Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 242

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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 242
Upon receiving word from Chu Dal, I rushed straight to Nang Hon.
“What brings you here, Nang Hon?”
“Hmm? It wasn’t Baek Sohyeop who summoned me, but rather Jegal Sojeo.”
He snorted dismissively.
“Then you should have sought out someone from the Jegal Family instead of going through Chu Dal.”
“How could a mere assassin ever meet the direct bloodline of a prestigious clan? I believed the most viable path was through you, Young Master Yang Hwi.”
“Then why did you summon someone you thought you couldn’t meet?”
Nang Hon smiled.
“To build a connection, of course. Just as all the men at Yeon-wol Hall do.”
So he’s admitting he’s approaching her out of infatuation with her beauty, like everyone else?
A convenient excuse. Considering Seolha’s appearance, there’s probably at least some truth to it.
“The most beautiful under heaven, Pye Wol-ok-bong, Jegal Seol-ha. Isn’t it remarkable? How can such a beautiful being exist in this world?”
It is indeed extraordinary. Seolha’s beauty transcends mere description of facial features.
A peony-like constitution possesses an inherent power to enchant before even considering appearance.
And Seolha had transcended the limitations of her constitution, blossoming on her own terms.
If charm were personified, wouldn’t it take the form of Seolha?
“Truly a beautiful woman. Truly….”
His gaze grew distant.
Why is this bastard suddenly acting lovesick?
Watching him irritates me for some reason… yet something feels strange.
‘Why do I suddenly find this man so disagreeable?’
Did his identity suddenly seem suspicious?
There’s no reason for that.
I pride myself on having the keenest perception under heaven, yet I sense nothing unusual from Nang Hon.
‘It’s not intuition exactly… it’s something else.’
My sharp senses make my instincts accurate as well.
But it’s not the cold, warning sensation my body usually produces.
I simply dislike him.
Not a visceral rejection from intuition, but a genuine, inexplicable urge to push him away.
And this is new—it didn’t happen before, only starting at some point recently.
“With such ardent affection, why haven’t you joined Yeon-wol Hall?”
Yeon-wol Hall is a gathering of admirers devoted to Jegal Seol-ha.
Even those who don’t dare hope for her love often join simply to gaze upon her from afar or to build some small connection.
“I felt no need. I prefer to admire from a distance.”
“Someone of your caliber should aspire to catch her eye and be chosen as her betrothed like I was.”
As the greatest dragon of my past life, my martial prowess is beyond question.
The Jegal Family’s elders would consider me worthy enough to marry into their clan.
That is, if the Namgung Family’s betrothal proposal and my own existence didn’t exist.
“I have no intention of becoming Jegal Sojeo’s betrothed. I merely wish to converse with her, admiring her beauty.”
Nang Hon regarded Yang Hwi with a steady gaze.
“Besides, she has the Young Master of the Baek Family now.”
“You speak of wanting to deepen ties with another man’s betrothed?”
“Ah. One of the two reasons I wish to deepen ties is you, Yang Hwi.”
What was he getting at?
“Since you were chosen by the most beautiful woman under heaven, surely you possess the greatest charm of any man in the world.”
“What exactly are you trying to say?”
“In this tournament of thirty-two, select me as your opponent.”
The conversation suddenly shifted to a martial challenge?
Was he trying to gain a psychological victory by defeating the betrothed of the most beautiful woman under heaven?
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible. I already have a predetermined opponent.”
A few days later, the next match would take place.
By now, Yang Hwi had already been selected by nearly five advancing competitors.
‘It’s all thanks to Jin Yeong-jin.’
I had given Jin Yeong-jin the most spectacular exit.
Because of that, while I had no confidence in victory, those who desired a picturesque conclusion flocked to me.
‘Well, my opponent for this match is already decided.’
Choosing an easy opponent twice in a row could invite suspicion of avoiding real competition.
So this time, I needed to select someone with a renowned reputation.
“Are you avoiding it? That’s unlike you, Yang Hwi.”
A rather crude provocation.
“Were we such close acquaintances? I wonder if you truly know what suits my nature before speaking of it.”
“I do know. I know very well. Borrowing your own words from before, a warrior can discern another’s true nature simply by exchanging a single move, can’t they?”
“Yet we’ve never even exchanged a single technique together.”
“Beyond a single exchange, you should know that a single glance is sufficient.”
Well, one quick look does give a rough estimate.
“Choose me, Nang Hon. If you refuse, I’ll spread word that Yang Hwi avoided my selection despite being nominated.”
“Very well.”
Spread word? It wouldn’t gain traction anyway.
I would choose someone known to be stronger than Nang Hon, who was hiding his true strength.
“If you wanted to fight so badly, you should have shown your prowess openly in the tournament. So that I might gain the reputation of defeating you.”
“I intended to simply watch quietly, as the tournament was so entertaining.”
And yet in his past life, this man had won the championship?
“But it became so entertaining that I could no longer be satisfied with merely watching. In any case, a refusal… I understand.”
