Chapter 685
Chapter 685
Chapter 685. The Forged Draft Incident (3)
The Hebei Province main branch of the Geumsan Money House.
It was a large building of no fewer than eight floors.
As befitted a main branch, various departments were located from the second floor upward, but on the first floor, the money house’s original work was being carried out.
“Next customer.” (Employee)
“Yes!” (Customer)
“How may I help you?” (Employee)
At the employee’s courteous question, the customer stared blankly at his face.
“Customer?” (Employee)
“Ah! I-I’m sorry! Um, so…… I came to deposit money.” (Customer)
“Yes. Please give me your money house vault plaque and your identification plaque.” (Employee)
“H-here.” (Customer)
She held out her own money house vault plaque and the identification plaque issued by the money house.
After checking them, the employee said,
“Yes. Your identity has been confirmed. How much will you be depositing?” (Employee)
“Here.” (Customer)
The customer bashfully held out some coins.
“Yes, ten copper mun. Confirmed.” (Employee)
The employee took the coins and skillfully filled out a document before holding it out.
“Here is your confirmation slip. Is there anything else you need?” (Employee)
“Ah, no.” (Customer)
“Then please have a good day.” (Employee)
At that, she left as if regretful, and the employee smiled as he attended to the next customer.
“Next customer.” (Eun Seoho)
Watching that scene, the people inside the money house whispered to one another.
“Is that the employee who completed training this time and was newly assigned here?” (Employee)
“Yeah. That’s right. They say there are even a lot of girls who started saving money just to see that employee.” (Employee)
“When I heard the rumors, I wondered just what he looked like for people to act like that, but at that level, I definitely admit it.” (Employee)
The employee drawing all the gazes of the people in the money house was none other than junior employee Eun Seoho.
These days, he was a celebrity at the Hebei Province main branch of the Geumsan Money House.
Thanks to him, the money customers deposited had been rising sharply.
Because of that, the branch manager and sales employees of the main branch were looking at Eun Seoho with eyes dripping with honey.
After all, they did not have to worry about performance.
Whew, it really is tiring after all. (Eun Seoho)
I tilted my head left and right.
It was because fatigue had built up from spending the whole day attending to customers and repeatedly depositing and withdrawing money.
I looked at the company motto hanging beside me.
[The customer’s money is precious]
I nodded.
Money entrusted to a money house carries the same weight whether it is a single copper coin or a single piece of gold.
That is why it must be handled with care.
Maybe that is why it is even more exhausting. (Eun Seoho)
It was then.
“……!” (Eun Seoho)
“Our employee Eun Seoho. You must be very tired.” (Branch Owner)
The branch owner approached from behind and massaged my shoulders.
Whew, I nearly lashed out with my hand. (Eun Seoho)
I smoothly withdrew the hand that had half gone out.
Good, that was very natural. (Eun Seoho)
“I am fine. It is just that, thinking that you too must have gone through such a process, Branch Owner, I have come to respect you.” (Eun Seoho)
I continued speaking.
“I do not know whether I will be able to endure as long as you have, Branch Owner.” (Eun Seoho)
At my words mixed with flattery, the branch owner smiled and said,
“What obvious thing are you saying? Hahaha! An employee as capable as you will have more than enough endurance.” (Branch Owner)
“Thank you.” (Eun Seoho)
I lowered my head and gave a bitter smile.
A capable employee enduring for a long time means they were treated that well.
Because talent of that level is recognized and coveted anywhere.
That is why the Eunha Trading Company pays considerable attention to employee welfare.
But anyway, when exactly will the forged draft fall into my hands? (Eun Seoho)
It would be nice if it came quickly. (Eun Seoho)
That night.
I left the employee lodging.
Among unmarried employees, those who wanted one were provided individual quarters.
I was staying there as well.
“Liege.” (Seowoo)
When I turned my head at the familiar voice, I saw an unfamiliar face.
But I greeted them gladly.
Because it was the aura of Warrior Seowoo and Warrior Jinyu.
