The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 283

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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 283

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I opened my eyes at the crack of dawn and rose from my bed immediately.
After a quick wash, I retrieved my travel bundle, spread it out, and began gathering the necessary items.
I didn’t need much.
With only a change of clothes and a few essentials, packing didn’t take long.
I shouldered the light bundle and stepped outside.
In that instant, Chu Hyeongi, who had been sweeping the corridor, stared at me with wide, startled eyes, and simultaneously, Chaeseoha emerged from the opened door, her eyes narrowing with suspicion as she studied me intently.
Had they sensed something unusual?
Chu Hyeongi, still gripping the broom, trembled at the corners of his mouth and asked cautiously.
“Where… where are you going?”
“Beijing.”
“…Where did you say you were going?”
Chu Hyeongi’s expression suggested he couldn’t distinguish whether the words that had unexpectedly lodged in his ears were from a dream or vivid reality.
After observing him briefly, I pulled him firmly back to reality.
“Beijing.”
With that single, terse word, I opened the door to the annex and stepped toward the courtyard, when Cheon Yul, Paeng Dohan, and Eon Garyeo emerged from various directions, having sensed the commotion.
Did I find this strange situation amusing?
Everyone who had come outside followed me like ducklings trailing behind their mother.
“Wait, so suddenly? You’re really going to Beijing?”
“Yes. It was a place I had to visit eventually anyway. I can’t keep the business establishments closed indefinitely. I’ve already received Father’s permission.”
“That may be true, but… this sudden departure…”
“If you don’t want to go, you don’t have to. I have no intention of forcing anyone.”
As I spoke, I surveyed my surroundings.
Behind Chu Hyeongi’s dazed expression, Chaeseoha and Namgung Yeon seemed to be stifling groans, while Cheon Yul wore an amused smile.
In contrast, Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo remained composed.
Rather, experiencing such a situation for the first time, they seemed to regard the others’ surprise with incomprehension.
Observing this, I smiled softly.
“Prepare yourselves.”
“…Yes.”
“Sigh… again, again! I’m telling you, he’s got wind in his lungs.”
“I don’t mind. Beijing… since it’s my first time going there, I’m actually quite excited.”
Though Chaeseoha’s voice carried the tone of someone fed up, the others didn’t seem particularly concerned.
As I placed the bundle I had prepared beforehand onto a horse and turned my gaze away, everyone scattered and disappeared from their positions.
They seemed to have realized they needed to hurry with their preparations.
I spent some time sitting in one corner of the courtyard.
The first to arrive was none other than Namgung Yeon.
Thanks to the advance notice, preparations were already underway and proceeding quite swiftly. However, the others seemed to be taking their time, and even after a considerable period had elapsed, they had yet to make an appearance.
It was then that Namgung Yeon’s voice reached my ears.
“Young Master, could it be… the reason you’re heading to Beijing is…?”
“Your suspicion is correct.”
“…!”
“Rather than going all the way to Liaoning, it’s best to find a compromise at a midpoint. Don’t you agree?”
“Is that… what this is about?”
At her bewildered expression, I smiled faintly.
From Henan to Liaoning was quite a considerable distance.
But Beijing was certainly manageable to reach.
Besides, the opponent’s true objective lay in Beijing anyway.
“So, the strange pattern will be effective… is that it?”
“It will work. All the more so for someone desperate. He’ll believe it’s his only path to survival.”
“Path to survival…”
At her softly spoken words, I nodded in agreement.
Then, a smile played gently at the corners of my mouth.
“It’s not that there’s no other way—he simply chose not to consider it.”
“Was there another path?”
“Of course. He could kneel before the countless masters of the martial world and my father, shed tears of remorse, and beg forgiveness with his head pressed to the ground.”
“…!”
The Sword Emperor’s crimes are the Sword Emperor’s crimes.
Since the Moyong Family’s guilt hasn’t been exposed, this method would have worked.
My father is not a cruel man—had he witnessed genuine remorse, he would have granted forgiveness. The Alliance Leader would have shown the mercy of Buddha.
