The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 700

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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 700

Chapter 700. The Ice Palace Wedding (5)

At that moment.
The Bing Palace Master gazed at the bridal chamber and let out a soft chuckle.
“This is the second time I’ve seen this bridal chamber.”
The first was during his old friend’s and the previous Seolpung Palace Master’s wedding at the Ice Palace.
And now.
The fact that the current Seolpung Palace Master, Gwak Myung-hyun, had not been able to hold his own Ice Palace wedding still weighed heavily on his heart.

“Please look after my wayward son well.”
“Why are you saying such things all of a sudden? You sound like someone who’s already received their death sentence.”
“I suppose so.”
“Is there truly some misfortune looming?”
“I’m not certain yet. I’ll tell you once things become clear.”

That had been my last conversation with him.
‘Whatever you may think of your son, from what I can see, he is nothing short of exceptional as a Seolpung Palace Master. You’ve chosen a truly outstanding successor.’
As I was contemplating this, Young Palace Master Bing Haerin approached.
“Palace Master. I have ordered the rotation of the sentries and confirmed it myself.”
“Well done. By the way, that was quite impressive.”
“Pardon?”
“Presenting a wedding gift of only ten gold coins to Young Palace Master Eun Seo-ho.”
“Ah….”
Bing Haerin smiled with amusement.
“I learned it from Young Palace Master Eun. Even a small sum becomes substantial when imbued with meaning.”
In truth, ten gold coins was not an insignificant amount.
However, for a Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace, it was rather modest.
She had employed the method learned from Eun Seo-ho to maximize efficiency with a modest gift.
She continued with a wink.
“But this must remain a secret.”

* * *

The next morning, I opened my eyes.
My mood felt remarkably refreshed.
Seo Hyang sat beside me.
“Did you sleep well?”
“Oh! You woke up early. For some reason, whenever I come to the Ice Palace, I feel like I become lazy.”
“Don’t think of it that way. It’s simply that my eyes happened to open particularly early.”
I rose from the bed and dressed myself. Then we took turns standing as Dharma Protectors while completing our morning cultivation.
“In truth, I never expected the wedding ceremony to be held so soon.”
“Could it be… that I was presumptuous?”
At my worried words, she gently shook her head.
“No. I meant it was wonderful. Last night was lovely.”
Her cheeks flushed a rosy pink as she spoke.
It was the first time I’d ever sensed the plum blossom fragrance that always emanated from her so intensely that it made my head spin.
“But Geumryeong isn’t upset, is she?”
I had asked her to leave for a while last night.
I chuckled softly and spoke.
“It’s fine. I negotiated with her separately.”
“Negotiated?”
“Yes. I promised her a gold coin in exchange for stepping away for a bit, and she was so pleased that she left happily.”
Judging by how she wagged her tail as she departed, she was clearly in good spirits.
She would never wag her tail if she weren’t happy.
“Then where might she be now?”
“Who knows? Still, when it’s time to return, she’ll come back on her own.”
That was when it happened.
Crunch, crunch, crunch.
What was that sound?
Looking toward the noise, I saw a hole being carved into the ice-built annex where we were staying.
And through that hole, Geumryeong squeezed herself inside.
“Squeak!”
“So it was you? But still, how can you just drill holes in the walls?”
“Squeak, squeak!”
There were no windows, so she had no choice.
And besides, since it’s made of ice anyway, she could just patch it up roughly with ice, couldn’t she?
She had a point.
Geumryeong held out something she’d wrapped with her tail and brought to me.
“Squeak!”
“Hmm? A gift, you say?”
I tilted my head curiously and accepted it.
Wait… could this be White Pearl Grass?
Its leaves were white, and it bore fruits resembling white pearls—a spiritual herb of the Northern Sea.
Even the fruit is hanging on it?
This White Jade Herb is so rare that merely calling its name has value, and it’s because of this herb’s special properties.
That is….
“Squeak! Squeak!”
The fruit is good for men and the leaves are good for women?
Don’t even think about selling it just because it’s expensive—eat it with me and Seo Hyang.
I gently stroked Geumryeong’s head.
“Yes, I understand.”
Such a thoughtful gift, and so clever too.
“Shall we head out then?”
“Yes.”
I pushed open the door we had entered through.
Hmm, as expected, the door is frozen shut.
I was beginning to understand why this chamber was called disposable.
I drew my sword and sliced along the door’s edge, then pushed it open.
Crack! Boom!
The door opened—or rather, fell down below.
I leaped down with Seo Hyang still in my arms.
Thud!
My guards were waiting for us below.
“Did you rest well, sir?”
“Yes.”
“And so, young master, was last night enjoyable?”
At Palgap’s question, I grinned and replied.
“Curious? You’ll find out when you marry Ha-hwa.”
“W-w-what, wh-what are you s-saying!”
At his flustered reaction, we all laughed.
Teasing Palgap really is the most entertaining thing.
The Ice Palace’s banquet was still ongoing.
They really do have impressive stamina.
Since the banquet was said to continue through today, I would depart tomorrow.
But before that, there was something I needed to do.

