The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 255

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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 255

Chapter 255. Crushing Defeat (2)

Pirates?
“Did you just say pirates?”
“Yes.”
Yun Byeok Scholar’s father, who had lived as a boat owner in this fishing village for many years.
If he thought so, it was almost certainly true.
Now that I think about it.
That Money Master fellow, or those Debt Collectors who were ransacking Man-suk’s Uncle’s house—their speech patterns and movements felt unfamiliar yet strangely familiar….
Now it all made sense.
Pirates had those distinctive mannerisms and behaviors ingrained in their very bones.
But pirates, of all things….
The situation had grown larger than expected, but I couldn’t simply stand idle.
Pirates were the kind of existence that made us merchants gnash our teeth in fury.
Especially when I recalled my past life… Ah, the back of my neck tensed.
When cargo volumes were large, it was convenient to transport goods through waterways like rivers and seas.
That’s why water bandits once ran rampant on the Yangtze River.
They only disappeared because of the Imperial Palace’s large-scale extermination campaign.
But they haven’t managed to deal with these coastal pirates yet.
That’s why I’ve suffered greatly because of them.
Considering their nature, a crushing preemptive strike was the best course of action.
Of course, even if we eliminate them again and again, they keep appearing, but still—we suffer less if we wipe out every one we see.
Having resolved this, I looked at Man-suk Scholar and Yun Byeok Scholar.
At my gaze, they flinched.
“Why, why are you looking at us like that?”
“Is there something you want from us?”
“In my opinion, the pirates clearly intend to enslave the villagers. The gambling is merely a deception.”
“…!”
“I cannot simply stand by and watch this situation unfold. So I ask—what of you two?”
The two answered with resolute expressions.
“I wish to protect this village even if it means fighting the pirates.”
“That’s right. This village is where we were born and raised. It’s our duty to protect it.”
“To think they would try to destroy this village!”
“Unforgivable.”
I calmed their passionate outburst.
“You’re far too excited. If you two were to stand against the pirates, you’d be cut down in an instant.”
“….”
“So leave that to others. Instead, there is something you must do for me.”
“What is it?”
“Deliver a letter I will give you to another place.”
The two scholars exchanged puzzled glances at my words.
“Is our help truly needed for something so simple?”
“Is it really so simple, though?”
“Sir?”
“By now, word of me and you both has certainly reached their ears. And they will be watching us.”
“….”
“So delivering my letter is far from simple. Yet it is precisely because you are who you are that you can accomplish it.”
I looked at them and asked.
“What do you say? Can you do this?”
At my question, they exchanged glances with each other, then nodded.
“We understand.”
“Let’s give it a try!”
In truth, I could have sent Geumryeong to deliver the letter to Eun Jung-ho instead.
Yet I went through this troublesome process because these two scholars needed to earn merit in this affair.
It was also to avoid all attention focusing solely on me.
The two scholars would succeed in this task.
No matter how closely they watched us, there would always be gaps in their surveillance.
Having grown up in this village, the scholars would know its geography intimately.
I entrusted them with a letter detailing the situation here.
“I’m counting on you.”
“Yes!”
Moreover, this task was also a test for these two scholars.

