Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 396

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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 396
The age of chaos would truly begin now.
Everyone under heaven anticipated this reality.
The Jang Gang-su Ro-maeng had been exterminated, and vast interests had been released into the world.
No, that was wrong.
During the Great Jang Gang Battle, it became known to all that one of the Two Greatest Sects under heaven had been infiltrated by the Demonic Path.
But that was not all.
Cheonmu-sip-jon Su-sa-jae-seon, the Taeguk Sword Master, and Baek Heon-nang-wang had departed from this world.
Now the remaining members of the Ten Existences were the Great Sea Dragon King of the White Path, Yeoilrakbul, the Divine Dragon Immortal, and Pacheon Eum Hu.
‘The remaining three, including the Hyeol Sa-ryeon leader, all hailed from the Black Path and the Demonic Sects. And if we include the masters of the Three Great Demonic Cults on top of that…’
The various sects of the White Path would have felt a sense of crisis.
Such crisis would naturally lead to the need for a protective alliance.
‘The Yi-ik Alliance still lacks much to become a fence encircling all under heaven.’
That was why everyone rushed forward the moment the Great Sea Dragon King declared the establishment of the Yongwang Alliance.
The supreme patriarch of the greatest family under heaven and one of the Cheonmu-sip-jon.
With just his name alone, he could become a fence to encircle all under heaven.
‘Yet I cannot simply watch as the Yongwang Alliance monopolizes dominance over the White Path martial world.’
The power disparity between the Yi-ik Alliance and the Yongwang Alliance was more than double by rough calculation.
It would take at least ten years to narrow that gap.
‘I need time to firmly establish myself as a member of the Cheonmu-sip-jon and prove my strength.’
But here was the thing.
If I could only seize the opponent’s forces.
I could rise to an equal position in one fell swoop.
‘Everyone anticipates the beginning of chaos. Then strengthening one’s own martial power is just as important as banding together.’
When equally matched martial masters fight, the one with the better weapon wins without fail.
Even for a warrior who has trained in the Gwon Jang Ji-gak, it is the same.
‘How reassuring it is to wear good armor beneath one’s martial robes?’
Moreover, divine weapons possessed a supreme advantage.
The Nine Sects and the Five Great Families.
One of the implicit conditions necessary to be recognized as a renowned sect among the greatest under heaven.
That was the divine artifact.
The Shaman’s Song Moon Ancient Sword, Shaolin’s Green Jade Buddha Staff, the Jegal Family’s Wolyong Crown, and so forth.
‘Divine weapons become sources of legend themselves, which in turn leads to the sect’s fame.’
That was why when I obtained Seong Cheol and Han-cheol at the Western Fortress, I decided I must create a Family Head’s divine weapon.
And the blacksmith Baek Cheol fulfilled that expectation splendidly by forging the Baek Cheon Baek Woo Sword.
“Well then, Elder. You will have to come rushing with your tail on fire.”
The reason I deliberately set the deadline at one month.
From Hebei where the Peng Family was located to the Baek Family Estate in Jiangxi was literally thousands of li.
Considering the time it took to deliver the message through Jeon Seo-gu, even a member of the Cheonmu-sip-jon would have to rush earnestly.
‘Hehehehe, he will have no choice but to come.’
The reason was simple.
I recalled something Eum Hu had told me long ago.
“The Great Sea Dragon King—that man’s specialty is boundless inner qi. He’s caused quite an incident because of it.”
“Inner qi so vast that even divine weapons struggle to contain it. He once destroyed the Five Celestial Swords, a divine artifact belonging to the Peng Family Head. Ahahaha.”

* * *
On the auction day announced through the notice board, in the Baek Family’s banquet hall.
Fewer than fifty people had gathered.
“Brother, isn’t this a bit sparse?”
Baek Heon-so asked cautiously. Chu Dal answered instead of Yang Hwi.
“It’s fine, Young Master. We’ve confirmed attendance from all thirty-six major sects. Given the time constraints, they likely sent only their most skilled elders and above, setting aside formalities.”
“I see. With this arrangement, we’ll maintain the initiative from the start.”
A correct assessment. The senior disciples from each sect who had gathered seemed to sense this, and their expressions were grim.
However, it wasn’t entirely advantageous.
‘They’re already divided into factions as they sit.’
The Yeoil Alliance on the left, the Yongwang Alliance on the right.
Five chairs were arranged in a line, but the right side had roughly twice as many occupants.
Considering the display of power, I’d say the initiative was evenly split.
