The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 323

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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 323

Chapter 323. Settling Accounts Cleanly (1)

Four days had passed since I obtained the Yungyeol at Gongtong Mountain.
During that time, we rested deeply at the inn.
Truth be told, at first sleep eluded me as I contemplated the mounting tasks ahead, but then a thought struck me.
Worrying wouldn’t solve anything, so what was the point of fretting?
So I emptied my mind and seized this opportunity to rest—truly, deeply, completely rest.
Rest is indeed wonderful, always the finest remedy!
After four days of lounging about without accomplishing anything, I began preparing to descend Gongtong Mountain.
Not because I’d grown bored of leisure—absolutely not.
I could have continued resting, but Bang Nosa and the Great Heroes of the Geumui Guard would soon arrive in Beijing.
There was no reason to linger here any longer.
I rose from my bed.
“Palgap.”
“Yes, you called for me?”
“Bring me tea.”
At my words, Palgap tilted his head in surprise.
“But you said tea keeps you awake and you dislike it. What brings this on today?”
“I need to clear my mind now.”
“Ah, so it’s time to leave Gongtong Mountain?”
“Yes. Time to head home.”
Palgap soon brewed the tea, and as I drank, I organized my thoughts on what lay ahead.
The tea cleared my mind somewhat, and after finishing my preparations, I rose and stepped into the courtyard.
Clang! Clang-clang!
The sound of cold steel clashing echoed through the air.
My guards, save for the two assigned directly to me, were training in the courtyard.
They’d always been diligent in their practice, but lately they seemed even more devoted to it.
Ever since I faced the Mountain Stronghold Master and suffered an injury from his claw strike, they appeared to train with renewed intensity—surely that was just my imagination?

Evening came, and as we shared dinner, I spoke to the Guard Warriors.
“It seems the time has come to return to Beijing.”
“True, we have been here quite a while.”
“When shall we depart?”
“I’m thinking we move out tomorrow morning.”

We all finished our preparations and retired for the night.
As soon as dawn broke, we descended to the first floor, took a quick meal, and came back down with our luggage.
“We are grateful for the Daoists’ thoughtful consideration. We depart well-rested.”
“May your journey be blessed with good fortune and smooth travels.”
With that, we left the inn and headed north once more.
We were returning to that mountain stronghold.
If those mysterious pursuers had indeed been tracking us, they would certainly have reached that stronghold as well.
But what we found there was entirely unexpected.
“Hmm? Why are there signs of combat here….”
Seo-woo Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior, who were examining the area, spoke.
“Two factions have clashed. But both groups are from the Black Path.”
“Based on the martial traces left by those who attacked us, it appears they collided with another Black Path faction.”
“Neither side achieved a clear victory—both suffered mutual losses.”
Hmm… What is this?
The mysterious Black Path faction pursuing me clashed with another group here?
“However, the traces of that other Black Path faction are not very visible.”
“Then there is only one answer.”
“What is it?”
“The original masters of this mountain stronghold. There are no other Black Path members who would appear here besides them.”
“Of course! That must be it!”
“If both suffered mutual losses….”
I grinned wickedly. Fortune had tumbled toward me like a vine bearing fruit.
“We no longer need to concern ourselves with those dogs. Let us depart. For Beijing.”
“Yes!”

