The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 248

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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 248

Chapter 248. Seon-mi’s Wedding Ceremony (3)

I observed the man quietly.
Yang Eun-jik appeared to be a young man in his late thirties, neatly dressed.
But… I felt as though I’d seen him somewhere before.
Where had I seen him?
His face was certainly familiar.
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster had mentioned it before—suspicious movements had been detected, and he was under surveillance.
“I need to identify and investigate every person that man meets and speaks with here. There’s a strong possibility he’s a connecting link between subversive factions.”
But why of all places here?
I grumbled inwardly, though I understood the reasoning well enough.
As the saying goes, hide a tree in a forest and a pebble in a gravel bed.
Where else could people meet and converse without suspicion than at the wedding banquet of a local dignitary?
My uncle is the Merchant Guild Leader of the Yeonjun Trading Company, which has led the merchant trade in Beijing for generations.
And my in-laws belong to the Ministry of Personnel, holding high-ranking positions.
It’s safe to say that a considerable number of influential figures in Beijing are attending this banquet.
They have nowhere else to speak so freely.
But why, of all things, at Seon-mi’s wedding ceremony?
Sigh… I don’t like this.
Regardless, that face truly is familiar.
I asked the Great Hero of the Geumui Guard.
“Do you happen to know that man’s name?”
“He goes by Yang Eun-jik.”
“…!”
In that instant, a scene flashed vividly through my mind.

It was a matter from my previous life.
That must have been when I was in my late twenties.
At a gathering of the Top Hundred Merchant Guilds, I was introduced to a man who had accompanied Namgung Kang, the Merchant Guild Leader.
“This is Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“Ah! I’ve heard of your reputation. Pleased to meet you. I’m Yang Eun-jik. Though my abilities are modest, I work for the Murim Alliance.”
I cupped my fists and bowed, and at that moment, what caught my eye was unmistakably a sword worn with the patina of constant use.
“Since you work for the Murim Alliance, I take it you are a martial artist.”
“Don’t be surprised! Yang is a master of the pinnacle realm.”
A pinnacle master, you say?”
“Heh, didn’t I tell you not to be surprised?”
“I’m simply astonished that someone so young has reached the pinnacle realm.”
“Truth be told, I reached the pinnacle about three years ago.”
“Is that so? To meet a pinnacle master like this—what an honor!”
“Nothing of the sort. Compared to Namgung here beside me, my skills are lacking.”

I took a deep breath and looked at the man again.
Unlike before, he hadn’t grown a beard, and his plain attire made him unrecognizable.
But hearing his name confirmed it.
Since he said three years ago he had reached the pinnacle realm, he must be a first-rate warrior by now.
But why is someone from the Murim Alliance here?
Typically, surveillance and shadowing operations like this are entrusted to those of relatively lower rank or seniority.
Perhaps that’s why the dispatched Geumui Guard masters seemed to regard the Scholar as merely a scholar.
Fortunately, we were at some distance and in a noisy place, so they couldn’t have heard our conversation.
I bowed my upper body toward them and spoke.
“Pardon me, but might I say something?”
“Yes, what is it?”
“The Scholar is a martial artist.”
“…!”
At my words, their pupils dilated.
“What did you say?”
Still, they had enough training not to cry out in shock.
“A martial artist?”
“Yes. I saw him when I went to Luoyang before. At that time, he said he was affiliated with the Murim Alliance.”
“….”
The Great Hero leading the group among them questioned me.
Was it Song Dae-hyeop?
“Do you happen to know his martial skill level?”
So that’s why this man is the leader. He was asking the most crucial question.
“From what I heard in passing, I believe he was said to be first-rate.”
“Thank you. Without you, we would have failed this mission.”
“I’m glad So-sang was helpful.”
Just then, someone approached Yang Eun-jik, and the Geumui Guard Great Heroes focused their attention on him.
They secretly recorded the names of those Yang Eun-jik met, and if they didn’t know the names, they documented their appearances.
The Great Heroes before me seemed unaware that I had mastered martial arts, perhaps because their cultivation level was lower than mine.
I had already reached the pinnacle of my realm, and after receiving the Ancestor’s arrangement at the Northern Sea Ice Palace, I had grown even stronger.
Because of this, I could hear Yang Eun-jik’s conversations with others with remarkable clarity.
Being someone who originally lived in Beijing, he exchanged greetings with many people.
Among them were some whose exchanges seemed oddly peculiar.

