The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 55

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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 55

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Two more days had passed, yet Jeongju remained as turbulent as ever. The matter of the Black Crow Society and Changryongdan showed no signs of subsiding, and it seemed the gossip would persist for some time to come.
The primary subject of all this talk was, naturally, the Pyohyeong Sword.
At first, there had been some doubt as to whether it was merely rumor, but just recently the Martial Arts Alliance had officially proclaimed the Pyohyeong Sword as a public enemy of the martial world.
That meant all the rumors were true.
It was inevitable that people would speak of nothing else.
Listening to such chatter, Chu Hyeongi and I slipped out of the inn.
Our destination was none other than the Martial Arts Alliance.
With the official proclamation of the Pyohyeong Sword came the announcement of rewards for the suppression of the Black Crow Society, and we were going to claim our share.
Before the Martial Arts Alliance, those who had participated in the Black Crow Society’s suppression had gathered to receive their compensation, and the most striking figure among them was undoubtedly Namgung Baek, whose appearance was haggard.
His eyes were hollow, as if he hadn’t slept the previous night.
In fact, I suspected he hadn’t even rented a room at the inn, having spent all his money solely on his younger brother.
Where on earth was he eating and sleeping, then?
His appearance certainly suggested dire straits.
As I stared at Namgung Baek with questioning eyes, he seemed to notice my presence and hastily bowed in greeting before hurriedly disappearing from the spot.
Anyone watching would think he was fleeing for his life.
Without realizing it, I shook my head and found myself already standing before the Martial Arts Alliance.
“Ah, Young Master, you’ve arrived. Haha, we’ve been expecting you.”
“Expecting me?”
“Yes, indeed. This is your reward for the suppression. I’ve included your servant’s share as well.”
I nodded and lifted the money pouch.
It was heavier than I had anticipated.
It should have contained four silver taels total—two for myself and two for my servant—but it was decidedly heavier than that.
As I regarded the man with a puzzled expression, he grinned widely and leaned in close.
“The Alliance was supposed to provide the funds, but I heard you covered all the expenses yourself. So we’ve added something extra for you.”
“Haha, that’s not necessary, but…”
“Please don’t refuse. It’s the wish of the Moyong Family Head.”
“The Moyong Family Head?”
“Yes, and there’s also a matter he wishes to discuss with you.”
At those words, I understood why this man had greeted me so warmly. He had been waiting on the Moyong Family Head’s instructions.
What could be the reason he wanted to meet me?
I pondered briefly, but aside from this recent affair, nothing came to mind. After all, there had been no connection whatsoever between myself and the Moyong Family until now.
I handed the money pouch I was holding to Chu Hyeongi.
“Go buy yourself something delicious to eat. And on your way, see if you can find out where Namgung Baek is staying.”
“Just me, alone?”
“Yes.”
I nodded, and Chu Hyeongi’s brow furrowed as if something displeased him. He had thought this was a perfect opportunity to tour the Martial Arts Alliance, but now that chance had evaporated.
Seeing him about to add something more, I narrowed my eyes.
Was that the reason?
In that instant, Chu Hyeongi’s quick wit kicked in—he closed his mouth and departed.
“I’m going to spend all the money!”
“Go ahead.”
“Ugh!”
I turned my head, listening to Chu Hyeongi’s voice fade as he left. The man smiled faintly, then opened the door as if to guide me inside.
I followed him.
The interior of the Martial Arts Alliance was not significantly different from what I remembered.
It was grand and resplendent enough to rival the Nakhyang Jin Family in comparison.
Yet the atmosphere was distinctly different—merely walking through the corridors brought a palpable sense of pressure.
The gazes pouring from every direction were equally intense.
Though they were merely looks, they were as sharp as finely honed blades.
Indeed, there was good reason it was called the sacred ground of the Righteous Martial Arts. I was certain that if anyone dared to infiltrate this place with malice, they would be torn to shreds in an instant.
Following the man deeper inside, we eventually arrived at a massive hall—the residence of the Moyong Family members.
Creak—
As we stopped there, the door opened as if by natural course.
“Then I shall wait here. Please, take your time speaking.”
The man stopped before the door, unable to proceed further. It seemed he would wait here until I emerged.
I nodded and stepped inside.
And at that moment, I could see a gray-haired middle-aged man standing in the center of the courtyard.
A man leisurely feeding the fish at the pond.
He was none other than Mo Yong-cheon, the Family Head of the Moyong Family.
Recognizing him, I approached and clasped my fist in salute.
“Greetings, Family Head. I am Jin Cheon-u of the Nakhyang Jin Family. It is an honor to meet you.”
At my voice, Mo Yong-cheon’s hand feeding the fish stilled, and his indifferent gaze turned toward me.
A sharp, tingling aura—!
The fine hairs across my entire body stood on end from such a piercing presence.
“Welcome.”

