The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 756

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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 756

Chapter 756. Happiness Is All That Matters (1)

Dawn was breaking across the sky.
With Hyun Ro-do and Geumryeong’s help, I had managed to gather quite a substantial amount of medicinal herbs throughout the night.
Their assistance had been invaluable.
I had pulled an all-nighter hunting for several rare herbs, but well…
Such an investment was worth making.
After completing my breathing exercises and washing up, I was sipping tea when the door opened and a thoroughly soaked Palgap entered.
“All you did was bathe Geumryeong. Why are you completely drenched?”
At my words, Palgap pointed to Geumryeong, who sat triumphantly perched atop his head, and spoke.
“Did you see how well-behaved this creature was during the bath, young master?”
Ah, so that’s why the bathhouse was so chaotic.
“When I bathed her, she sat perfectly still.”
“….”
Palgap fell silent at my words.
His expression clearly showed he had much he wanted to say—something like “Then why didn’t you do it yourself, young master?”—but he chose to hold his tongue.
But Palgap.
You were the one who insisted on bathing Geumryeong.
I distinctly remember offering to do it myself, and you refused.
I chuckled softly and spoke.
“You did well.”
Then I extended my hand toward Geumryeong.
“Come here.”
“Squeak!”
Geumryeong leaped down and scampered onto my hand.
“Why are you teasing Palgap like that?”
“Squeak?”
You were just playing with him?
Palgap’s strength has been growing noticeably lately. If he ever catches you, you’ll be completely helpless and forced to endure another bath, won’t you?
“Squeak…?”
Geumryeong’s expression suddenly turned serious.
“Squeak! Squeak!”
You’re asking for silver coins as a reward for helping tonight? You need to eat them and grow stronger quickly?
I chuckled and produced the silver coins I had prepared beforehand.
“Here, eat up quickly and grow big and strong.”
I stroked Geumryeong gently as I spoke.
“But Hyun Ro-do didn’t ask for silver or anything like that when he showed me where the medicinal herbs were…”
At my words, Geumryeong glanced up at me sheepishly.
Hmm? Why was she looking at me like that all of a sudden?
Just then, the door opened and the Lady entered.
The scent of incense wafted from her—she must have just bathed.
Whether she’d heard my words or not, she smiled and spoke.
“You shouldn’t tease Geumryeong like that.”
“Ah, Lady. You’ve arrived? I’ll have breakfast prepared at once.”
“No need. I’ll take care of it.”
“Kwui!”
At that moment, Geumryeong bounded toward the Lady and threw herself into her embrace.
“Kwui! Kku!”
Geumryeong chirped away as if deeply wronged, her protests pouring out.
I’m sorry, but the Lady doesn’t understand what you’re saying.
“…Kku.”
The Lady patted Geumryeong gently and spoke.
“You were comparing Geumryeong to Hyun Ro-do just now, weren’t you?”
I laughed and shook my head.
“A misunderstanding, I assure you. I was merely wondering if Hyun Ro-do had some other condition in mind, since he didn’t ask for silver or anything of that nature.”
I continued, watching Geumryeong nestled in the Lady’s arms.
“But you only heard half of it and jumped to conclusions. There’s a reason people say you should listen to someone’s words in full, isn’t there?”
“Kwui?”
Really?
“Why would I compare you to Hyun Ro-do? Sigh… to be so distrusted. Besides, you were the one who showed me where to find Hyun Ro-do in the first place, and you’re my guardian spirit creature—I would never slight you by making comparisons.”
“Kku… kwui…”
Geumryeong looked terribly remorseful.
Just then, Palgap interjected from the side with a slight grin.
“This rascal Geumryeong! Not trusting the young master! Though our young master may employ ruthless and cunning methods when money is involved—so much so that even the Black Swordsman would weep—his heart is truly noble.”
Palgap…
Whose side are you on?
You’re just openly insulting me…
.
.
.
The next day.
I sought out Baek Bal Hwa-ui and presented him with the medicinal herbs from the list he had written.
“Gasp! You’ve truly brought all of them?”
“Yes. Please inspect them to be sure.”
He examined the herbs I’d brought and let out a whistle of amazement.
“All the herbs on the list are here. I never imagined you’d be able to gather them all. And so quickly at that… it’s remarkable.”
He held up the Seollyeon Fruit and continued speaking.
“Especially this—it can only be obtained from the Northern Sea Ice Palace’s territory. However did you manage to procure it?”
“Haha.”
As I laughed awkwardly, he suddenly lowered his head with an apologetic expression.
“My apologies—the source of spiritual medicines is not to be questioned; such is the code of Kangho. I was merely startled and spoke out of turn.”
“It’s fine.”
“In truth, had I been unable to obtain this, I would have proceeded without it.”
“Is that acceptable?”
At my question, his expression grew subtle.
“Yes. In fact, while it is beneficial to have, it is not essential. Its role concerns the body’s resilience and the pain involved in the procedure.”
“Could you elaborate further?”
“The procedure I described focuses on preventing the toxic qi within the subject’s body from dissolving the body itself.”
“Then it means creating a body that cannot be scratched even by iron striking it.”
“Precisely.”
Baek Bal Hwa-ui continued.
“The body itself is reconstructed and hardened by toxic qi. However, that process is akin to burning one’s entire body in flame.”
Just hearing of it, I could imagine the agony involved.
“This Seollyeon Fruit allows one to endure that intense burning pain more steadily. Furthermore, during the process, it serves as ‘water’ when cooling iron that has been heated until glowing red, making the body even more solid and resilient.”
He said it was beneficial but not essential, yet hearing this, it seemed quite important indeed.
When I visited the Northern Sea Ice Palace before, the Palace Master had given me this among other things—I was fortunate.
“Then, I entrust you with the preparation of the medicine.”
“Understood.”
Now it was time to visit the Grand Patriarch.
There were matters I needed to discuss with him.

