Chapter 56
The Youngest Son of Eunhaesang Trading Company Chapter 56
Chapter 56. Let's Catch the Rat (1)
“Whoa!”
A group of people had just arrived in Chengdu, Sichuan.
They were from the headquarters of Eunhaesang Trading Company.
“You're here earlier than expected.”
The temporary leader of the group is Samjo Jang, a member of Sangyugak and the third captain of the military.
He noticed a young man sitting under a tree in front of him. It was Eun Seo-ho.
“Young master!”
“Was the trip here smooth?”
Eun Seo-ho stood up and asked, and Lim Gi-cheol clasped his hands together and replied.
“We chose a good route, so what trouble could there be?”
It just took a long time.
We had to take a long detour to bring the carriages here.
“Did everything go well in Sichuan? From what I saw on the way here, it seems that everything went according to plan in Hubei and Shaanxi.”
“Yes. Everything is going according to plan here as well. It was worth coming early. Shall we go to the branch office now?”
“Yes.”
.
.
.
They soon arrived at the Sichuan branch of Eunhae Trading Company.
“Welcome!”
“Greetings, Branch Manager!”
They greeted the branch manager who came out to welcome them with a clasped hands greeting.
The branch manager's name was Eun Myeong-sang.
He was the younger brother of the current head of the trading company.
The former head of the trading company, Eun Ji-bong, had three sons and a daughter. Eun Myeong-sang was his second son.
“By the way, I heard that Seo Ho was coming with you?”
“I'm here.”
A young man standing right in front of him replied.
“Oh!”
At first, he didn't recognize him, but when he looked closely, he saw his younger self.
He bowed politely.
“My nephew, Eun Seo-ho, greets you, uncle.”
“I really didn't recognize you! You've grown into such a fine young man!”
Eun-myeong looked at his nephew with pride. He had changed so much that he didn't recognize him even though he was standing right in front of him.
He had been sickly as a child.
So when he said he was coming to Sichuan, Eun-myeong was quite worried.
But the boy standing in front of him looked very healthy. He was also tall.
“With that handsome face, he'll make a lot of girls cry. He looks more like me than Hyung-nim, doesn't he?”
He greeted Eun Seo-ho with a warm smile.
“It's been a long time. How have you been?”
“Yes. How have you been, Uncle?”
“I've been fine.”
“Let me introduce you to everyone.”
They exchanged greetings, and Eun Myeong-sang said to them.
“Let's go inside.”
“Yes.”
They entered the Sichuan branch of Eunhae Trading Company.
There were quite a few buildings inside the large compound, which were divided into inner and outer quarters.
Eun Seo-ho was led to the inner quarters.
This was because, unlike the other employees, Eun Seo-ho belonged to the Eun family.
Eun Myeong-sang and Eun Seo-ho spent some time alone.
“Your aunt and cousins are all out. You will be able to see them later in the evening.”
“Yes.”
Eun Myeong-sang brewed tea himself and served it.
“Listen. Sichuan is famous for its silk and rock salt, but its tea also has its own charm.”
“I will enjoy it.”
Eun Seo-ho drank the tea cautiously.
“By the way.”
Seeing Eun Seo-ho, Eun Myeong-sang continued.
“A few days ago, someone from the Sichuan Tang Clan came to visit.”
“What? Kyeup! Cough! Cough!”
* * *
Ah! Hot!
He burned his tongue.
It was because it was such a sudden remark.
I deliberately did not reveal my identity to the Sichuan Tang Clan. But how did they find out that I was a member of the Eunhae Trading Company and my name?
Ah... I mentioned it once to reassure Tang Zong, but did they remember?
My uncle handed me a handkerchief and said, “Are you okay?”
“I'm fine.”
“Judging by your reaction, the Sichuan Tang Clan must have a reason for looking for you. They seem to be searching for you very secretly.”
That was fortunate.
If the Sichuan Tang Clan hadn't been so secretive, my plan wouldn't have gone so smoothly.
“What's going on?”
