Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 219

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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 219
Among the Nine Sects, the Shamans currently wielded the greatest power.
However, they had not established a position and influence so unshakeable that all under heaven would acknowledge it, so the Shamans could not claim to be the greatest sect in the world.
This was precisely why the Shamans sought to seize this Dragon-Phoenix Gathering as an opportunity.
Then, among the Five Great Families, which was the strongest—the greatest family under heaven?
Without question, the Peng Family of Hebei.
The reason? Simple.
Because the Patriarch Emeritus of the Peng Family of Hebei, Peng Fan, was none other than the Daehaeyongwangdo, one of the Ten Heavenly Martial Immortals.
‘The Ten Heavenly Martial Immortals… even I-do, the lowest-ranked among them, could match and surpass the Nine Sects and Five Great Families-level sects by himself.’
In other words, the Peng Family of Hebei possessed military strength equivalent to combining two of the Five Great Families, merely through the existence of the Daehaeyongwangdo.
Since there was no sect among the Five Great Families as powerful and overwhelming as Shaolin, they were more than worthy of being called the greatest family under heaven.
Therefore… the Peng Family of Hebei was also my strongest rival in achieving my dream.
To make the Baek Family the greatest family under heaven, I had to overcome them without fail.
And now, Peng Fan, the Daehaeyongwangdo who had brought about the golden age of that Peng Family of Hebei—the true master of the greatest family under heaven—…
‘Was offering to take me as his disciple?’
Moreover, he was not speaking lightly about it.
“Come now! Accept at once! If you accept without complaint, even Eum Hu won’t be able to say anything!”
It was clearly ten parts sincere. A request so desperate and urgent that he would cast aside the authority and dignity of a Ten Heavenly Martial Immortal.
At this point, it was less a request and more a plea.
‘This is bewildering. Is my talent truly that remarkable?’
Though I had proclaimed myself the greatest prodigy under heaven, Eum Hu, whom I first met in childhood, and Lakbul, whom I met for the first time today, had both mentioned Shaolin.
And now the Daehaeyongwangdo?
With talent of this caliber, why had no one offered to take me as a disciple in my previous life?
…Ah, I simply had never met them.
“Junior Disciple. You must become this old man’s disciple. Only Peng Fan can lead you to become the strongest!”
Instead of answering, I gathered my thoughts while regarding Peng Fan.
Even for Yang Hwi, it was difficult to maintain composure when a Ten Heavenly Martial Immortal suddenly offered to become one’s master.
‘…Daehaeyongwangdo Peng Fan. Born into the Peng Family yet cast aside, transcending the martial arts of the Peng Family through talent alone and soaring beyond the heavens—a legendary figure of the ages.’
Given his background, Peng Fan was the most widely known among the Ten Heavenly Martial Immortals.
The symbol of the Peng Family, as evidenced by their supreme martial art the Five Tiger Severing Gate, was the tiger.
Yet his epithet contained the sea and dragon instead of mountain and tiger.
Because… of the elements that composed the warrior Peng Fan, only the surname belonged to the Peng Family.
“First, allow me to offer my respects.”
According to what I had heard from Eum Hu, Peng Fan shared a personal friendship with her.
Setting aside other matters, as he could be considered my master’s friend, it was only proper to show courtesy.
“I am Yang Hwi, disciple of Cheonmu-sip-jon Pa-cheon-eumhu and eldest son of the Baek Family of Gangxi.”
“I know! Would I have sought you out without knowing? The very reason I took interest in you was because of Eum Hu.”
True enough, no matter how famous one might be among the younger generation—even ranking in the top three—a Ten Heavenly Martial Immortal over a hundred years old would not normally concern himself.
Especially when I had recently been earning the reputation of a kept man or a false name.
“Just because you know of me does not mean I should neglect propriety as your junior.”
“That’s true. You’ve learned well.”
“It’s thanks to my father, a warrior, and my mother, a scholar’s daughter, for raising me properly.”
“Ha ha, and yet you speak such words despite being a foundling of heaven’s mercy.”
If I only heard up to this point, I might think he was mocking my past as a street orphan, but Peng Fan’s intention was genuine praise.
“An adopted son with such filial devotion? It seems you serve your master with complete dedication as well.”
Well, I’ve caused Eum Hu quite a bit of heartache, so that probably isn’t quite accurate.
“That’s right. So I feel I must speak frankly. I’m grateful for your offer, but I am a formal disciple of Eum Hu, the close friend of the Great Sea Dragon King, under her inner sect.”
“Tsk! Eum Hu is quite particular about choosing friends. She merely drinks occasionally and travels with me from time to time.”
Isn’t that what friends do?
Besides, from what Eum Hu said, it seems she regards you as a friend as well.
“…Yes, sir. You’ve offered to take me as a disciple, but did you perhaps discuss this with Eum Hu first?”
Peng Fan shook his head as if it were obvious.
“No? She’d try to tear my eardrums off the moment I brought it up. Why would I do that?”
