Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 271

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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 271
After Yang Hwi and the Great Sea Dragon King departed, I attended to my master Eum Hu and engaged in pleasant conversation.
“Sigh… Seolha.”
“Yes, Master.”
Eum Hu, whose expression bore the weight of exhaustion, studied my face carefully.
My disciple, who had blossomed so beautifully.
Perhaps… my role might prove even more crucial than expected.
“Tell me, what was the state of mind of Namgung Cheon-yeong, your senior brother?”
As my master, she naturally possessed the ability to perceive the form and emotions dwelling within a person’s heart.
“Just as always. Scarred like weathered stone, yet solid and round. And….”
I paused, considering my words carefully before swallowing the rest.
Though I had gained certainty after witnessing Cheonma’s inner landscape, it remained unknown, so I held my tongue.
‘Perhaps my brother might not be stone at all.’
“What of his emotions? When conversing with the Dragon King, what feelings did he harbor?”
Wind swept around the scarred stone.
Yet the stone was no reed, and it showed not the slightest tremor.
I reported this observation.
“I see.”
In the previous Dragon-Phoenix Struggle, Yang Hwi had proven the path he wished to walk of his own volition.
Though I harbored concerns about the harshness of his methods, the path he pursued was straight and righteous.
Therefore, I chose to trust my disciple.
Because I trusted him, I did not prevent him from learning the Dragon King’s martial arts.
It was then.
“Eum Hu. I’ve returned.”
Perhaps two hours had passed since his departure. The Dragon King had already come back.
“Hehehehe, your disciple is far more of a genius than I anticipated.”
High praise indeed, yet I merely nodded.
“Namgung Cheon-yeong’s talent has always been worthy of admiration. Have you completed the transmission?”
“As far as the Magnificent Ocean Divine Art is concerned.”
“So you’ve essentially given him your core martial technique.”
“Indeed.”
Listening to their exchange, I found myself smiling without realizing it.
‘My brother truly is remarkable.’
A talent that could move two of the Cheonmu-sip-jon to such admiration.
If I wished to keep pace, I would need to run with all my might.
For I desired to walk beside Yang Hwi, not merely in his shadow.
“Given how matters have unfolded… I find myself delighted, though I must apologize to you, Eum Hu. Please forgive me.”
“Think nothing of it. It has been quite some time since I witnessed you demonstrate such resolute determination, so I was somewhat taken aback.”
“There is no helping it. This generation’s Jeil-ryong is such a child.”
Eum Hu’s hand reached out gently toward me.
“The current generation’s First Peak is also that sort of child.”
“Master, hehe.”
Suddenly, Peng Fan’s expression turned mischievous.
“Come to think of it, with a single choice, my junior disciple has managed to secure the cooperation of both the Jegal and Peng families among the Five Great Families. His cunning is worthy of a fox, truly.”
Eum Hu, Jegal Seol-ha’s master, had formed close ties with the Jegal Family ever since receiving Yang Hwi’s counsel years ago.
She had come to wield even greater influence than Jegal Seol-ha, though the latter was a direct bloodline daughter.
This was also a choice made by Jegal Seol-ha, who stood in conflict with the Taeguk Sword Master’s shaman.
“Strictly speaking, isn’t the Peng Family’s position ambiguous? I doubt you would allow your clan to suffer fatal losses for the sake of your disciple.”
“Hmm… well, that’s true.”
Peng Fan scratched his cheek. He, who had been abandoned by his family for lacking talent, had become the Family Head through a series of fortunate encounters.
The family that had finally become his own was his absolute first priority.
“It’s likely also the reason why Namgung Cheon-yeong never became your disciple.”
“I’ve been thinking about it. I suspect that’s one of the reasons.”
“Considering what lies ahead… hmm.”
When Eum Hu paused, Jegal Seol-ha perceptively rose to her feet.
“I shall take my leave now. Please, continue your conversation.”
“Go on then.”
