The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 250
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 250
Chapter 250. Rebellion (2)
Jin Young arrived at a shop on Marketplace Street.
It was the place where the Geumui Guard had lost track of Yang Eun-jik.
In fact, they had interrogated several people who had met with Yang Eun-jik and secretly discovered the location where he was supposed to meet.
And they had planned to attend in disguise as representatives of those people.
But due to a ridiculous mistake, Yang Eun-jik became aware of their presence, and the plan to raid the place fell through.
Naturally, the Commander was furious, and the one who made the mistake was beaten to a pulp.
‘Yet seeing that his limbs are still intact… that old man is quite remarkable indeed.’
Jin Young had come here because of Eun Seo-ho’s advice.
‘An underground tunnel, huh…’
Honestly, he had gone there grasping at straws.
Eun Seo-ho’s insight was extraordinary, but Jin Young still thought this was a different matter altogether.
Yet after examining the documents, Eun Seo-ho had presented him with the possibility of ‘the existence of an underground tunnel’ in just a few moments.
Truthfully, Jin Young was skeptical about the existence of such a tunnel.
An underground tunnel in the heart of Beijing…
But if he didn’t at least try this, the next person to get beaten by the Commander would be himself.
He commanded the Imperial Guards.
“Search every corner of this place!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Oh my!”
“Goodness!”
The people in the shop were intimidated by the fierce presence of the Imperial Guards and hurriedly retreated backward.
Then one of the shop employees protested.
“Didn’t you already search this place once before? It was so difficult to clean up afterward… why are you doing this again?”
“It’s unavoidable for the sake of the nation.”
Jin Young spoke coldly and entered deeper into the shop. As he examined various places, something caught his eye.
It was a large bookshelf pressed against the wall.
‘Does he enjoy reading?’
When he examined the books on the shelf, he noticed dust had accumulated on them.
‘It seems to be merely for decoration.’
Now that he thought about it, he had heard that merchants sometimes kept books around just to appear cultured.
‘What a waste of good books.’
He was about to pass by with that thought when he stopped. There was a book that oddly had no dust on it.
‘Why only this one…?’
Jin Young pulled out that book.
However, the bookshelf seemed to catch on something at the three-tenths mark and would not budge any further.
Click.
“…!”
Instead, I heard the sound of some mechanism grinding and shifting.
Jin Young, suspecting something, pushed against the bookshelves, and soon realized that one of them was sliding backward.
It was a rotating door.
He immediately summoned his subordinate.
“Yes! You called for me?”
“Request reinforcements at once.”
“Sir?”
“Quickly! This may be beyond what we can handle alone.”
“Yes! Understood.”
Watching his subordinate hurry toward the Imperial Palace, Jin Young marveled.
‘So the Young Master’s words were true!’
Now I understood why the Emperor coveted it so desperately.
‘Should I haul it straight to the Geumui Guard?’
* * *
“Ugh….”
I shivered involuntarily as a sudden chill ran through me.
“What’s wrong?”
At Palgap’s question, I shook my head.
“It’s nothing. I just felt a sudden cold.”
“Surely you haven’t caught the summer cold that even dogs won’t get?”
“…I don’t catch colds.”
“Right, of course. My apologies.”
“Are you subtly mocking me?”
“A misunderstanding, sir.”
“Fine. Let’s leave it at that.”
There was no reason for me to feel such a chill… How strange.
I rose from my seat, feeling my body grow stiff.
My back ached from sitting too long.
Should I ask Gong Mil to craft a chair that doesn’t hurt the back?
“What time is it now?”
“It is the Hour of the Dog, sir.”
“Evening already. Shall we go out and enjoy something delicious for once?”
“….”
“Why no answer? If you don’t want to, never mind….”
As I turned my head after speaking, Palgap was already standing at the door.
“What are you doing? Aren’t you leaving?”
As expected, Palgap may appear slow on the surface, but he’s certainly quick when it matters.
.
.
.
I gave the Hyun Pung Bureau staff generous meal allowances and sent them off to enjoy a good dinner.
My entourage and I headed toward a nearby inn.
Today I was planning to have roasted duck.
The inn we were going to was one I had favored in my previous life as well.
It was also the place I had taken Gwak Hyung-jin and Seok Il-song to before.
As I walked in anticipation of such a delicious meal, I sensed something strange in the air.
