The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 527

—————
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 527

Chapter 527. The Second Voyage (2)

As I stepped out into the marketplace, my thoughts drifted back to what had transpired that morning.
My Master had truly mastered the Extreme Frost Sword with remarkable speed.
Previously, it had taken him considerable time to learn the martial techniques I had inherited from my Ancestor.
Yet as I watched that duration grow shorter with each passing day, I became certain of one thing.
My Master had grown stronger than before.
What emotion did I feel about this? How could I describe it?
Half of it was the sentiment of “As expected of my Master!” and the other half was “I still have so far to go.”
Sigh, I have a long road ahead before I can catch up to him. A very long road indeed.
It was then that Palgap spoke up.
“By the way, Young Master.”
“Hmm?”
“Why have you brought all of your guards to the marketplace street?”
At his question, I let out a soft chuckle.
“On my orders, I wanted to see how Seo-woo Warrior and Yeo Eung-am Warrior are spending their time. And if I show my face there with some gifts in hand, it should lift their spirits a bit, don’t you think?”
“Ah… so there was such a thoughtful purpose behind it.”
Then I glanced back discreetly.
It was something I couldn’t do for the other four warriors.
Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior still had no intention of leaving their respective sects, so marriage was the furthest thing from their minds.
But Jin Yu Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior—they could certainly be thinking of marriage…
Or perhaps they had no intention of marrying at all?
Then I chuckled softly to myself.
After all, their lord—myself—had yet to establish a proper household and was constantly wandering about in all directions. When would they ever find the opportunity to meet a woman and share their hearts?
I was a terrible master indeed.

