The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 154

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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 154

Chapter 154. A Visit to the Wudang Sect (1)

I organized my thoughts and immediately began drafting a document.
It was a sort of business trip request for visiting the Wudang Sect.
The purpose of the trip was… to make a donation to the Wudang Sect while requesting their protection for our trading company.
After writing out the document in one flowing hand, I smiled to myself and rose from my seat.

When I entered Father’s office to submit the business trip request, he greeted me warmly.
“Your body is well now, is it?”
“Yes. I’m fine, Father.”
“If you were seeing things, it means you pushed yourself quite hard…”
I smiled at Father, whose expression remained concerned, and asked him in return.
“And how are you, Father?”
“Me? Well, it’s just routine…”
Father and I looked at each other before letting out a quiet chuckle.
“So, what brings you here?”
I handed the business trip request to Father, and he took it, read it over, then looked at my face.
“The Wudang Sect?”
“Yes.”
I nodded and explained.
“It’s about time we made our contribution, isn’t it?”
“Ahem, contribution? Isn’t there a more elegant word—donation?”
“Yes, but… the amount of the donation is quite substantial, so we can’t just send anyone, can we? Still, someone of Small Guild Master rank should carry enough weight.”
“Hmm, well, that’s true.”
“And right now, Elder Brother Jung-ho is busy, and Elder Brother Jin-ho is away on an inspection tour.”
Father pondered for a moment, then nodded.
“If you’re to handle this without disrupting your other duties, you’ll need to work hard beforehand. Are you certain you can manage?”
“I… will ensure there are no disruptions.”
“Very well. I’ll prepare the donation separately.”
Thus I received Father’s permission.
Now all that remained was to handle my affairs in advance so that my absence for more than two weeks would cause no problems. And I would need to work even while traveling.
I resolved myself.
Once I had taken revenge on the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Murim Alliance, and the Eunhae Trading Company became the Greatest Merchant Guild Under Heaven, then I would truly rest.
I would rest very well indeed.

* * *

The Wudang Sect.
Located in Junxian County of Hubei Province, more precisely on Wudang Mountain, the Wudang Sect was founded by the legendary Zhang Sanfeng.
As a Daoist school of martial arts, its techniques could be described by the principle of “softness subduing hardness”—using gentleness to overcome strength.
As one of the two pillars of the orthodox martial world, its prestige was truly formidable.
Deep within the Wudang Sect.
A building where twelve martial artists of the Wudang Sect always stood guard in pairs.
Inside that building stood a small pavilion bound tightly with golden ropes and iron chains.
Two figures dressed in Wudang robes passed by that place.
A young boy who appeared to be around ten years old spoke to a young man who looked to be in his twenties.
“Senior Brother, what is that pavilion that it’s guarded so strictly?”
“That is a place you must never enter.”
“Why is that?”
“If you go there, you’ll be cursed and become a demon. That’s why we keep everyone from entering.”
“Become a demon?”
“Those guarding it also have the duty of slaying that demon. From what I’ve heard, they tear it to shreds so it can never rise again.”
“Eek!”
The boy shuddered at the horrifying words.
“Well, if curiosity gets the better of you and you decide to go, I won’t stop you. When you truly become a demon, you’ll regret why I didn’t warn you more strongly.”
“S-Senior Brother! Please don’t say such things! I will absolutely never go!”
“Good, that’s a wise choice.”
“Come now, let’s go. The guests from the Eunhae Trading Company will be waiting.”
“By the way, Seon Hyeop Mi-rang is coming as well, isn’t she?”
“So I’ve heard.”
“They say she’s quite beautiful. I’m curious to see her.”
“A disciple seeking the Way should not concern himself with outward appearances.”
“Yes, Senior Brother.”
The boy answered thus and continued walking, but suddenly he stopped in his tracks.
Just now, he thought he heard the sound of a flute?
But when he listened again, there was no sound at all, and thinking nothing of it, he followed his senior brother.
.
.
.
At that very moment,
In the underground chamber connected through the pavilion, within the forbidden depths of the Wudang Sect.
Crunch, crunch.
Someone in that prison was grinding their teeth in fury.
In the darkness, two crimson eyes gleamed with an eerie light.
Then, as the sound of a flute reached his ears, a mad laugh escaped him.
“Hehehehe, it won’t be long before I leave this place.”

