The Youngest Prince of the Zhou Family - Chapter 40

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

Youngest Master of the Zhu Family (40)

Plan

As soon as the Heavenly Festival ended, the Family Head and Eldest Brother finished preparing to depart immediately for the archipelago.

The archipelago refers to the sea region itself, composed of countless islands.

Their destination was the largest island among them, Jeong-hae.

So why does the Zhu Family want to go there?

Because that island is one the Zhu Family has claimed.

In other words, it’s Zhu Family territory.

After visiting this place, the two of them would build tremendous fame.

This means a terrible bloody battle would begin there, and Eldest Brother was severely injured in this place.

Of course, the reason was that brother hesitated terribly.

‘But now I don’t need to worry about that as much?’

The brother I saw at this martial arts tournament no longer trembled.

As if he had steeled his resolve, he attacked Father with all his might.

Of course, he couldn’t even graze Father’s collar, but what mattered was that he at least brought a satisfied smile to the Sword Master’s lips.

‘Hmm, it’s still concerning though…’

I think there won’t be any major problems.

For now, focusing on what I need to do here takes priority.

‘Busy, so busy.’

I already have a plan in my head for what’s to come.

All that’s left is to execute it step by step.

I recalled last night’s events.

Brother came to see me and asked me to go to the archipelago together.

But I.

Naturally refused.

It was a development that didn’t happen in my previous life, but staying here was more important than going there.

‘Have a safe trip, Brother. By the day you return, the family will be greatly changed.’

At those words, Brother hesitated for a moment, then smiled and nodded.

Unlike my previous life, it seemed I had become quite close with Brother, which was fortunate.

If I had known it would be like this, I should have tried to get close to Brother much earlier.

Perhaps we were both too lonely.

I sent Brother off like that, laid down my weary body, and hurriedly went to sleep.

​

* * *

​

The next day.

The Zhu Family was bustling.

It was the day Family Head Ju Tae-seong and Eldest Young Master Ju Seung-hyeok were departing for the archipelago.

Usually, when the family heads of other families moved, their direct guard units or elite military forces would move with them.

But the Sword Master was different.

He didn’t mobilize the military force.

The reason was that he wasn’t weak enough to depend on military forces.

Rather, he would point out the vulnerabilities when the Sword Master was absent, and always left the military force at the family estate.

Moreover, when the Sword Master goes on such long expeditions, the Blood Master returns.

That’s my youngest uncle, Great Hero Ju Tae-hwi.

A family that possessed two of the Ten Great Masters of the Martial World, which even the Five Great Families couldn’t boast.

That was the Zhu Family.

“Young Master.”

Then Dan-hee knocked on the door.

“Oh, what is it?”

“The Family Head is urgently looking for you.”

“Suddenly? Me?”

“Yes, please go quickly.”

At Dan-hee’s words, I hurried toward the Sword Soul Hall.

Wait, shouldn’t he be leaving quickly for the archipelago? Why is he looking for me again?

“Did you call for me?”

When I entered the Sword Soul Hall, the Family Head, already prepared for departure, was standing idly in the middle of the room.

It seemed he had been waiting for me.

“Woo Jin.”

“Yes, please speak.”

“I heard you refused the Eldest Young Master’s request yesterday?”

“…?”

What? How does Father know that… wait, could it be?

“Was it something the Family Head ordered?”

“Rather than ordering, I told him to ask about your intentions. That’s all.”

Huh? But why?

Why are you trying to take me along?

The moment I unconsciously looked at the Family Head’s face, I felt my heart sink.

“…Won’t you come with us?”

Why… why that expression.

Father seemed to want to say something, his mouth twitching.

But he couldn’t bring himself to speak.

As if he was worried and concerned about something… yes, it was an expression I’d never seen before.

It was so unfamiliar.

“May I ask the reason?”

“The reason…”

Father just nodded with a stern expression.

“If that is your decision, I will respect it.”

“…”

He didn’t particularly tell me the reason.

