The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 164

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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 164

Chapter 164. A Midnight Visitor (1)

A short while later,
Moon Ju-sung Scholar entered my room carrying a tray with a teapot and teacups.
After confirming no one was nearby, I greeted him warmly.
“How have you been faring all this time?”
“Thanks to Eun Master, I’ve been living well.”
“But… how did this happen? How could that inn grow to such a size?”
“Well, somehow it just turned out this way.”
He explained the circumstances that had unfolded.
“Thanks to the increasing number of guests, I was able to use the money Eun Master gave me without raising suspicion. So I combined that money with the wealth I had brought along and built this five-story pavilion… ”
Moon Ju-sung Scholar scratched behind his ear as he spoke.
“The guests have only increased further, and I’ve been busy every single day.”
Moon Ju-sung Scholar’s face was full of smiles as he said this, and I felt a sense of pride as well.
In my previous life, Moon Ju-sung Scholar had taken the Bok Si-ryeong Sect back to the Deuk Haeng Merchant Group and became its leader, but the him I saw then looked utterly unhappy.
Though it made sense—the Deuk Haeng Merchant Group had nearly collapsed because of the Bok Si-ryeong Sect he had brought, and even his mother had passed away.
Was it because of those memories?
Without thinking, I spoke to him.
“You look happy.”
“Ah, yes.”
Moon Ju-sung Scholar nodded vigorously in response.
“I am happy.”
The growth of this inn didn’t seem to be merely a matter of good fortune.
An inn this kind and clean was unprecedented.
My merchant’s instinct was telling me so.
The Yeochun Inn was not the sort of establishment that would remain famous only here and stagnate.
A thought suddenly occurred to me.
What would the Deuk Haeng Merchant Leader think when he later saw Moon Ju-sung Scholar’s success?
From what I’d heard, when the Deuk Haeng Merchant Group cast out an unlucky descendant, they even severed family ties for fear the misfortune might transfer…
“I’m glad. It’s good to see you living happily.”
“It’s all thanks to Eun Master. You saved me from nearly meeting a terrible fate back then, and you gave me advice as well.”
At those words, I simply smiled.
I’m not entirely certain, but he would have survived even then.
Judging from how he returned to his family with the Bok Si-ryeong Sect in my previous life.
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That afternoon.
After eating, I strolled through the garden beside the pavilion.
Seeing such a spacious and beautiful garden created for the inn’s guests, I thought that Moon Ju-sung Scholar truly had a talent for business.
As I walked through the garden with Palgap and the Guard Warriors in tow, someone approached.
Upon seeing a woman who appeared to be in her early thirties, I quickly clasped my fists in greeting.
“It has been a long time since we last met.”
It was Pa-du Pa-pa.
“Indeed, have you been well?”
“Yes, and I hope you have been well too, Elder.”
“What would happen to me? But I have heard much news. They say you have earned the title of Seon Hyeop Mi-rang?”
“Yes, it happened quite unexpectedly.”
“I always thought you would make a name for yourself someday, but it came faster than I expected.”
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I scratched my cheek.
“But how did this happen? The inn has grown considerably.”
Pa-du Pa-pa chuckled and answered.
“That fellow you asked me to look after turned out to have quite impressive abilities.”
“He said he was simply fortunate?”
“Nonsense. I have operated an inn myself, so I know. Luck alone cannot build an inn this large, nor can it sustain it.”
“That is true. And much of it is thanks to you, Elder.”
“Me? What did I do?”
“Surely you dealt with unwelcome visitors and problems when they arose?”
With such rapid growth, there were often disturbances from outsiders, and martial artists frequently caused trouble.
She answered my question with a smile.
“Well, there were some rude fellows, so I would quietly take them away and crack their heads. But wasn’t that what you asked of me?”
