Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 230

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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 230
The last contestant of Group 25, having lost two teammates in an instant.
He panicked and tried to create distance, but the blade wouldn’t separate.
“What!”
“It’s the Suction Palm Technique, I told you?”
The contestant gritted his teeth and drew upon his inner strength.
He intended to generate sword qi to break through the Suction Palm Technique.
However, he had to be shocked once more.
No sword qi manifested at all.
“What is this!”
“Stop repeating yourself. It’s the Suction Palm Technique, as I said.”
The contestant poured his energy into the blade with even greater force.
Yet not a trace of sword qi appeared. Instead, Yang Hwi’s blade began to tremble violently.
Then came the explosion.
Boom!
The last opponent of Group 25, engulfed in tremendous force, was sent flying from the arena.
“Young Master Baek! What technique did you employ? I cannot fathom its mechanism at all!”
The one who suddenly exclaimed was Okcheon.
“As I said, it’s the Suction Palm Technique.”
“Even so, that’s extraordinary! The fact that there was no sound at the moment of collision is most peculiar!”
Two phenomena that should occur when blades clash did not happen.
While one could accept the blade not bouncing back as the Suction Palm Technique, the absence of sound was clearly abnormal.
“That’s because it’s no ordinary Suction Palm Technique.”
“Explain it simply, if you would! The fallen one did not attempt to unleash sword qi! It’s quite remarkable that the Suction Palm Technique could neutralize it so completely!”
Even in such moments, his enthusiasm for martial arts remained undisguised.
It was quintessentially Okcheon, and I found it gratifying.
“I simply absorbed all the force.”
The strength in the arm wielding the blade.
The amplified power from channeling energy into the sword.
Even the energy that composed the sword qi itself!
“It is the second secret of the Gae-cheon-bak-pal-geom technique: the Feathered Transformation of Great and Small.”
A new form that did not exist in my past life.
A fresh method refined by incorporating the enlightenment I received upon becoming Eum Hu’s disciple.
‘I never imagined such a thing was possible. I’ve truly learned and understood so much thanks to Master Eum Hu.’
The principle of Feathered Transformation of Great and Small is simple.
Convert the opponent’s energy into vibration, then apply that vibration according to the mysteries of sound technique—that’s all there is to it.
‘The core is vibration, that is, trembling.’
Through this, I could achieve many things that were previously impossible.
“Feathered Transformation of Great and Small… feathers transforming through magnitude. Ha! I see! You called it the Suction Palm Technique, but indeed! Truly! It is no ordinary Suction Palm Technique, as you say, Young Master Baek!”
“Would you like to know more details?”
“Of course! Learning more about martial arts is always a pleasure! Would you kindly share more?”
“Call it Baek Je.”
“Hmm?”
As Okcheon hesitated for a moment, someone shouted.
“So you’re saying you absorbed their qi! That’s sorcery from the Suction Absorption Method!”
I turned to look, bewildered, and cries of agreement erupted from all around.
“Using sorcery! How could a disciple of the righteous Baek Do do such a thing!”
“We must inform the Referees immediately!”
Words spilled out of my mouth unbidden.
“Bullshit. Then is the Shaman’s Four Taels Moving Thousand Pounds or Kunlun’s Heaven and Earth Great Shift also the Suction Absorption Method?”
Using the force of four taels to move the weight of a thousand pounds.
It means the subtlety of suppressing an opponent with minimal force by utilizing their own strength.
The Heaven and Earth Great Shift, which means grasping and moving heaven and earth on a grand scale, carries a similar principle.
The Harmony of Floating Clouds and Great Smallness is fundamentally based on vibration, but the principle itself is the same as Four Taels Moving Thousand Pounds or Heaven and Earth Great Shift.
I wasn’t absorbing qi itself, merely transforming it into a form I could interfere with and manipulate.
“Why don’t you go tell the Shaman or Kunlun that it’s sorcery?”
Having nothing to say, they shifted their attack.
“Such disrespectful language!”
“Don’t you even possess basic courtesy!”
These bastards were absolutely draining my patience.
“Should I be respectful to cowards who gang up on people?”
“Courtesy knows no distinction between opponents!”
“Lose?”
“We will not tolerate any further rudeness!”
“We’re literally drawing swords and fighting each other, and you’re talking about courtesy? Does a blade not pierce the body of a courteous person?”
Adu, oblivious as always, spoke cheerfully.
“It doesn’t pierce mine.”
“….”
“….”
Yang Hwi, who had been staring at Adu for a moment, muttered.
“This is why young disciples from righteous sects are hopeless.”
One of the advancing contestants unconsciously thought.
“But he’s also one of the young disciples from a righteous sect…?”
