Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 18

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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 018
Every face in Ho-yeong-ru froze.
The expressions of the Cheongsa-bang members were nothing short of shock.
“A method to counter our main hall’s martial techniques? Don’t spout nonsense!”
Yang Hwi pulled another booklet from his robes and tossed it casually.
“I picked up one more—read it for yourself.”
The Sadoo Leader’s eyes bulged from their sockets.
“This is… how is this possible…?”
“What’s so surprising? From the look of it, seems Cheongsa-bang obtained the Red Bridge Hall’s counter-methods too.”
Yang Hwi continued with a chuckle.
“Looks like some eccentric genius is stirring up trouble for amusement, and this time it appears Cheongsa-bang’s turn to be screwed!”
“Ahem, Hwi. Mind your language.”
Ah, I forgot Father was here.
“Father, spending time with Brother Gu has rubbed off some bad habits on me… I apologize.”
Even in the midst of their fierce battle moments ago, Gu Ak felt his blood boil upon hearing Yang Hwi’s words.
‘This disrespectful bastard who’s always been rude to me—where did he pull that lie from!’
Noticing Gu Ak’s expression, Yang Hwi quickly seized the initiative to cover his tracks.
“Anyway! The situation has changed quite dramatically now, wouldn’t you say, Brother Gu!”
Moments before, Cheongsa-bang had been pressing their numerical advantage to overwhelm Red Bridge Hall, but that was no longer the case.
Gu Ak was the only first-rate master present, and with the counter-methods in hand, he could now display martial prowess on an entirely different level than before.
‘Now that both sides know the counter-methods, at minimum it’s a mutual loss.’
In martial combat, knowing the counter-methods was akin to playing Go while knowing in advance where your opponent would place their stones.
The Sadoo Leader, who was merely second-rate, had been able to hold his own against Gu Ak, a first-rate master, but now that was impossible.
‘And that’s not even the worst of it.’
“Now that everyone in Ak-an County knows Cheongsa-bang’s counter-methods, things have become quite entertaining. I wonder if Gyojin-bang will sit idle.”
Gyojin-bang was another Black Island faction that bordered Cheongsa-bang’s territory.
And he could say with certainty that Gyojin-bang would not miss this opportunity.
Just as Cheongsa-bang had immediately launched a full-scale assault upon obtaining Red Bridge Hall’s counter-methods.
“Damn it. We’re withdrawing.”
Hearing the Sadoo Leader’s gritted declaration, Yang Hwi’s expression turned dismissive.
“What’s this nonsense? You think you can leave as freely as you came? How fitting for ignorant Black Island thugs.”
“You brat, today isn’t your day. I’ll make sure to tear your mouth open—just wait for the right moment.”
“Won’t your lifeline be cut first? Isn’t that right, Brother Gu?”
Gu Ak’s blood-stained face twisted into a menacing grimace.
“Obviously. Sadoo Leader, before the sun sets today, I’ll plant an axe in that thick skull of yours.”
Watching the growling Gu Ak, Yang Hwi thought to himself.
‘The board is set now.’
Cheongsa-bang would have to return immediately to prepare for Gyojin-bang’s assault.
But Red Bridge Hall would never let this slide, so mediation was necessary.
Yang Hwi turned his gaze toward Baek Moo-ryang.
“Well then, it seems it’s time for the Baek Family Head to step forward.”
Baek Moo-ryang stepped forward and regarded Gu Ak and the Sadoo Leader.
“I, Baek of the Baek Family Estate, propose to you two leaders: the suffering of the common people has become severe. I can no longer tolerate deaths occurring near the Main Family’s manor grounds. Both halls must cease this conflict.”
“I fail to see why this hall should—”
—Blood Brother. If you wish to spend a hundred years in harmony with Miss Rang-rang, comply with this.
Gu Ak, who had been growling moments before, fell silent upon receiving Baek Moo-ryang’s secret transmission.
While Gu Ak’s eyes conveyed an indescribable light, Baek Moo-ryang continued.
“Hong Gyo-bang will accept the mediation proposal. What of Cheongsa-bang?”
“Though I lack the authority to decide, should it come to pass, the Cheongsa-bang Leader would surely consider himself indebted to the Baek Family Estate.”
“Very well.”
“Then I shall take my leave—”
It was as the Sadoo Leader gestured to his subordinates.
“Wait. You intend to depart without paying the price of mediation?”
“What is it you desire?”
