The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 572

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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 572

Chapter 572. The Martial Arts Grand Conference (1)

I let out a quiet chuckle.
The man and woman before me were none other than Sakang Branch Master and the Noodle Restaurant Owner’s Daughter.
Seeing their affectionate expressions and tightly clasped hands, I could discern the nature of their relationship with certainty.
How curious, indeed.
Sakang Branch Master was someone so lacking in eloquence that he frustrated those around him—yet here he was.
How had he managed to develop such a relationship with her in mere days?
I approached them quietly.
“Sakang Branch Master.”
He turned and, upon seeing me, started in surprise.
“Oh? Ah… um…”
At his reaction, the Noodle Restaurant Owner’s Daughter spoke.
“He’s asking when you returned to Luoyang.”
“I arrived today. But it seems the bond between you two has grown quite deep in my absence.”
At my question, Sakang Branch Master nodded his head.
“How did this come about? I’m curious about the secret.”
Sakang Branch Master wore an embarrassed expression.
“Actually, it was… letters…”
She explained with a smile.
“Sakang Branch Master sent me letters every day. The contents were deeply moving.”
Ah… that’s right.
Now that I think of it, while Sakang Branch Master lacked eloquence in speech, his writing was quite skillful—or so I had heard.
I remember finding that remarkable at the time.
“To be honest, Sakang Branch Master is the sub-leader of a great merchant guild, and I’m merely the daughter of a noodle shop. I struggled greatly with whether it was right to accept his feelings. But after reading those letters, I finally made my decision.”
I see.
Yet marriage is not something that comes about merely because two people’s hearts align, is it?
I asked Sakang Branch Master.
“Does the Hong Ryeon Guild Master know of this?”
“He does.”
He does?
“I informed him.”
“Then he has given his consent?”
He nodded.
Remarkable. He has approved this marriage?
At that moment, I heard a voice calling me from behind. Turning, I saw the Haeng-su of our merchant guild’s temporary shop calling out to me.
There’s nothing I can do about it.
I’ll have to ask for details later.
.
.
.
I learned about Hong Ryeon Guild Master’s approval of the marriage between Sakang Branch Master and her through Bok Yun Sub-leader.
“Ah, that matter? To be honest, I was quite surprised myself.”
“So I wasn’t the only one taken aback.”
He nodded in agreement.
After finishing my schedule, I was having tea with Bok Yun Sub-leader.
There’s valuable information to be gleaned from people of other merchant guilds, after all.
“Sakang Branch Master seemed quite moved by how Jeong Ryeon, the daughter of Noodle Restaurant Owner Jeong Gal-san, understood his meaning immediately.”
“So that was the beginning of his affection.”
“It appears so.”
So the owner of the Noodle Restaurant Haechun Myeon was named Jeong Gal-san.
“But it’s still surprising that the Hong Ryeon Guild Master approved of this marriage so readily.”
“Ah, I heard some details about that from Sa Cheol Prince.”
I leaned in to listen.
“Apparently, when Sakang Branch Master told the Guild Master that he had met a woman he wished to marry, the Guild Master asked him to bring her. Then, during a meal, when the Guild Master saw how she understood exactly what Sakang Branch Master was trying to say and explained it clearly, he approved the marriage on the spot.”
“Is that so!”
“And the Guild Master’s Wife even wept, saying that finally he had met a woman who understood his heart.”
….
So the Guild Master and his wife had suffered considerable heartache over Sakang Branch Master’s lack of eloquence.
But now that a woman had appeared to resolve that concern, how overjoyed they must have been.
Even if there were differences in family standing, it was reason enough to approve the marriage.
“In any case, the most delightful event of the Martial Arts Grand Conference is about to begin.”
“Indeed.”
To be precise, the preliminaries begin in two days.
I’m curious to see who will emerge as the victor of this Martial Arts Grand Conference.
I remember the outcome from my previous life, but the futures I’ve altered could change that result entirely.
.
.
.
At last, the Martial Arts Grand Conference goodwill martial arts tournament—commonly called the Martial Arts Grand Conference—had begun.
Early morning.
The matchup bracket had been posted, but it was still entirely blank.
Rather than deciding and announcing the matchups in advance, wooden tablets bearing the names of the participants are drawn randomly to determine the bouts.
This is the same format as the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament.
However, there is one difference: instead of drawing for each match, all matchups are drawn at once.
Thin wooden tablets are placed in a large barrel, and one of the senior members of the Murim Alliance comes forward to draw the tablets and randomly arrange them on the bracket for all to see.
The wooden tokens used here are crafted in a double layer so that names remain hidden, allowing them to be drawn all at once.
This method is possible because the Martial Arts Grand Conference has fewer participants compared to the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament.
However, each individual match tends to take considerably longer.
Since both fighters possess skills above a certain threshold, the matches naturally extend in duration.
Moreover, with both personal and organizational pride at stake, warriors rarely concede defeat from mere injuries.
Thus, the Martial Arts Grand Conference enforces a special rule: seven markers crafted from solid ebony wood are affixed to vital points throughout the body, including the arms and legs, and a fighter is defeated when all markers are destroyed or dislodged.
It’s a rule with considerable historical precedent, and I must admit it’s quite rational.
When masters of the highest caliber clash to preserve their honor, severe injury or death becomes possible, and this rule effectively prevents such outcomes.
“Are you all prepared?”
As I waited on the first floor, Father descended and posed the question.
“Yes. Mother is still getting ready.”
“I see.”
Scarcely had we spoken when Mother came down the stairs.
“Have I kept you waiting?”
Father shook his head at Mother’s inquiry.
“Not at all. I’ve only just come down myself.”
Father extended his hand to Mother and spoke.
“Then let us depart.”
“Yes.”
I followed my parents and observed Jin-ho, my elder brother.
His eyes sparkled with such anticipation.
But… it didn’t seem like he was merely looking forward to watching the matches.
