The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 363

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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 363

Chapter 363. The Baek Yeom Merchant Guild (4)

Four furnace workers were struggling to carry a crucible filled with molten metal toward us.
Ho Gyeong Prince stopped in his tracks upon seeing them.
That was only natural—he needed to let them pass first.
But then,
“Whoa!”
One of them stumbled, and they began to fall.
The problem was that their trajectory would carry them directly toward where Ho Gyeong Prince stood.
“Ahhhhh!”
“My lord!”
Everyone’s attention snapped to the unfolding disaster.
But I saw it clearly.
Mak-du withdrew steel balls from his pocket and rolled them beneath the feet of those carrying the crucible.
Was this the marketplace owner’s intention?
To disguise an accident and assassinate Ho Gyeong Prince?
Wouldn’t setting a fire or something similar be more effective for destabilizing the merchant guild?
At that moment, something flickered across my mind.

“With Gyeong-i here, I can rest easy and close my eyes. Truly, our merchant guild’s greatest treasure.”

What if Ho Gyeong Prince were to die in an accident?
Damn it!
This wasn’t the time to be thinking about that.
Right now, the molten metal churning violently inside the furnace was about to engulf Ho Gyeong Prince.
Since he was serving as our guide and had distanced himself slightly from the others, they wouldn’t be caught up in it, but that confirmed one thing for me.
That man called Mak-du’s target was Ho Gyeong Prince.
With metal that hot, there wouldn’t even be a body left behind!
Of course, he wouldn’t survive.
If I stepped in now, I could save him, but if the Murim Alliance learned of my cultivation level….
Countless thoughts flashed through my mind in that instant, but then a bitter laugh escaped me.
Was that really important right now?
Someone was about to die right before my eyes.
Whoosh!
I rushed toward Ho Gyeong Prince, wrapped him in one arm, and simultaneously unleashed my inner energy toward the churning molten metal.
Hisssssss—!
The metal cooled instantly, hardening solid.
I set Ho Gyeong Prince down on the ground and asked.
“Are you alright?”
“Ah, ah… Yes. I, I’m fine.”
His expression was one of complete bewilderment. And no wonder—he’d nearly met a terrible end.
Clang.
Thud.
Crash.
The furnace workers who had been holding the crucible let out sighs of relief and collapsed where they stood.
They’d nearly killed the Guild’s future successor through their mistake.
Though truthfully, it wasn’t their fault.
If not for me, they would have lived with that guilt for the rest of their lives.
The one who commits the crime must bear the punishment.
I watched Mak-du, who was panicking at his failure and trying to slip away, and spoke.
“Restrain that man.”
“Sir?”
“He rolled an iron ball toward the direction the furnace workers were carrying the crucible.”
At those words, the nearby furnace workers rushed at him like a swarm.
He then waved his hands frantically in panic.
“What is this? I didn’t do it!”
“Shut your mouth! You bastard!”
>”I’m innocent!”
The furnace workers searched Mak-du’s body and found an iron ball in his pants pocket.
“Look at this bastard?”
“Ha!”
“That… that is…”
“With evidence like this, you claim injustice?”
“Looking at this, it seems to be iron produced from our Iron Tool Workshop?”
“Did we even manufacture iron balls?”
Unable to offer any credible excuse, Mak-du quietly lowered his head.
Night Guard work was extraordinarily dangerous.
After narrowly escaping death several times, one’s language naturally became coarse.
Moreover, they had to look out for each other’s safety by any means necessary.
Today, I could personally confirm that the Night Guard’s language was indeed crude.
It began with the four Furnace Workers who had brought the furnace.
“These iron balls lying on the ground here—that’s what they are, right?”
“I thought something suddenly felt slippery, and it was because of these iron balls you rolled!”
“Hey! You ×××! You ×××!”
“××! You ×× bastard!”
Ugh…
It felt as though my ears were bleeding.
But it was natural for them to speak so harshly. I would have done the same.
No, actually.
If it were me, instead of cursing like that, I would have repaid him in kind.
At that moment, Ho Gyeong Prince, having regained his composure, spoke.
“Summon the Ho Cheol Brigade immediately.”
“Yes!”
The Ho Cheol Brigade was the military force of the Baek Yeom Merchant Guild.
“Hic!”
At those words, his complexion turned deathly pale.
He realized there was no way to escape this gracefully now.
In that instant,
Mak-du snatched the iron ball from the Furnace Worker in front of him and brought it to his mouth.
He intended to swallow it and take his own life.
Not so fast!
I drew the hidden blade from my sleeve and hurled it toward him.
“Ugh!”
My blade struck precisely into his hand, and his suicide attempt failed.
I approached him, retrieved my blade, and subdued him.
Ho Gyeong Prince, who followed shortly after, spoke to those around us.
“Gag him and bind him.”
“Yes!”
The Furnace Workers rushed forward, gagged him, and then stanched his wound with cloth and bound it tightly.
“Sigh, I’ve troubled you once again.”
At Ho Gyeong Prince’s words, I shook my head lightly.
“No.”
I was slightly taken aback internally.
He had regained his composure far more quickly than I expected.
Well, that’s probably why he managed to revive the Baek Yeom Merchant Guild later.
Besides, as the second-in-line successor to the Greatest Under Heaven Trading Company, he must have faced assassination and kidnapping threats before.
He spoke to Mak-du.
“I won’t interrogate you right now. If I do, I fear I might kill you.”
“….”
Mak-du bit his lip as if aggrieved.
Just then, the Ho Cheol Brigade arrived, fully clad in armor.
“Did you call for us? What is this situation?”