After offering a respectful bow, Jegal Seol-ha stepped outside.
‘My brother will need some time, won’t he?’
I should return first and freshen up my appearance once more, then send word to the Baek Family that I cannot attend the banquet.
It was as I leaped forward with such thoughts.
While crossing from rooftop to rooftop, I felt a single strand of energy.
‘Could it be…?’
My expression changed rapidly as I dropped down into the dark alley below.
“Come out, you brat.”
A figure emerged from the darkness.
A man with an unfamiliar face. Yet his energy felt familiar.
More precisely, he was deliberately controlling his energy to feel familiar.
“Cheonma.”
“Shall we not exchange names again? I am called Hyeol-ya.”
After Nang Hon, now Hyeol-ya?
The fact that he bothered to introduce himself suggested there was some meaning to it.
“To me, you are Cheonma, and that suffices.”
“If that’s how it is… but you’re not running away.”
I let out a cold laugh and leaned on one leg.
It was an action that resembled someone in particular.
“Why, are you enjoying the feeling of a cat chasing a mouse?”
‘This brat dares to be cocky. If I wanted, I could catch him in less than a breath.’
With such thoughts, I gripped the Heavenly Sound Lute in my hand.
If necessary, I would unleash my full power and strike with sonic waves.
For now, I remain within Master Pacheon Eumhu’s domain, so I merely need to endure a few more breaths after that.
“What brings you here? Now that your clone is dead, is that body your true form?”
Hyeol-ya smiled instead of answering.
Then he made an entirely unexpected proposal.
“Will you not come with me?”
“What?”
“I shall guide you along the destined path. At the end of that road, you will find happiness beyond any other. You shall live happily with all those you know.”
After a moment of silence, she asked.
“What of my brother?”
“He too shall be with you.”
….
Jegal Seol-ha’s lips curled upward harshly.
“A lie.”
“Hmm. Your Blank Canvas Body’s perception is quite well developed.”
“Yeah. Half right, but actually a lie. Anything that comes out of your mouth reeks of rot—just like some decrepit monster that stinks to high heaven.”
Cheonma laughed bitterly.
“Where did you learn such language?”
“None of your business.”
“Fair enough. Let me make the offer again. Join me. I desire you.”
Jegal Seol-ha raised her middle finger defiantly.
“Fuck off.”
“…For a lady to speak such words.”
“What? Want me to do it in person? I could crush it instead.”
….
Even the Cheonma of all creation found himself at a loss for words.
“This beauty of hers, truly.”
She swept her long, jet-black hair once, continuing.
“A centuries-old hag gets flustered just looking at my face? Can’t even act your age.”
“That is not it.”
“Sure it is. I’ve seen plenty of men like you. Idiots who can’t control their own emotions.”
….
“There’s no way I’m going with you. So quietly disappear.”
“The reason you speak thus… is it because of Baek Yang-hwi?”
The reason she spoke thus.
It was indeed the reason she could speak this way.
‘If it were my brother, he would have done the same.’
Ever since receiving the Lifesaving Seal as a child, Yang Hwi’s presence—always stepping forward one pace ahead—had been a fine example for Seol-ha to observe and learn from.
Though the same age, he was truly like an older brother to her.
“I see. I hope you do not come to regret your choice.”
Hyeol-ya’s body dissolved into darkness and vanished.
My energy suddenly released, and I collapsed onto the ground.
“Phew… that was close. Damn.”
From beginning to end, I had wavered over whether to call Eum Hu.
The warning bells had prevented me from acting rashly.
But was letting Cheonma go without interference truly the right choice?
I didn’t know.
‘If it were my brother… no. He would say I made the right call. So it was the right choice, then.’
My thoughts naturally drifted toward Yang Hwi.
“Brother. Yang Hwi, my brother.”
Always walking ahead. Somewhat reckless, but the one who showed me what the righteous path truly was.
“What path do I want to walk? Of course, proving that the Baek Family’s legacy is the greatest under heaven.”
