The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 705

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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 705

Chapter 705. Whereabouts (2)

At my question, Master Yeom drew a deep breath and opened his mouth.
“My teacher had an elder brother. So he would be my Uncle Sbaek. I once visited the blacksmith workshop of my teacher and Uncle Sbaek. That was quite a long time ago.”
He continued speaking with an expression of reminiscence.
“At that time, my teacher pestered Uncle Sbaek to show me the ice crystal. It was to broaden my horizons.”
He was a better teacher than I expected.
“That was when I first laid eyes upon an ice crystal. It was a gem that was transparent yet white, possessing a suction force as if it would draw one’s very soul into its depths, while simultaneously radiating a pure power that seemed to purify the spirit. At the same time, I felt an intense cold emanating from it. It was a chill that transcended mere physical coldness.”
So the ice crystal was genuine.
“Despite being no larger than my thumb, its presence remains unforgettable even now.”
That would be about average size.
I listened to his account in silence.
“After that, I saw the ice crystal two more times, and each time the sensation I felt was different. Perhaps it was because my cultivation had advanced.”
I nodded slowly.
“But from what I heard earlier, you said only you remained as a disciple….”
“To be precise, only myself and my sons.”
“Then Uncle Sbaek has also passed away?”
“Yes. It seems to be over twenty years now.”
“Then do you know what became of that ice crystal?”
Master Yeom fell silent for a moment, then wore a troubled expression.
“Well… that is quite the mystery.”
“What do you mean?”
“After hearing of Uncle Sbaek’s passing, I went and conducted his funeral, then organized his belongings… but the ice crystal was gone.”
“The ice crystal disappeared?”
“Yes.”
Master Yeom nodded.
“I made inquiries, but there had been no visits from strangers, nor had Uncle Sbaek gone on any distant journeys. This made it all the more puzzling. Since I could not speak openly of the missing ice crystal, I was nearly ready to abandon the search when someone came to visit me.”
He rose from his seat.
“Please wait a moment.”
He went inside and returned with an envelope in hand.
“The visitor was the Village Chief of that village. He said that if the one organizing the belongings appeared to be searching earnestly for something, the deceased Uncle Sbaek had asked him to deliver it.”
With that, he extended the envelope to me.
“This is that letter.”
I accepted it and asked.
“May I read it?”
“Of course.”
I withdrew the letter from the envelope and unfolded it.

[Do not trouble yourself searching for it. Since it is beyond your capacity to bear, I have returned it to nature.]