“One hundred gold taels.”
In silver, that would be ten thousand taels—enough to purchase the entire Ho-yeong-ru establishment we currently occupy and still have surplus.
“Do you not think the price excessive?”
“Cheongsa-bang has seized three business establishments from Hong Gyo-bang alone.”
“…”
“If you lack authority, relay this to the Cheongsa-bang Leader and send someone before sunset today. Mark my words—before the sun sets.”
Even if I demanded thirty thousand taels instead of ten thousand, Cheongsa-bang would have no choice but to accept.
Unless they wished to face annihilation.
“I shall convey this to the Leader.”
The Cheongsa-bang men withdrew entirely, and Baek Moo-ryang turned his gaze to Gu Ak.
“Blood Brother. Have all your subordinates withdraw.”
“Go down, all of you. Tend to the wounded and dispose of the bodies.”
Once the subordinates disappeared, Gu Ak opened his mouth.
“You have much to say, Baek Family Head. First, I must ask this: setting everything else aside, do you have a strategy to make my leader accept the mediation proposal?”
“Before that, there’s a premise I must state, Brother Gu,” I interjected quickly.
Yang Hwi continued.
“From Hong Gyo-bang’s perspective, it would be advantageous to devour Cheongsa-bang alongside Gyojin-bang for the sake of revenge. But that’s Hong Gyo-bang’s position. Yours is different, is it not?”
Gu Ak’s eyes deepened.
The father who poisoned his beloved.
To the Hong Gyo-bang Leader, he was merely one among countless sons and daughters—a rival threatening the throne.
“Continue, younger brother.”
“Brother Gu must act not for Hong Gyo-bang’s benefit, but for Miss Rang-rang’s happiness. To achieve that, you must persuade the Hong Gyo-bang Leader.”
“What is the specific method?”
“I intend to provide a counter-method to the counter-method of the Sham Darkness Technique.”
“You mean to counter the Sham Darkness Technique—our hall’s true martial art—once more? Who exactly would do this?”
Yang Hwi pointed to himself with his thumb.
“Who else? I am that once-in-a-century prodigy, the greatest talent to grace this world.”
“I should scold you for such absurd boasting, yet I find myself wondering if there’s truth to it—which is utterly frustrating. But if that’s the case, you’d need to obtain the method to break through the True Concealment Technique first, wouldn’t you?”
Yang Hwi grinned wickedly and tossed another booklet toward Gu Ak.
Shock washed over Gu Ak’s face once more as he examined its contents.
“This is…!”
“Cheongsa-bang purchased one as well and obtained the counter-method. I’ve created a counter-method that renders their counter-method useless.”
To be precise, I had refined it into a superior martial technique by addressing the weaknesses of the True Concealment Technique.
“You created this yourself? Impossible. No matter how talented, how could a child who’s barely begun studying martial arts accomplish such a thing?”
His words weren’t wrong. In my previous life, I had created this as practice before advancing the Main Family’s martial techniques, which is why I could prepare it so quickly now.
But Yang Hwi decided to proceed shamelessly.
“Will you now acknowledge that I am the greatest talent under heaven?”
Baek Moo-ryang added his support.
“Hwi speaks the truth. I witnessed the entire process of creating the counter-method from beginning to end.”
Indeed, Baek Moo-ryang had observed Yang Hwi’s creation of the counter-method over several days and been astounded.
“If you vouch for him, I can trust your words.”
Conflict flickered in Gu Ak’s eyes.
If all of this were true, Yang Hwi’s talent was dangerous.
Considering the position of the Baek Family Estate and the future of the Red Bridge Hall, eliminating him would be the right choice.
Yet it was also true that this extraordinary prodigy was currently standing on his side.
Moreover, the Baek Family Estate was protecting Rang-rang, which meant he owed them a debt.
“What should I do?”
Though Gu Ak was part of the Heuk-do-pa, he was not a man who repaid debts with betrayal.
He was an earnest man who would rather see the Red Bridge Hall fall than disappoint Rang-rang.
“Present the counter-method to the Red Bridge Hall’s leader while claiming you created it yourself.”
“My standing within the organization would skyrocket. The leader—my father—would grow wary of me.”
“But all the members will need to master the new True Concealment Technique, so they won’t be able to move for at least several months. That will be sufficient.”
The war between the Heuk-do-pa factions in Ak-an County couldn’t possibly drag on for months.
I planned to finish everything before then.
