The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 124
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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 185
The downfall of the Uiseon Medical House traced back over a hundred years.
As physicians, they had always maintained a neutral position, treating patients regardless of their affiliation.
However, their location fell within the territory of the Orthodox Sect, so they could not escape its influence.
Thus, while they claimed neutrality, members of the Demon Sect could not easily enter for treatment, meaning in practice only the Orthodox Sect could access the Uiseon Medical House’s medical expertise.
But then, everything changed.
The Great Orthodox-Demon War ended and the Namgung Clan fell and vanished, yet the conflict between the Orthodox Sect and the Demon Sect raged on more intensely than ever.
In particular, the Orthodox Sect members who believed the Namgung Clan’s downfall—which had led them to victory in the war—was the Demon Sect’s doing, were consumed with unbridled rage.
It was amid this tension that the incident occurred.
The Young Sect Master of the Demon Sect was gravely injured while carrying out a mission in Orthodox Sect territory, and the Uiseon Medical House treated him.
Did they merely heal his wounds?
They even hid him from those pursuing him.
Thanks to this, the Young Sect Master left Orthodox Sect territory fully recovered, and the rage of the Orthodox Sect members who lost him right before their eyes became uncontrollable.
Not merely a Demon Sect disciple, but the Young Sect Master himself.
A golden opportunity to secure the future and elevate the Orthodox Sect’s prestige had slipped away because of mere physicians.
Though they were physicians who had treated them until now, their martial pride, the renown they should have gained, and the rage still smoldering from the Great War ignited into flame.
The Blood Calamity.
Someone suddenly infiltrated and obliterated the Uiseon Medical House, burning it to the ground, and indiscriminately slaughtered everyone alive.
This was the decisive reason for the Uiseon Medical House’s destruction.
From the Demon Sect’s perspective, they had incurred an unpayable debt.
* * *
“Is it really alright? Selling something like that?”
“They’re already dead anyway, so what does it matter? Besides, you didn’t have any other ideas, did you?”
“…That’s true.”
“And you were planning to use this from the start.”
“Did you peek inside my head?”
“If you spend enough time with you, Young Master, you learn to read you. I’m curious too, though. What will the Demon Sect give me in return? I’d be even happier if it were acupuncture needles or medicinal herbs.”
I fixed my gaze upon Ma Un.
Though he wore a smile, no emotion whatsoever showed in his eyes.
Whether it was displeasure or astonishment, I couldn’t tell.
Since I couldn’t discern which, I found myself unable to continue the conversation.
It would have been easier if he were as transparent as the Commander standing beside him.
While I entertained such thoughts, maids entered and laid out refreshments and tea.
As a considerable spread began to cover the table, Chaeseoha clapped her hands in delight, unconcerned with the atmosphere—but unlike her, no one else paid it any mind.
Soon Ma Un’s gaze turned toward Chaeseoha.
“The Chae Family’s debt… Yes, such a thing does exist.”
“But isn’t it a matter from quite long ago?”
“It may have been the previous generation, but it was the Heavenly Demon himself who incurred the debt. Are you suggesting I ignore that?”
“…My apologies.”
Baek Gong wasn’t actually opposed to repaying the debt itself. He was merely voicing a formal objection to shape the situation.
No matter how great the debt, the Demon Sect couldn’t simply hand over whatever was demanded.
He had created a pretext to ward off excessive demands.
“Then, does the Chae Family have any particular wishes?”
“I have entrusted everything to the Young Master.”
Despite Ma Un being the one asking the question, Chaeseoha brushed it aside without concern.
She, who knew nothing of the Demon Sect, was confident that by going through me, she could obtain far greater rewards than by stating her own desires.
At that moment.
Ma Un laughed once more.
As if he had seen through this entire situation.
But I regarded him with an unperturbed expression.
“How did you come to recognize that child?”
“I don’t know.”
“By the previous leader’s orders, I was searching for survivors of the Chae Family. But wandering about the Central Plains proved far from easy.”
That made sense.
Chaeseoha and even her father had wandered aimlessly with her.
They had hidden information and made every effort to conceal that she was of the Chae Family, and in doing so, the Demon Sect—unable to act freely within the Central Plains—would have found it difficult to locate her.
“The Demon Sect is not stingy about repaying its debts. But there is a problem.”
“What do you mean?”
“The position of sect leader remains vacant.”
At those words, I nodded.
The Demon Sect was obligated to repay the debt, and the Demon Sect was synonymous with the Heavenly Demon. Therefore, the debt could not be repaid while the position remained empty.
“The day you take that seat approaches. Please allow us to remain within the Demon Sect for a time.”
“Commander.”
“Yes.”
“Prepare quarters for them. And allow them to move about freely, but assign watchers to their side.”
“Understood.”
Observing the Commander bow his head, Ma Un regarded me with a satisfied expression.
It felt as though I were gazing upon some curious plaything.
Just as I was about to avert my gaze, feeling a touch of unease.
Ma Un’s voice reached me once more.
