Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 352

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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 352
A prolonged silence hung in the air.
I exhaled quietly to myself.
‘A dead end, then. Father would never refuse.’
The Baek Family had received considerable assistance from the Jegal Family over the years.
One might think that Baek Moo-ryang, who valued righteousness, would refuse outright.
But I knew my father better than anyone else.
‘No matter how much help the Jegal Family provided, it pales in comparison to my worth. And when weighed against the debt of gratitude he feels toward me, it becomes utterly insignificant.’
I understood it well. My father regarded me as his benefactor.
So much so that he wouldn’t mind even if my bloodline failed to inherit the position of Family Head.
‘He’s even thoughtful enough never to voice the most efficient solution.’
So as his son, it would be filial piety to speak the words he could not.
“I shall ask the Elder.”
“Hwi, mind your tongue.”
There was one thing I had overlooked.
Just as I knew my father well, he knew me equally as well.
“I shall give Baek Hwa-mun’s proposal careful and positive consideration over time. A matter of such importance cannot be resolved in a single day.”
“I await good news.”
“I shall provide the finest room in the guest quarters.”
Baek Sang-ji bowed respectfully and withdrew.
Baek A-yun gazed at me with tender affection one last time, smiled, and followed Baek Sang-ji out.
“Seol Ha-ya, I’m sorry, but would you leave us?”
“…Yes, Family Head.”
Seol Ha-ya rose to her feet. Only I and my father remained.
“Hwi.”
“Yes, Father.”
“I would be pleased if you married Baek Hwa-mun’s daughter and accepted the position of Soga-joonim.”
“Father!”
“Of course, it is not a command. I merely believe it would be the most righteous path.”
“…The Jegal Family has provided considerable aid to our main house. How could I betray them?”
“Regardless of their aid, the Jegal Family treats our main house with calculation. As Family Head, I have a duty to maintain clear distinction between public and private matters. We can repay the Jegal Family’s kindness through other means.”
‘Ah, as expected, he dismantles my reasoning so easily.’
“Hwi, then let us do this: we shall proceed with the marriage, but determine the position of Soga-joonim when Seo reaches forty years of age.”
“My resolve will not change. Besides, wouldn’t a union between Seo and the Jegal lady be the most fitting arrangement? Absorbing a Heavenly-tier martial sect like Baek Hwa-mun would be an enormous gain.”
My father’s expression turned stern.
“You wretch, drawing such lines within the family. How disappointing.”
He was truly my father. My inner thoughts had been seen through.
“Have you been listening to the retainers’ conversations lately?”
After the Great River Conflict, my standing within the family had reached extraordinary heights.
It was inevitable. I had overcome numerous crises and achieved greater feats than the Family Head himself.
Even going so far as to kill Cheonmu-sip-jon with the finishing touch.
‘The retainers’ expectations have all fallen upon me. If this continues, Seo will….’
My past life flashed before my eyes. The image of Seo, twisted by jealousy and envy.
There’s no reason this life’s Seo would become that way, but he’s a tender-hearted fellow, so he must surely be hurting.
Perhaps… the one destined to become the next Family Head might develop an unfortunate distance from the retainers.
“If Seo marries the daughter of Baek Hwa-mun, he’ll gain a solid foundation of support.”
“….”
“There’s another method. You marry Yeon-a and inherit the position of Family Head.”
The most efficient solution Yang Hwi had contemplated came from Baek Moo-ryang’s lips.
“…Even if our bloodlines differ, how could I do such a thing with my younger sister.”
“I think the same way. Arranging a marriage between siblings is abhorrent. But listen, Hwi. Your father genuinely wishes for you to become the Family Head of the Baek Family. Therefore, I’m considering discussing Baek Hwa-mun’s proposal positively.”
“Father!”
“Of course, I won’t force you. But you’re not merely my son—you’ve become a pillar of this family even more substantial than your father.”
“….”
There was nothing I could say.
In the retainers’ eyes, I was surely a more important presence to the family than my father.
It would have been easier if Father had felt threatened and kept his distance instead.
‘This is ridiculous—he’s actually trying to hand over the family to me….’
That was when it happened.
Baek Moo-ryang suddenly smiled.
“By the way, Hwi. Are you aware of something?”
