Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 411

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

Third-rate Martial Arts Family, Greatest Under Heaven – Episode 411
The highest floor of Baek Hwa-mun, or rather, Baek Hwa-gak.
Yang Hwi and Seolha watched Baek Moo-ryang with barely concealed tension.
-Seolha, what’s your read?
-So far, he doesn’t seem emotionally opposed to it.
The tension was unavoidable. I’d just proposed something Baek Moo-ryang would have flatly refused mere moments ago.
“Hwi. Let me summarize—you’re saying the Baek Family, and by extension the Yi-ik Alliance, must cooperate with the Blood Sect.”
I swallowed hard before answering.
“Not joining hands, Father. More like our paths happen to overlap, so we walk in step. The greatest danger in Honam right now is Ak-in-gok.”
Just moments before, I had informed Baek Moo-ryang of Ak-in-gok’s existence.
More precisely, I’d proposed a strategy: since an unknown force called Ak-in-gok lurked in the shadows, we should move in concert with the Blood Sect to draw them into the open.
-Seolha, how is he now?
-He’s deliberating. Though his discomfort is growing.
I needed to reinforce my logic quickly.
“Father. The Blood Sect Leader has gone mad trying to kill Injoong Sinma and the Hyeol-ma-dae. In a sense, it’s a direct confrontation between Gwi Province and Honam.”
“I’m aware.”
Father’s curt reply. A thought suddenly struck me.
If I revealed that Injoong Sinma was my son, Father would roll up his sleeves and charge forward without hesitation.
‘But then my hands would disappear. Beaten off by the whip of his inner qi.’
“Ak-in-gok assassinated the Blood Sect Leader’s sworn brother. From how they’ve stirred up conflict, they’re hoping the battle between the heterodox and demonic paths drags on endlessly.”
What Ak-in-gok sought was mutual destruction.
‘The direct confrontation itself follows my plan, but the timing is too early.’
If things went wrong, I could abandon the Hyeol-ma-dae and flee.
But it would be better to strengthen the Hyeol-ma-dae further before clashing with the Blood Sect.
The timing also wasn’t right for the Baek Family to be ready to swallow Honam.
“The moment the Yi-ik Alliance, a third force, steps forward, Ak-in-gok will have no choice but to reveal itself. They must maintain balance.”
“….”
“They’re wicked by name alone, aren’t they? Even if we appear to cooperate with the Blood Sect, we’re merely using them one-sidedly.”
Baek Moo-ryang continued his silence.
To create this three-way structure and draw out Ak-in-gok, I had to pass through one essential gate: my father’s approval as the Yi-ik Alliance Leader.
-Seolha. How is he now?
-He’s in deep thought. But… contrary to expectations, there’s no anger or strong rejection.
Perhaps I should add more to my case.
That’s what I was thinking.
“Very well. Let’s move according to the picture you’ve drawn.”
“The Blood Sect Leader is a blockhead… What?”
It was unexpected. Father had agreed so quickly.
“As you said, no matter how enraged the Blood Sect Leader becomes, he won’t engage Injoong Sinma in a life-or-death struggle.”
The force disparity clearly favored the Blood Sect. Yet the Blood Sect Leader would remain in the rear while Injoong Sinma continued as he had, operating in the front.
In Baek Moo-ryang’s assessment, the confrontation between the two forces could only drag on.
In other words.
“The common people of Honam will suffer for a long time. Setting aside profit, I believe the Baek Family should declare our heavenly justice in Honam.”
Polished words, but it was a proposal to join hands with the Blood Sect and strike down Injoong Sinma.
Yet the reason Father accepted so readily.
‘He’s changed. Or perhaps I should say he hasn’t changed at all.’
I’d brought Seolha along precisely because I worried Father might feel reluctance about joining hands with an evil sect.
But Father was prioritizing the suffering the common people of Honam would endure.
‘…Yes, that’s right.’
To be honest, I was aware that I was walking a fine line right now.
Just look at how I immediately learned Hyeol-ma-gong and created new secret techniques—I would never have done this in the early days after my regression.
But.
Because I have such a father.
Because I am the son of a father who remains unchanged and holds fast to his original heart.
