The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 570
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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 570
Chapter 570. One Big Score (5)
Without warning, he kicked the Myeong-jong Warrior standing in front of me.
“Ugh!”
The Myeong-jong Warrior was about to shout in response to the sudden assault when he hesitated.
“What are you doing… Moo Hyun?”
“That’s right! I’m Moo Hyun! You foolish bastard!”
Watching him, I let out a soft chuckle.
The distance between me and the Myeong-jong Warrior wasn’t far, so I could have easily stopped this Moo Hyun from kicking him, but I didn’t.
There was no killing intent in that attack whatsoever.
That’s why the Myeong-jong Warrior got kicked.
This man called Moo Hyun had grabbed the Myeong-jong Warrior by the collar and was shaking him vigorously.
“I heard what happened. But still, how can you not even show your face? At the very least, you should have sent a letter!”
“I’m sorry.”
“Is that all? You rotten bastard! After all we’ve been through together—overcoming countless brushes with death, training side by side—you’ve thrown all that camaraderie into the gutter? You wretched scoundrel!”
“I’m sorry.”
“Is sorry all you’ve got to say!”
Just then, several Disciple Attendants who were guarding the Inn came running at the commotion.
“What’s going on? Moo Hyun? That’s unlike you to get so worked up… Well, I suppose it’s justified. Damn.”
“Huh! Senior Brother Myeong-jong?”
Seeing them, Myeong-jong offered a bitter smile.
“It’s been a while, hasn’t it?”
But he was still held in Moo Hyun Master’s grip.
That meant he couldn’t escape the passionate welcome that followed.
“You bastard! Why are you only coming now!”
Thwack! Smack!
“You scoundrel! Do you have any idea how much we worried!”
Smack!
“Senior Brother! This is really too much!”
Smack smack!
“Ugh! You fool! Don’t you know it’s a grave offense for a disciple to strike his senior brother!”
“I don’t!”
Watching this scene, Seo-woo Warrior laughed.
“That’s quite a spirited welcome.”
“Indeed it is.”
I replied thus, then quietly turned my head to look at Chang-un Warrior.
Chang-un Warrior was in the same situation as Myeong-jong Warrior, differing only in sect affiliation.
Perhaps because of this, he seemed to be feeling much from witnessing their display.
“I should go retrieve my Guard Warrior now. At this rate, he’ll develop chronic ailments.”
I said this and approached them.
“I believe the welcome greeting has sufficed.”
“Who… are you?”
At this, Myeong-jong Warrior quickly rose and straightened his clothes before speaking.
“My master.”
“Your master? The Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster?”
“Yes.”
Myeong-jong Warrior answered with a proud expression.
“He is also my benefactor. Through my own mistake, an irreversible calamity nearly befell us, which he prevented. And when I faced expulsion and the danger of my dantian being crippled, he saved me.”
Moo Hyun Master nodded.
“We know of this. We heard about you through our informal channels.”
“I am delighted to meet Myeong-jong Warrior’s martial brothers.”
I clasped my fists in salute to them, then turned toward Jin-ho.
It was now too late to return to Luoyang.
I hoped Myeong-jong Warrior would have time to reconnect with his brothers.
Jin-ho was in conversation with Ki Pyo-du.
From what I gathered, Ki Pyo-du was attempting to give half the escort fees as thanks for safely reaching this place, while Jin-ho was refusing and they were in a standoff.
I interjected gently.
“I understand your sentiment, Pyo-du, but we cannot accept that money.”
“But…”
“We are fine, so please use that money as condolences for the Escort Warriors who died in this incident. That works, doesn’t it, Elder Brother?”
“Of course! I think that’s the right choice.”
“So please, withdraw your offer of compensation.”
Ki Pyo-du had lost four Escort Warriors in this affair. To accept compensation from him!
No matter how much I love money, I still have shame.
“…”
At my words, he bit his lip.
“In truth, I too have been troubled by the Escort Warriors who died this time. But to think you would care even for our Pyoguk’s warriors—I am truly grateful.”
And he placed the money pouch back into his robes, saying:
“I will use it as the Great Swordmaster has instructed.”
“Yes.”
“Please do so.”
“Thank you once more for aiding our Pyoguk.”
“As they say, all seas are one path, and we have simply become connected by fate.”
Ki Pyo-du bowed respectfully and turned toward the remaining Escort Warriors.
I turned my head and spoke to Jin-ho.
“Elder Brother, let’s rest here today and depart early tomorrow morning.”
