The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 610

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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 610

Chapter 610. While Heading to Beijing (2)

I emerged from the Secret Vault first.
The sheer quantity and variety of treasures made it necessary to document everything on paper.
However, Seo Hyang was waiting in the guest room.
“Ah, so you’ve come out of the Secret Vault.”
“Haha, yes.”
I nodded while scratching behind my ear.
“There are various things to organize, you see.”
She possessed the Ice Crystal Eye, which allowed her to perceive hidden things, and thus she could also see the door to the Secret Vault.
“It’s quite fascinating, really.”
Saying so, she reached out and tapped the door to the Secret Vault.
What?
My eyes widened at the sight.
She could actually touch the door to the Secret Vault?
Even when I told others there was a door here, they couldn’t see it, and if they reached toward it, their hands would pass through as if through smoke.
“Gwak Vice-Manager, can you perhaps open the Secret Vault door?”
“Let me try.”
She extended her hand and pulled the handle.
It slid open smoothly.
“Yes. It opens quite easily.”
“…!”
The ability to open the door meant she could also enter the Secret Vault itself.
In that moment, I discovered hope.
I had thought I would be forced to organize all those treasures alone.
“Gwak Vice-Manager, would you help me?”
“Yes?”
“First, take writing materials and enter the Secret Vault with me.”
Thus, I entered the Secret Vault once more, this time with Seo Hyang at my side.

“My! I had no idea this place looked like this.”
She gazed around with curiosity gleaming in her eyes.
“It really is a warehouse. Quite a spacious one at that.”
“Indeed.”
She examined the mountain of treasures piled in the center of the warehouse and asked, “Are these the things that need organizing?”
“Yes.”
“…So there was a reason you asked for my help.”
She rolled up her sleeves as she spoke.
“Since it must be done anyway! Let’s get it finished quickly!”
Watching her burn with enthusiasm, I smiled quietly.
It was because I trusted her to keep the secret of this Secret Vault.
Since I held her lifeline in my hands, she could not betray me.
Moreover, the Frost Eye she possessed would guide her toward living righteously.
But setting all that aside, the greatest reason was simply that I wanted to trust her.
Looking back at my past life, I had indeed agonized greatly over the matter of trust.
No matter how sincerely I gave my trust, there were countless instances where others betrayed it.
So I suffered heartache and sought the fault within myself.
But now I understand.
It was not my problem, but theirs alone.
No matter how hard I tried or how much I cared, those destined to betray would betray.
Tormented by this, I had focused only on those who betrayed me, overlooking those who remained steadfast to the very end.
This life must be different.
“Small Guild Master, what are you doing?”
“Ah! I was just considering how best to organize everything. Now that I’ve decided, let’s begin.”
And so we started organizing.
First, we began with various vessels and implements—I would name each item, she would write it on paper and note the shelf number where it was placed.
After finishing the vessels, we organized the valuable goods, and finally the gold ingots and currency.
Each gold ingot was weighed individually.
I wished all gold ingots were uniform in weight, but in reality, they often were not.
There were quite a few instances of poor craftsmen shaving down gold ingots slightly.
The character for ingot (金塊) uses the character meaning “lump,” as they are rounded in shape.
Thus they are commonly called Geum Won-bo.
Typically, Geum Won-bo are made in ten-tael units, as even that amount carries tremendous value.
But here in this vault, fifty-tael Geum Won-bo were abundant.
These ingots were less for actual circulation and more for wealth accumulation.
Which meant, in other words, that I could pocket these Geum Won-bo without any consequence.
“You seem to be in good spirits.”
At Seo Hyang’s words, I nodded.
You look like you’re in a good mood.
I nodded at Seo Hyang’s words.
“Of course. Is there anyone in this world who dislikes gold?”
I picked up three Gold Coins and stacked them in the shape of the character 品, then asked.
“What character does this look like to you?”
“Three gold coins stacked together… it forms the character 鑫, which means joy and prosperity.”
I looked into her eyes.
Though she clearly understood the value of treasures piled high as mountains, there was no greed visible in her gaze.
“It seems Vice-Manager Gwak has no desire for what lies within here.”
“Why would I covet what isn’t mine?”
“My, what a wise answer to a foolish question!”
Pop.
Just then, Geum Ryung-i poked her head out from where the gold and silver coins were stacked.
Her expression was utterly delighted.
It seemed she enjoyed swimming among such precious things.
Seeing this, Seo Hyang spoke.
“Now that I think about it, the Small Guild Master and Geum Ryung-i do share something in common.”
“What’s that?”
“You both love money.”
At those words, I looked at Geum Ryung-i, and she looked back at me.
“….”
“Squeak?”