The first place I arrived at was Seo-woo Warrior’s House.
As it happened, Seo-woo Warrior was out in the courtyard.
“Master! What brings you here?”
“I came to check whether you’re following my orders well.”
In Seo-woo Warrior’s arms was a young boy.
“Ah! So that’s Yun-i!”
“Yes, that’s right.”
It was a name Seo-woo Warrior had commissioned from the most famous naming master in Hubei Province.
Thanks to my letter of introduction, the naming master had spent several hours deliberating before bestowing the name, or so I heard.
The name he chose was Yun-i—written with the character for water.
It signified water that runs deep and vast.
A name expressing the hope that his talent and wisdom, as well as his character, would be equally profound and expansive.
Of course, it wouldn’t hurt if he earned just as much wealth.
In any case, the boy was quite handsome for his age. Perhaps it was because he was still so young?
I approached Seo-yun and waved my hand in greeting.
“Hello there?”
At my greeting, Seo-yun burst into delighted laughter.
“Oh? He laughed.”
At my words, Palgap let out a long sigh and spoke.
“There’s not a child in the world who doesn’t smile when they see you, Young Master.”
“Is… is that so?”
After a brief conversation there, I presented gifts and a monetary gift, then headed toward Yeo Eung-am Warrior’s House.
Yeo Eung-am Warrior was teaching martial arts to his two daughters.
“Ah! Master!”
He rushed toward me at once.
“Are you enjoying your leave?”
“W-what brings you all the way here?”
“I was curious to see how you were spending time with your family.”
The two daughters quickly bowed to me in salute, and their postures were quite impressive.
How old were they now?
Eight or nine years old, if I recalled correctly?
“We greet the Small Guild Master.”
“We greet the Small Guild Master.”
“We’ve never met before—how did you know who I am?”
In response to my question, one of the twin sisters, the girl with a red ribbon in her hair, spoke up.
“Father called you ‘Master’ just now. Father has only one master, after all.”
“Ah… that was a foolish question on my part.”
I couldn’t help but smile.
Then I asked Yeo Eung-am Warrior,
“Were you teaching them martial arts?”
“Ah, yes. That’s correct.”
He nodded.
“He showed considerable talent, so I lost track of time while teaching him.”
Now that he mentioned it, I recalled receiving a report from the director of the Yeong-yeong Garden.
Yeo Eung-am’s twin sons had aptitude for scholarship, and his twin daughters had talent for martial arts.
If it wasn’t a case of traits skipping generations, it seemed the two daughters took after their father.
“Let the two of them play for a while.”
“Yes.”
Yeo Eung-am led me into the room.
In the meantime, Yeo Eung-am’s Wife came out and greeted us.
I exchanged a few pleasantries, then presented the gifts I’d purchased at the marketplace and the monetary gift before taking my leave.
Staying too long at a subordinate’s home would only burden them.
That’s when Myeong-jong Warrior spoke.
“Actually, Yeo Eung-am has been asking if there’s a decent martial hall nearby. I wondered why, but it was for his two daughters.”
Finding a good martial hall and enrolling at the right time—that’s what matters.
Too early isn’t good, but too late isn’t ideal either.
It’s best to begin serious training before the bones harden.
That’s when Chang-un Warrior spoke.
“Yeo Eung-am must have had a martial hall he attended before. I’m not sure why he asked about others.”
I explained the reason.
“All parents share the same heart. They wish to give their children something better.”
“Such generalizations aren’t good.”
Palgap interjected.
“Not all parents sacrifice for their children. There are many who don’t deserve the name of parent, aren’t there?”
“Those are parents?”
“Sir?”
“I don’t consider such people parents.”
At my words, Palgap nodded vigorously.
“That’s right. Such people only tarnish the noble name of parent.”
I gazed at the sky for a moment before continuing.
“Come to think of it, our Eunhae Trading Company has an academy for scholars, but no martial hall for warriors.”
With that, my next course of action was decided.
I would establish a martial hall for children who wished to become warriors.
Of course, before that… I needed to handle the urgent matters first.
.
.
.
That afternoon.
I went to find Captain Yong.
I had wanted to visit him immediately upon arriving in Hubei Province, but he had been away, so I was going today.
My destination was the dock where the Eunhae, our Eunhae Trading Company’s vessel, was moored.
I gazed upon our fleet with admiration.
The Eunhae was impressive enough, but we had four ships in total.
At this rate, we stood to gain considerable profits from this voyage.
Captain Yong appeared to be discussing something with Song-juk Navigator and the other sailors.
They were so focused that none of them noticed my approach until I was upon them.
“Is something serious the matter?”
At my question, they startled and turned to greet me.
“We greet the Small Guild Master.”
“Please, think nothing of it. I always remember the dedication you all show to the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“Your words alone fill us with such gratitude that we know not what to do with ourselves.”
At Captain Yong’s words, I laughed heartily.
“Your flattery has grown quite abundant.”
“It is no flattery.”
“Yes, yes, I understand. But what matter were you discussing so seriously?”
At my question, Captain Yong shook his head lightly.
“Nothing so grave. We were merely discussing which cargo should be loaded onto which vessel and the personnel assignments for each.”
“I see.”
Captain Yong spoke as though something had just occurred to him.
“Ah, forgive me for the late introduction. This sailor here is someone you have not met before.”
Now that he mentioned it, everyone else was familiar, but there was indeed one sailor I had not seen before.
He was a robust, middle-aged man with eyes of remarkable depth.
Who was this? He did not seem to be an ordinary person.
“This gentleman’s name is Jang Wol.”
Jang Wol…
Could it be that Jang Wol of the legendary Nine Returns?
In my previous life, he had been a very renowned sailor.
The epithet “Nine Returns” had been bestowed upon him because he had gone missing nine times while at sea, yet each time he had returned safely.
Most would view nine disappearances as an ill omen, but the owner of one particular fleet thought differently.
Such abundance of experience, such unwavering perseverance and tenacity, he possessed.
I shared that same view.
It seemed Captain Yong harbored the same thoughts as I did.
“In fact, the reason I traveled abroad this time was to recruit Master Jang.”
“Yes, Father mentioned it to me. That you traveled due to personnel needs for the fleet.”
He nodded in agreement.
“Indeed. Now that our Eunhae Trading Company has four vessels, I felt that Song Navigator and I alone might not be sufficient.”
“I see.”
I greeted the sailor Jang Wol.
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“I am Jang Wol. It is an honor to meet Seon Hyeop Mi-rang.”
“To think I would meet the renowned Jang Wol in such circumstances. Captain Yong, your connections truly run deep.”
Captain Yong looked startled at my words.
“You know of Jang?”
“Of course. You’ve gone to considerable trouble bringing such a distinguished person.”
“That is….”
Captain Yong trailed off hesitantly. I understood why.
“My father and I have entrusted all personnel decisions to Captain Yong. If you’ve chosen someone, you should stand by that choice with confidence. Otherwise, how can others trust your judgment?”
“You’re right. Thank you for enlightening this foolish captain.”
I smiled gently and nodded.
“Simply do well going forward.”
After encouraging him, I turned to Jang Wol.
“Now that you’ve joined our Eun Hae Trading Company, I’m certain you’ll prove invaluable. I look forward to working with you.”
“How could I refuse? But how can you be so certain I’ll be of help?”
His manner was respectful, yet his words contained a test of sorts.
Depending on my answer, he might stay with us or simply depart once this matter was resolved.
A proud ship owner would have demanded, “How dare you test me!” But I am not such a man.
Pride, after all, brings no profit.
For him, this decision would determine his path for years to come—surely I could accommodate that much.
I chuckled at his question.
“You ask why I’m confident Jang Wol will be of help?”
“Yes. I am a man who has vanished nine times. Others call me cursed with misfortune.”
“But if you’ve returned alive nine times, doesn’t that mean your luck is extraordinarily strong?”
“If I vanish again, I could cause your company tremendous losses.”
I understood his concern.
Of course, knowing the future as I do, I’m aware his disappearances end at nine. But I cannot simply say so.
“Don’t you possess experience others cannot easily obtain?”
“Pardon?”
“Experience that cannot be bought for millions of gold coins—you’ve gained through wages less than a single gold coin monthly. Why would we reject such value?”
“….”
“It’s not just me. Other trading companies think the same way. We value experience because it minimizes losses.”
“But….”
“Even if you don’t fully understand my meaning, so be it. Haha. Just remember this one thing.”
I adopted a meaningful expression.
“You fear vanishing might cause our Eun Hae Trading Company losses? It’s no matter. Our Eun Hae Trading Company is not so fragile as to be shaken by such setbacks. Does that answer suffice?”
“Yes. It answers completely.”
Satisfaction gleamed in Jang Wol’s eyes.
“Then, Captain.”
“Yes?”
“Before we set sail, I’d like to gather the senior crew members for a modest celebration. Would three days before departure suit you?”
Two days before departure, Father would be hosting a banquet for all the sailors.
He glanced at Song-juk Navigator, who nodded in acknowledgment.
“The timing works well for me.”
“Did you come personally just to deliver that message?”
“Yes, I heard you’re so busy that you barely have time to see Mother and your sister. I couldn’t very well order someone like that around.”
“I feel nothing but regret toward Mother and my sister.”
“They’ll understand.”
I continued speaking.
“And I wanted to see the preparations myself. Now that I’m here, I must say I’m looking forward to this expedition.”

