Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 58

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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 058
A challenge letter from Gyojin-bang. Or rather, a life-and-death duel where everything is at stake.
An emergency descended upon Baek Manor. Baek Moo-ryang, who had been in seclusion, broke out to convene a meeting of the family’s core members.
The matter was that grave.
“Han Supervisor. Please read the letter so everyone can hear it clearly.”
Han Supervisor unfolded the letter from Gyojin-bang and began reading in a loud voice.
“In summary, they want us to select three representatives and hold a life-and-death duel one month from now. Whichever side loses twice must leave Ak-an County.”
In other words, they were proposing to stake the very existence of the sect itself on the outcome.
Baek Moo-ryang, who had been sighing heavily, posed a question.
“Why on earth are they doing this suddenly? If anyone has any guesses, speak up.”
A brief silence fell. Everyone seemed lost in thought about the reason.
Yang Hwi also fell into contemplation for a moment.
‘Ever since the Heuk-do Struggle for Supremacy, Gyojin-bang has always wanted to become the hegemon of Ak-an County.’
With the once-formidable Cheong-sa-bang and Red Bridge Hall in decline, ambition must have bloomed within them.
From the perspective of the Gyojin-bang Master, both the Suhoji Guild and the rapidly rising Baek Manor were thorns in his side.
‘That’s why he raided the Suhoji Guild and consumed it in one fell swoop. The fact that it wasn’t the main house was likely thanks to Uncle.’
With the Jegal Family backing them, he couldn’t raid Baek Manor without justification.
Doing so would leave him unable to handle the consequences.
‘But then… why rush now that he’s already consumed the Suhoji Guild? There’s no reason to.’
From the perspective of power dynamics, only by combining forces could Baek Manor and the Suhoji Guild match Gyojin-bang.
With the balance between black and white shattered, the longer Gyojin-bang took to consolidate and strengthen its position, the better for them.
Yet immediately after consuming the Suhoji Guild, they request a life-and-death duel.
One possibility came to mind.
‘Ah. I’ve been so focused on external matters that I’ve neglected internal affairs.’
With my brow furrowed, I raised my hand, and Baek Moo-ryang’s gaze turned toward me.
“Hwi, speak your thoughts.”
“Yes, Family Head.”
I recounted my suspicion. As the explanation grew longer, the faces of everyone attending the meeting grew increasingly tense.
“Hwi. What you’re saying is…”
“Yes. That’s correct. There is a spy in the main house.”
In that instant, tension crackled as everyone’s eyes met one another.
I immediately shook my head.
“There is no spy among the people in this room.”
The meeting attendees consisted only of Family Head Baek Moo-ryang, Supervisor Han Seok-eon, myself, Gu Ak, Yeo Un-hyeok, and Gwak Moon, the strongest martial artist among the family servants before Gu Ak’s arrival.
“It is true that only those of us here know about the alliance with the Dang Family and the decision to establish a branch in the main house.”
However.
“That doesn’t mean the other servants couldn’t guess at the movements and atmosphere.”
The fact that we refined a precious spirit pill as a substitute.
The harmonious and tight-knit atmosphere when the banquet was held.
The Dang Family warriors who departed after being involved with the Yak-dok-dang members.
Even if only these facts had been conveyed, the Gyojin-bang Master would have been burning with urgency.
“Family Head. It seems the time has come for this old man to repay the debt of gratitude he owes you. If you grant me time, I shall root out the traitor.”
“I would be truly grateful if you would do so, Elder.”
I entrusted the matter of the traitor to Yeo Un-hyeok and redirected the conversation back to Gyojin-bang.
“The three-on-three life-and-death duel to be held a month from now—what do you all think is the right course of action?”
“Family Head, since it’s merely a challenge letter from the Black Sword faction, we could simply ignore it, could we not?”
Upon hearing Han Supervisor’s opinion, I shook my head inwardly.
