The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 162

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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 162

Chapter 162. Master’s Request (1)

I was taken aback by what the Black Flute Physician said.
His question about my relationship with Master meant he had already suspected something.
Someone of the Black Flute Physician’s caliber would certainly notice.
My constitution, my martial arts—everything pointed to it.
Master had instructed me not to speak of being his disciple, so I had deliberately kept silent, but there was no hiding it here.
“I am….”
But before I could finish, another voice cut through.
“He is my disciple, Father-in-law.”
I looked up to find Master had emerged beside me.
When had he returned from Pyohaeng?
Glancing around, I noticed a laundry basket piled high with freshly worn clothes.
He had just arrived.
Master bowed respectfully to the Black Flute Physician.
“It has been far too long, Father-in-law.”
“Indeed, it has. But your disciple, you say?”
“Yes.”
The Black Flute Physician studied me briefly, then nodded and asked again.
“I see. Then what connection does your disciple have with Snowwind Palace?”
“None whatsoever. I simply took him as my disciple when fate brought us together.”
“Is that so?”
At that moment, the door opened and the Master’s Wife emerged, greeting him.
“Father, you’ve arrived.”
“Yes.”
“….”
“….”
Their silent exchange, merely gazing at one another, might have seemed awkward to some, but not to me.
I understood the Black Flute Physician’s abilities.
I recalled when, in my previous life, he had visited to cure my illness.
When he asked if I had treated the Bamboo Forest Weaver Woman well, knowing she was his daughter, I had answered that I simply cherished people and valued talent.
That was when the Black Flute Physician had said:

“Your sincerity is genuine. That is why she made her request.”

Using that remark as a thread, I deduced that the Bamboo Forest Weaver Woman had seen through the sincerity of my words and actions.
The fact that both of them showed the same reaction meant they both possessed the same ability.
The Black Flute Physician did it, and my Master’s Wife did it too—whenever they conversed with someone, they would gaze at their counterpart intently.
I observed the faces of the Black Flute Physician and my Master’s Wife.
From the subtle shifts in their expressions, they were reading and sensing each other’s hearts without speaking a word.
Seeing my Master standing beside them with a serene expression, he must have already known.
Yet… he seemed somewhat uncomfortable.
Then again, what son-in-law feels at ease before his father-in-law?
Eun Jung-ho also seemed restless in the presence of the Jin Chief Manager.
At that moment, the Black Flute Physician turned his head and spoke to my Master.
“Tsk tsk, you’re injured.”
What? My Master was injured? I had no idea.
So his discomfort wasn’t from standing before his father-in-law—it was from his wound.
I quickly asked my Master.
“Are you injured, sir?”
“I sustained a minor injury during this journey. It’s nothing to worry about.”
He spoke calmly, but if the Black Flute Physician was clicking his tongue, it couldn’t be a trivial wound.
What could have happened for a master of my Master’s caliber to be injured?
I’d have to look into it.
The Black Flute Physician spoke bluntly.
“Let’s go inside. I’ll need to examine you.”
“Thank you.”
Still, hearing that the Black Flute Physician would treat him put my mind at ease.
My role in guiding them here was complete, and since I could offer compensation later, I decided to take my leave.
“Well then, I’ll be going now.”
“You’ve done well.”
“Take care.”
“I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yes, Master. Please take care of yourself.”
With that, I left them behind and returned to the Eunhae Trading Company.

