The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 62

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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 Eunhae Trading Company – Chapter 62

Chapter 62. Catching the Rat (7)

The matter with the Dan Clan Merchant Guild concluded far more smoothly than I had anticipated.
In exchange for keeping the incident from becoming public knowledge, the Dan Clan Merchant Guild agreed to pay substantial compensation.
I ground my teeth as I affixed my seal to the contract, but what else could be done?
Justice was on our side, and the fault lay entirely with them.
They had scraped together every spare coin to purchase salt, only to suffer massive losses due to the newly promulgated salt distribution law.
And now, on top of that, this compensation.
The guild wouldn’t collapse immediately, but maintaining even a semblance of operations would be their limit for some time.
The root cause of this entire affair was nothing but baseless rumors about the Jamu Doll Company.
Because of those rumors, they planted a spy in the Eunhae Merchant Guild Sichuan Branch, and their exposure led to all of this.
They should never have touched the Jamu Doll Company.
If they thought they could lay hands on my golden goose and walk away unscathed, they were sorely mistaken.
I always repay kindness.
And I always repay enmity as well.

This time, Sister Hyang-ok stepped forward personally, wielding her blade to deal with Young-po Chief and the Dan Clan Merchant Guild alike.
Those who witnessed her prowess spread word of her exploits throughout the Sichuan Branch.
The warriors of the branch, and indeed all the staff, grew increasingly loyal as they watched Sister Hyang-ok lead the charge against those who threatened the guild.
The fact that the Merchant Guild Leader’s daughter—a mere sixteen-year-old girl—had stepped forward to fight those who endangered the guild stirred something within them.
This was precisely what I had intended.
People are swayed by what they see. Sometimes, it is necessary to show them such things.
That is why I brought Sister Hyang-ok along.

