The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 168

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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 168

Chapter 168. Bok Yun (1)

The wind grew steadily colder.
It meant we were drawing near to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
“It seems we should lodge at the inn ahead and replenish our necessary supplies there.”
We nodded at Jin Yu Warrior’s words.
If Seo-woo Warrior had led us until Beijing, then from Liaoning onward, it was Jin Yu Warrior who took the lead.
This was because Jin Yu Warrior was the only one who had traveled north of Beijing before.
Of course, in my previous life, I had also come as far as Liaoning, but I couldn’t reveal that here.
Jin Yu Warrior continued speaking.
“Since this is the most prosperous place, we should be able to procure the necessary supplies at reasonable prices.”
Soon we arrived at the inn Jin Yu Warrior had mentioned.
“My goodness! Why is this inn so enormous?”
At Palgap’s words, I chuckled softly. The three other warriors besides Jin Yu Warrior also wore expressions of astonishment.
And rightfully so, for the inn was indeed massive.
The enormous five-story pavilion resembled the Yeochun Inn that Moon Ju-sung Scholar and his wife, Yeon Ga-hwa, the female swordswoman, had built, which we had visited not long ago.
“Though Liaoning is considered a frontier region, it has diverse specialty goods and is the most prosperous place in the Northeast.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. Medicinal herbs like ginseng and deer antler are most famous, and crafts made from jade and horses are also well-known.”
Jin Yu Warrior let out a small exclamation of admiration.
“Indeed, you are our lord. You know much about such places.”
“Well, I haven’t been here before, but I’ve heard a few things.”
In my previous life, the Eunhae Trading Company’s expansion into Liaoning came much later.
Since this was also a frontier region, the merchants already established there had monopolized the sale of medicinal herbs like ginseng and deer antler.
That was why we could only establish a direct branch here and expand after becoming one of the Ten Great Merchant Guilds of the Realm.
We dismounted and headed toward the inn.
Then the Shop Attendant came out from inside to greet us.
“Welcome. How many of you are there?”
“Six of us.”
“Please hand over your horses to me and proceed inside.”
Just as I was about to hand the reins to the Shop Attendant and enter, a sudden commotion erupted.
“Young Master! You mustn’t let go of the reins!”
Those words were not directed at me.
Besides, it wasn’t Palgap’s voice either.
Neigh!
I turned my head at the sound of an excited horse rearing up and the urgent cries of people.
A young man who appeared to be around my age sat astride a rearing horse, panic-stricken and utterly helpless.
“C-calm down! I said calm down!”
Neeeigh!
But the horse had no intention of calming itself and charged directly toward me.
“Watch out!”
I began to sidestep, then hesitated.
If I simply dodged, the young man would fall from the horse and suffer grave injuries—possibly even death.
That was when it happened.
“Screee!”
Geumryeong emerged from my sleeve at some point and perched upon my shoulder, scolding the horse with that cry.
Though Geumryeong produced only that single sound, to my ears it rang out like a sharp rebuke.
In that instant,
“….”
the rearing horse began to calm itself. In that moment, I glimpsed the animal’s eyes.
Eyes filled with terror, as though it had encountered something of tremendous power.
In any case, I was relieved it had settled.
Geumryeong quietly slipped back into my sleeve, and I approached the horse, gently stroking its neck.
“You must calm yourself. Your master nearly came to harm.”
Snort….
I deliberately approached the horse and spoke to it because I sensed the onlookers would find it peculiar otherwise.
After all, it had charged toward me only to suddenly stop and settle.
Since Geumryeong was a spirit creature, it was best to avoid drawing attention from the crowd.
Yet there was something odd—the horse seemed genuinely afraid of me.
I lifted my gaze toward the young man mounted upon the horse.
“Are you unharmed?”
“Ah, yes.”
“Please descend carefully.”
With the assistance of others, the young man dismounted.
“Thank you so very much.”
“We are grateful for your aid to our young master.”
After drinking some water and collecting himself, the young man approached me and offered a respectful fist salute in greeting.
“I am deeply grateful for your assistance. I am Bok Yun, Sub-leader of the Gwangjun Trading Company.”
I was familiar with the Gwangjun Trading Company.
They were a merchant guild that dealt in horses.
