The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 241

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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 241

Chapter 241. Beijing Branch (1)

I couldn’t help but let out a hollow laugh.
Anyone who had set foot in the Martial Arts World would know that name.
Two hundred years ago, there was a hero in the Martial Arts World who had achieved great deeds in the war against the Blood Sect.
Geuk Cheon Sword Gwak Hoon.
However, it was said that he devoted himself more to martial arts training than to expanding his influence.
After that, no descendants remarkable enough to stand out appeared, and the family line was said to have ended just like that.
So the martial arts technique the Northern Sea Ice Palace Master taught me was the supreme technique of Geuk Cheon Sword?
Did that mean there was some connection between the descendants of Geuk Cheon Sword and the Northern Sea Ice Palace?
“I thought I’d heard that martial arts name from somewhere… so that’s how it was.”
“By the way, are you planning to primarily use that martial arts technique going forward?”
“That was my intention, but is there some problem with it?”
“Not at all. It’s just that when we passed through the Northern Sea this time, you only used the Heavenly Stream Ice Sword… so I was wondering if perhaps something had changed. Besides, it felt like you’ve been trying to avoid displaying your martial arts to outsiders as much as possible.”
“You noticed.”
Seo-woo Warrior answered with a smile.
“All the guards already know of this.”
The truth was, my reluctance to use martial arts had several reasons. First, there was no need for me to step forward.
I had two peak-level warriors and two first-class warriors as my guards.
Second, by appearing not to have learned martial arts, I could avoid drawing the Murim Alliance’s attention.
But now that I was traversing the Central Plains, I couldn’t avoid using martial arts forever.
Third, I was uneasy about using Seolpung Palace’s martial arts. I had no way of knowing who the culprit was that had exterminated Seolpung Palace.
Even my Master said that most people wouldn’t be able to recognize it, but still advised me to refrain from using the technique if possible.
I fell into thought while looking at Seo-woo Warrior.
Guards were those to whom I had entrusted my life.
And from what I had observed so far, they were trustworthy people.
Then I ought to reciprocate their trust.
“First, the guards protecting me are so skilled that I didn’t think there was any need for me to step in.”
“I see. Thank you for trusting us.”
“Of course I must trust you.”
I smiled.
“And… as you know, the martial arts I learned are from a place called Seolpung Palace.”
Seo-woo Warrior nodded.
“And currently, I don’t know who destroyed Seolpung Palace.”
“There are rumors that the culprit was the Demonic Cult, and others say it was the Northern Sea Ice Palace… but nothing is certain.”
“Yes. That culprit surely had some reason for exterminating Seolpung Palace. If it became known that I had learned Seolpung Palace’s martial arts in such circumstances, my life could be in danger.”
“…Yes, that would certainly be the case.”
“That’s why I’ve been careful not to reveal my martial prowess.”
“…Just as Jin Yu Warrior says.”
“Pardon? Jin Yu Warrior?”
Seo-woo Warrior nodded. We all knew that Jin Yu Warrior hailed from Seolpung Palace.
Previously, when the White Thunder Group had come to escort Ma Jang-ju’s investment funds, Jin Yu Warrior had revealed his past at that time.
“Jin Yu Warrior once mentioned that the reason our lord is reluctant to display his martial prowess is likely because he’s mindful of those who destroyed Seolpung Palace.”
Seo-woo Warrior continued.
“If you’re going to disguise yourself anyway, wouldn’t it be better to do it thoroughly? After all, Pyo Du’s surname is Gwak, is it not?”
“Ah!”
The Geuk Cheon Sword’s name was Gwak Hoon.
And my Master’s name was Gwak Myung-hyun.
The reason the Bing Palace Master had taught me the Heavenly Stream Ice Sword was likely not unrelated to this.
The Gwak Family Clan’s lineage had already been severed—who would dare raise objections to this?
“That’s actually a good idea.”
.
.
.
We crossed the grasslands at considerable speed and arrived in Beijing after passing through Liaoning.
Once again, I found myself indebted to my Aunt’s Residence.
“Did you have a good journey?”
“Yes, Aunt.”
“That’s a relief. But you’ve brought that young lady with you again.”
My Aunt’s eyes gleamed as she looked at Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master standing beside me.
Aunt, we’re really not like that, I tell you.

