The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 666

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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 666

Chapter 666. The Emperor’s Secret Decree (7)

We moved immediately.
First, we discreetly deployed trustworthy palace maids to spread rumors throughout Jocheon Palace.
“Did you hear about the chaos?”
“Huh? What chaos?”
“Yesterday, the Moshan Sect Taoist said he would reveal the names of the traitors tonight. But those traitors struck first—they kidnapped the Taoist.”
“What?”
“So now they’ve mobilized not just the Imperial Guard to find him, but us Eunuchs too.”
“Seriously! All this trouble because of those bastards!”
That was when it happened.
A group of soldiers came rushing over, and an Eunuch Official among them shouted.
“Everyone staying in the quarters must come outside! If you don’t emerge by the count of five, you’ll be considered a traitor in league with the enemy and arrested. One! Two…”
At that thunderous command, the Eunuchs scrambled outside.
And for good reason—that Eunuch Official belonged to the Inspection Bureau.
If the Censorate inspected Imperial Officials, then the Inspection Bureau was what monitored the Eunuchs and Palace Maids.
And those marked by the Inspection Bureau had a way of disappearing without a trace.
“Now, begin searching all the quarters!”
“Yes, sir!”
Watching this unfold, one Eunuch’s heart sank.
Hidden in his quarters was a single letter.
No matter how well concealed, if the Inspection Bureau conducted such a thorough search, they would surely find it.
He recalled the Crown Prince’s words from yesterday.

“You dare betray Father and me, and spy in this place? Even flaying you alive would be insufficient punishment!”

If the Inspection Bureau discovered that letter, he would certainly face flaying—a fate worse than death itself.
He attempted to slip away unnoticed.
But then….
“Stop!”
“I, I have urgent business to attend to!”
“There is an order that no one may leave Jocheon Palace without the Crown Prince’s command.”
At that moment, the sound of soldiers rushing from behind echoed through the corridors.
“Apprehend the criminal!”
“Yes, sir!”
Those words meant one thing: they had found the letter.
In the end, he simply collapsed to the ground.