* * *

The Grand Patriarch was drinking tea.
Sipping tea while composing his mind and organizing his thoughts was a long-standing habit of his.
But as he recalled the current situation, irritation suddenly surged within him.
Crack!
The teacup in his hand shattered into fragments.
“Tch….”
He clicked his tongue while looking at his own hand.
‘This teacup is not the League Master, yet I vented my frustration on an innocent cup.’
Just then, his attendant’s voice came from outside.
“Grand Patriarch. Eun Seo-ho requests an audience.”
“Eun Seo-ho? Let him in.”
“Yes.”
He tilted his head curiously. He wondered what reason Eun Seo-ho had for seeking him out.
‘If it’s something worth meeting me for, it must be quite significant. Surely this old man didn’t come to keep me company….’
The Grand Patriarch was assessing the situation accurately.
Soon the door opened and Eun Seo-ho entered.
“Small Merchant Eun Seo-ho pays his respects to the Grand Patriarch.”
“We just saw each other this morning—why the formalities again?”
“Isn’t proper greeting a fundamental courtesy?”
“True enough. Have a seat.”
“Yes.”
Eun Seo-ho sat before the Grand Patriarch.
“Well then, what brings you to seek me out?”
“In truth, I have a favor to ask.”
“A favor… If it comes from you, it’s unlikely to be simple. Speak.”
“Please spread a rumor.”
“A rumor?”
“We apprehended someone attempting to sabotage the martial tournament, but he took his own life before we could uncover his backers. That is the rumor I wish you to spread.”
“…And the reason for this?”
“I’ll explain point by point. First, through this rumor, we can calm those who are growing anxious.”
“Indeed, quite a few know of the incident when throwing knives were hurled at the Shaolin disciples.”
“Yes. Upon hearing this rumor, they will find peace of mind.”
I continued speaking.
“And through this, we can also elevate the prestige of the Jegal Family. This martial tournament is an event hosted by the Jegal Family. If we fail to apprehend the culprit, the Jegal Family might appear incompetent.”
“That’s true. But if that person strikes again, the Main House would instead bear the shame of having lied. Yet you still wish to spread such a rumor?”
The Grand Patriarch’s concern was valid.
One misstep could result in a situation worse than never spreading the rumor at all.
‘That fellow surely understands that as well….’
Yet he spoke thus for a reason—that much was certain.
His gently smiling face caught my attention.
“You need not worry about that.”
“…?”
“That Assassin is under my protection.”
“What!”
The Grand Patriarch, startled by my words, struck the table and shot to his feet.
“You’re protecting him? What in blazes are you scheming?”
“Scheming? It’s the League Master’s scheming, naturally.”
His eyes widened at those words.
The League Master was the very reason he grew so irritated he could shatter teacups.

