The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 179

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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 240

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Countless figures gathered together, their heads bowed in unison.
A reverence directed toward the absolute being who dwelt in a place beyond mortal gaze.
Though their faces remained hidden, the eyes and expressions of all present gleamed with something that transcended mere awe.
The one seated in the highest place looked down upon them all.
His expression devoid of thought, untouched by any emotion.
His eyes rotated slowly, sweeping across each person in turn, until at last they came to rest upon a single figure.
“Gang Cheonho…”
“Yes! You called for me?”
“What has transpired?”
Gang Cheonho did not hesitate at the sudden question.
To answer the inquiry given to him was his duty.
Even a moment’s hesitation could not be permitted.
“The Regent’s vassals came to the Binghua Yujing.”
“…”
“During the fierce battle that ensued, I lost the Divine Stone. I apologize.”
Those with bowed heads flinched at Gang Cheonho’s words, their eyes turning toward him, but the overwhelming pressure that emanated caused their bodies to tremble as they averted their gaze.
Was that the reason?
The Divine’s eyes flashed with a cold light.
Whether it was due to those who had carelessly turned their heads, or whether Gang Cheonho’s forthright answer had displeased him, none could say—yet the pressure that descended upon all present was suffocating.
Yet Gang Cheonho remained composed.
As if every word he had spoken was nothing but truth.
The Divine, observing this, curved his lips into a small smile and nodded.
“What of him?”
“He must be killed. Allow me to handle this.”
At his resolute words, the Divine did not even nod, instead turning his gaze elsewhere. Whether it was affirmation or denial remained unclear.
The Divine’s gaze merely shifted toward the twelve sect leaders arrayed before him and the warriors standing behind them.
He smiled upon noticing that two positions that should have remained empty were now filled.
“There are many who obstruct the faith. Whose responsibility is this?”
Flinch!
Every figure present trembled.
Since the birth of the Divine Faith, never had such interference been encountered. This meant the Twelve Sect Leaders, who upheld the Divine, had failed in their duties.
All held their breath beneath that reproachful gaze.
Was that the reason?
Pfft—
A soft scoff echoed through the chamber, followed immediately by the Divine’s piercing words.
“The Divine Stone is a later matter. Find it.”
The Regent did not speak with absolute certainty.
That meant he had recognized the existence of another obstructor. Moreover, while giving Gang Cheonho an opportunity, he had also allowed the other Twelve Horns to move freely.
Gang Cheonho was displeased with this, but he did not show it openly.
All that mattered was moving before the others.
Soon, as the Divine rose from his seat and slowly walked out of the hall, breathing sounds finally escaped from various corners as if the tension had been released.
In that moment, the gaze of one of the Twelve Horn Lords turned toward Gang Cheonho.
“Is it true? The Regent’s vassal appeared and caused interference?”
“Do I look like someone who would lie?”
“Ha—well, not exactly, but… there’s something suspicious about this.”
Someone spoke such words, pouring fuel on the fire within Gang Cheonho. Already furious, he reached out and grabbed the man by the collar, then spoke through gritted teeth.
“I will kill that bastard myself. If anyone dares to touch him, I will wring their neck, whoever they may be.”
Grrrrr—
A low growl echoed through the hall, dominating the space.
The man whose collar was seized was also one of the Twelve Horn Lords.
Such threats held no sway over him.
As he slowly reached out and grasped Gang Cheonho’s wrist, strange crimson spots suddenly began to spread across the wrist.
“Tch!”
Confirming this, Gang Cheonho quickly withdrew his hand.
Then, watching the spots slowly fade, he glared at the man with a sharp gaze.
“This little brat…”
“Ha, listen here, Lord Ho. Do I still appear to you as someone who merely cleaned up after Yeom Ji-hak?”
“Shut up. I’m getting the urge to kill you.”
The Mountain Lord’s momentum erupted explosively.
The new Snake Horn Sect Leader countered by raising his own momentum, but he was no match for Gang Cheonho, who ranked among the top three within the Twelve Horns.
