The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 72

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Youngest Son of the Nakhyang Jin Family – Chapter 133

* * *

A small annex within the Gongdong Sect’s grounds.
It was a place built for important guests, and the people of the Jin Family of Luoyang had occupied it entirely. The visitors from the Murim Alliance, fortunately gathered in a larger hall some distance away, had allowed us exclusive use of the annex.
I had claimed the largest room within it.
It wasn’t quite as grand as my residence in Luoyang, but it was tastefully appointed in its own modest way.
It was a testament to how much effort Gam Cheong-un, the sect leader of the Gongdong Sect, was investing in the Jin Family of Luoyang.
“The room is really spacious, isn’t it?”
At the familiar voice, I furrowed my brow and turned my head.
It was none other than Chaeseoha.
With a long, languid stretch, she settled onto my bed and began rolling around as if it were her own.
I couldn’t shake the feeling that guest and host had switched places.
“Do that in your own room.”
“My room is cramped. It’s so small I can barely work in it.”
“…So you’re going to do it here?”
“You’re the one who wanted the item in the first place, Young Master. Surely you can accommodate that much?”
Chaeseoha, sprawled across the bed, gazed at me with a seductive smile.
It was as if she were trying to tempt me.
The problem was that none of her actions carried any ulterior motive whatsoever.
I exhaled a sigh and shook my head slowly.
“Regardless, the Gongdong Sect is treating you quite generously. They’ve even provided this annex without hesitation.”
I nodded in agreement with her observation.
However, considering the Gongdong Sect’s position within the Murim Alliance, it was understandable.
Though they held a seat among the Nine Great Sects and One Unorthodox Sect, they were regarded as inferior even to the distant Haennam Sect.
“The Gongdong Sect, known as the lowest-ranked among the Nine Great Sects and One Unorthodox Sect. With a new sect leader in place, they naturally want to elevate their standing however they can.”
A smile escaped me unbidden.
It was quite possible that the invitation itself was Gam Cheong-un’s doing.
He likely knew that a simple invitation would go unanswered, so he deliberately sent word through the Gongdong Sect members at the Murim Alliance to orchestrate this situation.
The Jin Family would naturally conduct their travels and arrive at the Gongdong Sect, and with the timing aligned perfectly, such a scenario could be created.
“They’d go that far?”
“It’s possible. Especially for a sect as financially strapped as the Gongdong. They might even hope to gain something in the process if fortune favors them.”
Gam Cheong-un, known for his integrity and sense of justice.
Yet it was impossible that he harbored no inferiority complex toward the other great sects from childhood. Perhaps when he became sect leader, he wanted that moment to shine as brightly as possible.
“The Murim world is complicated. It really doesn’t suit me at all.”
Gam Cheong-un is someone who is fair and impartial, and full of a sense of justice.
However, it was not unreasonable to assume that he harbored some inferiority complex toward other major sects from childhood, and he may have decided that the moment he became the sect leader would shine the brightest.
“The martial arts world is complicated. It’s really not a place for me.”
“Life is the same everywhere. Just as when you establish a medical clinic or a faction, those who oppose it will emerge.”
“Then I won’t do it.”
Chaeseoha shook her head as if the mere thought gave her a headache.
While she believed healing people was a natural duty as a physician, she showed no desire to entangle herself in such political struggles or factional games.
I let out an incredulous laugh.
“You have no intention of reviving the faction?”
“Why bother with something already ruined? It’s nothing but exhausting. I just want to live comfortably.”
Chaeseoha spoke with such apparent sincerity that she showed no sign of hesitation whatsoever.
Her swift answer revealed an unwavering resolve—either she harbored no internal conflict, or the matter held no value worth contemplating.
I found myself shaking my head involuntarily.
I couldn’t help but think how awkward the situation would become if Namgung Yeon were to hear such words.
Then.
A familiar voice came from outside.
“Young Master, it is Yeon. May I enter?”
“Come in.”
They say even a tiger will come at the sound of its own name—this was precisely that moment.
The instant I granted permission, the door opened slightly, and Namgung Yeon poked his head in, offering a respectful bow.
He then entered cautiously with somewhat stiff movements.
Unlike someone who would stride into another’s room as if it were their own.
Yes, this was how it should be.
Upon entering, Namgung Yeon noticed Chaeseoha lying on the bed and seemed momentarily surprised, but he quickly composed himself and turned his gaze toward me.
“We have guests, sir.”
“Guests?”
“Yes, Paeng Sohyeop and Lady Eon.”
“I was wondering when they’d arrive.”
I exhaled a short sigh and rose from my seat.
Ever since word spread that I had entered the palace, they had been visiting whenever time permitted.
It seemed they wished to flaunt their connection to me and genuinely enjoyed accompanying me. After all, these two were not the type to engage in such meticulous political maneuvering.
Thanks to them, I had naturally come to observe the atmosphere within the Martial Alliance—one could say that was fortunate.
I gave a light nod and moved toward the door.
Just before leaving the room, Namgung Yeon’s gaze—sharp and peculiar—turned toward Chaeseoha.
Yet even as she received that piercing look, Chaeseoha remained unbothered, merely yawning and rolling about on the bed.
Faced with the strange silence and the peculiar atmosphere filling the room, I hastily closed the door behind me.

