The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 210

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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 210

The Northern Sea.

A place that would not be strange to call the origin of the saying “northern winds and cold snow.”
It was eternally blanketed in perpetual snow, and there existed tales that the biting cold that swept through could freeze even one’s breath solid.
And situated in that place was none other than—
The Northern Ice Palace, one of the pillars of the Outer Realm.
Among the countless forces of the Outer Realm, it possessed power and influence second only to Namman.
Yet despite its renown, few had actually visited it.
Even I, who had wandered through many places, had never ventured in that direction. While the treacherous terrain was a factor, the greatest obstacle was the cold itself.
Without proper preparation, one would inevitably freeze to death, and even with preparation, the relentless blizzards made it easy to lose one’s way.
Should one encounter an avalanche, everything could be lost, and if provisions were buried, procuring food would become a desperate struggle.
A desolate frozen wasteland of unimaginable harshness.
That was what was known as the Northern Sea.
I sat quietly for a moment, lost in thought.
What Cheon Yul had said.

“This is the Northern Sea.”
“How did you know this was the Northern Sea, sir?”
“I’ve seen it before. I once saw a place similar to this painting in the storage of my friend, the Junior Prince. The layout is different, but I’m certain. Haha.”
“You’ve been inside?”
“No. I’m not entirely sure, but I couldn’t go in. What was it called again? Something about it not opening or something like that.”

