The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 585

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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 585

Chapter 585. Under-the-Table Dealings (6)

I spoke to the Haenam Sect Leader and the Cheongryu Warrior.
“Truth be told, I’d like to offer more, but I worry it might burden you both.”
At my words, the Sect Leader looked embarrassed and replied.
“Ahem. As I mentioned before, our main organization is so impoverished we have nothing to give in return.”
“That’s not true at all.”
“Hmm?”
“Doesn’t the Haenam Sect understand pirates better than anyone?”
“Well, that’s certainly so.”
In that instant, a killing intent emanated from the Sect Leader.
It was hatred toward pirates.
“Our Haenam Sect knows pirates better than anyone in the realm.”
“Ahem, Sect Leader.”
The Cheongryu Warrior spoke cautiously, and the Sect Leader quickly suppressed his killing intent.
“My apologies. Whenever I hear the word ‘pirates,’ my anger boils up before I can help it.”
“I understand. Wasn’t the Haenam Sect founded precisely to stand against pirates?”
“That’s right. Thank you for understanding.”
I smiled lightly and began my proposal.
“In truth, our Eun Hae Trading Company has sent merchant caravans to the Dae-Wol Kingdom and profited greatly in the past. The problem is that pirates, having heard these rumors, are now obstructing our maritime trading expeditions.”
“Yes, I imagine so.”
“Those bastards deserve it—they’re the scum of the realm.”
At that rough language, I let out a quiet laugh.
“So I wondered—might you be in need of a merchant guild patron? All we’d need is your support with warriors to fight pirates and the securing of safe harbor.”
“….”
They wore expressions of deep consideration.
“Of course, I’m not asking for an immediate decision. Still, I would appreciate it if you could decide before the friendly martial arts tournament ends. I plan to depart immediately once it concludes.”
“Understood.”
“And this.”
I withdrew a promissory note from my sleeve.
It was the ten-thousand silver tael note I had mentioned earlier.
“You’re really giving this?”
“Of course.”
“Then this is included in the patronage arrangement you just mentioned?”
“No. Please consider this simply a gesture of goodwill toward Haenam Island.”
I continued speaking.
“If you’re truly troubled by this, I would be grateful if you would pray for my success in all endeavors. Better yet, pray that our Eun Hae Trading Company becomes the Greatest Merchant Guild Under Heaven.”
“That’s not difficult at all.”
The Sect Master spoke to the Cheongryu Warrior.
“Look—hasn’t heaven itself rained down gold nuggets upon us?”
“Haha, indeed it has.”
.
.
.
I parted ways with the two from Haenam Sect and returned to the Yeon Pung Inn.
And until the next day arrived, no word came from the Jissi Family Estate.
Well, they seemed to be searching for some way to raise the funds themselves, but how could that be easy?
Three million silver taels isn’t money one can procure without difficulty.
That’s why I accepted their proposal.
Those who had trapped them have all been eliminated, but that doesn’t mean the Jissi Family’s debt disappears.
Now it was time to swallow my pride a little.

