The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 405

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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 Eun Hae Trading Company Chapter 405

Chapter 405. Setting Sail (7)

I quickly helped him to his feet and spoke.
“Please withdraw that oath. Captain Yong, your spirit and valor should not be devoted to me.”
“Then to whom should I devote them?”
“Devote them to yourself.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I am merely a small merchant exploiting Captain Yong for my own profit, nothing more.”
I continued.
“The one who cherishes and cares for Captain Yong more than anyone else is Captain Yong himself.”
His eyes glistened with emotion.
Honestly, eyes like that are incredibly burdensome.
“Ahem! Truly, you embody Seon Hyeop Mi-rang himself.”
Cough!
Why is that sound coming from here?
I barely managed to soothe and calm him before sending him away, then collapsed into my chair.
“Ah, this is exhausting.”
Just then, the door opened and Palgap entered, asking.
“Captain Yong, what’s wrong? Your eyes were so red I thought you might burst into tears at any moment.”
“Ah…”
I sighed and spoke.
“That? He just misunderstood things on his own.”
“…?”
Palgap’s expression seemed odd, so I had no choice but to explain the whole situation.
“…So, he got emotional over it. I was just looking after my own interests, so I don’t understand why he’s acting like that.”
“I would be moved as well.”
“Huh?”
“Ah, the First Small Guild Master just asked if you’d join him for tea.”
Did he just change the subject?
Still, since Eun Jung-ho is waiting, I should go quickly.
.
.
.
The next day.
We moved busily from dawn.
There were countless things to inspect before setting sail.
From inspecting the boat’s condition to ensuring we had all the necessary materials for repairs.
Whether we had sufficient goods to trade, and enough provisions and water for the voyage.
Checking everything took nearly two hours, and we barely finished our departure preparations.
Six officials from the Ministry of Rites were dispatched for this trade mission.
Among them, Gak Sa-oe-rang, a rank-9 official of the Ministry of Rites, presided over a ritual ceremony.
It was a prayer for the trade mission to conclude safely.
After reading the prayer text, he burned the paper and sent it skyward.
Watching it rise high, everyone rejoiced.
“A good omen!”
“A sign that this trade mission will succeed!”
One official was assigned to each merchant guild’s vessel, and from what I gathered, Gak Sa-oe-rang would be boarding our ship.
In the meantime, Eun Jung-ho gathered the crew of our Eunhae Trading Company, including Ship Captain Yong Eung-wan, and spoke.
“You are the ones opening the door to our Eunhae Trading Company’s historic first trade with a foreign nation. As such, I do not expect grand profits, but I hope we avoid significant losses.”
At his words, everyone’s faces grew tense.
“What do you think is the most valuable thing invested in this trade mission? The ship? The goods we carry for trade? No. The most valuable thing is all of you.”
Eun Jung-ho smiled slightly.
“Losing any of you would be our greatest loss. So please, return in good health.”
Eun Jung-ho’s words embodied the very spirit of our Eunhae Trading Company.
Everyone’s faces showed deep emotion at his words. Then Ship Captain Yong Eung-wan cried out.
“We accept your command!”
Soon everyone boarded, and we completed our final departure preparations.
Buuuuuu—!
The trumpet blast echoed across the harbor.
Boom, boom, boom, boom!
As the drums beat, the ship began to move, cutting through the water as it advanced.
At last, we were setting sail.
Thinking of the profits our Eunhae Trading Company would gain from this trade mission, my spirits lifted.
And since Song Yun was also participating in this trade mission, I could feel somewhat reassured.
Yet I could not afford to let my guard down until the very end.
Trade with foreign nations was unpredictable—anything could happen at any moment.
The Military Commander watching our departure from the harbor spoke to his Deputy Officer.
“I must now head to the Murim Alliance. Tell the Military Commander to strengthen the defenses here thoroughly.”
“I accept your command.”
Yes, if the Shandong Ak Clan people were involved, they would see it through.
Still, it troubled me that Namgung Kang remained silent despite surely hearing of these developments.
He would normally be scrambling to find some way out of this situation.
His silence suggested he was plotting something.
What could he possibly be planning…?
Then suddenly, a thought crossed my mind.
Honestly, the Murim Alliance had committed deeds over the years that would invite public condemnation if revealed—more than just one or two.
Yet the Murim Alliance still maintains its reputation as a just organization precisely because such matters never reach the public eye.
The Baek Cheon Merchant Guild is a subsidiary of the Murim Alliance, so Namgung Kang would likely harbor similar thoughts on the matter.
Then what method would he employ to conceal this incident?
A single thought suddenly struck me.
Surely not….
I spun around urgently and called for the Military Commander.
“Commander.”
“What is it?”
“I heard you were departing for the Murim Alliance tomorrow—is that correct?”
“No. I’m leaving now. This matter cannot be delayed.”
“Ah! Then, if I may be so bold, would it be possible for me to travel with you?”
I continued.
“I have urgent business in Luoyang, but the road is treacherous, and I would greatly appreciate your protection.”
At my request, the Military Commander nodded readily.
“It’s no trouble at all. Let it be so.”
“Thank you! Thank you so much.”
“I depart in two hours, so come to the Provincial Military Command by then.”
“Yes, I will.”
I moved swiftly.
While Palgap and the Guard Warriors prepared for departure, I explained the situation to Eun Jung-ho.
“Elder brother, something urgent has come up—I need to leave for Luoyang now.”
“Now?”
“Yes. I wish I could spend more time with you, but it can’t be helped. You’re heading to Beijing, right?”
“That’s right. I need to oversee the silk delivery to the Imperial Palace.”
“You’ll be safe traveling with the other merchants here.”
Besides, there was a major imperial road between Beijing and Nanking, making the journey convenient.
“I’ll cover the inn fees here. I’ll pay for five more days just in case.”
“There’s no need. You can stay at the Provincial Military Command building as planned and travel with them instead.”
“Alright, do as you see fit. And I have one favor to ask….”
I asked my elder brother to protect Mo Cheong Manager, who was staying at the inn.
After finishing my conversation with Eun Jung-ho, I headed directly to the Provincial Military Command.
The Military Commander was indeed ready.
Truly, his decisiveness is remarkable.
“You’ve arrived?”
The Deputy Officer attending the Military Commander greeted me.
“Yes, thank you for your kindness.”
And so we set out for Luoyang.
The Military Commander rode a horse, so I couldn’t take a carriage.
Thus our entire party rode on horseback.
As we rode, I sent a telepathic message to everyone.
– Everyone, be cautious of ambushes.
All eyes turned toward me, and I began my explanation calmly.
– There is a high likelihood that Namgung Kang of the Baekcheon Trading Company will resort to murder to silence Military Commander Dae-in.
Jin Yu Warrior also supported my words.
– The likelihood is high. That is their way, after all….
– In any case, exercise caution.
Everyone nodded at my transmission.

