The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 180

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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 180

Chapter 180. The Road Back (3)

After that, I continued conversing with the merchant about various matters.
As the night deepened, we parted ways with a promise to share tea together when we met again.

The next day, I exchanged farewells with the merchant and soon arrived at the Gwangjun Merchant Group.
As we drew near, the Gate Keeper approached and inquired.
“Where have you come from?”
“I am Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company. Please inform the Small Guild Master that I have returned safely as promised.”
“Understood.”
After waiting roughly half an hour.
I heard hurried footsteps and looked up to see a familiar face. It was Bok Yun Sub-leader.
“Welcome! You’ve returned safely.”
“Yes.”
“Please come inside.”
He glanced at my companions, then his expression darkened as he asked.
“However, one of your party is missing….”
“Ah. You mean Jin Yu Warrior. He had some matters to attend to and is currently staying in the Northern Sea region.”
“There’s nothing amiss, I trust?”
“Of course not.”
At my affirmation, he let out a relieved breath, his hand pressed to his chest.
“Thank goodness.”

We were each shown to our quarters, washed with warm water, and took our meals.
As I finished my tea, fatigue began to wash over me.
It worked out well—Bok Yun Sub-leader, considering that we had just returned from a long merchant expedition, suggested we meet tomorrow instead.
I truly needed a good rest today.
.
.
.
The next morning.
After finishing my morning cultivation exercise and rising from my seat, I stepped outside to find Palgap waiting ahead.
“Young Master, Sub-leader Bok has sent word requesting that you join him for breakfast.”
“Of course. We should eat together.”
Shortly after, I followed the attendant who had come to fetch me toward the dining hall.
Seeing that he had hired new attendants, it appeared he had largely overcome the wounds from that time.
In truth, one cannot do without attendants.
A sub-leader of his standing cannot manage everything alone.
Upon arriving at the dining hall moments later, Bok Yun Sub-leader was already seated, waiting.
“Good morning.”
“Yes, did you rest well last night?”
“Thanks to your hospitality, I slept very comfortably.”
I took my seat and withdrew a whistle from my pocket, extending it to him.
“I was able to travel quite comfortably thanks to your lending me this.”
“I’m glad it proved useful. And I’m relieved you returned safely.”
Just then, the food began to arrive.
We conversed over various topics while dining, and with the delicious food, pleasant atmosphere, and compatible company, time slipped away unnoticed.
Yet we are both busy people.
“When are you planning to depart?”
“I intend to leave tomorrow.”
“So soon. I understand, as the Eun Small Merchant Leader is a busy man, but it is regrettable.”
“I feel the same way.”
“Perhaps, if the opportunity arises, we might meet again at the next Top Hundred Merchant Guilds gathering?”
“I will make certain to attend.”
“Then I hope we shall meet again at that time.”
With those words, Bok Yun Sub-leader sipped his tea and smacked his lips.
“Please, speak freely.”
“Pardon?”
“It seems you have something you wish to say but are hesitating.”
“Well… I believe the Eun Small Merchant Leader and I are quite compatible. And our ages happen to match as well. So I wondered… might we consider ourselves Old Friends?”
At that question, I felt genuine warmth and responded lightly.
“Then, you didn’t think so until now?”
“Ah, no! That’s not what I meant…”
“We have been old friends since our first meeting.”
“Ah….”
At my words, his expression brightened.
“In fact, my father sent a gift to the Eunhae Trading Company as repayment for saving my life back then.”
“Really? A gift?”
“You’ll know once you visit the Trading Company.”
Seeing him grin so widely, it seemed to be quite a substantial gift. And he clearly had no intention of revealing what it was.
“I shall look forward to it with great anticipation. Then, I ought to offer my thanks, but….”
“Unfortunately, my father is away on business at the moment.”
“Then we shall have to defer our greetings to another time. By the way, I’ve heard rumors that the Sambu Merchant Group was utterly destroyed?”
“Ah! That?”
Bok Yun Sub-leader continued with a laugh.
“There’s no need to show mercy to someone who aimed for my life, is there?”
“Indeed.”

The next morning, I departed from the Gwangjun Trading Company early.
I should stop by Beijing to pay my respects to the Emperor before heading back.

