Chapter 270
The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Trading Company Chapter 270
Chapter 270. Prodigy (3)
“So you're saying that I can mobilize the Martial Alliance's armed forces whenever I want?”
The Alliance Leader nodded in response to my question.
“That's right. I heard this from Captain Kang of the Gangnam Trading Company. He said that in the course of business, there are times when it is necessary to mobilize the armed forces.”
Those words made me feel uneasy.
That was understandable, because in my previous life, one of the things that Captain Kang of the Gangnam Trading Company did with the Martial Alliance's armed forces was to kill me.
However, I did not show it.
“For example, when the Green Forest Bandits cause trouble.”
Was our Eunhae Trading Company the Green Forest Bandits? You son of a bitch!
However, I kept my anger to myself and nodded with a worried look on my face.
“Yes, that's right. It can be difficult in situations like that.”
“Of course, even if you are a martial artist at the peak of your powers who has mastered the Heavenly Sword Technique, there may be things that are too much for you to handle alone.”
“That's right.”
“Even if the Silver Sea Trading Company has a military force led by Master Dao, it won't be easy to deal with a large group of Green Forest Bandits.”
In such a short time, he even found out that our company had a chief administrator named Go Il-pyeong.
As expected of the Martial Alliance.
“That's why I'm offering you this. I will grant you the right to mobilize the Martial Alliance's armed forces once.”
Even though it was only once, granting the right to mobilize the Martial Alliance's armed forces was a huge offer.
“But wouldn't it cost a lot to mobilize the Martial Alliance's armed forces?”
“As expected of a merchant, you have a different approach.”
The Alliance Leader laughed heartily and nodded.
“The Martial Alliance will cover all the costs.”
Wow! You're really going all out.
I can't pass up this opportunity to use the Martial Alliance's military force for free.
And it's not just a military unit, but a military force.
An armed force consists of more than 100 people, while an armed group is smaller than that.
When I went to Henan at the request of Master Han Jae-ik, the Baekro Group, which came to collect investment funds for the Martial Alliance, consisted of about 20 people.
Ah...
Come to think of it, at that time, Vice Captain Sagu and half of the Baekro Group lost their lives at our hands.
Thinking about that made me feel a little better.
Well, if I mobilize the military force, my every move will be monitored, but even so, it would be foolish to refuse.
“With you saying that, how can I refuse? I understand. I will stay in Luoyang until the Dragon and Phoenix Duel is over, as you say, Alliance Leader.”
“Thank you.”
“And I should get something for Master Seo.”
“No, I was just following my Liege.”
“That may be so, but we cannot let you leave without showing our gratitude.”
After some light conversation, Seo Woo decided to accept a considerable amount of money.
At that moment, someone's voice was heard from outside.
“Alliance Leader, dinner is ready.”
“Huh, it's already that time. Let's go eat.”
“I am hungry. Hahaha.”
Seo Woo and I followed the Alliance Leader to the dining hall.
The senior members of the Martial Alliance were seated there, and we enjoyed a pleasant meal.
The meal was quite a feast.
I was worried, but it didn't seem like they had poisoned the food.
The reason I was suspicious was because the Martial Alliance was capable of such things.
It was possible that they didn't use such tricks because I had agreed to the deal without hesitation.
Or maybe they didn't use such tricks because I knew some of the senior members of the Martial Alliance.
In any case, it was true that I had benefited from the kindness of the Jaegal Clan Head and Captain Dang Dae-jeong.
I must repay them later.
“By the way, what will happen to those two warriors?”
The two senior members who had been looking unhappy since earlier answered my question.
“Oh, you mean those guys?”
“With mistakes like that, how can they stand on the duel stage anymore? Ha!”
“So we disqualified both of them.”
“I see.”
“Come to think of it, there is something you need to do.”
The Alliance Leader spoke calmly.
“I plan to put you on the stage later and introduce you to the people. How grateful must they be to you for saving their lives? You must let them express their gratitude.”
His words were smooth as silk.
.
.
.
