The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 508

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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 508

Chapter 508. The Successor (2)

I couldn’t help but tense at that aura.
It was the same presence I had felt at the place where Na Jung-su Poet was murdered.
Which meant one thing—the culprit was here.
As I entered, Namgung Geon-ji Elder greeted me.
“Welcome, welcome.”
I quickly cupped my fists in salute.
“Eun Seo-ho of the Eun Hae Trading Company, paying respects to Elder. Thank you for the invitation.”
“Haha! How could I simply let pass the legendary Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster of the Murim? Come, sit comfortably.”
“You honor me too much.”
“Not at all. The League Master wouldn’t have bestowed such a title without reason. Now, please be at ease.”
“Thank you.”
I took the seat he offered. Namgung Yang sat across from me.
But everyone else remained standing around us.
Eating a meal under the gaze of so many people…
It was remarkable that my digestion still worked under such circumstances.
I exchanged greetings with Namgung Yang while thinking this to myself.
“Your poetry today was excellent. It’s unfortunate you didn’t advance past the preliminaries.”
At my words, Namgung Yang gave a bitter smile and shook his head.
“It couldn’t be helped. My opponent was simply more skilled at composing poetry than I.”
“Still, don’t give up. Try again next time.”
“That’s my intention. A man shouldn’t abandon his efforts so easily.”
“A commendable attitude.”
At my praise, Namgung Geon-ji Elder nodded approvingly.
“Indeed. If you’re born a son of the Namgung Family, you must possess at least that much spirit and perseverance.”
Meanwhile, the Shop Attendants began bringing out the dishes.
Seeing the composition of the meal, I let my expression show surprise.
“Could these dishes be the Butterfly Dream—the finest set course this Gisaeng House offers?”
“Ah! You know your way around.”
The Butterfly Dream is the signature set course of Chunmong House.
For those who find it difficult to choose, it harmoniously combines multiple dishes.
Naturally, the composition varied by price tier.
The finest set course at Chunmong House is the Butterfly Dream.
It fills the table with various dishes made from premium ingredients.
“Hahahaha!”
Namgung Geon-ji Elder laughed heartily.
“The Namgung Family is not so petty! When we meet a hero of the Murim, naturally we must offer such hospitality.”
“I am grateful for such generous treatment.”
I cupped my fist and bowed, exhaling quietly.
Sigh, what a waste of food.
Only three of us would eat, yet they ordered enough for ten people.
The famine hasn’t even ended yet….
Indeed, for the Namgung Family, famine is a tale from another land.
Of course, the Emperor’s royal table is also quite lavish. But that serves the purpose of preventing poisoning.
And the food left over from the Emperor’s meal is shared among the Eunuch Corps and Palace Maids.
So there is no waste.
But from what I’ve heard, the Namgung Family does not allow others to eat the food left over from their meals.
The reason being that they dislike servants eating the same things they do.
They are that arrogant.
Furthermore, the Namgung Family places great importance on appearances.
After today passes, rumors will surely spread throughout Beijing that Namgung Geon-ji Elder entertained Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster.
“All the dishes have arrived. If there is anything else you need, please let us know at any time.”
Luzu from Chunmong House came personally to attend to us.
At this, Namgung Geon-ji Elder spoke.
“When you come to a flower garden, you must see the flowers. Is that not so?”
“Hehe, of course. How could it be otherwise?”
She clapped her hands.
Clap clap!
At that signal, three beautiful Courtesans came up and took their seats beside me, Namgung Geon-ji Elder, and Namgung Yang.
I knew this would happen.
I clicked my tongue inwardly.
“I’ve heard that the Courtesans of Chunmong House are of high caliber, and indeed they do not disappoint. Hahaha!”
“Oh my, how embarrassing.”
“What charm flows from you, young lady. Hahaha!”
While Namgung Geon-ji Elder conversed cheerfully with the Courtesan as if accustomed to it, Namgung Yang seemed at a loss.
And no wonder—the Courtesans’ clothing was deliberately provocative.
Namgung Yang sent me a transmission.
– Um, what should I do?
Sigh, I cannot ignore my business partner’s discomfort.
– Do you remember what I told you before? What I said to do when brought to a Gisaeng House?
– Yes, I remember.
– Now is the time to use those words.
I spoke carefully.
“Ahem, Elder. It seems Namgung Yang is still unaccustomed to women.”
Namgung Geon-ji Elder broke into a broad grin and spoke.
“Hehehehe, why do you say such things? A man should know how to embrace a beautiful woman. Isn’t that why you visited the Gisaeng House?”
“That was merely curiosity. And I made a decision at that moment—I will not allow women near me until I reach the realm of Hwagyeong.”
He’s using my words perfectly.
“Therefore, I shall dismiss the Courtesan.”
“Very well. If a warrior has made such a resolve, who am I to object? Do as you say.”
“Thank you.”
At Namgung Geon-ji Elder’s signal, the Courtesan beside Namgung Yang rose from her seat.
But I did not dismiss the Courtesan beside me.
As she sat down next to me, she secretly wrote characters on my thigh.
The character for concealment—隱—and the wave pattern symbolizing the Eun Hae Trading Company.
That was the mark of the Eun Hae Trading Company Intelligence Network.
A sense of pride washed over me as I observed her.
To have even a Courtesan from Beijing’s famous Gisaeng House as part of the intelligence network.
The Eun Hae Trading Company’s information division had truly grown remarkably.
Yet why did I feel a pang of guilt toward Seo Hyang, when I wasn’t keeping the Courtesan beside me out of any fondness?
“So what I’m saying is….”
“Is that so?”
I pushed aside such thoughts and responded to Namgung Geon-ji Elder’s words.
After all, I had come to listen to the Elder’s rambling, so I might as well enjoy the meal.
Besides, I had gained an unexpected harvest.
Thanks to coming here, I could now identify the one who killed Na Jung-su Poet.
By observing carefully over time, I could sense that presence emanating from behind Namgung Yang.
Of course, it was not an aura coming from Namgung Yang himself.
His aura was far too pure for that.
It was the aura I sensed from the Guard Warrior protecting our surroundings behind him.
His realm was precisely first-class.
From his clothing and demeanor, he appeared to be Namgung Yang’s Guard Warrior—but why hadn’t I seen him when I went to the Inn to retrieve Namgung Yang before?
Ah… he must have gone to the Namgung Family to report that Namgung Yang had been arrested.
If so, all the pieces fit together.

