The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 343

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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 343

Late into the night.
Whoosh—!
A group of shadow figures moved covertly with the wind, continuously tracking traces as if pursuing something, adjusting their direction accordingly.
They came to a halt at a single location.
A modest estate.
After confirming the place before their eyes, they concealed themselves throughout the grounds.
A man draped in a black robe regarded his subordinates with penetrating eyes.
Everyone had made their preparations.
As such momentum and intensity became evident, the man bearing a faint smile at the corner of his lips nodded and gestured.
Whoooosh—!
In an instant, those who propelled themselves off trees and earth vaulted over the estate’s walls in one breath.
The moment they descended into the courtyard.
They rushed forward like arrows and swiftly began penetrating into the buildings.
Crash—!
They shattered doors without hesitation and entered.
Sweeping through the empty, darkened spaces and advancing further, it took scarcely a moment to seize control of the entire estate.
Yet the problem was.
“There’s no one here.”
“Damn it….”
Goh Ak-sang, leader of the Black Horse Unit.
His furrowed brow surveyed the empty estate in all directions.
Signs of human presence appeared here and there.
As if to prove they had been here mere moments ago.
Yet they had already departed, their senses sharp enough to detect the approach.
“How many times is this now?”
“…Five times, sir.”
“Tch!”
Five attempts, five failures.
The fact that they were effortlessly eluding the Black Horse Unit—the fastest within the Demon Sect itself—proved their intelligence network exceeded imagination.
No, was such a thing even possible?
Goh Ak-sang furrowed his brow and clenched his fists.
“There’s a spy within the sect. In the intelligence division, no less!”
“I share the same suspicion.”
Had there been no one within the Demon Sect leaking information to them, they could not have escaped so flawlessly.
One failure could be attributed to misfortune, but five times transformed suspicion into certainty.
Goh Ak-sang spoke with irritation in his voice.
“I intended to finish this before he arrived….”
“Is Ogi coming?”
“Yes, the Sect Leader spoke of it directly, so it’s certain.”
Muk Hwang Mawoon’s greatest hidden card.
A man possessing enough power to kill Nam Tae-cheon himself.
I had thought he had vanished one day and concealed himself once more, but when an incident of such magnitude erupted, it seemed even the Sect Leader had no choice but to play that card.
Once, countless members of the Demon Sect had gathered all manner of information trying to deduce their identity, yet not a single person had uncovered it.
As if Mawoon had deliberately hidden their existence.
If that one were to appear and resolve matters once again, the position of the Black Demon Corps would inevitably become far more precarious.
For Goh Ak-sang, that was something he wished to prevent at all costs.
“There’s nothing to be done.”
“But it’s a good opportunity to witness their strength firsthand. In truth… isn’t it the accepted theory that the Sect Leader handled Nam Tae-cheon and took the credit for it?”
“Hmph!”
“And we can also verify the rumors about the true Young Sect Leader.”
Goh Ak-sang’s eyes narrowed further.
The name was Cheon.
Because he did not reveal his face properly, no one knew of him save the Sect Leader and his inner circle, and even those around him could not grasp him fully.
Everyone kept their lips sealed.
But what was clear was that the Sect Leader trusted him deeply, and proof of that was the sword he possessed—one forged by the Master of the Forge, who crafted blades only for the Sect Leader himself.
This was why the rumors of the true Young Sect Leader had spread.
Goh Ak-sang shook his head with a reluctant expression.
This was not the time for such thoughts.
I must resolve this before he arrives.

“Find the traces.”

I rode my horse swiftly toward Gansu.
Though the distance was considerable, the journey would be quick if I took the right roads.
Seeing that I had already passed through Henan and entered Shaanxi, it seemed no more than ten days remained until I reached my destination of Gansu.
It appeared I would soon meet the leader of the Black Demon Corps.
With such thoughts, I glanced to the side.
The figure of Na Cheonmun, driving his horse hard in pursuit.
Behind him, I could see Yeon-un and Haryeon, their faces pale as they struggled to catch their breath.