“You recognize me well.” (Seowoo)
“You are the one who lamented that even if you changed your face with disguise arts, your looks could not be hidden, Liege.” (Jinyu)
“Ah, that is true. Where are the two of you right now?” (Eun Seoho)
At my question, Warrior Seowoo answered.
“Currently, we are attached to the security unit.” (Seowoo)
“We deliberately revealed only a little of our ability so that we would not be put in charge.” (Jinyu)
If they became the ones in charge, things afterward would become troublesome.
“Has there been no movement from them yet?” (Seowoo)
At that question, I nodded.
“In my view, they are probably going around the money houses in order and committing their crimes.” (Eun Seoho)
The reason I thought so was that the aura of the Sura Blood Cult clinging to the forged drafts was similar.
Even if they were all from the same Sura Blood Cult, each person’s aura is slightly different.
“So if we wait, they will definitely show themselves.” (Eun Seoho)
I had also thought about having Geumnyeong smell the draft and then tracking the scent of that draft.
But because it had already passed through many people, it was difficult to distinguish the scent accurately.
That is why I am going through all this trouble now.
Should I feed Geumnyeong more money? (Eun Seoho)
— Kkuit? (Geumnyeong)
I was only thinking about it. Only thinking. (Eun Seoho)
— Kkui……. (Geumnyeong)
Aren’t you a little too disappointed? (Eun Seoho)
But why am I doing this without even being able to rest? (Eun Seoho)
Even the Emperor is not calling me, as if telling me to rest. (Eun Seoho)
This is all because of those Sura Blood Cult bastards. (Eun Seoho)
Because of those bastards, I am going through all this trouble. (Eun Seoho)
“You do not look well. Are you all right?” (Seowoo)
“Ah, yes. I am fine.” (Eun Seoho)
I waved my hand, then gave instructions for what came next and returned to my quarters.
And while I washed alone and changed clothes, I suddenly missed Palgap.
If I were at the Beijing branch, Palgap would have helped me and it would have been comfortable.
A few days later.
Today as well, I was pretending to be a kind money house employee.
At that moment, an unpleasant sensation reached me.
“……!” (Eun Seoho)
This is the aura of the Sura Blood Cult. (Eun Seoho)
They finally appeared. (Eun Seoho)
I raised my head and searched for the culprit behind that aura.
He approached the employee beside me.
The employee beside me was my training classmate Kang Il.
“Please pay out the money for this draft.” (Man)
“Understood. I must verify your identity, so could you please give me the identification plaque issued by the money house?” (Kang Il)
At that, the man held out the draft and identification plaque.
I quietly emitted genuine qi and made the draft fall to the floor.
“Oh!” (Kang Il)
At that, I quickly lowered my head and said,
“I will pick it up for you.” (Eun Seoho)
And the moment I grasped that draft, I could tell.
That this was a forged draft.
But the expression of training classmate Kang Il, who had lowered his head opposite me, was very dark.
So I asked without realizing it.
“What is wrong?” (Eun Seoho)
“……This is a forged draft.” (Kang Il)
“……!” (Eun Seoho)
What? He realized this was a forgery? How? (Eun Seoho)
But now was not the time to question that.
“Trust me and pay it out normally. I will handle the rest.” (Eun Seoho)
Perhaps because of the force I momentarily revealed, training classmate Kang Il obediently nodded, and I placed it back on the workbench.
Then I sent a telepathy message to Warrior Seowoo and Warrior Jinyu, who were on guard duty.
— Track this man in front of me. (Eun Seoho)
— Understood. (Seowoo)
At the same time, I asked Geumnyeong as well.
— Geumnyeong. Remember this man’s scent well. (Eun Seoho)
— Kkui! (Geumnyeong)
The money he received was a full one hundred silver nyang.
Now that he knew the forged draft worked, he seemed to have become even bolder.
After confirming the sight of him leaving, I too rose from my seat.
Then I took out the three sick leave applications I had prepared in advance.
