Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 371

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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 372
Aside from Yang Hwi and Chu Dal, the rest of the group entered Potala Palace without difficulty.
It was only natural treatment for masters skilled enough to suppress a demon radiating such grotesque malevolent qi.
‘The fact that the demon is on our side remains a secret, though…’
Neung-o drank the wine offered by Potala Palace while feeling a faint twinge of conscience.
“Ah, I like the tartness. This is a fermented beverage made from camel’s milk, isn’t it?”
“Seolha, I want some too.”
“No. This is alcohol. Monks shouldn’t drink it.”
“Whimper.”
Unlike Neung-o, Seolha felt not the slightest twinge of conscience.
It was Yang Hwi who had orchestrated the deception, and she herself had said nothing.
The people of Potala Palace had misunderstood on their own—why should she feel guilty about that?
“So, you are the Palace Master?”
“Delighted to meet you, disciples of Pacheon Eumhu.”
The reason they could engage in direct conversation with the leader of an entire sect.
The group had revealed their identities.
Disciples of Cheonmu-sip-jon, direct descendants of Gu-pa—one of the Five Great Families, and the sect leader of Gu-pa—all transcendent masters.
Any sect would have welcomed them with open arms.
Even more so if they were in a time of crisis.
“What brings the heirs of the Central Plains to this distant land? And what is the identity of that Madu?”
At the question from Geumryun Soja, the Palace Master of Potala Palace, Jegal Seol-ha laughed awkwardly.
“I’m not entirely sure about the Madu’s identity. We came to the Western Regions seeking the legacy of Gwigyoe Jungok-gun.”
It was a perfectly convenient excuse. Apart from martial prowess, everyone in the group was of the same generation as Hu Gi-jisu, so being drawn to the legacy of the previous greatest master under heaven was only natural.
“I see. You have arrived at a most inopportune time.”
“We were just finding it strange. Palace Master, why are there so many demons in the Western Regions?”
Demons are inherently ominous and repellent merely by their presence.
Yet here, that demonic qi was being treated as sacred energy.
“I must first explain the power structure of the Western Regions. The Western Regions are divided between us Potala—or Potala Palace in Central Plains terms, situated on the highlands—and the two Lei-yin temples located in the desert.”
From the Central Plains perspective, it felt as though Potala Palace’s sphere of influence lay on the highlands beyond Kunlun, with the Great Lei-yin Temple and Lesser Lei-yin Temple situated in the desert beyond that.
“Originally, all three sects were established to cultivate the teachings of Buddha. However… much changed beginning a hundred years ago.”
“A hundred years ago, you say?”
“Are you familiar with the Dalai Lama?”
The Dalai Lama.
A being known to live eternally through reincarnation without losing memory.
The spiritual pillar of the Western Regions and traditionally the Palace Master of Potala Palace across generations.
“A hundred years ago, the Palace Master… the Lama fell into darkness.”
“Fell into darkness?”
“The reason is unknown. I cannot comprehend it. One thing is certain—the fallen Lama departed for the desert, and since then, the two Lei-yin temples have become strongholds of the Demon Cult.”
The expressions of Neung-o and Seolha grew grave.
Two of the three sects representing the Western Regions had become puppets of the Demon Cult.
It was only natural that more demons were infiltrating Kunlun.
-At least the Potala Palace has been acting as a barrier, so the Central Plains remain unaware of the situation.
-Whether that’s fortunate or unfortunate, I cannot say.
“Why did the Palace Master not request aid from the Central Plains? Even the Jiehan Sect alone would have rushed to help.”
The Palace Master’s expression suddenly became peculiar.
“First, I had no desire to rely on outside forces. Second, the people of the Central Plains have little interest in matters beyond their realm.”
“….”
There was nothing to say in response. Had Yang Hwi not wished to journey west, neither Neung-o nor I would have ever set foot in these western lands.
“Of course, now that you’ve come, I would not think of refusing to ask for your aid. Would the two of you not help this palace? I assure you, the compensation will be substantial.”
Just as Neung-o was about to agree, I beat him to it.
