The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 464

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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 464

Chapter 464. The Meaning of Counsel (4)

The next morning.
“Young Master, have you awakened?”
“Yes.”
“You should take breakfast.”
We ate breakfast and surveyed the surroundings under the pretense of taking a walk.
Then we naturally gathered at one location for lunch.
“There are more troops than I expected, Small Guild Master.”
“I’ve also confirmed it—it appears external forces have been added.”
“External forces, you say?”
In response to Kwon Jik’s question, I nodded.
“Yes, the Martial World Dark Forces.”
….
Given this situation, it will be difficult to resolve this matter with our strength alone.
We need additional support, but….
Then I heard someone’s voice from outside.
“My Lord, there is someone who wishes to meet you.”
This aura… is this one of those who were watching Yeon Yu-mun yesterday?
I calmly opened the door and stepped out.
“What is the matter?”
“The Fortress Lord has returned. He says he will write the certificate we discussed yesterday.”
“That’s good to hear.”
“Before that, the Fortress Lord’s Military Officer wishes to have a brief conversation with you.”

A short while later.
I was guided into a chamber within the residence.
A rather luxurious room.
According to Yeon Yu-mun’s words, this was the Fortress Lord’s personal chamber.
A man greeted us from within.
“Welcome. I am Gong Ho, military strategist to the Fortress Lord.”
“I am Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company.”
“Please, be seated.”
I took the seat he offered, while Seo-woo Warrior and Yeo Eung-am Warrior stood behind me.
“The reason I wished to meet with you personally was to express my gratitude.”
He continued speaking.
“The current situation has been quite dire, and your support will prove invaluable to us.”
“I appreciate your kind words, but as you surely understand, this endeavor comes with a price. I am a merchant, after all. I do not engage in unprofitable ventures.”
“Of course. I have not forgotten that point.”
He answered with a faint smile.
From him emanated a far more palpable aura of the Black Path than from my guide earlier.
More precisely, it was the reek of blood mingled with the Black Path’s essence.
So this man was the true architect behind this affair—a Submerged Fish of the Murim Alliance.
I fanned my face languidly with my fan as I spoke.
“There is one thing that puzzles me, however. Might you illuminate my confusion?”
“Please, speak freely.”
“Why is it that here in Yunnan, you claim to restrict outsiders to protect the imperial envoys from assassins? You cannot imagine my bewilderment upon hearing this upon my arrival.”
“Ah, you speak of that matter.”
He nodded slowly.
“That was to buy us time for our preparations. After all, is not the enemy closest at hand the most fearsome?”
“Indeed… your words ring true. I find myself once again impressed by your strategic acumen.”
“You flatter me. It is nothing remarkable.”
He demurred, yet his face was suffused with satisfaction and delight.
This wretch thirsts for recognition from others.
Indeed, those called Submerged Fish cannot boast of their successes, even when they achieve them.
So how his lips must itch to speak!
As I gently scratched that itch for him, he wore an expression of contentment.
I naturally let my teacup slip from my fingers.
It clattered.
“Oh! My apologies.”
I bent down to retrieve the cup while observing his shoes.
Seo Hyang had advised me to ‘examine his shoes.’
Since I could not determine who ‘he’ was, I had examined the shoes of everyone I met thus far.
This time too, I attempted to follow her counsel and inspect his shoes, but they were obscured by the tablecloth, leaving me no choice but to act this way.
“….”
But then I heard Geumryeong’s voice echoing in my mind.
– Squeak!
What? Geumryeong was responding?
“Are you alright?”
“Ah, I’m fine. Fortunately the teacup didn’t break, but the tea spilled and soiled the mat.”
“It’s no trouble. We can simply replace it.”
I composed my expression to show relief and steered the conversation elsewhere.
“My apologies for the disturbance. By the way, when might we expect those notarized documents?”
“I’ll ensure they’re delivered by this evening at the latest.”
“Then, might you tell me the current number of troops stationed here?”
At my question, his eyes narrowed.
“Surely you’re aware that troop numbers are classified information. Why do you ask?”
“I understand it falls under confidential matters. However, knowing this will help me determine whether additional support is needed or if we can proceed without it.”
“….”
“Rest assured. We’re in the same boat now, are we not? This operation’s success is equally vital to me.”
“Hmm, that’s true enough.”
“If you still find it difficult to trust, you may tell me after providing the notarized documents.”
“Very well, let’s proceed that way.”

