The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 90

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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 Jin Family of Luoyang – Chapter 151

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The Giryeon Clan sealed their gates.
People began to panic at the sudden news.
A family that had ruled Gansu alongside the Martial Artists’ Alliance.
Unlike the Alliance, which remained hidden in the mountains cultivating martial arts alone, this was a clan that wielded the power and influence it commanded, earning itself the title of Emperor of Gansu.
Such an abrupt sealing of gates was more than enough to stir suspicion among the people.
“Against the Jin Family of Luoyang?”
“So they say. Apparently, that Young Master So drew his sword without realizing he was facing the Young Master of the Jin Family.”
“The fool. What was he thinking, doing that to the man who made Moryeong Hyeok what he is…”
“And that’s why they ended up like this, isn’t it? It’s called a sealing, but in truth, they’re finished. The Mount Seol Sect and Mount Myeongsa Sect are already making their moves.”
The landscape of Gansu’s martial world had shifted.
The once-solid fortress of the Giryeon Clan crumbled in an instant, and now a great collision between other martial families and sects vying for that position would soon begin.
Leading the charge were none other than the Mount Seol Sect and Mount Myeongsa Sect.
It was as clear as day that both would soon rise to become the second power in Gansu.
“Regardless, that Young Master of the Jin Family is quite something. Just moments before, he was smashing Moryeong Hyeok in front of everyone… and now the Giryeon Clan as well…”
“I heard he only needed to make one move? The rest, they say, he settled with his words and money.”
From the mouths of the murmuring crowd, truth and falsehood intermingled and spread across the entire Central Plains.
Since it was a tale of merely three people toppling an entire clan, people were showering it with acclaim and awe as if it were something from a heroic legend.
Naturally, these rumors reached my ears as well.
A village situated between the Mount Seol Sect and Mount Myeongsa Sect, beyond Giryeon Mountain.
Resting at an inn where I had taken lodging, I found myself smiling as I listened to the rumors drifting from all directions.
“Nothing particularly remarkable.”
“It is remarkable, sir. Did you not subdue the Family Head of the Clan in a single move?”
Namgung Yeon spoke up, his eyes gleaming with admiration.
Hyeon Kang, the Family Head of the Giryeon Clan.
Since he had not revealed his true strength, I could not know for certain, but still, it was a single move executed against the leader of a family ruling Gansu.
Because of that move, I had been able to resolve the situation far more quickly, so it was only natural that Namgung Yeon’s eyes shone with such admiration.
Receiving such a gaze, I spoke calmly.
“Anyone can seize an opening. The problem was that the Family Head of the Clan let his guard down.”
“From what I observed, he was looking directly at you, sir.”
“Haha, it seems he did not anticipate that I would charge at him.”
There was no doubt that Hyeon Kang’s level was considerable.
If he had faced Namgung Yeon, he would not have lasted even ten exchanges—the difference in skill was that great.
The reason such a man suffered such a pathetic defeat was precisely because he could not regain his composure in the face of the unfolding situation, and because of my sudden appearance and the earthquake.
Had it been otherwise, they would have exchanged blows quite skillfully.
In fact, that would have lent more credibility to the rumors, which would have been even better, but what use is there in regretting what has already come to pass?
I gathered my belongings while observing Namgung Yeon.
“Did you retrieve what I asked for?”
“Yes, I’ve secured everything as you instructed.”
I nodded and slung the bundle across my back.
Opening the door slowly and stepping out toward the rear of the inn, I found myself in a vast, empty courtyard where few people ventured.
There stood two carriages alongside Chaeseoha, and a man and woman who resembled those I’d seen from the Gi Ryeon-hyeon-ga.
“Are you members of the Mount Seol Sect?”
“Yes, we are. Young Master. It is an honor to meet you again like this.”
“Haha, thank you. But truly, I am the one who should be grateful. This was an unreasonable request, yet you accepted so readily.”
“…We also bear responsibility for this matter, do we not? If we can repay our debt through this, there could be nothing better.”
I nodded at the cautious man’s words.
Then I slowly examined their appearances.
They had discarded their martial robes and changed into the silk garments I had provided. Moreover, they had groomed their hair to match mine, so from a distance, one would surely mistake them for seeing me.
