The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 564

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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 564

Chapter 564. Divine Beast Transformation Technique (3)

At my question, the Emperor let out an amused chuckle.
“Why? Are you afraid I might do something to your Master?”
“That’s not it, Your Majesty.”
“Hmm?”
“My Master is not the type to cause problems, no matter what situation he finds himself entangled in. And if there were any issues, you wouldn’t have summoned me—the Geumui Guard or the Golden Army would have stormed in instead.”
“Pfft! Tsk! How boring!”
“I’m grateful for such praise, Your Majesty.”
The Emperor’s expression turned serious as he broached the main topic.
“This time, I commissioned several escort agencies. Among them, only Gwak Myung-hyun, the Head of Changin Escort Agency, delivered the goods accurately and on time. So I’m asking about him.”
At those words, a memory from my previous life suddenly surfaced.
While I was learning martial arts from my Master, he suddenly departed and introduced me to Gwak Jun-ha.
He said Jun-ha would teach me martial arts in his stead, but it was essentially a request for employment.
So I took him on as my Guard Warrior.
It was more convenient to keep him close and learn martial arts from him that way.
According to what he said, my Master had departed for Beijing.
He had been receiving some request for a long time, and eventually accepted it.
Now I could guess what that request was.
It was the Emperor’s request.
The Emperor likely confirmed my Master’s abilities through this test and made relentless efforts to bring him under his command.
But my Master is the Palace Master of Seolpung Palace.
That’s why he refused the Emperor’s request.
Why did my Master, who had rejected the Emperor’s summons for years, finally answer his call this time?
Could it be… that he discovered Hyung-su, who destroyed Seolpung Palace, was connected to the Murim Alliance?
If so, to face the overwhelmingly powerful Murim Alliance, he would have no choice but to back himself with the Imperial Palace’s influence, which would explain why he answered the Emperor’s call.
“So here’s the thing…”
At the Emperor’s continuing words, I quickly snapped back to attention.
Oh no!
Distracted thoughts in front of the Emperor! I need to focus.
One slip and I could be devoured.
“What is your Master’s character like?”
“I would appreciate a more detailed question, Your Majesty. Since character is a vague and broad matter, it’s difficult for someone as dull as myself to discern what answer you seek.”
Of course, I had a sense of what the Emperor was really asking.
But just to be safe, I was seeking clarification.
“That’s a fair point.”
The Emperor tilted his head and asked more specifically.
“Is he a man of integrity?”
Just as I expected.
Integrity….
“Among those I know, he is the one with the deepest sense of honor.”
“I see!”
He seemed quite pleased. But it felt a bit premature.
“Your Majesty, I’m not entirely certain what task you intend to entrust to my Master, but I do hope it won’t be a dangerous one.”
I spoke with conviction in my voice.
“He is my only Master. Should anything happen to him, I will not hesitate to seek vengeance.”
At this, the Emperor’s brows furrowed slightly.
“Are you threatening me now?”
“What are you saying? How could a humble merchant like myself commit such an irreverent act?”
“It certainly sounds like a threat.”
I shook my head.
“My vengeance would be directed at those who harm my Master. It could never be directed at Your Imperial Majesty, could it?”
“If I were to harm your Master, would you seek vengeance against me?”
“Your Majesty.”
I asked with a smile.
“Do you truly have so much leisure time?”
….
The Emperor, who had fallen silent for a moment, suddenly burst into laughter.
“Hahahaha!”
The Emperor, tapping the armrest of his chair as he laughed, looked at me and spoke.
“You’re a bold one. As you say, I’m hardly a man of leisure. That’s precisely why I need capable people to help with my affairs. People like you.”
The Emperor continued.
“So, your concern is that your Master might be put in danger?”
“That as well, but I’m also concerned that I might be unable to answer your summons while avenging my Master.”
“This fellow even threatens with elegance.”
“I must reiterate, Your Majesty, that I harbor no such irreverent intentions.”
The eunuch beside him gazed into empty space with a detached expression, having apparently given up offering counsel on the Emperor’s rough manner of speech.
“There’s nothing to worry about. I intend to use your Master as a covert and urgent messenger, much like what Pyo Du, Gwak Myung-hyun, has been doing.”
“Even so, it will ultimately be my Master’s choice to accept.”
“That’s true enough.”
“And… never mind.”
As I hesitated, the Emperor rebuked me with a displeased expression.
“What is it? Why do you start speaking and then stop?”
“It’s nothing of importance.”
“Speak freely while I’m in a good mood.”
The Emperor had taken the bait.
I suppressed an inward smirk and opened my mouth.
“I was slightly worried that Your Majesty might issue orders to my Master without compensation.”
“….”
“But realizing that as the supreme ruler of the Empire, you would hardly be so petty, I hesitated to broach the subject.”
The Emperor clicked his tongue as if bored.
“This brat, protecting your Master with such meticulous thoroughness.”
“Surely you weren’t thinking of having him work without compensation?”
“How could I?”
“As expected of Your Imperial Majesty! To be able to serve such a ruler by your side! I cannot express how great an honor this is.”
“Insufferable wretch. When I hear flattery from you, my skin breaks out in hives.”
“Flattery? These are entirely reasonable words. Am I not correct, Eunuch Dae-in?”
At my question, the Eunuch standing beside me quickly responded.
“Indeed, it is so.”
The Emperor shook his head in resignation, and I stifled a laugh inwardly.
I will protect my Master.
And I will prevent him from being exploited cheaply.
“You brat.”
“Yes, Your Imperial Majesty.”
“I understand well enough what you’re trying to say, so go now.”
At the Emperor’s dismissal, I quickly stepped backward to leave.
“Ah! Wait.”
“What is it?”
“I nearly overlooked it because of your Master’s matter, but you weren’t planning to gloss over the business of running errands for the Murim Alliance Leader so vaguely, were you?”
“….”
.
.
.
I returned to the Beijing Branch that evening.
Drained from the tug-of-war with the Emperor, I collapsed onto my bed the moment I arrived.
It was truly exhausting.
The Emperor was playing tug-of-war on flat ground, but I was doing it while standing on a rope.
I feel as though my lifespan has been shortened by five or six years.
This shouldn’t be happening.
In this life, I must live a long and healthy life without meeting a violent end.
Sigh.
But since I’m someone who can play tug-of-war with the Emperor, I must exert myself for my Master’s sake.
Once the Emperor has made up his mind, my Master cannot escape from his grasp.
He is someone whose appetite for talent reaches the heavens.
Then I must ensure that my Master gains the maximum benefit from this.
Since I’ve gone this far, the Emperor won’t exploit my Master carelessly or anything of the sort.

