Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 19

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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 019
Yeo Un-jeok regarded me quietly.
“Young Master. A person of Hong Gyo-bang-ju’s stature would surely travel with an escort. It seems unreasonable to attempt an assault on someone of his standing alone.”
“He cannot be killed. No matter how wicked a man may be, he is still the father of the one my sister loves.”
“This old man has acquired some martial skill, though my level is hardly impressive.”
“Sealing his dantian would suffice. That way, Gu Ak could become Hong Gyo-bang-ju.”
Yeo Un-jeok spoke of impossibilities, yet I continued stating my requirements without hesitation.
Soon, Yeo Un-jeok released a heavy sigh.
“Young Master. Why do you believe this old man is capable of such a deed?”
“When we exchanged a bout before, I recognized the great restraint you showed toward me.”
“I don’t understand what you mean. It’s a misunderstanding.”
Rather than answer immediately, I smiled knowingly.
‘I overlooked it at first, but… the Old Man is concealing his martial prowess.’
I was born with exceptional sensitivity to qi. I could read even the faintest traces of energy flowing from another’s dantian and estimate the internal power contained within with remarkable accuracy.
Combined with additional information such as momentum and presence, I could predict an opponent’s martial level with near certainty.
But.
‘It’s too ordinary and unremarkable. As if deliberately hidden and concealed.’
A master whose martial level even my senses could not fathom.
This fact could mean only one thing.
“There is a saying in the Martial Arts World: conceal three-tenths of one’s true ability. I merely thought the Old Man might possess a hidden card of his own.”
“….”
“If it’s impossible, you need not attempt it. But if you succeed, a path will open for the one my sister loves to spend a hundred years together with her.”
“….”
Watching Yeo Un-jeok’s silence, I simply smiled.
Hong Gyo-bang and Gyojin-bang, Hong Gyo-bang-ju and Gu Ak. And finally, Yeo Un-jeok.
All the actors of this drama had assembled.
Now it was time for one grand performance.
“Ah, that’s right.”
I tossed out a remark to Yeo Un-jeok as if it had just occurred to me.
“After all matters are concluded. Have you decided where you might settle?”

* * *
Gyojin-bang launched an assault on Cheongsa-bang. Just as Cheongsa-bang had struck Red Bridge Hall before, it was a surprise attack without a single warning message exchanged.
Moreover, there was one more difference from the conflict between Red Bridge Hall and Cheongsa-bang.
“Have you heard? Apparently there’s absolute chaos at Cheongsa-bang.”
“I heard. They just fought with Red Bridge Hall the other day, and now they’re being attacked by Gyojin-bang.”
“That’s not even all of it. Apparently all sorts of large and small factions are tearing into Cheongsa-bang.”
Yeo Un-jeok scattered hundreds of copies of the countermeasures to Cheongsa-bang’s core martial techniques throughout the marketplace.
Naturally, numerous factions obtained the countermeasures, and each harbored dark intentions.
“Tsk, after all that tyranny, Cheongsa-bang is finished now.”
“Indeed. It’s quite satisfying.”
Not a single person felt compassion for Cheongsa-bang, which faced annihilation.
Cheongsa-bang was the most notorious for its tyranny among the four major forces that dominated Ak-an County.
As time passed and Cheongsa-bang’s forces dwindled to less than half their strength.
Red Bridge Hall, which had endured one-sided aggression from Cheongsa-bang while remaining secluded, finally began to move.
“From this moment forward, our hall launches a total assault on Cheongsa-bang!”
Hong Gyo-bang-ju Gu Chul-hyo, having gathered all his disciples, declared this and truly committed his full strength to overwhelming Cheongsa-bang.
It was an offensive conducted with support from factions in other counties, alliances forged through strategic marriages of his children.
By then, Cheongsa-bang had become a tattered rag riddled with holes.
Now all that remained was a struggle over who would claim the larger share of the spoils.
Naturally, the tide of battle flowed toward a confrontation between Red Bridge Hall and Gyojin-bang.
“Red Bridge Hall! We prepared the entire feast, and now these jackals dare interfere!”
“We merely seek to reclaim our business interests that Cheongsa-bang seized through treacherous means!”
A confrontation with each side proclaiming their justifications. In truth, justifications mattered little.
In Black Island, the ultimate method of determining right and wrong was ultimately martial prowess.
