The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 172

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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 172

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“What?!”
“Have you lost your mind, you madman….”
At my words, Namgung Yeon gasped in shock, while Chaeseoha furrowed her brow with a bewildered expression.
There was something wrong with the way they all stared at me.
I acknowledged their gazes and shrugged my shoulders.
“Is there some problem?”
“Problem? There are plenty of problems! Where exactly are you trying to go?”
“The Demon Sect?”
“…Young Master, weren’t you supposed to avoid entanglement with the Demon Sect?”
At the question directed at me, I nodded in acknowledgment.
That was true.
I had no desire to become entangled with the Demon Sect.
Fundamentally, they possessed tendencies similar to Singyeo, and given their deep pride in their own faith, dealing with them became exceedingly difficult if one refused to accommodate their beliefs.
Moreover, these were people who had been indoctrinated since childhood to live in a world of survival of the fittest, where without martial prowess, they wouldn’t treat you as human regardless of how much wealth you possessed.
In other words, the name of the Nakhyang Jin Family, which carried weight in the Central Plains, held no sway within the Demon Sect.
Furthermore, if the truth about Namgung Yeon’s identity were revealed, the consequences would be far more than merely troublesome.
Though enough time had passed for emotions to dull, they occasionally honed the blades harbored in their hearts all the sharper for those dulled years.
Especially if they were martial artists of the Murim.
Considering all this, I should have avoided going anywhere near the Demon Sect, yet I had no intention of turning back when the means to repair my sword lay directly before my eyes.
I had conveniently entered Namman, my sword had broken at just the right moment, and the timing coincided with the inauguration ceremony of the new Demon Sect Leader.
Everything that unfolded alongside it.
It felt as though the heavens themselves were urging me to enter the Demon Sect, and I could not simply pretend ignorance of such circumstances.
Besides, wasn’t my excuse perfectly sound?
I dismissed the thought that had suddenly occurred to me and smiled faintly.
“I must repair my broken sword. I’ve heard there is an exceptional blacksmith within the Demon Sect.”
“Ugh….”
Chaeseoha, who knew full well from whom I had received the sword, swallowed a groan.
Yet it seemed she still harbored reluctance about going to the Demon Sect, as she clutched her head in anguish.
However, an unexpected voice came to my defense.
“If it is a decision you have made, Young Master, I shall follow.”
It was none other than Namgung Yeon.
Despite being the one most uncomfortable with the Demon Sect, I could see her nodding in agreement to follow my decision.
It was not merely a matter of courtesy.
There was a clear resolve in her eyes—if we were going, we were truly going.
“Are you certain? If you’re from the Namgung clan, there won’t be just one or two people grinding their teeth at you.”
“Thanks to you, Young Master, I obtained my sword. If the only place capable of repairing the sword you hold dear is there, then naturally we must go, should we not?”
Namgung Yeon nodded in agreement, as if she had given it some thought.
Yet anxiety and fear still lingered in her expression and eyes. She seemed reluctant to go, but she had gained so much through me that she couldn’t bring herself to refuse.
Perhaps she was considering a scenario where I would recognize her unease and decide not to go.
I smiled.
“So what are you waiting for? Pack your things.”
“…!”
“We’ve decided to go, so we go. I made up my mind long ago, so don’t argue about it.”
In that instant, Namgung Yeon’s eyes grew dull as rotting fish. She clamped her mouth shut and slumped her shoulders, turning away.
Convinced that no argument would sway me, long sighs echoed from various corners.
Soon my gaze turned toward Chaeseoha.
“You’re not going?”
“I’ve already prepared everything. I just need to load it. But is the Demon Sect really a place you can just enter whenever you wish to go there?”
