Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 250

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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 250
To be honest, I was lukewarm when the Taeguk Sword Master dangled the bait.
I already knew what the reward was, and I didn’t particularly need the Taeching Pill anyway.
At minimum, a decade’s worth of inner strength cultivation? Acquiring the temperament of the Tangma Extermination Immortal?
With the vast reserves of Spiritual Qi I possessed thanks to the Dan-hwans left behind by Geom Seon, none of it was necessary.
‘But if it’s Geom Seon’s records, that’s a different story.’
Even the Taeching Pill alone was such a rare treasure that releasing it into the martial world would spark a blood catastrophe.
Yet it could not compare to the records Geom Seon had personally written and left behind.
As if to prove this, the banquet hall erupted into chaos.
“Records personally left by Yeo Dong-bin himself!”
“Is this not the very history of the martial world itself!”
“If Geom Seon wrote this during his lifetime, it must be a thousand years old by now.”
“How can this be…!”
The greatest martial artist of this age… no, the greatest of all time—that was none other than Geom Seon Yeo Dong-bin.
My thoughts naturally converged into a single realization.
‘If even a single technique of Geom Seon’s were recorded in there….’
‘It would surely contain enlightenment and the path to ascension!’
‘Even if it were merely casual musings like a diary, memorizing and contemplating them would yield something of value.’
Greed gleamed in everyone’s eyes. The Geom Seon Records were precisely the kind of treasure that warranted such desire.
Decades ago, during the Geom Wang Fortress blood catastrophe, two or three sects of the Gu-pa level and above were annihilated or suffered catastrophic damage, and countless lives were lost.
Such was the nature of a supreme martial artist’s legacy.
But this was the legacy of Geom Seon, revered not merely as the greatest of this age, but as the greatest of all ages!
“Jang Moon-in. Bring it forth.”
At the Taeguk Sword Master’s command, the Shaman Jang Moon-in presented an antique wooden box.
The moment the lid opened, a clear and crystalline aura filled the entire banquet hall.
“Ahhhhhhh!”
“Such utterly pure spiritual essence!”
“This is undoubtedly a divine treasure surpassing even ordinary divine artifacts!”
In the martial world exist divine treasures imbued with special properties—Shaolin’s Jade Immovable Buddha, the Shaman’s Pine Gate Ancient Sword, and the like.
Much like the Jegal Family’s Dragon-Coiling Crown, said to grant the wisdom of resonance when worn upon the head.
Commonly called divine artifacts or divine objects.
The Geom Seon Records were undoubtedly among the most precious of such divine treasures.
“I cannot fathom how a mere book could emanate such an aura.”
“That is precisely why it is Geom Seon’s legacy.”
As various speculations flew about, only I had discerned the true nature of the pure aura emanating from the Geom Seon Records.
‘Spiritual Qi. That book contains Spiritual Qi, albeit faint.’
Why had the reward changed?
Even the Taeching Pill alone would have been sufficient to set everyone’s eyes ablaze.
Thirteen years since my return. I had wrought many changes in that time.
Yet if it were a change significant enough for the Shaman sect to take notice….
‘Three generations of Demonic Cult? No. Thinking back to when Neung-o was around, Geom-ong already knows quite a lot.’
Two things stood out to me.
First. Adu didn’t die and entered the Dragon-Phoenix Struggle.
As a result, unlike my previous life, Geom-ong’s disciple Hyeon Geom entered the Dragon-Phoenix Struggle… ah.
‘If he’s confident that Hyeon Geom will become Jeil-ryong, he wouldn’t hesitate to stake even the Geom Seon Decisive Battle and the Song Family’s ancient sword.’
Should I verify if my guess is correct?
“Yang Hwi of the Baek Family respectfully addresses the Taeguk Sword Master.”
My sudden proclamation drew everyone’s attention.
“Speak.”
“I am grateful for your permission. I ask: who do you believe will become Jeil-ryong?”
“There are many outstanding young talents in the martial world worth noting… but the arm bends inward, as they say. Bin-do of our Shaman sect hopes that our Hyeon Geom will rise to the top.”
I could feel the certainty and the will that it must be so.
Indeed, if Jeil-ryong comes from the Shaman sect, it would greatly aid the establishment of the Martial Alliance.
In my previous life, since Shaolin didn’t exist, it didn’t matter where Jeil-ryong came from, but this life is different.
‘So he’s betting everything on Hyeon Geom, is he?’
A decision brimming with arrogant confidence. This calls for a spectacular collapse, doesn’t it?
I stared directly at the Taeguk Sword Master, and our eyes met.
A pair of eyes deep and profound, unfathomably serene.
They felt like an old ink painting, faded with age.
‘…Could there be hidden intentions?’
