The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 183

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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 184

Words I had already heard once before.
They were the very same words the supreme master of the martial sects had spoken to me.
The fact that identical words came from Ma Un’s mouth meant that Ma Un had also encountered Mu Heo at some point.
For a moment, I recalled Gwanbaek and furrowed my brow.
It was beyond comprehension how many people he had met and traveled with.
“You are mistaken.”
“Am I? Yet your spiritual energy feels so similar?”
I had received peculiar teachings, it was true.
Because of that, it was undeniable that the depth of my martial arts had grown, but the notion that my spiritual energy had become similar as a result was absurd.
After all, our foundational cultivation methods were different.
If there was something similar, it would be at most the way I had infused nature into my sword.
But even that could not be called similar.
Mine was merely a superficial grasp, while Gwanbaek’s sword embodied true nature itself.
And thanks to Ma Un’s single remark, unwanted attention had been drawn upon me.
With the name Geomcheon mentioned, not only Chu Hyeongi but also Namgung Yeon and Na Cheonmun, along with our guide and the Grand Master, all turned their gazes toward me.
The light in their eyes had shifted in a peculiar way.
Anyone would have reacted the same.
It had been true even during the time Geomcheon was active, but even now that he had vanished, he remained a legend—the one closest to being the greatest of all ages.
The strength of this so-called Priest, who had casually beaten such a figure into a cripple, was utterly beyond estimation.
While I was lost in such thoughts for a moment.
Ma Un’s voice pierced my ears with calm certainty.
“It would be burdensome to reveal it openly, certainly. However, that age and that spiritual energy cannot be concealed, no matter how one wishes it.”
“You are mistaken.”
At my words, Ma Un smiled slightly.
As if telling me to continue living in concealment.
Despite my denial, the reason such words had no effect was consistent with what had just come from Ma Un’s mouth.
Among those of my generation, Cheon-yul could be said to be at the forefront, yet even he had only recently reached the pinnacle.
But I had long since crossed that threshold, and my level was such that only a master of Geomcheon’s caliber could have cultivated it.
I brushed it aside without concern.
No matter what was said, it seemed it would not be understood anyway.
Because of Ma Un’s confident tone and expression, expressions filled with astonishment and eyes brimming with wonder poured forth from everyone, and among them, Namgung Yeon and Na Cheonmun even nodded as if they understood something.
I had no idea what they had accepted.
“And… unexpectedly, there are two guests. One appears to be a disciple of the Demon Palace, and the other is… from the Namgung Clan?”
Zzzt—!
The moment the word Namgung was spoken, killing intent erupted.
Murderous aura bloomed from everyone without exception, pouring down upon Namgung Yeon in an instant, and she seemed unable to even resist, her complexion turning pale as she staggered and nearly collapsed.
But she gritted her teeth and endured.
As if such a thing were beneath his notice.
As if he possessed an unshakeable conviction that no member of the Namgung Family would kneel before a Demon Sect disciple.
At the sight, Ma Un’s lips curved into a smile.
“The Namgung Family and we cannot live under the same sky, yet you dared to raise your head. Or perhaps… does the Demon Sect seem laughable to you?”
“Ugh!”
I watched the situation unfold without uttering a word.
I paid no heed to Chaeseoha’s urgent gaze urging me to do something, nor to Chu Hyeongi’s reproachful stare.
This was a matter between Namgung Yeon and the Demon Sect.
It was not my place to intervene.
Namgung Yeon, who understood this better than anyone, clenched his teeth with a strained expression.
A trickle—
Blood spilled from his lips as a result.
As if he were trying to overcome the pressure through pain alone, yet his opponent was one of the Ten Demon Kings of the realm.
Merely meeting his gaze would inflict a soul-crushing agony.
“I am… ugh…!”
“Do not open your mouth. I have no desire to soil my ears with your voice.”
Ma Un’s warning was sincere.
Should he utter another sound, his neck would be severed.
The intent was palpable enough to feel against one’s skin.