* * *

Northern Sea Ice Palace.
Young Palace Master Bing Haerin stood before the Palace Master.
The beautiful woman with white hair simply counted the fleeting years in this place, as always.
At first, she had not understood, but now Bing Haerin also knew.
When the Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace stepped into the Central Plains, the Central Plains would freeze over.
Thus, she, as the Lesser Palace Mistress, handled most of the affairs.
Bing Haerin reported the series of events to the Palace Master.
“Therefore, the one who targeted our palace obtained information about us from the Demonic Cult, it seems.”
“You’re thinking she obtained it from the Demonic Cult. But when did we sign a non-aggression pact with them?”
“I think the same way.”
“If someone targets us without knowing that we and the Demonic Cult have a non-aggression pact, there is only one place it could be.”
“The Murim Alliance.”
“The Murim Alliance… Can we truly call them the Murim Alliance anymore?”
“….”
“In any case, have that woman killed as you see fit. Well, she’s probably half-dead already anyway. And as our benefactor requested, make sure this matter is resolved only among our Ice Palace people.”
“Yes.”
“And take care of the Inn repairs as well.”
“Yes.”
Bing Haerin hesitated for a moment before speaking.
“I would like to go out for a while once this matter is concluded.”
“Going out? Are you trying to investigate the Murim Alliance again?”
“….”
“Don’t forget. You are the Lesser Palace Mistress.”
“I know. But I cannot forgive them. They… are the ones who killed my father.”
At those words, the Palace Master’s anger flared as well.
“I cannot forgive them either. But I suppress that rage. One day, an opportunity for vengeance will come.”
She continued, gazing up at the sky.
“Just as the prophecy foretold.”

* * *

Beijing.
In the Imperial Palace, countless officials moved about busily as always, and the Emperor processed his duties with a weary sigh.
“When will talented individuals finally be recruited?”
The Emperor muttered to himself, rolled up a scroll, and tossed it aside onto the table.
Just then, the door opened and an Eunuch Official entered, speaking in a low voice to Jung Tae-gam, who stood at attention.
Jung Tae-gam approached the Emperor.
“Your Majesty.”
“What is it?”
“Eun Seo-ho has just arrived in Beijing.”
“Is that so?”
The Emperor’s eyes gleamed, and he straightened his posture.
“Well, it was a long journey after all. I should grant him a day to rest.”
“He will be grateful for Your Majesty’s benevolence.”
“Then let him rest well today, and summon him tomorrow.”
“I shall obey your command.”
“Indeed, it wouldn’t be amiss to verify whether he continues to deserve the position of Imperial Inspector that I granted him. And besides, conversing with that fellow is rather entertaining.”

