Chapter 58
Chapter 58
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 58
Chapter Title: Life-or-Death Duel with Advance Teaching Gang
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The challenge letter from the Advance Teaching Gang. No, a life-or-death duel where everything was truly on the line.
An emergency alert had gone up at Baek Clan Manor. Even Baek Mu-ryang, who had been in secluded training, broke out of it to convene a meeting of the clan's elders.
The situation was that grave.
"Chief Steward Han. Read the letter aloud so everyone can hear."
Chief Steward Han unfolded the letter from the Advance Teaching Gang and began reading it in a booming voice.
"To sum it up, they're proposing we each select three representatives and, one month from now, engage in a life-or-death duel. The side that loses two out of three must leave Akhan County."
In other words, it was a gamble for the very survival of their faction.
Baek Mu-ryang, letting out a low groan, posed a question.
"Why the sudden rush into this madness? If anyone has a guess, speak up."
A brief silence fell. Everyone pondered the reason.
Yang-hui fell into thought as well.
'Ever since the Black Path Warlord fell, the Advance Teaching Gang has been itching to claim dominance over Akhan County.'
With their fierce rivals, the Blue Serpent Gang and Crimson Gang, now crumbled, their ambitions must have swelled.
From the Advance Teaching Gang leader's perspective, the Protection Assembly and the suddenly rising Baek Clan Manor would have been thorns in his side.
'That's why they ambushed and devoured the Protection Assembly in one go. They didn't dare hit our main estate thanks to Uncle Yi.'
With the Zhuge Clan as their backer, they couldn't launch an unprovoked raid on Baek Clan Manor without justification.
It would be a mess they couldn't handle afterward.
'But even after swallowing the Protection Assembly, why push for this so hastily? There has to be a reason.'
In terms of power balance, only by uniting with the Protection Assembly could Baek Clan Manor stand a chance against the Advance Teaching Gang.
With the black and white factions' equilibrium shattered, time was on the Advance Teaching Gang's side to consolidate and expand.
Yet here they were, issuing a life-or-death duel challenge right after their conquest.
One suspicion crystallized in his mind.
'Ha. We've been so focused on external affairs that we've neglected our internal security.'
He furrowed his brow and raised his hand. Baek Mu-ryang looked his way.
"Speak, Hui."
"Yes, Clan Leader."
Yang-hui laid out his suspicions. As his explanation dragged on, every face in the meeting grew rigid.
"Hui. You're saying..."
"Yes. Exactly. We have a spy in the main estate."
Tension rippled through the room as eyes darted suspiciously.
Yang-hui shook his head at once.
"No one in this room is the spy."
The attendees were Clan Leader Baek Mu-ryang, Chief Steward Han Seok-eon, Yang-hui, Gu-ak, Yeo Un-hyeok, and only Gwak Moon—the strongest retainer before Gu-ak's arrival.
"It's true that only those present know about our alliance with the Tang Clan and setting up a branch here at the main estate."
But.
"That doesn't mean the other retainers couldn't have pieced together the trends and atmosphere."
The precious spirit pills they'd handed over to the Tang Clan for testing.
The warm, tight-knit mood at the feast.
The Tang warriors who'd come and then left for their own clan's branch.
Just those rumors alone would have set the Advance Teaching Gang leader's ass on fire.
"Clan Leader. It seems the time has come for this old man to repay the grace you've shown me. Give me the order, and I'll root out the spy."
"I'd be truly grateful if you did, Elder."
Yeo Un-hyeok took charge of the spy hunt, and the discussion shifted back to the Advance Teaching Gang.
"This three-on-three life-or-death duel in a month. What does everyone think we should do?"
"Clan Leader, it's just a challenge from black path thugs. We can ignore it."
Yang-hui inwardly shook his head at Chief Steward Han's opinion.
'Absolutely not. The steward isn't a martial artist, so he doesn't get it.'
This was a direct challenge from one faction leader to another.
Ignoring it would let the Advance Teaching Gang spread lies that Baek Clan Leader was cowering in fear.
The Baek Clan's honor and prestige would hit rock bottom.
Evasion was simply not an option.
"Chief Steward Han. That's not feasible. First off, does anyone know the Advance Teaching Gang's current forces? Especially their top experts."
Gu-ak raised his hand.
