The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group – Chapter 150

We finally arrived at the main headquarters of the Eunhae Merchant Group.

Since I’d sent a letter in advance announcing my return, Brother Jeong-ho welcomed me with open arms.

“Brother!”

“You’ve worked hard.”

“Not really, I just had a bit of fun. Where’s Father?”

“He’s in his office. There’s overdue work and new matters to handle, thanks to a certain someone.”

“Hahaha.”

I chuckled awkwardly.

With so many people around, he couldn’t say it outright, but the new matter must have involved the intelligence unit centered around Chun-il.

Brother Jeong-ho glanced at Heo Un as he stepped down from the carriage and asked,

“Who’s that?”

“Oh, someone who’ll be working with us at the merchant group from now on.”

“I see.”

He nodded calmly.

A moment later, I asked Palgap to escort Heo Un to the reception room and made my way to Father’s office.

“Your son has returned after completing his tasks in Luoyang.”

“Well done.”

Father looked quite tired. Seeing him like that made my chest tighten a little.

“I thought you’d stay in Luoyang a bit longer. You’re back earlier than I expected.”

“The later I return, the more work future me has to suffer through, don’t you think?”

“Fair enough.”

I got straight to the point.

“What’s the progress on the intelligence unit?”

“The Eunwol Council decided on the matter during the meeting. For now, Chun-il will be a member of the unit.”

“I see. So where is he now?”

“He’s probably working on a task.”

“A task?”

“Yes. The Trade Pavilion Lord suggested something and everyone agreed. They’re assigning him daily tasks to control his kleptomaniac habits before he formally begins work.”

I was impressed by Father’s explanation.

Of course it was the Trade Pavilion Lord’s idea. How does she always come up with things like that?

“It was based on what you said about challenging him, so don’t be too impressed.”

As I scratched my cheek sheepishly, Father smiled gently.

“Go on and get some rest.”

“Father, there’s one more thing I’d like to talk about.”

Father looked puzzled, and I carefully asked,

“Do you know Heo Won, the Senior Clerk of the Baekcheon Merchant Group?”

“He was an incredibly capable Clerk. One of the people responsible for making Baekcheon what it is today.”

Recalling the name, Father’s expression turned somber.

“I heard he passed away recently. Such a tragedy.”

“That’s right. I was told he passed not long ago.”

“Actually, I once invited him to join the Eunhae Merchant Group, but he refused. Said he couldn’t abandon the people who trusted and followed him.”

That’s why I couldn’t recruit him.

I remembered hearing Father talk about Heo Won during my past life.

That’s the kind of person he was. Which is probably why his quarters remained untouched after his death.

But Heo Un, abandoned by the Baekcheon Merchant Lord, is a different story.

“So, why do you ask about Senior Clerk Heo Won?”

“Well, I came back with his son.”

I explained the whole situation to Father.

“What!”

Displeasure flashed across Father’s face.

“Senior Clerk Heo Won sacrificed so much for the Baekcheon Merchant Group, and they just heartlessly cast out his son?”

“…”

“I never liked Namgoong Gang, but this is too much!”

That was the first time I learned Father also disliked the Baekcheon Merchant Lord, Namgoong Gang.

“So you brought Heo Un here, meaning you want him to join our group. What kind of work do you want to assign him?”

“For the first few months, I think it’s best he works at the Trade Pavilion.”

I had something else in mind for Heo Un, but others didn’t yet know his capabilities.

So I needed to place him where he could earn recognition first.

If I used my authority to give him a high position right away, it would cause gossip and jealousy.

Considering all the harsh remarks he already gets because of his appearance, it’d be too cruel.

But his talent is exceptional, and he’ll soon gain acknowledgment.

Then I can use him according to my plan.

“Alright. I’ll discuss it with Pavilion Lord Yeon.”

Father asked again.

“Where is he now?”

“He’s in the reception room.”

Father rose from his seat and walked with me to the reception room.

A short while later, we arrived.

We saw Heo Un sitting with Palgap, with tea and snacks in front of them.

“This is my father, and the Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group.”

At my introduction, Heo Un looked surprised and quickly tried to rise, but Father gestured.

