The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 513

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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 513

Chapter 513. Ice and Flame (1)

I nodded calmly and asked.
“The Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace has arrived?”
“…How did you know?”
“There are ways to know these things. Let’s go.”
“Ah, yes.”
Upon entering the guest reception room, I saw Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, munching on pastries with crisp, delicate bites.
Though she normally carried herself with an air of premature maturity, this sight revealed the fresh innocence befitting her age.
For that reason, a surge of fury rose within me toward the still-unknown force.
Because of them, the Seolpung Palace had crumbled, and Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, had lost her family—forced to become an adult far too soon.
But what brings her here anyway?
I cleared my throat.
“Ahem.”
At that, she startled and quickly shoved the pastry into her mouth.
“Cough, cough!”
Her throat became blocked, and she coughed violently.
“Oh dear! You must be careful.”
I infused my energy into a teacup, cooling the tea water, and handed it to her. She drank it down immediately.
“Ahhhh….”
“Are you alright?”
“Yes.”
“It seems our trading company’s pastries pleased you. Our Master Craftsman will be delighted. I’ll have some sent to your lodgings later.”
“Thank you.”
She demurred with an embarrassed expression.
“But what brings you here? Surely the situation in Seolpung hasn’t settled yet, has it?”
“That’s precisely why I came alone. I’ve reached a level where I no longer fear Seolpung.”
So she had ascended to the pinnacle realm.
She must have trained with remarkable dedication.
“I congratulate you on your achievement.”
“It’s nothing.”
She brushed her hair behind her ear and spoke with a hint of coyness.
“I worked hard precisely because the Sub-leader had reached the pinnacle realm.”
“Is that so?”
“Yes.”
She nodded in affirmation.
“The Palace Master told me that the Seolpung Palace Master and the Northern Sea Ice Palace Master have been close friends since long ago. The kind of friends who would give their lives for each other.”
Friends willing to die for one another—that’s what they call it.
I suddenly recalled the belongings of the Previous Seolpung Palace Master that we had discovered during my visit to the Northern Sea Ice Palace, thanks to Seo Hyang’s Ice Vision Eye.
A blue jade ring and a letter, both stored in a box.
They said it was a keepsake from his mother.
Without the Previous Seolpung Palace Master, those treasures would have vanished forever.
They were the kind of friends who would risk their lives to preserve each other’s precious possessions.
“I didn’t want to be an inferior friend compared to the Small Merchant Guild Leader. I wanted us to stand on equal ground and regard each other as equals.”
At those bold words, I let out a soft chuckle.
I felt exactly the same way.
“Then we are friends who sharpen and polish each other, aren’t we?”
“Exactly.”
Now, let’s get to the main point.
“But what brings you here?”
“Ah, I came to ask the Lesser Palace Mistress of Seolpung Palace for a favor.”
“…?”
“Please come with me to the Ice Flame Conference.”
“The Ice Flame Conference? What is that?”
“Ah, I haven’t explained myself well enough. Do you know about Zhurong Palace?”
“I have some knowledge of it, though only what others generally know.”
“Then you must also know that our Northern Sea Ice Palace and Zhurong Palace are enemies?”
“Yes.”
Just as cold and heat cannot coexist, the enmity between these two powers is far too famous to ignore.
“The two sides have been in constant conflict, but both eventually realized that their struggle was merely a war of attrition that left neither side with anything to gain. So both agreed to a kind of truce.”
“Then this conference is for negotiating that truce?”
“Yes. The truce is decided at a conference held once every five years. Since it’s such an important gathering, it’s tradition for each palace’s Lesser Palace Mistress and the heir of the guardian family to attend as well.”
So that’s why she came to find me.
Because I am the Lesser Palace Mistress of Seolpung Palace, and Seolpung Palace is also the guardian force of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
“Until last time, I attended alone, and you can imagine how much they mocked me for it….”
“Did something happen?”
Given Bing Haerin’s personality, it wouldn’t be surprising if she had caused some trouble.
“Despite appearances, I do have some patience.”
That’s unexpected.
“In any case, that’s why I’ve come to ask you to attend the conference with me.”
I took a moment to review my upcoming schedule.
“Then we must travel to the Northern Sea Ice Palace?”
“Yes. We’ll assemble the delegation there and depart from there. And the Palace Master also asked that the Divine Maiden come with us.”
“The Divine Maiden?”
“That’s what we call the one who possesses the Ice Vision Eye.”
I see.
This time, Seo Hyang will need to accompany us as well.
“It seemed you found that title burdensome, so I refrained from using it back then.”
“Understood. Then please rest for a moment. But when is the conference?”
“Late April.”
About a month remained, but considering travel time, we weren’t exactly flush with leisure.
I instructed Palgap to show Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master where she could stay, then summoned Geum Ryung-i.
“Geum-ryeong.”
“Squeak?”
“I have an errand for you.”
Geum Ryung-i, who had poked only her head out from my sleeve, quickly scurried over and perched atop the wooden table.
She gazed at me with eyes that sparkled almost uncomfortably bright.
I paid it no mind and wrote a letter, tying it to Geum Ryung-i’s tail before speaking.
“This is a letter for Master. It’s urgent, so you need to return quickly.”
“Squeak? Squeak!”
“Hmm? You’re saying I need to give you two silver coins?”
“Squeak! Squeak!”
When did this creature start negotiating?
Well, it’s not difficult.
I’ve received far more than I’ve given her anyway.
“Fine. Now hurry back.”
“Squeak!”
Geum Ryung-i shot through the office window like an arrow. Seo Hyang spoke from beside me.
“Geum-ryeong’s fur has been looking quite lustrous lately. I suspect it’s from eating so many silver coins.”
“For that creature, money is sustenance.”
She laughed at my words and replied.
“I wouldn’t dare attempt to raise one myself.”
“The creature knows it too—she follows whoever has the most money.”
“Quite clever.”
She said so and began sorting through documents, then handed them to me.
“Then, please approve this first.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s a document that absolutely requires the Sub-leader’s approval. And I’d appreciate it if you could approve it before this evening. If you delay even slightly, you’ll face tremendous hardship.”
“…Have you seen it?”
“Yes.”
I could only tilt my head in confusion.
Receiving a response by today was one thing, but we need to depart immediately?
Or else we’ll suffer greatly?
Could it be…?
“The Emperor?”
“Yes.”
“Well then, I suppose I should get to work quickly.”
But before that, there was something I needed to do.
I called for Seo-woo Warrior, who was standing guard outside.
“Seo-woo Warrior!”
“Yes! You called for me?”
Seo-woo Warrior entered from beyond the door, and I spoke to him.
“Please inform everyone to prepare for departure. Our destination is the Northern Sea Ice Palace, and we must set out before dinner this evening.”
“Understood.”
“And please also inform the Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace of this matter.”
“Yes.”

