The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 566

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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 566

Chapter 566. A Grand Opportunity (1)

The carriage I rode in pressed forward without pause.
Luoyang was a substantial city in its own right, connected to Beijing by the imperial roads, making carriage travel quite feasible.
Thus, this mode of transport suited our purposes well.
We had departed early, not merely because I and my Guard Warriors were traveling, but for another reason entirely.
Since we could not ride the Zhu River, we had set out ahead of schedule.
“But… you mentioned this journey to Luoyang is because of the Martial Arts Grand Conference, correct?”
At my question, Young Master Jegal Cheon-du, seated in front, nodded.
“That is correct.”
“Is there a particular reason you must attend?”
He responded to my question with a puzzled expression.
“Does one need a reason to attend the Martial Arts Grand Conference?”
Ah…
So Young Master Jegal Cheon-du was truly a martial artist at heart.
Even though the Murim Alliance had caused his father’s death, this event transcended such grievances.
“Will you have lodging arranged when you arrive?”
“Yes. The main family maintains a residence in Luoyang, so that need not concern you.”
Ah, I had forgotten despite visiting before.
A residence of that scale would naturally provide ample accommodations for Young Master Jegal Cheon-du.
Now that I thought about it, I felt a twinge of envy.
Having lodging in Luoyang would spare us the inconvenience of securing an inn.
While the Eun Hae Trading Company did maintain a Luoyang branch, it was not spacious enough for our entire entourage.
This would not do.
I would need to expand the Luoyang branch considerably.
Since Luoyang was a major metropolis, expanding that branch would prove a sound investment.
To become the Greatest Under Heaven Trading Company, I could not rely solely on the Beijing branch—the Luoyang branch must be equally formidable.
After several days of travel, we finally arrived in Luoyang.
“We have arrived!”
At Seo-woo Warrior’s announcement, we disembarked from the carriage.
We had come to the Yeon Pung Inn, where we had stayed before and again during the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament.
“Welcome.”
The Shop Attendant greeted us.
“It is good to see you again.”
“Indeed, it has been a while.”
The representatives from the Eun Hae Trading Company arrived yesterday.
“Thank you for informing me.”
Of course, I already knew that our people from the Eun Hae Trading Company had arrived.
After all, there was a carriage bearing our Eun Hae Trading Company’s emblem parked nearby.
It was the carriage my Father, the Merchant Guild Leader, rides in.
Mother must have come with him as well.
As we entered the Inn, Father, who happened to be sitting on the first floor, spotted us and approached.
“You’ve arrived. The journey must have been tiring.”
“The roads were well-maintained, so we traveled comfortably. You and Mother must have had quite the ordeal yourselves.”
“Ha ha. Well, I’m relieved to see you’re doing well.”
Father’s face bore a faint smile.
Now that I thought about it, it had been quite some time since I’d seen him.
“Is the family well?”
“All is peaceful, so you needn’t worry.”
“I’m glad to hear it.”
I continued speaking.
“Has Eun Jung-ho arrived at the main headquarters?”
“We crossed paths on the way here. He was traveling with your Master.”
“Yes. Since my Master happened to be in Beijing on business, I asked for his assistance on the way.”
“Well done.”
“And Mother?”
“She’s out at the moment. She’s meeting with the mistress of the Gwangjun Merchant Group.”
“I see. Then perhaps….”
Father smiled broadly at my words.
“Bok Yun Sub-leader has come as well.”
“Excellent!”
The Martial Arts Grand Conference is an opportunity for merchant guild figures to build connections.
Especially for frontier merchant groups like the Gwangjun Merchant Group, it’s a golden opportunity they wouldn’t dare miss.
Originally, it should have been Eun Jung-ho attending instead of me, but circumstances led to my coming instead.
I was the one granted the right to claim a desired position from the Murim Alliance Leader, and I have abundant connections in the martial world.
It’s more advantageous for me to establish relationships with martial figures.
“Father, I have someone to introduce. This is Young Master Jegal Cheon-du of the Jegal Family, who will be overseeing the design of the martial hall we’re establishing in Beijing.”
“Ah! I received word of this through correspondence. I am Eun Gil-sang, Merchant Guild Leader of the Eun Hae Trading Company.”
“I am Jegal Cheon-du of the Jegal Family.”
Since I needed to introduce him to Father, I brought him to the Inn first rather than sending him directly to the Jegal Family Residence.
The two exchanged courteous remarks.
“I humbly request that you spare no effort in applying your wisdom and abilities to the construction of this new martial hall.”
“I shall merely fulfill my duties, so you need not worry, Merchant Guild Leader.”
I spoke to Young Master Jegal Cheon-du.