A sudden thought. The Taeguk Sword Master is a monster who has lived well over a hundred years.
Would such a being truly move with only a single thought?
…I don’t know.
‘In times like this, I simply must move forward. First, let me secure the position of Jeil-ryong and the Geom Seon Decisive Battle.’
The Geom Seon Decisive Battle alone gives me more than enough reason to win.
‘Reverse Heaven, Return to Clarity, Restore the Original Flow.’
The voice from heaven I heard when reversing time.
Geom Seon was almost certainly the source of that voice and the one who granted me this miraculous return.
‘I still know so little. I must gather every clue I can find.’
Even if I cannot obtain information about my return, I’m certain there’s something to gain.
Who knows—perhaps the Shaman sect people haven’t discovered the second technique of the Heavenly Escape Sword Method hidden within.

* * *
Caught in thoughts of worry—or perhaps affliction—I was lost in contemplation when Nong-o Daoist sent someone to find me.
“Young Master, the Nong-o Daoist from Jeomchang wishes to see you.”
Since the incident days prior, Nong-o Daoist had been staying at the lodgings where the Dang Family members resided.
Among the senior members of the Dang Family, those affiliated with the Medical Poison sect possessed medical skills superior even to the finest physicians in Mu-han, which was why Yang Hwi had arranged for his care.
“Nong-o? I should go see him.”
The last time I had seen his face was roughly ten days ago.
Nong-o Daoist had grown gaunt.
‘With injuries so severe, it’s fortunate he survived at all.’
My disciple and the Sect Leader had engaged in a life-and-death struggle against a supreme master—by that measure, his current condition was remarkably good.
“It has been a long time, Nong-o.”
“Baek Dou.”
“Please, call me Hwi’s Younger Brother. You have already accomplished your great ambition.”
“To me, ‘Dou’ is more familiar than ‘brother.’ Baek Dou is truly one I can call a helper.”
Well then, so be it.
“How is your health?”
“I have fulfilled a lifelong aspiration. What matter is there if I am not well?”
He seemed to be doing well.
“I asked you here to offer my thanks. I am grateful that you believed in me and waited.”
“There is nothing to thank me for. I believed in someone worthy of belief.”
“That is also true.”
Like dust and sand becoming stone under heat and pressure, Nong-o Daoist had transformed from three years prior—taciturn now, yet fortified with strength.
‘Indeed. An arrow released from the bowstring does not hesitate.’
With singular resolve, he had grasped victory against an overwhelming force.
‘Yet I… harbor much doubt.’
I know where I must arrive.
But if the path I walk splits into countless choices?
Since participating in the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, I have felt this acutely.
Even with the same destination, the difficulty and time required would differ based on my choices.
‘Hyeol Gyoju. Taeguk Sword Master. Geom Seon’s Secret. Nang Hon. Assassination. Namgung Family. Too many variables.’
I know from experience that I must simply move forward in such moments.
Yet that does not mean doubt does not arise.
If I were alone, perhaps. But the safety of my family’s main branch rests upon my shoulders.
“Do not hesitate.”
“Pardon?”
“It is written all over your face.”
“Ah. I was lost in thought before you. My apologies.”
“It is done.”
Expressionless, or perhaps unyielding.
With a face like stone, Nong-o Daoist continued speaking.
“Baek Dou. Allow me to offer a word of counsel. Cut away the root of your anguish.”
It was advice quintessentially Nong-o in nature.
Yet Yang Hwi’s position differed somewhat.
“Death can never be undone. If the one cut down were evil, that would be one matter—but if certainty eludes us, then blame would be justly deserved.”
Nong-o shook his head silently.
“Bin-do committed the grave sin of betraying his sect.”
“But there were circumstances, were there not?”
“Even if he joined hands with the Demonic Cult, Myeong-wol, your predecessor, was undoubtedly an elder of Jeomchang—a sect where he was raised from youth. He even rose to become sect leader.”
Certainly, had Nong-o not drawn in the Taeguk Sword Master at the cost of betraying Won-woo, the probability of him facing execution in that very moment would have been considerable.
Nong-o himself must have known this truth.
“Yet I acted.”
Nong-o slew the sect leader of Jeomchang.
Becoming an arrow himself, he pierced through the demon that gnawed at Jeomchang’s foundation.
“If you believe it is right, then nothing else deserves your concern.”
As a deeply rooted tree does not sway in the wind.
When conviction is absolute, there is no reason to hesitate.
“The Baek Dou that Bin-do knows is an exceptionally wise man. So trust yourself, and release the bowstring.”
…My mind became clear.

* * *
“The victor is the Gaecheon Geomryong of the Baek Family!”
“Waaaaaaaah!”
