The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 649
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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 649
Chapter 649. The Final Resolution (2)
One glance at Palgap’s expression told me something urgent had occurred.
“What’s happened?”
“Sister Hyang-ok is in danger, sir.”
“What? Tell me the details.”
At my words, Palgap explained briefly.
“Sister Hyang-ok went to suppress the Green Forest Bandits’ Mountain Stronghold, but she and her forces have been surrounded by the enemy.”
“What? They’re surrounded?”
“More than half of those who went on the suppression mission are now encircled. According to one who barely escaped, it happened because Baek Ho, who led them, stubbornly refused to retreat.”
Ah, so this was what those Ami Sect disciples were talking about earlier.
She volunteered for this mission, and now it’s come to this.
“Has there been any response? What about the Inspector?”
“The Crown Prince and the Inspector are currently recruiting a rescue force to extract them.”
The fact that they were recruiting rather than organizing a rescue team meant the situation was far from optimistic.
I couldn’t simply stand by and do nothing.
“Palgap. Gather all the Guard Warriors.”
“Understood, sir.”
First, I finished writing a letter to Father and asked Geumryeong to deliver it.
“Chirp!”
Geumryeong attached the letter to his tail and flew toward Hubei Province, while I stepped out of the military camp.
All the Guard Warriors had already assembled, and I addressed them.
“As you’ve heard, Sister Hyang-ok is in grave danger. I intend to go and rescue her.”
I continued, observing their quiet gazes upon me.
“Will you help me?”
At this, Seo-woo Warrior stepped forward and spoke.
“Those are obvious words, sir. Wherever our lord goes, that is where we belong.”
The other warriors nodded in agreement.
“I’m grateful for your words.”
I cupped my fists in gratitude and then turned to Palgap.
“Palgap. You stay here.”
“Sir? What do you mean? I should….”
“Protect Vice-Manager Gwak. If you’re watching over her, I can have peace of mind.”
At my words, Palgap nodded.
“Understood, sir.”
It was then.
Members of the Eun Pung-dae approached us.
They were the ones who had accompanied us when we came to Sichuan.
Though they hadn’t had much opportunity to distinguish themselves while traveling alongside those dispatched from the Imperial Palace, we had included them in the relief corps from the beginning because we needed martial strength to protect it, and they had participated in the relief efforts with us.
And they had conducted relief work alongside us.
It seemed they had come upon hearing that Sister Hyang-ok was in danger.
“Though Miss Hyang-ok is a disciple of the Ami Sect, she is first and foremost a member of the Eunhae Trading Company household. The very purpose of the Eun Pung-dae is to protect that household and the company. How could we stand idle?”
“That’s right. We volunteer for the rescue operation.”
“Please take us with you.”
One of the warriors spoke to me.
“If it comes to taking the enemy’s heads, we are confident.”
His identity was none other than Min Warrior, the elder brother of Captain Yong.
“Give us the chance to prove ourselves.”
I hesitated for a moment, but seeing the determination in their eyes, I nodded.
There would likely be casualties in combat against the Green Forest Bandits, but I could not refuse them for that reason.
That would be trampling upon their pride.
They had volunteered knowing full well the danger.
“Very well. Let us go together.”
I turned my head and asked Palgap.
“Where is Seongbo Wang?”
“He is tending to the patients at the Medical Pavilion.”
I headed in that direction.
“I shall change your bandages for you.”
“Your Highness, how could you undertake such a menial task….”
“How is caring for the sick a menial task?”
“Your grace is boundless.”
“Please recover swiftly.”
I watched Seongbo Wang personally change the patient’s bandages with a satisfied smile on my face.
Mm, he’s doing exactly as I suggested.
I approached Seongbo Wang.
“Your Highness.”
“Ah! Eun Small Merchant Leader. What brings you here?”
“I believe I must leave the Cheongseong Sect for a time and travel to the northwest.”
“Is something the matter? Why so suddenly?”
“My cousin sister has fallen into a cowardly trap set by the Green Forest Bandits in the northwest and is now surrounded, or so I’ve been told.”
“What? Such a thing has occurred?”
“Yes. My sister and the Bandit Suppression Force are trapped, and I wish to volunteer for the rescue operation.”
“Will you be alright?”
At his worried question, I nodded.
“Yes. I shall be fine. Please do not worry.”
I answered with confidence.
“Therefore, I must entrust this place to Your Highness.”
“I understand. Go without worry, and return safely.”
“Yes, Your Highness.”
