The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 19

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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 19

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I felt sensation returning to my entire body.
From my fingertips to the tips of my toes.
I tested each one, watching them twitch and move.
Like the paralysis of sleep pressing down upon me, at first there was no movement whatsoever, but gradually one finger came free, then two, and soon I could move as I willed.
Only then did I slowly open my eyes.
Through the haze of my vision, I recognized the familiar contours of my chamber.
A place so achingly familiar that I had longed for it.
Steadying my breath, I carefully raised my upper body.
My sluggish body creaked and groaned in protest.
Frowning, I turned to look beside me and saw an unfamiliar maid sitting in attendance, her head nodding as she dozed.
“So I’m still alive.”
I smiled bitterly at the thought.
That sensation when my body’s strength drained away and my consciousness slipped—
It had felt exactly like standing at death’s threshold.
Because of that, I had harbored a gnawing anxiety that I might never open my eyes again, yet it seemed I was still very much alive.
Every sensation I felt was so vivid and real.
I let out a quiet laugh and shook my head without thinking.
“I’m quite tenacious, aren’t I?”
With a hollow chuckle, I steadied my breathing and turned my head.
My throat was parched.
But the water pitcher was quite far away.
Even if I stretched my arm, I doubted I could reach it, and the very act of moving to stretch seemed rather beyond my current capacity.
In the end, I had no choice but to wake the sleeping maid.
“Bring me some water.”
“Eh? Oh! …I’m so sorry. I’m terribly sorry, Young Master!”
“Never mind that—just bring me the water.”
She jolted awake at my voice, and after registering my words once more, she hurriedly moved to fetch the water.
Trembling—
I could see her hands shaking as she offered it to me.
Considering everything that had transpired in mere days—less than ten, in fact—her fear was entirely understandable.
To this maid, I was likely far more terrifying than even my father or the Chief Administrator.
I smiled bitterly without meaning to and drank the water.
I felt my parched mouth cleansed thoroughly.
Thanks to it, my tongue seemed to move more freely.
I set down the cup and looked at the maid again.
“How long has it been?”
“You’ve been asleep for four full days, sir.”
“Four days here?”
“No, sir. From the moment you were brought in. You’ve only been resting in this room for about a day and a half since arriving at Sega.”
I nodded at her words.
Four days seemed like a considerable span of time, but considering the distance from that mountain to the Nakhyang Jin Family, it was hardly lengthy at all.
The mere fact that I had slept in this room for only a day and a half revealed just how extraordinary Gu Gunbaek’s speed had been in reaching this place.
His abilities were far superior to what I had anticipated.
He had shaved off half a day from a journey that even the Ten Section Members required four days to complete.
However, the lack of proper cultivation during that time meant my condition had deteriorated significantly. I could feel the poison’s spiritual essence slowly yet relentlessly gnawing away at my body.
I had endeavored to resolve the situation while minimizing strenuous movements, but it was undeniable that considerable strain had accumulated within me.
My mind felt hazy, and fever burned through my body.
As a result, this lassitude was far from pleasant.
When I carefully raised my hand, I noticed it trembling noticeably.
I frowned at the sight.
I then glanced subtly back at the maid, and due to my sudden gaze and furrowed brow, I could see her holding her breath, her complexion turning pale as her body quivered.
I asked calmly.
“Where is Chu Hyeongi?”
“He is currently resting in the Medical Chamber. I’ve heard his condition is not very good.”
It was understandable that Chu Hyeongi was confined to the Medical Chamber. From what I had witnessed, he had lost considerable blood, and despite the wounds being superficial, a strike infused with such intent could not be easily dismissed.
It was rather remarkable that he had managed to throw punches at others in that condition.
“Is there anything else of note?”
“Nothing particularly significant, though… the Chief Administrator has been quietly seeking out a skilled physician. It seems he is quite concerned about the Young Master, who cannot open his eyes.”
“I understand. You may leave now.”
“Y-yes!”
Delighted by my simple words, the maid did not hesitate, bowing her head quickly before hastily departing the room.
She would report to the Chief Administrator first, then take her rest.
Listening to the maid’s footsteps fade into the distance outside, I quickly assumed a seated position and began my breathing cultivation.
As my meager inner energy began to circulate, my body felt considerably more at ease.
However, blocking the poison’s spiritual essence that had begun consuming my body over these four days would be far more difficult than before.
After completing a full circulation, I opened my eyes once more.
Compared to before the cultivation, my body felt somewhat refreshed, but measured against my condition before losing consciousness, it was nothing short of dire.
Without thinking, I furrowed my brow and drew a heavy breath.
I then carefully rose from my position and surveyed my surroundings.
My neatly arranged belongings and garments came into view.
“Fortunately, everything is intact.”
Among my numerous possessions, one item captured my attention.
A ring that Gu Yang-cheol had possessed.
It was plain and utterly unremarkable.
It had the cheap appearance of something that might fetch a few coins at a marketplace, so even if I had been robbed, I would not have given it a second thought.
Yet more than the purse containing dozens of silver taels, this object held far greater significance for me at this moment.
I lifted the ring slowly.
“Possessing this means they haven’t deciphered it yet.”
This was the instrument they used to issue covert commands. Unremarkable in appearance, it aroused no suspicion from anyone, and without a rather intricate method, one could not even comprehend its contents.
