Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 269

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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 269
Yang Hwi opened the first page of the Geom Seon’s Records and flipped through it rapidly.
For an ordinary person, it would have been impossible to read a single character at such speed, but I had no difficulty comprehending everything.
To be precise, I could perceive the characters the way one observes a painting—grasping only their visual form.
‘Where on earth is this script used?’
The Geom Seon’s Records contained two types of characters.
The first was the original content written there.
Mundane records—on what day and at what hour I conversed with whom, trained with my sword, and such daily occurrences.
Though vague and abstract musings were also inscribed, and careful examination might yield fragments of enlightenment.
But that wasn’t the crucial part.
‘The characters that emerged alongside the light—that’s the core.’
These were characters no one else could perceive.
So it was obvious something important lay within them.
The problem was I couldn’t read them at all.
What good was seeing the characters when others couldn’t?
I still couldn’t decipher them either.
“Blast it!”
I hurled the Geom Seon’s Records away. The book flew toward the wall.
Though I’d thrown it in frustration, I worried it might be damaged, so I leaped forward and caught it.
Then I sighed.
“Geom Seon, is this too the will of heaven or some arrangement? That the time hasn’t come yet, so I cannot read it?”
Several days had already passed since I became Jeil-ryong.
During that time, I’d exhausted every method that might unlock the secrets of the Geom Seon’s Records.
I’d sat with the book on my knees for hours, lost in meditation, wondering if spiritual connection was required.
I’d even copied the characters and visited document experts, hoping someone could decipher them.
‘When the characters first appeared, I thought I’d be able to read them immediately.’
The reason was simple—I’d met Swordmaster Yeo Dong-bin at the opportune moment and received something from him.
I withdrew the Dodo Tablet from my robes and rolled it across my palm.
“Now I have two objects whose purpose I don’t even know.”
The Dodo Tablet. And the Geom Seon’s Records.
Both belonged to Swordmaster Yeo Dong-bin.
He wouldn’t have left behind anything useless.
‘Could some kind of seal be placed on them, requiring certain conditions to be met before they unlock?’
That’s when the window shutter creaked open and someone entered.
“Brother!”
The one entering through the window frame as if it were a door was none other than Jegal Seol-ha.
‘Good heavens, I naturally assumed it would be Chu Dal. With her acting so recklessly, who would marry her?’
“The Pye-wol Jeil-bong of all people, moving through windows like some refined gentleman. People would be astonished if they knew.”
“What does it matter? I can just say I learned it from the Gae-cheon Jeil-ryong of all people.”
Pye-wol Jeil-bong, Jegal Seol-ha.
Gae-cheon Jeil-ryong Baek Yang-hwi.
The two of us, who served Eum Hu as both Master and Teacher, had become the greatest martial artists of this generation.
Yang Hwi responded with a smug air.
“Enough of that. Why did you suddenly show up?”
“Do I need a reason to visit you? Between us?”
She’d come simply because she was bored.
Speaking in roundabout ways instead of being direct—I wondered who taught her that.
‘Ah. Me.’
“The interpretation of the Swordmaster’s Decree doesn’t seem to be progressing much, does it?”
Jegal Seol-ha, who could read my expression alone, threw open the window wide.
“Then how about you go outside and play with this adorable junior disciple? Look, the weather is so beautiful!”
“I’m busy. There are banquets after banquets after banquets tonight.”
Having become the greatest martial artist of this generation, influential figures constantly reached out, each wanting a moment of my time.
For Seol-ha, the daughter of the Jegal Family, things were different, but for the Baek Family, this was a tremendous opportunity.
“Father is probably meeting and entertaining people right now as we speak. I should be doing the same, but I’ve carved out time because of the Swordmaster’s Decree.”
“Oh, don’t be like that. Should I go play with another man instead?”
“Go ahead.”
There are three ways to avoid trouble in life.
First among them: one must be perceptive to escape anger.
And when it came to perceptiveness, I would be second to none.
“Go ahead. Though I’m worried, so I could send someone to follow you? No, actually, I should go with you myself.”
Seol-ha’s fierce glare melted away, transforming into a crescent-shaped smile.
“If you’re going to do that anyway, wouldn’t it be better if we just walked together?”
I sighed inwardly and clapped my hands together.
“You’re right. I need a change of pace anyway. Let’s go, Seol-ha.”
“Wonderful, Senior Brother.”
‘Sigh. I don’t have time for this.’
But what could I do? If I’d ignored that fierce glare just now, she would’ve held a grudge and tormented me for months.
