Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 79

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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 079
“Geom-wae? Geom-wae?”
Yang Hwi sprang to his feet and strode toward the young men with long, purposeful steps.
As he drew closer, the difference in their heights became increasingly pronounced.
The young men appeared to be martial artists as well, but none possessed Yang Hwi’s imposing build or the kind of physique honed to its absolute limits.
What I mean is this:
Standing beside him, they looked relatively diminished.
Quite noticeably so.
“Geom-wae? Who’s a foreigner? If you ask me, the foreigner here is someone like you.”
“….”
For a moment, the young man was overwhelmed by Yang Hwi’s growl, but he managed to compose himself.
With a flourish, a fan unfurled.
“Hmm. It seems you lack proper decorum, Geom-wae Gongja.”
The young man finished speaking in an affected tone, then waved his fan with a languid motion.
This bastard wasn’t even from the Zhuge clan, yet here he was, a martial artist wielding a fan.
The sight of it was utterly distasteful.
-Brother. That bastard definitely came here to pick a fight.
-Yeah. I know.
No matter how much we bristled at being called Geom-wae, pointing out a lack of decorum on first meeting?
He approached with the intention of starting trouble from the beginning.
‘Internal energy slightly over half a cycle. A trained physique. From the traces, it appears to be the Gwon Jang technique.’
-Chu Dal. Do you know who this bastard is?
Chu Dal’s master, Yeo Un-hyeok, unlike his previous days as a guest scholar, now held the position of director at Baek Ri Pavilion, the information division of the current Baek Manor.
In other words, Chu Dal was the one who knew the most information about the surrounding area in this place.
-The deputy leader of Jeong Wol-mun is said to be fond of fan-waving. This one fits the description. His name is Jeong Myeong-gun with no other aliases.
‘Jeong Wol-mun?’
The current Baek Manor was competing with two other factions for the position of hegemon in Wuzhou.
One of those factions was Jeong Wol-mun. And it so happened that this very place, Gyeongyang County, was also their stronghold.
‘The deputy leader of Jeong Wol-mun has approached me. And with the intention of picking a fight, no less.’
Having gathered all the information and reached a conclusion on how to respond, Yang Hwi opened his mouth.
“You say I lack proper decorum?”
He turned his head with an easy smile and looked at the innkeeper.
“Innkeeper! When will the food I ordered arrive?”
“Th-that… it will be brought out shortly.”
The innkeeper, who had been rigid with tension watching the standoff between Jeong Myeong-gun and Yang Hwi, immediately rushed away.
In contrast, Jeong Myeong-gun’s fan, which had been waving languidly, suddenly stiffened.
He had addressed a mere innkeeper as “brother” and shown him respect.
The meaning of his action was simple.
Creak.
“Geom-wae Gongja. I’ve long heard of your reputation and wished to meet you. I never expected you to be this kind of person.”
“I don’t know what you mean. I’m exactly as my reputation and rumors describe.”
Where could one find a person so transparent, like clear water, with nothing hidden between appearance and truth?
“You keep calling me Geom-wae, Geom-wae—why should I listen to someone younger than me?”
“The epithet attached to you is Geom-wae. What can be done about it? Isn’t that right, Geom. Wae. Gongja?”
This bastard? Look at how he’s emphasizing each syllable.
“Well, that’s true. Then what should I call you? I’m sorry, but I don’t know who you are.”
Jeong Myeong-gun’s face hardened further as he bared his teeth, intending to mock him with the implication that a man without fame had no right to act so boldly.
“I am Jeong Myeong-gun, the Rumor Master of Jeong Wol-mun.”
“Never mind your position—what’s your epithet?”
“….”
“Your epithet? Don’t tell me you don’t have one? Looking at your face, you’ve long since passed your twenties.”
“….”
“Surely not. How can a martial artist not have an epithet? Isn’t that right, Hidden Dragon?”
Dang-gun, who had been watching with interest, responded.
“If he’s a novice, it’s possible he might not have one yet.”
“Is that so? I’ve had an epithet since I was ten years old, so I wouldn’t know. Puhahahaha!”
He laughed while observing Jeong Myeong-gun’s reaction.
This should be enough to repay in words what I received in measures.
Ah, how refreshing.
“Geom-wae Gongja. I’ve heard your swordsmanship is exceptional, but your skill with words is quite impressive too.”
“Unlike others, you seem to lack nothing.”
