The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 739
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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 739
Chapter 739. Why So Busy (3)
As Master Yeom stumbled backward, Palgap, standing nearby, quickly caught him from behind with surprising agility.
Though Palgap appeared bear-like in build, he moved with the grace of a flying tiger.
“Are you alright?”
“I, I, I, I….”
The shock seemed to have been quite overwhelming.
“Please bring some tea.”
Yeom In Blacksmith quickly fetched tea, and only after Master Yeom drank deeply from the cup could he finally compose himself.
Of course, I had subtly infused a bit of vital energy to help him recover.
“Phew!”
“Calm yourself.”
Master Yeom drew a deep breath and cried out loudly.
“No! Do I look calm to you right now?”
Yeom In Blacksmith cautiously asked from beside him.
“Father. What is wrong? What exactly is inside this box that….”
In response to his question, I turned the box to show him as well.
Dozens of stone-like objects, each the size of a fist.
Yet even upon seeing this, Yeom In Blacksmith tilted his head in confusion.
Well, there were precious few who would recognize it.
Yeom Blacksmith Master exhaled a long sigh and spoke.
“It is Heavenly Iron.”
“Pardon?”
“That is Heavenly Iron.”
“…Gasp!”
Understanding the significance of that name, Yeom In Blacksmith gasped in astonishment.
“You mean that legendary Heavenly Iron—the metal bestowed by the heavens itself? The kind that does not rust even after hundreds of years?”
“Yes.”
While Eternal Steel was precious, Heavenly Iron ranked even higher in value.
Eternal Steel could be obtained if one had enough wealth, but Heavenly Iron was something that could not be obtained even with vast riches.
At this, Seo-woo Warrior asked me in astonishment.
“Is that not what you found in the mountains near the Gongtong Sect before?”
“It is.”
“But you mean to use something so precious for us?”
At his question, I spoke with utmost seriousness.
“There is nothing more precious than life itself.”
I turned my head and asked Master Yeom.
“Is it possible to forge a sword from this?”
“It is indeed possible.”
“I’ve heard that few blacksmiths can work with cloud iron, yet you are truly a master of your craft, Master Yeom.”
“Only now do you realize this?”
No.
I have known this for a long time.
In my previous life, you were the one who later received the Emperor’s command to forge a divine blade from cloud iron.
“Then I entrust this to you.”
I then placed the craftsmanship fee I had prepared onto the table.
Thump.
At that sound, Master Yeom asked.
“How much did you prepare as a craftsmanship fee, exactly….”
He then casually opened his pouch to peek inside, and his mouth fell agape.
“This is enough to completely deplete my entire fortune.”
Master Yeom spoke to the Guard Warriors.
“Since I must forge swords for all of you, please show me your current blades. And In-ah.”
“Yes, Father.”
“Prepare to take notes.”
“Yes.”
Yeom In the blacksmith then picked up a wooden board and brush to prepare for recording.
Unlike when I commissioned Ma Sun-bok Warrior, I needed to forge seven blades at once, so it would be difficult to remember each one individually.
“Why not write on paper?”
“Paper burns away completely if exposed to even a little heat, does it not?”
“That is true.”
“That is why I deliberately write on wood instead.”
At that moment, Seo-woo Warrior spoke.
“Pardon me, but is there any chance that wooden board could be leaked to outsiders?”
He was clearly worried that information about his weaknesses might be exposed.
“Do not concern yourself with that.”
He examined the sword with a hearty laugh.
“The height is sixty, and the width is medium.”
Though I could not understand a word of it, Yeom In the blacksmith seemed to comprehend and began recording.
So that is why he told us not to worry.
Thus seven wooden boards were created.
After a moment of contemplation, he spoke.
“Still, I am concerned that if others were to learn that I am forging weapons from cloud iron, it could attract unwanted attention.”
That concern was valid.
In my previous life, the Gongtong Sect ultimately had no choice but to surrender the cloud iron to the Murim Alliance.
And the whereabouts of that cloud iron became unknown thereafter.
“I’ll send my Guard Warriors to protect it.”
“Wouldn’t that signal to everyone that something valuable is here?”
“Of course it would. That’s why I plan to guard it discreetly. Is that possible? Jin Yu Warrior? Chang-un Warrior?”
“Of course.”
“I shall obey your command.”
Everyone’s excitement about obtaining swords forged from Untel was plainly visible on their faces.
They were doing their best to conceal it, but my eyes missed nothing.
“I’m counting on you.”
Master Yeom said this, then turned to his son.
“String up the purification rope! We must ward off spiritual contamination.”
