The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 139

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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 200

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Hye-myeong sat in meditation, his gaze fixed upon the Buddha statue, yet frustration gnawed at him relentlessly.
He could no longer fathom how much time had elapsed.
He had renounced the secular world, severing ties even with his disciples as though they were strangers.
Though he had stripped away everything a human could possess, one by one, Hye-myeong remained unable to attain what he sought.

“One who must cultivate the Buddha’s Heart yet remains tainted by worldly attachments—how can such a person advance? There are things that can only be obtained through sacrifice.”

A figure from the past who had stood before him, blocking his path.

Geomcheon Muheo.

That overwhelming martial prowess remained vivid before his eyes.
He wished to emulate it yet could not; he desired to grasp it yet could not.
All of it seemed as though it were forbidden to him alone.
The more he contemplated, the more afflictions arose within his heart.
In the moment he thought how wasteful it was—all these years spent locked away after abandoning everything—his clenched fists tightened, and blood began to flow.
At that instant, Hye-myeong realized something and steadied his mind.
“Amitabha Buddha—this too is a failure to release worldly attachment.”
Having recited the Buddha’s name, Hye-myeong finally rose from his seat.
Since he had taken back what he had tried to discard, it seemed his intention was to drink a cup of water and fortify his resolve further.
At that moment, he noticed a letter resting upon a small stone.
“A child of the Jin Family of Luoyang, you say?”
In truth, he knew of the Jin Family of Luoyang, yet he did not know who the Young Master So was.
The last he had seen was Jin Gu-hyeok, the Family Head of the previous generation—was it not?
Hye-myeong pondered briefly, then grasped the letter and settled upon the stone.
It had been quite some time since he had received a letter from anyone. Ever since he had devoted himself entirely to Buddhist practice and ceased to regard even his disciples, Myeong-ryun’s visits had grown increasingly sparse, until eventually even letters ceased to arrive.
Hye-myeong offered a bitter smile as he carefully opened the letter.
At that moment.
His pupils trembled.
Quiver—
His lips twitched, and his eyes widened as large as lanterns.
The letter contained little content.
Merely two characters.
Muheo.
As though the sender knew of him—one he could no longer seek even if he tried—and understood the connection between himself and Muheo.
Hye-myeong held his breath and rose from his seat.
Soon, he turned his gaze toward Jeongju.
“Surely… did you say the Martial Arts Alliance?”
I couldn’t precisely understand why someone from the Jin Family of Luoyang would be seeking the Alliance.
Myeong-ryun’s words had vanished before they could fully register in my ears.
Yet, thinking there must be a reason for sending such a letter to me, I couldn’t help but go and see for myself.
“Amitabha Buddha—I wonder how long it’s been since I last descended the mountain.”
With those words, Hye-myeong’s form vanished.
With movements as swift as a flying bird, he slipped out of the Shaolin grounds.

