Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 266

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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 266
Yang Hwi swallowed hard.
The moment of reckoning had arrived. From this point forward, every word I spoke would determine the future.
No matter how iron-willed one claimed to be, I couldn’t help but feel the tension.
‘But if I lose my composure now, the name “Greatest Under Heaven” becomes a mockery.’
I steadied my mind. If things go wrong, so be it—I’ll endure it.
They say even when the heavens collapse, there’s always a hole to crawl through. A confrontation with the Taeguk Sword Master? I’ll weather it somehow.
“Esteemed Master! Before I speak, how should I address you? As the Supreme Elder of the Shaman Sect? Or as the first Martial Alliance Leader? Which would you prefer?”
A sharp tension began to settle over the arena.
The spectators also grasped what Yang Hwi was asking.
“What does a title matter? Call me as you wish.”
“Then I shall address you as Martial Alliance Leader.”
The Sword Master’s eyes narrowed slightly at the unexpected answer.
Had he not anticipated that I would accept so readily after making such a show of asking?
“Your junior is foolish and finds it truly difficult to grasp your lofty intentions. Therefore, I must ask—what purpose does the Martial Alliance serve?”
“Mutual prosperity through unity. We gather as one to prosper together.”
“The Nine Schools and One Faction, the Five Great Families, and moreover the thirty-six major sects across the realm—with so many renowned schools, it seems a blessing for the martial world. Yet when too many oarsmen row, the boat drifts toward the mountains. Clearly, someone must hold the rudder steady.”
This answer too seemed unexpected.
The Taeguk Sword Master merely sent a glance, but transmissions arrived from others.
-Hwi. What are you thinking?
-Uncle, this differs from what you told me earlier.
-Hwi, are you planning to support the Martial Alliance?
‘Wait a moment. The current flows gently at first, but when it reverses sharply, the waters churn far more violently.’
“You said the Martial Alliance exists to unite the will of the martial world for mutual prosperity. Then why were certain sects excluded from the founding discussions?”
Another transmission arrived.
-Yang Hwi! Speaking so bluntly will damage our Jegal Family’s honor!
-Hwi, that seems premature. What exactly are you plotting?
I sent transmissions to Baek Moo-ryang and Jegal Seon respectively.
-Please wait. The picture will become clear soon.
I awaited the Taeguk Sword Master’s response.
He borrowed my own expression to illustrate his meaning.
“When too many oarsmen row in the opposite direction from where the boat should go, we had no choice but to leave them ashore.”
So the fault lies with the sects that refused to move together?
Then I had the perfect counterargument ready.
“The Martial Alliance is a union to gather the will of the martial world, so you would accept any sect that wishes to join?”
The Taeguk Sword Master’s eyes narrowed further.
My answers kept defying his expectations, and suspicion was beginning to take root.
“My family, the Baek Clan, could not participate in the founding discussions of the Martial Alliance. Though late, we now wish to join the alliance. As the heir of the Baek Family and acting representative of the Family Head, I make this declaration, and I swear upon my title as the Greatest Dragon Under Heaven.”
-My son!
-Baek Yang-hwi!
At this rate, I’ll end up hearing complaints later.
I need to show him the painting quickly.
“Now, as one of the alliance members, I must ask: Why are you the Alliance Master?”
“I don’t understand what you’re asking.”
“Shouldn’t a representative be elected with everyone’s consent? Did you seek the consent of all alliance members?”
“Of course. Everyone agreed when we discussed the founding.”
“I see. There must have been multiple candidates for Alliance Master, surely? That would be fair, after all. For instance, I believe Yeoilrakbul, Pacheon Eumhu, and Daehaeyongwangdo were among the candidates.”
Only then did certainty flash in Geom-ong’s eyes.
He had grasped what scheme this boy was attempting.
But it was already too late.
‘If I cannot prevent the Martial Alliance’s founding in one stroke, then I’ll eliminate the position of Alliance Master first.’
“Alliance member Baek Yang-hwi respectfully asks, Alliance Master! Was the selection of the first Alliance Master conducted fairly? Were the other Cheonmu-sip-jon given equal opportunity to compete?”
“You insolent brat, how dare you speak of the Taeguk….”
One of the Shaman elders rose in indignation, but was forced back down by a single glare.
If the Shaman faction appeared reckless now, it would cause considerable problems.
Taeguk Sword Master understood this well.
“Baek Yang-hwi, Heaven’s First Dragon.”
