The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 271

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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 271

Chapter 271. The Noble Heir (5)

Jegal Family’s Grand Elder nodded at my words.
“That’s an excellent approach. Surely, standing beneath a hero naturally teaches one the hero’s heart, does it not?”
Jegal Family’s Grand Elder turned to the other senior members and spoke.
“What do you think?”
“….”
The Wudang Sect Master looked at me, then offered a faint smile and spoke.
“Moreover, such matters can certainly occur again in the future, anywhere at all. By setting such a precedent, would you not be establishing a beneficial example for your own families and sects?”
A beneficial precedent.
At those words, I sensed agitation ripple through the other senior members.
The Wudang Sect Master had just threatened them all.
There was no guarantee that such circumstances wouldn’t befall their own disciples or successors in the future.
By establishing such a precedent, a path would open where their disciples’ and successors’ dantians need not be sealed.
In other words, it was pressure to think of the future.
“Ah, yes, quite so.”
One by one, they nodded and agreed with the Wudang Sect Master’s words.
“I too believe this is an excellent method, as it allows them to learn the heart of a hero.”
“To be honest, I did harbor some doubts about whether expulsion was too severe. Ahem.”
As consensus formed, the League Master rendered his final decision.
“Very well. Since all are in agreement, I shall release these two into the custody of Great Hero Eun. Great Hero Eun, you may rise now.”
“I am truly grateful.”
I stood from my seat, and the League Master commanded the Martial Alliance Enforcement Division to release the two warriors.
The two warriors, who had been suspended with their wrists bound in the wooden frame, were freed from it and swayed slightly.
Had they been hanging there for quite some time? Their condition didn’t look good at all.
“Will you depart with them immediately?”
“Yes, I shall.”
“Very well.”
The League Master nodded, then spoke to the two warriors.
“In truth, this council had decided upon your expulsion. However, Great Hero Eun Seo-ho here has saved you from that fate. Therefore, reflect deeply upon this matter and strive to cultivate a hero’s heart like that of Great Hero Eun Seo-ho! Do you understand?”
The two warriors, who had worn dazed expressions moments before, suddenly came to their senses and replied.
“We shall remember this always.”
“We shall remember this always.”
And so the two warriors were demoted from inner disciples to outer disciples, with the stipulation that they could not be restored to inner disciple status without the Martial Alliance’s consent.
After these measures were concluded, I departed the hall with the two warriors and returned to the Inn.
Only then could I properly assess their condition—their backs were covered in blood.
There was a reason their condition was so poor.
They hadn’t been bound to the frame merely to prevent escape—they’d been restrained for whipping.
And even after all that, they still intended to expel them from the sect?
Unbelievable.
They’d been treated as complete criminals of the Black Path.
I spoke to Palgap.
“Get them a room to rest in… and treat their wounds.”
“Understood, young master.”
Then I immediately went to see my Father and reported the situation.
“So… you rescued these two warriors and brought them here?”
“Yes, Father.”
“What was your reason?”
Father looked at me and spoke.
“It doesn’t seem like it was simply out of pity.”
Father knew me well.
“That’s correct. My reason for rescuing them wasn’t merely because of their circumstances.”
I was certainly angered by the Murim Alliance’s conduct in blaming them for everything, but I hadn’t acted on mere emotion alone.
“I couldn’t bear to waste their talent. Despite their youth, they’re already first-rate warriors, and according to Seo-woo Warrior, they appear capable of reaching their peak within the near future. Moreover, they’re martial artists from the prestigious traditional sects of Huashan and Jongnam. To bring such individuals into my service while also bestowing kindness upon them—why would I hesitate?”
Even with a lifetime of training, few achieve the rank of first-rate warrior.
Therefore, the value of a first-rate warrior is extraordinarily high.
It’s simply that my guard warriors operate at an absurdly elevated level.
Father smiled warmly at me.
“I understand. Handle matters regarding them as you see fit.”
“Yes, Father.”
“By the way, I never knew your cultivation had reached such heights. I’m truly grateful that you saved your mother and me.”
“Drawing my blade for my parents is only natural.”
“I knew you’d say that. Still, gratitude is gratitude. And thanks to you, I was able to gain considerable face with the Gwangjun Merchant Lord and his lady.”
“I’m relieved they’re both safe.”
“By the way, how does it feel to be a hero?”
I smiled at Father’s question and answered.
“It feels quite excellent.”
After finishing my conversation with Father, I returned to my room, and Palgap entered.
“Young master, I’ve secured an additional room as instructed, so the two warriors can stay there.”
“Well done. But how are their wounds?”
