The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 644

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Youngest Son of the Eun Hae Trading Company Chapter 644

Chapter 644. The Cheongseong Sect’s Request for Aid (2)

I had no choice but to ask them a question.
“Where are the others? I heard there were supposed to be five of you.”
At my inquiry, the disciples’ expressions darkened.
“Ah, In-bong and Geum Bong are down below the cliff.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Well, it’s like this….”
One of the disciples explained the entire situation from beginning to end.
“The truth is, Geum Bong is absolutely terrified of spiders. But then a spider happened to crawl onto his body, and he panicked so badly that he fell right off the cliff.”
“What?”
“In-bong saw Geum Bong falling and tried to catch him, but ended up falling with him. Fortunately, there’s a narrow space right below the cliff….”
“So they haven’t been able to climb back up yet.”
“Yes. We had no way to help them….”
I see.
I turned and peered down below the cliff.
Sure enough, I could see two figures pressed flat against the wall in that narrow space below.
“Inbong Master! Are you unharmed?”
Upon hearing my voice, Inbong Master lifted his head and called out.
“Yes! We’re fine!”
“Just wait a moment.”
We retrieved the rope we had prepared and tied it around me, then I descended directly below.
“Geum Bong Master.”
“…It’s been a while.”
Our previous encounter hadn’t left him with fond memories. Perhaps that’s why he seemed reluctant to face me.
I extended the rope and spoke.
“Let’s get you up first.”
“Yes.”
Then Inbong Master climbed up, and finally I ascended as well.
“In-bong!”
“Thank goodness you’re safe!”
The three disciples were welcoming Inbong Master with great enthusiasm.
They were ignoring Geum Bong Master entirely, focusing only on Inbong Master.
This was quite different from the Martial Arts Grand Conference.
Was it because of what happened last time?
Geum Bong Master stood awkwardly to one side, looking embarrassed.
I stepped forward before them.
“I understand you have not yet reached Poongyeon Pavilion.”
“Ah, yes… that’s correct.”
“We will continue to open the path toward Poongyeon Pavilion. So, what will you all do?”
These people had already been isolated for several days.
Naturally, they should descend and rest to recover their strength, but there was a reason I asked in such a manner.
“We…”
Inbong Master spoke with resolute eyes.
“We also wish to help open the path.”
“I understand. Then do so. Inbong Master and Geum Bong Master, please fill sacks with stones here.”
“Understood.”
“The remaining masters should carry the filled sacks.”
“Yes.”
As we moved about busily, the sun was already setting.
“We will end today’s work here.”
“We can do more.”
I shook my head at Inbong Master’s words.
“It’s true we must hurry the rescue operation, but if we push too hard, we risk exhaustion or accidents. If someone collapses from fatigue or an accident occurs while trying to save others, that would be putting the cart before the horse.”
“Now that you mention it, the Great Hero is right. Then we shall go rest.”
“Before that…”
I smiled and spoke gently.
“The Sect Leader is quite worried. It would be best to see the Sect Leader first.”
“Understood.”
We all returned to the Cheongseong Sect together, and after parting with the disciples, I called for Jin Yu Warrior.
– You called for me?
– Please keep watch over that warrior.

* * *

Geumbong entered the barracks that had been assigned as his quarters.
He sat on a simple cot and let out a sigh.
“Sigh…”
Yet no one paid him any attention.
Just a few months ago, he had lived surrounded by other disciples, hearing only kind words.
But now everything had changed completely.
Those dreamlike days when he lived basking in his father’s favoritism, knowing no fear in the world, were gone.
He recalled events from a few months past.

