The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 193

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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 193

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More than a month and a half had already slipped away since Muk Hwang Mawoon ascended to the position of Heavenly Demon.
During that time, there had been minor disturbances within the Demon Sect.
The death of Nam Tae-cheon and the handling of his clan.
And the voices of those who wished to punish those who had attempted to align with him were quite loud.
Some declared that all who had committed such acts under the Demon Sect’s command should be executed, while others argued that since they were a prestigious family that had protected the Demon Sect, they should merely be expelled. These opinions clashed fiercely.
This became the subject of gossip not only among those who handled major and minor affairs within the Heavenly Demon Palace, but among all Demon Sect disciples residing on Cheon Mountain.
In the end, it was Sect Leader Mawoon who quelled the turmoil in one breath.
Since Nam Tae-cheon and Nam Mu-gwang were dead, he ended the matter by merely expelling the remaining family members, and did not impose any particular punishment on those who had participated.
Furthermore, he established an organization to pursue the Divine Sect, which had been Nam Tae-cheon’s backing.
Such an organization was created.
I was certain they would achieve no results whatsoever, but it would serve as some form of restraint, and it was sufficient to redirect attention that might otherwise have turned toward me.
And we, who should have been at the center of all these affairs, were able to enjoy leisure during this brief yet lengthy period.
Namgung Yeon began to study the Emperor Sword Manual he had received. He read it day and night without pause, attempting to master its contents completely.
He would not be able to learn it immediately, but it was a foundation laid for some future time.
In contrast, Chaeseoha wandered about outside.
Whether she wished to test the efficacy of the Immortal Soul Needle, she began meeting various people and treating the sick.
Her skill was so remarkable that a person who had been bedridden for over a year suddenly rose and began moving about, now being revered like a saint of the Demon Sect.
The interesting fact was that it was not only she who gained fame.
Including myself, Jang Chuchyeong, and Namgung Yeon as well.
People spoke in unison, calling us the Sect Leader’s hidden cards, and gave their thumbs up. In particular, they treated me, who had killed Nam Tae-cheon, as they would a vice sect leader.
Despite the fact that Mawoon clearly had disciples and a son, there were many opinions that the current vice sect leader was merely a figurehead, put forward to conceal me, who is called Cheon.
Having accomplished such a shocking deed, and since we were using his ancestral home, which Mawoon had left, as our residence, the rumors seemed to gain strength.
Whether it was true or not.
The misunderstanding was theirs alone, so I paid it no particular mind.
And today, I walked the path alone. I emerged from the vast Heavenly Demon Ridge, climbed through treacherous cliffs and mountains, and eventually arrived at a place with countless peaks.
Taking in the landscape where even the clouds seemed to lie beneath my feet, I smiled, then unfolded my lightness technique and moved swiftly toward one of the peaks.
The destination was none other than this.

The Heavenly Demon Forging Grounds.

