Third-rate Martial Family Becomes the Best Under Heaven - Chapter 89

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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 089
The Dang Family of Sichuan was located in Dang Family Village near Chengdu.
Dang Family Village—a clan settlement where those bearing the Dang surname gathered to live.
Unlike other martial families, the Dang Clan had so many people sharing the same surname that an entire city-sized settlement had formed from the Dangs alone.
The reason was simple.
“My boy. Do you know why our Dang Family is both a Family and a Sect?”
Sichuan saw frequent conflict. While Sichuan itself was orthodox territory, Guizhou to the east had long been heterodox domain, and to the south, the Nanman’s external sects constantly eyed Sichuan with hunger. To the west in Tibet, countless demonic cults swarmed without number.
In other words, Sichuan had been a battlefield for centuries where martial artists of different factions competed for supremacy.
And the Dang Family’s origins lay with blacksmiths and physicians who had no choice but to harbor poison, having suffered at the hands of martial artists.
It meant the family did not begin with a single patriarch bearing the Dang surname.
“Our ancestors made a vow. To become one under the Dang surname and never repeat the past.”
They were not a single bloodline. Yet they were a clan sharing the same surname.
Thus, the Dang Family. Thus, the Dang Sect.
Dang-gun recalled his childhood spent playing throughout Dang Family Village.
Other great families distinguished between inner and outer courts, separating direct and collateral lines.
But the Dang Family was different.
All who bore the Dang surname were one.
Because the beginning was plural, there was no distinction between direct and collateral lines, and thus all who bore the Dang surname regarded each other as one.
Therefore, Dang Family Village was the Dang Family itself.
“My boy. You have been designated as the next Minor Family Head.”
The position of Family Head in the Dang Clan was not inherited by blood.
The position of Minor Family Head was given to the most outstanding among those bearing the Dang surname, and one would eventually inherit the Family Head position.
Therefore, Dang-gun’s father was not the Dang Family Head.
“The Family Head wishes to see you. Go to him.”
On the first day after proving martial prowess and obtaining the position of Minor Family Head, when I met the Dang Family Head.
Dang Seong, the Dang Family Head and my distant uncle, sat me upon his knee and spoke thus.
“My boy. We who bear the Dang surname share one great aspiration.”
“What is that, Uncle? Ah, no—Family Head.”
“To transcend our limitation and our heavenly curse.”
The Dang Family Head instilled in the young Minor Family Head the mindset a leader of the Dang must possess and the aspirations he must pursue.
Independence from the Nine Sects and Five Great Families.
Never forgetting the origins of the Dang clan and spreading our influence so that none would suffer.
“My boy. Our Dang Family uniquely designates a Minor Family Head from a young age and inherits the Family Head position. Do you know why?”
“The Family Head of the Dang is given a mission. To transcend the limits of the family’s martial arts, one must devote everything.”
The Dang Family ranked among the top ten martial families under heaven.
Yet the level of martial arts they possessed was not particularly high.
“The Nine Sects and Five Great Families did not grant us supreme martial arts. We have improved and developed what we received, but we have not overcome the limitation.”
Judging by the level of family martial arts alone, the Dang Family should not have been able to maintain their current position.
Throughout generations, no Family Head had ever reached the supreme level.
Yet the reason we obtained the position of the foremost martial family in Sichuan was due to the special nature of poison and hidden weapons.
“For our Dang Family to advance further, we must tear apart the foundations we received from others and create something uniquely ours.”
In other words, successive Family Heads inherit the task of innovating new martial techniques.
But how easy is it to create new martial arts and techniques?
Especially when their very foundation rests upon poison and dark techniques, the difficulty becomes insurmountable.
“When you mature and become capable of serving as acting Family Head, I will enter seclusion.”
Ten years, twenty years—seclusion without end in sight.
To escape the noose that strangles the family’s neck.
The Family Head was one who sacrificed everything for the Dang Clan.
“So I ask you, Dang-gun. Do you have the resolve to inherit the Family Head’s burden? If you hesitate, I will revoke your appointment as Young Master.”
At that time, despite his young age, Dang-gun answered with spirited determination.
“I will sacrifice everything for our clan, Family Head!”
And today.
A martial duel with the Young Master of the Namgung Clan.
Dang-gun felt a helplessness so devastating it cut to his core.
He keenly realized what the leash and shackles binding the Dang Clan truly were.
‘For the Main Residence’s future, for a better tomorrow… I must obtain a new superior martial technique. Without fail!’
Then Yang Hwi’s voice reached Dang-gun’s ears.
