The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 312

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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 312

Chapter 312. The Emperor’s Errand (3)

The Masked Intruders surrounding us were quite numerous—nearly twenty of them.
From them, I could distinctly sense the aura of the Black Path.
“I’ll be direct. Hand over that letter.”
“A letter? I’m afraid I don’t understand what you’re referring to.”
“Don’t play dumb! I know you have that letter.”
That statement meant one of two things: either they had a spy within the Imperial Palace, or they’d made an educated guess after seeing me enter the palace.
“This is infuriating! What exactly are you talking about?”
“The letter the Emperor entrusted to you!”
They clearly weren’t sympathetic to the Emperor.
If that were the case, I couldn’t simply admit to them that I possessed the letter.
“What do you mean? Why would His Majesty entrust me with such an important document? I lack the capability for such a grave responsibility.”
“So you truly don’t have it?”
“This is absolutely maddening!”
“Hmm, it seems you really don’t.”
“What shall we do?”
“It doesn’t matter. Since you’ve learned of our existence, we cannot let you live. Kill them!”
“Yes.”
They rushed toward us in unison.
They rejected the chance to live that I’d offered them.
Though we were outnumbered, I had three Peak-stage Warriors and four First-class Warriors under my command.
Did they not know who I was?
The incident in Luoyang not long ago was hardly a secret, and anyone with even a passing interest in the Murim would know of my and Seo-woo Warrior’s capabilities.
Could they truly be unaware?
Or perhaps they simply hadn’t made the connection.
Regardless, I’d learned two crucial things: they were after the letter I possessed, and there was a spy within the Imperial Palace.
Therefore.
“Capture them alive if possible. But don’t overexert yourselves and get injured.”
“We obey your command!”
A fierce battle erupted, and chaos ensued.
Naturally, my Guard Warriors’ martial prowess was far superior, and the tide of battle flowed decisively in our favor.
Just as we sustained no casualties while several of the Masked Intruders fell, a whistle sounded and Constables came rushing in.
“Damn! Retreat!”
They abandoned their fallen comrades and fled with remarkable speed.
They were incredibly fast.
Po-du hurried toward my group and asked urgently.
“Are you all unharmed?”
“Yes, we’re fine.”
“Thank goodness. And I… I’m sorry, but you’ll need to come with us to the County Office.”
I nodded at Po-du’s words.
It was bothersome, but procedures were procedures—there was no way around it.
Back in Beijing, when I was attacked by rebel forces on a whim, I had been with the Great Hero of the Golden Robed Guard, so they handled everything without me needing to go to the County Office.
But this time, the circumstances were different.
Po-du surveyed those we had subdued and shouted.
“Bind them!”
“Yes, sir!”
At least it was fortunate that most of those we had subdued and knocked down were still alive, making capture possible.
“Ah, while you’re at it, gag them as well. They might bite their tongues and take their own lives.”
“That’s a good point.”
Po-du, as if approving the idea, issued new orders to the Constables.
And we headed toward the County Office.
Jihyeon was startled to see us arrive with Po-du and came running over.
We had met before, after all.
“What in the world is happening here?”
“Actually, we were attacked by Masked Intruders.”
“What? An attack?”
“Yes, about twenty of them attacked us, but when the Constables appeared, they fled. Fortunately, we were able to capture a few of the attackers.”
Jihyeon clicked his tongue as he surveyed those brought in bound and gagged.
“How reckless. To attack Seon Hyeop Mi-rang and Baek Jeop Geom-ung, heroes of the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament! It’s nothing short of suicide.”
At those words, the eyes of those subdued widened.
From their reaction, it seemed they had no idea who we were.
“Well, I apologize for the trouble, but could you prepare a statement for us?”
“Of course.”

