The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 174

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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 174

Chapter 174. Traces of Snowwind Palace (1)

Female children became disciples of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, but what of the males?
My counterpart answered that question quite thoroughly.
“That is precisely why Snowwind Palace existed.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“It was established to raise the sons born to the women of the Northern Sea Ice Palace. Snowwind Palace served that very purpose.”
He elaborated further.
Some children born from these unions were raised in their fathers’ households, but not all were so fortunate.
In such cases, Snowwind Palace became their sanctuary.
The children were nurtured there, and when the gates of the Northern Sea Ice Palace opened, the daughters would enter as disciples.
But the sons remained at Snowwind Palace, becoming disciples of that sect instead.
“The circumstances of those male disciples varied greatly. Some had lost their fathers, others knew not who their fathers were, or their paternal families refused to acknowledge them.”
Hearing this, I recalled the madman who had attacked me when I obtained the Silver Sword from Geumryeong.
Yu Deok-jin of Snowwind Palace.
And the contents of the letter he carried.

[As I told you before, bring that sword to me.
Then I shall acknowledge you as my son.]

So that was why Yu Deok-jin had stolen the Silver Sword.
To gain recognition from the father who had denied him.

I had heard that Snowwind Palace was destroyed by the Demonic Cult, yet something told me there was more to this story than met the eye.
“Then Snowwind Palace was established by the Northern Sea Ice Palace?”
“No, that’s not the case. Long ago, a retired League Master of the Murim Alliance heard of their circumstances and helped establish Snowwind Palace. At that time, it was not a martial organization.”
He continued.
“Then, a person of exceptional talent in martial arts was born, and through their efforts, Snowwind Palace grew into a powerful martial force. Thus, Snowwind Palace revered this person as their Ancestor.”
That Ancestor must be the one who left behind the secret manual containing profound insights that I had discovered before.
“You certainly know a great deal about Snowwind Palace.”
“I heard various stories from an Old Friend.”
“Ah… you mean the person who fell in battle when Snowwind Palace was destroyed?”
“That’s correct.”
“But wasn’t Snowwind Palace destroyed about ten years ago? Then what happened to those children all this time…?”
At my question, he hesitated before answering.
“I have been caring for them.”
“What?”
“Those children—I have been raising them.”
.
.
.
The next morning at dawn.
I rose early and completed my breathing exercises.
What I realized was that the Taiyin Ice-Sea Divine Art I had learned was a technique perfected here in the Northern Sea, perfectly suited to this land.
It was showing several times the efficiency compared to when I trained at home.
Considering how it had been particularly effective during winter before, it seemed the colder the environment, the better the technique’s efficiency became.
How on earth did they manage to destroy Snowwind Palace, which possessed martial arts specialized for these northern waters and wielded the Snowwind Blade as their weapon?
But I soon dismissed the thought. There was no point in pondering what I couldn’t discover immediately anyway.
After completing my breathing exercises, I considered continuing with sword training but abandoned the idea.
If other disciples of the Northern Sea Ice Palace happened to see me training or sense my energy, it could cause complications.
I should avoid drawing unnecessary suspicion.
Since I wouldn’t be training, I wondered if I had woken too early.
Hmm?
Just then, I sensed bustling activity outside. Among those presences, I could feel the energy of the young girls I had met yesterday and their companions.
Were they leaving already?
As I descended to the first floor, I saw many people exchanging farewells.
“Take care of yourself and live well.”
“Yes.”
“Even if it’s difficult, endure and persevere. The fate of our family rests in your hands.”
“I understand.”
“Please, take good care of yourself.”
“Thank you for escorting us this far. Our family will cover the remaining expenses.”
“Understood. I wish you all well.”
Among those exchanging farewells, the people I had met yesterday were also saying their goodbyes.
“Father. Please take care of yourself. And tell the children that I’m doing well.”
“I will.”
“Yeon Rang, travel safely.”
“Perhaps we’ll meet again next time.”
“Of course.”
“I entrust Hyun-i to your care.”
“Don’t worry.”
I turned my head to look at the other young girl.
“Older brother.”
“Don’t worry about us. Just take care of yourself.”
Watching them, I felt something strange stir within me.
Thang—!
At that moment, a woman struck the ground with her sword scabbard and spoke.
“Then, we shall depart. Follow us.”
They left the inn and headed toward the misty area behind it.
“Ugh!”
“Ungh!”
The women entered the mist without any trouble, but the men following behind them were all blocked.
The mist pushed them back as if it had become tangible.
“Is this the legendary mist everyone speaks of?”
“Ah….”
They gazed endlessly beyond the mist before turning one by one and heading back into the inn.
Their retreating figures emanated a complex tangle of emotions.
How strange—mist that could push people away. What manner of sorcery was this?
So I cautiously reached out and touched the mist.
Swish,
Hmm? That’s odd.
Though this mist had repelled the other men, my hand encountered no resistance whatsoever.
Then I heard Palgap’s voice from behind me.
“What are you doing here, Young Master?”
“Ah! Palgap.”
I called to Palgap and pointed at the mist.
“Try touching it here.”
“…?”
Palgap tilted his head in confusion, but he reached out and touched the mist as I instructed.
Thud,
“Huh? W-what is this? There’s nothing here, so why is my hand blocked?”
“….”
“Wow! How fascinating!”
I’m a man myself, so why didn’t they stop me at the barrier?
But realizing there was nothing to gain by making a fuss about it, I simply smiled and changed the subject.
“Since the Northern Sea Ice Palace lies beyond this point, they must have been preventing men from entering.”

