The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 598

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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 598

Chapter 598. Good for the Emperor, Good for Me (3)

So seven people went missing while investigating the situation on Haenam Island?
This is more serious than I thought.
Based on Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster’s reaction, those missing people couldn’t possibly be civilians or civil officials.
In other words, seven dispatched members of the Geumui Guard or Dongchang have gone missing—or rather, been eliminated.
That trained martial artists who underwent special training met such a fate means this situation is far more dangerous than I anticipated.
“Take this.”
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster handed me a scroll.
“An official order.”
“….”
Do I have no choice but to accept this?
But the situation is already beyond redemption.
If I say here, “I won’t go,” then what happens afterward would be….
I don’t even want to think about it.
I shook my head to dispel my thoughts and respectfully accepted the scroll.
But I couldn’t help muttering inwardly.
Damn it, couldn’t you have mentioned this a bit earlier?
“And take this as well.”
“What is this?”
“Information about the Geumui Guard who will assist you. Memorize it here and burn it immediately.”
“Understood.”
That’s only proper for information about someone on a classified mission.
If his information were to leak, he’d be in danger.
After I read and burned it, Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster cautioned me once more.
“The Emperor has great expectations for this matter. Please be careful.”
“Yes. I shall do so.”
“Then go well.”
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster, apparently busy, finished his business and left immediately.
I saw him off and let out a sigh.
“Sigh….”
Palgap approached me and asked.
“Why the long face?”
“It’s like this—you discover a rare herb that could bring enormous profit, and you agree to take it in exchange for half its value, only to learn that the herb is hanging from a cliff a thousand feet high. That kind of feeling.”
“In other words, we’re in a thoroughly difficult situation?”
“…Yeah.”
“However, Young Master, you fell from that cliff and returned alive and unharmed.”
Ah…
That’s right.
When I went to rescue Jin-ho, a sudden earthquake struck, and I pushed him up to safety before falling down the cliff myself.
I survived by the narrowest of margins.
I still don’t fully understand how it happened.
And it was there that I obtained Eun Moo-geom and met Geum-ryeong.
I slipped my hand into my sleeve and gently stroked Geum-ryeong’s soft fur.
This calms my mind somewhat.
I contemplated the plan carefully.
Hmm, it seems I’ll need to make some adjustments.
“Palgap.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Prepare some extravagantly fine clothing for me. And arrange for an equally lavish carriage as well.”

I returned to my office.
Seo Hyang glanced up from the documents and gave me a slight bow.
At first, she would stand and greet me whenever I entered, but that reduced work efficiency.
So I had asked her to offer a simple silent bow instead.
I waited for Seo Hyang to finish reviewing the documents she was examining, and she soon handed them to me.
“Small Guild Master, I request your review and approval.”
“Thank you.”
I took them and set them on the wooden table, then spoke.
“Gwak Vice-Manager, I have a request for you.”
“Yes. Please speak.”
“I would like you to accompany me to Haenam Island.”
Originally, Seo Hyang was supposed to remain in Beijing for this journey.
The voyage to Haenam Island would take considerable time, and the journey itself would be quite arduous.
At my words, Seo Hyang nodded without hesitation.
“I already knew.”
“Ah, you did?”
“I could tell from your expression while you were working.”
I explained the detailed circumstances to her.
“…Thus, I am reluctant to bring you into such a dangerous situation, yet it is precisely because of that danger that I require your abilities. And we need a disguise as well.”
I continued.
“I intend to disguise myself as an idle young master from a wealthy household. So… I need you to pose as my companion rather than as a deputy officer.”
.
.
.
After discussing the matter with Seo Hyang, I returned to my chamber, washed, and lay down on my bed.
I need to leave early tomorrow morning, so I should get to bed soon.
But….
Why does Seo Hyang keep flickering before my eyes?
In truth, if I need Seo Hyang’s abilities, I could simply send Geum-ryeong regularly to seek her counsel.
However, I chose this disguise to avoid suspicion from the local officials in that region.
In that case, bringing a woman along would be even better.
So I did consider taking a female warrior from the Eun Pung-dae or a female intelligence agent from the Information Bureau, but I quickly abandoned that idea.
The thought of another woman’s hands on my body stirred an inexplicable resistance within me.
If my displeasure were to show without my realizing it, that would be disastrous.
But with Seo Hyang, it’s different.
Since she’s been at my side almost constantly, there’s no physiological resistance when she touches me.
So I made that request, and she accepted.
“Then I should dress up nicely for it.”
Her smiling face as she said those words continues to flicker before my eyes.
Sigh….
Sleep seems far off now, so I should review the plans once more.
.
.
.
The next morning at dawn.
I rose from my chamber.
Still, I was tired, so I did manage to sleep.
Perhaps I slept for about an hour and a half?
After a light cultivation session, my mind became clearer.
Creak.
As I opened the door and stepped out, a cool breeze brushed against me.
It’s already late October.
My birthday is coming soon—will I be turning twenty-four then?
It’s been nearly nine years since I began this new life.
In that time, I’ve accomplished considerable things.
But there is still far to go.
Making the Eun Hae Trading Company into the Greatest Under Heaven Trading Company, and avenging myself against the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Murim Alliance.
Until I achieve all of this, I cannot afford to stop moving forward.

