The Youngest Son of the Nanyang Jin Family - Chapter 91

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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 Nakhyang – Chapter 152

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A man and an elderly herbalist climbed the winding mountain path together.
The terrain was so treacherous that each step felt as though it would drain one’s strength, yet the herbalist navigated the mountain with practiced ease, while the man following behind showed no sign of labored breathing—a testament to his superior martial prowess.
The man pursued the herbalist for quite some time toward an unknown destination, but when he finally came to a halt, his expression darkened considerably.
“Is this the place?”
“Yes, this is it. I was gathering herbs when a putrid stench assaulted my nose. I initially assumed it was a decomposing animal carcass, as such things decay rapidly in this heat, but…”
“But it wasn’t?”
The herbalist nodded.
Though he had initially dismissed it as an animal corpse, upon closer inspection, it was unmistakably a human body, surrounded by what must have been copious bloodstains.
The remains were so ravaged by scavengers that no intact form remained.
The man’s brow furrowed upon hearing this account.
He had thought a direct examination of the corpse would be ideal, but it seemed that would have to be abandoned.
“A sudden earthquake struck, and the ground split open with a tremendous crack! The corpse happened to fall right into that fissure…”
True to the herbalist’s words, a massive chasm was visible in the earth.
Its depth was unknowable, making descent seemingly impossible.
The reason he was certain the depth could not be gauged was that despite the corpse falling into the crevasse, no odor emanated from it whatsoever.
The man exhaled deeply, his expression grim as he surveyed the surroundings.
The area was indeed devastated by the violent earthquake. He had hoped to find some small trace, but broken trees lay buried in soil, while scattered boulders and earth had created complete chaos.
Finding anything in such a place seemed impossible.
“What was the corpse’s attire like?”
“Its attire? I’m afraid I don’t recall clearly. Besides, finding human corpses on this mountain is hardly uncommon.”
“…There are many bodies?”
“This mountain is infamous for its abundance of lost corpses. Those whose lives have become unbearable or who cannot cure their illnesses often seek this place out. Once you enter, it’s nearly impossible to find your way out without knowing the mountain paths… and so they perish. Beyond that, with so many wild beasts, many become their prey.”
With each word, the man’s brow grew more troubled.
From where Jin Cheon-u had stopped the carriage after leaving Gongdongpa, the distance to this place was considerable, yet not insurmountable.
If the Family Head Mo Yong-cheon’s account was true—that something had occurred between Jin Cheon-u and Hoyeon—this location would be the most likely place.
And conveniently, the herbalist had discovered a corpse.
But the earthquake had swallowed the body and erased all traces.
As if heaven itself were protecting someone.
Now there was no way to determine whether the dead was Hoyeon or someone else entirely.
-Master, word has arrived.
At that moment, a voice suddenly pierced his ear through transmission.
Upon hearing his subordinate’s voice, the man’s eyes flashed with sudden intensity.
-This morning, Jin Cheon-u entered the Jin Family of Nakhyang.
-…!
At this unexpected news, the man let out a sharp intake of breath.
I had already heard that he had settled matters with the Gi Ryeon-hyeon Family and turned his carriage around, but I never imagined he would actually enter Nakhyang directly.
Then, after leaving the Gongdong Sect, did his movement toward the northwest where the Okmunn Gate stood occur because of his dealings with the Gi Ryeon-hyeon Family?
I shook my head at that as well.
After all, the matter with the Gi Ryeon-hyeon Family happened after that.
Or perhaps it was merely a leisurely journey?
Either way, it was difficult to believe easily.
-Is it true?
-We have gathered sufficient information and verified everything. It is Jin Cheon-u.
The man nodded reluctantly.
With this, according to the Family Head’s words, there was no longer reason to suspect Jin Cheon-u. The corpse could not be found, and he had returned to the Jin Family of Nakhyang rather than heading toward Namman.
Though a somewhat unsettling feeling remained, it seemed no further information would emerge.
-Understood. I shall return and report this.

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The boundary dividing Gansu and Xinjiang.
A month had already passed since I escaped the Okmunn Gate and began racing toward Namman.
It was no exaggeration to say this was the domain of the Demonic Cult, for the aura of the martial artists visible here differed greatly from those of the righteous and evil sects.