She might have even said something unfavorable about Eum Hu.
I was already waiting for Eum Hu’s summons because of the matter with the Great Sea Dragon King.
‘Yes, think of this as time spent to make Seol-ha firmly my ally.’
Honestly, there was much I owed her, so this much was nothing.
With that rationalization, I rose to my feet.
“Wait a moment. Since it’s a hassle to come back, I should wash up and change into proper clothes before going out.”
“Of course.”
I went downstairs, washed, and changed into fresh clothes.
Instead of the martial robes I usually wore—the ones I didn’t care if they tore—I put on a finely tailored robe made from luxurious fabric.
“Wow, Brother.”
“What?”
“You usually dress so sloppily, but seeing you dressed up like this… I see why people say you’re wasting your face.”
Yang Hwi awkwardly scratched his cheek.
“I see. Tonight’s banquet is quite an important occasion.”
A palace robe of predominantly black fabric, with azure silk layered over it to emphasize its elegance.
As the crowning touch, a pristine white hawk symbolizing the Baek Family was embroidered as a decorative pattern.
“Let’s go. Is there anywhere you’d like to visit?”
As I spoke, I placed my foot on the window frame.
Seolha followed behind me, stepping out through the window.
“Well, they say the view of the Yangtze River from Mount Sishan is exquisite. Shall we go see it?”
It was on the southern outskirts of Mu-han, so it would take an ordinary person an entire day’s journey to reach it.
But for a warrior who had reached enlightenment, it was no different than a casual stroll.
“Let’s do that.”
Just as I was about to leap into motion.
Seolha grabbed my collar from behind, causing me to lose my balance and nearly fall.
“What?”
“Don’t leap across the rooftops. Let’s try a different mood. People should walk along the streets.”
….
‘What’s with this girl who hates drawing people’s attention?’
“Fine then.”
Instead of bounding from rooftop to rooftop, I descended quietly to the main street of the marketplace.
“Huh? Gasp! The Gae-cheon Jeil-ryong!”
“A noble personage has arrived!”
“Isn’t that the Pye-wol Jeil-bong behind him!”
“With her face covered in silk, it’s unmistakable!”
Naturally, commotion erupted.
The Gae-cheon Jeil-ryong and Pye-wol Jeil-bong were currently the two most famous people in Mu-han, so it was unavoidable.
‘Seolha would be uncomfortable… Ah. So this girl actually wanted to enjoy people’s attention?’
Due to her childhood experiences and her ability to read people’s hearts and emotions through her eyes, Jegal Seol-ha avoided the gazes of those unfamiliar to her.
But at the same time, she possessed a strong desire for recognition.
‘She wanted to enjoy their reactions, but felt embarrassed and reluctant to do it alone, so she called me along.’
I considered playing a prank on her.
But I simply walked in silence.
This girl carried wounds in her heart—perhaps moments like these could be healing for her.

* * *
The sun was gradually sinking toward the horizon.
Jegal Seol-ha chattered away like a lark while performing her lightness technique, staying close beside me.
“The Four Mountains really is a beautiful place, isn’t it? It’s not even one of those world-renowned landmarks, yet it’s still so lovely. Don’t you think?”
We were heading back after touring the Four Mountains and the Yangtze River.
Since we’d left during the day and the sun was now setting, we’d spent roughly half a day together.
“Yeah. The energy here is so good that I felt like meditating in a seated position.”
“Tsk, we finally came out for an outing, and you want to train?”
“Of course.”
The moment the words left my mouth, I realized my mistake.
My tone had come out blunt and harsh without my realizing it.
I tried to quickly add something to soften it, but it was already too late.
Seol-ha had already sensed what was really on my mind.
Her hand grasped mine.
“Brother.”
“Speak, Seol-ha.”
“Don’t feel so pressured. Don’t let yourself be consumed by the obsession that you must grow stronger even a day sooner.”
…
How could I not feel that way?
The Cheonma—an absolute being—exists in this world, and I’ve even made him my enemy.
But still.
“Brother.”
“Mm.”
“I’ll help you.”
“Hm?”
“To the very end, no matter what it takes. I’ll help you.”
…
Perhaps she was simply trying to comfort me.
“Brother. You’re no longer a lonely orphan sleeping alone in a dirt-covered cave. You’re walking alongside countless people now. And I’m one of them.”
I knew this well enough.
But did she understand?
That when walking together, whoever stands at the front must decide which direction to take.
That if that direction is wrong, everyone walking together could fall off a cliff.
