The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 71

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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 Eunhae Trading Company – Chapter 71

Chapter 71. Becoming a Small Merchant Guild Leader (2)

To be precise, the Guard Warriors I initially selected were not truly my own choice.
I had asked the External Chief Manager to choose them for me.
But in the end, they betrayed me.
No, not betrayal exactly.
Since they never served me as their lord from the beginning, it wasn’t truly a betrayal.
They were plants from a rival merchant guild, and because of them, my business ventures suffered losses.
Though I recovered quickly, when I investigated the reason, I discovered my Guard Warriors were rats.
The External Chief Manager, learning of this belatedly, felt terribly apologetic toward me.
This time, such a thing would not happen.
I soon arrived at the Training Ground.
The reason I came here was because I had my eye on certain warriors.
They were Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior, who had accompanied me to Sichuan.
Their coordination was quite good, their skills were solid, and their situational awareness was excellent.
And judging from the future I had experienced, they caused no particular incidents.
Most importantly, they kept their mouths shut.
When I had sown discord between Young-po Chief, who was a rat of the Dan Clan Merchant Guild in Sichuan, and the Dan Merchant Guild Master, I had pocketed a gold ingot—and I still had it.
Despite knowing about it, they had not breathed a word to anyone.
That alone was already a passing grade.
The work I would have to do going forward required maintaining absolute secrecy.
Now was the training time for the group that Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior belonged to, and another group.
I had learned this through Palgap when I met with the External Chief Manager earlier.
On the platform stood Yun Chung-jin Deputy Commander, training the warriors.
“I think you’ve all grown slack because I’ve been taking it easy lately, so today we’re going to tighten everything up properly!”
Yun Chung-jin Deputy Commander’s momentum was like a cutting frost.
It seemed he was fired up, likely because during the journey to Beijing, we had nearly met disaster from the Explosive Thunder Bomb, involving Father, Eun Jung-ho, and myself.
I watched the warriors rolling about covered in dirt at the Deputy Commander’s command and let out a quiet chuckle.
The warriors were training with their eyes filled with fierce determination.
I should distribute some meat and alcohol to them later.
I spoke to Palgap.
“Try not to make your presence known. I want to observe them secretly.”
“Understood, sir.”
At my words, Palgap nodded. In that instant, Palgap’s presence vanished.
Hmm? What was that?
Come to think of it, this wasn’t the first time something like this had happened.
After all, I hadn’t sensed even a trace of Palgap’s presence when I dealt with O Dae-deuk Bangjoo of the Black Wine Gang.
Suddenly, a story I’d heard in my previous life came to mind.
There were those born with the ability to have their presence hidden by the environment itself, should they wish to conceal it.
That was said to be the quality of the Killing King—the sovereign of assassins.
When I first heard that tale, I’d dismissed it as gross exaggeration.
But it wasn’t exaggeration at all.
There truly existed those born with such an ability.
And such a person served as my attendant…!
It was genuinely astonishing that I hadn’t known this in my previous life.
“Pardon? Is something the matter, sir?”
My expression must have been strange, for I suddenly sensed Palgap’s presence again.
Then he blinked his eyes rapidly.
Seeing that, I let out a soft chuckle.
Even born with the talents of the Killing King, Palgap was still Palgap.
My most trusted attendant.
“It’s nothing. I just remembered something. Let’s continue watching them.”
“Understood, sir.”
Palgap’s presence faded once more, and I turned my attention back to observing those training below, their auras carefully concealed.
The training ended, and a brief rest period began.
My plan was this:
Approach them as impressively as possible.
Then, in the most commanding voice I could muster, say, “Yeo Eung-am Warrior, Lee Pil Warrior—join me.”
I wanted them to feel pride knowing that I had come here personally to select them.
If they were to become my people, I needed to establish that foundation firmly from the start.
At the same time, I would comfort them for their efforts and move their hearts.
But things unfolded in an unexpected way.

