The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 100

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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 Eunhae Trading Company – Chapter 100

Chapter 100. Manjol Physician (1)

The sensation of Namgung Kang’s blade piercing through my throat still felt vivid and real.
The despair, rage, and sorrow I had felt in that moment—all of it was now reflected across my Master’s face.
My Master tucked those emotions away in his heart. Yet he did not lay a hand upon the Silver Mist Sword.
Before long, my Master’s expression returned to its usual composure.
But seeing his reddened eyes, I knew I hadn’t imagined what I’d witnessed.
“I have a question. You said the blade came into your hand of its own accord, did you not?”
I nodded and replied.
“Yes. And I believe this sword should be returned to its rightful owner.”
“There is no need to return it. Since the blade has acknowledged you, its master is now you, my lord.”
At my Master’s words, I tilted my head in confusion.
“Does the blade’s acknowledgment of me mean I haven’t lost my mind like that warrior we saw in the cave?”
My Master continued with difficulty.
“When the master whom the blade has acknowledged is dead and gone, one may draw it without harm. It simply will not exert its full power.”
So that’s why the Imperial Palace’s master and the Murim Alliance Leader remained unharmed after resolving Muchul Musan.
“The blade connects with the master it has acknowledged, and when that master desires it, the sword draws itself from its sheath into their hand.”
“….”
“That is the proof of true ownership, and in such a state, no other can draw the blade.”
So this sword is useless in anyone else’s hands but mine.
No—they cannot wield it at all.
“Therefore, you must be the one to use it, my lord.”
“Then I cannot return this?”
“Only when you pass from this world will it be possible.”
“….”
Then I have no choice but to use it myself.
But there was a problem.
“Others will recognize this blade. If they do….”
“That will not happen.”
“Pardon?”
“The blade’s appearance changes depending on who its master is. It is a divine sword that transforms itself into whatever form best suits its master’s use.”
“A divine sword…?”
“Yes. The blade’s true name is the Silver Mist Divine Sword.”
“….”
It changes its form to match its master….
Changing form to match the Shop Owner’s preferences…
It was a remarkable story.
“Once the Lord becomes the sword’s new master, its form will change, so no one will recognize it as the Silver Martial Sword.”
At my Master’s definitive answer, I nodded in acknowledgment.
“I understand.”
“Then we shall begin training.”
Watching my Master, I felt a sense of admiration.
Despite witnessing the remnants of an annihilated clan, he composed himself as much as possible and, with cold precision, never failed in his duty as a teacher.
To honor my Master’s resolve, I threw myself into training with greater fervor than usual.
Yet a question nagged at me.
How had my Master recognized this sword as the Silver Martial Sword?

* * *

Gwak Myung-hyun left Mun Gok Hall with a bitter smile.
‘To see the Silver Martial Divine Sword like this….’
Though it was the Silver Martial Divine Sword, the blade bore the inscription “Silver Martial Sword” because in the hands of its true master it would be divine, but to all others it remained merely an ordinary blade.
This was a divine treasure passed down through generations to the Palace Master of Seolpung Palace.
But one day, the sword vanished without warning, and not long after, Seolpung Palace was annihilated.
When I returned from a mission sent by Father, everything at Seolpung Palace lay in ruins.
The corpses were all burned, making it impossible to even guess at the culprit.
Gwak Myung-hyun still remembered that day.
After that, his entire life changed.
He established the Pyoguk with hidden wealth and placed his deputy as its Lord.
He himself traveled across the entire Central Plains as an ordinary Pyo Du, investigating the reason for Seolpung Palace’s annihilation, and twenty years had passed in this pursuit.
Yet today, he faced an event he had never anticipated.
The Silver Martial Sword, Han Ho-su, and Yu Deok-jin.
“Yu Deok-jin, you damned bastard….”
Now he finally understood why the Silver Martial Divine Sword, the divine treasure of Seolpung Palace, had disappeared.
Suddenly, he recalled a legacy passed down through his clan for generations.

