The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 347

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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 347

Chapter 347. A Solution (2)

The Provincial Governor’s question left my mind momentarily tangled.
I could not discern his true intent.
Since the Murim Alliance had been mentioned during our investigation of this matter, he must have developed some suspicion about them.
In such circumstances, why would he pose this question to me, whom the Murim Alliance had elevated as a hero?
Was it to solidify his stance toward the Murim Alliance?
Or was it to determine his stance toward me?
I asked him directly.
“Are you curious about my perspective as a hero of the Murim Alliance? Or my perspective as a merchant?”
“A foolish question answered with a foolish question.”
He murmured this and continued.
“When I previously asked whether you were a hero or a merchant, you said you were a merchant. People are honest before profit.”
“That is correct.”
“Then I shall ask again. What is your perspective as a merchant?”
“The Murim Alliance is….”
Truthfully, I wanted to answer that the Murim Alliance was the worst of the blackhearted, the most corrupt, those coated in hypocrisy, the most petty and filthy creatures—my sworn enemies beyond all reconciliation.
But if I spoke so bluntly, he would regard me with suspicion.
I smiled and answered.
“Honestly, they are not particularly good business partners.”
“That is surprising. Are there not partners as reliable as they?”
“Not particularly so.”
“They are known to have promoted you as a hero, so was your relationship not favorable?”
“When someone faces danger, how could I simply stand by and watch? Moreover, my parents were also present. Had I not stepped forward, many would have perished or been injured, and the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament itself might not have proceeded at all, would it not?”
“Hmm….”
At my response, he nodded as if in understanding.
“Then I may ask this as well.”
“What is it, sir?”
“Did the Murim Alliance truly attempt to kill Ja-ryeong?”
“…!”
I had not expected such a direct question.
That statement meant he had already completed his investigation of the Murim Alliance.
Indeed, despite his youth, the Emperor had entrusted him with administrative authority over a province—a man of considerable ability.
In that case, answering truthfully would be the right course.
“Yes, that is correct.”
“For what purpose, exactly….”
That is because Lady Zaling is one who sees the future. However, I cannot speak of this matter.
“I myself am not entirely certain of the reason.”
“Then it means they could target Ja-ryeong again….”
“That is precisely why I must consult with the Provincial Inspector in Guizhou on a certain matter.”
“I understand. We shall proceed accordingly.”
He nodded and spoke to me with utmost seriousness.
“However, I believe you are indeed a hero. Whether your parents were present in that place or not, the heart that would not abandon those in peril—that heart is the heart of a true hero.”
For some reason, my cheeks grew warm at those words.
.
.
.
We departed for Guizhou.
Traveling alongside the Honam Province Administrator, our journey was comfortable and swift.
Soon we arrived at the Guizhou Provincial Inspector’s Office.
The Guizhou Provincial Governor came out personally to greet us.
“Welcome.”
“We are grateful for such a warm reception.”
“You must have endured a long and arduous journey.”
Thus we exchanged courtesies, and he then offered his commendations to Dong Hang-su Scholar and myself.
“The Eun Small Merchant Leader has labored greatly as well.”
“You are too kind.”
“And you too have worked hard.”
“Yes.”
A simple response.
The Guizhou Provincial Governor accepted it as such.
We proceeded inside.
The Guizhou Provincial Governor personally escorted the Honam Province Administrator to his quarters.
Now I should retire and rest as well.
I spoke to Dong Hang-su Scholar.
“You have labored greatly.”
“Ah, no.”
Since that day he met with Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster, he had grown quite wary of me.
Indeed, as an Imperial Official, one cannot treat with ease a man who holds the Emperor’s trust.
No matter how poor one’s social skills, one recognizes who holds one’s leash.
“Please, go inside and rest.”
With those words, he vanished from my sight.

