The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 437
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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 437
Chapter 437. What a Mess (2)
I suddenly imagined how the Yeong Seon Min Family, who had not accompanied me, must have been treated, and my mood soured considerably.
However, I did not reveal this displeasure and asked calmly.
“On what grounds do you believe the Yeong Seon Min Family is inferior to the young lord’s clan?”
“Isn’t it a well-known story that the Small Patriarch of the Yeong Seon Min Family fled during the finals of the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament?”
Hae Jun was correct in his assertion.
My Maternal Uncle had placed within the top one hundred eight, but he had chosen to abandon further martial competition.
Disappointed by the rotted Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament.
In any case, that remark now insulted not only the Yeong Seon Min Family but my Maternal Uncle as well.
At this, those who had come with Hae Jun were startled and tried to restrain him.
And they apologized to us in his stead.
“We sincerely apologize.”
“We are truly sorry.”
I clicked my tongue.
An apology from those who had committed no wrong was worthless.
“That is a matter of the past. How unfortunate that you cling to yesterday and fail to see the present clearly.”
“What did you say?”
“Currently, the Yeong Seon Min Family lacks nothing in comparison to yours. So would you please cease such speculative assertions? And apologize for your recent remarks.”
“Why should I apologize? One apologizes only when they have done something wrong.”
I exhaled a sigh and spoke to those assembled.
“It seems we have reached an impasse of opinion. How should such matters be resolved?”
Then someone spoke.
“Warriors must settle their differences through martial combat!”
“That’s right!”
“Absolutely!”
In truth, merely waiting in such a place was tediously boring.
And so the crowd found this situation most intriguing.
Thus they were inciting a fight.
“Fight! Fight!”
In moments, people began placing wagers, and a situation had been created where martial combat could not be avoided.
Precisely as I had intended.
I had planned not to draw my blade in this place if possible.
But displaying my known level of skill should pose no problem.
And at times like this, one must make an example, so that they cease disrespecting me and my maternal family.
There is a saying for this.
Peace is maintained through overwhelming force.
While it’s true I’ve refrained from drawing attention, this level of action is hardly exceptional among martial artists.
Besides, everyone heard the Merchant’s shameless words, so they’ll support me even if I take matters into my own hands.
“Well then, what do you think, Hae Jun? Surely you won’t be so cowardly as to mock someone for lacking skill and then back away?”
In the Orthodox Martial Arts World, cowardice is more shameful than insufficient strength.
As expected, he didn’t back down.
“I, I want this too!”
That’s when Seo-woo Warrior spoke.
“My lord, allow me to step forward in your stead.”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“My maternal family has been insulted. Therefore, it’s only right that I personally go out and wash away that insult.”
And looking directly ahead, I spoke.
“So, don’t think of sending someone else in your place either. Your own mouth insulted my maternal family, so you must bear the responsibility yourself.”
At my words, he grimaced and spoke.
“That was my intention from the start.”
And so the martial contest began.
“Haaah!”
Watching him take the first strike, I let out a soft chuckle.
“Huh!”
His blade didn’t even graze my clothing.
I lightly evaded his sword and extended my fist toward him.
Tap.
“Ugh!”
Though it was merely a light tap, the result was anything but gentle.
Hae Jun tumbled backward in an ungainly heap.
“Huff! Huff! You’re… quite skilled.”
He rose to his feet and, gathering his inner energy once more, rushed toward me.
Whoosh.
I evaded his attack while subtly sweeping his leg—so discreetly that the others couldn’t see it.
“Aaaaah!”
Crash! Bang! Bang!
This time he tumbled forward embarrassingly, rolling across the ground before rising with heavy breathing.
“That, that was an accident.”
“In the Martial Arts World, one mistake can cost you your life.”
“Damn it!”
And once more his blade came rushing toward me.
But with merely second-rate skill, he couldn’t even touch the hem of my garment.
After several more failed attacks, he seemed to realize something was wrong and hesitated.
“Wait, hold on, no, Great Hero….”
So you’ve finally reached the realm of a Great Hero?
“Could it be that your cultivation level is….”
“Ah, me? Peak realm.”
“…!”
At my words, Hae Jun’s eyes widened in shock, his mouth falling open.
Then someone cried out.
“That appearance combined with peak realm… could it be Seon Hyeop Mi-rang?”
