The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 543

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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 543

Chapter 543. The Tal-myeong Guest (3)

I asked the Tal-myeong Guest.
“Why do you look at me that way?”
“Ah, it’s nothing at all.”
“We have no time to dawdle. If we get held up here, we’ll waste precious hours. Let’s go.”
“Ah, understood.”
And so we left that place, leaving behind those who felt disappointed.
After we had traveled some distance, the Tal-myeong Guest asked.
“But did you have to refuse so coldly? They seemed quite disappointed….”
“I didn’t do it to avoid repaying a debt, so what does it matter? Besides, they’ll be too busy with cleanup right now. Making them worry about repaying us in such circumstances would only burden them further.”
“Ah….”
Seeing his bewilderment, I continued.
“That aside, if you fail to distinguish priorities and speak carelessly like before, I may very well strike you next time.”
“That was my mistake. My apologies.”
“Please be more careful going forward.”
“I shall.”
We traveled for several more days, and finally reached the river.
Under normal circumstances, I would have crossed using the Ju Gang Ma, but since I had a companion this time, we had to take a boat across.
Fortunately, it was a place with active water traffic, so we were able to cross the river by boat without difficulty.
After crossing the river, we soon arrived at Kaifeng.
“Indeed, it’s Kaifeng.”
“That it is.”
It was certainly a city worthy of being counted among the finest in the Empire.
I spoke to the Tal-myeong Guest.
“Let’s rest here for a day and then depart again.”
“Understood.”
We moved about searching for a suitable inn.
“How about that one?”
“The food is mediocre.”
“That one looks decent enough?”
“The soundproofing is poor.”
I rejected every inn the Tal-myeong Guest recommended.
By my standards, a suitable inn must satisfy both facility quality and food standards, but above all, it must be a place where information remains protected.
While not quite on the level of Luoyang where the Murim Alliance is located, Kaifeng is the headquarters of the Gaebang, their primary intelligence network.
So it was best not to stand out too much.
“That place looks good.”
It was the same inn where I had stayed when I came to Gaebang to shake off the group pursuing me back when I was sent by the Emperor to deliver a letter to Dae-in Bang Hyo-myung.
That was already about two years ago.
Time really does fly.
Still, this inn is quite expensive.
“If you happen to lack funds for lodging, I could pay on your behalf….”
“Didn’t I mention it before? I have plenty of money, so there’s no need to worry.”
Indeed, I could sense the ease that comes naturally to those with abundant wealth.
But now I found myself suddenly curious.
“What did you do to earn so much money?”
He answered my question.
“My Master left me a considerable fortune. From before the Grand Master’s time, there are businesses and lands that have been passed down continuously through generations.”
Sigh.
I exhaled deeply.
It seemed those assets weren’t meant to be squandered so freely, but rather to ensure he wouldn’t go hungry and to encourage him to maintain his martial arts through the lineage of single inheritance.
“Did your Master leave any instructions regarding that fortune?”
“Nothing in particular. He disappeared without a trace one day. I only learned of the inherited assets thanks to the Chief Manager who manages them.”
“Then the reason you wander through the Empire like this is to find your Master?”
“That’s about right.”
He nodded.
“Then one day I met a certain Warrior, and we came into conflict. He was called the Three Benevolent Swordsmen or something, but he wasn’t benevolent enough to deserve three characters for benevolence. So taking his name was how the Tal-myeong Guest began.”
Thus I came to learn the origin of the Tal-myeong Guest by chance.
“It seems you started for a rather righteous reason.”
Though now you’re accumulating both resentment and notoriety among the people.
“….”
He had no answer to my words.

