Chapter 678
Chapter 678
Chapter 678. Killing Two Birds with One Stone (1)
I spoke with a sly smile.
“For a merchant, trade secrets are like life itself, so I ask for your understanding on this point.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, the Clan Head glared at me with a displeased expression.
“Are you truly going to come out like that?” (Hwangbo Se)
At the same time, killing intent shot toward me.
Cold sweat flowed from that killing intent, but I did not lose my smile.
“Still, I hope you will not misunderstand. If I had anything to do with Namgung Clan, why would I have told you to keep watch on Mister Hwangbo Wook?” (Eun Seoho)
The killing intent still did not fade, so I let out a sigh.
“Um, I came bearing His Majesty the Emperor’s imperial decree, you know?” (Eun Seoho)
“...” (Hwangbo Se)
Only then did the killing intent disappear, and the Clan Head cleared his throat as if embarrassed and said.
“Ahem, if that is truly the case, then it cannot be helped.” (Hwangbo Se)
“Do you intend to entrust your family’s affairs to someone else’s hands?” (Eun Seoho)
In other words, I meant that he should not try to ask me, but handle it himself.
“You are right. I cannot entrust my family’s affairs to another person’s hands.” (Hwangbo Se)
“By any chance, when do you think the matter of the martial arts academy instructor will be settled?” (Eun Seoho)
“I think the selection will be finished in about three days.” (Hwangbo Se)
“Understood. Then I will take my leave.” (Eun Seoho)
“Do so.” (Hwangbo Se)
. . .
Hwangbo Se, the Clan Head of Hwangbo Clan, looked at the spot where Eun Seoho had been standing moments ago.
Even though he had deliberately released killing intent to pressure him, the sight of him not losing his smile was certainly not ordinary.
“I heard he was at the peak level...”
But from what he saw, it seemed he had already gone beyond that stage.
On top of that, he even mentioned that he was someone sent by the Emperor, preventing any further pressure.
His ability and skill were anything but ordinary.
He recalled the time Hwangbo Hwi had visited the clan before.
“Hyung-nim. I met a very interesting fellow. One day, he will come to this clan, and if that fellow mentions ‘my real birthday,’ you can give him this key.” (Hwangbo Hwi)
“Is that not the key to your library?” (Hwangbo Se)
“That is right. I intend to pass on what I have gathered to that fellow.” (Hwangbo Hwi)
“What kind of fellow is he, for you to like him so much that you would pass those things on?” (Hwangbo Se)
“Hyung-nim will like him too. He is a truly entertaining one.” (Hwangbo Hwi)
“Since you say so, I am becoming interested.” (Hwangbo Se)
“And if that fellow gives any advice, you must listen to it carefully, or you will regret it. Hyung-nim.” (Hwangbo Hwi)
To be honest, he found the words telling him to watch his own grandson outrageous.
However, because of the request of his beloved younger brother Hwangbo Hwi, he did not dismiss Eun Seoho’s words.
So he secretly ordered a loyal servant to keep watch on his grandson, and before he even had breakfast, the servant returned and delivered startling news.
“Mister Hwangbo Wook secretly met someone. When I investigated the other party, it was someone from Namgung Clan.” (Loyal Servant)
What kind of place was Namgung Clan?
A place that obstructed Hwangbo Clan’s every move and was itching to pick a fight.
Moreover, after they repaid the insult his daughter had suffered at the last Grand Murim Banquet, they had pettily monopolized the whetstone production sites and prevented Hwangbo Clan from receiving whetstone supplies.
If Eun Seoho had not supplied them with whetstones, the situation would have become extremely difficult.
In the end, they would not have been able to endure and would have had no choice but to bow their heads to Namgung Clan.
In any case, if his grandson was a spy of Namgung Clan, this was absolutely not something that could be overlooked.
“If he had been a spy of the Black Dao instead, I might have punished him moderately and moved on, but Namgung Clan!”
However, for now, it was time to gather more evidence.
. . .
I returned to my quarters.
“Whew...”
And when I let out a long sigh, Palgap asked.
“Young Master. Did something happen? Why do you look as if you died and came back to life?” (Palgap)
“Something like that happened.” (Eun Seoho)
Receiving the killing intent of a martial artist who had reached the Transformation Realm head-on is truly something I never want to experience again.
But that does not mean I can reveal my trade secrets.
“It would be best for you to drink some tea quickly.” (Palgap)
“Thanks.” (Eun Seoho)
Palgap poured me a cup of tea, and I drank it while organizing my thoughts.
The one sentence Miss Seohyang whispered to me before I left for Shandong.
“Young Captain. If there is someone from Hwangbo Clan who is especially kind to you, you must be wary of them. The back of your head will hurt.” (Seohyang)
In other words, it meant a traitor.
So I was wary of that man named Hwangbo Wook.
A direct descendant of a place like Hwangbo Clan devoting himself to assisting me?
It could happen, but Hwangbo Wook’s kindness went beyond that.
