The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 320

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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 320

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The journey into Luoyang proved far easier than usual.
I traveled in a fine carriage and filled my belly with expensive delicacies.
Moving at a leisurely pace as if compensating for all the hardship endured, what should have taken two days stretched into four as I savored every moment.
There was a reason for moving so slowly across such a short distance.
The Shadow Assassins.
Those who had moved to kill Moryeong Hyeok might very well be targeting me, so I deliberately slowed my pace to draw them out.
Yet after four days, there was no response.
Whether they were being cautious or had other reasons, one thing was clear—they were not approaching.
Perhaps Sa Myeong-gyeom himself would handle this matter personally, so he had not issued orders regarding me.
I furrowed my brow briefly at such thoughts, but realizing no answers would come either way, I cast the speculation aside.
Thus the carriage entered Luoyang without incident.
Familiar streets and the voices of people.
After taking in the sights of the city I had known for so long, the massive gates of the Jin Family of Luoyang finally came into view, swinging wide open.
The moment the carriage stopped and I stepped down, a familiar voice struck my ears.
“Young Master!”
It was Jang Chuchyeong rushing toward me with a bright smile. As if discovering someone he had longed for, his eyes sparkled brilliantly as he approached, then stopped before me with a grin.
“Ha ha! Why did you take so long?! I was about to go search for you, really!”
“I was delayed by some business. But nothing troublesome happened here?”
“No! Nothing major occurred. But how did your task go?”
“It went well. The Emperor was quite satisfied.”
At my words, Jang Chuchyeong’s expression brightened with satisfaction.
Since we had labored together to achieve this result, he could only rejoice at its success.
Then he clung to me with a cheerful bounce.
“Come on, let’s go! I’ve cleaned your quarters spotlessly. Not a speck of dust!”
“I told you to rest, yet you cleaned instead?”
“Isn’t cleaning the same as resting?”
At my words, Jang Chuchyeong tilted his head as if bewildered. True to his words, he seemed not to consider cleaning work at all.
I shook my head despite myself and moved forward.
Following Jang Chuchyeong’s urging toward the annex, Paeng Dohan, Namgung Yeon, and Eon Garyeo soon appeared.
Chaeseoha’s absence—was she in the medical quarters?
I observed without dwelling on it, then tilted my head as something seemed amiss.
“Cheon Yul is nowhere to be seen. Is he following So-ha around again?”
“…It seems Soocheonchu has returned.”
“Returned, you say?”
“Yes.”
It was Namgung Yeon who answered my question.
She nodded, her brow furrowed as if displeased, yet her eyes gleamed with an inexplicable sense of satisfaction.
I turned my gaze toward Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo.
Since they had been by my side the longest, I sent them a look asking them to explain.
“Ahem! We’re not entirely sure either. After the sparring match, he said he had something to attend to and returned to his quarters, but when he didn’t come back for so long, we knocked on his door in the evening only to find him gone.”
“There was no luggage either?”
“That’s right. There wasn’t a speck of dust left as evidence of Young Master Cheon’s presence.”
At their words, I furrowed my brow.
He disappeared suddenly without any particular incident?
A suspicion crossed my mind that he might be plotting something else, but I soon drew a sharp breath as a memory from the past surfaced in my thoughts.
“So it’s already that time.”
“Pardon?”
“No, it’s nothing.”
I smiled bitterly and resumed my steps.
It must be precisely this period.
The death of Cheon Gong-hak, the Heavenly Lord of the Sa Do-cheon.
It won’t happen immediately, but judging from how hastily Cheon Yul disappeared, such an event will occur in the not-too-distant future.
Cheon Yul’s sudden departure must be to inherit everything that remains in Cheon Gong-hak’s possession.
“When I see him next, he’ll be far more formidable.”
I clicked my tongue lightly and shook my head.
Cheon Yul, who will obtain everything Cheon Gong-hak possesses.
