The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 427

—————
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 Eun Hae Trading Company Chapter 427

Chapter 427. A Risk Factor (3)

While I stood bewildered, Bok Yun Sub-leader stepped forward to protest.
“House Master! What do you mean by that? Anyone can see that Eun Small Merchant Leader will clearly lose this martial bout. What if he sustains serious injuries?”
“I’m not so heavy-handed as all that.”
Small Patriarch Mo Yong Tae-gyeol also tried to dissuade the House Master.
“Father, even if you hold back during the martial bout, surely Eun Small Merchant Leader cannot be a match for you?”
I looked at the House Master.
His expression radiated intense fascination.
Like a child gazing upon a toy. Surely he doesn’t mean I’m the toy, does he?
This is rather troublesome.
The House Master is a martial artist at the peak of perfection.
Because of the nature of my inner energy, my true level doesn’t reveal itself outwardly.
But if we were to engage in martial combat, there’s a high probability he would discern it.
So House Master, please reconsider.
“House Master, as one who wields the blade, such a martial bout with you would indeed be a precious experience. However, the Small Merchant has a weak constitution, and if he were to cross blades with you, he might lose consciousness. I humbly ask that you withdraw your proposal.”
At that moment, Moyong Seong-geol stepped forward.
“Father, given how earnestly he speaks, a martial bout with you would place an enormous burden upon this Great Hero.”
He continued.
“However, since Father has extended the invitation for a martial bout, it would be shameful to simply retreat. What if Elder Brother were to face Father in his stead?”
Currently, Small Patriarch Mo Yong Tae-gyeol’s level is first-rate.
Losing to me, known as one at the peak, is a certainty. Yes, an absolute certainty.
In such circumstances, there’s no way I could be in good spirits, so naturally I would face him as I did Mo Yong Jun-gyeol…
Ah, so that was it.
This bastard Moyong Seong-geol, this was your scheme all along!
I chuckled inwardly.
Having just witnessed me suppress Mo Yong Jun-gyeol, he wants to show the House Master the same display.
In a martial family like this, such a disgrace would become quite the subject of ridicule.
However, there is one thing Moyong Seong-geol is mistaken about.
The reason I suppressed Mo Yong Jun-gyeol with sheer momentum wasn’t simply because I was irritated at being prevented from eating when hungry.
Even if word spread that I was studying the Heavenly Stream Ice Sword, I didn’t want to show Moyong Seong-geol how I wield my blade.
Just now, I sensed a thick aura of the Black Path emanating from him.
If that’s the case, then he must already have connections with the Murim Alliance.
While others might think he’s drawing in the Black Path to accomplish something, he is one who had deep ties with the Murim Alliance in his previous life.
In other words, he’s in the midst of executing a plan to seize control of the family with the aid of the Murim Alliance.
The fact that he lost his blade and Small Patriarch Mo Yong Tae-gyeol fell into difficulty is proof of this.
There was nothing to gain by showing him my true abilities.
Besides, a merchant must remain composed before profit, even after starving for four days.
So how could I lose my composure after missing merely two meals?
As I thought this and glanced at the House Master, I flinched without meaning to.
What was that look in his eyes?
But that glint vanished in an instant, as though it had been my imagination.
I stole a glance toward Mo Yong Tae-gyeol, the Small Patriarch.
As if he had been contemplating something, he stepped forward and spoke.
“Father, since matters have come to this, would it not be wise for all of us siblings to learn a technique or two from Seon Hyeop Mi-rang, the Great Hero?”
“All of you?”
“Yes. Though the Third Son fell short, it must have been quite beneficial for him.”
“There is merit in that. Even without drawing a sword once, merely facing such presence would yield lessons.”
At those words, Mo Yong Tae-gyeol bowed his head deeply.
“Precisely. It seems unfair that only myself and Jun-gyeol gained such an opportunity. Therefore, I hope Yeon-geol and Seong-geol might also receive this chance.”
He clasped his fists toward me.
“So please, would you spar with all of us siblings?”
Quite clever.
All my careful instruction bore fruit.
I had taught him well.
When facing a difficult situation, draw your opponent into it as well.
It was somewhat bothersome that the target happened to be me, but there was no helping it.
At least it was better than sparring with the House Master.
Besides, I rather enjoyed seeing Mo Yong Seong-geol’s flustered expression.
“Father….”
Mo Yong Seong-geol tried to say something, but the House Master spoke first.
“That is a fine idea.”
He made his request of me.
