Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 197

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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 197
“Once we cross this ridge, we’ll be at the Dang Family.”
Dang-gun, the Soga-ju of the renowned Dang Family, paused briefly and wiped his forehead with his hand.
Immediately, a retort came flying at him.
“Elder brother isn’t even sweating, so why are you pretending to?”
Dang-gun, looking embarrassed, turned to face Dang-yeon.
“Yeon-a. People express their feelings through their actions. But I must say, this brings back memories.”
“What does?”
“This road. It’s changed so much from before.”
The path I walked now was one I’d traveled countless times between the Dang Family and the Baek Family.
Yet the reason these memories felt fresh was because I’d never experienced what I used to encounter on this road.
“You’re right. We didn’t run into a single bandit on the way here.”
In the past, Gangseong was a place where both the righteous and dark paths coexisted, with the dark path holding greater sway.
As such, it was quite common to encounter bandits when crossing the ridge.
While not quite at the level of the Green Forest, petty bandits were scattered throughout the realm.
Yet this time, I hadn’t encountered a single one.
“There could be many reasons for it.”
“But there’s probably one main reason.”
Both of their gazes turned toward a signboard planted at the corner of the road.
Baek Family Great House – Seung-cheon Geom-ryong. A signboard bearing nothing more than these eight characters.
“It’s fair to say that Gangseong is now Baek Family territory.”
Strictly speaking, there were still regions where the dark path held dominion.
But one fact was undeniable: the Baek Family was now the greatest martial sect in Gangseong.
The Baek Family’s reputation was such that merely planting a signboard could send bandits fleeing like rats from a burning house.
“It’s only natural. The Baek Family is now called the Baek Great House.”
To be called a Great House, one must earn recognition from martial artists throughout the realm, not just Gangseong.
Three years had passed, and the Baek Family was being called the Baek Great House just as frequently as they were called the Baek Family of Common Folk.
“And Yang Hwi’s younger brother’s reputation must have played a part in that too?”
“It certainly must have. I’ve heard that the epithet ‘Seung-cheon Geom-ryong’ has grown increasingly ominous as of late.”
Of course, this ominousness was from the perspective of the dark path and heterodox sects.
It was said that in the past year alone, he’d killed over a hundred dark path practitioners and heterodox cultivators.
“You’re right, elder brother. It really has changed so much. We heard it so often on the way here.”
Every time we stayed at an inn, I could see and hear common folk speaking the epithet ‘Seung-cheon Geom-ryong’.
Without question, the most famous martial artist in Gangseong right now was Seung-cheon Geom-ryong.
“Well, it’s still just an epithet circulating in Gangseong for now.”
“Still, I think it’s impressive.”
“I agree. Though I suspect the dragons and phoenixes of the Nine Sects and Five Great Families would laugh at it.”
In the martial world, epithets ending in dragon or phoenix were reserved for those of the highest caliber.
Just recently, Dang-gun and Dang-yeon themselves had acquired new epithets: Silver Poison Dragon and Heavenly Poison Phoenix.
However, to be truly recognized as a dragon or phoenix, one had to build a reputation renowned throughout the entire realm.
One must prove one’s qualifications.
“Surely some provincial minor martial family’s young master would dare challenge the Dragon epithet as an alias? Given Yang Hwi’s younger brother’s temperament, he wouldn’t tolerate it—I’m already imagining how entertaining this will be.”
“Mm. I can’t deny that. Already giving me a headache….”
The moment I entered Gangxi, I heard the four characters “Seung-cheon Geom-ryong” so often it became tiresome.
However, when I crossed Hubei before that, I’d heard it almost not at all.
In other words, to the eyes of the great sects’ dragons and phoenixes, I might appear as a provincial bumpkin hearing dragon tales from within a well.
“It seems to be because I focused solely on maintaining peace and order in Gangxi rather than venturing into the martial world….”
“Elaborating on circumstances isn’t Yang Hwi’s nature.”
“He’ll try to provoke a quarrel with that incredible tongue of his first. Whoever provokes first gains the moral high ground.”
Yang Hwi’s way with words couldn’t be described merely as eloquence.
It was literally the skill of tongue-work, the art of the tongue itself.
