The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 31

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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 31

Chapter 31. The Small Merchant Guild Leader’s Public Announcement (2)

An old man of such stature could not possibly be ignorant of such things.
Yet I couldn’t fathom why he was selling at such a discount.
I thought that if I could make a favorable impression on this old man—a figure of such prominence that even the Inspector paid respects, known as the Ghost Face Broker—it might prove advantageous when I needed to seek his aid in the future.
Life is full of unknowns, after all.
I smiled gently and spoke to the old man.
“Please accept it. In truth, I should give you more, but this is all the money I currently possess.”
“Is this… the price of the goods?”
“Yes. It is the price of the goods.”
The old man smiled with an inscrutable expression and spoke.
“I see. But it feels incomplete to send you off like this, so I’ll throw in something extra as a bonus. Choose whatever catches your fancy.”
“What? There’s no need to do that…”
At my words, the old man gestured for me to choose quickly, and I had no choice but to look around the shop.
That was when my eyes kept returning to the inkstone made of soapstone that I had seen earlier.
“Would this be acceptable? I’m ashamed to ask, but…”
“No problem at all. It’s a used item anyway, so the price is lower than a new one.”
Thus I left the miscellaneous goods shop with the mirror, fan, bracelet, and soapstone inkstone in hand.

* * *

The Old Man watched the figures departing from his miscellaneous goods shop.
A beautiful youth who looked rather delicate, a servant built like a bear, and two guards with sharp, imposing presence.
Among them, it was the beautiful youth who captured the Old Man’s interest.
‘His name was Eun Seo-ho, wasn’t it?’
Never neglecting to investigate his surroundings was an old habit of his from his days as Po-du.
Thanks to that habit, he had been able to apprehend all the murderers of the homicides that occurred in his territory.
So there was no way he wouldn’t know about Eun Seo-ho, the youngest son of the Eunhae Trading Company.
There was only one blemish in his entire life.
Others might say such a thing hardly qualified as a blemish, but to him it was his greatest regret.
He had pursued the perpetrator of a murder case, but failed to capture him—let the assassin slip away.
The perpetrator had been an Assassin.
He touched his thigh gently.
That was where the scar from the blade the Assassin he’d let escape had given him as a parting gift resided.
‘It still aches.’
Even now, he still dreamed of that night.
There was only one way to escape that nightmare.
To capture that Assassin.
That was why he, now retired, operated a miscellaneous goods shop in this place.
This location had been a major stronghold of the Assassin he was tracking.
By running this shop here and gathering information, perhaps one day he would be able to apprehend that Assassin.
‘That young master certainly seems blessed by fortune.’
The Old Man also knew.
That the item Eun Seo-ho had just purchased was a treasure.
The reason he had sold it at such an absurdly low price was because the shop itself was actually a treasure.
He didn’t know the circumstances.
But after purchasing this shop and operating it all this time, he had come to understand this fact.
If someone caused a commotion in this shop and destroyed items, they would suffer losses equal to the value of what they broke.
Moreover, if someone haggled down the price the owner quoted in this shop, they would suffer losses equal to the value of the item.
That’s why the Old Man deliberately quoted low prices so that customers wouldn’t suffer losses.
Besides, he had enough money—there was no real need to earn more.
As for those who caused trouble, well, they brought it upon themselves.
But there had never been anyone like Eun Seo-ho, who had paid more than asked.
That’s why he was curious.
What exactly would Eun Seo-ho gain from this treasure that wore the guise of a shop?
“Ah!”
Just then, Eun Seo-ho, who was leaving the shop, spoke.
“Elder sir.”
“What is it?”
“The day after tomorrow, the Eunhae Trading Company will hold a grand banquet. It’s the day my Elder Brother, the eldest son of the company, becomes a Small Merchant Guild Leader.”
“Oh! That’s quite an auspicious occasion indeed.”
“Yes, I thought it would be wonderful if you could attend and enjoy the occasion as well.”
“You’re inviting this old man?”
“Yes.”
Eun Seo-ho smiled as he spoke.
“Then I shall see you on that day.”
He turned and walked back the way he had come.
The Old Man smiled broadly and spoke to himself.
“Having received such an invitation, it would be discourteous not to attend. Wouldn’t you say?”
Creeeeak.
As if answering his question, the shop’s window opened of its own accord.
Seeing this, the Old Man laughed heartily.

