The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 573

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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 573

Chapter 573. The Martial Arts Grand Conference (2)

I was taken aback.
Wait, what is he saying right now?
Why is the League Master recommending me?
I carefully composed my expression and glanced at Seo Hyang.
But she too seemed caught off guard, her eyes wide with surprise.
My father and mother, along with everyone in my entourage, wore expressions of shock.
Well, I need to figure out what the League Master is thinking first.
I rose from my seat and clasped my fists respectfully.
“First, I am grateful that the League Master has recommended me. However, League Master, I am a merchant. I came here for a trading expedition. Surely each person has a place where they belong?”
I continued speaking.
“I am not suited for a friendly martial competition, so please withdraw that suggestion.”
Whispers reached my ears from those around me.
“Hmph. He certainly knows his place.”
“Right. This is no place for a merchant to meddle.”
“But if the League Master would recommend him…”
“What could the League Master possibly be thinking?”
I suppressed the irritation rising within me at the murmurs.
Yes, I can hear all of you perfectly well.
What? I know my place? A merchant has no business here?
Jin-ho is planning to participate in this Martial Arts Grand Conference, so if you’re saying such things, it means you’ll level the same criticism when Jin-ho steps onto the arena.
Who are you?
I’ve memorized your face.
The League Master regarded me calmly and spoke.
“You have inherited the legacy of Geuk Cheon Sword, a hero of the Murim from two hundred years ago. Should you not then demonstrate that sword to the world and show that the lineage of Geuk Cheon Sword has not been severed?”
“….”
“It would serve as a warning to those forces seeking to plunge this Murim into chaos.”
“….”
Forces seeking to plunge the Murim into chaos…
His words were sound reasoning, the kind only the Murim Alliance Leader could speak.
And the fact that he’s pushing this hard means his resolve to have me compete is strong.
A mere show of humility won’t make him accept my refusal.
If I’m not careful, the repercussions could reach my Master.
That would be problematic.
The matter of Seolpung Palace must not be revealed yet.
How could I possibly change the League Master’s mind….
Since Jin-ho is also competing, having two people from the same family enter simultaneously—wouldn’t our parents worry about that?
That won’t work.
In the common sense of the Murim world, that’s not a concern but rather a source of pride.
It was then that the League Master spoke.
“Ah, I forgot to mention this. Those who advance to the main bracket of this friendly martial arts tournament will receive prize money along with a treasured sword.”
Huh?
“You received my recommendation, but since you’ve advanced to the main bracket as well, you’ll receive both prize money and a treasured sword.”
– Screech!
Judging by Geumryeong’s reaction, it was certainly a sword of considerable value.
“So I do hope my recommendation won’t bring you shame.”
“How could I refuse the League Master’s recommendation? And as you said, by displaying the Ancestor’s sword to the world, it would serve as a warning to those who seek to plunge the Murim into chaos. I believe that is the right course of action.”
Prize money and gifts are significant matters.
A martial arts tournament?
I can simply cross swords lightly and then lose. What’s the problem?
“Thank you for accepting my recommendation. That concludes my remarks.”
With that, the League Master finished his blessing and returned to his seat.
Geum Yeon-hwa came out again and continued the proceedings.
“Then, we shall now arrange the matchups.”
At her words, assistants brought out urns, and the senior masters reached into them to draw lots.
“I’ve been selected.”
So saying, the one who rose from his seat was Jin Seon, Sect Leader of Wudang Sect.
In his hand was a wooden tablet with its end painted red.
The Elder I met before is here as well.
Who from Wudang Sect will be competing?