A moment later.
Once I had finished my preparations, I made my way to the carriage station.
A magnificent carriage awaited me, exactly as I had requested.
Attached to the carriage were the Zhu River horses belonging to both Seo Hyang and myself.
“Neigh!”
There was something distinctly displeased in that sound.
And no wonder—these were proud Zhu River horses, after all. They seemed to believe they were far too noble to be reduced to pulling a carriage.
But really, what was the difference between carrying a person and pulling a carriage?
Just then, Geum-ryeong emerged from my sleeve and scampered over to perch delicately upon the head of one of the horses.
And spoke a single word.
“Squeak?”
“….”
Ah, now they had settled down.
Whatever Geum-ryeong had just said to them… it was probably best that only I knew.
Geum-ryeong returned to me and perched upon my shoulder, squeaking contentedly.
Was I pleased with the work?
“Well done, indeed.”
“Squeak!”
Now came the demand for payment? A long journey required proper sustenance, after all?
Now, Geum-ryeong…
You’re perfectly comfortable traveling in my sleeve, aren’t you?
I found it somewhat exasperating, but I smiled and produced a silver coin.
Geum-ryeong snatched it up eagerly and retreated back into my sleeve.
Well, it was rather endearing, after all.
And thanks to Geum-ryeong’s discipline of the Zhu River horses, our journey would proceed without incident.
Carriage accidents, after all, could be quite dangerous.
It was then that I heard Seo Hyang’s voice from beside me.
“Have I kept you waiting?”
“Not at all.”
As I turned to answer, I found myself momentarily speechless.
Though she had adorned herself lavishly as I had requested, she was absolutely radiant.
This… this could be rather dangerous, couldn’t it?
She approached me and asked, “I’ve dressed as you requested, but does it seem strange?”
“Not at all. You look wonderful.”
In truth, I was uncertain if this was wise, but if I was to travel in such splendor, it would be absurd for my companion to dress plainly.
Besides, such beauty could hardly be concealed by modest attire anyway.
We set out toward Haenam Island, escorted by Jin-ho, the Beijing Branch Manager, and the people of Hyun Pung Country.
.
.
.
.
After nearly a month of travel, we arrived in Guangdong Province.
The journey would have taken longer under normal circumstances, but we accelerated our pace by using the Zhu River when no one was watching.
Traveling at such speeds risked shattering the carriage, so we stored it in the secret vault during those stretches.
In any case, my birthday fell during the journey here, so I made a point of stopping in cities to hold lavish banquets and conduct myself in ways that would draw attention.
Now that we’ve reached Guangdong Province, Haenam Island is practically within sight.
Our clothing was entirely different from when we departed.
When we left Beijing, the cool autumn weather had us dressed in heavy garments, but here the spring air was warm.
Though Guangdong Province belongs to the same Empire, its climate differs completely from Beijing’s.
Consequently, many things rarely seen in the Hebei region and around Beijing are common here.
Lychees, for instance, are a prime example of such fruits.
The harvest season has passed, so fresh fruit would be difficult to obtain, but dried varieties and those preserved in sugar should be available.
“It’s quite warm, isn’t it?”
At Palgap’s remark, I chuckled softly.
“That’s only because it’s spring now—if we’d come in summer, we’d have been steamed alive. Haenam Island is even hotter, in fact. Hotter than Yunnan Province.”
“Come now, surely the weather can’t be that extreme?”
I spoke with amusement, knowing Palgap had experienced Yunnan’s climate firsthand.
The hottest weather he’d ever endured was in Yunnan Province, after all.
At this, Seo Hyang smiled and spoke.
“The Small Guild Master speaks truly.”
Being from south of the Yangtze River, she would have heard of such things through rumor if nothing else.
Palgap tilted his head in puzzlement.
“But how would you know this, Young Master? You’ve never been to Haenam Island before, have you?”
Never been? What are you talking about?
In my previous life, I had gone to Haenam Island and suffered considerably from the oppressive heat.
At that time, I wasn’t yet proficient with the Taiyin Ice-Sea Divine Art as I am now, so I remembered struggling quite a bit.
But I couldn’t very well say that, so I quickly deflected.
“I read about it in a book.”
“Books again? You certainly have read quite extensively.”
“Reading widely is always beneficial. Come now, let’s depart again!”
“Yes, sir.”
