The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 103

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

The Youngest Son of the Nakhyang Jin Family — Chapter 103

* * *

“Please, lie down.”
“The pain is no trivial matter….”
The moment my eyes opened, agony flooded through me, stealing my words.
If this brief taste of suffering was so unbearable, I could only pity what the Emperor must have endured, drawing upon all his innate vital energy as he had.
Indeed, I now understood why he couldn’t move a single finger.
“The fact that you didn’t cry out speaks volumes of your strength.”
“I suppose… that much is true.”
I furrowed my brow as I spoke.
This was a procedure I had no desire to perform twice.
Yet without it, I could never have deceived Muyong Jungcheon’s eyes.
The fact that he’d found his way here meant suspicion had already taken root.
Without thinking, I smiled bitterly and shook my head.
“It was fortunate that he wasn’t here.”
“I never expected him to come looking.”
“Neither did I.”
What would have happened if Gu Gunbaek had been present?
Muyong Jungcheon’s suspicion would have hardened into certainty.
Having seen the state Yeom Ji-hak was left in, he would surely know that only a handful of people possessed the capability for such a thing.
“With this, the Moyong Family’s position is sealed.”
“Sealed… how, exactly?”
“As my enemy.”
At those words, Chaeseoha swallowed hard.
Behind her, Namgung Baek and Namgung Yeon, who had been silently observing, turned ashen as well.
It was the sheer weight that came with the name Moyong Family.
And beyond that—the Sword Emperor.
Among the countless martial artists of the world, as numerous as grains of sand, there existed only ten true absolutes, and he ranked among the top five of those—was he not the very embodiment of such power?
Laughter escaped me unbidden.
But in the next instant, as my body shifted and pain surged through me, I could only manage a groan instead.
“How… long until I can leave?”
“Based on your condition, you’ll need several months of recovery here before you’re fit to depart.”
“I’ll be gone within two days. When that time comes… I’ll need your help once more. I must leave in the best possible condition.”
“Sigh….”
My words drew a heavy sigh from Chaeseoha.
Yet this was an unavoidable choice.
Though I had withdrawn, Muyong Jungcheon would not ease his surveillance of the inn.
The moment my physical condition became apparent, he would gain confidence. I had to rely on Chaeseoha’s healing arts to maintain the appearance of being unscathed.
With that thought in mind, I slowly turned my gaze.
What came into view were none other than Namgung Baek and Namgung Yeon.
Though Namgung Baek wore a dull expression, I could see his eyes darting rapidly as his mind worked, and I also caught sight of Namgung Yeon’s face as she silently observed the situation.
I addressed them.
“What do you intend to do?”
“I’m… not certain what you mean…?”
“I’m asking whether you’ll remain here or not.”
“This is our homeland. Of course…”
“Come with me.”
I cut off Namgung Baek’s trailing words and spoke firmly. Then, rolling my eyes slightly toward Namgung Yeon, I continued.
“Staying here will gain you nothing. The fall of the Chohyeon Family won’t resurrect the Namgung Family.”
“Isn’t this our opportunity?”
At Namgung Baek’s words, I let out a cold chuckle.
It was undeniably true that with the Chohyeon Family’s collapse, the opportunity to seize dominance over Anhui was unprecedented.
But such things were only possible for those with sufficient power.
Though obscured by the Chohyeon Family’s name, there were numerous clans with well-organized structures and formidable martial artists.
The conflict about to unfold would involve such forces.
The Namgung Family’s martial strength amounted to little more than Namgung Yeon alone, and a clan without wealth or capability had no realistic chance of accomplishing anything.
If Namgung Yeon herself could take the initiative, form alliances, and draw people to her cause, perhaps it might be possible. But from what I could see, her abilities beyond martial prowess were hardly remarkable.
What would become of them if they remained in Hapbi?
The Chohyeon Family’s interference in the Namgung Family’s future had ended, but others would likely make far bolder decisions.
After all, unlike the Chohyeon Family which had been completely eradicated, the Namgung Family still had their manor standing, and more importantly, their bloodline survived.
“Will… such things truly come to pass?”
“The choice is yours. I’ve simply shared my thoughts.”
Namgung Baek rolled his eyes in confusion, swallowing a groan. He appeared to be considering various possibilities, but the look of anguish on his face made it clear he couldn’t reach a definitive answer.
Perhaps because of that?
Namgung Yeon, standing beside him, released a long sigh.
“I’ll do it.”
“Yeon-a!”
“I’m joining the Nakhyang Jin Family, aren’t I? As the Young Master’s guard, and my older brother as a servant—is that what you’re accepting?”
At her bold question, meeting my eyes directly, I nodded.
Did that help solidify her resolve?
Namgung Yeon spoke as though no further deliberation was needed.
“Then I’m counting on you, Young Master. From today, I am your guard.”
“No, that’s not something you should decide unilaterally…”
“Older brother, I don’t think this is the end. I’ll grow stronger at the Young Master’s side. When I return to Hapbi, no one will dare look down upon the Namgung name.”
Her resolve to grow stronger and return to rebuild the Namgung Family was so steadfast that both I and Chaeseoha beside me could feel it.
From her eyes and expression alone, Namgung Baek could not break her will.
I threw kindling onto the flames of her determination.
“Yes, grow stronger. Strong enough to bring down the Moyong Family.”
“Pardon? Why the Moyong Family…?”
“While examining the traces left behind in the Namgung Family, I discovered something intriguing. Sword marks—the same technique Moyong Hyeok once used against Pyo Hyeong-geom.”
“…!”
“Huh?!”
Namgung Yeon’s eyes widened in shock as he grasped the implication, while Namgung Baek seemed startled that the name Pyo Hyeong-geom had escaped my lips.
Yet as understanding dawned, his expression gradually grew grave.
“Then you’re saying… it was the Moyong Family that destroyed the Namgung Clan?”
“I cannot claim absolute certainty. However, the fact that the technique Pyo Hyeong-geom endured is etched into those marks cannot be denied.”
I answered with a light smile.
This was no fabrication.
When I examined the remaining traces, I saw it clearly.
Unmistakably, the same unpleasant sword marks that Moyong Hyeok had unleashed upon me.
The spacing and precision may differ, but the sword path itself cannot lie.
In essence, this meant the Moyong Family was undeniably connected to the Namgung Clan’s downfall in some manner.
“Is there not a shred of doubt in what you say?”
At that moment, Namgung Yeon’s gaze sharpened upon me.
The weight behind her words felt immense.
As if she would not forgive me should my words be mere fabrication, I found myself offering a bitter smile.
“I stake the honor of the Jin Family on my answer. Those are unmistakably the sword marks of the Moyong Family.”
“….”
I too maintained my composure, delivering my certainty without wavering.
Namgung Yeon, who could not possibly misunderstand the weight of my words, drew a deep breath.
She exhaled slowly, composing herself, then gazed at me with a faint smile.
“Your enemies are my enemies. Though I am humble now, when your blade turns toward the Moyong Family, mine shall cut through them mercilessly.”
The first part of her declaration meant she would fulfill her duty as an Imperial Guard, while the second was her vow of vengeance for the Namgung Clan.
I did not take her words lightly.
I received them with gravity, nodding solemnly.
“A splendid vow. I am pleased.”
I nodded readily and glanced toward her side.
Namgung Baek was not radiating killing intent quite as intensely as his sister, yet the shock seemed considerable—he sat quietly, steadying his breath.
All the humiliation he had endured at Moyong Hyeok’s hands, all the times he had bowed his head to earn coin for his sister’s survival—it all seemed to transform now from mere humiliation into shame.
Soon, as Namgung Baek’s breathing steadied, his eyes changed.
“I am in your debt, Young Master.”
Hearing his voice, I smiled.
With this, my purpose in coming to Hapbi was fulfilled.