In the dim confines of the Prison, bound hand and foot, he cried out.
“What is the meaning of this! Do you think my father would let this pass? I will never overlook what has been done to me!”
The Prison Guard mocked him.
“Tsk tsk, the one who ordered this is your father, the Sect Leader.”
“What? That… that cannot be! Do not deceive me! My father would never do such a thing to me!”
Crack!
“Silence! You stand here now as a criminal!”
At the sight of the Prison Guard striking his cheek, he was left utterly stunned.
“A criminal? What crime have I committed?”
“Did you not dare cloud the Sect Leader’s judgment with insidious drugs? Do you understand how grave a transgression that is?”
“…!”
With those words, Geum Bong realized his deeds had been exposed. And now he understood why his father had ordered him imprisoned and interrogated.
Somehow, he had regained consciousness—that much was certain.
“The Sect Leader has instructed me to uncover the truth by any means necessary.”
“….”
“So then, where did you obtain this drug?”
“A drug? What drug are you speaking of?”
“It seems words alone will not suffice. Do not worry. You are still the Sect Leader’s son, so I will not cause permanent harm to your body.”
Tap tap tap! Tap tap!
Pressure point strikes followed immediately after.
“Gasp! Ugh!”
Faced with unbearable agony, he had no choice but to confess everything.
At the subsequent Cheonmun Council hearing, his punishment was the revocation of all rights as a True Disciple and three months of latrine cleaning duty.
Should he refuse to accept this, he would remain imprisoned with his dantian sealed.
He had no choice but to accept the punishment.

At first, I thought the other disciples avoided him because of the stench clinging to him from cleaning the latrines.
But now that the cleaning was finished, they still kept their distance—so that wasn’t the reason.
It wasn’t merely avoidance.
Some treated him as though he didn’t exist at all.
Even today, when he reported his safe return before the Sect Leader, the Sect Leader didn’t so much as glance at him.
The only one who treated him with warmth was….
“You must be exhausted today? I’m glad you’re safe.”
“Ah….”
“Tomorrow we need to open the path to Poongyeon Pavilion again, so get some rest.”
“…Leave it. I’ll handle it myself.”
“Suit yourself.”
Only In-bong.
Yet his pride was so wounded that he coldly brushed away that hand.
It felt like pity, the way In-bong treated him.
In-bong, whom he had once tormented, had now become a disciple cherished and beloved by all.
“By the way, did you thank the person who saved you when you fell from the cliff today?”
“….”
He hadn’t.
He’d avoided it because it felt awkward.
“Failing to observe such basic courtesy dishonors the name of Cheongseong itself. That’s something I cannot overlook.”
“What if you can’t overlook it? Are you going to hit me?”
“Why? Do you think I can’t? Want to fight?”
“….”
Geum Bong could only hesitate at those words.
In-bong’s cultivation realm was at the peak.
At such a young age, he had reached a formidable level and was already being discussed as a candidate for the next Elder.
By contrast, Geum Bong’s realm was merely second-rate.
The thought that he was no match struck him hard.
Once, his father had been his shield, but now there was no one to shield him.
“Fine, fine. I’ll just thank him tomorrow, alright?”
“Do it properly.”
“I said I would.”
Suddenly aware of how pitiful his circumstances had become, Geum Bong threw himself onto his bed with a surge of frustration.
The simple cot in the barracks was far from comfortable, but after nearly dying today and being exhausted all day, he fell asleep almost immediately.

The barracks had fallen into darkness.
Yet someone moved within it.
He withdrew something from his robes and ignited it with a fire starter.
Whoosh!
Soon, the scent of incense began to permeate the barracks.
Having lit the incense, he approached one of the sleeping figures and drew a needle from his robes.
Watching the man sleep soundly, his lips twisted into a cruel smile.
And just as he was about to drive that needle toward the throat of a Disciple Attendant in the barracks—
Clang!
The needle was intercepted by someone’s blade.
‘What? There was no warning at all?’
His shock was brief. He immediately hurled the needle he’d been holding toward his obstructor and clapped his hands.
Clap!
Crack!
The needle he’d thrown shattered and scattered through the air.
This was his secret technique—channeling true energy to fragment the needle and inflict a fatal wound upon his target.
Patter, patter, patter!
But the needle struck an invisible barrier of energy and fell harmlessly to the ground without advancing further.
“How… how is this possible…?”
“How did I know? Explosive needles are your specialty—of course I accounted for them.”
He could only stare in shock.
“You, you! Who exactly are you? How did you…?”
“That is not something you need to know.”
As light flooded the barracks interior, he finally recognized the identity of his mysterious opponent, and his eyes widened in disbelief.
“Seon Hyeop Mi-rang!”
“As I suspected. So tell me—why did you attempt to kill Geumbbong Dojang?”

