Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 312

—————
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 312
It was a well-known fact throughout the realm that Baek Yang-hwi, the heir of the Baek Family, and Jegal Seol-ha, a direct descendant of the Jegal Family, were betrothed to one another.
At the previous Yongbong Gathering, the Namgung and Jegal clans had proceeded with the betrothal between Namgung Cheon-yeong and Jegal Seol-ha, but Seol-ha, who opposed it, had fled and asked her elder brother Yang-hwi to pose as her betrothed.
“Young Master Baek. Why such an expression? You are my Seol-ha’s betrothed, are you not?”
Yang-hwi broke into a cold sweat.
‘This is troublesome.’
Betrothed lovers? A fabrication born from a favor, embellished with false words and even a kiss.
Yet remarkably, save for five or six of Yang-hwi’s closest companions, no one else knew the truth.
‘If I told Father, he’d beat me senseless. And Seol-ha wouldn’t tell anyone either, desperate as she was to avoid being taken by the Namgung.’
In other words, Jegal Pae genuinely believed that his granddaughter and Yang-hwi held each other in sincere affection.
That was precisely why he had concocted such an absurd scheme.
-Seol-ha! Emergency! Emergency!
Moments later, a transmission came back from Seol-ha.
-What is it?
-Huh?
-What’s the emergency?
-What do you mean… They want us to formalize the betrothal.
-Then let’s do it.
-What?
When I turned my head, Seol-ha was grinning mischievously.
To jest at a moment like this—she had truly become peculiar in many ways.
-We’ve coordinated our stories before without issue. Let’s just act along with it. We can’t exactly deny being betrothed now, can we?
That was true enough, but if I agreed in this situation, I would be utterly trapped, forced to become a live-in son-in-law.
It meant Jegal Pae would wield tremendous influence over my future path.
‘Tch, that’s rather inconvenient…’
“Young Master Baek. Your betrothed’s grandfather is asking. Surely you don’t dislike the betrothal with our Seol-ha, do you? Is that why your answer is delayed?”
If I said yes here, the Jegal Family itself could turn into an enemy.
At minimum, Jegal Seon and Jegal Hwa-un, father and son, would regard me as an irreconcilable foe.
Yang-hwi answered immediately.
“Thank you for bestowing your granddaughter upon me!”
“Heh heh, of course that’s how it should be. Not for me to say, but our Seol-ha is no ordinary girl.”
That was true. She was universally acknowledged as the most beautiful under heaven, Pye Wol-ok-bong, who embodied the Breaking Wave of Destiny.
With her status as a direct descendant of the Five Great Families and a disciple of Cheonmu-sip-jon, there was no finer bride candidate in all the realm.
Had we truly cherished each other and desired this betrothal, I would have prostrated myself in gratitude.
‘There’s no way out of this… I can’t see one.’
I was cornered. For reasons I couldn’t fathom, that was how it felt.
While I was groaning inwardly, Jegal Pae made another declaration.
“The three-on-three duel to determine the representative sect for the Infinite Resurrection Tournament. I understand the Shamans have agreed to this.”
“Please wait a moment, Family Head Jegal.”
“What is it? Surely you’re not about to go back on your word?”
A moment of silence fell between them. The Shaman’s words had been thrown back at me, so there was no avoiding this.
“…So Young Master Baek truly intends to become the Jegal Family’s son-in-law? Should it be revealed that this is merely a pretext to admit an outsider, the Shaman will not overlook it in the future.”
“Don’t worry. That won’t happen.”
Beads of sweat doubled on my forehead.
‘Ah. This really seems to have gone south.’
Thus the negotiations between the Shaman and the Jegal Family concluded.
With a decisive battle promised four days hence.

* * *
“I’m sorry for leaving first, brother.”
“The situation was urgent. Don’t mention it.”
It had been a hair-trigger moment where the Shaman and the Jegal Family could have erupted into open conflict.
Even today alone, had I not fallen from the sky and drawn attention, blades might have been drawn.
‘Even if that hadn’t happened, the Jegal Family would have suffered losses.’
I wasn’t petty enough to fault her for leaving in such urgent circumstances.