[To Hong Gyo-bang-ju Gu Chul-hyo.]
Hong Gyo-bang-ju read the letter delivered by Gyojin-bang’s messenger, then scoffed and crumpled it.
In essence, it was a proposal to settle the matter through a life-or-death duel between leaders to minimize casualties among their subordinates.
“The audacious fool doesn’t know his place.”
Originally, Gyojin-bang’s leader and Hong Gyo-bang-ju were considered evenly matched in martial skill.
However, Hong Gyo-bang-ju was confident he could easily defeat Gyojin-bang’s leader.
This was because he had gained enlightenment while mastering the improved Cham-am technique that his son Gu Ak had devised.
‘You arrogant fool, I’ll crack your skull open.’
And he was determined to identify whoever had caused this trouble and drive an axe blade through their head as well.
Even if he was merely the leader of a small Black Island faction within a single county, a leader was still a leader.
Hong Gyo-bang-ju Gu Chul-hyo was aware of the existence of the skilled individual who had spread the countermeasures and employed the sowing-discord strategy.
‘That fellow didn’t realize my son possessed the talent to counter his techniques. I will have my revenge.’
Thus, Hong Gyo-bang-ju set out to the designated location for the life-or-death duel, accompanied by four subordinates who served as his guards.
And it was at that very moment that Yeo Un-jeok revealed himself.
“Old man, if you don’t want to die, get out of here.”
One of Hong Gyo-bang-ju’s guards shouted.
Yet Yeo Un-jeok remained motionless, blocking the path with an unfathomable gaze.
Yeo Un-jeok moved only when Hong Gyo-bang-ju Gu Chul-hyo gestured to one of his subordinates.
Shing!
The guard who had received the order and brought his axe down toward Yeo Un-jeok had his neck severed.
Though no bladed weapon could be found in Yeo Un-jeok’s hands, the severed neck’s cross-section was impossibly smooth.
“Hong Gyo-bang-ju Gu Chul-hyo.”
The moment Gu Chul-hyo heard Yeo Un-jeok’s voice, he recalled the messengers of the underworld.
He felt the imminent danger of death itself.
Gu Chul-hyo, who had clawed his way from the filthy back alleys over decades to become the leader of his faction, exercised the keen instincts befitting such a man.
“Kill that old man! All of you!”
The shrewd Gu Chul-hyo immediately retreated backward.
But.
Shing! Shing! Shing!
Four cutting sounds. And then Yeo Un-jeok blocked Gu Chul-hyo’s path once more.
“When I think of what you have done, it is truly regrettable….”
In truth, what he had done to his daughter deserved slow dismemberment over twelve double-hours, yet even that would be insufficient.
But.
‘That brilliant and keen child wished for it….’
“You shall live your entire life in regret.”
Gu Chul-hyo did not even hear Yeo Un-jeok’s words to their end.
With intense pain erupting from his lower abdomen, Gu Chul-hyo lost consciousness.

* * *
Ever since the Black Island factions that dominated Ak-an County launched their all-out war, the people had endured prolonged terror.
It was only natural—blood and violence erupted daily in the pleasure houses where one dispelled the fatigue of the day, and in the inns where travelers stopped when hunger struck.
Yet there was a distinct advantage to it all.
‘My, the streets have become remarkably clean.’
No matter when one walked through the marketplace of Ak-an County, there were always at least one or two members of the Heuk-do-pa gang strutting about arrogantly.
But now there was no reason to feel such displeasure.
Dozens of large and small blood feuds spanning several months had left the Heuk-do-pa decimated—even their third-rate rabble had been mobilized and slaughtered.
‘Though given time, more of those loitering fools would surely emerge again.’
At least not in Ak-an County.
I intended to ensure it myself.
Yang Hwi whistled as he made his way toward Ho-yeong-ru.
“Welcome, Young Master.”
An eight-year-old child frequenting a pleasure house was suspicious in many ways, yet the security guard at the entrance bowed respectfully upon seeing Yang Hwi.
And for good reason—the guard was a retainer of the Baek Family Estate.
“Young Master Hwi. Your guest awaits in the third-floor Blue Crane Room.”
“Understood. Thank you for your service.”
The guard’s face brimmed with satisfaction. One could see his pride in having diligently learned martial arts and now putting them to use.
