The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group – Chapter 231

Jin-ho’s answer left me speechless.

Right, he should greet is mother-in-law. That makes sense, but…

The place where his mother-in-law lives isn’t just anywhere—it’s the North Sea Ice Palace.

Since I’d been to the North Sea on Master’s request last time, I knew just how treacherous the journey there was.

That’s why I couldn’t readily agree.

“Look, Jin-ho… Mother-in-law will understand if you can’t pay your respects.”

“Right, she’d understand. But I can’t forgive myself for that. There’s also something I really want to tell her.”

“…”

Hah, right. This guy has always been as stubborn as an iron wire.

And he’s the type who sticks to his beliefs until the very end.

That’s one of the reasons Jin-ho was called the Cloud General of Hubei in my previous life.

I guess this kind younger brother has to be understanding here.

“Phew… So it’s just you and me going, right?”

“No, of course my wife has to come too.”

Ah, Second Sister-in-law is also coming… wait, what?

I slammed the table.

“What? Jin-ho! You’re taking Sister-in-law to that dangerous place?”

Jin-ho caught the teacup that was about to tip over and answered.

“We’re going to see her mother, what’s the problem?”

“…”

There isn’t one.

But still…

Ugh! Seriously! I’m going crazy.

“Look, Jin-ho. The road there is really treacherous. Plus, all sorts of evil spirit beasts appear in the North Sea. It’s also incredibly cold, and when something called Snow Wind blows…”

“I know what you’re worried about. But Seo-ho, your sister-in-law is also a martial artist.”

“…”

That’s true enough.

Second Sister-in-law has also worked as an escort guard for quite some time.

“And would I let my wife fall into a dangerous situation?”

I suppose not.

But doesn’t he know that Jin-ho’s mother-in-law came to the wedding this time?

And since she came out of the Ice Palace, she might handle some business before returning.

We might end up making the trip for nothing.

“Actually, I heard that my mother-in-law came to our wedding.”

Huh? You knew?

“My father-in-law gave me a pair of daggers, saying they were items Mother-in-law wanted to pass on.”

“…”

“Anyway, she said she’d return to North Sea Ice Palace right away, so if we’re lucky we’ll meet her on the road, and if not, we can meet her at North Sea Ice Palace.”

Jin-ho had his own reasoning.

Then that means Jin-ho’s mother-in-law came all that way just to see her daughter’s wedding…

Is that a mother’s heart?

“Alright. Let me adjust the schedule.”

“Thanks!”

I inwardly sighed.

I feel this inexplicable sense of debt toward Jin-ho.

It’s probably because I still remember how in my previous life, Jin-ho begged for only me to be saved as he was dying.

“But Jin-ho.”

“What?”

“Did you get permission from our parents before saying this?”

At my question, Jin-ho subtly turned his head away.

“…Go get permission from our parents first.”

.

.

.

Several days passed.

Honestly, I thought Jin-ho wouldn’t get permission from our parents.

But somehow, he proudly obtained our parents’ permission.

“What about Escort Chief Ha’s permission?”

“Of course I got it!”

Ah, damn it.

I have no choice but to go.

That afternoon, I headed to Father’s office to report on matters related to the Virtuous Wind Department.

Father was busily processing documents.

It seemed he was handling work that had been postponed because of Jin-ho’s wedding.

“So, were you able to do it?”

“Yes, I’ve improved the performance of the Windcraft Fan.”

“You improved the performance?”

“Yes.”

I had researched with Gong Mil this time to further improve the Windcraft Fan’s performance.

I made it operate longer than before and increased the blade size slightly to make the wind stronger.

“By now, many people have purchased Windcraft Fans, so sales are about to enter a declining phase.”

“That’s right.”

“So I think we need to continually release improved products to stimulate people’s purchasing desire.”

“So this is what you made?”

“Yes.”

“How much does it add to the production cost?”

“About twenty percent of the base production cost.”

“Not bad at all. This will take a while, so sit down.”

“Yes.”

I sat in front of the table, and Father also sat across from me to review the documents I submitted.

We finished discussing the new Windcraft Fan.

“By the way.”

