The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 374

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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 374

Chapter 374. The Lesser Palace Mistress (1)

My Master spoke with a complicated expression.
“Honestly, I never expected this day to arrive so quickly.”
“I never expected to reach the pinnacle realm so quickly myself.”
At my words, my Master laughed.
“Truthfully, as your Master, I should be wholly delighted in your achievements, but faced with this decision, I cannot rejoice entirely.”
I tilted my head and asked.
“What decision are you referring to?”
“The martial techniques I recently taught you are actually the techniques that the Lesser Palace Mistress of Seolpung Palace learns.”
I already knew that.
“If someone who has learned those techniques reaches the pinnacle realm, they must make a decision. Whether to advance further or to stop.”
“Of course, I must advance….”
“To advance further, you must formally become the Lesser Palace Mistress.”
“…!”
Something about this doesn’t sound right.
“Master, didn’t you say the techniques I learned are what the Lesser Palace Mistress learns? Yet now you’re saying I must become the Lesser Palace Mistress? That doesn’t make sense.”
“To be precise, what I have been teaching you—the sword techniques that the Lesser Palace Mistress learns—are actually techniques designed to assess the qualifications of a Lesser Palace Mistress candidate. These are the techniques that candidates for the position learn. Through mastery of these, the Palace Master decides whether to appoint that candidate as the Lesser Palace Mistress.”
“….”
“And through that decision, we proceed to the next stage. The martial techniques I will teach you afterward are the foundation of the techniques the Palace Master himself learns.”
So that’s why when I asked my Master before departing for Beijing whether I would learn the new sword techniques after returning, he said, “I wish that were the case.”
My Master continued.
“Deciding to become the Lesser Palace Mistress means setting the Palace Master as your goal.”
My Master drew his sword from his waist and drew a long line before me.
A sharp slash echoed.
“If you have resolved to become the Lesser Palace Mistress, you need only cross this line.”
“If I choose to stop here, does that mean our master-disciple relationship also ends?”
“That is an obvious matter.”
“I don’t like that. I wish to maintain our master-disciple relationship with you for all eternity.”
“….”
My Master’s eyes wavered as he looked at me.
“If Seolpung Palace were not in its current state, I would have commanded you to become the Lesser Palace Mistress by force.”
“Conversely, isn’t it because of that very circumstance that I was able to learn the martial techniques of Seolpung Palace? Otherwise, how could I have learned the techniques of a Lesser Palace Mistress candidate?”
“That is a fair point.”
“I wish to ask one thing.”
“What is it?”
“Must one reach the pinnacle of transcendence to become the Lesser Palace Mistress?”
“Not necessarily. However, when the candidates master the sword techniques they’ve learned and reach the realm of transcendence, this decision becomes inevitable.”
“….”
This was undoubtedly a decision made for the survival of Seolpung Palace.
I saw the line my Master had drawn before me.
What I felt from that line was a warning.
Lesser Palace Mistress….
But Master, do you know something?
I’ve already been entrusted with the reconstruction and revitalization of Seolpung Palace through the Ancestor’s arrangement, which I encountered in the Northern Sea.
If that isn’t the role of the Lesser Palace Mistress, then what is it?
I smiled wryly and stepped forward, crossing that line.
The expression on my Master’s face as he watched me was difficult to describe.
“So you’ve… made your decision?”
“Yes.”
I nodded and answered.
“You don’t wish to burden your children with the harsh fate of being the Palace Master of Seolpung Palace, so shouldn’t this disciple understand your heart?”
“…!”
My Master’s eyes widened at my words.
“How did you….”
“I had already sensed it. If you had wanted to make Hyung-won or Jun-ha the Lesser Palace Mistress, you would have already done so. But you’ve been delaying it. And your question just now confirmed my suspicion.”
“I have nothing to say but my apologies.”
In my previous life, the Palace Master of Seolpung Palace was probably never decided until my death.
The fact that you asked me to take Jun-ha as my guard rather than making him the Escort Master or Pyo-du of Changin Escort Agency was also to help him avoid that fate.
How could a father watch his son walk a thorny path?
Because I could somewhat understand that heart, I couldn’t dare criticize that decision.
But Jun-ha died protecting me.
One of the reasons I decided to become the Lesser Palace Mistress is also for Jun-ha, who died protecting me in my previous life.
Could he not have known that he should become the Lesser Palace Mistress?
That couldn’t be.
Jun-ha isn’t that foolish.
But my Master, as his father, didn’t want it and didn’t make him the Lesser Palace Mistress.
Jun-ha must have suffered because of this fact.
But if I become the Lesser Palace Mistress, he won’t have to suffer anymore.
“And Master.”
I looked directly at my Master and spoke.
“I am the only person who can access the Ancestor’s arrangement. That means the Ancestor has already recognized me as the Lesser Palace Mistress, doesn’t it?”
“There is merit in that. However….”
My Master looked at my feet. Precisely at the line behind me that my Master had drawn.
“Becoming the official Lesser Palace Mistress of Seolpung Palace means walking a thorny path. Not only will your life be threatened by the mysterious ones who destroyed Seolpung Palace, but the family of the Small Merchant Guild Leader will also be in danger.”
My Master spoke.
“You can still reconsider your choice now. Are you truly without regret?”
Master, the path of vengeance I walk is already thorned and treacherous.
Threats to my life?
I already died in my previous life at the young age of thirty-nine, killed by the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Murim Alliance.
My family could not escape a tragic fate either.
Whether I reject or accept the destiny of Lesser Palace Mistress, it makes little difference to my life.
I smiled softly.
“Did I not tell you earlier? I wish to maintain our master-disciple relationship with you forever.”
“Is that the reason for such a choice?”
“That is merely one among many reasons.”
But I had not made this choice solely for my Master, for Seolpung Palace, or for the Ancestor.
If I become the Lesser Palace Mistress of Seolpung Palace, then Seolpung Palace becomes my force.
In other words, it is also for myself.
I still remember the words Namgung Kang spoke when I died.