The Ho-cheol Guard Commander was startled upon seeing the scene.
The molten metal hardened on the floor, and several furnace workers restraining a single man.
“This man attempted to assassinate me.”
Ho Gyeong Prince explained the situation to him, then issued orders like a commander.
“Interrogate the criminal thoroughly and uncover who was behind this. There must be someone who instigated this man. As long as you don’t kill him, extract the truth by any means necessary.”
“I obey your command!”
Half of the Ho Cheol Brigade dragged Mak-du away, while the rest began taking statements from the furnace workers.
In the meantime, Ho Gyeong Prince cupped his fists toward me and bowed his head.
“I am truly grateful. I owe my life to you, Eun Small Merchant Leader.”
“Not at all. I merely acted to preserve your life.”
“I shall never forget this debt of life-saving grace.”
I returned the gesture with a respectful bow.
“But I must say, I was astonished. I had no idea your martial prowess was so formidable, Eun Small Merchant Leader….”
After all, he had witnessed me not merely cool that boiling molten metal in an instant, but freeze it solid.
I smiled bitterly to myself.
I had intended to conceal my true level…but there was no helping it.
I couldn’t have let Ho Gyeong Prince die.
If I allowed someone to perish for the sake of my goals without lifting a hand, that would be putting the cart before the horse.
I have a purpose: vengeance against the Murim Alliance.
But that vengeance stems from my humanity—my anger at their actions and my desire for retribution.
I had no wish to abandon my humanity to achieve it.
“Haha, you are too kind.”
I said this and bowed my head.
At that moment, something fell from my sleeve.
Thud.
This was the ornament I had given to Geumryeong, wasn’t it?
When I had received a commission from the Guizhou Provincial Governor before, I had purchased ornaments at the marketplace, disguising them as artifacts to preserve what appeared to be an eye.
I had bought several extras just in case, and when Geumryeong showed keen interest, I had given her one.
Why was this here?
– Squeak!
I heard Geumryeong’s voice transmission in my mind.
It wasn’t an accident—she did it on purpose?
I immediately examined the trinket.
The gemstone portion of the blue trinket was cracked. It seemed like Geumryeong had deliberately bitten and shattered it.
Ah! So that’s what it meant!
Upon seeing it, I could grasp Geumryeong’s intention.
My goodness, what a clever creature.
Could she be a genius?
I’ll have to give her a gold token instead of a silver one later.
I picked up the trinket and made an awkward expression. Bok Yun Sub-leader asked from beside me.
“What is that trinket?”
I feigned ignorance to hide my awkward expression.
“It’s nothing special.”
At that moment, Sakang Branch Master spoke.
“It appears to be some kind of artifact.”
“Could it be an artifact imbued with cold energy?”
At Han Baek-geon Sub-Master’s question, I sighed and replied.
“Yes, that’s correct. How could I possess such ability to freeze that molten metal in an instant? I simply utilized the function of this artifact.”
“What a marvelous artifact!”
“I’ve heard of such artifacts existing before.”
Several of the remaining Merchant Leaders nodded at this. Among them was Sa Gu-chul Merchant Leader, the father of Sakang Branch Master.
Since this was a place that produced weapons, obtaining iron supply was of utmost importance.
The Baek Yeom Merchant Guild was their most crucial trading partner, so they had readily visited to strengthen their relationship.
And incidentally, to observe their techniques as well.
Sa Gu-chul Merchant Leader spoke upon seeing the cracked gemstone of the trinket in my hand.
“I see… the cracked gemstone suggests it has reached the end of its lifespan.”
“That appears to be the case.”
“Our guild manufactures weapons, so we know well how hot molten metal can be. To freeze such a vast amount of metal at once… that artifact has certainly exhausted its lifespan.”
I nodded in agreement and spoke.
“Still, I believe the trade was worthwhile—I saved a person’s life with this artifact. After all, what could be more precious than a human life?”
I smiled.
“Though I’ve lost the artifact, I am satisfied.”
“Hmm…”
“Truly, you are Seon Hyeop Mi-rang.”
“…”
All the Sub-leaders and princes began to praise me.
“Indeed!”
“There is good reason the world speaks of Seon Hyeop Mi-rang, Seon Hyeop Mi-rang.”
“How reassuring to have such a hero within our Baekdae Trading Company.”
“As expected of Seon Hyeop Mi-rang.”
“….”
Ugh, please, I’m begging you—can we not use that title….
While that reputation has its uses, hearing it spoken aloud to my face makes me feel like breaking out in hives.
But at least things worked out well.
Thanks to the trinket Geumryeong dropped for me at just the right moment, today’s accomplishment can be attributed to the artifact’s power rather than my own pure skill.
“I’m truly sorry. Because of me, that precious artifact has reached the end of its lifespan, hasn’t it?”
Ho Gyeong Prince’s expression was genuinely apologetic.
“Not at all. I’ve come to believe that this artifact came into my hands precisely for the purpose of saving you today, Ho Prince.”
“Eun Small Merchant Leader….”
“This artifact has simply fulfilled its purpose. Thanks to it, Ho Prince’s life has been saved, so the artifact would be pleased as well.”
Wow….
Even I have to admit, I really do have a way with words.
Now I should probably wrap this up.
“In any case, after such a momentous day, it would be best for everyone to return and find some peace of mind.”
The others unanimously agreed with my suggestion.
“The Eun Small Merchant Leader speaks wisely.”
“Let us end our tour of the Iron Tool Workshop here.”
“Please go and rest.”
And so our tour of the Iron Tool Workshop came to an end.
For me, having thwarted Namgung Kang’s sinister plot, it had been a satisfying day.

