At Young Master Yu-jin’s words, tears streamed down Seong Jun-min’s face. And then…
“Yu-jin! Huuuuugh!”
He wrapped Young Master Yu-jin in his arms and sobbed his heart out, but not a single person watching thought he was making a scene.
Because everyone there had tears in their eyes.
From Young Master Yu-jin’s words, I caught a glimpse of the nature he had been born with.
He was certainly someone destined to become great.
After the brief commotion settled down, Young Master Yu-jin headed to his quarters.
And Brother Jeong-ho and I followed Deputy Merchant Lord Seong Cheong-min.
It seemed to be the area where the reception rooms for honored guests were located, and the Merchant Lord’s office was there as well.
Thanks to the memories from my previous life, I had a rough understanding of the major merchant groups’ internal layouts.
I had personally visited many of them, and I had also gathered plenty of information through the intelligence unit back then.
At the time, there had been quite a few places we needed to keep in check or attack, so collecting that sort of information had been necessary.
Deputy Merchant Lord Seong Cheong-min guided Brother Jeong-ho and me into one of the reception rooms.
“Please wait here for a moment.”
Just as I expected, it was a reception room meant for honored guests.
When I visited the Myeongmyeong Merchant Group in my previous life, I had been brought here as well.
It was not flashy, but it had been furnished with refined taste.
The paintings and calligraphy hanging on the walls were works by famous figures, but the Merchant Lord’s peculiar taste was hidden among them.
Those pieces were artworks meant to decorate this room, but at the same time, they also served as a way to test the discernment of visiting guests.
How do I know that?
Because I had been asked about them myself.
“That painting is a work by Painter An Jun.”
“…Is that really Painter An Jun’s work?”
That is right.
Among those paintings, some were fake.
In my previous life, because I noticed that, the Merchant Lord had thought well of me.
Though after Young Lord Seong Jun-min became the Merchant Lord, that friendly relationship changed.
Of course, this time, he would not ask about it.
Surely he would not test even his benefactors like that.
Soon, a maid entered, set down refreshments, and poured tea for us.
Brother Jeong-ho and I enjoyed the tea and snacks while talking.
Not long after, the door opened, and the Myeongmyeong Merchant Group’s Merchant Lord and Deputy Merchant Lord entered.
We rose from our seats and politely greeted them.
“We greet the Merchant Lord.”
“Thank you for accepting my invitation and coming here. Please, sit.”
“Thank you.”
We sat down, and cups of tea and sweets were placed before the Merchant Lord and Deputy Merchant Lord as well.
“First of all, our Myeongmyeong Merchant Group owes you both a tremendous debt. So great that I hardly know how we should repay it.”
“It was simply because fate brought us together.”
At Brother Jeong-ho’s words, I also expressed modesty.
“It must be because the Merchant Lord’s virtue has reached the heavens.”
The Merchant Lord waved a hand, looking embarrassed.
“Do not say such things. To be honest, how much virtue could I have built while living as a merchant? I am lucky enough if I do not get cursed at.”
At those words, we quietly laughed.
“Whew, in any case, when one has received something, one must express gratitude for it. That is why I invited the two of you here.”
Then he looked at Brother Jeong-ho and continued speaking.
“I already had something to discuss with Deputy Merchant Lord Eun Jeong-ho.”
“That is correct.”
It was about transporting the pepper by our Eunhae Merchant Group’s ships.
“While thinking about how to express my gratitude for this matter, I came to a decision.”
“My father and I thought about it quite a bit.”
“Did we not decide that the Eunhae Merchant Group would load and transport the pepper our Myeongmyeong Merchant Group is purchasing this time? For the next ten years, I will hand over one-third of that pepper to you.”
“Pardon?”
“You need not feel too burdened. If we bring pepper by sea, the transportation cost will be much lower, and the quantity we can bring in will be far greater than before.”
Pepper was an incredibly expensive spice.
There was a reason people said it could be compared to silver of the same weight.
And yet he was saying he would hand over one-third of that pepper for ten years!
“That is too much!”
Even at my words, the Merchant Lord shook his head.
“When I think of how you saved my two sons and grandson, it is not too much at all. And if my fourth son had become Merchant Lord while still being controlled by the Soul-Bewitching Art, whose merchant group would this have become?”
“…”
He was seeing the situation with impressive accuracy.
“Moreover, did you not use your one and only Artifact in order to undo the Soul-Bewitching Art cast on my fourth son?”
At those words, Brother Jeong-ho glanced at me.
It clearly meant, What is he talking about? but he did not press any further.
Because Brother Jeong-ho also knew that this was not something to ask about here.
“So you may accept it.”
The Deputy Merchant Lord urged us again.
