The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 116

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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 177

The men who rose from their seats with hearty laughter were remarkably large specimens.
Burly frames paired with the Daos they wielded in their hands.
Their laughter accompanied physiques that seemed to overwhelm just by sight, yet their sharply narrowed eyes carried a keenness that threatened not merely to pressure but to crush the spirit of their opponent.
As a result, Na Cheonmun’s complexion turned ashen.
But I paid them no mind and simply observed them.
“Did you just hear what I said? I asked how one could ascend to the Macheon Palace?”
“Puhaha!”
“Hahaha!”
“A madman has entered the Chohon Hall! Hahaha!”
Not only the burly men but everyone within the inn erupted in raucous laughter, their voices booming.
It seemed they didn’t consider this a question that could come from the mouth of someone from the Chohon Hall—not out of ignorance, but out of sheer disbelief.
Then the burly man ceased his laughter and fixed his gaze upon me.
“Ah, right—the Chohon Hall has never sent anyone upward, has it? No wonder you don’t know. Krhehe.”
“Not even once? From what I recall… there hasn’t been.”
“If anyone from the Chohon Hall had ever sent someone up, the term ‘lowest rank of the Demonic Sect’ wouldn’t exist. Wouldn’t you agree?”
At the voices coming from all directions, I let out a sigh.
I didn’t particularly mind their mockery—that was their choice—but I wished that if people were going to ridicule someone to such an embarrassing degree, they might at least explain their reasons.
I glanced sideways at Na Cheonmun.
I could see him gripping his head with an expression of utter dismay.
He had stuck close to me to prevent this very situation, yet now that it had unfolded, it seemed he expected to face severe consequences.
“You fools from the Chohon Hall—stop dreaming foolish dreams and crawl along the ground where you belong. Understand?!”
Thud!
The burly man slammed the Dao in his hand down against the floor.
With considerable force, a tremendous sound shook the inn. The ceiling trembled and dust began to rain down.
I found myself letting out an involuntary chuckle, and just as I was about to place my hand on my sword’s hilt—
Na Cheonmun shot up from his seat.
“My sincerest apologies! We shall take our leave!”
Na Cheonmun, rising hastily, grabbed me and hurried us out of the inn.
As a result, I couldn’t even get a proper meal in my mouth before departing, and what bothered me even more was the sound of their mocking laughter as they watched us rush away.
“Running away, are you? Hehehehe! The rat hole is that way, isn’t it?”
“Hahaha! Don’t be so harsh on them. Just being from the Chohon Hall should be embarrassment enough. Do you think they entered willingly?”
“Krhehe, that’s right. They didn’t go willingly—they went because they lack the strength.”
In the gazes piercing at us from all directions lay unmistakable contempt.
The treatment that the weakest organization in this world of survival of the fittest could not help but receive.
I felt it keenly and laughed in disbelief.
Soon after, as the inn door opened and we stepped outside, only then did Na Cheonmun sigh and lower his head.
“…I sincerely apologize, Young Master. I shall return to the Chohon Hall and arrange for a meal to be prepared immediately.”
“I’m fine with it, but… ugh!”
Jang Chuchyeong looked at me with an awkward expression.
Since birth until now, I had never received such treatment, nor had I ever witnessed it.
Because of this, not only Jang Chuchyeong but Chaeseoha also appeared quite shocked.
If there was anyone somewhat accustomed to this, it might be Namgung Yeon?
But even she seemed to have stiffened her face.
“Is this how guests are typically treated at the Chohon Hall?”
“It’s the section that handles miscellaneous tasks. Haha.”
Na Cheonmun, who had spoken those words, said nothing further.
Knowing it was a source of shame for them, he seemed to think there was no need to elaborate to outsiders like us.
I didn’t press the matter either.
I simply chose to hurry back to the Chohon Hall to fill my hungry stomach.
I quickly scooped up Chaeseoha and deployed my lightness technique.
It was simply retracing the path we had come.
Arriving at the Chohon Hall without much difficulty, Na Cheonmun hastily entered and moved toward the dining hall.
“Ah— finally we can eat.”
“Right? I feel like my stomach has completely caved in.”
As we entered the dining hall prepared for receiving guests, Jang Chuchyeong and Chaeseoha sighed while clutching their hungry bellies.
The moment we took our seats, a modest meal was laid out as if it had been waiting.
While there were no particularly flashy or impressive dishes, the meal was well-balanced with appropriate vegetables and meat.
Just as everyone began filling their stomachs.
The dining hall door suddenly opened, and a familiar face entered.
“Having a good look around, are you?”
The one who entered was none other than Ryu Gak.
His gaze first turned toward Chaeseoha, who was hurriedly stuffing food into her mouth, then shifted to Jang Chuchyeong.
For Ryu Gak, only Jang Chuchyeong could be called a guest, so he didn’t feel we beside him were worth much attention.
Jang Chuchyeong, who had been eating, turned his head.
The fellow, who hadn’t expected to receive his attention, showed a momentarily vacant expression, but when I subtly pressed my foot against his, he seemed to grasp the situation and hastily corrected his expression before speaking.
“Oh? Isn’t this the Sojeonju? Why don’t you come and eat with us?”
“Haha, I’m afraid I must decline. But have you just returned from outside?”
Ryu Gak’s gaze turned toward Na Cheonmun, who sat to one side eating with us.
The moment he received that gaze, I saw him flinch.
Judging from how he froze the moment Ryu Gak entered, his hand even stopping mid-bite, I could guess who had inflicted those scars on his face.
Let the man eat in peace, will you.