“…You speak truly. I myself am lacking in many ways and still lack even an epithet. So I would hope that Geom-wae Gongja might give me an opportunity.”
An opportunity? So that’s why he approached me?
‘He wants to get something for nothing?’
From Jeong Wol-mun’s perspective, Baek Manor was the most troublesome rival.
Yet while Baek Family’s eldest son accumulated fame day by day, Jeong Wol-mun’s Rumor Master still lacked even a respectable epithet.
Naturally, the people in the surrounding areas must be gossiping about this.
‘If you don’t have an epithet, you should go out and defeat some bandits to build your reputation, but where does this bastard get off?’
What is the easiest way for a martial artist to gain fame?
Simple.
Defeat a martial artist with an established reputation.
Because you gain the modifier of having defeated someone renowned.
Perhaps because he was raised so gently that he doesn’t even have an epithet at his age.
He really does seem to prefer the easy path.
‘And he even judged that he could win against me.’
This is absolutely ridiculous.
I had already defeated Gyojin-bang’s Master Hong, who was already past his prime at ten years old.
How could he underestimate me?
…That said, I couldn’t say I didn’t understand.
‘He must have thought there was much falsehood and exaggeration in the rumors.’
Admittedly, it defies common sense for a ten-year-old child to defeat a twenty-year-old martial artist.
Given how extraordinary his deeds have been, they must have assumed the results were somehow manipulated.
Or perhaps…
“Tell me, Geom-wae Gongja. Won’t you deign to impart some instruction to me?”
“Wait. You did get permission first, didn’t you?”
“Permission? We’re merely crossing blades once—why would anyone’s permission be necessary?”
Yang Hwi’s eyes narrowed and the corners of his mouth lifted.
So he came here without even informing the family elders?
‘So that’s why he’s doing something so foolish.’
An ignorant boy acting alone, coveting the reputation of the name Geom-wae?
“How fortunate.”
I had made a vow days ago.
Whoever dares speak the alias Geom-wae to my face from now on, I would crush them.
Let’s see.
How should I crush him so the rumors speak of it well?
‘That’s right. An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.’
He’s been calling me that detested alias recklessly?
I’ll give him a nickname far more dreadful than Geom-wae.
“Ah, teaching isn’t difficult at all. The thing is, I can’t do it empty-handed.”
“Do you want money? It seems the Baek Manor’s finances have grown tight recently.”
“That’s not it. When receiving instruction from a prodigy of my caliber, proper hospitality is the least you should offer. I’ll visit Jeong Wol-mun tomorrow. Prepare a banquet.”
Though I spoke half in jest, Jeong Myeong-gun’s lips curled upward instead.
“A banquet, you say? Excellent. I shall prepare it grandly. Hahahaha!”
This fool still hasn’t grasped the situation.
Does he truly believe he’ll win the martial contest and then hold a banquet to humiliate me publicly?
Well, fine.
The figurehead of a rival sect is foolish?
That benefits the Main Residence.
‘Yes. Since I’m doing this anyway, why not expand the game further?’
Any true prodigy must aim for more than killing two birds with one stone.
I’ll ensure Jeong Wol-mun is no longer counted among the Baek Family’s competitors.
-Chu Dal, I have work for you.
-Speak, brother.
After issuing various instructions to Chu Dal, Yang Hwi smiled wickedly, imagining what would unfold tomorrow.

* * *
The next day.
“I sincerely apologize, Merchant Jin. I’m sorry that my departure has been delayed due to personal matters.”
“Hahaha, no need to apologize! Rather, I’m fortunate to witness the martial contest of the Geom-wae… Baek young master!”
Jin Geum-bo laughed heartily and continued speaking.
“But are you sure it’s alright if I come along? It seems the Jeong Wol-mun faction won’t permit my entry.”
“There’s no need to worry. I’ve made it so they have no choice but to allow it.”
I smirked as I watched Jin Geum-bo’s bewildered expression.
“Shall we go then, everyone?”
We traveled to the Jeong Wol-mun Manor, which lay about half a shichen away.
“Please, come in….”
The Jeong Wol-mun security martial artist, having received some prior notice, merely wore a grave expression….
‘It seems word has spread about the trouble the sect leader’s son caused.’
“Welcome, Geom-wae Namgung Cheon-yeong.”
Ah. Geom-wae again?
I regarded Jeong Wol-mun, the source of the voice, with a sideways glance.
“You must be Jeong Wol-mun.”