Soon we passed through the Iron Tool Workshop’s door, forged from refined iron.
“Young Master!”
“My Lord!”
The Ho Cheol Brigade had rushed inside urgently. Therefore, the attendants and guards waiting at the door quickly checked on their lord’s safety as those who had entered came back out.
Palgap and my guards did the same.
“Are you unharmed? What on earth happened?”
At that question, I smiled wryly.
“I’ll explain later.”
The Seo-woo Warrior, who had been scrutinizing me with a hawk’s gaze, spoke.
“Fortunately, you have no injuries.”
“That’s right.”
Then Palgap spoke.
“But why did you burn the hem of your robe?”
Huh?
Palgap lifted the hem of my robe with his hand to show me, and I found myself at a loss for words to explain.
“Well, you see… haha. How did the hem catch fire?”
Then someone interjected.
“Don’t scold him so harshly. Thanks to your lord, this place hasn’t become a house of mourning.”
The one approaching us was Dam-shim Merchant Lord.
The father of Dam Jin Small Unit Master, who had been mocked by those ill-mannered young men earlier, and the Merchant Lord of the Mudong Merchant Guild.
He was one of those who had toured the Iron Tool Workshop with us and witnessed my exploits.
He spoke with a smile.
“Today was truly impressive. And I’m grateful that you helped my son.”
So, Dam Jin Small Unit Master had indeed suffered something unfortunate earlier, and he knew about it.
“I won’t forget this kindness.”
Then Dam Jin Small Unit Master, standing slightly behind, approached me with a fist salute and bowed his head.
“I will cherish the connection with you, Small Guild Master. And I won’t forget the kindness you showed me earlier.”
After exchanging greetings with them, I surveyed the surroundings. Ho Gyeong Prince was still tidying up the area.
I approached him.
“Why haven’t you gone inside yet?”
At my question, he gave a bitter smile.
“I must finish what I’ve been given to do. It’s not as if I’m seriously injured.”
“…”
Why did he seem so pitiful when he spoke like that?
Today I had thwarted Namgung Kang’s scheme, but this alone wouldn’t be enough to make him pay.
I would definitely cut off his tail.
That’s why the existence of witnesses is crucial here.
“Actually, there’s something I should tell you.”

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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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