“That child… is coming along, I hear.”
“Ah, yes. He says he’d rather die than be alone. I tried to talk him out of it, but he wouldn’t listen.”
“…Is that alright?”
“Simply riding a horse or moving about is fine. As long as he doesn’t suffer any serious shock. His body is still delicate, after all.”

I had already healed most of her wounds.
Yet Chaeseoha continued to hold onto Haryeon, not only because the internal injuries ran deeper than expected, but because she was determined to somehow restore her ability to speak.
Whether it was a physician’s sense of duty or simple compassion.
She seemed to regard this child Haryeon with particular affection.
Yeon-un, on the other hand.
Guided his horse with utmost care for the sake of Haryeon, who rode upon his back. Despite his body jolting and absorbing impacts, his expression remained entirely free of pain.
His internal and external injuries had already fully healed.
I had been observing him throughout our journey into Shaanxi, yet he had done nothing particularly suspicious. Rather, he had rapidly grown close to Na Cheonmun, and the two had already become childhood friends.
“So this Na Cheonmun, you see, was able to ascend Cheonma Peak.”
“Oh! That’s incredible! Haha, truly, Young Master Jin. You’ve accomplished something truly unbelievable!”
“It would have been impossible without Young Master Jin, haha. As for me… I merely followed along at the rear.”
“Come now, Soldier Yeon-un worked hard gathering those what-do-you-call-them tokens, so wasn’t this result achieved because Young Master focused on just one? We accomplished it together, after all.”
“That’s… true, isn’t it? Haha! Now that I think about it… I seem rather impressive?”
He rambled on.
As I listened to the events from Tianshan and offered praise and agreement, Na Cheonmun became even more animated, his mouth moving ceaselessly.
From the moment we first met until our parting, he recounted everything, his lips never ceasing their motion.
Thanks to this, the atmosphere was pleasant.
Not only did Yeon-un offer his agreement, but Haryeon, listening to the story, wore a far brighter expression than usual.
I turned my gaze upward to the sky.
Twilight was gradually descending upon us.
It seemed we should stop here for the day.
“Let us make camp here.”
“Ah, yes! I shall search for a suitable location.”
As if he had been waiting for rest, Yeon-un quickly responded and nodded.
He slowly guided his horse, surveyed the surroundings for some time, and soon, apparently satisfied with what he found, approached and led us forward.
Having lived the life of a wanderer for so long, he had a keen eye for selecting campsites.
The space Yeon-un chose appeared suitable for camping.
A spacious area with adequate brush and trees.
With water flowing on one side, it seemed unlikely we would find a better location.
With the site secured, the two men moved with purpose.
Na Cheonmun kindled a fire, while Yeon-un prepared provisions.
As I quietly observed the two of them, I suddenly sensed a presence and turned my gaze, only to find Haryeon had quietly approached my side and was gazing at me intently.
In her small hands, she still held Yeon-un’s sword treasured close.
“What is it?”
I asked, though I expected no answer.
Her tilted head and fixed stare were so endearing that I found myself smiling, and I pointed to a spot beside me, patting the ground.
“Sit. It’s far better than standing.”
At my words, Haryeon carefully approached and settled down beside me.
Still silent, Haryeon gazed at me.
Her eyes held so much within them.
Innocence and naivety shimmered in her eyes, yet beneath them lay the sorrow of abandonment and fear of the days to come.
Disappointment in herself for being unable to speak.
All these emotions were tangled together in a complex web.
“Do you enjoy following Yeon-un around?”
At my question, Haryeon nodded.
Her eyes watching Yeon-un move about busily gleamed with a peculiar light.
Whoooosh—
A cold wind swept through at that very moment.
A chill that seemed to announce winter’s swift approach.
When it engulfed Haryeon and me, goosebumps rose on my skin.
I had long since reached the realm of the Eternal Frost Body, but when Haryeon trembled from the cold, I retrieved a thick Daoist robe from my bundle and handed it to her.
“Wrap yourself in it. You need it more than I do right now.”
Haryeon nodded and accepted the robe, draping it around herself.
Soon after, her expression visibly relaxed as she managed to endure the cold better.
A campfire had already been kindled and blazed brightly, and food had been prepared.
