The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 332

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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 332

Chapter 332. This Is Most Troublesome (1)

Was he the teacher of this Bizarre Being?
He looked at me with evident interest as he spoke.
“It seems Seolpung Palace has not yet fallen to ruin.”
He knew about Seolpung Palace?
I asked with a guarded tone.
“Who are you?”
“Ah, I apologize for the delayed introduction.”
Delayed introduction?
As far as I knew, there was only one place that would refer to themselves with such an audacious title.
“I am the Patriarch of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.”
“….”
Damn! As I suspected…!
But why is the Heavenly Demon here?
“My Lord!”
Upon his revelation, the Guard Warriors standing behind me rushed forward urgently and positioned themselves in front of me.
But the opponent was the Heavenly Demon.
I could see their bodies trembling from tension.
I appreciated the gesture, but it wasn’t truly necessary.
To be honest, if the man before me had wanted me dead, I would already be dead.
He let out a soft laugh, seemingly unbothered by the Guard Warriors’ reaction.
“Truly loyal guards you have.”
“Please forgive our rudeness.”
“Well, my disciple was the one who caused offense first….”
He looked at the Bizarre Being still kneeling.
“This one is one of my disciples. He showed exceptional talent, so I had designated him as Vice Patriarch, but a problem has arisen and I find myself in quite a predicament.”
“Is that problem him going mad?”
At my question, he nodded.
“Something like that. As you well know, the inner cultivation technique of our Heavenly Demon Divine Sect is a reverse-flow method. Thanks to that, progress is swift, but demonic energy becomes the issue.”
He continued with a furrowed brow.
“When that demonic energy reaches its limit, it invades the marrow, causing the loss of self and resulting in rampage.”
“Then, what happens?”
“Either he overcomes the demonic nature and reaches the realm of Demon Transcendence, or he dies. One or the other. Once the demonic nature invades the brain, one begins to crave death.”
“I see.”
So that’s why he kept begging me to kill him?
The Heavenly Demon smiled bitterly and spoke.
“In truth, overcoming demonic influence is not easy. The best method is to continue fighting until the demonic energy is purified within the body and takes root.”
So that’s why he had been continuously seeking opponents who could match him evenly?
And then withdrawing when he could no longer continue the assault?
“Normally, it takes considerable time to overcome demonic influence and reach the realm of Extreme Demon—usually three to five years. I never expected it to take less than a month.”
“Your disciple must possess exceptional talent.”
“Well, if luck counts as ability….”
He glanced sideways at his disciple, then pointed back at me.
“Rather, it’s thanks to your aura.”
“Pardon?”
“Your clear, luminous aura helped suppress and contain my disciple’s surging demonic energy. The aura of Seolpung Palace has always been unusually pure. I’ve never been fond of that.”
In that moment, I tensed.
Even though I knew the destruction of Seolpung Palace was not actually the work of the Demonic Cult.
“This time, I’m indebted to you. If I had lost this disciple whom I cherished, it would have pained me greatly.”
“But how did you come all the way here? Isn’t the headquarters of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect quite far from this place?”
“True. So when I heard that fool had fallen to demonic influence in the Northern Sea, I rushed here immediately, yet it still took a fortnight.”
At the mention of a fortnight—not merely a fortnight, but a full fortnight—I found myself momentarily speechless.
It must mean he had reached such an extraordinary level of cultivation.
“But what exactly happened in the Northern Sea that caused your disciple to fall to demonic influence?”
At my question, the sect leader looked at his disciple.
The disciple turned his head away slightly and answered.
“Well… I caught a Spirit Creature and was roasting it because I was hungry, and out of curiosity, I consumed its inner core.”
“Did that Spirit Creature perhaps have red eyes?”
At my question, he nodded.
Thereupon, the Heavenly Demon clicked his tongue and rebuked his disciple.
“Worthless fool! I sent you on an errand and you consumed the inner core of a malevolent Spirit Creature? Of course the demonic influence would penetrate your marrow! Blast it all, you wretch!”
Thwack! Thwack!
He kicked his disciple relentlessly.
Only then could I understand the full circumstances.
Watching him take such a beating, I felt oddly satisfied.
I wanted to let him continue receiving punishment, but I supposed I should still intervene.
“Sect Leader, your disciple has caused no serious incidents. To my knowledge, there have been no deaths caused by your disciple in the Northern Sea.”
