The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 658

—————
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 658

Chapter 658. The Result of a Promise (2)

I tilted my head at the Gate Keeper’s words.
“A visitor? For me?”
“He says he’s come from Honam Province. He introduces himself as Young Master Yeon Ju-hyuk, the second son of the Honam Provincial Inspector.”
Wait, Young Master Yeon Ju-hyuk?
What brings him to Beijing?
Ah, that’s right—I made him a promise back then.
I recalled that moment.
At the time, Young Master Yeon Ju-hyuk had pleaded with me to become his master, but I had declined him indirectly.

“I will not formally establish a master-disciple bond. To be frank, that would be far too burdensome for me. Moreover, this decision in this very moment could be nothing more than a fleeting impulse. So, train faithfully under my instruction for three years, and if your resolve remains unchanged by then, come find me.”

And this year marks the third year since then.
Three years is hardly a short span of time.
Besides, since he was an outer disciple of the Hengshan Sect, I had assumed he would take on a new master, which is why I spoke as I did.
Well, I should meet with him regardless.
He may have simply come to pay his respects while passing through Beijing, or perhaps he’s come to apologize after taking on a new master.
That would be the ideal outcome.
I turned my gaze toward Seo Hyang. Young Master Yeon Ju-hyuk was the elder brother of Young Master Yeon Myeong-hyeon, who had been Seo Hyang’s original betrothed.
There was a possibility he might question her presence.
Yet I couldn’t simply avoid him indefinitely.
Well, I had learned the Divine Transformation Technique precisely for situations like this.
“Will you be alright?”
At my question, Seo Hyang nodded.
“Yes.”
I turned to the Gate Keeper and asked.
“Did you show him to the Guest Reception Room?”
“Yes.”
“Then, let us go.”

I arrived at the Guest Reception Room with Seo Hyang.
Click.
As I opened the door and stepped inside, Yeon Ju-hyuk was seated, sipping tea.
Compared to when we first met… how should I put it? He had grown considerably more robust.
Moreover, that ruffian-like impression I’d felt back then had completely vanished, replaced now by the unmistakable bearing of a refined young master from a distinguished household.
“It has been quite some time.”
“Ah! Great Hero!”
He sprang to his feet and dropped to his knees before me.
“As promised, three years have passed. Therefore, Great Hero, please accept me as your disciple as we agreed.”
“….”
I could hear it clearly—the sound of my expectations shattering into pieces.
I sighed inwardly and asked.
“Has it truly been three years?”
“By the calendar year, it has been three years.”
“And surely the Hengshan Sect would never permit such a relationship?”
“Please do not worry about that. After all, this master-disciple relationship was formed for mutual benefit. That is why I have brought this document.”
He retrieved a scroll from his belongings and presented it to me.
I accepted it and read it.

[This document certifies that the Hengshan Sect will raise no objections should our disciple Yeon Ju-hyuk receive martial instruction from another. Sealed by the Sect Leader of Hengshan.]

How in the world did he obtain this?
Even if he were merely a lay disciple, he had still learned their martial arts.
As I lifted my head to look at him, he grinned widely and continued.
“My father is the Honam Province Administrator.”
“Is it appropriate to wield power in such a manner?”
“What problem could there be? Honestly, considering what my father has already done for the Hengshan Sect, there is no reason he could not do this much.”
“….”
It seemed he had grown considerably more shameless since our first meeting.
“I trust you are not someone who goes back on your word, Great Hero….”
“Come now, rise to your feet.”
“I will not rise until you accept me as your disciple.”
“I said rise. I have already acknowledged it.”
“What? Then you are accepting me as your disciple?”
I nodded.
What else could I do after saying such things?
Just as I despise those who speak with forked tongues, I could not become such a person myself.
And Yeon Ju-hyuk is someone who sacrificed his very life for me in my previous existence.
Though he was called Il-mun back then.
I cannot forget that rough-voiced man whose face was hideously scarred by fire, forever wearing a mask.

