Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 22

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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 022
Baek Moo-ryang’s brow furrowed slightly.
“While I accepted Baek Ik-gak-ju’s request and acknowledged him as a member of the household, that method does not seem advisable.”
Yang Hwi agreed as well. The Black Path gangs weren’t called that for nothing, after all.
Rehabilitate them and put them to use? Easy to say.
These worthless creatures had abandoned honest labor and chosen to prey on others’ backs instead.
While there were exceptions like Gu Ak, most were fundamentally unsuitable material.
To make such people members of the White Path sect, one would need someone intimately familiar with the Black Path’s nature to manage them meticulously, every second of every minute of every day.
Hmm? But conveniently, I had just the talent for this role.
“There is a saying: ‘Opportunity is difficult to obtain and easy to lose.'”
“And what exactly are you trying to say with this talk of opportunity?”
“Our main family faces two such moments. One of opportunity and one of crisis.”
An opportunity for revival born from the Black Path gang war, and a crisis from the restraints beginning to take shape.
To seize both moments, we must expand our strength by any means necessary.
“The Family Head issued Baek Ik-gak-ju an order of one day, one cooperation. What if we expanded this further?”
To explain simply, it was this.
Like Gu Ak, offering those tired of the Black Path’s way a chance at redemption.
Through this, using the tactic of using darkness to control darkness, rapidly expanding our forces.
“Through the recent Black Path gang war, we felt acutely how much suffering these gangs could inflict upon the common people.”
“Yes. I am well aware.”
“This is precisely our justification. We carry out cooperation through the tactic of using darkness to control darkness.”
“But how many of the Black Path’s members would truly follow such a grand purpose?”
To this, it was Gu Ak rather than Yang Hwi who answered.
“Family Head. The numbers appear to be quite substantial.”
“Hmm?”
“Quite a few have already sought out this old Gu, including former subordinates of the Red Bridge Hall.”
The Black Path gang war that had raged for months left a powerful impression on the gangs as well.
Endless battles. Fear and anxiety that could not be set down even while eating or sleeping.
“They have grown terrified of walking the Black Path any longer. I believe the justification Young Master mentioned is meant to give such people the chance to don the robes of the White Path.”
“Is that correct, Hwi?”
Elder Gu has grasped my true intentions precisely.”
“If we select and train such people, we could indeed organize a martial force rapidly.”
After brief contemplation, Baek Moo-ryang spoke to Gu Ak.
“Baek Ik-gak-ju. Can you manage this?”
“If you command it, I shall attempt it.”
“Very well. From now on, I shall call you Redemption Director instead of Baek Ik-gak-ju. The Redemption Director shall accept Black Path members under your command, teach them, and organize a Redemption Corps.”
“I obey!”
Yang Hwi added a note.
“Elder Gu surely has his reasons, but I would ask that one thing be understood. I believe the Black Path gangs must be governed not through three visits and seven invitations, but through seven punishments and seven prohibitions.”
In simpler terms, kind words would not work—only the whip would serve as medicine.
For someone who had been a former black-path thug, those words left a somewhat unsettling taste.
But Gu Ak soon laughed savagely.
“Don’t worry, little brother. I know better than anyone else.”

* * *
In the Central Training Ground of the Baek Family, Yang Hwi sat in lotus position alongside his two younger siblings.
“Both of you must remember this well. The Hwa-cheon-i-won-gong—the subtle principle of harmonizing with heaven and earth to benefit the source.”
The Gae-cheon-bak-pal-geom could only be learned after mastering the Gae-cheon-sam-geom.
Without that foundation, one could never grasp the subtle principles.
But.
The Hwa-cheon-i-won-gong was different. Though it originated from the Yuk-hap-i-won-gong, it was not a connected ascending cultivation, so it could be learned immediately.
Rather, given the nature of inner energy accumulation techniques, learning it quickly was of utmost importance.
That was why I was now transmitting the Hwa-cheon-i-won-gong to my two younger siblings.
“Elder brother, what should I do at this part?”
“Ugh, big brother, this is too difficult for Yeon-yeon…”
I answered So’s question and soothed and coaxed Yeon-yeon, while I myself devoted myself to cultivation.
‘Operating the Hwa-cheon-i-won-gong with this young body, the accumulation and circulation of true energy is far faster than my previous life.’
In my previous life, I had difficulties with true energy manipulation due to the aftereffects of demonic cultivation.
With this clean body free of such problems, the sensation was distinctly different.
‘Certainly, in this life I can grow stronger far more quickly than before.’
In my previous life, I had reached the peak at a young age.
In this life, perhaps…
With such thoughts, I sank deeper and deeper into my inner cultivation.
‘All the energy beneath heaven as one.’
Hwa-cheon. And i-won.
Through breathing, I distinguish one by one the natural energy I accept.
Though it seems as one, natural true energy is actually composed of yin-yang and the five elements.
I encompass all that energy in its truest sense as one, transforming it into Hwa-cheon energy.