We were heading toward the location where the ally mentioned by Jingyeong Alliance was staying.
From this point forward, we would travel at a pace similar to ordinary people.
“Let’s take our time about it.”
“Understood, sir.”
After all, a wealthy young master with an easy life wouldn’t move about in haste.
I traveled for about two days in the carriage, fanning myself with a fan while admiring the scenery through the window and enjoying delicious food along the way.
We eventually arrived at an inn located on the coast of Guangdong Province.
[Haega Inn]
The Song of the Sea—what an apt name.
“Welcome.”
The moment my carriage came to a halt at the inn, two Shop Attendants emerged to greet us.
I descended from the carriage and turned back, extending my hand.
Seo Hyang took my hand and stepped down from the carriage.
With a perfectly natural gesture, I drew her close to my side and spoke to the Shop Attendant.
“We plan to stay here for the night.”
“Please, allow me to show you inside.”
We secured the finest room the inn had to offer.
The Shop Attendant who had shown us to our quarters inquired of us.
“How would you prefer to dine? Shall we bring your meal to the room, or would you prefer to eat in the dining hall?”
“We’ll eat here.”
“Very well.”
“Ah, may I order something special?”
“Of course. If the Head Chef can prepare it and we have the ingredients, it is possible.”
“Then I shall have steamed fish with three spoonfuls of rice placed inside a fresh fish’s belly, and also Gujing tea.”
“Understood.”
“What would you like to eat, Seo Hyang?”
Calling Seo Hyang by such a familiar name felt awkward, but this was all an act.
To my question, Seo Hyang responded with a coquettish performance of her own.
“I would like to try the local specialty they speak of.”
“Very well, let’s go with that.”
Cantonese cuisine was quite renowned, after all.
I lifted my gaze toward Palgap and the Guard Warriors.
“Order whatever you wish for yourselves.”
“As you command, my lord.”
Each of us placed our orders, and the Shop Attendant collected them before departing.
And shortly thereafter.
“My lord, a Shop Attendant has come, saying there is something for which he must take your order again.”
“Show him in.”
The door opened and a Shop Attendant entered.
But it was not the same one who had taken our order before.
“Who among you ordered the steamed fish with three spoonfuls of rice placed inside?”
“That would be me.”
At my words, he approached me, and his expression suddenly transformed.
“My goodness, I am astonished. I had heard word from above, but I confess I never anticipated you would arrive in such… humble attire.”
Indeed.
This inn was one of those managed by the Geumui Guard, and the special dish I had just ordered was a cipher—a code indicating that I had come bearing the Emperor’s command.
I rose from my seat and clasped my fist in salute.
“It is my first time meeting you. I am Eun Seo-ho, sent here on the Emperor’s orders.”
“I am Jang Won, of the Geumui Guard.”
“I apologize for startling you. Since seven people have gone missing thus far, I attempted this disguise to investigate discreetly.”
“Indeed, in such a state, no one would suspect you to be a Great Hero sent by His Majesty.”
“A Great Hero?”
“Are you not Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster of the Eunhae Trading Company?”
“That is what I am called, though….”
“The rumors have spread not only throughout Haenam Island but here as well. Haha.”
At the hearty laughter of Jang Won, I tilted my head in confusion.
“Pardon? Rumors? What rumors are you referring to?”
“I heard you achieved excellent results in the Friendly Martial Arts Tournament at the Martial Arts Grand Conference. And while you could have advanced to the finals, you suffered an injury while rescuing people from a fire, which prevented you from climbing further.”
“…You are remarkably well-informed. Has news from Luoyang already spread all the way here?”
He nodded.
“The Haenam Sect members who attended the Martial Arts Grand Conference have returned, and through their accounts, the rumors spread. And….”
And what?
“The Haenam Sect purchased large quantities of grain and distributed it among the residents of Haenam Island, saying that Seonhyeop Mirang wept upon hearing of their plight and made a donation. Thus, the praise for the Eunhae Trading Company and Seonhyeop Mirang is now widespread throughout Haenam Island.”
“…What?”
Ah, no, Sect Leader….
I only asked for favorable rumors about the Eunhae Trading Company, so why did you include me as well?

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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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