The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 184

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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 184

Chapter 184. Hwari Ship Shop (3)

Hwari Ship Shop successfully completed its relocation to the new storefront.
“I truly cannot thank you enough.”
“Then you need only work hard to earn money.”
“How could there be any doubt?”
To announce the expansion and relocation, I distributed mooncakes to everyone near Dongjeong Lake.
Inside each mooncake was a small note containing blessings for the Mid-Autumn Festival.
“Now that we’ve distributed them all, shall we have some mooncakes ourselves?”
We each took a mooncake and began to eat.
“By the way, what note came out of Kang Shop Owner’s mooncake?”
In response to my question, Kang Shop Owner showed me the note.

[If you never lose your conviction, everything will ultimately turn out well]

Was it mere coincidence?
It was the very message I wished to convey.
I spoke to him.
“To be honest, the Daegun Trading Company will likely continue to nitpick and obstruct us at every turn.”
“Indeed they will.”
“But if you hold fast to your principles and convictions, conducting yourself as you have until now, then just as this blessing foretells, everything will ultimately work out.”
I looked into his eyes and asked.
“Can you promise me that?”
“I have already pledged my word to the Small Merchant Guild Leader. Trust is the lifeblood of a merchant. How could I betray it?”
“I am grateful for your words.”
.
.
.
Just as I anticipated, the Daegun Trading Company opened a new boat shop in the exact location where Hwari Ship Shop had been.
The name of the shop was Daegun Boat House.
And to commemorate the opening of the shop, they offered an incredibly cheap package featuring a large boat tour around Dongjeong Lake.
It was only natural that crowds flocked to Daegun Boat House.

Listening to Lee Pil Warrior’s report, I nodded in acknowledgment.
“I see.”
“Young Master. Why aren’t you engaging in price competition this time?”
Looking at Palgap’s face, I could see the curiosity written across it.
I let out a soft chuckle.
“Because it’s a price war that doesn’t need to be fought.”
With those words, I rose from my seat.
“Where is Kang Shop Owner?”
“He’s at Hwari Ship Shop right now.”
I left the inn and headed toward Hwari Ship Shop.
As expected, there were no customers at Hwari Ship Shop.
“Are you here?”
“Ah! Welcome!”
Kang Shop Owner greeted me warmly.
Despite the fact that he must be struggling with no one wanting to board ships due to Daegun Boat House’s aggressive pricing, he showed no sign of distress—truly, a remarkable man is remarkable indeed.
“Kang Shop Owner.”
“Yes, Small Guild Master.”
“I’d like to board a boat today as well. Would that be possible?”
“Of course. When were you thinking of boarding?”
“I think the evening watch would be nice—the moon should be visible and beautiful then.”
“Then I’ll prepare for that time.”
“I’ll see you then.”
With that farewell to Kang Shop Owner, I left Hwari Ship Shop.
“Palgap.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Are you a good swimmer?”
“Of course. I was once called the Catfish of Chongyang County.”
The Catfish…
That somehow suits him perfectly.
“Good.”
If my memory serves, the accident happens today.
That’s why I asked to board Hwari Ship Shop’s boat.
Those who died in that accident all carried tragic circumstances.
It couldn’t be otherwise—none of them were people of means.
This time, I will save them without fail.
The best approach would be to prevent the boat from launching altogether, but reckless methods that ignore safety will inevitably cause accidents.
If I’m not careful, an even greater disaster could occur.
Better to let the accident happen and rescue them instead.
Since it’s not an explosion or anything of that nature, with proper preparation, I should be able to save everyone.
.
.
.
As the sun began to set, I led Palgap and the guards toward Hwari Ship Shop.
“Welcome.”
“Yes. Is the boat ready?”
“Of course.”
I pressed several silver coins into his hand.
“The passage fare.”
“Ah, no need.”
“Please take it. Every time a boat sets sail, there are expenses involved, and I have no wish to cause the Shop Manager any loss.”
“…Thank you for your kindness.”
He pocketed the coins and spoke.
“Then allow me to show you aboard.”

The Hwari Ship Shop’s vessel was large enough to accommodate some fifty passengers in addition to the oarsmen and crew.
Beyond our party, there were about ten other travelers aboard.
I found myself curious as to why they had chosen the Hwari Ship Shop’s boat over the Daegun Shop’s.

