The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 182

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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 183

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“Is it true?”
“Yes. It’s a fact.”
At the summit of the colossal Cheonsan Mountain.
Cheon-ma Ridge.
The countless cultivators stationed there were none other than the elite demon practitioners representing the Demon Sect.
Each individual possessed a reputation formidable enough to shake the Central Plains with mere whispers of their names, yet they now stood before the massive gate with expressions of bewilderment.
The sole gateway through which one could ascend from Ma-un Peak to Cheon-ma Ridge.
This gate could only be opened by warriors who had triumphed through promotion duels—unless it was a special ceremony such as an enthronement.
And in this generation, the gate had opened only once.
Excluding the time when Ma-un, who would soon become the Sect Leader, had ascended from the lowest tier of Mayeonji and broken through Ma-un Peak, not a single instance had occurred in fifty years.
The disparity between Mayeonji and Ma-un Peak was so severe, and the power struggles within Ma-un Peak itself had intensified so greatly, that even when promotion duels were held, few possessed the strength to prevail.
Yet now, the gate of Cheon-ma Ridge stood wide open.
Creak—Boom!
The moment the gate opened, the gazes of countless masters converged upon a single point.
Where Ma-un had walked alone fifty years prior, five figures now entered through the opening.
All present could not suppress their astonishment at this seemingly impossible sight.
“This can’t be real.”
“Believe what unfolds before your eyes. In less than ten days, they broke through both Mayeonji and Ma-un Peak.”
Those gathered cast glances tinged with disbelief. Yet the reports flowing in from all directions confirmed the authenticity of their achievements.
An unprecedented feat, even within this Demon Sect.
And what made it unbelievable was that it had emerged from the Demon Awakening War—the weakest faction—while accomplishing such extraordinary deeds.
“That’s the Evaluator.”
“The one in the middle?”
“Yes.”
As someone spoke, all eyes turned toward Jin Cheon-u standing in the center.
Without hearing the reports, one would have found it impossible to believe.
That he alone.
Had faced two hundred and fifty opponents and now stood in this place.
Though he had not simultaneously faced all four leaders, the fact that he had confronted and defeated the leaders amidst the chaos of battle made it abundantly clear that he was no ordinary individual.
The tension in their gazes fixed upon him was unmistakable.
Even those within the Cheonsan Magyo who had received education of a higher caliber than others would shake their heads if asked to replicate what Jin Cheon-u had accomplished.
“We’ll take the Evaluator for the Iron Armored Cavalry.”
“What are you talking about? He belongs with our Mahaengdae. It’s obvious.”
“Stop spouting nonsense. He should naturally come to our faction.”
What governed Cheon-ma Ridge differed from the lower tiers—it was not organized by mere Halls.
Centered around Macheon Palace were the Gak, Dang, Jeon, and Ru.
This place was where the true Demon Sect disciples dwelled, and they were all doing their utmost to recruit talented individuals for themselves.
In that moment, those watching Jin Cheon-u furrowed their brows.
Jin Cheon-u, taking in the people gathered from all directions, bore a faint smirk at the corner of his mouth.
As if he were provoking them.
“Tch, smiling?”
“Bold spirit! I rather like it.”
Many of them spoke such words while letting out hollow laughter.

