Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 350

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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 350
Another world existed within the realm of heaven and earth.
The Martial Realm.
The Martial Realm earned its name because the gathering of warriors, each wielding their own weapons, conjured images of a mountain of blades and forest of swords.
Yet there was another reason, one less commonly known.
“A forest forged from swords and spears—that is the Martial Realm.”
What did this mean? It meant a forest made of steel, drinking blood as it grew.
Unlike ordinary forests, it would not sway at the gentlest breeze.
Steel, after all, must be heavy and weighty.
“The Martial Realm trembles. A wind has blown to shake it—a gale of tremendous force.”
Crack!
Jegal Pae, the Jegal Family Head, placed a piece upon the board.
A pawn.
“It began with the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering. The skirmish was quite entertaining.”
At that time, the Jegal Family had been seething with anger.
The Mudang Faction had opened the Dragon-Phoenix Gathering in Mu-han, their domain.
They had done so arbitrarily, even presiding over it as they pleased.
The new hegemon of Hubei. A sect that could be called sacred even when viewed against the entire realm.
The Mudang of the South.
By comparison, the Jegal Family was but a fading star, overwhelmed even in their own courtyard.
“Hwa-un, do you know when we strategists find ourselves most troubled?”
Jegal Hwa-un, Jegal Seol-ha’s older brother and one day to be Family Head, answered his grandfather’s question respectfully.
“You have always said, Grandfather—when strength directly overwhelms strength.”
“Correct.”
The Jegal Family could not defeat the Mudang Faction.
The Martial Realm operated by the law of the strong; the Jegal Family’s power was inferior to the Mudang.
“So this old man sowed seeds diligently. I remember perhaps five or six that left an impression.”
Jegal Pae picked up another piece and turned it over in his hands.
“Even if we were overwhelmed by the Mudang, the Jegal Family was not destined to decline. I believed opportunity would come eventually. Though I did not expect it so soon.”
Crack!
The piece Jegal Pae placed was a cannon.
“The Martial Realm trembles. A violent wind, a torrent of force. Here in Mu-han, one of my seeds has become a cannon.”
Jegal Hwa-un bowed his head quietly in agreement.
When Yang Hwi had entered the Jegal Family’s secret vault in the past, none of the retainers had voiced opposition.
Jegal Seon, the Jegal Family’s strategist called Waryong Musang, was one who lived by affection and died by righteousness.
Even Jegal Hwa-un, who possessed a temperament more similar to his grandfather, had raised no objections. The reason was simple.
“He saved Seol-ha… my beloved sister. Yet it was not as though he could enter and exit the vault without restriction, without even a supervisor.”
At that time, Jegal Hwa-un had realized his grandfather had marked Yang Hwi of the Baek Family as one of his seeds.
Thus Yang Hwi had memorized countless martial arts within the vault.
The foundation of a martial family—its root—is martial arts, after all.
The Baek Family Head, once impossible for a third-rate martial arts family, had finally obtained the foundation upon which to take root and stand firm.
This foundation was simultaneously the fertilizer the Jegal Family had sown into the Baek Family.
“I never imagined that in merely a few years, the Cheonma of the commoners would be proclaimed, and the Baek Family would be called the Commoners’ Baek.”
Thus the Baek Family Head became a cannon for the Jegal Family, and at the Dragon-Phoenix Assembly, he made his name resound.
One of the seeds had defeated the Shaman and Shaolin, becoming the First Dragon.
“Even the reason our Seolha could become the First Peak—the greatest credit belonged to Seolha’s talent, but that friend Yang Hwi also played his part.”
Had it not been for Yang Hwi, we would never have formed a master-disciple bond with Pacheon Eumhu.
Jegal Hwa-un smiled softly as he recalled the past.
“The debt our Jegal Family owes is truly immense, Grandfather.”
“Do you truly believe so?”
….
Jegal Pae, who had posed the counter-question, gazed at his silent grandson with a satisfied expression.
“Hwa-un. You are indeed the right candidate for the next Family Head. You must succeed me as the Family Head.”
Jegal Hwa-un possessed a warm heart.
Yet simultaneously, he was also material for a cold and ruthless strategist.
Unlike his son who inherited the Jegal name while possessing a passionate temperament.
Clack!
“The seed became a cannon in a short time. Thus we can truly say we are excellent farmers. With minimal effort, we reaped a great harvest.”
