The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 690

—————
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 690

Chapter 690. Cho Seol-hui (4)

The next morning at dawn.
After completing my morning cultivation, I rose and left my quarters.
The Myeong-jong Warrior standing guard outside spoke to me.
“Now that you’ve finished your morning cultivation, you should head to the Training Ground. Master Gwak Pyo-du is waiting for you.”
“What? Master is already here?”
“Yes. He arrived about half an hour ago.”
How careless of me—making my master wait as his disciple!
I hurried to the Training Ground, where Master was wielding his sword.
“I apologize for being late.”
At my apology, Master sheathed his blade and spoke.
“Not at all. I simply arrived early. I needed to examine this Training Ground carefully for your practice today.”
Now that I thought about it, Master always arrived early whenever we changed training grounds, meticulously inspecting the floor and surrounding conditions.
He had once told me that during combat, one must observe the environment—even the soil beneath one’s feet and the wind—to maximize one’s chances of victory.
This was likely for a similar reason.
“Let’s do a light lap around the Training Ground first, then begin.”
“Yes.”
And so Master’s instruction began, in a way I hadn’t anticipated.
.
.
.
A short while later.
“Huff, huff, huff.”
I breathed heavily, gasping for air.
Was the sky truly yellow, or did it only appear yellow because I was exhausted?
Even though it had been quite some time since I reached the pinnacle of cultivation, Master’s training still tested my limits.
Each time, he would stop just before I thought, “I can’t go on anymore. I’ve reached my end.”
This time was no different.
“Chirp? Chirp?”
Geumryeong perched on my chest below my neck, tapping my face with her front paws.
Was I alright? Did I look alright?
Ah… so by questioning me, that means I’m fine?
I had nothing to say. Tch.
“Still, now that you’ve mastered Cho Seol-hui, your movements have definitely improved compared to before.”
Then I heard Master’s voice.
I rose to my feet and replied.
“I felt it too. Ever since then, my steps have felt noticeably lighter.”
“So you endured well even though I applied considerably more pressure than before.”
What? Master? What did you say?
Ah, so my training hadn’t grown slack after all—there was a reason I’d collapsed so quickly.
“I am proud of you, Small Guild Master.”
For a moment, I was stunned.
Ah, I couldn’t just let this pass by without addressing it.
My Master rarely expressed emotions, and without thinking, I felt my spirits lift as the shock from moments before faded away.
Surely he didn’t intend those words to have that effect?
“When will you return to Hubei Province?”
“I expect it will be early tomorrow morning.”
“You’re leaving Beijing sooner than I anticipated.”
“I received new orders yesterday evening. I would prefer to depart immediately after breakfast, but the Escort Warriors and porters who came with me require rest.”
“I see.”
Indeed, the Escort Warriors and porters didn’t possess my Master’s exceptional stamina.
Now that I think about it, wasn’t Father also departing tomorrow morning?
“Then, since you’re traveling anyway, wouldn’t it be better to journey together with our Father?”
“You mean the Merchant Guild Leader?”
“Yes. Father mentioned he’s also returning to Hubei tomorrow.”
“That would be unnecessary.”
“Then I’ll inquire with Father and send word.”
“Very well.”
My Master nodded.
“However, there is something I wish to ask.”
“Yes. Please speak.”
“Have you informed the Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace about your marriage?”
“Ah….”
At my reaction, my Master spoke.
“It appears you have not yet informed her.”
“Your unworthy disciple failed to consider that matter.”
My betrothal to Seo Hyang was arranged last December.
In the time since, I resolved the Geom Chong incident in Chungyeongseong, restored the damages from the earthquake in Sichuan Province, traveled to the Crown Prince and Nanking, visited the Hwangbo Family, and resolved the counterfeit note incident discovered at the Geumsan Money Exchange.
For half a year, there had been remarkably many matters to attend to.
So there simply hadn’t been time to send word to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
My Master spoke.
“It is proper etiquette for the Lesser Palace Mistress of Seolpung Palace and her bride to personally visit the Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace and inform her. If this is not done, the Palace Master will be deeply disappointed.”
“….”
“Setting aside such formalities, I believe the relationship between you two is quite close. Would it not then be proper, both in duty and conscience, to inform her directly?”
“I had not considered this. Thank you for enlightening your foolish disciple.”
“And… that old woman is rather petty. She’ll hold a grudge about this for quite some time.”
“…”
M-Master…
In any case, if it weren’t for my Master, I would have made a grave mistake.
I need to make plans to visit the Northern Sea Ice Palace as soon as possible.
Besides, I still needed to deliver the wedding invitation to Bok Yun Sub-leader of the Gwangjun Trading Company.
.
.
.
Breakfast time.
I ate breakfast with Father, and Seo Hyang sat beside me as well.
Father had suggested we eat together since we would be marrying anyway.
Elder Brother’s Wife was also present. Elder Brother Eun Jung-ho had gone to Shandong.
“This pine nut porridge is quite delicious today.”
“Yes, it does seem especially tasty today.”
I broached the subject with Father casually.
“Father, you mentioned you’re going to the Main Headquarters tomorrow, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I can’t leave the Main Headquarters vacant for too long.”
“As it happens, my Master also said he’s returning to Hubei Province tomorrow morning. So I was thinking—wouldn’t it be better if you traveled together with my Master?”
Father smiled at my suggestion and replied.
“It seems you’re worried about me.”
“Of course, I’m not dismissing the capabilities of the Eun Pung-dae that came with you, Father. But it’s true that traveling with my Master’s group would be safer. And the Eun Pung-dae would be less exhausted as well.”
“Hmm, that’s true. So you’re requesting an escort service?”
“No, it’s simply a matter of traveling together. But from the Changin Escort Agency’s perspective, wouldn’t they naturally protect the Merchant Guild Leader, our largest trading partner, from danger?”
“That’s certainly true.”
Father nodded and let out a soft chuckle.
Hmm? Why is he laughing?
I tilted my head in confusion, but Father said nothing.
So I changed the subject.
“Ah… and Father, Seo Hyang and I will be taking a brief trip to the Northern Sea.”
“To the Northern Sea?”
“Yes. There’s someone I need to deliver a wedding invitation to, so I must go.”
Father regarded me for a moment, then nodded.
“Very well, go carefully.”
“Yes, I’ll be cautious.”

