The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 240

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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 240

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Countless people gathered together and bowed their heads.
A reverence directed toward an absolute being positioned in a place that could never be looked upon from below.
Without even seeing his face, something transcending mere awe gleamed in the eyes and expressions of everyone present.
The one seated in that lofty position gazed down upon them.
With an expression devoid of any thought or emotion whatsoever.
Eyes that turned slowly swept across each person one by one, until finally they came to rest upon a single figure.
“Gang Cheonho…”
“Yes! You called for me?”
“What happened?”
Gang Cheonho did not hesitate at the sudden question.
Answering the inquiry posed was his role.
Even a moment’s hesitation should not exist.
“The Regent’s vassals came to the Binghua Yujing.”
“…”
“During the fierce battle that ensued, I lost the Divine Stone. I apologize.”
Those with bowed heads flinched at the words that tumbled from Gang Cheonho’s lips and looked toward him, but soon their bodies trembled under the oppressive force they felt, and they averted their gaze.
Was that the reason?
The Divine One’s eyes emitted a chilling light.
Whether it was because of those who carelessly turned their heads, or because the answer poured forth so readily by Gang Cheonho displeased him, it was impossible to know, but the pressure bearing down upon everyone’s entire body was palpable.
Yet Gang Cheonho remained composed.
As if the words he had spoken were never anything but the truth.
The Divine One, observing this quietly, bore a small smile at the corner of his lips and nodded.
“How was he?”
“He is one who must be killed. Leave him to me.”
At the resolute statement, the Divine One did not even nod and turned his gaze elsewhere. Whether it was affirmation or denial remained unclear.
The gaze of the absolute being merely turned toward the twelve Snake Horn Sect leaders arrayed before him and the warriors of the sect standing behind them.
He smiled upon confirming that two seats that should have been empty were now filled.
“Those who obstruct the faith have grown numerous. Whose responsibility is this?”
Flinch!
Everyone present trembled.
Since the birth of the Divine Faith, they had never faced such interference. This meant that the Twelve Snake Horn leaders, who upheld and served the Divine One, had failed in their fundamental duties.
Under that reproachful gaze, they held their breath.
Was that the reason?
Pfft—
A small scoff echoed through the hall, and simultaneously, the Divine One’s words pierced sharply into their ears.
“The Divine Stone is secondary. Find it.”
The Regent did not spell things out directly.
That meant he had recognized the existence of other obstructors. Moreover, while giving Gang Cheonho an opportunity, he had also allowed the other Twelve Horns to move.
Gang Cheonho disliked it, but he did not show it openly.
As long as he moved before the others, that was all that mattered.
Soon, the Divine rose from his seat and walked slowly out of the hall. Only then did breathing sounds escape from various corners, as if people could finally breathe freely.
In that moment, the gaze of one of the Twelve Horn Sect Leaders turned toward Gang Cheonho.
“Is it true? The Regent’s vassal appeared and interfered?”
“Do I look like someone who would lie?”
“Ha ha—not exactly, but… there are more than a few suspicious things about this.”
Someone spoke those words and poured fuel on the fire burning within Gang Cheonho. Already furious, he reached out and grabbed the man by the collar, then spat out words as if chewing them slowly.
“I will kill that bastard myself. If anyone touches him, I will wring their neck, whoever they may be.”
A low growl rumbled forth.
The sound dominated the hall.
The man whose collar was seized was also one of the Twelve Horn Sect Leaders.
Such threats held no sway over him.
As he slowly reached out and grasped Gang Cheonho’s wrist, strange crimson spots suddenly began spreading across the wrist.
“Tch!”
Recognizing this, Gang Cheonho hastily withdrew his hand.
Then, watching the spots slowly fade, he glared at the man with a piercing gaze.
“This little punk…”
“Ha ha, listen here, Mountain Lord. Do I still look like someone who merely cleaned up after Yeom Ji-hak in your eyes?”
“Shut your mouth. I’m getting the urge to kill you.”
