The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 701

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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 701

Chapter 701. Northern Sea Territory (1)

She was one of the families of the bandits I had brought with me—a young woman.
I had heard that she had been kidnapped and forced to become a bandit’s wife.
“What is the matter?”
“Oh, it’s terrible! The bandits have attacked!”
At those words, Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, stepped forward and asked.
“Guide us. Where is it?”
“This way.”
Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, spoke to the disciples of the Ice Palace.
“Raise the Ice Palace banner! From this moment, we march to protect the Ice Palace’s business partners. And show them this—our Ice Palace shows no mercy to anything that stands in our way!”
“Yes!”
We rushed toward the farmland I had prepared.
And before we even reached the farmland, we could witness the bandits’ atrocities.
“Hahahaha! Take everything out of the house!”
“Bind them all!”
“What a windfall! Such fresh ones gathered in one place like this!”
Watching those being bound and dragged away, I bit my lip.
They were those who had been kidnapped by bandits, became bandits themselves, and lived like slaves.
And now they were suffering this again!
It grieved me that reality forced them to live miserably simply because they lacked strength.
But this was not the time to grieve.
Thud!
I pushed off the ground and rushed forward, swinging my blade at a bandit who was gripping the hair of a woman being dragged with her robe’s ties undone.
Slash!
“Ahhhhh!”
As he screamed, clutching his severed wrist, his legs were cut off.
Behind him as he fell, I saw Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master.
“Try to keep them alive if possible.”
“Pardon?”
“I entrusted the security of this place to the main palace, so we will handle it according to our methods.”
Now that I looked, the Ice Palace disciples were severing only the bandits’ hands and legs to incapacitate them.
The gap in martial prowess between the Ice Palace disciples and the bandits was overwhelming, and the situation ended in an instant.
Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master, gave an order to her disciples.
“Bury them.”
“Understood.”
They dug into the ground and buried the bandits with only their heads exposed.
With gags stuffed in their mouths, all they could do was moan.
“Do you think it’s cruel?” Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master asked, observing their plight.
I shook my head in response.
“Not at all. This level of punishment is necessary to serve as a proper warning.”
“Exactly. Bandits are particularly vicious creatures, so without measures like this, they won’t heed any warning.”
“But you’re simply leaving them like that?”
She nodded.
“Well, they’ll either starve to death or become carrion for crows. And… this serves as a warning to them as well.”
As she spoke, Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master glanced at those I had brought here to work the farmland.
“When the body finds comfort, the mind follows, and once that happens, people inevitably begin to harbor other thoughts.”
I offered no rebuttal to her words.
I understood well enough how fickle the human heart could be.
The matter of the bandits had been resolved.
In the meantime, the Northern Sea Ice Palace Disciples freed those who had been bound and treated the injured.
Then they gathered everyone in one place.
“Fortunately, there were no deaths.”
“It’s thanks to your timely arrival. We are truly grateful.”
I spoke to those expressing their gratitude.
“It was the people of the Northern Sea Ice Palace who saved you.”
I needed to make this clear while I had the chance.
“And this is the Young Palace Master of the Northern Sea Ice Palace. I have decided to trade all the food produced here with the Northern Sea Ice Palace. In other words, all the crops you produce will go to the Northern Sea Ice Palace.”
I continued.
“Do you understand what that means?”
“….”
While they exchanged glances uncertainly, Bing Haerin, Young Palace Master responded to my words.
“It means you need not worry about security or safety here. No one would dare lay a hand on this place. However…”
She pointed to those moaning as they lay buried alive by the Northern Sea Ice Palace Disciples and spoke.
“If you show disrespect to the Ice Palace, you will meet the same fate as them.”
“….”
Simultaneously, a frigid aura resembling the bitter cold emanated from her, causing everyone present to tremble.
Clap, clap!
I applauded lightly to lighten the atmosphere.
This was meant as a warning, not a threat, after all.
“In any case, all you need to do is work diligently on the farming. Do you understand?”
“Yes!”
“We will do so!”
When I interrogated those who had invaded my farmland, they said they were wandering bandits with no other associates.
They also revealed that there were people being held captive in a nearby cave, intended to be sold into slavery.
We immediately headed there and rescued those who had been kidnapped.
Those who had homes or families to return to, I sent back. Those who said they had nowhere to go, I brought to the farmland I had purchased.
Since the farmland I acquired this time was quite extensive, having more people was nothing but beneficial.
After settling the matter with the bandit gang, I saw off the people from the Northern Sea Ice Palace.
Then I returned and shared an evening meal with Bok Yun’s Spouse and her husband.
“I heard you accomplished great things this time as well.”
“I did nothing. It was the Ice Palace that helped.”
“But if the Eun Small Merchant Leader had not made a contract with the Ice Palace, would they have helped?”
“This is rather embarrassing.”
I laughed awkwardly and scratched the back of my neck.
Bok Sub-leader smiled at me and poured tea.
Knowing that I was not fond of alcohol, he did not press it upon me.
Looking at that, he is truly a good person.
I dislike those who force alcohol on others.
Those who enjoy it should drink together, but I cannot understand why people insist on forcing it on others.
Is it so we can die together while drinking?
“The alcohol ban has been lifted, so you may have a drink if you wish.”
At my words, Bok Sub-leader shook his head.
“No. There will be much drinking ahead, so at times like this, I should soothe my body with tea instead, should I not?”
I chuckled at his response and picked up the teapot to pour tea for him as well.
“Thank you. By the way, I heard you are transporting ice.”
“That’s correct. It is ice brought from the Northern Sea.”
“Then are you planning to sell it in Beijing?”
“No. Since we went through the trouble of bringing it, we should sell it somewhere it will fetch a higher price, should we not?”
“Then you will be heading further south.”
“Yes. I plan to go to Hubei Province and sell it there.”
“Hubei Province? Is that not where the Eun Hae Trading Company Headquarters is located?”
“That’s right.”
I nodded in agreement.
Wuhan in Hubei Province is one of the most famous hot places in the Empire.
Excluding the overall hot Yunnan Region, Lanzhou, Wuhan, and Zhongqing are called the three great furnaces of the Empire.
Such a place naturally has enormous demand for ice.
It is used not only to cool down during hot weather, but also greatly needed to prevent food from spoiling.
Of course, there are ice merchants in Hubei Province as well, but they cannot keep up with the demand.
The ice I bring will likely sell as if it had wings, even at a high price.
Of course, I have no intention of asking an outrageous price, only to make a reasonable profit.
“And since the headquarters is there, no one in the surrounding area will cause needless trouble.”
At my words, Bok Yun’s Spouse looked at me with a peculiar expression.
“Why is that?”
“I was simply curious whether there exists anyone in this Empire who would dare to touch the Eun Hae Trading Company where the Eun Small Merchant Leader is.”
“…”

