The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 57

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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 57

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After two days of relentless riding from Hanan Jeongju, I arrived in Nakhyang. With Moyong Hyeok’s matter settled, there was no reason to linger in Jeongju any longer.
Moreover, an unexpected harvest had emerged.
I had gained the support of Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo.
Though their strength paled in comparison to what the Shadow Assassins possessed, it would still prove sufficiently useful.
At the very least, they were worth their weight in wine.
As I entered Nakhyang with such ease of mind, I noticed Chu Hyeongi beside me regarding me with an expression of displeasure.
“Was it really alright to return like this?”
“What’s the problem?”
“Well… that Namgung Baek or whoever. He’s been eating and sleeping in the stable, and I thought you intended to bring him along.”
“I intend to bring him. Just not now.”
He had already rejected my offer once.
Unlike what I had anticipated, he possessed considerable resolve, and should I propose again, he would refuse. He understood his own strength and position well, and was not the sort to exceed his bounds.
For that reason, I decided to leave him be for now.
“He really seemed pitiful. Eating and sleeping in a place that reeked of horse dung, and despite having money, he refuses to spend it.”
“He’s likely saving it to feed and clothe his younger brother. And if it’s for a younger brother, surely it’s not unbearable.”
“Well… I suppose that’s true. But if I were in his position, I think I’d at least take care of myself a little.”
Anyone would think the same.
Yet I did not find Namgung Baek’s actions pitiable or pathetic. The man I had observed possessed deeper thoughts than I had anticipated.
He undoubtedly recognized his younger brother’s talent.
Therefore, he must have understood that his brother was better suited to elevating their clan than he was, and he would have recognized that such talent must not become known to the outside world.
For it would be trampled before it could even sprout.
Thus, I believed he was deliberately stepping forward himself, enduring humiliation to draw attention away, and lowering his stance as much as possible to protect his young brother.
I had never once heard the name of Namgung Baek’s younger brother in the past, yet the mere fact that he had suddenly become known by defeating Moyong Hyeok at the Dueling Arena was sufficient to infer the truth.
The reason he had not accepted my proposal was likely because he wished to avoid drawing attention.
I was certain of it.
His eyes had seemed vacant, yet his expression belied a mind that calculated swiftly.
“I sent word to the Yunlong Branch in Anhui, instructing them to treat him as well as possible. His circumstances will be quite different from now.”
“Treat him well? What do you mean by that?”
“It means to push work his way or ensure he has no difficulties in making a living.”
I spoke these words with a slight smile.
These were my orders, after all.
Since Young Master So himself had issued the directive, the branch managers’ eyes would inevitably turn toward him. Surely his life would become quite different from now.
Once a person has tasted the flavor of fruit, they cannot forget it.
I intended to let him have just a taste of it.
At that moment, Chu Hyeongi beside me gazed at me with narrowed eyes.
It was the gaze one would cast upon a strange person.
“What is it?”
“No, it’s just that you look like someone thinking something wicked.”
“Wicked thoughts? Do I appear to be that sort of man?”
At those words, Chu Hyeongi could only let out a groan without offering a proper response. It felt as though nodding would be wrong, yet denying it seemed equally impossible.
I offered a Bitter Smile and turned my head away.
The silhouette of the Nakhyang Jin Family came into view.
The bodyguards, recognizing my arrival, hastily swung open the main gate.
I felt the brief journey had finally reached its end.

