The Youngest Son of the Eunhae Merchant Group - Chapter 685

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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 685

Chapter 685. The Counterfeit Note Incident (3)

The Geumsan Money Lender’s Hebei Headquarters.
It was a massive eight-story building.
Befitting its status as the main establishment, various departments occupied the upper floors, but the first floor conducted the money lender’s core operations.
“Next customer, please.”
“Yes!”
“How may I assist you?”
The customer stared blankly at the employee’s courteous face.
“Customer?”
“Oh! I’m s-sorry! I, I came to deposit some money.”
“Of course. Please provide your vault token and identification card.”
“H-here you are.”
She presented her vault token and the identification card issued by the money lender.
After verifying them, the employee spoke.
“Confirmed. How much would you like to deposit?”
“Here.”
The customer handed over coins, looking embarrassed.
“Yes, ten copper coins. Confirmed.”
The employee accepted the coins and skillfully prepared a receipt, sliding it across the counter.
“Here is your receipt. Is there anything else I can help you with?”
“Oh, no.”
“Then have a good day.”
With that, she reluctantly left her position, and the employee smiled as he attended to the next customer.
“Next customer, please.”

Those inside the money lender’s establishment whispered among themselves as they watched.
“Is that employee the one who just completed the Training Academy and received his new assignment?”
“Yeah, that’s him. I heard there are even kids starting to save money just to see him.”
“When I heard the rumors, I wondered what he could possibly look like, but I have to admit—he’s definitely something special.”
The employee drawing all eyes in the money lender’s establishment was none other than junior staff member Eun Seo-ho.
He had become a celebrity at the Geumsan Money Lender’s Hebei Headquarters these days.
As a result, the deposits customers were making had increased dramatically.
Consequently, the branch manager and sales staff at the headquarters regarded Eun Seo-ho with eyes dripping with honey.
After all, they no longer had to worry about their performance metrics.

* * *

Phew, this is indeed exhausting.
I rolled my neck from side to side.
Fatigue had accumulated from spending the entire day attending to customers and repeatedly depositing and withdrawing money.
I glanced at the motto hanging beside me.

[A customer’s money is precious]

I nodded in agreement.
Whether it’s a single copper coin or a Gold Coin entrusted to the Money Exchange House, each carries equal weight and significance.
That’s why they must be handled with care.
Perhaps that’s why I’m even more exhausted.
It was then.
“…!”
“Our Eun Seo-ho employee—are you struggling much?”
The Branch Manager approached from behind and began massaging my shoulders.
Phew, I almost let my hand slip out.
I smoothly withdrew my hand that had been halfway rising.
Good, that was perfectly natural.
“Not at all, sir. I was simply filled with admiration thinking of how you must have endured this same process.”
I continued speaking.
“I wonder if I can persevere as long as you have, Branch Manager.”
The Branch Manager laughed at my flattering words.
“What are you saying? With a capable employee like you, you’ll endure and then some. Hahaha!”
“Thank you.”
I lowered my head with a wry smile.
A capable employee endures because they’re treated well.
Talent of that caliber is coveted and recognized everywhere.
That’s why the Eun Hae Trading Company pays considerable attention to employee welfare.
But when exactly will those counterfeit notes come into my hands?
I hope it’s soon.

That night.
I left the Employee Dormitory.
Single employees who wished for it were provided with private quarters.
I had been staying in such a place as well.
“Master.”
When I turned my head at the familiar voice, I saw an unfamiliar face.
Yet I greeted them warmly.
Because I recognized the auras of Seo-woo Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior.
“You recognize us quite well, sir.”
“The master has lamented that even when changing one’s face through transformation techniques, that distinctive presence cannot be concealed.”
“Ah, that’s true. Where are the two of you stationed now?”
Seo-woo Warrior answered my question.
“Currently, we are assigned to the Security Division.”
“We deliberately revealed only a portion of our abilities to avoid taking on a leadership position.”
If we became supervisors, subsequent matters would become troublesome.
“Have there been any movements from them yet?”
At that question, I nodded.
“From what I can tell, they are likely making their rounds through the money exchanges in sequence, committing their crimes.”
The reason I believed this was because the aura of the Sura Blood Sect clinging to the counterfeit notes was similar.
Even among members of the same Sura Blood Sect, each person’s aura differs slightly.
“So if we wait, they will inevitably reveal themselves.”
I had considered having Geumryeong track the scent of the notes, tracing them by their smell.
But since they had already passed through many hands, it was difficult to distinguish the scent accurately.
That’s why I’m going through all this trouble now.
Should I feed Geumryeong more money?
– Kwuit?
I was just thinking about it. Just thinking.
– Kwui….
Don’t be so disappointed.
But why can’t I rest and am still doing this?
The Emperor hasn’t even summoned me with the intention of having me rest.
This is all because of those Sura Blood Sect bastards.
I’m going through all this trouble because of them.
“Your expression doesn’t look good. Are you alright?”
“Ah, yes. I’m fine.”
I waved my hand and then issued further instructions before returning to my quarters.
And as I bathed alone and changed clothes, I suddenly missed Palgap.
If Palgap were at the Beijing Branch, things would have been easier with his help.

