The Lazy Young Master of the Jin Clan

Lying in bed, Jin Seomok gazed up at the dark ceiling and stroked his neck.

His fingertips brushed against a small scar.

It was an old scar, more than twenty years old.

"Consider yourself unlucky."

Having luckily seized a good opportunity, Jin Seomok had personally set out on a merchant expedition with valuable goods, only to meet with disaster.

The warriors he had hired at great expense either died or fled without even putting up a fight against the black-clad men who had suddenly appeared.

"Why, why are you doing this? We are just an ordinary merchant group!"

"That's the problem. You should have just quietly sold your mats, but you had to needlessly expand your business territory. Tsk!"

With that one sentence from the man who appeared to be the leader of the black-clad men, Jin Seomok instantly realized who had hired them.

'Dok Myeong!'

Dok Myeong, the owner of the Doheo Merchant Guild, one of the famous merchant groups in Shanxi.

He was a man known for his venomous and cold-hearted nature, who would retaliate by any means necessary if anyone even slightly got on his nerves.

This time, Dok Myeong had decided to crush the budding Jin Family business, which was slowly expanding its territory in Shanxi.

"Money, if it's money...!"

"Foolish man. Did you think we move for money alone?"

The assassin swung his sword briefly, and the merciless blade grazed Jin Seomok's neck.

As warm blood trickled down from his neck, Jin Seomok's head grew cold.

He was twenty years old.

Faced with the terror of death for the first time in his life, Jin Seomok froze like a rabbit before a wolf.

'There are things in this world that money cannot solve.'

It was the moment Jin Seomok's belief that money could solve everything shattered.

'Power... what I needed was power.'

The price for this belated realization was harsh.

Just as the assassin's sword was about to end Jin Seomok's short life.

Whoosh—!!

With a sharp sound of tearing air, ten flying swords pierced through the assassins one by one.

The leader of the assassins, the only one who managed to react, frantically deflected a flying sword and shouted.

"Who's there!"

"It is I."

A middle-aged man appeared from between the bushes.

He retrieved the flying swords with a light gesture and said.

"How dare you commit murder in my presence. You've got some nerve, haven't you?"

"Flying swords... Don't tell me... you're the Flying Sword Hero?"

"That's right."

"Why are you here?"

The middle-aged man, the Flying Sword Hero, looked at the fallen Jin Seomok and smirked.

"This fellow is my friend."

At his words, the assassin muttered with a deathly pale face.

"I didn't hear anything about that... Dammit...!"

The assassin, who had been so fearsome, bowed his head and apologized.

"I-I'm sorry. I will terminate the contract immediately and return. So..."

"Get lost. If I see you again, it won't just be you, but everyone related to you who will have to give me their heads."

"I'll keep that in mind."

As soon as the words were out, the assassin vanished as if everything that had happened so far had been a dream.

Only the surrounding merchants and the bodies of the assassins seemed to say that this was not a dream.

"Hmph! Scum."

As the middle-aged man was about to leave without a second thought, Jin Seomok hastily said.

"Why did you help me?"

At his question, the middle-aged man answered casually, without much thought.

"I was just passing by."

With these words, the man disappeared as suddenly as he had appeared, and a rumor spread through Shanxi.

"The young master of the Jin Family business, Jin Seomok, is a friend of the Flying Sword Hero."

A single rumor spread by the assassin turned the insignificant Jin Family business into an untouchable entity.

Furthermore, Dok Myeong, who had ordered the assassination, came to the Jin Family business himself and bowed his head, begging for forgiveness just once.

Watching the prideful Dok Myeong bow his head, Jin Seomok realized what the unchanging, immutable truth of the martial world was.

It was strength.

In the world of Jianghu to which he belonged, strength alone was justice and the eternal, immutable truth.

Later, Jin Seomok, who had transformed the Jin Family business into the Jin Family, the number one merchant family of Shanxi, began to treat martial artists with the utmost respect.

"I don't need to be strong! If the friends who surround me are strong, they will become my strength!"

There was no need for the merchant family, the Jin Family, to become strong.

On the contrary, if a merchant family built up its power, it would only attract the scrutiny of the martial arts factions.

So, instead of building up the family's power, Jin Seomok began to form close relationships with martial artists, and soon the Jin Family became a useful haven for the martial artists of the Central Plains.

***

"Hmph!"

Finishing his reminiscence, Jin Seomok opened his eyes.

"If Sohyun becomes Elder Kang's disciple and becomes a great master, it would be for the best..."

That would never happen.

But what if, by some chance, Jin Sohyun received Kang Cheon's teachings and became a renowned master?

In the future, when the intelligent and diligent Jin Gahyeon, unlike Jin Sohyun, leads the family, Jin Sohyun would become a steadfast pillar of support by her side.

Like Kang Cheon, who had saved Jin Seomok in the past.

"If only it could be like that, I would have no worries."

