The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 227

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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 227

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Namgung Baek stared at the supply cart with eyes as dark as death itself. To anyone’s eye, he looked utterly haggard, yet he showed no intention of leaving his post.
He remained there even while sleeping or eating.
Gripped by the anxiety that someone might flee with the cart, he kept watch through fitful snatches of sleep.
Not that the bodyguards weren’t standing sentinel as well.
Despite numerous skilled warriors taking turns guarding the cart, Namgung Baek could not bring himself to abandon his position.
“Do you truly intend never to rest?”
“Yeon-a… the world is unpredictable. Without the Young Master here, I bear the responsibility. If even one piece of cargo goes missing… we’ll be cast out, cast out!”
At such thoughts, Namgung Baek trembled.
The mission failing because of him? And worse, losing Namgung Yeon and returning to Anhui—the very thought made his teeth chatter.
He had grown accustomed to eating and drinking well, sleeping in comfort, and receiving a salary so generous it made his eyes spin. He could never return to Anhui to struggle with poverty and barely scrape together one meal a day.
That was precisely why he remained at this post.
“Brother… the Young Master wouldn’t fault you over something so trivial.”
“No, this is my resolve not to create even such minor problems! Now go rest. When the Young Master returns, we’ll have far to travel.”
At his firm words, Namgung Yeon sighed.
There was no point arguing with him in this state.
Though it seemed he might at least eat a meal inside, Namgung Baek apparently disliked even that, continuing to stuff rice balls into his mouth while keeping his eyes fixed on the cart.
The only thing that could resolve this situation was Jin Cheon-u’s swift return.
“When will he finally arrive…”
Nearly two weeks had passed since that day.
Though he felt some unease, he was confident that Jin Cheon-u, of all people, would handle whatever circumstances arose and return.
He had considered going to search several times, but leaving Cheon Yul, the Heavenly Lord of Sa Do-cheon, in this place troubled him greatly.
No matter how boldly she laughed and called herself a friend to Jin Cheon-u, the true nature of a Sa Do-cheon member remained hidden within, never fully revealed.
Namgung Yeon glanced away.
“Hahaha—Miss, if you gaze upon me with those beautiful eyes, I fear I shall melt away.”
He could see Cheon Yul approaching, spouting such nonsense without hesitation.
With fine lines drawn at the corners of her eyes and a brilliant smile revealing pearly white teeth, she radiated warmth. Though no hostility emanated from her, he recognized all the more clearly that she was someone who could not be let one’s guard down around.
She spoke with a somewhat sharp tone.
“When do you intend to depart?”
“Haha, when you accept my proposal, Miss?”
“So you have no intention of leaving for life, then.”
“Ah, well, a whole lifetime is a bit much… But before I become Heavenly Lord, you won’t accept me, will you? Or perhaps the physician lady? Ah, the ice-cold Miss would be nice too.”
It went beyond mere exasperation.
The moment he heard it, his ears felt defiled.
Namgung Yeon exhaled a long sigh and clutched his throbbing head.
“Are there no women in Sa Do-cheon?”
“Ah, of course there is. Naturally there is. But you see… eat up. Eat plenty of it. I’m not sure why all the women from the Sect are like that. Haha.”
“Perhaps it’s simply because Soocheonchu doesn’t appeal to her.”
“Hmm? Don’t speak such sorrowful words, miss. It makes me want to despair. And right now, isn’t it all thanks to me that you’re living so comfortably?”
“When the Young Master returns, he will repay you.”
“Ah, how cold-hearted.”
Cheon Yul clicked his tongue, his expression full of displeasure.
I wanted to lash out at that smooth-talking man, but I couldn’t deny that everything I was enjoying now existed because of Soocheonchu Cheon Yul.
If he truly left, it would be Namgung Baek who would be in trouble.
After all, Jin Cheon-u held all the money.
While suppressing the ache in my heart with such thoughts.
Cheon Yul’s gaze turned toward one direction and he smiled.
“Oh my, you’ve finally arrived. You’re quite late.”
The moment those words were heard, the gazes of Namgung Yeon and Namgung Baek turned sharply.
Soon, three figures could be seen approaching from the middle of the road.
Unmistakably Jin Cheon-u, Chaeseoha, and Chu Hyeongi.
For a moment, a bright smile crossed Namgung Yeon’s lips.
But soon, his expression hardened and his lips trembled.
The figure of Chu Hyeongi walking forward with confidence.
Outwardly the same, yet his momentum was distinctly different.
As if he had begun breaking through walls, the aura flowing subtly from him had deepened, and his eyes seemed clearer than ever.
Watching that figure, Namgung Yeon gripped his sword hilt.
“This can’t be real.”
“Hahaha.”
Finding something so amusing, Cheon Yul laughed, while Namgung Yeon could only deny the reality of the unbelievable situation.

