The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 551

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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 551

Chapter 551. The Eccentric of the Jegal Family (4)

The Grand Patriarch responded to my question.
“Haven’t you found something strange about all this?”
“Pardon?”
“Ever since you and Yu A first came here, I have harbored hatred toward the Murim Alliance.”
Now that he mentioned it, that was indeed the case.
Even in the presence of Yu So-ak, the Internal Chief Manager who was not a martial artist, the Grand Patriarch had erupted in killing intent upon seeing the letter from the Murim Alliance that the House Master brought, his fury unmistakable.
“Didn’t you wonder about the reason?”
At the time, I had assumed his hatred stemmed from the Murim Alliance’s constant scheming against the Jegal Family.
And since the Jegal Family had nearly been destroyed by the Murim Alliance, it seemed natural that he would harbor such resentment.
Moreover, yesterday Young Master Jegal Cheon-du’s father—the Grand Patriarch’s youngest brother—had been killed by the Murim Alliance, so I believed the Grand Patriarch’s hatred was entirely justified.
Though the Murim Alliance called it an accident, Young Master Jegal Cheon-du was certain of the truth.
He had been murdered because he refused to comply with the Murim Alliance’s will.
But the Grand Patriarch’s fundamental reason for hating the Murim Alliance was something else entirely.
They were the ones who had annihilated the Seolpung Palace, the sect of his old friend.
“The Murim Alliance!”
The Grand Patriarch nodded at my words.
“Imok said he sensed the aura of the Black Path from some members of the Murim Alliance. But I did not agree with him. I thought perhaps he had been mistaken… that is what I said. But I was wrong. It was I who was mistaken.”
He continued speaking.
“It is shameful to admit, but even after reading that letter from Imok, I thought surely not. Only after losing my youngest brother did I finally come to understand that my old friend’s letter spoke the truth.”
And he let out a deep sigh.
That sigh carried profound regret and remorse.
“Then what of the Blood Sect? Until now, I have witnessed countless disturbances in the martial world, and I have come to understand that the Blood Sect was involved in many of those incidents.”
“It is possible that remnants of the Blood Sect are plotting something, but the Blood Sect can be said to have been effectively annihilated.”
“Are you certain?”
“I heard that the Blood Sect Leader died as a result of what happened at the Wudang Sect. The Blood Sect Leader’s martial arts are passed down through generations. Since he is dead, there is no possibility of their resurgence.”
No.
My instincts are telling me otherwise.
That I must never overlook the Blood Sect.
“However…”
The Grand Patriarch continued speaking.
“I greatly regretted not believing Imok’s words due to my shallow knowledge and convictions. So this time, I do not intend to dismiss what you are saying. From now on, the Main House will keep a watchful eye on this matter.”
That is fortunate.
If the Jegal Family takes such action, it will be quite helpful.
“Thank you.”
“I have said all I need to say. The rest is Sam Mok’s business.”
Sam Mok—wasn’t that Jeok Ui-hwa-ta?
He produced a small box that had been sitting on the table.
“This is for you.”
That box had caught my attention earlier, and now I understood it was meant for me.
“Open it.”
I opened the box, and in that instant, I was taken aback.
A fragrant floral scent seemed to fill the entire chamber.
The aroma carried an unmistakable clarity.
“This is….”
“As expected of the Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company—you recognize it at once.”
A single crimson flower resembling a musk mallow, yet distinctly its own.
Still vivid and unblemished by time.
The Thousand-Year Spirit Blood Flower.
It is renowned as a spiritual herb that increases inner energy, but it is even more celebrated for healing external wounds.
When this flower is crushed and applied, it is said to cure any injury in an instant.
“That was entrusted to me by your old friend. He instructed me to give it to you.”
Yet I had no need to accept this.
I had Geum Ryung-i.
Her venom possessed efficacy no less than the Thousand-Year Spirit Blood Flower, so if the Jegal Family possessed this, it could save someone else’s precious life.
Therefore, it would be better to make a different request of Jeok Ui-hwa-ta.
“I appreciate the gesture, but I cannot accept this.”
“You refuse to accept this?”
The Grand Patriarch’s eyes widened in surprise.
“Yes. I cannot accept something so precious. I did not save you in expectation of reward.”
“However….”
“If you truly wish to repay me, I would instead ask that you treat someone I may request of you in the future.”
There would come a time when I would need Jeok Ui-hwa-ta’s skills.
.
.
.
I withdrew from the Grand Patriarch’s quarters and returned to the separate pavilion where I was staying.
And I lay down on my bed.
If Palgap saw me lying on the bed still dressed in my traveling clothes, he would surely scold me, but I simply wanted to rest.
Sigh, I’m exhausted.
Through the Grand Patriarch, I had learned the full truth about Hyung-su, who had annihilated the Seolpung Palace, and that revelation had drained my mental reserves.
I clenched my teeth.
