The matter with the Dan Clan was resolved more smoothly than expected.
In exchange for not making the affair public, the Dan Clan agreed to pay a hefty settlement.
They signed the contract while grinding their teeth, but what could they do?
The justification was on our side, and the wrongdoing was theirs.
They’d scraped together every bit of spare capital to buy salt, only to suffer massive losses from the newly enforced Salt Distribution Act.
Now, on top of that, they had to pay reparations.
Their merchant group wouldn’t collapse right away, but keeping it afloat would be the best they could manage for the foreseeable future.
The root cause of all this was the false rumor about the Self-Dancing Dolls.
It led to their rat inside the Eunhae Merchant Group’s Sichuan Branch getting exposed and everything spiraling from there.
They never should’ve touched the Self-Dancing Dolls.
If they thought they could harm the goose that lays my golden eggs and get away with it, they were dead wrong.
I always repay favors.
And I always pay back grudges.
This time, Hyang-ok took the lead herself, sword in hand, and dealt with both Yeong-po and the Dan Clan.
Word of her role quickly spread throughout the Sichuan Branch.
Seeing her at the forefront as she took down those who threatened the merchant group stirred the hearts of both the warriors and staff, bolstering their loyalty.
The fact that the Merchant Lord’s daughter, and a girl only sixteen at that, stood on the front lines against our enemies struck a chord with everyone.
That was exactly what I intended.
People are swayed by what they see. Sometimes, it’s necessary to put on a show.
That’s why I brought Hyang-ok along.
Eun Myeong-sang sat in his office, looking out at the garden.
The end of the sixth month was approaching.
Which meant it would start getting hot soon.
‘Will it be a rainy summer again?’
He usually felt melancholy during this season, but lately, something had changed.
He didn’t know what this feeling was, but he knew the cause.
Eun Seo-ho, his eldest brother’s youngest son—his nephew.
It was thanks to him.
When Eun Seo-ho first arrived at the Sichuan Branch, he thought of it as a chance for the boy to gain experience and believed he should guide him well.
When he heard the Tang Clan of Sichuan was looking for Seo-ho, he worried something had gone wrong.
But over the past month, he’d seen the boy’s abilities firsthand.
Seo-ho turned the false rumor about the Self-Dancing Dolls into an opportunity that worked in the Eunhae Merchant Group’s favor.
He used it to bait the Dan Clan, then flipped the situation and tarnished their reputation.
The mole the Dan Clan planted ended up creating distrust within their own ranks, and he used that to push them into a massive salt investment.
Meanwhile, we gave salt away freely to boost public perception and helped the branch fully integrate into Sichuan, where it had previously felt like an outsider.
The Dan Clan, suffering devastating losses from salt speculation, ended up admitting they’d planted a spy—thanks to the traps Seo-ho laid.
And so, they had to pay a staggering amount in reparations.
Yeong-po, the man who played the spy, was forced to cough up everything he had and handed over to the county office.
He’d face heavy punishment.
All this had happened in the span of just one month. And Seo-ho had led every part of it.
Compared to all he’d done here, the favor he’d earned from the Tang Clan was barely worth mentioning.
Even to his own eyes, the boy was ruthless in how he executed each step.
It reminded him of the Tang Clan, famed for their vengefulness.
‘How can a kid have such venom in him? That sweet-tempered older brother really raised this child?’
He shook his head in disbelief.
Strategic foresight two steps ahead—no, even more. Relentless drive. Ruthless tenacity.
Yet despite all that, the boy was clear-minded and upright. That’s what made him so likeable.
Having someone like him in the Eunhae Merchant Group was an incredible relief.
He almost felt sorry for the other merchant groups.
Especially the Dan Clan, who had tried to play dirty and now faced ruin.
‘They really should’ve left him alone. If they had, they might’ve at least kept what little fortune they still had.’
He chuckled quietly.
Eun Seo-ho was the Eunhae Merchant Group’s wings.
With Seo-ho as its wings, the merchant group would surely rise higher.
Suddenly, the title ‘Greatest Merchant Group Under Heaven’ came to mind.
Eun Myeong-sang let out a soft laugh.
