The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 691

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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 691

Chapter 691. The Road to Deliver the Wedding Invitation (1)

The reason for my shock.
It was because I recognized the youthful warrior standing before me—Ma Sun-bok, with his boyish features.
In my previous life, he had served as a warrior in my guard unit.
Yet there was a reason I hadn’t immediately identified him.
Back then, he had worn a beard, and his complexion was far darker than it was now.
I had even joked that bandits couldn’t compare to how rough he looked.
Now he bore an almost ethereal beauty.
The only feature that remained recognizable was the shape of his eyes.
What had happened to him before he joined my guard unit to transform him so completely?
His specialty was observation.
Thanks to that keen eye, he had saved my life more than once and helped me escape countless dangerous situations.
“Is something the matter, sir?”
Noticing my reaction, Seo-woo Warrior posed the question, and I shook my head.
“It’s nothing at all.”
But calling Gu Haengsu “uncle”?
“May I ask what your relationship is with Gu Haengsu?”
“I was able to become a member of the Eun Pung-dae thanks to Uncle Gu. Truth be told, I’m an orphan. Uncle Gu became my guarantor at the martial hall and supported my living expenses, which is how I was able to pass the selection for the Eun Pung-dae and become a member.”
So that was the story behind it.
I had known that he had received support to join the Eun Pung-dae.
But I hadn’t known that his benefactor was Gu Haengsu.
Then the fragrance of plum blossoms reached me.
Turning my head, I saw Seo Hyang approaching.
“Small Guild Master, you were here.”
“Ah! Gwak Vice-Manager.”
And beside her stood Eun Jung-ho.
Ma Sun-bok quickly clasped his fists in greeting upon seeing the two.
“I greet the First Guild Master and the future Third Lady! I am Ma Sun-bok, a warrior of the Eun Pung-dae!”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
She smiled and returned his greeting.
My brother accepted the salutation and then asked me.
“What’s the matter?”
“Well, it’s like this….”
I explained the entire situation to my brother.
“I see. In that case, go along with Warrior Ma.”
“Huh?”
Eun Jung-ho’s words caught me off guard. My companions and I had planned to travel to the Northern Sea aboard the Ju Gang Ma.
“But Elder Brother….”
I tried to explain the reason quickly, but Eun Jung-ho raised his hand to stop me.
“Ah, listen to what I have to say first. While you’re heading to the Northern Sea, bring back some ice for me.”
“Ice?”
“I heard you made that hwachae and sent it to the Beijing Branch. Thinking about it, how could we have a branch in the Northern Sea and not take advantage of this?”
Eun Jung-ho grinned widely.
“We should sell the ice.”
“Ah….”
Even if he had a gentle disposition, Eun Jung-ho was still a merchant through and through.
From what I remembered, the heat that began after the monsoon season was quite intense.
So if we sold ice, it would certainly move quickly.
“That’s why I’m planning to assemble people to send to the Northern Sea. I think including Ma Sun-deok among them would work well.”
“I don’t mind, but wouldn’t that mean I’d be away for quite a while? Elder Brother, are you sure about this?”
“Since I’m the one proposing it, I should account for it myself, shouldn’t I?”
Then Eun Jung-ho spoke to Ma Sun-deok.
“I don’t know what that letter contains, but it’s surely written with great care. Wouldn’t it be more meaningful to deliver it in person?”
“Small Guild Master….”
He was moved, his eyes glistening with tears.
Eun Jung-ho smiled bashfully and turned to me.
“So there’s no time to stand around here. Get to work! Now!”
“Sigh, understood.”
“I’ll inform the Eun Pung-dae and the Beijing Branch Manager myself.”
“So you were planning to make me do that too?”
“Just go.”
Muttering complaints as I headed back to the office, Seo Hyang walked beside me and laughed.
“By the way, what’s the matter with Gwak Vice-Manager?”
“Ah, I noticed she was looking for the Small Guild Master.”
She continued speaking.
“From what I’ve observed, Ma Sun-deok will play a significant role in this journey… so I guided the First Small Guild Master to meet Ma Sun-deok.”
“Will something happen during this journey?”
“I don’t know either.”
She shook her head.
“I only heard the Small Guild Master muttering Ma Sun-deok’s name while sighing.”
“I see.”
So I was already meeting Ma Sun-deok.
Was this fate as well?
.
.
.
Several days had passed.
Unlike my original plan, I had to organize a large-scale merchant caravan to head to the Northern Sea, which delayed our departure more than expected.
We finished preparing to load the ice and departed from the Beijing Branch.
It was fortunate that the Emperor didn’t summon me before I left.

