The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 326

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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 326

Chapter 326. Settling Accounts Cleanly (4)

The Eunuch Official continued speaking.
“Thus, His Majesty the Emperor has bestowed this as a token of his gratitude.”
“The Emperor’s benevolence flows as abundantly as the sea itself.”
It wasn’t something I desperately needed, but since it was offered, I decided to accept it graciously.
There would surely come a time when it would prove useful.
“Young Master Eun’s resolve has moved not only His Majesty the Emperor but also many of the Gold Robe Guard Warriors. It seems the Commander will likely visit to pay his respects soon.”
Cough!
I felt the refreshments I’d just eaten catch in my throat.
The Commander the Eunuch Official mentioned must be the head of the Gold Robe Guard.
The weight of that prospect was entirely different from meeting Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster.
“No, please. If he should come, I beg you to discourage him. My heart trembles merely at the thought of facing His Majesty the Emperor.”
“Understood. I shall convey your wishes.”
“Thank you truly.”
I exhaled a sigh of genuine relief and bowed my head.
“Ah, and the masterminds behind those who attacked Young Master Eun have been identified.”
“Already? The Gold Robe Guard are truly remarkable.”
This was important information, so I listened intently.
“Yes. One of their collaborators was someone who worked at the Imperial Edict Bureau.”
The Imperial Edict Bureau was where the Emperor’s proclamations were issued—a place as close to the Emperor as one could be.
“Moreover, we found their collaborators scattered throughout various positions.”
“You uncovered them remarkably quickly.”
“The newly appointed Minister of Personnel, Bang Hyungbu Sangseo Official, played a significant role.”
It was said that Bang Nosa—or rather, Bang Hyungbu Sangseo—excelled at subtly pressuring opponents without formal accusations and swiftly uncovering evidence.
“According to their testimonies, they acted in exchange for bribes, and the mastermind behind them was a Black Path organization called Yeokcheon-do.”
Yeokcheon-do?
I’d never heard of them before.
“The name itself is rather…”
“Precisely. Just as the name suggests changing heaven, they seek to change His Majesty the Emperor.”
.
.
.
That afternoon.
I went to find Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster.
I’d heard that Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster had been granted a month’s leave by the Emperor.
“Welcome back safely. I’m relieved.”
“I’m quite capable, you see.”
My natural remark made Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster laugh heartily.
“Haha! Yes, that’s certainly true.”
“But shouldn’t you be careful with such laughter? Won’t your wounds reopen?”
He shook his head at my words.
“There’s no need for such concern. Thanks to the precious elixir you provided, I’ve already fully recovered.”
He continued speaking.
“I went along with what you said about prayer, but honestly, I didn’t believe it.”
“Pardon?”
“You’re not the type to rely on prayer and wait. You’re the type to figure things out and solve them in that time. You must have used a precious elixir for our sake.”
“….”
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster understood me precisely.
“This time, the Emperor sent his personal physician. The physician said that with about a month of recuperation, there would be no problem returning to wielding the sword.”
“That’s truly fortunate.”
“It’s all thanks to you. Using such a precious elixir for us. I shall never forget this debt.”
I felt somewhat embarrassed.
But I had no intention of revealing that it was Geumryeong’s saliva until the very end.
“By the way, how is Bang Nosa doing….”
“Hmm? Ah! You mean the Hyungbu Sangseo Official.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“Indeed, it seems you’ve already heard. The Emperor summoned him directly this time and placed him in an important position. And thanks to this incident, there were no objections.”
I understood why the Emperor had ordered the Hyungbu Sangseo Official to find Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster and his party.
“Actually, I was planning to visit him, but he seemed quite busy.”
“He must be. He’s probably among the five busiest people in Beijing right now.”
There was nothing to be done about it.
I would have to visit him later.
