The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 147

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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 147

Chapter 147. Dabie Mountain (1)

At my question, the beggars surrounding the treasure I had been searching for hesitated before scattering in all directions.
They had taken fright at the sight of my attire and the Guard Warriors standing behind me.
I glanced at them briefly before approaching the treasure.
“Are you unharmed? Is there nowhere you’ve been injured?”
“Ah, yes. I’m fine. Thank you for your help.”
“Could you perhaps be the son of Heo Won Supreme Master?”
At that question, he regarded me warily before asking.
“Why do you ask that?”
“The truth is, Heo Won Supreme Master appeared in my dream last night. He asked me to help his son… and when he showed me this place, I wondered what on earth was happening, so I came here on impulse.”
I looked at him and asked.
“How did this come to pass? Why is the Supreme Master’s son in such a state?”
“That is…”
I took his hesitant hand in mine.
It was bitterly cold.
“How long have you been like this?”
“Since yesterday evening…”
That meant he had endured the cold wind throughout the entire night.
Damn it. If I’d known he’d be cast out this soon, I would have come searching earlier.
I thought it would be this morning, so I came out reasonably early.
On the other hand, I was fortunate.
Because I had left early, I was able to save him from suffering grave harm at the hands of the beggars.
Though I did take a blow.
That bastard Namgung Kang.
No matter what, how could he cast him out naked into this freezing weather?
“If it’s difficult to explain now, you can tell me later. For now, you need to recover. You’ll catch your death of cold like this.”
I called for Palgap.
“Palgap, help Scholar Heo to his feet.”
“Yes, understood.”
Palgap supported him, and we returned to the inn.
I then ordered warm rice porridge from the Shop Attendant.
It seemed he hadn’t eaten anything since yesterday evening, so I thought soft, non-irritating food would be best.
“By the way, what is Scholar Heo’s name?”
“Ah, my name is Heo Un. It was given to me so that I would become a fortunate person… but it seems to work only in reverse.”
“You still have much of your life ahead of you, do you not? Your fortune will turn around.”
“Your words alone are gratitude enough.”
At that moment, the Shop Attendant brought over a bowl of rice porridge.
“It’s hot, so please eat slowly.”
“Thank you. I’ll eat well.”
He began to eat slowly, blowing gently on the steaming porridge.
I watched him intently.
My claim about seeing Heo Won Supreme Master in a dream was merely a pretext to approach him naturally.
In his current circumstances, kindness without reason would only breed suspicion.
Heo Un.
He was the primary purpose of my journey to Luoyang.
Though he could not use one leg, such a disability was trivial compared to his exceptional talents.
In my previous life, he had drifted into the Black Path, where his true worth finally emerged.
His specialty was information retention and analysis.
He was the crucial talent needed to derive optimal conclusions from the intelligence Chun-il would bring.
For him, this arrangement held no disadvantage.
In my previous life, he worked for the Black Path until the Murim Alliance ultimately took his life.
I heard that he rejected their overtures to the very end.
It was only natural, given that the Baekcheon Trading Company, which had cast him out, was affiliated with the Murim Alliance.
My desire to employ Heo Un Scholar at the Eunhae Trading Company stemmed not solely from his abilities.
It was also because of his father, Heo Won Supreme Master.
I had met Heo Won Supreme Master only once.
It was when my father became Merchant Guild Leader.
Among those who attended the celebration banquet in place of the Merchant Guild Leader was Heo Won Supreme Master.
At that time, he was merely one of the managers.
Back then, I did not yet have Palgap, and I had slipped away without the Nursemaid’s knowledge to play, only to fall.
He approached me with my injured knee and applied the trauma salve he carried.
At that moment, he spoke to me.

“When you grow up and find yourself in a position to help others, become someone who aids those around you.”

The words I had once spoken to Tang Jo-ung were the very words Heo Won Supreme Master had given me.
When I decided to journey to Luoyang after hearing the General Store Elder’s counsel, his memory returned to me.
And the tragic fate of his son, Heo Un Scholar.
Those words had become like a testament to me, and so I moved forward.
Even if Heo Un Scholar had possessed no special talents, I would have acted.
Just as I do not forget grudges, I do not forget kindness either.

