The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 86

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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 Eunhae Trading Company – Chapter 86

Chapter 86. The Restoration Spirit Fruit (2)

The young man cupped his cheek with his hand and spoke.
“I apologize. I was speaking nonsense.”
“Well, that can happen. But how did you end up being attacked by a tiger in this place?”
At my question, the young man’s face grew pale.
“Ah! You saved me?”
I nodded lightly.
At this, the young man quickly knelt before me.
“I am grateful for saving my life.”
“Think nothing of it. I merely happened to pass by and offer assistance.”
“I truly appreciate it. I wish to repay this debt, but this is all I have.”
He rummaged through his pocket and produced a pouch of money, offering it to me.
However, I had not saved this young man for money, and it would be improper to accept payment from someone who had suffered so greatly.
“No, please keep it.”
“But…?”
“I did not save you expecting anything in return. So use that money for your travel expenses.”
At that moment, Lee Pil Warrior asked.
“But why did you venture into such a dangerous place?”
“That is…”
The young man hesitated for a moment, then let out a heavy sigh before speaking.
“I came because I needed to find something.”
“…?”
“The Five-Colored Ice Crystal Flower. I must find it.”
At those words, both the warrior and I could not help but flinch.
He too was seeking a spirit herb.
Though our exact objectives differed, our purposes were similar.
“Why are you searching for that? Honestly, while it is said that the Five-Colored Ice Crystal Flower exists on Zhongnan Mountain, there is no certainty that it is true.”
“Someone claims to have seen it.”
“…?”
“A merchant came here several years ago and claimed to have seen it. That is why I came.”
I rose from my seat.
“You should leave. Zhongnan Mountain is more dangerous than you think. Especially for an ordinary person like yourself to search for a spirit herb—the risk of losing your life is considerable.”
“I cannot! Even if I were to die here, I cannot return.”
“…Why is that?”
Why does the young man before me possess such desperate eyes?
I was curious.
“In truth, I am a member of the Deuk Haeng Merchant Group.”
What?
“And the Deuk Haeng Merchant Group has one peculiar law: they choose the child blessed with the greatest fortune as their successor.”
Yes, that was right.
The Deuk Haeng Merchant Group.
The name itself meant obtaining good fortune.
Their fundamental principle was that luck was the most important factor in commerce.
Thus, they selected their successor through an unusual method.
They chose the child with the best fortune as their heir, believing that such fortune would influence the entire organization and bring prosperity to the company itself.
Was that why?
At this winter’s imperial announcement, they ranked fifty-sixth among the Top Hundred Trading Companies of the World.
Throughout generations, the leaders of the Deuk Haeng Merchant Group had fathered many children.
Which naturally meant they took many wives as well.
Did the current Deuk Haeng Merchant Group Leader have six wives? Or was it ten?
The logic was simple: with many children, surely one would be born with extraordinarily good fortune.
In any case, from the moment a child was conceived, they meticulously recorded every fortunate occurrence.
And they assigned points to each incident.
In the beginning, a child without luck would be at a disadvantage.
But if one could accomplish what seemed impossible, that could reverse the tide.
This young man before me was seeking the Five-Colored Ice Jade Flower precisely for that purpose.
“I have thirty-two siblings in total.”
Wow, that was many.
