The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 713

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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 713

Chapter 713. The Shandong Ak Clan (5)

The Warrior beside me asked in response to my reaction.
“Is something the matter, sir?”
“Ah, well, you see….”
He rose from his seat and approached me, asking a question.
“Could you be Eun Seo-ho, the Small Guild Master of the Eun Hae Trading Company, known as the Immortal Chivalry Beauty?”
“That’s correct.”
He clasped his fist and bowed his head respectfully to me.
“I never expected to meet my life’s benefactor in a place like this. I heard that you saved my life from the Green Forest Bandits. I am truly grateful.”
He was Gil Ji-yang, the man from Ssanghwa County whom I had rescued.
“Not at all. I’m relieved to see you in such good health. I was quite worried when you didn’t regain consciousness.”
“I regained consciousness the very next day after the Great Hero departed. According to the Physician summoned by the County Magistrate, my recovery was not achieved through ordinary medicinal herbs.”
He asked carefully.
“Did you perhaps use a spiritual elixir?”
I smiled and replied.
“Your condition was far too grave for any other method. Fortunately, I possessed a spiritual elixir excellent for treating external injuries, and it seems it was meant to save you.”
At my words, he gazed at me with admiring eyes.
Hmm, this is rather embarrassing.
Then a sturdy young man standing beside him spoke.
“It is my first time meeting you. I am Ak Yu, the second son of Ak Do-hye, the thirty-first generation descendant of the Shandong Ak Clan.”
After hearing such introductions several times, I understood this was how the Shandong Ak Clan introduced themselves.
Since the Ak Family Estate was a clan settlement, it was difficult to understand without mentioning which generation and whose child one was.
There were many people with the same names, after all.
“I had intended to repay you personally for saving my old friend, but I never expected to find you here.”
“I was moving urgently under imperial orders, so it was unavoidable.”
I changed the subject.
“But to think that the young master I rescued back then was your old friend—it seems fate truly works in mysterious ways.”
Gil Ji-yang Young Master replied.
“Actually, I was on my way back from Beijing after hearing that a book I was seeking had arrived at a bookstore there. I had to attend my father’s birthday celebration, so I hurried along the road, and then….”
“I see. You went through quite an ordeal.”
“I thought it would be fine since I traveled with a Warrior from my family. Sigh….”
He sighed and clasped his fist to me.
“I am also grateful that you recovered the body of the fallen family Warrior, preventing his spirit from becoming a wandering ghost in the underworld.”
“As a merchant myself, I travel throughout the Empire. Having experienced how tragic it is to die away from home, I simply did what I could.”
“This is why the world calls the Great Hero the Immortal Chivalry Beauty.”
“That is far too generous a title.”
Now, when I hear the name Seon Hyeop Mi-rang, my throat no longer tightens—I respond to it naturally.
– A pleased sound?
So you’re satisfied with that?
It seems to rob one of words.
Ak-yu Scholar spoke from beside me.
“This Old Friend is like a childhood companion to me. Since you have saved such a friend, I too wish to repay the Great Hero’s kindness.”
“No, please—there is no debt. I merely did what was necessary.”
“I believe repaying the Great Hero’s kindness is equally necessary.”
In truth, I had been at a loss as to how to persuade Ak-yu Scholar, so this situation where he first offered his assistance was most welcome.
“Actually, I heard from the House Master about your hesitation regarding the position of Instructor at the Martial Hall.”
“….”
“In fact, I have been entrusted with establishing and managing that Martial Hall.”
“Is that truly so?”
I nodded solemnly.
“However, the Director of that Martial Hall is His Imperial Majesty. Do you understand what that signifies?”
“….”
“It means that Martial Hall exists for His Imperial Majesty and the Empire. That a member of the Shandong Ak Clan—whose loyalty to His Imperial Majesty is second to none—refuses to become an Instructor there has been a source of deep concern for me.”
“That is to say….”
Ak-yu Scholar grew flustered, beads of sweat forming on his brow.
My words could be interpreted, depending on how one heard them, as an accusation of disloyalty.
“What is your reason? Why do you refuse both the position of Instructor and the transmission of the Twelve Spear Method?”
He deliberated for a long while before carefully choosing his words.