* * *

The dining hall of the Gongdong Sect disciples.
However, far fewer people were present than I had anticipated, partly because it wasn’t yet mealtime, and consequently most of the disciples were still training.
Those who occupied the sparse seating arrangement were few in number.
Myself, Paeng Dohan, and Eon Garyeo, among others.
Unlike the two I always saw, there was someone I was meeting for the first time.
None other than Yak Hajin, the first disciple of the Gongdong Sect and the prodigy earmarked to lead the sect in the future.
No matter how I looked at it, this gathering seemed orchestrated by Paeng Dohan and Eon Garyeo to introduce Yak Hajin to me.
“Ha! I never expected to meet again in a place like this! If I’d known, I should have gone with you back then.”
“No matter how close we are, we don’t travel together during a martial pilgrimage.”
“Eh? There’s such a rule?”
“The focus of a martial pilgrimage isn’t on me, but on my instructors and fellow disciples. Shouldn’t I avoid creating situations that would inconvenience them?”
“Ah…! Indeed, the Jin Family thinks differently from the start.”
At those words, Eon Garyeo’s eyes widened in surprise.
This is a world with clear hierarchies.
Whether they were instructors or fellow disciples, they were still subordinates, so if a superior wished something, there was nothing they couldn’t do.
But hearing that I hadn’t acted for my own convenience, admiration bloomed across the faces of those present.
These people always think only of themselves.
“Truly remarkable. That the illustrious Jin Family would think such a way… I never would have imagined it.”
The one who spoke was none other than Yak Hajin, the first disciple of the Gongdong Sect. After considering it, he judged he couldn’t have done the same in such circumstances, and a hint of genuine respect gleamed in his eyes as he regarded me.
Shake, shake.
I shook my head at that burdensome gaze.
“It’s nothing remarkable, nor is it a thought unique to me. Anyone from the Jin Family would think the same way.”
“Ha, Yak Sohyeop, this friend speaks the truth. I attended the Family Head’s birthday celebration last time, you see. Most of them acted and spoke that way. They’re not respected by people for no reason.”
At that moment, Paeng Dohan straightened his shoulders and spoke confidently.
It was as if he were saying, ‘This is the kind of person I am,’ and it seemed to resonate well with Yak Hajin, who gazed at him with astonished eyes.
“At the Jin Family Head’s birthday celebration? You?”
“That’s right! Lady Eon was there with me too. Ha ha ha!”
At Paeng Dohan’s appearance, which seemed even more pleased than when he’d met a renowned martial artist, Yak Hajin gazed at him with envious eyes and marveled.
Given that the Jin Family of Luoyang was so famous for not forming connections with martial artists, it was only natural to feel pride and envy.
At such a sight, my expression grew awkward.
As always, Paeng Dohan’s words and actions were excessively burdensome.
I hastily changed the subject.
“Speaking of which, I don’t see that person. The sect master of the Martial Artists…”
“Ah, you mean Sect Master Ho? Ha, so you’re interested in such a renowned figure too.”
“He’s a famous person, isn’t he? Incomparable to someone like me.”
“What! You’re more famous now than he is!”
“Ho ho, that’s true. You’re the Young Master of the Jin Family of Luoyang, and you even defeated Cheon Yul! Moreover, I heard recently… you even fought against Pyo Hyeong-geom of the Plum Blossom Sword Masters and Ha Hyeok-jun of the Ten Swordsmen of Zhongnan? The Changrong Faction is in an uproar because of it!”
