Chapter 482
The Youngest Son of Eunhaesang Trading Company Chapter 482
Chapter 482. The Hundred-Year-Old Demon (1)
Hearing the words of the bodyguard, my father asked urgently.
“Something happened? What kind of trouble?”
“A messenger from the Myungmyung Trading Company is here. You should read the letter he brought to find out for sure. However, he said it was quite urgent.”
I asked Pal-gap to take Yoon Gang-man and his son back to their quarters, then hurried to Eunryong Hall with my father.
Someone was standing in front of my father's office.
Judging by his attire, he appeared to be a messenger from the Mingming Trading Company.
“Are you the captain of the Eunhae Trading Company?”
“Yes, I am.”
“My name is Taoist Scripture, a member of the Mingming Trading Company. I have brought a letter from your captain.”
“Come in.”
“Yes.”
We entered the office, and Dao followed us inside.
He handed the scroll to my father, who took it and read it.
From my father's rapidly changing expression, I could tell that something unusual had happened.
“Huh...”
My father placed the letter on the table, sat down on a chair, and splashed water on his face.
“Father, what's wrong?”
“Here, read it.”
“Yes.”
I picked up the letter and opened it.
“...!”
[I am Seong Woo-shin, captain of the Myeongmyeong Trading Company, sending my regards to the captain of the Eunhae Trading Company. First of all, I apologize for bringing you such unfortunate news.
The letter began with a polite apology.
It contained news about my brother, Jeong Ho.
[We regret to inform you that Eun Jeong-ho, the captain of the Eunhae Trading Company, has gone missing...]
Missing?
Missing?
The letter explained what had happened.
Chengdu, the capital of Sichuan Province, is where the Myeongmyeong Trading Company is located.
The incident occurred while they were traveling there, going up the Minjang River.
There was a sudden rush of rapids, and the grandson of the head of the Myeongmyeong Trading Company fell off the boat, perhaps while playing around.
Jeong-ho, who was nearby, tried to grab the grandson, but they both fell into the river.
They were swept away by the rapids, and the Myeongmyeong Trading Company dispatched a search party, but they have not been found yet.
Tuck.
I put down the letter.
Normally, if you are swept away by a rapid current, you die. It's even difficult to find the body.
In other words, the chances of Jung-ho surviving are very slim.
Damn it!
My father said in a trembling voice.
“We have to go to Sichuan. We have to find his body... At least his body.”
My father's expression was so painful.
I was in pain too.
This feeling was even more painful because it was the same feeling I had felt in my previous life just before I died.
Ha! What is this? What kind of shitty situation is this?
“Lieutenant Lim, Dao, and the others who came with you, show them to their lodgings.”
“Yes, sir.”
“And Lieutenant Yu, prepare to head to Sichuan.”
“Yes, sir.”
I returned to my annex.
There was nothing I could do there.
By the way, he is going to Sichuan.
My father has a lot to do.
But how could I stop my father from finding the body of his son?
“What's going on? Why do you look so scared?”
After taking Yoon Gang-man and his son to their lodgings, Pal-gap came to my annex and asked me in surprise when he saw my face.
“You know what?”
“Yes.”
“Jeong-ho is... missing.”
“What?”
“He was caught in a rapid. You know how dangerous the rapids are in the Minjiang River in Sichuan. If he was caught in those rapids...”
I couldn't continue.
I thought that if it was a consequence of the future I changed, I could fix it...
“So, is it certain that Young Master Jeong-ho is dead?”
“We don't know yet. But...”
“Young master. I understand that you are in pain. But it is not like you to be so despondent.”
“Huh?”
“It's not certain that he's dead yet, is it? And the young master I know is someone who can find a solution to any crisis.”
But what can I do in this situation?
“Why don't you try taking a deep breath?”
Following Pal-gap's advice, I closed my eyes and took a deep breath, repeating it several times.
My confused emotions calmed down, and I began to notice my surroundings.
Snow was falling.
The air was humid.
The wind was blowing.
And there were sounds around me.
I could hear the voices of Lee Pil and Young Mistress Seo Hyang outside.
“Huh? Lieutenant Kwak. What are you doing?”
“Preparing for a business trip.”
“Is that so? Then we should get ready too.”
Suddenly, it dawned on me.
