The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 176

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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 176

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The Cheonsan Demonic Sect, as it was called, was a place that would conjure images of demons swarming through hell itself in the minds of those unfamiliar with it.
Such was the terror it symbolized to the people of the Central Plains.
Yet the reality before my eyes painted an entirely different picture.
As if to prove that people lived the same way everywhere, I witnessed laughter and chatter, anger and fistfights, play and drinking and merriment—scenes no different from what one might find in the Central Plains.
If there was one thing truly different, it would be that one had to traverse mountains of unparalleled harshness to reach any other place.
Beyond that, there was little to distinguish it from anywhere else.
In fact, it was more comfortable than Namman had been.
“Do we really have to wear something like this?”
At Chaeseoha’s words, I turned my head.
Dressed in the garments worn by the warriors of Demon Awakening War, she shifted uncomfortably, her brow furrowed in displeasure.
I couldn’t help but smile at the sight.
“Bear with the discomfort. We can’t afford to be discovered as outsiders.”
“But is it really necessary to hide? Since you’ve already mentioned the Elder’s name, wouldn’t concealment be pointless?”
“Demon Awakening War probably wants to avoid unnecessary attention.”
The coronation ceremony was less than a fortnight away.
We had been here for a day and a half, and without needing to investigate further, I could discern the standing of Demon Awakening War within the sect.
The fact that it handled menial tasks within the Demon Sect alone placed it at the very bottom of the hierarchy.
Only those whose abilities paled in comparison to other halls gathered here, and because their work consisted of such mundane duties, those demoted for their insufficient strength congregated in this place.
What would happen if word spread that they had received outsiders without permission—and not just any outsiders, but disciples of the Fierce Tiger Emperor, whose very name made one’s teeth clench?
Surely they would not escape unscathed.
That was why I had accepted Ryu Jin-hong’s proposal to conceal our identities.
I turned my head with a slight smile.
“But where does the Sect Leader reside?”
“Ah, that is… well…”
At the end of my gaze stood a man.
His eyes were a sickly shade of blue with bruising, and his face was swollen beyond recognition.
This battered figure was Na Cheon-mun, the very man who had purchased our horses at the stable.
He bore the marks of a thorough beating—punishment for the trouble he had caused.
As for why he remained at our side,
it was clearly to watch over us and guide us, with the intention of preventing any incidents that might arise.
Being a disciple of the Fierce Tiger Emperor, there was no telling what I might do, and it was evident they sought to prevent any confrontation that might expose our true identities.
Still, if that were the case, they could have sent him in better condition.
At my bitter smile regarding his ruined state, Na Cheon-mun pointed toward a location on Cheonsan Mountain.
“It is right there.”
I gazed toward where Na Cheon-mun was pointing.
A grand pavilion situated so far above that it would be invisible unless one tilted their head back.
It was a place that seemed to symbolize the sword itself—merely looking at it made one’s body feel as though it would be sliced apart, such was the keenness that emanated from it.
The summit of Cheonsan.
That appeared to be where the Sect Leader of the Demon Sect resided.
Yet what was peculiar was that, as if arranged in layers, countless halls descended from the summit downward.
The Demon Awakening War, where we now stood, occupied the lowest tier.
The impression that the difference in elevation symbolized power and authority was clearly no mere illusion.
As I observed with a curious gaze, Na Cheon-mun offered a bitter smile.
“Your assumption is correct. The Demon Awakening War is the lowest level, where miscellaneous duties are handled. Haha.”
“So the higher one climbs, the greater the power.”
“Yes, well… that is so. At the very pinnacle stands Macheon Palace.”
Did they call the residence of the Sect Leader Macheon Palace?
At that word, I found myself chuckling despite myself.
“Then the horse is kept there?”
“Ah, no. There is another place beneath Macheon Palace, and the horse is likely there. He has not yet ascended to his position, after all.”
I nodded at Na Cheon-mun’s words and surveyed the surroundings of Macheon Palace.
