The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 252

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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 252

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A night shrouded in deep darkness had descended.
Clouds blanketed the night sky, obscuring even the moonlight, leaving only a profound darkness where one could not see even a step ahead.
Awoooo—
The cries of beasts echoing from all directions made the desolate night even more eerie, and any reasonable person would never walk through the mountains at such an hour.
“Ohoho—”
Yet there was one who passed through such a place.
Dressed in a black robe ill-suited to the mountain wilderness, with a Taoist crown inverted upon his head.
Seeing the numerous talismans clutched in his grip, one might think him a Taoist priest, yet the aura emanating from his body was not that of a righteous practitioner—instead, a thick miasma of malevolent energy poured forth.
“I feel it. This is certain! That bastard is dead. Hehehehe!”
Behind the man moving freely along the mountain path with an eerie laugh, a tiger burst forth, its golden eyes gleaming brilliantly.
Kuwaaaaang—!
It charged ferociously with a savage roar.
Revealing the unstoppable momentum of a beast that had caught its prey.
Yet the man merely glanced back at the sound, displaying an uncanny composure as he shook a bell held in his other hand.
Karalang—!
At the bell’s chime, the charging beast’s movement faltered.
And in that same instant.
Puffpuffpuk—!
The tiger’s ears burst, spraying blood, and as it collapsed, it writhed and slowly lost all signs of life.
“Ohoho— what arrogance, a mere beast daring to act before me.”
The man spoke these words with a small laugh, then turned his back and hastened his pace along the path.
His mind filled with the urgency to move faster, each step he took caused the path before him to blur past in an instant.
Though it appeared he was walking normally, his movement resembled that of a ghost gliding through the darkness.
After advancing for some time, the man came to a halt before a certain location.
A lone pavilion standing isolated deep within the mountains.
Upon entering, traces of destruction were visible everywhere, evidence of a great battle having taken place.
Yet such things failed to capture the man’s interest. Passing them by, a faint smile played at his lips as his gaze settled upon the corpse of Mo Yong-cheon, sprawled beneath a tree.
“Ohoho— to obtain this so swiftly, what fortune.”
The man approached with a sinister grin.
Then, he casually kicked away the sword planted with noble dignity, as if symbolizing the Sword Emperor’s final moment.
Changgkang—!
The kicked sword seemed like the last vestige of Mo Yong-cheon’s warrior’s pride, which he had sought to protect until the very end.
Zzzzzt—
The man showed no respect for the dead, seizing the corpse by its hair and beginning to drag it away.
“Ohoho— how long I have awaited your death. Yet you lived so long, making my wait interminable.”
For reasons I couldn’t quite explain, I found myself humming a tune. As the sound echoed through the damp mountain air—
Drag, drag, drag—
The corpse of Mo Yong-cheon being hauled away so pathetically was not merely grotesque, but absolutely horrifying.
Yet the man’s expression held nothing but a radiant smile.

