The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 684

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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The Youngest Son of the Eun Hae Trading Company Chapter 684

Chapter 684. The Counterfeit Document Case (2)

I nodded at Hwang San’s words.
“If that is your intention, I understand. Please, have a seat.”
“Thank you.”
I settled into my chair and studied his appearance.
He was impeccably dressed.
He wore the navy uniform of the Geumsan Money Exchange staff, and embroidered on his left chest were the characters [Hwang San, Manager].
Without that embroidery alone, one might mistake him for an ordinary employee of the establishment.
On the surface, he was exceedingly courteous and maintained the bearing of one who serves customers, but cross him and things would turn dangerous.
He broached the main topic first.
“As you’ve likely heard from Bo Vice-Master here, the counterfeit document situation has become quite grave.”
“It is truly lamentable.”
“Which is why….”
He withdrew several documents from his robes and spread them across the table.
“Would you perhaps be able to identify the forgeries among these?”
“I beg your pardon?”
“I heard that you identified the counterfeit documents among those Bo Vice-Master showed you previously.”
“Ah… I simply felt a sense of unease and assumed they were false. It was merely fortunate that I guessed correctly.”
“Human intuition is often far more accurate than one might expect. I myself owe my current position to such instinct.”
So that’s how he sees it?
In truth, I have my own thoughts on this matter.
To accomplish what I intend, I must identify the counterfeits among his documents with absolute precision.
I extended my hand and selected those emanating the aura of the Sura Blood Sect.
The Manager regarded me with an expression I could not quite decipher.
“I believe these are the forgeries.”
“Is that so?”
The Manager nodded and examined the reverse side of each document I had selected with meticulous care.
“Remarkable! Your instinct is truly exceptional! To identify them with such precision! I am genuinely impressed.”
“Did I truly identify them all correctly? Extraordinary! I am equally astonished.”
I continued.
“But how did you know they were counterfeit? Surely Bo Vice-Master said yesterday that no method for distinguishing the forgeries has yet been discovered?”
“Ah… that is only the official position.”
The official position?
“There exists one additional anti-counterfeiting measure that has not been publicly disclosed. Thanks to that, I was able to identify these as forgeries.”
“I see. That is fortunate indeed.”
“I apologize, but I cannot disclose the specific method.”
“I understand. Such methods are naturally kept under the strictest confidentiality.”
I nodded and asked carefully.
“But why have you sought me out? If such a method exists, couldn’t you simply use it to verify whether the documents are forged?”
“There lies the problem. That method can only be employed by myself, and it requires considerable time. Yet we receive tens of thousands of withdrawal requests daily.”
He released a weary sigh.
“As you well know, Small Guild Master, one of our greatest strengths at Geumsan Money Exchange is our rapid cash disbursement.”
His words rang true.
Because our anti-counterfeiting measures were so thorough, we dispensed funds immediately.
That very convenience had made us the unrivaled premier money exchange.
“But if we were to change that system now, what would our customers think?”
“A true dilemma.”
“Precisely.”
He continued with an expression of frustration.
“The only solution is to apprehend the culprit as quickly as possible….”
He trailed off, his gaze fixed upon me.
Was that a look seeking my assistance?
If so, there was no reason to hesitate.
“What if we tried this approach instead?”
“What approach do you suggest?”
“The moment we identify a forged document, we track whoever used it to discover their headquarters.”
“If only we could do that. But without a way to immediately detect the forgeries….”
At this, I pointed to myself.
“That would be me.”
“I beg your pardon?”
“Myself. With the intuition you yourself have acknowledged, couldn’t I detect forged documents instantly?”
“That may be true, but they might become suspicious.”
“No need to worry. I can simply pose as a money exchange employee.”
“No matter how well you disguise yourself, that face is far too distinctive. Moreover, you are quite renowned, are you not?”
“Then….”
I altered my face using the Divine Transformation Technique.
“Will this suffice?”
“What you just did….”
“It is a transformation technique my master taught me. Since it is a secret art, I cannot elaborate on the details.”
“Of course. As someone who practices martial arts myself, I understand such discretion.”
I demonstrated the Divine Transformation Technique before him to establish trust.
He was not a man to speak carelessly.
Neither was Bo Vice-Master.
“Excellent. With that appearance, no one would recognize you.”
.
.
.
Two days later.
I officially announced I was going on a business trip, and set out toward the appointed meeting place with Seo-woo Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior in tow.
The appointed meeting place was where the Guizhou Provincial Administrator would meet Seo Hyang whenever he visited Beijing.
There was nowhere around Beijing with security as tight as this location.
“You’ve arrived early.”
Turning around, Jeon Jang-ju descended from a carriage that had just pulled up and addressed me.
“You’re here?”
“Please board the carriage.”
“Of course.”
My party and I climbed aboard.
The carriage was quite spacious, so even with the four of us—myself, my two companions, and Jeon Jang-ju—there was ample room.
In truth, Palgap had wanted to follow me as well, but having a general employee of the money exchange bring along a servant would draw too much attention.
“We’re heading to the Training Facility. It’s where people receive instruction before being deployed to a money exchange. To others, you’ll be introduced as a new employee.”
