Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 6

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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 006
In truth, three children venturing out to the Marketplace alone was quite a dangerous affair.
Even for a Third-rate Martial Arts Family, others would perceive them as children of means, and there would inevitably be those who coveted their wealth or their bodies’ ransom value.
‘Yet the Main Family’s finances lack the surplus to assign a capable martial servant as an escort.’
Such circumstances were laid bare in the question posed by Baek Yeon-yeon upon completing her ritual purification bath.
“Elder brother, but will we be able to obtain permission to go out? I fear the adults will forbid us….”
Though aware of the situation, Yang Hwi responded with unwavering confidence.
“Yeon.”
“Hmm?”
“Your elder brother is a man who transforms the impossible into the possible.”
Yang Hwi grinned and turned his gaze toward Baek Heon-so.
“Heon-so, I apologize.”
“Pardon? What, what is it…?”
Baek Heon-so’s expression grew anxious, and his unease soon became reality.
Upon arriving at Han Supervisor Han Seok-eon with Baek Heon-so and Baek Yeon-yeon in tow, Yang Hwi abruptly spoke thus.
“Supervisor, Heon-so says that because I am of beggar’s origins, he cannot accept me as his elder brother.”
“Wh, wh, wh, what?”
Baek Heon-so’s face drained of all color as he stammered incoherently.
Regardless, Yang Hwi continued.
“Though Father has commanded me to refine both martial and literary arts, I believe the most essential matter before cultivating such accomplishments is establishing righteous conviction within one’s heart.”
Han Supervisor, observing the expressions of both Baek Heon-so and Yang Hwi in turn, released a deep sigh.
He felt a powerful premonition that the newly appointed household head’s son would continue to be a source of concern.
“Young Master Hwi, what is it you wish to say?”
“I believe I must venture beyond the walls of the Baek Family Estate and gain learning from the outside world.”
“In other words, you wish to go out. That is impossible. It is far too dangerous.”
Observing Han Supervisor’s curt refusal, Yang Hwi spoke with eloquent fluency.
“Naturally, three children of noble birth venturing out together is dangerous. However, I have lived upon the streets for eight years. I dare assert with confidence that no one in the Main Family possesses greater familiarity with the ways of the Marketplace than I.”
“Familiarity with the Marketplace, I see. But what would you do if those harboring dark intentions and coveting wealth were to strike at you in numbers?”
A fair point. Should the three children venture outside and encounter even ruffians beneath the notice of the Heuk-do-pa, they could find themselves in mortal peril.
However.
Even in his current young body, Yang Hwi possessed confidence in subduing most Third-rate Martial Arts ruffians.
‘I cannot reveal this fact, so I shall need a pretext.’
“Then what if we were to request an escort from Elder Brother Gu?”
“Elder Brother Gu? You mean the blood relative who visited—no, who came to the Main Family yesterday?”
“Yes, precisely.”
“I doubt the blood relative would show such kindness, Young Master Hwi.”
“Please allow me to send a letter. If Elder Brother Gu does not provide an escort, I shall not venture out.”
The corners of Han Supervisor’s mouth rose slightly.
‘Breaking his own resolve…no, wait. I recall something similar happening yesterday.’
No. Yesterday was different. Today would surely be no such matter.
A member of the Heuk-do-pa, and moreover the son of Hong Gyo-bang-ju himself—there was no way such a person would serve as a nursemaid to children.
“Very well, Young Master Hwi. Will you write the letter yourself?”
A question testing whether I could read and write. When I nodded, a flicker of surprise crossed Han Supervisor’s eyes.
It seemed remarkable to him that a child who had lived as a beggar for eight years possessed literacy.
I composed the letter in one fluid stroke, sealed it so its contents remained hidden, and handed it to the Supervisor.
“Here it is, Supervisor.”
“Hmm. I’ll deliver it for now.”
And shortly after.
Han Supervisor’s jaw dropped.
Gu Ak arrived at the Baek Manor with an expression of considerable displeasure.
“….”
“….”
What happens when the person who was suddenly attacked and the one who charged in boldly only to have his money pouch torn open face each other in silence?
I stepped between the silent Han Supervisor and Gu Ak.
“Supervisor Han. Since Elder Brother Gu has come in person, I hope you’ll grant us the opportunity, as promised, for him to teach my younger siblings something new as an elder brother and senior.”