* * *

The next day,
I completed my breathing exercises and finished my training.
Though there was still time before breakfast, I hastened my steps.
Before heading to the Dining Hall, I needed to stop by Jihyeon’s Quarters.
Since he hadn’t yet formally become a Small Merchant Guild Leader, he remained in the Quarters attached to the Main Residence, just as I did.
When Jihyeon, who was standing in the Courtyard, saw me, he brightened and came to greet me.
“What brings you here so early in the morning?”
“I have something I wanted to give you.”
“…?”
I withdrew a small box from my sleeve and offered it to him.
“Take it. It’s a gift.”
“A gift?”
“Congratulations on becoming a Small Merchant Guild Leader.”
“But I’m not a Small Merchant Guild Leader yet?”
“Tomorrow is the announcement ceremony. But tomorrow seems like it’ll be busy from morning onwards, so I’m giving it to you now. Actually, I meant to give it yesterday, but I was away in the evening.”
“Ah, I went to meet with Jihyeon just briefly.”
To operate a Merchant Guild, it was essential to establish connections with the Prefecture’s Inspector where the Merchant Guild was located.
Since Jihyeon was about to formally become a Small Merchant Guild Leader, he had gone to pay his respects to the Prefecture’s Inspector.
“Anyway, just take it quickly.”
At my words, Jihyeon accepted my gift with an embarrassed expression.
He opened the box and looked inside.
“This is splendid!”
The gift I had given him was a bracelet.
The silver bracelet was engraved with an exquisite landscape painting, making it something a man could wear without hesitation.
It was a bracelet I had purchased yesterday evening from a Miscellaneous Goods Shop on West Street in the Entertainment District.
Which meant, in other words, that the bracelet was a magical artifact.
“What does that look like to you?”
“A bracelet?”
“It does seem that way, doesn’t it? But it’s not.”
I smiled and continued.
“This bracelet is called the Flying Silver Arrow.”
At my words, Jihyeon tilted his head curiously.
“Arrow refers to a projectile, so why is it called that?”
“When you swing it with inner energy infused, thin silver needles shoot out like arrows.”
“Silver needles? Don’t tell me this is a hidden weapon?”
I nodded.
As Jihyeon said, the Flying Silver Arrow was indeed a hidden weapon—a concealed instrument of death.
The Flying Silver Arrow I gifted to Jihyeon belonged to an assassin known in my previous life as the Red Feather Guest.
That assassin had a grotesque habit of placing red feathers in the mouths of those he killed.
He was caught through a ridiculous mistake, and his capture revealed his weapon.
Despite his martial skills being unremarkable, this hidden weapon was the very reason he evaded capture for so long and continued his assassinations.
I learned about the mirror and fan I bought from the miscellaneous goods shop yesterday, along with this Flying Silver Arrow, only a few years before my death in my previous life.
Not only the Flying Silver Arrow, but the mirror and fan had also been used by members of the Black Path to murder countless innocents.
The fact that all these items had been distributed through a single miscellaneous goods shop caused the shop owner considerable suffering.
After the old man who owned that shop died, his successor disposed of the remaining items.
I brought them here before they could fall into the hands of vicious people and be used to kill the innocent.
What fault does a tool bear?
The question is how it is used.
This time, in Jihyeon’s hands, it would be wielded so he would never have cause for regret.
But I couldn’t say that, so I offered a vague explanation instead.
“When you become a Small Merchant Guild Leader, you may face far greater dangers than now. You know that as well as I do.”
“That’s true.”
“I hope this protects your life.”
“Thank you.”
Jihyeon smiled and asked.
“Just from the description, this doesn’t seem like an ordinary item. Where on earth did you get it, and how?”
“Ah… I happened to go to the marketplace yesterday and obtained it by chance.”
“Is that so?”
“They say treasures find their true owners. This was destined to find you. But why are you asking so many questions? Just accept it!”
“Hmph, well, knowing your nature, you must have obtained it legitimately.”
Jihyeon removed the bracelet from the box and fastened it around his left wrist.
“It fits perfectly.”
He chuckled softly.
“Let’s go have breakfast.”

