Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 278

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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 278
The reason I sought out a secret branch of the Blood Sect while heading toward Hefei.
It was due to a powerful intuition based on several circumstances and evidence.
When comparing my past life to this one, there’s something suspicious about the Namgung Family.
‘In my past life, the Namgung Family announced they had excavated the Geom Wang Tomb, and they presented the Imperial Sword Form—presumed to originate from the Heavenly Escape Sword Technique—as a new supreme art.’
But in this life, I headed to the Geom Wang Tomb to intercept the Namgung Family’s future, and I found the sealed Hyeol-shin Hyeol-geom instead.
In my past life, those Blood Sect bastards possessed the Hyeol-shin Hyeol-geom.
The Namgung Family, having excavated the Geom Wang Tomb and claimed what was inside.
The Blood Sect, possessing the Hyeol-shin Hyeol-geom that was sealed within the Geom Wang Tomb.
‘I have no concrete evidence. All I have are circumstances. I can’t even dismiss the possibility that the Blood Sect plundered the Namgung Family and forcibly took the divine artifact.’
I told my companions there was something to discover, but truthfully, I was half-doubtful.
If information about the Namgung Family came up, great; if not, I was content to just slaughter those Blood Sect bastards.
Yet in the Blood Sect’s secret branch, the former Namgung Family Soga-joonim who had been deposed and fled was waiting for me.
“I never thought we’d meet here, Namgung Cheon-hu.”
“Nor did I. I never expected you to actually appear.”
‘It wasn’t his own thought—he must have received a hint from someone that I might show up.’
Most likely from whoever dragged Namgung Cheon-hu into the Blood Sect.
But what basis they used for that judgment remains a mystery.
“What, seeking revenge? Don’t be absurd. Do you really think you’re capable of it?”
I probed him lightly, but Namgung Cheon-hu didn’t lose his composure.
“Revenge. Someday I must hold Baek Yang-hwi accountable for his crimes. But not today. I simply wanted to speak with you face to face.”
He’s saying something chilling.
This bastard has grown quite a bit in my absence.
“I wouldn’t mind hearing such words from a beautiful female knight, but not from you.”
“Regardless, there’s nothing I can do about it. How could I not wish to see you, after the insult you dealt to Cheon-yeong?”
‘He wasn’t acting under the Blood Sect’s orders—he showed up for personal reasons.’
Moreover, he knows about what happened during the Dragon-Phoenix Struggle.
Which means he’s not hidden away somewhere training in secret.
Or at the very least, he maintains some information network.
“What, are you upset that your younger brother, who took your position as Soga-joonim, suffered humiliation? I’m surprised you’d say such things after killing all the retainers escorting you and fleeing.”
“That’s not it. I’m the one who once contemplated killing my younger brother.”
“…”
Namgung Cheon-hu parried the remark without flinching—words that would have hardened his expression in the past. Yet.
Flowing time transforms all things.
It seemed this applied to Namgung Cheon-hu as well.
“A great victory. You achieved a true great victory against Cheon-yeong. So much so that Namgung Il-geom couldn’t bear the shame and left Mu-han. Because of that, the Namgung Family had to abandon even the connection with the Shaman we discussed before.”
A hint of wistfulness flickered in Namgung Cheon-hu’s eyes.
“I too have defeated Cheon-yeong countless times. It’s natural for an older brother to defeat a younger one. Had I lost despite being so much older, I would have lost that meager Soga-joonim position long ago.”
‘So that’s why he said he wanted to meet.’
It was an answer with the rest left unsaid.
My victory stemmed merely from age, yet you achieved great victories at a similar age.
Perhaps that’s what he wanted to say.
I began to understand what frame of mind Namgung Cheon-hu had been waiting in.
That bastard… he feels similar to Seo from my past life.
Baek Heon-so from my previous life, who envied and resented the orphan who rolled in, and ended up destroying himself in the process.
And since Namgung Cheon-hu was even the older brother, he could rot away far more easily and quickly.
‘Well, it’s not my concern.’
Regardless of his circumstances, that bastard bore the Namgung name and was even a seed of the Demonic Cult.
So I would kill him.
“Don’t bother. You cannot kill me.”
“Ho, so you’ve gained confidence in your skills after learning the Blood Sect’s secret techniques?”
Namgung Cheon-hu shook his head.
“Regardless of skill, I cannot be killed. This body is merely a blood clone, not my true self.”
‘A blood shadow transformation technique.’
A Blood Sect secret art that sacrifices the vitality and blood essence of a single person to create a blood clone.
It wasn’t as transcendent as the Cheonma’s original spirit, but it was perfect for situations like this—when one wanted to converse despite the danger.
“Chu Dal. Slice that bastard apart.”
“Yes.”
Multiple strands of heavenly silkworm threads extended, dismembering Namgung Cheon-hu.
His form dissolved into a torrent of blood.
Moments later, the blood reformed into human shape once more.
“Even facing death, you won’t believe my words. Should I say your suspicion remains unchanged?”
“There’s nothing trustworthy in this world. Why would I believe the words of a Namgung and a Demonic Cult seed? Especially when you’re both.”
“If you understand, then let’s talk. I still have more to say.”
He’s venting all by himself and saying that?
Does he have confidence he won’t die?
Then I’ll have to shatter that confidence.
“Hssss, whooo…”
I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, then snapped them open.
My senses sharpened. I could see the thread connecting to the blood clone.
“You’re to the north.”
“Did you just read the signal? Remarkable perception.”
“If you want to talk, meet me in person. That’s what I mean. I’m going now, Family Head. I’ll definitely kill you before the day ends.”
In my past life too, there were plenty of bastards who relied on blood clones and got cocky.
I tracked them all down with perception and sent them to the afterlife.