It was at that moment.
‘Hm?’
Suddenly, I realized that the quality of the Hwa-cheon energy I possessed differed from my previous life.
Or rather, to be precise…
‘What is this?’
The dantian that holds inner energy.
At its center, I felt something.
A tiny seed that had not existed before.
If I had to describe it, a dan-heart.
‘Why has such a change occurred?’
The energy emanating from the dan-heart—strange and felt for the first time—harmonized with the Hwa-cheon energy, bestowing a special quality upon it.
Hwa-cheon energy, yet different from the Hwa-cheon energy of my previous life.
‘Clear and pristine. Pure and… lofty.’
I sense an ethereal nobility.
Even the knowledge and enlightenment I had attained at the pinnacle in my past life cannot penetrate the depths I feel now.
This sensation is like….
‘Yes. Precisely like the immortal aura that emanates from enlightened sages. No—even deeper and more transcendent than that.’
An unintended transformation. What could possibly account for such a difference?
I have an intuition that it may be deeply connected to the reason I traversed the river of time itself.
‘There must be a connection. Though I cannot yet discern it clearly.’
After completing the Small Heavenly Circulation followed by the Grand Heavenly Circulation, the Hwa-cheon-i-won-gong qi that had coursed through every meridian in my body settles once more into my dantian.
Still, I sense the core essence at the center of my dantian.
Since it now harbors immortal aura, perhaps it should be called an immortal core.
‘The lack of understanding is unsettling, but this is hardly a negative change.’
That settles it then. Brooding over it won’t yield answers any faster.
“Brother, are you finished?”
“Elder brother, you cultivated for quite a long time today, didn’t you?”
“It just happened that way.”
I continued speaking as I looked at my younger siblings.
“Let’s call it a day.”
“Okay!”
“Yes!”
Watching Baek Heon-so and Baek Yeon-yeon collapse to rest right there fills me with warmth.
‘You two, just keep growing well like this.’
That was when it happened.
With my keen senses, I detected a commotion arising from the direction of the Gate.
“The Baek Family’s… Supervisor is….”
“You must… meet the Family Head directly….”
Frowning, I launched my body toward the Gate.
Through the open Gate, I could see someone engaged in a heated argument with Han Supervisor.
“Han Supervisor. What is the matter?”
“Ah, Young Master Hwi. Someone from the Suhoji Guild has arrived. But they’re insisting on delivering their message directly to the Family Head.”
The Suhoji Guild. Originally one of the four powers that dominated Ak-an County, now known as the Ak-an Riverlands.
It is an alliance of minor and mid-tier martial sects that espouse the righteous path.
I could easily discern the current situation.
‘I sold out the Jegal Clan, and now the flies are swarming.’
Over the past several days, I had quietly spread word throughout the Baek Manor that the Jegal Clan’s Sub-Patriarch would be visiting.
Thanks to this, Gyojin-bang, which had been seeking pretexts for trouble, quieted down. But in its place, the Suhoji Guild has now become entangled in our affairs.
“Messenger, deliver your letter.”
“That is impossible. I have been ordered to deliver this directly to the Baek Family Head.”
I have no intention of engaging in a battle of wills with a mere messenger.
“The Family Head has entered seclusion. He will not emerge for three days. If you wish to wait here, you may do so. Supervisor, let us go.”
It was a lie, though half of it was true.
Recently, Baek Moo-ryang had been secluded, devoting himself entirely to training in the Gae-cheon-bak-pal-geom and Hwa-cheon-i-won-gong.
However, Han Supervisor matched my turning motion and swiftly issued orders to the gatekeeper with keen perception.
“Close the gate!”
“Yes, Supervisor!”
“…Understood!”
Unable to help myself, I snorted dismissively at the messenger presenting the letter before immediately tearing it open.
Then I leaned in close with Han Supervisor and read through the contents.
[To the esteemed Family Head Baek Moo-ryang of Baek Manor.]
[We of the Suhoji Guild deeply regret the recent turmoil that has swept through Ak-an County…]
[To prevent such incidents, we propose that the White Path sects unite in discussion…]
[Thus we shall hold the Yuhanji Assembly (柳沆之會), gathering the direct descendants and luminaries of our sects…]
[Creating an opportunity for the waters of the Yangtze to mingle and exchange, we shall host a martial tournament…]
After reading the letter to its end, Han Supervisor asked with a displeased expression.
“What are your thoughts, Young Master Hwi?”
“In summary, it’s this: they covet the connections of Jegal Seon, the Young Master of the Jegal Family, so they’re demanding we hand him over.”
“You see it that way as well?”
“Yes. What else would the Suhoji Guild possibly need from us Baek Manor at this point?”
Though both the Suhoji Guild and Baek Manor were White Path sects located in Ak-an County, they had virtually no contact.
Because our power was so insignificant, they had neglected us, citing the distance of Baek Manor’s location.
And now they suddenly extend their hand? There could be only one reason.
