The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 677

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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 677

Chapter 677. The Reward I Seek (2)

I waited for the Hwangbo Clan Head in the guest reception room, recalling the reactions of the Hwangbo Family members I’d witnessed earlier.
They had been brimming with excitement upon seeing the high-quality whetstones I’d brought.
And no wonder—they’d been forced to sharpen their blades far less frequently than usual to conserve whetstones.
More warriors than I’d expected devoted themselves to maintaining their weapons as a form of meditation and discipline.
In such circumstances, the necessity of rationing whetstones must have imposed considerable psychological strain.
I gathered my thoughts and lifted my head.
I sensed the Hwangbo Clan Head approaching.
The door creaked open.
The Clan Head entered, and I rose from my seat.
“You’ve arrived?”
“Yes, be seated.”
I sat down, and the Clan Head drained the tea that had been poured into his cup in one gulp.
Normally he would sip it in measured portions.
It seemed his throat had grown parched from rushing here upon hearing news of the whetstones.
“Ah, so you’ve brought high-quality whetstones?”
“Indeed. Everyone seemed quite pleased.”
“That’s only natural. I wondered why you hadn’t returned to the main house for two days—so that was the reason.”
The Clan Head continued.
“First, I must ask—how did you manage to procure whetstones?”
“Fortune favored me. When I visited Jinan previously, I noticed a stone quarry. This time, I inspected it and purchased it.”
“So that’s why you confidently recommended the delivery.”
“Precisely.”
At my words, the Hwangbo Clan Head clicked his tongue.
“Keeping this hidden all this time! You’re a cunning one.”
“My apologies. However, this required discretion. Had word reached the Baekcheon Trading Company, I would never have been able to purchase the quarry.”
“True enough. We would have faced difficulties as well.”
The Clan Head nodded in agreement.
“Then, what price per unit did you have in mind?”
“I heard the previous whetstones were supplied at half a silver tael per forty jin.”
“That’s correct. They were quite superior quality.”
A family of the Hwangbo Clan’s stature naturally required whetstones of a certain standard.
“I had the whetstones I brought examined, and they say these are superior to what you’ve received before.”
As I laid the groundwork, I saw the Clan Head tense.
“So… how much are you asking for?”
“Forty jin of stone, and I’ll require half a tael of silver per jin.”
“That’s the same price we’ve been paying all along, isn’t it? You’re truly willing to supply at that rate?”
From his reaction, it seemed he would have agreed even if I’d quoted a higher price.
But that would be greed.
I mustn’t become like the Baekcheon Trading Company.
And considering my future path, I needed to maintain favorable relations with the Hwangbo Family.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
I continued speaking.
“Since the stone quarry isn’t far from the Hwangbo Family, transportation costs won’t be substantial.”
“Still, I feel quite indebted to you….”
“If you truly wish to repay me, simply patrol the quarry regularly. That will suffice.”
“Understood. I’ll make sure to attend to it.”
He spoke to me.
“But that aside, I’d like to offer you a separate reward. Since the Main House is also a martial family, whetstones hold considerable importance for us. Having resolved this matter, I cannot simply let it pass.”
I would have felt disappointed if he hadn’t said that.
I spoke without hesitation.
“There is something I wish to ask of you, House Master.”
“What might that be?”
“To discover Hwangbo Hui’s true birthday.”
“Hui’s true birthday?”
“Yes.”
I scratched my cheek and continued.