I performed the cupped-fist salute since formalities had to be observed.
“I’ve come here having received a martial challenge request from your sect leader’s son yesterday.”
“Hmm, regarding that matter….”
Jeong Myeong-gun stood beside Jeong Wol-mun, who wore an expression of distress, looking thoroughly dejected.
‘It seems he received quite the scolding.’
“It appears my Myeong-gun was discourteous. To apologize for that, I’ve prepared a banquet. Why don’t we gather together and speak frankly and openly?”
No, that won’t do.
Having obtained such a good opportunity, I couldn’t let it slip away.
“That’s not possible.”
Jeong Wol-mun’s expression hardened.
Regardless, I continued.
“Your sect leader’s son challenged me, the eldest son of the Baek Family, to a martial contest. Words are like water—once spilled, they cannot be gathered again. What is spoken cannot be taken back.”
Of course, if everyone here agreed to let the matter drop, it could be forgotten.
The problem was that I had no intention of doing so.
“It’s not just your sect leader’s son who wishes to learn. Would it be possible to demonstrate a technique?”
As I finished speaking, I snapped my fingers sharply.
In response to the signal, Chu Dal moved, and soon commotion erupted outside the Jeong Wol-mun gates.
A clamorous, bustling noise echoed in.
A Jeong Wol-mun martial artist approached Jeong Wol-mun and reported the reason for the commotion.
“People are gathering outside the gates?”
I answered instead.
“Yesterday, Jeong Myeong… is that the name?”
“It’s Jeong Myeong-gun!”
“Ah, my apologies. I have this chronic habit of forgetting the names of those without renown.”
“….”
He smiled in an irritating manner before continuing.
“Seeing how Dang-gun conducts himself, it seemed he desired fame, so I lent a hand.”
The preparation of spectators I had instructed Chu Dal to arrange yesterday was precisely this.
The Baek Manor’s information division, Baek-ri-gak, operated on the foundation of Yeo Un-hyeok’s network and the Gaecheon Escort House’s connections.
‘The scale is still small, but at least within Wuzhou, it’s quite solid.’
All those gathered here had come after hearing rumors spread by Baek-ri-gak.
In merely a single day, I had drawn crowds like clouds.
“Jeong Myeong-gun of Jeong Wol-mun. You sought instruction from Namgung Cheon-yeong yesterday, did you not?”
I deliberately spoke with respect. Though I had been casual with him yesterday, I could not afford such a frivolous demeanor before so many eyes.
As the eldest son of the Baek Family stepping forward, every action of mine represented the dignity of the Baek Family.
‘Polishing appearances is hardly difficult, after all.’
I extended my arm straight. In that moment, my robes fluttered.
The black hawk emblem embroidered upon my pristine white garments stood out brilliantly.
“I am Baek Yang-hwi of Baek Manor. I shall grant you instruction as you desire.”
The moment my words ended, exclamations burst forth from the spectators behind.
“Truly, a bearing as if drawn by brush and ink!”
“They say the eldest son of Baek Manor excelled from youth—is he not even more remarkable than the rumors suggest!”
The packaging seemed well done.
Now, shall I fit in the substance?
“Though young in years, I shall yield precedence as one who has already built a name.”
As I spoke these elegant words, I simultaneously sent a transmission of inner energy.
-Treasure what you see and hear as though receiving a master’s teachings, treating them as precious as gold and jade. Do you understand?
Jeong Myeong-gun’s eyes widened in an instant. Soon, anger kindled across his face.
“I hear the Jeong Wol-mun’s Wol-hun Fist Technique is unparalleled—at last I shall witness it today.”
-Listen here, with your family martial arts at that level, the Baek Family wouldn’t even bother acknowledging you.
“As the saying goes, ‘Among three walkers, there must be one to learn from’—I too shall learn from your fists.”
-Picking up some trivial techniques and acting all high and mighty. Pathetic.
“….”
-From the start, you wretch. You want fame by defeating a frail fifteen-year-old boy like me?
“….”
-A bastard ten years my senior, yet you can’t even act your age.
“Grrrrgh…!”
Finally, Jeong Myeong-gun erupted.
“I shall silence that mouth of yours forever!”
Perfect. Jeong Myeong-gun had ascended to the Training Grounds.
Watching the expressions of Jeong Wol-mun and the standing elders wither, I couldn’t help but smirk.
Let me teach him what true humiliation feels like.

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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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