The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 329

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 329

Chapter 329. A Special Commission (2)

At the Provincial Inspector’s words, I was momentarily taken aback.
Snow?
Snow in the seventh month?
Had I misheard him?
I asked the Provincial Inspector again.
“Pardon me, Provincial Inspector. Are you referring to the snow that falls from the heavens during winter?”
“Indeed.”
….
I studied his face, wondering if he was jesting with me, but he appeared entirely serious.
If so, there must surely be a reason behind this.
“May I inquire why you seek snow, sir?”
“Ah, the truth is… I have a daughter who lies bedridden.”
Ah, now that he mentioned it, I recalled.
Though I had never seen the face of Guizhou’s Provincial Inspector in my previous life, I knew of this fact.
The story of his daughter’s death at the hands of a swindler was rather well-known.
The Guizhou Provincial Inspector had apparently commissioned a merchant guild in Guizhou to fulfill his daughter’s wish.
Just as we had received numerous commissions ourselves, requests for merchant guilds to procure items were commonplace.
That guild had been among the three most prominent in Guizhou, but during the commission process, they committed fraud, and his daughter died as a result.
Ultimately, the guild that incurred the Provincial Inspector’s wrath was completely ruined.
Since it had nothing to do with me, I had never learned what the commission entailed, but now I understood.
It had been a request to procure snow.
Aside from the high difficulty of this commission, what deception had they perpetrated that resulted in his daughter’s death?
The Provincial Inspector exhaled a heavy sigh and spoke.
“My daughter has never once seen snow in her entire life.”
“Is it possible that your daughter has never left Guizhou since her birth?”
He nodded at my question.
Then his statement about never having seen snow made perfect sense.
Guizhou remained warm even in winter, so rain fell rather than snow.
Even when snow did fall, it melted completely before reaching the ground.
“However, it seems she read about snow in the books I procured for her.”
I understood the reason, and there was something I needed to clarify here.
“Does your daughter wish to see snow? To touch it? Or to witness snow falling?”
“In truth, what the child desires is to witness the sight of snow falling… but that is impossible in Guizhou. She understands this as well.”
He continued speaking.
“So you wish to touch the eyes with your own hands, then.”
“Indeed.”
“I’m well aware this is an unreasonable request. Especially since it’s summer now, making it all the more impossible. But since I cannot know when my daughter will pass, I have no choice but to hurry.”
In the Provincial Inspector’s voice, I could hear the desperate longing to fulfill his daughter’s wish.
To obtain eyes at this time of year, there was only one path—northward to the Northern Sea.
For ordinary people, it would be impossible. But for me, it was not.
I knew the way to the Northern Sea and possessed the ability to traverse it. Moreover, since I was cultivating the extreme yin martial arts, I could bring back those eyes without allowing them to melt.
This, then, could be called an opportunity.
Since Guizhou was a place where tea, fruit, and livestock husbandry flourished, it would benefit our Merchant Guild as well.
Even if I failed this commission, as long as I didn’t engage in anything suspicious, there would be no retaliation.
After all, he himself was aware that this commission was nearly impossible.
Yet suddenly, a question arose in my mind.
“Pardon me, but why specifically the Eunhae Trading Company? Surely there are many capable merchant guilds in Guizhou?”
“That’s true enough.”
The Provincial Inspector nodded as he replied.
“Originally, I had intended to commission one of Guizhou’s local merchant guilds. But by chance, I received a recommendation for the Eunhae Trading Company. I had business at the Public Works Department, and the officials there actively recommended you. They said that since you are a capable merchant guild, you would be able to procure what I seek.”
In that moment, the back of my neck tensed slightly.
Ah, damn it… these bastards.
The Public Works officials had recommended me to him as a form of revenge.
But I did not grow angry. Instead, I smiled.
They surely thought I would be greatly troubled. But what’s this? I’m not troubled at all.
I actually felt grateful that they had given me such an opportunity.
And in a few months’ time, as several buildings collapsed, the Public Works Department would be thoroughly stripped bare.
Tsk, tsk. Before scheming to make me suffer, they should have looked after their own affairs.
The Provincial Inspector spoke with earnest expression.
“Money is no object. The faster, the better. Is it possible?”
“Understood. I will accept this commission.”
At my words, he grasped my hand firmly and spoke.
“Thank you!”

