The World’s Strongest Is from a Third-Rate Martial Clan [Novel] Chapter 77

Yanghwi brought Jin Geumbo to his quarters.

“My attire is too shabby to receive a guest.”

It was not an exaggeration.

Due to his long closed-door training, the clothes he wore were no different from rags.

“Please wait a moment while I tidy myself and change.”

Shortly after, upon seeing Yanghwi return in fresh clothes, Jin Geumbo could not help but marvel.

‘He is truly an outstanding young hero!’

Looking at his face, one would have to call him a boy, but his body was that of a young man.

No, beyond a young man, he was perfectly suited to be called a hero of the era.

Would the majestic presence of Zhang Yide, who single-handedly blocked the Changban Bridge, have looked something like this?

Just looking at his height alone, he appeared an entire foot taller than Jin Geumbo himself—that said it all.

“Pardon me, Young Master Baek. Are you truly fifteen years of age this year?”

Glancing down at his own body, Yanghwi chuckled.

“My body is quite large for a fifteen-year-old.”

It was the result of undergoing training bordering on asceticism over the past few years.

Did intense training make you taller?

Of course not, but Yanghwi had the Immortal Pill.

‘I didn’t know the immortal qi’s effects would be this incredible.’

One of the traits that differentiated the Immortal Pill’s immortal qi from other energies was its ability to benefit the physical body.

Making it tougher, making it sturdier.

By constantly pushing his body to the limit during his growing years and recovering with immortal qi every day, he naturally developed his current physique.

‘I won’t keep growing from here, right?’

A towering height of six feet. Muscles packed tightly across his entire body.

It was a truly ideal physique for a martial artist, but…

If he grew any larger, he would have to be called a giant rather than a martial artist.

‘Nah. Surely not.’

Quelling his anxiety, he looked at Jin Geumbo.

“The energy I possess is rather unique. My physical development is faster than others.”

“I see.”

“Anyway, I heard you wanted me included in the escort mission.”

“That is correct.”

“To think the condition for paying ten times the escort fee was simply for someone like me to accompany you. I am curious as to the reason.”

Jin Geumbo let out a purposefully hearty laugh.

“I just wanted to travel with the Sword Dwa– Hiiik!”

The moment Yanghwi’s canines flashed, Jin Geumbo immediately corrected himself.

“Since the chivalry and reputation of the Baek Family’s Eldest Young Master resound across the Four Seas, it was merely my desire to share the journey with you.”

“Oh, please. Resound across the Four Seas? Rumors have barely spread through Jiangxi Province at best.”

Smiling gently, he scrutinized every detail of Jin Geumbo.

‘Ten times the fee just to have me accompany him? That makes no sense.’

Furthermore, the escorted good was nothing more than a single letter.

Even if Jin Geumbo was traveling along and the escort mission doubled as a bodyguard request.

Any other merchant would have chosen to travel alone, even if it meant taking on a little risk.

Living and dying for money was the defining trait of those who walked the path of merchants, after all.

“Let me ask you one thing, Merchant Jin.”

“You may ask two if you wish.”

“In this vicinity, our Baek Family is the only faction capable of projecting such prestige. Are there perhaps any risk factors you are concerned about during the escort mission?”

“…Not particularly, but I do not believe a journey traveling between provinces will be completely devoid of danger. That is why I am paying the escort fee and entrusting the commission to you.”

While Jin Geumbo spoke, Yanghwi examined his entire body.

Specifically, the subtle changes in his facial expressions and the shifts in his breathing.

Soon, the corners of his mouth curled up into a smile.

“The Jin Family Estate in Gyesu is the destination. And coincidentally, your surname is also Jin.”

“It is my family.”

A merchant returning to his own family.

The escorted good was merely a single letter.

The route passing through Anhui.

And the destination located on the border between Anhui and Henan.

‘It definitely seems correct.’

For the past two years, Yanghwi had been searching for a certain merchant.

