The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 459

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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 459

Chapter 459. So This Was the Real Reason (3)

I was taken aback by the contents written in Seo Hyang’s letter.

[Examine his shoes]

Examine his shoes?
What could this mean? Yet no matter how carefully I studied it, there was nothing else written there.
Since Seo Hyang’s visions of the future are fragmentary, her messages must be equally so.
But those fragments have always proven to be crucial clues.
I committed the contents to memory, then burned the letter with Sammaejinhwa.
I couldn’t risk anyone else seeing it.
I returned to the cave and took my seat.
“Eun Small Merchant Leader.”
“Yes.”
Kwon Jik Grand Hero called out to me and bowed respectfully with clasped fists.
“Thanks to you, we were able to confirm our comrades’ deaths and mourn them properly. I am grateful.”
“Ah, no! I did nothing to deserve—”
“Had you not suggested we treat the Moshan Sect Taoist with respect, we would have become dishonorable men who abandoned our fallen brothers.”
“….”
“Whether in Gansu Province or now, the name Seon Hyeop Mi-rang is truly well-earned.”
Those words struck me suddenly, and I choked.
“Cough!”
“Are you alright?”
“Ah, yes, I’m fine.”
I never expected to hear that title here.

The next morning.
We gathered our belongings and set out once more.
After several days of hard riding, pushing our horses relentlessly forward.
We finally arrived in Wuhan.
Ah….
Home is within reach, yet I cannot go.
From here in Wuhan to Chongyang County where the Eun Hae Trading Company Headquarters stands is not far at all.
If we ride the Zhu River, it would be truly swift.
I long to see my family’s faces, to see the company members….
Come to think of it, Seo-woo Warrior and Yeo Eung-am Warrior must miss their families as well.
But we have no time for that.
We can visit our families whenever we wish, but those held hostage now could die at any moment.
So we had to hurry and rescue them.
Visiting the headquarters would have to wait for another time.
Suddenly, I realized that the Emperor sent me on this mission to rescue his son precisely because he trusts me that much.
Honestly, I am not a father, and in my previous life I was not one either, so I do not know a father’s heart.
Yet I understand that the Emperor is also a father.
I know how sorrowful it would be to lose a son.
In my previous life, when Seongbo Wang captured the Lord of Chungyeongseong, he ordered a cruel and agonizing death, and it is said he watched the man die every single day thereafter.
That is how much pain his heart endured.
What must the Emperor be feeling now?
He must be spending each day sitting on pins and needles, his heart wracked with worry.
Is it only the Emperor who suffers so?
All those detained in Chungyeongseong are someone’s family.
Yes, I must rescue them all without fail.
Of course, none of those traveling with me should be injured or die either.

While I sat briefly at the inn, the Grand Heroes who had gone to secure a boat returned.
“It’s not easy to find a boat.”
“They say there are no boats heading to Yunnan right now.”
“Then we’ll have to go overland?”
What? Overland?
That won’t do.
The overland route to Yunnan is truly grueling.
“Allow me to find one.”
I rose from my seat immediately. It was obvious why they couldn’t secure a boat to Yunnan.
They had likely commandeered one with the Geumui Guard’s characteristic high-handed manner, so no one else would volunteer.
The river route to Yunnan is quite treacherous due to the rapids.
In such circumstances, if an accident occurred because the crew didn’t follow their orders properly, the ship owners would be left holding the bag.
Even those with planned departures would claim they weren’t going.
I surveyed the boatmen and approached a group of them.
“Thank you for your hard work. I’m looking to charter a boat heading to Yunnan.”
“Yunnan, you say?”
“Hmm? Though I feel like I’ve seen you somewhere before…”
“Ah! The Small Guild Master?”
“It’s Eun Seo-ho, the Small Guild Master!”
“Seon Hyeop Mi-rang? That Seon Hyeop Mi-rang?”
“…”
What? Even the boatmen recognized my face?
Though this is Hubei, it’s still quite a distance from the Eun Hae Trading Company headquarters.
Bewildered, I whispered to Palgap and asked.
“Palgap, was I really that famous?”
“You didn’t know? Young Master, you are a hero of Hubei. Of course the boatmen know you well.”
“…”
In any case, I secured the boat.
Word would spread that I was heading to Yunnan, but it didn’t matter.
I had a plan.

When I brought the boat back, the Geumui Guard Grand Heroes asked in astonishment.
“Really?”
“This quickly?”
“How?”
I answered with a smile.
“Trade secrets, I’m afraid.”
‘I’m rather well-known as Seon Hyeop Mi-rang, so they simply offered to lend me the boat willingly.’ I couldn’t very well say that.

