The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 348

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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 348

Chapter 348. A Solution (3)

At my words, the Guizhou Provincial Governor asked with an eager expression.
“What is this method you speak of?”
“It is… death.”
“What?”
Both governors’ faces showed clear bewilderment at my words.
And understandably so—even I had to admit my proposal sounded absurd.
“Are you… joking now?”
The Guizhou Provincial Governor asked in a voice barely restraining his anger, and I shook my head lightly.
“I am speaking with complete sincerity, sir.”
“But what exactly do you—”
At that moment, the Honam Province Administrator raised his hand to calm him.
“Explain in greater detail.”
“Yes, sir.”
I began my explanation.
“When I said ‘death is the method,’ I meant we should exploit their blind spot.”
“Exploit their… blind spot?”
“Precisely. In other words, we make them believe Lady Ja-ryeong is dead.”
I continued.
“Through my work with the trading company, I have come to understand just how relentless and obsessive the Murim Alliance truly is. Once they have set their sights on a target, they will pursue it by any means necessary.”
“…”
“If either of you possessed a better method, there would be no need for this one. Truthfully, Lady Ja-ryeong and I are not strangers—we are family, and those bound to become family cherish her far more than I do. Surely a better solution exists among you.”
Both men sighed and shook their heads at my words. From their expressions, I could discern what decision they would make.
The Guizhou Provincial Governor, understanding my meaning, spoke with a bitter expression.
“I did not even know they had made their move until you informed me. As a father, I am loath to admit this, but truthfully, I cannot be certain my own abilities would be sufficient to protect my daughter from their grasp.”
He continued.
“I can think of no better method than what you propose.”
I turned my gaze to the Honam Province Administrator.
He nodded in agreement with the Guizhou Provincial Governor’s words.
Indeed, in my previous life, even the Empress had fallen to the Murim Alliance’s hands—these two men could hardly protect Lady Ja-ryeong through conventional means.
“Then it is decided.”
“But how can we deceive them? They will surely demand to see my daughter’s corpse.”
“I intend to seek Baek Bal Hwa-ui’s assistance for that.”
The ability to detoxify poison inherently meant one could also create it.
With that skill, he could surely craft a toxin capable of making someone appear dead for several days.
The Honam Province Administrator let out a wry laugh.
“If I officially declare Ja-ryeong dead, I won’t be able to take her as a daughter-in-law.”
“….”
“But there’s no better way for Ja-ryeong’s sake, so it can’t be helped.”
And this would be a good solution for the Honam Province Administrator’s two sons as well.
The Fourth’s heart, watching the woman he yearned for marry his Elder Brother, would be hell itself, and the Third Son’s heart, aware of the Fourth’s suffering and tormented by it, would be no less hellish.
When I first saw the Fourth, the Black Path aura I sensed from him was fortunately only an aura he’d picked up from the Attendant he served.
That’s why the aura had been so faint.
Now that there’s no Black Path figure beside him, that aura will fade away.
.
.
.
The next day, the Honam Province Administrator returned to Honam Province. Given his position, he couldn’t stay much longer.
And I too began preparing to depart.
The Guizhou Provincial Governor expressed his gratitude and handed me a promissory note.
It was a substantial sum, including the note’s base value plus additional compensation for my various services, including bringing the eyes.
I withdrew the note in my quarters and smiled.
Seeing this, I felt satisfied that all my efforts hadn’t been in vain.
Inside the envelope was another envelope.
“….”
Just then, Palgap entered my quarters and asked.
“Why do you have such an expression on your face?”
“What’s wrong with my expression?”
“Shouldn’t you be smiling when looking at the promissory note? I don’t understand why you look so uneasy.”
“It’s just… the note feels heavy to me.”
At my words, Palgap tilted his head in confusion.
“Ah! Let me help you prepare the Physician’s things.”
“What? Suddenly?”
“Miss Dong just sent a maidservant. She’s asking for a cup of tea.”