* * *

Beijing.
Bang Hyo-myung, Jin Young, and their party had an audience with the Emperor immediately upon arriving in Beijing.
“Minister Bang, you must have endured quite the arduous journey.”
“Not at all, Your Majesty. I merely enjoyed the comfort of traveling by boat.”
“Your brilliance remains as sharp as ever. But tell me—how could you abandon me and retire to the countryside?”
“I merely offered the slightest counsel in this matter, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor smiled enigmatically at Bang Hyo-myung’s words, then turned his gaze toward Jin Young and the four Golden Robed Guard Warriors beside him.
“I received your report beforehand. I heard you suffered considerable hardship at the hands of those villainous men. Your disappearance weighed heavily upon my mind.”
“We are remiss in our duties, Your Majesty. We beg your forgiveness and accept whatever punishment you deem fit.”
“No, no.”
The Emperor waved his hand dismissively.
“The mere fact that you have returned safely is cause for profound gratitude to Heaven and Earth. You have suffered enough.”
Jin Young stepped forward to speak. “That we could return unharmed is solely because Your Majesty did not abandon us. We are eternally grateful for your benevolence.”
Jin Young continued.
“This grace, we shall not forget even in death.”
The Emperor’s expression grew tender at their words, but then he tilted his head curiously.
“But there should be another fellow here. Why do I not see him?”
It was Bang Hyo-myung who answered.
“Young Master Eun Seo-ho remained in Gansu Province to divert the attention of those pursuing him.”
“That one?”
“Yes, Your Majesty. Due to my inadequacy, the young man took it upon himself to make such a sacrifice.”
The Emperor chuckled softly.
“Thanks to him, you all returned safely. Indeed, sending him was the right decision.”
“….”
The Emperor looked toward the Golden Robed Guard Warriors.
“You have all endured much hardship. I grant you one month’s leave to recover your strength.”
“Your generosity is boundless, Your Majesty.”
“And those we have captured shall be handed over to the Geumui Guard. You may withdraw now.”
With that, the four Golden Robed Guard Warriors departed, and the Emperor commanded the Eunuch.
“Send the imperial physicians to attend to them.”
“As you command, Your Majesty.”
“Ah, and I hear this Chung Gwan fellow caused considerable suffering to the Golden Robed Guard Warriors. What are your thoughts on this?”
At the Emperor’s measured question, the Eunuch immediately prostrated himself.
“I failed to properly govern my subordinates. I deserve death, Your Majesty!”
“No, how could I hold you accountable for such matters? One cannot scrutinize every person’s private desires.”
“….”
“However, if there is corruption as a result, it falls to those in authority to excise it.”
“I shall take responsibility and remove the rot myself, Your Majesty.”
“I shall be watching.”
“Your mercy is as vast as the sea, Your Majesty.”
Jung Tae-gam bowed deeply, grinding his teeth inwardly.
‘That damned bastard!’
Thus began Chung Gwan’s true ordeal—he who had sold information for his own greed, sold out the Gold Robe Guard Warriors, and even attempted to sell out Eun Seo-ho and his companions.
The suffering he endured at the Mountain Stronghold paled in comparison to what awaited him now.
Had Eun Seo-ho witnessed it, he would have called it nothing less than ‘reaping what one had sown.’
The Emperor smiled faintly and asked Bang Hyo-myung.
“So, how was it, leaving me behind and retiring to the countryside?”
“It was wonderful, Your Majesty. I have never tasted such sweetness.”
At that response, the Emperor chuckled.
“To be honest, I had no desire to summon you back to the Imperial Palace.”
“Your Majesty, if you wish to say such things, should you not remove the smile from your face?”
At Bang Hyo-myung’s words, the Emperor adjusted his expression and spoke.
“Like this?”
“Yes. Perhaps with a somewhat regretful expression as well.”
He continued.
“When you commanded me to find the missing Gold Robe Guard Warriors, was it to create a foundation for my return to the Imperial Palace?”
The Emperor nodded at the question.
“Yes, that’s right. There would certainly be much talk about recalling you, so I had you accomplish such merit that no one could raise objections.”
The Emperor continued.
“Of course, I also wanted to find those Gold Robe Guard fellows. They are men I hold quite dear.”
“I suspected as much. However, Your Majesty, sending only Young Master Eun Seo-ho would have been sufficient to locate the Gold Robe Guard Warriors.”
“Ho? Is that so? I did not know you held that fellow in such high regard.”
“Rather, I felt he was showing consideration for me. With such a talented individual at your side, do you truly have need of me?”
“Tsk tsk, trying to slip away like a loach, are you?”
“Ah, you caught me.”
He continued.
“However, my assessment of Young Master Eun Seo-ho’s abilities is sincere.”
“I know that fellow is talented. That is precisely why I sent him with you.”
“An order to befriend him, Your Majesty?”
The Emperor smiled and nodded.
“So he does not run away.”
“There is no need for such measures. I was already inclined to befriend him. He is a fellow I have taken a liking to.”
“In any case, that fellow has his own duties to attend to. And I intend to entrust you with matters of this Imperial Palace.”
“Then, what is the reason for summoning me?”
“There are rats in this Imperial Palace. Rats who serve another master.”
…
“Catch them all and eliminate them.”