“That would be nice. Still, Father and the External Chief Manager must be worried.”
At Jin-ho’s words, I exhaled a long sigh.
“You’re only thinking about that now?”
“…hahaha.”
I let out a soft chuckle.
“I’ve already sent Father a letter. I told him that I need to escort some young ladies to Huashan Sect, so I’ll wrap things up as quickly as possible and head to Luoyang.”
Of course, I had asked Geumryeong to deliver it.
So I couldn’t just let it slide without compensation.
“Two silver taels.”
“Huh?”
“Hand over two silver taels. The money I spent because of you comes to exactly two silver taels.”
At my words, Jin-ho let out an exasperated sound and pulled two silver coins from his pocket, offering them to me.
I quickly accepted them and said.
“Well then, let’s head into the inn and rest. I’m exhausted.”
“Y-yes….”
A short while later.
We secured lodging at an inn close to where the women were staying.
Myeong-jong Warrior must have had much to discuss with fellow disciples he hadn’t seen in ages, but it wouldn’t do for my guard to be too far from me.
So I had ordered Myeong-jong Warrior to go out, and told him to share a meal with them after so long.
Unlike other guards, I had no intention of keeping Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior with me indefinitely.
Though I had accepted them as my guards, it was only to save them when they were innocent of wrongdoing.
They would eventually need to return to their respective sects.
Though I had grown quite fond of them and felt reluctant to let them go, I believed they could accomplish greater things when they were with their own sects.
I sat on the bed and called out to Geumryeong.
“Geumryeong.”
“Squeak!”
Geumryeong had already sensed why I called and was gleaming with anticipation.
“Here, you worked hard this time.”
I smiled softly and held out the silver coins—the ones I had just obtained from Jin-ho.
One tael for asking him to find Jin-ho, and another tael for asking him to send a letter to Father.
Geumryeong clutched the two silver coins and rolled around on the bed.
It really loves this.
I’m pleased too.
None of it came from my own pocket.
* * *
Myeong-jong was at an inn near the tavern where Eun Seo-ho was staying.
Eun Seo-ho had reserved the tavern for a meal with his fellow Huashan Sect disciples and had even ordered food and paid for everything.
Moo Hyun, who was of the same generation and an old friend, spoke up.
“Really… Your master is truly impressive. How could anyone not eat when treated like this?”
“Even I have to admit my master is remarkable.”
“Well then, let’s enjoy the meal.”
Moo Hyun picked up his chopsticks and began eating, and only then did Myeong-jong do the same.
Others were already eating at nearby tables.
Of course, not all the Huashan Sect disciples were eating at once.
Since they were standing guard in rotating shifts, those on duty now would come to the tavern later to eat.
“By the way, isn’t this too much? I thought you’d at least send me a letter.”
Moo Hyun grumbled while looking at Myeong-jong.
He had entered the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament because he was the most skilled among the disciples of his generation at that time.
So when he left for Luoyang with his master, he never imagined such extraordinary events would unfold.
‘I thought he’d boldly make the Huashan sword known to the world and return.’
Of course, there were those who took pleasure in Myeong-jong’s downfall.
But most of the Huashan disciples, including Moo Hyun, felt as sorry and sad about Myeong-jong’s situation as if it were their own.
This also meant that Myeong-jong’s character was not flawed.
“Ah! Let’s go up to Huashan right now! Surely your master and Elder Yeong-jeong would be delighted.”
At this, Myeong-jong shook his head.
“No, that won’t do. I cannot and do not wish to be far from my master’s side.”
“You truly follow your master with sincerity.”
“Of course.”
“He is your benefactor, so that makes sense, but there seems to be something more to it….”
At this, Myeong-jong set down his chopsticks and spoke.
“I’m not entirely sure myself. But one thing is certain—there’s something special about him. I just don’t know exactly what it is.”
“How bland.”
Moo Hyun chuckled, but Myeong-jong could only smile bitterly.
“And… I still cannot enter the main hall.”
“Ah….”
Currently, Myeong-jong held the position of a lay disciple, not an ordained one.
Lay disciples of the Huashan Sect could not enter the main hall except under special circumstances.
“I’m sorry. I was too thoughtless.”
“Don’t be. It’s not your fault.”
Then it happened.
Creak!
The tavern door opened, and someone entered.
The faces of Myeong-jong and Moo Hyun darkened upon seeing him. He approached Myeong-jong and spoke with a sneer.
“What brings you here? I thought you’d run away in shame after falling from grace while pretending to be so noble.”