“My lord! The reason we Guard Warriors exist is so that you may continue living. Please do not render our existence meaningless.”
“But… if this continues, we will all perish.”
“I understand.”
“Then I should fight alongside you…”
“Ah! Seriously! You’re driving me mad! What do you mean we fight together? With your first-rate skills, fighting those bastards would only get you killed like a dog! What you need to do right now is run while we buy you time!”
“…”
“Ah, seriously! We don’t have time!”
Crack!
A sharp, stinging pain bloomed across my cheek.
“Please, just run. You foolish bastard!”
And his eyes—the eyes of the one who struck me—were trembling.
Because he had done something he shouldn’t have.
But I understood why he had no choice.
Back then, I had wasted the time the Guard Warriors had bought for me.
Had I fled immediately as they urged, there was a chance I might have survived.
Of course, remembering what Namgung Kang had told me, even if I had survived that moment, they likely would have pursued me relentlessly.
“Palgap. I’m counting on you.”
“Understood.”

In the end, Palgap forcibly hoisted me onto his back and fled, and before my eyes, the Guard Warriors fell one by one beneath the blades of the Murim Alliance Warriors.
And Il-mun—no, Young Master Yeon Ju-hyuk—had his throat cut by an enemy sword and died.
“Your expression has suddenly grown dark. Is something the matter?”
“Ah, no. It’s nothing.”
I shook my head, brushing away the dark thoughts, and smiled.
That was the past, something that hasn’t happened yet.
And now, such things will not come to pass.
“By the way, did the Provincial Inspector also approve of this?”
“Of course. I naturally obtained his permission.”
“Good.”
Since he has become my disciple, I must train him thoroughly so he doesn’t meet a dog’s death like before.
As I regarded him with that thought, he suddenly shuddered.
“Ugh…”
“Are you unwell?”
“No. It’s just… I suddenly felt a chill. Beijing must be quite cold after all.”
He has good instincts.
I smiled faintly and spoke.
“Then stand up. And now that you are my disciple, do not kneel so carelessly.”
“Yes.”
At my words, he rose from his place.
Then I noticed Seo Hyang standing before the door and tilted my head quizzically.
“That young lady is….”
“Is something the matter?”
“Isn’t she Dongja-ryeong?”
I exhaled a long sigh and shook my head.
“She is my deputy, Gwak Seo-hyang. And didn’t Dongja-ryeong pass away three years ago?”
“Ah… yes, that’s right. My apologies. The resemblance is quite striking….”
At this, Seo Hyang smiled and spoke.
“It seems we do look very much alike. Her brother made the same mistake before.”
“I mentioned it then as well—my deputy here has a mole beside her eye. And she is also training in martial arts. Once he learned that fact, he apologized.”
“Ah, I see.”
He nodded.
“If those foolish elder brothers said it wasn’t so, then it truly isn’t. I have been rude.”
He apologized with utmost sincerity.
“It is no matter.”
At that moment, Palgap quickly continued.
“Deputy Gwak will be marrying our young master this autumn as well.”
“Ah! Is that so! Congratulations. I shall address you as Master’s Wife.”
I clapped my hands together.
Clap clap!
“Then, since you have become my disciple, I shall provide you with quarters here within the trading company.”
“I….”
He scratched his head as he spoke.
“Please speak casually to me. How could a disciple receive formal speech from his master?”
“My own master speaks formally to me, so there is nothing strange about it.”
“Ah, I see.”
How useful it is that my master speaks formally to me.
Together with Palgap, I guided Yeon Ju-hyuk to his quarters, then turned to head toward my office.
“Master, where are you going?”
“To my office. I have work that needs completing.”
“May I accompany you?”
There was no reason to refuse.
“Come along.”
Thus we made our way to the office together.
Upon opening the door and entering, Yeon Ju-hyuk gazed at the documents piled upon the wooden table and asked with a weary expression.
“M-Master. What is all of that?”
“Documents I must process.”
“What?”
He let out a hollow laugh as he spoke.
“How do you manage to stay alive while handling such work?”
I nodded in acknowledgment.
“I manage well enough. Though I confess, the fatigue accumulates with each passing day.”
He pondered for a moment before asking me.
“Would it be acceptable if I assisted you?”
“You must have accumulated considerable weariness from the journey to Beijing. Surely you should rest rather than labor?”
“No, I came without overexertion, so I’m not particularly tired. Besides, I’m concerned about Master’s health.”
“Well then… do as you wish.”
I spoke to Seo Hyang.
“Gwak Vice-Manager. Please assign some work to Young Master Yeon.”
