The World’s Strongest Is from a Third-Rate Martial Clan [Novel] Chapter 64

Chapter 64

Baek Yanghwi immediately broke the seal and read through the Sound Empress’s letter.
To summarize the contents in a single sentence:

[Young Hero. I permitted you to travel freely between your Family and Severed Melody Mountain, but are your visits not far too sparse?]
[Are you asking to be excommunicated?]

An awkward smile crept onto his lips, yet he fully understood her sentiments.

‘Come to think of it. It has already been nearly half a year since I left Severed Melody Mountain.’

He used his status as a secular disciple as an excuse to receive teachings only when he desired, but a disciple was still a disciple.
Thinking back, aside from witnessing the profundity of the One Step to Heaven and creating the Ascending Heaven Footwork, he had yet to receive any formal teachings.
From the Sound Empress’s perspective, she had every right to be astounded by his audacity.

‘I have roughly wrapped up the family affairs, so I should head to Severed Melody Mountain soon.’

He had passed down the Ascending Heaven Footwork following the Harmonious Heaven’s Origin Art and the Heaven-Covering 108 Swords, yet the martial arts of the main family still possessed far too many flaws.
They wished to ascend to the ranks of a Great Family , yet they only possessed three inherited martial arts?
It was an absurd notion.
Martial Families recognized as Great Families generally possessed dozens of unique martial arts at the very least.
They required diverse martial arts for vassals and subordinates outside their direct bloodline, alongside the core arts passed down exclusively to direct descendants.

‘Even the Jegal Family possessed distinct martial arts for every martial division and affiliated faction.’

As for his main family, they possessed a mere three inherited arts for the direct bloodline. They still had a long road ahead of them.
If he could attain enlightenment and experience under the tutelage of the Sound Empress, he could pave that road much faster.

‘Right, let us visit Severed Melody Mountain soon. But first, I must finish what needs to be done.’

Since the thought crossed his mind, he immediately turned his steps toward Baek Muryang’s quarters to handle it.
It was then.

“Young Master Hwi!”

Gwak Mun, who was instructing the future members of the Disciplinary Pavilion and the newly recruited talents in the training grounds, called out to him.

“Ah. Uncle Gwak.”

“Where are you heading?”

“I am on my way to see my father.”

“I see.”

Turning his head, Gwak Mun looked at the young talents and let out a booming shout.

“This is Young Master Baek Yanghwi of our main family.”

“Oooooh!”

“Young Master Hwi! It is an honor to meet you!”

“So he is the Hidden Dragon of the Baek Pond…”

“To see the Hidden Dragon of the Baek Pond with my own two eyes…!”

From children as young as six to youths as old as 15.
Those who would bear the future of the Baek Family looked at Baek Yanghwi with eyes gleaming with reverence.

Scratching his cheek awkwardly, he suddenly realized a certain detail.

“The Hidden Dragon of the Baek Pond? Me?”

“Were you unaware?”

“The rumors have already swept through the streets of Agan County.”

“They say you toyed with the young master of the Vanguard Sect at the mere age of eight!”

Ah. The rumors from the life-and-death duel must have spread.
The Hidden Dragon of the Baek Pond. Did it mean a slumbering dragon resting within the pond known as the Baek Family?

‘It is quite a grandiose alias for a nine-year-old child.’

Yet in a certain light, it was a natural outcome.
An eight-year-old child claiming an overwhelming victory against a young man in his twenties?
It was an impossible feat for a small or medium-sized faction.
Such things were only possible for the supreme talents of massive sects.
They were monsters who breathed the air of an entirely different world.

‘A child from the Baek Family, which was merely a third-rate martial Family until recently, displayed the divine might of a great sect’s supreme talent. It is more than enough to earn the title of a dragon.’

Even so, it was likely just a rumor contained within Agan County.

“You are truly incredible!”

“To think you defeated a man more than twice your age!”

“I want to become just like you, Young Master Hwi.”

An ordinary person would naturally feel awkward having their face gilded with praise directly in front of them.
However, Baek Yanghwi straightened his posture with unhidden pride.
Even in his past life, he had grown intimately familiar with the weight of such praise.

“Ahem. You want to become like me? That is a very admirable mindset.”

“I want to become like you too, Young Master Hwi!”

“How are you so strong at such a young age?!”

“You simply have to work hard. All of you are the future of our main family, so I expect you to dedicate yourselves to your training.”

“Yes, sir!”

“I will train every single day without resting!”

Looking at the children with stars in their eyes, he chuckled and replied.