“The truth is… I wished for the Shandong Ak Clan to become an even more distinguished family through my spear method. But if that method becomes the property of the Martial Hall… would that not eliminate such an opportunity?”
“Did you explain this reason to the House Master?”
“I did. But the House Master told me not to worry about that and to take the position of Instructor.”
I exhaled slowly.
“With respect, the House Master’s explanation was insufficient.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Simply this: teaching the Twelve Spear Method at the Martial Hall does not make it cease to be the Shandong Ak Clan’s spear method. The students will know and learn that it is the Shandong Ak Clan’s Twelve Spear Method.”
“….”
“Then what reaction do you think will emerge among the students learning the Twelve Spear Method? Will they not exclaim, ‘Remarkable! Truly the spear method of the Shandong Ak Clan! Extraordinary!’ or praise you, saying, ‘To share such a magnificent spear method with the Martial Hall’s students! What magnanimity!'”
“That… would be so.”
“Furthermore, as more students graduate from the Martial Hall, pass the examinations, and enter the Military Ministry, the fame of the Shandong Ak Clan will naturally rise.”
I smiled slightly.
“So tell me—which serves your family’s honor better: keeping the Twelve Spear Method hidden within the clan, or revealing it to the Martial Hall’s students?”
“…The latter.”
“Precisely. Moreover, sending the creator of the martial arts that the students learn as the Martial Hall’s Instructor makes the intention abundantly clear.”
“Ah….”
At last, understanding dawned upon Ak-yu Scholar’s face.
“I was foolish. I did not realize House Master held such profound intentions, and I only pushed forward with my own stubbornness.”
“Then you consent to my becoming an Instructor and imparting the Twelve Spear Technique to the students?”
At my question, he nodded slowly.
“I do.”
He turned his head to glance at Gil Ji-yang Master, then continued speaking as he looked at me.
“It is the word of one who saved my Old Friend’s life, and it aligns with what I pursue—how could I refuse?”
“I am grateful for your decisive resolve.”
I clasped my fist and bowed my head as I spoke.
“Your decision will become a great strength for the Martial Hall. And I shall inform House Master of this matter.”
“No.”
He shook his head.
“I shall inform him. That seems the proper course.”
“Then I understand.”
Exhaling softly, I had resolved this troublesome matter in an unexpected way.
I never anticipated how today would unfold.
Only now did I understand why Hyun Ro-do had guided me down that path.
Hyun Ro-do guides the user along the safest route.
Which is to say, it also means guiding toward the optimal path for the user.
Looking at this entire journey, the optimal path was to persuade Ak-yu Scholar and return with the best possible outcome.
During the journey here, I encountered Green Forest Bandits and dealt with them, and while collecting the remains of those who fell to them, I saved Gil Ji-yang Master’s life—which ultimately helped turn Ak-yu Scholar’s heart.
Had I not been Gil Ji-yang Master’s benefactor, Ak-yu Scholar would never have opened his heart to hear my words.
Words cannot touch the heart of one whose mind remains closed, no matter how many times they are spoken.
Now I understand why Hyun Ro-do was a treasure of the Imperial Palace, and why the Emperor cherished it so.
– Whimper…?
You won’t praise me?
Geum-ryeong, you’re not Kimul, are you?
The Warrior who had been standing beside us and guided us spoke carefully then.
“Ak-yu Warrior, will you not offer our guest tea now?”
“Oh! My goodness! I have committed a breach of courtesy without realizing it.”
“It is no matter.”
I waved my hand.
“Though it troubles you, I would appreciate it if you could inform House Master immediately. I apologize, but I have much work awaiting me and must return with haste.”
“Understood. As it happens, I must visit House Master today, so I shall inform him at once.”
Gil Ji-yang Master added an explanation.
“I came to express my gratitude for the congratulatory letter sent on my father’s birthday, and I plan to go together with him.”
“Should the Young Master not still be recovering?”
“Thanks to the restorative elixir bestowed by the Great Hero, I am in excellent health, so there is no need for concern.”
Thus Ak-yu Scholar and Gil Ji-yang Master departed for House Master, and I returned to my quarters.
After taking my evening meal and sipping tea while reading from a book, someone came seeking me.
“House Master is looking for you.”
“Understood.”
