Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 267

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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 267
Had the Taeguk Sword Master raised the liberation of suffering common people as his banner,
and declared that the Murim Alliance’s sole purpose was righteous chivalry,
I would have had to concede here.
Righteous chivalry—a value and cause that no member of the Baek Family could ever refuse.
At least, not openly.
‘But I cannot raise such a banner. If I did, it would place severe constraints on the Alliance’s actions.’
Sacrifice the small to gain the great.
By not mentioning the suffering common people, the Taeguk Sword Master had treated them as the small to be sacrificed.
Only then could he make the sects within the Alliance follow him.
‘Father truly is remarkable.’
Something even the Cheonmu-sip-jon of all heaven could not swear to lightly.
Something far too vast for one who spent most of his life as the Family Head of a third-rate martial family to raise as the Way of the Family Head.
This was the righteous chivalry of the Covering Heaven that Baek Moo-ryang had proclaimed.
“In other words, the Alliance’s purpose is to tear flesh from enemies to strengthen the Baek Family’s power, all while avenging past grievances and eliminating future threats. That is what you have stated as your reason.”
I spoke deliberately and bluntly. Those who had already agreed to join the Alliance would feel discomfort, but this expression was necessary.
The reason was simple.
‘The Baek Family is not inherently virtuous, but it is true that many of them are relatively righteous.’
I observed the surroundings keenly, and as soon as the desired reaction appeared, I continued speaking.
‘I’ve drawn out the buried psychological resistance. Now comes the next part.’
-Father, I ask of you.
-What is it?
-Please simply speak your honest thoughts.
After considering something, Baek Moo-ryang slowly rose to his feet.
“Baek Moo-ryang, Family Head of the Baek Family of Covering Heaven, respectfully addresses the Taeguk Sword Master.”
“Speak, Family Head.”
“My son Yang Hwi declared that he would join the Alliance representing our family, but as Family Head, I hereby announce that this declaration is void.”
The assembly was struck with shock.
No matter how hastily one joined the Alliance, once the Taeguk Sword Master had approved it, one was a member of the Alliance.
A family had withdrawn from the Murim Alliance before it was even properly established.
“The Alliance Leader cited two reasons. However, the Baek Family is one that walks the path of righteous chivalry of Covering Heaven. The blood that must be spilled for revenge and gain, the suffering of common people that will inevitably arise in the process—these do not align with the Baek Family’s path. Therefore, I believe Yeon will not touch it either.”
‘Yes, this is it. I knew Father would speak this way.’
Yang Hwi brazenly took up the thread.
“Oh my, how shameful. I did not expect Father to object.”
Having drawn out the buried psychological resistance through blunt expression, a withdrawing family now appeared, citing that very resistance as their reason.
The atmosphere began to waver gradually. The Taeguk Sword Master noticed this and tried to step forward, but Yang Hwi, who had prepared in advance, was faster.
“Evil is like rats—show one and they multiply uncontrollably. Already numbering in the dozens, we must exterminate them before they form a horde! Otherwise, our granaries will be emptied. We must unite the Baek Family through the Murim Alliance! Is that not so, Alliance Leader?”
I preempted the logic the Taeguk Sword Master was about to speak and turned the question back on him.
“Your words are right. We establish the Murim Alliance first to reduce the blood that must be spilled.”
‘Exactly. I knew he would agree.’
Though I had supported him earlier only to receive a blow to the back of my head, as Geom-ong, I could not deny it.
If I said otherwise now, the justification I had just presented would become utterly meaningless.
‘You judged that creating a sense of crisis would do no harm. Allow me to show you otherwise.’
“But consider this—the Hyeol Sa-ryeon has been quiet for decades since the Geom Wang’s blood purge. Forming an alliance and making such a declaration of war could be a decision that spills needless blood, could it not?”
The Taeguk Sword Master’s expression shifted subtly.
A hint of contempt, perhaps? As if to say, were you truly attempting to strike me from behind once more with such a shallow trick?
“We all know what the descendants of the Sima Outer Sect and the Black Path are. Those who cannot help but use their power once they possess it! Those who gather only to commit oppression and plunder!”
