The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 723

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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 723

Chapter 723. Mirage Bookstore (4)

Shortly after, we arrived at the Murim Alliance.
The Guard Warriors waited outside the Guest Reception Room while Seo Hyang and I entered alone.
With trembling hands, Seo Hyang removed her veil and took a deep breath. After all, she was about to reveal herself before the man who had ordered her death.
There was no reason she shouldn’t be trembling.
I gently took her hand and sent a telepathic message.
– Do not worry. I will absolutely protect you, Lady Seo Hyang.
She looked at me and smiled, then nodded.
– If you still feel nervous, try imagining Geumryeong rolling around with Eun Ja.
At that, she let out a soft laugh, and her trembling quickly subsided.
It seems Geumryeong is more effective than I am?
– Squeak?
Are you jealous?
It’s not like that…
As we waited in the Guest Reception Room being served tea, I heard the Guard Captain’s voice from outside.
“The League Master has arrived.”
We quickly rose from our seats.
The door opened and the League Master entered. We bowed respectfully.
“Small Merchant Eun Seo-ho pays respects to the League Master.”
“Young Lady Gwak Seo-hyang pays respects to the League Master.”
“Please, be at ease.”
“Thank you.”
We took our seats, and the League Master settled into the place of honor.
“It has been a long time. I trust you have been well?”
“I manage well enough.”
Yet for some reason, the League Master’s face seemed slightly younger than before.
Was it merely my imagination?
Setting that thought aside, I presented the gift I had prepared.
“Though modest, this comes from my heart.”
I opened the box containing the teacups.
“These are premium-grade teacups.”
“Nine teacups, I see.”
“I wished for our good relationship to endure for a long time. Was such a wish presumptuous?”
“Hahaha, not at all. I too welcome the opportunity to maintain good relations with a rising master such as yourself.”
Indeed, the right words can make a gift worth its weight in gold.
“And the tea contained here is something our Trading Company produces ourselves. The tea is called Moonlit Night. Unlike other teas, it’s best consumed before sleep.”
“A fine gift indeed. I shall accept it with gratitude.”
The League Master nodded with a smile, seeming satisfied with the gift.
“Your injured leg from before—has it healed well?”
“Yes, thanks to your concern, it has fully recovered.”
“But what brings you here?”
“The matter is this: I am to be married this coming October.”
With that, I presented the wedding invitation.
The League Master accepted it, opened it, and spoke with a smile.
“Oh! My congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
The League Master smiled at me, then glanced at Lady Seo Hyang and tilted his head curiously.
“Why do you do that, sir?”
“Ah, forgive me. There’s something familiar about her face.”
At those words, I became certain.
The League Master knows Lady Seo Hyang’s face.
But given his position, which makes it difficult to leave Luoyang, he couldn’t have seen her directly in Guizhou.
He must have seen her in a portrait.
That would explain how matters proceeded.
Then Lady Seo Hyang spoke.
“Could you perhaps be referring to Dongja-ryeong?”
At her question, the League Master laughed heartily.
“That seems to be it.”
Though I tried to conceal my emotions as much as possible, my eyes betrayed me.
Seeing him flinch, he must have been taken aback.
Indeed, he likely never expected Lady Seo Hyang to mention that name so directly.
“How do you know that name?”
Lady Seo Hyang answered his question.
“I met her elder brother before, and he mistook me for his deceased younger sister.”
I added an explanation.
“And recently, the younger brother of that young lady’s betrothed came to me asking to become my disciple. That young master was quite startled upon seeing the woman who will become my wife. In truth, I was also shocked when I first saw her, so what more need be said?”
The old saying goes: to deceive someone effectively, mix nine parts truth with one part falsehood.
“So you too have connections with that young lady Dongja-ryeong.”
At the League Master’s question, I nodded.
“Yes. Previously, the Guizhou Provincial Governor, her father, requested that I bring eyes for her. As you know, my martial technique is the Heavenly Stream Technique. So I once brought her eyes by utilizing the yin energy of my inner power.”
“She must have been delighted.”
“Yes, she was very pleased. But sadly, not long after, she met with an accident and passed away.”
The League Master shook his head and sighed.
“Alas! So she has died! What a lamentable affair.”
“But how do you know of that young lady, sir?”
“…I saw her when she came to Luoyang. She stopped by on her way to Beijing with the Guizhou Provincial Governor.”
Wow, he’s spouting lies without even moistening his lips first.
From what I know, Lady Seo Hyang had never left Guizhou before meeting me—not once in her entire life.
I glanced sideways at Lady Seo Hyang.
Yet her expression remained composed and serene.
As if listening to someone else’s tale, she betrayed no emotion whatsoever.
Ever since meeting her elder brother, Dong Hyuk-su Grand Master, she had worked tremendously hard.
Fortunately, those efforts were bearing fruit in this very moment.
“I see.”
“But upon closer inspection, she is indeed a different person. Moreover, judging by her martial prowess, it appears she has trained since childhood.”
Thanks to Lady Seo Hyang’s constitution, her progress in the Heavenly Stream Technique had been swift, which seemed to have caused this misunderstanding.
“Yes, that is correct.”
“What a splendid union with such a distinguished hero! The Spring Commander must be overjoyed.”
“Yes. I believe he rejoices from heaven above.”
“Hmm?”
“He passed away when I was very young. It grieves me that he cannot witness my marriage.”
With that, a single tear rolled down her cheek, and she dabbed it away with the handkerchief attached to her sleeve.
Even I found it difficult to discern whether it was performance or genuine emotion.
The League Master shifted uncomfortably and cleared his throat.
“Ahem, my apologies.”
“It is no matter.”
“Then who instructed you in martial arts?”
“My Uncle taught me.”
I added an explanation to this.
“She learned the same Heavenly Stream Technique as I did.”
“I see.”
The League Master nodded and continued speaking.
“In any case, you make a well-matched pair. Congratulations on your marriage.”
“Thank you.”
“I shall certainly send a congratulatory delegation.”
Truthfully, it was unnecessary. I wasn’t particularly pleased about it either.
But I could not voice such sentiments.
I bowed respectfully and replied.
“If you would do so, I shall regard it as a great honor to my family.”
Thus concluded my meeting with the League Master.
We spoke not a word during our return to the Luoyang Branch.
In Luoyang, the Murim Alliance’s eyes and ears could be anywhere.
“Phew!”
Only after entering my room did I exhale deeply and address Lady Seo Hyang.
“You performed admirably.”
“You’ve gone through quite a bit of trouble, Small Guild Master.”
“To be honest, when the League Master was lying in the middle of it all, I wasn’t sure how I should react.”
She laughed at my words.
“Do you react to every sound a puppy makes when it yawns?”
“…Pardon?”
“I just thought of you as a puppy yawning.”
At her words, I couldn’t help but burst into laughter.
She was certainly not someone to be underestimated.

