The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 117

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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 117

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Hyang Un-sin paced restlessly within the inn, his teeth clenched as anxiety etched itself across his features.
It had already been four days since Jin Cheon-u of the Nakhyang Jin Family entered Sadocheon.
Ordinarily, when such matters arose, those who maintained close cooperative relations with the Hyangun Se Family would swiftly gather intelligence from within and dispatch correspondence to inform him.
Details of how matters were progressing, and such.
Yet this time, something felt different.
There had been no communication whatsoever.
Unable even to conjecture what was transpiring, Hyang Un-sin’s unease deepened with each passing hour.
“You truly know nothing either?!”
As Hyang Un-sin turned his gaze, it fell upon Ha Un-jang, the leader of the Jinpung Sword Sect, who leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.
Though he caught the sharp edge in the man’s voice, he dismissed it with casual indifference, as though it warranted no concern.
Presently, he shifted his gaze to regard Hyang Un-sin.
“Even if I possessed knowledge of something, why should I be obliged to share it with you?”
“What?!”
“I am a man who serves the Heavenly Lord. You are not the Heavenly Lord, are you?”
At this blunt remark, Hyang Un-sin’s face flushed crimson with rage.
Considering the tributes the Hyangun Se Family paid to Sadocheon, even the leader of the Jinpung Sword Sect should not speak to him in such a manner.
Every morsel they ate, every drop they drank, every thread they wore—all of it was funded by the Hyangun Se Family’s wealth. Should that flow cease, they would suffer considerable loss.
Did he truly not understand this?
Hyang Un-sin ground his teeth and glared at Ha Un-jang.
In that instant, a chilling sensation swept through him, and every hair on his body stood on end.
Ha Un-jang had released his killing intent.
Like a finely honed blade, it felt as though his entire body would be rent asunder.
Hyang Un-sin swallowed hard and was forced to turn away.
Yet he clenched his teeth.
‘This humiliation… I shall repay it without fail.’
Should negotiations with the Nakhyang Jin Family proceed favorably, he would no longer rely upon Sadocheon.
There were countless other powers willing to accept patronage in exchange for assistance—Sadocheon was hardly irreplaceable.
When that day came, regret would be too late.
No, he would ensure this humiliation was repaid in full.
As Hyang Un-sin turned away with such resolve, he caught sight of something peculiar.
Ha Un-jang, who had been watching him, wore a contemptuous smirk at the corner of his mouth.
It was a most disagreeable expression.
His mood darkened further, Hyang Un-sin opened the door and left the room.
Through the window visible in the corridor, he could see that the warriors of the Nakhyang Jin Family still maintained their positions surrounding the inn.
Jin Ji-yak and several of her attendants remained detained here.
He seemed to be displaying a willingness to use force regardless of success or failure, yet the only threat worth considering was Baek Ja-hyeon.
I couldn’t know what sort of arrangement Young Master So Jin Cheon-u had made with Sadocheon, but even so, this advantage wouldn’t be easily broken.
As I was about to avert my gaze from such thoughts.
Something peculiar caught my eye.
Someone was approaching from a distance down the road.
In that instant, I saw the Nakhyang Jin Family warriors surrounding the inn rush forward with evident relief.
Only then did Hyang Un-sin realize.
“He’s arrived.”
Young Master So Jin Cheon-u of the Nakhyang Jin Family.
He had finally returned after concluding his confrontation with Sadocheon.
I was intensely curious about what he had obtained from that place.