He told me to use him as a porter, and even pulled the handcart himself. Though the next day, he ran away using work as an excuse.
In any case, it was something incomprehensible even by my common sense, so I paid attention and examined his aura.
However, I did not feel the revolting aura of the Black Dao or the aura of the Sura Blood Cult.
Because of that, I wondered whether I had reacted too sensitively, but since it was Miss Seohyang’s advice, I never took it lightly.
So I shook him off and proceeded with the matter of the quarry.
When I returned to Hwangbo Clan, Mister Hwangbo Wook showed his disappointment.
When I said to him, “You should have pulled the cart and followed me,” he sent killing intent toward me for an instant.
In that moment, I realized it.
Assisting me had been the Young Master’s order, but in the midst of that, he had been trying to find something out from me.
So I told the Clan Head to watch Mister Hwangbo Wook, but to think the one he was communicating with was Namgung Clan!
Good grief...
If it had not been for Miss Seohyang’s advice, this truly could have turned into a disaster.
Namgung Clan is currently Hwangbo Clan’s greatest archenemy.
If he served as a spy for that Namgung Clan, even if he was the Young Master’s son, there was no chance of forgiveness.
There is no way he would not know that, so why on earth did Mister Hwangbo Wook join hands with Namgung Clan?
Sigh, my head hurts.
The urgent matters are almost all wrapped up, so I should take a walk for a while.
There was a rather well-kept garden near the reception hall.
A little later.
I took Warrior Lee Pil and Warrior Myeongjong and went out for a walk.
As I slowly admired the rare flowers and plants of the garden, I saw a middle-aged woman approaching from a distance.
The colors and patterns of the clothes she wore were plain and dark.
But who am I?
I am someone who succeeded in the silk business in my past life.
No matter how plain the clothes were, there was no way I would fail to recognize that the fabric was top-grade silk.
In other words, that middle-aged woman held quite a high position in Hwangbo Clan.
At that moment, our eyes met, and she spoke to me.
“You are someone I am seeing for the first time.” (Hwangbo Inah)
I quickly clasped my hands in greeting.
“I am Eun Seoho, Young Captain of Eunhae Trading Company. I am staying here as a guest for a short while.” (Eun Seoho)
“I see. I am Hwangbo Inah. I heard about you from my elder brother. They say you are someone favored by His Majesty the Emperor.” (Hwangbo Inah)
“You overpraise me. And please speak comfortably. I have not yet even reached thirty.” (Eun Seoho)
I inferred her identity.
Putting together her middle-aged age and what she had just said, she must be something like Master Hwangbo Seonyu’s younger sister.
Ah...
At that moment, memories of what I had heard about her in my previous life came to mind.
The unfortunate woman of Hwangbo Clan.
She married into a family arranged by her clan, and her marital harmony with her husband was not bad either.
The problem was that they had no children.
Then, her husband was mobilized to subjugate nearby Green Forest Bandits and ended up dying in battle.
In response, she rose up resolutely, succeeded in subjugating the Green Forest Bandits, and avenged her husband.
However, after she completed the subjugation and returned, her husband’s family sent her back to Hwangbo Clan, and so she now lived as if she were there and not there.
A person who could currently be called the only blemish of Hwangbo Clan.
But not anymore.
Mister Hwangbo Wook had caused an unprecedented disaster by acting as a spy for Namgung Clan.
“If so, I shall do that. By the way, you seem to know who I am.” (Hwangbo Inah)
At her question, I quickly answered.
“I am the Young Captain of Eunhae Trading Company. How could I be called an excellent merchant if I could not grasp the personal details of important customers?” (Eun Seoho)
“I see. It has been a long time since I met someone who knows about me yet does not look at me with pity.” (Hwangbo Inah)
At that, I answered calmly.
“Forgive my discourtesy, but why should I look at you with pity, Madam?” (Eun Seoho)
“...” (Hwangbo Inah)
“Rather, I think you are a wonderful person. Did you not personally avenge your husband?” (Eun Seoho)
In truth, there was something slightly puzzling.
It was because her husband’s family had given up Hwangbo Clan’s backing and sent her back to Hwangbo Clan.
No matter that the direct blood connection had disappeared, as long as the marriage had taken place, if they kept her with them, the name of Hwangbo Clan would serve as a shield.
Even so, her in-laws sent her back.
Why?
After thinking for a moment, the answer soon came.
It was said that Madam had subjugated the Green Forest Bandits alone.
If so, her martial prowess could never be ordinary.
When I carefully examined her, I sensed her skill.
Supreme Peak.
If that was the case, they would have wanted to hold on to her all the more.
Yet they still sent her back to her maiden home...
