The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 260

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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 260

Chapter 260. Is It Luoyang Again This Time? (4)

Upon returning to the Inn, I hung indigo cloth over the window.
The next morning.
A letter arrived. It instructed me to come to the alley between Yumi Restaurant and Chae Il Restaurant before lunch that day.
I prepared myself and headed there.
While waiting in that narrow passage, an elderly woman approached me.
Hmm….
I let out an involuntary exclamation of admiration.
Had I not sensed Chun-il’s aura, I would have truly believed her to be an old woman.
He spoke to me.
“I hear there was quite an interesting incident at the banquet this time.”
“Yes, but I was displeased. The person he touched was my Old Friend.”
At my words, not only Palgap but the Guard Warriors also looked startled.
In particular, Seo-woo Warrior shook his head repeatedly.
Indeed, one would need such masterful disguise skills to know of Imperial Palace affairs and report them to Father.
At my words, Chun-il sighed.
“I always knew he was greedy, so I expected he’d cause trouble eventually, and it would be significant….”
“But… both that person and the one from yesterday have remarkably excellent disguise techniques.”
Chun-il nodded.
“It cannot be helped. We learned under the same Teacher.”
The moment I heard those words, understanding dawned on me.
No wonder they were so skilled at disguise.
“Then what of your Teacher?”
“He was caught stealing a treasure from a noble family and died. He barely managed to escape, but a sword wound became infected.”
“….”
I coughed dryly.
“Ahem, then how many disciples did he have?”
“Just that Geun Seong and myself. Strictly speaking, I am the Senior Brother.”
“I see. And his name is Geun Seong?”
“Yes. Our Teacher named him that because he possessed perseverance.”
I wondered if this could be true.
As I stood there bewildered, Chun-il furrowed his brow and continued.
“But something seems odd.”
“…?”
“That fellow is greedy, certainly, but he has the skill to steal all the silver badges from that place without resorting to such reckless measures. So why would he take such risks….”
Hmm?
“Until I withdrew my hand, that fellow and I were alternating sweeping up the silver badges.”
Hearing that, I realized something was indeed off.
His disguise skills were on par with Chun-il’s.
If that were the case, he could have easily stolen by disguising himself as a harmless Shop Attendant or similar, so why resort to the reckless method of kidnapping one of those who attended the Baekdae Trading Company gathering?
I pondered briefly, but the answer came quickly.
The silver badges weren’t the real objective.
There must have been another purpose, but the problem was how to uncover it.
“Is it possible to investigate his accomplices who participated in this matter with him?”
“Of course.”
I pulled out gold coins from my pocket and handed them over. Chun-il’s eyes widened as he saw the coins glinting in the sunlight.
“W-what is this?”
“This is a personal request of mine, so this is the commission fee.”
Chun-il accepted the coins, tucked them into his bosom, and prostrated himself on the spot.
“I pledge my loyalty.”
“Ah, and one more thing….”
“Yes, please speak.”
“What are Geun Seong’s weaknesses? I suspect I’ll need to apply some pressure.”
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That day,
after lunch, I headed to the Inn where Bok Yun Sub-leader was staying.
We could have met and eaten lunch together, but nothing had been arranged beforehand.
Some might say that since we were close, I could simply visit and share a meal, but I believe there are courtesies that must be observed even among close acquaintances.
So I had Palgap send word beforehand and received permission to visit.
“Welcome!”
Bok Yun Sub-leader greeted me warmly.
“Did you enjoy your lunch?”
“Yes. I had some dumplings simply.”
“Dumplings are always a delicious food. Come in and have some tea.”
The Inn where Bok Yun Sub-leader was staying was also quite respectable. And not only members of the Gwangjun Trading Company were lodging there, but also people from other merchant guilds.
Even though Luoyang was a large place, there weren’t many Inns good enough for the members of the Baekdae Trading Company to stay in.
So I exchanged greetings with that Sub-leader and entered Bok Yun Sub-leader’s Guest Room.
“Does the tea suit your taste?”
“It’s quite fine tea. And it has good flavor.”
“I’m glad it suits you. But… it doesn’t seem like you’ve simply come to visit.”
“Why do you think so?”
“Aren’t you busy right now? You always are, but this time you’re also responsible for medicinal herbs ahead of the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament.”
That’s right.
Our Eunhae Trading Company has been expanding into various fields, but we remain primarily known for medicinal herbs.
And given that the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament produces countless injured participants, the demand for medicinal herbs is substantial.
Of course, those participating in the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament typically bring basic medicines with them.
However, there are times when superior medicines are needed, and sometimes the medicines they brought have spoiled.
As a result, this period represents quite a profitable season for our Merchant Guild.
“To be honest, that’s true. But my desire to see my Old Friend’s face was even greater.”
“Your words alone are gratitude enough. So what is your purpose?”
“I wish to meet that impostor who mimicked the Small Guild Master yesterday. Though I’ve already exposed his identity, it seemed more fitting for the Small Guild Master—the actual victim—to confront him instead.”
He nodded at my words.
“In truth, I also wished to see that man’s face. Then I should send a visiting letter to that place.”
“Ah, I already sent one ahead. And we received permission.”
“…You’re quite swift.”

