The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 718

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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 718

Chapter 718. Chung-ui Hall (5)

I surveyed the gathered crowd assembled before Jang So-seok’s quarters.
Quite a number had congregated in the narrow corridor.
They had come because I was to unveil the truth behind Jang So-seok’s death.
Hwangbo Seon-yu had lent his assistance in this matter.
Seeing that even the Commander-in-Chief had come, it appeared this affair weighed considerably on his mind.
Or perhaps it was because I myself had stepped forward to reveal the truth.
“So, the truth behind Jang So-seok’s death… You believe this was murder, not suicide.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
I answered the Commander-in-Chief’s question with confidence.
“Very well then. Speak. How was Jang So-seok murdered? Let us witness the skill of the one Bang Hyo-myung designated as his successor.”
Now that I thought about it, Bang Hyo-myung’s skill in unraveling the truth of incidents was something even the Geumui Guard acknowledged.
Though the Geumui Guard were deployed to various crime scenes, they primarily employed methods such as ambush and deception rather than gathering evidence and deducing the truth through logical analysis.
In such matters, they were somewhat lacking.
However, given the insular nature of the Geumui Guard, they were reluctant to summon outside specialists for investigation. Since I had already collaborated with the Geumui Guard on several occasions and now offered to reveal the truth, the Commander-in-Chief must have been quite pleased.
“Then I shall explain.”
I opened my mouth, looking at everyone present.
“First, Jang So-seok died between the early hours of Myo (5:00 to 7:00 AM), after training concluded and basic practice at the Training Ground ended, until the moment Kang Yeo arrived to wake him during the Myo hour.”
I continued, regarding all of them.
“In other words, this occurred within a single double-hour.”
“That’s hardly new information. Everyone already knows that fact.”
I let out a slight laugh and spoke with emphasis.
“It is crucial.”
Then I turned to Kang Yeo and asked.
“Why did you wake Jang So-seok?”
“Ah, because Senior Jang asked me to wake him when going to breakfast.”
“Is this something only you know?”
“No, it couldn’t be. He said this after basic practice at the Training Ground concluded, so most of those present there would have heard our conversation.”
“Who was present at the Training Ground?”
“Those who were receiving instruction with me. We finished the theoretical instruction and proceeded to the Training Ground together, and by then the others had already completed their practice and left.”
At this, the Commander-in-Chief spoke.
“Then the murderer must be among those receiving instruction together with him?”
“That would be the case. If they did not know that Jang So-seok slept in the dormitory, and if they did not know when Kang Yeo would wake him, they could not have precisely targeted that moment.”
At that moment, Hwangbo Seon-yu raised an objection.
“However, all members of the Geumui Guard have rather keen hearing.”
“That can be accomplished by using a sleeping draught.”
“A sleeping draught?”
“Yes. I’ve heard that the Embroidered Uniform Guard Masters carry sleeping draughts for use in their missions.”
I knew this because during the incident when Prince Ju-hyeon was detained in Chungyeongseong, I witnessed the Geumui Guards who performed the mission with me use a sleeping draught while secretly kidnapping several traitors.
That draught was remarkably potent.
The sleeping draught that Bang Hyo-myeong Master used was likely of the same variety.
“Your reasoning is sound.”
The Commander-in-Chief nodded in affirmation.
“If one were to directly inhale the scent of the sleeping draught soaked into cloth, what would happen?”
“They would fall into such a deep sleep they’d lose consciousness.”
“That’s precisely what was used here.”
“How did you determine that a sleeping draught was employed?”
How would I know? Jin Yu Warrior saw everything.
But I cannot say that here.
“If you examine this wooden table, you’ll notice dust upon it. This reveals that the table is not ordinarily used.”
“Hmm.”
At my words, some of the Geumui Guards wore embarrassed expressions.
In truth, the wooden tables in most of the dormitory quarters were merely decorative.
They used the tables only when writing documents, and even then, they typically did so together in the office.
