The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 84

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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 145

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Sleep is the best medicine.
The saying proved true—as I slowly opened my eyes, I felt my body grow considerably lighter.
The fierce battle with Hoyeon had left me in such pain that sleep had been nearly impossible.
Yet after resting, the pain had subsided considerably.
Enough that I could manage even moderately vigorous movements.
I slowly pushed myself upright and surveyed my surroundings.
The moonlit landscape had transformed—now the sun blazed down with such intensity it stung the eyes.
Frowning, I turned to look beside me and encountered a peculiar sight.
“Ha ha ha, are you feeling better?”
“…How is your body?”
Chaeseoha was laughing with an expression that looked decidedly awkward, while Namgung Yeon was attempting to appear composed, though his appearance told a different story entirely.
How does one acquire a head wound while merely fetching a carriage?
And where had her long hair gone—when had she cut it short?
Unable to comprehend the situation, I let out a hollow laugh and looked around, but the carriage that should have been there was nowhere to be found. Even the horses they’d ridden were gone.
“I sent you to run an errand. I didn’t tell you to sell the horses.”
“…We didn’t sell them. They just… got scared and ran away.”
I found myself momentarily bewildered by Chaeseoha’s words.
The fact that a well-trained horse had bolted meant the situation must have been dire indeed.
It likely had something to do with Namgung Yeon’s condition.
I found myself furrowing my brow and sighing involuntarily.
“Can’t you two manage even a single errand properly?”
“We did! We completed it properly.”
“Indeed. As you instructed, we went to Nanzhou and visited the Unryong Inn to retrieve the carriage.”
At the mention of the Unryong Inn, I looked at Chaeseoha with a puzzled expression. I had certainly sent them to purchase a carriage, but I had never mentioned retrieving one from the Unryong Inn.
Most of the carriages at the Unryong Inn in Sega are prepared for distinguished guests and should not be used carelessly.
Moreover, as carriages meant for honored visitors, they are excessively grand and ornate—cumbersome for traveling long distances.
“Why the Unryong Inn of all places…?”
“Wasn’t that where you wanted us to get it from?”
“I gave you money to buy a carriage. Was that a dream?”
“No, we always do it that way.”
“Didn’t I tell you to buy one this time?”
“I intended to do as usual, but I apologize.”
It seemed she had done this knowing the Unryong Inn’s carriages were of the highest quality, wanting to provide the best for me.
“Never mind that.”
Suddenly, I noticed something unfamiliar and turned my attention toward it.
None other than the sword hanging at Namgung Yeon’s waist.
Though I hadn’t drawn the blade to examine it, its appearance and form were far from ordinary. Even at a glance, it possessed considerable value.
Was it because of my gaze fixed intently upon the sword?
Namgung Yeon slowly concealed it behind her back, and at this incomprehensible action, I tilted my head in confusion and looked toward Chaeseoha.
“Then where did the money go?”
“Ah, well… you see, Miss Yeon’s sword was broken. So I bought her a new one.”
“With your own money?”
“No, sir. With your money, Young Master. I’m your guard, after all.”
Chaeseoha averted her gaze with an awkward smile once more. The fact that she knew she was wrong yet still did it suggested there must have been unavoidable circumstances.
After all, it wasn’t her nature to spend my money recklessly.
I looked back at Namgung Yeon.
“Draw the sword.”
“Yes, sir.”
*Shing—*
The sound of the blade being drawn was extraordinary.
Though I couldn’t tell who had forged it, it appeared to be the work of a master craftsman of considerable skill.
Namgung Yeon’s posture as she stood holding the sword seemed lighter than expected.
Her grip on the hilt was firm without appearing to exert excessive force, and her arm and shoulder showed no sign of drooping from the weight.
This meant the sword’s weight was perfectly suited to her, imposing no burden.
I stroked my chin and smiled.
These two recognized its worth and purchased it?
“How much was it?”
“Ten… gold taels… Ah, I’ll repay you. I’m truly sorry.”
“No, sir. I shall repay it. Please don’t concern yourself, Physician. Young Master, I beg you to deduct the cost from my monthly wages.”