“Compensation, you say? I’m curious how substantial ‘substantial’ truly is.”
“….”
By appearance alone, she was a breathtaking beauty, yet her actions suggested… someone well-versed in worldly dealings.
The way she immediately inquired about profit and pressed for details was telling.
‘This sort is far more convenient. Promise her a great reward, and she’ll help the palace without hesitation.’
“You mentioned searching for the legacy of the previous generation’s greatest under heaven, Gwigyoe Jungok-gun. I wonder if you know—Gwigyoe Jungok-gun had a connection to this palace.”
“Oh, is that so?”
“Should we safely overcome this crisis… or rather, the moment I judge that you’ve provided aid commensurate with its value, I shall reveal everything about the connection between this palace and Gwigyoe Jungok-gun.”
-Hmm, this seems quite favorable, doesn’t it?
-An excellent negotiation, Miss. We must help them regardless.
If we turned a blind eye while those demon bastards ran rampant, our sect would punish us immediately.
Besides, we were already inclined to help from the start.
‘Well, if we’re helping anyway, getting something in return is all the better.’
Recalling Yang Hwi’s usual words, I smiled wickedly.
“Yes! The three of us shall devote ourselves entirely to aiding the Potala Palace!”
Relief washed over Geumryun Soja’s face.
Three Transcendent Masters? In this situation, they were worth ten thousand soldiers.
Especially if the prophesied time was truly approaching.
“Then I shall inform you of the most urgent task. We must—we must kill the new Sect Leader that the Two Thunder Sound Sect will elect.”
“….”
“….”
Bewilderment crossed Geumryun Soja’s face.
They had all suddenly fallen silent.
“Why do you all hesitate? If a new Sect Leader is elected, that day will mark the final curtain call for our western lands. The demon bastards will swarm in countless numbers.”
I could not bring myself to speak.
No matter how much I had come to resemble Yang Hwi over the years, I had no shame left to utter these words.
‘That Sect Leader… my older brother went to become him….’

* * *
-Screeeeeech!
Won-woo circled overhead, crying out with that piercing call.
Sorting through the information transmitted via our connected spiritual link, the situation became clear.
First: Both Thunder Sound Temples had been infiltrated by the Demonic Cult—likely the Ilwol Myeong Cult.
Second: Both Thunder Sound Temples sought to make the newly reincarnated Dalai Lama, a candidate of Hu Gi-jisu’s generation, their next Sect Leader.
And finally, third.
‘All I need to do is become the youngest and strongest Madu among both the Great and Lesser Thunder Sound Temples. Hehehehe.’
Conclusion: Perfect chaos to exploit.
‘Should I just kill a few of them first?’
I glanced around.
Those bastards emerging from the center, radiating such vile demonic energy that I wanted to obliterate them on sight—they must be the senior disciples, right?
“You dare show disrespect to me? I shall exact that price with your life.”
Ever since demonic energy began leaking from my dantian, I’d conducted various tests.
What fascinated me was that despite this foreign, demonic energy flowing through my entire meridian system, it didn’t hinder my martial techniques in the slightest.
More bizarrely, it didn’t conflict with the Spiritual Qi fused into my Immortal Flame Qi—a phenomenon so peculiar it bordered on impossible.
‘I’m told to think positively about it, but there’s far too much discord. For now, I have no choice but to accept it.’
So then, why not test out the functions of Spiritual Qi after all this time?
Memories come flooding back, don’t they?
‘That Gwi-no Baek-ma I met when I was eight. This was my first time torturing a cult member to make them talk.’
The moment I drew the Black and White Twin Feather Swords, the Ghostly Valley Cry erupted forth.
-Screeeeeech….
-Screeeeeech….
Normally, a hawk’s cry should have echoed, but I was the disciple of a Sound Master master.
Having reached the pinnacle as a Sound Master myself, altering the sound was as easy as eating cold rice while lying down.
‘The Ghostly Valley Cry from these former demonic swords, combined with the thick demonic energy radiating from my entire body. This is the perfect image of a Great Madu, isn’t it?’
I grinned wickedly and unleashed my technique.