My uncle's expression became serious.
“You must never get involved with the Sichuan Tang Clan.”
“Why wouldn't I know that?”
If I became an enemy of the Sichuan Tang Clan?
Then, from that day on, I would have to give up comfortable sleep, delicious food, and going outside.
Because I wouldn't know where hidden weapons would fly from or where poison would be.
In the end, whether it takes ten years or a hundred years, the Sichuan Tang Clan is where I will complete my revenge.
The Sichuan Tang Clan was that persistent and relentless when it came to revenge.
“If you have done something wrong to them, you must go and apologize, even now. If you don't have the courage, I will go with you.”
My uncle's eyes were very warm as he looked at me.
In this respect, he was similar to my father, and it seemed that both of them took after my grandfather in this way.
I shook my head.
“No, it's okay. The Sichuan Tang Clan isn't looking for me because I caused them trouble.”
“I'm glad to hear that!”
“Well... I did cause them a little trouble, but I'm sure they'll forgive me. Hahaha.”
I had caused them trouble by not telling them my name and affiliation.
“Actually...”
I explained to my uncle everything that had happened between the Sichuan Tang Clan and me.
Of course, I didn't tell him that the Martial Alliance was behind the kidnapping.
Not only was there no evidence, but it was also too big of a deal.
Even though the Martial Alliance was currently nothing but a flash in the pan, it was still the center of the martial arts world.
I couldn't just blurt it out.
“Did that really happen?”
My uncle's eyes widened at my words.
“So you saved the son of the Clan Head, and the Sichuan Tang Clan owes you a debt! That's why they were looking for you.”
My uncle continued.
“There is an unspoken rule among the sects and clans of the White Dao Murim that debts of gratitude must be repaid.”
My uncle poured more tea into my cup and asked.
“But from what you said, it sounds like you arrived here half a month ago?”
“Ah, that...”
“Come to think of it, there have been strange rumors circulating for the past fortnight. And now, the rumor that the martial artist is possessed by a spirit has become common knowledge, and the reputation of the Dan Trading Company has been ruined.”
My uncle looked at me and continued.
“This is your doing, isn't it?”
“Yes, it is.”
I admitted it without hesitation.
“I came to Sichuan first on my father's orders and carried out a series of tasks.”
“By the way, I'm surprised that your brother came up with such a plan! As expected of a captain of a trading company.”
Although it was my idea, I felt a little embarrassed to tell my uncle, so I kept quiet.
“Anyway, what is the purpose of your visit here?”
Honestly, if it was related to the “rumors,” he could have sent someone else he trusted instead of me.
Like he did in other places.
But I came here to Sichuan myself. It was to find the rat.
“Do you really think there is a rat in this branch?”
“You have your suspicions, don't you, Uncle?”
“But we've been like family... How could he be a spy?”
My uncle looked incredulous.
I thought I understood my uncle's feelings a little.
This branch in Sichuan had been built on mutual trust. It meant that someone who was like family had betrayed the others.
In my previous life, I had also experienced such betrayal.
No matter how humanely I treated people and how much trust I placed in them, there were always traitors.
At first, I was very upset, but soon I accepted it.
No matter how much I investigated, the reason for their betrayal was not a problem with the Eunhae Trading Company.
It was a matter of personal greed and external pressure.
That didn't mean I reduced the benefits provided by Eunhae Trading Company.
If I treated them poorly, then the reason for their betrayal would become Eunhae Trading Company's problem.
“Uncle, you did nothing wrong.”
“Huh?”
“It seems like you're blaming yourself. You're thinking that if you had treated them a little better, they wouldn't have betrayed you.”
“Oh no... You caught me?”
“You are a good person. The fact that you think that way proves that you are a good person.”
I chuckled.
“And I'm proud to say that Eunhae Trading Company offers quite good benefits. So there's no need to blame yourself like that.”
“You're too kind. How can you say I'm blaming myself?”
“I'm sorry if I said something inappropriate.”
I bowed my head, and my uncle smiled and waved his hand.
