The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 552

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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 552

Chapter 552. The Eccentric of the Jegal Family (5)

Having departed from the Jegal Family Estate with Young Master Jegal Cheon-du in our company, we could not increase our pace.
Thus, a distance that had taken us a single day to traverse now required nearly four days of travel.
“It seems we shall have to make camp here for the night.”
At the Seo-woo Warrior’s words, I nodded in agreement.
“Understood.”
Soon our party began preparing for the night’s encampment.
In the meantime, I announced the evening meal to Young Master Jegal Cheon-du and his entourage.
Those who had been riding in the carriage approached the place where we had kindled a campfire.
Young Master Jegal Cheon-du’s party was modest in size.
Five people in total: his attendant, a maidservant, and two guard warriors.
Had he been of the direct line, he would have had more attendants, but as a branch member, this was his lot.
No matter how one looked at it, the treatment of the direct line and branch lines could not help but differ.
This was precisely why they engaged in such fierce competition to become part of the direct line.
“Tonight we have noodles.”
Palgap was boiling noodle broth with various ingredients in a pot set over the campfire.
Soon the noodles were ready, and Palgap called out to everyone.
“Please bring a bowl each!”
At his words, I stepped forward with my bowl first, and Palgap ladled noodles into it.
We gathered around the campfire and ate our noodles.
“Delicious!”
“Hehe, does it suit your palate?”
“Yes.”
Indeed, Palgap’s culinary touch was unmatched.
“Splendid!”
“It’s truly delicious!”
Even the members of the Jegal Family were satisfied with the noodles Palgap had prepared.
After dinner, we established the night watch rotation.
The watch schedule was determined through discussion between my guard warriors and Young Master Jegal Cheon-du’s two guard warriors.
“I entrust it to you.”
With those words, I lay down to rest.
Yet for some reason, sleep would not come. Perhaps it was because my mind was too full of thoughts.
When sleep eludes you, tossing and turning serves no purpose.
I should move about.
I rose from my bedroll.
“Hmm? Young Master? Why are you awake?”
The moment I rose, Palgap beside me snapped his eyes open.
Well, Palgap had always been a light sleeper.
It had been that way before, but lately his senses seemed even more acute.
“I just couldn’t sleep. You rest—I’m going to take a walk around the area for a bit.”
With that, I began to stroll through the surroundings.
That’s when I spotted someone ahead. It was Young Master Jegal Cheon-du.
“Are you also unable to sleep, Young Master?”
“Ah, yes. Perhaps it’s the excitement of a new place and new endeavors—I find myself restless.”
He asked me with a puzzled expression.
“But why are you awake instead of resting, Small Guild Master?”
“I suppose I was too excited about recruiting such a talented individual as an instructor for the Martial Hall.”
“Haha.”
He laughed lightly at my words.
“There’s something I’m curious about.”
“What might that be?”
“During the Zamryong Journey, you evaded all those watching you—what were you doing for those twenty years?”
“….”
“I understand you didn’t associate with any unsavory groups.”
At my words, he lifted his head to look at me.
“But as someone employing you as a key figure, I believe I have the right to know what you’ve been doing for those twenty years.”
“….”
Instead of answering, he gazed silently at the sky before finally speaking.
“I investigated my father’s death.”
“Pardon?”
“My father passed away a year before I departed on the Zamryong Journey. The Murim Alliance provided an explanation for the incident, but I couldn’t accept it. So I appealed to the House Master and the Grand Patriarch, but they simply said it was merely an accident.”
I see.
They likely said that to prevent Young Master Jegal Cheon-du, who hadn’t yet come of age, from acting recklessly.
Especially the Grand Patriarch, who was convinced that his brother’s death was because of the Murim Alliance.
“So I saw the Zamryong Journey as an opportunity. I secretly evaded surveillance and worked as an employee of the Murim Alliance, investigating my father’s death.”
“Your return to the Family Estate means your investigation is complete?”
At my question, he nodded.
So he had confirmed to me that his father was killed by the Murim Alliance.
“I see. Thank you for telling me.”
In my previous life, I now understood how the Yu-kang Merchant Guild had managed to attack the Murim Alliance so persistently and precisely.
Since Young Master Jegal Cheon-du had worked as an employee of the Murim Alliance, he would have known their weaknesses and vulnerabilities in detail.
The reason he could work at the Murim Alliance without arousing any suspicion was likely because his existence wasn’t registered in the Jegal Family’s household registry.
Moreover, as a collateral branch rather than a direct line, he wouldn’t have attracted attention.
Truly, this is an extraordinary person.
I was impressed by his perseverance and patience in maintaining his cover for all those years without being exposed, and by that ruthless determination.
If he were an enemy, he would be a fearsome opponent, but as an ally, there could be no one more reassuring.
“Do the others know of this?”
“Only the House Master and the Grand Patriarch are aware.”
“You must have been scolded quite severely?”
“I received a reprimand, but he also apologized and expressed his regret.”
“I see.”
“Are you not curious about how my father died?”
“It seems you are not yet ready to speak of it.”
….
“Tell me later, when you are ready.”
I left those words behind and walked quietly ahead.
That night felt endlessly long.

