The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 366

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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 366

Chapter 366. The Head Chef of Geumgyeru (3)

Something was definitely different from my previous life.
Had I been lost in thought too deeply?
While pouring tea from the teapot, I accidentally spilled it everywhere.
“Ah! It’s hot!”
“Are you alright, sir?”
“Yes….”
“You should have been more careful, sir.”
Palgap quickly wiped my hand and the hem of my robe with a handkerchief.
Ah… Now I remembered what that sense of discomfort was.
In my previous life, Ho Gyeong Prince had an extreme aversion to hot things.
He even drank his tea only after it had cooled completely.
It wasn’t always that way, but some incident had caused it to become so.
Could it be that the incident I’m thinking of is the accident that just happened?
Even though I wasn’t there at that time, somehow he survived.
In that case, was it not a simple accident but rather sabotage by the Baekcheon Trading Company against the Baek Yeom Merchant Guild?
While thinking such thoughts, I picked up a pastry dusted with gold leaf and put it in my mouth.
Indeed, because it was dusted with gold leaf, it tasted delicious….
Ah! I’m not Geumryeong, after all.
Then the Maidservant’s voice was heard.
“The Merchant Guild Leader has arrived.”
I quickly rose from my seat.
Soon the door opened, and Ho Ju-shin, his son, and Ho Gyeong Prince entered.
“Thank you for inviting me here.”
I bowed respectfully, and we took our seats.
“I’m truly grateful for saving my grandson the other day.”
“Not at all. I simply couldn’t overlook an accident happening before my eyes.”
“That is precisely what a hero is. There’s a reason you’re called Seon Hyeop Mi-rang.”
…That burdensome name—who wouldn’t want to be rid of it?
No matter how many times I hear it, I can’t get used to it.
“Ah, do you like the refreshments?”
“Yes, they’re quite delicious.”
“I’m glad you enjoy them. By the way, I heard that your vessel reached the end of its life due to that incident the other day.”
He took a box from his bosom and handed it to me.
“Please accept this.”
I opened the box to examine its contents.
“What is this?”
“I managed to acquire a new vessel imbued with cold energy.”
“….”
That was just a cheap trinket….
It felt as though the refreshments I’d just eaten were rising back up.
I quickly pushed the box back toward Ho Ju-shin and spoke.
“I apologize, but I cannot accept this.”
“Did I not explain that I used the vessel to save my grandson, and that its lifespan was exhausted because of it?”
“That vessel would have reached the end of its lifespan regardless of that incident.”
“But surely its end came sooner because of what happened?”
“I cannot say that with certainty.”
I refused adamantly, but Ho Ju-shin would not relent either.
I truly didn’t know how to handle this situation.
If I had actually used the vessel, it would be different, but that wasn’t the case.
Was this what they meant by “committing murder while using a corpse as cover”?
Back then, I thought I’d cleverly concealed my realm using the trinket Geumryeong had thrown to me….
I wondered if this was why people shouldn’t tell lies… but there was no choice.
I couldn’t know where the hidden eyes and ears of the Murim Alliance might be.
And my realm was a claw I had to keep hidden for the sake of revenge.
As I continued to decline, Ho Ju-shin pressed me further.
“Tsk! Even when I insist you take it, you refuse.”
“Why won’t you accept it?”
“Could it be the vessel doesn’t suit your taste?”
With not only Ho Ju-shin but also Ho Gyeong Prince and his father urging me, I could no longer refuse.
Yes, since I did save Ho Gyeong Prince, I should just accept it.
“Then I shall accept it with gratitude, setting aside all modesty.”
“A wise decision.”
I accepted the vessel and set it beside me.
Then Ho Gyeong’s Father spoke up.
“And since Ho Gyeong was spared a great calamity thanks to you, it seems only proper that we offer a separate token of our gratitude. So I’ve prepared this—please accept it.”
And he handed me an envelope.
I accepted it and opened it.
“….”
Inside was a token made of iron.
“It’s a token that allows you to request any iron implements you desire. It can be used at any of our Baek Yeom Merchant Guild’s ironware shops throughout the Empire.”
Its value far exceeded a considerable amount of gold.
They were sincere.
Since I’d already accepted the vessel, I couldn’t refuse this either.
Could it be they presented the vessel first for precisely this reason?
A sigh escaped me.
For some reason, I felt as though I’d taken a solid blow.
“I’ll gratefully accept it.”
At that moment, Ho Ju-shin asked me a question.
“Is it still before lunch?”
“Yes, it is.”
“Perfect then. Shall we share a meal together?”
“I’d be delighted.”
So that’s why he’d summoned me at this hour—to dine together.
“Then let’s rise.”
“Yes.”
We made our way toward the Dining Hall within the Merchant Guild Headquarters.
Soon, countless dumplings began filling the expansive dining table.
Merchant Guild Leader, surely this is far more than a simple lunch by any measure…
“Eat.”
“I’ll eat well.”
They say even a ghost who dies well-fed has a healthy complexion, so I might as well indulge.