I returned to my office.
“I want to see Hong Ryeo.”
At my words, Palgap let out a soft chuckle.
“So you really do want to see Miss Hong Ryeo?”
“Of course! She’s Jin-ho’s daughter!”
Hong Ryeo was born early this year when Second Sister-in-law safely delivered her child.
When I sent a letter to Father through Geumryeong, he informed me by correspondence, but I’ve never seen her in person.
Everyone was worried when the due date arrived without labor pains, but the moment Jin-ho returned to the guild, labor began. Or so I heard.
Father praised her as a filial daughter for waiting for his return.
In any case, Hong Ryeo is not yet two months old.
And I’ve just returned from Yunnan. For the child’s health, I shouldn’t meet her yet.
That’s why I’ve been making an effort not to visit Second Brother’s Separate Residence.
Still, a child born to Jin-ho and Second Sister-in-law…
I’m genuinely curious what she looks like.
In my previous life, those two never came together.
But this time they married safely and even had a child!
This is one of the futures I changed.
It feels rather satisfying.

A few days later.
I made my way to a tavern in Hubei Province.
Today, I had arranged to host a banquet there for the executives of the Eunhae Trading Company’s fleet.
I needed to arrive early to make the necessary preparations and receive them properly.
So I set out a bit ahead of schedule and walked through the marketplace street.
Then I found myself stopping in one particular spot.
“…?”
On the way to the tavern, I had spotted someone sitting at a tea house.
“Isn’t that Geon Haengsu from our fleet?”
At Palgap’s words, I nodded.
“That’s right. It’s Geon Haengsu.”
But….
Why was he here, when he should have departed from the guild headquarters and arrived at the tavern by now?
I quietly concealed my presence and leaped onto the roof to observe the person across from him.
The seat where Geon Haengsu sat was one where his figure couldn’t be seen from inside, but was visible from outside.
Thanks to this, I could see the person across from him clearly.
In that instant, my expression grew grave.
The person sitting across from him was someone I knew well.
The manager of the Baekcheon Trading Company.

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