If his two children grew up as he wished, Jin Seomok planned to step back from the front lines without any major concerns and enjoy a peaceful retirement with his wife, Yu Seoheung.

As his thoughts reached this point, a surge of anger welled up in Jin Seomok.

"Hoo...! There are countless martial artists who would bow to receive Elder Kang's teachings, but that boy Sohyun... sigh..."

The image of Jin Sohyun foaming at the mouth and collapsing in front of Kang Cheon was still unforgettable.

Awakened by Jin Seomok's muttering, Yu Seoheung asked.

"My dear, are you thinking about what happened during the day?"

"That's right."

Looking at Jin Seomok, whose face was full of worry, Yu Seoheung pondered for a moment and then said.

"How about asking Gahyeon? After all, she's the one who understands Sohyun the best among us."

"Hmm... you're right! I should see Gahyeon as soon as the sun rises."

Jin Seomok looked at Yu Seoheung with eyes full of affection.

"As expected, you're the only one for me."

"Huhu."

Yu Seoheung's hand reached out nimbly and caressed Jin Seomok's chest.

"W-Wife?"

"How about we have a deep conversation for the first time in a while?"

"Th-That is... I'm a bit tired today..."

As Jin Seomok gave an awkward smile with a flustered face, Yu Seoheung smiled with her eyes and removed her hand.

"Hoho... Time is truly heartless. It feels like just yesterday that I was called the number one beauty of Shanxi... I wonder when I got so old..."

Her eyes were smiling, but a chill could be felt in the voice that came from her lips.

'Th-This voice!?'

Jin Seomok recalled the cold gaze and voice she had shown him when he, having fallen for her at first sight about twenty years ago, had grabbed her wrist.

—Let go.

The voice and gaze, colder than the frost of the North Sea, still occasionally appeared in Jin Seomok's nightmares, tormenting him.

A chill running down his spine, Jin Seomok hurriedly waved his hands.

"Wh-What are you talking about! You are still beautiful, my wife!"

"I thought so too, but I guess I was wrong. The man who used to blush just from holding my hand before we were married has now become someone who feels nothing even when we share a bed."

"Wife! L-Listen to me!"

Jin Seomok grabbed Yu Seoheung's shoulders with a serious voice and gaze.

"I love you, my wife. From the moment I first met you until now, my love has never once diminished. In fact, as the years go by, my love only grows bigger!"

"Then lie down."

As if she had been waiting, Yu Seoheung's fingertips pressed down on his body, and Jin Seomok stammered.

"I'm not... mentally prepared yet..."

To the hesitating Jin Seomok, Yu Seoheung said shortly.

"Lie down."

***

The next morning, Jin Gahyeon, having been summoned, quickly ran up the stairs.

At her destination, her father, with a strangely haggard face, and her mother, who seemed unusually bright today, were waiting for her.

"I hope you slept well last night."

"Yes. Did you sleep well too, Gahyeon?"

At Jin Gahyeon's greeting, Yu Seoheung said with a smiling face.

Jin Seomok's mouth was smiling, but his eyes were clearly filled with fatigue.

"Ah, my greetings are late. I am Gahyeon of the Jin Family."

Discovering Kang Cheon next, Jin Gahyeon quickly greeted him, and Kang Cheon chuckled.

"Keke... The first time I saw you, you were still in the womb, and now you've become a lovely young lady. Moreover, your beauty is the spitting image of your mother's."

Jin Gahyeon's appearance, a perfect copy of Yu Seoheung's, who was once called the number one beauty of Shanxi, was astonishing even at her young age when her features had not yet fully settled.

"Thank you."

"If you don't mind for a moment, would you give me your hand?"

At Kang Cheon's careful suggestion, Jin Gahyeon glanced at her parents, Jin Seomok and Yu Seoheung, and the two nodded lightly.

"Yes."

Having received their silent permission, Jin Gahyeon rolled up her sleeve and extended her arm.

Kang Cheon gently placed his fingers on Jin Gahyeon's white and slender wrist and closed his eyes.

Jin Seomok and Yu Seoheung waited for Kang Cheon to open his eyes with a mixture of anticipation and worry.

Finally, Kang Cheon opened his eyes and said with a faint smile.

"You are healthy."

At Kang Cheon's assessment that she was healthy, Jin Gahyeon smiled brightly.

"Thank you for checking!"

"Phew..."

Unlike the couple who were stroking their chests in relief, a hint of disappointment flashed in Kang Cheon's eyes.

'She's different from her older brother. Well, he was the special one.'

Whenever he recalled checking Jin Sohyun's pulse, Kang Cheon still got goosebumps and a thrill ran through his entire body.

'For the son of a merchant family to be born with a Heavenly Martial Body.'

It was truly an astonishing thing.

The Heavenly Martial Body was a blessing given only to a very small number of people chosen by the heavens.

Jin Sohyun, the eldest son of the Jin Family, was born with this amazing talent, which was said to appear once in a thousand years and was also called a millennium prodigy.

