The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 13

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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 13

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Gu Yang-cheol arrived in Nakhyang before anyone else and began his reconnaissance, surveying the surroundings. The sudden recruitment had drawn countless individuals from across the Central Plains, and their presence blended seamlessly into the crowd without drawing suspicion.
As a result, entry proved remarkably straightforward.
As he moved through the streets, gathering intelligence, he harbored several objectives.
One was to identify any potential threats to their operation; the other was to understand the current state of affairs within the Nakhyang Jin Family.
Having already dispatched correspondence, he would soon meet with Hong Gu-hyeon.
As someone who had long operated covertly within the Nakhyang Jin Family, he would undoubtedly possess more than sufficient intelligence.
That information would prove essential for planning the next phase.
Moreover.
“He’s doing well.”
Gu Yang-cheol smiled, recalling Hong Gu-hyeon. Though a member of the Ten Elders, he belonged to the generation before the current one—the Ten Elders of two generations past.
Most members of that generation had lacked sufficient martial prowess to be deployed to the front lines, instead being assigned roles as intelligence operatives where they orchestrated various schemes.
In short, they were nothing like the current generation.
Though Gu Yang-cheol had become the new leader of the Ten Elders, he had yet to lay eyes on Hong Gu-hyeon’s face.
Yet judging by how matters were unfolding, the man seemed to be executing his duties quite competently.
Otherwise, he would have been dead long ago.
It spoke to a certain resourcefulness on his part.
The most commendable achievement was that he had paved a smooth path for the Ten Elders’ members to infiltrate the Nakhyang Jin Family.
Whether as guards or menial workers, once inside, they would swiftly locate the Jade Orb.
Gu Yang-cheol gazed upon the towering wall before him.
An endless expanse of walls encircled this fortress of wealth—the Nakhyang Jin Family, built upon the foundation of gold.
As he approached the main gate, he spotted a notice posted there announcing recruitment.
That would be their means of entry.
Yet.
“The timing seems premature.”
Something felt subtly off.
Ordinarily, recruitment by the Nakhyang Jin Family required the Family Head’s authorization.
Thus, he had arrived early in anticipation of the Luoyang Jin Family Head’s imminent return, yet strangely, the recruitment notice had been posted first.
Before the Family Head had even returned.
If that were the case, then the Young Master So, who currently led the Sega, must have made this decision—but could a man dying from addiction accomplish such a thing?
He had heard the poisoning was being continuously administered.
He had been certain the Young Master would die before the Family Head’s return, yet something appeared to have changed. The question gnawed at him.
Since contact with Hong Gu-hyeon had been severed some time ago, he possessed no means of discerning internal developments.
While he wondered if something had gone wrong, the moment he glimpsed Hong Gu-hyeon’s name on the posted notice, such concerns seemed unfounded.
Had matters truly gone awry, his name would never have appeared publicly.
Then a whispered transmission pierced his ear.
“Section Leader, the five arrivals from earlier have come. Everyone is scheduled to assemble within two days.”
Gu Yang-cheol nodded at the expected report.
By the time of the Nakhyang Jin Family’s examination in a few days, everyone would have gathered. Then he would understand why contact had not been made.
Gu Yang-cheol turned his back and began to leave the Nakhyang Jin Family compound.
“*Cough cough! Cough! Hack!*”
“Young Master! Are you alright? Why are you suddenly coughing so much…?”
“…I’m fine.”
At that moment, Gu Yang-cheol’s gaze was captured by two men who appeared alongside the coughing sound.
One appeared to be a servant, while the other was a familiar face. Since I checked the appearance records daily, I could recognize him at a glance.
The Young Master of the Nakhyang Jin Family and the youngest son—Jin Cheon-u.
It was him.
He walked slowly, coughing roughly.
From his pallid complexion alone, one could tell his physical condition was poor.
Gu Yang-cheol smiled without revealing it.
It seemed Hong Gu-hyeon’s words were undoubtedly true.
Only then did he relax somewhat and leave the area.