“Please accept it. To be honest, we also hope this will allow us to continue our connection with you both.”
From what I could see, that seemed to be his true intention.
Brother Jeong-ho and I exchanged glances and reached an agreement.
Since it would be rude to refuse when they were going this far, we decided to accept the proposal.
“We will accept that offer.”
At Brother Jeong-ho’s answer, the Merchant Lord and Deputy Merchant Lord’s faces brightened.
“However, there is one problem.”
At my words, their expressions stiffened.
“A problem?”
“Even if we receive the pepper, we do not have sales channels to sell pepper on our side.”
Because pepper was such an expensive spice, opening up a new route for selling it was not easy.
“Ah!”
“That is true.”
Once they understood what I meant, the two nodded.
“So even if the amount of pepper we receive is reduced somewhat, we would prefer for you to sell the pepper on our behalf and give us the profits instead.”
“No, we cannot do that. How could we charge you a fee?”
“That is right. We cannot allow the meaning behind our gratitude to become diluted.”
And so, it was decided that they would sell the pepper that was to be given to us and hand the entire sales amount over to us as it was.
Still, as expected of the Merchant Lord of the Myeongmyeong Merchant Group.
This made it a foregone conclusion that our Eunhae Merchant Group would be the one to transport the pepper.
On top of that, since our own share of the profits was involved, we would have no choice but to pay even closer attention when bringing the pepper in.
However, who am I?
I am Eun Seo-ho.
“Then what shall we do about the shipping fee?”
“The s-shipping fee?”
“Yes. What the Merchant Lord has given us is one matter, but should we not also discuss the costs, including the shipping fee?”
“Th-that is true.”
“Then, regarding that discussion…”
“W-wait!”
The Merchant Lord quickly held out his hand and spoke.
“Let us discuss that tomorrow. You must both be tired after coming all the way here.”
That reaction made it clear.
This Merchant Lord had definitely been planning to lower the shipping fee a bit in exchange for giving us one-third of the pepper.
But since I brought it up here, he was trying to postpone the topic so they could discuss it again first.
The Deputy Merchant Lord also added with a smile.
“The rear garden of our Myeongmyeong Merchant Group is quite worth seeing. While you are admiring it, we will send someone to escort you to the banquet hall.”
A little while later, we followed a maid’s guidance to the rear garden.
As expected, the garden had been arranged beautifully.
And even during this winter season, there were flowers and plants blooming that were difficult to see at this time of year.
I told the maid that this much guidance was enough and sent her back.
“Then I will come escort you once the banquet is ready.”
“Yes.”
After the maid disappeared into the distance, I surveyed the surroundings.
No one was here.
I said to Brother Jeong-ho,
“To be honest, I’m a little surprised. I can’t believe they’re giving us a whole third of the pepper they’re bringing from the Great Yue Kingdom.”
“I was surprised too.”
Then Brother Jeong-ho looked at me and grinned.
“Hm? Why are you looking at me like that?”
“As expected, you really are the one suited for the position of Merchant Lord.”
“Wh-what are you talking about?”
I spoke in horror.
“Weren’t you the one who was supposed to become Merchant Lord, Brother? Don’t say something that terrifying.”
“You dislike it that much?”
“Yes. I hate it.”
I answered immediately.
“I already feel like I’m being buried alive under work… And on top of that, I’m always running all over the place at the drop of a hat. Me, a Merchant Lord? Are you trying to ruin the merchant group?”
“True, I suppose that is also right.”
“So don’t even entertain that nonsense.”
I really do not want to experience Master beating me down and forcing me to get some rest ever again.
At my words, Brother laughed heartily.
“But what was that about an Artifact earlier?”
“Ah, that?”
I scratched my nose and said,
“I’ll explain later.”
It did not feel right to lie even to Brother Jeong-ho, and Brother Jeong-ho was someone I could trust.
“Anyway, we should inform Father about this matter.”
“You don’t need to worry about that.”
I spoke while looking at my sleeve, and Brother Jeong-ho understood what I meant and nodded.
“That little fellow really is miraculous.”
“I think so too.”
A little later, a maid came to fetch us, and we headed to the banquet hall.
It was a gathering where the Myeongmyeong Merchant Group’s family members and key figures had all assembled.
We enjoyed the banquet in a warm and friendly atmosphere.
And late at night, we returned to our quarters.
“Geumryeong.”
At my call, Geumryeong poked its head out from my sleeve.
“Kui!”
“Will you run an errand for me?”
At my words, Geumryeong nodded.
“Wait just a moment.”
I wrote a letter to Father, and Geumryeong sat on the writing desk, staring at that letter.
“It’s done.”
I folded the letter neatly and tied it to Geumryeong’s tail.
“Go on.”
“Kui!”