To the point where he had even given Chu Dal a heads-up while he was in closed-door training to ensure they wouldn’t miss him.

“I believe you also know this, Merchant Jin. That this commission is truly strange.”

“Is that so? Ahem, I merely requested it out of admiration and respect for you, Young Master Baek.”

Jin Geumbo purposefully feigned a puzzled expression.

However, Yanghwi could feel it. The man’s pulse was subtly quickening.

“I will accept.”

“Hmm? Didn’t you just say it was strange?”

“I did. But I will accept it regardless. And I will not ask anything further.”

Yanghwi flashed a grin at Jin Geumbo.

“So you should keep this in mind as well, Merchant Jin. The fact that I accepted the commission without prying into anything, despite sensing its strangeness.”

“…”

In that moment, Jin Geumbo realized that at least one of the rumors about Yanghwi was true.

‘They said he possessed a deep, calculating mind unbefitting his age. It seems they were right.’

Did he figure it out?

But he had not said anything, so how?

Jin Geumbo could not help but gulp nervously.

Trying his best to feign composure, Jin Geumbo nodded.

“Then I leave it in your capable hands, Young Master Baek.”

“It would be my pleasure.”

After arranging to depart the next day and sending Jin Geumbo on his way, Yanghwi immediately summoned Chu Dal.

“Chu Daaaal!”

Yanghwi’s shout echoed thunderously across the expansive Baek Family estate.

The door to his quarters swung open violently, and a scowling Chu Dal marched in.

“I told you not to call me Chu Dal!”

“You punk, if I don’t call Chu Dal ‘Chu Dal,’ what else am I supposed to call you?”

“Yi Hu! Yi Hu! My name is Yi Hu!”

“Oh, please. It’s already been years, why the sudden fuss? Just accept it. You’re Chu Dal.”

“…Sword Dwarf.”

“…”

“Why did you call for me, Brother Sword Dwarf?!”

“You little bastard!”

Yanghwi’s hand moved.

Chu Dal, having anticipated this from the start, tried to dodge with profound footwork, but…

Thwack!

“Gaaaaah!”

“Where do you get off calling your older brother by a moniker like that?!”

“Is it normal to call your younger brother an ugly otter?! What goes around comes around– Gah! Stop! Stop hitting me!”

Only after flicking Chu Dal’s forehead three times in the exact same spot did Yanghwi finally lower his arm.

Seriously, this punk was getting more arrogant by the day.

“Chu Dal.”

“…Yes, Brother.”

“It’s been decided we’re going on the escort mission. So get ready.”

Chu Dal’s expression turned serious.

“Is it the escort mission you’ve been looking for?”

“Probably.”

“The one the Sound Empress mentioned?”

Chu Dal was one of the few people who knew a part of the reason why Yanghwi had been searching for someone over the past two years.

“Yeah. Make sure you’re fully prepared. The journey will likely be quite long.”

“Understood. Then how will we compose the escort team?”

“You and me. Plus Brother Gu, Brother Tang, and Sister Tang.”

Chu Dal’s eyes deepened further.

Five. It was only five people, but it was the maximum fighting force they could deploy without arousing others’ suspicion.

The fact that even Gu Ak was joining meant…

“Is it that dangerous?”

“I don’t know for sure yet. But we’ll probably have to be quite careful.”

“Understood.”

“First, bring Brother Gu to my quarters… No. You go to Brother Gu. Give the elders a heads-up as well.”

Instantly catching on to why Yanghwi was trying to avoid Gu Ak, Chu Dal burst into laughter.

“Kikiki, you’re going to run into him eventually anyway, so why are you trying to avo—”

It was right at that moment.

“Little Brother! I heard you finished your closed-door training!”

The person who threw the door open and marched in was Gu Ak.

“Well, have you reached the Peak Realm?! You were grinding your teeth so fiercely before going in, so surely you must have!”