The only consolation is that there’s no animosity between us, but since he prioritizes matters of the Sa Do-cheon above all else, even our friendship could collapse at any moment—there’s no way to predict it.
He’s simply unpredictable.
I looked around at those present and smiled.
“We must strive harder. When I meet Cheon Yul again, the gap between us will have widened.”
“What… is the matter?”
I heard Namgung Yeon’s question but walked on without answering.
Yet I could see the fierce determination burning in their eyes and expressions—a refusal to lose to an outsider.
They would surely devote themselves even more intensely to training from now on.
“Yeon-a, come with me.”
“Yes.”
I left the others behind and entered the quarters with Namgung Yeon.
As I opened the firmly shut door and stepped inside, the interior—spotless as Jang Chuchyeong had described—assaulted my eyes.
Even the subtle fragrance wafting through the air revealed just how much care he had taken.
I felt at ease in such surroundings and took my seat.
Then I gazed at Namgung Yeon, who stood motionless.
“Sit down. Were you planning to speak standing?”
“Ah— Yes, my apologies.”
She, flustered and uncertain, quickly found a place to sit.
As I gazed steadily at her across from me, she seemed to feel embarrassed and lowered her eyes, bowing her head.
“Where should I even begin… Yes, first it’s the Sword Emperor. You’ve likely already suspected it, but that man is dead.”
“…As expected, Young Master did it?”
“Venerable Hyemyeong had already dealt him a severe blow. I merely seized the moment when he was weakened. But this matter need not reach anyone’s ears.”
Namgung Yeon, understanding the intent behind my words, nodded. Even facing death itself, I could sense his resolve never to speak of this.
I smiled with satisfaction in my eyes.
“And next, this will be quite shocking news even for you.”
“Is it about the Moyong Family?”
“Yes. Moryeong Hyeok, who was taken to the Martial Arts Alliance, is dead. Along with all the warriors and elders there.”
“…!”
“And this matter too… will not reach the outside world.”
“From the Martial Arts Alliance….”
“Yes, they intend to cover it up. The Alliance’s prestige has already been severely damaged, so they won’t want this known.”
Namgung Yeon clenched his fists tightly.
With Moryeong Hyeok’s death, the Moyong Family is essentially finished.
Though direct descendants remain and the family still operates, as time passes their power will weaken and they’ll struggle with finances.
To overcome this situation, an exceptional successor would need to take the helm, but with the Family Head and Young Master’s fates unknown, elevating someone to that position is unimaginable.
Therefore, the Moyong Family will inevitably collapse.
Then, as if sensing a question, Namgung Yeon asked with a puzzled expression.
“Did the Alliance Lord take action?”
“No, don’t try to learn about the culprit. Even the Alliance is desperately searching, but without results.”
“…!”
At those words, Namgung Yeon’s eyes gleamed.
His gaze fixed on me spoke volumes.
Were they ‘those ones’?
The mysterious entities I’d faced countless times until now.
His eyes held the certainty that it was them.
I simply smiled without answering and finally broached the main topic.
“The situation stands thus, and I know your dream is to rebuild your family. It still is, yes?”
“Yes, of course. I intend to raise the Namgung name high once more across the realm.”
At such resolute words, I nodded.
The will and determination to accomplish it no matter when—it was unmistakable.
Moreover, with the Moyong Family no longer an obstacle and seeing her continue to grow stronger, it was clear this future was not far off.
I intend to give her a push now.
“What the Martial Arts Alliance needs now is talent. Exceptional talent at that. If you enter and make a name for yourself through your accomplishments, it will greatly aid the Namgung Family’s restoration.”
“…Yes?”
“You can build a foundation, and with Gonghuang and Tae-hwang there as well, it’s an unparalleled opportunity to forge connections.”
At my words, Namgung Yeon’s eyes widened.
At first she seemed not to understand, showing confusion at each word, but now she closed her eyes slowly.