“That’s fortunate.”
When he stopped kicking, the disciple knelt again while letting out pained groans.
“I came quickly because I was worried that fool would cause trouble. Especially in the Northern Sea—if he caused problems there, it would become difficult. Dealing with that old woman who manages things…. Phew.”
Could that old woman be… the Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace?
“However, there are quite a few injured people. I believe you should provide compensation for them.”
Moreover, those injured are members of our Eunhae Trading Company and members of the tribal settlements we do business with.
He looked at me and burst into laughter.
“Hahahaha!”
“Why are you laughing?”
“After seeing the state you’re in, you still say such things?”
What’s wrong with how I look?
As I thought this and examined my body, I suddenly felt embarrassed.
My clothes were torn to shreds, barely better than rags, and my entire body was covered in blood.
“….”
I cleared my throat and continued.
“Ahem, my guards and I have also sustained injuries, so I believe you should compensate us for that as well.”
“This is the first time I’ve met someone who demands compensation so boldly before the Sect Leader.”
He continued speaking, still smiling.
“Are you not afraid of me?”
“Of course I am afraid, but… if I don’t claim what I’m owed, I’ll be so frustrated I’ll die young. If I’m going to die either way, isn’t it better to speak my mind before I do?”
“You’re an amusing fellow.”
“I hear that quite often.”
He withdrew a pouch from his robes and pulled out five gold certificates from within, tossing them toward me.
They flew toward me and stopped just before my face, then descended slowly.
I reached out and caught them.
“Will that suffice?”
“That’s too much. Two gold certificates would be enough.”
“You seem greedy yet not greedy—quite amusing indeed.”
“It’s natural to desire what I’m owed, but to desire more would be improper.”
Besides, this is coming from the Heavenly Demon himself.
If I got greedy and something went wrong, I’d lose even more.
“The rest is a token of my gratitude for freeing my disciple from the Demonic Cult.”
Ah, then I should accept it quickly.
“Thank you.”
“If fate allows, we shall meet again.”
He spoke to his disciple.
“Stand up.”
“Yes!”
He rose to his feet.
Standing upright, his presence was certainly different from before. Of course, after fighting me and being beaten by the Sect Leader, his appearance was still a mess.
“This unworthy disciple has caused you concern, Master.”
“It’s fortunate it ended this way. Let us depart.”
“Yes.”
By then, figures dressed in black robes and wearing black hats had approached from behind.
The Sect Leader’s presence was so overwhelming that I hadn’t noticed them.
The disciple cupped his fist toward me and asked.
“My name is Man Gyeong. What is your name?”
Should I reveal my name?
While I was lost in thought, I heard Palgap’s voice calling from behind me.
“Young Master! Young Master Seo-ho!”
What a booming voice he had.
Hearing this, the man smiled and spoke.
“Seo-ho. That must be your name.”
“Yes. I am Eun Seo-ho.”
“I, Man Gyeong, shall not forget the debt of gratitude I owe you. Then I take my leave.”
But no matter how coolly he tried to carry himself, his appearance was so disheveled that it hardly looked impressive.
Thus, the Bizarre Being—or rather, Man Gyeong—turned toward those who had come to meet him.
The Heavenly Demon also turned toward them but glanced back at me.
And he spoke to me.
“Judging by your accomplishments, this affair seems to have brought you no small benefit.”
“Pardon?”
My accomplishments? What did he mean by that?
They mounted their horses and disappeared into the distance in an instant.
“Fortunately… it all ended safely.”
“Indeed it did.”
I looked up at the sky.
The sky seemed ominous, as if a snowwind were about to blow.
But why were my eyes growing so heavy?
I struggled with all my might to keep them open, but ultimately my eyes closed, and after that, I remembered nothing.
.
.
.
“Gasp!”
I opened my eyes.
It seemed I had just had a strange dream.
The Heavenly Demon had appeared and given me five Gold Origin Treasures as compensation.
“What an odd dream that was.”
Muttering thus, I rose to my feet, but an odd feeling came over me, so I turned my head.
Palgap, seeing that I had awakened, opened his eyes wide and rushed toward me.
“Gasp! Young Master! You’ve awakened?”
“Huh? Why are you making such a fuss?”
“What do you mean? You nearly died and came back to life—isn’t that reason enough?”