“They’re putting on grand airs with this Yuhanji Assembly and martial tournament, trying to scout young talents while also building connections with major families. It’s all scheming.”
In other words, this was the Suhoji Guild’s way of checking the Baek Manor.
Unlike the Black Path gangs, since we’re White Path sects, the methods differ, but the essence is identical.
‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth—I’ll have to respond in kind.’
“Well, there’s no need to overthink it. If they want to play, we simply play along.”
Saying this, I surveyed my surroundings.
Workers everywhere were repairing the old and damaged halls.
All of it was preparation to receive Jegal Seon, the Young Master of the Jegal Family and my uncle by marriage, along with his entourage.
‘Four days from now, then.’
In four days, my uncle by marriage Jegal Seon would visit Baek Manor with his daughter.
And the Yuhanji Assembly was scheduled for four days after that.
If we don’t give him advance notice, Jegal Seon wouldn’t know about it, so we could simply not attend—but…
‘Actually, this works out perfectly. I’ve been wanting to make a deeper impression on the Jegal Family anyway.’
The visit of Jegal Seon, the Young Master of the Jegal Family, something that never happened in my past life. The existence of his second daughter, whom I’d never even seen before.
The Suhoji Guild, which had lived quietly in my past life, now not only inserting themselves into this situation but brazenly scheming without knowing their place.
If I could turn this situation into an opportunity for the main family…
‘Yes, it’s a bit early, but. Building one’s reputation and standing is best done from the start.’
I swung the wooden sword once.
Whoosh!
The buzzing sound of bee wings echoed through the air.
“Jeom-soon, it seems bees have gotten inside. Chase them out before the Young Master and Miss get hurt.”
“Yes!”
Yang Hwi chuckled softly as he watched the maidservant respond energetically to the command.

* * *
Early evening, at the Central Training Ground of the Baek Family.
All the household members stood dressed in their finest clothes, gazing toward the wide-open gate.
The guest scholar Yeo Un-hyeok and his daughter were absent, but Gu Ak, who had become the new hall master, stood beside Baek Moo-ryang, and even Jeong In-hwa, the matriarch in poor health, was present.
“…Elder Brother. No matter that Father’s sworn brother is visiting, isn’t this display of courtesy excessive? Especially since he is a sworn brother, not a blood relative.”
Baek Heon-so, standing beside me with a sullen expression, posed the question.
Knowing my younger brother’s gaze was directed toward our ailing mother, I gently reassured Baek Heon-so.
“It is precisely because he is a sworn brother that we do this.”
“Brother?”
By worldly standards, between elder and younger brothers, the elder holds the higher position. However, the relationship between Baek Moo-ryang and Jegal Seon could not be measured by such standards.
The Baek Family Estate—a third-rate martial arts family whose influence in even a single county could not be counted among the top ten powers.
The Jegal Family—a great power that spoke of the entire realm under heaven.
Though both were martial arts families within the Martial Arts World, the difference between them was as vast as heaven and earth.
Yet the young master of the great Jegal Family had taken the head of a third-rate martial arts family as his sworn elder brother.
“Guan Yu took Liu Bei, who was younger than himself, as his elder brother, and Liu Bei regarded Guan Yu as both younger brother and respected superior. Father merely displays the same courtesy.”
Baek Heon-so could not fully comprehend all of my words, but he committed them entirely to memory.
There could be no errors in what my elder brother knew.
“Elder Brother, I can see horses over there!”
The small cry of Baek Yeon-yeon. The procession, which had been barely visible, grew larger and larger.
A total of ten horses and one carriage. An escort of some twenty martial artists.
‘For the young master of the Jegal Family and a cherished daughter’s procession, this is quite modest.’
Perhaps it was the nature of my sworn uncle Jegal Seon and the courtesy he showed toward his sworn elder brother.
Soon the procession came to a halt before the gate of the Baek Family Estate.
Then a giant carrying a young girl in his arms leaped high and cleared the main gate.
“Elder Brother! Your younger brother has arrived!”
The giant, still cradling the girl, performed a half-bow with one hand.
Seeing Jegal Seon beaming with joy, Baek Moo-ryang could no longer contain himself and launched his body forward.
“Younger Brother! How long it has been!”
Watching the reunion of the two sworn brothers, I drew a deep breath and exhaled, awakening my perception.
Whoooosh—
I traced through Jegal Seon’s meridians and dantian. Nothing appeared.
This was only natural. At my current level, I could not perceive martial artists of the pinnacle realm or beyond.
Instead, I shifted my focus from Jegal Seon to the young girl cradled in his arms.
A girl with a small frame, her entire face covered with pristine white cloth.
I read the qi seeping from the girl’s meridians and dantian….
That was the moment.
“…!”
The young girl, Jegal Seol-ha, opened her eyes wide and her mouth fell agape.
Then Jegal Seon, startled, cried out loudly.
“Seol-ha, what is wrong!”

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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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