The Murim Alliance—these bastards!
I now had one more reason to seek vengeance against them.
As the Lesser Palace Mistress of the Seolpung Palace, I could not let them go unpunished.
If they discover that I’ve mastered the martial arts of Seolpung Palace, they’ll stop at nothing to eliminate me.
So it’s a matter of vital importance for my own survival.
But the problem is that not everyone belonging to the Murim Alliance is a target for revenge.
Many of them know nothing about any of this.
Even Lee Pil Warrior’s father serves as an instructor in secret techniques for the Murim Alliance.
I need to clearly distinguish who my enemies are and who my allies are.
What I know for certain is that the Murim Alliance Leader is my enemy.
I learned this through Jin Yu Warrior.
So where exactly does the Blood Sect fit into this puzzle to complete the picture?
As I pondered this, a sudden sense of futility washed over me.
For years I struggled desperately to uncover the identity of Hyung-su, who annihilated Seolpung Palace, only to discover that the Jegal Family’s Grand Patriarch already knew.
But soon I shook my head and cast aside such thoughts.
After all, this was merely a reward for my earnest efforts.
Had I not prevented the Grand Patriarch from being poisoned, and had I not saved the Jegal Family from the chaos caused by the Confused Soul Sealing Technique, there would be no one left in this world who could tell me such things.
And had I not struggled and fought to survive, I could never have reached the pinnacle of martial mastery.
So my life, spent struggling and striving to prevent the future catastrophe facing the Eun Hae Trading Company and to achieve my revenge, was never in vain.
Drip.
What? Why are tears falling?
Before I could help myself, tears continued to stream down my face uncontrollably.
“Kwui? Kwui! Kwu!”
Noticing this, Geum-ryeong emerged from my sleeve and comforted me.
“Kwui… Kwu.”
“I’m fine.”
Yes, truly fine. These tears are closer to tears of joy than tears of sorrow.
It seems it’s true that tears can fall even when one is happy.
“Kwui? Kwu?”
What? You’re asking if you can receive silver coins for comforting me?
“….”
My tears dried up instantly.
Tch, how could I be crying like this right now?
The Eun Hae Trading Company is still ranked twentieth.
And beyond that, the tasks ahead of me are as monumental as Mount Tai.
Thanks to Geum-ryeong, my mind is sharp again.
“Geum-ryeong, I need you to run an errand.”
“Kwui?”
“I need to send a letter to my Master.”
The fact that the Murim Alliance Leader is Hyung-su is something I must inform him of immediately.
.
.
.
That afternoon.
I received an invitation to a banquet hosted by the Jegal Family.
Guided by an attendant, I arrived at the banquet hall, which embodied the Jegal Family’s traditions in every detail.
It was not lavish, yet it carried considerable weight and dignity.
The dishes arranged on the dining table appeared simple and refined.
What was peculiar was the presence of dumplings among the offerings.
“Is something the matter?”
I shook my head as I observed Jegal Yu-ah, the Small Patriarch, tilting her head curiously.
“Nothing significant. I was simply struck by the sight of dumplings on the banquet table.”
She laughed at my response.
“Ah, I see. Dumplings are ordinarily considered common fare and are rarely served at formal banquets. However, this is the Main House of the Jegal Family. It is said that we honor the memory of Prime Minister Jegal, who valued human life so dearly that he substituted dumplings for a man’s head to deceive an enemy—and at every banquet, we commemorate that noble heart.”
“I understand.”
The true origins of dumplings remain a matter of considerable debate.
Yet what truly matters is that spirit which refused to accept meaningless sacrifice.
“Please, be seated.”
“Of course.”
As we took our places, others soon arrived at the banquet hall.
This gathering included the Jegal Family’s Grand Patriarch, the House Master and his wife, and the families of Young Master Jegal Cheon-du.
It was, in essence, a farewell banquet for Young Master Jegal Cheon-du, who would become the instructor of the martial hall to be established in Beijing.
And his family was quite numerous.
His mother and four elder brothers.
Observing that they all appeared rather advanced in years, I truly grasped the reality that Young Master Jegal Cheon-du was the youngest child.
The youngest among five sons and three daughters, as I had been told.
“Haha, I do hope you will forgive our youngest’s peculiar temperament.”
“Of course. Accepting such an exceptional talent from the Jegal Family is worth any accommodation.”
“Our youngest, he….”
“That’s why our youngest….”
Though his sisters had married out and only his brothers remained present, they managed to repeat the same concern four times over.
Eventually, Young Master Jegal Cheon-du grew exasperated with their worried remarks.
“Enough! Elder brothers! When will you stop treating me as a child? I am grown now! I have completed my Zamryong Journey!”
“Yes, your Zamryong Journey….”
Young Master Jegal Cheon-du should not have mentioned the Zamryong Journey.
“When the family waited so desperately for your return, only to have you appear after twenty years.”
“We thought you were dead!”
