Chapter 147
Chapter 147
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 147
Chapter Title: Catch the Rat (2)
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Lying on a sickbed for an extended period inevitably leads to problems cropping up even in places that were perfectly fine before.
For instance, bedsores might form, or muscles and joints could stiffen up.
In Grandfather's case, though my eldest uncle had restricted access to the rear garden, the constant presence of maids and physicians had spared him the misfortune of skin issues like bedsores, thankfully.
"...Ugh."
But there was nothing to be done about the muscles and joints that had stiffened while he lay there.
As such, Grandfather's first steps lurched dramatically.
I quickly supported him and spoke up.
"Are you alright?"
"Not alright. But I must be. Showing myself hale and hearty will plant unease in the hearts of those who dared to swallow the Taewon Merchant Group whole. Only then will they make a reckless move, no?"
It was sound logic.
Still, a fleeting thought crossed my mind: Was it really necessary to go that far?
"Why not just fling open all the doors of the main hall and let the uncles in?"
His dignified gaze and voice alone would convey the shock of the Sanseo Golden Carp rising from his seat.
That should be enough, right?
That was precisely the extent I'd had in mind when I gathered everyone.
But Grandfather shook his head firmly.
"That won't suffice. Unless I show myself hale, even if we catch the culprit who put me in this state right away, the Taewon Merchant Group will face challenges afterward."
Supporting him with one arm, I tilted my head at his attitude.
"Is the mighty Sanseo Golden Carp afraid of challenges?"
"What I fear isn't the challenges themselves, but the chaos that follows in their wake."
With that, Grandfather stared toward the rear garden where the people were gathered.
"Before the Taewon Merchant Group became the alliance leader of the merchant world and established new order, rice and salt piled up like mountains while people starved to death, and coal lay underfoot while others froze."
"......"
"A mere merchant earned the nickname of Golden Carp—how could I bear to see it tarnished like that?"
His quietly seething gaze left me momentarily speechless.
At the sight of Grandfather like this, a word came from Master's voice at my waist.
- Yong-un, it seems the degree of 'hale and hearty' you and your grandfather have in mind differs. What will you do?
'I suppose we should follow Grandfather's wishes.'
- Well, with those old eyes boiling like a furnace, there's no stopping him. Do you have a way?
'Of course—the technique Master taught me back with Bo-joon, but used in reverse on acupoints and qi circulation?'
- ......?
'Not like with Bo-joon exactly, but the principle. Grandfather's staggering starts from the waist, so strike the lumbar acupoints to stiffen them temporarily, then loosen the legs to realign the joints and muscles?'
- Sound reasoning. Then lightly tap the Shen Dao and Ju Que points on the waist to stiffen them, infuse inner energy, and stimulate Yong Quan, Du Mai, and Yi She points in sequence.
Having consulted with Master, I turned to Grandfather.
"In that case, Grandfather. Would you entrust your body to me for a moment?"
"My body, you say?"
"Yes. This grandson has picked up a few tricks here and there. I can make it so you can move about right away. I know I might not be the most reliable..."
"Why wouldn't I trust you? I do, fully. I don't know exactly what method you used, but wasn't it your quick thinking that got me out of bed?"
"Well... true enough."
"No need for long talk. Get to it. Even if you have to poke and prod my flesh, I'll endure."
With Grandfather's permission, I laid him back on the bed.
Then performed acupoint massage.
Pop- Pop-
Popopop-
His waist and legs immediately regained support temporarily.
"Ha! The trembling in my legs has truly lessened. At this rate, I can walk without assistance?"
Grandfather exclaimed in admiration from the bed.
"I knew martial artists had ways to stiffen the body, but to use it like this..."
"It's just a shallow trick for temporary use. You can move now, but there might be aftereffects like a cold or worse."
"Aftereffects are to be expected, and temporary or not, it's impressive. Where did you learn this? At the academy?"
"Just some improvisation."
No need to elaborate since it was quick thinking, after all.
Grandfather patted my shoulder.
"...I thought you only had action and depth of mind, but you have flashes of brilliance too. Your ingenuity will save Sanseong City today."
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ Now able to move on his own, the Sanseo Golden Carp Yi Gil-hwan made one request of me.
"Go out first, Yong-un. Announce that I'm coming out. I have one last thing to check."
"Yes, Grandfather. I'll do that."
"Good."
It wasn't a difficult favor.
I nodded to Grandfather and promptly exited the main hall.
Then addressed the murmuring crowd.
"The Chairman will be out shortly."
At my voice, the gazes in the rear garden naturally turned to me.
"Isn't that the eldest young master of the Pearl Eon Family?"
"But why's he dressed like that? That black outfit looks just like the stealth clothes thieves or assassins wear."
"It's not just like—it is. Anyway, the Chairman's coming out? Didn't he look on the brink of death just this afternoon? Suddenly up and about? Makes no sense."
"Didn't you hear him yelling at the young chairman and the two hall leaders earlier? Does someone on their deathbed sound like that?"
"This is nuts. No idea what's going on."
I sent a transmission to Elder No.
[Professor?]
[Looks like things worked out?]
[Yes. I'll explain details later, but for now, bring the kids over here. Grandfather's coming out soon, so better if we stand guard just in case.]
[Agreed.]
Elder No and the kids moved toward me.
Elder No scanned me up close and breathed a sigh of relief.