* * *

With the Demon Sect Leader’s enthronement ceremony just around the corner.
At last, the gate leading up to Cheon-ma Ridge opened.
Simultaneously, what came into view was an endless succession of stairs, and as we began ascending through them, I could feel gazes pouring down from all around.
It was not just one person.
There were countless numbers beyond counting.
The aura emanating from them was so overwhelming that my entire body tingled with its intensity.
“Haa, haa….”
“Ugh….”
Because of this, Jang Chuchyeong, Namgung Yeon, and Na Cheonmun appeared unable to breathe properly.
Had I not been protecting Chaeseoha, who was most vulnerable to such things, she would surely have already lost consciousness from the overwhelming aura.
The pressure was that immense.
In truth, while facing those from Mayeonji, the lowest layer, and Ma-un Peak, the middle layer, I had wondered if this place was truly the Demon Sect, but Cheon-ma Ridge was certainly different.
Just as the tales of countless Central Plains cultivators fearing this place were no lie, each individual here possessed an aura that was distinctly different.
Feeling all of this, I let out a quiet chuckle.
Was that the reason?
I could see several of them wearing quite displeased expressions.
According to what I had heard, in fifty years, only one person had ascended from Mayeonji, the lowest layer, to Cheon-ma Ridge, which meant that most of those present here were natives of Cheon-ma Ridge.
They were precious individuals who had grown up only from the perspective of the strong, through and through.
I looked around at such people and spoke.
“Endure it. If you cannot bear it, you have no right to ascend.”
“Ugh… Yes!”
“Heave!”
Before my words even finished, Na Cheonmun retched.
Chaeseoha was fine since I was protecting her, but as a result, Na Cheonmun, the weakest among us, had no choice but to be fully exposed to the aura.
Then, as his eyes rolled back and he was about to lose consciousness, I quickly grabbed him and infused him with my spiritual energy.
Thanks to that, he was able to regain his senses.
“Krkrkr.”
“Hahaha!”
“Hoho!”
Simultaneously, sounds of ridicule echoed from all around.
In that moment, I understood.
The instant the doors opened, I grasped the intention behind their arranged formation.
Cheon-ma Ridge was the true Demon Sect.
It was a clear demonstration that they differed from the Lower Layer, and a threat warning us not to presume with such pathetic strength.
Moreover, it was meant to make us feel it with our entire bodies and deliver us shame.
“Pathetic fools.”
I sneered at them and climbed to the top of the stairs.
At last, the true visage of Cheon-ma Ridge came into view.
Perched upon a colossal mountain peak stood Macheon Palace, known as the residence of the Demon King, and beneath it sprawled a vast expanse of land so immense it seemed impossible for a mountain summit, dotted with pavilions both grand and modest.
There appeared to be marketplaces and shops aplenty.
One would not be surprised if they had transplanted all of Nakhyang here wholesale.
The mere existence of such expansive terrain atop a mountain peak was astonishing, but what truly took my breath away was how they had constructed an entire settlement here rivaling Nakhyang itself.
And yet, something else.
I glanced subtly around the surroundings.
At the edge of the vast land, countless boulders both large and small dotted the landscape.
Upon closer inspection, one could discern ancient sword marks embedded in the ground itself.
If my suspicion proved correct, this expansive terrain had been leveled by someone wielding a blade.
Much like how successive Gung-ju had excavated that cave where Gu Gunbaek dwelled with their bare fists.
“True monsters, indeed.”
Whether Namman or the Demon Sect, madmen abounded without number.
I shook my head and turned my gaze elsewhere.
Those who had been watching us with interest began departing one by one, as though they had lost all concern.
Only then did the crushing pressure that had weighed upon us dissipate.
“If I receive one more welcome like that, they’ll tear me apart.”
“…It was truly vicious. I thought I was about to breathe my last.”
“First, let’s find somewhere to rest. We’ve suffered enough—we need at least a day to recover.”
“A day? I think we’d need a week even then.”
Chaeseoha shook her head with an expression of exasperation.
Her complexion was equally dire.
Though she had not wielded a blade, she had remained at my side providing constant healing, moving about ceaselessly in her own way.
This explained the deep shadows beneath her eyes.
Then it happened.
I noticed strange figures approaching us.
It was no illusion—the man who stood before me fixed his gaze upon me and opened his mouth.
