The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 110

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Youngest Son of the Nakhyang Jin Family – Chapter 171

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A space so dark that not a single ray of light penetrated.
There, sitting motionless, the Divine kept his eyes closed.
Though his posture resembled sleep, the twitching of his eyebrows suggested he was lost in deep contemplation rather than slumber.
Then.
A breeze swept through.
In the moment when a wind from somewhere brushed past him with a gentle whisper.
The man’s eyes slowly opened.
Flash-!
A crimson light spread outward from his surroundings.
Simultaneously, something extraordinary occurred.
Whoosh-
The darkness that had obscured even a hand’s breadth ahead vanished in an instant, and countless candles positioned in unseen places ignited all at once.
The chamber flooded with light.
“Are they dead?”
The man murmured, recalling two beings.
Two connected threads had been severed.
The threads binding Yeom Ji-hak and Chu Won, the corner masters of the Twelve Corners.
This meant both had perished.
His furrowed brow remained tense and unyielding.
That sensation he felt the moment the threads snapped.
One carried the momentum of a fierce beast from somewhere, while the other was a sensation far too familiar.
The aura of one he had thought he would never see again.
He had sensed it.
In that instant, the man’s gaze shifted toward a single point.
Boom-!
The firmly sealed door burst open at merely his glance, and those waiting outside rushed forward, prostrating themselves before him.
The Divine’s lips parted as he observed them for a moment.
“Chu Won and Yeom Ji-hak are dead.”
“…!”
The moment his words ended, the head pressed to the ground suddenly lifted.
The death of two of the Twelve Corners who upheld the Divine Sect was that shocking.
“We shall immediately dispatch the other corner masters!”
“…I sensed Gwanbaek’s aura.”
“…!”
“So the man truly lives.”
News of a dead man’s survival.
When I merely spoke the words “find him,” there were many who harbored doubts.
Since he was a being The Divine had personally killed with their own hands, his survival would mean nothing less than The Divine’s failure.
But now, things were different.
Sensing his presence meant Gwanbaek’s survival was certain.
“Resourceful, to have escaped alive.”
Yet despite this miscalculation, The Divine showed no sign of concern.
He merely smiled as though amused.
The recent cascade of failures, the Gok Ok that should have been recovered never arriving at the temple, all of it now made sense to him.
“Entertaining. Still eager to challenge me, are you?”
The Divine laughed and turned his gaze elsewhere.
A small display stand arranged to one side.
Upon it rested a black Gok Ok and a white Gok Ok.
Since the Gok Oks scattered across the Central Plains had not been recovered, only two remained.
As he reached toward them with a subtle gesture, the two Gok Oks flew and descended before the prostrate man.
“Fill the vacant positions. Very well… one seat shall be the Sword Emperor. That child will do nicely.”
“At once! I shall deliver the message!”

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Seven days had passed since the incident occurred.
During that time, there was nothing I could do but focus on receiving treatment.
However, the others had to endure quite busy days, holding funerals for the fallen and disposing of enemy corpses.
No matter how much the formation had been broken, the Yasugung remained forbidden ground.
It was a place where enemy corpses should not exist.
A contrast with the customs of the Central Plains unfolded here.
Unlike the Central Plains, where even enemy corpses were burned, the Namman people cast them into the forest.
According to Gu Gunbaek’s explanation, this would allow countless beasts, insects, and birds to fill their bellies, while the remaining residue would make the Namman soil even more fertile.
Nourishing the land with enemy corpses.
It defied common sense, but if that was how the Yasugung people did things, I saw no reason to quibble.
As time passed, my condition improved.
Though seven days was a short span, my recovery proceeded at a speed even I found unbelievable—to the point where even somewhat rough movements caused no significant pain.
According to Chaeseoha, it was the effect of my healing power multiplying several times over after perfectly absorbing the Spirit Elixir, which could be called the heirloom of the Uiseon clan. Her words proved truthful, as I felt my condition improving further with each passing day.
At this rate, I would be completely healed soon.
Yet this did not mean my worries had vanished.
I sat quietly and gazed upon what lay before me.
A single sword, now broken into three pieces.
It was an attachment to the blade I had received from my grandfather.
