The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 203

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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 203

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Muyong Jungcheon entered the room with clenched teeth and furrowed brows. He caught sight of his reflection in the mirror and struggled to suppress the rage welling up inside him.
Yet no matter how hard he tried, he could not extinguish the fury that kept rising within him.
“Hye-myeong…!”
Crack!
The Family Head of the Number One Sword Sect and the Sword Emperor, Muyong Hyeok.
Because he possessed power and standing that commanded universal respect, what had transpired in the grand hall could not be described merely as humiliation.
Within the Martial Arts Alliance, the name Sword Emperor Muyong Jungcheon wielded overwhelming influence.
The prestige of being called the Number One Sword Sect and the weight that came with the title of Sword Emperor.
Fortunately for him, with the Gonghuang absent and the Tae Emperor refusing to meddle in Alliance affairs, people naturally gathered under the name of Sword Emperor.
This was the result.
Even though he sat in the vacant position of Alliance Leader—a seat he should never have occupied—and even though he spoke of a non-existent title of Acting Alliance Leader, no one voiced complaint.
All that remained for him was to choose the opportune moment to remove Hye-myeong, who had left the Alliance Leader’s seat vacant, and claim the position for himself.
Yet it all crumbled in an instant.
With Hye-myeong’s arrival.
Muyong Jungcheon could still vividly see the image of him walking through the door.
One could not believe this was someone who had spent so long in Songshan engaged only in Buddhist devotion—he radiated such overwhelming presence that he instantly captured everyone’s gaze and shook their hearts.
With a single glance, he had forced me to yield the Alliance Leader’s seat, and the long-vacant position seemed to accept Hye-myeong as naturally as if it had finally found its true master.
Everyone in the hall bowed their heads to Hye-myeong and paid their respects, their breath catching before his authority.
The expressions of those who finally beheld the seat’s rightful master were filled with reverence.
Different from how they looked upon me, the Sword Emperor.
It was as if this represented the absolute difference between Hye-myeong and myself.
As if the eyes and expressions of everyone present no longer acknowledged the Sword Emperor, and naturally that seat was filled by Hye-myeong instead.
More solidly than ever.
Unless I shook and destroyed Hye-myeong’s authority, there seemed to be no future for me.
So I revealed myself.
I needed to prove to everyone that the authority and weight of the Sword Emperor’s name was in no way inferior to the Gonghuang’s, so that faith in me would not waver.
But I failed.
Instead, I suffered disgrace.
Because of this, my influence would diminish greatly, and it was clear that the resolve toward Hye-myeong, which had wavered due to his long absence, would become firm once more.
Moreover, if Hye-myeong did not return to Songshan but remained in the Alliance, all those who had supported me would turn away, and my plans would be completely shattered.
What method could overcome this crisis?
Practically speaking, none existed.
“No, wait… there is one.”
Muyong Jungcheon smiled at this thought.
Absolute power bestowed by the Divine.
The moment I obtain it, I will gain power akin to that of an immortal, and with the birth of a new Twelve Angles, I will be able to wield its strength as I desire.
Power enough to kill even Hye-myeong.
The moment I obtain it, the board will shift.
Mo Yong-cheon had to move quickly.
Soon, the Hobeop of the main sect will arrive at the residence carrying the Divine Stone to be bestowed upon the new Twelve Angles.
I will soon have in my grasp what I have waited for so eagerly.
“Wait, Hye-myeong… soon I shall send you to the side of that Buddha you so cherish.”

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By the authority of the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, Cheon Yul was released.
However, his bodyguards were driven out to Shanxi along with the Blue Heaven Sect, a decision that was quite unsatisfactory to the warriors of Jeongdo.
From their perspective, those were people not worth sparing even if killed.
But no one said anything.
This decision was made not by the will of the Sword Emperor, the acting Alliance Leader, but by the resolve of Gonghuang Hye-myeong.
Naturally, rumors spread in an instant.