This region of Liaoning, bordering the nomadic peoples, was abundant in quality steeds.
By maintaining good relations with them and supplying fine horses to the Central Plains, they had secured a position among the Top Hundred Trading Companies of the World.
Now that I thought about it, I had seen the Merchant Guild Leader of the Gwangjun Trading Company at the last gathering of the Top Hundred.
Yet a strange thought suddenly occurred to me.
In my previous life, the Merchant Guild Leader of the Gwangjun Trading Company was not this Bok Yun before me, but rather someone named Bok Young.
But I set aside such musings for now and returned his fist salute with a respectful greeting.
“Ah, I’m Eun Seo-ho, a sub-leader of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
My trip to the Northern Sea wasn’t exactly a secret, but my reasons for going were.
At my introduction, he asked with widened eyes.
“Then you must be the Seon Hyeop Mi-rang, sir.”
Damn it, my reputation had spread all the way out here!
“You’re too kind with such a name.”
“Not at all. Just by throwing yourself into danger to help me today, I can understand why Sub-leader Eun has earned such a reputation.”
At that moment, the Shop Attendant informed us that our rooms were ready.
“Then please, come inside and rest well.”
“Thank you.”
We followed the Shop Attendant into the inn.
In the meantime, those who had come with Bok Yun Sub-leader began murmuring as they examined the horse more carefully.
“There’s a needle lodged in the horse’s front leg!”
“That’s why the horse was spooked!”
“Who in the world would do such a thing!”
Then Jin Yu Warrior sent me a telepathic message.
– The needle in the horse’s leg appears to be the work of an assassin.
– An assassin?
– Yes. It seems they were trying to disguise it as an accident, but their skill is quite impressive.
Only then did I understand why the Merchant Guild Leader of Gwangjun Trading Company had been someone else in my previous life.
They had been assassinated under the guise of an accident.
And when I saw Bok Young, the Merchant Guild Leader, in my past life, Gwangjun Trading Company had already been pushed out of the Top Hundred Trading Companies.
He wasn’t without talent, but he was merely average.
So this must be the work of those who viewed or envied Gwangjun Trading Company.
I asked Jin Yu Warrior.
– Do you have any idea who the assassin might be?
– There are a few suspicious individuals, but I can’t say for certain.
– Please investigate discreetly on your own.
– Understood. Are you planning to prevent this assassination?
– If we can prevent it, we must.
At my words, Jin Yu Warrior’s expression softened with emotion.
My desire to stop the assassin’s blade stems, of course, from not wanting to witness someone’s death before my eyes.
If we can save a life, we should.
But since I wasn’t acting purely out of goodwill, I let out a bitter smile.
If Bok Yun Sub-leader died while we were at the inn, we’d be questioned about the incident and end up trapped here.
Our already delayed schedule would fall further behind.
And if I help Bok Yun Sub-leader this time, perhaps I can receive his help later.
It’s calculating, but it can’t be helped.
It’s the instinct of a merchant, and I’m risking danger to help.
I sent a telepathic message to Jin Yu Warrior.
I’m not that good of a person.
That’s not true. When I consider both the fact that you saved me and the conduct of my lord that I’ve witnessed, I can only conclude that you are a good person.
Thank you for saying so.
It was then that Palgap asked.
“Young Master, if I may ask…”
“What is it?”
“How did you manage to calm that horse earlier?”
The other warriors looked at me with curiosity in their eyes.
I laughed awkwardly and answered.
“It wasn’t me—it was Geumryeong.”
“Sir?”
“Geumryeong said something, and suddenly the horse became docile.”
“Yet the horse appeared to fear you, Young Master.”
At Seo-woo Warrior’s words, I scratched my cheek.
“That’s strange. I’m not that frightening a person.”
At my words, Palgap stared at me intently.
“What is it?”
“It’s nothing, sir.”
.
.
.
After we were shown to our room, we ate lunch at the inn and then headed out to the marketplace.
Since it was the most bustling area in Liaoning, we could purchase the supplies we needed at reasonable prices.
“First, we should buy some dried meat, shouldn’t we?”
“Yes, and we’ll need leather waterskins to carry water as well.”
Jin Yu Warrior continued.
