The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 436
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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 436
Chapter 436. What a Mess (1)
We were not the only ones heading toward Yanzhi Mountain.
Since we had to bring supplies requested by the Murim Alliance, we sought assistance from the Pyoguk.
“It is an honor to travel alongside the renowned Seon Hyeop Mi-rang.”
Pyo Du of the Pyoguk offered me a respectful bow.
“You flatter me. Such praise is undeserved. Though our time together will be brief, I look forward to working with you.”
“I shall do my utmost.”
Thus we set out toward Yanzhi Mountain, escorted by those from my maternal grandfather’s house.
The estimated journey would take roughly four days.
On horseback alone, two days would suffice, but hauling the wagons added an extra day to our travel.
Of course, riding the Ju Gang Ma at full speed would take less than a day, but I had to match pace with the others.
Remarkably, the Ju Gang Ma did not arbitrarily increase their speed.
Though I suspect it was not because of my command, but rather because Geumryeong frightened them.
After four days, we finally arrived at Yanzhi Mountain.
Now, which way should we go?
As I pondered this briefly, a group approached us.
“Hehehehe, what is all this?”
“Perfect timing—we were running short on provisions!”
Even without sensing the revulsion emanating from them, their identity was obvious.
Of all places, we had to encounter the Black Path gang here.
My principle was to avoid bloodshed at all costs.
Once blood was spilled, I would become bound by debts of gratitude, whether I wished it or not.
Becoming someone’s benefactor is always welcome, but becoming someone’s enemy must be avoided at all costs.
While this applies to all people, it is far more pronounced in the merchant world.
Business cannot always succeed and prosper, and when it falters, if someone seeks vengeance, an entire trading company can collapse.
This is why we cultivate many debts of gratitude in advance.
One might say this is overly calculating, but for a merchant, such calculation is unavoidable.
However, those attempting outright robbery were an exception.
Shing.
I drew my blade and issued a warning.
“If you turn back now, you may yet preserve your lives.”
“What is this pretty boy babbling about?”
“What? Speak up—I can’t hear you.”
I sighed, watching those who mocked me.
I never understood why so many refused to listen to reason.
That was when it happened.
“Gasp! S-s-se….”
“What?”
One of them cried out as if gasping for breath.
“S-s-Seon Hyeop Mi-rang!”
And that man struck the back of the heads of those in front of him.
Smack! Smack! Smack!
Then he let out a piercing shriek.
“Have you lost your minds? Do you have a death wish? That insufferably handsome face! It’s Seon Hyeop Mi-rang!”
Color began draining from their faces at his words.
Watching their ruddy complexions turn pale in real time was quite the spectacle.
“W-we beg your pardon!”
And they vanished in a flurry. I sheathed my blade and spoke to my companions.
“Fortunately, we won’t need to waste effort on them.”
The Guangfeng Sect Warriors’ eyes grew noticeably brighter, as if impressed by how they fled at the mere sight of me.
“By the way, where could the Murim Alliance’s military camp be located?”
At my murmur, Jin Yu Warrior spoke.
“I shall search for it.”
There was a possibility that someone among the Murim Alliance might recognize Jin Yu Warrior.
Thus, Jin Yu Warrior was currently wearing a mask that covered half of his face.
I nodded.
“I’m counting on you.”
Jin Yu Warrior disappeared from sight, and shortly after, he reappeared.
“It’s over there.”
As I headed in that direction, I cursed the Murim Alliance inwardly.
If they were asking for reinforcements, they should have provided more specific directions or at least assigned a guide.
No basic courtesy whatsoever. None. Tch!
Soon we arrived before the Murim Alliance’s camp, where their banner fluttered in the wind.
“Halt!”
The warriors stationed there shouted toward us.
“Where have you come from?”
At this, I stepped forward and spoke.
“We are reinforcements from the Yeong Seon Min Family.”
“The Yeong Seon Min Family… Ah! So that’s the place!”
A warrior looked at me with a puzzled expression, then his face suddenly lit up with recognition.
“Could you be the Great Hero Seon Hyeop Mi-rang?”
“I’m embarrassed to say that’s what I’m called.”
“Oh! The hero of the Murim has graced us with his presence!”
“What an honor!”
Their demeanor changed instantly.
That’s precisely why I embrace the title of Seon Hyeop Mi-rang despite my embarrassment—the power of a name in the Murim carries considerable weight.
A reputation in the martial world holds formidable influence.
