The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 32

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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 32

Chapter 32. The Small Merchant Guild Leader’s Public Announcement (3)

It was truly a lamentable affair.
A promising warrior cut down in his prime,
my elder brother condemned to a lifetime of regret and self-recrimination because of it,
and the assassin along with whoever had commissioned the deed never brought to justice.
In truth, everything I have done has been to prevent this very tragedy.
I have made every preparation within my power.
I should be able to prevent the worst outcome.
Still, it seemed wise to give him some forewarning.
“Elder brother, about tomorrow.”
“Hmm? Why the sudden serious expression?”
“I have a bad feeling about it. It might be nothing, but I’d like you to listen to me just for tomorrow. Listen carefully to what the former warrior says. Don’t be stubborn about it.”
“Huh? The former warrior’s words?”
My brother tilted his head and glanced at the former warrior.
The former warrior’s face naturally showed he understood nothing.
“Alright, I understand.”
“Can you promise me?”
“I promise.”
Jeon Woo-jin, the warrior standing behind us, clasped his fist and spoke.
“Have no fear, sir. I will protect the First Young Master with my very life if need be.”
I let out a silent laugh internally.
That’s precisely why I’m doing this.
But since I could not say such a thing aloud, I too clasped my fist and spoke.
“Please look after my elder brother well.”
I will preserve that life for you.

* * *

Morning arrived.
I rose from my bed, performed my breathing exercises, and changed into fresh clothes.
Today was Eun Jung-ho’s public announcement as a Small Merchant Guild Leader.
Still, my Master would not skip training.
As expected, when I stepped into the courtyard, my Master entered at precisely that moment.

