The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 480

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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 480

Chapter 480. A Real Misunderstanding (3)

That night.
I quietly summoned Jin Yu Warrior.
“You called for me?”
“Yes, there’s something I need to attend to tonight that requires your assistance. Would that be acceptable?”
“Of course.”

Shortly after.
We slipped outside through the Merchant Guild’s secret passage.
The reason for moving so discreetly was to gather concrete evidence.
One of the places I decided to investigate was the Yangga Green Liquor Establishment, a brewery known for crafting spirits under that name.
Remarkably, the liquor they produced bore a distinctive pale green hue.
On the surface, they were stubborn artisans preserving traditions spanning over a century.
The taste was quite refined, so people trusted and purchased their spirits, unable to forget that distinctive flavor and seeking it out repeatedly.
And in my previous life, when I permitted brewing for trade purposes, numerous merchant guilds rushed into the liquor business unlike the present circumstances.
Information that selling spirits abroad could generate substantial profit spread rapidly.
In the midst of this, one merchant guild partnered with Yangga Green Liquor and sold their spirits to the Dae-Wol Kingdom.
But precisely then, the secret behind the spirits was exposed through internal whistleblowing, escalating into an international incident.
Trade nearly halted, and both Yangga Green Liquor and that merchant guild were utterly ruined.
Perhaps because I had ordered the gathering of renowned distilleries from each region, several problematic establishments, including Yangga Green Liquor, had been mixed in.
Still, I’m grateful we discovered this before legitimate liquor trade truly commenced.

Soon we left the Merchant Guild Headquarters and changed into dark robes at the safe house I had prepared beforehand.
“Have a safe journey.”
“Yes.”
Seo-woo Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior saw us off.
We began visiting each location on the list one by one. This was true undercover inspection work.
Our first destination was Yangga Green Liquor Establishment.
After a cursory inspection, it appeared the liquor had already been produced.
Green liquor could be made considerably faster compared to other spirits.
If that were the case, the secret ingredient for that liquor would be hidden somewhere nearby.
I began searching for where the ingredients were stored. According to my memories from my previous life, they hide such materials in places people would never think to look.
For instance, places like the ceiling.
There was a low section in the ceiling, and I searched through it.
Ah! That’s the answer.
I carefully wrapped a portion of what was stored there in cloth and tucked it into my robe.
– Let’s go now.
– Yes.
Jin Yu Warrior nodded at my mental transmission, and we headed toward the next liquor distillery.
Not quite as problematic as Yangga Green Liquor Establishment, but still a place with issues.
.
.
.
After thoroughly inspecting not only the problematic locations but all the others as well, we returned to the safe house.
“You’ve returned?”
“Were there any results?”
Seo-woo Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior greeted me and asked, and I nodded.
“Yes. Let’s go now.”
As we left the safe house, Palgap spoke.
“Wow, the sun is rising.”
“Hmm?”
Just as Palgap said, the Eastern Sky was brightening.
That’s right. We had pulled an all-nighter.
I had sworn just yesterday that I wouldn’t overexert myself, that my family would grieve if I lost my health… yet here I was.
Why am I crying?

Upon arriving at the Separate Pavilion, I immediately organized the evidence I had collected and began my breathing cultivation.
Ah, after completing my breathing cultivation, I felt considerably better.
When I rose from my seat, a familiar face appeared entering the courtyard.
“Master!”
It was Gwak Myung-hyun, my Master.
“It has been quite some time.”
“Yes, I apologize for my prolonged absence.”
“No matter. I heard from Hyung-jin that you had returned.”
Ah…
Now that I thought about it, my Master was indeed among those I should have notified of my return.
Here I was, supposedly the Lesser Palace Mistress of Seolpung Palace, yet I made such an oversight!
I quickly knelt before my Master.
“I sincerely apologize! As your unworthy disciple, I failed to inform you of my return.”
At my display, my Master grew flustered and tried to stop me.
“No, no. I understand you are busy. Please, rise.”
“I cannot. This worthless disciple cannot lift her head in shame before you.”
“I am not one to concern myself with such formalities.”
My Master spoke with severity.
“So rise now. And as the Lesser Palace Mistress of Seolpung Palace, you must not kneel carelessly anywhere. That includes before me.”
Faced with the unwavering resolve in my Master’s eyes, I had no choice but to stand.
“I will overlook it as a matter of your personal conduct. But as the Lesser Palace Mistress of Seolpung Palace, I will not. Do you understand?”
“Yes, I understand.”
“Good.”
Only then did my Master’s expression soften slightly.
Now that I thought about it, my Master seemed even more robust than before…
And perhaps even higher in cultivation realm.
Before, gazing upon my Master felt like looking up at a distant iceberg, but now that iceberg seemed to tower even higher.
“In fact, I came hoping to assess your training progress after all this time…”
My Master looked at my face and shook his head slowly.
“It seems now is a time for rest, not training.”
“Pardon?”
Was this not the same Master who normally drove me relentlessly, saying that people do not die so easily?
The one who never skipped a single day of physical training?
Did my condition appear so poor that even my Master would recommend rest?
“However, even if I say such things, you will not take rest, will you?”
“I apologize. I have much work that demands my attention.”
“Then, after handling the most urgent matters, call for me. Can you do that?”
That much was possible.
And since my Master asked so earnestly, I naturally had to comply.
“Understood.”
“Then, please rest a little.”
Master said so and left the Separate Pavilion.
Well then, shall I get moving?