Young Mistress Seo Hyang can see the future because she has the Ice Crystal Eye. If she said that, then...
I said to Pal-gap.
“Let's go to the Georyangdang right now!”
“Now you look like a young master.”
I used my movement arts and headed for the Georyangdang.
Everyone at the Georyangdang, including my eldest sister-in-law, had dark expressions on their faces, as if they had heard the news.
“Ah, Young Master Seo-ho.”
My eldest sister-in-law, who spotted me, had tears in her eyes.
“He...”
“I know. More importantly, I need something that belonged to him. Anything light will do, but preferably something with his scent on it.”
“What?”
My sister-in-law asked, but seeing the serious look on my face, she quickly went and brought something back.
“It's his undershirt.”
“Thank you.”
I took it back to the annex and called Geum-ryeong.
“Geum-ryeong!”
“Kui!”
“This is Jung-ho's clothes. Find out where Jung-ho is!”
“Kui!”
“And...”
I tied the letter to Geum-ryeong's tail and asked her to deliver it.
“If Jung-ho is alive, deliver this letter to him.”
“Kui!”
“Hurry up! I'll give you some money.”
I offered Geum-ryeong the highest reward, and she disappeared in front of me in an instant.
Then I turned my head and looked at Pal-gap.
“Pal-gap.”
“Yes?”
“Thank you.”
Pal-gap looked away shyly at my words.
I almost lost my mind again because it was Jung-ho who went missing.
Last time, it was because of Jin-ho.
Pal-gap's advice was a great help to me.
Still, the situation is much better than when Jin-ho was trapped in Moo-chul-mu and went missing.
I have everything I've worked so hard to build up until now.
Yes, as Pal-gap said, digging the ground is not my style.
I am the kind of person who fights until the very end.
I spent the night wide awake. Then, as dawn began to break.
“Kui.”
Geum-ryung came in through the window I had left open.
I quickly caught Geum-ryung with both hands and looked at his tail. The letter on his tail was... gone.
That meant...
“Kui! Kui! Kui!”
“Jeong-ho and the child are alive, right? That's why you brought the message?”
“Kui!”
“Thank you, thank you so much.”
Hearing the news from Geum-ryung, I relaxed and tears came to my eyes.
“Kuiik! Kuiik! Kuiik!”
But Geum-ryung wasn't finished.
“What? He's injured? And he's exhausted and exhausted?”
In a way, it was to be expected.
If he was caught in a rapid current, he was lucky to be alive.
Anyway, there was no time to stand around.
He had to rescue Jung-ho and the child as soon as possible.
So...
“Geum-ryung. Will you give this to Jung-ho?”
“Kui.”
“I'm worried. Without you, I won't be able to find Jung-ho... And you can't protect Jung-ho at the same time.”
I wish I had something like that.
Then Geum-ryung said.
“Kui!”
“Huh? Don't worry?”
“Kui! Kui!”
“You made a subordinate on your way to Jung-ho?”
She really is amazing when it comes to things like this.
I'm not sure, but if Geum-ryung says so, then it must be true.
I immediately sent Geum-ryung a small bottle containing her saliva and a box of medicine to restore her energy.
Then I quickly headed for Eunryonggak.
It was very early, but as I had expected, my father would be in his study.
.
.
.
“Is my father in?”
I knew he was in, but I asked out of courtesy.
Just then, Assistant Officer Jo came out and nodded.
“Yes.”
“Who is the guest?”
“There is no one.”
“Father! It's Seo Ho.”
I shouted loudly and entered the room.
My father asked me with a dark expression.
“What is the matter?”
“Father! I am going to Sichuan.”
“What?”
“Hyung-nim is still alive!”
My father looked at me blankly, as if he didn't understand what I was saying, but then his eyes widened.
“Is that really true? Jung-ho is alive?”
“Yes! I confirmed it through Geum-ryeong.”
I continued.
“As you know, I am the owner of Geum-ryeong. That's why I have to go.”
My father breathed a sigh of relief and nodded.
“I understand. Please take good care of him.”
“Of course. Jung-ho is your son, but he is also my brother.”
Now was the important part.
We quickly finished preparing for our departure to Sichuan and were ready before lunch.
After a quick lunch, we headed for the train to depart.
“Seoho Dao.”
