The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 283

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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 283

Chapter 283. Bold Investment (1)

During my stay in Luoyang, no nocturnal visitors came calling.
Instead, Palgap brought me some intriguing news.
“While I was out at the marketplace, I overheard a fascinating story.”
“Oh? What story?”
“It seems that a dozen or so corpses were discovered in a cluster east of Luoyang.”
“What?”
“Upon investigation, they turned out to be an assassin organization that had been causing considerable trouble in Henan. According to the County Office’s findings, they destroyed themselves through internal conflict. However, here’s the thing.”
Palgap smiled.
“The assassin organization was called Eun Lim.”
“….”
Wait—Eun Lim? Isn’t that the organization the assassin targeting Peng So-hyup revealed as his affiliation?
And he said their headquarters was located east of Luoyang.
I could sense what had transpired here.
I had suspected my “reward strategy” would prove effective, but I never imagined it would work this spectacularly.
“No wonder the nocturnal visitors stopped coming….”
Well, should I rejoice at this fortunate turn of events?

* * *

At that moment.
Peng Kang-un sat in a guest room of an inn he’d secured in Luoyang, his expression tense with anxiety.
“Please, do not worry yourself so much.”
At his attendant’s words, Peng Kang-un exhaled a long sigh before speaking.
“To be honest, I still cannot shake my doubts. To think that I would come to Luoyang, a city teeming with people, of my own volition!”
“Have no fear. The Eun Seo-ho I have observed is a man of exceptional character who will surely guide us safely to the main house. He is the one who elevated the Eunhae Trading Company to its current prominence.”
“….”
“Moreover, a true merchant never retreats before a transaction. Since we have made this agreement with him, we can be certain of our safety.”
“But was it truly the right decision to bypass the escort sent by the family and meet with Eun Seo-ho instead of heading directly home?”
“Of course it was. Did you not feel something when you spoke with him directly?”
At the attendant’s question, Peng Kang-un recalled the conversation he had shared with Eun Seo-ho.
“Now that you mention it… strangely enough, I felt at ease throughout our entire conversation. And I found myself trusting him. Yet, considering all that has transpired, this is hardly a situation where one can trust others so easily. And yet….”
He shook his head slowly as he continued.
“To wager three thousand silver taels on my behalf! Truthfully, it was unexpected. I was astonished not only by the sum itself, but by his willingness to stake it without hesitation….”
“They say the thoughts of a genius are beyond prediction. The Eun Seo-ho I observed was no ordinary man. So you may trust him and wait with composure.”
It was then.
“Are you within?”
It was Eun Seo-ho’s voice.
“Ah, please, come in.”
And in that same moment, they both tensed. There was always the possibility that someone else might enter.
At his response, the door opened, revealing a beautiful face. Features so exquisite that she could be called Seon Hyeop Mi-rang.
No matter how flawlessly one crafted a face mask, such beauty was impossible to replicate.
“Welcome.”
“In truth, I came because there is something I wished to tell you.”
“Yes.”
“My attendant ventured into the marketplace and heard an amusing tale.”
And Eun Seo-ho, smiling, relayed to Peng Kang-un the story he had heard from Palgap.
At those words, Peng Kang-un stammered in disbelief as he asked.
“So… they destroyed themselves?”
“Yes. Well, it was predictable enough. Would they have possessed any camaraderie? Each one harbored the same thought—to betray the others and claim the three thousand silver taels for themselves. And by fortune, they all arrived at this conclusion simultaneously.”
“….”
“Was it not a fortunate turn of events?”
“Yes, indeed. It was most fortunate.”
Only then could Peng Kang-un resolve one lingering question.
Why he had insisted on coming to Luoyang, a city crowded with people.
It was to ensure that as many people as possible heard the tale of the reward, allowing it to spread far and wide.
“Yet your expression seems somewhat unsettled.”
Peng Kang-un hesitated briefly before speaking.
“In truth, it is so. There is one thing I cannot quite comprehend.”
“Please, speak freely.”
“Why did you spend such a fortune on me? Even finding just ten people would earn thirty thousand silver taels.”
“Ah… You mean that?”
Eun Seo-ho answered Peng Kang-un’s question with composure.
“It’s called investment. You must be bold with it.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Of course, I don’t do that with things I’m uncertain about. But when I have conviction, I must spend boldly. Otherwise, it accomplishes nothing.”
“That means… in other words….”
“It means I have faith in Peng So-hyup.”
At those words, Peng Kang-un found himself speechless.
‘He trusts me this much, yet I could not trust the Eun Small Merchant Leader.’
Peng Kang-un felt ashamed of himself.

