The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 142

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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 142

Chapter 142. Cleaning Out the Front Courtyard (2)

I spoke to the Shop Attendant.
“Please show me that hairpin over there and the golden belt beside it.”
At my words, the Shop Attendant retrieved the two items and displayed them.
“Here they are.”
I gazed at the jade hairpin and golden belt, a satisfied smile spreading across my face.
In my previous life, these fell into the hands of the Black Path and were used to harm the innocent, but not anymore.
“Please wrap each one separately.”
“Allow me to assist with the payment first.”
I paid for both ornaments, and the Shop Attendant placed each piece into silk pouches.
With this, I had accomplished my purpose for coming to the Luoyang marketplace today.
“Farewell.”
I exited the jewelry shop with the Sakang Branch Master and glanced back briefly.
This shop was operated by the Baekcheon Trading Company.
In other words, the Baekcheon Trading Company had no idea these treasures were in their possession and lost them with their eyes wide open.
In my previous life, they fell to a Black Blade Warrior.
This time, they fell to me.
My satisfaction was doubled.
.
.
.
That evening, I sought out my Mother.
“What brings you here?”
“I went to the marketplace today and found something that seemed perfect for you, so I purchased it.”
At my words, Mother smiled brightly.
“My son bought me a gift?”
“Yes, though I hope it pleases you.”
Mother opened the pouch I offered, and her smile grew even warmer.
“This is a belt!”
“Do you like it?”
Mother nodded readily.
“Like it? I love it!”
“I’m relieved.”
I continued.
“Would you try pulling the ornament on that belt to the side?”
At my words, Mother tilted her head curiously and pulled at the ornament on her belt.
Click.
At that sound, Mother tilted her head and asked.
“Is this perhaps a Soft Sword?”
“Yes.”
At my response, Mother pulled at a section of the belt, and a long blade emerged into view.
“My goodness!”
Mother was far more delighted than before.
She habitually says she has become the wife of a merchant, but in my eyes, Mother suits the warrior’s path far better.
Mother’s family home is one of the martial families in Hubei Province, a clan that uses Soft Swords.
Mother possessed first-rate skill, but she set down her blade to fulfill her role as the lady of the household—something I had always found regrettable.
Why had I not thought to gift Mother a sword in my previous life?
Watching Mother rejoice like a young girl upon seeing the Soft Sword I had given her, my throat tightened.
The sword I gifted to Mother was forged by a legendary blacksmith known as the Heavenly Craftsman from ages past—a weapon capable of pursuing and striking its target of its own accord, should the wielder will it so.
With such a Soft Sword in her possession, Mother would be able to handle any situation that might arise with ease.

Leaving Mother’s chamber, I lay back upon my bed.
A heavy sigh escaped me.
But I soon rose again.
I had remembered that I had skipped today’s training.