Yet could even such terror overcome the dignity of his ancestors?
Namgung Yeon clenched his teeth even harder and cried out.
“I am a daughter of the Namgung Family! I will not cower before the Demon Sect, nor will I kneel! If you wish to toy with me, then kill me instead!”
The powerful declaration resonated through the air.
At the same moment, the blade of the man beside him moved.
And with it, my sword moved as well.
Clang—!
“…!”
As I blocked the strike, a peculiar sound echoed.
Crack—!
Fissures began to form along the clashing blades.
The considerable strain applied in such a brief moment meant the sword could no longer withstand it.
Yet I paid it no mind and fixed my gaze upon the man.
“She is my household. Do not lay a hand on her.”
“…”
If the man pressed forward even slightly more, my blade would surely shatter in half.
Observing his expression devoid of mercy, it seemed certain he would sever Namgung Yeon’s neck the moment the sword broke.
Therefore, I could not retreat.
I poured more spiritual energy into my blade.
As the luminous flames of sword force bloomed like heat shimmer, the man flinched and cast a furtive glance toward Ma Un.
Had some signal been given?
The man quietly withdrew and sheathed his sword.
Yet the light in his eyes as he regarded me did not fade.
Astonishment.
An expression of utter disbelief.
Though he seemed the type to rarely reveal his emotions, I could sense a profound shock from the martial artist’s display just moments before.
“Ha, this is quite amusing. Truly beyond my expectations.”
Then Ma Un’s voice reached us once more.
He observed Namgung Yeon and me standing at a distance, nodding as if in understanding, then alternated his gaze between Chu Hyeongi and Chaeseoha.
Soon, as if grasping some crucial fact, his eyes gleamed with recognition.
“I cannot speak to the Disciple of the Fierce Tiger Emperor, but a daughter of the Namgung Clan and a woman presumed to be a physician… then you would be Jin Cheon-u of the Nakhyang Jin Family?”
Indeed.
There was no way to conceal it.
The moment Namgung Yeon was exposed, I too would inevitably be seen through.
The events in Gansu had spread across the entire Central Plains, and the Demon Sect would not have failed to hear of it.
But this was something I had already anticipated.
I could not have hidden it forever.
Perhaps the only fortunate aspect was that I was exposed here, in this place.
If I could borrow even a portion of Ma Un’s power, concealing my identity would not prove so difficult.
I smiled faintly and assumed a respectful stance.
“I am Jin Cheon-u of the Jin Family. It is an honor to meet Muk Hwang.”
“A figure from the Merchant Class enters the Demon Sect and creates such turmoil… Ha, the previous generation would weep to hear of this. Then, as with the daughter of Namgung, is the Disciple of the Fierce Tiger Emperor also among your retinue?”
“Indeed, he is.”
At those words, astonishment flickered in the eyes of both Ma Un and the Grand Master standing beside him.
Then came the voice of Baek Gong, his expression intrigued.
“Merely being a disciple of Geomcheon is remarkable, yet you are a young master of the Jin Family, and you have taken the daughter of the Namgung Clan and a disciple of the Fierce Tiger Emperor as your retinue? Heaven typically grants only one blessing, yet you possess them all.”
“And moreover, someone from the Uiseon Chaega.”
“…!?”
Ma Un’s sudden words sent fresh shock rippling through the chamber.
Simultaneously, countless gazes converged upon Chaeseoha.
The Demon Sect could not possibly be ignorant of the Uiseon Chaega.
Rather, one might say they shared a most intimate connection.
For the Uiseon Chaega was the very force that had brought about the ruin of the Chae Family.
Yet this situation did not sit well with me.
I had come to understand just how precise Ma Un’s perception was, but in the mere moments since we had entered through that door, I felt we had surrendered considerable information.
As I furrowed my brow and looked toward Chaeseoha, she seemed to find the converging gazes unbearably burdensome, waving her hand lightly with an awkward smile.
“Aha…”
Whether her identity was recognized or not seemed of no consequence to her; she appeared focused solely on the discomfort of being the center of attention.
But had the atmosphere shifted because of her?
Ma Un, withdrawing his gaze from her, gestured toward one side of the main hall.
“I have kept my guest standing far too long. Come. In all my years, I have never encountered a guest such as yourself, and I find myself most intrigued.”