The next day.
We ate breakfast and set out immediately.
Since we had completed our meeting with the League Master, the purpose of coming to Luoyang, there was no reason to stay any longer.
Thus, we departed with farewells from the Luoyang Branch Chief and the Luoyang Branch members.
From Luoyang to the Eun Hae Trading Company Headquarters in Hubei Province was a quick journey.
In reality, it would take more than five days, but we were traveling on Ju Gang Ma.
As the sun was setting, we couldn’t find a suitable inn nearby, so we decided to camp out under the stars.
It was best not to stay at suspicious inns.
Crackle, snap.
The sound of burning wood reached my ears.
Fresh fish were cooking to a golden brown over the campfire.
“Myeong-jong Warrior, Chang-un Warrior.”
“Yes.”
“Have you had a chance to read the martial arts manuals you purchased from the Mirage Bookstore before?”
They nodded at my question.
The first to answer was Myeong-jong Warrior.
“The martial arts manual that came into my hands is called Garden of Plums. The title was unusual for a martial arts manual, which made me curious… but upon reading it, it was certainly a martial arts manual.”
He continued.
“The plum blossom symbolizes the martial arts of the Huashan Sect. The sect’s techniques are expressed through the plum blossom. However, the author of Garden of Plums said otherwise. He said that it’s not necessary to use only the plum blossom to express Huashan’s martial arts.”
“It seems to carry a deeper meaning.”
“Yes. However, I’ve only read up to that point so far, so I’ll need a bit more time.”
“I see.”
But seeing the smile that appeared on his face, he seemed more relieved than before.
“The martial arts manual I received is called Water Hermit Technique.”
Chang-un Warrior continued.
What he was recommended was clearly a martial arts manual.
“It was water technique.”
Water technique?
Why did they recommend a water technique manual to Chang-un Warrior?
“It seems to be a water technique aimed at enduring in water like a rock for a long time, and for this, it appears to require quite deep water. And I haven’t finished reading it yet.”
“I see. To be honest, all three of you probably didn’t have enough time to thoroughly study and practice those manuals.”
I glanced around at them and spoke.
“That said, once we arrive at the Hubei Province Headquarters, I intend to provide the three of you with time to cultivate your martial arts.”
“Pardon?”
“I have already discussed this with Seo-woo Warrior, Jin Yu Warrior, and Yeo Eung-am Warrior. At the headquarters, there is no need for you to maintain such thorough protection as you do now. So we have agreed that the three of you will take turns guarding me.”
At my words, Lee Pil Warrior, Myeong-jong Warrior, and Chang-un Warrior wore expressions difficult to describe.
They looked apologetic, yet moved at the same time.
Seo-woo Warrior spoke.
“Do not even think of refusing. What do you think it means that we visited the Mirage Bookstore this time and received recommendations for martial arts manuals? This is your opportunity.”
Jin Yu Warrior seconded him.
“Opportunities are meant to be seized. So do not burden yourself with guilt. Train diligently and become an even greater asset to your lord.”
Yeo Eung-am Warrior lightened the atmosphere that was growing too heavy.
“But do not become overly emotional about it. Hahaha.”
The three warriors’ eyes reddened at their words.
I smiled and spoke.
“You can show your gratitude later through your results.”
Then I called for Palgap.
“Palgap. I’m hungry. Is the fish not done yet?”
“It is all cooked, sir.”
– Squeak…
You’re hungry too?
You haven’t eaten the Gold Coins and Silver Coins we stacked in the warehouse? Why not eat those?
Squeak?
Those are emergency rations, you say? I see.
Still, there’s no need to be so serious about it.

