Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 296

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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 296
Another month had passed.
Rumors about the Crimson Moon Wall-Breaking Dragon, who had slain a Transcendent Master while at the Peak realm, grew increasingly fierce.
Following the Dragon Phoenix Conference from months prior, the sensation now shaking the martial world was the great war between the Yangtze River Water Route Alliance and the Baek Family sect.
[Four of the Nine Sects, allied with other factions, stand against one of the two great evil sects of the realm—the Yangtze River Water Route Alliance!]
In a sense, it was a small righteous war, so naturally the common people could not help but take interest.
Then came an unexpected revelation.
[The Baek Family’s Gae-cheon Jeil-ryong single-handedly defeated the commander of the Yangtze River Water Route Alliance’s elite Sugu unit…!]
Previously, the Baek Family Heir, despite being merely a minor noble’s son, had won the Dragon Phoenix Contest and earned the title Gae-cheon Jeil-ryong.
Now he had defeated a Transcendent Master and earned another epithet—the Crimson Moon Wall-Breaking Dragon—a dragon that did not merely cross the wall but shattered it entirely.
He had become the protagonist in both sensations that shook the martial world, truly earning his place as the talk of the capital and the subject of all gossip.
“Even a Transcendent Master cannot stand confident before the Crimson Moon Wall-Breaking Dragon.”
“I’ve heard rumors that he lost to a Peak realm master, and one in the late stages at that.”
“They’d lower their heads just to avoid being marked by him.”
“Right. Most Transcendent Masters are elder-class experts of major sects. Their pride is no trivial matter!”
Behind these rumors lay the secret machinations of the Il-pil-hwi-seo Alliance as well.
They had deliberately guided the reputation to spread more provocatively.
The reason was naturally to influence the Yangtze River War.
“The Gae-cheon Jeil-ryong has also claimed the fame of the Crimson Moon Wall-Breaking Dragon. Hmm, why are the Shaman and Namgung so quiet…?”
Until now, the Shaman sect and Namgung Family had declared war against the Yangtze River Water Route Alliance yet shown only lukewarm offensives.
They had made excuses about needing to fight in earnest when winter’s frozen waters would give them advantage.
Naturally, since they had not participated willingly, they were being cautious.
“The Shaman’s Hyeon Geom, Namgung’s Namgung Cheon-yeong. Were they not late-stage realm masters whose fame shook the heavens before the Dragon Phoenix Conference?”
“Hmm. Their packaging has been stripped away.”
Though the Shaman and Namgung had tried to act belatedly, it was already too late to change course.
These were not mere fabrications but packaged truths.
Since they were not lies, changing the narrative would hold little meaning.
In other words, from now on, both sects—particularly the Namgung Family—had no choice but to act aggressively.
Why? Because the honor of Namgung Cheon-yeong, the family’s future, was at stake.
“Older brother, you certainly know how to scratch deep into people’s hearts.”
“Hmm? What are you suddenly saying, Seolha?”
“The rumors. To make Namgung reluctantly accept through such underhanded methods.”
Yang Hwi wore an aggrieved expression.
“This time it wasn’t me.”
“What? Besides older brother, there couldn’t possibly be anyone else in the Baek Family so skilled at scratching people’s hearts.”
“There’s one. The Young Scholar.”
The orchestration of these rumors had originated from the Young Scholar’s mind.
Yang Hwi could not help but feel satisfied—it was like the joy a master feels watching a well-trained disciple bloom, the pride of the student surpassing the teacher.
‘All that effort in cultivating him has borne fruit. I never imagined his talents would flourish so brilliantly.’
Indeed, the Young Scholar was a prodigy who had been active as Il-pil-hwi-seo at a young age.
There’s a saying that moving people’s hearts is an art form.
“The Namgung Family must bestow greater merit upon Namgung Cheon-yeong than I have earned. Otherwise, the perception will spread throughout the realm that the Baek Family’s future shines brighter than the Namgung Family’s.”
Seolha tilted her head slightly.
“But brother, would the Soga-joonim really go that far for a mere late-stage martial artist?”
“Yes. He must go that far. Both our main family and the Namgung are martial clans.”
“I don’t think our Jegal Family Head would do the same.”
She shook her head as she replied.
“No. The Jegal Family Head would make the same choice. However, it would only happen when the honor of Jegal Seon, the Soga-joonim—not you or Uncle Hwa-un—is at stake.”
In martial clans, the position of Soga-joonim carries such weight.
A figure who determines the family’s power and standing for at least the next thirty years—an entire generation’s fate.
Just look at the Peng Family. Among the Five Great Families, the Peng Family was always overshadowed by the Namgung, yet with the mere existence of Daehaeyongwangdo Peng Fan, they rose to become the greatest family under heaven.
“A single powerful and renowned warrior. That one person accounts for half of a martial clan’s strength.”
Namgung Cheon-yeong is a genius carefully cultivated by the Namgung Family with their utmost devotion.
Having already deposed Namgung Cheon-hu to demonstrate their resolve, the Namgung Family has no replacement for him.
So they have no choice but to act.
“Ah. That’s why they accepted the engagement at Lyeo River. I was wondering why they chose to fight at Lyeo River near Hefei.”
Lyeo River. One of the tributaries connecting Soho and the Yangtze, located below Hefei where the Namgung Family resides.
Though it’s called a tributary, it’s wider than most ordinary rivers and serves as a crucial transportation hub.
“If we fought in our own courtyard, fire might spread to our home, but we could also mobilize our people quickly.”
Moreover, being a key point in water route transportation means the Suchae of the Yangtze Water Alliance has established their position there.
If they could eliminate the Suchae near their own courtyard, the Namgung Family’s power would naturally grow stronger.
“If it were Taeho Lake, the Baek Family could have mobilized their full strength too. Why specifically Lyeo River?”
“Seolha.”
“Yes?”
“Lyeo River has an average depth shallower than Adu’s height. Study harder.”
“….”
Smack!
As I rubbed my forearm that had taken the blow, Jegal Seol-ha continued speaking.
“Strictly speaking, the Namgung Family and the Baek Family of Gae-cheon have exchanged one victory each.”
“Exactly. Though if it weren’t for the rumors, I would never have accepted.”
‘And besides, they must be confident in victory.’
Not victory against the Yangtze Water Alliance.
Victory in the confrontation between the Baek and Namgung families.
The engagement at Lyeo River would be a war involving the Yangtze Water Alliance, the Baek Family, and the Namgung Family, but also a competition between the Namgung and Baek.
“So Seolha, your role is crucial. I’m counting on you.”
“Just trust me, brother. But in return, you owe me a debt, understand?”
“A debt? Between us?”
“Well, that’s the law of the Jegal Family—we settle accounts with precision even among family.”
“…Understood.”
A slight unease settles over me, but there’s no helping it.
To display superior military strength against the Namgung Family, Seolha’s presence was absolutely essential.
-Hwi.
Father’s voice transmission reached me from ahead.
-Yes, Father.
-Begin positioning yourself. The place where we’re meant to meet the Namgung Family is nearly upon us.
I lifted my gaze. The Baek Family’s martial forces, excluding those left to defend our home base, stretched out in a long marching column.
All warfare consists of offense and defense.
Until now, defending Gangseong meant taking blow after blow. Now came our turn to strike back.
Even if a melee erupted in the process, it would occur in a place where the Baek Family suffered no losses.
Anwhui’s Yeoggang River. A battlefield where we would rampage and crush our enemies loomed just ahead.