* * *

It was the fourth day since I arrived in Luoyang.
I had dressed more elaborately than usual today, for this evening marked the gathering of the Baekdae Trading Company Alliance.
As I descended to the first floor, Sakang Branch Master stood waiting.
“You’ve come down early, young master.”
“Yes.”
Sakang Branch Master was also dressed quite elegantly for the occasion.
After a brief wait, Sa Gu-chul Merchant Leader and his wife, along with my parents, descended the stairs.
I stifled a quiet laugh inwardly.
The hairpin adorning Sa Gu-chul’s Wife’s hair was one I had personally selected for her.
And now that I thought about it, Mother was wearing the belt I had gifted her as well.
“Shall we depart?”
“Yes.”
.
.
.
The venue for this Baekdae Trading Company Alliance gathering was Hongran Tower in Luoyang.
It was a five-story pavilion, and all floors had been rented for today’s event.
True to its name, the entire structure was painted in crimson red.
With decorative red silk flowers adorning every corner, the atmosphere carried an intriguing quality.
I had visited this place roughly five or six times in my previous life.
Twice of those visits were for Baekdae Trading Company Alliance gatherings.
The alliance rotated venues for each gathering, and whenever they convened in Luoyang, they held it here—the most spacious location available.
My other visits had been for business purposes.
As we descended from the carriage, Shop Attendants rushed forward to greet us.
“Welcome, honored guests.”
“Please fasten this silver badge at your waist.”
Examining the silver badge I received from the Shop Attendant, I saw the characters for “Baekdae Trading Company Alliance Gathering” engraved upon it.
It had been quite some time since I last held such a badge.
The principle was that one must fasten the badge oneself, without assistance from servants or maidservants.
We secured the silver badges at our waists and entered within.
“Welcome!”
“Delighted to see you!”
The Merchant Guild Leaders who had arrived early greeted us warmly.
One of them spoke to my father.
“I see an unfamiliar young master accompanying you today. Is this your son?”
“Indeed. He is my youngest son.”
At my father’s words, I clasped my fist and bowed respectfully.
“I am Eun Seo-ho.”
“Ah! You are the young master who became the youngest Branch Master in the history of the Eunhae Trading Company!”
“You honor me with such kind regard. I am still far from adequate.”
“Don’t say such things. Do you have any idea how terrifying the branch masters of the Eunhae Trading Company are?”
As I exchanged greetings with the merchant guild leaders, I carefully observed their faces.
I was recalling memories from my previous life, thinking about what relationships might develop in the future.
Ah, that guild leader grasped the wrong thread connecting him to the Imperial Palace, and his entire company collapsed overnight.
That one’s son squandered the guild away entirely.
Observing the faces of these guild leaders and comparing them to my past life was both enlightening and entertaining in its own way.
That was when it happened.
A prickling sensation shot through my scalp, and a chill ran down my spine.
I slowly turned my head to look.
“…!”
The Goat-Bearded Man was approaching me.
Namgung Kang, the guild master of the Baekcheon Trading Company.
With each step he took toward me, my heart raced faster and faster.
Simultaneously, the words he had spoken when he killed me echoed in my ears.

“Your Eunhae Trading Company has grown far too large and become a nuisance. I don’t care for your unnecessary righteousness either. The fact that you’ve raised the standard of goodness is problematic for me. In short, you’re an eyesore.”

“Yes, that’s the reaction I wanted. It would have been dull if you’d shown no reaction at all. But do you know something?”

“The real reason I destroyed the Eunhae Trading Company was because of you.”

“Farewell.”

And in that instant, I could vividly feel the cool blade of Namgung Kang’s sword pressing against my throat.
Following the General Store Elder’s advice, I had attended the gathering with confidence, but facing him directly was still far from easy.
Cold sweat broke out unbidden, and my hands grew frigid.
Thump!
Thump!
Thump!
My heartbeat thundered through my entire body.
That was when it happened.
“Are you alright?”
Noticing my pallid complexion, Mother approached and took my hand.
“Ah….”
The warmth emanating from Mother’s hand gradually steadied my frantic heartbeat.
And then my eyes fell upon Mother’s sash.
In that moment, everything I had claimed from the Martial Alliance Courtyard flooded back into my mind.
An enormous quantity of Night Luminous Pearls.
The Celestial Craftsman’s masterwork—the Lotus Sword.
And the hairpin I would present to my Elder Brother’s Wife.
As I recalled these treasures, my chest suddenly felt lighter, as though my breath had been freed.
Just as the General Store Elder had said to anticipate, I found myself eager imagining what expression they would wear when they eventually discovered, much later, that I had taken these things.
Of course, I had no intention of telling them.
Father greeted the Baekcheon Merchant Guild Master, who had drawn near.
“It has been a long time.”
Father exchanged pleasantries with him and then introduced me.
“Pay your respects. This is Namgung Kang, the Merchant Guild Master of Baekcheon Trading Company.”
“I am Eun Seo-ho, Branch Master.”
“Judging by appearance alone, you are every bit the son of a Merchant Guild Master—quite impressive to behold.”
I bowed respectfully at his words, and Father chuckled warmly.
“This boy bears a strong resemblance to how I was in my youth. Hahaha!”
Father and he exchanged various pleasantries, when someone’s voice called out to him.
“It seems something requires my attention. I hope you have an enjoyable time. I trust the young master will as well.”
And he turned toward whoever had summoned him.
Father, who had been watching his departing figure for a moment, asked me a question.
“Your face was pale just moments ago, but it seems you’ve recovered now.”
“Ah, when I realized I was meeting the Merchant Guild Masters who lead the Baekdae Trading Company Alliance, I felt momentarily dizzy. But once I remembered that we too are one of the hundred great trading companies, I quickly felt better.”
“Indeed.”
Father patted my shoulder and spoke.
“You have grasped that this place is where invisible warfare unfolds. But here, maintaining confidence is what truly matters.”
“I shall remember this well.”
Then someone appeared upon the ceremonial platform arranged in the banquet hall.
An elderly man with white whiskers.
He was none other than In Kang-su, the Merchant Leader of the Sebin Merchant Guild—the greatest merchant guild under heaven and the organizer of this gathering.
It was safe to say that among those living in the Central Plains, scarcely anyone died without hearing the name of the Sebin Merchant Guild at least once.
The Sebin Merchant Guild specialized in the Four Treasures of the Study—paper, brushes, ink, and inkstones—and distributed the finest spirits throughout the realm.
They were also the merchant guild that supplied paper to the Imperial Palace.
Boom, boom, boom—!
With the sound of the drum, silence fell across the hall, and all eyes turned toward In Kang-su.
“First, I wish to extend my gratitude to all of you for gathering here today.”
He continued.
“Though some have yet to arrive, it appears nearly everyone is here, so I shall commence the Baekdae Trading Company Alliance gathering.”
He smiled with a slight grin.
“And I urge each of you to keep a careful eye on the silver badges at your waists. It seems many have come seeking those badges once again.”
“….”
Everyone’s expressions grew tense, and In Kang-su produced a fan from his robes.
“Then, I hereby declare the commencement of the Baekdae Trading Company Alliance gathering.”
With that declaration, he struck the drum directly with his fan.
Boom, boom, boom!
The gathering had begun.