The next day.
We set out once more and arrived at Hubei Province.
“We’ve finally reached Hubei Province.”
The Yeo Eung-am Warrior spoke.
“Somehow, just arriving at Hubei Province feels like coming home.”
“Haha. I feel the same way.”
With that, we pressed onward and arrived at the Hubei Province Headquarters.
“Goodness! You’ve arrived?”
“The Third Sub-unit Leader has come!”
Upon our arrival, the Guard Officials sprang into action, ringing the bell to announce our presence within.
“You’ve come.”
“Grandfather!”
I was slightly surprised that Grandfather came to greet us personally.
“This young lady pays her respects to the Tae Sang Trading Company Master.”
At Seo Hyang’s greeting, Grandfather clicked his tongue with a displeased expression.
“Tsk tsk, that won’t do.”
“Pardon?”
“You’re becoming the daughter-in-law of this household now. Isn’t there a more fitting way to address me?”
At this, Seo Hyang carefully opened her mouth.
“Grandfather….”
“Yes, that’s right.”
I asked Grandfather, who was smiling contentedly.
“It seems the rest of the family is quite busy?”
“Your father and mother are at a gathering now, and Jin-ho went on a trading expedition and hasn’t returned yet.”
“I see.”
“You must be exhausted from the long journey. Come inside and rest.”
“Yes.”
Grandfather appeared even healthier than before.
It seemed to be thanks to the Longevity Herb I had given him previously.
It brought me joy to see him moving about so vigorously.

We returned to my quarters.
The maidservant attending to Seo Hyang had agreed to arrive with Eun Jung-ho when he came.
Since we were traveling by Ju Gang Ma, it was impossible for her to accompany us now.
So she would stay with me in my separate pavilion.
The pavilion had been built with marriage in mind, so it was spacious with many rooms.
Since my separate pavilion had its own maidservant, we could rely on her assistance until then.
Still, Seo Hyang now needed a proper attendant.
The duties of an attendant and a maidservant were distinctly different, after all.
Even though we were merchants, we often met with people of considerable standing, so the role of attendants and maidservants was crucial.
They needed not only a certain level of knowledge and familiarity with propriety, but also sharp intuition.
Finding loyal and capable attendants and maidservants was no easy task.
That’s why I always considered myself fortunate that Palgap served as my attendant.
Originally, I had wanted to make the maidservant who had been assisting her into an attendant, but she had declined.
An attendant had to be constantly at one’s side, and if there was anyone who recognized her face, Seo Hyang might come under suspicion.
Since her reasoning was sound, she would continue as a maidservant.
I would need to seek Mother’s advice regarding finding an attendant for Seo Hyang.
Both my elder brothers’ wives had also found their attendants through Mother, after all.

That evening.
I received word that Father and Mother had returned from the gathering.
“Don’t trouble yourself coming to pay respects now. We’ll see each other at dinner later,” they said.
It seemed they were telling me to rest a bit longer since they were tired.
Thanks to that, I had time to lie in my chamber and lounge about.
“Chirp! Chirp!”
Beside me, Geumryeong was rolling about while holding Eun Ja.
It was Geumryeong’s emergency rations that had been in my secret vault.
Had I really left it there for this purpose?
“Chirp….”
How did I know?
Hah… So it was true?

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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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