The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 288
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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 288
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From the beginning, this situation was constructed on two boards.
One was to expose the relationship between Moryeong Hyeok and Singyeo to the Martial Arts Alliance, and the other was to inform the martial world that there existed a hidden force powerful enough to manipulate the Moyong Family.
In the end, Hye-myeong stepped forward as I had orchestrated, and through the Martial Arts Alliance members waiting nearby, not a single one escaped—they were all eliminated.
Since they had come seeking the Sword Emperor, they brought only the Martial Arts Alliance’s greatest forces, and thanks to that, we suffered no significant losses.
Those who resisted were executed on the spot, and those captured either bit their tongues or swallowed poison to take their own lives.
From the Martial Arts Alliance’s perspective, it was nothing but frustrating.
The only consolation was that Moryeong Hyeok remained alive and they had captured the Moyong Family warriors who were fleeing.
For the Martial Arts Alliance, that was the extent of what could be called a harvest.
But once Hye-myeong had stepped forward personally, it could not end like this.
The Yunryong Inn.
The lamps in that empty place burned brightly, and all manner of Martial Arts Alliance figures were gathered around, filling the space.
As if this place had become the grand assembly hall of the Martial Arts Alliance itself.
I stood motionless, watching one person intently.
The Alliance Master, Hye-myeong.
The sharp gaze and fierce momentum he had displayed on the battlefield had vanished somewhere—now he regarded me with a soft expression and gentle eyes, as if he had received the compassion of Buddha.
“Amitabha—does the Young Master of the Jin Family find this gathering uncomfortable?”
“Not at all. I’m not particularly bothered, so there’s no need to worry.”
“Then that’s settled. Hehe—I merely wondered if you might prefer to speak with just the two of us.”
At those words, I shook my head and looked at Hye-myeong.
A thick scent of blood emanated from the blood-stained monk’s robes, filling the inn. It was impossible to even imagine how many lives had been taken.
A river of blood flowed across the floor, vivid crimson, washing away the blood-soaked robes like rain.
Despite his gentle countenance, his appearance spoke plainly of how mercilessly he had severed lives.
Right now, I had no desire to sit alone with such a person.
I offered a bitter smile and glanced around at my surroundings.
On one side were the Nine Great Sects, on the other the Eight Great Families.
Their gazes remained fixed upon us, unwavering.
In some faces lay scrutiny, in others’ eyes lay distrust. In the prolonged silence, each person’s eyes seemed to speak their own thoughts.
“First, I must ask—why are you here?”
“I came to resume business that my uncle had shut down.”
“…But you believe that explains why you were at the Yunlim Temple during the chaos?”
Power infused Hye-myeong’s voice.
While the reason for being in Beijing was certainly understandable, he could not fathom why we had been present as the melee unfolded.
A small smile played at my lips.
“You may not be aware, but the Moyong Family and I had some dealings recently. As a result, I’ve been digging into their information thoroughly, and thanks to that, I was able to learn that Moryeong Hyeok was coming here.”
“Dealings? Could it be related to the Dan Li Family?”
At that moment, someone’s raspy voice rang out.
A person sitting beside the Alliance Leader.
Shabby appearance and disheveled hair.
He looked as though he would reek if one drew near, yet contrary to his appearance, he was counted among the strongest in the Martial Arts Alliance.
The Beggar King, Gwak Il-cho.
The Master of the Beggar Sect and one who held the Martial Arts Alliance’s information network in the palm of his hand.
I nodded as I regarded him.
“That’s correct.”
“Kha ha ha— I suspected as much. Did you have a hand in it?”
“No. I’m not certain what happened, but it appears they brought misfortune upon themselves.”
Gwak Il-cho regarded me with an intrigued expression.
Though I had prepared some excuse, unlike the few who nodded in agreement, Gwak Il-cho’s eyes gleamed with disbelief as the corners of his mouth rose.
He seemed convinced that there was some connection between me and this matter.