“Truth be told, I made a wager with the elder. But when I inquired, even the Emperor said he doesn’t know about it… So the only remaining option is to ask you, House Master.”
“I see.”
The House Master nodded at my words, pondered something briefly, then spoke.
“I’ll call you separately about that matter later.”
“Understood.”
I nodded obediently and returned to my quarters.
“You’ve returned?”
Hwangbo Uk, the Young Master, greeted me.
“Yes.”
“I heard you brought whetstones today.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“To be honest, I’m a bit disappointed. You didn’t say a word to me about it.”
I laughed and countered his remark.
“Was there a reason I should have informed you about it?”
“Well… I’m supposed to assist the Young Master….”
“If you had personally pulled the cart and followed me that day, you might have known about it beforehand. What a shame.”
“….”
I glanced at him, unable to respond, and called for Palgap.
“Palgap! Prepare some bathwater for me!”
“Very good, sir.”
After bathing and changing into fresh clothes, the House Master’s attendant came looking for me.
“The House Master summons you.”
“Understood.”
I followed the attendant down the corridor.
I was led not to the guest reception room, but to the House Master’s office.
“House Master, I am Eun Seo-ho of the Small Merchant Guild.”
“Come in.”
As I entered and bowed, the House Master pressed a key into my hand.
“Take it.”
“What key is this?”
“It’s the key to that scoundrel Hwi’s personal archives.”
“Pardon?”
“He asked me long ago—if anyone ever inquires about his true birthday, give them this key, he said.”
I accepted the key and spoke.
“So in essence, you’re telling me to discover it myself?”
At my words, the House Master burst into hearty laughter.
“Hahahaha!”
Why was he laughing?
“Go visit the archives first. If you still don’t understand after entering, I’ll explain it to you then.”
“Understood.”
But when I didn’t immediately leave, the House Master asked with a puzzled expression.
“Is there something else you wish to say?”
Rather than speak aloud, I sent a transmission of spiritual energy.
It was a matter that shouldn’t reach any other ears.
– I hesitated whether to mention this, but I shall speak.
– A secret matter, it seems. Go ahead.
– Keep watch over Young Master Hwangbo Uk.
– Hmm?
At my words, the House Master regarded me with an enigmatic gaze.
– What do you mean by that?
– I cannot explain now. But as you observe, you will come to understand.
.
.
.
I was able to enter the Ghost Face Broker’s personal archives late that night.
First, I requested that my Father send Haeng-su and workers to operate the stone quarry.
Even if one discovers excellent production grounds, it means nothing without excavation and transport.
After returning from Stone Mountain with whetstones to deliver to the Baek Yeom Merchant Guild and completing the work, it was already deep into the night.
“Is this the place?”
“Yes.”
I had already learned the location of Gwimyeon-po Elder’s archives beforehand, so I arrived without getting lost.
Seo-woo Warrior answered my question.
“We’ll wait here.”
“It might take some time, but if I suggest you wait comfortably in the quarters, you’d refuse anyway, wouldn’t you?”
He laughed at my words and replied.
“If you’re truly uncomfortable, we can take turns standing guard.”
“That would put my mind at ease. Then I’ll go inside.”
I took out the key and opened the archives.
Creeeak.
The door opened with the sound of old hinges.
Upon entering, there was another sliding door. I opened it and stepped through.
I could see countless books lined on shelves, and beside them were weapons hanging on the walls.
An archives, they said—but why were there weapons here?
Though the question arose, I first examined my surroundings carefully.
Then I noticed an envelope placed on a wooden table.
The recipient was clearly written on it.
[For Eun Seo-ho to read.]
In other words, a letter addressed to me.
I opened the envelope and unfolded the letter.

