The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 65

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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 126

Ho Yeon-jin.

Merely by virtue of being the current First Martial Artist’s First Disciple, he enjoyed favorable regard throughout the jianghu, yet in truth, he was one who had submitted to the Divine Sect and belonged to the Twelve Horns.
Though not quite at the rank of Horn Master, his position was sufficiently elevated that he could command others as his hands and feet.
Given that he had stood beside Yeom Ji-hak at the final moment, there was a high likelihood he belonged to the Snake Horn.
And now such a man stood before me.
He regarded me with benevolent eyes and spoke in a gentle tone.
“Who would have guessed the subject of such rumors possessed such handsome features? Haha.”
“You are too kind. Surely Paeng Sohyeop is far more deserving of such praise than I.”
At my words, laughter erupted from various quarters.
It was merely an attempt to lighten the mood, so the reaction was natural enough. Yet Moryeong Hyeok, the very subject of my comment, seemed displeased, snorting derisively and turning his head away.
It appeared that no matter how gracious my words, when they came from my lips, they were received as insults.
The others who had been laughing, witnessing Moryeong Hyeok’s reaction, wore awkward expressions and subtly shifted, creating a wall between him and myself.
This peculiar current was not lost only on those beside Moryeong Hyeok.
Eon Garyeo, standing beside Paeng Dohan, also stiffened with an awkward smile.
Only the oblivious Paeng Dohan seemed unaware of the situation.
In such moments, it was best to use such a man to shift the atmosphere.
“By the way, Paeng Sohyeop, what brings you to these parts? And with the Alliance’s esteemed members as well?”
“Ah—we are currently headed to the Joint Sect. The previous First Disciple has ascended to immortality, and Elder Gam Cheong-u has assumed the position of First Disciple.”
“That is indeed fortunate news. Elder Gam is renowned for his overflowing sense of righteousness.”
“Haha, is such knowledge known even in the upper circles?”
“Not in detail, but to some extent. One cannot live with ears closed when occupying such a position, can one?”
Even without the title of Young Master So, those who led the Jin Family of Luoyang’s enterprises could not afford to keep their ears closed.
For in the jianghu, a single minor incident could swing the balance between loss and profit.
Entertaining such thoughts, I smiled faintly and naturally turned my gaze toward Ho Yeon-jin, following the sensation of his attention.
“But where are you headed, Young Master? It appears you are undertaking a journey of some kind?”
“Indeed. It is an important journey, so I am traveling personally.”
“Haha, for the Young Master to travel personally, it must be a matter of great significance. What say you—if our paths align, shall we travel together at least partway?”
At Ho Yeon-jin’s proposal, all present on both sides brightened, their eyes gleaming.
For the Alliance’s side, it was the prospect of forging a connection with me, while for our side, assistance from the Changrong Sect would yield various conveniences.
Yet Namgung Baek and Namgung Yeon’s expressions were unfavorable, and though Chaeseoha’s face was obscured by a veil, making it difficult to discern clearly, she too seemed reluctant.
From my perspective, either option was acceptable.
Should we travel together, I would gain the opportunity to discern Ho Yeon-jin’s true intentions.
But of course, the same would hold true for him.
There was no need to cross such a perilous bridge.
“I appreciate the offer, but it is unnecessary. Since the cargo is precious, our pace would be considerably slow, which would prove tedious for you. It would be best if you proceeded ahead.”
“Haha, is that so? What a pity. Well then, we have far to go, so we shall depart first. Perhaps we shall meet again should the opportunity arise.”
“Yes, I understand.”
Was it because I had dismissed the Martial Artist Jang Moon-in’s proposal far too readily?
A flicker of interest crossed the eyes of Chang Ryong-dan and the others.
Normally in such circumstances, acceptance would have been the ordinary response.
Of course, that logic only applied among fellow martial artists, and held no meaning for me—a figure of the upper realm, distant from the martial world.
Thus Ho Yeon-jin’s expression revealed nothing.
Though he had clearly intended to accompany us to gather information or conduct surveillance, not the slightest hint of regret showed when such efforts failed.
That pointed to one conclusion.
This fellow already knows where we’re headed.
Since we’ll meet at the Gongdong Sect, he sees no need to press the matter now.
By then, refusal would prove far more difficult, and he could assess the situation in a more relaxed atmosphere than at present.
