The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 740
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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 740
Chapter 740. The Tamseo Martial Arts Tournament (1)
I couldn’t help but question the Grand Patriarch of the Jegal Family when I heard his words.
And for good reason—a judge, in essence, was nothing more than a referee.
In important martial tournaments, there wasn’t just one judge; there were several.
And to prevent disputes over decisions, they were typically composed of three or five judges.
“We’ve decided to appoint five judges for this martial tournament.”
“One of them would be you, Grand Patriarch.”
“That’s correct.”
“Then you’re offering me one of the remaining four positions?”
“Indeed.”
“But what qualifications do I have to serve as a judge for the Small Patriarch’s Tamseo Martial Arts Tournament?”
“No qualifications, you say…”
The Grand Patriarch regarded me with an enigmatic expression.
“Do you truly believe that?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
“I’m still young. Even when my birthday comes soon, I’ll only be twenty-five. I fall far short of standing among such distinguished individuals.”
“You’re severely underestimating what you’ve accomplished thus far. Have you forgotten that you displayed exceptional martial prowess at the recent Martial Arts Grand Conference?”
That may be true, but…
“That alone would ensure no one dismisses you.”
And then I heard a voice transmission in my mind.
– And there’s one more important reason why you must become a judge.
What reason could make him wear such a serious expression?
– You can sense that distinctive aura reeking of blood, can’t you?
“…!”
At that voice transmission, I froze as if struck by lightning.
Because that was something only my Master knew.
How could he possibly know that?
Though I quickly composed my expression, the Grand Patriarch had already seen my shock and chuckled.
– Have you forgotten that I was an old friend of the Previous Seolpung Palace Master?
Ah… that’s right.
– That’s why I’m asking you to become a judge for this Tamseo Martial Arts Tournament. Warning those who target the main family is one of the purposes of holding this tournament.
Indeed, the Jegal Family had not forgotten the events from roughly nine years ago.
The incident where Jegal Kyung, at the instigation of the Sura Blood Sect, had nearly annihilated the Jegal Family using the Confused Soul Barrier Formation.
Since then, the Jegal Family had actively engaged in external activities to expand their influence.
Before that incident occurred, my actions differed from when I focused solely on family matters.
This was a message directed at those targeting the Jegal Family.
Even if you covet the Jegal Family, we remain unshakeable.
– If we open the Tamseo Martial Arts Tournament, those eyeing the Main House won’t miss this opportunity.
– Are you saying you’ll capture one of them and issue a warning, sir?
The Grand Patriarch shook his head at my question.
But opening the Tamseo Martial Arts Tournament for just that reason?
I could sense a subtle irritation beneath the surface—there seemed to be another reason entirely.
– Grand Patriarch, there appears to be something you haven’t mentioned.
– As expected, your perception is sharp.
The Grand Patriarch continued through the secret transmission.
– The League Master said he would introduce a suitable groom candidate for Yu-ah.
– Pardon?
– He’s trying to play matchmaker while introducing a groom candidate to Yu-ah. Do you think I’d stand by and watch that?
Ah…
I understood the situation now.
The League Master was concerned that Jegal Yu-ah was past marriageable age and had offered to introduce a suitable groom candidate himself.
However, the Jegal Family, knowing what kind of person the League Master was, couldn’t simply accept this.
Yet they couldn’t outright refuse either—there was no good reason, and it would look unfavorable.
That’s why Jegal Yu-ah declared, “I will choose my groom through martial competition.”
In other words, this Tamseo Martial Arts Tournament was the Jegal Family’s stratagem to reject the League Master’s matchmaking.
Discovering and eliminating the Sura Blood Sect’s agents in the process was merely a bonus.
This meant we could make a fool of the League Master, didn’t it?
I couldn’t pass up such an opportunity.
“Understood. I will accept that proposal.”
“Well considered.”
Now that I thought about it, the Grand Patriarch still didn’t know about the Sura Blood Sect.
He was someone who already knew I could sense the sinister aura of the bloody Black Path.
Being an old friend of the Previous Seolpung Palace Master also meant he already knew I was connected to Seolpung Palace.
Then it would be best to inform the Grand Patriarch.
– Sir, there is something I should tell you.
– What is it?
– Are you perhaps aware of the Sura Blood Sect?
* * *
The Murim Alliance.
The League Master sat in his office, processing documents.
“Ugh! These documents never end. They just never end.”
Despite his grumbling words, his eyes and hands worked steadily through the paperwork.
Just then, I heard the voice of the Guard Captain from outside.
“League Master. Ho Jung Great Master has arrived.”
“Send him in.”
The door opened, and Ho Jung Great Master Geon Man-seok entered and clasped his fists in salute.
“I heard you were looking for me.”
