The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 466

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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 466

Chapter 466. Why Has It Come to This? (2)

We traveled as swiftly as possible and arrived at Chungyeongseong.
“Who are you?”
“We are currently restricting entry to outsiders.”
When the Gate Keeper failed to recognize me, I made no effort to hide my disappointment.
“How disheartening. After all the funds I’ve poured into this city, and you don’t even recognize my face?”
I then gestured toward the boxes that Seo-woo Warrior and Han Seok were carrying.
“Shall we simply leave?”
At that moment, the city gate burst open and someone came rushing out. It was one of the Imperial Envoy delegation members.
“What is this rudeness! To our great benefactor, the Grand Hero!”
He then looked at me and laughed awkwardly.
“Haha! My apologies. There have been some unfortunate incidents within the city recently, so security has become quite strict.”
“Unfortunate incidents?”
He nodded and approached me, whispering.
“I’ll explain the details once we’re inside.”
As we made our way to the Lord’s Residence, I learned the full account of what had transpired in Chungyeongseong.
“So the residence caught fire, the Military Officer’s precious shoes were burned, and someone named Jin Dae-chul broke the Crown Prince out of prison?”
“That’s correct.”
“But… the Crown Prince was imprisoned?”
At my question, the Imperial Envoy looked at me with tense eyes, then sighed deeply.
“It was unavoidable. For our great cause, we absolutely needed the Crown Prince’s cooperation, but he was so stubborn… so with tears in our eyes… we had no choice.”
Tears in their eyes, he says—how touching.
Yet they tortured him so thoroughly that not a single part of his body remained unscathed, save for his face.
But I couldn’t let that anger show.
“Well… you must have had your reasons. Regardless, this is a grave matter. If the Emperor were to learn that the Crown Prince was imprisoned…”
“He already knows. That’s why we’re doing everything in our power to find Jin Dae-chul right now.”
We arrived at the residence, and I was left speechless.
“…”
Wow, they really did set it ablaze properly. I had asked for it, but I never expected it to be this thorough.
He looked at me with a bitter smile.
“Shocked, aren’t you? It’s truly become a pitiful sight.”
Of course, it was a misunderstanding.
In truth, I was feeling quite satisfied.
“Then, where are you staying at the moment?”
“Since the Inner Quarters burned down, we have no choice but to stay in the Outer Quarters and the Separate Pavilion.”
“Then what happened to the people who were originally staying there…?”
“Why should we care? We sent them elsewhere, so they’ll manage on their own.”
I smiled inwardly.
My arson served a purpose beyond diverting attention while I rescued the Imperial Prince.
I needed to evacuate the residents of Chungyeongseong’s residence outside the estate.
It would be far easier to extract them if they were already outside the compound.
“Is the Fortress Lord unharmed?”
At my question, he hesitated briefly before nodding.
“Then he’s safe.”
“That’s a relief. May I see the Fortress Lord?”
“He’s away on an inspection elsewhere. You can speak with the Military Officer instead.”
“Then I shall do so.”
.
.
.
After meeting with Military Officer Gong Ho and offering perfunctory condolences, I handed over the funds.
Naturally, upon seeing the money, Gong Ho’s jaw dropped in delight.
“I mention this out of an abundance of caution, but you should guard those funds carefully.”
“Of course. But… it seems like you’re not saying this without reason.”
“Do you remember the person who brought me here earlier?”
“Certainly. Isn’t he the Emperor’s Eunuch Official and the Imperial Envoy sent to Chungyeongseong?”
“The way he looked at the funds I brought was far from ordinary. There’s a risk that the money I’ve brought could end up lining someone else’s pockets.”
“I understand. I’ll be careful.”
“Then I shall take my leave.”
I rose from my seat and headed toward my quarters. Apparently, the fact that my shoes had burned was quite a shock.
His face had been ashen until he saw the money I’d brought.

