The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 530

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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 530

Chapter 530. Complacency is Forbidden (1)

I stood atop the boat’s awning, surveying the waters ahead.
“We should be approaching Nanking soon.”
Turning around, I saw Song-juk Navigator approaching me.
“I see.”
Once the boat docked at Nanking, I would load the wine from Beijing and set sail for the Dae-Wol Kingdom.
Just then, Seo Hyang’s voice drifted from beside me.
“My, is that bird a seagull?”
She pointed toward a white bird visible in the distance, her curiosity evident.
Of course—she had never seen a seagull before.
“Yes, it is.”
Song Navigator replied.
“Seagulls signal that land is near. For sailors like us, they are auspicious omens. Though, of course, since we are traveling downriver, that particular meaning doesn’t quite apply at the moment.”
“Still, it means the coast is nearby, so it’s a good sign.”
“Ha ha ha. Indeed it is.”
She gazed at the seagull with an expression of pure delight.
This voyage held no particular danger or urgency, so Seo Hyang had accompanied us.
She was my deputy officer, and eventually we would need to reach Beijing anyway.
“Still, life aboard a boat must be uncomfortable for you. Are you managing well?”
“Everyone has been so considerate. I’m quite comfortable, thank you.”
“I’m relieved to hear it, but please do let me know if anything becomes inconvenient.”

