The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 359

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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 359

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A vast stone chamber.
Sealed within, darkness refused to yield even to torchlight—such was the nature of this place.
With each step taken, sound rippled outward in endless echoes, while the wind whistling through crevices carried an unsettling desolation.
A place so cold it raised the hair on one’s skin.
Those who had set foot within gazed around and posed a question.
“Is this truly the place?”
“Without doubt.”
The pale-faced man Heo Baek received a nod from the figure leading the way ahead. The man in black robes bore an embroidered symbol of Singyeo upon his chest—a distinctive mark.
At his resolute words, Heo Baek stepped forward.
Though he held no torch and could see nothing, he moved without hesitation, as if blessed with exceptional night vision.
It was a matter of perception.
He understood how the air flowing through the stone chamber disturbed against obstacles and what it brushed past, so even without sight, darkness posed no obstacle.
Soon he came to a halt at one location.
His eyes, visible between the mask’s gaps, trembled slightly.
His hand extended without hesitation and touched something.
Rumble—!
As a great sound erupted from pushing something massive, the Singyeo disciples watching swallowed hard and held their breath.
“There it is.”
A colossal stone coffin.
Having opened it, Heo Baek grasped something within.
An ancient map made of leather.
“It… it was actually here?”
“Did you think we came searching for something that doesn’t exist?”
“Ah! No, forgive me. It’s simply unbelievable. Surely… even the Sect Leader didn’t know a map inscribed with the Great Cheonma’s secret location existed.”
At the man’s words, Heo Baek let out a quiet scoff.
A secret location? That was not it.
This was the place where the Great Cheonma’s final breath lingered.
Where his corpse had been enshrined.
The Great Cheonma’s Abyss.
The true objective was to retrieve the Gok Ok within that place.
“Let’s go.”
Heo Baek did not hesitate.
With the map in hand, this chamber had served its purpose.
The priority now was to leave as quickly as possible and begin the detoxification.
Whoosh—!
However, nothing ever comes easily.
Cracks began spreading across the walls from somewhere, and soon the damage spread throughout the entire structure.
The ceiling collapsed, raining debris like a downpour, while the ground trembled and the floor tilted in places.
That was when Heo Baek’s expression darkened.
As he hurriedly launched himself forward, everyone pushed off the ground.
Crash—!
What followed was the sound of the stone chamber collapsing.
Everyone knew that being buried meant certain death, so they all deployed their lightness techniques at full speed to escape.

