Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 332

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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 332
The type of employer assassins despise most are those who put on airs.
Those who broadcast with their entire being: I am different from you lowly assassins.
Assassins knew from experience that those who saw themselves as different could be discarded just as easily.
“After all, a life is worth more than a bounty, isn’t it? So I gave you certainty.”
You and I are not different.
Because we are not different, I will not use you as disposable pawns.
It was true in practice as well. My father Baek Moo-ryang would never drive an assassin into a corner simply because of their profession.
“Did it really have to be done that way?”
“That way?”
“You’re the next Greatest Under Heaven, Eung-hyo Je-il. For someone like you to be seen running on all fours everywhere—the rumors will spread like wildfire.”
Well, that’s true. But what of it?
“People will feel more familiar with me because of it.”
Seolha pouted and fell into thought.
“That is… true, I suppose?”
“Right? I know what you’re worried about. The line between dignified conduct and undignified conduct is razor-thin.”
She wasn’t disappointed by the reckless display.
She was simply worried that people might mock Yang Hwi.
Grateful for such concern, I smiled slightly and continued.
“I thought playing around together was the easiest way to break down people’s guards and grow closer. However, from now on, I’ll consider your opinions as well.”
It was when Seolha, looking satisfied, patted my forearm.
The door burst open.
“Hey, Baek Yang-hwi!”
It was So Tae-rang, a disciple of Baek Heon-nang-wang.
“Master Tae-rang. You’ve come?”
I hadn’t expected him to arrive so soon, having made the mistake of calling him So Chu-rang at our first meeting.
The sight I displayed while playing around must have been quite shocking.
Well, a young master of a family ranked among the three greatest, crawling on the ground while spitting liquor from his mouth—what did I expect?
Hmm. Was that too much…?
“Kha ha ha, you look ridiculous.”
So Tae-rang laughed, pointing at my disheveled appearance.
His expression was genuinely delighted.
A slight irritation rose, but since I had made a mistake at our first meeting, I would let it pass this once.
“What brings you here?”
“I couldn’t pass up the chance to mock an arrogant young disciple.”
“So the renowned So Tae-rang deemed it such a precious opportunity as to grace us with your personal visit?”
So Tae-rang’s brow furrowed. His pride seemed wounded.
I wanted to jest that he was lighter on his feet than he appeared, but I had decided to hold back once.
“Well, I won’t deny it. I never thought the renowned Eung-hyo Je-il would be running around on all fours like some lowly assassin.”
Those with high reputations tend to carry tension in their shoulders.
The Hu Gi-jisu, recognized by all the Four Seas as the greatest martial artist under heaven, employing lightness technique on all fours?
I would stake my life that no one would believe such a thing possible.
But Yang Hwi did it.
“Since you’ve witnessed such a fine spectacle, I’ll forgive your rudeness upon first meeting. Now, express your gratitude.”
“I am grateful, Senior Brother Tae-rang.”
“I haven’t yet agreed to exchange such brotherly greetings with you.”
Just as the Four Seas are one, all within the Assassin’s Guild are elder and younger brothers.
So Tae-rang, who adhered to this principle more faithfully than anyone, spoke thus.
“Understood, Junior Brother Tae-rang.”
Pang—veins bulged across So Tae-rang’s forehead. Simultaneously, he laughed heartily.
“Do you not know my age?”
“I know it, Junior Brother Tae-rang.”
“Thirty years old, yet calling so many seniors ‘younger brother’—where did you learn such shameless manners? Kha ha ha ha!”
‘I learned it from you in my past life.’
“If you dislike calling me younger brother, then call me elder brother instead.”
“That seems more fitting, Junior Brother Baek.”
Hmm. Judging by his expression, it might soon become possible.
“Listen, Senior Brother Chu-rang.”
So Tae-rang spoke decisively.
“It’s not quite at that level yet.”
Ah, I see.
“How embarrassing.”
So Tae-rang, grinning wickedly, grasped my hand firmly and pulled.
It was somewhere between a handshake and an embrace of support.
“Pung Brother said he wishes to be employed by Junior Brother Baek. His asking price is twenty taels per day.”
