Chapter 569
Chapter 569
Chapter 569. Let’s Hit the Jackpot (4)
At my words, the owner of the noodle shop brightened and nodded.
“Of course. I will listen carefully.” (Noodle Shop Owner)
Seeing him even take out paper, brush, and ink from beneath the table, it seemed he had not said it just out of courtesy.
When he was this proactive, it made advising him enjoyable for me too.
“First, buy a lot of ingredients in advance.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes?” (Noodle Shop Owner)
“With this level of quality, business will be very good, so you should prepare beforehand.” (Eun Seoho)
“Thank you for the kind words.” (Noodle Shop Owner)
“They are not mere kind words. Even among the noodles I have eaten while traveling on trade all across the empire, yours would rank within the top ten, so you may have confidence in the taste.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, his face brightened.
“But when food is delicious enough to bring booming business, there are bound to be people who find that displeasing.” (Eun Seoho)
“What do you mean all of a sudden…….” (Noodle Shop Owner)
I continued explaining for his sake as he grew flustered.
“That tendency is especially pronounced at large events like this. And one of the vicious methods such people use is to interfere with the supply of ingredients.” (Eun Seoho)
“Ah, so that is why you told me to buy a lot of ingredients in advance.” (Noodle Shop Owner)
“That is right.” (Eun Seoho)
I nodded.
“And there will also be people who deliberately complain loudly that they found foreign matter in the food.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words, he asked with a worried expression.
“How should I respond at such times?” (Noodle Shop Owner)
“You have been in business for a long time, so I imagine you have dealt with many such troublesome customers?” (Eun Seoho)
“That is true. Even when I did business in my hometown, there were often customers like that.” (Noodle Shop Owner)
“What did you do at those times?” (Eun Seoho)
“Since I could not know whether it was my mistake or their scheme, I had no choice but to apologize.” (Noodle Shop Owner)
“That is right. So apologize quickly. It is important not to let the situation drag on.” (Eun Seoho)
He let out a sigh.
“If it is my fault, then apologizing is only natural a hundred times over, but apologizing even to those who do it deliberately made me feel ashamed of myself. I wondered if this was why I was doing business, and I also wondered why people act that way.” (Noodle Shop Owner)
“I understand. When you do business, you are bound to have such thoughts. I do not know whether these words will comfort you, but when people gain unfairly, they end up losing that much in some form or another.” (Eun Seoho)
I smiled.
“But you will also be worried. Worried that if such things gather and rumors spread as though they were true, your business might be ruined.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is right.” (Noodle Shop Owner)
Rumors are always frightening.
Because even if people have not experienced something directly, once they hear such rumors, they instinctively stop going.
“Tell those people to write down their names.” (Eun Seoho)
“……Yes?” (Noodle Shop Owner)
“You can tell at a glance when people are doing it on purpose, can you not? Tell them that you have no money right now, and that you will compensate them with a large sum later, so ask them to write down their names and where they are staying. And tell them you will be accompanied by a patrol squad in order to protect the money, so you ask for their understanding on that point as well.” (Eun Seoho)
“You mean I should go one step further instead.” (Noodle Shop Owner)
“Yes. By mentioning the patrol squad, it will serve as a warning to those without conscience.” (Eun Seoho)
“But what if they write down their real names?” (Noodle Shop Owner)
“Then you can give that list to me. Since I am the one who suggested this method, I will take care of the aftermath as well.” (Eun Seoho)
I continued.
“And after you finish business for the day, deposit the money in the bank immediately.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes? You mean I should deposit it in the bank every day?” (Noodle Shop Owner)
“That is right. And on the way to the bank, request a patrol squad and have them accompany you.” (Eun Seoho)
“……Is it acceptable to call the patrol squad for something like that too?” (Noodle Shop Owner)
“You pay the stall fee in order to receive that sort of help and protection. Since you paid expensive money, you should make use of it enough that it does not feel wasteful.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is true.” (Noodle Shop Owner)
“Since it is a place where so many people gather, thieves will be far more numerous than usual. And even if you happen to lose money, do not overdo it trying to find it. Life is more important than money.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes.” (Noodle Shop Owner)
“Focus on the money you will earn in the future rather than the money you have lost. Can you promise me that?” (Eun Seoho)
“I promise.” (Noodle Shop Owner)
At this point, I think I had given all the important advice.