* * *

I followed them inside, surveying my surroundings as we moved deeper into the hall.
Casting my gaze about to take in the interior, I found the main hall surprisingly modest and unremarkable.
It was so austere that I could scarcely believe one of the Ten Demon Kings of the realm dwelt here—I wondered if perhaps he maintained his residence elsewhere.
Or perhaps, if he were soon to relocate, these furnishings had been brought here in advance?
Yet no matter how I pondered it, that did not seem to be the case.
The traces scattered throughout bore no sense of temporary placement or hastily arranged possessions.
Harboring my curiosity, I stepped into the reception room proper.
It was much the same.
Though I had expected the guest hall to be somewhat ornate, contrary to my assumption, not a single decorative piece adorned the space—only a table and chairs remained.
“Does it strike you as peculiar?”
“I have had the honor of meeting the Death Emperor and the Sword Emperor, yet their chambers were far more elaborate. I confess myself somewhat surprised.”
“There is no need to be dazzled by costly splendor. The master’s worth far outweighs such trappings.”
“That is what my grandfather used to say.”
“Did he indeed?”
“Yes, though his words belied his actions—he possessed many costly things.”
At my candid remark, I caught Ma Un’s lips curving into a faint smile. Perhaps because of this, the Grand Master beside him wore an expression of mild surprise, suggesting he was a man who rarely laughed.
Thus we took our seats.
Namgung Yeon, still perspiring coldly, kept his mouth firmly sealed, while Chu Hyeongi glanced about nervously, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.
Chaeseoha alone seemed to anticipate the arrival of some delicious fare, while Na Cheonmun…
was nowhere to be seen.
We had been permitted to enter, but Na Cheonmun had been led away by the man who had threatened Namgung Yeon, vanishing to some unknown destination.
I suspected they would thoroughly silence him before sending him back down to Mayeonji.
It was a pity—he had proven himself a capable servant.
Then, Ma Un suddenly turned his gaze toward Chu Hyeongi.
“Tell me, how fares the Fierce Tiger Emperor?”
“U-uh, h-haha… M-Master is doing well…”
“An unworthy disciple of his, it seems.”
At the sight of Chu Hyeongi trembling with fear, Ma Un’s eyes filled with disappointment.
The Fierce Tiger Emperor he envisioned was a man who remained composed even in such circumstances, speaking his mind without hesitation or restraint.
Regardless of whether his opponent was stronger or not.
“Namman has grown considerably since the Fierce Tiger Emperor ascended as its lord. The Demon Sect too strives not to fall behind. Yet one must not overstep certain boundaries.”
A sharp, icy wind cut through the air—
“Eek?!”
As a piercing gaze accompanied the chill, Chu Hyeongi cried out in alarm and hastily nodded.
Merely recalling the tales we had heard in Namman, I could understand the reason for his anger.
Satisfied with Chu Hyeongi’s cowering response, Ma Un withdrew his gaze and finally turned his attention to me, beginning in earnest.
“Well then. Convince me why you have done such a thing in this place.”
At last, it had arrived.
If I failed to convince him, I would face grave humiliation; if I succeeded, I could seize everything I desired.
Both Ma Un and Grand Master Baek-gong fixed their gaze upon me.
He would listen intently to every word that fell from my lips, discern the presence or absence of falsehood and truth, and determine whether all of it could be accepted as credible.
Had I come merely to reclaim my words?
It was a sufficient narrative, certainly, but it alone lacked the weight to convince them of circumstances grave enough to overturn the Demon Sect.
Rather, they might deem me a fool who had been toyed with.
Then should I speak plainly of the Cheonma Forging Hall?
No, no.
A blade might fly at me without warning.
I glanced toward Chaeseoha.
Her gaze, which had been awaiting my words, turned toward me, and I saw her nod lightly as if she had grasped my meaning.
At last, I spoke.
“The Demon Sect has come to collect a debt owed to the Chae Family.”
“…!”
“….”
“For a hundred years, the debt has gone unpaid—surely now is the time for settlement. What are your thoughts on this matter, Muk Hwang, who shall soon become Sect Leader?”
At those words, Ma Un’s face broke into a smile, while Grand Master Baek-gong’s eyes widened with astonishment.

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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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