Given the Beggar Sect’s exceptional information network, he might uncover something, but I calmly brushed past it without revealing anything.
Then, Hye-myeong’s voice came again.
“Amitabha— so you went to investigate upon hearing that information?”
“Yes. Since they might attempt something again, we needed to verify the situation, did we not?”
“Hmm—.”
Hye-myeong swallowed a groan and gazed at us standing in a line, as if trying to read the face, expression, and eyes of each person.
As a result, Cheon Yul, who received that gaze, flinched and lowered his head; Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo offered awkward smiles; and Jang Chuchyeong regarded me with a bewildered expression.
“Then you also don’t know who Moryeong Hyeok made contact with?”
“Yes. Since the Alliance Leader stepped forward immediately, there was no opportunity to verify. Rather, it seems the Alliance Leader would know better.”
Hye-myeong stroked his snow-white beard and closed his eyes.
He seemed to be deliberating whether to believe my words, but no matter what measures he employed, he would find no flaw in what I had said.
Eventually, having steadied his breath, he regarded me once more.
“Then, if I may ask— what are your thoughts on this matter?”
It sounded like a simple question seeking my opinion.
However, his eyes contained something more.
As if he wished to remind those who could deny reality of something important.
I accepted that and answered with a slight smile.
“I suspect it may be a force that lent strength to the Moyong Family. As those esteemed Myeongsuk here surely know, was their martial skill not similar to the Sword Emperor’s Ascending Heaven Sword Technique?”
Suddenly, sighs echoed from various places.
Since they had directly encountered and experienced it themselves, they would not be unaware that their martial techniques resembled the Sword Emperor’s Ascending Heaven Sword Technique.
Even setting aside the difference between sword and hand techniques, and the fact that the Ascending Heaven Sword Technique contained the Sword Emperor’s interpretation, the texture was far too similar for them not to have witnessed it directly.
That was why no one could deny it.
At those words, the Myeongsuk either squeezed their eyes shut or exhaled sighs of resignation.
The revelation of the Moyong Family’s story, following that of the Sword Emperor, was inevitably shocking to everyone present.
“Amitabha—was there truly nothing else you discovered?”
At Hye-myeong’s question, I shook my head.
There was no need to elaborate unnecessarily.
If everyone simply understood that a powerful force existed capable of controlling and manipulating the Moyong Family, I could redirect the gazes that had been fixed upon me elsewhere, at least for a time.
That was sufficient.
It was then that a sigh escaped Hye-myeong’s lips.
“In the end…we must rely on the Moyong Family’s testimony….”
Regardless of the irregularities they had committed, one could not deny that they were once the foremost family supporting the righteous path of the martial world.
The prospect of potentially resorting to torture to extract information from such a prestigious clan seemed to weigh heavily on him, and gossip among the common folk was already a concern.
This was also why the expressions of many of the Myeongsuk grew troubled.
However, without opening the mouth of Moryeong Hyeok, the true linchpin, there was nothing substantial to be gained.
From the Martial Arts Alliance’s perspective, this was undeniably a frustrating situation.
In the end, Hye-myeong steadied his breathing and rose from his seat.
There would be plenty of urgent matters to attend to immediately.
“Should anything come to mind, inform the Martial Arts Alliance.”
“Understood.”
I bowed lightly and saw the Myeongsuk out.
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“Ugh—I’m exhausted….”
“Phew—this heavy atmosphere doesn’t suit me at all.”
Once the Myeongsuk of the Martial Arts Alliance, who had been deliberating for some time, slipped out of the inn, sighs and the sound of tension being released could be heard from various corners.
In particular, Cheon Yul had perspired so heavily that his clothes were drenched with cold sweat.
Witnessing this, I couldn’t help but smile.
“In any case, we managed to get through it without incident.”
“But that old geezer—the look in his eyes didn’t seem like he’d just let it go, did it? It looked like he’d definitely dig into you. Are you sure it’s fine?”