The Sword Emperor.

An epithet that invariably attached itself to Mo Yong-cheon whenever people spoke of him.
Geomcheon—the Sky of Swords reigns supreme, yet Sword Emperor—the Emperor of Swords dominates the entire Murim.
Among the countless masters leading the Righteous Martial Arts Alliance, Mo Yong-cheon stood as one of the three most formidable.
I observed the man before me with careful attention.
Indeed, the reputation held true.
Even as he sat in silence, his gaze alone suffocated the spirit—a crushing weight that flattened one’s inner strength beneath its sheer presence.
“So a dragon has been born into the Jin Family. That was you, then.”
“You flatter me far too generously. If anyone deserves the title of dragon, surely it belongs to the Moyong Family, does it not?”
“…Is that so?”
“That is what everyone says.”
My words seemed to displease him; his voice dropped noticeably. Considering the recent rumors, my very utterance appeared to grate against his sensibilities.
Naturally, I paid it no mind.
I merely smiled faintly and lifted my teacup to my lips.
“Then, what is your purpose in summoning me?”
At my bold question, Mo Yong-cheon’s gaze shifted from his cup to me. His expression remained unreadable, yet it was clear my directness had struck a nerve.
“I hear you participated in the recent subjugation but took no part in the actual combat.”
“That is correct.”
“Were you alone?”
“Namgoong So-hyeop was with me.”
“The two of you?”
“Yes. It seems Namgoong So-hyeop endured considerable hardship. It took an eternity merely to hear the account of it.”
At my words, Mo Yong-cheon took a sip of tea.
He seemed lost in thought for a moment before his gaze returned to me. His eyes pierced through me entirely, as though attempting to see through every layer of my being.
The oppressive force bearing down upon me intensified.
He had subtly released his aura.
I drew upon my inner strength to counter it.
For the first time, I saw the Sword Emperor’s pupils waver—a minute tremor, for he had surely never anticipated resistance from one so young.
“Have you trained in martial arts?”
“Merely self-defense techniques.”
“Quite an excessive form of self-defense, I must say.”
I wished to conceal the extent of my cultivation, yet my opponent was the Sword Emperor himself. Should he choose to investigate, nothing could escape his notice—attempting to hide would only appear more suspicious.
Thus, I chose the opposite approach: revelation.
“With such skill, why did you not participate in the battle?”
“I had already paid for the matter to be resolved. Why should I exhaust myself?”
“Ah—I see. Truly, only the Nakhyang Jin Family could conceive of such a notion.”
Mo Yong-cheon chuckled softly, his lips curling upward in amusement.
He seemed to acknowledge that the mindset of a martial family differed fundamentally from that of a merchant clan.
He then exhaled slowly.
“Did you perhaps see anyone suspicious? I heard there was someone wearing a mask.”
“I did not. However… are you investigating me right now?”
“No, that’s not it. If it seemed that way, I apologize, but I simply hoped to glean even the smallest piece of information.”
“You’re saying nothing emerges despite utilizing the intelligence networks of the Martial Arts Alliance and the Moyong Family?”
Mo Yong-cheon nodded at my question.
He must have believed he could identify whoever it was immediately, but frustrated by the absence of any results contrary to his expectations, he had grown impatient.
Was that why he summoned me?
From the look of things, he appeared to have finished his conversations with those who participated in the subjugation.
But naturally, nothing would emerge from them.
Namgung Baek would never speak such an absurd tale about losing consciousness in such circumstances, so he would have grasped that my words held truth.
I would add a touch more support and slip away.
