The Youngest Prince of the Zhou Family - Chapter 31

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Youngest Master of the Zhu Family (31)

Hegemon of Sichuan

After Woo Jin left, Dang Hwa-pyeong remained alone, lost in thought.

‘It means there might be someone within the Dang Family who is in league with the Demon Cultists.’

Woo Jin had been blunt and direct.

There was a traitor within the Dang Family.

Could it really be that the Dang Family, the hegemon of Sichuan?

Part of him thought so, but another part harbored doubts.

Above all, what made his words credible was Do Gon’s movements.

‘Even traveling by carriage from Qinghai Province to Chengdu would take at least three days.’

That’s how Woo Jin had come.

And that was only possible by rushing madly without rest.

The problem was Do Gon.

Naturally, a martial artist of that level could arrive in even less time using Light Body Technique.

Up to that point, there was no issue… but there was one thing that bothered him.

‘How did he find the Main House in one go without wandering around other places?’

Woo Jin’s words were correct.

Unless he already knew they were at the Dang Family Estate, he could never have arrived so quickly.

From the beginning, a traitor had informed Do Gon of their location, and Do Gon had come to the Dang Family Estate without rest.

“How dare they.”

Dang Hwa-pyeong’s body trembled with rage.

The name of the Five Great Families was not earned for nothing.

History proved it, and records showed it.

They had suppressed and endured countless blood disasters from the Dark Path and Demonic Path, finally becoming masters of the Central Plains Martial World.

Countless families were scattered throughout the Central Plains.

Even at this very moment, there were more than a few families rising and falling.

But the Five Great Families had survived and prospered for hundreds of years.

What sustained this was their martial power, knowledge, and reputation.

However, a crack had formed in that foundation.

“Is anyone outside?”

“Yes, Family Head. We are standing by.”

A servant’s voice came from outside the door.

“Summon the Young Family Head immediately.”

“Yes, Family Head.”

If there was a traitor, he needed to root out who it was.

Dang Hwa-pyeong called for Dang Cheong, the most trustworthy eldest son of the family and his own eldest child.

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* * *

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‘I wonder if the Family Head will truly listen to my words?’

In truth, I was half-doubtful.

The towering pride of the Dang Family members was something no martial artist could be unaware of.

To tell such a Dang Family that there was a traitor among them, and to say it openly to the Family Head’s face…

‘Still, there’s hope.’

Dang Hwa-pyeong wasn’t a narrow-minded person.

I placed my hope in that.

He would try to examine the truth first rather than maintain his pride.

As the head of a family, I believed he wouldn’t do something foolish like putting stubbornness first.

“Phew, anyway, it’s almost time for the Zhu Family Festival.”

I had intended to return within a month, but the schedule was tighter than expected.

It seemed unlikely I’d return before the festival began.

“Still, I gained power.”

The Thousand-Year Dragon Saliva Essence.

Far from fully absorbing it, energy still remained in my blood vessels throughout my body.

If I could make this completely mine, wouldn’t my internal energy reach around sixty years’ worth?

The spirit medicine that the Heavenly Demon should have originally taken.

Of course, stealing it didn’t mean I could be at ease.

If it’s the Heavenly Demon…

‘That monster would somehow find another way to achieve the Demon Immortal Body.’

To him, the Thousand-Year Dragon Saliva Essence would be nothing more than a simple snack.

In any case, what was important was that I needed to quickly regain my former level and aim even higher.

That was what mattered.

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* * *

​

The next day.

Before the sun even rose, a servant from the Dang Family came to wake me.

“Young Master, our Youngest Master is looking for you.”

“Ah, I’ll come out right away.”

Having just woken up, I left the room as I was without time to prepare.

Following the servant, I headed to a place in the Dang Family Estate I’d never seen before.

The Dang Family Estate also had a large manor no less impressive than the Zhu Family’s, but what was interesting was that the scent of medicine wafted from various places.

Perhaps it was because they researched the Dang Family’s unique poison arts?

“Here it is. Then I shall take my leave.”

The servant bowed politely and retraced his steps back the way he came.

“Hmm.”

It seemed I had come quite deep into the Dang Family Inner Courtyard.

And there was one hall visible.

Unlike the medicinal scents from other places, this place reeked of metal and oil.