"I did hear one unsettling rumor, Clan Leader. Apparently, during their ambush on the Protection Assembly, some mysterious master appeared."
"A mysterious master? A ronin?"
"Most likely. And... if my guess is right, he's the Blood Night Wanderer."
"The Blood Night Wanderer!"
Everyone's eyes widened.
Because the Blood Night Wanderer was a renowned peak expert in these parts.
"If it's really him... Ugh."
"The conditions for the three duelists: the clan leader, young clan leader or equivalent, and a strong retainer."
Assume the peak expert Blood Night Wanderer was aiding the Advance Teaching Gang.
Gang Leader Yi Ho-yang was a first-rate master.
Rumor had it the young gang leader had reached second-rate at a young age, a prodigy.
Their odds were dismal.
"Out of three life-or-death duels... Hard to snag even one win."
"......"
"How about asking the Zhuge Clan or the remaining Tang Clan members back home for help?"
"Impossible. The Zhuge Clan is too far to reach and return in a month, and there are no peak experts among the Tang left behind."
In short, the only option was to hire ronin and pay them extra to fight as clan retainers.
The Blood Night Wanderer had likely been recruited the same way.
'Tricky situation. If only the old lady would step up, it'd be simple... but that's impossible.'
Yeo Un-hyeok was a peak expert but also a public enemy of the martial world.
Even in disguise, officially entering a life-or-death duel was too risky.
'A forced choice where both options hurt the main estate. Damn, the Advance Teaching Gang set this board perfectly.'
Refuse, and honor crumbles.
Accept, and victory is a long shot.
'Even if I handle the young gang leader somehow, the problems are the gang leader and Blood Night Wanderer.'
Their side: peak and first-rate. Ours: two first-rates.
Even optimistically, it's fifty-fifty at best—still a loss to engage.
The elders' meeting, started in the morning, dragged on until sunset.
Just then, Yeo Un-hyeok, who had gone to hunt the spy, returned to the meeting hall.
Dragging a half-dead man by the collar.
"Clan Leader. Found him."
The man Yeo Un-hyeok hauled in was a warrior from the Gangsaeng Company.
In other words, a former black path underling who had surrendered to Baek Clan Manor just months ago.
Furious, Gu-ak leaped forward and kicked the spy.
"You scum!"
"Gahk!"
"How dare you play spy! Worse than a beast!"
"F-Forgive me! This fool got blinded by money, urk!"
"Gangsaeng Company Leader. That's enough."
As Gu-ak stepped back, Baek Mu-ryang drew his sword.
"Just one thing. Confirm the ronin they hired is the Blood Night Wanderer. Speak truthfully, and I'll send you off honorably."
The spy, resigned to death, closed his eyes and spoke.
"As far as this lowly one knows, yes. Truly sorry, Clan Leader."
Instead of replying, Baek Mu-ryang swung his sword.
Buuuung!
His sword tip, humming like a bee's wings at the 봉익지경 realm, pierced the spy's heart.
"Now it's confirmed."
"Clan Leader. Our chances are zero now. Hiring ronin for the main estate is..."
"The issue is we don't have the money for a peak expert."
If there were time, they could sell businesses to raise funds.
No, they'd just get Zhuge Clan aid anyway.
'This one-month deadline is exquisitely vicious. Even delaying would let them cry cowardice.'
In the end, one path remained.
Overcoming the crisis with the main estate's own strength.
'Can we do it?'
The young gang leader, second-rate at a tender age?
Others might doubt, but Yang-hui was confident he could beat him.
Count that as one sure win.
Then Baek Mu-ryang and Gu-ak, the clan leader and first-rate expert.
One of them had to win decisively.
'Yes. Low odds or not, we have to take the gamble.'
It wasn't impossible.
Gu-ak aside, his father's true martial art was the Heaven-Covering 108 Swords.
He could guide him step-by-step, accelerate mastery, impart enlightenment.
'Worst case, we have the old lady's card. Let's try.'
"Clan Leader. There's one way."
"Oh? Speak, Hui."
"Simple. Reach the peak realm within the month."
"Hm? Hm..."
Baek Mu-ryang couldn't even bluff agreement.
That was normal.
Not even half a year since first-rate, now peak expert? Unrealistic, and if true, legendary.
But.
