The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 322

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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 322

Chapter 322. What Must Be Done (3)

Under ordinary circumstances, the two Black Path groups might never have clashed at all.
But both factions were seething with rage.
From the Black Path’s perspective—those who orchestrated the children’s abduction and commanded the Mountain Stronghold—their carefully cultivated stronghold had been obliterated overnight.
While searching for whoever had destroyed the stronghold, another Black Path group arrived, so it was hardly surprising they mistook them for the culprits.
The Black Path members pursuing Seo-ho were equally furious.
Having endured unnecessary hardship, they welcomed the opportunity to vent their frustrations—they didn’t shy away from the confrontation that came their way.
Because both groups were evenly matched in strength, the two Black Path factions suffered considerable casualties.

Meanwhile, the architect of this collision between the two Black Path groups was currently at Gongtong Mountain.

* * *

“Is this Gongtong Mountain?”
I nodded at Palgap’s question.
“It truly is magnificent, as you described.”
“Of course it is.”
Since ancient times, Gongtong Mountain has earned such epithets as “the most beautiful mountain in the west” and “the eastern cavern beneath the heavens,” testament to its stunning landscape.
Moreover, it is so renowned that there is a saying: Gongtong Mountain stands beneath the Big Dipper and the North Star.
“Should we happen to encounter any Gongtong Sect Daoists, conduct yourselves with utmost courtesy and respect.”
Yeo Eung-am Warrior added his counsel.
“The Gongtong Sect has the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect’s main headquarters, the Shipman Great Mountain, practically on their doorstep. As a result, conflicts between them are frequent, and they remain perpetually wary of outsiders.”
“In other words, if they judge you as an enemy due to harassment by the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, they’ll slit your throat without hesitation.”
“That sounds terrifying.”
“There’s no need to be overly anxious. It’s still a good place, after all.”
That’s right.
The Gongtong Sect is truly a good place.
That’s why, despite being constantly battered by the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, they stubbornly refuse to abandon Gongtong Mountain.
Of course, vengeance likely plays a role in their perseverance as well.
Their martial brothers who trained alongside them have been slain by the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect—how could they lack the desire for revenge?
That’s why the signature sword technique of the Gongtong Sect is called the Demon-Subduing Sword Method. It means to subjugate the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
“So we’re hiding here?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
“This is where the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect and the Gongtong Sect constantly clash—there’s no way the Black Path would dare approach this place.”
In fact, those from the Black Path often visit Gansu Province to defect to the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
However, there was one place they absolutely never approached—Gongtong Mountain.
If someone from the Black Path passed through here and was caught by a Gongtong Sect Daoist, they wouldn’t even leave bones behind.
“But surely there must be inns on Gongtong Mountain, yes?”
Palgap’s question was answered by the Yeo Eung-am Warrior.
“Of course there are. But here’s what’s peculiar—every inn on Gongtong Mountain is directly operated by the Gongtong Sect itself.”
“What? You mean the Gongtong Sect runs them?”
“Yes.”
I nodded in agreement.
“Normally they function as inns, but in times of emergency, they serve as supply bases of sorts.”
The Gongtong Sect was essentially a place perpetually maintained in a state of war readiness.
The Gongtong Sect, always genuinely committed to opposing the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect in all matters.
In my previous life, around this time, an incident had occurred that troubled the Gongtong Sect.
The reason I had come to Gongtong Mountain this time was to obtain something that was the root cause of that incident.