The dumplings arranged on the table numbered well over twenty varieties.
Thanks to this abundance, I could taste every conceivable type of dumpling.
After finishing that delightful lunch, we sipped tea and conversed.
Before long, our discussion turned to a book I’d recently read.
“Ah, you’ve read that book as well?”
“Yes. I received a recommendation not long ago and read it.”
“Indeed, it’s a book worth recommending. There’s much to contemplate, I’d say. Especially in that third chapter…”
Since I’d read the book recently, I engaged with his remarks, and Ho Ju-shin grew animated, continuing the discussion with enthusiasm.
Seeing his passion, I felt vindicated for having read that tedious book.
While conversing with Ho Ju-shin, an attendant arrived.
“Merchant Guild Leader, I apologize for the interruption during this pleasant time, but your appointment with the Seo-ga Merchant Leader approaches.”
“Ah! Has it become so late already? I understand.”
He rose from his seat and spoke.
“Conversing with you makes time fly so swiftly. Your insights are truly remarkable.”
“You’re too kind.”
“And thank you for indulging this old man’s need for conversation.”
“Not at all. I enjoyed it as well.”
“Visit whenever you wish. I shall always look forward to our meetings.”
Earlier, his gratitude toward me seemed predominant, but now his joy and delight at having found someone whose words resonated with him appeared far greater.
“Then, take care on your way.”
“Yes, until we meet again.”
As Ho Ju-shin departed, his son, the Small Merchant Guild Leader, also rose from his seat.
“I also have a prior engagement, so I’ll take my leave.”
“Of course. Today was truly enjoyable.”
“Feel free to chat with Gyeong-i a bit longer if you wish. Do as you please. Then I’ll be on my way.”
“Yes.”
With that, the two elders departed, leaving Ho Gyeong Prince and me alone.
I scratched the back of my neck and spoke.
“I’m worried that receiving so much might cause problems.”
“Please don’t say such things. These are all things the Small Guild Master can easily manage.”
Ho Gyeong Prince continued.
“Honestly, I barely managed to stop them from giving even more. I was concerned it might burden you.”
“You did well.”
“Our family motto is to return twofold what we receive, so everyone was inclined to do so. I hope there’s no misunderstanding.”
“I see. Truly an admirable family principle.”
“So….”
Tap.
Ho Gyeong Prince withdrew something from within his sleeve and placed it on the table.
This is….
Upon seeing it, I couldn’t help but flinch.
“This is… a dagger, isn’t it?”
What on earth does this mean? Why is he giving me this?
He spoke with solemn gravity.
“Since you saved my life, I too wish to repay that debt with my own life.”
“I trust you’re not saying you’re entrusting your life to me or anything like that.”
“That’s not it. I too value my life.”
“Then why…?”
“This dagger is a token of my oath—that one day I will stake my life to aid you.”
Isn’t that basically the same thing?
“Should I ever forget this promise, I ask that you draw this dagger and remind me of my vow.”
While somewhat burdensome, the atmosphere made refusal impossible.
“I understand. I will remember.”
The heir of the First Under Heaven Trading Company’s assistance will surely prove valuable someday.
I carefully placed the dagger in my garment.
“What are your plans for this afternoon?”
“This evening, I have a dinner gathering.”
At my response, he smiled and spoke.
“It seems you have a pleasant engagement ahead.”
“Ah? Was it that obvious?”
“I noticed the smile on your face just now.”
“Indeed. I’ve arranged to dine with the other Small Guild Masters from today’s gathering. I recently discovered a place that makes an exceptional spicy braised chicken dish.”
Well, it’s hardly a secret anyway.
“Spicy steamed chicken? Ah, you must mean Geumgyeru!”
“That’s correct. Are you familiar with the place?”
At my question, he shook his head.
“Beyond what I mentioned before, I don’t know much. It’s only been just over a year since it was established, and I only know that Luzu and the Head Chef are married.”
“So they have that kind of relationship. If a married couple has settled here, they must be from this area.”
“That’s not the case. I understand they drifted in from a foreign land.”
“I see.”
Then Ho Gyeong Prince said something unexpected.
“Eun Small Merchant Leader, if it wouldn’t be too presumptuous, might I also attend that gathering?”