“…Sigh. Very well. However, I shall report this matter to the Family Head.”
“Of course! There’s no need to make a special report—I’ll tell him myself!”
After finishing, I looked at Gu Ak and smiled smoothly.
“Elder Brother Gu. For now, I’m planning to take my younger siblings out to the marketplace. Shall we discuss what I wrote in the letter after I send them back?”
“…I shall follow the young master’s wishes.”
And so the three Baek siblings set out on their outing.

* * *
“Wow! Elder brother! It feels like I haven’t been outside in four months!”
“Has it really been that long?”
“Yeah! Father’s been so busy….”
That made sense. Father was stretched so thin he couldn’t even spare guards for us, so he rarely had time to play with his children.
Seeing Baek Yeon-yeon’s joy, a warm smile spread across my face.
“Let’s have a wonderful time today and head back.”
“Yeah! Hehe.”
“You too, Heon-so.”
“…Yes.”
Though his spirits were still dampened, Baek Heon-so seemed excited about this rare outing.
In other words, the only one in our group who was dissatisfied was Gu Ak.
“All day long? Young master, I am not a man of such leisure.”
“Then how about this? Let’s weigh the scales, shall we?”
“Hmph….”
Watching me respond with a grin, Gu Ak let out a sigh.
‘Damn it. If only he didn’t have such a glib tongue.’
The letter I had sent contained just one sentence.
-Gu Ak. If you wish to be called older brother again, spare me just one day.
After hearing that I would repay the favor to the Red Bridge Hall and settle the debt, he had scoffed and said that if it were possible, he would willingly become my younger brother—that was the problem.
‘Damn this mouth of mine.’
Martial artists value honor and reputation like their very lives.
And even the Heuk-do-pa are martial artists, no different in that regard.
There was no way he could endure the humiliation of being called older brother by a child no bigger than a bell.
‘Can’t exactly kill him either.’
Setting aside that the Heuk-do-pa were unusually reluctant about murder, the real problem was that he had become a adopted son of the Baek Family Estate.
The Baek Family Estate, despite its modest influence, was a place where the family head had a reliable sworn brother.
Gu Ak was already competing for the position of next hall master among more than ten brothers.
Creating conflict over a reason he could barely explain to anyone would only result in greater losses. Sparing some time was the lesser evil.
“Gu Ak. Cheer up. You’ll get wrinkles.”
“….”
For a moment, Gu Ak’s frustration boiled over, and he found himself thinking without meaning to.
‘Should I just do it?’
Regardless, I took my younger siblings around and bought them everything they asked for.
“Elder brother! I want sweets!”
“Let’s see, shall I buy about ten? We’ll go share them with the other servants.”
“Great!”
Baek Heon-so watched Baek Yeon-yeon eating the sweets with envious eyes.
Now that I thought about it, Baek Heon-so preferred savory things to sweet ones.
Like those chicken skewers at that street stall over there.
‘This brat. He’s so nervous he can’t even speak properly.’
Yang Hwi approached the street vendor first and bought ten skewers of chicken.
“So, eat up.”
“…Thank you.”
“Don’t be so downhearted. Today is a day to play freely.”
“…Understood.”
After pondering briefly why this continued, I realized the reason.
‘Ah. I used that brat as an excuse when speaking to Han Supervisor.’
He seemed worried that my father might hear that I couldn’t accept him as a brother because of his beggar origins.
“So. If anyone asks what lessons you learned from today’s outing, tell them ‘There is no man above man, and no man below man.’ Then you won’t get scolded.”
There is no man above man, and no man below man.
If a seven-year-old child spoke such profound words, everyone would be satisfied.
“Really, truly?”
“Truly. Didn’t I say it before? This older brother is a man who makes anything possible. Trust me.”
Baek Heon-so’s expression brightened considerably, and he began to enjoy the outing more.
After that.
Yang Hwi didn’t merely show bright and pleasant things—he also sought out areas beneath bridges to give alms to beggars, providing his younger siblings experiences that would shape their character rightly.
Then we returned to the Baek Family Estate.
“So. And Yeon-yeon. How was today?”
“It was so much fun!”
Watching Baek Yeon-yeon bouncing about, Yang Hwi smiled and turned his gaze to Baek Heon-so. Baek Heon-so was also looking at Yang Hwi silently.
Though he still carried a somewhat arrogant air, Yang Hwi saw different emotions budding in Baek Heon-so’s eyes and decided he was satisfied with this much.