We unpacked our belongings at the inn and stepped outside.
No matter how cautious we had to be around the Gaebang, having come to Kaifeng after so long, it would be wrong for all of us to remain cooped up indoors.
Even Palgap wore an expression suggesting he was itching to move around.
As we were leaving, I noticed the Tal-myeong Guest sipping tea on the first floor.
“I was thinking of taking a brief look around the marketplace. Would you care to join us?”
At my suggestion, he nodded readily.
“Very well.”
And so we departed from the inn.
We wandered through various parts of Kaifeng, taking in the sights.
We focused particularly on shops and marketplaces, for by observing the displays there, one could discern which goods were popular and what captured people’s interest.
While we were at it, we also purchased some of Kaifeng’s famous dried meat.
I glanced back discreetly.
“I think it would be good to rest at a tea house for a moment.”
“…That would be preferable.”
Kaifeng had prospered through commerce, and its tea houses were quite renowned.
Perhaps it was because there were many people with enough leisure to spend time in such establishments.
Being one of the major cities near Beijing, it was also a place where many wealthy families resided.
That was why many poets from Kaifeng had participated in the recent Poetry Competition, and they had performed well.
We entered a suitable tea house nearby.
“Welcome!”
The Shop Attendant greeted us and showed us to our seats.
“What will you order?”
“I’ll have the Azure Sea for myself.”
Azure Sea was a tea blend created in-house by the Eun Hae Trading Company, a mixture of several varieties that evoked the refreshing sensation of gazing upon a blue ocean.
It was created to commemorate the Eun Hae Trading Company’s first trade expedition, and I heard it was selling quite well.
It would likely sell even better once the weather grew warmer.
I myself had grown quite fond of Azure Sea.
Following my order, my companions ordered the same, while the Tal-myeong Guest ordered Wuyi Rock Tea.
Wuyi Rock Tea was produced near Wuyi Mountain in Fujian Province, a tea with a clear yet subtly sweet flavor.
Now that I thought about it, the Tal-myeong Guest was from Fujian Province.
Soon our tea arrived, and as I sipped it along with the accompanying pastries, I spoke in a low voice.
“There are those following us.”
“I’m aware. They’re waiting outside the tea house now.”
“It seems they’re targeting you…”
At my words, he sighed and lowered his head slightly.
“Ah. I apologize for this.”
“Were you being pursued?”
“Truth be told, there are not one or two who seek me out.”
That made sense.
Having stripped reputations from both the White Dao and Black Path indiscriminately, those waiting outside the tea house for the Tal-myeong Guest to emerge were from the Black Path.
They were probably following me and waiting for an opening, but the momentum of my guards accompanying me was too formidable.
If they were from the White Dao, they wouldn’t have followed so brazenly—they would have approached more discreetly.
Now that I think about it… when the Tal-myeong Guest died, didn’t everyone say that no one had anticipated his death?
Even the one who killed him was surprised.
It was an attack he should have easily evaded, yet for some reason he couldn’t dodge and was run through by the blade.
Perhaps someone with a grudge made a move.
I don’t know what method they used.
With such a notorious reputation, such things are possible.
This is truly complicated.
I let out a sigh.
“There’s no helping it.”
Since I was the one who invited him to travel with me, this is something I must bear responsibility for.
“What is it that those people want?”
“Isn’t it to restore their pride by taking back the name they lost to me?”
“Then why not simply return it?”
“How could you say such a thing after all I’ve gathered!”
The Tal-myeong Guest shook his head in protest.
Indeed, for him, that was no different from a lifetime of accumulated honor.
“But what good is it if you’re dead?”
“….”
“So how do you plan to resolve this? You don’t want to spend your life fleeing, do you?”
“I’ll kill them. Then there will be no one left to pursue me.”
No.
That would only breed more hatred and desire for revenge.
“You’ll regret that.”
“Do you think I’d fall to such incompetent fools?”
“Let me share an ancient maxim about combat that has been passed down since time immemorial.”
“What is it?”
“No matter how skilled a warrior is, there is no defense against a mob.”
As the saying goes, a coordinated assault.
And this place is Kaifeng, a great city.
If trouble arises, we’ll face considerable hardship, and our schedule will be delayed.
That cannot happen.
As I rose from my seat, he asked me.
“Where are you going?”
“I’ll resolve this instead.”
“Why would you?”
“Because I dislike being troubled by those pursuing you.”
And if I handle this, I’ll have placed the Tal-myeong Guest in my debt, which might prove useful.
“Hah, if I simply watch you deal with them in my stead, my name as the Tal-myeong Guest would weep. Stop. I will handle this myself.”
“You’re referring to that sword?”
“Indeed.”
I let out a soft chuckle.
“I can wield a sword as well, but that alone doesn’t determine everything.”
