The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 695

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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 695

Chapter 695. The Road to Deliver the Wedding Invitation (5)

Before long, preparations for our overnight camp were complete.
All the effort of hauling firewood had been worthwhile.
When camping in the Northern Sea, the most critical thing is maintaining body heat.
One careless moment and you could freeze to death.
We gathered around a roaring campfire and filled our bellies with warm broth.
It was quite satisfying, made with dried meat and rice flour.
“We should rest here and return to the Northern Sea Branch as soon as dawn breaks,” Heuk Cheol the Hunter said.
Heuk Cheol the Hunter spoke.
“Looking at the sky, it seems the Snow Wind will arrive a day earlier than scheduled.”
“Then we should hurry.”
I wanted to return immediately, but the Branch Manager and his companions were utterly exhausted.
Geumryeong’s acupuncture had healed all their external wounds, but it couldn’t restore their physical stamina or mental fortitude.
So we decided to rest here for one night before moving on.
I had burned the blood-soaked malevolent Spirit Creature, Agok Sungjo, but preserved its feathers.
There’s a saying that the hides of malevolent Spirit Creatures bring calamity, so they’re burned entirely—but not the feathers.
The feathers, which have commercial value, sell for quite a good price.
Perhaps it’s a difference in perception stemming from people’s aversion to the blood of malevolent creatures?
Honestly, hide or feather—it’s all the same to me.
In any case, they were beautiful feathers, resembling snow.
It would be wasteful to burn them.
So I plucked all the feathers, packed them into a bag, and gifted them to Heuk Cheol the Hunter.
“Are you giving these to us?”
“Yes. Have clothes made from them. From what I can tell, they possess some defensive properties. Also, they should help you avoid the attention of other malevolent creatures.”
“Thank you.”
I could have sold these for a high price, but maintaining good relations with trading partners is equally important.
Then the Squad Leader asked the Branch Manager a question.
“Branch Manager, what exactly happened?”
“You’ve probably guessed already. On the way to the Hunter Village, we heard a child crying. As you know, sometimes only the children of those who flee to the Northern Sea survive, don’t they?”
“….”
Just as the Branch Manager said, some of those who fled the Empire because they could no longer survive there come to the Northern Sea with a thread of hope.
The reasons vary, but most meet the same fate.
Whether they freeze to death and are devoured by malevolent creatures, or eaten alive.
If lucky, they might be rescued by the Hunter Village or saved by the Northern Sea Ice Palace’s Palace Master.
In any case, because such things happen, the Branch Manager’s group followed the sound of that crying, just in case.
“We headed there, but the child wasn’t present. And the moment some of the vanguard approached the cliff with vacant expressions, Agok Sungjo revealed himself. The warriors positioned behind then stepped forward to stop them, and combat ensued.”
“Still, it’s fortunate we weren’t devoured by Agok Sungjo.”
“Heaven truly aided us.”
The night deepened further.

