The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 425

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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 425

Chapter 425. A Risk Factor (1)

The next morning.
We had finished our preparations to depart from the Yuseong Sect.
Last night, I had settled the debt owed to the Yuseong Sect’s night master, and following the principle of striking while the iron is hot, the Sect Master immediately summoned a creditor who was attending the banquet to clear the sect’s outstanding debts.
Perhaps because of this, the Sect Master’s face as he saw us off appeared remarkably refreshed.
“Then, we shall take our leave now.”
“I’ve kept you busy long enough. Go on now. Hehehehe.”
“Father. Mother, and Grandmother. I’m going now.”
“Yes. Go safely.”
“Take care of yourself, and be respectful to your in-laws.”
“I will.”
After the farewells between the newlyweds and their families concluded, the Sect Master’s gaze turned toward me.
“I, I don’t know how to repay all this kindness. I’m truly grateful.”
“There is no debt to speak of.”
“Hehehehe, your modesty is excessive. You saved my nephew and even rescued our sect.”
“It was all because Heaven looked favorably upon the Yuseong Sect.”
“I shall repay this debt without fail.”
Thus we departed from the Yuseong Sect and returned to the Gwangjun Trading Company.
I parted ways with the newlyweds and returned to my quarters, collapsing onto my bed.
I was exhausted.
Still, now that the wedding ceremony was complete, I could finally set out for Beijing soon.
That’s what I thought at the time.
.
.
.
The next morning.
While eating breakfast, Bok Yun’s Attendant came to request that I visit Bok Sub-leader’s quarters after the meal.
I readily agreed.
He was probably calling me to offer his thanks before I departed.
Thinking thus, I finished eating and made my way to Bok Yun’s quarters.
“Welcome.”
“Good morning.”
He offered me a seat, and I sat down before the low table.
“Some tea…”
“Ah, I’ve already had some.”
However, there was something odd about the way Bok Yun Sub-leader’s eyes looked at me.
It was a gaze tinged with apology, somehow.
From experience, whenever someone looked at me that way, it always meant exhausting matters were about to unfold.
What could it be?
“I am grateful for all the trouble you’ve taken as my best man during this wedding ceremony.”
“Not at all. It was an honor to serve as the Sub-leader’s best man.”
“The Moyong Clan also came to celebrate this wedding.”
“Indeed they did.”
Given the high standing of the Gwangjun Trading Company, even a Small Patriarch from the Moyong Clan had attended.
“Therefore, I must make a return visit to the Moyong Clan.”
Ah, so that’s what this was about.
Typically, when a prominent figure from a merchant guild holds a wedding, the major sects in that region offer their congratulations, and it’s customary to make a return visit to express gratitude.
It’s a way of saying, “Let’s continue to work well together and maintain good relations.”
As the saying goes, law is distant but fists are near—maintaining good relations with such sects ensures we can receive their aid when needed.
And by publicly announcing “we’re close friends,” the surrounding powers won’t carelessly provoke us.
“I sent word to the Moyong Clan expressing my intention to pay respects, and I’ve received their reply. Thus, we’ve decided to depart the day after tomorrow.”
Now we’re getting to the main point.
“The Moyong Clan has expressed a desire to speak with Seon Hyeop Mi-rang and has requested that I bring you along.”
Could it be that the Small Patriarch who came this time recognized me as someone they’d encountered at the Guimae Antique Shop and is asking me to come?
That couldn’t be.
I hadn’t exchanged a single word with Mo Yong Tae-gyeol, the Small Patriarch, that day.
They must simply want to meet because of my reputation as Seon Hyeop Mi-rang.
I let out a sigh and spoke.
“I had actually planned to depart for Beijing tomorrow, but given these circumstances, I suppose I must visit the Moyong Clan instead.”
“Thank you for your understanding. I’ll begin preparations then.”

