The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 548

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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 548

Chapter 548. The Eccentric of the Jegal Family (1)

The Eun Hae Trading Company maintained a branch in Henan as well.
It was one of the most prominent regions in the Empire, encompassing major cities like Luoyang and Kaifeng.
The Henan Branch served to relay information about the martial world’s movements in the Henan region—including the Murim Alliance and Shaolin Temple—to the Main Headquarters, and assisted with matters related to their events.
In other words, they possessed a proper information network.
I could easily send word to the Main Headquarters without relying on Geumryeong.
“Welcome!”
The Hanan Branch Manager greeted me warmly.
“You must be quite busy.”
“Not at all.”
He continued.
“I heard you accomplished great deeds in dealing with those Black Cat Sect villains.”
“News travels fast, doesn’t it?”
“Whether news travels fast or slow hardly matters when you shouted ‘Urgent letter from Seon Hyeop Mi-rang, the hero of the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament!’ right in front of the Murim Alliance.”
“Haha, you have a point.”
Sigh—the League Master couldn’t help but receive that letter, and now I’ve become even more embarrassed.
“But what brings you here?”
“I’d like to send a letter to the Main Headquarters.”
I handed over the letter I had prepared.
“Please send it as quickly as possible.”
“We’ll use a carrier eagle.”
Among the various methods for sending letters over long distances quickly, carrier pigeons and carrier eagles were the most common.
Carrier pigeons relied on their homing instinct, but since many predators hunted them, many pigeons were lost in transit, requiring multiple birds to be sent at once.
For this reason, absolutely confidential matters were never sent via carrier pigeon.
Carrier eagles cost more to maintain, but they could deliver letters faster and more safely than pigeons.
And the Henan Branch possessed carrier eagles.
The letter I handed over requested that they contact the families of those I had rescued.
In truth, sending it through Geumryeong would be fastest, but that would make future explanations awkward.
Since it wasn’t particularly urgent, I chose the official method.
“Thank you. I look forward to your continued assistance.”

After requesting the Hanan Branch Manager to send word, I returned to the inn.
Now it was time to head toward the Jegal Family Estate.
Since I no longer needed to travel with Woo-gyeok, I could increase my pace considerably.
There shouldn’t be any major issues with my schedule going forward.
That’s when I heard someone calling out to me.
“Eun Seo-ho, Small Merchant Guild Master.”
I turned around to see Jeok Ui-hwa-ta approaching me.
“Master Jeok.”
“I heard you’re heading to the Jegal Family Estate.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
He handed me a letter.
“Please deliver this to Jegal Family’s Grand Elder.”
The envelope bore no written characters—only three trees and a house sketched upon it.
“I’m counting on you.”
Jeok Ui-hwa-ta’s reputation was impeccable, and from my own experience, his character was equally exemplary.
There was no way such a man would entrust me with a frivolous letter for Jegal Family’s Grand Elder.
“Understood. I will deliver it without fail.”
“Thank you. When do you plan to depart?”
“I’ll leave tomorrow.”
“So soon?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
“The task I’ve undertaken is not a personal matter, but a collaborative effort with the Imperial Court. I cannot afford further delays, and I ask for your understanding.”
“I have no objections. Still, it’s a shame.”

That evening.
I gathered all the people I had rescued and informed them that I had contacted their respective families.
“And my companions and I must depart tomorrow due to prior commitments.”
“Is that so?”
“Ah… so soon.”
“I have left ample funds at the inn for your lodging and meals, so please rest assured and make yourselves comfortable.”
“Truly, we are deeply indebted to you.”
“As the saying goes, all under heaven are brothers. And I am simply delighted to have been of service.”
I withdrew twelve pouches of silver and extended them.
“And these I have prepared in case any of you have particular needs.”
All were moved by the money pouches I offered, their eyes fixed upon me.
The more genuine emotion I displayed, the greater the dividends would return to me.
Then someone spoke.
“No matter how wealthy one is, it is not easy to spend money for others’ sake. So tell us—what is it you desire that you show us such extraordinary favor?”
Ah…
So they would discern my intentions so quickly.
The one who asked was In Gyeol Taoist, a disciple of the Huashan Sect.
The Myeong-jong Warrior apparently knew him as well, for he had been quite startled upon seeing him in the prison.
In Gyeol Taoist had likewise been delighted to see the Myeong-jong Warrior.
Being a Taoist of the Huashan Sect, his perception of situations was remarkably sharp.
I nodded readily.
“That is correct. There is indeed something I wish from all of you.”
“And what might that be?”
All eyes grew tense.
I continued with a gentle smile.
“There is no need for such apprehension. I am a merchant. I understand well enough what must be placed upon the scales to achieve balance.”
“….”
“What I desire is connections.”
“Connections?”
“Yes. For a merchant, connections are something difficult to obtain even with vast wealth. Yet such an opportunity to forge bonds with such renowned individuals has presented itself—how could I possibly let it slip away?”
I clasped my hands and continued.
“Therefore, I ask that you view my actions with understanding.”
At my words, In Gyeol Taoist spoke.
“You… are you even considering our hearts?”
What? Suddenly, what do you mean by that?
I was momentarily flustered.
“Are you deliberately making such excuses so that our hearts will not grow heavy from merely receiving?”
What? That’s not it…
That is the real reason, so why would you think otherwise?
“Truly, the Immortal Chivalry Beauty!”
“We shall never forget your kindness!”
“Would we be human if we repaid such grace with betrayal?”
Wait, why is the conversation heading in this direction?
Well, if that’s what you believe…
Though truthfully, the money in my purse came from the Black Cat Sect.

