The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 316
—————
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 316
“How long has it been, really?”
“Ha, so the rumors were true—you really did join the Jin Family of Luoyang.”
Five men gathered before me, their eyes fixed on Namgung Baek, whom they hadn’t seen in ages, their expressions dripping with mockery.
Once, they had been members of the Changryong Dan.
Though not disciples of prestigious families, their martial prowess had earned them recognition—enough to gain entry into the Martial Arts Alliance.
Their gazes converged upon Namgung Baek.
The shabby attire I had grown accustomed to seeing was nowhere to be found, and the impoverished expression and dull eyes had transformed into something remarkably dignified.
The Jin Family martial robes he wore suited him well, a testament to the rigorous training he had undergone, which had hardened his physique considerably.
His complexion had improved so dramatically that without careful scrutiny, one could no longer recognize the impoverished Namgung Baek of old.
And yet.
“H-ha, it’s been a long time since we’ve met.”
The habits formed by years of servile living did not fade easily. The inferiority ingrained in his gaze forced his head to bow involuntarily.
Dragged from the marketplace streets to this place.
Behind them stood a dilapidated abandoned house, and an unkempt courtyard.
To anyone’s eyes, it was clear they hadn’t brought him here with good intentions, so Namgung Baek swallowed hard, his tension laid bare.
One man swept his hair back with a sneer.
“You heard? The Changryong Dan disbanded because of your master?”
“No, that’s not—”
It was Moryeong Hyeok’s fault.
Yet the target of their rage had already vanished.
Given the circumstances, they couldn’t vent their anger on others, and Namgung Baek—now living far better than in the past, standing right before their eyes—was the easiest target upon which to unleash their fury.
Even if they went too far, there would be no consequences.
“The Golden Dragon boasted about that incident and rose in fame, but what about us? The Changryong Dan was disbanded, and we were cast out from the Martial Arts Alliance.”
“We’re all ruined, yet you’re living far too well, aren’t you?”
The man’s eyes narrowed sharply as he stepped forward.
Then he drove his fist toward the abdomen.
But it was slightly slow.
Namgung Baek, having followed Yang Jachun and endured countless trials and battles, could not be felled by such a simple punch.
Whoosh—!
Evading simultaneously.
“Huh?”
The man’s brow furrowed as he thrust the hand guard of his sword into the opening.
Crack—!
“Ugh!”
“Looks like you’ve put in some effort. Well, living comfortably in the Jin Family without worries for life, you’d better make that effort.”
Smack—!
The hand guard swept across again, striking his head.
As my valley trembled from the impact, I crouched down and wrapped both hands around the strike point, only for another man’s kick to come flying at my face.
Whoosh—!
“Don’t resent us too much. If the Golden Dragon hadn’t interfered in the first place, the Changryong Dan would never have been dissolved. Isn’t that right?”
“Ugh… If the Young Master hadn’t stepped forward… you would all have died there.”
Namgung Baek struggled to his feet, gritting his teeth.
Even if he spoke the truth, it meant nothing to them.
They simply needed a target upon which to vent their rage.
But I had to show that I was no longer the same as before.
Clang—!
Namgung Baek drew his sword and wiped the blood from his mouth.
His sharp eyes gleamed as they fixed upon the five men, and his clenched teeth revealed an unwavering resolve never to yield.
“I will no longer simply take your blows as I once did. I have no intention of bringing shame upon the Young Master’s name… so if you wish to continue, be prepared.”
At the sight of someone as insignificant as Namgung Baek drawing his sword against them, the men let out hollow laughs of disbelief.
Then, regarding him once more, they too gripped their swords and rushed forward without hesitation, swinging wildly.
Crash—!
I blocked the sudden strike without panic.
But there was no time to be satisfied with that.
Slash—!
Another sword came slashing at my abdomen, and though not deep, it tore flesh and brought searing pain.
“Ugh?!”
I staggered backward, attempting to regain my stance, but with my current skill level, fighting one against many was simply beyond my capacity.
Someone’s kick struck my chest, and as I fell backward, a blow came crashing down upon my face.
Thud, thud, thud—!
“Hack!”
I let out a rough groan and curled my body inward.
Though I tried desperately to protect my vital points, it seemed meaningless against the relentless fists and kicks of these men.
“You crazy bastard, don’t you know your place!”
“You entered the Jin Family and now you think you’re actually one of them? You’re nothing but a worthless insect!”
Endless pain accompanied by voices that shattered my very pride.
I tried to defend myself and seize any opening, but the relentless onslaught carried the will that even death would be acceptable.
In the end, I too steeled myself for death, gritting my teeth.
Abandoning defense, I reached out and grabbed the incoming leg, biting down hard.
“Ahhhhhhh!”
As I bit down with the ferocity of tearing flesh away, a scream that was almost a wail pierced the air.
The men struggled desperately to pry me off, but I only clenched my jaw harder, as though I would never let go even in death.
“Ahhhhh!”
“Damn it! Kill him!”
Then, one of the men, unable to bear it any longer, drew his sword.
Without a moment’s hesitation, it came thrusting down, clearly aimed at my throat.
But then—?
Clang—!
A hand shot from nowhere and seized the blade.
The man, startled by this incomprehensible turn of events, widened his eyes, and the moment he identified the hand’s owner—
Crack—!
A fist arrived even faster, shattering his face.
“Come on, there’s a limit to playing around. This is just outright murder intent.”
“What?!”
“…!”
Jang Chuchyeong appeared without warning, discarding the sword from his grip before methodically scanning the four men clustered together.
As his bestial gaze sharpened with a chilling gleam, those surrounding Namgung Baek began swallowing hard and retreating.
“…Jang Howei.”