‘Absolutely not. The Supervisor doesn’t understand because he’s not a martial artist.’
This was a challenge letter sent directly from the master of one faction to the master of another.
If we ignored it, Gyojin-bang would spread all manner of rumors claiming the Baek Manor Head had grown fearful.
The honor and prestige of the Baek Family would be dragged through the mud.
In other words, evading the life-and-death duel was utterly impossible.
“Han Supervisor, that won’t be feasible. First, is there anyone who knows the current combat strength of Gyojin-bang? Particularly their masters?”
Gu Ak raised his hand.
“I’ve heard one troubling piece of information, Family Head. During the raid on the Suhoji Guild, there was apparently an unidentified master present.”
“An unidentified master? A wanderer?”
“Most likely. Moreover… if my suspicion is correct, he appears to be Hyeol-ya Nang-do.”
“Hyeol-ya Nang-do!”
Everyone in the room widened their eyes.
Because Hyeol-ya Nang-do was a peak-realm master whose name was widely known throughout this region.
“If it truly is Hyeol-ya Nang-do… this is troubling.”
“The conditions for the three participants in the life-and-death duel are: the Family Head, a Young Master or equivalent, and a strong member of the family, correct?”
Assuming the peak-realm master Hyeol-ya Nang-do assists Gyojin-bang.
The Gyojin-bang Master Lee Ho-yang is also a first-rate master.
From what I hear, the Young Master of Red Bridge Hall is also a prodigy who reached the second-rate at a young age.
In other words, our chances of victory are extremely slim.
“Among three life-and-death duels… it would be difficult to secure even a single victory.”
“….”
“What if we request assistance from the Jegal Family or the remaining Dang clan members in the main branch?”
“Impossible. The Jegal Family is too far away to reach within a month, and among the remaining Dang clan members, there are no peak-realm masters.”
In other words, the only solution was to hire wanderers and offer them premium compensation to become official family members.
Hyeol-ya Nang-do was likely hired by Gyojin-bang through similar means.
‘This is indeed a difficult situation. If Old Man Yeo were to step forward, matters would be simple… but that’s impossible.’
Though Yeo Un-hyeok is a peak-realm master, he is simultaneously a martial arts fugitive.
No matter how much he disguises himself, officially participating in a life-and-death duel carries far too much risk.
‘A choice between two paths, yet both options bring only losses to my family. Truly, Gyojin-bang has set the board well.’
If we refuse the life-and-death duel, our honor falls to ruin.
If we accept it, our chances of victory are far too low.
‘Even if I can somehow handle the Young Master of Red Bridge Hall, the problem lies with the Gyojin-bang Master and Hyeol-ya Nang-do.’
They are peak-realm and first-rate. We are two first-rate masters.
No matter how optimistically I considered it, the odds of victory were fifty-fifty, making a life-or-death duel a losing proposition.
The core family meeting that began in the morning stretched on until sunset.
By that time, Yeo Un-hyeok, who had volunteered to root out the spy, returned to the conference hall.
Dragging someone who was half a corpse by the collar.
“Family Head. I found him.”
The man brought by Yeo Un-hyeok was a martial artist belonging to the Gangsaeng-gak faction.
In other words, someone who had been part of the Black Blade Gang until a few months ago before surrendering to the Baek Manor.
Gu Ak, his fury blazing, launched himself forward and kicked the spy.
“You bastard!”
“Kugh!”
“How dare you! How dare you play the spy! You’re worse than a beast!”
“I’m sorry! I’m sorry! This wretch was blinded by greed, and—kugh!”
“Gangsaeng-gak leader. That’s enough.”
As Gu Ak stepped back, Baek Moo-ryang drew his sword.
“Tell me one thing. Is the wanderer hired by Gyojin-bang truly Hyeol-ya Nang-do? If you speak truthfully, I’ll let you go peacefully.”
The spy, having abandoned all hope for life, closed his eyes and opened his mouth.
