The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 143

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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 143

Chapter 143. Sweeping the Front Courtyard (3)

On this floor of Hongran Tower, musicians played one cheerful melody after another, and dancers swayed in perfect rhythm to their music.
I caught sight of one particular dancer and couldn’t help but grin wickedly.
Because I knew her true identity—or rather, his.
His name was Chun-il.
He was famous as a great sword who preyed exclusively on the wealthy.
And he was one of the people I intended to “pick up” during this visit to Luoyang.
In time, he would become so renowned that he earned the epithet Eun Sam-gaek.
This was because he would break into wealthy households and steal exactly three silver taels—no more, no less.
But his movements were so mysterious and unpredictable that the victims often didn’t even realize they’d been robbed.
This legendary thief, known to steal anything under heaven, possessed several remarkable talents.
One of them was his ability to disguise himself as someone completely unexpected.
What man in this world would dress in women’s clothing and apply such heavy makeup to pass himself off as a dancer?
The disguise alone was impressive enough, but watching him mimic the dance movements with such flawless precision was simply astounding.
To enliven the gathering, Hongran Tower had invited not only musicians to perform but also dancers to entertain the guests.
There were no courtesans pouring drinks, which made sense given that spouses were attending together.
Moreover, since this was a gathering of the Baekdae Trading Company Alliance, many sensitive matters would be discussed, making it necessary to exclude such entertainers.
Yet without music and dance to set the mood, the gathering would lack vitality, so musicians and dancers had to be invited.
For this reason, their backgrounds were thoroughly investigated.
Even though the Greatest Merchant Guild Under Heaven would have conducted rigorous checks, the fact that he slipped through spoke volumes about his exceptional ability to forge identities and master disguise.
Truly, his disguise technique was flawless.
He made clever use of his naturally delicate features in this way.
In my previous life, I had only discovered his disguise because of his movements.
Working at the Eun Hae Fabric Shop, I naturally encountered countless women.
Most of those who came to buy fabric were women, after all.
No matter how perfectly he disguised himself and danced, there was an inevitable awkwardness that leaked through in his movements.
Of course, most people never noticed.
But I found myself continuously watching him because that subtle unnaturalness bothered me, and eventually I figured it out.
That he was Eun Sam-gaek Chun-il.
However, my promise not to pursue anyone targeting the silver badge was a promise, so I didn’t arrest him for stealing it.
At the time, I simply marveled at his skill, but looking back now, I realize I had missed an opportunity to recruit the greatest security expert available.
I couldn’t afford to miss such an opportunity twice.

His end was far from pleasant.
Well, it’s hardly reasonable to wish for a thief’s end to be a good one.
After all, he had forcibly transferred ownership of so many people’s possessions without just compensation.
Since he primarily targeted the wealthy and the powerful, charges of audacity were added to his crimes.
Thus, he suffered a fate far more severe than the punishment he should have received—he was subjected to dismemberment.
From what I observed, he possessed the ability to escape from prison.
Yet he accepted his destiny with equanimity, and it is said he smiled even as his limbs were torn away.
At last, he could stop stealing.
Knowing such a future awaits him, I cannot simply leave Great Sword Chun-il to his own devices.
And to prevent future losses to our Merchant Guild, I must take him on as a security advisor for the Eunhae Trading Company.
For a significant theft of gold is destined to occur before long.
Just then, the dance ended and the dancers withdrew.
Someone ascended the ceremonial platform where the dancers had been and began explaining today’s gathering, drawing everyone’s attention in that direction.
I seized the opportunity to approach the one disguised as a dancer and offered him water.
“Ah, thank you.”
A slightly husky woman’s voice reached my ears.
One of Great Sword Chun-il’s specialties is voice modulation. He could alter his voice to sound like anyone—from an old man to a child, regardless of gender.
No wonder everyone was deceived.
“I hear your skills are quite remarkable.”
“You flatter me.”
I tossed out a remark as he drank the water.
“Three silver taels.”
“Pfft!”
He startled and spat out the water he had been drinking.
“W-what do you mean by that?”
Instead of answering his question, I smiled wickedly and spoke.
“However, since I haven’t personally witnessed that skill, I’m curious about it.”
I subtly lifted the silver badge hanging from my waist to show him.
“So here’s the thing—if you don’t demonstrate that skill before today’s gathering ends, you’ll do me a favor instead.”
“I’m sorry, but young master. I am….”
“You lack confidence?”
“….”
“I see. You lack confidence. Well, with security this tight, even someone like you would struggle. Hahaha.”
His eyes changed at my words.
“Very well. Don’t come crying to me if you lose.”
I answered with a light laugh.
The game had begun.

