Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 281

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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 281
A gate so towering it deserved to be called the city walls themselves, with the seven characters “Anhui Azure Sky Great Namgung” carved in bold dragon script upon the plaque.
Standing rigidly before it was Baek Yang-hwi, the Young Master of the Baek Family and the Greatest Dragon Under Heaven.
From the highest platform of the main hall carved into a modest hill, overlooking countless stone steps, the Namgung Family Head gazed downward—Namgung Il-geom, the Sword King of Undefeated Victory.
Both men harbored the same thought simultaneously.
‘That fellow carries a sword as weighty as his backside.’
‘To have already become one with the blade at such a tender age.’
“Tsk.”
Yang Hwi clicked his tongue softly, twirled his blade once, and sheathed it.
‘If he’d only been three breaths slower—or even one—this would have been far more entertaining.’
It would have been the perfect opportunity to add another legend to my tale: how a latecomer from a minor martial family, having ascended as the Greatest Dragon, defeated two elders of the Five Great Families.
Though Namgung Il-geom had likely sensed this beforehand and deliberately hesitated.
With such martial prowess, he couldn’t have missed it.
‘He possesses the instinct to time things perfectly. Truly, he has the makings of a Namgung Family Head.’
I’d heard he was the firstborn, given the name Il-geom, yet suffered under brilliant younger siblings until finally becoming Family Head only after staining his hands with blood.
Blood feuds. Feuds even with his own kin.
Tempering enough to forge a man into a blade.
‘Certainly, I cannot defeat him now.’
Though he was fated to die in three years, Namgung Il-geom was the Family Head of the Five Great Families.
Moreover, the head of the Great Namgung, which had once been the greatest under heaven.
‘Peak realm. And undoubtedly mature mastery at that.’
The gap in cultivation was so vast it became difficult to perceive clearly.
Furthermore, from the peak realm onward, it was virtually impossible to discern martial prowess through qi sensing alone—one couldn’t even detect it without being at the same level.
Without the experience of my past life, I couldn’t have even guessed.
In other words, to summarize:
‘If Namgung Il-geom wished it, he could take my life whenever he pleased.’
Yet Yang Hwi’s lips curved upward in a smirk.
Simultaneously, he cupped his fist in salute and asked.
“Baek Yang-hwi of the Baek Family, the Greatest Dragon Under Heaven, humbly inquires. What troubles you?”
Namgung Il-geom didn’t ask what he meant by such a question.
He simply replied curtly.
“I’m deliberating, so hold your tongue.”
‘Strip away the pretense and get to it, then.’
If there’s no need for formalities, there’s no reason to stay silent.
“Might I be permitted to add a weight to tip the scales in this direction?”
I phrased it as a question seeking permission, but continued before an answer could come.
“I entered Anhui alongside the Sect Master of Jeomchang, a direct descendant of the Jegal Family, the Soga-ju of the Dang Family, and a disciple of the venerable Yeoilrakbul. But now, I stand alone.”
Namgung Il-geom’s eyebrows rose sharply.
“You’re telling me to read between the lines.”
My, what towering pride you possess.
If I were to compare it to a dog, it would be like biting first without barking, so as not to reveal its fear.
“That couldn’t be further from the truth. I merely wanted to inform you that brilliant talents are currently moving on behalf of the Namgung Family. My friends have been kind enough to lend me their assistance.”
My raised eyebrows lowered before rising slightly once more.
This movement seemed to stem from curiosity.
“Speak in detail.”
“I’ll send a secret message for a moment.”
-You stepped in because you didn’t want to show two elders being defeated by a single late-stage master, didn’t you? This is similar.
Just as my eyebrows rose again in anger, I quickly continued aloud.
“One cannot visit the great Namgung Family of all under heaven empty-handed. I’m preparing a small gift.”
“I already told you to speak in detail.”
“Yes, you did. The gift I’ve prepared is the whereabouts of Namgung Cheon-hu, the Namgung Family’s traitor.”
Killing intent surged from all directions once more, and I leisurely whistled.
“Everyone, my skin is stinging! Please, compose yourselves!”

* * *
“Haaah!”
Flying Immortal Jade Sound Single Path Method, Gigantic Rupture Single String!
Jegal Seol-ha unleashed one of the supreme techniques of the Heavenly Sound Jade Spirit Gate.