“What are you talking about? Why would I nearly die?”
“Don’t you remember? You went out to catch that Bizarre Being or whatever it was, didn’t you?”
“Ah…”
Right, now I remember.
As I scratched the back of my neck, feeling embarrassed, I noticed a table. More precisely, I noticed five Gold Origin Treasures placed upon it.
In that moment, I froze.
Then that means it wasn’t a dream.
Whether I heard Palgap’s voice or not, the door burst open and the Guard Warriors rushed in.
“My lord!”
“Are you alright?”
I looked at each of the Guard Warriors’ faces one by one and placed a hand over my chest.
“I’m relieved to see you all look fine.”
Then I laughed, and Seo-woo Warrior reproached me for it.
“My lord, how can you laugh at a time like this?”
“The matter was resolved well, and everyone is safe.”
“Still, you were far too reckless.”
He sighed.
“We are Guard Warriors. Yet we continue to face situations where we have no excuse to make to you.”
Yes, I could see how they might think that.
But through this incident, my perspective had shifted somewhat.
“Please don’t say such things. To be honest, this battle was one where I had nothing to lose.”
Everyone nodded at my words.
“Why did I fight so recklessly in a battle where I had nothing to lose? It was precisely because you were all there.”
“….”
“Even if I lost consciousness during the fight, I could fight without reservation because I trusted that you would protect me, just as you did this time.”
I continued gently.
“So please don’t think such things. I look forward to your continued service.”
“We shall serve with utmost loyalty.”
The Guard Warriors bowed their heads in unison.
“Still, after resting like this for a full day, I feel quite refreshed.”
At my words, Palgap sighed and spoke.
“Young master, what are you saying?”
“Hmm?”
“It’s been three days, not one.”
“What? Three days? You mean I’ve been lying in bed for three days?”
“Yes, sir.”
Damn it.
This is not the time for this.
“How is everyone’s condition?”
“We’re fine.”
I rose from the bed as I spoke.
“Then let’s go collect the snow.”
When I had prepared and come out, Soo approached me.
“I heard you’ve awakened. How is your condition?”
“Ah, yes. I’m feeling much better.”
“That’s a relief. When Palgap carried you here, I was truly worried.”
“I apologize for the trouble I’ve caused.”
“Not at all. Thanks to you, wasn’t the Bizarre Being that had the tribe members trembling in fear dealt with?”
At those words, I turned my head to look at Seo-woo Warrior.
He sent me a telepathic message.
– We joined forces and brought down that Bizarre Being, and we’ve made it seem as though we burned its corpse.
– Well done.
It would have been awkward to mention that we encountered the Heavenly Demon and his disciple.
If things had gone differently, it could have caused unnecessary complications.
They, too, would not want their movements to be exposed.
“So now the tribe members have come expressing their gratitude, bringing all manner of gifts, and I’ve been at a loss as to what to do.”
“Gifts?”
“Yes, they say it’s compensation for avenging their enemy on their behalf.”
Now that I thought about it, this tribe had a custom regarding ‘those who avenge enemies on behalf of others’.
An enemy must always be avenged, but when one lacks the strength to do so, they hire someone to avenge them instead.
If one unintentionally avenges an enemy on someone’s behalf, one must receive gifts as compensation for it, lest misfortune befall them—or so I recalled.
In that case, refusing the compensation would be discourteous.
“Where are these gifts?”
“We’ve gathered them all in one room.”
I opened the door to that room and found myself momentarily speechless.
“….”
“There’s more than I expected.”
“I see. Then I’ll accept it as a sign of their gratitude. Please convey my thanks to them for the gifts. And….”
I drew a pouch from my sleeve and offered it.
“Use this money to comfort the injured tribe members and warriors.”
“Understood.”
The money was equivalent to one and a half gold certificates.
“Then I’ll be stepping out for a while.”
“Understood. Please be careful on your way.”
I set out toward the Northern Sea with my Guard Warriors and a carriage.
After some time, we arrived at the place where we had fought with the disciple named Man Gyeong earlier.
Due to the snowwind, all traces of our battle had completely vanished.
It left me feeling somewhat bitter.
By the way, that Man Gyeong said he had come to the Northern Sea on an errand from the Sect Master—what could that errand have been?
Should I have just pretended to be mad and asked him?

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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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