Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 342

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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 342
The Baek Do alliance, with the Illik Maeng and the Mudang Faction as its two pillars, had whittled away seventy percent of the Jang Gang-su Ro-maeng’s forces in their successive battles.
Yet one could not claim to have cornered the Jang Gang-su Ro-maeng itself.
Most had been insignificant mercenary rabble, and the Ro-maeng’s true strength had withdrawn of its own accord under Seon’s command.
All to use the naturally fortified Three Gorges of the Jang Gang as their battlefield and sweep away the Baek Do alliance in a single stroke.
“The first of the Three Gorges—the Western Mausoleum Gorge.”
One of three gates that lay between them and Ju Mountain Island, where the Jang Gang-su Ro-maeng’s headquarters was located.
“To have crossed the Western Mausoleum Gorge in merely a single day.”
Baek Moo-ryang clicked his tongue in admiration as he gazed at Yang Hwi.
Half of today’s accomplishments belonged to his son, Yang Hwi.
No matter how much the balance of power in the martial world was determined by the number of masters, masters too were human.
Eventually they grew weary, and no one could face all opponents alone.
Yet Yang Hwi had done it.
He had rampaged throughout the entire day without seeming to tire once, slaughtering mercenaries without pause.
Yang Hwi smiled faintly as he replied.
“It’s thanks to Seolha.”
For a master of the Heart Realm, the heart itself is the martial foundation one has built up.
Seolha’s heart—the Wandering Heaven Divine Wind.
A desire to wander the heavens together.
“Without Seolha, I could not have sustained this performance, though perhaps for a moment I might have managed.”
A wind that pushes wings upward into the sky.
With wind, a divine bird need not flap its wings to soar through the air.
With Seolha, I could continue to fly through the heavens.
In other words, the function of the Wandering Heaven Divine Wind could be summarized thus:
“Freely converting between inner force and sound. Thanks to Seolha, I could rampage without worry of depleting my inner power.”
Seolha, positioned in the rear, could transmit force through sound.
By utilizing the mysteries of harmony and discord, one’s inner power could be continuously replenished without breathing exercises.
“And on top of that, the amplification of each technique itself.”
Force transference and power amplification.
Two of the three functions possessed by the Wandering Heaven Divine Wind.
If one were to say that the force one could unleash at once through amplification via the mysteries of the great sea was ten units,
with the aid of the Wandering Heaven Divine Wind, it could be enhanced to fifteen units.
‘Though there is a price, of course.’
As evidenced by the fact that Seolha was not boasting beside him at this very moment, the Wandering Heaven Divine Wind was a heart that imposed tremendous burden.
Seolha was currently resting in the cabin.
“Hwi, shouldn’t you rest as well?”
Even if Yang Hwi had received force from Seolha, it was ultimately his own body that had fought the battle.
There was no way his physical form could bear no strain while continuously unleashing power exceeding ten cycles of the heavenly stems.
“I’m fine. I’ve trained this body properly.”
It was something I had felt while observing Adu’s physique.
No matter how much I perfected my body through Seon-gi, compared to Adu who trained in the Outer Absolute Technique, my physique lacked the density and solidity required.
However, among all the martial arts I knew, there existed no Outer Absolute Technique comparable to Shaolin’s supreme methods.
That was why I had surrendered my body to Dang-gun.
To be marinated in the Dang Family’s absolute poison, and to repeat recovery and regeneration countless times.
“A blade forged through tens of thousands of hammer strikes does not break easily. My body is now like that.”
“…Remarkable.”
It was easier said than done—not just anyone could endure such training.
One or two times would be manageable, but to withstand it for half a year straight?
Baek Moo-ryang had no confidence he could do what his son had done.
‘The amplification of Dae-hae. The amplification of Seon-ran. The amplification of Yu-cheon-sin-poong.’
Three types of amplification endured within a single body.
By my estimation, if it were anyone less than Adu, their body would have burst apart from merely unleashing a single strike.
“Father. Let us continue our advance while momentum is on our side. If we occupy Moo-hyup by tomorrow, we’ll have a blade at the throat of the Suro Alliance.”
“I was already planning to issue the order for advance after minimal preparations.”
According to what I learned secretly from Ju Ja-bang, Seon would not emerge from the Three Gorges Fortress.
‘The final stroke of this great war is ultimately the hunt for Seon. To accomplish that, we must first arrive there.’
Advancing toward Suro while coordinating with the Mudang Faction, who had progressed via the more convenient land route.
