The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 244

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Youngest Son of the Jin Family of Luoyang – Chapter 244

* * *

Two days later, as the sun began to set.
The steady stream of pedestrians dwindled, and the once-bustling streets fell silent as a tomb.
I felt the encroaching darkness and gazed up at the sky.
“A full moon, then.”
The luminous orb hung perfectly round against a cloudless sky, casting its pale light down upon the world.
Watching it, I slowly crossed the threshold of the Jin Family estate.
It had been quite some time since I’d ventured outside.
“Do you have business to attend to?”
“Indeed. Where are we going? We haven’t even eaten yet.”
Namgung Yeon and Chu Hyeongi followed close behind.
The two of them, suddenly whisked away, glanced about nervously—clearly curious about our destination, they waited with barely concealed impatience for me to speak.
“We’re going to eat. I’m about to receive a very distinguished guest.”
“A distinguished… guest? But we’re going outside?”
“We arranged to meet outside. Very discreetly, in fact.”
“Huh?”
Both Chu Hyeongi and Namgung Yeon tilted their heads in confusion, unable to grasp my meaning.
It was strange enough that I would meet someone at this late hour, and it hardly seemed as though we were heading toward an inn.
As they suspected, our destination was not an inn.
However, the streets still bustled with people at this hour, so I used that to my advantage as we made our way toward a specific location.
Soon enough, we arrived.
Beyond the marketplace lay the wealthy district.
The moment we stepped foot there, magnificent mansions and pristine streets came into view.
As night deepened, constables could be seen patrolling at regular intervals throughout the area.
Their numbers were considerable.
It was natural—this was where the nobility dwelled, so security was ironclad.
As I confirmed this and continued forward, Chu Hyeongi suddenly recalled something and stared at me intently before asking again.
“Surely not… here?”
“Yes, that very place.”
I nodded, answering Chu Hyeongi’s unspoken question.
Our destination was the private residence.
Though unused since the previous incident, I had it thoroughly cleaned in preparation for receiving an honored guest.
Fine wine and delicacies had been arranged, and as a private residence, it offered far greater comfort and discretion than any inn.
We approached and I pushed open the firmly closed gate.
Standing before us was none other than Gu Gunbaek.
“You’ve arrived.”
Gu Gunbaek’s face seemed absolutely radiant, as though he believed he had been entrusted with something of great importance.
Considering that he had spent two days cleaning and tidying everything alone without anyone’s assistance, one might think he couldn’t possibly smile like this—yet his good mood was unmistakable.
Each time I saw him, a peculiar sense of burden pressed down upon my shoulders.
“I apologize for leaving everything to you.”
“Not at all. Isn’t this all for the Jin Family?”
“…Ha, but our guest—has he arrived?”
“He has already arrived. He seems quite different, perhaps mindful of drawing attention from others….”
“That’s a relief.”
I nodded and stepped inside.
In that moment, I sensed a presence from a distance.
But it vanished in an instant, and I made no effort to turn around.
I simply passed through the well-crafted garden and entered, then opened the door to the dining hall where our guest awaited.
Several figures came into view at once.
The gazes of those standing and the forms of those seated.
I took in the standing figures for a moment, then quickly shifted my gaze to examine those who were seated.
Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo, their familiar faces waving in greeting.
And one person looking at me with a smile.
I performed a light fist salute.
“It is an honor to meet the Family Head of the Hwangbo Family in this manner.”
“Ha ha ha— I too am delighted to see the renowned young master again. I regret that I could not be of greater assistance last time.”
“Not at all. Rather, I am the one who is sorry. It should have been I who visited you, yet here I have brought you to this place instead.”
“Ha ha— think nothing of it. I am quite satisfied to see Luoyang again after so long, and to receive such hospitality as well.”

Hwangbo Janghu, the Family Head of the Hwangbo Family.