The evening meal had stretched on for nearly three hours.
As a result, the surroundings had grown completely dark.
I couldn’t fathom why an evening meal would last so long.
Still, it had ended at this point thanks to the prohibition on alcohol remaining in effect.
Had the alcohol ban not been in place, I might have had to witness the sunrise, or worse, seen something deeply troubling unfold.
“Then be careful on your way out.”
“Yes. Please take care as well.”
As I offered my farewell, something suddenly came to mind.
“Ah, I nearly forgot to mention something.”
“What is it?”
“In truth, I believe I may be able to uncover the identity of the one who killed the victim.”
Namgung Geon-ji Elder’s eyes widened.
“What did you say?”
“In fact, I haven’t yet mentioned this to others, but since you’ve come representing the Namgung Family House Master, I thought it proper to inform you first.”
“How did you discover this?”
“The culprit left behind evidence at the scene—something seemingly trivial, yet we did not overlook it. Through this, we were able to identify the perpetrator.”
I continued.
“So when the culprit is confirmed, I will need your cooperation at that time.”
“Of course.”
Upon hearing his affirmation, I subtly transmitted a message through the air to the Guard Warrior whose presence I had sensed earlier.
– So if you don’t want to be exposed as the culprit, you’d best prepare accordingly.
Then, deliberately leaving a brief interval, I sent another message.
– I’d say ten gold coins should be enough to keep my mouth sealed.
After exchanging farewells with Namgung Geon-ji Elder and Namgung Yang, I placed my hand on the shoulder of the Gisaeng beside me and spoke to Luzu.
“I intend to stay here tonight. Do you have separate quarters available?”
“Of course. I shall attend to the Great Swordmaster with utmost care and consideration.”
I turned to Palgap and the Guard Warrior.
“You know my nature, don’t you? All of you, keep your distance.”
“B-but, you mustn’t keep the Guard Warrior at a distance!”
“It’s fine. It’s fine. Do you truly think there exists anyone in Beijing who could harm me?”
I spoke deliberately loud, casting a glance backward.
This should be sufficient bait.
My open demand for a bribe to him couldn’t possibly be genuine.
The ten gold coins I had proposed were meant to strengthen his resolve to make a move against me.
And just now, my performance was designed to solidify that determination even further.
From the gleam in his eyes, I could see that my strategy had worked.
.
.
.
Moments later, I made my way toward the Separate Quarters of Chunmong House.
It’s a place used when one wants to quietly embrace a courtesan without drawing attention from others.
Sometimes secrets are exchanged here, and occasionally illegal activities take place.
That’s why it was situated deep within the pleasure house, in a secluded spot hidden from outside view.
“This is the place.”
Upon entering the room I was guided to, I found an ornate bed prepared, along with a dining table and chairs arranged neatly.
Soon I sensed the presence of Shop Attendants approaching.
“We shall bring the refreshment table.”
Presently, an elegant array of delicacies was laid out upon the table.
I gazed at them with covetous eyes and spoke to the Shop Attendants.
“Do not come unless I call for you.”
“Of course.”
Click.
The door closed, and I surveyed my surroundings.
Hmm, no one else here.
I sat before the table and asked the Gisaeng a question.
“Are you currently active in this establishment?”
At my question, the Gisaeng quickly prostrated herself before me and spoke.
“Yes. I greet you, Small Guild Master. I am Agent Number Fifty-Eight of the Information Bureau.”
From what I knew, the Information Bureau had over a hundred agents.
That meant this Gisaeng held a position of middling rank.
