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Chapter 7
The Youngest Son of the Nakyang Jin Family
Jang Chu-hyeong was covered in blood.
Truly drenched from head to toe in crimson.
He didn’t know a thing about martial arts. All he had was his body and strength. The result of simply overpowering opponents with sheer force and blunt attacks.
But he didn’t care. He kept running.
Above all else, Jin Cheon-woo’s safety was his top priority.
The situation was too uncertain to know what could happen, and his anxious heart could not stay still—he had to find Jin Cheon-woo.
When he finally arrived at the Nakyang Jin residence, chaos reigned.
Outside the gate, countless people were already gathered. Each one was trembling in fear, a clear sign that something terrible had occurred inside.
“Was it really true…?”
It wasn’t only those outside who were targeting Jin Cheon-woo.
There were also conspirators within.
Jin Cheon-woo had said that this whole affair was orchestrated to root them out at once.
Hearing the story from the guards again, Jang Chu-hyeong clenched his fists and scowled.
“They didn’t even say a word to me!”
He was closer to Jin Cheon-woo than any of the guards here. They had been together since childhood and shared countless experiences.
When Jin Cheon-woo had fought the ronin and Hong Guhyeon was struck by a sword, Jang Chu-hyeong had clenched his small fists and charged at them.
He had risked his life to protect Jin Cheon-woo.
Yet something had happened without his knowledge, and not a single word was spoken to him.
It stung.
Scowling, Jang Chu-hyeong stepped inside.
At that moment, he saw many people tied up in the large courtyard.
They were all familiar faces.
Some were servants who used to laugh and joke. Among the maids, there was even a woman he had liked to some extent.
And that wasn’t all.
There were also many guards known as the family’s swords.
If he had understood correctly, they were all traitors.
They had betrayed Jin Cheon-woo and, further, the Nakyang Jin family itself.
Or perhaps they were never truly on their side.
Seeing this reality with his own eyes made his blood boil.
“You bastards…!”
The thought that one of them might have killed Jin Cheon-woo with their sword made his anger erupt like molten lava, even though it had already passed.
He approached them, fists clenched.
“Stop! Enough!”
It was the voice of Chief Guard Yoo Hyun.
Jang Chu-hyeong turned his head, finally regaining his composure.
He saw Yoo Hyun breathe a sigh of relief.
Scowling at him, Yoo Hyun waved his hand calmly as if to say, “Stay calm,” and spoke:
“The ones captured are to be made to talk. Do not kill them recklessly.”
“What? You mean we’re just going to leave alive the bastards who tried to kill our master? At least cut off an arm or a leg!”
“That decision is for the young master to make. By the way, where is the young master?”
“Huh? He hasn’t returned?”
“What are you talking about? He’s not here, so I’ve taken control of the situation.”
“What nonsense? He said he would return home…”
Jang Chu-hyeong and Yoo Hyun stared at each other.
Yoo Hyun hadn’t seen Jin Cheon-woo, and Jang Chu-hyeong had heard clearly that he was returning home.
Recalling the events, he remembered that Jin Cheon-woo had gone somewhere completely different from the way home.
Jang Chu-hyeong roughly ran his fingers through his hair.
“Ah—this crazy man!”
Rustle—
He flipped the pages of a book he held.
Reading the densely written lines carefully, he couldn’t help but smirk.
Truly, these were the types of people known for leaving no traces.
He had checked everything Hong Guhyeon had written, but couldn’t find a single clue about them.
Judging from the content, it almost seemed as if Hong Guhyeon had orchestrated all of this alone.
But all of this was merely a ruse to deceive enemies if things went wrong.
This book contained secret codes.
He began to decipher them.
He had been fighting these enemies for ten years.
Digging, analyzing, and understanding not just their movements but also the secret codes they used to command others, he knew them intimately.
He took each character from the book and combined them to form meaning.
- Jin Guhyeok disguised a natural death using poison.
Jin Guhyeok was the name of the deceased grandfather.
This meant that the grandfather, who had seemed healthy, had actually died due to their interference.
The suspicion that had been lingering turned into certainty.
There were other details too.
They had steered the family in the direction they wanted.
Even he had been unknowingly used as a pawn to deal with their subordinates, all to claim the entire Nakyang Jin family and its treasures.
No wonder they coveted the Nakyang Jin family.
A family that controlled a vein of wealth across central China.
Naturally, possessing it would bring immense riches.
Rustle—
He flipped to the next page.
Piece by piece, he combined the text to see the full picture.
It included details about him too.
They had planned to kill him while the family was empty, creating chaos.
