The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 184

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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.
The very same phrase the supreme master of the martial sects had spoken to me.
The fact that identical words had come from Ma Un’s lips meant he too had encountered Mu Heo.
For a moment, I recalled Gwanbaek and furrowed my brow.
It was beyond comprehension how many people he had met in his travels.
“You are mistaken.”
“Am I? Yet your spiritual energy bears such similarity.”
I had received peculiar teachings, it was true.
Because of them, the depth of my martial knowledge had undoubtedly grown, but the notion that my spiritual energy had become similar was absurd.
After all, our foundational techniques were different.
If there was anything comparable, it might be the way nature was woven into the blade.
Yet even that could not truly be called similar.
Mine was merely a surface understanding, whereas Gwanbaek’s sword embodied true nature itself.
And thanks to Ma Un’s single remark, unwanted attention descended upon me.
With the mention of Geomcheon’s name, not only Chu Hyeongi but also Namgung Yeon and Na Cheonmun, along with our guide and the Grand Master, all turned their gaze toward me.
The light in their eyes shifted strangely.
Anyone would have reacted the same.
Even during the era when Geomcheon was active, he had been legendary, and even now in his absence, he remained the figure closest to being the greatest of all ages.
The strength of a Priest who had casually beaten such a man into a cripple was utterly beyond estimation.
While I was lost in such thoughts.
Ma Un’s voice pierced my ears with casual certainty.
“It would be burdensome to reveal it openly, perhaps. Yet at your age, with such spiritual energy, concealment would be impossible regardless of your wishes.”
“You are mistaken.”
At my words, Ma Un smiled faintly.
As if to say I should continue hiding.
Despite my insistence on the misunderstanding, the reason such denial would not work was consistent with what had just come from Ma Un’s lips.
Among those of my current generation, Cheon-yul stood at the very forefront, yet even he had only recently reached the peak.
But I had long since crossed that threshold, reaching a level that could only be cultivated by someone of Geomcheon’s caliber.
I let the matter pass without concern.
No matter what was said, it seemed nothing would convince them anyway.
Perhaps because of Ma Un’s confident tone and expression, astonished looks and glances poured forth from everyone present, and among them, Namgung Yeon and Na Cheonmun even nodded as if they understood something.
Though I had no idea what they had comprehended.
“And… unexpectedly, there are two guests. One appears to be a disciple of the Demon Palace, and the other is… of the Namgung Clan?”
Zzzt-zzzt-!
The moment the word Namgung was spoken, murderous intent exploded.
Without exception, the killing aura that rose up poured toward Namgung Yeon in an instant, and she seemed unable to even withstand it, her complexion turning pale as she staggered and began to collapse.
Yet she gritted her teeth and endured.
As if such a thing were beneath consideration.
As if possessed by an unwavering conviction that no member of the Namgung Family would kneel before a Demon Sect disciple.
At that sight, Ma Un’s lips curved into a smile.
“The Namgung Family and we cannot live beneath 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 dismissed the urgent gleam in Chaeseoha’s eyes urging me to act, and ignored Chu Hyeongi’s reproachful gaze.
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, still clenched her teeth with a strained expression.
Trickle—
Blood flowed from her lips as a result.
As if she were trying to overcome the pressure through pain itself, yet her opponent was one of the Ten Demon Kings of the realm.
Merely meeting his gaze would inflict the agony of a soul being crushed.
“I am… ugh…!”
“Do not open your mouth. I have no desire to sully my ears with your voice.”
Ma Un’s warning was sincere.
Should she utter even a single sound more, he would sever her neck.
The intent was palpable enough to be felt upon the skin.
Yet could even such terror overcome the dignity of her ancestors?
Namgung Yeon clenched her 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 mean only to toy with me, then kill me instead!”
Her fierce cry resonated through the air.
At that same moment, the sword of the man beside her moved.
And with that, my blade moved as well.
Clang—!
“…!”
The moment I blocked it, a strange sound rang out.
Crack—!
Fissures began to form across the colliding blades.
Having endured considerable strain in such a brief span, the sword could no longer withstand the pressure.
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 two.
Looking upon his expression, devoid of even a shred of mercy, it seemed certain he would slit Namgung Yeon’s throat the moment the sword broke.
Therefore, I could not retreat.
I poured more spiritual energy into my blade.
As the brilliant flames of sword force bloomed like heat shimmer, the man’s eyes widened in alarm, and he glanced furtively toward Ma Un.
Had he sent some kind of signal?
The man quietly withdrew and sheathed his blade.
Yet the light in his eyes as he regarded me did not fade.
Astonishment.
An expression of utter disbelief.
Though he seemed a man who rarely revealed his emotions, I could sense his profound shock at the exchange that had just transpired.
“Ha, this is quite entertaining. A situation far beyond my expectations.”
At that moment, 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 his eyes gleamed as though he had grasped something crucial.
“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 must 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 throughout the Central Plains, and the Demon Sect would not have failed to hear of them.
Yet this was something I had already anticipated.
I could not have hidden forever.
Perhaps the only fortunate aspect was that I was exposed here, in this place.
If I could borrow Ma Un’s influence, concealing my identity would not be so difficult.
I smiled faintly and assumed a respectful posture.
“I am Jin Cheon-u of the Jin Family. It is an honor to meet Muk Hwang.”
“A merchant-class figure enters the Demon Sect and creates such turmoil… Ha, the previous generation would be astounded if they knew. Then, aside from the Namgung daughter, is the disciple of the Fierce Tiger Emperor also your escort?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
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 one of intrigue.
“Remarkable enough to be a disciple of Geomcheon, yet you are of the Jin Family, and you have taken the disciples of both the Namgung Clan and the Fierce Tiger Emperor as your escorts? Heaven typically grants only one blessing, yet you possess them all.”
“Indeed. And even someone from the Uiseon Chaega.”
“…!?”
At Ma Un’s sudden remark, shock rippled through the gathering once more.
Simultaneously, countless gazes converged upon Chaeseoha.
The Demon Sect could hardly be ignorant of the Uiseon Chaega.
Rather, one might say they shared a most intimate connection.
For the Uiseon Chaega was the very place that had brought about the ruin of the Chae Family.
Yet this situation did not sit well with me.
I had come to understand how keen Ma Un’s perception truly was, but in the mere moments since we had entered through these doors, I felt we had surrendered considerable information.
As I furrowed my brow and looked toward Chaeseoha, she seemed to find the weight of all those stares unbearable, waving her hand dismissively with an awkward laugh.
“Aha…”
Whether or not her identity was recognized seemed to matter little to her; she appeared concerned only with the discomfort of being the center of attention.
Yet did the atmosphere shift because of her?
Ma Un, withdrawing his gaze from her, gestured toward one side of the main hall.
“I have kept my guests standing too long. Come. In all my years, I have never encountered guests such as you, and I find myself most intrigued.”