“It’s been a long time.”
“Yes, I’ve been well during this time.”
“How have you been lately?”
“I’m doing well enough.”
“By the way, the weather has been quite hot these days. Is there perhaps a place nearby to escape the heat?”
“Four days from now, at the beginning of the hour of the sheep. The Guan Di Temple to the west.”
“I see. Thank you for telling me. Give my regards to Spring Commander as well.”

It was like this.
At first glance, it seemed they were merely exchanging pleasantries and having casual conversation, but there were hidden meanings woven between the words.
Four days from now, at the beginning of the hour of the sheep, the Guan Di Temple to the west.
It appeared they intended to meet there and scheme about something.
Shortly after, Yang Eun-jik left his seat.
Song Dae-hyeop instructed two Great Heroes to tail him. I was about to rise as well, but he grasped my sleeve.
“…?”
“Sit for a moment.”
“Yes.”
Once I was seated, Song Dae-hyeop asked me a question.
“Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster mentioned that you have keen insight for your age.”
“…He was simply being kind about So-sang.”
“I thought the same at first, but the information you provided us moments ago has changed my mind.”
His expression was very serious.
“I would like to seek your counsel. Among those he met today, are there any individuals we should examine more closely?”
I paused to consider the question.
Whatever it was, it was clear the Murim Alliance was engaged in something questionable.
And given that the Geumui Guard had stepped in like this, it was certainly nothing good.
My hesitation stemmed from wondering whether I might suffer harm because of this matter.
If they suspected I was somehow connected to these people, they might interrogate me.
But….
Looking at both Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster and Song Dae-hyeop before me, that didn’t seem likely.
“Then… if I may offer my humble opinion….”
“Very well, speak.”
“Pay particular attention to those I met on the third, seventh, tenth, twelfth, and fifteenth occasions.”
“You remember everyone you’ve met? All of them?”
“I happen to have a rather good memory.”
He quickly jotted down my words on paper, tucked it into his robes, and spoke.
“I shall take my leave now. My thanks for your cooperation.”
“Please, think nothing of it. I’m simply pleased that I could be of service.”
With that, Song Dae-hyeop quietly departed the banquet hall.
The Murim Alliance has seemed unusually quiet of late, I mused.
Still, if I can disrupt the Murim Alliance’s plans this way, all the better for me.
I rose from my seat.
It was nearly time for the groom to arrive.

I wished to see Seon-mi, but there was a custom that on the wedding day, no man—whether father or elder brother—should see the bride’s face.
So I asked a maidservant to check on how Seon-mi was faring and report back.
After a brief moment,
the maidservant approached me and handed me a letter.
“…?”
“The young lady asked me to deliver this to you.”
I opened the letter and read its contents.

[Elder Brother, you’re curious about how I look, aren’t you? But the first person to see my face should be my husband. In any case, thank you so much. Today’s fortune is all thanks to you, Elder Brother.]

A letter filled with her happiness.
I chuckled softly and folded the letter, tucking it into my robe.
Though the Great Scholar’s wives had refined my bearing with their instruction, Seon-mi remained Seon-mi.
.
.
.
The scorching sun had surrendered to the horizon.
Yet the earth, still radiating the heat it had absorbed, sent waves of warmth upward—the oppressive temperature remained unchanged.
Buzz, buzz, buzz.
Palgap beside me was continuously fanning himself with a palm fan.
“Are you really that hot?”
“Truly, Young Master and the Warriors are enviable.”
I understood Palgap’s envy well enough.
I had mastered the Ice Martial Sect and reached its pinnacle, and the Guard Warriors were elite martial artists at or near the peak—so none of us suffered greatly from the heat.
It was then that Jin Yu Warrior spoke.
“If you continue diligent training in martial arts, Palgap, even this degree of heat will become bearable.”
“How many years will that take?”
“…Ahem, that depends on how diligently you train.”
Palgap’s face fell at those words.
He looked like a bear with drooping ears, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
That was when it happened.
“The groom is coming!”
“Wahhhhh!”
A musical procession was approaching in the distance.
Behind the band playing festive melodies came a crimson palanquin—the one that would carry Seon-mi away.