* * *

“Young Master! Are you alright?!”
“We heard something terrible had happened.”
The moment I crossed the threshold into the house, Jang Chuchyeong and Namgung Yeon came rushing over urgently.
From the way their eyes widened as they scanned me from every angle, checking for serious wounds, it was clear they had already heard about what transpired at the Martial Arts Alliance.
“I’m fine. Nothing serious happened.”
“Nothing serious? But the Sword Emperor tried to kill you!”
He certainly tried to kill me.
However, I was the one who orchestrated that situation, so it was only natural consequences. Besides, I had repaid him thoroughly for his efforts, so there was nothing to dwell upon.
With a slight smile on my lips, I moved toward the annex, and I could see Chaeseoha rushing over frantically, having heard the news.
What was peculiar, however, was that she stood at a distance to assess my condition, then tilted her head and asked with a puzzled expression.
“Why are you perfectly fine?”
“Didn’t I tell you not to get hurt? So I didn’t get hurt, and now you’re asking why I’m fine?”
“No, well. It’s fortunate if you’re fine, but….”
Chaeseoha furrowed her brow and murmured.
Since the fact that my opponent was the Sword Emperor had spread throughout the Central Plains, she apparently judged that I would have sustained severe injuries. Finding me unexpectedly unscathed naturally raised questions.
After pondering for a moment, she studied me again, and soon examined the sword wounds visible here and there, her delicate brow furrowing.
“So that’s why the medicine was necessary?”
“I suppose so.”
The battle with Mo Yong-cheon was undoubtedly fierce.
However, since I was fighting an opponent with severe internal injuries, victory was inevitable, and as a result, it went more smoothly than usual.
But did that mean I had no wounds at all? No, that wasn’t the case.
There were quite a few, both large and small, but I had resolved them through the medicine Chaeseoha had given me.
By taking pain-relieving medicine when it hurt, applying wound salve, and circulating my energy to rapidly heal the injuries, I was in nearly perfect condition.
One would never guess I had just engaged in such an intense battle.
I dismissed those who had gathered and headed toward the annex.
Jang Chuchyeong seemed reluctant but apparently had matters to attend to, so he hurriedly left. Chaeseoha, thinking I was fine and thus all was well, obediently returned.
It was Namgung Yeon who followed me all the way.
She simply walked behind me in silence without a word.
It seemed she intended to discuss something weighty, as she showed no sign of leaving.
The moment I crossed the threshold into the annex, she finally opened her mouth as if she had been waiting for this.
“The Sword Emperor… I heard he fled with severe internal injuries.”
“Yes, the Alliance Leader beat him thoroughly.”
Beyond that, the Alliance’s elite warriors also played their part.
Judging by the fact that he had fled Zhengzhou and made it all the way here, it seemed the title “Sword Emperor” was hardly earned lightly.
Without realizing it, I shook my head and steadied my breathing.
“Currently, no one has been able to find him, I hear… If it’s acceptable, I wish to offer whatever meager strength I possess to aid in locating the Sword Emperor.”
“It is not possible.”
“…Why not?”
Namgung Yeon clenched his fists, burning with determination.
The Namgung Family and the Moyong Family were now predator and prey, no different.
Once the Moyong Family had consumed the Namgung, but she was already moving to devour the Moyong Family entirely.
To accomplish this, she absolutely had to draw out the Sword Emperor, so she would not wish to miss this opportunity.
Moreover, it was an excellent chance to etch the name of the Namgung Family back into people’s minds.
I offered a bitter smile and shook my head.
“It would be pointless.”
“Why is that?!”
“Because he exists in a place that cannot be found, and searching would be meaningless.”
“…!?”
Had he grasped the meaning of those words?
Namgung Yeon’s eyes trembled violently as he stared at me. His gaze and expression were filled with shock, as though he had heard something utterly unbelievable.
I caught sight of this and held a small smile at the corner of my lips.
“So do not trouble yourself with needless efforts. For now, you must only focus on cultivating your strength and deciding what to do with those who remain.”
“…”
“Or do you intend to leave the Moyong Family untouched simply because the Sword Emperor has vanished?”
At such a question, Namgung Yeon shook his head.
Though the Sword Emperor was said to be dead, the Moyong Family remained intact.
This incident would prevent them from wielding the power and authority they once possessed, and the damage would be considerable, but as the saying goes, even if a family loses its fortune, its influence endures for three generations.
They still possessed considerable wealth and strength.
And there was the existence of the Sword Emperor, whose life or death remained unknown.
While I wished to seize and topple the Moyong Family, the thought of this figure who might appear at any moment made even that difficult.
“When the time is right, I will sweep them away. Until then, raise yourself to your fullest potential. I believe you should at least demonstrate a complete Spear of the Void Unobstructed.”
“…I shall keep this in mind.”
Namgung Yeon steadied his breathing, his eyes gleaming with light.
When the Moyong Family, which had brought down the Namgung Family, crumbled, the blade that would shine brightest there would be none other than the Spear of the Void Unobstructed—as if making such a vow.
Or was he aiming for the Emperor’s Sword Form?
Either way, it was good.
Whether it was Jang Chuchyeong or Namgung Yeon, the fact that they each advanced step by step toward a goal could only benefit me, never harm me.
Just as Namgung Yeon, having bowed his head, was about to leave the room, he suddenly stopped and turned back to me.
“…What was he like? That one.”
“He was worthy of his reputation. Yet he departed bearing resentment without even closing his eyes.”
At such words, Namgung Yeon clenched his teeth.
The prelude to the revenge he should have enacted had been opened by me instead, so how deep must his resentment run.
I thought that perhaps today’s events would become an opportunity for him to hone himself all the more.
I turned my gaze away with a faint smile playing at my lips.
Creak—!
The door swung open faster than Namgung Yeon could exit, and Chu Hyeongi strode in.
“Ugh?!”
“Oof!”
As the one entering collided with the one leaving, Namgung Yeon tumbled down pathetically while Chu Hyeongi’s brow furrowed.
“Why are you in the way? You’re blocking me.”
“You…!”
“Ugh, move! This is urgent.”
Rather than extending a hand to help the woman who sat sprawled on the ground, he stretched out his leg and shoved Namgung Yeon aside like sweeping away trash.
Was that the reason?
Her eyes blazed with fury, but they widened in surprise at the voice that followed.
“The Alliance Master has arrived!”
“Ah, I see.”
I had said I would visit soon, yet she came of her own accord.
Quite the impatient temperament.
I rose from my seat with a smile.

