The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 205

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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 205

Chapter 205. Yangyang Martial School (4)

What lay buried beneath the earth was a rather large box, lacquered with meticulous care.
We excavated further and carefully extracted the box, then opened it with deliberate caution.
Inside were twelve bottles, each hermetically sealed.
The mouths of the bottles were wrapped in multiple layers of white paper, arranged in a manner that resembled white lotus blossoms.
What is this?
As I tilted my head in bewilderment, Ha Pyo-du approached us and, upon glimpsing the bottles within the box, cried out in astonishment.
“S-surely! This! Could this be Ice Lotus Wine?”
“Pardon? What is Ice Lotus Wine?”
“It is wine fermented from ice lotus, which can only be obtained in the Northern Sea. Moreover, Ice Lotus Wine can only be brewed by the Northern Sea Ice Palace and Seolpung Palace.”
Ha Pyo-du was utterly beside himself with excitement.
“Once you taste it, you can never forget its exquisite flavor….”
He spoke in praise of the wine for nearly a quarter of an hour.
It must be an extraordinarily precious wine indeed.
“The brewing method for Ice Lotus Wine was lost when Seolpung Palace was destroyed… Currently, only the Northern Sea Ice Palace can produce Ice Lotus Wine.”
So this is truly a rare wine that cannot be obtained even in the Central Plains, no matter how desperately one searches!
“Might I examine it for a moment?”
“Ah, yes.”
Ha Pyo-du carefully withdrew one of the bottles from the box and inspected it.
Written upon the paper wrapping the bottle’s neck was the date of fermentation.
“And Ice Lotus Wine becomes more precious the longer it ages. Let me see… Gasp!”
In that instant, Ha Pyo-du’s breath seemed to catch.
“E-e….”
“Ha Pyo-du! Compose yourself!”
“Gasp! Gasp!”
Curious about Ha Pyo-du’s reaction, I glanced at the paper wrapping the bottle.
Heavens! E-eight hundred years?
That meant this wine was fermented during the time when my Ancestor was still alive.
This is truly priceless in every sense of the word.
“Eight hundred years ago… the aroma of this wine must be utterly indescribable.”
“Indeed.”
“Even wine aged merely ten years possesses extraordinary flavor, but eight hundred years!”
Ha Pyo-du continued.
“And this wine, being fermented from ice lotus, clears the mind. It can dispel even the most stubborn worries and afflictions.”
….
I think I understand why the Ancestor gave me this wine as a gift.
It must be his way of telling me to come to my senses after drinking it.
But Ancestor, I’ve already come to my senses.
So I’ll give this wine to Ha Pyo-du, whose eyes are gleaming excessively, and to my Master at the Pyoguk, and I’ll save the rest for the day I complete my revenge—to raise a toast celebrating the occasion.
To commemorate the day I deal a decisive blow to the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Murim Alliance.

* * *

Ha Cheol Pyo-du wondered if what he was seeing now was a dream.
‘Phew! I almost died of a heart attack!’
It was that astonishing.
Wine made by Seolpung Palace eight hundred years ago!
When Seolpung Palace was destroyed, he had been around thirty years old.
He had been a disciple of Seolpung Palace, but he was working outside as a Pyo-du.
It was one of Seolpung Palace’s rules that once martial arts reached a certain level, disciples would spend about ten years working outside.
This was called the Washing Snow Journey.
It was to prevent Seolpung Palace from becoming isolated from the outside world.
Thanks to that, he knew of the Ice Lotus Wine made by Seolpung Palace.
Seolpung Palace’s Ice Lotus Wine was made from Ice Lotus, which was treated as a spiritual elixir, and was sealed using a special method, so it was called a wine that could be preserved for up to a thousand years.
One of the characteristics of that special sealing was wrapping the bottle’s stopper with white paper folded into a lotus flower shape.
And since Ice Lotus bloomed once every ten years, the Ice Lotus Wine was also produced on that same schedule.
One cup was bestowed upon disciples departing for the Washing Snow Journey and one cup upon their return.
Ha Cheol Pyo-du had never forgotten the taste of the Ice Lotus Wine he drank when he departed for his Washing Snow Journey.
It was refreshingly indescribable, while simultaneously awakening all the senses.
And that feeling of all worldly troubles disappearing.
‘I thought I would never see this again….’
He looked at Eun Seo-ho with an expression full of emotion.
Meanwhile, Eun Seo-ho still seemed not to fully understand the significance of this Ice Lotus Wine.
Well, that makes sense… wait?
“But Small Guild Master.”
“Yes?”
“How did you know this wine was here, and how did you come to order us to dig?”
His thoughts suddenly turned to that question.
“To be honest, the moment you woke up and suddenly told Palgap to dig, I looked at you with suspicion….”
“Ah, about that.”
Eun Seo-ho scratched behind his ear as he spoke.
“A handsome man appeared in my dream and told me to dig here. He said he had prepared a gift.”
“Did he perhaps have a blue ornament hanging from his waist?”
“That’s right.”
“Heavens… that is our Seolpung Palace’s Ancestor.
“Ah….”
Ha Cheol Pyo-du finally understood Gwak Myung-hyun’s decision.
Gwak Myung-hyun had designated Eun Seo-ho as the Lesser Palace Mistress of Seolpung Palace.
When many had questioned this choice, he had said it plainly.

