Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 73

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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 073
Approximately ten years into the future.
A master blacksmith of extraordinary skill appears, said to be the reincarnation of Gu Ya-ja, a renowned general of the Spring and Autumn period.
His name: Hwan Ya-ja (還冶子) Baek Cheol.
The timid young man standing before me now.
‘In my previous life, I saw him after enduring countless hardships, bearing a weathered expression.’
Now he was simply pure-hearted itself.
Or perhaps it would be more accurate to say he had a timid demeanor.
‘How many people would know that such tremendous talent lies hidden within this man?’
Hwan Ya-ja Baek Cheol suffered for long years in the grip of the Black Bandits, beginning from the Heuk Rang Pyo Organization, until he was fortunately rescued by the Namgung Family.
In gratitude for that kindness, the sword he forged and presented over ten years of labor was the divine blade Changjeon.
The Changjeon Divine Sword (蒼天神劍), which would become the family treasure of the Namgung Family in the future.
‘Changjeon Divine Sword. A divine weapon said to contain the very heavens itself.’
A divine weapon is literally a tool imbued with divine essence, an artifact capable of wielding supernatural power.
To create such an object, the craftsman himself must be no ordinary person.
Hwan Ya-ja Baek Cheol was more than worthy of being called a Divine Craftsman—a master capable of forging divine weapons.
With sufficient refinement and discipline, his innate talent reached toward the heavens themselves.
‘And now such a Baek Cheol has come into the hands of the Main Residence.’
Well, to be precise, I haven’t secured him yet.
If I couldn’t convince him to join as a household member in this situation, I wouldn’t have earned the title of greatest schemer in my previous life.
“Brother Baek, I am Baek Yang-hwi from the Baek Family Estate in Ak-an County. Hearing of the atrocities committed by the Heuk Rang Pyo Organization, I came forth to rescue those suffering. You need no longer remain confined here—please set your mind at ease.”
After that, I continued speaking like flowing water, resolving Baek Cheol’s doubts and answering his questions.
Simultaneously, I led him about, gathering what was needed and seeking out craftsmen who would be valuable additions to the Main Residence.
“Ah, Brother Baek. Do you perhaps have other family members or loved ones? Wherever they may be, I shall see them rescued.”
Baek Cheol hesitated, his words trailing off.
“My… my father…”
“Your father is alive? Where is he?”
“In the Heuk Rang Pyo Organization… as a hostage…”
“Ah, then worry not. All those held at the organization’s main headquarters have already been rescued.”
Baek Cheol’s face brightened immediately upon hearing this.
He seems to possess deep filial piety. Noted.
I’ll remember this and use it later when building his affection toward me.
“This way, if you please.”
I led Baek Cheol and the others toward the Heuk Rang Pyo Organization’s main headquarters.
Just then, Jegal Seon and the martial artists had forced all the remaining members to their knees and were posting notices.
The content roughly stated that since the Heuk Rang Pyo Organization had been eliminated, those who had suffered here should each collect their belongings and depart.
‘It’s regrettable, but given that I’ve secured the moral high ground under the guise of righteousness, there’s no helping it.’
In truth, I wasn’t particularly bothered by the loss.
Not only had I obtained Baek Cheol, the greatest treasure, but it had become my habit to leave about half the spoils behind whenever I used righteousness as an excuse to plunder the bandits.
“Uncle, I have successfully rescued all those suffering from the atrocities of the Heuk Rang Pyo Organization.”
“Well done. It feels wonderful to stretch my body after so long.”
Indeed, Jegal Seon’s face was nothing but refreshed.
“By the way, what should we do with those we rescued? I don’t have any particular connections here in Gangwon, so it’s rather troublesome.”
“Don’t worry, sir. I’ve already discussed it with Father—those without a place to go will be brought to the Main Residence for now.”
“Is that so? How thoughtful of you, haha.”
Thus, the Black Wolf Escort Agency, a hostile force neighboring the Baek Family Estate and wielding the greatest influence in Wuzhou, vanished overnight.
It was a masterful case of using another’s hand to eliminate an enemy, and turning the tables on an aggressor.
‘As expected, having someone else do the dirty work for you is the most satisfying approach.’

* * *
With all business concluded, Jegal Seon escorted Yang Hwi and the rescued people to the Baek Family Estate, exchanged brief farewells, and returned to the Jegal Family.
Upon returning to the Baek Family Estate, Yang Hwi immediately requested a family council meeting.
It was to report the gains obtained from raiding the Black Wolf Escort Agency and their cooperation.
“Fifty thousand taels in valuables and twenty-one rescued individuals in total. Among them, four are craftsmen and twelve are children.”
