Chapter 100
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 100
Chapter 100. Man-gyeol's Decision (1)
I can still vividly remember the feeling of Namgung Gang's sword piercing my neck.
The despair, anger, sadness, and other emotions I felt at that moment...
They were reflected on my Master's face.
Master held it close to his chest. However, he did not touch the silver sword.
Before I knew it, Master's face returned to normal.
But seeing his reddened eyes, I knew I had not imagined it.
“Let me ask you something. You said that the sword came into your hand on its own, right?”
I nodded and replied.
“Yes. And I think it is right to return this sword to its owner.”
“You don't need to return it. Since the sword has recognized you, you are its owner.”
I tilted my head at my Master's words.
“Does this sword recognize me because I am not crazy like the warrior I saw in the cave?”
My master struggled to find the words.
“When the master that the sword has recognized is dead, there is no harm in drawing the sword. However, it will not be able to demonstrate its power.”
That is why the master of the Imperial Palace who solved the mystery of the missing heir and the leader of the Martial Alliance were unharmed.
“That sword is connected to its master, and when its master wants it, it will leave its sheath and come into their hands.”
“....”
“That is proof of who the master is, and no one else can draw the sword while it is in that state.”
So this sword is useless in the hands of anyone other than me.
No, it means I can't use it.
“Then His Majesty must use it.”
“Then you can't give it back to me?”
“It's possible if the king dies.”
“...”
Then I have no choice but to use it myself.
But there was a problem.
“Someone else will recognize this sword. Then...”
“That won't happen.”
“What?”
“That sword changes its appearance depending on who its owner is. It is a divine sword that changes its form to best suit its owner.”
“A divine sword...?”
“Yes. The exact name of that sword is Eunmu Shinkeng (Silver Mist Divine Sword).”
“...”
It changes its form to suit its owner...
It was an amazing story.
“Now that you are the new owner of the sword, its form has changed, so no one will recognize it as the Silver Mist Sword.”
I nodded at my master's confirmation.
“I understand.”
“Then let's begin your training.”
Looking at my master, I thought he was amazing.
Even though he saw the remnants of a family that had been destroyed, he calmed himself as much as possible and did not neglect his duties as a teacher.
In order to live up to my master's expectations, I trained harder than usual.
But I had a question.
How did my master know that this sword was the Silver Mist Sword?
* * *
Kwak Myeong-hyun smiled bitterly as he left the Moon Hall.
“To see the Eunmu Sword like this...”
Although it is the Eunmu Sword, the reason why “Eunmu Sword” is engraved on the blade is because it is a divine sword only when it is in the hands of its true owner, and to others, it is just an ordinary sword.
It was a sacred object that had been passed down from generation to generation by the Palace Head of Seolpung.
However, one day, the sword suddenly disappeared, and soon after, Seolpung Palace was destroyed.
When he returned from a mission ordered by his father, everything in Seolpung Palace had been destroyed.
All the bodies had been burned, so it was impossible to identify the perpetrators.
Kwak Myeong-hyun still remembered that day.
After that, his life changed completely.
He used his hidden wealth to establish an escort agency and appointed his second-in-command as the head of the agency.
He began to travel around the Central Plains as an ordinary Head Escort, investigating the reasons for the destruction of Seolpung Palace, and twenty years passed.
However, today, he encountered something completely unexpected.
Eunmu Sword, Han Ho-soo, and Yoo Deok-jin.
“Yoo Deok-jin, that son of a bitch...”
Now he finally knew why the Eunmu Sword, the sacred treasure of Seolpung Palace, had disappeared.
Suddenly, he remembered the tradition that had been passed down in his family for generations.
“Whoever possesses the Eunmu Sword will become the head of Seolpung Palace.”
According to that tradition, Eun Seo-ho was the head of Seolpung Palace.
“That aside, Han Ho still has an incredible nose for money.”
To take Eun Seo-ho as his master.
In fact, Han Ho was more like the guardian spirit of the palace head than the guardian spirit of Seolpung Palace.
This was because the person Han Ho took as his master had to fulfill two conditions.
They had to master ice magic.
They must be rich.
Among those who met both conditions, the richest was the Palace Head.
Perhaps he had expected this when he learned that Eun Seo-ho had the physique of a dragon.
“By the way, he's not even 20 years old, yet he's already at the peak of his powers!”
He couldn't help but think of that prophecy.
Still, he couldn't burden Eun Seo-ho with such a heavy responsibility yet.
“I guess this is what a master feels like, Father...”
* * *
After Master left, I lay down in the yard.
Ah, today was tough.
Perhaps because I wanted to repay Master's dedication, I trained extra hard today, which made it even more difficult.
“Koo?”
The creature climbed onto my chest and tilted its head.
For some reason, its gaze seemed to say, “Is this all you can do?” and I felt a surge of anger.
“I'm really tired.”
Then the creature patted me with its front paws.
Somehow, my pride was hurt.
By the way, this guy was the guardian spiritual beast of Seolpung Palace.
Now that he has accepted me as his master, I should give him a name.
“What do you want to be called?”
“Kui?”
“Your name. I can't keep calling you ‘this guy’.”
“Kuku.”
“Do you agree? Let's see, what would be a good name?”
Looking at the creature on my chest, its round shape reminded me of a bell.
A bell...
A bell that eats money...
I chuckled.
“It's decided. From now on, your name is Geum-ryeong.”
At my words, the creature, or rather, Geum-ryeong, seemed to smile.
It's even cuter when it smiles.
.
.
.
After washing up and changing my clothes, I headed to the dining room.
Today is the first time in a long time that the whole family is having breakfast together.
The maids brought out the food.
