Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 224

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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 224
“The Baek Family of Gangseong… had roots in Hwa-san?”
I chuckled at the sight of Okcheon’s dumbfounded expression.
“Yes. Otherwise, there would be no reason for our sword techniques to be so similar.”
‘In truth, they’re similar because I trained alongside Okcheon in my past life.’
In my previous life, Okcheon and I shared a great deal when it came to martial arts.
We both possessed exceptional talent, and we shared the common goal of restoring lost martial techniques.
‘Well, it’s not a lie, at least.’
From the Gae-cheon-sam-geom, a remnant of lost techniques, to its rebirth as the Gae-cheon-bak-pal-geom, I had devoted myself to painstaking effort.
And through that process, I discovered something.
The founder of the Baek Family’s sword lineage inherited the martial legacy of a branch family within Hwa-san.
Since both originated from the same Hwa-san, it was hardly surprising that the completed forms shared similarities.
“This is… quite remarkable. I had no idea.”
Though I had spoken without any real evidence, merely words.
Okcheon thought to himself internally.
‘A sword does not lie.’
Hundreds and thousands of white feathers moved in formation, dissipating and canceling out the plum blossoms I had manifested.
This meant the underlying principles were aligned, not merely the surface appearance.
‘It’s possible that someone who once encountered or learned Hwa-san’s martial arts in the past created a similar sword technique. But that probability is low.’
If anything, this was the thought closest to the truth, yet the probability that my words were factual was actually higher.
“I see. A connection severed centuries ago, so no one knew of it.”
“Now you believe me, yes? I am not affiliated with the Blood Cult.”
As I said before, a sword does not lie. Okcheon nodded his head.
“There were suspicious circumstances, but now I’m certain. My apologies!”
A simple and straightforward apology.
I found myself smiling without realizing it.
Normally, I would have used the logic that if someone made a mistake, they should compensate for it, thus clearing the debt.
“I’m relieved the misunderstanding has been cleared up, Okcheon.”
“Haha! When I heard about my Kangho and discovered that the Blood Cult was making moves to place the Baek Family under their thumb, combined with recent events, suspicion naturally arose! My apologies!”
‘Ah, so that’s why the misunderstanding occurred.’
It was true that the Blood Cult was scheming to make the Baek Family their puppet.
But how did Okcheon know about the Blood Cult?
When I asked about this, Okcheon’s expression hardened.
“Hwa-san… cannot help but know of the Blood Cult.”
What? What does that mean?
This was information I had never encountered in my past life.
“Pardon? Could you explain the reason?”
“Later! I’ll tell you if the opportunity arises!”
“Then may I ask about something else?”
“Of course!”
“Are you also participating in the Dragon Phoenix Clash, Okcheon?”
Okcheon answered as though it were obvious.
“I am Okcheon, disciple of Hwa-san! What wouldn’t I do for the honor of Hwa-san! I’ve been striving day and night to become the greatest dragon!”
‘In my past life, I said that fame was meaningless.’
Well, much has changed. Perhaps the fact that Hyeon Geom and Adu were entering the competition is what made Okcheon change his mind.
Seeing how he continued wielding his blade even after doubt vanished, his habit of clinging to exceptional warriors seems unchanged from then to now.
“Then we are rivals.”
“Ha! That’s how it turned out!”
I felt once again how much has changed.
In my past life, around this time I was in a position of learning unilaterally from Okcheon.
Okcheon had said we were in a relationship where we learned from each other’s blades.
‘In this life, I will repay what I’ve received, Okcheon.’
“Surely rivals are those who learn from one another. Since we’ve already exchanged blades, why not come down and share a drink?”
It was an offer I naturally expected him to accept.
But Okcheon shook his head.
“I appreciate the sentiment! But something urgent just came to mind—I must be going!”
With those words, Okcheon vanished, employing his lightness technique.
Left alone, I scratched my head awkwardly.
“…He really is willful, that Okcheon.”
‘He still can’t completely trust me. Well, there are many things to consider—relations between sects and all that.’
No matter.