Since he knew the situation, I could probably submit them through training classmate Kang Il.
I asked him in a quiet voice.
“If I do not appear even after one shichen, please submit these on my behalf.” (Eun Seoho)
Then I quickly went outside through the back door and asked Geumnyeong.
“Geumnyeong! Track that man from just now!” (Eun Seoho)
“Kkui!” (Geumnyeong)
That was how we tracked him.
How far had we gone?
He entered an inn, and I and the two escort warriors also entered that inn.
He immediately went into a guest room on the third floor.
Then there is a way. (Eun Seoho)
I left the inn and climbed onto the roof.
Because the third floor was the highest floor, I could hang from the roof and peer inside that guest room.
“Hehehe, how much is all this?” (Man)
“The superiors will praise us, won’t they?” (Man)
“Of course! But it feels like making drafts has been a bit slow lately. We’re already out of drafts.” (Man)
“That is because the draft paper has not come out on time.” (Man)
“Those bastards, at any rate. They really made it damnably complicated. Anyway, are preparations to leave all ready?” (Man)
“Of course.” (Man)
“If the Money House Owner notices, we’re dead. Let’s get out of here.” (Man)
“Yes.” (Man)
They packed their luggage like that and left the inn.
They said they had no more drafts.
Then they would surely move to replenish the forged drafts.
In other words, this tracking would take quite some time.
— Geumnyeong. Call all my escort warriors here. (Eun Seoho)
— Kkui! (Geumnyeong)
And I and the two escort warriors continued tracking behind them.
Before we knew it, evening had come, and they entered an inn.
I and the two escort warriors watched them from outside the inn while waiting for the other escort warriors.
“I apologize.” (Yeoeungam)
“We are a bit late.” (Escort Warrior)
“It is fine. You arrived sooner than expected.” (Eun Seoho)
“Here are clothes for you to change into.” (Yeoeungam)
I changed into the clothes Warrior Yeoeungam held out.
They were clothes in a color that was easy to move in and did not stand out much.
“Palgap Soi packed them for you.” (Yeoeungam)
“As expected of Palgap.” (Eun Seoho)
We all changed clothes and continued watching the inn.
The next morning.
They could be seen leaving the inn, and we followed after them.
They traveled farther than expected.
Damn it, this will take far longer than I thought. (Eun Seoho)
Not only did they pass through Hebei Province, where we had been, they even entered Shandong.
Fortunately, just before crossing into Anhui, they headed not for an inn but toward a manor in the mountains.
A place under strict surveillance.
This must be the destination I was looking for. (Eun Seoho)
— I will go in and confirm it. (Jinyu)
— Please do. (Eun Seoho)
At my words, Warrior Jinyu immediately moved.
In truth, there was no one who could match Warrior Jinyu when it came to sneaking into places.
Even before, his skill had been outstanding, but after reaching the transcendent realm, that skill had become enough to make ghosts weep.
Swoosh.
A moment later, Warrior Jinyu appeared without even a trace of presence.
— Liege. That place is certainly the base of those making the forged drafts. Their number is around one hundred fifty. (Jinyu)
It is quite large-scale. (Eun Seoho)
Well, to do something that tremendous, it would have to be on that scale. (Eun Seoho)
— I see. You have worked hard. (Eun Seoho)
Warrior Seowoo asked.
— Are we going to strike that place by ourselves? (Seowoo)
— We are not. (Eun Seoho)
In terms of fighting strength, even just we alone would have no problem striking them, but our absolute number was small, so we could not catch all those who fled.
On top of that, there were several experts as well.
And the Geumsan Money House had to finish this matter.
I took out the whistle hanging around my neck and blew it.
In case the sound of the whistle could be heard at the manor, I blocked it with qi.
Even blocking one side would muffle the sound to some degree.
Huh? (Eun Seoho)
But even though I blew it quite forcefully, no sound came from the whistle.
What is this? Is this faulty? (Eun Seoho)
Holding that question, I blew the whistle again, but still no sound came out.