Thanks to Seo Hyang, I was able to organize the Secret Vault faster than expected.
By the time we finished and emerged, it was already the third watch of the night.
“You’ve worked hard today.”
“Not at all.”
“Then let’s get some rest quickly. I’ll be meeting the Provincial Inspector tomorrow, and if the young lady’s face shows signs of fatigue, I’ll be the one scolded.”
At my words, Geum Ryung-i, who had returned to my sleeve, sent a telepathic message.
– Squeak? Squeak?
You’re asking if I made her work knowing this?
Tch, don’t be like that.
– Only you, Seo Hyang, and I can enter the Secret Vault. So who was supposed to organize it?
– Squeak?
– Exactly. You’d have to organize everything without even getting to eat those delicious coins… would you be fine with that?
I could feel Geum Ryung-i’s tail trembling.
Suddenly, Geum Ryung-i emerged from my sleeve and respectfully offered the silver coin she’d been holding in her mouth to Seo Hyang with both paws.
“Squeak, squeak….”
“Hmm? What could this mean?”
Confused, she tilted her head, and I chuckled softly before explaining the meaning.
“It’s her way of saying she hopes to work with you again in the future.”
“Oh?”
Was my revelation truly so shocking?
Geumryeong giving silver coins to Seo Hyang!
She’s never given me even a single copper coin.
.
.
.
Dawn broke.
I spent the day in cultivation exercises, martial training, and handling administrative duties, and evening arrived before I knew it.
I had promised to meet the Provincial Inspector and his wife at the Yuhua Tavern this evening, so I should head there soon.
I couldn’t keep them waiting.
“Are you ready?”
“Yes.”
Her eyes were rimmed with red. She must have already envisioned meeting her parents.
“Let’s go.”
My entourage and I headed toward the Yuhua Tavern.
The Yuhua Tavern was one of the more renowned establishments in Guiyang, the provincial capital of Guizhou.
Guizhou was a humid region with many rivers, and among them flowed a particularly beautiful river through Guiyang.
In spring, cherry blossoms reflected upon it; in autumn, crimson leaves drifted like flowers flowing downstream—so the locals called it the Yuhua River.
The inn we were heading to was situated beside this Yuhua River, which is why it bore the name Yuhua Inn.
Moreover, just beside it, the Yuhua River plunged down like a waterfall with such force that conversations within the inn could scarcely be overheard.
It was therefore an ideal place for discussing confidential matters.
“Welcome.”
The Shop Attendant greeted us upon our arrival.
“We have a reservation for the sixth floor.”
Palgap presented the reservation token, and the Shop Attendant, having verified it, guided us upward.
“This way, please.”
We climbed to the sixth floor.
The ascent by stone stairs to the sixth floor was rather strenuous, yet well worth the exertion.
“Here we are.”
The view of the river and waterfall from the sixth floor was truly magnificent.
This was precisely why I had chosen this place.
The scenery I had witnessed here in my previous life remained unforgettable even now.
It was December.
While autumn leaves had fallen in most regions, Guizhou still retained its crimson foliage.
A landscape so breathtaking it left one entranced.
Yet my guards paid no mind to the beauty and began methodically surveying the surroundings.
Indeed, they were well-trained.
“Shall we proceed with the meal as you ordered previously?”
I nodded in response to the Shop Attendant’s inquiry.
“Yes, let’s do that. And….”
I offered additional money and made the request.
“I would appreciate it if you could keep what happens here today confidential.”
But he refused the money.
“There is no need for that. Our inn’s pride is maintaining absolute discretion.”
I liked that.
“However, I would be grateful if you could tell me what to say should others inquire.”
“If anyone asks about me, please tell them this: it appears I arranged a meeting to discuss business matters for Guizhou, and from what I gathered, it seems the Guizhou Branch is looking to expand its operations.”
“Understood.”
I pressed money into his hand.
“And please, use this to have tea or a drink with the inn staff.”
When I insisted, he did not refuse.
“Thank you.”
What I said about the Guizhou Branch expansion was not a lie.
The Eun Hae Trading Company does have a branch in Guizhou.
The region here is valuable for medicinal herbs, and the tea called Mitan Chui is quite famous as well.
Moreover, the Eun Hae Trading Company sponsors several of the breweries that produce Motae Wine, a specialty of Guizhou.