“To exploit people so harshly for such a long time that they had nowhere to go—truly vicious scoundrels they were. You’ve worked hard, Young Master Hwi!”
Affection dripped from Han Supervisor’s face as he spoke.
It didn’t seem to be because of the cooperation they’d conducted—surely it was because of the fifty thousand taels brought back?
‘Somehow, Han Supervisor is becoming increasingly transparent.’
Still, it’s pleasant to see. It’s far better than watching him worry over depleted finances like in my past life.
With such thoughts, I continued speaking.
“For the craftsmen, let each find their own way forward. As for the children, how would it be if we accepted all of them as members of the Main Residence, Father?”
“An excellent idea. These children have nowhere to go—giving them money and casting them out would be unlikely to end well.”
Furthermore, it was decided to accept all craftsmen among the rescued who wished to remain at the Baek Family Estate.
Among them were Baek Cheol and his father.
“Is that so? Even though you offered them generous funds, there are those who wish to remain at the Main Residence?”
“Yes, Father. They say they wish to repay the kindness shown to them.”
Baek Moo-ryang smiled warmly.
Being a man devoted to righteousness and cooperation, he could not help but view favorably those who wished to repay a debt of gratitude.
“Good. Our circumstances are comfortable enough, so let us accept them all.”
‘Excellent. With this, making Baek Cheol a member of the household is a success.’
Though not yet fully developed, Baek Cheol’s talent is genuine.
It will reveal itself gradually as I test him, so for now, this level of preparation should suffice.
‘Now then, what remains to be done…’
While Yang Hwi pondered, the meeting continued.
The next agenda was the establishment of a branch residence for the Tang Family.
“Previously, we agreed to provide a portion of the Main Residence’s manor as a branch residence for the Tang Family. They should arrive in about a month.”
“The Main Hall has been prepared in advance. Three buildings should suffice.”
‘Things are progressing steadily.’
Somehow, it feels gratifying. Just a year and a half ago, the Baek Family Estate truly deserved the epithet of a third-rate martial arts family.
Yet I’ve already brought it to such prosperity.
‘I’m far from satisfied. There’s still a long road ahead.’
The broad, straight path stretched before me. To charge forward, I still had much to prepare.

* * *
“Brother, is that really true?”
Along the road from Sichuan to Jiangxi Province and the Baek Family Gate.
Dang-gun wore an expression of exasperation.
This was already the fifth time his sister Dang-yeon had asked the same question.
“Yes, it’s true. The Baek Family Gate is where a young dragon—no, a sleeping dragon—is growing.”
Dang-yeon, a year younger than Dang-gun, laughed with delight.
At the same time, she flicked her hand, tossing and catching a piece of metal.
“Be careful. If you do that while on horseback and fall, it’ll be annoying. If the horse behind us steps on you, that would be serious.”
“Oh brother, please. I’ve been playing with throwing knives instead of toys since I was three years old—do you think I’d make a mistake?”
Dang-yeon, smiling brightly, continued.
“It’s amusing. There’s actually a child that brother acknowledges as a sleeping dragon.”
Since her birth, Dang-yeon had never encountered a peer superior to Dang-gun.
Much less a younger child who could inspire such admiration.
For her, curiosity was only natural.
“Let your curiosity stop at curiosity. Don’t try to test him.”
“I’m not the troublemaking Yeon-a from childhood anymore, brother.”
“Yes, yes.”
The Tang Siblings continued their conversation as they traveled.
On such a long journey, idle chatter was necessary to ward off boredom.
Besides, they had much to discuss.
“Still, I need to prepare a gift to present to the Baek Family. It’s quite the dilemma.”
“Isn’t the Baek Family Gate already providing us with a manor and lending us their prestige? Do we really need to give them a gift?”
“Perhaps not in those terms. But… I wish to treat the Baek Family with greater courtesy.”
Dang-yeon, who had been pondering something, suddenly clapped her hands together.
“You said the Spirit Blade was already made. What if we gifted each of the direct members of the Baek Family with a sword?”
“Hmm?”
Dang-gun recalled memories from a few months prior.
Indeed, the swords worn by the Baek Family’s retainers and even the family head had been rather unremarkable.
“A splendid idea. Our Tang Family’s blacksmithing craft is second to none. They would surely be delighted.”
Just as poison and medicine are two sides of the same coin, blacksmithing is the counterpart to throwing knife craftsmanship.
To forge small, delicate throwing knives, one necessarily requires a master blacksmith.
“We’ve already decided to expand our influence through operating a smithy and a medical hall, so this fits perfectly.”
“Exactly. If the Baek Family Head, who has become the lord of the region, uses our swords, it will serve as excellent advertisement.”
One day. Two days.
Ten days. One month.