The next day.
We boarded a boat heading toward Yunnan Province.
I pulled Ju Gang Ma onto the vessel and spoke to him.
“I know it’ll be cramped on the boat, but stay calm. If you act up, you’ll be punished!”
“Neigh!”
Ju Gang Ma’s disgruntled whinny.
There was nothing I could do about it.
“Do you want Geumryeong to scold you?”
“Snort, snuffle….”
At my whisper, Ju Gang Ma quickly lowered his head. Geumryeong must have been truly terrifying to him.
To me, he was simply an adorable and impressive creature.
Though he did cost quite a bit to maintain.
Thus, our entire party boarded the boat.
Six Geumui Guards, myself, Palgap, and six Guard Warriors—fourteen of us in total.
Moreover, each of us had a horse, so the single vessel was completely full.
We had chartered the entire boat.
“We’re setting sail!”
“Set sail!”
“Set sail!”
The sailors moved busily preparing for departure, and soon the boat began to move.
“It will take more than five days to reach Yunnan Province, no matter how fast we go.”
At Seo-woo Warrior’s words, Kwon Jik Grand Hero nodded.
“Still, it’s far faster than traveling by land.”
“Indeed. And since we don’t know what might happen in Yunnan Province, you should rest sufficiently.”
“Understood.”
“And I’ve given it considerable thought. Those two who departed this life were struck down by our own allies.”
To be precise, allies we had no choice but to trust—those we had dealings with.
“Therefore, once we disembark, we must conceal our identities thoroughly.”
“That makes sense.”
“Then, would passing ourselves off as ronin suffice?”
At Cheong-ak Grand Master’s words, I shook my head.
“That could work in theory, but from what I’ve observed, it won’t be convincing.”
“We’re quite capable of acting the part of ronin.”
“Then let’s see it.”
At my request, Cheong-ak Grand Master performed his ronin act.
He slung a sword over his shoulder and swaggered about, spouting nonsense.
“Sigh….”
At my sigh, his face flushed.
“Is it really that unconvincing?”
“Yes.”
“Then let me try!”
Thus, five Gold-Clad Guard Masters, excluding Kwon Jik Grand Hero, each attempted to act like ronin.
But from my perspective, it was utterly unconvincing.
“Sigh.”
At my exhalation, So-un Dae-hyup asked.
“What exactly is the problem?”
“The military’s characteristic restraint still lingers in your demeanor and tone. Do you think that will work? No one will believe it. You could even be reported as deserters.”
Was my answer too harsh?
They flushed and cleared their throats awkwardly.
“Ahem, ahem…”
Then one Grand Master spoke with a disgruntled tone.
“Then show us a demonstration.”
At those words, I turned my head and called for Yeo Eung-am Warrior.
“Yeo Eung-am Warrior.”
“Yes.”
“Please show us how to act like a ronin.”
“Understood.”
In that instant, Yeo Eung-am Warrior’s aura transformed completely. Moments before, he had been a disciplined Guard Warrior, but now…
“So, how much will you pay? This is work that risks my life, so you should be offering decent coin, shouldn’t you?”
He spoke with arms crossed, his bearing casual and loose, yet his eyes had changed entirely.
Eyes brimming with greed—the kind that suggested he would do anything for money.
Yet beneath that, there also appeared a harsh coldness born of countless trials and tribulations.
The Gold-Clad Guard Masters were left speechless by his sudden transformation.
“…Is this sufficient, my lord?”
“Yes. Thank you for your effort.”
In truth, Yeo Eung-am Warrior had just voiced what I wanted to say, using this opportunity as my proxy.
That last line had been my true sentiment.
But how did he know?
Well, at least my frustration is relieved.
I addressed the Gold-Clad Guard Masters.
“Among ronin, there are white-robed ronin who undertake righteous work, but fundamentally, both white-robed and black-robed ronin are those who sell their martial prowess for coin.”
I continued.
“Therefore, their eyes must gleam with greed and hunger for money, but that is not what I see in you gentlemen.”
It cannot be otherwise, for the Geumui Guard is among the most distinguished organizations in the Empire.
Could those bound together by honor and pride ever understand greed and hunger for wealth?
“Your eyes are far too righteous. That is because they are filled with loyalty to the Emperor. Is it not said that the eyes are the windows of the soul?”
At my words, they nodded with satisfied expressions.
I concluded with praise for them for the sake of future dealings.
The Gold-Clad Guard Masters I observed were fundamentally proud.
There was no benefit in bruising such pride—only loss for myself.
And the old saying goes: avoid a mad dog. So I’m simply appeasing them.