“We went to Daegun Shop first, but they were packing a vessel of similar size with around a hundred people.”
“….”
“So we got our money back and booked passage here instead. I heard they never exceed capacity on this boat.”
said one passenger.

“Why else would the saying ‘old officials make good officials’ exist?”
said another passenger.

“I used this boat before, and I have such fond memories of it that I decided to book passage again.”
said yet another passenger.
Their reasons varied, but all spoke to the same truth—this boat was exceptional.

A moment later,
I watched as Kang Shop Owner climbed aboard the boat himself to inspect whether there were any safety issues, and the Ship Captain asked him a question.
“Didn’t you just inspect it?”
“There might be something I missed… but I’ve checked everything now.”
Kang Shop Owner spoke to the Ship Captain.
“Remind the passengers once more of the safety precautions, then we’ll depart.”
“Understood.”
The Ship Captain’s resonant voice rang out across the boat as he cautioned the passengers about safety measures.
“Then, we’ll depart shortly!”
Kang Shop Owner bowed to me.
“Then, have a pleasant journey.”
“Thank you.”
As Kang Shop Owner disembarked, the boat immediately set off.
Since we were traveling at night, lanterns hung throughout the vessel, and thanks to them, there was no difficulty in admiring the reflection of the moon on the lake.
“If we had a net, it seems we could scoop up the moon with it.”
“You’re absolutely right.”
After enjoying the scenery in such pleasant conversation, I quietly approached the Ship Captain who was steering the boat.
“I understand your route overlaps considerably with that of the Daegun Shop.”
“That’s correct.”
“It must be awkward when you encounter their boats.”
“Not particularly. The Shop Owner instructed me that if they attempt to overtake us, simply let them pass first. I share the same view.”
The Ship Captain continued seriously.
“In truth, this boat is the place closest to death. Here, the boundary between life and death is divided by nothing more than wooden planks, isn’t it?”
“That’s true.”
“So it would be foolish to display competitive spirit in such a place.”
I nodded in agreement with his words.
“I’ve heard that the Daegun Shop’s boats carry an excessive number of passengers.”
“With so many people crowding aboard, they apparently do this every time.”
“In that case, if you had to identify the most dangerous section of Dongjeong Lake, where would you say it is?”
“There’s no need to look far. It’s right there.”
He pointed ahead with his hand.
“That section has strong currents and sharp turns. Therefore, all passengers must grip the safety ropes tightly and hold on.”
The Ship Captain continued.
“However, if too many passengers are aboard, there won’t be enough safety ropes for everyone to hold, and those unable to grip a rope will be thrown to the side, causing the boat to lose its balance.”
“….”
“Surely no fool would board so many passengers that they couldn’t even grip the safety ropes.”
No,
that fool exists.
It was then.
Clang, clang, clang—!
A loud bell sound rang out from behind. Turning around, I saw a boat of similar size to mine approaching at high speed.
“It’s a Daegun Shop boat.”
“I see.”
It moved with a threatening manner, as if it would ram us if we didn’t get out of the way.
The Ship Captain gave a bitter smile and signaled to the rowers, and our boat moved aside.
As the passing boat went by, it was clearly carrying an enormous number of passengers.
Seeing this, the Ship Captain clicked his tongue.
“That one’s carrying even more passengers than usual today. If a madman wants to become a water ghost, he should jump in alone! This kind of ××, ××ing ×××….”
Harsh language spilled from the Ship Captain’s mouth.
“Oh! My apologies. I didn’t mean to….”
“No, I share the same sentiment. But don’t the captain and crew of that boat know how dangerous it is to carry so many?”
“They must know. But what can they do? If they don’t do as ordered from above, who knows what retaliation they might face.”
“….”
“The Daegun Trading Company is absolute in these waters. It doesn’t concern me since I belong elsewhere. Haha.”
He spoke to me.
“That’s why I’m grateful. For not abandoning the Hwari Ship Shop.”
“Don’t mention it. I didn’t want to abandon it either.”
Just then, Palgap shouted.
“Huh? That boat… something’s wrong with it!”
We all rushed to the deck and looked ahead.
The boat tilting sharply.
Water churning violently.
It was the Sharp Turn Section the Ship Captain had mentioned earlier.
