The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 659

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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 659

Chapter 659. The Result of a Promise (3)

Eun Jung-ho scratched his head as he answered my question.
“There’s suspicion of misconduct by Haeng-su from the Mingming Trading Company’s side during the last merchant expedition.”
He then explained in detail.
The Mingming Trading Company was a merchant guild that traded in pepper.
Until recently, they had conducted business by sending people to the Dae-Wol Kingdom, crossing mountains to purchase pepper, and then transporting it back.
However, recently a large merchant fleet had successfully conducted maritime trade with the Dae-Wol Kingdom.
Witnessing this, the Mingming Trading Company gained confidence in the safety of maritime trade with the Dae-Wol Kingdom, and decided to conduct pepper trade using our Eun Hae Trading Company’s ships, which had a branch in Sichuan.
“The pepper brought back from the last trade was of lower quality, or so I heard. Fortunately, because the quantity was large, they didn’t suffer losses, but we suspect someone may have manipulated the situation.”
“You mean someone deliberately purchased lower-quality pepper at a cheap price and pocketed the difference?”
“Exactly.”
From what I knew, three people were dispatched from the Mingming Trading Company’s side for the pepper trade.
Although our side did participate in the merchant expedition together, we were too busy with our own affairs to properly monitor them.
That meant we couldn’t testify about their misconduct or anything like that.
“So, if the Mingming Trading Company’s sub-leader goes to Nanking, they can investigate their misconduct?”
Eun Jung-ho answered my question.
“Among those who came with Seong Cheong-min Sub-leader this time, there are two Haeng-su. I’m planning to have them join when departure is imminent.”
“Ah! I understand what you mean.”
I nodded.
“You’re targeting the moment when they let their guard down. But to proceed with this, you need someone in a position to do so, which is why the sub-leader is going personally.”
“That’s right.”
Coming to Beijing with Young Master Yu Jin wasn’t solely for his birthday gift.
“So Young Master Yu Jin is going together too?”
“No.”
My brother shook his head.
“Yu Jin needs to stay here in Beijing. Going all the way to Nanking would be too much, wouldn’t it?”
“That’s why I asked.”
.
.
.
The next day.
I woke up early in the morning, performed my breathing exercises, and headed to the training ground.
Although my personal quarters had a dedicated training ground, it was better to use the Beijing Branch’s training ground for running.
My private training ground simply wasn’t spacious enough.
Seo Hyang and Yeon Ju-hyuk were already at the training ground.
“I apologize for being late.”
“Not at all. I came out a bit early. How could I let my disciple wait for me?”
I smiled warmly at Yeon Ju-hyuk’s words.
“Then we’ll begin with running.”
Running was a training exercise that Seo Hyang and all my Guard Warriors participated in together.
As I ran through the Training Ground, I observed those running alongside me.
First, Seo Hyang.
Her growth rate was certainly exceptional. It must be because the martial techniques she was learning suited her constitution perfectly.
And Palgap.
His individual martial prowess was approaching its peak.
However, Palgap hadn’t reached that level through learning how to fight—he’d reached it through Assassin techniques.
It seemed that Sal Wang’s talent had developed even further through the martial texts I’d discovered at that remarkable old bookshop in Luoyang.
So while his martial skill was only first-rate, even warriors at the Hwagyeong level couldn’t sense Palgap’s presence.
As for my other Guard Warriors, they seemed shocked that they couldn’t protect me when I encountered the One-Snake Sword, and they’d been training even more diligently in martial arts lately.
Because of this, Lee Pil Warrior, Myeong-jong Warrior, and Chang-un Warrior had reached the edge of first-rate mastery.
It seemed Seo-woo Warrior would soon reach the peak level as well.
I smiled as I watched my entourage’s overall strength growing steadily stronger.
But I couldn’t neglect my own training either.
Though I’d reached the peak level, I couldn’t be satisfied here.
I needed to reach at least Hwagyeong level to take revenge on the Murim Alliance, and before that, I needed to ensure no unfortunate deaths occurred.
Finally, there was Young Master Yeon Ju-hyuk, earnestly running along with us.
When I first met him, his skill was around first-rate level.
Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior were both considered promising talents even within their respective sects, so his talent wasn’t poor either.
And now, three years later, he was approaching the peak level.
This showed just how diligently he’d trained during that time.
Though I had taught him the training method and instructed him to practice it without missing a single day.
Judging by his growth, he must have followed my instructions precisely.
That’s no easy feat… He certainly possesses remarkable perseverance.
But wait, I feel like I’m forgetting something…
Ah! Didn’t Young Master Yeon Ju-hyuk marry and have children?
The thought suddenly struck me, and I stopped running.
Those running behind me also came to a halt, and I asked Young Master Yeon Ju-hyuk.
“Young Master Yeon.”
“Yes, Master.”
“How are your wife and child doing?”
He flinched at my question.
“Did you perhaps come without telling your wife?”
“I… I left a letter behind.”
So he came without properly informing her.
This man, really!
“Why did you come without telling anyone?”
“Well, the thing is….”
He hesitated for a moment before finally beginning to explain the whole situation to me.
Apparently, he had been working as an Imperial Official under his father, the Honam Province Governor.
At his age, it would be strange if he hadn’t been doing anything at all.
“I admired the martial artists who roamed the Kangho freely. So I wanted to resign from my post, but my wife opposed it.”
He spoke in a subdued voice.
“So I wrote a letter and left it behind….”
“In other words, you ran away.”
“That… is correct.”
Now I understood why he had seemed like such a seasoned administrator.
And I also understood why he had been so desperate.
“So it was a lie that you received permission from the Honam Province Governor.”
“I did leave a letter for my father.”
I had thought that since he obtained a confirmation letter from the Sect Leader of Hyungsan Sect, the Governor would know about it. But that wasn’t the case.
I had thought he had matured considerably, but it seemed that wasn’t quite right.
“Sigh. Young Master Yeon. If you truly regard me as your Master, then listen to my advice.”
“Yes. I will listen carefully.”
“Right now, immediately go back home and explain everything properly to your family, then return.”
“If I… go back home, I will be beaten to death.”
“Then why did you do something that would get you beaten to death?”
“….”
“Unless you obtain your family’s permission, I cannot accept Young Master Yeon as my disciple.”
“Gasp! M, Master! That cannot be!”
He hurriedly dropped to his knees and bowed his head.
I lifted his head and met his eyes as I spoke.
“Young Master Yeon. This is a very serious matter. Since you have already learned martial arts, you should well understand how terrifying the Demon Nature is.”
“Yes. I do.”
“And one of the greatest causes of awakening the Demon Nature is precisely issues concerning family.”
I continued.
“At first, you might deceive yourself into thinking it will be fine. But as you continue your training, you will come to observe your inner self. When you realize what you have tried so hard to hide, there is a great possibility of falling into the Demon Nature and succumbing to Demonic Possession.”
“….”
“If that happens, all your training up to that point will have been in vain. No, your very life could be in danger.”
At my words, his expression became serious.
“So, do as I say and go home right now to obtain your family’s formal permission, then return.”
I spoke firmly and deliberately released my aura, and he nodded with a frightened expression.