But that plan had failed, both in the past and present.
A major part of the notes focused on the Gokok (the jade artifact).
- Not present in the patriarch’s office.
- Searched the young master’s room but not found.
From the previous head of the family to now, they had searched tirelessly across Nakyang Jin residence for the artifact.
They had explored every corner a servant could access.
Secret spaces were checked thoroughly and carefully. If anyone had tampered with them, it would be immediately obvious.
Even his death could have been used to create chaos, enabling them to search for the artifact more effectively.
The last page—rustle—
He noticed a recently written note:
- Will check the investigation hall as per orders soon.
Eventually, it led to the investigation hall.
Only direct descendants could enter, and guards always stood at the entrance.
It was a secret, vital place—priority to check—but unreachable from Hong Guhyeon’s position.
Thus, the plan was to use the chaos from his death to access it.
But Hong Guhyeon could not have found it.
The enemies only learned of the artifact when his father gave him a talisman.
That had triggered the events.
He chuckled softly, closing the book and tucking it under his arm.
Nothing more to see.
He had searched thoroughly but found nothing noteworthy.
He licked his lips unconsciously and stepped outside.
“Master!”
A loud voice called from somewhere.
Turning, he saw Jang Chu-hyeong searching in the darkness, shouting his name.
The young man had spotted something and hurried toward him.
“Ugh?!”
Jang Chu-hyeong saw Hong Guhyeon’s body. His pupils trembled.
“Which bastard dared—!”
Anger surged as he clenched his fists at the death of his close friend. He looked ready to strike whoever was responsible.
It made sense.
Though they often bickered, Jang Chu-hyeong and Hong Guhyeon had been inseparable since entering the Nakyang Jin family.
He had taught him all he knew, and their bond had naturally deepened.
He couldn’t help but smirk.
“It was me.”
“M…Master?!”
“Yes, I did it.”
“You…you…Master…did this to Elder Hong?!”
He nodded. Jang Chu-hyeong’s eyes flickered, understanding exactly what that meant.
Considering the current chaos in the family, it was unbelievable.
Though he looked shocked and couldn’t believe it, seeing the calm acceptance, Jang Chu-hyeong relaxed his clenched fists.
“Damn it! This is impossible! What kind of thing is this! Ahhhh! Damn it all!”
“Think of it as something that could happen.”
“Master, are you really okay?! It’s Elder Hong!”
“I feel fine. In fact, I feel somewhat relieved.”
He smiled, and Jang Chu-hyeong looked utterly baffled. Even in shock, he remained calm.
He took a deep breath, glancing at Hong Guhyeon’s body.
The tassel on the sword handle embedded in his forehead swayed in the wind.
“I have no intention, but you’ll carry it.”
“Me, carry the corpse?”
“Yes.”
“Damn it…”
Jang Chu-hyeong muttered, but seeing the stern look, he fell silent.
After a while, he carefully looked at the body, exhaling slowly. He seemed conflicted, unable to take his gaze away.
Finally, he gritted his teeth.
He slowly pulled the sword out of Hong Guhyeon’s forehead.
“Damn! That crazy old man! What did you do?”
Of course, no answer would come, but Jang Chu-hyeong shouted in outrage.
Then, he gently closed the eyes of the fallen man, his trembling hands visible.
The shock would linger longer than the betrayal of others.
Jang Chu-hyeong breathed again, wrapping the body carefully.
“Where do we bury him?”
“What are you talking about?”
“…Weren’t you supposed to carry him?”
“No. I’m taking him to use against the bastards.”
“…!”
“He was useful in life and still serves a purpose in death.”
Jang Chu-hyeong’s expression changed briefly, but he shook his head, trying to compose himself.
The enemies were traitors, he was meant to protect me.
He seemed to recognize this clearly.
I smirked at that.
“Don’t worry. This happens sometimes. And…unlike before, there will be a reward.”
“A reward?”
“You protected me. Naturally, you should get one.”
“Haha!”
Though trying to remain calm given the situation, Jang Chu-hyeong couldn’t hide the twitch at the corner of his mouth.
Yes, after all the hardship, a reward was deserved.
I smiled unconsciously and began walking slowly.
Then, I noticed something strange in the sky. I stopped, concentrating my energy.
Flapping wings and something flying through the open door of the inner residence.
It landed inside as if it had found its home.
“What is that?”
I didn’t answer him.
I simply moved inside the residence again. The creature that had flown in earlier landed on one side as if it belonged there, picking at some scattered feed.
It was undoubtedly…
“Jeon Seogu…”
I smiled unconsciously and approached Jeon Seogu.