This was… killing intent?
Seo-woo Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior quickly surrounded me.
Recognizing the situation, Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior also positioned themselves with their backs to me.
As I focused my senses, I heard the sound of cold steel clashing.
It seemed to be quite a serious situation.
Here in Beijing, and not far from the Imperial Palace at that—a sword fight?
While I was puzzled by this, the sound drew steadily closer.
Soon we encountered a group clashing weapons with one another, and among them I recognized a familiar face.
The Geumui Guard’s Great Heroes.
Then what about the other side?
“…!”
Then another familiar face caught my eye, though for different reasons.
Yang Eun-jik.
Could these be members of that treason plot?
Upon seeing us, they surrounded us and thrust their blades forward, shouting at the Geumui Guard’s Great Heroes.
“Don’t come any closer!”
“If you advance further, these people will die!”
The Geumui Guards panicked.
I let out an inward laugh.
So, we’ve just become hostages of this treason faction?
When things go wrong, they really do spiral, don’t they?
But do you know what?
On our side, we have two masters at their peak, or three if you count me.
I exhaled and spoke.
“This qualifies as self-defense.”
“I concur.”
Ching—!
The moment those words left my lips, one of the blades thrust toward me was deflected away.
Thud—!
Seo-woo Warrior was kicked in the chest and flew through the air.
That was the beginning.
Normally, when we visit the dining hall, we wear long robes that conceal our swords so as not to intimidate other guests.
That’s why they must have thought we were ordinary people.
So they boldly took us hostage.
But as soon as the other warriors joined the fray, the tide of battle reversed in an instant.
The Geumui Guard Great Heroes also regained their senses and began their assault.
That was when it happened.
“Ugh!”
“Yeo Eung-am Warrior!”
The enemies facing Yeo Eung-am Warrior proved formidable, and he seemed to be allowing their attacks through.
He barely managed to evade the successive strikes by employing the Descent Tiger technique, but he looked precarious.
Damn it!
I kicked off the ground and threw myself toward him.
Clang!
I blocked the blade hurtling toward Yeo Eung-am Warrior.
“Isn’t that a bit cowardly?”
“Where is cowardice when death is at the door?”
“Survival comes first!”
“Well, you have a point there.”
I chuckled softly and drew up my inner energy.
The first form of the Heavenly Stream Ice Sword.
The force that extended from my blade lashed out like a whip, striking them down.
“Argh!”
“Gaaaah!”
“Hack!”
They were sent flying and crashed into the wall, then collapsed while spewing blood.
But then…
“Yang Eun-jik has fled!”
“Chase him at once!”
As the Geumui Guard Great Heroes moved about busily, the one commanding them approached us.
“You must have been startled, but thank you for helping.”
“You serve the nation, so of course we should help. However…”
I asked him a question.
“Is there a skilled physician nearby who treats external injuries well?”
My gaze was fixed on Yeo Eung-am Warrior. Blood was flowing from his arm.
Not only that, but his face was also stained with blood, as if a blade had grazed it.
“My, it seems he’s been badly wounded. Fortunately, there’s a skilled physician in the nearby region. I’ll send someone to guide you.”
“Thank you.”
I looked at Yeo Eung-am Warrior and asked.
“Yeo Eung-am Warrior, will you be able to walk?”
“Don’t worry. I can move without difficulty.”
“That’s a relief.”
“I apologize. I’m afraid I’ve been inadequate….”
“No, I should have stepped forward sooner… I’m the one who should apologize.”
We were guided by one of the Gold Robe Guard Warriors to see the Physician.
But that Physician was someone I knew.
“Ah? Who might this be? Isn’t this Young Master Eun Seo-ho?”
“It’s an honor to see you, sir.”
He was one of the Physicians who supplied medicinal herbs to our Eunhae Trading Company, so he recognized me.
But the Gold Robe Guard Warrior was startled when he heard my name.
“Ah, Young Master Eun Seo-ho? The Young Master Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Oh my!”
He quickly bowed to me with his fists clasped.
“We are truly sorry. Due to our negligence, your colleague has been wounded.”
“….”
I didn’t say it was fine.
Because it wasn’t fine.
The Physician was already tending to Yeo Eung-am Warrior’s wound. But the injury looked deeper than I’d expected.
“Will I be able to wield a sword…?”
The Physician nodded at Yeo Eung-am Warrior’s question.
