The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 743

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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 743

Chapter 743. The Tamseo Martial Arts Tournament (4)

My words made them flinch visibly.
“Ahem, what are you talking about?”
“The Silent Guest? Who in the world is that?”
They tried to compose their expressions and play innocent, but it was already too late.
“You don’t seem curious about why the Silent Guest’s information has gone silent? He must have received quite a substantial sum of money.”
“….”
“In any case, it appears you found it pitiful that the Sangbang’s employees starved to death, but not pitiful that innocent people who attended my wedding ceremony died.”
There was no point in saying more—it would only exhaust me.
I rose from my seat and held up three fingers as I spoke.
“As I said, I’m giving you four days. Bring the compensation within that time. I cannot wait any longer.”
With that ultimatum delivered, I left the Guest Reception Room.
The Bangju and the Sect Leaders hurriedly followed me out and then fell to their knees before me.
Thump.
They grabbed at my trouser legs and clung to them desperately, pleading.
“Please, spare us!”
“W-we were wrong!”
Fifty silver coins was an enormous burden for them at present.
They had spent three gold coins hiring the Silent Guest, and because they couldn’t sell the fragrant oils during that time, deficits had accumulated.
With the massive bail they’d paid this time, the already precarious finances of this establishment were now hanging by a thread.
That’s why they were pleading so desperately.
“We swear, we’ll never do it again!”
“S-seriously, no one actually died, did they? This is too harsh.”
Wow… they certainly knew how to raise my blood pressure.
No one died, so it’s fine?
“Sect Leader. Then why does imperial law punish attempted murder?”
“Th-that is….”
“The very attempt to kill is already a crime.”
“….”
So perhaps you should close that mouth of yours.
The Bangju glared at the Sect Leader who had made that remark, then quickly turned to me.
“He was so desperate his words came out wrong. Please, show us mercy.”
“Y-yes, please show us some mercy. If we had known that place was a shop operated by the Eun Hae Trading Company, we would never have done such a thing.”
Sigh… their thinking was fundamentally flawed from the start.
That’s why they’d been running such an absurd operation all this time.
“Sect Leader, are you saying that as long as it’s not the Eun Hae Trading Company, anyone can cause trouble wherever they please? Shouldn’t we prohibit causing disturbances in any shop, whether it’s the Eun Hae Trading Company or not?”
“Well….”
Bangju glared at that Dan Ju with an expression of utter exasperation before turning to me.
“If you wish, I’ll even write a written oath that we’ll never do such a thing again. Please, I beg you to spare us.”
Now I understand why this man is the Bangju.
Though his character is fundamentally flawed, he’s still somewhat better than the other Dan Ju.
“A written oath?”
“Yes, a written oath.”
“Then would it be acceptable if I drafted the oath with the terms I desire?”
“Of, of course. Do as you see fit.”
“Very well, I understand. Let’s proceed that way.”
I pretended to be reluctant and returned to the Guest Reception Room.
Part of me wanted to obliterate the Samwon Bang entirely, but I couldn’t ignore the livelihoods of those who depended on it.
The Eun Hae Trading Company couldn’t possibly rescue everyone whose livelihood would be severed if this place collapsed.
So instead of destroying the Samwon Bang, I intended to instill a deep fear of the Eun Hae Trading Company into their leadership.
Reporting them to the authorities for attempted murder would be the easiest and most straightforward approach, but I have my reasons for not doing so.
If the matter were to escalate to the Imperial Inspectorate or higher, it would become difficult to contain it within the scope I desired.
It’s far more elegant to resolve matters of the merchant world through the merchant world’s methods.
Soon, writing materials were prepared.
“Here, here it is. Write whatever you desire.”
I picked up the brush and began inscribing the terms of the oath onto the paper.

First. The Samwon Bang shall not execute or attempt any action that would cause harm to the Eun Hae Trading Company.
Second. The Samwon Bang shall not execute or attempt any action that would cause harm to any other merchant guild.
Third. The Samwon Bang shall not use cheap incense in fragrance pouches or mix incense indiscriminately.
Fourth. The Samwon Bang shall not sell goods at prices exceeding ten times their cost.
Fifth. The Samwon Bang shall not use counterfeit talismans in fragrance pouches.
I swear that should any of the above terms be violated, the Bangju and Dan Ju of the Samwon Bang shall accept whatever punishment is imposed upon them.