* * *

When I arrived at the location of the Hyangun Inn, I witnessed an unexpected sight.
Jin Ji-yak’s escort warriors had formed a perimeter around the inn, and it felt as though they were preventing others from taking any action.
Seeing that even those whose bodies hadn’t fully recovered had stepped forward, I could sense their loyalty to Jin Ji-yak was extraordinary.
“Oh, you’ve arrived, Young Master So!”
“What are you doing?”
“We’ve been standing guard to prevent any reckless actions.”
I nodded at the expected response.
It seemed their movements were driven by anxiety that Jin Ji-yak or her household might be spirited away.
“Has there been any activity?”
“All has been quiet thus far. The moment they heard that Young Master So had gone to Sadocheon, they barricaded themselves inside and haven’t shown their faces.”
“What about the people from Sadocheon?”
“They’re the same.”
The Jinpung Sword Sect, here to aid the Hyangun Se Family.
They had remained docile until now, but if we attempted anything suspicious, they would undoubtedly draw their blades without mercy.
Considering our full strength, would we be annihilated in an instant?
Baek Ja-hyeon alone would struggle valiantly, but even that wouldn’t last long.
No matter how formidable in the late stages, there wasn’t much one could do against the Jinpung Sword Sect, which could be called a band of killers.
I let out a soft laugh.
Then, I lightly patted one of the guards’ shoulders and spoke.
“Tell everyone to come to the inn. I’ll go in first.”
“…Young Master So, alone? That’s dangerous.”
“If it seems dangerous, I’ll simply flee. Don’t worry and go. We need to end this tedious situation as quickly as possible, don’t we? I’m counting on you.”
I issued such instructions and moved toward the inn.
As I gently grasped and pulled open the firmly closed door, the empty interior came into view.
Thump, thump—
I stepped slowly inside, one foot at a time.
With each step I took, the floorboards creaked beneath my feet.
In this space devoid of any presence, the sound echoed loudly, grating against my ears with an irritating shrillness.
Soon I settled into a seat at the largest table.
I set the sword I held beside me, folded my arms, and closed my eyes gently.
After passing some time in silence, sounds began to emanate from this floor.
Only then did I open my eyes and gaze toward the stairs.
Someone was descending the staircase.
A sharp impression.
I immediately recognized that the Evaluator was the Jin Pung Sword Sect Leader.
Following him at the front, several others began to reveal themselves, and among them was a middle-aged man staring intently at me.
The Evaluator was precisely the Hyang-un Sega Family Head who had planned this reckless scheme.
I remained seated and waited.
Whether due to my youthful composure, the Hyang-un Sega Family Head furrowed his brow and displayed displeasure, but I simply watched as he slowly approached and took a seat across from me.
“Are you the Young Master So of the Nakhyang Jin Family?”
“I am.”
“I am Hyang Un-sin, the Family Head of the Hyang-un Sega.”
He kindly provided an answer to a question I hadn’t asked.
This revealed that the current situation displeased him—that despite seeing the Family Head of one of the Central Plains’ most prominent merchant guilds, I had not risen to greet him or even offered a courtesy bow.
There was even a glimmer of hope that perhaps if he revealed his status, things might change.
I let out a small laugh.
“I am Jin Cheon-u.”
….
The moment he heard my name, Hyang Un-sin’s face contorted.
His eyes shot toward me with a fierce gleam that made it clear his pride had been wounded.
Because of this, the very atmosphere around us grew ominous.
The Jinpung Sword Sect seemed unconcerned, but the warriors surrounding Hyang Un-sin, feeling themselves disrespected, emanated an unusual intensity.
As if attempting to exert pressure.
Without thinking, I clicked my tongue and gestured.
“Yet the Hyangun Inn doesn’t even offer a guest a cup of tea?”
“Bring tea at once.”
At my dissatisfied remark, Hyang Un-sin furrowed his brow further, yet directed his words toward someone.
Now it seemed we could converse with satisfaction.
My throat had been parched anyway.
As we regarded each other silently for a moment, as if searching, a maid hastily brought refreshments and placed them upon the table.
I moistened my dry throat and spoke first.
“You’ve undertaken quite a reckless endeavor.”
“Haha—do you consider it reckless?”