Jin Seon, the Sect Leader, came to the martial arts arena and began randomly arranging the wooden tablets from the box before him onto the matchup board.
And the people watched his movements with bated breath.
There’s a saying that in such martial arts tournaments, matchup luck is half the battle, which is why the draw is so crucial.
Tap, tap-tap, tap, tap.
Thus, dozens of wooden tablets were arranged on the matchup board.
A total of sixty-two martial artists were competing.
More than I expected.
The Heaven bracket had thirty-two competitors, and the Earth bracket had thirty.
If they each competed once, the Heaven bracket would advance sixteen to the main bracket, while the Earth bracket would advance fifteen.
That left one spot, which would be filled by the League Master’s recommended candidate.
The League Master’s recommendation also served to prevent a bye from being wasted on the matchup board.
Those advancing to the main bracket would be sixteen from each bracket, totaling thirty-two competitors.
This is where the true martial arts tournament begins.
Competitors from both brackets continue to face off, and when one person remains, they compete for the final championship.
If I weren’t competing, this would be far more thrilling and entertaining….
“Sigh….”
As I exhaled, Palgap spoke.
“Young Master, it’s already been decided.”
“I know.”
I said so while looking up at the Martial Arts Arena.
Clack.
Finally, the last wooden tablet was placed on the bracket, and the matchup composition was complete.
Jin Seon, Sect Leader of Wudang Sect, cupped his fists to the crowd.
“I wish you all good fortune in martial arts.”
Then he returned to his original seat, and Geum Yeon-hwa took the stage again.
“Now we shall begin the first martial match. Please reveal the name tablet from the first bracket of the first round.”
At her words, an assistant removed the wooden cover that had been concealing the names on the tablet.
The names that emerged were a young master from the Namgung Family Estate and a disciple from a small sect.
“Namgung On from the Namgung Family Estate! And his opponent is Dae Nok, a disciple of the Yeon Gyeol Sect!”
At Geum Yeon-hwa’s announcement, the two warriors ascended to the Martial Arts Arena.
This Namgung On appeared quite young.
Late twenties, perhaps?
Yet seeing that he had already reached the Peak realm, I couldn’t help but think of the Namgung Family’s reputation.
He had grown strong rapidly thanks to the family’s advanced martial techniques, various elixirs, and excellent masters.
However, those who grew strong through such dependence had certain limitations.
When ascending to the Transcendent Peak or beyond, they faced higher walls than those who had climbed steadily and methodically through orthodox means.
My Master once said that from the Transcendent Peak onward, it becomes difficult for the body and enlightenment to harmonize with one another.
Creating a body capable of withstanding Transcendent Peak inner strength is difficult, but achieving the enlightenment necessary for it is even more so.
And there was another problem.
Those who grew strong relying on their family’s power often had poor character.
Having been treated lavishly since childhood, they became arrogant in temperament, lacked empathy, and showed no consideration for others.
This Namgung On appeared to be such a case.
Each had seven marks placed on their bodies, and they faced one another.
“I’m not sure where the Yeon Gyeol Sect is hidden away, but I’m sorry about this. It looks like you’ll be heading back to your sect right after arriving.”
“Isn’t that something you can only know by crossing blades directly?”
“There are things in this world one can understand without seeing. Such as the difference in level between you and me.”
As Namgung On said, this Dae Nok was of first-rate level.
Since the Martial Arts Grand Conference’s friendly matches had no restrictions on participation qualifications, even those of first-rate level participated.
Many martial artists below the Peak realm who participated suffered severe injuries or death, so it had become customary for martial artists of Peak realm and above to participate.
But custom was merely custom.
In principle, there were still no restrictions whatsoever on participation qualifications.

