The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 99

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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 99

Chapter 99. Eun Jin-ho, Vanished (7)

I scratched my cheek and continued speaking.
“In any case, yes, well, something like that. Truth be told, it’s all just an excuse. The fact is, I saw the future of the Eulmyung Sect in all of you just now. You’re all remarkably talented.”
Even with our smaller numbers, each person here was a master of their craft.
The mere fact that we had managed to hold our own against such formidable opponents and achieve parity in strength spoke volumes of their hidden potential.
“So I’m investing in that future.”
Yun Eul nodded, seeming to understand my meaning.
“I understand. I accept the grace of your benevolence.”
The moment I saw him—bloodied and drenched in gore, his face mask torn away—a sudden thought struck me.
“When did the Sect Leader first begin to fall ill?”
He paused in thought before answering.
“It began early this year.”
“Does the Marketplace attendant serve at the Sect Leader’s side?”
“Yes. He is one of the disciples who attends to him.”
“Then you should invite Heo Cheong, known as Baek Bal Hwa-ui of Hubei Province, to examine the Sect Leader’s condition.”
“Why him?”
“As far as I know, he is the finest physician when it comes to treating poison.”
“…Poison, you say?”
The Eulmyung Sect Elder’s complexion shifted. There was no way he could misunderstand what I meant.
I nodded.
“Yes, it appears to be poison.”

* * *

Inside a guest room at an inn.
Eun Jin-ho sat upon the bed, his expression heavy with sorrow.
“Seo-ho….”
The sensation of Eun Seo-ho’s grip upon his arm remained vivid, as if burned into his very flesh.
And the image of him smiling as he released his hand.
‘Why… did he let go.’
The shin that Eun Seo-ho had kicked still bore dark bruises.
“He certainly kicked hard.”
It must have been because I appeared so helpless and foolish to him.
For years his health had been frail, and I had worried constantly, yet at some point he grew robust and strong.
I had thought myself fortunate for it.
My brilliant and spirited younger brother, Eun Seo-ho.
He was dead.
I agonized over how to tell the family of his death, but the unbearable truth that I would never see him again pierced my heart like a blade.
I buried my face in the quilts and wept bitterly.
Then, suddenly, commotion erupted outside.

“What? What? Is that—is that Young Master Eun Seo-ho?”
“Gasp! No! How are you alive, wait—no, that’s not it, Pyo Du! Mak Chung Pyo-du!”
“Captain Jung Chung! Young Master Eun Seo-ho has returned!”
“Young Master Eun Seo-ho has come back alive!”

‘What? Seo-ho came back alive?’
He fell from a cliff that looked a thousand feet deep, yet he was alive!
I had to see it myself.
I had to confirm it with my own eyes.
He sprang to his feet and threw open the window. Without hesitation, he leaped through it.
It was only one floor, but for someone training in martial arts, the height posed no difficulty.
Just then, a figure entered the inn’s courtyard.
Still handsome features.
Eyes brimming with vitality and confidence.
It was Eun Seo-ho.
It was definitely Eun Seo-ho.
He smiled at me—that same smile from when he released the hand that had held me.
“I’m back, Jin-ho.”
He returned with that very smile.
“You must have worried so much. I’m sorry for—ugh!”
This time, Eun Jin-ho kicked Eun Seo-ho’s shin hard and cried out.
“You idiot! What were you thinking doing something so reckless! If you ever do that again! I’ll—I’ll—chase you all the way to the underworld and beat you senseless!”
“I’m truly sorry, Elder Brother.”
He didn’t say he would never do it again.
“But you’re not still holding a grudge about when I kicked your shin back in that Mist Forest, are you?”
For some reason, Eun Jin-ho found his younger brother irritating and kicked his shin once more.
Thwack!

