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 116

The name Gwanbaek was something I couldn’t forget even if I wanted to.
A name that had escaped from Yeom Ji-hak’s lips.
The way he had muttered it—as though all my actions revolved around Gwanbaek and were somehow obstructing their plans—that voice remained vivid and clear in my ears even now.
And now, that very name had surfaced in an unexpected place.
I suppressed my emotions and expression as much as possible.
“Gwanbaek… Who is that?”
“Tsk tsk tsk, ah! You don’t understand when I use that name? I’m referring to Mu Heo.”
At the mention of Mu Heo, I furrowed my brow.

Geomcheon Mu Heo.

I didn’t know his origins or what sword techniques he had mastered.
But people spoke of him with one voice, calling him the Sword Heaven.
Decades ago, he had suddenly appeared in the Central Plains and shattered all those called the Ten Emperors of that era, earning the title of Heaven’s Star.
After that fierce battle, three lost their lives and the seat of Emperor fell vacant—it was Gu Gunbaek, Mo Yong-cheon, and Mu-jin of Wudang who claimed those empty positions.
But Mu Heo was Gwanbaek?
“When you say Mu Heo, you’re speaking of Geomcheon?”
“Tsk tsk, that’s right. I once crossed swords with him, you see. Your sword flow resembles his, and I could think of no one else capable of raising such a monster, so I assumed you were his disciple—but it seems that’s not the case.”
“I’ve never heard that name before. I understood that Geomcheon withdrew from the Central Plains Martial Arts World and disappeared.”
“He did disappear. But tsk tsk, he’s likely somewhere in seclusion, raising disciples of his own.”
Cheon Gong-hak shook his head slowly.
It seemed as though he were recalling those events, tinged with a sense of regret.
I naturally observed his expression and eyes as I asked.
“But Elder, what does the name Gwanbaek mean?”
“It’s his true name. He became known as Mu Heo, but few know his real name. Ah, are you being added to that select few now? Tsk tsk tsk.”
At that laughter and gaze, I smiled awkwardly.
It didn’t seem as though he was testing me using the name Gwanbaek.
Moreover, his tone, eyes, and expression all seemed genuine, and if all of this was true, it didn’t appear to have any connection to Singyeo.
Even when he had been on his deathbed in the past, I had found no link to Singyeo, so I could be somewhat reassured for now—yet I couldn’t afford to let my guard down.
“But if it’s not him, where did a monster like you come from?”
“Self-taught.”
“You’ve surpassed the peak through self-taught martial arts? Something even this old man couldn’t achieve, you’ve done?”
“It’s the truth. Though there was someone who helped me…”
“I thought so. Tsk tsk tsk. Reaching such heights without aid is impossible no matter how I think about it. So, who is this person? Surely one of the Ten Emperors?”
“I cannot speak of it.”
The moment those words left my mouth.
Cheon Gong-hak appeared before my eyes without even giving me time to react.
Clink—
A dagger I couldn’t recall drawing appeared at my throat, pressing gently against the skin and drawing a thin line of blood.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Are you fearless, or merely enduring?”
“I would say both, for now.”
I met Cheon Gong-hak’s gaze directly as I spoke.
Though nothing showed on the surface, I was certain he had read the fear flickering in my eyes.
“You have a narrow mind, old man. So refrain from saying things that grate on my ears.”
“I shall carve it into my bones.”
“Then shall I carve it in for you right now?”
“That won’t be necessary.”
At my firm response, a peculiar smile played at the corners of his mouth. He seemed to withdraw the dagger from my throat, but the moment its touch vanished, Cheon Gong-hak’s figure disappeared from my sight—only to reappear in the exact same spot, wearing the identical expression and posture as before.
It was as though I’d been bewitched by a phantom.
As I stared at Cheon Gong-hak with a bewildered expression, he let out a small laugh and rose from his seat.
Then, with light, unhurried steps, he left the room.
“Are you leaving?”
I called out a question, but no answer came.
All I saw was his hand waving as he departed.
He harbored no lingering attachment, offered no farewell, and spoke no words of hope for reunion.
I understood perfectly what that meant.
A martial artist stands forever upon the blade’s edge.