Still, if the Information Bureau has grown to this extent, I should probably give it a proper name and reorganize its structure.
But I’ll think about that later—first, I need to handle the matter at hand.
“I have no interest in rolling around with courtesans.”
“I am well aware. If an agent of the Information Bureau didn’t know that much, they would be unfit for the position.”
“Then, what do you think brought me here?”
At my question, she pondered for a moment before speaking.
“Could it be that these foods contain some kind of drug?”
“…!”
I was impressed by her words.
That meant she had reached that conclusion in this short span of time.
“Why do you think that?”
“Considering the remarks you made when dismissing the banquet earlier, and your statement about dismissing your guards to spend the night with me in this secluded separate pavilion….”
She continued carefully.
“I concluded that you intend to lure out the true culprit behind the murder case that has been stirring up Beijing.”
I suppressed the smile threatening to emerge and nodded slowly.
“Continue.”
“The culprit would have reason to silence you, and would want to act, but the problem is your martial prowess. You are already known as a Peak Martial Artist. Therefore, they must prevent you from displaying your full strength. And the method chosen for this is….”
She gestured toward the dining table with her hand.
“To administer drugs in these foods. For example, a sedative.”
At those words, Palgap beside me suddenly exclaimed in surprise.
“What do you mean? Are you saying there’s a sleeping draught in this food?”
I nodded.
“Yes.”
And I spoke to the Gisaeng.
“Correct. You’re quite skilled at this.”
I held her in high regard.
Sharp insight, excellent judgment in critical moments.
She didn’t stop there and added one more thing.
“And… I suspect the Small Guild Master may have deliberately provoked him as well.”
“Why do you think that?”
“Even a fallen horse is still a horse—he’s an elite of the Namgung Family after all. I suspect you made it so he lost his reason and couldn’t judge properly.”
She was right.
That meaning was embedded in the instruction to bring the bribe.
My eyes gleamed.
This Gisaeng is truly talented.
She’s wasted as a mere field operative.
“What is your name?”
“Pardon?”
“Not your affiliation and number, not your stage name—your real name.”
“My name is… Ha Hwa.”
Ha Hwa—summer flower.
I’ll have to tell the director of the Information Bureau to properly develop this operative.
She needs to be cultivated as a management-level talent rather than wasted in the field.
When capable individuals like this rise through the ranks, the field operatives suffer less.
And as a bonus, the Information Bureau’s overall level improves rapidly.

I instructed Ha Hwa to step away from the area.
I also ordered Palgap and the Guard Warriors to keep their distance.
Once they saw the Guard Warriors standing far back, my visitor would approach me without hesitation.
Still, it was a bit early yet….
In the meantime, why not consider a name for the Information Bureau?
A brilliant idea suddenly struck me.
Since Geum-ryeong had an uncanny knack for sniffing out profitable ventures, surely she would know a good name as well?
I placed Geum-ryeong on the table.
“Geum-ryeong, I’m trying to come up with a name for the Information Bureau.”
“Chirp?”
“What kind of name would suit it?”
“Chirp.”
Geum-ryeong nodded as if urging me to speak, and I rattled off the names that came to mind.
But with each name I suggested, Geum-ryeong’s response grew increasingly tepid.
“Chirp….”
Then she burrowed straight into my sleeve.
Really now… are you actually doing this?
Then I felt it—a presence.
“…!”
A knowing smile crossed my face.
Finally, they’ve made their move.

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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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