Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 221

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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 221
“My, what a magnificent sight.”
“Indeed. Quite the spectacle, wouldn’t you say?”
“It’s certainly not a scene one witnesses every day.”
Yang Hwi and his companions sat atop the roof of the inn where they were staying, observing the crowds below.
Of course, these were no ordinary spectators.
“Four different groups from the Nine Sects and Five Great Families have arrived today. It’s starting to feel like the Dragon Pool Gathering.”
“That’s what I was thinking too, sister.”
A cavalry unit entered with the thundering of hoofbeats.
It was the Moyong Clan from Liaoning, positioned at the northernmost point among the Five Great Families.
From another direction came warriors whose raised spears resembled a forest.
The Ak Clan of Shandong—one of the Five Great Families that had once produced the greatest spear wielder under heaven.
“So all nine sects and the Five Great Families have now sent their representatives.”
And they hadn’t merely dispatched junior disciples.
A Family Head or someone of equivalent standing had accompanied them, so it was no exaggeration to say that the very essence of the martial world had gathered in this single city of Mu-han.
“Look, even Kunlun is arriving. They’ve traveled quite a distance.”
“Though it’s remote, they’re probably the most sensitive to the Dragon Supremacy title.”
“True enough. The Soaring Dragon Eight Techniques and the sect’s very symbol being the dragon itself.”
Yang Hwi observed the Kunlun Taoist Priests for a moment, then heightened his senses.
With nearly all participants of the Dragon-Phoenix Rivalry now assembled, the chatter of curious onlookers filled the air.
“The Kunlun disciples all seem remarkably talented! Who do you think will become the Dragon Supremacy?”
“Hard to say. Shaolin, Wudang, Namgung… there are simply too many candidates this generation.”
“That’s true. With so many exceptional talents, it speaks well of the martial world’s prosperity.”
Conversations speculating on who would win were mixed with jokes predicting which promising disciple would be eliminated first and become a laughingstock.
“Hwa-san will likely struggle to win, and Jeomchang probably won’t make it far either.”
“Still, they’ve all secured their main bracket spots, haven’t they? They must have received Heaven-class entry tokens.”
“That’s true. So among those we know, who will be eliminated first…?”
“It’s obvious.”
The two conversing figures spoke simultaneously.
“Gaecheon Geomryong!”
“There’s no one else whose abilities fall so short of his reputation!”
“I heard he even lost his Heaven-class entry token to the Hyeol Sa-ryeon Sect Leader, so he’ll have to compete through the preliminaries.”
“We’ll get to see him eliminated soon enough! Hahahaha!”
“Hahahaha!”
“Hahahaha!”
The rumors had taken root. To the people, Gaecheon Geomryong was merely a pillar of shame and a fortunate fool, with wagers being placed on when he would be eliminated.
‘I’m grateful Father and Han Supervisor didn’t come. If Elder Brother had known… it would be dreadful.’
Baek Moo-ryang would have felt displeasure at his family’s young master becoming a laughingstock, though he still believed in his son.
Gu Ak, without question, would have seized the opportunity to roll on the ground laughing and mock him relentlessly.
It was fortunate that the family had other pressing matters to attend to, separate from the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering.
“In just a few days, the Dragon Phoenix Gathering will truly begin. I’m getting a bit excited.”
“Nervous?”
Jegal Seol-ha shook her head as if that were absurd.
“I think it’ll be fun. Wondering what kind of mess my older brother will stir up.”
Dang-gun pressed his forehead, Dang-yeon’s lips curved upward, and Baek Heon-so gazed at Yang Hwi with sparkling eyes.
“It’ll be entertaining. Though it’s a shame.”
“What is?”
“Those Blood Cult bastards. They provoked us by even sending out the Hyeol Gyoju himself, yet there’s been no response.”
Honestly, it was unexpected. Despite making the Hyeol Gyoju look like a fool before all under heaven, they hadn’t approached.
I began to wonder if the information that the Hyeol Gyoju was participating in the Dragon Phoenix Gathering for amusement had been false.
Or perhaps the Hyeol Gyoju was such a composed individual that he kept his followers under strict control.
Either way, it wasn’t a welcome outcome.
“I would have preferred to make the same mistake as the Taoist of the Blazing Pagoda.”
Stirring the grass to startle a snake is dangerous, but if you already know the snake will emerge from your side, that’s a different matter.
“Can’t be helped. We’ll wait a bit longer and… wait, what?”
Yang Hwi sprang to his feet.
The reason was simple.
“That… that bastard…”
“What’s wrong? Do you know them?”
A group was entering through the eastern gate of Mu-han.
Judging by the characters written on their raised banner, the sect name was Zhejiang Hei Family.
“Chu Dal. That dark-faced fellow standing at the very front—who is he?”
“Let me see… He’s likely Heuk Su-gang, an elder of the Zhejiang Hei Family among the heavenly-tier martial sects.”
“Hwi’s younger brother. When did your paths cross?”
“Our paths… did cross.”
Though not in this life, but in my previous one.
That bastard’s face is familiar to me.
The problem is he’s not affiliated with the Blood Cult.
‘One of the Five Great Divine Generals of Yeokcheon Singyeo.’
If the Blood Cult had those called Bishops—formidable warriors—then Yeokcheon Singyeo had the Five Great Divine Generals.
Each one was powerful enough to alter the course of a war, and they were dogs who offered absolute loyalty to the Sect Leader.
‘Not from the Blood Cult side, but I’ve found a thread to pull.’
Yeokcheon Singyeo was the most heavily veiled among the Three Great Demonic Cults.
Even I knew far less about Yeokcheon Singyeo compared to the other two demonic cults.
I needed to think about how to use this bastard to reach the core.
“It has been a long time, Baek Sohyeop.”
“Hm?”
A figure suddenly stood atop the roof.
‘If this continues, all three great demonic cults will be involved with Mu-han.’
Was this something that had happened in my previous life as well?
With such thoughts in mind, I clasped my fists in salute.
“It has been quite some time, Nong-o Daoist.”
Over the three years, Nong-o—who had etched several scars across his face—smiled with the serene clarity befitting a Taoist priest.
“Indeed it has. Truly, it has been far too long.”
His response carried the weight of someone who had endured considerable trials.
I hastily descended and settled into a guest room, summoning the Innkeeper.
“Will you have tea, or would you prefer wine?”
“That hardly seems a question one should pose to a Daoist priest.”
“Quite right. Tea for everyone, then.”
After the Innkeeper distributed the tea to all of us, I spoke.
“It has been some time. How have you been faring?”
“Busy. The tasks assigned by the main temple have only increased.”
“You should have taken things more leisurely.”
“Had I not pushed myself, I would not have been permitted to participate in the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering at all.”
I listened to Nong-o’s account for a time.
Jeomchang had grown increasingly overt in rejecting Nong-o for refusing to abandon the Four-Character Sword Method, and had even refused to grant him the opportunity to compete in the Dragon-Phoenix Struggle as a successor candidate.
“As you well know, Bin-do stands foremost among Jeomchang’s successor candidates.”
I was naturally aware of this. In truth, Nong-o possessed martial prowess so exceptional that calling him merely a successor candidate seemed insufficient.
It was obvious that Nong-o, blessed with talent transcending his station, would have achieved remarkable results, yet they had denied him participation in the Dragon-Phoenix Struggle.
“Has Myeong-wol succeeded in innovating an inner energy technique?”
Before answering, Nong-o cast his gaze toward my companions.
“Everyone here is aware of the truth, so you may speak freely.”
“Then they must be those whom Baek Sohyeop has deemed trustworthy. I understand.”
Nong-o took a sip of tea and continued.
“Whether he succeeded in creating something entirely new or merely refined something that already existed—either way, yes. He accomplished it.”
This meant that Jeomchang had adopted not only the sword techniques of the Illuminated Teaching but also the profound mysteries of inner energy cultivation.
“To what extent?”
“Extraordinary. When cultivating beneath moonlight, the inner energy grows at a tremendous pace. Moreover, even Bin-do—who knows that the backing force is the Illuminated Teaching, a demonic sect—felt no sense of demonic corruption whatsoever.”
The Illuminated Teaching’s energy had always been thus. Unlike the Blood Sect or Singyeo, it lacked that overtly sinister aura.
Had they made adjustments during the refinement process, the resulting energy would likely feel quite distinctive.
“That is welcome news indeed.”
Chu Dal raised his hand and asked.
“Elder Brother, how is that good news? The eminent figures of the martial world will no longer harbor suspicions.”
“Because it means one final opportunity remains to restore Jeomchang to its proper path.”
At least regarding Jeomchang, my purpose was not to erase its ties to the demonic sects.
The restoration of Jeomchang. Should one of the Nine Sects find its true way again, it would prove invaluable.
“Bin-do will surely prove it. That the Four-Character Method is indeed the guiding principle of Jeomchang.”
His expression was resolute, his eyes burning with unwavering determination.
Standing alone against one of the Nine Sects, Nong-o remained unbroken.
Instead, he had become an even sharper, more formidable blade.
Just as he inherited from his master and pursues the Way of the Four Seasons.
“I believe in you.”
“Thank you for your faith. I shall not disappoint you.”
The two men exchanged glances for a moment.
No, it was not merely glances that passed between them.
‘Adu. Hyeon Geom. Nang Hon. Namgung Cheon-yeong. I must add one more candidate to this list.’
The Dragon Phoenix Assembly would become a stage where renowned blades—any of whom could claim second place—clashed against one another.
In the end, which sword would remain unbroken and earn recognition as the greatest under heaven?

