Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 63

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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 063
What does a family need to stand upright?
The dignity of the family head? The expansion of assets? The growth of influence?
All are important, but the foremost is.
The strictness of law and order.
Then what, fundamentally, is law and order?
Law and order—literally, law and principle.
In other words, family law and family precepts.
‘The main branch currently harbors two problems.’
First, the acceptance of the dark path practitioners’ surrender has created a division between old and new.
‘The disparity in martial strength is even severe. This will inevitably breed conflict.’
At least until I cultivate new talented individuals to become the driving force of the family, I must have a means to seal these rifts.
Thus emerges the second problem.
‘I need someone to impress upon everyone the strictness of law and order.’
Grant authority to the existing family members to balance the scales, while ensuring the family head can trust them above all others.
There was precisely one suitable person.
‘Gwak Moon.’
Born and raised at Baek Manor, he possessed the highest martial prowess among the family until Gu Ak and the other dark path practitioners surrendered.
‘His talent is… honestly ordinary. But he is loyal.’
A trustworthy talent is as important as one with exceptional ability.
In that regard, Gwak Moon is the finest talent in all of Baek Manor.
“Father, I have something to say.”
“What is it? Speak freely.”
“Our main branch has become the true hegemon of Ak-an County. Whether measured by the scale of our power or the height of our renown, it is so. Therefore, I believe we must also establish law and order befitting that position.”
Baek Moo-ryang’s eyes gleamed as he regarded Yang Hwi.
He had already been contemplating countermeasures ever since a spy emerged from among the dark path practitioners.
To have someone scratch exactly where he itched was more than satisfying—it was delightful.
“Continue, Hwi.”
“Yes, Father.”
I ceased my work and cast my gaze toward Gwak Moon among the family members surrounding us.
“Having accomplished great deeds, should we not practice reward and punishment? I humbly request that you bestow recognition upon the one among the family members with the greatest merit, setting an example for all.”
“I see. In your judgment, who has earned the greatest merit?”
I continued to regard Gwak Moon.
In private, I called him Uncle Gwak, but that was not how I should address him now.
“It is Gwak Moon, a martial master of our main branch. I humbly request that you grant him two spirit pills and appoint him as the director of the Discipline Hall.”
Gwak Moon’s eyes widened at being suddenly singled out.
“Young Master Hwi, Young Master Hwi. I have not truly done anything of particular note…”
Gwak Moon’s words trailed off.
It was understandable.
Once the second-highest martial master in Baek Manor after the family head, he now did not even rank in the top ten.
“Martial Master Gwak Moon has served the main family for the longest time, and I believe he is more versed in the family’s principles than anyone else. Therefore, I respectfully submit that he should be appointed to the position of Discipline Hall Director.”
Baek Moo-ryang asked.
“Hwi, what do you understand the family’s principles to be?”
“I believe that question would be better answered by Martial Master Gwak Moon than by myself.”
“A fair point. Gwak Moon, share your thoughts.”
All eyes converged upon him. Gwak Moon’s body stiffened under the weight of excessive pressure and tension.
That was when it happened.
-Uncle Gwak. You can speak freely.
-Look at the eyes of the other family members.
Yang Hwi’s voice suddenly reached him through spiritual transmission.
As Gwak Moon glanced around, he finally grasped something crucial.
Save for the Renewal Hall members, every gaze shone with trust in him.
In that moment, Gwak Moon understood his true purpose.
‘Ah, so that’s why Young Master Hwi chose me.’
“The family’s principles lie in righteousness and honor, and through them, harmony.”
Gwak Moon continued, his voice slow but resolute.
“We pursue righteousness, we cherish honor, and thus we advance toward harmony. This is the Baek Family’s way—what I have felt in my body and learned in my mind since my birth and upbringing in this place.”
A deeply satisfied expression appeared on Baek Moo-ryang’s face.
“Gwak Moon. Or rather, Director of the Discipline Hall. Your words are correct. Honor and righteousness, and thus harmony. The family’s will aligns perfectly with your conduct and character.”