A few hours later, I collapsed onto the courtyard ground.
Once again today, I had trained until I was on the verge of complete exhaustion.
“I shall conclude today’s training.”
“You have worked hard.”
My Master bowed in return to receive my salutation, then his expression grew grave as he spoke.
“Today, it seems we must exercise caution.”
“Pardon?”
“There is a thick killing intent in the air.”
At my Master’s words, I momentarily froze.
Had I truly known nothing of what was to transpire today, I would have dismissed it without concern.
But knowing what awaited, his words carried an ominous weight.
“What do you mean by that, Master?”
“A moment ago, I sensed a thick killing intent emanating from within the Merchant Guild.”
“How could you possibly sense such a thing?”
“This is one of the functions of the Yin-Yang Ice-Sea Divine Art I taught you. Once your cultivation reaches a sufficient level, you will understand its meaning.”
Even with that explanation, I could not comprehend it.
Certainly, in my previous life I had reached the level of a first-rate warrior, and in this life I had climbed to a comparable height.
Yet I could not sense the killing intent my Master spoke of at all.
Here, a question arose in my mind.
In my previous life, the people of the Changin Escort Agency, an important business partner, had also been invited to the banquet.
If that were so, could my Master not have known beforehand and prevented that incident at the time?
“There is a considerable possibility that uninvited guests will arrive.”
“I shall inform Father to strengthen the security.”
“That would be wise. And as it happens, I cannot attend this banquet. Beginning tomorrow, I must depart for Zhejiang Province on an escort mission, and I shall not return for approximately a month.”
With my Master’s next words, I finally understood why he had been unable to prevent that incident in the past.
My Master had been away on a journey.
“In any case, you need only practice the movements of the Descending Snow technique I taught you today.”
“Understood. But is it acceptable for me to train the sword art alone?”
“You have already surpassed the dangerous stages of solo training.”
“Ah, I see.”
Answering thus, I quietly turned my head away.
I felt as though I had been caught attempting some deception.
Wait.
My Master had instantly perceived the thick killing intent. Then might he not also know who the perpetrator is?
The reason I could only prepare for contingencies without fundamentally blocking the perpetrator was simple.
It was because I did not know who the perpetrator was.
According to Eun Jung-ho’s testimony, the culprit wore women’s clothing and even wrapped their face with a veil, so their face was completely hidden.
That meant the perpetrator could be a woman, or equally, a man in disguise.
“Master, could you discern who is targeting our Merchant Guild?”
“I cannot. I sensed the killing intent only for a brief moment. And they quickly concealed it. Had they been closer, I might have known, but alas, it was not to be.”
My Master continued speaking.
“This level of skill marks him as no ordinary opponent. Therefore, you must never lower your guard.”
.
.
.
The banquet had begun.
With musicians and courtesans hired since morning stirring the atmosphere with melody and dance, the guests who had lined up outside the Eunhae Trading Company’s entrance began filing into the Banquet Hall.
Over two hundred tables had been prepared for this occasion.
It was an extravagant affair—prepared with the belief that the more guests who attended, the brighter the Small Merchant Guild Leader’s future would become.
When I recalled the expenses poured into this banquet, I could picture Yu Chief Manager clutching his head in silent anguish.
And rightfully so.
The costs incurred were truly staggering.
In my view, it was money well spent, but Yu Chief Manager served as both the Internal Chief Manager and the Jaegyeong Pavilion’s master.
Which meant he agonized over every single expenditure as though his heart were being torn from his chest.
Well, with someone like that keeping watch, the Eunhae Trading Company ran smoothly and soundly.
Today, Eun Jung-ho and I were tasked with entertaining those of my own age.
In other words, the sons and daughters of distinguished guests.
Their seating had been arranged separately in the Garden Pavilion.
“Welcome, young master.”
“It’s been a while. You’ve changed—you’ve grown taller and stronger.”
“I’ve been studying swordplay lately, it seems. Please, come in and enjoy yourself.”
“Indeed.”
As I greeted the arriving guests, I felt a gaze upon me and turned my head.
But where that gaze had come from, a cluster of young women stood gathered, now feigning indifference and looking away.
They had clearly been saying something about me, hadn’t they?
Eun Jung-ho sighed beside me and spoke.
“Soon the matchmakers will wear out the threshold with their visits.”
“What are you talking about? I’m only fifteen—why would matchmakers be coming around already?”
“Fifteen is a perfectly acceptable age for marriage.”
“That may be true, but… why are you suddenly saying such things?”
“Do you ever look at yourself in a mirror?”
“Well…”
I found myself at a loss for words.
Now that I thought about it, I hadn’t looked in a mirror in quite some time.
Since Palgap handled my grooming, there was no need for me to check my appearance myself.
And I had no habit of admiring my own face.
Just then, another young master approached with a young woman at his side. Eun Jung-ho and I quickly offered them proper greetings.
“Welcome, Han Gongja and Han Sojeo.”
“Thank you for the invitation to such an auspicious occasion.”
“We are delighted that you would honor us with your presence. On behalf of our elder brother, I offer our gratitude.”
“Haha, of course you should come. Isn’t that right, Han Baek-ah?”
“Indeed, Elder Brother.”
Their names were Han Baek-geon and Han Baek-ah.
Han Baek-geon was two years my senior, the same age as Eun Jung-ho, while Han Baek-ah was a year younger than me.
They were the children of the Hongnang Trading Company’s leader, whom I held in considerable regard.
The Hongnang Trading Company understood the principles of commerce quite well, and like us, they were counted among the Hundred Greatest Merchants of the Land.
And Han Baek-geon would inherit the Hongnang Trading Company.
They had engaged in friendly competition with our Eunhae Trading Company, and in time, they would grow to become one of the Ten Greatest Merchants of the Land.
They were worthy rivals indeed.
But far more formidable than Han Baek-geon was Han Baek-ah, who stood quietly in the background.
Having served as the true driving force behind the Hongnang Trading Company, she was known as the Awl of Hongnang for her piercing acumen.
She occasionally deployed sharp stratagems that even I found quite impressive.
I smiled and spoke.
“Please, be seated. We have prepared quite an abundance of food.”
Yet when Han Baek-ah met my gaze, a faint blush colored her cheeks.
“…?”
At that moment, the other young ladies called to Han Baek-ah, and she turned toward them.
“Young Master.”
And Han Baek-geon called out to me.
“Yes?”
“Just so we’re clear—don’t even think about laying a hand on my sister.”
“…Pardon?”
And with that, he departed toward where the other young masters were seated.
Bewildered by his cryptic words, I stood frozen, and seeing my confusion, Eun Jung-ho laughed silently and patted my shoulder without a word.
“….”
What was that about?
After greeting guests before the pavilion for some time, the hour of the Snake had arrived.
Boom, boom, boom!
The music that had been echoing from all directions in rhythm with the drum suddenly ceased.
And all eyes turned toward the platform erected before the Silver Dragon Hall—the grandest building of the trading company and the symbol of our organization, where my father’s office was located.
My father, dressed in resplendent robes, raised his voice and spoke.
“I am Eun Gil-sang, Master of the Eunhae Trading Company. I am deeply grateful to all of you for gracing my eldest son’s Small Merchant Guild Leader appointment ceremony with your presence.”
My father bowed respectfully to express his gratitude to the guests.
“Now allow me to introduce my eldest son, Eun Jung-ho.”
At my father’s words, Eun Jung-ho ascended the platform. He clasped his fists and spoke.
“I am Eun Jung-ho, eldest son of the Eunhae Trading Company Master. I am grateful to all who have gathered here today.”
My father gazed at Eun Jung-ho with satisfaction, then made the announcement to all.
“Today, I, Eun Gil-sang, Master of the Eunhae Trading Company, hereby proclaim that my eldest son, Eun Jung-ho, has officially become a Small Merchant Guild Leader.”
Yu Dae-ik then presented the silver identification tablet from the tray he held, and my brother received it, fastening it to his waist.
Watching Eun Jung-ho beaming with joy as he expressed his gratitude for his new position, I smiled as well.
I hoped that smile would continue.

