The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 242

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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 242

Chapter 242. Beijing Branch (2)

I could tell that my Master was embarrassed right now.
His right wrist, exposed as he placed his hand on his forehead, had turned red.
Only today did I learn that my Master’s wrist reddens when he feels embarrassed.
Hmm, that’s quite peculiar.
“It’s fine, Master. Doesn’t everyone have one or two such anecdotes from their childhood?”
“You needn’t console me. It is the truth, after all.”
“….”
“And hearing such consolation only makes it more shameful. In any case… ahem, so that’s why it was difficult for you to train while looking at me.”
I bowed my head with my fists clasped.
“I apologize.”
“Good. Today’s training shall proceed with your eyes closed.”
“…Yes?”
Master, you’re not saying this because I heard such a story from the Bing Palace Master, are you?
It was beyond my control, I assure you.
.
.
.
Training had ended.
I had truly trained the Jinseol Sword Technique with my eyes covered, and it was genuinely exhausting.
“You have worked hard.”
“Thank you for your instruction. And I….”
I spoke carefully.
“When I visited the Northern Sea Ice Palace this time, I encountered an Anbae from the Ancestor.”
“…!”
My words caused my Master’s eyes to widen sharply.
“The Anbae I encountered this time concerns a martial technique called the Extreme Yin Soul Ice Technique.”
“Is that truly so?”
My Master’s expression showed great surprise.
“Do you know what it is?”
“Of course. Isn’t that one of the martial techniques that only the Palace Master of Seolpung Palace can master? However….”
My Master trailed off and closed his eyes.
Then, suppressing his sorrow, he continued speaking.
“My father passed away early, and I was not able to receive it. Thus, I am not a complete Palace Master now.”
My Master, having spoken thus, then asked me a question.
“But if you’re talking about arrangements regarding the Extreme Yin Soul Ice Technique… surely not?”
“Yes. I have mastered it. Therefore, I believe I must first apologize to Master.”
I clasped my fists and bowed my head.
“I learned it without Master’s permission.”
“No.”
Master shook his head.
“You need not apologize. Rather, I find myself grateful that you have mastered it, and that this transmission has not been lost.”
“Please wait a moment.”
I went inside and retrieved the secret manual of the Extreme Yin Soul Ice Technique that I had compiled, presenting it to Master.
“Please accept this. It contains what I learned from Ancestor.”
Master accepted it with a peculiar expression.
I quickly explained.
“According to what Ancestor told me, martial arts like the Extreme Yin Soul Ice Technique, which only Palace Masters learn, traditionally have no written manuals.”
“That is correct.”
“I understand this is because those with insufficient cultivation would fall into demonic influence if they practiced it.”
“That too is correct.”
“However, given how busy both Master and I are, I thought this would be most efficient, so I recorded it this way. If you later judge that this should not remain in the world, you may burn it.”
Master nodded.
“And… truthfully, the content is rather difficult to understand, so I believe direct demonstration will be necessary.”
Master, who had been briefly examining the manual, nodded again.
“Indeed… that would be necessary.”
“Therefore, whenever Master requests, I shall provide a demonstration.”
This means it may take some time for Master to master the Extreme Yin Soul Ice Technique, but it cannot be helped.
If I guided him the same way Ancestor did, it could be completed in a short time.
But this is not the world of the arrangement where I was.
Here, a sword cut means death.
Of course, Master’s realm is far higher than mine, so even if I wielded my sword, Master would never be cut by it.
But the Extreme Yin Soul Ice Technique is a martial art performed with all one’s strength, so there is a possibility I could wound Master.
Who can know the ways of the world?
“Then, I would like to see a demonstration of the first form right now.”
“Understood.”
I stepped back about ten paces from Master.
That distance was necessary for safety.
Then I raised both hands and moved slowly.
But the energy surrounding me was far more tyrannical than my movements suggested.
It was so violent that it resembled the fourth form of the Jinseol Twelve-Form Sword Technique called Snowwind, or the seventh form called Hail.
My body moved as if dancing. Yet my dance was not meant to bring joy.
It was a dance to cut enemies, a dance to bring death to my foes.
Each time my hands split the empty air, the wind was severed.
If there had been an enemy where my hands passed, that enemy would have been split asunder.
About half an hour passed like that.
I lowered my hands, closed my eyes, and took a deep breath.
Since this was such a domineering martial art, it was dangerous if I didn’t calm my mind and circulate my vital energy at the end.
“That was….”
I turned my head at Master’s voice.
“…!”
I was startled for a moment.
Tears were streaming down Master’s eyes.
“That is… the Extreme Yin Soul Ice Technique… isn’t it? I saw it once when I was young. When Father fought against spirit creatures….”
What Master was seeing now was not me.
He was seeing in me the figure of Father from the past, wielding the Extreme Yin Soul Ice Technique.
I could understand Master’s heart.
I too had memories of losing Father in my previous life.
He passed away from illness, but now I sometimes wonder.
Whether that was truly an illness….