* * *

“Everyone’s here.”
“Phew— We finally arrived.”
“Ah— I’m exhausted, absolutely exhausted.”
The village we had reached was large in scale, yet far quieter than I had anticipated.
While the marketplace bustled with some activity, compared to other places, I was certain it didn’t even reach half the usual vibrancy.
The reason such a large village was so quiet was because beyond it lay the vast Great Desert, covered in endless plains and sandy wastes.
One had to cross a desert where not a single drop of water could be found, and along with that came sandstorms, venomous creatures, and the extreme temperature fluctuations between day and night.
Moreover, it was a place teeming with bandits.
Since it was a place where one wouldn’t dare venture without considerable reason, the village’s quietness was perhaps inevitable.
With such thoughts, I surveyed my surroundings.
As I approached the large inn, I could see three people rushing toward me urgently.
“It seems you’ve all been managing well.”
“Huff, huff… Y-Young Master. Are you unharmed?”
“I’m fine. This one is fine too. And it looks like you’ve safely guided the merchant caravan here as expected.”
Looking at Namgung Baek with a blank expression, I patted his shoulder lightly as if impressed, and he immediately looked as though he might burst into tears.
The hardships he had endured in my absence were vividly apparent.
Then I turned my gaze toward Cheon Yul and Namgung Yeon.
Cheon Yul, still grinning widely, waved his hand to show his delight, while Namgung Yeon looked at both me and Chu Hyeongi with an expression that was both pleased and displeased.
From that alone, I could tell.
She had noticed the change in Chu Hyeongi’s aura.
Unable to contain her curiosity, she finally asked.
“What exactly happened?”
“Ahem! Nothing much. This Chu Hyeongi just showed off a bit.”
“…Distinguished service? You’re speaking of him?”
“Heh! ‘Him’? This is why it’s difficult to have a conversation with such a gap in understanding.”
“….”
Chu Hyeongi displayed an arrogant expression and gaze.
It felt as though he had passed the civil examination and achieved a rise in status, so from Namgung Yeon’s perspective—who had been his rival, chasing and being chased—it was naturally irritating.
Her eyes grew cold.
I could see the grip on her sword hilt tightening.
Creak—!
Whether her teeth were grinding involuntarily or a faint cracking sound was audible, Namgung Yeon composed herself as much as possible and turned to me.
“We’ve prepared rooms for you.”
“Good, thank you. I was exhausted anyway.”
“Kehehe— Mine’s prepared too, right?”
At that moment, Chu Hyeongi stroked his slightly grown stubble and put on airs.
Did that voice grate on her ears?
Her gaze briefly turned toward Chu Hyeongi as though looking at filth, but then she exhaled a sigh and seemed to compose herself once more.
Then she smiled sweetly.
“Of course we have. You can sleep in front of those cargo wagons and keep watch. Besides, everyone has been exhausting themselves protecting the wagons, so I was worried, but I’m relieved that Jang Howei has returned.”
“Huh?!”
Namgung Yeon, wearing a smile, pushed Chu Hyeongi toward a spot filled with cargo carts, then led me and Chaeseoha into the inn.
Chu Hyeongi’s cries echoed faintly from behind, but no one present seemed inclined to help him.
I let out a sigh and looked at Namgung Baek.
“Has anything else happened while I was away?”
“Nothing of particular note. Thieves attempted entry about ten times, and some dark cultivators tried to seize our goods, but… everything was handled well.”
Namgung Baek’s complexion grew increasingly pale as he reported.
Even Namgung Yeon kept his mouth shut without saying anything, while in contrast, I noticed Cheon Yul grinning contentedly.
From that alone, I could infer the truth.
Surely he had witnessed something severe.
Being the Death Emperor’s bloodline, he would never tolerate those attempting to steal or seize what he sought to protect.
“Haha, a friend’s belongings can’t be taken, right? I protected them well. You’re grateful, aren’t you?”
“Thank you.”
“…That’s unexpected. I thought you’d say something else.”
“You did protect them, did you not? Moreover, Soocheonchu provided food and lodging for the merchants, did he not?”
Snap!
Cheon Yul flicked his finger toward me.
Then, with an impossibly bright smile, he asserted his presence.
“Exactly! I did everything for my friend. You’re grateful, right?”
“I am grateful. Without Soocheonchu, Namgung Baek would have faced considerable difficulty.”
Upon hearing my honest words, Cheon Yul tilted his head as if that wasn’t quite right. This was a situation where words acknowledging debt should have emerged, where gratitude must be repaid.
But since such words never came, all of his actions became merely Cheon Yul helping us of his own accord.
He scratched his head and tilted his head in confusion.
Things weren’t going as he intended, so he must be frustrated.
I paid him no further attention and looked at Namgung Baek.
“We depart in two days. Prepare accordingly.”
“Two days… Ah, understood.”
“We must cross the desert, so we’ll need ample water and provisions. Also, find someone familiar with the plains and desert terrain, and prepare a map.”
Namgung Baek was startled by the sudden flood of instructions.
He struggled to absorb and remember the words flowing forth, and beads of sweat appeared on his brow as if the task was far from simple.
“Once we cross the Great Desert, the Northern Sea begins. Prepare for unforeseen circumstances by having all our supplies thoroughly inspected once more.”
“…Yes, understood.”
I nodded with satisfaction at Namgung Baek’s response.
Crossing the Great Desert would certainly be no easy feat, but the greater challenge would begin the moment we entered the Northern Sea.
Flesh-biting, overwhelming cold and snow.
Many paths would be sheets of ice, and finding food would be equally difficult.
Even with the most thorough preparations, the journey would be arduous.
And beyond that, the Divine Thunder that Hyang Do-un possessed.
Its overwhelming firepower was familiar to me.
Unmistakably, Divine Thunder of the Mao Angle variety.
I cannot pinpoint exactly how it fell into Hyang Do-un’s hands, but there is sufficient evidence that his faction had their fingers in this matter.
Whether it was merely to eliminate the Young Master of the Jin Family or to confirm something else remains unclear, but the fact that their hand was involved means they will undoubtedly make their move.
I cannot say if it is a seal or some other mark, but they seek to obtain something that may lie within this Binghua Yujing.
Or perhaps….
The Gwanbaek faction may be moving as well.
But this time, I have no intention of letting it slip from my grasp.

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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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