At the mention of ten gold taels, my eyes widened involuntarily.
Whether interpreting this as wasteful spending, both Chaeseoha and Namgung Yeon hastily offered explanations and apologies.
I couldn’t help but laugh.
“Even if you’d paid twice that, it would still be a bargain.”
“Sir?”
“That’s its true value. If I were to sell it… I’d get at least twenty gold taels. If I were to present it to the Emperor, I could expect even greater profit.”
“That much?”
I nodded while observing the astonishment on both their faces.
Namgung Yeon, whose sword had shattered during the martial contest with Moryeong Hyeok, had obtained a blade of renowned quality for far less than its worth.
It was a perfect circumstance—one that felt like destiny itself.
I smiled at Namgung Yeon.
“You’ve obtained a stroke of fortune.”
For a martial artist, acquiring such a fine weapon as a companion blade was indeed fortune enough.
“I… thank you. I shall repay the money without fail, so please don’t worry.”
“Don’t repay it. Instead, repay me with loyalty. That would be far more profitable.”
“…!”
How long would it take to repay ten taels of gold from Namgung Yeon’s monthly stipend? No matter how generous the Nakhyang Jin Family’s wages were, it would be impossible in merely a year or so.
I had no desire to wait for that.
It was far more profitable to give it now and earn his loyalty.
Sure enough, Namgung Yeon’s eyes glistened with moisture.
The moment I saw that, I hastily turned my head away.
“Speaking of which, what happened? What became of the carriage?”
“Well, you see….”
Chaeseoha carefully began to recount everything that had occurred in Nanzhou. Listening to all the events from the moment of arrival until now, I could piece together the situation to some degree.
“Quite an odd person, isn’t he?”
“He must have recognized it as a treasure from the start. Even if it had been someone else instead of him, the result would have been the same. As he said, treasures in the martial world have no true owner.”
“But we paid money for it?”
“If you seize it without anyone knowing, ownership changes hands. That is the way of the martial world.”
Moreover, a sword—the most commonly used weapon in this martial realm.
In a place where countless people rush forward at the mere mention of a famous blade, a treasure rests in the hands of someone who seems ignorant of its worth.
Coveting it was only natural.
It could become a family heirloom passed down through generations, or if one made a name for themselves in the martial world, that sword could become a symbol in itself.
“Regardless, the Gi Ryeon-hyeon-ga….”
“Do you know of them?”
“They are a power that divides Gansu between them. Though they failed to earn a place among the Eight Great Families, they are of comparable standing. You’ve entangled yourself with troublesome people.”
“….”
Excluding Gansu, they are not particularly prominent as a family, but that does not mean they are inferior to the Eight Great Families in status.
There are countless types of people in this world.
Some wish to make their names known throughout the realm, while others dedicate their lives to their family’s glory.
Most of the famous families and sects comparable to the Eight Great Families could be said to be of this latter type, but the Gi Ryeon-hyeon-ga are different.
They have chosen to be frogs in a well.
Being satisfied to rule as kings within the well of Gansu is enough for them to live contentedly.
It meant they did not bother to draw their swords to make the family’s name and spirit known to the world.
The clearest proof of this was what happened when the Demonic Cult stirred.
Countless cult members poured in to suppress Gansu, and righteous martial artists drew their blades to stop them, but the Gi Ryeon-hyeon-ga did nothing and simply locked their gates.
They made excuses about being besieged by the cult members, but seeing how remarkably little damage they sustained, one could not help but suspect some sort of deal had been made.
Moreover, the cult members’ strangely rapid advance fanned the flames of rumor.
But no one dug deeper.
Most of the countless sects and families in Gansu were destroyed in the battle against the Demonic Cult, and the Martial Alliance was too busy cleaning up the aftermath to spare attention for the Gi Ryeon-hyeon-ga.
Furthermore, the Gi Ryeon-hyeon-ga themselves, perhaps to prevent their name from being mentioned, ceased external activities and remained silent for a long time.
“Such a thing….”
“Do not judge it harshly—it is a means of survival. Is that not their sense of justice?”
At my words, Namgung Yeon seemed displeased with something, yet nodded as if he understood.