What could “returned it to nature” possibly mean?
I tilted my head in confusion and handed the letter back.
The letter contained only that single sentence.
“In my estimation, it is one of two possibilities. Either the ice essence was ground into powder and scattered across the mountain, or it was hidden away somewhere in secret.
Truthfully… I cannot conceive of any other explanation.”
“But where was Master Yeom’s Uncle Sbaek located?”
“He was in the Zhongnan Mountain Foothills of Shaanxi Province. And now my second and third sons operate the blacksmith workshop at that location.”
“Is that so? How many children do you have?”
“Five in total. My eldest and youngest are here, my second and third sons are in Shaanxi Province, and my one daughter married into a nearby family.”
“I see.”
“Uncle Sbaek had established the site, and it seemed wasteful to close the blacksmith workshop, so my teacher would periodically visit to maintain it. After my teacher passed away, my sons took over the responsibility.”
Establishing a site is no trivial matter, after all.
There is the matter of territorial rights, and a blacksmith workshop is not easy to construct.
Even I would have made every effort to maintain such a place.
“Should you ever have need of such services, do visit. Though it may not meet my exacting standards, it is serviceable enough.”
“Understood. If I have occasion to visit the blacksmith workshop while in Shaanxi Province, I shall stop by.”
.
.
.
After concluding my conversation with Yeom Blacksmith Master, I rose from my seat and stepped outside.
“You have emerged?”
“Yes.”
Palgap and Ma Sun-bok Warrior appeared to be engaged in animated conversation.
“What are you two discussing with such enthusiasm?”
“Ah! Did you hear us from inside? My apologies.”
At those words, I waved my hand dismissively.
“Not at all. I simply noticed Palgap’s expression looked delighted.”
Palgap responded to this.
“Nothing of great importance—I was merely explaining methods for maintaining one’s complexion.”
“Maintaining one’s complexion?”
“Do I not attend to your face daily, young master?”
Ah, so that was what he meant.
Palgap insists on applying various treatments to my face, claiming it must not become damaged.
Despite his cynical remarks about this shallow world that judges by appearances alone, the fellow remains attentive to my complexion.
Perhaps it is a form of vicarious satisfaction for him….
Lee Pil Warrior spoke.
“Thanks to you, we’ve learned some useful information. Apparently, if you grind apricot seeds and mix them with rice flour and water to apply on your face, or if you knead mugwort powder into wheat flour, dry it, and use it when bathing, your skin improves.”
Those are exactly the things I’ve been doing every day lately.
“But Palgap, where did you learn all of that?”
“I learned from the maidservants, and also from Ha Young Lady….”
“Ha Young Lady?”
Was Ha Young Lady referring to Ha-hwa Officer from the Information Bureau?
Palgap deftly changed the subject.
“Anyway, so I can return home now, correct?”
“Yes.”
Should I let this slide for now?
I chuckled inwardly and spoke.
“The sword that’s being made—we agreed to retrieve it later at my wedding.”
.
.
.
Finally, the day came to depart from Hubei Province.
This time, people from Changin Escort Agency and construction merchants from Eun Hae Trading Company traveled with us.
They would accompany us to Beijing and then continue on to the Northern Sea.
“Father, please take care of yourself.”
“Yes. Don’t worry.”
Ha Cheol Pyo-du exchanged farewells with Second Sister-in-law, and we set out amid everyone’s send-off.
This time, we chose to travel to Luoyang or Zhengzhou first, then board a boat there and sail northward toward the vicinity of Beijing.
After traveling all day, we found a suitable place to camp for the night.
After completing our night camp preparations and finishing our meal, I was surveying the surroundings when it happened.
“Small Guild Master.”
I turned to see Ma Sun-bok Warrior.
“What is it?”
“Well, that is…. I heard that the person who commissioned my sword that day was Master Yeom.”
He found out faster than I expected.
“It’s too much for me. This sword is sufficient for my needs.”
In his hand was a temporary sword he’d been using.
“Does that sword suit your hand?”
“Ah? Yes. It’s much better than the one I used before.”
Of course it would be.
Even if it was merely a temporary sword, it was forged by Master Yeom.
“I’m glad to hear it.”
“So what I wanted to say is….”
“That the sword is too generous?”
“Yes. That’s right.”
“Don’t think that way. I owe you my life—how could I not do at least that much?”
“I don’t believe what I’ve done was enough to save the Small Guild Master’s life.”
“To offer help and then speak like that—it’s a form of deception toward the other person.”
“I… I had no such intention.”
“That’s enough. Giving you that sword is simply my wish, so I’d appreciate it if you wouldn’t burden yourself with it any further.”
I spoke with finality.
“If you asked Gu Pyo Row Leader, he would probably just tell you to accept it with gratitude.”
“….”
“Is our business concluded?”
“Ah, yes.”
He still seemed reluctant, but it was clear he had no intention of arguing further.
“Then you should go. It seems Ma Warrior is calling for you over there.”
“I apologize for the intrusion.”
He hurried toward the warrior calling him, and I let out a quiet laugh.
Ma Sun-bok Warrior likely thinks the debt of life I mentioned concerns only what happened at the Northern Sea, but that’s not the whole truth.
In my previous life, I owed him my life more than once.
And I’m the sort of person who can’t rest easy until I’ve repaid my debts.

Our journey continued, and we reached the foothills of Songshan Mountain.
If we went west from here, we’d enter Shaanxi Province.
As I gazed westward, lost in thought, Palgap asked.
“Is something troubling you?”
“I’m considering whether to stop by Shaanxi Province on the way.”
“Shaanxi Province?”
Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior’s gazes turned toward me. It made sense—Shaanxi Province was home to both the Huashan Sect and the Jongnam Sect, the sects these two warriors had belonged to.
Yeo Eung-am Warrior asked.
“Is there something important you need to do there?”
“Nothing particularly urgent, but I should visit. The problem is, if I continue to Beijing as planned, I’m not sure when I’ll get another chance.”
Seo-woo Warrior nodded.
“That’s true. With how busy you are, it’s hard to say when you’d find the time.”
Lee Pil Warrior also nodded in agreement.
“In that case, it might not be a bad idea to make the detour now.”
“That’s what I was thinking as well.”
Seo-woo Warrior spoke.
“Once you return to Beijing, you’ll have accumulated work to attend to, and you’ll need to visit the Shandong Ak Clan. In a few months, you’ll have to go to Hubei again for the wedding.”
“…I see.”
“After that, there’s no guarantee you’ll have time either.”
“That’s certainly true.”
“You look rather sad about it.”
Palgap ventured to ask.
“Is it the wedding with Gwak Vice-Manager that’s making you melancholy?”
“Chirp?”
At my words, Geum Ryung-i emerged from my sleeve and delivered a body slam toward Palgap.
“Chirp!”
“Oof!”
That’s Geum Ryung-i for you. She understands my heart so well.
Palgap clutched his belly and rolled about. The fact that he remained conscious after taking Geum Ryung-i’s body slam spoke volumes of his resilience.
“Ow, I think I’m done for.”
“Stop whining and get up.”
“I really think I might die, sir.”
“You crossed the line with what you said, so Geum Ryung-i did what she did.”
I chuckled softly as I spoke.
“Geum Ryung-i is quite fond of Gwak Vice-Manager, you see.”

