The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 109

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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 109

Chapter 109. A Gift for Elder Brother (3)

Gazing upon the spear crafted by Master Yeom, I found myself salivating despite having commissioned it as a gift for Elder Brother.
That a craftsman of such extraordinary skill remained largely unknown to the world was precisely because he created items worth only the commission fee paid to him.
Give him one silver tael, and he would craft something worth one silver tael. Give him a hundred silver taels, and he would produce something worth exactly a hundred silver taels.
He would never dip into his own resources to create something superior, nor would he demand additional compensation.
When I asked Master Yeom about this philosophy, he explained:

“The world operates on the principle of reaping what you sow. You wish to invest little yet possess something excellent? That’s the mindset of a thief.”

This was why I had paid Master Yeom a substantial sum when commissioning the spear for Elder Brother.
It was a commission fee that had astonished even him—and the spear that emerged was worth every last coin.
“Thank you.”
“Heh heh, I should be thanking you. Because of your generosity, I could spare no expense on materials and craft a masterwork spear.”
Master Yeom carefully replaced the lid on the box and wrapped it securely.
Then he spoke hesitantly.
“However, I have one request.”
“Yes?”
“Might I have a look at the Small Merchant Guild Leader’s sword?”
The blade at my waist was the Silver Sword.
True to his reputation as a master craftsman, he seemed to have recognized its true worth.
“I have no objection, but please do not draw it from the scabbard yourself.”
“Then would it not be acceptable if you drew the blade and showed me the edge?”
I deliberated for a moment before nodding.
It was a request from the craftsman who had created such a magnificent spear—I could hardly refuse.
I drew the blade from its scabbard.
Shhk.
With a smooth whisper, the blade revealed itself.
Master Yeom gazed upon it and let out a gasp of admiration.
“Heavens, such a sword exists!”
After studying the blade intently for some time, he nodded.
“That will suffice.”
Tak.
As I returned the blade to its scabbard, Master Yeom released another breath of wonder.
“That sword is worthy of being called a divine blade—no exaggeration whatsoever.”
I smiled awkwardly.
After all, my sword is a genuine divine blade.
“Indeed, that sword cannot be wielded by just anyone. It is attuned to a particular essence rather than being universally compatible.”
I was inwardly startled by his observation.
He had discerned the nature of the Silver Void Sword merely by looking at it.
“Given the exceptional materials of this blade, one cannot fully unleash its power without mastering the martial arts that correspond to it.”
“And what martial arts would those be?”
“Frost Arts.”
“I see.”
Should I consider myself fortunate, then?
Then something caught my attention.
“You mentioned the blade’s material is something quite special?”
“Yes, Frost Crystal.”
Frost Crystal refers to crystallized yin essence that can only be obtained from the Land of Extreme Yin.
In other words, it is extraordinarily precious.
“Is it even possible to forge a sword from such material?”
“A master craftsman’s determination transforms the impossible into reality.”
“That was a foolish question on my part.”
But then a concern arose.
“Could other master craftsmen recognize that this sword was forged from Frost Crystal?”
“It would be difficult to say none could, but most would fail to perceive it. Perhaps only the Three Greatest Blademasters of The Realm would recognize it.”
“Then you must be one of them, sir.”
“Others have called me such.”
To think I failed to recognize such a master standing right before me.
My former self, reflect on this foolishness.
“Moreover, I have seen Frost Crystal before, which is why I recognized it so readily.”
“I understand.”
“So you may set your mind at ease.”
With Master Yeom’s assurance, my worries seemed to ease.
I was coming to understand the truth of the saying that guarding a treasure is harder than obtaining it.
Palgap shouldered the box containing the spear, and I bowed respectfully before departing the Blacksmith Workshop.
I caressed the hilt of the Silver Void Sword with my hand.
This sword was forged from Frost Crystal?
Why didn’t Master mention that? Could it be that even Master was unaware?
But from what I knew, Frost Crystal could not be obtained by just anyone.
Frost Crystal is a treasure of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
One can only obtain Frost Crystal with the Northern Sea Ice Palace’s permission.
Since Frost Crystal is a treasure of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, one can only acquire it with their consent.
Does Master know that this Silver Void Sword was forged from Frost Crystal?
What extraordinary power could a Silver Void Sword made from such precious Frost Crystal possibly possess?
.
.
.
That evening.
I made my way to Elder Brother Jin-ho’s quarters.
Upon becoming a Small Merchant Guild Leader, I had received a separate pavilion, situated not far from Mun Gok Hall.
“Elder Brother!”
At my call, Elder Brother Jin-ho, who had been directing servants and maids about various tasks, turned his head.
And soon he broke into a wide smile.
“Ha! You rascal! You came to congratulate me on receiving the separate pavilion?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
“Hahaha! Thank you!”
“Congratulations on becoming a Small Merchant Guild Leader.”
“Now I’m a Small Merchant Guild Leader too! You can count on me! I’ll prove myself just like you have.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“And thank you.”
“Huh? Thank me for what all of a sudden?”
“For when you came to rescue me this time.”
“Ah….”
He was referring to when Elder Brother Jin-ho had gone missing in Muchul Musan in Yunnan Province.
Though he had somehow managed to escape and return home safely, that incident had left a deep impression on me as well.
Because of that event, I was able to cast aside my worries and hesitations about the future I had changed.
Though I cannot help but recall the image of Elder Brother’s severed head whenever I see him from time to time.
And I was able to obtain the Silver Shadowless Sword and Geumryeong as well.
Geumryeong was now nestled inside my sleeve. My sleeve had truly become this creature’s home.
“Because you rescued me, I was able to become a Small Merchant Guild Leader like this. So thank you.”
At Elder Brother’s words of gratitude, my chest felt oddly ticklish, and goosebumps rose along my arms.
“When I was exhausted and struggling inside that Mist Forest, hungry and my consciousness fading in and out, I had many thoughts. I thought of Grandfather and my parents, and of Elder Brother and his wife….”
“….”
“But for some reason, I thought of you the most.”
“….”
“I vividly remember when you were young, holding my hand and calling me Elder Brother for the first time. I made a vow then.”
“….”
“I swore I would master martial arts and protect you, my younger brother, no matter what.”
At Elder Brother Jin-ho’s words, I recalled what Merchant Guild Leader Namgung Kang had told me before my death.