That evening, upon hearing that Black Flute Physician had returned, I made my way to the Separate Pavilion where he was staying.
It was then that the sound of a flute reached my ears.
The melody that rang out so beautifully and pleasantly was unmistakably the work of Black Flute Physician.
I recognized it because in my previous life, I had once heard Black Flute Physician play the flute.
After all, he earned the name Black Flute Physician precisely because of that flute.
Yet contrary to his usual demeanor, the melody was hauntingly beautiful—melancholic and sorrowful.
Today, it sounded particularly mournful.
When I arrived at the entrance of the Separate Pavilion, the flute music ceased. Black Flute Physician, who had been sitting before a stone table in front of the pavilion, spoke upon seeing me.
“You came?”
“Yes.”
I approached him and bowed respectfully as I spoke.
“I’ve brought a token of gratitude for treating my elder brother’s children.”
I withdrew a bank note from my sleeve and offered it to him.
Black Flute Physician accepted the note, examined it briefly, then placed it in his sleeve without a word.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
I offered my respects and turned to go, but I found myself turning back almost immediately.
“Thank you.”
“Pardon?”
“My daughter, the children, my son-in-law—thanks to you, we’ve finally been able to settle down.”
He continued with a bitter expression.
“Honestly, even though there were circumstances, it pained me to see them wandering about.”
“I haven’t done anything of significance, but I’m glad I could be of help.”
“Yes, I knew you’d say something like that. I’m planning to leave early tomorrow morning.”
“Why not stay a bit longer? Considering Master’s injuries and all.”
“A bit of salve will take care of that.”
“…Ah, I see.”
Black Flute Physician responded curtly to my words.
“I’ve prepared medicine, so I’ll manage the treatment myself. Besides, it’s about time I moved on.”
“That’s unfortunate.”
“Parting is always sorrowful, after all.”
“I’m grateful that you didn’t refuse my request back then.”
“For some reason, I didn’t want to refuse.”
After a moment of silence, Black Flute Physician bid me farewell.
“Go on now.”
“Yes. I’ll bid you proper farewell beforehand. Travel safely.”
I left Black Flute Physician’s Separate Pavilion.
This was the Black Flute Physician who had saved my life in my previous existence. Thus, I had added a personal sum to the reward my father had given, pouring my gratitude into it.
I let out a quiet chuckle.
Black Flute Physician had feigned composure, but I could see his hands trembling slightly.
Truly, he was a man incapable of honesty.
.
.
.
The following dawn.
Upon rising from my chamber, I learned from Palgap that Black Flute Physician had departed.
“Is that so?”
“Yes, truly a person who comes and goes like the wind.”
I nodded at Palgap’s words.
Indeed, he was someone who arrived and departed as swiftly as the breeze itself.
Yet I sensed we would meet again someday.
Not merely because his daughter and son-in-law lived nearby, but a premonition that we would encounter each other for some other reason.
.
.
.
The moment I finished my breathing cultivation, Master entered my separate pavilion.
Every time, he arrives with impeccable timing.
“Good morning.”
“Yes, Master. Good morning. And your injuries—are they well?”
“They are fine. Then, we shall begin training.”
Thus I was worked relentlessly under Master’s guidance once more.
What was remarkable was that he would stop precisely when I felt I could truly go no further.
Yet as that threshold came later with each passing day, I felt a strange melancholy.
As I gasped for breath, Master spoke to me.
“Beginning tomorrow, you will learn a technique that can truly be called a wide-area skill.”
“Is that so?”
Could it be that one?
“The tenth form of the Jinseol Twelve-Form Sword Technique—Avalanche. Avalanche expresses an avalanche through swordplay, a technique useful when facing multiple opponents.”
I felt anticipation surge within me.
In my previous life, my martial prowess remained at the first rank, so I never knew the true power of this technique.
At that time, Master had said that to understand its true might, one would need to reach at least the peak realm.
Master’s words continued, pulling me from my reverie.
“And I wish to have a conversation with you.”
Master’s expression was grave.
I sensed this was not a conversation to be had lightly.
“Understood. I shall wash and return shortly.”
“Please do.”

