The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 727

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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 727

Chapter 727. Hyerim Sect (5)

We fell silent for a long moment.
How could we not, when the vault overflowed with gold, silver, and precious treasures?
Beyond that, the shelves beside us held secret manuals and various artifacts arranged in meticulous order.
“Father.”
“We’ve finally opened the Secret Vault.”
At the words of Im Seok-je Scholar and Im Seok-hwa, tears streamed down the Hyerim Sect Master’s cheeks.
Were those tears of joy? Or tears of regret?
“So the Secret Vault truly existed.”
“Yes, it truly did. Gold, silver, treasures, and secret manuals—all here.”
I spoke to the Hyerim Sect Master.
“My congratulations.”
“Thank you. And I am truly grateful. For resolving the Main House’s long-standing wish like this… I am truly grateful.”
“It is thanks to you and your family’s perseverance all these years. Now the Hyerim Sect can flourish once more.”
I continued.
“Which is why I ask, Im Seok-hwa.”
“Yes.”
“I offer you the choice once more. Will you become a maidservant to my wife? Or will you remain with the Hyerim Sect?”
I went on.
“With the treasures here, I can easily repay not only the debts to the Red Bean House that I took upon myself, but also any other borrowed funds, with much to spare.”
“Indeed, that would be the case.”
“So I ask. The circumstances have changed from before.”
Unlike before, Im Seok-hwa no longer needed to become Seo Hyang’s maidservant.
To force her into servitude under such changed circumstances would not be right.
Though certainly, she would not be bought with money.
To my question, Im Seok-hwa answered with resolve.
“Do you mean to make me a person ungrateful for kindness?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“A person must surely recognize kindness. Had you not aided us, we would have perished long ago. And this Secret Vault—I was able to open it only thanks to you.”
She bowed deeply to me with respect.
“I, Im Seok-hwa, pledge to serve your wife with utmost sincerity as a maidservant. Should I ever betray you and your wife, I swear I shall receive heaven’s punishment.”
“Thank you for making such a difficult decision once again.”
I raised my head to look at the Hyerim Sect Master and Im Seok-je Scholar.
“I wonder if it is proper to speak thus here, but may I offer one more word of counsel?”
“What is it?”
“From ancient times, it has been said that treasures belong to those with power. Do you know why such a saying exists?”
“Because treasures are seized from those without the strength to protect them.”
The Hye Rim Moon Master nodded and continued speaking.
“And just now, I came to understand this truth deeply. I nearly lost my most precious treasures—my children—right before my eyes.”
He spoke with a darkened expression.
“Thinking of that, I opened this Secret Vault and obtained the precious things within, yet fear grips me. Can I truly protect these? Will my Main Organization not suffer tragedy again at the hands of those who would seize them? I am genuinely troubled.”
Indeed, he is worthy of the title Sect Master.
The wisdom accumulated through years of arduous living cannot be dismissed.
The Sect Master was already contemplating what lay ahead.
“I have overstepped my bounds.”
“Not at all. Were you not speaking out of concern for us? And truthfully, your experience is far richer than ours.”
The Hye Rim Moon Master asked me with a serious expression.
“So tell me—what would be the best way to protect this Secret Vault?”
“First, I would request that you hire the Pyoguk to provide security.”
“That seems wise.”
“And you and the Young Master must use the secret techniques within to restore your martial prowess to its former glory. From my experience, it is ultimately martial strength that determines the prestige of a sect.”
“Martial strength… Indeed, according to the records passed down, the martial techniques of Hyerim Sect in the past were recognized even by the Nine Sects.”
“I see.”
I spoke to everyone gathered.
“Then, let us depart from here. Dawn approaches.”
When we emerged from the Secret Vault, the eastern sky was already breaking with light.
After asking Palgap to prepare breakfast, I began my training.
As I performed breathing exercises and handstand push-ups for physical conditioning, Im Seok-je Scholar marveled at the sight.
“I heard in the Marketplace Street that the Eun Hae Trading Company ranks within the top twenty among all merchant guilds in the Realm. Yet despite such wealth, you train with such intensity.”
At this, the Myeong-jong Warrior beside him added his observation.
“From what I have witnessed, you have not missed a single day of training.”
“What! Is that so? That is truly remarkable!”
“No, it is not remarkable—it is merely necessary. To protect our company’s wealth, I cannot afford to neglect my training.”
And for vengeance as well.
“There are far more ruffians in this world than people realize. Against those for whom law and reason hold no sway, only personal martial strength can provide a solution.”
“….”
I straightened my posture and wiped the sweat from my brow, looking at Im Seok-je Scholar.
“Im Seok-je.”
“Yes.”
“I would hope that now that you have suddenly acquired great wealth, you do not fall into extravagance or dissolute living.”
I continued.
“Having traveled throughout the entire Empire, I have learned that earning money is important, but spending it wisely is far more crucial.”
“….”
“Once word spreads that you have become wealthy, all manner of people will come seeking you, flattering you with honeyed words and false smiles. But remember this—these are the very ones who would not have spared you a glance when you had nothing.”
I continued speaking.
“The only reason they seek the Young Master is to exploit him or deceive him. Thus, associating with them would be foolish. Moreover, it would ruin the sect once again.”
“….”
“Is it not true that the reason we could not find the entrance to this Secret Vault was because the dissolute Sect Master was swayed by the Fourth Lady’s words and built a lavish Separate Quarters here?”
“That is correct.”
“Therefore, I wish to recommend a method.”
“Please speak.”
“Since you need not worry about sustenance any longer, I suggest you enter closed-door cultivation for precisely one year. Your goal should be to participate in next year’s Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament in the ninth month.”
“The Yongbong Martial Arts Tournament?”
“Yes. You must demonstrate exceptional skill there and build your reputation. Only then will the future of Hyerim Sect brighten, and it will prosper once more.”
“….”
“Remember that you are the sole heir of Hyerim Sect.”
“…I understand.”
He clasped his fists in salute to me.
“I shall take the Small Guild Master’s counsel deeply to heart.”

