Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 362

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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 362
Within darkness as deep as pitch.
A space consumed by the Cheonma’s mental landscape.
The Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo who normally attended to him was nowhere to be seen.
She had gone at the Cheonma’s command to lead him to absorb the blood spilled across the Janggang Great War.
Yet the Cheonma was not alone.
He was singular, yet many—a body of multitudes.
[The flow grows fascinating.]
[I concur.]
[Heaven deems the fulfillment of our long-cherished desire to be Yeokcheon, for we are the twisted current itself.]
[We are the very embodiment of the distorted flow, are we not.]
The current they had cultivated across centuries was unfolding now.
Water flows along its path, and men call this a river.
Yet the river they had carved was beginning to leak away.
[What shall become of the Hyeol-nyeo.]
[She wishes to draw closer to us.]
[She even desires to become one with us.]
The mental landscape painted the scene.
Hyeol-hyeol-nyeo, merely a Bishop of the Blood Sect.
Yet as the Cheonma kept her at his side, it was clear—she was special.
[She shall become my first servant.]
The Blood Deity and Blood Sect Leader.
The original spirit whom the Blood Sect reveres as their Deity spoke—the Cheonma’s primordial spirit.
[The Hyeol-nyeo possesses the qualification. Yet we shall not intervene. Only by grasping it herself shall she draw nearer.]
[With blood and flesh gathered, the Hyeol Sa-ryeon shall be consumed all the more easily.]
[Should she succeed, she shall reach it.]
This time, the Sun-Moon Face among the primordial spirits spoke.
[What of our children, I wonder.]
[Gwangmyeong-cheon rages while Dok-hwi-gong restrains him.]
The Sun-Moon Enlightenment Sect, composed of the Sun Faction and Moon Faction, names Gwangmyeong-cheon and Dok-hwi-gong as dual Sect Leaders, the heads of their respective factions.
[The flow has deviated from our natural order, so our countermeasures must change as well.]
[It is still insufficient. More blood must flow. More souls must turn their gaze toward the Deity.]
It had to be so.
Only then could they merge and stain the world.
[Thus we move our pieces.]
[If chaos is desired, Yeokcheon shall be most fitting.]
[….]
[….]
The primordial spirit of the Blood Deity and the primordial spirit of the Sun-Moon Face fell silent, their gaze turning toward one place.
The Yeokcheon Singyeo’s true form, dwelling in the deepest depths.
A true Cheonma in the genuine sense.
That is, Honeum.
[Even Mara carries different weight.]
[Yeokcheon Singyeo is not yet ready. The Myeong Sect would be preferable.]
[Though different from before, correcting the flow takes priority.]
A new scene came to mind.
A desert. People worshipping someone.
[Gwangmyeong-cheon would be pleased. Dok-hwi-gong would follow quietly.]
Furthermore, there was one more reason to move the Myeong Sect.
A third scene emerging.
[Yang Hwi.]
[Losing the Inner Qi was quite a painful loss.]
[Yet it turned out well.]
[Now I can turn my attention to him.]
Yang Hwi moving together with Seolha and Chu Dal was taking shape in my mind.
Where they were aiming for as well.
[Hehehehe.]
[What kind of picture will I draw this time?]
[Either way, an opportunity to reclaim what slipped from my grasp.]
[So, I will watch for now.]

* * *
Though I had become unable to return to the family for some time, in truth there was so much to do.
First, dealing with Baek Hwa-mun to obtain the ancestor’s legacy.
Second, dealing with the Zhejiang Heuk Family where the Five Great Deities of Yeokcheon Singyeo were hiding.
Third, visiting the Hwa-san Sect to repay the debt from my previous life.
Fourth, investigating the relationship between the Blood Sect and Honeum and uncovering the secrets of the Seon-dan.
Fifth, investigating the movements of the Three Great Sects and so on…
‘Hold on. The most important thing is recovering Neung-o’s arm.’
Moreover, my instinct was telling me.
If I found the legacy of Gwigyoe Jungok-gun and left for the Outer Realm, I could gain at least two birds with one stone.
This was information obtained by going directly to the Celestial Realm and demanding answers, so it should be certain.
Heaven’s arrangement may seem sparse, but it is quite intricate.
However…
“Brother. Since it’s come to this, you and Sister should go to the Outer Realm together, and I should part ways with you.”
These were the words of Chu Dal as he brushed off his rear and stood up.
“What? Why?”
“Why? I’ve been saying it all along. I want to find Eun-gong.”
“Eun-gong?”
“You don’t remember?”
There’s no way I couldn’t. I’m just dumbfounded.