“And my father will pass the company to whichever child has the greatest fortune. The rest may choose in order of their luck: either work for the company or leave with some money.”
He continued with a bitter expression.
“I have had no luck. Everything I attempt fails, and fortune has abandoned me entirely.”
“But consider this.”
I interrupted him.
“You nearly died to a tiger, yet you lived. Isn’t that itself a sign of fortune?”
“Your words are kind, benefactor. But such a thing cannot be proven.”
“…”
“My mother is the fifth wife. And I am her only child. Because of my misfortune, she suffers greatly. When I am cast out, she will be cast out with me… *sobs*”
He wiped his tears with his sleeve.
“I want to become the successor and give my mother a comfortable life.”
This young man was enduring this hardship not just for himself, but for his mother’s sake.
“I understand your circumstances well. But if you meet with disaster here, how much would your mother worry?”
“Perhaps it would be better if I didn’t exist. If I died here, she might receive some support out of pity.”
“…”
Now that I thought about it, something seemed odd.
No matter how cast aside he was, he remained the son of the Deuk Haeng Merchant Group Leader.
Then shouldn’t at least one Guard be accompanying you?
“Surely you didn’t come alone?”
“…Yes.”
“Where did you leave your Guard? Why did you come alone?”
“My Father recalled him.”
Only then did I understand the Young Man’s predicament.
This Young Man had been driven to the very edge of a cliff. And in that perilous situation, he was doing everything in his power to survive by any means necessary.
Now that I think about it, the one who brought out the Crimson Frost Flower seemed to be the heir of the Deuk Haeng Merchant Group?
Could it be?
I spoke to the Young Man.
“Come to think of it, we haven’t even exchanged names properly. I am Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company.”
“Ah! I haven’t even told my benefactor my name. My name is Mun Ju-sung. I am the seventeenth son of the Deuk Haeng Merchant Guild Leader.”
Wait.
What? Mun Ju-sung?
From my past life, I remember clearly the name of the one who brought out the Crimson Frost Flower.
His name was Mun Ju-sung.
So the person I just saved was the very cause of the blood catastrophe triggered by the Crimson Frost Flower.
In my memory, the one who obtained the Crimson Frost Flower was certainly the heir of the Deuk Haeng Merchant Group.
But this Young Man before me, Scholar Mun, was currently far down the line of succession.
In other words, he brought back the Crimson Frost Flower and through it reversed his unfavorable circumstances to become the heir.
From my perspective, Scholar Mun is the luckiest of men.
His fortune is simply concentrated in the latter half of his life.
By obtaining the Crimson Frost Flower, he became the heir.
And it was also fortune that among the blood relatives of the Merchant Guild Leader, he alone survived the devastation wrought upon the Deuk Haeng Merchant Group by that very Crimson Frost Flower.
Wait.
Scholar Mun is destined to wander this area and obtain the Crimson Frost Flower. If I move together with Scholar Mun, I can obtain the Crimson Frost Flower easily.
I know the Crimson Frost Flower is somewhere nearby, but I don’t know the exact location.
That’s why I was prepared to search for some time.
If I provide Scholar Mun with compensation equivalent to the Crimson Frost Flower, wouldn’t our interests align perfectly?
After finishing my thoughts, I spoke to Scholar Mun.
“There’s no helping it. If we part ways like this, you’ll surely face another calamity. Let us travel together.”
“What?”
“It happens that I’m also searching for something. So while I search for what I need, I’ll help Scholar Mun find the Five-Colored Frost Flower.”
“Ah! Thank you! Thank you so much!”

