The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 581

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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 581

Chapter 581. The Art of Backroom Dealings (2)

Sister Hyang-ok asked in response to my words.
“What on earth is the matter? Why do you look so troubled? Has something happened to Elder Brother Jin-ho?”
Sister Hyang-ok had witnessed Jin-ho’s injury during today’s martial arts tournament, so her concern was understandable.
“Well, it’s like this…”
I explained the entire situation from beginning to end.
Sister Hyang-ok then pressed her forehead and sighed deeply.
“Sigh, what a foolish…”
“My thoughts exactly.”
“Understood. Wait a moment. I’ll speak with Master and come back out.”
“Yes.”
Shortly after, Sister Hyang-ok emerged. But she was not alone—she came with the other disciples.
We had to move as a unified group.
Soon after, we arrived at the Yeon Pung Inn.
“Oh! Hyang-ok has arrived!”
“Welcome, child.”
“I greet you, Uncle and Aunt.”
Sister Hyang-ok bowed respectfully and spoke with gravity.
“I heard from Seo-ho. Elder Brother Jin-ho is being stubborn, isn’t he?”
“That’s right.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll try to reason with him properly.”
“I’m counting on you.”
Father quickly added to Mother’s words.
“But don’t push him too hard.”
“Don’t worry. I’ve had many experiences and know where to draw the line.”
“Y-yes, that’s right.”
Sister Hyang-ok looked at me.
“Then, please show me the way.”
“Ah, yes!”
I quickly led Sister Hyang-ok to Jin-ho’s guest room.
“Brother, it’s me.”
From inside the room, I heard Jin-ho’s gruff voice.
“Just give up. No matter what anyone says, I’m competing in the next tournament.”
“I will try to convince you, but it won’t be me doing it.”
“Huh?”
I pushed the door open.
Standing in the center of the guest room was Eun Jin-ho with bandages wrapped around his chest.
It seemed he couldn’t resist and had been training during the recovery period.
Truly, he’s stubborn. Incredibly stubborn.
His ribs are broken, for heaven’s sake.
No, that’s not stubbornness—that’s just foolishness.
Sigh.
Eun Jin-ho flinched when he noticed Sister Hyang-ok standing beside me.
“Well, Elder Brother Jin-ho.”
“Oh, Hyang-ok.”
Eun Jin-ho was one year older than Sister Hyang-ok.
Yet he feared her just as much as I did.
“What are you doing right now? Seo-ho told me you injured your ribs during the martial competition today.”
“Well, that’s true, but….”
“Yet you’re planning to compete in the next match?”
“Yes! I can’t miss this opportunity! My name must become one that protects the Eun Hae Trading Company!”
“And in the process, Elder Brother Jin-ho will become crippled?”
“What?”
“So you’re saying you’ll live chasing hollow prestige and past glory. You seem to be under a misunderstanding, but even if you make a name for yourself, don’t you think rumors of Elder Brother Jin-ho becoming disabled will still spread?”
“Well….”
“Will those eyeing the Eun Hae Trading Company say, ‘Hey, there’s this cripple named Eun Jin-ho, and the guy had some clout back in the day. So let’s leave him alone’? Or will they say, ‘Hey, there’s this cripple named Eun Jin-ho, and the guy had some clout back in the day. But he’s nothing now, so we can safely make a move’?”
“….”
“Why can’t you think through something so simple, Elder Brother? Did your brain turn to muscle from training so hard?”
“That’s, that’s not it….”
“What do you mean ‘not it’? And if you make such a name for yourself, will Uncle and Aunt say, ‘Oh my, our son is impressive! Yes, even if your body becomes disabled, as long as your name is known, that’s enough’?”
“….”