I withdrew from the room and returned to my quarters, my mind turning to the shoes worn by that Military Officer.
They appeared ordinary at first glance, yet something about them felt different.
And most tellingly, Geumryeong reacted upon seeing them. That could only mean one thing—those shoes were a magical artifact.
But what kind of artifact could they be?
The fact that Seo Hyang had offered me counsel suggested there was good reason for it.
Clearly something important, something I mustn’t overlook.
Lost in such thoughts, I arrived at my quarters to find Kwon Jik waiting for me.
“I’ve been waiting, as you summoned me.”
“Yes, I think we need to discuss this all together. Please gather everyone.”

A short while later, everyone gathered in my room.
“What is the purpose of summoning us?”
The Gold-Clad Guard Masters spoke in formal tones.
At first, there had been awkwardness between us, but now it felt natural—a reminder that humans are creatures of adaptation.
“I intended to express my gratitude, but it seemed there was also an intention to assess me.”
“I see.”
“Once I receive the notarized documents, I plan to hear about the military strength of this place.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes. After hearing that information, I intend to leave briefly under the pretext of needing additional support. And at that time, I plan to take the Crown Prince with me.”
Everyone looked at me with startled eyes at my words.
“Does that mean you already know where the Crown Prince is?”
“That is correct.”
However, I did not mention that the Crown Prince was currently being tortured and in poor condition.
If they learned this, they would burn with rage, and that anger could ruin everything.
“First, let us safely escort the Crown Prince, then request additional troops. And I will leave most of the personnel here. That way, we can avoid suspicion.”
At those words, Kwon Jik Grand Hero raised his hand first.
“I will remain here. I am responsible for this matter. I cannot sacrifice others for my own safety.”
A good man indeed.
Though remaining here might turn out to be a cushy assignment.
“However, I would like you to take So-un with you. Is this place not quite dangerous?”
At those words, doubt suddenly arose in my mind.
I had been thinking this for some time—the Gold-Clad Guard Masters seemed to look after So-un Dae-hyup quite a lot.
Moreover, unlike the other Gold-Clad Guards, he had fallen for my provocation easily.
It did not seem to be merely because he was young or the youngest.
There must be some other reason, but that was not important now, so I set that thought aside for the moment.
“This task requires speed. And the outside may be more dangerous than this place. If you fall behind, I will simply abandon you and continue.”
“Then take Han Seok with you—he is the fastest among us.”
“Then only Han Seok, follow me.”
“Understood.”
Then I gave detailed instructions to the remaining men on how to act.
“Disperse.”
“Yes.”
After everyone left, I sat alone sipping tea, lost in thought.
The plan was complete, but I had not yet reached a clear conclusion about the shoes of this man Gong Ho.
I intended to carry the Crown Prince on my back and rush at full speed to the Imperial Palace.
Ju Gang Ma is fast, but he cannot match my supreme lightness technique.
But those shoes… ah?
As I reviewed the plan, a sudden thought struck my mind.
Could that object be something that enables one to run at great speed?
Only now did I grasp the meaning of Seo Hyang’s counsel.
My failure to recognize that his shoes were a treasure artifact means I’ll face difficulties.
To proceed with my plan safely, I need to eliminate that artifact.
But how do I eliminate it?
After pondering briefly, I let out a quiet laugh.
I can’t just carelessly destroy such a precious artifact. Right.
I’ll steal it!
Theft isn’t something I particularly enjoy, but if the target is the Murim Alliance’s Submerged Fish, that’s a different story entirely.
With that resolve, I pondered how to steal those magical shoes.
Something so precious likely wouldn’t be removed even while sleeping.
I’d need to get him to take them off first before I could steal them or do anything else.
Just then, Palgap entered, muttering complaints.
“Phew, Yunnan really does have an enormous number of insects.”
“Of course it does. It’s the perfect environment for them to thrive.”
“Exactly what I’m saying.”
Yes, that would work perfectly!
Seeing Palgap, a brilliant idea suddenly came to me.
“Hey, Palgap. I have a favor to ask. Could you catch about a dozen ants for me?”
“Pardon?”
“And you’ve made considerable progress in your training lately, haven’t you? Show me those results.”
.
.
.
After lunch that day, I went to the Military Officer’s quarters again and received the notarized document.
It stated that I had assisted with matters in Chungyeongseong, and in exchange, I would receive exclusive trading rights there for the next ten years.
“Excellent.”
“And here—there’s something you were curious about. Read this and then burn it.”
“Understood.”
I unfolded the document.
Wow… he brought two hundred additional warriors separately? But Yeon Yu-mun said only about a hundred?
He really did scrape together quite a lot.
But there are still people missing from this list.
The defectors from Dongchang and the Geumui Guard.
And this man Gong Ho standing before me.
From what I observed, his realm is first-class. Even that much would constitute considerable military strength.
I committed this to memory and burned the document in the candlelight.
Whoosh!
Then, pretending to think for a moment, I spoke.
“I’m afraid the resources I’ve committed to support this time will be woefully insufficient. I intend to venture outside and gather more funds.”
I continued.
“However, it would be unwise to draw the attention of others, so I plan to move with only a small group.”
“You’re not taking all the Guard Warriors with you?”
“That’s correct. I plan to take only two or three with me. So I’d appreciate your care while I’m away. They’re people I’ve invested considerable money and time to recruit and train.”
“Very well.”
“I’ll return quickly, so it shouldn’t take long.”