After completing the written statement, we were finally able to head to the tavern where the banquet was being held.
“Is something the matter? I was worried since you were late.”
At the Eun Branch Manager’s words, I smiled awkwardly and replied.
“There was quite a bit to handle.”
There was no need to dampen the mood by mentioning the ambush we’d encountered along the way.
Besides, no one had been injured.
“I see.”
I smiled reassuringly and surveyed the interior of the gisaeng house.
The guild members were enjoying the banquet, watching the dancers and musicians perform.
Of course, there was no alcohol.
But with delicious food and the presence of sikhye, it would be fine.
Sikhye is a beverage made by adding water and honey along with dried fruit, giving it color, a subtle tartness, and a pleasant aroma.
I approached them and asked.
“Are you enjoying the banquet?”
“Ah! Small Guild Master!”
“Please, have a cup of this. It’s absolutely delicious.”
“Yes, I’ll have a cup.”
I accepted a cup of sikhye and drank it. It was indeed delicious.
“Then please enjoy yourselves. I’ll be taking my leave now. Branch Manager, you’ll come with me.”
At my words, the Eun Branch Manager quickly responded.
“Understood.”
No matter the banquet, one cannot truly enjoy themselves when in the presence of a superior.
When you give people freedom, you must do so appropriately.
And while alcohol tends to loosen tongues and lead to trouble, without it, such incidents are unlikely.
Though, can’t people cause trouble even while sober?
If that happens, it works in my favor.
I can catch them before they cause something more serious.
“Then enjoy yourselves moderately before heading back.”
As I descended to the first floor, the tavern keeper Luzu approached me with a respectful bow.
It made sense—since the alcohol ban was implemented, business had been declining, and now this large-scale gathering was a blessing.
From Luzu’s perspective, this must have felt like a tremendous favor.
“Thank you for choosing our tavern.”
“I simply returned because your tavern’s food has always been delicious.”
“We’re grateful. Our Head Chef’s skills are truly exceptional.”
Of course they are.
He was a former Imperial Palace Head Chef.
Though of course, no one currently knows that fact.
It was only revealed later, and when those who questioned why he abandoned the honor of being an Imperial Palace chef asked him about it, he explained.

“What good is making delicious food if the person who should enjoy it cannot properly savor it?”

Since it concerned matters of the Imperial Palace, the details could not be disclosed, leaving only curiosity and endless speculation in its wake.
Later, when I happened to converse with Jin Seung Wang, who had become acquainted with me, this very topic came up by chance.

“If that Head Chef said so, it makes a certain sense.”
“Does it?”
“Indeed. Since it is food for the Imperial Palace, the procedures are remarkably complex. First, every dish prepared must have all its ingredients and cooking methods recorded.”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“Of course. But that is not all. The Emperor does not personally select most of his dishes. When the Emperor points to a dish, an Eunuch Official personally serves it onto a plate and presents it before him. However, any dish the Emperor selects three times cannot be served again afterward.”
“…Is it because of poison?”
“Precisely.”

Jin Seung Wang nodded and continued.

“Most of the dishes he creates are so delicious that they cannot be served again—imagine his frustration.”

At those words, I felt sympathy both for the Head Chef who had left the Imperial Palace unable to fully display his talents, and for the Emperor who could not freely enjoy delicious food.

