The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 118

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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 118

Chapter 118. The True Mastermind Was Close All Along (3)

In other words, either the House Master’s eldest son or the animal trainer had hidden something incriminating inside that chamber.
Or perhaps they were trying to frame those two.
If that were the case, then whoever hid the evidence could also enter inside?
Or they might have bribed someone who could access it.
From what I knew of my previous life, the current House Master’s eldest son had been confined.
That meant either his own scheme had been exposed, or he’d been falsely accused—one or the other.
A dull ache began throbbing behind my eyes.
First, I needed to confirm whether what lay inside had any connection to the Hyungmun Sect’s plague.
Somehow, I had to find a way inside….
The problem was that what dwelled there wasn’t merely a snake—it was a Poison-Horned Snake carrying lethal venom.
Yet something felt wrong.
Why could I only sense the same aura I’d felt from the Hyungmun Sect’s plague?
I couldn’t detect the aura that had emanated from the Mountain Poison that nearly ruined Jin-ho’s inauguration as Small Merchant Guild Leader.
Could it be…?
I turned to Dang Su-bin.
“What duties does the Third Young Master you mentioned earlier handle?”
“My Third Elder Brother serves as the commander of the Tiger Step Squad.”
“The Tiger Step Squad—is that another military unit?”
“It’s the Main House’s strike force.”
“I see.”
I’d wondered why they called it the Tiger Step Squad, but a strike force—that was quite fitting for the name.
“I’d like to visit that place for a moment.”
“…I’ll guide you there.”

Interestingly, the martial squads were each positioned far apart from one another—east end, west end, that sort of arrangement.
“The Tiger Step Squad attracts many who are obsessed with martial arts, so when disputes arise between them, they rarely end quietly. That’s why the family keeps them separated, both as a precaution and to maintain order.”
“A rather prudent approach, I’d say.”
Upon arriving at the Tiger Step Squad stationed at the western end, I felt a sudden wave of revulsion.
This revulsion—it belongs to the Black Path.
The Black Path, here in the Sichuan Tang Family Estate!
It made no sense whatsoever.
Or rather, it wasn’t entirely impossible.
I had sensed the Black Path’s aura from Jegal Kyung back at the Jegal Family Estate, after all.
This meant someone of that ilk existed here as well.
As if on cue, the House Master’s Third Son—the one I’d seen earlier—emerged to greet us.
“Welcome, honored guest. We are honored by your presence.”
“Thank you for the warm reception.”
“I am Dang Yeon-chil, Vice Commander of the Tiger Step Squad.”
“I am Eun Seo-ho.”
Following my introduction, the guards standing behind me each offered their names in turn.
“I hear you’re conducting an inspection.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Then we must live up to your expectations. Haha. Please, come this way. I’ll give you a special tour of the Training Ground.”
“I appreciate your consideration.”
Vice Commander Dang Yeon-chil turned to Dang Su-bin.
“Aren’t you going to acknowledge your brother, even after seeing him?”
“I didn’t think it was necessary.”
“Well, suit yourself.”
What was this? These two were siblings, yet their relationship seemed strained.
“This way, if you please.”
“Of course.”
I nodded in acknowledgment.
The revulsion I felt was even more intense than what Jegal Kyung had inspired, but I forced myself to maintain a composed smile.
Had I not reached the pinnacle of my cultivation, I might have retched from the sheer disgust.
Even after touring the Training Ground, I found no evidence of the Mountain Poison.
Was this a dead end?
Yet my suspicion that the Dang Family’s hidden mastermind was Vice Commander Dang Yeon-chil seemed increasingly plausible.
Otherwise, there would be no reason for such overwhelming revulsion.
Hiding evidence of the Hyungmun Sect’s plague in the Poison-Horned Snake’s cage at Jisaeng Hall—it was all meant to drive out the eldest son.
The problem was, I had no concrete proof that this man was the mastermind.
My sense of revulsion could never serve as objective evidence.
Moreover, to create and distribute a poison capable of inducing the plague that carries the Dang Family’s secrets, or something like the Mountain Poison, one would need to be positioned within an organization related to such matters.
Yet Dang Yeon-chil’s position was within the martial squad—the Tiger Step Squad.
Furthermore, he was direct blood of the Dang Family; without irrefutable evidence, I could easily become the accused instead.
Wait.
An organization that creates such things?
Having left the Tiger Step Squad, I asked Dang Su-bin.
“What duties does your Second Elder Brother handle?”
“He serves as Vice-Master of Dokwhwa Hall. And I work there as well.”
My next destination was decided.
I spoke to Dang Su-bin.
“This time, I’d like to see where you work.”
At my words, her eyes brightened noticeably as she replied.
“Finally, it’s my turn! This way.”

