The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 38

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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 Nakhyang Jin Family — Chapter 38

* * *

Despite Baek Jin-hwa’s arrival, I didn’t relocate to another room as I had done previously.
This place was my Annex.
Even here, it served as a reception room for distinguished guests.
The chamber was quite spacious and ornate.
Designed to impress visitors, every single object within it was priceless.
Even Baek Jin-hwa, sitting demurely, couldn’t hide her astonishment as her eyes darted about, taking in all the precious treasures surrounding her.
The way she swallowed hard, her throat dry, revealed that she possessed a discerning eye—she understood just how invaluable everything here truly was.
After a brief moment, the door opened and a maid entered.
“Hmm? Why did you come in?”
“Everyone seemed busy, so…”
Yet what was peculiar was that the one who entered was not a maid at all, but Chaeseoha. She carefully set down the tea and refreshments she carried, then cast a fleeting glance toward Baek Jin-hwa before turning to leave.
It was incomprehensible.
Thud, thud—
The sound of her footsteps as she departed was unusually heavy.
Meanwhile, there was a gaze fixed with interest upon Chaeseoha.
It belonged to none other than Baek Jin-hwa.
She watched Chaeseoha intently, her face concealed by a veil, and only after confirming her departure did she turn her attention back to me.
A captivating smile played at her lips.
“So that’s the woman. The one who didn’t hesitate to fight the Green Forest Bandits to save her. And as you mentioned, Young Master, the Imperial Palace has already sent a request regarding her.”
“I see.”
“It seems quite urgent. They’re offering a substantial sum. But your agreement with me takes precedence, so you needn’t worry.”
“Just delay them for a while. It will all be finished soon anyway.”
“The Emperor, you mean?”
“Who knows?”
At Baek Jin-hwa’s question, I let out a soft chuckle.
She wore a displeased expression, but I paid it no mind and brought the teacup to my lips.
Baek Jin-hwa, who had been watching me intently, released a small sigh and withdrew several sheets of paper from her sleeve, placing them on the table.
I took them and examined their contents.
They contained information about the Eastern Families.
As I read through the details silently, Baek Jin-hwa, who had been sipping her tea, let out a soft laugh of derision.
“Quite an interesting clan, really. They’ve become famous for producing a fair number of Imperial Guards. But they’re even more notorious for their unsavory reputation.”
“Unsavory reputation?”
As I listened to Baek Jin-hwa’s account, I continued reading. A small martial family established in an insignificant village.
Having produced Imperial Guards and gained power and authority through them, naturally anyone would be tempted to wield that power they held.
Moreover, there was nothing to stop them.
“They covet village women and engage in trafficking, protect the Thugs and pocket bribes, and do things too vile to speak of aloud.”
Upon hearing this account, I nodded in acknowledgment.
This was information that the Hao Gate itself had investigated.
There would be no falsehood in a single detail written here.
Only then did I understand why the bodies of the Dongfang Family had been discovered so late, despite their deaths. Their reputation was so thoroughly tarnished that the villagers had apparently avoided approaching them.
It was likely that no one had ventured near until the stench of decay had spread.
It was self-evident that the villagers must have cheered when the Sega finally collapsed.
With such thoughts in mind, I continued reading the remaining contents.
The movements of the Family Head and his direct relatives were documented in meticulous detail.
Among these, one entry caught my eye particularly.
“The Family Head acquired a peculiar statue?”
“It appears to be quite an ancient antique. A golden statue, they say, and he’s been going about boasting of it. Would you like to know where he obtained it?”
At those words, I shook my head.
What I sought was the Jade Orb, not a golden statue.
I had wondered if it might somehow be connected to the Jade Orb, but it seemed difficult to find any link.
Baek Jin-hwa observed my headshake and promptly handed me another sheet of paper.
“And this is the person you were searching for.”
At that moment, Baek Jin-hwa passed me a different document.
Upon receiving it, I smiled quietly.
“I confess I have wondered—who could this person be that our Young Master would take such interest in?”
“You need not concern yourself with this man. And I shall honor my promise soon enough.”
“Your promise?”
“The matter of the Black Crow Society.”
As I spoke with a smile, Baek Jin-hwa’s expression shifted to one of considerable surprise. She must have thought it would take longer, or that I would not keep my word at all.
Yet to move against the Black Crow Society so swiftly—it was understandable that she would be taken aback.
Unable to form words in the face of this unexpected turn, she regarded me with eyes searching for my true intentions.
I gathered the documents she had provided.
Then, drawing several silver coins from my pouch, I handed them to her.
“Again?”
“What I need is manpower. Those Thugs from last time would be perfect.”
“What on earth are you planning to do?”
“That is not your concern.”
With those words, Baek Jin-hwa exhaled a long sigh. She seemed frustrated by the continuous stream of incomprehensible developments.
There is much I cannot yet reveal to you.