As I stepped into the Separate Quarters where I had been staying, Palgap rushed over to greet me.
“Welcome back, Young Master.”
“Good. Nothing troublesome happened?”
Palgap nodded at my question.
“Nothing particularly serious, sir.”
In other words, some minor issues had occurred.
Palgap explained to me everything that had transpired during my absence.
Apparently, because everyone saw me and my companions leaving through the City Gate, we avoided suspicion.
The plan had worked as intended, yet one question lingered.
Based on his account, I could have accomplished my objective without stealing those peculiar shoes at all.
So why had Seo Hyang offered me such advice?
I pondered it from every angle, but no satisfactory conclusion emerged.
Well, I’d understand eventually.
There was no harm in acquiring fine items anyway.
“Have everyone assemble.”
“Understood, sir.”
Soon everyone gathered in my room.
“I’m relieved you’re safe.”
Kwon Jik responded to my words.
“There were moments when our identities nearly came to light, but each time we managed to escape thanks to the help of the Small Guild Master’s Guard Warriors.”
So there had been problems after all.
Still, I was glad we’d made it through. I’d have to hear the details later.
“Fortunate indeed.”
I nodded and explained the situation outside.
“First, the Crown Prince has been safely escorted to the Imperial Palace. And right now, five thousand Imperial Guards are heading this way.”
“What?”
“Five thousand Imperial Guards, you said?”
The Gold-Clad Guard Masters were visibly startled.
Understandably so.
Dispatching the Imperial Guard in such massive numbers was uncommon.
It meant the Emperor was that furious.
Had I been the Emperor, I would have taken the same measures.
“They’re expected to arrive in approximately two weeks.”
“But if such a large force moves openly, wouldn’t those people hear about it beforehand and flee?”
“That’s why they’re moving in small, scattered groups under cover. Without an extensive intelligence network, it would be difficult to detect.”
I explained this and then changed the subject.
“By the way, how did your conversation with Jin Dae-chul go?”
He nodded at my question.
“The ones who killed the two companions led by the Moshan Sect Taoist back then… they were indeed the Gold-Clad Guards stationed here.”
“…As I suspected.”
“Well… then, what should I do going forward?”
I explained calmly in response to Cheong-ak Grand Master’s question.
“If you act rashly, you may invite suspicion. So continue to behave as if nothing has happened, just as you have until now.”
“I understand. But doing nothing feels frustrating.”
I let out a soft chuckle at those words.
“When did I ever tell you to do nothing?”
“Pardon?”
“I said not to move rashly—I never said to do nothing at all.”
I continued with a smile.
“From now on, we have something we must do. It is to sow suspicion among them.”
Just as I had done moments ago with Gong Ho, the Submerged Fish of the Murim Alliance.
“Make them doubt one another.”
After concluding the meeting and dismissing everyone, So-un Dae-hyup approached me.
“I… have something I wish to ask.”
“Speak freely.”
“Is Crown Prince Ju-hyeon… all right?”
“Yes. His life is not in danger.”
At my words, he pressed his hand to his chest and spoke.
“I am truly relieved. And grateful. I shall repay this debt without fail.”
Though I did save Crown Prince Ju-hyeon’s life, it hardly warranted such profound gratitude from a Gold-Clad Guard Master.
After all, I was merely fulfilling an assignment.
What is this?
But my thoughts were interrupted by a voice calling me from outside.
The one who called me was one of the defectors.
His name was… Baek Seon, was it not? An Eunuch Official and Imperial Envoy who had accompanied the Crown Prince.
“What brings you here?”
“I have something urgent to discuss. Do you have a moment?”
“As it happens, I do. Please, come in.”
He entered my room and glanced briefly at my Guard Warriors before speaking.
“I would prefer to speak privately.”
“Of course.”
I readily agreed and dismissed my Guard Warriors.
“Go rest outside.”
At my command, they bowed slightly and left the room. I sent a sound transmission to Jin Yu Warrior.
– Keep watch from above.
– I obey your command.
Then, maintaining an outwardly composed expression, I spoke to Baek Seon.
“Would you care for some tea? I brought some back from outside.”
“That would be welcome.”
I brewed the tea myself and poured it into a cup for him.
“Please, have some tea.”
He took a sip and nodded with a satisfied expression.
“Quite delicious.”
“I’m glad it suits your taste. Now, tell me what’s on your mind.”
At my words, Baek Seon cleared his throat before speaking.
“Do you think this plan will succeed?”
“Why do you ask?”
