The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 179

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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 179

Chapter 179. The Journey Home (2)

I smiled brightly and spoke.
“Fortunately, I’ve found a way to be of service. I’ll purchase all the furs you have in storage.”
This decision of mine was both a repayment to the hunters who had aided us, and a move for the benefit of the Eunhae Trading Company’s future prospects.
The beast furs from this Northern Sea region were luxuriously thick yet soft, making them highly popular among the upper classes.
However, establishing supply channels and breaking through existing trade barriers had proven difficult.
In places like this, the territorial grip of established merchants was particularly fierce.
But one merchant’s greed had created an opening for us to wedge ourselves in.
I couldn’t afford to miss this opportunity.
The hunters would escape their predicament of being unable to sell their furs, and the Eunhae Trading Company would gain a new trading partner.
This could be called a win-win situation, but for someone like me who knows the future, it was far more than that.
Because this winter would bring an extraordinarily severe cold spell.
This winter was unforgettable.
Not only because of the devastating cold, but because it was the year I became a Sub-leader.
Even now, the mere thought of that bitter cold makes me shudder.
Deaths from freezing increased several times over compared to previous years.
But that wasn’t the end—the cold persisted for five more years after that.
Combined with crop failures, the people’s hardship reached its peak.
As the weather grew colder, demand for fur clothing skyrocketed.
People had no choice but to acquire and wear fur garments to avoid freezing to death.
As a result, supply couldn’t keep pace with demand, and the value of fur clothing surged dramatically.
Thinking back on those times, securing a trade route for the furs from this region would bring enormous profits in the future.
We soon followed the Wealthy Hunter toward the village where his tribe gathered.
“Here’s our village.”
As it was a hunter’s settlement, I could see animal byproducts being dried in various places throughout.
“Bok, who are these people you’ve brought with you?”
At that moment, an elderly-looking Grandfather emerged, and the Hunter’s Son rushed toward him.
“Grandfather! They said they’d purchase our tribe’s furs, so I brought them here.”
“Is that so?”
The hunter beside me spoke.
“Ahem, that’s my father. He’s also the Tribal Chief of our tribe.”
“Ah!”
I quickly performed a respectful bow and greeted him.
“It’s an honor to meet you. I’m Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“I’m Ji Geol, the Tribal Chief. You wish to purchase our tribe’s furs?”
“Yes.”
The Hunter’s Son explained the entire situation to the Old Man, and upon hearing it, the Tribal Chief erupted.
“Damn it! Those bastards deserve arrows through their skulls!”
His language was crude, but I understood his sentiment and offered a faint smile.
“Ahem.”
The Tribal Chief seemed to notice my presence and cleared his throat before speaking.
“I apologize—that outburst escaped me without thinking.”
“Not at all.”
“Tell me, is this a one-time purchase of our tribe’s hides, or do you intend to continue trading with us?”
“I intend to continue trading with you going forward.”
“Then follow me. I must show you the true caliber of our tribe’s craftsmanship.”
He led us to a warehouse where hides were stacked in abundance.
“These are the hides we’re offering for trade. Examine them carefully.”
The Tribal Chief displayed the interior with confident pride, clearly taking great satisfaction in his tribe’s skill with leather.
I examined the hides meticulously.
Indeed, their quality justified his pride.
How could anyone fault such exceptional hides?
Defective hides? It was absurd.
“How much did the merchants you previously traded with pay per hide?”
“Rabbit hides went for half a silver tael per hundred sheets, and wolf hides for half a silver tael per five sheets.”
I nearly cursed aloud.
Half a silver tael for a hundred rabbit hides? Without a sword, those weren’t merchants—they were bandits.
Though sometimes money cuts deeper than steel.
“I will offer you one silver tael per ten rabbit hides, and one silver tael per two wolf hides.”
The Tribal Chief was startled and repeated my words in disbelief.
“You’re offering that much?”
“I’m simply presenting a fair price. As I mentioned, I am a merchant, and merchants never conduct unprofitable transactions.”
“That makes sense.”
The Tribal Chief muttered with a hollow expression.
“Then that means the merchant we’ve been trading with has been fleecing us all this time.”
“….”
“Son, bring the arrows. I need to put some through that bastard’s skull.”
“I’ll join you.”
Sensing the atmosphere growing volatile, I quickly intervened.
“Please, compose yourselves. The future is what matters now, isn’t it?”
“True enough.”
At that moment, the Tribal Chief’s grandson, called Bok, spoke up.
“But what if the merchant we previously traded with comes looking for trouble? Hearing what this handsome brother said, it seems quite likely.”
I nodded at his words.
“You’re right—he’s exactly the type. But I won’t stand by while those I’ve agreed to trade with are threatened.”
Once we plant our flag, we must naturally protect that flag.
“Would you permit us to establish a branch of our trading company here and station warriors to garrison it?”
Establishing a branch naturally requires considerable capital.
But if we can protect this place and maintain trade, such expenses are mere drops in the ocean.
Moreover, this lies on the fringes of Heilongjiang, classified as beyond the Martial Arts World’s reach.
Yet precisely because of that, once we establish ourselves here, we stand to gain substantial profits.
And even more so when considering the future.
“A branch here?”
“Yes. While your tribe’s hunters are certainly capable, once our trading company establishes a branch and stations warriors here, those merchants won’t dare cause trouble.”
The Tribal Chief regarded me silently.
As if peering into my true intentions.
“What of the costs?”
“Naturally, the Eunhae Trading Company will bear them.”
“Then I shall grant permission.”
“We would be grateful for your protection until our company dispatches personnel to establish the branch.”
“Don’t worry about that. Our hunters are quite capable.”
“You must remain vigilant. We cannot predict what schemes they might attempt.”