“….”
“But if you become my disciple, I’d gladly spend the rest of my life deaf. Teaching and learning can be done perfectly well with Hyegwang Heart Technique!”
“I don’t know how to use Hyegwang Heart Technique.”
“I’ll have you master it in a few days. Then we can go meet Eum Hu afterward.”
The way he spoke, it was as if he’d already received my acceptance.
‘Becoming a disciple of the Great Sea Dragon King… it’s certainly not bad. But if I do that, Eum Hu will be very, very disappointed.’
If I only considered profit, becoming a formal disciple of the Great Sea Dragon King would be better than remaining an inner sect disciple of Pacheon Eumhu.
I could even establish a connection with the Peng Family through this.
But what has Eum Hu done for me over this time? It’s far more than one or two things.
‘If I’m not to become a dog, I must not forget kindness.’
I cannot betray Eum Hu. I don’t want to become a disciple who disappoints my master.
‘Still, it’s a shame to miss out on someone as significant as the Great Sea Dragon King.’
By nature, the greatest talent under heaven must always aim for two birds with one stone.
Perhaps I should test the waters a bit.
“Then wouldn’t it be better to first discuss this with Eum Hu? It’s quite awkward for me to suddenly be asked to become your disciple at our first meeting.”
A way of saying I should respect seniority and propriety.
Peng Fan flatly refused.
“That won’t work.”
“Why not?”
“Because Eum Hu would never agree? She broke the traditions of Seongeumok Ryeongmun just to take you as an inner sect disciple—there’s no way she’d give up such a talented person she covets to me. No, given her personality, she absolutely wouldn’t.”
That’s true. My master has a good heart, but her personality can’t exactly be called pleasant.
I found myself nodding in agreement before catching myself and responding.
“Then I’m afraid I cannot accept your generous offer either, sir.”
“Hmm. You certainly have proper respect for your master instilled in you, don’t you?”
Fortunately, the Great Sea Dragon King showed no sign of displeasure.
This seemed like an opportunity to throw out another line.
“If I may ask, what aspect of this junior did you see that made you wish to take me as a disciple?”
Peng Fan’s eyes widened slightly as he countered.
“It’s true there are special conditions, but frankly, is there any master who wouldn’t want to take you as a disciple after seeing you?”
“Well, that’s true.”
“…and the person in question actually understands and nods in agreement.”
“I was taught that it’s polite to agree when an elder speaks.”
Peng Fan chuckled and replied.
“That doesn’t seem right. Junior Disciple, you’re quite confident in your own talents, aren’t you?”
I was, indeed. Frankly, I was convinced that my talent in at least one aspect was unmatched under heaven.
There were other prodigies my age like Adu, but I was certain that if we’d trained in the same environment with the same martial arts, I would have become stronger.
“If you lacked confidence, I would have thought you had mental issues like low self-esteem. Setting everything else aside, your martial prowess at that age is remarkable.”
For a moment, an aura as vast as the Great Sea swept across my entire body.
“Junior Disciple, how did you become the subject of such baseless rumors about being a kept man? Or did you spread the rumors yourself? If so, your aim would be to maximize the fame you’ll gain in the future. My, what a deep-scheming disciple candidate you are.”
It was difficult to respond to that. I simply lowered my head.
“Thank you for viewing me favorably.”
“Natural martial talent and scheming depth. You’re quite a terrifying junior. That old Geom-ong must be getting a headache, no? He was confident his disciple would become the First Dragon and set up the stage, but now competitors have appeared not just from Shaolin but from martial families he’s never even heard of. Hehehehe!”
After laughing heartily, Peng Fan continued with a smile still lingering on his face.
“In any case, the reason this old man wants you as a disciple is because of your aptitude.”
“Aptitude, you say?”
“Hmm.”
Peng Fan, who had been thinking for a moment, grasped the great saber on his back.
“Do you know about this Peng Fan’s true martial art?”
“Yes. As the alias suggests, you practice the Great Sea Dragon King Saber Method.”
“The Great Sea Dragon King Saber Method is not the Peng Family’s martial art. While it has its foundation in the Peng Family, I created it directly, and the family’s children acknowledged it as not belonging to the Peng Family.”
Well, with the Family Head, the Soga-joonim, and the Elders—more than half—being his descendants, they had no choice but to acknowledge it.
“The Great Sea Dragon King Saber Method requires a specific innate aptitude essential for entry. Do you know what it is?”
“I understand it to be a robust physique.”
“You know exactly as much as the rumors spreading through the martial world. That’s correct, but it’s insufficient.”
“This junior seeks your instruction.”
Peng Fan examined Yang Hwi once more and smiled with satisfaction.
“Junior Disciple. Your inner qi. At your age, it’s enough for three hundred years.”
Including Seon-gi, it was about that much. With all the Dan-hwan I’d consumed and the Hwa-cheon Seon-gi I’d created myself, my qi accumulation speed was a divine art that wouldn’t lose to anyone.