His path was to become the greatest under heaven.
Yang Hwi of the Baek Family was a man who ran ceaselessly to reach the highest peak.
Suddenly, I recalled a question he had asked me during our outing today.
“Seolha. Now that I think about it, what is your path?”
‘My path….’
I had answered him then.
A secret!
‘Brother, my path is a hundred years of harmony.’
It was a phrase used between lovers and spouses, but that wasn’t quite the meaning I held in my heart.
I simply wished to live happily, spending a hundred years with those I cherished.
A longing born from a childhood so unfortunate, so desperately lonely.
‘A scarred stone. Round and vast….’
Mental imagery reflected the form of one’s heart. Beyond that, I could even perceive the fleeting changes that frosted over that form—emotions themselves.
And Yang Hwi had never once looked at me with lustful intent.
Not even romantic affection.
That was what made it good.
I cherished our relationship, where I could use the familiar term “brother” without any burden whatsoever.
But.
Now… I found myself wanting to change that, somehow.
In whatever form it might take.

* * *
“Highest One, I beg your permission.”
Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo prostrated herself, her forehead touching the ground.
Yet she maintained a certain distance from the Cheonma as he moved, a technique of evasion perfected to its zenith.
[I do not permit it.]
“Highest One, I implore you.”
The Cheonma, the black darkness itself, came to a halt.
[Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo.]
“I await your command, Highest One.”
[What is your reason?]
Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo paused for a moment, then spoke quietly.
[The necklace that Pye-wol Jeil-bong was wearing. It appeared to be made from fragments of the Blood Divine Blood Sword after it was shattered.]
Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo was the Bishop of the Blood Sect. For her, the Blood Divine Blood Sword was the most precious treasure under heaven.
Learning that the divine artifact had been destroyed while she attended to the Cheonma, her fury was inevitable.
Yet the Cheonma saw through Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo’s true heart.
[Do you harbor jealousy?]
A mere human, empowered though she may be, dares feel jealousy toward a deity of this world?
It was something beyond even dreaming.
Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo repeatedly struck her head against the ground.
“Highest One, I have committed rudeness. If even a hint of such thoughts has arisen in you, I offer my life in apology.”
A sharp stream of blood tore through Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo’s chest.
As before, darkness surged forth and erased her wound.
[You too are a precious existence, so cherish your life.]
“Ahhh… Highest One….”
[You wished to intervene and sought permission, did you not?]
“…Yes, Highest One….”
In Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo’s view, the master’s amusement had ended in failure.
He had not become Jeil-ryong and thus could not joyfully conclude the entertainment, and he had even lost one of his avatars.
Most critically, the very establishment of the Martial Alliance had been thwarted.
Involved in all these failures was Yang Hwi of the Baek Family of the Baek Clan.
The being whom the Highest One watched with keen interest, alongside Jegal Seol-ha whom she wished to tear apart.
[Indeed, it has become twisted. Yet it has begun to flow.]
“I cannot presume to understand the Highest One’s grand design, but would it not be wise to intervene to properly guide the current?”
[Your words are correct, Blood Woman.]
The Blood Sect feeds on blood. Throughout generations, the Blood Divine Blood Sect has swelled rapidly when warfare erupted.
This is thanks to their nature—they gain strength whenever blood and vitality exist.
[Blood will be needed. Blood must flow.]
The Cheonma’s command descended.
[Go. Strike down the Hyeol Sa-ryeon.]
After a brief silence, the voice of the deity sounded once more.
[I said I wasn’t jealous. Yet I find myself feeling a touch of envy.]
[So then, move the thief. I need to teach him a lesson to satisfy my heart.]
Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo bowed her head despite the shock coursing through her.
“Yes, Highest One.”
The world would descend into chaos, and blood would flow like rivers.
Moreover, the Baek Family would face an unprecedented crisis.
All of it would unfold from a single, casual word spoken by Cheonma.

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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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