Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 188

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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 188
Gae-cheon-bak-pal-geom’s New Ultimate Technique.
Hawk’s Cry Resonance Vibration.
Since becoming Eum Hu’s disciple, I have devoted myself to the profound question of unifying sword technique with sound cultivation.
One of these fruits of that pursuit was Hawk’s Cry Resonance Vibration.
When the Gae-cheon-bak-pal-geom reaches enlightenment, it emanates either the sound of a bee’s wings or the cry of a hawk.
In my previous life, such sword resonance was merely a phenomenon.
Impressive to behold, yet lacking any substantive functional power.
That changed through my encounter with Eum Hu, transforming it into a true ultimate technique.
By using the sword resonance as a conduit to harmonize qi and sound, I could manifest the methods of inner resonance multiplication.
Upon reaching perfection, this created an overwhelming advantage in matchups—I could simultaneously face four peak-stage masters.
‘I’ve certainly put it to good use until now.’
Yet I remained unsatisfied.
Any true prodigy must always aim for twofold benefits or greater.
Taking Hawk’s Cry Resonance Vibration as my foundation, I developed numerous variations in succession.
This landscape before me was the result of that effort.
Gae-cheon-bak-pal-geom’s New Ultimate Technique.
Hawk’s Cry Resonance Vibration, Water Fusion.
I plunged the sword emanating the resonance into the water that had risen to knee level.
The trembling qi originating from the blade dispersed through the water it touched, and the vibration shook all the bandits violently.
Thus, Water Fusion.
The unity of sword and sound—the sword resonance merging once more with water to create a miraculous phenomenon.
‘The effect is far better than I anticipated.’
Every bandit wading in the shallow waters of Hamok Forest lost consciousness.
Heuk-nok Dae-do? Colossal Iron Shield? Grotesque Blood Suppression?
Even the Nokrim Sip-ung, who were fully mature peak-stage masters, were no exception.
Subduing over a hundred bandits in a single move—surely this deserved to be called a martial art of one against a hundred.
Of course, it was not without its drawbacks.
‘Ugh. My dantian feels as hollow as a widower’s household.’
A full two hundred years of inner power—something one ordinarily could not even possess at this age—vanished in an instant.
Though it was called two hundred years, consuming this much inner power in a single technique should have been impossible.
Had I not obtained a perfected body through Seon-gi’s abilities, I would have fallen into demonic possession.
In other words, Hawk’s Cry Resonance Vibration Water Fusion was an ultimate technique only I could execute in all the world.
“How… did you manage that?”
Considering the fierce battle that had raged moments before, the question was remarkably serene.
The corners of my mouth rose slightly.
It was Seongpung who had asked with that dazed expression.
The First Disciple of the aloof Cheongseng, wearing such a face.
‘That old man was dismissive before the battle, but now his soul has left his body.’
Well, it was inevitable.
The result created by the convergence of Eum Hu’s brilliance and my synthesis was nothing short of miraculous.
It was only natural that they couldn’t comprehend such divine technique displayed by a young master from a minor martial family that hadn’t even reached the ranks of the great clans.
“When children catch fish in the stream, they stun them by throwing rocks into the water.”
Just as I wondered what he was talking about, Yang Hwi continued.
“That’s it.”
Well, I couldn’t really call it a continuation.
“You don’t intend to explain further?”
“It’s not customary to inquire about another sect’s secret techniques, is it?”
Seongpung, having been rebuked, stiffened his expression.
“Is that what you call an explanation? Everyone nearly died because of the guidance you provided.”
Ah, hearing such nonsense meant he’d finally grasped the gravity of the situation.
It was true, after all.
I hadn’t informed them that Nokrim Sip-ung was hiding there, even though I knew problems could arise later.
The reason was simple.
‘This method was the most efficient way to gather most of the bandits at Ha-mok Forest.’
In other words, I used Gu-pa as bait.