'I've never seen such vast and impurity-free meridians.'

Even the monks of the Shaolin Temple, who lived their lives in purity, could not prevent the accumulation of impurities in their blood vessels.

This was because no matter who it was, it was impossible to prevent the natural accumulation of impurities while living.

For this reason, prestigious martial sects and families taught their children breathing techniques as soon as they were born to build a dantian and accumulate internal energy in a body free of impurities.

But surprisingly, in the blood vessels of Jin Sohyun, who had lived his life in laziness, not even a speck of impurity could be found.

In his Eight Extraordinary Meridians and Twelve Main Meridians, there were not only no impurities, but in their place existed vast great meridians.

'With innate great meridians and no accumulation of impurities, if a body like this learns martial arts...!'

The position of the number one under heaven was as good as his.

What if Jin Sohyun, born with a Heavenly Martial Body, were to learn Kang Cheon's martial art, the Flying Heaven Ten Swords?

The Flying Heaven Ten Swords would become famous throughout the world as the martial art of Jin Sohyun, the number one under heaven, and his master, Kang Cheon, would be remembered forever as the creator of the number one martial art under heaven.

'Hehehe... No matter what, I must make Jin Sohyun my disciple. Before the other guys notice!'

Kang Cheon felt a sense of urgency.

The Jin Family was a place where numerous masters of Jianghu would drop by whenever they were bored. Therefore, he had to make Jin Sohyun his disciple before any of them noticed his potential and snatched him away.

With the situation being as it was, Kang Cheon smacked his lips in regret.

'If only this child had been born with the Heavenly Martial Body...'

Was it impossible to have everything?

Unlike Jin Sohyun, Jin Gahyeon, who had ordinary martial talent, was intelligent and diligent, but her martial aptitude was ordinary.

While Kang Cheon was feeling regretful, Jin Gahyeon, who had sat down with a bright smile, blinked her large eyes.

"I heard you were looking for me regarding my older brother."

"Yes!"

Jin Seomok explained in detail what had happened last night, and Jin Gahyeon listened attentively.

"What should we do about your older brother?"

"Hmm...! The reason my brother foamed at the mouth and collapsed was because the act of learning martial arts was that shocking to him. In that case, how about making a deal?"

"A deal?"

"Yes! Make a deal using what my brother fears the most. Then, wouldn't my brother reluctantly agree to learn martial arts?"

As befitting the child of a merchant family, Jin Gahyeon proposed a deal.

"Something that Sohyun would fear..."

As Jin Seomok trailed off in a suggestive tone, Jin Gahyeon grinned as if she had been waiting and said.

"Successor training."

***

"He still hasn't left?"

"From what I hear, he said he will absolutely not leave the family until he makes you his disciple, Young Master!"

Jin Sohyun, who had been groaning with a face that had turned from pale to white, was dumbfounded.

What did such a famous master lack that he wanted to take him as a disciple?

"What did I do wrong..."

Jin Sohyun resented the heavens.

From birth until now, far from committing any sins, he had done nothing but eat and laze around.

But the indifferent heavens had sent down a disaster named Kang Cheon upon Jin Sohyun.

"I hear that this person named Kang Cheon is one of the top five masters in the Central Plains."

Siu said as she placed a wrung-out wet cloth on Jin Sohyun's forehead.

"I don't think it would be so bad to become his disciple."

"Are you telling me to become a martial artist?"

"Yes! It's cool! Martial artists who cross mountains in just a few steps and slice through rocks like radishes when they swing their swords! I think it would be cool if the Young Master I serve became a martial artist."

"Forget it. I will absolutely not become a martial artist. No! I won't become a martial artist even if you beat me to death!"

Jin Sohyun absolutely did not want to become a martial artist.

Just looking at the family's bodyguards, they woke up at dawn before the morning dew had even dried and trained their martial arts until the sun set.

It was tiring just watching them, and he had to do that himself for the rest of his life?

'I can't do it!'

It was difficult and tiring just to go to the outhouse, which was not far from here.

And he was supposed to swing a heavy iron sword for the rest of his life?

Absolutely! Absolutely not! Becoming a martial artist was out of the question.

Having made up his mind, Jin Sohyun clenched his cute little hands, which were nothing but skin and bones, into fists.

"I will absolutely not leave this place until that old man leaves the family, Siu. Lock the door and don't let anyone in!"

Feeling guilty for her past transgression, Siu shouted loyally.

"As you command!"

Siu trotted over to lock the door, clasping her fists like a martial artist.

Just then, footsteps were heard from outside the door.

"Someone's coming."

"Hic! Tell them I still haven't regained my senses from yesterday's shock!"

While Jin Sohyun lay still as a mouse under the covers, holding his breath, Siu slightly opened the door and peeked her head out.

"Hello! It's been a while."

Standing outside the door was an unexpected person.

"Oh? Young Lady!”

(End of Chapter)