At my question, Palgap’s brow furrowed.
“They were worse than expected. So I asked Kang Physician for assistance.”
“That severe?”
“It was difficult to look at. Yet despite that, they didn’t utter a single word of complaint—I realized that those from prestigious sects truly are different.”
I said nothing.
Was it truly because they came from prestigious sects?
I hadn’t shown my pain because I knew there was no one who would look upon it kindly.
After a moment, I made my way to the room where the two warriors were staying.
“I’m coming in for a moment.”
“P-please, come in!”
As I opened the door and stepped inside, the metallic scent of blood mingled with the pungent aroma of medicinal herbs assaulted my senses.
I took a seat before them.
“Is there nothing you wish to say to me?”
At my question, one of them spoke first—a warrior from the Huashan Sect.
“First, I must thank you sincerely for preventing people from suffering harm because of us.”
The Jongnam Sect warrior continued.
“And we are grateful that you kept us from being expelled from our sects. However….”
He studied my expression before asking.
“Why did you help us?”
The Huashan Sect warrior also nodded and asked the same.
“Especially while kneeling like that. We are not such remarkable people.”
I smiled faintly.
“So, what are your names?”
“Pardon?”
“My name is Eun Seo-ho. I am the third Small Merchant Guild Leader of the Eunhae Trading Company and the Lord of Hyun Pung Country. I am twenty years old this year, and I will turn twenty-one this November.”
I continued.
“I believe that suffices for my introduction. Now, I would like to hear your introductions as well.”
At my words, they seemed to realize their oversight and introduced themselves in turn.
The Huashan Sect warrior spoke first.
“You may call me Myeong-jong. I am twenty-four years old.”
“I am also twenty-four, and you may call me Chang-un.”
“So you are Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior.”
I continued.
“I believe your greatest curiosity now is why I saved you both and what kind of life you will lead going forward.”
At my words, they both nodded.
“The reason I saved you both is… because you are not guilty.”
My words were unexpected, and their eyes widened.
“We are not guilty?”
“No. We… nearly caused the deaths of countless people.”
“Of course that was the result. But consider this—during all the martial bouts thus far, were you two the only ones to unleash sword energy?”
“….”
Of course not.
“However, no other sword energy escaped beyond the arena. That is because the Martial Arts Arena has a formation installed to contain it.”
At my words, they showed no sign of surprise. That meant they were already aware of this fact.
“Yet only your sword energy escaped beyond the arena. And that is despite your sword energy not being particularly formidable.”
“….”
“In other words, it was negligence on the part of the Murim Alliance. Yet the Murim Alliance placed all blame for this matter upon both of you. Do you find that reasonable?”
At my question, they bit their lips.
They were only now realizing it. Or perhaps they had known all along.
That the massive organization known as the Murim Alliance had branded them as grave offenders merely to save face.
“That is why I have secured your release. I could not bear to watch innocent people suffer unjust expulsion. Does this answer your question?”
At my question, they nodded their heads.
I had spoken these words before the Two Warriors deliberately—to cultivate resentment toward the Murim Alliance within them.
The deeper their grievance against the Murim Alliance, the deeper their loyalty to me would become.
That way, they would never betray me.
“Furthermore, from this moment forward, both of you shall become members of my personal guard unit.”
“A personal guard unit, sir?”
“Indeed. My personal guard currently consists of four members. With both of you joining, that will make six in total.”
I continued speaking.
“You will receive monthly stipends. For the next three months, during your probationary period, you will receive eighty percent of the standard wage, and thereafter you will receive the full monthly stipend.”
Upon hearing the monthly wage I had mentioned, the Two Warriors were visibly astonished.
“You truly intend to provide us with such a monthly stipend?”
“I do. Is the wage insufficient?”
At my question, they shook their heads.
“No, not at all!”
“We never even expected to receive a monthly wage….”
“Is it not natural to receive compensation for one’s labor? One of my principles is never to demand work without proper remuneration.”
Especially when employing first-rate warriors.
One must offer compensation commensurate with their skill.
Besides, doing so would only deepen their loyalty to me.
“For further details, you may inquire through Palgap and Lee Pil Warrior.”
I then introduced them to Seo-woo Warrior, Yeo Eung-am Warrior, and Lee Pil Warrior.
Though Jin Yu Warrior was also present, I decided to introduce him after we returned to Hubei Province, just to be cautious.
After concluding our conversation, I left their guest room.
At that moment, the Inn Keeper approached me and handed me a letter.
“A child asked me to deliver this letter to you, sir.”
“…?”
A letter, suddenly?
Ah, could it be from Chun-il?
As I unfolded the letter, it was exactly as I had anticipated.

