In the vast Central Plains, connections are crucial.
Imagine if I had a fortune before meeting Lady Tang. Would I have successfully managed to establish the Tea Bookstore?
Of course, I would have stubbornly placed the Tea Bookstore on its right track, but as a Black-haired Barbarian, I would have faced countless envy and scrutiny.
The only reason I could establish myself in Yichang successfully was not just because of my ability, but mostly thanks to the inheritance Lady Tang received from the wealthy Baik Family.
Lady Tang’s inheritance isn’t just the mere building of the Tea Bookstore.
The Baik Family was a wealthy household famous in Yichang, with the late Baik Family Head known for numerous good deeds. The support of Lady Tang, the granddaughter of that great man, was her inheritance.
A prime example would be the illegal reproduction incident regarding The Rise of the Tang Family.
While it was morally right for the Tea Bookstore, which Ho Pil supported, to publish The Rise of the Tang Family, does the world run on justice and reason alone?
If I were simply a Black-haired Barbarian suddenly appearing in Yichang, even if the illegally reproduced bookstores said that The Rise of the Tang Family was a public good, I wouldn’t have had many means to respond.
But the Tea Bookstore doesn’t belong to a Black-haired Barbarian; it belongs to the granddaughter of the Baik Family.
In the end, the people of Yichang sided with the Tea Bookstore. Although I did quite a bit of behind-the-scenes work, the crucial factor was that Lady Tang was the granddaughter of the Baik Family.
However, now Lady Tang is no longer here.
Of course, everyone knows about my relationship with Lady Tang, so people wouldn’t suddenly ignore me. But, in situations like this where I need to hire staff quickly, will they step up like it’s their own business?
Clearly, asking for staff on behalf of the granddaughter of the Baik Family, Tang Hwa-rin, and asking through a man who engages in small talk with her would differ significantly in proactiveness and attentiveness.
I could certainly ask my close friends from the Tea and Book Club to help find staff, but I needed to tap into new networks.
I glanced at the black coin with an “O” (汚) written on it sitting in my palm.
Black Token.
It was a coin I received from Uncle Wang at the Chilgok County fabric shop.
Uncle Wang had taught me how to use the Black Token and mentioned that Hao-mun would accept most requests, so it seems to be equivalent to a VIP membership card.
I wasn’t going to request to find out the color of the mischievous lady’s panties living in the Imperial Palace. There wasn’t much use for it, so I had been quietly storing it away in a corner.
Who would have thought it would come in handy to hire staff?
I wonder what Uncle Wang is doing now.
Back when I was in Chilgok County, if I had to name the best person aside from So-hee, it would definitely be Uncle Wang.
He lent me his performance venue, had meals with me, was someone to chat with during quiet times, and sometimes enjoyed a drink while having dinner together.
If given the chance, I should send him a letter.
———–
“I will guide you to the branch leader. This way, please.”
I hurriedly returned after disappearing and was escorted by the Hao-mun Do employee to a lavishly decorated room.
“Welcome. Please sit. So, you’re the Black Token bearer?”
The middle-aged man who seemed to be the branch leader of Yichang offered me a chair.
“Haha. While I’m not a black coin, my hair is black. I’m Kang Yoon-ho.”
I replied lightly to the question and sat down.
“I am the branch leader of Hao-mun in Yichang. So, what brings the famous bookstore manager here?”
As expected of an information organization branch leader, he recognized who I was just by looking at my face. It’s nice to have conversations progress quickly.
“I came to get some introductions for capable employees to work at the Tea Bookstore.”
I showed him the Black Token and explained my purpose.
“You came showing the Black Token just to ask for introductions to bookstore staff?”
The branch leader looked at the Black Token and asked in disbelief.
“I showed the Black Token to prove my identity. I will pay separately for the requests.”
The Black Token is not a free pass for Hao-mun but more like a one-time usage ticket.
As Uncle Wang informed me about using the Black Token, there is also a method for identity verification and payment, so simply showing it now suffices for getting VIP treatment. The money is ready.
“Since you’ve brought the Black Token, I can introduce you to a servant free of charge.”
I guess bringing the Black Token was a good move. This is why managing connections is vital.
“Really?”
“If the Black Token is genuine.”
The branch leader responded in a calm voice.
“Are you saying the Black Token is fake?”
I curiously asked, feeling as if I were caught using someone else’s membership card.
“Where did you get the Black Token?”