A furrow had already formed on his brow.
Soon, the Mountain Lord’s upturned golden eyes gleamed, fixing directly upon the Snake Horn Sect Leader, and he growled as a warning.
“It is mine. Do not touch it. This is my final warning.”
“Ha ha…”
“Stop laughing and shut your mouth.”
Gang Cheonho spat out his anger and roughly pushed the man away before disappearing, while the Snake Horn Sect Leader, who had been quietly watching his departing figure, shrugged his shoulders.
Soon, he too moved under the gaze of others.
“Hmm… it seems like a lie to me.”
Looking at Gang Cheonho’s behavior, it did not seem truthful.
After all, it was Jin Cheon-u of the Jin Family of Luoyang who had been there, and he had not heard that anyone else had entered.
But the Regent’s vassal?
The other Twelve Horn Lords likely harbored the same thoughts as the man, but they refrained from voicing it, probably because they did not wish to clash directly with Gang Cheonho.
Once prey was fixed in his sights, he would always capture it himself.
That was the principle he lived by.
Naturally, if he took direct action to verify, Gang Cheonho would not remain idle. Perhaps a true war between the Snake Horn and Tiger Horn would actually break out.
If we’re going by the natural order of things, wouldn’t it be the annihilation of the Snake Clan?
The Snake Horn Sect Leader just gained power by ascending to his position—there’s no way that could happen.
Yet I can’t simply ignore it without verification.
The man’s eyes gleamed with some unknown thought, his gaze growing narrow and predatory. His flickering tongue resembled that of an actual serpent.
Soon after arriving somewhere, he opened the door and stepped inside, where I could see a middle-aged man bowing his head.
“I have pleasant news. It’s time for you to take action.”
“Me?”
“Yes, and it’s not a bad proposition either. All you need to do is continue eliminating what has been an eyesore to you. Isn’t your family particularly skilled at such matters?”
“…!”
The man, observing the expression of surprise on the other’s face, flicked his tongue like a serpent and broke into a sinister grin.
“Surely you’re not going to refuse? Didn’t Hobeop’s words about crawling like a dog sound rather unconvincing to you, Sword Emperor?”
Hehehehe—
A desolate, chilling laugh echoed softly through the air.

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From the Northern Sea back to Luoyang once more.
Though the journey was long, like all things it came to an end smoothly.
Since no major incidents occurred on the return as they had on the way there, I was able to shorten the travel time considerably, making the journey quite swift and comfortable.
The grand gates of the Jin Family of Luoyang swung wide open as numerous cargo wagons rolled through.
Only then did the tension seem to ease, and judging by the sighs heard throughout, the events experienced at the Northern Ice Palace still lingered as a shock.
“I’ll handle the rest, sir.”
I nodded at Namgung Baek’s words.
The remaining tasks were merely cleanup, so my presence would only be inconvenient.
Better to attend to other matters promptly.
Specifically, reporting to my father.
I hurried to find my father’s study.
Seeing him still bearing signs of drowsiness, I offered a bitter smile before detailing everything that had transpired.
“The Northern Ice Palace…?”
“Yes, thanks to the Junior Prince’s intervention, it has stabilized somewhat, but it will still take time to rebuild the palace’s standing.”
“Sigh… Why does trouble break out wherever you go?”
“It’s not that trouble breaks out wherever I go—it’s that I only go where trouble already exists.”
As if recalling the recent events, my father furrowed his brow and sighed deeply.
But I don’t stir up trouble for pleasure.
Sometimes there are unavoidable choices when it comes to survival.
The problem is merely that the repercussions are significant.
“Very well. It’s fortunate the trade negotiations concluded successfully. But did you really conduct business with the Ice Palace in such a state of ruin?”
“I did.”
“…Goodness, you’re a cold one.”
“Showing compassion to those completely fallen is something anyone can do, but I learned that one must never do so to those who will rise again.”
“I understand. But the relationship between the Northern Ice Palace and our family goes back to Grandfather’s time, doesn’t it? Considering that bond….”
