The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 485

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Youngest Son of the Eun Hae Trading Company Chapter 485

Chapter 485. The Ming Ming Trading Company (2)

Among those who engage in trade expeditions and merchant ventures, there exists a maxim passed down through the ages.
Never touch the offspring first when a beast stands beside its young.
A beast that witnesses its offspring’s death will seek vengeance even as a vengeful spirit beyond the grave.
If beasts are thus driven by such fury, how could human resentment be any lesser?
You say Young Master Yu Jin didn’t die, so all is well?
Even if Young Master Yu Jin escaped death, I witnessed him on the precipice of it with my own eyes.
Seeing him nearly perish is no different from witnessing his actual death.
First, I needed to calm Sung Chung-min, the Small Merchant Guild Leader.
“Are you unharmed?”
“Ah, yes.”
I unwound the cloth wrapped around his neck as I spoke.
“Shouldn’t we restrain this man and use him as a witness?”
“Ah! Of course.”
Together with Jin Yu Warrior, I subdued and bound the masked assailant, then gagged him.
“Do you recognize this face?”
“He’s my younger brother Jun-min’s Guard Warrior. If he covets the position of Merchant Guild Leader, he should compete fairly and openly—how could he resort to such despicable treachery!”
“The world is full of contemptible people, is it not?”
“Of course. But I never imagined one of them would be among my own brothers.”
His expression as he spoke those words appeared deeply bitter.
.
.
.
With no further need to search, the Small Merchant Guild Leader gathered his people and headed toward the Provincial Capital.
But rather than proceeding to the Ming Ming Trading Company, we first made our way to the Eun Hae Trading Company Sichuan Branch.
“Welcome.”
The Warrior at the gate greeted me.
“These are the Small Merchant Guild Leader and his wife from the Ming Ming Trading Company.”
“Ah! I see. Please, come inside.”
We entered, and upon hearing the bell chime, my Uncle emerged to receive us.
“You’ve come?”
“Yes, Uncle. I’ve returned.”
“I was just wondering what urgent matter had driven you to rush out so hastily.”
It seemed Eun Jung-ho hadn’t informed Uncle about the incident.
That made sense—such a matter required the utmost discretion.
Uncle turned his head and started in surprise.
“My goodness! Who might this be? Isn’t this the Small Guild Master and his wife from the Ming Ming Trading Company?”
“Indeed. It’s good to see you. I heard my son has been imposing upon your kindness here.”
“Ah, you mean Young Master Yu Jin.”
“Yes. Thank you for taking such good care of my son.”
“Please, say no such thing. Thanks to Young Master Yu Jin, I’ve had much to smile about these days.”
“Is that so?”
“At my age, just seeing children brings laughter. Hehe.”
Now that I thought about it, Dae-seok Elder Brother was already married and had a child.
Chung-seok Elder Brother was preparing for his wedding.
Sister Hyang-ok was a disciple of the Ami Sect, so marriage was already out of the question.
As for Ryeo-ok…
Just then, Eun Jung-ho and Young Master Yu Jin emerged.
The way they rushed out suggested they’d heard of our arrival.
“Father! Mother!”
Young Master Yu Jin called out vibrantly to Sung Chung-min, the Small Guild Master, and his wife, rushing toward them.
“Yu Jin!”
Young Master Yu Jin ran straight into his parents’ embrace.
Though he had shown maturity in recent times, he was still only ten years old.
How much he must have missed his parents.
The Small Guild Master Sung Chung-min, his wife, and Young Master Sung Yu Jin embraced each other and wept openly.
Eun Jung-ho’s eyes grew red at the sight.
He must have been thinking of the families at the Eun Hae Trading Company Headquarters—the family there who desperately awaited his safe return.
After a moment, Small Guild Master Sung Chung-min composed himself, rose, and clasped his fists in gratitude to Eun Jung-ho, bowing deeply.
“Thank you for saving my son. Because of you, my son was able to survive. I am sorry for the hardship my son caused you during all this, and yet I am grateful.”
“Please, say nothing of the sort. It was my choice. And how could I stand idle when a child was about to drown before my eyes?”
Small Guild Master Sung Chung-min marveled at those words, then his expression turned grave.
“Though I wish to take Yu Jin home at once, it seems he is not yet prepared in his heart. So I earnestly request of the Branch Manager and Small Guild Master Eun that you continue to protect him a while longer.”
This was already a matter I had discussed with him before coming here.
“How could there be any question?”
“I will do my utmost.”
Then Small Guild Master Sung Chung-min bent down and looked at Yu Jin, speaking gently.
“Wait just a little longer. Father will make our home a safe place, and then I will come to bring you back.”
“Yes, Father. I’ll wait.”
He rose again, turned, and headed toward the Ming Ming Trading Company. His gaze, so different from moments before, had become cold and resolute.