“Phew, what in the world is all this?”
A warrior wiped sweat from his brow as he spoke.
“I mean, all of this happened because Seo-ho Young Master rescued that Jin Woo-rim Merchant Lord, right?”
“How did it come to that?”
“Because Seo-ho Young Master saved Jin Merchant Lord, the culprit was exposed, and when the Dong Merchant Guild—the actual villains—was destroyed, their Second Son harbored resentment and attacked us, detonating the Explosive Thunder. That’s why the Deputy Commander is furious.”
“Ah, is that how it happened?”
“If Seo-ho Young Master had just stayed out of it, we wouldn’t be suffering through this brutal training.”
At those words, I felt something bitter settle in my chest.
Truth be told, I hadn’t foreseen things unfolding this way either.
Because of my actions, Father, my elder brother, and I nearly died. Yet now these men were bearing the consequences as well.
Perhaps this was the price I had to pay for altering the future.
I harbored no resentment about bearing that price myself.
But hearing their words, I hesitated at the thought of others paying the price in my stead.
For now it was merely grueling training, but if circumstances were different, that price could have been their lives.
Just as it nearly was for Father and Eun Jung-ho.
That was when it happened.
“Hey, shut your mouths, will you?”
A familiar voice.
It was the voice of Yeo Eung-am Warrior.
“What do you mean because of Seo-ho Young Master? Get your titles straight. It’s not Eun Seo-ho Young Master—it’s Eun Seo-ho Small Merchant Guild Leader.”
“But he hasn’t officially become a Small Merchant Guild Leader yet….”
“Everyone at the Eun Wol Pavilion has already acknowledged it. What are you doing, picking at it?”
“That is….”
“And because of Seo-ho Small Merchant Guild Leader? You damned fool! The villain is that bastard from the Dong Merchant Guild—why are you blaming the Small Merchant Guild Leader?”
“That’s right. The Small Merchant Guild Leader isn’t at fault.”
“That bastard nearly got the Small Merchant Guild Leader killed.”
Then Lee Pil Warrior spoke.
“You said earlier that the Small Merchant Guild Leader should have stayed out of it? Are you in your right mind? Those who wield the blade must practice righteousness. The Small Merchant Guild Leader merely did what was righteous. Yet he must endure such criticism! What righteousness do you possess?”
“You bastard! This won’t do!”
“That I share a group with you! It’s shameful!”
“We failed in our training, that’s why this happened!”
“If we had done our jobs properly! Would such a thing have occurred? Knowing full well they’re always exposed to danger!”
“This man should be expelled immediately!”
“Aye!”
“But, but what if he dies in the process?”
“If he dies, then he dies! A man who eats the rice of the blade lives with death constantly—isn’t that natural?”
“If he dies like that, it’s a glorious death in service to the Merchant Guild.”
“Why complicate things so much?”
I had intended to inspire them, but instead, I found myself moved.
I was grateful.
I couldn’t stand before them in this state. Absolutely not—it had nothing to do with my eyes growing red.
I was simply concerned they might feel ashamed.
“Let’s head back.”
Rather than selecting them myself, I decided instead to give the External Chief Manager a quiet word and have him bring two Guard Warriors to me.
To be honest, now that I’ve committed to changing the future of the Eunhae Trading Company, many things will inevitably change.
But I’ve already taken the first step.
What I can promise is to minimize the damage and offer a glorious future.
“Hmm?”
As I headed toward my quarters, the fourth and fifth groups were arriving at the Training Ground for their next training session.
That’s when certain Warriors caught my eye.
So they were already part of the Eunpung Corps.
Of course, since they’d been with the Eunpung Corps from the start, the External Chief Manager could recommend them as my guards when I became the Small Merchant Guild Leader.
As I pondered what to do with them, I smiled faintly.
Now that they’ve fallen into my hands, it would be wasteful to simply cast them aside.
I’ll have to use them skillfully, turning them to my advantage.
Ah…
They say if you cry and then laugh, horns will grow on your backside.
.
.
.
A short while later.
I went to the External Chief Manager and gave him the names of the Warriors I’d selected as my guards.
“Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior. They’re quite skilled and have keen judgment.”
“When I went to Sichuan last time, they served as my guards, and I noticed we worked well together.”
“Haha. That’s right. Guards must work in harmony above all else. No matter how skilled someone is, if the coordination isn’t there, it becomes difficult. I understand. I’ll handle it as the Small Merchant Guild Leader wishes.”
“Thank you.”
I continued.
“By the way, I noticed Yun Chung-jin Deputy Commander has been training the Warriors quite rigorously.”
“Ah yes.”
The External Chief Manager nodded and spoke.
“I heard about what happened on the way to Beijing this time, and I was rather upset. Your public inauguration ceremony is coming up soon, after all. So I sparred a bit with the Deputy Commander.”