* * *

Chun-il was a thief.
There was nothing particularly special about how he became one.
It was simply a matter of survival.
His parents had perished amid the chaos of martial artists clashing and fighting.
But once their battle ended, they simply departed, and none of them paid any attention to Chun-il.
And so Chun-il wandered the streets and eventually joined the Beggar Gang.
But those days were far from happy.
Every day, if he failed to meet his quota, the gang leader would beat him severely—a pain that was unbearable for a child.
Then one day, a thought occurred to him.
‘There’s no law saying I must beg to meet my quota, is there? I just need to fill it somehow.’
With that thought, he snuck into an empty house and stole money.
That day, instead of being beaten by the gang leader, he received praise.
What began as theft once, then twice, gradually grew bolder.
Then, while breaking into a house to steal, he met a man.
He thought it was over—he’d been caught stealing.
But the man smiled and asked him something that captured his interest.
“Why not become a true thief instead of a petty one like this?”
It was the meeting with his master.

He possessed a talent for thievery, and he mastered every technique his master possessed.
Eventually, his master declared, “You surpass me.”
Having reached such heights, there was nothing he could not steal.
Yet thievery remained a genuine crime, and guilt always lingered in a corner of his heart.
Then one day, something occurred that shook him profoundly.
A house where people had gathered and murmured amongst themselves.
Inside, a young couple wept in sorrow.
He remembered the face of the man among that young couple. It was the man from whom he had stolen money through pickpocketing.
Then he heard the voices of the people around him.
“They wanted to visit a physician because of the child’s illness, but it seems they couldn’t.”
“They lost their money to a pickpocket.”
“Is that pickpocket even human? How could he steal a child’s life savings!”
“Exactly! That bastard deserves to be torn to shreds!”
At those words, Chun-il felt nausea rising within him.
‘What have I done?’
After vomiting up everything he had eaten that day, he tried to quit thievery, but old habits die hard, and he found himself stealing again.
Tormented by thievery that had become instinct, he resolved.
Then he would target only those wealthy enough that losing a silver coin or two would mean nothing.
This was the beginning of Chun-il’s transformation into a grand thief who preyed exclusively upon the rich.
There was no way he would miss the gathering of the Baekdae Trading Company Alliance.
Especially when silver tokens were openly presented as targets for theft.
Throughout his career, he had never failed to obtain the silver tokens he sought.
At a single banquet, twenty silver tokens were merely the baseline.
Yet Chun-il did not know.
Within the Hongran Tower where he had infiltrated to steal the silver tokens, there existed someone who knew his true identity.
A chill ran down his spine as he met the gaze of the elegant young man in fine garments.

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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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