“Understood.”
“But are you truly certain about this? To be honest, working as a new employee is no simple matter.”
“I understand. Our Eun Hae Trading Company has the same rule, so I started as a new employee there as well. Nevertheless, my resolve is firm.”
“If that is your intention, then I accept.”
“You seem curious why I would voluntarily invite such hardship upon myself.”
“I won’t deny it.”
When I think about it, this situation arose because I cut off the Sura Blood Sect’s funding.
That’s why I’m stepping forward to resolve it.
But I cannot speak the truth.
In a situation where the Sura Blood Sect remains unknown to the world, mentioning them would require explaining everything I’ve done so far for anyone to understand.
That would risk drawing their attention to me, so it must remain secret for now.
So I offered a prepared excuse.
“Both the Eun Hae Trading Company and I personally have substantial funds deposited with Geumsan Money Exchange, don’t we? If that money is withdrawn through forged vouchers, I’ll be so upset I won’t be able to sleep.”
I clenched my fist for emphasis as I spoke.
“How hard did I work to earn that money! How dare anyone touch my funds!”
“Ah… I understand.”
“Forgive me. I got carried away and showed poor form.”
“Not at all. I feel the same way.”
He offered a bitter smile and then explained the Training Facility to me.
“The Training Facility is located in Hebei Province. Once your training there is complete, you’ll be assigned to the Hebei Headquarters.”
“Understood.”
“I ask for your cooperation going forward.”
We discussed the details of what lay ahead as we traveled, eventually arriving at an inn in Hebei Province.
There, a middle-aged man was waiting for me.
“He is the Vice-Master of the Personnel and Education Department. If you have any questions, direct them to Vice-Master Gu.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you. I’m Gu Seon-mo, Vice-Master.”
“I’m Eun Seo-ho.”
“I’ve heard about you. I look forward to working with you.”
“The pleasure is mine.”
“The training period is two weeks. The two warriors accompanying you will also receive instruction in security matters for the same duration. However, since your schedule has been delayed by about four days, you’ll need to accelerate your learning.”
“Understood. I’ll do my best.”
“Ah! Have you prepared an explanation for your late arrival?”
At those words, I glanced back at Jeon Jang-ju before answering.
“Of course. I’ll explain later.”
“Very well. Then, follow me.”
At that moment, Jeon Jang-ju called out to me and handed me a whistle.
“Use this if you need to call me.”
“Understood.”
I hung the whistle around my neck and followed Gu Seon-mo toward the training facility.
“Two trainees share one room at the facility.”
“I see.”
“Classes run from early morning to late afternoon. Additionally, leaving the premises during training is forbidden.”
As we walked, I listened to Gu Seon-mo explain various rules and precautions before entering the training facility.
The room assigned to me was Room Eight, and someone was already using it.
“Pleased to meet you. I’m Kang Il.”
“I’m Eun Seo-ho.”
Since I’d altered my appearance with the Divine Transformation Technique, I decided to keep my name the same.
As expected, he didn’t seem to recognize me as Eun Seo-ho from the Eun Hae Trading Company.
“Where are you from?”
“I’m from Hubei Province.”
“I see. I’m from Anhui Province.”
“Anhui Province… Ah! That’s where the Namgung Family Estate is located.”
“Yes, that’s right.”
He nodded, and I probed him carefully.
“The Namgung Family is quite impressive, isn’t it?”
“It is, but…”
“Yes?”
“It’s nothing.”
He seemed reluctant to discuss the subject.
Did he have some reason for this?
I didn’t press further about the Namgung Family.
For now, simply learning this much about his reaction was a significant gain.
“Wasn’t this recruitment exam quite difficult? I thought I’d fail this time.”
“I felt the same way.”
He mentioned that the Geumsan Money Exchange had held its recruitment exam this April.
Being one of the Empire’s most renowned money exchanges, it attracts countless applicants for its recruitment examinations.
The monthly wages are generous, and the benefits are quite exceptional.
“But it’s been four days since training began. Why have you arrived so late?”
“Ah… there’s quite a story behind it.”
I deliberately sighed and continued.
“On my way here, I unfortunately encountered the Green Forest Bandits.”
“Good heavens!”
“They robbed me of everything I had and dragged me to their mountain stronghold, where I was about to be sold into slavery. But when I didn’t arrive, the Manor Lord personally made inquiries and rescued me.”
“My goodness! Such a thing happened?”
“Yes. Truly, I shall never forget such kindness.”
Kang Il seemed to accept my fabricated story at face value.
He expressed sympathy and offered to help me.
“You must have suffered greatly. Then I shall teach you what you missed over these four days.”
“Thank you.”
Thanks to him, I managed to learn the four days of instruction, however roughly.
Boom, boom, boom!
Then came three drum beats.
“Ah! It’s time for dinner. Please follow me.”
“Of course.”
I followed him toward the Dining Hall.
“Here, you simply take a tray and utensils, and the Head Chef and his staff place bowls on your tray and serve the meal.”
“I see.”
“Tonight’s dinner appears to be chicken.”
I received my evening meal as Kang Il instructed and sat at the place he recommended.
“Everyone, say hello. This is my fellow trainee who shares my room.”
They appeared to be trainees who had become close with Kang Il.
“I see.”
“But what circumstances brought you here so late?”
“It seems there was quite an unfortunate situation.”
I nodded and recounted to them the circumstances I had told Kang Il.
“I see. Having overcome such a great ordeal, smooth sailing surely awaits you from here on.”
“Indeed.”
Fortunately, they seem like good people.
After all, the Geumsan Money Exchange places considerable importance on character when hiring staff.