I held out the document.
“Please affix your seal.”
They stared at the agreement for a long while, deliberating.
Wait—was there really anything to deliberate about?
“Well… I understand the first and second clauses, but aren’t the remaining provisions interfering with how our establishment operates?”
They still hadn’t grasped the situation.
There was no need to persuade them further.
“I see that’s how you feel. Very well.”
I rose from my seat.
“Then let’s forget the agreement ever existed. Bring the compensation within four days.”
Grab.
Bangju seized my sleeve.
“W-wait, you’re quite hasty, aren’t you? Ha ha ha. When did I say I refused? I was merely asking a question.”
“Is that so?”
“Of course. I’ll affix my seal to the agreement right now.”
And so they all affixed their seals to the document.
With five seals secured on the agreement, I tucked it into my sleeve.
It was then that Bangju asked cautiously.
“Will you… let Manxiang continue operating as it has been?”
“Why do you ask?”
“Since we’ve signed the agreement, surely you could show some leniency.”
“Hmm…”
I pretended to deliberate.
My decision was already made, but if I spoke without appearing to think it over, they might believe I was being generous.
“Very well then. From now on, Manxiang will sell exactly fifty fragrance sachets per day—no more.”
“Th-thank you!”
“I should mention this beforehand: should you violate any terms of this agreement, I will immediately lift the sales restriction. And do not forget that I am always watching.”
“Ah, understood.”
Despite my warning about surveillance, their expressions remained unchanged—they clearly intended to weather this storm and resume their old practices afterward.
Truthfully, what they did was none of my concern.
Yet knowing that innocent people suffered from their schemes, I couldn’t simply walk away with a clear conscience.
That’s why I included clauses in the agreement demanding they change their business practices.
I spoke to them directly.
“Now that I think about it, just before I arrived, you were having quite an entertaining discussion. Someone mentioned setting fire to Manxiang, and another suggested spreading rumors that Manxiang’s fragrance sachets bring misfortune.”
“…!”
“H-how did you…”
They looked utterly shocked.
How did I know?
My dear Geumryeong heard everything and reported it all to me.
Heh heh heh.
“I hope you don’t take my words about watching lightly. You never know where or how I might be listening.”
“….”
Those around me trembled at my words.
Fear bloomed across their faces.
This was more than enough to achieve my intended effect.
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
With that, I departed from Samwon Bang.
On the way back, Palgap asked me a question.
“But Young Master, are you really only going to sell fifty fragrance pouches a day at Manxiang?”
“Yes, that’s the plan.”
“Wouldn’t that be a loss?”
I smiled at Palgap’s concern and asked in return.
“Why? Are you worried the shop run by Ha-hwa Officer will go into deficit?”
“Oh, no, sir! Surely you’ve already considered everything carefully.”
Palgap’s face flushed crimson.
Teasing Palgap never got old.
“Even selling only fifty a day won’t result in a loss. There will be plenty of profit.”
“How is that possible?”
“Because it creates scarcity. If anyone could obtain something, would people truly desire it?”
“Well, that’s true.”
“In other words, people will compete to acquire Manxiang’s fragrance pouches, and through this competition, we create value. Then we can raise the price slightly and they’ll still sell well.”
“As expected of you, Young Master.”
It was then that Lee Pil Warrior spoke.
“I’ve learned once again that one must never make their lord an enemy.”
Everyone nodded at my remark.
“Please don’t say such things. You’ll make me seem like a frightening person.”
“….”
Suddenly, silence fell.
When I turned to look at them, they all avoided my gaze—staring into empty space or fidgeting with their swords.
No, this is unfair to me.
I’m harmless as long as you don’t provoke me.
Isn’t that right, Geum-ryeong?
-…
They’re all too much. Really.
.
.
.
Two days passed after that.
During breakfast time.
After eating, I spent some time sipping tea and conversing leisurely.
“Goodness, we set up this shop specifically to teach Samwon Bang a harsh lesson, yet it’s generating such substantial profits!”
At Father’s exclamation, I laughed sheepishly.
“I didn’t anticipate it either.”
“Really?”
“Well… I did anticipate it, just a little. Very little, actually.”
Father laughed at my words.
He was delighted by the fact that I had thoroughly crushed Samwon Bang, who had tried to ruin my wedding.
Though Father is a benevolent man, he’s not so naive as to treat those who threaten the Eun Hae Trading Company kindly.
“Truly, I must say your stratagem is nothing short of brilliant.”
Eun Jung-ho expressed his admiration.
“Brother, would you mind calling it wisdom rather than stratagem? When you call it a stratagem, I sound like a villain.”
“Hmm? Weren’t you?”
Eun Jung-ho smiled and spoke.
“To us, you’re more reliable than anyone, but from Samwon Bang’s perspective, there’s no greater villain.”
“That’s not wrong, but…”
