The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 185

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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 185

The downfall of the Uiseonchae family traced back over a hundred years.
As physicians, they had always maintained a neutral position, treating patients regardless of their affiliation.
However, their location fell within the territory of the Orthodox Sect, and they could not escape the influence that came with it.
Thus, while they claimed neutrality, members of the Demon Sect could not easily enter for treatment. In reality, only those of the Orthodox Sect could receive the Uiseonchae family’s medical expertise.
But then, everything changed.
The Great Orthodox-Demon War had ended and the Namgung family had fallen and disappeared, yet the conflict between the Orthodox Sect and the Demon Sect raged more intensely than ever.
In particular, those of the Orthodox Sect who believed the Namgung family’s downfall—which had led them to victory in the war—was the Demon Sect’s doing, were consumed with unbridled rage.
It was during this time that the incident occurred.
The Sect Leader of the Demon Sect was gravely wounded while carrying out a mission in Orthodox Sect territory, and the Uiseonchae family treated him.
Did they merely heal his wounds?
They even hid him from those pursuing him.
Thanks to this, the Sect Leader left Orthodox Sect territory with a fully recovered body, and the rage of the Orthodox Sect members who lost him right before their eyes became uncontrollable.
Not merely a Demon Sect disciple, but the Sect Leader himself.
A golden opportunity to secure the future and elevate the Orthodox Sect’s prestige had slipped away because of mere physicians.
Though they were physicians who had treated them all this time, the pride of martial artists, the fame they should have gained, and the rage still smoldering from the Great War ignited the flames.
The Blood Calamity.
Someone infiltrated without warning, destroyed the Uiseonchae family, and burned it to the ground, slaughtering anyone who drew breath.
This was the decisive reason for the Uiseonchae family’s collapse.
From the Demon Sect’s perspective, they had incurred an unpayable debt.

* * *

“Is it really acceptable? Selling something like that?”
“They’re already dead anyway, so what does it matter? Besides, you didn’t have any other ideas, did you?”
“…That’s true.”
“And you were planning to use this from the start.”
“Did you peek inside my head?”
“You learn these things when you’ve been around the Young Master long enough. I’m curious too, though. What the Demon Sect will give me in return. I’d be delighted if it were acupuncture needles or medicinal herbs.”

I fixed my gaze on Ma Un.
Though he wore a smile, no emotion showed through it.
Whether it was displeasure or astonishment, I couldn’t tell.
Since I couldn’t determine which, I found myself unable to continue the conversation.
It would have been easier if he were as transparent as the Commander beside me.
While I was lost in such thoughts, the maids entered and brought out refreshments and tea.
As a considerable spread began to be laid out, Chaeseoha clapped her hands in delight without regard for the atmosphere, while everyone else, save her, paid it no mind.
Soon, Ma Un’s gaze turned toward Chaeseoha.
“A debt of the Chae Family, you say… Indeed, such a thing does exist.”
“But isn’t this a matter from long ago?”
“Though it was the previous generation, it was the Heavenly Demon who incurred the debt. Are you telling me to pretend ignorance of it?”
“…I apologize.”
Baek Gong was not opposed to repaying the debt itself. He merely voiced a formal objection to shape the situation.
No matter how great the debt, the Demon Sect could not easily part with such an obligation.
It was a pretext to prevent excessive demands.
“Then, does the Chae Family have any wishes?”
“I have entrusted everything to the Young Master.”
Despite Ma Un being the one asking the question, Chaeseoha brushed it aside without concern.
She, who knew nothing of the Demon Sect, was confident that by going through me, she could obtain something far greater than if she stated her own desires.
At that moment.
Ma Un laughed again.
As if he had seen through this entire situation.
But I regarded him with an unmoved expression.
“How did you come to recognize that child?”
“I do not know.”
“By the previous leader’s command, I was searching for survivors of the Chae Family. But wandering throughout the Central Plains made it far from easy.”
That was understandable.
The same was true of Chaeseoha, but even her father had wandered aimlessly with her.
They had hidden information while trying their utmost to conceal her identity as a member of the Chae Family, and in doing so, the Demon Sect, unable to act freely within the Central Plains, would have found the search difficult.
“The Demon Sect is not stingy in repaying its debts. But there is a problem.”
“What do you mean?”
“The position of Sect Leader remains vacant.”
At those words, I nodded.
It was the Demon Sect that had to repay the debt, and the Demon Sect meant the Heavenly Demon. Therefore, the debt could not be repaid with the position left vacant.
“The day you take that seat approaches soon. Please allow us to remain within the Demon Sect for a time.”
“Commander.”
“Yes.”
“Prepare quarters for these people. Also allow them to move freely, but assign surveillance to their side.”
“Understood.”
Confirming the Commander’s bow, Ma Un regarded me with a satisfied expression.
It felt as though I were gazing upon some curious plaything.
Just as I withdrew my gaze, feeling somewhat unsettled.
Ma Un’s voice reached me once more.
“Do you know why I have turned a blind eye despite discovering your identities?”
I turned my head again at the sudden question.
Ma Un’s piercing gaze bore down upon me with uncomfortable intensity. His eyes, urging me to answer, pressed down with even greater weight.
Feeling this, I offered a small smile.
“I believe you deemed it more advantageous to leave us be rather than expose our identities.”
“Hahaha— truly amusing.”
In truth, from Ma Un’s perspective, if we failed, that would have sufficed, and if we succeeded, he would gain his own benefits.
Of course, only if the fact of our being outsiders remained concealed either way.
What if it were revealed that outsiders had utilized the name of Cho Hon Jeon to participate in the advancement tournament, and through that had achieved unprecedented feats in Demon Sect history, even ascending to the Heavenly Demon Realm?
The pride of one hundred thousand Demon Sect disciples would have been utterly trampled.
Then it must be concealed.
If no one knew, all of this would become the pride of the Demon Sect disciples, and with Muk-hwang’s ascension as Sect Leader, it would serve as an excellent signal announcing the birth of a new powerhouse to lead the Demon Sect forward.
Moreover, those who had been stimulated would redouble their efforts.
In the end, whether we failed or succeeded, Ma Un had no choice but to conceal the matter and protect us.
“It would have been more convenient had you summoned us somewhat earlier.”
“One must not interfere with the moment when a new chapter of the Demon Sect’s history is being written.”
Ma Un, a subtle smile gracing his lips, waved his hand.
Seeing the gesture indicating I should withdraw, I rose from my seat.
The final expression I glimpsed on Ma Un’s face appeared quite satisfied, suggesting I would face no further reproach regarding this matter.
I bowed my head slightly to show respect and excused myself from the chamber.

