The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 53

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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 114

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The Death Emperor.
Cheon Gong-hak had earned such a fearsome epithet for good reason.
From the moment of his birth, he had been cultivated as nothing more than a puppet for slaughter, and wherever his footsteps fell, corpses littered the ground in his wake.
In his younger years, whenever a prominent figure of the Orthodox faction died, Cheon Gong-hak was invariably the first suspect—need I say more?
The title of Death Emperor was no mere affectation.
He walked a fundamentally different path than Gu Gunbaek.
As I observed him radiating that dense aura of death in all directions, memories came flooding back—the sensation of plummeting from the cliff at Tianzhang Peak, the moment my life had ended.
A long exhale escaped me.
But only for a moment. I swallowed hard and steadied my mind.
Then I fixed my gaze directly upon Cheon Gong-hak.
“Heavenly Lord! What brings you to this place?”
“Tsk tsk, what brings me? I merely heard an interesting child had arrived, so I came to observe.”
Cheon Gong-hak regarded me with an expression and eyes brimming with curiosity, as though he had no ulterior motive whatsoever.
I could not determine how long he had been present, but it was certain he had heard most of the conversation.
Cheon Gong-hak was more dangerous than the Sword Emperor.
The Sword Emperor possessed at least some capacity for discernment, but Cheon Gong-hak was someone whose hands moved faster than his thoughts.
The expression visible on his face, the gleam in his eyes.
I could not afford to be deceived by such things.
I offered a respectful bow and spoke carefully.
“I am Jin Cheon-u of the Nakhyang Jin Family. It is an honor to meet the Heavenly Lord of Sa Do-cheon.”
“Tsk tsk tsk, spare me the formalities. I can see it written all over your face—’What is this damnable old man doing here?'”
Cheon Gong-hak waved his hand dismissively and took a seat directly across from me.
In that instant, Ryu Hyeok-sang, who had originally occupied that position, found himself with no choice but to stand.
I carefully settled into my seat and regulated my breathing.
“I had not planned to meet with the Heavenly Lord….”
“These matters are best handled swiftly. That one thinks too much—it’s his weakness. Tsk tsk.”
His glance toward Ryu Hyeok-sang carried a peculiar quality.
Simultaneously, Ryu Hyeok-sang lowered his head as if seeking forgiveness, and I could see cold sweat dripping down his face.
He too found Cheon Gong-hak quite difficult to deal with.
Though I could hardly claim otherwise.
“So then, what brings you here?”
“The matter concerns the relationship between the Hyang-un Sega and Sa Do-cheon.”
“Ah—yes, that’s right. The Hyang-un Sega… the Hyang-un Sega….”
“Heavenly Lord, they are a merchant guild that makes annual contributions to us.”
At those words, Cheon Gong-hak’s brow furrowed slightly.
There were countless donors, and Cheon Gong-hak was not the sort to remember each one individually.
To him, they were no different from beasts of burden.
After pondering for a while, finding nothing in particular came to mind, Cheon Gong-hak smiled casually.
“Since my memory fails me, it seems they were not worth much consideration.”
“Master Cheon… those people…”
“However, the name of the Nakhyang Jin Family is etched clearly in my mind. Thanks to Young Master So today, I have come to understand that place far better. Tsk, tsk, tsk.”
“Thank you.”
It was none other than Ryu Hyeok-sang who was taken aback by Cheon Gong-hak’s words.