“Are you here to pick a fight? Chung Jin!”
He was a disciple of the same generation as Myeong-jong and Moo Hyun. However, he was not close with them.
Chung Jin envied and resented Myeong-jong.
As disciples of the same generation, he had tried to get along with them, but Chung Jin rejected their efforts.
And he even took pleasure in witnessing Myeong-jong’s downfall.
“What quarrel? Is stating facts considered picking a fight?”
“Stop this and leave.”
“Who do you think you are to order me around like this? Do you really believe you have the standing to speak to me that way?”
He poked Myeong-jong’s chest repeatedly with his index finger as he spoke.
“I am a direct disciple of the sect, while you are merely a lay disciple.”
“….”
“A lay disciple who has fallen so low as to become a merchant’s Guard Warrior.”
In the Murim world, the position of Guard Warrior was not held in high regard.
There was a tendency to look down upon it because of the perception that martial skills were being sold for money.
“It’s a position that suits you perfectly.”
“Thank you for the compliment.”
At Myeong-jong’s words, Chung Jin furrowed his brow.
“Have you lost your mind?”
“You said being my lord’s Guard Warrior suits me perfectly? That is the highest praise I could receive.”
“….”
At such words from Myeong-jong, Chung Jin spoke with an expression of displeasure.
“So you’re saying a lowly merchant would sell even his liver and gallbladder for money, and you’re exactly the same kind of person.”
Myeong-jong lifted his head and met Chung Jin’s gaze.
At that look in his eyes, Chung Jin could not help but flinch for a moment.
“You may insult me. But do not insult my lord!”
“What, what! You bastard!”
Unwilling to acknowledge that he had been overwhelmed by Myeong-jong’s presence, Chung Jin deliberately escalated his aggression.
“If you don’t like it, come at me! We were never the type to exchange such polite words anyway.”
“That’s true.”
Myeong-jong rose from his seat and spoke to Chung Jin.
“Wait a moment.”
“…?”
“I must obtain my lord’s permission first.”
* * *
I was in the middle of dinner when I noticed Myeong-jong Warrior returning to the Inn, and I tilted my head in confusion.
He couldn’t have finished dinner already, could he?
“Master.”
His expression was unusual. What had happened?
“What is the matter?”
“A situation has arisen where I must engage in a martial duel. I am seeking your permission.”
A martial duel?
Why would he suddenly request a duel?
“Would you mind explaining?”
At my words, he nodded and began his explanation.
There was someone who had envied and resented him since he entered the Huashan Sect as a disciple, and that person had insulted me.
“If it is merely for my honor, you need not strain yourself.”
“This duel is for you, Master, but it is also for myself.”
“There is another reason, then.”
At my words, he nodded.
“Yes. He has tormented not only me, but others as well—and apparently continues to do so.”
“Why do the elders of the Sect not intervene?”
“Because he does not torment them so openly. He is cunning enough that it is difficult for the Higher Authorities to take action.”
Then there was no choice in the matter.
“Moreover, his martial skill is among the finest among disciples of the same rank. As a result, there is no disciple capable of restraining him.”
“….”
“Though I have grown distant from the Sect, I am still their Senior Brother. I wish to settle this matter myself.”
After a moment of thought, I nodded.
“Very well. But you must win without fail.”
“Thank you. I accept your command.”
“Then let us go.”
“Sir?”
“How could I, as your master, remain cooped up inside while my Guard Warrior engages in a duel?”
I led the rest of our group out of the Inn.
In the front courtyard of the Inn where we were staying, a space had been prepared for the martial arts duel.
I saw the man called Cheong Jin Master.
So he’d prepared a martial arts arena here… It seems he was quite eager to humiliate the Myeong-jong Warrior.
Since it was a place with many passersby, not only our group but numerous other interested onlookers had gathered.
But… was he an idiot?
Why couldn’t he see that the same thing could apply to himself in reverse?
Well, someone as arrogant as that probably couldn’t think of such things at all.
I looked at Cheong Jin Master, then at the Myeong-jong Warrior.
This was worrying me.
Not the Myeong-jong Warrior, but Cheong Jin Master.
Soon the duel began.
The Myeong-jong Warrior drew his sword and took a ready stance.
I felt a wind blowing from somewhere. Mixed within that wind was the scent of plum blossoms.
So the Myeong-jong Warrior had prepared this intentionally.
I looked at Cheong Jin Master and let out a quiet laugh.
You’re dead, you bastard.
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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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