“The one called the Yunzhang of Hubei begged so desperately for me to spare you alone. Hehehehe.”

I had always wondered why Elder Brother Jin-ho, who had never knelt or begged to anyone in his entire life, would do such a thing before Namgung Kang, the Merchant Guild Leader.
Now I finally understood the reason.
My brother had not forgotten that oath.
And what was I to say about myself?
Sigh.
Such sentimentality truly didn’t suit my nature.
Goosebumps had already risen all the way to my throat.
Why was I suddenly drowning in such emotion, so unlike myself?
I felt the need to change the mood.
“By the way, Elder Brother, did you know something?”
“What?”
“Once you become a Small Merchant Guild Leader… there’s no vacation.”
“…What?”
Jin-ho asked with an expression that said this was absurd.
“Really?”
“Huh?”
“You get vacation in the summer, don’t you?”
“Can you even take that time off?”
“Damn.”
“Didn’t you realize it watching me and Eun Jung-ho?”
“Well, Eun Jung-ho is such a serious person, and you have so many projects going on that I just figured that’s how it was.”
Ugh, there’s something cutting mixed into those words, isn’t there?
“It’s fine. Even working like that, I haven’t died yet.”
“…”
I let out a soft laugh.
I pointed to a small platform in the Separate Building Courtyard, and Palgap set down the box containing the spear.
“Elder Brother, it’s a gift.”
“A gift?”
Jin-ho opened the box and was startled.
“This, this is a spear, isn’t it? But why suddenly a spear? I chose a sword?”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“From what I can see, the weapon with the best compatibility for you is the spear. It will let you make full use of your advantages—your broad vision and strength.”
“…”
“If you don’t trust my words, just train in spear techniques for one year. Give my judgment a chance.”
At my words, Jin-ho let out a dry laugh.
“Fine, if you say so, I understand.”
Jin-ho said this and grasped the spear. Then he stepped into the courtyard and began to swing it.
Whoosh—! Whoom—!
The sound of the spear cutting through the air rang out with exhilarating clarity.
I could see the image of Eun Jin-ho from my past life overlapping with the present.
In this life, my elder brother would never meet such a pathetic end.
Eun Jin-ho stopped moving and gazed at the spear before asking me.
“Hey… what is this spear?”
“Why?”
“Why does it move exactly as I think it should?”
Masters say they don’t blame their weapons, but that doesn’t mean one can ignore them either.
Isn’t that why masters seek out better weapons?
I chuckled softly and answered.
“Well, that thing is ridiculously expensive, so that’s why.”