“Are you the ones who ascended from Chohwon Hall?”
“We are. However…”
“I am an errand-runner for the Grand Master.”
The Grand Master?
The moment I heard the title, my brow furrowed and Na Cheonmun held his breath in alarm.
With the Sect Leader’s position vacant, if one sought the highest authority in the Demon Sect, it would be Grand Master Baek-gong.
I met the man’s gaze without flinching, my composure unwavering.
“Might I ask what brings someone of your stature to seek us out?”
The man regarded me in silence.
His expression and eyes betrayed no emotion whatsoever.
He resembled nothing so much as one who faithfully understood and executed commands.
Because of this, I found it impossible to predict what thoughts occupied his mind.
In that moment.
The man nodded slightly and signaled to someone, whereupon those surrounding us closed in and placed their hands upon their sword hilts.
As if prepared to draw at the slightest provocation.
Thanks to this, the departing Demon Sect Disciples’ gazes turned back toward us once more.
“Will you come with us for a time?”
“Is refusal not an option?”
“You could refuse, certainly… but you wouldn’t survive the attempt.”
Should we refuse to accompany them, they would resort to force.
An unmistakable threat.
Even if I somehow managed to shake off the man before me, those observing this situation from the periphery would never stand idle.
Breaking through the Demon Sect’s vaunted masters was simply not feasible.
It seemed wisest to avoid creating unnecessary trouble here.
I nodded and shifted my gaze away.
“What will you do about it?”
“Huh?!”
I directed my attention toward Chu Hyeongi and subtly stepped back. As he naturally became the apparent leader of our group, the man’s expression grew peculiar as he regarded Chu Hyeongi.
Then came a firm statement that struck my ears with certainty.
“Will you go, or will you not? Decide.”
As the weighty words burrowed into Chu Hyeongi’s ears, he exhaled a resigned sigh and glanced at me with a knowing look.
“Hahahaha! Going is fine enough, but… well… you wouldn’t happen to have food, would you? We’ve been rather starved, if you must know.”
“…Speak with the Grand Master about that.”
“Understood! Let’s go then!”
Chu Hyeongi, adapting to the situation with remarkable ease, burst into laughter once more, and the man sighed before taking the lead.
From the way he regarded Chu Hyeongi—as one might observe a barbarian—it seemed he had already discerned something of his true nature.
Indeed, it had been longer than expected.
Regardless of how preoccupied everyone was with the enthronement ceremony, those here were not the sort to fail to see through the martial techniques that had been revealed so abundantly during the promotion duels.
Which meant.
Namgung Yeon had likely been caught as well.
Unable to conceal my true cultivation while fighting, I had revealed every technique at my disposal, and they would certainly have taken note of the Namgung Family’s swordsmanship displayed within.
In truth, being summoned here was the more surprising development.
Perhaps they possessed such confidence that even knowing everything, I could never cross over to their side.
A smile crossed my face unbidden as I looked ahead.
Our destination was not Macheon Palace.
It was an ornate pavilion standing somewhat distant from here.
The door opened to a place that seemed anything but ordinary at first glance, and the moment I stepped inside.
I could see two figures.
A middle-aged man leisurely tending to orchids, and another middle-aged man standing at a distance, observing us.
I instantly recognized who they were.
The one watching us was none other than Grand Master Baek-gong, known as the brain of the Demon Sect, and the one managing the orchids without revealing even a hint of his presence was.
Once called the Ink Thunder Sword Demon, now bearing the title of Muk Hwang and holding one of the Ten Emperors’ positions—a being destined to soon claim the name of the Great Demon King.
It was Ma Un.
His gaze turned toward us with unhurried leisure.
The moment his eyes fell upon us, everyone’s bodies trembled.
Though his eyes were calm, they seemed to pierce through a person entirely.
As he examined each person one by one, he showed curiosity upon confirming Chu Hyeongi, and his eyes flickered with intrigue as he regarded Namgung Yeon.
And in that final moment.
When his gaze fixed upon me.
His pupils wavered.
“Has Geomcheon taken a disciple?”
Then, a question once heard pierced into my ears again.

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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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