I can trust myself, walk this fine line, and forge a new path forward.
‘Even if I cross that line, Father, Seolha, and my companions will bring me back.’
“Though unease and reluctance exist, they pale before the peace of the common people. Thus the Baek Family acts according to our justice.”
Baek Moo-ryang pursues morality that borders on idealism, righteousness that is nearly illusory.
This is why he earned the title Si-hyeop-il-jeol when he was merely a third-rate master, and why he could declare heavenly justice to the world when the Baek Family was still a minor clan.
And such was Baek Moo-ryang’s command to me.
“Hwi, go forth. Do what you desire. Under the will of the Baek Family.”
I rose to my feet and bowed respectfully.
“Young Master Baek Yang-hwi, the Gae-cheon-sin-eung of the Baek Family, receives the Family Head’s command.”

* * *
The situation in Honam shifted once more.
[As Family Head of the Baek Family, I declare!]
[I can no longer bear witness to the suffering of Honam’s common people. The Baek Family shall mobilize all its strength to eliminate Injoong Sinma!]
Already, the Hyeol Sa-ryeon master was growling about capturing and executing Injoong Sinma and the Hyeol-ma-dae entirely.
The anxious common people of Honam found some measure of relief simply from seeing Baek Moo-ryang’s resolve.
Honam bordered Gangseong, and they had witnessed and heard of the banner of righteous cooperation that the Baek Family’s head had unfurled across the region.
“The board is set properly now. Let’s move according to our own plan.”
Upon hearing Yang Hwi’s words, Chu Dal’s expression grew slightly uneasy.
“Brother, I’m not sure this is right. Aren’t we committing the error of the Tacho strategist?”
Well, I had assigned him the most dangerous role.
He would be the bait, moving as Injoong Sinma and bearing the attacks of both the Hyeol Sa-ryeon and the Baek Family alone.
“Do you have another method? A way to draw out Ak-in-gok and learn their true purpose?”
Chu Dal, who had been pondering for a moment, clapped his hands.
“Why not ask the Blood Sect?”
“Sure, they’d be delighted to tell us, you fool.”
“Still, doesn’t this seem far too dangerous?”
“Then why don’t you find out instead?”
“I don’t even have a clue where to start.”
Yang Hwi clicked his tongue.
The fellow had decent skills, yet harbored an unexpectedly timid side.
Or perhaps it was more accurate to call it the caution of a thief.
From that perspective, it was actually an asset.
‘Every group needs someone like that.’
Still, I had no intention of missing the chance to tease Chu Dal.
“And yet you’re the branch master of Cheonri-gak under the great Baek clan, and the successor to the Sintu-jimack Yeonggwi sect?”
Chu Dal’s expression turned aggrieved.
“How am I supposed to find anything out! They’re a mysterious sect with no clear identity, and they even have a master at the Hwa realm!”
There would need to be clues or hints to investigate anything, but Ak-in-gok left no trail whatsoever.
“That’s precisely why we must employ the Tacho strategist’s methods. There’s no other way.”
The error of the Tacho strategist?
When I do it, it’s not an error—it’s strategy.
And I’ll make sure it succeeds.
“But I’m not sure they’ll even come out. They’ve stayed hidden all this time, and no matter how large the bait is… what if there’s a reason they can’t emerge?”
That was possible.
“If they don’t come out, that’s even better. It means they won’t significantly affect the situation.”
However, the likelihood of that was extremely low.
Having concealed their identity, conducted assassinations, and employed discord tactics, their intentions were clearly defined.
“Ak-in-gok will definitely reveal themselves. Care to wager on it?”

* * *
“Krahaha, the Hyeol Sa-ryeon Master, that old hermit still thinks he’s a match for me! Hyeol Sa-ryeon Master, what a hero! I, Injoong Sinma, await you—come offer your neck whenever you please!”
Yang Hwi, openly provoking the Hyeol Sa-ryeon as Injoong Sinma, moved with even greater urgency.
What I mean is, while seizing the sects of Honam like catching rats, I was simultaneously inflating the numbers and quality of the Hyeol-ma-dae.