* * *

The weight of countless gazes was unbearable.
That I was the Young Master of the Jin Family of Luoyang would certainly be enough to draw their interest, but my recent actions would likely captivate them far more.
At first, the rumors about Cheon Yul had dominated the conversation, but now I was probably more famous for having shattered Moryeong Hyeok’s jaw without hesitation at the Gongdong Sect.
Because of this, even as people looked at me, they seemed to be gauging the expression of Mo Yong-cheon seated at the highest position.
After all, the very person responsible for his son’s condition stood before their eyes.
Though I felt the weight of their stares, I bowed my head casually.
“I never imagined I would see so many luminaries of the martial world gathered in one place. It is an honor to meet you all. I am Jin Cheon-u of the Jin Family of Luoyang. I look forward to your guidance.”
As I offered my greeting with a slight smile, as if to ease the heavy atmosphere, I could see expressions brightening across the room.
Soon, those with benevolent expressions accepted my greeting and smiled in return.
“Haha, the epithet ‘Golden Dragon’ is well-deserved indeed. Delighted to meet you.”
“Heheha—! The Jin Family always maintains such courtesy. They don’t even disrespect a beggar from the streets.”
What came from various corners first were waves of praise.
Comments about how unbelievable it was that they were a merchant family, how promising my future seemed—they treated me as if I were from a martial clan.
Even Cheon Yul beside me was at a loss for words.
But I knew the truth.
Not a single one of them offered genuine congratulations.
Since the Jin Family of Luoyang had joined hands with Sa Do-cheon, perhaps they harbored hopes of doing the same with their own sects or families, and they sought to balance the scales that seemed to tilt slightly toward Sa Do-cheon’s side.
I read their intentions while revealing nothing.
For now.
The true problem was the owner of that piercing gaze.
I smiled faintly and looked toward the Sword Emperor seated at the highest position.
Was the one seated beside him Commander Jegal Daewun?
Sitting at the highest seat with even a commander beside him, one might think the Sword Emperor was the Alliance Leader himself.
Everyone surely knew this, yet no one spoke of it—and from that very silence, I could gauge just how immense the Sword Emperor’s influence truly was.
Should I probe slightly?
I spoke with proper courtesy.
“Congratulations, Family Head.”
“…What do you mean?”
“Seeing you seated in that position, you’ve become the Alliance Leader, haven’t you? My congratulations are a bit late due to recent busy affairs.”
“…!”
As I spoke as though I knew nothing and offered a smile, I felt the astonished expressions and piercing gazes of everyone present fixed upon me.
Mo Yong-cheon stared at me without uttering a word, and the sensation was akin to thousands of needles piercing my entire body.
In the moment I harbored a bitter smile.
The voice of Commander Jegal Daewun beside me rang out.
“Haha, he currently serves as Acting Alliance Leader. So it’s hardly a matter of concern.”
“Ah, is that so? Then that means… the Alliance Leader is absent, I take it.”
As Jegal Daewun nodded to my question and shifted his gaze, the initiative passed once more to Mo Yong-cheon.
In that instant, his voice resonated with weight.
“The Alliance Leader is away. You should speak to us instead. And… regarding that fellow as well.”
Zzzt—
Mo Yong-cheon’s eyes sharpened as he regarded Cheon Yul. His momentum was considerable, as though a massive boulder pressed down upon my entire being.
Did he sense it?
Cheon Yul broke into an awkward smile, cold sweat trickling down his face.
“This one is, as you know, Cheon Yul, the Soocheonchu of Sa Do-cheon. He has come seeking to accept the rematch from last time.”
“To stake one’s life on something so trivial—is it because you are a disciple of the Death Emperor, or do you simply hold the Orthodox Faction in contempt?”
Mo Yong-cheon’s sharp gaze remained fixed upon Cheon Yul without wavering.
As his words fell heavy into my ears, Cheon Yul barely managed to speak while maintaining an awkward expression.
“Haha, well… I hadn’t particularly given it much thought….”
“….”
Even in such circumstances, he lies well.
Yet in a place where one’s true intentions must never be exposed, Cheon Yul had to compose himself and perform as convincingly as possible.
Mo Yong-cheon’s narrowed eyes turned toward me.
“Good. But tell me—does the Jin Family of Luoyang intend to abandon its neutrality?”
“What do you mean?”
“That you are joining hands with Sa Do-cheon and conducting business together.”
“Merchants always weigh profit and loss. We determined that joining hands with Sa Do-cheon would be profitable at that time, and thus made our decision.”
“Even while compromising your neutrality?”
“The Jin Family is a merchant house, not a faction of the Orthodox or Demonic sects, and therefore the very notion of neutrality is a misnomer. What merchants must possess is the virtue of discerning profit from loss—there is no middle ground.”
At those words, a glimmer of surprise appeared in the eyes of others.
Perhaps they had not expected such words to be spoken before the Sword Emperor himself, but the Jin Family of Luoyang had shattered its identity of perpetual neutrality in an instant.
Neutrality, they said, does not exist.
I drove in one more nail.
I smiled and gazed directly at Mo Yong-cheon.
“I would ask that you not impose the classifications of the Orthodox and Demonic sects upon us.”
“…!”
“…What did you say?!”
“This madman! Are you in your right mind?!”
