The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 623

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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 623

Chapter 623. The Geom Chong of Chungyeongseong (2)

I set my course toward the Luoyang Branch.
“Welcome, sir.”
Eun Jung-seon, the Branch Manager of the Luoyang Branch, came out personally to greet me.
He was also a distant relative bearing the Eun surname, though regrettably, he would pass away a few years hence.
The cause was illness.
By the time treatment began, it was already too late.
This time, I would prevent such a fate.
He must survive and continue his duties as the Luoyang Branch Manager.
In my previous life, his successor—the new Luoyang Branch Manager—had sold the Eun Hae Trading Company’s secrets to the Baekcheon Trading Company.
When we discovered this and moved to apprehend him, the Baekcheon Trading Company caught wind of it and eliminated him first, leaving us unable to pursue justice.
To prevent such treachery, treating Eun Jung-seon’s illness beforehand was by far the most effective solution.
“Branch Manager, are the preparations for relocation complete?”
“Yes, to a considerable extent.”
“Then, as I mentioned before, you may begin moving to the new branch tomorrow.”
The Branch Manager asked cautiously at my words.
“Sir… are you truly certain? That place has the reputation of being a haunted estate…”
Since he lived in Luoyang, he had certainly heard the sinister rumors surrounding that property.
“Did those who cleaned and repaired that place claim to have seen ghosts?”
“W-well, not exactly…”
“Rest assured. I spent several days there myself and never once encountered a spirit.”
I had only seen a small spirit creature named Dambi.
“The ghost that dwelt there must have moved elsewhere, or perhaps the Black-White Immortal took it with him. For us, this is fortunate.”
The Branch Manager nodded at my words.
“If you say so with such confidence, I shall trust your judgment.”
“Truthfully, residing there will be far superior to remaining here. The location is excellent, the facilities are far more spacious and comfortable.”
That estate alone was ten times larger than the current Luoyang Branch.
“So spend this winter there. Once the weather improves, we shall begin proper construction—likely just expansions, I would think.”
“Understood. I shall prepare as you have instructed.”
“And I must now depart for Beijing.”
“Already, sir?”
“Yes. My work here is complete. Now I must move on to the next matter.”
“Understood.”
“And…”
I spoke toward the outside.
“Physician, please come in.”
At those words, the door opened and the physician I had brought stepped inside.
“Small Guild Master, why have you suddenly summoned a physician?”
“I grew concerned about the Branch Manager’s complexion, so I took the liberty of inviting this physician.”
“But surely our branch has its own physician?”
It was one of the Eun Hae Trading Company’s signature welfare benefits—each branch had a resident physician dispatched from the Medical Division at headquarters.
“I’m aware of that.”
And that resident physician conducted regular examinations of all branch personnel each month.
Yet the fact that Eun Jung-seon, the Branch Manager, had only discovered his illness late and succumbed to it meant the physician was likely complicit with someone.
And that physician had resigned shortly before the Branch Manager’s death.
He’d pocketed his share and fled.
So the new physician who arrived here had identified the Branch Manager’s condition, but by then it was too late.
I spoke gently.
“Still, it’s not uncommon for one to benefit from another physician’s examination. And this gentleman is a renowned healer throughout Luoyang. You know of his reputation, surely?”
“Of course.”
“Then let’s have him examine you.”
At my persuasion, he nodded in agreement.
“I’m in your hands.”
“Ahem, first, let me see your tongue.”
The physician examined the Branch Manager’s eyes and tongue, then tilted his head curiously before beginning the pulse diagnosis.
As his expression grew increasingly grave while taking the pulse, the Branch Manager asked anxiously.
“Is something wrong?”
“Hmm… If this hadn’t been treated, it could have become dangerous.”
“What?”
“There’s a problem with your liver.”
“But our company’s resident physician said there was nothing amiss…”
“It seems some charlatan has been masquerading as a physician. To miss such symptoms is inexcusable. Tsk, tsk. If one of my disciples had done this, I’d have beaten him with a stick on the spot.”
“…”
Eun Jung-seon, the Branch Manager, bit his lip.
He had led this Luoyang Branch all this time. There was no way such a man wouldn’t have grasped what was happening now.
“Then, is treatment possible?”
“It’s not too late yet. It will take some time, but full recovery is certainly possible.”
“That’s a relief. Then I entrust you with his care.”
I added a word as well.
“Don’t worry about the treatment costs—use the finest medicinal herbs to treat him well.”
The physician nodded at this.
“Understood. Then I’ll gather the necessary herbs.”
“That won’t be necessary.”
The Branch Manager shook his head.
“There’s no need to trouble yourself—I’ll procure them myself.”
“In that case, I’m grateful. Simply prepare yourself and come when ready.”
With that, the Physician departed, leaving only myself and the Branch Manager in the Guest Reception Room.
A brief silence settled over us, and it was the Branch Manager who broke it first.
“Small Guild Master. When did you first notice?”
“Notice what?”
“That I was ill.”
“I learned of it some time ago. However, you yourself seemed unaware, so I cautiously probed the Branch Physician about it, yet he dismissed it as inconsequential. Out of an abundance of caution, I invited another Physician to examine you.”
“…I apologize.”
“There’s no need. Simply recover quickly.”
He remained silent for a moment before speaking again.
“Small Guild Master, when you said you ‘cautiously probed the Branch Physician,’ surely you’ve already discerned something else—that our Branch Physician deliberately neglected my condition?”
“…”
“My apology was for causing you concern through my negligent management. And I wish to handle this matter myself. Please grant me this authority.”
I responded gently.
“The Branch Manager of this Luoyang Branch is Eun Jung-seon.”
Understanding my meaning, he replied.
“Thank you.”
“Then I shall return to Beijing as planned tomorrow. Receive your treatment well.”
“Yes, I understand. I will report back to you soon.”
I rose from my seat.
Having gone this far, he would handle it properly on his own. Eun Jung-seon possessed the capability to do so.
Though he would surely bear some emotional wounds from this affair, Eun Jung-seon had weathered many trials and tribulations.
And this was a problem he needed to resolve directly.
Just as earth hardens after rain, the Luoyang Branch needed to grow stronger through this ordeal.
Only then would they remain unshaken by interference or temptation from other trading companies, including the Baekcheon Trading Company.