At Chaeseoha’s words, I fell into contemplation.
Organizations that present themselves as massive entities naturally have high walls.
Since one cannot easily enter simply by wishing to, I suspected the Demon Sect would be similar.
Or rather, based on what I’d heard, wouldn’t it be even more difficult?
“Moreover, isn’t it hidden somewhere in the mountains like those sects we saw in Gansu? Can we even find it?”
I smiled slightly at Chaeseoha’s words.
Anyone unfamiliar with the Murim would think exactly this way.
Just looking at the Rival Sects, they had established themselves somewhere in the mountains and built their martial arts schools, so one might assume the Demon Sect did the same.
But it’s different.
“Cheonsan itself is the Demon Sect.”
“Pardon?”
“The moment you enter the mountain, you’ve already entered the Demon Sect. The question is whether you can enter at all.”
This is precisely where the Rival Sects and the Demon Sect differ.
While the Rival Sects merely built a single martial arts school somewhere in the mountains, the Demon Sect was the Cheonsan Mountain Range itself, known as Mount Shiwandashan.
That place, surrounded by no walls whatsoever, was an impenetrable barrier and gate to the uninvited—a mountain landscape that overwhelmed all who beheld it, a source of pride for the Demon Sect disciples who revered strength.
The reason the Demon Sect had never suffered a single invasion since its founding was that no one had ever surpassed the natural barrier of Cheonsan.
A fortress blessed by heaven itself.
Would they easily grant entry to such a place?
It was clear that even the name of the Nakhyang Jin Family would not suffice, so something else would be necessary.
“Should I ask the elder to write a letter of introduction?”
In that moment, Chaeseoha looked at me with narrowed eyes.
Having witnessed firsthand how the Southern Barbarians regarded and treated the Demon Sect disciples, she understood all too well.
If we arrived with a letter of introduction, they would draw their swords rather than offer greetings.
I scratched my head and sighed.
“We’ll figure it out when we get there. Besides, a new Sect Leader is ascending, right? We can go as if we’re a congratulatory delegation.”
“Congratulatory… delegation? What do we bring?”
At that sudden remark, I also furrowed my brow. The Beast Palace had nothing, so we couldn’t buy anything even if we wanted to.
That meant we’d have to find something outside, and the only village that came to mind where we could purchase quality goods was the one at the foot of Cheonsan.
My thoughts reached that point, and I gave a light shrug of my shoulders.
“Well, regardless of how things stand, there’s bound to be a way. If not, I’ll simply create one.”
“Yes, Young Master. Since it’s your matter, I’m sure you’ll do something about it. I can only pray it doesn’t snowball into something greater.”
With an anxious expression, Chaeseoha handed me the bowl she held in her hands.
As I drained the medicinal broth—prepared with considerable care—in one breath, a bitterly astringent taste surged up powerfully and spread throughout my mouth.
Frowning as I looked at Chaeseoha, she gave me a look urging me to drink it all down without hesitation.
From the look of things, spitting it out seemed inadvisable.
With no choice, I swallowed every last drop without leaving a single bit, and only then did Chaeseoha’s expression shift to one of satisfaction.
I handed back the empty bowl and caught my breath.
Then, glancing around, I searched for Chu Hyeongi.
“By the way, where has that fellow gone?”
“He hasn’t been seen since this morning. I suspect he may have gone somewhere with the elder.”
I nodded at those words.
Chu Hyeongi is a disciple of Gu Gunbaek, however little I may trust him.
Though he’s been at his side all this time, cared for and raised by him, now he must walk his own path—it seemed Gu Gunbaek was offering him various pieces of advice.
Perhaps he was even teaching him some secret technique.
I let out a soft chuckle and turned away.
Though my heart burned to depart at once, I suppressed the urge for now.
It wouldn’t do to disturb the time between master and disciple.
“Then, for now, let me rest a while.”