Commotion erupted from all directions.
The Jin Family of Luoyang, established in Henan—the very heart of the martial world.
Given that this place inevitably fell under the influence of the Martial Arts Alliance no matter what measures were taken, my words just now could be seen as considerably arrogant, a blatant disregard for the Martial Arts Alliance itself.
Had he fallen for such provocation?
Mo Yong-cheon’s brow twitched as he released his momentum.
The aura of the Sword Emperor seized control of the conference hall.
A formidable power so intense it seemed to hiss through the air became palpable.
As if testing whether it would force Cheon Yul and me to our knees, with each passing moment the pressure grew ever stronger, crushing down upon us.
But it was still somewhat lacking.
Mo Yong-cheon’s gaze, having unleashed his aura, remained fixed upon me without wavering.
Simultaneously, though his expression and eyes appeared stern, I could see a persistent smile playing at the corners of his mouth.
It seemed he intended to use the grievances the Jin Family of Luoyang had caused as leverage to clearly demonstrate their power and force submission.
And reclaim the honor the Moyong Family had lost in the bargain.
His eyes spoke volumes.
Continue, they seemed to say.
Provoke the Orthodox martial artists here a little more.
“It is precisely because the Martial Arts Alliance exists that the Jin Family of Luoyang has been able to grow without incident until now. I do not ask you to follow the Alliance, but surely you must at least maintain neutrality, no?”
He had touched the hearts of those martial artists who revered the Orthodox path.
Most of the Orthodox martial artists in Henan or the Central Plains believed they themselves were protecting the peace of the Orthodox faction with their blades and strength.
In other words, many believed that the Jin Family of Luoyang’s growth without suffering harm from the Demonic Sect was due to their own efforts.
If I were to respond dismissively now, I would provoke the pride of such people, and there was no telling what those bound by their own arrogance might attempt.
I examined Mo Yong-cheon’s eyes once more.
Though his words were serious, his gaze clearly urged me forward.
Then I would oblige that push.
“Is neutrality something that benefits the Martial Arts Alliance?”
“What? Do you not even understand the meaning of neutrality?”
“There is a family that proclaimed neutrality and walked that path, yet collapsed after merely correcting a single Demon Sect disciple. And yet the word ‘neutrality’ seems to lean entirely toward the Martial Arts Alliance, does it not?”
Everyone in this hall would know exactly which family I was referring to.
The Uiseonchae.
Established in Orthodox territory and proclaiming neutrality—something all martial artists knew—yet they fell after treating the Sect Leader. They were the family that vanished, branded as traitors.
Whether the Martial Arts Alliance intended it or not, it was an undeniable fact that they had been destroyed and erased.
The moment those words left my lips, I saw a smile bloom across Mo Yong-cheon’s face.
But now, he would not simply laugh.
“Yet I cannot discern whether I should be seeking permission from the esteemed masters present here, or from the Moyong Family.”
In that instant, I noticed Mo Yong-cheon’s eyes—which had been urging me forward—shift dramatically, but I paid it no mind and casually surveyed those around me, regarding each person in turn.
“Could it be that the Family Head of Moyong’s decision becomes the decision of the Martial Arts Alliance? If so, it seems I may have misspoken.”
At this jab to their pride, the expressions of the masters hardened.
One by one, they seemed to recognize their own misstep and gradually regain their senses.
“No, no. How could that be? We were merely listening to the discussion, so please continue.”
“Hmph! That’s right. We must hear everything before offering our true opinions. And frankly, it does not seem to me that you have said anything incorrect.”
“Hahaha! As bold as the rumors suggest. Now I understand why Do-han favors you.”
The first to speak was none other than someone from Mount Hua.
As the benevolent figure opened the conversation, people throughout the hall began speaking up one after another, and the focus that had been directed at Mo Yong-cheon shattered.
The atmosphere shifted abruptly, and even the oppressive force that had been pressing down so heavily seemed to dissipate.
In that instant, I saw Mo Yong-cheon’s eyes narrow.
It appeared to be a scheme to shake the influence of the Moyong Family.
But there was still one more thing remaining.
Just as I was about to utter a single phrase that would crush the pride of the Sword Emperor of All Under Heaven.
Creeeeak—
As if on cue, the doors to the conference hall suddenly swung open.
Startled by the sudden occurrence, everyone turned their gaze toward the entrance.
Tap—
With a soft footstep.
An elderly monk dressed in Shaolin robes swept his gaze across the interior of the conference hall before fixing it on me, and he quietly chanted a Buddhist invocation.
“Amitabha Buddha—.”
As the serene voice resonated through the hall, everyone shot up from their seats.
“The Alliance Leader?!”
“How… how is this possible!”
With someone’s intense cry echoing through the space, I could see Mo Yong-cheon’s pupils trembling violently as he stared at the old monk.
Laughter escaped from me unbidden.

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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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