The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 73

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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 Eunhae Trading Company – Chapter 73

Chapter 73. Becoming a Small Merchant Guild Leader (4)

Shortly after, I entered the Dining Hall.
“Are you pleased?”
The moment I stepped inside, Hyung-jin spoke to me.
For some reason, I felt apologetic toward him. No matter how much he insisted he was fine with it, my heart couldn’t accept it.
“Brother….”
At my words, Hyung-jin let out a soft laugh.
“This fellow became a Small Merchant Guild Leader before me!”
“I’m sorry….”
“Stop right there!”
“…?”
“If you apologize, does that make it right?”
Hyung-jin chuckled softly.
“Do you think I don’t understand what you’re feeling? But listen, each person has a garment that fits them properly. And forcing your body into a garment that doesn’t suit you is truly a miserable thing.”
Hyung-jin continued.
“Right now, the garment that fits you well is that of a Small Merchant Guild Leader. So there’s no need to apologize.”
Yes, this is the kind of person Hyung-jin is.
“Well, before long, even the garment of a Small Merchant Guild Leader will become too small for you.”
“Hahaha.”
“Anyway, congratulations.”
I looked at Hyung-jin. The image of his severed head from my memories flickered before my eyes.
This time, such a fate would never befall him.
“We’re late!”
Just then, my family entered and congratulated me on my proclamation as a Small Merchant Guild Leader.
I received gifts as well.
Before taking my seat at the Dining Table, I called out to my Mother.
“Mother, I have a request.”
“A request? I’m curious what the youngest son could possibly ask for.”
“Please give my Separate Pavilion a name.”
“A name for your pavilion? Why ask me instead of Father or Grandfather?”
I answered her question.
“Grandfather named Elder Brother’s Separate Pavilion. And Father should name Second Brother’s Separate Pavilion. Though I became a Small Merchant Guild Leader first, I have no intention of overstepping those bounds.”
I spoke while looking at my Mother.
“So I would like Mother to give my Separate Pavilion its name.”
In fact, in my previous life, Grandfather had named my Separate Pavilion.
Eun Jung-ho had received his separate pavilion’s name by requesting it from Father, so it was only proper that I request mine from Mother.
But at that time, I had not done so.
It was only later that I learned Mother had harbored quiet expectations, and from the moment I began my practical duties, she had already been deliberating over hundreds of name candidates.
And that she had been deeply disappointed.
Upon learning this, I felt terribly sorry.
So this time, I resolved not to make such a mistake.
To my request, Mother demurred.
“No, it would be better if you asked your Grandfather for your separate pavilion’s name, not me.”
As she said this, her lips curved slightly upward.
Mother truly cannot tell a lie.
“No, Mother. I wish to receive my separate pavilion’s name from you. I believe Grandfather and Father will understand this.”
At my words, both Grandfather and Father nodded readily.
“Very well, my child. Do as you wish.”
“Let your mother name Seo-ho’s separate pavilion.”
Only then did Mother pretend to ponder for a moment before speaking.
“A fine name has just come to me.”
“What is it?”
“Moongouk Pavilion. I named it after Moongouk Star.”
The Big Dipper contains nine stars, and they are said to govern human fortune and misfortune.
Each has a name, and the fourth star among them is Moongouk Star.
“Moongouk Star governs literature, but it also governs wealth. I gave you this name so that you would always have good fortune with money.”
Of course, such a name could not have come to her on the spur of the moment.
“It is a wonderful name. Thank you, Mother.”
Hearing this, Grandfather also smiled warmly and added his words.
“You have received a truly excellent name.”
“Yes, Grandfather.”
“Now then, let us take our morning meal.”
As everyone took their seats at the dining table, breakfast was served.
This morning’s meal was red bean porridge.
It carries the meaning of warding off misfortune.
Yet Moongouk Star is also said to correct what is wrong and foresee the future.
The fact that Mother had named my separate pavilion Moongouk Pavilion felt deeply significant.
Surely Mother does not know that I have traveled backward through time?
No, that cannot be.
.
.
.
As soon as I finished breakfast, I went directly to the pavilion and dressed in formal robes.
These were formal robes made by Lady Hong Geum-so, whom I had brought along to create clothing for the Jamu Doll Company.
She had insisted on making the formal robes herself as a way of expressing gratitude for allowing her to earn substantial wealth.
Now that I think about it, it’s about time I cured Lady Hong Geum-so’s husband’s illness.
There’s a reason I haven’t yet treated Lady Hong Geum-so’s husband.
I was waiting for the right moment.
To restore the internal organs that were rotting away due to blood poison, I needed proper medicine.
And the finest medicine I know of will soon make its appearance in this world.
Once I obtain it, I plan to treat Lady Hong Geum-so’s husband.
I looked in the mirror.
The ceremonial robes she had made for me were truly magnificent, even by my own assessment.
“Young Master, you look absolutely splendid.”
“Don’t I look good?”
“Of course! Young Master is the most handsome in the world.”
After receiving an abundance of praise from Palgap, I emerged from the Separate Pavilion.
Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior were also dressed in ceremonial robes—blue ones designed for ease of movement.
Such robes could only be worn by personal guard warriors.
The two guard warriors bowed respectfully to me.
“We are at your service.”
“I’m counting on you both today as well.”
I set out toward the Banquet Hall, accompanied by Palgap and my two guard warriors.
It was time to receive the guests.
.
.
.
There were many guests.