Regardless, Yang Hwi felt no need to humor them further.
‘One group is finished.’
I checked on the three hybrid members of Group 25 who had collapsed.
Having infused them with a moderate amount of qi, they would likely sleep soundly for a full day.
“Right. Group 25 is officially eliminated. Next group, come forward. I promise you this: no matter which group comes, I will definitely eliminate you.”
Not a single person stepped forward.
Having witnessed Group 25 subdued with almost embarrassing ease, their vigilance had sharply increased.
From the start, Adu and Okcheon—the two most distinguished among them in both status and ability—had remained passive.
Then it happened.
“I wish to meet Baek Gong-ja at a higher stage!”
Okcheon said this as he sheathed his sword.
‘Unexpected. I thought Okcheon would have immediately drawn his blade out of curiosity about the Deity’s techniques.’
-Baek… je. Let’s meet again later! Since you called me Baek-je, I absolutely must show you something!
Ah, now I understand.
He stepped back because feelings might get hurt during a fight?
It seems he’s quite curious about the Transformation of Harmony.
“I also wish to face Okcheon at a higher stage. In that sense, shall we end this match quickly?”
As I subtly gestured to the other group, Okcheon drew his sword again.
“Oh! That’s a fine idea! Everyone in our group would agree to reducing the number of competitors!”
Then the other groups fell into confusion.
“Master Okcheon?”
“Are you betraying us now!”
Okcheon wore an expression of bewilderment.
“Betrayal?”
“Didn’t you promise mutual cultivation cooperation!”
“I did say that, but how is it betrayal?”
Only then did the contestants realize it.
Since all groups were originally in competition with each other, talk of betrayal held no meaning.
“Master Okcheon! You mean to cowardly launch a coordinated attack!”
“…?”
“…?”
For the contestants who had just been discussing cooperation to shout such words lacked conviction.
The one who suddenly cried out was Yang Hwi.
“I shouted what you wanted to say instead. It was written all over your face.”
“….”
“….”
In any case, the battle that had started as five against one had now become four against two.
There was no need to calculate how the odds had shifted.
And that wasn’t even all.
“Yang Hwi! I want to be on Yang Hwi’s side!”
“Monk, if you say such things so suddenly….”
“Didn’t you promise to follow our lead in this match….”
“Then shall we fight Yang Hwi?”
“….”
“….”
Adu’s group members, who had hesitated briefly, quietly moved to our side.
With three against three, the situation had completely transformed.
This is precisely why one must cultivate an excellent reputation and spread it widely among those around them.
‘The world revolves around connections and relationships, you youngsters!’
Yang Hwi grinned and leaned on one leg.
“So, who’s in charge now?”
“….”
“….”

* * *
The remaining two groups had six people evenly distribute the mixed blood.
Of the ten groups, only seven remained in total.
Thirty percent of the competitors had been eliminated.
“At this rate, the matches will end faster than expected.”
“Baek Je is right! I thought it would take at least four days, which was disappointing!”
“Because you couldn’t train during that time?”
“Baek Je! How remarkable! We’ve never shared tea together, yet you understand my heart so well!”
“Next time we meet, let’s share a drink instead of tea.”
“I’m all for it! Let’s do it right after this ends!”
“Yang Hwi! Me too! Alcohol!”
“Ah, no. Monks cannot.”
“What? We drank together last time. Master drank with us too.”
If I drag Lakbul into this as well, there’s nothing I can say.
Then Peng Wang suddenly spoke up.
“But who will claim the second flag?”
“….”
“….”
A brief silence fell. Now that I think about it, the most important matter remained.
For Okcheon and Adu’s group without a flag, and my Group 15 to all advance, three flags would be needed.
“Shall we hold a fair three-way match?”
At my suggestion, Okcheon shook his head.
“I shall withdraw. The moment I decided not to fight Baek Je, I had already made up my mind to yield.”
How to put it—he carried himself with the integrity befitting a disciple of a prestigious sect.
“Okcheon, you don’t want to watch me and Adu fight it out, do you?”
“….”
Okcheon, who had been silent, laughed heartily.
“Indeed, it seems Baek Je has already found his way into my heart!”
His expression is brimming with interest—how could I not see through that?
Okcheon loves watching skilled martial artists compete.
He prefers wielding a sword himself even more, but fighting while bound by chains with two weights attached probably isn’t to his taste.
“Come now, fight! We must claim the flag!”
‘Hmm. Things won’t go as I plan.’
“Hehehehe. Adu.”
“Hm?”
“Give me a flag.”
“Sure!”
Everyone’s jaws dropped.
“Huh?”
“What?”
“Just like that…?”
Adu’s teammates didn’t even offer resistance.
They seemed to have already made up their minds.