Inevitably, Gu-pa’s disciples were exposed to danger, but in the world of those who live by the sword, this was nothing.
If they didn’t like it, they shouldn’t have ignored me from the start.
“Well now. One should speak plainly. I wasn’t acting as a spy, and the information I obtained simply had its shortcomings—how is that a fault?”
It might be evidence of incompetence, but it couldn’t be grounds for blame.
“Are you insisting on knowing the principle even if it requires forcing the matter?”
Hit where it mattered, Seongpung’s expression grew even more rigid.
Watching him, Yang Hwi laughed openly.
“Indeed, you must be terribly curious.”
A master who had reached enlightenment could annihilate Chok-rang Pavilion single-handedly.
But he couldn’t suppress everyone in a single instant.
Unless he had ascended to the Transcendent Realm.
“That’s not it. The Transcendent Realm at this age? Does that make sense?”
“…Is it sorcery then?”
A second absurdity. Both the first and now—these were lines I’d seen often in rumor-mongering texts and novels.
No matter how curious, his tactics were far too shallow.
“Unfortunately, I have no intention of telling you.”
-Hwi’s Younger Brother. You’re provoking them too much. Moreover, should we really be displaying such a powerful technique before them?
As Dang-gun, I could only be bewildered.
Why was it so difficult for a hidden dragon to emerge from the gutter?
Because it faced suppression and was broken before it could fully develop.
Yet despite knowing this, he openly displayed his divine technique and even provoked them?
He must have his reasons, but it was uncharacteristic of the usual Yang Hwi.
-I think I need to adjust my course of action slightly.
-Why is that?
There were three reasons.
First, to verify the cohesion of Gu-pa.
A prodigy of unparalleled talent had appeared, engaging in absurd actions.
Would Cheongseng and Ami truly inform the other branches of this fact?
Depending on their answer, I would need to adjust my plans accordingly.
Second, to prove my worth to Jin Yeong-gil.
I would establish a new ten-year pact with Jin Yeong-gil.
To do so, I needed to demonstrate that I possessed strength in water.
And finally, the third reason.
‘Come now, take the bait.’
“Ah, Master Seongpung. I believe I can provide the information. However, there is one condition.”
“Speak it.”
“Master Nong-o. I noticed that Jeomchang and his disciples employ a mystical sword technique. It differs greatly in essence from the Four Extremes Sword Method. What if we took time to discuss our respective techniques?”
Nong-o’s face had hardened even more rigidly than Seongpung’s.
For one who typically maintained such an unwavering expression, this was positively electrifying.
“That seems like a sound idea.”
Seongpung responded in place of the silent Nong-o.
As Cheongseng, he would naturally wish to learn of Jeomchang’s new sword technique, so there was no loss in this arrangement.
“I am curious as well.”
“Discussing martial arts is always welcome.”
Ami joined in, and the Dang Family added their support.
Jeomchang found himself with no way out.
“…It is a sword method newly created by our sect.”
“Is that so? Yet it differs greatly in essence from the Four Extremes Sword Method.”
“All swords are vastly different depending on what they contain within them.”
“The technique I employed moments ago is called Eung-hu Myeong-jin, Water Convergence.”
I had spoken indirectly, but the meaning was clear—reveal the name.
Yet Nong-o refused.
“Since it remains an incomplete secret technique, it would be improper to speak of it. It seems I would require permission from the elders of my sect.”
It was a convenient excuse.
But his hand movements didn’t quite match.
“Master Nong-o. Why do you conceal it?”
The one who stepped forward was the eldest among Jeomchang’s disciples aside from Nong-o.
Compared to Nong-o, he seemed no more than five or six years younger.
“Is the Divided Light Sword Method truly so displeasing to you?”
“Yeon-hyo. Restrain yourself.”
“But I simply cannot understand.”
“Yeon-hyo!”
To contradict a superior, no matter how trivial the matter, was an act that could warrant the punishment of death and the extermination of one’s lineage.
