The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 63

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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 63

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The Nakhyang Jin Family bustled with activity from the early morning hours.
From the moment the tightly sealed main gate swung open wide, an endless stream of people began flowing inside.
Their numbers were so great that it was difficult to count them at a glance.
The spacious courtyard filled with well-wishers coming to celebrate the Family Head’s birthday in what felt like an instant.
Servants and maids hurried about carrying wine and food, while the Jin Family’s high-ranking members circulated throughout, exchanging greetings.
However, my father was nowhere to be found.
None of the important figures arrived at this early hour, so he was attending to other matters.
Instead, I found myself greeting the early arrivals and exchanging pleasantries.
“Ha ha, Cheon-u! It’s been so long!”
“It’s been a while, Uncle. It’s good to see you.”
My uncle approached with a bright smile.
As my father’s younger brother, he currently oversaw the Unryong Inn in Beijing.
He also played an important role in relations with the Imperial Palace.
I smiled warmly and guided him to his seat.
With my elder brother and sister not yet returned, I had taken on all these responsibilities alone—an annoying situation indeed.
But I could not let it show on my face, so I simply smiled.
“Come now, pay your respects. This is Grand Chamberlain Ga.”
Though I introduced him simply as Grand Chamberlain Ga, among the current Twelve Eunuchs, there was only one who bore the surname Ga.
Ga Inhoo, the Chief Administrator overseeing all eunuchs.
I concealed my discomfort and steadied my breathing without letting it show.
“I did not expect the Grand Chamberlain to grace us with his presence. I am Jin Cheon-u, Young Master of the Jin Family. It is an honor to meet you.”
“Ho ho ho— How delightful to meet you. So you are the dragon I have heard so much about.”
Grand Chamberlain Ga Inhoo.
A man whose influence was so considerable he was called the second most powerful figure in the Imperial Court. Seeing how he had been favored by the Emperor’s side for decades spoke volumes of his exceptional abilities.
Because of this, he had a tendency to undertake any task for the Emperor without hesitation. It was this very Ga Inhoo who now commanded those pursuing Chaeseoha from the Imperial Palace.
I had memories of seeing his face before.
I distinctly recalled seeing him leave with my uncle around noon after exchanging a few words with my father.
I bowed lightly to the two men.
“My father will arrive shortly. Please, enjoy your seats for now.”
“Ho ho ho— Thank you.”
“Ha ha, see you in a moment.”
I bowed lightly to my uncle and moved past them. Seeing that repugnant face, I suppressed the urge to draw my blade.
Not now.
Wait.
Do not spoil this good day with anger.
After composing myself, I made a circuit of the courtyard, exchanging greetings with the guests. Since I was not dealing with just one or two people, exhaustion had accumulated within mere hours.
Is that why?
My mother, who had been observing the situation from a distance, quietly approached and tapped my shoulder with a gesture.
“Go rest for a while. I’ll take it from here.”
“Thank you.”
“Hehe— hang in there. After all, this won’t end in just one day.”
“I’m… doing my best.”
Though this happened every year and should have been familiar by now, entertaining the persistent guests who clung to conversation was never easy.
I steadied my breathing and headed toward my residence.
For the next two hours, my mother would receive visitors, and afterward, Father would appear, so there seemed to be no further cause for concern.
Phew…
As I exhaled a long sigh and settled into my seat, Chu Hyeongi came running from somewhere.
“Young Master, I’ve brought everything you asked for. But why is there so much? Old Man Geum looks like he’s seen a ghost.”
“Everything will be put to use. More importantly, where is Master Gu?”
“He’s already having a drink with Baek Chong-gwal. Both of them love alcohol, so they’re getting along splendidly.”
Chu Hyeongi grinned widely.
Having escaped Gu Gunbaek’s grasp for the first time in a while, he seemed to be in good spirits. Moreover, Father’s birthday celebration was not ending in a single day.
Today we would enjoy ourselves, and starting tomorrow, important guests would visit one by one to offer their respects again, so he would be free from my grasp for at least two days.
With such thoughts, I turned my gaze.
“By the way, have you learned the martial arts reasonably well?”
“You mean Master’s martial arts? Well, it’s not perfect yet, but I’m getting more familiar with it. I’m learning quickly so I can be of help to you soon.”
Thump thump—
Chu Hyeongi struck his chest, displaying confidence.
Whether he had grown accustomed to being tormented by Gu Gunbaek, or whether his skills were improving day by day and he had fallen into joy, I could not say.
But he certainly seemed much more at ease than before.
I nodded.
“Don’t work. Go stay over there.”
“Huh? Over there, you mean that place from earlier?”
“Yes.”
“The atmosphere was incredibly tense… are you telling me to go there?”