“Are you alright? You look like you’re in considerable pain….”
I… I’m fine.”
“You can barely speak properly, yet you claim you’re fine?”
Only then did Namgung Baek, finally freed from his agony, attempt to rise with great difficulty, but having taken such a severe beating, he staggered and could scarcely stand.
Jang Chuchyeong sighed at the sight, then extended his heavy hand and pressed firmly upon Namgung Baek’s shoulder.
The man, who had been trying to stand, collapsed back down instantly.
“Stay seated for now. I’ll take you home shortly.”
“Ugh?”
Leaving Namgung Baek to his groans, I turned my attention elsewhere.
One man with a shattered face had already lost consciousness, leaving only four remaining.
Realizing that something had gone terribly wrong with Jang Chuchyeong’s sudden arrival, they all bore expressions of deep displeasure.
“…Do you know who we are, acting this way?”
At these unexpected words, Jang Chuchyeong was utterly exasperated.
He let out a hollow laugh, shook his head, then with a twisted expression began picking at his ear while furrowing his brow.
“What good is a family name once you’re dead?”
“…!”
It was of no consequence.
Even if the Nine Sects or the Eight Great Families stood before him, Jang Chuchyeong’s resolve would not waver. His eyes narrowed to slits as he committed each of the four men to memory, and soon a dark smile played across his lips.
“If you’re going to fight, come on. If not, bow your heads and apologize first, don’t you think?”
“….”
The men could not easily charge forward, merely exchanging glances with one another.
Though they wished to rush at him, their spirits had been broken by what had just transpired, and their bodies refused to move—caught in an awkward position where they could neither retreat nor advance.
But Jang Chuchyeong found this displeasing.
“If you’ve drawn your blade… didn’t anyone teach you to at least cut something?!”
Boom—!
In an instant, he kicked off the ground and surged forward.
Like a wild beast unleashed, his piercing gaze blazed with intensity, and the men’s complexions turned ashen.
One of them hastily drew his sword and launched a preemptive strike.
He seemed desperate to intercept Jang Chuchyeong’s closing approach, but despite the tremendous speed of his charge, the incoming blade was evaded with ease, and a heavy fist was unleashed in its place.
Whoooosh—!
“Gack?!”
With a violent impact, his body skidded across the ground.
From the way his eyes rolled back and his body convulsed, it seemed unlikely he would rise again anytime soon.
Yet Jang Chuchyeong’s assault did not end there.
He pivoted swiftly, twisting his frame to strike the shocked opponent’s abdomen, and before a ragged gasp could escape the curled man’s lips, he delivered a crushing blow to the back of his skull.
Crack—!
“Ugh!”
“Kgh?!”
Perhaps enraged by seeing three comrades fall so easily?
Two men drew their swords with terrifying speed.
They unleashed a relentless barrage of azure blade energy, attacking with such density that there seemed no opening to evade—as if they possessed exceptional skill in coordinated swordplay.
Yet.
“Stop playing around!”
Jang Chuchyeong threw a punch.
As his fist collided with the incoming blade—
Clang—!
The sword shattered.
Capturing the shocked expression on the man’s face, he extended his hand and seized him by the hair with brutal force.
Then, spinning around, he hurled him toward the one attacking from behind.
Whoooosh—!
The two men collided violently, their heads crashing together, and their formation crumbled as their attack fizzled into nothing.
“Nngh…”
“Guh…”
Jang Chuchyeong gazed at them with the look of one observing incompetent fools and clicked his tongue.
“I am Jang Chuchyeong of the Jin Family. If you harbor resentment over today’s defeat, come find me again. You may even bring your clan’s people.”
“The Raging Blood Beast…”
“Kgh!”
The Raging Blood Beast.
There was no one in the Central Plains who did not know that name.
A solitary figure who stood against the Green Forest bandits alone, creating a storm of blood against nearly a hundred opponents.
Those who beheld his visage, merely hearing the name, trembled and cast their eyes downward, unable to meet his gaze directly.
Jang Chuchyeong smiled once more at the sight, and addressing those still conscious, he spoke.
“You should be grateful I am here. Had my younger brother been present instead, you would not merely be beaten—your heads would have rolled.”
“…!”
“Hik?!”
At those weighty words, the two men’s faces drained of color. Though they knew not who his younger brother was, such a pronouncement from the Raging Blood Beast himself weighed heavily upon their shoulders.
Observing their expressions, Jang Chuchyeong rose to his feet.
He then turned his gaze toward Namgung Baek, who stared blankly in his direction.
“Will you accept my apology?”
“No, it’s… fine.”
If I said I’d accept their apology, Jang Chuchyeong would force them to kneel regardless. But what meaning would there be in accepting such an apology anyway?
I was simply furious.
Furious at displaying such a pathetic state, at having my pride trampled, and at creating a situation that could have brought shame upon the family.
And on top of that, being rescued by another’s hand.
Namgung Baek slowly steadied his breathing and looked directly at Jang Chuchyeong.
“Someday… I will settle this debt myself.”
“Haha—.”
At those words of resolve, Jang Chuchyeong laughed heartily.
Soon after, he approached and patted my back roughly.
“That’s right, a man must have at least that much spirit. Now that’s what I call a proper brother!”
“Ugh! That hurts.”
Namgung Baek furrowed his brow at the sharp pain radiating from his back and rose to his feet.
Severely injured and unable to maintain proper balance, when Jang Chuchyeong extended his hand to support me, I grasped it and walked slowly.
Then, I looked at Jang Chuchyeong, who was grinning with amusement in his eyes.
“But… where is Yeon-a?”
“…Ah!”
Only then did Jang Chuchyeong remember Namgung Yeon, his eyes widening.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————