A technique only someone masterful at erasing their own traces could employ.
Moreover, the fact that they had retained this ring rather than destroyed it meant they had received orders but had not yet confirmed them.
Whether it was received just before entering Sega or during the journey with Pyo Haeng remained unclear, but one thing was certain—there had been no opportunity to verify it.
I grasped it and rose from my seat, retrieving a sheet of paper and a candle. I then placed the ring upon the paper and carefully brought the flame near, whereupon a peculiar phenomenon occurred.
The plain white ring turned crimson.
It reddened as if evoking blood itself, then gradually flowed downward, beginning to soak the paper.
The pristine white paper transformed crimson in an instant.
As though it had absorbed blood.
Once the ring’s color returned to its original state, I finally lowered the candle and retrieved the paper.
“I nearly fainted when I first discovered this.”
Gazing at the paper stained vivid red, I found myself laughing despite myself. It was something I had discovered by chance after employing countless methods.
At first, I had even wondered if it was some forgotten sorcery of the Blood Sect.
But this was not the end.
I carefully held the paper and placed the crimson-stained sheet upon the washing water the maid had left.
As I observed for some time, the red color gradually faded from the paper until it finally regained its original white hue.
The washing water had turned crimson, evoking an eerie sensation.
Yet no matter how intently I examined it, nothing appeared amiss.
It was merely water that had been colored.
Apart from that phenomenon, nothing else seemed problematic.
Even if some unknowing person had been fortunate enough to uncover the ring’s secret to this point, they would inevitably find themselves questioning again upon witnessing what appeared before them.
I smiled faintly and held up the paper that had turned white. Though it had grown fragile enough to tear at any moment, I grasped it as carefully as possible and held it to the sunlight.
The white paper created a peculiar form with a crimson hue suffusing through it.
It was a pattern that seemed to symbolize someone.
I gazed upon that pattern and smiled faintly.
“Unusual movements detected within the Nakhyang Jin Family. The Tenth Division shall conduct detailed reconnaissance before infiltration and report accordingly. Furthermore, all Shadow Assassins members are to assemble in Nakhyang by the Family Head’s birthday.”
There was no need to speak of who had issued this command.
The Shadow Assassins Leader.
I could not determine precisely where they had obtained information about the Nakhyang Jin Family, though they seemed aware of the somewhat peculiar incidents occurring within.
However, thanks to their thorough information control, they appeared ignorant of the detailed circumstances.
Thus their intention was to use the Tenth Division to ascertain the internal situation.
Furthermore, the command for all Shadow Assassins members to assemble before Father’s birthday meant they would strike in the not-distant future.
Crunch—
I found myself grinding my teeth involuntarily.
Yes, it was because of the horrific memories of that day.
The memory of that day when we had laughed and reveled, celebrating Father’s birthday feast—the moment it resurfaced, my teeth gnashed relentlessly.
With barely more than ten months remaining, they had already begun preparations, and no matter how formidable the Jin Family, they could not withstand such an assault with their ordinary strength.
Their objectives are twofold.
First, the recovery of the Jade Orb hidden within the Nakhyang Jin Family.
Had I not faced annihilation and remained ignorant of the Jade Orb’s power, I could have surrendered such a trinket to Sega without hesitation.
But circumstances have changed.
Now that I understand its power, I cannot retrieve it even if I wished to.
“I consumed it.”
I smiled bitterly, rubbing my stomach.
The memory of grinding it to powder and swallowing it whole surfaced vividly.
If asked to do so again now, I could never manage it.
Moreover, I witnessed it crumble to dust and vanish before my eyes.
Thus, even if I desired to recover it, recovery is now impossible.
But how could they possibly know such a thing?
Should they discover the truth, these creatures might well carve open my belly and drain my blood in search of it.
In any case, their second objective is none other than the Nakhyang Jin Family itself.
The Nakhyang Jin Family—the absolute financial power that commands and manipulates the wealth of the Central Plains.
Some claim it the sole clan to have accumulated greater riches than the Imperial Palace itself, and to seize such fortune would be beyond measure.
After all, every organization requires capital without exception.
It was then, as I had been staring at the paper for some time.
The crimson-marked section began to spread, and the paper started to decay and vanish piece by piece, as though rotting away.
Knowing that no method could halt this phenomenon, I simply watched as the paper crumbled to dust and scattered.
Soon, the paper ceased to exist entirely.
“Meticulous, indeed.”
I exhaled a hollow laugh, contemplating the paper that no longer existed. How many beings in this world could conceal themselves with such precision?
None would exist even among the Three Hegemonies.
And why should they?
They are those whose very existence must never be revealed to the world.
Some are recognizable by name alone, others command universal respect, and still others lie buried in obscurity yet wield formidable influence over the Martial Arts World.
Such beings cannot afford exposure.
They must remain hidden.
Thus, such meticulous care becomes inevitable.
Cough, cough!
Amid these thoughts, a sudden fit of coughing erupted. Blood stained my hand as I covered my mouth—far more than before.
A far greater quantity.
Evidence that my condition continues to deteriorate.
I smiled bitterly and sighed.
“Not a moment’s rest, it seems.”
Ten months remain before the Shadow Assassins strike again.
Before then, I must find a way to salvage this accursed body.

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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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