That evening.
I shared tea with my Aunt, and during our conversation, I heard something quite interesting.
“Our Seon-mi, it seems, took tea with the Empress.”
“Is that so?”
I feigned surprise on the surface, but inwardly, I smiled.
The Emperor had granted my request.
“She was invited to a gathering where the wives of the Great Scholars from Apricot Flower Academy were being received….”
It seemed the Emperor had been considerate in ensuring Seon-mi wouldn’t stand out too conspicuously.
“Isn’t it wonderful?”
“Yes. From now on, Seon-mi’s in-laws will no longer look down upon her.”
Seeing my Aunt so pleased, I felt a quiet satisfaction that my support had borne fruit.

After finishing my conversation with my Aunt, I headed to my quarters.
Now that I thought about it…
I would be coming to Beijing more frequently in the future, and I wasn’t sure if this arrangement would continue to work.
My Aunt and Uncle would say it was fine, but I felt guilty imposing on their residence every time.
And it wasn’t just me—quite a few people would be coming and going regularly.
There was only one conclusion.
I needed to establish a proper branch office for the Eun Hae Trading Company in Beijing.
We did have a shop in Beijing currently, but it wasn’t anywhere near the scale of a proper branch office.
Naturally, it lacked the capacity to handle important matters.
That’s why I only recently learned that the Palace Sage Hall had been abolished and the Minister of Treasury and Minister of Works had been dismissed.
This fell under the Information Bureau’s domain, but even they were limited in their movements without a branch office in place.
That couldn’t continue.
Currently, the Eun Hae Trading Company ranked fortieth among the hundred greatest merchant guilds in the Realm.
To make a leap to higher ranks, we needed a proper branch office in Beijing, the Imperial Capital itself.
In my previous life, I didn’t formally establish a branch office here until I was thirty years old.
But the circumstances were different now.
The Apricot Flower Academy, which the Eun Hae Trading Company invested over half its operating budget into, was located here, and we were already supplying silk to the Imperial Court, so the time had come.
Besides, we had ample funds.
Where would be a good location for the property?
There was a place where the Eun Hae Trading Company’s Beijing branch had been located in my previous life, but honestly, it wasn’t a location I particularly favored.
At that time, the suitable locations for establishing our branch in Beijing had already been claimed by others.
So we had no choice but to settle there.
But now, there was a suitable location.
In my previous life, there was a plot of land where the Baekcheon Trading Company had established their second Beijing branch.
But in this life, it would be ours—the Eun Hae Trading Company’s.
.
.
.
The next day, Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster came to find me.
I had sent word immediately upon arriving yesterday that I had visited the Emperor, and it seemed he had sent Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster after seeing that message.
“Did you return safely?”
“Yes, Great Swordmaster.”
“His Majesty the Emperor asked me to come check on your well-being.”
“I am unharmed.”
He examined me carefully before nodding.
“So it appears. I’ll report this to His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Yes.”
“By the way, have the Eunuch Officials made any approach yet?”
“No one has come looking for me yet.”
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster nodded.
“That’s fortunate. I don’t know when they’ll come calling, but be cautious of whatever they propose. They’re deceitful through and through.”
“I’ll keep that in mind. Oh, and please convey my gratitude to the Emperor.”
“Understood.”

After Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster departed, I exhaled deeply.
I realized I needed to leave Beijing quickly if I wanted to avoid getting entangled in these complicated affairs.
“Palgap.”
“Yes! You called for me?”
“We’re departing tomorrow morning. Inform everyone of this.”
“Understood.”

The next day, we departed Beijing.
My Aunt and Uncle, along with Seon-il Elder Brother, urged us to stay longer, but I declined under the pretense of pressing business matters—which was true enough.
It was genuine, after all.
Even now, my responsibilities continue to accumulate.
There’s also the matter of our schedule being delayed because Jin-ho Elder Brother’s drinking problem got in the way.
Sigh…
I shouldn’t dwell on it.
Thus we departed Beijing, passed through Hebei and Henan, and arrived at the Eun Hae Trading Company Headquarters in Hubei.
Perhaps because we had been away on such a long journey, all the family members came out to greet us warmly.
“Welcome home.”
“Father, I have returned.”
Jin-ho Elder Brother and his wife also reported that they had returned safely and well.
“Ah.”
Jin-ho Elder Brother produced an envelope he had been carrying.
“This is a letter sent by my mother-in-law. And this is a letter from my grandmother-in-law.”
“Grandmother-in-law, you say…?”
Father asked, and his wife answered.
“My maternal grandmother is also a disciple of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“Hah! So you even met your grandmother-in-law. It seems you had a good journey.”
Jin-ho Elder Brother spoke with a smile.
“Yes. It appears the trip was worthwhile. I was very well-received there.”
“Then it’s fortunate indeed.”
Watching that warm scene unfold, a wicked thought suddenly crossed my mind.
The thought of reporting to Father that Jin-ho Elder Brother’s drinking problem had caused delays in our schedule, so that a drinking prohibition would be issued.
Training under the Ancestor in martial arts had been truly exhausting, after all.
I do tend to hold grudges…
“Sigh…”
I exhaled with a sigh.
Still, it wasn’t entirely Jin-ho Elder Brother’s fault, so I, being virtuous, should endure it.
Damn it.