The effect of two silver coins was remarkable.
Geum Ryung-i returned with a reply far more quickly than usual.
After giving Geum Ryung-i two silver coins, I unfolded the letter.

[The Ice Flame Conference! It has been quite some time since I heard news of it. In truth, I myself used to attend such conferences in my younger days. As you know, Chuyong Palace is indeed one of the candidates among those who destroyed Seolpung Palace.]

In fact, I had been somewhat worried about this conference.
My attendance would signal that Seolpung Palace still stood.
In other words, it could reveal to those who destroyed Seolpung Palace that it yet endured.
Should that happen, they might attempt something once more.
Yet I could not remain in hiding forever, constantly anxious.
Only by discovering who destroyed Seolpung Palace could I prepare for what lay ahead.
So I had written my thoughts on this matter to my Master.

[I agree with your opinion that we must quickly identify who the culprit is. However, I am troubled by the fact that the Young Palace Master would bear all the risk. Yet I cannot bring myself to stop you.]

I smiled.
I could feel the heart of a Master who cherished his disciple.
At the same time, there was also the duty of a Palace Master who must rebuild Seolpung Palace, and this seemed to cause him anguish.
Such feelings need not burden him.

[If they are not the culprit, there is little to worry about. Though they stand opposed to the Northern Sea Ice Palace, they are personally trustworthy. I look forward to your assistance.]

I burned the letter and rose from my seat.
“Let’s depart.”
“Yes.”
Thanks to Seo Hyang, we were able to leave before evening meal.
I had entrusted the production of the spirit bottles to Go Merchant Lord, so he would handle it well.
There were other matters remaining, but the capable staff of Hyun Pung Country would manage them competently.
Suddenly, I understood the Emperor’s desire—not for capable work slaves, but for capable ministers.
Thus we set out toward the Northern Sea Ice Palace.

* * *

The next morning.
An Eunuch Official visited the Eunhae Merchant Guild Beijing Branch.
“Welcome.”
The one greeting him was the Eun Branch Manager of the Beijing Branch.
The Eunuch Official exchanged pleasantries with him as if familiar.
“Good to see you. But where has Eun Seo-ho, the Small Merchant Guild Leader, gone? Why have you come out instead?”
“Haha. In fact, the Small Merchant Guild Leader departed for the Northern Sea yesterday.”
“…What?”
“It seemed to be quite urgent—he left yesterday evening.”
“….”
The Eunuch Official gazed up at the sky and sighed. Then he muttered to himself.
‘Your Majesty. We are one step too late.’