I returned to my quarters and informed Palgap and the Guard Warriors of my decision to visit the Moyong Clan.
That meant we had two extra days before the scheduled departure.
I pondered briefly on what to do, but there was only one answer.
To focus on the martial arts training I had neglected.
Once I returned to Hubei, Master would surely notice that I had been lax in my cultivation, and that simply wouldn’t do.
And I should visit the horse ranch to see the Zhu Jiang horses I had left there.
As their owner in name, I ought to go familiarize myself with them.
.
.
.
The day of departure for the Moyong Clan arrived.
After finishing my preparations, I headed to Cha-jang and exchanged greetings with Bok Yun Sub-leader, who was already there.
“My apologies for being late.”
“Not at all. You’ve arrived earlier than expected. I simply came early because I had various matters to attend to.”
“Is there anything I can help you with?”
“You’re welcome to rest. If I need assistance, I’ll let you know.”
“Understood.”
However, there was nothing for me to help with until our departure. Since the Gwangjun Trading Company was part of the Top Hundred Merchant Guilds, its operations were well-organized, leaving nothing for me to handle.
Thus, we set out for the Moyong Clan with our gifts in hand.
The Moyong Clan was located approximately two double-hours’ journey away, similar to the Yuseong Sect.
However, it was in the opposite direction.
“How may we help you?”
One of the Gate Keepers rushed over to ask, and Bok Yun Sub-leader answered.
“I am Bok Yun, Small Guild Master of the Gwangjun Trading Company, visiting as scheduled for today.”
At those words, the Gate Keeper brightened and bowed respectfully.
“Ah! We’ve been expecting you. However, I heard that among those coming with you is also the Great Hero Eun Seo-ho.”
At that, I stepped forward and spoke.
“I am Eun Seo-ho.”
“Ah!”
The Gate Keeper immediately clasped his fists in salute.
“I pay my respects to the Great Hero.”
“Great Hero is too much. I don’t deserve such a title.”
“How could we not call you Great Hero, you who are the hero of the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament, Seon Hyeop Mi-rang?”
Ah… this is burdensome.
Quite burdensome indeed.
It seemed the martial family valued me more than the Small Guild Master of the Top Hundred Merchant Guilds who had come to express gratitude.
“You flatter me. May we proceed inside?”
“Of course. Please, come in with your companions.”
We were escorted inside, and I spoke quietly to Bok Yun Sub-leader.
“I apologize for drawing so much attention.”
At my words, he shook his head.
“Not at all. It’s quite understandable. And I’m grateful beyond measure that thanks to Eun Small Merchant Leader drawing attention, I can finally catch my breath.”
“Pardon?”
“When one draws attention, one cannot rest, can one?”
“Ah, I see.”
“And thanks to coming alongside Eun Small Merchant Leader, we’re receiving such generous treatment. Indeed, the treatment afforded to heroes is quite different.”
“Ah, so that’s how it is.”
Then there’s no need for me to apologize.
We were promptly guided to our guest quarters.
“The House Master currently has a Mysterious Guest with him. I apologize, but please rest here for now, and I shall guide you later.”
“Very well.”
The one who guided us to our quarters assigned two maidservants to each of us.
One can gauge the treatment received by observing how many attendants are assigned to a guest.
The fact that two were assigned to each of us indicated we would be treated quite generously.

Creak.
An entire separate pavilion was given to us as our quarters.
It was furnished quite elegantly.
Rather than being cluttered with ostentatious items, it was decorated with refined simplicity and order.
Hmm?
Standing before the door, I sensed something peculiar.
It was that there were no blind spots in the room when standing at the entrance.
Indeed, a martial family remains a martial family.
This must be to enable swift response should any situation arise.
And obstacles were minimized as well, likely because the Moyong Clan’s swordsmanship pursues swift strikes.
I know this from experience using swift strikes myself—the most critical factor when employing them is the presence of obstacles.
Moving at high speed, any obstacle poses a significant risk of self-injury.
As I rested there briefly, a maidservant approached and spoke.
“The House Master summons you.”
I left the room and encountered Bok Yun Sub-leader and his wife just as they were exiting theirs.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes.”

