The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 111
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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 Jin Family of Luoyang – Chapter 172
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“What?!”
“Have you lost your mind, you madman….”
At my words, Namgung Yeon recoiled in shock, while Chaeseoha furrowed her brow with a bewildered expression.
There was something wrong with the way they all stared at me.
I observed their gazes and shrugged my shoulders.
“Is there some problem?”
“Problem? There are plenty of problems! Where exactly are you saying we’re going?”
“The Demonic Sect?”
“…Young Master, weren’t you supposed to avoid entanglement with the Demonic Sect?”
At the question directed toward me, I nodded.
That was true.
I had no desire to become entangled with the Demonic Sect if I could help it.
Fundamentally, they possessed inclinations similar to the Divine Sect, and with their deep pride in their own religion, dealing with them became exceedingly difficult if one failed to accommodate their beliefs.
Moreover, those who had been indoctrinated since childhood to live in a world of survival of the fittest would not even treat someone as human if they lacked martial prowess, regardless of how much wealth they possessed.
In other words, the name of the Jin Family of Luoyang, which carried weight in the Central Plains, held no sway within the Demonic Sect.
Furthermore, if I considered what would unfold the moment Namgung Yeon’s identity was revealed, it would not end as merely a troublesome affair.
Though the years had dulled my emotions, occasionally those dulled years had only sharpened the blade I carried in my heart all the more.
All the more so if one were a martial artist.
Considering such things, it would be prudent not to venture anywhere near the Demonic Sect, yet I had no heart to turn back when a method to repair my sword lay directly before my eyes.
I had arrived in Namman at just the right moment, my sword had broken at a most opportune time, and this period coincided with the inauguration ceremony of the new Demonic Sect Master beginning.
The events unfolding alongside it.
As if the heavens themselves were urging me to enter the Demonic Sect, I could not simply pretend ignorance of this situation.
And was not my excuse perfectly sound?
I dismissed the thought that had suddenly occurred to me and smiled faintly.
“I must repair my broken sword. I hear there is an exceptional blacksmith in the Demonic Sect.”
“Ugh….”
Chaeseoha, who knew well from whom I had received the sword, swallowed a groan.
Yet seemingly reluctant to go to the Demonic Sect, she clutched her head in anguish.
However, an unexpected voice came to my defense.
“If it is a decision you have made, Young Master, I shall follow.”
It was none other than Namgung Yeon.
Despite her being the one most uncomfortable with the Demonic Sect, I could see her nodding as if to say she would follow my decision.
It was not merely a matter of courtesy.
There was a clear resolve in her eyes—if we were to go, we would truly go.
“Are you certain? If you are a Namgung, there must be countless people grinding their teeth at you.”
“Thanks to you, Young Master, I obtained my sword. Yet if the only place that can repair the sword you hold dear is there, then surely we must go, must we not?”
Namgung Yeon nodded in agreement, as if she had considered the matter herself.
Yet anxiety and fear still flickered across her expression and in her eyes. She seemed reluctant to go, but she had gained so much through me that she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.
Perhaps she was thinking of a scenario where I would realize her anxiety and decide not to go.
I smiled.
“So what are you waiting for? Pack your things.”
“…!”
“I’ve decided we’re going, so we’re going. I made up my mind long ago, so don’t argue.”
In that instant, Namgung Yeon’s eyes turned dull as rotting fish. She clamped her mouth shut with a grunt, let her shoulders droop, and turned away.
Long sighs echoed from various corners, as if she was certain I wouldn’t listen to anything she said.
Soon my gaze shifted toward Chaeseoha.
“You’re not going?”
“I’ve already prepared everything. I just need to load it. But is the Demonic Sect really a place you can just enter whenever you want to go there?”
At Chaeseoha’s words, I fell into thought.
Organizations that claim to be massive naturally have high walls.
It wasn’t a place you could easily enter just because you wanted to, so I suspected the Demonic Sect would be similar.
Or rather, based on what I’d heard, wouldn’t it be even more difficult?
