Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 301

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Third-rate Martial Arts Family, Greatest Under Heaven – Episode 301
The most efficient training method has always been actual combat.
Flying Immortal Jade Sound Single Path Method, Ten Thousand Sounds as One!
Prajna Great Power, Bodhi’s Single Sweep Shatters Demons!
While I couldn’t make the heavens ripple, the sound waves spreading in all directions were more than sufficient to make the water’s surface churn into waves.
Though I couldn’t transform into Buddha itself, a single fist containing even a fragment of enlightenment collapses Suchae.
‘Seolha and Adu. Truly formidable.’
Even for me, Yang Hwi, who had lived a previous life, their growth rate was enough to make me speechless.
Both barely past their youth, yet possessing martial prowess of this caliber.
‘Had I not existed, they would certainly have been nominated as candidates for Greatest Under Heaven.’
In fact, even now there were quite a few voices saying they possessed the potential to become the Greatest Under Heaven.
This was because the accomplishments they had displayed over the past few months, destroying Suchae of the Yangtze River Water Alliance, were truly astounding.
Jegal Seol-ha of Pye Wol-ok-bong, who creates melodies to shatter waves—Breaking Waves Through Rhythm.
Adu of Iron Pagoda Fist Dragon, who is as immovable as a golden arhat—Unobstructed Golden Rigidity.
And me, Baek Yang-hwi of Gae-cheon Jeil-ryong—Never Crossing Walls.
Throughout Jiangxi, Anhui, and Hubei regions, the three of us together were called the Three Divine Stars of Sprouting Heaven.
“How is it, older brother? Surely there’s nothing to criticize at this level?”
Jegal Seol-ha descended gracefully beside me. The way her palace dress spread out in a circle resembled a swallow perfectly.
But I showed no mercy in my harsh critique.
“Use your energy more efficiently. Why are you wasting so much power on small fry? And you’re not using intent at all? Do you not want to reach the pinnacle?”
As a barrage of nagging poured out, Jegal Seol-ha pouted her lips.
“No, this level is excellent. Why are you criticizing so much?”
“Excellent? To hear the word ‘excellent,’ you’d need to reach my level. Even Eum Hu would agree.”
“Do you want to die?”
“With your current strength?”
“Wow. Wow!”
While Jegal Seol-ha stomped her feet in frustration, Adu approached and laughed heartily.
“Yang Hwi. What about me?”
“You, Adu, are always excellent.”
I continued while observing the faint scratches on his face.
“If I had to say something, become even more solid. Make the resolve to become more solid.”
Though it was a natural comment, Jegal Seol-ha’s face filled with grievance.
“No! No! Why is the treatment different!”
“Because you’re not excellent, while Adu is?”
Adu was… truly remarkable.
I found myself wondering why in my previous life he hadn’t bloomed and had instead withered away.
With talent of this caliber, he could have overcome any crisis that came his way… Ah.
‘It was a matter of spirit.’
I watched Adu, who was grinning widely after receiving praise.
He was a possessor of talent that could arguably be discussed as the greatest of all ages, yet….
“Adu. Want some rice cake?”
“Yes!”
“Here you go—today it’s bean and sesame cake.”
“Yaaay!”
Seeing his pure delight, I couldn’t help but smile.
After tossing him another cake, I turned my gaze toward Seolha.
Her cheeks were still puffed out with food.
I’d teased her enough—I should give her some praise, shouldn’t I?
“Seolha. Want to practice the Thousand Wind technique together?”
The air deflated from her swollen cheeks.
Her lips curved upward ever so slightly.
“Whoever falls first buys dinner!”
Wind swept through. Seolha’s palace robes billowed as she ascended toward the sky.
I followed close behind.
With practiced ease, we walked and ran through the air as if the heavens themselves were solid ground beneath our feet.
It was not a divine technique that two cultivators barely in their twenties should have been capable of displaying.
Yet the two of us climbed higher and higher, gazing down at the world below.
“You worked hard, Seolha.”
“It was nothing. Actually, you’ll have to repay me later for all of this.”
Despite her words, Seolha seemed to be in good spirits.
She still preferred environments where there were few people around.
Excluding me, or rather, now excluding just Adu and myself.
She erected walls and treated most others coldly.
Even toward Dang-gun and Neung-o, whom she called her companions.
“Thank you for coming with me.”
The words carried two meanings.
Gratitude for stepping forward as if the Baek Family’s affairs were her own.