“Seon Hyeop Mi-rang? Ah, that’s right!”
“How did we not realize?”
The moment they learned I was Seon Hyeop Mi-rang, Hae Jun and the other members of his family went deathly pale.
Then someone spoke.
“Wait, so that young master just insulted Seon Hyeop Mi-rang, the Great Hero, and her maternal family?”
“Huh… what was he thinking?”
I let out a soft laugh and spoke.
“Well then, shall we continue? The match is not yet finished.”
Whoosh—!
As I swung my blade, the earth beside Hae Jun’s feet split open nearly a foot deep.
Seeing this, Hae Jun trembled and stumbled backward.
Witnessing his state, the members of his family cried out urgently.
“Young Master, apologize at once!”
“You must apologize!”
He finally bowed his head to me and spoke.
“I, I have spoken recklessly. Please forgive me.”
“Why are you apologizing to me?”
“Pardon?”
“The one you insulted was the Yeong Seon Min Family. Therefore, should you not apologize directly to them? I intend to send a formal protest letter to the Seolyun Hae Family regarding this matter.”
“No, that cannot be!”
He prostrated himself on the ground.
“Please, I beg your forgiveness! If the Great Hero sends a protest letter to my family, I will be cast out.”
I let out a hollow laugh.
So insulting the Yeong Seon Min Family was not serious enough to warrant expulsion from the family, but insulting Seon Hyeop Mi-rang, a hero of the Murim, and her maternal family was? How convenient.
Hmm, I’m not satisfied with this.
I looked down at Hae Jun, who was bowing before me.
“Do you intend to apologize with mere words?”
“Pardon?”
“A true apology requires the resolve never to commit such an offense again. And that resolve must be accompanied by pain—whether physical, mental, or psychological.”
I continued.
“I would prefer that your apology be accompanied by the psychological pain of genuine remorse, but right now you appear merely to be trying to escape this situation. So show me your sincerity. Then I too shall forgive you.”
At my words, he asked with a tense expression.
“W, what kind of sincerity do you mean?”
In truth, the Seolyun Hae Family is a martial clan with quite a respectable reputation. If I could bring such a force to my side, they would prove invaluable.
If I took Hae Jun’s life or crippled him here, it would only breed resentment instead.
But revenge need not be limited to such methods.
Instead of answering, I turned my head away.
“Palgap, would you fetch that item from my belongings?”
Now it was time to act decisively.
“Yes, understood!”
Palgap rushed toward the barracks and soon returned with a bundle.
“Here it is.”
I accepted the bundle and set it down, then unwrapped it.
Inside were iron arm guards, leg guards, and a weighted belt.
“From now on, you will wear these at all times! And every morning, you will run ten laps around the Martial Alliance Barracks!”
I smiled.
“These are the conditions of forgiveness I demand. And at this level, your maternal family will forgive you as well. What do you say?”
“Y-yes, I will do it!”
“Excellent. Then we begin today itself.”
He picked up the bundle with an expression of relief.
But the moment he lifted it, his expression changed.
“Th-this weight is….”
“Ah, altogether it comes to fifty jin—about thirty kilograms.”
For an ordinary person it would be impossible, but Hae Jun is still a second-rate martial artist.
He would not die wearing such a burden.
.
.
.
That night.
I was told someone had come to my barracks, so I went out to find a man standing there.
“Who might you be?”
“I am Hae Cheol of the Seolyun Hae Family. I am also the uncle of the one you punished today.”
“I see. But what brings you here?”
“I heard an unfortunate incident occurred today. I came to offer my apologies for it.”
It seemed Hae Jun had come along with his uncle.
If so, his uncle’s ears must certainly have heard of today’s events.
He bowed deeply and offered his apologies.
“I am truly sorry.”
“Please, there is no need for this.”
“Then I beg you, release your anger and lift the harsh punishment upon my nephew.”
Ah, so this was his purpose.
With such a soft heart, is it any wonder Hae Jun has become so arrogant?
I asked him a question.
“Punishment? Do you truly believe that is what this is?”
“What do you mean?”
“Carrying fifty jin of iron weight and circling this barracks may appear to be punishment, but in reality, I have instructed Hae Jun to undergo training.”
“Training?”
“Does the Seolyun Hae Family not employ such training methods?”
“….”