The Hyang-un Sega made quite substantial donations, yet he showed no concern for that whatsoever, and despite making threats toward Sa Do-cheon, he was brushing past even that without care.
“Then, what is it that Young Master So desires from us?”
“I wish for the Hyang-un Sega to refrain from lending their strength.”
“Hmm, hmm—indeed, you’re saying that without us, you could dispose of them whenever you please.”
I neither affirmed nor denied that statement.
But that alone was answer enough.
I could see Cheon Gong-hak’s eyes fixed upon me, unwavering.
I met his gaze directly once more.
How long did it last? Time seemed to stretch endlessly, as if merely holding his stare was an eternity.
“Tsk, tsk, the young man possesses admirable resolve. In nearly a decade, this is the first time someone has looked me in the eye and kept their head attached to their shoulders.”
Did that mean he was impressed?
Or was there something that displeased him?
Regardless of which it was, I did not avert my gaze.
The moment one’s spirit falters, interest dies.
Just as with Gu Gunbaek, such masters desired to see the rabbit before the tiger clench its teeth and charge forward desperately for survival.
Pleased by this, Cheon Gong-hak laughed once more.
But it was clear he would not be easily swayed.
“However, listen well. We are Sa Do-cheon. Do you not know what Sa Do-cheon is?”
“I do.”
“If a martial organization is to abandon something, should there not be adequate compensation?”
“The Imperial affairs that the Hyang-un Sega desired—I will share that with Sa Do-cheon.”
At those words, Ryu Hyeok-sang’s eyes widened in surprise.
He grasped the significance behind the word “share” rather than merely “allocate profits.”
It meant I would manage the Imperial business together with Sa Do-cheon.
Substantial profits would undoubtedly flow in.
“Tsk, tsk, tsk, that is only natural. What this old man means is, to turn one’s back on the Hyang-un Sega or whoever, does one not require sufficient justification?”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I wish to see whether you possess the strength to break Sa Do-cheon’s will.”
“…!”
At Cheon Gong-hak’s words, I furrowed my brow, and Ryu Hyeok-sang’s face filled with bewilderment.
Was it not absurd to ask a merchant to demonstrate martial prowess?
Yet the one before me was Cheon Gong-hak.
The master of Sa Do-cheon and one of the Ten Sovereigns.
He must have already discerned my level of strength long ago.
He turned his gaze toward Ryu Hyeok-sang.
“Go fetch Cheon Yul for me.”
“…Do you mean the Young Celestial Lord?”
“Do I look like I repeat myself?”
In that instant, Ryu Hyeok-sang’s expression hardened as he hurriedly left the room.
Cheon Gong-hak, who had been quietly observing, finally displayed a satisfied expression and gleam in his eyes before turning his gaze back toward me.
“Have you perhaps heard the name Cheon Yul before?”
How could I not know?
Within the next decade, he would become the new Celestial Lord of Sa Do-cheon.
Possessing such cruelty that he would inherit the epithet of the Death Emperor in full, and with an exceptional talent for uniting people, he was an existence that bound Sa Do-cheon together far more solidly than it was now.
He possessed talents that could not even be compared to Moryeong Hyeok.
“That fellow’s arrogance has grown considerably of late… I suspect someone like you might be able to trample his pride beneath your heel…?”
Cheon Gong-hak smiled at me with a mysterious expression.
This old man.
His understanding of me was far more than merely scratching the surface.
That alone made it clear that he was undoubtedly superior to the Sword Emperor.
In my assessment, the Sword Emperor’s existence diminished once more.