To be honest, I hadn’t failed to anticipate that there would be a large number of attendees.
Yet it seemed even greater than when I had become a Small Merchant Guild Leader in my previous life.
I exchanged greetings with each guest—”Thank you for coming,” “I hope you enjoy your time,” and the like.
This is no easy task.
I found myself thinking that Father, standing beside me and greeting guests alongside me, must be exhausted as well.
At that moment, Father called to me.
“Go to the Lower Banquet Hall and pay your respects there as well.”
“Understood.”
The Banquet Hall was divided into two main sections.
For convenience, we called them the Upper and Lower Banquet Halls—the Upper Banquet Hall was reserved for high officials and Merchant Guild Leaders, while the Lower Banquet Hall accommodated everyone else.
All others enjoyed the festivities in the Lower Banquet Hall.
The reason I had to go separately to the Lower Banquet Hall to pay my respects was that they had not greeted me upon arrival.
They had simply entered through a different entrance, eating and drinking at their leisure.
Since they too had come to celebrate my proclamation as Small Merchant Guild Leader, it was only proper that I offer my respects to them.
“I hope you are enjoying the festivities.”
“We are enjoying ourselves immensely.”
“I hope you continue to have a wonderful time.”
“Thank you for the invitation.”
“Thank you for coming today.”
“Congratulations on becoming a Small Merchant Guild Leader.”
I made my rounds through the crowd, greeting people. That’s when I spotted a familiar face.
It was Gong the Potter and Gong Mil’s family.
I exchanged greetings with them. Gong Mil looked embarrassed in that moment.
“I’ve crafted some vessels as a gift to celebrate your appointment as Small Merchant Guild Leader.”
“Is that so?”
“It’s nothing special, but please visit us sometime.”
“Of course, I will.”
As I gently ruffled Gong Rae’s hair, she spoke to me.
“I’ll sing a song as my gift to you.”
“A song?”
At my question, Gong Mil answered.
“Rae sings quite well.”
“Is that so? Understood. I’ll definitely come and listen.”
After making that promise, I turned to greet the others.
“Oh? Internal Chief Manager?”
But Yu Chief Manager was there.
“Shouldn’t the Internal Chief Manager be in the Upper Banquet Hall rather than the Lower Banquet Hall?”
“I cannot.”
“Sir?”
“I cannot relax and enjoy myself there. Besides, I need to stay with this boy, and he’s still adjusting.”
The child Yu Chief Manager pointed to was Seok Il-song.
He bowed his head to me with an embarrassed expression.
His face had filled out noticeably since I’d last seen him, and he looked healthier for it.
“How is the work treating you?”
“Well, the Internal Chief Manager takes meticulous care of me.”
“Study hard. The Internal Chief Manager’s abilities are the finest I’ve ever witnessed.”
“Yes!”
At my words, Yu Chief Manager turned away bashfully.
I chuckled softly and was about to move on when I spotted an important guest.
In my previous life, she was known as the Bamboo Forest Weaver Woman—my Master’s wife.
“Welcome.”
“Thank you for the invitation.”
Two children stood beside her.
Gwak Hyung-jin, whose life I had saved, and Gwak Jun-ha, who had been my Guard in my previous life.
“It’s good to see you both.”
“We regret that we haven’t visited sooner to express our gratitude.”
“I’ve been busy, so don’t worry about it. Are you both still studying hard?”
“Yes.”
That was when Gwak Jun-ha spoke up.
“My elder brother has just begun studying the Analects!”
“Already?”
“Yes!”
“Impressive! That’s remarkable!”
He had just turned thirteen, and here he was tackling the Analects!
I felt a deep sense of pride knowing I had helped nurture such talent.
I knew of another such talented individual—Seok Il-song, who dined beside Yu Chief Manager.
If the two of them became friends, it would be a perfect match.
“But where is your Master?”
“He came with us this far, but something urgent came up, so he told us to go ahead first.”
“I see.”
“He said he wouldn’t be late.”
She then glanced around, searching for an empty seat.
That was when Yu Chief Manager called out to her.
“Are you the wife of Gwak Pyo-du?”
“Yes, I am.”
“If you don’t mind, would you join us at this table?”
“May I truly do so?”
“Of course. Il-song has been feeling rather lonely without someone his own age to talk to.”
Given Yu Chief Manager’s status and his rather stern appearance, no one had ventured to sit near him, making it perfectly reasonable for her to join.
Just then, Deputy Officer Jo Young-young found me.
“It’s time for you to take the stage now.”
“Ah, is it?”
I excused myself and followed the deputy officer toward the ceremonial platform.
My father, dressed in resplendent robes, stepped forward first to greet the guests.
“I am Eun Gil-sang, the Merchant Guild Leader of the Eunhae Trading Company. I am deeply grateful to all of you for attending the inauguration ceremony of my third son, Eun Seo-ho, as a Small Merchant Guild Leader.”
Father bowed respectfully, then introduced me to the assembled guests.
“I present to you Eun Seo-ho, the youngest to ever become a Small Merchant Guild Leader in our company.”
At Father’s words, I ascended the ceremonial platform.
I clasped my fists in salute to everyone. From this vantage point, I could see all their faces clearly.
“I am Eun Seo-ho, as you’ve just heard. I am grateful to all of you for coming to celebrate my inauguration as a Small Merchant Guild Leader.”
Father then made the formal announcement to everyone.
“Today, I, Eun Gil-sang, Merchant Guild Leader of the Eunhae Trading Company, formally declare that my third son, Eun Seo-ho, has become a Small Merchant Guild Leader.”
Yu Dae-ik, the deputy officer, then presented me with the identification badge that had been resting on a tray.
It was a silver badge engraved with the symbol of the company—the moon floating upon the sea.
Unlike the jade badge I had received earlier, this was the official identification badge I would wear daily.
I accepted it and fastened it to my waist.
Now I was officially a Small Merchant Guild Leader.

