The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 123

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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 123

Chapter 123. The Truth Revealed (4)

My mood had soured.
I couldn’t understand why everyone was in such an uproar over not being able to touch Lee Pil Warrior, who was simply minding his own business.
In a way, they were acting this way because they were anxious.
But what could they possibly be so anxious about?
Lee Pil Warrior rejected her words firmly.
“Do not misunderstand. I have no intention whatsoever of returning to this family.”
“How can I trust your words? You will surely come back and obstruct my son’s future path….”
“I have no intention of obstructing Elder Brothers’ paths—or rather, their futures. What obstructs their paths will be themselves.”
“What? What did you say?”
“It seems you have said all you wished to say, so I shall take my leave.”
And Lee Pil Warrior turned his back without hesitation.
“Wait, wait! Stop! I said stop!”
But he did not stop, heading instead toward the Separate Pavilion where we were staying.
I quietly observed her stamping her feet and cursing in frustration.
“Why did that wretch suddenly appear like this… He still hasn’t come to his senses. Perhaps he needs to eat more poisoned food before he learns his lesson.”
At those words, I let out a stifled laugh.
I had suspected that Lee Pil Warrior had been tormented at the Sichuan Tang Family Estate by having foreign substances mixed into his meals, but it was actually true?
And the culprit was Lee Pil’s Great-Aunt?
Wow….
I suppressed the harsh curse that threatened to escape my lips.
She huffed and left, and only then did Palgap reveal his presence and speak.
“I cannot help but feel pity for Lee Pil Warrior.”
“I share the same sentiment.”
After a moment of thought, I spoke to Palgap.
“It seems I must postpone visiting Uncle’s residence for a few more days. There is still unfinished business.”
“Is it perhaps that matter?”
“Yes. Your intuition is correct.”
I intended not only to prevent anyone from touching Lee Pil Warrior again, but also to demand an apology for the past abuse.
.
.
.
That night.
I approached Lee Pil Warrior and spoke.
“A moment—shall we talk?”
“Yes.”
I went to a secluded place with Lee Pil Warrior. After confirming no one was around, I spoke to him quietly.
“Today, I saw Lee Pil Warrior speaking with your great-aunt.”
“Ah….”
Lee Pil Warrior lowered his head with an awkward expression.
“I apologize for my thoughtlessness.”
“No, I understand the circumstances—I wouldn’t accept an apology for that. But I did overhear something I couldn’t overlook.”
“Yes?”
“After you left, your great-aunt said something like, ‘Perhaps he needs to eat more gold dust to regain his senses.'”
“….”
His expression hardened instantly at my words.
“Through that remark, I finally understood your peculiar eating habits. During your time here, there were foreign particles like gold dust mixed into your rice, weren’t there? That’s why you were always hungry.”
He sighed and nodded.
“That’s correct.”
“How could family members do such a thing…!”
“They didn’t consider me family, so perhaps that’s why they did it.”
“Family or not, such things should never happen.”
At my words, he gave a bitter smile.
“I intend to ensure that the people of the Sichuan Tang Family never lay a hand on Lee Pil Warrior again. And I will see that you receive a proper apology.”
I requested this conversation to gain his consent for these actions.
No matter how much I act on his behalf, Lee Pil Warrior is the one directly involved.
So I felt I should at least inform him, if not ask permission.
“No, I’m fine.”
I shook my head firmly at his words.
“Lee Pil Warrior is my Guard Warrior. That means you are my person. And I’m not the type to simply stand by and watch anyone hurt those who belong to me.”
“….”
“I assure you, they will continue to torment Lee Pil Warrior wherever you go. That’s unacceptable, isn’t it?”
“That’s… true.”
“And no matter how long ago it was, food mixed with gold dust! Those memories will continue to wound and sicken your heart.”
“….”
“Do you truly have no desire to receive an apology?”
Lee Pil Warrior, who had been silent, finally spoke with a heavy voice.
“An apology… I do want one.”
His emotions surged.
“And I want to demand answers. What did I do wrong? I was merely born… I only learned and practiced what the family asked me to. Why did they do this to me… Did they hate me so much? I want to ask them at least once.”
I smiled and replied.
“I will remember those words.”
I have no intention of stopping at a mere apology.
Since I’m already raising the stakes, shouldn’t proper punishment accompany a genuine apology?