“This…!”
The abbot of the Great Thunder Sound Temple, the Sun Demon Master, rushed to block in shock.
-Screeeeeech!
‘The Heavenly Demon Sword Path… how could mere humans possibly stop it!’
“Ugh, cough… hack….”
I had successfully killed one of the senior disciples.
That should be enough to seize the initiative, right?
Treating a Madu’s life as vermin was convenient enough.
“Let me speak plainly! I am Injoong Sinma! A reincarnated soul returned against the heavens! I am your deity!”
I spouted whatever came to mind, though there was truth in my words.
I had reversed the flow of time, so “against the heavens” fit, and having both past and present lives, “reincarnated soul” was accurate enough.
“What are you all doing! Bow at once!”
Though I wondered who would obey a stranger who suddenly broke down the gate, killed a senior disciple, and demanded they kneel.
Some of the disciples from the Great Thunder Sound Sect who had rushed forward were faltering, their knees bending.
They had no choice.
The demonic aura—or more precisely, the spiritual essence—emanating from me was.
So pure it couldn’t even be compared to what they possessed.
If I had to describe it, it was like the purity of someone who had mastered orthodox heart cultivation within the demonic arts.
“….”
“….”
“….”
As the silence stretched on, I almost shouted again, but simply closed my mouth instead.
‘These bastards are thinking hard. They’re exchanging sound transmissions among themselves.’
It seemed they had finished consolidating their opinions to some degree.
A middle-aged monk with reddish skin, who appeared to be the abbot, stepped forward.
“I am the abbot of the Great Thunder Sound Sect, the Sun Demon Master. You called yourself the Injoong Sinma?”
Tch, this bastard’s words are short?
“Kneel.”
“….”
“How dare you, a mere wretch, attempt to converse with me as an equal.”
“…Nothing has been revealed yet-”
“Silence!”
I unleashed a lion’s roar.
“If you wish to hear my Sacred Sound, then show proper respect. Kneel—that is the difference in our standing.”
After speaking, I released my demonic aura forcefully.
Since it was leaking out anyway, I simply squeezed it slightly like pressing on a water valve, and it poured forth abundantly.
“….”
The Sun Demon Master, with an entranced expression—as if he had encountered something sacred—unknowingly lowered his body.
Then he suddenly came to his senses and hardened his expression.
“Injoong Sinma. If you truly are the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama and the apostle we have waited for so long, I would hope you would show courtesy to our patience.”
Well, I had expected this level of response.
He came charging in recklessly, yet if he simply lowered his head and submitted, that would be strange even for a fanatic.
“You pass.”
“…What did you say?”
“Sun Demon Master, abbot of the Great Thunder Sound Sect. You have passed my test.”
“…?”
“I despise those with loose knees. What meaning is there in knees that kneel too easily? I grant you the right not to kneel before me.”
In truth, I found it burdensome to make even the sect leader kneel, so I offered this excuse instead, though it sounded plausible enough.
“…I am grateful.”
“Speak then. Since you have passed my test, I too must show you respect. Is there something you desire?”
The Sun Demon Master swallowed hard and pondered.
This one who suddenly came charging in, claiming to be the Injoong Sinma.
The aura he carried and his demeanor were no trivial matter.
Incomparable to the later-generation masters of the Great Thunder Sound Sect.
Though he wore a mask, judging by his voice, he seemed quite young.
‘In a way, this is an opportunity…!’
“Injoong Sinma! If you wish to bring all of the Great Thunder Sound Sect under your command, would you not consider participating in our sect’s succession tournament and enjoying a bit of sport?”
Yang Hwi exulted inwardly.
The Small Thunder Sound Sect had already elected Dok-hwi-gong as a sect leader candidate, and the Great Thunder Sound Sect would hold their selection ten days hence—which was precisely why I had come here.
In other words, the Sun Demon Master’s proposal was exactly what I desired.
‘I’ll have to kill every last one of them.’
“Very well. I shall indulge you for your audacity.”
Since I’ve entered this demon den, I might as well eliminate every talented individual before departing.

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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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