Chapter 18
Chapter 18
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 18
Chapter Title: Third-Rate Martial Family Becomes World's Best
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All the faces in Lake Shadow Tower hardened.
Especially the Blue Serpent Gang members—their expressions were pure shock.
"A counter to our gang's martial arts? Don't spout such nonsense!"
Baek Yang-hui pulled another booklet from his bosom and tossed it over with a flick of his wrist.
"Picked up one more. Have a look."
The Blue Serpent Hall Leader's eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets.
"This is... how in the world..."
"Why so surprised? From the looks of it, your Blue Serpent Gang got your hands on the Crimson Gang's countermeasure too."
Yang-hui cackled as he continued.
"Looks like some eccentric is stirring things up for fun, but this time around, it's the Blue Serpent Gang that's about to get screwed—opposite of before!"
"Hey now, Hui. Watch your language."
Oh right, forgot Dad was here.
"Father, hanging out with Brother Gu's been rubbing off on me with bad habits... Sorry."
Even in the midst of the bloody brawl moments ago, Gu-ak felt a surge of frustration upon hearing Yang-hui's words.
'This punk's always been rude to my face, and now he's spouting lies like that!'
Yang-hui, gauging Gu-ak's expression, quickly cut in to preempt any retort.
"Anyway! Things look a lot different now, don't they? Right, Brother Gu?"
Just moments ago, the Blue Serpent Gang had the numerical advantage and was pressing the Crimson Gang hard.
But now it was different.
Gu-ak was the only first-rate expert here, and with the countermeasure in hand, he could unleash power on a whole other level from before.
'Now that both sides know the countermeasures, it'll end in mutual destruction at worst.'
Knowing the counter to a martial art was like playing Go when you already knew where your opponent would place their stones.
Up until now, the second-rate realm Blue Serpent Hall Leader could hold his own against the first-rate expert Gu-ak.
But no longer.
'And that's not all.'
"Now that everyone in Ak-an County knows the Blue Serpent Gang's countermeasure, things just got really interesting. Doubt the Advance Teaching Gang will sit this out."
The Advance Teaching Gang was another black path faction bordering the Blue Serpent Gang's territory.
And without a doubt, they wouldn't let this opportunity slip by quietly.
Just like how the Blue Serpent Gang, upon getting the Crimson Gang's countermeasure, immediately launched an all-out war.
"Damn it. We're pulling back."
Yang-hui made a face at the Blue Serpent Hall Leader's gritted-teeth shout, as if to say not a chance.
"What's that? You came whenever you wanted, so you think you can leave the same way? Figures from a bunch of ignorant black path thugs."
"You little brat, this isn't the last you'll see of me. I'll rip that mouth off your face someday—just wait."
"Your neck's gonna snap first, though? Right, Brother Gu?"
Gu-ak twisted his blood-smeared face into a savage grimace.
"Damn right. Blue Serpent Hall Leader, before the sun sets today, I'll bury an axe in that skull of yours."
Watching Gu-ak growl, Yang-hui thought to himself.
'That should set the stage nicely.'
The Blue Serpent Gang side now had to rush back to brace for an Advance Teaching Gang assault.
But the Crimson Gang wouldn't just let it slide, so mediation was needed.
Yang-hui glanced at Baek Mu-ryang.
"Now it's time for the head of our Baek Clan Manor to step in."
Baek Mu-ryang took a step forward and looked at Gu-ak and the Blue Serpent Hall Leader.
"Baek Mu-ryang of Baek Clan Manor proposes to the leaders of both gangs: civilian casualties are too severe. Stop this fight. At the very least, I can't allow any more deaths near our clan's estate."
"I don't see why our gang should—"
-Blood Lord. If you want a lifetime with Rang-rang, follow my lead.
Gu-ak, who had been snarling instantly, fell silent upon receiving Baek Mu-ryang's transmission.