“Hahahaha! I was just curious about what kind of inn this is. But why is the treatment like this? I nearly got punched.”
“….”
Was it because of that single remark?
Cold sweat flowed down Na Cheonmun’s forehead even more.
It seemed he had issued orders not to let him leave the Chohon Hall if possible.
Given the matter with the inn, it looked as though Na Cheonmun would face another scolding.
I caught sight of this and let my lips twitch slightly.
At the same moment, Jang Chuchyeong, who hadn’t known what else to say, suddenly widened his eyes and spoke.
“By the way, when the inauguration ceremony is held, can I see the sect leader from the front? I came as a guest, you know? I have things I need to say to him.”
“…Father said he would speak to the Chief Steward about this. He will resolve the matter one way or another, so do not worry. As for the inauguration ceremony…you likely will not be able to see it.”
“What? Why not?”
“Since the Chohon Hall is at the lowest rank, it must be positioned far away, and all attendees have already been selected.”
The Sub-Palace Master of the Yasugung, with whom relations were poor, could not be permitted to attend. Though not openly stated, a glint in Ryu Gak’s eyes betrayed this reasoning.
While it was certainly a breach of propriety, considering the relationship between Namman and the Demonic Sect thus far, there was no telling what the Sub-Palace Master of the Yasugung might do at such an important ceremony as an inauguration.
It would be better to prevent her attendance, even if it meant facing criticism.
Hearing this explanation, I smiled.
I murmured something quietly once more, concealing it.
The moment the sound transmission reached his ear, Jang Chuchyeong glanced back at me, but I simply smiled without paying it much mind.
“Ahem—! But say, back at the inn, people were talking about sending some warrior up somewhere or other. What was that all about?”
“…There is no need to pay attention to such matters.”
“Come on, tell me. Do I have to go back to the inn to find out? Those fellows had pretty murderous looks in their eyes.”
As Jang Chuchyeong clenched his fists and his eyes gleamed, Na Cheonmun trembled even more and broke into a cold sweat, while Ryu Gak stared intently at Jang Chuchyeong with a furrowed brow.
He seemed reluctant to speak, but more concerned that trouble might break out.
Finally, he let out a sigh.
“It refers to the Demon Ascension Tournament. Warriors from each hall seize one hundred Demonic Sect Seals from warriors of other halls. With those, one can ascend to the higher Demon Cloud Peak.”
“Demon Cloud Peak…? What is that?”
“It is where the intermediate-ranked warriors of the Demonic Sect dwell. If one wins another ascension tournament there, one can reach the Heavenly Demon Ridge, where the highest-ranked warriors of the Demonic Sect reside.”
Just hearing the name Heavenly Demon Ridge made it clear.
That was surely where the Demon Heavenly Palace stood.
Where the sect leader who would become the new Heavenly Demon resides, and where Chung-mu, the Master of the Heavenly Demon Forging Chamber, one of my objectives, would be.
I paused to think.
Ryu Jin-hong said he would speak to the Chief Steward to resolve this matter, but considering the standing of the Chohon Hall, it would be meaningless.
The Chohon Hall is mocked even by lower-ranked warriors.
How could the words of even a hall master reach the Chief Steward’s ears?
Meeting him would not be easy either.
Then ultimately, I would have to resolve this myself.
Whether by sword or by word, leaving it to these people would likely result in nothing being accomplished.
Ryu Jin-hong would surely try to smooth things over by offering more money or perhaps providing a decent horse from what he could obtain from his position.
Moreover, the moment the inauguration ceremony began, the Demonic Sect would fall into chaos, so I had to assume there was no possibility of achieving my objective then.
I glanced at the bracelet hanging on my wrist.
The small bracelet inscribed with “Chohon Hall” seemed to prove my affiliation.
I wondered if this might be what Ryu Gak had mentioned.
I looked at him carefully and asked a question.
“Could this be what you call the Demonic Sect Seal?”
“…Yes. Without it, one is not a member of the Demonic Sect, so it was entrusted to you for the duration of your stay here. Be careful not to lose it.”
At those words, I nodded while touching the seal gently.
As long as I don’t lose it, that’s all that matters, isn’t it?
Just as that thought crossed my mind, Ryu Gak turned his back, apparently finished with his business.
“Then rest well. And I’d prefer you not venture outside before the initial confrontation.”
“Ahem—! I’ll do as I please.”
Chu Hyeongi’s remark seemed to displease Ryu Gak, as I watched his brow furrow, but he quickly excused himself without further concern.
Thud—!
With the sound of the door closing that followed.
My gaze naturally shifted toward Na Cheonmun.
“About that promotion tournament you mentioned earlier—can it be held without permission?”
“Hmm? Ah—normally it begins by ringing a bell to announce it.”
“A bell?”
“Yes, there’s a large bell in the center of the village.”
At those words, I nodded and turned my gaze away.
Indeed, far off beyond the window, I could see a considerably large bell.
Confirming it, I rested my chin thoughtfully and asked again.
“Are there any criteria for who can participate?”
“None! Any member of the Demonic Sect who possesses a Demonic Sect token can do so at any time!”
At his loud response, I nodded with satisfaction.
So that’s how it is?
As a smile spread across my face unbidden at the thought that had suddenly occurred to me, I noticed Chu Hyeongi and Namgung Yeon beside me turning pale.
I wasn’t thinking of anything particularly malicious.
Simply, as long as I don’t violate the Demonic Sect’s rules, that should be fine.

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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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