That day, we decided to rest in the tribal village and made our way to the Tribal Chief’s Son’s residence.
Once inside, I retrieved brush, paper, and ink from my pocket and composed a letter to Father.
“Geumryeong, this is a letter for Father.”
“Kwee? Kwee. Kwee!”
Geumryeong wagged her tail and said something.
“So you’re saying one silver coin won’t do because the distance is so great?”
“Kwee!”
“Then two… coins?”
“Kwee…”
“Fine, I’ll give you three.”
At my words, Geumryeong quickly offered her tail.
This creature is even negotiating now.
I fastened the letter to Geumryeong’s tail, and she darted away at considerable speed.
.
.
.
The next morning, when I opened my eyes, I saw Geumryeong sitting atop my chest.
Wow, she’s really fast.
I read the letter Father had sent.

[I’m relieved to hear you’ve completed matters in the Northern Sea and are returning safely. All is well on our end. I’ve reviewed your proposal, and everyone responded positively. Particularly, the Sangyu Director was quite delighted. I shall assemble personnel and dispatch them shortly.]

I let out a quiet chuckle.
It seemed the Sangyu Director had indeed recognized the value of this place.

Over breakfast, I informed the Guard Warriors and Palgap of this news and instructed them to prepare for our departure.
However, after the meal concluded, Jin Yu Warrior spoke to me quietly.
“My Lord, I have something to say.”
“Yes, please speak.”
“I would like to remain here until people arrive from the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“You wish to stay here?”
“Yes, I believe it would be best. It will show the tribal people that we care about them, and it will give you greater peace of mind as well.”
Of course, I had no reason to refuse such a proposal.
The other Guard Warriors would have no trouble on the return journey.
Though living in this place might prove inconvenient…
As if sensing my hesitation, Jin Yu Warrior added to his words.
“I lived in the Northern Sea before, so you need not worry. Please grant me permission.”
“I feel sorry that you’re doing this because of me.”
“Please do not speak such words.”
“Very well. Then I entrust this to you.”

I told the Tribal Chief that Jin Yu Warrior would be remaining. Seeing their joy, it seemed they harbored some hidden anxiety.
Thus we departed, leaving Jin Yu Warrior behind.
Our destination was the Gwangjun Trading Company.
I needed to return the signal horn that Bok Yun Sub-leader had lent me.