That way, they’ll regard me favorably, and I can count on their assistance later, can’t I?
Right now, we’re on our way to rescue the Emperor’s son. And the Emperor wouldn’t have sent just anyone on such a mission.
It means these are men the Emperor himself trusts among the Geumui Guard.
If I cultivate good connections with such individuals, won’t that benefit me and the Eun Hae Trading Company in the future?
“Hmm, but how should we proceed?”
“What method are you suggesting to conceal our identities?”
I spoke with unwavering confidence.
“It appears His Imperial Majesty sent me along precisely for this reason.”
“Eh?”
“Have you forgotten? What is my position?”
“Ah! That’s right—you’re the Small Merchant Guild Leader of the Eun Hae Trading Company!”
“Exactly.”
I nodded.
“I can simply say they are Guard Warriors under my command. Then even if they lack the polish of the Military Ministry, even if their eyes are sharp and piercing, it won’t raise suspicion.”
“Hmm, that’s true.”
“But wouldn’t traveling with so many Guard Warriors itself invite suspicion?”
“Is twelve men excessive?”
“Isn’t it?”
“Not at all. A small trading company might travel with only a few guards, but a large one often travels with dozens.”
“Dozens? That many?”
Doubt began to flicker in their eyes.
“Even for a large trading company, isn’t that excessive?”
“This seems suspicious.”
Sigh, these Grand Heroes really are something!
“The State recognizes a certain level of armed retainers for self-defense.”
“That may be so, but do you truly need that many guards?”
“Right. Soldiers are stationed in every county and prefecture.”
Ah, so they only breathe the pure air of the upper echelons and know nothing of how things work below.
My guards were barely concealing their disdain.
I smiled and spoke.
“Grand Hero, are you familiar with the saying ‘medicine after the disease has spread’?”
“What’s the point of asking that?”
“You must take precautions before losing your wealth or your life. What good is reporting to the County Office after the fact? Lost wealth never returns, and neither do the dead.”
“….”
“And perhaps you don’t realize it, but most officials regard us merchants as base creatures who abandon the principles of righteousness and chase only profit. They simply tell us to fend for ourselves.”
They flinched at my words.
They knew it too. That what I said was the truth.
The Emperor favors me, and the Geumui Guard, including the Jin-yeong Alliance, regard me with goodwill—that’s why I can stand here and speak with them as equals.
Without that, would I have ever been permitted to face them and converse like this?
For some reason, I felt melancholy. Damn it.
“Why do our merchants maintain such large guard units, you ask? Because the Empire does not protect merchants. So what choice do we have? We must make our own provisions for safety, mustn’t we?”
I continued with a smile.
“So I hope you won’t misunderstand. Besides, what could a mere few dozen soldiers accomplish?”
“Hmm, that’s true.”
“That’s fair.”
They nodded at my words.
Phew, this is exhausting.
I’m going to squeeze every last coin out of the Emperor! Absolutely!
“In any case, even if I return with twelve guards, no one will think it excessive. Moreover, didn’t you say the situation in Yunnan is not particularly stable right now? All the more reason why concealing my identity with my own guard unit would be advantageous.”
Kwon Jik Grand Hero nodded at my suggestion.
“I think that’s the best approach.”
So-un Dae-hyup then spoke.
“Then what shall we call you? We have only one master.”
That would be the case. Since the Geumui Guard are the Emperor’s personal guard, the Emperor is their only master.
“Simply call me Small Guild Master.”
“Ah….”
“I, I see….”
Tsk, tsk. I suppose they were overthinking something so trivial.
During our journey to Yunnan, we made our preparations. First, Seo-woo Warrior instructed the Guard Warriors on how to conduct themselves.
And we had roughly completed our plans for after arriving in Yunnan.
Since circumstances could change at any moment, detailed planning would be futile.
Thus our time aboard the boat passed busily, unlike usual, and before long we arrived in Yunnan.
“We’ve arrived!”
“Thank you for your hard work.”
“Haha, it was nothing.”
The humid air of Yunnan washed over us immediately.
Now then, the real operation begins.
“Master, where shall we go?”
“First, let’s visit our Eun Hae Trading Company branch.”
We had a branch of the Eun Hae Trading Company in Kunming, the provincial capital of Yunnan Province.

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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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