“Ah, that’s right. Is that true? I heard a three-faction battle took place?”
The conversation topic shifted rapidly.
Undoubtedly, Baek Cheon and Oh Hyeon’s loose tongues had spread the word, and it had reached here.
Perhaps Gam Cheong-un, the sect leader of the Gonghwa Sect who had welcomed me so warmly, knew of this fact and treated me as an even more distinguished guest because of it.
“You’ve shown me great kindness.”
“Kindness? Well, considering who those people are….”
“Indeed. You have every right to take pride in it.”
As the three voices poured forth, I stroked my chin and swallowed a sigh. It seemed increasingly impossible to probe into Hoyeon’s true identity.
In a situation where the atmosphere had shifted so dramatically, it would be unwise to mention that name or attempt to discover it.
I would need to redirect the conversation using something else.
“By the way, where is Moyong Sohyeop? He was always with you, yet I haven’t seen him at all.”
“Ah… that fellow. Hmm….”
“Is something the matter?”
“That Pyo Hyeong-geom, you see. Ever since he got thoroughly beaten by him, the man’s changed completely. He’s become taciturn, sharper somehow, if you will? I understand the feeling, but he’s keeping his distance from his comrades too.”
Paeng Dohan furrowed his brow and vented his frustration.
It seemed to bother him that his closest friend was acting this way even toward him.
Then he exhaled with a soft sigh.
“Even now, he’s rented a small training hall and shut himself away in there.”
“A training hall?”
A martial artist living in a training hall was hardly unusual.
After all, a martial artist had no other way to prove themselves but through martial prowess.
Yet something felt off about doing so after coming all this way.
It would have been more fitting either not to come at all, or to focus on life here if he had.
Or alternatively, to actively search for Pyo Hyeong-geom himself.
Given Moryeong Hyeok’s temperament as I knew it, he should have been moving about to find Pyo Hyeong-geom directly.
Something about that detail nagged at me.
As I furrowed my brow and fell into thought for a moment.
Paeng Dohan’s voice pierced my ears once more.
“Just how formidable is the greatest sword family under heaven… there’s still martial arts to learn.”
“Still… to learn?”
“Ah- it seems the Sword Emperor has been teaching him new martial arts. That’s why he’s been cooped up in the training hall day and night.”
“Perhaps he’ll demonstrate it at the upcoming martial tournament? I’m quite looking forward to it. I hope he regains some confidence through it.”
Paeng Dohan nodded at Eon Garyeo’s words.
The two of them seemed to be hoping for Moryeong Hyeok’s victory in the small martial tournament coming up.
The easiest way to escape the shadow of defeat is to wash away that shadow with the memory of victory.
The Sword Emperor would certainly know this.
That’s why he seemed to be deliberately including him in this distant journey and having him participate in the tournament, attempting to wash away the bitter memory of defeat.
After all, among those participating, there wouldn’t be many who could stand as his opponent.
However.
Things are no fun when they go exactly as planned.
“But… where is Lady Namgung? I don’t see her, and she’s supposed to be on guard duty.”
“Ah- by now, she’s probably sweating profusely.”
At the question, laughter escaped me before I could help it.
Here lay the promised defeat.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————