Instead of attending the banquet, I made my way to the Palace Master’s quarters.
The door opened, and I stepped inside. The Palace Master lay reclined with a languid expression, as always.
“Where is the bride? Are you alone?”
“I came because there was something I wished to discuss with you.”
“What is it?”
“I was curious about the gift you promised to give me when I became the Young Palace Master, and also about the wedding gift.”
The Palace Master chuckled softly and asked.
“Are you worried I might have forgotten?”
“That’s not it.”
“Actually, I did forget.”
“Pardon?”
At my flustered reaction, the Palace Master’s expression turned playful.
“I’m only joking.”
The Palace Master soon became serious and spoke.
“As for the wedding gift, that ceremonial robe is the key to it… but judging by your expression, you haven’t yet discovered what silk that robe was made from.”
“That’s true, actually.”
“Follow me.”
The Palace Master rose and led me outside, and I followed in their wake.
We arrived at a place that was…
“Is this… a farm, perhaps?”
Indeed it was, for vibrant plants grew in neat rows.
“This is the secret of that robe.”
The Palace Master plucked a leaf from one of the plants and sliced it horizontally.
Swish.
As my hand passed through, the slightly thick leaf was severed cleanly, and a crimson sap flowed forth.
“When you dye fabric with this, it becomes silk the same color as the ceremonial robe you wore.”
“Can this luminescence be replicated as well?”
The Palace Master nodded at my question.
“Would I go to such lengths to cultivate these if they produced ordinary red dye?”
“That’s a fair point.”
I nodded and continued speaking.
“Why are you showing me these plants?”
“I wish to trade these. And I shall gift you thirty percent of the profits.”
“Is that the wedding gift?”
“Indeed it is.”
I gazed at the plants spread before me and asked.
“What is the name of this plant?”
“I’ve named it Nok-ik Herb.”
“Does that mean it’s a plant that doesn’t exist elsewhere in the world?”
“It’s a mutant that emerged among other spirit herbs. When its sap stained clothing, I discovered its color-fixing properties and realized it could serve as a dye.”
But why didn’t I know about this in my previous life?
There’s no way I wouldn’t have known about a plant that could produce such brilliant, beautiful colors without needing silver dust.
Could it be…?
“Is this edible as well?”
“Of course. It’s quite delicious.”
I began to understand why this plant had remained unknown in my previous life.
When the Sura Blood Sect’s machinations caused a food shortage at the Northern Sea Ice Palace, they must have consumed all of these plants.
What use would a dye be when facing starvation?
But this time, because I intervened and resolved the Northern Sea Ice Palace’s food crisis, these plants had survived.
“With a dye like this, we could generate substantial profits. Granting me trading rights alone would be more than sufficient, so why are you gifting me thirty percent of the revenue?”
Even accounting for a wedding gift, this seemed excessive.
“There are several reasons. First, these plants survived because of you. Had you not helped us, we would have consumed every last one.”
My suspicions were correct.
“Second, I’ve never encountered a merchant as exceptional as you.”
“Pardon?”
“You understand well enough what I mean by that.”
Honestly, it’s quite overwhelming.
“You’ll spare no effort to maximize the value of that thirty percent, which means our gains will grow as well.”
After all, thirty percent of ten is vastly different from thirty percent of a hundred.
You understand me far too well.
“The third reason is… the most important one.”
She looked at me.
“This Palace does not conduct business with rats or rutting beasts.”
Ah…
I bowed my head respectfully.
“A reasonable explanation.”
I cupped my fist and lowered my head in gratitude.
“I shall ensure you never regret entrusting this venture to me.”
“I believe you.”
“Then I have one more question, if I may. It may be somewhat sensitive.”
“Go ahead.”
“It seems you’re selling this Nok-ik Herb dye because you need funds. Honestly, with spiritual medicine lying about everywhere, is there a particular reason you’re generating capital through the dye trade?”
“Converting spiritual medicine into liquid assets isn’t particularly easy.”
“I see…”
“The Palace’s recent food shortage reminded me of something important. Money is always better in abundance, and since we never know what might happen, we must accumulate cash reserves.”
I chuckled softly.
“Wise words indeed. Then what is my gift upon becoming Young Palace Master?”
“A wish token. As long as it doesn’t pose a grave threat to this Palace or involve anything improper, I’ll grant you one wish.”
“Pardon?”
“Does it displease you? Should I give you money instead?”
“No, that’s not it!”
I quickly waved my hand.
Depending on how one uses this, it could become a gift more precious than gold itself.
It might even save my life someday.
“I will treasure it and use it wisely.”