“If you permit it, I shall attempt to utilize the Jin Family’s intelligence networks. As you know, our side is hardly lacking in that regard.”
“…I would be grateful if you would.”
Clink—
I nodded and set down the teacup I had been holding.
There was nothing more to say.
I briefly considered leaving this suffocating place as quickly as possible, then changed my mind.
“If our conversation has concluded, I would like to see Moyong Sohyeop before I depart. Would that be acceptable?”
“That child?”
“I received considerable assistance during our journey. I wished to offer my thanks before leaving.”
“Hmm… Very well, then.”
Mo Yong-cheon nodded and raised his hand.
In that instant, the door opened and a man who had been waiting outside entered and bowed his head.
“You called for me?”
“I must attend to the Commander, so guide him to Hyeok instead.”
“Understood.”
As the bowing man exited and took the lead, I naturally followed behind, advancing toward Moyong Hyeok’s residence.
The closer I drew to Moyong Hyeok’s residence, which lay not far distant, the more the pungent scent of medicine assailed my nostrils.
It was reminiscent of Chaeseoha’s room.
Soon, as the man opened the door to a chamber, numerous physicians and medical attendants came into view, and I could see Moyong Hyeok lying peacefully asleep upon a bedchamber prepared in one corner of the room.
“The Young Master’s condition is not favorable. We cannot permit a lengthy visit, so I must ask you to keep it brief.”
“Understood.”
I entered with the man’s permission.
Naturally, the physician and medical attendant stepped back a few paces from Moyong Hyeok’s side. Yet they did not leave the room, appearing instead as though they were prepared for any sudden deterioration in his condition.
I turned my gaze toward Moyong Hyeok.
He slept in utter silence, as still as death.
Yet cold sweat continued to pour down his face, and ceaseless groans escaped his lips.
As though he were trapped in a nightmare.
His condition was dire.
Splints were affixed in various places, wrapped tightly with bandages.
Was it any wonder, given that every bone in his body had been shattered?
I suppressed the smile that threatened to surface and slowly approached Moyong Hyeok, grasping his hand.
“To meet again like this… my heart feels quite heavy.”
I spoke while exhaling a long breath.
The Physician watching from the side, as well as the Guide who had shown me the way, both closed their eyes tightly, unable to suppress their own troubled feelings.
Unable to bear watching any longer, the Guide let out a prolonged sigh and stepped outside.
“No matter what happens, I will find the culprit. You must take your revenge with your own hands, So-hyeop.”
I spoke these words knowing full well he could not hear them.
Yet there was no response whatsoever.
His eyes remained closed, showing no signs of awakening.
Confirming this, I drew closer to Moyong Hyeok and bowed my head, then gazed upon his face while a subtle smile played at the corners of my lips.
In that instant.
Moyong Hyeok’s eyes, which had been suppressing groans, slowly opened.
As our eyes met, his pupils began to tremble violently.
Whether he had recalled something else within my gaze, his trembling eyes widened in horror, and finally a terrible scream tore from his lips.
“N-noooooooo-!”
Like a man gripped by absolute terror, he thrashed about wildly and shrieked at the top of his lungs.
The sudden convulsion caused me to stumble backward instinctively.
“…Another seizure! Please leave at once!”
At the Physician’s urgent voice, I retreated. Then, watching Moyong Hyeok writhe about, I turned and walked away.
The smile did not fade from my face.

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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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