Though not clearly visible from here, I could discern that some structure undoubtedly existed.
I suspected that place housed the residences of those who wielded the greatest power and authority in the Demon Sect, second only to the Sect Leader.
I stroked my chin thoughtfully, then voiced one of the primary reasons I had come here.
“More importantly, where is the blacksmith’s forge in this place?”
“Are you seeking the Blacksmith? He resides not far from here. Shall I guide you?”
“In Namman, they called that Blacksmith the greatest artisan under heaven. Is that assessment accurate?”
“Ah, ah—you speak of Artisan Chungmun, then. If it is he….”
Na Cheon-mun nodded as if understanding, then turned his gaze away, looking once more toward where Macheon Palace stood.
Soon he smiled with an awkward expression and scratched his head.
“He resides there. As the master of the Cheonma Forging Hall, he would hardly come down to this level.”
“The Cheonma Forging Hall?”
“It is where the swords of the Sect Leader and the greatest masters of the Demon Sect are forged.”
I nodded at those words.
Indeed, one possessing such skill would naturally require special management within the Demon Sect.
Moreover, with the constant threat of Southern Barbarian raids and the abduction of important individuals, it made sense to keep such crucial figures in protected locations.
Yet this presented an unexpected complication.
To ascend there, one would need considerable power and authority within the Demon Sect, and it seemed unlikely that the Demon Awakening War possessed sufficient strength for such an undertaking.
What I had believed could be managed through mere infiltration now revealed itself to be far more difficult than I had initially conceived.
I turned my mind to the problem and shifted my gaze.
Jang Chuchyeong and Namgung Yeon came into view.
The two, dressed in the garb of the Demon Awakening War, appeared absorbed in the sights of Cheonsan as they surveyed their surroundings, yet in truth they were committing every Demon Sect disciple visible to memory, one by one.
There was a sense of them comparing the aura of others against their own.
Or perhaps, observing how these figures moved smoothly across the treacherous mountain paths, they contemplated what lightness technique they themselves might have employed.
Even setting aside Namgung Yeon, the fact that Jang Chuchyeong could not tear his gaze away suggested he could now rightfully be called a true martial artist.
Growl—
At that moment, hearing a sudden sound, I turned my head to see Chaeseoha’s face flushed crimson with embarrassment at the loud noise her stomach had made, her hand pressed against her growling belly.
Only then did I realize it was approaching lunchtime.
“By the way, is there an inn nearby? It seems about time we should eat something.”
“Ah— y-yes, an inn? Well, we do have one, but… if you’re returning to Chohwon Hall, it should be ready by now.”
Na Cheon-mun pointed awkwardly toward Chohwon Hall.
Clearly intent on keeping us away from crowded places, he subtly blocked my path, as if concealing a building.
Yet his very behavior revealed one truth to me.
That thing visible over there must be the inn.
Watching Na Cheon-mun’s anxious eyes flutter and observing the hidden inn from the corner of my vision, I smiled.
Drip, drip—
Noticing cold sweat trickling down his forehead, I turned my gaze to Chaeseoha.
“That appears to be the inn. Shall we go eat?”
“Yes, of course! I wonder what they serve here? I’m looking forward to it.”
Chaeseoha’s eyes sparkled as she spoke in a melodious voice.
For a moment, her beauty seemed to shine even brighter, instantly capturing the gaze of Na Cheon-mun who was watching her.
He stood there with his jaw hanging open as if his soul had left his body, but eventually swallowed hard and pointed with his finger, revealing the inn he had hidden behind his back.
“…The inn is over there, Miss. It’s quite renowned in these parts for its delicious food. Allow me to guide you. Or rather, let me treat you!”
“Thank you.”
“Haha, no need for thanks…!”
Na Cheon-mun, his eyes completely captivated by Chaeseoha’s charming smile and sweet voice, hurried ahead toward the inn.
Perhaps because the path was somewhat rough, he grinned as he watched Chaeseoha behind him, then suddenly launched himself forward, stepping off a rock and leaping upward, using sturdy branches as footholds before launching himself again, landing lightly before the inn.