.
.
.
Time passed like this, and it was nearly a month since I had returned from Gansu Province.
It was already the fifth month.
After handling all the accumulated matters, I felt as though I could finally breathe.
“Young Master, Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster has arrived.”
At Palgap’s words, I hurried to the Guest Reception Room.
“Great Swordmaster!”
I brightened at the sight of his clothing. He was wearing the garments of the Geumui Guard.
Indeed, the Geumui Guard uniform suited Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster best.
“Are you returning to duty now?”
“I must. The month of recuperation has ended now. And I have no time to waste.”
We enjoyed refreshments and exchanged various pleasantries.
“But… is something troubling you? Your expression seems troubled.”
“Do you know of the Yeokcheon-do?”
I nodded at the question.
I had heard about it from the Eunuch Official who brought the Emperor’s gift before.
“Yes, I do.”
“The leader of the Yeokcheon-do has been revealed.”
“Is that so?”
“But… that leader turned out to be Se Gyeong Prince.”
“…What?”
At those words, I found myself doubting my own ears.
“Who did you say?”
“Se Gyeong Prince.”
Se Gyeong Prince is the Emperor’s cousin.
But from what I know, he is not the sort to harbor imperial ambitions strong enough to commit such acts.
How do I know this?
Because I met him in my previous life.
“Substantial evidence has already emerged, and he is being transported to the Imperial Palace.”
“I see.”
Yet Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster’s expression remained troubled.
He knew it too.
That Se Gyeong Prince was not the sort to be involved in such matters.
“It is difficult to believe, but what can be done? All the evidence already points toward him.”
I pondered for a moment before speaking carefully.
“Would it be possible for me to participate in this investigation as well?”
“Hmm? You?”
“Yes. I was attacked by them, and I was also the one who brought them in. Surely that gives me some qualification to investigate them, does it not?”
Besides, I also held the position of Imperial Inspector granted by the Emperor.
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster, who had been thinking for a moment, spoke.
“There is no reason it cannot be done. Go visit the Hyungbu Sangseo Official. He is currently overseeing this matter.”
“Is he free at the moment?”
“I cannot say he is free, but he has more leisure than he did a month ago.”
In truth, even after clearing my backlog of work, my tasks always overflow.
Yet there are several reasons why I wish to involve myself in this matter.
First, since it concerns me directly, I wanted to ensure this matter was handled thoroughly.
And because I had a strong intuition that this incident was fabricated.
And though it has not yet come to pass, in my previous life, I received a great favor from Se Gyeong Prince.
Se Gyeong Prince held fiefs in Jiangxi Province and had no interest whatsoever in politics or power.
His sole interest was in flowers and plants.
Thus, tending to his expansive garden with his own hands was his only joy.
In my previous life, when I traveled to Jiangxi Province on business, the Chief Manager who assisted me suddenly fell gravely ill.
After summoning several Physicians for diagnosis, we discovered it was a rare disease that circulated only in Jiangxi Province.
I attempted to procure the medicinal herbs needed to treat it, but strangely, they were unobtainable.
The Eun Hae Trading Company specialized in medicinal herbs.
No matter how rare the herbs, there were none we couldn’t acquire—yet something felt wrong.
After discreet inquiries, I discovered that a rival merchant guild had interfered.
I went to that rival guild, pleaded with them, even knelt before them, but they remained unmoved.
The Chief Manager needed medicine urgently, and though I wanted to send someone to the Main Headquarters for the herbs, time had already run out.
As I despaired, unexpectedly, an emissary sent by Se Gyeong Prince appeared before me.
Carrying the very medicinal herbs I had searched for so desperately.
I cannot express how grateful I felt in that moment.
I swore then that I would repay that debt of gratitude without fail.
Of course, I dealt with that contemptible rival guild appropriately afterward.
Later, when I visited to express my thanks, I asked why he had bestowed such kindness upon a stranger he had never met.
Se Gyeong Prince smiled gently and replied.