A moment later,
Master, having composed himself, bowed his head gently.
“Thank you.”
“I think the gratitude should go to the Ancestor, who cherished Seolpung Palace and left such arrangements.”
I continued with a smile.
“Also… there is one more thing I wish to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“Do you happen to know about the Heavenly Stream Ice Sword?”
“Of course I do.”
“Do you also know that those who use that martial art are from the Gwak Family Clan?”
“Of course. Could it be…?”
“Yes, I received this as a gift from the Palace Master.”
I handed Master the secret manual of the Heavenly Stream Ice Sword along with the Gwak Family Clan’s treasure records.
“What is this?”
“It seems the Northern Sea Ice Palace Master still cherishes Seolpung Palace greatly.”
I explained that I had learned the Heavenly Stream Ice Sword from the Northern Sea Ice Palace Master and that I had received this as a gift.
After hearing my explanation, Master nodded.
“That is a good idea. In fact, I often hear talk of which Gwak Family it is.”
“Is that so?”
“But if we disguise ourselves as this family, we could be even safer. Especially since the most likely suspect is them.”
“Pardon?”
I tilted my head in confusion.
“Do you know who the suspect is…?”
Master paused for a moment, then gave a bitter smile.
“I cannot say with certainty yet, but I have grasped the general idea. Once I am sure, I will inform you.”
“Understood.”
I nodded.
My Master never broke his word. To think he was a troublemaker in his childhood!
Ugh!
Such thoughts again!
I shook my head and extended the envelope.
“And this is a letter sent by the Northern Sea Ice Palace Master.”
“…!”
My Master grasped it with trembling hands.
Though he had called her a damned old woman earlier, the Northern Sea Ice Palace Master seemed to hold a special place in my Master’s heart.
Of course, that would explain how the Northern Sea Ice Palace Master knew about my Master’s childhood secrets.
.
.
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After finishing my training and eating breakfast, I headed straight to the Eun Wol Pavilion.
There was a meeting at the Eun Wol Pavilion today.
The most important matter on today’s agenda was regarding the Beijing Branch.
“Indeed, it is now time to establish a branch in Beijing.”
The others nodded at Yu Chief Manager’s words.
“The flow of goods heading to Beijing is steadily increasing. I was planning to make a formal request soon.”
Eun Jung-ho also added to Yeon Gak-ju’s remark.
“Moreover, since our Eunhae Trading Company supplies silk to the Imperial Court, a Beijing Branch is essential.”
Father looked around the assembly and made his decision.
“I take it there are no objections to this matter.”
“No, sir.”
“Then it is time to select a location for the branch.”
That was when it happened.
“May I say something?”
Everyone’s attention turned to the Sefung Officer at his words.
The Sefung Officer was not one to speak carelessly.
Father nodded, and he continued.
“I believe it would be best to entrust all matters regarding this Beijing Branch to Eun Seo-ho, the Small Guild Master.”
“To Seo-ho?”
“Yes. Since he has visited Beijing most frequently of late, he would be well-acquainted with the situation there.”
“That is true.”
“And since he enjoys the Emperor’s favor, there will be few who would dare to obstruct him.”
“Hmm, that makes sense.”
At those words, I let out an inward sigh.
Honestly, I had intended for Eun Jung-ho to handle this matter.
Since we’re establishing a branch office in Beijing, the imperial capital, there’s much to gain visibility from.
In other words, it’s an achievement that can solidly establish Eun Jung-ho as the next Merchant Guild Leader.
“Hmm….”
“That’s an excellent idea.”
However, contrary to my thoughts, not only the other Gak-ju but even Eun Jung-ho was nodding in agreement.
This won’t do.
“Though Jeok Gak-ju recommended me, I would prefer that Eun Jung-ho take on this responsibility.”
“Eun Jung-ho?”
“I will frequently need to be away. And there are also matters entrusted to me by the Emperor…. In any case, I would prefer that Eun Jung-ho handle this work with stability. And isn’t he already overseeing the silk procurement as well?”
At my words, Father paused in thought before speaking.