“If you don’t, then it means you’ve underestimated the Nakhyang Jin Family that much.”
…!
Gulp—
I sipped my tea leisurely, studying Hyang Un-sin with unwavering attention.
His pupils trembled noticeably—he was clearly startled.
In that instant, Hyang Un-sin glanced toward the Jinpung Sword Sect, and as if drawing reassurance from their presence, the trembling in his eyes subsided.
Soon, composure returned to his expression.
From that alone, I could gauge just how deeply Hyang Un-sin trusted the Jinpung Sword Sect and Sadocheon.
Hyang Un-sin’s confidence stemmed from Sadocheon.
And the Jinpung Sword Sect, dispatched from Sadocheon, stood guard over him.
Even if our conversation deteriorated into conflict, he appeared convinced that victory was inevitable—that they could not possibly lose.
I let out a scoff, turning my gaze toward the Jinpung Sword Sect.
They watched us with expressions utterly devoid of emotion.
There was no sense of duty toward their assignment—merely the impression that they were performing because they had been ordered to, nothing more.
It seemed to displease them that the future pillars of Sadocheon were being moved by the words of a mere merchant.
“Listen here, Young Master So. I harbor no intention of making enemies of the Nakhyang Jin Family. All we desire is….”
“Imperial Court business, I presume.”
“Precisely. There is nothing else.”
“The methods you employed against the Nakhyang Jin Family to obtain it were reckless.”
“What did you say?”
“It matters not if you don’t understand. Rather, where are my Elder Sister and the household members?”
At my blunt words, Hyang Un-sin’s brow furrowed deeper.
Yet unwilling to display his anger, he drew a deep breath to steady himself.
The light in his eyes, as he regarded me, grew calm once more.
“Rest assured. They are well. Not a hair on their heads has been disturbed.”
“It should be that way.”
“….”
It was at that moment, as I brushed past the situation with a smile.
The closed door swung open, and the warriors of the Nakhyang Jin Family rushed in.
Jang Chuchyeong and Namgung Yeon, who had hurried over, stood beside me gasping for breath, while Baek Ja-hyeon and the other warriors, though breathing heavily, kept their hands on their sword hilts, ready to draw at any moment.
“Huff— huff! Young Master, are you alright?”
“Ha… ha… Next time, please take us with you as well.”
Jang Chuchyeong and Namgung Yeon examined me from all angles, their expressions and eyes filled with concern, but I waved my hand dismissively, pushing the two of them back.
Only then did Baek Ja-hyeon approach cautiously, tilting his head forward.
“Did the errand go well?”
“Of course. Uncle, did you see Elder Sister?”
“Ah— yes, of course. I saw with my own eyes that she is well, without a single wound. As for the other household members, I have not yet confirmed, but from the circumstances, they appear to be fine.”
At those words, I nodded.
Even if I heard reassurance from Hyang Un-sin’s own lips, I could not simply take his word at face value.
But if Baek Ja-hyeon had witnessed it with his own eyes, then I could be at ease.
I turned my gaze back toward Hyang Un-sin.
As if he had heard the whispered exchange, he smiled with a grin.
As if to say, ‘You see? We meant no harm.’
Then, as if to signal readiness, he rubbed his hands together and opened his mouth.
“Well, it seems everyone who was coming has arrived. Shall we begin?”
“Begin what?”
“What do you mean ‘what’? We came here to negotiate, did we not?”
His eyes held the look of someone questioning why I would ask something so obvious.
I gazed at that expression and tilted my head in bewilderment.
Then I shifted my gaze to Baek Ja-hyeon.
He too let out a hollow laugh as if finding the situation absurd, shaking his head slowly.
From that alone, it was clear that Hyang Un-sin still hadn’t grasped the situation.
Ha—
I let out an exasperated laugh.
In that moment, Hyang Un-sin seemed to sense something ominous in my sudden behavior, his expression and eyes growing somewhat rigid as he looked at me.
“What has gone wrong?”
He spoke flatly, but anxiety was evident beneath his words.
I could feel that emotion in the tremor of his voice.
Hearing it, I let a sneer cross my lips.
“Did you perhaps mistake me for someone who came here to negotiate?”
“…!”
At that brief utterance, Hyang Un-sin’s pupils began to tremble violently.

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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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