Chapter 14
Chapter 14
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 14
Chapter Title: Third-Rate Martial Family Becomes World's Best
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Baek Yang-hui smiled contentedly at the posters plastered all over the streets.
"Wow, whoever wrote these posters has such a beautiful way with words."
"Hahaha, truly a masterpiece, isn't it? 'Those who wish to reclaim their lost heavenly fate, come to Baek Clan Manor!'"
Gu-ak scowled as he watched Yang-hui.
"The posters and hiring people to spread the rumors cost over a thousand silver taels. Little brother, you have to make this work."
"Thanks to me, you've already earned thousands of silver taels—now you're begrudging a thousand? And it's for Rang sister too? Now I've got even more to chat about with her in her room tonight."
"Ugh... that damn tongue of his..."
It had been two days since Rang-rang arrived at Baek Clan Manor.
Gu-ak's face, flushed with anger at Yang-hui's silver tongue, suddenly turned uneasy, as if something bothered him deeply.
"Little brother. You weren't wrong, which is why we sent Rang-rang to Baek Clan Manor. But if she gets any other ideas, we'll become sworn enemies."
Gu-ak was a direct subordinate of the Crimson Gang, one of the three major black path factions dominating Akgan County, while Baek Clan Manor was unequivocally a righteous faction.
A white path martial family so upright that its patriarch had earned the moniker Peerless Righteous Helper.
No matter the agreement, it couldn't be comfortable watching his beloved stay there.
"Don't worry. Father approved it too."
Of course, the day Yang-hui brought Rang-rang, he'd gone straight to Baek Mu-ryang and reported everything he could.
"He was reluctant about protecting the woman beloved by a black path overlord like Brother Gu, but Father isn't the type to stand by while a powerless woman faces danger."
Gu-ak nodded as well. Anyone else, maybe not—but he trusted Baek Mu-ryang's sense of justice more than even his own subordinates who shared his rice bowl.
"The Peerless Righteous Helper isn't that kind of man."
"Hey now. Calling the family patriarch—and this brother's father—so casually is rude."
For a moment, Gu-ak looked ready to burst with indignation.
"I'm only six years older than the Peerless Righteous Helper! You're the weird one calling an uncle like me 'brother' every time!!"
'Counting my previous life, you're younger than me, kid.'
Yang-hui chuckled and changed the subject.
"Shall we skip the trivialities? Anyway, we'll have results tomorrow."
"Come to think of it, little brother, you never said who'll claim to be Rang-rang's father. Who are you dragging in to make such a huge fuss?"
"Well, let's just say someone who can even kill a Peak Realm master."
Gu-ak snorted derisively.
"This body—a hero of the age and black path prodigy—couldn't surpass the Peak wall even after passing thirty. What could such a person possibly lack that they'd pose as a courtesan's father?"
"When desperate, you claim to be father or mother. And what's so special about Peak Realm masters anyway?"
Gu-ak lost his composure at Yang-hui's utterly casual reply.
"Peak Realm masters are no big deal? If that were true, our headquarters would've conquered Akgan County ages ago."
He wasn't wrong. Even the Crimson Gang—one of the largest in Akgan County—had only one Peak Realm master: their gang leader.
The realm where one could claim to be the top expert in a county.
That was the Peak Realm.
But.
'Peak Realm? Nothing special. In my previous life, I broke through that wall before forty with just the family arts.'
"Anyway, this brother will take his leave. Can't skip training if I want to shatter that lofty Peak wall."
Yang-hui had been spending every day in rigorous training lately.
If Gu-ak hadn't barged in so impatiently after just two days, he'd still be sweating it out in the training grounds right now.
"Wait patiently like a proper hero. I'll send word soon."
"...I trust you. Father's gaze has been unusually sharp. The brothers think it'll bring shame on us. Make sure it doesn't look like needless trouble."
"Yes, yes."
Yang-hui headed straight back to Baek Clan Manor. After finishing his assigned training, he holed up in his room, using studies and writing as excuses.
'This should do for organizing it.'
Yang-hui wrote the title on the cover of the formerly blank book.
[Heaven-Covering Sword Record]
[Harmonious Heaven Principle Origin Art]
He had compiled everything from his previous life's insights and the two divine arts he'd created— all into book form.
Like crafting a manual, of sorts.
'Can't hand a stiff new book with undried ink to Father just yet...'
No matter. A solution would come soon.
With that thought, Yang-hui glanced outside. Time had flown; a bright full moon hung high in the sky.
'The timing's perfect—hope they show tonight.'
Yang-hui immediately sat cross-legged. Like the past two days, he'd forgo sleep, cultivate the Harmonious Heaven Principle Origin Art, and heighten his senses through the night.
About two hours passed that way.
A faint, thin vibration—noise from true qi circulation—caught on senses amplified by the art.
'Ah, so that's how it works. He didn't just hand over the jade plaque and abandon his daughter without thought.'
The jade plaque Rang-rang had given him was trembling faintly on the desk.
Resonating with the external vibration.
Yang-hui pocketed the plaque and stepped outside.
'The trembling intensifies as it gets closer. I can trace the direction.'
The source was the tallest building near Baek Clan Manor—specifically, its rooftop.
No entering through the gates at this hour, so he'd have to climb the walls or leap across roofs with his child's body.
'A month's training makes this a breeze.'
Yang-hui leaped into action, reaching the rooftop in just three bounds before turning toward the old man standing off to the side.
"You must like full moons, elder."
A shabby old man, burdened with a load on his back.
Deep wrinkles steeped in life's regrets, eyes worn but burning with undimmed resolve.
"I'm alone, so nights feel lonely. What brings you out here, young master?"