A few days later.
I was once again playing the role of a courteous money exchange employee.
Then I felt it—that unmistakable, repugnant sensation.
“…!”
This is the aura of the Sura Blood Sect.
Finally, they’ve shown themselves.
I lifted my head and located the source of that malevolent presence.
He approached the employee standing beside me.
The employee next to me was Kang Il.
“Please disburse the funds for this note.”
“Understood. I’ll need to verify your identity. Could you provide the identification token issued by this exchange?”
He then produced both the note and the identification token.
I subtly released a pulse of true energy, causing the note to flutter to the floor.
“Oh!”
I quickly bent down and said,
“Allow me to retrieve it for you.”
The moment I grasped that note, I could sense it.
This was a counterfeit.
But Kang Il’s expression, as he bent down across from me, was deeply troubled.
So I found myself asking,
“What’s wrong?”
“…This is a counterfeit note.”
“…!”
What? He detected it was forged? How?
But now wasn’t the time to question that.
“Trust me and process the payment normally. I’ll handle the rest.”
Perhaps due to the sudden authority in my tone, Kang Il nodded without hesitation, and I placed the note back on the work table.
Then I sent a silent transmission to Seo-woo Warrior and Jin Yu Warrior, who were on guard duty.
– Follow this man in front of me.
– Understood.
Simultaneously, I made a request of Geum-ryeong.
– Geum-ryeong. Remember this man’s scent well.
– Chirp!
The amount he received was a staggering one hundred silver taels.
Knowing that counterfeit notes could pass through, he seemed to grow bolder.
After confirming his departure, I rose from my seat.
Then I retrieved three sick leave requests I had prepared in advance.
Since I was aware of the situation, I could submit them through Kang Il.
I made my request to him in a low voice.
“If I haven’t returned within two hours, please submit these on my behalf.”
I quickly slipped out through the back door and turned to Geum Ryung-i with an urgent request.
“Geum Ryung-i! Track that man right now!”
“Squeak!”
And so we began our pursuit.
How far did we travel?
He entered an inn, and my two Guard Warriors and I followed him inside.
He went directly to a guest room on the third floor.
Well then, there was a way.
I left the inn and climbed onto the roof.
Since the third floor was the highest level, I could hang from the roof and peer into the guest room below.
“Hehehehe, how much is all this?”
“Upper management will surely praise us, won’t they?”
“Of course! But lately, making the notes seems to be getting slower. We’re already out of notes.”
“The note paper hasn’t arrived on schedule.”
“Those damned brats. They’ve made things so unnecessarily complicated. Anyway, is everything prepared for departure?”
“Yes, sir.”
“If the Pawn Shop Master notices, we’re dead. Let’s move now.”
“Understood.”
They gathered their belongings and slipped out of the inn.
They said they had no more counterfeit notes.
Then they would surely move to replenish their supply of forged documents.
Which meant this pursuit would take considerable time.
– Geum Ryung-i. Summon all my Guard Warriors.
– Squeak!
My two Guard Warriors and I continued tracking them relentlessly.
Evening fell, and they entered another inn.
My two Guard Warriors and I waited outside the inn, watching them while we anticipated the arrival of the others.
“My apologies.”
“We’re a bit late.”
“It’s fine. You arrived faster than expected.”
“Here are clothes for you to change into.”
I changed into the clothes the Yeo Eung-am Warrior offered me.
They were practical for movement while remaining inconspicuous in color.
“Palgap prepared them for you.”
“Palgap, as expected.”
We all changed clothes and continued our surveillance of the inn.
The next morning.
We saw them leave the inn, and we resumed our pursuit.
They traveled far farther than I had anticipated.
Damn, this is going to take far longer than I thought.
We had already passed through Hebei Province where we were stationed and ventured into Shandong.
Fortunately, just before crossing into Anhui Province, they headed not to an inn, but to a Mountain Estate under heavy surveillance.
This was clearly a place under strict watch.
This must be the destination I had been seeking.
– I’ll go in and confirm what’s there.
– Please do.
At my words, Jin Yu Warrior moved immediately.
In truth, when it came to slipping into hiding, no one could match Jin Yu Warrior.
His skills had been exceptional before, but since reaching the pinnacle of mastery, his abilities had become almost supernatural.
Whoosh.
Moments later, Jin Yu Warrior reappeared without a sound.
– My lord. That place is definitely the headquarters of the counterfeit note makers. Their numbers are approximately one hundred and fifty.
Quite an impressive operation.
Indeed, to undertake such a massive enterprise, they would need at least that many hands.
– I see. Thank you for your efforts.
Seo-woo Warrior asked.
– Should we strike that place with just our forces?
– No, that won’t do.
In terms of combat strength, we could handle them ourselves without issue, but we lack the absolute numbers to capture all those who might flee.
Moreover, there are several masters among them.
And the final resolution of this matter must fall to Geumsan Money Exchange.
I withdrew the whistle hanging around my neck and blew into it.
I covered one side with my finger to muffle the sound in case it carried to the estate.
Blocking just one side would deaden the sound sufficiently.
Huh?
Yet despite blowing quite forcefully, no sound emerged from the whistle.
What’s this? Is it broken?
Puzzled, I tried blowing into the whistle again, but still no sound came.
Does this whistle not produce sound at all?

