The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 272

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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 272

Chapter 272. The Noble Heir (5)

As I was lost in thought, the Huashan Sect Leader continued speaking.
“I won’t forget that you saved Myeong-jong today. I will repay this debt, no matter what form it takes.”
I waved my hand in response.
“Please, there’s no need for such words. I was simply….”
“Don’t decline. Regardless of your reasons, the fact that you saved Myeong-jong is what matters to me.”
“….”
Truthfully, I was secretly delighted inside.
After all, the Huashan Sect Leader himself had promised to repay me.
“Then I shall take my leave now. Don’t mention to others that I came here.”
“Not even to Myeong-jong Warrior?”
He nodded.
“Please look after Myeong-jong.”
And just as mysteriously as the Huashan Sect Leader had appeared, he vanished.
Is this the realm of the supreme master?
I tucked the medicinal salve from the mulberry wood container into my sleeve.
I turned back toward the inn, but before I could take even a few steps, I had to stop again.
“Eun Seo-ho, Great Hero.”
I heard someone calling my name. When I turned around, I couldn’t help but let out a silent laugh.
It was the Jongnam Sect Leader.
I had suspected, but he really did come.
It meant both warriors were talents greatly expected by their respective sects.
At their age, they had reached first-rate level.
They were likely considered the Noble Heirs of each sect. They had entered the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament to raise their reputations, but things had gone awry.
Though they had been demoted from core disciples to external disciples, the fact that they weren’t expelled from the sect gave them hope.
“You called for me?”
At my words, he handed me something. Another mulberry wood container with the scent of medicine….
Did the two of them coordinate this?
That thought crossed my mind, but I didn’t show it and asked instead.
“Is this not a medicinal salve for wounds?”
“It’s the Jongnam Sect’s secret medicinal salve for wounds.”
This is also a secret medicinal salve.
“Chang-un took quite a severe whipping, and I was worried that without proper treatment, it might leave scars… ahem.”
“I understand. I’ll deliver it to Chang-un Warrior.”
A moment of silence fell between us.
The silence was broken by the Jongnam Sect Leader’s words of gratitude.
“I’m truly grateful that you prevented Chang-un from being expelled today. I won’t forget what you’ve done for me.”
“I was merely….”
“Regardless, I’m indebted to you. In any case, don’t reveal to anyone that I came here today. Please look after Chang-un well.”
And then he vanished as suddenly as he had appeared.
I tucked the gold wound salve into my sleeve.
With this, two bottles of the rare and precious gold wound salve—the finest grade no less—now rested in my sleeve.
“Squeak?”
Just then, I heard Geumryeong chittering from inside my sleeve.
“Hey! Don’t eat that! That’s not food!”
“Squeak….”
Typical Geumryeong. The creature had an uncanny knack for identifying expensive items.
I sighed and gazed up at the moon in the sky.
The fact that both sect leaders had sought me out meant they both knew the two warriors were innocent.
Yet it seemed they felt a deep sense of self-reproach for being unable to save their innocent disciples due to various circumstances and political pressures.
Though I hadn’t observed closely, it appeared the influence of the Three Great Families’ house masters outweighed even that of the Nine Great Sects’ leaders.
However, the Zhuge Family and the Sichuan Tang Family seemed to be standing back from the matter.
But reflecting on both my previous life and this one, I found it unsettling how many incidents had occurred that weakened the power of various sects.
As if it were intentional.

* * *

At that very moment.
Namgung Kang, the leader of the Baekcheon Trading Company, was listening to his subordinate’s report.
“We’ve gathered quite a substantial amount of fish bone powder and lime dust.”
“Yes, sir. We’ve scraped together nearly all the fish bone powder and lime dust from the surrounding areas, so it will take about a week to replenish our supplies, they say.”
“That’s more than enough. After all, this operation needs to be completed quickly.”
“Then when should we release it?”
“Tomorrow.”
Namgung Kang spoke decisively.
“We need to start releasing it tomorrow to meet the deadline.”
The main tournament becomes considerably more intense starting from the second round.
That’s when trauma salve becomes absolutely essential.
The small fish have all been eliminated, leaving only the big ones.
In other words, these are people with plenty of money, whether from their own wealth or sponsorships.
So no matter how expensive it is, they have no choice but to buy.
‘This is how we make a killing.’
Customer trust and merchant ethics meant nothing to Namgung Kang.
What mattered was generating substantial profits and earning the trust of the Murim Alliance’s senior members.
That was the only way he could maintain his position as the Merchant Guild Leader.