Nang Hon rose to his feet.
“Then I’ll come find you again when you select your next opponent. Next time, you’ll have to choose me.”
But one question had arisen in my mind.
“Why are you so eager to face me? If it’s about martial prowess, there are other opponents available.”
Nang Hon simply smiled quietly.
“Yang Hwi… because you’re the most entertaining. Because you seem like you’ll make this even more enjoyable.”

* * *
Two days had passed.
I finally understood why Nang Hon had said he would have to choose me next time.
“What? Your opponent is Nang Hon?”
“Yes. He specifically selected me.”
“Why did you accept? You should have asked me before agreeing.”
“Did I make a mistake, brother?”
Baek Heon-so began his explanation with an awkward expression.
“You said before that we might be able to recruit Nang Hon to the main family. That he possessed exceptional talent and martial prowess.”
Right, I had said that.
I hadn’t mentioned to anyone yet the emptiness I’d been feeling recently.
“Nang Hon came to me and said he was interested in the main family and admired you. He said since you seemed to have other plans, he wanted to test his martial arts against me instead.”
Baek Heon-so had always taken considerable pride in being the second son of the Baek Family and my younger brother.
So it made sense he wouldn’t have even considered rejecting Nang Hon’s proposal.
‘What is this bastard Nang Hon thinking?’
“It’s too late to refuse now, brother. I’ve already submitted the application, and there’s no justification to withdraw it. But what’s the problem?”
“Problem? I don’t know. Since it’s come to this, train hard and make sure you win.”
“Understood!”
‘Since things have come to this, I need to decide my own opponent too.’
Nang Hon is Nang Hon, and my plan is my plan.
“I’m going out for a moment.”
“Have a safe trip!”
I was about to head straight to where my intended opponent was staying when I paused.
‘If I just go like this, would she even agree to meet me? I should prepare something.’
Standing in place, I snapped my fingers.
Instead of a sharp sound, a melody rang out.
Ding-ling, ding-ling!
A gentle breeze swept through, and Jegal Seol-ha revealed her graceful form.
“You called for me?”
Since the Yong-Bong Conference began, the time I spent with Jegal Seol-ha had increased dramatically due to various circumstances.
Snapping my fingers to create that melody was our signal to call each other.
“You came already? Your progress in Il-Bo-Cheon is incredible.”
“Whose disciple am I, and whose master are you?”
“Fair point. Oh, Nang Hon was looking for you. He said he admired you and wanted to develop a friendship.”
“This man’s popularity is endless. Since Jeong In is so approachable, everyone and their dog tries their luck.”
“You little—”
“If you don’t like it, then build your reputation so high that no one would dare even look at you.”
I had nothing to say, so I clicked my tongue in resignation.
“That said, come with me to meet the Namgung Family people.”
“You’ll nominate me? If my brother goes alone, he’ll be turned away at the gate.”
Jegal Seol-ha smiled softly.
“This should be interesting. Let’s go together.”
As we walked, Jegal Seol-ha chattered away like a lark the entire time.
Was it because she’d spent her childhood nearly mute due to the Peach Blossom Qi spreading through her voice?
Whenever I saw her, Jegal Seol-ha seemed to enjoy gossiping about even the most trivial matters.
“So anyway, I’ve gotten close with the daughter of the Moyong Family, and tomorrow….”
“Wait. We’ve arrived, so let’s talk about this later.”
“Ah. Yes.”
Seol-ha’s expression turned cold in an instant.
I wondered if she felt hurt that I’d cut her off mid-sentence.
‘Ah. It’s because of the gatekeeper.’
I was already accustomed to how she shifted to the complete opposite demeanor whenever others were present.
“Yang Hwi of the Baek Family and Seol-ha of the Jegal Family request an audience with the Namgung Clan Head.”
After a moment, a figure appeared.
It was a familiar face, but not Namgung Cheon-yeong.
“Yang Hwi. Why are you requesting an audience with the main family’s Clan Head?”
It was Namgung Sa-geom.
Perhaps because I’d touched on an old wound, his tone and manner of speech dripped with hostility.
“Why else? I’m here to nominate him as my opponent.”
“Leave. The Clan Head already has an opponent in mind.”
I’d brought Seol-ha precisely because I’d anticipated this response.
I called out loudly enough for Namgung Cheon-yeong, wherever he was inside, to hear me.
“Then I’ll take it that Seol-ha is being abandoned!”
“Who do you think you are, speaking so presumptuously?”
“Well, this is a duel between Seol-ha’s betrothed and a lecherous fool coveting a woman who already has a partner. If you avoid it, aren’t you admitting defeat?”
It was a threat to spread rumors in this manner.
“Since Seol-ha is here, the Jegal Family’s Clan Head will also learn that you avoided the nomination. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
The value of the betrothal that the Jegal Family assessed would be recalibrated as well.
Namgung Sa-geom replied with a cold, expressionless face.
“Yang Hwi. Did you not say before that we should meet at a higher place and clash our competitive spirits? The main family’s Clan Head is simply following through on those words.”