* * *

Dawn.
Man-suk and Yun Byeok met at the nearby Guan Di Temple.
They had pretended to head home first, but they had already promised to meet here.
No words were needed to keep such a promise.
Since childhood, at the village academy, they had developed a form of hand signals—a silent language—to communicate without the instructors’ notice.
They exchanged glances in greeting, then moved to slip away from the village.
Rustle.
Sensing someone’s presence, they quickly ducked into an alley.
People had come to this desolate place despite the early hour.
“I don’t understand why Elder Brother insists on having us watched like this…”
“Ugh, I’m so tired… Should we find somewhere to rest our eyes?”
“Don’t even think about it. If Elder Brother finds out, we’re dead.”
“…”
Man-suk and Yun Byeok exchanged glances.
‘Eun Seo-ho’s words were right.’
‘There really are people watching us.’
They remained hidden until the Debt Collectors disappeared, then moved forward.
The path they chose was a secret passage—a dog hole—that most villagers didn’t know about.
A route they had used as children to slip out of the village unnoticed by adults.
Because it was no proper path, it was narrow and treacherous.
Their clothes tore and their skin scraped, drawing blood, but they didn’t stop.
They couldn’t bear to see their birthplace fall into ruin, so they gritted their teeth and pushed through.
Finally escaping the village, they ran through the night and encountered a merchant caravan the next morning.
Man-suk observed their torn clothing and spoke to Yun Byeok.
“I just had a good idea.”
He approached the caravan and bowed respectfully.
“Pardon the intrusion.”
“What brings you here?”
“We are scholars from the Apricot Flower Academy in Beijing. We had returned to our hometown on business, but we mistepped and tumbled down a cliff, which is how we’ve come to this state.”
“My goodness! Are you injured?”
“Fortunately, nothing serious, but we must return to the academy promptly to prepare for the examinations. We apologize for the imposition, but we had to stop your caravan.”
The caravan master examined the two scholars’ clothing. The garments of Apricot Flower Academy scholars were unmistakable.
Among merchants in Beijing, there was hardly anyone unfamiliar with the Apricot Flower Academy.
So he chose to believe Man-suk’s account.
Besides, if they were fortunate enough to pass the examinations, this connection might prove beneficial.
“People should help one another in this world. We have no room in the passenger carriage, but would you be willing to ride in the supply wagon?”
“We are grateful for even that much.”
“Please board the carriage.”
“Thank you.”
And so they obtained passage in the carriage.
Thanks to them, what would have taken more than four days on foot could be covered in just two days.
Upon arriving in Beijing, they immediately tidied their appearance and made their way directly to the residence of Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster.
Knock, knock, knock!
“Is anyone home?”
The door opened, and a sturdy man emerged.
“Who are you?”
The two scholars looked around cautiously before speaking to him.
“We’ve been asked to deliver a message from Eun Seo-ho, the Small Merchant Guild Leader.”
“We were instructed to give this to Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster.”
That was when it happened.
“Did you just say Eun Seo-ho, the Small Merchant Guild Leader?”
A man approached from the direction of the main gate, and the sword-bearing man quickly bowed his head.
And the two scholars nodded.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Let me see it.”
“Who are you?”
“I am the Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster you’ve been speaking of.”
“Here it is.”
Man-suk quickly handed the letter to Jin Young.
As Jin Young read the letter he had received, his expression grew grave.
“Is this true? That pirates are enslaving villagers by forcing them into gambling debts?”
“Yes! That’s correct.”
“Father requested an investigation from Jihyeon, but he remained unmoved. So we conducted our own inquiry separately, and it appears that pirates are indeed involved.”
“Eun Seo-ho, the Small Merchant Guild Leader, also conducted his own investigation, and he confirmed that they are indeed pirates.”
“If Eun Seo-ho, the Small Merchant Guild Leader, says so, then there’s no doubt about it.”
Jin Young spoke.
“I must go to the Imperial Palace. Give these young men a place to rest.”
“Understood.”