“So he really came back?”
“I saw it! Flying like a divine bird into the Martial Arts Alliance! Ahahaha!”
“I heard he finished the meeting and is now resting at his residence.”
“Ha! The position was empty in name only, so all that talk about changing or keeping things just fits perfectly now.”
“Hahaha, that’s right. The Sword Emperor is impressive, but can he compare to the Gonghuang? Isn’t he a legend in Jeongdo’s martial world? A legend!”
“Indeed. And the Moyong Family has been somewhat… well, haven’t they? They raised Mo Yong Hyeok as the next Sword Emperor and all, but he’s inferior to Cheon Yul, and in the sect…”
“Shh, shh—that’s enough. Don’t bring up old stories. We’ll just invite trouble.”
Talk of Hye-myeong spread ceaselessly throughout Jeongdo. With the vacant position now filled, the hearts of the Jeongdo warriors felt assured, and their voices continued without pause.
Even those who had supported the Sword Emperor now gave their thumbs up to Hye-myeong, making it clear once again that the faith, trust, and reverence toward Hye-myeong were incomparable to those toward the Sword Emperor.
Listening to such talk, Cheon Yul and I slipped out of the Martial Arts Alliance and entered the Yunryong Inn.
Cheon Yul, who had been tense until the moment we opened the door and stepped inside, finally let out a sigh of relief and collapsed into a seat.
His face was filled with exhaustion, appearing quite drowsy.
Then he glanced at me and spoke.
“I almost died.”
“Being alive is fortunate.”
“Ahahaha—wow! The Gonghuang is really terrifying. Grandfather’s anger was nothing compared to this.”
Cheon Yul, recalling that moment when he stood before Hye-myeong, began to break out in cold sweat again.
For a moment, as if his mouth felt parched, he moved hurriedly and gulped down water, and only then, seeming to have calmed down, he let out a sigh and settled into his seat.
“I never imagined he’d be such a monster.”
“It’s not for nothing that he’s called the foremost of Jeongdo’s Three Emperors. The Death Emperor is remarkable as well, but he falls short when compared to the Gonghuang.”
“Hahaha, this should itch but why doesn’t it?”
“Because it’s the truth.”
At my words, Cheon Yul let out a sigh and furrowed his brow.
But no rebuttal came in return.
I cannot accept that my grandfather, known as the strongest of Sa Do-cheon, is inferior to the Martial Arts Alliance Leader, yet I know all too well that this is the truth.
But if they truly clashed, would it be merely a hair’s breadth difference?
Both are that exceptional.
“Tch, I thought the Sword Emperor might be worth testing, but that man is not. If I provoke him carelessly, only I will suffer losses.”
“Were you planning to wage a full-scale war?”
“No, no, not to that extent. I was simply trying to seize the territory around Sanmen Gorge for us. Once we control that waterway, expanding into Shaanxi would be child’s play.”
I could not help but display an incredulous expression at such words.
Sanmen Gorge was a long river flanked by canyon walls.
It was a neutral zone between Shanxi and Henan, a strategic chokepoint where one could easily cross into Shaanxi by utilizing the river route.
Sa Do-cheon was attempting to seize this neutral territory?
The Martial Arts Alliance would never stand idle.
He could not possibly be unaware of this, yet he spoke of it so casually—it seemed Sa Do-cheon harbored the judgment that he could somehow manage even the Sword Emperor.
I could not fathom just how far his arrogance extended.
“From now on, the Alliance Leader will fulfill duties befitting that position. Sa Do-cheon must also regain his senses.”
“Will he not return to Mount Song? Perhaps he won’t? Then it might be worth attempting something.”
“It would be meaningless.”
I shook my head and recalled Hye-myeong’s appearance.
Though I had not spoken it aloud, it was discernible from his gaze and expression alone.
Hye-myeong will not return to Mount Song.
All the turmoil that has unfolded stems from his abandonment of duty and seclusion upon the mountain.