“He is the next Palace Master, prepared by the Instructor.”

At that time, I could not comprehend those words.
It was difficult even to accept that decision.
No matter how one spoke of him as a disciple, he was not Gwak Myung-hyun’s blood relative, and worse still—the third son of a merchant guild utterly unrelated to Seolpung Palace was being made Lesser Palace Mistress. It made no sense.
But now, I could not help but believe that Eun Seo-ho was the next Palace Master prepared by the Instructor.
Before my very eyes had appeared the Bing Lian Wine—unmistakable evidence of something created during the Instructor’s time of activity.
“Ah, I’ll give you one bottle.”
“You’re truly giving it to me?”
“Yes. However, since we’re traveling at the moment, it would be difficult to store it, so I’ll keep it safe and give it to you once we return.”
“I understand, but how will you store it?”
At his question, Eun Seo-ho smiled faintly and replied.
“In truth, I possess a vessel bestowed upon me by the Emperor himself.”
“I see.”
This young nobleman before me likely did not know.
That he, who had not tasted the Bing Lian Wine again, had yet to complete his own Seseol Journey.

“Return safely, Cheol.”

I found myself longing for the late Palace Master, who had spoken those words to me while pouring the Bing Lian Wine into his own cup.

* * *

We set out on the road once more.
I glanced back over my shoulder.
The place where my people and I had died in my previous life.
Yes, memories do not fade away.
But this place would no longer be somewhere that made me tense or conjured fearful recollections.
It would become a place that steeled my resolve and ignited my fighting spirit.
I often found myself thinking about it.
What had become of the Eunhae Trading Company after I died.
Surely all the household members perished as well. And the Eunhae Trading Company would have scattered to the winds…
No, given Namgung Kang’s greedy nature, he likely devoured the Eunhae Trading Company whole.
It was a merchant guild ripe with appetizing assets, after all.
Ah, it made my stomach churn.
Thinking of it left me seething with bitterness.
Yes, to avoid such a wretched fate, I had to grow stronger.
I had to become the Greatest Merchant Guild Under Heaven.
And I would strike back at both the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Murim Alliance.

