He looked as if his world had collapsed, and I tilted my head as I asked.
“What in the world happened?”
“Well, you see… the money is gone.”
“Excuse me? You mean, the money was stolen?”
“That’s right…”
Lord Ma explained the whole situation.
“Those ungrateful bastards ran off with my money.”
“That’s terrible… Were the culprits caught?”
“Thankfully, yes. I was worried since they’re First-rate warriors, but apparently, they got into a fight, and maybe a Mountain Air Poison (散功毒) exploded or something. They were unable to use their martial arts, so capturing them was easy.”
That Mountain Air Poison? I’m the one who set it off.
I had secretly taken some when it was used at Jin Ho’s deputy appointment ceremony and used it this time around.
“That’s a relief.”
“But… they still haven’t said where they hid the money. Even with some rather severe interrogation.”
“Stubborn bastards.”
I heard that Ji-hyeon had once been humiliated by Lord Ma’s escort guards.
So he was probably pouring all that pent-up rage into those interrogations.
Those guards must be losing their minds. They didn’t even get to touch a single tael of that gold.
But this is karma.
The people they tormented suffered far longer.
“They claim they were robbed by a trio of thieves wearing smiling masks, but… three people couldn’t possibly carry off that much money. The horses and wagon were untouched, and there weren’t even any tracks from another cart.”
“They must be lying to cover up the situation.”
“Exactly my thoughts.”
Lord Ma let out a heavy sigh.
“Actually, I promised to give the investment money to the Murim Alliance by the end of this month. But now…”
He was still clinging to the hem of my robe.
“So… could you perhaps lend me some funds?”
“Funds, you say?”
At my question, he nodded with such vigor I thought his neck might snap.
“Didn’t you say yesterday you had more than 10,000 Gold Taels?”
“But that’s for acquiring the shops around here. If I use it for personal matters, my father will harshly reprimand me.”
“There’s really no way around it?”
When I stayed silent, he grew more desperate.
“Please, I’m begging you. Help me out here.”
“…”
I took about half a minute, pretending to think it over.
It’s about time for him to blurt something out.
“Ah! What if we do this?”
“You have a good idea?”
“I’ve got a few shops around here. What if you buy them?”
“You mean, your own shops?”
“That’s right. You said you were here to acquire shops anyway. Wouldn’t this work out for both of us?”
“How many shops do you have?”
“Three.”
“I’d like to see the size, sales, and details.”
Upon hearing that, color returned to his face, and he hurriedly said,
“Then let’s head inside and…”
“Lord, before that, I’d like to visit the Han Family Martial Hall.”
“Hmm, alright.”
We made our way to the Han Family Martial Hall.
“Ahem, is the Hall Master here?”
As Lord Ma called out first, the gates opened, and a familiar young man peeked out.
“Ah, hello, Lord. What brings you here today…”
Then, upon spotting me standing beside Lord Ma, his eyes widened.
“Huh? Isn’t that Deputy Merchant Lord Eun?”
“It’s been a while, young Han.”
“Please, come on in.”
The gates opened wide, and we entered the Han Family Martial Hall.
“Father! Mother! We have guests!”
Soon, a middle-aged man and woman stepped out from inside.
“These are my father and mother.”
“I’m Han Soo, Hall Master of the Han Family Martial Hall.”
Young Han resembled his mother more than his father.
And the Hall Master looks exactly like Han Jae-in when she was disguised as a man.
“I’m Eun Seo-ho, Deputy Merchant Lord of the Eunhae Merchant Group. I had the fortune of meeting young Han up north, so I decided to visit while I was in town.”
“Ah, we heard from Jae-ik. He said you helped him while he was being chased by Snow Leopards.”
“We all have to help each other when we can.”
The Hall Master still looked like he was having trouble moving.
“You don’t seem well. May I ask what happened?”
“Well, that’s…”
“Ahem.”
Lord Ma cleared his throat and cut in.
“Thieves broke in some time ago. He was injured during the commotion.”
“Oh no! That must’ve been terrible.”
Even though I already know the truth, he still has the gall to lie to my face.
Truly shameless.
Well, I suppose he can’t very well admit he ordered the attack himself.
I glanced around the house.
When I first visited to leave the letter, the condition of the martial hall had been appalling.
I was honestly relieved that I didn’t arrive too late.
That’s why I left behind a sack filled with essential supplies, along with a letter.
And since I wanted their situation to improve even a little, I deliberately brought up young Han to Lord Ma.
Perhaps that’s why things had visibly improved around the hall.
I said to Hall Master Han,
“You should avoid the cold wind if you’re unwell. Please, rest inside and take care of yourself.”
“Thank you for your concern. I’ll excuse myself then.”
We moved to the guest room, and young Han’s mother brought us tea.
Being a martial hall, they should’ve had servants for this, but there were none left, probably because of Lord Ma.
“This tea is especially delicious. Perhaps because it was brewed personally.”
“Ahem. I’ll enjoy it then.”
Lord Ma cleared his throat, clearly embarrassed, and young Han smiled and said,
“It’s tea that Lord Ma brought us as a gift the other day.”
“How generous of you, Lord Ma.”
“Yes. Such a very generous Lord.”
I wonder if Lord Ma realized the sharp edge in that comment.
As young Han and I chatted pleasantly, Lord Ma looked more and more anxious.
I wasn’t showing any signs of getting up and helping him with funds, and that was driving him mad.
Of course, I had no intention of standing up any time soon.
I wanted him to feel even a fraction of what young Han’s family had endured—those days and nights of tension and despair.
Lord Ma was likely feeling the exact same way now.
He needed a huge amount of money, and if he failed to prepare it in time, he’d find out exactly why Geumsan Treasury was considered so trustworthy.
His mouth would be dry, and he’d feel like he was on fire from the inside out.