As if to see us off, my eldest sister-in-law came out with Gun-hyeok and Bo-yeon.
“Why did you come out here? It's windy.”
“But how can I not come out when you are going through so much trouble to save him?”
I looked at my sister-in-law and bowed my head.
Six-year-old Gun-hyeok and Bo-yeon.
Although they were still young, the two bright children seemed to already know what had happened to their father.
“Uncle. You must come back with Father.”
“I know.”
“Uncle. Please.”
“Don't worry.”
I smiled gently, crouched down, and looked them in the eyes.
“I promise.”
Then I stood up again and bowed to my grandfather and parents behind me.
“I'll be back.”
Then I climbed onto the horse.
We had to move quickly, so only my group and I decided to go.
There was no faster way to move than riding a horse.
Besides, with my bodyguards, there was nothing to worry about in terms of strength.
That's why we were able to finish our preparations in half a day. We were well-versed in preparing for business trips.
Myung-Hui, the leader of the Taoist Scripture of the Myungmyung Trading Company, traveled with us, and the others who came with us decided to go to the Myungmyung Trading Company separately.
We needed at least one person who was familiar with the current situation and could cooperate with us.
Of course, we have our Sichuan branch of the Eunhae Trading Company in Chengdu.
However, it does not have as much influence as the Myeongmyung Trading Company.
Once we were far enough away from the village, I said to Joo Gang-ma.
“Let's go!”
“Hee-ing!”
Joo Gang-ma let out a loud cry and instantly increased his speed.
The scenery around us disappeared in the blink of an eye.
“Huh! Ugh!”
Dao, who was riding with Seo Woo, was terrified by the speed, but we were already used to it and rode without hesitation.
Even Miss Seo didn't fall behind us.
There was the Yangtze River in the middle, but it didn't bother us.
Joo Gangma could cross even at full speed.
In this way, we arrived in eastern Sichuan in two days.
“Sichuan in just two days...”
Dao Jo looked incredulous. I sent a telepathic message to Geum-ryung.
“Please guide me to where Jeong-ho is.”
“Kui!”
Geum-ryung began to guide us.
The eastern part of Sichuan is full of basins and hills.
We quickly made our way through the rough terrain.
How much time had passed?
Then, Seo Woo-musha said with a worried look on his face.
“Liege, it looks like it's going to rain soon.”
“We must hurry.”
We rode without stopping, and just as Seo Woo-musha said, it started to rain.
Swoosh!
However, we did not stop.
Even in Sichuan, getting caught in the rain in winter could be life-threatening due to the drop in body temperature.
Especially when traveling with a child.
Then, I sensed a familiar presence in the distance.
It was Jung-ho.
As we rode a little further, I saw Jung-ho and a young child leaning against a tree.
“Hyung!”
I got off my horse and ran toward Jung-ho, shouting.
But something was strange.
After suffering from dehydration for so long, he should have been pale...
The things I gave him were effective, but not that much.
“Hyung, it's me, Seo-ho.”
He looked fine, but he was unconscious.
The same was true for the child next to him.
Of all days, it had to rain...
“Damn it! Really!”
I took a deep breath and hit Jung-ho repeatedly with both hands.
Smack! Smack! Smack!
“...!”
Jung-ho, who was suddenly hit in the face by me, was startled and opened his eyes.
“Ugh!”
“Hyung? Are you okay?”
“...”
“Should I hit you some more?”
“No, no! I'm fine! I'm fine!”
You should have come to your senses sooner.
“Thank goodness! I'm so relieved!”
Hyung said to me.
“You really came to find me, just like you promised in your letter.”
“Of course! I always keep my promises. Get up. Let's go home.”
“Yes, let's go.”
Jung-ho got up, holding onto the floor.
The noise woke the child, who rubbed his eyes and looked at us, frightened.
“It's okay. He's my younger brother.”
“The handsome older brother?”
“Yes, that's right. Let's go home now.”
Then Jung-ho lifted the child up.
This child must be the grandson of the Captain of the Trading Company.
“By the way... Did you have feelings for me? It hurts.”
“I'm glad you know.”
“...I'm sorry.”
But something was strange.
If he hit him that hard, his cheeks should be swollen...
And his energy was a little different from before.
The most likely explanation for this situation was...
Could it be?
“Hyung. What did you eat?”