The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 709

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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 709

Chapter 709. The Shandong Ak Clan (1)

My future upon returning to Beijing was already determined.
I would become nothing more than a stake driven into my office.
“Small Guild Master, there are more documents here.”
“These are more urgent.”
How many days had it been since I returned to Beijing?
One day, two days, three days, four days, five days… or was it not? It felt like about four days?
I asked Seo Hyang.
“How many days has it been since I returned to Beijing?”
“Four days, sir.”
My intuition had been correct.
“Yet in those four days, you’ve slept only five hours. Wouldn’t it be better to get some proper rest?”
Seo Hyang urged me to rest with a worried expression, but I could only shake my head.
“I wish I could, but these documents won’t let me sleep.”
Then Yeon Ju-hyuk spoke.
“Still, you should retire to your quarters and get some rest today.”
And he whispered in a low voice.
“I heard earlier that Palgap seemed to be deliberating whether to send a letter to Gwak Pyo-du.”
“Ugh!”
I flinched involuntarily.
The memory of my Master knocking me unconscious with his fist and forcing me to sleep was still vivid.
I’d rather push myself harder for another day or two than face that again.
“I should leave early today and get some sleep.”
“That’s a wise decision.”
Seo Hyang spoke with relief.
“Soon you’ll need to visit Shandong as well, and if you keep this up, it will be far too exhausting.”
Ah… that’s right, I need to go to the Shandong Ak Clan regarding the matter of inviting an instructor for the Martial Hall.
Of course, Beijing to Shandong wasn’t particularly far.
Though I had to cross through fortresses, it was close compared to the journeys I’d made to Yunnan and the Northern Sea multiple times.
However, visiting another of the Three Great Families required careful consideration in many ways.
Last time, I had brought the Emperor’s personal letter, and it would be good to do so again this time.
After all, they were one of the three great Martial Arts warlord families.
About ten days later.
I finally managed to handle all the accumulated work.
Of course, new tasks were still coming in, but it now meant I could afford to be away from the office to some degree.
I summoned Lee Pil Warrior and asked him to deliver a letter to Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster.

That night.
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster arrived at the Beijing Branch.
“It’s been a while.”
“I hope you’ve been well. I apologize for not visiting more frequently.”
“Not at all. I know better than anyone how busy you are.”
Jin-yeong Great Swordmaster continued.
“I received word that the Eun Hae Trading Company and Changin Escort Agency have headed toward the Northern Sea. It seems you’re starting a new venture.”
As expected, he was already aware.
A few days ago, the people from Changin Escort Agency and Construction Merchant from the Eun Hae Trading Company departed for the Northern Sea.
Since most materials would be procured in Liaoning, I sent a letter requesting cooperation from Bok Yun Sub-leader.
I spoke with a slight smile.
“That’s correct. I intend to begin an ice business and a new silk venture.”
“I understand the ice business, but a new silk venture?”
I chuckled.
“For a merchant, a new business venture is as precious as life itself.”
“Ah, I see. Forgive my rudeness.”
“Thank you for your understanding. But you’ll see soon enough. The Imperial Palace will be the first place to receive it.”
“I look forward to it. Then let us go at once. His Majesty awaits.”

Shortly after.
I bowed before the Emperor with the utmost propriety.
“Raise your head and stand.”
“I am overwhelmed by Your Majesty’s grace.”
“Tsk, tsk.”
Yet the Emperor clicked his tongue the moment he saw my face.
Why would he do that?
“How much overwork have you endured to look so worn? Is this how a groom should appear on the eve of his wedding?”
“Ah, I apologize.”
“Why apologize to me? You should apologize to your bride.”
Ah… now that I think about it, that’s true.
“From Beijing to the Northern Sea, from the Northern Sea to Beijing, from Beijing to Hubei, from Hubei to Shaanxi, from Shaanxi back to Beijing… you’ve been moving about quite frantically.”
As expected, His Majesty has been tracking my every movement.
Well, I wasn’t exactly moving in secret anyway.
“The affairs of the merchant guild have kept me occupied, and I had no choice.”
“That is a form of ability, so I harbor no resentment.”
The Emperor continued.
“So, what brings you to see me this time?”
“I must travel to the Shandong Ak Clan regarding the recruitment of an instructor for the Martial Hall. I humbly request that Your Majesty grant me an official decree.”
“That shouldn’t be too difficult. I understand.”
“Your Majesty’s benevolence knows no bounds.”
“However, spend the next four days recuperating and moving about carefully. If you arrive looking like that, what will the Shandong Ak Clan think? Won’t they assume I’m an Emperor who squeezes his own officials?”
…Wasn’t that exactly what you were?
“The Shandong Ak Clan is an important family. So conduct yourself with proper decorum.”
“Yes. I shall do so.”
I bowed deeply.
The fact that the Emperor was taking such care suggested the Shandong Ak Clan possessed considerable talent.
Was that it?
The Emperor was sitting before the Shandong Ak Clan like a cat dangling fish, speaking to them.
‘Becoming a servant of the Imperial Palace would be wonderful, so come quickly. Doesn’t this look delicious? Here! Don’t worry, I won’t let you eat it.’
Ah… I’d inadvertently imagined such a scene.
“What is the matter?”
“My apologies. I seem to be rather fatigued.”
“Tsk tsk, you may withdraw now.”
The Emperor issued the dismissal, and I hastily departed.
I wonder if Seon-il Elder Brother and his wife arrived safely and are in good health.