The janggi piece he placed this time was the Chariot.
Along with the Cannon, one of the pieces from which the saying “remove the cannon and chariot to begin” originated.
The most powerful piece on the janggi board.
“The cannon has become a chariot. Do you regret it, Hwa-un?”
Jegal Hwa-un had not participated in the final battle at Samhyeop.
Considering his age when blood runs hot, it would have been regrettable to miss the opportunity to make a name for himself.
Yet Jegal Hwa-un shook his head.
“I have obtained something far greater than petty fame.”
“Your words are correct. Secret schemes conducted under the banner of righteousness—that is our role. This is why I favor you.”
The Jegal Family had displayed tremendous prowess in the final battle of the Jang Gang Tournament.
Having generously unleashed the formation secrets accumulated over the years and playing a major role in constructing the Leaf-Killing Water Dragon Formation, there was nothing more to say.
“The Shaman suffered great losses. Countless disciples were killed and wounded. Moreover, even the Cheonmu-sip-jon Taeguk Sword Master.”
In contrast, the Jegal Family had only deployed knowledge, preserving their full strength.
In other words, their position in the competition for Hubei had become far more advantageous.
“Then how should we move, Hwa-un?”
Jegal Hwa-un answered immediately.
“We have gained the opportunity to expand the main family’s influence. We must seize what we have obtained.”
Having finished speaking, Jegal Hwa-un shifted his gaze to the janggi board.
A map showing the geography of the regions around Hubei.
Jegal Pae flicked a janggi piece toward Jegal Hwa-un.
It was the King.
“Where will you place it?”
This time, Jegal Hwa-un showed no hesitation.
Click. The king was placed upon Mu-han.
Jegal Pae tapped the table with satisfaction.
“We see the same board, you and I.”
“The king moves only one space per turn. Moreover, it cannot leave the formation.”
That is how a king must be.
Its movements are heavy, and self-preservation must be the paramount concern.
I must not repeat the mistake of the Shaman, who suffered tremendous losses by moving directly into battle.
“Good. Let us make our move.”
Jegal Pae and Jegal Hwa-un, grandfather and grandson, gazed upon the janggi board laid before them for a time.
Finding a path through the chaotic arrangement of pieces—that was the duty of a strategist.
“Yet, Hwa-un, there is one thing you must always remember.”
“I await your instruction, Grandfather.”
“Our Jegal Family was born bearing the fate of the second. Throughout all the histories of the Central Plains, there has never been a single instance where a strategist rose to the position of supreme ruler.”
Even the founder himself, Jegal Gongmyeong, was no exception.
“Whether you create or whether you choose—always keep this truth buried in your heart.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
The king was placed upon Mu-han.
Mu-han is the stronghold of the Jegal Family.
Then does the king’s piece represent the Jegal Family itself?
‘If so, it is a good omen. If not, it is an opportunity for Hwa-un’s understanding to deepen.’
Jegal Pae smiled inwardly.
It was a teaching from the Family Head to his successor.

* * *
Clop, clop, clop. The carriage rolled forward.
I reclined with my arm as a pillow, listening intently to the sounds around me.
Since we traveled through a bustling marketplace street, the chatter of the crowds reached my ears unfiltered.
“Look there, everyone! The Baek Family procession!”
“I see it! The heroes who crushed the Jang Gang-su Ro-maeng!”
The end of the long, grueling Jang Gang War.
The entire martial world was gripped by shock.
It was only natural, given the magnitude of what had transpired.
“To be honest, at first I didn’t believe all the talk about the Cheonma and such.”
“You fool! Our Family Head was called Si-hyeop-il-jeol even ten years ago when he had no power!”
“I was foolish, truly foolish.”
The Baek Family Head, once merely a third-rate martial family, had become the leader of an alliance and annihilated the Jang Gang-su Ro-maeng, one of the two greatest sects under heaven.
Ten years. A span too brief for a young man to become middle-aged, yet the Baek Family had achieved something so extraordinary.
“To slay a member of the Cheonmu-sip-jon! That Susa Jaeseol met such an anticlimactic end!”
In truth, it was not anticlimactic at all.
He had clashed with Taeguk Sword Master, another of the Cheonmu-sip-jon, and perished.
But what captured people’s attention was Seon’s final moment.
“Eung-hyo Je-il. He has proven himself to be truly the greatest under heaven.”
“Though he cannot yet be called the greatest under heaven.”
