The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 456

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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 456

Chapter 456. The Time of Reward (3)

The Old Servant responded to my question.
“It was about ten years ago, sir. Song Jang-ju gave it to the previous master at his sister’s funeral, and the previous master discarded it on the way back. Since I was accompanying the previous master at the time, I secretly picked it up and kept it safe all these years.”
Wow…
I shuddered once more at Hae-chul’s shamelessness.
How could a person be so wicked?
On the other hand, the servant before me seemed truly remarkable. He had preserved this for ten years, after all.
“Thank you so much. Ji-sang Monk will be overjoyed.”
.
.
.
I returned to Shaolin Temple and requested an audience with the Abbot of Janggyeonggak.
Ideally, I would meet with the Abbot Master himself, but he was not someone I could simply see whenever I wished.
So instead, I sought to meet with the Abbot of Jangyeonggak, to whom Ji-sang Monk belonged.
Palgap had mentioned that he was a man of considerable reputation.
Shortly after, Jong-o Monk conveyed that the Abbot of Janggyeonggak had granted my request.
I followed him toward Jangyeonggak.
An elderly monk stood before the building, and upon seeing him, Jong-o Monk hastily bowed.
“I pay my respects to the Abbot of Jangyeonggak.”
Ah, so this is the Abbot of Janggyeonggak!
I had not expected him to be waiting outside rather than in a guest reception room.
This was quite humbling.
“I am Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company.”
“Amitabha Buddha! I am Mu-yeon, who oversees Jangyeonggak.”
He held the same rank as the Abbot Master.
Then he was a man of considerable seniority.
“Please speak informally with me. I am still far junior in the Murim world.”
“Very well, then.”
He nodded readily and continued.
“I had been wanting to meet you myself. Shall we share some tea?”
“I would be honored to.”
I followed him into Jangyeonggak.
He led me to a pavilion situated by a pond beside Jangyeonggak.
Among the items stored in Jangyeonggak, books comprise a significant portion.
As such, having water nearby is not ideal, yet water must be kept close by as a precaution against fire.
It appeared to be an artificially constructed pond, yet it was far more expansive than I had anticipated.
Given the scale of Jangyeonggak, it made sense that it would be this grand.
The Abbot of Janggyeonggak brewed tea for me with his own hands as I sat across from him.
“Please, have some.”
“I shall enjoy it gratefully.”
I lifted the teacup and took a sip.
This Abbot knew how to brew tea properly.
“I am grateful to you.”
“Pardon?”
“For the matter concerning Ji-sang.”
Ah, I see.
“Ji-sang is my disciple’s disciple. And he was a child I grew particularly fond of.”
From what I understood, to become a Buddhist warrior monk at Shaolin Temple, one had to become a formal disciple of a registered warrior monk in the Nahan Hall within seven years of entry.
Then, after three more years of training and receiving recognition, one could become a formal warrior monk.
So the Abbot of Janggyeonggak was Ji-sang Monk’s grand-master?
“My disciple suffered greatly because of Ji-sang. That boy will be delighted when he learns of this matter.”
“Where might he be at present?”
“He is away on a temporary assignment at another’s request.”
“I see.”
“So then, why did you wish to meet with me?”
“It is because of this.”
I withdrew a letter from my garments.
Though it had been sealed, I had carefully opened it to examine it and then restored it.
I needed to confirm whether this letter was truly left for Ji-sang Monk.
I also needed to verify whether it could possibly cause him any harm.
After my examination, I determined this letter absolutely must be delivered to Ji-sang Monk.
“I would be grateful if you would deliver this letter to Ji-sang Monk.”
“The letter appears quite worn and ancient.”
“In truth, there is quite a story behind it.”
I recounted the circumstances of the letter to the Abbot.
Upon hearing the story, the Abbot nodded solemnly.
“So this letter is the sole keepsake left by Ji-sang Monk’s Mother.”
“Indeed.”
I nodded in agreement.
“Though one enters Buddhism and severs ties with the secular world, blood relations remain blood relations—why else would they be called such? And I believe this letter will serve as the means for Ji-sang Monk to resolve his final lingering attachment.”
“If you say so, then it must be so. Moreover, the fact that this letter has been preserved for ten years suggests it is heaven’s will that it reach Ji-sang. Very well. I shall certainly deliver it to him.”
“Thank you.”