A short while later,
I finished my meal and ascended to my guest room.
Since my quarters were of the highest grade, there was a spacious table suitable for conversation.
We spoke of various matters, primarily concerning Heo Won Supreme Master.
In the process, I subtly expressed dissatisfaction with the Baekcheon Trading Company.
“Heo Won Supreme Master worked so tirelessly for the company, yet he didn’t even attend the funeral, did he?”
….
“You must have been deeply hurt by that.”
As I gently soothed and prodded him, he finally opened his heart and spoke of his expulsion.
“I didn’t expect him to attend. But he denied all of my father’s efforts and sacrifices….”
….
“And I was cast out by him. Simply because my legs are crippled.”
His hands, resting upon the table, clenched with force.
“Ah! So that’s why you’ve been living so miserably.”
“…Yes.”
He fell silent for a moment, then, as if having made a decision, bowed deeply to me and spoke.
“Though it is shameless to make such a request upon our first meeting, would you employ me at your trading company?”
“I beg your pardon?”
I responded in bewilderment, and he continued.
“Your confusion is understandable. My legs are weak, and I am lacking in many ways. However, I am skilled at administrative work. I work so swiftly that even my father and other managers have praised me….”
“Ah, no, that’s not it… I’m delighted.”
“Pardon?”
This time, he was the one taken aback.
“I never expected you to say you wished to join our company.”
I continued.
“I already know you are an exceptional talent. If you truly lacked ability, Heo Won Supreme Master would never have assigned you work.”
“True, my father would certainly do that.”
“That’s why I thought you would seek employment elsewhere in Luoyang.”
Heo Un Scholar hesitated before answering with difficulty.
“I… do not wish to remain in Luoyang.”
At those words, I nodded. I understood his sentiment well.
In any case, before I could even suggest he join the Eunhae Trading Company, he had already requested employment.
It would be wrong to refuse.
“If you join the Eunhae Trading Company, we would be honored. We are always seeking talented individuals.”
Thus, I had obtained all the treasures I could gain in Luoyang.
“There is one regret that lingers, but I suppose I must leave it behind.”
“What might that be?”
“In truth, my father’s belongings and my own possessions remain within the Baekcheon Trading Company. But I cannot retrieve them.”
He gazed toward one side with a wistful expression, then turned his head back to me and spoke.
“However, since I am beginning anew, I think it is acceptable to abandon everything and depart.”
In my previous life, I learned about Heo Un Scholar through the Hao Organization.
At the time, I found it intriguing that the Murim Alliance was losing the information war against the Black Path, so I purchased information about them.
There was one more thing I discovered back then.
The quarters where Heo Won Supreme Master and Heo Un Scholar lived had remained empty ever since, or so I was told.
Rather, nothing inside had been touched at all.
It was a testament to how highly esteemed Heo Won Supreme Master was.
I spoke to him with conviction, as though making a promise.
“Later.”
“Pardon?”
“Later, you will be able to retrieve those things yourself.”
.
.
.
The next day,
we departed from the Songbi Inn early in the morning.
Since we had obtained everything we could from Luoyang, there was no reason to linger any longer.
We arrived at the entrance of a place called Dabie Mountain, which lay on the path back to the Main Headquarters.
According to the Yu Gong section of the Book of Documents, it was named Dabie Mountain because it marks the point where the mountains and rivers of the south and north converge.
Water originating from the south flows into the Yangtze River, while water from the north flows into the Huai River—Dabie Mountain is a watershed of sorts.
And here, I had one final treasure to carry with me.
The carriage carrying myself, Palgap, and Heo Un Scholar climbed the mountain slowly.
It was neither particularly high nor treacherous, and since it served as a vital junction connecting three regions, an official road had been carved through it.
“Let’s rest for a moment beneath that tree ahead.”
At my words, Palgap immediately relayed the message to Seo-woo Warrior, who was riding horseback, and Seo-woo Warrior passed it along to Il-jo Vice Commander.
