The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 47

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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 108

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From childhood, Jin Ga-ryang had been rather strict.
He possessed a remarkable talent for calculating gains and losses, which flourished his merchant’s acumen, and coupled with that, he placed tremendous importance on principles.
My somewhat softer second and third brothers, and I as well, frequently received scolding from such a Jin Ga-ryang.
Whether it stemmed from his position as the eldest brother, believing he must manage his younger siblings, or from his intention to enforce the principles he had established, I could not say, but such a disposition made him rather exhausting.
I had bathed after a long time and entered my quarters.
As I dried my hair with cloth and searched for fresh clothes to change into, I noticed Jin Ga-ryang sitting in the room, his expression darkening menacingly.
“Change your clothes and enter the room properly!”
“Isn’t this my own room anyway?”
“We have a guest!”
“Since when did my brother become a guest?”
“What?!”
Though I spoke in a somewhat blunt manner, unable to withstand his piercing gaze, I hastily changed into fresh clothes.
But seeing water dripping steadily from my inadequately dried hair, Jin Ga-ryang’s expression suddenly contorted, and he abruptly rose from his seat, grasping a fresh cloth and approaching me to vigorously rub my hair like a madman.
“Hair must be dried thoroughly, or you’ll catch a cold. How old are you that you don’t even know that?”
“Brother, I have just returned from a long journey. I am exhausted, so please stop nagging me.”
“Nagging? Your actions defy common sense, that’s why I’m saying this! If you don’t wish to hear it, then simply do things properly….”
Though his hands gently removed the moisture from my hair with the cloth, his words were utterly harsh and rough.
Yet suddenly, his hands stopped, and a careful voice followed.
“I’ve heard the story. About Hong Gu-hyeon… I’m sorry.”
“What would you have to apologize for, Brother? It was that fool’s fault.”
“No, it was my mistake. I should have paid attention to such matters long ago….”
A single phrase laden with cold fury.
Though not the Young Master So, he was the eldest brother.
Moreover, since our relationship was not one where he and Father contended for position like Father and Uncle did, the bonds between my older siblings and I were quite strong.
Furthermore, Jin Ga-ryang carried the responsibility of being the eldest.
Without such responsibility, he would not have burned the midnight oil working in the first place.
Though he could not resolve many matters, including the affair with Hong Gu-hyeon, on his own, he worked through the nights with the determination that he could at least provide this much assistance.
I let out a soft laugh.
“You did your best, Brother. Haven’t you managed the Sega well in Father’s absence? That alone is sufficient.”
“Hmph, it is my responsibility. Of course I must do it.”
“Then return and finish what remains.”
Grrrgh—!
At those words, Jin Ga-ryang grasped my shoulder and applied pressure.
I felt no pain whatsoever; rather, it felt refreshing. I even wished he would knead it a bit more firmly.
Did he notice that?
Jin Ga-ryang relaxed his grip and furrowed his brow.
“So you’ve learned martial arts and become hard as steel, haven’t you? Now I can’t even pinch you. My hand feels like it’s going to shatter.”
Jin Ga-ryang withdrew slightly, feeling the numbness in his palm.
Judging from the way he shook his hand and grumbled, even the massage had caused him pain.
I turned to look at Jin Ga-ryang with some disappointment.
“Now that I think about it, why is only you here? Where are my sister and second brother?”
“The second one should be finishing up his delivery route to the east soon. As for the third, he’s on his way back after managing the battlefield. I heard he’s already reached Hannam, but… without any recent news, I’m not entirely sure.”
“Is that so?”
I nodded and set aside my disappointment.
The journey from Beijing to Anhui.
I had thought everyone would be gathered when I returned home, but contrary to my expectations, the two of them still hadn’t arrived.
I would have preferred to keep them within sight.
There was no way to know what schemes they might attempt.
This drawn-out waiting displeased me greatly.
Yet I must not act hastily.
For them to attempt their schemes again, they would need some time as well.
“Young Master So, the Family Head is looking for you.”
At that moment, a maid’s voice came from outside.
The sudden news startled not only me.
Even Jin Ga-ryang looked at me with surprised eyes.
He certainly hadn’t summoned me to catch up.
Something had happened.
I calmly tidied my hair and spoke without concern.
“I’ll be right there.”

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The moment I stepped into Father’s study, I felt the chill in the air.
Father sat with his eyes closed in silence, and even the Manager beside him seemed at a loss for words.
From the atmosphere alone, it was clear something had happened.
It seemed I wouldn’t have time to rest after all.
Though I had recovered somewhat during the journey from Anhui, there would be no further respite.
I offered a bitter smile as I looked toward Father.
His eyes, which had been closed, opened slightly, and he glanced between me and Jin Ga-ryang beside me.
“You should be resting, and I apologize for this. However, circumstances have become urgent, so I hope you’ll understand.”
“What has occurred?”
“The Third has been attacked.”
“…!”
At those words, Jin Ga-ryang beside me widened his eyes in shock.
None other than the direct line of the Nakhyang Jin Family.
Even the most reckless bandits would not dare touch someone bearing the Jin Family’s banner, so it was difficult to believe an attack had truly occurred.
But the moment I heard the news, I understood.
I let out a soft laugh.
“This must be the work of the Hyang-un Sega.”
“How did you know?”
“They survive on imperial business. Since we’ve now taken that from them, wouldn’t they be desperate to do something in retaliation?”

The Hyang-un Sega.

