The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 736

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————

The Youngest Son of the Eun Hae Trading Company Chapter 736

Chapter 736. The Wedding at Last (5)

I personally escorted the guests from the Geumui Guard into the hall.
They had come bearing the Emperor’s command, so I couldn’t simply exchange pleasantries and leave it at that.
The wisest approach was to preempt any possibility of gossip before it could arise.
“Thank you for traveling such a distance. You must be weary from the journey.”
Hwangbo Seon-yu Grand Master smiled at my greeting and replied.
“Weary? For us, this is a vacation! Hahahaha.”
“I’m grateful you see it that way.”
“Truth be told, Jin Young wanted to come as well, but he’s been swamped with work. So he asked me to deliver his wedding gift in his stead.”
“Please convey my thanks for his thoughtfulness.”
As I spoke, I glanced at one of those accompanying Hwangbo Seon-yu Grand Master.
That was Dong Myeong-su Grand Master, Seo Hyang’s elder brother.
Looking at him now, he did bear some resemblance to Dong Hyuk-su Grand Master.
From what I’d heard, Dong Myeong-su Grand Master possessed the finest martial prowess among his siblings.
Moreover, according to the Guizhou Poju Master, his senses were remarkably sharp—not just his martial skills.
It seemed to me that because the Guizhou Poju Master was of imperial blood, he had selected one of his sons for the Geumui Guard.
After all, none are more devoted to protecting imperial authority than those bound by blood.
So he must have chosen the one with the greatest martial talent among his sons, excluding the eldest who would inherit the family name.
“Please be seated here.”
Then I called over the Chief Manager who oversaw the banquet hall.
“Chief Manager, please see that these Geumui Guard masters are treated with special care.”
“Understood.”
As I was about to turn back toward the entrance, someone called out to me.
“Eun Seo-ho.”
“Yes?”
I turned to see it was Dong Myeong-su Grand Master.
What could he want?
I felt an inexplicable tension.
“It appears the local officials are gathered over there….”
“That’s correct.”
Indeed, his perception was sharp.
The fact that he’d noticed the officials’ presence at the banquet in such a brief span of time spoke volumes.
Actually, from the debt I’d given to the Red Head Gang Leader on behalf of the Hyerim Sect, One-Snake Sword had taken his share for land value, leaving me with a surplus.
The Patrol Officers and Pan Gwan had made their claims, and the remaining funds became officially mine.
And true to my word, I’d used that money to host a banquet, inviting the Patrol Officers, Pan Gwan, and the others.
I smiled and spoke.
“Would you care to exchange greetings for a moment?”
“We’ve already done so. It matters little to us, but those men will find their wine loses its flavor in our presence.”
You understand well.
“Yet… their table appears quite lavish. Did you perhaps invite them to this banquet in hopes of gaining something in return?”
…Huh?
What kind of nonsense was this—an ant pulling a tiger’s tail?
“Ahem….”
“Hmm….”
Observing the reactions of the other Embroidered Uniform Guard Masters, I began to understand Dong Myeong-su somewhat.
He possessed a sharp eye for gathering evidence and discerning situations, yet stumbled at the final step in drawing conclusions.
Still, one could not afford to lower their guard, for once or twice in every ten attempts, he would arrive at a plausible conclusion.
Or perhaps there was someone nearby capable of transforming his sharp observations into correct conclusions.
But this time, it was merely a misstep.
“Forgive me, Dong Dae-hyeop, but is there truly anything those men could offer me?”
“Hmm?”
Hwangbo Seon-yu was about to sigh and say something, but someone called out first.
“Myeong-su.”
“Ah! Father!”
Dong Myeong-su quickly rose from his seat.
The one who had called him was the Guizhou Poju Master.
“You’ve arrived?”
“Yes, Father. I trust you have been well.”
“Indeed.”
“It has been some time. Dong Dae-in.”
“To meet here, Hwangbo Dae-hyeop.”
After exchanging these brief courtesies, the Provincial Governor spoke to his son.
“Your observation just now contains a significant flaw. Do you not see it?”
“Pardon? What flaw do you mean?”
“Eun Seo-ho already enjoys the Emperor’s favor. This means he has no need to curry favor with mere provincial officials.”
“Ah… I see.”
Only then did he realize his misstep, and he lowered his head in apology.
“I have spoken out of turn.”
I smiled and replied.
“Not at all. This gathering is merely to honor their diligent efforts, so please do not concern yourselves. I hope you enjoy the celebration.”
“We have kept you far too long. Do go on.”
“Yes.”
With that, I bowed to them all and resumed my steps.
And when I glanced toward the Patrol Officers and officials, they straightened their postures with tense expressions.
They had noticed I had been in the company of the Embroidered Uniform Guard Masters and the Provincial Governor.
How unfortunate. I prepared some genuinely fine wine, yet I can’t even taste it properly.
How unfortunate. I prepared some genuinely fine wine, yet I can’t even taste it properly.
“Young Master, you certainly have a mischievous streak.”
“Hmm? What do you mean?”
Palgap spoke from behind me.
“That seating arrangement—you did that on purpose, didn’t you?”
“You noticed?”
“But I must admit, it does feel rather satisfying.”
I let out a quiet laugh.
Those officials had ruled this prefecture for quite some time.
When our Merchant Guild was still small, how contemptibly they had treated us.
Now they dare not do so, watching our every move instead, but had I forgotten what happened then?
I said it before.
My temperament is rather petty.
.
.
.
The banquet continued.
Guests kept arriving, and among them were some most welcome visitors.
“Eun Small Merchant Leader! Congratulations on your marriage!”
“Bok Sub-leader! I am grateful you traveled all this distance to be here.”
He had come from Liaoning, which could be called the northernmost region of the Empire.
“I received a personal invitation, so of course I had to come.”
“My congratulations.”
I bowed my head in response to Bok Sub-leader’s wife’s greeting.
“Thank you.”
“Then I shall go pay my respects to the bride.”
And she made her way toward where Seo Hyang was.
In a wedding ceremony, the bride’s close friends play quite an important role. But the problem was that she had very few women who could truly be called her friends.
Even those few were mostly people from the Merchant Guild or my Elder Brother’s Wife.
So I asked Bok Yun Sub-leader’s wife to serve as Seo Hyang’s close friend, and she accepted readily.
In Jung-yeon, the eldest daughter of Yu Seongmun Master.
From what I knew of her, she was more than adequate to serve as Seo Hyang’s close friend.
“Bok Sub-leader, please go and enjoy the festivities. Han Baek-geon Sub-Master, Sakang Branch Master, and even Prince Baek Yeom are here.”
“Ah, is that so? They must already be enjoying themselves with the wine.”
Among the wines I had prepared for this wedding banquet, there was no White Dew Wine.
This was because I had not yet resolved the issue regarding the Taiyin Ice-Sea Divine Art energy contained within it.
So I made the excuse that it was all being exported for overseas trade, and I was not selling it within the Empire.
Still, there were many other excellent wines, so there were no real complaints.
Honestly, once drunk, one wine tastes much like another anyway.
I’ve never been drunk before, so I’m not entirely sure.
I called a servant to guide Bok Yun Sub-leader away, then turned my attention back to the other guests.
That’s when I felt it—a sharp, piercing killing intent.
But I simply focused on my duties.
I didn’t need to intervene; the others present would handle it.
After all, Jegal Family’s Grand Elder and the Black Flute Physician, along with many other martial artists, were in attendance.
Of course, the Pawnshop Elder was here as well.

