Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 377

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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 377
At the Lesser Thunder Sound Temple, the senior disciples gathered with bewildered expressions.
The cause was a single letter that had arrived from the Greater Thunder Sound Temple.
“Demonic Rebirth, Absolute Obedience?”
“I cannot fathom what possessed them to send such a letter.”
“Is this a provocation?”
“The Sun Faction against the Moon Faction?”
In contrast to the Sun Faction’s demonic arts of the Dual Moon Radiant Sect, the Moon Faction’s demonic arts carried the side effect of castrating emotions.
Such a crude provocation would never take hold.
If so, there could be only one conclusion.
“The Abbot of the Greater Thunder Sound Temple must have fallen into demonic obsession.”
“Perhaps he sent it out of boredom.”
“Or it could be mere bluffing.”
“That is certainly possible.”
Before being absorbed into the Dual Moon Radiant Sect, the Lesser and Greater Thunder Sound Temples had been rivals of sorts.
Though they did not openly display their conflict, they had quarreled quite frequently.
“Perhaps they are attempting such foolish tricks because our candidate, Fa Dap Mok Cheon, is so overwhelmingly superior.”
The gazes of the senior disciples converged upon a single point.
There sat a young man, bald like the rest, with his eyes half-closed.
Fa Dap Mok Cheon. The greatest talent of the Western Sect.
He possessed martial talent that appeared perhaps once in a century.
Having reached the Transcendent realm at the age of thirty and overwhelmingly securing the position of Sect Leader candidate by defeating formidable rivals, this was the proof.
“Abbot.”
Wol Ya-noe-seung, the Abbot of the Lesser Thunder Sound Temple, bowed respectfully.
“Yes, Candidate. Please speak.”
The senior disciples of the Lesser Thunder Sound Temple already regarded Fa Dap Mok Cheon as their superior.
Given the divine power he had demonstrated thus far, Fa Dap Mok Cheon would inevitably become the ultimate victor of the succession war.
However, Fa Dap Mok Cheon’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
“Candidate. Yes, I am still merely a candidate.”
“My apologies.”
The castration of emotion did not mean ambition disappeared as well.
Fa Dap Mok Cheon harbored the goal of unifying the Western Sect and advancing into the Central Plains according to a grand design.
“I, Fa Dap Mok Cheon, shall inevitably become the Sect Leader of the Dual Moon Radiant Sect. All those under the Lesser Thunder Sound Temple shall share in this glory with me.”
As the faces of the senior disciples brightened, Fa Dap Mok Cheon continued.
“According to the reports of our planted spies, it is true that a strange being called Injoong Sinma has appeared at the Greater Thunder Sound Temple?”
“His face is concealed behind a mask, but he possesses a remarkably young voice and exceptional martial prowess.”
“Since he has earned the reverence of all at the Greater Thunder Sound Temple at once, it seems we must exercise caution.”
Had he not cultivated the Moon Faction’s demonic arts, he would have scoffed.
That was precisely the feeling Fa Dap Mok Cheon experienced now.
“Caution. Carelessness is indeed forbidden, yet I harbor no doubt in my own victory.”
It was arrogant speech, yet if one possessed the strength to back it, arrogance became confidence.
“Still, there’s no need to fall for the schemes of the Great Thunder Sound Sect. I think it best to ignore them. What does the Abbot think?”
“A wise judgment, sir.”
However, several days later, the senior disciples of the Small Thunder Sound Sect had to gather once more.
A second letter had arrived from the Great Thunder Sound Sect.
Crunch—the letter crumpled in Fa Dap Mok Cheon’s hand.
“You’ll regret it if you don’t submit immediately, ha ha.”
The contents were so arrogant that even as he suppressed his emotions, he found himself crumpling the letter without thinking.
“He seems to have lost his mind.”
“Those from the First Faction all become violent like this.”
“Injoong Sinma shouldn’t have learned the demonic arts of the First Faction.”