“Pardon?”
“I’d like to become closer with you all.”
“Then, was what you said before not sincere?”
At my question, he nodded.
“I cannot speak empty words.”
That was true. In my previous life, Ho Gyeong Prince never spoke hollow promises either.
“Then, wouldn’t it be fine if we met just the two of us tomorrow?”
“Of course that would be pleasant, but wouldn’t it be more enjoyable with several people gathered?”
He continued.
“Truth be told, I have few friends of my own age around me. And even within the same merchant circles, I haven’t yet met someone whose heart aligns with mine.”
“Is that so.”
“But I thought that those who spend time with you, Eun Small Merchant Leader, might be people whose hearts would resonate with mine.”
I understood that sentiment.
Those ignorant of the circumstances might question why one must be selective in choosing friends, but… for someone of the First Under Heaven Trading Company’s stature, or even the Top Hundred Merchant Guilds, one has no choice but to be selective.
Because most approach for the sake of money.
That’s why many heirs of the Top Hundred Merchant Guilds have suffered emotional wounds from false friends.
If one recognizes it quickly and severs the relationship, that’s fortunate enough, but if one cannot cut ties, one’s entire life becomes ruined by that false friend.
Of course, those like the ones who tormented Dam Jin Prince, who are suited to each other… well.
In any case, paradoxically, because of wealth, finding a connection where hearts truly align becomes harder than plucking stars from the heavens.
Of course, there might exist friendships that can transcend such wealth gaps and stake one’s life on, but such things are never common.
In any case, I understood that sentiment well myself, so I could not refuse his request.
“I understand. Then, I’ll ask the others and contact you.”
In truth, this gathering was one I was hosting partly because of my own birthday, but the wishes of the others who would gather were also important.
“You would truly do that for me?”
“It’s not a difficult matter.”
“Then, I’ll send someone from our company. In the meantime, let us converse a bit.”
I called someone over and sent word to those gathering this evening.
And we continued our conversation.
“Truth be told, I was surprised hearing you converse with our Grandfather earlier. Honestly, our Grandfather is quite fond of books, so for someone in the merchant world, he possesses remarkably extensive learning. However…”
He chuckled softly.
“He does talk quite a lot, doesn’t he?”
“….”
That was true enough, but I hadn’t expected Ho Gyeong Prince to state it so bluntly and directly.
When they said he talked a lot, they didn’t mean about Merchant Guild affairs—rather, he enjoyed discussing the books he’d read.
It seemed he wanted compensation for being dismissed in the past because of his scholarly pursuits.
Just how severely had he been disrespected back then….
Ho Gyeong Prince continued.
“To be honest, I understand why he does it, but both my father and I struggle to maintain a conversation with Grandfather for more than a few exchanges.”
“Haha.”
“So it’s quite the ordeal. As someone who must practice filial piety, I’m obligated to listen attentively to what he says….”
He sighed.
“What’s the secret?”
“There is no secret.”
I scratched the back of my neck as I spoke.
“I simply read books regularly in my spare time.”
“Books, you say?”
I nodded.
“Yes. When you reach the level of the Top Hundred Merchant Guilds like ours, the people you deal with are often other Top Hundred Guilds or Imperial Officials, aren’t they? I’ve noticed such individuals enjoy discussing books as a topic.”
“I see. So that’s why Grandfather enjoys reading books so much.”
“That’s likely it.”
After thinking for a moment, he asked me a question.
“How many hours do you typically sleep per day?”
“On a typical day?”
Now that he mentioned it, how many hours did I actually sleep on average?
As I tried to calculate, I felt embarrassed by what I was about to say.
“Why do you ask?”
“Well… I hadn’t given it much thought, but now that I’m calculating it, I seem to sleep only about two hours a day.”
“….”
Wow, and I’m still alive like this.
As we continued our conversation, the Merchant Guild’s servants arrived.

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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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