The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 565
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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 565
Chapter 565. Divine Beast Transformation Technique (4)
I was taken aback by the Emperor’s sudden words.
“Y-Your Majesty.”
Seeing my reaction, the Emperor chuckled softly.
“You act fearless before me, yet here you are… amusing.”
“…”
The Emperor turned his head and asked Master.
“So, what is your answer?”
Master paused briefly at the Emperor’s words before responding.
“Do I have the right to refuse?”
“I do not force anyone into service. That is why I have prepared compensation that should please you.”
The Emperor produced a piece of paper, and Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster took it and handed it to Master.
Master unfolded the paper.
What could the contents be that made Master’s eyes tremble?
After folding the paper again and handing it back to Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster, the Emperor nodded.
Whoosh!
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster burned the paper in the candlelight.
“What do you say?”
“It is sufficient compensation.”
“Will you accept my proposal?”
“Yes.”
What kind of reward would make him accept something he had avoided for years in his previous life?
I was curious, but these two would not answer even if I asked, and the paper was already burned to ash…
“You brat.”
Was there anyone else the Emperor would address that way besides me?
No.
“Yes? Your Majesty?”
“Do not worry. I am not going to devour your master.”
“Of course. I trust Your Majesty.”
The Emperor chuckled and turned to address Master.
“I will convey the details through Jin-yeong, so be aware of that.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
“Then go.”
At the Emperor’s dismissal, we left the Gyehwa Chamber and climbed back up to the third floor.
It was then that Master sent me a telepathic message.
– Did you meet with Emperor on the day you returned later than scheduled?
– Yes.
– So my name came up that day.
– That’s correct.
– Thank you.
– Pardon?
Caught off guard by his words, I looked up at my Master, who spoke calmly.
– You negotiated with Emperor on my behalf, didn’t you? So His Majesty must have given it considerable thought before offering me compensation.
– Well, yes, that’s true.
– I find myself thinking once again how fortunate I am that the Small Guild Master is my disciple.
I felt a slight embarrassment and scratched behind my ear.
– But today I noticed that Emperor seems to regard the Small Guild Master quite specially.
I laughed awkwardly.
It’s good that he regards me specially, but being regarded too specially isn’t particularly desirable.
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A few days later.
Thanks to about two weeks of instruction from my Master, we were finally able to master the Divine Beast Transformation Technique.
“This should be enough that the Old Friend who taught me the Divine Beast Transformation Technique won’t criticize me.”
“Thank you for your guidance.”
“Think nothing of it.”
My Master continued.
“It seems it’s about time I returned to Hubei Province.”
Yesterday, Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster visited the Beijing Branch and had a private meeting with my Master—was it because of that?
Since my Master is quite thorough, he had surrounded the area with his energy, so I had no way of knowing what they discussed.
It seemed he was moving in secret, perhaps thinking harm might come to me….
Sigh, so this is what a master’s heart feels like?
“Master, I’ll escort you to your quarters.”
“Very well.”
I headed to my Master’s quarters with him.
I had signaled the Guard Warriors with my eyes, so none of them followed.
“So, what is it you want to say?”
As expected, my Master seemed to have sensed my intentions and asked first.
I couldn’t help but smile awkwardly.
“You noticed, as always.”
“I’ve had enough years to notice such things, haven’t I?”
“That’s true.”
I spoke gently.
“Master, why do you keep refusing my request to speak more casually?”
“Was that what you were curious about?”
“Yes.”
As I nodded, my Master chuckled softly and gazed up at the sky.
After a moment of choosing his words carefully, he spoke.
“Perhaps… I didn’t want to grow attached.”
What did he mean by that?
“As the Young Palace Master—or rather, as you now know—our Seolpung Palace is a place that could disappear at any moment without surprise. We’ve barely maintained our existence, but there was no hope of how much longer we could endure.”
Then he lowered his head and met my eyes.
“If I were to disappear someday, wouldn’t that affection cause you pain?”
“You deliberately kept your distance then?”
“That’s right.”
“Yet even after I became Young Palace Master, you still refused my request to speak more casually. I promised you the prosperity of Seolpung Palace—did my promise seem unreliable to you?”
“That’s not it.”
My Master shook his head.
“The reason I continue to speak formally even now is for a different reason.”
My Master looked into my eyes.