Even if one speaks of reunion, there is no guarantee of meeting again.
Cheon Gong-hak, of all people, understood this better than anyone, so he seemed to believe such words were unnecessary.
I felt his presence fade completely, and only then did I exhale in relief, wiping away the cold sweat that had beaded on my brow.
I had been that tense.
Even more so than when I faced Gu Gunbaek.
Though the Demon King’s name was no less formidable than the Death Emperor’s, Cheon Gong-hak was the one who held the rank of the Ten Emperors before Gu Gunbaek ever ascended to it.
The weight of such a presence could not be ignored.
“Are you unharmed, my boy?”
At that moment, a familiar voice reached my ears.
I turned to see Chief Administrator Ryu Hyeok-sang standing before me.
He held a sealed letter in his hand and gazed at me intently before breaking into a grin.
“I see you still have all twenty fingers and toes, and your nails appear intact.”
“Was I supposed to lose some?”
“Lose some? You should have lost them all. You’ve thoroughly humiliated the Junior Heavenly Lord, whom the Heavenly Lord treasures so dearly. Ha ha.”
“It was the Heavenly Lord who ordered me to break his pride.”
“As if he truly meant it that way. He meant for you to play with him a bit and narrowly let him win. You have a tendency to take people’s words at face value, don’t you?”
At Ryu Hyeok-sang’s words, I made a bewildered expression.
I had already known, but I hadn’t expected him to say it so openly.
Conversely, Ryu Hyeok-sang’s eyes held a question—why would someone with that much sense do such a thing?
Frowning, I accepted the letter he offered me.
“Pass that along to the Jin Pung Sword Sect Leader. We could send a letter by courier, but wouldn’t it look better if you delivered it in person?”
“Understood. But… is there anything unusual written in it?”
“Ha, rest assured—I’m not ordering the Sect to kill you. Besides, even if the entire Sect came at you, I doubt they could manage it.”
“You’re too kind.”
“That’s precisely how threatening you’ve become. And now, the martial artists of this world will come to recognize your existence.”
“…”
This was no idle remark.
I had crushed the Junior Heavenly Lord far too easily before so many witnesses. Naturally, rumors would begin to spread, and it was only a matter of time before those rumors reached Hannam.
They would naturally ripple throughout the entire Righteous Martial Arts World.
I let out a soft chuckle.
I had already known this would happen.
That’s why I had settled the match using only a single martial technique.
So that Jin Cheon-u wearing the Demon Face and Jin Cheon-u without it would appear as entirely different people.
With martial styles so fundamentally different, they could not be seen as the same person.
“I am a merchant. I do not let the fortunes of the martial world sway my emotions.”
“Well, that’s fine then. Still, things will change considerably from here on. Martial artists grow curious when a powerful figure suddenly emerges—wondering where they obtained their opportunity for advancement, and all that.”
“I shall keep that in mind.”
I nodded in agreement with the Chief Administrator’s words.
I had already experienced this once before.
There were those who would suddenly draw their blades, demanding I reveal my fortuitous encounter. Others had rushed at me, intent on draining my blood.
But this time would be different.
The Nakhyang Jin Family remained strong.
With their power as my backing, I need not worry about troublesome insects swarming around me.
Still, there would be those who came seeking glory through challenge.
After all, I had defeated the Junior Heavenly Lord of Sadocheon.
Those hungry for fame would appear.
I finished my thoughts and looked toward Ryu Hyeok-sang.
“I shall entrust the remaining matters to our side’s Chief Administrator. I will brief him thoroughly, so you need not worry.”
“Ha, so the Nakhyang Jin Family will be conducting business with Sadocheon. The Martial Arts Alliance may not sit idle about this. Are you certain it’s acceptable?”
“Persuasion and negotiation are our responsibility. There is nothing for you to concern yourself with.”
“Fair enough.”
Ryu Hyeok-sang smiled with satisfaction.
It seemed the matter with Sadocheon was now concluded.
What remained was the Hyang-un Sega?
I found myself curious about the expression on their Family Head’s face.