“Yes, Father!”
I picked up the box containing the Untel as I spoke.
“I’ll come back for this shortly. And I’ll take Ma Sun-bok Warrior’s sword later as well.”
“…?”
“We still need to eat. I’ve promised to host a banquet for my Guard Warriors today.”
We were heading to a tavern for the meal. I’d already arranged through Palgap to rent the entire top floor.
But I couldn’t let guarding the Untel prevent us from eating.
I asked Master Yeom a question.
“We were on our way to a nearby tavern for a meal. Would you care to join us, Master?”
Master Yeom shook his head at my invitation.
“No. To forge a sword, one must center the mind. The same goes for my son.”
Looking at Yeom In, I could see his determination to learn how to work with Untel in this opportunity was strong.
“I understand. We’ll see you again later then.”
And so we headed toward the tavern.
“Um, my lord.”
“Yes?”
I turned to see who was calling me—it was Lee Pil Warrior.
“Is it possible that… you’ve been waiting for us to reach our peak before forging these swords?”
“Yes. That’s correct.”
I didn’t lie.
We’d obtained the Untel quite some time ago, so if I were to lie about why I’m forging the swords now, they’d see through it anyway.
Kang Chung hasn’t reached her peak yet, but she should within a year at most.
Providing them with swords forged from Untel served my own safety, but truthfully, it was also to bind them to me as my Guard Warriors.
Being a Guard Warrior isn’t a lifetime position.
Anyone can leave whenever they wish.
But if I give each of them a masterwork sword forged from Untel, it would be difficult for them to leave me.
Of course, I don’t believe they would leave me anyway, but one can never be certain about such things.
“At this point, I believe you’ll be able to wield the swords I’m gifting you properly.”
I smiled as I spoke.
“So… please don’t die, and stay by my side for a long, long time.”
From my previous life, I knew well the deaths of Guard Warriors.
How much it wounded the heart.
It was more than heartache—it felt like a gaping hole had been torn through my chest, and I truly despised feeling that way again.
So I hoped my Guard Warriors would not die before me.
At my words, the Guard Warriors’ eyes grew red-rimmed.
“Sigh, Young Master.”
Palgap shook his head slowly as he spoke.
“If you keep moving us like this, our throats will tighten and we won’t be able to swallow our food, will we?”
“Ah….”
That was a fair point.
“I feel rather apologetic then. Tonight’s meal has been prepared in the Jinhua style.”
“…!”
The Guard Warriors’ eyes widened in surprise.
Jinhua cuisine referred to ten different dishes prepared using expensive ingredients.
In other words, dishes that were difficult to eat casually.
“Ahem, you needn’t worry.”
“We can eat well.”
Indeed.
Expensive and delicious food was more important than sentiment.
.
.
.
Several days had passed since I entrusted my Guard Warriors’ swords to Master Yeom.
Jin Yu Warrior and Chang-un Warrior were taking turns secretly guarding that place.
Within the Eun Hae Trading Company Headquarters, my protection was not particularly necessary.
And I was diligently processing documents in my office.
Being in Hubei Province rather than Beijing did not reduce my workload.
Lady Hyang-mae continued her schedule of meeting with noblewomen of Hubei Province alongside Mother.
My two sisters-in-law came from a household where meetings with noblewomen were rare, so they had to endure rather rigorous lessons to avoid mistakes.
But Lady Hyang-mae had no need for such lessons.
The Provincial Governor was a high official of the third rank, overseeing the administration of an entire province, so the family traditions and education were necessarily strict.
Moreover, the Guizhou Provincial Governor’s household even carried imperial blood.
Because of such a background, Lady Hyang-mae had received an abundance of education in how to conduct herself among noblewomen.
Her bearing and speech were so refined that everyone marveled and praised her.
So there was no need for me to worry.
In any case, Yu So-ak Chief Manager’s wedding was not far off now.
He must be quite nervous.
Or perhaps he was composed about it?
After all, Yu So-ak Chief Manager and Jo Young-young Deputy Officer had formally begun their courtship three years ago.
My formal office is in Beijing, so why am I so busy even here in Hubei….
After my dawn training ended, Master told me he would be departing on a journey.
That meant, in other words, that from tomorrow onward, I could conduct my training on my own.
– Squeak?
You’re asking if that’s good?
Geumryeong, pay better attention to the mood, will you?
Speaking of which, the Silent Guest…
I recalled the man who had tried to disrupt my wedding banquet.
Fortunately, several people pressured him and allowed him to simply leave the Trading Company.
After my Guard Warriors subdued him as he left the Trading Company, they interrogated him to discover who had hired him.
