The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 516

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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 516

Chapter 516. Ice and Flame (4)

Yeon Yu-mun led us to an unexpected destination—an academy.
A plaque hanging there read “Namgung Academy.”
“This is an academy, is it not?”
He nodded at my question.
“Indeed it is. However, we have not yet begun accepting students, and given its considerable scale, there should be ample space for all of you to rest comfortably.”
“I see. But why an academy? And it appears to be quite substantial in size.”
“Sigh….”
Yeon Yu-mun exhaled heavily.
“Do you remember the grave difficulties our Chungyeongseong faced previously?”
“Of course.”
“The primary reason we suffered such hardship was our isolation.”
He was viewing the situation objectively, at least.
“So to prevent such calamities from occurring again, we established this academy. If those who graduate from here have connections within the Imperial Court, we can prevent future injustices.”
“A sound strategy. The Emperor will certainly take notice for now, and I myself will be here, but who knows what may happen decades hence.”
“Thus we plan to open the academy in early next month. The furnishings are already in place and cleaning is complete, so residing here should pose no difficulties.”
Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, responded to this.
“That is more than sufficient. We would be grateful merely to escape the night dew.”
And so we entered the academy.
The academy was constructed with considerable elegance.
As we were unpacking our belongings, Yeon Yu-mun spoke to me.
“Since this is a residential academy, there are ample bathing facilities and a dining hall.”
“Then we can procure provisions and prepare our own meals.”
“I shall provide the ingredients for you.”
I waved my hand at this.
“That is unnecessary. You have already provided us shelter from the night dew—I cannot accept further kindness by imposing food expenses upon you.”
I continued.
“Moreover, our party is quite large, so the costs would be considerable.”
“Such matters are trivial. Had it not been for the Great Hero, our Chungyeongseong would have….”
He trailed off, as memories of those events surfaced.
“Please, I ask that you accept my sincerity.”
When pressed this earnestly, refusal became impossible.
“Very well. I accept with gratitude.”
I explained the situation to Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, and she smiled at me.
“Why do you look at me that way?”
“From the moment I first saw the Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, I sensed it, but the name Seon Hyeop Mi-rang truly suits you perfectly.”
Caught off guard by her unexpected compliment, I found myself scratching the back of my neck without thinking.
“We’re also receiving the rewards of the kindness that the Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace has shown us. Thank you.”
“Please, don’t mention it. Is there any food you don’t eat?”
“No, our disciples eat anything.”
Shortly after, Yeon Yu-mun arrived with a cart laden with various ingredients.
We were about to cook with them, but there was a problem.
“Um, how do I handle this fish?”
“Do I just grill it over the fire?”
The warriors of the Northern Sea Ice Palace were all floundering about, not knowing how to cook.
I sighed and asked Bing Hae-rin, Young Palace Master.
“Is there truly no one here who knows how to cook?”
“Since we’ve assembled only elite members, we didn’t bring a head chef. And since we don’t travel far often, we don’t have many chefs.”
Indeed, the Northern Sea Ice Palace is rather insular, and its members rarely venture beyond the palace.
“I see. But I assumed that since they’re all women, they would have some experience cooking.”
“There would have needed to be an opportunity to learn cooking.”
“Ah…”
I understood what she meant.
Those who enter the Northern Sea Ice Palace do so at a very young age.
It’s not an age where one learns to cook.
And once you enter the Northern Sea Ice Palace, all you do afterward is martial arts training…
“That was a foolish question.”
How terrifying prejudice truly is.
Then Palgap spoke up.
“Young Master, may I step forward?”
Ah! That’s right!
We had Palgap!
I clasped my hands together and looked at Palgap.
“Palgap, I’m counting on you. I don’t want to eat all these fine ingredients burned to a crisp.”
At my words, Palgap rolled up his sleeves and spoke with solemn determination.
“You need not worry.”
From that moment, Palgap’s brilliance began to shine.
Tap-tap-tap-tap-tap-tap!
With possessed skill, he wielded the kitchen knife,
Whoosh!
deftly handling the cooking pot over the flames, moving with fluid grace in all directions.
Yet he never collided with any of his assistants, moving like water flowing downstream.
Moreover, he gave precise instructions.
Watching him, I couldn’t help but marvel anew.
With Sal Wang’s talent and martial arts training from Jin Yu Warrior, his skills were steadily improving.
But for some reason, I didn’t sense any assassin-like qualities from Palgap—he simply felt like a bear to me.
Palgap is just a bear.
Yet, were bears originally this nimble and fluid in their movements?