* * *

Eun Myung-sang gazed out at the courtyard from his office.
It was nearly the end of June now.
That meant the heat would soon intensify.
‘Will there be much rain this year as well?’
Though I usually felt melancholy, lately I had been experiencing something different.
I didn’t know what emotion this feeling was, but I understood its source.
Eun Seo-ho—my elder brother’s youngest son and my nephew.
It was all thanks to that boy.
When Eun Seo-ho first arrived at the Sichuan Branch, I thought he had come to gain experience and that I should guide him well.
I had even worried when I heard that the Sichuan Tang Family was looking for him, wondering what trouble might arise.
But over this past month, I had witnessed Eun Seo-ho’s abilities firsthand.
He had turned the false rumors about the Jamu Doll Company to the Eunhae Trading Company’s advantage.
Using this, he had lured in the Dan Clan Merchant Guild and simultaneously damaged their reputation.
The spy that the Dan Clan had planted ended up making them distrust themselves, and through this, he had made the Dan Clan purchase salt.
In the process, by distributing salt freely, he had raised our reputation and allowed the Sichuan Branch, which had been somewhat isolated, to fully integrate into Sichuan.
The Dan Clan Merchant Guild, having suffered enormous losses from the salt, admitted to planting a spy through the mechanism that Eun Seo-ho had set up.
Thus they had to pay a massive indemnity.
Young-po Chief, who had served as the spy, had revealed everything he possessed and was handed over to the County Office.
He would likely face severe punishment.
All of this had unfolded within the past month, all under Eun Seo-ho’s leadership.
The favor he had done for the Sichuan Tang Family paled in comparison to what he had accomplished here.
Even by my standards, he had executed his plans with remarkable ruthlessness.
It reminded me of the Sichuan Tang Family, known for their viciousness in revenge.
‘What kind of child possesses such cruelty… and he came from that gentle Elder Brother?’
I shook my head in disbelief.
He possessed not only the strategic vision to see two moves ahead—or even more—but also the drive and the ruthlessness to execute them.
Yet his thinking was fundamentally sound, which made him a boy I genuinely admired.
Having such a boy in the Eunhae Trading Company felt incredibly reassuring.
I felt pity for the other merchant guilds.
Especially the Dan Clan Merchant Guild, who had initiated this conflict—I pitied them even more.
‘Why did they have to provoke him? If they had just stayed quiet, they could have at least preserved what little wealth they had.’
I let out a quiet chuckle.
Eun Seo-ho was the wings of the Eunhae Trading Company.
With such wings as Eun Seo-ho, the Eunhae Trading Company would surely be able to soar to even greater heights.
The title “Greatest Merchant Guild of the Realm” suddenly came to mind.
I laughed softly to myself.
“Surely… even so, that’s too much of a stretch…”
I would be satisfied with the Ten Great Merchant Guilds of the Realm.
Yet somehow, I felt that even becoming the Greatest Merchant Guild of the Realm might be possible.
Just then, I heard footsteps from outside and the voice of the Guard.
“Branch Manager, Young Master Eun Seo-ho has arrived.”
“Ah! Show him in.”
The door opened and a handsome young man entered.
My nephew, Eun Seo-ho.
“You’ve come? Sit.”
“Yes, Uncle.”
Eun Seo-ho took a seat at the table he indicated, and Eun Myung-sang settled across from him.
He personally brewed tea and poured it into cups for them both.
“Drink.”
“Thank you for your kindness.”
After drinking his tea, Eun Seo-ho spoke to him.
“Uncle, we’re thinking of returning home tomorrow morning.”
“Already?”
“A month has passed. The work here is finished, and Father will surely be curious about what we’ve accomplished.”
“I see. That makes sense.”
Eun Myung-sang felt a pang of reluctance, but it was time to let him go.
“Very well. I understand. But when do you plan to visit the Sichuan Tang Family?”
The Sichuan Tang Family had secretly contacted the Eunhae Merchant Guild Sichuan Branch.
When I learned that they sought Eun Seo-ho to repay a debt of gratitude, I felt relieved and sent word to the Sichuan Tang Family.
I asked for their understanding, explaining that I was occupied with other matters and could not visit at present.
Eun Seo-ho’s answer was entirely unexpected.
“I have no intention of visiting the Sichuan Tang Family.”
“What? You won’t go? Why not?”
“If I visit the Sichuan Tang Family, it would appear as though I saved their child hoping for something in return. I dislike such implications.”
“But…”
“Besides, if I don’t go, the Sichuan Tang Family, despite their debt of gratitude, won’t persecute this Sichuan Branch, will they?”
“That’s true. In fact, they’re more likely to aid our endeavors…”
Eun Myung-sang caught himself mid-sentence.
“Surely you’re not counting on that?”
“Not at all. Besides, I’m quite busy. I have mountains of work waiting for me back home, and I cannot spare any more time.”
“Very well. If that is your wish, I understand.”
Tap.
Eun Myung-sang set down his teacup and spoke.
“Thank you.”
“…Pardon?”
Eun Seo-ho tilted his head at his sudden words, and Eun Myung-sang smiled as he continued.
“For capturing the spy.”
“That was simply my duty.”
“And for elevating the reputation of this Sichuan Branch.”
“That too was simply my duty.”
“I’m also grateful that you’ve had your cousins recognized as pillars of this branch.”
“They’re my cousins, after all.”
At those words, Eun Myung-sang laughed heartily.
‘Yes, this is the kind of person he is.’
He rose from his seat and retrieved a small box that had been resting on the wooden table.
Then he handed it to Eun Seo-ho.
“Take it. You’ve turned fifteen now, and I haven’t given you a gift yet. This is your birthday present.”
Fifteen was the age at which one was recognized as an adult.
Even though we didn’t typically exchange gifts, he always made sure to give one on this occasion.
“Thank you.”

