The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 166

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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 227

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Namgung Baek stared at the supply cart with eyes as dark as death itself. To anyone’s eyes, he looked utterly haggard, yet he showed no intention of leaving his post.
Even when sleeping or eating, he remained in that spot.
Gripped by the anxiety that someone might flee with the cart, he kept watch through fitful snatches of sleep.
Not that the bodyguards weren’t standing sentinel as well.
Despite numerous skilled warriors taking turns guarding the cart, Namgung Baek could not bring himself to leave his position.
“Do you truly intend never to rest?”
“Yeon-a… the world is such that anything can happen. Without the Young Master here, I bear the responsibility. If even one item goes missing… we’ll be cast out, cast out!”
At such thoughts, Namgung Baek’s body trembled.
The mission failing because of him? And on top of that, Namgung Yeon being dismissed and having to return to Anhui again—such ominous thoughts made his teeth chatter.
He had grown accustomed to eating and drinking well, sleeping in comfortable places, and receiving a salary so generous it made his eyes spin. He could never return to Anhui and struggle with poverty, managing barely one meal a day.
That was precisely why he guarded this post.
“Older brother… the Young Master wouldn’t reproach you over something so trivial.”
“No, this is my resolve not to create even such minor problems! So you go back and rest. When the Young Master returns, we’ll have far to travel.”
At his firm words, Namgung Yeon sighed.
There was no point in arguing further.
It seemed he could at least eat inside, but Namgung Baek seemed reluctant even for that, continuing to keep the cart in sight as he stuffed rice balls into his mouth.
The only thing that could resolve this situation was for Jin Cheon-u to return quickly.
“When on earth will he arrive…”
Nearly half a month had passed since that day.
Though he felt some unease, he was confident that Jin Cheon-u, of all people, would overcome any situation and return.
He had considered going to search several times, but leaving Cheon Yul, the Heavenly Lord of Sa Do-cheon, in this place troubled him greatly.
No matter how she laughed heartily and called herself a friend to Jin Cheon-u, the nature of a Sa Do-cheon member always remained hidden beneath the surface.
Namgung Yeon glanced away.
“Hahaha—Miss, if you look at me with those beautiful eyes, I fear I shall melt away.”
He could see Cheon Yul approaching, speaking such nonsense without hesitation.
With fine lines drawn at the corners of her eyes and pearly teeth gleaming in a bright smile, she was someone from whom no hostility emanated—yet for that very reason, she was an existence one could never let their guard down against.
She spoke in a somewhat sharp tone.
“When do you intend to depart?”
“Haha, when you accept my proposal, Miss?”
“So you have no intention of leaving for the rest of your life.”
“Ah, though a lifetime is a bit much… Before I become Heavenly Lord, you won’t accept me, will you? Or perhaps… the physician? Ah, the younger Miss would be nice too.”
It was beyond merely exasperating.
Upon hearing it, he felt as though his ears had been defiled.
Namgung Yeon exhaled a long sigh and clutched his throbbing head.
“Are there no women in Sa Do-cheon?”
“Ah, yes. Of course there is. But the thing is… please, eat plenty of it. I’ve never quite understood why all the women from the Sect are like that. Haha.”
“Perhaps it’s simply because Soocheonchu doesn’t appeal to them.”
“Hmm? Don’t speak such sorrowful words, miss. It makes me want to despair. And right now, isn’t it all thanks to me that you’re living so comfortably?”
“When the Young Master returns, he will repay you.”
“Ah, how cold-hearted.”
Cheon Yul clicked his tongue, his expression full of dissatisfaction.
I wanted to unleash a barrage of words at that smooth-talking man, but I couldn’t deny that everything I was enjoying now existed because Soocheonchu Cheon Yul was here.
If he truly left, it would be Namgung Baek who would be in trouble.
After all, Jin Cheon-u held all the money.
As I suppressed the aching in my heart with such thoughts.
Cheon Yul’s gaze turned toward one direction, and he smiled.
“Oh my, you’ve finally arrived. You’re quite late.”
The moment those words were heard, Namgung Yeon and Namgung Baek’s gazes snapped toward the source.
Soon, three figures could be seen approaching from the middle of the street.
Unmistakably, Jin Cheon-u, Chaeseoha, and Chu Hyeongi.
In that instant, a bright smile crossed Namgung Yeon’s lips.
But soon, his expression hardened and his lips trembled.
The figure of Chu Hyeongi walking forward with confidence.
It was the same as always, yet his momentum was distinctly different.
As if he had begun breaking through a wall, the aura flowing subtly from him had deepened, and his eyes seemed clearer than ever.
Watching that sight, Namgung Yeon gripped his sword hilt.
“This can’t be real.”
“Hahaha.”
Finding something so amusing, Cheon Yul laughed, while Namgung Yeon could only deny the reality of the unbelievable situation.

