the Nine Sects and Five Great Families hesitated to confront directly.
“The Blood Sect watches carefully and exercises control over Honam indirectly through Heuk-do, but still.”
“The moment we covet Honam, they will certainly make their move.”
Dang-gun continued with a bitter smile.
“Besides… whether we can even covet it is a secondary matter.”
Conquering an entire province was a grave undertaking.
With the relationship with the Blood Sect at stake, the Nine Sects and Five Great Families would certainly apply the brakes.
“Hwi’s Younger Brother. The ambition you showed in childhood was admirable. But now we must reconsider. We are those who bear the responsibility of accounting for reality.”
He was right.
The Ten-Year Pact as an aspiration had bound the two families closely, and there were many other things they could accomplish together besides conquering Honam.
Father Baek Moo-ryang sending both his sons to the Dang Family likely had strengthening the bond as its primary purpose.
But.
‘The Blood Cult will have to be brought down eventually.’
Conquering Honam. It was more than simply seizing the region and expanding influence—it was something that had to be done when considering the future.
And to accomplish this, I would have to overcome a certain condition, or rather, a constraint.
‘Elder Dang. I will make the Dang Family a true great family in every sense.’
And while I’m at it, I’ll see if there’s anything useful to apply to the main family as well.
Without bothering to voice his true intentions, Yang Hwi smiled faintly.

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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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