Right after breakfast, Young Master Yeon Ju-hyuk returned to Honam Province.
I sent a letter to be delivered to the Honam Province Governor, so he shouldn’t be punished too severely.

After lunch.
Seong Cheong-min Sub-leader from the Mingming Trading Company came to find me.
“Welcome.”
“Thank you for the warm reception.”
I offered him a seat, and Palgap brought tea and refreshments.
After taking a sip of tea, he exclaimed in admiration.
“Indeed, this is the Eunhae Trading Company. The tea is truly delicious.”
“My grandfather takes tea very seriously, so we always pay careful attention to it.”
A brief silence fell, and Seong Cheong-min Sub-leader spoke first.
“Did you hear from Eun Jung-ho about the matter?”
“Are you referring to traveling together when we go to Nanking this time?”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“How many people will be traveling with us?”
“Five in total, including myself. Two of my guards and two people to be dispatched from there.”
“I see.”
“I plan to have the people from the Changin Escort Agency who came with us stay here for a while. And I will pay separately for their expenses during their stay.”
“That’s not necessary. The Eunhae Trading Company is not the kind of place to be stingy about such things, so please don’t worry about it.”
The Changin Escort Agency belongs to the Seolpung Palace.
Since I am the Lesser Palace Mistress of Seolpung Palace, there’s no reason to begrudge them food and supplies.
“We depart tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow… is it?”
“Yes. The schedule has been delayed considerably, so we plan to proceed quickly. And we will be traveling with the Crown Prince.”
“Gasp! The Crown Prince, you say?”
“Yes. However, there are others we must be more cautious about than the Crown Prince.”
He nodded with a grave expression, as if he understood.
“You mean the Golden Robed Guard and the Dongchang.”
“Yes.”
He knows it too.
How notorious the Golden Robed Guard and the Dongchang are in this Empire.
I don’t worry about such things since the Emperor is my backer, and the higher-ups of the Golden Robed Guard and the Dongchang regard me favorably, but ordinary people are different.
One wrong move, and they might lose consciousness, only to wake up trapped in a terrifying chamber.
“I will instruct everyone firmly.”
There are others traveling with us, but there’s no need to mention them now.
I rose from my seat and spoke.
“Understood. And it would be good to stock the boat well for the journey. Let’s have dinner together at the tavern.”