And yet… her sincerity was reaching my heart.
“Seol-ha.”
“Yes?”
“I just wanted to say thank you.”
“I have plenty to thank you for too, brother. It seems we siblings are the type to be grateful to each other!”
A small laugh escaped me.
“You’re right. I’m not fond of being indebted, but I suppose it can’t be helped.”
“It’s not a debt. I’ve never once thought of myself as owing you anything, brother. I regard you as my benefactor, but I don’t feel compelled to repay you. We simply walk together.”
Yes. No matter how towering the mountain, a path exists.
And there are those who walk it alongside us.
‘So I shall stand at the front of that path, clearing away thorns and laying bridges.’
For all who walk together with me.
For all those who speak as Jegal Seol-ha does.
For this is the Way of Heaven’s Canopy that I inherited from Father in my previous life.
“Are you the Gae-cheon Jeil-ryong and Pye-wol Jeil-bong!”
At the sudden voice, I turned my head.
Someone came rushing from the south gate of Mu-han, some distance away.
“We are, but who might you be?”
“Huff, huff. The Cheonmu-sip-jon Pacheon Eumhu is looking for both of you! I’ve been searching all day—so you went outside!”
Seolha and Yang Hwi exchanged glances.
“It seems it’s today after all.”
“Indeed. Master must have made her decision.”
With so much that had transpired, the significance had faded somewhat.
For Eum Hu, this Dragon-Phoenix Struggle was also a process of confirming the path of her lay disciple Yang Hwi.
Both of them knew this fact.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes.”
I launched myself forward. It was roughly a li’s distance to Eum Hu’s quarters.
After bounding down from the roof one last time, Yang Hwi straightened his robes.
It was only natural to present oneself properly when visiting one’s master.
“Seolha. If Master tries to cast me out, you’ll help me, right?”
“Of course.”
Good—at least I had some insurance now.
I moved forward and stood before Eum Hu’s chamber.
“Master. Your disciple Yang Hwi has arrived.”
“Seolha came too. We were together. May we enter, Master?”
The young girl’s voice, melodious as a gentle tune, seeped into my ears.
“Come in.”
I felt no tension. I had confidence in the path I had demonstrated.
But.
The moment the door opened and I saw the two figures within the chamber.
Tension surged to the crown of my head.
Cheonmu-sip-jon Pacheon Eumhu. Cheonmu-sip-jon Daehaeyongwangdo.
Two absolute beings glared at each other menacingly.
“Junior Disciple!”
“Junior Disciple!”
“Speak at once!”
“Now is the time to make a decision!”
The cries of the two Cheonmu-sip-jon rang out simultaneously.
“Do you wish to become the disciple of the Great Sea Dragon King?”
“Tell me you wish to become my disciple!”
I looked toward Seolha. She had already begun to distance herself.
Her lips twitched as she mouthed words silently.
‘Brother, I can’t help you with this. Good luck.’
Well, yes.
This was turning into a real problem.
“Um, both of you, please calm down for a moment….”
“Calm down?! This immature fool who can’t act his age is coveting my disciple!”
“For someone your age, you’re the one who can’t act it, prancing about with the appearance of a young girl!”
“What did you say!”
“With two disciples, can’t you spare one to your rival!”
A momentum that was difficult even for me to bear swept forth like a storm.
Hair and robes fluttering in the wind.
I laughed awkwardly.
This was truly a disaster.
‘How am I supposed to get through this?’
Wait, I already won the wager, so why is the Great Sea Dragon King telling me to become a disciple or not?
I couldn’t say for certain, but it seemed there was some emotional conflict between the two of them.
‘I was planning to smoothly navigate this over drinks, play it cool about becoming a disciple, and try to extract martial techniques. But Eum Hu ruined it all.’
If I tried to probe and waver now, the Great Sea Dragon King would surely harbor resentment.
I had to make a clear choice between one or the other.
“Make your decision, Junior Disciple!”
“Speak at once, Junior Disciple!”
“Say you’ll remain my disciple!”
“Say you’ll serve a new master!”
I had to give a definitive answer.
I quickly bowed respectfully.
“Both esteemed ones, this humble junior disciple humbly addresses you.”
The fierce momentum quieted as they listened.
Sensing the moment, I spoke the decision I had made in my heart.
“Great Sea Dragon King, I cannot become your disciple.”
“What, why…?”
An expression as if struck on the back of the head by a hammer.
It seemed the Great Sea Dragon King had assumed I would unconditionally say I wished to become his disciple.
“I shall now explain my reasons.”

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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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