The duel with Mo Yong-mo ended in merely five hundred breaths.
The Mo Yong Family is renowned for martial prowess combined with equestrian mastery. Without a horse beneath them, they cannot display their full strength.
‘So I made sure to put on a display of fierce struggle before defeat. I’ll have to get a drink from him later.’
As expected, a transmission arrived from Mo Yong-mo.
-I am grateful, Young Master Baek. I shall repay this debt without fail.
From our first meeting, he seemed rather timid for a direct descendant of the Five Great Families, and it appears he was deeply moved by this small gesture of consideration.
-Think nothing of it.
I offered a suitable response and searched the spectator stands for an empty seat.
Since I had fought second, I intended to watch the remaining matches.
‘Where is there a seat… ah, there’s one next to Adu.’
Incidentally, Adu had fought first. When I approached and tapped his back, his face brightened.
“Yang Hwi! Want some rice cake?”
“No thanks.”
I opened my mouth as his hand patted my shoulder.
Without even turning my head, I had already recognized my companion by her distinctive fragrance.
“Seolha, didn’t you have a match today?”
Jegal Seol-ha plopped down beside me.
Her silk robes fluttered in the breeze, and I felt the gazes of those around us grow distant and entranced.
“I finished early and came to watch my brother’s match.”
“Me? Then I’m already too late.”
“Not my martial brother—my blood brother.”
“Ah.”
Jegal Hwa-un displayed the prowess befitting a direct descendant of the Five Great Families, advancing to the sixteenth round of the Dragon-Phoenix Tournament.
His martial prowess was so exceptional that had this been an ordinary Dragon-Phoenix Gathering, I wondered if he wouldn’t have become the foremost dragon.
But this Dragon-Phoenix Gathering had far too many monsters for a later-stage competition.
Now that I thought about it, the next match was Jegal Hwa-un’s.
‘That Nang Hon bastard—he’s clearly selecting opponents only connected to me for his matches. If he defeats Elder Dang, will he target the Jegal Young Master in the quarterfinals?’
Or perhaps it could be Adu.
If we’re counting personal connections, Adu seemed more likely.
Well, either way didn’t matter. I intended to release my arrow as Neung-o had said.
My frustration with that Nang Hon bastard ended here.
‘Now that I think about it, I’m suddenly curious.’
“Seolha.”
“Yes?”
“You said Nang Hon admires you. Have you tried mixing words with him?”
“Huh? Why would I?”
I frowned and stuck out my tongue, and she continued speaking.
“You’re going to ask me to gather suspicious information on his behalf instead, aren’t you? I don’t like that.”
“…I wasn’t planning to ask in the first place.”
However, seeing her reaction made me want to ask something.
“It seems like there’s a reason you dislike it, not just because it’s bothersome? Do you sense something?”
Jegal Seol-ha could perceive others’ inner landscapes thanks to her Peony Body technique.
Since she could feel the shape of hearts directly, her eye for reading people was remarkably accurate.
“Usually, the more positive an inner landscape appears, the better it feels. But with him, it’s the opposite. His form is beautiful, yet… it feels unsettling, and I don’t want to get close.”
It meant he was different from ordinary people.
What aspect of Nang Hon made her feel this way?
“What form does his inner landscape take?”
“…In some ways, it’s similar to yours, brother.”
“The Jegal Young Master?”
“No. You, my martial brother.”
“Me? You said my inner landscape was a rock covered in scars.”
“…That was before.”
“Does that mean my inner landscape has changed?”
“Inner landscapes don’t change so easily. Have I ever seen someone whose changed? However, the eyes that perceive them can change.”
It meant Jegal Seol-ha’s perception of inner landscapes had transformed.
“It’s just a feeling, but it seems you’re not simply a rock. The same goes for that Nang Hon. Because what I see differs from what appears, it feels unsettling and wrong.”
Jegal Seol-ha continued, catching herself.
“The strange thing is… if I’m curious about how your inner landscape differs, with Nang Hon, it’s more like an ominous feeling—not knowing what lies hidden in the darkness.”
My eyes widened slightly.
“If it’s dark and murky, like when I’ve seen those corrupt bastards from the demonic sects and evil paths?”
If that were the case, the possibility of Nang Hon belonging to the Blood Cult would be extremely high.
He denied it with his name on the line, but trusting the tongues of those demonic bastards would be foolish.
However, Jegal Seol-ha shook her head.
“No. Nang Hon’s inner landscape is neither dark nor murky.”
“Then? Explain in detail.”
Jegal Seol-ha gazed at Nang Hon for a moment.
Then she began to describe the inner landscape she perceived.
“…A flower bud.”
“A flower bud?”
“Yes. Enormously large and pure white, with no color existing within it… that kind of bud.”

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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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