With merely that, the matter could have been resolved quite smoothly, public outcry could have been quelled, and Hwangbo Janghu’s anger would have subsided.
But Moryeong Hyeok never conceived of such a thing.
Why?
Because he’s never knelt or shed tears in his life.
That’s the problem with those who’ve lived endlessly selfishly.
Even with their clan and lives hanging by a thread, the thought of apologizing never enters their minds.
“Only when blood tears fall will he come to his senses.”
“That will surely come to pass.”
Namgung Yeon clenched her fist and nodded firmly.
Though uncertain what would unfold, her determination to see it through by any means was abundantly clear.
I observed this and nodded in agreement.
Then, as I turned my gaze elsewhere, those who had finished their preparations began gathering one by one.
Was it only Chaeseoha who harbored discontent about this sudden journey?
I observed her pouting expression for a moment and laughed.
“We’re going to see something worthwhile—brighten that face of yours.”
“I know, I know, but you always notify us so suddenly. The clinic is already bursting with patients, and now I have to leave it empty again.”
“With you around, all the physicians of Luoyang are practically out of work. You should let them earn their keep occasionally.”
It was the truth.
Since the warriors, maids, and servants of the great families had brought their families in for treatment, the physicians of Luoyang could only twiddle their thumbs.
By vacating this place, we give them room to breathe as well.
Chaeseoha swallowed a brief groan before her expression softened.
“Very well. I’ll forgive you.”
“I truly appreciate that.”
As the discontent finally melted from her face, the atmosphere finally came alive.
I led everyone toward the stables.
As each person selected a horse, loaded their bundles, and mounted up, Cheon Yul’s bright voice—which had remained silent until now—rang out.
“I have a feeling something exciting is about to happen. What is it?”
“Nothing of the sort that Soocheonchu imagines will occur.”
“Ha-ha, I trust my friend. It’s definitely going to be thrilling.”
Cheon Yul’s eyes sparkled as he flashed a brilliant smile.
Though I couldn’t know what he was thinking about entering Beijing for, I could sense that it was far from a simple reason.
I received that gaze and expression with deliberate composure.
“Let’s go.”
“Yes!”
There was no time to hesitate further, so I urged the horse forward.
The slowly moving horse left the great family’s residence and entered the marketplace streets.
The sight of bustling crowds and the cacophony of voices.
The footsteps of passing pedestrians were in complete disarray.
Taking in the sight of all these people, I carefully guided the horse toward the city gate and pressed onward.
Then, something suddenly caught my eye—the grandly situated Yunlong Inn. And slightly apart from it stood the Huaxian Inn, which though somewhat weathered, retained its old charm and exuded an elegant atmosphere.
I gazed intently at the Huaxian Inn and lifted my gaze upward.
Undoubtedly, that was where Baek Jin-hwa’s room was located.
For some reason, the window that had been firmly shut suddenly opened, and the familiar face of a woman appeared.
The moment our eyes met as she revealed her captivating gaze, a soft smile graced Baek Jin-hwa’s lips once more.
Unaware, a smile escaped my own face.
As if in response, I smiled back, and though her lips didn’t part, she seemed to understand something and nodded, giving me a signal.
Was she indicating that her role had ended?
She carefully disappeared from the window, and the shutters closed once more.
“Good.”
I withdrew my gaze, confirming it.
Just from that confident gleam in her eyes, I could tell.
The picture I desired seemed to have been drawn perfectly.
After traveling some distance further, the moment we passed through the city gate, I began to ride in earnest.
At the sudden movement, Chaeseoha’s voice called out from behind.
“Is something urgent? Why do you seem to be in such a hurry?”
“The distance is far, so I’m trying to shorten it as much as possible.”
“Huh…?”
Chaeseoha’s expression showed confusion, but I paid no mind and turned my gaze backward.
A single horse was pursuing us from a distance.
Judging by how it maintained an invisible boundary, barely visible yet present, I could tell it was making every effort to conceal its existence.
A laugh escaped me unbidden.
“I knew you would follow.”
“Who is following?”
“Someone is. Regardless, I intend to increase our pace somewhat. My plan is to arrive as quickly as possible.”
As I spoke with a broad grin spreading across my lips, the faces of all who followed me turned ashen.