“No way… That’s still too much…”
He’d be satisfied with just placing in the top ten merchant groups in the realm.
But somehow, the thought that they might actually make it to the very top didn’t seem so far-fetched anymore.
Just then, there was movement outside, and his escort’s voice rang out.
“Branch Lord, Young Master Eun Seo-ho is here.”
“Ah! Let him in.”
Soon, the door opened and in walked a handsome young man.
His nephew, Eun Seo-ho.
“You’re here. Have a seat.”
“Yes, sir.”
Seo-ho sat at the table he indicated, and Eun Myeong-sang sat across from him.
He personally steeped the tea and poured a cup.
“Here, drink.”
“Thank you.”
After taking a sip, Seo-ho said,
“Uncle, we plan to return home tomorrow morning.”
“Already?”
“It’s been a full month. The work here is done, and I imagine Father’s eager to hear about it all.”
“Yes, I suppose he would be.”
Eun Myeong-sang felt reluctant to see him go. But it was time to let him go.
“Very well. I understand. By the way, when do you plan to visit the Tang Clan.”
The Tang Clan had contacted the Sichuan Branch discreetly.
And when it became clear they only wanted to repay a debt of gratitude to Seo-ho, the branch had replied with relief, asking for understanding since he was currently busy.
But Seo-ho’s response now was completely unexpected.
“I don’t intend to visit the Tang Clan.”
“What? You’re not going? Why not?”
“If I go, it’ll seem like I saved their son because I wanted something in return. I don’t like that.”
“But…”
“And even if I don’t go, I doubt the Tang Clan would take it out on the Sichuan Branch, would they?”
“No, you’re right. If anything, they’d offer help…”
At that, Eun Myeong-sang stopped mid-sentence, realization dawning on him.
“Don’t tell me—that’s what you were aiming for?”
“Not at all. And I’m also very busy. Once I’m back, I’ve got mountains of work waiting, so I can’t afford to waste any more time.”
“I see. If that’s your decision, then I understand.”
Clink.
Eun Myeong-sang set down his teacup and said,
“Thank you.”
“…Sorry?”
Seo-ho tilted his head at the sudden remark, and Eun Myeong-sang smiled.
“For catching the spy.”
“That was something I had to do.”
“And for raising the reputation of this Sichuan Branch.”
“That too was part of my responsibility.”
“And thank you for helping your cousins earn recognition as pillars of the branch.”
“They’re my cousins, after all.”
At that, Eun Myeong-sang laughed heartily.
‘Yeah, that’s just the kind of boy he is.’
He rose from his seat and picked up a small box resting on the side table.
Then he handed it to Eun Seo-ho.
“Take this. You’ve turned fifteen, and I hadn’t given you anything yet. Consider it a birthday gift.”
Fifteen was the age one was recognized as an adult.
Even if they didn’t usually exchange gifts, this occasion was an exception.
“Thank you.”
I walked out of my uncle’s office with a box in hand.
The birthday gift he’d given me.
“Young Master, allow me to carry that for you,” said Palgap.
I shook my head.
“No, I want to hold this one myself.”
“Understood.”
When I’d opened the box in front of Uncle earlier, I was genuinely shocked, though I managed to keep a straight face.
Because I recognized the item inside.
But I couldn’t let it show, so I fought to keep my expression neutral.
The gift my uncle gave me was an armguard.
Normally, it’s used to keep sleeves in place so they don’t get in the way while handling weapons.
The one Uncle gave me leaned more toward protecting the arm itself.
It was made of soft black leather, covering from the back of the hand to the elbow, and embroidered with elegant patterns using Shu Embroidery (蜀繡), one of Sichuan’s four great embroidery styles.
Armguards were essential for merchants.
Sleeves got in the way when writing or handling documents.
I was wearing one myself right now.
And the one Uncle gave me was one of the Hidden Treasure Artifacts.
Its name was Unsevered Armguard (無切腕).
It meant it couldn’t be cut.
The embroidered leather was a mere façade. Beneath it was fabric woven from Heavenly Silkworm Thread, strong enough that even a blade couldn’t sever the arm it covered.
