The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 461

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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 461

Chapter 461. The Meaning of Counsel (1)

That evening.
We borrowed a space at the Yunnan Branch and began our meeting.
“How could such a thing happen….”
They grasped the situation and burned with fury.
“To betray the Emperor and our comrades!”
“This is unforgivable!”
I observed them quietly. Their anger was entirely understandable.
But I worried they might act rashly because of it.
That was when Kwon Jik Grand Hero spoke to me.
“In a situation like this, I’m grateful we came as your guard unit, following the counsel of Eun Small Merchant Leader. Thank you.”
“You’re too kind.”
I smiled gently, with deference.
“Though it may be difficult to say, I believe we must set aside our anger and sorrow for now and focus on our true duty.”
And I continued, looking at each of the others in turn.
“If we too fail in our mission, the Emperor will be deeply grieved. Regardless of the others, we must absolutely rescue the Imperial Prince, must we not?”
At my words, they nodded.
“You speak truth.”
“We are servants of the Emperor! We cannot allow personal emotions to cloud our judgment.”
Soon they had composed themselves.
The atmosphere shifted in an instant.
Indeed, those who rise to become Gold-Clad Guards must all possess this level of mental fortitude.
Yet still, something felt uncertain….
“Then let us discuss the means by which we shall enter Chungyeongseong.”
At Kwon Jik Grand Hero’s words, the other Gold-Clad Guard Masters offered various opinions.
But no satisfactory conclusion emerged, and we decided to gather more intelligence before reconvening and adjourned the meeting.
.
.
.
When I returned to my quarters, Geumryeong was perched upon the wooden table.
“You just arrived?”
“Chirp!”
Geumryeong bounded from the table.
I had been sending Geumryeong to her regularly, as Seo Hyang had instructed. I should have sent him earlier, but this time I had no choice but to delay.
I gently stroked Geumryeong and then unfolded the letter to read it.

[True acting means deceiving even yourself.]

Hmm? What does that mean?
True acting means deceiving even yourself?
“Squeak! Squeak!”
Geumryeong was tapping the wooden table with her front paws, urging me forward. It was her way of demanding silver coins for running the errand.
“Alright, alright.”
I pulled silver coins from my pocket and handed them to Geumryeong, who received them and rolled about, licking them contentedly.
These days, Geumryeong no longer swallowed silver or gold coins immediately upon receiving them; instead, she savored them like this before eating.
Did that mean she had grown more composed?
Suddenly, something I hadn’t mentioned during the earlier meeting came to mind.
Prince Ju-hyeon also carried the Emperor’s blood.
There was a possibility that rather than taking Prince Ju-hyeon as a hostage in Chungyeongseong, matters might proceed toward elevating him as the new Emperor.
In any case, Chungyeongseong was controlling outsiders, so they must be struggling with a shortage of supplies and resources.
Yet there was no chance they would surrender the materials they had plundered all this time for such a purpose.
At that moment, the silver coins Geumryeong held and the thought that had just occurred to me overlapped, and a complete plan took shape.

The next day.
After breakfast, I summoned the Gold-Clad Guard Masters.
Once everyone gathered in the conference room, Kwon Jik Grand Hero asked me.
“So, what is this about?”
“First, don’t we need to infiltrate Chungyeongseong?”
“That’s right.”
“Last night, while pondering, I thought of a good method, so I called upon you masters.”
“Oh, what method is it?”
“We provide them with funds.”
“What?”
At my words, So-un Dae-hyup flared up and shouted.
“Provide funds to those utterly vile wretches! Are you in your right mind?”
“Calm yourself!”
Kwon Jik Grand Hero quieted him.
“Let him finish speaking before you lose your temper.”
“…My apologies.”
“Continue.”
At those words, I smiled faintly and went on.
“Everything in this world requires money. How much more so for the grand cause they pursue—it demands enormous sums.”
“True enough.”
“This all happened suddenly. Moreover, since they are strictly controlling outsiders, they must be severely lacking in supplies and funds. Haven’t they been the victims of plunder all along?”
Everyone nodded at my words.
“In such circumstances, if the Eun Hae Trading Company were to make contact and offer financial support, their resolve would surely waver.”
“In other words, you’re planning to use deception.”
“Precisely.”
At my words, So-un Dae-hyup, who had bristled moments before, let out a dry cough.
“Ahem, my apologies.”
“Not at all. Your reaction was entirely understandable from a Grand Hero’s perspective.”
The moment I looked at him, the meaning behind Seo Hyang’s letter suddenly became clear to me.