Dawn broke.
We gathered our belongings and set out toward the Northern Sea Branch.
As we walked, we realized a problem had emerged.
The Northern Sea Branch should have been visible by now, yet it remained nowhere in sight.
“Are we on the correct path? It shouldn’t take this long.”
“I fear we’ve fallen victim to snow blindness.”
Snow blindness meant losing one’s way due to the snow.
When terrain shifts from snow or wind, even the most skilled hunter can become lost.
And everything around us was rendered white by the snow.
This created optical illusions that robbed us of our sense of direction.
“What should we do?”
“I suggest we rest here for a moment. I’ll determine a way to find the path.”
“Then let’s do that.”
We stopped and rested, drinking water and chewing dried meat.
“It appears we’ve truly lost our way.”
“The Snow Wind will blow soon… I’m concerned.”
“Indeed. We must find the path quickly.”
With me present, we’d likely be safe even if the Snow Wind blew.
My Eun Moo-geom could control the Snow Wind.
But we were growing weary each day, and our provisions were running low.
We needed to return to the Northern Sea Branch urgently.
Hmm, what good method could there be?
As I pondered, one item came to mind.
Ah, that’s right—I had the Hyun Ro-do.
While it couldn’t be used to track moving targets, for finding a path to a fixed location, the Hyun Ro-do was optimal.
I immediately retrieved the Hyun Ro-do.
And I wrote my destination beside it with my finger.
I’d learned that writing the destination didn’t necessarily require a brush.
I simply needed to write the characters in a way the Hyun Ro-do could recognize.
Soon a black map appeared on a crimson cloth, and a golden line stretched forth, showing us the path we needed to take.
The Hyun Ro-do truly is the best!
Noticing my praise, the corner of the Hyun Ro-do fluttered.
If we followed this path, we would safely reach the Northern Sea Branch.
After memorizing the route, I rose and approached the Squad Leader.
He was lost in thought, his expression clouded with worry.
“Squad Leader.”
“Ah, Small Guild Master. What brings you here?”
“Would it be alright if I guided us along the way?”
“What? What do you mean by that?”
“As you know, Squad Leader, I travel to the Northern Sea Ice Palace quite frequently, don’t I? Looking at this terrain, it seems like a place I’m familiar with.”
“Is that truly the case?”
He asked in delighted surprise.
“You really know this terrain?”
“Yes.”
Seo-woo Warrior beside me nodded in agreement.
“I too find this terrain familiar. And as you know, our lord’s sense of direction isn’t particularly keen, is it?”
The Squad Leader nodded with a brightened expression.
“Then I shall ask for your assistance. I’ll have everyone prepare to depart immediately.”
“Thank you for trusting us.”
After our rest concluded, we set out once more.
“This way.”
This time, my group and I took the lead.
As we traveled, I frequently glanced at Hyun Ro-do to confirm we were heading in the right direction and that our path hadn’t changed course.
“Look! There, there!”
“The Northern Sea Branch!”
The group cried out loudly.
Their voices carried relief, joy, and gratitude.
Indeed, Hyun Ro-do was truly remarkable.
After wandering the path for over four hours without even reaching near the Northern Sea Branch, following the route Hyun Ro-do showed us took barely an hour.
Moreover, during our journey, we didn’t catch even a glimpse of the blood-soaked Spirit Creature, so everyone arrived at our destination safely.
“Thank you so much.”
“We owe our lives to you.”
I received everyone’s gratitude.
“I’m fortunate that it was a path I knew.”
Then I approached Heuk Cheol the Hunter and made a proposal.
“Didn’t you say the Snow Wind will blow soon? I understand you have reasons to return to your tribe, but it could be dangerous now, so why don’t you stay at our branch for a while before heading back?”
At my words, he nodded and replied.
“Then, without further hesitation, I shall stay for a time.”
As we entered the branch and were about to rest, the Snow Wind began blowing from the distance.
A wind so fierce that calling it a gale would be an understatement.
Seeing it, everyone shuddered.
“If we’d been even slightly delayed, we would have been caught in that Snow Wind.”
“Ugh! Just thinking about it is terrifying.”
At their words, I laughed silently.
Just then, the Vice Branch Director, having heard of our return, came rushing over.
“Branch Manager!”
“Ah, Vice Branch Director.”
“What on earth happened? What is all that blood on your clothes?”
“It’s a long story. Still, I’m alive because the Small Guild Master rescued me in time. Heh.”
“Oh my, Branch Manager!”
After that, I saw Seo Hyang and Palgap approaching me, and I greeted them with a warm smile.
.
.
.
The commotion had passed.
I was drinking tea inside the Branch Manager’s Office.
Outside, the snow wind was raging fiercely, but inside the Northern Sea Branch, it was cozy and warm.
The branch building, constructed with advice from the Hunter Tribe, had a somewhat different shape from typical Empire structures.
First, the roof was high and steeply pitched.
And the roof was heavily coated with beeswax to ensure waterproofing, all because of the snow.
The steep pitch allowed snow to slide off easily, and the wax prevented water from leaking through the roof as the snow melted.
And in the center of the rectangular courtyard structure, there was an open courtyard designed to accumulate snow.
That snow would be melted and used for daily water and drinking water.
And there were corridors surrounding the rectangular structure, allowing movement to every space in the building without going outside.
The external landscape visible through the narrow windows looked rather desolate, as the snow wind had not yet ceased.
“Once again, I express my gratitude to the Small Guild Master.”
At the Branch Manager’s words, I laughed awkwardly.
“There’s no need to be so formal. I was simply doing my duty.”
“No, I must express my thanks properly.”
He set down his teacup and continued speaking.
“I’ve read the documents you provided. You plan to harvest the ice from the Northern Sea and sell it, correct?”
“That’s right. As you know, it’s not winter now—it’s summer. Everyone is suffering from the heat, and this year it’s been particularly severe.”
“If we can manage the transportation properly, it will certainly be profitable.”
“Since the Eun Hae Trading Company has a Northern Sea Branch like this, shouldn’t we move in a direction that benefits us?”
“That’s true.”
The Branch Manager nodded and continued.
“So after harvesting the ice, you’ll return immediately, Small Guild Master?”
“No.”
I shook my head.
“My party and I must visit the Northern Sea Ice Palace. So I’d like you to gather and prepare the ice for transport in the meantime.”
“Understood. When do you plan to depart for the Northern Sea Ice Palace?”
“We’re scheduled to leave in a day or two.”
There was still work to be done here.