Since he had gone to deliver the masks, he must have seen and felt the atmosphere of the underground organization with his own eyes.
The word “tense” could not even fully express it, so from Chu Hyeongi’s perspective, he would not want to go there.
“No, there’s so much delicious food here… and the atmosphere is nice, so why would you…?”
“Go stay there. By the way, what is Chaeseoha doing over there?”
“She was playing while pulling weeds in the courtyard.”
If Chaeseoha was pulling them, they were certainly not ordinary weeds.
She must be gathering medicinal herbs.
Come to think of it, I recall that Grandfather had said an underground organization should have such things, and had planted quite a few medicinal herbs here and there.
Naturally, it would be a heaven-sent pharmacy for her.
I smiled and rose from my seat.
“Young Master, a guest has arrived… the young masters of the Paeng Clan and the Eon Clan. What should we do?”
At that moment, a voice called out from outside.
The gatekeeper, who would normally never admit someone from a martial family, had apparently rushed over in haste upon hearing that this person mentioned my name.
It had to be Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo.
“I’m going out.”
“Yes, understood.”
I rose from my seat and looked toward Chu Hyeongi.
He was staring at me blankly.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you going?”
“Ah, you’re really going?! The atmosphere there is…”
“Go on… wait there. I’ve already given orders to Yang Jachun, so you can move with them.”
“Ah… yes, yes, I understand. Really, sometimes you’re too much. Oh, and this!”
Chu Hyeongi sighed and turned away, then pulled something from his robes.
It was an exquisitely crafted mask modeled after a demon.
I accepted it.
“It’s called the Demon King’s Mask. Old Man Geum said if you’re going to wear one, wear this. Something about the Demon King or whatever?”
“Ha, quite impressive.”
I nodded and tucked the mask into my robes before leaving the room.
Though the annex was quieter than other places, there were so many people that the distant sounds of commotion could still be heard.
As time passed, the crowd would only grow larger, and by nightfall, the Nakhyang Jin Family compound would certainly be packed.
This atmosphere was only possible because they were a martial arts family, different from ordinary merchant guilds.
I headed toward the main gate, listening to the ambient noise.
My gaze never stopped as I walked.
I naturally observed the appearances of the people around me, searching for anyone who might be suspicious.
Fortunately, I saw no familiar faces.
Upon reaching the front gate, I could see familiar figures standing with anxious expressions.
Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo.
Their hands were full of what appeared to be gifts.
Since they couldn’t bring porters, I surmised they had brought only the most precious items they could carry.
“My apologies. Have you been waiting long?”
“Oh! Jin Gongja! Waiting? We just arrived ourselves.”
“Hehe, that’s right. Ah! And how have you been?”
“It’s good to see you, Eon Sojeo. Paeng Sohyeop, have you been well? It hasn’t been long, but…”
“Of course. What’s there to complain about for us? Wielding a sword every day is our daily life. Haha.”
“Then I’m relieved. Ah, come inside rather than standing here. I’ve prepared a place for you.”
I guided the two of them.
It was one of the finest spots in the courtyard, so around their seats would sit not only merchants but also members of the Imperial Court and high officials.
Moreover, it was close to where my father would soon arrive.
Had they noticed this?
Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo’s eyes grew as wide as lanterns.
Though their eyes gleamed with inner delight, they seemed unable to show it openly, awkwardly clearing their throats as they hurried to compose their expressions.
As a result, all eyes turned toward them.
Their gazes made it clear they were wondering who possessed the status to sit in such a place.
Such attention would only serve to elevate the standing of these two individuals further.
However, there was another reason I had seated them here.
They occupied the positions closest to my parents, so should any unforeseen situation arise, they could serve as a shield, however briefly.
These were people who already desired to appear favorably before the Nakhyang Jin Family.
Should I manage to place them in a position of debt to the Jin Family through some contingency, they seemed the type who would spare no effort to repay such an obligation.
I let out a quiet chuckle.
“Then please, enjoy yourselves for now. I have other matters to attend to, so I shall return once I’ve resolved them.”
“Haha, this is something I experience every year, so take your time. We won’t mind at all.”
Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo smiled with evident satisfaction.
Glancing around the hall, I noted there were many individuals worthy of their attention.
Not a single person among them lacked value to these three great families, so it appeared they were intent on cultivating connections now, planning to meet with Father and me later.
I nodded and rose from my seat.
“Well then….”
The preparations were complete.
Now it was time to cast the fishing line.