* * *

And so I finished my brief conversation with Baek Jin-hwa over tea.
She had circled around with indirect questions, as if trying to unearth something further, but having failed to obtain what she sought, her expression darkened as she departed.
Unfortunately, there was nothing I could offer her at the moment.
Just then, the firmly closed door swung open and Chu Hyeongi entered.
His shoulders sagged, his expression weary.
With eyes that spoke of exhaustion, he shook his head slowly, then looked toward me with a hollow laugh.
At such a sight, I found myself laughing despite myself.
“Ugh… I’m exhausted, absolutely exhausted.”
“Exhausted? From cleaning?”
“What are you talking about? I finished all the cleaning already. Right now, Master and the Family Head are drinking together.”
“Drinking?”
“Yes, they brought some kind of Western liquor and the two of them are having quite the time with it. The aroma is so potent it’s difficult just being in the same room. Ugh…”
Chu Hyeongi wiped away cold sweat and collapsed onto the floor. He must have completed all the cleaning himself, and had been attending to Father and Gu Gunbaek in the dining hall.
Anyone would have been exhausted.
I smiled and comforted the boy.
“You’ve worked hard. But who else would look after your master?”
“Of all people, to have such a man as my master…”
“In time, he will become someone you should be grateful for. Endure this brief hardship.”
“Yes, yes, I understand. But…”
Chu Hyeongi glanced around, searching for Baek Jin-hwa’s presence. Confirming her absence, he steadied his breath and asked with some disappointment.
“Why did that young lady come?”
“I gave her a task. That’s why she came.”
“Hmm…”
Chu Hyeongi stared at me intently.
Soon, as if contemplating something, he swallowed a groan, then broke into a sly smile—a mischievous expression that reminded me of Gu Gunbaek.
He was already beginning to resemble him.
“So that means! The Young Master has something to do, and this Chu Hyeongi must follow along… is that it?”
“No.”
“Huh?”
I firmly denied it to the suddenly excited boy.
This was not the sort of matter Chu Hyeongi should be involved in.
Moreover, he had not yet properly mastered Gu Gunbaek’s martial techniques, so this was still a time for him to mature through continued training.
“You stay and guard the house. I’ll be back soon, so don’t worry.”
“No, you’re really going alone?!”
“Yes.”
“Please take me with you! You’re the only one who can save me from this hell!”
“Endure that hell. That’s how you’ll move forward.”
At my words, Chu Hyeongi fell silent like one struck dumb, closing his mouth. Realizing that my firm resolve left no room for persuasion, tears welled up in his eyes as he bolted from the room.
“I hate you, Young Master!”
I watched the boy dash away like a delicate girl, and found myself shaking my head.
That madman.
I barely restrained the curse rising to my lips.
Steadying my breath, I spread my bundle across the bedchamber.
Four days—wasted.
If I didn’t move immediately, there was no telling what situation might unfold. Because of this, I clearly understood that delay was no longer an option.
Then.
The firmly closed door opened once more.
Watching the door open repeatedly without even the master’s permission, I found myself wondering why a door even existed in this room.
The one who entered was none other than Chaeseoha.
“Young Master, where are you going?”
“I have matters to attend to.”
“Another distant journey?”
“Fortunately, not quite so far this time.”
When I went to meet Gu Gunbaek, I had to travel all the way to Shanxi.
But the Dongfang Family is different.
Their estate lies in Hannam, so if I ride hard, I thought it wouldn’t take long to arrive.
I fastened the bundle lightly across my back.
Chaeseoha, who had been watching silently, murmured softly.
“Please take this with you.”
“What is it?”
“It’s a wound salve I made myself. Young Master, you’re always walking a tightrope….”
I looked at the small bottle she handed me.
Wound salve from the Divine Physician Clan?
It was a precious thing that couldn’t be found even if one searched the entire Central Plains. If it became known to the outside world, there would surely be many willing to pay a fortune for it.
I accepted it and placed it in my robes.
“Thank you. I’ll use it well.”
“I hope you find yourself in a situation where you don’t need to use it.”
“…You’re right.”
At her sharp remark, I found myself nodding and forcing a smile despite myself.
I should hope, as she said, that I avoid injury as much as possible.
I chuckled softly and gave her back a light pat. Startled by the sudden touch, she soon seemed to find some reassurance in it, offering me what looked like a smile as she glanced back.
As if she were seeing me off.
I waved to Chaeseoha and made my way toward the stable.
Confirming the dark-coated horse still displaying its noble bearing, I carefully mounted and took the reins firmly in hand.