* * *

The festival concluded grandly, and the Martial Arts Alliance obtained the results they desired. People continued speaking of the festival, marveling and exclaiming over the tournament outcomes with great enthusiasm.
This atmosphere was not limited to Jeongju alone.
Even nearby Luoyang seemed affected, as the gloomy mood that had lingered from recent events had noticeably lifted.
Smiles returned to people’s faces.
“To think a single festival could change the atmosphere so much….”
“Indeed. The Alliance Leader’s judgment was sound. But… what do you plan to do with that land where the festival grounds were built? Leave it vacant?”
I shook my head at Chaeseoha’s sudden question.
That land was vast, with endless possibilities for development.
Though I had already profited and could leave it idle until the next martial tournament, I would never abandon a place where money flowed in naturally.
I smiled faintly.
“I plan to hold events every year. Spectacular ones at that. Magnificent enough that visitors won’t regret paying premium prices to attend.”
Once people grew accustomed to it, annual events would become a landmark of Jeongju, drawing massive crowds at the appointed time.
Much like Master Wang’s birthday celebration in Hebei.
But it had to be even more lavish and allow for greater expenditures.
Chaeseoha, who had been watching me speak with a smile, furrowed her brow and shook her head for some reason.
“You’re scheming something wicked.”
“I’m plotting how to make money.”
“Didn’t you earn an enormous amount this time? And you want more?”
“Money is difficult to earn but easy to spend. Since my coffers could empty at any moment, I must keep filling them.”
Everyone stared at me at those words.
They all let out hollow laughs and clicked their tongues, apparently thinking I was greedy despite having an inexhaustible well.
I smiled and changed direction.
“In any case, I have somewhere to be, so let’s part ways here. I’ll be back soon, so don’t worry.”
“Where are you going again!? It’s almost time for dinner.”
“Eat among yourselves.”
I waved my hand without giving Jang Chuchyeong a proper answer and moved on.
As I leisurely walked through the streets toward the Hwaseon Inn, it seemed Baek Jin-hwa had anticipated my arrival, for an elaborate table was already prepared in her quarters.
Anyone could see it was set up with me in mind.
I gazed at Baek Jin-hwa with a smile playing at my lips.
She smiled brightly and bowed her head.
“Congratulations on the festival’s grand success in Jingzhou.”
“I’m not the one who deserves congratulations. The Alliance Leader should receive them. I merely assisted.”
“Hehe— but that’s not what people are saying. They say the festival would have been dull without the Jin Family stepping forward.”
“Well, that’s kind of you to say.”
I moved my chopsticks and satisfied my hunger.
The cook’s skill was considerable—everything I ate seemed to melt on my tongue.
Meanwhile, Baek Jin-hwa’s voice continued endlessly.
“They say the match between Myeong-ryun and Namgung Yeon was the climax. What did you think of it? From the perspective of someone who might claim the title of next Sword Emperor?”
“Sword Emperor? It was simply a decent match. In my view, Myeong-ryun essentially won, but the Alliance Leader set aside his pride.”
“To preserve the Namgung Family?”
“Yes. Moyong’s vacancy is significant, and if the Namgung Family fills that role, there’s no better choice.”
Baek Jin-hwa nodded at my words.
As if verifying whether the information they had interpreted matched what I said.
Because the match drew far more attention than expected, it seemed many places—whether due to distance or other reasons—had sent requests seeking information about it.
I glanced upward slightly.
“Anhui is asking many questions, it seems?”
“Hehe— how did you know?”
“Because they’d be most troubled if Namgung Yeon’s name became known.”
With the Chohyeon Clan gone, the martial world of Anhui was in complete chaos. Those who rose above this turmoil would become the new masters of Anhui—that much was certain.
But if the Namgung Family’s name suddenly emerged?
Those who knew the reputation of the Number One Sword Sect better than anyone would have no choice but to strongly oppose such a development.
They wouldn’t want to kneel before that name again.
Thus, there could be nothing but numerous information requests.
I shook my head and laughed incredulously.
“Instead of worrying about the Namgung Family’s name, they should work harder. Tsk tsk.”
“Hehe— they probably want it though. The title of Anhui’s foremost clan.”
I nodded in agreement with her words.
It’s a name that would make any martial family’s mouth water.
“Regardless, it’s not a major concern. Anything else?”
“Hmm— there’s nothing particularly noteworthy for your interest. Ah— of course, that matter in Sichuan you mentioned before. Rather, the rumors seem to be dying down….”
“Dying down means no one has seen it anymore.”
“Wouldn’t you say so?”
The fact that no more strange tales are spreading means the Tiger’s Horn has ceased its movements.
Whether that’s fortunate or not, I’ll discover in time.
Right now, something else was more pressing on my mind.
I filled the empty cup before me and posed a question.
“One more thing then. Is there anything you’re hiding from me?”
“Hiding… something? There’s nothing like that.”
Baek Jin-hwa’s expression was honest.
Rather, my expression showed confusion about what she meant.
As I held her gaze and narrowed my eyes slightly, Baek Jin-hwa seemed to realize the gravity of the situation and began thinking rapidly.
Then, something occurred to her, and she spoke it aloud.
“Could you be referring to… the bandits…?”
“Yes, it seems like something’s missing from the picture.”
“Well, there is something, but it’s such an absurd story. It’s the kind of thing that would make you smile wryly if you heard it, Young Master. That’s why I didn’t mention it.”
To gather more accurate information, she filtered out implausible details. Since that was Baek Jin-hwa’s method, I didn’t think her judgment was wrong if the story truly seemed absurd.
I lifted my cup and signaled with my eyes for her to continue.
“Hehe— it really is a ridiculous story, but… the bandits apparently… died once.”
“Died? Yeon-un?”
“Yes, he was struck by a bandit’s blade and his heart and pulse stopped for three days. When his companions tried to send his body home… he woke up. Ah— of course, that part isn’t verified.”
“Is there something else?”
“Yes, there is, but… I can’t find any information about it.”
Baek Jin-hwa furrowed her brow and offered a bitter smile.
It seemed she also found the matter strange and had tried to gather more accurate information.
But the results didn’t appear to be as good as she’d hoped.
“When Ha Omun can’t obtain information, there are usually two reasons.”
“Yes, either no one possesses the information, or they’re dead.”
“Is it the latter this time?”
Baek Jin-hwa crossed her arms and stifled a groan.
Uncertain how to explain, she hesitated for a long moment, and I suddenly spoke what came to mind.
“They’ve disappeared? His companions who were with him?”
“Ah, precisely. We searched everywhere thinking they might be dead, but found nothing. If they’d disappeared, there should be traces, but there aren’t even those.”
“They’ve vanished completely…?”
That reminded me of Na Jukeum, that man.
An existence that vanished suddenly in the midst of a crowded festival street. Without leaving a single trace or sign, he’d disappeared without a trace.
There was only one way to explain this.
The poison of the Shadow Assassins.
If it erased existence itself, not even a corpse would remain, so no one could find anything.
I furrowed my brow and let out a hollow laugh.
“The more I dig, the more this man gives me a headache.”
“Hehe— if you find him so troublesome, Young Master, wouldn’t it be better to let him go?”
“As they say, the greatest threat is the one kept in plain sight. Especially since… there are several things that bother me.”
It wasn’t just the disappearance of those connected to Yeon-un that was the problem.
Beyond that, there were several other matters.
Yeon-un and Haryeon.
The relationship between master and Sword Boy felt somewhat awkward, and the way he kept her close with such intense attachment and affection caught my attention.
Beyond that—
“If you wish, Young Master, shall I dig a bit deeper? About that child Haryeon as well?”
“No, that would be a waste of time.”
I shook my head at Baek Jin-hwa’s suggestion.
If someone approached me with a clear purpose, they would not have left traces that could expose their identity.
Just as her associates had disappeared one by one.
Thus, no matter how hard Ha Omun tried, she would not be easily revealed.
In the end, I had to unearth the truth myself.
That is why I chose not to cast her out, but to keep her close.
If I could perfectly discern her purpose, I might also gain clearer insight into whether these people served the Dark Sect or Gwanbaek—and what their true objectives were.
I narrowed my eyes and set down my chopsticks.
“Ah—and I felt you should know this as well.”
“What else is there?”
At my question, Baek Jin-hwa’s expression hardened.
As if struggling to voice something difficult, she steadied her breath and delivered words as weighty as a mountain, her gaze turning grave.
“Yes, the Dark Sect is moving again.”

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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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