Since I had anticipated that the House Master would seek me out and prepared accordingly, I followed him at once.
After waiting briefly in the Guest Reception Room where I had been before, the House Master entered.
I rose from my seat and bowed, and the House Master acknowledged my greeting.
“Please, be at ease.”
“Thank you.”
“Yes, I heard from Yu that you persuaded that fellow.”
“It was less persuasion than simply explaining the facts clearly.”
As I explained the full circumstances, the House Master chuckled with an awkward smile.
“It seems my explanation was insufficient.”
The House Master sipped his tea and continued.
“And I also heard that you rescued Gil Young Master. You performed such righteous deeds, yet said nothing of them?”
“I did not do so in order to boast.”
“Hehe. Just as Young Kyung said.”
“Pardon?”
“Never mind. In any case, does Yu need to depart for Beijing immediately?”
“No. Since the work does not begin immediately, it would be sufficient if he came to the Eunhae Trading Company Beijing Branch by around the tenth month.”
“I see.”
“Then, I intend to depart this place tomorrow morning.”
“So soon?”
I detected a note of reluctance in the House Master’s words.
“I too wished to remain a few days longer and experience the essence of Mount Tai… but I lack the leisure for that. My wedding is to take place this autumn, so I must hasten to conclude my affairs in Beijing and return to Hubei.”
“Ah, such joyous news! You should have mentioned it sooner!”
“I apologize for not informing you earlier.”
I smiled and continued.
“Please understand my need to depart early from this place.”
.
.
.
The next morning at dawn.
Our party gathered our belongings and mounted our horses.
Setting out this early in the morning was to avoid various burdensome situations.
If I were to exchange farewells with Ak-yu Scholar or Gil Ji-yang Master, it would delay our departure…
“You are leaving without farewells from the others?”
“Yes, given the time constraints… I ask for your understanding.”
“Then I shall escort you at least to the city gate. If I fail to do even that, the House Master will surely rebuke me severely later, so I ask for your permission.”
“Understood. Let us go together.”
“Yes.”
Ak-jin Clan Leader also mounted his horse.
From the way he was leading a horse beside us, it was clear he had prepared in advance.
And so we rode our horses and passed through the city gate.
After riding for some distance, I spoke.
“This should suffice.”
“Understood. I wish you a safe journey ahead.”
“Please convey my apologies to the others for departing so hastily.”
With that said, we urged our horses forward once more.
“Geumryeong. Tell Ju Gang Ma to hurry.”
“Squawk! Squawk-squawk!”
Geumryeong relayed my message to Ju Gang Ma, and the beast’s pace gradually quickened.
While in Shandong, I considered stopping by the stone quarry, but ultimately decided against it.
If I visited the quarry, I would feel obligated to call on other places as well, and failing to do so would surely disappoint not only the Hwangbo Family but also Ho Gyeong Prince of the Baek Yeom Merchant Guild.
So if I explained that my schedule was too pressing and I could only visit the Shandong Ak Clan, they would surely understand.
As we rode through the nights, we eventually reached the foothills of Taehyung Mountain.
The path Hyun Ro-do showed me matched what I already knew, but the road that had been severed by a landslide was now completely restored.
Given how severely it had collapsed, it shouldn’t have been repaired yet, but seeing it already restored suggested the Green Forest Bandits at the mountain stronghold had worked diligently.
Thanks to their efforts, we could travel comfortably.
And since the road had only recently been repaired, it seemed the stronghold hadn’t yet resumed operations.
Well, they must have survived by possessing at least that much sense.
And so we arrived in Beijing.

“Welcome back.”
The first person to greet me was Seo Hyang.
“Yes, I have returned.”
Seeing her, my tension melted away—I truly was home.
After exchanging greetings with the others, I entered my quarters.
Seo Hyang, who followed me inside, spoke.
“I apologize for mentioning this immediately upon your arrival, but it seems you must prepare your formal robes with haste.”
“What? Why is that?”
“Because you must go to the Imperial Palace.”
…
Ah, of course. His Majesty must have learned of my arrival in Beijing.
So he’s summoning me to receive a report on this matter.
Your Majesty, couldn’t this wait until tomorrow?
“Squawk. Squawk.”
Geumryeong patted my shoulder with his talons, as if to encourage 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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