The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 557

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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 557

Chapter 557. The Test (5)

That reaction….
He knows it too. That those who tried to harm him last time were the Baekcheon Trading Company, a subsidiary of the Murim Alliance.
He must have investigated and discovered it based on the clues I had subtly provided.
Indeed, a merchant guild that firmly controls the Shandong Region.
I couldn’t help but smile faintly.
“Yet you ask as if you don’t already know about me.”
And surely he must have investigated me as well.
It’s harsh, but that’s the reality.
From my perspective, that might actually be better.
And honestly, since our Eun Hae Trading Company also investigates people from other merchant guilds, it’s only fair.
“A person’s circumstances can change at any moment.”
“True words indeed. But having received orders from the League Master, how could I not obey?”
I continued speaking.
“You know, don’t you? That there are places merchants must never meddle in within this Empire.”
“The Imperial Palace, and… the Murim Alliance.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
At the same time, I sighed and sent him a telepathic message.
– I’m swamped with work, and I have no idea what this is all about.
He seemed momentarily flustered, then quickly composed himself and lowered his head.
“To think such thoughts, even for a moment! I apologize sincerely.”
“It’s fine.”
I smiled and waved my hand dismissively.
Now that I think about it, Ho Gyeong Prince is the heir-apparent of the Baek Yeom Merchant Guild, which firmly controls this Shandong Region.
“If you’re not too busy, would you care to join me for some tea?”
“Of course.”
.
.
.
After meeting with Ho Gyeong Prince, I returned to the Chungsan Inn, had dinner, rested briefly, and then retired for the night.
Tomorrow I would be running about busily, so I needed to get proper sleep.

The next morning, we set out for Mount Tai.
The sect we were searching for was Guam Sect, located halfway up Mount Tai.
A sect whose name meant “nine rocks,” and according to Won Chief’s explanation, they excelled in lightness of movement and martial techniques because they lived roaming across Mount Tai.
“The Sect Master there received a favor from the League Master. That’s why he’s keeping the Golden Buddha Statue at the League Master’s request.”
“Is it a large sect?”
“No, it’s not that large. It’s a small martial sect.”
“But how is it that they’re keeping such a precious artifact?”
“You’ll understand once you see it for yourself.”
We began climbing Mount Tai, and before long, I could understand Won Chief’s words.
“Huff, huff, huff.”
The squad members gasping for breath.
Mount Tai’s treacherous terrain was truly a grueling journey.
“So that’s why you left the horses at the inn.”
“Exactly. Haha.”
Won Chief continued.
“Guam Sect literally means having to cross nine rocky mountains. Even if someone tried to steal the Golden Buddha Statue, they’d be caught immediately by the sect members who treat Mount Tai like their own courtyard, and they’d suffer greatly.”
“It’s certainly that treacherous. But this isn’t your first time visiting, is it?”
“No. I’ve been there once before.”
Regardless, this man looked far more composed than the squad members.
“Isn’t it difficult for you?”
“Didn’t I tell you? I’m from Hwangsan Wonmun, where we treat Huangshan as our courtyard.”
Pride in his family.
Seeing that he wasn’t even breathing heavily, it seemed his claim about treating Huangshan as his courtyard wasn’t mere boasting.
Is that why the League Master sent this man?
“It seems Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster also has excellent stamina.”
“Stamina is the foundation of a martial artist, so I make sure not to neglect it.”
“The Guard Warriors don’t look tired at all either. But….”
He glanced back and clicked his tongue.
“Sigh. I always told them not to neglect physical training, but they were too busy playing around, and now it’s showing like this.”
“They’ll realize it someday.”
Did he have a problem with the squad members?
I decided to probe him a little.
“It seems the squad members don’t listen well to you.”
“Ugh, what’s the point in saying it?”
Whether he had accumulated frustrations with the squad members or trusted me, he opened up readily.
“They’re all men who lived as they pleased in their families. Why would they listen to me?”
“You must have many difficulties.”
I said so while inwardly chuckling.
There’s a crack showing here.