Gigantic Rupture Single String—true to its name, a sound art technique executed by powerfully plucking the string of the Heavenly Sound Pipa, a unique sect weapon.
However, the string Jegal Seol-ha plucked was not from the Heavenly Sound Pipa.
Hidden Shadow Silk Binding, Three Strings Long Arrangement Combined as One!
Hidden Shadow Silk Binding, the exclusive supreme technique of the Spirit Vein Secret Path Shadow Ghost Gate, is a martial art employing ten strands of Heavenly Silkworm Thread.
Chu Dal extended the index, middle, and ring fingers of his right hand, transforming three strands of Heavenly Silkworm Thread into a single thick, long string.
Originally a technique meant to powerfully ensnare or pierce enemies with its increased thickness, but now it had become both Jegal Seol-ha’s instrument and weapon.
Twaaang!
The plucked string emitted a clear, high-pitched sound.
Yet the combination of the two supreme techniques created a resonance like that of a great bell.
A powerful vibration so intense that merely standing before it caused one’s entire body to tremble.
The water’s surface beneath the boat rippled in accordance with the sound waves.
Needless to say.
“Screeeech!”
“Glub-glub-glub-glub!”
“Crack, ugh, crack…!”
The power was more than sufficient to annihilate the water assassins who had been swimming beneath the surface using water arts.
“Insignificant wretches, knowing not their place.”
As Jegal Seol-ha dusted off her hands, Chu Dal rushed over excitedly.
“Sister Jegal! The power is truly incredible!”
“Of course it is. Whose combined technique do you think this is?”
Most martial arts of the Shadow Ghost Gate lack lethal power.
After all, the very purpose of these arts lies not in killing but in theft.
However, a young man was naturally drawn to strength, and Chu Dal had often admired powerful techniques.
“Hehehehe, if Sister and I work together, couldn’t we land a hit on Elder Brother?”
“Of course. Shall we try it next time?”
“Yes. If we’re going to do it, let’s catch him by surprise, Sister.”
“Let’s do that. It’ll be fun.”
While Jegal Seol-ha and Chu Dal chattered away, Dang-gun and Neung-o approached, restraining the unconscious water sect members according to their assigned roles.
“These fellows don’t seem to have any useful leads either.”
“That’s true. I didn’t expect to find anything easily, but it is taking quite a bit of effort.”
“I need to ask Yang Hwi for double the rice cakes!”
Adu, rubbing his belly as if hungry, walked with heavy steps and struck the water’s surface with his fist.
Crash!
The river, which was far from shallow, split in two in an instant.
The overgrown aquatic plants, rocks, and all the objects hidden between them flew away.
The water channel naturally revealed itself.
“I hope we have results this time.”
“We will. The necklace is reacting.”
Jegal Seol-ha touched the beautiful metal necklace hanging around her neck.
A necklace made of Seong Cheol—fragments of the Blood Divine Blood Sword that had been destroyed during joint training.
The Hui Seong Ryeon had become her second most precious possession.
“The reaction is stronger than before. There must be traces left behind.”
Seong Cheol possessed the function of amplifying perception.
The Hui Seong Ryeon, forged from Seong Cheol, contained even more special functions.
Baek Cheol, the Baek Family’s genius blacksmith, had spent years researching and repeatedly forging it, infusing the insights he gained into the process.
“Please wait a moment, everyone.”
Jegal Seol-ha closed her eyes and gripped the necklace tightly, then opened them wide as she drew up her inner qi.
Her eyes, which perceived something different, emanated an otherworldly mystery unlike those of others.
They were beautiful to the point of seeming excessive.
“Did you see something, Miss Jegal?”
“Yes. I’m certain about this place. Namgung Cheon-hu was staying here until recently.”
Jegal Seol-ha could see perception with her eyes.
When together with the Hui Seong Ryeon, her ability became far more powerful.
Beyond merely seeing others’ perceptions, she could read the traces and flow of perception—in other words, even the past.
“I can’t say it’s precise yet since I’m still inexperienced, but the Seon Ran that Elder Brother infused into the Hui Seong Ryeon is also reacting. Since two pieces of evidence cross-reference, I’d say we can be certain at this point.”
“I see.”
Dang-gun nodded and looked at Chu Dal.
“Chu Dal, shall we go ahead and search before they attempt to destroy evidence?”
