The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 114

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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 114

Chapter 114. The Benefactor of the Sichuan Tang Family (4)

I cupped my fists in gratitude at the Sichuan Tang Family Head’s words.
“Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me. This is the least I can do to repay the debt of saving my son.”
To be honest, it was a burden for a family to bear.
That’s why I made the request without holding high expectations, yet he agreed without hesitation.
But my true purpose wasn’t that.
“Forgive me, but I have one more request.”
The House Master asked in response to my words.
“What is it?”
“I’ve heard much about the Sichuan Tang Family since long ago. However, since I’ve never directly encountered the Sichuan Tang Family, I’m uncertain whether those rumors are truth or fiction.”
“Rumors, you say….”
“For instance, rumors that the Sichuan Tang Family captures wandering vagrants and forces them to consume poison….”
“What? Who in the world is spreading such nonsense?”
In that instant, the aura emanating from the House Master’s body caused the faces of those nearby to turn deathly pale.
I quickly waved my hand.
“That’s merely what I’ve heard. Please, calm yourself. The others are suffering.”
“Ah, I got heated suddenly at that talk. My apologies.”
“Upon hearing such rumors, I became curious about what the Sichuan Tang Family truly is. Thus, I make this request.”
I cupped my fists respectfully as I spoke.
“Please allow me to tour the Sichuan Tang Family Estate.”
This was my true purpose for coming to the Sichuan Tang Family.
The plague of the Hyungmun Sect.
The Mountain Pass Poison that nearly ruined Jin-ho’s ceremony announcing his position as Small Merchant Guild Leader.
By wandering through various places in the Sichuan Tang Family Estate, I might be able to determine whether these were created by the Sichuan Tang Family or not.
If they were indeed created by the Sichuan Tang Family?
Then I would need to determine whether it was the work of an individual or the collective action of the Sichuan Tang Family as an organization.
Naturally, my response would differ accordingly.
Therefore, touring the Sichuan Tang Family Estate was the crucial first step in unraveling these matters.
“Hmm….”
The House Master deliberated briefly at my words.
He would naturally hesitate.
The Sichuan Tang Family was renowned for their whips and covert techniques.
But what they were even more famous for was poison.
Particularly, since poison’s manufacturing methods and antidotes were of paramount importance, revealing such information would be extremely troublesome.
That’s why they had to maintain such a closed-off stance.
They even took in a live-in son-in-law when their daughter married.
But when I expressed my desire to tour the Jegal Family Estate, they would naturally be bewildered, unable to fathom my true intentions.
Had this been a request from anyone else, they would have refused outright, but the House Master had decided to treat me as their benefactor.
It was then that the Sichuan Tang Family Head spoke.
“Do you happen to know about poisons?”
I nodded readily.
“I do.”
There was no point in clumsily lying to someone of the House Master’s stature—he would see through it immediately.
“I am, after all, the leader of a small unit within the Eunhae Trading Company. As a merchant dealing primarily in medicinal herbs, I cannot claim ignorance of poisons.”
“Is that so?”
“And I am a merchant. Among ordinary people, merchants are likely those who understand poisons best.”
“Why is that?”
“Because while some merchants profit through legitimate dealings, others pursue gain through illicit transactions.”
I continued.
“There exist unscrupulous merchants who use poison to coerce or kill their rivals, so one must study poisons simply to survive.”
“What?”
“I have not yet encountered such a merchant myself, but my father has faced such situations several times, or so he has told me.”
“Is Spring Commander unharmed?”
“Fortunately, he either received timely antidotes or detected the poison beforehand, thus avoiding disaster.”
“That is indeed fortunate.”
Speaking thus, memories of my previous life suddenly surfaced.
I had used poison far more than I cared to remember.
Especially those cowardly wretches who posed as righteous on the surface while wielding poison in the shadows.
Of course, my nature was not so forgiving as to let such vermin go unpunished.
The Sichuan Tang Family Head asked again.
“Then your wish to tour the Sichuan Tang Family Estate—is it to expand your personal knowledge of poisons?”
“It is not.”
“It is not?”
“Unless the Sichuan Tang Family’s poisons leak into the world, why would I need knowledge of them?”
“Indeed, you have a point.”
The Sichuan Tang Family Head nodded.
