The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 378

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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 378

Chapter 378. A Letter from the Northern Sea Ice Palace (2)

I had sensed it before, but Jin-ho’s drive was truly extraordinary.
He took the bait I cast this morning, and yet….
Before evening had even arrived, he had already completed all preparations for departure.
“Y-you’ve already finished preparing?”
“How can there be time to dawdle? Mother-in-law and the other in-laws are starving!”
Well, he had a point.
“I want to leave right this instant, but I’m holding myself back.”
“Understood. Then we’ll depart tomorrow morning.”
This time, the Eunpung Guard Six Commanders, under Jin-ho’s command as Jo Jang, would accompany us as well.
This was no ordinary destination—it was Jin-ho’s wife’s family home.
Moreover, since both Jin-ho and I would be moving directly, Father had ordered us to bring the Six Commanders with us.
Of course, the official reason was to deliver provisions to the Northern Sea Branch.
That night.
Second Sister-in-law came to find me.
Since I had anticipated her visit, I welcomed her without any surprise.
“Welcome.”
“I apologize for intruding when you must be so busy.”
“Not at all. No matter how busy I am, surely I have time to receive my sister-in-law?”
I pulled out a chair from the large desk in the center of my office.
“Please, sit.”
“No, that’s all right. I simply came to ask that you look after my mother, my aunts, and my husband.”
“You need not worry about that. I will do my utmost. Though it may be presumptuous to say….”
I continued.
“May I also ask you to look after my parents?”
“That goes without saying.”
.
.
.
Today was the day of departure for the Northern Sea Ice Palace, but that would not stop my Master from his training.
After completing my breathing exercises and rising from my seat, I smiled wryly.
As expected, my Master was entering the Separate Pavilion.
“Good morning.”
“Yes, Master. Good morning.”
“Then, let us begin training at once.”
.
.
.
Today, I burned myself white-hot once more.
I lay sprawled on the floor, gasping for breath as I spoke.
“Master, today is the day I depart for the Northern Sea Ice Palace… isn’t this a bit too much?”
At my question, Master chuckled softly.
“That is precisely why I could not hold back. For we cannot know what threats may arise. It is simply the heart of a master who wishes his disciple to remain safe.”
“….”
I had nothing to say.
Hm?
I was slightly startled. Master extended his hand toward me.
“Rise.”
“Thank you.”
I grasped Master’s hand and got to my feet.
“For now, today’s training ends here.”
“I am grateful for your instruction.”
I performed the martial salute and bowed respectfully.
“And… I ask for your guidance.”
At Master’s words, I nodded.
“I shall do my utmost, Master.”

A short while later.
At breakfast, I bid my family farewell, assuring them I would return safely.
“Jin-ho.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Don’t act rashly and cause trouble. Listen well to Seo-ho.”
At Father’s words, my Elder Brother Jin-ho scratched his head.
“Ah, come now, Father. I’m a grown man who’s even been married.”
“That’s precisely why I’m saying this. If a grown man who’s been married can’t exercise judgment and acts recklessly, there’s no greater shame than that.”
“….”
Father silenced Elder Brother Jin-ho with a single remark.
He truly is Father.
To be honest, Elder Brother Jin-ho does have a tendency to act impulsively.
Still, the reason I wanted to bring him along had multiple causes, but one was that I needed someone to lead the escort operation in my stead should circumstances demand it.
Additionally, I needed manpower to protect the grain shipments.
Given the circumstances, such a large quantity of grain would surely attract those desperate enough to attack without hesitation.
“In any case, travel safely and return well.”
At Mother’s words, Elder Brother Jin-ho and I clasped our fists and bowed our heads.
“Yes, Mother.”
“We shall depart with care.”
.
.
.
Seo Hyang would also accompany us on this journey.
Her physical stamina had improved enough to handle long-distance escort operations, and having trained in the Celestial Frozen Sword, she’d developed resistance to the cold.
The reason for bringing Seo Hyang was that as my deputy, there were matters she would need to handle in my stead.
And her abilities could prove invaluable.
“My lord. Then we’ll meet the Lesser Palace Mistress of the Northern Sea Ice Palace along the way?”
At Seo-woo Warrior’s question, I nodded.
“Yes. We’ve arranged to meet in Beijing.”
I had sent a letter through Geumryeong to Bing Haerin, the Lesser Palace Mistress, who was staying at the Yangyang Martial School in Hangzhou.
The letter proposed that we meet in Beijing and travel together to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
In her reply brought back by Geumryeong, she had written her consent.
If what Bing Haerin sought was my assistance, it would have been more convenient for her to come directly to Hubei Province, but her deliberate choice to go to the Yangyang Martial School was likely to conceal the existence of the Changin Escort Agency.
Or perhaps she didn’t know where the Changin Escort Agency was located?
…That possibility wasn’t entirely without merit.
Well, I could ask about such matters later.
Pondering these various thoughts, we headed toward Cha-jang, where we encountered a familiar face.
“Ha Pyo-doo.”
“I’ve arranged to accompany you on this escort operation.”
He was Ha Cheol Pyo-du, Elder Brother Jin-ho’s father-in-law.
For this journey, I mobilized Jin-ho and the Eunpung Corps Six Commanders, but given the substantial volume of grain requiring transport, considerable escort forces were necessary.
That is why I requested support from the Changin Escort Agency.
“I did not expect Ha Pyo-doo to come personally.”
“In truth, it was another’s turn to go, but I insisted on coming myself. I was concerned about my wife.”
Understanding his sentiment, I nodded readily.
“I see. In exchange, I would appreciate it if you would follow my orders.”
“Of course.”

