The Third-Rate Martial Arts Family Becomes the World's Strongest Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Baek Mu-ryang frowned slightly.

“I accepted Baek-Ik’s request and recognized him as a household member, but... I don’t believe that method is a good idea.”

Yang-hwi nodded in agreement. There was a reason they were called Dark path—not for nothing.

Reforming them and putting them to use? Easy to say.

These were people who had deliberately chosen to feed off others rather than earn an honest living. Beyond redemption, most of them were rotten to the core.

Sure, there were exceptions like Gu-Ak. But the majority? Useless from the start.

To bring such people into a righteous sect like Baek Clan, someone who understood the ways of the underworld intimately would have to manage them—every hour, every minute, every second—without leaving the slightest gap.

Hmm? And wouldn’t you know it—there was someone perfect for the job.

“There’s an old saying: ‘Timing is hard to seize but easy to lose.’”

“‘Timing is hard to seize but easy to lose.’ What’s your point?”

“Our main house is currently facing two distinct times—one of opportunity, and one of crisis.”

The war of the dark clans, had brought a chance for resurgence… but also triggered a wave of resistance. Opportunity, and crisis.

To survive both, they had no choice but to expand.

“Patriarch, you commanded Baek-ik to carry out a ’one-day, one good deed policy. What if we scaled it up?”

In simpler terms, the idea was this:

Just like they did with Gu-Ak—offer a path of redemption to those sick and tired of the dark life. Use dark to defeat dark.

“We’ve all seen firsthand the suffering Dark path brought upon the common folk during the last war.”

“I know it all too well.”

“Which is why this gives us moral justification. We’re cleansing evil with evil, under the banner of righteousness.”

“But how many of those dark clan bastards would actually follow such a noble path?”

This time, it wasn’t Yang-hwi who answered, but Gu-Ak.

“Patriarch. There may be more than you think.”

“Oh?”

“Several former members of Honggyo Sect and others have already sought me out.”

The months-long war had left a lasting impression on the Dark path as well.

Endless battles. Fear and anxiety that never left—not even during meals or sleep.

“They’ve become afraid. Afraid of continuing down this path. What the young lord said—he’s offering them a chance to wear the robes of the Baek clan.”

“Is that true, Hwi?”

Yang-hwi smiled.

“Gu-Hyung has perfectly seen through my intentions.”

“If we can sort through them properly and train them, we could form a military unit in no time.”

Baek Mu-ryang paused in thought, then turned to Gu-Ak.

“Baek-ik. Do you believe it’s possible?”

“If that is your command, I will make it happen.”

“Very well. From this day on, you shall be known as Lord of Rehabilitation. Your duty is to take the former Dark path members and train them into a reformed Crop.”

“At your command!”

Yang-hwi added with a sly glint.

“I’m sure Gu-Hyung already has his own plans, but let me say just one thing—people who walk the dark path aren’t swayed by sincerity. They don’t respond to humble pleas; they respond to pressure, persistence, and control.”

In short: don’t waste time talking. A stick works better than words.

It was a statement that left a bad taste in the mouth of a former Dark path…

But Gu-Ak let out a fierce laugh.

“Don’t worry, Junior brother. If anyone knows how to handle them, it’s me.”

* * *

At the center of the Baek family estate stood the martial training grounds.

Yang-hwi sat cross-legged with his two younger siblings beside him.

“Both of you, keep this in mind. Heavenly Harmony Art—the principle of harmonizing with heaven and earth to nurture your inner source.”

The Heaven-Shrouding 108 Sword could only be learned after fully mastering the Three Heavens Sword Techniques.

Without that foundation, one couldn’t begin to grasp its deeper mysteries.

However—

Heavenly Harmony Art was different. Though it originated from the Six Harmony Art, it wasn’t a technique that required progressive advancement. It could be learned right away.

In fact, because of how it worked to build internal energy, the faster one mastered it, the better.

And so, Yang-hwi was passing down the Heavenly Harmony Art technique to his siblings now.

“Hyung-nim, what do I do at this part?” asked Baek Heon-So.

“Mmm… Orabeoni, this part’s too hard for Yeon-a…” whimpered Baek Yeon-Yeon.

Answering Heon-So’s question and gently comforting Yeon-Yeon, Yang-hwi focused again on his own cultivation.

‘Using Heavenly Harmony Art in this young body… the rate at which I’m accumulating and refining energy is far faster than in my past life.’

Back then, he’d struggled due to lingering damage from a mental deviation during his training.

But now? This body was clean—unburdened. The difference was profound.

‘In this life, I really can grow stronger faster than ever before.’

In his previous life, he had reached the Peak Realm at just over twenty.