“You may go.”

It was quite an unsettling reaction.

I had many things I wanted to ask, but I couldn’t open my mouth either.

I had no choice but to turn around and leave.

​

* * *

​

The Family Head and Eldest Brother departed for the archipelago, just the two of them.

The Sword Soul Hall, where people frequently came and went, became quiet as well.

“Phew, refreshing.”

I finished my morning cultivation, washed off the sweat, and returned to my room.

No matter how difficult and tiring it gets, I can’t skip cultivation.

Then I headed straight to the back garden.

It was to visit Mother after a long time.

“Welcome.”

Mother’s complexion had improved considerably.

Her weak body seemed to finally be recovering normally after stopping the medicine.

“You seem to be feeling better.”

“You think so? I feel that way too.”

The atmosphere in the back garden is quite beautiful.

Mother used to enjoy planting and tending to flowers as a hobby, but when she was ill, she couldn’t do any of that.

But now she takes walks like this every day while caring for the flowers.

Thanks to that, the back garden had been beautifully transformed with colorful flowers everywhere.

“By the way, didn’t the Family Head say anything to you?”

“He didn’t say anything in particular, just asked if I had any thoughts about going on this archipelago trip…”

“Didn’t you want to go together?”

I nodded at Mother’s question.

Rather than that, I had things to do remaining at the noble family.

“Then shall we go to your maternal family home together?”

“Hmm, I’d like to go, but I don’t think I can. I have things to do.”

“Things to do? What kind of things?”

“It’s something important. I’ll tell you once it’s all finished.”

“You’re not… going to cause trouble again, are you?”

“Of course not.”

I chuckled softly and shook my head.

Mother looked relieved as she gently took my hand.

“This mother always believes in our son. I just want you to grow up comfortably without getting hurt.”

“I feel the same way. Seeing Mother in good health…”

has been my lifelong wish.

I had quite a long conversation with Mother like that.

In the end, Mother decided to visit her maternal family home alone, and I actually thought that was better.

It would be better than staying at the noble family and witnessing all sorts of unsightly things.

“Woo Jin.”

Just as I was about to open the door and leave, Mother spoke quietly.

“Don’t hate your father too much. The Family Head feels quite sorry toward you too.”

“…I know.”

I actually knew.

That Father always hesitated when it came to me.

However, both me and Father.

As befitting a father and son, we had become remarkably similar in being unable to express ourselves and hesitating.

‘…Someday.’

It will be resolved.

After bidding farewell to Mother, I immediately headed in a different direction.

My expression naturally hardened.

Since Father and Eldest Brother weren’t here, there was nothing to hold me back now.

The place I headed to was none other than the northern part of the inner compound.

Where the military forces were concentrated, I went straight to the White Dragon Captain’s personal quarters.

The very person who shot the paralysis needle at me during the All Under Heaven Festival.

The captain of a kind of intelligence organization that oversees the noble family’s information.

“What business do you have?”

White Dragon Captain Ju Tae-san asked in a shameless voice.

“White Dragon Captain.”

I too abandoned courtesy.

At least to those who dared to touch me, I had no intention of showing even a trace of tolerance or kindness.

“You shot a paralysis needle at me.”

“That’s why I’m currently under house arrest waiting like this, isn’t it? I’m waiting for the Family Head’s punishment.”

Watching the White Dragon Captain speak nonchalantly in a blunt tone, my eyes gleamed.

“Why did you move so obviously?”

“…”

He didn’t even look at me.

It seemed like he intended to ignore me completely, but I couldn’t just let that slide.

“Do you want to step down from that position?”

“I have no attachment to such a position. If that’s the punishment, I’ll accept it gladly.”

“Don’t pretend to be detached. You’re just incompetent, Captain.”

At those words, Ju Tae-san openly scowled.

“Your words are excessive, Young Master.”

“I’m stating facts.”

“Hah… I’ll say it again, doing this to me is completely useless.”

I thought about it countless times.