“The Geomwang Tomb. It’s in the Gyesu region, isn’t it?”

* * *
“The Geomwang Tomb. It’s in the Gyesu region, isn’t it?”
Seeing Jin Geum-bo’s startled expression, I let out a quiet laugh.
‘He didn’t expect me to know.’
Well, it’s natural that he wouldn’t.
Even I wouldn’t have been able to discover this without my memories from before the regression.
“….”
Jin Geum-bo managed to avoid the mistake of asking “How did you know?” and similar blunders.
His body trembled slightly, but he maintained his silence and watched me.
To make him speak, I’ll need to reveal more of what I’ve uncovered.
“Where should I begin? Ah yes, the reason the merchant Jin wanted to include me in this escort mission. Let me guess correctly from here.”
“….”
“The Dang Family’s puppet, the Baek Family. Among them, Geom-wae, who held the highest renown. You needed that name, didn’t you?”
The Dang and Baek families are allies of equal standing—or nearly so.
But to outsiders, the Baek Family would appear to be a puppet the Dang Family put forward for their expansion into Gangwon.
They seemed to be supporting them by even dividing portions of the Manor, after all.
This was precisely what I had aimed for.
“Among the Dang Family’s puppet, the Baek Family, there are only three individuals renowned enough to bear aliases.”
Family Head Baek Moo-ryang. The one-strike expert Gu Ak.
And Geom-wae, Baek Yang-hwi.
“I suspect the merchant Jin knew that the Young Master of the Namgung Clan has taken interest in the Dang Family’s recent activities.”
Whether he heard it directly or discovered it himself doesn’t matter.
What matters is this.
“You intended to use me—or more precisely, use the Dang Family—to divert attention.”
In other words, Jin Geum-bo and the Jin Family had reason to redirect the Namgung Clan’s gaze.
“That’s why you were actually pleased when Elder Dang and his sister joined the expedition.”
Without justification to summon members of the Dang Family directly, they’d planned to draw attention as the eldest son of the Baek Family—a puppet clan. How fortunate that the Dang Family’s branch head walked right into their trap.
“Is that correct so far?”
“…No. I merely…”
“Then explain this. When presented with two routes, why did you choose the Hapbi path? Based on what just happened, the merchant’s choice was hardly rational.”
I recalled Jin Geum-bo’s demeanor when he’d spoken with Namgung Cheon-hu.
“I suspect the merchant achieved his true objective. After all, he wasn’t dragged away by the Namgung branch head. Isn’t that right?”
“…”
He looked like someone who’d eaten honey and couldn’t speak.
How could I pry open those sealed lips?
“I investigated the Jin Family Estate. About five years ago, you reorganized your assets at a loss and established yourselves in Gyesu.”
“We simply relocated our base.”
…This was growing frustrating.
I’d have to strike directly.
“Do you wish to reclaim what the Namgung branch head took from you?”
“Baek Sohyeop. Your suspicion is misguided. The Geomwang Tomb truly has nothing to do with us.”
“The Geomwang Bloodshed caused by the Hyeolsa Clan. The Taewon Jin Family fell to the brink of annihilation. After that, the Jin Family’s long-cherished wish must have become finding the Geomwang Tomb.”
“I won’t deny it. The roots of our Jin Family Estate trace back to the survivors of the Taewon Jin Family then. But the Geomwang Tomb? How could a clan’s cherished wish be to pursue such a baseless legend?”
I’d probed too shallowly.
I needed to dig deeper.
“Baeksu Mountain in Gyesu.”
Jin Geum-bo’s body went rigid.
“H-how did you…?”
He’d asked carelessly, then hastily covered his own mouth.
But it was already too late.
Ah, now my chest feels lighter.
“I’ll give you a choice. Will you speak frankly, or shall we part ways here? Though I will escort you to Gyesu.”
“…”
Half a watch. One watch. And one meal period.
After that long deliberation, Jin Geum-bo let out a sigh.
In that short time, his face seemed to have aged ten years.
“Baek Sohyeop… you’re truly more than the rumors suggested. I shouldn’t have made this request if I’d known.”
“You’ll think differently soon enough.”
“I hope so. Let me speak honestly then. Yes. The Jin Family’s cherished wish was… to find the Geomwang Tomb.”
Jin Geum-bo’s story continued for some time.
Decades ago, the Taewon Jin Family fell to the brink of annihilation, deceived by false information from the Hyeolsa Clan.
At that time, the surviving members of the Jin Merchant clan became obsessed with the Geomwang Tomb—the very reason for their downfall.
