The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 540

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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 540

Chapter 540. Establishing a Martial Hall (6)

I spoke to him.
“Should I offer my congratulations?”
“I’m not entirely sure myself.”
He rose to his feet as he spoke.
“I heard that my parents are still at the house.”
“Yes.”
“Are they in good health?”
At those words, I hesitated for a moment. His eyes grew dim at my pause.
“Now that I think about it, you only spoke of my father from the beginning.”
“….”
“Mother has… passed away, hasn’t she?”
In the end, tears streamed from his eyes. I patted his shoulder gently and spoke.
“Still, your father lives. Go to him before it’s too late and embrace him.”
“Yes. I will do so.”

After finishing my visit, I left that place.
Hawk Manager needed time to compose himself.
“What a relief this is.”
Cho Haeng-su, who had come out with me, spoke with an expression of relief.
“Indeed it is.”
As we exchanged pleasantries, the Physician entered the room where Hawk Manager was.
Observing this, I asked Cho Haeng-su.
“By the way, is the Physician from the Medical Hall trustworthy?”
At my question, he nodded.
“Of course. He serves as the Merchant Guild’s physician because he owes a great debt of gratitude to the Merchant Guild Leader.”
“I see.”
Then I could entrust this matter to him.
I bid farewell to Cho Haeng-su and waited until the Physician finished examining Hawk Manager and emerged.
“Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster. What brings you here?”
“In fact, I have obtained medicine for the Merchant Guild Leader.”
“Is that so?”
I withdrew Cheon Young-geun from my bosom and presented it to him.
“Please verify it.”
He unwrapped the cloth-bound object but seemed not to recognize it, tilting his head in confusion.
That’s the typical reaction, after all.
“I am Cheon Young-geun.”
“Ah, I see. Cheon Young… Cheon… Gasp! What?”
He stammered in surprise, his words tumbling out.
“Is… is… is this the Cheon Young-geun?”
“Yes, it is. A spiritual elixir that cannot be easily obtained. With this, we can cure the Merchant Guild Leader’s ailment.”
“How… how could you offer something so precious…?”
Tears began to stream down his face.
I wondered why so many people were weeping today.
“Because the Merchant Guild Leader saved and looked after Hawk Manager, our trading company’s endeavors have been able to proceed smoothly.”
I continued speaking.
“Please brew the medicine from this and present it to the Merchant Guild Leader at once.”
“Yes, understood.”
“Just to be safe, ask the warriors to guard while the medicine is being brewed.”
“Of course.”
Even within the trading company, one cannot afford to be careless.
I sent him off and secretly ordered Jin Yu Warrior to oversee the matter.
The next day, Jin Yu Warrior came to report.
“There were no issues during the brewing process. And the Merchant Guild Leader safely took the medicine.”
“I see. Thank you for your efforts.”
I spoke to Palgap.
“Prepare for our departure.”
“Understood.”

* * *

So Man, the Merchant Guild Leader of the Yeochang Trading Company, opened his eyes.
“Hmm….”
Though his body usually felt as heavy as lead, today it felt remarkably light—as if he had returned to his youth.
‘How strange.’
He rose from his bed.
Even a single step had been difficult before, yet now he could walk without any strain whatsoever.
He felt as though he could even run.
‘What on earth is happening?’
Just then, a voice called from beyond the door.
“Merchant Guild Leader, the Physician has arrived.”
“Let him in.”
As the door opened and the Physician caught sight of him standing there, his expression shifted to one of profound astonishment.
“M-Merchant Guild Leader….”
“My body feels remarkably light today. Haha! How extraordinary!”
“It truly was Cheon Young-geun….”
“Hmm? What do you mean? Cheon Young-geun?”
The Physician lowered his head and explained.
“In truth, yesterday the Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster gave us Cheon Young-geun. The medicine you took yesterday was decocted from it.”
“What? Is that truly the case?”
“Yes.”
“Haha! What could he possibly demand in return for something so precious….”
At his sigh, the Physician spoke carefully.
“I too asked why he would bestow something so invaluable. The Seonhyeop Mirang replied that it was a token of gratitude for saving and caring for Maejung Manager.”
At this, So Man shook his head.
“Even so, it is far too generous. The reward I have received is far too great for such a deed.”
He called out toward the door.
“Bring the Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster to me… No, I shall go myself.”
He adjusted his robes and made his way toward Eun Seo-ho’s Residence.