“Don’t worry. Fortunately, the vital meridians were spared. So with about two weeks of proper rest, you should be able to wield a sword again.”
“That’s truly fortunate.”
The first thing Yeo Eung-am Warrior asked was whether he could wield a sword again.
I understood that sentiment well.
It was the desire to fulfill his duty as my Guard Warrior.
Still….
Seeing the gaping wound, my heart ached.
I spoke to him.
“I’m giving you a month’s leave.”
“But the Physician said two weeks would be enough….”
“Rest fully for a month regardless. I won’t hear any objections. If you wish to continue serving as my Guard Warrior, don’t wield a sword for a month.”
“….”
“If you disobey my orders, I’ll have Palgap put you in a wheeled chair and drag you around.”
“Ugh!”
At my words, Yeo Eung-am Warrior’s brow furrowed.
A wheeled chair is a chair with wheels, made for those who cannot walk or find walking difficult.
And it’s also become quite a popular item.
There were far more people in need of wheeled chairs than I’d anticipated.
The Yeo Eung-am Warrior nodded, perhaps because he understood that when I committed to something, I saw it through.
“Yes, I will do as you say.”
While treating the Yeo Eung-am Warrior’s wounds, I churned over my anger.
How dare they injure my Guard Warrior?
“I apologize. I failed to prevent his escape.”
At Jin Yu Warrior’s words, I shook my head.
“I told you before. He’s an exceptionally quick fellow.”
“That is true, but….”
Just then, Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster arrived at our location.
It seemed the Great Hero from the Geumui Guard who had guided us to the Physician had informed him of the situation.
“Great Hero, you’ve come?”
“Ah, circumstances have taken an unfortunate turn. Is your Guard Warrior alright?”
“His arm is injured. He’ll need about a month of recovery.”
“I see….”
His expression was genuinely apologetic.
“In fact, there really was an underground tunnel, just as you said. And while searching it, we discovered those hiding within.”
….
“During the battle, they escaped through another exit. And while pursuing them, this incident occurred.”
“Did you capture Yang Eun-jik?”
“…We let him slip away.”
He swallowed hard.
“What’s done is done. What can we do about it? The problem was simply being in the wrong place at the wrong time.”
I exhaled deeply.
“And I believe apologies should be made to the injured, not to me.”
At my words, Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster nodded.
“You’re right.”
He approached the Yeo Eung-am Warrior and apologized.
Watching him, I could gauge his character. It wasn’t easy for someone of his standing to bow his head like that.
“Well then, I should take my leave.”
“Yes. Please go carefully.”
“I’m truly sorry about this.”
He apologized once more before hurriedly departing.
I turned and approached the Yeo Eung-am Warrior.
Seeing the bandages wrapped around him, the treatment appeared nearly complete.
“Seo-woo Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior.”
“Yes.”
“Let us undertake a task together.”
I continued speaking.
“As you know, I’m the type who must repay what’s been done to me, or my pride won’t be satisfied.”
At my words, they nodded in agreement.
I found myself consumed by regret.
Even though Jin Yu Warrior had warned me that Yang Eun-jik was a dangerous man, I had failed to eliminate him at the outset.
I had hesitated to move against Yang Eun-jik for fear of drawing the Murim Alliance’s attention.
So I had postponed having the Geumui Guard apprehend him.
And I had not stepped forward aggressively.
But because I had been cautious, the Guard Warrior had been injured.
It struck me bitterly that even living life anew, regret never ceased.
One regret was enough.
Then Seo-woo Warrior spoke to me.
“My lord, it would be best if you calmed your anger. In truth, it is partly our fault that Yeo Eung-am Warrior was injured. It is because we were not strong enough….”
“If Seo-woo Warrior speaks thus, what am I to say?”
Lee Pil Warrior scratched his head.
“I was weak and was injured. I apologize.”
“I will train harder.”
At the Guard Warriors’ apologies, I found myself laughing despite myself.
“If anyone should apologize, it should be me. I was the one who suggested we go out for dinner this evening….”
“That is not the case! Eating is an important matter!”
At Palgap’s words, which lightened the mood, we all laughed.
“Indeed. Eating is important.”
“It is.”
Thanks to that, the tension eased somewhat.
I took a deep breath and looked at everyone before speaking.
“In any case, we must capture that bastard.”
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————