* * *

I left Peng So-hyup’s chamber.
Tomorrow, we would depart Luoyang at last.
The Murim Alliance Leader had sent someone to invite us for dinner, which had delayed our schedule slightly.
In truth, I had anticipated this.
The League Master sent his guard unit to escort us. With the League Master’s guards protecting us, what skilled assassin would dare target us?
They would instantly become enemies of the entire Murim and have nowhere to stand.
Thanks to that, we enjoyed a fine meal.
Still, was Peng So-hyup moved by merely thirty thousand silver taels?
What I told him earlier was both sincere and my true conviction.
When you have faith, investment must be bold. Of course, building that conviction requires the difficult process of gathering extensive information.
I wonder if Peng So-hyup realizes something.
That my investment has only just begun.

The next day,
we departed from the inn.
Hebei Province was now within reach. Of course, we still had some distance to cover to Beijing where the Hebei Peng Family resided.
Sigh, no matter how I think about it, this empire’s territory is truly vast.
However, thanks to the three thousand silver taels I had offered as a reward, we were able to travel to Beijing quite comfortably.
.
.
.
How many days had passed since we left Luoyang and crossed into Hebei?
We had finally arrived in Beijing.
“There is an inn nearby that I know well. It would be best to stay there for a while.”
“Understood.”
“And from this point forward, the danger intensifies. As Peng So-hyup draws closer to the Peng Family, they will stop at nothing to eliminate him.”
At my words, Peng So-hyup and his attendant nodded in agreement.
They understood as well.
That they could no longer afford to waste time.
The moment Peng So-hyup enters the Peng Family residence, the position of Small Patriarch will transfer to him, so they will employ any means necessary to eliminate him before that happens.
Even if it means resorting to dangerous methods.
Of course, I too have no intention of restraining myself.
Beijing may be the stronghold of the Hebei Peng Family, but it is also my stage.
I handed a prepared letter to Lee Pil Warrior.
“Lee Pil Warrior.”
“Yes.”
“Please deliver this.”
“Understood.”

Soon we arrived at an inn.
“Is this inn suitable? If our presence causes any trouble for this establishment….”
He truly is a good-hearted man.
I smiled with a slight grin and spoke.
“There is no cause for concern. Nothing troublesome will occur.”
Because this inn was far from the ordinary establishment that Peng So-hyup imagined it to be.

* * *

Hebei Peng Family.
“What? That bastard has arrived in Beijing?”
“Y-yes, sir. It appears he will reach the Main House very soon.”
Crash!
An expensive teacup shattered in the hands of Peng Wen, the Small Patriarch of the Peng Family.
“Damn it! How could those incompetent fools let that wretched creature set foot on Beijing soil?”
“Well, that is….”
“What?”
“The Small Merchant Guild Leader Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company who traveled with him… placed a bounty.”
“A bounty? How much did he offer?”
“Three thousand silver taels….”
“Cough!”
Shocked by those words, he choked.
“Cough, cough!”
“Are you alright, sir?”
After barely composing himself, he bellowed.
“No! Does that bastard have money rotting away? Why would he do such a thing?”
“It seems the assassin groups we hired either held back or destroyed themselves fighting over that bounty.”
“Damn!”
He ground his teeth.
‘How hard I fought to seize this position of Small Patriarch!’
Though I was born as the eldest son of the family, the position of Small Patriarch was never meant to be mine from the start.
The family’s law was simple: the strongest becomes the Patriarch.
My father, the current Patriarch, had declared, “That principle collapsed, which is why our family lags behind the Hwangbo Clan! From now on, I will restore that foundation!”
Thus, the designated Small Patriarch was Peng Seong, the second among seven children.
I could not accept this quietly.
This family was mine. It could never be taken from me.
Not even if the rival was my full brother from the same mother!
So I succeeded in driving out the second son.
My father was displeased with this situation, but he reluctantly appointed me as Small Patriarch for the sake of the Three Great Families’ stability.
And my other siblings, fearing me, did not dare to challenge me.
But then something entirely unexpected occurred.
The Patriarch suddenly declared that he had discovered martial talent in Peng Kang-un, the eldest son of Peng Mok, one of my younger brothers.