Gratitude for not falling behind during these past months of grueling training.
Jegal Seol-ha’s lips curved upward as she let out a snort.
“Following along wasn’t even difficult—there’s no need to thank me for that.”
Her talent was truly remarkable.
Like Adu, she was knocking on the door of the supreme pinnacle.
No matter how many precious elixirs she had consumed and teachings she had received, it was her own capacity that determined what she could digest and master.
She possessed the talent to contend for supremacy under heaven.
‘In her past life, such talent fell to become Seob Hon-ma-hu and met a miserable end.’
That would never happen in this lifetime.
I was determined to repay the kindness she had shown me.
“It’s time we moved again, Seolha.”
Gravity settled over Jegal Seol-ha’s expression.
“You mean the Namgung Family?”
“Mm.”
For the past few months, I had aligned my movements with the main family’s tactics.
The Namgung Family had essentially abandoned their battle against the Changjiang Water Route Alliance.
“The Namgung withdrew. An unexpected choice.”
Because of this, whispers had begun circulating that the Namgung Family no longer deserved its place among the Five Great Families.
For the Namgung, known for their towering pride, it was a humiliation they would never willingly accept.
“If they made a choice we don’t understand, it means there’s a reason we’re unaware of.”
For instance, perhaps there were too many concerns to continue the war.
“I believe now is the opportune moment. I fear if we wait any longer, it may be too late.”
I agreed.
But I was curious about the basis for Seolha’s thinking, so I asked.
“The Changjiang Water Route Alliance is simply enduring.”
“Ah, yes. That is suspicious as well.”
The Changjiang Campaign was proceeding with Baek Do’s clear advantage.
Even accounting for winter’s disadvantage to the Changjiang Water Route Alliance, the one-sided defensive position was unnaturally pronounced.
“At this rate, it would be strange if the Changjiang Water Route Alliance’s masters—especially the Alliance Leader—didn’t step forward.”
Son Eun, the Water Death Calamity Immortal, was among the Cheonmu-sip-jon known for being light on his feet.
Yet he had not appeared on the battlefield until now.
“By that logic, Eum Hu isn’t intervening either.”
I suspect the higher-ups may have discussed something among themselves.
Perhaps the Cheonmu-sip-jon, beings who dwell in the heavens, agreed not to participate in the struggles of those below.
“Indeed, just looking at how the Sword Master hasn’t stepped in tells us something.”
The Taeguk Sword Master had participated in the Changjiang Campaign to elevate his disciple Hyeon Geom’s renown.
Yet he was not directly exerting influence, so there must surely be a reason.
“For the Jegal Family’s position, it’s fortunate.”
The battle between the Changjiang Water Route Alliance and Hubei’s Baek Do was gradually transforming into a three-way conflict.
The two main powers had become the Jegal Family and the Shaman Sect, now bitter rivals.
With the Baek and Namgung joining hands, these two sects would never cooperate.
“I’m concerned. The Shaman Sect, led by Hyeon Geom, is mounting quite aggressive offensives.”
As a result, in Hubei, the perception was growing stronger that it would be safer to fall under the Shaman Sect’s hegemony.
Meanwhile, the Jegal Family was taking offensive action, but it seemed they were still calculating.
‘Elder Jegal Pae. He’s not the sort to be unaware that deep contemplation might lead to irreversible consequences.’
The world was flowing.
Now that the Cheonma had revealed himself, it would flow ever faster and more violently.
At the Yongbong Conference, we had prevented the Great War, but chaos could not be avoided.
That was the current.
‘Perhaps I’m waiting for an even stronger tide. I should visit that place soon as well. For Seolha’s sake, if nothing else.’
Still, the Namgung Family came first.
“In any case, we’ve sown the seeds. Let’s go see if the fruit has ripened.”
“Hopefully it’s a delicious apple. Ripe and crimson red.”
“Won-woo!”
-Kiiiaaaaaa!
“Go to the Namgung Family. Tell Namgung Cheon-yeong of our intentions.”
-Kiiiaa!
Won-woo, with the letter attached to his talons, rapidly disappeared into the distance.

* * *
A wild mountain near Hefei.
From a spot where one could see the tip of the Namgung Family’s main hall when raising one’s foot, Yang Hwi, Adu, and Jegal Seol-ha met with Namgung Cheon-yeong.
“You could have summoned me to the main hall or a nearby inn. Why call me to this place?”