* * *

There is a legend that the Daoguan of Jinmu Emperor, built by imperial decree, was the origin of the Wudang Sect.
Perhaps for this reason, the Mountain Gate was extraordinarily grand.
And before that Mountain Gate stood the Sword-Disarming Zone, where visitors’ weapons were stored.
We disarmed ourselves there and met with the Daoist masters of the Wudang Sect.
“We have been expecting you. Though I must say, you arrived earlier than anticipated.”
“Yes. When I thought of visiting the renowned Wudang Sect, my heart quickened and my steps grew faster.”
“We are grateful for such high regard toward our sect.”
The disciple serving as Gate Keeper continued respectfully after offering a bow.
“If you would wait a moment, the disciples assigned to guide you will descend shortly.”
“Very well.”
After waiting roughly an hour, two Daoist masters of the Wudang Sect approached us.
“I am Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eunhae Trading Company. And these are my companions.”
“Twenty-fifth generation disciple Gong Ryun.”
“Twenty-sixth generation disciple Mu Un.”
Gong Ryun Daojang cupped his fist in salute and offered another respectful bow.
“It is an honor to meet the renowned Seon Hyeop Mi-rang.”
“You are too kind.”
“Welcome to our sect. And I hear you have brought goods for us….”
“Yes, that is correct. They are waiting below.”
We descended below the Mountain Gate, and both Gong Ryun Daojang and Mu Un Daojang were taken aback.
“Is, is that all of it….”
“Yes.”
Even by my own assessment, the supplies I had brought for the donation were quite substantial.
But this was no ordinary place—it was a sect located in Hubei Province where the main headquarters of the Eunhae Trading Company stood, and one of the two pillars of the orthodox martial arts world.
Since I would likely need to rely on their reputation for many matters, it was necessary to maintain good relations.
The Wudang Sect, being a Daoist sect, was not particularly wealthy relative to its building scale and prestige.
Moreover, they had suffered considerable damage twenty years ago while suppressing the Blood Sect.
Their own losses were substantial, and the wealth spent compensating those affected in the surrounding areas was considerable.
As a result, they were barely managing financially.
They were gradually recovering through donations from lay disciples and nearby merchant guilds, but they had not yet returned to their former abundance.
Therefore, the supplies we brought would surely be welcome.
Moreover, it was early in the year, and a time was approaching when resources would be scarce in many ways.
“If it suits you, I would prefer we enter soon. As darkness falls, it becomes cold, and it becomes difficult to move the carts.”
At my words, Gong Ryun Daojang nodded.
“Indeed. Please follow me. I shall guide you.”

The Wudang Sect housed many disciples, and the supplies they consumed were equally substantial.
It would be grueling for people to carry all of these up the treacherous mountain paths one by one.
For this reason, there existed a road where carts could travel from the village all the way to the Wudang Sect.
However, since they had to remain vigilant against external intrusions, disciples of Wudang conducted inspections at regular intervals, with four of them forming a team at each checkpoint.
“That will be all. Thank you for your cooperation.”
This was already the fifth checkpoint.
As I put away my identification tablet, Gong Ryun Daojang spoke.
“We apologize for the inconvenience.”
“Not at all. The Wudang Sect is a place touched by the Jinmu Emperor’s grace, is it not? It is only prudent to prevent those with impure intentions from ever reaching these grounds.”
At my words, both Gong Ryun Daojang and Mu Un Daojang cupped their fists in salute.
“Thank you for your understanding.”