* * *

It was a small mountain interior.
A man sat tending a campfire, watching meat sizzle and brown over the flames, when strange figures began to emerge from the shadows one by one.
The man picked up the fully cooked meat and lifted his head.
Though the sudden shift was abrupt, he regarded it with the ease of familiarity, simply gazing steadily ahead.
“Seventh Squad, all assembled.”
“Good work. How does the situation look over there?”
“Normal as always.”
“The item?”
“Confirmed. It is undoubtedly what we’ve been searching for.”
At those words, the man nodded.
Soon after, he withdrew a single sheet of paper from his breast.
A drawing was rendered upon it.
A golden statue of Asura caught the eye, and the Gok Ok hanging from the statue’s neck was particularly striking.
“What I can’t understand is this.”
“What… do you mean, sir?”
“We’re the type who simply obey orders without question, so there’s no need for doubt, but…”
As the man spoke, he tapped the paper with his index finger, his brow furrowing.
What could something so small possibly be?
He seemed to harbor such a question.
“Why do they keep searching for this… that’s what I wonder.”
“That… doesn’t seem like something we should be thinking about.”
“Haha! True enough. But doesn’t it feel like the Shadow Assassins were created solely for the purpose of finding this object?”
“…”
“What could it be… what is it that warrants such lengths? I want to know the reason our commander shows such recklessness… that’s what I desire.”
No one could answer the man’s question.
Those gathered here were beings created merely to faithfully execute the orders handed down, and they must harbor no questions whatsoever regarding such matters.
Thus, the eyes of those regarding the man grew increasingly intense.
Should even a squad leader attempt to refuse orders, blades would surely be drawn.
Did Gyeom Sa-chan sense that atmosphere?
The commander of Seventh Squad shrugged his shoulders and spoke with casual indifference.
“Well, does it matter? We retrieve the item as ordered. Gather where the Dongfang Family is located. We proceed once I arrive.”
“Yes!”
In an instant—whoosh!
The men before him vanished all at once.
As Gyeom Sa-chan felt their presence receding into the distance, he tore into his meat again and let out a quiet chuckle.
“I’m curious, that’s all. What could it be that has the Sect in such turmoil…”
Gyeom Sa-chan licked his lips, his eyes gleaming.
Those glimmering eyes were filled with an insatiable desire to satisfy his burning curiosity.

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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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