The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 44

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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 Eunhae Trading Company – Chapter 44

Chapter 44. The Mist Clears (1)

At my suggestion, Heo Cheong joined us in drinking the same tea.
Flowers and Birds in Clear Sound.
Plum Blossoms and Bright Moon.
By the time he’d finished these, Heo Cheong tilted his head in confusion.
But when he drank the Green Beauty, his expression suddenly turned grave.
The moment he saw the jujubes placed on our table, his face went ashen.
The Grand Patriarch could not have failed to notice this change.
“What troubles you? Has something happened? Why does your complexion look so poor?”
“I… I beg your pardon, Grand Patriarch. It is merely a suspicion, but if my suspicion is correct, the matter is far too grave…”
“What is it, then?”
“In truth, while painting is my primary occupation, I also pursue another calling.”
“I’m aware of that. You treat the ailments of the townspeople as a Physician, do you not?”
“That is true, but what I primarily treat are those poisoned by toxins—those seeking antidotes.”
“Antidotes?”
“Since painting is my family’s trade, I too painted. In doing so, I grew curious why painters so easily compromised their health and died young. As I investigated this matter, I discovered that the pigments used in painting themselves are toxic.”
Heo Cheong continued his explanation.
“Upon realizing that my household members were being poisoned by these pigment toxins, damaging their health and shortening their lives, I began studying the means to detoxify them.”
“I see. But what connection does this have to the change in your complexion?”
“When one studies antidotes, one naturally comes to understand poisons as well.”
“That would stand to reason. To create an antidote, one must understand the poison.”
“Indeed. Though poison and medicine appear opposed, they are ultimately two sides of the same coin.”
I observed his white hair.
It had turned white as a side effect of his poison research.
Because of that white hair, people would later call him Baek Bal Hwa-ui—the White-Haired Physician-Painter.
In my previous life, Baek Bal Hwa-ui was a medical sage without peer in matters of detoxification.
It was he—the painter before me, the future Baek Bal Hwa-ui—who revealed that the Empress’s death was caused by poisoning.
And at this very moment, the only one who “officially” knows of quadruple-layered poison is the man before me.
“What you suggest, then, is that poison exists within my Quarters.”
“Yes.”
“Then I ask you: where is this poison?”
The Grand Patriarch’s question prompted Heo Cheong to bow deeply as he answered.
“It grieves me to report… it was in the tea.”
“The tea?”
“Yes. To be precise, it was in the three types of tea I just consumed and the jujubes. These are components of a quadruple-layered poison—one that only takes effect when all four toxins are ingested together.”
“….”
At those words, the Grand Patriarch squeezed his eyes shut.
“…I see. My guests yesterday and today consumed that poison as well… are they unharmed?”
I was moved by the Grand Patriarch’s concern.
Even though he had consumed the poison himself—likely in greater quantities than anyone else—he prioritized his guests’ wellbeing over his own.
Heo Cheong answered his question.
“They are unharmed. The poison I mentioned requires at least a year of consistent consumption before it takes effect. After a year passes, the body gradually weakens, eventually leading to death, but the cause of death leaves no distinctive marks.”
“I see.”
The Grand Patriarch nodded slowly.
“The fortunate matter is that you have not been consuming this poison for very long, Grand Patriarch.”
“How can you possibly know that?”
“I can tell by your complexion. Had your appearance shown signs of deterioration, I would have recognized it immediately upon seeing you.”
“But….”
The Grand Patriarch posed the most crucial question.
“How did you come to know of this poison? Even I am unfamiliar with it, and I have studied poisons extensively for the sake of developing antidotes.”
“There was someone who died from the same poison as you, Grand Patriarch.”
In my previous life, Baek Bal Hwa-ui had left these words behind.

“I learned of this poison eighteen years ago. In a village, there was a man who fell gravely ill. Every physician in the Central Plains was summoned, yet none could improve his condition.”
“Eventually, I was called upon. They seemed to have adopted the philosophy of ‘nothing ventured, nothing gained.’ I discovered he had been poisoned and investigated what substance was causing his intoxication.”
“When I uncovered the reason, it was already too late—a remedy after the fact could not save him.”