* * *

Chun-il’s pupils trembled.
‘How did he see through me?’
Even by my own assessment, my disguise as a dancer was flawless.
Moreover, I had diligently learned the choreography and synchronized perfectly with the other performers.
Yet this mere boy not only pierced through my disguise but had the audacity to challenge me to a duel.
A challenge of this nature could not be refused.
‘I have no idea how he discovered my true identity.’
Once this gathering concluded, I would need to conduct a thorough inspection to ensure there were no lapses in my concealment. I lifted my gaze to observe the young man who had issued the challenge.
That sensation returned—the chilling touch that had run down my spine when he first looked at me.
‘Perhaps it was merely the cold.’
As I attempted to suppress my unease with this rationalization, a voice called out to me.
“You there! What are you doing standing around? We need to begin the next performance at once.”
I quickly composed my expression and responded with a smile.
“I’m coming right now.”

* * *

The gathering of the Baekdae Trading Company Alliance was not one where merchants sat passively consuming food and drink.
Ostensibly convened to foster exchange among the allied companies, it took the form of a mobile gathering where attendees circulated freely.
I remained seated at a table positioned in a quiet corner, leisurely enjoying food and tea while observing my father’s movements.
Father was earnestly engaged in conversation with the other merchant leaders.
Despite his casual demeanor, his eyes gleamed with sharp intensity.
Mother, too, was occupied with the wives of the other merchant leaders in the upper section.
I needed to mingle with the assembled guests.
After all, many of the merchants’ sons and heirs had attended as well.
Yet considerable time remained, and I desired a moment of respite.
My stamina was undiminished, but the mental fatigue was unavoidable.
The encounter with Namgung Kang, the leader of the Baekcheon Trading Company, had proven more taxing than anticipated.