The next day.
My party and I set out for Beijing.
I needed to handle the matter of the Chungyeongseong Geom Chong that I had acquired as quickly as possible.
Moreover, the timing was now ideal.
Since Chungyeongseong lay in Yunnan, traveling there would become arduous and exhausting once spring gave way to summer.
Of course, I could function without difficulty regardless of heat or cold, but the others traveling with me could not.
Upon arriving in Beijing, I immediately sent Lee Pil Warrior to request an audience with Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster.
Fortunately, Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster visited that very evening.

“I pay my respects, Great Hero.”
“Didn’t you say you were going to Luoyang? Yet here you are already?”
I nodded in acknowledgment.
“Yes. A matter of grave importance has arisen, so I rushed back to the Capital to see His Majesty the Emperor.”
“I see. Then go at once.”
“Yes.”
With that, we made our way to the Imperial Palace and I was granted an audience with the Emperor.
After I had performed the highest courtesies, the Emperor inquired of me.
“Your expression suggests something grave weighs upon you… What is the matter?”
I was grateful for his directness.
I withdrew a scroll from my robes and spoke.
“First, please examine this.”
At this, the Eunuch approached me, placed the scroll upon a tray, and presented it to the Emperor.
The Emperor unrolled the scroll.
“Hmm…”
Sensing that its contents were far from ordinary, he spoke with a hardened expression.
“Explain this to me.”
“Yes.”
I quickly recounted the entire matter from beginning to end.
“My journey to Luoyang was undertaken to secure land for expanding the Eunhae Trading Company’s Luoyang Branch. And I purchased a property upon which stands a haunted estate.”
“That haunted estate—it is rather well-known, is it not?”
“Indeed.”
So the Emperor was aware of the place as well.
“What possessed you to purchase such a location?”
I conveyed the facts as plainly as I could.
However, I did not mention that the land sat upon a vein of pure spiritual energy, nor that the spirit guarding it was in truth a creature named Dambi.
“The location is excellent, and the price was remarkably low. So I spent several days there to observe, and nothing untoward occurred. Thus I proceeded with the purchase.”
I continued calmly.
“But as the property had long been neglected, extensive repairs were necessary. During these renovations, I discovered this. Its contents were so grave that I hastened back to the Capital at once.”
“Indeed, as you say, this is no ordinary object. Those who created this have long harbored designs upon Geom Chong in Chungyeongseong, and they have committed acts that cry out to Heaven for vengeance… Sigh.”
Observing his deep breath, it was clear he was seized by considerable fury.
“This suggests they have already set their abominable plan in motion.”
“I believe so as well.”
“Seeing this, I find myself newly grateful to you. Had it not been for your discovery, a terrible calamity would have befallen Chungyeongseong.”
Such as the death of Prince Ju-hyeon, who was being tortured.
Tap, tap, tap.
The Emperor drummed his fingers upon the armrest, lost in thought.
Tap.
After what seemed like an hour, his fingers finally ceased their rhythm.
“I have a question for you.”
“I await your command, Your Majesty.”
“Are you free at the moment?”
“…Pardon?”
I hesitated for a moment, but quickly grasped the Emperor’s intent behind the question.
“I am prepared to go wherever you command, Your Majesty.”
My presence was essential for the exploration of Chungyeongseong’s Geom Chong.
If I could verify what was discovered within, it might resolve the questions lingering from my past life.
And truthfully, I was curious.
What manner of place was it that the Blood Sect pursued the exploration of Chungyeongseong’s Geom Chong with such fervor?
The Emperor continued his inquiry.
“In your assessment, how many people would be necessary to explore this Geom Chong in Chungyeongseong?”