Dawn broke.
Today, Ji-jo’s main tournament begins.
Fifteen who passed the preliminaries, plus myself—sixteen in total.
Even thinking about it now irritates me somewhat.
Why did they have to recommend me…
I had only planned to see modest profits from the trading expedition and leave.
– Squeak?
At Geum Ryung-i’s telepathic message, I felt embarrassed.
Well, not modest—I had planned to see quite substantial profits.
Thanks to operating two Temporary Shops, my projected income had nearly doubled.
Hmm, excellent.
I called out to Jin-ho while eating breakfast.
“Jin-ho.”
“What is it?”
“How are your ribs doing?”
“Good. Wearing the chest plate you gave me is a bit restrictive, but it’s much better.”
That chest plate was specially made at my request from the Baek Yeom Merchant Guild, designed to wrap around the entire chest and back.
The Physician said the bones would heal better if movement was minimized.
But given Jin-ho’s nature, staying still was impossible.
So I had it made in that form.
Since it was made of iron, I lined the inside with quilted cloth to prevent rust and ensure comfort when wearing it.
At that moment, the Physician eating at a nearby table spoke.
“Third Sub-unit Leader.”
“Yes, Physician.”
“Could you make a few more of the chest armor that the Second Sub-unit Leader is currently wearing?”
“That chest armor?”
“Yes.”
The Physician continued.
“In truth, quite a few Eun Pung-dae Warriors suffer rib injuries from training and combat. Yet despite needing rest, they continue training and aggravate their condition, causing problems. I believe that chest armor could be of considerable help.”
“If that’s the reason, then of course I should make more for you.”
As I said this, a thought suddenly occurred to me.
“Surely, such injuries aren’t limited to just the Eun Pung-dae, are they?”
“Of course not, but….”
Father smiled, seeming to have caught onto my thinking, and asked.
“Are you thinking of selling them?”
“Yes. I believe they would sell quite well.”
– Squeak!
Judging by Geum Ryung-i’s reaction, it seemed worth pursuing.
That creature could smell future profits from a mile away.
“Now that I think about it, aren’t we already making and selling medical wheel devices at our Merchant Guild?”
At Jin-ho’s words, I nodded.
“That’s right.”
“Both the medical wheel devices and this chest armor are for people in pain. Are you planning to venture entirely into that field?”
A brilliant idea struck me at those words, and I grasped Jin-ho’s hand.
“Brother, that’s an excellent idea!”
“Huh?”
“How didn’t I think of that?”
I turned to Father and spoke.
“Our Eun Hae Trading Company would manufacture and sell tools for those with physical disabilities. In other words, a medical equipment shop.”
“A medical equipment shop….”
“Yes. Not only would it generate revenue, but people’s perception of our Eun Hae Trading Company would improve significantly.”
“Your words have merit. When I return, I’ll consult with the other leaders about this.”
Thus the meal concluded warmly, and I quietly approached Father.
“Would you have a moment to speak with me?”
“I still have time. Let’s go to my room.”
“Yes.”
I followed Father to his guest room.
Father personally poured the tea that the Attendant had brought.
“Well then, what did you wish to discuss?”
“I’ve come to hear your answer regarding what I mentioned last night.”
I had told Father last night about becoming a backing merchant guild for Haenam Island.
Father had said he would think about it for a moment.
“You seem quite eager, boy. Not even a full day has passed.”
“I couldn’t help it—I pressed them as well. I asked them to make a decision before the friendly martial arts competition ends.”
“Hmm… In truth, if we became a supporting merchant guild under such conditions, it wouldn’t be a loss for us either.”
Father continued speaking.
“Our Eun Hae Trading Company’s fleet will only grow larger in the future, and when that happens, our existing anchorages will reach their limits. Using Nanking’s docks would be far too expensive, and it would draw unwanted attention from others.”
That was the problem.
Drawing the attention of outsiders.
We couldn’t fully reveal our true capabilities.
“I brought this up precisely because I considered that aspect, sir.”
“I also think it’s a reasonable plan, but even if they accept those conditions, I’m concerned about the officials on Haenam Island—they may prove problematic.”
Father let out a sigh.
“Officials in such remote places are specialists at lining their own pockets, aren’t they?”
Ah… so Father was also aware of the corruption among Haenam Island’s officials.
Come to think of it, the same had been true during the Chungyeongseong incident in Yunnan. Frontier regions simply lacked proper oversight of their officials, making corruption rampant.
“I’ve heard that a considerable sum meant for typhoon relief and reconstruction has mysteriously vanished. Yet why do those officials still have their heads attached to their shoulders?”
The Emperor has eyes and ears everywhere. Could there be an issue with the Geumui Guard and Dongchang this time as well?
Father answered my question.
“Because there’s no evidence.”
“Pardon?”
“There’s no evidence that they embezzled the funds. Even if they submit a report claiming the ship sank en route to Haenam Island and an investigation is launched, how can one investigate a vessel sunk in the depths of the sea?”
“Ah… I see.”
In other words, if we couldn’t deal with those officials, our partnership with the Haenam Sect would be meaningless.
Well, once this matter is resolved, I’ll need to go directly to the Emperor.
Just then, Palgap’s voice came from outside.
“Young Master! It’s time we departed.”
.
.
.
A short while later.
I headed to the Martial Arts Arena with my family.
Today was the day Sister Hyang-ok would begin her main tournament matches.
Mine would be tomorrow.