“If our family’s poisons were to spread, it would be catastrophic.”
The Sichuan Tang Family’s closed stance existed for precisely this reason.
Their poisons possessed tremendous power.
Should such toxins be unleashed upon the world, countless innocent lives would perish.
This threatened not merely the family’s honor but their very survival.
They could be branded as enemies of the Martial Arts World or followers of the Black Path….
Wait. Hold on.
If the Murim Alliance extended a hand to those branded as enemies of the Martial Arts World or followers of the Black Path, would anyone refuse?
I think I understand what scheme the Murim Alliance is using to seize the Sichuan Tang Family.
“Why is that?”
“It’s nothing. I seem to be a bit tired.”
“Hmm… To see someone with martial skills of that caliber claim fatigue suggests your workload is quite heavy. I wonder if I’ve imposed on you by bringing you along.”
“Not at all. I’m grateful for the opportunity to rest. In any case, as I mentioned earlier, I am a merchant. One cannot profit by being swayed by idle rumors.”
I continued.
“However, my knowledge is insufficient to discern whether the rumors about the Sichuan Tang Family are true or false, which is why I make this request.”
The Sichuan Tang Family Head nodded at my words.
“I see. It’s not just anyone asking—it’s the benefactor of the Sichuan Tang Family. I cannot refuse such a request.”
“Thank you.”
“Those who attempted to kidnap Jo Ung nearly caused us great harm. It would be shameless of me not to grant even this much.”
From the Family Head’s words, I understood why he had accepted my proposal for “a document confirming his agreement to grant my request.”
He had realized that those who attempted to kidnap Tang Jo-ung had been trying to demand something from the Sichuan Tang Family.
That demand must have been something that would cause the Sichuan Tang Family significant loss or harm.
Ah, what a shame.
Had I known this, I would have asked for something greater.
But I shouldn’t be greedy.
“Thank you for granting my excessive request.”
“Then I’ll send my Deputy Officer tomorrow morning.”
“We could tour today.”
“The Main House is extremely vast. Even if we began the tour now, it wouldn’t be finished until tomorrow, so would that be alright?”
“Ah…”
I spoke quickly.
“I look forward to tomorrow morning.”
.
.
.
The banquet had ended.
I returned to the Separate Quarters where I was staying, following the Deputy Officer once more.
And I sat before the table.
There was something I needed to think about for a moment.
It was then.
Suddenly, I heard someone’s voice.
“So it really is you. Well then, now that you’ve come back, what’s your plan? How shameless of you.”
What? What is this about?
I went outside.
In the courtyard stood Lee Pil Warrior and a young man I had never seen before—a youth who appeared to be around the same age as Lee Pil Warrior.
“You ran away saying you hated the Sichuan Tang Family…”
The commotion brought me and the other guards outside, and Lee Pil Warrior’s expression became flustered.
The young man, apparently having misunderstood something, shouted triumphantly.
“It seems I’ve struck a nerve. Rescuing Jo Ung was surely calculated on your part as well…”
“Who are you?”
At my question, the young man turned to look at me.
“Who are you to interrogate my Guard Warrior?”
“Guard Warrior…?”
I spoke to him.
“Judging by how quietly you entered without causing a disturbance, it seems you know who I am?”
This Separate Quarters had two dedicated security warriors stationed here.
The fact that they didn’t stop him at the entrance meant he held a rather high position.
“Ah, forgive my rudeness. My name is Dang Jun-ryeong, and I serve as a squad leader of the Flying Gold Squad of the Sichuan Tang Family.”
“I’m Eun Seo-ho.”
I introduced myself with only my name.
I had no desire to introduce myself fully to someone who spoke so harshly to my Guard Warrior.
“I happened to overhear your words. Our rescue of Young Master Tang Jo-ung was purely coincidental, and Lee Pil Warrior merely acted under my orders.”
“….”
“The Sichuan Tang Family Head himself made this clear, yet here I am facing someone harboring such misunderstandings. How disappointing.”
At my words, Dang Jun-ryeong looked flustered.
“That is…”
But soon he composed himself and cupped his fist in apology.
“I spoke carelessly.”
“I accept your apology.”
I pressed my advantage.
“Then I’d like to know why you raised your voice to my Guard Warrior.”