“Ah, but you must pay a price for the counter-method to the counter-method.”
“I demanded ten thousand taels from Cheongsa-bang. What price must I pay?”
“Simple. I’ll give you the full ten thousand taels if you sell me the Ho-yeong-ru.”
The Ho-yeong-ru was the largest pleasure house among those located near the Baek Family Estate.
It was perfect for my first business venture.
“The Ho-yeong-ru falls under my jurisdiction, so selling it poses no difficulty. Especially if I claim to have created the refined True Concealment Technique myself. But what comes next? What exactly are you planning?”
Yang Hwi answered simply.
“Cheongsa-bang will be destroyed by Gyojin-bang. And the Red Bridge Hall will clash with Gyojin-bang over Cheongsa-bang’s remains.”
Anyone could predict this much.
“And after that?”
“I don’t know!”
In truth, everything was already planned.
However, I couldn’t tell Gu Ak the truth.
No matter that he was a father who had restrained his own son and poisoned his son’s beloved—such a betrayal of familial bonds would leave deep scars on everyone’s hearts.
“Brother Gu, there is but one task for you. Master the improved Chamam Technique and dedicate yourself to martial cultivation.”
“The situation unfolds with such urgency, and you tell me to simply train?”
“Tsk. In truth, if Brother Gu merely reaches the pinnacle realm, wouldn’t all problems resolve themselves? Your talent is truly… ah, forgive me, that was rather rude of me. My apologies!”
“….”
This brat really couldn’t control his tongue in serious moments, could he?
It was precisely when Gu Ak harbored such thoughts.
“Blood Patriarch. I shall trust that Hwi’s words guide our path. Then we shall take our leave.”
Gu Ak exhaled deeply and cupped his fist in salute.
“Very well. I trust you. Go with care.”
Baek Moo-ryang hoisted Yang Hwi onto his back and leaped through the window.
Only after arriving at the Baek Manor did he set Yang Hwi down.
“Hwi. Everything has unfolded exactly as you said it would.”
“The Main Family seems to be blessed with fortune.”
“Indeed, fortune. Your arrival at the Main Family itself was a stroke of great fortune.”
Baek Moo-ryang gazed at the boy who had become his son, the one who had once said he too had chosen the Baek Family.
“Truly, the Main Family has gained a business enterprise. And Ho-yeong-ru no less.”
Though it had been lost during the time when Baek Moo-ryang’s father served as family head, Ho-yeong-ru had originally been a business venture of the Baek Manor.
This was precisely why Yang Hwi had specifically demanded Ho-yeong-ru.
“Hwi.”
“Yes, Father.”
“There is something I wish to know.”
“I shall answer if you command it.”
“Everything unfolds according to your words. To this father, it seems far too convenient. Do you perhaps know who sowed the seeds of the Black Island faction’s destruction?”
Knowing this was something he would naturally be asked, I nodded.
“Yes. I know.”
“How so?”
“Do you remember the stratagem I employed when I arranged a room for Sister Rang-rang?”
Yang Hwi explained the circumstances of his meeting with Yeo Un-jeok with appropriate embellishment, then continued.
“The current situation rests entirely upon the board created through the capabilities wielded by Sister Rang-rang’s father. In truth, the destruction method I claimed to have created was something he imparted to me.”
“Ah, so it was Sister Rang-rang’s father who took action.”
“Yes. For Sister Rang-rang’s happiness, he desires the Red Bridge Hall’s downfall. In that process, Brother Gu must not learn the truth, so the situation was deliberately complicated.”
“Ah….”
As Baek Moo-ryang exhaled in admiration, Yang Hwi continued.
“Then, Father, may I go meet with Sister Rang-rang’s father?”
“You’ve been going out frequently of late, yet you’ve been laboring for the Main Family’s sake. Go ahead.”
“Yes!”
Yang Hwi launched himself forward with vigor.

* * *
I left the Baek Family Estate and headed straight for our agreed meeting place.
Today’s location was the top of the pavilion where I had first met Yeo Un-jeok.
Reaching the rooftop far more easily than before, I took in the surrounding scenery while waiting briefly.
“Young Master.”
Having already sensed his presence, I turned as soon as I heard Yeo Un-jeok’s voice.
Then I stated my business directly.
“The time has come to fasten the final button of our plan. Old Man, please attack Hong Gyo-bang-ju.”
Murder by a borrowed knife. This entire scheme had been orchestrated for this moment from the beginning.

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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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