* * *

Among the countless visitors who sought out the Jin Family of Luoyang, the most honored guest was received in the Family Head’s grand reception hall.
For the first time in ages, its doors opened wide, and the finest tea alongside an array of delicacies filled an entire table.
Since we were receiving none other than Gong Hwang Hye-myeong, the current Alliance Master, I could sense the extraordinary care taken—a splendor beyond the usual preparations.
Yet as the saying goes, a monk can only taste what a monk eats.
As I entered the reception hall, observing the countless maids moving in and out, I caught sight of Hye-myeong seated at the place of honor. My father sat across from her.
Even as the Family Head of Luoyang’s Jin Family, Father clearly understood Gong Hwang Hye-myeong’s standing too well to claim the seat of honor for himself.
I smiled and offered a proper bow.
“I never expected to meet you again so soon, Alliance Master.”
“Amitabha.”
As I greeted her lightly and took my seat, Hye-myeong’s eyes shifted toward my father beside me.
Did her gaze carry the meaning that his presence was inconvenient?
Understanding the implication, Father offered a bitter smile, rose from his seat, and bowed respectfully.
“Then please, take your time conversing, Alliance Master. Once your business with this one concludes, I shall arrange a meal for you.”
“Amitabha—I appreciate the sentiment, but this humble monk has much to attend to and must depart hastily, I’m afraid.”
“Ha, I understand. Then, please enjoy your conversation at leisure.”
Father, a smile lingering on his face, departed from the reception hall.
There was no displeasure in his expression or gaze.
Given that Father led a life as demanding as the Alliance Master’s own, returning to his duties would serve him better than remaining detained here.
During the brief moment he took to compose himself, his workload would only accumulate further.
As such thoughts crossed my mind, a solemn voice reached my ears.
“Amitabha Buddha—thank goodness you arrived safely. I was worried something might have happened along the way.”
“Your concern is appreciated. It seems fortune favored me, and I returned without incident.”
At my words, Hye-myeong offered a gentle smile and nodded. Then his gaze fixed upon me once more, and those soft eyes sharpened into something piercing.
As if he could see through everything itself.
This was distinctly different from the Hye-myeong I had known until now.
This was Gonghuang.
Merely meeting his gaze sent chills down my spine.
“You are a clever child, so I suspect you have already guessed why the old monk sought you out. Tell me then—what transpired between you and the Sword Emperor?”
At those words, I steadied my breathing.
This was where everything truly mattered.

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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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