* * *

“Kraaaagh?!”
Cheon Yul let out a harsh cry as he bolted upright from where he lay.
In that instant, a sharp pain lanced through his chest, and sensing an odd gaze upon him, he turned to see the Heavenly Lord Cheon Gong-hak watching him intently—though he couldn’t recall when the man had arrived.
“Grandfather….”
“Tsk, tsk, tsk. Bested by a merchant’s child, and you’ve brought shame upon this old man’s name. How does it feel? Does your pride wish to take flight?”
“I was defeated, Grandfather?!”
“Do you imagine there is any other reason you lie here?”
Shiver—
At Cheon Gong-hak’s words, Cheon Yul trembled.
In truth, his memory was fragmented.
He recalled seeing something flash brilliantly, but consciousness had simply vanished in an instant, and when his eyes opened, he found himself in this predicament.
He hadn’t even perceived how it happened, or which blade had struck him.
The absurdity of it all…
“Hah! You’re saying I lost? And before all those people?”
“Gather your wits.”
“I’m perfectly fine! Except for the pain.”
“Tsk, tsk.”
“But how did I lose? It was going well….”
At those words, Cheon Gong-hak shook his head.
That could hardly be called going well.
The exchange had unfolded only because he had deliberately held back his strength to observe Cheon Yul’s technique—otherwise, it would have ended in an instant, just as it had begun.
It seemed Cheon Yul’s mind had not grasped this reality.
Or perhaps it was pride.
Either way, it displeased him.
“That man—where is he now?”
“He departed long ago.”
“…He left? While I was asleep?”
Not asleep—unconscious.
Cheon Gong-hak clicked his tongue and frowned as he observed Cheon Yul, who still seemed oblivious to the gravity of his situation.
He had expected the boy to be somewhat shaken, to fall into despondency, yet here he was, brimming with vitality as always.
It appeared the shame of his defeat and the stain upon the Heavenly Lord’s honor had scarcely penetrated his mind.
Releasing a long sigh, Cheon Gong-hak began to speak again.
“Let today’s events serve as a lesson….”
But something was amiss.
Cheon Yul rose without even listening, and began gathering various items from a bundle placed to one side.
As though he meant to rush outside at once.
Cheon Gong-hak regarded this with a puzzled expression.
“What… are you doing?”
“I’m going after him.”
“After whom…?”
“Of course I must win and return!”
In that instant, Cheon Yul’s fist clenched as he stared at Cheon Gong-hak. His blazing eyes and fierce expression laid bare his fighting spirit.
“I will emerge victorious and bring back that man’s head! Only then can I truly lead Sadocheon forward!”
“I cannot fathom what goes through that head of yours.”
Cheon Gong-hak simply watched as Cheon Yul hurriedly packed his belongings.
Whether it was to honor his own words, he paid no mind to the bewildered look in the other’s eyes.
He then rolled his bundle tightly, secured his travel pouch, and fastened his treasured blade to his waist.
Observing all of this, Cheon Gong-hak furrowed his brow.
“You truly intend to leave?”
“Of course I must! As one who must lead Sadocheon, how could I possibly lie here and sleep in such circumstances? I will absolutely restore Sadocheon’s reputation!”
“It’s reputation, not reputation.”
“Yes, well, that’s what I meant!”
Cheon Yul seemed determined not to heed any words, striding boldly from the room.
In the next instant, he unfurled his lightness technique and vanished, his resolve so unshakeable that no one could break it.
Cheon Gong-hak closed his eyes tightly.
There were limits to such stubborn ignorance.
Yet the resolute determination to restore Sadocheon’s honor sounded quite admirable, truth be told.
Cheon Gong-hak found himself smiling without realizing it.
It reminded him of his own reckless youth.
But that fool.
“Does he even know where he’s supposed to go?”
The moment Cheon Gong-hak’s gaze turned toward the empty air, his smile vanished and his eyes became sharp as blades.
Soon his voice resonated with grave weight.
“Why are you still here instead of pursuing him?”
Whoosh—!
The presence of those who had been holding their breath in hiding rapidly dispersed.
It was the moment the Junior Heavenly Lord of Sadocheon made his appearance in the martial world.

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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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