“I simply heard of your care for those under you, and my heart was moved. There is no other reason.”

Regardless of the reason, a debt of gratitude must be repaid.

* * *

A residence in Beijing.
Bang Hyo-myung let out a heavy sigh.
“Good heavens, what a mess….”
I couldn’t make sense of any of this.
When I dug into the conspirators behind the attack on Eun Seo-ho targeting the Emperor’s letter, the Se Gyeong Prince emerged from the shadows.
‘He’s not the type to do such a thing….’
Yet the evidence was undeniably clear.
That’s why I was sitting here, head in my hands.
“Sigh, I need to eat some meat to get my mind working. Seok Baek.”
“Yes. You called for me?”
“Light a charcoal fire in the courtyard. I need to grill some meat.”
“Understood. What kind of meat shall I prepare?”
“Today….”
After a moment’s deliberation, I decided.
“That’s it! Beef.”
Soon charcoal flames flickered to life in one corner of the courtyard.
Since I had such a passion for meat, I’d even had a small brick oven built in one section of the courtyard specifically for grilling.
Some whispered that it was unseemly for a high official to grill meat with his own hands, but I paid them no mind.
Meat was my strength, the driving force that kept my mind sharp.
Sizzle—!
The beef laid across the grill was browning appetizingly.
Just then, a servant approached.
“Sir, you have a visitor.”
“A visitor?”
At the mention of a guest arriving just as I was about to eat, my face twisted in displeasure.
“Who is it?”
“He said to tell you his name is Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master.”
“Hmm? Eun Seo-ho?”
I quickly continued.
“Have him come this way.”
“Yes, sir.”
Moments later, a young nobleman approached me.
He grumbled as he looked at the meat.
“This is too much. Were you really planning to enjoy such delicious beef all by yourself?”
“No more talk—sit down at once.”
“Yes, sir!”
Eun Seo-ho quickly took his seat, and perfectly grilled beef was placed before him.
“Let’s eat.”
“Yes.”
They shared a conversation as they ate the beef.
“Anyway, I heard you arrived in Beijing a month ago. You should have reported immediately!”
“I’ve been busy too. When I returned, there was a mountain of work waiting. And I did send letters.”
“Ah, is that so?”
“Did you happen to read the letters, sir?”
“Ahem.”
Bang Hyo-myung cleared his throat. Truth was, he’d been far too occupied to read through the correspondence that had accumulated.
Eun Seo-ho continued with a smile.
“In any case, your position seems to suit you well. You look far more radiant than when I saw you last.”
“Are you mocking me right now?”
“How could you say such a thing? When have I ever made light of the Minister of Personnel?”
“I’m not about to quarrel with you. Sigh. Just eat your meat.”
It was around the time we’d satisfied our initial hunger.
“I heard that the Se Gyeong Prince was behind those Yeokcheon-do people.”
“Hmph, that’s precisely what’s giving me a headache right now.”
Bang Hyo-myung shook his head slowly.
“From what I know, he’s absolutely not the type to do such a thing. And… he was the one the Emperor relied on most.”
“The Emperor must be deeply troubled.”
“Indeed.”
“Knowing the Emperor’s burden, I cannot simply stand idle. So I was wondering—might I participate in this investigation?”
“Hmm? You?”
“I believe I have the qualifications.”
At those words, Bang Hyo-myung found himself laughing. He’d already witnessed Eun Seo-ho’s capabilities firsthand from the previous affair.
Knowing the Emperor’s intentions, he’d honestly thought, “This one alone would have sufficed—why did I bother summoning anyone else?”
And now such a talented individual was volunteering to assist with this matter.
Laughter escaped him unbidden.
“You clever devil! What a brilliant fellow!”
“Sir?”
“Yes, when shall we begin? Should we start right now? You’ve eaten—time to work.”

* * *

I was at a loss for words.
Was my agreement to participate in the investigation really that welcome?
More than that… this meat… it wasn’t free after all, was it?
Still, I enjoyed it thoroughly because of his kindness.
That Seok Baek, the attendant, really does grill meat deliciously.
Well, I was planning to participate in this matter regardless of whether I ate or not.
“Let’s go to the Imperial Palace right now.”
“Pardon? Right now, sir?”
However, Bang Hyungbu Sangseo… ah, I should just call him Bang Nosa.
Bang Nosa’s drive was remarkable.
“Let’s go immediately! There’s no time to waste.”
“But sir, do you know what time it is?”
“I know it’s the Hour of the Rat—between eleven at night and one in the morning. But time isn’t what matters when clearing the name of an innocent person.”
At Bang Nosa’s words, I could only close my mouth.
For someone suffering under a false accusation, every hour must be agony.
His eagerness to clear that name even a moment sooner touched something within me.
Bang Nosa is a good man.

I arrived at the Ministry of Personnel following Bang Nosa.
An official on night duty spotted us and asked in surprise.
“Minister! What brings you here at this hour?”
“There’s something I need to examine briefly.”
“I see. And this person beside you?”
“I’ve brought him as my assistant.”
“Ah, I understand.”
Thus I was able to enter the building containing the records without difficulty.
A minister of his rank didn’t need anyone’s permission to bring an assistant.
Is this what power tastes like?
Bang Nosa returned with a stack of documents and set them on the table before me.
Thud!
The sound alone told me their weight.
“Examine these carefully! And if anything seems questionable, don’t hesitate to speak up.”
“…Yes, sir.”
Looking at the volume of documents I needed to review, I felt a slight—a very slight—regret at having agreed to join the investigation.
Still, debts must be repaid.
Even if only I remember the favor, that doesn’t erase what was done for me.
And settling accounts with benefactors must be done cleanly.

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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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