The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 301

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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 301

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The next morning.
The moment I opened my eyes, a cool breeze brushed across my face.
Though the sun had not yet fully crested the mountain ridge, the air of Mudang Mountain was crisp and cold.
The instant I stepped out through the door of my quarters, a strange presence woven into the wind enveloped my entire body.
I could see the shadows of those hidden in the forest’s shade, behind buildings, concealed behind rocks and beneath eaves, followed by the sound of hushed whispers.
“Wow… the Golden Dragon, the Golden Dragon…”
“Shh! Be careful, he’ll hear us!”
“As if the Golden Dragon wouldn’t notice us hiding here.”
In that moment, a hollow laugh escaped me unbidden.
Far more eyes upon me than when I first arrived at Mudang.
It seemed that yesterday’s martial contest had drawn even those without particular interest, who now came to watch.
It was not mere curiosity.
The one who had defeated the Five Masters of Mudang.
One who had surpassed the very existence that Mudang disciples had revered and aspired toward their entire lives.
How could their hearts not be stirred when such a being stood right before them?
In truth, I had anticipated looks of jealousy or hostility.
Considering Mudang’s reputation, the situation of an outsider besting them could have been seen as a humiliation.
Yet the reality was the opposite.
Rather than anger born from defeat, a stronger attitude of self-reflection through that defeat emanated from them.
In that moment, a clear voice reached me from behind.
“Have you awakened, Young Master?”
Turning around, I saw Namgung Yeon approaching from a short distance away.
Despite the sun not yet having fully risen, her forehead and the nape of her neck were already drenched with sweat. Her clothes clung to her body in places, soaked through, and her breathing was ragged.
Anyone could see she had just finished intense training.
I could immediately discern the reason.
“It seems not settling the match was quite a shock for you.”
At my words, she fell silent briefly.
Her head drooped for a moment, then a flame-like intensity rekindled in her eyes.
“…More than that, I’m furious at being mocked by that Jang Howei.”
The way she gritted her teeth and clenched her fists was filled with desperation and rage.
Her entire frame trembled as if her very bones might shatter.
I gazed at those burning eyes for a moment, then smiled.
“I think the difference between you two is not as great as you believe.”
“But yesterday’s result…”
She muttered roughly, breathing heavily.
I nodded in acknowledgment.
“Viewed in isolation, it might feel sufficiently vast. But it amounts to mere pages of difference—a distance one could span with an outstretched hand.”
Namgung Yeon’s eyebrows twitched slightly.
“That is still unacceptable.”
Her voice was resolute.
Yesterday’s defeat had not shattered her pride, nor was she merely flailing against a sense of inferiority.
Rather, it was a flame that hardened her resolve.
Such provocation was actually welcome.
It would provide a stepping stone for further growth.
“Then I shall wash and return.”
“Very well.”
I nodded and sent her on her way.
Soon after, I began walking about the guest pavilion’s surroundings as if venturing out.
Being a guest, I could not freely wander beyond the pavilion. Regardless of which areas were accessible, I could not afford to invite suspicion through questionable actions.
And so, as I lingered about the perimeter in this manner—
“Great Master!”
Cheongdam would inevitably appear upon hearing the news.
True to form, Cheongdam came rushing over with an unrestrained shout and soon halted before me, his face breaking into a radiant smile.
“Did you rest well last night? I couldn’t sleep because of yesterday’s martial exhibition! Haha!”
“Thanks to you, Young Master Cheong, I slept soundly. But what brings you here so early in the morning?”
“Wasn’t I the one who promised to guide the Mudang sect? So the moment I heard you were awake, I rushed over! Haha! By the way, is there anywhere you’d like to visit? I know a few good places, though the Mudang sect—”
As his endless chatter continued, I turned my gaze away.
Then I fixed my attention on one particular direction.
“If it’s not too much trouble, I would appreciate a place where we might take a meal.”
“Ah—”
Cheongdam’s expression went blank as he realized his oversight.
He then scratched the back of his head with an awkward smile and nodded.
“Then let’s go! Ah, I’ll arrange separate guides for the others, so please don’t worry.”
Cheongdam, his face radiant with childlike joy, hurried ahead. His quick, pattering steps toward the dining hall made him seem like a mere boy.
Yet his stride and bodily movements—
Though he was called the youngest of the Five Masters of Mudang, his level appeared higher than Cheong-un, who had faced Jang Chuchyeong yesterday.
The reason he had not participated in yesterday’s exhibition made me suspect either he was deliberately concealing his strength, or Cheong-hyeon had hidden a card intentionally.
As I observed this, a smile crossed my lips.
“Young Master Cheong… might you perhaps be receiving instruction from Tae-hwang?”
“Huh?!”
In that instant, Cheongdam’s breath caught, and he glanced about left and right as if checking whether anyone might be listening.
In that moment, I was certain.
Cheongdam was the disciple of Taehwang Mujin.
Yet the fact that his surname was Cheong meant he deliberately chose not to reveal it?
Perhaps he was waiting for the moment of his completion.
“What… do you mean by that?”
“Just a feeling.”
At that casual remark, Cheongdam shook his head.
As if to say such a thing had never happened.
Judging solely by his resolute gaze and expression, one might think I had been mistaken, but instead of doubt, I felt certainty.