“The Main House is a place where the strong should rightfully become the Patriarch. And I saw hope in you.”
“Thank you.”
“Do you wish to become the Patriarch?”
“If given the opportunity, I would not refuse.”
“Good. A man should have such spirit. Let us do this: compete in the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament. If you emerge victorious there, I will establish you as Small Patriarch.”
“What? But the Small Patriarch position belongs to Uncle….”
“An unqualified Small Patriarch must be replaced.”
“…!”
“This is for the sake of the family. If that man is truly a member of the Peng Family, he will step down of his own accord.”

Those words from that day remained vivid in my memory. And my father was a man of his word—when he said something, he meant it.
I had sought to kill Peng Kang-un, but that stubborn wretch clung to life and ultimately claimed victory at the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament.
The Hebei Peng Family Patriarch rejoiced at this. I was there beside him and heard it clearly.
My father murmuring, “A promise must be kept.”
I rose from my seat.
“Where is that wretch now?”
“He is staying at the Sefung Inn.”
“The Sefung Inn, is it….”
I drew the blade I had hung in my chamber and spoke.
“Gather the men. There is no more time. I must end this myself.”
“Understood.”
I could no longer leave this in another’s hands.
Even if my father learns that I killed my own cousin, it matters not.
‘It was Father who brought this upon himself.’

A moment later.
He headed toward the Sefung Inn with the warriors under his command.
“Is that the place?”
“Yes, sir. But what do you intend to do?”
“Kill everyone inside.”
“What?”
“And then we simply spread the rumor that Salma was responsible, yes?”
“That is….”
“Why? Are you afraid?”
“No, sir. I have already sworn to follow my lord—what would I have to fear? It’s just….”
“What is it?”
“Something feels off about this….”
“It’s just your imagination.”
Peng Wen dismissed his subordinate’s concerns.
Then he gripped his sword firmly and charged toward the Sefung Inn.
Crash!
The moment they burst through the door, they froze in shock—as if anticipating their assault, armed men stood ready to meet them.
And….
“Damn it! Small Patriarch! Have you lost your mind?”
A familiar-faced man in the room suddenly bellowed at him.
“What kind of place do you think this is, charging in with weapons drawn?”
“P-Paternal Uncle? Uncle, why are you here?”
“We’re in the middle of a gathering.”
“What?”
“A Geumui Guard gathering, I said.”
“….”
It was then that Peng Wen noticed a handsome man seated on one side of the room.
The moment he saw that face, Peng Wen understood.
He should never have come here.

* * *

I clicked my tongue inwardly as I watched the Golden Robed Guards apprehending those men.
So that’s why they made such a reckless move.
The letter I sent through Lee Pil Warrior was addressed to Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster.
It contained a message that I had unexpectedly become a hero at this Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament thanks to the Golden Robed Guards, and that I would treat them to a lavish feast in gratitude.
And the location I chose was the Sefung Inn.
It was one of the Golden Robed Guards’ secret hideouts.
Precisely because it was the Sefung Inn and nowhere else, they gathered without worry.
I had orchestrated this situation, but it was the Small Patriarch who brought it to completion.
Regardless, how would the Peng Family Head escape this predicament?
Love him or hate him, he’s still his son. He’ll find some way to extract him.
I anticipated that much.
Since the current Emperor favors the Hwangbo Clan, the number of Peng Family members serving in the military is not insignificant, even if they’re somewhat disadvantaged.
With the Peng Family Head moving busily, it would be impossible to send him away on charges of treason.
Unless the Emperor decided to dance with his blade.
But the Emperor I know will use this as leverage to tighten his grip on the Peng Family’s leash, so that won’t happen.
The real reason I planned this was to buy time.
Time for Peng So-hyup to return safely to his family, become the Small Patriarch, and build his own power base.
Having settled matters, I made my way to Peng So-hyup’s chamber.
“You’ve arrived?”
“Did you see it?”
“Yes. I watched through the window.”
“Now prepare to depart. Let us go seize control of the Peng Family.”

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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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