Creak!

Contrary to those smells, the door hinges seemed ungreased, greeting me with a loud metallic sound.

“Come in.”

“…”

For a moment, I almost didn’t recognize who it was.

Sunken eyes, a face marked by fatigue, and somehow looking even thinner than two days ago.

Dang Jin.

He spoke.

“I did some thinking after hearing your words. When I’m contemplating, hammering metal like this tends to clear my head quite well.”

“…Last time you said taking walks cleared your head…”

“That’s beside the point. I made a sword, want to take a look?”

Dang Jin quickly changed the subject.

I chuckled and nodded.

Then Dang Jin immediately went to a corner and brought out a sword.

“Oh ho.”

I was truly impressed.

For something made in just two days, the sword’s condition was excellent.

“It’s much better than what I used before. Indeed…”

There was one famous smithy in the Central Plains known for its craftsmen.

The Iron Martial Workshop.

A smithy formed by gathering famous craftsmen from all over the country, their products sold like hotcakes in every city.

On the other hand, the Tang Family.

They didn’t mass-produce items like the Iron Martial Workshop.

Once a year, or sometimes once every few years, the day would come when the Tang Family’s warehouse opened, and each time, the Tang Family would earn tremendous amounts of money.

Weapons crafted by the meticulous and stubborn Tang Family members.

Famous collectors and martial artists who had experienced Tang Family weapons would eagerly await only that day.

“Do you like it?”

At Dang Jin’s question, I nodded without hesitation.

“My subordinate will love it. It’s amazing.”

“Hehe, actually, I was thinking of making one for you too.”

“What? For me?”

“Yes. Since the Zhu Family is a family that handles swords, a sword would probably suit your hands best.”

I recalled the sword I had used in my previous life.

It wasn’t among the famous divine swords or treasured blades, but it was still the sword that fit my hands the best.

More than anything, as long as a sword doesn’t break, it passes for me.

When unleashing the Azure Heaven Descending Dragon Energy and White Dragon Sword Scripture simultaneously, the sword must withstand that tremendous energy.

Just like Father’s beloved weapon, the White Tiger Point Sword, which boasts incredible durability.

“I’m looking forward to it. I’ll gratefully accept it.”

“Drop by the Tang Family Estate anytime. Or I could visit you.”

“You’d be welcome anytime you visit.”

“Oh right, the Heavenly Competition is about to begin, isn’t it? I’d like to go see it once, but unfortunately, I have to make your weapon this time, so I’ll postpone it to next time.”

I smiled warmly and nodded.

“Thank you.”

After hesitating for a while, Dang Jin spoke quietly.

“I’ve been hesitating too much all this time. I actually want to become a craftsman. I want to rise to the ranks of the few craftsmen in All Under Heaven and create outstanding masterpieces of my own.”

“You will achieve that.”

Indeed, Dang Jin would later become a tremendous craftsman.

An unparalleled genius in All Under Heaven?

“So you’ve definitely decided on your direction.”

“Yeah, that’s right. I realized it after hearing your words two days ago.”

Dang Jin’s expression had become much brighter.

“I was… ashamed of this work of hammering iron. Heroes and chivalrous warriors who wield swords and command the martial world are impressive, but the work of making excellent weapons that enable them to become heroes… was surely just as impressive.”

“Whatever it is, isn’t someone who takes pride in their own work truly impressive?”

“Mm, you’re right.”

Dang Jin stretched as if feeling relieved and stood up from his seat.

“You’re leaving now?”

“Yes, I’ll just pay my respects to the Family Head and then be on my way.”

“Alright, travel safely and let’s meet again next time.”

I bowed my head and left that place.

Then I immediately handed the sword to Mu Ying.

“What is… this?”

“Your sword. It’s probably superior to the swords you received from the Zhu Family.”

“A-are you really giving this to me?”

“Yeah. Why? Is there a problem?”

“N-no. It’s not that, but… something this precious…”

Mu Ying accepted the sword with a moved expression.

It’s not some special item mixed with Ten Thousand Year Cold Iron or made from steel refined hundreds of times, but it’s still a sword made by the Tang Family.

“Well, thanks to you, I made a connection too. Consider it payment for that. Hehe.”