That afternoon.
I discussed the sale of Green Benefit Herb with those responsible for the Ice Palace’s business and finances.
Of course, the Northern Sea Branch would be the ones actually carrying out this venture.
I couldn’t remain here indefinitely, and this project would require considerable effort from the Northern Sea Branch personnel.
Apparently, cold weather was necessary to achieve the proper coloring with Green Benefit Herb.
Without it, not only would the vibrant crimson hue—gleaming like silver dust—fail to appear, but in the worst case, the dye might not set properly at all.
The Northern Sea Branch would have their hands full with this.
I wondered what the Branch Manager would think about the Northern Sea Branch becoming so busy.
.
.
.
The next day.
Now came the day for our party to return to the Northern Sea Branch.
Young Palace Master Bing Haerin and roughly a hundred of her disciples prepared to travel with us.
Some of them were there to discuss the Green Benefit Herb dye business in detail at the Northern Sea Branch.
The rest were to inspect the land I had arranged in Liaoning.
The Palace Master certainly does things thoroughly.
“Then, I look forward to seeing you again next time.”
“Thank you for your generosity. Please take care of yourself.”
With those respectful parting words, my party and I departed the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
The Ice Palace disciples followed behind us.

A few days later.
We arrived at the Northern Sea Branch.
“Welcome!”
The Branch Manager and the Eun Pung-dae Squad Leader, along with the others at the Northern Sea Branch, greeted us warmly.
It turned out that Heuk Cheol the Hunter was also at the Northern Sea Branch, and he came to greet me alongside the Branch Manager.
“I’ve come here to assist with the harvesting of ice.”
“That’s most appreciated.”
“It’s my honor to aid the Eun Hae Trading Company. How could I shirk such a duty?”
After exchanging these pleasantries, the Branch Manager looked at those who had followed behind us and spoke.
“Aren’t you the Young Palace Master Bing Haerin of the Ice Palace?”
“Gasp!”
At those words, Heuk Cheol the Hunter quickly prostrated himself flat on the ground, his forehead touching the earth.
“This humble servant pays respects to the successor of the Ice Palace’s supreme authority!”
The Branch Manager, who had been offering a respectful salute, wore a bewildered expression at such an intense reaction.
Young Palace Master Bing Haerin spoke.
“Please, rise.”
“I am grateful for your permission to stand in the presence of the Young Mistress.”
In truth, that reaction was the typical response in this region.
In this area, the Ice Palace was an object of fear.
The reason the people of the Northern Sea Branch seemed bewildered was likely because they hadn’t yet grasped the reality of her presence.
“Please, come inside.”
“Thank you.”

We didn’t stay long at the Northern Sea Branch.
We had already spent several days at the Ice Palace.
The main purpose of this journey to the Northern Sea was to obtain ice, and we needed to depart quickly to sell it for maximum profit.
Nothing is as dependent on the weather as ice.
Thus, I entrusted the detailed discussions regarding the Nok-ik dye to the Branch Manager, and we set out immediately with the ice.

The journey to Liaoning with the disciples of the Northern Sea Ice Palace was swift and unobstructed.
Upon arriving in Liaoning, we made our way to the Gwangjun Trading Company.
With their assistance, we could proceed smoothly to Beijing.
“Welcome!”
The Merchant Guild Leader and Bok Yun Sub-leader of the Gwangjun Trading Company came out to the main gate to greet Young Palace Master Bing Haerin and the disciples of the Northern Sea Ice Palace with utmost courtesy.
“But, what brings you all here?”
I explained in their stead.
“The reason I’ve escorted the Young Palace Master here is because of the farmland I purchased.”
“…?”
“I’ve arranged to trade all the produce from that farmland with the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
“Ah… is that truly the case?”
“Yes. Therefore, we’ve agreed that they will conduct irregular patrols around that land.”
“That is most welcome news indeed.”
If the Northern Sea Ice Palace conducted even irregular patrols in this region, security would improve, and the Gwangjun Trading Company would benefit from the spillover advantages as well.
As we exchanged words in this pleasant atmosphere, someone came rushing toward us in haste.
What? The Merchant?

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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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