“Understood.”
And so we began our work.
Before long, I noticed the organization of documents reaching me had changed somewhat.
Yet they were arranged just as neatly and clearly as Seo Hyang’s work.
This must be the handiwork of Young Master Yeon Ju-hyuk.
“Young Master Yeon.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Your work is quite skillful.”
“Ah, that’s thanks to Gwak Vice-Manager’s excellent guidance.”
“No. A person lacking talent cannot succeed even with the best instruction. It seems you’ve done this sort of work before.”
At my words, he scratched his head and replied.
“In truth, I learned such tasks from childhood. My father said he would not tolerate his son being called incompetent…”
“I see.”
I gazed at him, lost in thought for a moment.
When I marry Seo Hyang this autumn, the position of my Vice-Manager will become vacant.
That means I would lose a trusted deputy I could rely upon.
Then why not entrust the position to him?
He is steadfast and persevering.
He came to me after waiting three years to become my disciple—he would never betray me.
First, I should gauge his intentions.
“Young Master Yeon, besides learning martial arts as my disciple in Beijing, do you have other duties?”
“Nothing in particular. I came with only the thought of learning martial arts from you, Master.”
“Then how would you feel about serving as my Vice-Manager?”
“Pardon?”
“When Gwak Vice-Manager marries me, this position will become vacant. I would like you to take her place as my Vice-Manager at that time.”
At my words, he tilted his head in confusion.
“Is there not another Vice-Manager?”
“Ah, Gal Deputy has certain circumstances.”
It’s not that Gal Hyun Deputy is of poor character, but he is not someone I can trust unconditionally.
That is why I have not entrusted him with matters I consider confidential.
“In any case, when that time comes, I will need a Vice-Manager I can trust. Will you serve as my Vice-Manager?”
Yeon Ju-hyuk’s eyes gleamed at those words.
“Does that mean you trust me, Master?”
Strangely, he seemed more moved by my words of trust than anything else.
“But I’m still puzzled. To be honest, we’ve only just formed a master-disciple bond, and not even a day has passed. Why do you trust me so much?”
“Three years is quite a long time. During all that time, you remembered our promise and came to find me like this. If I don’t trust someone like that, who would I trust?”
“…That’s only because Master left such a deep impression on me.”
I shook my head.
“No. This isn’t about that. It’s about the person themselves. That’s why I trust you.”
Besides, if he were the eldest son of Yeon Magistrate, I wouldn’t have made such an offer.
But because he’s the second son, I could propose the deputy position without burden.
“Well then, let’s gather our strength and begin work again.”
“Yes.”
.
.
.
Evening had arrived.
“You’ve worked hard.”
Young Master Yeon Ju-hyuk’s eyes were slightly glazed over.
“You look tired. Are you alright?”
“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”
And he looked at me with an indescribable expression.
“What is it?”
“Ah, it’s nothing. Just… I find you admirable.”
“Is that so?”
I continued speaking as if it were of little consequence.
“Young Master Yeon, after just half a year of hardship, you’ll come to realize that work of this caliber is nothing at all.”
“…That frightens me even more.”
“Then, let’s meet at dawn tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
And so I sent Young Master Yeon Ju-hyuk back to his quarters.
Could he possibly… run away?
A soft sound.
Just then, Palgap approached my side and spoke.
“Should I keep watch to see if he tries to flee?”
“Hmm….”
I shook my head.
“It’s fine. He won’t run away.”
Young Master Yeon Ju-hyuk’s resolve wasn’t that weak.
Of course, in his previous life there were reasons for such concerns, but the very fact that he came to find me this time showed he was someone whose perseverance deserved recognition.
That was when it happened.
“Ah, Seo-ho.”
“Elder Brother.”
Eun Jung-ho had come looking for me.
“Where is Young Master Yu Jin?”
“He returned to his quarters. But….”
There was something on his mind he wanted to discuss.
“What? Is there something you want to tell me?”
“You saw right through me?”
“I’m your younger brother. So what is it?”
At my words, my elder brother spoke with a serious expression.
“I have a favor to ask.”
“What is it?”
“When we go to Nanking this time, I’d like you to travel with the people from Ming Ming Trading Company.”
From that expression, it seemed like this wasn’t simply about broadening my horizons.
“…So, what’s the real problem?”

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