An hour’s time passed.
At last, we arrived in Nanking.
We disembarked from the boat, and I immediately began arranging for an inn.
It was to ensure the sailors who had labored to bring us here could rest comfortably.
Fortunately, I was able to rent an entire inn near the harbor.
I compensated the handful of existing guests with double their lodging fees, and they gratefully accepted and moved to another inn.
After arranging for everyone except those guarding the boat to rest at the inn, Eun Jung-ho and I headed to the Provincial Military Command of Nanking.
It was the official assembly point where all participants in this trade expedition would gather.
“I am Eun Jung-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“I am Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
As we revealed our identities, the gate keepers withdrew their crossed spears and spoke.
“Our apologies. Please proceed inside.”
Eun Jung-ho and I entered and made our way to the assembly hall from the previous trade expedition.
Upon arrival, I recognized familiar faces.
“It’s good to see you.”
“Yes, good to see you as well, Song Sub-danju.”
“Your complexion looks splendid—it seems you’ve been well these days.”
“It’s all thanks to you, Eun Small Merchant Leader. Haha.”
The one greeting us warmly was Song Yun, Small Guild Master of the Changhae Trading Company.
Previously, when his guild faced ruin due to the schemes of the Baekcheon Trading Company, my intervention allowed him to reclaim it.
Because of that, he harbors considerable goodwill toward me.
“I knew you had arrived when I saw the Changhae Trading Company’s vessel at the dock. When did you arrive?”
“About four days ago.”
“You came quite early.”
“There were goods we needed to load here.”
“I see.”
I turned and exchanged greetings with Ji Seok-mun, Small Guild Master of the Baekbuik Trading Company.
“It’s been a long time.”
“How is it you’re so busy even without trade matters?”
“Pardon?”
“I heard you’ve been quite active in Beijing lately. You resolved that murder case involving the critic at the Poetry Competition, didn’t you?”
“News of that has spread there?”
“Of course. I also heard that the particular Meat-Loving Duke took you as his successor. My congratulations.”
“Haha, thank you.”
I scratched the back of my neck with a wry smile.
Indeed, the Baekbuik Trading Company has connections to the Imperial Palace.
They are the largest guild trading with the Marae Seo Kingdom, and when the Empire sends envoys to Marae Seo, they utilize this company.
That is how Princess Sinaa of Marae Seo came to the Empire aboard a Baekbuik Trading Company vessel.
Now she has become the wife of my Elder Brother Seon-il.
During the first trade expedition, news of her marriage and her letters were reportedly delivered to Marae Seo.
And the King of Marae Seo has formally approved the remarriage, hasn’t he?
In truth, there have been many things others don’t know about during this time, but most of them cannot be spoken of in public places….
“Yet despite being so busy, your complexion looks quite radiant.”
“Is that so? It is all thanks to the grace bestowed upon me by the Emperor.”
Are you watching? Emperor?
I am this loyal to you.
The other merchant guilds arrived in small groups, and all of them arrived on schedule.
.
.
.
Night had fallen.
I lay upon the bed.
There is nothing quite like lying upon a bed when preparing for sleep.
Once we load the goods sent from Beijing, we should be ready to set sail.
It was then that I felt an urgent presence approaching.
Soon came the voice of Seo-woo Warrior.
“My lord, Gwak Vice-Manager requests an audience.”
“Hmm? At this hour?”
I rose from the bed and answered while putting on the outer robe I had hung beside it.
“Come in.”
Seo Hyang entered.
She who ordinarily maintained an almost flawless composure in all things.
Yet with her hair loosened and wearing only an outer robe hastily thrown over her nightclothes, it was clear something urgent had occurred.
“What is the matter?”
“You must move immediately. It’s a landslide.”
“What? A sudden landslide? But this is a harbor…?”
“Not here. We must reroute those who are bringing the alcohol here right now.”
“When will this occur?”
“…Based on the future timeline I witnessed, it will happen in four days’ travel from here.”
Four days’ travel?
“Yes, because immediately after departing from the Okmeong Inn, you will encounter a landslide at Myodun Mountain. And the landslide will occur on the fifth day after the rain begins.”
I turned the matter over in my mind.
Four days’ travel from here.
And the fifth day after the rain begins….
It was then.
Patter, patter, patter.
Whoooosh!
The rain began to fall. Which meant… we had barely a single day to spare.
I understood now why Seo Hyang had rushed to me in such a state.
I immediately summoned Palgap.
“Palgap!”
“Yes! You called for me, Young Master?”
“Tell Eun Jung-ho right now that I’ve stepped out and will return shortly. Say I’m going to meet those arriving from Beijing.”
“Understood, sir.”
“And Seo-woo Warrior.”
“Your command, my lord.”
“Inform the other warriors. We depart in half an hour.”
“Understood.”
“Chang-un Warrior will remain here to protect Seo Hyang.”
“I accept the order.”
“And I entrust Myeong-jong Warrior with overseeing this entire inn. Now, move quickly.”
The Guard Warriors departed at once, and I bowed respectfully to Seo Hyang.
“I cannot thank you enough. Had it not been for you, I would have suffered a catastrophic loss.”
Months—no, years of careful preparation nearly ruined in a single moment.
The thought struck me suddenly.
What would have become of me if I hadn’t saved Seo Hyang?
“Sigh…”
In that instant, she swayed, and I quickly steadied her.
“Are you well?”
“Ah, yes. I apologize. Once I told the Small Guild Master what I witnessed, the tension finally released.”
Her words drew a soft laugh from me.
“Am I truly so trustworthy?”
“Yes.”
It was meant as light banter, yet her answer—sharp as a blade—left me flustered.
“Ahem, I’m hardly so dependable.”
“No, you’re the most trustworthy person I know.”
Embarrassed by her words, I lowered my gaze, and my face flushed crimson.
She wore only a thin inner robe, and in steadying her just now, her garments had become slightly disheveled.
“It’s grown late. Leave the rest to me and retire to your chamber. I’ll see you to your door.”
Her guest room was just beside mine, after all.
I opened the door myself and ushered her inside.
Hmm…
I had to say this.
“I’m truly grateful that you’re alive and here beside me.”
At my words, her face flushed slightly.
“Travel safely.”
“I will.”
I closed the door and spoke to Chang-un Warrior.
“Protect Seo Hyang with your life.”
“I shall guard her with my very existence.”
The expression on Chang-un Warrior’s face as he spoke was quite resolute.

I had changed into light armor. With a landslide imminent, my usual garments would only prove cumbersome.
And half a double-hour later.
We rode the Zhu River through the downpour.

Soon we arrived at the Okmeong Inn.
It was precisely four days’ journey from here to Nanking.
In a straight line, it would be closer, but the actual distance was greater.
There was quite a substantial mountain between the two regions.
Myodun Mountain.
A mountain named for its resemblance to a rabbit’s hindquarters.
It was now late in the fourth month.
Winter’s bitter cold was beginning to fully recede, and the ground was becoming unstable during this season.
Thus, sudden heavy rains at this time often triggered landslides.
This occasion was likely no exception.
“Whoa, whoa!”
We brought our horses to a stop, and the Shop Attendant emerged from the inn to greet us.
“Welcome. How many of you are there?”
“Six of us.”
Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior were already at the inn.
“You’ll be staying the night, I presume?”
“Yes, we will.”
“Please, come inside.”
The Okmeong Inn was quite spacious. This was likely why those coming from the Imperial Palace used this establishment.
We decided that two of us would share one room.
I unpacked my belongings in the guest room and immediately unfolded Hyun Ro-do.
“To the Provincial Military Command in Nanking.”
I stated my destination, and Hyun Ro-do promptly revealed the route.
The path Hyun Ro-do showed was not the fastest route, but the safest one.
And Hyun Ro-do was now indicating a detour that deviated from the original path.
The original route passing beneath Myodun Mountain was dangerous.
“….”
Seo Hyang’s words were correct.
I had unfolded Hyun Ro-do not because I doubted her words.
Had I not trusted her, I would not have come this far through the rain that night.
I was simply verifying it twice over, and also to ascertain the precise detour route.
So now I simply had to wait for them to arrive?