The client was a merchant guild from Hubei Province.
It was a place of poor quality, weakened considerably after being outcompeted by our Eun Hae Trading Company.
No matter the circumstances, how dare they attempt to ruin someone’s wedding!
I was planning to teach them a lesson soon enough.
And the Silent Guest vanished without a sound, true to his name.
After all, even if I brought him forward as a witness, it would be useless if they simply denied it.
How could I instill fear of the Eun Hae Trading Company into their minds…
Pondering such matters, I slipped my hand into my sleeve and stroked Geumryeong.
Trembling.
Hmm? Geumryeong? Why are you shaking?
– Squeak. Squeak.
You’re apologizing for lacking awareness?
You’re saying you’ll be more attentive from now on?
Why are you suddenly acting like this?
Just then, the door opened and Palgap entered.
“Young Master.”
“Ah, what is it?”
“The Jegal Family’s Grand Elder will be arriving shortly. However, everyone else is currently away on business.”
“Is that so?”
I rose from my seat.
Then I should go out and greet him.
“Palgap, go check that the guest quarters are properly prepared.”
“Understood.”
After giving Palgap his instructions, I hurried toward the tea house.
There were guests at the tea house.
Yu So-ak Chief Manager and Cho Young-young Deputy Officer.
“Ah, you were already here.”
“Yes, Small Guild Master. They are coming to congratulate me on my wedding.”
I smiled broadly.
“Are you pleased?”
“Of course, why wouldn’t I be?”
Yu So-ak Chief Manager stood there with a smile on his face.
To be honest, Yu So-ak Chief Manager was considerably older than Cho Young-young Deputy Officer.
Seeing them overcome such an age difference and marry like this was truly remarkable.
“I shall prepare a fine tonic for you.”
“Pardon?”
“It proved quite helpful.”
Before coming to Hubei Province, the Emperor had bestowed upon me a tonic that proved remarkably effective.
I couldn’t explain the details, but it worked exactly as the enclosed letter described.
“Ahem.”
At that moment, Yu So-ak Chief Manager cleared his throat and spoke.
“I’m already taking it.”
Ah… I was a bit late with that offer.
After a brief wait, a carriage entered the courtyard.
Jegal Family’s Grand Elder descended from the carriage, and we exchanged proper greetings.
“Thank you for visiting our main house again. On behalf of my entire family, I express our gratitude. Since the family members are away, I must offer this greeting in their stead.”
“It hasn’t been long, but it’s good to see you again. I appreciate such warm hospitality.”
Then he turned his gaze toward Yu So-ak Chief Manager and Cho Young-young Deputy Officer.
Though they hadn’t begun conversing, it seemed their discussion would grow lengthy.
Just then, Palgap approached me.
From his expression, I could see that the guest quarters had been prepared.
I gently interjected.
“Shall I escort you to the quarters? It might be pleasant to continue your conversation over tea there at your leisure.”
“That sounds splendid.”
I guided Jegal Family’s Grand Elder to the guest quarters and quietly withdrew.
Now it was time for Jegal Family’s Grand Elder, Yu So-ak Chief Manager, and Cho Young-young Deputy Officer to speak privately.
But Jegal Family’s Grand Elder called out to me as I was leaving.
“Ah, Eun Seo-ho.”
“Yes. You called for me?”
“Before we dine this evening, could you spare me a moment?”
What could this be about?
.
.
.
Before long, evening had arrived.
Today, I had arranged to dine with Jegal Family’s Grand Elder as a gesture of welcome.
I had also dissuaded him from lodging at a nearby inn and instead offered him the finest guest quarters within the trading company.
Though our relationship was already good, I couldn’t afford to be negligent.
I organized my documents and rose from my seat.
Jegal Family’s Grand Elder had asked me to spare him some time before dinner.
I soon arrived at Jegal Family’s Grand Elder’s quarters.
“My lord, Eun Seo-ho has arrived.”
“Show him in.”
The Grand Patriarch’s Guard Warrior opened the door, and I stepped inside.
“Please, be seated.”
The Grand Patriarch offered me a chair and personally prepared tea for me.
I expressed my gratitude and immediately broached the main subject.
Time was limited, as I would soon need to attend the evening banquet.
“It seems you have something you wish to discuss privately, given that you’ve asked for this time apart.”
“Indeed.”
The Grand Patriarch nodded.
“I called you here because I have a request to make.”
“Please speak.”
“I would like you to serve as a judge at the Jegal Family’s Tamseo Martial Arts Competition.”
“Pardon?”
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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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