The aura of the Mountain Lord exploded outward.
The new Snake Horn Sect Leader countered by raising his own aura in response, but he was no match for Gang Cheonho, who ranked among the top three within the Twelve Horns.
Creases formed on his forehead.
Soon, the Mountain Lord’s upturned golden eyes gleamed, and he fixed his gaze directly on the Snake Horn Sect Leader, then growled as if in warning.
“That one is mine. Do not touch. This is your final warning.”
“Ha ha…”
“Stop laughing and shut your mouth.”
Gang Cheonho spat out his anger and roughly shoved the man aside before disappearing. The Snake Horn Sect Leader, who had been watching his retreating figure, shrugged his shoulders.
Soon, he too moved under the watchful eyes of others.
“Hmm… it seems like a lie to me.”
Looking at Gang Cheonho’s behavior, it did not seem truthful.
After all, it was Jin Cheon-u of the Jin Family of Luoyang who had been there, and he had not heard that anyone else had entered.
But the Regent’s vassal?
The other Twelve Horn Sect Leaders likely harbored the same suspicions, but they refrained from voicing them because they did not wish to clash with Gang Cheonho.
Once he had set his sights on prey, he would always capture it himself.
That was the principle by which he lived.
Naturally, if anyone stepped forward to verify the truth, Gang Cheonho would not remain idle. Perhaps a true war between the Snake Clan and the Tiger Clan would truly break out.
If we follow the sequence of events, it would be the disappearance of the Snake Clan?
The Snake Horn Sect Leader just gained power by ascending to his position, so that can’t be it.
Yet I can’t simply ignore it without verification.
The man’s eyes gleamed with some unknown thought, his gaze growing oddly narrow. His flickering tongue resembled watching an actual serpent.
Soon after arriving somewhere, he opened the door and stepped inside, where I could see a middle-aged man lowering his head in deference.
“I have pleasant news. It’s time for you to step forward.”
“Me?”
“Yes, and it’s not a bad proposal either. You simply need to eliminate what has continued to irritate your eyes. Isn’t your household particularly skilled at such matters?”
“…!”
The man, observing the surprised expression, flicked his tongue like a serpent and broke into a sinister grin.
“Surely you won’t refuse? Didn’t Hobeop’s words about crawling like a dog sound hollow to you, Sword Emperor?”
Hehehehe—
A desolate laugh echoed through the air in low tones.

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From the Northern Sea back to Luoyang once more.
It was a long journey, but like all things, it came to a smooth conclusion.
Since no major incidents occurred on the return journey as they had on the way there, I was able to shorten the travel time considerably, making the expedition quite smooth and comfortable.
The massive gates of the Jin Family of Luoyang swung wide open as numerous cargo wagons entered within.
Only then did the tension seem to ease, and judging by the sighs heard throughout, the events experienced at the Northern Ice Palace still lingered as a shock.
“I will handle the rest, sir.”
At Namgung Baek’s words, I nodded.
The remaining tasks were merely cleanup, so my presence would only be inconvenient.
Better to hurry and attend to other matters.
Specifically, reporting to my Father.
I hastened to find my Father’s study.
Seeing him still bearing obvious signs of drowsiness, I offered a bitter smile before detailing everything that had transpired.
“The Northern Ice Palace…?”
“Yes, thanks to the Junior Prince stepping forward, it has stabilized somewhat now, but it will still take time to rebuild the Palace’s standing.”
“Sigh… Why does trouble break out everywhere you go?”
“It’s not that trouble breaks out everywhere I go, but rather that I only go where trouble is already occurring, isn’t it?”
As if recalling the recent events, my Father furrowed his brow and sighed deeply.
But I don’t deliberately stir up trouble either.
There are unavoidable choices when it comes to survival.
The problem is simply that the aftermath grows too large.
“Very well. At least the trade was concluded successfully, which is fortunate. But did you really conduct business with the Northern Ice Palace in such a state?”
“I did.”
“…Tsk, you’re a cold one.”