* * *

I stepped inside, surveying my surroundings as I followed in their wake.
The main hall, which I observed by casting my gaze about, was remarkably modest and unimpressive.
It was so sparse that I found it difficult to believe one of the Ten Demon Kings resided here—I wondered if perhaps they maintained their true residence elsewhere.
Or perhaps, if they were soon to relocate, these furnishings had been placed here temporarily?
Yet no matter how I considered it, that did not seem to be the case.
The traces scattered throughout bore no sense of temporary arrangement or hastily gathered possessions.
Harboring this curiosity, I entered the reception room proper.
It was much the same.
Though I had expected the space where guests were received to be somewhat ornate, there were no decorative pieces whatsoever—only a table and chairs remained.
“Does it strike you as unusual?”
“I have had the honor of meeting the Death Emperor and the Sword Emperor, yet their chambers were far more lavish. I confess myself somewhat surprised.”
“There is no need to be captivated by costly extravagance. The worth of the master far outweighs such things.”
“That is precisely what my grandfather used to say.”
“Did he speak thus?”
“Yes, though his actions belied his words—he possessed many costly treasures.”
At my candid remark, I noticed Ma Un’s lips curl into a slight smile. The Grand Master beside him wore an expression of mild surprise, which suggested that Ma Un was not one to laugh often.
Thus we took our seats.
Namgung Yeon, still perspiring with cold sweat, kept his mouth firmly shut, while Chu Hyeongi glanced about nervously, clearly uncomfortable with the situation.
Chaeseoha, by contrast, seemed to anticipate the arrival of some delicious meal, whereas Na Cheonmun…
was nowhere to be seen.
While we had been permitted to enter, Na Cheonmun had been led away by the man who had threatened Namgung Yeon.
I suspected he would be thoroughly silenced before being sent 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 Demon King?”
“U-uh, h-haha… M-master is well, I assure you….”
“An unworthy disciple of his.”
Observing Chu Hyeongi’s terror-stricken form, Ma Un’s eyes filled with disappointment.
The Demon King he envisioned was one who remained composed even in such circumstances, speaking his mind without hesitation or restraint.
Regardless of whether his opponent was stronger or otherwise.
“Namman has grown considerably since the Demon King ascended as its lord. The Demon Sect, too, strives not to fall behind. Yet… you must not overstep your bounds.”
Whoooosh—!
“Eek?!”
As a cutting wind swept forth, carrying with it a piercing chill and a razor-sharp gaze, Chu Hyeongi cried out in alarm and hastily nodded his head.
Merely recalling the stories he had heard in Namman, I could understand the reason for his anger.
Satisfied with Chu Hyeongi’s cowering form, Ma Un withdrew his gaze and finally turned his attention toward me, at last broaching the true matter.
“Now then. Convince me as to why you have committed such acts in this place.”
At last, the moment had arrived.
If I failed to convince him, I would face grave humiliation; if I succeeded, I could claim everything I desired.
Both Ma Un and Grand Master Baek Gong fixed their gazes upon me.
They would listen intently to every word that fell from my lips, discern truth from falsehood, and determine whether all of it could be accepted as credible.
Had I come merely to reclaim my words?
It was a sufficient explanation, yet insufficient to convince them of a situation grave enough to overturn the Demon Sect itself.
They might even believe I had been toying with them.
Should I speak candidly about the Cheonma Forging Workshop instead?
No, absolutely not.
A blade might fly at me without warning.
I glanced toward Chaeseoha.
Her gaze, which had been waiting for the main course, turned toward me, and I saw her nod lightly as if she had grasped my meaning.
Then I spoke.
“The Demon Sect has come to collect a debt owed to the Chae Family.”
“…!”
“….”
“You have evaded this debt for nearly a century. Surely it is time to repay it. What do you think, Muk Hwang, who will soon become the Sect Leader?”
At those words, a smile froze upon Ma Un’s face, while Grand Master Baek Gong’s eyes widened in 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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