-Hwi, it’s time. Come up.
Baek Moo-ryang, who should have led the proceedings, sat in the seat of honor on the left.
An auction—buying and selling goods—was different from a banquet. If the Family Head appeared directly, it would damage his dignity.
‘This works out perfectly. I’m the best speaker in the Baek Family anyway.’
Besides, there was one more hidden advantage to this.
Instead of using lightness martial arts, Yang Hwi walked steadily up to the platform and performed a cupped-fist salute.
“I am Baek Yang-hwi, the Baek Family Heir. I offer my gratitude to all the esteemed elders who have gathered here.”
Immediately, whispers arose.
“Hmm, so Eung-hyo Je-il has returned to the family.”
“His martial arts… he hasn’t recovered them, has he? I don’t sense any momentum.”
“But if that’s the case, then the Jegal Family side… hmm.”
My ears perked up involuntarily at the last remark.
The Jegal Family Head’s expression… doesn’t look good?
Seolha. Don’t tell me you returned without even notifying the family…
“Ahem! No need for lengthy talk—let’s proceed directly to the main matter. We have ten divine weapons prepared by the Baek Family!”
As I swept away the curtain hanging behind me all at once, exclamations burst forth immediately.
“Ohhhhh!”
“So it wasn’t mere boasting.”
“Such divine weapons all in one place…!”
In any field, those who have reached the pinnacle of mastery can recognize excellent tools at first glance.
With elders of the highest caliber gathered from all sects, everyone recognized the value possessed by Baek Cheol’s divine weapons.
-Hehehehe, this brat. Always coming up with clever tricks.
From the right side where the Yongwang Alliance gathered, it was a transmission of inner voice from the Great Sea Dragon King, who occupied the most honored seat.
He was said to have lost his martial prowess, yet he was sending a transmission of inner voice.
-Where did you learn such impudence, not answering when an elder asks? Kkhehehe.
‘As expected. He’s picked up on it.’
I suddenly wondered—had this old master truly discerned that my martial prowess had reached the Enlightenment Realm?
It was a question I would save for later enjoyment.
-A senior of long standing speaks so stingily about cutting off funds, but this level of rudeness is hardly worth mentioning, is it?
I grinned and shouted loudly.
“Let me introduce the first item for auction. Behold, the Indestructible Tiger Blade!”
I lifted up a massive saber and swung it in all directions.
“For a divine weapon to be worthy of the name, it must possess special properties, yes? Shall we all take a guess?”
Immediately, dozens of threads of qi were released, probing the Indestructible Tiger Blade.
Several of them touched my dantian.
‘With your level of skill, you cannot penetrate what lies within me. Hehe.’
Each time an answer came forth, I shook my head and gazed at the Great Sea Dragon King.
“Honored Master, would you care to guess?”
The Dragon King’s expression had grown solemn.
“Judging by its name and the qi it contains, it would be a blade that cannot be destroyed, as the name suggests.”
“Correct! The function of the Indestructible Tiger Blade is simple—no matter how much inner qi is poured into it, it possesses the durability to withstand it! The blade may dull, but it will never break!”
For the Peng Family, who had risen to supremacy through domineering saber techniques, and especially for a warrior like the Great Sea Dragon King, it was a perfect weapon.
“Shall we begin the bidding?”
For a moment, everyone watched the Great Sea Dragon King’s expression.
It was obviously a divine weapon made for the Peng Family, so it was inevitable.
But the silence was brief.
Someone raised their hand.
“I, the Namgung Family Head, bid ten thousand gold taels for the Indestructible Tiger Blade.”
Ten thousand gold taels—enough to establish over a hundred ordinary enterprises.
But this was only the beginning.
“Fifteen thousand gold taels.”
Like the Peng Family, this was a clan that specialized in saber techniques and aimed to enter the Five Great Families.
The Sanggwan Family Head raised his hand, watching the Great Sea Dragon King’s expression.
‘He joined the Yongwang Alliance, yet he’s still bidding.’
Was it an instruction from the old Dragon King, or had he simply failed to resist his desire for the Indestructible Tiger Blade?
Either way, it was good.
As more bids were added, the price quickly climbed to fifty-five thousand gold taels.
Then came that moment.
“One hundred thousand gold taels. Let us end it here.”
The bid had doubled at once.
The Great Sea Dragon King continued.
“Gentlemen, is it not clear to all that this treasure was made for our Peng Family? One hundred thousand gold taels is sufficient courtesy to the Baek Family, so Eung-hyo, let us stop here.”