* * *

The sun descended below the horizon, and the moon rose into the sky.
Thanks to the clear weather, the moonlight cast an ethereal glow across the landscape.
The number of passersby dwindled, and soon there was scarcely any sign of human presence at all.
In such a place, a group of black-robed figures had gathered.

The Shadow Assassins.

Excluding the Ten Elders, who were presumed to be at the Nakhyang Jin Family, and Gyeom Sa-chan’s Seventh Squad, everyone had gathered in one place.
Over a hundred strong, the aura emanating from them was remarkably sharp and cutting.
Incomparable to the Ten Elders.
Sa Gong-chun, who held this sight in his pupils, narrowed his eyes.
“Today is the day.”
He had confirmed with certainty that Jin Cheon-u possessed the Jade Orb, and the day appointed by the Commander for the operation was drawing near.
Though I wished to move sooner, the Commander’s orders held weight, and there must have been meaning in designating this specific date for the task.
So I waited and endured.
Sa Gong-chun shifted his gaze to the First Squad.
“The Jade Orb?”
“Jin Cheon-u still possesses it, and the man who was conducting reconnaissance outside is currently returning to Sega.”
“The escort and location?”
“There is no escort, and the location is a path that would naturally be encountered if heading from here toward the Jin Family residence.”
At those words, Sa Gong-chun’s expression became peculiar.
On a day like this, he left Luoyang City without an escort to meet someone?
The situation was difficult to comprehend, and suspicion only deepened.
“Do you know who he met?”
“According to our investigation, it was a former chief servant of Honggu County. Apparently they were quite close since childhood.”
“I see.”
Sa Gong-chun nodded.
With his father’s birthday celebration underway, perhaps he went to share his thoughts with an old friend? The man’s movements were somewhat bothersome despite being understandable, but that did not change our objective.
First, recover the Jade Orb, then strike the Nakhyang Jin Family.
That was the Yeongsal Corps’ goal.
‘But…’
“Leader? Is there something troubling you?”
At that moment, the Deputy Leader’s voice reached him.
Sa Gong-chun, who had been sinking into deeper thought, regained his composure and looked at him.
In that instant, I confirmed the gleaming eyes of the assembled members.
Their eyes, shining like sharp blades, radiated confidence and an unwavering will to see this through to completion.
Furthermore, there was an urgency—a desire to begin without delay.
Seeing my subordinates like this, the budding anxiety gradually dissipated.
Thanks to them, Sa Gong-chun ceased his deliberation and steeled his resolve.
“Let us go.”
With the entire Yeongsal Corps mobilized, failure was impossible.
The shadow of death began to move.
Unaware that deep darkness was closing in upon them.

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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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