Several days had passed.
The transmission of the Divine Beast Transformation Technique was progressing smoothly.
Master said that roughly half remained, so it would be completed in just a few more days.
This evening, I had reserved the Han Tavern with the intention of comforting the people of the Beijing Branch and treating them to a nourishing meal.
Of course, Master and his companions joined us as well.
“This establishment is famous for its roasted duck.”
“Ah, this is the place Hyung-jin mentioned.”
When I had previously come to Beijing with Gwak Hyung-jin and Seok Il-song to keep Seon-il Elder Brother company in my stead, we had dined here.
It seemed Gwak Hyung-jin had told Father about that occasion.
“And I’ve also heard about it from clients. Though this is my first time visiting in person.”
At those words, I felt a pang of regret.
“I apologize, Master. I should have brought you here first, and I beg your forgiveness for my shortcoming as a disciple.”
“There is no need. I understand the sincerity of your intentions.”
As we entered the tavern, the Shop Attendant greeted us warmly.
“Welcome.”
“I am Eun Seo-ho of the Eun Hae Trading Company. I have a reservation for the third floor this evening.”
“Ah! Please come right up. I shall show you to the third floor.”
We were guided upstairs to the third floor.
The view of Beijing from that vantage point was truly magnificent.
“The meal will be served shortly.”
“Very well.”
When I reserved this place, I had simultaneously placed an advance order for the food as well.
Roasted duck in particular requires considerable time to prepare, and for a party of this size, the food must be ordered in advance.
That way, everyone could dine together.
The prepared dishes were brought to the table in succession.
The dishes I had ordered in advance consisted of roasted duck prepared in three different styles and five-colored dumplings.
This establishment excels not only in roasted duck but also in five-colored dumplings.
And I had ordered tea that pairs well with roasted duck.
The alcohol ban had not yet been lifted, and besides, Master does not drink.
“I hope this suits your palate, Master.”
“It looks promising. Let us eat well.”
I rose from my seat and addressed everyone.
“This gathering has been prepared for all of you who have worked so hard. I hope this becomes a joyful feast.”
“Thank you.”
“We are grateful.”
Thus the feast began, and we wrapped various vegetables and roasted duck skin in thin crepes, dipping them in a sweet and savory sauce.
It was indeed delicious.
Looking at Master’s brow, whose expression rarely changed, I could tell that he too was pleased with the food.
I would need to bring him here more often in the future.
As we finished our meal and sipped tea, I sensed a familiar presence.
My Master set down his teacup with visible tension, his hand moving to the sword hilt at his waist.
Jin Yu Warrior also seemed to notice it, his eyes flickering in that direction.
My senses had always been sharp, but reaching the pinnacle of cultivation had made them far more acute.
The reason my Master and Jin Yu Warrior reacted this way was simple.
Skilled masters had suddenly arrived at this inn.
As the familiar presence drew closer, a voice transmission reached me.
– Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master. Come to the Separate Building Plum Blossom Room with your Master.
“….”
It was Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster.
I exhaled slowly and rose from my seat.
“Master, there is somewhere I must ask you to accompany me.”

