The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 389

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 389

Chapter 389. The Seolpung Palace Was Not Destroyed (1)

Jin-ho pointed toward the figures approaching through the swirling dust clouds.
“Seo-ho, look at those banners they’re carrying. Aren’t those the Northern Sea Ice Palace insignia?”
“Yeah, that’s right.”
I nodded in acknowledgment.
“I should have mentioned this earlier—that’s Seol Seo-yun, the Dharma Protector.”
“What?”
Jin-ho’s eyes widened to their absolute limit at my words.
I thought they might pop right out of his head.
“You mean… your mother-in-law?”
Ha Cheol Pyo-du’s expression showed equal shock. And understandably so—though Seol Seo-yun and he had no official marriage, they were lovers with a daughter between them.
“This isn’t… we should at least change into proper clothes…”
“Don’t worry. You look fine as you are.”
By then, they had arrived.
Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, came forward to greet them.
“Thank you for making the journey.”
“We are grateful for such a warm welcome.”
Then she turned to greet the rest of us.
“I bow to you, Mother-in-law.”
“My son-in-law, you’ve grown even more handsome in our time apart.”
“Th-thank you so much.”
“And… it’s been quite a while.”
“Indeed… quite… a while.”
The gazes between Ha Cheol Pyo-du and Seol Seo-yun held a tender affection.
I gave them a moment before offering a respectful bow.
“I greet you, Dharma Protector.”
“It’s good to see you. I hear you’ve accomplished great things.”
“Jin-ho endured far more hardship than I did.”
I subtly praised Jin-ho as I continued speaking.
“But we should hurry—time is pressing.”
“Of course.”
Seol Seo-yun appeared far more gaunt than I expected.
Her condition looked worse than those I had summoned from Liaoning.
She had likely reduced her own meals deliberately.
But more than that, I suspected she had given her share to others.
My inner energy is denser than most, so it’s true that I can endure for a long time without eating.
But even that has its limits.
If humans could survive without food, why would Byeokgok-dan be necessary during closed-door cultivation?
In my previous life, as time passed like this, countless people would have starved to death.
And in avenging their resentment, tremendous blood would have been shed once more.
I have prevented those tragedies.
That feels rather satisfying.

After resting briefly, we finished our preparations and resumed our journey.
Once we left Liaoning and passed through Jilin, vast grasslands stretched before us.
The lands of nomadic tribes.
Traveling through here with so much grain is hardly a recommended course of action.
But we have Bing Hae-rin, Young Palace Master with us.
The moment we entered the grassland, Bing Hae-rin, Young Palace Master manipulated the bracelet on her wrist.
A brilliant flash—!
Then the character for ice (氷), the symbol of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, was inscribed in the empty sky in brilliant blue.
Wow, that sight never fails to be magnificent.
Now the tribes of the grasslands won’t dare approach us, whether friendly or hostile.
Because of that, we won’t receive assistance with supplies, but it doesn’t matter. We’ve brought plenty of water and various provisions in preparation for just such circumstances.
We quickly traversed the grasslands and soon entered the outskirts of the Northern Sea.
I sought permission from Bing Hae-rin, Young Palace Master.
“Excuse me, would it be acceptable to stop by the Northern Sea Branch?”
“Please do so.”
We stopped briefly at the Northern Sea Branch.
From here on, the cold we’ve experienced so far would seem like child’s play.
The Escort Warriors of the Changin Escort Agency have all mastered the martial arts of Snowwind Palace, so they should be fine, but for the ordinary Cart Laborers, it would be far too harsh.
I didn’t want to impose such hardship upon them.
I spoke to Ha Cheol Pyo-du and Sang Manager, who led the Cart Laborers.
“From here on, the path will be too difficult for the Cart Laborers. It would be better to have them rest here and rejoin us when we return.”
“I think the same.”
At Ha Cheol Pyo-du’s words, Sang Manager nodded in agreement.
“We are grateful for such consideration. Ideally, we would like to accompany you to the end, but our abilities are insufficient, so there’s no helping it. We shall do as you suggest.”
I asked the Northern Sea Branch Master to allow the Cart Laborers to stay.
I also provided additional supplies to compensate.
“Of course! Absolutely!”
“Then I entrust them to your care.”

The next morning.
We hastened our steps toward the Northern Sea Ice Palace once more.
From this point onward, we decided to leave the carriages behind and travel by horseback.
Given the enormous number of carts we had, bringing carriages any further was simply impractical.
I sought Seo Hyang’s understanding as well, and fortunately, she proved to be a far more capable rider than I had anticipated.

