Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 311

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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 311
Ju Ja-bang, the strategist of Jang Gang-su Ro-maeng, bowed his head.
“Seon. With Mu-han in hand, eighty percent of the Hubei Tripartite Plan is now complete.”
Though Mu-han was called the provincial capital, Hubei was vast indeed.
So it was difficult to claim true tripartition, yet Seon nodded in acknowledgment.
“With this, the Mu-dang and Jegal will surely fracture.”
“Undoubtedly so. The Mu-dang will seize any opportunity, and the Jegal cannot yield.”
Jang Gang-su Ro-maeng was a singular force vast enough to rank among the top three powers under heaven, yet enemies were always better when fragmented into smaller pieces.
“Indeed. They will certainly attempt to reclaim Mu-han. However, they must first battle over ‘who’ shall reclaim it.”
Mu-han, originally the domain of the Jegal Family.
The Mu-dang Sect, coveting such territory and extending their reach by designating it as the venue for the Dragon Phoenix Gathering.
“Spring is ripening, leaving us five months until harvest season. Yet we shall reap our harvest before then.”
“I shall ensure it comes to pass, Seon.”
Seon stroked his beard with satisfaction and smiled, while Ju Ja-bang silently exulted within.

* * *
Upon a cliff of a low mountain far distant, overlooking the landscape of Mu-han.
Unlike when the Dragon Phoenix Gathering had been held, the atmosphere felt rigid in many ways, with broken structures visible throughout.
-Kiiiiiii!
Yang Hwi extended his hand. Won-woo offered his taloned foot bearing the letter.
“Well done, you beast.”
The letter’s contents were nothing short of shocking.
I knew the situation was dire, but for Mu-han to have been occupied by Jang Gang-su Ro-maeng…
I took a heavy blow the moment spring arrived.
‘I pressed hard through winter, so this outcome isn’t entirely surprising.’
Jang Gang-su Ro-maeng was one of the two greatest sects under heaven.
In terms of sheer force, they equaled three major sects combined, and their leader was one of the Cheonmu-sip-jon.
Had they simply accepted defeat, that would have been suspicious indeed.
I turned my head to gaze at the opposite direction.
Han-cheon. A city located near Mu-han, serving as the territorial boundary between the Jegal Family and the Mu-dang Sect.
It was also where the Jegal Family and Mu-dang Sect were currently encamped for the reclamation of Mu-han.
“Sigh. I’ll have quite the headache to nurse.”
If they cooperated to conduct a joint reclamation campaign, both body and mind would find ease.
But that could never happen.
Yang Hwi shook his head and flapped his arms.
-Kiiiii!
After watching Won-woo thrust into the air and beat his wings, Yang Hwi kicked off the rock.
“Let’s go, Won-woo. Fly as fast as you can. Let’s move quickly.”
-Kiiiiii!
Even using the Thousand-Jin Weight in reverse to reduce one’s body weight, a person cannot fly by clinging to a single hawk.
But for Yang Hwi now, it was possible.
When fighting masters, evading swiftly mattered far more than launching attacks.
Through successive fierce exchanges, my Ilcheon Wind had advanced to new heights.
Sharp enough to cleave the wind itself—or more precisely, the very air.
‘This Won-woo fellow, he really is fast.’
With the amplification of Daehae, I could unleash my lightness technique at full speed without worrying about inner energy depletion.
Won-woo was two or three times faster than that.
Seeing this, he truly lived up to being Geom Seon’s companion beast.
-Kyaaaaa!
As Won-woo announced his arrival, I released the leg I’d been holding.
‘Where are the Jegal Family people… ah.’
I could see hundreds of people gathered in two separate groups.
I adjusted my descent trajectory toward them and landed gracefully.
“Brothers, this Young Master of the Baek Family brings the Wol-wol Breaking Wall….”
I stopped mid-salute.
One side was the Jegal Family, the other the Mu-dang Sect.
Warriors with half-drawn blades and menacing expressions stared at me.
‘This wasn’t the time for greetings.’
Yang Hwi scratched his head awkwardly.