“It’s fine. Stay seated.”

“Forgive me.”

Father took a seat across from him and offered his condolences.

“Seo-ho told me everything. First of all, my deepest condolences for your loss.”

“Thank you.”

“You’ve endured a great deal.”

“…”

At Father’s kind words, Heo Un’s eyes glistened for a moment.

To hear such empathy not from the Baekcheon Merchant Lord, but from the Eunhae Merchant Lord—it must have struck a chord.

“So, you wish to work with us?”

“Yes, I do.”

“What kind of work did you do at Baekcheon?”

“I managed the ledgers.”

“I see. We have a department called the Trade Pavilion that handles distribution and sales. I was thinking of assigning you there. Would that be alright?”

“Of course. I’ll do whatever work you give me to the best of my ability.”

Father chatted with him for about one shichen (roughly two hours), then rose.

For someone of his status to give that much time was a great show of sincerity.

Perhaps realizing that, Heo Un spoke with emotion.

“I’m truly overwhelmed by the warm welcome you’ve given me.”

Father smiled and replied,

“Think nothing of it. You’re your father’s son, and if Seo-ho recommended you, I have no doubts about your ability. I look forward to working with you.”

Heo Un’s lodging was temporarily arranged at the guest quarters.

He’d be given work attire once he started working at Eunhae, but he couldn’t go around wearing that all the time, so I’d need to gift him some clothes too.

After entrusting Palgap with his care, I headed to the inner quarters.

I needed to greet Grandfather and Mother, and also meet with my sister-in-law.

After changing clothes, I went to see Grandfather first, then made my way to Mother’s residence.

Whoosh—!

Swish—!

Something sliced through the air. At the sound, Escort Guard Yeo Eung-am behind me said,

“That’s the sound of a Ribbon Blade being swung.”

“A Ribbon Blade?”

“Yes.”

Yeo Eung-am nodded.

“Ribbon Blades are unusual weapons, so when they’re swung, they make a sound like that.”

At those words, I smiled softly.

There was only one reason the sound of a Ribbon Blade being swung would echo through the air.

I glanced toward Mother’s residence.

Wearing her training robes, Mother was practicing with the Ribbon Blade I’d gifted her—a sword disguised as a belt.

Her movements were so elegant it was like watching a sword dance, and the expression on her face was full of joy.

Seeing that made me think I’d done well choosing to gift her the Ribbon Blade.

After a moment of watching, she seemed to finish her training and lowered the sword.

I quickly made my presence known and approached her.

“Mother.”

“Oh? Ah! Seo-ho, you’re back?”

“You were training.”

“Ah, yes.”

Mother nodded and spoke.

“You must’ve given me this Ribbon Blade for my protection. But I thought, what use is it if I can’t wield it properly when I really need to?”

“I see. I’m glad to see you looked happy while training.”

“Hoho, if that’s how it seemed, then I’m relieved. Did everything go well?”

“Yes. Mother, I’ve returned safely.”

Mother nodded and then looked at the Ribbon Blade.

“By the way, whenever I swing this sword you gave me… I get this feeling that if I intend to cut something, I’ll definitely be able to.”

Of course she would.

That weapon is an artifact imbued with special abilities.

“Is it… an expensive item?”

I smiled and replied.

“Value depends on the person, doesn’t it?”

“That’s true.”

“And it suits you perfectly, Mother.”

At that, Mother’s cheeks turned slightly red.

“Goodness, you sound just like your father.”

Ah…

So Father beat me to the compliment.

After spending some time chatting with Mother, I went to visit my sister-in-law.

“I’ve returned safely from Luoyang.”

“I’m glad you came back without any trouble.”

“How’s the baby?”

At my question, my sister-in-law gently held her belly and said,

“Maybe because the due date is drawing close, our little piglet seems to be getting restless.”

She dreamed of a pig before getting pregnant, so the baby’s nickname became Piglet. (TL Note: Keep in mind that this is Chinese Wuxia and Pigs are one of the twelve zodiac animals. It symbolizes Wealth, Prosperity and Luck)

She was now about eight months along, so the due date really was near.