Dokwhwa Hall.
It was a place where poisons were developed and researched, divided broadly into practical application and research divisions.
“My Second Elder Brother oversees the research side, and I handle the practical application division.”
I smiled with genuine satisfaction.
This time, it wasn’t a dead end.
As we drew closer to Dokwhwa Hall, the aura of Mountain Palace Poison—which had nearly ruined Jin-ho’s announcement as Small Merchant Guild Leader—grew increasingly palpable.
We entered Dokwhwa Hall, and she eagerly guided me through its various sections.
Thanks to her, I discovered something crucial.
The evidence regarding Mountain Palace Poison lay in Dokwhwa Hall’s research archives.
.
.
.
By the time the tour ended, evening had fallen.
“Today was an exceptionally enlightening time. Please convey my gratitude to the House Master.”
“Of course, I will.”
“By the way, how many siblings do you have?”
“Seven in total. Three older than me, three younger.”
“So Jo Woong is the youngest.”
“That’s right. He’s my younger brother from the same mother.”
Was that tenderness because they shared the same mother?
“That’s why he’s especially dear to me, but Jo Woong’s talent is truly remarkable.”
Her eyes sparkled as she spoke.
“For you to speak so highly of him! Jo Woong’s future seems promising indeed.”
I continued questioning, feigning indifference.
“Does your Third Elder Brother treat you well?”
“Yes, he does. Though he’s somewhat neglectful of family matters due to his devotion to research, that’s something I must understand.”
“Forgive me for being presumptuous, but when we visited the Tiger Step Squad earlier, you seemed to be avoiding something.”
From what I’d overheard in their conversation, it was merely ordinary sibling banter with nothing remarkable.
Yet her eyes—they unmistakably held a glimmer of unease.
“The truth is….”
She continued speaking while stroking her own arm.
“I’m not sure if I should say this on first meeting, but ever since some time ago, whenever I see Third Elder Brother, something feels off.”
“I see.”
I concealed my smile and nodded in acknowledgment.
“I apologize for asking such a question.”
“No, it’s fine.”
After asking a few more questions, we arrived at the Separate Quarters where I was staying.
“Thank you for walking me here. Please, go inside and rest.”
Dang Su-bin had the expression of someone with more to say.
Yet she only hesitated, and ultimately left without speaking further.

I ate dinner and fell into contemplation.
Something related to the Hyungmun Sect’s plague and the mountain poison used by the Eunhae Trading Company was hidden in the places where the House Master’s first son and second son worked.
If the third son revealed this fact, the first and second sons would be disqualified as candidates for House Master.
First, I needed to confirm with my own eyes exactly what those things were.
.
.
.
That night.
When everyone had fallen into deep sleep.
I created an illusion of myself on the bed using the Illusory Shadow Technique, then slipped out quietly.
This matter could not be revealed to others.
I had to move quickly and in absolute secrecy.
I examined my surroundings carefully. There was always the possibility that Palgap might suddenly appear.
He wasn’t there.
I moved immediately.
The martial art I currently employed was the Shadowless Step Technique, a footwork method my Master had taught me.
It was a technique that produced no sound, and at my current peak mastery, it left no trace of footprints.
My destination was the Jisaeng Hall in the Martial Training Ground.
I needed to confirm the evidence hidden in the Poison-Horned Snake’s cage there.
Soon I entered the Jisaeng Hall.

“At night? There are still people on duty then. One or two perhaps? They make rounds when the time comes.”