“As the father of these children, I ask this of you. Please allow them to gain experience.”
“Understood. I accept the House Master’s request.”
I acquiesced readily. Refusing even this favor would have made our relationship awkward.
“Thank you. Then who should go first….”
I quickly continued.
“While eating the most delicious dish first is not without merit, it seems better to save it for last in this instance.”
“Does that mean the Great Hero believes the Small Patriarch’s martial skills are the finest?”
“That is my assessment.”
“Excellent, excellent! Then let us begin with the youngest. Since the youngest’s martial prowess surpasses the Third Son’s, this should prove quite entertaining.”
At those words, Mo Yong Seong-geol came to the martial arena with an expression of anticipation.
I could tell that expression was forced.
“Then, I request your guidance.”
“I shall allow you the first move.”
“Thank you.”
Yielding first strike meant conceding three moves.
Mo Yong Seong-geol accepted the concession of first strike.
The moment I drew my blade and assumed the ready stance, he rushed at me.
The Moyong Clan’s sword was swift and deadly.
The blade’s edge cut through the air as it flew toward me.
“Gasp!”
I heard Bok Yun Sub-leader’s sharp intake of breath. To any observer, it would appear I was about to be pierced in an instant.
But that was all it was.
His blade stopped one zhang away from my body and could advance no further.
“Ugh!”
He grimaced at this setback, withdrew his sword, and slashed horizontally at me once more.
But that attack too was blocked by my protective inner energy.
“Hiss!”
He retrieved his blade, stepped back slightly, then drew upon his inner power and thrust the sword forward.
“…!”
No matter how much inner power he channeled, first-rate cultivation could never pierce my protective barrier.
“Three moves have concluded.”
Mo Yong Tae-gyeol’s reason for orchestrating this situation was clear—he wanted me to diminish Mo Yong Seong-geol’s prestige.
I fixed him with a gaze infused with killing intent.
“Gasp!”
He turned ashen, trembling violently as he received the full force of that killing intent.
I concentrated the killing intent further, ensuring the House Master wouldn’t notice.
Thump.
Unable to endure any longer, he collapsed to the ground right there.
And….
Oh my, his backside must be quite damp now.
What is the greatest humiliation for a martial artist?
While many answers exist to this question, surely it is to suffer such an unseemly display during a martial contest before one’s own family?
This would indeed be deeply shameful.
Just as I suspected, he trembled uncontrollably, unable to even raise his head properly.
Ah, how satisfying!
Glancing over, I saw that Mo Yong Tae-gyeol, the Small Patriarch, also bore an expression of satisfaction.
Remember this. I have repaid your enemy’s debt for you. So I shall collect this favor with interest later.
“That is enough. Now rise.”
At the House Master’s words, Mo Yong Seong-geol said nothing.
“….”
“Hmph! Has your lower back given out? How negligent have you been in your training….”
“….”
Noticing something amiss, he rose from his seat and approached closer.
“Are you injured anywhere….”
The House Master couldn’t finish his words, and Mo Yong Seong-geol bowed his head in shame.
I quickly cupped my fists in apology.
“I sincerely apologize. Hearing that Mo Yong Jun-gyeol’s martial prowess was inferior, I may have pressed too aggressively. It seems I overstepped.”
“Hmph, no. This fool is simply inadequate.”
Then he looked down at Mo Yong Seong-geol with displeasure in his eyes.
“Hey! Is anyone there? Take this wretch to his quarters.”
“Yes, sir!”
Seeing that he couldn’t rise on his own strength, the House Master issued the command.
At once, attendants and servants hurried in, helped him up, and left the Banquet Hall.
Then other servants entered and tidied the Training Ground.
During this time, silence settled over the Banquet Hall.
Everyone either watched carefully without speaking or ate quietly.
Thanks to this, I too could eat my meal comfortably.
Soon, once the Training Ground was prepared, the House Master cleared his throat and spoke.
“Ahem, then shall you now spar with Yeon-geol?”
“Yes. I shall do so.”
At those words, Mo Yong Yeon-gyeol rose from her seat. Earlier she had blushed upon seeing my face, but now her expression was tense.
Well, that made sense.
Her two younger brothers had just suffered such a fate.
However, unless someone strikes first, I prefer to remain composed.
So this time, I neither displayed aggressive momentum nor killing intent.
“Then, I shall begin.”
“Yes.”
“Shall I yield the first move to you?”
At my question, she nodded, and we both took our stances.
And then,
“Haaht!”