* * *

At that very moment.
There was a man quietly pretending to drink.
People called him the Silent Guest.
Because he carried out his assassinations without a sound.
And this time, he had received a contract.

[I hear there’s a wedding at the Eun Hae Trading Company. Cause as much chaos as you can at that banquet. Kekeke.]

He didn’t ask about the intention or purpose behind it.
After all, he simply did what he was hired to do and collected his payment—that was all.
More and more guests continued to arrive.
Thinking it was about time, the Silent Guest placed his hand on his sword hilt.
That’s when a voice transmission suddenly echoed in his mind.
– If you draw that blade, you won’t walk away unscathed.
“…!”
He flinched.
Then came another voice transmission.
– Tsk tsk, you have no sense of fear. Do you wish to die?
He couldn’t tell where the voice transmission was coming from.
All he felt was an overwhelming pressure, and cold sweat began to trickle down his spine.
– I dislike disturbances, so I’m giving you a chance to leave quietly. Stand up and leave this place within ten counts. If you refuse, you’ll come to regret that decision. One, two….
The Silent Guest deliberated on what to do.
But his deliberation didn’t last long.
The fact that someone could exert this level of pressure on him with merely a voice transmission and their aura meant they were an overwhelmingly superior master.
A truly skilled assassin must always understand their own limits.
He had no desire to die here.
So he rose from his seat and hurriedly fled the Eun Hae Trading Company.
Only when he had put considerable distance between himself and the Eun Hae Trading Company did the overwhelming pressure finally dissipate.
“Phew, but who on earth was that?”
As he pondered this.
Thwack!
A sharp sleep dart pierced his neck.
He crumpled to the ground.
A group of men quickly disposed of his body, and thus the Silent Guest vanished without a trace.