* * *

I’m currently facing one of the Bong Ja Sect disciples inside the barracks where some of their members are staying.
Eom Bong.
I’d sensed something suspicious about him ever since I rescued him.
Because I could feel the aura of the Black Path emanating from him.
So instead of sending the five rescued disciples down immediately, I had them help with the work until I came down as well.
And as I watched him throughout the operation, I was able to discern what he was after.
He was fixated on Geum Bong Master.
He claimed he nearly fell off the cliff because he was startled by a spider, but that incident was likely the Merchant’s doing as well.
So I asked Jin Yu Warrior to keep watch over the Merchant, and as expected, he moved to kill Geum Bong Master.
“So then, where is the real Eom Bong?”
“Heh! Can’t you tell by looking at this face? He’s been dead for quite some time now.”
He readily revealed his true identity.
“Then, what was your purpose in trying to kill Geum Bong Master?”
“Who knows?”
“Silencing a witness?”
“…!”
The assassin flinched for a moment.
So it was indeed about silencing him.
Previously, Inbong Dojang’s Father had secretly informed me that the person who gave Geum Bong Master the suspicious drug bore a tattoo of red leaves.
But this was information that only the important figures of Cheongseong Sect knew, aside from others.
So from the Sura Blood Sect’s perspective, they believed Geum Bong Master hadn’t yet spoken about it, and they tried to silence him before he could reveal anything.
Or perhaps, Geum Bong Master knew something he shouldn’t have known.
If that were the case, did it mean the Sura Blood Sect hadn’t yet penetrated deeply into Cheongseong Sect?
That would be fortunate.
In any case, subduing that assassin came first.
Since the barracks was cramped, I had the other Guard Warriors protect the disciples while I targeted him alongside Jin Yu Warrior.
But he evaded our attacks with nimble footwork.
His lightness skill was quite remarkable compared to his martial prowess.
Both Jin Yu Warrior and I were at the pinnacle level, yet he managed to evade our combined assault.
– I’ve heard of this man. His body is truly agile.
– Indeed it is.
– Be careful not to get hit by the needles he throws. They’re coated with poison.
He evaded most of our attacks while counterattacking with poisoned needles.
We had no choice but to move frantically.
In truth, even if I were hit by the poisoned needles, I wouldn’t be poisoned, and even if struck, my protective inner energy would deflect them.
But if those deflected needles scattered elsewhere, it would be catastrophic.
So I had to block and neutralize each poisoned needle individually.
– Why aren’t these people waking up? At this level, they should be awake by now, shouldn’t they?
Jin Yu Warrior spoke while furrowing his brow.
– It appears he used a sleeping poison.
And with cunning precision, he realized we were moving while protecting them.
“Hehehehe, that’s right! So your weakness lies here! Then….”
He withdrew poison needles from his robes once more.
Given the considerable number of them, we tensed immediately.
“Block them!”
“Yes!”
The Guard Warriors protecting the Disciple Attendants cried out in alert.
But then.
Thud!
His eyes widened as if he couldn’t comprehend what was happening, and he collapsed unconscious.
Thump.
What?
We too couldn’t understand what had just occurred, our eyes merely blinking in confusion….
– Tsk! Daring to throw poison needles at my son from here! You wretched bastard!
Ah, so it was Inbong Master’s Father.
I cupped my fist toward where I sensed his presence and sent a transmission.
– Thank you for your assistance.
– Think nothing of it. I only stepped in because I feared for my son’s safety.
The Cheongseong Disciples came rushing over, having heard the commotion.
I wondered why they arrived only now, but considering the situation had already concluded, their arrival seemed fortunate.
Had they attempted to help clumsily and become poisoned in the process, it would have been troublesome.
Of course, with the Sichuan Tang Family members present, an antidote would be possible, but with an extreme toxin, instant death was a possibility.
“Please summon the Sichuan Tang Family members. It appears these four Disciple Attendants have been afflicted by a sleep poison.”

Moments later.
The identity of the sleep poison was revealed by those from the Sichuan Tang Family who rushed over.
“There is no need for concern. This sleep poison merely prevents awakening—they will naturally regain consciousness within an hour or two.”
“That is a relief.”
True to their word, shortly after they awoke from their slumber, and upon seeing the people surrounding them, their expressions became utterly bewildered.
I approached Geum Bong Master with a stern face.
It seemed a more serious conversation would be necessary.

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————