The Taeguk Sword Master stretched both arms wide to either side.
With that motion, brilliant white light swords materialized in the empty air.
A demonstration of boundless martial prowess reaching toward the heavens. An overwhelming presence that dominated all.
A solemn declaration followed.
“We perform what must be done—how then can we concern ourselves with gain and loss? In the extermination of evil enemies, there is no needless blood! I swear upon the name of this Taeguk Sword Master, fellow righteous ones. Our Martial Alliance shall unite to eradicate the Hyeol Sa-ryeon, yet the true essence of this endeavor lies in the peace and security of all common people under heaven!”
At last, the Taeguk Sword Master had spoken of peace for all under heaven.
It was a justification that no righteous person could possibly refute—a strike at the very heart of righteousness itself.
Yet Yang Hwi could not help but cry out in delight.
‘Checkmate, Elder!’
That was the moment.
“This humble Sect Leader of the Hyeol Sa-ryeon, Bukak Taeseong, dares to speak!”
Everyone was startled by this utterly unexpected appearance.
Even the Taeguk Sword Master of all under heaven could not hide his bewilderment.
“The Sect Leader?!”
“Did he not depart after his defeat to the First Dragon?”
“I definitely saw him leave with my own eyes. I have no idea when he returned.”
Bukak Taeseong waited for the commotion to settle before performing a respectful bow to all directions.
Then he made his declaration.
“The Hyeol Sa-ryeon does not desire war! Therefore, I humbly petition the righteous martial world of the Baek Path to establish a treaty for lasting peace! I speak this truth with my position as Sect Leader of the Hyeol Sa-ryeon at stake—there is not a shred of falsehood in my words!”
It was as if a bomb had detonated.
Watching the crowd erupt in uncontrollable murmurs, Yang Hwi’s lips curved upward as memories flooded back.
‘Indeed, it was wise to win over the Sect Leader’s son.’

* * *
Hyeol Sa-ryeon’s Sect Leader, Bukak Taeseong. The moment he returns to Hyeol Sa-ryeon, he will be purged without question.
After all, he was nothing more than a puppet created to probe Baek Do’s martial world and the Taeguk Sword Master.
‘Well, even a puppet has its uses.’
“I summoned you because I have something to tell you.”
“What is it, sir?”
“A justification that will keep you from being purged when you return to Hyeol Sa-ryeon.”
Desperation and curiosity flickered across his face.
Seeing that he grasped his predicament, he wasn’t entirely foolish.
“Simple. Listen to what I say, memorize it, and relay it to the Hyeol Sa-ryeon Master.”
Yang Hwi continued.
“Tell him that you, this Sect Leader, personally prevented a crisis for Hyeol Sa-ryeon.”
“A crisis?”
“Yes. A crisis. First, leave Mu-han. Act like a defeated cur with its tail between its legs.”
The Sect Leader bristled. I waved my hand to calm him.
“Stay angry if you must, but hear me out first. Fleeing is just a cover—sneak back in secretly. Then wait for my signal.”
“When you say ‘signal,’ what exactly do you mean?”
“The finishing touch of the dragon. Your role is to be the dragon’s eye.”
I elaborated on the judgment I had formed by combining my past and present lives.
“The Taeguk Sword Master will unite the Baek Do sects into a single martial alliance. The pretext will be eliminating Hyeol Sa-ryeon. That’s enough to call it a crisis for Hyeol Sa-ryeon, isn’t it?”
“Hmm, I cannot deny that. But there’s no way Baek Do could ever unite.”
In theory, it was impossible for dozens or hundreds of sects to move as one.
Hyeol Sa-ryeon had the incomparable Hyeol Sa-ryeon Master and his sworn brothers to command everyone, but such a thing could never happen in Baek Do.
It was structurally impossible.
“The Taeguk Sword Master is an existence who can make the impossible possible. Haven’t you noticed how the Shaman has challenged the greatest sect under heaven in merely a hundred years?”
Since this was something that happened in the future, I could speak with certainty.
“That’s why I need you. I will make the Taeguk Sword Master declare that he strikes Hyeol Sa-ryeon as a preemptive measure for the sake of Baek Do and the realm’s peace. At that moment, you deliver the finishing touch.”