From what I understand, many of them lack writing skill because they devoted their time to martial cultivation rather than refining their brushwork, so they seek assistance—but there’s no need to mention that here.
“However, the dust has been wiped away in only certain areas.”
“Ah, indeed.”
“Something was placed here, and if you look closely, the color has changed slightly to a pale hue.”
I brushed my finger across it lightly.
“Yet nothing comes off when touched, yes? This means the furniture itself has changed color. If this had always been the case, dust should have accumulated here as well, but since there is none, it indicates that something placed here caused the discoloration.”
I continued speaking as I surveyed the surroundings.
“Previously, I observed that the components of the sleeping draught used by the Geumui Guard cause wood to discolor. It’s likely that cloth soaked in the draught was placed here.”
“….”
“One cannot suspend Jang So-seok from the ceiling while holding the cloth in hand. After completing the task, it was retrieved, which is why the dust was wiped away in that process.”
At this, Hwangbo Seon-yu Grand Master spoke.
“Bring the sleeping draught.”
Shortly after, one of the Geumui Guards brought the draught, and he dropped a single drop onto the wooden table.
Drip.
After approximately half a quarter of an hour had passed, the table’s color began to change.
“It matches this area perfectly.”
The Commander-in-Chief then spoke.
“It is certain that a sleeping draught was indeed used, as you stated.”
I nodded and spoke with unwavering conviction.
“And Chief Jang, rendered unconscious by the draught, was lifted upward by wrapping a sash found in the wardrobe around his neck.”
“I see.”
“And the assassin made another mistake here.”
“What was that?”
I pointed to the overturned chair lying on the floor.
“The fact that this chair is lying on the ground means Jang So-seok must have stepped on it to climb up, correct?”
“That would be the case.”
“How tall is Chief Jang?”
“About six feet.”
“Yet he supposedly hanged himself with this waist sash. The sash is quite short.”
I pointed to the chair.
“In other words, even standing on this chair, his neck wouldn’t reach the noose. To hang himself this way, he would need to be over seven feet tall.”
“Ah!”
“This makes it difficult indeed.”
“Through these two pieces of evidence, we can conclude that Jang So-seok was not a suicide—he was murdered.”
The Commander-in-Chief nodded at my words.
“I see. A sound deduction. But this room was found sealed. How do you explain that?”
“That’s not particularly difficult.”
I pointed to the door’s locking mechanism.
“This is a method of locking by lowering a crossbar. And do you see the white powder on the lower part of this latch?”
Hwangbo Seon-yu nodded at my question.
“Yes, I see it.”
“Would you taste it?”
He touched the spot with his finger and tasted it.
“It’s salty. Is it salt?”
“Correct. But why would salt be stuck there?”
No one answered, and I spoke.
“Because ice was used. When you sprinkle salt on ice, it melts quickly, but when you place an object on ice after sprinkling salt, it actually adheres to it.”
I continued, looking at the latch.
“The assassin likely used salt to fix ice to the latch, positioning it at an angle. After murdering Chief Jang and closing the door behind him, the ice would melt naturally, causing the door to lock on its own.”
“But is that possible in less than two hours?”
I answered someone’s question.
“This method was possible precisely because it’s summer. It’s been sweltering since morning. That ice would melt in less than half an hour.”
“So quickly?”
“Yes. I can assure you of that. And the melted water evaporates naturally, but the assassin overlooked something.”
“What was that?”
At the Commander-in-Chief’s words, I pointed to the door with my hand.
“That wood dries more slowly than one might think.”
True to my words, some wet spots remained on parts of the wooden door. And condensation would form on the outside of the door as well.
The Commander-in-Chief, having confirmed this, spoke.
“Now all that remains is the identity of the assassin.”
“Indeed.”
I glanced around the hall and smiled faintly upon spotting someone.
The Assassin had come to this gathering as well.
He must be quite anxious now that I’ve announced I’ll uncover the truth.
But what’s this?
I cannot abide watching a murderer who killed an innocent man live in peace.
I’ll make his blood run cold with dread.
“That requires some clarification. I’ll visit you separately at dawn tomorrow to explain.”