“Of what, Father?”
“You’re my son, but you’re shameless beyond compare.”
“Suddenly, Father?”
“You’re overflowing with righteousness, certainly, but your face is no different from a brazen one. Therefore, you should have spoken about the marriage with Seo and the marriage with Yeon-yeon yourself. You should have cornered Baek Hwa-mun.”
That’s true enough, but there was a reason.
“I couldn’t voice my opinion first as a son in the presence of my father regarding marriage.”
“Since when did you care about such things.”
“….”
Well, I was rather reckless at times.
But I’ve never disrespected Father….
“In any case, think about it. Why couldn’t you speak your mind freely.”
“…Yes, Father.”
I left Baek Moo-ryang’s study.

* * *
Yang Hwi had received guidance from many benefactors throughout his life.
From Eum Hu, whom he called his Master, to the Great Sea Dragon King and the Taeguk Sword Master.
Yet there was only one he truly regarded as his Master.
His father, Baek Moo-ryang.
The man who gave a name to a beggar child in a cave and placed a sword in his hands.
‘If Father told me to think about it, then I should try.’
Seolha’s heart must be wounded—I needed to find her and comfort her.
I also needed to discover whether Baek Hwa-mun, who sought to offer his entire sect, harbored any hidden intentions.
Yet Yang Hwi set aside all matters and spent his time observing his own heart.
‘This timing works out well. I needed time to recover my body anyway.’
Seon’s pearl. I swallowed it recklessly just to avoid letting others benefit from it, but it could hardly be good for my body.
Most of the pearl was concentrated soul essence.
‘Fortunately, there are no serious problems yet. Well, there’s the issue of feeling bloated, like I’ve eaten something that disagrees with me. But my Seonhwa Ganggi is suppressing the pearl and maintaining an appropriate balance.’
Still, I couldn’t leave the pearl unattended.
No matter how skilled a martial artist might be, a collision between heterogeneous energies was bound to cause catastrophic damage.
Especially if one side was a concentrated mass of soul essence originating from the Cheonma itself.
‘Is there no way to use it? Even if it’s a headache, there must be some use for it somewhere, like finding a use for dung… Ah!’
Contemplating the problem, I found a thread of insight.
Not about the pearl itself, but about the current situation.
‘That’s right. If it’s a headache… then making it even more of a headache would solve everything.’
I set my direction. My mind became clear.
And in that moment.
Whoooooosh!
[Obtain a companion to pierce the heavens.]
The Geom Seon-ji-gyeol, which had been silent until now, illuminated new characters.
Obtain a companion to pierce the heavens.
Gain a companion and scheme to pierce through the sky.
Truly, these were remarkably timely characters.

* * *
Ever since Baek Hwa-mun suddenly proposed a betrothal, Seolha had been in turmoil.
The fact that Baek Hwa-mun would do such a thing when she already had a betrothed was irrelevant to her.
‘Baek A-yun or whoever she is could never be my equal.’
The true source of her disturbance lay elsewhere.
When she heard the specific conditions Baek Hwa-mun had laid out for the betrothal, her heart had sunk.
“Seol Ha-ya, Seol Ha-ya. There’s still so far to go.”
Before reaching the pinnacle, she had sworn an oath to herself.
My friend. My senior sister. My older brother.
I would roam the heavens with Yang Hwi.
That’s why she had inscribed her inner landscape as “Roaming Heaven in Divine Wind.”
Whoosh! Seolha descended into the rear garden where yellow flowers bloomed in profusion, pressing her face against the dew gathered on the leaves.
A beauty more radiant than anyone under heaven reflected in her eyes.
‘If I had confidence that my existence was worth more than all the overwhelming benefits Baek Hwa-mun offered, I wouldn’t have wavered, would I?’
Let me consider this from another perspective.
If the greatest family under heaven had proposed a betrothal to her with overwhelming advantages promised?
What would Yang Hwi have said?
‘It’s obvious what he’d say.’
“Seol Ha-ya, you’re smart. Don’t make a foolish choice.”
He would have insisted on rejecting it, claiming his own existence was a greater benefit than all of that.
With shameless audacity and smooth eloquence, he would have charmed everyone with his three-inch tongue.
Imagining that sight, a smile bloomed on her face unbidden.