Shortly after.
We made our way to the Separate Building Plum Blossom Room of this tavern, and I sent a voice transmission to my Master.
– Master, I heard there was a commission that extended all the way to Beijing.
– Yes, there was.
– Did you find anything suspicious about that commission?
My Master paused in thought before nodding.
– Now that you mention it, there were indeed several odd points. But as you know, Small Guild Master, if we questioned every such detail, we couldn’t conduct escort operations.
– That’s true.
There exists something called a blind escort among escort operations.
An escort that asks no questions about anything—such operations command premium fees.
Still, the fact that he summoned both me and my Master suggests the Emperor has made his decision.
I decided to give my Master advance warning and sent him a voice transmission.
– In truth, Master, the escort operation you undertook was connected to the Emperor.
My Master’s eyebrows twitched slightly—a sign of genuine surprise.
– So I hope you won’t be startled when you meet the Emperor.

Soon we arrived at the Gyehwa Chamber.
The Shop Attendant standing before it nodded upon seeing me and spoke.
“Please follow me.”
“Yes.”
I heard Master’s voice transmission.
– That Shop Attendant is no ordinary figure.
That would be the case.
I hadn’t known before, but in this life, having become entangled with the Geumui Guard so often, I came to understand this fact.
This tavern was also one of the places where the Geumui Guard gathered information.
The Head Chef’s techniques were well-preserved, and the establishment operated without major issues precisely because of such circumstances.
Soon I faced a familiar face.
“I have brought two people.”
“Well done.”
I cupped my fist in salute to him.
“I pay my respects to the Great Hero Jin-yeong.”
Master also cupped his fist in salute and bowed his head.
“Gwak Myung-hyun, Head of Changin Escort Agency, pays his respects to the Great Hero.”
“Welcome. Let me speak plainly out of caution—do not breathe a word of what you see and hear in this place.”
“I shall remember this well.”
As we entered the Gyehwa Chamber, we soon beheld the Emperor seated before a table, dressed in plain robes.
“It is the Emperor himself.”
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster said this for Master’s benefit.
We lowered our voices and paid our respects to the Emperor.
“We pay our respects to Your Majesty. Long live the Emperor, long live, long live!”
“Rise and take your seats.”
“Your grace is boundless.”
Another table had been prepared before the Emperor’s, seemingly for us.
“Head Gwak Myung-hyun.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
I glanced at Master. He was quite tense.
Well, who wouldn’t be nervous standing before the Emperor?
Even the Crown Prince grows tense in the Emperor’s presence, or so I’ve heard.
“The reason I have come here so secretly is that I have a request for you.”
“A request, you say?”
“Become my messenger.”
“By messenger, what precisely do you wish me to convey?”
Master continued speaking.
“I dare ask because my ability to fulfill this task depends entirely upon what it is.”
At that question, the Emperor burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahahaha!”
“….”
The Emperor regarded me with an amused smile.
“How can a master and disciple be so alike? Both meticulous. Meticulous indeed.”
“My apologies, Your Majesty.”
“No, that’s precisely why I favor it.”
The Emperor’s expression turned grave as he continued.
“What I require is the discreet and swift delivery of correspondence. I understand your organization conducts what you call secret escort missions. Think of this as something similar.”
“….”
“It differs little from what you’ve been doing, and I’m not asking you to cease your current operations. Rather, your existing work makes this all the better. It will serve as excellent cover to evade their scrutiny.”
My Master then asked calmly.
“When you say we must evade their scrutiny, precisely whose eyes must we avoid?”
“Those of the Murim Alliance and those who seek to overthrow this empire.”
“….”
“Of course, I won’t exploit you without compensation. Your disciple is watching me with those keen eyes, so I’m terrified—I must be fair.”
Cough! Your… Your Majesty…?

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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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