* * *

I gazed out at the landscape visible through the carriage window.
It was a familiar sight.
As I disembarked from the boat and rode the carriage toward the Eunhae Trading Company, something felt strangely nostalgic.
I explained to everyone the full account of how I had returned alive.
Honestly, I didn’t know how I had survived either.
So I simply said that when I opened my eyes, I found myself lying perfectly fine on the ground.
And I only mentioned that I had gained this creature now sitting in my lap.
I said nothing about the Silver Shadowless Sword.
It was just a precaution. After all, one can never be too careful with people.
The Silver Shadowless Sword was now in my pocket.
Though the people couldn’t hide their bewilderment at my account, Mak Chung Pyo-du settled the matter with his explanation.

“It appears to be the Mountain Spirit’s aid. There has long been a saying that a Mountain Spirit dwells upon that peak.”
“It seems that must be true indeed.”
“Then you must have obtained this spirit creature as well.”

Everyone accepted this explanation.
There was no other way to make sense of it—otherwise, my survival would remain inexplicable.
I gazed at the creature sitting upon my lap, its eyes gleaming with an almost innocent clarity as it regarded me.
Do you know what happened back there?
I found myself thinking that perhaps this creature might understand.
But since this creature could not speak….
Beside me, Palgap lay sleeping, his snores rumbling loudly. This was the result of his insistence on bathing the creature.
Remarkable, truly.
To think this creature could exhaust even Palgap.
Thanks to Palgap’s efforts, I had discovered that the creature’s true fur color was a pale white tinged with pink.
After traveling for some time, we finally arrived at the Eunhae Trading Company.
“Palgap.”
“Mmm….”
“Palgap, wake up.”
“Mmm… this creature… you must serve our young master well… mmm mmm… our young master is truly remarkable… mmm….”
What on earth was he saying?
And why were Seo-woo Warrior and the two Guard Warriors nodding along?
There was nothing for it.
I gestured with my eyes toward the creature on my lap, and it sprang up, delivering a sharp kick to Palgap’s face with its hind legs.
“Ugh!”
Then, as though nothing had happened, it landed lightly back upon my lap and sat demurely, even casting a coy glance toward Palgap.
It had all the makings of a proper companion.
Palgap jolted awake, his eyes darting about in confusion.
“You dare strike me, creature!”
“Get up.”
“Yes?”
“We’re home.”