“That’s precisely the issue.”
“It’s only a matter of time.”
Hmph!
I lifted my arm upward, my head resting against it in a relaxed posture.
Yet even so, my shoulders visibly rose, displaying a hint of spiritual qi.
‘Hehehehe, that’s music to my ears.’
Ah! All this hardship was worth it, truly worth it.
This is why I risk my life slaying members of the Cheonmu-sip-jon.
“You seem quite pleased with yourself?”
A breeze stirred, and Jegal Seol-ha appeared, slapping my forearm sharply.
“Pleased? How could I not be? Our path ahead is now wide open.”
Seeing my shameless demeanor, Jegal Seol-ha wanted to pick a quarrel.
But the words “our path ahead” put her in such a good mood that she held back.
“That’s right. A smooth road to prosperity! That’s our path ahead.”
“I feel only gratitude toward the Jegal Family. I look forward to our continued cooperation.”
Among the common people, news of the Baek Family joining the Five Great Families was spreading openly.
Still, I could not afford to be careless.
To formally become a great family representing the martial world, we needed the recognition of the existing Five Great Families.
‘Well, it’s not impossible without it. But why walk the difficult path when an easier one lies before us?’
In that sense, it was wise to maintain close relations with the Jegal Family, one of the Five Great Families, going forward.
This was also the reason why Seolha was returning to the Baek Family Head’s residence instead of going directly to the Jegal Family.
“We should arrive at the main residence soon. I need to bathe and get some proper rest. This fatigue just won’t lift.”
Beyond the aftereffects of my injuries, my physical condition had been poor ever since I absorbed Seon’s orb.
For now there were no immediate problems, which was fortunate, but I felt the need to meditate properly and attune myself with focus.
“That’s right. Besides, the victory banquet isn’t scheduled to be held for several more days anyway.”
“Though I’ll need to entertain guests beforehand, sigh.”
“Elder Brother, you certainly are busy for someone who isn’t the Family Head.”
“The Family Head position belongs to that Seo fellow. I’m an adopted son, remember? An adopted son.”
That was when it happened.
“Hwi. Come out here.”
It was a summons from my father, Baek Moo-ryang.
Yang Hwi immediately stepped out of the carriage.
We had already arrived at the main gate of the Baek Family, and there was a procession of unfamiliar faces blocking the way.
“Father, who are these people blocking the road?”
Baek Moo-ryang wore an expression of difficulty.
It seemed he had already exchanged words with them once.
“Well…”
Instead of the hesitant Baek Moo-ryang, an answer came from across the way.
Or rather, a young woman came flying over.
“Young Master Baek Yang-hwi, the Eung-hyo Je-il!”
A beautiful woman with an impression of refined upbringing yet spirited confidence.
She performed an elegant bow.
“This young lady is Baek A-yun of the Baek Hwa Sect.”
Baek A-yun of the Baek Hwa Sect. When I sent a subtle glance, Chu Dal transmitted his voice.
-She is the young lady of the Baek Hwa Sect, a heavenly-ranked martial faction. She is the sect leader’s daughter.
A direct descendant of one of the Thirty-Six Great Sects under Heaven.
-Such a noble person coming all this way—what is this about?
-That… you should hear it directly.
“What business brings you to block the Baek Family’s return, young lady?”
Baek A-yun answered with a clear voice.
“Block? I simply could not contain my eagerness to meet the one I admire!”
“Admire…?”
“I come to formally convey the Baek Hwa Sect Leader’s proposal. Young Master Baek.”
“Yes, yes.”
“Would you not consider marriage with me?”
“Pardon?”
Ha, the main family certainly has grown considerably.
Even receiving outright marriage proposals.
As I was thinking such thoughts, I felt a sharp killing intent and glanced to the side.
It was Jegal Seol-ha.
‘Hmm. Uh. Wait a moment.’
“This young girl is prepared to do anything for Young Master Baek! Meeting someone I so admire and revere has left me beside myself with emotion.”
Baek A-yun writhed and twisted her body.
I wondered what was with her acting bashful after saying everything she had to say.
-Elder brother? Shouldn’t you respond?
“….”
-Please answer me.
“….”
The times were shifting, the wind was blowing.
I thought perhaps Seolha was thinking of a different kind of wind.
‘I haven’t done anything… and my injuries from the Seon extraction still haven’t fully healed….’
Yang Hwi felt nothing but wronged.

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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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