After the meal, the dragon and phoenix duel resumed.
Before the duel began, the Alliance Leader ascended the stage.
“The Alliance apologizes to the audience. What happened this morning...”
However, as a seasoned martial artist, he skillfully shifted the blame to the two martial artists, rather than admitting to the Alliance's negligence.
“However, heaven has not abandoned us and has sent us young heroes. Allow me to introduce them. They are Master Eun Seo-ho and Master Seo Woo.”
He signaled to us, and we confidently climbed onto the stage.
“Woohoo!”
“As expected of Seonhaengmi-rang!”
“Seonhaengmi-rang! Seonhaengmi-rang!”
“Baekjeokgeom! Baekjeokgeom!”
“...”
The crowd cheered, chanting the names of Seo Woo and me.
Ugh. Seo Woo was originally called Baekjeokgeom, so it makes sense that he would be called Baekjeokgeom, but...
Why am I still called Sunhae Mirang?
No matter how many times I hear that name, I can't get used to it.
I smiled bitterly and looked at the people.
Seeing them cheer for the new hero, having forgotten the tragedy that had occurred that morning, I realized that the Martial Alliance's plan had worked perfectly.
Come to think of it, being a hero...
There are many demands placed on heroes. That is why many people find the position of hero burdensome.
However, I was a merchant from the beginning.
That's why I made a deal with the Alliance Leader to stay in Luoyang only until the end of the Dragon and Phoenix Duel.
In other words, my role as a hero will only last until the Dragon and Phoenix Duel.
And to be honest, there are many benefits to being called a hero.
It's just a trading company run by an unknown merchant.
A trading company run by a merchant who has been given the title of hero.
It goes without saying which trading company is more trustworthy. And it goes without saying which trading company the Green Forest Bandits would avoid.
I smiled at the Alliance Leader, and he smiled back kindly.
The Alliance Leader must be thinking, “I will make good use of you.”
So I will respond as follows.
I will make good use of the gift package and the title of hero that you have given me.
And the things you have given me will become sharp swords that will one day cut the throats of the Martial Alliance and the Baekcheon Trading Company.
We bowed on the duel stage and came down, and the Alliance Leader told us to watch the duel from the side.
However, I politely declined.
“Thank you for your offer, but I would like to watch the duel with my parents. I'm sure they are very worried about what happened, but if their son, who has been given the title of hero, is by their side, they will be able to watch the duel with peace of mind.”
How could I stop my son from showing his filial piety?
So, Seo Woo and I returned to our original seats and watched today's duel.
Hyang-ok's duel was delayed, but fortunately, it was held today.
Her opponent was a member of the Hwangbo family.
I knew his level as soon as I saw him.
I also knew that it was thanks to Maeseung that he was able to pass the preliminary round.
It was impossible for him to defeat my sister, who had exceptional talent and worked hard.
Even with the Huangbo family's outstanding martial arts skills and innate divine power, the outcome was a foregone conclusion.
My sister's sharp sword struck the Huangbo family's son in a vital spot, and the duel was decided within a minute of starting.
“Emei Sect's Xiangyu wins!”
“Wahhh!”
“Awesome! Sword of Justice!”
Amidst the cheers of the audience, Hyang-ok stepped down from the stage with pride.
The duels continued, and the second day of the preliminaries came to an end.
That evening.
As soon as I returned to the inn, I collapsed onto my bed.
“Ugh, I'm exhausted...”
Today was really hard. Actually, it had been hard since the day before.
The ingredients for the medicine, fish bone powder and lime powder, suddenly sold out, so I had to rush around, and after asking Chun-il to investigate, I prevented an accident from happening at the martial arts competition, and then I had to negotiate with the Alliance Leader...
Of course, I can stay awake for three days straight, but mental fatigue and physical fatigue are different.
Especially the negotiations with the Alliance Leader... were really tough.
It wasn't because of the content of the negotiations.
I've been through many more intense and tense negotiations than that, so why would that be difficult?
I realized once again that I am definitely strong in actual combat.
