The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 549

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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 549

Chapter 549. The Eccentric of the Jegal Family (2)

I asked the Grand Patriarch a question.
“Was he perhaps kidnapped or has he gone missing?”
“No, that fellow simply chose not to return to the Main House of his own volition.”
He chose not to return?
To be honest, three years of the Zamryong Journey is nothing but a succession of hardships.
One receives no support from the family and cannot use the family name.
After being treated as a young master or lady of a prestigious clan, one is cast alone into the world.
Of course, one learns many things and receives support in preparation for the Zamryong Journey, but that comes before departure.
The world one faces with bare hands is cruel and merciless.
In fact, some even lose their lives during the Zamryong Journey.
Yet the family merely watches from afar—they do not lift a finger, even if one dies.
That is the law.
Because of this, most return to the family estate promptly when the three-year period ends.
Only then does one’s name officially enter the genealogy of the Jegal Family, and only then does one gain the rights of a family member.
But to voluntarily remain away for twenty years means he has renounced all rights of the Jegal Family and lived as an outsider.
That is not an easy thing to do.
So that is why he is called eccentric.
“But why would you recommend someone so eccentric?”
The Grand Patriarch answered my question.
“Because he is someone who can be of help to you. To be honest, it would be easier to find someone in the Main House who lacks the abilities you seek. But isn’t it more important to find someone who can be as helpful as possible to you?”
“I am grateful for your consideration.”
“Haha, save your thanks for later. I may have chosen him, but he must suit your tastes, no?”
This is a person chosen directly by the Grand Patriarch of the Jegal Family.
He will surely meet my expectations.
“Then I shall go meet him in person.”
“You intend to go yourself? Why not simply summon him here?”
The Grand Patriarch asked with a puzzled expression, and I smiled gently in response.
“Even Liu Bei, the emperor of Shu Han, made three visits to recruit an outstanding strategist. How could I simply sit and summon him?”
At my words, the Grand Patriarch laughed with evident pleasure.
“Hahaha! I appreciate you saying such things.”
He nodded and was about to call for an attendant.
“Ah! Grand Patriarch, there is something I must ask of you.”
“A request?”
“Yes.”
The Grand Patriarch examined the letter I had handed over and asked me a question.
“Could it be that Jeok Ui-hwa-ta requested this of you?”
“How did you know?”
In response to my question, the Grand Patriarch pointed to the drawing on the envelope and spoke.
“This drawing is a token of our agreement between us.”
Ah, so that drawing held such meaning.
“But what connection do you have with him?”
“Actually….”
Since this story would inevitably come to light anyway, there was no harm in telling the Grand Patriarch here.
And he was not the sort to carelessly spread tales to others.
I began my explanation methodically.
“…and so, I ended up rescuing them, and one of them turned out to be Jeok Ui-hwa-ta.”
“My goodness!”
The Grand Patriarch shook his head and sighed.
“Such a thing happened! Truth be told, Jeok Ui-hwa-ta is an old friend of mine! I am truly grateful that you saved my friend.”
“You are too kind. Surely this was the will of Heaven, was it not? Haha.”
“Then they are well now?”
“Yes. They are staying at the Yeochun Inn Songshan Branch. Word will soon reach their respective families.”
“I see. Why didn’t you bring them to the main house?”
“I considered it briefly, but given the watchful eyes around, I had no choice but to refrain.”
At my words, the Grand Patriarch nodded in understanding.
“If you thought it best, then you must have had good reason. Well done.”
“I am grateful for your words.”
I bowed respectfully to the Grand Patriarch and continued.
“Grand Patriarch, since my visit to the Jegal Family this time is official business rather than personal, I would like to pay my respects to the House Master.”
“Ah! I forgot to mention that!”
The Grand Patriarch chuckled and spoke.
“The House Master is away on business and should return around tomorrow, while the Small Patriarch should return sometime today.”
“Ah, I see.”
“So do not worry. When they return, I shall have them visit you.”
“What are you saying? As your guest, it is only proper that I should call upon them.”
“Hehe, are you just any ordinary guest?”
“….”
Feeling somewhat embarrassed, I changed the subject.
“Then I shall go meet the person you promised to introduce me to.”
“Do so. However, it seems there is no time today, so please spare some time tomorrow.”
The Grand Patriarch’s face was filled with gravity.