A moment later.
The dining table was abundantly laden with dishes.
“Today’s meal was prepared by Palgap. Please express your gratitude.”
At Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master’s words, everyone applauded.
Clap, clap, clap, clap!
Palgap was thoroughly embarrassed by this.
“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it as well.”
I too expressed my gratitude to Palgap before moving my spoon.
We began with a refreshing and spicy fish broth.
Mmm! Delicious!
Before my eyes, the fish was thrashing about in the sea of broth, fluttering and writhing.
“This is truly delicious! But this… isn’t it similar in taste to the sea fish soup from Beijing Chunmong Tower?”
“Indeed, sir. It appeared you favored the sea fish soup, so I learned the recipe from the Head Chef.”
“Ah, so that’s why you were absent so often.”
Thus, after a long time, I savored a delicious and abundant meal.

The next day.
Yeon Yu-mun came to visit us.
“I hope you slept comfortably last night.”
“Thanks to your consideration, I spent a pleasant time. I am truly grateful.”
“We of the Northern Sea Ice Palace will not forget your kindness either.”
Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master and I cupped our fists in gratitude to him.
“Then I hope we meet again on another auspicious day with good fortune.”
“I too look forward to our next meeting.”
Thus we set out toward Zhurong Palace, and Yeon Yu-mun saw us off.
Thanks to eating well and sleeping well, everyone’s complexion was bright.
Seeing this, Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master spoke.
“Well, at least this time they won’t mock our appearance.”
“Pardon?”
“During the conference two times ago, they sneered at how we looked. Ugh!”
She ground her teeth, recalling just how humiliating that time had been.
“Ah… I see.”
“But two conferences ago would be ten years back, wouldn’t it? Your age at that time…”
She was surely the same age as me.
“I visited with Master at that time. Since I was to be the next Young Palace Master, she took me along to gain experience.”
“I understand.”

We made our way swiftly toward Zhurong Palace.
Though the weather was oppressively hot and humid, and the surroundings were dense forest, the elite warriors of first-rate caliber and above seemed to handle it without much difficulty.
And the various insects couldn’t even approach us.
Had we not been elite martial artists, the journey would have been grueling indeed.
In any case, this was my first time visiting Zhurong Palace across both my lives.
They were far more reclusive than even the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
A careless approach could result in death from a barrage of daggers or arrows fired without warning.
As we traveled toward Yunnan Province, I explained what I knew about them to my companions.
Unlike the Northern Sea Ice Palace, which forbade marriage, they freely took spouses.
However, their marriage customs were quite peculiar.
They practiced what was called “duel marriage”—both men and women could challenge a desired partner to martial combat, and victory granted the right to marry that person.
In a sense, it was truly befitting of a martial arts faction.
They also considered themselves descendants of Chuk Yung, the god of fire and the southern deity.
That was why they were called Zhurong Palace.
Their primary weapon was the long sword, though they wielded the whip blade quite skillfully as well.
Myeong-jong Warrior, who had been listening to the explanation, asked a question.
“But does Zhurong Palace not employ poison techniques? As a Yunnan faction, I would expect them to be quite proficient in such arts.”
It was Seo-woo Warrior who answered that question.
“Zhurong Palace doesn’t use poison techniques. Now, the Poison Sect of Yunnan is another matter entirely.”
He continued his explanation.
“The Southern Barbarian Beast Sect also employs poison, but they control living venomous creatures to deliver their toxins.”
“I see.”
“Zhurong Palace would struggle to use poison even if they tried, so they don’t. Because their specialty is flame technique, poison becomes far too weak to be effective. That’s why the Poison Sect and Southern Barbarian Beast Sect, who rely on poison, never dare provoke Zhurong Palace.”
“They’re completely incompatible with each other, then.”
Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, nodded at those words.
“You’re quite knowledgeable.”
“When I worked in Pyodo previously, this region was primarily my responsibility.”
“I see. That’s reassuring.”
“I’m grateful to be of service.”
As we continued our conversation, Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, raised her hand to halt the group.
“Yeo Jin.”
At that call, a disciple named Yeo Jin stepped forward. She was also Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master’s guard.
“Please fire the signal arrow.”
“Understood.”
The one called Yeo Jin withdrew an arrow from the quiver on her back and fired it toward the sky.
Whiiiiiine!
The arrow flew through the air with a sharp, piercing sound.
And moments later.
Boom boom boom boom boom!
The sound of horse hooves thundered against the earth.
Those who soon came into view were clad in crimson armor.
Suited to the hot and humid weather, it was light armor that protected only vital areas—the head, neck, and key points.
Yet the helmet ornaments were extraordinarily ornate.
One of them dismounted and approached us, then clasped his fist in salute and spoke.
“Hae Dal-man, External Chief Manager of Zhurong Palace, pays respects to the Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“We are grateful for your warm welcome.”
“You must have endured great hardship on your journey.”
More courteous than I expected.
At that moment, he caught sight of me and tilted his head in puzzlement. And no wonder—my companions and I were all men.
“And who might this be?”
Bing Hae-rin answered his question.
“The Young Palace Master of Seolpung Palace, guardian of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, and his entourage.”
“I beg your pardon?”
His expression shifted to one of surprise, and he tilted his head again.
“I had heard that Seolpung Palace suffered a calamity some time ago.”
“No calamity, however grave, can overcome Seolpung Palace.”
“…I see.”
A look of bewilderment crossed his face.
Was it because the heir of Seolpung Palace—whom they believed to be annihilated—had survived and appeared here?
Or was it because they had failed to exterminate Seolpung Palace themselves?
I would learn the answer soon enough.
If they were indeed Hyung-su’s people, I needed to inform my Master of this fact as quickly as possible.
Not to conceal it.
But to devise countermeasures against them.
What is truly fearsome is not knowing the enemy’s identity. Once that is revealed, fear diminishes considerably.
Instead, my range of action expands, and I gain freedom.
All I need do is remain cautious of them.
I drew a deep breath inwardly.
Now was the time to determine whether they were the ones who had annihilated Seolpung Palace.