“….”
Bukak Taeseong fell into thought. I waited for him in silence.
“I see. Under the premise that the board is properly set, I will gain credit for preventing the righteous-versus-evil great war.”
“Exactly. A mere puppet becomes a true Sect Leader. Even the Hyeol Sa-ryeon Master couldn’t remove you without reasonable cause, could he?”
“But if the Master finds this displeasing? He could assassinate me and blame it on Baek Do’s assassins, gaining justification and more.”
I clicked my tongue.
“Fool. Why would the Hyeol Sa-ryeon Master dislike it?”
“Why is that?”
“Think for once. Is your head just for decoration?”
Suppose the Hyeol Sa-ryeon Master, true to his heterodox nature, desires the righteous-versus-evil great war.
Would he rather fight a unified martial alliance, or multiple divided Baek Do sects?
The answer was obvious.
“As a single force, Hyeol Sa-ryeon cannot match any sect of Baek Do.”
As the name suggested, Hyeol Sa-ryeon was a coalition of various sects and dark path factions.
This was precisely why Shaolin was called the greatest sect under heaven, despite the existence of Hyeol Sa-ryeon and the Yangtze River Alliance.
Because even as a single force, it was not a unified sect.
“Even if the Hyeol Sa-ryeon leader desires conflict, the very formation of a martial alliance would be something he’d resent.”
No—from the Hyeol Sa-ryeon leader’s perspective, his wariness would far exceed mere resentment. He would be extremely vigilant about the righteous sects uniting.
And if the justification were the subjugation of Hyeol Sa-ryeon itself, he would deem it all the more dangerous.
In other words, the Sect Leader’s achievement was not preventing the final great war.
His true accomplishment was preventing the formation of the martial alliance.
“It doesn’t matter that the righteous sects strike at Hyeol Sa-ryeon. You alone stopped them from uniting.”
Both the Hyeol Sa-ryeon disciples and even the Hyeol Sa-ryeon leader himself would have no choice but to acknowledge it.
That I alone had prevented Hyeol Sa-ryeon’s gravest crisis.
“If what you say is true, then why are you trying to prevent the alliance’s formation?”
‘Because if the alliance forms, it leads to an even greater bloodshed.’
I had no intention of speaking the truth, so I decided to hand him a suitably false weakness instead.
“As you know, I’m close with the Jegal Family. I don’t want the Shaman sect gaining power.”
“Ha, just the typical squabbling between righteous sects.”
After inducing the misunderstanding, I extended my hand.
“So, will you add the finishing touch or not?”
“I will. It’s too tempting a bait to pass up. If you harbor any other intentions… I will certainly retaliate. Certainly.”
“Don’t worry. It’s the absolute truth—not a shred of deception.”
I grasped the Sect Leader’s hand and shook it several times.
With this, the insurance for the final act was secured, and the eye that would complete the painting was now in place.
‘Heh, to think I’d use a mere scarecrow so efficiently. I truly am something else.’

* * *
“As the Sect Leader of Hyeol Sa-ryeon, I swear this oath! We desire lasting peace with Baek Do and the martial world!”
As the Sect Leader’s proclamation continued, the murmurs among the assembly grew louder.
“We can pledge this through a written treaty, and this pledge shall endure eternally so long as Baek Do does not strike us first!”
At last, the Sect Leader delivered the final flourish to his declaration.
“Hyeol Sa-ryeon does not wish to shed meaningless blood!”
‘Well, well, he’s doing better than I expected? The boy’s got some sense after all.’
Yang Hwi watched the Sect Leader with a wry smile playing at his lips.
‘These heretical sects spouting such words, yet Baek Do is the one initiating war? How absurd.’
The welfare of the common people should have been placed as the highest value.
Had it been so, I could have countered that we moved for their liberation.
But the Taeguk Sword Master did not do so.
‘This is why your path and mine cannot walk together, Elder.’
Vengeance. Future threats. Spoils of war.
The Taeguk Sword Master had grounded his justifications solely in rational and pragmatic gains and losses.
In this moment, his justifications crumbled to nothing.

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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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