“I received it from a friend who told me to use it if I ever went to Hao-mun.”
The source is a secret. I explained vaguely.
“Friend?”
The reaction was unfavorable. The branch leader questioned me as if I had said something strange.
“Is there a problem?”
“The Black Token is something given to those who owe a life debt, their family, or someone of equal standing.”
Does that mean it’s a thing like the Bracelet of Remembrance from the Tang Family?
“I can’t disclose the details, but I received it because I was deserving.”
When I boldly answered, the branch leader glared at me with eyes that seemed to penetrate my soul.
What are you going to do about it?
If I had a face that could be pierced that easily, I would already be in tatters. And I’m not lying.
Uncle Wang and I were mutually supportive. I got a place to work as a talker, and Uncle Wang had customers coming to see the talkers, which was a good relationship.
Moreover, business was thriving, so we enjoyed meals and drinks together, making this a life-debt level bond.
“…First, we need to verify if this Black Token is indeed real. This particular Black Token has never shown its face to the world before. I’ve received training, but this is my first time seeing it in reality.”
When I behaved confidently, the branch leader took a step back and spoke to me.
I thought it was a VIP card, but it’s actually a VVVIP card, and it’s hard to distinguish.
“Then, does that mean I can’t use it?”
“The most reliable person to discern the authenticity of this Black Token in the Central Plains is coming.”
“So, I just need to wait to see if this Black Token is real or fake.”
“Before that, we can discern if you are real or fake… Kang Yoon-ho. Owner of the Tea Bookstore. The manager who found the reclusive author, Ho Pil, and inspired The Rise of the Tang Family, the money-obsessed merchant known for his cunning business tactics that amaze countless people. Am I right?”
Why does everyone I meet lately keep bringing up my bad reputation?
“A man of loyalty who can sacrifice his life like a mere straw for his friends. An honest merchant who knows ethics and can protect the author until the end, please add that.”
I spoke like a troubled celebrity who has to correct misunderstandings and errors on a wiki that no one cares about.
“Hahaha. Right. Seems you risked your life to go to the Tang Family and then returned, so I’ll add those remarks. Wait a moment, life debt…? Ho Pil…? Could it be?! Is Ho Pil the owner of the Black Token?”
The branch leader exclaimed as if he realized something.
“I cannot disclose.”
“Heh heh. You can’t deny it.”
What a complete misunderstanding.
“…….”
I don’t quite understand what’s happening.
Rather than explaining everything in detail, leaving some ambiguity might be beneficial for solving this situation.
I shrugged my shoulders, neither denying nor confirming.
“Can you not precisely explain where you got this coin?”
“It’s difficult.”
I shook my head, firmly rejecting.
I couldn’t fathom the branch leader’s intentions. If it were a trivial matter, he would at least provide some reason instead of suddenly demanding an explanation.
Usually, it’s one of two things.
Either I’ll lose my head if I speak incorrectly, or he’s involved in something he’s not supposed to be.
If I innocently revealed everything I knew, I could put myself in jeopardy.
“Well, if that’s the case, I have no choice. Come in!”
“Everyone, come in!”
What the? Suddenly, dozens of martial artists rushed into the room.
“What is the meaning of this?!”
Think before you act. I quickly stood up from my seat, forcing my back against the wall to avoid being surrounded, and shouted at the branch leader.
“Just tell me who you got it from. If the person you’re thinking of is actually the owner of the Black Token, I will apologize and make amends.”
If it’s not the person you’re thinking of, it sounds like I won’t return alive.
So it really was a serious matter!
Uncle Wang, what kind of item did you give me?
“…….”
First, let’s assess the situation.
Nine men entered the room, plus the branch leader—that’s ten in total. They are armed but haven’t drawn their swords.
There’s no way out through the door. To get through the window, I have to pass by the branch leader. This is so frustrating. I really can’t trust these faction people.
I thought this was just a simple staffing agency, but in the blink of an eye, it turned into a gang office.
“Is this guy saying anything in front of the branch leader? Eyes on him!”
One of the Hao-mun Do members widened their eyes and reached for the sword hilt.
You just fell for it. My hands move faster than my eyes. Like a con artist, I swiftly flicked my hands.
“Argh!”
“Stealth Techniques?!”
Yeah. Stealth Techniques.
One move was all I needed to pierce the Hao-mun Do member’s hand.
The Tang Family’s martial artists recognized my presence and had been trained in their exclusive Stealth Techniques over several months of close instruction.