“In truth, my elder brothers taught me how to ride. It had been so long since I last practiced that I worried I might have forgotten, but it seems my concern was unfounded.”

By now, snow was falling heavily.
We wore wind-resistant cloaks—garments with warm fur lining on the inside and oil-treated paper on the outside for both waterproofing and insulation.
Even dressed like this, the Northern Sea was bitterly cold.
“Are you not cold?”
“No, I’m quite all right.”
“That’s a relief.”
Others had expressed concern about Seo Hyang traveling to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
To this, Bing Hae-rin, Young Palace Master, scoffed and remarked:

“Gwak Vice-Manager would be far less susceptible to the cold than any of them, yet everyone worries over such trifles.”

This comment revealed that Bing Hae-rin, Young Palace Master, had already discerned that Seo Hyang had cultivated the Ice Martial Sect’s techniques.
True to her observation, thanks to the Heavenly Stream Ice Sword’s foundational cultivation method—the Heavenly Stream Technique—which she had begun studying recently, she showed remarkable resistance to the cold.
As for Palgap, the jade pendant of fire essence I had given him kept him comfortable even in this frigid environment.
Watching the falling snow, Seol Seo-yun spoke:
“The snow suggests our path will be smooth.”
“How can you tell?”
When Seo Hyang expressed curiosity, Seol Seo-yun kindly explained:
“The snow carries moisture. If the snow were dry and crackled underfoot, it would signal approaching wind. When wind arrives, the journey to the Northern Sea Ice Palace becomes treacherous.”
“I see.”
“However, the problem is that when the path is smooth, other dangers follow in its wake.”
At that moment, Seo Hyang flinched slightly, then urged her horse toward me.
“What is it?”
“There’s a… creature.”
“A Spirit Creature, then. Did it have crimson eyes, by any chance?”
“…Yes.”
These Northern Seas harbor Spirit Creatures that hunger for blood. They are yet another obstacle that impedes those traveling to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
She nodded solemnly.
“Your composure suggests you’ve encountered such creatures—Spirit Creatures—before. In reviewing the records, I noticed you’ve made several journeys to the Northern Sea beyond the time you brought snow for me.”
“That is correct.”
To deduce such things from records alone—truly, a capable talent.
“I must dedicate myself to mastering martial arts. I cannot afford to become a burden to the Small Guild Master.”
I scratched my cheek and spoke.
“Usually, people say things like ‘that was impressive’ or ‘that must have been difficult,’ don’t they?”
At my question, she let out a small laugh.
“I already know the Small Guild Master is impressive, and saying it must have been difficult wouldn’t really comfort you, would it? You wouldn’t have gone if you didn’t already know that.”
“….”
She had a point, so I had nothing to say.
“I’ll teach you martial arts diligently. Oh, but what kind of Spirit Creature is it that you called a monster?”
“…A duck.”