It was then that we all sat huddled together, filling our empty bellies.
Haryeon lifted her head and gazed at the moonlight rising above.
Silver light lingered briefly in her eyes before fading away.
As that quiet moment passed, rustling sounds and a presence emerged from beyond the forest bathed in moonlight.
It was as if someone were passing through that place.
Only then did I turn my head.
A presence that seemed to be drawing ever closer to us.
After a brief moment, Yeon-un and Na Cheonmun, who had been eating, also seemed to notice, turning their heads to watch in one direction.
“I see, so there really are people who know about good spots like this.”
“Ha, looks like we’ve lost our place to someone else.”
Those who appeared were merchants.
They approached slowly with enormous bundles on their backs, and their faces fell upon discovering that people already occupied their known haven.
In such situations, leaving was the proper course of action.
But they did not do so.
“Pardon us. If it’s not too much trouble, might we use the remaining space?”
Na Cheonmun and Yeon-un turned to look at me, seeking my approval.
I regarded the two of them for a moment before asking a question.
“Where do you hail from?”
“Ha, from Gansu. Whew— we’ve walked such a distance that we’re exhausted, you see… If it’s acceptable, we’ll just use that corner over there.”
“If you would share some information about Gansu…”
“Haha! Is that all you wished to hear? Of course. That’s no difficult matter at all.”
Several merchants laughed and settled into the corner. One by one, they set down their heavy burdens and began creating their own space.
“So, what sort of story would you like to hear?”
“Nothing in particular. Just tell us anything at all.”
“Hmm— you likely already know about the Gongdong Sect… but are you aware of the matter between the Jin Family of Luoyang and that other sect?”
“I’m well aware of that.”
The man leading the merchant caravan stroked his rough beard as if troubled, wondering what story might prove entertaining. After a moment of thought, his eyes suddenly brightened.
“What about a tale of ghosts?”
“Ghosts?”
“Haha, it’s a rumor circulating recently from Gansu. A person was in an empty manor, but vanished overnight. The amusing part? All the doors were locked, yet the next day they were all wide open.”
At those words, I regarded the merchant intently.
I wore a somewhat bewildered expression and let out a hollow laugh.
“I’m not sure what’s amusing about that.”
“Hmm—so that’s not it? Then… what about this? A Demon Sect Disciple has apparently appeared in Gansu.”
“…A Demon Sect Disciple?”
“Hahaha, of course I’m not certain. But isn’t that the sort of thing that makes ears perk up?”
The merchants burst into loud laughter.
Since the Demon Sect had been inactive for so long and peace had been maintained, they all wore expressions of indifference.
Only Yeon-un wore a bitter smile, and Na Cheonmun stiffened.
I displayed composure, held a smile, and posed another question.
“It’s an amusing rumor, certainly… but it’s not entirely baseless, is it?”
“Well, truthfully I’m not sure. They say there was a tattoo on the chest depicting a divine tree… so that’s just speculation.”
“Right, let me ask about that. If a Demon Sect Disciple has appeared, why is everything so quiet?”
The merchant opened his eyes wide, regarding me.
His expression clearly suggested he was testing whether I truly believed it.
“Not a soul actually believes it. In the first place, what business would the Demon Sect have here? Are they planning to strike the Gongtong Sect?”
“Exactly! Moreover, the place where they were supposedly seen is already beyond Gongtong Sect territory. Since even the Gongtong Sect, who should be most sensitive to such matters, remains quiet, these gossips are simply spinning sensational tales to get a free drink.”
As I listened to the merchants’ words, laughter escaped me unbidden. After all, accurate information was circulating, yet no one seemed particularly concerned.
Thanks to that, the movements of the Black Demon Sect would face no obstruction.
I turned my head, laughing in response to the merchant’s words.
Clear eyes gleaming with moonlight, the child listened quietly to the conversation.
I gazed at that sight for a moment, then turned my gaze away indifferently.
“….”
Saaaa—
The wind that blew felt strangely cold.

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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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