Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 78

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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 078
This happened several years ago.
“Namgung Cheon-yeong, we’ve found traces of the Sword Immortal Yeo Dong-bin.”
“Is that truly so!”
Previously, I had informed Eum Hu about the spirit pills and immortal techniques that Yeo Dong-bin had left behind.
At the time, she said she would look into the matter, and now she had actually brought back traces of him.
“To be precise, it’s more the traces of his disciple rather than Yeo Dong-bin himself.”
“The Sword Immortal had a disciple?!”
The lineage of the Sword Immortal had continued?
If it were truly the sword arts of that Sword Immortal Yeo Dong-bin, it would be no exaggeration to call it the greatest under heaven.
If the lineage had continued, surely rumors would have spread long ago?
Upon hearing Eum Hu’s next words, I froze in place.
“Namgung Cheon-yeong, do you know of the Sword King’s Mound Bloodbath?”
The Sword King’s Mound Bloodbath. It was impossible not to know of it.
After all, Yeo Un-jeok—no, Yeo Un-hyeok, who had become a member of the main family, was one of the causes of that bloodbath.
I answered with an inexplicable tension.
“…I do know of it. Wasn’t it a bloodbath that occurred due to the false records spread by the Bloodbath Alliance?”
“That’s right.”
“Why suddenly the Sword King’s Mound Bloodbath… Oh, could it be.”
“Your guess is likely correct. The Sword King. He was the Sword Immortal’s disciple.”
Sword King (劍王). Throughout the long history of the martial world, many had borne the title of Sword King.
However, there was only one who was called simply the Sword King without any additional qualifiers.
“Sword King Jin Cheon-hwi. He was the Sword Immortal’s disciple?”
“That is so.”
“But that doesn’t make sense, does it? Based on their periods of activity, there would be at least several hundred years difference.”
Eum Hu nodded her head.
“You’re right. However, the Sword King was indeed the Sword Immortal’s disciple who transcended time and space to appear in this world. At least, according to the records.”
“Would you explain in more detail?”
“Do you know why the Sword King is called the Sword King?”
“Of course. Didn’t he save the world from the demonic forces that called themselves the Ten Thousand Demons?”
“Since you already know, the explanation will be easier.”
Summarizing Eum Hu’s subsequent explanation, it was like this.
Sword King Jin Cheon-hwi inherited the will of the Sword Immortal, who sought to save the chaos of the world.
Thus he saved the world from the tide of ten thousand demons, and in his later years, he sought to nurture a disciple to carry on the Sword Immortal’s will and martial arts.
However, he failed to find such a disciple, and so the Sword King gathered all that he had and erected a mound to nurture future generations.
“The Sword King’s Mound. There must certainly be traces of the Sword Immortal remaining there.”
“I share that thought as well.”
Suddenly, Eum Hu wore an apologetic expression.
“Unlike what I promised, I was unable to uncover proper information. I apologize.”
“No, Master. This much is more than sufficient.”
“Is that so? All I’ve managed to uncover is the mere possibility that the Sword Immortal’s connection might touch the Sword King’s Tomb—a place whose very location remains unknown.”
This was precisely why the information Eum Hu had brought me was so invaluable.
Of all places, traces of the Sword Immortal lingered within the Sword King’s Tomb itself.
‘If I play this right, I could achieve multiple objectives at once—perhaps even three birds with one stone.’
At this present moment, the Sword King’s Tomb was nothing more than legend.
It was dismissed as worthless gossip, tainted by the blood conspiracy orchestrated by the Blood Fiend Alliance.
But.
‘The future will be different.’
Decades after the blood conspiracy of the Sword King’s Tomb that had occurred in the past.
The name Sword King would set the martial world ablaze once more.
The reason was simple.
The Namgung Clan publicly announced that they had obtained the legacy of the Sword King’s Tomb.
‘Those bastards, boasting about grave robbing like it’s something to be proud of.’
I understood their reasoning.
They wanted to flaunt their power by excavating the Sword King’s Tomb and displaying what they’d obtained.
And indeed, based on what they found in the Sword King’s Tomb, the Namgung Clan grew even more formidable.
‘Thank you, you bastards. In this life, I’ll consume everything you would have gained.’
Now I could pursue traces of the Sword Immortal.