Just then, a customer came in, and the owner moved away to greet them.
I smiled and looked around.
It seems everyone is done, and I am the only one left.
I quickly picked up my chopsticks to finish the rest of my noodles when the owner’s daughter approached.
“Is there anything else you need?” (Owner’s Daughter)
At that, Young Company Head Sagang raised his hand.
“Ah, shall I bring you another bowl of noodles?” (Owner’s Daughter)
He nodded, then hesitated as if he wanted to say something more.
“That…….” (Young Company Head Sagang)
“Ah, you want extra beef added?” (Owner’s Daughter)
Nod nod.
And when he drew a circle with his hand, she said,
“You want the meat without cutting it into small pieces?” (Owner’s Daughter)
Nod nod.
At that sight, I was amazed.
At that level, it was practically mind reading, was it not?
“How in the world did you know?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, she smiled softly and continued speaking.
“By being perceptive.” (Owner’s Daughter)
“Yes?” (Eun Seoho)
“I just guessed by intuition.” (Owner’s Daughter)
Because Young Company Head Sagang was so poor with words, it was not easy to deduce what he wanted to say.
Yet she had grasped his meaning simply, without much effort.
At this level, her perceptiveness was no ordinary perceptiveness.
She looked at us and asked,
“Is there anyone else who would like additional noodles?” (Owner’s Daughter)
At that, everyone, including me, raised their hands.
Because it was delicious enough to make us want another bowl.
Everyone had been working since early morning, so they must also have been hungry.
.
.
.
The Murim Grand Banquet is divided into the early meetings and the later martial arts competition.
Right now, it is the early part.
There are still several more days before the martial arts competition begins.
At breakfast, Father said,
“It is about time for Jinho to arrive in Luoyang.” (Father)
Apparently, Brother Jinho had also planned to depart from Hubei with Father and come to Luoyang.
Since the martial arts competition of the Murim Grand Banquet features martial artists at the peak level and above, it becomes a great lesson for martial artists.
There is no way Brother Jinho would miss an opportunity like this.
But Brother Jinho’s trading schedule was delayed more than expected, so Father said he told him to come straight to Luoyang as soon as he finished the trade trip.
“He said he was around Shaanxi now, did he not?” (Eun Seoho)
“To be precise, near Mount Hua.” (Father)
“Considering when Hyung said he was departing, he should arrive around today.” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes, I think it would be good for you to go meet him.” (Father)
So this was the purpose of bringing up Brother Jinho’s arrival.
There was no reason to refuse, and it was something I had wanted as well, so I readily agreed.
“Yes. Understood.” (Eun Seoho)
At my answer, Chief Administrator Go Ilpyeong, who was eating breakfast beside us, said,
“In my heart, I would like to personally go meet Young Company Head Jinho, but I have people I promised to meet today.” (Go Ilpyeong)
Chief Administrator Go is both the chief administrator of our Eunhae Trading Company and a martial artist with the alias Sword Piercing the Heavens.
There must be many people he wants to meet and catch up with at the Murim Grand Banquet.
The friendships he builds like that will later be helpful to Brother Jinho as well.
Connections are not all that different in the merchant world or in the murim.
The surest and safest method is an introduction through an acquaintance, so people broaden their connections through that.
Of course, introductions through acquaintances do not always lead to good results, but the probability of things going well is still very high.
Because when someone introduces another person with their own name and face on the line, they make that introduction with a sense of responsibility.