"Just as you said, a few followed my fake orders and came to the guest quarters. Got an earful for putting on an act I had no business doing. Anyway, you're fine, Eon family lad, and things worked out—good."
Sorung, having shed the stealth clothes, was back to his usual self, fidgeting.
"Did I help at all?"
"Huge help. Not empty words—really. Even with your help, it was touch-and-go; without, it'd have been dicey."
Je Gal-seolji, Cheon Jang-ho, and Jeong Hyeon furrowed their brows.
"...By the way, Young Master Yong-un. Do you always use 'Flower Room' as a code?"
"Exactly. That was too much. You could've picked something else—why that throat-choking word?"
"Even in my view, that's beyond the pale."
"...Nothing else came to mind that you'd instantly recognize as my transmission just from hearing it. And is it worth frowning that much? Thanks to training, you built poison resistance, and it was practical too, wasn't it?"
"...Wow."
"Huh."
"Primeval Lord."
Hm? Wasn't it?
Anyway, as I offered my explanations, Yong-myeong fidgeted, clearly bursting with questions.
"......"
What he wanted to know was Grandfather's condition, no doubt.
He'd learn soon enough that Grandfather was hale, so no need to tell him now.
As I patted Yong-myeong's shoulder, my eldest uncle Yi Jung-young approached.
"Yong-un. How's someone bedridden bellowing like thunder? What's this about him coming out? What's really going on? You know something, don't you?"
His attitude was worlds apart from when he'd first met Yong-myeong and me.
The brusque tone had softened, the rat-like glare turned friendly.
"If anyone should know the situation properly, it's me, the young chairman. Spill what you know—my gratitude won't be stingy."
He was coaxing me, aware his pipe dream might be ending.
No need to accommodate his feelings, though.
I threw back exactly what he'd said when we first met.
"Why ask me when we're barely in touch? Ask Grandfather yourself when he comes out."
"Ha!"
Was it the evening banquet booze stirring his anxiety?
Or burying it to look down on the Pearl Eon Family?
I didn't know the exact reason, but Yi Jung-young couldn't hold back his anger.
"I'm your elder uncle! Young chairman of Yi House! Vice Chairman of Taewon Merchant Group!"
That was when.
Having merely echoed his words, Yi Jung-young flew into a rage alone.
"How dare you act so rudely? I could punish you right now for barging into the inner sanctum! No, I must! Chief Steward Gam!!"
The main hall doors creaked open.
And out came Grandfather, the Sanseo Golden Carp Yi Gil-hwan, using a staff as a cane.
His dignified voice rang out.
"Chief Steward Gam, stand down!"
At Grandfather's voice,
The man called Chief Steward Gam halted his attempt to move the guards and dropped to one knee.
"Greetings, Chairman."
Yi Jung-young choked on air and knelt, followed by
"...Guh. F-Father?!"
The other Yi House retainers kneeling one after another.
I didn't miss the moment, scrutinizing the uncles closely.
Yi Jung-young's pure panic. Yi Yun-young relief?
Yun-young Uncle was the only one who'd treated us well.
But per my instincts, amiable types often backstab unexpectedly, so I'd kept him on the suspect list.
'Bastard son, so motive possible.'
But his current expression was pure filial emotion welling up.
'Could be acting.'
Yet the youngest uncle's bewilderment seemed more suspicious.
'The one who brought doctors everywhere to save Grandfather, now looking like that at his recovery?'
Anyway.
As I pondered, Grandfather waved off the retainers' greetings and spoke again.
"I clearly told the rear garden guard captain I'd risen from my seat. From what I just saw, it seems you, Jung-young, weren't pleased?"
"H-How could that be?! Whatever that Yong-un brat told you, it's not true."
"What do you think Yong-un told me?"
"That I slighted him, or hoped for your death and sealed the rear garden."
I'd never discussed it with Grandfather.
Yet Yi Jung-young blurted out his actions himself, as if his foot had been stepped on.
And offered his excuse.
"Honestly, I might've slighted them a bit. Nephews showing up at a delicate time. But I never wished for your death."
Grandfather walked toward him as he spoke.
"Continue."
Emboldened, Yi Jung-young defended himself fervently.
"I'm young chairman and vice chairman. Why would I wish that when I'd inherit anyway just by waiting? I merely upheld my duties, strictly enforcing house laws to quash weird rumors, focusing on close allies."
But Yi Jung-young's words ended there.
Grandfather, now right in his face, ripped off the young chairman's plaque and vice chairman's seal from his waist.
Snap-
"F-Father?!"
"Foolish child. If you'd at least hoped for my death while caring for the household, I'd call it ambition. River waves always push the front ones aside."
"...Pardon?"
"But fearing siblings and slighting nephews? 'Cultivate self, regulate family, govern state, pacify world.' How entrust the merchant world's future to one who can't even manage his house? You were always like that—even as a child, with candied hawthorns in both hands, you wouldn't share with siblings."
"...Th-That's!"
"'Position makes the man,' I thought vice chairman duties might broaden your vessel, but today I see it's impossible."
That was it.
Grandfather tossed the Taewon vice chairman's seal from the eldest uncle's waist to Yun-young Uncle.
"Merchant group matters under young chairman will be handled by Anmin Hall Leader. Yi House affairs I'll oversee directly or through Yong-un. Note it."
He turned back to the main hall, issuing the dismissal.
"Understood? Chief Steward Gam and academy guests stay; the rest, withdraw."