Could there be a more fitting situation to demonstrate the Baek Family’s capabilities in the final battle?
“I am concerned about the Mudang Faction. Should the Geom-ong come to harm before we arrive, much could go awry.”
A shadow of worry settled across Baek Moo-ryang’s face.
No, guilt would be the more accurate word.
The Baek Family had not conveyed their secret pact with Ju Ja-bang to the Mudang side.
To maintain secrecy, only a handful of people within the Baek Family knew of this fact.
So much so that even Seo Seong-saeng, the strategist, remained ignorant.
-It is fine, Father. Still, we have told them everything that truly needed to be said.
The Taeguk Sword Master and the Mudang Faction will not fall into a trap.
Of all the information obtained through Ju Ja-bang, we conveyed everything except the parts related to hunting Seon.
-We even devised strategies in all directions, accounting for Ju Ja-bang serving as a double agent.
-You are right. Our only duty is to reach the Three Gorges Fortress as quickly as possible.
Baek Moo-ryang, his face hardened with resolve, cried out loudly.
“All forces, prepare to advance!”

* * *
The next day, Yeoilrakbul achieved its objective.
The second of the Three Gorges—Mu Gorge—had fallen under their control.
However.
The senior members of Yeoilrakbul found themselves gripped by an inexplicable unease rather than the joy of victory.
The reason was simple.
“The occupation of Mu Gorge was far easier than anticipated.”
“It is such a crucial strategic position, yet how could its defenses have been so lax?”
“It makes no sense.”
This feeling arose because the number of masters among Suro’s forces was fewer than expected.
To be precise, including the Transcendent Masters, there were indeed more skilled warriors than anticipated, but…
“Not a single one of the Seven Water Generals was spotted.”
“Had they been present, the battle would not have been so one-sided.”
The Seven Water Generals.
An epithet for the seven Transcendent Masters whom Seon had cultivated with utmost dedication.
According to rumor, they had reached the pinnacle of the Transcendent realm and were glimpsing the next stage beyond.
“Mu Gorge is undoubtedly a vital stronghold. Without controlling it, one cannot advance eastward from Chongchae.”
“Yet not a single one of the Seven Generals was stationed here.”
According to Ju Ja-bang’s intelligence, three of the Seven Generals were supposed to be deployed across the Three Gorges.
Seoryung Gorge was the first, so that could be excused, but Mu Gorge should have had at least one, if not two of them.
The second of the three gates had been practically undefended.
That was when it happened.
—Kiiiiaaaa!
A white hawk came soaring rapidly through the sky.
The sight alone radiated an ethereal beauty, yet it only deepened their sense of dread.

* * *
The Taeguk Sword Master parted ways with Il-ik Maeng and advanced toward the headquarters without hesitation.
He brought with him the finest masters carefully selected from the disciples of the Mudang Faction and the sects that followed them.
‘A single day should suffice to arrive.’
The Three Gorges were renowned for their treacherous terrain, but that was the case for ordinary travelers.
The Three Gorges were gorges in name and truth, and gorges meant land on both sides.
For masters who had reached enlightenment, the harshness of terrain posed no great obstacle.
Of course, the masters positioned by the Suro Alliance launched sporadic ambushes.
“I shall deal with them directly.”
“Yes, Master!”
The blade of light cut down the mercenaries.
It mattered not if Transcendent Masters were mixed among them.
Even if they all unleashed their latent power and rushed forward with eyes blazing crimson.
“Krraaaagh!”
“Geom-ong! I shall await you in the afterlife! Hahahaha!”
Advancing with unstoppable momentum, the Taeguk Sword Master reached the mountain pass overlooking the Three Gorges headquarters in merely a single day.
“We rest here before striking the headquarters. Do not let your guard falter.”
“Understood!”
“We shall obey your command.”
The Three Gorges headquarters surely harbored Seon and the elite forces of the Suro Alliance.
To attack with exhausted bodies would be foolish.
The enemy was already familiar with the terrain while we were strangers to it, so we must proceed with the caution of raiding a den.
‘Now that we have come this far, there is no need to rush.’
Rather, the best chance of victory lay in striking when the Suro Alliance’s Il-ik Maeng was occupied attacking Gu-dang Gorge—catching them with an empty nest.
Thus the urgency now shifted to the Suro Alliance’s side.
Such were the Sword Master’s thoughts.
[Welcome, Geom-ong.]
A voice echoed from somewhere.
No—the voice resonated from all directions.
The Taeguk Sword Master’s expression hardened.
“Susa Jaeseol.”