For reasons unknown, Baek Bal Hwa-ui refused to disclose the dead man’s identity to the end, yet some managed to deduce it themselves.
He was the Left Censor Official of the Censorate.
There must have been some reason for it, but regardless, this poison was already in use during this period, and Baek Bal Hwa-ui knew of its existence.
Heo Chang continued.
“I cannot reveal who that person was, but the poison is certain. And perhaps you haven’t heard of this poison precisely because of its characteristics.”
“The poison’s characteristics?”
“Indeed. The ingredients are quite rare, and it is not easy to produce. Moreover, the method of administration is complicated, and it requires a lengthy duration.”
“If one must drink three varieties of tea and take it continuously for an entire year… it would be extraordinarily difficult to use.”
The Grand Patriarch stroked his beard and asked.
“Is there a method to detect this poison?”
“There is.”
“Can it be done here?”
“Of course. All that is needed is vinegar and blood.”
Soon those were prepared, and using the tea that had been brewed beforehand, he confirmed the presence of poison using the same method I had employed.
Upon witnessing this, the Grand Patriarch rose from his seat and bowed to Yu Chief Manager and me.
“My apologies. It is my fault for inviting you here, nearly putting you both in danger.”
“Not at all! How could I possibly blame my elder brother for such a thing?”
“That’s right, Grand Patriarch. Please do not apologize.”
“I’m truly grateful to hear you say so.”
The Grand Patriarch looked toward Heo Cheong.
“Come with me to Jae-an-won at once.”

* * *

At that very moment, someone hurried toward a destination with urgency.
He relayed a message to someone.
“Hyun Ri has discovered the poison.”
“What? How could he have detected it? You said it was a poison that absolutely could not be detected.”
“It appears a guest invited today is an expert in antidotes.”
“Quickly, have the tea containers switched. That way we can make it appear to be someone else’s doing.”
“That seems difficult.”
“Has Hyun Ri already arrived at Jae-an-won?”
“That’s not it…”
“Then what?”
“Right now, Jegal Yu-a is throwing a tantrum at Jae-an-won.”

* * *

When the Grand Patriarch and Heo Cheong prepared to depart for Jae-an-won, I requested to accompany them as well.
The Grand Patriarch considered for a moment, then nodded.
“You’re a victim of the poison yourself, so your request is entirely justified. Very well.”
“Thank you.”

Shortly after, we arrived at Jae-an-won.
Those who saw the Grand Patriarch quickly bowed their heads.
“We greet the Grand Patriarch.”
The Grand Patriarch selected three tea containers from among those in the Tea Preparation Area and handed them to Heo Cheong.
“Examine what’s inside these.”
“Understood.”
He immediately laid out paper and overturned the tea containers onto it.
After carefully inspecting each container, he set them down.
Once Heo Cheong had examined all three containers in this manner, he performed a detection test using something he’d scraped from inside them.
However, the tea water mixed with vinegar remained clear.
Seeing this, Heo Cheong spoke.
“Nothing was detected.”
“Is that so?”
The Grand Patriarch’s brow furrowed.
Now it was my turn to step forward.
“Pardon me, Grand Patriarch. I have something to report.”
“What is it?”
“Yesterday, with your permission, I had the opportunity to examine this place.”
“Ah, yes, that’s right.”
“However, the tea containers I saw yesterday appear somewhat different from these.”
“The containers are different?”
“Yes. The ones I saw yesterday were clearly more worn, but these don’t appear nearly as aged.”
Though they were identical in shape, these looked far newer.
Tea containers are rarely replaced, as the tea aroma is deliberately absorbed into them over time.
“I see.”
Then someone stepped forward.
“Pardon me, but I have something to say regarding that matter.”
The one who stepped forward was a woman, and upon seeing her, the Grand Patriarch spoke.
“What is it?”
“In truth, the tea containers that were on that shelf were all taken by Miss Jegal Yu-a just moments ago.”
“Jegal Yu-a?”
“Yes. So I hastily prepared new containers and filled them with tea.”
“In other words, the tea leaves in the tea you brewed and brought out are not the ones that were in these containers.”
“That is correct.”
From her words, I realized she was the one responsible for preparing the Grand Patriarch’s tea.
I absolutely must learn how to prepare tea from that person.
Setting aside the fact that the tea contained poison, the tea I drank ranks among the three finest cups I’ve ever had across both my past and present lives.
Though that will only be possible after I resolve this current matter.
“When did Jegal Yu-a leave this place?”
“Approximately one hour ago, sir.”
At those words, the Grand Patriarch quickly turned his body.

