Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 64
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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 064
I immediately broke the seal and read through Eum Hu’s letter.
Summarizing the contents in a single phrase, it went like this.
[Namgung Cheon-yeong. I said you could come and go between the family and Gokryeol Mountain as you pleased, but aren’t you taking too long?]
[Do you want to be excommunicated?]
An awkward smile formed on my face, though I understood Eum Hu’s feelings.
‘It’s true. It’s been nearly half a year since I left Gokryeol Mountain.’
Using my secular status as an excuse, I could receive teachings only when I wished, yet I remained her disciple.
Now that I thought about it, aside from witnessing the mysteries of Ilbo-cheon and creating Gi-cheon-bo, I hadn’t received proper instruction.
From Eum Hu’s perspective, she must be exasperated.
‘The family matters have been largely settled, so I should head to Gokryeol Mountain soon.’
I had transmitted Hwa-cheon-i-won-gong and Gae-cheon-bak-pal-geom, followed by Gi-cheon-bo, but the main family’s martial arts still lacked much.
Aspiring to join the ranks of the great families with merely three family martial arts?
That made no sense.
Martial families typically called great houses possessed at least dozens of martial arts.
Beyond the family martial arts passed only to direct descendants, there were various necessities such as servants and relatives learning different techniques.
‘Even the Jegal Family alone must have had unique martial arts for each martial force and affiliated organization.’
With the main family possessing only three family martial arts for direct descendants, there was still a long road ahead.
By receiving Eum Hu’s teachings and gaining various insights and experiences, I could advance more rapidly.
‘Yes, I’ll go to Gokryeol Mountain soon. But first, I’ll finish all remaining matters.’
Remembering this, I changed direction toward Baek Moo-ryang’s residence to handle it.
It was then.
“Young Master Hwi!”
Gwak Moon, who had been instructing the servants destined to become members of the Gyulryak Hall and the newly recruited Dongnyang-jijae in the training grounds, called out to me.
“Ah, Uncle Gwak.”
“Where are you headed?”
“To see my father.”
“I see.”
Turning his head, Gwak Moon shouted loudly toward the Dongnyang-jijae.
“This is Baek Yang-hwi, the young master of the main family!”
“Ooooh!”
“Young Master Hwi! We meet for the first time!”
“So this is the Baek Dormant Dragon….”
“To see the Baek Dormant Dragon with my own eyes…!”
From as young as six years old to as old as fifteen.
These future pillars of the Baek Family gazed at me with shining eyes.
Awkwardly scratching my cheek, I suddenly realized something.
“Baek Dormant Dragon? Me?”
“You didn’t know?”
“The rumor has spread widely through the streets of Ak-an County.”
“At merely eight years old, you made a fool of Hong Gyo-bang-ju, who has just come of age!”
Ah. Word of the life-or-death duel must have spread.
Baek Damjamryong—a hidden dragon in the pond of the Baek Family, as it were.
‘For a sobriquet attached to a nine-year-old, it’s quite grandiose.’
But in a sense, it was only natural.
An eight-year-old child achieving an overwhelming victory against someone in their prime?
Impossible. At least for minor and mid-tier sects.
Only possible for the prodigies of the great sects.
They truly lived in a different world altogether.
‘A child from the Baek Family, which was third-rate just recently, displayed the caliber of a prodigy from a great sect. Worthy of being called a dragon, indeed.’
Though the rumor would likely spread no further than Ak-an County.
“You are truly remarkable!”
“Defeating someone twice your age!”
“I wish to become like Young Master Hwi!”
Most people would feel awkward when their faces are gilded before them.
But Yang Hwi puffed out his chest proudly.
In my past life, I was praised for my talents more times than I could count.
“Hmm. Wishing to become like me—a most admirable sentiment.”
“I wish to become like Young Master Hwi!”
“How did you become so strong at that age!?”
“Through diligent effort. You are all the future of the main family, so I ask that you all dedicate yourselves to cultivation.”
“Yes!”
“We will train without rest, every single day!”
I chuckled at the sight of the children’s eyes sparkling with enthusiasm and replied.
“You know, spirit pills are still being produced. Let me beseech Father to grant spirit pills to those showing rapid growth.”
“Ooooh!”
“Thank you for your generosity!”
“We will work so very hard!”
After providing adequate motivation, I bowed to Gwak Moon and moved on.