Beyond a hundred paces, Seon stood waiting.
At a distance where figures appeared as mere dots, yet close enough to be within arm’s reach.
“How foolish. To bring yourself directly to my domain.”
Beside Seon, the masters of the Suro Alliance revealed themselves one after another.
All of the Seven Water Generals whom he had cultivated with utmost care, along with at least two hundred elite masters of peak cultivation.
-Master, this differs from our expectations.
-It appears all of the Suro Alliance’s elite forces have gathered here. The Suro side should be virtually empty.
The Taeguk Sword Master’s eyes deepened.
“Seon. Did the fate of the Suro Alliance never matter to you from the start?”
“You should have known. Mere mercenaries are beneath my notice.”
I hadn’t failed to anticipate this situation.
I simply thought they would have no choice.
The losses would fall far more heavily on Seon’s side.
With this choice, the annihilation of the Jang Gang-su Ro-maeng was now certain.
After all, a faction could only exist if its members remained.
-They’ve abandoned the advantage of defending the city. If the Yi-ik Alliance arrives and we hold defensively, victory is ours.
Had I been the Samhyup Patriarch, I would have needed to worry about various mechanisms and formations as well.
But there are no mechanisms or formations installed here.
I had already surveyed the place thoroughly. I was certain.
I sent a transmission to my disciples while drawing my blade against Seon.
“Are you confident you can win? Do you dare face the Taeguk Sword Master?”
It was a path I would never have chosen without certain victory.
The Taeguk Sword Master could not fathom Seon’s choice.
“Foolish, utterly foolish. Why did the Taeguk Sword Sage choose you as the successor of the Geom Seon lineage? Have you forgotten? That between you and I, only one shall survive to become the true victor.”
Such was the nature of Cheonmu-sip-jon.
The Sword Master understood this as well.
Yet still, I could not comprehend it.
“Do you truly believe you can kill me without suffering losses? And even if you kill me, can you manage the aftermath without a faction to support you?”
Seon’s answer was simple.
“If I devour you, I fear nothing.”
The white-haired immortal bared sharp fangs.
“If I sustain injuries, Pacheon Eumhu and Yeoilrakbul will descend upon you. I know this. But Sword Master, if I ascend higher by devouring you, that is all that matters, is it not?”
Five-colored energy surged forth.
Each one reflected Seon’s inner landscape.
The Taeguk Sword Master gazed upon the five dragons and manifested the circle of the Taeguk.
“I’ve always wanted to kill you, Sword Master. Today seems to be that day.”
“I feel the same.”
“Then so it shall be. Ah, I nearly forgot—there’s something I must do before we clash.”
That was the moment.
The Seven Water Generals—seven disciples and subordinates I had personally cultivated.
Explosive momentum erupted from their bodies.
“Master Seon!”
“We offer everything!”
“Please achieve your long-cherished desire!”
The inner power of the Seven Water Generals, their innate qi, the inner landscapes they harbored—
All of it flowed into my five dragons.
One general to each dragon.
The remaining two poured into my body.
“Now then, Sword Master. Surely my odds of victory have risen to seventy percent, have they not?”
Indeed, the Seven Water Generals were masters who had reached the pinnacle of transcendence.
Seon’s momentum nearly doubled in intensity.
“…Seon. If my disciples eliminate all the remnants, then it will be your turn.”
Seon paid it no mind.
“What does it matter if those small fry all perish or live? As long as they buy me time, victory will ultimately be mine.”
The Taeguk Sword Master quickly assessed the battlefield.
One day. If the disciples clashed with the remnants, it would take one day.
If they could hold out for just one day, the disciples would be able to aid in the fight against Seon.
“A one-day limit, then.”
“A one-day limit it is. Isn’t that amusing?”
The Five Dragons moved.
The Taeguk sphere and sword also moved.
The Ten Celestial Absolutes.
Only ten absolute beings existed in all the heavens and earth.
Susa Jaeseol and the Taeguk Sword Master collided.
One day.
A battle that lasted a full day.
It seemed as though heaven and earth were crumbling.
No—they actually did crumble.
The Three Gorges of the Jang River could no longer be called the Three Gorges hereafter.
The final gorge, Gudang Gorge, had been reduced to a state that could no longer be called a gorge.
“Hahahaha! Hahahaha! Victory is mine! I, the successor of the Geom Seon lineage, have triumphed!”
Four of the Five Dragons had their heads severed.
But the remaining one.
The crimson dragon’s head pierced through the Taeguk Sword Master’s chest.

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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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