They believed that reclaiming their former glory was possible only through the Geomwang Tomb.
“The blood oath regarding the Geomwang Tomb was certainly a fabrication… but it wasn’t as though there was no genuine information about the Geomwang Tomb back then.”
“That would make sense. After all, any convincing lie contains at least some grain of truth.”
Before setting out on this expedition, I recalled what I had learned from Yeo Un-hyeok.
Yeo Un-hyeok likewise possessed knowledge of the fragments of truth hidden within the deception.
Though it seemed the truth the Jin Merchant clan had obtained differed in nature from what he knew.
‘There’s no need to probe this further.’
“Sohyeop. Can I trust you?”
Can I trust you—such a question.
In the Martial Arts World of Doshan Swordforest, it was truly a meaningless inquiry.
Yet one thing could be said.
“How much does the Young Master of the Namgung Clan know? Or rather, how did he become entangled in this?”
“…Our Jin Merchant clan possesses clues regarding the Geomwang Tomb, and it seems the Young Master discovered that we were searching for it. About three years ago, he appeared and promised his support.”
“And you accepted his proposal?”
“He promised that if we found the Geomwang Tomb, he would handle the excavation on our behalf and divide what we obtained fairly. At the time, our circumstances were dire, and his offer felt like a lifeline dropped from heaven itself.”
I let out a scoff without thinking.
Divide fairly? The Namgung clan?
Those who believe themselves to be heaven itself, merely pursuing the heavens? That would never happen.
“It seems you’ve come to realize something.”
“…Indeed.”
From Jin Geum-bo’s demeanor, I discerned one truth.
‘He’s gotten far closer to the Geomwang Tomb than I expected.’
That’s why he was anxious. Why he was afraid.
Afraid that the clan’s long-cherished aspiration would be surrendered entirely to the Namgung Clan.
“Sohyeop. Let me ask you something as well. How did you know the Geomwang Tomb is on Baeksu Mountain? Even we are merely speculating.”
Ah, that?
I made an educated guess.
To be precise, I deduced it from what the Namgung Clan announced in my previous life and their movements at that time.
But I cannot speak honestly about this.
“I can only tell you that the Jin Merchant clan was not the only one searching for the Geomwang Tomb.”
“…I see. Indeed, that would be natural.”
Jin Geum-bo exhaled another sigh and continued.
“Our Jin Merchant clan does not wish for much. We simply… simply wish to fulfill our clan’s long-cherished dream.”
The circumstances of the Jin Merchant clan.
The circumstances of the Baek Family.
The circumstances of the Dang Family.
Yang Hwi closed his eyes briefly, then opened them and looked toward Dang-gun.
“Elder Dang.”
“Speak, younger brother Hwi.”
“It seems the Namgung Clan has found a way to stab us in the back. Jin Merchant, I have one more question for you.”
“Speak freely.”
The Namgung Clan, who had promised support to the Jin Family Estate. They must have been investigating the Geomwang Tomb as well.
So they must have obtained information about the Jin Family Estate and approached accordingly.
“The Namgung Clan also possesses clues about the Geomwang Tomb, don’t they?”
“Indeed. From what I hear, they obtained a portion of the Jangbodo. It was the decisive reason I decided to accept their support.”
“Have you ever seen the Jangbodo?”
“They didn’t share it with me. But its existence is certain.”
“And the clues the Jin Family possessed were handed over to the Namgung Clan?”
“…I couldn’t have received their support otherwise.”
“I’m not blaming you.”
The full picture had become somewhat clear.
The Namgung Clan, who possessed a portion of the Geomwang Tomb’s Jangbodo.
The Jin Family Estate, who held another clue.
And the Baek Family and the Dang Family.
“Jin Merchant. Speak.”
It was an abrupt request, but Jin Geum-bo understood the meaning behind it.
“….”
Jin Geum-bo recalled what had happened during the journey.
The unprovoked quarrel with Jeong Wol-mun. The First Young Master of the Baek Family, who drew great profit from a small incident that could have been overlooked.
Upon witnessing a mountain village being plundered by bandits, he wiped out an entire bandit den with righteous determination.
Though he had exerted effort and could have justifiably claimed all the wealth as fair compensation, he instead divided half of it among the common folk—a display of compassion.
‘…At the very least. Far better than the Namgung Clan…’
Two choices. No, Jin Geum-bo had only one choice before him.
“Help me. No, help me, Yang Hwi.”
“It would not be righteous to abandon one who seeks aid.”
Yang Hwi’s lips curved into a slight smile.
“Then will you tell me about the clues the Jin Family possesses?”

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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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