We headed toward the location where the Sebin Merchant Guild had a branch office.
Here in Luoyang stood the Sebin Merchant Guild Luoyang Branch, and they were staying there.
“Welcome.”
The one greeting us was In, whom I had also seen at this gathering.
“My Grandfather and Father are occupied with pressing matters, so I’ve come out here out of necessity.”
“Not at all. We are grateful that you’ve come to receive us personally.”
“Then would you care for some tea?”
“Your offer is kind, but I wish to meet that man from yesterday first.”
“Understood. Please follow me.”
Under In’s guidance, we headed toward the Prison. Technically, imprisoning someone privately isn’t permitted, but there are always ways around such restrictions.
For instance, the pretext of borrowing a prison facility.
As we made our way to the Prison, In provided us with a brief explanation.
“We’ve been interrogating him thoroughly, but he’s proving to have considerable fortitude—he insists it was his crime alone.”
“I see. Quite a stubborn one, then.”
Soon we arrived at the Prison, and I could see the man I had seized and thrown down yesterday.
Seeing his body covered in wounds from being suspended against the wall, it was clear he had endured a thorough interrogation.
As we approached, he opened his eyes.
“Ah, we’ve identified his name. He goes by Geun Seong.”
The same name I had heard yesterday.
Upon hearing this, I met his gaze.
Having exposed his identity and beaten him into this state, I expected his eyes to be filled with hatred toward me.
But instead, what filled his eyes was relief.
This could only mean that the silver token was not his primary objective.
I spoke to In.
“For a moment, I’d like to speak with him alone.”
“That would be…”
His expression showed reluctance, but I offered an appropriate excuse.
“It seems sensitive matters will be exchanged regarding achievements. I hope you’ll understand my discretion.”
“….”
After a moment of consideration, he nodded.
“I understand. But please inform me immediately if you discover anything.”
“Of course.”
Once In and Bok Yun Sub-leader left the room, I approached Geun Seong and spoke.
“I heard you committed these acts targeting the silver badges. But my personal informant told me something different—that you could have swept away all the silver badges without resorting to such desperate measures.”
He bit his lip.
“So, what was your real purpose?”
“….”
He kept his mouth firmly shut, but I had information from Chun-il.
“I heard you have a younger sister.”
“…!”
His eyes widened.
Chun-il had told me that Geun Seong, an orphan, had a younger sister.
The reason he became a thief was to feed and support her.
“Enduring such suffering without opening your mouth to the end—your sister is being held hostage, isn’t she?”
“Gasp!”
“Then who is it? Who would hold your family hostage and force you into such work?”
“I… I cannot speak. If I do, that man will harm my sister….”
“I will protect your sister.”
The reason Chun-il told me about Geun Seong’s sister was because he knew I would help her.
After all, I still cared for my disciples.
“He hired a master swordsman called Ghost Hand Sword.”
Ghost Hand Sword?
From what I remembered, he was a martial artist from the Black Path who wielded a sword.
The reason he was called Ghost Hand Sword was because his swordwork was so vicious it was said to possess the cruelty of a ghost’s hand.
And he was obsessed with money.
So he was famous for accepting any dirty commission as long as it paid well.
That made his purpose all the more questionable. Why would someone hire such a master as Ghost Hand Sword for this kind of work….
“Is it because he’s a peak-level master?”
“That’s correct.”
I chuckled softly, then picked up an iron stake lying nearby and handed it to Seo-woo Warrior.
“Try cutting this.”
It was an iron stake as thick as my forearm.
Normally, striking it with a sword would only damage the blade. But if one could use sword energy, that would be different.
“Understood.”
Seo-woo Warrior took the stake and threw it against the wall.
Thunk—!
He swung his sword at the stake embedded in the wall.
Screech—!
Thud.
Watching the iron stake slice cleanly in two like tofu, Geun Seong’s jaw dropped so far it nearly unhinged.