Today's breakfast is chicken porridge.
Seeing the whole family sitting together eating breakfast made me feel emotional.
Both Jin-ho and I felt the same way.
If things had gone slightly differently, this harmony would have been broken.
Through this experience, I realized that even if something unexpected happens because of the future I changed, I can take the initiative and solve it.
So I won't be discouraged anymore.
Then my mother said, "Oh, by the way, I heard a rumor that there is an epidemic in the Dao district.
“Oh, I heard there's a contagious disease going around in the Yeongchang area. Is everything okay?”
“Actually, I've been worried about that.”
A contagious disease?
Could it be?
The summer before I turned 18, a contagious disease broke out and caused numerous casualties until the following year.
“If the epidemic gets worse, we may have to move the headquarters temporarily.”
My father's words brought back memories.
At that time, the epidemic worsened, and Eunhae Trading Company temporarily moved its headquarters to Hunan.
It was a measure to protect the health of the company's employees and their families, but it should not have been done.
As a result, they lost the goodwill of the people of Sungyang County.
Although they managed to recover by making every effort and spending a lot of money, it is true that the growth of the trading company slowed down as a result.
.
.
.
After breakfast, I took care of business in Hyungpung-guk and took some time to go out to the market.
I wanted to see the old man at the general store.
The old man was sitting at his table again today, enjoying his leisure time as he watched people pass by.
He had been wondering whether he should continue running his general store, but it seemed he had decided to stay put.
“Are you here?”
I greeted the old man with a clasped hands greeting.
“It's been a long time.”
I took the blood-stained ring out of my pocket and placed it on the table.
“Thanks to you, I was able to find my brother.”
“I'm glad to hear that.”
The old man picked up the blood-stained ring and threw it behind him.
It landed with a thud.
Strangely, the ring landed exactly where it had been.
“By the way...”
The old man smiled at me.
“It seems you've had a miraculous encounter.”
“Yes?”
“The boy hiding in your sleeve.”
“Ah…”
He noticed right away.
I took the golden bell from my left sleeve and showed it to him.
“I named him Geumryeong.”
“It's a fitting name.”
The old man nodded.
“Take good care of it.”
“Yes.”
But the old man's words sounded as if he knew about Geumryong.
“Do you know anything about this creature?”
“I saw it before when I went to the Northern Sea Ice Palace on His Majesty's orders.”
“I see.”
I sat down in front of the old man. Then I handed him a silver coin.
“What is this?”
“It is for your consultation.”
“Consultation?”
“Yes. I have something to consult with you, Elder.”
The old man laughed heartily at my words.
“What is it you want to consult with me?”
“I heard that an epidemic has broken out in Uichang.”
“Ah... Yes, I have heard about that.”
“Is there no way to stop the epidemic?”
“Am I a doctor? How would I know?”
“You don't know? I thought you would know...”
The old man snapped at me.
“You brat! Who said I don't know?”
“You just said you didn't know...”
“You said a doctor would know.”
“A doctor...?”
“Yes. Man-gyeol is there right now.”
Man-gyeol (萬決醫仙).
He was a doctor who wore rags and treated the sick who had no money.
He got his name because he would mend his clothes even if they were torn and worn out, even if it meant mending them a thousand times.
He charged a lot of money to those who were rich.
With that money, he bought medicine and treated the poor for free.
However, his skills were so exceptional that even the rich were willing to pay large sums of money to be treated by him.
He specialized in infectious diseases.
This was because when infectious diseases spread, the poor, who were usually malnourished, were the first to die.
As a result, he became an expert in infectious diseases.
“He knows what kind of disease it is and how to treat it.”
.
.
.
On the way back to Eunhae Trading Company.
Lee Pil-mu asked.
“Liege, are you planning to go to Uichang?”
“Yes.”
I stopped and said.
“If you are reluctant to go to a place where infectious diseases are spreading, you don't have to go. I won't blame you if you don't come with me.”
Pal-gap quickly replied to my words.
“Don't even think of leaving me behind! I will stay by your side.”
Following Pal-gap, Yeo-eung-am and Lee Pil replied.
“It is only natural that we follow you.”
“That's right.”
Lee Pil continued.
“But what I want to know is why you are going there.”
“It's obvious, to stop the epidemic.”
“Then you're not going to Hunan?”
“Yes.”
I nodded.
“I'm not going. None of us are going. This is where the Eunhae Trading Company started. Where else would we go?”
“....”
“It is thanks to the people who live here that our trading company has prospered so much. I think it would be a betrayal to abandon them and leave.”
Lee Pil's eyes reddened at my words.
Why are they reacting like this?
“I will remain loyal to you.”
“I will remain loyal even in death.”
It was a bit overwhelming.
That afternoon.
I submitted a business trip request to my father.
“What? You're going on a business trip? Wait... You said the location is Uichang?”
“Yes.”
“Do you know what the situation is like there?”
“I do. There's an epidemic going around. That's why I'm going there.”
“...Why?”
“I heard that Man-gyeol is there. I want to ask him how to cure the epidemic.”
“Then send someone else...”
“To a place where an epidemic is raging?”
“...”
“As the son of the captain of the Eunhae Trading Company, I have never forgotten my duty to develop this company.”
“...
”That is still my only thought. That is why I am telling you this, Father.“
I continued.
”Even if it is temporary, you must not move the headquarters."
There was a reason why I said this even though my family could catch the epidemic.
The epidemic had reached the outskirts of Sungyang County, but it had not spread to our county.
However, in our past life, we were frightened and moved the Trading Company.
That is why the Trading Company was criticized even more.
If the epidemic had spread to Sungyang County, I might have made a different choice.
The lives of my family depended on it.