Baek Moo-ryang was handling paperwork in his quarters.
“Father. It is Yang Hwi.”
“Come in.”
Documents filled every available surface. Baek Moo-ryang, his complexion weary, lifted his eyes from the papers and pressed his brow repeatedly.
“Even having reached the pinnacle, paperwork remains arduous.”
It was understandable. Becoming the hegemon of Ak-an County meant his domain of administration had expanded considerably.
The businesses seized from Gyojin-bang alone numbered seven.
Should he solidify his influence over the territories of the declining Suhoji Guild and the fallen Hong Gyo-bang-ju and Cheongsa-bang, that number would double.
‘The paperwork—contracts, revenue reports and the like—would increase proportionally.’
“Hwi, what brings you here? Do you wish to help your father?”
…I apologize, but I had no desire to assist with paperwork, regardless of anything else.
“Father. I’m still too young for that, I’m afraid.”
“…Too young? You?”
“Yes! I’m only eight years old! Oh, the new year has passed, so I suppose I’m nine now.”
“…I see. I understand you’d rather not. Then what brings you here?”
I had two matters to discuss with Baek Moo-ryang.
“Eum Hu sent a letter. She’s asking me to come to Gok-yeol Mountain soon.”
“Mm. Even if you’re staying with the secular world, you’ve been away far too long. Go ahead. Though Heon-so and Yeon-yeon will be disappointed.”
“Haha… I’m planning to bring back plenty of gifts when I return.”
Here I was, Yang Hwi, who had only recently turned eight, yet wandering outside had become my daily routine.
Baek Heon-so and Baek Yeon-yeon didn’t say it outright, but they clearly felt the sadness of not spending time together.
“But before I go to Gok-yeol Mountain, there’s one thing I’d like to ask of you.”
“Ask? What is it?”
“I’d like to watch you treat Mother once.”
Jeong In-hwa, whose constitution caused turbid qi to accumulate within her body, required periodic Chu-gung-gwa-hyeol treatments.
Ever since Baek Moo-ryang reached the pinnacle realm, he had been performing Chu-gung-gwa-hyeol for her daily.
However, Chu-gung-gwa-hyeol was merely a temporary measure; to achieve complete healing, she needed to undergo Beol-mo-se-su.
“Beol-mo-se-su requires a fortune of one million nyang, which is why we haven’t been able to proceed.”
“And?”
“I believe there might be another way.”
“Hmm?”
Seeing Baek Moo-ryang’s surprised expression, I recalled the nature of Seon-gi.
‘Ever since Seon-gi took root and harmonized with Hwa-cheon-gi, my body has been growing stronger.’
This wasn’t the kind of strength that came from eating well and training diligently.
My naturally excellent bone structure was being further enhanced; my very flesh was becoming tougher and more resilient.
To such a degree that despite being only nine years old, I felt I could match an adult man in an arm-wrestling contest.
‘Seon-gi must possess the function of making the body itself superior.’
If my assumption was correct, it might have a positive effect on Jeong In-hwa’s constitution as well.
“Ever since I consumed the Spirit Elixir left behind by the Greatest Under Heaven, a special essence has mixed into my qi.”
Upon hearing this explanation, Baek Moo-ryang pondered briefly before nodding.
“There’s merit in what you say. There’s no harm in trying once.”
We immediately moved to Jeong In-hwa’s quarters.
“May I enter, dear?”
“It’s not yet time for treatment, but you’ve come early today, Lord.”
“Today I found myself missing you rather keenly.”
“Haven’t the stacks of documents worn you down?”
“Haha, I can never hide anything from you.”
After exchanging pleasantries for a moment, Baek Moo-ryang broached the main topic.
“Today, Yang Hwi will join me for the Chu-gung-gwa-hyeol treatment.”
Jeong In-hwa lay on the bed in proper posture.
Baek Moo-ryang and I took positions on the left and right sides respectively.
“Now we shall begin. How do you intend to intervene?”
“It is simple, Father. Once you perform the Chugung-gwahyeol, I will follow by infusing qi into the same points.”
“I understand.”
Chugung-gwahyeol was, quite literally, the stimulation of meridian points through massage and qi infusion across the entire body.
In Jeong In-hwa’s case, this would shatter the accumulated turbid qi clots within her meridian pathways, thereby improving her physical condition.