Yet Cheongdam seemed unwilling to reveal this, relaxing his hardened expression before breaking into a bright smile again, and soon he spoke.
“Ah, how could someone like me learn anything from the Grand Patriarch? That’s absurd. Now if it were Senior Brother Cheong-hyeon, that would be different.”
“Is that so? I suppose the atmosphere seemed similar, which is why I was mistaken.”
“Perhaps it’s because we’re both Mudang disciples?”
I nodded at Cheongdam’s words.
As if I had indeed been mistaken.
But with this, one fact became crystal clear.
Taehwang Mujin intended to nurture Cheongdam, not Cheong-hyeon.
Surely, he would place someone suitable in the vacant position of Sect Leader, use them as needed, and then naturally have Cheongdam succeed to that position once he came of age.
Cheong-hyeon would become completely sidelined, but in Taehwang’s eyes, Cheongdam was far more suited to inheriting the Mudang tradition than Cheong-hyeon, who had not fully mastered the sect’s teachings.
It was quite an amusing situation.
I smiled and turned my gaze elsewhere.
The Jasogung Palace, visible along the path leading to the dining hall.
Taking it in with my eyes, I changed the subject as if shifting the atmosphere.
“By the way, what is that place?”
“Ah- that’s the Jasogung Palace. It’s the residence of the Sect Leader. Though right now… it’s empty.”
“Empty? Why is that?”
“Haha, are you asking because you don’t know, or pretending not to know?”
In that instant, Cheongdam’s eyes grew cold.
Sharp in a way that could never belong to an innocent child.
As if trying to discern what intention lay behind my question, he turned his mind furiously to find an answer.
I let out a small laugh.
“Considerable time has passed since the incident with Martial Arts Master Ho-yeon. Yet it remains empty, which I find hard to believe.”
“Ah-! Well, I think so too. But the Elders say they don’t like it, and the Grand Patriarch says catching the culprit takes priority over filling the Sect Leader position… and so it goes.”
Most of the Elders were likely advanced in age, so the demanding position of Sect Leader probably held little appeal for them. Moreover, Taehwang believed that catching the culprit first and washing away the Mudang’s disgrace took precedence.
Naturally, the Sect Leader position could not be filled.
I stroked my chin lightly and spoke.
“What a shame. I would have liked to see the Jasogung Palace once…”
“Eh? You were curious about that place?”
“It was my dream to enter the Mudang’s Jasogung Palace. It’s a famous place, is it not? But if the Sect Leader isn’t there, there’s nothing to be done.”
I gave up cleanly with a small sigh.
Then, turning my gaze elsewhere, the moment I moved toward the dining hall.
“Hehehehe- the Jasogung is the heart of the Mudang. So you wish to see such a place?”
“Grand Patriarch! What brings you here?!”
None other than Taehwang Mujin appeared with a gentle smile. He didn’t seem to have come for a meal, nor did he appear to be taking a stroll.
As if he had been watching me from afar and revealed himself at the precise moment, I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
“So, you are Jin Cheon-u of the Jin Family?”
“Yes, sir.”
“You wanted to see the Ja-so Palace?”
“Yes, I was curious since it is said to be the heart of the Mudang sect. I apologize if I overstepped.”
“Hehehehe— no, not at all. Everyone is curious about such a place. The Ja-so Palace is, after all, the very symbol of the Mudang sect.”
Mu-jin, who spoke in a gentle tone, stroked his beard. As he did so, he seemed to contemplate something, and soon a small smile played at his lips as he gazed at Cheongdam.
“You may go now. I shall take this young one with me.”
“…Is that truly alright?”
“Hehehehe— do you think this old Daoist has fallen into dementia?”
“No, sir! Then, Great Master! I shall take my leave!”
Unable to withstand Mu-jin’s piercing gaze, Cheongdam hastily departed.
The way he ran without even glancing back showed just how terrified he was of Tae-hwang Mu-jin.
“Then, follow me. I shall open the doors of the Ja-so Palace for my guest from the Jin Family.”
“Is that truly…alright?”
“Hehehehe— what does it matter if a place has no master?”
Mu-jin spoke thus and began walking ahead.
I carefully followed behind him for quite some time.
I found this situation deeply uncomfortable.
I was walking behind Tae-hwang Mu-jin, the greatest elder of the Mudang sect, yet he said nothing, leaving only silence in his wake.
A chill so profound it made my mouth dry.
All I could do was walk, so I proceeded in silence until we stood before the Ja-so Palace.
Mu-jin opened the firmly closed doors and stepped inside.
I carefully followed him in, and as I turned my gaze, I could finally take in the landscape of the Ja-so Palace.
Evidence of efforts to preserve the Mudang’s scenery as much as possible.
Because of this, it felt as though the spiritual essence of the Mudang still lived here.
The massive Tae-geuk pattern carved at the entrance to the main hall seemed to testify to its age, as ancient as the deep history of the Mudang itself.
With each step forward, even my breath seemed to settle, as a solemn energy filled the space.
Without realizing it, I steadied my breathing, and Mu-jin, who had been walking ahead, came to a stop.
“Is it not magnificent? This is the very heart of the Mudang.”
Mu-jin traced the ancient Tae-geuk pattern and wore a bitter smile.
His eyes and expression were mixed with countless emotions.
Soon his gaze turned toward me.
An expression and eyes completely different from before—utterly indifferent.
I could sense that while he held some interest in the existence called Jin Cheon-u, I was neither more nor less than that.
Then, Mu-jin’s voice came again.
“By the way, have you ever met Jang Munin?”
Suddenly, a chilling question struck me.

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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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