“Seo-ho.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Haven’t you been absent from your post quite frequently these days? Yet your work has been proceeding well.”
“….”
I had nothing to say.
“And must the work entrusted to you by the Emperor necessarily be conducted here in Hubei? It’s work that could just as well be transferred to Beijing.”
“But reporting to you, Father….”
“You can entrust that to those who travel regularly. And I need only receive the reports.”
“….”
“I find Jeok Gak-ju’s words reasonable.”
Eun Jung-ho added with a smile.
“I too would prefer that you take on this task.”
No, if my brother agrees, this won’t work.
Sigh, there’s no helping it.
I’ll have to subtly redirect the credit to Eun Jung-ho later.
.
.
.
That day in Hyunpung.
I informed my staff that I would be working in Beijing for the time being.
“Oh! In Beijing, you say?”
“Is that truly the case?”
Yet my staff was delighted.
“You’re all quite pleased, aren’t you?”
“Haha. Well, it’s Beijing, after all. When you say Beijing, it just sounds so exciting. Haha.”
“To actually see those magnificent streets! How thrilling!”
Everyone was excited.
Still, after a few years, it all becomes the same.
“There must be many rare books here that are difficult to obtain in this place, yes?”
That’s… probably true.
Beijing Bookstore Street is truly expansive.
“And it also means my children can study in Beijing.”
Ah….
I found myself at a loss for words, suddenly confronted by a father’s practical concerns.
“I will build you a fine residence….”
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.
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Mid-June.
I departed for Beijing again just a fortnight after returning home.
It was due to matters concerning the Beijing Branch.
By now, even Palgap and the other Guard Warriors seemed accustomed to my constant comings and goings.
I heard they kept their luggage packed at all times, ready to depart at a moment’s notice….
.
.
.
I arrived in Beijing.
This time, since I was accompanied by people from Hyun Pung Country, I had arranged temporary lodgings separately in Beijing.
I decided to stay there as well.
Still, I needed to pay my respects, so I headed to Yeonjun Trading Company. I also had business to attend to with my Uncle.
I requested a meeting with my Uncle.
“You’ve been coming to Beijing quite frequently lately.”
“Yes, that has become the case.”
I took a sip of tea and broached the main subject.
“In fact, the Eunhae Trading Company intends to establish a branch here in Beijing.”
“Hmm? A branch, you say?”
“Yes.”
“Well, a company of the Eunhae Trading Company’s scale certainly warrants a Beijing branch.”
“That is precisely why I have requested this meeting with you, Uncle.”
“I see. What favor do you wish to ask of me?”
“Please lend me your influence.”
As an outsider, it would be far smoother for my Uncle, who operates in Beijing, to facilitate the land acquisition rather than for me to purchase it directly.
“I have a location in mind. A plot of approximately fifty thousand square feet….”
My Uncle’s eyes widened in surprise at that scale.
“Are you establishing an entirely new trading company?”
“No. It is a branch.”
“Ah, I see. Yes, a branch, of course.”
After tapping the table thoughtfully for a moment, my Uncle agreed to my request.
“We are family, after all. How could I refuse such a request? Very well, where is this location?”
“Yes, it is….”
I explained to him the location I had marked, the price, and other details.

Several days passed in this manner.
During that time, I handled work with my staff from the temporary quarters I had arranged.
“Young Master, someone from the Yeonjun Trading Company has arrived.”
At Palgap’s words, I went out to find it was my Uncle’s attendant.
“The Merchant Guild Leader requests your presence.”

Shortly after, I met with my Uncle.
His expression seemed troubled—had some problem arisen?
“Seo-ho.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
“Must it be that particular plot of land?”
“Pardon? Why do you ask?”
My Uncle spoke with a troubled expression.
“That land has complications.”

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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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