A short while later.
We arrived at the inn located on Gongtong Mountain.
“….”
Everyone except the Yeo Eung-am Warrior let out exclamations of wonder.
“The inn is… incredibly large!”
“A three-story inn in a place like this!”
“I never would have imagined it.”
Typically, inns in mountain interiors like this were only one story, at most two.
And being located in the mountains, they were usually small and shabby.
But how could an inn serve as a supply base if it were small?
When you clashed with the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect, you had to fight for at least a month straight.
I chuckled softly and spoke.
“I’d heard about it from Father and just accepted it, but seeing it now, it really is quite large. Let’s go inside.”
We entered the inn.
“Welcome, honored patrons.”
A Shop Attendant with a sword at his waist greeted us, and from his manner of address, he appeared to be a disciple of the Gongtong Sect.
“We’d like to stay for a few days.”
“Understood. How many rooms will you need?”
“Two rooms for three people each, and one room for two people should suffice.”
Palgap and I would share one room, while the Guard Warriors would be divided into two rooms of three each.
“Very well. And where have you come from, honored patrons?”
This was a critical moment.
It was a question to distinguish between guests and enemies.
“We’ve come from Beijing.”
“From Beijing, you say? From such a distant place?”
“Yes.”
I subtly pulled out the Imperial Inspector’s badge from my sleeve and showed it to him.
“Oh!”
“I would appreciate your discretion on this matter.”
“Of course.”
There were two reasons I showed him the Imperial Inspector’s badge before he could ask further questions.
First, half-hearted lies would never hold up.
He would ask what business brought me here and investigate whether my story was true. If my deception were discovered, it would be terribly inconvenient.
Second, the Gongtong Sect here had some relationship with the Imperial Court, which meant they were obligated to provide maximum convenience to anyone sent by the Emperor’s orders without asking questions.
Now, no matter what I did here, there would be no suspicion or interference.

I unpacked my belongings in the room and came down to the first floor.
I needed to have dinner.
“Would you like to order dinner, sir?”
Perhaps because he now knew my identity, his manner toward me was quite respectful.
Having come to Gansu Province, there were certain dishes I had to try.
“Please bring me beef noodles, lamb sausage, and fried jelly in oil.”
“Understood.”
“And do you happen to have sweet fermented grain drink?”
Sweet fermented grain drink is a traditional beverage made by fermenting oats, characterized by oat kernels floating throughout. Since it spoils quickly, it’s difficult to taste anywhere except in high mountain regions like this.
“We do.”
“Please bring one of each.”
“Shall I serve that after your meal?”
“Yes.”
The food arrived shortly, and we enjoyed a delicious dinner.
.
.
.
The next morning.
We left our horses at the inn and set out on foot.
After stopping for lunch and walking for about three hours more, a small stone carving of a young Buddhist monk came into view.
When that rock appears, we’re almost there.
I observed my companions.
All of them, being martial artists of the first rank or higher, showed no signs of fatigue. Even Palgap looked energetic.
That was fortunate.
Because things would become very difficult from here on.
“Shall we rest here for a moment?”
“Very well.”
We sat upon the rocks scattered across the open ground ahead. We took out our water skins to drink and unpacked dried meat to share.
The dried meat was what I’d purchased from a shop in Kaifeng previously, and since I’d bought so much, some still remained.
“Does anyone here know how to climb cliffs?”
When I posed the question to the Guard Warriors, Seo-woo Warrior tilted his head and answered.
“I can do it to some extent.”
Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior answered in turn.
“As for cliff climbing… I’m confident. When I first became a disciple of the Huashan Sect, I climbed and descended Huashan’s stone steps more than twice a day.”
I turned my head to look at Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior, and they both nodded.
“Our Jongnam Sect also conducted extensive cliff-climbing training.”
Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior confirmed they could do it to some degree.
Then Palgap asked.
“Young Master, what exactly are we climbing a cliff for?”
“Ah, treasure hunting.”
“Pardon?”
“Remember that book I obtained in Luoyang before? There were several notes inside it. One of them mentioned that there’s treasure here at Gongtong Mountain as well.”
At my vague explanation, Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior wore expressions of bewilderment.
“You’re really going based on that?”
“As I’ve said before, what man doesn’t harbor a treasure map in his heart?”
“….”
“Then, let’s go.”
After walking for about another hour, we encountered a cliff face.
I spoke to Palgap.
“Palgap, wait down here.”
Thus, six Warriors and I climbed the cliff together.
To be honest, ascending a cliff with an incline that was nearly vertical was truly grueling.
But there was treasure up there worth enduring this hardship for.
After climbing for a full half hour, we finally reached a flat expanse where several people could stand.
“Phew, have we made it?”
“Yes. We’ve arrived.”
“By the way, Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior, you’re quite skilled. I’m amazed at how well you climb cliffs!”
“My skills have declined from not climbing cliffs recently.”
“That’s what you call declined skill…”
“I’m curious what your prime was like.”
They exchanged casual remarks back and forth.
Meanwhile, I surveyed the surroundings and discovered a cave.
“There’s a cave here. Let’s take a look inside.”
The cave entrance was so narrow it was invisible from a distance.
As I ventured deeper, a fairly large box lacquered in black came into view.
And on the worn paper affixed to the box was written: [This is a gift from Heaven; may it be used according to Heaven’s will].
“I’ll open it.”
Seo-woo Warrior stepped forward, and Jin Yu Warrior stood guard.
Creeeeak.
The box opened. And in that instant… the Guard Warriors blinked their eyes in astonishment.
“Is, is this… not Yunche?”
Indeed it was.
In my past life, this Yunche was the source of the calamity that plagued the Gongtong Sect, and it is precisely what I now seek to obtain.