“Come to think of it, I realized I haven’t given you a proper gift yet. So while I was in Luoyang, I picked up something for you.”

I pulled out the small pouch I had tucked inside my sleeve.

But then Geumryeong was dangling from it, biting the pouch.

That hairpin may be made of precious material, but it’s not food, you know.

“Let go, Geumryeong.”

“Kui…”

At my firm tone, Geumryeong reluctantly dropped the pouch from its mouth.

“Ahem.”

One corner of it had a bit of drool on it.

“Sorry. I think Geumryeong thought it looked tasty.”

“Couldn’t blame them for that. Hohoho.”

Chuckling awkwardly, I placed the pouch on the table.

“I hope you’ll like it.”

My sister-in-law opened the pouch and took out the hairpin, then gasped in awe.

“Oh my! Is this jade?”

“Yes. It’s adorned with jade.”

It was one of two artifacts I bought from a store under the Baekcheon Merchant Group.

Each artifact influences the user in different ways.

Sometimes it’s beneficial, sometimes not.

I gave this particular hairpin to my sister-in-law because its aura brings peace to both mind and body.

A peaceful mind and body are essential for a healthy pregnancy.

Of course, that’s not the only reason.

The pin itself is made of Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron.

It had been specially treated to suppress its natural aura.

The artisan who made it wasn’t called the Celestial Smith for nothing.

Since my sister-in-law comes from a martial family, she likely knew what Ten-Thousand-Year Cold Iron was.

It’s iron that has aged for ten thousand years.

In that time, the originally tough iron becomes slightly altered—still strong, but now flexible as well.

It won’t be cut by most sword Qi and can even withstand direct strikes of internal force.

Naturally, it’s extraordinarily expensive.

But that alone isn’t what makes this hairpin an artifact.

It’s because even someone without internal Qi can use it to release sword Qi.

In other words, it’s incredibly useful in emergencies for someone without inner power.

But I didn’t explain all that to her in detail.

Shocking her might not be good for the baby, so I planned to explain it later.

For now, I kept it simple.

“This item is designed so that it can be used as a sword in emergencies.”

“I see. That sounds very useful in a crisis.”

As an accomplished martial artist herself, she looked even more pleased.

After finishing my visit with her, I headed to the office.

While I was away, matters related to the Virtuous Wind Department had surely piled up.

“Has everyone been well?”

As I greeted them, the staff quickly stood to welcome me.

“Welcome back, Department Chief!”

It had been a while since I’d heard that title.

“Yes.”

I looked around at the staff.

They all looked a little healthier than when I left for Luoyang.

.

.

.

The next morning.

I got up from bed.

No matter how late or early I went to sleep, my wake-up time was always the same.

Because I had to train martial arts in the morning.

I stepped into the courtyard, practiced circulation and breathing, then rose from my seat—just as Master entered.

It had been a while since I’d seen him.

And today’s training with him, as always, was brutal.

“Starting tomorrow, we’ll learn the ninth form of the True Snow Twelve Form Sword.”

Finally, the ninth form—Snow Light (雪光).

Snow Light is inspired by the shimmer of snow and is a refinement of the fourth form, Snow Wind, and the fifth form, Snow Flower.

“By the way, whenever I see the Department Chief these days, I can’t help but lament that the palace’s martial arts have all but vanished.”

By “palace,” he meant the Snow Wind Palace.

“As you may already know, everything burned when the palace was destroyed.”

“Then… the True Snow Twelve Form Sword…?”

“That, I developed myself. Honestly, I was studying another sword art at the time, but… anyway, I couldn’t pass on a martial art I hadn’t fully mastered myself.”

Master’s tone was filled with regret.

“The greatest loss was the insight left behind by the founder regarding the Supreme Yin Foundation.”

Wait a second. Wasn’t the first line of the secret manual I found in Luoyang also ‘Supreme Yin Foundation’?

–TL Notes–
Tired of seeing Ads? Then please support me on Patreon! Any tier of subscription will make it so you won’t get any ads!

If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at patreon.com/InsanityTheGame

Join my Discord! https://discord.gg/BWaP3AHHpt