“You must have heard—Jin Dae-chul spirited away the Imperial Prince.”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
At my response, he sighed heavily.
“That bastard volunteered to torture the Prince himself. I should have suspected something from the moment he offered so eagerly. There’s no doubt some kind of deal passed between those two.”
“Since you’ve been honest with me first, I’ll be honest with you as well. I’m somewhat worried too. If that man ruins this operation, the losses would be catastrophic.”
“Sigh, indeed. We can’t find him anywhere…”
Of course you can’t find him.
Right now, he’s in a secret chamber known only to the Fortress Lord of Chungyeongseong and Yeon Yu-mun.
According to Kwon Jik Grand Hero, he’s currently suspended from the ceiling with his tendons severed.
Well, he brought it upon himself.
I continued with a troubled expression.
“We need to find him quickly.”
“The Geumui Guard—they’re supposed to be the Geumui Guard, yet they seem to be deliberately hiding him. There’s been no progress at all.”
“It’s quite troublesome.”
“Which is why…”
He glanced around before leaning toward me and whispering.
“I have a request for you.”
“What is it?”
“Eliminate the others here.”
I widened my eyes in apparent shock.
“What do you mean by that?”
“I’ve heard about you. You’re favored by the Emperor, aren’t you? Then he would trust your word implicitly.”
“Are you asking me to commit mass murder?”
“Yes. The dead tell no tales. We pin all the blame on them.”
“But Jin Dae-chul might strike first.”
“We can simply say we acted independently from him.”
He continued.
“So, eliminate the others here for me.”
The disappearance of Jin Dae-chul and the Imperial Prince had clearly unsettled him greatly.
I never expected he would ask me to eliminate his fellow conspirators.
Could it be that in my previous life, when the Imperial Prince died under torture, this man had orchestrated that plan as well?
It’s entirely possible.
I deliberately adopted a grave expression.
“My apologies. I shall pretend I heard nothing.”
“And why is that?”
“The capabilities of those gathered here are formidable. This is far beyond what I could accomplish.”
“Nonsense! With your Guard Warriors, it’s entirely feasible. I’ll lend a hand myself.”
“My apologies.”
“Aren’t you feeling the anxiety yourself right now? At this rate, we’ll all face execution by the Emperor!”
This was utterly absurd.
If he feared that, why commit such an act in the first place?
“Still, I cannot….”
“Of course, you’re a merchant. You won’t move without compensation.”
He continued speaking.
“I’ve accumulated considerable wealth over the years. I’ll give you half of it.”
I deliberately let my eyes brighten as I asked.
“How much exactly? As you said, I’m a merchant. Merchants prefer precision.”
“…Five hundred Gold Coins.”
At those words, I barely suppressed a hollow laugh.
A sum no Eunuch Official could accumulate in a lifetime of wages.
Just how much had he extorted from Chungyeongseong?
And how many tears of blood must the people of Chungyeongseong have shed….
A bastard through and through.
But instead of revealing that rage, I pretended to deliberate for a moment before shaking my head.
“I’m afraid that won’t be possible.”
“Is the compensation insufficient?”
“No, the compensation is adequate. However…what if you fail to honor your promise?”
“You don’t trust me?”
“Forgive me, but haven’t you already betrayed the Emperor? Once a man has betrayed, he can betray again at any moment.”
“….”
He bit his lip.
He couldn’t deny it. Tsk….
“If you give me that wealth first, or tell me where it’s hidden, then trust will be established between us.”
“W-what? How could I possibly trust you with….”
“Then how am I to trust you enough to grant your request?”
“….”
I poured another cup of tea into my cup.
After deliberating at length until that tea had gone completely cold, he spoke.
“Very well. I’ll tell you where I’ve hidden my wealth.”
“Then I shall retrieve exactly five hundred Gold Coins from that location.”
With our conversation concluded, Baek Seon rose from his seat.
But not long after, another visitor came seeking me out.
He too was an Eunuch Official.
Eunuch Officials primarily served as Imperial Envoys.
I welcomed him warmly, pretending no one else had arrived.
“What brings you here?”
He spoke carefully in response to my question.
“Won’t you join hands with me?”
“Pardon?”
“Eliminate the others for me. In return, I’ll give you half of the fortune I’ve accumulated.”
“….”
Did they all conspire together? How are they all saying the same thing?
I can set aside the plan to sow discord among them.
They’re already falling apart on their own.

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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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