The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 711

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Youngest Son of the Eun Hae Trading Company Chapter 711

Chapter 711. The Shandong Ak Clan (3)

The Stronghold Master pondered for a moment before speaking.
“Hmm… I suppose I could spare a few silver coins.”
“I wasn’t asking for silver coins. I simply need your sincere assistance.”
I continued.
“We’re currently collecting the remains of the victims.”
“The remains?”
“It’s tragic enough that they died unjustly, but wouldn’t it be even more sorrowful if their remains couldn’t return to their homeland?”
“That’s true enough.”
“If the Mountain Stronghold helps with this, the authorities will surely clear up any misunderstandings.”
“I understand. We’ll help with all sincerity.”
With the assistance of the Green Forest Bandits from the Mountain Stronghold, we collected the remains.
At the gruesome sight of what had been done to them, the bandits from the stronghold unleashed a torrent of curses.
When we discovered a young child lying dead with their family, and later saw the corpse of a woman buried alongside them, I nearly tore apart the captives I was holding.
They broke into a cold sweat again, realizing they had nearly been mistaken for those who committed such a heinous act condemned by heaven and earth.
We cremated the collected remains.
Then we placed the ashes and identification tablets into a wooden box that the bandits had made, and loaded it onto a cart.
“Thank you for your help.”
“We should be thanking you. Not only did we gain unexpected income, but we also got a chance to clear up this misunderstanding. We were about to be suppressed without question. In any case, speak well of us to the County Office.”
“Of course.”
I nodded and changed the subject.
“By the way, with the landslide blocking the road, you must have no income right now, correct?”
“…Why ask when you already know?”
That explained why they responded so readily to my request.
“Then if the road is restored quickly, you can resume operations sooner, can’t you?”
“That’s… true?”
“So if you all help repair that road, wouldn’t the work go faster?”
“Ah…!”
What is this… Did they only just realize that now?
At least they understand it now. When we return after finishing, we’ll have an easier path down.
Thus we began descending the mountain with the bandits who had attacked us bound behind our horses.
They stumbled and rolled as they were dragged, becoming covered in wounds, but I paid them little mind.
They deserved such treatment.
They were now cursing with their eyes the man who had deceived them into thinking he was a Hwa Kyung Master.
For reference, I had taken measures to prevent him from using his inner energy.
Meanwhile, the Rescued Youth we had saved had fully recovered from his external injuries, yet he remained unconscious.
Thus, Jin Yu Warrior was transporting him by horse, bound to his back.
I rode my horse along the path that Hyun Ro-do had shown us.
Still, there must be some reason why Hyun Ro-do guided us along this particular route…
But I cannot discern it yet.
As we galloped along the mountain path, a village came into view.
It was the village where the County Office of Haenggo County was located.
From here to Mount Tai, where the Shandong Ak Clan resided, was flat terrain—a swift journey.
However, there was business to conduct here first.
We immediately headed toward the County Office of Haenggo County.
“Halt!”
As we approached the County Office, the Guard Officials stationed at its gates stopped us.
I dismounted from my horse and addressed them.
“I am Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company.”
“The Eun Hae Trading Company?”
“Gasp! Could it be the Immortal Chivalry Beauty?”
“I am embarrassed to be called by such a name.”
I spoke with utmost courtesy.
“We have apprehended a vicious criminal. Might we have an audience with the County Administrator?”
“Please, come inside. I shall fetch the County Administrator at once.”

