The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 435

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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 435

Chapter 435. My Maternal Grandfather’s Home (4)

My question caught him off guard.
“Pardon? That… what do you mean?”
“Didn’t you just say it? Why specifically is the man from the Murim Alliance the Merchant?”
“That is…”
His expression grew deeply troubled.
But my instincts were speaking to me.
This was something I absolutely had to know.
“I simply wish to avoid upsetting my Maternal Uncle beforehand. So I must ask you to tell me.”
After a moment’s consideration, he spoke.
“Well, since you’re not the type to spread my words about, I suppose I should tell you.”
After watching my uncle and the man from the Murim Alliance enter the Guest Reception Room, we relocated to a more secluded place.
“You’re familiar with the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament, aren’t you?”
“Yes, of course.”
After all, I had become a hero at that Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament.
“Several decades ago, the Small Patriarch also participated in the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament. And that was both his first and last participation.”
Now that I thought about it, my mother had once told me about my Maternal Uncle.

“Your uncle passed the preliminaries and entered the ranks of one hundred and eight rising masters. But after that, he never participated in another tournament.”

Being among the one hundred and eight meant my Maternal Uncle’s martial prowess had been quite considerable at that time.
Making it into the top one hundred and eight among the talented disciples of renowned martial families gathered from across the Empire was no simple feat.
Indeed, the realm I had confirmed earlier in my Maternal Uncle was the pinnacle.
A level comparable to the Elder rank of prestigious major sects.
The Attendant continued.
“And after returning from the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament, the young master was deeply disappointed with it. One of the reasons was that man you saw earlier.”
He spoke while carefully gauging my reaction.
“Do you perhaps know of match-fixing?”
I nodded.
“Oh! So you are aware of match-fixing as well, young master. That makes this easier to explain.”
He continued with a bitter expression.
“The Merchant is a disciple of the Yeom Clan named Yeom Gu-sung. At that time, he rose through the preliminaries as a match-fixer alongside the Small Patriarch, and this caused a serious conflict between them.”
“Surely not…”
“Yes. Your suspicion is likely correct. At that time, the Murim Alliance sided with Young Master Yeom Gu-sung, and the Small Patriarch was forced to apologize to him.”

Now I understood what Mother had said to me.

“The Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament exists for Yongbong alone. So you must not think of participating in the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament….”
“Just live quietly, and when someone you come to love appears, if he has no major flaws, I will persuade your father… so you can marry and build a happy household… Back then, I honestly didn’t understand my elder brother’s words. I simply thought he was jealous of me. Truthfully, I had far more talent than my elder brother. But….”
“Now I think I finally understand. My elder brother was speaking out of genuine concern for me.”

It seemed this filthy tradition of forced marriage had persisted far longer than I’d imagined.
I exhaled deeply.
“Now I understand why Maternal Uncle’s expression was so grim.”
The fact that the Murim Alliance had sided with Yeom Gu-sung meant they were treating the forced marriage as if it never happened.
The Yeom Clan was an influential family with close ties to the Murim Alliance.
So naturally, the Murim Alliance would take their side.
Rotten. Absolutely rotten.
Though I’d known the Murim Alliance was corrupt for some time now.
.
.
.
While I was resting in my chamber, Palgap entered.
“Young Master! Young Master!”
“What is it? What’s happened?”
“It’s urgent, sir!”
“…?”
“Someone from the Murim Alliance has arrived requesting assistance!”
I furrowed my brow and rose from my seat.
“They’re requesting warrior support?”
“Yes, sir.”
As expected, then.
Otherwise, there’s no reason a representative from the Murim Alliance would come here directly.
“And they’re also requesting material support, I hear?”
Damn these thieving bastards.
They’ve given us nothing, yet their demands are endless.
“So what did Maternal Grandfather and Maternal Uncle decide?”
“They seem inclined to grant it, sir. How could they refuse a request from the Murim Alliance?”
“I suppose that’s true.”
I fell into thought.
My reason for coming to Gansu Province was to monitor the Golden Robed Guard stationed here.
I needed a plausible excuse to go to Yanzhi Mountain without arousing suspicion from others.
The Golden Robed Guard are called the Emperor’s Blade, so it’s no position one obtains through mere chance.
If I were to go there under some trivial pretext, it would certainly appear suspicious.
That would make it impossible to properly carry out the Emperor’s command.
To be honest, the Murim Alliance’s request for support is irritating.
However, this is an opportunity to travel to Yanzhi Mountain without arousing anyone’s suspicion.
And knowing that those who entered Geom Chong suffered significant losses, I’ve been worried about my Maternal Grandfather’s House.
Since things have come to this, I intend to ensure there is no damage whatsoever.
By the way, did my Maternal Grandfather’s House send support in my previous life as well?
I don’t recall precisely, but it seems they didn’t dispatch warriors…
Could this be the aftermath of my sending back the monks from Shaolin Temple?
After pondering briefly, I let out a soft chuckle.
Well, that’s possible.
But does it matter?
I can resolve the consequences of the future I’ve changed myself.