One of the Ten Great Trading Companies—the Hyang-un Trading Company—was housed there, and it was a place that had followed the Nakhyang Jin Family, expanding its businesses here and there while looking for gaps in the market.
However, overshadowed by the overwhelming power of the Nakhyang Jin Family, it had failed to turn proper profits and only accumulated losses, with its businesses gradually dwindling.
The reason they could still claim a place among the Ten Great Trading Companies was because they monopolized the projects overseen by the Imperial Court.
With their money, they bribed high officials to secure contracts, and from those projects, they drained the state treasury to refill their own coffers.
That money flowed back to the officials, allowing them to fatten their purses with each project they assigned, and in turn, the Hyang-un Sega’s coffers were also filled.
But what time was this?
The Crown Prince had staged a rebellion and newly ascended to the throne.
Most of the officials they had connections with had likely lost their heads, and the Emperor, now holding all power and authority, was looking to entrust projects to the Nakhyang Jin Family.
There was no way to prevent this, so from their perspective, they had suddenly found themselves cast onto the streets.
Therefore, they had to do something.
A blade drawn with the resolve to die, if it meant survival.
Even if it was directed at the Nakhyang Jin Family.
“Haven’t negotiation proposals already arrived?”
“They have, but I refused them. From the start, there’s nothing to negotiate about.”
“That’s why they’ve come on so aggressively. To survive.”
“These bastards…!”
Jin Ga-ryang clenched his fists in anger.
Just from the way he turned his back abruptly, it seemed he was about to draw his sword and rush toward the Hyang-un Sega.
I reached out lightly and grabbed Jin Ga-ryang’s shoulder.
“What they want is negotiation, not war.”
“You’re saying we can negotiate after attacking the Third? Let me go right now…!”
“Because there’s something they trust. Have you forgotten? The Hyang-un Sega has quite deep connections with the Sadocheon.”
“…!”
The Nakhyang Jin Family did not seek to build deep relationships with martial artists. If they did not remain vigilant, there was a high chance of being devoured.
Those with power naturally desired much.
Therefore, they conducted business only through the exchange of certain projects.
The Hyang-un Sega was different.
They had chosen the Sadocheon as the force to protect them, and through extensive exchanges and monetary offerings, they had expanded their influence.
The fact that they dared to attack the Nakhyang Jin Family meant that the Sadocheon’s power was exerting some effect, and they had confidence in securing an advantage in the negotiations that would follow.
Why?
Because of the Sadocheon’s power.
They must have judged that no matter how great the Nakhyang Jin Family was, it could not win a direct confrontation with the Sadocheon.
“A pathetic move.”
I let out a helpless laugh at such thoughts.
“Is Elder Sister safe?”
“For now, yes. But the situation seems rather urgent. So I intend to send the Sega’s martial artists with haste.”
At Father’s words, I shook my head.
Though I did not know where she was, it would be within the domain where the heterodox sects could operate. If so, sending martial artists immediately would be meaningless.
The distance was considerable.
“Elder Sister and her household should be fine. What the Hyang-un Sega wants is negotiation, not actual war. Moreover, if we send martial artists now, blood will spill.”
The loyal warriors of the Nakhyang Jin Family would never simply overlook the conduct of the Hyang-un Sega.
Moreover, with the direct line under attack, it was as clear as day that they would grit their teeth, charge forward, and exact a thorough revenge.
Whether they won or lost, someone’s blood would spill.
That would be utterly meaningless.
“I will go myself.”
“You haven’t even recovered from the fatigue of the journey, and you speak of going again?”
“Would it not preserve their dignity better if the Young Master So himself were to go?”
Ugh—
A groan escaped from Father’s lips at my words.
He appeared to be deliberating whether to entrust this matter to me or not.
“The elite of the Sega…”
“I need not many. I intend to take only So-ha.”
“The physician?”
“Do we not know nothing of their condition?”
I do not know what state my sister and her household are in.
If they were injured, a physician would be necessary to tend to them, and given the brief journey ahead, I needed to have my own condition monitored—Chaeseoha was absolutely essential.
“Just the two of you? Blood could be spilled, yet you intend to go regardless?”
“Because I have no intention of spilling blood, I go in this manner.”
“…That sounds like you mean to end this without bloodshed in this situation? Is that correct?”
Father, as well as the Manager and Baek Ja-hyeon, the commander of the Imperial Guards, all wore puzzled expressions. Unable to discern what moves the other side might employ to seize the upper hand in negotiation.
Yet, hearing that I would go with so few, they could only feel this way.
Had I said I would go with Gu Gunbaek instead, Father would surely have consented.
“There is no need for concern. None of us will have cause to shed blood.”
“I will go as well!”
Then, Jin Ga-ryang, who stood nearby, suddenly raised his hand.
His determination not to let me go alone was unmistakably evident.
Of course, more than that, his eyes and expression clearly conveyed a determination to escape the administrative office at any cost.
He must have felt that this was his only chance to break free.
However, Father firmly shook his head in refusal.
“You have remaining duties, do you not? Prioritize those. And…you as well, Cheon-u. I cannot send merely two of you.”
“Then I will take Namgung Yeon and Chu Hyeongi with me.”
“The commander of the Imperial Guards will accompany you as well.”
As he said this, Father glanced briefly at Baek Ja-hyeon.
He too appeared quite surprised, but if the other side had borrowed the power of the Sadocheon, then it was unavoidable that Baek Ja-hyeon, called the strongest of the Sega, would have to step forward.
Judging solely from Father’s resolute expression, it seemed impossible to back away from this situation.
I nodded obediently.
“Understood. I will begin preparations immediately and depart after half an hour.”
“Yes, I trust in you.”

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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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