The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 746

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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 746

Chapter 746. As Expected (2)

Thus, the Three Warriors’ punishment was decided: they would perform environmental sanitation work.
As I watched them being led away by the Jegal Family’s warriors, Jegal Yu-ah Minor Clan Master asked me a question.
“Is there a reason you imposed such a punishment of environmental sanitation on them?”
I nodded at her question.
“Yes. There are several reasons.”
Then I calmly explained those reasons.
“First, by imposing what appears to be a light punishment like cleaning, we elevate the virtue of the Jegal Family. And there is also the meaning of telling them to cleanse their own hearts through the act of cleaning.”
“Was it truly for such reasons?”
“Of course not.”
I chuckled softly.
“There are countless people gathered here. Word will inevitably spread that they are being punished for insulting the Jegal Family. So how could they possibly hold their heads up while performing environmental sanitation?”
“Ah….”
“In other words, honor is repaid with honor.”
At my words, she chuckled softly.
“I see.”
The Jegal Family Head approached from behind.
“Thank you for making such a wise judgment.”
“You are too kind. To hear such words from the Jegal Family Head, known as the Divine Strategist, makes me quite embarrassed.”
“Sigh….”
He shook his head.
“Such words become meaningless once blood relations are involved.”
“I would say that means you cherish your blood relations all the more. I have not lived for such a long time, but I have never met a person who is heartless before their own blood yet has a good reputation.”
“Is that so….”
“Though it is also true that being too lenient is not good either.”
The Grand Patriarch, who approached next, spoke.
“By entrusting the judgment to Eun Small Merchant Leader, we have already made a decision befitting the Jegal Family.”
No, even the Grand Patriarch….
This is making me far too embarrassed.
.
.
.
The next morning.
A servant and maidservant assigned to my quarters brought breakfast.
“Thank you for taking such care of me each time.”
“This is our responsibility. Is there anything troublesome we should worry about?”
I glanced at Palgap, and he discreetly slipped a silver coin to each of them.
“Oh, this is….”
“Please accept it as a token of my gratitude. Don’t refuse.”
I smiled and encouraged them to take the silver coins.
I gave them the coins to win their favor.
It seemed I would need their assistance for many things ahead.
“Thank you.”
“We’ll put it to good use.”
“If there’s anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”
I didn’t decline their offer.
“Where are the Three Warriors who were captured yesterday, and what are they doing?”
“Ah, those guys?”
The fact that they dropped all formality showed their resentment ran deep.
“They’re undergoing training within the Jegal Family Estate, I hear.”
Cleaning wasn’t something done carelessly, after all, so training would be necessary.
“It’s awkward to mention before a meal, but from what I understand, they’ll be exclusively handling latrine cleaning.”
“I see.”
This was truly the Jegal Family Estate.
They had no intention of letting those who insulted the Small Patriarch do anything comfortable.
My digestion this morning would be excellent indeed.