And in the process, I could also steal away the benefits the Namgung dogs would have claimed?
How could I possibly resist this?
‘I distinctly remember being told that I obtained a clue about the Sword King’s Tomb while helping a merchant in distress.’
This was what had prompted me, through Lee Hu, to begin searching for a merchant heading toward the vicinity of Gyesu.

* * *
“Tell me, Elder Brother Hwi. Is there a reason why Yeon and I must embark on this journey together?”
Yang Hwi finished his contemplation and answered immediately.
“It’s Eum Hu’s command.”
“Hmm!”
Dang-gun and his sister Dang-yeon’s eyes widened.
The Baek Family and the Dang Family had built a deep friendship over several years of companionship and established bonds beyond mere acquaintance.
The Tang Siblings also knew that Yang Hwi had become a disciple of Pacheon Eumhu, one of the Cheonmu-sip-jon.
“Eum Hu’s command, you say!”
“What sort of command from Eum Hu?”
I couldn’t mention the Sword Saint, the Sword King’s Spear, or memories from a past life.
Instead, Eum Hu made for a perfectly convenient excuse.
Because.
“It’s Eum Hu’s command, so I cannot speak of the details.”
“Hmm. I see.”
“If Eum Hu has commanded it, then it cannot be an improper matter.”
With just one phrase, I could brush everything aside.
What did it matter if it wasn’t the truth?
Once the plan succeeded, it would all become fact anyway.
“So you need the help of us siblings to carry out Eum Hu’s command.”
“If that’s the case, we should help by all means!”
Thus I succeeded in persuading the Tang Siblings.
“Elder Brother Gu. You must come with us as well.”
“Hmm? How long will this journey take?”
From here to Gyesu would take a month at most, but considering various factors, I estimated it would take roughly three months.
“Three months.”
“I’m not going.”
“What? Why not?”
“Leave Rang-rang and Hwa-hwa alone for three months? Let me ask you instead. Why should I go?”
“Because it’s the command of the Baek Family’s First Young Master?”
“I don’t listen to third-rate orders.”
“…?”
Was this man really trying to provoke me?
As Yang Hwi’s expression twisted, Gu Ak immediately pulled out his shield.
The shield’s true form had already moved into Gu Ak’s arms—it was Gu Hwa-hwa.
“Daddy! Do you have to go far away?”
“…That’s cheating, Elder Brother Gu.”
“Heh! If you’re upset, why don’t you go have a child too, Little Brother!”
The situation had become difficult.
‘Hmm. Considering potential dangers, it might be wise to bring along one master of the highest realm.’
Yet I couldn’t very well ask Father, the Family Head, to play the role of a standard-bearer.
There was no choice, then.
I had to deploy my ultimate trump card.
“Hwa-hwa.”
“Mmm! Squeak!”
“Don’t you want to see your brother?”
“Bro… brother…?”
While Gu Hwa-hwa’s face brightened, Gu Ak’s darkened considerably.
“Brother! Hwa-hwa want see brother!”
“That’s right?”
I watched Gu Ak, whose lips had curled upward, now beading with sweat.
“So that’s how it is, Elder Brother?”
“Hmm. Since our Hwa-hwa wants a brother, I cannot possibly leave.”
“Surely not. After being away for years due to family duties, how could there be… any lack of affection?”
“…”
“According to what Sister Rang-rang told me… it seems rather unsatisfactory…”
“Stop right there! Stop!”
-Rang-rang told you that? Really?
I chuckled and met Gu Ak’s transmission with one of my own.
“Sister Rang-rang has no secrets from me. Hehehehe.”
-Please, use transmission! Use transmission!
The pitiful plea of a man with his head bowed.
I was about to tease him further, but decided against it—it wouldn’t be right, man to man.
-The Daoist dual cultivation secret technique. Don’t you desire it?
In an instant, Gu Ak’s ears perked up.
-The Daoist dual cultivation secret technique? How does Little Brother know of such a thing?
-Hehehehe. There is nothing I don’t know. If you accompany me on this expedition, I shall gladly share it with you.
In my past life, I had done everything to elevate the Yang clan to the ranks of the great families.
One of those methods was inventing and selling various cultivation techniques, including dual cultivation arts.