[I shall meet you this evening at the place where we last encountered each other.]
.
.
.
Evening descended upon the city.
I made my way to the Yumi Restaurant with only Seo-woo Warrior in tow, and while waiting there briefly, a Shop Attendant approached me.
“I’ve discovered it.”
Chun-il spoke without preamble.
“Who was it?”
“It was the Baekcheon Trading Company.”
“…Pardon?”
“They were hoarding fish bone powder and quicklime, among other things.”
I had honestly suspected the culprit would be some organization of considerable scale.
Yet to think the perpetrator was the Baekcheon Trading Company…
If that were the case, then in my previous life as well, the Baekcheon Trading Company must have profited from this scheme.
Regardless, to monopolize fish bone powder and quicklime—essential for hemostasis…
How very like the Baekcheon Trading Company.
“Thank you for the information.”
“Think nothing of it.”
And with that, Chun-il quietly vanished. Ah, he left already. This time without bringing dumplings either.
I had even prepared money for dumplings beforehand.
In any case, so the Baekcheon Trading Company was behind this…
Then I would need to interfere with their operations.
As I walked, pondering how best to obstruct their schemes, I heard a voice calling out to me.
“Eun Seo-ho, Great Hero.”
“…?”
At the sound of that voice, I turned my head to see an elderly man standing in a shadowed alley.
A familiar figure—the Huashan Sect Leader I had seen earlier.
“I pay my respects, Sect Leader. What brings you to this place?”
“Take this.”
He extended something toward me, and I accepted it.
It was a small container made of mulberry wood, and it carried the scent of medicinal herbs.
“Is this not a wound salve?”
“Indeed. It’s a wound salve infused with the secret formula of our sect.”
“But why are you giving this to me?”
“I was concerned about Myeong-jong’s wounds. He took quite a number of strikes.”
“…”
“I am truly grateful that you stepped forward for Myeong-jong. Had it not been for you, I would have had to seal his dantian with my own hands.”
The Huashan Sect Leader’s voice as he spoke these words seemed to lack its usual strength.
I regarded the Huashan Sect Leader carefully.
In my previous life, the Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior who caused the incident were said to have broken their swords.
But in reality, there was a high possibility they had been expelled from the sect.
Then why were they said to have broken their swords?
I think I finally understand the reason.
It was done to preserve their honor.
The Huashan Sect Leader knows it too—that this incident was not the fault of the two warriors.
But he had no choice but to make that decision, pressured by the senior figures of the Murim Alliance.
In the process, he kept the expulsion secret to protect only his disciples’ honor.
Perhaps in my previous life, he had to concede something to the Murim Alliance in exchange for that.
Being a Sect Leader is truly a difficult position.
Anyway, the Huashan Sect is quite a powerful faction. But what I saw earlier didn’t seem like them at all.
Something felt off.
But… could it be that the Jongnam Sect Leader is also coming to find me?

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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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