* * *

“Where are you going?”
“Follow me, you fool.”
Gu Gunbaek led Chu Hyeongi forward toward some destination.
He moved through the rough forest path without hesitation.
Though no trail existed in the surrounding wilderness, he pressed forward through the dense thicket as if he knew exactly where to go, never faltering.
The thick undergrowth obscured what lay within, and despite the possibility of venomous insects or serpents lurking about, Gu Gunbaek advanced without pause.
Only Chu Hyeongi, struggling to keep up, grew weary.
Yet he could not afford to fall behind.
Moving slowly but with all his strength, he finally reached a place where Gu Gunbaek came to a halt.
Three large trees stood in that location.
As if someone had planted them deliberately, or perhaps to commemorate someone.
Each tree bore carved images of animal forms, and Chu Hyeongi examined them slowly with a puzzled expression.
“What is this?”
“The three greatest Palace Masters among all the generations of the Beast Palace.”
“But… you said they were Palace Masters of the Beast Palace? Yet calling them ‘brutes’ seems a bit…”
“Hahahaha! The dead have no voice to protest. What will they do if I insult them—come out and beat me? Besides, I’m stronger.”
“Then Master, you are the strongest?”
“Of course! Your master is the supreme warrior of Namman!”
As if to emphasize that this was no exaggeration, Gu Gunbaek thumped his chest with absolute confidence.
Perhaps because of that display,
Chu Hyeongi’s eyes gleamed with admiration.
“But while I am the strongest, you are not!”
“Eh… did you bring me here just to insult me?”
“The path ahead will be far more treacherous. Following that monster will make your current training meaningless more often than not.”
“…”
At those words, Chu Hyeongi exhaled deeply.
During the battle, he too had witnessed Jin Cheon-u. Despite facing opponents of a completely different caliber, the man showed no sign of being overwhelmed.
And what was that azure sword force?
He doubted anyone at that age had ever unleashed sword force before.
A bitter smile formed unbidden on his lips.
“The gap will only widen. That monster surpasses monsters. I’ve lived thinking myself a monster, but he is far beyond even that.”
“Is it really that severe?”
Gu Gunbaek nodded at the bewildered question. He too had witnessed the battle with Yeom Ji-hak firsthand, so he understood well just how absurd the realm Jin Cheon-u now occupied truly was.
Therefore, he fully anticipated how his disciple would feel going forward.
Observing his dejected student’s expression, Gu Gunbaek’s smile deepened considerably.
“But it’s fine!”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“Do you think the warriors of Namman speak only through muscle and fists?”
“Don’t they?”
“No, you fool! What truly makes the warriors of the Southern Savage Palace fearsome is something else entirely.”
Gu Gunbaek moved stealthily, examining the tree with deliberate care until his eyes gleamed upon discovering a small hole—the kind a bird might peck through.
From that opening, he withdrew something.
A small flute.
Gu Gunbaek handed it over without ceremony.
“What is this…?”
“A flute that can control beasts. Though, just because one is drawn to you doesn’t mean you can command them all—the creature must take a liking to you first.”
At those words, Chu Hyeongi’s head snapped up sharply.
An artifact capable of controlling beasts?
It seemed extraordinarily rare, did it not?
He could not fathom why it was being offered so readily.
“There are times when mere fists alone cannot prevail. Beyond that, taming beasts opens countless possibilities for ease.”
It proves useful when tracking traces, searching for people, or finding paths.
Possessing senses vastly superior to humans, such creatures would grant him an opportunity of immeasurable fortune if he could harness them properly.
Shortly after, Gu Gunbaek threw something else.
Thud—
A single book fell before Chu Hyeongi.
As he gazed upon it with a puzzled expression, Gu Gunbaek laughed.
“That contains the secret methods for its use. Guard it well. You’ll need to pass it to whoever leads Namman after you.”
“…Master!”
“Don’t weep, boy. A man sheds no tears! Now that you have everything, be on your way. A monster-like creature who wishes to crush the Demon Sect awaits you.”
Chu Hyeongi nodded and gathered what he had received.
He glanced back hesitantly before turning toward Gu Gunbaek once more.
“Won’t you come with me?”
“Go alone. I’ll remain here for a while before following.”
“…No, I don’t know the way.”
As Chu Hyeongi spoke while gazing at the dense forest, Gu Gunbaek let out an exasperated laugh.
Then.
Crack—!
The sound of a watermelon splitting echoed through the air.

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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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