The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 49

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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 49

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By the second day, the Suppression Squad had been assembled.
Along with twelve members of Changryongdan, the newly selected recruits were not officials from the Martial Arts Alliance, but rather those who wished to gain some recognition by resolving this matter.
Wanderers and members of smaller factions alike.
In total, roughly fifty people had gathered.
Though it was merely a collection of criminals banded together, the number seemed modest for mobilizing against a single organization.
However, considering the martial prowess that Changryongdan possessed, it was hardly surprising.
Especially Moryeong Hyeok and Paeng Dohan.
With the strength these two alone commanded, they were each worth a hundred men, making failure utterly inconceivable.
Moreover, there were plenty of expendable soldiers as well.
I surveyed my surroundings, observing those who had assembled.
Despite the task being merely the suppression of the Black Crow Society, the resolute determination burning in their eyes made it clear how crucial this situation was to them.
The achievements they could gain from resolving this matter, and the possibility of catching the eye of someone from Changryongdan and joining their ranks—such opportunities awaited.
As I was contemplating this, I sensed someone approaching me. The murmur of the crowd parting made me naturally turn my gaze toward the source.
A familiar face.
Someone cutting confidently through the throng.
None other than Moryeong Hyeok.
Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo, who usually accompanied him, were nowhere to be seen, and he walked forward with his gaze fixed upon me, as if to prove his purpose.
The man who had drawn near stood before me, and from his sharp gaze alone, I could sense that recent events had irritated him considerably.
Yet, as always, I concealed my emotions behind a smile and offered a light fist salute in courtesy.
“At last we meet face to face. It is an honor to make your acquaintance, Young Master. I am Moryeong Hyeok of the Moyong Family.”
“I am Jin Cheon-u of the Nakhyang Jin Family. It is my honor to meet the Sword Dragon.”
“Ha, the Sword Dragon? That is too kind. Then should you not be called the Golden Dragon, Young Master?”
The Sword Dragon was the epithet Moryeong Hyeok would soon acquire. By invoking an epithet he had not yet earned, I had flattered him, and his expression brightened noticeably.
The Sword Dragon and the Golden Dragon.
People began to murmur these epithets among themselves.
Though I had not intended it, these titles would soon begin to spread.
At that moment, Moryeong Hyeok, still wearing a smile, glanced at me as if gauging my reaction before seeming about to ask something.
I spoke first.
“Ah—I must apologize for the previous matter. Exhausted from the long journey, I lacked the capacity to meet with anyone.”
A twitch—!
Moryeong Hyeok’s eyes flickered, having been about to pose his question first. By broaching a matter that need not have been mentioned, those listening seemed to recall the events of two days prior, whispering among themselves.
Yet Moryeong Hyeok concealed his emotions well.
A thin smile—
I watched him and let my lips curve upward.
“Now that I think of it, was there something important you needed to attend to? You asked me to seek you out, but I had no idea where to find you, and I have never made a habit of visiting someone without a proper reason….”
It was an odd thing to accept, yet I was not so foolish as to miss the intent hidden beneath the words.

‘Who are you to command people around like that?’