* * *

At that very moment.
I was hearing from Jin Yu Warrior about the current situation inside Jocheon Palace.
“We discovered evidence of their collusion, and during the search, we apprehended three individuals who were growing suspicious and attempting to flee.”
“Excellent.”
I nodded in acknowledgment.
There were several reasons I had ordered a thorough search of all quarters.
First, to find evidence proving that those who had suddenly vanished were actually traitors.
Second, to eliminate those who were growing suspicious.
And finally, I needed the palace maids to harbor resentment about the current situation and direct that anger toward the traitors.
The eunuchs were forcibly conscripted into Cheong-su Taoist’s search, but the palace maids could not leave the palace without permission, so they could not be mobilized for the search.
So I orchestrated it this way to draw out the palace maids’ grievances.
From what I knew, the palace maids kept various contraband hidden in their chambers.
Now that those items had been discovered during this search, they would face punishment until Cheong-su Taoist was found.
I heard they would be made to kneel in the courtyard in public repentance.
I chuckled softly.
“This anger must be absolutely seething.”
“It’s beyond words.”
“Then shall we begin moving now?”
They say when a woman harbors resentment, frost falls even in summer—but moderation in all things is best.
And now all the disloyal elements within Jocheon Palace had been eliminated.
We immediately rushed toward where the Crown Prince was stationed.
The Crown Prince, fully armed, was personally overseeing the search operation.
He needed to demonstrate to the people of Jocheon Palace that he would find Cheong-su Taoist and punish the traitors.
Now, slowly but surely, this performance was drawing to its conclusion.
I hurried toward the Crown Prince.
“Your Highness, the Crown Prince. We have discovered something suspicious.”
“Is that so? Let us go at once!”
“Yes!”
I guided the Crown Prince to a nearby cave.
As we ventured deep into the cavern, I spotted Cheong-su Taoist bound to a pillar.
Around him stood armed men, their weapons drawn as they kept watch over the surroundings.
The Crown Prince then cried out.
“You are surrounded! Surrender at once, or death is all that awaits you!”
Upon seeing us, they fell into disarray, and one who appeared to be their leader shouted back.
“Nonsense! If you do not lift this siege, this Taoist’s life is forfeit!”
“Blast it!”
The Crown Prince’s frustration erupted, and I spoke then.
“I shall rescue Cheong-su Taoist. Please do not worry and proceed with your attack.”
“Very well.”
Though the Crown Prince’s guards possessed considerable martial prowess, they could not abandon their posts at his side.
Thus, the task of extracting the Taoist fell to me.
“Attack!”
“Yes!”
At the Crown Prince’s command, everyone rushed at the traitors gathered there.
In that moment, I drew a short blade from my sleeve and hurled it at the man attempting to strike down Cheong-su Taoist.
“Argh!”
Without missing the opportunity, I dashed toward Cheong-su Taoist and freed him from his bonds.
“Are you unharmed?”
“I am fine.”
Cheong-su Taoist shook his head with a bitter smile.
– Such experiences, and life truly is amusing. Haha.
Seeing him use sound transmission, it was clear that Cheong-su Taoist had indeed reached the pinnacle realm or beyond.
Yet he employed his strength not in combat, but only in corpse-raising techniques and spirit-binding arts.
Then, the man I had struck with my blade opened his eyes and sent a sound transmission.
– Is this sufficient?
– Yes.
He was the Yeo Eung-am Warrior.
Using the Divine Transformation Art, he had disguised himself as one of the traitors and feigned an attempt on Cheong-su Taoist’s life.
Those who had acted flustered moments before were also my guards, using the Divine Transformation Art to impersonate the traitors planted by the Murim Alliance.
He rose silently, retrieved the corpse of the real traitor he had hidden away, and changed into a soldier’s garments.
Once he donned the helmet, no one could discern the Yeo Eung-am Warrior’s true identity.
Meanwhile, the Crown Prince’s side had finished their work.
Those the Crown Prince had personally cut down were the genuine traitors.
By striking their vital meridians, he had prevented them from displaying their full capabilities.
Of course, my guards had quickly sent them forward and then withdrawn, disguising themselves as soldiers.
These spies of the Murim Alliance were destined for execution anyway.
I gave them the choice between playing along with the performance and dying by the sword, or being flayed alive and then executed.
By unanimous vote, they chose the first option.
“Cheong-su Taoist! Are you well?”
“Yes. I am fine. To think you would come personally to rescue this humble one! I know not how to repay such kindness.”
“Not at all. Rather, it is I who should apologize, for you suffered this ordeal while performing the ritual at my request.”
The Crown Prince then turned to address everyone.
“We have rescued Cheong-su Taoist! Everyone, return to the palace.”
“Yes!”
.
.
.
The people of Jocheon Palace cheered for the Crown Prince and welcomed his return.
It was only natural—everyone had been suffering under the strain of Cheong-su Taoist’s abduction.
Phew, so this matter is finally concluded?
In truth, there were a few minor gaps in this plan.
For instance, Cheong-su Taoist was abducted, yet no request for aid was sent to the Moshan Sect.
But now that the incident is resolved, such details will be forgotten.
.
.
.
That evening.
The ritual resumed as scheduled.
Ding. Ding.
After Cheong-su Taoist shook the bell for some time, he spoke to the Crown Prince.
“All the traitors have vanished from Jocheon Palace, so there is no need for him to speak further on the matter.”
“I see.”
“Now he will depart peacefully to the afterlife, so he wishes you eternal prosperity and good health.”
“Thank you.”
With those words from the Crown Prince, I moved my energy and extinguished the candle.
Whoosh!
Thus ended this long performance.

