The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 27

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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 Nakhyang Jin Family — Chapter 27

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“The Nok-rim King, you say….”
Alone in his office, Jin Ga-muk let out a hollow laugh at the absurd words that had come from his son’s mouth, shaking his head in disbelief.
He had already heard everything that had transpired at Sega.
Moreover, the Chief Administrator had reported to him details that Jin Cheon-u had not mentioned.
It was truly incomprehensible.
It was none other than my youngest son who had identified and eliminated those wretches, including Hong Gu-hyeon, and had even killed Hong Gu-hyeon himself, the mastermind behind it all.
How could he have discovered Hong Gu-hyeon, who had meticulously planned his infiltration over decades and lived hidden without revealing himself?
There was a result, but the process remained utterly mysterious.
Beyond that, there was the one who had sent Hong Gu-hyeon to infiltrate Sega decades ago.
According to Gu Gunbaek’s account, he was a first-rate swordmaster.
Moreover, a swordmaster of consummate skill, yet my son had clashed with him without sustaining even a minor wound and subdued him.
Of course, considering the circumstances, it was plausible enough, but one must not treat martial artists and ordinary people in the same light.
A true warrior is one who can cut down their opponent even in such circumstances.
“Did he obtain a fortuitous encounter…?”
No, that could not be it.
Had that been the case, he would never have fallen victim to Hong Gu-hyeon’s poison in the first place.
Then… could it be talent?
It was far easier to accept that explanation.
After all, my youngest had displayed exceptional brilliance since childhood.
Whatever he learned, he grasped quickly, and whatever he undertook, he accomplished flawlessly.
Yet precisely because of that, he grew bored just as quickly.
It was only natural—he excelled at everything.
As a result, he seemed to spend his time lounging about like a wastrel without lifting a finger, yet he possessed the cunning to readily deploy his abilities whenever necessary.
Because of that overwhelming talent and drive, despite doing nothing but idling away his days, he had unanimously claimed the position of Young Master So.
The thought alone drew an exasperated laugh from me.
“Then I must clear the path well for him.”
Jin Ga-muk wiped the smile from his lips and took a measured breath.
My son would one day sit in this seat.
There must be no obstacles before him.
Whoever they are, I will find them.
I do not know what purpose brought them here, but they must learn that the road to the Nakhyang Jin Family leads straight into hell.
“Are you outside?”
“Yes, Family Head. Did you call for me?”
“Go and bring the Guard Commander.”
Guard Commander Baek Ja-hyeon.
The man known as the greatest master of the Nakhyang Jin Family.