Now that I think about it, my connection with Chu Dal started when I was learning tracking techniques to hunt down those blood clone users.
“Anyway, let’s talk when we meet.”
“Well. But I have something to say before you find me.”
I ignored him and gestured to my companions.
At that same moment, I was about to activate my lightness technique.
Namgung Cheon-hu’s final words caught me by the ankle.
“Namgung Il-geom will die in three years.”
It was a statement I couldn’t help but stop and listen to.
Never mind that he spoke of his own father’s death so casually—how could this bastard possibly know that?
“The cause will be illness. It will be made to look like sudden death, and the young and inexperienced Cheon-yeong will fail to assume the position of Family Head, leaving the Namgung Family embroiled in internal strife.”
Everything that had happened in my past life spilled from Namgung Cheon-hu’s mouth exactly as it had been.
The only difference was that the one speaking would also disappear—or so I thought.
But in this life, I’d already become the runaway former Soga-joonim, so perhaps that wouldn’t happen.
“The way you’re rattling on, you want something.”
“That’s right. Separate from my personal feelings, I have a proposal.”
A flash of bloodlust gleamed in Namgung Cheon-hu’s eyes.
“I won’t ask you to shake hands. I find the thought of grasping your hand equally repugnant. So simply understand this: use what I’ve told you.”
How could I exploit the timing of the Namgung Family Head’s sudden death?
Was he revealing this fact so I’d predict his movements and use them to my advantage?
‘I need to dig deeper and find out more.’
“I appreciate the information. But gratitude aside, those who deserve to die must die. Wait a moment. While you wait, prepare yourself.”
“No. You, Baek Yang-hwi, cannot do that.”
“Where does this confidence come from? What is there that cannot be done against a demonic seed?”
“I’ve heard you speak before—that you need not honor agreements against the dark path and heterodox sects. Yet even you possess the intellect to calculate profit and loss. In fact, you excel at it.”
So he was saying I couldn’t kill him because it would be a loss to do so?
“My thinking differs somewhat.”
“From this moment, I deliver a message. The Hyeol-nyeo has instructed me to give you two choices.”
Hyeol-nyeo. From context, it must surely be the Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo.
One of the most formidable masters among the Blood Sect’s bishops, yet she was referred to simply as Hyeol-nyeo.
It was merely a title, but titles could imply the distance of a relationship.
“Choose, Baek Yang-hwi. Will you watch the destruction of the Baek Family, or will you move within our plan and ascend to become one of the Five Great Families under heaven?”
Ah, this bastard. He’s crossed the line.
A Namgung fool and Blood Sect cultist dares speak of my main family’s fate?
“…Listen, Namgung Cheon-hu.”
“Speak.”
I pulled the necklace hanging around my neck out from beneath my collar.
A necklace crafted from fragments of the Hyeol-shin Hyeol-geom that I had shattered.
I dangled it before him deliberately.
“Can you recognize what this is?”
“Could it be a sword you destroyed, one obtained from the Geom Wang’s tomb?”
“Yes. But your knowledge stops there, doesn’t it?”
“I don’t understand what you’re getting at.”
“That sword you fooled around with and became possessed by Sim Ma—it’s a sacred relic of the Blood Sect. Didn’t you know?”
“….”
“You must have known if you’d joined the Blood Sect. Ah, it’s the starting point of your downfall, so you didn’t want to investigate further to avoid touching a sore spot. Isn’t that right?”
“Shut your mouth.”
Oh, a reaction similar to before.
‘Fine, I’ll admit it, you bastard. The moment you dared speak of the Baek Family’s annihilation, I couldn’t just wander around doing whatever I pleased anymore.’
But here’s the thing.
Scratching at you once to turn old scars back into fresh wounds? That’s nothing for me.
“Ask the Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo how she feels about destroying the Hyeol-shin Hyeol-geom and turning it into a trophy necklace to wear around her neck.”
With those words, I swung my blade.
The blood clone shattered into dozens of pieces, and I made certain it couldn’t reassemble by sealing it with inner qi.
“Brother, what do we do now?”
Worry was etched across Jegal Seol-ha’s face.
It seemed to be because Namgung Cheon-hu had mentioned the Baek Family’s destruction.
“What do you mean ‘what’? We keep walking. Our path. Nothing changes.”
Well, there was one thing.
Right now, genuine anger was surging through me.
‘What Namgung Cheon-hu told me… I’ve obtained clues about the Namgung Family as originally intended. I’ll follow the thread and exact some revenge while I’m at it.’
People need to always remember this: when you say something that upsets someone, you can expect to receive the same treatment, you Namgung bastard.
I’ll do exactly what you’d hate most.
“Chu Dal, I need to send a letter.”
“To whom, sir?”
“Someone you know well.”
Upon hearing my response, Chu Dal’s eyes widened in surprise, and I smirked at the sight.
“Amusing, isn’t it?”
You Namgung Cheon-hu, if you’re going to act composed, you should have done it with absolute conviction and no hesitation whatsoever.
I’ll teach you what happens when you underestimate people.

* * *
The highest floor of the most luxurious and extravagant establishment in Hap-bi.
Namgung Cheon-yeong shot to his feet.
His entire body trembled violently from emotions reaching their peak.
“Is… is that really true?”
Namgung Cheon-hu and Namgung Cheon-yeong. I didn’t know exactly what kind of brothers they were, but from what I’d experienced with them so far, I could confirm at least one thing.
Whether the foundation was hatred or not, the Namgung brothers held affection for each other.
“It’s true as can be. Namgung Cheon-yeong. Your brother has become a dog of the Blood Sect. In other words, he’s an idiot.”
After finishing my words, I smirked.
There, the bait was cast.
Now it was time to see what kind of fish would bite and how it would thrash about.

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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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