Geumryeong shot out through the window like an arrow.
Then, with Palgap’s help, I washed up and changed into my nightclothes.
Usually, when someone invited you to their home, it meant they wanted you to stay the night.
Sending an invited guest away without letting them spend the night was a grave breach of etiquette.
Since I was visiting another merchant group, I had not brought work with me either, so I should sleep early tonight.
That was what I thought, but…
“My lord, Great Hero Do, the Merchant Lord’s escort guard, wishes to see you.”
Hm? Great Hero Do?
The presence I felt beyond the door was a familiar one.
“Tell him to wait just a moment.”
I quickly put on an outer robe. Receiving a guest while wearing only nightclothes would be rude.
Then I said,
“Tell him to come in.”
“Yes.”
Soon, the door opened, and a warrior entered.
He was the Profound warrior who guarded the Merchant Lord from his closest side.
Because of his skill, he was quite famous alongside Great Hero Boulder True Sword, the Sebin Merchant Group’s Merchant Lord’s escort guard.
But his family name was Do?
Since people in the world called him by his epithet, I had forgotten that he was surnamed Do.
He looked at my attire, cupped his fist, and apologized.
“You were about to rest. I apologize for coming to see you so late at night.”
“Not at all. I had not lain down to sleep yet. Please sit.”
We sat facing each other at the tea table, and Palgap brought tea.
“What brings you here?”
“The reason I have come to see you at this hour despite knowing it is rude is because there is one thing I must confirm.”
Ah, did he come because of that?
“Are you referring to my martial arts?”
“Yes.”
He nodded and asked me,
“What is your relationship with the Embroidered Guard?”
The reason he was asking about my relationship with the Embroidered Guard, and not my realm, was likely because he had realized I had mixed in the Embroidered Guard’s martial arts.
Great Hero Do’s epithet was All-Knowing Sword.
It was an epithet given to him because he was deeply knowledgeable about countless martial arts and could recognize them better than anyone else.
That was why, in case he noticed that the martial arts I used belonged to Snow Wind Palace, I had deliberately used Imperial Palace Martial Art in front of him.
Or I had used it in secret.
Learning Imperial Palace Martial Art in advance really paid off.
Well, I had learned it precisely for moments like this.
I smiled and answered,
“Why ask when you already know?”
He tightly shut his eyes, then rose from his seat and knelt before me.
“I beg you.”
“Why are you doing this? Please stand.”
“Please keep silent about this matter.”
He continued with a heavy expression.
“If this matter reaches His Majesty the Emperor’s ears, the Fourth Young Master will not be able to avoid severe punishment.”
“…”
As he said, this was a rather serious incident.
An incident where someone tried to kill his brothers and his nephew.
Though he had done it because he had been affected by the Soul-Bewitching Art, that did not make the act itself disappear.
Of course, if this matter was not revealed to the Imperial Family or the authorities, he would not be punished.
“Um, many people in the merchant group have already found out, though?”
Even if I kept silent, this matter could still spread through their mouths.
“That is fine. We have taken measures to ensure they do not speak of this to outsiders.”
That was confidence that they could keep the merchant group’s people silent.
Well, if that were impossible, he would never have risen to his current position.
Great Hero Do bowed his head to me.
Sigh, I had never really planned to talk about it anyway.
This was a place that had shown my grandfather and father much kindness, and it was also a place that would show us much kindness going forward.
Moreover, since we shared a common enemy, they were reliable allies.
“Please raise your head and stand up.”
I continued speaking.
“I never had any intention of reporting this matter to those above.”
“Pardon? Is that true?”
“This is Young Master Yu-jin’s family, and my brother saved Young Master Yu-jin. I don’t want to make Young Master Yu-jin sad.”
At my words, his face brightened.
“Thank you. Thank you very much.”
“So please stand now. This is embarrassing.”
“Understood.”
Still, to think he would even kneel for the Merchant Lord’s family! I could not help but think he was truly an extraordinary man.
It must be because of loyal men like him that the Myeongmyeong Merchant Group could remain unshaken.
“Um, by the way, what is your relationship with Team Leader Do?”
“By Team Leader Do, do you mean Team Leader Do Gyeong?”
“Ah, yes.”
“He is my son.”
As expected, blood does not lie.
.
.
.
Dawn came.
When I woke from sleep, I saw Geumryeong struggling over the window frame, so I quickly caught it in my hand.
“You’re back?”
“Kui!”
I unfolded the letter, read it, and grinned.
On the writing desk, Geumryeong saw me and backed away.
“Ku, kui…”
“Hm? Why?”
“Kui…”
“You’d be grateful to eat some silver if I gave it to you?”
Why did this little one suddenly become so polite?
–TL Notes–
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