For the younger generation of great sects raised with gentle treatment, even the slightest provocation would topple them.
“Then after that, he’ll request a martial duel and proceed to demolish them.”
“Ah. I can already see the future.”
Dang-yeon, who had been giggling, suddenly posed a question.
“Now that I think about it, Yang Hwi isn’t hiding the fact that he’s a disciple of Pacheon Eumhu either?”
“Even though it spread widely that Jegal Family’s Seolha became Eum Hu’s disciple, the fact that it’s quiet suggests he’s indeed hiding it.”
“See? He’s already preparing.”
“Mm….”
If it became known that he was Eum Hu’s disciple, very few would dare provoke him carelessly.
“The reason for hiding it couldn’t possibly be to get provoked, could it?”
“Do you truly believe that?”
“….”
As Dang-yeon, who had posed the question, sent a steady gaze, Dang-gun fell silent without a word.
“…It does seem to be one of the reasons.”
“You think so too, brother?”
In any case, this much was certain.
“From this Dragon-Phoenix Gathering onward, the reputation of Seung-cheon Geom-ryong will shake all under heaven.”
“Ah, that’s already a decided future.”
As we conversed, we arrived at the Baek Family’s estate.
A black-steel wood gate with elegant patterns carved upon it. The gatekeeper, spotting the two of us, cried out in astonishment.
“Who might this be! Aren’t you the young masters and mistress of the Dang Family!”
“Ah, it’s been quite a while. Would you announce our arrival inside?”
“Of course!”
The two were immediately guided to the Family Head’s office.
“Gun and Yeon-a. It’s been a long time since I’ve seen you.”
Baek Moo-ryang, seated in the Family Head’s chair, sent forth a profound gaze.
In the past, he had insisted on addressing them as “Dang Soga-ju” and “Dang Young Mistress” with formal courtesy, but that was Baek Moo-ryang of old.
Three years had changed even such relationships.
To something closer and more comfortable. Speaking to them as one would to a friend’s children.
“Yes. I trust there have been no troubles in your absence.”
“How could there not be?”
“True enough.”
They say a tree with many branches never knows a windless day.
This household knows no peace even with a single branch.
‘Still, the Family Head’s cultivation progress….’
Dang-gun felt genuine admiration.
He could sense the realm Baek Moo-ryang had reached, though he wasn’t even radiating his aura.
It was simply unbelievable that just over a decade ago, he’d been nothing more than a third-rate martial artist.
“Congratulations on your achievement, Family Head.”
“Hmm? Ah, I suppose my inexperience is still showing. Thank you.”
After that, we exchanged pleasantries and caught up on old times.
“So, you’ve come to take my Yang Hwi to the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.”
“That is correct.”
To participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, one needed to receive an invitation tablet.
Though it was called a gathering where all the promising talents of the martial world came together, it was truly a banquet only for the invited.
“I have personally secured the invitation tablets for Yang Hwi and Seo.”
“Thank you. Since I’ve never attended the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering before, I didn’t even know invitation tablets were necessary. Ah, I should catch up with Yang Hwi as well. He’s probably at the training grounds right now.”
“Understood. Then, I shall see you again at dinner.”
The Tang Siblings left the study, their steps light as if they were floating.
Baek Yang-hwi, the Dang Family’s benefactor. And Baek Heon-so, the true heir of the Baek Family.
Setting aside such considerations, simply thinking of meeting dear friends after so long made their hearts and steps naturally grow lighter.
“I’m curious how much Yang Hwi has changed.”
“I’m more curious about Seo. That cute child—I wonder how different he’s become.”
“Seo’s already over six feet tall, yet cute… Well, at your age, I suppose he would seem cute.”
“Older brother, are you asking to be poisoned?”
“Forgive me… Hmm?”
As they approached the training grounds, loud noises reached their ears.
More precisely, the screams of people.
“Aaaahhh! Save me, older brother!”
“Aaaahhh! Save me too! No wait, just let me die!”
The Tang Siblings exchanged glances for a moment.
“….”
“….”
“Hahaha.”
“Ahahaha.”
“Some things never change, do they?”
“Indeed, older brother. So much has changed, yet some things remain.”