* * *

“Everyone’s here.”
“Phew— we finally made it.”
“Ah— I’m exhausted, absolutely exhausted.”
The village we had arrived at was large in scale, yet far quieter than I had anticipated.
The marketplace bustled with some activity, but compared to other places, I was certain it didn’t even reach half the vitality.
The reason this large village was so quiet was because beyond it lay the Great Desert, vast plains and dunes stretching endlessly.
One had to cross a desert where not a single drop of water could be found, and along with that came sandstorms, venomous creatures, and the extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night.
Moreover, it was a place teeming with bandits.
Since it was a place where few would dare venture without compelling reason, the village’s quietness was perhaps inevitable.
Thinking such thoughts, I surveyed my surroundings.
As I approached the large inn, I could see three figures rushing toward me urgently.
“You seem to have been managing well.”
“Huff, huff… Y-Young Master. Are you unharmed?”
“I’m fine. This one is fine too. And it seems you’ve safely guided the merchant caravan as expected.”
Looking at Namgung Baek with a blank expression, I patted his shoulder lightly as if to praise him, and the fellow’s face crumpled as though he might burst into tears at any moment.
The hardships he had endured in my absence were vivid before my eyes.
Then I turned my gaze toward Cheon Yul and Namgung Yeon.
Cheon Yul, still grinning broadly, waved his hand to show his delight, while Namgung Yeon looked at me and Chu Hyeongi with an expression that was both pleased and displeased about something.
From that alone, I could tell.
She had noticed the change in Chu Hyeongi’s aura.
Unable to contain her curiosity, she finally asked.
“What exactly happened?”
“Ahem! Nothing much. This Chu Hyeongi simply distinguished himself a bit.”
“…Distinguished himself? You’re speaking of him?”
“Heh! ‘Speaking of him’? This is quite the difference in standing—it’s difficult to even converse.”
“….”
Chu Hyeongi displayed an expression and gaze of utter arrogance.
Since he seemed to have undergone a social elevation as if he’d achieved first place in the imperial examinations, from Namgung Yeon’s perspective as a rival who had been chasing and being chased, it was only natural she would feel irritated.
Her eyes grew cold.
I could see the strength building in her grip on her sword hilt.
Crunch—!
Whether her teeth were grinding involuntarily or a faint cracking sound was audible, Namgung Yeon composed herself as much as possible and turned to me.
“We’ve prepared rooms for you.”
“Good, thank you. I was worn out anyway.”
“Kehehe— of course I have one too, right?”
At that moment, Chu Hyeongi stroked his slightly grown stubble and put on airs.
Did that voice grate on her ears?
Her gaze briefly turned toward Chu Hyeongi as if looking at filth, but then she exhaled a sigh and seemed to compose herself once more.
Then she smiled sweetly.
“Of course we have. You can sleep in front of that wagon and keep watch. Besides, everyone has been exhausting themselves protecting the caravan, and I was worried about their condition, so it’s fortunate that Jang Howei has returned.”
“What?!”
Namgung Yeon, smiling broadly, pointed to a spot filled with cargo carts and pushed Chu Hyeongi inside, then led me and Chaeseoha into the inn.
Chu Hyeongi’s cries echoed faintly from behind, but no one present seemed inclined to help him.
I exhaled a sigh and looked at Namgung Baek.
“Has anything else happened while I was away?”
“Nothing of particular note. Thieves attempted to break in about ten times, and some dark swordsmen tried to steal our goods, but… everything was handled well.”
Namgung Baek’s complexion grew increasingly pale as he reported.
Even Namgung Yeon kept his mouth shut and said nothing, while in contrast, I noticed Cheon Yul grinning contentedly.
From that alone, I could infer the truth.
He must have witnessed something severe.
Being the Death Emperor’s bloodline, he would never have tolerated those trying to steal or take what we were protecting.
“Ha, these are my friend’s belongings—I couldn’t let them be taken. I protected them well. You’re grateful, right?”
“Thank you.”
“…That’s unexpected. I thought you’d say something else.”
“You did protect them, did you not? Moreover, wasn’t it Soocheonchu who provided food and lodging for the merchants?”
Snap!
Cheon Yul flicked his finger toward me.
Then, with an impossibly bright smile, he asserted his presence.
“Exactly! I did everything for my friend. You’re grateful, right?”
“I am grateful. Without Soocheonchu, Namgung Baek would have faced considerable difficulty.”
When I spoke honestly, Cheon Yul tilted his head as if that wasn’t quite right. This was a situation where words of debt should emerge, where I should promise to repay the favor.
But since such words didn’t come, all of his actions became merely Cheon Yul helping us on his own.
He scratched his head and tilted his head in confusion.
Things weren’t going as intended—he must be frustrated.
I didn’t even spare him a glance and looked at Namgung Baek instead.
“We depart in two days. Prepare accordingly.”
“Two days… Ah, understood.”
“We’ll need to cross the desert, so gather plenty of water and provisions. Also, find someone familiar with the plains and desert, and prepare a map.”
Namgung Baek was startled by the sudden flood of tasks.
He tried desperately to remember the words flowing out, but it seemed difficult—beads of sweat formed on his brow.
“Once we cross the Great Desert, we enter the Northern Sea. Prepare for unforeseen circumstances by checking all our supplies once more.”
“…Yes, understood.”
I nodded with a satisfied expression at Namgung Baek’s response.
Crossing the Great Desert would be no easy feat, but the greater challenge would begin the moment we entered the Northern Sea.
Biting cold and snow that pierced the flesh.
Many paths would be sheets of ice, and finding food would be equally difficult.
Even with the most thorough preparations, the journey would be arduous.
And beyond that, the Heavenly Thunder Mines that Hyang Do-un possessed.
Their overwhelming firepower was familiar to me.
Unmistakably, these were the Heavenly Thunder Mines of the Myo Sect.
I cannot say with certainty how it fell into Hyang Do-un’s hands, but it is sufficient proof that those wretches had their fingers in this.
Whether it was merely to eliminate the Young Master of the Jin Family or to confirm something else, I cannot say, but the fact that those bastards were involved means they will undoubtedly make their appearance.
I do not know if it is a Mystic Mark or some other mark, but to obtain something that might be hidden within this Ice Flower Realm.
Or perhaps….
Gwanbaek might be making moves as well.
But this time, I have no intention of letting it be taken from me.

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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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