Upon returning to the Beijing Branch, I headed straight to my quarters.
“Welcome back, sir.”
“Yes. Today was exhausting.”
Just as I was about to collapse onto the bed, Palgap stretched out his arm to stop me.
“It would be better to wash and change into fresh clothes before resting, sir.”
“…You’re right, I should.”
With Palgap’s assistance, I changed clothes and retired to bed, falling asleep almost immediately.
.
.
.
The next day.
I woke early, performed my breathing exercises and training, then had breakfast.
As I was sipping tea and contemplating the day’s tasks, I sensed someone approaching hurriedly.
An Eun Pung-dae Warrior. What could this be about?
Shortly after, Palgap rushed in urgently.
“Young Master! You should come out at once!”
“Hmm? Why?”
“Someone has arrived from the Imperial Palace!”
Has he already sent someone? That was quick.
I quickly tidied my appearance and went out. The Eunuch Official was waiting in the guest reception room, I was told.
That meant this was not a public matter.
I entered the guest reception room immediately.
And I could tell that the Eunuch Official who visited was not merely an Eunuch Official, but a member of the Dongchang.
“So-sang greets you, Nae-jae.”
“A pleasure. I come bearing the Emperor’s command.”
“Please, be seated.”
I offered him a seat, and Palgap entered with refreshments.
“First, this is a gift from His Majesty the Emperor.”
I received it respectfully with both hands.
Upon unrolling the scroll, I found it was the letter of passage I had requested to take to the Shandong Ak Clan.
“And please accept this as well.”
He presented a box that had been resting on the table.
“What is this?”
“A tonic prescribed by His Majesty the Emperor.”
A tonic? A… tonic?
“He also conveyed that you should nourish your body and remain active.”
So His Majesty’s words about nurturing my health and staying in motion were no mere pleasantry.
I accepted the box respectfully and spoke.
“Please convey my gratitude to His Majesty for his benevolence.”

I escorted the Eunuch Official out and took possession of the box containing the tonic.
Sigh…
Upon seeing the tonic, I felt a slight unease creep over me.
Typically, even when one intends to work an ox, one feeds it well first before putting it to labor.
Just how much labor does he intend to extract from me…?
This is rather troublesome.
Ordinarily, tonics are consumed to enhance yang qi. However, such tonics would be of little benefit to me.
My constitution is peculiar in this regard, so how am I to handle this…?
With a sigh, I opened the box.
Inside the box, alongside the tonic, lay a single sheet of crimson paper.
What is this?
An instruction guide for the tonic, perhaps?

[His Majesty explained your circumstances. Since you practice martial arts of yin qi, we judged that even for a man, medicinal ingredients that supplement yang qi would be inadvisable. Therefore, the tonic has been formulated with ingredients that replenish yin qi and benefit your body. Rest assured and consume it without worry. Precautions to observe upon consumption are as follows…]