* * *

Upon arriving in Beijing, I made my way to the Yeonjun Trading Company, which belonged to my Aunt.
In my previous life, I hadn’t visited this place very often.
Perhaps it was because seeing my Aunt, who was always burdened with worry over Seon-il Elder Brother, felt like a burden to me.
But in this life, I visit with ease and have been receiving her kindness.
“Welcome back. How did things go?”
“Yes, I resolved everything successfully.”
“Good, but…”
Anticipating what my Aunt was about to say, I quickly continued.
“Ah, Jin Yu Warrior is staying there for the moment due to company matters.”
“Ah, I see. I was wondering since one person wasn’t visible.”
“We are all perfectly fine.”
At my words, my Aunt nodded.
“Yes, thank goodness everyone is safe.”
My Aunt looked at me with a peculiar smile. What was that about?
“The Eunuch just visited earlier.”
“Yes?”
“He delivered an order for you to rest well today and come to the Imperial Palace tomorrow.”
“Ah…”
I had a sense of why the Emperor was summoning me.
I was planning to go on my own initiative anyway without needing to be called.
.
.
.
The next morning.
Right after breakfast, I encountered someone the Emperor had sent.
“Ah… Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster.”
“Yes, we meet again.”
“…”
“The Emperor sent me. He ordered me to bring you.”
“…”
In other words, don’t dawdle and come at once.
I grumbled inwardly as I headed to the Imperial Palace with Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster. Thanks to him, I was able to enter the Imperial Palace immediately without any waiting time.
“When I saw you before, I noticed your loyalty to the Emperor was exceptional, and indeed you are worthy of receiving the Emperor’s favor.”
“Haha. But surely not more than Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster?”
It seemed I had been overly enthusiastic with my act of reverence and gratitude toward the Emperor’s grace when we first met.
Soon I entered the presence of the Emperor.
“So-sang, Eun Seo-ho, pays respects to the Emperor. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!”
I cried out thus and prostrated myself.
“You may rise.”
“I am overwhelmed by your grace.”
The Emperor regarded me with an intrigued gaze and asked.
“So, what did you see during your journey to the Northern Sea?”
Though the question seemed casual, I grasped its true intent.
Did I possess the authority of the Imperial Inspector and roam freely?
Or would I become a mere servant to the Emperor’s whims?
The Emperor was asking to determine which path I would take.
Though I had anticipated this, the tension was unavoidable.
I took a measured breath and spoke.
“What I witnessed during my travels to the Northern Sea is that the world contains both virtuous and wicked people in abundance.”
“Is that all you have to say?”
“I could explain everything in detail, but I refrained from doing so out of concern for consuming Your Majesty’s precious time.”
“Your mind works quickly….”
“Your Majesty?”
“Never mind. Then provide me with one example each of the virtuous and wicked people you encountered.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I recounted the story of the Hunter who had warned me of Snowwind Palace’s approach and allowed me into his hut, and the tale of the merchant who had exploited that hunting tribe.
These were the safest stories to share.
Most other accounts were intertwined with my secrets.
So I had deliberately mentioned my concern about wasting his time to justify telling only these stories.
“Is that so? Truly admirable hunters indeed.”
“It is all thanks to Your Majesty’s benevolence.”
“How is that my benevolence? They are simply good people.”
“….”
Seeing him take my flattery seriously, I confirmed he was indeed a virtuous ruler.
“But there are merchants who exploit them? Even if they cheat them, that degree of deception is outright fraud, is it not?”
“I share that assessment, Your Majesty.”
“So, you intend to simply leave them be?”
“I am merely an Imperial Inspector. What authority do I truly possess?”
In truth, the Imperial Inspector’s high standing came only from the Emperor’s mandate. I possessed no actual authority to punish anyone.
“Will you keep using that formal tone from the merchant house?”
“Your Majesty?”
“Do you think I don’t know you? You’re perfectly capable of sending people to ruin without any such authority.”
“….”
Truly, he was the Emperor.
I smiled wryly and replied.
“As Your Majesty rightly perceives, I do intend to lend them a hand. However, without Your Majesty’s permission, how could I punish them privately? I can manage only minor retaliation, nothing more.”
“This is precisely why I find our conversations so entertaining.”
The Emperor’s tone returned to one of imperial dignity.
“So then, what should I bestow upon a loyal subject who works so diligently for me?”
The Emperor paused, resting his chin in thought, then issued an instruction to the Eunuch.
The Eunuch then wrote something on an elegant scroll he had brought and stamped it with the imperial seal before handing it to me.
“…?”
Upon reading its contents, I struggled to suppress the smile that threatened to spread across my face.
The Emperor had granted me a document explicitly authorizing independent investigation authority.
“Some among my officials demean commerce as a lowly pursuit, but I think differently. Commerce is the act of ensuring goods circulate evenly, maintaining a healthy economy.”
The Emperor continued.
“Yet just as the body has ailments, so too does commerce—and those fraudsters are precisely such a disease.”
“Your words are most wise, Your Majesty.”
“When commerce is free of such corruption, the people’s livelihoods flourish. I shall be your backing, so deal decisively with those who would taint commerce.”
“I am overwhelmed by your benevolence, Your Majesty.”
“Good. Now go.”
“Then I shall take my leave, Your Majesty.”

I withdrew from the Emperor’s presence.
Exhale. This is never easy.
Even living this second life as I am, the Emperor remains an opponent I cannot afford to underestimate.
Though he favors me, the sensation of walking a tightrope persists.
One misstep and I plummet into ruin.
Still, the situation had unfolded favorably, and I was quite satisfied with the outcome.

The following morning.
My party and I prepared to depart for the Eunhae Trading Company.
“The journey will be arduous—wouldn’t you prefer to rest longer?”
At my Aunt’s words, I smiled and replied.
“I wish I could, but if I delay the company’s affairs any further, I fear I won’t be able to manage them.”
“Then it cannot be helped.”
“I shall see you next time, Aunt.”
We exchanged farewells and urged our horses toward Hubei Province.
The road was familiar now, so we rode without hesitation.
“Hmm?”
Then, a group approaching from the distance caught my eye, and at the sight of their familiar insignia, I found myself smiling involuntarily.

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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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