The journey from the Northern Sea to Liaoning was much the same as when we had arrived.
The Gwangjun Trading Company and the tribes friendly to us treated us well, and those who weren’t….
In truth, very few dared to provoke us.
Even though the tribes in this region were bellicose, no one wanted to throw away their lives.
The tribes that had previously challenged us had learned through bitter experience that we were not to be trifled with, so they kept their distance.
Thus we entered Liaoning without incident.
“I think it would be best if we camped there tonight.”
At Seo-woo Warrior’s words, I nodded.
“Yes, let’s do that.”
Since entering Liaoning, there were no inns until we reached the Gwangjun Trading Company, so camping was our only option.
It wasn’t that there were no inns at all, but there were none worth trusting.
Rather than stay in such places, camping was far more comfortable.
Now accustomed to the routine, after preparing our camp and eating dinner, I was gazing at the campfire when Seo-woo Warrior approached my side.
“My lord.”
“Yes.”
“Might I ask—was what you sought this time a deeper understanding of martial arts?”
At that question, I looked at Seo-woo Warrior, and he continued calmly.
“I witnessed you fighting at the inn earlier. You used the same techniques as before, but their power was distinctly different.”
Seo-woo Warrior, like a master martial artist at the peak of his craft, seemed to have sensed my growth.
“Haha, is that so?”
“Yes, it was as though you had undergone years of closed-door cultivation in those techniques.”
“….”
The accuracy was chilling.
I had trained there for so long that time itself became immeasurable, and it had been truly grueling.
Suddenly, tears welled up enough to blur my vision.
“It seems the smoke has irritated your eyes greatly.”
“Ah, yes.”
Then a sudden curiosity arose in me.
“By the way, would you happen to recognize what martial art I practice?”
“It was a technique I had never seen before. However, I could tell it was a formidable ascending art.”
“I see.”
That was fortunate.
Seo-woo Warrior possessed extensive knowledge of martial arts, so if he didn’t know it, most others wouldn’t either.
Especially since Snowwind Palace was quite reclusive and mysterious, and more than a decade had passed since its destruction.
So Master must have taught me these techniques for that reason.
Then I sensed someone approaching, and Seo-woo Warrior became alert toward them.
But I was not particularly tense.
I felt none of the repulsive aura of the Black Path.
Shortly after, they revealed themselves.
There were approximately five of them, pulling a single cart.
From their appearance, they were merchants.
“Pardon us, we’re just passing through. Would it be possible to borrow some fire?”
Seo-woo Warrior glanced at me, and I nodded in response.
“Travelers should help one another. Go ahead.”
“Thank you so much.”
They settled nearby and borrowed embers from us to start their own fire.
Even with a fire-starting tool, lighting kindling with burning wood was far more efficient.
“Would you care for some dumplings?”
Just then, what appeared to be their leader approached us with steaming dumplings in hand.
“Ah, thank you.”
I expressed my gratitude and asked him a question.
“Where are you traveling from? The fact that you carry dumplings suggests you haven’t come from too far away, doesn’t it?”
“Haha, that’s right. We wander this region selling various sundries. Since Liaoning has scattered settlements, we make our living trading with them.”
“I see.”
“Though you don’t seem to be from around here.”
“That’s correct. We’re from the Eunhae Trading Company in Hubei.”
“The Eunhae Trading Company, you say?”
His reaction suggested he knew something about it.
“It appears you’re familiar with our company.”
“Of course. Aren’t you the ones who created the Chakpung Device and Jamu Dolls? And I heard you recently ranked fiftieth among the Top Hundred Trading Companies of the Realm.”
“Haha, that’s right.”
“It’s an honor to meet you.”
While I conversed with the merchant, Palgap discreetly tested the dumplings for poison.
We couldn’t afford to lower our guard for even a moment.
Seeing him shake his head, it appeared fortunately that there was no poison.
“Since I’ve returned to Liaoning after so long, I wonder—has anything significant happened recently?”
At my question, he paused thoughtfully before speaking.
“If you’re asking about major events… Ah! Do you happen to know of the Sambu Merchant Group?”
“Of course I do.”
“That Sambu Merchant Group is now collapsing and facing ruin.”
“Aren’t they quite famous even in Liaoning? What happened?”
“Rumors have been spreading that they hired someone to assassinate a sub-leader of the Gwangjun Trading Company, and it seems to be true. You can tell by how the Gwangjun Trading Company has moved.”
“So the Gwangjun Trading Company wielded their power effectively.”
“Yes, indeed. I heard their sub-leader personally stepped forward and crushed them thoroughly.”
I chuckled inwardly.
Of course—that’s what an old friend would do.

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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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