“Do you know why I have remained silent despite discovering your true identities?”
I turned my head again at the sudden question.
Ma Un’s piercing gaze bore down upon me with such weight that it was suffocating. His eyes, urging me to answer, pressed down with even greater intensity.
Feeling this, I offered a small smile.
“I believe you judged it more advantageous to leave us be rather than expose our identities.”
“Haha— truly entertaining.”
In truth, from Ma Un’s perspective, if we failed, that would be the end of it, and if we succeeded, he would gain his own benefits.
Of course, only if our status as outsiders remained concealed in either case.
What if it were revealed that outsiders had used the name of Cho Hon Jeon to participate in the advancement trials, and through that had achieved unprecedented feats in Demon Sect history, ascending all the way to the Heavenly Demon Realm?
The pride of one hundred thousand Demon Sect disciples would have been utterly trampled.
So he conceals it.
If no one knows, all of this becomes a source of pride for the Demon Sect disciples, and with Muk-hwang’s ascension as sect leader, it becomes a fine herald announcing the birth of a new powerhouse to guide the Demon Sect forward.
Moreover, those who have been stimulated will redouble their efforts.
In the end, whether we succeeded or failed, from Ma Un’s position, he had no choice but to conceal us and offer his protection.
“It would have been more convenient had you summoned us somewhat earlier.”
“One must not interfere with the moment when a new chapter of the Demon Sect is being written.”
Ma Un, a smile playing at the corners of his mouth, waved his hand.
Seeing the gesture that indicated I should withdraw, I rose from my seat.
The expression on Ma Un’s face as I last observed it appeared quite satisfied, suggesting I would face no further reproach regarding this matter.
I bowed my head slightly in courtesy and took my leave.
* * *
Leaving the reception hall with the Commander, we headed toward a separate building situated within Mak Un’s residence.
Though modest in scale, it was well-equipped with a courtyard and training grounds, so the four of us would have no major inconveniences staying here.
However, contrary to my expectation that we’d be lodged elsewhere outside Mak Un’s quarters, being given accommodations here was somewhat unexpected.
“This is the place?”
“Indeed. I assure you, there’s nowhere safer in the entire Demon Sect. Does it displease you?”
“I hadn’t expected to stay within Muk-hwang’s own residence.”
“Haha, where else would I lodge people like yourselves? This is the best way to prevent any incidents. Of course, you’ll have guards stationed about.”
Baek Gong tilted his chin slightly, gesturing toward the back.
Several men were positioned around the perimeter.
They were there to guard this place and keep watch over me.
Each one carried a formidable aura, and it was obvious at a glance they were Muk-hwang’s subordinates—even if I ventured outside, no one would dare approach easily.
“If it bothers you, I can have them hide. They’re quite skilled at concealing themselves.”
“It’s fine. Actually, having them visible will be more convenient.”
I spoke with a slight smile, and the Commander nodded in satisfaction.
If they were hidden, unsuspecting people might approach; if they were visible, no one would dare come near.
Troublesome as it was, visibility provided peace of mind.
“Then rest well. If you need anything, I’ll come find you.”
“Understood.”
As the Commander left casually, we were finally alone.
Yet everyone’s expressions remained tense, unable to fully relax, so I quickly moved toward a room where we could settle in.
“Sigh….”
“Exhale….”
“Phew….”
The moment the door closed behind us in the large room, we collapsed one by one as if we’d been waiting for it.
There was certainly accumulated fatigue, but more than that, it was being face-to-face with Muk-hwang that weighed most heavily.
Unlike the familiar presence of Gu Gunbaek, there was nothing more exhausting than sitting across from someone whose very existence dominated the room itself.
Namgung Yeon was affected even more.
Being practically an enemy of the Demon Sect, she couldn’t let her guard down for a moment.
Even now, sprawled out, her eyes betrayed her tension.
“He doesn’t seem intent on harming us, so relax.”
“Relax… you say? There are Powerful Experts of the Demon Sect in the courtyard, and beyond that lies Muk-hwang himself.”
“Still, there’s a wall between us.”
Looking at her discomfort, I lightly tapped the wall.
Tap, tap—
Considering their abilities, such a wall seemed useless, yet it undeniably provided some psychological reassurance.
Did she feel it?
Namgung Yeon offered a bitter smile.
“But what about the horse?”
Then Chaeseoha’s voice came.
Our purpose in entering here so recklessly without a plan was to retrieve the broken sword and horse, yet we hadn’t broached the subject at all.
“That’s something we don’t need to worry about right now.”
I set the matter aside for the moment.
From what I’d observed of Ma Un’s conduct thus far, he seemed like someone I could reason with. I had no doubt I would be able to recover what was owed to me.
So my destination was already decided.
The Cheon Demon Sect Forge.
It was where Chung-mu, the Demon Sect’s greatest Blacksmith, resided—and right now, he was the only one who could repair this broken sword.
Therefore, there was no time to concern myself with anything else.
“Let me start with what takes priority.”
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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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