“Before that, let me ask first. A Guard Warrior, you say?”
“Lee Pil Warrior is my Guard Warrior.”
At my words, his expression turned incredulous.
“A member of the Sichuan Tang Family serving as a mere merchant’s guard…… How far have you fallen, Lee Pil!”
Lee Pil?
Could it be that Lee Pil Warrior originally bore the surname Dang and was from the Sichuan Tang Family?
Now that I think about it…
I had suspected he was from Sichuan and quite skilled with hidden weapons, but I never imagined he was from the Sichuan Tang Family.
But that was all.
Whatever circumstances existed, Lee Pil Warrior was my Guard Warrior.
“A mere merchant? Do not insult my lord.”
Lee Pil Warrior was angered by being called a “mere merchant’s.”
How could I ignore someone of such character?
“Lee Pil Warrior.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Do you know him?”
At my question, he nodded.
“Yes. He’s my half-brother. Or rather, he was. Since I abandoned the Sacheon Tang Family name and left home.”
“I see.”
I turned my head to look at Dang Jun-ryeong.
“And it seems you’ve misunderstood that my Guard Warrior came here with some ulterior motive, but that’s not the case. Lee Pil Warrior was reluctant about coming to this place.”
That was the truth.
When I mentioned needing to visit the Sacheon Tang Family Estate, he’d seemed hesitant about it.
“However, the Sacheon Tang Family Head said that all those who saved Young Master Tang Jo-ung must come, so he was forced to attend.”
I continued speaking.
“And we won’t be staying here very long. Though I’m merely a merchant, I move under the Emperor’s mandate, so I’m quite busy.”
“Ahem.”
He cleared his throat at my logical explanation.
His expression clearly showed embarrassment.
Yet he still refused to swallow his pride.
“But a member of the Sacheon Tang Family serving as a merchant’s Guard Warrior? This is unacceptable.”
“If the Sacheon Tang Family Head had known that a member of the Sacheon Tang Family was serving as my guard, would he have permitted it?”
“Of course he would not have permitted it.”
“Yet the Sacheon Tang Family Head said nothing about this matter.”
“….”
“The fact that the Sacheon Tang Family Head said nothing means he accepted it. So by pointing this out, aren’t you suggesting that the House Master’s words were incorrect?”
“Ugh….”
My words twisted Dang Jun-ryeong’s face.
I’d cornered him enough.
Even a rat will bite a cat when cornered.
I should give him a way out.
I smiled and spoke.
“I understand you’re worried about your younger brother who left home. But since he’s doing well, there’s no need to worry.”
I continued respectfully.
“So please don’t be concerned and return home.”
“Sigh, well, since you say so, I’ll trust you and leave. I just hope there won’t be any more incidents that bring shame to the Sacheon Tang Family.”
With that, Dang Jun-ryeong left the Separate Quarters.
Finally, he’s gone.
Lee Pil Warrior exhaled softly and spoke.
“I expected someone might visit, but I didn’t expect my elder brother to come. That troubled me… Thank you for your help.”
“Don’t mention it. As your lord, it’s only natural that I should intervene when my Guard Warrior is in difficulty.”
“But… aren’t you curious about the circumstances?”
“If things had been good, would I have left? I must have found it unbearable and fled.”
“….”
“I have no desire to dredge up painful memories.”
At my words, he smiled.
“You are truly a good person, my lord.”
“You’re only finding out about that now?”
Seo-woo Warrior interjected with a laugh, trying to lighten the mood.
“I’ve known about it for quite some time.”
At that, Yeo Eung-am Warrior let out a soft chuckle as well.
“I’ve known it for ages too, yet you’re only learning of it now. How disappointing.”
Lee Pil Warrior offered a faint smile at the jest.
“You warriors are truly good people. If you had been my elder brothers, I would never have fled this place.”
“Then make sure you do well from now on.”
At Yeo Eung-am Warrior’s words, he chuckled softly.
“In truth, my mother was born a poor itinerant farmer.”
The sudden revelation cast a heavy pall over the atmosphere. Yet Lee Pil Warrior continued speaking with composure.
“She found my father wounded and collapsed in the forest, and somehow… I came to be.”
His expression seemed as though he were recounting someone else’s story entirely.
It was a sign that his heart harbored wounds too deep for words.

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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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