Principles are law itself.
A promise all family members must uphold and a belief they must follow.
“Director of the Discipline Hall, can you fulfill this responsibility?”
Gwak Moon knelt on one knee and performed the martial salute.
“If you entrust me with this duty, I shall dedicate this body entirely to its fulfillment.”
“Excellent. Let all hear this.”
Baek Moo-ryang radiated his aura throughout the hall.
“In recognition of Discipline Hall Director Gwak Moon’s lifetime of service to the family, I hereby bestow upon him two Spirit Elixirs. Should anyone object, step forward now.”
“….”
Not a soul dared to come forward.
A year ago, the Baek Manor had been nothing but a third-rate martial family, yet from such a place had emerged a master of the Peak Realm.
‘Save for Old Man Yeo, he is clearly the strongest in the family.’
Baek Moo-ryang’s authority was more than sufficient to captivate all the family members.
“Since no one objects, let us proceed with the distribution of rewards and punishments.”
Five Spirit Elixirs had been newly created over the past month.
The family members’ eyes gleamed with anticipation.
“Renewal Hall Director Gu Ak, step forward.”
Gu Ak stepped forward silently and performed the martial salute.
“Though you possessed much, you abandoned everything to become part of this family, and I have always been grateful for that. I granted you an elixir before, but I felt it insufficient, so I bestow upon you one more. I trust you will continue to serve the family with loyalty.”
“I accept your grace!”
The next to be called was naturally Yang Hwi.
“First Young Master Baek Yang-hwi.”
“Yes, Family Head!”
“There’s no need for lengthy explanations—you all understand. I grant you two Spirit Pills. Use them as you see fit.”
“Thank you!”
Two Spirit Pills remained. Baek Moo-ryang sought the understanding of his family members and gave one each to Baek Heon-so and Baek Yeon-yeon.
For the rest, he distributed rewards and punishments through material gifts.
“With this, we are done. Now that we’ve completed all the important matters,”
Baek Moo-ryang, smiling broadly, called out loudly.
“It’s time for the banquet we’ve postponed! Tonight, everyone drinks until they’re thoroughly intoxicated!”
“Long live the Family Head!”

* * *
All energies beneath heaven unite as one, bringing benefit to the source.
Following the mysteries of the Hwa-cheon-i-won-gong, I opened my eyes after circulating my qi through a full cycle.
“Phew.”
‘My inner strength has increased by five years’ worth.’
It was entirely the effect of consuming the Immortal Pellets left behind by Sword Immortal Yeo Dong-bin.
The immortal qi clumped in the pellet gradually unraveled, and my dantian steadily expanded.
I was somewhat concerned about the immortal qi’s increasingly dense influence on my Hwa-cheon qi, but it didn’t seem harmful, so I was letting it be for now.
‘The immortal qi itself has occupied my dantian since my return anyway. Given its nature, the likelihood of harm is low.’
Still, I should investigate what exactly is happening whenever the opportunity arises.
Though there’s nothing I can do about it immediately.
‘I should establish an information department quickly.’
In building power, a dense intelligence network serves as the lifeblood.
To rise to the ranks of a great family, one must establish an independent information division.
‘Truly, despite all I’ve accomplished so far, there’s still so much left to do.’
From properly raising my younger siblings to cultivating the talented youths newly accepted into the family as martial artists.
And I mustn’t forget preventing the calamities that occurred in my past life.
‘I’ve found a way to improve Mother’s condition. But I haven’t completely prevented Yeon-yeon’s and Father’s deaths yet.’
For now, Yeon-yeon is innocent and pure, but as time passes, she’ll grow into a woman of solitary elegance and pristine charm.
And there will be no shortage of men harboring dark and lustful intentions toward such a Yeon-yeon.
The main family’s power is incomparable to what it was in my past life, but it’s still insufficient.
After all, it amounts to merely being the overlord of a single prefecture.