Yet in the end, that Head Chef was able to exercise his talents and find happiness, and those who ate his food found happiness too.
It was a good outcome for all.
I spoke to Luzu.
“Then, I entrust this to you.”
“How could I refuse?”
“And one more thing….”
I glanced around before leaning in close and whispering to him.
“I know there is illicit liquor here.”
At my words, he flinched.
This tavern had fine spirits made in reserve, which were secretly provided to high-ranking officials in Beijing.
But when this was discovered, he suffered greatly, and in the process, it was revealed that the Head Chef here was a former Imperial Palace chef.
It was truly unfortunate.
Operating a gisaeng house in Beijing meant one could not ignore the sensibilities of high-ranking officials.
But when it was discovered, it was Luzu who received severe punishment, while those officials received only light reprimands.
He asked me in a low voice.
“Should I…provide it?”
“You speak recklessly.”
“….”
“Even if someone requests alcohol, do not give it under any circumstances. And if any of those in the banquet hall make demands that exceed propriety, inform me of their identity.”
“Yes?”
“And one final piece of advice—it would be wise to set fire to the alcohol storage.”
“….”
“Then, I’ll be taking my leave now.”
With that, I left the tavern alongside the Eun Branch Manager.
.
.
.
Upon returning to my temporary residence, I washed and changed into sleeping clothes. Before lying down on the bed, I sat before the table.
Then I withdrew two sealed letters from my robes.
The Emperor had displayed an unusual demeanor when entrusting me with these two sealed letters.
An apologetic expression.
The Emperor already knew. Simply possessing these would put my life in danger.
But what exactly was in these letters that warranted such an attack?
I wanted to open them and read their contents, but that would be disrespectful.
The Emperor I knew would surely have devised a mechanism to detect if the letters had been opened prematurely.
Therefore, I set aside the letter meant for delivery and opened the sealed envelope containing the personal information.
Riiip.
I tore open the seal and read its contents.
Huh?
Gansu Province?
That Gansu Province at the northwestern edge of the Empire?
I’ve only just arrived in Beijing, and with Mount Tai as my priority here, I’m supposed to make a trip to Gansu Province?
Damn it.
I should have refused if I’d known it would come to this.
But what power do I have to refuse the Emperor’s command—or rather, his request?
Sigh.
I exhaled lightly and examined the personal information.
The recipient of the letter was a man named Bang Hyo-myung from Gansu Province.
But if I, who was merely asked to deliver a letter, was attacked in Beijing, surely this person must be safe, right?
Perhaps Bang Hyo-myung himself might also face threats to his life from these mysterious forces?
With such thoughts, I turned to the next page.
“….”
It was a letter from the Emperor to me. Reading it, I felt somewhat embarrassed.
He wrote that I must surely be cursing him by now, but that this was an unavoidable choice.
In return, he promised to provide maximum support for the establishment of the Beijing Branch.
In other words, it was compensation for my service.
Well… I suppose there’s no helping it.
I scratched behind my ear and sighed, then called for Palgap.
“Palgap!”
“Yes, you called for me?”
Palgap appeared immediately at my summons.
“You’re still awake?”
“I had a feeling you might ask us to depart tonight, so I prepared everything in advance.”
“….”
It wasn’t my imagination that Palgap was becoming an increasingly perfect attendant the more he mastered the martial arts manual left behind by Sal Wang—the Path of the King Slayer.
“Shall I summon the Guard Warriors?”
“Yes. And bring the Eun Branch Manager and Jung Chung as well.”
“Understood.”
Palgap moved immediately.
No matter how I thought about it, moving now seemed like the best way to catch them off guard.
Soon the Eun Branch Manager and Jung Chung came rushing in.
I explained only the essentials to them, keeping it brief.
Since it was a letter from the Emperor, I couldn’t elaborate on the details.
“We apologize for having to depart again so soon after arriving.”
“Not at all. It’s unavoidable, isn’t it? But where are you headed?”
“Guangdong Province.”
“That’s quite a distance.”
Of course, I wasn’t actually going to Guangdong Province, but there’s a saying, isn’t there?
To deceive the enemy, first deceive your own allies.
“However, His Majesty the Emperor has promised to provide maximum support for establishing the Beijing Branch.”
“Is that so?”
“Indeed. A journey all the way to Guangdong Province deserves appropriate compensation to make the venture worthwhile, wouldn’t you say?”
“True enough.”
“Then I’ll entrust everything to you both and return shortly.”

That night.
I departed Beijing secretly with only Palgap and six Guard Warriors.
Our true destination was, of course, Gansu Province.

* * *

The next day.
A secluded estate on the outskirts of Beijing.
A man rushed through the gates in haste.
“An urgent matter!”
“What is it?”
“He departed last night, it seems.”
At that report, he ground his teeth.
“I thought he would leave in a few days!”
“….”
“We must ensure that the letter he carries does not reach him. If that letter reaches him, our entire plan will unravel!”
In other words, everything he had painstakingly built through this delicate dance with the Emperor would crumble.
Yet somehow, he had a premonition that stopping Eun Seo-ho would not be easy.
‘That cunning Emperor has outwitted me!’
Those who had attacked Eun Seo-ho last night had not only failed but several were captured, barely managing to escape.
In his preoccupation with that disaster, he had neglected to monitor Eun Seo-ho’s movements—a fatal blunder.
“So, did you discover where he was headed?”
“Yes! He’s traveling to Guangdong Province.”
“Send a pursuit team immediately.”

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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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