“Anyone can show compassion to those completely ruined, but one must not do so to those who will rise again. That is what I have learned.”
“I understand. But our relationship with the Northern Ice Palace goes back to Grandfather’s time, does it not? Considering that bond…”
“That is why I held back somewhat. To the point where this merchant venture has nothing left to give.”
“Hahaha.”
Father shook his head at my words.
Yet he did not outright deny it, as if he understood my meaning. The Northern Ice Palace was in ruins, but judging solely by the Junior Prince’s expression and gaze, they would rise again.
Rather than extending benevolence to such a person, it was better to treat them as before—as if we still stood as equals, preserving their dignity.
Without wounding their pride.
Grandfather had taught me this, so Father surely understood it well.
“It cannot be helped. More importantly, how was the Junior Prince?”
“From the way he commands, he appears even more capable than the Palace Lord. I am confident the day of their resurgence is not far off.”
“If you have seen it thus, then it must be so.”
Father nodded and drummed his fingers on the desk. He was considering whether to extend aid to the Northern Sea in their urgent need, and later whether to withdraw support or continue it.
Since the merchant venture was perpetually operating at a loss, this opportunity to sever ties was also one viable option.
I did not interject with my own thoughts.
All decisions were made by Father as the Family Head.
My role was merely to speak what I felt, and then to follow the decisions handed down.
“I should send people. They will need many things.”
In the end, he decided to embrace the Northern Sea.
It was not a poor decision.
If the Northern Ice Palace could regain their former standing, we would receive back manifold everything we had given them until now.
“Myeong-i would be ideal for this. I heard from the people of the Northern Ice Palace that he shares considerable friendship with the Junior Prince.”
“That fellow? Haha, how curious. A man who speaks to no woman save his own wife.”
“To be precise… it appears the Junior Prince has taken a liking to him. It is so well-known among the Northern Ice Palace that hardly anyone is unaware. However, she does not seem to know that he has a wife.”
“Hahaha—.”
I was curious what expression the Junior Prince would show upon learning this fact. Perhaps it would resemble the feeling when she lost the Palace Lord.
“Is there anything else I should know?”
“…No, there is not.”
“I see. Very well. You must be exhausted, so return and rest.”
I nodded and offered my respects.
As I turned lightly to leave the office, Father’s voice reached me as he gazed quietly at me.
“Do not try to bear it alone, Inseok. Share the burden.”
“I understand.”
I departed with a smile at his words, and in that same moment, my expression hardened.
Father had realized it.
He questioned why I had returned in such haste despite the Northern Ice Palace’s situation.
It appeared he had judged that something grave might occur—something significant enough to warrant such urgency and concern for the clan’s safety.
From now on, he would prepare without my knowledge.
But that alone would not be enough.
From the moment Gang Cheonho returned alive, my identity was as good as revealed to them.
There was no telling when or how they would come for me. Worse still, I could not know whether they would target me alone or the entire Jin Family.
From now on, I would handle everything with utmost caution and exploit every resource at my disposal.
“Ah, Young Master!”
It was while I walked with such thoughts in mind.
I caught sight of someone approaching from a distance, having spotted me.
Yu Hyeon, the Chief Steward.
With a gentle smile, he closed the distance between us, stopping abruptly before me. He then glanced cautiously around, checking whether there were ears to listen.
Then his voice reached me.
“It concerns the task you assigned me previously.”
“Ah, I’ve been so occupied I had forgotten about it. How did it proceed?”
“I organized the information and placed it in your quarters. However, just now new intelligence arrived, and it seems so peculiar that I felt I should inform you at once.”
“What is it?”
“The elite forces of the Moyong Family that were in Liaoning have vanished without a trace.”
“And the Sword Emperor?”
“He returned to the Martial Arts Alliance not long ago.”
The moment Yu Hyeon’s cautious voice struck my ears.
My lips curved upward in a thick smile without my realizing it.
‘Yes, I’ve unleashed the hunting dogs.’

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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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