The Guard Warriors who had accompanied us waited elsewhere, while I was guided to the Guest Reception Room.
As I sat alone in the Guest Reception Room sipping tea for a moment, the door opened and a man in official county robes entered.
“I, Eun Seo-ho, pay my respects to the County Administrator.”
“I am Bong Chun, serving as the County Administrator of Haenggo County.”
He greeted me respectfully and spoke.
“Please, do not lower yourself so. Even children in Shandong know of the Seonhyeop Mirang Great Swordmaster.”
I cannot recall having done anything of note here…
“I heard you rescued a young master of the Baek Yeom Merchant Guild, and helped apprehend a swindler before he could cause greater harm with his fraudulent salve made from toxic compounds.”
Now that I think of it, that swindler Hwang Jeon was indeed caught in Shandong.
“Furthermore, you established a whetstone quarry in Shandong, which has greatly revitalized the regional commerce. Because of this, the Hwangbo Family has even publicly declared the Eun Hae Trading Company as a merchant guild under their protection.”
“Ah, so that is how it came to be.”
I had initiated this venture to undermine the Baekcheon Trading Company, yet to receive such treatment was rather embarrassing.
I had heard reports that the quarry was thriving, but the response in Shandong appears even more favorable than anticipated.
Indeed, whetstones supplied to the Imperial Palace serve as proof of their quality.
“It is an honor to meet such a hero in person.”
“Hero? I am truly embarrassed by such praise.”
“Moreover, I hear you are favored by the Emperor himself.”
“How did you come to know that?”
“My main family resides in Beijing, and among my relatives, quite a few serve within the Imperial Palace.”
Now I understood why Ji Hyeon Dae-in had been so respectful.
I had been prepared to use the Inspector Censor’s authority if something seemed amiss, but it appeared unnecessary.
“The reason I sought you out, Ji Hyeon Dae-in, is to request your cooperation.”
“Please, speak freely.”
I explained the situation to him.
“…and so we subdued those who attacked us and interrogated them about their crimes. We discovered they had murdered more than ten people in their recent raids.”
“Such vile and wicked creatures!”
“Therefore, with the cooperation of the nearby Mountain Stronghold, we conducted a search for the bodies.”
“Then, you brought them back in the carts?”
“Yes. The remains and personal effects of the victims.”
“I see. I am grateful for the Great Hero’s assistance.”
“Please, think nothing of it. I felt that encountering such villains during my journey was Heaven’s will, urging me to aid the victims. That is all.”
I continued.
“Though it may be somewhat troublesome, I would be grateful if you could send the urns containing the remains and their personal effects to the villages listed on the identification tablets in those boxes.”
“You’ve already resolved all the difficult matters—how could this be any trouble? Very well, I shall see it done.”
“Thank you.”
I clasped my fists in gratitude.
“And there is one survivor. Could you care for him and send word to his family? During the recovery of the bodies, we miraculously saved a young man’s life. According to his identification tablet, his name is Gil Ji-yang from Ssanghwa County.”
“Of course. Ssanghwa County is not far from here, so I shall send word immediately.”
“Thank you.”
“By the way, this Gil… he may well be from an influential family. You might even receive a reward.”
At this, I waved my hand.
“A reward? I need no such thing. I am simply satisfied that I could save at least one life.”
“Haha, so that is why everyone calls the Great Hero the Immortal Chivalry Beauty.”
“…”
I had only said that because I feared appearing mercenary if I showed too much enthusiasm at the mention of a reward.
This is awkward. I cleared my throat and spoke.
“That is too great an honor for me. And please investigate the other crimes of those men.”
“Other crimes, you say?”
“When we went to the cave they used as their base, we discovered dirt-covered clothing and large chisels and hammers. It appears they deliberately collapsed the mountain to block the Guan Road.”
“My… they have already committed grave crimes, but to deliberately collapse the Guan Road! Very well. I shall report this to the Inspector General and conduct a thorough investigation of all their offenses.”
I spoke gently.
“There is a Mountain Stronghold in this area led by a man named Gwang-bu. Their name may come up in connection with this matter, but I assure you they bear no responsibility in this affair.”
“Ah, I am aware of their existence. The Stronghold Master there is quite cunning and skilled at avoiding trouble—he operates only to the extent that neither the government nor the surrounding martial arts forces would intervene.”
“That appears to be the case. In any event, they assisted in recovering the bodies and said they would help with restoring the collapsed Guan Road.”
“I see.”
After concluding my conversation with the County Official, I stepped outside.
Though I declined repeatedly, the County Official insisted on escorting me out beyond the County Office.
“Where are you headed?”
“I apologize, but I cannot disclose that. I am simply acting under the Emperor’s orders.”
“…!”
His complexion shifted at my words.
“I will handle the matter you’ve entrusted to me with utmost diligence.”
He seemed to regard this task as an opportunity for promotion.
So he would handle it with his full effort.
To that end, I had subtly let slip that I was acting under imperial decree.
Well, if he handles this well, he’ll surely be summoned to Beijing.
The Emperor has a supernatural talent for recognizing capable individuals.
Though I couldn’t say that a transfer to Beijing was necessarily a blessing, I saw no reason to dampen his spirits.
Hope is a precious thing.

