The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 267

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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 267

Chapter 267. The Dragons and Phoenixes Gather (5)

Fortunately, I managed to stop Sister Hyang-ok from causing trouble with those who called her the Sword-Tongued Female Hero.
“Why did you stop me? A swordsman whose tongue is a blade? Don’t you understand that’s a shameful reputation?”
I nodded at Sister Hyang-ok’s words.
“I understand. But I don’t think that title is a shameful reputation. It carries the affection of the people within it.”
“Affection? What affection could there be in the title ‘Sword-Tongued Female Hero’?”
“It means people hold you in high regard. Notice the word ‘hero’ is included at the end? If that title were truly meant to mock you, they would have used words like ‘witch’ or ‘madwoman’ instead of ‘hero.'”
“Hmm….”
“Honestly, I felt completely refreshed hearing what you said on the arena floor just now.”
The other Ami Sect disciples agreed with my words.
“That’s right.”
“I felt refreshed too!”
“It was truly magnificent!”
Then Sister Hyang-ok cleared her throat and suppressed her anger.
“Ahem, ahem, so, so?”
“A hero’s blade is wielded for justice, which is why they’re called a hero. In other words, because you acted justly, the title ‘Sword-Tongued Female Hero’ was given to you.”
Sister Hyang-ok nodded at my words.
“Now that you mention it, that’s true. I almost made a mistake without you. Thank you.”
“You’re too kind to say so.”
I quietly let out a breath of relief inside.
Sister won’t cause any trouble now.
“But you just mentioned witch or madwoman, didn’t you?”
“I did, but….”
“Why did you have to give those examples? You don’t actually think of me that way normally, do you?”
“!”
I quickly waved my hands.
“No, no! Absolutely not!”
“Hehe, I was just joking.”
And she strode forward. I let out another breath of relief.
She never lets me relax for a moment.
Then someone quietly approached from behind.
“Quite impressive.”
“…!”
Turning my head, I saw Hae Cheong Shen Ni, who had said she would depart late due to other matters, smiling at me with amusement.
I felt somewhat embarrassed and scratched the back of my neck.
“To persuade that fellow so easily—your silver tongue is quite impressive.”
“I haven’t done anything special. Sister simply chose to listen to my words.”
Hae Cheong Shen Ni merely smiled enigmatically.
“Let us depart at once.”
“Yes… of course.”
We soon arrived at the inn, and the dishes Mother had ordered in advance began to emerge.
I ate with diligent haste.
If I finished quickly, the disciples of the Ami Sect could eat their fill without reservation.
.
.
.
Several days passed.
The preliminary rounds progressed smoothly, and yesterday Tang Jo-ung competed in the preliminaries.
And he emerged victorious.
His opponent, who had underestimated Tang Jo-ung based solely on his age, could not withstand the fierce blade and allowed the offensive through.
In truth, for those like the Sichuan Tang Family whose primary strengths lay in poison and hidden weapons, such official martial tournaments were terribly disadvantageous.
The use of poison and hidden weapons is forbidden in martial competitions.
The only technique they could employ was wind palm strikes.
The Sichuan Tang Family, renowned for dragon poison techniques and hidden weapon mastery, yet forbidden from using poison and hidden weapons!
It was truly as if their hands and feet had been bound.
Yet despite this, it was remarkable that Dang Su-bin had advanced to the main tournament in the previous Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament, and Tang Jo-ung had just passed the first preliminary round.
And now, I was heading to the Sichuan Dang Family Branch House, having received an invitation from Dang Dae-jung.
I glanced back at Lee Pil Warrior following behind me and asked.
“Are you truly certain about this?”
His expression seemed rather troubled, which prompted my question.
To my inquiry, Lee Pil Warrior nodded.
“I am fine. So please do not worry.”
Since he said so himself, there was little more I could do.
The reason I worried about Lee Pil Warrior was that Dang Du-jeong, Lee Pil Warrior’s father and an instructor, was currently staying at the Sichuan Dang Family Branch House.
Lee Pil Warrior had abandoned the Dang surname and fled his home. Yet despite everything, a father remains a father.
I was told that the gathering I was invited to was a celebration of Tang Jo-ung’s first preliminary victory.
It was said that when someone achieved their first victory at the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament, a banquet was held in celebration—an ancient tradition.
This was also why Mother had previously held a banquet for Sister Hyang-ok and her companions.
Surely Lee Pil Warrior would end up meeting his father…
Sigh… I myself am uncertain.
Soon we arrived at the Sichuan Dang Family Branch House.
Following the guidance of Dang Dae-jung’s attendant, we proceeded to the Guest Reception Room.
As we sipped tea lightly there, Dang Su-bin arrived.
“Thank you for inviting me to such a joyous occasion.”
“We should be thanking you for accepting our invitation.”
“This is a celebration of Jo Ung’s victory, so of course I had to come.”
“Lord Dang Dae-jung is currently occupied greeting other guests, so I’ve come in his stead. Please follow me. I’ll guide you to the Banquet Hall. Oh, but wait a moment first.”
Dang Su-bin gazed at my face, and I tilted my head in confusion.
Why suddenly?
“Looking at such a handsome face helps me recover my spirits a bit.”
“….”
So her tendency to brighten at a pleasant appearance remains unchanged.
“Ah! Yes, truly handsome….”
“Ahem.”
As I cleared my throat in embarrassment, Dang Su-bin laughed softly and spoke.
“Then let me guide you to the Banquet Hall.”
The Banquet Hall was not far away.
After all, since this was the Byeol House branch, the space wasn’t particularly expansive.
Of course, it wasn’t so small as to be called cramped either.
As we made our way to the Banquet Hall, Dang Su-bin spoke toward the front.
“Ah, Uncle!”
Dang Su-bin turned to address me.
“This is Uncle Dang Du-jeong. He currently serves as a training instructor for the Murim Alliance.”
“I am Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“Dang Du-jeong. Pleased to meet you like this.”
The training instructor Dang Du-jeong, having spoken to me thus, turned his head to look at the Lee Pil Warrior beside me.
Dang Su-bin also wore an expression of sudden realization.
But before that, training instructor Dang Du-jeong’s mouth opened first.
“I’d like to have a brief word with the Small Guild Master’s Guard Warrior, if you would permit it?”
Rather than answering immediately, I looked at the Lee Pil Warrior, and he sighed before nodding.
“Very well.”
And we continued following Dang Su-bin toward the Banquet Hall.
She spoke in a quiet voice.
“I’m sorry. Had I known this would happen, I would have asked Uncle to absent himself from today’s gathering.”
“It’s fine. It seems the Lee Pil Warrior came prepared to meet his father today anyway.”
That’s why, despite my repeated suggestions that he remain at the inn, he followed me like this.

