The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 271

—————
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 271

* * *

Several days had passed since I met Hao Munzhu.
Apart from treating Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo, my days had been peaceful, so I spent the time organizing and consolidating everything I had experienced and learned.
I shattered the wall and opened the middle dantian.
I felt that everything had reached my past level, and in some respects, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say I had even surpassed it.
Moreover, all the lines I had witnessed in the narrow gorge remained vivid in my mind, so I harbored hope that perhaps they could be reinterpreted together with Mu Heo’s teachings.
And there was one more thing.
The identity of Gok Ok.
“A stone in which the soul of an immortal dwells, they said?”
I couldn’t determine whether Manrigui’s words were truth or falsehood.
After all, he was merely speaking based on information he had heard or discovered himself, so it felt ridiculous to even attempt such a judgment.
Furthermore, if the power dwelling within Gok Ok was indeed the soul of an immortal, then the traces I had witnessed in the gorge became somewhat comprehensible.
One would need to slay an immortal to capture their soul, or perhaps a wandering spirit would seep into Gok Ok.
Though it was merely speculation, I harbored the question of whether the Divine had orchestrated this not to create Gok Ok itself.
Then did that mean Gok Ok was created by the Divine?
I couldn’t immediately resolve that question, nor could I gain certainty, but I felt the Divine must have played a decisive role.
I had many curiosities about this, but knowing I couldn’t resolve them immediately, I filed them away in my mind and deferred the matter.
What should I consider next? Gwanbaek?
“Now that we no longer owe each other anything, there’s nothing holding us back.”
Dealing with the Divine Church alone was clearly burdensome, but with Gwanbaek’s forces now entangled in the matter, it became far more complicated.
I was considering how to cleverly exploit both of them, but I was certain the other side harbored the same thoughts.
Gwanbaek aside, Heo Baek was no easy opponent.
Unlike Gang Cheonho, he was someone who actually thought.
A fierce collision was inevitable.
As my thoughts reached that point, I furrowed my brow and recalled one particular fact.
Whether it was the matter with the Sword Emperor and Auk before, or even Gok Ok in the Northern Sea.
Had Gwanbaek stepped forward, he would have easily obtained it—yet strangely, Gwanbaek didn’t appear, and instead Heo Baek made his move.
He didn’t even come to the Northern Sea.
Why?
Gwanbaek possessed such strength that even the Twelve Pavilions trembled in fear, so there would be nothing easier than moving directly to obtain Gok Ok and increase his power.
“He doesn’t want to be exposed… Is that the answer?”
An existence that even Gwanbaek cannot easily move against.
The one called the Divine.
Perhaps due to the previous incident with Yeom Ji-hak, he had fallen under the Divine’s perception?
And thus, finding it difficult to step forward into the Central Plains again, he continued to move Baek Myeon-in instead.
Even Gwanbaek, who possessed strength with nothing to fear, still harbored terror toward his own master.
“Then this should become considerably easier.”
This too is merely a conjecture and speculation, but if it’s truly the case that Gwanbaek cannot intervene, then this would be an enormous advantage for me.
Because I wouldn’t have to face that absolute being immediately.
I smiled faintly and set the thought aside.
Soon after, I sensed movement outside the door, and as it drew closer, I heard the familiar voice of someone I knew.
“Young Master, are you here?”
“What is it?”
The one who suddenly opened the door and entered was none other than Jang Chuchyeong.
His upper garment was soaked through, apparently from washing clothes, and his muscular frame was laid bare for all to see.
This seemed to be the reason the maids had been gossiping about him lately.
But as if he knew nothing of it, he approached my side and continued speaking in a cautious tone, glancing toward the door.
“About that guest over there. He keeps fighting with Soocheonchu—is that alright?”
“Still?”
“Ah, it never ends. Soocheonchu keeps hovering around Lady Eon, Paeng Sohyeop is grinding his teeth, and I swear it looks like they’re about to draw blades.”
Cheon Yul was a man who couldn’t resist women.
With all three women he’d been pursuing in one place, whether he was unable to contain his joy or simply wanted to stir the pot, he kept seeking out Eon Garyeo’s quarters.
Naturally, this made him an eyesore to Paeng Dohan.
I sighed and rose from my seat.
Opening the door and stepping outside, I threw open the door to Eon Garyeo’s quarters, only to find Cheon Yul grinning widely while looking at Paeng Dohan, whose teeth were clenched so tightly he seemed ready to draw his blade at any moment.
It looked as though a minor palace conflict was about to erupt.
“Soocheonchu, what are you doing?”
“Ah—a friend came? What do you mean? I was just curious about Lady Eon’s condition. She looks better than yesterday, and even more beautiful today.”
“Ha, ha ha….”
At his words, spoken with sparkling eyes, Eon Garyeo seemed unable to find the right response and turned her gaze away with an awkward smile.
Unlike Namgung Yeon or Chaeseoha, her face appeared to have flushed at such pleasant words—and it didn’t seem to be an illusion.
Unlike Chaeseoha, who would have brushed him off decisively, or Namgung Yeon, Eon Garyeo seemed to have no immunity to this sort of thing, appearing like a young girl whose heart raced at sweet, flattering words.
Because of this, Paeng Dohan’s face crumpled mercilessly.
“Don’t speak strangely to Garyeo. I warned you!”
“Haha—this fellow really is possessive. You’re betrothed, not married, are you not? A betrothal can be broken at any time without surprise. Isn’t that so, Lady Eon?”
“Well, that is….”
The moment those words that could have shattered Paeng Dohan’s patience were spoken, everyone in the room clutched their brows and writhed in headache.
How could he scratch at people’s nerves so skillfully?
I sighed and approached Cheon Yul.
“Soocheonchu, you should leave now. Before this gets any louder.”