We returned to the inn, performed some light foundational cultivation in the guest room, and then descended to the first floor for breakfast.
After all, I needed to search for traces of Snowwind Palace as my Master had instructed.
“Good morning.”
Once we had settled at an appropriate table, the server took our order.
“What may I serve you?”
“Do you have anything light for breakfast?”
“In that case, a dish made with tender tofu should suit you well.”
“Then I’ll have that.”
After ordering, Palgap exhaled a long sigh and spoke.
“So we must venture into that Snowy Path again.”
“We must. That’s why we came all this way.”
“I’ve heard the winds in this place are ferociously strong. We’ve managed well so far, but I worry about what lies ahead.”
“Don’t worry too much. We’ll manage somehow.”
“I envy the disciples of Snowwind Palace. They say they can command the snowstorms.”
It was the Skilled Seamstress who had taken our order who contradicted him.
“Oh, that’s not quite right.”
“Is that so?”
“The disciples of Snowwind Palace can indeed command the snowstorms, but not all of them—only the Palace Master and their direct lineage possessed such power.”
“Ah, I see.”
Just then, someone from the kitchen called her away, cutting the conversation short.
“Ah! Great Hero.”
“Good morning.”
Those we had met and traveled with yesterday descended the stairs.
It was the Girl’s Father, the young man who had been part of his group, and the Girl’s Older Brother.
They seemed somewhat forlorn, and the Girl’s Older Brother in particular looked especially melancholy.
So I invited them to join us.
“If you don’t mind, would you care to share a meal with us?”
“Thank you.”
They sat at the same table and ordered food, and the Girl’s Older Brother spoke first.
“Did you all rest well?”
“Yes, we rested well.”
“I… my name is Han Jae-ik.”
Since he had introduced himself, I should do the same.
“I am Eun Seo-ho.”
At my introduction, the Girl’s Father also revealed his name.
“My name is Yeom Jin-yeon. And this fellow beside me is someone I’ve taken under my wing through karmic connection.”
He bowed quietly in greeting.
“By the way, I’m worried about my younger sister. I hear the training at the Northern Sea Ice Palace is quite demanding… Do you think she’ll be able to endure it?”
To Han Jae-ik’s words, Yeom Jin-yeon Great Master spoke in a comforting tone.
“The Northern Sea Ice Palace is still a place where people live. They won’t be unnecessarily cruel, so you needn’t worry.”
“Then I’m relieved. I hope she holds up well….”
“You seem to have many worries.”
“Yes, my younger sister didn’t enter by her own desire—it was unavoidable circumstances that led her there.”
“What do you mean by that?”
To my question, he exhaled deeply and spoke.
“The situation is rather complicated, but the reason I brought my younger sister here is because marriage negotiations are underway regarding her.”
“Isn’t a marriage a good thing?”
“It’s not an ordinary marriage. There’s an influential family near ours, and I heard their Manor Lord intends to send matchmakers to take my younger sister as his ninth wife. I fled hastily upon hearing this.”
“His ninth concubine, not wife?”
“No, she would be his wife. The problem is that all his previous wives are dead.”
“All eight of them?”
“Yes, most of their deaths were suspicious, but they were ultimately ruled as suicides.”
“….”
We finally understood the situation.
“Then Han’s family could be in danger as well, couldn’t it?”
“Even so, my parents said this was preferable.”
They chose to have their daughter enter the Northern Sea Ice Palace, enduring some hardship, rather than have her murdered and live with that anguish.
The situation was pitiful.
Why does the world never leave those who wish to live virtuously and well in peace?
“Where is your family located?”
“I come from Henan.”