Shortly after, Palgap brought the morning meal.
Yet he did not come alone—he arrived with Seo Hyang.
“I heard matters were resolved well.”
“Yes, that is so.”
I introduced Seo Hyang to those of Hyerim Sect.
“She is to become my wife. Her name is Gwak Seo-hyang.”
“It is a pleasure to meet you. I am Im Sang, Sect Master of the Main Organization.”
“Young girl Gwak Seo-hyang pays her respects to the Sect Master.”
“And these are my son Im Seok-je and daughter Im Seok-hwa.”
“I am Im Seok-je.”
“I’m Im Seok-hwa.”
“It is wonderful to meet you.”
I spoke to Seo Hyang.
“Im Seok-hwa has agreed to serve as your Maidservant.”
“Oh! Thank you so much.”
Seo Hyang grasped Im Seok-hwa’s hands with delight.
“Let us get along well from now on.”
“Yes, Lady. I shall serve with all my heart.”
“Oh my, forgive me. You must be hungry.”
Seo Hyang spoke to Palgap.
“Shall I bring out what we prepared?”
“Very well.”
At this, Im Seok-hwa quickly approached.
“Let me help you.”
Meanwhile, the Guard Warriors and Im Seok-je Scholar brought out tables and chairs from within the house.
“These were items we kept because they were so worn that merchants would only offer firewood prices for them. I see you’re putting them to good use.”
“Still, they’re quite sturdy. They seem quite old, though.”
As he spoke, the Yeo Eung-am Warrior wiped dust from the dining table and chairs with a damp cloth.
“Hmm? Wait a moment.”
I approached the dining table, running my hand across its surface and tapping it gently.
Despite its age, the table felt remarkably smooth to the touch.
The sound it produced when I tapped it was considerably softer than expected.
So faint it was barely audible.
“Just as I suspected.”
“What is it?”
The Hye Rim Moon Master, who had been watching from behind, asked, and I provided the answer.
“This is Geumdan wood.”
“Geumdan wood? What is that?”
“It’s a wood as smooth as silk, resistant to scratches, and when processed, it naturally covers its surface with a lustrous red substance that never loses its sheen. It’s called Geumdan wood—literally ‘brocade-red wood’—because of its silken smoothness and radiant crimson luster.”
“But I’ve never heard of it.”
“You wouldn’t have. Geumdan wood grows in the distant southern Guangdong Region and is extraordinarily rare. Due to overharvesting, only a handful of trees remain, and all of them are currently reserved for crafting Imperial Palace furniture.”
I continued my explanation.
“Ordinary people never get to see it.”
“Heavens! Then is this acceptable? Surely the Geumui Guard won’t suspect anything?”
“Of course not. When we moved this table earlier, I noticed the manufacturing date and the craftsman’s name inscribed on its underside.”
I carefully flipped the table over to reveal it was made over two hundred years ago.
“Two hundred years ago, anyone could purchase such things. Still, if this were put up for auction, wealthy collectors would go mad for it.”
“Ah… they say ignorance is such that even if you hold treasure in your hands, it means nothing! To think this dining table, gathering dust in the warehouse, was something so precious!”
“It was wise not to sell it when offered only firewood prices.”
“It seems that person didn’t realize this was expensive furniture.”
“As I mentioned, ordinary people never even see such things. And with all that dust accumulated on it, would anyone have thought it valuable?”
I smiled as I spoke.
“From what I’ve read, even two hundred years ago, Geumdan wood furniture commanded astronomical prices. The fact that you have two of these tables suggests your sect’s former prosperity was truly extraordinary.”
“Didn’t I tell you? The martial prowess of the Main Organization was acknowledged and respected even by the Nine Sects, the great sects.”
“If the two of you make the effort, you should be able to reclaim that former glory.”
Soon, dishes were arranged upon the Geumdan wood table.
We all gathered around and shared breakfast together.
After consulting with the Sect Master, I sent the Jin Yu Warrior and the Yeo Eung-am Warrior to the Changin Escort Agency.
This was to request the Hyerim Sect’s protection services.
The Changin Escort Agency was trustworthy, after all.
I couldn’t remain here indefinitely to guard them.