Morning broke.
Though classes began at the Hour of the Snake, the day’s routine started at the Hour of the Rabbit with a run through the Training Ground.
Fortunate indeed.
Without training, my body would feel sluggish, but running through the Training Ground like this allowed me to loosen up.

* * *

Gu Seon-mo let out a heavy sigh.
It was because of the counterfeit promissory notes that were now threatening the Geumsan Money Exchange.
While his department—Personnel and Education—wasn’t directly involved, it was still a major upheaval shaking his workplace.
‘I hope this matter gets resolved quickly.’
Just then, an employee approached him.
“Sir, this is a document that just came up from the Training Facility.”
“Ah, is today the day the training concludes?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Let me see….”
He opened the document.
It was a transcript of the trainees who had completed their education.
“Hmm?”
His eyes brightened as he examined one trainee’s scores.
“What is it, sir?”
“This trainee, Eun Seo-ho—he’s earned top marks in every field.”
“Yes, that’s correct.”
He nodded.
“From what I’ve heard, all the instructors at the Training Facility have spoken with one voice about what a promising talent he is.”
“I see.”
Gu Seon-mo felt a pang in his chest.
It was a shame that such an exceptional talent would have to spend his career at the Geumsan Money Exchange.
‘But if this fellow can resolve the counterfeit promissory note incident, that alone would be worth celebrating… Still, the more I think about it, the more wasteful it seems.’

* * *

My time at the Training Facility had finally come to an end.
I had now become a perfect Money Exchange employee.
After the graduation ceremony concluded, we were waiting briefly.
“Where do you think Eun Seo-ho will be assigned?”
“Who knows? Honestly, isn’t it random?”
“That’s true.”
I laughed at Kang Il’s words.
Honestly, I knew where I’d be assigned, but that was a secret.
A moment later, someone climbed onto the Lecture Platform.
“Now I will announce your assignments. First, the top graduate: Eun Seo-ho.”
“Yes!”
“Hebei Headquarters.”
“Yes!”
Just as the Jeon Jang-ju had told me.
I grinned wickedly.
Now all that remained was to create forged receipts and crush those bastards who had infuriated me.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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