* * *

Dong Hang-su trudged forward with a weary sigh.
‘What will my elder brothers say when they find out about this?’
He had two elder brothers above him and two younger siblings below.
Caught in this ambiguous position, he had unconsciously developed a cynical disposition to avoid being hurt from above and below, and his lack of closeness with those around him had left his social skills wanting.
Yet toward his younger sister, Dong Ja-ryeong, he showed only warmth and affection, cherishing her deeply.
And that beloved younger sister had nearly been poisoned to death by someone.
Anger had surged within him, but it never manifested outwardly.
As it always had.
It was amid this turmoil that he found himself traveling to Honam Province with Eun Seo-ho.
He had taken an instant dislike to Eun Seo-ho—beginning with the fact that his younger sister had asked him to convey her regards to him.
He was genuinely grateful that Eun Seo-ho had identified Dong Ja-ryeong’s poisoning symptoms and recommended a suitable physician, thereby saving his sister’s life.
But gratitude was gratitude, and dislike was dislike.
As he pondered why he disliked the man, he came to understand the reason. The first seemed to be nothing more than simple jealousy.
‘How childish of me.’
Looking back, he felt ashamed.
The second reason was that Eun Seo-ho was a merchant.
Though his father had praised the man lavishly, he himself found it distasteful.
‘A merchant is a merchant, after all.’
He had revealed his position to Eun Seo-ho as a magistrate of Guizhou, but that was not his true station.
His real position was as a Cheom-sa of the Jehyung Inspection Bureau of Guizhou.
A Cheom-sa was a rank-five official responsible for the practical work of inspection.
And due to the unique nature of that office, he was permitted to assume false identities and conceal his true station, which is why he had presented himself thus to Eun Seo-ho.
And his disdain for merchants stemmed from that very position.
In conducting field inspections, he received countless requests and favors, most of them from merchants.
Thus he had lumped Eun Seo-ho together with those merchants.
But it seemed he had been mistaken this time.
‘Not only does the Great Swordmaster Jin-yeong, called Bing An Yan Jian, associate closely with him, but even His Imperial Majesty seeks his counsel!’
Previously, when the man had called himself a lowly merchant, he had thought inwardly, ‘He knows his place.’
But he had been wrong.
How could one whom the Emperor himself consulted truly be called a lowly merchant?
‘Damn it!’
Reflecting on it now, he recalled the wrongs he had committed against Eun Seo-ho and felt ashamed.
‘I was far too narrow-minded. I should go apologize to him properly later.’
His resolve to apologize stemmed partly from personal reflection, but there was another reason as well.
He worried that Eun Seo-ho might harbor resentment over this matter and seek to harm his family.
Though his position as the third son had caused him unintended wounds, he still cherished his family.