At that barbed remark, Moryeong Hyeok’s expression, which had been smiling, hardened. Having lived his entire life without ever receiving such treatment from anyone, the shock cut all the deeper.
Yet he naturally composed himself.
His eyes held no warmth, but his face remained utterly composed.
Thus, no one perceived his anger.
Moryeong Hyeok steadied his breathing and calmed his mind, then finally opened his mouth.
“It is no matter. I was merely surprised that the Nakhyang Jin Family participated in this suppression, and wished to inquire as to the reason. Especially since it was Young Master So himself who took action.”
“Ah, was that it? As for the reason, it is nothing particularly grand. A close friend of mine suffered greatly at the hands of the Black Crow Society, and lacking the strength to act, he was in considerable distress. However, given the current circumstances, I decided to take action on his behalf.”
“A close friend? You mean a close friend of Young Master’s…?”
“Yes, of course. Though my participation in the suppression may not accomplish much, I can at least provide assistance with food, drink, and rest along the way.”
At my words, Moryeong Hyeok nodded.
Everyone knew the martial prowess of the Nakhyang Jin Family, so even if I participated in the suppression, I doubted I would be of much practical help.
But if I provided financial support from behind, that was another matter entirely.
The Martial Arts Alliance had provided funds, but if I handled clothing, food, and shelter in their stead, it would be invaluable.
Naturally, it was a story that would raise no suspicions from anyone.
Moryeong Hyeok’s eyes swept over me once more, assessing.
Soon he noticed I carried no sword, and checked on Chu Hyeongi beside me. Observing the large bundle strapped to his back, his eyes narrowed.
“This man is a servant who attends to me. The bundle contains provisions in case we must sleep outdoors… is it too much?”
“Haha, not at all. It is common martial sense that one does not carry excessive baggage on such expeditions, but now that I think of it, you are not a martial artist, Young Master. I was momentarily confused.”
Moryeong Hyeok nodded, seemingly satisfied with his own reasoning. It appeared he had concluded that, being a person of noble upbringing, I naturally brought many provisions to prepare for sleeping outdoors.
It was better that he thought so.
“By the way, now that I mention it, recently….”
“Hey, Hyeok! What are you doing? We’re falling behind schedule.”
Just as Moryeong Hyeok was about to say something, Paeng Dohan suddenly approached and patted his shoulder.
As a result, his words died in his throat, and though he shot Paeng Dohan a sharp glare, he ultimately seemed to resign himself, exhaling a sigh and turning away.
“Then let us speak again later.”
I nodded without reply.
With that, Moryeong Hyeok turned and returned to where the Changryongdan was gathered. It seemed he intended to complete the remaining preparations before departure.
I watched him go in silence.
Those gathered around Moryeong Hyeok, Paeng Dohan, and Eon Garyeo.
They were likely disciples of the great families who followed them.
The mere fact of joining the Changryongdan was proof of excellence, yet there were quite a few whose level was plainly inadequate.
They had entered through connections.
I clicked my tongue and glanced to the side.
Chu Hyeongi, bearing the large bundle, wore an expression full of discontent.
“What is it?”
“What do you mean, what is it! I’m a servant, aren’t I? Really now….”
“Don’t be so discontented. It’s not as though I’ve said anything wrong, is it?”
“Well, that’s true, but… something just doesn’t sit right with me! And did we really participate just to provide funding?”
“Of course. Why would I personally involve myself when there are swordsmen to handle the work?”
“Eh? Seriously!?”
Chu Hyeongi stared at me with wide, astonished eyes—apparently he hadn’t anticipated events unfolding in such a manner.
He had naturally assumed that by formally participating, this would be an opportunity to make a name for myself as a martial artist of the Nakhyang Jin Family. The reality, so different from his expectations, seemed to have plunged him into despair.
“Don’t worry too much. There will be opportunities for you to distinguish yourself.”
“And what about you, Young Master?”
“Me? Didn’t I just say so? Why would I need to personally act when I’m providing the funds?”
“…No, but having come all this way, shouldn’t there be something about raising your reputation or… something like that, right? Isn’t there?”
“You can have the reputation. I have no need for it.”
At my dismissive words, Chu Hyeongi regarded me with an expression of utter bewilderment. At this rate, he couldn’t fathom why I had even bothered to participate in the first place.
I turned my head away, suppressing a smile.
Finally, it seemed preparations were complete—Moryeong Hyeok’s voice rang out.
It wasn’t anything particularly remarkable.
Just an endless stream of tedious platitudes: thanking everyone for their participation, declaring that failure in this suppression was impossible, solemnly vowing to punish Sama Oe-do with righteous fury for justice’s sake.
The others all listened intently, hanging on Moryeong Hyeok’s every word.
But Chu Hyeongi and I did not.
Both of us found the lengthy speech insufferably dull, yawning and turning our attention elsewhere, paying no heed to the predictable words flowing forth.
Because of our behavior, even those who had been concentrating began to grow restless, and eventually some began chattering with their neighbors.
As a result, Moryeong Hyeok’s gaze turned toward me.
He continued his speech with a smile still plastered on his face, but the veins bulging on his forehead were no mere illusion.
“We shall depart!”
I hadn’t heard the words before that, but the declaration to depart came through with peculiar clarity.
I gathered myself and took my position.