Now that I’ve discovered that the Gaecheon Sword and the Plum Blossom Sword share similar sword principles, Okcheon will have no choice but to approach me again.

* * *
On the first floor of Juru, a man gulped down his drink and set his cup down with satisfaction.
“Ah! The Dragon-Phoenix Clash never fails to be a rare spectacle, no matter how many times you witness it!”
Today, there had been an upset in the preliminaries.
A mere assassin had defeated a disciple from a heaven-ranked martial sect and secured his advancement to the main tournament.
The man’s friend chuckled and replied.
“Wasn’t his name Nang Hon? His martial arts were far from ordinary!”
“Right? His opponent was also a late-stage contender with a guaranteed spot in the main tournament!”
“He boasted that he’d climb from the bottom through pure skill without relying on a heaven-ranked recommendation letter. By now, he must be so embarrassed he’s thrashing about under his blankets.”
“That’s also quite the topic of conversation. Haha!”
As of today, the preliminaries had ended. All participants advancing to the main tournament of the Dragon-Phoenix Clash had been confirmed.
Naturally, the two men’s conversation turned to the main tournament.
“I’m still curious. What kind of spectacle will the main tournament be?”
There’s a saying that the true Dragon-Phoenix Clash begins with the main tournament.
Since all participants were either disciples of prestigious sects or exceptional talents who had overcome fierce competition, the quality of the matches would be entirely different.
“I’m really curious who will be the first to be eliminated.”
“Me too. Whoever it is will face utter humiliation.”
After exchanging glances for a moment, the two men spoke simultaneously.
“It’ll definitely be Gaecheon Geomryong, right?”
“It seems like it has to be Gaecheon Geomryong, doesn’t it?”
“We’re thinking the same thing.”
Among the brilliant late-stage contenders, only Gaecheon Geomryong had failed to prove his own qualifications.
Even his current fame stemmed entirely from the prestige of Jeong In, the most beautiful woman under heaven.
“Well, he made quite a name for himself in Kangso, they say…”
“There’s not a single participant in the main tournament who hasn’t made a name for themselves in their own region.”
“Some ill-mannered folks have already started calling him Gaecheon Earthworm instead of Gaecheon Geomryong.”
Earthworm—a creature that crawls in the dirt.
“That fellow is quite pitiful. He must be a talented late-stage contender.”
“He’s getting criticized because Jeong In is simply too extraordinary.”
Similar conversations were taking place in every tavern throughout the Murim.
It was inevitable, since the main tournament would begin tomorrow.
“Whoever wins, the champion of this Dragon-Phoenix Gathering will gain tremendous renown.”
“With three disciples from the Cheonmu-sip-jon alone, it’s bound to be that way.”
And so, the night passed with countless people unable to sleep from anticipation.
The day of the Dragon-Phoenix Clash main tournament had arrived.

* * *
The Shaman had constructed dozens of massive martial arenas across the western wastelands of Mu-han for the Dragon Phoenix Struggle for Supremacy.
With their numbers exceeding several dozen, the expanse was vast enough to have built nine nested palaces and still have room to spare.
Yet now, that sprawling land was packed densely with spectators.
“The Dragon Phoenix Struggle for Supremacy main tournament begins now! I am Hobuk Cheon-geom, serving as your referee!”
“Roooaaarrr!”
I smiled as I surveyed the spectacle before me.
In that moment, a gruff voice reached my ears from beside me.
“What’s there to be happy about? Everyone’s still cursing you out.”
Indeed, even as the spectators focused on the referee’s explanation of the rules, they chattered away in real time.
“Look there. That young man is supposedly Gaecheon Geomryong.”
“Hmm. With a face that handsome, it’s no wonder he became the most beautiful under heaven, Jeong In.”
“They say his eloquence is exceptional too, so he won’t be ordinary.”
“Well, young women do tend to fancy handsome men with silver tongues.”
It wasn’t just the spectators. A few of the main tournament contestants standing nearby were glancing in my direction.
Without looking closely, the emotion in their eyes was crystal clear.
“Leave them be. Everything will change soon enough.”
I had endured much until now.
Truthfully, no matter how intentional it was, being cursed at was hardly pleasant.