“There’s something I need you to do discreetly.”
“I await your command. I shall obey.”
With that, the League Master handed over a letter.
“Deliver this letter to Samnammu Village.”
“I accept the order.”
There was a reason he entrusted this task to Ho Jung Great Master, his trusted aide, despite it being merely the delivery of a letter.
Samnammu Village was a special settlement the League Master had secretly established.
Geon Man-seok selected only trustworthy subordinates and immediately departed the Murim Alliance, heading toward Samnammu Village.
Samnammu Village was located in the northwestern region of Anhui Province, specifically at the boundary with Henan Province.
The weather was not extremely cold, and water was abundant, making it an ideal place for cypress trees to flourish.
Several days later, Geon Man-seok arrived at Samnammu Village.
The densely planted cypress trees obscured the interior from view.
As he approached, someone emerged from within.
She was a middle-aged woman.
“What brings you to this remote mountain village?”
“Ah, I’ve come bearing a message from the League Master.”
“Please, come inside. I shall guide you.”
Geon Man-seok followed her inside, his expression peculiar as he observed her back.
Her true identity was none other than the Blood Sea Laugher, one of the Black Swordsmen who had once greatly disturbed the Murim.
The way she would create rivers of blood on a whim and laugh gleefully at the sight was truly demonic beyond measure.
‘To see the League Master tame such an evil woman and employ her for the benefit of the Murim… truly, he is a remarkable man.’
Thinking thus, I walked for about half an hour.
A cave and those guarding its entrance came into view, and passing through them, I entered the cave to find an entirely different world unfolding before me.
Well-maintained buildings and many people.
Young men shouting battle cries as they trained, and masters instructing them.
Samnammu Village was where the League Master cultivated his private forces.
“Welcome.”
“It’s been a while. Village Chief.”
Geon Man-seok exchanged greetings with the one called Village Chief.
Though he had already met him several times, an unsettling feeling persisted each time he saw him.
At first, he thought it was a misunderstanding, but after experiencing it multiple times, he could no longer dismiss it as such.
There was something distinctly different about him—not quite what one would expect from a mere Black Path member.
Yet his unwavering loyalty to the League Master suppressed whatever unease I felt.
“I’ve brought a letter from the League Master.”
“Tell him I received it well.”
“Yes.”
“Is there anything else you need?”
“Ah, no.”
“Then you may go.”
“Understood. I’ll take my leave then.”
And so Geon Man-seok departed from Samnammu Village.
Blood Sea Laugher, who had seen him off, returned.
“He’s gone.”
Only then did the one called Village Chief release a heavy sigh.
“Why does he keep sending that Merchant…”
To Blood Sea Laugher’s grumbling, the Village Chief replied.
“It means he’s someone he can completely control. And by showing him everything like this, he builds trust.”
But in truth, he had shown him far from everything.
He had seen the young men in rigorous training.
They were those who had entered Samnammu Village this time—survivors of the hellish Assassin cultivation training.
The reason Geon Man-seok’s arrival didn’t prompt their concealment was because they were currently under perfect control through a secret technique.
“Hmm, let’s see…”
The Village Chief read the League Master’s letter that Geon Man-seok had brought, his expression shifting to one of intrigue.
“Oh?”
“What is it?”
“What’s the matter?”
To that question, the Village Chief spoke.
“It says the Jegal Family is holding a martial tournament in Tamseo this time. So he’s ordering us to send one of our finest—someone with considerable skill and decent looks—to become the husband of Jegal Yu-ah, the Minor Clan Master.”
“Let me see… which one would be suitable?”
Someone spoke up to Blood Sea Laugher’s words.
“Now that you mention it, isn’t Jegal Yu-ah supposed to be quite beautiful?”
“That’s right. The rumors are everywhere.”
“She’s one of the Five Peaks of the Murim.”
At those words, the first to speak licked his lips with his tongue and said.
“I’ll go myself.”
“What? You?”
But they all soon nodded in agreement.
After all, he possessed the appearance of a Young Nobleman.
“But wouldn’t he be arrested immediately if he went out with that face?”
His notorious alias was the Jade-Faced Libertine.
His specialty was using his beautiful appearance and eloquent tongue to enchant women’s hearts and extort their wealth.
However, because his martial prowess had reached its peak, and his appearance and eloquence were exceptional, the women he had toyed with never considered themselves victims.
That was why they had aided his escape, and why he could be here now.
At that concern, the Jade-Faced Libertine snapped open his fan to cover his face, then folded it shut—his appearance had transformed entirely.
“I had momentarily forgotten your mastery of disguise.”
“Then there’s no problem.”
“But will it be alright? The letter said to send one of the disciples we’ve cultivated?”