There was an ominous feeling to the place, though I could not quite place it.
Fortunately, I had not become entangled with anyone or drawn my blade.
Unlike what I had thought—that they possessed somewhat aggressive temperaments—they proved to be cold and disinclined to engage in unnecessary conflict.
Thanks to this, I was able to pass through the Demonic Cult’s domain unscathed and enter Namman.
“It’s so hot….”
“…I feel like I’m being steamed to death.”
Namman’s territory was truly the height of summer.
Or perhaps even more so?
The relentless sun beating down and the dense forests made it extraordinarily humid.
Every sight before my eyes appeared mysterious and embraced by nature, yet for those who had never experienced such a place, it was nothing short of hell itself.
It was impossible to travel even on horseback, let alone by carriage.
So I abandoned everything and ventured into the forest, only to have all manner of flies cling to me and strange insects writhe with each step.
“Namgung, be careful. I think that’s a venomous snake.”
“Ugh?!”
It was not merely that.
Towering tree trunks hung densely before my vision, and there, a camouflaged venomous snake with its jaws wide open lunged at me.
I instantly seized the snake’s head and hurled it away.
“Is this really a place where people can live?”
“I think I could live here. I’m so happy—I’ve never seen so many medicinal herbs before!”
I laughed in bewilderment at Chaeseoha as she spoke such words.
Whether it was the overwhelming heat that made her discard even the cloth she had been wearing, she was drenched in sweat from head to toe.
Yet her gaze swept about the surroundings, carefully gathering what appeared to be medicinal herbs one by one.
I couldn’t tell whether those plants were medicinal herbs, poisonous weeds, or simply wild grass, but in any case, I found myself curious to examine things I had never encountered in the Central Plains.
“Setting that aside, where exactly is the Namman Beast Palace?”
“Didn’t the elder tell you?”
“He said I would understand once I arrived, but….”
I furrowed my brow, recalling Gu Gunbaek’s words.
You will understand once you arrive.
He had left behind only those words before departing.
Yet despite considerable time having passed since entering Namman territory, I had encountered no one who appeared to be from the Beast Palace.
It was doubtful whether such a place even existed at all.
Whoosh—!
Then, from somewhere, a peculiar sound reached my ears.
I stopped in my tracks and surveyed the surroundings.
While it could be dismissed as the cry of a beast, the intensity of the wind and the quality of the sound were distinctly different.
Which meant, without question, that people were present.
Rustle rustle—!
With the sound coming again, trees shook here and there.
Though it resembled the sensation of a monkey climbing through trees, I could not fail to notice how markedly different it truly was.
Even Namgung Yeon seemed to sense the strangeness, surveying the area.
In that instant.
Rustle rustle—!
Something descended the tree at a frenzied speed.
With movements as nimble as a monkey’s, the figure that revealed itself targeted Namgung Yeon, who stood nearest.
Whoosh—!
Scrape—!
Namgung Yeon hastily extended her sword guard to block the fist.
Yet the opponent’s strength was formidable; her feet dragged backward as she was pushed away.
Simultaneously, she raised her head, attempting to catch sight of the monkey-like man once more, but he had already climbed back into the trees and vanished.
“Is that a person? He’s completely like a monkey?”
Chaeseoha gasped at the sight, which only underscored how much the opponent’s martial technique resembled that of a beast.
I narrowed my eyes and turned my gaze once more.
Rustle rustle—!
Like a monkey darting about through the trees, he shifted positions in an instant, then suddenly revealed himself in mid-air, this time targeting Chaeseoha.
In that moment, I swung my sword guard.
Crack—!
“Ugh?!”
The monkey man, struck in the abdomen, let out a grotesque cry as he flew backward, ultimately crashing to the ground and rolling several times before coming to a stop.
Yet even that was brief.
His durability proved far greater than expected; the man bounced to his feet and fixed me with a wary gaze.
Seeing this, I opened my eyes narrowly.
“Try once more. Next time, it will be your neck.”
“Hick?!”
The man recoiled in terror, stumbling backward.
Only then could I see him properly.
A man of short stature but possessed of rippling, powerful muscles.
The garments he wore were fashioned from animal hide, serving less as clothing and more as a means to cover what modesty demanded.