After breakfast, I went straight to find Father.
“Father, I’ve completed the inspection.”
“Already?”
“Yes. I conducted the inspection secretly last night.”
“Tsk tsk, no wonder you look exhausted.”
Father clicked his tongue and gazed at me with sympathy.
“So, what are the inspection results?”
“I’ve compiled them here.”
Father accepted the scroll I offered and unrolled it, then furrowed his brow.
“Hmm… out of fifteen locations, four are unqualified?”
“That’s correct. Of the four, three can be improved if I issue correction orders, but one absolutely cannot.”
I continued speaking.
“I plan to visit those locations today, issue correction orders for them, and notify the remaining one that we will no longer provide support.”
Father thought for a moment, then nodded in approval.
“Do so.”

Rising from my seat, I first headed toward the Yangga Green Liquor Establishment.
“Is anyone here?”
At Palgap’s call, someone emerged from inside shortly after.
“Who are you?”
“I’ve come from the Eunhae Trading Company. I am Eun Seo-ho, the Small Guild Master of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“Gasp!”
At those words, he hurried inside, and a group of people came out to greet me.
“What brings you here?”
“I came to check on how well the liquor is being produced.”
“I see. We just completed a batch—would you like to taste it?”
“Very well.”
They promptly brought a bottle and cups, pouring the liquor before me.
A translucent green liquid.
As I brought the cup close to my lips, a thick smile began spreading across their faces.
“Hmm.”
I merely touched the cup to my lips and set it back down.
“What exactly are the ingredients in this?”
“Pardon?”
“Was the secret of this green liquor poisonous herbs?”
At my words, they were startled, but soon erupted in anger.
“What do you mean by that? Poison herbs?”
“How dare you slander our family’s liquor like this?”
“Just because you’re the Small Guild Master of the Eunhae Trading Company, you think you can force your way and trash our spirits?”
They shrieked loud enough to shake the entire neighborhood, and their commotion drew people from all directions, curious about the disturbance.
So this is how they’re playing it?
Even shamelessness has its limits.
“Oh, the injustice of it all!”
“Our family’s liquor, refined over a hundred years, accused of containing poison herbs—the injustice is unbearable!”
They collapsed onto the ground, wailing and lamenting their supposed grievance.
Ordinarily, people regard the wealthy and powerful as villains, while those without money or influence are seen as victims.
It’s a prejudice born of convenience.
Or rather, it’s less prejudice than emotional projection.
People naturally empathize more readily with those whose circumstances mirror their own.
Of course, there are indeed those who built their fortunes and power by draining others’ blood, so the wealthy and powerful do have a higher likelihood of being villains.
But that’s not always the case.
Not like this.
They seemed to believe that the gathered crowd would empathize with them and curse me and the Eunhae Trading Company, taking their side instead.
But they didn’t realize something crucial.
They didn’t understand what the names “Eunhae Trading Company” and “Eun Seo-ho” meant in Hubei.
“What’s happening here?”
“What? They’re saying their liquor contains poison herbs?”
“There must be a reason for Seon Hyeop Mi-rang to speak so plainly.”
“Of course! The Eunhae Trading Company would never do such a thing without cause.”
“….”
The master craftsman family that produced Yangga Green Liquor showed unmistakable signs of panic.
They escalated their theatrics further, but I didn’t even blink as I spoke.
“If you wish to continue this display, by all means. I have plenty of time.”
“Huff, huff….”
Even making a scene requires stamina.
They soon exhausted themselves, breathing heavily.
Now they were ready to listen.
I held up the wine cup they had offered me and spoke.
“Yangga Green Liquor is renowned for its green liquor, a specialty of distinction. I confess I had never tasted it before, only heard of its reputation. But just now, as I caught the aroma of this spirit, I discovered its secret.”
I continued.
“You’ve added Qiuhe Grass to it.”