Could it be? No, surely not?
I approached my brother, who was trailing quietly at the rear, and whispered my question.
“Brother, so you’re confident you’ll pass the preliminary rounds?”
“Of course! The External Chief Manager himself said that someone of my caliber would easily pass the preliminaries—wait!”
A startled Jin-ho quickly covered his mouth with his hand.
“How did you know?”
“How else? I’m your younger brother.”
So my suspicion was correct—he really had submitted an entry for the Martial Arts Grand Conference.
It made sense; Jin-ho had arrived on the very last day of the registration deadline.
“What possessed you to enter the Martial Arts Grand Conference?”
“I needed prestige.”
“Prestige?”
“Yes, prestige. You know I was introduced by the External Chief Manager and met with several martial artists, right?”
“Right.”
Jin-ho spoke with a complicated expression.
“Through conversations with those individuals, I came to understand something: even hollow prestige has its necessity.”
“…”
“The Eun Hae Trading Company will continue to grow and rise higher—until there’s nowhere left to climb. When that happens, we’ll face countless schemes and obstacles directed against us.”
Since he spoke the truth, I nodded in agreement.
“That’s why I’m entering. Even a small honor, if it can become a strength to protect the Eun Hae Trading Company, I’d be grateful.”
My Elder Brother looked at me.
“So you’ll support me, won’t you?”
It wasn’t mere curiosity or youthful impulse—he had his own reasons.
And since those reasons were for the sake of the company, how could I possibly object?
“Fine. But….”
I spoke with a smile.
“If you’re eliminated in the preliminaries, you’re dead meat.”
“Haha. I’ll remember that.”
“But have you told Father and Mother?”
At my question, Jin-ho shook his head.
“No. If I had, they would’ve stopped me. So keep it secret.”
“But Elder Brother, even I’ve noticed. Do you really think Father and Mother don’t know?”
….
.
.
.
Soon we arrived at the Martial Arts Arena.
It was built on open ground belonging to the Murim Alliance, and appeared to have been constructed even more sturdily than the Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament venue.
We each took our seats.
The viewing stands were divided into several tiers this time as well, with the best grade available to the public being Premium Seating.
The price was naturally quite steep, but for seats close enough to see clearly, it was worth it.
“Thank you so much for allowing us to watch this time.”
“I was actually considering purchasing viewing seats with my own funds.”
“Don’t mention it.”
I spoke to them.
“This is all an investment. If you all gain insights from watching the martial arts and grow stronger, won’t that make me safer?”
“We’ll do our best to observe and learn.”
I purchased Premium Seating for all six Guard Warriors as well.
And seats for Palgap and Seo Hyang too.
Jin Yu Warrior and Seo Hyang appeared somewhat tense.
And understandably so.
They were people who couldn’t afford to be discovered by the Murim Alliance.
I sent a telepathic message to Jin Yu Warrior.
– Jin Yu Warrior, relax. If you’re tense, you’ll look even more suspicious.
– My apologies, my lord.
– Jin Yu Warrior’s face is now perfectly transformed. No one watching would ever connect it to Yeon Gye-seung, the League Master’s secret warrior.
– Understood.
The remarkable aspect of the Divine Transformation Technique was that it could alter not merely appearance, but the very aura one emanated.
And martial artists typically distinguish each other through their internal energy.
The more skilled they are, the more so.
Which means it’s nearly impossible to recognize Jin Yu Warrior.
I sent a secret message to Seo Hyang.
– Are you nervous?
– A little.
– Don’t worry. They won’t recognize you. Especially with the face veil on.
– That’s true.
She fidgeted with the edge of the veil.
– Actually, standing so boldly before those who tried to kill me… it’s quite exhilarating.
– Quite?
– No. A little… a lot.
She laughed as she said this.
Due to the face-changing technique, her laughter appeared cold, but I knew the truth.
She was genuinely enjoying herself right now.
Then I heard voices from behind.
“Did you hear about that?”
“What?”
“They brought a golden Buddha statue to supplement the formation, but apparently it was stolen?”
“What? Something like that happened?”
“Apparently. They still haven’t found the thief’s identity.”
“Tsk, that thief is quite something. How did they manage to steal from the Murim Alliance?”
“Right? Their skill is truly remarkable.”
Thank you for the compliment. Haha.
It seems the theft of the golden Buddha statue that the League Master asked me to obtain has become known among the people.
Since I knew it wouldn’t be used for the stated purpose, I stole it without hesitation.
In my previous life, I never heard that the golden Buddha statue was used for anything.
If such an object had been used, there’s no way I wouldn’t have heard about it.
Perhaps unlike this time, it ended up secretly in the League Master’s hands.
Even if the Sect Leader of Guam Sect on Mount Tai had hidden it, he would have found it somehow.
The League Master had that kind of ability.
The reason he needed to obtain it secretly, even at the cost of destroying Guam Sect, was certainly not a good one.
That’s why I stole it.
And besides, there are many ways to supplement a formation without necessarily using a golden Buddha statue.
“Ah? Who might this be?”
“Ah! Young Master Jegal Cheon-du!”
At that moment, Young Master Jegal Cheon-du approached me.
The seating token in his hand gleamed with golden light.
A token for the upper seating area, then.
Even as a branch family, the Jegal Family is still the Jegal Family.
This worked out perfectly.
I spoke to him quietly.
“I heard that a golden Buddha statue brought to supplement the protective formation for the spectators was stolen.”
“So I’ve heard.”
“I was also investigated as a suspect, but the members of the Jegal Family must have gone through considerable hardship. Correcting the prepared formation again is no trivial matter, is it?”
At my words, he laughed and shook his head.
“If we found that troublesome, the name of the Main House would hardly be worth its salt, would it?”
Fair point.
“In truth, we could have corrected the formation sufficiently without it, so I’m uncertain why it was necessary.”
So he harbored doubts as well.
“Then I shall take my leave. Enjoy the spectacle.”
“You as well, Young Master.”
Young Master Jegal Cheon-du offered a brief farewell and returned to his seat, while I turned my gaze toward the martial arts arena.
I wondered what sort of hero would emerge this time.