* * *

I was walking along the seaside.
Perhaps it was because I hadn’t walked by the sea in so long, but something about it felt refreshingly nostalgic.
I wasn’t walking along the coast simply to enjoy the breeze or clear my mind.
Since there were no large ships in the vicinity, if this matter truly involved pirates, their headquarters would almost certainly be hidden somewhere along this coastal area.
In my previous life, the Eunhae Trading Company had extended its operations into maritime trade, and through that experience, I had encountered countless pirates.
Thus, I had come to understand their nature and habits.
While they primarily traveled by large vessels, whenever they came ashore to conduct their schemes, they would hide in places like coastal caves.
This time would surely be no different.
– My lord, those who are watching us continue to follow. What should we do?
At Seo-woo Warrior’s telepathic message, I shook my head slowly.
– You seem quite curious.
Well, that’s understandable enough.
Their plan is now only a few steps away from success. In such circumstances, my presence represents a variable they cannot control.
– We are merely here for sightseeing. Act accordingly.
– Understood.
Thus we wandered along various points of the seaside, and soon I sensed something repugnant in my perception.
Seo-woo Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior, sensing the same thing I did, sent me telepathic messages.
– We’ve found it.
– That’s the place.
Now that we’ve located the site, all that remains is to wait for Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster to arrive with the Imperial Guard.
But why are these pirates conducting their operations here in Hebei Province of all places?
Hebei is not far from Beijing.
The risk of discovery here is far too great.
As I pondered this, I arrived at the most plausible hypothesis.
Had they been driven out by other pirate gangs?
The reason they were targeting able-bodied men… could it be to replenish their numbers?
At that thought, I let out a quiet laugh.
No, surely not…
Turning perfectly decent people into pirates! Those would truly be villains deserving of death.
In any case, four days had passed since the two scholars departed.
By now, they should have arrived in Beijing.
While I waited with that thought, I sensed something in my perception.
This is…?
The aura of those trained in Imperial Palace martial arts.
If they’ve already arrived, it means the two scholars reached Beijing in just two days?
A satisfied smile spread across my face unbidden.
He was far more resourceful than I had anticipated.
That also meant there would be many uses for such a capable person.
“Let us go.”
“Yes!”
We immediately headed toward the village entrance and caught sight of the Imperial Guards just passing through the gate.
Leading them was Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster in full armor. I approached him and clasped my fist in salute.
“You’ve arrived faster than expected.”
“The Emperor deemed this matter urgent and commanded us to make haste.”
“I see.”
“Moreover, anticipating that they might flee upon learning of our arrival, I’ve stationed soldiers at all possible escape routes.”
Indeed, he was a talent worthy of the Emperor’s trust and service.
“Then, allow me to show you the locations that require immediate assault.”
I informed Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster about the Gambling House and the Coastal Cave, and he promptly divided his soldiers to sweep through those locations.

The situation was resolved swiftly.
The pirates hiding in the Coastal Cave were eliminated.
No matter how accustomed they were to combat aboard ships, they were on land now, and they could not stand against masters trained in Imperial Palace martial arts and the well-disciplined Imperial Guards.
“Let go! Will you let go?”
“What grave crime have we committed!”
And the Money Master of the Gambling House, along with the others, were all bound like dried fish on a rope and thrown into the Prison.
Jihyeon too could not escape his guilt.
And there was one fact I learned through this opportunity.
The Geumui Guard possessed interrogation skills far more exceptional than I had anticipated.
In the end, the Money Master confessed to everything.

“It was… we intended to enslave the men of this village. We lost many of our people in a power struggle with other pirate groups, so…”
“So you planned to sell them as slaves?”
“No. We planned to enslave them, train them, and have them fight in our stead.”
“…”
I was left speechless by that confession.
Could it really be true?
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster, who let out a sigh at that statement, threw a punch at him.
Thud!
“Ugh!”
Ah, I wanted to beat him too, but he did it for me instead.
“Were you truly only planning this for the men?”
“Yes. Y-yes, that’s right.”
“Do you think I don’t know your kind? It seems you’re still hiding something?”
“N-no, there’s nothing.”
“Bring the branding iron.”
“Yes, sir!”
“Aaaah! W-wait! I’ll tell you! The truth is, the wives and children of those who owe us debts were also our slaves… Aaaaaaah!”
I see.
After hearing Man-suk Scholar’s story, there was a reason I wanted to come to this place.
.
.
.
“You’ve worked hard again.”
After concluding the matter, Jin Young the Great Swordmaster commended me.
“No, sir. I did nothing of consequence. Rather, the credit belongs to the two scholars who brought word of this place to you.”
“True, they deserve recognition as well. In fact, their assistance in blocking the escape routes was invaluable.”
Fortunately, as I had hoped, they were receiving more attention than I was.
“But sending me those two scholars instead of your own Guard Warrior… it seems you did that deliberately, doesn’t it?”
Damn. He saw through it.
This man’s perception is far from ordinary.
I smiled deliberately as I spoke.
“They were men willing to do anything for the village where they were born and raised. I feared that in their youthful fervor, they might take up arms and be meaninglessly sacrificed, so I acted accordingly.”
Jin Young the Great Swordmaster let out a soft laugh.
“Well, I’ll accept that explanation.”
“Ah, but what became of Jihyeon?”
Jin Young the Great Swordmaster answered casually.
“He’s hanging upside down at the moment.”
“Pardon?”
“The Emperor ordered that if he had indeed accepted bribes, he should be transported while suspended upside down.”
….

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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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