The next day.
We departed after eating the porridge Palgap had prepared.
As the sun began to set, we arrived at the Yeochun Inn Songshan Branch.
“Ah! Welcome!”
The Shop Attendant remembered my face and came rushing over.
“The Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster graces our humble inn once more! What an honor!”
Ugh… how embarrassing. Truly.
I smiled and spoke.
“Thank you for the warm welcome. Do you have any rooms available?”
“I believe there are vacant rooms, but you should inquire with the guest room attendant for details.”
“Understood.”
I stepped inside, and the Shop Attendant in charge of guest rooms quickly bowed to me.
“I greet the Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster.”
At this, all eyes in the vicinity turned toward me.
“Ahem, we plan to stay for one night.”
“Yes, how many rooms will you need?”
We reserved the necessary rooms and received our keys.
Then someone called to me from behind.
“Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster.”
I turned to see the Red Flute Physician.
“Ah, Physician.”
“You’ve come from visiting the Jegal Family?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Are you still here?”
He nodded at my question.
“There were still those who hadn’t departed, so I remained as well.”
“I see.”
“Word must have spread quickly. People from various sects and families arrived here faster than expected. So these past few days have been quite emotional.”
“That’s a relief. How many of them are still here?”
“About five remain.”
He told me about those who stayed behind.
The Huashan Sect Taoist Master, Yun Young Master of Jinsoyu Family, Wu Gyeok Younger Brother who had been a Tal-myeong Guest, and my Master had already departed from this place.
“Wait a moment. Once they hear you’ve arrived, the others will be absolutely delighted.”
Before I could even protest, he hurried upstairs, and soon voices echoed from above.
“You old fool! This is no time to be napping!”
“Huh? Why are you suddenly picking a fight?”
“The Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster has arrived!”
“What? What did you say?”
It seemed they had grown quite close during their time together.
Soon, thunderous footsteps echoed from above as those I had rescued came rushing down.
“Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster!”
“How wonderful to see you again!”
At their enthusiastic welcome, I laughed heartily and replied.
“You all look far healthier than before.”
“Of course. It’s all thanks to you.”
“I’m glad to hear it. I’ll go wash up briefly and return.”
A short while later.
After coming down to the first floor, I shared the evening meal with the others.
And I made sure not to neglect those I had rescued.
“Have you been comfortable during this time?”
“Uncomfortable? You’ve taken such meticulous care of us—what could possibly be uncomfortable?”
“That’s right.”
Looking at them, I wondered why they had been imprisoned in the first place.
There must have been some purpose behind it, given the time, manpower, and resources invested in their confinement.
Could it be, as Young Master Yun suggested, that they were obstacles to their plans but too valuable to kill?
It didn’t quite feel right, but it was something I couldn’t know yet.
However, if I lived my life to the fullest, I would eventually uncover the truth.
Just as I had learned about Hyung-su, who had destroyed Seolpung Palace.
That was when it happened.
I heard the sound of a horse stopping outside, and a man burst into the inn, crying out.
“Father!”
At that voice, the elder who had been eating before me shot to his feet.
“What? Chang?”
“Father! Father! Father!”
The man rushed to the elder and embraced him, sobbing.
“Sob! Father! Where have you been all this time? How much we’ve… how much we’ve searched for you.”
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
Tears streamed down the elder’s face as he apologized repeatedly.
On the surface, I maintained a composed demeanor, yet I could scarcely fathom how long the Grand Patriarch had yearned for this moment of reunion with family.
Watching others reunite with their kin, he must have fought back tears with great effort.
Just as those around me do now.
The elder spoke.
“That I live at this moment is thanks to Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster here. The Great Swordmaster saved my life.”
“Elder, the title ‘Great Swordmaster’ is far too generous. Please, simply call me So Hyup.”
I continued with those words.
“I am truly grateful that you have been able to reunite with your family.”
.
.
.
Night had fallen.
I had descended to the first floor and was reading a book.
If I kept the lamp lit in my room, Palgap would have difficulty sleeping, you see.
Besides, it is best to read books in the brightest place possible.
Someone sat down before me.
Looking up, it was Young Master Jegal Cheon-du.
“What book are you reading?”
“A poetry collection called ‘Four Seasons Reflections,’ written by a scholar named Jeong-yeok. I’ve heard it’s popular these days, so I thought I’d read it.”
“I’ve read it as well. But do you read anything simply because it’s popular?”
“Yes.”
I closed the book as I answered.
“I am a merchant. A merchant must be sensitive to trends to survive.”
“Trends, you say… But from what I’ve observed, there are quite a few who open shops following trends only to go bankrupt.”
I laughed.
“We call that ‘catching the lizard’s tail.’ It means entering the market when the trend is already ending. In truth, to profit from trends, speed is paramount.”
“Speed, you say?”
“Enter quickly, exit quickly. The crucial part is timing your exit well. If you linger too long and the trend ends, you’ll only suffer losses.”
“But isn’t that an impossible task for those living hand to mouth? They lack the luxury of thinking about the future for the sake of a coin or two in the present.”
“That is precisely why, to profit from trends, one must possess at least one of two things.”
“What would that be?”
At that question, I smiled wryly.
“Decisiveness, or perseverance.”
“Not money?”
“Money is nice to have, but it can also fill one’s head with empty delusions. Money is a double-edged sword.”
“That is difficult.”
“So it comes down to either the decisiveness to know when to withdraw from a business and execute that decision, or the perseverance to push forward to the very end.”
“I understand decisiveness. But the perseverance to push a business forward… I’m not certain I grasp it.”
“It’s simple. Trends are cyclical.”
“Ah….”
“If you keep digging the same well, won’t water eventually spring forth? Of course, waiting for that uncertain moment while enduring the time in between would be agonizing beyond measure.”
“Then wouldn’t you need even more money?”
“As I mentioned earlier, having money only fills your head with idle fantasies.”
I smiled bitterly.
“With money in hand, you’d abandon the effort and chase something else instead of persevering through hardship, wouldn’t you?”
“Ah….”
“And then you’d see what becomes fashionable again, your eyes would glaze over, and you’d rush into it—a vicious cycle repeating endlessly.”
I continued.
“A true merchant here must discern people’s desires through the currents of fashion.”
“So that’s why you read those books—to understand what people truly desire.”
“Precisely.”
I answered and shifted the conversation.
“So then, what brings you to seek me out on this night? Surely not merely for idle conversation.”
The smile faded from his face at my words.
“I heard that you rescued those imprisoned in the Black Cat Sect Prison.”
“Yes, I did.”
“Could it be… that those behind it are them?”
I understood that “them” referred to the Murim Alliance.
“That’s correct. However, I don’t know what their purpose is.”
“I see.”

