Chapter 1
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 1
Chapter 1. Fifteen Again (1)
“Cough!”
Every time he coughed, blood spurted from his mouth and spread across the ground.
It felt like his chest was burning.
His inner arts were boiling due to his excessive use of his inner energy.
I leaned against a tree and looked around.
Everything, including the horses and carts, was burning fiercely.
A fire to destroy the evidence.
That sight made me smile bitterly.
“This isn't the work of someone who's done this once or twice...”
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My name is Eun Seo-ho.
I am the youngest son of the Eunhae Trading Company.
When I was born, the Eunhae Trading Company was one of the 100 largest trading companies in the world.
It was too big to be considered a small trading company, but too small to be considered a large trading company.
Because I was born into such a company, I began to be involved in the company's operations in earnest when I turned fifteen.
Of course, I didn't become a manager right away. I had to learn various practical skills in different departments of the company.
That was a tradition established by my great-grandfather.
He believed that putting someone in a position of responsibility without any preparation or experience would ruin the company.
After five years of learning and gaining experience, I finally became responsible for running a small store at the age of 20.
The first place I was put in charge of was Eunhae Textile Store, which belonged to Eunhae Trading Company.
In just three years, Eunhae Textile Store became the most famous textile store in Hubei, surpassing Sungyang County, and everyone was impressed by my abilities.
I also realized that I had a talent for business.
My grandfather was always pleased to see me like that.
He said that I was just like my great-grandfather, who had grown the trading company, which had started with a single silver coin, into one of the 100 greatest trading companies in the world.
While I was living such a happy life, my eldest brother made me an offer.
“I want to give you my position as captain of the trading company. No matter how I think about it, you are more suited to be captain than I am.”
“I'm sorry, Hyung-nim, but I can't accept. That position is yours.”
“But anyone can see that you have more talent.”
“I'm not greedy for the position of captain. I just enjoy growing the trading company.”
“You find it fun to grow the Trading Company? Are you serious?”
“Yes, I am. It makes me feel proud to see the Trading Company grow through my efforts.”
“Then all the more reason...”
“I said I don't want it! Hyung-nim! Honestly, isn't that position full of difficult people? You have to be careful not to damage the Trading Company's reputation.”
“....”
“I prefer working behind the scenes. It's more satisfying.”
The eldest brother chuckled at the phrase “working behind the scenes.”
The eldest brother was also a member of the Trading Company.
He understood what that meant.
“Come to think of it, you are the perfect person for that job.”
“I am glad you recognize my abilities.”
“If that is what you want, then I understand. I will gladly take on the responsibility.”
The eldest brother, who was so considerate and kind, became the captain of the Trading Company.
My second brother, who was righteous and skilled in martial arts, became the captain of the Eunpungdae.
I was smart, so I acted as a strategist for my two brothers.
Seeing us, people called us the three wise men of the Eunhae Trading Company.
The cooperation between us three brothers made the Eunhae Trading Company one of the three largest trading companies in the country.
Those were truly happy days.
If things continued like this, it would not be a dream to become the world's best trading company.
However, something unexpected happened.
I was on my way home after receiving a message from my second brother that he had prepared a birthday dinner for me, when I was attacked.
Of course, I had been attacked many times before.
As a trading company grows, it is inevitable that it will attract the jealousy and resentment of others.
Until then, we had survived unscathed.
But today, it seemed that we would not be so lucky.
I was the only one left alive.
Even then, I was so badly injured that I could hardly move.
Pitter, patter, patter.
A man approached me.
A man with a goatee.
He was Captain Namgung Gang of the rival trading company, Baekcheon Trading Company.
Baekcheon Trading Company, which was established with money from the Martial Alliance, was far above Eunhae Trading Company when I started working at the Finance Bureau.
It was one of the three largest trading companies in the world, ranking third.
However, once I became fully involved in the management of the trading company, the Baekcheon Trading Company lost its position to the Eunhae Trading Company.
I heard that the Baekcheon Trading Company was preparing something big to fight back, but
to mobilize the military forces of the Martial Alliance, a coalition of martial artists known for their fairness, to launch an attack!
I was speechless.
“Ahem! Are you planning to kill me today?”
He chuckled at my words.
“I'm sorry too. I know your abilities well. It was you who turned a trading company that ranked at the bottom of the 100 trading companies in the world into one of the three largest trading companies.”
“I'm glad you recognize my abilities, but I didn't want to hear that in this situation. Isn't this too petty?”
“I suppose you could think so.”
“I thought we had been competing fairly all this time.”
“Competing? That's funny.”
He laughed.
“It was only because my superiors let you do as you pleased that you were able to run wild.”
“...”
“To be honest, I've enjoyed watching you all this time. It was fun to see you jumping around for that measly money.”
“That... Did you say money?”
The moment I heard those words, something welled up inside me.
“Why did the Martial Alliance establish a trading company? Wasn't it for money?”
“Do you really think we established a trading company for money?”
“Isn't that obvious? A trading company is meant to make money...”
“If that's what you think, then you're wrong. What's so important about making money that we would establish a trading company for it? All we have to do is ask, and people will give us money.”
Captain Namgung Kang laughed in disbelief.
“Then what for...?”
“To unify the martial arts world.”
“...”
“...That's nonsense. We needed to divert attention away from the Martial Alliance. That's why my superiors put me in front and established the Trading Company.”
Captain Namgung Kang smiled bitterly.
“Then I understand even less... Why are you trying to kill me? You said you weren't interested in money...”
“Because you're a thorn in the side of the higher-ups.”
“What do you mean...”
“Your Eunhae Trading Company has grown too big and become a nuisance. We don't like your unnecessary righteousness. It's difficult for us to raise the standard of goodness because of you. That's why you're a nuisance.”