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“Are you alright?”
“*Cough.* I’m fine.”
“No, really—why are you coughing like you’re about to die?”
“I choked on something.”
“What? Suddenly?”
“Yes. It’s better now, so don’t worry about it.”
At my sudden words, Chu Hyeongi wore a bewildered expression. I had been walking along without incident when I suddenly claimed to have choked—he seemed at a loss for how to accept it.
I let out a quiet laugh and rolled my eyes sideways.
Gu Yang-cheol’s figure was already receding into the distance.
The expression of that fellow becoming a speck and disappearing was vivid in my mind.
Though not obvious, his gaze had certainly been on me, and he was smiling.
He seemed completely unaware that I was blocking the poison’s influence.
Whether then or now, his inability to see situations deeply remained unchanged.
Or perhaps it was even worse now?
He was far younger than when I had encountered him in my past life.
Having risen to section leader at an unusually young age compared to others, he was at a time when he couldn’t distinguish heaven from earth and believed himself to be supreme.
I simply needed to make good use of that.
“Let’s go inside.”
“Yes.”
As I entered, I surveyed my surroundings.
The atmosphere remained somewhat subdued, but it felt slightly more relaxed than a few days prior. I could see quite a few people laughing and chattering, but the moment they noticed me, they closed their mouths and lowered their heads.
I gazed at those offering their respects with indifferent eyes.
Was that the reason?
I noticed several of them trembling slightly.
I didn’t think such a reaction was necessarily bad.
Rather, it was more convenient—they lost any inclination to cause trouble.
I simply cast an emotionless gaze around, observing my surroundings.
Those who caught my eye hurried about, preparing something or other.
The Nakhyang Jin Family was currently in the midst of recruitment preparations.
Hundreds of people were gathering for the examination to be held in four days. Since they would need to demonstrate their talents here, there was considerable work to be done on our end as well.
As a result, busyness was simply unavoidable.
“Young Master! You’ve arrived?”
At that moment, Grand Steward Yu Hyeon approached from a distance.
He began walking in step with me, as if he had something to say.
“As expected, many have applied. The process of verifying each one is taking longer than anticipated.”
“Have them all brought to my quarters. I’ll select them myself.”
“You’ll do it personally, Young Master? The number of applicants easily exceeds a thousand.”
“Yes, I’ll handle it myself. I ask only that you prepare thoroughly as we discussed last time, Grand Steward.”
“That’s not difficult, but… are you certain? You may not have enough time even if you stay up all night.”
“There’s no need to worry.”
Staying awake through the night was something I’d done countless times without warning.
At most, I’d endured over a month of fragmented sleep while being hunted, so reviewing documents through the night was hardly a burden.
“And… well…”
“Is there something else?”
“Ah, how should I put this… quite a number of unusual individuals have applied.”
“Unusual individuals?”
“Yes, there are thugs from the back alleys, servers from establishments… and quite a few others who seem unlikely to apply.”
At those words, I nodded.
Since I’d given the word to the Hao Gate, it seemed they’d inserted quite a few people. That’s why the Grand Steward, feeling suspicious, had come to me.
I let out a quiet chuckle.
“Bring them all. I’ll examine them personally.”
“Understood. I’ll bring what we’ve received so far first, and after document registration closes tomorrow, I’ll bring everything else.”
Yu Hyeon carefully offered his respects and took his leave.
Though the documents to review had disappeared and he’d have considerable free time, the position of Grand Steward was hardly an easy one. There would be mountains of other work piled up waiting for him.
“Honestly, how ridiculous is the Nakhyang Jin Family that such people are applying? Thugs? Servers? Unbelievable!”
At that moment, Chu Hyeongi, who had overheard the conversation beside me, frowned with an expression of disbelief. No matter how he thought about it, these were people he couldn’t accept.
“Don’t judge people by their occupation. They might be better than you think.”
“Still… but thugs are really…”
“If you hadn’t joined the Nakhyang Jin Family, I’d wager you would’ve become a thug leader yourself.”
“No! That couldn’t be! I might have become a general dedicating myself to the nation, or perhaps become a disciple of some major sect and be making a name for myself by now!”
“Yes, imagination is whatever you make of it.”
“Ugh, you only do this to me.”
Chu Hyeongi let out a disgruntled sound, his brow furrowing.
He seemed to want to argue further, but the words wouldn’t come. He appeared to understand well enough that engaging me in a war of words would yield no victory.
I chuckled softly and made my way toward my residence.
Upon opening the door and stepping inside, my eyes fell upon towering stacks of documents piled high upon the desk.
“The Grand Steward… certainly works fast.”
“Well, I’m just passing the work along. Why did you agree to this in the first place?”
The documents were literally piled like mountains, and the sheer volume from support arriving across the entire Central Plains exceeded all imagination. Once tomorrow’s intake concluded, I was certain even greater quantities would accumulate.
I found myself understanding why Father was so reluctant to recruit people easily.
I let out a soft chuckle and headed toward the Training Hall alongside Chu Hyeongi.
The day was growing dim.
The Training Hall, abandoned by everyone else, was silent and still.
Yet the moment we stepped inside together, I felt a peculiar aura emanating from within.
Glancing toward that direction, I could see numerous figures standing there.
All of them glistened with sweat.
Their eyes gleamed with a sharpness like honed blades.
These individuals, radiating such an ominous presence, were the elite warriors remaining within the Nakhyang Jin Family.
Observing their eyes burning with the hunger of starving beasts, I too let my eyes shine as I approached them.
They were the hunters who would pursue those who had walked into my snare.

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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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