I returned to my residence at Mun Gok Hall, washed thoroughly, adjusted my attire, and made my way to Father’s office.
There was something I needed to report to Father separately.
“Well then, did you complete the task I assigned you?”
“Yes, Father.”
I explained methodically what Father had commanded, and he seemed satisfied with my account.
“You’ve done well.”
“Father, if I may, there is one matter I wish to discuss with you.”
“Go ahead. What is it?”
“During this journey, I came to realize that we should establish a branch office of the Eun Hae Trading Company in Beijing.”
“A branch office in Beijing?”
“Yes.”
I explained the necessity of this to Father, and he nodded in agreement.
“Your words have merit. The time has come for the Eun Hae Trading Company to make a serious push into Beijing. Very well. I shall formally present this as an agenda item at tomorrow’s Eun-wol Pavilion meeting.”
“Thank you.”

After concluding my conversation with Father, I returned to Mun Gok Hall. A guest was waiting there.
Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master.
Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, who had escorted our party to the Eun Hae Trading Company Headquarters, was staying here.
“You’ve arrived.”
“Ah, yes. Have you been waiting long?”
“No. I just arrived.”
She held something wrapped in white cloth in her hands. She extended it toward me and spoke.
“I came to give you this.”
“What is this?”
“Open it and see.”
I accepted it and unwrapped the cloth.
“…!”
It was a book, and its title astonished me.
It was the genealogy of the Gwak Family Clan—a family register.
“The Palace Master gave this to me and instructed me to present it to you once we arrived safely at the Eun Hae Trading Company.”
Inside was a letter.
I unfolded the letter and read it.

[I trust that one as perceptive as you will understand the significance of this.]

“Ah….”
So the Bing Palace Master did have an intention behind this.
“Please tell her I will use it most gratefully.”
“Of course. And I plan to depart tomorrow morning.”
“You’ve come such a long way—you’re welcome to stay longer.”
“No.”
She shook her head.
“I must return before the snowwind blows. And I’ve come to realize something recently.”
“It seems you’ve gained enlightenment.”
At my question, Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, let out a soft laugh.
“To be honest, I thought I was the best until now, but I met someone even greater than me. I can’t stand falling behind.”
But why was she looking at me and smiling like that?
Though I didn’t understand the reason, I answered her words nonetheless.
“I wish you great achievement in your martial cultivation.”

The next morning, Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, departed at dawn. I learned of it thanks to Lee Pil Warrior, who was on guard duty at that hour.
“I see. Thank you for letting me know.”
“Not at all.”
As always, I went out to the courtyard and performed my breathing meditation.
The moment I finished my breathing meditation, Master arrived with uncanny precision.
“Master, you’ve arrived?”
“I heard you visited the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“Yes.”
At the time, Master was traveling, so I hadn’t been able to inform him of it.
But now, looking at Master’s face, the anecdotes about his childhood that the Northern Sea Ice Palace Master had told me came flooding back.
Oh no, this is trouble.
I tried not to look at Master’s face, but there was no way Master wouldn’t notice my behavior.
“You seem rather odd today.”
“Ahem! My apologies.”
“Did you perhaps cause some trouble I’m unaware of? Why can’t you look me in the eye?”
“It’s not that….”
At this rate, the misunderstanding would only deepen.
“During my visit to the Northern Sea, I met the Northern Sea Ice Palace Master.”
“The Palace Master, you say?”
“Yes. And she told me about your childhood—stories like the White Jade Island incident and the time you were punished…”
At my explanation, Master muttered quietly.
“…That damned old woman.”

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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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