* * *

I set my sights on Lanzhou once more.
I planned to follow the river back the way I came, reach Kaifeng, and then head north to Beijing.
However, because I stopped by the Mountain Stronghold on the way, I couldn’t go directly to Lanzhou and ended up camping for the night.
My companions prepared for the night’s camp with practiced efficiency.
At first, Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior had been clumsy at preparing campsites.
But now they handled the preparations without needing instruction.
In the meantime, Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior had caught a deer from the mountain interior and dressed it, while Palgap skewered it and began roasting it over the campfire.
Seeing the venison, I suddenly thought of Bang Hyo-myeong Elder.
He truly enjoyed meat.
Back then, though he offered us the venison, he himself ate half of it.
Given how much he enjoyed meat, it made sense he earned the title of Meat-Loving Duke.
Once the meat was properly cooked, I took a skewer and began eating.
Hmm… it doesn’t taste as good as the meat Bang Elder gave us.
They say meat really should be grilled over charcoal.
I was beginning to understand why Bang Nosa carried charcoal and a grill with him.
Should I start carrying charcoal too?
I’m not joking. I’m actually giving this serious thought.
That was when it happened.
“…!”
I exhaled sharply, set down my venison skewer, and drew my sword from my waist.
“Even dogs won’t bother you while you’re eating.”
Palgap responded to my words.
“Dogs don’t bother you because they’ll bite if you touch them, right?”
“I bite too.”
Not just a casual snap either.
My guards followed suit, drawing their swords and taking defensive positions.
Whoosh!
Swish, swish, swish!
From the way they approached, surrounding us, it was unmistakable.
These were people targeting us.
Shortly after, they revealed themselves.
The masked figures’ aura felt familiar. Still repulsive, though.
“At last we meet again!”
“Who are you?”
To my question, the one in the center twisted his lips and spoke.
“Ha! We haven’t forgotten you for a single moment, yet you’ve forgotten us?”
“That’s unrequited affection.”
“Enough of that. Last time you lied to us, claiming you didn’t have the Emperor’s letter!”
“…That statement means you’re certain I possess the Emperor’s letter. So what evidence supports this certainty of yours?”
“Simple—our superiors told us so.”
“It seems your superior holds quite a high position, then?”
“Enough with the pointless chatter! Hand over the letter!”
“I don’t have it. Would I still be carrying it all this time? I’ve already delivered it.”
He bit his lip at my relentlessly playful response.
“What was in that letter?”
“How would I know?”
“You must have read it before delivering it.”
“Reading someone else’s letter before delivering it would be rude. That’s common sense, yet here you are, confidently assuming I read it anyway. It seems you people lack even basic courtesy.”
“Tch!”
They fell silent, their mouths clamped shut.
“In any case, I have no idea what that letter contained.”
Of course, that was a lie.
Bang Nosa had shown me the letter, so I knew its contents well enough, but there was no reason for me to volunteer that information.
“Then tell us who you delivered it to.”
“If I do? Will you go interrogate them about what it said?”
I chuckled softly.
“But here’s the problem—the one who received that letter has already left this place and gone to Beijing.”
“What?”
“To Beijing. By now, they’ve probably already arrived and had an audience with the Emperor.”
“….”
Despair began to flood their eyes.
I smiled and drove the final nail into their coffin.
“So all the hard work you’ve done up until now was for nothing.”
At my words, they let out anguished screams.
“Arrrrgh!”
“Aaaagh!”
“Uuuugh!”
Their screams were filled with deep frustration. Soon, their eyes gleamed with madness.
“If that’s how it is! We’ll make sure you never return to Beijing alive!”
“When did I ever say otherwise? But it looks like your group’s numbers have decreased quite a bit… Did something happen?”
“….”
Their madness only deepened at my words.
Beyond the point of rational judgment.
Palgap whispered from behind me.
“Young Master truly is remarkable.”
This time, I have to agree with Palgap.
It seems I have quite a talent for infuriating my opponents.

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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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