“He must have learned them after taking over the Great Thunder Sound Sect. He’s clearly fallen into demonic delusion in the process.”
This time too, they decided to ignore it.
But then.
A third letter arrived days later.
Unlike before, it was an exceptionally long letter, but summarized, it said this:
[Quiet as a frightened dog with its tail between its legs? Are you scared?]
[If you don’t want to die, come early and bow your head!]
[If you’re too afraid, I’ll come find the Small Thunder Sound Sect myself.]
[This is your last chance. Pay homage to me before the Succession War.]
With provocation this severe, they had to respond for the sake of their reputation.
Otherwise, some of the Small Thunder Sound Sect’s disciples might actually believe the senior disciples had grown cowardly.
“I don’t understand what they’re thinking, with their recent hunting efforts stalling like this.”
The Great Thunder Sound Sect and Small Thunder Sound Sect were hunting the Potala Palace and other sects in preparation for their advance into the Central Plains.
Yet the Great Thunder Sound Sect had been losing disciples with every hunt they undertook recently.
And yet, what?
“They’re anxious because it’s certain that days are coming when our Small Thunder Sound Sect and the Moon Faction will make them bow their heads.”
“They’re trying to create an opening however they can, aren’t they?”
When a dog barks, ignoring it is the best strategy.
But if the dog doesn’t leave and keeps barking loudly.
Sometimes it was better to choose to beat the mutt to death.
“So Injoong Sinma wants the absolute submission of the Small Thunder Sound Sect?”
“I’m afraid so. He says he’ll show mercy only if all disciples pay homage before the Succession War.”
Fa Dap Mok Cheon reached a conclusion.
‘I should use this as an opportunity. If I become Sect Leader, I must bring the First Faction and the Great Thunder Sound Sect under my command as well.’
“Since he said it doesn’t matter if I come to the Small Thunder Sound Sect alone, I’ll change the Succession War venue to the Small Thunder Sound Sect. Tell him he can bring all the disciples of the Great Thunder Sound Sect if he’s confident enough to accept.”
Though confident in my strength, I must not be careless.
I will demonstrate a perfect victory by bringing all disciples of both sects into my headquarters, the Small Thunder Sound Sect.
I, who have become Sect Leader of the Sun and Moon Bright Sect and accepted this great purpose.
So many bowing before me.
A vision of the future flickering before Fa Dap Mok Cheon’s eyes.

* * *
‘They’ve crossed over.’
Upon hearing the report from the Lesser Thunder Sound Sect, Yang Hwi smiled beneath his mask.
Bringing them all would be fine too.
He had provoked them to gather as many disciples as possible in one place, but the stage had grown larger than anticipated.
‘Large stages draw large fortunes.’
“You heard? Bring all the disciples of the Greater Thunder Sound Sect.”
“Divine Being, if we do so, the defenses of our main sect will inevitably be compromised.”
“If anyone dares to overstep their bounds, we simply slaughter them all upon our return, no?”
“….”
“Tsk, how timid. Leave enough hands to manage things.”
“I shall obey your command, Divine Being.”
After issuing the summons to the Sun Demon Master, Yang Hwi quietly called for Chu Dal and sent a letter through Won-woo.
[On the day of the contest, location: Lesser Thunder Sound Sect, simultaneous assault two hours after the opening.]
Chu Dal suddenly posed a question.
“Brother, if we’re launching a simultaneous assault two hours in, shouldn’t the contest itself be concluded within just an hour?”
He had written the letter as instructed, but doubt had crept in.
It was a fair point.
“An hour is too long. I’ll finish it within a hundred breaths.”
For a Transcendent Master, a hundred breaths could be four days or merely an instant.
“Half an hour in time. Within that span, I’ll kill Fa Dap Mok Cheon and sweep them all away.”
Considering what came after, I needed to display absolute dominance.
In my past life, Fa Dap Mok Cheon was one of the Three Divine Beings of the Ilwol Bright Sect.
Could I truly reduce him to a hundred-breath corpse?