Maybe now he’d start to understand even a little of what the Han Family Martial Hall had suffered.
We continued chatting well into lunch, and as time passed, Lord Ma’s complexion turned darker and darker.
Maybe that’s enough?
If he passes out from stress, I’ll be the one who has to clean up the mess.
“Oh! Look at the time. I didn’t even realize it while we were talking.”
“I really enjoyed it too.”
“Then I’ll see you again next time.”
“Yes, take care.”
We headed back to the Ma Clan Manor.
“I apologize. I suppose I lost track of time since it’s been a while since we last met.”
“Heh… it’s… it’s fine.”
“Thank you for your understanding. Now, shall we take a look at the shops you own?”
When we arrived at the Ma Clan Manor, the Chief Administrator came into the reception hall with documents, as if he’d been waiting.
I studied them with a serious expression.
Of course, I’d already investigated all the shops Lord Ma owned.
Me looking through these documents now was just for show.
Lord Ma’s shops were a ceramics store, a paper store, and a grain store.
They made steady profits, but considering the scale and market potential, they were mediocre at best.
It was only natural.
The shopkeepers were all relatives of Lord Ma.
So they had no real motivation to run the stores properly or chase profit.
Thud.
I dropped the documents on the table and said,
“The profit margin’s too low. I’ll pay 300 Gold Taels per shop. I can’t go higher than that.”
“But the shops aren’t small… Aren’t you underestimating their value?”
“I’m a bit hurt you’d say that, Lord Ma. I calculated that generously, thinking of you.”
“Still, just 300 Taels…”
“The shop I bought last time was in better condition than these, and it was only 250 Taels.”
“…”
“Besides, I have to report all my purchases to my father. If I don’t handle it thoroughly, he might question my capabilities.”
“…”
Lord Ma looked troubled.
Even if he sold all three shops, that would only be 900 Gold Taels.
Far short of the 10,000 he needed.
“Then… how about this? I see here you’ve also invested in a few places.”
“That’s right.”
“Then sell me the rights to those investments. I’ll pay double the amount invested.”
“Y-you mean that?”
Lord Ma’s face brightened.
“Yes. But even with that, it still doesn’t reach 10,000.”
His face darkened again.
“I’ve nothing left to sell.”
“You’ve still got this manor, don’t you?”
“What?! You mean this manor?”
At my words, Lord Ma jumped.
“Yes. With all the valuable items inside, it’s still short of 10,000, but I’ll consider it equivalent.”
“But if I sell the manor, where would I live?”
“Then let our merchant group retain ownership. When you start receiving returns on your investment, pay it back, and we’ll return the deed.”
“Ah! That could work.”
“And…”
As if sharing a secret, I looked around and whispered to him.
“I heard that since you made such a large investment, there’s no need to bring in any other investors. So you’ll receive a very high share of the profits.”
“Is that true?”
“Yes.”
At my words, Lord Ma’s face lit up.
He looked like he already had the profits in his hands.
Of course, this was part of my plan.
In my previous life, the Baekun Escort Bureau project had failed, and investors hadn’t recovered a single coin.
They had trusted the names of the Murim Alliance and the Namgoong Clan.
But the investment contract included a clause that waived all liability for losses, which left many people devastated.
Some even took their own lives.
But this time, things would be different.
“What’s your decision?”
Lord Ma nodded, as if he’d made up his mind.
“Alright. Let’s do it.”
We drew up the contracts.
“When can you give me the money?”
“As soon as the treasury here has the funds ready. I asked, and it should take about three days.”
“Got it.”
“Chin up. Who knows? Maybe those warriors who stole your money will confess where they hid it.”
“Let’s hope.”
“Then I’ll take my leave.”
I stood up.
“Oh, just in case… don’t dispose of anything in this manor without permission. If my father comes in person, I might have trouble explaining.”
“…I won’t.”
After Eun Seo-ho left, Lord Ma exploded in frustration.
“Damn it! Me, Ma Jeong, bowing to some brat like that!”
He kicked a tree in the yard in a fit of rage.
Thud—!
The Chief Administrator quickly tried to stop him.
“Chief! Please don’t do that!”
“What?”
“That tree—no, everything in this manor is no longer yours.”
Lord Ma immediately withdrew his foot and stared blankly into space.
Then, realizing the situation, he let out a furious scream.
“Aaaargh!”
I smirked as I heard Lord Ma’s scream echo behind me.
Sounded like a lion’s roar.
I fiddled with the contract tucked in my robe.
Lord Ma’s downfall wasn’t far off now.
.
.
.
A few days later.
I handed Lord Ma 10,000 Gold Taels.
“Here you are. Please sign the receipt.”
“Alright.”
With that, 10,000 Gold Taels passed to Lord Ma, and all his assets became mine.
I’d cleaned him out completely.
He was now as good as broke.
“When’s the Murim Alliance supposed to arrive?”
“They sent word. They’re leaving tomorrow.”
That means they’ll arrive in about two days.
“I see. I’m a bit worried whether they’ll be able to safely transport all that gold.”
“Ah, don’t worry. Because of the amount, the Murim Alliance is sending the White Thunder Squad (白雷團) to escort it.”
“The White Thunder Squad! I’ve heard of them. If they’re handling it, that’s reassuring. Then I’ll be going now.”
“Yes, take care.”
The only reason I asked when the Murim Alliance was coming…
Was because I plan to steal that 10,000 Gold Taels before it reaches them.
Like I said before,
I won’t allow even a single coin of my money to go to the Murim Alliance.
The White Thunder Squad, huh…
As we walked back, Jin Yu spoke softly beside me.
“Lord, may I take the lead in this next job?”
“Hm? Is there a reason?”
“Truthfully, I have a personal grudge against them.”
–TL Notes–
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