Ugh.
I gritted my teeth.
Come to think of it, Baekcheon Trading Company and our company had many overlapping main products and commercial areas.
In particular, we had been competing fiercely in the medicine and silk markets, but in the end, our Eunhae Trading Company came out on top.
I always thought we were good competitors who gave our best.
But now, this...
I felt not just anger, but also a sense of emptiness.
“Wait... They said our trading company was a thorn in their side, but could it be?”
If that was the case, they wouldn't just get rid of me and call it a day.
What's more, they knew my exact location, which made me feel uneasy.
“...What about the rest of your family?”
At that question, Captain Namgung Kang smiled coldly, and that smile felt ominous.
“I wondered why you didn't ask that.”
He said to his subordinate standing next to him.
“Give me that box.”
He took a box from his subordinate and opened the lid to show me its contents.
The moment I saw it, I was stunned.
Soon, my body began to tremble.
It was the head of my second brother.
My second brother, who had sent a message saying he had prepared a birthday feast...
“Do you like your gift? The man who was called the undertaker of Hubei begged me to spare your life. Hehehe.”
At that moment, I realized something.
I was usually calm when I was angry, but when I felt anger beyond that, I lost all sense of calm.
I cursed at him and swung my fist at him.
“You son of a bitch!”
But my punches were meaningless.
Pock!
My anger mixed with curses made Captain Namgung Kang laugh, and I fell to the ground.
He raised his sword.
“Yes, that's the reaction I wanted. It would have been boring if you hadn't reacted at all.”
His sword touched my Adam's apple.
“But do you know?”
“What do you mean?”
“The reason why Eunhae Trading Company was destroyed was because of you.”
“What do you mean...”
“Go on your way.”
Puk!
At that moment, I felt as if my whole body had frozen.
Is this what it means to die...
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“Lian...”
“...”
“Eunseoho Dao!”
I came to my senses at the sound of my name being called.
Standing in front of me was Chief Administrator Yoo So-ak.
“What are you doing? It's time to start work.”
“What? Work?”
“Didn't I tell you? Look over last year's grain deliveries and prepare this document. Of course, it may seem difficult since it's your first day, but...”
I had no idea what was going on.
I could still vividly remember the sword of Namgung Gang, the captain of the Baekcheon Trading Company, piercing my neck.
But now, I was being lectured by Chief Administrator Yoo So-ak.
“What on earth is going on?”
I glanced around.
This was definitely the Jaegyeong Hall.
But it wasn't the Jaegyeong Hall I knew.
This structure and appearance were definitely...
“It was when I was learning the practical work.”
I couldn't forget it.
It was where I had been learning practical work for three years.
And I still vividly remembered the documents on the desk in front of me.
It was the first task I was assigned on my first day at Jaegyeonggak, and I messed up the paperwork so badly that Chief Administrator Yoo So-ak scolded me severely.
“...!”
When that thought crossed my mind, I looked up at Chief Administrator Yoo So-ak and asked, “Chief Administrator Yoo. How old am I today?”
“What?”
“How old am I?”
“What do you mean?”
Chief Administrator Yoo looked at me with a puzzled expression.
Chief administrator Yoo So-ak was taken aback.
But he had to confirm.
Was what he was thinking correct?
“Please tell me.”
“Yesterday was your fifteenth birthday.”
“....”
He looked at his hands. He saw that they were not yet fully mature.
He raised both hands and slapped his cheeks hard.
Smack!
“Ugh!”
It hurt. A lot.
“Dao, why are you doing that all of a sudden?”
Chief administrator Yu was startled and looked confused with his eyes wide open. The others who were working with him were also confused.
Feeling a burning pain on both cheeks, I muttered.
“Am I dead?”
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I left work early that day.
Chief administrator Yoo So-ak must have been worried about my condition, so he sent me home early.
“Are you sure you don't want me to call a physician?”
My attendant Pal-gap asked from behind me.
It felt strange to see a young Pal-gap instead of the old man I knew, but Pal-gap was Pal-gap.
I waved my hand and said,
“It's okay. I'm just a little tired.”
“Young master...”
“I'm fine, really.”
“No, it's not that, but your quarters are over there, not here.”
I stopped in my tracks.
Come to think of it, I was heading to the annex where I had lived when I was thirty-nine.
When I turned 20, I was officially given a separate building.
However, I was currently using a room attached to the main building. Even though 15 was considered the age of adulthood, at Eunhae Trading Company, one had to complete five years of practical training before being considered an adult.
“Ah...”
I quickly changed direction and arrived at my room, searching my memory.
Clatter.
When I opened the door, a familiar scene greeted me.
For a moment, I almost relaxed, but I managed to hold back and said to Pal-gap.
“I need to rest for a while. Don't call me unless it's urgent.”
“Yes, sir.”
Pal-gap replied and closed the door.
I sat down heavily on the bed.
“Is this real...?”
Still unable to believe the reality, I reached out and touched my neck.
It was fine.
This time, I pinched my arm hard.
It hurt so much that tears welled up in my eyes.
Am I really alive?
I was back to being fifteen years old. I had no idea how this could have happened.
I recalled the moment I died.
The despicable face of Namgung Kang, the head of the Baekcheon Trading Company, was still vivid in my mind.
The warriors who died protecting me and the members of the trading company.
My second brother's severed head.
Everything came back to me clearly, and I clenched my fists.
They trampled on Eunhae Trading Company, which my family and I had worked so hard to build, with such ease.
Not through fair competition, but with brute force.
Anger welled up inside me.
If I had been stronger, I wouldn't have been so helpless.
But am I really back?