They flinched at my words but quickly masked their reaction.
“Qiuhe Grass was once used as a green dye. But it’s no longer used due to its toxicity. Exposure to sufficient quantities of Qiuhe Grass creates a craving for it in those who consume it.”
That was it.
The secret of Yangga Green Liquor was using Qiuhe Grass to addict those who drank it.
“Therefore, Qiuhe Grass is now prohibited by imperial law—not only as a dye, but for any use in coloring food or drink.”
“This is unjust!”
“We absolutely did not use that poison herb.”
“And how could you possibly identify it by scent alone?”
“The Eunhae Trading Company is renowned for medicinal herbs. And I am the Small Guild Master of that very company. Do you think I wouldn’t recognize it?”
“….”
“I attempted to mask the scent with various medicinal herbs, but you cannot deceive my senses.”
I continued speaking.
“And if you didn’t use Gugal Herb, then why is the hem of your garment stained green?”
Everyone’s gaze followed the direction of my finger.
The person at the end of that finger looked down at his own hem and paled.
“Wh-when did this get on me? I was trying to keep it clean… Ah!”
He belatedly covered his mouth, but everyone had already heard his confession.
A portion of his garment was indeed stained green.
I had prepared a dye from Gugal Herb that I brought at dawn, and had deliberately brushed it against him moments ago.
Gugal Herb is potent—even the slightest contact produces color instantly.
“Search this house thoroughly. You will certainly find Gugal Herb here.”
“Yes!”
My Guard Warriors immediately began their search.
And Jin Yu Warrior, who had come here with me at dawn, discovered it.
Fortunately, they hadn’t moved it yet.
“At this point, we must bring in the County Magistrate.”
I handed them over to the County Office.
Since they had violated state law, the Eunhae Trading Company could not punish them ourselves.
After dealing with Yangga Green Liquor Establishment, I immediately visited the other three distilleries.
The reason they received failing assessments from me was due to hygiene and the quality of their materials.
I pointed out each of their deficiencies one by one, and they trembled with their foreheads pressed to the ground.
It made sense—to them, the Eunhae Trading Company was their lifeline.
Without our contract, they would have struggled not only to brew spirits but even to survive the lean seasons.
Since their intentions were not malicious, I concluded with corrective measures.
But Yangga Green Liquor Establishment was different.
They could have inflicted severe losses upon us, and they had violated our contract.
I would extract substantial compensation.
In any case, I spoke to them.
“This is your final warning. If you are caught again, I will treat it as a breach of contract and demand the compensation specified in the agreement. I will enforce it through forced labor if necessary.”
“Yes, yes!”
“We will remember.”
“Brew your spirits again.”
“Yes.”

After finishing the administrative measures, I returned to the Separate Pavilion.
Master had instructed me to handle the most urgent matters first, then call upon him.
I sent a message to Master through Geumryeong.
Geumryeong returned quickly, and shortly after, Master arrived as well.
“It seems the urgent matters are resolved.”
I spoke while cupping my fist in salute.
“Yes, Master. All the urgent matters are finished.”
“Then do you have a few days of free time?”
Why was he asking that? Did he have something for me to do?
I mentally reviewed my schedule for a moment before answering.
“I do have about three or four days of flexibility.”
“I see.”
Master nodded and stepped toward me. Then he smiled broadly.
Huh? Why was he smiling….
But my thoughts couldn’t continue further. Master’s fist drove into my abdomen.
Thud!
As my consciousness faded, I heard Master’s voice.
“I was wondering how to make you rest properly, and this seemed to be the most effective method.”
Only now did I understand why Master had asked me to call upon him once the urgent matters were finished.
I hadn’t anticipated that he would forcibly put me to sleep….

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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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