"Someone wants to welcome a guest, so I came to chase away the loneliness."
Signaling his awareness, a flicker of light crossed the old man's face.
"Remarkable senses, young master. But guests come in two flavors: the invited... or the uninvited."
"The invited won't come—so why not share some words with the uninvited?"
As Yang-hui finished speaking, he drew the jade plaque from his bosom. The old man's face hardened.
"No misunderstanding. Rang sister gifted it herself, saying she had no more need for it."
"...Looks like a detailed explanation is in order."
"If you're asking for talk, shouldn't we start with names? Ah, no need for me. You already know."
As Yang-hui said, the old man already knew his identity.
Before the signal—right after seeing the poster and shedding tears of excitement.
After investigating everything about Baek Clan Manor.
"They said Baek Clan Manor's patriarch took in a young beggar. Guess he spotted a genius and marked his territory."
"That sounds a little harsh."
"Sorry. Truth slipped out. I'll apologize for calling you a beggar, young master."
"Apologize for the 'genius' part."
"?"
"I was a beggar, that's true—but I'm not just a genius. I'm a once-in-a-millennium genius. Also called a peerless genius."
"..."
The old man suddenly realized he'd been ensnared by Yang-hui's rhetoric.
"Young master. I bear no grudge against Baek Clan Manor. Just have little Rang-rang come out, and I'll leave quietly."
"Elder. Sorry, but as a scion of an upright righteous sect, I only converse with those who've given their names."
Did you ask names from everyone when begging as a beggar?
The old man swallowed the retort rising unbidden and gave his name instead.
"Yeo Un-hyeok."
"Red clouds. A poetic name."
"Yours is no slouch either. Seems Baek patriarch has a knack for naming."
"Overhonored me with it. What did you name your daughter, elder?"
"...A-rang."
"Yeo A-rang. You hoped she'd grow bright and lively."
"Exactly. Now then, I'd like your answer to my request."
The old man's face looked utterly earnest as he spoke—so much so that Yang-hui almost wanted to let him see Rang-rang, schemes be damned.
'Can't do that. Only if my plan succeeds can this father and daughter live happily.'
"Rang sister is the true love of Gu-ak, son of Crimson Gang Leader Gu Cheol-hyo. They love each other deeply."
"I know."
"Then do you know this? The gang leader sees Rang sister as a tool to discipline his talented but unruly son."
Recalling his scheme, he continued.
"The gang leader is the type to ruthlessly exploit any weakness he grasps. Cold-hearted and absurdly ambitious to boot."
"Don't approach rashly and hand over a weakness? Worry not. I've walked paths where the outnumbered can't survive."
"What I mean is, to the gang leader, even his son is just a tool. Gu-ak's weakness? You can guess."
Only then did the old man's face change drastically. Calm vanished, replaced by seething rage.
"Is there trouble around Rang?"
"Rang sister is poisoned."
Yang-hui recalled the faint toxic qi he'd sensed when she served him tea.
Who'd used the poison went without saying.
"To repeat: the gang leader would use the father of his son's favorite courtesan without a shred of remorse. Especially one with a fatal weakness."
Yang-hui recalled his previous life.
The old man who hadn't found his daughter until her death.
He later discovered the jade plaque sold on the black market, investigated her fate, and burned with hatred for the Crimson Gang.
Mobilizing all his resources, he unleashed a bloodbath on them—and the Crimson Gang was wiped out.
"Complicated situation, right? Daughter found after over a decade lost. That same daughter fated to die at the hands of her lover's father. A black path faction with dozens of warriors, including a Peak Realm master. And now a kid popping up to spout all this."
"Well. More complicated than my life? Thanks for the info, young master. But from here on, stay out of this old man's business."
Hm. Not going according to plan.
Yang-hui had wafted hints of his scheme throughout the talk.
'Thought he'd at least ask what I plan to do.'
No choice. Time for the extreme measure.
"Martial world criminal, Fake Deer for Horse Yeo Un-jeok."
In that instant, the old man—Yeo Un-jeok, who'd given the alias Un-hyeok—shot toward Yang-hui like a streak of light.
But.
The extending arm. The opening hand. The scarred, callused fingers—like a crow's foot—peeking from the sleeve for the first time.
Time seemed to slow as it all etched clearly onto Yang-hui's retinas.
He drew true qi from his dantian. Compensated for lacking refinement with precise footwork.
Eyes locked on the fingertips, without a single wasted motion.
Yang-hui smacked the crow's-foot hand upward, then thrust his wrist at the old man's throat.
The exchange ended with Yang-hui's victory.
"...You're no mere child."
"After ambushing a kid, that's all you have to say?"
"No intent to harm. Just... subdue you and extract a promise."
"I know. You put no inner power into your hand."
That's why Yang-hui could block and counterattack.
Because the old man had held back—whether from carelessness or mercy.
'Even so, a huge skill gap would've made it pointless.'
Fortunately, Yeo Un-jeok's martial prowess was low for a martial criminal.
He hadn't become one through martial feats in the first place.
Fake Deer for Horse: turning deer into horse.
The old man's true talent lay not in a martial clan, but elsewhere.
"Elder. I have no intent to antagonize you. Rang sister is truly a good person—and you're her father."
"...What is it you want to say?"
"All the problems stem from Rang sister's lover having the Crimson Gang Leader as his father. Peak Realm martial arts. The Crimson Gang's power. The issue is that the one in power isn't a good man."
Yang-hui curled up the corner of his mouth in a smirk.
"So, why not join me in one little task? For Rang sister's—for your daughter's happy future."
A bit early, perhaps. But to pave the way for Baek Clan Manor to grow, it was time to tidy up the black path tyrants.