Was it originally not supposed to make a sound? (Eun Seoho)
We waited there.
How much time had passed like that?
When the sun began to rise, a single black hawk appeared above us and began circling.
— Kkui? (Geumnyeong)
Seeing that, Geumnyeong tilted his head, then said to me.
— Kkui! Kkui. (Geumnyeong)
So that black hawk is now calling its owner? (Eun Seoho)
Then could it be? (Eun Seoho)
Soon, I sensed the aura of someone running toward us at terrifying speed.
He stopped steadily, as if he had not just run here at all.
I clasped my hands and greeted him.
“I greet you, Money House Owner.” (Eun Seoho)
“Whew, where is it?” (Money House Owner)
At his question, I pointed with my hand toward the manor behind me.
“It is there.” (Eun Seoho)
“Are you certain?” (Money House Owner)
“Yes. I am certain. My escort warrior confirmed it.” (Eun Seoho)
“I see.” (Money House Owner)
When he stretched out his arm, the black hawk that had been circling above us came down and perched on the Money House Owner’s arm.
The Money House Owner took out a rolled-up bundle of cloth from his chest.
When he unfolded it, wooden plaques painted in several colors emerged.
He took out a yellow plaque from among them, placed it inside the small, long tube attached to the hawk’s leg, and sent it flying.
Flutter!
“So you contact people using a hawk.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is right. It is a clever old friend who has been with me for a long time. It must have been about thirty years.” (Money House Owner)
Thirty years? Could a hawk live that long? (Eun Seoho)
— Kkui. (Geumnyeong)
At that moment, I heard Geumnyeong’s telepathy.
Ah, that hawk is also a spiritual beast? (Eun Seoho)
Then I can understand how it has been with him for such a long time. (Eun Seoho)
“By the way, I received the report. They said you achieved excellent results at the training center.” (Money House Owner)
“Hahaha.” (Eun Seoho)
“And they say you are a popular employee at the main branch in Hebei Province. Quite a few people must be disappointed. You will now be returning to your real work, will you not?” (Money House Owner)
“When I think of the work piling up even now, my head hurts.” (Eun Seoho)
“In my heart, I would like to hire you through special recruitment, but it is regrettable that I cannot match a monthly salary enough to satisfy you, Young Guildmaster.” (Money House Owner)
“Your words alone are enough for me to be grateful.” (Eun Seoho)
“But there is something I am curious about.” (Money House Owner)
“What is it?” (Eun Seoho)
He hesitated for a moment, then opened his mouth.
“I know that your martial arts are quite outstanding, Young Guildmaster. I do not know for certain, but judging from my experience, you must be far stronger than what is known to the world.” (Money House Owner)
“…….” (Eun Seoho)
He has sharp intuition. (Eun Seoho)
“With skill to that degree, to be honest, even if you did not belong to a Trading Company, you could enjoy wealth and glory……” (Money House Owner)
“You are curious why I have bound myself to a Trading Company of my own accord.” (Eun Seoho)
“That is right.” (Money House Owner)
I grinned.
“Well, that is because I am a merchant. There is nothing strange about a merchant belonging to a Trading Company, is there?” (Eun Seoho)
“That is true, but……” (Money House Owner)
“Then, Money House Owner, why do you run a money house with that level of skill?” (Eun Seoho)
“That is because I have a dream. To protect the property of those without power.” (Money House Owner)
“I too have a dream in the same way. My dream is to make the Eunha Trading Company the greatest Trading Company under heaven.” (Eun Seoho)
And I have to take revenge on the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Martial Alliance as well. (Eun Seoho)
“I see. It was a foolish question on my part.” (Money House Owner)
I asked with a smile,
“But how are you thinking of dealing with them?” (Eun Seoho)
In that instant, chills ran down my spine.
It was because of the cold aura the Money House Owner was emitting.
“Is that not obvious?” (Money House Owner)
Ah. I felt that I had asked for no reason. (Eun Seoho)