After our conversation ended, I returned to my room.
When I sat on the bed, Geumryeong emerged from inside my sleeve.
Geumryeong was carrying something in its mouth.
“Squeak!”
It was the letter of evidence that the Black Cat Sect Leader had entrusted to me as he lay dying.
Ah… I’d forgotten about it with everything that’s been happening.
Besides, I hadn’t found a suitable place to examine it.
“Thank you for reminding me.”
At my words, Geumryeong squeaked and tapped the bed repeatedly with its right front paw.
I chuckled and gave it a silver coin.
It deserved one.
After receiving it, Geumryeong seemed delighted and climbed onto my head.
I unfolded the letter and read it, then sighed and folded it again.
I understood why he had kept it as evidence.
But it wasn’t yet time to reveal this to the world.
.
.
.
The next day.
Before departing for Beijing, I had intended to leave additional funds for those remaining at the inn, but I was refused, as the money I had entrusted to them still had a considerable surplus.
I also requested of the Red Flute Physician that instead of the Thousand-Year Spirit Blood Flower, he would offer me his medical expertise whenever I asked in the future.
The physician readily agreed.
“Then, we shall take our leave first.”
“Travel safely.”
“Yes, if fate permits, we shall meet again.”
And so our party set out for Beijing.
Ah, thinking back on it, this journey to the Jegal Family Estate was truly eventful.
Eun Jung-ho had warned me not to cause trouble.
As long as I return in good health, that’s what matters.

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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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