* * *
The Jegal Family’s main headquarters stood in Yungzhong Mountain.
Yet if one had to name the most crucial location within their domain, Mu-han claimed first place.
The capital of Hubei Province. A vital hub for water transport, it generated enormous commercial profits.
Mu-han was essentially the Jegal Family’s stronghold, and therefore the liberation campaign for Mu-han had to be conducted under the Jegal Family’s name.
Thus, the Mu-dang Sect’s notification could never be accepted.
“For the Taeguk Sword Master to declare the liberation campaign before the masses? I, Jegal Pae, as Family Head of the Jegal Family, must refuse this proposal.”
Jegal Pae’s expression remained as cold and impassive as always.
Unlike the warriors he’d brought, not a trace of the seething fury within showed through.
Yet the Mu-dang Sect’s Jang Moon-in appeared even more composed.
He stroked his beard and chuckled softly.
“Two great schools of the Hundred Paths join in this liberation campaign. It is only proper to declare it before heaven and earth, and to the common people trembling in fear.”
“Then this Family Head shall make the declaration.”
“Is it not one of the traditions of the Hundred Paths that juniors follow seniors and seniors stand before juniors? Would this not be disrespecting our sect’s patriarch?”
For Jegal Pae, this was an irrefutable argument.
By rank alone, the Taeguk Sword Master naturally became the one to make the declaration.
‘If I insist on control of Mu-han, I’ll only lose the moral high ground.’
Because the Hundred Paths valued face and propriety?
Wrong.
Because rumors could be fabricated that the Mu-dang Sect was being unreasonable, unwilling to lose material benefits.
‘Then there are three choices. Yet not a single stratagem exists. I cannot lose Mu-han.’
If I reclaimed Mu-han under the Taeguk Sword Master’s declaration of recovery, the owner of Mu-han would inevitably become the Shaman Sect.
After all, the common people of Mu-han would surely wish to be under the Shaman’s command.
“The rice harvested in autumn must gather in Mu-han as before, Family Head. We do not have much time.”
This was the second reason the Jegal Family found itself in such a predicament.
“You need not participate in the declaration ceremony. In four days, the Shaman Sect will begin the reclamation battle for Mu-han under the Patriarch’s proclamation.”
Mu-han is a vital junction of the Jang Gang waterway routes.
Vast quantities of rice harvested from south of the river converge in Mu-han before dispersing northward.
Thus, Mu-han must be reclaimed within five months without fail.
‘There is no stratagem to surpass the Shaman Sect’s justification.’
Had the Jegal Family been stronger than the Shaman Sect, there would have been a way.
For instance, a martial contest.
The martial world is ultimately a realm of those who revere martial prowess, and strength itself becomes justification.
Yet the Shaman Sect, which had risen to the position of Southern Sovereign under the guidance of the Cheonmu-sip-jon, was beyond what the Jegal Family could overcome.
‘I cannot defeat even the Shaman Sect’s Jang Moon-in, let alone the Taeguk Sword Master. Soga-joonim cannot defeat the representative of the Shaman’s Seven Swords, and Hwa-un cannot defeat Hyeon Geom.’
In every generation, the Jegal Family was weaker than the Shaman Sect.
Was it because the Jegal Family, though one of the Five Great Families, was renowned for mechanisms and strategy rather than martial might?
No. This too was incorrect.
It was because the Jegal had no Taeguk Sword Master.
Because there existed no absolute being to lead all retainers and elevate them to greater heights.
“Consider your conscience, Shaman Sect’s Jang Moon-in!”
A sharp rebuke burst forth from behind. Jegal Pae closed his eyes.
He need not look to know the voice’s owner.
It was his own son, called Waryong Musang for his uncharacteristically fiery temperament among the Jegal.
“Jegal Soga-joonim. This Jang Moon-in’s conscience is perfectly intact.”
“Then why are you being so unreasonable!”
“Unreasonable? Which part exactly?”
“Tch….”
Aggrieved, yet unable to speak.
He had not lost his reason so completely as to be unaware that speaking would only bring him disadvantage.
“All decisions are for the sake of Mu-han’s common people. Do you not understand that the Cheonmu-sip-jon’s proclamation itself elevates morale and ends uncertainty?”
It was a logical answer, yet Jegal Seon sensed the underlying mockery within it.
Clang!
Jegal Seon drew his blade. The standing Jegal Family warriors followed suit, and in response, the sound of swords being drawn echoed from various points within the Shaman Sect’s formation.
“You have drawn your blade? Jegal Soga-joonim. I am curious about the reason for this display.”
The Shaman Sect’s Jang Moon-in remained composed and unhurried.
He knew it well. That proceeding this way would bring no loss to the Shaman Sect.
To secure even a portion of the profits from the reclaimed Mu-han, the Jegal Family had no choice but to cooperate with the Shaman Sect.
“Profit….”
Jegal Seon clenched his teeth and trembled, yet he could not bring himself to point his blade at the other.
Jegal Pae let out a small sigh, about to make an excuse on behalf of his son.
Whoooosh!
The sound of descent echoing through empty air.
A late-stage master descended with robes billowing.
No—he was far more than a late-stage master now.
In terms of reputation alone, he was as renowned as Jegal Pae himself.
“Fellow cultivators, I am the Baek Family’s Unbreakable Moonlight Blade….”
Watching Yang Hwi scratch his head awkwardly mid-sentence, Jegal Pae’s eyes gleamed.
A variable had appeared.