‘I must address both the turbid qi within her body and her very constitution itself—the tendency to accumulate such impurities. Otherwise, this remains merely a temporary measure.’
Baek Moo-ryang began the Chugung-gwahyeol from the extremities of her limbs.
Yang Hwi infused Hwa-cheon-i-won-gong mixed with celestial qi into the areas his father had worked.
‘Hmm. The turbid qi does not immediately dissipate upon meeting the celestial qi. Perhaps the expected effect will not manifest.’
Yet in the very next moment, Yang Hwi’s thoughts reversed entirely.
“Ahhh!”
“Mother, what troubles you?”
“Young Master, my body feels remarkably refreshed.”
Jeong In-hwa’s response differed completely from when Baek Moo-ryang performed the Chugung-gwahyeol alone.
The celestial qi’s influence was undeniable.
“I have always felt my body heavy, but now it is extraordinarily light and unburdened.”
“Is that so? Hwi, it appears to be working.”
“It seems to be.”
The celestial qi had not eliminated the turbid qi.
Yet it was certain that its function of enhancing the physical body itself was producing a profoundly positive effect.
‘Could this possibly be…?’
* * *
Several days passed.
Baek Moo-ryang gazed at me with eyes full of admiration.
“Yang Hwi. You’re truly remarkable. I never knew the spirit pill you consumed possessed such hidden properties.”
My prediction had proven correct. Ever since I participated in the Chugung-and-blood cultivation with Jeong In-hwa, her physical condition had improved dramatically.
‘This proves the hypothesis that immortal qi transforms the body itself into a superior state.’
If that’s the case, I should periodically infuse immortal qi not just into Mother, but into my younger siblings as well.
If I do that consistently, they’ll grow healthier and stronger.
Moreover, they might achieve greater accomplishments than their current natural talents would suggest.
‘Ah, I mustn’t forget about Chu Dal either.’
Chu Dal, who had formally become the successor of the Divine Vein Transmission.
Since he’s the talent who will manage the Baek Family’s intelligence network in the future, I must cultivate him with proper care and attention.
In any case.
I had now resolved all the urgent matters.
“Then I shall make my way to Gok-yeol Mountain to visit my master.”
“Go ahead. According to the family physician, the measures we’ve taken so far should sustain her for several more months.”
Baek Moo-ryang had tried to assign Gu Ak as my escort, but I declined.
Gu Ak had been kept busy with various tasks until recently.
These days he’d been spending sweet time with Rang-rang, exerting himself every night.
‘If I drag him out again under the guise of an escort, he’ll be furious.’
I’d wanted to repay some of the gratitude I owed Gu Ak, so I’d settle for not using him this time.
“As you know, despite my youth, I’m a second-rate master. Protecting myself is no difficult task.”
In the martial realm, a second-rate master is generally considered capable of fending for themselves.
It was a level of martial prowess typically only achievable in one’s twenties.
“Hmm. I keep forgetting because you’re so young. Very well.”
Having obtained Baek Moo-ryang’s permission, I headed straight to my quarters and packed my belongings.
There wasn’t much to bring, so a single travel bag would suffice.
‘Oh, I should bring the spirit pills too.’
Two spirit pills bestowed upon me by Baek Moo-ryang during the merit ceremony.
Since I don’t immediately need spirit medicine thanks to the legacy of the Sword Saint Yeo Dong-bin, I plan to use them when bargaining for Eum Hu’s favor.
‘If I give them to Seolha, my master would be pleased.’
My opponent is none other than Cheonmu-sip-jon Pa-cheon-eumhu herself.
An absolute master so formidable that she could obtain spirit pills capable of granting thirty years of internal cultivation with merely a word.
“Then I shall take my leave!”
“Be careful, and work hard.”
Only a select few, including Baek Moo-ryang, knew that I had become Eum Hu’s disciple.
Therefore, I left the Baek Family estate in secret, using a different pretext.
Several days passed like that.
Upon arriving at Gok-yeol Mountain, I headed straight for the Jeong-eum-o-gwan.
‘She said she’d built a residence nearby and was staying there.’
That was the moment.
“Hm!”
Yang Hwi drew his sword in one fluid motion.
Gae-cheon-bak-pal-geom, Third Form.
Hawk’s Wing Returning
The instant his defensive sword technique cleaved through empty air.
Clang!
A rebound resonated from the void itself, and a deafening explosion erupted.
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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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