‘Winning over children really is easy.’
When you’re overwhelmingly superior to the point where they can’t harbor jealousy or envy, showing just a bit of coolness makes them quickly develop admiration.
“Then both of you go inside first and tell Han Supervisor that I’ll be talking with Elder Brother Gu and will return shortly, would you?”
Yang Hwi pushed his younger siblings toward the gate and turned to face Gu Ak.
“Thank you for your trouble, Elder Brother Gu!”
“…Young Master So. I’ve paid the price, so I hope there won’t be incidents like this again. Otherwise….”
Gu Ak growled.
A threat that he wouldn’t tolerate if the same excuse created another situation like today.
Of course, Yang Hwi wasn’t frightened at all.
“Of course, Elder Brother Gu. Now, shall we discuss some business?”
“Business? It seems Young Master So is neither in a position nor of an age to discuss business with me.”
That was true. But Yang Hwi possessed information that could make Gu Ak not just listen, but beg him to continue.
“There’s a rumor spreading through the Marketplace. The sixth son of Hong Gyo-bang-ju took a concubine before even having a wife.”
In that instant, Gu Ak’s expression hardened terrifyingly. What Yang Hwi had just uttered was Gu Ak’s reverse scale.
“You little bastard, there are limits to my patience.”
Like one from Black Island, a thick killing intent began to pressure the surroundings.
But.
“Let the boy finish speaking. He might actually be able to solve Elder Brother Gu’s troubles.”
Even as Yang Hwi received the killing intent of a master who had reached the pinnacle of first-rate martial prowess, he remained utterly composed, and Gu Ak’s face twisted into an expression of disbelief.
‘Does this brat really have the guts of a tiger…?’
Had he somehow captured a tiger and ground its liver to replace his own?
“What is it you wish to say?”
“It’s simple. I have one matter to attend to today and need your assistance. If you help me…”
“If I help you?”
Yang Hwi briefly recalled an incident from his previous life.
‘Gu Ak. And Gu Ak’s concubine. The source of the bloodshed that would occur at Red Bridge Hall years hence.’
“I will make your beloved—one who cannot become a wife—into a proper wife.”
This time, Gu Ak’s face hardened with a different emotion entirely.
“What do you mean by that?”
“Exactly as I said. I will make Hong Gyo-bang-ju, your father, recognize your beloved as your official consort.”
The reason Hong Gyo-bang-ju refused to take the only woman Gu Ak loved as his official wife was simple.
She was merely a courtesan, and Gu Ak, like Hong Gyo-bang-ju’s other children, was required to make a strategic marriage with a direct descendant of another faction within Heuk-do to secure Red Bridge Hall’s future.
“You refuse the marriage arrangement that has been decided for you? Truly admirable, Elder Brother Gu. But you will be eliminated from the succession competition because of it.”
“What would a brat like you know!”
“At least one thing—that listening to my proposal would not be a loss for you.”
Having finished speaking, Yang Hwi recalled everything he had heard about Gu Ak in his previous life.
Gu Ak was in many ways different from ordinary members of Heuk-do-pa.
‘Despite being from Heuk-do, he reached the pinnacle of first-rate martial arts before turning thirty. And judging by how he shuns debauchery and loves only one woman, his character isn’t entirely hopeless. In fact, he’s perfectly suited for my purposes for now.’
There were limits to what he could accomplish with a child’s body.
If he used Gu Ak as his proxy, his range of action would expand considerably.
This was why Yang Hwi was subtly attempting to seduce Gu Ak.
“Go ahead and speak. But know that if you waste my time, I will beat you.”
Though his tone remained rough, by speaking thus he had already accepted the proposal.
Because Yang Hwi was indeed about to make an irresistible offer.
“I know where Cheongsa-bang keeps their secret treasury. Why not join me in taking it? In exchange, I’ll take eighty percent and you’ll take twenty.”
“Cheongsa-bang’s secret treasury? How do you know its location?”
“Well, I simply came to know of it somehow.”
Gu Ak’s eyes widened as he asked, but upon receiving such an evasive answer, his brow furrowed.
Yet when he heard Yang Hwi’s next words, Gu Ak could not help but be shocked.
“And I’m sure there are dozens of poison bombs they’ve smuggled in to attack Red Bridge Hall, yes?”
“What? Poison bombs?”

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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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