Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 330

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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 330
It had been far too long since I encountered someone from my past life—someone I could genuinely call close—and that’s why I made this blunder.
“Drop dead, Eung-hyo Je-il!”
‘When Chu calls out my courtesy name like that, it means he’s absolutely furious.’
In truth, if a stranger I’d never met before suddenly hurled such vulgarity in my face, I would’ve probably thrown the first punch myself.
So Chu-rang was hardly a term of endearment.
Rather, it carried the tone of close friends trading casual insults.
“So Chu-rang, just hear me out first!”
“Why talk when I have a blade!”
The broad sword was three times thicker than ordinary blades and a full foot longer—wielded with enough force to cleave my body in two. I dodged first and asked questions later.
“Where are you going!”
“Yikes!”
The blade aura suddenly erupted outward, nearly catching me. I barely escaped being sliced.
Watching strands of my severed hair flutter down before my eyes, I pushed my energy downward.
-Screeeech!
The distance between us expanded instantly. No matter how much of a disciple So Tae-rang was of Cheonmu-sip-jon, he couldn’t compare to me, who had learned the One-Step Heaven technique of Seong-eum Ok-ryeong-mun since childhood.
Now, having transformed it into my own and elevated it to the One-Heaven Responsive Divine technique, the gap was even wider.
“You certainly know how to run away well, don’t you.”
So Tae-rang smirked as he spoke his mocking words.
I smiled back just as casually.
“Thank you for the compliment.”
“Huh?”
So Tae-rang’s eyes widened slightly. A disciple of a prestigious sect would never accept such words as praise, yet his reaction differed from what I expected.
‘Well, the Baek Family isn’t quite prestigious enough to be called a great sect. And besides, that bastard Eung-hyo Je-il supposedly came from beggary.’
Suddenly, So Tae-rang felt indignation rising within him.
This wretch, born from beggary, dares call me So Chu-rang?
He’d come to greet the assassin the Baek Family had supposedly hired in grand fashion, out of curiosity, but if this display proved underwhelming, he’d throw him out on his ear.
“Did you wash your neck clean last night!”
“Too bothersome, so I didn’t!”
“Filthy bastard!”
I drew my sword from its sheath and unleashed my blade aura.
Crash!
Looking at So Tae-rang’s face beyond the broad sword, I lifted the corners of my mouth.
“And how many days has it been since you washed, Elder Brother Tae-rang?”
By my estimate, at least five days had passed.
So Tae-rang found washing terribly bothersome, after all.
“Why would I be your elder brother!”
“Then be my younger brother instead.”
“You still reek of mother’s milk!”
“I have no memory of ever suckling at a mother’s breast!”
“So you’re underdeveloped then? A brat who can’t keep his mouth shut!”
The power infused in the palm strike surged dramatically.
It didn’t seem like he wanted an internal energy contest—he was planning to crush me with sheer force?
‘That won’t do.’
Screech—the sword qi and palm strike clashed. More precisely, it was the sound of the sword qi expanding in volume.
Though thin compared to the palm strike, my sword qi quickly grew as thick as his.
So Tae-rang let out a snort because it was a size that could never be unleashed without confidence in one’s internal energy reserves.
“A young pup boasting about his vitality!”
Was that vitality truly the essence-qi-spirit of the three refinements?
It was just a guess, but nine times out of ten, it wasn’t.
“This younger brother is indeed an outstanding talent in every respect!”
“Your tongue never stops moving! With such a pretty face, the ladies must adore you!”
This too carried double meaning. Suddenly remembering old times, I laughed cheerfully.
“I do seem to have quite a bit of popularity!”
“Let’s see if your abilities match your popularity!”
So Tae-rang’s momentum shifted.
Willpower Qi mixed into the momentum that had been pure energy.
It didn’t stop there—the willpower took form and transformed into a mental image.
‘Oh my, he’s even drawing out his mental image.’
So Tae-rang, the foremost disciple of Cheonmu Sip-jon Baek Heon-nang-wang.