* * *

As time passed, the banquet grew increasingly lively.
Eun Jung-ho was occupied with offering his thanks to all the guests in attendance.
Normally, he would simply say “Thank you” in response to congratulations, but there were situations where this would not suffice.
These were cases where guests presented particularly expensive gifts or substantial monetary offerings.
It was proper etiquette to invite such guests separately to the Guest Reception Room to exchange greetings.
Eun Jung-ho pressed his fingers against the bridge of his nose.
At this gesture, Guard Warrior Jeon Woo-jin spoke with a worried expression.
“You appear fatigued, sir.”
Eun Jung-ho’s Attendant let out a small sigh and grumbled.
“It’s unavoidable. We’ve already met with twelve people separately. And why do their words drag on so? If they would simply say ‘Congratulations on becoming a Small Merchant Guild Leader. I look forward to our continued relations. Let us maintain a good friendship’—it would be clean and simple. But instead, they circle around and around and around….”
“Don’t be too harsh. They likely struggled to find the words themselves.”
“In any case, our young master Eun Jung-ho is far too kind for his own good. Wouldn’t you agree, Guard Warrior?”
At the attendant’s question, Jeon Woo-jin nodded.
“I must concur with that assessment.”
“I wish I could refuse coldly, but what can I do when this is simply my nature?”
Eun Jung-ho chuckled and continued.
“Still, I’m grateful that those around me guide me well despite this flaw.”
At Eun Jung-ho’s words, the attendant’s face suddenly became mischievous.
“Speaking of which, she came today, didn’t she?”
“Who are you talking about?”
“You know—the Jin Family Official’s Daughter.”
“Ugh!”
At the attendant’s words, Eun Jung-ho’s face flushed red, and the attendant laughed.
“Our young master looking like this—I wonder if that lady saw it.”
“Ahem.”
Just then, the maidservant in charge of the Guest Reception Room approached and spoke.
“Young master, a guest is waiting for you in the Orchid Room.”
“Ah, is that so? Then I should go.”
Eun Jung-ho headed toward the Orchid Room.
As he nearly reached the entrance to the Orchid Room, Jeon Woo-jin stopped in his tracks.
And he called out to Eun Jung-ho.
“Young master.”
“Hmm? What is it?”
“I would advise against meeting with the person inside. I cannot explain why, but I have a bad feeling. In my experience, nine times out of ten, something unpleasant occurs in such situations.”
“But they’ve waited to meet with me. It would be discourteous to simply turn them away.”
“Still, I believe it would be wise to exercise caution.”
“It’s fine. This is our Trading Company’s banquet, and Warrior Jeon Woo-jin is here. What trouble could possibly arise?”
Eun Jung-ho spoke thus as he reached to open the door, when he recalled the words his younger brother Eun Seo-ho had spoken the previous night.
It was a request that he heed Warrior Jeon Woo-jin’s words carefully, as something felt uncertain to him.
And he had promised to his brother that he would honor that counsel.

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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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