With a shout, she thrust her sword toward me.
A swift blade indeed.
I twisted my body to evade her sword.
Her speed was quite impressive.
Yielding three moves meant I could only evade or defend for those three moves.
Her blade changed its trajectory, aiming for my throat.
Clang!
I immediately raised my sword to block hers, and she recovered her rebounding blade, thrusting it toward my abdomen.
I twisted my body to easily evade the attack and spoke.
“The three moves have ended. Now it is my turn.”
I raised my sword toward her shoulder, and she calmly blocked my blade while retreating backward.
But I did not wait for her to retreat.
The Heavenly Stream Ice Sect has swift blade techniques as well.
Shink!
In an instant, the tip of my blade touched her shoulder.
Given the vast gap between us, the outcome was decided in a heartbeat.
“I concede.”
She acknowledged her defeat, and I withdrew my blade as I spoke.
“You’re quite swift.”
“Am I?”
“Yes. And if I may offer my opinion, Young Lady, I believe a saber would suit you better than a sword.”
“What?”
Her eyes widened with delight at receiving my praise.
“The moment you decide to attack, you execute it with remarkable speed.”
Most practitioners struggle to move the instant they decide to strike.
That’s precisely why opponents can sense that killing intent and mount a defense.
“And the weapon that would best showcase this strength is not a sword, but a saber.”
My assessment wasn’t based solely on what I’d just observed of her abilities.
I knew of her from my previous life.
The House Master of the Moyong Clan had taken her as his bride, and she had assumed command of the family’s martial forces.
In other words, her strength had reached the level required to lead such a division.
The epithet attached to her name was Shadowless Saber Blossom.
It meant she moved with such speed that she cast no shadow.
The epithet contained “saber blossom,” indicating saber mastery, yet she wielded a sword—something I had found puzzling.
That could only mean one thing: she had changed her weapon.
It was the same situation as with Elder Brother Jin-ho.
He too had developed his skills dramatically after switching from sword to spear.
“Hahahaha!”
The House Master laughed heartily at my words.
“As expected of Seon Hyeop Mi-rang! Your eye for talent is as keen as your martial prowess!”
The House Master praised me, then turned to address Mo Yong Yeon-gyeol.
“Have I not told you repeatedly? A saber suits you far better.”
“But a sword looks more impressive.”
I glanced briefly at her sword.
Ornate decorations adorned it.
I understood what she meant about the sword being more impressive.
Swords are primarily used for thrusting, and since the blade is drawn from its scabbard only at the moment of attack, elaborate decorations on the scabbard pose no hindrance to combat.
Such ornamentation doesn’t affect the fight itself.
But a saber is different.
A saber’s sheath doesn’t merely serve as storage—it generates momentum during the strike itself.
Therefore, it cannot have any embellishments that might impede combat, making ornate decoration impossible.
I spoke to her.
“In my humble opinion, true magnificence isn’t about wearing an ornate blade, but rather crushing those who dare look down upon the Young Lady with superior skill, wouldn’t you say?”
“Pardon?”
“And if one’s skill doesn’t measure up, then a flashy weapon is nothing but extravagance.”
The House Master nodded with a satisfied expression at my words.
“Well spoken. Yeon-geol, take the Great Hero’s words to heart.”
“Yes, Father.”
Seeing that expression, it seemed he would soon be employing the Dao.
“Finally, it is your turn.”
The House Master turned his gaze toward Mo Yong Tae-gyeol, the Small Patriarch seated beside him.
“Yes, Father.”
He rose from his seat and ascended onto the Martial Arts Arena.
“I look forward to this.”
“As do I.”
Thus we began our martial exchange.
Since the purpose of this bout was to diminish Moyong Seong-geol’s prestige while elevating Mo Yong Tae-gyeol’s, I engaged him with genuine intensity.
And with Moyong Seong-geol absent from this gathering, there was no risk in displaying some of my true capabilities here.
“To drive me, a Peak Martial Artist, to such straits! You are truly remarkable!”
“You are too kind.”
“Splendid! You truly take after me—your martial prowess is exceptional! Hahahaha!”
The House Master’s evaluation of Mo Yong Tae-gyeol appeared to have risen considerably.
Having provided this much assistance, the rest now fell to Mo Yong Tae-gyeol’s shoulders.
Still, Moyong Seong-geol would not simply accept this defeat, and I suspected his vengeance would be directed at me as well.
I was curious to see how he would respond.
But why did I find myself anticipating it?

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