“It’s an expression of gratitude for the difficult decision you made for Seolpung Palace, and a sign of respect for the future Palace Master who will lead the new Seolpung Palace.”
“What? A new Seolpung Palace?”
“The Seolpung Palace that you will lead must now be completely different from before—a new Seolpung Palace. The old one cannot survive.”
“…”
“What kind of Seolpung Palace it becomes is entirely your responsibility. So I hope you grow quickly.”
My Master continued.
“I’m curious to see what kind of new Seolpung Palace you will lead.”
I smiled softly.
“So you have no intention of speaking casually with me in the future either?”
My Master also smiled faintly as he looked at me.
Perhaps this was his way of showing affection.
So I shouldn’t force the matter.
“By the way, Master. I have a request.”
“What is it?”
“When you go to Hubei Province, could you travel with Eun Jung-ho?”
“Is this a commission?”
“You may think of it that way.”
“The people who came with me are quite expensive, though?”
“How much?”
At my unhesitating response, my Master shook his head and muttered.
“That was a foolish question on my part.”
Looking at my Master, I spoke seriously.
“Master. I don’t want to be a burden to you—I want to be your strength.”
“Pardon?”
“So if you find yourself struggling, I hope you’ll rely on this disciple whenever you need.”
“Shouldn’t it be I, your master, who says such things?”
“Does it matter who says it? Whoever has the capacity should offer support, shouldn’t they?”
“I see.”
“So… I hope you won’t burden yourself with heavy responsibilities because of me.”
“…I’ll keep that in mind.”
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The next day.
Jin Yu Warrior’s face had changed when he arrived for breakfast.
He had altered his appearance using the Divine Beast Transformation Technique.
It wasn’t a complete transformation, but rather a subtle shift that made him resemble his original face.
Yet anyone who knew Jin Yu Warrior’s true features would think, “Did I imagine things?”
He had undergone this transformation not out of immediate necessity, but because it was one of the training methods for the Divine Beast Transformation Technique.
Master had said that maintaining the transformation for a month would be equivalent to mastering it perfectly.
“Are you managing alright?”
“Yes. There are no issues yet.”
“It must be quite uncomfortable for you.”
Given how drastically he had altered his appearance, the discomfort had to be considerable.
The more extensive the transformation, the greater the burden it places on the body.
I knew this well from my own experience.
“This is far less uncomfortable than what I endured from the seal. And it’s better than wearing a mask.”
“If that’s the case, then I’m relieved, but…”
“You needn’t worry. I will absolutely see this through to the end.”
There was even a hint of madness in Jin Yu Warrior’s words as he spoke.
“Am I late?”
At that moment, Seo Hyang entered.
Since we held meetings during breakfast, Seo Hyang joined us for the meal as well.
However, Gal Hyun, the other deputy officer, did not yet share meals with us.
The trust between us hadn’t reached that level yet.
Currently, Seo Hyang had altered her distinctive presence using the Divine Beast Transformation Technique.
Dong Hyuk-su, her elder brother, had already seen her in this state.
Altering her face in such circumstances would only invite suspicion.
So when I was deliberating, Master suggested an alternative.
What if she changed only her presence instead?
There is something people sense when they look at a face.
Seo Hyang had possessed a gentle presence, but by maximizing the Heavenly Stream Technique, she had transformed it into something cold and aloof.
Where once she had been a warm and compassionate beauty, she was now an ice-cold beauty whom no one dared approach.
Looking at her this way, she resembled Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master in some respects…
Could it be because of Bing Hae-rin?
I spoke to her.
“You’re not late, so please sit.”
“Yes.”
“But Young Master.”
Palgap, who was attending to my meal, called out to me.
“What is it?”
“Young Master, why don’t you use the Divine Beast Transformation Technique? Didn’t you say you were learning it to conceal your fatal charm?”
“Well… about that. I gave up.”
“Pardon? I didn’t think you were the type to lack perseverance, sir. What’s the problem?”
I sighed.
“I asked you how I could look less attractive. So you told me to put a large mole on my face or add freckles.”
“Yes, that’s what I said.”
“Hmm… no. It’s better to show you than to explain.”
I stopped speaking and used the Divine Beast Transformation Technique to create freckles and moles on my face.
“…Ah.”
“Hmm…”
And those who saw my face nodded and smiled awkwardly.
Seo-woo Warrior spoke.
“I understand what you mean, sir.”
“A mischievous handsome man.”