Namgung Cheon-yeong appeared far more haggard than he had been several months ago.
It was only natural, given that his father was hovering at death’s door.
But that wasn’t what mattered now.
“Namgung Cheon-yeong.”
I executed the Ilcheon Wind technique, extending my hand toward his vital point.
“Kuk, what are you doing!”
Namgung Cheon-yeong reacted swiftly as well. He defended his vital point and moved his hand toward his sword hilt.
I knocked his hand away to block his draw, then executed the Golden Serpent technique with my other hand.
Tap, tap—on the surface, it looked like playful sparring between friends.
Yet the exchange was invisible to the naked eye in its speed, carrying enough force to kill a tiger with a single strike.
Finally, Namgung Cheon-yeong’s wrist was seized.
Sensing danger, he attempted to sever his own wrist to escape.
Ding!
When Jegal Seol-ha intervened, he had no choice but to be subdued completely.
“Miss Jegal…”
“Don’t look at me like that. We were never on the same side, so why do you feel betrayed?”
“…”
‘Seol-ha, no matter how true it is, saying it like that…’
Wow, I never thought I’d feel pity for someone bearing the Namgung name.
And yet she’s utterly merciless, even to a man who harbors unrequited feelings for her.
“Seol-ha.”
“Yes?”
“Search the surroundings with Adu. Use the necklace’s function and be as thorough as possible.”
“Understood. Monk Adu, let’s go.”
After the two had moved far enough away, I thoroughly searched Namgung Cheon-yeong’s body.
“Kuk… Young Master Baek! What in blazes are you doing! Did you call me here for an ambush!”
“No, you bastard.”
Given his nature, he wouldn’t accept demonic energy even if his father commanded it, so it’s strange that he’s emanating it.
Namgung Cheon-yeong. I sense demonic energy from him.
And it’s blood energy at that.
What on earth is this about?
“Hey. Have you picked up any new martial techniques lately?”
“I won’t answer.”
“So you haven’t.”
I infused my intent into my qi. Hwa-cheon Seon-gi transformed into Seon-hwa Gangqi and searched through Namgung Cheon-yeong’s meridians.
And even probed as far as the dantian.
“Ugh…!”
I couldn’t invade the dantian itself, of all places.
But I could still discern it clearly.
‘I definitely sense demonic qi, but it’s not stored in the dantian itself.’
Someone had infused demonic qi into him.
Or he was under the influence of someone who possessed demonic qi.
Judging by the fact that it wasn’t merely a lingering scent but showed a certain flow pattern… was this the mark of a technique or grand art?
I thoroughly erased all traces of the demonic qi.
“Hey. My apologies.”
When I released my hand, Namgung Cheon-yeong shook his arm roughly.
“This is not something that can be settled with an apology!”
“Fair point.”
“Explain yourself. If I’m not satisfied, I’ll withdraw from this. I swear it.”
“First, let me answer your initial question. Why did I call you to this remote mountain? Well, why do you think? There are bound to be eyes watching.”
“Eyes watching?”
“You’re being surveilled.”
Namgung Cheon-yeong’s face hardened.
“I’m aware. How could I not be?”
He probably knows his own situation better than anyone.
“You wanted to say something you cannot say to someone under surveillance?”
“Right. You asked me to explain why I suddenly subdued you and convince you. It’s simple.”
I continued with a slight smirk.
“Should I arrange for you to meet your older brother, whom you haven’t seen in years? An opportunity seems to be presenting itself.”
Namgung Cheon-yeong immediately unleashed his killing intent.
This is exactly why it’s said that being a brother-fool who only knows one’s older brother is problematic.
There’s still one more step to go.
“Take the position of Family Head. Displace your father.”
“Baek Yang-hwi!”
Ah, I’ll need to cross swords with him until he calms down.
Though one exchange should be sufficient.
Clang!
The sword qi of Changcheon melted away, shaved by pristine white feathers.
I struck Namgung Cheon-yeong down in a single move and pinned him to the ground, my blade pressed against his throat.
Suddenly, the final moment of my past life flashed before me.
In a sword exchange similar to what was happening now, I had pierced his throat.
What had this bastard said back then?
“My apologies, Nangjoong Jeil-geom.”
‘An apology should never be made in the first place. A true apology is not merely spoken words—it demands a proper price be paid. So I will not accept it.’
“Listen to what I’m saying. If you don’t, the Namgung Family will be destroyed.”
I continued speaking as I watched his trembling pupils.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————