A moment later.
I entered the Inner Compound.
It was a place where outsiders rarely gained access, yet I found myself entering with remarkable ease.
I was guided to the Guest Reception Room located within the Inner Compound.
It was a space prepared for visits from family members and relatives.
As I was partaking of refreshments in the Guest Reception Room, Lady Zaling soon entered.
This time, she walked in on her own two feet—not in a sedan chair.
Her complexion had changed dramatically from before.
She looked healthier.
According to Baek Bal Hwa-ui, the detoxification was complete, and her physical strength had recovered considerably.
“I heard you’re departing for Beijing tomorrow.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“First, I wanted to express my gratitude. There are so many things I’m grateful for.”
“I merely performed work in exchange for compensation. So please, don’t make me uncomfortable with such words.”
“Is that so?”
She smiled.
“….”
In that instant, I found myself momentarily dazed. It was a smile that emanated from the depths of her heart.
No wonder everyone cherished Lady Zaling so dearly.
“I… heard from my father. That I had been poisoned… and that they were responsible. And about what lies ahead as well.”
Ah, so the Guizhou Provincial Governor had explained everything to Lady Zaling.
Indeed, since she would henceforth have to live officially as a deceased person, he had no choice but to explain the full circumstances.
“Are you prepared?”
“Yes.”
She nodded.
Her eyes were clear and filled with hope, without a trace of anxiety.
Perhaps she didn’t trust me to that extent… or could it be?
Now was the time to speak.
First, I surveyed my surroundings. No one was eavesdropping on our conversation.
But just to be safe, I enveloped the area with my qi barrier.
Then I asked her directly.
“Can you see the future, Young Lady?”
“…!”
At my question, she looked at me in surprise.
“What? That, what do you mean….”
“I hadn’t noticed before, but recently, observing the Guizhou Provincial Governor’s reactions to your condition and various other details, I’ve become certain.”
“…I see.”
Realizing she could no longer deceive me, she nodded obediently.
“And the reason they sought to kill you is precisely because of that ability.”
“….”
She bit her lip and lifted her head to speak.
“So my abilities felt like a threat to them.”
“Precisely. To be honest, your abilities are something anyone would covet. However, the fact that they perceived it as a threat is what concerns me about their actions.”
“….”
She paused in thought before nodding.
“To be truthful, I had doubts about needing to feign my death. Whether it was truly necessary. But it seems there’s no other way.”
I asked her a question.
“You didn’t foresee this?”
“I can’t see whenever I wish, nor can I see the specific scenes I desire to witness.”
“I see.”
“But do you know something?”
“What would that be?”
“At some point, the futures I see began to change little by little. It started around early winter, roughly five years ago.”
“…!”
Her words struck something within me.
The timeframe she mentioned nearly coincided with when I returned to the past.
“I see… How did it change?”
“For the better.”
That was fortunate.
At least the world hadn’t grown worse because of the changes I made upon my return.
My goals matter, but I wouldn’t welcome the world deteriorating because of them.
“And in my changed future, I saw you, Small Guild Master.”
“Is that… so?”
“So I’m curious… Do you also covet my abilities?”
I chuckled and nodded.
“Honestly, I do covet them. But that’s all.”
“Why is that?”
“Because knowing the future means having far more to worry about. Besides, the future always changes. I have no desire to burden myself with concerns over a future that will inevitably shift.”
“You’re an interesting person.”
“I hear that often.”
“Then I’m curious about something. You don’t need my abilities, so why do you go through such trouble for me?”
“That’s a misunderstanding.”
“Pardon?”
I spoke firmly.
“This isn’t for your sake—it’s for mine. I’m a merchant, and resolving this matter will bring me profit.”
“Profit… you say?”
“Money, that is. Your father has given me quite a substantial sum.”
At my words, she wore an expression of bewilderment before breaking into laughter.
Well, am I really that amusing?