Boom—!
The drum sounded, and their martial bout began.
Namgung On wore a contemptuous smirk without even assuming a proper stance.
“Hwaah!”
Dae-nok Warrior swung his blade toward Namgung On.
Quite swift, I’ll admit.
But that won’t be nearly enough.
Thud!
As expected, Namgung On sidestepped the blade with ease and extended his foot, sending Dae-nok Warrior tumbling across the arena.
One of the markers pinned to his chest shattered.
“Ugh!”
He groaned as he rose, and Namgung On mocked him.
“Oh? You got up? I thought you wouldn’t be able to.”
“I am not so weak as that!”
He gripped his blade again and hurled himself at Namgung On, swinging with all his might.
Slash!
A blade descended toward him.
It severed the marker on his shoulder, and blood sprayed from the shallow wound.
“Ugh!”
The bout unfolded exactly as everyone anticipated—entirely one-sided.
Namgung On toyed with his opponent throughout, while Dae-nok became increasingly drenched in blood.
He accepted wounds elsewhere to protect his remaining markers.
The spectators grew solemn at the brutality, and murmurs of disapproval arose at Namgung On’s cruel sport.
“Dae-nok! That’s enough! Surrender now!”
A voice called from somewhere in the crowd.
Yet Dae-nok refused to yield.
The gap between them was vast, but he couldn’t bring himself to give up.
Though he could barely stand, he desperately wanted to land at least one blow on his opponent.
“You have one marker left, don’t you?”
Meanwhile, Namgung On remained completely unscathed.
“Then let’s end this. Playing with you has grown tedious anyway.”
He wrapped his blade with sword energy.
The senior members of the Murim Alliance frowned at this, but since no rule prohibited it, they simply watched.
“You may take pride in falling to my Namgung On’s Thirteen Lightning Strikes! Hahahaha!”
He raised his blade, wreathed in sword energy that crackled like lightning, and lunged toward Dae-nok Warrior’s final marker.
Whoosh!
Dae-nok Warrior rolled across the floor, evading the blade.
“Where are you going!”
Namgung On turned irritably to change direction.
But he slipped on Dae-nok Warrior’s pooled blood and lost his balance.
“…!”
And the Dae-nok Warrior seized that opportunity without hesitation.
“Kyaaaaaaah!”
He bellowed with a martial cry and, still sprawled on the ground, swept his leg at Namgung On, sending him tumbling off the Martial Arts Arena.
It happened in an instant.
Because no one had anticipated it, everyone could only blink in astonishment.
Namgung On himself, the one who had been knocked from the arena, blinked in shock.
“Huff, huff, huff.”
The Dae-nok Warrior pushed himself to his feet.
Geum Yeon-hwa, who had been calmly observing the match, stepped forward and made her declaration.
“First match result: Namgung On has been thrown from the arena. Victory goes to Dae-nok, disciple of the Yeon Gyeol Sect!”
At this, Dae-nok thrust both arms skyward and unleashed a triumphant roar.
“Kyaaaaaaah!”
It was the cry of victory.
And then he simply collapsed backward.
Thump.
He had lost consciousness.
It was hardly surprising—his entire body was drenched in blood.
The spectators showered the Dae-nok Warrior with unreserved applause, moved by his refusal to yield despite the overwhelming gap in skill and his fierce struggle to seize victory.
Clap clap clap clap!
I too offered my applause.
This man truly possesses remarkable resolve.
Murim Alliance Warriors rushed out, placed the Dae-nok Warrior on a stretcher and carried him away, while Namgung On sat in stunned silence.
How could he not be? He had never imagined he would lose.
Had he fought with his full strength, victory would have been his without difficulty.
But he had underestimated his opponent and grown careless.
There is a saying in the Murim: never let your guard down, not even when crossing blades with a five-year-old child.
“This is absurd! I lost? Me, a Peak Martial Master, lost to a first-rate warrior? No! This is invalid! Invalid!”
He leaped back onto the arena and protested to Geum Yeon-hwa.
“Something went wrong! Did you judge the match correctly?”
“You fell from the arena, and the Dae-nok Warrior remained until the end. Is there something incorrect about that?”
“No! No! I did not lose!”
“I warn you. Exit the arena now.”
“I did not lose… Cough!”
Thump.
In that instant, he dropped to his knees before Geum Yeon-hwa.
To the eyes of others, it appeared as though Namgung On had knelt of his own volition, but that was not the case.
Geum Yeon-hwa’s fist had struck him in the abdomen.
“By regulation, you will be confined to the Prison for two days. Take him away!”
“Yes!”
Soon, Murim Alliance Warriors rushed over and dragged Namgung On away.
According to the rules of the Martial Arts Grand Conference, anyone who causes a disturbance on the Martial Arts Arena or refuses to accept the results is confined to the Prison for two days.
At Namgung On’s shameful display, the Namgung Family Head shook his head in disapproval.
The sight was utterly amusing.
The martial arts competition continued, and only when it came time for lunch did the third match finally conclude.
A one-hour lunch break was given.
“Let’s go have lunch.”
“Understood.”
Father and Mother decided to dine with other members of the trading company, while Jin-ho headed off somewhere with the External Chief Manager.
That meant I had to eat lunch with my companions.
“Let’s go to the Inn.”
Other taverns were probably packed right now, making it difficult to find a seat.
It seemed Father and Mother were heading to a tavern where they had made reservations.
I considered making a reservation at a nice tavern or inn myself, but decided against it.
I needed to finish eating quickly and visit the Temporary Shop.
Just then, I noticed a man walking with someone’s support.
It was Dae-nok Warrior, the first martial arts competition participant.
He must have regained consciousness after fainting.
I approached him.
“Are you feeling alright… though you don’t look alright.”
“This much will heal with some salve.”
Dae-nok Warrior didn’t seem to recognize me, but the man supporting him appeared to recognize me.
“Are you perhaps the Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster?”
“That’s correct.”
At my answer, he was startled.
“My goodness! I should show proper courtesy, but since I’m supporting this fellow… I apologize.”
“It’s fine.”
I waved my hand and produced a small jar.
“I watched the first match with great interest. This is a highly effective wound salve—it should help.”
Dae-nok Warrior had said so himself. A little salve and he’d be fine.
His words were true.
This wound salve had a touch of Geumryeong’s saliva mixed into it, after all.

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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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