“Shall we depart? I’ll escort you to the Jegal Family Residence.”
“That’s not necessary. I can find my own way.”
“Please don’t say such things. He’s an important figure, and it wouldn’t be right to treat him poorly. Besides, I also have business at the Jegal Family Residence, so accompanying you causes me no inconvenience.”
“Very well, I understand.”
Thus, my guards and I set out for the Jegal Family Residence alongside Young Master Jegal Cheon-du.
The Yeon Pung Inn where we were staying and the Jegal Family Residence were not far apart, so we arrived quickly.
“What brings you here?”
The Guard Officials at the Jegal Family Residence asked upon seeing us.
Since Young Master Jegal Cheon-du was a collateral branch member who had only recently returned, it was understandable they didn’t recognize him.
Thus, without any sign of displeasure, he withdrew an identification token from his sleeve and displayed it.
“I am Jegal Cheon-du.”
After confirming this, the Guard Officials clasped their fists and spoke.
“We apologize for our rudeness.”
“It’s no trouble.”
“But who is this gentleman beside you?”
“He is Eun Seo-ho, Sub-leader of the Eun Hae Trading Company.”
“Ah!”
At this, they were startled and quickly bowed their heads.
“We greet the Immortal Chivalry Great Hero.”
“Please, come inside.”
He tilted his head at the far more elaborate treatment compared to Jegal Cheon-du, a family member.
Though I noticed his confusion, I deliberately feigned ignorance.
It wasn’t particularly good news, and it seemed improper for me to spread another family’s affairs.
If it was something I needed to know, the other members of the family would explain it to me.
We were guided to the Guest Reception Room by a servant who had heard the bell.
While we were being served tea there.
Thud, thud, thud, thud!
The door burst open with the sound of someone rushing urgently.
“Great Hero!”
It was Jegal Yu-ah, the Small Patriarch.
“Ah, I greet you, Small Patriarch.”
“I’m so delighted to meet you sooner than expected!”
“I am as well.”
Young Master Jegal Cheon-du tilted his head and spoke.
“Don’t you see me?”
At his words, Small Patriarch Jegal Yu-ah laughed and replied.
“Uncle, are you a guest?”
“…I suppose not.”
At the light banter between uncle and niece, I also smiled and asked.
“Have the Grand Patriarch and House Master also come?”
“Yes. They are currently away meeting with other guests.”
“I see.”
I nodded and continued speaking.
“I heard you were planning to participate in the Martial Arts Grand Conference. Has that changed?”
“No.”
“Then please, take care of yourself.”
“Thank you for your concern.”
I produced a small bottle and spoke.
“This is a gift, offered in hopes of your safe return.”
“Yes?”
“Apply it to serious wounds and they’ll heal remarkably quickly. Since it’s precious, use it only when truly necessary.”
“Thank you.”
The reason I was providing this to Jegal Yu-ah was simple—her survival was directly tied to the prosperity of our Eun Hae Trading Company.
The Jegal Family was Hubei Province’s greatest martial clan.
We’d invested considerable effort thus far, and only if she remained unharmed could we reap those rewards.
But the fact that this was Geumryeong’s saliva remained a secret.
It was unsettling to know, but obtaining it came at considerable cost.
To make Geumryeong-i drool, I had to offer silver coins as payment.
Simply waving coins would make her drool, but if I didn’t hand them over, she’d sulk.
“Then I should take my leave. It seems you were in the middle of training, and I wouldn’t want to intrude.”
As I rose to leave, the Small Patriarch Jegal Yu-ah grasped my sleeve.
“Wait a moment!”
“What is it?”
“Since you’re here, would you spar with me?”
Looking into her eyes, I sensed anxiety and unease.
So that confidence had been mere bravado.
I could spar, but I wasn’t in the mood right now.
“Spar with me? My cultivation level isn’t high enough to be of real help.”
“Don’t lie. Weren’t you the one who broke my arm?”
“….”
Ah, that was me.
Though I hadn’t actually broken it—I’d merely made it seem that way.
I scratched my cheek. There was no getting out of this.
“I won’t be using a real sword.”
“You once said that a leaf in a master’s hand is more formidable than a blade in an amateur’s.”
That wasn’t wrong.
“This way, please. I’ll have someone show you to a room where you can change clothes.”
“Small Patriarch!”
I glanced back slightly.
Young Master Jegal Cheon-du, whose presence I’d completely forgotten, raised his hand eagerly.
“I’d like to observe as well!”
“Do as you wish, Uncle.”
.
.
.
A short while later.
I changed into fresh clothes and arrived at the Training Ground.
The facilities were immaculate and the space expansive—clearly a private Training Ground reserved for those of high standing.