Since the merchant caravan heading to the Northern Sea was large in scale, we packed supplies for camping along the way.
There were no suitable places for this many people to stay on the road to the Northern Sea.
About five days after our departure, it happened.
“Oh!”
Seo Hyang, who had been sitting in front of me, widened her eyes in alarm.
“What is it?”
“We’re under attack.”
“Pardon?”
“Fire Bandits.”
Fire Bandits… Ugh, those wretched vermin.
Fire Bandits were different from the mountain bandits known as Green Forest Bandits.
The Green Forest Bandits were controlled by the Green King, the leader of the Green Forest Eighteen Strongholds alliance.
Since they settled in one place and operated from there, they rarely crossed certain boundaries.
So most travelers simply paid a toll and passed through.
But Fire Bandits were different. Since they wandered without a fixed base, it was difficult for them to return to places they’d already passed through.
So they simply took and killed whatever came their way.
There was even a saying that wherever Fire Bandits struck, only death and ashes remained.
But these Fire Bandits were attacking us?
Even though we were flying the Eunhae Trading Company flag?
I found it strange, since after traveling with Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, they had never dared approach anyone bearing the Eunhae Trading Company colors.
The greatest taboo in Liaoning was to never touch anyone connected to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
Well, it could happen.
Humans are creatures of forgetfulness, and they might have forgotten that taboo.
If so, I would simply remind them why it was a taboo in the first place.
“Seo-woo Warrior.”
I opened the window and called out to Seo-woo Warrior.
“You called for me?”
“There’s a possibility of a Fire Bandit attack.”
“Understood. How should we handle it?”
“Is there any mercy we should show them?”
“Your words are most reasonable.”
About an hour passed. I was just thinking it was time to find a place to camp for the night.
Thud-thud-thud-thud-thud!
The thunderous sound of horse hooves echoing from far away.
And I felt it—the killing intent in the air.
Just as Seo Hyang had said, the Fire Bandits were converging on us for an ambush.
“Gwak Vice-Manager, please remain here for now. And Palgap.”
“Yes! You needn’t worry, sir.”
To be safe, I placed Geumryeong on Seo Hyang’s lap as I spoke.
“You’ll be protected with this creature nearby.”
“Squawk!”
Geumryeong settled comfortably across Seo Hyang’s knees.
You seem rather pleased with yourself, don’t you?
But this is hardly the time for such thoughts.
I descended from the carriage.
“Master!”
“We await your command.”
I addressed them all.
“The Eun-hae Trading Company has always welcomed our guests. So many visitors arriving at once—how delightful! Wouldn’t you agree?”
“Indeed, sir!”
“Honestly, I’ve been itching for action.”
“Then let us greet them with courtesy. And let us ensure they remember exactly what the Eun-hae Trading Company truly is.”
“Waaaaah!”
My words ignited the warriors’ spirits to a fever pitch.
“Hehehehe! The Eun-hae Trading Company must have plenty to plunder! Kill them all!”
The Bandit Leader roared.
Ah, so that one was their leader?
Shing!
I drew my blade, unleashed my movement technique, and rushed toward him like an arrow loosed from a bow.
Since mastering the Cho Seol-hui Teachings, my movements had become lighter and swifter still.
The opponent’s cultivation was at the peak stage.
A remarkably high level for a bandit leader.
There was reason behind his reckless assault on the Eun-hae Trading Company.
But that was his fatal mistake.
The fourth form of the Jinseol Twelve-Form Sword Technique—Snow Wind.
The signature technique named after Seolpung Palace itself.
My blade swept across his throat like the snow wind of the Northern Sea, in a single, devastating instant.
Tap.
I landed behind the Bandit Leader.
Then, immediately—
“Gasp!”
With a pained cry, his head tilted slowly to the side, then tumbled to the ground and rolled away.
“Huh! T-the leader!”
“The leader’s been cut down!”
“Aaaahhhhh!”
The silence shattered as the bandits reeled in panic at their leader’s death, stumbling about in disarray.
“Eun Pung-dae!”
“Yes, sir!”
“Clean this up!”
With the bandit leader already eliminated, it didn’t take long to restore order.
We gathered the corpses and burned them, then collected their heads separately and planted the Eun Hae Trading Company’s banner beside them.
It might seem cruel, but there was no choice.
Bandits only understood warnings of this magnitude.
If they dared attack us, they should expect to end up like this.
We also collected the valuables they’d been carrying.
Even if they were stolen goods, it would be wasteful to leave them behind.
Hmm?
But among the items the bandits possessed, I noticed something oddly familiar mixed in.
Wait… these are Gwangjun Trading Company goods?
I ordered them to bring me a survivor.
He trembled as he kowtowed desperately.
“P-please, spare me! I beg you, just let me live!”
Such shamelessness.
When it was his turn to show mercy, he surely wouldn’t have hesitated to kill. Yet here he was, begging for compassion from me.
“I found some Gwangjun Trading Company merchandise among these goods.”
“Ah, yes! We… we seized it long ago.”
“Long ago, you say…”
I pressed him with a cold gaze.
“As far as I know, this saddle design—this type of product—was only released a few months ago. Yet you claim it was seized long ago?”
Unable to withstand my pressure, he bit his lip and confessed.
“I… the truth is, we attacked a Gwangjun merchant caravan about two weeks ago. We stole the goods and… enslaved the survivors…”
Thwack!
“Ugh!”
I kicked him across the face.
“Where are these enslaved people now?”
“…”
“Would you prefer pain so excruciating you’d beg for death? I’ve learned several techniques from the Embroidered Uniform Guard Masters, and I’ve been looking for a practice partner.”