Upon returning, my first task was to report to Father. Though he had likely already heard the rumors and grasped the situation to some extent, my firsthand account of what transpired would prove far more vivid than mere hearsay.
“So the rumors are true then. That Moyong Hyeok suffered such a fate.”
“Yes, Father. And to a degree that makes intervention difficult. I heard he requires at least a year and a half, perhaps two years of recovery.”
“Ah, the man who was said to inherit his father’s epithet of Sword Dragon and ascend to become the Sword Emperor… how unfortunate.”
“It is unfortunate, but ultimately it is a matter of the Martial Arts World. I believe there is no need to concern yourself excessively.”
“True enough. However, you and Chu Hyeongi participated in that suppression. Since an incident occurred there, I cannot simply stand idle. Chaeseoha—”
“I have already promised Sega’s cooperation through their information network.”
I cut off Father’s words.
Knowing Chaeseoha’s medical prowess better than anyone, Father had likely intended to send her to aid in Moyong Hyeok’s treatment.
It was certainly the most reliable approach.
Yet when I spoke with such firm resolve to decline, I could see Father regarding me with questioning in his gaze.
“Is that… sufficient?”
“I have already concluded negotiations with the Moyong Family Head.”
“You met the Sword Emperor?”
“Yes. He sought me out wishing to hear of the circumstances. We made an agreement in that moment, and he accepted it.”
As I spoke matter-of-factly, Father’s gaze lingered upon me—as though he were attempting to discern my true thoughts.
My refusal to send Chaeseoha was tantamount to saying I had no intention of healing Moyong Hyeok.
Then.
As though having reached a conclusion, Father let out a soft chuckle.
“It seems he displeased you.”
I offered no response to that question.
I neither affirmed nor denied it, yet anyone could infer the affirmation from my silence.
Perhaps for that reason, Father nodded.
“I thought you sought to become a martial master and would thus grasp at ties with the Moyong Family, but it appears I was mistaken.”
“Learning martial arts is merely to protect myself and our family. I harbor no particular interest in the Martial Arts World itself.”
“I see. You must be weary. Go and rest.”
I bowed respectfully at Father’s words and turned to leave.
I felt his piercing gaze upon my back, and then came another soft laugh.
Father seemed to have reached some conclusion of his own.
In any case, the rather lengthy audience had come to an end.
I exhaled deeply and made my way toward my residence.
Fortunately, my annex had not suffered the same incident as before.
No people were visible, nor was there a long queue stretching outside.
It appeared that Chaeseoha had kept her promise reasonably well.
I returned to my room, undressed, and immersed myself in hot water. After bathing thoroughly and feeling the fatigue wash away, I emerged and changed into comfortable clothes before attempting to lie down on my bed.
The moment I was about to rest my body on the bedchamber—
The door opened as if she had been waiting.
I exhaled and turned my head.
There, unsurprisingly, stood Chaeseoha.
“Welcome back, Young Master.”
“Yes, have you been well?”
“Of course. You appear to be in good condition as well, Young Master.”
She examined my state by rolling her eyes up and down, then placed what resembled a medicinal decoction on the table.
The smell of medicine was quite potent.
The fragrance of medicinal herbs spread throughout the room in an instant.
As I regarded her with a peculiar gaze, Chaeseoha collapsed into a chair and sighed.
“You haven’t been resting properly lately, have you? This is a restorative decoction excellent for recovering from fatigue and nourishing the body. Even though you’ve detoxified the poison, your body cannot be said to be in perfect condition, so you must remain cautious at all times.”
“Thank you.”
I nodded and drank the decoction.
The intensely bitter taste and aroma pierced my tongue and nose.
I wanted to spit it out immediately, but faced with Chaeseoha’s gaze urging me to finish it, I reluctantly swallowed it down.
The medicinal taste lingered unpleasantly in my mouth.
I felt like eating some candy if I had any.
As if understanding my thoughts, Chaeseoha produced a single piece of taffy from her bosom and offered it to me.
I accepted it and placed it in my mouth.
“The bitterness means it’s good for your body. Since this is a decoction you’ll drink once daily for a month, make sure to keep either taffy or candy on hand at all times.”
“Very well… I’ll make sure to prepare some. But is there anything else you needed?”
“Of course. What about those medicinal herbs I said I needed…?”
“Ah—”
Only then did the memory return to me.
I didn’t know what they were for, but I had been asked to procure medicinal herbs.
However, my mind had been so preoccupied with matters concerning Moyong Hyeok that I had been unable to fulfill her request.
An awkward smile crossed my lips without my realizing it.
“I apologize. I’ll inform the Chief Administrator, and we should be able to obtain them soon.”
“Then one more thing… When might that place you mentioned using as a medical chamber become available? My hands are itching to get to work.”
“I’ll tell Chu Hyeongi to have it prepared. If all goes well, it should be usable by tomorrow.”
At those words, Chaeseoha’s face brightened, visible between the cloth wrappings. Had she been holding back all this time because there was no suitable place to use as a medical chamber?
If so, she must have spent considerable time in boredom during my absence.
“Then I’ll bring the decoction again tomorrow morning.”
“Understood.”
Chaeseoha left the room with a noticeably brightened voice and light, graceful steps.
That humming I heard was no illusion whatsoever.
Could healing people be that enjoyable?
Or was it simply the satisfaction of accomplishing something?
I found myself smiling as I lay back on the bedchamber.
Soon, I steadied my breathing and let my thoughts wander.
Memories from the past to the present flickered past like a lantern show. Every recollection surfaced vividly, and all those voices echoed in my ears as if they were being spoken before me right now.
And now, the present moment.
It won’t be long now.
They are coming.
I had been counting the days for this moment.