* * *
A vast open ground near the riverbank. The Namgung Family’s warriors had already arrived and established their formation.
The Baek Family likewise gathered their vanguard forces, which had been spread out to maintain formation, and Baek Moo-ryang led from the very front on horseback.
Clop. Clop. The sound of hoofbeats echoed from the opposite side as well.
Namgung Family Head Namgung Il-geom. Vice Family Head Namgung Cheon-yeong. Elder Namgung Sa-geom.
Along with several other key figures, they closed the distance, their auras radiating the distinctive presence of masters.
Was this a formation to welcome the Baek Family, or merely an intimidating show of force?
I glanced at Father’s face, but detected not the slightest wavering in his expression.
At this moment, Father was a Family Head who would be indispensable anywhere.
“Baek Family Head.”
Namgung Sa-geom’s solemn voice. I found myself frowning without realizing it.
‘Starting with games, are they.’
The main branch was now called the Baek Family Sect and the Gae-cheon Baek Family.
If the Family Head called himself Baek Family Head out of humility, that would be one thing—but it was a title the Namgung Family had no right to use.
Fortunately, or perhaps inevitably, Father did not fall for the provocation.
“It is my first honor to meet you, Namgung Family Head. At Mu-han previously, I was unable to pay my respects as you departed first.”
A smile bloomed across my furrowed brow in an instant.
‘That’s Father for you. Calm on the surface, yet he knows how to put teeth into his words.’
That statement was no different from saying: My son defeated your son!
From Namgung Il-geom’s perspective, he’d given much but received only words in return.
Yet Namgung Il-geom, too, showed no sign of being shaken, befitting a Family Head.
“Formalities are unnecessary. I won’t thank you for coming—it was by agreement, and it was not support the Namgung Family desired.”
“Silence is consent by nature. Since you did not refuse, one might say you did desire it, would you not?”
“Hahaha. There is no flaw in that reasoning either.”
“Then I spoke only truth, as was natural.”
“….”
“….”
The two Family Heads faced each other. Their gazes carried force, and this exchange would determine the outcome of the first meeting between the Namgung Family and the Gae-cheon Baek Family.
Screech!
Shing!
Namgung Il-geom drew his blade first, and Baek Moo-ryang unsheathed his sword nearly simultaneously.
The Namgung Family’s distinctive heavy sword—longer and thicker than ordinary blades.
The Baek Family’s signature straight sword—slightly longer than a standard blade but considerably thinner.
Namgung Il-geom tilted the tip of his sword.
“There’s quite a bit of accumulated tension between us. However, it would be the wiser choice to first topple the Changjiang Water Route Alliance as our common enemy.”
“Those who follow the Path of Heaven’s Gap always walk the righteous road. Always.”
The blades clashed, producing a clear, ringing note.
“The bandits of Lijiang have established their formation centered around the Daliangxia Gorge. You take the western approach. The Namgung Family will advance from the east.”
A unilateral command. Though there was a difference in power, this was not something a Family Head should say to another Family Head.
Especially not when provocation was added to it.
“I’m curious. Which of us will arrive first? Which of us will end up merely blocking the escape route?”
Yet Baek Moo-ryang nodded his head.
“Very well. A guest must honor the host’s request. Even if the host chooses only what is convenient for himself.”
The Daliangxia Gorge’s eastern approach is easier terrain to assault.
But here’s the thing.
‘Father responded quite appropriately. Thanks to that, we won’t raise suspicion through pointless bickering.’
Rumors don’t carry detailed circumstances.
Namgung likely only wants the result—that they achieved greater merit than the Baek Family.
That’s why they chose the easier eastern approach.
All without knowing that the Baek Family had planned to launch their offensive from the west in the first place.
‘Are you ready, Seolha?’
‘Of course, brother.’
The two exchanged glances and smiled knowingly.

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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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