The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 647

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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 647

Chapter 647. The Ghost’s True Identity (3)

I posed a question to Inbong Dojang.
“Then you believe the one who introduced himself as a ghost is not actually a ghost, Master?”
He nodded at my words.
“I’ve known for quite some time that he is not a ghost.”
“How did you come to know this?”
“Though he left no footprints, I’ve observed raindrops bouncing off his body when it rained, and snow accumulating upon him during snowfall.”
Ah, so he hadn’t thought that far either.
“In any case, I wish to face my father directly. That is why I make this request of you.”
I couldn’t help but offer a wry smile.
“So this wasn’t a consultation after all—it was a request.”
“I apologize.”
Inbong Dojang bowed his head respectfully to me.
“There’s no need to apologize. Truth be told, my own heart has been troubled as well. So I shall attempt to persuade him myself. However, do not hold too much hope. I cannot promise that I will succeed in changing his mind.”
“I am grateful merely for the attempt.”
“But tell me—why don’t you ask him directly to reveal himself?”
“That is…”
He hesitated before continuing.
“He hasn’t appeared at all lately.”
Of course—one cannot have a conversation with someone one cannot meet.
Perhaps he had noticed that Inbong Dojang had discovered his true identity.
That would explain why he no longer appeared before him.
Even so, he continued to linger nearby, watching over Inbong Dojang’s wellbeing.
But since he did not speak to him, Inbong Dojang believed he was no longer present.
When the assassin had targeted Geum Bong Dojang not long ago, had Inbong Dojang’s father not intervened, the situation would have been far more troublesome.
Perhaps a disciple would have fallen to the poisoned needle.
.
.
.
I returned to the military camp.
“Young Master! Where have you been?”
“For a walk. But what is that savory aroma?”
“Corn, sir.”
Palgap answered thus and offered me a roasted ear of corn.
“This evening, I roasted it over the fire, and it turned out quite delicious.”
It appeared to be supplies for relief purposes.
Unlike the Provincial Capital, a lavish meal was impossible in this place.
Even this much was more than enough to be grateful for.
I sat before the campfire and took a bite of corn roasted on a skewer.
“Oh! Why is this so delicious?”
At my exclamation, Seo-woo Warrior explained.
“It’s roasted with a special sauce made by Palgap.”
“Savory and sweet… it’s truly delicious. The kind of taste you’d want to sell.”
“I’m glad it pleases you, Young Master.”
I looked at the other corn roasting over the campfire and asked.
“Do you happen to have an extra one?”
“Yes, I made one more just in case.”
I took the corn Palgap offered and rose from my seat.
“Thank you. I’ll be back shortly.”
I left the barracks and headed toward the back of a secluded building.
It was a place others avoided, being a half-collapsed structure.
I sat on a large pile of rubble and spoke.
“I know you’re here.”
-…
There was no response, but I could sense his presence.
“Would you like some? My attendant roasted it with a special sauce. It’s quite tasty.”
I extended the corn forward and released the grip from my hand.
It floated gently.
The corn hovered suspended in mid-air.
It was the technique of grasping through empty space.
Using inner energy to grasp corn through empty space—wasn’t that a waste of cultivation?
I grumbled inwardly while watching the corn suspended in the air.
The corn kernels began to disappear.
-“Hmm… well, it does taste good.”
“Doesn’t it?”
We silently ate the corn together.
Any conversation tends to become tense when one’s stomach is empty.
That’s why serious matters are usually discussed after providing something delicious to eat.
Of course, feeding someone too much could backfire.
-“That was satisfying.”
“So, how much longer do you intend not to speak with your son?”
-“Huh?”
“You were nearby when I spoke with Inbong Dojang earlier, weren’t you?”
I hadn’t spoken when standing before Inbong Dojang, but I had sensed his presence even when receiving his request for consultation.
He remained silent for a moment before finally speaking.
– That fellow… you heard that he realized I’m his father, didn’t you?
“Yes. I heard about it.”
“I hadn’t thought through that connection.”