“You know, do you not? We are still continuously crafting elixirs. You should implore my father to bestow them upon those who grow the fastest.”

“Oooooh!”

“Thank you for your grace!”

“I will truly pour my soul into it!”

After providing them with adequate motivation, Baek Yanghwi exchanged a greeting with Gwak Mun and resumed his walk.

Baek Muryang was buried in paperwork within his quarters.

“Father. It is Yanghwi.”

“Come in.”

Documents covered the entire desk. With a weary complexion, Baek Muryang tore his eyes away from the papers and massaged his temples.

“Even after reaching the peak realm, paperwork remains a grueling ordeal.”

It was a natural struggle. Becoming the overlords of Agan County meant the territory they needed to manage had expanded just as much.
The businesses they seized from the Vanguard Sect alone numbered seven.
Once they solidified their influence over the territories of the fragmented Suho Branch and the fallen Red Bridge Sect and Blue Snake Sect, that number would double.

‘And the paperwork, such as contracts and revenue reports, will increase accordingly.’

“Hwi, what brings you here? Have you come to assist your father?”

…He felt sorry, but he had zero desire to help with paperwork, regardless of anything else.

“Father. I am still too young, so I believe that would be difficult for me.”

“…Too young? You?”

“Yes! I am merely eight years of age! Ah, the new year has passed, so I am now nine.”

“…Right. I understand your reluctance. Then what brings you here?”

He had two matters to discuss with Baek Muryang.

“The Sound Empress has sent a letter. She requested that I visit Severed Melody Mountain soon.”

“Hmm. Even as a secular disciple, you have been away for far too long. You should go. However, Heonso and Yeonyeon will be quite disappointed.”

“Haha… I intend to bring back an abundance of gifts when I return.”

Despite being an eight-year-old child until recently, Baek Yanghwi made a habit of wandering outside.
Baek Heonso and Baek Yeonyeon never voiced it openly, but they often felt saddened by their inability to spend time with him.

“However, I have a request before I head to Severed Melody Mountain.”

“What is it?”

“I wish to observe you treating Mother, Father.”

Due to her constitution accumulating impure qi, Jung Inhwa required regular sessions of Acupoint Stimulation Therapy.
Ever since Baek Muryang reached the peak realm, he performed this therapy for her every single day.
However, this therapy was merely a temporary measure. To cure her completely, she required a full Marrow Cleansing.

“We have been unable to perform a Marrow Cleansing because it requires a colossal sum of one million taels, have we not?”

“Indeed, but why bring this up?”

“There might be a way.”

“Hmm?”

Looking at Baek Muryang’s surprised expression, he recalled the properties of his immortal qi.

‘Ever since the immortal qi settled within me and harmonized with my Harmonious Heaven Qi, my body has been growing stronger.’

He was not referring to growing stronger from eating well and training diligently.
He was already blessed with outstanding bone structure and innate potential, but his physical vessel itself was becoming exceptionally robust and resilient.
It had reached a point where he felt he would not lose an arm-wrestling match against a grown man, despite possessing the body of a nine-year-old.

‘There is no doubt that the immortal qi possesses the profound ability to elevate the physical vessel itself.’

If that was true, if his hypothesis was correct, it could likely exert a positive influence on Jung Inhwa’s constitution as well.

“Ever since I consumed the elixir left behind by the absolute master, a special essence has merged into my internal energy.”

As he explained the situation, Baek Muryang pondered for a brief moment before nodding his head.

“Your words hold merit. It would not hurt to test it.”

They immediately moved to Jung Inhwa’s quarters.

“My wife. May I come in?”

“It is not time for my treatment yet, but you are early today, Husband.”

“I simply missed you dearly today.”

“Are you sure you did not just grow tired of your mountain of paperwork?”

“Haha, I truly cannot fool you.”

After sharing a brief, lighthearted conversation, Baek Muryang brought up the main topic.

“Yanghwi will be joining us for the therapy today.”

Jung Inhwa lay flat on the bed in a proper posture.
Baek Muryang and Baek Yanghwi took their positions on her left and right, respectively.

“We will begin now, but how do you plan to intervene?”

“It is simple. As you stimulate her acupoints, I will follow your path and inject my qi into the exact same spots.”

“Understood.”

Acupoint Stimulation Therapy literally involved massaging the entire body and injecting qi to stimulate the acupoints.
In Jung Inhwa’s case, the goal was to shatter the clumps of impure qi built up within her meridians to improve her condition.