* * *

“You say you met the Sword Emperor?”
“Indeed. Ha, even I have yet to lay eyes upon such a person.”
Jin Ga-muk, walking alongside Guard Commander Baek Ja-hyeon toward some destination, wore a smile that scarcely faded from his lips.
Through the suppression of the Black Crow Society, Chu Hyeongi had succeeded in making a name for himself, and Jin Cheon-u had returned unscathed, bearing not a single wound unlike Moyong Hyeok.
Moreover, he had met with the Sword Emperor himself, orchestrated the conversation, and conducted a transaction that benefited the Jin Family while bestowing favor upon the Cheonhajeilgeom School.
Though it amounted merely to intelligence, the Moyong Family would surely have to pay the price for utilizing the information network of the Nakhyang Jin Family someday.
Of course, if Chaeseoha had been used to heal Moyong Hyeok, it could have created an even greater debt, but it seemed he had no inclination toward that.
Though he did not know the precise reason, Jin Ga-muk saw no need to pry further.
A merchant’s eye for people must be more accurate than anyone else’s. He surmised that in the eyes of Jin Cheon-u, a merchant’s son, the existence of Moyong Hyeok simply did not register.
“You seem to be in quite a good mood, sir.”
“This smile? Ha. As a parent, one cannot help but feel joy whenever witnessing a child’s growth. You understand that, do you not?”
“Well… this one is rather troublesome, as he rarely listens to instruction…”
“Ha, what of it? In any case, we have arrived.”
Jin Ga-muk, who had been smiling, came to a halt at a certain place. Before him lay a forest path, and he could see bodyguards standing to block the way deeper into the surroundings.
The entrance to the Ancestral Hall.
Understanding the reason for stopping here, Baek Ja-hyeon likewise positioned himself to the side as an escort and bowed his head.
“Then I shall take my leave, Elder Brother.”
“I shall return shortly.”
Jin Ga-muk ascended the forest path upward.
The Ancestral Hall was situated in the deepest reaches of the Nakhyang Jin Family compound. Moreover, it boasted considerable elevation, requiring him to laboriously climb roughly a hundred meters.
Since he had not maintained proper training in recent times, by the time he reached the summit, he had to grasp both knees and gasp for breath.
Soon, after steadying his breathing, Jin Ga-muk entered the Ancestral Hall.
Dust hung thick in the air, as it had been quite some time since anyone had visited.
Waving his hand to disperse the dust as one might shoo insects away, he first lit incense and paid proper respects to his ancestors.
Once this series of rituals concluded, Jin Ga-muk’s gaze turned toward a certain spot. He approached slowly and extended his hand, revealing the floor beneath.
The wooden floor opened, and a small wooden coffin came into view.
The founding Family Head of the Nakhyang Jin Family had worn it, and it had been passed down through generations, protecting the Jin Family as a treasured heirloom.
I had grown up hearing countless times that the Jin Family’s prosperity to this day was made possible because of this object, said to bring good fortune.
Now the time had come to pass this symbol of the Nakhyang Jin Family to Jin Cheon-u.
Jin Ga-muk smiled as he opened the wooden box.
Click—!

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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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