[Whoever the Silver Martial Divine Sword chooses as master shall become the Palace Master of Seolpung Palace]

If that inference is correct, it means Eun Seo-ho is the Lord of Seolpung Palace.
‘That aside, Han Ho-su still has a remarkably keen nose for the scent of money.’
To think he would take Eun Seo-ho as his master.
In truth, Han Ho-su was less the guardian spirit of Seolpung Palace itself and more the guardian spirit of its Lord.
This was because Han Ho-su imposed two conditions upon whoever he chose as master.
They must master the Ice Technique.
They must possess considerable wealth.
Among those who satisfied both conditions, the Lord was invariably the richest.
Perhaps I had anticipated this the moment I learned that Eun Seo-ho possessed the Hyun Ryong Constitution.
‘To think he’s already reached the pinnacle of cultivation before even turning twenty!’
That prophecy continued to echo in my mind.
Still, I could not yet burden Eun Seo-ho with such a heavy responsibility.
‘So this is what it means to be a master’s heart, Father….’

* * *

After my Master departed, I sprawled out in the courtyard.
Ah, today was grueling.
I had trained with particular intensity today to repay my Master’s devotion, and it had left me utterly exhausted.
“Coo?”
The creature climbed onto my chest and tilted its head curiously.
Its gaze seemed to say, ‘You’re struggling with just this?’ and I felt an inexplicable surge of indignation.
“Really, I’m exhausted.”
At that, the creature gently patted me with its front paws.
Somehow my pride felt wounded.
So this creature was the guardian spirit of Seolpung Palace.
Since it had now taken me as its master, I ought to give it a proper name.
“What would you like your name to be?”
“Coo-ee?”
“Your name, I mean. I can’t keep calling you ‘this creature’ forever.”
“Coo-coo.”
“You agree, then? Let me think—what would suit you?”
Looking at the creature resting on my chest, its round form resembled a small bell.
A bell….
A bell that devours money….
I chuckled softly.
“I’ve decided. From now on, your name is Geumryeong.”
At my words, the creature—no, Geumryeong—seemed to smile.
Smiling made it even more adorable.
.
.
.
After washing and changing into fresh clothes, I headed toward the Dining Hall.
Today was the first time in a long while that the entire family would share breakfast together.
The servants brought out the dishes.
This morning’s meal was chicken porridge.
Watching my family gathered around a single table, eating together, stirred something profound within me.
Jin-ho and I both felt it.
One misstep, and this warmth would have shattered forever.
Through this ordeal, I came to understand that even if unforeseen consequences arose from the future I had changed, I could resolve them myself by taking action.
So I would no longer despair.