Mukhang Steel was far more difficult to obtain than Gon-cheol, and blacksmiths capable of properly handling it were not easily found.
Moreover, even if one were found, their skill was questionable.
Though I could locate one by mobilizing the intelligence networks of Hao Moon and the Jin Family, even if it took time, I absolutely needed a sword to face the Divine Cult’s forces and Gwanbaek’s power, whose next attack could come at any moment.
That said, it’s impossible with the common swords found in the marketplace.
Not only would they fail to withstand sword energy properly, but the moment I channel my blade force, the steel would shatter into pieces.
To find a sword worth using, perhaps I should seek out Gansuk?
That blacksmith who once sold Namgung Yeon’s sword should be capable of crafting something of decent quality.
The problem is, this precious ink-iron is far too valuable to waste.
Ideally, I’d prefer to find someone capable of forging a new sword from this material.
“I’m troubled.”
“What are you pondering so deeply about?”
At that moment, Gu Gunbaek suddenly appeared and thrust his head forward, gazing at the shattered sword fragments scattered on the ground.
Soon after, he glanced at my face and let out a snort of laughter.
“Listen here, you fool. Instead of swinging around toothpick-like things, wouldn’t it be wonderful if you’d learned my martial arts? If one arm breaks, you’ve got another. If that gets torn off, you’ve got legs. If those are severed, you can still use your head.”
“…I have no desire to experience such horrific circumstances.”
“Khehehe— This brat doesn’t understand that a man’s true weapon is his fists.”
Gu Gunbaek, his body wrapped in bandages, laughed while scratching vigorously at his healing wounds, as if they itched.
Surely, if Chaeseoha saw this, she would scold him relentlessly.
She’d say he was reopening wounds that were just beginning to heal.
I released a small sigh and asked.
“Is there perhaps a skilled blacksmith in Namman? It would be even better if they could work with ink-iron.”
“A blacksmith? Of course we have one. Whether they can handle ink-iron, I’m not sure, but….”
Gu Gunbaek paused, swallowing a groan, and glanced around at his surroundings.
Numerous warriors from the Yasugung came into view.
As he examined them one by one and scratched his head, he soon smacked his lips and spoke.
“They’re all dead.”
“Pardon?”
“They all died in this battle. Ah— what do we do now? We don’t have anyone left to hammer iron. Should we go capture someone from the Demonic Cult?”
The fact that no one in Yasugung could work with metal was certainly a significant problem, yet Gu Gunbaek showed no signs of distress whatsoever.
And for good reason—Namman was a place where the ability to work metal wasn’t strictly necessary unless one was crafting weapons.
Without a hoe, they dug with their hands. When a pickaxe was needed, they smashed things with their fists.
Shelter from rain was found beneath trees, and beds were the bare earth itself. In such a place, it was actually harder to find a use for metal than to do without it.
I grasped my head and sighed.
It was my mistake for asking Gu Gunbaek in the first place.
“Hmm? Isn’t that ink-iron? It’s shattered quite badly?”
That was when it happened.
The man known as Yasugung’s second-in-command approached quietly atop a leopard and observed the scene.
Upon confirming the shattered sword, he clicked his tongue in disapproval, then opened his mouth to address me.
“You see? If you knew how to throw a proper punch, all of this….”
“That’s enough. I’ve already heard such talk.”
As I shook my head at hearing the exact same words Gu Gunbaek had spoken, the Deputy Leader scratched his head with an awkward expression.
Then he glanced at me sideways.
“Are you trying to repair that?”
“Yes, but it won’t be easy.”
“Why?”
“It’s difficult to find a blacksmith capable of working with Muk-steel.”
Speaking of something that should be common sense without being asked felt tedious.
I knew there was no malice in it, but I couldn’t help wondering if Gu Gunbaek and the Deputy Leader were taking turns mocking me.
Their similar demeanor didn’t help matters either.
As I exhaled a long sigh and gazed at the fractured blade once more, the Deputy Leader’s embarrassed voice finally reached my ears.
“Honestly, you’re a strange one. The greatest blacksmith under heaven is right before your eyes.”
“What do you mean?”
“Aren’t you looking for a skilled blacksmith?”