Jihyeon and I headed toward the Dining Hall.
My family members had already arrived and were seated inside.
“My apologies.”
“We’re a bit late.”
“Not at all. We’ve only just arrived ourselves.”
Grandfather spoke while looking at Jihyeon.
“So Jihyeon has finally become a Small Merchant Guild Leader! This is truly wonderful!”
“It is only thanks to your guidance, Grandfather, and Father’s, along with everyone else’s.”
At Jihyeon’s words, Father nodded and spoke.
“It’s because you followed well. Isn’t that right?”
At Father’s words, Mother chuckled softly.
“Indeed.”
Just then, the servants brought bowls of porridge.
This morning’s meal was chicken porridge.
In the warm and harmonious atmosphere, everyone enjoyed their breakfast and sipped tea.
As everyone savored the tea’s fragrance, I spoke up.
“Father, if I may, there is something I wish to discuss.”
Father nodded leisurely.
“Yes, what is it?”
“For tomorrow’s banquet announcing Jihyeon’s position as Small Merchant Guild Leader, would it not be wise to station Physicians throughout the Banquet Hall?”
“Station Physicians, you say?”
“Yes.”
I continued.
“At Grandfather’s birthday banquet last time, I witnessed a guest suffer from indigestion in the Banquet Hall. Had there been a Physician present, the matter could have been addressed swiftly.”
“Hmm…”
“Tomorrow marks Jihyeon’s formal debut as the Trading Company’s successor. I would prefer that such trivial matters not dampen the atmosphere on such an important day.”
“Indeed, such an incident at a joyous banquet would certainly diminish everyone’s spirits.”
At that moment, Grandfather spoke.
“I agree with Eun Seo-ho. Stationing Physicians would be prudent. This is the day our eldest grandson formally enters the merchant world, and we cannot afford any dissatisfaction.”
With both Father and Grandfather’s approval, this matter would proceed without issue.

* * *

With Jeon Woo-jin’s proclamation as Small Merchant Guild Leader scheduled for tomorrow, the Merchant Guild Headquarters bustled with activity throughout the day.
There was much to prepare—setting up the banquet hall, arranging food, and countless other details.
As a result, every available hand at the guild was mobilized.
The Jaegyeong Pavilion was equally busy.
A banquet meant expenditure, and calculating and managing all associated costs fell to the Jaegyeong Pavilion.
Moreover, since this was a priority matter, the already-stretched Jaegyeong Pavilion had to work even harder.
Which meant I was equally busy.
I reviewed the budget proposal for ingredients needed for tomorrow’s banquet and let out a soft sigh.
Ah, this is wrong.
I quietly corrected the error while watching Yu Chief Manager’s expression.
I could have reported the mistake to Yu Chief Manager, but it was better to overlook such minor errors.
I could simply reject it and say it was wrong, but why invite trouble? This was all for my reputation.
.
.
.
Quitting time arrived.
Despite sitting all day, my back felt no pain whatsoever.
Whether it was the physical training method Master taught me, my constitution, or my inner strength…
Even working without rest all day left me only slightly tired.
No pain is a good thing, after all.
People hurried about due to tomorrow’s banquet and Small Merchant Guild Leader proclamation ceremony.
Suddenly spotting a familiar face, I tilted my head curiously.
“Brother, where are you coming from?”
At my question, Jeon Woo-jin nodded upon seeing me.
“Seo-ho. Are you heading home from work?”
“Yes.”
“I just came from the Separate Quarters where I’ll be staying starting tomorrow.”
“So you’re officially moving into the Separate Quarters? Congratulations!”
At my words, Jeon Woo-jin scratched his cheek bashfully.
Once the Merchant Guild Leader’s sons complete all practical duties and officially become Small Merchant Guild Leaders, they are given separate quarters within the Inner Compound.
It signifies recognition as an independent being and a true adult.
“Once the Separate Quarters are settled, I’ll invite you over.”
“I’ll wait eagerly. I’m curious what it looks like.”
Though I said this, I already knew what Jeon Woo-jin’s Separate Quarters looked like.
In my previous life, I had often visited his quarters to discuss matters.
Suddenly, I seemed to hear Jeon Woo-jin’s drunken voice.

“If I had heeded Warrior Woo-jin’s warning back then, Warrior Woo-jin wouldn’t have died. He was so pleased when he saw the room attached to the Separate Quarters…”

The memory surfaced, and my gaze drifted toward the young Guard Warrior standing behind Elder Brother Jeong-ho.
His name was Jeon Woo-jin.
A warrior whom my brother personally recruited and who has protected him for over five years.
According to Go External Chief Manager, his talent was exceptional—he would reach his peak before turning forty.
But tomorrow, Warrior Jeon Woo-jin would die.

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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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