“A hundred should suffice. Too large a force would likely prove counterproductive.”
“You’re not speaking merely of those with martial prowess, I presume?”
“Correct. That figure includes trap specialists and mechanism experts.”
“Very well. You may take your leave now.”
Pardon?
“What are you waiting for? Go.”
It was a clear dismissal, and I had no further excuse to linger.
So I bowed respectfully and withdrew in silence.
Hmm…
The Emperor seemed to have much weighing on his mind.
.
.
.
Upon returning to the Beijing Branch, I spent my days attending to matters as usual.
There were far too many pressing affairs to focus solely on Chungyeongseong.
“Small Guild Master, Young Master Jegal Cheon-du has arrived.”
“Show him in.”
This time, I had formally granted Young Master Jegal Cheon-du the title of Chief Manager.
Though the Martial Hall had not yet been constructed, the person overseeing its comprehensive organization required an official position to function effectively.
Once the Martial Hall was completed, he would serve as both Chief Manager and Instructor.
“Here is the basic framework I’ve prepared.”
“You’ve worked hard. So all that remains is to find Instructors suited to this structure.”
“Yes. Once spring arrives, construction will begin in earnest, so things will become quite busy.”
Beijing’s winters are harsh.
It was unavoidable, being near the northernmost reaches of the Empire.
Thus, all construction halted during the depths of winter, and the Martial Hall was no exception.
It was certain that spring would bring frenetic activity.
Therefore, the journey to Yunnan’s Chungyeongseong had to occur before spring arrived.
When I had last seen the Emperor, I thought he might immediately command, “Send people to explore Chungyeongseong’s Geom Chong.”
Was he perhaps trying to verify whether Geom Chong truly exists in Chungyeongseong?
Or was it an issue concerning In-seon?
Such questions crossed my mind, but I soon set them aside.
It wasn’t just anyone—it was the Emperor himself, so he would surely handle it well.
As I’ve mentioned before, setting aside my fear of the Emperor, if I had to choose just one person to entrust matters to, I would choose the Emperor himself. He is that remarkable.
Thus, approximately two weeks passed.
During that time, I exchanged several letters with my Father and Geumryeong.
They wrote of securing new property in Luoyang and beginning the move, plans for additional expansion in spring, the progress of constructing the Martial Hall in Beijing, and so forth.
My Father sent me replies filled with words of trust.

[A haunted estate, you say? But if it were truly haunted, you would never have chosen it. Above all, you, who values people most, would never select a place with problems.]

Father truly knows me well.

[This time, I sent Captain Yong and his men to Haenam Island, and based on the designs you advised, we’ve begun construction. An Imperial Official dispatched from the Imperial Palace said to proceed as planned.]

If he’s heard the rumors, that official will surely be cautious.
Haenam Island is not a cold place, so there’s no issue starting construction now.
I look forward to the naval base and the Eunhae Trading Company’s mooring grounds that will be built there.
Captain Yong and his companions will be delighted as well.

[And when you have time, do visit home. We need to discuss your marriage, don’t we?]

I should indeed make a trip home soon, as Father suggested.
While I could exchange letters about the marriage through Geumryeong, there are still matters that require a face-to-face conversation.
“Chirp!”
I gave Geumryeong a silver coin.
A silver coin is quite a substantial sum, but considering her speed, it’s actually far cheaper than it seems.
But that’s a secret from Geumryeong.
Just then, Palgap’s voice reached me.
“Young Master! The Great Hero Jin-yeong has arrived!”
At last, the time had come.

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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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