The next day.
I and the Eun Hae Trading Company entourage departed for Beijing.
First, we would reach Beijing, regroup there, and then set out again.
The quantity of ice I was transporting this time was considerable.
Though I had insulated the boxes to prevent melting during transit, that alone was insufficient.
I had to periodically breathe cold energy into the boxes to keep the ice from thawing.
In truth, with my current abilities, I could have simply frozen water in Hubei Province and sold it without retrieving ice from the Northern Sea.
However, since my publicly known cultivation level remained at the peak realm, I refrained from doing so.
I had business at the Northern Sea anyway, and thanks to Eun Jung-ho’s suggestion, I now had a legitimate reason to make the journey.

From Liaoning to Beijing was almost entirely plains, and those who might have targeted us hid upon seeing the Eun Hae Trading Company banner—perhaps due to our earlier warning—making the journey remarkably smooth.
We arrived at the Beijing Branch in the evening, when stars dotted the night sky.
“Welcome!”
Eun Jung-ho greeted our party warmly.
“Brother, that journey was truly exhausting.”
“You certainly look it. Well done.”
He patted my shoulder reassuringly, then marveled at the carts following behind me.
“You really did bring quite a lot, didn’t you?”
“If I’m going to bring it, I might as well bring plenty. By the way, how much do we need here in Beijing?”
“What? Why do you ask?”
“I’m planning to take as much as possible to Hubei Province to sell.”
Eun Jung-ho asked, his expression one of complete surprise.
“You’re taking ice all the way to Hubei in the fifth and sixth months? Is that even possible?”
“It’s possible, so that’s why I’m taking it to Hubei to sell.”
Eun Jung-ho scratched his cheek as he spoke.
“Then take it all. Selling ice in Beijing doesn’t yield particularly large profits anyway. I only suggested selling here because the journey to the Yangtze region is arduous.”
“Understood. Then I’ll take the entire shipment to Hubei.”
“Very well. You’re working hard.”
“If I’m going to work hard, I might as well maximize my earnings. After all, what kind of merchant backs down when profit is at stake?”
“You’re right about that. And since you have the ability to do it, how could I stop you?”
“I’ll take that as your approval. Then, brother.”
I grinned widely.
“Please look after things while I’m away.”
Eun Jung-ho, understanding what I meant, let out a deep sigh.
“The alcohol ban has just been lifted, and I’m swamped as it is. Well, there’s no helping it.”
“Don’t worry too much. This time, I’m leaving Gwak Vice-Manager here in Beijing.”
That was where my parents were, at the Main Headquarters.
Though I would have preferred to travel with Seo Hyang, taking her along again would leave me unable to manage matters upon my return.
Though it pained me somewhat, Seo Hyang needed to handle Hyunpung affairs to some degree so that I could catch my breath.
I had intended to ask for her understanding, but I was deeply grateful that Seo Hyang offered to remain in Beijing on her own.