Watching the Tal-myeong Guest laugh as if bewildered by my illogical words, I continued.
“What if I were to send them away without drawing my sword at all?”
“That’s impossible.”
“It’s possible.”
I raised the corners of my mouth and pressed on.
“Shall we make a wager?”
“If this journey could offer such entertainment, that would be welcome. It feels like a contest within a contest.”
After a moment of consideration, he spoke.
“Well, it’s no loss to me. If you fail, I’ll consider it as having built one more reputation for the Immortal Chivalry.”
“Agreed. But if I succeed, please address me as Elder Brother until we arrive at the Jegal Family Estate.”
“…Very well.”
Thus the wager was established.
I rose from my seat and descended to the tea house with my companions. Then I approached the Black Blade Group waiting outside the door.
As I drew near, they tensed and shifted their stance.
It was a natural reaction, having watched the Tal-myeong Guest and me travel together all this while.
So I cut straight to the point.
“Do you perhaps have business with the Tal-myeong Guest?”
“…!”
They looked flustered, clearly not expecting such a direct question.
“By the way, it would be wise not to draw your swords. As you know, since members of the imperial family reside here in Kaifeng, the Imperial Guard patrols these streets constantly. You wouldn’t want unnecessary trouble, would you?”
“That… doesn’t matter!”
“If we can reclaim our Elder Brother’s reputation…”
I clicked my tongue.
I shook my head disapprovingly.
“If you end up in prison for nothing, would your Elder Brother feel at ease? If you’re caught carelessly, he could be implicated in the same charges.”
“That is…”
“Moreover, this place is under the Murim Alliance’s watch. There’s nothing to gain from drawing their attention.”
“…”
They had nothing to say.
“So then, what is the reputation your Elder Brother lost?”
“The Shanxi Mad Dog.”
The Mad Dog of Shanxi…
I couldn’t fathom why they clung so desperately to such a title and sought to reclaim it.
Well, I didn’t need to understand it right now.
The world was full of things that made no sense, and in such cases, it was better for one’s mental health to simply accept them and move on.
“That reputation must have seemed quite impressive to you.”
“Of course!”
“But if it were me, I’d create an even more impressive title rather than reclaim that one.”
“Even… more impressive?”
“Yes. Since you’re called the Shanxi Mad Dog, you should establish yourselves in Shanxi.”
“That’s true.”
“Then what about the Shanxi Vagabond Bandits, or the Shanxi Fierce Tiger?”
“Ohhh!”
They brightened at my words.
“Such a method!”
“Even better than the Shanxi Fierce Hound!”
I spoke to them with an understanding expression.
“I understand your hearts. Honestly, you chased after the Tal-myeong Guest out of frustration and spite, didn’t you?”
“….”
The way they avoided my gaze without answering confirmed I was right.
The excuse was for your elder brother, but venting your anger was the real purpose.
“Actually, I’m currently engaged in a title struggle with the Tal-myeong Guest.”
“Is that… truly the case?”
“It is. That merchant is trying to steal my title of Seon Hyeop Mi-rang.”
“What! Then you’re that famous Seon Hyeop Mi-rang!”
“No wonder he’s so handsome!”
They nodded vigorously.
“To think you’d give such advice to fellows like us! We’re moved.”
“That bastard is truly rotten! He has no title of his own, so he’s targeting the Seon Hyeop Mi-rang?”
“Exactly!”
I smiled at their candid reaction.
“Actually, if I don’t draw my sword and let you go, the Tal-myeong Guest has agreed to call me his elder brother. Wouldn’t that be truly amusing?”
“Ooh!”
“That proud bastard calling someone younger than him his elder brother!”
“That would be quite the sight!”
“So please help me.”
They nodded at my words.
“We should help with something like that! It settles our grievance too!”
“Right!”
“I’m grateful for your cooperation.”
“Don’t mention it….”
They seemed delighted, imagining the Tal-myeong Guest calling me his elder brother.
“Then I look forward to a more impressive title.”
“Haha! Look forward to it!”
And so they left willingly, and I looked up at the tea house.
I could see the Tal-myeong Guest wearing an expression as if he’d bitten into a rotten cucumber.
Hah! So from now on, I’m your Elder Brother?
.
.
.
A moment later.
We returned to the Inn.
“To celebrate becoming my Elder Brother today, let me treat you to dinner.”
At my words, the Tal-myeong Guest responded with a reluctant expression.
“I… I don’t think…”
Palgap spoke up at that.
“If you skip meals, your body will suffer during the journey.”
“….”
Eventually, he sighed and answered.
“Very well, Elder Brother.”
“If you’re calling me Elder Brother, shouldn’t you speak more formally?”
Crack.
Did I just hear something snap?
Hehe, that’s Palgap for you.
How does he always know exactly what I’m thinking?
“I… understand, Elder Brother.”
Listening to the Tal-myeong Guest’s reply, I chuckled inwardly.
It felt like a decade-old knot in my chest had finally loosened.

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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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