“As long as we achieve good results, that’s what matters, isn’t it? And honestly, someone of my caliber is necessary to defeat such formidable rivals and become the son-in-law of the Jegal Family. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“That’s true enough.”
“So keep your mouths shut. The Village Chief is keeping his mouth shut too.”
“Completely?”
“Tch.”
With those words, the Jade-Faced Libertine thrust his hand into his trouser waistband and pulled out silver coins, tossing them one by one to each of them.
“Ugh! Disgusting! Where were you keeping those coins!”
“Hehehehe! What a windfall!”
“Spend it wisely. Don’t be too extravagant.”
“Then I’ll prepare to head to Hubei Province. Hehehehe.”
* * *
Music and festive sounds echoed across the Eun Hae Trading Company Courtyard.
Today was the wedding day of Yu So-ak Internal Chief Manager.
The scale was smaller than my own wedding, but as befitted the wedding of the Eun Hae Trading Company’s Internal Chief Manager, many guests had come to offer their congratulations.
“Congratulations.”
“Thank you.”
Yu So-ak Internal Chief Manager stood at the entrance, greeting the guests.
Beside him stood Yu So-ak Internal Chief Manager’s elder brother, also greeting the guests.
True to their brotherhood, he was a middle-aged man who bore a striking resemblance to Yu So-ak Internal Chief Manager.
Since Yu So-ak Internal Chief Manager’s father had passed away more than a decade ago, his elder brother was serving as the groom’s representative.
How delighted their father would have been to witness this joyous occasion himself.
Though their mother still lived, the journey from Beijing to Hubei Province was quite far, so she was unable to attend.
That was why Yu Inner Chief Manager’s elder brother had come instead.
Since I needed to pay respects to his mother, I planned to travel to Beijing with him when I departed this time.
“Thank you so much for coming.”
“Who is this?”
“Ah, this is my elder brother.”
“Oh! I see! How reassuring it must be to have such an outstanding talent as your younger brother.”
At that praise, Yu So-ak Chief Manager’s elder brother’s face was filled with smiles.
Indeed, as the Internal Chief Manager of the rapidly growing Eun Hae Trading Company.
Moreover, he was also the author of the “Yu So-ak Collection,” which continues to be praised to this day.
Hwi.
Lady Xiang Mei approached and called out to me.
“Ah, Lady Xiang Mei, you’ve arrived?”
She asked with a serious expression.
“Do you happen to know of Samwon Bang?”
“Yes. I’m aware of them.”
They were the ones who sent the Silent Guest to cause a disturbance at my wedding ceremony.
But why mention them now?
“I think you should keep a close watch on them.”
I nodded and immediately sought out the Information Bureau.
Soon, an Information Bureau Servant from the main headquarters came to find me.
“Small Guild Master, I heard you were looking for me. I was actually planning to come see you.”
“It’s about Samwon Bang, isn’t it?”
“Yes. I’ve been keeping a close eye on them based on what you mentioned before.”
“Is there anything unusual?”
“Yes.”
He spoke to me with a grave expression.
“It appears they’re planning to use poison.”
“Poison?”
“Yes. Not a serious poison, but one that would cause severe stomach upset. However, it seems they intend to use it on themselves, not on others.”
Ah…
Now I understand the situation.
In other words, they’re trying to frame the banquet food as spoiled.
Through this, they aim to damage the Eun Hae Trading Company’s reputation, or perhaps extort money from us.
Seeing them resort to such petty tactics not once but twice, it’s clear I need to teach them a harsh lesson.
“Palgap.”
“Yes, you called?”
“I have a favor to ask…”
.
.
.
A short while later.
I headed to the location the Information Bureau had informed me of.
There, people from Samwon Bang were gathered, enjoying the banquet.
How shameless, after sending the Silent Guest before.
I approached them.
“Are you enjoying the banquet?”
They flinched, but soon smiled and responded.
“Haha. Of course.”
“The food is delicious and the atmosphere is wonderful.”
Then came a voice from beside me.
“Ouch!”
It was the sound of Palgap tumbling down hard.
The moment they instinctively turned their heads at that noise, I quickly placed the food Palgap had prepared onto the table where they were eating.
And when they turned their attention back, I cried out as if startled.
“What you’re eating right now—isn’t that spoiled food?”
“Huh?”
“What? How did this…?”
They were flustered, but I didn’t let up the pressure and pressed them further.
“Since this food wasn’t provided by us at this banquet, you must have brought it in deliberately! What’s your purpose in eating it here? Is it to insult our Merchant Guild?”
“That, that’s not…”
Their expressions shifted to ones of realization that something had gone terribly wrong.
But it was already too late.
When faced with petty schemes, one must respond with petty schemes in kind. How delightful.
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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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