And so the day faded into evening.
To reach the Northern Sea Ice Palace, we would need to camp out several times along the way.
We prepared for the night’s rest and cooked warm rice porridge for our meal.
It was for those from the Northern Sea Ice Palace who hadn’t eaten properly in quite some time.
After finishing the meal, Seol Seo-yun spoke with a moved expression.
“It’s been so long since I’ve had a proper meal. Thank you.”
At that, Jin-ho responded with an embarrassed look.
“We should hurry and serve warm porridge to Grandmother-in-law as well.”
“I appreciate the sentiment. But we mustn’t be hasty. We never know what might happen here or when.”
“Yes. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Listening to their conversation, I casually asked.
“By any chance, are there duck-shaped Spirit Creatures among those that crave blood in this region?”
“…!”
At those words, the faces of both Seol Seo-yun and Bing Hae-rin suddenly hardened.
“Why are you asking that?”
Bing Hae-rin, Young Palace Master, reacted sharply.
“Oh, no particular reason. Just curious.”
Since Seo Hyang’s ability was a secret, I deflected vaguely, but their reaction was unusual.
Was my question really that sensitive?
Or was there some other reason?
Seol Seo-yun let out a sigh and answered.
“Among the Spirit Creatures that crave blood, we call the duck-shaped ones the White-Blood Duck Daemon. They hide themselves in the snow, then suddenly rush out and tear flesh with their sharp-toothed beaks. They’re typically about five chi in size.”
Five chi—that’s about 150 centimeters. For a duck, that’s rather large.
Still, they should be easy enough to cut down in one stroke, so why such a reaction?
That question was soon answered by the explanation that followed.
“The problem is that White-Blood Duck Daemons travel in packs. At minimum, there are fifty of them, and sometimes hundreds swarm together.”
“….”
As the saying goes, there’s no match for a swarm. If such terrifying creatures attacked in a pack….
I understood why they had made such expressions.
“They really are fearsome creatures.”
“However, there’s no need to worry too much. The White-Blood Duck Daemons operate quite far from the Northern Sea Ice Palace. You’d be lucky to see them near the palace once every few decades. They generally don’t venture beyond their own territory.”
Phew, my apologies.
An event that occurs perhaps once every few decades is happening this time.
Since Seo Hyang spoke thus, it must be certain.
“What should we do if we happen to encounter the White-Blooded Pressure Beasts?”
“We must endure and wait until darkness falls. Their night vision is poor, so they don’t move or attack at night, instead returning to their hideouts.”
“That’s fortunate. If such creatures appeared at night, it would be a true nightmare.”
I quietly asked Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master.
“If Geumryeong were here… wouldn’t that be alright?”
“Even though she drove away wolves before, it’s still too much for her now.”
.
.
.
The next day, we set out again.
As midday approached, I let out a hollow laugh.
“Hehehehe.”
They really appeared.
Ducks began charging toward us from ahead.
Well, they really are ducks.
With sharp teeth in their beaks.
And these ducks with razor-sharp talons appeared to be nearly five meters tall.
White-Blooded Pressure Beasts.
And there appeared to be well over a hundred of them.
The complexions of the Northern Sea Ice Palace Disciples darkened at the sight.
“Good heavens…”
“How could this be…”
I drew my sword and shouted.
“No time to stand idle! Battle formation, everyone!”
At my words, Jin-ho snapped to attention and commanded.
“Battle formation!”
“Yes!”
The others quickly took their battle positions. I ordered Palgap to protect Seo Hyang, then took my place at the front.
“Kiiieeeek!”
“Keeeek!”
Ugh, I think I’m developing a bird phobia at this rate.
That was when it happened.
“…!”
A presence emanating from the snow-covered hill beside us…
This is the aura of the Black Path.
Moreover, it’s the same aura I felt from that man Cho Seok.
Then the Merchant is behind this incident!
Then, a conversation I’d overheard last night suddenly came to mind.

“However, there’s no need to worry excessively. Those White Blood Pressure Sect members operate quite far from the Northern Sea Ice Palace. Sightings near the Ice Palace happen perhaps once every few decades. They rarely venture beyond their own territory.”

What if someone had deliberately created one of those rare circumstances?
It was quite plausible.
In any case, I had to capture the Merchant to conclude this affair.
But if we dealt with those ducks, the Merchant would escape in the meantime.
Yet if I withdrew from here, our party would clearly struggle proportionally.
That was when it happened.
A soft leap.
Geumryeong burst from my sleeve.
Ah! Right. I had Geumryeong.
“Geumryeong, remember the scent of that person over there.”
“Squeak!”
Geumryeong dashed toward them.
Meanwhile, combat erupted. We each drew our weapons and began fighting the White Blood Pressure Sect members.
They were ducks, but fortunately they couldn’t fly.
If those creatures could actually fly, it would have been genuinely troublesome.
Oh, Jin-ho is fighting better than I expected.
The training he’d been doing had proven effective. Now Jin-ho was fighting with strategy, unlike before.
At this rate, he wouldn’t be overly exhausted even after the battle ended.
I deliberately guided the engagement toward where I sensed the Black Path member’s presence.
My intention was to make him flee.
Without watchful eyes, I could display my true abilities more freely.
Meanwhile, the Black Path member’s presence began to recede.
Good. Now I could demonstrate my strength.
I concentrated my energy into the Eun Moo-geom.
The seventh form of the Jinseol Twelve Techniques—Snowfall Strike.
I needed an area technique to handle so many White Blood Pressure Sect members.
That was when it happened.
“Squeak!”
Geumryeong rushed forward and stood before me. Why did it sound like “Wait!” in my ears?
And then….
“Squeeeak!”
At Geumryeong’s cry, the White Blood Pressure Sect members froze instantly.
“Squeeeeak!”
And then, Geumryeong’s cry rang out again.
Whoosh!
Thud-thud-thud!
The White Blood Pressure subordinates began fleeing in panic, as though pursued by something terrifyingly formidable.
At this, I observed Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master.
Didn’t you say it was impossible?
She turned her head away with an embarrassed expression.
Still, Geum-ryeong never misses an opportunity to gain silver coins.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————