Anyway, I made it through today.
Bang!
That was when it happened.
“Young master! Young master!”
Pal-gap rushed in and shouted.
“The warriors of the Mount Hua Sect and Zhongnan Sect are being expelled!”
“Huh? What do you mean?”
“It's about the two warriors who caused trouble this morning! The Martial Alliance is deciding on their expulsion right now.”
Ah! Now I remember, in my previous life, those two martial artists said they had broken their swords because of that incident.
Now I understand.
They didn't break their swords. Their swords were broken.
The Martial Alliance needed to punish those two martial artists severely, if only to cover up their own crimes.
That severe punishment is expulsion.
Basically, when someone is expelled, their qi center is destroyed. This prevents them from using the martial arts they have learned.
What kind of “normal” place would accept someone who has been expelled? Even if they hide their origins, if they use their martial arts, their origins will inevitably be revealed.
Therefore, the only place where they can use their martial arts is the Black Dao.
If they continue to use the martial arts they learned while belonging to such a place, they will end up disgracing their original organization.
Would they hide their negative feelings toward their original organization?
In any case, taking away the martial arts that these people have spent their entire lives learning is like taking away everything they have.
That is why they fear excommunication so much.
Honestly, what did they do wrong?
If anyone is at fault, it is the Martial Alliance for believing in their formations and not taking any other measures.
But instead of reflecting on their own mistakes, they are shifting the responsibility onto two young men with bright futures!
This really makes me want to curse! Damn Martial Alliance!
I said to my bodyguards.
“Let's go to the Martial Alliance.”
“Yes, sir.”
.
.
.
A short time later, I arrived at the Martial Alliance.
The Martial Alliance recognized me and, unlike when I was choosing a seat, quickly made way for me.
Hmm, this is good.
Soon, I arrived at the meeting place.
The two warriors who had caused trouble in the morning had their hands tied to a frame.
Are they trying to prevent them from escaping?
Inside, I could hear the voices of senior members discussing the matter.
“Then let's expel them from the league...”
“That's a good idea.”
“We need to make an example of them.”
It was worth coming here as soon as I heard the news from Pal-gap.
It's not too late.
I knelt down in the courtyard and shouted loudly.
“Eun Seo-ho of the Eunhae Trading Company has a request for the leaders of the Martial Alliance!”
At my shout, the door to the meeting room opened.
Surprised by my appearance, everyone came out.
The Alliance Leader, in particular, asked me with a puzzled look on his face.
“What is going on? What request? More importantly, why are you kneeling?”
“I have a request.”
“Get up!”
“No. I will not get up until you hear my request.”
Seeing my determined expression, the Alliance Leader tilted his head and asked.
“What is this request?”
“Please hand over to me the two warriors who nearly caused a major disturbance among the audience this morning.”
“What?”
Was my request unexpected?
They all looked at me with surprised expressions.
“To be honest, their crimes are so serious that they cannot be washed away with a mere punishment.”
“That's right.”
What do you mean, “that's right”? You damn fools.
I said with a solemn expression on my face.
“In my opinion, their expulsion is a foregone conclusion! However, they did not harm anyone because of me.”
I continued.
“Furthermore, they are still immature and unable to control their competitiveness, which led them to commit such acts. How can we just stand by and watch these promising young men be excommunicated?”
“....”
“Therefore, as the person who prevented this from happening, I am here to prevent them from being excommunicated.”
I bowed my head and continued.
“Please consider this request.”
“...
At that moment.
”Alliance Leader, I honestly think that expulsion is too harsh.“
”I agree.“
”Are you protecting your own people?"
From their words, I realized that the two men were from the Mount Hua Sect and the Zhongnan Sect.
The Alliance Leader thought for a moment and then asked me.
“If I hand them over to you, what will you do?”
“I will teach them the heart of a hero. If they overcome this trial and become heroes, won't it be an opportunity for the mercy and fame of the Martial Alliance to spread throughout the martial arts world?”
I said what you wanted to hear, so hurry up and say yes.
My knees hurt.