Boom, boom, boom!
The sound of the drum echoed forth, and a woman ascended the martial arts arena.
I had never seen her before.
“Welcome to the Martial Arts Grand Conference Friendly Martial Arts Tournament, held to foster camaraderie within our Murim and its long-standing traditions! We also extend our gratitude to all those who have labored to make this tournament possible.”
She introduced herself.
“I am Geum Yeon-hwa, the Master of Ja Hong Dae, entrusted with overseeing the Martial Arts Grand Conference Friendly Martial Arts Tournament.”
“Wahhhhh! Red Rain Sword! Red Rain Sword!”
Hearing the epithet the crowd called out, I could discern her identity.
Geum Yeon-hwa, the Red Rain Sword.
Even in my previous life, she was a renowned figure—not merely for her striking beauty, but for her exceptional martial prowess.
A member of the Ami Sect, when she wielded her blade, the crimson blood that sprayed around her resembled falling rain, earning her that epithet.
She would eventually fall in battle while executing a mission.
I had heard that many of her subordinates questioned the circumstances of her death.
Yet the Murim Alliance never investigated her death.
Consequently, not a few departed the Murim Alliance, unable to accept this.
This spoke to the depth of her influence.
In other words, she was not someone I needed to guard against or distance myself from.
“Now, the League Master shall offer an opening address for the Martial Arts Grand Conference Friendly Martial Arts Tournament.”
The League Master ascended the arena.
He glanced around briefly, then delivered his address.
“I welcome all of you gathered here.”
I gazed into the empty air, barely listening to the League Master’s words.
Honestly, it was the same old content.
Predictable and inevitable remarks followed.
“…Therefore, I wish to deepen the significance of this friendly tournament by recommending participants.”
The League Master’s authority, passed down through tradition.
Those recommended by the League Master bypass the preliminaries and advance directly to the main tournament.
Who would claim this honor this time?
“Eun Seo-ho of the Eun Hae Trading Company’s Seon Hyeop Mi-rang faction. I recommend him.”
“…Pardon?”
Me? Surely not me?

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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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