Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 285

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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 285
The Yangtze River stretches tens of thousands of li from east to west,
and it cradles countless scenic wonders along its length.
Yet if one were to name the most famous among them, all under heaven would speak the same four characters.
The Three Gorges of the Yangtze!
From Baek Je Castle in Fengjie County of Chongqing in Sichuan to Nanzhen Gate in Yichang, Hubei.
Beginning with the Qutang Gorge upstream, passing through the Wu Gorge, and ending at the Xiling Gorge.
Spanning five hundred li, the Three Gorges of the Yangtze had been a treacherous place where countless boatmen throughout history lost their lives.
Using these three gorges as a barrier, there stood an island known as a fortress blessed by heaven itself.
Located at the heart of Zhu Island, the headquarters of the Yangtze River Water Alliance.
The world called this place the Three Gorges Stronghold.
“Water Immortal Seon. They say even an earthworm will writhe when stepped upon, yet the Baek Family’s struggles prove fiercer than expected.”
The commander of the Yangtze River Water Alliance’s stronghold and its leader.
Water Immortal Seon Son-eun swept back his beard, where black and white strands intermingled.
“Hehehehe, is that so.”
A hollow laugh accompanied his response.
Yet Ju Ja-bang, the military strategist of the Water Alliance known as Ju Yu-jang-gang, tensed and bowed his head.
Though Ju Ja-bang bore the alias of one who possessed strategies matching the ancient Zhou Yu of Wu and freely traversed the Yangtze, before Water Immortal Seon he was merely a pawn.
And there was no helping it.
Water Immortal Seon Son-eun.
An absolute being whom none under heaven dared punish, though he audaciously claimed the title of immortal.
A water ghost that achieved enlightenment to become an immortal who summoned water calamities—in other words, he was the Water Death Calamity Immortal among the Cheonmu-sip-jon.
“Hehehehehehe. That child, the Gae-cheon Jeil-ryong, is no water beast, yet how does he move so swiftly through water? Ja-bang, do you understand?”
“I do not comprehend, Water Immortal. How exactly did he evade all of our alliance’s attacks? I cannot fathom it…”
“Simple. He possesses eyes that can see what cannot be seen.”
It was a cryptic Zen-like answer that defied understanding, yet Ju Ja-bang nodded and flattered him.
“Ah! The Water Immortal’s teaching has become this fool’s enlightenment.”
In return, his wrist was severed.
“Krraaaagh! I-I apologize, Water Immortal!”
“That will suffice.”
The severed hand floated upward.
The blood gushing from the wrist flowed backward, defying time itself.
Then came two streams of azure and verdant energy emanating from Water Immortal Seon.
Water among the Five Elements.
Wood among the Five Elements.
The water and wood energies transformed into needle and thread, stitching through the flesh, and Ju Ja-bang’s wrist returned to its original state as if it had never been severed.
Reattaching a severed wrist in an instant?
Even among the Cheonmu-sip-jon, eight or nine out of ten could not perform such divine technique.
“Th-thank you for your grace, Water Immortal…”
“All things are the mercury of the Five Pecks, so an offering must be made at the altar of the Celestial Master’s Way.”
As the name suggests—pursuing the Way through five measures of rice—the Five Measures of Rice Way is a branch of Daoism that cultivates the Five Elements.
Seon, the current inheritor of this tradition, had mastered the Five Elements Heavenly Master Divine Art to perfection, and if he manifested its power, reattaching severed limbs would be nothing more than a trivial matter.
“Ja-bang. What we deemed a superior strategy has become an inferior one, so we must now deliberate upon a new superior strategy.”
In other words, now that venting was complete, it was time to devise countermeasures.
Only then did the other senior members of the Suro Alliance, standing in formation, begin to offer their opinions one by one.
“We deemed it the opportune moment and attempted to plunder the Baek Family’s main estate, but we failed.”
“Now that the attempt has failed, I believe the opportune moment has become inopportune.”
The Baek Family’s Gaecheon Geomryong had ascended to become the Gae-cheon Jeil-ryong, and the eyes of the world remained fixed upon the Baek Family.