Yeon-hyo fell silent and spoke no further.
‘Yet their face makes it clear they don’t accept my explanation.’
“This sword technique was created by one of our sect’s elders. That is all I can say.”
“Nong-o Daoist.”
“Even if you address me that way, I have no intention of saying more.”
“Why hide it? It’s not as though Jeomchang is learning some heretical martial art.”
Good grief, this Seongpung fellow.
He’s even pressuring Jeomchang with baseless arguments.
‘So it’s not just me—his personality itself tends toward being rather authoritarian?’
In any case, I’d only heard the name, but I’d learned far more than that.
For instance, the reason why only Nong-o was skilled in the Four-Character Sword Technique.
Since I could learn the details separately, I decided to create an opportunity to move past this.
“I respect Nong-o Daoist’s position. Even if the four seas are one family, it is an unspoken rule not to inquire about martial techniques.”
Seongpung, realizing that learning about the two techniques was a lost cause, clicked his tongue in frustration.
“Still, this doesn’t seem like the time for this. Shouldn’t we seize Chok-rang Manor before the remnant bandits escape?”
Just then, Dang-gun interjected and changed the subject of conversation.
It wasn’t wrong, so we immediately decided to enter Chok-rang Manor and search the surrounding area.
As I listened to the discussion about selecting personnel, I thought to myself.
‘The Fragmented Light Sword Technique. Interesting.’
Suddenly I became curious.
Was it 分光 or 紛光?

* * *
Chok-rang Manor stood at one of three strategic passes leading from Sichuan toward the heart of the Central Plains.
There was certainly a wealth of treasures stored within.
But I followed behind Nong-o, who had chosen to search the exterior alone.
“Split into pairs or groups of three and disperse. If anything unusual occurs during the search, immediately fire a signal flare.”
Jeomchang’s disciples scattered, leaving only me and Nong-o.
“Let’s go, Namgung Cheon-yeong.”
I followed silently. Nong-o headed toward terrain so treacherous that even the faint mountain path disappeared.
As if he wanted to go somewhere no one else would ever come.
When we had traveled deep enough into such a place.
“Speak, Namgung Cheon-yeong.”
An abrupt statement. I found it amusing.
For a moment, I considered playing dumb.
But honestly, I preferred conversations that cut straight to the heart of the matter.
“The Fragmented Light Sword Technique. Who created it?”
“One of our sect’s elders.”
“Where is this elder from?”
“….”
Nong-o maintained his usual expression.
Slightly raised corners of his mouth and eyes narrowed to thin slits. His overall expression was one of a smile, yet it held no joy.
For some reason, I had a premonition.
That no matter what I said right now, I would be unable to break through that expression.
‘He’s obsessed.’
“Could it be that the reason Jeomchang vouched for the false Sosineui was because of you, sir?”
“….”
“It seems everyone is focusing on mastering Bun-gwang Sword Technique rather than Sa-il Sword Technique. Is that correct?”
“….”
“Then that would mean Bun-gwang Sword Technique is superior to Sa-il Sword Technique, would it not?”
“….”
“Why do you concentrate on Sa-il Sword Technique, Nong-o Daoist? I am curious about your reasons.”
“….”
“Are you sensing it? What is it that the sword art of Bun-gwang Sword Technique truly pursues?”
Nong-o did not answer any of those questions.
Yet I detected that Nong-o’s heart had been stirred by my final question.
Nong-o, who had been silently gazing at me, finally opened his mouth.
“…Do you understand Sa-il Sword Technique?”
“I do not. I have never witnessed it.”
“Then witness it.”
Considering that we had exchanged martial techniques before the subjugation began, this made no sense.
Yet both Nong-o and I understood what the other meant.
Sa-il Sword Technique—the ultimate move. The Archer Yi Shooting the Sun.
A thrust that sought to pierce even the sun itself was aimed at my throat.

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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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