I had asked Pa-du Pa-pa to protect Moon Ju-sung Scholar for five years in exchange for saving her husband through the Bok Si-ryeong Sect.
Three years had passed since then, so about two years remained.
Yet even after our agreed period ended, Pa-du Pa-pa did not seem inclined to leave this inn.
At that moment, a young man approached from a distance.
“Lady, what are you doing there?”
“Ah! My dear.”
Seeing the young man, Pa-du Pa-pa laughed like a young girl.
“This is that Eun Young Man I mentioned before.”
“Ah! This young man!”
He smiled gently and clasped his fists to me.
“Thanks to the kindness you showed, I was able to save my life. I am grateful for your grace in saving me.”
“Well…”
I did not know how to respond to such a formal greeting.
Smack!
Pa-du Pa-pa struck my back with her palm and spoke.
“Why won’t you acknowledge my greeting?”
“Ah, yes. I’m so relieved to see you’ve recovered so well. May the two of you enjoy a hundred years of marital bliss?”
“We’re nearly a hundred years old already.”
“Oh….”
I was momentarily flustered, but I smiled broadly and continued.
“Then a thousand years of marital bliss would be fitting.”
“How very kind of you, young man.”
Suddenly, curiosity struck me.
“But may I ask your name, Elder?”
“Mine?”
Pa-du Pa-pa answered with a laugh.
“Yeon Ga-hwa.”
It meant a beautiful flower.
I was momentarily taken aback—such a graceful name bore no resemblance to “Pa-du Pa-pa,” which meant an old woman who smashed heads.
But I soon nodded in understanding.
What woman would willingly earn such a title? The world had simply made her that way.
It was a world where she had to survive by any means necessary.
“And my husband’s name is Yu Geon.”
“Please forgive my rudeness in only now inquiring about your names.”
“Not at all. Truthfully, we’re grateful that you bothered to ask our names.”
As they spoke and gazed at each other, I could feel the deep affection they held for one another.
And I sensed something else as well.
Yu Geon’s inner power.
Even without deliberately releasing his energy, it was palpable.
Like standing before a towering cliff.
When had I felt this before?
Ah, it was like this when Master recently said he’d achieved enlightenment.
Then Master has reached this realm too?
That makes it even more puzzling. If someone of that caliber could be injured, they must have fought an extraordinary battle.
Just then, people began approaching from the distance, and seeing them, Pa-du Pa-pa—or rather, Elder Yeon Ga-hwa—spoke.
“Well then, we’ll be on our way. We don’t know where you’re headed, but be careful and return safely.”
“Yes.”
Then Yu Geon added a word as well.
“If anyone troubles you, tell us.”
“Yes, I will certainly tell you.”
After I bowed, the two of them turned sharply and entered the inn.
“Phew-!”
“Phew-!”
The moment they entered the inn, my Guard Warriors exhaled in relief and wiped away cold sweat.
“W-who exactly were those two?”
Seo-woo Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior, who had reached the pinnacle of their cultivation, seemed particularly terrified.
Since explaining would be complicated, I answered simply.
“Ah, someone I had a connection with before.”
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After spending one night at Yeochun Inn, we gathered our belongings the next day and descended to the first floor.
“Are you leaving, guest?”
“Yes.”
Moon Ju-sung Scholar didn’t speak, but his expression was quite disappointed.
– I will visit again next time. Until then, please stay healthy and happy.
Moon Ju-sung Scholar nodded at my silent transmission.
We left Yeochun Inn.
Everyone strives to find fortune. But fortune is merely fortune.
Fortune is like paper—when the wind of hardship blows, it flies away.
To grasp such paper-thin fortune and enjoy happiness, something heavy was needed.
Whether it be family, friends, responsibility, or effort—such weighty things allow fortune to remain as happiness rather than mere chance.
I recalled the image of Moon Ju-sung Scholar, rushing about frantically to leave good memories with his guests.
Perhaps that is why his fortune does not end as mere luck, but lingers as true happiness.