Since he had not yet even read Jeok Ui-hwa-ta’s letter, it seemed there was another matter at hand.
What could it be?
For now, I responded with proper courtesy.
“Understood.”
.
.
.
A moment later.
I followed the attendant’s guidance toward the eccentric’s quarters and asked a question.
“May I ask the name of the person you’re introducing me to?”
“Ah! It’s Young Master Jegal Cheon-du. He’s the youngest son of the Grand Patriarch’s youngest brother.”
“I see.”
So he’d be a cousin of the House Master in the same generation, but his age….
The attendant, noticing my unspoken question, offered an explanation.
“He was born to his father at an advanced age.”
“I see.”
Quite the vitality, then.
Wait a moment… If he’s the Grand Patriarch’s youngest brother….
“That person surely….”
“Yes. He passed away long ago.”
….
I cleared my throat and continued.
“Ahem, but what sort of person is Young Master Jegal Cheon-du?”
“Pardon? What do you mean?”
“I thought it might be helpful to know something about him before meeting him.”
The attendant nodded as if he understood my meaning.
“Ah, I see what you mean. In that case… I would ask that you refrain from discussing the Murim Alliance.”
Ah….
I immediately grasped the implication.
He harbors a grudge against the Murim Alliance.
Then perhaps the Grand Patriarch’s introduction of Young Master Jegal Cheon-du to me is for that very reason.
Which means he’s already discerned why I’m establishing a Martial Arts School.
Hah… truly a formidable person.
I rubbed my arms with both hands.
“Why do you do that?”
“It’s nothing. What else should I know?”
“He dislikes obscuring the essence with unnecessary words.”
“You mean he prefers directness?”
“You may interpret it that way.”
We headed toward the Outer Hall.
This made sense, as Jegal Cheon-du was of a collateral branch.
The Inner Compound was a place where only direct descendants could reside.
“But why would he be in his quarters at this hour?”
The Jegal Family and other martial arts clans place direct descendants and branch family members in positions of responsibility.
So I had heard that when members of the Jegal Family complete their Zamryong Journey and return, they each assume a post and begin their duties.
But it is not yet time for him to leave office.
He explained with a troubled expression.
“The thing is… he has held various positions during this time, but he abandoned each one, saying none suited his temperament.”
“….”
I sighed inwardly.
Ah, the Grand Patriarch.
Why did I have the distinct feeling that the Grand Patriarch was laughing softly and asking me to handle this well?
Soon I arrived at a separate pavilion.
In most families, it is customary for adults to reside alone in a separate pavilion.
The same is true for our Eun Hae Trading Company.
An attendant who was sweeping the courtyard saw us and hurried over.
“Welcome.”
“Yes, is the young master inside?”
“Yes, he is.”
“We have a guest. Please inform the young master.”
At those words, he rushed off hastily.
“Young Master! We have a visitor.”
“Understood.”
A voice came from within, and soon the door opened, revealing a man.
The moment I saw his face, I could not help but be startled.
What? Why is this person here?
This was because I had met him before.
To be precise, in my previous life.
After the Jegal Family collapsed, Jegal Yu-ah became the bodyguard of a merchant guild leader.
And she earned a name among the hundred greatest masters under heaven.
The one she guarded was none other than the Merchant Guild Leader of the Yu-kang Merchant Guild, one of the ten great merchant guilds.
And the man before my eyes was the strategist and Internal Chief Manager who had grown that Yu-kang Merchant Guild into one of the ten great merchant guilds at that time.
I never imagined he was a member of the Jegal Family.
The Jegal Family must have collapsed before I returned from my Zamryong Journey, which is why the Murim Alliance failed to identify his true identity.
“….”
As I stood staring at him blankly, Palgap quickly nudged my side.
“Young Master.”
“Ah!”
Thanks to that, I came to my senses and quickly clasped my fist in salute.
“It is an honor to meet you. I am Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company.”
“I am Jegal Cheon-du. The Grand Patriarch mentioned to me that you wish to invite me as an instructor at the Academy.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
I nodded my head.
“We wish to invite the Young Master as the designer and instructor for the Martial Hall we’re establishing in collaboration with the Imperial Court this time.”
“I’m afraid I have little interest. I must decline.”
As expected, the Grand Patriarch said he had chosen the right person, not that I merely needed to bring him back.
So persuading this man and bringing him with me is my responsibility.
“Is it that you lack interest? Or is there another reason?”
I continued speaking.