Boom, boom, boom!
The drums rose, and Geum Yeon-hwa stepped onto the martial arts arena.
“Then, we shall now begin the first match of the Ji-jo main tournament. The first match is….”
Soon, two disciples from a fairly renowned sect climbed onto the arena.
The two warriors began an intense match that stained the arena floor with blood.
How did the matchups turn out this way?
Just like the Huashan Sect and Jongnam Sect, the Biggyeok Sect and Punghap Sect were also famous rivals.
Still, the Huashan and Jongnam sects maintained courtesy in their exchanges because they held the honor of being major sects, but these two had no such restraint.
It was truly like watching a dog fight.
“Haaah!”
“Haack!”
The two fought desperately, striking and defending against blows, yet no decisive conclusion came easily.
The two warriors bled so profusely that I wondered if the arena floor had originally been red.
Weren’t they going to die from blood loss at this rate?
It was around that moment.
“Stop!”
That was when.
Geum Yeon-hwa stepped between them.
“By the authority of the referee, I am halting this match. We shall resume after treating their wounds.”
It was extremely rare to stop a match once it had begun.
However, the referee could halt it by authority, and one such circumstance was when continuing the match would pose a life-threatening risk due to excessive blood loss.
In such cases, they would stop the bleeding with wound-healing medicine and treat the injuries before resuming the match.
“Damn it!”
“Tch!”
The warriors of the Biggyeok Sect and Punghap Sect could not hide their frustration, but they had no choice but to obey the referee’s decision.
Being dragged away and imprisoned would bring shame to their sect.
Then someone spoke.
“Now, Guild Master Geum. Couldn’t we continue as things stand?”
“What do you mean by that, Biggyeok Sect Leader?”
“Isn’t it natural that blood flows when people fight? I would appreciate it if you didn’t consider my Biggyeok Sect Leader’s disciple as equal to that weak Punghap Sect disciple.”
“What? So the Biggyeok Sect doesn’t even cherish their disciples? You heartless, merciless bastards! If someone bleeds that much, it’s only right to care for them so their life isn’t endangered. Continue? Damn it! You fool!”
“Warriors fight, so let them fight!”
“There’s a time and place for everything, and circumstances matter!”
The argument grew increasingly heated.
Sigh, they’re going to draw weapons at this rate.
Since everyone knew they were bitter enemies, they simply clicked their tongues or shook their heads in disapproval.
But why isn’t anyone stopping them?
However, my question was quickly answered.
“Biggyeok Sect Leader, Punghap Sect Master.”
Geum Yeon-hwa called out to them gently.
“You’re both proving your enmity before everyone’s eyes. Well, it’s fine. These things happen when people spend enough time together.”
Geum Yeon-hwa’s gaze shifted.
“But tell me—why now?”
“Ugh!”
“Ungh!”
Her eyes made them falter.
“Would you prefer I visit the Bi Gyeok-mun and Pung Ha-pa sects?”
“Ah, no! That’s not it!”
“Heh, Geum Yeon-hwa is such a busy woman—there’s no need for her to trouble herself visiting our Pung Ha-pa….”
Why were they so terrified at the prospect of Geum Yeon-hwa’s visit?
I found myself curious.
“If both of you have no objections, I will suspend this match by my authority.”
They nodded, and the moment their consent was given.
Thud.
Clang.
The two warriors who had been holding themselves together through sheer willpower lost their tension and collapsed right there on the martial arts arena.
Medical staff rushed out from the medical office, loaded them onto stretchers, and hurried them away.
Assistants began cleaning the martial arts arena.
Meanwhile, light refreshments were provided. Though some couldn’t bring themselves to enjoy them.
Well, it’s hard to keep your appetite when you’re watching blood splatter everywhere.
As for me, I was used to it, so I ate the refreshments with relish.

Soon the martial arts arena was cleared.
“The next match features Sister Hyang-ok of the Ami Sect! Her opponent is Hwangbo Ho-myeong of the Hwangbo Clan!”
“Waaaaah!”
As the crowd’s cheers filled the arena, two warriors ascended to the stage.
The Hwangbo Clan… At the last Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament, wasn’t it the Young Master of the Hwangbo Clan who suffered a crushing defeat?
Yet seeing him advance to the main tournament of this friendly match meant he possessed considerable skill in his own right.
Each stood with seven tokens attached to their bodies, facing one another.
Without a word spoken, the emotion evident in Young Master Hwangbo Ho-myeong’s eyes was contempt.
Boom!
Then came the sound of the drum.
When Sister Hyang-ok assumed the ready stance, only then did Young Master Hwangbo Ho-myeong follow suit.
Why was his reaction delayed?
Shouldn’t he assume the ready stance immediately upon hearing the drum?
Tilting my head curiously as I observed Young Master Hwangbo Ho-myeong, something peculiar caught my eye.
His ears were sealed with wax?
Ah, so he melted candle wax to fashion earplugs, preventing himself from hearing Sister Hyang-ok’s words.
I couldn’t help but smile bitterly at the sight.
He didn’t understand Sister Hyang-ok’s martial prowess, thinking her merely a warrior whose only weapon was her tongue.
Indeed, in the preliminary rounds, Sister Hyang-ok defeated her opponent through words alone without even fighting.
So he blocked out sound to defend against Sister Hyang-ok’s cutting remarks.
But was Sister Hyang-ok’s terror limited only to her sharp tongue?
Though her words were certainly cutting, why did the Ami Sect select her as their representative for this friendly match?
It was because they judged her capable of bringing honor to the Ami Sect.
If he underestimated her, he would pay dearly for it.

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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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