With Palgap’s assistance, I washed up quickly and made my way to the Guest Reception Room of my Separate Pavilion, where Master awaited me.
Master sipped his tea while gazing at the landscape visible from the Guest Reception Room.
I took my seat before Master, and Palgap poured tea for me.
Considering it was still before the meal, it was a tea brewed from grains.
That’s Palgap for you.
After Master took a sip of his tea, he opened his mouth to speak.
“The reason I requested this conversation with you, Lord, is because I have a favor to ask.”
Master was asking me for a favor?
Surprise mingled with curiosity within me. What could possibly compel him to make such a request with such a grave expression?
“I am listening intently.”
“I believe you are aware that I am a person of Snowwind Palace.”
“Yes, I know because you mentioned it before.”
“Your father-in-law has apparently observed traces that suggest a connection to Snowwind Palace. Thus, I wish to go verify those traces, but as you know, my injuries make the journey there impossible.”
Master continued with a slight cough.
“Ahem, and my wife is also unwilling to let me go.”
“….”
“That place must be reached before winter arrives, so we must depart before the sixth month ends. Therefore, I make this request of you. Please go there and confirm whether it truly is a remnant trace of Snowwind Palace.”
“I….”
“Of course, I understand it is not easy for you. You are busy, and it is a distant place.”
“That is not my concern. Rather, how would I be able to recognize traces of Snowwind Palace even if I went?”
“You need not worry about that. If the traces your father-in-law mentioned are indeed those of Snowwind Palace, they will resonate with Snowwind Palace’s martial techniques.”
.
.
.
After hearing Master’s request, I asked for time to consider.
Had it been a nearby place, I would have readily agreed, but the location he mentioned was the Northern Sea.
The journey to the Northern Sea is both distant and extraordinarily perilous.
Yet refusing was equally difficult.
The promissory note in my hand.
Money Master had given me as a commission fee.
It spoke to the depth of his desperation.
To the extent that he would make such a request—no, such a commission—of me.
Had Master not been injured, he would have rushed there immediately.
After deliberation, I called for Palgap.
“Palgap.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Pack our belongings in advance.”
“Yes? Where are we going?”
“The Northern Sea.”
“….”
.
.
.
That afternoon.
I made my way to Father’s office to request permission for external travel.
“Come in.”
As I entered the office, Father looked up and asked.
“Yes, what is it? The important matters seem to have been discussed during the Eun-wol Pavilion meeting earlier, didn’t they?”
I answered Father directly.
“Father, I would like to make a trip to the Northern Sea.”
“The Northern Sea? Hmm, has an inn by that name recently opened?”
“If that were the case, I wouldn’t have needed to inform you beforehand.”
“You mean the Northern Sea where the bitter northern winds sweep through?”
“Yes.”
“The Northern Sea where the Ice Palace stands?”
“Yes.”
Father seemed taken aback and asked several times before regaining his composure and questioning me further.
“What is the reason?”
“It is a personal commission.”
Father pondered for a moment, then released a deep sigh and spoke.
“Very well. If you are undertaking this, there must be good reason. I understand. Go carefully and return safely.”
“Thank you.”
“When do you intend to depart?”
“I plan to leave as soon as possible.”

After receiving Father’s permission and returning to my Separate Pavilion, I recalled what needed to be careful about at this time of year.
There wouldn’t be anything, would there?
.
.
.
That afternoon.
I informed Palgap and the four Guards that the decision to go to the Northern Sea had been made.
The four Guards merely nodded without any particular reaction to my words.
“By the way, has anyone here ever been to the Northern Sea before?”
Jin Yu Warrior answered my question.
“I know it to some extent.”
Now that I thought about it, Master had once said of Jin Yu Warrior, “An old connection from long ago.”
I suspected he might be from the same sect as Master.
That would explain why he knew about the Northern Sea.
“However, I’m not well-informed about recent developments there.”
That was only natural, so I simply nodded.

That evening,
I headed toward West Street where the General Store Elder resided.
Before departing for the Northern Sea, I needed to pay my respects to the General Store Elder and also inform the Emperor that my affairs might be delayed.
In truth, though I would pass through Beijing on the way, meeting with the Emperor and handling various matters would consume considerable time.
As we walked, Palgap asked me a question.
“Are you worried about something?”
“I’ve decided to go to the Northern Sea, but there’s a problem.”
“What could that be? From the way you’re speaking, it seems like quite a serious matter.”
“While I’m away at the Northern Sea, I won’t be able to see Geon-hyuk and Bo-yeon. What if the children forget my face?”
“Sir?”
Palgap was momentarily taken aback, but soon regained his composure and spoke.
“There’s no need to worry about that. The young ladies will treat you as if they saw you yesterday, even if it’s been three years since they last saw you.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. In this filthy world where only faces matter, I can assure you of that.”
Hm? Something odd seemed mixed into that statement?

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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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