“That’s why I cut them some slack. To the point where there’s nothing left in this transaction.”
“Haha.”
Father shook his head at my words.
Yet he didn’t particularly deny it, as if he understood the meaning. The Northern Ice Palace was in a state of ruin, but judging solely from the Junior Prince’s expression and gaze, they would rise again.
Rather than showing warmth to such a person, it was better to treat them as always—as if they still stood on equal footing.
Without wounding their pride.
Grandfather had taught me this, so Father would surely understand it as well.
“It can’t be helped. More importantly, is the Junior Prince doing well?”
“From what I’ve seen of his leadership, he appears even more capable than the Gung-ju. I’m confident it won’t be long before they soar once more.”
“If you’ve assessed it that way, then it must be so.”
Father nodded and tapped his fingers on the desk. He was considering whether to extend aid to the Northern Sea, which desperately needed immediate help, and whether to collect more later or cut ties entirely.
Since the transaction was essentially always operating at a loss, perhaps this opportunity to sever it was also a viable option.
I didn’t feel the need to interject on that matter.
All decisions were made by Father, as the Family Head.
My role was merely to speak what I felt, and then follow the decisions handed down.
“I’ll need to send someone. They’ll need many things.”
In the end, he decided to embrace the Northern Sea.
It wasn’t a particularly bad decision.
If the Northern Ice Palace could restore its former status, we would receive back many times over everything we had given them until now.
“I think Myeong-i would be suitable. From what the people of the Northern Ice Palace told me, he has quite a close relationship with the Junior Prince.”
“That fellow? Haha, how curious. The man who doesn’t even converse with women except for his wife.”
“To be precise… it seems the Junior Prince has taken a liking to him. It’s so well-known among the Northern Ice Palace that hardly anyone is unaware. However, she doesn’t seem to know that he has a wife.”
“Hahaha—.”
I was curious what expression the Junior Prince would have when she learned this fact. It would probably feel similar to when she lost the Gung-ju.
“Is there anything else I should know?”
“…No, there isn’t.”
“I see. Very well. You must be exhausted, so go rest.”
I nodded and bowed respectfully.
As I turned lightly to leave the office, I heard Father’s voice calling out to me as he gazed quietly.
“Don’t try to carry everything alone. Share the burden, Inseok.”
“I understand.”
I left with a smile at his words, and at that same moment, my expression hardened.
Father had realized it.
He questioned why I had returned in such haste when the situation with the Northern Ice Palace was as it was.
It appeared he had judged that something significant might occur—something grave enough to make me hurry back out of concern for the family’s safety.
From now on, he would prepare without my knowledge.
But that alone would not be sufficient.
From the moment Gang Cheonho returned alive, my identity was as good as exposed to them.
It wouldn’t be strange no matter when or how they came for me. I couldn’t even know if they would target only me or attempt to strike at the entire Jin Family.
Thus, from this moment forward, I would handle everything with utmost caution, and utilize every resource at my disposal.
“Ah, Young Master!”
It was while I walked with such thoughts on my mind.
I caught sight of someone approaching from a distance, having spotted me.
Yu Hyeon, the Chief Steward.
With a gentle smile, he closed the distance between us and came to a halt before me, then discreetly glanced around to ensure no one was listening.
Then his voice reached my ears.
“Regarding the task you assigned me previously, sir.”
“Ah, I’ve been so occupied with matters that it slipped my mind. How did it progress?”
“I’ve compiled the information and placed it in your quarters. However, that is… just now fresh intelligence has arrived, and it seems so peculiar that I felt compelled to inform you at once.”
“What is it?”
“The elite forces of the Moyong Family that were in Liaoning have vanished without a trace.”
“And the Sword Emperor?”
“He returned to the Martial Arts Alliance not long ago, it is said.”
The moment Yu Hyeon’s cautious voice struck my ears.
My lips curved upward in a thick smile without my realizing it.
‘Yes, I’ve unleashed the hunting dogs.’

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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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