At that time, this Yunche was discovered by sheer chance.
A disciple of the Gongtong Sect, while fleeing from a tiger, tumbled over this cliff and fell into this cavern.
And upon entering this cave, he discovered it.
Yunche, known as iron descended from heaven, occasionally fell from the sky accompanied by flames.
When weapons were forged from such iron, not only their durability but also their spiritual essence proved extraordinary.
Moreover, because it possessed the effect of vanquishing evil, weapons crafted from Yunche were invariably considered divine treasures.
Thus, when an entire chest of such Yunche was discovered, the world’s upheaval was inevitable.
Not only the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect nearby, but countless others revealed their ambitions in pursuit of this Yunche.
The Gongtong Sect attempted to protect it, but unable to withstand the pressure, they ultimately surrendered it to the Murim Alliance.
However, the Yunche taken by the Murim Alliance never surfaced in the world.
Surely it was put to some nefarious purpose.
Rather than allow that, I intend to claim it for myself. This way, the Gongtong Sect will not suffer further hardship, and the Yunche will not fall into the Murim Alliance’s hands.
“Wow! This is truly a treasure.”
“I am genuinely curious who placed such a treasure map within that book.”
“What shall we do with this?”
At Seo-woo Warrior’s question, I smiled and spoke.
“Of course, we must take it with us. Is it not the rule of this world that the discoverer claims the treasure?”
“Indeed, sir.”
At my words, Chang-un Warrior spoke cautiously.
“This… we must be careful. If word reaches others’ ears, there will be chaos.”
“That is true.”
The two warriors, having previously narrowly escaped excommunication by the Murim Alliance, did not utter the foolish notion of surrendering it to the Murim Alliance.
Of course, it was with such considerations in mind that I brought these two along.
I gazed upon the Yunche and made rough calculations.
With this much, I should have more than enough to forge swords.
I intend to craft a sword for each of my Guard Warriors from this Yunche.
Now that they have become my Guard Warriors, they will face countless unforeseen trials alongside me.
In such moments, the foremost thing that protects one’s life is a reliable weapon.
I wish for my Guard Warriors to safely achieve our aspirations together and enjoy prosperity and glory for years to come.
Of course, the value of this Yunche is immeasurable, but to me, my Guard Warriors possess a value far greater still.
“Then, you will all keep this secret, yes?”
“Of course, sir.”
“Thank you. Let us descend then.”
I removed the Yunche from the box and placed it in my pocket.
Then I examined the inscription written upon the box.
[This has been bestowed by Heaven, and I hope it will be used according to Heaven’s will.]
Perhaps I discovered this Cloud Iron because Heaven permitted me to discover it?
Then whatever I do with this Cloud Iron must surely be Heaven’s will.
I decided to think of it that way.
After cleanly burning the box to erase all traces, we descended the cliff once more.
“Young Master! Was there treasure up there?”
At Palgap’s question, I let out a soft chuckle.
“I’ll tell you later.”
At my expression, Palgap nodded as if he understood.
“I’ve caught some fish, sir. We should be able to roast them for dinner this evening.”
To prepare grilled fish in such a short time!
Palgap truly is remarkable.
I wonder where Bang Nosa and the Golden Robed Guard Great Heroes are by now?
I’m starting to want to head back to Beijing soon.

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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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