“Moreover, isn’t it hidden somewhere in the mountains like those sects we saw in Gansu? Can we even find it?”
I smiled slightly at Chaeseoha’s words.
Anyone unfamiliar with the martial world could think this way.
Just looking at the Nine Great Sects, they had established themselves somewhere in the mountains and built their schools, so one might think the Demonic Sect would be the same.
But it was different.
“Tianshan itself is the Demonic Sect.”
“Pardon?”
“The moment you enter the mountain, you’ve already entered the Demonic Sect. The problem is whether you can enter at all.”
This was precisely where the Nine Great Sects and the Demonic Sect differed.
While the Nine Great Sects merely built a single school somewhere in the mountains, the Demonic Sect was the Tianshan mountain range itself, known as the Ten Thousand Great Mountains.
That place, surrounded by no walls whatsoever, was an impenetrable barrier and gate to the unauthorized—and its overwhelming mountain terrain and landscape were the pride of the Demonic Sect members who revered strength.
The reason the Demonic Sect had never suffered a single invasion since its founding was because no one had ever surpassed the natural barrier of Tianshan.
A veritable fortress of heaven.
Would they easily let someone like that inside?
It was clear they were people the name of the Jin Family of Luoyang wouldn’t work on, so it seemed we would need something.
“Should I ask the elder to write us a letter of introduction?”
In that moment, Chaeseoha looked at me with narrowed eyes.
Having stayed here and deeply felt how the Namman people viewed and treated the Demonic Sect members, she understood.
If we showed up with a letter of introduction, they would draw their swords rather than offer greetings.
I scratched my head and sighed.
“We’ll figure it out when we get there. Besides, a new sect leader is ascending, right? We can go as a congratulatory delegation.”
“A congratulatory… delegation? What do we bring?”
At that sudden remark, I also furrowed my brow. There was nothing to have in this Yesugung, so we couldn’t buy anything even if we wanted to.
That meant we’d have to find something outside, and the only village that came to mind as a place to sell quality goods was the one at the foot of Tianshan.
My thoughts reached that point, and I gave a light shrug of my shoulders.
“Well, regardless, there should be a way. If not, I’ll simply create one.”
“Yes, Master. Since it’s your matter, I’m sure you’ll find a solution. I only pray it doesn’t escalate into something greater.”
With an anxious expression, Chaeseoha handed me the bowl she held in her hands.
As I drained the medicinal broth she had carefully prepared in one gulp, a bitterly astringent taste surged up and spread throughout my mouth.
Frowning as I looked at Chaeseoha, I saw her eyes urging me to drink it all down completely.
From the look of things, spitting it out seemed inadvisable.
With no choice, I swallowed every last drop without leaving a single bit, and only then did Chaeseoha’s expression shift to satisfaction.
I handed back the empty bowl and caught my breath.
Then, glancing around, I searched for Chu Hyeongi.
“By the way, where did that fellow go?”
“He hasn’t been seen since this morning. I suspect he may have gone somewhere with the elder.”
I nodded at those words.
Chu Hyeongi is Gu Gunbaek’s disciple, regardless of my doubts.
Though he’s been at his side and nurtured all this time, now that he must walk his own path, it seemed the elder was offering various pieces of advice.
Perhaps he was even teaching him some hidden trump card.
I let out a soft chuckle and turned away.
Though I was eager to depart immediately, I suppressed the urge for now.
It wouldn’t be right to interrupt the time between master and disciple.
“Then, for now, let me rest.”
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“Where are you going?”
“Follow me, you fool.”
Gu Gunbaek led Chu Hyeongi forward toward some destination.
He moved through the rough forest path without hesitation.
Though no trail existed in the surrounding wilderness, he pressed forward through the dense undergrowth as if he knew exactly where to go, never faltering.
The thick vegetation obscured what lay ahead, and despite the possibility of venomous insects or serpents, Gu Gunbaek advanced without pause.
Only Chu Hyeongi, struggling to keep up, grew weary.