As Gu-ak shot him an indescribable look, Baek Mu-ryang pressed on.
"The Crimson Gang will accept mediation. What about the Blue Serpent Gang?"
"...I lack the authority to decide, but if it comes to that, the Blue Serpent Gang Leader will owe Baek Clan Manor a great debt."
"Good."
"Then we'll..."
As the Blue Serpent Hall Leader signaled his men,
"Hold on. You think you can leave without paying the mediation fee?"
"...What do you want?"
"One hundred gold taels."
In silver, that was ten thousand taels—a fortune that could buy the entire Lake Shadow Tower outright.
"Don't you think that's too much?"
"And your gang only ripped three businesses away from the Crimson Gang."
"..."
"If you lack authority, relay it to your gang leader and send someone by end of day. Remember—before sunset."
They wouldn't demand thirty thousand and still get accepted.
Not unless the Blue Serpent Gang wanted total annihilation.
"...I'll relay it to the gang leader."
Once all the Blue Serpent Gang members withdrew, Baek Mu-ryang turned to Gu-ak.
"Blood Lord. Withdraw all your men."
"...Everyone, go treat the wounded and clean up the bodies."
As his subordinates left, Gu-ak spoke.
"You have a lot to say, Baek Clan Head. First off—setting aside everything else, do you have a plan to make our gang leader accept mediation?"
"Before that, a premise, Brother Gu."
Yang-hui jumped in quickly.
"From the Crimson Gang's view, teaming up with the Advance Teaching Gang to devour the Blue Serpent Gang makes sense for revenge. But that's their view. Yours is different, isn't it?"
Gu-ak's eyes deepened.
His lover's father, who poisoned her.
From the Crimson Gang Leader's perspective, he was just one of many children—and a rival threatening the throne.
"Go on, little brother."
"Brother Gu, you should act for Rang-rang sister's happiness, not the Crimson Gang's gain. To do that, convince the Crimson Gang Leader."
"How specifically?"
"Hand over a counter to the countermeasure."
"You mean counter the Rock-Cleaving Axe Method—our gang's signature martial art—again? Who?"
Yang-hui jabbed a thumb at himself.
"Who else? Me—the once-in-a-century prodigy."
"I'd scold you for nonsense, but annoyingly, I can't help wondering if it's true. Still, you'd need the countermeasure to the Rock-Cleaving Axe Method first."
Yang-hui grinned and tossed Gu-ak yet another booklet.
Gu-ak's face filled with shock once more upon reading it.
"This...!"
"Bribed one Blue Serpent Gang member for their countermeasure, then made a counter to render it useless."
More precisely, it patched the Rock-Cleaving Axe Method's flaws, improving it into something better.
"You made this yourself, little brother? Unbelievable. Even a genius kid just starting martial arts couldn't..."
Not wrong. In his past life, he'd made it as practice before refining the family arts, so he could prepare it quickly.
But Yang-hui pressed on shamelessly.
"Admit it now—I'm the world's greatest prodigy."
Baek Mu-ryang added,
"He's right. I watched the whole process of him creating the countermeasure."
Indeed, Baek Mu-ryang had been stunned watching over days as Yang-hui crafted it.
"Peerless Righteous Helper. If you say so, I believe it."
Conflict rose in Gu-ak's eyes.
If true, Yang-hui's talent was dangerous.
Considering Baek Clan Manor's position and the Crimson Gang's future, he should be eliminated.
But this prodigy was siding with him now.
And Baek Clan Manor was protecting Rang-rang—meaning they had received his grace.
"What should I do?"
Gu-ak was a black path lord, but not one to forget a debt.
He'd rather see the Crimson Gang fall than disappoint Rang-rang. A pure romantic at heart.
"Hand the counter-to-countermeasure to the Crimson Gang Leader, claiming you devised it yourself, Brother Gu."
"My standing in the gang would skyrocket. Father—no, the Crimson Gang Leader—would start checking me."