That was just displayed in my hands.
“Does Hao-mun draw swords before asking guests politely?”
If you get scared, you lose.
I confidently pulled out another stealth technique from my waist and addressed the branch leader boldly.
“You idiots! Were you told to intimidate, not draw arms! You! Did the Tang Family’s martial artists warn you to be cautious because Manager Kang was coming to Yichang? Didn’t they tell you that?”
“Yes, we did!”
“Wait, are we closing up the Yichang branch today like we did the Umbrella branch?”
“Y-yes, we are!”
“Wait, you said to close it?!”
“No, we didn’t mean that!”
At the branch leader’s shout, the Hao-mun Do members quickly sheathed their weapons.
“Kang Yoon-ho, are you a martial artist?”
As the martial artists sheathed their weapons, the branch leader spoke with a seemingly apologetic expression.
“In order to survive in this rough world, one must have hidden techniques.”
Actually, that was the full extent of my preparation.
I pretended to be relaxed as I stored my stealth techniques away. After all, if I were facing real martial artists, simply having the stealth techniques wouldn’t be enough; I’d just be seen as a hissing little kitten.
“It wasn’t intentional.”
The branch leader slightly bowed his head in apology.
“What on earth is happening…?”
What is the identity of the Black Token I brought?
Please explain. The moment I glanced at the branch leader seeking an answer, a woman’s voice came from the entrance.
“Who is it? The one carrying the Black Token from The Shadowless Thief?”
“Huh?”
The person who appeared at the door was a familiar face.
“Ugh! Kang Yoon-ho? Why are you here?!”
That’s what I want to ask! The Shadowless Thief.
———
“This is indeed the Black Token from The Shadowless Thief.”
She inspected the Black Token and confirmed.
The Black Token I brought is actually from The Shadowless Thief.
With The Shadowless Thief right in front of me, what does it mean that this is also The Shadowless Thief’s Black Token?
“The Black Token that Manager Kang brought has vanished for over ten years, belonging to The Shadowless Thief.”
“Vanished over ten years ago?”
I quietly glanced at the pink-haired girl, The Shadowless Thief.
If she wasn’t the same girl who had been popping balloons with her wand since childhood, then someone else must be The Shadowless Thief.
“It’s a well-known story in the martial world, but over ten years ago, a rebellion broke out in Hao-mun. Many martial artists from Hao-mun died or went missing during that time. The Shadowless Thief was no exception.”
Her explanation was concise, but I understood its meaning all at once.
“So, are you suggesting that I didn’t receive the Black Token from The Shadowless Thief but rather obtained it from the rebellion faction? Is that what you mean?”
“Or you could actually be a part of the rebellion faction.”
“Ha….”
“Don’t laugh; just answer. Who did you get it from? What is your relation with The Shadowless Thief? If you can’t explain it properly, you should prepare yourself, even if the Tang Family is involved.”
The branch leader took a step closer, imposing a tension I could feel.
This guy is skilled. The atmosphere becomes serious. As the branch leader threatened me, the other Hao-mun Do members began to glare at me intimidatingly.
It’s a crisis. The Shadowless Thief. So, this girl isn’t The Shadowless Thief yet.
Kang Yoon-ho. Think! Find a way out. The Shadowless Thief. What do I know about this character?
Who is Uncle Wang? Why did he give me The Shadowless Thief’s Black Token? Did he have malicious intentions? No, there’s a high probability he acted out of goodwill.
Search for The Shadowless Thief’s settings.
She inherited martial arts from her father, the previous Shadowless Thief. Father? What was Uncle Wang’s hair color? He had white hair with a slight tint of pink.
Ah! So that’s how it was! I found the method.
“If I don’t reveal my identity….”
“We’ve shared meals together and even gone to the sauna.”
Since we ate together at the inn, I concluded it was a shared meal. I opened my mouth.
“What?”
“The owner of the Black Token and I have shared the money pouch, exchanging favors back and forth.”
Since I had no one to trust with my money, I would sometimes leave it with Uncle Wang, and it made sense since I pulled money for exchanges too.
I carefully observed my surroundings.
“You. What’s your relationship with the owner of the Black Token?”
If I merely state we’re close, the situation wouldn’t improve.
If it’s a typical relationship, he wouldn’t have given me the Black Token.
I could be arousing suspicion by attempting to conceal my identity.
Then, what should I say to clear their suspicions?
“The Shadowless Thief is my sworn sibling.”