* * *

I was reading a book in my quarters within the Guizhou Provincial Inspector’s Official Residence.
“Are you finding it enjoyable?”
Palgap asked, and I shook my head.
“No, it’s tedious.”
“Then why are you reading it with such concentration?”
“It may not entertain me, but many people have found it fascinating. My customers, for instance.”
“Isn’t it difficult to read something tedious?”
“Of course it is.”
“There’s not a single easy task in this world.”
I let out a soft laugh.
“There are easy tasks.”
“What would that be?”
“Work suited to one’s aptitude. That’s the easiest task of all.”
I believed this was something I could do precisely because it aligned with my aptitude as a merchant.
As I continued conversing with Palgap, I sensed someone approaching my quarters.
This presence was….
Soon, the voice of Lee Pil Warrior, who stood guard outside, reached my ears.
“Master, Dong Hang-su Scholar has arrived.”
What could this be about?
I tilted my head in puzzlement, opened the door, and stepped out to find Dong Hang-su Scholar standing before me.
“What brings you here?”
“I’ve come because there’s something urgent I must tell you.”
“Please, come inside.”
I ushered him into my quarters.
Palgap brought tea, and we conversed while drinking it.
“What matter has brought you all this way?”
“I’ve come to apologize for my rudeness these past days.”
“….”
Honestly, if it were someone else, they would engage in small talk before getting to the point.
But seeing how he gets straight to the matter, this person is quite remarkable.
I appreciate that he doesn’t waste time with unnecessary words, to be frank.
But an apology, you say….
He didn’t seem like that sort of person. Is he worried that I might harm him or his family out of displeasure?
Of course, I had already discerned that he wasn’t truly a cynical person.
A truly cynical person wouldn’t care what happens to those around them.
Dong Hang-su Scholar merely affects cynicism. Though I cannot fathom why.
How intriguing.
“If you’re apologizing because you fear I might harm you or your family out of personal displeasure, there’s no need to apologize.”
I continued speaking.
“I despise putting someone in a difficult position because of personal feelings. Why would I do something I despise?”
“….”
He bit his lip, then opened his mouth after a moment.
“That’s part of it, but truthfully, I realized how childish and shameful my behavior had been.”
“…?”
“The truth is, I felt jealous when I learned that Lady Ja-ryeong had taken an interest in Eun Small Merchant Leader.”
So this was his true heart.
It meant he cherished Lady Dongja-ryeong that much.
“And, in fact, I hold the position of Cheom-sa. Because of that, I’ve received countless requests from merchants, and so I haven’t viewed merchants favorably.”
He clasped his fists and lowered his head.
“I apologize for my narrow-mindedness in treating Eun Small Merchant Leader the same as those other merchants.”
So that was it.
This man had his own reasons as well.
Should I be grateful that the misunderstanding has been cleared up like this?
“I accept your apology.”
“Thank you.”
“In exchange, there is something I need your help with.”
“What might that be?”
At his question, I let out a deep sigh.
“I heard that Lady Dongja-ryeong’s elder brothers are on their way here.”
“That’s correct. How did you know?”
“The Separate Pavilion is being cleaned as we speak.”
Palgap had told me earlier that upon hearing news of Lady Ja-ryeong’s recovery, her elder brothers were rushing here.
“Please, I ask that you explain things well so there are no misunderstandings.”
“Leave it to me. I’ll ensure there are no troublesome complications.”
.
.
.
That evening.
I was moving along with an attendant sent by the Guizhou Provincial Governor.
He did not guide me to an office or guest reception room.
To a secluded corner among the outer quarters of the Guizhou Provincial Inspector’s Office.
There stood a pavilion.
Had such a place existed here?
Around where the pavilion was built, there was nothing else. Not even a tree or low shrub.
However, a shallow stream—barely deep enough to submerge a hand—flowed around all four sides of the pavilion, and between one side and the next there was a height difference, creating a small waterfall whose sound blocked out all other noise from the surroundings.
I could understand what this pavilion had been built for.
A place to discuss confidential matters.
With no place to hide on all sides, one could not eavesdrop from concealment.
And if guards were positioned at a certain distance outside, even they could not hear the exact conversation.
Of course, if one could not guarantee personal safety, the guards would be kept closer.
The pavilion already had visitors.
The Guizhou Provincial Governor and the Honam Province Administrator.
I climbed up to the pavilion and bowed respectfully to both men.
“You called for me?”
“Come, come. Sit comfortably.”
“Yes.”
As I took my seat in the empty space, the Honam Province Administrator spoke first.
“I arranged this meeting because of what you said last time. Didn’t you say the three of us needed to discuss something urgent?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
So that’s why they summoned me here.
It seemed they had judged that it would be unwise for the matters I wished to discuss to leak outside.
And seeing the bright expressions on both their faces, it appeared the misunderstanding between them had been completely resolved.
That’s fortunate. These two men needed to remain in their positions.
“As you both know, this matter involves the Seo-un Sect targeting Lady Zaling’s life. And behind the Seo-un Sect stands another force.”
The Guizhou Provincial Governor spoke.
“I’ve heard as much. A man named Ham Song who serves the Murim Alliance gave those orders, didn’t he?”
“Yes. However, I don’t believe this was Ham Song’s independent decision.”
“….”
“I don’t know the reason they wish to kill Lady Zaling, but….”
In truth, I knew, but I couldn’t speak of it here.
“I can assure you of this: they will attempt to target Lady Zaling’s life again.”
That was certain.
This was the real problem.
We had managed to resolve the quadruple-layered poison thanks to myself and Baek Bal-hwa, but the Murim Alliance would never give up here.
The fact that they deployed such a poison meant they were deeply wary of Lady Zaling’s abilities.
They would never abandon their attempt to kill her.
“Then what on earth are we supposed to do?”
I looked at the Guizhou Provincial Governor as I spoke.
“I have thought of one method.”

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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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