* * *

At that very moment.
Several figures arrived at the residence of the Guizhou Provincial Inspector’s Office.
The Provincial Governor’s other sons.
“Ja-ryeong!”
“Your elder brother has come!”
They barely acknowledged their father and mother before rushing toward Dong Ja-ryeong’s quarters.
But she was not there.
“Ah! Welcome, sirs!”
The maidservant quickly bowed in greeting.
“Where is Ja-ryeong?”
“She is currently conversing with a guest in the reception room.”
“A guest?”
They exchanged puzzled glances and immediately headed toward the reception room. Just then, Dong Ja-ryeong and a young man emerged from it.
He was so strikingly handsome that all four of them momentarily stood dumbfounded.
“Then I shall take my leave. Please take care of yourself.”
“It has been a pleasant time. Safe travels.”
Dong Ja-ryeong, bidding him farewell, wore an unguarded smile. The young man departed from the inner compound, and Dong Ja-ryeong watched his retreating figure.
The four elder brothers’ eyes narrowed at the sight.
“Youngest sister.”
“Yes?”
“Who is that fellow?”
“I’m not entirely certain either. Though he is remarkably handsome.”
As if hearing news of their arrival, Dong Hang-su approached them.
“You’ve come?”
“Yes. Hang-su! Ah, you would know! Who is that fellow?”
“Ah! You mean that gentleman?”
“That gentleman?”
“Yes. His name is Eun Seo-ho, and he is the Small Guild Master of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
One of the brothers spoke up.
“I’ve heard of them. Isn’t the Eunhae Trading Company the one that sells those steam devices?”
“Is that so? Still, he’s just a merchant, isn’t he?”
Being officials themselves, they held little regard for merchants.
But Dong Hang-su cautioned them.
“Do not look down upon him for being a merchant. That gentleman is truly remarkable. Please refrain from any discourteous remarks.”
They exchanged bewildered glances.
They knew that Dong Hang-su remained indifferent even when meeting high-ranking officials.
For him to praise someone so highly meant this was no ordinary person.
“But why would such a man spend time with Ja-ryeong in the reception room?”
“Moreover, Ja-ryeong is smiling!”
“Ja-ryeong smiled at another man! This is no ordinary matter!”
At their reaction, Dong Hang-su let out a sigh.
“Well, that person saved Ja-ryeong’s life, after all.”
“That person?”
“Yes. So when you meet them later, please offer your thanks with proper courtesy.”
“Ahem, understood.”
At Dong Hang-su’s warning, they nodded their heads.
“But don’t you see? Ja-ryeong is walking on both feet right now. Isn’t that what truly matters?”
“Ah!”
“R-right!”
Only then did they grasp the significance, and they rushed toward Dong Ja-ryeong.
“Ja-ryeong!”
“My! Elder brothers?”
“Hah! Our Ja-ryeong is walking on both feet!”
“How moving is this moment!”
Watching her elder brothers, Dong Ja-ryeong bowed her head gently.
“I apologize for causing you such worry, elder brothers.”
“No. We are simply overjoyed that you have recovered so well. Sniff!”
“Indeed, indeed!”
“Never fall ill again.”
Soothing her elder brothers, who were nearly sobbing, Dong Ja-ryeong felt a pang of guilt toward them.
She knew all too well how devastated they would be when they heard she had died.
‘I’m sorry, elder brothers.’
But if she truly died, it would be a parting forever.
This brief separation was necessary to avoid that fate.
She thought of Eun Seo-ho.
When asked why he would go to such lengths for her, he answered boldly that it was for his own gain.
Though startled, she found herself trusting him all the more because of it.
‘And if the future I saw is true, then I will be in Beijing this winter.’

* * *

The next morning.
I departed at the crack of dawn.
The previous night, Palgap had brought word that Lady Ja-ryeong’s elder brothers had arrived.
Those men I’d seen on my way back from meeting Lady Ja-ryeong—they must have been her brothers.
Dong Hang-su Scholar had promised to explain things well, but they had witnessed us speaking alone together.
To avoid unnecessary complications, swift departure was the wisest course.
Upon leaving the magistrate’s residence, we did not head directly toward Beijing.
Instead, we made for the location of the Guizhou Provincial Governor’s family estate.
Beside that estate stood a mountain, and we ventured into it.
There, we waited.

How many days did we remain in that place?
Palgap returned from the village where he’d gone to purchase provisions, bringing me news.
“Young Master! Word is spreading rapidly through the marketplace.”
“What sort of word?”

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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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