The next morning.
Just as my Grandfather desired that Father eat breakfast with family every morning, my Maternal Grandfather’s House shared every breakfast with all family members.
After finishing the meal and drinking tea, I spoke to my Grandfather.
“Grandfather. What did those who came from the Murim Alliance request yesterday?”
“Hmm?”
“Did they perhaps request support in personnel and supplies?”
At my words, my Grandfather and my Maternal Uncle looked at me with slightly surprised expressions.
“Why do you think so?”
“As my Maternal Uncle mentioned, Geom Chong was discovered at Yanzhi Mountain not long ago. Since it would be difficult for the Murim Alliance’s Main Headquarters to dispatch personnel on a large scale and send supplies all the way here, they would request help from nearby martial families and sects.”
“…”
After a moment of silence, my Maternal Uncle nodded.
“You’re right. The Murim Alliance requested support of twenty warriors and provisions.”
“As I thought.”
“Hmph, it’s irritating how they speak as though asking for something they’ve entrusted to be returned… but I lack the confidence to bear the backlash of refusing.”
The smile at my Maternal Uncle’s lips seemed tinged with bitterness.
“In any case, I plan to send Min Yu, who is currently in closed-door cultivation, along with the warriors.”
“…!”
Now that I think about it, my Mother had a younger brother, but I’ve rarely seen his face.
I saw him a few times when I was young.
According to my memory, a few years later, he fell into demonic cultivation during closed-door training and passed away.
He was someone with such intense obsession with martial arts.
I shook my head and spoke.
“There’s no need to interrupt the closed-door cultivation of someone who entered it for this matter.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I will go instead.”
At my words, my Grandfather shook his head with a worried expression.
“That won’t do. That place is extremely dangerous. If something unfortunate were to happen to you there, I would have no face to show your father and mother.”
“You need not worry about such things. I also possess the ability to protect myself.”
“Hm?”
“You haven’t forgotten whose son I am, have you? I’m the son of the daughter of the great Yeong Seon Min Family, a woman once called the Beautiful Flowing Sword in her youth.”
“But that place is teeming with martial artists of the first rank and above.”
“I’m aware.”
They worry far too much about me… Ah!
These two don’t know much about me.
Come to think of it, given what happened with my Maternal Uncle, they may have deliberately distanced themselves from Murim Alliance matters ever since.
Besides, Lanzhou is quite removed from the Murim Alliance’s sphere of influence.
“Do you happen to know of someone called Seon Hyeop Mi-rang?”
I never thought I’d speak this name aloud myself.
As expected, both of them shook their heads or tilted theirs in confusion.
“Then look into who Seon Hyeop Mi-rang is. Once you do, you’ll understand why I spoke with such confidence about going there.”

