The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 281

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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 281

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The moment I returned home without properly informing anyone beforehand, Chu Hyeongi and the others rushed over and surrounded me with urgency.
When Chaeseoha, who had surrendered under their relentless questioning, mentioned the Shijia Festival, everyone present gasped in shock.
“What?! You really went with just the two of you? What about me! I should have been taken along!”
“This is too much. I wanted to go as well….”
“Haha, the Shijia Festival? That’s quite famous. Ah— my friend is really disappointed, truly.”
Discontented murmurs filled my ears endlessly, as they seemed unhappy about not being included.
As a result, Chaeseoha wore an awkward expression.
Though she had been eager to talk excitedly about the festival, she seemed to instinctively realize that doing so was inappropriate given the situation.
Was it because of this atmosphere?
Paeng Dohan, who had been listening quietly, spoke with a peculiar expression.
“Well… it’s not such a grand festival. It’s just noisy.”
“Now that you mention it, the Paeng Family being in Shijia means you must have seen it many times, correct?”
“Haha, of course, Lady Namgung. But as I said, the first few times I found it interesting, but as it continued, I grew tired of it… at some point, the noise became so unbearable that I couldn’t sleep, and I found myself just waiting for the festival to end.”
Without caring for the fantasies those harboring illusions about the splendid festival held, he simply voiced his own opinion while furrowing his brow.
It was evident from his expression.
As if he found it truly irritating.
“Haha, those who want to avoid it don’t even come near Shijia during this season. Isn’t that right?”
“…It’s noisy, older brother.”
At the suddenly sharp voice, Paeng Dohan flinched and closed his mouth, glancing around nervously.
Since a major festival was held in front of the house every year, those who could watch freely and those who couldn’t couldn’t possibly have the same feelings.
Was she aware of this atmosphere?
Chaeseoha spoke with a bitter smile.
“Paeng Sohyeop seems to be right. It really was crowded and noisy. But well… it’s still a worthwhile spectacle.”
“Haha— Physician, next time would you perhaps…?!”
The moment Cheon Yul approached with a smile in response to Chaeseoha’s gentle words and spoke, he seemed to sense something and suddenly looked around urgently.
His brow furrowed and sharp eyes began scanning in all directions, but he seemed unable to find anything particular, wearing an expression of bewilderment.
“What is the matter?”
“No… there was something, but now…?”
“Have you not fully awakened yet? The sun is already high in the sky.”
“No. You didn’t feel it? There really was something!”
Cheon Yul looked around again and shouted.
But when not only I but everyone else looked at him as if he were mad, he furrowed his brow and closed his mouth.
Yet as he continued to observe his surroundings, sharpening his senses keenly, I wondered if Cheon Yul was perhaps the one with the most acute perception.
Sniff—
Then.
I suddenly caught a whiff of something.
“What are you doing now?”
“No, there’s a strange smell coming from somewhere. Why is it so foul?”
“A smell? From me?”
“…It seems like it’s coming from you, Doctor, but also maybe not… Did you perhaps not bathe for several days?”
“What did you just say!?”
At that thoughtless remark, Chaeseoha’s eyes turned sharp as blades. If it were true that one could slice a person to death with just a glare, I could confidently say that Chu Hyeongi would have left no trace of himself behind.
I sighed and looked at Chu Hyeongi.
“You know there’s a small storage room near the place So-ha uses as a medical chamber, right?”
“Ah, of course I do. But why that place?”
“Clean it up nicely and bring some clothes and food to store there.”
“Huh? You’re planning to use that place?”
Chu Hyeongi tilted his head, clearly puzzled. Since the storage room hadn’t been used in a long time, he seemed confused about why I was asking him to clean it.
“I’m thinking of training there occasionally.”
“Ah! I understand. I’ll get it done right away!”
Only then did Chu Hyeongi nod in understanding and turn to leave.
Rushing off to clean with such enthusiasm, I could see a broad smile plastered across his face.
Just from that, it was clear his true calling was to be a servant.
I clicked my tongue and turned my gaze away.
“Continue with your work. We shall retire first and rest.”
Brushing off the vacant stares of the others, I led Chaeseoha toward the annex.
Passing through a long corridor, I naturally followed her as she entered her room.
Was it because of that?
Standing motionless in the center of the room, she narrowed her eyes with a slight squint and stared directly at me, then spoke with a hollow laugh.
“This isn’t an inn, Young Master. Your room is over there.”
“Do you really think I wouldn’t know that? Don’t worry, I know. More importantly, where is what you received from the Demonic Cult?”
“From the Demonic Cult…? Ah, the secret manual and the short sword?”
“Yes, that.”
Chaeseoha seemed momentarily flustered and hurriedly searched through the room.
Those items were nothing but unnecessary baggage to her, so she had carelessly shoved them behind the desk and completely forgotten about them.
After searching for quite some time, two books and a short sword came into her hands.
“…Do people usually just leave things like this lying around carelessly?”
“Well… it’s not that exactly, it’s just that since I wasn’t using them, I didn’t pay them any mind…”
“I see. Let me borrow them for a while.”
“Yes, of course. Oh! But these belong to the Chae Family, so you’ll need to return them later!”
“I will.”
I nodded calmly, and she didn’t seem particularly concerned about handing over the items.
Just from watching her hum a tune while organizing medicinal herbs she’d bought from the market, it seemed she would soon forget about the items altogether.