Despite appearing to be around thirty, his actual age had surpassed fifty, yet everyone treated him as if he were thirty.
Because his conduct was far too frivolous for a man in his late fifties.
However, he was So Tae-rang.
He called himself “So”—the small—out of respect for his master, but he was a wolf greater than any other.
“Consider it an honor to witness the techniques of the Cheonmu Sip-jon!”
Fangs were carved into So Tae-rang’s palm strike. Each one was a blade of the dao, radiating savage ferocity.
So Tae-rang swung the palm strike—now transformed into a wolf’s jaw—in a diagonal arc. It resembled a wolf leaping to strike at its prey’s throat.
‘Is he actually going to play seriously now?’
Whether it was play or a display of his prowess, I couldn’t tell.
Either way, I had no choice but to match him.
-Screeeee!
-Screeeee!
The White Hawk spread its wings. Though on solid ground, the color of the sky descended—a cyan-white hue.
The wolf’s jaws and the hawk’s wings collided head-on.
Boom-crash!
A gust of wind scattered Yang Hwi’s hair. So Tae-rang’s scent of sweat was also blown backward and dissipated.
“You smell like sour milk, you brat.”
“I’ve never even tasted milk, so that’s odd.”
I was about to tell him to go drink more milk since removing the smell was hopeless, but you’ve got some skill.”
So Tae-rang’s face, about a foot away, had his beast-like eyes darting back and forth.
“Apologize.”
Yang Hwi responded with quick wit.
“Yes. My apologies for the slip in address. I heard that Tae-rang Hyeong is called So Chu-rang by those close to him, so I got ahead of myself wanting to grow closer.”
“It’s not people close to me who call me that—it’s those bastards who want to provoke me and that one person!”
As Yang Hwi understood it, the origin of the nickname was indeed his Master, Baek Heon-nang-wang.
“In any case, Hyeong. If it’s to this extent, I suppose we can continue forward through Nangsi.”
“Tch, I was ready to thrash and chase off anyone reeking of mother’s milk, but you’re not quite that bad. I’ll allow it.”
Just moments ago he’d cursed about the smell of mother’s milk, so this sudden shift in attitude was peculiar.
Assassins generally don’t bother keeping their words consistent, and So Tae-rang was an assassin among assassins.
He was the kind of disciple worthy of Baek Heon-nang-wang, who despite being elevated above the Cheonmu-sip-jon, chose to remain an assassin rather than establish his own sect.
“You’ve come to hire assassins, haven’t you?”
“Yes, I’m planning to open quite a large-scale conflict.”
So Tae-rang’s eyes gleamed with interest. Yang Hwi, who had earned the reputation of being the greatest Hu Gi-jisu under heaven, responded readily without any particular reaction to being called “this one” or “that one.”
“Good. Then you should know the rules of Nangsi.”
The assassins of Nangsi were somewhat different from ordinary assassins.
After all, they were all followers of the Cheonmu-sip-jon.
“Of course.”
“How many assassins of what caliber you can hire depends entirely on you. Remember that much.”

* * *
“Brother, this place is quite peculiar in many ways.”
Seolha, glancing around, offered her observation.
Unlike other cities, Nangsi had no city gates.
It was as if it were saying: if you want to enter, enter; if you want to leave, leave.
“That’s how it is. Nangsi is the domain of Cheonmu-sip-jon Baek Heon-nang-wang, after all.”
That said, not everyone in Nangsi respected Baek Heon-nang-wang’s authority and remained peaceful.
Rather, they were quick to throw punches over trivial matters and settle disputes.
As evidenced by So Tae-rang suddenly drawing his sword when he came to greet us, it was because Baek Heon-nang-wang himself possessed a hot-blooded and combative temperament.
“This is Nangsi. If there’s anything to see, look around. Hire your assassins and be on your way.”
There had been a brief clash with blades, but So Tae-rang had come out to greet us as a host, after all.
Yet he departed without hesitation, leaving Yang Hwi’s group behind.
“That person—you said he was a disciple of Baek Heon-nang-wang, didn’t you?”