In such circumstances, engaging the Baek Family in warfare would incur considerable losses for the Suro Alliance.
“However, we of the Suro Alliance must absolutely wage war against the Baek Family.”
The reason was simple.
Had the Baek Family offended the Suro Alliance by swallowing the Black Path?
No.
“Hehehehe, the Baek Family expands its power with the speed of a spreading plague. They have surely become a thorn in our side.”
“Master Seon speaks the absolute truth!”
“We can only marvel at such foresight!”
If Seon said it was so, then it was so.
Even if Seon had suddenly ordered an attack on the Baek Family and they had suffered losses as a result.
If Seon desired it, it must be done.
Such was the Suro Alliance.
“War has already begun. Let us discuss the means to victory.”
“Means to victory? Do we need strategy to win?”
In truth, the Suro Alliance’s victory was already assured.
The disparity in power between the Suro Alliance and the Baek Family was as stark as the difference between a full moon and a firefly.
“Allow me to rephrase. Let us pool our wisdom and find a way to win with minimal losses.”
“Considering the eyes of the world, we should annihilate the Baek Family before winter arrives. This too must be taken into account.”
“The General speaks wisely.”
Ju Ja-bang nodded upon hearing the words of the Water General, one of the eighteen Stronghold Lords.
Victory was assured, but if victory was delayed, the prestige of the Suro Alliance would diminish accordingly.
“Four months until winter arrives. Before the Yangtze freezes, I wish to enjoy the scenic beauty of Yuanghang Lake. Hehehehe.”
His desire to enjoy the scenic beauty of Yuanghang Lake, where the Baek Family’s estate was located, was tantamount to an order to annihilate the Baek Family by then.
The minds of the Suro Alliance’s senior members grew troubled.
If the opponent were merely the Baek Family, it would be different, but the Namgung Family and the Shaman had declared their participation.
“Master Seon, if the Shaman of the Taeguk Sword Master has declared hostility toward our alliance… Krraaaagh!”
The neck of one senior member who had offered his opinion was severed.
No matter how skilled Seon was, he could not reattach another’s neck rather than a wrist, and it appeared he had no intention of doing so from the start.
Ju Ja-bang hastily bowed his head and reached a conclusion.
“Yes, Master Seon. We shall surely prepare so that you may enjoy the scenic beauty of Yuanghang Lake without lack.”
“I am always grateful, Ja-bang.”
“I am deeply sorry.”
The senior members of the Shuluomeng had spent the entire afternoon racking their brains to devise a strategy.
To annihilate the Baek Family within the four-month time limit while breaking through the interference of the Shaman and Namgung.
And so they produced one plan.
“Indeed, isolating the Baek Family seems to be the superior strategy.”
“I concur. Then shall we center it around Dongting Lake in Hunan?”
“Let us bolster the Dongting Three Armies, then sever their lifeline.”
It was at that moment when the senior members of the Shuluomeng had sketched out the framework of their strategy.
“Hmm. Now that I think about it.”
“Please speak, Seon!”
Stroking his long black and white beard, Seon let his words drift casually forth.
“That child of the Baek Family obtained the Geom Seon’s Legacy, did they not?”
In that instant, Ju Ja-bang’s expression faltered before he quickly composed himself.
‘I had forgotten the sentiment Seon harbors toward the Geom Seon Bloodline. A variable.’
“In the Three Gorges where Injung Seon dwells in scenic splendor, yet they revere an author from centuries past. How many fools walk this world.”
The command fell.
Thus it must be done.
“We shall dispatch water demons to Gangxi separately.”
“Hehehehe, send them forth in abundance so the journey is not lonely.”
“Yes, Seon.”
Formation of a front line centered on Hunan to check the Shaman and sever the front.
In addition, the dispatch of the Shuluomeng’s elite Water Demon Corps to Gangxi was decided.

* * *
In the Baek Family’s inner council chamber.
Young Scholar Seo unfurled his fan with a snap and declared triumphantly.
