Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 209

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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 209
To be honest, even if Chu Dal’s bandit activities had been exposed, it wouldn’t have been a major problem.
Because I had already prepared countermeasures for everything.
An unconventional strategy from Sun Tzu’s Art of War—the fox borrowing the tiger’s might!
‘If I really get caught, I’ll just pass the buck to Master Eum Hu.’
I had said something like this when I was talking with Jegal Seol-ha before.
That if I touched the Shaman and something needed to be cleaned up afterward, I’d leave it to my Master.
Going to the Taeguk School and requesting a martial duel?
Honestly, this is nothing. I could easily smooth things over myself.
You’d need to get caught ransacking the administrative office for the name value of Cheonmu-sip-jon to really be necessary!
‘…Since I’ve left the aftermath to my Master, I’ll definitely get beaten half to death later, though.’
But the way of the world is that once you’ve already done something, getting forgiven afterward is relatively easy.
And up until now, Master Eum Hu has forgiven everything I’ve done.
At least so far.
‘Still, it’s best not to get caught. The Taeguk-mun Master—he definitely doesn’t know what Chu Dal did.’
Yang Hwi’s expression, which had been slightly tense, changed dramatically.
If I hadn’t come because of Chu Dal, I could be confident.
“I didn’t know you had stepped away, but I would have done the same even if you had been present.”
“Hmm. Even with me observing, you would have sent out not the Family Head’s son, not the Young Master, but the Second Young Master—and a young junior at that—against the Somunju?”
“Yes.”
Swish, swish, swish—dust began to swirl.
Affected by the formidable aura emanating from the Taeguk-mun Master.
But Yang Hwi casually waved his hand.
“You produced a golden character in one night, yet your maintenance is quite lacking. There’s so much dust.”
It wasn’t just Yang Hwi. No one in the guest hall was overwhelmed by the Taeguk-mun Master’s aura.
It would have been different if he had truly put his will behind his aura, but a light test like this was nothing.
“Hmm. Interesting.”
The Taeguk-mun Master’s aura began to concentrate on one person.
Toward Baek Heon-so, who had achieved a perfect victory after his martial duel with Somunju Seong Ju-hon.
“….”
A bead of sweat formed on his forehead, but Baek Heon-so endured the aura in silence.
Even so, as if unwilling to lose, he unfolded and displayed the Heavenly-grade manual he had obtained from the Taeguk School.
‘This Seo fellow has grown quite bold. All that training paid off.’
As Yang Hwi felt pleased, the Taeguk-mun Master was also raising the corners of his mouth slightly.
“The young master’s spirit is quite admirable. If you’re going to pointlessly pressure with aura, then perhaps you should reflect on today’s humiliation.”
“That’s not what I meant. Since I obtained a Heavenly-grade manual, I was willing to accept this level of pressure without complaint.”
“Haha! That’s the same thing.”
The Taeguk-mun Master withdrew his aura.
“You pass.”
“You say I pass.”
“Young Master Baek Heon-so. You’ve claimed victory against our Taeguk-mun Master through sheer skill alone. That much is certain.”
Seong Ju-hon is the Taeguk-mun Master, the foremost figure among the Shamanic sects.
Even considering only the martial techniques he’s mastered, he ranks among the elite in the late-stage realm.
I harbored some suspicion that perhaps dishonorable methods had been employed, but the Taeguk-mun Master realized that wasn’t the case.
“Our sect was accepting unlimited martial challenges to prove our qualifications. There’s nothing to fault in your actions.”
These words came from the humiliated Master of the Taeguk sect.
It meant there would be no complications later.
But.
‘Hmm, this is troublesome.’
I had deliberately sought out the Taeguk sect to set the stage.
Passing through quietly wouldn’t have been bad.
The problem was that my planned setup had fallen apart.
‘I wanted him to lose his temper and harbor resentment. But he’s a Shaman, after all. This won’t be easy.’
Strictly speaking, the Taeguk-mun Master wasn’t a member of the Shamanic sect, yet he was simultaneously a disciple of the Shamans.