‘Especially since I even found the spirit medicine field when I went to the Dang Family.’
Thanks to that, the current Baek Family had become incomparably stronger in overall power compared to the past.
And we even gained the reputation of being a Great Family because of it.
‘But in my case, I lack spirituality, so my inner qi can’t increase from minor spirit medicines. In the same context, three hundred years of inner qi wouldn’t be enough to attract the attention of Cheonmu-sip-jon.’
“While it’s considerable compared to your peers, wouldn’t it not be enough to attract the attention of the Venerable One?”
“That’s true. Five decades of inner qi can be created one way or another by feeding spirit medicines. But here’s the thing.”
Peng Fan stated decisively.
“A late-stage cultivator with a dantian containing five decades of inner qi at such a young age cannot be created by any sect.”
“What about Shaolin?”
“…Shaolin excluded.”
In that instant, Peng Fan’s expression turned hollow.
“Junior Disciple. How could you object when a senior of Cheonmu-sip-jon caliber and your future master speaks with such conviction?”
“My apologies. I couldn’t help myself. My friend Adu possesses over fifty years’ worth of Inner Qi in his dantian.”
“Ah, that kid. He pestered Lakbul, that fat monk, to give him some, and got beaten half to death for it.”
…So he’d already attempted it.
And even after suffering that setback, he was now targeting another Cheonmu-sip-jon disciple.
How should I put it—I found it impressive in a different way.
“No matter how capable I am, I cannot steal away a disciple that Shaolin has nurtured with all his heart and soul. I owe him a debt. But!”
Excitement blazed across Peng Fan’s face!
“No matter how much Eum Hu may have marked him! If he’s merely a lay disciple and not a formal one, I can take him as my disciple first, and later apologize enough to burst his eardrums! Besides, I can just regenerate his eardrums afterward, so he won’t have to live as a deaf man!”
His excitement transformed into a roar.
“I’ve finally found him! Finally! It’s been decades since I attained the rank of Cheonmu-sip-jon! All this time I’ve searched for a disciple, yet no one has ever called me Master! How tragic is this! I created the martial art of Cheonoe-cheon, and yet with no junior possessing the talent for it, it faces the crisis of becoming obsolete in just one generation!”
…Well, martial arts created by geniuses for geniuses alone typically become lost within a generation or two.
It’s no wonder we respect sects that have endured for so long.
“In any case, my reason for wanting to take you as my disciple is simple. A dantian sturdy enough to contain fifty years’ worth of Inner Qi at your age. And your physical body. Looking at you, there still seems to be room for growth?”
“To be honest, that is the case.”
My body, continuously strengthened by Hwa-cheon Seon-gi, was drawing ever closer to perfection.
It was merely speculation, but I suspected the legendary Cheonmu physique spoken of in martial arts lore might be something like this.
“Junior Disciple. You’re aware of bone transformation and rebirth, yes?”
“Of course.”
It’s a phenomenon experienced when reaching the pinnacle of transcendence.
Every part of the body learns and assimilates on its own, inscribing the martial way into one’s very consciousness—a symbol of achieving true unity between self and technique.
“My guess is that even if you reach the pinnacle of transcendence, you won’t undergo bone transformation and rebirth. You already possess an ideal body. My Daehaeyongwangdo can only reach its full potential with a disciple like you.”
In other words, Peng Fan was asserting that finding a disciple with a body like mine would be impossible throughout all of the martial world, and therefore he needed me.
I had experienced this once in my previous life, but hearing such conviction from a Cheonmu-sip-jon filled me with profound emotion.
It was proof that all my efforts had not been in vain.
‘Hmm. Seon-gi is certainly remarkable.’
As such thoughts crossed my mind, Peng Fan continued with even greater intensity.
“This body’s Daehaeyongwangdo is a physique capable of holding tens of years’ worth of Inner Qi even at a young age. And a body where such a physique can truly flourish! I tell you.”
-Junior Disciple. You were born for the sole purpose of mastering Daehaeyongwangdo. I can say this with absolute certainty.
His voice resonated through my entire being, causing it to vibrate.
It was an extraordinary divine presence, but I maintained my composure and continued thinking.
‘In conclusion, he made the offer because I possess overwhelming Inner Qi and a body capable of containing such power.’
On top of that, he carried the desperation of having searched for a disciple for decades without success.
Looking at this situation, it seemed like a win-win was possible.
‘If I just said I wouldn’t become his disciple but would only learn the martial art… well, I’d get beaten.’
I thought a bit more carefully. Fortunately, I came up with one method to maintain my position as Eum Hu’s disciple while also creating a connection with Daehaeyongwangdo.
“If I must answer your proposal immediately, I’m afraid I must decline. However, you’ve made an extraordinarily generous offer, and I cannot burden my Master with this matter. What if we did it this way instead?”
Yang Hwi smiled wryly.
“Master. How about we make a wager?”

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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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