Father set the documents aside and looked at me.

“I’m counting on you to take good care of Jin-ho.”

“Yes.”

“You’re probably curious. Why I permitted Jin-ho and his wife to go to North Sea Ice Palace.”

“That’s right. I told you how much I suffered in the North Sea.”

“We also have things we want to convey to our in-law. Even though circumstances prevented her from raising her daughter directly, how heartbreaking must that be? And she probably hopes her married daughter is living well, but she must worry a lot.”

As I listened to Father’s words, I suddenly recalled the look in Jin-ho’s mother-in-law’s eyes that I saw back then.

But if he said ‘we’…

“Does Mother feel the same way?”

“Yes.”

Father nodded.

“And I’m permitting this because you’ve been to the North Sea before. You’ll suffer a bit, but I’m confident you can return safely.”

Father’s eyes conveyed firm trust in me.

When he puts it this way, I have no choice.

“I’ll do my best to live up to Father’s trust.”

“Oh, and while you’re going, there’s something you need to do.”

“Yes?”

Father stood up and brought a scroll from the desk.

Don’t tell me… that’s not all work I have to do, is it?

Rustle.

“Hmm, let me see…”

My prediction wasn’t wrong.

I somehow had the impious thought that he permitted the North Sea trip just to make me work while I was going there anyway.

My face must have looked miserable without me realizing it, as Father cleared his throat and spoke.

“Ahem, I’ll also assign some additional people to the Virtuous Wind Department this time.”

I accepted that offer.

“I’ll do my best.”

• * *

The entrance to Hubei Province.

A woman on a white horse entered that place.

Her name was Bing Hae-rin.

She was the Young Palace Lord of North Sea Ice Palace.

A message arrived for her while she was staying in Hangzhou.

It was a message brought by a Snow Eagle, one of North Sea Ice Palace’s spirit beasts.

The Snow Eagle was a spirit beast that could deliver messages to its target no matter where they were, and could only be controlled by the North Sea Ice Palace Lord.

[The Snow Wind has ceased. When you return this time, bring benefactor Eun Seo-ho with you.]

.

.

.

She moved quickly and entered Sunyang County, where the Eunhae Merchant Group’s main branch was located.

The sun was high in the sky and it was time for lunch.

‘I should eat before going to find him.’

Thinking that, she entered a suitable restaurant.

“Welcome. Wh-what would you like?”

“Noodles.”

“Yes, please wait a moment.”

People glanced at her.

She wore white martial attire and was beautiful, but a cold aura circulated around her.

So people didn’t dare approach her carelessly.

But there are always idiots who can’t sense that cold aura.

While she was waiting for her noodles to arrive, a group of men sat in front of her.

“Well, it seems this is your first time here.”

“…”

Bing Hae-rin remained silent as if she hadn’t heard.

“When someone’s talking to you, you should at least answer.”

“Goodness, how picky!”

Only then did Bing Hae-rin smile and open her mouth.

“Were there people in front of me? All I see in front of me are three boars in heat disgustingly hitting on a woman.”

“What?”

“What did this bitch just say?”

“We were being nice because you’re pretty!”

Bing Hae-rin grasped her sword hilt.

And just as she was considering how far she should go…

“Hey there! What do you think you’re doing?”

“Who is it? Another one?”

“Gasp! Sp-Spear-Wielding Hero!”

Bing Hae-rin tilted her head.

She was curious about who this person was that they feared so much.

The man who had been sitting with a woman when she entered the restaurant earlier was approaching with a spear.

“I think I said before that if I catch you harassing women, I’d crush you, didn’t I? Do my words sound like nothing to you?”

“Ha-harassing? Th-there was no such thing!”

“Haha. I-it’s a misunderstanding!”

They trembled and bowed their heads repeatedly.

“Get lost before I pierce you with my spear!”

“Hiii!”

“S-sorryyyy!”

“We were wronnnng!”

They hurriedly left the restaurant, and seeing that, the customers burst into laughter.

The one called Spear-Wielding Hero approached Bing Hae-rin and cupped his fists.

“I apologize for the unpleasant experience.”