We entered the Chuk Yung Palace territory under their guidance.
I could see traps installed throughout the grounds.
Some of the traps held withered, contorted corpses.
Seo Hyang’s complexion turned pale upon witnessing this.
“Do not be afraid.”
I whispered softly.
“There is no need to fear. They deliberately left these here as a warning, not to frighten us.”
“Pardon?”
“They display the fate of those who trespass upon their domain. We are their guests. Therefore, there is no reason for us to fear such things.”
“I see.”
Thus I reassured Seo Hyang, and we soon arrived at the inner sanctum of Chuk Yung Palace.
“The Palace Master and the Great Lady await you.”
“Let us proceed at once.”
At Bing Haerin’s words, External Chief Manager Hae Dal-man immediately guided us forward.
We soon reached an enormous stone door.
“Palace Master, the Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace and the Young Palace Master of Seolpung Palace have arrived.”
“Let them enter.”
“Yes.”
Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud.
The massive door swung open.
The giant men on either side turned the handles to open the stone door.
We stepped inside.
A man and woman sat upon a central throne, adorned with crowns decorated in elaborate feathers.
True to the southern region, they possessed sun-bronzed, healthy complexions and displayed robust, muscular frames.
We bowed respectfully to them.
“Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, pays respects to the Lord of Fire and the Great Lady.”
“Eun Seo-ho, Young Palace Master of Seolpung Palace, pays respects to the Lord of Fire and the Great Lady.”
As we observed proper etiquette, the Palace Master of Chuk Yung spoke.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. All of you, raise your heads.”
“We are grateful for your welcome.”
“However….”
The Palace Master of Chuk Yung looked at me.
“You are the Young Palace Master of Seolpung Palace, are you not?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“If I recall correctly, did Seolpung Palace not suffer a calamity at the hands of mysterious assailants?”
“That is true, but it does not mean the complete destruction of Seolpung Palace.”
“How remarkable.”
He tilted his head in thought.
“So the Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company, known as Seon Hyeop Mi-rang, is the Young Palace Master of Seolpung Palace.”
“…!”
I was taken aback.
I’d heard this place was insular, so how did he recognize me the moment he saw my face?
“I didn’t realize you knew of me.”
“You’ve been quite active throughout Yunnan Province. Last time I saw you, you were with the Geumui Guard, and today you’re with the Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
I glanced briefly at Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master.
Wasn’t Zhurong Palace supposed to have no interest in external affairs?
She too seemed unprepared for this situation, her eyes trembling slightly.
I suppressed an inward smile and answered calmly.
“By living diligently, I’ve come to meet various people and form connections.”
“I see.”
The Palace Master nodded impassively.
That was when it happened.
Thud, thud, thud, thud, thud.
The stone door burst open and someone rushed in, shouting.
“Young Palace Master Bing Haerin! This time, please consent to marry me!”
Simultaneously, he drew his sword toward her.
I quickly unsheathed my blade and blocked his strike.
Clang!
What? Who is this lunatic?

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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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