Since the Pungju Escort Bureau is located in the Henan direction, it seems he made the contract right after departing from home.
Henan is not far from Hubei, so I extended a small gesture of consideration.
“Should you ever find yourself unable to endure any longer, please come to the Eunhae Trading Company. We can provide work.”
“Thank you. I’ll keep that in mind.”
It wounded my pride that someone I had saved would face hardship at another’s hands.
Yeom Great Warrior spoke to him.
“By the way… getting home will be the problem. The road from here to Henan is hardly safe.”
“That’s what worries me too.”
“Then try making a proposal to the Escort Masters once their commission is complete. Personal commissions are technically forbidden, but since they’re heading back anyway, it wouldn’t be a bad proposition for them.”
He continued.
“And even if they can’t go all the way to Henan, if they can stop at a major city along the way, you could arrange a commission there.”
“That would be ideal. Thank you for the advice.”
Around then, the meal arrived, and after we finished eating, we each went up to our guest rooms.
Everyone busied themselves packing, and I briefly headed to Yeom Great Warrior’s guest room.
“Great Warrior, it’s me, Eun Seo-ho.”
“Ah, please come in and make yourself comfortable.”
As I stepped inside, Yeom Great Warrior was also in the midst of packing his belongings.
“May I have a word with you for a moment?”
At my question, he nodded and spoke to the young man who had been with him.
“Step outside and rest for a while.”
“Yes.”
The young man obediently left, and Yeom Great Warrior offered me a seat.
“What brings this about?”
“You mentioned yesterday that you’re raising children born to the women of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“Ah, yes, that’s right.”
“So I was wondering—how do you manage the finances for that?”
“I cover the expenses through private commissions and sponsorships.”
“Would additional sponsorship be unwelcome? I’d like to contribute what I can.”
From what I could tell, the sponsor Yeom Great Warrior spoke of was likely my Master.
I became certain of it while listening to their earlier conversation.
The old friend he mentioned—it had to be my Master.
First, when Yeom Great Warrior spoke of his friend’s death, he seemed far too composed. If he knew the Snowwind Palace in such detail, they must have been extremely close.
And only the direct bloodline of Snowwind Palace could command the Snowwind technique.
My Master said the Jinseol Twelve-Form Sword Technique was a family martial art—not a sect technique. That meant only the direct lineage could master it.
Combining all these pieces, I had reached my conclusion.
My Master was a surviving direct descendant of the annihilated Snowwind Palace, and that old friend was Yeom Jin-yeon Great Warrior.
And to keep my Master’s survival hidden, he was deliberately claiming to be dead.
In any case, as a disciple learning the martial arts of Snowwind Palace, I felt obligated to provide support.
Strictly speaking, those whom Yeom Great Warrior was raising could be considered my senior martial siblings.
It wasn’t as though I lacked the means.
“Your sudden mention of sponsorship catches me off guard. Of course, I’m grateful, but may I ask the reason behind it?”
“Simply… please understand it as pity for those children after hearing their circumstances.”
He pondered for a moment, then nodded.
“Our situation isn’t favorable, so I cannot refuse. I accept your kindness with gratitude.”
I immediately produced a bank note and handed it to him, and his eyes widened in shock at the sight of it.
“I… truly… you’re sponsoring such a substantial sum?”

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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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