“Sigh, truly….”
Faced with their reproaches, Young Master Jegal Cheon-du ultimately surrendered.
“I apologize, elder brothers. I have committed an unforgivable offense.”
At this, a question suddenly occurred to me.
“If I understand correctly, during the Zamryong Journey, a family warrior secretly watches over the disciple. Surely you knew whether he lived or died?”
One of Young Master Jegal Cheon-du’s elder brothers answered my question.
“That’s correct. We’ve been monitoring him out of concern that he might be connected to suspicious groups. However, once we confirmed his return to the family and the Warrior assigned to watch him withdrew, he slipped away through a different route.”
“Ah… I see.”
I turned my head and spoke to Young Master Jegal Cheon-du.
“I do hope that when working with me, you won’t disappear midway.”
“Hmm, that won’t happen.”
“Of course not. There’s a contract, after all.”
“A contract?”
At the House Master’s question, I nodded.
“Yes. It’s a tool that adds integrity to transactions between people.”
“I’m aware of that.”
“You seem concerned there might be toxic clauses in it.”
“You’re right. I suppose it showed.”
“As the House Master overseeing all matters of the Jegal Family, you have every right to review Young Master Jegal Cheon-du’s contract. Please examine it.”
I handed the contract I possessed to the Attendant, who then delivered it to the House Master.
The House Master examined it carefully and nodded.
“The terms are quite reasonable.”
“Indeed.”
There was no way I would play games with a contract when dealing with the Jegal Family itself.
I retrieved the contract and placed it back in my possession.
“But couldn’t Cheon-du simply ignore this and disappear anyway?”
“Of course he could. However, you need not worry about that.”
I smiled broadly and continued.
“This contract will be notarized by His Imperial Majesty the Emperor.”
At those words, Young Master Jegal Cheon-du was taken aback.
“What? Notarized by His Imperial Majesty?”
“Of course. Surely you don’t think we’d handle this carelessly when we’re establishing a Martial Hall Instructor position jointly with the Imperial Court?”
A contract’s effectiveness varies dramatically depending on whose notarization it receives.
Receiving the Emperor’s notarization was the ultimate form of certification.
“In other words, if you decide this work doesn’t suit you and abandon it to disappear, you’ll spend your entire life being pursued by the Geumui Guard and Dongchang. And if you’re caught, you’ll have to work at the Martial Hall for life.”
“….”
Watching the terrified Young Master Jegal Cheon-du, the House Master spoke calmly.
“Why worry so much? You only need to work for ten years without quitting midway.”
“That’s… true.”
“Then I ask for your cooperation.”
As I raised the corners of my mouth and clasped my fists, he returned the gesture with the expression of someone chewing a rotten cucumber.
This was the true toxic clause I had prepared.
Still, I didn’t feel particularly sorry, because this wasn’t bad for him either.
Once the disciples he trained took center stage, the Murim Alliance’s power would weaken, and opportunities would arise to make them suffer.
Then he would voluntarily work harder and remain attached to the Martial Hall longer.
His hatred for the Murim Alliance was that strong, after all.
In my previous life, I had repeatedly obstructed the Baekcheon Trading Company’s movements using the Yu-kang Merchant Guild’s influence.
.
.
.
Before I knew it, five days had passed since arriving at the Jegal Family Estate.
We decided to depart for Beijing soon.
“Do take care of yourself on the journey.”
“I will.”
The Grand Patriarch’s farewell sounded like an ordinary parting on the surface, but it carried a deeper meaning.
A warning to be cautious of the Murim Alliance.
“We should be able to meet again this autumn.”
“Pardon?”
At the Small Patriarch Jegal Yu-ah’s words, I tilted my head in confusion, and she smiled softly before continuing.
“The Martial Arts Grand Conference is coming.”
“Ah!”
The Martial Arts Grand Conference.
This was the Murim Alliance’s greatest event, held once every nine years, and it was a martial tournament with no age restrictions.
And it was also an opportunity for the merchant guild to secure substantial profits.
Of course, the Murim Alliance would collect considerable fees under the guise of participation fees and protection costs.
“Are you perhaps planning to participate in the Martial Arts Grand Conference?”
“Yes, that’s what I’m thinking.”
“That’s dangerous.”
“It certainly is. But reputation in the martial world is the strength of our family.”
She was right, so I couldn’t very well object.
“I see. I look forward to our meeting this autumn.”
I exchanged farewells with the others and mounted my horse.
“Then I shall take my leave.”
“Travel safely.”
We departed from the Jegal Family Estate.
Behind us, I could hear the voices of those seeing off Young Master Jegal Cheon-du.
“Young Master, will you be stopping by the Yeochun Inn Songshan Branch on your way?”
At Palgap’s question, I nodded.
“Yes. It’s on the way anyway, and I should verify that the people I rescued made it home safely.”
That way, my purse would grow even heavier.

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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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