“What? I just came to visit the sick, but everyone’s making such a fuss.”
“Go help Lady Namgung with her training.”
“Ah—that sounds wonderful! Wait for me, Lady Namgung! I’m coming!”
Whether he was thinking of where Namgung Yeon might be, Cheon Yul departed the room with a broad smile on his face.
Thanks to his departure, the chaotic room regained its peace.
Paeng Dohan, who had been trembling with rage, calmed his momentum and took a seat on the bed, while Eon Garyeo twisted her body awkwardly, unsure what to do with herself.
I let out a bitter smile at the sight.
“It’s fortunate that both of you seem to have recovered well.”
“Ah, yes indeed! My apologies for the late greeting, Young Master. I too, like Garyeo here, have recovered considerably thanks to you.”
It certainly appeared to be true.
In particular, I had expected the deep sword wound on Eon Garyeo’s face would leave a permanent scar, but as time passed, it grew fainter, and it seemed it would disappear completely before long.
“Since So-ha possesses excellent medical skills, you should offer your thanks to her rather than to me.”
“Ha ha, of course I did. Naturally I did. But it was thanks to you, Young Master, that we were able to receive treatment from such a skilled physician. So shouldn’t I also express my gratitude to you?”
“I’m truly grateful.”
Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo bowed their heads toward me once more.
Watching them, I scratched my head.
They seemed to give little thought to why they had suffered such grave wounds in the first place.
I wasn’t sure whether to call this magnanimity or naivety.
The bitter smile lingered on my face.
“Then, please rest comfortably. Let us share dinner together this evening.”
As I turned with a light laugh and attempted to leave the room, the two men continued to bow respectfully, offering their thanks.
Their attitude, so different from others, left me feeling an inexplicable burden as I closed the door.
Perhaps it was because they were a type of character I had rarely encountered?
An indescribable sense of pressure weighed on me.
Surely this was the feeling one got from those renowned as great wandering knights.
Without realizing it, I clicked my tongue and left the annex.
Upon stepping outside, one corner of the vast courtyard seemed unusually noisy.
A considerable number of people had gathered there.
My father and those who handled the major and minor affairs of the family.
Even the elders who rarely came forward.
As I approached, taking in their grave expressions, my eyes fell upon a line of cargo carts.
Each cart was bound with yellow sealing cords bearing the imperial supply mark.
However, what should have been tightly secured appeared somewhat loose, and the knot pattern was slightly different from what we used.
As if someone had clumsily imitated it.
I furrowed my brow.
“These are… imperial palace supplies, are they not?”
“You’ve arrived.”
“Yes. But what is the meaning of this?”
Father handed me a document.
A single sheet of paper bearing the clear seal of the Bureau of Waterway Transport.
‘Notice of Warehouse Entry Suspension’
The Bureau of Waterway Transport, which inspects goods before they enter the imperial palace, had rejected this grain and sent it back.
“Open them.”
The moment Father’s words fell, the guards beside him drew their short swords without hesitation and began cutting through the ropes and knots.
Soon the grain spilled out.
As what had been tightly bound poured forth, everyone present furrowed their brows.
It’s rice, but not just ordinary rice.
The musty odor was so pronounced that anyone could tell it was aged, and rice weevils writhed and crawled about in various places.
The moment I unknowingly furrowed my brow.
Father’s voice reached my ears.
“What are your thoughts?”
“It’s clearly aged rice. Where was it purchased from?”
“It was sent from Anhui.”
“Ha.”
In that instant, laughter escaped me without thinking.
If the rice was purchased from Anhui, it was undoubtedly something that should have gone to the Moyong Family, yet we had intercepted it here.
Grain was one of the primary commodities in the Moyong Family’s trading operations, after all.
However, the fact that aged rice appeared meant either the Moyong Family had tampered with it, or someone had deceived the Jin Family.
I glanced subtly at Father’s expression.
His displeasure was evident in his eyes.
To bleed the Moyong Family dry, we had purchased major goods destined for their trading operations in bulk and driven up the prices, yet now when we tried to sell them, every single item was unusable.
We had been struck squarely in the back of the head.
“Was it like this from the beginning?”
“That couldn’t be. All merchandise was inspected before being brought in.”
“That means… it was switched. Or perhaps they delivered normal goods initially, and once trust was established, they replaced them with aged ones.”
Whether it was the former or the latter, someone had clearly played tricks while the massive name of the Jin Family of Luoyang loomed before them.
Whether it was the Moyong Family, blinded by desperation for survival, or someone exploiting the situation to gain profit—I couldn’t say.
But as a result, the Jin Family’s reputation had suffered greatly.
The carts that should have gone to the Imperial Palace being here meant they had been rejected by the Imperial side.
The Emperor’s ears must surely have heard of this.
I clicked my tongue lightly.
“No grain merchant in Anhui would do such a thing unless they’d lost their mind.”
“I share that thought.”
No matter how clever a grain merchant was, they couldn’t evade the Jin Family’s inspection.
Yet this had occurred, which meant the rice had been switched not by the merchant, but by someone else—inevitably, suspicion fell upon those within the Jin Family itself.
Those capable of tampering with so many things could only be insiders rather than outsiders.
But could that truly be the case?
It seemed everyone in the room had arrived at this same conclusion, their furrowed brows unable to relax as they steadied their breathing.
I observed their expressions and approached the scattered rice.
I crouched carefully, reached out to touch the rice, and then turned my gaze toward Father.
“Please entrust this matter to me.”
“You?”
“Before catching the big fish, shouldn’t we filter out the small ones first?”

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