Upon leaving Jangyeonggak, I immediately instructed Palgap to prepare our belongings.
It was time to depart from Shaolin Temple.
After exchanging farewells with everyone except Ji-sang Monk, who remained in Chamhoe Cave, I traveled with my entourage to the estate we had prepared in Dae-ri County.
Upon arrival, everything had been organized and restored to its former state.
Now I needed to ensure the final touches were equally perfect.
I summoned Jin Yu Warrior and Yeo Eung-am Warrior.
“You called for us?”
“You must make a brief trip to Kaifeng. Please investigate how Hae Estate Master is faring.”
“Understood.”
I sent Yeo Eung-am Warrior along as well because he had just reached the peak—it was time for him to adapt quickly.
Using lightness martial arts at maximum speed would allow him to acclimate faster.
At my command, both warriors departed immediately.
The reason I sent my Guard Warriors rather than requesting assistance from Gaebang was because of the Murim Alliance.
The moment I commissioned information about Hae-chul from Gaebang, they might grow suspicious.
One of my cardinal rules for cleanup was leaving no trace of suspicion—only a clean conclusion.

The two warriors returned after just two days.
“Thank you for your efforts. How is Hae Estate Master doing?”
But the answer that came from Jin Yu Warrior’s lips was unexpected.
“He is dead.”
“What? Dead, you say?”
“Yes. A charred corpse was discovered in the nearby forest, bearing multiple stab wounds. The perpetrator has not been found.”
Judging by such brutal methods, this was undoubtedly a murder born of resentment.
Resentment, indeed.
Now that I thought about it, he had mentioned beating several servants and maidservants to death with his own hands.
It was only natural that many harbored grudges against him.
Tsk, tsk—he should have been more careful traveling at night.
It seemed Heaven’s wrath had been far greater than I anticipated.
I felt no sorrow whatsoever at his death. It was the consequence of his own actions.
Now there would be no one coming to find Ji-sang Monk.
Though Hae-chul’s wife and son remained, by the time they might have sought him out, Ji-sang Monk would have become someone they could never dare to look upon.

* * *

Inside Chamhoe Cave within Shaolin Temple.
Ji-sang Monk was meditating there.
Learning of his mother’s passing, he had been consumed by profound sorrow and anguish.
But not now.
He felt grateful that he could pray for his mother’s rebirth in paradise. Without Eun Seo-ho, he would surely have been unable to do even this.
And as if that weren’t enough, he had promised to help him.
He couldn’t fathom why those words had sounded so trustworthy.
But one thing was certain.
He was a sturdy lifeline that had descended upon him.
“Ji-sang, are you there?”
A voice called out to Ji-sang Monk.
It was Ilsim Master, a venerable monk who had been dwelling in Chamhoe Cave since arriving in Hwagyeong to guard his heart and actions.
When Ji-sang Monk first entered the cave, the master had taken an interest in him, visited often, and shared many conversations.
Ilsim Master seemed to have taken a liking to him, for he frequently visited thereafter and imparted much wisdom.
He quickly rose from his seat and exited the cave.
“Did you call for me?”
He was slightly puzzled. It was still dawn, before the sun had risen.
“Come inside.”
As Ilsim Master entered the cave where Ji-sang Monk stayed, he hastily followed.
Ilsim Master spoke to him.
“Sit in lotus position.”
“Yes, Master.”
Struck by his unusually stern demeanor, Ji-sang Monk obediently complied.
“Open your mouth.”
“Master?”
“Quickly!”
Ji-sang Monk opened his mouth, and in that instant, Ilsim Master placed something inside.
“Mmph!”
“Chew it thoroughly. It’s expensive.”
Bewildered, Ji-sang Monk chewed diligently at the mysterious substance.
But it dissolved and slipped down his throat after only a few chews.
In that moment, a scorching energy began to surge from his belly.
“From now on, I shall guide your inner cultivation! Keep your mind sharp! Do not open your mouth! Endure the pain!”
Thus, amidst his bewilderment, Ji-sang Monk began circulating his energy with Ilsim Master’s assistance.
The energy was far too immense for him to guide alone.
But with Ilsim Master’s help, he could channel and circulate the energy.
Thus, he struggled through completing the full circulation.
It seemed to take several times longer than usual.
Exhausted, he heard Ilsim Master’s voice.
“Now, try circulating the energy on your own.”
As Ji-sang began to circulate his inner energy, he could not help but be astonished.
His internal power had increased tremendously.
He composed himself and carefully completed the circulation before opening his eyes.
“Well then, did you achieve results?”
“This… how is this possible? My internal power has increased noticeably.”
“How much do you think it has increased?”
“One cycle of sixty years… no, it seems to be even more than that. What in the world is happening here?”
“What you just consumed is a spiritual elixir called Guye Jasam. Ah, do not misunderstand. It was not from me, but from your mother.”
“What?”
Ji-sang could not comprehend what was occurring.
Ilsim Master bluntly resolved his confusion.
“I do not know the details myself. However, that audacious fellow Eun Seo-ho asked me to deliver it to you. Moreover, he even requested the Abbot to provide you with internal power cultivation guidance. Since you are in Chamhoe Cave, the Abbot entrusted that responsibility to me.”
“…”
“And he asked me to convey this: the spiritual elixir is the materialization of your mother’s sacrifice, or so he said.”
Yet Ji-sang’s questions remained unanswered.
He grew curious about what had transpired outside, but there was no way to know.
Since he had set a one-month deadline, he could not leave before that time.