After leaving Yeochun Inn, we soon arrived at the Ferry Terminal.
Since we needed to board our horses as well, we took a large boat heading toward Shandong.
Since we were traveling downstream, the speed was very swift.
However, boats, while convenient, have a rather tedious quality to them.
Palgap was already twisting his body restlessly.
“Isn’t this better than riding a horse all day, even if it is boring?”
At my question, Palgap let out a deep sigh.
“That may be true, but sitting still like this makes me feel cramped and restless.”
“Is that so?”
I briefly considered calling Jin Yu Warrior to conduct training, but the martial arts Palgap was learning was not something pleasant for others to witness.
And practicing in such a confined space was impractical.
Suddenly, a good idea occurred to me.
After all, I had someone here who could play with Palgap.
“Geumryeong, come out.”
“Chirp?”
“Palgap says he’s bored. You’re bored too, aren’t you?”
“Chirp!”
At my words, Geumryeong’s eyes brightened as if delighted, and immediately rushed toward Palgap, striking his face with both hind legs.
Thwack!
“Oof! What, what is this?”
Though Palgap had grown considerably nimble since beginning his martial arts training, he was still slower compared to Geumryeong.
And Geumryeong’s provocations were quite masterful.
“You brat!”
“Squawk! Squawk!”
“Hah! This! Just you wait until I catch you!”
Thanks to Geumryeong, Palgap never uttered a single complaint about boredom after that.
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As we traveled by boat, a familiar mountain came into view.
Mount Tai.
In the Central Plains, there are five mountains known as the Five Sacred Peaks.
Mount Tai in the east, Huashan in the west, Mount Heng in the south, Mount Heng in the north, and Songshan in the center.
Among these five peaks, Mount Tai is said to be the greatest.
Because it stands in the east where the sun rises, it is considered the most sacred.
They say that each time you climb Mount Tai, you grow ten years younger and can fulfill your wishes—though from my perspective, it seems that way simply because climbing the mountain is so exhausting.
To be honest, while its height doesn’t appear particularly imposing, it is certainly no easy mountain to traverse.
Fortunately, we did not cross that mountain; instead, we continued downriver, circling around Mount Tai.
Seeing Mount Tai meant we had entered Shandong, so we began preparing to disembark.
After leaving the boat, we decided to spend the night at a nearby inn.
While traveling by boat is convenient, it is unknowingly exhausting work for the body.
And sometimes, after spending a long time on a boat and stepping onto land, one experiences dizziness.
Those trained in martial arts rarely experienced such things, but we still needed to ride horses for the next leg of our journey, so it was necessary to conserve our strength.
And since horses are quite sensitive creatures, they needed time to acclimate to solid ground.
We also needed to replenish our emergency rations and other necessary supplies.
Near the ferry terminal, there was an inn where I had frequently stayed in the past, so we headed there.
It was a place I often lodged at when passing through Shandong to other regions.
“Let’s stay at that inn.”
“Very well.”
We settled into the inn and unpacked our belongings.
Everyone quietly recovered from their fatigue and departed the following morning.
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.
It was the second day since we had departed from the inn near the ferry terminal.
“Master, I believe it would be wise to prepare for a night’s rest around here.”
“That sounds good. There’s no need to overexert ourselves.”
I nodded in agreement with Seo-woo Warrior’s suggestion.
Being deep in the mountains, the sun was setting rapidly.
“Then I shall search for a suitable location.”
“Yes.”
The Guard Warriors surveyed the surroundings and selected a flat area to begin preparing for the night’s camp.
Thanks to their orderly movements—arranging the space, kindling a fire, and other preparations—we were able to set up camp quite quickly.
For dinner, we warmed rabbit meat hunted nearby and leftover dumplings from lunch.
“Then, shall we establish the night watch rotation?”
As Seo-woo Warrior spoke, I interjected while the other three warriors and Palgap were determining the order.
“I’ll take a shift on night watch as well.”
“Pardon?”
“The young master will stand watch? What do you mean?”
“Indeed. Young Master, you should simply rest well.”
I shook my head firmly.
“It’s fine. I should take my turn at the watch. You’ll all be drowsy anyway, and if I stand watch too, everyone can rest a bit more.”
When I pressed my point strongly, they all reluctantly nodded in agreement.
Palgap and I became partners, and our shift was second.
The first and last shifts were less exhausting, but that was precisely why I chose this one.
It was better for Palgap and me to be tired than for the Guard Warriors who protected my safety to be exhausted.
Since Jin Yu Warrior and Yeo Eung-am Warrior, who had the first watch, clearly wouldn’t wake me, I roused myself at the appointed time.
“Ah… you’re awake?”
Their startled expressions confirmed my suspicions.
I spoke firmly.
“Sleep.”
“Yes, of course.”
They lay down on the ground, eyeing me cautiously, and soon fell fast asleep.
I chuckled softly.
They didn’t need to strain themselves so much, but honestly, that would be difficult for them.
It was then, as Palgap and I kept watch over the campfire together.
Ding,
ding,
ding,
At the sound of a bell ringing from far away, Palgap asked me in fear.
“Eek! W-what is that sound?”

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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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