“As far as I know, yes, that’s correct. I’m truly sorry, Family Head.”
Rather than respond, Baek Moo-ryang swung his blade.
Whoosh!
The sword technique, fluttering like a bee’s wings at the peak of the Sealed Wing Realm, pierced through the spy’s heart.
“Now it’s certain.”
“Family Head. At this point, we have no chance of victory. If our main family were to hire a wanderer as well…”
“The problem is we don’t have the money to hire a master of the highest caliber.”
If there were more time, I could have sold off businesses to raise the funds.
No, if it came to that, I could simply accept the Jegal Family’s assistance.
‘One month is such a delicate timeframe. If I merely delay, they’ll start whining about being afraid, won’t they?’
In the end, there was only one path forward.
To overcome this crisis entirely through the strength of our main family.
‘Can we do it?’
Hong Gyo-bang-ju, who reached the Second-Rate Realm at such a young age?
Others might not believe it, but Yang Hwi was confident he could defeat him.
So if I counted one victory as certain.
The First-Rate masters of the Baek Manor: Baek Moo-ryang and Gu Ak.
One of them absolutely had to win.
‘Yes. Even if the odds are low right now, we have no choice but to take the gamble.’
It wasn’t entirely hopeless.
Even if Gu Ak was uncertain, Father’s true martial technique was the Gae-cheon-bak-pal-geom.
I could teach it piece by piece, help him master it quickly, and impart enlightenment to him.
‘If worst comes to worst, there’s also Old Man Yeo as a card to play. Let’s try it first.’
“Family Head. There is one method available.”
“Oh, Yang Hwi. Speak your mind.”
“It’s simple. Within one month, Father, you need only reach the pinnacle realm.”
“Hmm? Hmm….”
Baek Moo-ryang couldn’t even bring himself to make such a boastful claim in jest.
In truth, that was the normal reaction.
Less than half a year had passed since reaching the first-rate realm, and now he was supposed to become a pinnacle master?
It was something that made no practical sense, and if it actually happened, it would deserve to be called a miracle.
But.
“Father. Or rather, Dad. There simply is no other way. The only breakthrough lies in you achieving this yourself.”
If reaching the pinnacle realm in less than half a year after attaining first-rate status were a miracle,
then reversing the flow of time would be something that could never exist in the first place.
Compared to that, creating a miracle was easy enough.
‘And as a bonus, I’ll be able to treat Mother as well.’
“So why not trust me, trust yourself, and give it a try?”
Yang Hwi smiled with a smirk.

* * *
Exactly one month later.
The life-and-death duel between Gyojin-bang and the Baek Family Head had become the talk of Ak-an County’s streets over the past month.
Though the Baek Family side accepted the duel without making any public announcement, Gyojin-bang had spread word far and wide by even hiring people to do so.
‘Well, whether it’s a martial competition or a life-and-death duel, if something is at stake, there must be witnesses and notaries.’
Beyond that, Gyojin-bang had likely spread the rumors intending to bring shame and humiliation upon the main family.
Having hired Hyeol-ya Nang-do, they were confident in certain victory.
‘Let’s see if things go as planned.’
The place agreed upon for the life-and-death duel was a wide open field near Ryu-hang Lake.
Though the time hadn’t yet come, the field was already teeming with spectators.
“Father.”
The Baek Family Head’s group was positioned on the northern side of the field, with Baek Moo-ryang sitting cross-legged at the center, his eyes half-closed.
“Yes, Yang Hwi.”
When Baek Moo-ryang’s eyes met his, Yang Hwi’s lips curved upward.
“You’re confident, aren’t you?”
“….”
Baek Moo-ryang fell silent and closed his eyes. At the same time, he drew the sword sheath from his waist and held it to his chest.
“Little brother. Are you really sure about this?”
Gu Ak, the other participant in the life-and-death duel, asked with an anxious expression.
Yang Hwi and Baek Moo-ryang had undergone closed-door training until this morning, the day of the duel.