“Tell him I’ll employ him for ten taels.”
“Kha, understood. Ten taels it is.”
As expected. Growing closer doesn’t mean abandoning haggling. A negotiation is still a negotiation.
“Beyond Pung Brother, I’m curious about what level of martial strength you desire.”
Ah, so this is why So Tae-rang made the journey himself.
“Senior Brother Tae-rang. What is your asking price?”
“Me? The Baek Family’s finances couldn’t afford me.”
That’s the truth. So Tae-rang is a Transcendent Master, after all.
Moreover, he’s even the foremost disciple of Cheonmu-sip-jon.
“Then what is your price?”
“Two hundred taels.”
“…silver?”
“Will you take it?”
“…per month?”
“Will you take it?”
…at a rate of two hundred taels per day in silver.
In other words, I’d need to hand over roughly two decent business operations every single day.
I was thinking of employing him for about a hundred days to half a year, so adding it all up… ugh.
“That’s basically asking me to hand over an entire prosperous county, isn’t it?”
So Tae-rang let out a scoffing laugh.
“Only a Transcendent Master can fight for hegemony over a single castle. A mere county doesn’t even count as pocket change.”
“That’s true, but…”
“So, let’s see what kind of capability your Baek Family has, little brother.”
That’s a provocation. This older brother really does have an awful personality.
Growing up among rough assassins, he had the bad habit of constantly testing the hierarchy.
‘Well, if I’m being honest, it’s actually good news.’
The fact that he’s asking means he’s at least interested.
Thanks to my past life’s experience, I could see exactly what kind of interest it was.
“One tael.”
“…per day?”
“Is that acceptable?”
“…Neither silver nor gold makes sense, so gold notes?”
“Gold notes aren’t counted in taels, though?”
I chuckled and held up a single finger.
“Just one copper tael. That’s the entire compensation for hiring Brother Tae-rang.”
When rudeness crosses a certain line, it actually becomes entertaining. A keen interest flickered across So Tae-rang’s face.
“Let’s negotiate.”
The haggling had begun.
Perhaps I could land a big catch after all.
‘If I just mention trivial things, he won’t budge an inch.’
You have to throw big bait at a big fish.
Bait so appetizing that one cannot help but bite.
“I’ll give you the opportunity to ‘hunt’ Cheonmu-sip-jon.”
“….”
The expression vanished from So Tae-rang’s face. With his naturally fierce appearance, his unwavering stare alone filled the atmosphere with tension.
But I understood all too well what that attitude meant.
“Appetizing, isn’t it? The most delicious thing in the world. To have Cheonmu-sip-jon as your prey.”
So Tae-rang. He inherited the name from his master as his alias, so he prefixed himself with “So.”
But he was a man who more than deserved to be called Tae-rang—the great wolf.
For he possessed the innate desire of a born hunter.
“Heh heh, hunt? Susa Jaeseol?”
His expressionless face cracked. His lips curled upward, revealing fangs.
“You’re talking nonsense. How could you possibly—”
He asked “how could you,” without adding “dare.”
“I don’t know. But I’m going to try.”
Even now, having ascended to transcendence and reached the pinnacle, I cannot guarantee even a single victory against Seon.
At best, I might manage thirty percent odds.
But if I fail, I die.
“I have no intention of defeating Seon. I lack the confidence to break him, and I certainly have no method to kill him. However…”
Yang Hwi also laughed, baring his canines.
“Is there any prey more alluring than one that can never be hunted?”
I knew So Tae-rang’s hidden desire.
He revered Master Cheonmu-sip-jon more than anyone, yet because of that, I had witnessed the flames burning silently within him.
“That’s all. If you’re curious, then take the employment.”
So Tae-rang’s silence stretched on.
He stared intently to discern my true intentions, then swept his gaze across every corner, measuring and assessing.
‘Come now, Brother Chu-rang. After much deliberation, let’s shake hands.’
Isn’t that what you want to say? Let’s have some fun together.
It would surely be entertaining, wouldn’t it? Even if the stakes are our lives.