After a month and a half, the sword was finally complete.
Considering the considerable time required to forge a renowned blade or treasure sword, it could be said to be remarkably swift, but judging from Chung-mu’s boastful letter, it seemed he had not crafted it carelessly.
Clang—clang—clang!
The closer I drew to the forging chamber, the sharper those metallic sounds became.
Listening to that crystalline ringing, I found myself under the illusion of hearing songs from a paradise beyond the mortal realm.
Upon entering the forging chamber, I could see Chung-mu examining the sword not far away.
His hands moved with meticulous care as he inspected the blade’s edge.
I approached him.
Was it the sudden presence he sensed?
Rolling only his eyes to confirm my arrival, he smiled with a slight hiss.
“You’ve come? I thought my neck would snap off waiting.”
“I came as quickly as I could.”
“Hehehehe, that’s fine, just fine. An old man nearing death waiting for a young fellow with many days ahead—it’s nothing at all. Wouldn’t you agree?”
Unable to discern whether his words were sarcastic or sincere, I let out a hollow laugh and turned my gaze away.
In that moment.
The forged blade caught my eye.
“Is this it?”
“Indeed, though I haven’t attached the hilt yet.”
Chung-mu’s eyes sparkled as he held the blade.
As if possessed by the conviction that the final work should be completed before the sword’s master, his expression brimmed with excitement as he grasped the existing hilt and began the final assembly.
He carefully fitted the blade to the hilt and secured it firmly.
He verified multiple times that it would not come loose even under force.
At last, when the blade and hilt were perfectly joined, the sword was complete.
Yet it was not finished.
Chung-mu carefully placed the sword on the table, then glanced about searching for something, and eventually retrieved an ornament of peculiar form, attaching it to the hilt’s end.
The ornament, dangling like a tassel from the hilt’s pommel as if symbolizing something, bore an ink-black hue throughout, and given its color matched the dark blade, I could not help but think it had been crafted as a matching pair.
I examined the ornament’s shape with bewilderment.
“What is that?”
“Ah—it’s nothing much. It’s a gift from the Sect Leader to you. It suits well, doesn’t it?”
“It appears so, but… does it symbolize something?”
“I said it doesn’t. Just think of it as a fine ornament. Hehehehe.”
Though I displayed reluctance, Chung-mu tied the cord even more tightly.
With movements as if he were casting an incantation that it must never come loose, my suspicions deepened despite myself.
However, such thoughts did not linger long.
With all work complete, Chung-mu finally handed the sword to me.
I accepted it with careful reverence.
In that instant.
Shhhhh—
A strange, biting cold emanated from the sword.
Startled by the sudden aura, I opened my eyes wide as Chung-mu spoke with a deep smile.
“Occupancy?”
“Yes… I’m feeling it for the first time.”
“Is it not called Ice Soul Ink Iron? Of course it should be like this.”
“But it wasn’t like this before.”
“That’s because the blacksmith’s skill excelled at forging a ‘sword’ but failed to draw out the inherent power of the ‘iron.’ I’ve accomplished both. Ahahaha!”
Chung-mu burst into hearty laughter, his expression brimming with confidence.
Certainly, he was right—it was indeed different.
The blade’s spine felt far straighter than before, and the deep ink-black hue running along the edge was visibly more intense in comparison.
The sharpness I sensed was also extraordinary.
It felt as though I could slice through steel effortlessly without even channeling my inner energy.
I swung the sword lightly in my grip.
Shhhhwip—!
Even without exerting any force, I felt the sensation of air being cleaved.
The keenness was so incomparably superior to before that it hardly seemed like the same blade at all.
I looked at Chung-mu with astonished eyes.
“How is it? Satisfactory?”
“Yes, it exceeds my expectations.”
“Ahahaha! Of course! Am I not the greatest blacksmith under heaven?”
Considering he had forged a sword that would not be surprising even if it surpassed a legendary blade, all within the short span of merely a month and a half, his claim to the title of greatest blacksmith seemed entirely justified.
I was certain he hadn’t slept properly, hammering away day and night without rest.
The deep shadows beneath Chung-mu’s eyes made this abundantly clear.
I let out a soft chuckle.
“Would you perhaps consider working alongside me?”
“Ahahaha! Not a chance! I’m fond of this peak, you see.”
“What a pity.”
I smiled bitterly.
This was no mere jest.
I had made this proposal with the calculation that bringing a blacksmith of such caliber under my employ would yield substantial profits.
But I had never truly expected him to accept.
The forge on this peak and Chung-mu seemed so perfectly suited to one another that they might as well be one entity.
I bowed respectfully.
“Thank you. I’ve obtained a fine sword thanks to you.”
“Just don’t break it to pieces. And…”
“Is there something else?”
“If you ever have occasion to venture to the Northern Sea, feed some Ice Soul Stone to that blade.”
“Ice Soul Stone?”
“There’s such a thing found in the Northern Sea. It’s not metal but stone, so you might obtain some if fortune favors you. When I first forged the blade, I couldn’t draw out its full power, so it weakened somewhat. Feeding it that stone would make it even better.”
“I shall remember.”
“Ahahaha! Then I’ll take my leave! From now on, I must forge a sword for our Sect Leader!”
His exuberant laughter, as though forging the Sect Leader’s sword was the joy of his life, echoed across the entire Heavenly Mountain.