“You’re the person Salsoo’s sect rescued when you were young?”
“Yes. I should repay that debt soon. After all, they saved my life.”
That would be me, boy.
I never expected him to be so persistent about repaying the favor.
It was admirable, yet somehow bothersome, which irritated me.
Smack!
“Ow! Why did you hit me!”
“Just because!”
“I’m not just taking it anymore! Go, Heuk-seo!”
A black rat shot out from Chu Dal’s embrace with a pop and headbutted the white hawk’s belly.
-Squeeeak!
“….”
Every time I see this, I really wonder if this makes any sense.
What kind of rat beats up a hawk?
Is this even right?
“Try hitting me again. Then Won-woo will pay the price.”
Heuk-seo was already clinging to Won-woo’s back.
It wouldn’t help even if I told him to fly away.
I clicked my tongue at Won-woo’s pitiful gaze.
“Enough, boy. How much have I given you all this time, and you don’t even acknowledge the debt?”
“I’ll repay it my whole life. So for now, let’s stay apart.”
You won’t find anything anyway, you fool.
The debt is right in front of your eyes—what are you searching for?
“Hey. There’s no need to go searching. I already know who I am.”
“What? Then why have you kept it secret until now?”
“It’s my business. Why? What are you going to do about it?”
Chu Dal genuinely wanted to punch Yang Hwi.
‘Damn it. If only the loss of martial arts had been real.’
Now I know it was all a lie.
It’s far too late.
“Once I return after three days out, I’ll tell you when I’m back at the main residence. How’s that?”
“Really? You’ll definitely keep your promise?”
“Yes. Have you ever seen me go back on my word?”
“About fifteen times?”
“…Did I really do that many times?”
“If you count the ones you don’t remember, it’s probably more.”
“Anyway. I swear by my name.”
“If you swear by the Family Head’s name, I’ll believe you.”
…I’d kept it secret all this time because I didn’t want to hear about the debt from Chu Dal, but it seems the time has come to tell him.
Just thinking about it gives me goosebumps, but what can I do about it.
“Father, I stake my name on this promise. Does that satisfy you?”
“Yes. Thank you, Brother.”
Seolha watched the two of them.
Her eyes gleaming with violet light.
“So where exactly are you heading beyond the sect, older brother?”
“Where else? If you want to ride a camel, it has to be the Western Regions.”
The Western Regions—or the Western Territories.
True to its name, it was a foreign land located to the west of the Central Plains.
Its defining characteristic was that it consisted of deserts and plateaus.
Buddhist-based martial sects held dominion over the region’s power structure.
“However, you two.”
“Hmm?”
“What?”
“To reach the Western Regions, you’ll need at least three silver taels per person for travel expenses. Did either of you bring money?”
“Ah.”
“Ah.”
Chu Dal clicked his tongue in disapproval.
“This is exactly why you two won’t do. Just trust me.”

* * *
A few days later.
Yang Hwi’s group was able to board a ship at the harbor.
The passage was quite expensive, but it was thanks to Chu Dal procuring travel funds from somewhere.
“….”
“….”
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
Chu Dal was confident. He gazed up at the heavens with genuine sincerity, utterly without shame.
“It’s the fault of those who left without money and acted recklessly. I have no guilt. I simply ran about here and there, fulfilling my duty as a younger brother to serve you both well.”
“….”
“….”
“You can repay me later anyway. I’ve already sent word to the Baek Family.”
Is this really the same person who, just days ago, said he needed to go repay a life debt?
How does he shift his position so conveniently whenever it suits him?
“Where did you learn such shamelessness, Chu Dal?”
“From you, Brother.”
“….”
“That’s not an unfair assessment.”
“Isn’t it, Sister?”
“….”
That was when it happened.
“So you were here.”
A familiar voice. When I turned my head, I saw Neung-o and Adu.
Moreover, the last person was completely unexpected.
“Neung-o hyung. Adu.”
“Yang Hwi and Seolha, you two. I want to come along and play too.”
Hmm. It’s not really playing.
Since we’re going on a sightseeing trip, I suppose it counts as playing.
“Baek Dou. How disappointing to leave me behind.”
“That’s Seolha’s decision to make….”
Sting.
“My apologies, Neung-o hyung. But how did you even get here?”
“I had no one to polish my sword.”
Neung-o deliberately swung his empty sleeve as he spoke.
…The guilt surged up my throat so much that I couldn’t bring myself to question how he’d followed us.
Instead, Seolha asked.
“Did we perhaps leave a trail worth pursuing? It would be troublesome if the main family followed us.”