* * *

I returned to the inn.
Then I entered the room of the Myeong-jong Warrior and the Chang-un Warrior.
They tensed at my unexpected return, wondering what had happened.
I smiled and handed the trauma salve to both warriors.
They tilted their heads in confusion at the sect emblems carved into the salve’s lid and asked me.
“Isn’t this trauma salve containing the secret formula of our Huashan Sect?”
“This is also trauma salve containing the secret formula of the Jongnam Sect… This shouldn’t be given to outsiders so carelessly.”
“Ah, is that so?”
I answered casually.
“I found them on the way.”
“What?”
Both of them had instructed me not to reveal who had sent me, so what could I do?
Still, I should give them some clue about who had sent these.
“I found one beneath the Plum Blossom Ancient Tree, and I also found another in front of that great gate with the Taegeuk pattern drawn on it.”
“….”
“The fact that you dropped these is proof that you haven’t been abandoned. Even if the Murim Alliance has abandoned you.”
At my words, both warriors tensed their hands.
I could see the knuckles of the hands holding the salve turn white—they were clearly holding something back.
It was time for me to take my leave.
“Then I shall take my leave. Have a good evening.”
I left the room and closed the door behind me.
Click.
As I walked down the corridor, I heard sobbing coming from the room.
It left a bitter taste in my mouth.
The Seo-woo Warrior walking behind me seemed to feel the same way.
“Please take good care of her.”
“Understood.”
When I returned to my room, Palgap prepared tea for me.
“Thank you.”
I sipped the tea and tried to calm my mind.
“It seems there’s been quite a commotion lately due to the shortage of bone ash and lime powder.”
I nodded at Palgap’s words.
“Actually, I just came back from asking Chun-il who was responsible for such actions.”
“Who could it possibly be?”
“The Baekcheon Trading Company.”
At my answer, Palgap blinked his eyes wide.
“But they’re already making good money—why would they resort to such schemes?”
“Greed knows no bounds.”
Palgap, seeing my bitter smile, asked carefully.
“What do you intend to do about this?”
“What to do, indeed…”
“Well, naturally you won’t simply let this slide.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Because you have quite the temperament, Young Master.”
“….”
Ouch!
At Palgap’s sudden remark, I glared at him.
I mean, it’s true that my temperament isn’t the best, but still—saying it so bluntly like that hurts.
The Seo-woo Warrior spoke to Palgap.
“Palgap, even when speaking the truth, one must choose the right moment.”
Seo-woo Warrior….
Anyway, how should I deal with this unprincipled Baekcheon Trading Company?
Each merchant guild typically monopolizes the distribution of certain goods within their territory.
However, there is an unwritten code of merchant conduct: one does not monopolize items directly tied to human life.
Among those life-sustaining items are bone ash and lime powder used in wound salves.
In other words, the Baekcheon Trading Company has crossed that line.
As I pondered this, I discovered a critical flaw in the Baekcheon Trading Company’s scheme.
Their plan works precisely because no other merchant guild currently has bone ash and lime powder in stock.
But what if there were a merchant guild with reserves of bone ash and lime powder?
They must have spent considerable money hoarding bone meal and lime powder far beyond what they actually needed.
If bone meal and lime powder were to flood the market at normal prices in such circumstances, Baekcheon Trading Company would bear the entire loss.
Excellent.
At that moment, Palgap, who had been watching me, pointed and spoke.
“That, that expression! That’s exactly the look the young master gets when he’s about to trick someone!”
At his words, I quickly composed my features.
“When have I ever done that?”
“….”
Then I turned to Seo-woo Warrior.
“Would you call for Jin Yu Warrior?”
“Of course.”
Jin Yu Warrior soon entered, and I asked both warriors a question.
“If you used your lightness skill at maximum capacity, how long would it take to reach the Main Headquarters?”
In response to my question, Jin Yu Warrior answered.
“At top speed, I could reach the Main Headquarters and return to this inn by tomorrow morning at the Hour of the Dragon.”
“What about you, Seo-woo Warrior?”
“The same applies to me.”
“Then….”
I rose from my seat and spoke.
“Let’s go procure bone meal and lime powder.”
I asked Palgap for night travel clothes.
The two warriors and I changed into our night garments, and I entrusted a letter for my father to Palgap.
“Then I’ll be going.”
“Travel safely.”
Seo-woo Warrior, Jin Yu Warrior, and I exchanged nods with one another.
And… we departed.

