The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 604

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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 604

Chapter 604. Haenam Island (6)

Of course, my counterpart had no idea this was a forgery.
“No! Something so precious!”
His eyes widened and his mouth fell open in astonishment.
“Am I truly worthy of receiving this?”
“Of course.”
I deliberately offered a cunning smile.
“In truth, I was pondering what gift to present to the Regional Branch Leader when I unexpectedly came into possession of this.”
Then I continued naturally.
“Are you perhaps familiar with the Mu Clan Trading Company across the way in Seomun County?”
The Regional Branch Leader flinched at my question.
“Hmm? Ah? Is there such a place?”
Pretending ignorance while knowing the truth—
“Before arriving at Haenam Island, I stopped at an inn where the rice was exceptionally fine. Learning that the rice came from the Mu Clan Trading Company, I purchased twenty thousand sacks from them. In exchange for an advance payment of one hundred thousand taels, I received this as collateral.”
“But collateral must be returned later, must it not?”
“That is of no concern. I need only compensate them with its equivalent value in silver.”
“Truly, you possess remarkable generosity!”
“I am merely grateful for your kind regard.”
“I hardly feel worthy of accepting something so precious.”
“You are more than deserving, Regional Branch Leader.”
“Ahem, then I shall accept it with gratitude.”
He drew the box toward himself and offered a warm smile.
“Should you encounter any difficulties during your stay on Haenam Island, do not hesitate to seek me out.”
“Your words alone are a blessing.”
There—I had cultivated a harmonious atmosphere with the counterfeit golden toad, and now it was time to collect my reward.
“However, I confess some concern that the County Official where I am staying might take offense at my visiting you first, and harbor resentment toward me.”
“Which county are you currently residing in?”
I disclosed the name of my county, and the Regional Branch Leader nodded in understanding.
“Indeed, that fellow might well do such a thing. He is petty by nature. But fear not—I shall write you a letter of introduction.”
He promptly retrieved brush and ink from beside him and composed a letter, which he handed to me.
“Should any trouble arise, present this to him.”
“Thank you.”
I read the letter he had written.
It was essentially an instruction to spare no effort in supporting me, but its true meaning was clear:
‘Know that if you dare mistreat Seonhyeop Mirang, not even your bones will be left to bury.’
Good. That settles the matter with Jihyeon.
“Pardon me, but might I impose upon you for one more favor?”
“What is it?”
“I was thinking of visiting that man named Cheon you mentioned earlier, and I wondered if a letter of introduction from you might not earn me better treatment than merely saying I came on your recommendation.”
“That’s quite reasonable! Of course! I’ll write you a letter of introduction.”
“Thank you.”
Cheon Cheon-bok, the Merchant Guild Leader of Chaehong Trading Company… I should investigate this man as well.
With the letter and introduction in hand, I made my way back to the inn.
The Haenam Sect disciples who had remained to look after me rushed out to greet me.
“Welcome back, Great Swordmaster!”
“Yes, I’ve returned.”
But their expressions suggested something had happened.
“Did something occur?”
“Well, that is…”
At my question, one of the disciples let out a sigh.
“Regional Branch Leader Jihyeon visited this morning. He was indignant that you came here without paying your respects to him, and he left in a huff.”
Just as Seo Hyang had said.
Since I already knew of this, I nodded calmly.
“I see.”
“Yes. And he demanded that you come find him directly.”
I chuckled softly.
“Let us go now.”
It’s best to handle troublesome matters all at once.