[True acting means deceiving even yourself.]

Once we enter Chungyeongseong, they must perform a role.
Not as members of the Geumui Guard, but as my Guard Warriors.
And Guard Warriors act according to their lord’s will. If they continue like this even inside those walls, it will be problematic.
It could even cost them their lives.
That’s why Seo Hyang offered me this counsel—that true acting means deceiving even oneself.
So this was the true nature of my unease.
Which is why I must settle this clearly, right here and now.
I regarded him with a cold expression.
“But tell me—do you intend to react with such bristling emotion even after we enter Chungyeongseong?”
“…?”
“There’s no need. Everyone here already knows of your loyalty.”
I continued.
“If you display such reactions inside Chungyeongseong, you’ll endanger all our lives. In the end, what difference would there be between you and those who slew the two Grand Heroes before?”
“Don’t you dare lump me in with them!”
“No, I see no difference. To think such a Grand Hero is among our companions—I pity the others.”
At that very moment, So-un Dae-hyup drew his sword and swung it toward me.
I had deliberately provoked him, but he was far more easily provoked than I’d anticipated.
My Guard Warriors immediately rose to their feet.
“Stand down, all of you!”
At my command, they bit their lips and quickly retreated.
I evaded So-un Dae-hyup’s blade.
“Hiyah!”
Completely enraged, So-un Dae-hyup swung at me again, and while the other Grand Heroes tried to restrain him, his eyes had already rolled back halfway—there was nothing they could do.
Hmm, is this the level of a first-rate master?
Fighting in this cramped conference room would be a nuisance.
Bang!
I opened the door and stepped into the courtyard, and he followed close behind.
The Guard Warriors who rushed out after us quickly evacuated the others.
Yet So-un Dae-hyup’s fury showed no signs of abating.
“You insolent wretch!”
“Yes. Now you see how arrogant he is, don’t you?”
“This lowborn merchant dog—how dare you speak to me that way!”
“Then perhaps you should conduct yourself better so that a lowborn wretch like me has no reason to speak to you at all?”
“I am not like those fools! I am different!”
“Then I suggest you prove it.”
“Arrrgh!”
I sidestepped his attacks while continuing to provoke him deliberately.
Hmm, is this enough?
“The Emperor’s decree states that those who undertake this task shall hold rank equal to the Great Heroes. This means that laying hands upon the Great Heroes does not constitute treason against the throne.”
Of course, the decree contained no such provision.
But the decree has already burned to ash—how would they ever know?
I drew my blade and channeled the power of the Taiyin Ice-Sea Divine Art into it.
Jinseol Twelve-Form Sword Technique, Third Form: Pine Snow.
A heavy strike that crushes the opponent beneath overwhelming force.
“Ugh, cough!”
So-un Dae-hyup could not withstand my blade and lost his grip on his sword.
Thud.
But my blade did not stop there, and So-un Dae-hyup found himself pinned flat against the ground.
“Gasp, wheeze, wheeze.”
I crouched before him and spoke.
“Are you prepared to listen carefully to what I have to say now?”
“Y-you… who… what exactly are you?”
His eyes were filled with terror as he looked at me.
Small wonder—he had never experienced such overwhelming force crushing down upon him before.
I noticed his speech had shifted from condescension to deference. It seemed he was finally coming to his senses.
I extended my hand toward him.
“Come now, rise. A man of your station should not be groveling in the dirt.”
“Y-yes, of course.”
He stood, and I brushed the dust from his robes. So-un Dae-hyup could not meet my gaze directly.
I hadn’t pressed quite that hard, had I?
Had I let some genuine emotion slip through?
No matter. He had been questioning my authority at every turn anyway, so keeping him subdued would make things easier later.
Seo Hyang once advised me that true acting means deceiving even yourself.
But what if someone cannot be deceived that way?
The answer is simple.
Force them into compliance.
“Great Hero So. I speak to you now with utmost sincerity. Maintaining composure is essential. If you find yourself unable to do so, I suggest you remain here.”
“N-no, I will be careful. I apologize.”
I smiled and replied.
“Why apologize to me? It is your colleagues who nearly suffered harm from your lack of self-control. Moreover, your attack has placed Great Hero So in a rather difficult position.”
At my words, So-un Dae-hyup turned around and drew a sharp breath.
Everyone was looking at him with expressions of disapproval or sighing.
“Ah! I-I apologize!”
He cupped his fists toward them and bowed deeply.
“I will be more careful going forward.”
Kwon Jik Grand Hero spoke in a cold voice.
“I’ll give it one more chance.”
I nodded at the sight and spoke.
“Let’s take a brief recess to clear the air, then resume the meeting.”
“Very well.”
As the other Grand Heroes headed to their respective quarters, Kwon Jik Grand Hero approached me.
“I find myself indebted to you once again. Truth be told, So-un is young, and sometimes his hot-bloodedness gets the better of him.”
I’m young as well.
Ah… but I have the experience of my previous life, so I suppose I’m not truly that young.
“I had been meaning to set aside time to educate him properly, but given the circumstances, I thought it unavoidable.”
“Quite right. We need to trust each other before entering the tiger’s den, so it wouldn’t do to harbor resentment.”
“I’m sorry for having you take on the role of the villain.”
“It was necessary. Since I’m not part of your organization, I thought it only fitting that I be the one to do it.”
“I’m truly grateful you see it that way.”
“Think nothing of it.”
Kwon Jik Grand Hero chuckled and spoke.
“In any case, I’ve decided today. I will never become your enemy.”
“Pardon?”
Did he perhaps sense my true realm?
“If I were to fight you, I think I’d die not from your blade, but from my chest bursting at your cutting remarks.”
“….”
“Next time you have a moment, teach me how you manage to wound someone so skillfully with words.”
Is that… praise?
It is praise, isn’t it?
“Then I’ll see you later.”
Kwon Jik Grand Hero headed to his quarters, and Seo-woo Warrior approached me.
“That was truly surprising just now.”
“Yes, but everyone showed remarkable restraint.”
“That’s because I know the master’s abilities. And I had already noticed that you were deliberately provoking them.”
Indeed, the time I’ve spent with him amounts to years.
Without that level of perception, he wouldn’t have survived this long.
I chuckled softly and turned around.
“We will be entering that place. And there may be situations where I’m separated from you and acting with the Grand Heroes. Should anything go wrong in such circumstances, prioritize your own lives first.”
“Pardon?”
“Won’t that create problems?”
“Such matters can be resolved one way or another. But what truly matters to me is all of you.”
My words moved them deeply.
“Of course, if circumstances permit, do save and assist those unfortunate souls. I intend to charge them handsomely for the service.”
I chuckled softly.
“But do not overextend yourselves. Do you understand?”
“We accept your command.”