“Because you’re an eyesore to the higher authorities.”

The higher authorities he spoke of were the leadership of the Murim Alliance.
Therefore, my ultimate target for vengeance is the Murim Alliance.
But the Murim Alliance is the largest organization in the Murim.
To oppose and take vengeance against such a place, I needed power.
In such circumstances, the position of Lesser Palace Mistress of Seolpung Palace was something I could never afford to lose.
Of course, Seolpung Palace is not merely a tool.
Naturally, I intend to do my utmost for Seolpung Palace.
I looked at my Master and spoke with a gentle smile.
“Master, I promise you that I shall bring prosperity to Seolpung Palace.”
At my words, my Master bit her lips. Seeing her eyes redden, she seemed to be exerting all her strength to hold back tears.
Was she moved by what I said?
“Sigh….”
After a moment, she finally composed herself and spoke.
“I should have said this first….”
“…?”
“You have worked hard to reach the pinnacle of transcendence. It must not have been easy.”
“….”
This time, I was the one moved.
Though I had not explained in detail, it was truly difficult fighting a life-or-death duel with the Young Sect Leader of Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
It was so arduous that I wanted to give up, but the thought that I could not die there made me grit my teeth and endure.
My Master was acknowledging that hardship.
“Now that you have formally accepted the position of Lesser Palace Mistress, I shall instruct you with greater care going forward. First, let us take time to assess what you have cultivated.”
“A martial test?”
“To be precise, it’s instructional sparring.”
Master drew his sword once more.
Seeing the blade gleam, I recognized it as a Sword Force technique.
Wait, Master? Why are you using Sword Force for instructional sparring with your disciple?
The emotion I’d felt moments ago evaporated in an instant.
Cold sweat began trickling down my spine as I felt the full weight of Master’s unveiled power.
Only now, having reached the initial stages of the Transcendent Realm, could I truly comprehend it.
The gap between Master and me remained staggeringly vast.
Master, wait—
If your Sword Force even grazes me by mistake, your disciple—no, the only Lesser Palace Mistress—will die.
.
.
.
The moment training ended, I collapsed flat onto the courtyard.
Haah…
My vision swam yellow. I felt like I was dying.
All previous training sessions seemed like child’s play compared to today’s instructional sparring—it was absolutely brutal.
If I, having reached the initial stages of the Transcendent Realm, am this exhausted and defeated, that says everything.
“Today’s training is complete.”
At those words, I barely managed to rise and bow respectfully.
“Thank you for your instruction.”
“Since you’ve officially become the Lesser Palace Mistress of Seolpung Palace, please visit the Changin Escort Agency this afternoon.”
“Understood.”
I would need to inform the important people in my life about this.
“Then, may I have a conversation with my new nephew?”
“Ah, yes. Of course. And… there is one request I have.”