* * *

Moryeong Hyeok, wandering the courtyard alone and waiting for something, bore an expression filled with an oddly intense anxiety and unease.
I could not tell how many days had passed.
I had managed to find Singyeo’s mark in Mo Yong-cheon’s study and attempted to make contact, but despite considerable time elapsing, there had been no word.
As if they paid no attention to someone like me, or as if I had been abandoned.
With Mo Yong-cheon absent, Singyeo was the only one I could rely upon, yet no matter how hard I tried, I could not meet them, and my heart grew increasingly impatient and anxious.
And this was evident in my expression and eyes.
“Why… why won’t you come? Why…?”
I bit at my thumbnail, revealing my agitation, but the grim reality would not change.
As time passed, the Jin Family of Luoyang’s offensive grew fiercer, and the Martial Arts Alliance’s pressure drove me into a corner.
In such circumstances, even Singyeo, whom I had trusted, did not appear.
From my perspective, it was enough to make me want to deny reality itself.
“Why in the world!”
I cried out harshly, revealing my rage.
How much effort had I expended for Singyeo?
Not only my ancestors, but even my own father.
I had spared no effort in undertaking every unsavory task, burning myself to ashes for them, yet when I needed their hand extended most, they offered nothing—and this kindled my fury.
An inexplicable unease shook my heart, and the thumbnail I was biting continued to be gnawed away by the anxiety I felt.
Muyong Chang, who had been observing this from afar, let out a small sigh and approached, speaking carefully.
“Young Master, perhaps you should calm yourself and retire to your chambers?”
“Now… is this the time for such words? If we are not careful, the Moyong Family will be scattered to the winds. Yet… why!”
“It would be best to rest now and think on this later.”
At those words urging me to quell my anger, I sighed.
Yes, venting my rage would change nothing.
Moreover, perhaps Singyeo was not refusing to help, but simply had not noticed the mark?
Steadying my breath and nodding, I finally turned away.
Troubled in mind, I had not even managed to eat a single meal, but now resting my body took priority over filling my stomach.
I opened the door to my chamber and entered, sitting upon the bed.
In that moment, a flood of useless thoughts threatened to drive away the drowsiness creeping over me, but I steadied my breathing several times, disciplined my mind, and cast aside the needless musings.
As I turned my gaze away, something caught my eye.
“…What is that?”
The table where nothing had been placed.
Unlike before, a single sheet of paper now lay there conspicuously.
The moment I rose hastily from my seat and approached to examine it, my hands trembled violently as I slowly grasped it.
“This… could this be…?!”
The sign I had waited for so desperately.
Strange patterns alongside several dots.
Nothing more than an enigmatic drawing that neither pointed to nor symbolized anything in particular, yet the instant I beheld it, I was seized by exultation, my eyes gleaming with fervor.
I began to turn the matter over in my mind as I examined it slowly.
A cipher that none unconnected to Singyeo could decipher.
I was filled with the will to unravel it.
Even the drowsiness that threatened to overwhelm me was swept away as I began to decode it with an expression brighter and more animated than ever before.
Then, at some moment.
“Chief Administrator—! Chief Administrator—!”
Creak!
Having committed the decoded message to memory, I hurried from the chamber.
As though not a single moment could be wasted.
The footsteps of a man who had grasped the final lifeline hanging from the depths of despair.
Upon my face swirled ecstasy, anxiety, and madness intertwined.

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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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