* * *

Baek Son returned to his quarters, biting his lip.
Eun Seo-ho had smiled at him.
That smile felt chilling precisely because Eun Seo-ho clearly knew he was the murderer.
His lips grew parched and his throat burned.

He returned to his chamber.
He couldn’t recall how he’d made it back.
He grabbed a teapot and drank directly from it in great gulps. His throat was so parched he couldn’t bear it.
Only then did his thirst subside somewhat.
Just as Eun Seo-ho had said, he had used a sleeping draught to kill Jang So-seok and created a sealed chamber using ice.
Long ago, he’d once accidentally sprinkled salt instead of sugar on ice, causing it to stick to a spoon—a mishap he’d never forgotten.
He’d employed that ingenious method based on that memory, yet Eun Seo-ho had not only discerned the technique precisely but had also uncovered his very mistake.
‘Damn it!’
This wouldn’t do.
He had to act somehow.
‘Wait—didn’t he say he’d visit the Commander-in-Chief at dawn tomorrow?’
Then tonight was his only opportunity.
But Eun Seo-ho’s personal martial prowess was at its peak, and he’d heard that even among his Guard Warriors, there were masters of the highest caliber.
Alone, he stood no chance.
‘Then… I must prevent him from using martial arts.’
The Geumui Guard’s storage facility contained various devices, and among them were instruments capable of restraining an opponent’s martial power.
Even Peak Martial Artists would be completely immobilized if caught by such a device.
The problem was that removing it required recording it in the requisition ledger.
After deliberating, he left his quarters and soon arrived at the Chung-ui Hall’s storage facility.
“Have you come to requisition equipment?”
Paradoxically, the one guarding the Chung-ui Hall’s storage facility was from the Dongchang.
This was to prevent the Geumui Guard from smuggling items out among themselves.
Conversely, the Dongchang’s storage facility had Geumui Guard personnel stationed there.
“No, it’s not that… it’s…”
“What is the matter?”
“I’ve been debating whether to tell you this, but I thought it best to come forward.”
Baek Son spoke with difficulty, his expression troubled.
“Regarding Jang So-seok’s death this time, Eun Seo-ho Grand Master suspects Dongchang.”
“Suspects Dongchang? What do you mean by that?”
“The theory is that Jang So-seok discovered Dongchang’s corruption, and Dongchang committed the act to cover up the crime. I happened to overhear this while heading out for dinner this evening.”
He continued with concern in his voice.
“And since he plans to report this matter discreetly to the Commander-in-Chief, you must take action immediately.”
“If what you say is true, this is no trivial matter…”
His expression grew troubled.
“I cannot leave my post at this moment.”
“Don’t worry. Since I have nothing pressing to do anyway, I’ll stand guard in your stead.”
“Would that be acceptable?”
“Though we belong to different organizations, aren’t we both serving the Emperor together? I have no desire to see this matter become a commotion either.”
“I understand. Then I’ll trouble you for a moment.”
The Dongchang guard who had been watching the Storage Facility handed over the keys and hurried away.
Baek Son then entered the Storage Facility and quietly concealed the equipment he had been searching for on his person.
Since it was something he had used before, he found it without difficulty, and because of its small size, he could hide it in his sleeve.
‘That was here too.’
He also quietly concealed another piece of equipment on himself.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he exited the Storage Facility and took up his post as guard.
Now, no matter what happened to Eun Seo-ho, suspicion would not fall upon him.
Dongchang would bear the blame for everything.

It was night.
He sought out Eun Seo-ho.
“I came to show you the item I purchased.”
“Is that so?”
“However, that item is not here—it’s in another location.”
“Then we should go and see it directly.”
“I apologize for the trouble.”
“It’s no bother.”
Eun Seo-ho’s willingness to follow him without resistance left Baek Son bewildered.
Just moments ago, it seemed as though Eun Seo-ho knew he was the culprit…
It didn’t matter. He had already resolved to eliminate Eun Seo-ho anyway.
Now that his method had been discovered, it was only a matter of time before his identity as the assassin was revealed.
Thus, he led Eun Seo-ho toward the location where he had already set his trap.
“It’s over there.”
“What could possibly be here in such a secluded place?”
“That is…”
When Eun Seo-ho and his Guard Warrior reached the trapped area, he sprang the mechanism.
Whoosh!
Simultaneously, a net woven from heavenly silk that had been hidden beneath the ground wrapped around Eun Seo-ho and the Guard Warrior, hoisting them upward.
“What is the meaning of this?”
He drew his sword and approached them, speaking.
“Don’t bother resisting. You won’t be able to use your inner energy anyway.”
In that instant.
Shrriiip!
The heavenly silk net tore apart effortlessly.
“Unable to use my inner energy? Who told you that?”

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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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