* * *

Gwak Myung-hyun returned to the Changin Escort Agency.
“Welcome back, sir.”
Those who saw him cupped their fists in salute. Gwak Myung-hyun nodded lightly in acknowledgment.
“Where is the Lord?”
“He is in his office.”
He made his way directly to the Lord’s office.
“It is Gwak Myung-hyun.”
At his words, the door opened at once. The Lord had opened it himself.
This made sense, after all—Gwak Myung-hyun was the Palace Master of Seolpung Palace.
“Please, come in.”
“I have something to report.”
“Please, sit.”
Gwak Myung-hyun did not use formal speech with the Lord. This was to deceive the eyes of the world.
“What is the matter?”
“It concerns the new Lesser Palace Mistress.”
At those words, the Lord straightened his posture.
“Does that mean a Lesser Palace Mistress has been appointed?”
“Yes.”
“Is it Eun Seo-ho, the Small Merchant Guild Leader?”
At that, Gwak Myung-hyun’s eyes widened, then he nodded.
“That is correct.”
“Well, I had already anticipated this, so it is hardly surprising.”
He offered a faint smile.
“Given his conduct thus far, there could be no other choice.”
“I apologize. I have appointed Eun, the Small Merchant Guild Leader—not my own son—as the Lesser Palace Mistress.”
“There is nothing for the Palace Master to apologize for. Truthfully, what we need now is a Lesser Palace Mistress who will aid in our restoration, whether they share the Palace Master’s blood or not.”
He continued.
“And from what I can see, Eun, the Small Merchant Guild Leader, is an exceptionally capable individual.”
“That is true.”
“In any case, you have made a momentous decision.”
At that, Gwak Myung-hyun shook his head.
“No.”
“Pardon?”
“I did not make this decision. This decision was made solely by my disciple.”
At this, the Lord’s eyes widened.
“You mean… in other words… he made a ‘choice before the line’?”
At this, Gwak Myung-hyun nodded.
Drawing a line before Eun Seo-ho and forcing him to decide was not something he had done on impulse.
It was a line drawn with the essence of one of the Seolpung Palace Master’s martial techniques—one that could not be crossed without true resolve.
Understanding the qualifications required to make such a ‘choice before the line,’ the Lord was satisfied.
“We can certainly look forward to the future of Seolpung Palace.”
“My disciple promised me. He said he would ensure Seolpung Palace’s prosperity.”
Gwak Myung-hyun spoke with his eyes closed.
“At last, I believe I’ll be able to look Father in the face in the afterlife.”

* * *

I set out for Changin Escort Agency as promised.
While traveling by carriage, I stroked Geumryeong nestled in my sleeve.
Geumryeong seemed pleased, chirping contentedly.
It suddenly occurred to me that I possessed Eun Moo-geom, the spirit creature of the Seolpung Palace Master.
And I also had Han Ho-su, the guardian spirit creature of the Seolpung Palace Master.
I wondered if this was what destiny felt like.
I hadn’t given such things a thought this morning.
“Whoa, whoa.”
Lost in contemplation, I had arrived at Changin Escort Agency before I realized it.
Descending from the carriage, I led Palgap and the Guard Warriors toward the Small Main Gate in the carriage yard.
The Escort Agency, like the Merchant Guild, required a carriage yard for the passage of carriages and horses.
And from that carriage yard, there was a main gate to enter the building, which was called the Small Main Gate.
“Where have you come from?”
At the Gate Keeper’s words, Palgap answered.
“This is Eun Seo-ho, the Small Guild Master of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“Please wait a moment.”
He then struck the bell hanging beside the door.
Ding, ding, ding! Ding, dong, ding! Ding, ding, ding!
At the sound of the bell, someone came rushing from inside.
Huh? Why is he coming out?
It was Ha Cheol Pyo-du, Jin-ho’s father-in-law.
“I pay my respects to you, honored relative.”
“There’s no need for such formality. Please, come in. Everyone has been waiting for you.”
Ha Cheol Pyo-du led me toward a building.
Inside, eleven people, including my Master, were waiting for me.
My Master spoke as their representative.
“Seolpung Palace has ten Dharma Protectors, and they currently serve as the Dharma Protectors of Seolpung Palace.”
They were people whose faces I had seen many times before.
The Lord of Changin Escort Agency and Ha Cheol Pyo-du as well.
“As the Palace Master of Seolpung Palace, I wish to appoint Eun Seo-ho, the Small Guild Master present here, as the Lesser Palace Mistress. If anyone has objections to this, please speak now.”
Hm?
Wasn’t this something I should decide?
But thinking about it, even as Palace Master, I couldn’t make decisions unilaterally.
Just as our Eunhae Trading Company must pass important matters through the Eun Wol Pavilion council.
I carefully examined the ten Dharma Protectors, and my gaze came to rest on one of them.
And his mouth opened.
“I, for one, oppose this.”
Why is my premonition never wrong?

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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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