“Aaaahhhhh!”
“Kyaaahhh!”
Screams erupted, and the boat capsized completely, beginning to sink slowly.
“No! Let’s go rescue them at once!”
“Of course!”
The Ship Captain immediately nodded and steered the boat in that direction.
Those experienced in diving jumped into the lake.
When rescuing someone who’s fallen into water, one must not approach recklessly.
They instinctively thrash about, restricting the movements of their would-be rescuer.
So I chose to knock them unconscious to save them more quickly.
Tap—!
I struck their vital points to render them unconscious and brought them to our boat.
Those remaining on deck pulled them up and checked their condition.
Those who had swallowed much water had their chests pressed to expel it, while those who had merely lost consciousness were laid down comfortably.
I glanced at Palgap.
The old tales of him being called a catfish in his youth seemed no exaggeration—he moved through the water with considerable speed.
And having learned martial arts from Jin Yu Warrior, he was employing the same technique I was using.
Seo-woo Warrior, Yeo Eung-am Warrior, Lee Pil Warrior, and the crew of Hwari Ship Shop all moved with urgent purpose.
Moreover, the boats of those who had been boating nearby, just as in my previous life, joined in the effort.
As a result, I thought we had rescued everyone who had fallen into the water… but then.
“Ah! My son! I can’t see my son In-seon!”
At a woman’s cry, the man who appeared to be her husband looked about in panic.
A man raised his hand and spoke.
“I think I saw a young child heading down toward where the warriors were.”
I asked him.
“Is that true?”
“Ah, yes!”
The boat had already sunk to the point where its form was barely visible.
This meant we would need to dive completely to search, which was difficult unless one had professionally trained in water techniques.
Even Seo-woo Warrior, experienced and at the peak of his martial prowess, looked troubled.
But I was fine with it.
“I’ll go retrieve him.”
“My lord, it’s dangerous.”
I said to Seo-woo Warrior, who tried to stop me.
“I can manage.”
And I sent a telepathic message to Seo-woo Warrior.
– I can use the water techniques I’ve learned.
– But….
– How can we pretend we didn’t see the child? Time is critical.
– …I will definitely master water techniques.
I smiled and dove straight into the water.
Then, using the Glacial Harmony Heart Method that Master had taught me, I deployed the Glacial Water Severing Technique.
I could see the boat sinking below.
As I approached the boat, I concentrated my energy perception.
A faint trace of human life force.
There was still time.
I hurried after that presence and entered the boat.
Fortunately, I found the child quickly, but the child had swallowed much water and lost consciousness.
As I rushed out of the boat, I noticed a rock that seemed oddly familiar.
Hmm?
It looks similar to something I saw when I went to the Northern Sea not long ago.
But now was not the time to investigate that.
I quickly emerged from the water with the child.
“Gasp—!”
“He’s out!”
I handed the child over and climbed onto the boat. Soon people rushed to the child, pressing his chest and striking his back in frantic movements.
“Cough—!”
Fortunately, the child coughed up water and regained consciousness.
“He’s alive. He’s alive!”
“Thank goodness!”
“What a relief!”
Seeing this, I felt a deep sense of satisfaction.
“You’ve worked hard, sir,” Palgap said.
I nodded at his words.
“Yeah, that was really exhausting.”
At that moment, the child’s parents and several others approached me and bowed their heads.
“Thank you so much.”
“Thank you.”
“The Great Hero is the savior of my life.”
“As expected of Seon Hyeop Mi-rang, the Great Hero.”
What? Where did this title Seon Hyeop Mi-rang come from?
When I turned to look, I saw Palgap’s proud expression.
So it was you.
In any case, I was grateful that everyone had been saved without any loss of life.
Phew!
I’d prevented the disaster, but now I had my own work to do.
With the situation having developed this way, I couldn’t simply let it pass.
At that moment, one of the passengers spoke to the Ship Captain.
“Excuse me, but please take us to the Daegun Boat House.”
“We need to file a complaint about this incident.”
I told the Ship Captain to do as they wished.
For what came next, I needed their anger.

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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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