After passing through a total of ten checkpoints, I finally entered within the mountain gate of the Wudang Sect.
Gong Ryun Daojang spoke.
“Welcome to the Wudang Sect. We shall first escort you to the Guest Hall.”
Many visitors came to the Wudang Sect, and as a result, the Guest Hall where visitors stayed was quite expansive in scale.
The two daojang who had guided us then handed us over to the one in charge of the Guest Hall.
“I am Baek Mun, the master overseeing the Guest Hall. We welcome the honored patrons from the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“I carry a letter from our Merchant Guild Leader. I wish to meet with the Sect Leader and deliver it personally.”
“I shall report this to the leadership. For now, please come inside and rest.”
We were guided to the guest quarters where visitors lodged. Though not spacious, they were arranged with meticulous care and cleanliness.
“Phew, that was exhausting.”
At my words, Palgap nodded in agreement.
“Wudang Mountain is truly Wudang Mountain, sir.”
“We’ll likely only be able to meet the Sect Leader after dinner, so let’s rest for now.”
“Understood, sir.”
.
.
.
As I had anticipated, we received a summons to meet the Sect Leader after dinner.
Before me stood a magnificent structure with a plaque bearing the characters for Samcheong Hall.
This was where the Sect Leader of the Wudang Sect resided, and where councils of elders and above were held.
The landscape where Wudang Mountain and Samcheong Hall harmonized together appeared so majestic that it seemed as though the entire Realm lay beneath one’s feet.
I found myself naturally growing reverent.
Without thinking, I brought my hands together before me.
“The Sect Leader awaits within. Only Small Guild Master Seon Hyeop Mi-rang shall enter.”
At those words, I glanced at those behind me and nodded.
The door opened, and within sat a Daoist master with a white beard grown down to his chest.
“Welcome. I am pleased to receive you in our sect.”
“Thank you for welcoming me. I am Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“I am Jin Seon, the Sect Leader.”
“It is a threefold honor to visit this place I have long admired and meet the Sect Leader in person.”
“Haha, you flatter me. Please, be at ease.”
“Thank you.”
I took my seat before the Sect Leader.
A disciple attending to the Sect Leader served me tea.
“I hear the Eunhae Trading Company has provided considerable supplies this time.”
“Yes, though modest in nature, I would be honored if they contribute to the stability and peace of Hubei Province.”
“I am grateful for the sincerity of the benefactor and the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“Here is a letter from my father, the Merchant Guild Leader.”
I handed the Sect Leader my father’s letter and exchanged pleasantries with him.
Once the conversation had reached a natural pause, I broached the main subject.
“As I mentioned earlier, I have long admired the Wudang Sect since childhood. And now I have been granted the opportunity to visit.”
I continued.
“I would like to tour this place. Would you permit me to do so?”
The Sect Leader regarded me with an impassive expression.
“….”
“….”
I grew uneasy, uncertain why he simply stared at me in silence.
Was it a refusal?
Was it permission?
A refusal would be troublesome.
Truthfully, I could devise alternative approaches, but the resources I brought for donation would be somewhat… wasted.
Then it happened.
The Sect Leader drained his tea in one swift motion.
Ah!
My expression brightened.
“You may do so.”
“I am grateful for your permission regarding my request.”
“I shall assign those who brought you here today to guide you further.”
.
.
.
After concluding my audience with the Sect Leader, I observed carts laden with supplies being transported as I made my way back to the Guest Hall.
Any items brought for donation to the Wudang Sect could only be stored in the warehouse upon the Sect Leader’s approval.
Thus my first day at the Wudang Sect drew to a close.
.
.
.
I dreamed.
I stood in a space of pure white nothingness.
The thick mist was so dense that I couldn’t see even an inch ahead.
“Where… is this place?”
I muttered to myself and walked forward, yet it felt as though I were treading in place.
Thud.
Something caught my foot.
When I lifted my gaze, a building became visible through the parting mist.
A small pavilion bound entirely in golden ropes and iron chains.
“This place…?”
As I voiced my confusion, I heard someone calling to me from behind.
“One touched by the connection of the Dark Warrior…”
“…?”
I turned around, but all I could discern was a figure clad in black garments.
“How sorrowful that human blood is spilled upon this land once more.”
What in the world did that mean?
“You who live a second life.”
“…!”
Those words startled me, and I reacted sharply without thinking.
“Who are you?”
“I am the Jinmu Emperor, the one who returned this mountain to mankind.”
“…!”
According to legend, Wudang Mountain was once infested with countless demons, and humans suffered greatly because of them.
The Jinmu Emperor, unable to bear their plight, descended from the heavens himself, eliminated all the demons, and returned Wudang Mountain to mankind—such is the legend passed down through the ages.
Why would such a legendary being appear before me?
“What is it that you desire of me?”
“Yeon, prevent the blood calamity of this land.”
The aura emanating from him—who had revealed himself as the Jinmu Emperor—was so overwhelming that one would naturally fall to their knees.
Even a non-martial artist would have no choice but to answer “I understand,” yet here I was, apparently still a merchant at heart.
Judging by the fact that I had proposed a trade with him.
“If I prevent the blood calamity, what will you do for me?”

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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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