[Everything here is what I have gathered. And I have decided to pass them on to you.]

My eyes widened.
No, Elder. What in the world are you saying?

[I do not know how much longer I have to live, but if you accept these things, then I can say I lived a rather fulfilling life.
Do not refuse. It would not be like you.]

I set the letter down.
The Elder truly knows me well.
With words like these, I cannot refuse what the Elder has left behind.
But Elder, if you had drunk the vitality herb decoction I gave you, you would have lived at least another ten years….
Isn’t this too soon?
Then again, the vitality herb I gave you was something the Elder himself had not anticipated.
I smiled and recalled the final sentence.

[My true birthday is the fifth day of the seventh month.]

You’re quite something, Elder.
The birthday I know of is the same as yours, which means you don’t have a real birthday at all.
This archives transfer is a test and an excuse of sorts.
And this archives would be the gift for when I figure out your true birthday.
Then I’ll accept it with gratitude.
Somehow, my heart felt lighter.
On the other hand, I became curious about what had been collected here that warranted passing it on to me.
As I examined them, I couldn’t help but be astonished.
The texts were quite rare, and the weapons were similarly difficult to obtain.
The spiritual herbs stored beside them were also items rarely seen even within the Eunhae Trading Company.
Among them, one thing captured my attention—a single book.
[Cho Seol-hui (初雪喜)]
A text meaning to rejoice in the first snow that arrives.
The pull toward that book was so intense I found myself drawn to it without thinking.
I picked up the book and opened it.
[Child who entered Seolpung Palace, do you remember that joyful heart when you played on snowy days?]
What? What… what?
My eyes widened in shock.
This is… a martial arts manual from Seolpung Palace.
Why is this here? No, why does Elder possess this?
Seolpung Palace is quite a closed sect.
It has to be, since most of those who entered Seolpung Palace were children of women from the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
Moreover, when disaster struck Seolpung Palace, everything was thoroughly burned.
Given such circumstances, the presence of Seolpung Palace’s martial arts manual here is truly remarkable.
Master would be delighted to see this.
As I continued reading the manual, I realized it was designed to educate those newly admitted to the palace.
In truth, to rebuild and maintain Seolpung Palace for a long time, the foundational martial arts that form the basis of Seolpung Palace—especially the fundamental techniques—are crucial.
I had been contemplating this very matter, and now I’ve obtained such a manual!
I now understood why I felt compelled to discover Hwangbo Hui’s true birthday and receive his gift.
As I continued reading the manual, I learned things I had never been taught.
The origins of Seolpung Palace, the mindset behind Seolpung Palace’s martial arts.
When Master taught me martial arts, he often expressed regret.
“Originally, Seolpung Palace had a foundational martial arts manual. If it had survived, it would have been far more efficient. What a shame,” he would say.
After reading this manual, I finally understood why Master spoke that way.
I should take this to Master right away.
Since Elder said he was passing it to me, there should be no issue taking it now.
I searched to see if there were other texts related to Seolpung Palace, but found nothing else.
Still, recovering Cho Seol-hui alone was an incredible haul.
Next time, I should gift Elder some fine tea.
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.
.
The next morning.
After finishing my meal, I requested an audience with the House Master.
While I was leisurely strolling through the back garden, the House Master’s attendant came to fetch me.
“The House Master summons you.”
“Very well.”
Yet the attendant guiding me wore a somewhat darkened expression.
We’d already resolved the whetstone issue—what could be the problem now?
Ah! Could it be that?
Soon I arrived at the House Master’s office and stepped inside.
“So-sang, Eun Seo-ho. I greet the House Master.”
“Come in, come in.”
“Last night, I entered Hwangbo Hui’s archives. Should I return the key?”
At my question, he waved his hand dismissively.
“No need. That fellow left it for you—why would you return the key to me?”
“I see.”
“And you may leave the items in that archive here for now. After that fellow passes, we’ll need to reclaim the archive, so you’ll have to retrieve them then.”
“Then I’ll collect the contents at that time.”
“Do so.”
The House Master nodded readily and extended a tablet toward me.
“An access pass.”
“Pardon?”
“If you’re to continue using that archive, you’ll need free access to the Main House, won’t you? This time there was no issue since you came with Seon Yu, but if you came alone, the procedures would be quite complicated.”
“I see. I accept gratefully.”
At this rate, how many tablets do I actually possess? I’m beginning to wonder if I’ll earn the reputation of being a collector of passes.
I took the tablet and placed it in my robes.
“You said something yesterday. That I should watch Hwangbo Uk.”
“Ah, yes. I did say that.”
“How did you know?”
“Pardon?”
“How did you discover that Hwangbo Uk was conspiring with the Namgung Family?”
His expression remained serene despite learning his own grandson was a traitor, but I soon realized I’d misjudged.
He was merely feigning composure.
His eyes were burning with barely contained fury.
I learned that Young Master Hwangbo Uk was a traitor thanks to Seo Hyang’s counsel.
But I couldn’t say that.
“I apologize, but that is a trade secret.”

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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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