‘Please, just let me live, Brother!’
“I refuse.”
Damn it all.
“Why! Don’t tell me you’re scared? For a man!”
“Hmph, provocation won’t work. I’m declining your proposal, little brother. This So Tae-rang carries quite a burden on his shoulders.”
The fact that Baek Heon-nang-wang’s disciple fights for Baek Do’s side in the Yangtze River Tournament suggests much.
That was precisely why I had proposed this employment contract laced with provocation.
“I can arrange a contract with an assassin band renowned even in Nangsi. But this So Tae-rang will never personally wield his blade. It was delicious bait, but I cannot trust the fisherman’s skill.”
“That’s a lie.”
“A true man does not speak falsehoods, little brother.”
No. That’s a lie.
The fisherman’s skill? If the bait is appetizing enough, he’s the type to seize the fishing rod itself and leap in. Where does he get off making excuses?
“Brother Chu-rang.”
“No matter what you mutter, I’ve made my decision. Anything more is a waste.”
I knew the nature of the stone lodged in So Tae-rang’s heart.
But with my current inability to use the title “Brother Chu-rang,” I cannot employ it.
‘Tsk, how do I persuade him? If I could just win over Brother Chu-rang, everything would become so much easier.’
I was racking my brain with worry when it happened.
“Hey, young disciple.”
A violent wind swept through. The very atmosphere was displaced by his mere presence.
The earth trembled. Each step carried enough weight to shake the very axis of the world.
“What price do you place on this old man’s body?”
His face was certainly that of an old man.
His cheeks were sunken, and fine wrinkles creased the corners of his eyes.
Yet not a soul in all the world could regard him as merely an old man.
His neck was as thick as an ordinary master’s forearm.
His upper body was covered in muscles that seemed ready to burst.
The Old Man wore no shirt. Yet there was hardly any skin visible to speak of.
The reason was simple.
Thick, worm-like scars covered every inch of his upper body.
Cheonmu-sip-jon, Baek Heon-nang-wang.
The king of assassins bearing a hundred scars.
“Tell me, Eung-hyo Je-il. You who are called the next greatest under heaven. What price would you place on my life?”
Baek Heon-nang-wang laughed. Yang Hwi stepped forward, circulating his Seonhwa Ganggi through every meridian in his body.
It was to protect Chu Dal, who gasped for breath, and Seolha, who stood with a weary expression.
In that instant, Baek Heon-nang-wang’s aura doubled in intensity.
“Ugh…!”
My legs gave way and I dropped to one knee. I glared at Baek Heon-nang-wang and bit my tongue, then forced myself back to my feet.
Protecting Chu Dal and Seolha from his aura was essential.
Baek Heon-nang-wang chuckled.
“You’ve got the makings of a proper leader, brat.”
“This junior pays respects to the Master.”
“So what’s your answer? What do you think my price is?”
Even if I offered everything the Baek Family possessed, hiring Baek Heon-nang-wang would be impossible.
For him, wealth meant nothing—whether it was a thousand gold coins or a single copper piece.
He was the kind of existence who could earn a fortune whenever he wished, as long as he moved.
‘If you wish to test me, I shall at least demonstrate my resolve.’
“If I may be so bold, a single copper piece.”
“My price and that wretch So Tae-rang’s are the same?”
“What I mean is that the price for both of your services cannot be paid in currency.”
“So they’re the same after all?”
His aura remained unchanged. Though I had ascended to the Transcendent Master realm, his aura alone felt like it would kill me.
I clenched my teeth and spoke my final words.
“Instead, I promise to give you enjoyment. I assure you it will be quite entertaining.”
“…Krahahahaha!”
Laughter that shook heaven and earth.
Baek Heon-nang-wang’s head slowly turned toward So Tae-rang.
“Tae-rang.”
“Yes, Master. This disciple awaits your command.”
An attitude completely different from before—utterly respectful.
Baek Heon-nang-wang clicked his tongue and uttered just one word.
“Scared?”
“….”
“….”
“….”
For someone called Cheonmu-sip-jon, it was excessively—truly excessively—frivolous.

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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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