Once we left that place, we soon arrived at Mount Tai.
Since the terrain was flat, Ju Gang Ma galloped with unbridled enthusiasm.
The Shandong Ak Clan was a family estate located on Mount Tai, a place that people said embodied the majesty of the mountain itself.
“Whoa, whoa!”
I brought my horse to a halt.
A massive plaque hung from a pavilion as grand and imposing as a city gate.
[Shandong’s Premier Yak Royal Estate]
This place, situated on the eastern side of Mount Tai, was where the descendants of the Shandong Ak Clan gathered.
The founder of the Shandong Ak Clan was a renowned general of the Ak surname, celebrated as a loyal minister in ages past.
Originally, they had established themselves in Henan, but at the founder’s wish to be positioned where he could rush to the Emperor’s summons at any moment, they relocated their base to Shandong, and so it has remained to this day.
The estate had formed as a sprawling clan settlement, rivaling the scale of a substantial village.
Ordinarily, a county magistrate would be dispatched to govern such a place, but given its unique circumstances and the family’s unwavering loyalty, it was instead organized as an autonomous prefecture.
Thus, the House Master of the Ak Family Estate here also served as the county magistrate.
Simultaneously, this place was also a royal estate, for the founder of the Shandong Ak Clan had been posthumously elevated to the rank of king.
So it was both not a royal estate and yet could be called one.
As we approached, those stationed atop the pavilion all turned their gaze toward us.
Perhaps a dozen or so?
Judging by the bows they carried, they appeared to be sentries posted in readiness against intruders.
One of two Guard Officials holding spears before the massive gate approached us.
“Pardon the intrusion. From whence do you come?”
“I am Eun Seo-ho, Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company. Those behind me are my attendant and guard warriors. I have come to deliver the Emperor’s sacred decree.”
And I showed him the credentials proving I was sent by the Emperor.
Upon seeing this, the Guard Official was startled, lowered his weapon, and cupped his fist in salute toward me.
“Please, come inside at once.”
We entered, and were guided to a pavilion situated behind that gate.
“Please wait here a moment. We have sent word, and someone will come to receive you shortly.”
As we rested and waited there, three figures on horseback came galloping from the distance.
They wore garments of the same cut, differing only in color.
The two younger warriors wore navy robes, while the middle-aged warrior wore green.
They dismounted from their horses and approached us.
“I am Ak Jin, the second son of Ak Hwang, the thirtieth generation descendant of the Shandong Ak Clan. I serve as the master of the Guest Hall.”
His demeanor was quite respectful.
Unlike when we visited the Hwangbo Family before, I could now understand why the Emperor hadn’t assigned us a particular guide.
The mere fact that we came bearing the Emperor’s command warranted such extraordinarily courteous treatment.
Perhaps because the clan’s founder was a loyal minister, that tradition of unwavering devotion to the Emperor persisted even now.
“You must be weary from your long journey. Since you’ve come to deliver the Emperor’s sacred will, I shall escort you immediately to the House Master.”
“Very well.”
Thus we urged our horses forward, following him toward where the House Master resided.
Within the Ak Family Estate, there existed a broad path wide enough for carriages to pass, and this path was paved with stone.
The sound of the horses’ hooves striking against the stone echoed crisply through the air.
“I have a question I’d like to ask.”
“Please, speak freely.”
“It seems everyone here wears similar clothing. Does that garment hold some significance?”
“Ah… yes, it does hold meaning.”
He nodded and explained.
“Everyone in this Ak Family Estate receives the same style of clothing upon reaching five years of age. Initially, they receive black garments, which signifies they are trainees. Then, upon reaching adulthood at fifteen, they receive gray garments, which signifies apprentice warrior status.”
“I see.”
Given the considerable population residing in the Ak Family Estate, such distinctions would be difficult to maintain otherwise.
A family befitting one that holds a central position in the military ministry, one that values hierarchical order.
“And through five years of training from that point, one’s assignment is determined.”
“What do you mean by assignment?”
“It means determining the path one will take henceforth. Whether to enter service at court or remain within the family, whether to focus on martial arts or scholarly pursuits, which division to serve under—such matters are decided.”
He continued.
“Once that is determined, one receives indigo garments and wears a sleeveless robe embroidered with insignia corresponding to one’s assignment.”
Now that I looked closer, they were indeed wearing white sleeveless robes embroidered with patterns.
The pattern on the robes worn by the three warriors who came to greet me was that of wisteria flowers.
Wisteria flowers also symbolize welcome.
“And when one becomes a division master, one may wear green robes like mine.”
“Does this apply equally to direct and collateral lines?”
“In our Shandong Ak Clan, whether direct or collateral line, only those who prove their abilities may rise to positions of authority.”
While this seemed reasonable, it was also rather frightening in truth.
For it meant that those who failed to prove themselves would face ruin.
“Ah, we’ve arrived.”
Yet upon seeing the person who came to greet us ahead, I couldn’t help but feel slightly taken aback.
Why is the Dae-in here?

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————