The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 336
—————
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 336
* * *
A month had already passed since the Sword Emperor incident.
The places once filled with tears and anguished cries were gradually regaining stability, and those who wept over that day’s events were beginning to disappear.
However, the tears that vanished were transforming into rage that burned ever brighter.
Martial artists who learned of what their comrades and kinsmen had suffered began sharpening their blades against the Moyong Family.
“Let us gather and fight! Now we must repay this debt!”
The incitement started by someone was spreading like wildfire.
It was not merely the bereaved families, but martial artists of considerable skill who had grown furious over the countless incidents that had unfolded within the Moyong Family rising to their feet.
Two hundred souls had gathered in Luoyang alone.
If those from all corners of the Central Plains who were grinding their teeth or harbored ill will toward the Moyong Family were to join, their numbers would become truly uncontrollable.
The Number One Sword Sect?
It had long since fallen to the ground and burned to ash.
The Eight Great Families?
Those called the prestigious families had begun calling themselves the Seven Great Families, cleanly excising the name of Moyong.
As a result, the Moyong Family, receiving aid from no one and instead finding themselves surrounded, would face utter annihilation if they could not appease this rage immediately.
“Quite the chaos, isn’t it.”
“They brought it upon themselves.”
As I listened to the tales, I smiled.
Glancing sideways at Namgung Yeon’s complexion, she appeared somewhat relieved, yet still harbored a trace of resentment.
Was it because she could not end it with her own hands?
Or did the resentment of her ancestors still linger?
Whichever it was, it seemed insufficient to fully ease her heart.
“Would you consider joining the subjugation force?”
“…I must decline.”
“Very well, then that settles it. Some resentments cannot be resolved no matter how much blood is spilled.”
“I… understand.”
I smiled as I watched Namgung Yeon nod her head.
She then drew a deep breath, exhaled slowly, and composed her turbulent heart before turning her gaze away.
“Hya-!”
It was then that a loud shout rang out from somewhere.
Without thinking, I turned my gaze and saw Gu Gunbaek dragging Chu Hyeongi by the scruff of his neck—as if he had caught him trying to escape.
“What is the matter?”
“Seems I need to step out for a moment. Someone from the Martial Arts Alliance has arrived.”
“From the Martial Arts Alliance?”
“I know nothing of it, so handle it yourself.”
Gu Gunbaek smiled casually, waved his hand, and then disappeared once more into the training grounds, dragging Chu Hyeongi along.
Looking at his condition, it seemed I couldn’t keep Chu Hyeongi with me for a while.
As I clicked my tongue and turned my gaze away, I caught sight of Namgung Yeon watching Jang Chuchyeong disappear with a look of regret in her eyes.
Upon confirming that expression, my eyes widened without thinking.
“Don’t tell me… you have feelings for Chu Hyeongi?”
“What? What are you talking about?”
“Anyone can see it in your eyes, so I asked.”
“…It’s a misunderstanding.”
Namgung Yeon turned away as if she didn’t want to hear any more.
But with her face flushed crimson, I could instantly discern the true state of her heart.
Namgung Yeon and Jang Chuchyeong?
I let out an involuntary laugh.
“So in the future, a marriage between the Number One Sword Sect and the Junior Prince of the Southern Barbarian Beast Palace… just thinking about it is amusing.”
“That’s not it!”
At the sharp cry that burst forth, I broke into laughter.
Watching her stride ahead with indignation, I was filled with the desire to tease her further, but before I could, I noticed someone standing before the main gate and erased the smile from my lips.
Gwak Il-cho, the Lord of the Beggar Clan.
He stood outside the gate, surveying the surrounding landscape.
I hurried forward and offered a proper bow.
“It has been a long time, Lord Gwak. I thought you had already departed…?”
“There was something I needed to verify in Luoyang, so I remained.”
“Something to verify, you say?”
“The Sword Emperor’s corpse. The one you tore to shreds.”
“Haha….”
Gwak Il-cho frowned as if something displeased him. From the look of it, he had painstakingly pieced together the mangled remains one by one to confirm it was truly the Sword Emperor.
That persistence was even more chilling than Mo Ryeong-san’s.
“In any case, you are truly remarkable. To have defeated that Sword Emperor…”
“I was merely fortunate.”
“Puh- Do you take me for a fool? As Tae-hwang himself said, this is not something that can be achieved through luck alone.”
“Then… is today’s visit about the Sword Emperor?”
As I changed the subject and broached the main topic, Gwak Il-cho shook his head.
His eyes revealed that he was sick of hearing about the Sword Emperor.
“No. The Alliance Master is looking for you.”
“To the Martial Arts Alliance… I must go?”
Gwak Il-cho nodded, then gazed at Namgung Yeon standing beside me.
Sensing discomfort from his piercing stare, Namgung Yeon turned away and averted her gaze, whereupon Gwak Il-cho smiled and delivered the rest of his message.
“That girl as well.”
“Yeon-a too?”
“Yes. You’ll hear the details when you arrive. The distance is short, so take your time on the way. Ah- but you must arrive within four days.”
“…Understood.”
Was there nothing more to discuss?
Gwak Il-cho simply turned his back and left.
Without so much as a farewell, he vanished in an instant, leaving Namgung Yeon and me standing there with bewildered expressions.
“What on earth could this be about?”
“He either discovered something, or found himself in a situation where he could discover it… or perhaps there’s something that mustn’t be revealed to others.”
“…I cannot even begin to guess.”
“Neither can I.”
I furrowed my brow, searching through my memories.
Had the Alliance done something during this period in the past?
Even if they had, could it happen again at this same time? No matter how I thought about it, nothing made sense, and nothing came to mind.