"But everyone will need months to learn the new Rock-Cleaving Axe Method. That buys plenty of time."
The black path factions' war in Ak-an County couldn't drag on for months anyway.
He planned to wrap it all up before then.
"Oh, you'll need to pay for the counter-to-countermeasure."
"You demanded ten thousand silver from the Blue Serpent Gang. What's my price?"
"Simple. Pay me ten thousand silver in full, and sell me Lake Shadow Tower."
Lake Shadow Tower was the largest brothel in Baek Clan Manor's vicinity.
Perfect as a first business venture.
"Lake Shadow Tower falls under my jurisdiction originally, so selling it is no issue—especially if I claim I devised the improved Rock-Cleaving Axe Method. But what next? What's your plan?"
Yang-hui answered simply.
"The Blue Serpent Gang falls to the Advance Teaching Gang. Then the Crimson Gang clashes with the Advance Teaching Gang over the Blue Serpent Gang's scraps."
Anyone could predict that far.
"And then?"
"No idea!"
In truth, it was all planned out.
But he couldn't tell Gu-ak.
No matter that he was a father who checked his son and poisoned his son's lover—filial betrayal left deep scars on everyone.
"Brother Gu has one job: train diligently in the improved Rock-Cleaving Axe Method."
"Things are moving so fast, and you want me to train?"
"Tch. If you just reach the peak realm, wouldn't all problems solve themselves? Anyway, your talent... Oh, sorry, that was rude."
"..."
Does this brat's tongue ever stay still in serious moments?
As Gu-ak thought that,
"Blood Lord. I trust you'll follow Hui's words. We'll take our leave."
Gu-ak sighed and cupped his hands.
"Will do. I trust you. Safe travels."
Baek Mu-ryang hoisted Yang-hui onto his back and leaped out the window.
Only upon reaching Baek Clan Manor did he set Yang-hui down.
"Hui. It all went just as you said."
"Luck seems to favor our clan these days."
"Yes, luck. You joining our clan was the greatest luck."
Baek Mu-ryang gazed at the boy who had once said he chose Baek Clan Manor too.
"A business for our clan at last. Lake Shadow Tower, no less."
During his father's time as clan head, they'd lost it—but Lake Shadow Tower had originally been Baek Clan Manor's business.
Why Yang-hui had specifically demanded it.
"Hui."
"Yes, Father."
"I have a question."
"Ask away."
"Everything's unfolding exactly as you predict. Feels too coincidental to me. Do you know who this eccentric spreading the black path factions' countermeasures is?"
He'd expected the question and nodded.
"Yes. I do."
"How?"
"Remember the plaque we used for Rang-rang sister's room?"
Yang-hui gave a suitably edited account of how he'd met Yeo Un-jeok, then continued.
"The current situation was all orchestrated by tapping into the abilities of Rang-rang sister's father. Even the countermeasure I claimed to make? He passed it to me."
"Heh, so Rang-rang's father stepped in."
"Yes. He wants the Crimson Gang to fall for her happiness. He complicated things so Brother Gu wouldn't find out the truth."
"Heh..."
As Baek Mu-ryang sighed in admiration, Yang-hui pressed on.
"Father, may I go meet Rang-rang sister's father?"
"You've been going out a lot lately—turns out you were working for the clan. Go ahead."
"Yes, sir!"
Yang-hui launched himself away vigorously.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Leaving Baek Clan Manor, Yang-hui headed straight to the rendezvous point.
Todays spot was the rooftop of the same pavilion where he'd first met Yeo Un-jeok.
He reached the top far more easily than last time, took in the scenery, and waited.
"Young Master."
Having sensed the presence beforehand, Yang-hui turned at Yeo Un-jeok's voice.
He got straight to business.
"It's time to close the final loop in the plan. Elder, please raid the Crimson Gang Leader."
River-crossing horse-slaying stratagem.
This had been the goal from the start.