At the sight, the two women gasped and covered their eyes with their hands, yet between their splayed fingers gleamed an unmistakable glimmer of curiosity.
I exhaled slowly and approached the man with measured steps.
“Are you from the Beast Palace?”
“Y-yes! I am the gatekeeper of the great Beast Palace!”
At his words, I nodded.
Was this what he meant by “you’ll understand once you enter”?
In truth, the Beast Palace bore only the name in reality—the palace itself did not truly exist. It seemed he served as a gatekeeper in this manner.
I composed myself and smiled.
“I am Jin Cheon-u of the Jin Family of Nakhyang. I have an appointment with the Palace Master. Would you be so kind as to guide us? Or must we resort to other means to find our way?”
“H-hick?! You’re really Jin Cheon-u of the Jin Family of Nakhyang?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Cough-cough! W-well then, follow me. All the gatekeepers have been ordered to guide you upon sight.”
At his words, I raised my brows slightly and offered a wry smile.
Then I stepped closer and fixed the man with an unwavering gaze.
Was that the reason?
The man, sensing an inexplicable pressure, broke into a cold sweat and hastily averted his eyes.
“I trust you won’t attempt anything untoward.”
“…Of course not!”
Though his speech was somewhat halting—whether from a severed tongue or some other affliction—the man nodded vigorously, demonstrating his resolve to behave properly.
Satisfied with his response, I withdrew slightly, and only then did the man release a relieved sigh and begin to move.
I followed cautiously behind, observing the man’s footwork.
“There’s definitely something different about him.”
“His attire? He looks rather savage.”
“No, that’s not it. Look at his stride. Even in this difficult muddy terrain, he walks as naturally as if treading on level ground.”
This was no ordinary gait.
A movement technique.
The Beast Palace’s distinctive footwork had become second nature to his body.
He must have trained so that it manifested naturally even in daily life.
I began to understand why the Beast Palace, alongside the Northern Sea Ice Palace, ranked among the foremost powers beyond the orthodox sects.
Thus I followed the man deeper into the territory.
As we progressed, I began to sense presences.
Nowhere visible, yet undoubtedly present.
Like starving beasts watching their prey.
Namgung Yeon, sensing the eerie gazes, stiffened his expression and tightened his grip upon his sword hilt.
He appeared ready to draw his blade at a moment’s notice.
Following the man through the winding passages for what felt like an eternity, a vast chamber suddenly opened before me, revealing a cavern of such immense proportions that it defied belief.
There.
“Kahahaha! Bring more, you fools! More!”
“Damn it! Why did you have to come back and bother us? Palace Master, aren’t you going to leave again?”
“What kind of rotten thing is this? I’ve just returned, and instead of welcoming me, you’re telling me to get out?”
“It was more peaceful when the Palace Master wasn’t here. No need to watch our behavior, no accidents to worry about, so our minds were at ease. Hehehehe—cough?!”
Thwack!
The man who had been laughing was struck across the face and sent flying.
The sound suggested his bones might have shattered, but the man who crashed to the ground soon writhed and pushed himself back up.
However, lacking the courage to retaliate, he cowered quietly, avoiding the sharp, piercing gaze of Gu Gunbaek.
Then.
“Palace Master! This guy just collapsed—is he really your disciple?”
“Kahahaha! That’s right, you idiots. He seems quite capable, so put him to good use.”
I turned my gaze toward the voice and saw Gu Gunbaek’s men gathered together with Chu Hyeongi.
The surrounding area bore clear signs of sparring matches, and as if they were wagering drinks on each loss, the ground was littered with wine jars. Chu Hyeongi’s face had flushed crimson, and he could barely keep his body upright.
I found myself at a loss for words at the sight.
Chaeseoha and Namgung Yeon, standing beside me, were equally speechless, simply staring blankly at the scene.
Finally, I furrowed my brow and spoke to Gu Gunbaek.
“You seem to be in good spirits, sir.”
At my words, Gu Gunbaek, who had been drinking directly from a wine jar, finally noticed me and set the vessel down on the ground.
He wiped his mouth with his sleeve and broke into a grin.
“Ah, you’ve arrived? Have you been having some fun these days?”
Gu Gunbaek’s voice, full of playfulness, rang out loudly.

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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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