“I'm just kidding.”
My uncle's face brightened again.
“All right, enough of that useless self-reflection. So, did you come here early and accomplish anything?”
“Yes.”
I replied with a smile.
“I found out who the rat is, where it comes out, and what it eats.”
I didn't just come here early and sing songs.
I was busy in my own way.
I had to keep an eye on the Dan Trading Company and the Sichuan branch of the Eunhae Trading Company at the same time.
Finally, I caught a glimpse of someone from the Dan Trading Company meeting someone from the Sichuan branch of the Eunhae Trading Company.
My uncle's eyes lit up when I told him.
“So who is it? Bring that rat to me right now!”
“Uncle.”
I smiled faintly and continued.
“Imagine a mouse that lent its tail to a cat and, instead of getting food in return, received bird droppings. Wouldn't it be interesting if the mouse betrayed the cat out of betrayal?”
“It might be interesting, but the cat must have given the mouse food in exchange for its tail, right? Bird droppings?”
“That's where the real fun begins.”
“...?”
“The hawk watching this took the food and left a pile of poop instead.”
My uncle asked.
“So who was the hawk?”
“It was me.”
I continued.
“I cannot forgive someone who acts as a spy for money, but I also cannot let the Dan Trading Company get away with planting a spy.”
The Dan Trading Company had already suffered considerable damage to its reputation for spreading false rumors about martial artists.
But that was that, and this was this.
This time, they would pay for planting a spy.
.
.
.
That evening.
I was able to meet my uncle's family.
My aunt welcomed me warmly.
“Hello. Our Seoho has become very handsome.”
“Hahaha.”
My aunt was a typical Sichuan woman. She had a fiery, cheerful, and even lively personality.
My uncle had been working in Sichuan for a long time when they met and got married.
They had two sons and two daughters.
Both sons were now helping my uncle with his work. Their names were Eun Dae-seok and Eun Chung-seok.
Dae-seok is nineteen and Chung-seok is seventeen.
“It's been a long time, Hyung-nim.”
“Yes, it's been a long time.”
“Have you been well?”
“Yes.”
The youngest daughter is younger than me. She is the baby of the family and is now six years old.
Therefore, she was loved by the whole family.
Her name is Eun-ryo-ok.
Right now, Ryu-ok was holding onto my clothes and wouldn't let go.
I wanted to go to my room to wash up and rest a little, but Ryu-ok wouldn't let me go, so I couldn't go to my room.
“Ryu-ok, let's go to bed now. Orabeoni has to sleep.”
“Then you can sleep with me.”
Then she looked up at me. Her sparkling eyes seemed to say, “You won't play with me even if I say that?”
My heart skipped a beat.
She's cute...
At that moment, Dae-seok asked Ye-ok.
“Rye-ok, do you like Seo-ho Orabeoni that much?”
“Yes.”
“Why do you like him so much?”
“He's handsome.”
“....”
When she said it so firmly, I felt embarrassed.
Then,
“Rye-ok, don't bother Seo-ho Orabeoni too much.”
I turned around.
A girl with her hair tied up in a tight bun, wearing a martial arts uniform and a sword at her waist, was walking confidently toward us.
Her name was Eun Hyang-ok.
She was my uncle's eldest daughter.
She was sixteen, one year older than me.
She said to Ryook, "If you bother Seo Ho, he'll hate you.
“If you bother Seoho Orabeoni, he will dislike you. Won't that make you sad?”
“Um…”
“You like being with someone who likes you, right? So let's stop here and go to bed. We can play again tomorrow.”
After thinking for a moment, Ye-ok let go of my sleeve.
“Okay. Then you have to play with me tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
Hearing my answer, Ye-ok finally felt relieved and returned to her room with her nanny.
Hyang-ok clasped her hands together and said to her uncle.
“I came as soon as I received your message, but I am a little late.”
“It's okay.”
“So, should we kill that rat now?”
I couldn't help but flinch at the intensity of Hyang-ok's words.
I'm afraid of Hyang-ok.