About half an hour later.
I extracted the location of the Fire Bandits’ headquarters from him.
He wouldn’t have lasted even an hour—he simply sang like a bird.
I approached the leader of the Eunpung Corps and explained the situation.
“Thus, I intend to raid the Fire Bandits’ headquarters and rescue those being held captive. I would appreciate it if you could position yourselves nearby.”
“Pardon? What do you mean? Of course we should accompany you.”
“I appreciate the sentiment, but this matter is unrelated to the Merchant Guild’s trading expedition. It is a personal affair, and the Eunpung Corps must protect the caravan.”
“I understand. Since you put it that way, there’s nothing to be done. Please be careful.”
Then I opened the carriage window.
“Gwak Vice-Manager.”
“I heard the circumstances from beyond the carriage.”
Seo Hyang then lifted Geumryeong from her embrace and handed the creature to me.
“You must take this one with you.”
“Whimper.”
Come now, you little beast.
“And take Ma Sun-deok with you. He’ll be helpful.”
“Understood.”

Shortly after.
Ma Sun-deok, six Guard Warriors, and I headed toward the location the survivor had revealed.
We bound and dragged the survivor along with us.
He resigned himself to his fate and guided us to the headquarters.
“It’s this way. You just follow that path.”
As we followed his guidance, Ma Sun-deok’s expression grew strange.
“Ma Warrior.”
“Ah, yes!”
“If something seems amiss, do not hesitate to speak of it.”
“Yes? But… well…”
“If your counsel proves useful to us, Gu Haengsu will be most pleased to hear of it.”
Emboldened by my words, he spoke.
“I believe we should not go where the merchant is directing us.”
“What is your reason?”
“There are no hoof prints. If this were a normal path, there would be traces of horses passing through.”
“Indeed, you are right.”
The bandit guide panicked at those words.
“Ah, no! That place is, yes, a, a shortcut! A shortcut path!”
“A shortcut path… yet there are scarcely any footprints for such a thing.”
I swept my gaze across the path and let out a soft chuckle.
“Then it’s obvious. There must be traps set to stop intruders along that route. Snares, perhaps, or arrows flying through the air.”
“…”
“Did you really think you could inflict that much damage on us? You’ve been quite thoroughly underestimated.”
I laughed deliberately, my tone sharp and cutting.
“It wouldn’t be a bad idea to practice the techniques I learned from the Embroidered Uniform Guard Masters here once more.”
“Ugh! I-I’m sorry! Please, just give me one more chance!”
“This is your last one.”
With that, he led us down a different path, and we arrived at a place surrounded by a wooden palisade fortress.
As expected of bandits—a hastily constructed stronghold.
They never stayed in one place for long anyway.
That’s when it happened.
“Alert! Alert! We’re under attack! The enemy is attacking us!”
He screamed, and bandits appeared atop the palisade.
I thrust him forward as a shield and spoke.
“Now you’d better hope they don’t shoot arrows at you.”
His face went pale with shock at my words.
He should have stayed quiet.
I suppose this makes me look rather villainous, but what of it?
Good deserves good, and evil deserves evil.

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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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