After finishing my conversation with everyone, I stepped outside the inn.
The warmth mixed into the breeze told me summer was approaching.
It’s becoming the season when folding fans will sell well.
And umbrellas too.
There will be much rain this summer.
Ah, observing the changing seasons and immediately thinking of what will sell—I suppose I’m a merchant through and through.
As I stood enjoying the breeze, I sensed movement behind me.
“Woo-gyeok, you haven’t retired to your chamber yet.”
“No, Elder Brother. I heard you’re departing tomorrow.”
“That’s correct.”
“I’ve learned much from you, Elder Brother. I shall never forget meeting you.”
I too will remember this in many ways.
“That aside, I truly admire you, Elder Brother.”
“What do you mean?”
“When an opportunity to practice righteous chivalry arose, you didn’t hesitate—you acted. Honestly, I hesitated.”
At those words, I chuckled softly and shook my head.
“No, Woo-gyeok. I hesitate often too.”
“I sensed no such hesitation from you.”
That’s because my hesitation was brief.
My doubts usually concern how to resolve matters cleanly and how to avoid revealing my full strength.
So I don’t need to deliberate long.
Come to think of it, acting without hesitation is the right approach.
“I too wish to build righteous deeds as you do. Honestly, all I’ve accumulated so far is infamy.”
“Recognizing that is already the beginning of righteous chivalry.”
He scratched his head at my words.
“And the greatest righteous deed, in my view, is that which you extend to family and those close to you.”
“Yes?”
“To neglect them and show kindness to strangers? I consider that hypocrisy.”
I continued.
“I heard your only family is your Master.”
“That’s right. I lost my family as a child, and my Master took me in.”
“Exactly.”
I smiled.
“If you start there, building righteous deeds won’t be difficult.”
Only then did his expression brighten considerably.
“I understand. And should you ever visit Fujian Province, please do stop by our sect.”
“I shall.”
.
.
.
Dawn broke.
My companions and I gathered our horses and departed the inn, while everyone I had rescued came out to see us off.
“Phew, it feels like our real journey is finally beginning.”
Palgap nodded at my words.
“Indeed, sir.”
I felt oddly scattered somehow.
After riding for about an hour, Jin Yu Warrior was waiting for us.
“You must have had a difficult time.”
“Not at all. I was simply resting, thinking of it as a well-deserved break.”
After reuniting with Jin Yu Warrior, we rode hard again and arrived at the Jegal Family Estate that very day.
Honestly, I had expected it to take two days.
The Zhu River horses, having galloped at such speed, looked refreshed.
Well, it had been a while since they’d had a proper run.
I dismounted and approached the Gate Keeper.
“Where have you come from?”
The Gate Keepers asked respectfully, and I produced my identification tablet as I spoke.
“I am Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company.”
Upon hearing my identity, the Gate Keeper brightened and opened the gate.
“Please come in. We have been expecting you.”
It seemed the Grand Patriarch had informed them beforehand.
The Gate Keeper quickly rang a bell to summon attendants, and servants came rushing.
The servants led our horses toward the stable, and an Attendant greeted us.
“It has been quite some time.”
“Yes. I am pleased to see you again.”
He was the Grand Patriarch’s Attendant, and I had already met him before.
“Please follow me.”
“Thank you for your hospitality.”
“Considering what the Small Guild Master has done for our Jegal Family, it is only natural.”
As we walked toward the Grand Patriarch’s residence, I suddenly recalled what had transpired here when I was fifteen.
It all began when I was invited by the Jegal Family’s Grand Patriarch after secretly publishing a poetry collection with Yu So-ak Internal Chief Manager.
Since I was also a co-author, I was invited as well.
While enjoying poetry over tea, I noticed there was poison in the cup.
I also discovered that the Jegal Family’s Grand Patriarch was poisoned.
With the help of Jegal Yu-ah, who had deliberately acted the part of a naive young lady, I was able to apprehend the culprit.
The assassin was Jegal Dong-woo, the Grand Patriarch’s younger brother.
I thought the matter would be resolved there, but it wasn’t.