We departed toward the Northern Sea.
The Six Commanders led by Jin-ho showed no signs of concern, as this was not their first journey to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
In truth, the first journey is the difficult one; from the second onward, the route becomes considerably easier.
Even within the carriage heading toward the Northern Sea, I remained occupied with administrative duties.
Matters concerning the Yeong-yeong Garden we were establishing this time.
I intended to handle this during the journey and send it through Geumryeong.
I could submit it to Father upon my return to the Main Headquarters later, but that would delay the project’s progress accordingly.
This journey to the Northern Sea Ice Palace would take at least a month or more.
Considering those eagerly awaiting the opening of the Yeong-yeong Garden, I could not afford delays.
Given the volume of documents, I would need to provide Geumryeong with additional silver, but it could not be helped.

Evening arrived.
Rather than lodging at an inn, we decided to camp at a suitable location.
Our party was too large to accommodate everyone at a single inn, and I did not wish to widely advertise that we were transporting such quantities of grain.
Thus, camping was the more prudent choice.
Soon the Cart Laborers from the escort agency kindled several campfires, and we gathered around them.
We prepared our evening meal with provisions brought from the Main Headquarters at our departure.
The weather remained crisp, so we hung a large cauldron and prepared warm broth.
“Master.”
At that moment, Jin Yu Warrior called to me.
“Yes, what is it?”
“There is something I wish to ask.”
“Speak freely.”
“From what I observed, the Northern Sea Ice Palace does not appear to lack resources. Yet you say provisions are difficult to obtain… Is there a particular reason?”
The others, equally curious, turned their attention toward me.
“That, I do not know well either.”
“Pardon?”
“All I know is that obtaining provisions is difficult. I will only understand the detailed circumstances upon meeting the Lesser Palace Mistress.”
Yet I came nonetheless, because I am the Lesser Palace Mistress of Seolpung Palace.
And I brought Jin-ho and the Eunpung Corps Six Commanders because I trust in their capabilities.
“The night grows late. We should retire soon.”
And I spoke to Palgap.
“Prepare a comfortable sleeping space for Seo Hyang in the carriage.”
“Understood, sir.”
By placing wooden planks across the carriage seats and spreading blankets over them, we created a surprisingly spacious and cozy bed.
I yielded this sleeping arrangement to Seo Hyang.
If word reached the Guizhou Provincial Governor’s ears that I’d made Seo Hyang sleep on the cold ground, it would cause considerable trouble.
He was already displeased about her working as Deputy Officer in the first place.
“I’m fine, really. I can just spread a blanket on the ground and sleep.”
Seo Hyang protested, but I insisted on my decision.
“No. Please do as I wish.”
“But I’m truly fine with—”
“If you suffer, I suffer more.”
“Pardon?”
At her question, Palgap spoke up.
“You see, if Deputy Officer Gwak were to fall ill or something, it would become difficult to handle matters, wouldn’t it? That would mean the young master would have more work to manage.”
“Ah, I see.”
“That’s why we keep the household’s horses and oxen in the warmest place.”
“I… see.”
Palgap, what are you saying? What will Seo Hyang think of me now?
That I’m some trash who views a deputy officer as nothing but livestock?
That’s not what I meant at all.
That’s really not what I meant.
“Pfft!”
Just then, Seo Hyang burst into laughter.
What? Why is she laughing?
“Don’t worry—I’m not misunderstanding. You don’t need to look so troubled.”
Was my expression really that troubled?
“Now that I think about it, if I were stubborn and fell ill, the Small Guild Master would face considerable difficulty. I won’t be stubborn.”
“Thank you for understanding my wishes.”
“No, thank you. I’ll head inside now.”
With that, Seo Hyang turned toward the carriage. I glared at Palgap.
“Palgap.”
“Yes, sir?”
“No matter what, comparing Seo Hyang to livestock like that—what does that make me?”
“What do you mean, sir?”
“Why did you have to compare her to horses and oxen of all things?”
“Young master, horses and oxen are such vital livestock to common people. Are you saying we should disrespect them?”
“No, that’s not what I—”
True, horses and oxen are genuinely precious livestock to ordinary people.
Without them, they couldn’t farm or survive.
Still, comparing a person to horses and oxen felt rather… off.
Sigh.
I don’t know either.
Well, Seo Hyang wouldn’t misunderstand over something like that, and she said she didn’t misunderstand anyway.
“Still, that was too much.”
“What did I do that was too much, Young Master? You sleep only two hours a day and work like a beast of burden yourself.”
“….”
Since he was right, I had nothing to say.
Well, Palgap was the type to only speak the truth anyway.