“The Suruo Alliance will surely mobilize the full forces of the Three Dong-ting Fleets!”
The Eighteen Fleets, the core of the Janggang Suruo Alliance, consist of the Eight Fleets of the Three Gorges, the Three Fleets of Dongting Lake, and seven additional water bases.
“Dongting, the most beautiful lake under heaven, located in Changsha, Hunan! After Hunan became the domain of the Black Path and heretical sects, we White Path members could no longer enjoy Dongting’s elegance. This is our chance—the Baek Family will strike first at Dongting and claim the most wondrous lake under heaven for the White Path!”
“….”
“….”
Family Head Baek Moo-ryang, speaking for all present, asked.
“How?”
“That’s where Young Master Yang Hwi will devise the strategy!”
Having finished speaking, Young Scholar Seo quickly shielded his forehead with his fan.
It was a defensive move to preempt the flick Yang Hwi was about to unleash.
But.
“….”
“…Hwi?”
“Yes, Father.”
“You seem to have something else on your mind.”
“My apologies. I’ll focus now.”
Normally, Yang Hwi would have actively participated in the council and even led the discussion.
But now, one question consumed his thoughts.
‘The Sword Selection Oracle has revealed a new verse.’
The second passage following Tang-jik-deok-do.
[Occupy Poyang – Obtain the Senior’s Legacy]
Seize Poyang Lake and obtain the predecessor’s heirloom.
Unlike Tang-jik-deok-do, which pointed directly to its meaning, this was ambiguous.
‘Senior? Who is this senior? If it were the Sword Selection Oracle, it would have been more direct. And I have no idea what the object is or how to obtain it.’
Ah, that’s right.
I almost forgot something.
I flicked my finger beneath the table, launching a flick-strike at Young Scholar Seo.
Snap!
“Aaagh!”
Young Scholar Seo, struck by the flick that passed through his fan, clutched his forehead.
He must have thought that since I couldn’t openly swing my hand before the elders, a mere fan would be enough to block it.
Foolish child—you’re still within the Buddha’s palm.
Joking around at such a serious gathering.
-If you don’t do this properly, there will be consequences.
Young Scholar Seo, now rigid with tension, began his excuse.
“The atmosphere seemed overly stiff, so I attempted a bit of levity. Now I shall begin the main discussion.”
Young Scholar Seo’s fan pointed to a location on the stone slate depicting the geography of the region.
“Young Master Yang Hwi successfully persuaded the Namgung Family, and the Shaman has also promised to join the fight. Our goal is to break the reputation of Gae-cheon Jeil-ryong and claim him as our own.”
Jeil-ryong, the champion of the Dragon-Phoenix Struggle for Supremacy.
The prestige that Jeil-ryong possessed was more than enough to make even great sects shift their allegiances.
Of course, beyond the gains in reputation, we had to promise other material benefits as well.
“So the power structure stands in perfect balance. Admittedly, it’s slightly insufficient, but for now we can consider it an even match. The question then becomes—which target will the Janggang Water Alliance strike first?”
The conclusion emerged without need for deliberation.
“Nine times out of ten, it’ll be us Baeks, won’t it, Young Scholar? Young Master Yang Hwi thoroughly humiliated those water dogs when he returned through the waterways.”
Everyone nodded in agreement.
To suffer such utter disgrace and yet endure it, choosing the strategically superior option?
Then they wouldn’t be called the water alliance—they’d be called the water army.
It was then that Yang Hwi thrust out his chest with a satisfied expression.
“Hehehehe.”
Young Scholar Seo laughed in an irritating manner.
That bastard looks awfully pleased with himself.
“Most would think that way, but a strategist must think differently from ordinary people! The Janggang Water Alliance also has Ju Yu-jang-gang, a brilliant strategist. I believe they will move with greater strategic calculation.”
“So what’s your conclusion?”
“Four months from now. Winter arrives. In that season of freezing waters, our forces will gain the advantage.”
“So it’s a race against time. No matter how I think about it, the Water Alliance seems likely to strike directly at the main house.”