After finishing breakfast, I headed toward the Guest Reception Room.
I had heard that the other judges had arrived, so I was going to exchange greetings with them and hold a meeting about the Tamseo Martial Arts Tournament.
Though it was still earlier than the appointed time, I deliberately arrived at the meeting place ahead of schedule.
Given my relatively young age, I didn’t want to create a negative impression.
Since I needed to cultivate as many allies as possible, it was better to eliminate any potential for problems to arise.
If I could make a good impression this way, I could move forward not just by a quarter hour, but by an entire hour faster.
“Welcome. You’ve arrived early.”
The Guest Reception Manager greeted me warmly.
Since this was quite an important position, the House Master’s youngest brother was overseeing it.
“Of course. How could I keep my seniors in the martial arts world waiting?”
“Haha. You’re quite a proper junior, aren’t you?”
He continued speaking.
“No one has arrived yet, so please go inside and wait.”
“Yes.”
I entered the Guest Reception Room.
Until the door opened, I had wondered where I should sit, but that concern quickly vanished.
Name placards were already arranged on the table.
My seat was at the very end, but it was positioned where I could see the face of the House Master sitting at the head.
There must be a reason for arranging the seats this way.
Scrape.
I pulled out my chair and sat down, taking a moment to organize the information about the judges I had received in advance.
There were five judges in total for this Tamseo Martial Arts Tournament.
Apart from the Grand Patriarch and myself, the remaining three were people whose names alone were recognizable.
Master Mujin, one of the great masters of Shaolin Temple.
Elder Jin Jeong of the Wudang Sect.
And the Hubei Provincial Inspector.
While I had never met Master Mujin before, his name indicated he was of the same generation as the Sect Leader.
His epithet was Master Aejubol, the Wine-Loving Buddha.
This was because he was extremely fond of alcohol.
He argued that since he had already resolved to break the precepts and fall into hell, drinking alcohol wouldn’t cause him to fall into hell any more than he already would—a unique perspective he held while consuming alcohol.
Yet he remained undefrocked because his martial prowess was so formidable that he never wielded his power recklessly.
This was why he was called Master Aejubol, and he himself was quite fond of this epithet—a peculiar man indeed.
Elder Jin Jeong was someone I had met before.
It was when the Blood Sect Leader, who had been confined in the Wudang Sect, escaped and attempted to incite a blood calamity.
With my assistance, he managed to escape the crisis and was able to deal with Elder Jin-gu, who had been colluding with the Blood Sect.
It was pleasant to meet him again.
The reason Master Mujin of Shaolin and Elder Jin Jeong of Wudang were invited as judges was to enhance the credibility of the judging.
While both individuals had high reputations, Shaolin and Wudang were referred to as the twin pillars of the Orthodox Martial Arts World.
The final judge, the Inspector, was unexpected.
No matter how much it occurs on the martial arts arena, since it involves acts where participants could kill each other, it might violate the law.
The government merely considers non-interference in martial affairs a virtue, adhering to the convention of administrative neutrality.
Though it seems the Alliance Master and the Emperor do not share this view.
Still, appointing an Inspector as a judge is likely a warning regarding the security issues that arise from so many martial artists converging in this place.
And it so happens that the current Hubei Provincial Inspector hails from the Shanxi Yang Family.
Given such background, he possesses considerable knowledge of martial affairs, making him an appropriate choice.
Save for one person, the rest are familiar faces, so there was no need to arrive this early—but arrogance is the most dangerous thing of all.
Tap, tap, tap.
I heard someone’s footsteps, and from outside came the voice of the Guest Reception Manager.
“Welcome, Jade Pearl True Person.”
Jade Pearl True Person is the courtesy name of the Jin Jeong Elder, earned because his swordplay flows as gracefully as jade pearls, or so I’ve heard.
Indeed, the Jin Jeong Elder’s blade work I witnessed before was quite elegant.
Of course, that doesn’t mean the sharpness contained within it lacks ferocity.
Soon the door opened, and I saw a familiar face.
I quickly rose from my seat and clasped my fists in salute.
“Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company pays respects to the Jin Jeong Elder.”
However, the Jin Jeong Elder does not particularly care for being called by the title Jade Pearl True Person.
He considers it an honor beyond his station.
Thus, I simply address him as the Jin Jeong Elder.
“It has been quite some time.”
“I trust you have been well?”
“I have fared well enough. I heard the news—you took a wife this time?”
“Indeed. I received the congratulatory letter the Sect Leader sent. Please convey my renewed gratitude to him.”
“Of course. Now, be seated.”
I took my seat, and the Jin Jeong Elder found a place beside me.
His seat was right next to mine.
“But I must say, I’m disappointed. I heard you passed through the Main Branch several times, yet you never once stopped by.”
When I traveled through Gansu Province, I had to pass through Wudang Mountain, and each time I showed my credentials and passed through without stopping.
I had asked him to convey my regards to the Sect Leader each time, so the Jin Jeong Elder must be aware of this.