What troubled me was that she’d left without seeing Seolha regain consciousness.
‘I should say something to ease her mind.’
“If I were in your position, I would have left you behind and gone first too. So it’s fine.”
“What did you just say?!”
It backfired. Seolha began glaring at me with furious eyes.
“You would have left me behind while I was unconscious and gone alone? How could you say such a thing?”
Seolha, that’s exactly what you did…?
“You should have carried me and gone together!”
But you didn’t do that…?
If I point this out, she’ll go beyond glaring and actually try to strike me down with an axe.
“Hmm? I see dissatisfaction written all over your face?”
“…I apologize.”
“That’s right. Well, since you’re my brother, I’ll let it slide this once.”
“Thank you….”
I felt a strong need to change the subject.
“Anyway, what do we do now?”
“Since you have to fight in the duel, you must win no matter what, right?”
That’s also true, but…
Isn’t there something we need to discuss before the duel?
“The betrothal, I mean. What was supposed to be an act suddenly became real. At this rate, I could end up with my nose pierced.”
“Brother, do you hate being betrothed to me?”
It’s awkward to say to you, Seolha, but your grandfather is so cunning.
Just thinking about how he’ll meddle in my affairs under the guise of the betrothal like some scheming raccoon already exhausts me.
“Of course I hate it. Let’s find a solution together….”
Seolha unleashed a Thousand Wind Strike.
Yang Hwi immediately unfurled the Thousand Winds technique, and the two currents of wind began to clash and contend within the guest chamber.
Naturally, the advantage belonged to Yang Hwi, but….
‘If she seizes that wrist and subdues me, I’m dead.’
My keen senses sounded the alarm.
Seolha would never kill me, but it felt as though I would suffer enough to wish for death….
In the end, I yielded my back obediently.
Screeeech!
“Aaaaagh!”
Without question, it hurt just as much as when I was pierced by the Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo’s inner force!
This wretch Seolha! She even infused her inner qi into that strike!
“That was disrespectful language toward a refined lady. Hmph.”
“I’m sorry….”
The pain gradually subsided, and Yang Hwi observed Seolha’s expression.
‘Tsk, there’s no way I couldn’t predict Seolha’s reaction. Why is today different?’
How many years had we spent together?
I prided myself on knowing Seolha better than anyone.
Yet today her reactions were quite strange.
As if she had harbored secret affection for me all along.
“Seolha.”
“Yes?”
“Do you like me?”
Seolha transformed into wind once more.
Yang Hwi gave up trying to respond.
Screeeech!
“Aaaaagh!”
“Have you lost your mind?!”
“If it’s not a denial, then why are you hitting me!”
“Because you said something you deserved to be hit for!”
Well, that much was true.
‘At least it’s certain that Seolha doesn’t harbor affection for me.’
In my previous life, there was no companion who had promised a hundred years of marriage, but that doesn’t mean I don’t understand women.
I wandered the realm as an assassin for nearly twenty years—would I not know how to charm a woman?
It’s certain. To Seolha, I am a peer, an older brother, a guardian.
Just as I regard her in the same way.
“….”
“….”
A moment of silence. Jegal Seol-ha gazed at the bewildered Yang Hwi.
More precisely, at the depths of his inner mind.
‘He remains unmoved.’
The steadfast stone had become the seed of clouds.
Yet just as before, I remained unwavering and resolute—that much was unchanged.
Even with the most beautiful woman under heaven standing before me.
‘I am Jegal Seol-ha, and he feels reluctant about our betrothal?’
My pride was wounded. How could this be?
Any normal, decent man should inwardly be delighted regardless of external circumstances.
I was absolutely certain of this fact.
‘…That’s why I’m drawn to my brother.’
I’m drawn to my brother—to Yang Hwi of the Baek Family.
For someone like me who could perceive the inner hearts of others, Yang Hwi was a person who would never waver.
Because he was always so steadfast, I found myself wishing he would show some hesitation and change for my sake alone.
‘I’m drawn to my brother. Does that mean I’m in love with him?’
I had never harbored romantic feelings for any man since birth.