Their builds were even similar.
The same applied to the other two women beside them.
Both seemed to be mimicking Chaeseoha and Namgung Yeon.
And each wore a face mask hastily prepared through Hao Wen.
The disciples wearing them appeared quite awkward at first, but soon nodded as if it would suffice.
Even with such crude masks, the illusion was so convincing that it seemed as though someone identical to me stood before them.
Chaeseoha and even Namgung Yeon could not hide their astonishment at the sight.
Observing this, I nodded with satisfaction.
“That should be sufficient. Please proceed as swiftly as possible.”
“Haha, do not worry, Young Master. All you need do is enter Luoyang, yes? We shall complete this without incident and return quietly.”
They did not ask what meaning such an act could possibly hold.
Since the martial world was always a place where hidden struggles unfolded, they seemed to assume this was merely one such struggle among merchants.
I smiled faintly and nodded.
Soon after, I withdrew several banknotes from my purse and handed them to the man.
“Spend freely on your journey.”
“No, there is no need. We have our own funds.”
“You must spend freely.”
“…!”
At my words, the man nodded with a hardened gaze.
He had finally grasped the meaning.
Merely resembling me in appearance would not suffice.
Even your actions must mirror mine.
“Understood. I shall do my utmost to imitate you perfectly, Young Master.”
“Then all is well.”
I nodded at his reassuring words and gazed toward one of the carriages.
The carriage we had ridden since Nanjou to reach this place.
The man looked at it, took a deep breath to compose himself, then glanced briefly at his two companions before boarding the carriage.
Fortunately, the woman disguised as Chaeseoha skillfully drove the carriage away, and it looked exactly like our group departing.
“Why are you doing such a thing?”
“If I’m here when everyone would have expected me to return with Pyohaeng, then going home is the only way to avoid suspicion.”
“Sigh… I really don’t understand what goes on in your head. You seem to live in such an inconvenient way.”
Chaeseoha shook her head and let out a sigh.
She understood all too well how exhausting it must be to calculate and act based on every small gesture and movement.
Namgung Yeon also nodded in agreement with Chaeseoha’s words.
“Indeed, you seem to live quite tiringly.”
“Not tiring at all. And this… may not work forever anyway.”
No matter how carefully one conceals something, it cannot be maintained indefinitely.
Especially since the other side consists of those who can manipulate the Central Plains as they wish, I will inevitably be exposed someday.
Therefore, what I must do now is to raise my level as much as possible before that happens and gather those who can stand alongside me.
“Then let us depart as well. There isn’t much left until the Jade Gate. Once we cross it, we’ll be in Xinjiang, so stay alert.”
“Should we be more tense than what we experienced here?”
Chaeseoha let out a sigh as if she had reached her limit.
What happened at the Gongdong Sect was one thing, but the battle with Gi Ryeon-hyeon-ga was her first true life-and-death struggle.
It was so intense and frightening just to witness, and now being told to be even more alert made her shrink back involuntarily.
But this was no exaggeration.
From Xinjiang onward was the domain of the Demonic Cult.
Those carrying weapons there should be considered members of the Demonic Cult.
They were neither cunning like heterodox sects nor underhanded, but once they drew their blades, she would painfully realize that the battle with Gi Ryeon-hyeon-ga was nothing more than dirt beneath their fingernails.
I turned my gaze to Namgung Yeon.
Though he tried to appear composed, he seemed to be feeling fear.
“Don’t worry. We’ve already fallen considerably behind, so we’ll cross into Namman as quickly as possible. I can’t say nothing will happen, but I have no intention of creating trouble unnecessarily.”
“That’s a relief then. I really don’t want to get involved with them… Ah, my apologies, Young Master.”
“No, I understand your fear. I know well the weight that comes with the name ‘Demonic Cult.'”
The strongest single force in the history of the martial world.
They operated centered around Xinjiang and rarely ventured into the Central Plains, but whenever a member of the Demonic Cult appeared in the Central Plains, it resulted in great bloodshed.
They were far removed from concepts like justice or chivalrous spirit.
They simply followed the strong and became stronger themselves.
Devoted entirely to this pursuit, they developed bizarre martial techniques, and because of this, the name “Demonic Cult” became a symbol of fear to the people of the Central Plains.
I patted both women on the shoulder and boarded the carriage.
“Don’t worry needlessly and let’s go.”