That evening.
A group of people arrived at the Okryeong Inn.
They were the ones I had been waiting for.
After watching them secure their rooms, I revealed myself to them at an opportune moment.
“Oh! Small Merchant Guild Leader!”
The first to spot me was Yeochang’s Vice-Lord.
“I thought we would meet in Nanking, but how do you come to be here?”
Not only he, but all of them wore expressions of bewilderment.
“I came to welcome you all.”
“Us, you say?”
“Yes.”
Then I turned my attention toward the officials in the back.
I spotted Gak Sa-oe-rang, a ninth-rank official from the Ministry of Rites whom I had seen during the previous trade mission.
The number of dispatched personnel also appeared greater than before.
I immediately approached Gak Sa-oe-rang, as he would be the highest-ranking official present.
“You must have had a difficult journey. Dae-in.”
“Hah, it was hardly a burden. But weren’t you already in Nanking after boarding a ship from Hubei?”
“Yes, that is correct.”
I nodded and continued.
“I came here for the safety of you and your party.”
“For our safety, you say?”
I racked my brain on how to explain the landslide.
Simply saying “An Immortal Sage appeared in my dream and warned me to be careful of landslides” would not be a wise approach.
In such circumstances, I needed an objective and rational explanation.
“In truth, having arrived in Nanking early, I sought diversions and toured the Nanking Market. It was there that I overheard a conversation between herb gatherers.”
“Herb gatherers?”
“Yes. As you know, herb gatherers practically live in the mountains and are therefore exceptionally knowledgeable about mountain terrain and weather patterns. During their conversation, they mentioned that Myodun Mountain seemed dangerous.”
I continued.
“Out of an abundance of caution, I inquired further, and they told me that if heavy rain fell, there was a high likelihood of landslides on Myodun Mountain. And that mountain lay directly in your party’s path.”
“So you came all this way through this rain?”
“Yes.”
I bowed my head as I spoke.
“I am but a cautious merchant, and I cannot easily overlook anything that troubles me. Therefore, even if it means taking a much longer detour, I earnestly implore you to bypass that mountain.”
Gak Sa-oe-rang looked at me and placed a hand on my shoulder.
“Raise your head. We shall take the detour as you suggest.”
“Truly?”
“How could I ignore such sincerity when you have rushed here for our sake?”
He continued.
“Besides, this party includes people from the Eun Hae Trading Company and many goods they have prepared. I trust the ambition and judgment of a merchant like yourself.”
At those words, I felt a quiet laugh rise within me.
You’re quite a wise person.
That’s why the Emperor appointed you as the head of trade operations.
I bowed deeply once more.
“Thank you.”

Having decided to take a detour, we immediately discussed the alternate route.
We also needed to consult with Pyo Du from the Pyoguk, whom the Imperial Palace had hired.
Pyo Du agreed with my proposal.
“Landslides do occur frequently during this season. If we can learn about them in advance and avoid them, we certainly should.”
“What if we take the detour this way?”
I presented the route that Hyun Ro-do had shown me, and Pyo Du nodded in approval.
“That would be best.”

The next day, we departed from the Okryeong Inn.
Taking a detour naturally meant the journey would take longer.
Grumbling voices drifted from behind.
“Sigh, Myodun Mountain has never experienced a landslide until now.”
“We’re just suffering because of needless worry.”
Seo-woo Warrior approached me cautiously and asked.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes. I don’t mind. It’s natural for every endeavor to have one or two people who harbor complaints.”
After traveling for about half a day, we stopped to rest.
This cursed rain wouldn’t stop.
Rumble, rumble, rumble.
A sound like the earth itself was trembling echoed through the air.
The startled horses reared up, and we quickly calmed them.
At that moment, someone pointed somewhere and shouted.
“There, over there…!”
We looked toward where he was pointing. My blood ran cold.
In the distance, a massive landslide was occurring.
I exhaled a breath of relief and thought to myself.
If not for Seo Hyang, we would have faced true disaster.

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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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