As a result, the Branch Manager of Guizhou had requested that I help expand the Guizhou Branch.
So I needed to discuss this matter with the Guizhou Provincial Governor as well.
After all, mediating conflicts related to this was the Provincial Governor’s responsibility.
“Please bring out all the food at once.”
“But won’t the food grow cold?”
“That’s fine.”
“Understood. I’ll bring it all at once.”
He went downstairs, and soon several Shop Attendants came up carrying trays.
Our dining table was laden with numerous dishes, including fried fish, a specialty of Guizhou.
Because food spoils quickly in this climate, fried dishes are common here.
Meanwhile, Seo Hyang was admiring the view outside from the Yuhua Tower.
“I didn’t know a place like this existed in Guizhou.”
Her expression was filled with fresh wonder.
“This is my first time seeing something like this.”
Seeing her enjoy it, I felt a sense of satisfaction.
“I’m glad you like it.”
The Yuhua Inn here is quite expensive.
Especially the sixth floor, the highest level—there’s no point even mentioning it.
So before she came of age, no matter how much her elder brothers saved, it would have been difficult for her to come here.
After she came of age, her brothers began earning money through their official positions, but she had been ill and could barely leave the house.
Thinking about it, my heart ached.
Then I felt a familiar presence approaching.
“Gwak Vice-Manager.”
“Yes?”
“He has arrived.”
Though I hadn’t spoken a subject, she understood and quickly turned her head.
Tears were already welling up in her eyes.
The Lady Po, upon seeing her, felt the same.
“Oh!”
She rushed forward and embraced Seo Hyang.
“Sob….”
The two held each other tightly, trembling with emotion.
The Guizhou Poju Master’s eyes reddened as he watched them.
“Sniff!”
Palgap’s nose was running too, and he sniffled repeatedly before speaking to me.
“Young Master, don’t you feel moved watching this?”
“Well….”
“Your heart has grown parched.”
At Palgap’s words, I smiled bitterly.
What I felt now was not so much emotion as anger.
Anger at why this family had to endure such separation in life.
If I hadn’t intervened, wouldn’t they have never met again?
My Guard Warriors, quick to sense the moment, had positioned themselves at the stairs to prevent others from ascending.
That’s why I had the food prepared beforehand.
And with the sound barrier I’d set up around this place, no noise from here would reach elsewhere.
For a long while, the mother and daughter touched each other’s faces, pouring out their longing.
“You’ve grown so healthy.”
“Yes, Mother. How have you been? Are you well?”
“Don’t worry about me.”
I spoke to them.
“Please, be seated. The food will lose its flavor if it grows cold.”
“Of course.”
“Yes.”
And so we gathered around the table and began our meal.
As expected of such an expensive establishment—even slightly cooled, it tasted exquisite.
As the mother and daughter ate facing each other, the Guizhou Poju Master spoke to me.
“I heard there was quite a commotion in Guangdong Province and Haenam Island recently. And that you distinguished yourself there?”
As expected of the Guizhou Provincial Governor.
He already knew of those events.
Well, with the Crown Prince himself having visited, there’s no way the Provincial Governor wouldn’t know.
Not only does he carry imperial blood, however distant, but he also holds a position of considerable rank.
“Yes, that’s correct. Though I can only claim to have made a modest contribution.”
I couldn’t speak freely about being an Inspector Censor.
As for the Branch Manager of Haenam Island and the Merchant Guild Leader of the Mu Clan Trading Company….
He was someone who would die soon anyway, and their words would amount to nothing but hollow cries.
“In Guangdong, I merely intended to trade fine rice, and in Haenam Island, I went only to trade pearls. I’m quite pleased that it helped resolve this matter.”
The Provincial Inspector nodded.
“I was indeed worried about that place—the rumors have been quite unsettling—but I’m relieved it’s been resolved like this.”
“I share that sentiment.”
“By the way, I heard you traveled with a beautiful lady you’d been keeping hidden….”
Cough!
My body trembled involuntarily under the Provincial Inspector’s probing gaze.
Well, that is to say, you see…
I was about to offer some explanation when the Provincial Inspector’s eyes suddenly curved like crescents.
What? Why the sudden change?

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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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