“It would seem to benefit us both if you spoke honestly.”
At my words, he let out a sigh.
“Well, since you insist, I’ll be frank. I dislike working under you.”
“Is it because I’m a lowly merchant? Well, as a noble Young Master from a prestigious family like the Jegal Family, how could you possibly object?”
I deliberately taunted him.
“Since you’re so noble, you wouldn’t associate with the base, is that right? Am I mistaken?”
He frowned with displeasure.
“Don’t paint me as such a fool!”
“Then you should explain your reasons. If you simply say you don’t wish to work with me, it’s bound to cause misunderstanding, isn’t it?”
“….”
He glared at me before opening his mouth.
“You are a hero of the Murim Alliance, having received the title Seon Hyeop Mi-rang from them. That’s why….”
“So because I’m a member of the Murim Alliance, you don’t wish to work under me?”
“That’s correct.”
Well, the fact that I’m the benefactor of the Jegal Family is a secret known only to the upper echelons….
“You seem to be under a misunderstanding.”
“What do you mean?”
“The Martial Hall being established this time is built by the Eun Hae Trading Company, but the Imperial Court bears half the operational costs. Moreover, we can only construct the Martial Hall in Beijing with the Imperial Court’s permission.”
“So what are you trying to say?”
I smiled wickedly.
“In other words, you would be working under the Imperial Court, not under me.”
“….”
“And it seems you haven’t heard about the true purpose of the Martial Hall.”
His eyebrows twitched.
“Purpose… you say?”
“Yes.”
I sent him a transmission of inner energy.
– It seems you wish to make a fool of the Murim Alliance, is that correct?
“…!”
He flinched.
– The true purpose of this academy being built is precisely that. To make a fool of the Murim Alliance.
At my transmission, he bit his lip slightly.
“Can one who has received the title Seon Hyeop Mi-rang really speak such words?”
Seeing that he still couldn’t use transmission of inner energy, his martial prowess hadn’t yet reached its peak.
– I didn’t even ask for it, so what does it matter?
He chuckled softly at my response.
“This is why the Grand Patriarch said you’d be to his liking and quite entertaining.”
“So will you accept my proposal?”
He nodded readily and consented.
“Very well. Let us proceed.”
“Thank you.”
I clasped my fist in gratitude.
“I’m fortunate I didn’t have to court you three times over.”
“Please don’t say such things—you’re embarrassing me. Come inside and have some tea.”
“I won’t refuse.”
The Separate Pavilion had a small room designated for receiving guests.
Soon an attendant brought tea and refreshments.
As we sipped tea and conversed, I realized our thoughts aligned far better than expected.
I had so many questions for him. One of them was….
“You’re wondering why I’m so hostile toward the Murim Alliance.”
“My, I pride myself on controlling my expressions, yet I’ve been seen through.”
“After wandering across the Empire for some twenty years and experiencing all manner of trials, one’s eye for people naturally sharpens.”
He smiled bitterly.
“So my intuition tells me this: you’re someone I can trust, Small Guild Master. The Grand Patriarch said the same, but I’m the sort who only believes in what I’ve experienced myself.”
“I understand.”
In my previous life, I had grown the Yu-kang Merchant Guild into one of the ten great guilds—such confidence was well-earned.
“But if we proceed with mutual suspicion, there will only be discord.”
“That’s true.”
At my affirmation, he sighed and spoke.
“So I’m telling you this. The truth is… my father was murdered by the Murim Alliance.”

* * *

At that very moment.
Jegal Hyun-ri, the Grand Patriarch of the Jegal Family, sat in a small pavilion he had built within his quarters.
Before him lay a miniature waterfall and pond—a space created for composing poetry or quiet contemplation.
He fingered the envelope containing the letter Eun Seo-ho had delivered, then opened it.
It was a letter from Jeok Ui-hwa-ta, his old friend.

[That I could send this letter to my cherished one—even now it feels like a dream. I never thought I would live to see sunlight again.]

Seeing his promptness, I felt a renewed sense of gratitude toward Eun Seo-ho.
He had never been particularly good at keeping in touch, but his silence had been so complete that I had grown genuinely worried.
Without him, my remaining old friend would have perished as well.
‘No—without him, both Jeok Ui-hwa-ta and I would have met our end.’
He gazed at the three trees drawn upon the envelope, his expression tinged with sorrow.
Those three trees symbolized himself and his two old friends.
Yet one of those two friends had departed far too soon.
That friend’s name was Gwak Won-gyu.
He had been the Palace Master of Seolpung Palace.

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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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