‘The man directly involved in Yeon-yeon’s death was a rumor-spreader of the Hundred Robes Sect.’
The Hundred Robes Sect. Also called the First Sect of Namchang.
True to its name, it’s a martial sect boasting the greatest power in Namchang.
Considering that gap, the main family still has far to go.
‘As for Father… I can say I’ve essentially blocked that path. But I still can’t let my guard down.’
In my past life, Father perished after becoming entangled in a catastrophe caused by that bastard’s twisted actions.
So in this life, such an event shouldn’t occur.
‘A family head is always vulnerable to danger. When I think about the main branch completely taking over the family in the future, even reaching the Peak Realm wouldn’t be enough.’
So I need to take measures regarding this aspect as well.
Such as continuing to play the role of a martial arts scholar.
‘Right, I should also investigate who’s backing Gyojin-bang. There’s definitely a hidden hand behind this.’
A master of Hyeol-ya Nang-do’s caliber had stepped into a life-or-death duel.
This wasn’t an ordinary commission—the conditions for entering a life-or-death duel required at least ten thousand silver taels.
It meant bleeding out enough to hand over an entire thriving business.
‘Even if it was to ensure victory, it was excessive.’
Moreover, considering how those Black Blade Sect bastards operated with inconsistent strength, something felt off.
Knowing about the Jegal Family and my relationship with the Tang Clan, they should have tucked their tails and run. Yet they challenged me to a life-or-death duel instead?
There had to be a backer handling the aftermath.
‘Well, they don’t seem to have a close relationship. If they did, they would have provided more substantial support.’
In any case, I needed to investigate this angle too.
Going in circles, I found myself wishing I had an intelligence division. My thoughts kept circling around this—wait, hold on.
Now that I think about it, in my past life I definitely heard that thieves had a means of exchanging information among themselves.
‘I won’t be able to match the Beggar Clan or the Hao Guild, but for now it should be quite useful.’
Thieves valued information as much as any proper intelligence organization.
They needed to investigate which wealthy households to rob and evade pursuit—without information, they’d be caught immediately.
‘Old Man Yeo is the greatest thief of this era. He definitely knows about it.’
I immediately rushed to the pavilion where Yeo Dong-bin resided and asked him about what I’d recalled.
Yeo Dong-bin nodded readily.
“Ah, you’re referring to the Theft Net. Of course, I can establish contact.”
The thieves’ net—quite an apt name.
“Elder, would it be possible to obtain information needed by the family through the Theft Net for the time being?”
“It’s not particularly troublesome, so it’s fine. However, using the Theft Net requires considerable expense.”
Since it was fundamentally a thieves’ intelligence network, the information was limited and expensive—that was Yeo Dong-bin’s explanation.
“Thieves treat even the fact that someone wants certain information as information itself. The same applies to the Hao Guild, but the Theft Net charges especially high prices for such things.”
“I see. I’m relieved that using it is possible. Then I have a request for you right away.”
“Speak.”
“The source of the money Gyojin-bang used to hire Hyeol-ya Nang-do.”
“Understood.”
Yeo Dong-bin nodded and immediately vanished in a blur of movement.
With that, I felt a weight lift from my shoulders.
‘If Gyojin-bang squeezed the money from his own coffers, that’s fortunate. If there’s a backer, I can identify them—either way, it’s fortunate.’
Either way, it was worth paying the intelligence fee, and I let out a short sigh.
‘My head feels heavy from all this thinking.’
I should probably spar with Chu Dal to clear my mind a bit.
While I’m at it, I’ll also check on his martial arts progress.
“Chu Dal! Where are you, you bastard!”
I called out loudly while searching around, but instead of Chu Dal, another servant approached me.
“Young Master Yang Hwi, I have a message for you.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
The servant presented a sealed letter.
[A Message from the Empress to the Minor Hero]
My eyes widened slightly.
The Empress sends word to the Minor Hero.
The one who had sent this letter was none other than Eum Hu.

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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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