“Water is scarcer than one might expect in these northern regions. Therefore, whenever we can find water, we must fill our containers as much as possible and ration it carefully during our travels.”
Normally, when making such preparations, I would rest or attend to other matters, but this time I accompanied them.
Since this was unfamiliar territory, there might be matters where my presence was necessary.
It was then that I encountered a familiar face.
“Ah! What a pleasant surprise. Small Guild Master Eun.”
“Small Guild Master Bok.”
It was Bok Yun Sub-leader of the Gwangjun Trading Company.
“What brings you to this marketplace?”
“I’m about to embark on a rather long journey, so I came to purchase dried meat and waterskins.”
“If that’s the case, allow me to assist you. I happen to know an excellent place for such supplies.”
He stepped forward with a constant smile, offering his help.
“Please follow me.”
The place he led me to was a shop that specialized in goods essential for merchant expeditions.
“You should be able to find most of what you need here.”
“I didn’t know a place like this existed.”
In truth, I was already familiar with this establishment, and I had intended to guide our party here.
Liaoning’s geographical position meant that many travelers passed through these roads, though their numbers were hardly overwhelming.
This meant we had to procure necessary supplies on our own.
However, these supplies came in diverse varieties, and since civilians had limited use for most of them, they were difficult to obtain.
It was then that a merchant conceived a brilliant idea.
What if one were to specialize in selling items necessary for long-distance commerce and travel?
The result was a tremendous success, and this place became Liaoning’s premier supplier of long-distance trading goods.
However, since this was my first visit here, appearing too knowledgeable would raise suspicion.
So I expressed my admiration as though seeing it for the first time, and Bok Yun Sub-leader smiled while gesturing toward the interior.
“Please, come inside.”
He led us forward, and handed a token to a man who stood waiting by the door with a cart.
“Take us.”
“Yes, sir.”
Bok Yun explained to us.
“Since purchases here are made in bulk, people cannot carry items themselves. That’s why cart handlers follow along pulling carts. Of course, we also load the goods directly for you.”
“Is delivery also available?”
At Seo-woo Warrior’s question, he nodded.
“It’s possible if you pay for it.”
In my previous life, I had considered applying this system to Hubei Province as well, but ultimately abandoned the idea.
This had emerged due to the unique characteristics of this region.
We loaded the cart with dried meat, sturdy leather water pouches, and various other supplies.
When I attempted to settle the bill, Bok Yun Sub-leader interjected.
“I’ll purchase these items for you.”
“No, that’s not necessary.”
“I’m buying them out of gratitude.”
After some back-and-forth, Bok Yun Sub-leader ultimately paid for everything.
I smiled lightly and provided the cart handler with the inn’s location, then paid him his fee.
“Please deliver these for us.”
“Understood.”
Then I spoke to Bok Yun Sub-leader.
“I’ll treat you to lunch today.”
“That’s not necessary.”
“No matter how much I claim I merely calmed the horse to rescue you, I’ve still received far more compensation than my actions warrant. I’ll be troubled if I don’t at least buy you a meal.”
At my words, Bok Yun Sub-leader nodded.
“Very well then, I understand.”
We headed toward a nearby tavern.
Though taverns are typically places for drinking, they serve meals during the day as well.
As we moved there, Jin Yu Warrior sent me a telepathic message.
– I see suspicious individuals.
– Please continue to keep watch.
– Yes.
We soon arrived at the tavern, and Bok Yun Sub-leader’s expression shifted to one of surprise.
“This place is rather expensive, isn’t it?”
“It’s fine.”
I gently pushed his back and we entered.
– The Assassin cannot enter here.
– I see.
– Did you plan this intentionally?
At Jin Yu Warrior’s words, I chuckled inwardly.
I came here knowing this tavern was expensive.
Establishments of this caliber maintain excellent security as a matter of course.
And it would be difficult for an Assassin to order food at such an expensive place without drawing attention.
They would likely wait for another opportunity.
At least I could eat in peace.
“That table looks perfect.”
I chose a seat positioned where the Assassin could not see us from outside.
Once we settled into our seats, Bok Yun Sub-leader lowered his voice.
“You’ve noticed as well, it seems.”
“Pardon?”
“That there is an Assassin targeting 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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