* * *

Gwak Myung-hyun, Lord of Changin Escort Agency, approached Eun Gil-sang, the Merchant Guild Leader of Eunhae Trading Company.
“I look forward to working with you on this journey.”
“The pleasure is mine.”
Eun Seo-ho and the staff from the Beijing Branch came out to see them off.
“Safe travels to all of you.”
“We shall meet again soon.”
“Take care on your way back.”
After exchanging farewells, Gwak Myung-hyun spoke to his companions.
“Let’s depart!”
“Yes, sir!”
The procession gradually began to move.
Eun Seo-ho and his companions remained standing before them for quite some time.
Creak.
At that moment, the carriage window opened, and Eun Gil-sang leaned out his head, speaking to Gwak Myung-hyun, who rode on horseback beside the carriage.
“You’ve had quite the ordeal accommodating my son’s whims.”
“Please don’t mention it. In truth, had the Small Guild Master not asked, I would have proposed accompanying you myself.”
“Is that so?”
“Isn’t your company one of our most important trading partners?”
“There must be another reason beyond that, wouldn’t you say?”
Eun Gil-sang was his disciple and the father of the Lesser Palace Mistress. If anything were to happen to him…
It was a thought I preferred not to entertain.
Thus, I had agreed to Eun Seo-ho’s request to prevent such a calamity.
However, he merely smiled without answering Eun Gil-sang’s question.
“I have one question for you.”
“Please, ask away.”
“What exactly is the level of Seo-ho’s martial prowess?”
“Pardon?”
“That fellow has never revealed his true capabilities to me.”
Gwak Myung-hyun replied.
“It is commonly known in the world that he has reached the Peak Realm, is it not?”
“That may be so, but I harbor doubts as to whether he has truly attained the Peak Realm.”
“There is a saying in the Martial Arts World: conceal three-tenths of your true strength. I hope this suffices as an answer.”
“I see. Thank you.”
Eun Gil-sang nodded. He had grasped the hidden meaning behind that enigmatic response.
Gwak Myung-hyun recalled the morning before when he had watched Eun Seo-ho’s training and crossed blades with him.
His growth was remarkable.
‘Is this the true nature of one born with the Hyun Ryong Constitution?’
Long ago, Gwak Myung-hyun had learned of the Hyun Ryong Constitution.
The Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace possessed such a constitution.
Thus, he had inquired about it with his father.