Crossing nine rocky mountain ranges was truly an arduous task.
We had departed in the morning, yet failed to reach Guam Sect and were forced to camp for the night at a waypoint.
The treacherous terrain consumed far more time than anticipated.
Of course, if it had been just myself and my companions, we would have moved faster, but the Squad Members’ physical stamina was a significant constraint.
They were so exhausted they couldn’t even prepare for the night’s camp.
Had I misjudged this as an easy task?
I began to suspect the League Master had assigned this mission to torment them.
But the problem was that the League Master had no reason to do such a thing.
Regardless, the weather was colder than expected.
Shandong Region wasn’t particularly warm to begin with, and Mount Tai’s elevation only made it worse.
If we camped without a fire, we might actually freeze to death.
There was no choice.
“Palgap.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Let’s build a campfire. If they freeze to death, dealing with the aftermath would be far more troublesome.”
“Understood, sir.”
So we built a fire for them and even prepared a meal.
“We’re truly grateful for this.”
“We won’t forget this kindness.”
Their eyes and expressions had transformed completely from days before.
We passed the night safely, and the next morning we departed early for Guam Sect.
However, the Squad Members still struggled, and Won Chief’s expression remained thoroughly displeased.
“We must hurry if we’re to arrive on time.”
“I understand, but what can we do about their exhaustion?”
“We’re terrible at mountain climbing.”
“Not everyone can climb mountains as skillfully as you, Chief. Please understand.”
I stifled a laugh internally.
The Squad Members showed no respect for their chief whatsoever.
Their unity was completely fractured.
Thanks to the constant urging, the Mountain Gate finally came into view.
“Phew, we’re almost there now.”
Someone from the Mountain Gate rushed toward us, having spotted our approach.
Thud!
Tap.
Despite the treacherous terrain, they moved as smoothly as if traversing flat ground, landing with effortless grace.
They were undoubtedly disciples of Guam Sect.
They greeted us with cupped fists.
“We honor the Great Heroes of the Murim Alliance.”
“Welcome to Guam Sect.”
Won Eop Group Leader responded on our behalf to their greeting.
“Thank you for the warm reception. I am Won Eop, Group Leader of the Dragon Fang Division of the Murim Alliance. Beside me is the Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster and his entourage, and behind us are my squad members.”
“I am Disciple Attendant Geon Gu.”
“I am Disciple Attendant Sang Yeon.”
The one who introduced himself as Geon Gu then continued.
“I shall guide you. Please follow me.”
Thus, we followed Disciple Attendant Geon Gu beyond the Mountain Gate of the Guam Sect and entered the sect grounds.
“Please wait a moment. And the two of you shall be shown to the Guest Reception Room.”
The entourage remained in the courtyard to wait, while Won Chief and I proceeded to the Guest Reception Room.
As we sat in the Guest Reception Room sipping tea, I sensed someone approaching.
A remarkably pure aura.
Such a pristine presence was indeed uncommon.
Soon the door opened, and an elderly man entered.
Won Chief quickly rose and offered a respectful salute.
“The Group Leader of the Dragon Fang Division of the Murim Alliance pays respects to the Sect Leader.”
Ah, so this is the Sect Leader.
I too rose and offered a proper salute.
“Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eunhae Trading Company, pays respects to the Sect Leader.”
“I am Hyun Am, Sect Leader of the Guam Sect. Please, be seated.”
“Thank you.”
We returned to our seats, and the Sect Leader asked me a question.
“I hear the Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster has come, yet why do you introduce yourself merely as a merchant?”
To this, I smiled and replied.
“I believe I am not yet worthy of bearing the title of Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster.”
“Hmm, I see….”
“You would have every right to rebuke a small merchant for such lack of boldness.”
At my words, he shook his head.
“Not at all. What right would I have to rebuke you? I was merely curious.”
As he spoke, a smile played across his lips, though its true meaning remained unclear to me.
“In any case.”
The Sect Leader turned his gaze toward Won Chief.
“What brings you to this place?”
“Not by chance, but by order of the League Master. He instructed me to retrieve the golden Buddha statue kept here.”
“That golden Buddha statue?”
“Yes. Here is the League Master’s letter.”
He withdrew a letter from his robes and presented it to the Sect Leader.
The Sect Leader read the letter, nodded, and placed it in his robes.
“If that golden Buddha statue is to be used to protect many people, it would indeed be a worthy endeavor.”
“Indeed.”
“Very well. I shall have the golden Buddha statue retrieved so you may take it with you. For tonight, please rest well.”
“We are grateful for your consideration.”
“I’ll arrange a place for you to rest.”
We left the Guest Reception Room and were guided to the Guest Hall along with the others who had been waiting in the courtyard.

After washing and eating dinner, I stepped outside for a moment.
A full moon hung in the sky above, and the view of the landscape below from this height was truly beautiful.
Even at night it was like this—it must be even more magnificent during the day.
I understood why Mount Tai inspired so many poets.
Still, I was somewhat confused.
It was because of Seo Hyang’s advice.
The Sect Leader I had met was absolutely not the kind of person to do such a thing, so what on earth was going on?
First, I would need to see the Golden Buddha statue with my own eyes and make a judgment.