‘We need to eradicate the impure qi in her body and improve her constitution itself, which naturally accumulates it. Otherwise, this is nothing more than a temporary fix.’

Baek Muryang began the therapy from the extremities of her limbs.
Following the path of Baek Muryang’s hands, Baek Yanghwi instantly injected his Harmonious Heaven Qi, interwoven with his immortal qi.

‘Hmm. The impure qi does not vanish the moment it meets the immortal qi. Does this mean it lacks the effect I anticipated?’

However, in the very next moment, his thoughts were completely overturned.

“Mmm!”

“Wife, what is wrong?”

“Husband. My body feels incredibly refreshed.”

Jung Inhwa displayed a completely different reaction compared to when Baek Muryang performed the therapy alone.
It was undeniable proof that the immortal qi was taking effect.

“My body always felt heavy and sluggish, but right now, I feel wonderfully light and clear.”

“Is that so? Hwi, it seems your method is working.”

“It appears so.”

The immortal qi did not eradicate the impure qi.
Yet its profound ability to elevate the physical vessel itself was undoubtedly exerting a positive influence.

‘Wait, could it be…?’

A few days passed since then.

Baek Muryang looked at Baek Yanghwi with eyes full of sheer admiration.

“Hwi. You are truly incredible. To think the elixir you consumed harbored such profound capabilities.”

His prediction hit the mark. Ever since Baek Yanghwi joined the therapy sessions, Jung Inhwa’s condition had drastically improved.

‘This proves my hypothesis that the immortal qi elevates the physical body into a superior state.’

In that case, shouldn’t he regularly inject immortal qi into his siblings as well, not just his mother?
If he did, they would grow up far healthier and sturdier.
Furthermore, they might even achieve martial accomplishments that surpassed their innate talent.

‘Ah, I must not forget Chudal either.’

Chudal, who had officially become the successor to the Divine Thief’s lineage.
He was a crucial talent who would oversee the Baek Family’s intelligence network in the future, so he had to nurture him with the utmost care.

Regardless.

He had now taken care of all his urgent matters.

“Then, I will slowly make my way to Severed Melody Mountain to visit my master.”

“Yes, have a safe trip. The Tang Family ‘s physician stated that the measures we have taken so far will easily sustain her for several months.”

Baek Muryang attempted to assign Gu Ak as an escort, but Baek Yanghwi declined.
Gu Ak had been mobilized for countless tasks up until recently, enduring a grueling schedule.
Lately, he was spending his nights deeply entwined in a passionate romance with Yeo Arang, expending a great deal of energy.

‘If I drag him out as an escort again, he will explode in anger.’

He had been wanting to repay Gu Ak for his hard work, so he decided sparing him from this trip would serve as his gratitude.

“As you know, I may be young, but I am a second-rate master. Keeping myself safe will not be an issue.”

Generally, in the martial world, a second-rate master was considered fully capable of handling themselves.
It was a martial realm most people only reached in their twenties.

“Hmm. I keep forgetting because of your young age. Understood.”

Having obtained Baek Muryang’s permission, Baek Yanghwi immediately returned to his quarters and packed his belongings.
He did not have much to bring, so a single travel bundle was more than enough.

‘Ah, I should bring the elixirs as well.’

The two elixirs Baek Muryang bestowed upon him during the rewards ceremony.
Thanks to the legacy of Sword Immortal Lu Dongbin, he did not require any spiritual medicine for the time being, so he planned to use them to earn favor with the Sound Empress.

‘If I give them to Seolha, my master will surely be pleased.’

He was dealing with the Heaven-Shattering Sound Empress, one of the Ten Sovereigns of the Heavenly Martial Realm.
She was a supreme powerhouse who could summon an elixir holding 30 years of cultivation with a single word.

“Then, I will be on my way!”

“Stay safe, and train diligently.”

Including Baek Muryang, the number of people who knew he had become the Sound Empress’s disciple was exceedingly small.
Therefore, Baek Yanghwi offered a different excuse and left the Baek Family Manor in secret.

A few days passed.

Upon arriving at Severed Melody Mountain, Baek Yanghwi immediately headed toward the Five Pavilions of Still Sound.

‘She mentioned they built a residence nearby and were staying there.’

It was at that exact moment.

“Mmm!”

Baek Yanghwi instantly drew his sword.

The Third Stance of the Heaven-Covering 108 Swords.

Returning Eagle Wings.

The moment his defensive sword stance sliced through the empty air.

Clang!

A tremendous repulsive force erupted from the vacant space, followed by a deafening explosion.