The next day.
I departed the Northern Sea Branch with my entourage.
Heuk Cheol the Hunter and his group, having confirmed that the Snow Wind had ceased, promptly returned to their tribal settlement.
The reason I did not immediately depart for the Northern Sea Ice Palace was due to the remaining Agok Sungjo creatures.
The Agok Sungjo I had dealt with previously had spoken.
There were approximately three of them in this vicinity.
If I did not eliminate those creatures, not only would the Northern Sea Branch be at risk, but those who harvested ice could face danger as well.
Originally, I had intended to go alone.
However.
“We are your Guard Warriors, my lord. How could we abandon your side when we do not know what dangers may arise?”
It was a sound argument, and I had no rebuttal, so I came with the Guard Warriors.
Agok Sungjo creatures typically hide quietly and stalk their prey.
Therefore, I decided to use Hyun Ro-do to locate the Agok Sungjo.
I unfolded Hyun Ro-do and inscribed characters upon it.
[The location of the nearest Agok Sungjo in this vicinity]
Hyun Ro-do immediately drew a golden line, revealing the location of the nearest Agok Sungjo.
I would deal with this one first.
I headed toward the location Hyun Ro-do indicated, arriving at my destination in half an hour.
Then I heard the cry of an Agok Sungjo.
“Uuuaaagh!”
Jin Yu Warrior spoke.
“It appears the creature is nearby, my lord.”
“Just to be safe, please wait here for a moment.”
“Understood.”
I had the Guard Warriors wait briefly, then approached the source of the sound.
“Uuuaaagh!”
The cry sounded again.
Let me see… there it is.
Its fur, similar in color to snow, served as camouflage and made it difficult to spot, but following the damp aura, I caught sight of the creature.
As I drew closer.
Whoosh!
Sharp claws shot toward me with piercing speed!
However, they did not reach me.
Because I had severed its ankle before that moment.
Crunch!
“Kieeeek!”
The Agok Sungjo shrieked in sudden agony, flapping its wings as if attempting to flee.
That would not do!
This time, I pushed off the ground and soared into the air.
Then, applying the eighth form of the Jinseol Twelve-Form Sword Technique, the Single Point Piercing Frost, I pierced through its neck in a single strike.
Thud!
The creature’s body convulsed with a few final wing beats before crashing to the ground, seemingly lifeless.
That’s one down.
Should I collect this one’s feathers?
.
.
.
I had hunted four Agok Sungjo.
They said there were three, but according to what Hyun Ro-do told me, there were four in total.
With this, the Northern Sea Branch should be safe for a while.
And I collected quite a few feathers from the Agok Sungjo as well.
By the time I returned to the Northern Sea Branch, it was nearly evening.
“You’ve worked hard today. Why don’t you wash up and rest a bit before dinner?”
“Understood.”
When I returned to my quarters, Palgap greeted me and spoke.
“I’ve prepared warm bathwater for you.”
“How did you know I’d be arriving now?”
“Gwak Vice-Manager informed us.”
“I see. I should thank her.”
I undressed and sank into the warm water.
“Ahh…”
My entire body felt like it was melting away.
Facing the Agok Sungjo, I felt a sense of duty.
It was a duty regarding the reconstruction of Seolpung Palace.
The Ancestor had asked me to undertake this. I’d received considerable support for it as well.
If Seolpung Palace had remained strong and intact, a creature like the Agok Sungjo would never have dared approach this region.
But with Seolpung Palace gone, the surrounding areas aren’t being properly managed.
I still can’t openly rebuild Seolpung Palace, but I can’t just leave this place as it is either…
I needed to think of some way forward.
.
.
.
After a full day of rest, it was time to head toward the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
“Then, please be careful on your journey.”
“Yes.”
We departed the Northern Sea Branch with everyone’s farewells.
I wondered what the Ice Palace Master would say upon receiving the wedding invitation.
I was genuinely curious.
Now that I think about it, the Palace Master once said she’d give me a gift to commemorate the Lesser Palace Mistress becoming the new Seolpung Palace Master.
Surely she hasn’t forgotten about it?

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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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