The Taeguk Sword Master had personally taught a promising disciple a few techniques and allowed him to establish a branch sect.
The Taeguk-mun Master, Yeon—his name written with the character for “yearning.” Though he didn’t use the generational character befitting the Shamanic hierarchy, one could tell from how he styled himself as a master.
‘And his name is Yeon at that.’
Yearning for martial arts. Or perhaps, yearning for the Shamanic sect.
Wasn’t the Taeguk-mun Master’s heart laid bare for all to see?
“So then, Taeguk-mun Master. Might I inquire as to the reason for your esteemed visit?”
“The Young Master of the Baek Family has quite an impatient temperament, doesn’t he? Is this a demand to get to the point?”
The Taeguk-mun Master gave me a hint, but Yang Hwi was sharp enough to think things through two or three times over.
“Yes.”
A shameless reply. Dang-gun pressed his forehead, Jegal Seol-ha giggled quietly to herself, and the Taeguk-mun Master was momentarily at a loss for words.
“Indeed… a true man should have that directness about him. Admirable spirit.”
He should have been offended, yet he spoke so kindly?
It meant he wanted something from us.
Perhaps I could push further?
‘Should I provoke him more and make him harbor resentment?’
“Not at all. I do restrain myself depending on my opponent.”
Meaning: you’re not worth restraining myself for.
The Taeguk-mun Master’s brow twitched violently.
There. Are you angry now? How will you respond?
“…Hmph. I see. My name as Yeon isn’t sufficient then. Truly, a late-stage cultivator overflowing with spirit.”
He’s tolerating this?
“I too shall speak directly. These words are for the Soga-joonim of the Dang Family and the representative of the Baek Family Head.”
The Taeguk-mun Master withdrew a Heaven-rank invitation from his robes.
“The Dang Family and the Jegal Family have already received Heaven-rank invitations. Young Master Baek Heon-so has also obtained an invitation. Young Master Baek Yang-hwi—if you alone take this Heaven-rank invitation, then all of you shall receive Heaven-rank treatment.”
The invitation left the Taeguk-mun Master’s hand, fluttering gently as it drifted toward Yang Hwi.
“Is this the price?”
“It is a gift. When one sees the promising potential of a rising talent from a great family, one’s heart naturally becomes generous—is that not the way of seniors?”
Since he had given it, I accepted what was offered.
“Did you not say you would speak directly to the point?”
“…I speak now. The Baek Family of Gaecheon. The Sichuan Tang Family. And the Jegal Family. I formally propose to the promising heirs of these prestigious clans—will you not visit the Shaman Sect?”
Yang Hwi and his companions’ expressions stiffened slightly.
“It seems this is not merely an invitation to visit.”
“A visit is indeed what I request. Furthermore, it also means—would you not consider becoming lay disciples of the Shaman Sect?”
Only then could I understand why the Taeguk-mun Master had come here in person.
-So this is it—the Shaman Sect truly wishes to establish an alliance.
-A martial alliance. Unprecedented in the history of the martial world.
-How presumptuous. Truly, and with such sincerity.
The Shaman Sect had just, through the Taeguk-mun Master’s words, requested peace.
To be precise, it was a demand to bow one’s head and submit.
Internal wounds festered far more easily than external threats ever could.
It was the Shaman Sect’s resolve to achieve their purpose even at the cost of such risk.
Moreover.
It was also a statement that forced Jegal Seol-ha to speak with a sharp edge to her voice.
“Is this sincere? You must know under whose tutelage I study.”
Regardless of the surface wrapping, it was a proposal for peace. Yet for the Jegal Family, it was an absolutely unacceptable option.
The Shaman Sect had nested in the Jegal Family’s domain while they prospered, and now, like a cuckoo, sought to drive out the original owners.
For the Jegal Family, it was a situation where wounded pride was the least of it—one could hardly blame them for feeling murderous intent.
Yet they made such a proposal?
This was an act of contempt toward the Jegal Family.
‘Well, from the Shaman Sect’s perspective, the Jegal Family would be the most crucial faction to recruit.’