Sung Chung-min left with his entourage, and Jeon Woo-jin approached Eun Jung-ho.
“My lord, you’re alive… I’m truly grateful.”
He prostrated himself on the ground.
“If you had passed, I would have followed you.”
Before Jeon Woo-jin could finish speaking, tears began to fall upon that earth, drop by drop.
“So that’s why….”
I understood what Jeon Woo-jin was truly trying to say.
Even if it’s selfish, focus on your own survival….
Take care of yourself first.
That’s what he wanted to convey.
But with Young Master Yu Jin present, he couldn’t speak those words aloud and could only shed tears.
Thump.
Eun Jung-ho knelt before him.
“…!”
It was an action no one had anticipated, and Jeon Woo-jin was taken aback.
“I’m sorry.”
“M-my lord.”
“I’m truly sorry. For worrying you, and for causing you pain. I’m truly sorry.”
“Please, rise! How can you do this?”
“But… if such a situation arises again, I will act the same way.”
My brother was now expressing his convictions with confidence.
“I am a sub-unit leader of the Eun Hae Trading Company. And I will become the Guild Leader.”
He looked at me, and I nodded in affirmation.
“The Eun Hae Trading Company values trust above all else. How could I ask you to trust someone who ignores another’s crisis right before their eyes?”
He looked at Jeon Woo-jin.
“So please, understand that.”
Jeon Woo-jin nodded.
“You are such a man, my lord. Because you are such a man, I nearly forgot that I devote my life to your service.”
He continued.
“I, Jeon Woo-jin, ask that you allow me to walk the path you take.”
“From the moment I chose you as my guard, we have already begun walking together.”
“Kugh! My lord….”
I cleared my throat.
“Ahem, I understand this is a touching moment… but how much longer will you keep this up?”
“Huh?”
“I’m hungry. Aren’t we going to eat?”
At my words, Eun Jung-ho quickly rose to his feet and chuckled.
“Ah, my apologies. I wasn’t thinking.”
In any case, Young Master Yu Jin’s face seemed much more at ease, having felt the sincerity in Eun Jung-ho’s words.
He had learned that his rescue stemmed from Eun Jung-ho’s deliberation.
That he doesn’t resent me either.