“You must be quite exhausted, aren’t you?”
He shook his head at my question.
“I’m fine. What could be inconvenient about traveling by carriage?”
“Your stamina seems better than I expected.”
“In truth, walking on one leg while relying on a cane is quite taxing, so my stamina naturally improved over time.”
“I see. But that means your body wasn’t originally in such poor condition…”
“That’s correct.”
I was able to hear from him about how he lost his leg.
He lost his leg while working at the Baekcheon Trading Company, and they cast him out without any compensation whatsoever!
Worse than dogs.
Namgung Kang, the Merchant Guild Leader, was indeed trash.
The carriage that had been moving then came to a halt.
I descended from the carriage and asked Heo Un Scholar.
“Would you like to get some fresh air outside? I’ll help you.”
“I appreciate your kindness. I’ll take you up on that.”
As I was taking in the beautiful sight of Dabie Mountain, Seo-woo Warrior approached me.
“My lord, it appears we shall have to make camp here for the night.”
“The sun will be setting soon enough.”
“Indeed. It would be too ambiguous to press further today, so camping here would be the safer course of action.”
Seo-woo Warrior hailed from Pyodo, and having traversed those roads countless times, he possessed professional expertise in matters of camping.
“Consult with the Vice Commander and handle it as you see fit.”
“Understood.”
Seo-woo Warrior promptly approached Il-jo Vice Commander and began discussing the arrangements for camp.
The warriors of the Eunhae Trading Company were accustomed to camping as well, but their experience paled in comparison to Seo-woo Warrior, who hailed from Pyodo.
Perhaps for that reason, they listened to his words with gleaming eyes.
I folded my arms and chuckled silently to myself.
Hmm, everything proceeds according to plan.
I had deliberately dragged out our departure today. We needed to camp here tonight.
Fortunately, I had timed it perfectly.
.
.
.
After finishing dinner, I broached the subject casually with the Vice Commander.
“I think I’ll take a brief walk around this area.”
“Are you going for a stroll, my lord?”
I nodded at his question.
“Yes. I ate quite a bit at dinner and my digestion isn’t sitting well. I think I need to walk it off.”
The moment I rose from my seat, Palgap and four Guard Warriors simultaneously stood as well.
“I shall accompany you.”
“We shall join you as well.”
“Very well.”
I led those five into the deep forest of Dabie Mountain.
Crunch, crunch, crunch,
Our footsteps echoed through the forest.
When walking through the forest like this, it’s best to make noise intentionally. That way, the wild beasts know to flee on their own.
Those creatures that would show themselves will reveal themselves beforehand.
When we had ventured deep enough into the forest that our voices could no longer be heard from the camp, I stopped in my tracks.
Then I turned my body and grinned wickedly.
At my grin, Palgap let out a sigh.
“I suspected as much. When you’re at rest, you do nothing but breathe in your chamber, yet suddenly you speak of taking a walk—something seemed amiss.”
“Hey, when did I ever just breathe? I rolled around here and there too.”
Saying so, I looked at the Guard Warriors.
They nodded as if they understood.
“….”
I sighed and continued.
“Yes, I ventured this deep into the forest because there is something to be gained here tonight.”
The Seo-woo Warrior asked as if recalling something.
“Are you referring to the note that was hidden inside that book you mentioned before?”
“Yes, that’s right. The thing is, there wasn’t just one note.”
At my words, the Lee Pil Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior tilted their heads in confusion.
From their reaction, I could tell that the Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Seo-woo Warrior had not shared anything about the Night Luminous Pearl with them.
One of the essential qualities of a Guard Warrior is discretion, so these men are indeed excellent guards.
I explained the matter of the Night Luminous Pearl to the other three as well.
“Is that truly the case?”
At Palgap’s words, I nodded.
“Yes. Which means there’s a very high possibility that treasure exists here as well.”
And the treasure I’m searching for in this place is ‘wine’.

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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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