He cannot possibly be unaware of this.
Those who should have kept each other in check have instead united as one, and with that power, Mo Yong-cheon has wielded it to manipulate the Martial Arts Alliance as he pleased.
Mountains of matters await resolution, and he will seek to unravel them all at once.
None other than Hye-myeong himself.
With his unyielding temperament, he will lead affairs without hesitation, and should anyone stand in his way, he will sweep them aside and restore the Martial Arts Alliance to its true form without question.
In such circumstances, Sa Do-cheon would move to obstruct?
Under normal circumstances, one would need to mobilize each regiment to counter Sa Do-cheon, but with Hye-myeong, it would not be strange even if he stepped forward personally.
At that moment, Cheon Yul scratched his head vigorously and sighed.
“He should just stay locked away on the mountain as always. Why does he come down to cause such trouble? Like a mad monk.”
“Please refrain from needless provocation. Shall we not simply depart now?”
“Ah, yes—I suppose I’ll leave. But you, let’s have a proper match.”
“I refuse.”
“Ah, why?!”
“Because I have no desire to become someone’s stepping stone.”
I spoke with a faint smile, and Cheon Yul narrowed his brows in disbelief.
He seemed not to have anticipated that I would speak so openly about refusing to become a sacrifice for another’s growth.
I never engage in ventures that result in loss.
That is my principle.
I offered a slight smile and met Cheon Yul’s gaze.
“Now is the opportune moment to depart. Though matters are currently subdued by the Alliance Leader’s emergence, once it becomes apparent that Soocheonchu is here, escape will become impossible.”
“What? Why?”
“Well, the fame that comes from defeating Cheon Yul would be immense.”
Even if one enters Sa Do-cheon’s domain, encountering Soocheonchu Cheon Yul is no simple matter. Yet imagine such a being simply present in Jeongdo, where the Martial Arts Alliance resides.
Even if swords clash, with the Martial Arts Alliance as a formidable backing, one can engage in combat without fear of losing one’s head.
These fools and those fools alike could mindlessly rush forward and swing their blades.
Moreover, Cheon Yul stands without even bodyguards.
With no one to protect his exhausted form, there would be no shortage of those watching for such an opportunity.
That is precisely why now, with the return of Hye-myeong causing such commotion, is the perfect moment to escape.
“Mm….”
Realizing this, Cheon Yul swallowed a groan.
Soon after, scratching his cheeks like a monkey and furrowing his brow, he glanced at me with a puzzled expression and asked.
“You’re not planning to leave? Why aren’t you heading back?”
“For now, there is someone I wish to see.”
I smiled faintly and continued to gaze out the window.
What lay visible was the heart of the marketplace.
Naturally, many people passed through that street, and it was a place one had to traverse to exit through the city gates.
There were several other routes, but they were narrow and poorly maintained, mostly filthy places.
Moreover, given the nature of those dark alleys with poor security, people naturally had no choice but to frequent the main marketplace.
“What are you staring at so intently?”
As I continued to keep my gaze fixed outward without wavering, Cheon Yul approached with a strange expression and quietly peered out the window.
“There’s nothing there?”
“There is.”
“Huh?”
At my firm words, Cheon Yul examined the street once more, but finding nothing remarkable, he tilted his head in confusion.
That was the moment.
My gaze fixed on one point, following the figure in motion.
Clop clop—
A figure riding on horseback.
The brilliant silk robes were nowhere to be seen, replaced instead with a common white robe, and a bamboo hat covered the face.
It was a sight common enough that one might think nothing of it, yet the eyes glimpsed between the brim of the hat were far too familiar.
I smiled and rested my chin lightly on my hand.
“Finally leaving.”
All the waiting had borne fruit.
Those around me did not recognize him, but my eyes were precise.
Muyong Jungcheon, the Black Emperor.
I watched without turning my gaze away as he hurried to escape Jeongdo.

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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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