He was the father of Hwangbo Yun, who had his arm torn off during the Changryong Dan incident.
He was dressed in a manner unbefitting a Family Head of the Hwangbo Family, with a bamboo hat placed beside him that appeared to have concealed his face, and the clothes he wore were plain hemp robes rather than silk.
Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo beside him were no different.
Their attire was deliberately sparse, designed to reveal as little of their identities as possible.
Particularly striking was that Paeng Dohan carried a blade entirely different from the one that symbolized him, which made me realize he fully understood the gravity of this situation.
“I was quite surprised when you requested this meeting. But why did you summon these two as well?”
“They are the members of the Martial Arts Alliance with whom I share the closest relations. I thought this might be an awkward gathering, so I brought them along to ease the atmosphere.”
“Ha ha ha— it wouldn’t have been awkward even without these fellows. But no matter. Come, sit. We cannot have a proper conversation with the host standing, can we?”
“Thank you.”
As an honored guest, Hwangbo Janghu had already claimed the seat of honor.
Since I had given Gu Gunbaek such instructions from the start, Hwangbo Janghu would surely believe he was being treated with great respect.
I took my seat beside him and picked up the wine bottle.
“Allow me to pour the first cup for you.”
“Ha ha, much obliged.”
As I smiled and filled his cup, Paeng Dohan in front of me seemed eager to speak, his lips twitching with barely contained words.
However, since my conversation with Hwangbo Janghu had not yet begun, he firmly sealed his lips under Eon Garyeo’s piercing gaze.
Soon, after filling the empty cups of the other two and raising my own, they all drained theirs with laughter.
“Ah— this is fine wine indeed. Better than anything I’ve tasted in recent times.”
“I procured it specially for the Family Head. There is plenty, so please do not hesitate to drink, and you are welcome to take what remains.”
Was it because of such words?
Hwangbo Janghu’s eyes gleamed.
He understood that this was wine even he could not easily obtain.
With a subtle smile and a satisfied expression, he finally broached the main topic.
“Well then, young master. What is your reason for wanting to see me? And in such secrecy, no less.”
“I heard that the Moyong Family and you have had a serious falling out.”
“Do you not know yourself? What happened, and how irresponsibly the Sword Emperor has been acting without even an apology? This is something that could not be done without looking down upon the Hwangbo Family.”
The bright smile that had adorned Hwangbo Janghu’s face turned cold.
When words one does not wish to speak slip out in such a setting, one’s expression cannot help but darken, no matter how favorable the occasion.
The same was true for Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo.
Their eyes were filled with the question of why such a matter was being raised.
“Surely you did not summon me to mediate between the Moyong Family and myself? If so, you have miscalculated.”
As his good mood shattered in an instant, Hwangbo Janghu seemed ready to rise from his seat immediately.
There was no one to stop him.
Worry filled the eyes of everyone except me.
However, my next words caught him by the ankle.
“No, that is not it. I merely wished to offer you a word of caution.”
“…Caution? What do you mean by that?”
“You will remember, but did you not have a martial exchange with Moyong Sohyeop in Gansu previously?”
“…Yes, I am aware of it.”
“I may be mistaken, but when I considered the swordsmanship Moyong Sohyeop displayed at that time, I recalled seeing it before—it resembled the sword marks left by the assailants on the walls of the Namgung residence.”
“…!”
“…What did you just say!?”
“Gasp!”
Hwangbo Janghan’s eyes trembled violently, and both Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo gasped in shock, swallowing hard.
These were not men who failed to grasp the meaning behind my words. Therefore, if what I said were true, it would be simple enough to deduce who had attacked the Namgung Family.
Every eye in the room turned toward Namgung Yeon.
Yet she remained unmoved by the deluge of stares.
As if she had known all along.
Perhaps because of this, Hwangbo Janghan withdrew his gaze and looked toward me.
“Do you understand what you’re saying right now?”
“Haha, that’s precisely why I mentioned it beforehand—it could be a misunderstanding. I merely noted that the sword traces and sword marks appeared similar.”
“The sword traces and sword marks appeared similar…”
Hwangbo Janghan drew a deep breath, his brow furrowing.
Sword marks referred to the grooves left by the sword path created through executed techniques, and the texture from the moment the blade pierced through flesh or whatever lay beneath until it was withdrawn.