Yang Hwi bowed respectfully.
“Please speak, Alliance Master.”
“Your question is reasonable and valid. I must answer it.”
Geom-ong turned his head.
Three absolute beings seated at the highest places, equal to himself.
Pacheon Eumhu remained expressionless, Yeoilrakbul chuckled softly, and Daehaeyongwangdo scratched his head.
“Lakbul. Yongwang-do. I obtained consent from your affiliated sects, Shaolin and the Peng Family, but I did not ask for your opinions. Do you object to this Geom-ong assuming the position of Alliance Master?”
Embarrassment crossed Yang Hwi’s face.
That old man certainly knows how to use his head well.
‘He cleverly excluded Master by mentioning affiliated sects. He knew I would definitely object.’
In situations like this, improvisation is key.
“Alliance members! I, Baek Yang-hwi, Heaven’s First Dragon, hereby nominate Pacheon Eumhu as the first Alliance Master!”
Eum Hu was the first to react with startled surprise, never mind anyone else.
-Namgung Cheon-yeong! I have no intention of becoming Alliance Master!
Master, my apologies! Just ignore me for a moment while I shake things up on my own!
“While there has been discussion regarding the Alliance Master position, the alliance itself has not yet been formally established! Therefore, I believe it is not too late! Is that not so, Yeoilrakbul? Daehaeyongwangdo?”
After finishing, he quickly sent a transmission.
-Daehaeyongwangdo! We still have a wager between us, do we not? I won, so you must grant me one wish!
The wager made over the position of Heaven’s First Dragon.
Having defeated Adu and become Heaven’s First Dragon, Peng Fan must grant one wish.
-Hmph, you think this Daehaeyongwangdo will squander a wish for merely taking your side for a moment?
-How could that be! If you don’t take our side now, I’ll make sure to wish for something truly difficult and annoying!
-What? You dare threaten this Daehaeyongwangdo?
‘Oh, did I go too far?’
Just as my confidence wavered, Peng Fan’s voice transmission reached me.
-Hehehehe! You’ve got to give the junior disciple credit for his audacity. I’ll play along for now!
Phew, I’m safe. I’ve already hooked the Great Sea Dragon King. Now only Yeoilrakbul remains.
-Donor. If you’re confident you can make this more entertaining, feel free to use this old monk’s name.
‘Indeed, Shaolin truly is the greatest sect under heaven…!’
Such boundless magnanimity, vast as the endless sea!
I’m so glad I befriended Adu. A thousand times over, I made the right choice.
“I, Daehaeyongwangdo Peng Fan, would like to see Eum Hu and Geom-ong compete for the position of alliance leader.”
“Hehehehe, the donor shares my sentiment. Come to think of it, that would be far more just.”
The Taeguk Sword Master exchanged a meaningful glance with Yongwang-do and Lakbul before turning his head toward Eum Hu.
“Eum Hu. It seems I’ve ended up competing with you after all.”
“….”
Eum Hu released a deep, weary sigh.
-You’ll have to take responsibility for this, Namgung Cheon-yeong.
It seemed she’d resigned herself to whatever came next.
If things went wrong, I’d definitely face Chido-gon’s wrath.
‘If I don’t want to be beaten to death, I absolutely must succeed.’
“Two absolute beings who have ascended to the Heavens Beyond have graciously stepped forward as candidates for alliance leader of the Baekdo Martial Alliance. As alliance leader, I, Baek Yang-hwi, shall explain why I nominated Pacheon Eum Hu for the position of alliance leader!”
I swallowed hard and called out again.
“An alliance leader is one who guides the alliance. Above all else, the most crucial virtue is leadership. And leadership is the ability to guide and nurture alliance members toward a better path.”
I glanced briefly at Father and Jegal Seon’s faces.
Both of them seemed to be beginning to see the outline of my scheme.
“Hyeon Geom, the direct disciple of the Taeguk Sword Master, was defeated by me. Pacheon Eum Hu took me, merely a young master of a minor martial family, and with nothing more than a simple enlightenment to offer to the secular world, cultivated me into the First Dragon. And that’s not all!”
I turned my head to look at the members of the Jegal Family.
Among the countless people, one face shone brilliantly.
By the way, Seolha had become the First Peak just yesterday.
“Pye Wol-ok-bong Jegal Seol-ha! Or rather, I should now call her First Peak Jegal Seol-ha. Eum Hu has cultivated two disciples into the First Dragon and the First Peak!”