After finishing our conversation, I returned to my chamber and began turning the matter over in my mind.
As I pondered how to resolve this cleanly and decisively, my eyes suddenly gleamed with inspiration.
A brilliant idea had come to me.

* * *

The next day.
I sought out the House Master and made a request of him.
“There may still be accomplices of the Blood Poison Ghost Bae Du-gap remaining. I would like to assist the family by conducting interviews with members of the clan to help identify these conspirators.”
“You’re not one to act without understanding my intentions. What is your true purpose?”
Truly, he was the House Master.
In that case, it would be wise to reveal my reasons honestly.
“In truth, someone has been persistently targeting my guard, Lee Pil Warrior.”
I explained the entire situation, and the House Master regarded me quietly.
“I understand you must be displeased at the prospect of bringing further chaos to an already troubled family for my own purposes.”
“….”
“However, we must unravel this tangled thread, or complications will arise later, will they not?”
“….”
“I will now prepare the document you promised me—the one confirming your commitment to render me assistance.”
At my words, the House Master shook his head.
“There is no need for that. You are, truly, an excellent lord.”
“Pardon?”
“It is fortunate that Lee Pil has finally found a place where he can dwell in peace.”
The House Master offered a faint smile.
“As you say, tangled threads must be unraveled. Since no blood need be spilled in the process, I shall sing a song to accompany the melody of your zither.”
“Thank you.”