With that, we headed straight for the County Office.
“What brings you here?”
I spoke to the Gate Keeper.
“I am Eun Seo-ho, the Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company.”
At my introduction, both Gate Keepers drew in sharp breaths.
“Are you the Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster?”
“That is what I am called.”
“Please wait a moment.”
One of the Gate Keepers hurried inside, then returned with an awkward expression and approached me.
“I apologize, but the Regional Branch Leader says he has too many administrative matters today and cannot meet with you.”
A cold reception—how refreshing after so long.
There was no need for deep contemplation; he was simply expressing his displeasure toward me.
What time is it now, and he speaks of administrative duties? Administrative duties?
And a man so burdened with duties came directly to the inn where I was staying this morning?
I smiled and spoke.
“How unfortunate. The Regional Branch Leader asked me to come see him after I met with the Sect Leader, so I’ve come… ”
I withdrew the letter from my robes.
“This is a letter from the Regional Branch Leader to County Official Ji Hyeon. Please deliver it to him.”
“Understood.”
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
With that, we turned back toward the inn.
To Jihyeon, the Regional Branch Leader was essentially two ranks above him in the direct chain of command.
So once he received that letter, he’d probably be sweating bullets.
.
.
.
The next morning.
Rain pattered softly from dawn onward, so I practiced breathing exercises while listening to the sound in my room, followed by some basic cultivation.
After she’d seen me practicing indoors before, she’d asked to learn how as well, so I’d taught her a few simple methods.
We practiced together in the room, and as we were eating breakfast on the first floor, I heard commotion outside.
Hmm? What’s going on?
The Shop Attendant came rushing toward me.
“Sir, Seon Hyeop Mi-rang Great Swordmaster. County Official Ji Hyeon has just arrived.”
“Ah, is that so?”
“How should we….”
“Prepare a quiet room for us.”
“Yes.”
Soon County Official Ji Hyeon entered the inn, and I went to greet him.
“Small Merchant Eun Seo-ho, paying respects to County Official Ji Hyeon.”
“Ahem, ahem. Good to see you.”
“What brings you all the way here? I heard you were busy with administrative duties when I visited last evening….”
“Ah, that’s all been resolved.”
“I see. You must have worked late into the night. Please, sit.”
“It’s fine. By the way, you met with the Regional Branch Leader yesterday?”
“Yes. Since this is my first time here, it seemed only proper to first pay respects to the Regional Branch Leader who oversees all of Haenam Island.”
“Well, that’s… true enough.”
“I hope you’re not upset about this….”
He waved his hand at my question.
“Not at all! How could I be? Hahaha! I’m not that petty.”
But the Regional Branch Leader said you were rather small-minded?
“Will you need to visit the Regional Branch Leader again?”
“Not at the moment, but surely it’s possible I might need to as business progresses, isn’t it?”
“Yes, that’s true. If you need anything at all, just say the word. I’ll do my utmost to help. And….”
He lowered his voice.
“Put in a good word for me with the Regional Branch Leader.”
“Understood. I’ll simply relay what I’ve experienced, won’t I?”
“Yes, that’s right. But people make mistakes unintentionally sometimes. Isn’t that so?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Then I’ll leave it in your capable hands. I’ll be on my way.”
He offered a brief greeting and hurried out of the inn.
He must have been quite frightened after seeing the letter from the Regional Branch Leader that I’d sent.
The fact that he came all the way here from morning despite the rain spoke volumes.
Indeed, the most effective way to suppress power is with greater power.