“I’ll replace your tea with a fresh, warm pot.”
“Ah, thank you.”
I smiled and expressed my gratitude to the Shop Attendant. That’s when he knocked over the teapot.
“Oh, I’m so sorry!”
At his cry, nearby Shop Attendants rushed over and scolded him.
“What are you doing?”
“Be more careful!”
“It’s fine.”
He kept bowing his head, apologizing to me.
“Young Master, your clothes are wet… Please, let me dry them for you.”
He pulled out a towel and began wiping my garments.
I leaned close to his ear and whispered quietly.
“Three silver taels.”
“…!”
At my words, the Shop Attendant bit his lip.
I had to admit—he was impressive. When exactly had he shed the Dancer’s disguise and become a Shop Attendant? Truly remarkable.
If I hadn’t cultivated the Taiyin Ice-Sea Divine Art, I would have been completely fooled.
Even his vital energy had transformed entirely.
Now I understood why, despite stationing martial artists with cultivated skills as guards, they were repeatedly robbed.
The Taiyin Ice-Sea Divine Art possessed an extraordinary ability to sense vital energy.
My Master had once explained this to me.
The vital energy perceived by the Taiyin Ice-Sea Divine Art was a person’s fundamental essence.
Still, I was grateful that I didn’t sense the repulsive aura characteristic of the Black Path.
The soiled table was cleared, the wet tablecloth replaced, and fresh dishes were served.
I remained in my seat—this location suited me well for observing others discreetly.
It was the perfect vantage point to watch the people around me quietly.
Then I sensed someone settling into the seat beside me.
I turned to see the Sakang Branch Master.
His gaze suggested he had something he wished to say.
“Is there something on your mind?”
“Thank you.”
“Pardon?”
Uncertain why he was suddenly expressing gratitude, I tilted my head in confusion.
“Yesterday, the hairpin.”
At those words, I understood what the Sakang Branch Master meant.
“It seems your mother was quite pleased with the hairpin I gifted her yesterday.”
So on such an important day as today, she must have chosen to wear it.
Now that I thought about it, his mother was also wearing the belt I had given her.
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I scratched my cheek.
Then the hesitant Sakang Branch Master spoke.
“…she wept.”
“….”
So the Sakang Leader’s Mother was moved to tears by her joy?
I asked with a hint of uncertainty.
“Could this have been the first gift she’s ever received from her son?”
He nodded in response to my question.
Ah….
No wonder she wept.
After twenty years, this was the first gift her son had ever given her.
“Allow me to repay you.”
“I must decline any repayment. I’ve done nothing so extraordinary as to deserve such gratitude.”
“….”
It was then.
“Ah! There you are.”
The one addressing me was Han Baek-geon, a branch master.
A familiar face.
He was two years my senior and served as branch master of the Hongnang Trading Company.
It was a merchant guild from the same Hubei region, and I’d heard he’d recently been promoted to branch master.
“I apologize for my absence at your inauguration ceremony.”
“No matter. I know you’ve been busy.”
Then, looking between me and the Sakang Leader, he spoke.
“But to think Kang would engage in such a lengthy conversation! How surprising.”
“There’s nothing particularly surprising about it.”
“Ha, whenever I converse with this taciturn fellow who barely speaks, I find myself growing frustrated without realizing it.”
Seeing him speak so freely in front of the Sakang Leader, they seemed quite close. The Sakang Leader showed little reaction to it.
I let out a soft laugh.
“Words matter less than understanding the heart behind them. Once you grasp what someone truly wishes to convey, continuing the conversation becomes effortless.”
At my words, Han Baek-geon exclaimed with admiration, while the Sakang Leader gazed at me with moved eyes.
Why such reactions?
At that moment, another young man approached us.
“Baek-geon.”
“Ah! You’ve arrived! Come, greet him! This is Eun Seo-ho, branch master of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“A pleasure to meet you. To encounter the renowned Eun branch master here! What fortune!”
“Yes, it’s good to meet you as well.”
I offered a warm greeting to this cheerful young man. Yet my greeting did not end there.
“Wait? That young man is the Eun branch master?”
“The Eun branch master of the Jamu Doll Company?”
“Ah! The Eun branch master who creates the Self-Playing Zithers!”
“So that branch master who crafted the wind mechanism and presented it to the court is this young man!”
“That Seon Hyeop Mi-rang?”
Had my accomplishments truly become so renowned?
They whispered among themselves for a moment before approaching our table one by one, and by the time I finished greeting them all, my throat was raw.
When I came to my senses, the dining table where I sat had become the center of attention for all the young masters attending the gathering.
As a result, quite useful information flowed forth, and I carefully committed each piece to memory.
As we conversed about this and that, the topic naturally drifted toward the silver tokens.
“By the way, why don’t you have a silver token?”
“Ah… I just lost it.”
“How unfortunate!”
“It vanished so cleanly.”
“How does someone manage to steal only the silver token like that…?”
Hearing their conversation, I let out a quiet chuckle and subtly kicked my foot beneath the table.
Thud!
A faint sound escaped, but it was drowned out by the musicians’ melodies.
Quite impressive, isn’t it?
With internal energy channeled into that kick, it must have hurt considerably, yet he endured it without a sound.
Right now, Great Sword Chun-il is hiding beneath our table.
I still couldn’t fathom when he’d slipped underneath…
The moment he approached to target my silver token, I kicked him.
Spilling tea on the table must have been part of his grand scheme.
I had thought the tablecloth was rather large, but now it made sense.
Yet hiding beneath the table concealed by the tablecloth to steal the silver token—wasn’t that method rather pedestrian?
But for the young masters of these merchant guilds here, it would be a method they’d never conceived of.
Of course, I had already sensed Great Sword Chun-il’s aura, so stopping him was effortless.

Thus, I thwarted a total of seven attempts.
Though I witnessed others losing their silver tokens, I couldn’t inform them as it would violate the rules of the gathering.
It seemed the rules reflected a principle that one must protect one’s own possessions.
Indeed, one must safeguard what belongs to oneself.
The gathering was drawing to a close, and my contest with Great Sword Chun-il was nearing its end as well.
Smack!
And I had just blocked his eighth attempt.

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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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