“Hehehehe!”
“….”
“Sometimes the roundabout path is the fastest route. The Water Alliance will attempt to sever the lifeline of our Il-ik Alliance’s cooperative front, centered on Dongting Lake in Hunan. They will first blockade it, then deploy elite forces to annihilate the main house.”
Though no one knew it, this assessment aligned perfectly with the strategy discussed among the senior members of the Janggang Water Alliance.
“Then we must first discuss how to prevent the blockade of the front line.”
“There’s no need. I’ve already prepared a strategy.”
“Then speak it.”
Though it was the Baek Family’s senior council meeting, Dang-gun, Jegal Seol-ha, and Neung-o were also present as representatives of the Il-ik Alliance member sects.
Dang-gun raised his hand.
“I propose we employ the stratagem of feinting east while striking west, Family Head.”
“Explain in detail, Soga-joonim.”
“Yes. First, the Dang Sect and Jeomchang will launch offensives from Sichuan and Yunnan in the west.”
Young Scholar Seo’s fan pointed to the Three Gorges drawn on the map.
“By attacking the western side of the Three Gorges, we aim to disperse their attention.”
A line was drawn across the map.
Listing the distributed forces, it looked like this:
Dang Sect/Jeomchang – Three Gorges (Water Alliance headquarters) – Hubei (Shaman Sect) – Hunan (Dongting Three Talents) – Hubei (Jegal Family) – Jiujiang/Poyang Lake (Baek Family) – Anhui (Namgung Family) – Zhejiang
“There are several major water routes not listed, but the overall picture is as such.”
“In other words, by coordinating with the Shaman Sect and attacking both sides of the Three Gorges, we can prevent the Dongting Three Talents of Hunan from moving.”
“Or alternatively, the Shaman Sect and Jegal Family could block both the east and west of Dongting Lake.”
“If that happens, the main house would be safer… but wouldn’t the lifeline still be severed?”
“No. Rather than severing the lifeline, we create the appearance of a pincer offensive. Though various preparations will be necessary for that.”
To be honest, it was a strategy that required some preparation, or rather, had several difficult problems that needed to be solved.
Yang Hwi, who had been stroking his chin, turned his head.
“Seolha.”
“Yes, brother.”
“Do you think the members of the Jegal Family would be willing to coordinate with the Shaman?”
Seolha shook her head as if it were out of the question.
“If we’re not careful, the Shaman and our Jegal Family could end up fighting each other.”
The Shaman was still maintaining an outward posture of expanding their influence.
Rather, they were attempting to expand even more aggressively than before the Yongbong Conference.
It went without saying that relations with the Jegal Family, located in the same Hubei Province, were deteriorating day by day.
“In the first place, would the Shaman even move according to our wishes? If we just leave them alone and they move when the Baek Family suffers serious damage, the Shaman would gain a windfall profit.”
It was a sharp observation befitting someone from the Jegal Family.
“And there’s another problem. You said we’d threaten the Three Gorges, but the Three Gorges aren’t called the Three Gorges for nothing. Can we even approach the lair of the Water Alliance?”
Silence fell over the conference hall.
“You make a fair point, Seolha.”
Baek Moo-ryang, wearing an expression of frustration, looked toward the Young Scholar.
“Young Scholar Seo. Do you have a way to move the various sects according to our will?”
“If I said that would be in the hands of Young Master Yang Hwi… wouldn’t that give you a headache? I too have prepared a move.”
A hidden dragon from the past, lurking within the Baek Ui-mun of the former Namchang First Sect.
A writer known as Il-pil-hwi-seo who began writing at age ten and whose every work stirred the realm—and a strategist who had made the Baek Ui-mun, once led by the reckless sect leader of the previous life, the greatest force in Gangxi.
In this life, the young genius harbored by the Baek Family’s eyes gleamed with light.
“Young Master Yang Hwi. Would you consider becoming a water strategist?”
Smack!
The young genius was struck on the forehead and tumbled backward.
“Are you insane?”

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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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