“Please, come this way. I shall guide you personally.”
Thus we passed through the wooden palisade and entered the Martial Alliance Camp.
There, I could see the Elder who bore responsibility for this operation.
He was a middle-aged man with a striking, dignified bearing.
Yet his eyes gleamed with an unmistakable sense of urgency.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Eun Seo-ho.”
“Delighted to make your acquaintance. I am Gyeong San-ja, Elder of the Gongtong Sect. Please, be seated.”
“Thank you.”
I took my seat, and shortly thereafter, tea was placed before us.
“I hear you’ve come representing the Yeong Seon Min Family. Do you have some connection to them?”
“Yes. The Yeong Seon Min Family is my maternal grandfather’s house.”
“Your maternal grandfather’s house? Ah! Now that you mention it, I recall hearing that the eldest daughter of the Yeong Seon Min Family possessed exceptional martial skill. They called her the Graceful Sword, did they not?”
“That is my mother.”
“Ah, of course! It all makes sense now!”
Yet those days were far too distant, and since my mother had virtually set down her blade, that name had faded into obscurity.
Only because this Elder of the Gongtong Sect, located in the same Gansu Province, did he retain memory of my mother’s title.
What would be his reaction if he learned that my mother, who had received the Yeon Sword from me, had taken up the blade once more?
But I had no intention of revealing this.
It was classified information, preparation for the future.
“Regrettably, it has been a long time since she set down the sword. She became far too occupied as the proprietress of our trading company.”
“That is truly a pity.”
“I share your sentiment.”
The Elder changed the subject.
“In any case, I cannot express how fortunate it is that you’ve come.”
“Is the situation truly so dire?”
At my question, he stroked his beard thoughtfully.
“It cannot be called favorable. I have just received a letter from Shaolin Temple stating they cannot send their disciples, despite having promised support.”
“Is the Blood Staff Star Monk not a Great Abbot of Shaolin? Yet they cannot send disciples—what is the reason?”
He clicked his tongue in displeasure and replied.
“Simply that he broke his vows and severed his ties with Shaolin—that was their entire justification. Truly, they are obstinate fools, are they not?”
I smiled inwardly.
The Jeongmyeong Monk had returned safely to Shaolin Temple, and it seemed he had persuaded the Abbot and the higher authorities quite effectively.
Fortunate indeed.
Yet if that were the case, it meant this request for support from the Yeong Seon Min Family was not because I had sent back the Shaolin monks.
Then what was the reason?
“In any case, I am grateful you’ve come. Which is why I ask—will you attend the conference tomorrow?”
“A conference?”
He answered my question.
“To prevent meaningless casualties from clashing with one another, we’ve decided to hold a conference regarding the matter of entering the Blood Gorge Fortress’s arsenal. It’s an important meeting. Through this, we’ll determine who gains the initiative.”
“Are you certain I’m permitted to attend such an important conference?”
I expressed concern, though my true feelings were otherwise.
I had to attend that conference without fail.
Only then could I create the foundation for myself and the Yeong Seon Min Family to withdraw without suffering any losses.
“Of course you should!”
Fortunately, he enthusiastically encouraged my attendance.
After all, having even one more person of renown would lend weight to their words.
“If you insist, I shall contribute my humble efforts.”
“Thank you.”
Thus I withdrew from that place, and as I approached those who had been waiting, I spoke to the warrior guiding us.
“We’ve brought the provisions the Murim Alliance requested.”
“We appreciate it.”
The Pyoguk’s role ended here.
There was no point in lingering any longer.
I settled the final payment with Pyo Du and bid him farewell.
“Travel safely on your return.”
“Thank you for using our Pyoguk. We wish you fortune in your endeavors, Great Hero.”
Thus the Pyoguk people departed from Yanzhi Mountain.
“Then please guide us to the barracks where we’ll be staying.”
“Understood. Please follow me….”
At that moment, the warrior’s expression shifted with sudden realization.
“Ah, I hadn’t heard that you were arriving today… Please wait just a moment.”
“Yes?”
“Just wait a moment, if you please.”
He hurried off in haste, and only after about an hour were we finally guided to the barracks.
Our barracks were considerably larger and more comfortable than those we’d seen on the way.
Only then did I understand why the warrior who guided us had reacted that way.
The Yeong Seon Min Family’s barracks had likely been one of those ordinary ones we’d seen.
But because I was the representative of our group, the treatment had changed.
They must have hastily found a better location and had it newly constructed for us.