But this time, perhaps…

Lost in thought, Yang-hwi sank deeper into his meditative state.

To gather all the energies beneath the sky into one.

He began distinguishing the natural energies taken in through his breathing.

Though it felt like a single flow, it was in truth composed of Yin-Yang and the Five Elements—the essence of nature.

And by truly bringing all those energies together as one, he refined them into Heavenly Harmony.

And that’s when it happened.

...Hm?

Suddenly, Yang-hwi noticed something about the Heavenly Harmony energy within him—it wasn’t the same as before.

No, to be precise…

What is this?

At the center of his core where his internal energy resided—he felt something new.

A tiny seed that hadn’t been there before.

If he had to describe it—it was like the “pure heart.”

Why this change?

The energy radiating from that seed felt foreign, like nothing he had ever experienced. As it mingled with the Heavenly Harmony energy, it began to give it a wholly new character.

It was still Heavenly Harmony Energy—but not the same as in his past life.

It’s so pure… clear… and elevated.

There was a noble quality to it.

Even with all his enlightenment from reaching the Peak Realm in his past life, he couldn’t grasp its full depth.

This feeling was… it was like…

Yes. It feels just like the celestial aura—that radiates from truly enlightened masters. No, maybe even deeper than that.

He hadn’t intended this change. So why had it happened?

He had a hunch—it was deeply tied to the reason he’d been sent back in time.

There’s definitely a connection. I can’t say what it is yet, but…

As he completed the Minor Circulation and moved into the Major Circulation, the Heavenly Harmony energy that had been flowing through every vein in his body finally settled back into his pure heart.

But even now, at the core of it all—heart of pure energy—remained.

Now infused with all the energy… perhaps he should call it a Celestial Core?

I don’t know the reason, and that’s frustrating… but it’s clearly not a bad change.

And that was enough. No point obsessing over something that wouldn’t reveal itself right away.

“Orabeoni, are you done?”

“Hyung-nim, you were circulating your energy a long time today.”

“Yeah… it just turned out that way.”

He smiled at his siblings as he added,

“That’s enough for today.”

“Whew!”

“Yessir!”

Watching Heon-So and Yeon-yeon plop down where they sat to rest filled him with warmth.

Just keep growing strong like this, you two…

It was then that Yang-hwi’s heightened senses picked up a commotion near the main gate.

“…As the steward of the Baek family, I must…”

“…I demand an audience with the family head…”

Frowning, Yang-hwi launched himself toward the gate in a swift movement.

Through the half-open gate, he could see Han Seok-Eon arguing with an unfamiliar man.

“Han Seok-Eon, what’s going on?”

“Ah, Young Master Hwi. Someone from the Suhoji Assembly showed up. He insists he must speak directly to the patriarch.”

The Suhoji Assembly—once one of the four ruling factions in Akan-hyeon, now referred to as Akan-igang.

A coalition of small and mid-sized orthodox sects flying the banner of Baek Clan.

Yang-hwi quickly understood the situation.

‘So I sold out the Jegal Clan, and now the flies are swarming.’

Over the past few days, he had quietly let word slip that the young lord of the Jegal Clan would be visiting Baek Family Estate.

Thanks to that, Gyojin Sect, always looking for a reason to stir trouble, had gone quiet… but now the Suhoji Assembly had shown up instead.

“The message—hand it over.”

“I cannot. I’ve been ordered to deliver it directly to the head of the Baek family.”

Yang-hwi had no interest in playing power games with a mere courier.

“The Patriarch has entered closed cultivation. He won’t emerge for three days. If you’d like to wait here that long, be my guest. Han Seok-Eon, let’s go.”

It was a lie—but only half of one.

Baek Mu-ryang had indeed been secluded in training, focusing on the Heaven-Shrouding 108 Sword and Heavenly Harmony Art.

Fortunately, Han Seok-Eon picked up on Yang-hwi’s cue and barked an order to the gatekeeper.

“Close the gate!”

“Yes, Sir!”

“……Understood.”

Reluctantly, the courier surrendered the letter.

Yang-hwi scoffed and tore it open, unfolding it alongside Han Seok-Eon to read.

[ To Patriarch Baek Mu-ryang of Baek Family Estate,

We of the Suhoji Assembly deeply regret the recent unrest that has swept through Akan-hyeon…

To prevent such matters, we propose a unified cooperation among the orthodox sects…

Thus, we are convening a gathering to bring together direct disciples and reputable names across the sects…

Along with this, we will be hosting a martial arts tournament to encourage interaction and mutual growth among our peers… ]

As they reached the end, Han Seok-Eon frowned.