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Despite the late hour, Sega’s lights burned brilliantly.
An unusually oppressive tension permeated the air, and most of the workers bore expressions of deep distress.
A horrific scream—one that had been absent for some time—echoed through the compound once more.
Worse than before.
It was the very shriek of death itself, reverberating with chilling clarity.
Consequently, most people found themselves unable to sleep.
I walked through this place with unhurried steps.
Dressed lightly.
A single sword held in my grip.
And….
“Damn, this is tense.”
A sparrow chirping loudly and incessantly.
It was Chu Hyeongi, who had somehow escaped the Medical Chamber.
Ever since returning, he had been persistently clinging to my side, making him nearly impossible to shake off.
I couldn’t help but sigh.
“You should go back.”
“Come now, that makes no sense. You’re going out without an escort—naturally I must accompany you.”
Chu Hyeongi clenched both fists with the confidence of someone who had become my personal guard, his self-assurance evident. Having acquitted himself reasonably well in the successive battles, such confidence was hardly unwarranted.
I shook my head at the sight of him.
This persistent nuisance seemed impossible to rid myself of.
“But where are you going? Surely not the Hwaseon Guesthouse? To see that pretty girl?”
“The Slums. So don’t follow me.”
“What? Why there? It’s a disease-ridden place.”
Chu Hyeongi furrowed his brow with an expression of disbelief.
The Slums were not merely a place where the poor dwelled. Courtesans from the Red Light District who had contracted illnesses and become unusable were cast aside there, along with the powerless elderly and children.
For ordinary people, it was the worst of places.
Since the very concept of basic hygiene was absent, Chu Hyeongi’s words were hardly inaccurate.
But Chaeseoha was there.
Though I had instructed her never to leave, given her nature, it would not be surprising if she abandoned caution and simply disappeared.
There was no time to waste.
As I quickened my pace forward, Chu Hyeongi hurried after me and caught up.
“No—let me come with you! What trouble might befall you going alone?”
“There should be no need to draw a blade, so don’t worry.”
I spoke with a slight smile, and Chu Hyeongi shook his head firmly. I understood he was concerned about more than just that.
While I could easily defend against any blade-wielding threat, disease was another matter entirely.
Especially since I had only recently recovered from poison poisoning.
From his perspective, he couldn’t help but be worried.
“Did you leave something important back there?”
“The physician. The one who detoxified my poison.”
“Ah.”
“I intend to bring her back.”
There was a reason for moving so quickly.
It was the Imperial Palace guards pursuing Chaeseoha.
They had to bring Chaeseoha back no matter what.
The Emperor’s condition was deteriorating by the day.
The only thing that could cure him was the Spirit Elixir from the Divine Physician Clan, but since I had already consumed it, even if they captured me, it wouldn’t be easy to cure the Emperor.
Naturally, my life would be in danger.
In the past, I had used the Spirit Elixir to save the Emperor and served as his puppet while living a life of relative privilege, but that was no longer the case.
Once I failed to treat the Emperor, I would die.
“…I suppose I’m the villain in this story.”
“Pardon? What are you talking about?”
“It’s nothing.”
I scratched my head and offered an awkward smile.
Thinking that everything from beginning to end had happened because I had changed the past, it occurred to me that I was someone she should never have met.
I would have to do better.
I quickened my pace toward the slums.
The slums shrouded in darkness were utterly silent.
There were people scattered about, but with no light to be found, it was impossible to tell who was where.
Shantytowns that couldn’t even properly shield against wind and rain.
I could see people gathered together in the shantytowns.
As Chu Hyeongi and I entered that place, it felt as though gazes poured down from all directions.
They held their breath and concealed their bodies, revealing nothing.
But they were undoubtedly watching us.
There were few reasons for respectable people to enter the slums.
Either they were fleeing from someone’s pursuit, or they had come looking for someone.
If it was neither, then they had come to take someone away.
Children born and raised here often didn’t fall ill, and if you looked carefully, there were quite a few useful ones among them.
This wary gaze was undoubtedly for that reason.
Rustle—!
Then, a strange sound came from somewhere.
I turned my gaze toward it, but couldn’t tell what it was. It could be a cat, or it could be a person. But it was definitely approaching me gradually.
Sensing this, I let out a long sigh, then used my sword sheath to lightly flick a small stone lying on the ground and sent it flying.
Crack—!
A tremendous sound followed by the shattering of the stone.
“Gasp!”
Then I heard the startled cries of several people.
This place was not merely a threat to insiders. There were outsiders too who sought to strip away what others possessed.
“Don’t waste your strength on pointless matters. We came here to find someone.”
At that low-spoken command, I felt the presences gathered around us gradually fade away. They had realized that to attack would mean death.
Only then did I relax somewhat, surveying my surroundings before heading toward the bridge structure off to one side.
This was undoubtedly where she had been staying.
Sure enough, I spotted Chaeseoha.
Whether constructed to shield from the wind or not, wooden poles had been crudely erected in a corner and covered with cloth to form a makeshift shelter.
Even so, it would not stop the wind from seeping through the tattered fabric.
Fortunately, there were no one here attempting to harm her. Perhaps because they had seen her face, none of the slum dwellers approached this place.
Which meant she had not managed to eat a single meal.
I approached and quietly drew back the cloth.
Inside, straw was scattered about, and Chaeseoha lay there looking exhausted.
She had been sleeping soundly, but upon sensing my presence, she slowly opened her eyes. The moment she saw my face, her eyes blinked rapidly and her expression went blank.
I could not help but let out a soft laugh at the sight.
“I thought you had run away.”
“Me? I need acupuncture treatment. That would be impossible.”
She hurriedly rose and covered her face with the shabby cloth lying on the ground.
Though I had seen her several times on the way here, she still seemed reluctant to show her face, and the startled expression in Jang Chuchyeong’s eyes beside me seemed to burden her further.
“Yes, that acupuncture. I am searching for the finest needles available, so you need not worry.”
“Is… is that so?”
“Since you will have nothing to use in the meantime, use this instead.”
I handed her an acupuncture needle case I had purchased at the marketplace.
She caught it as it flew toward her, her expression showing some surprise. Though it was purchased from a medical shop in the marketplace, it was clearly quite valuable at a glance.
“It is said to be the needles used by imperial physicians. I cannot verify if that is true, but for now it should serve as a substitute.”
“…Thank you.”
“And one more thing.”
“What else is there?”
“There are those pursuing you.”
“…!”
At my sudden words, she flinched and her body trembled.
The way she swallowed dryly and clenched her fists anxiously suggested she already knew who was chasing her.
“That is why I have come with a proposal.”
“…A proposal?”
“Yes. Mutual benefit. Become my personal physician.”
“…!”
“If you do, I will protect you under the name of the Nakhyang Jin Family.”
At those words, Chaeseoha’s trembling eyes widened dramatically. Soon, with an expression of utter disbelief, she stared at me, then slowly raised her hand and pointed at me.
“…Me, the Nakhyang Jin Family?”
No matter how much her clan had been destroyed and she wandered in the shadows, barely scraping by, she could not possibly be ignorant of the Nakhyang Jin Family’s name.
Her expression began to shift in an amusing way.
The place known as the greatest martial family under heaven.
Perhaps that was why Chaeseoha, her spirit seemingly drained away, offered a bitter smile as if denying something that had surfaced in her mind.
Was that the reason?
Jang Chuchyeong, who had been watching from her side, puffed out his chest with confidence and uttered words brimming with pride.
“Our Young Master is none other than the Young Master So of the great Nakhyang Jin Family.”
“…!”
As his words, spoken with such certainty, burrowed into her ears, Chaeseoha’s expression began to shift in quite an amusing way.

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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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