In any case, Ji-sang had reached the pinnacle realm.
In other words, he had become qualified to have his name inscribed in the Nahan Hall.
However, the one-month deadline had not yet passed, and he continued his cultivation and meditation in silence.
Then someone came to visit him.
“Master!”
The visitor was Mu-yeon, the Abbot of Jangyeonggak who had become his teacher.
“I heard the news. You have reached the pinnacle? I am proud of your achievement! Your master will be delighted to hear this as well.”
“It is a result I obtained thanks to the help of many people.”
“I knew you would answer thus.”
Mu-yeon Master smiled gently and handed him an old letter.
“Take this. It is a letter from your mother.”
“What?”
“Eun Seo-ho, the Small Guild Master, asked me to deliver it to you.”
And he explained to him how Eun Seo-ho had obtained the letter.
“It has endured for more than ten years to reach you, which shows how earnest your mother’s heart was for you.”
Mu-yeon Master spoke with a smile.
“The Abbot has specially permitted you to keep this letter. Hehe! What are you doing? Why do you not take it?”
“Ah, yes.”
Ji-sang received the letter with trembling hands.
“Then I shall take my leave. I look forward to the day you depart from this place. Hehehehe.”
Thus Mu-yeon Master left Chamhoe Cave, and Ji-sang, now alone, gazed at the envelope.
An old, worn envelope.
And clearly written were the words [To my son Baek A-sung].
Baek A-sung.
That was his name in the secular world.
Biting my lip, I stared at those characters for a long moment before breaking the seal and withdrawing the letter.

[My son, are you doing well?]

At that very first sentence, tears came pouring down uncontrollably.

[I heard you entered Shaolin Temple. It must be so difficult, and I worried that your mother would only cause you needless concern, so I held back and held back. But in the end, I could not restrain myself and wrote this letter.]
[My son, how much have you grown? How much larger have your hands become? By now, you must surely tower over your mother’s height. Your father was quite tall as well, you know.]
‘Yes, Mother. I have grown quite a lot.’
[My son, I hope you do not resent Song Jang-ju. He has treated me with more kindness than I deserve. Moreover, he has allowed your mother’s brother to live in comfort—how could I not be grateful for such grace?]
‘I do not resent Song Jang-ju.’
[My son, since you have resolved to become a Buddhist warrior of Shaolin Temple, strive all the harder to achieve your goal.]
‘I have become a Buddhist warrior.’
[And grow strong. Be a man whose body is strong, but whose spirit is stronger still.]
‘Yes, Mother. I will grow strong.’
[When I send this letter, I know not when the next one will follow. But your mother will always pray for your safe passage through the martial world.]
That I had been able to become a Buddhist warrior safely seemed to be thanks to my mother’s prayers.
[Please, stay healthy.]
Patter, patter.
Tears were falling upon the letter.
Though the content was brief, it was the moment when Ji-sang’s Mother’s heart, woven into the letter, reached Ji-sang across ten years of time.
Ji-sang made a resolve.
Someday, without fail, I would repay this debt of gratitude to Eun Seo-ho.

* * *

Clop, clop, clop.
I was heading toward Beijing.
After settling all matters at Shaolin Temple and organizing the affairs of my newly acquired estate, I was making my way back to Beijing.
I recalled the contents of the letter from Ji-sang Monk’s Mother that I had glanced through earlier.
There was not a single sentence in that letter about her older brother.
She knew as well. What her older brother had done. So she had not written words asking for forgiveness.
Well, I should be arriving in Beijing soon.
First, I’ll rest well and then handle the matters.
It was then that I was thinking such thoughts.
Hmm? This aura is familiar….
The moment I saw those approaching me, I made a decision.
I had to flee.

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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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