The ceremony proceeded far more calmly than I had anticipated.
None of the troubles I had worried about came to pass.
I was relieved.

* * *

At that same moment.
Gwak Myung-hyun wiped the blood from his blade with a cloth, methodical and unhurried.
‘By now, the Small Merchant Guild Leader ceremony should be in full swing.’
He regarded those he had just cut down with cold, piercing eyes.
While attending the gathering with his family at Eun Seo-ho’s invitation, he had detected the murderous intent they radiated.
The masked intruders had displayed unmistakable killing intent directed at the Eunhae Trading Company.
Thus Gwak Myung-hyun had pursued them and discovered that their target was Eun Seo-ho.
Like true assassins, they had kept their tongues sealed.
So he could not discern who had commissioned them.
They had attacked him, but their skill was barely worth a derisive chuckle.
‘I cannot fathom where my disciple has ventured or what he has done to attract such vermin.’
Suddenly, a conversation he had shared with Eun Seo-ho came to mind.

“I simply trusted you, Master.”
“You speak of me?”
“Yes. Does Master not wish for his disciple’s success? Therefore, I trust and follow you.”

A disciple who placed such faith in him!
Though he had taken him as a disciple because of the family prophecy, Gwak Myung-hyun had become genuinely devoted to his student.
That must have been why.
He had given one of the few remaining family treasures as a gift.
And just as he had during Eun Jung-ho’s Small Merchant Guild Leader ceremony, even knowing that Eun Seo-ho would resolve any crisis that arose, he had stepped in personally upon seeing the masked intruders.
On any other day it might have been different, but today, no one would be permitted to interfere with Eun Seo-ho.
‘I cannot allow even the slightest blemish upon my disciple’s future.’
Somewhere along the way, Eun Seo-ho had ceased to be merely a “young master” and had become his “disciple.”
With a soft metallic whisper, he sheathed his blade.
And from somewhere, figures appeared to dispose of the bodies.
There remained no evidence that anyone had died in this place.
He adjusted his clothing and used his inner energy to disperse the lingering scent of blood from his body.
Now it was time to return to his disciple.
It’s time to go to my disciples now.

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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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