* * *

Gong Ho returned to his quarters. And he couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
“Hehehehe, what a fool! I was nervous because of his reputation, but he’s just a money-loving idiot.”
In Eun Seo-ho’s eyes just moments ago, greed had been unmistakable.
Through that brief meeting, I completely dispelled any suspicions about Eun Seo-ho.
He grinned and opened a box placed in one corner of the room.
It was the wealth Eun Seo-ho had brought.
“Hehehehe, how much is all this?”
Gong Ho—he was a Submerged Fish of the Murim Alliance.
His orders were to either dominate this Chungyeongseong or completely obliterate it.
He didn’t know the reason.
He simply did as his superiors commanded.
He had become a Submerged Fish for money.
Each successful task earned him substantial compensation, and completing ten tasks would free him from the contract.
But once you earn money, you want to spend it—that’s human nature.
As a result, he hadn’t accumulated as much wealth as he’d hoped.
Which meant he needed to secure a substantial sum from this operation.
Yet an unexpected fortune had arrived, and more was expected to come.
He closed the box, sat in a chair, and propped his feet up on the Wooden Table.
Gazing at his shoes, he wore a satisfied smile.
His shoes bore the name of a magical artifact: the Thousand-League Shoes.
True to their name—covering a thousand leagues in a single step—they were an artifact that granted extraordinary speed.
He had acquired this artifact by chance, and it had become his lifelong treasure.

Night fell.
He lay on the bed with his shoes still on and drifted into sleep.
Since they were precious, he refused to remove them even while resting.
At that moment, someone slipped inside.
It was as blatant as walking through the front door, yet no one noticed the Bear-Like Man’s massive frame.
He withdrew a vial from his robes and tilted it toward Gong Ho’s shoes.
A moment passed.
Ants crawled forth from the vial.
They were ants that inhabited only Yunnan, and their bite caused considerable pain to ordinary people.
But for a first-rate warrior, it was merely an intense itch.
Itching drove a person to madness far more than pain ever could.
Soon, the reaction began.
Gong Ho felt the itch and started scratching at his shoes.
But what good was scratching while wearing leather shoes?
“Argh! Damn it!”
Unable to find relief, he finally removed his shoes and began scratching frantically at the soles of his feet.
At last, the relief came. Then suddenly, a scream pierced the air.
“Fire! Fire!”
“There’s a fire!”
Bang!
The door to his chamber burst open, and the traitors rushed in shouting.
“Evacuate immediately! The fire is spreading to this area!”
Gong Ho scrambled to his feet and searched for his shoes, but the room was so dark that he couldn’t locate them quickly.
“What are you doing?”
“I need to find my shoes.”
“You’re about to burn to death and you’re worried about shoes? Besides, we need you—without you, we’re in trouble!”
He was dragged away by the others, and the Thousand-League Boots left abandoned on the floor were quietly picked up by the Bear-Like Man.
The man had been there all along, yet no one had noticed his presence.
He felt awkward and scratched his head before returning to his master.

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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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