* * *

Inside the military camp.
It was the third night since departing from the Murim Alliance.
Ak Young-gyeong, the Military Commander of Nanking, spent the night in the camp as befitted a man of the military ministry.
He gazed at the ledger and will of Mo Cheong Manager held in his hands.
‘These have fallen into my possession….’
The Shandong Ak Clan, to which Ak Young-gyeong belonged, was part of the Murim Alliance, but the Alliance was not their highest priority.
Given their deep history of service in the military ministry, the Imperial Court held their foremost allegiance.
And Ak Young-gyeong was a high official of the third rank.
Such a man could hardly be ignorant of the Emperor’s concerns regarding the Murim Alliance.
He had even held a private audience with the Emperor on this very matter.

“What are your thoughts on the Murim Alliance?”
“I do not understand the intent behind Your Majesty’s question to me.”
“Before that, I ask: are you loyal to me, or to the Murim Alliance?”
“Your Majesty! If I have committed any transgression, I beg you to punish me!”
“There is no such thing, so do not make a fuss.”
….
“So then, what is your answer?”
“Naturally, I offer all my loyalty to Your Imperial Majesty.”
“Yet your clan belongs to the Murim Alliance?”
“Our clan’s membership in the Murim Alliance exists because it serves a purpose.”
“Is that so? The truth is, the Murim Alliance has been troubling my disposition of late.”
“Your Majesty? In what way….”
“They keep attempting to encroach upon my domain. I wish they would exercise restraint while I am being lenient.”