The moment he landed, Na Cheon-mun turned his head, regarding us with a confident expression.
“Nothing to it, really.”
“Hahaha! Easier than expected?”
“It’s quite manageable once you actually try.”
Contrary to what he had thought—that we would struggle to follow—his eyes widened in surprise as he saw us already before him.
He even caught his breath upon seeing me, apparently not having anticipated that I could deploy such swift lightness technique while carrying Chaeseoha.
“Ha… haha, you all possess remarkable lightness technique. This is quite a… difficult path.”
“Pfft! Difficult, my foot! Enough of that—just guide us! My stomach’s so empty my belly’s practically touching my spine.”
Jang Chuchyeong, taking in Na Cheon-mun’s dumbfounded expression, laughed heartily and approached him, roughly patting his back.
From his actions—so perfectly reminiscent of Gu Gunbaek—I could gauge just how much he had suffered during this time.
I smiled softly and turned my gaze away.
The inn was now right before us.
The inn’s appearance, constructed as if integrated with the surrounding trees, undergrowth, and natural landscape without disturbing them, was intriguing enough to capture my interest.
As I slowly walked forward, opened the door, and stepped inside, I felt the gazes of everyone present pour down upon us.
Every person seated here was a Demon Sect Disciple.
The aura subtly emanating from them was so ferocious that it was incomparable to anything I had sensed in the Central Plains.
The moment I entered, an exceptionally savage presence was laid bare.
I furrowed my brow and looked at Na Cheon-mun.
Receiving my gaze, he swallowed hard and steadied his breathing.
“Let’s move to that table over there.”
He spoke naturally, as though he’d brought a new recruit, yet I could see an oddly palpable tension in his movements.
Moreover, the choice of seating was peculiar.
Despite there being several decent tables available, we were being directed toward the most wretched corner—it made me wonder if even one’s seat was determined by power and status in this place.
And indeed, it was.
The table hadn’t even been cleaned; it was thick with dust, and the chair and table creaked ominously, as though they might collapse at any moment.
Without thinking, I stood there frowning.
Did he sense it?
Jang Chuchyeong hurried over and growled at Na Cheon-mun.
“You’re telling me to sit here?”
“Shh, shh—! P-please, just be quiet for a moment. I’ll explain everything….”
Na Cheon-mun quickly glanced around and lowered his voice.
After confirming that no one was paying attention to us, he moved swiftly and brushed away the dust from the seat with his sleeve.
Watching this, a natural question arose in my mind.
We could simply go elsewhere.
As I sat down, pressing my brow slightly, Na Cheon-mun—who had glanced around again to ensure no one was listening—opened his mouth quietly.
“The Demon Sect operates on the principle of survival of the fittest. You’ve heard such things before, haven’t you?”
“Yes, my Master has told me this many times.”
“Strength symbolizes power and authority in this place. But we… the Cho Hon Jeon are at the very bottom.”
Na Cheon-mun laughed awkwardly.
His embarrassment was evident in his expression, as though he were ashamed even as he spoke.
Yet, realizing he could not avoid revealing the truth, he took a breath to calm himself and continued.
“That is why most of our Cho Hon Jeon warriors must sit in places like this. It is the Sect’s rule, after all.”
Jang Chuchyeong, hearing these reluctantly spoken words, looked at me.
His eyes asked what we should do, but truthfully, I had already expected this.
I had suspected as much from the beginning.
I simply smiled faintly and posed a question.
“Then, what must one do to rise higher?”
“Pardon?”
“I mean, what must one do to reach the very top where Macheon Palace stands?”
In that instant, Na Cheon-mun’s eyes widened in shock.
As though such a thought had never even crossed his mind.
But it seemed my words had provoked some of those who overheard.
“Puhahahaha—! Hey, you! What did you just spout?”
Warriors seated at a corner table—clearly better positioned than where we sat—stood up and sneered at 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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