I nodded at Cheon Yul’s words.
Hye-myeong aside, one must not underestimate Gwak Il-cho, the patriarch of the Hundred Sects.
As one who commands ten thousand sects, he is seasoned, possesses deeper insight, and is meticulous enough to scrutinize even the smallest details.
He will certainly attempt to verify the true intent behind my words.
“There is nothing that can be directly connected to me at present, so it should be fine.”
However, for the time being, the Hundred Sects’ attention will be directed toward us.
To confirm their peculiar suspicions.
This will impose certain restrictions on my movements, but I did not dwell on it heavily.
What the Hundred Sects desire is ultimately information.
If nothing materializes, they will grow weary of their own efforts.
At that moment.
Jang Chuchyeong, stretching grandly as if savoring the changed atmosphere, cast a sidelong glance toward Namgung Yeon with a drowsy expression.
“Now that I think about it, that’s the issue.”
“What do you mean?”
“If someone’s going to think, wouldn’t it be better to actually live a little? Hmm?”
“What are you… what are you saying?”
Namgung Yeon’s expression grew bewildered at the sudden words, and his wide eyes turned toward Jang Chuchyeong.
“No, I’m talking about that Moryeong Hyeok. No matter how badly he was beaten during the Gansu incident and how much resentment he harbored, why did you have to smash him to pieces like that? If you’d restrained him within reasonable limits, would the Martial Arts Alliance have tracked us all the way here? That bastard opened his mouth and went somewhere else.”
“….”
At those words, veins suddenly bulged across Namgung Yeon’s forehead.
He couldn’t possibly be unaware of the grudge between the two families, yet judging by his tone of complete indifference, he either knew and didn’t care, or had deliberately pushed it from his mind because he didn’t want to care.
I leaned toward the latter interpretation.
“This whole troublesome mess happened because of you. If you’re going to be a guard, then act like one, hmm? Think about the Young Master when you take action—do you understand what I’m saying?”
At the rebuke that followed, Namgung Yeon’s body trembled.
Fire ignited in his eyes as he stared at Jang Chuchyeong, and he quietly drew the sword gripped in his hand.
The killing intent was thick.
It wasn’t mere intimidation.
It was as if he truly intended to kill.
Did he sense it?
Jang Chuchyeong quietly approached me and whispered.
“Look, Young Master, is it because he’s young? He has no patience, does he? He’s trying to kill me right now, isn’t he?”
“Be quiet. Don’t provoke people unnecessarily.”
“No, but… my words aren’t wrong, are they? It’s clear that this young one caused this troublesome situation. Isn’t that right, young one?”
“That’s not something an elder should say. Especially after turning the battlefield into a wasteland….”
“Hahahaha! Because I did that, everything ended smoothly. What did you do besides smashing Moryeong Hyeok to pieces and capturing him? Why are you acting so proud?”
“…Perhaps this is an opportunity to correct your manners. This young one would be happy to help.”
Shing—
Namgung Yeon drew his sword halfway.
His determination to rampage inside the inn at any moment was crystal clear.
In that instant, Jang Chuchyeong clenched his fists and took his stance.
“Oh my! Want me to give this young lady some proper discipline?”
The gathered people couldn’t hide their panic at the sudden situation that seemed ready to explode.
Unlike Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo, who couldn’t figure out how to stop them, Cheon Yul cheered the two on, urging them to start the match.
The moment I unknowingly furrowed my brow.
Rumble—!
Thunder roared again, and the sky flashed once more.
Everyone held their breath in surprise at the deafening sound and the brilliant light, and only then did the commotion settle.
Yet they continued to glare at each other, grinding their teeth.
Patter, patter—
I sighed and turned my gaze toward the window.
The sound of pouring rain drummed loudly against my ears.
As I gazed at it and narrowed my brow, the fading voice of the dying man pierced through the sound of the rain and struck my ears once more.
“Sa Myeong-gyeom and Hyeonrak…”
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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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