* * *

Six Gold-Clad Guard Masters gathered in a single chamber.
One of them stood with his head bowed.
“I am truly sorry.”
“Your apology is noted.”
“…I shall never act so recklessly again.”
Seeing So-un’s genuine remorse, the others refrained from further reproach.
“Always temper that heart with composure. Though our chests burn with loyalty, we must forever maintain cold reason.”
At Kwon Jik’s words, he answered with spirited conviction.
“Yes! I understand.”
As the matter concluded, Chung Ak turned to So-un with a question.
“By the way, was Eun Seo-ho really that formidable? Powerful enough to flatten you without letting you lift a hand?”
At that question, So-un trembled visibly.
“It was terrifying beyond words.”
“Terrifying?”
“An overwhelming pressure. That sensation crushing down upon me felt as though…I stood before the Emperor himself.”
“To that degree?”
“Yes. Yet when facing the Emperor, I clearly recognized him as my sovereign. But Eun Seo-ho was different.”
He continued.
“It felt as though I might be devoured at any moment. The sensation of being prey.”
At those words, Kwon Jik suddenly recalled what the Emperor had said when issuing this command.

“If you do as that fellow suggests, most matters will resolve smoothly. But do not attempt to control him or suppress him as you would others. Otherwise, he will consume you instead.”

Kwon Jik nodded slowly.
‘The Emperor’s words were indeed without error.’
He was fortunate to have heeded the Emperor’s counsel. Had he not, it would have been himself rolling across the ground.

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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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