The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 115

—————
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 115

Cheon Yul’s eyes trembled as he stared at me.
The opponent swallowed hard, steadied his breathing, and composed himself before deliberately retreating to create distance.
He had changed.
This man harbored no intention of surrender.
Despite my overwhelming display of power, he remained utterly unintimidated.
Unlike his initial contempt, he now grinned with evident delight, baring his teeth in a smile.
Was he mad?
Whoosh—
The moment he created distance, he swung his blade about, examining something, then turned his gaze back to me and stared with piercing intensity.
A deep smile played at the corners of his mouth.
“Ha-ha! You’re an interesting one!”
“You say that even in defeat?”
“Ha-ha-ha! The moment you hit a wall is when you should feel most alive. Because when you break through it, you realize you’ve grown stronger.”
Cheon Yul spoke those words and burst into hearty laughter.
Yes, he resembled someone utterly intoxicated by martial arts. In his eyes now burned only the will to grow stronger.
I furrowed my brow.
In the next instant, Cheon Yul’s figure vanished.
Clang—!
Before I could react, he closed the distance and swung his blade with fierce determination.
When sword and blade collided, they didn’t bounce apart—instead, our forces clashed directly as we each struggled to push the other back.
The sensation was markedly different from before.
His attacks came with renewed intensity, as though he were unleashing his full power.
I furrowed my brow and glanced sideways at Cheon Gong-hak.
He still gazed in my direction, smiling.
Yet his eyes were fixed not on me, but on Cheon Yul, who had now lost twice, and he seemed to relish witnessing his earnest efforts.
“I didn’t come here to be your stepping stone.”
“You too shall become the foundation of my growth.”
“I said I refuse.”
Thud—!
“Ugh!”
I drove my knee upward into his abdomen, then used the pommel of my sword to strike his brow.
The impact should have been enough to render him unconscious, yet Cheon Yul somehow maintained his balance and swiftly recovered his senses.
This man possessed extraordinary mental fortitude.
Ordinarily, he would have collapsed with a cry of pain.
Then—
Whoosh—!
He swiftly swung his blade, seizing the opening.
However, unfortunately, it posed no significant threat.
I lightly deflected the blade and instead stepped forward, sweeping my sword in a wide arc.
Shing—!
“Grrgh!”
Though not a deep wound, I had cut across his chest.
It was a demonstration that I could kill him whenever I wished.
Yet.
The opponent, showing no intention of surrender despite the bleeding gash across his chest, gritted his teeth and launched another attack.
Whoosh—!
A rough, unsettling wind sound cut through the air.
Sensing the terrifying force contained within it, I swiftly sidestepped and shifted my body.
Crash—!
Watching the massive Martial Arts Arena shatter and splinter in an instant, I realized that had I stood my ground, the impact would have been devastating.
I furrowed my brow and regarded Cheon Yul.
He bared his teeth in another grin.
It was abundantly clear that he was savoring this moment, intent on using me as a stepping stone to reach greater heights.
Now I understood why Cheon Gong-hak had made such a proposal.
First, if Cheon Yul and I were pitted against each other, my victory was inevitable.
Thus, by defeating Cheon Yul, he would create justification for me to stand against Sadocheon, whom I had been assisting with the Hyangun Se Family’s power.
Second was Cheon Yul himself.
Though he spoke of breaking his pride and such, Cheon Gong-hak believed he required a stronger stimulus.
And with my appearance, he likely deemed it perfect.
Very well.
Then I should gain something from this as well.
Clang clang clang clang—!
I parried Cheon Yul’s relentless blade techniques while calmly analyzing everything.
His footwork, his movements, the way he wielded his blade.
And the form of each technique he executed.
I missed nothing, committing it all to memory, and my heightened senses even caught the subtle flow of energy with each swing of his blade.
Unlike the swift conclusion of the first and second encounters, as Cheon Yul’s offense intensified and we continued our exchange, the Sadocheon spectators erupted in cheers and encouragement.
“Magnificent—!”
“An unparalleled blade technique indeed, hahahaha!”
It seemed they believed I had been careless before and now were convinced of my impending defeat.
I let their voices pass through one ear and glanced sideways.
I caught sight of Cheon Gong-hak.
His expression had grown rigid, his gaze fixed upon me.
Had he realized I was stealing his martial techniques?
Or was he merely suspicious?
Either way, it was not favorable.
I had seen enough; it was time to end this.
I drew upon my momentum.
I infused the hazy moonlight into my blade.
And then….
The full moon’s radiance cascaded down, swallowing Cheon Yul whole in an instant.
Screeeech-!
“Gaaaahhh!”
“Soocheonchu-!”

* * *

“So, how is Yul doing?”
“Fortunately, the blade missed the vital points, so it’s not serious. If we manage the internal injuries properly, he should be able to move normally within ten days.”
At the Physician’s words, Cheon Gong-hak let out a snort.
The blade missed the vital points?
No.
He had deliberately made it miss.
Because I saw him twist his blade at the final moment.
“Quite impressive.”
He had perfectly gauged the level and orchestrated this situation.
He had judged that it would be good stimulation for Cheon Yul and would push him to grow further.
However, there was one miscalculation.
That man’s level was not merely what could be felt.
Control of inner energy, footwork that advanced appropriately with each step according to circumstances, and moreover, the seasoned expertise to pierce through an opponent’s martial techniques with the eyes and alter the blade’s trajectory in an instant.
On top of that, he extracted maximum efficiency from minimal movements.
All of this was only possible through painstakingly learning martial arts from childhood, accumulating countless experiences and battles.
Yet Jin Cheon-u had achieved it.
As if he had lived through countless battlefields.
How was this possible?
Reviewing every scene from the beginning, movements that peers his age could not even imagine.
Who on earth had created such a monster?
Cheon Gong-hak could not help but harbor such doubts.
Moreover, that man’s gaze and expression as he observed Cheon Yul’s martial techniques.
It was as if….
Whoosh-
Cheon Gong-hak rose calmly from his seat and left Cheon Yul’s quarters.
He moved at a leisurely pace toward where the guest rooms were located.
People visible here and there all spoke in hushed voices, whispering amongst themselves.
Undoubtedly, they were discussing Cheon Yul.
I found myself wearing a bitter smile.
I had told him to humble his pride, but I never imagined he would actually do so—facing none other than Soocheonchu within Sadocheon itself.
I sensed he was audacious, but to this extent?
Cheon Gong-hak, recalling Jin Cheon-u, let out an incredulous laugh and stood before the room where Jin Cheon-u was staying.
“Are you there?”