Yet he could not afford to fall behind.
Moving slowly but with all his strength, he finally managed to reach the place where Gu Gunbaek stopped.
Three massive trees stood there.
As if someone had planted them deliberately, or perhaps to commemorate someone.
Each tree bore carvings of animal forms, and Chu Hyeongi examined them slowly with a puzzled expression.
“What is this?”
“The three greatest Gung-ju among all the previous leaders.”
“But… you said you were the Gung-ju of the Beast Palace? Calling them ‘creatures’ seems a bit…”
“Hahahaha! The dead have no voice to protest. What will they do if I curse them—come back and beat me? Besides, I’m stronger.”
“Then Master, you’re the strongest?”
“Of course! Your master is the supreme strongest in all of Namman!”
As if to prove it was no exaggeration, Gu Gunbaek pounded his chest with absolute confidence.
Perhaps because of that display,
Chu Hyeongi’s eyes gleamed with admiration.
“But while I am the strongest, you are not!”
“Ugh… did you bring me here just to insult me?”
“The path ahead will be far more treacherous. To follow that monster, training at your current level will often prove meaningless.”
“…”
At those words, Chu Hyeongi sighed.
During the battle, he too had witnessed Jin Cheon-u. Despite facing opponents of a completely different caliber, that figure showed no sign of being overwhelmed.
And what was that vivid sword energy?
He wondered if anyone at that age had ever unleashed sword energy like that.
A bitter smile crossed his lips unbidden.
“The gap will only widen. That monster surpasses monsters. I’ve lived thinking myself a monster, but he is far beyond even that.”
“…Is he really that far ahead?”
Gu Gunbaek nodded at the bewildered question. He too had witnessed the battle with Yeom Ji-hak firsthand, so he understood well just how absurd the realm Jin Cheon-u now occupied truly was.
Therefore, he fully understood what his disciple would feel going forward.
Observing his drooping disciple’s expression, Gu Gunbaek’s smile deepened as he laughed.
“But it’s fine!”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Do you think the warriors of Namman’s Beast Palace are truly feared just for muscles and fists?”
“Aren’t they?”
“No, you fool! What makes the warriors of Namman’s Beast Palace truly terrifying is something else entirely.”
Gu Gunbaek moved quietly, carefully examining the tree, and his eyes sparkled as he confirmed a small hole that appeared to have been made by a bird.
Soon after, he pulled something from that spot.
A small flute.
Gu Gunbaek handed it over without ceremony.
“What is this…?”
“A flute that can control beasts. Well, just because they’re brought to you doesn’t mean you can control all of them—the beast has to take a liking to you first.”
At those words, Chu Hyeongi suddenly lifted his head.
An item that could control beasts?
Didn’t it seem quite precious?
I couldn’t believe he was handing it over so readily.
“There are times when you can’t win with just fists alone. Beyond that, if you tame beasts, there are quite a few things that become easier.”
It’s useful when tracking traces, finding people, or finding your way.
Since they possessed senses far superior to humans, if all of that became possible, it would be no different than obtaining an extraordinary opportunity.
Soon after, Gu Gunbaek threw something else.
Thud—
A single book fell before Chu Hyeongi.
As he looked at it with a puzzled expression, Gu Gunbaek laughed.
“That’s a secret manual describing how to use it. Keep it safe. You’ll need to give it to whoever comes after you to lead Namman later.”
“…Master!”
“Don’t get emotional, boy. A man doesn’t shed tears! Once you’ve received everything, get going. A monster-like fellow who wants to destroy the Demonic Sect is waiting for you.”
Chu Hyeongi nodded and gathered what he’d received.
Soon after, he glanced back slightly, then turned toward Gu Gunbaek again.
“Won’t you come with me?”
“You go alone. I’ll stay here for a while and leave later.”
“…No, I don’t know the way.”
As Chu Hyeongi spoke while looking at the dense forest, Gu Gunbaek let out an exasperated laugh.
Soon after.
Crack—!
The sound of a watermelon splitting echoed.
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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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