While there were certainly some unconventional elements, since it all occurred within the framework of a single technique, it was an important factor when identifying someone’s martial prowess.
Having broached such a topic, Hwangbo Janghan himself must be considerably troubled.
He might even attempt to verify it with his own eyes.
I casually lifted my cup and brought it to my lips.
“Whether it’s true or not is secondary—there’s no harm in being cautious, is there?”
“…You’re right about that. But this isn’t something to speak of carelessly. Do you understand?”
“That’s precisely why I’ve summoned you so discreetly. We cannot afford any unforeseen misfortunes.”
Gulp—
Dry swallows echoed throughout the room.
Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo’s expressions had transcended mere shock.
They could never have imagined hearing such a revelation during a casual drinking session with me.
Moreover, in a situation where they had believed the Namgung Family’s annihilation was the work of the Demonic Cult, a complete reversal had been unveiled—they could only be astounded.
Hwangbo Janghan, too, seemed to find the matter deeply unsettling, for he refilled his empty cup without hesitation and drank again.
At that moment.
Whoosh—!
A presence was felt from somewhere, and every person in the room detected it.
Simultaneously.
Crash—!
Without warning, the window shattered and something round flew inside.
Boom—!
A deafening sound accompanied by something spreading thickly through the air.
It was not smoke.
“Poison!? Everyone, hold your breath!”
Following Hwangbo Janghan’s cry, his hand moved.
Whoosh—!
The surging force expelled the toxic cloud outward in an instant, but those who had already inhaled the poison showed pallid complexions.
Realizing the gravity of the situation, Hwangbo Janghu clenched his fist even tighter and released another surge of energy.
Boom—!
The wall shattered completely, and the remaining poison dispersed cleanly into the air.
At the same time, everyone in the room rushed out, and dozens of figures suddenly appeared positioned throughout the courtyard.
All of them had their faces covered and wielded swords.
Their momentum was formidable.
From their sharp aura alone, I could discern they were considerable experts.
Seeing this, Hwangbo Janghu’s brow furrowed.
“Young Master, have you perhaps made enemies with someone?”
“That’s unlikely. I’ve only just returned from the Northern Sea. Even if that weren’t the case, I’ve done nothing that would warrant assassins coming after me so openly.”
At those words, Hwangbo Janghu’s eyes deepened with thought.
Clearly, someone else was their target.
Observing the masked figures’ killing intent spreading thickly through the air, their failure to recognize him, Hwangbo Janghu’s patience snapped.
“You fools—! Did you come here knowing I am Hwangbo Janghu!?”
Clang—!
His fierce proclamation rang out like thunder, powerful and undeniable. No one could fail to hear it or ignore it.
As a result, violent ripples of shock spread through the eyes of those who had been so confident moments before.
It was as if they were asking themselves: why is the Hwangbo Family Head here?
But no one had an answer.
After all, the Moyong Family had focused their intelligence network solely on the Jin Family of Luoyang, and they hadn’t bothered to keep track of whether Hwangbo Janghu had left the Alliance or hidden himself.
So they must be quite panicked right now.
At that moment.
Paeng Dohan, standing beside me, also drew his blade and released his aura.
Shwing—!
“Young Master! Leave this to me. Don’t worry.”
“I think the two of you should be more careful than I. From what I can tell, they seem to be after the Family Head or one of you two.”
“…Us? Why on earth…?”
“Who knows. If I’m not their target, then it must be one of the three of you, wouldn’t it?”
I smiled faintly and deflected once more. Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo’s expressions hardened immediately, and they soon steeled themselves, their eyes turning sharp and fierce.
A surge of overwhelming energy erupted at that very moment.
“Whatever these bastards want, whatever their purpose is… I’ll hear it straight from their own mouths!”
Boom—!
Hwangbo Janghu raised his momentum.
Though his name wasn’t among the Ten Emperors, the fierce energy he released was unmistakably that of a powerful expert representing the Hwangbo Family.
As his overwhelming force swept through the courtyard and took control, the masked figures’ eyes began trembling even more violently, and their confusion became plainly evident.
Well, that made sense.
After all, Hwangbo Janghu wasn’t their original target.
I smiled faintly and stepped back.
There was no need to waste my strength.
This was a perfect opportunity to sit back and reap the benefits.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————