After breakfast, I finished light preparations and headed toward Luoyang’s west gate with the escort warriors.
On the way there was a commercial district.
Hm?
I suddenly had no choice but to stop walking.
“What is the matter?” (Palgap)
At Palgap’s question, I pointed to the side with my finger.
A noodle shop with a banner reading Haechun Noodles (邂春麵).
It was the place I had advised last time.
What had stopped my steps was Young Company Head Sagang, who was sitting there eating noodles.
It seems he really liked the noodles.
To think he came all the way here from the morning to eat noodles.
At that moment, the daughter of the Haechun Noodles owner approached and conversed with him.
That is, if it could be called a conversation when one side accounted for more than ninety percent of it.
Well, conversations take many forms, and as long as meaning gets across between people, a conversation is a conversation.
We started walking again, and Warrior Yeo Eungam said,
“I have a feeling about this.” (Yeo Eungam)
“Yes? A feeling?” (Eun Seoho)
“I mean Young Company Head Sagang. What reason would he have to be eating noodles alone at that noodle shop this early in the morning?” (Yeo Eungam)
“Because the noodles are delicious?” (Eun Seoho)
At my answer, Palgap chuckled.
“I know you are joking.” (Palgap)
“That is true, but still, surely not. That is too hasty a judgment.” (Eun Seoho)
Because we still did not know yet.
We soon arrived at Luoyang’s west gate.
We went out the west gate and waited outside for quite a while, but Brother Jinho did not appear.
The sun was already high in the sky, so why had he still not come?
I grew more and more anxious.
Could something have happened?
“Liege. Shall we go look for Young Master Jinho on our side?” (Warrior Seowoo)
Warrior Seowoo, perhaps noticing my anxiety, said that. I nodded.
“We should. Sitting still and waiting does not suit my temperament.” (Eun Seoho)
I tapped my sleeve.
“Geumryeong.” (Eun Seoho)
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
Geumryeong poked her head out.
“Go find Brother Jinho.” (Eun Seoho)
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
Geumryeong nodded as if to say she understood, then immediately shot forward.
A while later, Geumryeong returned.
Judging by the time it took Geumryeong to return…… the distance was farther than expected.
This was definitely because something had happened.
“Guide us.” (Eun Seoho)
My group and I mounted our horses, and Geumryeong sat on the head of the Jugang Horse I was riding.
“Kkui! Kku!” (Geumryeong)
We need to run fast?
I nodded and gripped the Jugang Horse’s reins.
“Understood. But how fast do we need to run?” (Eun Seoho)
“Kkui!” (Geumryeong)
You can handle that, so I should just hold the reins tight?
“We will pick up speed!” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes!” (Escort Warriors)
Soon, the Jugang Horse began to gain speed.
But is this not too fast?
Fortunately, before long, the Jugang Horse gradually began to slow down.
It meant Brother Jinho was nearby.
I spread out my energy and searched for Brother Jinho’s energy.
But I sensed the energy of quite a lot of people nearby, and faintly heard the sound of weapons clashing.
“It is killing intent!” (Escort Warrior)
“It seems a battle is taking place. Let us hurry.” (Escort Warrior)
I quickly urged the Jugang Horse forward, and the others followed behind me.
We soon saw a group of people engaged in battle.
People wearing the clothes of the Eunpung Unit and people wearing all sorts of different clothes.
And people who seemed to belong to an escort agency.
Brother Jinho was there among them.
“I do not know the exact circumstances, but let us help Brother Jinho first.” (Eun Seoho)
“Understood.” (Escort Warriors)
We jumped into the melee and approached Brother Jinho.
“Hyung! What happened?” (Eun Seoho)
“You’re here? I’ll explain later!” (Jinho)
“What should we do?” (Eun Seoho)
Brother Jinho swung his spear and said,
“Take care of everyone except the Eunpung Unit and the escort agency!” (Jinho)
“Can we kill them?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yeah. They’re bastards who deserve to die!” (Jinho)
The fact that Brother Jinho spoke with such fury meant the enemies had committed sins worthy of it.