We waited there.
How much time had passed?
As the sun began to rise, a black hawk appeared above us and started circling.
– Caw?
Seeing this, Geum Ryung-i tilted her head and spoke to me.
– Caw! Caw.
So that black hawk is calling its master right now?
Then could it be?
Soon I felt the aura of someone rushing toward us at a terrifying speed.
He stopped smoothly as if he hadn’t been rushing at all.
I cupped my fist and greeted him respectfully.
“I greet you, Jeon Jang-ju.”
“Hmm, where is it?”
In response to his question, I pointed with my hand toward the estate behind me.
“It’s there.”
“Are you certain?”
“Yes. I am certain. My Guard Warrior confirmed it.”
“I see.”
As he extended his arm, the black hawk that had been circling above us descended and perched on Jeon Jang-ju’s arm.
Jeon Jang-ju withdrew something from his robes—a bundle of cloth rolled tightly.
When he unrolled it, wooden tablets painted in various colors appeared.
He selected a yellow tablet from among them, placed it inside a small, elongated tube attached to the hawk’s leg, and sent it flying.
Whoosh!
“So you communicate using hawks.”
“That’s right. An intelligent old friend who has been with me for a long time. It’s been about thirty years, I’d say.”
Thirty years? Could a hawk live that long?
– Caw.
At that moment, I heard Geum Ryung’s telepathic voice.
Ah, so that hawk is also a Spirit Creature?
Then it makes sense that they’ve been together for so long.
“Regardless, I’ve received reports. I hear you achieved excellent results at the Training Facility.”
“Haha.”
“And you’re a popular employee at the Hebei Headquarters main establishment, so many must be disappointed. You’re returning to your original duties now, aren’t you?”
“Just thinking about the work piling up gives me a headache.”
“I’d like to hire you through special recruitment if I could, but unfortunately I cannot match a salary that would satisfy the Small Guild Master.”
“Your words alone are gratitude enough.”
“But there is something I’m curious about.”
“What is it?”
He pondered for a moment before speaking.
“I know your martial prowess is quite exceptional. I’m not certain of the exact level, but based on my experience, you’re far stronger than what’s known in the world.”
“….”
You have good instincts.
“With skills like yours, honestly, you could enjoy wealth and glory without belonging to any trading company….”
“So you’re curious why I willingly bind myself to the trading company.”
“Precisely.”
I smiled wryly.
“Well, I am a merchant. It’s hardly strange for a merchant to belong to a trading company, is it?”
“That’s true, but….”
“Then, Jeon Jang-ju, why do you run a pawn shop with those skills of yours?”
“Because I have a dream. To protect the wealth of those without power.”
“I too have a dream. To make the Eun Hae Trading Company the greatest under heaven.”
And I must also take revenge on the Baekcheon Trading Company and the Murim Alliance.
“I see. That was a foolish question on my part.”
I smiled and asked.
“But what do you intend to do with them?”
In that instant, my spine went cold.
It was because of the chilling aura emanating from Jeon Jang-ju.
“Isn’t that obvious?”
Ah. I regretted asking that question.

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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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