* * *

We rode hard, galloping without pause.
For two days we rode thus.
“This should be sufficient.”
I slowed our pace.
At this speed, even if the Emperor pursued me, he could not catch up.
We were riding Zhu River Horses, and Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master’s lightness skill was considerable.
“An inn should appear soon. Let us rest there for a day.”
At my words, Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master nodded.
We rested comfortably at the inn, then turned northward once more.
Most would never set foot in the Northern Sea in their lifetime, yet this was already my several-times visiting.
Since I was going to the Northern Sea anyway, I should stop by the Gwangjun Trading Company briefly.
I heard that Bok Yun Sub-leader felt disappointed because I had not attended the Hundred Great Merchant Guild Meeting last autumn.

A few days later.
I sought permission from Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, and stopped by the Gwangjun Trading Company.
“Welcome.”
It seemed I had visited quite often.
The Gate Keeper recognized my face immediately.
However, Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, wore a bamboo hat, so she went unrecognized.
Well, if anyone had recognized her, chaos would have erupted.
That’s precisely why she wore the hat.
“Is Sub-leader Bok currently inside?”
“Yes, he is. Please come in.”
We made our way to the Guest Reception Room, and after waiting briefly, I sensed Bok Yun Sub-leader’s presence drawing near.
The door opened, and Bok Yun Sub-leader entered.
“Eun Small Merchant Leader!”
I rose from my seat and approached him.
“Bok Sub-leader!”
“Do you know how disappointed I was not to meet you at this gathering?”
“I’m truly sorry. I had urgent business and was in Yunnan at the time.”
“I see. Well, Yunnan is unavoidable then.”
He examined my companions and flinched, then asked me.
“Could it be that this person is…?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
At my answer, he quickly clasped his fist in salute to Bing Haerin and showed proper respect.
“Bok Yun, Sub-leader of Gwangjun Trading Company, pays respects to the Young Palace Master of the Ice Castle.”
“I have not come here in any official capacity, so please dispense with the formalities.”
“Thank you.”
Then he spoke to us.
“I shall guide you to your quarters. And this evening, please join us for a banquet.”
.
.
.
That evening.
Bok Yun Sub-leader held a banquet in our honor.
It was filled with delicious food and joyful moments.
After the others returned to their quarters, I remained alone with Bok Yun Sub-leader, conversing late into the night.
Since we were kindred spirits, time seemed to slip away unnoticed.
“Are you heading to the Northern Sea Ice Palace again?”
“Yes.”
“What connection do you have with the Northern Sea Ice Palace that you visit so frequently?”
At those words, I simply smiled.
It was still too difficult to reveal that I was the Young Palace Master of Seolpung Palace.
I had known him for quite some time, and there was no doubt he was a trustworthy old friend—yet secrets were always safer when fewer people knew of them.
The fewer who knew, the better.
In the case of Chuyong Palace, it was as insular as the Northern Sea Ice Palace itself, so word would not spread beyond those walls—but still.
Bok Yun Sub-leader spoke to me.
“Now that I think of it, my father once mentioned a place called Seolpung Palace, which served as a guardian protecting the Northern Sea Ice Palace. It has since been destroyed, though.”
“…!”
I was utterly startled, having never anticipated he would bring up Seolpung Palace.
Of course, I kept my expression composed.
He retrieved brush and ink from the corner, wrote something, and handed it to me.
I could not help but be taken aback as I read the words.

[Are you a person of Seolpung Palace?]

I bit my lip and exhaled slowly.
I spread my energy outward to sense if anyone was nearby, then formed a barrier of qi to prevent sound from escaping.
In a situation where he was resorting to written communication, there was no point in keeping further secrets.
And if I had read him correctly, he would guard this truth with his life.
“I apologize. I cannot speak of this matter aloud. Please forgive me.”
“Not at all. I understand your position completely.”
He already knew—there were too many suspicious details surrounding Seolpung Palace’s destruction.
“How could I call myself your friend if I could not understand such things?”
His words stirred something tender within my chest.
He took the paper from me and wrote something else, then pressed it into my hands.

[Then that means you are of Seolpung Palace, does it not?]

And he wrote once more upon the paper.

[If so, you must visit my father. It seems he has much to tell you.]

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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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