After traveling for several days, we finally arrived in Hangzhou.
“Is this the place called Hangzhou?”
Ha Pyo-doo answered Palgap’s question.
“Indeed, it is.”
Was it because I had given him a bottle of Bing Lian liquor?
His demeanor had grown noticeably softer than before.
Moreover, there was an added courtesy in how he treated me.
Until then, he had merely been the brother of a prospective son-in-law and had observed proper etiquette as my Master had requested, nothing more.
Was Bing Lian liquor truly so precious?
Precious enough to inspire such newfound courtesy?
As I pondered this, I couldn’t help but chuckle—it was the expressions on Palgap and the Guard Warriors’ faces as they gazed upon Hangzhou’s scenery.
The great West Lake and the boats floating upon its waters, along with the small islands dotting it.
The sight resembled a paradise where Immortal Sages wanded freely.
Winter had its own charm and elegance, certainly.
But I never expected Seo-woo Warrior to wear such an expression.
“Is this your first time in Hangzhou for all of you?”
“Ah, yes.”
Seo-woo Warrior replied.
“When I worked at the Pyoguk, I was assigned exclusively to the Yunnan region.”
“And you, Jin Yu Warrior?”
“Yes, I never had the opportunity.”
“We also strangely never drew assignments to this route.”
“That’s how it goes. Haha.”
Since I was already in Hangzhou, it wouldn’t be a bad idea to visit a good tavern and enjoy myself after taking care of business.
Of course, only after I resolved the matter at hand.
I wouldn’t be able to drink, but the scenery here was worth experiencing.
Besides, when I came back later to acquire this tavern, there would be no guests and poor management, so it wouldn’t feel the same as it does now.
.
.
.
“That is the Yangyang Martial School.”
Ha Pyo-doo pointed to a building located somewhat on the outskirts of the West Lake area.
The Yangyang Martial School appeared quite ordinary on the surface.
A black-tiled wall enclosed what seemed to be a fairly spacious plot of roughly five hundred pyeong.
Inside, I could see buildings, and the spirited shouts of children practicing martial arts echoed from within.
“Hah!”
“Hut!”
“Extend your arms more!”
“Hah!”
“Don’t spread your legs too wide!”
“Hap!”
Since there was no gate keeper, we followed Ha Pyo-doo through the entrance of the martial school.
A young warrior who had been instructing the children noticed us and told them to rest before approaching.
“Has Ha Pyo-doo arrived?”
“Yes, where is the School Master?”
“He stepped out briefly.”
At that moment, a familiar voice called from behind us.
“Oh? Ha Elder Brother, you’ve come?”
As we turned around, a recognizable figure was entering through the main gate.
It was Yeom Jin-yeon, the School Master of this place.
He greeted Ha Pyo-doo warmly, then looked at me with surprise.
“Oh? What brings the young master of Eun here?”
Ha Pyo-doo spoke in his grave tone instead.
“He has come with full authority delegated by the Palace Master.”
.
.
.
The Chief Manager’s Office of the Yangyang Martial School.
A brief silence fell.
We waited for Yeom, or rather the School Master, to compose himself.
“So… you’re saying the young master of Eun is also a disciple of Seolpung Palace?”
“Yes, I am receiving instruction in martial arts from Gwak Pyo-du, who serves as the Palace Master.”
“Then why did you pretend not to know about Seolpung Palace back then?”
“I apologize for that. My Master instructed me to keep it confidential as much as possible.”
“Ah… then there’s nothing to be done about it. But the sponsorship funds you provided before…?”
“Aren’t the children here my disciples? So I offered it with the heart of a senior brother. And.”
I continued.
“I also came to fulfill the promise I made to provide further sponsorship.”
“I see. But if Gwak Myung-hyun trusted you enough to delegate full authority, that speaks volumes—though he’s not the type to trust someone simply because they’re a disciple.”
The way the Palace Master of Seolpung Palace was being addressed was far too familiar, so I asked carefully.
“Could it be that the old friend you mentioned before, the one who had passed away, is my Master?”
“Ah, yes. That’s correct. Though the part about being dead was a lie.”
“As I thought. But it seems you are not a disciple of Seolpung Palace, Chief Manager…”
“That’s right.”
Yeom Chief Manager nodded with a smile.
“I am not a disciple of Seolpung Palace. That’s why I call Gwak Myung-hyun by his name rather than as Palace Master.”
Indeed, what disciple would address their Palace Master by name?
He smiled sheepishly and clarified my confusion.
“Truth be told, I came to see my daughter Hyun-i, and somehow ended up staying and becoming Chief Manager. But have you heard about the situation at our martial school?”
“Yes, that’s precisely why I came. Since I work at the trading company, I thought perhaps we could find some solution.”
“I see. In fact, I just returned from going out because the Manor Lord who owns this land summoned me.”
He let out a sigh.
“The construction start date has been confirmed. They’ve decided to begin in mid-March of next year. However.”
He continued speaking with an expression devoid of emotion.
“He demanded that we pay the demolition costs.”
“Pardon?”
What did I just hear?
Pay what?
I asked Yeom Chief Manager again.
“He asked you to pay the demolition costs?”
“Yes.”
The lack of expression on Yeom Chief Manager’s face wasn’t because he truly felt nothing.
It was because he was utterly flabbergasted.
Not only were they suddenly being told to leave after living here peacefully for over a decade, but instead of offering compensation, he was demanding we pay the demolition costs.
Of course, the landowner had the right to request evacuation.
But this wasn’t an illegally constructed building—it had been built with permission.
In that case, it was only right to offer compensation.
Yet he was demanding demolition costs?
“Do you happen to have a contract or something from when you leased the land?”
“Ah, yes. I do have one, but I’m afraid it won’t be of much help.”
Saying so, Yeom Chief Manager brought out the contract.
I read through the contract.

Yim pays Palgap five silver taels every January as rent for five hundred pyeong of land located at ××.

A contract consisting of truly just one clause.
I began to understand why he had said it wouldn’t be helpful.
Five hundred pyeong for five silver taels—that’s remarkably cheap!
Such an inexpensive rental rate suggests there must be some reason behind it.
Yet even if the previous Chief Manager wouldn’t have cared, a Manor Lord of Palgap’s standing would never have drafted even a minor contract so carelessly.
He would have maintained at least the bare minimum formalities.
Something feels off about this…

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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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