We dispersed to our respective quarters, washed up, and changed into fresh clothes.
Then we shared lunch together.
The Sichuan Region is an exceptionally prosperous place.
While most of the Empire struggles under the relentless famines, this region has not been hit as severely.
Though not quite as abundant as a few years ago when grain overflowed the granaries, there are scarcely any deaths from starvation.
After lunch, I sought out Jeon Woo-jin Warrior, who stood beside Eun Jung-ho.
And fortunately, no one else was nearby.
“Congratulations on reclaiming your rightful place.”
At my words, Jeon Woo-jin Warrior cupped his fist in salute and spoke.
“My lord told me everything. Without the Third Sub-unit Leader’s timely assistance, none of this would have been possible. I am truly grateful.”
“Don’t mention it. He’s my elder brother, after all.”
I grinned widely.
“But have you noticed something different about him?”
“Different? What do you mean, sir?”
It seems he hasn’t noticed yet.
“I’m referring to Eun Jung-ho’s inner energy. Something has definitely changed.”
At my words, he tilted his head, then turned to Eun Jung-ho.
“Forgive me. May I check your wrist for a moment?”
Eun Jung-ho readily extended his hand, and Jeon Woo-jin Warrior grasped his wrist, closing his eyes.
“…!”
Moments later, his eyes flew open in shock.
“This… this is… how is this possible….”
Jeon Woo-jin Warrior is a Peak Martial Artist. As such, he immediately perceived the change in Eun Jung-ho.
“How has your lord’s inner power suddenly increased so dramatically? It’s nearly doubled or more.”
“Well, apparently what I ate to keep from starving to death was a miraculous elixir.”
I interjected appropriately.
“Eun Jung-ho consumed a mushroom called the Hundred-Year Jade Spirit, which increased his inner power. Young Master Yu Jin experienced the same.”
I continued.
“This is what they call turning calamity into fortune.”
“My, such fortune….”
“I believe there will be some time before the Ming Ming Trading Company arrives to retrieve Young Master Yu Jin. And I understand that inner power gained from miraculous elixirs must be adapted to the body quickly to avoid complications.”
“That’s correct.”
Jeon Woo-jin Warrior affirmed my words.
“The best way to adapt suddenly increased inner power to the body is through physical movement, is it not? So I ask for your assistance.”
At my words, Jeon Woo-jin Warrior paused briefly before nodding.
“Of course, that is my responsibility.”
I turned to look at Do Squad Leader, who now accompanied us for the purpose of guarding Young Master Yu Jin.
“By any chance, does the Ming Ming Trading Company teach any special martial techniques?”
I shook my head in response to his question.
“There isn’t. And the Merchant Guild Leader’s family members haven’t learned martial arts separately either.”
“Then wouldn’t Do Squad Leader be willing to teach Young Master Yu Jin martial arts?”
“Me, teach him?”
He wore an expression of surprise. I nodded.
“Yes. To continue learning martial arts going forward, we would need to remain constantly together, which wouldn’t be possible for us, would it?”
“That’s true, but….”
“And I believe Do Squad Leader is more than capable of instructing the Young Master.”
Young Master Yu Jin was just beginning to learn martial arts, while Do Squad Leader was a martial artist who had nearly reached the pinnacle of the first rank.
At that moment, Young Master Yu Jin asked a question.
“If I learn martial arts, will I be able to protect my parents and the trading company?”
An unexpected question.
I hadn’t anticipated such a question from someone barely ten years old.
But he had already tasted bitterness that ordinary people rarely experience, so I couldn’t treat this as an ordinary situation.
And I thought I understood why he asked such a question.
I smiled and spoke.
“Yes, that’s right. When you learn martial arts, you become stronger, and the stronger you become, the easier it is to protect what you wish to protect.”
“Then, I want to learn martial arts.”
And he clasped his hands respectfully to Do Squad Leader.
“I will honor you as my Master.”
“Young, young master….”
“I must become strong. That’s why I want to protect my parents and the trading company. Please accept me as your disciple.”
At his words, Do Squad Leader clasped his hands in return, expressing his gratitude.
“Since you trust me, I will do nothing but my very best.”
I placed my hand on Young Master Yu Jin’s head.
“But, Young Master. There is one thing you must never forget.”
“Yes? What is that?”
“Whether you seek to protect someone or seek revenge, you must never act in haste. Haste only consumes oneself.”
Then I turned to my Elder Brother and asked.
“You think the same way, don’t you?”
“That’s right. Haste is only poison. So, Yu Jin.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Promise me. That you will never act in haste.”
At those words, Young Master Yu Jin nodded.
“Yes. I won’t act in haste. I promise.”
“Thank you for making that promise with me.”
At that moment, Jeon Woo-jin spoke.
“Then, my lord. I will begin adaptation training. First… the basic physical conditioning of our Eun Pung Corps….”
“The Three Pillars Foundation Training?”
“Yes.”
Eun Jung-ho’s face contorted.
It made sense—these were the same exercises he’d done daily when learning martial arts from Go Il-pyeong.
Running, push-ups, holding a horseback riding stance for extended periods.
He had to do all of it for an entire hour.
I know how grueling it is because I’ve done it myself, but what can I do?
It’s all for my brother’s health and longevity.

* * *

Ming Ming Trading Company.
News reached Sung Jun-min, the fourth son of the Merchant Guild Leader.
“This is terrible! Song Pyeong, whom we entrusted with the task, has failed and been captured!”
“What? You fool! If you thought you’d fail, you should have taken your own life!”
He had failed to kill his older brother Sung Chung-min, and he had also failed to kill his nephew Sung Yu-jin.
It was only days ago that he learned Sung Yu-jin had miraculously survived and was currently at the Eun Hae Trading Company Sichuan Branch.
And today, Sung Chung-min had returned.
But among his entourage was an unexpected figure.
None other than Sung Jun-min’s own Guard Warrior.
If that man testified that he had given such orders, he would be cornered.
But that didn’t matter.
He could easily overturn such testimony.
The real problem was his older brother.
He couldn’t predict how Sung Chung-min, the current Small Merchant Guild Leader, would react.
He knew all too well how terrifying Sung Chung-min could be when angered.
That’s why he had resorted to such despicable methods. There was no other way for him to defeat Sung Chung-min.
He picked up the teapot that the maidservant had just placed before him, seeking to calm his troubled mind.
Beneath it lay a note.
“…!”
A note from them.
He quickly unfolded it.

[You must eliminate him without fail]

He clenched the note and asked his trusted subordinate.
“You said Young Master Yu Jin is currently at the Eun Hae Trading Company Sichuan Branch, correct?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“Eliminate him.”
In truth, his reason for wanting to kill Sung Yu-jin was partly to shake his brother and create an opening, but eliminating Sung Yu-jin was also an end in itself.
Sung Yu-jin had seen something he should never have seen.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————