“This Training Ground is for my use and the House Master’s alone, so feel free to unleash your full strength.”
“Are you certain it’s appropriate for me to be here?”
“Of course. You’re my sparring partner, so you must come. That’s why the Guard Officials didn’t stop you earlier.”
“I see your point.”
I posed a question to her.
“But why specifically me? With the Jegal Family name, finding a sparring partner shouldn’t be difficult.”
“That’s true, but finding someone of Great Hero caliber is rare.”
“Pardon? Someone like me, you say?”
“Not just exceptional martial skill, but someone who applies that skill with precision and strategic thinking during sparring.”
“You overestimate me.”
She shook her head at my words.
“Your Grandfather evaluated you the same way. And honestly, it’s difficult to find another candidate. Those of similar age capable of facing me will be participating in the Martial Arts Grand Conference.”
“That does present a problem.”
Her reasoning held merit.
Sparring just before the Martial Arts Grand Conference would become an opportunity for her to be analyzed.
“But I’m hardly different from others.”
“I don’t think you’ll be like that.”
“What makes you so certain?”
“Because you’re well-versed in the martial world.”
….
I had no response.
Jegal Yu-ah, the Small Patriarch, had grown considerably.
Besting me with words, no less.
“Draw your blade.”
At my words, she unsheathed her sword and assumed the Flag Bearer stance. I too took my stance.
We moved slowly, searching for openings.
Jegal Yu-ah’s current realm was at the threshold of perfection.
The family’s secret techniques and elixirs played their part, but this was the fruit of relentless effort.
Her realm was elevated even among her peers, so the family would not have discouraged her participation.
At her current level, there was genuine potential to bring honor to the family.
Now Jegal Yu-ah, the Small Patriarch, feared she might fail to meet those expectations.
So what level should I match?
I deliberated briefly before deciding.
If this experience sparring with me could become the key for her to escape danger when she stepped onto the Martial Arts Arena, then this match held sufficient value.
Whoosh!
I rushed forward toward her first.
Whoooosh!
My wooden sword shot toward her.
The fourth form of the Jinseol Twelve-Form Sword Technique, Snow Wind.
Since it shares the name with Seolpung Palace, it’s a technique that truly captures the essence of the Jinseol Twelve-Form Sword Technique.
And it’s a swift strike.
Shhhhiiing!
The sound of the wooden sword cutting through the air rang out sharply.
Clang!
As I expected, she deflected my wooden sword and immediately slashed toward my shoulder.
I arched my back using the Iron Plate Bridge technique and spun my body in a circle.
And I confirmed the material of the ground.
Bluestone, then.
After confirming that, I targeted Jegal Yu-ah’s legs.
She evaded that attack, and my strike hit the floor.
After exchanging several moves, I grasped her fighting style.
She focused on defense to lower her opponent’s guard, then delivered a vicious counterattack to land a decisive blow.
But she should have realized why I was concentrating my attacks on her legs.
Slip!
“Huh?”
In that instant, she lost her balance.
She didn’t fall, but at this level of mastery, a momentary mistake in combat translates directly to defeat.
She gazed at my sword touching her neck and sighed.
“…I have lost.”
I withdrew my wooden sword and bowed respectfully.
“That was an excellent match.”
“Thank you for indulging my whim.”
She also returned the bow with proper courtesy, then tilted her head and asked.
“We didn’t sweat much during the match, so why did I slip?”
At her words, I pointed to the ground with my hand.
“Feel it yourself.”
She touched the ground with her hand and gasped in surprise.
“Oh, ice?”
“My martial art is the Ice Martial Sect. Therefore, I slightly froze the ground to induce your mistake.”
“Ah…”
Her eyes sparkled.
“It was truly worthwhile to request a match with the Great Hero.”
“I’m glad it was helpful.”
“Then I shall take my leave now. It has grown quite late.”
“Over there, just one more time….”
I shook my head and spoke firmly.
“If you engage in another martial bout without first reviewing and digesting the current one, it won’t be of much help.”
“….”
“I understand the weight pressing on your heart. But I have faith that you, Small Patriarch, will succeed.”
At my words, she nodded.
.
.
.
I left the Jegal Family Residence.
My parents must be worried.
I was hastening my steps toward the Inn when it happened.
“Even a rutting dog would have more dignity than you! You bastard! Don’t you feel ashamed for living like that?”
What? That familiar caustic tongue and voice….
I quickly approached the scene and saw a young lady dressed in Ami Sect robes gripping a bloodied man by the collar and shaking him violently.
In that moment, I instinctively stepped back, seized by an inexplicable dread.
“What’s the matter with you?”

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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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