* * *

I finished my breathing exercise and rose from my seat.
Then I spoke to Palgap.
“We have a visitor.”
“I was already preparing tea for them.”
My ability to sense presences had been steadily improving lately.
Soon, Chang-un Warrior’s voice came from outside.
“The Merchant Guild Leader has arrived.”
I opened the door myself.
“Please, come in.”
“Ah, I hope I’m not interrupting your morning routine.”
“Not at all. Please, have a seat.”
The Merchant Guild Leader’s complexion was distinctly different from before.
Cheon Young-geun, as expected.
I greeted him with a faint smile and offered him a seat.
“You look well.”
“It’s all thanks to the Cheon Young-geun you gave me. I don’t know how to repay such a kindness.”
“Please, don’t speak of it that way.”
I continued gently.
“It was thanks to you that I was able to find Hawk Manager’s son. And because of that, the construction of the Martial Hall with the Imperial Court could proceed without complications. This is merely repayment for that.”
“That’s not so. While it’s true you saved Hawk Manager, our trading company was able to grow even more because of it. I believe I’ve already received sufficient compensation.”
I had anticipated he would say this, so I brought out my prepared response.
“Actually, that Cheon Young-geun was discovered in the sugarcane fields here.”
“Such a precious thing was here?”
“Yes. While rescuing Hawk Manager and the child, I discovered a pit that had been dug up by a wild beast. It was inside.”
– Squeak?
Geumryeong made a discontented sound from inside my sleeve.
Yes, yes, of course you weren’t a wild beast.
Just let me make this excuse without complaint.
I patted Geumryeong inside my sleeve and continued.
“It seems to be Heaven’s blessing. Heaven must have granted this fortunate encounter because it did not wish for you to leave this world prematurely.”
“Of course I’m grateful to Heaven. But since I’ve received continuous kindness from you, I fear I’ll fall ill again if I don’t repay it.”
He continued.
“I have little to offer you. So I will give you ten percent of the sugarcane field’s annual profits for the next ten years.”
“I beg your pardon?”
I was taken aback.
“That’s far too much.”
“If you don’t accept this, I fear I’ll fall ill again. Oh dear….”
If you speak like that, how can I refuse?
I sighed and relented.
“Very well. I will accept your offer.”
“Thank you.”
I should be the one thanking you.
I’m leaving here with yet another gain.
“By the way, when are you planning to depart?”
“Once Hawk Manager finishes his preparations, I intend to leave.”
Hawk Manager composed himself faster than expected, and we decided to depart the next morning.
Thus, he busily moved about, appointing someone to handle affairs in his absence and conducting the handover.
.
.
.
Morning arrived, and we gathered at the entrance of the Merchant Guild Headquarters to depart.
“Thank you for everything.”
“Thank you? We should be thanking you.”
Then Hawk Manager bowed to the Merchant Guild Leader.
“I shall return safely.”
“Yes, travel well.”
Thus we set out toward Beijing. The problem was that Hawk Manager, not being a martial artist, couldn’t endure Ju Gang Ma’s pace in his right mind.
Yet slowing down to accommodate him would leave us short on time.
So I pressed a pressure point on Hawk Manager’s body to put him to sleep and began our journey at full speed.
And when we arrived near Beijing, I awakened him.
Now we needed to proceed slowly.
And returning to Beijing after so long—I wanted to see it with a clear mind.
Hawk Manager’s expression showed fresh emotion.
“Ah… that’s still standing.”
“Yes.”
“A new building has been erected there.”
Hawk Manager slowly savored the streets of Beijing, transformed over fifteen years.
Thus we passed through Beijing’s bustling district and entered its outskirts.
“In truth, when I was young, a great fire broke out on the Back Mountain of our village for reasons unknown. I was playing on the mountain with other children at the time. Not knowing what to do, my father and the village elders came to rescue us.”
He continued his tale.
“That memory resurfaced in the sugarcane fields this time, and it became the thread that allowed me to recover all my memories.”
“I see.”
Soon the house came into view.
Upon seeing the house, Hawk Manager’s expression hardened.
“Why that expression?”
“Because I am an unfilial son returning after fifteen years.”
“But that was beyond your control, was it not?”
“That may be true, but…”
His heart would not be at ease.
Joy and welcome mingled with remorse.
It was an emotion I had never experienced before, so I couldn’t offer any further comfort.
But I couldn’t afford to remain lost in sentiment.
“Elder!”
I called out loudly to him.
“Elder! Are you there? Elder!”
After I called several times, the Hawk Elder emerged from within, muttering irritably.
“You come after so long and make such a fuss….”
In that instant, he stopped mid-sentence.
He had seen the Hawk Manager standing beside me.
“Could it be… Jung-i? Is it really you, Jung-i?”
“Father….”
“Jung-i!”
“Father!”
The two men rushed toward each other and embraced.
“Oh my boy! Why did you take so long to come back?”
“I’m sorry, Father. I’m truly sorry.”
“Enough of that! You’re back now, and that’s what matters. You’ve returned safely, and that’s all that matters.”
Witnessing the reunion of father and son after fifteen years, my own eyes grew misty.
“This is truly moving. *sniff*.”
Palgap was already wiping away his tears.
Beneath his rough exterior, he was surprisingly tender-hearted.
Sigh, now I found myself missing my own father and mother.
Perhaps I should visit the Beijing Branch?
I needed to lighten the burden that Eun Jung-ho was bearing in my stead.
.
.
.
Several days passed.
During that time, I spent my days busily handling the accumulated work.
Though Eun Jung-ho had processed matters, there were decisions too difficult for him to make alone.
After four days of relentless work, I finally found a moment to rest.
“Phew….”
As I exhaled and closed my eyes briefly, Eun Jung-ho spoke.
“How exactly are you managing all of this work?”
“Just through hard work?”
“It’s clear we’re understaffed in Hyunpung. When I return to the Main Headquarters, I’ll recommend to Father that we increase our personnel here.”
“Then I’m grateful.”
“You’re truly grateful, aren’t you? Your words don’t seem sincere.”
At that, I sprang to my feet and clasped my fists respectfully.
“How could that be? Your younger brother is deeply moved by your kind consideration.”
“That’s enough, you rascal.”
My elder brother continued.
“So everything went well with your trip to Guangxi Province?”
Just then, Palgap’s voice came from beyond the door.
“Young Master! The Hawk Elder has sent word.”
I smiled wryly.
“I had a feeling things would work out.”

