Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 272

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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 272
A spacious and elegant guest chamber.
Yang Hwi, still seated, adjusted his robes once more.
Beside me were my father Baek Moo-ryang, my younger brother Baek Heon-so, and the senior members of the Baek Family.
“He’s running quite late, isn’t he?”
“Indeed. Quite some time has passed.”
The reason for this gathering was simple.
Today, there was a meeting with the Jegal Family Head.
‘Making us wait to establish the hierarchy, I see.’
“The old man’s being rather childish about this.”
“Hwi. Mind your tongue before your elders.”
“Yes, Father.”
After another half incense stick’s worth of time, the Innkeeper announced the arrival of the Jegal Family.
Soon came the sound of footsteps. The senior members of the Baek Family rose in unison.
“Welcome, Jegal Family Head.”
“Ah, this is my first time seeing him in person.”
A white scholar’s robe with a dragon embroidered in blue thread.
Though aged, there was no lack of vigor—rather, the ripeness of cunning maturity emanated from him.
An aura that enveloped his entire being, the distinctive presence of one who speaks of the world.
The entrance of Jegal Family Head Jegal Pae.
“Brother, my apologies. I arrived a bit late.”
“No matter, younger brother.”
Jegal Seon’s face bore a mixture of apology and awkwardness.
It seemed the Jegal Family Head had indeed deliberately taken his time.
From behind my father, I stood beside Jegal Hwa-un and gave a slight nod to Jegal Seol-ha, who was smiling brightly.
Then Jegal Seol-ha winked at me.
It was a signal.
‘I see. This won’t be easy.’
Once Jegal Pae took the seat of honor, everyone lowered themselves and sat.
“I’ve been wanting to have a casual conversation anyway, and I’m grateful you invited me, Baek Family Head.”
“Not at all. You are the father of our Seon, and I only apologize for the late arrival.”
‘A casual conversation, not a formal meeting. And he thanks us for the invitation.’
Today’s gathering was arranged as if my father Baek Moo-ryang had requested it through Jegal Seon.
Yet it was amusing.
They had merely adopted this appearance for propriety’s sake, but it was surely the Jegal Family that needed this meeting more.
“Your children are all remarkable. Just looking at them, one can see what a fine father you are.”
“Compared to your younger brother, I am ashamed to say.”
Jegal Hwa-un and Jegal Seol-ha were both renowned talents, so this was an appropriately humble response.
Yet Jegal Pae slightly furrowed his brow.
“Hwa-un did not become the Gae-cheon Jeil-ryong. Unlike your son, that is.”
“….”
“I trust those words were not meant to carry such weight.”
“My apologies. I spoke without thinking.”
Frustration welled up inside me.
‘That old man keeps nitpicking my words to undermine my confidence.’
Today, in this very place, the path forward for the Jegal Family and the Baek Family would be decided.
That’s why I was trying to seize the initiative.
So he ended up trying to seize the initiative.
‘An eye for an eye.’
“The Shaman’s Hyeon Geom was the strongest candidate for the Gae-cheon Jeil-ryong. I believe it was unavoidable.”
Jegal Hwa-un had been defeated by Hyeon Geom and eliminated.
Everyone in the martial world acknowledged it as an inevitable defeat, nothing to be ashamed of.
That would have been true if there hadn’t been someone here who defeated Hyeon Geom.
-My apologies, Brother Jegal.
-…I understand. Grandfather came first.
Jegal Pae’s expression grew uncomfortable, but since Jegal Hwa-un had accepted it, there was no issue.
If you don’t want to hear unpleasant words, you shouldn’t provoke first.
“Jegal Family Head. The reason I requested this meeting is to discuss the movements of the Shaman and the Baek Do martial world.”
“Speak up, Baek Family Head.”
Baek Moo-ryang began his explanation calmly.
Despite Jegal Pae’s provocation, his demeanor remained completely unshaken.
“In the establishment of the Martial Alliance, both our Baek Family and the Jegal Family were excluded. Fortunately, the establishment fell through, but the Shaman continues to move actively to establish strong bonds of friendship with various sects.”
Yang Hwi had managed to undermine the Shaman’s objectives, but to be precise, it was only half a success.
There were multiple reasons why the Shaman had solely presided over the Dragon Phoenix Gathering.
To gain influence surpassing even Shaolin, and to seize control of Mu-han from the Jegal Family, among other things.
‘At the very least, it’s undeniable that the Shaman’s power has grown.’
Why? Because this Dragon Phoenix Gathering was one of the most successful in all of history!
‘Thanks to me, of course.’
The previous generation’s Gae-cheon Jeil-ryong, Peng Wang. Shaolin’s greatest talent Adu and the Shaman’s greatest talent Hyeon Geom.