* * *

Evening had arrived.
Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!
With the sound of drums, joyous music filled the air, and at last the wedding ceremony began.
I made my way toward where Seo Hyang was waiting.
Behind me, musicians followed, playing festive melodies.
The music paused briefly, and the Chief Manager following behind me called out.
“Let the bride receive the groom!”
At those words, the door opened, and my Second Sister-in-law emerged.
“Let the groom enter.”
I stepped inside.
The chamber was decorated entirely in crimson.
Within it sat Seo Hyang, dressed in a red wedding gown.
The wife of Bok Yun Sub-leader, standing beside her, spoke.
“The bride wishes to follow the groom, but alas, without her shoes, she cannot go.”
“Then we must find them.”
I called for Geum-ryeong.
Geum-ryeong.
– Squawk!
Find Seo Hyang’s shoes! One gold coin for each shoe!
– Squawk! Squawk!
Geum-ryeong was delighted and swiftly located Seo Hyang’s hidden shoes.
Everyone was astonished that I had found them so quickly.
“How on earth did you find shoes hidden in the ceiling?”
“When one looks with affection for the young lady, all becomes clear.”
With those words, I placed the shoes on Seo Hyang’s feet and took her hand.
“Shall we go?”
“Yes.”
Thus we left the bride’s chamber, and the musicians began playing festive music once more.
Soon we arrived at the wedding hall.
We proceeded through the ceremony in proper order.
Before us sat Father and Mother, and my Master and his wife as Seo Hyang’s ceremonial parents.
Behind them, the Guizhou Provincial Governor and his wife, who had come as guests, were wiping away tears.
Despite the lengthy preparations, my wedding ceremony with Seo Hyang concluded remarkably swiftly.
After greeting all the guests in attendance, my mother’s maidservant approached us.
“It is now time to retire to the Bridal Chamber.”
We followed her toward the Bridal Chamber.
Upon entering, a table laden with refreshments had been prepared inside.
Seo Hyang and I took our seats.
“The wedding ceremony has finally concluded.”
“Yes, it has.”
I removed the veil from Seo Hyang’s face, revealing her beautifully made-up visage.
“Sigh….”
But why am I trembling like this?
We had already held our Ice Palace wedding ceremony at the Northern Sea Ice Palace, so this night together with Seo Hyang was hardly our first.
First….
“Geum-ryeong.”
“Caw?”
“You should leave now.”
“Caw! Caw!”
Asking for the promised gold coins first?
I retrieved two gold coins from the Secret Vault and gave them to Geum-ryeong.
“There! Now we’re even, yes?”
Geum-ryeong was delighted at the sight of the gold coins and swallowed one of them whole.
Then, holding the remaining one in its beak, it approached Seo Hyang and placed it upon her lap.
“Caw!”
“Hmm? What could this mean?”
“It is said to be a gift of congratulations for the wedding.”
“I see. Thank you.”
To think that Geum-ryeong would forgo a gold coin to give it to Seo Hyang!
How surprising.
But why won’t it give one to me?
“Caw?”
Asking me to extract the liver from a flea? But you’re not a flea, Geum-ryeong.
In any case, it shows how specially you regard Seo Hyang, so I’ll let it pass.
“Well then, Geum-ryeong. It’s time for you to leave now.”
“Caw!”
You were already planning to leave anyway?
Wishing us a good evening?
Yes. Thank you.
After sending Geum-ryeong out, I looked at Seo Hyang.
Perhaps foreseeing what was to come, her face had flushed crimson.
“Shall I extinguish the lamp?”
“Yes.”
I waved my hand and extinguished the candle.
.
.
.
The next morning.
When I opened my eyes, I saw Seo Hyang lying beside me.
No, that’s not right.
She’s my wife now.
At that moment, she opened her eyes.
“Good morning.”
“Yes. Good morning.”
I pondered what to say before speaking.
“Would you like to practice together?”
She laughed softly at my words and answered.
“I’d like that.”
Thus began my first day as an officially married man.

I had to move about busily from morning onward.
I needed to pay my respects to those who had attended my wedding ceremony.
And Namgung Kang Former Leader had asked me to spare some time for him.
I had no idea what business he wanted to discuss, but I needed to settle it quickly.
When I sent word to Namgung Kang, he came to see me at once.
That suggested the matter was rather urgent.
I entered the Guest Reception Room where we had arranged to meet.
Seeing his face, my happiness threatened to be tainted, but I greeted him without showing it outwardly.
“Welcome.”
“Congratulations once again on your marriage.”
“Thank you. I’m grateful for your congratulations on my wedding.”
We exchanged pleasantries along with our greetings.
“Ahem, ahem. Actually, I have something to tell you.”
Now we were getting to the main point.
“I had my reasons for passing the position of Merchant Guild Leader to my younger brother. But that fool doesn’t even know the difference between heaven and earth.”
“When someone suddenly rises to such a position, it’s understandable. I hope you’ll be patient with the Former Merchant Lord.”
“No. He’s far beyond the level of patience I can afford. So here’s what I wanted to ask….”
He continued slowly.
“Won’t you help me for a while?”

—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————