That evening.
As promised, I led everyone to a nearby tavern.
It was a regular establishment I frequented often.
I had rented out the entire top floor, and everyone from the Beijing Branch and the Mingming Trading Company could enjoy a delicious meal together.
“We were able to arrange this gathering thanks to my younger brother Seo-ho.”
Eun Jung-ho stood as the representative and encouraged everyone while mentioning me.
Ah, really…
There was no need to say such things.
Eun Jung-ho continued speaking, and at the end, he raised his cup and said:
“Then, to the prosperity of the Eunhae Trading Company! And to the friendship between us and the Mingming Trading Company!”
We all raised our teacups instead of wine glasses.
The alcohol ban hadn’t been lifted yet, after all.
It was a warm and harmonious time.
I enjoyed these moments when everyone gathered together, eating, drinking, and chatting.
It meant the company had no worries at present.
If something had gone wrong, we wouldn’t have had time for this. We’d be moving frantically to resolve the crisis.
I work hard precisely to maintain this peaceful state for the Eunhae Trading Company.
Perhaps it’s a reward for my efforts?
“By the way, did Young Master Yeon return safely?”
“Yes. He should be back soon. If he returns before I do, tell him to wait patiently. And also tell him that if he causes any trouble while I’m away, I won’t let it slide.”
“Hehehehe, understood.”
My brother laughed heartily as he spoke.
“Safe travels. Don’t worry about Beijing.”

The pleasant evening passed, and we wrapped up the gathering.
After dinner tonight, I had to head to the Yeonjun Trading Company. Seon-il Elder Brother had asked to see me.
Since the gathering ended earlier than expected, I had some time to spare, so I decided to take a walk through Beijing’s marketplace street.
I needed to check today what had changed since I returned from Nanking.
Seo Hyang returned with the Beijing Branch staff.
I told the others to go rest as well, but when they refused, all the Guard Warriors and Palgap ended up accompanying me.
Beijing’s marketplace street was quite extensive.
And each district had its own established goods and wares.
In truth, there’s no place where merchants have better solidarity than here.
Especially when it comes to cracking down on what they call street vendors—they can’t be more aggressive about it.
And for good reason. These merchants pay their taxes faithfully while conducting business, whereas street vendors don’t pay a single coin in taxes, so they can’t view them favorably.
That’s why street vendors never dare venture near the Imperial Palace Marketplace.
But that’s about to change.
Temporary permits are being issued to street vendors.
“Hmm? Sniff sniff! Isn’t that the smell of books?”
“The smell of books?”
Now that he mentioned it, we had just entered Book Street.
“You’ve got quite the nose on you.”
At my exclamation, Palgap shook his head and replied.
“The truth is, I dislike books, sir.”
“That’s odd, considering you read quite a lot.”
Despite his appearance, Palgap knew quite a bit, which was because he read extensively.
“My father forced me to read them, sir.”
Now that I thought about it, Palgap’s Father was also quite a large man.
Palgap looked like a bear cub next to him.
Why could I suddenly imagine a father bear grabbing his cub by the scruff of the neck and forcibly seating him at a wooden table?
“When I was young, that was the case, but now I read of my own accord, sir.”
“Why?”
“Because I want to be an attendant who lacks nothing for you, sir.”
….
No, Palgap.
How can you suddenly hit me with something like that?
I’m genuinely moved.

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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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