Namgung Cheon-yeong, whom Namgung had raised as precious as gold and jade, Dang-gun, Jegal Hwa-un, and direct descendants of various major sects.
Defeating them all to become the Gae-cheon Jeil-ryong—a miracle of a minor sect.
With such brilliant participants and an ending that captivated everyone, the event concluded successfully.
It drew an enormous response and would be discussed for at least years to come.
“The Shaman has… achieved at least its minimum objective. All under heaven now regard the Shaman as equal to Shaolin. Truly, the Shaman has become the Southern Sovereign.”
And this Shaman was actively expanding its power and forming alliances with other sects.
For the Jegal Family, located in the same Hubei region, this was something that could never be welcomed.
“Baek Family Head. I hear you and the Dang Family have formed an alliance.”
The existence of the Yi-ik Alliance was still a secret, but Baek Moo-ryang had revealed this fact to Jegal Seon.
They were sworn brothers, and he wanted to stand with the Jegal Family.
“Yes. That is correct.”
“An alliance. A dangerous word. An excessive word, even.”
‘Ugh, why is that old man trying to belittle me like this? I’m not some merchant haggling over prices.’
Well, it’s true that calling it a “Meng” is excessive for just two martial arts families to use.
Besides, the Baek Family still hasn’t been recognized as a Heaven-tier martial sect or entered the ranks of the great families.
“Let me ask you plainly, Baek Family Head. Did you have Seol inform us of this because you wanted the main family to walk alongside you?”
I hadn’t intended to reveal it, but Baek Moo-ryang answered respectfully.
“Yes. If I could walk alongside your esteemed family, there would be nothing better.”
“Even if you combine the Dang Family and Baek Family, they cannot compare to our Jegal Family. Why should the main family walk alongside you?”
It was true. It was true, but.
Did he have to say it so tactlessly?
‘Old man.’
Yang Hwi chuckled softly.
Jegal Seol-ha, watching his expression, wore a dizzy look.
-Brother, just hold on! You gave me the signal!
Right, you did tell me, Seol-ha.
That the Jegal Family Head would come out difficult, so I should persuade him well and form an alliance.
-Seol-ha. No matter which path we take, as long as we reach our destination, that’s what matters, isn’t it?
-Brother?
I ignored her.
-Brother! Brother!
I sent a transmission to someone else, not Seol-ha.
To the one waiting in another room at Juru.
He appeared as swiftly as his martial training allowed.
“Jegal Family Head, Baek Family Head, I have something to say to you both. Would it be acceptable for Bin-do to intrude?”
The door opened. A stoic man standing beside the flustered innkeeper.
A Taoist in distinctive robes bearing the Eung-an seal.
It was Neung-o.
“What manner of rudeness is this?”
To Jegal Pae’s rebuke, Neung-o answered without concern.
“I am aware it is rude and an intrusion. However, it seemed necessary to come forward and inform you.”
Though there must have been a difference of several decades in age, Neung-o used informal speech.
There was a reason he had no choice.
“You may know of Bin-do already, but I must introduce myself anew. I am Jeom Chang Jang-mun, Neung-o.”
“…!”
“…!”
Astonishment rippled through those present.
Neung-o was only slightly past twenty years old.
For someone so young to be a direct disciple was already remarkable, but a sect leader?
To become the head of Jeom Chang, one of the Nine Great Sects?
It was absurd.
“Claiming the title of sect leader is a grave sin worthy of execution.”
His words were a jab at my past duel to the death with the former Jeomchang Jang-mun Myeong-wol, but Neung-o responded with utter indifference.
“I am not so foolish as to repeat a crime I have already committed, Jegal Family Head. I have risen to this position with the recognition of the Fourth and Fifth generation masters—I shall not fall so easily.”
Neung-o had single-handedly defended against the secret techniques of the Ming Sect that no one in Jeomchang had known about.
The senior members of Jeomchang had no choice but to feel ashamed.
Everyone had declined the position of Jang-mun, and with the consensus of the majority, Neung-o was elevated to the role.
Though there had been missteps along the way, it was truly a decision befitting the spirit of Sa-il.
“Furthermore, I say this once more.”
Neung-o swept his gaze across everyone.
His eyes lingered particularly long on Yang Hwi.
“The Sword Sect of Changshan, Jeomchang. We shall join the Il-ik Alliance.”
Yang Hwi smiled faintly as he looked at the Jegal Family Head.

* * *
Neung-o said what he came to say and left immediately.
He had sword cultivation to attend to, apparently.
Yet the atmosphere within the hall was entirely different from before.
As silence settled, Baek Moo-ryang reproached Yang Hwi.
“Hwi, did you intend that? No, surely you did. How could you display such rudeness in the presence of your elders?”
“My apologies, Father. Neung-hyung said he wanted it known, so I spoke.”