“That’s not it. I simply scattered the Thousand-League Tracking Fragrance beforehand.”
Seolha’s and my eyes widened.
“Thousand-League Tracking Fragrance? Where on earth did you get that…?”
One person’s eyes darted away.
It was Chu Dal.
“Hey, you bastard!”
“How was I supposed to know it could be used like this?”
Watching Chu Dal’s aggrieved expression, Neung-o made excuses for him.
“Don’t blame him too harshly. I came along because I needed someone to polish my sword.”
‘But there are so many disciples at Jeomchang….’
Of course, I couldn’t say anything.
How could I, standing before Neung-o who had become one-armed for my sake?
I could only remain silent like a fool.
“Baek Dou. It seems being by your side is the fastest path to walk the way of the sword. If it’s bothersome, I’ll disembark from the boat again.”
“How could it be bothersome? Though Adu might be a bit troublesome because of his size drawing attention.”
“Yang Hwi. That’s too much.”
“Want some rice cake?”
“You have some? Yes!”
“No, you fool.”
“…That’s too much. Sniff.”
This scatterbrained lump whimpering like that is the real problem here.
“Anyway, Namgung Cheon-yeong? Why did you come here?”
Namgung Cheon-yeong wore a disappointed expression.
Yang Hwi’s genuine curiosity about why I had followed was evident in his attitude.
But soon I composed myself with a firm expression.
“I wish to grow stronger, Baek Hyeong.”
“Then go train instead. We’re going sightseeing.”
“Please teach me.”
“That’s something you should—”
Hmm. If I continued, I’d catch hell for it.
“I’ve heard that Baek Hyeong is naturally gifted as a martial artist. Please show me the path forward. I must become stronger.”
This fellow—he’s definitely shed his old shell, unlike before.
He seeks instruction from someone his own age without a shred of shame.
‘Well, the Namgung Family is part of the Ilmyeok Alliance now anyway.’
There was one thing I learned from the Janggang Tournament.
If someone is trustworthy, it’s always better to help them grow stronger.
Even with Seon, if not for Neung-o and Adu, I would have lost my life.
But what if the opponent is Cheonma?
Then I’d need even more outstanding masters at my side.
“What about the Namgung Family’s affairs? Can the Family Head really leave his post vacant?”
“It’s fine. To be honest, I’m merely a figurehead. A Family Head who isn’t even the strongest of the clan—that’s all I am.”
Namgung Cheon-yeong’s face darkened slightly.
It made sense, given that the Namgung Family had a strong atmosphere of powerful individuals for an orthodox sect.
His abilities as Family Head in handling administrative duties were practically nonexistent.
‘From Namgung Cheon-yeong’s perspective, growing stronger as quickly as possible is his only real duty as Family Head. I suppose this works out perfectly. It’s an ideal opportunity.’
“How long? How long can you be away?”
“If it’s too long, people might start harboring different ideas, so about a year should suffice.”
“That’s reasonable. Then, hmm.”
Advice to give Namgung Cheon-yeong?
I had more than enough.
The opponent I faced at the very end of my previous life was Namgung Cheon-yeong from more than a decade in the future.
At the absolute peak, wielding the Emperor’s Sword Form as naturally as breathing, the supreme sword technique of extremes—ah.
‘Right. The Emperor’s Sword Form existed.’
The current Namgung Family doesn’t possess the Emperor’s Sword Form.
If my guess was correct, the Emperor’s Sword Form was created based on one technique of the Heavenly Dun Sword Method that the Namgung Family obtained when they excavated the Sword King’s Tomb.
Since I couldn’t obtain Cheon-ap in this life, the Namgung Family of this lifetime cannot create the Emperor’s Sword Form.
‘Of course, that’s only if I don’t teach them.’
I cannot hand over Cheon-ap itself.
The foundation of the Heavenly Dun Sword Method is Seon-gi.
But what does it matter?
“Namgung Cheon-yeong. If you’re truly the greatest talent under heaven, you naturally come to understand the martial arts of someone you’ve fought to the death against.”
Especially if that martial art is a sword technique and I already know the foundational arts behind it?
“…Why are you suddenly boasting?”
Don’t act so high and mighty, boy.
I’m trying to do something good with good intentions, but you’re holding me back.
The Namgung Family, which has declined since Namgung Cheon-hu and the Blood Sect’s attack, is even being discussed as a candidate for exclusion from the Five Great Families.
I’m thinking of giving the Namgung Family, which has become part of the One-Wing Alliance, some wings to spread.
“Have you ever heard of the Sovereign Sword Hyeong?”
Yang Hwi finished speaking and let out a smirk.

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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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