The journey of thousands of li from Sichuan to Jiangxi Province was finally drawing to an end.
In other words, I had arrived in Jiangxi Province, specifically in Ak-an County where Baek Family Estate was located.
“Oh, Yeon-a. Do you see it there?”
“Yes, brother.”
Baek Family Estate stood in the very center of Ak-an County.
On the opposite side of the estate’s main gate.
That is, the direction where the rear gate was located, and the path leading toward Sichuan.
A wooden plaque hung there.
[Tang Family Branch Residence]
“They even prepared a plaque in advance.”
“At least one thing is certain—the Baek Family Estate is genuinely welcoming us.”
The Tang Siblings felt a sense of pride simultaneously.
How many years had they endured contempt for wielding poison and beast-taming arts—techniques that orthodox martial artists dismissed as sorcery?
It was no exaggeration to say they had never received such treatment since the family’s founding.
Yet to receive such a welcome—any member of the Tang Family could not help but feel gratified.
“Brother, I think we should give explicit instructions to demonstrate our skills properly.”
“I share the same thought. Let us gift them with a sword worthy of being called a treasure blade, if not a divine blade.”
Before knocking on Baek Family Estate’s gate, I sent a messenger ahead first.
It was the proper etiquette required when arriving as a large martial arts delegation.
Shortly after, a martial artist accompanying the messenger approached the Tang Family members.
“Welcome! I am Gwak Moon, the discipline master of the Baek Family. Please follow us.”
Upon passing through the gate where the plaque hung, Baek Moo-ryang stood among the assembled Baek Family servants.
Dang-gun immediately dismounted and performed a fist salute.
“It has been a long time, Family Head.”
Baek Moo-ryang also displayed the proper courtesy befitting a Family Head toward a minor family head of a branch family.
“I am equally delighted, Minor Family Head. Hahaha.”
As they exchanged greetings and created a warm atmosphere between them.
Suddenly, Dang-gun’s eyes widened.
“Wait!”
“What is the matter, Minor Family Head?”
“That… that sword. I have never seen such a blade before…!”
“Ah, so the Minor Family Head has recognized it. It is a sword forged by the master blacksmith of our Main Residence.”
Baek Moo-ryang, beaming with a broad smile, slowly drew the sword from its scabbard.
‘I have never seen Father so pleased and boastful before.’
Indeed, a swordsman’s closest companion is none other than his beloved weapon—the sword.
And the sword that Baek Cheol had crafted and presented as an act of gratitude was so exquisitely made that it could captivate Baek Moo-ryang and more.
Furthermore.
The Tang Family, unrivaled under heaven in blacksmith arts, and their Minor Family Head Dang-gun, recognized this as an extraordinary treasure blade.
“W-what kind of master blacksmith created such a treasure blade?”
Among the assembled Baek Family servants, someone hesitantly raised their hand.
“That would be… me…?”
The one who answered hesitantly looked toward Baek Cheol, and Dang-gun’s eyes widened.
Dang-gun alternated his gaze between the blade Baek Moo-ryang had drawn and Baek Cheol.
‘Such an exceptional treasure sword, wielded by someone so young…!’
Young though he was, Baek Cheol was still older than Dang-gun, but regardless, youth was youth.
In a way, the craft of blacksmithing required as much time as martial prowess, if not more.
“Forgive my impertinence, but how on earth did you forge such a treasure sword?”
“Well, that is….”
As all eyes turned toward him, Baek Cheol began to sweat profusely and stammer.
“I just… worked hard….”
Hard work alone was insufficient as an explanation.
Who wouldn’t work hard?
Effort was something anyone could exert.
But producing superior results was a task only a select few could accomplish.
Therefore, Dang-gun could only conclude one thing.
“Ah, I see. It appears you honed your skills by forging swords since childhood. Given your surname, you must be of the Baek Family—truly remarkable.”
The confusion on Baek Cheol’s face deepened further.
“Actually… my surname was given to my father by the master of this house… it’s different from the Baek Family proper… and I’ve only been forging swords for about a month now….”
“A month? You’ve only been forging swords for a month?”
“Yes… that’s right….”
Shocked, Dang-gun even forgot the formal etiquette he normally observed strictly due to his young age and uttered a single word.
“How?”
“I… simply did as the Young Master instructed….”
The Young Master of the Baek Family—there was no need to ask who that meant.
“Yang Hwi! What is the meaning of this!”
Watching Dang-gun press the matter urgently, I allowed myself a satisfied smile.
‘Perfect. He took the bait.’
I knew that someone from the Tang Family, with such pride in their blacksmithing craft, would naturally fall for it.
I recalled the events of the past month since taking Baek Cheol on as a servant.

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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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