“Inbong Dojang said he wishes to face his father. That’s why he asked me to persuade you, sir.”
– Sir? What are you talking about… I’m not even sixty yet.
“Then I shall call you the Great Hero.”
– A Taoist, that’s what I am. I left the Cheongseong Sect due to circumstances, but I was never anything but a disciple of Cheongseong, not for a single moment. That’s why I’ve returned like this.
“Yes, True Immortal. But what is your Dharma name?”
– Soon-chung.
“Pardon?”
In that instant, I could only doubt my own ears.
Soon-chung?
Surely… in my previous life, before I died, the Dharma name of the new Sect Leader of Cheongseong was Soon-chung?
Though thinking about it now, there’s nothing strange about it.
His martial prowess was among the finest in the current Cheongseong.
However, because he never revealed himself at public events, there were those who questioned the truth of his identity.
– Why do you look so startled?
“It’s nothing. I simply thought the Dharma name was more modest than I expected.”
– My Master gave me this Dharma name. It means to follow the will of heaven… but honestly, I never cared for it.
He continued with a slight grumble.
– However, I couldn’t bring myself to change it because I felt sorry for my Master, who has been exhausted cleaning up after my disciple’s constant troubles.
“I see.”
I nodded in acknowledgment.
“But I would like to hear your answer to what I mentioned earlier. About Inbong Dojang’s request to face his father with his own eyes.”
– …
There was no answer.
“Why do you hesitate?”
– Didn’t I tell you? My body has been shattered to pieces avenging the Lady.
“You said it doesn’t matter what form you take.”
– Sigh…
A moment of silence passed, and then I heard the telepathic voice again in my mind.
– Look carefully.
In that instant, a human form began to gradually materialize before my eyes.
And finally, his complete appearance became visible.
“…”
Just as he said, his appearance was utterly appalling.
His face was completely mangled by something—whether fire or poison, I couldn’t tell—and his left ear had lost all its shape.
Moreover, there were severe scars on his neck and wrists.
“That must have been quite a fierce battle.”
“Indeed.”
Even his voice sounded metallic, as though his vocal cords had been damaged.
“I was overwhelmed by their numbers and ended up like this.”
“Did you take your revenge?”
“Of course.”
He nodded.
But soon his voice turned bitter as he continued.
“But what do you think he would feel if that boy saw me like this?”
I answered him.
“Inbong Dojang is a resilient man. Since his father said it doesn’t matter what form you take, he will soon accept even this appearance of a true master.”
“I know that too.”
“Pardon?”
At those words, I blinked and tilted my head in confusion.
If he knew his son would accept such a horrifying appearance, I couldn’t understand what he was worried about.
“Then why don’t you reveal yourself?”
“I’m afraid that boy will grieve or blame himself when he sees me like this.”
He continued in a sorrowful voice.
“What fault could that boy possibly have? If there’s fault, it lies with me.”
Is this what a parent’s heart feels like?
My chest tightened with emotion.
“But you said you returned to Cheongseong because you are a disciple of Cheongseong Sect.”
“That’s right.”
“However, I believe that’s not the only reason you returned to Cheongseong.”
I spoke gently.
“You wanted to see your son, didn’t you?”
“….”
He sighed and nodded.
“You’re right.”
“Then reveal yourself and face him. Honestly, is hiding with concealment techniques and sending voice transmissions one-sidedly the same as seeing your son? True seeing happens when you face each other.”
I continued.
“So gather your courage. I never expected a disciple of the great Cheongseong to be such a coward.”
“What? Who are you calling a coward?”
“And from what I can see, Inbong Dojang has already moved past grieving or blaming himself over such things.”
“Hmm?”
“When he noticed that the knot on the mirror and the knot on the pouch you gave him with provisions were the same, he already grieved and blamed himself. He’s more perceptive than you think.”
“Is… is that so?”
“Yes. This only makes it harder for Inbong Dojang. If you abandoned your son once, that should have been enough—will you abandon him a second time?”
“That… is not what I want.”
“Then stop torturing your son’s heart any longer.”