His expression grew bewildered.
Though it was somewhat rigorous physical conditioning, it was certainly the sort of training anyone walking the martial path would undertake.
So realizing this, his confusion was understandable.
“In truth, I was the one carrying and training with that weight. But seeing that Hae Jun needed it more, I entrusted it to him.”
“….”
“Hae Jun possesses considerable talent. However, his arrogance prevents him from achieving results commensurate with his abilities.”
“Then… you issued this training under the guise of punishment because you believed he had the potential to grow further here?”
“Precisely.”
“I see…”
“Simultaneously, it serves to temper his arrogant nature. His stagnation is not merely a matter of halted growth—he could bring shame upon the family.”
I continued.
“Just recently, did he not insult both me and my maternal family?”
He had no response.
Because it was the truth.
I drove the point home.
“This benefits neither the family nor himself. Should he be cast out due to such conduct, where would he find the shelter needed to grow properly?”
At my words, Hae Cheol Grand Hero’s expression softened with emotion.
“So there is reason why people bestowed upon you the name Seon Hyeop Mi-rang! Such magnanimity—to show concern for my nephew who insulted you and your maternal family!”
“It is merely the consideration of a senior for a junior’s development.”
He spoke with resolute eyes.
“I cannot allow your kindness to go to waste. Fear not. I shall ensure that rascal does not slack off, watching him with utmost vigilance.”
“I am grateful for your assistance.”
Excellent!
Honestly, monitoring whether Hae Jun was training properly each morning would be tedious, and I hesitated to burden my guards with it—but having his uncle volunteer for the role worked out perfectly.
With his uncle watching so closely, there was no way the boy could shirk his duties.
Hehehehe.
Running while carrying fifty jin of iron would be absolute agony.
A gentleman’s revenge strikes with one decisive blow, but I am no gentleman—my vengeance has a lingering sting.
And Hae Jun had forgotten one crucial detail: I had set no time limit.
.
.
.
The next morning.
After completing my breathing exercises and finishing a brief training session, I emerged and took my breakfast.
People were watching Hae Jun, drenched in sweat, running circles around Jin Young’s military camp.
I could almost hear the grinding of his teeth from where I stood. But that would only last a few more days.
Soon he would reach a stage where such thoughts became impossible.
I chuckled softly and made my way toward the Command Headquarters Barracks.
“Ah! You’ve arrived!”
Gyeongsan Elder of the Gongtong Sect greeted me warmly.
“Then let us head to the conference hall.”
“Understood. But where is the conference hall?”
In response to my question, he pointed toward a particular direction.
“You see that area over there with all the rocks? That is our meeting place.”
We soon made our way to the meeting place along with the others who had gathered.
Among those assembled was Hae Cheol Grand Hero of the Seolyun Hae Family.
Yanzhi Mountain was indeed a mountain, but in truth, it bore few trees.
Low shrubs grew densely, though they were.
This also meant water was scarce in these parts.
So it was said they had endured considerable hardship here.
When we arrived at the meeting place, members of the Black Path were already gathered.
“Why are you so late?”
“We arrived precisely on time.”
“Shouldn’t one arrive half an hour before the appointed time as a matter of courtesy?”
“How amusing to hear such words about courtesy from those who wouldn’t know etiquette if it were served on a platter.”
“What did you say?”
Gyeongsan Elder mediated between the two sides as the tension escalated.
“Now, now, let us cease this and take our seats.”
As he spoke, another group approached.
That sharp, pricking aura… they were disciples of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.
Once all three factions had assembled, the negotiations began.
“Since the Hyeol Gon Seong Seung Master is a figure of the Orthodox Martial Arts World, we shall take the lead in this matter.”
“Silence! He was excommunicated from Shaolin—what Orthodox Martial Arts World are you babbling about?”
“What?”
“Honestly, how much damage has our Heavenly Demon Divine Sect suffered because of that damned monk? We should be the ones to enter first as compensation for our losses.”
“Compensation? Don’t make me laugh! Are you proud of having your heads smashed in by the Hyeol Gon Seong Seung Master and crawling on your bellies?”
“Do you want to test that right now?”
“Yes! Let’s test it!”
In an instant, they drew their weapons and began grappling with one another, prompting me to quickly distance myself.
My assessment of the situation was simple.
What a complete mess.
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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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