I recalled what Dang Su-bin had said and waited, hanging beneath the eaves of the roof.
Hanging from a roof was no trivial feat, but the physical conditioning I’d maintained diligently throughout this time proved invaluable.
After hanging there for roughly an hour, a brilliant light suddenly swept across the darkness.
Two men approached, carrying staffs fitted with small luminous pearls.
They mentioned they would use these night-luminous pearls instead of torches to avoid agitating the venomous creatures in this place.
To think they would waste such expensive pearls in a place like this.
After their inspection, I heard the sound of a door closing as they entered the building.
They wouldn’t emerge for at least another two hours.
I descended quietly and approached the cage of the Poison-Horned Snake.
The creature was awake.
Its body appeared far thicker than mine.
I would barely constitute a single bite for it.
As I watched the Poison-Horned Snake hiss at me, I slipped my hand into my sleeve to retrieve the sedative I had prepared.
One never knew when trouble might arise, so I always carried at least a sedative with me.
But the moment our eyes met.
The creature’s tail trembled violently, and it coiled itself into a corner and fled.
What? What was that?
Why did it run away upon seeing me?
How bewildering.
In any case, there would be no need for the sedative now. I retrieved a needle to pick the lock that secured the cage.
A skill I had learned in my previous life.
It had proven remarkably useful.
Click.
The lock opened.
I carefully entered and thoroughly searched the interior.
Hidden within a thick pile of straw on the floor was a bundle.
Upon touching it, I recognized it as books.
Just as I was about to place them in my pocket, an amusing thought suddenly occurred to me.
‘How convenient—I can put that item from my pocket to use right now.’
.
.
.
By the time I visited Dokwhwa Hall, considerable time had already passed.
I returned to my Separate Pavilion and dispelled the false image I had created using the Heo Maegyeong technique.
“Did you enjoy your evening stroll, sir?”
“Gasp!”
I was startled by Palgap’s voice from behind me.
Spinning around in alarm, I found Palgap watching me.
I asked him casually.
“Why aren’t you asleep?”
“How am I supposed to find the Young Master when he’s gone out?”
“….”
“Are you sulking?”
“Why would I sulk, sir?”
He was definitely sulking.
“It’s because I went out alone and put myself in danger, isn’t it?”
“Sigh….”
Palgap exhaled deeply.
“To be honest, I’ve decided not to worry anymore when you go out alone, sir. Your martial skills are strong, and Geumryeong is with you.”
“….”
“So wouldn’t it be better if you just let me know before you leave? That way, if something happens, I can take proper measures, can’t I?”
“Ah….”
He was right, and I had nothing to say against it.
I apologized without resistance.
“I’m sorry. I’ll tell you before I go out next time.”
“Understood, sir.”
“So go keep watch outside.”
“Yes?”
“I need to check something.”
Still, Palgap, you’re the one I serve.

A moment later,
I pulled out what I had found from Jisaeng Hall and Dokwhwa Hall from my pocket.
Two books.
I opened them and began reading carefully.
“What?”
The contents of the books were truly shocking.
These were research materials detailing how to create the poison that caused the plague in the Hyungmun Sect and how to produce the Mountain Poison.
With this, there was no way to escape—I would be branded as the culprit outright.
And from these two books, I became certain that the mastermind was the Third Son.
Because the books bore a faint but unmistakable murderous intent.
The same murderous intent I had felt from the Third Son.
But why hadn’t the Tiger Step Squad found evidence of this?
Even if the Murim Alliance orchestrated this, since the Manjol Physician confirmed that both poisons belonged to the Sichuan Tang Family, there must be a place where they were researched and created.
That place would surely be within his sight.
‘So there’s a secret space hidden somewhere?’
I gathered the books and placed them back in my pocket.
.
.
.
Daylight broke.
I performed my morning cultivation breathing exercises, trained, and ate breakfast.
The morning passed without incident.
“Young Master.”
Palgap approached me and spoke.
“Dang Su-bin has come to see you.”
“Ah, is that so?”
The Separate Quarters had its own Guest Reception Room, and Dang Su-bin waited for me there.
“Good morning.”
“Yes. Benefactor.”
That title of “Benefactor” always embarrasses me, no matter how many times I hear it.
“I’ve come to relay my father’s words. He asked that you spend time with Jo Woong today.”
“With Jo Woong?”
“Yes.”
Dang Su-bin nodded.
“Yesterday, Father made a promise to Jo Woong. He said that once Jo Woong completed his assigned tasks, he would be allowed to spend time with you. And it turns out he finished all those tasks yesterday.”
Though I didn’t know what those tasks were, seeing Dang Su-bin’s satisfied expression told me they couldn’t have been easy.

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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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