The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 273

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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 273

Chapter 273. What I’ve Gained (1)

Today at the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament, Jegal Yu-ah and Jo Ung advanced to their next matches.
Jo Ung’s victory was remarkably narrow.
But should I even call it narrow?
From my perspective, it seemed less like a victory earned through skill and more like pure luck.
Jo Ung’s opponent, a member of the Yeom Family, committed one blunder after another, which allowed Jo Ung to seize the advantage.
The Yeom Family Patriarch’s face had flushed red and purple throughout.
Honestly, I found it satisfying.
After all, it was because of the Yeom Family Patriarch that Padupa’s husband, Yu Yu-geomje, had fallen into demonic cultivation.
Thanks to the Bok Si-ryeong I provided, he escaped that state and ascended to Hwagyeong, but the Yeom Family’s wrongdoing doesn’t simply disappear.
I wonder how Moon Ju-sung Scholar is doing these days?
I heard that inn became quite famous and they’ve opened a new branch nearby.
I should visit that location again sometime.
I returned to the inn with my parents and then headed toward the temporary shop.
Hmm…
In front of the Eunhae Trading Company’s temporary shop, people stood in line waiting for their turn.
Last night was quite exhausting, bringing all that bone powder and lime.
Not just me, but Seo-woo Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior also had their hands full.
Yet seeing the line of people in front of our shop made it all worthwhile.
We’d dealt a proper blow to the Baekcheon Trading Company.
Ah, how satisfying.
As I approached the shop, Yun Haengsu, who had been moving about busily, rushed toward us.
“Welcome, Small Guild Master.”
“Business seems to be thriving.”
Yun Haengsu answered my question with a beaming face.
“Yes! The line that’s been continuous since this morning shows no signs of diminishing.”
Trauma salve doesn’t work if applied sparingly. You need to apply it generously for it to stop bleeding effectively.
This led people to seek cheaper alternatives, and rather than buying from physicians, they made and used it themselves.
The method for making trauma salve wasn’t particularly difficult.
You simply mix bone powder or lime with several medicinal powders and store it in a mulberry wood container.
Bone powder was more expensive due to its superior effectiveness, while lime was cheaper and thus less effective in comparison.
Some people mixed bone powder and lime together for use.
In truth, only those competing in the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament purchased trauma salve materials.
While countless merchants anticipate the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament for profit, warriors who don’t compete in it await it just as eagerly.
The temporary shops opened during the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament sell quality goods that are normally needed at prices lower than usual, including trauma salve and internal injury medicine.
That’s why a considerable number of those lining up are warriors.
Originally, they would have waited to purchase when prices dropped toward the end of the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament.
For merchants, it’s more profitable to sell everything even at a reduced price than to return with unsold inventory.
So those with time to spare or experience waited until the final stages of the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament before making their purchases.
But this time, bone meal and lime powder suddenly sold out, forcing them to buy at prices over ten times higher.
In such circumstances, our Eunhae Trading Company selling at the original price means this opportunity cannot be missed.
Normally, our Eunhae Trading Company would be selling at slightly lower prices by now.
But thanks to the Baekcheon Trading Company, we’re actually grateful that people line up to buy even at our standard prices.
“How much inventory remains?”
“We still have about two more days’ worth.”
“I see.”
Then I’ll need to return to the Main Headquarters around tomorrow.
“Please continue your efforts.”
“How could I refuse?”
After encouraging Yun Haengsu and the workers, I returned to the inn.
After dinner, I drank the tea Palgap had brewed for me.
“Ah! Delicious! Why has your tea-brewing skill become so good lately?”
Palgap answered my question.
“Young Master, you’re quite particular about tea taste, aren’t you?”
“Particular? What do you mean particular?”
I said that, but my conscience pricked me slightly.
Ahem!
“Anyway, I’ve been studying by searching through books or asking around at the tea house.”
“That’s very thoughtful of you.”
“Then how about raising my monthly wage?”
“Of course I’ll raise it. Why not!”
Palgap’s expression showed slight bewilderment at my words.
“Y-you’re really raising my wage?”
“I don’t lie about things like that.”