“I apologize sincerely. Each time I passed through Wudang Mountain, my schedule was so pressing that I had no choice but to continue onward. I promise to visit next time.”
“I shall wait for you. The Main Branch will always welcome you.”
As we were conversing, I heard the sound of another person approaching.
“Master Aejubol is here.”
“Kkhkhkh. Much obliged.”
The door opened, and an elderly monk entered.
The staff in his hand bore nine rings—a symbol of considerable rank.
Each time the rings on the staff swayed, they produced a loud clamor.
This serves to alert animals to move aside when walking mountain paths.
Peculiarly, a gourd was suspended from the staff, and each time it swayed, it produced a tinkling sound.
It must contain alcohol.
He must have found it quite difficult to abstain during the recent prohibition.
Jin Jeong Elder and I rose from our seats and bowed respectfully.
“Jin Jeong of the Wudang Sect pays respects to Master Aejubol.”
“Eun Seo-ho, a small merchant of the Eun Hae Trading Company, pays respects to Master Aejubol.”
“Welcome. Your legs must be sore—please, sit.”
We took our seats.
Mujin Master studied me, his eyes gleaming with interest.
His gaze drifted downward, settling on my sleeve.
More precisely, the sleeve where Geumryeong rested.
“Haha. How amusing. Most amusing indeed.”
Why was he looking at me like that? Suddenly so unsettling…
I slipped my hand into my sleeve and gently patted Geumryeong.
– Chirp! Chirp!
What? Be careful?
The Master has sensed your presence?
How did he know?
But seeing that he said nothing further, it seemed he intended to let it pass.
Should I be grateful?
Just then, the door opened and another figure entered.
The Hubei Provincial Inspector—the only government official among the judges.
I was the first to rise and offer my respects.
“Eun Seo-ho, a small merchant, pays respects to Inspector General.”
“Good to see you here.”
We had crossed paths several times at various events before.
The Inspector exchanged greetings with Mujin Master and Jin Jeong Elder.
As they spoke, the door opened again, and the Jegal Family’s Grand Elder and Family Head entered.
After exchanging light pleasantries, the formal discussion began.
.
.
.
Phew, exhausting.
After a meeting lasting roughly two hours, I was utterly drained as I made my way to my quarters.
The role of judge carried far more responsibilities than I had anticipated.
Among these cunning veterans who possessed an uncanny talent for subtly shifting work onto others, I had to expend considerable mental effort to avoid appearing ungracious while accepting fewer tasks.
To refuse outright would seem discourteous.
I needed to maintain the best possible impression while minimizing my workload.
“Hwi, you’ve arrived?”
The Lady appeared at the door to greet me, having apparently anticipated my arrival.
“Yes.”
“Please, have this.”
The Lady offered me a cup.
“What is this?”
“It’s a sugarcane medicinal broth—one of the secret family remedies passed down through our household. Whenever Father returned home exhausted from difficult meetings, Mother would prepare it for him herself. It’s made by simmering sugarcane with various medicinal herbs, but since sugarcane isn’t available here, I substituted it with sugar instead.”
The Lady smiled softly.
“A single bowl of this restores depleted vital energy remarkably well.”
I accepted the bowl with a smile.
“Thank you. I’ll enjoy it.”
I brought the bowl to my lips and drank deeply.
The sweetness from the sugar mingled with the subtle bitterness of the various medicinal herbs.
Ah, I think I can identify what’s in it.
After all, since the Eun Hae Trading Company specializes in medicinal herbs, I learned from childhood to taste and distinguish them directly.
Now I understand why this is a family secret.
Many of the herbs used are notoriously bitter, making them difficult to consume plain.
Moreover, if brewed incorrectly, that bitterness becomes even more pronounced.
That’s why one must add an appropriate amount of sugarcane and brew it carefully to make it palatable.
It’s the touching result of wives’ earnest efforts to devise ways to nourish their husbands with beneficial medicinal ingredients.
Ahhh….
This remedy is quite potent, isn’t it?
I could already feel my depleted spiritual energy recovering.
Whether it’s from the medicinal herbs or the sweetness of the sugarcane, I’m not entirely sure.
Perhaps it’s because of the sincerity and affection of the Lady who made it herself.
“Ah… but does this also have the effect of reducing fever?”
The Lady nodded at my question.
“Yes. Usually when Father returns after meetings, his face is flushed with heat.”
“I see….”
Indeed, whether matters proceed as intended or not, one’s temperature rises regardless.
The reason high officials live long lives is probably because each family possesses such secret remedies.
“Ah, but where has Lim Seok-hwa gone?”
“I sent her on a brief errand. It was unavoidable to prepare this.”
“I see.”
“You needn’t worry too much. Lee Pil Warrior, who is off-duty today, graciously agreed to accompany her.”

* * *

At that very moment.
Lim Seok-hwa and Lee Pil departed from the Jegal Family Estate.
Lady Xiang Mei had sent them on an errand, craving some snacks.
“I wonder what sort of delicacies the Lady might enjoy?”
“What about those fried noodles glazed with honey?”
“That does sound delicious.”
“Look, there are also dried fruits skewered on sticks over there.”
As they made their way back with the snacks in hand, Lim Seok-hwa caught sight of a man deliberating before a market stall selling women’s ornaments, and tilted his head in curiosity.
“Hmm, who is that person?”

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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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