I returned to my guest room.
Today I needed to seek out Cheon Cheon-bok and investigate him.
I had to examine the foreign warriors he’d hired to protect the pearl.
There was no doubt about it.
Just like the warriors of the Mu Clan Trading Company, they would surely be connected to the Blood Sect.
“Palgap.”
“Yes, Young Master.”
“Prepare the most extravagant silk garments for today. And Gwak Vice-Manager as well.”
“Understood, sir.”
“And tell the Guard Warriors they must wear silk robes too.”
With all our preparations complete, we departed from the inn.
Despite wearing quite lavish and expensive silk robes, Seo Hyang showed no sign of discomfort with them.
It made sense—as the distinguished daughter of the Guizhou Provincial Governor, she would have worn such garments frequently.
Since Cheon Cheon-bok lived in the south of Haenam Island, we headed southward.
Along the way, Palgap sighed while gazing at the sky.
“This place truly has weather completely different from Beijing, sir.”
The southern part of Haenam Island was hotter than the north.
Seeing people bustling about in the rice paddies for cultivation felt strangely unfamiliar to me.
Soon we arrived at the Chaehong Trading Company.
It was a fairly substantial three-story building, and as we approached, the gatekeepers blocked our path.
“What brings you here?”
“I am Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company.”
At my introduction, curiosity kindled in their eyes.
Perhaps because they were martial artists, they seemed to feel something different about my name compared to others.
“So you’re that famous Seon Hyeop Mi-rang.”
“I’ve always wanted to test myself against you.”
I sighed openly.
As expected, I sensed the aura of the Black Path, though it was somewhat different from those of the Mu Clan Trading Company.
There was no bloodlust in it.
I spoke to them.
“I don’t shy away from challenges, but my leg hasn’t fully healed yet, so it’s difficult at the moment.”
“Your leg?”
Palgap quickly interjected.
“Didn’t you hear? Our young master injured his leg while rescuing people from the fire.”
“Ah… yes, that’s what I heard.”
“Then this works out perfectly. We can finally crush Seon Hyeop Mi-rang. Hehehehe.”
A response befitting the Black Path rabble.
Did they truly believe they could stand against me?
Even if my true strength remained hidden, what I’d demonstrated at the Friendly Martial Arts Tournament alone should have made them think twice about such arrogance.
I exhaled softly and took a step back, whereupon my guards surged forward as if they’d been waiting for the signal, unleashing their killing intent.
Half of my Guard Warriors were at the peak realm or beyond.
“Ugh!”
“Kgh!”
Watching their faces pale under the weight of that aura, I smiled faintly.
“My Guard Warriors are quite formidable, wouldn’t you say? Now, will you please escort me to Merchant Guild Leader Cheon?”
“….”
At that moment, a man emerged from within.
“I wondered what the commotion was about, but we have an unexpected guest. My warriors lack manners. My apologies.”
“They do seem rather ill-mannered.”
“Hahaha. I’ll have a stern word with them later. I am Cheon Cheon-man, Merchant Guild Leader of the Chaehong Trading Company here.”
I returned his greeting smoothly as he glossed over the matter.
“Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company.”
“What brings the hero of Haenam Island to visit me?”
I withdrew an introduction letter from my sleeve.
“I came with a referral from the Regional Branch Leader.”
He accepted the letter and read it, then nodded.
“I see. You’ve come to procure a birthday gift for the Lady.”
“That’s correct.”
“Please, come inside.”
We followed him in, and as I watched his back, I bit my lip slightly.
The warriors guarding this place were merely Black Path ruffians, but this Cheon Cheon-man was entirely different.
The scent of blood that clung to him was on a completely different level from the Mu Clan Trading Company’s warriors.
I’d need to be careful here.
He led me to the Guest Reception Room and brought out refreshments of decent quality.
The bloodstained aura he emanated made me reluctant to eat, but refusing the offered refreshments would be a grave discourtesy.
So I suppressed my revulsion, sipped the tea, and ate a single pastry.
“What price range did you have in mind?”
“I’d prefer to discuss it after seeing the pearls first.”
“Understood. Please wait a moment.”
He left the reception room and returned with servants.
The servants placed several boxes on the long table in the reception room, then departed.
Cheon Cheon-man opened the boxes himself to show me.
“First, these pearls are worth approximately five silver taels each. And this one….”
All the pearls he displayed were of the finest quality.
Whether it was due to the letter of introduction from the Regional Branch Leader, or because he knew I was the Small Merchant Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company, he showed no inclination to cheat me.
I turned to Seo Hyang.
“Which ones catch your fancy, Lady?”
“May I choose any of them?”
“Of course. You may select whichever pearls please you.”
At my words, Seo Hyang picked out several pearls.
“These will do.”
“An excellent selection.”
“I’d like to have these pearls fashioned into a hairpin. Is there a skilled Master Craftsman in this area whom you trust?”
“Indeed. I know an exceptional craftsman, and you will not be disappointed if you entrust the work to him.”
Thus, after selecting the pearls and placing the custom order, I left the Chaehong Trading Company.
My mind churned with confusion as I made my way back to the inn.
The most powerful figure on Haenam Island was backing someone presumed to be affiliated with the Blood Sect, and he had summoned multiple warriors from the Black Path.
And across the way in Seomun County, the county magistrate was colluding with a traitor of the Golden Robed Guard.
And now, the Mu Clan Trading Company on top of it all.
The picture was becoming quite elaborate, wasn’t it?

I returned to the inn, took my evening meal, and stepped back outside.
Stars shone beautifully in the clear sky now that the rain had ceased.
Yet despite such beauty, my heart felt bitter.
This is a complete mess.
Even accounting for the Emperor’s limited reach in remote regions, it was extraordinary that an entire local administration would conspire together in such corruption.
Before arriving here, I had reviewed the records of taxes collected from Haenam Island.
And I could see there were substantial discrepancies with reality.
Essentially, the officials were reporting far less tax to the court than they actually collected, pocketing the rest.
And as if that weren’t enough, they were claiming merchant vessels had sunk and embezzling those funds as well.
At this scale, it seemed highly unlikely their purpose was merely to line their own pockets.
That man I saw today—Cheon Cheon-man.
He was undoubtedly one of the central figures in this affair.
So a Blood Sect member named Cheon Cheon-man was bribing the local officials here for some purpose, amassing vast wealth.
And that purpose would be…
The resurrection of the Blood Sect?
What could the League Master possibly be thinking, using them like this?
And if my assumptions were correct, then the true mastermind behind this corruption was not the Regional Branch Leader?
But my thoughts could not continue much longer.
“This is terrible!”
The Inn Owner came rushing toward me in panic.
He cried out loudly.
“Pirates have attacked!”

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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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