“That was… just a joke, so I was surprised you actually agreed to raise my wage.”
Palgap spoke with an awkward expression, and I continued while sipping my tea.
“You’ve been assisting me for quite some time now. It’s about time I raised your pay. Well.”
“Chirp! Chirp!”
At that moment, Geumryeong chirped from my sleeve.
Oh, not you.
You already consume silver at an incredible rate as it is.
I’m planning to raise the monthly wages of not just Palgap but also my four guards.
I savored the tea taste while organizing my thoughts for a moment.
The Baekcheon Trading Company probably intended to sell medicine at inflated prices for about ten to fifteen days before keeping quiet.
They were targeting those competing in the main rounds of the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament—those financially comfortable and desperately needing trauma medicine.
They’d have no choice but to buy them even at ten times the price.
But do you know what?
In the long run, it would be better to maintain good relations with the warriors who advance to the main tournament.
Well, perhaps the Baekcheon Trading Company doesn’t need to maintain good relations with them.
After all, it’s a merchant guild that operates on the Murim Alliance’s capital.
Wait, operating on the Murim Alliance’s capital….
Ah!
In truth, there was something about this affair that I couldn’t quite understand.
Why would the Baekcheon Trading Company orchestrate this directly instead of using another merchant guild as a front?
Usually, they’re quite good at putting other guilds forward.
I found the answer in the thought I’d just entertained.
The position of Baekcheon Trading Company’s guild master is determined by the senior figures of the Murim Alliance.
In other words, Namgung Kang could be replaced at any time.
If he was bold enough to orchestrate something like this, there must have been voices among the Murim Alliance’s senior members suggesting they replace Namgung Kang.
In such circumstances, for Namgung Kang to keep his position, he needed to prove himself as someone who could bring ‘substantial profits.’
This affair was certainly capable of yielding ‘substantial profits,’ and there was little risk of drawing criticism from others.
After all, when bone meal and lime powder are difficult to procure in the short term, the fact that one can obtain them even at ten times the price would seem like a blessing.
Indeed, that was how it had been in my previous life.
That’s why Namgung Kang orchestrated this directly rather than setting up another merchant guild—to showcase his own accomplishments.
Wait…. Now that I think about it, this is dangerous.
The Baekcheon Trading Company is now in a situation of tremendous loss.
And the easiest way for them to overcome this is to eliminate any alternatives besides themselves.
In other words, there was a very high possibility they would move to eliminate the bone meal and lime powder that our Eunhae Trading Company sells.
It was then.
“Sir, we have something to tell you.”
“May we enter?”
From outside, I heard the voices of Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior.
What’s this about?
“Come in.”
At my word, the door opened and the two warriors appeared.
From the two standing before me, I sensed the upright bearing of warriors from a prestigious orthodox sect.
“What is the matter?”
The first to speak in response to my question was Myeong-jong Warrior.
“We are the guard warriors of our lord…. No, rather, of our master.”
“That’s right.”
“Then we believe we must fulfill our duty.”
He continued.
“I’ve spoken with Chang-un. We believe we should do work befitting the monthly stipend we receive.”
Chang-un Warrior nodded in agreement.
“Please allow us to stand guard by our master’s side starting today.”
His gaze was grave and resolute.
These were not words spoken in a moment of anger.
Was it thanks to the sincerity shown by the Sect Leaders of Huashan and Jongnam through the golden wound salve?
Eyes that had been lifeless now burned with renewed purpose.
“Your wounds haven’t fully healed yet, have they?”
Myeong-jong Warrior answered my question.
“It’s fine. Injuries of that caliber are nothing to me.”
“And the golden wound salve has been remarkably effective—there’s no problem with my movements.”
I observed their stubborn expressions.
Indeed, with such determination and perseverance, it made sense they’d become first-rate warriors before reaching thirty.
The timing was perfect.
“Excellent! Then I have a mission for you.”
“I will devote myself entirely to it.”
“I will see it through without fail.”
I instructed Palgap to summon Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior.
They entered my chamber, and I explained the situation.
“Indeed… if that’s the case, then the fish bone powder and lime powder our Merchant Guild possesses are likely in grave danger.”