* * *
A woman as crimson as blood and as pure white as jade walked across the heavens.
Her steps led her to a grand estate.
The estate lay silent as death itself. Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo descended barefoot to the ground and pressed her forehead to the earth.
“Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo pays reverence to my Deity.”
A presence that eluded even Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo’s senses—those of a warrior transcending all limits—finally revealed itself.
[It has been long.]
Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo lifted her head. Dirt clung to her forehead where it had touched the earth.
In her eyes as she brushed away the soil lay a yearning both sorrowful and fervent.
“Indeed, it has been long, my Deity. Does your amusement bring you joy?”
[Ah. There is pleasure in watching. A joy that endures through centuries.]
She wondered what could be amusing about the antics of mere children, yet Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo reconsidered her thoughts.
If her Deity found it joyful, then it was joyful.
“You do not intervene. If you were to take the stage yourself, the pleasure would be all the greater.”
[Such is the nature of extremes. The joy of watching differs from the joy of performing upon the stage.]
Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo pressed her forehead to the earth once more.
Waiting for the command to descend.
[How fares your plaything?]
He spoke of Namgung Cheon-hu.
“Yes. The material proves far more excellent than anticipated. I believe that in time, the Deity will find ample enjoyment in him.”
[That is welcome news indeed.]
For the Hyeol Gyoju, what mattered most had always been his own grand ambition, yet now the process itself had become important.
Having failed repeatedly, he could not abandon his pursuit.
The very act of moving forward had to become his joy.
[They have interfered. Thus I too shall interfere. Yet the method still troubles my mind.]
“Whatever you command, I shall obey.”
A voice filled with satisfaction echoed forth.
A jade-like tone that, merely by hearing it, filled every void within the heart.
Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo trembled as she awaited the Deity’s command.
[Yes, let us play a small jest.]

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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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