Lady Xiang Mei spoke from beside me.
“It’s fine. To me, you’ve always been a hero.”
“Thank you, my lady. You are everything to me.”
I took a sip of tea and spoke.
“Father, then I shall depart for the Jegal Family Estate as planned tomorrow.”
“Do so.”
Father turned his gaze toward Eun Jung-ho.
“Jung-ho, have you completed all your business in Hubei Province?”
“Yes.”
“Then travel to Beijing tomorrow or the day after with Yu So-ak Internal Chief Manager. We cannot leave Beijing unattended for long, can we?”
“That is true.”
“And Yu Inner Chief Manager must meet with the elders soon as well.”
“Understood.”
Eun Jung-ho looked at me, and I spoke with a regretful expression.
“I had intended to travel together this time, but the Grand Patriarch formally requested that I serve as a judge, so it cannot be helped.”
“…”
“So travel carefully on your way up.”
Eun Jung-ho’s expression grew dejected.
This was his revenge for calling me a villain just moments ago.
.
.
.
The next morning.
Lady Xiang Mei, my entourage, and I departed for the Jegal Family Estate.
This event at the Jegal Family Estate was not merely a martial arts competition, but a martial arts tournament.
When officially invited to such an event, it was customary for couples to attend together.
That’s why I was going with my wife.
“Hwi.”
“Yes, my lady.”
“How is the Tamseo Martial Arts Tournament typically conducted?”
“Ah, now that I think about it, you wouldn’t be familiar with the Tamseo Martial Arts Tournament.”
“Yes. This is my first time attending the Tamseo Martial Arts Tournament.”
That made sense.
The Tamseo Martial Arts Tournament wasn’t exactly a common occurrence.
“The Tamseo Martial Arts Tournament is a public competition to select a son-in-law, but it differs from other tournaments in one crucial way—taking the opponent’s life is not prohibited.”
“What?”
Lady Hyang Mei asked in surprise.
“Then people die in this tournament?”
“Yes. While intentional killing is discouraged, there is an unwritten rule that no charges are brought even if someone dies by accident. Therefore, participants must swear an oath not to report deaths or serious injuries to the authorities, regardless of what happens on the martial stage.”
“I see.”
“Martial arts inherently carry the intent to kill someone. So if competitors hold back and show mercy, their true abilities cannot be assessed. That’s why such rules came to exist.”
I continued my explanation.
“That’s why the role of the judges is so critical. They must stop the match when they judge that intentional murder is about to occur or when the tournament can no longer proceed.”
“Your responsibility is quite weighty, Hwi.”
“That’s why I feel some burden.”
I exhaled deeply with a serious expression.
“In any case, even with such unwritten rules, the organizers do provide compensation if accidents occur.”
“So the organizers bear considerable risk in hosting such a tournament. Yet they proceed anyway, which means they gain even more in return.”
“That’s correct.”
I nodded.
“First, it demonstrates the family’s power and prestige. Second, it’s an opportunity to recruit talented martial artists into the family. And third, by publicly announcing that such a talented martial artist has become a member of the family, they gain defensive credibility.”
“Defensive credibility?”
“It’s like saying, ‘We’ve taken a master as our son-in-law, so don’t even think about challenging us recklessly.’ Something along those lines.”
“I understand.”
Lady Hyang Mei continued the conversation.
“Then there are no special restrictions on participation in the Tamseo Martial Arts Tournament?”
“No, there is one very important restriction.”
“What is it?”
“Age. The participation age is typically set to match the age of the bride-to-be. I’ve heard that for this Jegal Family’s Tamseo Martial Arts Tournament, the participation age range is from twenty to thirty years old.”
Since Jegal Yu-ah Minor Clan Master was twenty-three years old,
unless there were special circumstances, they generally tried to avoid large age gaps.
It could complicate the family records, and for mutual affection to develop, similar ages were preferable.
“But with such danger involved, would many people participate?”
“Many do. If they succeed, they can become the son-in-law of a prestigious family and gain wealth and honor.”
It was then that Palgap spoke.
“Young Master, then if you hadn’t married the Master’s Wife, would you have participated in the Tamseo Martial Arts Tournament?”
“What are you talking about? From the very beginning, I could see no one but my wife.”
That’s what Eun Jung-ho said.

“If you’re asked any question related to your affection for your wife, you mustn’t hesitate even for an instant. Regardless of your true feelings, whether you hesitated or not is truly what matters. Otherwise, you’ll be sitting on pins and needles for two weeks.”
“How would you know that?”
“…I didn’t want to know either.”

Thanks to that, I was able to answer without the slightest hesitation.
Phew, thank goodness.

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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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