“As you command!”
Chu Dal cheerfully accepted Dang-gun’s order and dissolved into the water.
Neung-o marveled at the sight.
“He hasn’t even learned water techniques, yet he moves more naturally than most water sect members.”
“Indeed, Jang Moon-in. Not a single drop of water disturbed,” Dang Soga-ju remarked.
“Such a rare sight brings joy to these days, Dang Soga-ju.”
“I’m delighted you see it that way.”
After exchanging pleasantries for a moment, a signal came from Chu Dal, and I initiated the assault.
Over half a day, we slaughtered one entire outpost and obtained the evidence I sought.
“Here—a letter left by Namgung Cheon-hu. The handwriting matches perfectly upon comparison.”
Dang-gun recited the contents aloud on behalf of everyone.
[The sect has commanded it—drench the Baek Family in blood.]
[Do not dispose of this letter through normal channels. Preserve it.]
“They deliberately left evidence behind.”
“Hmm. Is this letter reaching our hands mere coincidence, or is it part of the Blood Sect’s design?”
Though brief, the letter left my mind churning.
“Well, if we send it through Won-woo, my older brother won’t let word slip, will he?”
“That’s true.”
“We can leave the thinking to my younger brother Hwi anyway.”
“Send Won-woo off and take our time heading to the Namgung Family—we’ll arrive just in time to watch my older brother attempt another one of his ridiculous schemes.”
At that moment, the White Hawk descended onto Chu Dal’s shoulder.
Chu Dal, who had tied the discovered letter to its leg, attempted to stroke its head with his finger.
Or rather, he tried to.
-Screeeee!
“Ow! Stop pecking! You wretched bird!”
-Kawk!
“Are you trying to hurt my feelings? I spend more time with you than with my older brother, yet you won’t let me pet you!”
Ignoring Chu Dal’s protests, Won-woo thrust off his shoulder and took flight.
-Screeeeeeeee!
A satisfying cry pierced the air.
Chu Dal stared blankly after the bird.
“Whether bird or man, they’re all the same…”

* * *
“The gift I’ve prepared is the whereabouts of Namgung Cheon-hu, the traitor of the Namgung Family.”
As the shocking declaration hung in the air, killing intent erupted from all directions, suffocating the atmosphere—when the cry of a hawk pierced through it all.
-Kiiiiiiaaaaa!
A white speck in the distance, growing larger with each passing moment.
The timing was so perfectly convenient it felt almost contrived.
Of course, I hadn’t arrived at precisely the right moment by chance—I’d instructed Won-woo, who had arrived earlier, to take flight whenever I decided it was time.
‘For a bird, Won-woo is remarkably intelligent. This kind of coordination is genuinely convenient.’
Moreover, thanks to Won-woo’s abilities, I could even share his vision, so there was no need to signal the precise moment.
He simply saw what I saw and flew on his own.
“Won-woo. Well done.”
As I stroked his head, Won-woo cooed contentedly.
Was this a pigeon or a hawk?
“Want some jerky?”
-Kiaa.
The courtyard was filled with Namgung Family warriors radiating killing intent in all directions.
Yet I calmly retrieved jerky from my sleeve and fed it to his beak.
Then, after surveying my surroundings, I fixed my gaze directly on Namgung Il-geom and shouted.
“It seems you intend to kill me if I lack evidence?”
“You know your fate well. Knowing it and speaking anyway—that’s not stupidity, that’s audacity bursting from your very core.”
The former Soga Head who had committed crimes and was cast out, yet instead of following the family’s will, killed his retainers and fled.
Naturally, Namgung Cheon-hu was the Namgung Family’s reverse scale, a taboo name never to be spoken.
‘If anything goes wrong, my head rolls immediately.’
Yet I felt no anxiety whatsoever.
Why? Because there was no need to.
My allies would have certainly sent the evidence by now.
‘If I fail to present convincing evidence, I die for certain. Conversely… if I present the evidence, the repercussions will only grow from there.’
“Here—the letter’s contents and handwriting seem familiar, don’t they? Would you like to examine it directly?”
As I released the tension in my fingers, the letter slipped free.
The letter fluttered like a butterfly through the air, landing gently in Namgung Il-geom’s palm.
“Surely a father wouldn’t fail to recognize his own son’s handwriting?”

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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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