* * *

The guest quarters within Sadocheon.
Seated quietly in that space, I contemplated Cheon Yul’s martial techniques.
Truly formidable and intricate methods they were.
The level was comparable to the martial arts of the Habuk Paeng Family, and Cheon Yul’s movements as he wielded and pressured with them were equally impressive.
I etched each element into my mind, turning them over repeatedly.
Though called the Junior Heavenly Lord, his martial arts were unmistakably those of the Death Emperor Cheon Gong-hak.
If they prove beneficial, so be it—they would certainly not be detrimental.
I traced every movement of Cheon Yul and the trajectory of his cascading techniques without omission, then layered my own martial prowess upon them.
I carved away unnecessary elements from the emerging sword forms, repeatedly grafted new ones in their place, and began constructing each individual strike.
Just as a complete technique was taking shape—
“Are you there?”
Cheon Gong-hak’s voice sounded as the door opened.
I hastily collected myself and calmed my mind.
Rising from my seat and offering proper respect, Cheon Gong-hak grinned widely and gestured.
“Sit. Why are you standing as if something remarkable has arrived?”
“If the Death Emperor is not remarkable, then who could possibly be?”
“Tsk tsk, merely a skill at taking lives superior to others. That hardly means doing something for others like you lot, does it?”
At Cheon Gong-hak’s words, my expression grew awkward.
I knew not what to say, yet found myself nodding in agreement despite myself.
Unable to muster any response, I quietly returned to my seat, and only then did Cheon Gong-hak regard me with a thoroughly relaxed expression.
“I knew you were remarkable, but you exceeded imagination. I never imagined Yul would be so thoroughly defeated.”
“You are too kind. The Junior Heavenly Lord must have been looking favorably upon me.”
“Tsk tsk, I know that’s not true. Moreover, you held back considerably, didn’t you?”
“….”
“When Yul awakens, there will be quite the commotion. Tsk tsk tsk, merely thinking of it is amusing. In any case, thanks to this, I seem to be coming to my senses.”
“Are you not angered that matters did not unfold as you anticipated?”
“Anticipated? Ah— well, that much is true, but what can be done? I never imagined the gap would be this wide.”
Cheon Gong-hak waved dismissively and laughed, seemingly unbothered that the Junior Heavenly Lord who would succeed him had been utterly crushed. This struck me as somewhat peculiar.
Considering the momentum of the Sword Emperor I had sensed after Moyong Hyeok reached such a state, all the more so.
But then, was the situation different?
Moyong Hyeok’s bones had been shattered throughout his entire body.
“Then, as promised, we shall withdraw from the Hyangun Se Family’s affairs. Whether it prospers or falters, do as you see fit.”
“I am grateful. I too, as promised, shall handle the Imperial Court’s business….”
“Ah— speak of such matters with the Chief Administrator. When it comes to the art of taking lives, my ears perk right up, but such talk makes my head spin entirely.”
Cheon Gong-hak shook his head with an air of indifference.
He had come to realize that further conversation would be pointless.
This person’s interests lay in an entirely different direction.
I found myself letting out a quiet chuckle and nodding in agreement.
Then.
Cheon Gong-hak exhaled a long sigh and leaned back in his chair, casting a subtle glance in my direction.
The intensity of his gaze was remarkably peculiar.
It wasn’t the look of someone viewing an adversary, nor did it carry the warmth of genuine favor—yet there was something oddly familiar about the way he regarded me.
I met his eyes, allowing my bewilderment to show.
Only then did Cheon Gong-hak’s voice reach me.
“Would you consider coming to Sadocheon? Work under me for a time, receive some training….”
“I must respectfully decline.”
“As I thought—even someone like me pales in comparison to the Young Master So of the Jin Family, I suppose. Tsk.”
Cheon Gong-hak clicked his tongue with genuine regret.
It was clear he had intended to keep me at his side as a tool to continually provoke Cheon Yul, and perhaps eventually offer me a position as his second-in-command.
Though receiving instruction from such a master held considerable appeal, I already had access to someone of his caliber in Nakhyang—rendering the offer meaningless.
I rose from my seat with proper courtesy.
I had already obtained what I came for.
Though unexpected developments had occurred, Cheon Gong-hak’s mood seemed unaffected, so there appeared to be no cause for concern.
Just as I turned to leave.
Cheon Gong-hak’s gaze naturally followed me.
“But you see, friend.”
“Is there something you wish to ask?”
“Indeed there is. Any martial artist would be curious about this.”
I swallowed hard beneath his piercing stare.
A sinister thought crossed my mind—was he only now bringing up my attempt to steal Cheon Yul’s martial techniques?
To a martial artist, martial prowess is a treasure beyond all ages.
To attempt theft of such a thing warranted forfeiture of one’s life.
As I swallowed again, waiting for Cheon Gong-hak to speak.
An unexpected question emerged instead.
“What is your relationship with Gwanbaek?”
At the sudden mention of that name, my blood ran cold.

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