“There are constants even amid change.”
“Well, the household may transform, but people who change too much are as good as dead, aren’t they?”
In the training grounds, Yang Hwi was beating Baek Heon-so and Chu Dal.
It was a familiar sight.
“You bastards! Why can’t you do this! Why not! If you can’t do it with technique, compensate with your body!”
“Elder brother, ah, elder brother! At this rate we’ll really die!”
“Seo’s right! We’re all going to die like this!”
“I won’t die!”
Thwack!
Chu Dal’s body, having taken a solid blow, crumpled at Dang-gun’s feet.
Only then did Yang Hwi notice the Tang Siblings.
“Oh, oh, oh! Elder Dang! Sister Dang!”
“Hwi’s Younger Brother!”
“Hahaha! You missed us, little brother?”
“How long has it been!”
Our last parting at the Dang Family had been our final meeting—three years ago by the calendar.
Though we hadn’t quite completed a full three years, it was still a considerable span of time.
“Hahaha! You really seem happy to see us? What’s this, both of you radiating such formidable presence?”
“My younger brother’s spiritual sense is as uncanny as ever.”
“So why didn’t you detect our approach with such a sense?”
Yang Hwi scratched his head. Under normal circumstances, I would have sensed them the moment they approached the training grounds.
“The cultivation I’m doing today is rather special. I’ve sealed my spiritual sense. Anyway, that’s not what matters.”
“You’re right. That’s not what matters.”
Dang-gun, echoing my words, extended a bundle.
“What’s this?”
“Open it.”
I immediately unwrapped the bundle. Inside was a plaque made of pure gold.
Baek Family’s Son Yang Hwi Comes of Age. I read the inscribed characters and looked at Dang-gun.
“What is this plaque?”
“Hwi’s Younger Brother, you’ve passed your twentieth year, haven’t you?”
Twenty years—the age of coming of age, when one undergoes the ceremony of adulthood.
Since it marks one’s true entry into adulthood, the age of twenty has been regarded as special since ancient times.
“I wanted to give this to you the moment we met again. Though you’ve shown remarkable talent since childhood that rivaled adults, this older brother’s thoughtlessness got in the way.”
Perhaps those around me hadn’t bothered with the coming-of-age ceremony because I’d been performing at the level of grown men since I was young?
I suspected that’s what Dang-gun must have been thinking.
Feeling his consideration made me even more grateful.
“A gold plaque instead of the usual ceremonial hat. Money truly is supreme. Elder Dang really knows me well.”
Yang Hwi smiled and continued, looking at Dang-gun.
“Did you come all the way to the main residence just to give me a gold plaque? And bringing Sister Dang too? I’m truly grateful for this.”
“Hmm? What are you talking about?”
“Hmm?”
“Hwi’s Younger Sibling. Don’t tell me you forgot that the Dragon-Phoenix Conference will be held soon?”
“Ah.”
Now that I think about it, this year is when the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering is being held.
I hadn’t given it any thought at all. It wasn’t that I’d lost track of time while focusing on cultivation….
“I suppose it’s been so natural that I haven’t paid it any attention.”
“Natural? What do you mean?”
“Winning the championship.”
In the martial tournament of the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, only the most exceptional late-stage martial artist among all under heaven could claim the championship.
In other words, Yang Hwi was saying this.
“I’m already the greatest under heaven among late-stage martial artists. So when it opens, I’ll just slip over and claim the championship—that’s all there is to it. I haven’t given it much thought.”
An arrogant statement bordering on absurdity.
However, Dang-gun and Dang-yeon thought it was so very much like Yang Hwi.
But then.
“It won’t be easy. I haven’t been idle either.”
“Come to think of it, I’ve never had a true match against Elder Dang.”
“Hmm? Now that you mention it, that’s true. If we meet in this tournament, it would be our first real confrontation.”
The two who were each called the greatest late-stage martial artist from the Dang Family and Baek Family respectively looked at each other with competitive smiles.
“This should be interesting.”
“Indeed. Truly.”
That day, six late-stage martial artists departed from the Baek Family.
To attend the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering where all late-stage martial artists under heaven would gather.

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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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