* * *
It was good that I flew here riding Won-woo.
Judging by the atmosphere, things would have become complicated if I’d arrived even slightly later.
‘If we drew blades and fought among ourselves, the people’s hearts would turn away.’
Regardless of the Mu-dang Sect, for the Jegal Family that had lost Mu-han—my domain—the hearts of the people were paramount.
It was clear that my uncle couldn’t hold back and had drawn his blade first.
‘I need to resolve this situation first.’
After finishing my thoughts, I bowed deeply at the waist.
“My sincere apologies!”
“…?”
“?”
An unexpected apology. Yang Hwi continued.
“It seems I’ve been putting on airs without realizing it, caught up in my false reputation. I wanted to make a cool entrance and got a bit carried away with my presence, but I never expected such a reaction.”
Drawing my blade without proper justification had been a clear mistake.
But if that was the case, I simply needed to create proper justification.
“Uncle, I momentarily forgot that when a master of such caliber descends while radiating energy, any warrior would naturally draw their blade. Would you accept this nephew’s apology?”
“…?”
Instead of Jegal Seon, who stood with his mouth open, Jegal Pae immediately stepped forward.
“I accept the apology on behalf of my son. Be more careful next time, Young Master Baek.”
“I am grateful for the Family Head’s magnanimity!”
I called out cheerfully, then grinned while looking at the Mu-dang Sect Master.
It was a case of covering one’s eyes and pretending ignorance, but the Mu-dang Sect had been the first to do the pretending.
“I also apologize to the members of the Mu-dang Sect. I trust you will understand.”
The Baek Family’s Gae-cheon Jeil-ryong. The late-stage master who had most greatly hindered the Mu-dang Sect’s progress since the Yong-bong Gathering.
The Mu-dang Sect Master’s expression turned troubled.
An anxiety that the carefully constructed situation might crumble began to creep up.
“If you’ve finished speaking, wouldn’t you leave? We were in urgent discussion with the Jegal Family.”
“That cannot be.”
Though I should have complied with the words of a sect master as renowned as the Mu-dang, I could not.
There would certainly be those who found it disrespectful, but I could simply attach a reason to it again.
“As the representative of the Baek Family of Gae-cheon, who requested the Mu-dang Sect’s participation in the Jang Gang conflict, I wish to propose an alternative method for selecting the person to declare the Mu-han Liberation War.”
I had already learned the circumstances before and after through mental transmission from the quick-witted Seolha.
“The Jang Gang-su Ro-maeng is a colossal force that swiftly occupied Mu-han with overwhelming military might. Therefore, should not a more powerful faction lead the liberation effort?”
“Is the Mu-dang Sect not powerful enough?”
“Even acorns must be measured to know their true size.”
“Acorns, you say… Haha! Explain your method then, Young Master Baek.”
“It is simple. A martial family’s military strength is determined by the average martial prowess of the generation with the largest numbers, is it not?”
This was true. Regardless of how important the martial skills of masters were, war inevitably became a clash of numbers against numbers.
‘In truth, this is merely the lesser evil to avoid the worst outcome.’
But there was no choice.
First, I would avoid the worst, and then somehow rebuild the board with what I could gain.
As I was constructing an irrefutable argument with such thoughts, it happened.
“Young Master Baek. Step back, if you will.”
“Family Head Jegal?”
Jegal Pae ignored Yang Hwi’s response and stepped forward.
“Mu-dang Jang-mun. Your words are entirely correct. In the end, the martial world belongs to those who follow martial strength. It is only right that the will of the Cheonmu-sip-jon be followed.”
“….”
An abrupt shift in stance. While Mu-dang Jang-mun deliberated, Jegal Pae continued.
“However, the Jegal Family’s hidden strength is equally formidable. Our founder demonstrated how devastating mechanical formations can be in warfare through the Palmunsigsa Formation.”
“What is your point, Family Head Jegal?”
“What if we select three representatives from each generation and determine which faction—Mu-dang or Jegal—should lead the liberation war?”
The Mu-dang Jang-mun’s face brightened.
For the Mu-dang Sect, there was no reason to refuse such a method.
“However, the true power of the Jegal lies in formation techniques, so I request a three-on-three match where the Harmony Formation may be employed.”
This too was impossible to refuse.
The Mu-dang Sect also possessed the Harmony Formation, and their overwhelming advantage remained intact.
“Excellent! The Family Head must not go back on his word!”
Jegal Pae nodded and turned his gaze toward Yang Hwi.
“Young Master Baek.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
“You were adopted, were you not? Do you harbor ambitions to become the Family Head of the Baek Family?”
Why was he suddenly asking this?
Jegal Pae possessed the cunning befitting a Jegal Family Head.
It was difficult to discern what he was thinking.
“The position of Family Head belongs to my younger brother Seo. I have never harbored such ambitions.”
“I see. Then marry our Seolha.”
“…Pardon?”
Yang Hwi’s mouth fell agape.
Regardless, Jegal Pae turned back to face Mu-dang Jang-mun.
“The main family will send Baek Yang-hwi, our son-in-law, as one of the representatives.”

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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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