I watched silently as Ho Yeon-jin led his people away.
Pfft—
Laughter escaped me unbidden.
As I stood gazing at those disappearing one by one.
The voice of Paeng Dohan, who had lingered uncertainly, reached my ears.
“My apologies, Young Master! I promised to buy you a drink next time we met, but circumstances being what they are, it seems I’ll break that promise again.”
“There’s no need to worry. We’ll meet again soon enough, and I’ll make sure to collect then. Generously, at that.”
“Ha ha ha! Now that’s a fine thing to say. Agreed! If my purse runs short, I’ll empty Garyeo’s pockets to treat you.”
“Thank you.”
“Then I’ll be off first!”
Paeng Dohan waved his hand with a broad smile spreading across his face. Soon he unfolded his lightness technique and dashed after his companions who had already vanished into the distance, becoming nothing more than a speck.
At that sight, Chaeseoha’s voice reached me as she observed the situation quietly.
“They seem like… quite extraordinary people.”
“They are the talents the Martial Alliance leads and will continue to lead. Each one is certainly formidable.”
“And you rejected the proposal of such a person?”
“Regardless, it’s best to proceed comfortably. When people mix, inconveniences inevitably arise.”
At my words, Chaeseoha glanced subtly toward Namgung Baek and Namgung Yeon.
Her gaze tracking Moryeong Hyeok, who had now vanished from sight, was not particularly warm.
Especially in Namgung Yeon’s eyes, an invisible flame seemed to surge.
“And besides… we cannot train if others accompany us.”
“Ah, you mean Miss Namgung?”
“You catch on quickly.”
“What do you take me for…?”
A voice tinged with displeasure reached my ears, but I let it pass and approached Yang Jachun.
Simply observing how he remained vigilant of his surroundings and maintained tension even in such circumstances made clear why he was counted among the renowned swordsmen.
“Yang Pyo-du, it seems we should maintain some distance from the Martial Alliance. If we continue to become entangled, matters will grow troublesome.”
“Ah, you think so as well, Young Master So? I share the same thoughts. Shall we take another route instead?”
“Do you know of a suitable path?”
“It will take roughly two more days, but it seems preferable to becoming entangled with bothersome people.”
I nodded at Yang Jachun’s words.
If I continued moving along this path, there was a high probability we would encounter them repeatedly.
Eventually, they would naturally realize our destinations were the same, and at that point, I would have no grounds to refuse.
Continuously declining while remaining wary of the orthodox sect’s skilled practitioners seemed sufficient to provoke their displeasure.
Therefore, it would have been wiser to maintain distance from the start or find an alternative route.
“But sir, is there some matter between you and Paeng Sohyeop?”
“Why do you think that?”
“Well, the way he looks at you is… how should I put it…”
“Jealousy? Inferiority complex? Something like that?”
“Exactly. It seems excessive to attribute it merely to the matter of Sa Do-cheon’s Soocheonchu.”
Yang Jachun’s judgment was not wrong.
Though I was making considerable effort to conceal it, anyone with a discerning eye could not fail to notice.
I was still in my youth, an age where I could not yet properly compose my emotions.
Yang Jachun had perceived it.
A laugh escaped me unbidden.
“It’s not so much because of Cheon Yul, but rather it seems to stem from what happened in Anwhui…”
“No, sir. It’s likely because of the rumors that you defeated Soocheonchu.”
At that moment, Namgung Baek, who had been listening quietly, interjected.
Since he had been entangled with Moryeong Hyeok more than anyone, his confidence in reading Moryeong Hyeok’s affairs through mere glances and expressions was evident.
“Moryeong Hyeok has always harbored inferiority toward Cheon Yul, who was evaluated as superior to him. And you, sir, managed to…”
I could understand the rest without hearing it spoken aloud.
What he had gnashed his teeth and struggled desperately to catch up with, yet found impossible—I had accomplished it effortlessly, despite his belief that I was far beneath him.
For someone with such pride, inferiority was inevitable.
Moreover, with such skill, it was only natural for him to conclude that I had been stronger than him even during the Heuk-u Society.
How shameful and infuriating it must be, realizing that while he outwardly showed deference, I had secretly looked down upon him?
It would not be strange if his teeth ground down to nothing.
All while hastening his own demise.
“Shall I crush him once more before long?”
Namgung Baek flinched at my words, spoken with a faint smile.
He understood the meaning well enough.
The pallor that drained from his face revealed his fear of how catastrophically the Moyong Family would explode if such an incident occurred again.
But what did such things matter?
An ill-mannered cur always needed the whip.