After explaining the situation to Seongbo Wang and obtaining his consent, I also informed the Sect Leader.
Then I immediately led the Guard Warriors and Eun Pung-dae members toward the Inspector.
We soon arrived at the location where the Inspector was stationed.
It was the temporary base of the Bandit Suppression Force, and as we approached, I could see many Ami Sect Disciples gathered there.
Hae Cheong Shin-ni, Sister Hyang-ok’s master, looked surprised upon seeing me and approached.
“What? Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster, what brings you here?”
“I’ve come to volunteer for the rescue party to save Sister Hyang-ok.”
“You yourself?”
“Yes.”
I turned to look at those who had followed me and spoke.
“And these people have come with the same resolve as I have.”
Her expression brightened.
“I’m truly grateful. Truly grateful.”
“The situation is quite dire, isn’t it?”
“Indeed. Most of our core forces are surrounded, so the rescue party’s strength is woefully insufficient.”
In my previous life, they had said that considerable casualties occurred while suppressing the Green Forest Bandits.
This meant there were formidable individuals among the Green Forest Bandits.
I would need to deal with them before leaving.
I spoke to Hae Cheong Shin-ni.
“Please guide me to the Inspector.”
“This way.”
The Crown Prince, who was with the Inspector, noticed me and rose from his seat with a surprised expression.
“What? You!”
“So-sang, Eun Seo-ho. I pay my respects to Your Highness.”
“Spare the formalities. What brings you here?”
“Of course, I’ve come to volunteer for the rescue party to save my sister.”
“You personally?”
“Yes.”
“Hmm, this is a very dangerous undertaking.”
“I’m aware. But with my cousin’s life hanging by a thread, how could I remain idle?”
At that moment, the Inspector spoke.
“So you are the Seonhyeop Mirang.”
“So-sang, I pay my respects to Inspector Dae-in.”
“Are you truly volunteering for the rescue party?”
“I am. Not only myself, but the Eunpung Corps, the martial force division of the Eunhae Trading Company, will also participate.”
“Those who set out on this suppression at my request now find themselves in danger, and I’m in a difficult position. I would be truly grateful if someone of your renown would step forward.”
“Then, please explain the situation.”
The Inspector then spoke to the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness. I understand that you hold the Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster in high regard, but the situation is urgent. Please permit the Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster to join the rescue party.”
“Please permit it.”
As I clasped my fists and bowed deeply, the Crown Prince finally relented.
“The situation is pressing, so there’s no help for it. Very well.”
“Your kindness knows no bounds.”
We expressed our gratitude, and the Inspector explained the situation to me.
“First, the Mountain Fortress Master who has surrounded the Bandit Suppression Force is known as the Blood-Eye Demon Ghost.”
The Blood-Eye Demon Ghost…
I’d heard that name before.
His eyes turned crimson due to the martial techniques he mastered, earning him the title Blood-Eye Demon Ghost.
“Currently, the Bandit Suppression Force is trapped inside a cave.”
If that’s the case, they’re completely immobilized—but how did he know this?
“Did someone inform you of this situation?”
“The Green Forest Bandits sent us a letter attached to an arrow to intimidate us. The letter detailed the current situation of the Bandit Suppression Force and demanded thirty thousand stones of grain in exchange for their lives.”
Thirty thousand stones of grain?
That’s an astronomical amount.
But it’s not something we couldn’t procure if we tried.
Then there must be a reason they’re organizing a rescue team instead of meeting their demands.
“It seems their conditions don’t end there, sir.”
“You’re right.”
The Inspector nodded and continued.
“They’re also demanding a hundred people to enslave, and autonomy over their territory.”
Madmen.
A curse nearly escaped my lips unbidden.
These were conditions the Inspector could never accept under any circumstances.
They likely made these demands knowing the Crown Prince was here, but even he could never agree to this.
“Negotiation is impossible, so we must rescue those trapped in the cave by any means necessary.”
“Indeed.”
“Then we don’t need many people. We’ll handle this ourselves.”
“Just the two of you?”
“Yes. However, there is something I need you to do, Inspector.”
.
.
.
I immediately headed toward the Provincial Capital.
There was still time before the deadline the Green Forest Bandits had set.
I came to prepare for rescuing Sister Hyang-ok and those being held captive.
My first destination was the Eunhae Merchant Guild Sichuan Branch.
“Seo-ho!”
Upon my arrival at the Sichuan Branch, Uncle rushed toward me upon hearing my voice.