“A handsome man with charming moles.”
“Yes, that’s it.”
I said so and released the Divine Beast Transformation Technique. Palgap sighed and muttered.
“Huh? What did you say?”
“I said it’s an unfair and dirty world, sir.”
“Chirp!”
Geum-ryeong, why are you agreeing with him?
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.
.
Eun Jung-ho’s preparations to return to the Hubei Province Headquarters went smoothly, and soon the day of his departure arrived.
“You look excited.”
“Of course. How long has it been since I’ll see my wife and children!”
“What about Grandfather and our parents?”
“Are you testing me right now?”
“As if!”
I’d hate tests more than anyone.
“I was just teasing you.”
“You brat!”
“You’ve worked hard. Go get some proper rest.”
“What are you saying, Father! I’m not going for leisure—I’m going to work!”
Eun Jung-ho planned to return to Beijing once Father arrived back.
The construction of the Martial Hall in Beijing wasn’t finished yet, and I had no idea when or where I might need to depart.
In my previous life, the Crown Prince was dispatched to Nanking a few years later.
Since the Empire’s capital was Beijing, imperial authority didn’t extend well to the southern regions.
That’s why Nanking was established as a secondary capital, and sending the Crown Prince there was meant to give him governing experience.
Thinking of that, a sudden idea occurred to me.
What if Eun Jung-ho’s family relocated to Beijing instead?
I’d discuss that later.
I bowed respectfully to my Master.
“Please take good care of my brother.”
“Don’t worry.”
Of course, Eun Jung-ho had his guard unit, and the Eun Pung Corps would accompany them as well.
But no journey felt as secure as having my Master along.
“And I’m grateful we could meet like this. Please stay in good health.”
“I shall. I too….”
“…?”
My Master cleared his throat and spoke.
“I was glad to meet you as well.”
For an ordinary person, I wouldn’t have found it strange to feel embarrassed saying such a thing, but coming from my Master, I was somewhat surprised.
He was someone who rarely showed emotion.
My Master turned his body, mounted his horse, and called out to everyone as he headed toward the front.
“We depart!”
“Yes!”
And so Eun Jung-ho and my Master’s party departed for Hubei Province.
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Time passed swiftly, and soon we had entered early September.
In that time, Jin Yu Warrior and Seo Hyang had perfectly adapted to the Divine Beast Transformation Technique.
That meant even if they encountered the Murim Alliance Leader at close range, their identities wouldn’t be exposed.
And I….
“Gwak Vice-Manager, could you bring me the materials related to this?”
“Yes. Here they are.”
“And I’d also like the materials related to the fourth line of this document.”
“Yes.”
I was frantically busy.
It was because the Martial Arts Grand Conference—the greatest event in the Murim world that occurred once every nine years and the most crucial business opportunity for merchant guilds like ours—was approaching.
Since I was the one who received the right to choose a desired location from the Murim Alliance Leader, I had to go myself.
As such, I needed to handle my affairs in advance so that Hyun Pung Country could run smoothly even in my absence.
It was then.
“Excuse me, you seem quite busy… I can see you’re occupied.”
Someone had come looking for me.
“Young Master Jegal Cheon-du, what brings you here?”
“Well, the thing is….”
“I’m busy, so please state your business quickly.”
“I would like to accompany the Small Guild Master when he goes to Luoyang this time.”
“There’s no difficulty with that, but are you certain?”
It was a natural question—his father had died in Luoyang due to the Murim Alliance’s machinations.
“You needn’t worry about that.”
“I understand. However, I have a request.”
“What is it? I’ll help if it’s within my capabilities.”
“Could you help me process these documents?”
At my words, he took a step back upon seeing the mountain of paperwork stacked beside me.
“Actually, I could just go alone….”
“Ha! Are you trying to slip away?”
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.
.
Thanks to Young Master Jegal Cheon-du, I was able to depart on the scheduled date.
Indeed, the Jegal Family.
Truly capable people.
In my previous life, he had worked as a skilled strategist and Chief Manager of the trading company.
“Then, I entrust things to you in my absence.”
At my words, Yeochang’s Vice-Lord and the Beijing Branch Manager nodded their heads.
“Have no concerns.”
“We shall guard things well.”
You can count on it. We’ll bring back quite a substantial haul. Hehehehe.
– Squeak!
Geum-ryeong was excited too.
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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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