“…”

“Oh my! It seems you failed to reach it! Puhahaha! Puhahahaha!”

It had been over five years since the Baek Family truly began spreading its wings.

It could be considered a short time, but looking at it another way, it was a long enough period for mountains and rivers to change half over.

Truly, many changes had occurred within the Baek Family.

One of those changes was Gu Ak.

“Ahem! Pfft, it happens. Even for you, Little Brother, the wall to the Peak Realm is incredibly high, after all!”

“…”

“I, the Master of Baekik Pavilion and the First Chivalrous Blade of the One-Sun One-Moon, Gu Ak, have long since surpassed the peak wall, but it seems it was still too much for you, Little Brother!”

“…”

“Puhahahaha!”

He knew he had to run into him eventually.

Yet this was exactly why Yanghwi had tried to avoid Gu Ak.

‘Ah, this damn bastard. I really needed to break through to the Peak Realm this time.’

Three years ago.

Gu Ak broke through the wall and became a master of the Peak Realm.

With this, the Baek Family now had two peak masters, which was definitely something to rejoice about.

The problem was that ever since then, Gu Ak’s nose had grown entirely too high.

“…Brother Gu. It’s been three months since I last saw you before entering closed-door training.”

“Has it already been that long? And yet, Little Brother, you are still, pfft, only at the First-Rate Realm!”

…Fine. He admitted it.

He had teased Gu Ak relentlessly over the years whenever the opportunity arose.

However.

He did not think he had built up enough bad karma to warrant three whole years of non-stop retaliation.

And yet!

“Aaargh! I really should have broken through to the Peak Realm this time!”

“Puhaha! The wall to the Peak Realm is the wall of transcending humanity! It’s not something just anyone can cross, Little Brother!”

“…”

Yanghwi simply stared up at the ceiling.

In his past life, he had not just broken through to the Peak Realm, but the Ultra-Peak Realm.

And yet here he was, enduring this kind of mockery.

‘Haa. I made my vessel too vast.’

In his past life, the Peak Realm was a stage he reached when he was around twenty years old.

But the reason he still had not reached the Peak Realm despite regressing in time…

‘I never thought achieving harmony between mind, qi, and body would become this difficult.’

To reach the Peak Realm, one needed more than just enlightenment; a specific condition had to be met.

Namely, the unification of mind, qi, and body.

In other words, only when one’s mind, energy, and physical body harmonized and became one could they cross the wall of the Peak Realm, a state referred to as transcending humanity.

The problem was…

‘My mind, qi, and body have all grown too large.’

Mind. His enlightenment from his past life.

Qi. The Immortal Pill’s immortal qi, which had not existed in his past life.

Body. His physical vessel, sturdily tempered using that very immortal qi.

Too many things had changed.

To the point where it was no longer possible to simply smash through everything and cross the peak wall using only the enlightenment from his past life.

“…Brother Gu. Great vessels take time to mature, and the sturdier the foundation, the higher one can build.”

“What was that? I can’t quite hear the words of a mere First-Rate martial artist.”

“…”

Reaching the First-Rate Realm at fifteen.

It certainly was not something to be dismissed as ‘mere.’

Even looking at the entire world, the number of people who reached the First-Rate Realm at this age could be counted on one hand.

But objective facts did not matter to Gu Ak at all.

“Little Brother. Do not worry. If you devote yourself to single-minded cultivation, you will surely cross the wall someday. Puhahahaha!”

Grrrnd. A chilling sound echoed from Yanghwi’s jaw.

“Brother Gu. Are you sure you won’t regret this?”

Gu Ak flinched for a moment.

But he quickly regained his confidence.

Who was he? Gu Ak, a peak master.

‘Someday, Little Brother will definitely reach the Peak Realm, but…’

That was then, and this was now! If not now, when else would he get to tease him?!

Just as Gu Ak was thinking that…

“One more word, and we’re sparring today.”