“Yes. His only disciple, at that.”
“Then shouldn’t guests of our standing be treated as honored visitors, given rest in the reception hall to recover from our journey?”
The entire sequence of events seemed discourteous to Seolha.
Perhaps it was only natural, given that she was of direct lineage from a prestigious family.
“He’s not disrespecting us. I think Tae-rang Hyeong is treating us well enough as it is. He came out to greet us, after all.”
It’s simply that the framework and rules of courtesy differ.
“It would be strange to expect strict propriety and formality from assassins who live lives on the road.”
“But So Tae-rang is a disciple of the Cheonmu-sip-jon.”
Chu Dal interjected into the conversation.
“Sister, that’s precisely why I’m concerned. According to intelligence, Baek Heon-nang-wang pursues a life as true to the Assassin way as anyone could.”
“…What an interesting person.”
Seolha frowned, but Yang Hwi paid it no mind.
She simply hadn’t adapted yet—give it a day or two and she’d be enjoying the vagabond lifestyle with enthusiasm.
After all, she possessed a character as refined as her appearance.
“Well then, shall we actually hire some Assassins?”
“Yes, brother. Where should we go?”
“Where? We don’t need to go anywhere.”
“But we need to gather people to hire. Don’t we need to find a broker or a place to register?”
Seolha spoke of the typical procedure for hiring Assassins.
However, in Assassin City, such formalities weren’t necessary.
“I’ll just observe the Assassins passing by and see if anyone catches my interest… Ah, there’s one now.”
While drawing out my Spiritual Qi to observe, one figure stood out.
Judging by the refinement of his Qi and the posture ingrained in his body, he was a master of the highest caliber.
“You there, brother Assassin.”
“Did you call me, younger brother?”
“Yes. I am Baek Yang-hwi of the Baek Family, and I wondered if you might consider taking employment from me?”
“What? Eung-hyo Je-il? Are you truly Eung-hyo Je-il?”
“I am.”
The Assassin’s eyes widened as he stopped in his tracks.
“Being called ‘brother’ by someone of your stature would be quite embarrassing. So let us address each other as brothers equally. I am called Yeong-pung-rang, and I receive one tael of gold per day.”
A master of the highest realm asking for one tael of gold per day.
It was a reasonable sum, but expensive.
“Is Yeong-hyeong better, or Pung-hyeong?”
“Call me Pung-hyeong. I use the character for wind.”
“Very well, Pung-hyeong. One tael of gold per day is steep—could you lower your price?”
-Brother, won’t he take offense if you tell him outright that one tael of gold is too expensive for his services?
Chu Dal sent a transmission, seemingly worried, but it was fine.
This was Assassin City, after all.
“Baek-hyeong, are you prepared to negotiate Yeong-pung-rang’s fee?”
Yeong-pung-rang’s eyes gleamed with delight instead.
Yang Hwi matched his expression with a raised corner of his mouth.
“How about one tael of silver, Pung-hyeong?”
“Kahahaha! You’d cut it down to one hundredth!”
Yeong-pung-rang laughed heartily and raised his voice.
“Listen up, everyone! Baek-hyeong here, the Eung-hyo Je-il of the Baek Family, is offering me Yeong-pung-rang one tael of silver for my services!”
“Ahahaha, Pung-hyeong’s lost his touch. One tael of silver!”
“Pung-hyeong! Then our rates would be the same?!”
“This is going to be entertaining!”
In an instant, assassins swarmed in and the stage was set.
“Baek Hyeong. Let’s negotiate once more.”
Yeong-pung-rang laughed again.
It was hearty laughter, yet a hint of belligerence gleamed through his bared fangs.
-Older brother, is it really okay to let things unfold like this?
-Hyeong-nim, I think we made a mistake. Aren’t we being driven out?
-Don’t worry, both of you. It’s fine in Nangsi.
“Pung Hyeong. What are the terms?”
“One hundred. How about it?”
“I accept!”
Yang Hwi also took his stance.
One hundred. Memories from long ago stirred vividly.

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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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