“Prepare yourself for now. Be ready to depart at any moment.”
“Understood.”
Namgung Yeon bowed his head and moved with urgency.
Though it wasn’t far, there were countless things to gather.
As I turned back toward the separate quarters, I continued to wrestle with the questions that lingered in my mind.
But since nothing particular came to mind, it seemed this mystery could only be resolved once I entered the Alliance.
“It never stops tormenting a person.”
In that moment, I let out an involuntary hollow laugh and shook my head.
“Has something unfortunate occurred?”
At the sudden voice, I narrowed my eyes and turned my gaze.
What came into view was none other than Yeon-un.
Far improved from before, he limped forward as though even walking remained difficult.
At his side, as always, was Geomdo Haryeon.
With a cold expression, he walked silently forward, and when Haryeon stopped, Yeon-un stood before me with a bright smile.
“Ha, it’s been quite a while since I’ve seen your face, as you haven’t visited the medical quarters recently.”
“I’ve been too occupied with matters to spare the time. But… it appears you’ve recovered considerably. The same seems true for Haryeon here.”
“Yes! I’m doing fine, but the physician said Haryeon still has a long way to go. Ha, thanks to that, I’m imposing upon your hospitality for quite some time.”
“Don’t burden yourself until you’re fully recovered. This is a matter we became entangled in, after all.”
“I appreciate you saying so. Ha, then I won’t hold back—I’ll settle in quite comfortably for a good while longer!”
Yeon-un spoke with his usual good-natured manner and laughed heartily.
At the sight of him, I too smiled and gazed at Haryeon.
“Are you well?”
At my question, Haryeon nodded.
Unlike before, much of the wariness had faded from his eyes.
It seemed some rapport had developed between us.
As I roughly ruffled the boy’s hair, Yeon-un, who had been watching, suddenly opened his mouth and interjected hastily.
“Ah—now that I think of it, is something the matter? Does your head ache…?”
“The Luoyang matter has concluded, but it’s not truly finished. And now the Alliance summons me again…”
“The Alliance? They’re calling for you, Young Master?”
“Yes, I haven’t the faintest idea what it could be about.”
At those words, Yeon-un grew visibly flustered.
“The Martial Arts Alliance?! You’re talking about the Martial Arts Alliance, right? The one where all of Jeongdo’s greatest masters gather!”
“That is correct.”
“Ha ha— I’d love to see it too! Can’t I come along? Haryeon wants to see it as well, doesn’t he?! That’s where the true heart of Jeongdo’s martial world beats!”
Despite Yeon-un’s loud chatter, Haryeon simply nodded in agreement without objection.
As if he would nod along to whatever Yeon-un said.
But I smiled faintly and shook my head.
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible. Your health isn’t fully recovered, and you have a child to care for… Besides, the Alliance doesn’t permit entry to those who haven’t been invited.”
“I… I see?”
At my firm words, Yeon-un’s shoulders sagged.
A long sigh escaped his lips, as if he truly had wanted to go. Haryeon beside him did the same, as though merely mimicking his actions.
“If the opportunity arises next time, we can go together then.”
“Th… thank you! Seeing the inside of that place has been my dream, truly!”
“Any martial artist of Jeongdo would feel the same. Unless a martial tournament is held, there’s no way for anyone to enter. But… weren’t you headed somewhere?”
“Ah—! I was just taking a walk. Sitting in the medical hall all day made my body feel stiff…”
As Yeon-un spoke these words and was about to say something else, Haryeon beside him quietly tugged at his collar.
Tug, tug—
Yeon-un closed his mouth at the child’s touch, then his eyes widened as if remembering something.
“Oh my, what was I thinking! I’ve missed the time for my medicinal broth.”
“Ha ha, then you should hurry along.”
“Yes, Young Master! If it’s not too much trouble, please visit the medical hall often. People have been leaving one by one, and it’s gotten quite lonely…”
“I will.”
As I nodded, Yeon-un seemed delighted to have secured a promise, his expression brightening as he hurried to leave.
Watching him limp away quickly on his injured leg, it was clear he feared Chaeseoha’s scolding if he missed his medicine time—she must have been quite formidable.
“…”
I watched their retreating figures for a long while.
Then, as Haryeon walked, he turned his head to meet my gaze.
Eyes and expression completely free of any ulterior motive.
A look that revealed nothing of what he meant to convey.
Then he bowed respectfully toward me.
I waved my hand in return, and Haryeon quickly followed Yeon-un toward the medical hall.
It was then that I sensed a presence along with a sigh.
Turning my gaze, I saw two figures rushing toward me at incredible speed.
Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo.
They came to a stop before me as if something urgent had happened, their extreme lightness technique on full display, but they could only gasp heavily, unable to form proper words.
“Is something urgent the matter?”
“Ah, huff… pant… that, that is…”
“It’s… it’s this… haa…”
A mixture of words and breathing sounds made me frown, but then Paeng Dohan’s voice rang out loudly once his breathing had fully steadied.
“Is it true you’re going to the Martial Arts Alliance?!”
Did they rush over immediately after hearing it from Namgung Yeon?
They’re quite fast.
I nodded in response.
“Yes, the Alliance Leader summoned us.”
“We received an official dispatch from the main family as well. They said to enter the Martial Arts Alliance within four days.”
“Do you know what this is about?”
At Eon Garyeo’s question, I shook my head.
I wanted to know that myself.
The two people ahead didn’t seem to know anything either.
However, one thing became clear from this.
This was undoubtedly something that would shake the righteous martial world greatly.
Otherwise, they wouldn’t have summoned both of them.
“Prepare yourselves. We’ll depart early tomorrow morning… and take our time on the journey.”
“Ah… understood!”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————