The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 596

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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 596

Chapter 596. Good for the Emperor, Good for Me (1)

The reason I made such a request was simple: to establish and operate a ship dock on Haenam Island, we needed to secure local labor.
Of course, we would have to dispatch key personnel directly from the Eunhae Trading Company to Haenam Island.
Still, if the locals viewed our company favorably, recruitment would be easier and stabilization would happen faster—which is why I made this request.
The Haenam Sect Leader laughed at my words with a grin.
“Don’t worry about that. Hahahaha!”
Since the Haenam Sect was like the spiritual pillar of Haenam Island, if the Sect Leader stepped forward, the Eunhae Trading Company’s reputation there would improve tremendously.
But… why did I feel uneasy?
I pushed the anxiety aside and continued speaking.
“Actually, there is one more thing I would like to ask of you.”
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.
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The next day.
Sister Hyang-ok came to see me.
“Ah! Sister!”
“How is your body feeling?”
“Fortunately, I’m recovering quickly.”
But if I remember correctly, today wasn’t Sister’s scheduled visiting time?
“Sister, I apologize, but there are others waiting for their turn to visit, so I cannot spare much time.”
“Oh, I know.”
Sister nodded as if she understood.
“So I tried to write my name on the list, but people just told me to go in.”
“I see…”
Well, while she was my cousin in private matters, no one would ask the runner-up of the Friendly Martial Arts Tournament to wait her turn.
“And from the start, I had no intention of taking up much of your time.”
“I understand.”
“This time, circumstances prevented us from sparring, but it’s fine. There will be other opportunities next time.”
Sister smiled with satisfaction.
“So look forward to it. Next time, I will definitely spar with you.”
“Sister, I’m curious about something… why are you so eager to spar with me? Normally, if a match doesn’t happen, people would just say ‘it can’t be helped’ and move on. Yet you seem fixated on sparring with me.”
Sister Hyang-ok couldn’t give me a clear answer to my question.
“Well, I just want to?”
“Pardon?”
“Every time I see you, I get this strange feeling that you’re stronger than me. I want to confirm that.”
I’ve felt it for a long time, but my Elder Sister truly has a keen sense for these things.
“Haha.”
I found myself at a loss for words, so I simply laughed awkwardly.
“Once the awards ceremony for the Friendly Martial Arts Tournament ends, we’ll head straight back to Sichuan. That’s why I came to say goodbye in advance. Take care of yourself and live well. Uncle and Aunt are worried about you.”
“Of course. Please don’t worry about that. And would you have time later?”
My Elder Sister tilted her head at my request.
“Why all of a sudden?”
“There’s something I need your help with, Elder Sister.”
“What is it?”
“I can’t explain the details just yet. But you’re the most qualified person for this.”
“Well, I’m sure you’ll handle it well. Alright.”
My Elder Sister nodded readily.
She really is straightforward, I’ll give her that.
“Then please take care on your way.”
“Mm.”
Only after confirming that Sister Hyang-ok had left the inn did I let out a sigh.
There are several reasons why I fear Sister Hyang-ok, but one of them might well be that keen sense of hers from just now.
“Young Master. Jegal Yu-ah has come to visit you.”
“Hmm?”
Following my Elder Sister came Jegal Yu-ah, the Small Patriarch.
“I thought I wouldn’t have time if I didn’t come now.”
“I see. Sister Hyang-ok just left a moment ago…”
“I saw her. We greeted each other.”
“I see. Congratulations on your victory.”
“Thank you. But if my leg hadn’t been injured, the Small Guild Master would have won.”
“What good is it for me to have won?”
“…Is that so?”
“The victor is the Small Patriarch, so savor that joy. It won’t last long. If you dwell on guilt and regret, you’ll only come to regret it later.”
She smiled softly at my words.
“You really are peculiar, Small Guild Master. We’re not even that far apart in age, yet you speak like a father.”
Well, that’s because I’ve lived several decades longer than you.
After spending a bit more time with her, she bid me farewell and left.
Anyway, if the awards ceremony is today, we’ll be withdrawing soon.
I heard that those who advance to the main tournament receive prize money along with a precious sword.
Could it be that they won’t give me mine because I didn’t attend the awards ceremony?
Why did I even participate in the Friendly Martial Arts Tournament in the first place!
.
.
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I worried for nothing, but fortunately I was able to receive my share of the prize money and the precious sword without issue.
It was because Geon Man-seok, who had visited me earlier to inquire about my health, brought these items to me.
“I greet you, Geon Man-seok.”
“How is your body recovering?”
“Thanks to your concern, I’m healing quickly.”
“That’s fortunate. Here, take these. They’re the prize money and ceremonial sword awarded to those who advance to the main tournament.”
I accepted them.
The prize money was fifty silver taels.
Since I spend large sums regularly, it seemed modest, but it was ordinarily a substantial sum.
“The ceremonial sword is quite magnificent.”
“Of course! It was forged by the legendary Chu Chi himself.”
Chu Chi was so renowned that his name carried the meaning of “one who masters the hammer,” and he was a master craftsman of considerable fame.
Even the ordinary iron swords he crafted were of ceremonial-grade quality.
“You certainly displayed your abilities well this time.”
“That’s excellent.”
However, I already possessed the Eun Moo-geom.
“May I sell this?”
“What?”
At my words, Geon Man-seok asked back in surprise.
“What are you saying? Sell that?”
“Because it’s valuable?”
“….”
He sighed at my response.
“I thought the rumors about you loving money were just talk, but it seems they’re true.”
“I do not speak frivolously.”
“There’s no regulation against selling a ceremonial sword, but looking at the blade itself, there’s already an inscription engraved on it, so it may not sell well.”
At those words, I examined the blade.
“….”
Just as Geon Man-seok said, the blade bore an inscription with my name, my title, and a commemoration of my advancement to the main tournament of the Friendly Martial Arts Tournament at the Martial Arts Grand Conference.
“I cannot sell it then.”
I set it down and spoke.
“I’ll keep it at home as a decoration. It should serve well when I show it to those who speak carelessly of me as merely a merchant.”
“Please use it that way at least.”
Seeing his expression, he seemed genuinely shocked by my suggestion to sell it.
Hmm, was it really such a shocking thing to say?
“And I’m fortunate you’ve come, Geon Man-seok. I actually had a letter I needed to send to the Alliance Leader, but I was troubled about how to deliver it.”
I handed him the letter I had prepared beforehand.
The letter contained an apology for failing to meet the Alliance Leader’s expectations.
My true feelings were otherwise, but I needed to maintain a good impression.
Honestly, while writing that letter, I had to suppress my anger several times.
“Don’t worry about such things. I’ll deliver it for you.”
“Thank you.”
With that, he accepted the letter I handed him and departed.
Well then, should I begin preparing to return?