Now that I think about it, in my previous life, Aunt grew quite melancholy after Seon-mi’s wedding ceremony.
It was only natural, given how affectionately they had spent time together like close friends.
And whenever Seon-mi visited her bride’s family home, Aunt would ache at the sight of her gaunt face.
Though I would no longer see Seon-mi’s withered countenance, Aunt would still feel the loneliness keenly.
Once the Beijing Branch is completed, I’ll likely spend considerable time there, so I should visit her often as well.
.
.
.
Seon-mi’s wedding ceremony had concluded entirely.
And today was the day Seon-mi visited her bride’s family home.
There was a custom where the bride, having gone to her husband’s house after the ceremony, would return to visit her family three days later.
“We have arrived.”
“Mother! Father! We’re here!”
Uncle and Aunt welcomed Won Si-rang and Seon-mi warmly.
At that moment, Won Si-rang’s eyes met mine.
I saw him flinch noticeably.
Had I done something wrong to him? Why was he reacting that way?
The newlyweds received blessings and gifts from Grandfather and the other elders of the household.
Finally, it was my turn.
I was the youngest by age, after all.
“Live happily and well.”
“Yes, Elder Brother.”
“And….”
Looking at Won Si-rang, he flinched again.
“Why do you keep doing that? I’m not such a frightening person. Haha.”
“….”
“In any case, I still remember the promise you made to me. So you must make our Seon-mi happy.”
“Of, of course! I shall devote everything to ensure it. Great Hero!”
Huh? Great Hero?
I wasn’t at an age to be called that….
I was about to correct the form of address but decided against it.
The conversation shouldn’t drag on too long here.
“Here, a gift.”
I presented a red silk pouch. Ordinarily, such pouches contained money.
I had placed money inside as well. Though the amount would surely exceed their imagination.
Giving money in a red silk pouch to a newly married couple was something done for those of lower status, not for those of higher standing.
Seon-mi became the first person to whom I gave such a gift, and so I filled it generously.
“Well then, shall we go dine?”
“Yes.”
We spent a warm and harmonious time together.
Suddenly, my thoughts turned to Yang Eun-jik.
Well, I’d given the Geumui Guard sufficient information, so they should be handling things competently on their own.
.
.
.
About three days passed in this manner.
Concerned that my Aunt might grow lonely, my Grandfather decided to remain in Beijing for a while longer.
And my Elder Brother Eun Jung-ho was occupied with matters related to imperial silk deliveries.
His journey to Beijing had been partly to attend Seon-mi’s wedding ceremony, but also to handle affairs concerning the imperial silk contract.
As for me—I was swamped.
Beyond my existing duties, managing the Beijing Branch operations left me wishing I had two bodies more than once.
But who was I, after all?
A body honed by decades of administrative work in my previous life!
Moreover, thanks to my Master’s training, my stamina posed no problem.
While I was diligently attending to business in my study today, Palgap entered the room.
“Young Master. A visitor has arrived.”
“A visitor?”
“Yes. Master Gwak Pyo-du has come.”
Master Gwak Pyo-du? My Master had come?
I sprang to my feet and hurried out to the courtyard. My Master stood waiting there.
“Disciple, it has been long since I last saw you, Master. But why do you stand here in the courtyard? Why not come to the guest reception room?”
“No need. I do not have much time.”
He had carved out time from his busy schedule to visit?
Ah, so that was why he had come.
“I wished to learn of the next form of the Extreme Yin Soul Ice Technique, and stopped by briefly while on my travels through this region.”
As I had anticipated.
“I apologize, Master. Your disciple has caused you trouble by coming to such a distant place.”
“Not at all. If we speak in such terms, the burden falls equally upon us both.”
I led my Master to the back garden of my temporary residence. Training in the Extreme Yin Soul Ice Technique required privacy from prying eyes.
And there, I taught him the third form.
“I see. I understand now.”
“As expected of you, Master.”
Then it occurred to me that since my Master had connections to the martial arts world and had traveled extensively gathering knowledge, perhaps he would know of this man called Yang Eun-jik.
“Master, if I may, there is something I wish to ask you.”
“What is it?”
“Do you happen to know of a man named Yang Eun-jik from the Murim Alliance?”
“…Who did you just say?”
Yet upon hearing that name, my Master’s demeanor became decidedly ominous.

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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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