* * *

In-bong rose as soon as the sun appeared, performed his breathing exercises, and began his sword training.
It was a fundamental practice he never skipped each morning.

“Fundamental practice? I did that endlessly back when I was a trainee.”
– And now?
“I’m not doing it anymore because there’s so much else I need to learn.”
– That’s wrong. There has never been anyone who neglected fundamental practice because it seemed tedious and boring, or because they had other things to do, who ever reached a high level of mastery.
“Was fundamental practice really that important?”
– Yes. Let me make a promise with you. No matter how far your cultivation reaches—whether it’s the peak or even beyond—never neglect your fundamental practice.

Since that promise made in the Repentance Hall, I had never skipped a single day of fundamental practice.
It had become a habit now.
After reaching the peak realm, I finally understood why he had emphasized fundamental practice so much.
After finishing my training, I wiped the sweat away with a towel.
“You’re still keeping your promise well.”
“…!”
A voice with an extremely rough, metallic quality.
Though I was hearing it for the first time, the emotion contained within it felt familiar.
I was startled, dropped the towel, and spun around.
But still, I could not see any form.
“Ah, sir….”
“Yes.”
In-bong bit his lip.
That voice—though I was hearing it for the first time, I felt I knew it.
It was the voice of the one who had always been by my side… my father’s voice.
I should call him father….
But….
The word “father” did not come easily to my lips.
And for good reason—the title “father” was far too unfamiliar to me.
Or rather, it was not merely unfamiliar; it was like a seal, a barrier holding back the dam containing my emotions.
I feared that if I spoke that title, my emotions would collapse like a dam breaking, flooding everything within.
“Um, th-thanks to you… I was able to escape safely from that place. Thank you for bringing me food.”
“Yes.”
“That cliff too… it must have been difficult for you to climb….”
“They say even an emperor will climb over another man’s wall if his child is starving. And besides, a cliff like that was hardly difficult for me.”
“…I heard that the knot on that bundle was tied by you, Father.”
“That’s right. Do you think you could replicate it?”
“No. I don’t know how. So… could you teach me? That, that….”
In-bong couldn’t continue and hesitated.
Then came a stern voice transmission.
– Won’t you call him Father?
It was Eun Seo-ho’s voice transmission.
– Was that desire to face your father not sincere?
No.
It absolutely was.
– Or perhaps you didn’t want to call him Father?
– No, that’s not it.
– Then call him Father.
At Eun Seo-ho’s counsel, In-bong took a deep breath and spoke carefully.
“That… Father, please tell me. That knot.”
I had said it. Father.
But for a long while, no answer came, and with a soft thud, something fell to the ground.
‘Rain?’
No, it wasn’t rain.
It wasn’t even raining to begin with, and rain doesn’t fall just one drop at a time.
“…Yes, that’s so.”
“Father.”
The first time was difficult, but the second was not.
“I wish to see your face.”
“It’s not a pleasant sight.”
“I know. My Master told me.”
“…”
Even at In-bong’s words, Soon-chung could only hesitate.
– It’s fine. It wasn’t as terrible as I expected.
Eun Seo-ho’s voice transmission echoed in his mind.
– Were you shocked when you saw the True Immortal’s appearance yesterday?
– That’s not the case.
– Take courage. Or are you truly a coward?
At Eun Seo-ho’s provocation, he bristled.
– There are no cowards among the Cheongseong Sect’s disciples!
– Exactly. Such an opportunity doesn’t come easily.
Soon-chung sighed and released his concealment technique.
And at the sight of the man revealed before him, In-bong blinked.
“A bit… grotesque…”
Soon-chung was startled and couldn’t continue speaking.
Because In-bong had embraced him.
But the shock was brief, and he held In-bong in return, patting his back.

* * *

I watched as the two men embraced for the first time.
Though I had done my utmost to persuade them, I couldn’t be certain it would succeed.
So I sought out Inbong Master to speak of this matter, only to find that his father, the Immortal Soon-chung, had found him first.
After sending a silent transmission to the hesitant pair and pushing them forward, this was the result that emerged.
Fortunate indeed.
To be honest, I could have refused Inbong Master’s request, but I chose otherwise for good reason.
His father was none other than a master of Hwagyeong, and Inbong Master himself was counted among Cheongseong’s most promising heirs.
By extending aid to such individuals, the Eun Hae Trading Company would surely benefit in turn.
Watching them now, I found myself suddenly missing my father.
I gazed up at the sky.

Today, the ghost spirit of the Cheongseong Sect had vanished.

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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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