The Guizhou Provincial Inspector left after giving me a substantial sum as an advance payment.
Of course, it was money I would have to return in full if I failed this commission.
First, I sent Father a letter detailing the entire circumstances of this matter.
“Chirp!”
Geumryeong deftly consumed a silver coin, then returned the next day with Father’s reply.

[What a commission—like a chicken rib, neither useful nor wasteful! But if successful, it will undoubtedly be of great benefit to us.]

As expected, Father perceived the situation with perfect clarity.

[By accepting this commission, you must be confident in your abilities. Travel safely and return in good health.]

I smiled and set the letter aside. Then I called for Palgap.
“Palgap!”
“Yes, you called for me?”
“When will the box I ordered be ready?”
“It should be prepared by tomorrow.”
To resolve this commission, I needed a specialized box, so I had commissioned its construction in advance.
It was a peculiar design—a box within a box, with the space between them filled with straw for insulation.
The structure was engineered to provide maximum thermal insulation, and I planned to fill it with snow for transport.
In truth, I could have created snow using the Taiyin Ice-Sea Divine Art.
Spray water into the sky and freeze it, and it becomes snow.
But with my current cultivation, it would be difficult to produce snow of sufficient quality to remain intact when handled.
So the best approach was to gather snow from the Northern Sea and keep the box cold enough to prevent it from melting during transport.
Besides, it was unwise to reveal my martial techniques carelessly to others.
Publicly, I was known to have inherited the Heavenly Stream Frost Sword—the signature technique of Geuk Cheon Sword Gwak Hoon.
But the Heavenly Stream Frost Sword was not an extreme yin technique capable of creating snow.
Considering everything, traveling to the Northern Sea myself, though laborious, was the best solution.

The next day, the box was ready.
I also prepared thick fur clothing to withstand the bitter cold of the Northern Sea.
With all preparations complete, we set out for the Northern Sea.
.
.
.
Since we were departing from Beijing, we could significantly reduce the travel time compared to my previous journey to the Northern Sea.
Within days, we entered Liaoning Land.
If I took a slight detour, I could meet Bok Yun, the sub-leader of the Gwangjun Merchant Group and an old friend of mine, but given the urgency of this mission, I decided not to stop.
However,
“Wait! Who is this? Isn’t it the Eun Small Merchant Leader?”
“Bok Sub-leader?”
I encountered Bok Yun at an inn where we had stopped to rest.
“What brings you this far without sending word?”
To Bok Yun’s question, I answered somewhat awkwardly.
“I have business in the Northern Sea and was on my way. Since it was not a matter that allowed for leisure, I did not send notice. My apologies.”
“Not at all! Why apologize when circumstances are as they are? I am not so narrow-minded as to fail to understand such matters.”
He smiled and waved his hand dismissively, then continued.
“Let us at least share dinner this evening.”
“Very well.”
And so I dined with Bok Sub-leader at the inn, and afterward we drank tea together.
Bok Yun Sub-leader spoke first.
“In truth, I was on my way to Beijing.”
“Is that so?”
“I happened to hear that Eun Small Merchant Leader was in Beijing, so I sent a letter before departing. But seeing you here already, it seems you must have left before my letter arrived.”
“My, we nearly missed each other on the road.”
“Indeed. Yet seeing that we’ve met like this, it must be the will of Heaven.”
Bok Yun Sub-leader continued.
“Truth be told, I received your kindness back in Luoyang, and I’ve prepared something as a token of my gratitude.”
“…?”
What could he have prepared?
He withdrew a small box from his sleeve and offered it to me.
“Please, open it.”
I opened the box and was slightly taken aback.
What? This is a jade token?
“Isn’t this the emblem that marks someone as belonging to your Merchant Guild?”
“Precisely.”
He smiled and continued.
“It seems you often have business in the Northern Sea, so I had one more crafted, thinking it would prove useful to you.”
“But I’ve heard there are only a few of these in your Merchant Guild.”
To be exact, I’d heard that only the Merchant Guild Leader, the Small Merchant Guild Leader, and two Chief Managers possessed them.
“My father personally ordered its creation. He must have been deeply grateful at the time. So please, do not refuse.”
Since I was traveling with a carriage in tow, my speed was slower than riding on horseback.
That’s why I had been pondering how to pass through the territories where the northern tribes dwelled.
I felt reluctant to borrow the jade token for personal matters.
Yet here I was, being gifted one!
I was truly grateful.
“I shall put it to good use. Please convey my thanks to the Merchant Guild Leader as well.”
“I shall do so.”
“Though our meeting today is brief, I shall certainly visit your Merchant Guild next time.”
“I look forward to that day.”