Given what they had suffered, they would fiercely oppose the formation of a martial alliance.
If one of the Five Great Families adamantly refused, the formation of a martial alliance would be practically impossible.
“Ah, forgive my rudeness. This proposal does not apply to you, Seol-ha of the Broken Moon and Jade Peak. Are you perhaps acquainted with the Hyeon Geom of the Shaman Sect?”
The Hyeon Geom of the Shaman Sect. The opponent I had hoped Eum Hu would surely defeat.
A direct disciple of the Taeguk Sword Master and the foremost talent of the current Shaman Sect.
In the eyes of the Taeguk-mun Master, who mentioned the Hyeon Geom’s title, lay deep respect.
He wore such an expression while speaking of a rising talent from the martial world who had never built a reputation?
And this from the Taeguk-mun Master himself, who was nearly eighty years old and a fully mature master of the highest caliber?
The implications were quite significant.
‘Hyeon Geom. It seems the talent he possesses is quite remarkable.’
It was when Yang Hwi was thinking such thoughts.
“On behalf of our great elder, the Taeguk Sword Master, I propose this: Seol-ha of the Broken Moon and Jade Peak, would you not enter into a betrothal with our Shaman Sect’s Hyeon Geom?”
Wow. They came at it this way?
Yang Hwi was genuinely impressed.
“Since the Shaman Sect and the Jegal Family both have their roots in Hubei Province, should we walk together, we could undertake greater endeavors. These are the words of the Taeguk Sword Master.”
“….”
The Taeguk Sword Master—this old man may have accumulated tremendous prestige and reached martial heights beyond the heavens, but he’s truly weak.
Remarkably so, in fact.
The conflict between the Jegal Family and the Shamans is one thing, but the real obstacle to the Taeguk Sword Master’s plans is Pacheon Eumhu.
Though both are among the Cheonmu-sip-jon, their intentions clearly diverge in different directions.
So he’s trying to seduce her disciple instead. After all, no master can overcome their own disciple.
As a direct descendant of the Jegal Family, Seolha bears obligations that prevent her from freely rejecting a betrothal.
…Though it seems she intends to reject it regardless.
‘By the way, just how attractive has Seolha become as a bride-to-be?’
The most desirable bride of this era—desperately sought by the Namgung Family and causing the Shamans to hesitate.
That wounded little bird of a girl I first met when she was seven years old has grown so beautifully. It feels strangely unsettling.
Well, she is a disciple of the Cheonmu-sip-jon, a direct descendant of the Five Great Families, and the most beautiful woman under heaven—it’s only natural.
‘Now that I think about it, it’s quite remarkable.’
“This sudden proposal must have startled you. There’s still about a month until the Yongbong Gathering, so why not spend that time exchanging visits at the Shamans’ temple? You could meet Hyeon Geom directly.”
His tone suggested absolute confidence that meeting and exchanging with Hyeon Geom would naturally make her want to accept the betrothal.
‘What’s so great about him anyway? He can’t be better than me.’
While thinking such thoughts, I noticed the expression on Jegal Seolha’s face.
It seemed familiar somehow.
…The kind of expression someone wears just before they cause trouble.
Jegal Seolha smiled mischievously and spoke with confidence.
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible! I already have a betrothed.”
“A… betrothed? How could a direct descendant of a prestigious family… and to announce it so openly?”
Whether the Taeguk-mun Master was shocked or not, Jegal Seolha approached Yang Hwi and linked her arm through his.
A soft, subtle fragrance. I sent a transmission in slight bewilderment.
-Seolha. This is a betrothal proposal from Gu-pa. Can you just reject it like that?
-If it weren’t going to work out, I wouldn’t have asked you to pretend to be my betrothed to get the Namgung Family to stop pestering me.
-That’s true.
Then… I could use this as material to cause quite the spectacle?
Beside Jegal Seolha, who smiled mischievously, Yang Hwi also smiled mischievously.
“Taeguk-mun Master. I’d like to make a counter-proposal instead.”
‘Now then, let me demonstrate why the phrase “beauty that topples kingdoms” came to exist.’

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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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