The following dawn.
We departed for Hubei Province.
It was still early morning, with stars scattered across the sky.
I was exhausted, having not slept a wink after arriving at the Beijing Branch, washing up, and settling affairs before departing.
But there was no help for it.
If the Emperor heard of my arrival and summoned me, it would be troublesome.
So I made my hasty departure under the pretext that the ice was melting.

* * *

Bzzzz. Bzzzz. Bzzzz.
Summer, when cicadas shrieked relentlessly.
People gathered in small groups, sitting in the shade beneath trees where they had spread out mats, enjoying the breeze from the Jak Pung fans.
“Phew! It’s so hot!”
“This summer seems unusually sweltering, doesn’t it?”
“By the way, wasn’t there supposed to be a birthday celebration for Kang Sirang’s father?”
“I think it was the day after tomorrow?”
“With heat like this, I wonder if the feast preparations will be alright. The food will spoil.”
“Is that what you’re worried about now? More than a few people have collapsed from heat exhaustion.”
Just then, someone came rushing past them, carrying a bowl.
“Isn’t that Young-sik?”
“Young-sik! Where are you going?”
“I’m going to buy ice!”
“Ice?”
“My father collapsed from heat exhaustion! They say cooling the body with ice helps, so I’m going to buy some.”
“I understand, but where would you buy ice?”
“And even if they sold it, it would be terribly expensive.”
The one called Young-sik shook his head.
“No, it’s not.”
“Huh?”
“The Eun Hae Trading Company is selling ice now at reasonable prices. The Physician told me.”
“What? The Eun Hae Trading Company is selling ice?”
“Yes. Well, I should go now. They say you can only buy it if you get in line.”
With that, he dashed away.
Following him were servants of Kang Sirang’s household, pulling carts.
And several people could be seen rushing off with bowls in hand.
Those sitting in the shade beneath the trees rose from their seats.
“I just remembered something urgent I need to do.”
“I forgot I had a promise to keep.”
They each rushed home to gather their money and hurried toward the Eun Hae Trading Company.

* * *

It was the fourth day since I arrived at the Hubei Province Headquarters.
I gazed contentedly at the bustling crowd outside the main gate.
People lined up to purchase the ice I had brought.
Just as I expected, the ice was enjoying phenomenal popularity throughout Hubei Province.
“When you said you were bringing ice to Hubei Province, I wondered if such a thing was even possible, but it truly is.”
“Father, I actually brought snow to Guizhou Province as well.”
“Haha, that’s right, you did.”
Father nodded with a hearty laugh.
“Father, would it be acceptable if I asked you to handle the ice sales from now on?”
“Hmm? Are you already thinking of heading to Beijing?”
I shook my head at Father’s question.
“That’s not it. There’s something I need to attend to for a while.”

Shortly after.
I made my way to the Seo Family Pawnshop.
One of the reasons I came to Hubei Province was to visit Hwangbo Hui, the Ghost Face Broker.
The street blazed under the scorching sun.
The elder sat before a tea table in front of the pawnshop, enjoying the breeze from a fan.
“I hope you have been well, sir.”
“I’m dying from the heat.”
The elder grumbled.
“I don’t want to move an inch, so if it’s something bothersome, just leave.”
“I brought something for you.”
I gestured toward what Palgap was holding.
“What is it?”
“It’s liquor chilled in ice water, but since you told me to leave, I suppose I should go.”
“Haha! You rascal! You’re actually leaving because I told you to?”
At those words, I chuckled and took a seat. Then I held up five fingers and spoke.
“Then, I shall serve you at five copper coins per cup.”
I said I brought it, not that it was free.

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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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