I found myself smiling as I left her quarters and headed toward my own room.
After only a few steps, I arrived, opened the door, sat on the bed, and turned my attention to the items.
As I quietly gazed into the empty void, darkness receded as if sensing something, and Chwiayeok revealed himself.
Even after confirming it several times before my eyes, it was considerable concealment technique.
If he could refine it further and elevate his level, I wondered if he might not ascend to a standard rivaling that Death Emperor.
I smiled as I looked at him.
“You entered the Jin Family to protect So-ha according to your own will, and I trust that. Trust comes with appropriate rewards, but if it becomes otherwise… I will not forgive you. You understand the weight of my words, don’t you?”
“I understand. Chwiayeok already died that day. I promised to be reborn as a new person, and I will protect you even if it costs me my life.”
The Chwiayeok of the past was already dead.
Had it not been for Chaeseoha, that surely would have been his fate, and he seemed to have carved into his bones that his old self had died and been reborn anew.
Yet, how long would this resolve last?
As I narrowed my eyes and gazed intently, Chwiayeok, crushed beneath the suffocating weight of heavy air, began to break into cold sweat.
“Trust carries responsibility. You understand this, don’t you?”
“O… of course!”
I nodded and accepted his firm resolve.
Trust brings responsibility, and confidence must be followed by reward.
I handed him two volumes of books placed beside me.
The moment Chwiayeok received them with respectful hands and confirmed the characters written on the cover, his eyes widened as if he had instinctively sensed they were secret techniques.
“…What is this!”
“It is the short sword technique—a secret martial art of the previous Demon Cult Master.”
“…!”
“This much should be necessary to challenge the fortress of the Death Emperor, wouldn’t you say?”
“Cough!”
Of course, he was still far from mastery.
Yet judging solely by the obsession with which he had elevated his concealment technique to this level through sheer determination to steal, I had no doubt that if he approached the martial art with genuine interest and learned it properly, he would become the most fearsome blade.
To win over such a man’s heart, giving him these things was nothing.
With a deep smile on my lips, I handed him a short sword.
“This was also the short sword of the previous Demon Cult Master, I hear. Return the secret techniques after you master them, but the sword itself… there seems to be no particular problem with you keeping it.”
Chwiayeok stared at the short sword he received with a dazed expression. It was distinctly different from the worn one he had held in his hand—both in appearance and feel.
As I drew the blade slightly, its sharpness was revealed.
The usage marks were so evident that the previous owner’s traces remained intact, yet paradoxically, this only elevated the value of this short sword to its extreme.
“…Thank you.”
“You don’t need to thank me. As I said, it all belongs to So-ha.”
“I will dedicate my life to protecting her!”
At those words filled with deep resolve, I smiled as well. The secret martial techniques and weapons—what could be called most important to a martial artist.
Because of this, anyone could clearly feel that he was not dragged here, but rather genuinely committed to serving with loyal devotion.
This is how one wins the favor of people.
“And, there are a few perceptive ones in our household. Be as careful as possible.”
“…I understand.”
Chwiayeok nodded and clenched his fists.
He prided himself on his concealment technique, second to none, yet he had nearly been caught by Cheon Yul and even Chu Hyeongi, so I wondered how flustered he must have been.
Thus, he was surely burning with determination.
To make it even more perfect.
“Your quarters are in the storage room next to the medical hall where So-ha works. It should be cleared out by now, so go rest.”
“Understood.”
“Ah, and… wash up before you go about.”
“…Yes.”
Whoosh—
The moment my words ended, Chwiayeok melted back into the darkness. He didn’t even ask where to go, yet it seemed he grasped the general location from my gaze alone.
Moreover, since I mentioned the medical hall, he would track the scent of medicinal herbs and find his quarters without further explanation.
I watched as his presence completely vanished, a smile settling on my lips.
“I’ve acquired a fine blade.”
In the past, Chwiayeok was merely a thief playing in the palm of the Dan Li Family.
His concealment techniques were impressive enough to take note of, but since his work amounted to little more than cleaning up after the Dan Li Family or petty theft, I hadn’t placed great significance on his existence.
But now it was different.
He had grasped a blade himself and wielded it to demonstrate his presence.
And from the moment a thief who had never killed before accomplished that feat, he could no longer be called a thief.
The instant he became a true martial artist, the Jin Family of Luoyang would gain a hidden blade.
Satisfied with this outcome, laughter escaped me naturally.
“Well then.”
The Dan Li Family, who had orchestrated their schemes from behind, had now lost their power, and it would take considerable time for them to rise again.
Could they even rise at all?
With all the family’s key figures dead, they should be grateful they hadn’t collapsed immediately.
With this, I had removed one faction supporting the Moyong Family.
Surely by now, word of this had reached their ears, and they would recognize the gravity of the situation and attempt to devise countermeasures.
But it wouldn’t be easy.
The one currently leading the Moyong Family was none other than Moryeong Hyeok.
Now that the great tree known as the Sword Emperor had fallen, his options were far from abundant.
“What will you do, Moryeong Hyeok?”
As I imagined him struggling with all his might to untangle his complicated thoughts, laughter spilled from me unbidden.

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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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