* * *

I smiled inwardly as I watched the Grand Patriarch.
As expected, he showed interest in my words.
“Do you remember what I mentioned before about the Sura Blood Sect?”
“Of course I do.”
“Near Bok Ryong Mountain here, there was another person bearing the aura of the Sura Blood Sect besides the Jade-Faced Libertine. Thus I was able to track and capture him.”
I omitted the detail that I had captured him when the Jade-Faced Libertine was killed. Mentioning it might upset him that I had only now revealed this information.
“I see.”
“And through interrogating him, I discovered something crucial—that he did not become an Assassin of his own will.”
I continued.
“He was deceived into becoming an Assassin. His family was annihilated by a mysterious group twenty years ago. Yet unaware of this, he believed support funds were being sent to his family for twenty years and carried out his missions.”
“What? Such villainous treachery! How could they deceive someone so cruelly?”
“My thoughts exactly.”
I nodded in agreement.
“And when he learned the truth, he expressed his willingness to defect to our side. He said he would provide all the information he possesses if we would help him take his revenge.”
“Revenge, you say…?”
“Revenge against the Sura Blood Sect—against the League Master.”
“Revenge against the League Master? Why does the League Master appear here?”
“Because the one who raised him as an Assassin is the League Master himself. And he did not train merely one—he has cultivated countless Assassins and continues to do so.”
“….”
A moment of silence fell between us.
The Grand Patriarch seemed quite shaken, repeatedly sipping his tea.
I revealed this because I was certain the Grand Patriarch was my ally.
And to save the children of Samnamu Village, I needed to break the curse placed upon them.
For this, I required the Grand Patriarch’s assistance.
“That is why I asked you to spread such rumors. It allows me to conceal his existence.”
“I see.”
The Grand Patriarch nodded.
“In such circumstances, spreading those rumors would not tarnish the honor of the Jegal Family.”
“Yes, that is correct.”
I waited for the Grand Patriarch to gather his thoughts and calm his mind.
“Hmm… I knew the League Master was a sinister fellow, but I never imagined he would go so far as to do such things.”
The Grand Patriarch spoke with a troubled expression.
“I would like to meet him.”
“I apologize, but that is impossible at the moment. I have had him personally verify the condition of his family.”
“Does that mean you trust him that much?”
“That is part of it, but I also sent my Guard Warrior with him, so there is no need for concern.”
“Then that should be fine. Well done.”
The Grand Patriarch continued.
“It may be strange to say, but when undertaking a task, one often achieves greater results when driven by negative emotions rather than positive ones—when one harbors a bitter resolve.”
“….”
I could not deny those words.
I myself was driven by a desire for vengeance against the Murim Alliance and the Baekcheon Trading Company.
“If he personally witnesses the annihilation of his family, he will become a more reliable ally than anyone.”
“That is likely.”
Yet honestly, I hoped that Yu Cheol Warrior’s family would be safe.
I knew all too well how sorrowful it was to be consumed by the emotion of vengeance.
I simply did not wish for him to suffer the same pain as I did.
After a moment of contemplation, the Grand Patriarch asked.
“But why did that assassin kill the Jade-Faced Libertine?”
Since the weapon used to kill the Jade-Faced Libertine was the same as the one used to attack the Shaolin disciples, he had noticed this.
“According to him, the Jade-Faced Libertine was an instructor at the assassin training facility and had apparently done many things worthy of resentment.”
I continued.
“And he said he received orders from his superiors to eliminate anyone if the assassin training facility was ever in danger of being exposed.”
“So he used that as justification to eliminate him. I understand. I will do as you request.”
“Thank you.”

* * *

Evening had fallen.
Tomorrow, the Martial Tournament would begin.
Perhaps because of this, the festive fervor burned even hotter.
At a roadside tavern.
A man sitting there, nursing his drink, spoke to the person across from him.
“Say, do you know about that?”
“Know about what?”
“That assassin who attacked the Shaolin disciples and killed the Jade-Faced Libertine. They say he was captured a few days ago!”
“That man was captured?”
“Yes, the Grand Patriarch and the House Master were so enraged that they personally involved themselves in the matter.”
“Really? So whose doing was it?”
“Who knows. The dead don’t speak.”
“Dead?”
“Just before he could be brought in, he stabbed himself in the throat and died.”
“What a shame!”
At a table right beside them, a Bloodied Man wearing a bamboo hat tilted his cup alone and let out a low, sinister chuckle at their conversation.

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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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