“Oh my, what a coincidence meeting you here.”
When she turned her head, Baek A-yun came into view.
Unlike before, there was no trace of gentleness—in crude terms, she had dropped all pretense of courtesy.
“This is where the young girl enjoys the scenery. Would you mind going elsewhere?”
Such a different demeanor. Yet Seolha was not flustered.
Her Peony Eyes had long since read through Baek A-yun’s inner landscape.
“Does a guest speak to the Baek Family’s betrothed in such a manner?”
“Your position will change soon enough. What’s the problem?”
It was visible. The emotions Baek A-yun harbored toward her.
Jealousy. Inferiority. A twisted sense of victory.
Baek A-yun was revealing her true colors.
“This is a martial arts family. There are many eyes watching.”
“My? Do you think I wouldn’t know that? A rival can harbor some hostility, can’t she?”
Clever and cunning. Certainly… if she simply maintained discipline without harboring other intentions, Baek A-yun would make a suitable daughter-in-law.
“It’s useless. Whatever you scheme, it won’t work.”
My older brother is not someone to be trifled with.
More than a cartload of people have tried to use him only to be used instead.
But Baek A-yun seemed to have understood it in a different sense.
“For someone so anxious about such things?”
“Me? Ahahaha.”
I laughed at the absurdity, and Baek A-yun’s delicate brows furrowed sharply.
“Playing innocent won’t work. Your expression gave everything away.”
It was true—when I sat in the Family Head’s office, I couldn’t manage my expression well.
But the emotion Baek A-yun sensed was entirely different from what she imagined.
“My, it seems I misunderstood.”
“Misunderstood? Just wait and see. I’ll make sure to confine Young Master Baek to that girl’s skirts just to mock you, Sojeo.”
“Didn’t you once say you genuinely admired your brother?”
“Ha! Do you really think sincere affection could bloom toward the direct heirs of a prestigious family?”
“Yes.”
Yes, not a polite affirmation—just a blunt yes.
I dropped the honorifics.
“…Yes? Did you just say yes? Who gave you permission to speak so casually?”
“It’s my words, so it’s my choice. What right do you have to tell me what to do, you shameless thing?”
“…!”
Genuine shock flickered across Baek A-yun’s eyes.
For someone raised as a precious jewel of a heavenly-tier martial family, these were words she’d never heard before.
“How could you say something so harsh…!”
“Thanks to you, I’ve made up my mind. I wasn’t going to tell him what I saw, but I think I should.”
“Are you saying you’ll tell Young Master Baek?”
“Yes.”
In that instant, Baek A-yun’s expression turned fox-like.
“Do you really think Young Master Baek will believe you? Sojeo, you’re overflowing with confidence. You’ll end up falling on your face.”
One corner of my mouth lifted slightly.
“Want to test it?”
“He won’t believe it. He’ll definitely think you’re scheming against him because his betrothal position is in danger.”
“That’s why I’m testing it, you wretch. Brother!”
My voice became a melody that echoed throughout the estate.
Soon Yang Hwi appeared.
“Seolha, what’s wrong? I was actually about to come find you. But Baek Sojeo is here too?”
“Young Master Baek!”
Baek A-yun approached Yang Hwi with eyes overflowing with affection.
“I was just having a conversation with Jegal Sojeo. I felt so sorry toward her that I didn’t know where to put myself, so I was offering my apologies.”
“Ahahaha!”
Yang Hwi’s head turned toward me.
I deliberately stuck my tongue out at Baek A-yun and opened my mouth.
“Brother. Don’t get engaged to her. Her heart is pitch black.”
Baek A-yun’s mouth fell open.
She never expected me to speak so directly and rudely.
‘Actually, this is a good opportunity. If I persuade her carefully and gracefully…!’
“No! Young Master Baek, it seems Jegal Sojeo has taken a dislike to me. Please, at least give me a chance to speak-”
Baek A-yun, closing the distance urgently, grasped Yang Hwi’s hand.
Yet Yang Hwi brushed her hand away lightly.
Then he spoke a single sentence.
“Fine? I won’t do it.”
“Y-Young Master?”
Baek A-yun’s mouth fell open once more.
She had never imagined that Yang Hwi would make such a momentous decision based on a single word from Seolha.

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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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