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I left the Heavenly Demon Forging Chamber and made my way back to my quarters.
Though I call them quarters, we weren’t staying at some inn—we were now using Muk-hwang’s residence, which he had abandoned upon entering the Demon Sect Palace.
What was peculiar was that we, who had originally been staying in the annex, were moved to the main residence the moment the enthronement ceremony concluded, and soon after, maids and servants were assigned to us as though we were the masters of this place.
Just like in my house in Luoyang, no one refused a single command, and when the time came, they brought out meals and refreshments.
Though this strange situation troubled me greatly, it seemed I no longer needed to concern myself with such trivial matters.
It was time to return.
I entered my chamber without hesitation.
At the same moment, Chu Hyeongi, Chaeseoha, and Namgung Yeon all turned their gaze toward me, and the sight reminded me of my own room in occupied Luoyang.
Just as Gu Gunbaek had left, Namgung Yeon had taken his place.
Chaeseoha, who had been sprawled across the bed as though it were her own, glanced at me, Chu Hyeongi was sweating as he trained his body in a corner, and Namgung Yeon sat in a chair reading secret texts.
Seeing this situation, I found myself pressing my brow without thinking.
Though it felt as though my space had been invaded, having everyone gathered here was actually convenient.
“Pack your things.”
“Are we finally leaving?!”
Chu Hyeongi, who had been doing a handstand on two fingers while sweating, flicked his fingers to launch himself up and broke into a bright smile.
At that moment, Chaeseoha and Namgung Yeon also looked toward me.
“Yes, it’s time we head back. The journey has been quite long.”
I sat down on the bed and sighed.
From Luoyang to Gansu, from Gansu to Namman, and even unexpectedly into the Demon Sect where we caused quite a commotion—even I was exhausted in both body and spirit.
“It’s been so long….”
Even Chaeseoha, raising her upper body, smiled with sparkling eyes.
But soon, as if realizing the reality, her pupils wavered.
Returning meant boarding horses or carriages.
Through that, we would have to begin another long journey to reach Luoyang, so it would be far more comfortable to simply lounge here.
There were people to command, and everyone treated us with reverence.
I offered a bitter smile.
“It won’t be easy, but we must go. Just hold on a little longer.”
“You speak as though we’re almost home. It’s a distance that will take months to cover….”
“Once we return, you can rest as much as you need. Don’t worry.”
At my words, they all gave me suspicious looks.
Though much had happened, we had been so busy dealing with it that the days we truly rested could be counted on one hand.
Their suspicion was naturally justified.
I brushed off their gazes without concern.
“By the way, the horses you said you’d return—you did get them back, right?”
“Yes, I already had them brought to the stables. Didn’t you see?”
“I was too absorbed in treating people to look that far.”
Chaeseoha finally let out a sigh of relief.
Having journeyed this long distance from Luoyang alongside my horse, I had grown quite attached to it. The relief I expressed upon its return seemed to reflect genuine affection.
Jang Chuchyeong and Namgung Yeon then hastily rose and departed the room.
Chaeseoha, sensing the moment, stood hesitantly from her seat with an awkward expression before hurrying out with quick steps.
Only then did I settle into a chair at the table, steadying my breath.
Beside me lay ink, brush, and paper that I had prepared beforehand.
I grasped the brush slowly and dipped it into the ink.
Soon, I closed my eyes gently.
A single painting embedded deep within my mind.
That image, which had not surfaced clearly like a faded memory, grew increasingly vivid the more I recalled it, until finally a perfect form took shape.
I did not stop my hand from moving.
I captured everything before this memory could fade.
For more than a month now, I have never believed this painting to be merely a simple landscape.
Therefore, I never ceased moving the brush in my hand.

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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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