I said no more. If I mentioned it directly, I’d face criticism later.
Besides, what I’d said so far was more than enough for everyone to understand.
‘In truth, if we’re being fair, the old Sword Master, who built his own sect into something approaching the greatest sect under heaven, demonstrates far superior leadership.’
Sure enough, a rebuttal came from somewhere.
“By that logic, the Taeguk Sword Master, the founder of the Shaman sect and its first sect leader, seems to have proven his leadership even more decisively.”
I pulled out my prepared counter-argument.
“The Supreme Family Head of the Greatest Family, Daehaeyongwangdo Peng Fan, maintains an intimate relationship with Pacheon Eum Hu. Should Pacheon Eum Hu assume the position of alliance leader, wouldn’t he take on the role of vice-leader?”
-Namgung Cheon-yeong! How far are you planning to go!
-Master, my apologies. Please bear with me just a little longer.
-Junior disciple, taking on the vice-leader position is a bit difficult for me. But I’ll do it if you declare me as your disciple.
-If you truly end up serving as vice-leader, I’ll consider my wish fulfilled.
Now it’s truly all or nothing. If things go wrong here, I’ll have two Cheonmu-sip-jon breathing down my neck.
“A martial alliance where Eum Hu cultivates disciples like a master nurtures students, and Yongwang-do commands with the leadership that once ruled the greatest family under heaven! What do you think of that?”
No one dared voice a word of objection.
Not even the Shaman’s disciples.
They had no choice.
How could anyone refuse when two of the Cheonmu-sip-jon were involved?
‘Come to think of it, swallowing the martial alliance whole like this wouldn’t be so bad, would it?’
It truly wasn’t bad. If the only goal was making the Baek Family the greatest under heaven, it might be more efficient than anything else.
Of course, there was the worst drawback of being crushed by two members of the Cheonmu-sip-jon.
Moreover, the establishment of the martial alliance itself was a catastrophe that had to be prevented.
‘The very justification presented when announcing its founding was war with Hyeol Sa-ryeon. An alliance born from bloodlust should never exist.’
“Geom-ong. I humbly ask for your answer. Will you compete fairly for the position of alliance leader?”
“If the disciples wish it, I can do anything. That is what it means to be an alliance leader.”
I had secured the Taeguk Sword Master’s concession by pressing the matter of the leadership position.
Now came the next step. It was time to strike at the martial alliance itself.
‘The martial alliance has two justifications in total.’
The public justification announced was Hyeol Sa-ryeon.
But that was merely a superficial pretext in Baek Do fashion.
To move the great sects, there had to be tangible benefits attached.
‘They must have promised the rights and influence over Guizhou, which Hyeol Sa-ryeon controls, and Hunan, which falls under their sphere of influence.’
“Since you said you could do anything, let me ask the one now holding the position of alliance leader. Can you withdraw the declaration to strike down Hyeol Sa-ryeon? Far too much blood will be spilled! A righteous great war is bloodshed in itself!”
‘Well then, elder. You’ve been given two choices. Which will you pick?’
The Taeguk Sword Master shook his head, his expression stern and unyielding.
“That cannot be. We Baek Do warriors bear the duty to punish Hyeol Sa-ryeon.”
“Where does this duty of ours originate?”
“First, to honor the blood spilled in the past, and second, to weaken an evil force and prevent blood from being shed in the future.”
In other words, hunting down rival forces and claiming their flesh and bone for a twofold gain.
‘Vengeance for the past and profit for the present, is that it? Hehehehe.’
The Sword Master had two justifications to present.
Yet he spoke only of the disciples’ gains.
He did not mention the reason of saving the common people suffering under Hyeol Sa-ryeon’s oppression.
‘Because it wouldn’t resonate with them anyway.’
People commonly call Baek Do warriors righteous heroes.
But most Baek Do people are not righteous heroes.
They are Baek Do because they do not commit evil driven by greed—not because they necessarily perform good deeds.
‘He must have thought that claiming he would shed blood for strangers would lack persuasive power.’
But listen here, elder.
Since you declared that mutual benefit and coexistence is your path, you should have made relief of the common people your first and foremost justification.
Regardless of your true intentions.
‘Father would have spoken of the people’s peace first. That is the way of a righteous hero from humble origins.’
The Taeguk Sword Master. One of the absolute masters of all under heaven.
He took the bait.

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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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