Justice differs from person to person, and survival is human instinct.
As it was for me.
“It seems we cannot avoid this.”
“I’m sorry for causing trouble.”
“No. This is what the martial world is all about.”
To reach Namman, I had to pass through Sinkang anyway.
However, unlike the Gongjongpa sect we’d already passed, the Gi Ryeon-hyeon-ga was situated at the foot of Gi Ryeon Mountain, so our paths were bound to intersect.
If the Young Master So, angered by this incident, mobilized Sega’s warriors to capture us, we would inevitably face them.
But if I detoured through Cheonghai instead, it would add considerable distance and significantly extend our travel time.
I let out a soft chuckle.
“We can’t avoid going anyway. Besides, we haven’t done anything wrong, so why should we skulk about?”
“Understood. I will do my utmost to ensure your safety, Young Master.”
“That’s reassuring to hear.”
I nodded with satisfaction at Namgung Yeon’s response.
I expected they would come at us even more recklessly.
Since I hadn’t mentioned the Nakhyang Jin Family name, they would likely perceive Chaeseoha as merely a wealthy merchant’s daughter or the daughter of some high official unfamiliar with Gansu.
Once they learned how dangerous that assumption was, it would be too late.
“You’re smiling, Young Master, so there’s nothing to worry about, is there?”
“What… are you saying?”
“Every time you smile like that, something always happens and you always resolve it.”
“…”
At Chaeseoha’s innocent and bright smile, Namgung Yeon momentarily found herself at a loss for words.
Incidents weren’t exactly good things, after all.
I shook my head and spoke.
“We’ll stay here one more day and depart tomorrow. First, I need to go into Nanzhou and purchase a new carriage.”
“Stay here another day? Wouldn’t it be better to leave right away?”
I shook my head at Chaeseoha’s words.
We could leave immediately if needed.
However, while my condition had improved somewhat, I couldn’t say I was in peak form, and both women must be quite exhausted from everything that had happened.
It seemed they hadn’t even managed to eat.
“Eat and rest first. And you—take this.”
I pulled a small wooden box from my robes and tossed it toward Namgung Yeon.
Upon catching the wooden box and noticing it was stained with blood, she looked at me with questioning eyes, but I casually brushed off her gaze and urged her to open it.
Click—
Namgung Yeon nodded and carefully opened the wooden box.
Instantly, a refreshing fragrance wafted out, and her eyes widened.
It wasn’t just Namgung Yeon.
Seeing the spirit pill for the first time, Chaeseoha rushed over breathlessly.
“What is this?! Where did you get it? The spiritual energy is incredible!”
“Can’t you tell by looking? It’s a spirit pill.”
“…Am I supposed to take this? Not you, Young Master?”
“I don’t need it. Right now, you need it most.”
If the Summon Pill was the perfect spirit pill for Jang Chuchyeong, then the Jaseodan was the perfect spirit pill for Namgung Yeon.
And right now, the person Yeongdan needs most is Namgung Yeon.
It will take considerable time to fully absorb the energy, but it’s certain that it will greatly aid in expanding his meager internal strength.
That way, things will become a bit easier for me.
I let out a soft chuckle and urged him to sit in lotus position.
Namgung Yeon, finding himself unexpectedly cross-legged, kept glancing nervously in my direction before finally swallowing hard and managing to open his mouth with difficulty.
“I… would like to know what kind of Yeongdan this is.”
“Do you really need to know?”
“I understand that each Yeongdan has different properties. I’m just being cautious…”
He had a point.
Most things bearing the name Yeongdan possessed distinctly different properties, and these significantly influenced the martial arts one was cultivating.
Most places that produced Yeongdan sought to create ones that best matched their own martial techniques and properties.
So it was natural to be curious about whether it might affect one’s martial arts.
I met Namgung Yeon’s questioning gaze and smiled softly.
“Jaseodan.”
“…!”
“Huh?!”
In that instant, Namgung Yeon’s eyes widened in shock, and Chaeseoha’s mouth fell open.
The fact that I, who had never even set foot in a Martial Artist’s sect, possessed something I shouldn’t have inevitably led to one conclusion.

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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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