I nodded at Yeo Eung-am Warrior’s words.
“They may target not just the Baekcheon Trading Company, but other locations as well.”
I spoke to them.
“First, I’ll divide you into teams. I’d like Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Myeong-jong Warrior to form one team, and Lee Pil Warrior and Chang-un Warrior to form another, guarding the premises.”
.
.
.
That night.
I stood atop a building roof.
More precisely, a roof with a clear view of the warehouse where the Eunhae Trading Company stored its goods.
We couldn’t possibly stack such vast quantities of merchandise in the temporary shop.
So we’d rented a separate location to store the inventory.
Naturally, the Eunpung Corps warriors stood guard. But our opponents were the Baekcheon Trading Company and Namgung Kang.
That’s why I’d sent my guard warriors in organized teams.
They were reliable enough to trust.
– But why have you come here? Do you perhaps not trust the two warriors?
At Seo-woo Warrior’s telepathic message, I shook my head.
– That’s not it. I was simply curious to see how Myeong-jong Warrior would move.
– To be honest, I’m curious too.
Currently, I was with Seo-woo Warrior. Jin Yu Warrior was hidden a short distance away.
By my calculations, they should arrive around now.
I couldn’t help but smile.
A group of warriors had just revealed themselves in the distance.
My instincts haven’t dulled after all.
And in their hands blazed torches, burning with fierce intensity.
What they held in their other hands was unmistakably oil flasks.
But did they realize something?
That arson itself falls within my calculations.
The night-cloaked assailants rushed forward, hurling their oil flasks and torches.
There was no way Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Myeong-jong Warrior could have missed this.
“Enemy attack!”
“Third-level situation!”
At Yeo Eung-am Warrior’s cry, half of the Eun Pung-dae Warriors drew their weapons, while the other half swiftly doused the fallen torches with water.
Sizzle—!
Sizzzzle—!
Most of the flames were extinguished by the quick application of water, though some spots where oil had pooled continued to burn.
But even those were snuffed out as sand was scattered over them.
While the Eun Pung-dae Warriors moved with perfect coordination, Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Myeong-jong Warrior burst outside.
And they swung their blades at the attackers.
Clang—!
Clang-clang—!
Soon the cacophony of clashing steel filled the air.
Watching this unfold, I quickly discerned the truth.
Unlike Yeo Eung-am Warrior, who had seen extensive real combat, Myeong-jong Warrior was not particularly skilled in actual warfare.
By real combat, I meant not the restrained duels of martial tournaments, but life-and-death struggles with naked steel.
Even for a first-rate warrior, being part of a prestigious orthodox sect meant limited exposure to such brutal reality.
Yet seeing his blade move without hesitation, it seemed he had taken lives before with that sword.
Still, he had much to learn.
To extend their lifespans, we needed proper preparations. Battles against the Black Path, like the Green Forest Bandits, were rife with underhanded tactics, and the Merchant Guild primarily faced such adversaries.
Nevertheless, their skill was undeniably superior, and the assailants fell one by one, with some beginning to flee.
Others were assigned to handle the escapees.
– Jin Yu Warrior.
– Understood.
Now it was time for me to step in.
I needed to reveal that I had been watching, if only to tell Myeong-jong Warrior that real combat training was necessary.
I launched myself forward and struck the back of a fleeing assailant’s neck with my sword hilt.
Thud.
Seo-woo Warrior also subdued the escaping attackers alongside me, and the situation was swiftly resolved.
“Ah? My lord… when did you arrive?”
At Myeong-jong’s question, Yeo Eung-am Warrior smiled and spoke.
“The fact that you’re so composed means you’ve been here since we arrived. Honestly, I already suspected you would be present.”
“That’s right. I’ve been on that roof the entire time.”
“As I thought! My suspicion was correct. There’s no way you’d rest easy after sending a newcomer into danger.”
And I spoke to Myeong-jong Warrior.
“You see, our lord truly has a generous heart.”
Myeong-jong Warrior nodded in agreement.
“I’ve known it since you saved my life. You even knelt before us for our sake.”
I smiled awkwardly and pointed to the unconscious attackers.
“Well then, let’s find out who’s behind these bastards.”

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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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