A short while later.
I made my way to Old Man Mae’s residence. The Hawk Elder sat on a wooden bench with his son beside him.
“You’ve come?”
“Yes, Elder. You look remarkably well.”
“This is all thanks to you. Jung-i told me everything—you found my son and even saved his life! Truly… I don’t know how to repay such a debt.”
“Living out your remaining years happily with your son is all the repayment needed.”
“I knew you would say something like that.”
The Hawk Elder nodded slowly as he spoke.
“I’ve decided to return to Guangxi Province with my son.”
“So you’ve made your decision.”
I had suspected as much.
The Yeochang Trading Company’s leader had wanted to entrust the Hawk Manager to me, but since the leader’s illness had improved.
And because the Hawk Manager had stepped forward to save Cho Haeng-su’s child this time, the other managers seemed to have accepted and acknowledged him.
“If you wish to transfer to our Eunhae Trading Company, we would gladly accept you.”
“I’m grateful for the offer, but that place is like my second home. I wish to care for my father there in comfort.”
“Then I have no choice but to yield.”
I continued.
“If you plan to use an escort agency for your journey, I’ll recommend a good one.”
“I would appreciate that.”
I turned to look at the Hawk Elder.
“Then we can proceed with the contract for this land. As I mentioned before, I’ll provide five hundred silver taels.”
“That’s too much.”
“No, it isn’t. I’ve given the same amount to others, so giving less would be unfair.”
“But you found my son and saved his life…”
“I did that purely for my own benefit.”
The old man pondered for a moment before speaking.
“Then of the five hundred taels for the land, I’ll invest three hundred in the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“Understood.”
Indeed, old ginger is spicier—he made a truly wise choice.
The Hawk Elder’s move proceeded swiftly, and he departed for Guangxi Province using the Changin Escort Agency I had recommended.
My neighbors and I saw him off.
The Changin Escort Agency was a capable establishment, so he would make the journey safely.
Thus, I had completed the task of securing land to build the Martial Hall.
Phew, establishing a Martial Hall is truly not an easy endeavor.
I’ve only just secured the land, after all.
There still remains the work of constructing the building and recruiting Instructors.
The building itself won’t be difficult, but recruiting Instructors is the real challenge—though I do have the imperial decree the Emperor bestowed upon me.
That gleaming decree dusted with gold leaf.
So then, where should I visit first?

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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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