As I stepped down from the carriage, my family, who had been notified in advance, greeted us warmly.
Especially since Jin-ho, who had been missing, had returned, the emotions my family felt were all the more profound.
“Jin-ho!”
“Oh! Jin-ho, my son… do you know how much worry your mother endured?”
Seeing them like this, my conscience pricked me unbidden.
I had nearly caused them to hear news of my death instead.
As for my fall from the cliff and miraculous return, Jung Chung would report the details later.
At that moment, Yeochang’s Deputy approached me.
“You have arrived?”
“Yes.”
“Then please come to Hyun Pung Country at once. There are many matters that have accumulated.”
What? I barely survived and returned, yet I cannot rest before attending to duties?
Who exactly is the lord of Hyun Pung Country?
Ah… that would be me, wouldn’t it?
.
.
.
The next morning.
Though I had finished last night’s affairs and fallen asleep late, my waking time remained unchanged.
After completing my breathing exercises and rising from my seat, Master arrived at Mun Gok Hall at precisely that moment.
“Master, you have come?”
“Good morning.”
Master continued, looking at me.
“I heard from Mak Chung Pyo-du. You miraculously survived after falling from a cliff.”
“….”
I quickly bowed deeply to Master.
“I apologize for causing you such concern, Master.”
“Not at all. I am grateful you returned alive.”
When Master glanced at Palgap and the two warriors, they seemed to feel some wordless pressure and obediently left Mun Gok Hall.
It was natural for the two warriors to leave, as the transmission of martial arts should not be witnessed by others, but today Master even sent Palgap out.
“I sense you have reached a pinnacle of enlightenment.”
“Ah, you perceive it.”
Master was indeed perceptive as always.
“It seems you have gained insight, and it appears related to obtaining that spirit creature.”
A spirit creature, you say…
I drew the creature from my sleeve and held it out.
“Are you referring to this one?”
“Chirp?”
Master gazed at the spirit creature for a long while. And the creature in my palm stared blankly back at Master.
As I carefully observed Master’s expression, I noticed his eyes trembling.
“So there was still one left.”
“Pardon?”
Does Master know something about this creature?
“What exactly is this thing?”
“That spirit creature is a Han Ho-su. It was once a guardian spirit of Snowwind Palace.”
Snowwind Palace…
“This creature is instinctively drawn to the unique cold energy of Snowwind Palace. That’s why it approached the lord.”
“Pardon?”
“In truth, the family martial art that the lord is learning… well…”
Master’s sigh felt heavy.
“It is the martial art of Snowwind Palace.”
Master spoke to me.
“It seems you know of Snowwind Palace.”
“Only from rumors I’ve heard.”
“Then you know more than a little.”
The look in Master’s eyes as he gazed at me was profoundly sorrowful. No—it was closer to longing than sorrow.
No.
There was also anger mixed within.
I was curious why that place had been destroyed, but I could not ask.
It would be far too cruel.
“So that’s why you told me not to reveal the origins of the martial art.”
“I’m telling you this because I believe you, as the lord, will keep this secret.”
“I will honor your trust, Master.”
So Master was from Snowwind Palace!
I hadn’t known in my previous life.
I had suspected, though.
The martial art I learned was far more powerful than others I’d encountered.
And the cultivation method’s name is the Taiyin Ice-Sea Divine Art.
A name bearing the word “Divine” is not something one sees easily.
In any case, I was only now properly learning this truth in this life.
Could this be why Master sent me out of Mun Gok Hall?
Master composed himself and continued.
“Han Ho-su—this creature has a fondness for money. Because it feeds on money.”
Ah…
So that’s why it swallowed my silver.
I’d been quietly worried, but that was just its meal.
“That’s why it has an extraordinary sense for the scent of money. It also chooses wealthy masters to sustain itself. And the scent of money that this creature detects includes not only the money of the present, but also the money of the future.”
I looked at the creature resting in my palm.
If it chose me as its master based on that, then it chose well indeed.
There would be no hunger in my future.
“But… did you perhaps give this creature money?”
At that question, I nodded.
“Yes. It seemed to be asking for money, so I took out a silver coin and gave it to him. He swallowed it whole, but how did you know that?”
At my question, Master chuckled softly.
“Because it’s clinging right to you.”
Master continued speaking.
“Once this creature receives money, it serves that person as its master until death. And it will never eat money given by anyone other than its master.”
“That’s fortunate.”
“There’s no limit to how much money this creature can consume, but one silver coin per month is sufficient.”
“Is there anything else I should be careful about?”
“Nothing. It’s an intelligent creature that takes care of itself. The maintenance costs are considerable, but it’s worth the expense.”
“I see. Then I’ll raise it well.”
I answered thus and spoke to the creature.
“Hey, I need to practice my swordsmanship, so stay over there for a while.”
Master gently shook his head and stopped me.
“That creature can stay here without issue. There is no weapon in existence that can cut it.”
“What?”
“Learn about this creature slowly, later.”
“Master…”
I called out to him.
“Why is that?”
“In truth, what I obtained from beneath the cliff was not just this creature.”
“…?”
I retrieved the silver sword I had been secretly keeping.
Master had said he was from Snowwind Palace.
If so, he would surely recognize this blade.
As expected, Master’s eyes widened upon seeing the silver sword.
“This is… could it be the Silver Sword?”
He had been surprised before, but this was the first time I had seen Master so astonished.
“It appears to be.”
I recounted to Master what had happened there.
How I followed the creature into the cave and saw this sword, and how I fought the Madman Warrior.
How I entered a state of oblivion and eventually reached the pinnacle.
How this sword came into my hands and the Madman Warrior’s final words.
How the mist disappeared when I sheathed the sword.
Finally, I produced the identification tablet and letter I had taken from that place.
“These were what he carried with him.”
Master accepted the identification tablet and traced his fingers over the characters reading “Yu Deok-jin of Snowwind Palace.”
Then he unfolded the letter.
And shortly after, his face contorted.
I understood that expression somehow. It was the kind of face only someone whose entire clan had been annihilated could wear.
I knew this because I had experienced it myself in my past life.

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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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