Watching Namgung Yeon’s reaction, I passed the decision to her.
“This is my thought—what do you think?”
“Truly… I am grateful for your kind offer. However, I have no intention of leaving the Jin Family.”
I was actually taken aback by the firmness in her words.
The timing was truly opportune.
The martial world of Jeongdo is currently experiencing unprecedented chaos. It would be perfect for reestablishing the name Namgung in people’s minds, and that would be a tremendous force in rebuilding the family.
It was strange that she would refuse such an opportunity.
I tilted my head and asked back.
“Why?”
“It is undoubtedly an attractive proposal and situation. If I were to go to the Martial Arts Alliance as you suggest, there is no doubt that the dream of establishing our family would be advanced by ten years.”
“Yes, I think so too. So….”
“However, once the chaos in the Martial Arts Alliance settles, what awaits afterward will be political struggle. I am still lacking, and I have not yet developed the character to navigate through such things.”
“Hmm….”
“My older brother and I still need to learn and master much more, so leaving the Jin Family would be the worst mistake.”
Namgung Yeon swallowed hard as she spoke those words.
While I could not deny her reasoning, it seemed she was not staying for that reason alone.
I quietly crossed my arms as I gazed at her.
“What is your true intention?”
“I believe that a few years by your side will allow for faster growth than ten years within the Martial Arts Alliance. Moreover, you will soon have your name inscribed in the Sword Emperor’s records, will you not? A connection with the Sword Emperor would support the Namgung Family’s name far better than the Alliance’s venerable masters.”
“Haha.”
An expressionless face and a tone of complete indifference.
As her words flowed out as if she had a steel plate for a face, I found myself laughing despite myself and shaking my head.
But Namgung Yeon’s thinking was correct.
There was no denying that being by my side would be more advantageous for growth than the Martial Arts Alliance.
“You are more shameless than I expected.”
“I… learned it from the Imperial Guard. That sometimes people must be shameless….”
Namgung Yeon lowered her head again, her face flushing red.
Whether it was because Jang Chuchyeong’s name had been mentioned or because she had been called shameless, I could not tell, but in any case, she had made an amusing choice.
“If that is your choice, I understand. I will not mention this matter again, and if you change your mind, you should bring it up first.”
“Yes, thank you, Young Master.”
“Very well, you may go now.”
Namgung Yeon bowed deeply and left the room.
As she closed the door with careful hands and disappeared, I, now alone, let out a short sigh, rested my chin in my palm, and gazed out the window.
What came into view was the scenery of the courtyard.
There I could see Namgung Yeon’s retreating figure as she left the annex.
As I quietly watched her hurrying away in quick steps, I found myself smiling with a deep smile on my lips without realizing it.
“This is how one must do it… to earn trust.”
Namgung Yeon and Jang Chuchyeong were the core forces who would play the most important roles in dealing with those like Singyeo and Gwanbaek.
However, unlike Jang Chuchyeong, who had served me all his life, Namgung Yeon was bound by circumstance, and there were times when I needed to ensure her loyalty and trust did not waver.
Just like now.
Feeling the smile lingering on my lips not fade easily, I finally rose from my seat and cast off my clothes.
Soon, the moment I took a step toward bathing.
Creak—
The door suddenly swung open and Chaeseoha stepped inside.
“So you’re back—.”
In that instant, she froze mid-step.
Her wide eyes fixed upon my entire form, unmoving, and soon I could see her face flushing crimson.
Then, she slowly began backing away.
Creak—
As if someone had deliberately slowed time itself, her movements were agonizingly sluggish—the way she retreated and closed the door behind her was unnaturally drawn out, and strangely, her gaze remained fixed downward, never leaving me.
Thud—
The moment the door shut completely.
“Huh?!”
Along with Chaeseoha’s small cry, the sound of hurried footsteps thundered loudly down the corridor.
“Ha—.”

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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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