The Hye Rim Moon Master’s family and I entered the Secret Vault again and examined its contents.
I returned to the Secret Vault because the Hye Rim Moon Master had said, “I’ve never seen the Night Luminous Pearl before, and I only just learned this table was made of Geumdan wood. How would I recognize other items?” and asked me to help examine the vault’s contents.
It made sense, so I came back to the Secret Vault and helped organize it.
The Secret Vault was, in every sense, a secret vault.
I had wondered if Geumryeong would pester me about the precious treasures in this place, but surprisingly, she remained well-behaved.
What was this?
Usually she drools at the sight of expensive and rare things?
– Squawk. Squawk.
It’s not yours, and there’s no possibility it will become yours, so why drool over it?
Geumryeong certainly distinguishes such things well.
If others could discern as well as Geumryeong does, the world’s conflicts would be cut in half.
More than half of the world’s conflicts stem from greed for wealth.
“Ah, this appears to be a martial arts manual.”
I pointed to one section as I surveyed the West Street.
Upon seeing this, the Hye Rim Moon Master spoke with an expression of emotion.
“It was here all along!”
What could this be….
“A martial arts manual containing the secret techniques of our Hyerim Sect!”
Unlike ordinary martial arts manuals, this one was in scroll form. The Sect Master carefully lifted it.
The characters written on top were [Forest Green Divine Art]
“The martial arts of our Hyerim Sect begin with accepting the essence of the forest and accumulating it as inner force.”
Ah….
Now I understood why the aura of the Hye Rim Moon Master and his two children was particularly refreshing.
It was because their sect used the essence of the forest as their inner force.
Then a thought suddenly occurred to me.
Could it be that the Sura Blood Sect truly coveted this land because of the existence of this secret vault?
According to my memories of my previous life, I had not heard that a secret vault was discovered in this place.
Moreover, it seemed that only those with the bloodline of Hyerim Sect could open the secret vault, and with the Hye Rim Moon Master and his children’s deaths or suicides, the sect’s lineage was severed.
I still could not discern what their true objective was.
However, what was certain was that now that this place had been discovered, the Sura Blood Sect’s plans would not proceed as intended.
Then I heard a voice calling me from outside.
We ascended, and I encountered a familiar face.
It was Mak Chung Pyo-du of the Changin Escort Agency, who had accompanied me when I went to search for my Elder Brother Jin-ho, who had gone missing before.
“I heard you found it.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
“I wish to request your assistance in guarding and securing this place.”
Upon this, he glanced around the Hyerim Sect and asked.
“Is there a reason?”
The Hye Rim Moon Master beside me answered.
“We have opened a secret vault that had been sealed away for a long time.”
At this, Mak Chung Pyo-du tilted his head in confusion.
This was inevitable, as the matter of the secret vault was a secret.
And even if he had somehow known of it, he might have dismissed it as mere legend or absurd rumor.
So I provided a supplementary explanation.
“The items in that Secret Vault are quite valuable. That’s why thorough security is necessary.”
“I see. Security requests are divided into three tiers: Grade A, Grade B, and Grade C. Naturally, the personnel composition differs, as does the price. Grade A costs twenty silver taels per month, Grade B costs ten taels, and Grade C costs five taels.”
I glanced toward Hye Rim Moon Master.
After all, it would be Hye Rim Moon Master who would bear the cost of security.
“I’ll request Grade A.”
“I… forgive an old man’s concern, but twenty silver taels per month is enough to build two thatched cottages.”
Mak Chung Pyo-du spoke this way because he likely understood the financial situation of Hyerim Sect.
I replied.
“Perhaps it would be better to show you directly.”

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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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