* * *

Watching Eun Seo-ho glance back with evident concern, Instructor Tang Du-jeong spoke.
“A fine lord indeed.”
Lee Pil Warrior nodded in agreement.
“Yes. He is truly a good man.”
“Meeting a good lord is a great blessing. Have you been well?”
“Yes.”
“I received a letter from the House Master. Regarding what happened at the Sichuan Tang Family Estate….”
Lee Pil Warrior bit his lip.
“I am sorry.”
“….”
“I know well that no words I speak can heal your wounds.”
Lee Pil Warrior closed his eyes briefly at those words, then opened them.
“Father.”
“…!”
Instructor Tang Du-jeong’s eyes widened.
He had not anticipated Lee Pil calling him father so suddenly.
“To be honest, when I was young, I resented you. No… I resented everything in this world. That was the only way I could endure.”
Instructor Tang Du-jeong watched his son speak with such composure, and his heart felt as though it were being torn asunder.
“But now, I do not resent you, Father. I have come to understand that you did your utmost for me.”
“….”
Lee Pil Warrior met Instructor Tang Du-jeong’s gaze directly.
“There is one thing I wish to ask.”
“What is it?”
“Did you love my mother?”
Instructor Tang Du-jeong nodded without hesitation.
“Your mother, Owhwa, was the one and only woman I truly cherished and loved deeply.”
“Then that is enough. At least my birth was blessed with the affection of both of you.”
Lee Pil Warrior bowed to him.
“Father. Please take care of your health.”
“Yes….”
Lee Pil Warrior left those parting words and followed after Eun Seo-ho.
Watching his departing figure, Instructor Tang Du-jeong lifted his head and murmured softly.
“Owhwa… our son has grown so well. Even this worthless father receives his concern for my health….”