“Why don’t you consider the hearts of Uncle and Aunt, who will shed tears of blood? And why don’t you consider the heart of the External Chief Manager, who must watch a healthy disciple walk in on four limbs?”
“….”
“And what about your wife and the child to be born? If you become disabled and can’t even share a bed with your wife, can’t hold the child in your arms—wouldn’t that be truly happy? Wouldn’t it?”
“N-no, that’s….”
“Why do you only see the present and not the future? If you hate that, shouldn’t you not do this in the first place?”
“….”
Eun Jin-ho, battered by a barrage of words, looked at me with a desperate expression.
Eyes pleading for rescue.
But Elder Brother, it’s already too late.
You should have steeled your resolve beforehand to prevent me from making the choice to bring Sister Hyang-ok here.
I spoke to Sister Hyang-ok.
“Then I’ll head downstairs. You two cousins can have a cozy conversation.”
“W-wait, Seo-ho! Don’t leave me alone!”
Eun Jin-ho reached out toward me desperately, but….
Click.
Sister Hyang-ok grasped Eun Jin-ho’s hand and spoke.
“Brother, you shouldn’t detain a busy man. Seo-ho, go ahead and attend to your affairs.”
“Yes, Sister.”
I smiled faintly and closed the door.
Thud.
“The matter is resolved, but I worry whether Eun Jin-ho will be alright,” Palgap said.
I nodded at his words.
“He’ll be fine. It will take time for that emotional wound to heal, but it’s better than him reopening it during the martial tournament and making things worse.”
“That’s true enough.”
Eun Jin-ho’s situation was settled for now, but I had other matters to attend to.
What bothered me was the disappointed expression Ji Gyeong-hwa had worn when he realized during the match that Eun Jin-ho hadn’t died.
“Palgap, I’m stepping out for a moment.”
.
.
.
Shortly after.
I left the inn with my Guard Warriors.
With the main tournament’s first round currently underway, the fervor of the Martial Arts Grand Conference burned intensely.
That’s why some people pick needless quarrels.
I once thought it was due to drinking, but thanks to the prohibition lasting several years, I’ve learned something.
There are quite a few people in this world who act recklessly even with a clear mind.
Of course, they don’t do so when the situation clearly disadvantages them.
That would make them truly mad.
It’s like selective anger disorder.
In my view, both cases amount to madness anyway.
In any case, it’s good to bring Guard Warriors along.
I don’t need to bring all six, but given my purpose for leaving the inn and the uncertainty of what might arise, I brought them all.
So I took all six with me.
My destination was the Ji Family Estate.
It was the place most likely to yield some clue.
We soon arrived at the Ji Family Estate.
Though counted among the Prestigious Families, it wasn’t as grand as the Namgung Family, so its scale was smaller as well.
Well, the Namgung Family is absurdly massive anyway.
As I was observing the estate, someone emerged from within.
It was Ji Gyeong-hwa, precisely whom I’d been waiting for.
What struck me as suspicious was that his Guard Warriors didn’t step out boldly but instead looked around cautiously.
– Let’s follow the Merchant.
– Yes!
We concealed our presence and quietly followed in his wake.
The place he headed toward was a small abandoned manor located on the outskirts of Luoyang.
It looked like a forsaken estate.
I could sense the presence of several people within it.
I had the other Guards keep their distance while I infiltrated discreetly with only Jin Yu Warrior.
He was the only one who had reached the pinnacle of martial arts and specialized in such stealth and infiltration.
After we slipped into the manor, we traversed the roofs and located Ji Gyeong-hwa’s presence.
As I drew near and concentrated my hearing with my inner energy, I caught the sound of voices.