‘I must, even if I consume a few Seonran and exhaust my latent power.’
Even as such thoughts crossed my mind, I possessed confidence.
Whoooosh—!
Chu Dal’s expression twisted upon seeing the demonic energy swirling in Yang Hwi’s palm.
“Ugh, no matter how much it’s your energy, it’s disgustingly unpleasant.”
“Well, it’s demonic energy, so what can you do?”
In the opposite hand, I drew forth sacred energy.
Demonic energy and sacred energy.
More precisely, mixed energy and sacred energy.
Two forces perfectly opposite in nature, yet strangely similar.
‘Sacred energy devours demonic energy. They’re perfect opposites. But against mixed energy, it only holds a slight advantage.’
What was the difference? Even if called mixed energy, it was merely pure—demonic energy was still demonic energy.
As I clenched my fist, the sacred energy and mixed energy dissipated.
“I know what you’re worried about, Chu Dal. Claiming to finish in a hundred breaths against a Transcendent Master you’ve never even met is admittedly reckless.”
This time, it was Chu Dal who wore an expression of surprise.
“You, saying something like that? I thought you’d boast that you’d finish it in ten seconds, let alone a hundred.”
“Normally, you’d be right.”
But my opponent is Fa Dap Mok Cheon.
Sixteen years since my regression.
Twenty-four years old in this life.
In my past life, there were less than ten years remaining until the Heretical Sects Uprising erupted.
In other words, if things continued as they were, Fa Dap Mok Cheon would become one of the Illuminated Sect’s Three Divine Beings within ten years.
‘Unlike the Blood Sect’s bishops, the Illuminated Sect’s Three Divine Beings were all at the level of Cheonmu-sip-jon.’
I was a Transcendent Master now, but Fa Dap Mok Cheon would reach Cheonmu-sip-jon level within years.
In my past life, he was an opponent I could never dare to challenge.
But…
‘To capture the Cheonma, I must accomplish at least this much.’
Even if I had to resort to demonic energy.
“Chu Dal.”
“Yes, brother.”
“When Won-woo returns, send a letter to Kunlun.”
It was a path I had never walked in my past life.
I was certain that walking it would allow me to reach greater heights and progress faster.
So I would walk it.
But it seemed I needed one more insurance policy.

* * *
The Lesser Thunder Sound Sect.
Disciples of both the Greater and Lesser Thunder Sound Sects filled every direction.
Formation currents swirled through a space easily a hundred paces wide.
‘It’s exactly the same as before. The victor will devour the defeated.’
I gazed at Fa Dap Mok Cheon standing at a distance.
A face I had seen from afar in my past life.
‘Indeed, there were many like him.’
A creature who stirred blood winds with every emergence.
I had lost three or four assassin comrades to that bastard’s hands.
In my past life, Fa Dap Mok Cheon had been an overwhelmingly transcendent master—so formidable that I dared not even resolve to seek vengeance.
‘Friends, though late, I can finally avenge you.’
The referees were the Sun Demon Master of the Greater Thunder Sound Sect and Wol Ya-noe-seung of the Lesser Thunder Sound Sect—the abbots of both sects.
“Candidates, please prepare yourselves.”
“This seat requires no preparation.”
Murderous intent bloomed from Fa Dap Mok Cheon’s direction.
So he could harbor killing intent despite having his emotions severed, maintaining that expressionless facade throughout?
“What are you staring at? Do you wish to die?”
“How crude. Do you truly believe someone like you deserves a position that commands the reverence of ten thousand?”
“At least more than you—a sect leader who’s bald. Isn’t that laughable?”
“I shaved my head by choice.”
“That’s what all bald men say.”
“….”
Fa Dap Mok Cheon’s momentum intensified.
That bastard is indeed a fully matured Transcendent Master.
Without question, he could manifest his inner vision and encroach upon the surrounding space.
Already, phantoms drawn by his will were projecting around him.