Though our party numbered nearly thirty, the barracks were so spacious that it didn’t feel cramped.
The warrior explained various things to us before finally departing.
We began unpacking our belongings inside the barracks.
It was merely a matter of placing a corner of our luggage on our respective chambers, but it carried considerable significance.
It was the act of claiming one’s own chamber.
Yet everyone stood looking at me, their belongings in hand.
“Why do you all look at me thus?”
“Please choose your chamber first, Great Hero.”
“Just… something reasonable…”
“No, no! That won’t do! Please choose a chamber at once.”
Really, choosing a chamber like this…
Still, being asked to choose first meant they recognized me as their leader, which wasn’t entirely unwelcome.
I selected the spot closest to the entrance.
Seeing this, Palgap and the Guard Warriors naturally chose chambers near the entrance as well.
The Guangfeng Sect Warriors regarded me with puzzled expressions.
Usually, those of higher status preferred the inner chambers.
I smiled dismissively and spoke.
“This suits me fine. Now, each of you choose your chambers and rest.”
Evening arrived.
Meals were distributed uniformly, and truthfully, they weren’t particularly appetizing.
It was nothing but a bowl of noodles.
“Young Master, I shall fetch your portion as well.”
I shook my head at those words.
“No, never mind. If we’ve come to a military camp, we must conduct ourselves accordingly.”
I headed directly to the Food Distribution Point, received my noodles, and began eating at a suitable spot.
Then,
“I’m sick of it! Sick of it, I tell you! Please, anything but noodles!”
At someone’s outburst, all eyes turned toward the commotion. A Young Complaining Soldier was throwing his bowl of noodles about in a fit.
“There are plenty of other dishes, aren’t there? So why is it always these bloated noodles?”
“Please, calm yourself.”
“You mustn’t behave this way here.”
Merely a simple complaint about the meal. Tsk, tsk.
This place is not simply a struggle to seize the Blood Gorge Fortress’s Geom Chong.
It is a battlefield for the pride of each faction.
Complaining about meals in such a place…
I thought he was remarkably immature.
And still, a severe famine continues to ravage the land.
There are countless who sell what they shouldn’t for a single bowl of noodles like this, yet he should be grateful to have even this much to eat.
From his clothing, he appeared to be the son of a rather prosperous household, and I pitied those accompanying him.
But since it was none of my concern, I turned my attention away.
Or rather, I tried to.
Had he not called out to me.
“You there!”
“Are you addressing me?”
“Tell me—don’t you wish to eat meat or other delicious foods?”
“Well, of course I do.”
His face brightened at my words. But I should hear him out completely.
“However, this is a military camp. In a situation where supplies could be cut off at any moment, a lavish meal would be a luxury. These noodles can be prepared far more quickly than other dishes.”
I surveyed everyone before continuing.
“I believe they are perfectly suited as food for so many people.”
His face flushed at my words, and he grew angry.
“Damn it! When did I ask for your opinion?”
What was he saying?
He had asked for my thoughts, and I had simply answered.
“In any case, I refuse to eat such low-quality noodles anymore! You can gorge yourself on them!”
“Hah….”
I smiled and asked him.
“By the way, what is the young master’s name?”
“Me?”
I glanced at the warrior beside him, and that warrior answered in his stead.
“This gentleman is the Second Young Master of the Seolyun Hae Family, Hae Jun.”
The Seolyun Hae Family—a martial family from Shaanxi Province.
They were reasonably wealthy as a somewhat renowned martial clan, but they could not compare to our Merchant Guild.
They were even beneath the Eun Hae Trading Company when it was merely a minor member of the Baekdae Trading Company Alliance.
“Then, who might you be?”
From the way he asked, it was clear he did not know who I was.
Well, he would hardly have guessed that I was Seon Hyeop Mi-rang while eating noodles alongside the others.
“I am Eun Seo-ho, from the Yeong Seon Min Family.”
At my answer, Hae Jun spoke.
“Hmph! No wonder you’re satisfied with noodles—coming from such a lowly family.”
At this, the Gwang Pung Unit warriors bristled.
“Sit down.”
I furrowed my brow and restrained them.
He was getting on my nerves.
The Yeong Seon Min Family may not be large, but it is an ancient and storied clan.
It was certainly not a family that deserved such words.
No matter how thoughtless a young man’s remarks might be, many eyes were watching.
If I let this pass, everyone would mock the Yeong Seon Min Family.
How should I deal with him?
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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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