“…Hmm?”

“A mere First-Rate martial artist would like to receive some teachings from a peak master.”

Gu Ak remained silent, looking at Yanghwi, who was standing with his weight shifted onto one leg.

Judging by his tone, his goal didn’t seem to be receiving teachings at all.

‘Surely this kid doesn’t actually think he can beat me, right?’

It was an absurd thought.

A first-rate master could never defeat a martial artist at the Peak Realm.

This was an absolute truth, just as rain doesn’t fall from the earth to the sky.

‘But that bastard was going around beating everyone to a pulp back when he was just a nine-year-old third-rate brat.’

“…Haha. Hahaha. Little Brother. It seems you have some business to attend to. Shall we talk about work first…?”

“No. I think I need to loosen up my body first. Follow me outside.”

Yanghwi rolled his neck and arms, letting out loud cracking sounds.

It was not as if he had gained nothing from his recent closed-door training.

A first-rate master beating a peak master was impossible?

He would personally demonstrate the miracle of making the impossible possible.

Escort mission or whatever, he needed to re-establish discipline first.

“Little Brother? Work! Let’s talk about work first!”

“Just follow me outside!”

Just as Yanghwi raised his voice…

For the third time today, the door to his quarters swung open.

Soon, a voice rang out.

“Daddyyy! Uncle Hwiii!”

Both Yanghwi’s and Gu Ak’s faces melted instantly.

“Oh my, Hwa-hwa!”

“Is our Hwa-hwa here?!”

The child who threw the door open and toddled in was Gu Ak’s daughter, Gu Hwa-hwa.

“Come here!”

“Come give Daddy a hug!”

Throwing their arms open simultaneously to welcome Gu Hwa-hwa, Yanghwi and Gu Ak glared at each other.

“Hwa-hwa, you should come to your uncle, right?”

“It’s Daddy, Daddy. Hwa-hwa.”

Hwa-hwa. Living up to her name, the little girl who had grown up as pretty as a flower tilted her head for a moment before pitter-pattering forward.
TL/N: Hwa-hwa (화화) Literally means “Flower Flower,”

The winner was Yanghwi.

“I can’t believe this! Hwa-hwa, how could you leave your father behind?!”

“But Uncle is more handsome, you know?”

“…”

Gu Ak’s body stiffened as if struck by lightning.

She was already looking for handsome faces?!

“I must slaughter every handsome man in the vicinity– no, I need to slaughter Little Brother first! Aaaargh!”

Gu Hwa-hwa furrowed her pretty brow.

“Daddy! Don’t bully Uncle!”

Once again, Gu Ak froze like a statue before slumping to his knees.

“I can’t believe this… My Hwa-hwa… Hwa-hwa…”

Peak master or not, it was when Gu Ak was left despairing after suffering internal injuries from a single word from his daughter.

“Don’t be too downcast, Great Hero Gu. Children are inherently innocent, so they naturally place heavy importance on outward appearances, don’t they?”

“That’s right. If we’re being honest, it’s because you’re built a bit ruggedly, Great Hero Gu. Ahaha!”

Opening the door, the Tang siblings revealed themselves.

He had wondered how five-year-old Hwa-hwa came all the way here by herself, but it seemed the Tang siblings had been playing with her.

“Brother Hwi. I heard from Brother Chu Dal. You want Yeon and me to join the escort mission.”

“Yeah, that’s right.”

Tang Gun casually accepted Yanghwi addressing him without formalities.

Over the past few years, they had grown close enough to completely drop all pretenses.

“Hmm. It doesn’t seem to be a normal escort mission. Is there a specific reason?”

Since the entire team going on the escort mission had gathered in one place, it was a good time to go over the details.

“Of course there is.”

Saying that, Yanghwi recalled the information the Sound Empress had relayed to him a few years ago.

[Young Hero. I have found traces of the Sword Immortal Lu Dongbin.]