Ak Young-gyeong harbored resentment toward the Murim Alliance for daring to disturb the Emperor’s disposition.
Thus, he had been seeking an opportunity to deliver a stern warning himself, and now such an unexpected chance had presented itself.
Moreover, this was an occasion to demonstrate his loyalty to the Emperor.
He placed those documents into his possession.
‘Still… I do hope they haven’t made a foolish choice.’
Though Ak Young-gyeong served in the Military Ministry, being a member of a family affiliated with the Murim Alliance meant he had heard certain things.
Occasionally, people connected to the Murim Alliance would vanish without a trace, or die suddenly.
While mere rumor, it was close enough to fact that he knew better.
After all, the position of Provincial Military Commander was not won through gambling.
And the Baekcheon Trading Company was a subsidiary of that very Murim Alliance. They too could act similarly.
Thus, he had his military camp constructed in a remote location, and stationed no guards there.
To prevent unnecessary casualties.
If they were to attack, it would be to kill him anyway.
That was when it happened.
Whoosh!
The candle inside the barracks was extinguished.
“…!”
Immediately, I felt the killing intent.
I leaped from my seat and seized my spear.
‘In the end, they made a foolish choice after all!’
I bit my lip and swung the spear.
Clang!
But within the cramped barracks, wielding the spear properly was inconvenient.
Crash!
Ak Young-gyeong tore through the barracks and rushed outside, swinging his spear at those charging toward him.
Yet he could not help but furrow his brow.
‘They’ve come determined to silence me.’
The intruders were numerous, and their skill was formidable.
My spear cut through the air with exhilarating grace. I am Ak Young-gyeong, a seasoned veteran of countless battles on the battlefield.
Yet the fight showed no sign of conclusion.
As the fierce combat continued, I grew increasingly exhausted.
‘I miscalculated.’
I wielded my spear with all my might, but ultimately allowed a momentary opening.
‘I won’t go down without taking one of them with me!’
I gripped the spear tightly, resolved to kill at least one even if I took a wound.
But then.
Clang!
The blade that thrust through my opening was deflected away.
And in that spot, I saw someone’s back.
‘Who… Ah!’
Though my opponent wore a mask, I could discern their identity.
“Are you alright?”
“Ah, I’m fine.”
“We’ll handle them from here on.”
With those words, several figures emerged from the shadows.
They too were dressed entirely in black garments and wore masks.
It was obvious who they were at a glance, but I deliberately refrained from speaking their names aloud.
There had to be some intention behind this.
And so they began to engage the assassins in earnest.
Among them, one figure captured Ak Young-gyeong’s attention.
The martial techniques displayed by the one who overwhelmed the assassins with superior skill seemed familiar to him.
‘Those techniques….’
For anyone serving in the military ministry, there was no way to mistake them. They were the Imperial Palace martial techniques.

* * *

I glanced back at the Military Commander.
As expected, he recognized my techniques.
I was currently employing the Imperial Palace martial techniques against our enemies. There was a reason for my choice.
First, to demonstrate that I was not his adversary.
While simultaneously concealing my true identity from our opponents.
The reason we all wore black garments and masks was the same precaution.
It was preparation in case any of them managed to escape.
Thwack!
Crack!
I exhaled slowly.
Fortunately, I subdued every last one of them without letting a single opponent slip away.
I turned and approached the Military Commander.
“You….”
He spoke to me.
“So your request to travel with me had purpose. You anticipated this?”
“Yes. They seemed rather crude in their methods, if I may say so.”
“More importantly… those techniques you just used—were they the Imperial Palace martial techniques?”
“They were.”
“Who exactly are you?”
“I’m merely a small merchant who lives by the Emperor’s grace.”
He paused in thought before speaking.
“Now that I think about it, that banquet where you revealed the injustice done to the Changhae Trading Company—you organized that, didn’t you? Could this situation also be something you orchestrated?”
I needed to answer carefully here.
People deeply resented discovering they had been manipulated by someone’s design.
What more could be said of a high official of the third rank?
I smiled gently.
“The Emperor’s wisdom is something we ordinary people could never presume to fathom.”
“Then you are someone sent by the Emperor.”
“The Emperor holds great expectations for Military Commander Dae-in. She is certainly not one to meet her end in such a meaningless place.”
“Ah! The Emperor….”
The Military Commander bowed toward the direction of the Imperial Palace and cried out.
“Your boundless grace overwhelms me! Your Majesty!”
I was relieved that my roundabout explanation had worked.
The Emperor would surely understand this much.

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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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