“With power like this, I believe we can capture Ghost Hand Sword, can we not?”
He steadied his shock and sent an earnest gaze forward.
“Please, I beg you—protect my sister’s family as you promised.”
“Of course.”
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.
That night.
I set out with Seo-woo Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior to the location Geun Seong had revealed.
Since this was work requiring secrecy, I brought only the two warriors, moving through the dead of night.
Geun-seong’s Sister’s House.
His sister had married out and was living an ordinary life, or so he’d said.
As I approached with my presence suppressed, I felt the aura of someone watching the house.
Revolting.
I recognized him instantly as Ghost Hand Sword.
Ghost Hand Sword here in Luoyang, of all places…
Did the Murim Alliance not frighten him, or was he confident in his martial prowess?
The Murim Alliance likely wouldn’t concern itself with every individual like this.
As long as they caused no major incidents, they could turn a blind eye even while knowing.
– Let’s move.
At my silent transmission, Seo-woo Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior nodded. Seo-woo Warrior approached him.
“Who are you?”
Without answering, Seo-woo Warrior drew his blade and struck.
Ghost Hand Sword’s realm was peak mastery.
I couldn’t fathom why someone with such skill would engage in such filthy work, but it wasn’t my concern.
Still, his reputation proved no mere rumor—he evaded Seo-woo Warrior’s assault.
“Damn!”
Soon after, Jin Yu Warrior joined in, launching a coordinated assault.
I too remained idle no longer.
There were others watching this place besides Ghost Hand Sword.
Those bearing the aura of the Black Path.
Which meant mercy was unnecessary. If the Black Path’s aura had accumulated to this degree, they had committed countless brutal acts by now.
I drew Eun Moo-geom and rushed toward them.
“Gasp! Who—ack!”
But their words did not continue long. My blade had already drawn across their throats.
It was then.
One of them seized the opening and fled.
Who do you think you are?
A technique combining the fourth form, Snow Wind, and the ninth form, Snow Light, of the Jinseol Twelve-Form Sword Technique unfolded in my hands.
Swift blade enhanced by extreme swiftness.
Eun Moo-geom shot forth at a speed invisible to the eye, embedding itself directly in his skull.
Thud!
I approached him and retrieved Eun Moo-geom. While I eliminated the other watchers, the battle between Ghost Hand Sword and the two Guard Warriors also reached its conclusion.
Squelch!
Jin Yu Warrior’s blade pierced Ghost Hand Sword’s heart from behind, and Seo-woo Warrior’s sword, rising like a butterfly, severed his neck.
Thump.
I gazed coldly at Ghost Hand Sword’s corpse and spoke.
“Thank you for your efforts.”
With this, Geun-seong’s sister’s safety was secured.
Now all that remained was to track down the one who orchestrated this through Geun-seong.
First, I would need to report this to the authorities.
I could simply say we discovered their bodies while traveling.
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.
.
Several days later.
Palgap brought me new information.
“The Yeongsi Merchant House has been completely devastated.”
Not quite at the level of the Baekdae Trading Company Alliance, but it was one of the Hebei Province merchant guilds large enough that I knew its name.
“Not only government forces but also Murim Alliance warriors descended upon them. Apparently, there were circumstances suggesting a connection to Ghost Hand Sword of the Black Path.”
I already knew this story from Geun-seong’s confession.
“So why would they do such a thing….”
At that moment, I sensed a group entering the inn.
Soon, Father’s voice rang out.
“Seo-ho! Se Bin Sub-leader has come to visit.”
The moment the door opened, Se Bin Sub-leader approached me and grasped both my hands firmly.
I had expected him to come, but he arrived sooner than I thought.

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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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