* * *

Early dawn.
Eun Jin-ho rose from his seat after completing his breathing meditation.
It was the mental cultivation method of Yanggang that he had learned from Go Il-pyeong.
Deep down, he missed the days when he trained together with Eun Seo-ho. Once his health deteriorated, they could no longer practice together.
Recently, Eun Seo-ho had become considerably healthier.
‘And more handsome too, for that matter.’
They said it was thanks to him learning ice techniques suited to his original constitution, but from what he could tell, there seemed to be something more to it.
‘Did he secretly consume some elixir or something?’
It didn’t really matter.
As I had told Eun Seo-ho last night, it was a vow I made since childhood—to protect him.
He headed toward Go Il-pyeong’s quarters.
Every morning he would go to his quarters to train in martial arts.

“Disciple Eun Jin-ho, paying respects to External Chief Manager.”
“So today is the last day you’ll call me ‘young master.’ Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Go Il-pyeong noticed that Eun Jin-ho was different from usual. He was holding a spear he had never seen before.
“A spear…?”
“Yes. Seo-ho gave it to me as a gift yesterday. He said the spear has good compatibility with me, and told me to train with it for just one year.”
Eun Jin-ho continued.
“After using this spear yesterday, I finally understood why you recommended the spear to me.”
“Then that’s fortunate. Now you have the will to train in spear techniques.”
“Seo-ho said this is incredibly expensive.”
Go Il-pyeong alternated his gaze between the spear and Eun Jin-ho.
Eun Jin-ho seemed not to fully grasp what Eun Seo-ho meant by expensive.
‘When Seo-ho said it was expensive, he meant truly, extraordinarily expensive…’
Since Eun Jin-ho was not yet part of the Eun-wol Pavilion, he apparently didn’t know.
That Eun Seo-ho’s personal wealth was already among the most notable in the Trading Company.
The profits Eun Seo-ho obtained from selling the Jamu Dolls, the Self-Playing Zithers, and other items were staggering.
Though weak at arithmetic, having served as External Chief Manager, I was not entirely ignorant of profit margins either.
And I could sense certain things about people to some degree.
The Eun Seo-ho I saw was clearly someone who could generate hidden income beyond visible earnings.
He had achieved such results in merely three years since beginning to distinguish himself.
The future would be far more formidable.
So when such a man said it was expensive…
‘He must have given at least a hundred gold taels.’
The spear Eun Jin-ho held was clearly no ordinary weapon.
It was no exaggeration that using it made him feel ‘I have talent in spear techniques!’
But separate from that, it was true that Eun Jin-ho had talent with the spear.
One way or another, I was grateful that Eun Seo-ho had kindled Eun Jin-ho’s interest in spear techniques this way.
‘But the fact that he gifted such an expensive and fine spear means Seo-ho also recognizes Jin-ho’s talent in spear techniques…’
I decided to probe into that matter subtly when I thanked him next time.

* * *

People began gathering at the Eunhae Trading Company one by one.
They came to attend the banquet celebrating Eun Jin-ho’s appointment as Small Merchant Guild Leader.
Among the attendees were a considerable number of acquaintances of the External Chief Manager.
Which meant that armed martial artists had arrived in significant numbers.
It was only natural that ordinary people feared martial artists.
So separate seating had been arranged for them.
Eun Jin-ho was busy greeting guests in his elegant ceremonial robes.
I let out a soft chuckle watching him.
Today was busy for me as well, for I had to ensure this joyous banquet didn’t descend into chaos.
I made my way to one of the pavilions.
There gathered those who preferred not to mingle with the common crowd at the festivities.
The Yu Chief Manager, Seok Il-song, Gong Mil and Gong Rae, Gwak Hyung-jin, and others.
And among them was Manjol Physician, who had come from Uichang following me.
“Are you enjoying the banquet, Elder?”
“It’s a proper banquet for once.”
“When the Eunhae Trading Company hosts, we do it with grandeur.”
I chuckled softly.
There was a reason I had brought Manjol Physician to the Eunhae Trading Company.

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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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