The next morning.
I arrived at Jocheon Palace and first made my way to Cheong-su Taoist’s quarters.
Since Cheong-su Taoist was still staying at Jocheon Palace.
It was to offer my sincere gratitude for his assistance in this matter, along with a small token of my appreciation.
“Master Taoist, may I come in?”
“Please, enter.”
The Taoist was already packing his belongings. Had he only just finished breakfast?
“Are you leaving so early?”
“There are other karmic connections seeking me out, and if I linger here too long, those connections will grow sorrowful.”
“Then I cannot persuade you to stay.”
I cupped my fists in a reluctant farewell.
“I am truly grateful for your help with this matter.”
“Not at all. It was hardly a difficult task. And had such individuals remained in Jocheon Palace, it would have cast a shadow not only over Nanking, but across all of Jiangsu Province.”
“I appreciate you seeing it that way.”
I extended a purse of silver toward him.
“This is not much, but it represents my sincerity regarding this matter.”
“I accept with gratitude.”
Indeed, he did not refuse.
“This time, thanks to those who protected me, I was able to remain unharmed. I was moved by how you entrusted me with those who are like your own limbs.”
“Since you asked for my help, it was only natural that I should protect you.”
Yet I felt something amiss and hesitated.
The ones I sent to protect Cheong-su Taoist were Palgap and Geumryeong.
But since Geumryeong is invisible, it would be more accurate to say “like my own limb” rather than “like my own limbs.”
Could it be… that he truly sensed it?
I feigned ignorance and probed Cheong-su Taoist carefully.
“I only sent one person, though…”
Cheong-su Taoist answered with a faint smile.
“There is no need for such caution. I already know of that one’s peculiarity.”
Ah…
“He will become a precious friend.”
At those words, I smiled and replied.
“He already is a precious friend.”
Geumryeong, this fellow seems embarrassed.
Judging by the complete lack of response.
“I see. But did Palgap not come with you?”
“No. He could not enter this far, so he is staying at the inn.”
Until yesterday, special circumstances had granted us entry, but today things had returned to normal.
Thus, only I could enter Jocheon Palace.
The Taoist then rummaged through his robes and withdrew something, extending it toward me.
“Please accept this.”
“What is this?”
“It seems Palgap has quite a fearful nature.”
At those words, I let out a soft laugh.
“That’s true. Despite his size, he’s rather timid.”
“So I prepared this for Palgap.”
Had he heard my words about giving a gift if Palgap faithfully protected Cheong-su Taoist?
I had simply planned to give a small gift myself and claim it came from the Taoist.
What the Taoist gave me was a bracelet woven from threads of various colors.
“I’ve infused my inner energy into it, so it will protect the wearer from malevolent forces.”
“Palgap will be delighted.”

We proceeded together toward the Crown Prince.
Cheong-su Taoist bid his farewell to the Crown Prince right there, and I offered to escort him out.
Someone of the Emperor’s or Crown Prince’s station couldn’t casually see off subordinates.
Besides, the Crown Prince appeared busy.
We soon passed through the courtyard where the performance had taken place.
“By the way, the performance was truly convincing. I still remember how you shook the spirit flags and spoke right after entering Jocheon Palace for the first time.”
But at my words, the Taoist’s expression became strange.
“You thought that was a performance?”
“…Pardon?”
However, the Taoist didn’t answer my question and strode briskly out of the palace.
Wait, Taoist…
You should explain what that means before leaving.
.
.
.
Several days passed.
With the departure date drawing near, cargo was being steadily loaded onto the Eun Hae Trading Company’s vessel.
I stood before a door at the inn and knocked.
“Seong Sub-leader, may I come in?”
“Please, come in.”
As I entered, Seong Sub-leader sat before a table reviewing documents.
Currently, Seong Sub-leader was investigating suspected misconduct among the managers of the Mingming Trading Company.
So they remained confined to this inn since arriving in Nanking, avoiding contact with the outside.
If the Mingming Trading Company’s managers discovered them, they couldn’t expose the corruption.
So I was personally relaying outside information to them.
“Four days remain until departure.”
“I see.”
Seong Sub-leader organized the documents as he spoke.
“Then we should move tomorrow evening.”
He paused in thought before asking me a question.
“Have you noticed anything unusual about the managers of the Mingming Trading Company?”
“Apart from being unusually close to one another, I haven’t detected anything particularly suspicious.”
“Is that so?”
Managers are in competition with each other.
Since only a limited number can rise to Chief Manager, they have no choice but to compete.
When a manager becomes Chief Manager, the most important factor is their performance record.
Since they must compete over those achievements, they cannot be intimate with one another.
Of course, being from the same trading company, they wouldn’t be hostile, but it’s difficult to be closer than necessary.
However, if they are excessively close, it likely means they’re in the same boat—sharing some common interest.
Seong Sub-leader seemed to grasp the hidden meaning behind my words.
“Doesn’t the Eun Sub-leader wonder why I’m going to such lengths?”
“Isn’t it natural to root out those who commit corruption?”
“That’s true, but I want to leave a good trading company to my son.”
His expression was that of a father thinking of his son, Young Master Yu Jin.
I smiled gently and spoke to him.
“The Mingming Trading Company will become a good one.”
I could say that with certainty.
The Mingming Trading Company will solidify its position by distributing not only pepper but also medicinal herbs produced in the Dae-Wol Kingdom.
In my previous life, corrupt officials seized those profits, but this time that won’t happen.

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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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