Except for the two family members—Jegal Seon and Jegal Hwa-un.
In my heart, affection and romantic love were such things.
So the feelings I held for Yang Hwi must be of the same nature.
Then why did I bristle?
Why did I feel hurt by Yang Hwi’s reluctance toward the betrothal?
I didn’t know.
But I knew all too well how to dispel Yang Hwi’s reluctance.
I was the person who understood him better than anyone.
“Brother, think about it. The bond between the Baek Family and our Jegal Family is actually quite loose.”
“Hmm. That’s true.”
The awkwardness vanished from Yang Hwi’s face.
“Unlike the Soga-joonim, the Family Head walks with our Baek Family purely for practical benefit.”
“Exactly. If the path were to change, both your position and mine would become quite precarious, wouldn’t it? So wouldn’t we need a more solid bond?”
“You’re right, Seol-ha.”
If the Shamans and the Jegal had not been located in the same region,
Jegal Pae would have joined hands with the Shamans to pressure the First Alliance.
A strategist with cold blood flowing through his veins—he would have prioritized the Jegal Family’s interests above all else.
“Certainly, being bound through betrothal would become quite troublesome. But wouldn’t the practical benefits be greater? It means Brother can exert influence over the Jegal Family as well.”
Yang Hwi suddenly had a thought.
‘This is why I’m drawn to Seol-ha.’
She’s not foolish. She’s wise.
Whatever the previous life was like, in this life Seol-ha had been with me since childhood, so even her personality and way of thinking had become similar to mine.
“You’re right. It’s become impossible to refuse the betrothal. The Shamans won’t overlook it. Since it’s come to this, I must grow my influence as the Jegal Family’s prospective son-in-law.”
“A good thought. Regretting a spilled cup is foolish.”
“A capable person must never be consumed by regret.”
The path was set. For now, I would set aside matters of the betrothal and focus on growing my influence over the Jegal Family.
Besides, I held exactly the right card in my hand.
“Let’s go, Seol-ha. We need to meet the Family Head.”

* * *
When I requested an audience, Jegal Pae accepted as though he had been waiting for it.
In the Jegal Family Head’s office, Jegal Pae—who had been polishing the Wa-ryong Scepter, the symbol of his authority—welcomed me.
“I thought it would take longer. Your conversation with her ended quickly.”
A probing remark, as if to say: I know your betrothal to her is a lie.
I responded calmly.
“There was nothing that required time. Whether we receive official recognition or not, the bond between Seol-ha and myself will not change.”
“Hm-hm, is that so? Son-in-law Baek Yang-hwi. As the Family Head of the Jegal Family, I now issue you your first command.”
Sigh, truly an exhausting type.
Already laying groundwork in his words to seize the initiative.
I cannot let that pass.
“Before I hear your command, might I first offer a proposal as your son-in-law? Ah, perhaps ‘rendering a service’ would be the more fitting expression.”
A faint interest flickered across Jegal Pae’s cold face.
No, it was more than mere interest.
How should I put it—the pleasure of seeing one’s conviction become reality.
“Speak.”
“Ultimately, the martial world is a realm where strength determines all.”
“And?”
“Yet the Jegal Family rose to its position among the Five Great Families through superior strategy in such a world. Should not the Shamans see the Jegal Family’s unique strengths?”
“That would be ideal, if possible.”
“Therefore, this is what I propose.”
Wisdom. Strategy. Tactics.
Three virtues of a strategist.
Yet in truth, a strategist’s arsenal contains more than three.
There exists another virtue employing the character for “govern.”
That is intrigue.
The art of deception used to harm others.
“I happen to know a method to counter the Shamans’ sword techniques. How would you employ it?”
“Ho-o-o-o.”
Jegal Pae’s eyes gleamed.
The Head of Wa-ryong Jegal required no further explanation.
“Should the main family succeed in reclaiming Mu-han under our leadership, I shall grant the Baek Family the right to participate in the grain market.”
Conversation with intelligent people has both advantages and disadvantages.
The advantage is that explanation becomes unnecessary, making it convenient.
And the disadvantage is.
‘You’ve already read that far? You truly are a ghost.’

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