“Yes.”
“He’s right there—the greatest blacksmith under heaven.”
“Ah.”
At the Deputy Leader’s words, Gu Gunbaek nodded as if recalling something.
As I turned my head to look where he pointed, I saw only trees, grass, and rocks.
Were they mocking me again?
Just as I was about to speak with a deep frown.
“Right, that’s true. I’ve heard of him too. We just need to bring that bastard here.”
“What?! Are you starting a war? These men are already on edge.”
“Then what? All our smiths have already crossed the River of Three Paths.”
“Don’t even think about it. With a new cult leader taking the throne, everyone’s nerves are already frayed.”
My eyes widened at their back-and-forth exchange.
Combining what the two were saying, it became clear that the blacksmith called the greatest under heaven was located in the Demonic Cult.
I fell into thought.
Though I tried to dredge up memories from the past, nothing about this came to mind. Perhaps before my regression, there was no reason to seek out a blacksmith.
Therefore, I had no information.
“Is there truly a blacksmith of such caliber in the Demonic Cult?”
“The man’s right. Those gloomy bastards discard anyone without skill, whether warrior or merchant. From what I’ve seen, while he might not be the greatest under heaven, there’s definitely someone there who can work Muk-steel with ease.”
“No, he’s the greatest under heaven, I’m telling you. Those cult members have it on their lips all the time.”
“How many times have those bastards spouted nonsense? Don’t talk back.”
As Gu Gunbaek raised his fist slightly, the Deputy Leader clamped his mouth shut.
But their words no longer reached my ears.
A skilled blacksmith capable of working Muk-steel.
Someone so exceptional that even Gu Gunbaek was certain of it.
And that person was in the Demonic Cult.
The moment my thoughts concluded, I could extract a fragment of memory.
The ascension of the new cult leader I had just heard about.
Then the one who had risen to the position of Heavenly Demon—the one even the leaders of the Nine Great Sects feared, the Ink Thunder Sword Demon, Ma Yun—was the one who created the title of the Heavenly Demon of Tragic Fate.
“Had that time already come?”
Was it earlier than before, or was it later?
I had heard the rumors, but since it hadn’t directly involved me, I had simply let them pass through my mind without much thought.
But what did it matter whether I went sooner or later?
If I had to go, then I would go.
Since there was a way to repair my sword nearby, my feet naturally had to move in that direction.
As I smiled with that resolve, Gu Gunbaek seemed to realize something and chuckled.
“You’re really going?”
“I am. I’m determined to have this sword repaired.”
“Ahahaha! You’re the only one brazen enough to waltz into a demonic cult’s den so casually. Especially when those bastards are probably on edge right now.”
“As long as I don’t provoke them, it should be fine.”
“Hehehehe, sure you will.”
Gu Gunbaek laughed with eyes that held absolute certainty this would not end smoothly.
That mischievous glint in his eyes bothered me greatly.
“And I’m not going.”
“…You can’t go?”
“No, I’m choosing not to. If I set my mind to it, what could stop me? But look here—no matter how poorly I’m managing as Deputy Leader, my people have been wounded and killed. How could I abandon my post?”
“Ah.”
“So I’ll be staying here for a while. I’ve already taught Chu Hyeongi enough, so he should be useful.”
I nodded at Gu Gunbaek’s words.
The current situation at the Yasugung was dire, so Gu Gunbaek couldn’t move either.
As a result, I couldn’t mobilize the Nakhyang Jin Family’s strongest guard.
I felt a twinge of regret and clicked my tongue slightly.
“Don’t worry. We’ll see each other again someday. Besides, there’s still much to teach Chu Hyeongi. Once my schedule clears up and I get bored here, I’ll come visit again.”
“I’ll be waiting.”
“Ahahaha! That’s right, that’s right. Next time, you’d better have a whole jug of fine liquor waiting for me.”
Thump—thump—
Gu Gunbaek laughed heartily and patted my back.
Despite having spent enough time together to grow quite close, the way he sent me off so readily felt true to his nature.
I smiled and rose from my seat.
Now that I had set my destination, it was time to move.
The moment had come to enter the place where the Lord of the Demonic Path dwelled.

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