* * *

Upon entering the Banquet Hall and taking my seat, Lee Pil Warrior approached our table.
Fortunately, he appeared far more cheerful than before. There was something almost relieved about his expression.
It seemed the conversation had gone rather well.
“Haha! I am grateful that you regard Jo Ung so favorably.”
Just then, a loud commotion erupted from outside, and the doors swung open as a group entered the hall.
It was Dang Dae-jung, Tang Jo-ung, and several others whose faces seemed vaguely familiar.
Upon spotting me, Tang Jo-ung broke into a smile and rushed over.
“Great Hero! Thank you for gracing us with your presence.”
At Tang Jo-ung’s reaction, the other guests seemed curious about my identity.
“Who is that young man…?”
Dang Dae-jung answered their question.
“Ah, he is Eun Seo-ho, the Small Guild Master of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“The Eunhae Trading Company? Ah! That place! The one that supplies silk to the Imperial Palace….”
“The one that makes Jamu Dolls?”
“Didn’t they also manufacture wind-catching devices?”
It appeared that the Eunhae Trading Company was more renowned among martial artists than I had anticipated.
I offered a respectful fist salute and greeted them.
“As you say. I am Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
Yet from their expressions, they seemed to harbor little interest in me. Their faces betrayed disappointment upon learning I was from the Merchant Guild.
Rather, Tang Jo-ung’s excessive enthusiasm appeared puzzling to them.
“Hmm, is the Sichuan Tang Family being sponsored by the Eunhae Trading Company?”
To be honest, the only intersection between martial artists and merchants was patronage, so their question was natural enough.
And if a merchant house had any standing in the martial world, merchants would line up to offer their support.
Their arrogance was, in a sense, understandable.
“Ah, that is not the case.”
Dang Dae-jung continued.
“The Sichuan Tang Family has received a debt of gratitude from Eun So-hyup. The details are internal matters I cannot disclose, but… should anyone treat Eun So-hyup with disrespect, the Sichuan Tang Family will never overlook it.”
At that veiled threat, they exchanged peculiar glances, and I could only scratch the back of my head.
Rather than merely gilding my reputation, he was practically scattering gold dust upon it.
I took my seat and began to eat.
Still, even if this was a banquet to celebrate my first victory, one would think he could have invited me privately rather than displaying me so conspicuously like this….
There must be some reason behind it.
Regardless, I had made a decision. Eat quickly and leave.
.
.
.
Time passed swiftly, and all preliminary rounds involving hundreds of participants concluded.
Including those who had advanced to the finals of the previous Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament, one hundred and eight competitors were selected, meaning ninety-one advanced from the preliminaries.
Since the format involved two competitors facing off with the victor advancing, the numbers worked out perfectly in some cases, but often they did not.
To resolve this, the final preliminaries were conducted using a special method.
It’s a system of accumulating points and consecutive match victories.
Those who advance to the final preliminaries take the stage at the martial arts arena after the announcer draws their names.
They then compete against warriors also selected by drawing, and if they win three consecutive matches, that warrior advances directly to the main tournament.
Since winning three consecutive matches is rarer than expected, the list of main tournament participants was compiled without difficulty.
Thus, Jegal Yu-ah, Sister Hyang-ok, and Jo Ung each advanced to the main tournament after passing through four preliminary rounds and the final preliminaries.
To be honest, I expected Jegal Yu-ah and Sister Hyang-ok to advance, but Jo Ung’s performance was surprising.
He possessed far more talent than I had anticipated.

And finally, today—
the main tournament of the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament begins.
I headed to the martial arts tournament grounds with Mother today as well, and settling into my designated seat, I gazed forward.
The upper gallery, which had been nearly empty during the preliminaries, was now completely filled.
Seeing the true magnates take their places, I was reminded anew that the main tournament was indeed the main tournament.
In truth, Father should have come today as well, but he couldn’t attend due to an unexpected matter.
“To all of you who have graced the martial arts arena with your presence! The day of the main tournament we’ve all been waiting for has finally arrived!”
“Roaaaaar!”
“Now, before we begin the main tournament, let us hear words from the League Master who sustains this Murim Alliance.”
Of course.
It’s customary for the organizers of any event to appear and show their faces.
The Murim Alliance was no exception.
An elder rose from his seat beneath the crimson canopy on the far side.
And he ascended to the martial arts arena.
“I am delighted to meet you all. As just introduced, I am Namgung Jin, the Murim Alliance Leader.”
Murim Alliance Leader Namgung Jin.
One of the heroes who had distinguished himself greatly in the past battles against the remnants of the Blood Sect.
For his exploits at that time, he earned the epithet “Sword Emperor of the Leveled Mountain”—a title meaning he had flattened mountains with a single swing of his blade.
“To honor this Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament….”
Honestly, it was the sort of speech one heard but didn’t truly listen to, so I let it pass through one ear and out the other.
But then….
I felt an unsettling sensation, as though I had witnessed something that shouldn’t exist.
What on earth was this feeling?

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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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