Rather than struggle desperately for an uncertain chance at advancement, they’d chosen to secure the goodwill of Shaolin’s greatest talent and build a connection with him.
“Thank you.”
“Then let me drink with you.”
“That’s a bit much.”
“Drink! Drink! Drink! Drink!”
Did some ghost of a drunkard possess this one?
“How about you head over there instead? You need to find a flag too. Otherwise the Master will be angry, won’t he?”
“Oh. Right.”
“Keep going straight and you’ll find one.”
“Really? Okay!”
Adu tucked his teammates under his arms one by one and drew upon his power.
Golden light, brilliant and thick, frosted across his entire body and even his teammates’ forms.
“Let’s go!”
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
Adu bolted forward in a straight line, toppling every tree in his path.
So this is what it means to be strong—the chains become meaningless.
It’s practically no different from moving alone.
“…But Young Master Baek. Is there really a flag over there?”
“I just said that to get rid of his pestering about drinking.”
I can sense flags, but my perception is too weak for long distances.
“Anyway, let’s go. We need to obtain three flags.”

* * *
Though faint, the flags unmistakably carried spiritual energy within them.
Thanks to this, I managed to collect four flags before the sun set.
“Your spiritual perception is truly remarkable, Young Master Baek. I cannot sense the flags’ energy at all.”
“It’s nothing special. I can only detect them within a twenty-pace radius.”
Even that limited range allowed me to find flags at an astonishing pace.
There was no need to waste time searching through brush and digging at the ground while scanning the landscape with my eyes.
“Well then. Four flags. Even if all of us advance, one will remain unclaimed.”
Jin Yeong-jin’s eyes gleamed with hope and anticipation.
He must never have imagined advancing so easily when there were two formidable competitors in his group.
But there was one obstacle we had to overcome.
“Peng Wang.”
“Speak.”
“I believe it’s time we tested our skills against each other.”
“Indeed.”
Confusion crossed Jin Yeong-jin’s face.
“What do you mean? We have four flags—why must we fight among ourselves?”
I explained the wager to Jin Yeong-jin.
“That’s how it came to be.”
“Why such a pointless wager?”
Well, I suppose Jin Yeong-jin’s confusion was understandable.
“The chain makes fighting rather awkward, though.”
Peng Wang’s chain whip was nearly six feet in length.
If I let him swing it freely, Jin Yeong-jin’s body would be cleaved in two.
“What if we impose restrictions and conduct a controlled match?”
“What are the specific rules?”
“We exchange techniques alternately, one at a time. Since there’s a chain, instead of dodging, we must defend unconditionally.”
“Hmm.”
Deep interest settled across Peng Wang’s face.
“If I compare it to a common brawl, it’s like standing still and taking turns slapping each other’s cheeks. In a way, it’s an internal energy contest.”
“A vivid analogy. Precisely correct.”
“You understand, don’t you? This method is extraordinarily favorable for the Peng clan.”
Those bearing the Peng surname were born with bloodline-inherited robust bodies, and their true martial techniques—the Five Tiger Single Word Saber—boasted formidable destructive power.
In other words, I had deliberately chosen unfavorable conditions for myself.
“Do you lack confidence?”
“Hardly. If I retreated under such conditions, my grandfather would beat me with a stick.”
Peng Wang rolled up his sleeves as expected, and Jin Yeong-jin let out a groan.
“Why are you putting me in the middle of this!”
“If you endure, I’ll give you the flag.”
“That’s not the compensation we agreed upon!”
“Ah, right then. Let me make you this promise—I won’t carelessly let another group steal you away.”
“I shall hold firm, without fail.”
Within the constraints of the chains, I positioned myself as far from Jin Yeong-jin as possible, then stood facing Peng Wang with three paces between us.
“But tell me, do you know something?”
“What might that be?”
“Why the Great Sea Dragon King has decided to take me as his disciple.”
“I have yet to hear the reason.”
“You shall learn it now.”
‘It will certainly be entertaining.’
I twirled my blade lightly in a full circle, then infused it with my inner force.
The sword’s radiance, which had been faint, suddenly began to tremble with uncontrollable intensity.
“Baek Gong-ja… your inner force…?”
“You said the conditions I proposed resembled an inner force confrontation. Decidedly advantageous to the Peng family, you claimed.”
No—I had simply proposed conditions that would guarantee my victory because I couldn’t be bothered with complications.
“The reason the Great Sea Dragon King wishes to take me as his disciple is simple. I simply possess considerable inner force.”
“How is such a thing possible at your age…?”
Yang Hwi smirked and swung his arm.
It was a sword strike imbued with the tremendous force of eighty units of inner force.
CRAAAAAASH!

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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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