Considering the expression and gaze of that man who smiled without ulterior motive, it seemed certain that this place must be similar to that location.
Of course, I couldn’t say with absolute certainty, but since no clues had emerged until now, there seemed to be no harm in holding onto hope.
Besides, the journey to the Northern Sea was inevitable anyway.
I leaned back in my chair and gazed at the ceiling.
“What is this… does the will of the Divine truly exist?”
The events in Namman, coupled with the Demon Sect and the Northern Ice Palace.
As if trials were being sent down from heaven, matters continued to unfold at the most exquisite moments.
Leaving me barely a moment to rest.
I furrowed my brow and took a breath.
In any case, to verify the identity of the painting, this journey to the Northern Sea was something I had to undertake no matter what.
I rose from my seat with a hollow laugh.
Looking out the window, I could see people moving about busily.
Numerous cargo carts were coming and going, and I could see servants loading goods onto the ones that had stopped.
Merchandise to be sold in the Northern Sea.
Since we go whenever the Northern Ice Palace makes a request, we must bring sufficient goods so that the Northern Sea side won’t express reluctance.
After all, it’s a place merchants rarely venture into.
Not only is the path treacherous and takes a long time to traverse, but the most significant obstacle is none other than the bitter cold.
Because of this, nearly all goods entering the Northern Sea are handled by the Jin Family of Luoyang.
However, despite the hardship, there is no substantial profit to be gained.
We simply bear the losses out of the connections left by our predecessors.
Stepping outside briefly to observe my surroundings, I saw some with sorrowful expressions and others smiling with joy.
Those selected for the Northern Ice Palace journey weep, while those not chosen cheer.
That was likely the reason.
Then, a subtle presence approached me.
I didn’t even need to turn around to know.
It was Namgung Yeon.
Sure enough, her soft voice reached my ears.
“Um… Young Master.”
“What is it?”
“About this journey to the Northern Ice Palace. I’m going because you’re going, but… my older brother… he’s…”
“It wasn’t my decision—it was Father’s. That cannot be questioned. Besides, he seems like he’ll be helpful.”
“You mean my older brother?”
I nodded, observing her wide, round eyes.
Even I was making this journey for the first time.
Moreover, I had no way of knowing what might happen in that frozen land.
Considering these circumstances, I believed Namgung Baek’s fortune would be of considerable help.
I understood her desire for her older brother’s safety, but now I would rather leave Namgung Yeon behind and bring Namgung Baek with me.
Could she sense that firm resolve?
Namgung Yeon nodded with a bitter smile.
“But are you really taking her? That… the Junior Prince?”
“We’ll need to pass through Shanxi, so it’ll work nicely as a travel permit.”
“Ah— so?”
“Does it bother you that we’re using it?”
“No, it’s just… it feels somewhat unfamiliar to think that righteousness must align with one’s actions.”
It was an unexpected remark.
I had assumed that once she became part of the Jin Family, she wouldn’t concern herself with such things, yet it seemed she still walked the path of the righteous sect.
Pfft—
I found myself laughing without thinking.
“What are you saying after having gone all the way to the Demon Sect and returned? Didn’t you get along well enough with Na Cheonmun when you saw him there?”
“…That may be true, but he somehow doesn’t feel like a Demon Sect disciple, whereas Soocheonchu carries a distinctly heterodox aura. Moreover, he continues to make advances toward both the doctor and myself.”
“Ah— Miss, if you’re going to curse me, do it to my face. We’re close now, aren’t we?”
Just then, Cheon Yul suddenly spoke up and appeared beside Namgung Yeon.
He had drawn so close that their cheeks nearly touched.
Startled, Namgung Yeon stumbled backward.
Her eyes narrowed as if she might draw her blade at any moment.
“Do not come near me.”
“Aw, why are all the women of the Jin Family like this? What did I do? I was merely expressing my affection, was I not?”
Shudder—
In that instant, Namgung Yeon’s body trembled.
Her gaze toward him was even more contemptuous than when she looked at Jang Chuchyeong, and she hastily left the place as if she couldn’t bear to be in his presence for another moment.
It seemed she wouldn’t even share the same air with him.
I laughed helplessly as I watched him.
“If you’re seeking female companionship, visit a courtesan house.”
“No, no. I’m looking for someone to marry. Here, you see. There are many prettier women than Sa Do-cheon. Especially those two.”
Cheon Yul tilted his chin slightly, gazing at the distant Namgung Yeon.
Chaeseoha had appeared beside her at some point, and after Namgung Yeon whispered something in her ear, Chaeseoha too cast a look of utter disdain upon him.
Pure revulsion, nothing more.
Shake, shake—
I shook my head and furrowed my brow.
“You mentioned being close with the Northern Sea Princess?”
“Friends! The very best of friends!”
“Sa Do-cheon and the Northern Sea…?”
“A place both near and far, yet we shared our friendship! Every time I saw her face, I confessed, but she rejected me every time. A thousand times, perhaps? Then she sighed and said she could remain my friend.”
“…She was a woman?”
“Of course! And quite beautiful at that. That cold expression of hers is also… ah—.”
“Is there nothing else you can tell me?”
“Nothing much. It’s terribly cold, there’s nothing to eat, and everyone’s expressions are frozen like ice. If not for the Princess, I would have slaughtered them all, I tell you.”
Having said that much, Cheon Yul gazed at me quietly.
Soon, a small smile played at his lips.
The expression of Soocheonchu.
It caught my eye.
As if he had grasped the true intent behind my question.
“But that’s not what you really want to know, is it? So what do you want to know?”
“Perhaps legends about the Northern Ice Palace?”
“Ha—ask the Junior Prince about that instead of me. If you pester him a thousand times, he’ll get tired and answer you.”
Cheon Yul turned his back as he spoke.
It seemed he was about to wander around the Jin Family estate again, searching for some woman to flirt with.
Hmm—
That’s when Cheon Yul’s voice pierced through.
“That place in the painting is called Binghua Yujing. Since it came from my friend’s mouth, it must be true.”
“Binghua Yujing….”
“But even if you knew, you couldn’t enter it, could you? There’s a reason it can’t be opened. Moreover, it’s a place outsiders cannot freely visit. Do you understand what that means?”
A forbidden ground of the Northern Ice Palace.
A place unknown to anyone else.
So I was certain that even those Divine Sect bastards wouldn’t have found it.
I smiled and nodded my head.
Hearing the word “forbidden” makes one want to enter it, doesn’t it?
My rebellious nature surfaced.