It was then that Mother spoke.
“Oh, but I’ve been hearing rumors that a plague has been spreading in the Uichang region lately. Do you think we’ll be alright?”
“I’ve been worried about that problem myself, as it happens.”
A plague?
Could it be that one?
Before I turned eighteen, a plague had begun to spread that summer, resulting in countless casualties through the following year.
“If the plague worsens, we may need to relocate the Main Headquarters temporarily.”
At Father’s words, I searched my memories.
Back then, the plague had indeed worsened, and the Eunhae Trading Company had temporarily moved the Main Headquarters to the Honam region.
It was a measure taken for the health of the company’s people and our family, but it should never have been done.
Because of it, we lost the goodwill of the people in Chongyang County.
Though we later recovered through tireless efforts and generous expenditures, the company’s growth was undeniably slowed as a result.
.
.
.
After breakfast, I handled matters concerning the Hyun Pung Bureau, then took a brief moment to venture out to Marketplace Street.
I needed to meet the General Store Elder.
The old man was still seated before his table, contentedly watching passersby as they went about their day.
He had been troubled about whether to continue running the miscellaneous goods shop here, but it seemed he had decided to stay put.
“You’ve come?”
I cupped my fist in greeting at the old man’s words.
“It has been too long since we last met.”
I withdrew the Blood Resonance Pellet from my pocket and placed it on the table.
“Thanks to you, I was able to find my brother.”
“Then that is well.”
The old man picked up the Blood Resonance Pellet and tossed it backward with a flick of his wrist.
Click.
Remarkably, the pellet fit perfectly back into its original place on the shelf.
“Regardless of that….”
The Old Man looked at me and chuckled.
“So you’ve met Geumryeong.”
“Pardon?”
“The creature hiding in your sleeve.”
“Ah….”
As expected, he saw through it immediately.
I withdrew Geumryeong from my left sleeve and showed her to him.
“I’ve named her Geumryeong.”
“A fitting name.”
The Old Man nodded in approval.
“Raise her well.”
“Yes.”
But his words suggested he already knew about Geumryeong.
“Do you happen to know about this creature?”
“I saw one once when I visited the Northern Sea Ice Palace on the Emperor’s orders long ago.”
“I see.”
I sat before the Old Man and offered him a silver coin.
“What is this?”
“A consultation fee.”
“Consultation?”
“Yes. I have something I’d like to consult you about.”
The Old Man chuckled at my words.
“Very well, what do you wish to consult about?”
“I’ve heard that a plague has broken out in Uichang.”
“Ah… yes, I’ve heard of that too.”
“Is there no way to prevent this plague?”
“Am I a physician? How would I know such things?”
“You don’t know? I thought you surely would….”
The Old Man erupted at my words.
“You brat! Who said I don’t know?”
“You just said you didn’t….”
“I meant the physician would know.”
“A physician… you mean?”
“Yes. Manjol Physician is supposedly there right now.”
Manjol Physician.
One of the legendary physicians, he wandered in tattered robes and treated the poor without charge.
His name came from the fact that he would patch and mend his clothes a thousand times over, even as they tore and frayed.
From the wealthy, he collected substantial consultation fees.
With that money, he purchased medicinal herbs and provided free treatment to those without means.
Yet his skills were so exceptional that those with wealth spared no expense to receive treatment from him.
His specialty was epidemic diseases.
This made sense, for when epidemics spread, it was always the poor with inadequate nutrition who began to perish first.
Thus, almost by accident, he had become an epidemic specialist.
“He would know. What the disease is, and how to treat it.”
.
.
.
On the road back to the Eunhae Trading Company.
Lee Pil Warrior asked.
“My lord, are you perhaps thinking of going to Uichang?”
“Yes.”
I stopped in my tracks and spoke.
“If you have any hesitation about going to a place where epidemics are spreading, you need not come. I will not hold it against you for staying behind.”
At my words, Palgap quickly interjected.
“You mustn’t even think of leaving me behind, young master! I shall remain steadfastly at your side.”
Following Palgap, Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior responded.
“It is only natural that we follow our lord.”
“Indeed.”
Lee Pil Warrior continued.
“But what I’m curious about is why you’re going at all.”
“Because we must prevent the epidemic from spreading, of course.”
“Then you’re saying you won’t be going to Honam?”
“That’s correct.”
I nodded.
“I—no, we will not leave. This is where our Eunhae Trading Company began. How could we abandon it?”
….
“The prosperity our company has achieved thus far is thanks to the people who live here. To abandon them and flee would be a betrayal of their trust.”
At my words, Lee Pil Warrior’s eyes grew red.
Why were they all reacting this way?
“From this moment forward, I shall devote myself to your service.”
“I too shall remain loyal, even unto death.”
It was somewhat… overwhelming.

That afternoon.
I submitted a business trip request to Father.
“What? You’re going on a business trip? Wait… the destination is Uichang?”
“Yes.”
“Do you understand what the situation is there right now?”
“I do. A plague is spreading there at present. That’s precisely why I’m going.”
“…Why?”
“I’ve heard that Manjol Physician is there. I intend to ask him about methods to cure the plague.”
“Then send someone to—”
“To a place where the plague is spreading?”
“…”
“Having been born as the son of the Eunhae Trading Company’s leader, I have never forgotten my duty to advance this company, not for a single moment.”
“…”
“Even now, that is all I think of. Therefore, I speak to you, Father.”
I continued.
“We must not relocate the Main Headquarters, even temporarily.”
There was a reason I spoke thus, despite the risk of my family contracting the plague.
The plague had approached the very threshold of Chongyang County, yet it had not spread within this prefecture itself.
However, in my previous life, we had panicked prematurely and relocated the Main Headquarters.
That was precisely why the company faced such condemnation.
Had the plague spread all the way to Chongyang County, I might have made a different choice.
After all, my family’s lives hung in the balance.

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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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