Morning arrived.
I opened my eyes and rose from my sleeping place.
“Did you cough, sir?”
My guards had arranged to take shifts with two at a time, and it seemed Lee Pil Warrior and Myeong-jong Warrior were on duty now, sitting beside me.
“Good morning.”
“Ah, Gwak Vice-Manager is already up.”
Turning my head, Seo Hyang was already standing beside me, her clothes neatly arranged and tidy.
Yikes!
I must have fallen asleep late last night from thinking about various things, so I woke up later than expected.
“Ahem, let’s begin the cultivation breathing exercise.”
“Yes.”
I asked the Guard Warriors to serve as Dharma Protectors and began my cultivation breathing exercise.
After finishing the cultivation breathing exercise and rising, I sensed Jin-ho’s presence from a distance away.
Since he needed to practice spear techniques, which required a wide radius, he seemed to have gone to a secluded place so others wouldn’t get caught up in his training.
Should I go check it out?
It’s been a while since I’ve assessed Jin-ho’s abilities.
After having Seo Hyang review what she learned yesterday, I headed toward where Jin-ho was.
Jin-ho’s location was some distance away from our group.
Still, it was close enough that I could rush over immediately if something happened.

“Hah! Ha!”
Jin-ho was wielding the Azure Dragon Spear I had gifted him.
Jin-ho had now become a true peak-stage warrior.
The blue sword energy frosting the spear’s blade was proof of that.
This journey to the Northern Sea would be tremendously beneficial for Jin-ho.
I believed he needed practical combat experience that could be somewhat intense at this stage.
Of course, as the leader of the Eunpung Corps, he had undertaken numerous merchant expeditions, but that was insufficient for building genuine martial experience.
True combat experience that allows a warrior to grow is the kind where one’s life could genuinely be at risk.
Though the path to the Northern Sea Ice Palace was familiar, it could hardly be called comfortable.
Moreover, it was an expedition where any manner of danger could befall us.
My intention in providing Jin-ho with this practical combat experience was likely rooted in my desire for him to become stronger than in his previous life.
I still could not forget the image of Jin-ho’s head that I had witnessed before my death.
Now I had reached the transcendent peak, and my Guard Warriors possessed considerable strength.
At this level, I could assist Jin-ho even if he faced truly grave danger.
As I watched my brother and contemplated what lay ahead, Jin-ho ceased his training and turned his body toward me.
“What is it? When did you arrive?”
“Oh, just now.”
“Good timing then.”
“Hm?”
Jin-ho pointed his spear at me and spoke.
“A sparring match!”
“What? A sudden sparring match?”
At my question, Jin-ho chuckled.
“Honestly, I’m curious about your abilities. You’ve never demonstrated your true strength before me.”
That was true enough.
“So I want to see your skills while we have this chance.”
“Hmm…”
After pretending to deliberate for a moment, I spoke to Jin-ho.
“Then, shall we make a wager? How about simply granting me one favor?”
Jin-ho readily accepted my proposal.
“Fine. Let’s do it that way.”
How easily this unfolds once again.
Of course, Jin-ho did not know my true level precisely.

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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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