Why did the White Dragon Captain do such a foolish thing?

No matter how stupid he might be, it was a place where all the renowned masters of the martial world, including the Sword Master, were watching.

Why did he act so obviously there?

No matter how much I pondered, I couldn’t find an answer, so I came to find him out of frustration.

And he said he had no attachment to his position.

“That’s it.”

The White Dragon Captain didn’t make a mistake.

He’s moving exactly according to plan.

If he’s a traitor.

If he’s already a traitor of the Zhu Family who joined hands with the Demonic Cult?

Crack!

I immediately grabbed the White Dragon Captain by the throat.

“As expected… you’re rotten. The White Dragon Corps.”

“Wh-what is this…!”

The White Dragon Captain panicked and tried to channel his internal power to remove my hand.

However, he soon froze completely.

“Demonic energy…”

“Heh, you recognize it immediately?”

The Dragon Heaven True Energy that had reached the extreme level revealed unstoppable demonic energy, flaunting its presence in all directions.

However, even Ju Yu-ran and Mu Ying couldn’t easily distinguish whether this was demonic energy.

The reason was that it was too pure an energy.

It doesn’t make sense for demonic energy to be pure, but I had no other way to explain it either.

Anyway, Ju Tae-san immediately recognized the true nature of the energy.

That’s something you could never notice unless you had actually experienced demonic energy.

“You… how do you have demonic energy…”

Crack!

I tried to snap Ju Tae-san’s neck right there.

But Ju Tae-san instantly escaped from my grasp and stood in front of the window.

“Going to run away?”

I chuckled softly watching him like that.

Ju Tae-san, you picked the wrong person to mess with.

I’m not such a careless person.

“Damn it…”

Mu Ying was outside.

Already anticipating his escape through the window, I had positioned Mu Ying there.

Of course, with Ju Tae-san’s skills, it would be possible to push past Mu Ying and escape.

But in that instant when the two clashed.

Ju Tae-san would have to be wary of what’s behind him.

Because I was there.

“Pretending to support the Second Young Master, but actually joining hands with the Demonic Cult. Is that it?”

“…”

“I can roughly picture it. You make a mistake yourself, step down from your position… and whoever takes over that position will be the real shadow of the Demonic Cult. Right?”

“You’re talking nonsense…”

“No, it’s not nonsense.”

Bang!

Strong Wind Locks Moon unleashed to its extreme.

At least in terms of straight-line speed alone, it could be called the strongest movement technique.

Breaking through Ju Tae-san’s range in one go, I thrust my fist forward.

Splurt!

Blood splattered.

I twisted Ju Tae-san’s wrist using the mysteries of Black King Assault Body, then pressed down with my other hand and snapped it.

Just in case, to prevent him from picking up his sword.

“Young Master? Is something wrong inside?”

At the unexpected commotion, Mu Ying called out from outside.

But since I had ordered him to guard his post no matter what happened, Mu Ying didn’t move carelessly.

I ignored Mu Ying’s words and looked down at the White Dragon Captain I had captured.

“Why are you telling me that? If I run away from here…”

“First, you can’t escape. Second, if I keep you around, information from within the noble family will leak out.”

I soon spoke with a cold smile.

“Lastly… who is it? One of the Twelve Demon Emperors?”

“…!”

At those words, Ju Tae-san’s eyes widened enormously.

“H-how do you know that…”

“Right? Then who could it be? Who would pull off this kind of scheme?”

This stupid fool keeps giving me clues.

Someone who would pull off this kind of thing.

Surely it’s not one of the Four Fiends class.

It’s definitely one of the Twelve Demon Emperors…

If it’s someone who would specifically target and infiltrate the White Dragon Corps…

“Aha.”

I remembered.

There’s one bastard who fits this kind of scheme perfectly.

“Snake-Eyed Ghost Lord.”

That damned old man who flashed his snake-like cunning eyes and manipulated people at will.

It seemed he was positioned deep inside the Zhu Family.

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