“Perhaps your husband’s family felt sorry for keeping such a wonderful madam bound to them.” (Eun Seoho)
“Sorry?” (Hwangbo Inah)
“Yes. Did you not do your utmost to the point of avenging your husband on your own? They must have known that well, too. To be honest, your husband’s family would have felt more secure keeping you with them. Then they would have been able to receive Hwangbo Clan’s backing or benefit from it, would they not?” (Eun Seoho)
“...” (Hwangbo Inah)
“However, they must have thought that holding you back for their own greed was something they could no longer do.” (Eun Seoho)
“Then...” (Hwangbo Inah)
“Yes. I believe it meant that you should no longer be bound by your husband or your husband’s family, and live freely.” (Eun Seoho)
“...” (Hwangbo Inah)
“By any chance, is the Clan Head still providing some support to your husband’s family? If so, that is the very proof.” (Eun Seoho)
I scratched my cheek.
“This is merely the humble opinion of a merchant, so it may not be the correct answer. However, I hope you will no longer become dispirited because of that.” (Eun Seoho)
“...” (Hwangbo Inah)
I lowered my head.
“Then I will take my leave.” (Eun Seoho)
Then I headed toward my quarters. When I glanced back, she was still standing there, staring into empty air.
.
.
.
That evening.
“Young Captain Eun, are you there?” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
“Yes! Please come in!” (Eun Seoho)
Master Hwangbo Seonyu visited my quarters.
“What brings you here?” (Eun Seoho)
He had once scolded me, asking where I was roaming around so busily, yet in reality, he moves around even more busily than I do.
“Why? Is there some reason I should not come?” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
“That is not it. I am delighted when you visit, Master, but you seemed busy.” (Eun Seoho)
“I need to sleep too.” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
Then again, it is rather late right now...
“Were you planning to wake me if I had been sleeping?” (Eun Seoho)
“There is no way you would already be asleep, is there?” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
A wise answer to a foolish question.
“Please sit.” (Eun Seoho)
Since there was tea that Palgap had just left behind, I served tea to Master.
Master Hwangbo Seonyu’s expression as he drank the tea looked slightly complicated somehow.
Is it because of the matter with Mister Hwangbo Wook?
As I was expecting that, Master said to me.
“I heard you met my younger sister earlier.” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
Ah, is it because of that?
I had somewhat expected that topic too, so I readily nodded.
“Yes. I met her earlier while walking through the garden.” (Eun Seoho)
“Inah finally threw off those gloomy clothes.” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
“Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
“After Inah returned to her maiden home, she left behind all the bright-colored clothes she had liked to wear and wore only gloomy clothes. Perhaps that was her own mourning garb. Or perhaps it was self-reproach, thinking what right did someone driven out of her husband’s family have to wear bright-colored clothes.” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
“...” (Eun Seoho)
“I heard Inah went to see Father a little while ago. She said it was because she had heard your words and wanted to hear the full circumstances from Father.” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
Judging by his tone, it seems it was resolved in a good direction.
“Thanks to you, Inah was able to ease the burden on her heart. So I came to express my gratitude to you.” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
In truth, while speaking to Madam Hwangbo Inah earlier, there had been something that did not feel quite right.
It was why Hwangbo Clan’s Clan Head had not told his own daughter about it.
When I asked about this, Master Hwangbo Seonyu sighed and answered.
“Why would Father not have told her? Of course he did. But do you think those words would properly enter the ears of someone who had no intention of listening?” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
“Mm, that is true.” (Eun Seoho)
“And sometimes, precisely because someone is family, their words cannot be heard. Because one assumes in advance that they are saying such things only to comfort them because they are family.” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
“...” (Eun Seoho)
In other words, it was probably because I, a complete outsider who knew nothing of the situation, said those words, and because time had passed and she had become more prepared to listen, that this result came about.
In any case, it is a good thing.
To be honest, gloomy-colored clothes did not suit Madam Hwangbo Inah well.
“In truth... at the last Grand Banquet, Namgung Clan provoked Father over Inah.” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
“Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
“It seems they said something like, how lacking in talent must they be to take back a daughter who had been driven out.” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
That is not provocation but an insult, and Namgung Clan did such a thing?
“So did you just stay still?” (Eun Seoho)
“Of course not!” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
Master leapt up and continued.
“At that time, the Alliance Leader mediated, so both sides had to step back, but as it happened, there were people from Namgung Clan causing trouble in Shandong, so we taught them a severe lesson and drove them out.” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
Ah...
So that was why the whetstone supply had been cut off.
“And I heard it quietly from Father. Namgung Clan demanded an apology for that incident. They said that otherwise, there would be no supply of whetstones in the future.” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
Wow...
Those petty bastards.
Honestly, they were the ones at fault first, were they not?
And it was not as if they had simply been driven out. They were driven out because they were causing trouble in Shandong.
In that situation, he secretly communicated with Namgung Clan.
Why on earth did Mister Hwangbo Wook make such a foolish choice?
“So, about that...” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
Master hesitated, and I nodded as I said.
“Please speak comfortably.” (Eun Seoho)
“Would it be all right if Inah went to the academy’s instructor position?” (Hwangbo Seonyu)
“...Pardon?” (Eun Seoho)
Wow, I did not expect this.