“I will definitely protect you, Young Master. I stake my life on it.”

“…”

I smiled broadly.

With just one sword, Mu Ying’s loyalty had doubled.

“In my previous life, I didn’t have anyone this trustworthy by my side.”

“What? What did you say?”

“Nothing, just talking to myself.”

I cut off the conversation casually and turned around.

Now it was time to leave the Tang Family Estate with a clear heart.

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* * *

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The carriage departed.

Dang Hwa-pyeong was watching the carriage leave from a distance.

Beside him was a young man who resembled him considerably.

“Truly befitting the Zhu Family, Father.”

“You saw it too?”

“Yes. I also learned that those rumors aren’t entirely trustworthy.”

Dang Hwa-pyeong’s eldest son and the Tang Family’s Young Family Head.

It was Dang Cheong.

He was actually quite surprised inside after seeing Woo Jin.

“Perhaps the Zhu Family was deliberately hiding it. The world is like that. There are fathers who spread false malicious rumors to conceal their outstanding children.”

“Thinking of it that way, the Sword Master is truly an amazing person. Isn’t a child’s excellence something that makes a father’s mouth itch with the desire to boast?”

“Hahaha, you rascal. Now that you’ve become a father, can you understand that feeling even a little?”

At Dang Hwa-pyeong’s laughter, Dang Cheong silently bowed his head.

“By the way, are you investigating?”

“Yes, as you ordered, I’m having the Golden Sword Unit search. It seems it will take some time.”

“It won’t be easy. We need to finish as quickly as possible. If there really is a traitor, we must finish quickly before that bastard notices.”

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

At Dang Cheong’s words, Dang Hwa-pyeong could finally relax a little.

If there really was a traitor, he planned to punish them very brutally in the Tang Family’s way.

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* * *

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Jiangxi Province, Nanchang.

All the Elders, including Ju Tae-seong, were gathered in the Sword Soul Hall, the main hall of the Zhu Family Estate.

Since the Zhu Family Heavenly Competition was approaching, all the Elders had gathered in one place this time.

However, their expressions looked somewhat serious.

“Woo Jin again?”

The first to speak was, as expected, Grand Elder Ju Sang-geon.

At his question, Ju Tae-seong quietly nodded.

“Yes, what kind of trouble did he cause this time?”

“There was no real trouble. It seems he was attacked by Demon Cultists…”

“What?”

At Ju Tae-seong’s words, Ju Sang-geon’s expression became severely distorted.

“Demon Cultists? The recent incident at Jade Flower Mountain too…”

“Yes, I’ve sent the Dragon Ascension Unit separately to investigate the traces. I’ll report on that matter separately later.”

Ju Tae-seong was efficient in handling affairs.

He hadn’t become the head of a family for nothing.

“I received a report just now that the Red Dragon Corps is returning with Woo Jin.”

This time he spoke quietly while looking at the other Elders.

“We’ll proceed with preparations for the Heavenly Competition as scheduled. And…”

Everyone’s expressions turned toward Ju Tae-seong.

The Elders seemed to know what Ju Tae-seong was about to say.

“As soon as the Heavenly Martial Tournament ends, I think I need to visit the archipelago.”

“So it has come to that?”

Elder Oh, Ju Tae-hwi, sighed and asked.

The archipelago referred to the Jusan Archipelago located in Zhejiang Province.

It had always been a problematic area due to friction with the Dark Path, but the Family Head moving personally meant the problem had become quite serious.

“I heard over ninety percent of the supplies coming into the noble family were plundered this time. This is clearly crossing the line.”

Ju Tae-seong’s words contained anger.

He had never shown forgiveness or mercy to those who dared to touch the Zhu Family.

Perhaps Woo Jin’s resolute nature resembled his.

“If the Family Head moves personally, that will be one less worry.”

“The Jusan Archipelago will recover quickly then, haha.”

The Elders sighed in relief and nodded their heads.

But Ju Tae-seong’s words weren’t finished yet.

“On this trip to the archipelago… I intend to take Seung-hyeok with me.”

“…”

“…”

It was a shocking statement.

At Ju Tae-seong’s final words, the Elders’ expressions each changed differently.

Some were pleased.

Others were displeased.

Within the noble family, an invisible power struggle for the next succession had begun.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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