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“Damn it all!”
At the headquarters of the Black Crow Society.
Kang Chan-sak, the guild leader stationed there, hurled furniture and smashed objects in uncontrollable fury, gasping for breath.
Even those watching him held their breath, afraid to speak—they knew that given his temperament, a single word would invite fists or blades.
“Huff, huff… Damn it! Nothing’s working out! Why are all those bastards I’ve been paying suddenly keeping their mouths shut? Have we sent out the messages or not?!”
“…Of course we have! We’ve tried sending them multiple times, but… they all remain silent.”
“Those cursed wretches! When they were taking the money and enjoying themselves, where were they then…!”
Kang Chan-sak ground his teeth, recalling certain individuals.
The Black Crow Society had been able to grow to this point, even swallowing the Hao Gate’s territory, only because the Martial Arts Alliance had turned a blind eye.
He had spent an enormous sum of money to achieve that.
Though it was blood money, it had been a necessary measure to smoothly expand operations, and it was also meant to handle situations like this when they arose.
But not a single person was listening.
Despite dozens of messages sent, he hadn’t received even a single line of response—he was so furious he wanted to tear open their bellies and extract every coin they’d accepted from him.
“What’s happening with the Suppression Squad?”
“They’ve finished assembling… but we don’t know when they’ll depart. Strangely… our information has been cut off. It seems something has happened.”
“Damn it, we’ve been exposed by the Underground Organization too. We’ve been properly caught. Those bastards at the Martial Arts Alliance pretended not to care while investigating everything from top to bottom.”
Puh—
Kang Chan-sak exhaled and let out a bitter laugh.
Despite conducting business with the Martial Arts Alliance for so long, he had made every effort to keep the location of his headquarters hidden.
Moreover, since those bastards didn’t seem particularly interested in such matters, he had stopped paying close attention—and that became the problem.
But they had known all along.
While accepting money, they had secretly gathered detailed information about where the Black Crow Society’s headquarters was located, the positions and scale of all its branches.
Otherwise, they couldn’t have moved this quickly.
Just thinking about it made his blood boil—such treacherous creatures.
“And these are supposed to be the righteous faction… Damn it!”
“Guild Leader, what do we do now? Shouldn’t we flee while we still can…?”
“Flee where? Is there anywhere in the Central Plains where we can escape their eyes?”
“Well, that is…”
“We might save our lives for now, but it’ll only buy us a day or two at most. And we’re still in Hannam—we’re finished.”
At Kang Chan-sak’s words, his subordinates’ faces turned ashen. The hope they’d harbored that they might survive by fleeing crumbled, leaving them at a loss for what to do.
But as the saying goes, even when the sky falls, there’s always a hole to escape through.
The subordinates’ eyes suddenly gleamed with hope.
“What if… we ask him for help?”
“What? Who?”
“You know, the Guild Leader’s sworn brother… Pyo Hyeong-geom!”
“That’s right! He’s said to be a master of the highest caliber!”
Pyo Hyeong-geom was famous enough that no one in the Black Crow Society didn’t know his name—he was a master who had reached the pinnacle of cultivation and was the Guild Leader’s sworn brother.
Though none of them had ever seen him, whenever the Guild Leader got drunk, he would speak of Pyo Hyeong-geom, and they couldn’t help but harbor hope that such a master might resolve this crisis.
Was that why?
Kang Chan-sak, who had been silently observing his subordinates for a moment, clenched his fists. Then, slowly raising his head and directing his gaze toward the ceiling, he let out a long sigh and squeezed his eyes shut.
‘Yeah, that’s all bullshit.’
The words rose to the tip of my tongue, but as I caught the gleam dancing in their eyes, I swallowed them back down, unable to voice them aloud.
Now, truly, I had no idea what to do.

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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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