“This is most unfortunate.”
“Please, I beg you! Just one more chance!”
“You’ve already been eliminated. Another chance? Do you truly believe such a thing exists?”
….
“A promise is a promise. Since you failed to fulfill our instructions, we too cannot repay our debt. It is regrettable, but what can be done?”
“If the debt is not repaid, my family will be ruined!”
“That is the Ji Clan’s concern.”
“Please, I beg you! Please!”
“Then I trust we have nothing further to discuss.”
I heard the man coldly brush off Ji Gyeong-hwa and depart.
Soon after, Ji Gyeong-hwa himself let out a heavy sigh and left the manor.
This was my opportunity.
I sent a silent message to Jin Yu Warrior.
– Take Seo-woo Warrior and Yeo Eung-am Warrior and track those who just left.
– Understood!
Jin Yu Warrior vanished, and I silently pursued Ji Gyeong-hwa while ordering the remaining Warriors to follow me.
We trailed them and blocked their path in a secluded place.
“We meet again.”
“Who are you?”
“I have questions I’d like to ask. Could you spare me a moment?”
At my words, Ji Gyeong-hwa shook his head.
“I have no time for this. Step aside.”
“You nearly killed my elder brother. You did that intentionally, didn’t you?”
…!
Ji Gyeong-hwa flinched.
Struck at the heart of the matter, he deflected as expected.
“What are you talking about? I was startled too! And did you say elder brother? Are you from the Eunhae Trading Company?”
“Yes.”
“How utterly rude! Even if I did injure your elder brother, coming here and causing trouble like this!”
“I’m sorry to hear you say that. Tell me honestly. How much debt do you owe?”
…!
“How much debt are you being threatened over?”
His eyes widened to their absolute limit.
“H-how did you…?”
“You asked how much, didn’t you? Don’t play games with me. When it comes to money, few can match my understanding.”
He clenched his fists before finally opening his mouth.
“Three hundred thousand silver taels.”
“That’s absurd. You’re telling me the Ji Family Estate is being blackmailed over such a pittance? I already warned you—don’t play games with me.”
“…Three million silver taels.”
“Now that makes sense. Though I suspect it’s even more than that.”
At my words, he flinched again.
I had a rough grasp of the Ji Family’s power, so estimating the scale of their debt wasn’t difficult.
Based on lessons from my previous life, I had been steadily tracking the influence of major families and sects.
“But tell me—how did you accumulate such a massive debt in the first place?”
“…”
He merely bit his lip without answering.
“No amount of extravagance could lead to a debt of that magnitude. Was it an investment? Gambling?”
His eyes wavered.
“Ah… you lost money on an investment, and then tried to recoup it through gambling, didn’t you?”
He flinched again.
This man was remarkably easy to read.
“My lord! Don’t entangle yourself further!”
At the Guard Warrior’s warning, I spoke coldly.
“I understand your loyalty, but I’m currently offering counsel that could benefit your lord. So remain silent. Do you have the means to repay that debt in full?”
“…”
The Guard Warrior retreated with an embarrassed expression at my words, and Ji Gyeong-hwa’s eyes brightened.
“Are you saying you can repay our family’s debt?”
“The Eunhae Trading Company already ranks twentieth among the Baekdae Trading Company Alliance, and we’re expected to rise further this year. Does that answer your question?”
“…”
He dropped to his knees before me.
“I’ll do anything—anything at all! Please, I beg you, save the Ji Family!”
“My lord…”
In my previous life, I had succeeded in eliminating Jo-un Warrior, and thanks to the support I received, the Ji Family never fell into ruin.
But once you accept such a hidden deal, you’re bound by that leash for life.
Now that I think about it, there were times when the Ji Family’s actions in my previous life made no sense.
This was the reason.
So this time, I would be the one holding that leash.
“First, I need to hear about the arrangement—why you tried to kill my elder brother.”
“…”
“And you must become an ally to the Eunhae Trading Company. If you accept these conditions, I’ll settle your debt.”
He answered without hesitation.
“I accept.”
Actually, there’s nothing to worry about. If he rejects my proposal, the Ji Clan will simply collapse.
“To be honest, I know very little about him. He somehow discovered our circumstances not long ago, came to the Main House, and made such a proposal.”
“But how did you believe his words?”
“He presented trustworthy evidence.”
The evidence he brought was that he had captured those who had defrauded them into investing, and that he had destroyed the gambling houses.
“Hmm….”
“What is it?”
“It was their scheme from the beginning.”
“What do you mean?”
“That’s why they so easily captured the investment swindlers and destroyed the gambling houses, isn’t it?”
I continued.
“And if they had left the swindlers or the gambling houses alone, it could have been discovered that they were involved, so they took action themselves.”
“….”
I wonder how they fell for such a simple scheme, but considering the nature of the Ji Clan, it’s understandable.
Unlike other families, they were a Murim clan that devoted themselves entirely to martial arts.
Moreover, if those targeting the Ji Clan had orchestrated this, they would have eliminated all those capable of leading the Ji Clan.
In other words, they blinded their eyes and ears.
When honeyed words are constantly whispered into one’s ears, there is no one who won’t be swayed.
Those who devoted themselves solely to martial arts could not possibly understand business properly, so they were easily deceived.
By the time they came to their senses, it would already be too late.
But why did a family that only pursued martial arts suddenly show interest in business?
I’ll have to look into that later.
“…Tsk.”
Ji Gyeong-hwa grinding his teeth.
He told me about them.
“He said that once you board the main ship, you must kill your opponent. That there must be a fatality in this friendly martial arts competition.”
“What’s the reason?”
I asked, and he answered.
“I don’t know either. I asked out of curiosity, but he just told me to shut up and do as instructed.”
“I see.”
“In any case, I will cooperate fully with you.”
“Good. That’s the right attitude.”
I didn’t expect to learn the reason so easily.
“We’ll ask the person who just left here about that reason.”

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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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