‘Though it’s merely a refined version of some third-rate author’s dual cultivation method. The results were quite satisfactory, wouldn’t you say?’
It was so profitable that dual cultivation techniques had been my greatest source of income in my previous life!
In the early days after my return, I couldn’t use it because it was awkward to explain how I knew it, but now things were different.
Time had passed and my position was established—it was time to gradually reveal what I had accumulated in my past life.
-Man with bowed head, Gu Ak! Lift your head!
-…I swear every word I speak is truth, Little Brother.
-Of course. When have I ever fed Elder Brother lies?
I had never lied!
The problem was I had deceived him countless times without lying!
The fact that I was insisting on bringing him along this time seemed highly suspicious.
Though it was merely an expedition, it seemed certain to be grueling work.
But… the Daoist method of dual cultivation.
‘If I could just obtain that… I could become a husband who stands firm day and night for Rang-rang…!’
“Ahem. Excellent. Though my schedule is packed, I can certainly make time for my younger brother.”
“Father! You’re not going far, are you?”
“Hwa-hwa, your father is going to make you a little brother.”
“Yay!”
Thus, Gu Ak had finished his persuasion.
“Elder Dang. And Sister Dang. You’ll be coming with us, yes?”
“If my younger brother requires this elder brother’s assistance, I’m more than willing.”
“It sounds like it’ll be fun, so I’ll come along too.”
With that, the composition of the five-person expedition was complete.
“I intend for us to depart on our journey tomorrow. I hope you all prepare thoroughly throughout today.”
The Tang Siblings left the residence, and Gu Ak departed as well, carrying Gu Hwa-hwa on his shoulders.
As Chu Dal attempted to follow, Yang Hwi grabbed him by the nape of his neck.
“Chu Dal, you stay here for a moment.”
Chu Dal, wearing a puzzled expression, opened his mouth.
“Why is that, sir?”
“I have something separate to ask of you.”
“Is it troublesome?”
“My child talks too much.”
I sat Chu Dal down and fell into thought for a moment.
‘Should I seek counsel from the old master, or not.’
Chu Dal’s master, Yeo Un-hyeok, was the one who created the fabricated Jang Bo-do during the Geomwang Chong blood incident decades ago.
Fabricated though it was, the Jang Bo-do had deceived countless martial artists of the realm, so it must have touched upon some measure of truth.
‘It would be reopening an old wound, but everyone’s safety takes precedence.’
“Chu Dal. I have words that must be conveyed to Old Man Yeo.”

* * *
The next morning.
I stood before the main gate of the estate with the Tang siblings, Gu Ak, and Chu Dal.
“Is everyone prepared?”
“All set.”
“Got everything we need.”
“I’m ready too.”
Judging by the bundles each of them carried and the bulging provisions, they seemed well-equipped indeed.
‘This should be sufficient.’
I turned my head to look at Jin Geum-bo. He was sitting atop a carriage prepared by the Gaecheon Escort Agency.
His mouth hung wide open.
“Young Master Baek. Are you truly saying that all these people—rather, all these esteemed individuals—will accompany us on this escort mission?”
The condition I had set was only the Baek Family’s eldest young master, Yang Hwi, but the roster was far too impressive.
“Dang-gun, Namgung Cheon-yeong, Dang-yeon, and the female expert. And even Gu Ak the Great Expert…!”
Dang-gun and Dang-yeon had earned the epithets Hidden Dragon and Poison Flower respectively through their appearances in the martial world over the past few years.
Though these titles were only known in the Sichuan and Jiangxi regions for now, in other words, they represented the finest rising talents without peer in this area.
And on top of that, Gu Ak the Day-Breaking Expert.
“I can understand the two from the Dang family joining to gain experience. But how could the Great Expert Gu…?”
Gu Ak’s shoulders immediately rose.
“Ahem. It seems Merchant Jin holds this humble Gu in high regard.”
“How could it be otherwise? One of the two supreme masters of the Baek Family Head! The one bearing the most illustrious reputation in this entire region—that is none other than Great Expert Gu!”
“Ahem. Ahem-hem!”
“Even if I offered ten times the escort fee, I never expected Great Expert Gu to join us! I am truly honored!”
Gu Ak, his shoulders puffed up with pride, let out a haughty cough and glanced at me sideways.