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A vast conference hall within the Martial Alliance.
Gathered in that place were the heads of not only the major sects but also the Eight Great Clans, and for some reason, tension permeated the atmosphere.
Despite pooling information from all sources to verify it, the fact that nothing concrete emerged seemed to further irritate their nerves.
“Where on earth has the Shaman Jangmun gone? The one who should be leading the disciples has vanished without a trace? This is absurd….”
“We are gathering information from all quarters, but nothing has been confirmed yet. Perhaps… he has encountered some misfortune….”
“We speak of none other than the Shaman Jangmun. He is not one to fall so easily… and besides, how could such a thing happen to someone within the Gongtong Sect?”
“Indeed. We have heard that there was no intrusion whatsoever into our Gongtong Sect. Perhaps he simply left due to some matter….”
“Then why is the situation like this?!”
Listening to the cacophony of voices, Mo Yong-cheon kept his mouth shut and swallowed a groan.
His son had been struck down in the Gongtong Sect.
By none other than Jin Cheon-u.
From the letter, it appeared he had sustained considerable fatal wounds, so his mood was beyond description.
Yet on top of that, something unbelievable had occurred.
The disappearance of Shaman Jangmun Hoyeon.
Though he should have returned leading those who went with him, his figure could not be found anywhere.
Despite mobilizing all the intelligence resources of the Martial Alliance.
‘There is something afoot.’
Mo Yong-cheon, with eyes half-open, recalled Jin Cheon-u.
He had known that the man was concealing his true strength, but to possess such power as to subdue his son so easily… it occurred to him that perhaps Hoyeon had also fallen to that man.
But could that be possible?
Hoyeon’s martial prowess was formidable enough to assume the position of Jangmun.
No matter how brilliantly Jin Cheon-u had distinguished himself, it was unimaginable that he could overcome Hoyeon, who possessed countless real battles, experience, and skill.
Moreover, did that man not possess a hidden technique as well?

The Cloud-Piercing Sword Technique.

It was unreasonable to assume that someone skilled enough to wield the foundational sword technique of the Cloud-Piercing Sword had perished entangled with Jin Cheon-u.
Otherwise, it meant that the strength Jin Cheon-u had displayed was merely the tip of the iceberg.
Having contemplated this far, Mo Yong-cheon let out a soft chuckle.
It made no sense.
Even if one searched through the entire history of the Central Plains, no one possessed such a rapid rate of growth.
The same applied even to the Heavenly Demon of the Demonic Cult.
Then there was only one conclusion.
What if Gwanbaek stood behind Jin Cheon-u?
All the efforts the Divine Cult had undertaken against the Jin Family of Luoyang coming to naught, the reason Yeom Ji-hak and the Chohyeon Clan were decimated in Anhui where Jin Cheon-u had been, and even Hoyeon’s sudden disappearance now—it all seemed to align to some degree.
“I shall take my leave first. Inform me once matters are clarified.”
Mo Yong-cheon rose from his seat without concern, despite the reproachful glances from the elderly men around him.
This was not the time to listen to the passions of old men.
Yeom Ji-hak and Chu Won had already headed toward Namman, and I had heard that Jin Cheon-u had encountered Gi Ryeon-hyeon-ga at a crossroads leading toward Xinjiang.
I wondered if their destinations might be the same.
It seemed I needed to investigate that aspect more closely.
Unlikely as it was, if Hoyeon had truly met with an unforeseen circumstance while investigating Jin Cheon-u, I could find traces somewhere along that path.
-There is something I must learn of urgently.
His transmission of thought pierced toward someone.

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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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