* * *

The third day of the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament’s main rounds.
Those who knew that Jegal Yu-ah and Tang Jo-ung would compete today discussed their opinions among themselves as they made their way to the Martial Arts Arena in small groups.
“Ah, now that I think about it, isn’t wound salve in short supply these days?”
“They say the most crucial ingredient for wound salve is unavailable?”
“The crucial ingredient?”
“Fish bone powder and lime dust.”
“Ah!”
“Tsk tsk. Your information is quite slow.”
“What does that mean?”
“I heard the Baekcheon Trading Company sells them—that fish bone powder and lime dust.”
“Really?”
“But the price is rather steep. About ten times the normal rate?”
“Goodness, that’s incredibly expensive. But what can we do? If we need it, we have to buy it.”
“That’s true.”
It was then.
“Hmm?”
Something caught their attention. It was a long line of people waiting.
“What’s going on over there that they’re lined up like that?”
“Who knows?”
They tilted their heads in confusion, and the most curious man among them approached those in line and asked.
“Excuse me, friend. May I ask what this line is for?”
“Ah, we’re selling fish bone powder and lime dust.”
“Then, is this the Baekcheon Trading Company?”
At that question, the person being asked let out a scoff.
“The Baekcheon Trading Company? Hah! That unethical place that raises prices tenfold just because they have some inventory?”
“…?”
“This is the Eunhae Trading Company. Despite the shortage of fish bone powder and lime dust, we’re selling at fair prices without profiteering.”
“Is that truly the case?”
“Of course it is!”
He blinked his eyes as he asked.
“Could it be counterfeit goods?”
At that question, those in line erupted.
“No! How could you say such nonsense!”
“Are you insulting the Eunhae Trading Company?”
“The Eunhae Trading Company is such a conscientious merchant guild!”
“It’s the trading company that includes Seon Hyeop Mi-rang and Baek Jeop Geom-ung!”
“Y-yes, of course. Haha.”
The man laughed awkwardly and returned to his companions, telling them about it.
“Is that really true?”
“Wow! So it really is the Eunhae Trading Company!”
While praise for the Eunhae Trading Company flowed freely from the lips of the people,
the Baekcheon Trading Company was left with nothing but flies buzzing around its empty stalls.
“Tell me, did we promote this properly or not?”
“Of course we did, sir.”
“Then why aren’t there any customers? Why are there no customers?!”
“That… I’m not entirely sure either…”
Wound salve was an essential commodity for the Martial Arts Tournament.
Because of this, I had anticipated it would sell well even at several times the normal price.
At first, it did sell well.
But strangely, as time passed, the number of customers seeking it dwindled.
That was when it happened.
A customer who had visited that morning returned, seething with anger.
“Listen here! I want a refund on this!”
“Pardon? What do you mean by that?”
“Are you serious?! You’re charging ten times the normal price! You’re nothing but bandits!”
“How dare you speak to us that way?”
“You’re robbers, that’s what! The Eunhae Trading Company is selling at fair prices!”
“What?”
“Give me my refund now, you bastards!”
I wanted to use force to throw him out, but I risked being reported to the Patrol Guard, so I had no choice but to process the refund.
The problem was that it wasn’t just one or two people demanding refunds.
After hearing the situation, Namgung Kang questioned his subordinates.
“What in the world is going on here?”
“Well… the Eunhae Trading Company probably doesn’t have much inventory of bone powder and lime left either.”
“So they’ll have no choice but to come back to our company eventually.”
Thus, the subordinates of the Baekcheon Trading Company tried to placate Namgung Kang.
That was when it happened.
A subordinate who had gone to assess the situation returned and reported carefully.
“It seems… the situation is quite serious, sir.”
“What do you mean, serious?”
“The Eunhae Trading Company’s inventory… is enormous.”
“…”
“And people are cursing our Baekcheon Trading Company and refusing to do business with us.”
At those words, Namgung Kang’s vision darkened.
The enormous losses from this incident, and the diminished reputation of the company.
I had no idea how to explain this to the senior members of the Murim Alliance.
‘Damn it all!’

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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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