* * *

A man walked cautiously, surveying his surroundings.
His name was Wang Kyung.
He was currently moving to carry out orders from his master.
The guest who had come to the Grand Patriarch happened to be someone well-versed in antidotes.
Consequently, the Grand Patriarch had discovered the existence of the poison.
‘After all the trouble I went through to place that container there… damn it.’
Therefore, to avoid detection, he had to switch out the tea containers.
But a problem had arisen.
It was that the House Master’s daughter, Jegal Yu-a, had swept away the tea containers—and unfortunately, three of them containing poison were among them.
She had always been a reckless troublemaker, but now she had become a critical obstacle at the worst possible moment.
‘Once my master takes control of the family, I’ll have to suggest we dispose of her first.’
Wang Kyung glanced at the tea containers inside his bundle.
His destination was Jegal Yu-a’s Residence.
He needed to swap the three poisoned containers she had taken with the ones he carried.
If the Grand Patriarch learned of Jegal Yu-a’s involvement, he would certainly investigate the containers she possessed.
It would be disastrous if poison were found in the containers she held.
If he failed this task, his master would undoubtedly abandon him without hesitation for the greater plan.
Therefore, this task could not fail under any circumstances.
Soon he arrived at Jegal Yu-a’s Residence.
Because she was so reckless, she resided in a separate quarters away from the main estate.
There were far fewer people moving about than usual, but in his urgency, he failed to notice this.
After a cursory glance around, he quickly entered her quarters and found the tea containers she had taken.
The containers sat atop a table on the wooden floor.
He crept toward the table and unwrapped his bundle. Just as he was about to swap the tea containers, it happened.
Whoosh—
Something cold pressed against the nape of his neck.
“…!”
Then a heavy voice sounded.
“That’s far enough.”
A familiar voice. He slowly turned his head and saw the face of the one holding a blade to his neck.
It was House Master Jegal Yul.
‘Damn it all.’
He understood now.
He was finished.

* * *

When we arrived at Jegal Yu-a’s Residence, the Jegal Family Head was already there.
Beneath him lay a man, bound and gagged.
“What is the meaning of this?”
The Grand Patriarch’s question was answered by the House Master.
“This man attempted to infiltrate the young lady’s residence in secret. I apprehended him and was in the midst of interrogating him.”
At those words, the Grand Patriarch’s hand pressed against his chest in relief.
What was that about…?
Before, he spoke with such cold detachment, yet he’s been worried about Jegal Yu-a all along.
I glanced sideways at Jegal Yu-a, who stood beside the House Master.
She had executed my instructions flawlessly.
But wait—was the trustworthy aide she mentioned yesterday actually the House Master himself?
I recalled our conversation from the previous night.

“First, observe Jae-an-won carefully. Then, confirm that the tea shipments depart as I described. The opportune moment arrives when the final shipment—the Nok Mi In—departs.”
“So I should cause a commotion at that time?”
“Precisely. By ‘commotion,’ I mean direct everyone’s attention toward you. Ensure no one lays a hand upon that particular tea container.”
“Understood. And then?”
“Along with the tea I mentioned, gather the other tea containers from that location and bring them to your residence.”

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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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