With the House Master’s permission secured, I began conducting interviews with the family members in order.
My sixth interview was with the woman who had been Lee Pil Warrior’s great-aunt—Gogyeon Lady.
I proceeded to Gogyeon Lady’s Quarters accompanied by Palgap, Lee Pil Warrior, and Seo-woo Warrior.
Thanks to the House Master having informed everyone of my purpose that morning, I didn’t need to explain the reason for my visit.
“Welcome… please.”
Gogyeon Lady hesitated for a moment upon seeing Lee Pil Warrior standing behind me.
“Please come inside.”
“Thank you.”
Yet Lee Pil Warrior’s presence elicited reactions from more than just Gogyeon Lady.
The Maidservants and servants also flinched at the sight of him.
Glancing at Lee Pil Warrior, I noticed his expression had become quite rigid.
We entered the Guest Reception Room, and Lee Pil Warrior spoke to me.
“Those Maidservants and servants are still clinging to my great-aunt’s side.”
“….”
“My mother passed away quickly, and I was raised under my great-aunt’s care. Those people tormented me greatly alongside her back then.”
I listened to his words in silence.
“In some ways, they were even worse than my great-aunt… ”
My suspicion had been correct.
They too had been complicit when Gogyeon Lady tormented Lee Pil Warrior.
No—even if Gogyeon Lady had ordered it, if they possessed even a shred of compassion, they would have moderated the severity of the torment.
Or they might have falsely reported that they had tormented him.
Despite being blood relatives of the Sichuan Tang Family, with Gogyeon Lady’s permission, they had vented the resentment accumulated from other family members onto Lee Pil Warrior.
That’s why he said they were worse than his great-aunt.
I deliberated between two approaches.
The first would bring hardship upon the Maidservants and servants, while the second would not.
Until just moments ago, I had thought it unfair to bring hardship upon the Maidservants and servants, who had merely followed their superior Gogyeon Lady’s orders.
But their reaction just now and Lee Pil Warrior’s explanation changed my mind.
I decided on the first approach.
I subtly held up one finger to everyone.
Upon seeing this, Palgap and the two Warriors nodded in understanding.
At that moment, the door opened and Gogyeon Lady entered, followed by a Maidservant carrying refreshments.
Tea and three pieces of pastry were placed before each of us four.
“It is most gracious of you, the family’s benefactor, to visit in person. What might you wish to inquire about?”
“Nothing in particular. I simply thought we might pass the time with pleasant conversation. Haha.”
Thus I engaged in idle talk, sipping tea and eating pastries.
And as previously arranged, Lee Pil Warrior did not touch the pastries.
“Lee Pil Warrior, are you leaving those pastries uneaten?”
“Yes.”
“Then, might I eat them?”
“Please do.”
I reached for the pastry that had been set aside for Lee Pil Warrior and took a bite.
“Ugh!”
After eating the pastry, I clutched my chest as though seized by sudden pain.
Palgap, witnessing my distress, asked with alarm in his voice.
“What’s wrong, Young Master?”
“My chest suddenly hurts… Urgh!”
Blood trickled from the corner of my mouth, and at the sight, Seo-woo Warrior cried out in shock.
“No, no! Master! Are you alright? Master?”
Lee Pil Warrior shouted toward Gogyeon Lady.
“What in blazes is the meaning of this?”
Gogyeon Lady flailed her hands in panic.
“No, no. I, I didn’t… I didn’t do it…”
And Palgap immediately bolted outside, crying out.
“Oh heavens, our Young Master is dying! Summon the Physician at once! It appears he’s been poisoned! Our Young Master is in critical condition!”
Upon hearing those words, the patrolling Warriors immediately called for the Physician, and events unfolded with remarkable speed.
At word that I had ingested poison, members of the Danhwa Guard mobilized and arrested Gogyeon Lady along with her Maidservant and servants.
Then people emerged from Dokwhwa Hall, among them Dang Su-bin.
In this place, cases of poisoning are handled not by Physicians but by Dokwhwa Hall, who administer the antidote.
“You ingested Sweet Poison, sir.”
Sweet Poison is a colorless, odorless toxin whose sole distinguishing characteristic is its sweet taste.
Thus it is typically administered through pastries.
That’s right.
This poisoning incident was entirely my orchestration.
I had pretended to reach for Lee Pil Warrior’s pastry while secretly coating it with poison.
This scheme succeeded only through the covert assistance of Dang Su-bin, acting under the House Master’s orders.
Without her aid, how could I have possibly known of Sweet Poison or obtained it?
“Fortunately, the special identification token you wore around your neck prevented the poison from spreading throughout your entire body.”
Dang Su-bin handed me a small pill.
“It’s the antidote. Take it at once.”
“Thank you.”
I consumed it while furrowing my brow.
“It’s bitter.”
“Of course it is—it’s medicine.”
She lifted the corners of her mouth in a faint smile before quickly suppressing it. The antidote I had just taken was merely a vitality restoration pill.
Perhaps the bitterness came from the bear gall it contained?
Seo-woo Warrior spoke.
“Then where was the poison located?”
“Here—poison was detected only in this pastry.”
“But that’s Lee Pil Warrior’s pastry…”
Lee Pil Warrior nodded.
“Yes, it is my pastry. However, I did not eat it—the House Master consumed my pastry instead.”
“Then…”
I continued.
“Does this mean Gogyeon Lady orchestrated this scheme to eliminate Lee Pil Warrior?”
“I should report this to Father.”
.
.
.
I returned to the Separate Pavilion and lay upon my bed.
My body was not merely sound—it overflowed with vitality.
The Vitality Restoration Pill that Dang Su-bin gave me must truly be exceptional.
Yet on the surface, I was supposed to be someone barely recovering from poisoning.
It was then.
“The House Master has arrived.”
The door opened and the House Master entered, seating himself beside my bed. He spoke.
“Even feigning illness is exhausting work, I imagine.”
“Would you care for tea?”
“Simply remain as you are. For appearances, you must be the patient.”
“I am grateful for your consideration, House Master.”
“So then, what assistance do you require of me?”
“Please convene the Punishment Assembly.”
At my words, the House Master let out a soft laugh.
“Do you know something?”
“…?”
“This is already the third Punishment Assembly to be held since you arrived at the Sichuan Tang Family Estate.”
“Is that frequent?”
“Ordinarily, the Punishment Assembly convenes perhaps once a month, if that.”
So they had been held quite often.
Indeed, if the Punishment Assembly convenes too frequently, that itself becomes problematic.
.
.
.
The next day arrived.
Palgap informed me that notices announcing the Punishment Assembly for this morning had been posted throughout the estate since yesterday.
Gogyeon Lady had three children in total, including the Flying Gold Squad’s Dang Jun-ryeong Commander.
I had expected at least one of them to seek me and Lee Pil Warrior out in an attempt to save their mother.
Yet no matter how long I waited, Gogyeon Lady’s children never showed their faces at the Separate Pavilion.
Why did those words she had spoken come to mind—that the child follows the mother’s nature?

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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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