“Chu Dal, make the main headquarters of the Blood Sect believe our forces are listening to their commands.”
“I’ve already conveyed that we’re manipulating the Hyeol-ma-dae from behind the scenes.”
“Is that so? What did you say exactly?”
“I kept sending messages to restrain Injoong Sinma, but recently I changed course and told them to let him rampage even more.”
From this, one fact became clear.
Originally, the Blood Sect disliked Injoong Sinma creating conflict with Hyeol Sa-ryeon.
But they changed their stance.
‘Was the Blood Sect attempting to bring Hyeol Sa-ryeon under their wing? After failing, they no longer care what Injoong Sinma does.’
Either way, what mattered most was expanding our forces.
More precisely, I needed to completely eliminate all the sects of Honam and Heuk-do.
The time for Injoong Sinma’s exit was drawing near.
‘Injoong Sinma vanishes as I destroy Ak-in-gok. At that same moment, the Hyeol-ma-dae, now sufficiently strengthened, must carve away substantial portions of Hyeol Sa-ryeon’s flesh.’
Too many forces had become entangled in Honam. The complexity of orchestrating this game had become headache-inducing.
‘If I fail, I simply flee.’
Geom Seon said to gamble with one’s life on the line—a mere headache was nothing.
Compared to death, it was insignificant.
Besides, I had an excellent collaborator.
“Seolha, when dealing with Ak-in-gok, wouldn’t it be better to approach from a position of weakness?”
“Rather than that, wouldn’t it be better to make a bold move more in line with your taste, brother?”
“What reaction are you aiming for?”
“To make them stop underestimating us.”
“Truly worthy of Jegal. Excellent, hehehehe.”
These were the days when I was expanding my forces and establishing detailed plans of action.
“Brother. Someone has arrived. A messenger, I suppose you’d call them.”
Only one faction would send a messenger at this juncture.
“Ak-in-gok?”
Chu Dal nods, his expression slightly hardening.
Yang Hwi, wearing the white mask, rose to his feet.
“Show them in.”
The messenger sent by Ak-in-gok was a beautiful middle-aged woman who appeared to be in her forties.
However, her features were remarkably plain, so unremarkable that one would forget her appearance if not studying her carefully.
‘Curious. A beauty, yet her face leaves no impression whatsoever.’
“You come from Ak-in-gok, then. State the reason for your visit to Bon-jwa.”
“Not even exchanging names, how delightful, kehehe.”
Her laughter carried an eerie, sinister quality.
Suddenly, I felt the urge to turn and look at Seolha.
‘Seol Ha-ya, that’s how you smile wickedly.’
Anyway.
“Bon-jwa and this Injoong Sinma—do you possess the qualifications to exchange names?”
An arrogant and audacious demeanor. Words and conduct I’d coordinated with Seolha beforehand.
A provocation to gauge what kind of temperament Ak-in-gok possessed.
“Your words ring true. Since you ask about qualifications, I shall answer. I am Akingok-ju.”
The martial prowess of Akingok-ju, readable through my spiritual perception, belonged to a Transcendent Master.
If I had to compare, it was roughly equivalent to Neung-o before obtaining the Gi-gwe-gap-su.
But.
Ku-gu-gu-gu-gu-gu-!
Beneath the white mask, my eyes widened.
Akingok-ju’s momentum was rising endlessly.
Surpassing the Transcendent Master level, ascending into the Hwagyeong realm.
Even transcending the Hwagyeong momentum itself, reaching beyond.
Even Gae-cheon-sin-eung, who had been evaluated by the Great Sea Dragon King as possessing seventy percent of Hwagyeong’s power merely by revealing half his form upon ascending to that realm, now appeared insignificant in comparison to this height.
‘You… were concealing your spiritual perception?’
I, Yang Hwi, had prided myself on having already reached the pinnacle of the martial world through spiritual perception alone.
That pride shattered in this very moment.
“There is no need for alarm. I am Akingok-ju, and during my years wandering the martial realm, I was called the Absolute Demon Woman.”
The true identity of a Hwagyeong-level master who had even deceived my spiritual perception.
The emergence of Cheonmu-sip-jon, the legendary villainess spoken of decades past.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————