“Father. The aura emanating from the Palace Master of Northern Sea Ice Palace was indeed far from ordinary.”
“The fact that you sensed it means you’ve developed the capability to succeed me.”
“Is there something particularly special about her?”
“Yes. The Palace Master of Northern Sea Ice Palace was born with the Hyun Ryong Constitution. As a woman bearing the essence of yin energy, it is the supreme physique.”
Father explained the Hyun Ryong Constitution to me.
“Then, is there no case of a man being born with the Hyun Ryong Constitution?”
“Of course there is. And our Seolpung Palace has a prophecy related to this that has been passed down.”
“A prophecy?”
“Since you’ve reached a level where you can understand the Hyun Ryong Constitution, I suppose it’s time to share that prophecy with you.”
Father continued his words.
“The prophecy states that one chosen by Seolpung, born with the Hyun Ryong Constitution, shall lead this Seolpung Palace to prosperity through exceptional talent and ability.”
“I see.”
“However, there is a condition—he must surpass forty years of age.”
“Why is that?”
“The occurrence of a man being born with the Hyun Ryong Constitution is extremely rare. Moreover, there is a constitutional problem that must be overcome.”
“What kind of problem?”
“Around the age of fifteen, when masculinity properly manifests, he rapidly weakens. This is because the yang energy of the body collides with the yin essence of the constitution.”
“Then, is there no way to overcome this?”
“With yin-attributed elixirs and yin-attributed martial techniques, if used appropriately, he would flourish like a fish in water.”
“I see!”
“But… even so, surpassing forty years of age is not easy.”
“Pardon? Why is that? If the collision of energies is resolved, shouldn’t his talents bloom fully?”
Father shook his head at that question.
“Even I do not know. The suppressed yang energy might explode, he might face envy from those around him, or heaven might take him early due to a shortage of talent.”
“…”
“I’ve spoken at length, but the Palace Master of our Seolpung Palace has a duty to care for any boy born with the Hyun Ryong Constitution. He is the one who will lead our Seolpung Palace to prosperity. Therefore, we must ensure he survives until forty by any means necessary. Thus, recognizing one born with the Hyun Ryong Constitution is one of the important qualifications to become the next successor.”

He had gone to thank the young master who saved his eldest son, and was greatly startled.
It was a connection that had continued from that moment.
In truth, at first he had taught martial arts to Eun Seo-ho out of a sense of duty and gratitude for a debt owed.
But before long, Eun Seo-ho had come to occupy an entire corner of his heart.
He resumed his memories with Father.
“Then Father, how can he surpass forty years of age?”
“According to the records passed down, our Seolpung Palace’s Instructor was also born with the Hyun Ryong Constitution and surpassed forty years of age. From this, I can infer there is one method.”
“What is it?”
“Hwagyeong.”
“Pardon?”
“The realm of Hwagyeong is said to be able to twist and change even fate itself. If he reaches Hwagyeong, there will be a possibility of him surpassing forty years of age.”

Gwak Myung-hyun clenched his fists with renewed determination.
‘If that’s the only way, I must find a means to elevate the Lesser Palace Mistress to the realm of Hwagyeong.’
Eun Seo-ho was currently twenty-four years old.
There remained a full fifteen years until he reached forty.
Yet for Eun Seo-ho’s sake, Gwak Myung-hyun could never cease his own cultivation.

* * *

Eun Jung-ho returned from Jinan.
“Welcome back, Elder Brother.”
“Yes.”
“Father returned a while ago.”
“I know. He stopped by Jinan on his way back.”
Ah, so he had passed through Jinan on his journey and met with Father there.
“How did the matter proceed?”
At my question, Elder Brother broke into a grin.
“What’s there to say? He nearly fell backward, claiming he’d never seen such superior quality before.”
“But you showed him the sample.”
“Typically, merchants bring their finest work as samples. Besides, there’s no way to verify it actually came from that source.”
“That’s true enough.”
That’s precisely why we conduct on-site inspections.
“Well then, Elder Brother. I’m counting on you for what comes next.”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
“I’m stepping out briefly tomorrow morning with Seo Hyang.”
At my words, Eun Jung-ho studied me quietly before speaking.
“Stepping out briefly? Be honest with me. How many days is this ‘brief’ outing?”
“About two weeks…? I’m heading to the Northern Sea Branch.”
“Hey! The Northern Sea takes more than two weeks to reach! How is that not a lie!”
It’s not a lie, though.
I’ll be traveling by the Zhu River.
.
.
.
That afternoon.
I busied myself with preparations for the journey north.
The road to the Northern Sea is treacherous, but I have two urgent matters to attend to.
Well, the weather is pleasant—perhaps I’ll take a walk for a bit.
As I strolled through the back garden, I noticed a youthful-faced Eun Pung-dae Warrior approaching me.
His face seemed oddly familiar. The warrior bowed deeply and clasped his fist in salute.
“I greet the Sub-leader.”
“What brings you here?”
“I’ve come with a request, actually. I heard you’re heading to the Northern Sea, so I was hoping you might deliver this letter to Gu Pyo, the manager at the Northern Sea Branch.”
Now that I looked closer, I could see a letter clutched in his hand.
“That’s no trouble at all. But what is your name?”
“Ah! My apologies. I should have introduced myself first. My name is Ma Sun-bok.”
Upon hearing that name, I froze in astonishment.
What?

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