I had been waiting for this day alone.
‘The more grime that accumulates, the greater the satisfaction when it’s finally washed away.’
I raised the corners of my mouth and turned my attention to the referee Hobuk Cheon-geom’s words.
“The rules for the first round of the main tournament are simple! The contestants will test their specialties against one another!”
In summary, it was this.
First. A contestant ascends an empty arena and declares their match category.
Second. Any contestant with confidence steps onto the arena and competes in the declared category.
Third. After three such matches, those who achieve two victories advance to the second round.
‘An interesting system.’
Though they had filtered once through preliminary rounds and again through qualifiers, there were still over hundreds of main tournament contestants.
If all of them were to fight one-on-one, time would be wasted, so a faster method had been adopted.
“We now begin the first round of the main tournament. Contestants, ascend the arenas and declare your categories!”
The referee finished speaking, but no one stepped onto the arenas.
It was natural that time was needed, as one had to carefully choose a category where certain victory was assured.
“Chu Dal. I’m going. Watch your older brother closely.”
I ascended the arena before anyone else.
Then came the murmurs from those around me.
“It’s Gaecheon Geomryong!”
“What audacity, stepping up first?”
“Does he plan to lose early and watch comfortably from the sidelines?”
Rather than feeling irritated, I laughed refreshingly and performed the martial salute several times to those around me.
Then I called out loudly.
“I, Yang Hwi of the Baek Family, declare the terms of this match! Let anyone who can defeat the Hyeol Sa-ryeon Sect Leader within ten strikes come forward!”
In that instant, the entire arena fell into shock.
“What… what did he just say?”
“Ten strikes?”
“Against the Hyeol Sa-ryeon Sect Leader?”
Among the spectators, the Hyeol Sa-ryeon Sect Leader was considered one of the strongest candidates for First Dragon.
There was good reason for this.
What manner of sect was Hyeol Sa-ryeon, after all?
Not a sect contending for dominance over a county, a province, or even a region—but one vying for supremacy over all under heaven itself.
If such a sect had sent its Sect Leader to Baek Do’s festival, it could only mean they possessed absolute confidence.
“He said anyone confident should come forward, but…”
“Isn’t that essentially a provocation directed at the Sect Leader?”
Some spectators burst into laughter, unable to believe what they were hearing.
“If he’s going to lose anyway, he might as well say something ridiculous! Haha! Just as the rumors say, this fellow has a sharp mind!”
Regardless of what those around me muttered, I gazed toward where the Sect Leader waited, my lips curling into a smirk.
‘My, that expression is amusing.’
The veins at his temples bulged so prominently it seemed they might burst at any moment.
And well they might.
I had just declared him a ten-strike opponent before tens of thousands of witnesses.
“Is there anyone who can make the Hyeol Sa-ryeon Sect Leader a ten-strike opponent? No one?”
As I called out once more, the Sect Leader finally exploded.
“I will tear you to shreds with my own hands!”
A thick wave of killing intent surged forth. Unable to fully control his emotions, the blue stone beneath the Sect Leader’s landing point shattered.
“Oh dear. We went to such expense laying these fine blue stones for the arena. You’ll be covering the repair costs, won’t you?”
“Of course! After I kill you, I’ll send generous compensation to the Baek Family or whatever insignificant place you hail from!”
The moment he finished speaking, the Sect Leader charged forward.
Watching his approach, I leisurely drew my blade.
And then came the collision.
Kwaaaaaaang!
“…”
“…”
“…”
Silence engulfed the crowd.
There was every reason for it.
As the dust cleared in the wind, the scene became apparent.
The Sect Leader, who had been radiating killing intent moments before, lay unconscious with his eyes rolled back.
“Hobuk Cheon-geom, esteemed master. Please declare the victor.”
The first match had ended.
Gidung Seobang had achieved victory against the Hyeol Sa-ryeon Sect Leader.
In merely a single second.
“What are you all doing? Why not make some noise like you were doing just moments ago, everyone?”
Yang Hwi’s words.
Chaos erupted.
Like a stone cast into a tranquil pond.

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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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