“….”
A sudden chill ran down my spine, and cold sweat beaded on my forehead. Why was that?
The Emperor truly is a fearsome figure.
Well then, I shouldn’t waste words—I’d best eat diligently.
As I emerged with the medicinal tonic, Palgap asked me.
“What is that, sir?”
“Ah, a restorative tonic. The Emperor bestowed it upon me.”
“In all my years, to witness a restorative tonic granted by the Emperor himself! What glory for our family!”
At Eun Jung-ho’s words, his wife nodded in agreement.
“Indeed.”
Meanwhile, Palgap’s pupils trembled violently.
“H-how exactly should it be prepared, sir? They said that if even a single medicinal ingredient is dropped while brewing it, something terrible will happen.”
It’s not quite that dire.
Still, this tonic is certainly made from genuinely precious medicinal materials.
I can tell from how Geum Ryung-i has been eyeing it this whole time.
Then Seo Hyang spoke up.
“Then I shall prepare it for you.”
“Pardon? Are you speaking, Gwak Vice-Manager?”
“A tonic bestowed by the Emperor should not be prepared by servants, but rather by the lady of the house or family members directly.”
That’s right, she did say that before. That’s why she learned the art of brewing medicine from Mother.
And indeed, she brewed medicinal tonics quite skillfully.
My elder brother nodded, affirming her words.
“That would be best. In a few months’ time, you two will be wed anyway, so there’s no issue with Gwak Vice-Manager preparing it from now on.”
“That’s true enough.”
I handed over the tonic box.
“Then I entrust this to you.”
Thus, following the Emperor’s command, I diligently consumed the restorative tonic for four days, slept abundantly, and devoted myself to nourishing my body.
“Your complexion has finally taken on a healthier appearance, sir.”
“Has it?”
Upon hearing Palgap’s words, I examined my face in the mirror.
Hmm, this looks acceptable.
Thanks to the Emperor’s grace, my face now gleamed with vitality.
The tonic was undoubtedly of exceptional quality.
Not only has my body grown healthier, but my inner energy has also increased slightly.
Now then, it’s time to prepare for departure.
“Palgap, we depart for the Shandong Ak Clan tomorrow. Make the necessary preparations.”
“Understood, sir.”

The next morning.
I set out for Shandong with the farewells of those around me.
Seo Hyang remained in Beijing.
With the wedding drawing near, my Elder Brother’s Wife insisted there was much to prepare, so she persuaded Seo Hyang to stay.
Besides, Seo Hyang needed to remain in Beijing to handle my duties in my absence.

The journey to Shandong proved far more comfortable than other routes.
The Guan Road was exceptionally well-maintained.
Yet the Empire’s vastness meant we occasionally encountered unforeseen obstacles.
“We cannot pass through here at present.”
“A landslide occurred from the torrential rains several days ago. Restoration work is underway, but it will take several more days.”
“You must either wait or take the alternate route if you are in haste.”
At those words, Seo-woo Warrior asked.
“What shall we do?”
“We must turn back.”
Rather than wait for days, it was better to choose the longer route and keep moving.
I should have sought Hyun Ro-do’s assistance from the start of our journey.
Grumbling inwardly thus, I retrieved Hyun Ro-do.
I resolved to rely on Hyun Ro-do’s guidance from this point forward.
I wrote our destination beside Hyun Ro-do, and he promptly revealed the path to me.
“I shall lead the way this time.”
“Yes. We shall follow.”
Thus we rode our horses along the path Hyun Ro-do indicated.
Had we proceeded through Changzhou as originally planned, the road would have been level, but taking this detour meant we had to cross Taehyung Mountain.
Taehyung Mountain was so treacherous that a hero from centuries past composed a poem called “Lament of the High” about it.
Yet Hyun Ro-do’s choice to lead us this way surely had good reason.
Before long, darkness fell.
“It appears we must camp here for the night.”
“I see. I entrust this to you.”
“Yes.”
Palgap and the Guard Warriors moved about busily, and soon a campfire blazed before me.
“Then I shall warm dumplings for our meal.”
“Very well.”
Palgap raked the burning embers to the side and spread leaves atop them.
When he placed the dumplings on the leaves, they warmed gently.
“Wait!”
“What is it, sir?”
“Heat the dumplings later.”
I rose from my seat.
“We have uninvited guests arriving.”
The Guard Warriors, understanding my intent, drew their blades. And Palgap quickly concealed himself.
Palgap’s presence vanished in an instant.
Why had Hyun Ro-do guided us to this place?
We watched the area where killing intent emanated, tense and alert, when a group of figures emerged from the shadows.
Their eyes appraised our worth like merchants evaluating goods.
Their purpose was unmistakable.
“Who are you?”
One of them answered my question.
“Well, well, a big catch after all this time.”
“Hehehehe, I thought business might pick up thanks to the landslide, but I’ve been disappointed—all of them worthless. Until now, that is.”
We drew our blades in response.
“Oho? You know how to handle a sword?”
“I’m warning you—you’d better sheathe that blade. Our elder brother is a master of Hwagyeong!”
I wondered what confidence they possessed to threaten us like this—
But wait. A master of Hwagyeong?
If that’s true, we’re in real trouble. Damn it.
“Elder brother! We need your help!”
At those words, a bloodied man stepped into view.
“Hehehehe, very well. Today I shall give you all a rare spectacle!”
But the moment I saw that man, I froze in shock.
What? Hwagyeong? Hwagyeong?
Are you joking right now?

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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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