These were the words of the Cheonmu-sip-jon and the Yongwang Alliance Leader.
Who would dare defy him?
‘Who else? I will defy him.’
“Are there any other bidders? I shall count to three. One. Two. Three.”
Just as everyone believed the Daehaeyongwangdo had won the Daeho Bulkwae Sword,
Yang Hwi called out once more.
“The Daeho Bulkwae Sword is awarded to Namgung Cheon-yeong, Family Head of the Namgung Family, who bid fifty-five thousand taels!”
“…!”
“…!”
“…!”
With the declaration, I threw the Daeho Bulkwae Sword to Namgung Cheon-yeong.
Yongwang-do’s face darkened with displeasure.
“Eung-hyo Je-il. I fail to understand what you’re doing.”
I had displeased the Cheonmu-sip-jon.
In some circumstances, even the annihilation of one’s entire family would be a reasonable consequence.
Yet Yang Hwi responded with an utterly shameless expression of indifference.
“Ah, I forgot to mention the hidden rule of this auction. Members of the Yeoil Alliance receive a special privilege—their bid amounts are multiplied by two!”
“…?”
“…!”
In other words, it was like this.
The Daehaeyongwangdo’s bid was fifty thousand taels of gold.
The Namgung Family Head, who bid fifty-five thousand taels, received the special privilege, making it one hundred ten thousand taels of gold.
“Stop your posturing. The auction is immediately suspended.”
“Heh. Young pup, it seems you have no regard for the kindness I have shown you.”
The Daehaeyongwangdo had transmitted to me the profound mysteries of the Great Sea, the very foundation of his power.
Thanks to him, I have escaped death more times than I can count.
But.
‘That doesn’t mean I should accept a betrayal without protest.’
At my signal, Namgung Cheon-yeong rose to his feet.
“As Family Head of Namgung, I, Namgung Cheon-yeong, congratulate the establishment of the Yongwang Alliance and present the Daeho Bulkwae Sword as a gift to the Yongwang Alliance Leader.”
The Daeho Bulkwae Sword, soaring through the void, came to rest before Yongwang-do.
Even in this moment, unable to suppress his greed for the sword, he grasped the hilt.
“….”
Slowly, yet flowing like a tidal wave—the energy poured forth.
A sword aura bloomed from the Daeho Bulkwae Sword.
Endless, as if it would sever even the heavens themselves.
Yet the Daeho Bulkwae Sword remained unbroken, merely trembling with satisfaction at the sword energy.
“Certainly… it is extraordinary. Truly worthy of being called a divine weapon.”
With this, the combat strength of the Cheonmu-sip-jon Daehaeyongwangdo would increase by at least thirty percent.
Such was the power wielded by a divine weapon.
“I cannot simply accept such a precious gift without reciprocating. Namgung Family Head, I shall send you treasures equivalent to one hundred and ten thousand gold coins as my gift in return.”
“I am grateful to receive such generosity.”
The wealth sent by the Peng Family was destined to fill the coffers of the Yi-ik Alliance.
From Namgung Cheon-yeong’s perspective, there was no reason for dissatisfaction.
The terms had already been agreed upon, and one of the ten divine weapons—the Changcheon Divine Sword—was scheduled to be awarded to Namgung Cheon-yeong.
“However, Eung-hyo Je-il, you young fool.”
Yongwang-do still had not sheathed the Great Sea Unbreakable Blade.
“Separate from the gift, I see no reason to tolerate such rudeness. I have no desire to be played like a puppet in the scheme concocted by this young pup.”
“Ah, is that so?”
The corners of Yongwang-do’s mouth lifted.
“Then let us play. If you cannot endure it, punishment shall be yours.”
In that instant, an overwhelming aura—truly as vast as the great sea itself—descended upon me.
-Kiiiiiaaaaaa!
-Kiiiiiaaaaaa!
Two divine weapons emitting the cry of the Eung-hu spread their wings.
Immediately after, the great sea was torn to shreds.
“…!”
“…!”
“A strike from the Cheonmu-sip-jon….”
“Neutralized…!”
I smirked and slung the Sunbaek Divine Sword across my shoulder.
“It was not particularly difficult to endure, Elder. If you intend to punish me, shouldn’t you come at me with proper resolve? Hehehehe.”
Eung-hyo Je-il, who had declared himself the future greatest under heaven at merely twenty-three years of age.
Now, at twenty-five, I stood as an equal against the Cheonmu-sip-jon.

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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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