It was a fairly decent excuse, but….
Unfortunately, it was a dead end.
“Hmm? The arrangement to meet at a higher place was with Okcheon Taoist and Adu. The Namgung Clan Head wasn’t even a candidate, was he?”
A crack appeared in Namgung Sa-geom’s expressionless face.
But that was all.
“Enough. Stop talking. No matter what you say, the main family’s Clan Head already has an opponent decided.”
I continued speaking with great enthusiasm.
Even louder, so forcefully that those inside couldn’t possibly hear.
“What’s the point in meeting the Namgung Clan Head at a higher place when it’s not even the Shaman’s Current Sword Daoist? The outcome would be so obvious there’d be no fun in it.”
‘Come then.’
“There are accumulated grudges between us. Before I’m defeated by someone else and eliminated, allow me to send you off gracefully!”
‘It’s about time I broke free from this mold.’
Hmm? Namgung Cheon-yeong.
How long will you remain a sword wielded by others?
If you’ve grown as a sword, you should at least become a victorious blade.
‘Wield yourself, boy.’
That was the moment.
“Uncle.”
A quiet voice. Refined spiritual energy quietly permeated the surroundings.
“You said so when I stepped into the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. That I could accomplish everything I desired. That I possessed such qualifications.”
Namgung Sa-geom’s body stiffened slightly as he looked back.
Namgung Cheon-yeong was walking forward.
“I accept the designation from Baek Family’s Yang Hwi. Will you stop me?”
“C-Clan Head….”
Namgung Cheon-yeong’s face was expressionless and resolute.
Yang Hwi unconsciously whistled.
‘He’s completely different from a few days ago.’
As Namgung Cheon-yeong approached within arm’s reach, he gazed at Yang Hwi and placed his hand on his sword hilt.
“You said I wasn’t even worth your attention. Fair enough, I suppose. Now I see things far more clearly.”
He chuckled softly and asked in return.
“You’ve gained something, haven’t you? How far?”
“The picture is still incomplete, but at least I’ve grasped the brush.”
This bastard truly is talented, no question about it.
To achieve enlightenment and elevate one’s realm in such a short span of time.
Then again, Namgung Cheon-yeong is one of those rare talents who turns the impossible into the possible.
Comparable to the Shaman’s Current Sword Daoist and Adu of Shaolin.
‘If his master had been Cheonmu-sip-jon, he’d be wielding martial arts incomparable to now.’
When firewood is cast into the furnace, light and heat blaze forth.
The more wood, the fiercer the flames burn.
Thus external trials cultivate talent, opening it like a flower.
‘Throughout the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering he was scraped raw, and right before the True Dragon Tournament, I even gifted him terrible humiliation. He’s transmuted psychological pain into enlightenment.’
The Namgung Cheon-yeong of old would have found the match tedious, confident in certain victory.
But now… it seems he’ll actually enjoy this.
“Uncle. Or rather, Elder Namgung Sa-geom. The Clan Head of Namgung asks—will you obstruct my will?”
“…How could I? Please proceed with what the Clan Head desires.”
Namgung Cheon-yeong gazed at Yang Hwi once more.
“Between us… much has accumulated. Enough to be called a karmic grudge without reservation.”
“Not just without reservation—it is a karmic grudge, isn’t it?”
“In our next duel, I hope to sever this karmic bond between us.”
A low murmur. Yet the volume rivaled that of a shout.
Moreover, Namgung Cheon-yeong did not spare a glance at Jegal Seol-ha beside him.
He knew what truly mattered.
‘He’s shed his childish demeanor entirely. There was no need to create a dead end after all.’
The reason I had raised my voice to provoke Namgung Sa-geom.
It was to make the Namgung Cheon-yeong inside erupt in fury and burst forth.
Whether it was the impetuousness of youth or anything else, the duel itself was all that mattered for my purpose.
‘The picture has changed, but… I prefer it this way. Now that he’s matured and refined himself, it will taste all the sweeter.’
“Namgung Clan Head.”
I executed a formal fist salute with precision.
“I request a duel. Will you accept?”
“Baek Family Heir, Yang Hwi. Of course. I shall do my utmost.”
A satisfying outcome.
Seeing Namgung Cheon-yeong’s growth filled me with joy.
‘You’ve driven yourself forward. Well done. The previous you would have offered no satisfaction in breaking.’
In my past life, the Namgung Family had crushed everything about me.
They killed Chu Dal, the sworn brother who alone had survived.
They severed the aspiration to pass down the divine technique I had created for my clan.
Though I had slaughtered them all, I ultimately lost my life to a move from Namgung.
‘What is received must be repaid. If anything, tenfold.’
Namgung Cheon-yeong. Thank you for letting the seedling sprout.
Because of you… what was impossible has become possible.
‘Is this a rematch thirteen years after the final moment of my past life?’
A desolate expression settled across my face.
Let me trample and crush this seedling.
Just as Namgung in my past life had sought to crush the Baek Family.

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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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