A far more terrible crisis awaited the Jegal Family.
Jegal Kyung, the House Master’s nephew.
He had attempted to activate the forbidden Honah Anmak Jinbeop technique that the Jegal Family had sealed away, intending to destroy the entire family.
I had stopped him.
As a token of gratitude, I obtained the distribution rights to Anxi Iron Goddess of Mercy, owned by the Jegal Family in Fujian Province, which had become a major source of revenue for the Eun Hae Trading Company even now.
Soon we arrived at the Great-grandfather’s Residence.
“Grand Patriarch, Eun Seo-ho, the Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company, has arrived.”
“Show him in.”
The door opened, and I entered, offering a respectful bow.
“It has been a long time since we last met.”
“Indeed, it’s been quite a while since the Poetry Competition last spring.”
“Yes.”
He had served as a judge at the Poetry Competition in Beijing this spring.
“You appear to be in excellent health.”
“One grows healthier when one stops working.”
“Ha ha, is that so?”
“Please, sit. Let us have some tea.”
He offered me a seat, and I sat before the low table.
The Jegal Family’s Grand Patriarch poured tea for me.
“Please, drink.”
“I shall gratefully accept.”
Ah, truly the Jegal Family.
They brew tea properly.
It was no simple feat to steep it so cleanly without a hint of bitterness.
“So, what is this about a Martial Arts School?”
The Grand Patriarch got straight to the point.
“In fact, our Eun Hae Trading Company intends to establish a Martial Arts School on the outskirts of Beijing. This school would be….”
The Grand Patriarch nodded at my explanation.
“Certainly, those cultivated in a Martial Arts School backed by Imperial influence would become the Empire’s strength. So then, what is the purpose of this school?”
“Purpose, you say?”
“Would you undertake such a troublesome endeavor without reason?”
“You know me far too well.”
I smiled faintly and continued.
“Would it suffice to say it is a check against the Murim Alliance?”
“I like that.”
A faint killing intent emanated from the Grand Patriarch as he spoke. He had not forgotten what had transpired before.
Indeed, the Jegal Family had nearly been annihilated because of that incident.
In my previous life, they actually were.
In a situation where it was nearly certain that the Murim Alliance was behind this incident, my proposal would be very satisfactory to them.
That’s also why I came to the Jegal Family first.
“Therefore, I requested from the Jegal Family an Instructor who could oversee the design of the Martial Arts School and its curriculum, and also teach theoretical classes to the students.”
“Well, the Main House is certainly the right fit for such work. We’ve already been looking for a suitable person.”
“Thank you.”
“Hmm, save your thanks for later. There’s still a chance this might fall through.”
“Pardon?”
“There is one person who would be perfectly suited, but… that fellow is quite eccentric.”
“What do you mean by that…?”
The Grand Patriarch pondered for a moment before speaking.
“Our Jegal Family has a tradition called the Zamryong Journey.”
“I’m aware. You explained it to me before.”
At fifteen years of age, one must leave the family for three years and survive without receiving the family’s support—a tradition of the Jegal Family.
Those who have not completed the Zamryong Journey cannot have their names registered in the Jegal Family genealogy.
It was a tradition established by an ancestor who had once been the House Master of the Jegal Family long ago, insisting that one cannot understand the truths of the world by merely studying books—or so I had been told.
Thanks to this, those whose names were recorded in the Jegal Family genealogy rarely fell into the folly of becoming mere bookish scholars.
“That fellow has only had his name registered in the Main House genealogy for three years.”
“Then he hasn’t even reached adulthood yet, has he?”
The Zamryong Journey begins at fifteen and concludes at eighteen.
The Grand Patriarch shook his head at my question.
“No. That fellow is already over thirty.”
“Pardon?”
“To be precise, he’s thirty-five. He left on his Zamryong Journey at fifteen and returned to the Main House after twenty years.”

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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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