“What do you think, Young Master Hwi?”

Yang-hwi chuckled.

“To summarize: ‘We’re interested in your new Jegal Clan connection, so hand it over.’”

“You saw it that way too?”

“Yes. What other reason would the Suhoji Assembly have to approach the Baek Family Estate now?”

Despite sharing the same region, the Baek Family and the Suhoji Assembly had little interaction before.

The Baek estate was simply too insignificant—a small fry in their eyes.

So why the sudden change of heart?

“A grandly with a tournament to showcase disciples and build ties with the great families... It’s a glorified networking party.”

In short, this was the Suhoji Assembly trying to play politics with Baek Family—using a silk glove where the dark path would use a knife.

‘An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth—that’s how we’ll handle this.’

“No need to overthink it. They want to play? Let’s play.”

As Yang-hwi spoke, he surveyed the estate.

Workers were scattered across the grounds, repairing old and crumbling halls.

All of it in preparation for the arrival of Jegal Seon—young lord of the Jegal Clan and sworn brother of the patriarch.

‘Three days from now…’

Jegal Seon would arrive with his daughter.

And the meeting? Scheduled for three days after that.

If they said nothing, Jegal Seon wouldn’t know. They could avoid it altogether.

‘No—this is perfect. I wanted to leave a deeper impression on the Jegal Clan anyway.’

In his past life, there had been no such visit. He had never even met Jegal Seon’s daughter.

Now, the Suhoji Assembly, quiet until now, dared to interfere in a game they weren’t invited to.

‘This is a chance. If we play it right, this could become the Baek family’s greatest opportunity.’

With a flick, Yang-hwi swung his wooden sword.

Vmm!

A buzzing hum, like the wings of a bee.

“Jeomsun, there’s a bee buzzing around. Shoo it off before it stings the young lord or the lady.”

“Yes, sir!”

Yang-hwi smirked at the maid’s spirited response.

****

Early evening. Central martial yard of the Baek estate.

Every family member stood in their finest robes, eyes fixed on the wide-open gate.

Though the honored guest Yeo Hyuk and his daughter had yet to arrive, Gu-Ak—now the Lord of Rehabilitation—stood beside Baek Mu-ryang, and even the ailing lady of the house, Jeong In-Hwa, was present.

“Hyung… Isn’t all this a bit much? Even if he’s Father’s sworn brother, he’s still just an oath-bound junior.”

Grumbling beside him, Baek Heon-So glanced toward their sick mother.

Knowing what his younger brother was truly worried about, Yang-hwi responded gently.

“It’s because he’s a sworn junior that we show this respect.”

“Eh?”

By social norms, the elder is superior. But between Baek Mu-ryang and Jegal Seon, those rules didn’t apply.

The Baek Family—a third-rate martial household unrecognized even within its own province.

And the Jegal Clan—a colossal force capable of shaking the world.

The gap between the two was heaven and earth.

Yet Jegal Seon, heir to a noble house, had called Baek Mu-ryang his sworn brother.

“Guan Yu once called Liu Bei, though younger, his older brother. Liu Bei, in turn, treated Guan Yu as both a younger sibling and a senior.”

“That’s what Father is doing.”

Baek Heon-So didn’t understand all of it—but if Hyung said it, it had to be true.

“Orabeoni! The horses! I see them!”

Baek Yeon-Yeon pointed and shouted.

A distant procession drew closer. Ten horses. One carriage. Twenty armored escorts.

‘For the young master of the Jegal Clan and his precious daughter, it’s quite a modest parade.’

Perhaps a reflection of Jegal Seon’s character—or the respect he held for his sworn brother.

Soon, the caravan halted at the gate.

A towering figure leapt forward, holding a girl in his arms, and vaulted over the wall.

“Hyung-nim! Your junior brother has arrived!”

With one arm holding the girl and the other raised in salute, Jegal Seon beamed.

And Baek Mu-ryang, seeing that familiar smile, couldn’t contain himself any longer.

“Brother! It’s been far too long!”

As the two sworn brothers reunited in a heartfelt embrace, Yang-hwi took a long breath and awakened his senses.

Fwoooosh—

He scanned Jegal Seon’s meridians and his pure heart or core. Nothing.

As expected. At his current level, he couldn’t read someone beyond the Peak Realm.

Instead, he turned his attention to the girl in Jegal Seon’s arms.

Petite, face fully veiled in white silk.

He reached out with his senses toward her core and meridians—

And then.

“……!”

The girl—Jegal Seolha—suddenly widened her eyes and parted her lips in shock.

Startled, Jegal Seon roared in alarm.

“Seolha! What’s wrong?!”

---The End Of The Chapter---

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