* * *

“What in the world…?”
I looked around with a bewildered expression.
Sa Do-cheon’s martial arena.
This wasn’t merely a place where martial bouts were held—it was a venue used only when the martial realm tournament was conducted.
As if to prove that fact, viewing stands stretched across all four directions.
The numerous stands were packed with all manner of individuals who appeared to be members of Sa Do-cheon.
Every last one of them fixed their gaze upon me.
Some wore sneering smiles, others placed wagers, and still more hurled jeers and mockery in my direction.
What on earth was happening here?
“Haha, my apologies. It seems the Heavenly Lord wishes to embarrass you.”
At the voice that suddenly reached my ears, I looked forward.
Standing motionless upon the martial arena alongside me was a single figure.
None other than Cheon Yul, the Young Lord of Sa Do-cheon.
His expression was at ease, his gaze serene.
His measured tone brimmed with gentle composure.
It was abundantly clear that he looked down upon his opponent, and his eyes held a faint hint of bewilderment—as if questioning why he should even bother crossing blades with someone of such a station.
I clicked my tongue and lifted my head.
A single figure sat at the highest point of the arena.
Still gazing down at me, that person maintained an enigmatic smile.
“So this is meant to utterly humiliate me, then.”
“Haha, I do apologize. But it shall be over in a moment, so there is no need for concern.”
I grasped my throbbing head and released a sigh.
This situation was not constructed merely to mock me.
Having gauged my strength, they could hardly be unaware that Cheon Yul could not defeat me.
Then was this situation, as Cheon Gong-hak had spoken of earlier, designed to break Cheon Yul’s arrogance? That question lingered.
But I shook my head.
No matter how towering his pride reached toward the heavens, the opponent was unmistakably the Young Lord destined to inherit Sa Do-cheon.
Why would one humiliate such a person in this manner?
“Then, in accordance with the martial code, I shall concede three moves to you.”
At the voice that reached me then, I clicked my tongue and regarded Cheon Yul.
His aura was indeed formidable.
Incomparably so compared to Moryeong Hyeok.
Should Namgung Yeon continue to grow and accumulate experience, he would become a far worthier rival than Moryeong Hyeok.
I confirmed that he had not yet drawn his blade and asked.
“You’re not drawing it?”
“Should I draw it, you would be rendered incapable of doing anything at all. Surely you should at least attempt to swing your sword once, should you not?”
At his voice brimming with confidence, I nodded and assessed my physical condition.
Thanks to Chaeseoha’s pain suppressant, I felt no ache.
My internal injuries had been largely managed, and though not fully healed, slightly vigorous movements seemed manageable.
Above all, I felt it was acceptable to display a measure of my true strength against Cheon Yul.
In any case, he’s a member of the Unorthodox faction.
Sling—
I slowly drew my blade.
Well then, it’s time to loosen up after all this time.
“What a magnificent sword—?!”
Cheon Yul, who had been admiring the blade as it was drawn, suddenly stopped mid-sentence, his eyes trembling.
My sword was already at his throat.
“I’ve won.”
In that instant, the arena fell deathly silent.
The mouths of those who had been hurling jeers and shouting Cheon Yul’s name while mocking me snapped shut.
Only Cheon Gong-hak, watching from the highest vantage point, chuckled and shook his head.
I sighed and quietly withdrew my blade.
“Shall we go again?”
“…I was so captivated by my own blade that I let you slip away. Forgive me, but I ask for one more match.”
I hadn’t expected him to yield so easily anyway.
Prideful men like this typically behave this way.
Moryeong Hyeok was the same.
I nodded and stepped back to create distance between myself and Cheon Yul once more.
Gulp—
I could see Cheon Yul swallowing hard.
Then, he quietly drew his dao and calmly steadied his gaze.
He seemed to have accepted that the current situation was not entirely in his favor.
“This time I won’t be careless!”
Whoosh—!
The dao swept through the air.
With a tremendous sound, intense dao energy poured forth.
I evaded it while furrowing my brow.
“You still have two more moves left, don’t you?”
“Ugh?!”
I had said I would allow three moves, so two remained.
Yet judging by how quickly he wielded his dao faster than anyone else, even Cheon Yul seemed to realize he couldn’t win easily.
Feeling this, I swung my blade.
Clang—!
Blade and dao met, but neither gave ground.
He was weak.
Certainly, a dao technique surpassing even Paeng Dohan’s was unfolding, but it wasn’t at a level that could push me back.
Instead, he staggered backward half a step.
His expression filled with shock as he looked at me, then he gritted his teeth once more.
In that moment, he closed the distance and pressed forward.
Clang-clang-clang-clang-crash—!
The blade extends with elegant grace, beautiful as moonlight on a full moon night. Soft and somehow evoking a sense of warmth and comfort.
But reality is far different.
In an instant, Cheon Yul bore six deep gashes across his body, gasping out in agony as blood drenched him from head to toe.
Gahhh—!
Without missing the opening, I extended my leg and swept a devastating kick toward his abdomen.
“Kugh?!”
With a sound as though his entrails might burst forth, Cheon Yul collapsed to his knees.
Trembling—
As I watched him shaking and quietly leveled my blade at him, it became unmistakably clear to any observer that victory and defeat had been decided.
Once again, silence descended.
I gazed at Cheon Yul and opened my mouth once more.
“Will you continue?”

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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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