“…”
I began to understand the full picture.
The External Chief Manager is a master known as “One Sword Pierces Heaven.”
No matter how skilled the Deputy Commander is, if he sparred with the External Chief Manager, he must have taken quite a few hits.
He channeled that frustration into assembling and drilling the Warriors.
So the origin of all this was the External Chief Manager.
“I see. Still, I worry that if they only train in this heat, they’ll become exhausted and lack strength when they truly need it. So I’m thinking of sending them some wine and meat later.”
“Our Seo-ho, the Small Merchant Guild Leader, has such a kind heart. Haha.”
After finishing my conversation with the External Chief Manager, I returned to my quarters.
I lay in the chamber and exhaled a long sigh.
I hadn’t even made the official announcement as Small Merchant Guild Leader yet, and I was already feeling exhausted.
That’s when Palgap spoke.
“Young Master, do you have anyone else you’d like to send invitations to?”
The invitations had already been sent out.
He was asking if there were any additional people who should receive invitations.
If there were people worthy of an invitation but their invitations had been omitted, it would be a grave discourtesy.
“Did you send one to the Jegal Family Estate?”
“Of course, sir.”
“I already gave one to Jin Woo-rim and the other merchant guilds before we departed from Beijing….”
I rose from the chamber.
“What about the Changin Escort Agency?”
“I sent one, sir.”
“Well done.”
I got up from the chamber.
“How many of the invitations I set aside are left?”
“One remains, sir. It’s for the General Store Elder.”
The General Store Elder, who had retired after working with the Ghost Face Faction, was someone I was currently investing considerable effort in cultivating.
For someone of his caliber, I had to deliver the invitation personally.
I had given one to my Master yesterday morning, and he had confirmed he would definitely attend.
I straightened my clothing, took the invitation from Palgap, and tucked it into my sleeve.
“Let’s go to the Miscellaneous Goods Shop.”
.
.
.
Shortly after.
I arrived at the Miscellaneous Goods Shop on West Street.
The Ghost-Face Pao Elder was sitting at ease with a pipe in hand, but when he saw me, he rose to his feet.
“You’ve come again?”
“Again? We’ve been in contact all this time, haven’t we?”
“All days are the same to me, you rascal.”
“Haha.”
I sat before him and pulled the invitation from my sleeve, extending it as I spoke.
“The day after tomorrow, I become a Small Merchant Guild Leader.”
“I know, you rascal.”
“Will you attend?”
At my question, the old man read the invitation. His facial muscles twitched—he was clearly suppressing a smile.
He was pleased, yet holding back….
“How old are you, and you’re already a Small Merchant Guild Leader?”
“Fifteen, sir.”
“Indeed, with that level of ability, it’s not strange for him to become a Small Merchant Guild Leader at such a young age.”
The old man muttered this to himself before rising from his seat.
“Wait a moment.”
“…?”
The General Store Elder returned from inside carrying something, which he placed on the table as if tossing it down.
“A gift.”
“Pardon?”
“A gift to congratulate you on becoming a Small Merchant Guild Leader.”
“Ah, thank you.”
I hadn’t expected the General Store Elder to give me a gift, so I felt somewhat bewildered.
The gift he gave me was a crimson silk pouch.
However, when I touched it, the pouch was empty.
Normally, wouldn’t something be placed inside such a pouch before giving it?
“A pouch…, sir?”
At my words, the old man spoke.
“Yes, a pouch.”
“Is the pouch itself the gift, perhaps?”
“Yes.”
The General Store Elder sat in his chair and looked at me.
“No matter what you place inside it, the weight you feel will remain the same. And it should be able to hold about a hundred times what the pouch itself can contain.”
“…What?”
I was startled.
If that were true—and it is true. The old man before me is not one to boast or lie.
This is, in other words, a treasure.
“This is far too generous a gift!”
“You understand its value, I see. But you are worthy of receiving this gift.”
The old man continued.
“After all, thanks to you, I have fulfilled a lifelong wish.”
“….”
Well, since it’s a gift, I should accept it graciously.
“Thank you. I will use it well.”
“It’s not free.”
“Pardon?”
“I hear you caused quite a spectacle at the Imperial Palace this time.”
So he knows, as expected.
“Is it going to be a problem?”
“Not at all. Had those fools regained their senses earlier, such a thing would never have happened. Right now they’re too preoccupied trying to survive the dance of blades to concern themselves with you. However.”
“…?”
The old man looked at me and smiled with a knowing grin.
“It seems His Majesty the Emperor has taken notice of you.”
“Me? Are you referring to me?”
“So that when you grow up, I can devour you.”

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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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