Most people dislike labor, yet moderate work benefits both body and spirit.
Yang Hwi chuckled softly and headed toward the third floor.
“Brother Gu. I have arrived.”
“Ah. You’ve come.”
Gu Ak, drinking with an air of unease, cast his gaze toward Yang Hwi.
‘He’s already emptied four bottles of wine.’
“Younger brother. Since you summoned me, you must have heard the rumors.”
Yang Hwi nodded.
“I’ve heard of the tragedy that befell your father. It is truly lamentable.”
“That’s enough of that. Is that all you know?”
“I’m also aware that your brothers, through their political marriages, are attempting to bring in outside forces to seize the position of Bang-ju.”
Ah, and I’ve also heard through Yeo Un-jeok that Gyojin-bang is watching for an opportunity to exploit the rift and intervene.
In short, the Red Bridge Hall is in complete chaos right now.
“Indeed… I thought you would know as much. So then, what is your reason for requesting this audience with Gu Ak during such a busy time?”
His expression was grave, yet a glimmer of hope lay hidden beneath.
Yang Hwi regarded Gu Ak’s face calmly and spoke.
“Brother Gu. You are currently facing collective opposition from your brothers, are you not? Is this correct?”
It was because he alone among the successors had reached the first-rate realm.
“That’s right. Do you perhaps have a strategy to resolve this? To be frank, I need your cunning more than ever. If you prove worthy of my trust, I shall reward you handsomely.”
“Brother Gu.”
“Speak.”
“Who am I?”
“You are the young master of the Baek Family Estate.”
“And beyond that.”
“…?”
“A once-in-a-generation prodigy. The Baek Family’s pillar of hope. The greatest talent under heaven. That is who I am, Brother Gu.”
It was an audaciously arrogant answer, yet instead of his usual bewildered expression, Gu Ak’s face showed intrigue.
“In other words, you’re saying there’s a way?”
“Simple. Kill all your brothers and become the Hong Gyo-bang-ju.”
“…Is that truly all?”
“Yes. Don’t speak of concerns about the number of guards or what comes after. When I’ve calculated all possibilities, you already know there is a chance, don’t you?”
“….”
Gu Ak could not refute. Yang Hwi’s words were truth.
Guards? With proper preparation and a surprise attack, that was manageable.
An external faction’s assault with justification? After becoming Hong Gyo-bang-ju, I could simply enter under a major Black Island sect.
But the reason Gu Ak could not do this was simple.
“You despise fratricidal strife, don’t you? Because Sister Lang would be terrified. And you are not one possessed of such cruelty.”
“….”
Again, Gu Ak could not deny it, falling silent.
In contrast, Yang Hwi’s following tone was remarkably light.
“Then it is simple. Abandon everything and become a member of the Baek Family Estate.”
Gu Ak’s eyes widened considerably.
“What are you saying? To speak such words to me, a member of Black Island, nay, a direct descendant of a sect beyond that.”
“Does your pride wound so easily?”
“That’s not what I mean. As one who has lived as a Black Island member, I carry debts and grudges accumulated over time.”
Of course I understood. If I embraced Gu Ak, Baek Moo-ryang and Han Seok-eon would suffer headaches for some time.
But.
“Did I not tell you, Brother Gu? That no matter what happens, I would ensure you and Sister Lang could spend a hundred years together in harmony? That I would stake my life on it?”
Gu Ak also remembered when Yang Hwi had made such a declaration and wagered upon it.
But he had never imagined it would take this form.
“…Little brother. Do you trust me?”
Gu Ak’s question contained many layers.
To this, Yang Hwi answered with but a single phrase.
“Because I did not use the poison darts.”
Dozens of poison darts obtained by plundering the Cheongsa-bang’s armory.
Even when the Hong Gyo-bang faced crisis under Cheongsa-bang’s fierce assault, Gu Ak had not used the poison darts.
The poison darts could not help but inflict great collateral damage beyond merely killing enemies.
‘Gu Ak can walk a different path. His nature has not been corrupted.’
“Come to the Baek Family. Wash away the darkness and don the white robes. To become a worthy husband she need not be ashamed of.”
Finishing his words, Yang Hwi smiled faintly. Gu Ak watched him in silence.
“….”
It was his usual brazen and cunning smile, yet for some reason.
To Gu Ak, that expression appeared more trustworthy than any other.

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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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