Having concluded our conversation, I returned to my quarters.
While I was passing the time reading, my Maternal Uncle came rushing to find me urgently.
“Is… is that really true?”
“What do you mean?”
“That you are Seon Hyeop Mi-rang.”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
“It’s somewhat embarrassing, but I earned that name several years ago.”
My Maternal Uncle furrowed his brow and spoke carefully.
“Could it be… the things I said earlier…?”
Ah, he’s referring to the harsh words he spoke about the Murim Alliance this morning.
Since the Murim Alliance had elevated me as a hero, he seemed to think I was close to them.
“Oh, that? To be honest, I agree with you.”
“Hm?”
“If anything, I’m only this tolerant because I’m part of the martial arts world too. Do you know how much the merchants resent them?”
“Eh?”
My sudden expression of discontent toward the Murim Alliance seemed to catch him off guard.
But this was the best way to ease my Maternal Uncle’s concerns.
“Honestly, though I earned the name Seon Hyeop Mi-rang, that name existed long before. And the title of hero I received was merely the Murim Alliance trying to cover their own mistakes.”
“Hmm…”
“And when I stepped forward then, it wasn’t to boast of my martial prowess—it was to save my parents. No son would stand idle knowing danger threatened his parents. If I had the ability, how could I simply watch?”
“That’s true enough.”
I continued my persuasion calmly.
“Though I didn’t seek this name, it will still help in this matter. It will allow me to make my voice heard even at Yanzhi Mountain.”
My Maternal Uncle nodded in agreement at my words.
“You’re right about that.”
In any organization, those with weak influence cannot make their voices heard, and that translates directly into loss.
And that was likely what my Maternal Uncle had been worried about as well.
“I’ll speak to my Father about this.”

The next morning.
As I finished breakfast and sipped my tea, my Maternal Grandfather spoke to me.
“Seo-ho.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“I’m sorry. Not only have I been unable to help my grandson, but I’ve caused you trouble as well….”
It seemed the decision had been made for me to go.
I smiled and shook my head.
“Grandfather, why do you think that way? I’m so pleased that I can help you.”
“To hear you say such things….”
Grandfather’s eyes grew wet with tears, and I hurriedly offered him my handkerchief.
“Grandfather, really now… you should be delighted that your grandson is capable enough to assist you with your affairs.”
“Yes, yes. That’s right.”
It seemed his emotions—his sense of inadequacy and his remorse toward me—had erupted, bringing tears to his eyes.
I glanced subtly around the room. Now that the family knew I was the renowned Seon Hyeop Mi-rang, their gazes toward me shimmered with admiration.
Truly, this is a martial family through and through.
They value martial prowess far more than wealth.
“I won’t bring shame upon the Yeong Seon Min Family’s reputation.”
“How could you not do well? I have no concerns.”

After finishing my tea, I was introduced to the warriors who would accompany me.
Twenty in total.
They were members of the Gwang Pung Unit, one of the martial forces of the Yeong Seon Min Family.
If a mid-sized martial family suffered casualties of this magnitude, recovery would take considerable time.
I had to ensure we returned without sustaining any losses.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eunhae Trading Company and the grandson of the House Master.”
“I am deeply honored to meet the Great Hero Seon Hyeop Mi-rang.”
They too had heard of me and were visibly moved.
Embarrassed, I glanced sideways at my Maternal Uncle.
“Ahem.”
From his reaction, it was clear that my Maternal Uncle was the one who had spread the rumors.
“Though I will be leading our group, I have many shortcomings. I ask for your cooperation and understanding.”
After exchanging greetings, we proceeded to discuss the matter of this expedition.
We needed to establish the basic principles that would guide our group.
“We also believe that if the opportunity arises, we should enter Geom Chong and obtain the treasures within.”
At one warrior’s assertion, I nodded in agreement.
“I believe that is correct as well.”
As I affirmed his point, his face brightened. But my agreement was merely the beginning of a counterargument.
“However, I have no intention of deliberately courting danger.”
“Why do you consider it dangerous? This is the Geom Chong of the Hyeol Gon Seong Seung Master. Since it was built by someone who understands the Buddhist way, there should be no particular danger.”
Yes, this was precisely the common thinking.
That is why people had entered carelessly at the time and suffered far greater losses.
I brought up the reasons I had already considered.
“Though it is a Geom Chong, it is itself an ancient structure. We must be cautious of the risk of collapse.”
I continued.
“No matter how perfected my martial prowess may be, I cannot protect all of you. More than half of those present would likely lose their lives.”
“….”
I spoke with conviction.
“To sacrifice one’s life for something unknown? Is there any reason for that? To me, your lives are far more precious than any treasure.”
The warriors’ faces filled with emotion at my words.
Persuasion complete.

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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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