* * *

“Tsk—! Did you all see that? Just like with the Black Ox Society, there’s not a shred of killing intent. What level is he even at?”
“Indeed. If the Solar Plexus point is hidden to that degree, then he’s already… at the Peak?”
“Isn’t that something everyone already knows? Cheon Yul reached the Peak as a Powerful Expert. And this man defeated him… Sigh, it’s beyond my comprehension.”
The members of the Changyong Society, advancing with their lightness technique, could not hide their astonishment as they recalled Jin Cheon-u, whom they had just witnessed.
They had heard rumors of his ascension to the Peak, but standing before him, they felt not the slightest trace of his martial presence.
This could only mean one thing: Jin Cheon-u’s strength had reached a level that completely overwhelmed the Changyong Society.
Considering that most members of the Changyong Society were of similar age to Jin Cheon-u, his talent and level had truly reached an insane degree.
“Hahahaha! He’s my friend, you fools! A friend who might one day become the greatest under heaven!”
“Haha, I’m not sure if that’s true, but he’s certainly capable of reaching for the Emperor rank.”
“Yes, if he continues growing at this rate, he might ascend to Emperor within the next decade or so? Isn’t this the first time in martial history?”
“My goodness, are you serious? The Emperor rank? I’d say he could even aim for the Heavenly rank without breaking a sweat. Wouldn’t you agree, Paeng Sohyeop?”
“You’re absolutely right! He’s such a remarkable friend that hahahaha!”
There was one thing that reached the ears of Moyong Hyeok, who walked ahead, whether he wished to hear it or not.
Nothing less than a barrage of praise directed at Jin Cheon-u.
When they first saw him during the Black Ox Society incident, those same people had envied him, thinking he was merely a wealthy young master blessed by fortune with good parents. But in an instant, they had changed their tune.
The victory over Cheon Yul had such a profound impact.
Moyong Hyeok clenched his fists.
Before the incident at Pyo Hyeong-geom, such praise had existed solely for Moyong Hyeok.
The most outstanding prodigy of the Orthodox Faction, and the son of the Sword Emperor.
And who was the Sword Emperor Mo Yong-cheon?
The youngest among the ten who bore the title of Emperor, a distinction that alone made him remarkable.
Gossips believed without doubt that he would one day ascend to the position of Sword Heaven.
The Young Master of the Moyong Family, the greatest sword house under heaven.
The son of the Sword Emperor Mo Yong-cheon.
The most outstanding among countless prodigies of the Orthodox Faction.
Yet all of that had shattered to pieces because of what happened at Pyo Hyeong-geom.
And Jin Cheon-u had wedged himself into that vacant position and surpassed it entirely.
Crack—!
His teeth ground together, and resentment surged within him.
All he could think of was killing that man on the spot.
“Compose yourself.”
“…!”
At the sudden voice, he turned his gaze.
The one who had approached his side was none other than Ho Yeon-jin.
Those eyes, gazing intently at him, seemed to pierce through everything, so he could not bear to meet his gaze and had to lower his head.
“A magnificent emotion. It is that very feeling that has built the Moyong Family into what it is today. But you must not let it show so carelessly. Do you understand?”
“I… understand.”
Ho Yeon-jin listened to Moyong Hyeok’s trembling voice and inwardly scoffed.
Whether he was the Young Master of the greatest sword house or the son of the Sword Emperor meant little to Ho Yeon-jin.
Then his voice came again.
“You’ve been training with the Sword Emperor recently? You’re learning his techniques?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Haha, I see. So the Sword Emperor has finally made up his mind. Learn it well. That very technique is what elevated your talentless father to the position of Sword Emperor.”
“…I will keep that in mind.”
The response came somewhat deflated, but Ho Yeon-jin paid it no attention. He simply smiled at Moryeong Hyeok once more before suddenly surging forward, widening the distance between them in an instant.
Left alone, Moryeong Hyeok watched Ho Yeon-jin’s retreating figure, his eyes igniting with fierce determination.

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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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