* * *

“Were you here all along?”
Deep within the mountains, far beyond the walls of Hap-bi Castle.
Jang Chuchyeong, who had been searching that area, finally spotted the person he’d been looking for and rushed forward.
The one who captured Jang Chuchyeong’s attention was Gu Gunbaek.
He too seemed to be searching for something, constantly glancing around, his brow furrowed as if whatever he sought remained elusive.
“What are you doing? Shouldn’t we head back? They said Muyong Jungcheon or someone like that has arrived.”
“That fool can come or not—I don’t care. Be quiet and help me search.”
The one who stood shoulder to shoulder with the Demon King was none other than Muyong Jungcheon, the Black Emperor.
The mere appearance of such a figure should have been more than enough to capture Gu Gunbaek’s interest, yet he seemed oddly indifferent to it.
And now he was asking him to search?
Confused, Jang Chuchyeong asked again.
“Search for what?”
“Traces.”
“Traces? Whose traces?”
Jang Chuchyeong glanced around, attempting to find something.
But all he could see were animal droppings and footprints. In the dense thicket, there was nothing particularly conspicuous to discover.
Thus, he turned to Gu Gunbaek with confusion, but the man paid him no attention, simply continuing deeper into the mountains.
“Where are you going?!”
“I smell something.”
“You smell something?”
At those sudden words, Jang Chuchyeong sniffed himself. But aside from his own familiar scent, there was nothing remarkable.
Nor was there any other distinct odor emanating from the surroundings.
Yet Gu Gunbaek sniffed the air like a hunting hound, constantly moving forward.
They say the martial arts of Namman require one to become a beast—and he truly seemed to have become one.
Jang Chuchyeong shook his head in disbelief and continued following Gu Gunbaek.
Then, at some point.
His footsteps halted.
“Sniff sniff! Here it is.”
“What exactly are you smelling?”
“A scent I could never forget.”
“Huh?”
As Jang Chuchyeong tilted his head at those words, Gu Gunbaek stood rigid at a specific point and stared down at the ground.
Human footprints and blood stains were visible.
To anyone’s eyes, it was clear that both an injured person and uninjured individuals had been present here.
Soon, Gu Gunbaek dipped his finger into the blood stains on the ground and rubbed them together, a smirk spreading across his face.
“This bastard really was alive.”
“Is this the one the Young Master did that to?”
“Yeah, one of them. And the other one who was here….”
Gu Gunbaek trailed off and glanced toward the opposite direction.
As if he was certain someone had stood there, and as if he already knew exactly who it was.
“Moyong… that bastard’s stench.”
“The Sword Emperor was here?!”
“Yes, there’s no mistaking that revolting scent.”
Gu Gunbaek waved his hand dismissively, as though he had no desire to catch even a whiff of Muyong Jungcheon’s odor.
From his visibly displeased expression and the coldness in his gaze, it was clear that the relationship between these two was far from amicable.
Soon, Gu Gunbaek’s eyes shifted, turning once more toward the place where the bloodstains lay.
Yet his gaze had transformed—no longer the same as before.
The frigid eyes of a predator gleamed with an icy brilliance.
In that instant, he drew a deep breath through his nose as if confirming the scent, and upon recognizing something with certainty, his lips parted into a broad, radiant smile.
“Found you, you wretch.”
The beast had begun preparing for the hunt.

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