The next day.
After breakfast, Won Chief and I were summoned by the Sect Leader and entered the sect grounds.
After waiting a moment, the Sect Leader emerged.
“I apologize for keeping you waiting so long.”
“Not at all.”
“Come this way.”
He guided us to a pavilion.
The pavilion had a very unusual structure, appearing to be built with a massive boulder serving as a wall.
“The Golden Buddha statue is here.”
On the boulder was a rectangular outline drawn like a door.
But there was no handle, so I wondered how one would open it.
“Hup!”
The Sect Leader gathered energy in his palm and extended it toward the boulder.
The boulder then came loose as if clinging to his hand.
Thud, thud, thud, thud.
So martial arts are his specialty—he was using the suction palm technique.
The Sect Leader set the boulder fragment that had served as a lid to the side and reached his hand into the rocky cavity.
When he withdrew his hand from the boulder, the Golden Buddha statue was in his grasp.
About twice the size of a human face.
Contrary to my expectations, it wasn’t particularly large.
“Here it is.”
“Thank you.”
Won Chief received the Golden Buddha statue.
I was slightly puzzled as to why a Daoist sect would be keeping the Golden Buddha statue, but that wasn’t really a problem.
“Many seek that statue, so please be careful on your journey.”
“Yes, I understand.”
With that, we left the pavilion carrying the statue.
“So, shall we depart now?”
“Yes, that’s correct. Once maintenance is complete, we plan to depart immediately.”
As we continued our conversation while heading toward the Guest Hall, a warrior came running up to us.
He was one of the squad members under Won Chief’s command.
“Chief!”
“What’s the matter?”
“We have a problem.”
“A problem?”
“Several of our squad members haven’t woken up yet.”
“Haven’t woken up? What do you mean by that?”
“Well, I’m not entirely sure myself.”
I raised my hand and spoke to him.
“Would it be alright if I took a look?”
“Of course. Please do.”
Perhaps because I had safely detoxified him when he suffered from stomach pain before, he accepted my request without hesitation.
I immediately made my way to the squad member’s chamber and approached the warrior lying on the bed.
Then I quietly took his pulse.
Or rather, I pretended to take his pulse.
The truth was, these warriors—including this one—were unconscious because of me.
I had secretly used a sleeping draught last night.
The Emperor had given me some sleeping draught when he ordered me to put the sailors who arrived at the harbor to sleep, and I had a bit left over, which I used.
They wouldn’t wake up for about three days.
I had used the sleeping draught to let those who appeared most exhausted from insufficient stamina yesterday get proper rest.
I spoke with a grave expression.
“This could be a contagious illness.”
“Pardon?”
“Did you say contagious illness?”
“That’s right.”
I nodded my head.
“I’ve heard of a contagious illness before that causes sudden loss of consciousness like this.”
“What! A contagious illness!”
The Sect Leader was standing beside us—I’m not sure when he had arrived.
“Yes. To be safe, we should refrain from descending Mount Tai.”
“Indeed. If a contagious illness spreads to the village, it could cause far greater damage.”
“I will continue to observe them. If they wake safely in a few days and show no similar symptoms, then we can rest assured.”
Won Chief furrowed his brow at my words and spoke.
“Hmm, I understand.”
Then he clasped his fists respectfully toward the Sect Leader and made his request.
“Given the circumstances, would you permit us to stay a few days longer?”
“Of course. We shouldn’t move the sick around. Stay a few more days.”
After taking these measures, we stepped outside.
As I watched Won Chief head toward the other squad members, I approached the Sect Leader.
“There’s something I’d like to ask you, Sect Leader.”
“What is it?”
“Why did you give me a counterfeit golden Buddha statue?”
“What are you talking about?”
I chuckled softly as he feigned ignorance so brazenly.
“I’m the Small Merchant Guild Leader of a trading company renowned enough to be called a Great Merchant. I pride myself on having a discerning eye for goods.”
“….”
That’s right.
The golden Buddha statue the Sect Leader gave me was fake.
This was precisely what Seo Hyang had advised me about.

“That golden Buddha statue is counterfeit.”

Had I departed with the fake golden Buddha statue, I would have been in for a world of trouble.
But sensing there was a reason behind this, I decided to delay our departure and had several squad members rest first.
I questioned the Sect Leader again.
“What is your reason for doing this?”

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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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