* * *

Martial Alliance Leader’s Hall.
The Alliance Leader was receiving a report from Geon Man-seok, whom he had sent to Eun Seo-ho.
“…so you can imagine how startled I was.”
At that report, the Alliance Leader let out a soft chuckle.
Ordinarily, a martial artist would never think to sell a precious sword received as a token of recognition.
Yet here was someone asking permission to do exactly that—it truly reminded him that Eun Seo-ho was a merchant through and through.
‘Quite an amusing fellow, indeed.’
He spoke with a smile playing at his lips.
“I’m disappointed to have rejected your proposal to work together.”
“To be honest, I thought so too, but this time I’ve confirmed it clearly. He has decent character, but he’s simply not suited for the Murim Alliance.”
“I share that assessment.”
“Ah, and he asked me to deliver this letter to you, Alliance Leader.”
The Alliance Leader took the letter from him and unfolded it immediately.
“Hmm….”
It was a letter written at length, expressing regret that he could not live up to expectations after the Alliance Leader had gone to the trouble of recommending him.
“I see. You may go now.”
“Yes.”
After Geon Man-seok left, the Alliance Leader chuckled softly.
Though his words expressed apology, he had deliberately avoided asking for another recommendation in the future—not even as a formality.
It was as if he were saying cleanly, ‘Farewell. I return to my own life. Please do not seek me out again.’
In truth, his recommendation of Eun Seo-ho as a participant in the Friendly Martial Arts Tournament had not been impulsive.
He had sensed something dangerous about the man and wanted to verify his martial prowess and abilities.
Even accounting for his mastery of the Heavenly Stream Technique, his inner energy was far too pure and pristine.
As far as he knew, only those who had established themselves in the Northern Sea possessed such clean energy.
But he had thoroughly eliminated them over twenty years ago.
They would have been the greatest obstacle to his plans.
Still, to be certain, he had tested Eun Seo-ho a second time through the martial tournament.
But he found no trace of them in Eun Seo-ho during the match.
Though he had injured his leg while rescuing people from the fire and could not complete the tournament, this was sufficient.
‘There’s no need to concern myself with this fellow any further.’
Besides, Mount Tai was giving him far more headaches than matters concerning Eun Seo-ho.