Shortly after, we arrived at the Guest Reception Room and were served refreshments.
Mm, these pastries are delicious.
With the famine making grain scarce, pastries had become far more precious than before.
Still, the Moyong Clan’s prestige was evident in their generous hospitality with sweets.
“The House Master and Small Patriarch have arrived.”
At those words, we quickly rose from our seats. But wait—didn’t they just say the Small Patriarch was coming?
The door opened, and a middle-aged man entered alongside the Small Patriarch I had encountered before.
From the middle-aged man emanated an inner strength so overwhelming it dominated everything around him.
It felt slightly higher than my own, so I’d classify him as reaching the pinnacle realm.
There aren’t many martial artists in this Murim who have reached Hwagyeong’s level.
Looking at the Small Patriarch, I chuckled inwardly.
It had been a long time.
Because of a connection from my previous life, I felt a sense of joy at seeing him.
But it wasn’t only joy I felt.
Since we had met at the Guimae Antique Shop, I harbored some anxiety about whether he might recognize me.
The fact that I had been at the Guimae Antique Shop back then was something I needed to keep hidden.
“I am Bok Yun, Sub-leader of the Gwangjun Trading Company. It is an honor to meet you. And beside me is the eldest daughter of the Yuseong Sect Master, who has become my wife.”
“I am In Jung-yeon. I bow to the House Master and Small Patriarch.”
“Welcome to the Moyong Clan.”
The House Master of the Moyong Clan accepted the greeting and turned his head toward me.
“I am Eun Seo-ho, Sub-leader of the Eunhae Trading Company. I bow to the House Master.”
“Oh! So you’re the Seon Hyeop Mi-rang!”
“You honor me with such a name.”
“Haha! It’s wonderful to meet you!”
The House Master introduced himself with an even brighter expression.
“I am Moyong Jin, House Master of the Moyong Clan.”
The Small Patriarch followed with his introduction.
“I am Moyong Tae-gyeol, Small Patriarch of the Moyong Clan.”
After exchanging greetings, we took our seats.
Bok Yun Sub-leader broached the subject first.
“We have come to express our gratitude for your attendance and congratulations at our wedding ceremony.”
“The Gwangjun Trading Company is one of the pillars of Liaoning, so of course we should attend. I apologize for not coming personally and sending only the Small Patriarch.”
“Not at all! We are more than honored that the Small Patriarch graced us with his presence.”
Bok Yun Sub-leader continued.
“And though modest, we have also prepared a gift.”
“A gift?”
“Yes.”
He presented the box he had brought and spoke.
“It is a tea set crafted by a master craftsman named Gong Jeon from Beijing.”
“Oh! Is that not the tea set that is so popular it’s difficult to obtain? I gratefully accept it.”
He seemed quite satisfied, shifting the box containing the tea set to the side and offering a smile.
“Once again, I congratulate you on the marriage. And henceforth, the Main House shall treat the Gwangjun Trading Company with trust.”
“Thank you. We of the Gwangjun Trading Company shall likewise treat the Moyong Clan with trust.”
We treated each other with trust.
That meant, in essence, that as long as we didn’t stab each other in the back, we would maintain a cordial relationship.
And this level of distance was precisely ideal.
Growing too distant would be problematic, but becoming too close held no particular advantage either.
Since one never knew what might happen, it was best to maintain a relationship where we could retreat at any moment.
The House Master finished organizing his thoughts and spoke to me.
“I happened to hear you were at the Gwangjun Trading Company, so I took the liberty of inviting you here. I wished to have a leisurely conversation with you. It may seem sudden, but I hope you won’t resent me for this impulse.”
“How could I possibly resent you, House Master? I am merely grateful that you sought out someone as humble as a merchant.”
“Not at all! You may be a merchant, but you are also a hero known as Seon Hyeop Mi-rang.”
“I am embarrassed.”
Thus I engaged in various conversations with the House Master, with discussions of martial arts forming the primary topic.
“To reach the pinnacle at such an age! Truly remarkable.”
I felt awkward but laughed inwardly.
No, that’s not quite right.
In truth, I have reached the transcendent pinnacle.
It seemed the Moyong Clan’s House Master had failed to perceive my true level, likely due to the Taiyin Ice-Sea Divine Art.
Since I intended to conceal my ascension to the transcendent pinnacle, I continued speaking with composure.
“It is because the Heavenly Stream Ice Sword of Geuk Cheon the Great Hero is such an exceptional martial art.”
“Heh heh. Of course the Heavenly Stream Ice Sword is a superior martial art, but the aptitude of the person who learns it is far more important.”
With that, he gazed at me intently.
Surely he hasn’t discerned something about my constitution?
“Then your inner energy must be of the yin variety. Since the Heavenly Stream Ice Sword is a yin-based martial art.”
“That is correct.”
“Your constitution appears to align well with that martial art, which has contributed to your rapid growth.”
The conversation continued without pause, with the House Master’s attention entirely focused upon me.
Ah, so that’s what Bok Yun Sub-leader meant earlier?
That one cannot rest when receiving attention.
House Master, wouldn’t it be possible to retire now? We’ve been conversing for over an hour already.

I summoned every ounce of superhuman patience I possessed and endured an hour and a half of conversation.
Then I returned to my quarters.
I collapsed onto the bed.
I lay sprawled across the mattress and let out a weary sigh.
“Ah, that was truly exhausting.”
“You’ve been conversing all this time, my lord?”
“Yes.”
“What could possibly require so much discussion?”
“It wasn’t that I had much to say—it was that they had far too much to say.”
Palgap’s gaze held an expression of sympathy as he looked down at me.
That was when it happened.
“My lord.”
The voice of Seo-woo Warrior came from outside.
“The Small Patriarch wishes to see you.”
“Now?”
“Yes.”
Having listened to my voice for an hour and a half, he must have realized that I was the one he’d encountered at the Guimae Antique Shop.
Well, that much was inevitable.
But did he have to summon me now, when I was utterly exhausted and drained?

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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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