‘Thunderbolt Crescent Moon. Identical to my past life.’
A crescent moon forged from lightning.
“What is your inner vision, Injoong Sinma?”
“It’s none of your concern. Stop prying.”
As I answered, the blade I drew released a piercing wail.
A ghost cry—the wail of response transformed through the subtlety of deception.
-Keuaaaaaaah….
I could not reveal the Shattered Heaven Divine Bird’s inner vision.
I did not wish to create any possibility of my identity being exposed.
Considering that battles between Transcendent Masters are contests of inner visions, I was essentially entering this competition bound by a single shackle.
‘Well, there are methods regardless.’
“Hey, Fa Dap Mok Cheon.”
“Speak.”
“I’ve given you countless chances. Rejecting them all means you wish to die. Any last words?”
“I’ll speak while holding your head, Injoong Sinma.”
“How pathetic. Seems you won’t even get to leave final words.”
“Think what you will.”
Tsk, these Wol Ya types were tedious.
No matter how much I provoked with words, they refused to take the bait.
Then I’d have to crush him with raw power instead.
‘Is this the first time I’ve used Banchen’s abilities against an opponent of this caliber?’
I closed my eyes.
Then I recalled what I’d first attempted after obtaining Banchen.
‘Seon-gi and Hun-gi aren’t opposed in nature, so the rejection won’t be severe.’
The demonic qi flowing from my Seon-dan core was nine parts Hun-gi.
Meanwhile, the demonic qi I’d consumed and absorbed had a lower proportion of Hun-gi.
‘Pure Hun-gi. Demonic qi brimming with obsession. The ratio is eight to two.’
Enlightenment gained through manipulating demonic qi.
A newly discovered path to reaching the realm of Cheonmu-sip-jon.
In the past, I’d mixed Seon-gi into Hwa-cheon-gi to create Hwa-cheon Seon-gi.
Now, adding even intention itself, I’d transformed it into Seon-hwa-gang-gi.
What if I could achieve the same result using demonic qi?
‘Hwa-cheon-i-won. Embracing all qi beneath heaven, benefiting the source.’
Hwa-cheon-gi possessed the nature of harmonizing with all things.
The Hwa-cheon-gi I’d prepared separately began intermingling with Hun-gi.
Adding demonic qi infused with obsession on top of this…
‘The obsession of demonic qi substitutes for my intention.’
Click—a sound of something falling into place echoed through my mind.
Simultaneously, intention around me began painting a mental image.
To describe that form in words…
“A Human-Faced Winged Bird. Is that your mental image? You’ve devoured quite a number of people, it seems.”
Each feather was a grotesquely twisted human face.
Such feathers gathered to form wings.
“…I suppose. Hideously ugly.”
Compared to the Shattered Heaven Divine Bird, ugh.
I’d hastily manifested it since I couldn’t reveal my original mental image, but just looking at it filled me with revulsion.
‘Can’t be helped. I’ll have to use it anyway.’
The Human-Faced Winged Bird flapped its wings.
In response, I drew my sword as well.
“Come then. I’ll kill you in under a hundred breaths, Fa Dap Mok Cheon.”
The black and white paired swords in my right hand—the blade painted with ink, appearing entirely black—was brushed by the Human-Faced Winged Bird’s wings.
That was the moment.
‘Hmm…?’
Human-Faced Winged Bird. A mental image composed of Demonic essence.
The Black and White Twin Swords trembled intensely as the Sword Spirit resonated.
Simultaneously, a single strand of intent permeated through.
‘Ah… I see. So that’s how it was.’
[Obtain Companion, Merge Sword Path, Calculate Pierce Heaven.]
I grasped the true meaning at last.
“Listen, Fa Dap Mok Cheon. I need to change my words.”
Through the Black and White Twin Swords, my ancestor’s intent carved itself into my mind.
It was a single sword path.
“Ten seconds. I’ll kill you within ten seconds.”
Beneath the mask, Yang Hwi smiled wickedly.

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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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