"Clan Leader. No, Father. There are no other ways. You succeeding is our only breakthrough."
If becoming peak in under half a year was a miracle,
Defying time itself was impossible from the start.
Child's play by comparison.
'Plus, it'll help treat Mother too.'
"So trust me, trust yourself, and give it a shot?"
Yang-hui grinned.
* * *
Exactly one month later.
The life-or-death duel between Advance Teaching Gang and Baek Clan Manor had been the hottest gossip in Akhan County's markets for the past month.
Baek Clan Manor had accepted but not publicized it, but the Advance Teaching Gang had spread the word far and wide with hired mouths.
'Well, duels need witnesses and notaries when stakes are high.'
Plus, they probably wanted to shame the main estate publicly.
Confident of victory with the Blood Night Wanderer hired.
'Let's see if it goes as planned.'
The duel site was a wide clearing near Liu River Hang Lake.
Time hadn't even come yet, but spectators already swarmed.
"Father."
Baek Clan Manor group held the north side. Baek Mu-ryang sat cross-legged at center, eyes half-closed.
"Yes, Hui."
Meeting his father's eyes, Yang-hui smirked.
"Feeling confident?"
"......"
Silent, eyes closing fully. He drew his sword scabbard from his belt and hugged it close.
"Little brother. This is really okay, right?"
Gu-ak, the other duelist, asked uneasily.
Yang-hui and Baek Mu-ryang had secluded until morning of the duel day.
Gu-ak knew nothing.
"Brother Gu. Trust me."
Yang-hui grinned after speaking. Gu-ak unwittingly relaxed.
That command to trust, plus the brazen confidence.
Every time, this cheeky kid turned the impossible real.
"Oh, Brother Gu. Thanks. For stepping up for the main estate's fight."
"Ahem. I'm part of Baek Clan now, so it's natural."
Glad he'd made Gu-ak a true member.
Who'd have thought the past-life insulter would be such a reliable ally.
"Brother Gu."
"What, little brother?"
"Soon, I'll get you a heap of vitality-boosting herbs."
"......Ahem! I don't need that stuff."
Heh heh. Burning energy every night for months with no results?
Swallowed the tease.
Some things men don't say, even to friends.
"I want to gift them."
"Khum! Then I won't refuse."
That moment.
"Advance Teaching Gang!"
"They're here!"
Commotion among spectators, then Advance Teaching Gang appeared.
Gang Leader Yi Ho-yang. Young Gang Leader Yi Myeong-chu.
And the ronin peak expert, Blood Night Wanderer.
"Well met, Baek Clan Leader. Didn't expect you'd show. Thought you'd tuck tail."
Laughter erupted at the gang leader's taunt.
Everyone knew the power gap.
"Guess he knows some honor as clan leader, haha!"
Half-lidded eyes unmoving, Baek Mu-ryang didn't bother responding.
Not worth it.
But Yang-hui differed.
"Heard Advance Teaching Gang scum have long tongues instead of short dicks—turns out true!"
Gang leader's eyes bulged. Never dreamed an eight-year-old would hurl such an insult.
And not just that.
"Pfft, hahaha!"
"Baek young master has a sharp tongue!"
"Short there, long tongue instead! Hahaha!"
Louder laughter than the gang leader's earlier jab.
Face beet-red, gang leader pointed at Yang-hui.
"Y-You brat! Ungrateful whelp, no respect for elders!"
"Black path scum catch tongue-short disease. Oh, but longer than yours."
Fresh laughter.
As gang leader exploded, young gang leader intervened.
"Father. Wasting words on an ill-bred brat lowers your stature. Leave him to me."
"......Right. You're correct, Chu."
Young gang leader drew his six-foot blade.
"Hey, brat. Looks like you're dueling. That right?"
Yang-hui smirked, drew his sword.
"Yep. How'll you handle the shame if a kid beats you?"
"Hahahaha! Arrogance to the heavens! I'll spot you ten breaths. Swing away, brat."
Ah, sounds familiar.
"Ten breaths... Fun."
Buuuung—sword blade hummed like bee wings.
Yang-hui stepped Ghostly Thousand Pace, closing in instantly.
Kang!
"Kuh?!"
Seeing young gang leader's shocked face, Yang-hui teased.
"Nine left. Can you handle it?"