I used the absent Neung-o as an excuse.
At the same time, I deliberately maintained the familiar form of address—Neung-hyung—as I had been using it.
I was emphasizing that I shared a sworn brotherhood with the Jang-mun of Jeomchang.
“This was not the child I knew. When did he become so ill-mannered? Upon returning to the main house, discipline shall be necessary.”
A murmur arose from somewhere among the Baek Family’s seats.
“He didn’t grow up rude—from the moment he entered the sect….”
“He was only respectful before the Family Head, but his true nature was always lacking in manners….”
“Still, at least he shows respect to the Family Head, so that’s a blessing.”
When Yang Hwi turned his head and frowned, the murmurs vanished instantly.
Baek Moo-ryang paused briefly, then sighed and continued.
“Since matters have come to this, I shall speak frankly. Jegal Family Head. Will you not join us in the Il-ik Alliance?”
Jegal Pae sent his gaze forward silently.
Cold and calculating eyes.
He was weighing profit and loss.
“What is the purpose of the Il-ik Alliance? Do not speak of righteousness and such nonsense.”
He called righteousness nonsense? For Baek Moo-ryang, this was difficult to accept.
He swallowed his pride and answered in detail.
“The Il-ik Alliance intends to challenge the Yangtze River trade routes. We shall transport Jeomchang’s exotic goods to the Dang Family in Sichuan, and through the tributary Min River, deliver them as far as the Baek Family in Jiangxi.”
The Yangtze River trade routes. The fundamental reason the Po Merchant Guild, once the greatest merchant organization under heaven, had been born.
Yet its lineage had already been severed centuries ago.
The realm’s political situation had grown unstable, and bandits infested the waterways.
While transport between neighboring cities posed no great concern, long-distance river commerce along the Yangtze was a perilous undertaking.
Even hiring warriors to escort goods would prove economically unfeasible.
“I must ask one thing. East to west, or west to east? Tell me which direction you intend to prioritize.”
The Yangtze flowed from west to east.
Therefore, traveling east to west meant going against the current, and when considering travel time and available water routes, both danger and cost multiplied a hundredfold.
“To speak frankly… the Yil Ik Alliance has taken east-to-west river commerce as their primary mission.”
By going against the current, one could reap far greater rewards.
That is, if one succeeded.
“If the Baek Family accomplished this, they would gain considerable profit?”
Jiangxi was counted among the greatest granaries under heaven, and the western regions, being desolate, commanded premium rice prices.
If one could transport the surplus rice not by land routes but by water, the profits would be staggering.
“Yes. Even transporting goods only as far as Mu-han would yield substantial gains. We hope the Jegal Family would oversee the intermediary dealings.”
However, the problem lay in the fact that the Yangtze River Alliance conducted their most active operations near the Hunan and Hubei regions of the Yangtze.
In other words, joining the Yil Ik Alliance meant fighting alongside them.
“Tell me what share falls to our Jegal Family.”
“….”
Baek Moo-ryang had answered every question posed thus far, yet this time he chose silence rather than an immediate response.
“That cannot be, Jegal Family Head.”
“Why not?”
“Decide first, before calculating profit and loss.”
“How can one who leads a family act thus? You know this as well as I do.”
“Indeed. That is precisely why I ask.”
Baek Moo-ryang’s gaze was serene yet carried considerable weight.
“The Yil Ik Alliance accepts those who will walk together, just as individual feathers form a wing. Therefore, profit and loss come later. I wish first to ask whether you desire to walk this same path.”
To Jegal Pae, such words were laughable.
Verify the path first, then calculate profit and loss?
It made no sense whatsoever.
“A merchant ventures forth on the fastest and most efficient route. One does not choose a mountain path as a trade route simply because one wishes to see mountains.”
“The Yil Ik Alliance also includes Jin Yeong-gil, the wealthiest merchant in Sichuan. Though a merchant himself, he has distributed considerable wealth. For the sake of walking the same path.”
Strictly speaking, it was an investment.
But facts remain facts.
The Baek and Dang Families had received financial support without entering into reciprocal contracts.
“So decide, Jegal Family Head. Will you become one feather?”
Jegal Pae’s brow twitched.
One feather—this implied that even should the Jegal Family join the Yil Ik Alliance, they could never be its leader.
Baek Moo-ryang waited silently for his answer.
“….”
“….”
“….”
A silence so prolonged that tension naturally accumulated.
And it ended with laughter.
“Hahahaha!”
Jegal Pae laughed heartily, smiling as he nodded his head.
“Just as I thought. Our Soga-joonim is indeed worthy of sworn brotherhood. Excellent, Baek Family Head. Let the Jegal Family become part of your wings!”
A sigh of relief escaped from somewhere.
It couldn’t have been otherwise.
Today, the small alliance that was once insignificant.

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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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