* * *

I left the reception hall with the Commander and headed toward a separate building situated within Ma Un’s residence.
Though modest in scale, it was well-equipped with a courtyard and training grounds, so the four of us would have no significant inconvenience staying here.
However, contrary to my expectation of being directed elsewhere after leaving Ma Un’s quarters, the fact that accommodations had been prepared here was somewhat unexpected.
“Is this the place?”
“Indeed. I assure you, there is no safer location anywhere in the Demon Sect. Does it displease you?”
“I had not anticipated staying within Muk-hwang’s own residence.”
“Haha, where else would I lodge people like yourselves? This is the best way to prevent any incidents from occurring. Of course, you will be under surveillance.”
Baek Gong gestured subtly toward the rear with his chin.
Several men were positioned around the perimeter.
They were there both to guard this place and to keep watch over me.
Each one possessed formidable presence, and it was obvious they were Muk-hwang’s subordinates—so much so that even if I ventured outside, none would approach easily.
“If it troubles you, I can have them hide. They are quite skilled at concealing themselves.”
“It is fine. In fact, their visibility is more convenient.”
I spoke with a slight smile, and the Commander nodded in satisfaction.
If they were hidden, unsuspecting people might approach, but if they were visible, no one would dare come near.
Though bothersome, visibility offered greater peace of mind.
“Then rest. If you have any needs, I will come to you then.”
“Understood.”
As the Commander departed lightly, only we remained.
Yet, as if unable to fully relax, everyone’s expressions remained tense, so I quickly moved toward a room where we could settle in.
“Sigh….”
“Exhale….”
“Phew….”
The moment the door closed behind us in the large room, everyone collapsed as if they had been waiting for this.
While fatigue from our journey certainly played a part, the greater burden came from facing Muk-hwang directly.
There was nothing more exhausting to body and spirit than sitting across from someone whose very existence radiated the presence of a supreme being—unlike the approachable nature of Gu Gunbaek.
Namgung Yeon was affected even more severely.
As she was essentially the sworn enemy of the Demon Sect, she could not relax for even a moment.
Even now, sprawled out, her eyes betrayed her tension.
“He does not seem inclined to harm us, so rest easy.”
“Rest easy… you say? There are Demon Sect experts in the courtyard, and beyond that lies Muk-hwang himself.”
“Yet there is still a wall between us.”
Observing her discomfort, I lightly tapped the wall.
Tap tap—
Considering their abilities, such a wall would be meaningless, yet it undoubtedly provided some psychological reassurance.
Did she sense that?
Namgung Yeon offered a bitter smile.
“But what of the horse? How do you intend to handle that?”
At that moment, Chaeseoha’s voice rang out.
The very reason we had entered this place without hesitation was to retrieve the broken sword and the horse, yet I had not broached the subject at all.
“There’s no need to worry about that for now.”
I set the matter aside for the moment.
Judging from Ma Un’s conduct thus far, he seemed entirely reasonable. I had no doubt that I would be able to recover it from him.
So my destination was already determined.
The Heavenly Demon Forge.
It was where Chung-mu, the Demon Sect’s foremost blacksmith, resided—and the only being capable of repairing this broken sword was right before me.
Therefore, this was not the time to concern myself with other matters.
“Let me begin with what takes priority.”

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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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