“Oh my, Seo-ho! Our Hyang-ok…”
“I’ve heard. Please, calm yourself.”
I spoke with deliberate coldness.
What mattered now wasn’t comforting Uncle—it was preparing to rescue Sister Hyang-ok.
I pulled out a map from my chest and unfolded it.
“Currently, Elder Sister is being held in a cave in this location. Is there anyone here familiar with the local geography?”
“I’ll look into it right away.”
“I appreciate it.”
I needed detailed information about the cave where Elder Sister was being held to formulate a concrete plan.
And finding someone knowledgeable about such places would be faster through the Merchant Guild than through the military forces stationed locally.
They traveled such places directly and had extensive connections.
“I’ll search as quickly as possible. And thank you.”
Fortunately, someone who knew about the cave was found quickly.
He was an Herb Gatherer employed by the Merchant Guild.
Upon examining the map, he spoke with confident certainty.
“If it’s this location, it must be the cave I discovered while gathering medicinal herbs.”
“Have you ever ventured inside?”
“Yes. It rained, so I went in to take shelter.”
“What is the environment like?”
“The entrance is narrow, but once you go deeper, there’s quite a spacious area. There’s also a spring inside. However, there appeared to be no way to obtain food.”
That’s fortunate. As long as there’s water, no one should have collapsed yet.
“And there’s one more important thing.”
“What is that?”
“That cave has another passage leading outside. There’s more than one entrance.”
I nearly let out a cheer at those words, but I managed my expression and asked carefully.
“Do you happen to remember where that entrance is located?”
The Herb Gatherer pointed at the map with his finger as he spoke.
“Around here, I believe. It’s hidden behind a pile of bushes and so inconspicuous that it’s easy to miss—only a single person can barely crawl through it.”
“Thank you for providing such valuable information. I will ensure you receive adequate compensation.”
The Herb Gatherer left with a pleased expression, and I sat in the Guest Reception Room, lost in thought.
Finding an exit was certainly cause for celebration, but there was no guarantee we could slip in quietly through this passage and escape safely.
Would we have no choice but to use this small passage?
“Kwee!”
“Ah!”
Geumryeong was struggling to climb through the window.
I quickly stood and caught Geumryeong.
“Did you visit Father?”
“Kwee!”
I untied the letter attached to Geumryeong’s tail and read it.
The letter stated that Father would soon send the Construction Merchant to Sichuan.
“Kwee! Kwee!”
“You want silver coins for running errands? Of course I’ll give them to you.”
Geumryeong looked at my face as I offered the silver coins and tilted his head with a question.
“Kwee! Kwee?”
“What’s wrong? You look troubled? You heard about Sister Hyang-ok before you left, didn’t you?”
I recounted everything that had happened, and Geum-ryeong listened intently, nodding along.
“Coo.”
“Yes, I’m worried.”
“Coo? Coo!”
“Right? So the problem now is just getting safely to Sister Hyang-ok, isn’t it? Well, in principle, yes.”
“Coo! Coo-ee! Coo-ee!”
“Why don’t I use the treasure I have? You’re saying I should enjoy what I possess? What do you mean?”
“Coo-ee! Coo!”
“You’re saying I’ll abandon Hyun Ro-do and regret it later?”
Ah! That’s right! I had that!
How could I have forgotten?
Hyun Ro-do is a magical artifact that reveals the safest path forward.
That means if I know the safest route to Sister Hyang-ok, I can also escape safely.
I immediately retrieved Hyun Ro-do and unfolded it.
Its corners fluttered as if expressing displeasure at not being sought out until now.
“I didn’t forget you. It’s just that the circumstances haven’t been right to use you until now.”
Flap, flap.
“It’s not an excuse—it’s the truth. Well… anyway, I’m sorry.”
Rustle, rustle.
It seems its sullenness has eased a bit.
“Show me the path to Sister Hyang-ok.”
At my words, the image on Hyun Ro-do shifted, revealing the cave’s topography that I needed to traverse.
And above it, a crimson line began to trace itself.
Wait? This means there’s a third passage?
I’m glad I brought out Hyun Ro-do.
“Thank you, Geum-ryeong.”
Studying that path, I quickly formulated a plan.
I immediately stepped outside and addressed the Guard Warrior and the Eun Pung-dae Warriors.
“I’ve found a way. From now on, please follow my instructions.”
They moved swiftly and without question, carrying out my orders.
Sister Hyang-ok.
Please wait just a moment longer.
I’m coming to save you now.
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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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