* * *

As time passed, the number of people visiting me during my recovery gradually diminished.
We also closed down the Eunhae Trading Company Temporary Shop, and Father informed me of the revenue from this temporary operation.
“Really? Is that true?”
“Yes. Operating two temporary shops this time was certainly worthwhile. Hahaha!”
Father’s hearty laughter reflected how satisfactory our results had been.
Moreover, I had established connections with those who distinguished themselves in this Friendly Martial Arts Tournament.
Thus, our business in Luoyang came to a close.

The next day.
It was the day our Eunhae Trading Company departed from Luoyang.
Father and Mother returned directly to the Hubei Province Headquarters.
Upon returning, they would share this achievement with the members of Eun Wol Pavilion and discuss plans regarding the Luoyang Branch.
And Jin-ho agreed to travel with me to Beijing.
Thanks to the premium medicinal materials I had been feeding Jin-ho, his broken ribs had nearly healed, and since my parents were concerned about me and my companions traveling to Beijing alone, this arrangement was made.
“I shall carry you and place you in the carriage.”
“Thank you.”
Palgap carried me and placed me in the carriage.
Since my cover story was that my leg was broken, it would seem odd if I rode a horse alone.
Jin-ho and I bid farewell to our parents, and they departed first.
“Then we shall depart!”
The carriage began to move, and I gazed at Luoyang through the window.
In nearly a month, so much had transpired.
So I truly hoped never to become entangled with the Murim Alliance again.
Ah, I was genuinely exhausted.
.
.
.
Soon we arrived in Beijing.
Since the Guan Road lay between Luoyang and Beijing, we could travel comfortably and swiftly to Beijing.
During the journey, I removed the splint from my leg.
This should be sufficient. What else?
If anyone found it strange, I could simply say I had consumed premium medicine and recovered.
“Has the Small Guild Master arrived?”
“The Small Guild Master!”
The people of Beijing welcomed me warmly.
“We heard you advanced far in the Friendly Martial Arts Tournament!”
“Unfortunately, we heard you were injured while rescuing people from a fire and had to forfeit.”
“Are you well?”
“I am fine.”
Regardless, the intelligence network of our Eunhae Trading Company had truly improved.
He already knew all of this.
“Then I shall hear the reports from this time.”
I headed to my office and received a briefing from the Deputy Chief Manager of Yeochang regarding everything that had transpired.
Then Gal Hyun Deputy arrived with documents.
“Goodness… there are quite a lot.”
“You’ve been away for such a long time, after all.”
I had nothing to say to that.
I immediately began processing the documents with the assistance of Seo Hyang and Gal Hyun Deputy.
“Ah, now that I think about it, Young Gu Jin Master’s wedding is supposed to take place this autumn, isn’t it?”
Gal Hyun Deputy answered my question.
“Yes, that’s correct. It’s scheduled for the end of this month.”
Let me see…
I consulted the calendar and checked the dates.
Fortunately, I would be able to attend his wedding before departing.
After handling all the urgent matters, I asked Lee Pil Warrior to deliver a letter.
The recipient was Jingyeong Great Swordmaster.
He would surely know that I had returned to Beijing, but I still needed to make my report.
And there was also the matter of an audience with the Emperor.

The following evening.
Jingyeong Great Swordmaster paid me a visit.
“It has been a long time.”
“Indeed, it has. I hear you performed brilliantly in the Friendly Martial Arts Tournament at the Martial Arts Grand Conference?”
“Haha, you flatter me.”
“But I was told you injured your leg—you seem perfectly fine.”
“It was merely a ruse.”
“Hmm?”
“Had I continued, I feared the fact that I had mastered the Imperial Palace Martial Arts would have been exposed.”
“Ah! So that’s why…”
Jingyeong Great Swordmaster nodded in understanding at my words.
In truth, there was another, more significant reason for my deception, but I could not reveal that to him.
So I offered him the most plausible explanation.
“I’m relieved you can move about freely. His Majesty has summoned you.”
“Yes. I shall prepare at once.”

Soon I entered the Imperial Palace and met the Emperor.
After offering the highest courtesy, the Emperor asked with a displeased expression.
“So, you enjoyed yourself playing around with martial artists in Luoyang?”
“No, Your Majesty. It was arduous.”
I smiled.
“How desperate must I have been to feign a broken leg?”
“You speak well. So, what business brings you to seek an audience with me?”
At this, I quickly knelt again and spoke.
“Your Majesty, merciful and impartial, who stands as father to all your subjects and watches over them with benevolent care!”
“What matter could possibly warrant such elaborate flattery?”
“The story I heard from the Sect Leader of the Haenam Sect on Haenam Island was so tragic that I could scarcely eat.”
“Yet you appear quite well-nourished for someone so troubled.”
Ah… I should have skipped a few meals before coming.

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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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