A look that seemed to say: This is how impressive I am.
‘Ugh. This is getting irritating.’
“No matter how grand you act now, at night you’ll be bowing your—oof! Mmph!”
Gu Ak clamped his hand over my mouth with lightning speed and shouted.
“Everyone aboard! Time is pressing, so let’s depart at once!”
The carriage bearing the Gaecheon Escort Agency’s insignia left the estate and began moving swiftly forward.
“As discussed previously, we will travel by land to the northern edge of Jiangxi, then use the waterways to proceed to Anhui.”
“Understood, Young Master.”
To do so, we would need to use land routes until we reached Jiujiang, the northernmost point of Jiangxi.
This was because boarding the waterways near Jiujiang would provide the shortest route.
‘Even at the fastest pace, it will take seven days just to leave Muzhou.’
Seven days confined in such a cramped space—even someone who loves leisure would eventually grow bored.
Chu Dal was the first to show signs of restlessness.
“Brother. Is escort work always this boring?”
“What are you talking about?”
“Well, sitting in a carriage all day with nothing to do but chat. I’ve heard stories from merchants about bandits and martial artists and all sorts of dramatic adventures.”
This fellow speaks without hesitation about things that would make a wanderer or bandit weep.
When we should be grateful for safe travels, he’s bored and hoping bandits appear.
Due to memories from my past life, I often forget, but Chu Dal is still quite young.
“Most journeys are naturally tedious and dull. If you truly can’t bear it, practice cultivation.”
“And if I fall into demonic cultivation while practicing in a swaying carriage, you’ll take responsibility?”
“If your life span remains, you won’t die.”
….
After a moment of silence, Chu Dal continued speaking.
“I should have brought something to read if I’d known this would happen.”
That’s why in my past life as a wanderer, I always carried books with me.
It’s also thanks to that I can sell novels as Il-pil-hwi-seo.
“Should I write one for you?”
The moment I said that, Dang-gun’s eyes lit up as he interjected.
“Ooh, younger brother Hwi. I’m curious about a new story too.”
Dang-gun had shown great interest in my activities as Il-pil-hwi-seo since releasing the Dang Family Chronicles to the world years ago.
I scratched my head for a moment, then shrugged.
“Elder Dang seems bored too. Then shall I unroll some tales along the way?”
I have a bundle of rumors and stories heard in my past life.
If I were to tell them all, seven days and nights wouldn’t be enough.
“I heard this back when I was begging….”
Not only the group but also Jin Geum-bo and the coachman’s assistant listened intently to my story.
It was simply too fascinating.
“And that’s how it happened.”
“Such a knight!”
“Haha, the martial world is indeed vast.”
“Little brother, is there more to that story?”
“I’m curious too, Hwi.”
I shrugged once more and turned my head forward.
A bustling city visible in the distance.
It was Gyeongyang County, at the edge of Muzhou.
“Stories are nice, but shall we tell them at an inn instead of in the carriage? I think it would be good to stay here tonight.”
With everyone’s agreement, the coachman drove the carriage toward an inn.
“Innkeeper! Prepare for guests!”
“Oh my, welcome, welcome!”
Following the innkeeper’s guidance, we unpacked our luggage and took seats on the first floor.
“Bring thin noodles and dumplings for everyone, and three of your best side dishes.”
“Right away, sir! What about alcohol?”
The innkeeper was about to finish taking the order after glancing at each person’s face.
Suddenly, a loud commotion came from the door.
“Hmm?”
Two young men dressed in expensive-looking martial robes that screamed wealth at a glance.
Yang Hwi suddenly noticed interest flickering in Chu Dal’s eyes.
‘What is this bastard expecting?’
Soon enough, Chu Dal sent a transmission.
-Elder Brother, I think I’ve seen this situation before.
-Hmm. It’s certainly a common scenario in those trashy novels.
-So when they pick a fight now, we’re basically living out a novel, aren’t we?
-Kid, novels and reality are different. There’s no reason for them to pick a fight….
“Well, well. Who do we have here? Could this be the renowned Geom-wae, Namgung Cheon-yeong?”
Wow. And there it was—they actually picked a fight.
Hearing the young man’s voice, Yang Hwi’s brow furrowed deeply.
“Geom-wae? Geom-wae, you say?”

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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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