* * *

Organizing the merchant caravan took considerably more time than I had anticipated. The journey to the Northern Sea was no trivial matter, and the sheer scale required an abundance of necessary supplies.
It was different from when we traveled to Gansu.
The number of cargo wagons we were pulling reached fifty, the bodyguards assembled exceeded two hundred, and the number of warriors to transport the goods matched that figure.
An overwhelming scale, truly.
Considering that even merchant caravans heading toward the Western Regions or the East rarely operated at such a scale, I could clearly feel how significant this journey to the Northern Sea was.
I whistled as I gazed upon that scale.
It wasn’t simply because of the numbers.
It was truly magnificent and overwhelming.
Compared to the so-called Ten Great Merchant Houses of the Central Plains, only two or three could assemble a caravan of this magnitude.
Yet despite the overwhelming spectacle, the atmosphere felt subtle.
Everyone looked as though they were staring at corpses.
Like soldiers being dragged to a war they didn’t want to fight, everyone’s expressions were grim, suggesting they understood how arduous this journey to the Northern Sea would be.
I mounted my horse and observed them.
Their eyes that glanced at me lacked vigor.
In their eyes that conveyed their reluctance to go, I found myself in violent agreement, yet there was no way around it, was there?
I let out a small laugh and surveyed my surroundings.
“You probably don’t want to go. Neither do I.”
At my words directed toward the dispirited crowd, the people wore puzzled expressions.
They hadn’t expected me to speak so directly.
But I understand and accept it.
Even I don’t wish to walk this path, so what of the others?
Besides, even if the bodyguards are one thing, the warriors carrying supplies are those who haven’t properly mastered martial arts.
They surely know how much this grueling journey will wear away at their bodies compared to the coin they receive.
I gazed at such people and smiled.
“The Northern Sea expedition brings no profit, yet we cannot avoid going. So I propose this: those who wish not to go may remain.”
At my words, everyone’s eyes widened in surprise.
Seeing the question in their eyes—whether they truly need not go—I nodded.
I will not stop them.
Since their bodies will surely suffer, it is far more advantageous for them to stay and endure some criticism than to go.
Yet I need these people.
Each one selected here is a seasoned veteran who has made the Northern Sea journey many times, and if they were to drop out, the expedition would face considerable setbacks.
Therefore, I speak.
“Double.”
“What?!”
“…What did you just say?”
“For this Northern Sea expedition, I will pay double what you have received thus far. So those who wish to go may go, and those who wish to remain may stay. It matters not to me.”
As though it were truly of no consequence.
I convey that we can manage perfectly well without them. While their experience from many journeys is indeed necessary, there is someone here who can substitute for it.
I glanced briefly at Cheon Yul.
He tilted his head with a puzzled expression.
Once a troublesome presence, but one who has traveled the Northern Sea enough to count the Junior Prince as a friend, making him far more reliable than anyone else here.
Moreover, he will serve as the travel permit through Shanxi.
“…No, Young Master. The coin we receive from the Ice Palace is fixed, so doubling it means you take a loss, does it not?”
“These people here will do their utmost work and receive fair compensation for it. What does it matter if the Jin Family’s profit is but a single silver coin?”
At my words, everyone’s eyes widened in astonishment.
If I were to give double wages to all gathered here, there might truly be nothing left to gain.
Those who understand this worry for that reason.
But it is fine.
I can simply extract more from the Ice Palace.
Even if not, there are countless ways to earn coin, so these are matters they need not concern themselves with.
“So, will you go or not? I have little time.”
Were they provoked by my words?
Everyone present exchanged glances with one another, their eyes communicating.
They swallow hard at the question of what to do.
Double wages would be far too substantial.
But soon, the eyes of the people gleamed.
The reason all gathered here came to the Jin Family of Luoyang.
To earn coin.
Having entered with the thought of dedicating themselves entirely so their children and descendants might live in comfort and prosperity, none could resist.
“Let’s go!”
“I’m coming too!”
I chuckled at the bright voices echoing from all around. The heavy atmosphere that had weighed upon us moments before had vanished without a trace, replaced entirely by the unwavering determination of those eager to earn their fortunes.
I smiled softly and nodded.
“Well then, what are we waiting for? Let’s move out.”
This was the moment our long journey began anew.

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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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