The martial prowess of my escort warriors and me was overwhelming compared to our opponents, so we were able to settle the situation in an instant.
“Whew, thanks.” (Jinho)
“Yeah, you should naturally be grateful.” (Eun Seoho)
At that moment, Brother Jinho shouted toward the rear.
“You may be at ease now.” (Jinho)
A short while after those words fell, the door of the carriage opened, and a woman poked her head out.
“Is that true?” (Woman)
“Yes.” (Jinho)
I looked at Brother Jinho, and Brother Jinho said to me,
“On my way to Luoyang, I witnessed them being attacked. I decided to help them and was on my way back toward Mount Hua.” (Jinho)
At that, a man with his shoulder wrapped in a bandage clasped his hands and introduced himself.
“I am Gi Childu, Head Escort of Yongung Escort Agency.” (Gi Childu)
“Yes, I am Eun Seoho, the third young company head of Eunhae Trading Company.” (Eun Seoho)
At my introduction, Brother Jinho shrugged and said,
“He is my younger brother. He even has the alias of Chivalrous Pretty Boy, in his own way.” (Jinho)
But why are you the one shrugging, Hyung?
After hearing my introduction, Head Escort Gi was startled.
“You are that Chivalrous Pretty Boy?” (Gi Childu)
“Though it is embarrassing, I am called that. But from what I see, it seems you were escorting the young ladies in that carriage. Is that correct?” (Eun Seoho)
“Yes. That is correct. Our Yongung Escort Agency accepted a request and was escorting those young ladies to Mount Hua.” (Gi Childu)
“Ah, they are young ladies staying in Luoyang.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is right.” (Gi Childu)
The fact that many martial artists were gathering in Luoyang meant that there were also trash-like bastards among them.
Thus, when a major event where martial artists gathered was held, young ladies would temporarily entrust themselves to the Mount Hua Sect.
Disciples of the Mount Hua Sect would escort them, but there were times when they could not accompany them.
At such times, they would separately request an escort agency and head to the Mount Hua Sect.
Master had also received such a request during the Dragon-Phoenix Martial Arts Tournament.
“But there were people targeting the young ladies.” (Gi Childu)
It was obvious why they would target them.
“They said it was to sell them off as courtesans. After hearing the circumstances, Master Eun of Eunhae Trading Company willingly said he would accompany us all the way to Mount Hua, and having lost my escorts, I could only shamelessly accept that proposal.” (Gi Childu)
“I see.” (Eun Seoho)
“And while we were being attacked again, Master Chivalrous Pretty Boy gave us aid.” (Gi Childu)
I looked at Brother Jinho.
There was much I wanted to say, but for now, the first priority was to safely take those young ladies to Mount Hua.
“I will accompany you too.” (Eun Seoho)
And so we departed for Mount Hua.
“Where exactly is the destination? Do we have to go all the way up Mount Hua?” (Eun Seoho)
The one who answered my question was Warrior Myeongjong.
“No. It is impossible both to go all the way to Mount Hua by carriage and for those young ladies to climb it.” (Myeongjong)
“Well, yes, I suppose so.” (Eun Seoho)
Mount Hua is by no means a neighborhood hill.
“So they have reserved several inns in the village below Mount Hua and have them stay there. And disciples of Mount Hua protect those inns.” (Myeongjong)
“So that is how it works.” (Eun Seoho)
As we drew closer and closer to the destination, Warrior Myeongjong’s expression grew more complicated.
That made sense.
Mount Hua was, without exaggeration, the place where he had spent his entire life until now.
But at present, due to an unsavory incident, he had only barely escaped expulsion.
Soon, we arrived at an inn below Mount Hua.
It was then.
“You! You bastard!” (Someone)
Someone came running toward us from afar and…….
Uh, uuh?
Thwack!