Having decided to stop by Shaanxi Province, I spoke to Myeong-jong Warrior and Chang-un Warrior.
“I intend to make a brief trip to Zhongnan Mountain. So, if you find it inconvenient to accompany me there, you’re welcome to proceed to Beijing with the rest of the group first.”
They shook their heads at my words.
“No, sir. It’s fine.”
“We will follow our lord.”
“Are you truly certain?”
At my question, they nodded firmly.
“Several years have already passed. There’s no problem whatsoever.”
“We are now merely your Guard Warriors. Where else would your Guard Warriors go but at your side?”
“I appreciate you saying so. Very well, I understand. I’ll proceed with that understanding.”
After confirming the two warriors’ intentions, I turned toward Ha Cheol Pyo-du.
Ha Cheol Pyo-du nodded readily.
“Well, Shaanxi Province is just a bit further ahead from here.”
“So I’ll handle matters there and catch up with you shortly.”
“We intend to travel by boat, but….”
“Have you forgotten that we possess Ju Gang Ma?”
“Ah, that’s right.”
“So if we ride at full speed, we should arrive in Beijing around the same time.”
After obtaining the group’s consent, I rode westward at dawn.
“Since your destination is the Zhongnan Mountain Foothills, I shall guide you there.”
Chang-un Warrior spoke with confidence.
“Are you well-acquainted with the area around Zhongnan Mountain?”
“Of course. One cannot claim to be a Jongnam Sect Disciple without knowing Zhongnan Mountain like the back of one’s hand.”
Indeed, whether for training or missions, he must have traversed every corner of Zhongnan Mountain.
“Then, do you perhaps know of a blacksmith workshop operated by someone of the Yeom surname in the Zhongnan Mountain Foothills?”
Master Yeom had given me a rough location, but I asked just to be certain.
He pondered for a moment before speaking.
“I cannot say with certainty, but I have a suspicion about where it might be. On the eastern side of Zhongnan Mountain, there was someone who handled metal with extraordinary skill. Though his temperament was rather crude, his craftsmanship was truly exceptional—I recall my Senior Brothers making considerable efforts to obtain a sword forged by his hands.”
Then that must be the place Yeom Blacksmith Master mentioned.
“I would appreciate your guidance to that location.”
“Understood.”
We set out toward Zhongnan Mountain under Chang-un Warrior’s guidance.
Thanks to Ju Gang Ma, we arrived at the Jongnam Mountain Foothills before long.
Zhongnan Mountain was so vast that it could be said to mark the boundary dividing the Empire’s north from its south.
“I once had a disciple who became lost on Zhongnan Mountain and took ten days to find.”
“That’s quite understandable.”
“If I recall correctly, that blacksmith workshop was located in a rather substantial village.”
The place we arrived at under Chang-un Warrior’s guidance was indeed sizable.
At this scale, disciples of the Jongnam Sect must be stationed here to protect the village.
The Imperial Authority’s influence could scarcely reach this far into the mountain foothills.
Your Majesty, you must strengthen your resolve further.
With such thoughts occupying my mind, I made inquiries about the blacksmith workshop and soon discovered its location.
But then—
“Fire! Fire!”
“Someone help us! My son is inside!”
A building beside the blacksmith workshop was engulfed in roaring flames, and before it, a woman knelt weeping.
“What has happened?”
“My son is in there….”
There was no time to hesitate.
“Master!”
“Mobilize the people and extinguish the fire at once.”
I drew upon my inner energy.
The yin essence of the Taiyin Ice-Sea Divine Art possessed the power to suppress flames.
Had I not possessed something to rely upon, I could never have risked such danger.
I entered the burning building, but the child was nowhere to be seen.
Where could he be?
Then I heard Geum Ryung-i’s telepathic transmission.
– Squeak!
There it is!
It was then that I suddenly felt a tremor emanating from the floor beneath me.

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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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