The next day.
Bok Yun Sub-leader headed toward Beijing, while I set my course for the Northern Sea.
Unlike the four guards who had made the journey to the Northern Sea before, Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior seemed unsettled by the desolate expanse stretching endlessly in all directions.
“All we see are vast grasslands—does it make you a bit dizzy?”
At my question, they exchanged uncertain glances, clearly uncertain how to respond.
“I felt the same way at first. The steppes truly seem to stretch on forever. But after coming here several times, I’ve grown accustomed to it.”
Seo-woo Warrior spoke from beside me.
“You’ll both get used to it soon enough.”
Following that, Yeo Eung-am Warrior added his words.
“Indeed, when you travel with our lord, you become accustomed to it whether you will or not.”
I grumbled at his remark.
“Was that comment meant for their ears?”
“Oh my! You caught that? Hahaha.”
Being the most experienced warrior among us, he possessed a shamelessness that was truly remarkable at times.
“Still, thanks to you, we get to see places most people could never witness in their entire lives. How fortunate that is.”
“Though it comes with considerable hardship, doesn’t it?”
“I made no such statement.”
“Regardless, I’m grateful. You follow me without complaint, no matter where I go.”
“You flatter me—I’m quite embarrassed now.”
“That’s precisely why I said it.”
“Oh! I’ve been bested. Hahaha.”
“Hahahaha.”
The atmosphere brightened considerably.
“I will never forget your loyalty.”
I meant every word.
My previous life had taught me how precious it was to have such devoted guards at my side.
We traveled through the nights, camping under the stars as we left Liaoning Land behind.
Then we entered the territories where the grassland tribes dwelt, and the whistle Bok Yun Sub-leader had gifted me proved invaluable.
With the assistance of tribes friendly to the Gwangjun Merchant Group, we were able to replenish our supplies.
Of course, we nearly came to blows with tribes less favorably disposed, but they fled at the mere sight of my face.
It seemed they remembered my previous journey alongside Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master.
The Northern Sea Ice Palace was an object of terror to them.
Thus we finally arrived at the Eun Hae Trading Company Branch at the entrance to the Northern Sea.
“Where have you come from?”
I presented the badge of a Small Guild Master to the Gate Keeper and replied.
“I am Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company.”
“Ah! I greet the Small Guild Master!”
He quickly bowed and opened the gate.
“Please, come inside.”
We were guided to the Guest Reception Room, where Soo, the Branch Manager, soon emerged to receive us.
“I pay my respects to you, Small Guild Master.”
“It has been quite some time since we last met.”
Soo, the Branch Manager, was no longer a young man, yet his physique had improved considerably compared to before.
“The spiritual energy of this place must be quite favorable. You appear to have grown younger.”
At my words, he chuckled heartily.
“Hunting alongside the tribal people here day after day has naturally strengthened my body.”
Yet this was still a rather sudden transformation, wasn’t it?
“But what brings you all the way to the Northern Sea?”
“Ah, I came to procure snow.”
“Pardon? Snow, you say?”
At my words, his expression betrayed complete bewilderment.
It was the reaction I had anticipated.
“I received a commission to obtain snow.”
“But it is currently the seventh month, is it not?”
“Indeed. That is precisely why I have come here.”
After a moment of stunned silence, he quickly regained his composure and spoke to me.
“You must have endured considerable hardship.”
“Think nothing of it. It is all for the sake of our Merchant Guild.”
“Then you shall need to venture higher up into those mountains.”
“Yes, and since I must move with utmost speed, I intend to depart early tomorrow morning and return promptly.”
“I see. In that case, there is something I should inform you of.”
“What might that be?”
“There have been rumors lately of a humanoid spirit creature appearing in the Northern Sea that harms people.”
This was the first I had heard of such a thing.
What could this be?

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————