But right now, no one knew this was the Unsevered Armguard, one of the Hidden Treasures.
At a glance, it just looked like a normal, if well-made, armguard.
That’s likely why Uncle had been able to acquire it so easily.
I only discovered its true identity after Uncle passed away.
I happened to inherit it among his keepsakes.
While returning to the main office after his funeral, we were ambushed. The armguard was slashed, and inside the torn leather, I saw white fabric with the characters [無切腕] stitched into it.
That’s when I realized this was no ordinary item.
After that, the Unsevered Armguard was with me nearly every day.
I did consider telling Uncle about its value, but in the end, I didn’t.
I didn’t want to part with it.
Besides, the Heavenly Silkworm Thread inside carried Yin Qi, which was a great help to me.
When I was killed by the Baekcheon Merchant Group, I hadn’t been wearing the armguard.
And I regretted it.
If I’d had it on, maybe I wouldn’t have died.
It was as if the armguard in the box was whispering to me now.
This time, don’t forget me.
Yeah, I got it. I’ll never leave you behind again.
But everything comes at a price.
Someday, I’ll repay Uncle with something equivalent to this Unsevered Armguard.
On my way back to my quarters, I ran into someone approaching from the opposite direction.
It was Hyang-ok.
“Oh! Seo-ho!”
“What brings you here, Cousin?”
“What else? I’m heading back to Mount Emei soon, so I came to inform Father.”
“I see.”
I offered her a respectful fist salute to bid farewell.
“I’ll be returning home tomorrow as well. Take care on your journey, and may peace be with you until we meet again.”
“You too. You’ve done well. Get home safe.”
As we parted and passed each other, she suddenly called out to me.
“Seo-ho.”
“Yes?”
I turned around, and she looked at me and said,
“You’re stronger than me, aren’t you?”
“…Sorry?”
“My intuition says you are. You’re stronger than I am.”
She placed her hand on the sword at her waist and continued.
“I’d like to fight you sometime.”
“Please, calm down, Cousin.”
“Hahaha. I’m kidding. I’m not that reckless.”
“…”
“Still, next time we meet, let’s have that match.”
With that, Hyang-ok walked away.
As I watched her go, I found myself unconsciously brushing my arm.
Hyang-ok is terrifying.
Palgap muttered beside me.
“Is it just me, or does Lady Hyang-ok scare the hell out of me?”
“Same here.”
Even iron-gutted Palgap admitted it, so it was certain—there was something about her aura that no one else had.
.
.
.
The next morning.
Our party departed the Sichuan Branch, seeing off waves of people.
With so many in the group, the pace was a bit slow.
There was also a lot to take back, since we were in Sichuan.
But I had to move quickly.
We’d spent more time here than I expected.
It wasn’t just because Salt Balance Merchant Group, led by Merchant Lord Jin U-rim, would soon summon my father to discuss salt distribution licenses.
That matter would be well handled even without me, by Father and the other Pavilion Lords.
What was pushing me now was the new product Gong Mil was working so hard to develop.
So Palgap, my two escorts Yeo Eung-am and Lee Pil, and I moved ahead as the advance party, with the rest following later.
“See you at the main office.”
“Safe travels.”
“Thanks!”
The four of us made our way swiftly toward Hubei.
Tang Clan of Sichuan.
Clan Lord Tang Gyu-jeong waited anxiously for a reply.
He’d sent a letter to Eun Seo-ho, who was staying at the Eunhae Merchant Group’s Sichuan Branch, asking him to visit the Tang Clan once things were settled.
This time, he was determined to repay the favor.
Seo-ho had saved his precious youngest son.
During interrogation of the kidnappers, he’d also discovered something else.
The true mastermind behind the incident.
Which only made him more grateful. If not for Eun Seo-ho, both he and the Tang Clan might have—
Anyway, he couldn’t rest until this debt was paid.
“Clan Lord! I’ve returned!”
His trusted aide, who had delivered the letter, now knelt before him.
Tang Gyu-jeong’s face lit up as he asked,
“Did you get a reply?”
“Well…”
The aide hesitated, troubled.
“He has already left Sichuan Province.”
–TL Notes–
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