We set out again.
We climbed the rocky terrain as Scholar Mun led, and crossed the gorge.
Shortly after, I smiled faintly.
A cave with fierce winds howling through it lay before me. This was where Scholar Mun obtained the Crimson Frost Flower.

“After wandering for hours, a strange sound reached my ears. It was the howl of wind. I followed it and discovered a cave swept by fierce gales. Inside that cave… it was there. The Boksiryeongkwa. The fruit that had stolen everything from my family…”

In other words, Scholar Mun was destined to set foot in this place.
But the Boksiryeongkwa inside this cave must not fall into Scholar Mun’s hands.
“I’ll go examine that cave myself.”
“No, my lord. Allow me to…”
I shook my head.
“Both of you are exhausted, aren’t you? And I’m still fresh.”
At my words, Yeo Eung-am Warrior and Lee Pil Warrior spoke.
“We had no idea your stamina was so exceptional, my lord.”
“I too did not anticipate this.”
This stamina that surpassed even my two Guard Warriors was entirely thanks to my Master.
With daily physical training, my endurance was improving rapidly.
Just when I thought I could manage a certain level, he would increase the intensity with uncanny precision, pushing my body to new limits.
I must have cursed “I hate you, Master!” internally more than ten thousand times.
Now the two Guard Warriors acknowledged my physical prowess.
“Then I’ll be on my way.”
“Go carefully…”
I stepped forward, and the sound of wind behind me scattered into silence.
I concentrated my inner energy into my legs.
Using the subtleties of the Thousand-Pound Weight technique, I advanced step by step.
How on earth did Scholar Mun pass through here?
At some point, the fierce wind ceased.
And before me appeared a single tree bearing fruit.
Red berries resembling cherries.
Boksiryeongkwa.
But there wasn’t just one Boksiryeongkwa fruit.
“Two fruits? I was certain there was only one fruit here…… Ah!”
I chuckled softly.
In his previous life, how had Scholar Mun known this was Boksiryeongkwa?
While he must have researched it beforehand and gained some knowledge, the fruit’s appearance was barely distinguishable from ordinary cherries, making it difficult to identify at first glance.
Then there was only one answer.
He ate it.
Consumed by burning thirst and hunger, he ate this fruit and discovered its nature.
That this was Boksiryeongkwa.
And he returned to the Trading Company with the remaining one.
I retrieved a box from my crimson pouch.
I carefully picked both fruits and placed them inside, then returned the box to my crimson pouch.
Thus, both Boksiryeongkwa fruits were now in my possession.
I emerged from the cave swept by fierce winds.
“What has come of it?”
At Scholar Mun’s words, I shook my head.
“There was nothing.”
“Ah….”
My heart softened slightly at the disappointment etched across his face.
Though I had achieved my purpose in coming to Zhongnan Mountain, Scholar Mun had not achieved his.
If Scholar Mun returned to his family like this, how would his future change?
Scholar Mun is a fortunate man.
So his fortune would not vanish simply because he returned without obtaining the Spiritual Elixir or Spiritual Herb.
It would manifest in another form.
Could it be?
I decided to test one thing.
“Scholar Mun.”
“Yes?”
“Why are you disappointed? Did I not promise to help you?”
“But I lack shame to impose….”
“Please, say no more.”
I spoke to him.
“Then let us try another place.”
“Understood.”
Palgap would worry about the delay, but I felt grateful that I had left him behind.
As night fell, we spent the evening in the open, and the next morning we set out once more.
The two Guard Warriors asked me quietly.
“Have you found everything you were searching for?”
“Yes.”
“Then why?”
“There is something I wish to test.”
Thus we wandered Zhongnan Mountain, and as the sun began to set, we arrived before a certain cave.
Though it was summer, a chill emanated from within the cave.
I sensed it instinctively.
What Scholar Mun sought was here.
The Five-Colored Frost Flower is, as its name suggests, a Spiritual Herb of cold essence. Thus it always blooms where such chill dwells.
“Let us enter.”
“Yes.”
At my words, Scholar Mun nodded with a tense expression, then slowly advanced his steps.
Ice lay frozen within the cave.
Feeling that piercing chill, we continued deeper inside.
Thud.
I stopped in my tracks.
“Why do you stop?”
I pointed ahead with my hand, and Scholar Mun turned to look in that direction.
“…!”
His eyes widened in astonishment.
Petals as transparent as iridescent glass, shimmering with five colors.
The Five-Colored Frost Flower.
“Ah! Ah! At last! At last!”
He dropped to his knees right there, tears of overwhelming emotion streaming down his face.
I understood his feelings completely.
I approached the Five-Colored Frost Flower carefully and began to excavate it with care.
In truth, I was quite astonished.
It proved that Scholar Mun truly was a man blessed by fortune.
I had wondered if it might be true—and it actually was?
If Scholar Mun had failed to find the Restoration Lotus in his previous life, he would have returned with this Five-Colored Frost Flower instead.
Either way, Scholar Mun’s destiny was to become the Merchant Guild Leader of the Deuk Haeng Merchant Group.
I felt a bit envious.
I handed the Five-Colored Frost Flower to Scholar Mun.
“You’ve found it. Congratulations.”
“Gasp! Thank you! Thank you so much!”
He bowed his head to me repeatedly.
“Now you can return to your family.”
“Yes.”
I smiled.
“But Scholar Mun, are you confident you can protect this Five-Colored Frost Flower from those who covet it?”
“The Merchant Guild has its warriors….”
“If word spreads that this Five-Colored Frost Flower exists, your guild will be reduced to ruins. This flower has the power to eliminate the demonic energy of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.”
“Ah….”
Scholar Mun was no fool, and thus he understood the implication of my words.
“So then, what if you sold this Five-Colored Frost Flower to me instead?”

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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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