* * *

In my hand as I left Uncle’s study was a single box.
A birthday gift from Uncle.
“Young Master, allow me to carry that box for you.”
At Palgap’s words, I shook my head.
“No. I want to carry this myself.”
“Understood.”
When I opened the box in front of Uncle earlier, I was startled, but I managed to maintain my composure.
It was because I recognized the object.
But since I couldn’t let that show, I desperately controlled my expression.
Uncle’s gift was an arm guard.
It was primarily used to wrap and secure sleeves to avoid obstruction when handling weapons.
What Uncle gave me was closer to serving the purpose of protecting the arm.
Made of soft black leather that could wrap from the back of the hand to the elbow, it was beautifully embroidered with Shu embroidery, one of the four great embroidery styles of Sichuan.
Arm guards were essential for merchants.
Brush work and document handling were significantly hindered by loose sleeves.
I too was currently wearing an arm guard.
And this arm guard that Uncle gifted me was one of the divine weapons.
The name of this arm guard was the Uncut Arm Guard.
It meant that it could not be severed.
The embroidered leather was merely a disguise. The cloth woven from heavenly silkworm thread beneath it prevented the arm from being cut even when struck by a blade.
But now, no one knew that this was the Uncut Arm Guard, one of the divine weapons.
At first glance, it simply appeared to be an ordinary arm guard.
That’s probably why Uncle was able to obtain it so easily.
I learned the true nature of this object only after Uncle passed away.
I happened to receive this arm guard among Uncle’s belongings.
When we were ambushed on our way back to the Main Headquarters after the funeral, I saw white cloth between the torn leather and the characters “Uncut Arm Guard” inscribed on that cloth.
Only then did I realize this arm guard was no ordinary object.
After that, I could say that Mujul Wan was with me almost every single day.
I considered telling Uncle about the value of this treasure, but I didn’t.
I didn’t want to part with this precious object.
Moreover, the Heavenly Silkworm Thread within it carried yin energy, which proved immensely beneficial to me.
When I lost my life at the hands of Baekcheon Trading Company, I wasn’t wearing this bracelet.
That became my greatest regret.
Had I possessed this bracelet, perhaps I wouldn’t have died in such a manner.
It was as though the bracelet in the box spoke to me.
This time, never forget me, it seemed to say.
Yes, I understood. This time, I would never let you go.
But all things in this world demand a price.
Later, I would have to offer Uncle a price commensurate with this Mujul Wan.
As I made my way toward my quarters, I encountered a woman walking from the opposite direction.
It was Sister Hyang-ok.
“Ah! Seo-ho!”
“What brings you here, Sister?”
“What brings me? I need to return to the Ami Sect now, so I came to inform Father.”
“I see.”
I cupped my fist in salute and bid her farewell.
“I too shall return home tomorrow. Please take care on your journey, Sister, and may you find peace until we meet again.”
“Yes, you’ve worked hard this time. Safe travels to you as well.”
Just as we finished our conversation and were about to pass each other, Sister called out to me.
“Seo-ho.”
“Yes?”
I turned around, and Sister Hyang-ok looked at me and spoke.
“You’re actually stronger than me, aren’t you?”
“…Pardon?”
“My intuition tells me so. That you’re stronger than I am.”
Sister Hyang-ok touched the sword sheath at her waist as she continued.
“I’d like to test myself against you.”
“Please, Sister, restrain yourself.”
“Haha. I’m only joking, joking. Even I’m not so reckless as all that.”
“…”
“In any case, next time we meet, let’s be sure to cross blades then.”
With those words, Sister Hyang-ok continued on her way. As I watched her depart, I found myself unconsciously rubbing my arm.
Sister Hyang-ok is terrifying.
Palgap muttered as he looked at me.
“Is it just me? Every time I see Miss Hyang-ok, something frightens me.”
“I feel the same way.”
The fact that even Palgap, who had the courage of a bear, found her frightening confirmed it. Sister possessed a special aura that others lacked.
.
.
.
The next morning.
Our entire party departed from the Sichuan Branch, escorted by everyone’s farewells.
With so many people moving together, our pace was inevitably slower than I would have preferred.
Moreover, we had accumulated considerable goods during our time in Sichuan that needed to be transported back.
Still, I needed to hurry.
We had already spent far more time here than anticipated.
It wasn’t merely because Jin Woo-rim, leading the Yeompyeong Merchant Guild, would soon summon Father regarding salt retail permits.
Father and the other House Masters would handle that matter competently without my presence.
My urgency stemmed from the new product Gong Mil was diligently creating.
Thus, Palgap, myself, along with my guards Yeo Eung-am and Lee Pil Warrior formed the advance party and departed first, while the others would follow as the rear contingent.
“Then we shall meet at the Main Headquarters.”
“Travel safely.”
“Yes!”
With that, the four of us moved swiftly toward Hubei Province.

* * *

Sichuan Tang Family Estate.
House Master Dang Gyu-jeong awaited a reply to his letter.
He had sent a message to Eun Seo-ho, who remained at the Eunhae Merchant Guild Sichuan Branch, requesting that he visit the Sichuan Tang Family Estate once his business concluded.
This time, he was determined to repay the debt of gratitude. After all, this was the man who had saved his precious youngest son.
Moreover, through interrogating those who had orchestrated his youngest son’s abduction, he had learned something crucial.
The identity of the mastermind behind this entire affair.
For this reason, his gratitude ran even deeper. Had it not been for Eun Seo-ho, he and the Sichuan Tang Family would have…
In any case, he could not bear to leave this debt unpaid.
“House Master! I have returned.”
The trusted subordinate who had delivered the letter prostrated himself before him.
House Master Dang Gyu-jeong brightened and questioned him.
“Well then, did you bring back a reply?”
“That is…”
The subordinate continued with an awkward expression.
“He has already departed Sichuan Province.”

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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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