“It’s fine.”

“Then I hope the rest of your stay in Sunyang County will be comfortable.”

At those words, Bing Hae-rin nodded. After saying that, Spear-Wielding Hero cleanly turned around and approached the woman who was his companion.

Bing Hae-rin tilted her head.

That woman’s face looked somewhat familiar.

‘I feel like I’ve seen her somewhere?’

Anyway, coming here after a long time, she suddenly recalled when she first saw Eun Seo-ho.

At the time, the Murim Alliance was scheming something, and she was investigating it.

The place she reached was a pleasure house called Yeonhwa Pavilion.

There, they were building a suspicious building through a place called Doun Merchant Group.

While investigating that building, a group suddenly burst in.

A warrior rushed at her when she was startled, and she quickly fled from there.

She couldn’t reveal her identity when it was still unclear whether they were enemies or not.

Fortunately, that warrior’s level was lower than hers, so she could successfully escape.

She learned later when she investigated again.

That the one who startled her back then was Eun Seo-ho.

And he brilliantly foiled the Murim Alliance’s plan.

So she thought.

He doesn’t seem to be in league with the Murim Alliance.

And the second meeting was unexpectedly in the North Sea.

They almost suffered great damage from the beast that led the blood-craving spirit beasts in an attack.

At that time, Eun Seo-ho, despite being a man, passed through the Mist Gate and entered the Ice Palace’s territory, providing great help.

She remembered making excuses to those who were puzzled that men with strong Yin Qi could also pass through the Mist Gate.

‘Well, it’s not wrong.’

She had heard from the North Sea Ice Palace Lord before.

The Mist Gate itself was created long ago by a Palace Lord of Snow Wind Palace using the Silver Mist Sword, and naturally it opens for the Silver Mist Sword’s master.

‘And to wield the Silver Mist Sword, you must possess powerful internal Yin Qi.’

The sword Eun Seo-ho used was a different form from the Silver Mist Sword she knew, but she could be certain through the ice crystal aura emanating from the sword.

That the sword he possessed was the Silver Mist Sword.

And at their third meeting, she learned he was a disciple of Snow Wind Palace.

‘There’s no way the Snow Wind Palace Lord wouldn’t know that the sword he possesses is the Silver Mist Sword. Then could it be that the Snow Wind Palace Lord is considering him as a successor?’

By the way, at their second meeting, Eun Seo-ho asked her.

Haven’t we met before?

She was truly shocked at this. She thought she had perfectly concealed her identity with a mask and night clothes.

She immediately denied it, but she still didn’t know the reason why she was discovered.

It was then.

“Excuse me, aren’t you Miss Bing?”

“…!”

At the suddenly heard clear voice, she turned her head and was startled.

She had been thinking about Eun Seo-ho, and the person himself appeared.

• * *

I scratched my cheek.

Why is she so surprised?

The reason I came here today was because Jin-ho said he’d buy me delicious food.

Hubei Province is famous for lotus roots, so there are many lotus root specialty restaurants, and this place is one of them.

And this place’s lotus root rib soup is one of my favorite dishes, and Jin-ho called me to buy it for me.

So I came to the restaurant, and I sensed the now-familiar orchid scent, so I greeted her.

I thought she’d still be in Hangzhou or had returned to the North Sea, but she was unexpectedly here.

“Ah, I’m sorry for startling you.”

“It’s fine. But why are you here?”

“My brother and sister-in-law said they’d treat me to delicious food, so I came.”

“I see.”

Jin-ho tilted his head.

“Huh? Do you know her?”

“Yes. Um…”

I was about to introduce her, but seeing her shake her head vigorously, I mumbled my words.

She must be saying not to mention that she’s from North Sea Ice Palace.

“We had some connection before.”

“I see.”

My brother greeted her.

“Pardon my late introduction. I’m Seo-ho’s second brother, Eun Jin-ho. And this is my wife.”

“I’m Ha Su-min.”

I asked Young Palace Lord Bing Hae-rin.

“But what brings you here?”

“Ah, I came to escort Young Hero Eun Seo-ho.”

“…What?”

–TL Notes–
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