Therefore, Gu Ak had heard nothing of what transpired.
“Elder Brother, trust me.”
As Yang Hwi finished speaking with a smirk, Gu Ak unconsciously relaxed his tension.
Beyond the words to trust him, that shameless and confident smile was reassuring.
Every time situations like this arose, this reckless little brat would turn the impossible into reality.
“Now that I think about it, Elder Brother Gu Ak. Thank you for stepping into a life-or-death duel despite it being a matter of the main family.”
“Ahem. I am also a member of the Baek Family, so it is only natural.”
I found myself thinking anew that making Gu Ak a member of the main family had truly been a wise decision.
In my past life, Gu Ak had brought shame upon the main family, yet now he had become such a reliable ally.
“Elder Brother Gu Ak.”
“What is it, younger brother?”
“I shall gather plenty of medicinal herbs good for vitality and bring them to you soon.”
“…Ahem! I am a man who has no need for such things.”
Hehe. You’ve been exerting yourself every night for months without word of results.
I swallowed the words I was about to say outright.
There were certain things men should not say to each other, no matter how close they were.
“It is simply because I wish to give you a gift.”
“Khrm! In that case, I shall not refuse.”
That was the moment.
“It’s Gyojin-bang!”
“The people from Gyojin-bang have arrived!”
Commotion erupted among the spectators, and soon the members of Gyojin-bang appeared.
Gyojin-bang Master Lee Ho-yang. Vice Master Imyeong-chu.
And Hyeol-ya Nang-do, a vagrant and supreme master.
“Greetings, Baek Family Head. How unexpected to see you grace this place. I thought you would tuck tail and flee.”
Laughter erupted at the Gyojin-bang Master’s provocative greeting.
The momentum of the two sects and the superiority in victory had already become widely known.
“Still, it seems the so-called family head understands honor, haha.”
Baek Moo-ryang half-opened his closed eyes but did not bother to respond.
It seemed he thought it not worth the effort to reply.
However, Yang Hwi was different.
“So it’s true that Gyojin-bang bastards have longer tongues instead of what hangs between their legs!”
The Gyojin-bang Master’s eyes widened. He had never dreamed he would hear such insulting words from an eight-year-old child.
That was not all.
“Pfft, puhaha!”
“The young master of the Baek Family certainly knows how to use his tongue well!”
“That thing is short, but his tongue is long instead! Puhaha!”
Laughter far louder than when the Gyojin-bang Master had provoked earlier erupted from all around.
The Gyojin-bang Master’s face flushed crimson as he pointed at Yang Hwi.
“You, you brat! It seems you were never taught manners toward your elders!”
“Well, the Gyojin-bang bastards have a disease that makes their tongues shrink, you see. Ah, but yours is probably still longer than theirs.”
Laughter erupted once more.
Just as the Gyojin-bang Master was about to explode in rage, the Vice Master stepped forward.
“Father. It is beneath your station to exchange words with an ill-mannered child. Allow me to handle this brat.”
“…Yes. You’re right, Chu.”
Hong Gyo-bang-ju drew his six-foot broadsword.
“Listen here, brat. It seems you’re stepping into a life-or-death duel. Is that correct?”
After letting out a soft chuckle, he unsheathed his blade.
“It is, but if I lose to a brat, how would you bear the shame by saying such things?”
“Puhahahaha! Your arrogance pierces the heavens! I’ll give you ten seconds. Swing freely, you little brat.”
Ah, this. I’ve heard something like this before.
“Ten seconds… how amusing.”
Bzzzzzz—the blade trembled with the sound of a bee’s wings, beginning to vibrate.
Yang Hwi, treading the Gicheon Steps, closed the distance to Hong Gyo-bang-ju in an instant.
Clang!
“Kugh?!”
Watching Hong Gyo-bang-ju’s face drenched in bewilderment and shock, I clicked my tongue.
“Nine seconds left now. Can you manage?”

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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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