“The Wuhan is quite noisy these days.”
At the heart of the Man Geum Battlefield, Man Geum-jeon was watering the flowers in the garden while speaking to the Head of Guards.
“It seems the Masters, lacking experience in debt collection, are causing discontent in various places.”
Debt collection is like wringing out a dry rag. If you mishandle the strength, the rag could end up torn.
Those who view people as mere dry rags, pursuing their own greed, inevitably become debt collectors, so it’s no surprise that the grievances are rising.
“Though it’s the merchant’s fate to grow accustomed to the grievances of others, when a heart-wrenching voice lingers in the ears, many people will indeed find it difficult.”
In the battlefield, one must ensure that the grace borrowed is not soon forgotten, and one must not sharpen the blade of hatred. Jang Noya had much to improve on, but he didn’t forget his concerns for his own blood, his grandchildren.
“I’ll subtly advise the Masters.”
“Yes. What is that child up to these days?”
The Head of Guards didn’t bother to ask who the child mentioned by Man Geum-jeon was. Only one young person had drawn the Master’s attention.
“It seems he’s approaching the Three-Eyed Sword.”
“Well, well. Has Cho Cheol even noticed I’m on Wuhan land? Then, I guess waiting will be entertaining.”
It might appear easy compared to high-ranking officials, but the opponent is a martial artist. How will Kang Yoon-ho resolve this awkward situation? Man Geum-jeon was also curious.
“No way did Master Kang choose the forbidden ledger!”
“It seemed he realized as soon as our eyes met. The only way to prove himself was to choose the forbidden ledger.”
It was a test of choice.
In my opinion, the likelihood of you retrieving the money written on the forbidden ledger is almost nonexistent. Make your judgment quickly.
Who would dare to say no? I will retrieve it from the forbidden ledger. Would you say that in front of me?
His own grandchildren found it hard to grasp the forbidden ledger, yet the black-haired youth confidently raised it.
“To inherit from you, one must do this much, no?”
Man Geum-jeon recalled the scene from the test, a smirk forming on one side of his mouth.
“It was indeed a day spent concealing my surprise inside. Who would have thought that Jeon Gil-san would support Master Kang?”
“Well, I was also quite perplexed.”
Expectations met with satisfactory outcomes are certainly joyous. However, an unexpected result from someone entirely unanticipated is truly astounding.
“I don’t mean to be impolite, but I thought he was no different from other Masters. Yet that day, Gil-san was a Master I hadn’t known before.”
“Who else could Gil-san have met?”
The only person different from the other grandchildren was the black-haired youth.
“That’s why it’s even more mysterious. You met by bad fate, yet there you were, standing next to Master Kang.”
“Sometimes, one meets a benefactor who can alter their life in some way. That’s what lucky Gil-san encountered.”
“And the changed Gil-san unconditionally trusts Master Kang.”
“Since childhood, he was the most perceptive among my grandsons. He’d gotten lost in indulgence, and now he’s met someone who can bring him back to reality. The boy who even his mother and father couldn’t change, that kid changed him, so my daughter will surely be thankful one day.”
Recognizing and trusting the person before you as a benefactor. It was undoubtedly Kang Yoon-ho who changed Jeon Gil-san, but the opportunity to change was seized by the grandson himself.
“Master Kang, despite appearing surprised, doesn’t seem displeased. I’ve heard lately that he and Gil-san spend time together like long-lost friends.”
“No matter how hardworking a person is, a friend who can laugh foolishly beside them and brings them water during tough times is precious.”
Though Man Geum-jeon’s eyes were on the flowers, his gaze was directed elsewhere.
The Head of Guards didn’t bother to ask what thoughts were occupying his mind. After decades of serving Man Geum-jeon, he couldn’t possibly miss the grief his master felt for a departed friend, Baek Ga-jang.
Both were outstanding businessmen and passionate young men. They could uphold each other with help during tough times, despite their struggles.
“If you marry Miss Zhuge, you will surely become closer as in-laws.”
The Head of Guards encouraged Man Geum-jeon’s heart, which longed for the past, from their conversation.
“Well, I shall wait and see how fast Hyang wins over Kang Yoon-ho’s heart.”
Having instructed his granddaughter to seduce him, Man Geum-jeon believed she would make her move.
“He’ll surely decide to marry soon.”
“By the way, about the Three-Eyed Sword Cho Cheol… I’m wondering how a child who claims to leave a person behind can possibly retrieve another’s money.”
Man Geum-jeon nodded at the Head of Guards’ words and murmured. The act of debt collection ultimately leads to a fracture between people.
While repaying money through something unpleasant, it’s fortunate if the money is returned, but often both people and money are lost.
He would become a merchant who would leave people behind.
Even the overly confident youth would face trouble this time.
While Man Geum-jeon was thinking, a martial artist came rushing into the garden in haste.
“Master! Master Kang has successfully retrieved the debt owed by the Three-Eyed Sword Cho Cheol!”
“Well, well. He never betrays expectations.”
“Tell me more. What an astonishing tale has spilled from the martial artist’s lips, and Man Geum-jeon couldn’t help but burst into laughter!”
“Ughh. I’m so nervous.”
Back at the mansion after dealing with the Three-Eyed Sword’s affairs, Miss Zhuge sat in a plush living room chair, her voice weary as if she might melt away at any moment.
“I can’t believe we actually got the money back.”
Jeon Gil-san gazed at me with admiration, still crossing his arms and nodding his head, wondering why he looked so pleased. What’s with this guy just naturally returning to our house?
“Miss Zhuge, you truly worked hard. If it weren’t for you, we wouldn’t have had this whole plan.”
If Miss Zhuge hadn’t discovered that Cho Cheol hadn’t yet written the receipt, we wouldn’t have even been able to set a plan in motion from the start.
Adding to that, she played the role of advisor while also handling my tasks, making her the key contributor to the Three-Eyed Sword project. I expressed my gratitude to Miss Zhuge.
“Oh, it’s nothing.”
Miss Zhuge averted her gaze shyly.
“Hey, that’s more than nothing. That guy—your grandpa used the martial artists guarding you as debt collectors from the Man Geum Battlefield. Look how he wants to brush it off.”
“It’s better to use my guards than to risk getting put on the spot asking the Man Geum Battlefield for help. The Three-Eyed Sword probably thought they came to catch me.”
When Miss Zhuge and I are in the same spot, it means the martial artists assigned by Man Geum-jeon must also move.
When the Three-Eyed Sword threatened me, Man Geum Battlefield’s martial artists couldn’t help but step in. In the midst of it, when I yelled at them not to step in, the guards had no choice but to observe the situation for a moment.
From the Three-Eyed Sword’s perspective, the sudden appearance of Man Geum Battlefield’s martial artists could only look like debt collectors, and calming down those collectors made me the future husband of Man Geum-jeon’s granddaughter.
While giving assurance to the Three-Eyed Sword, I also show undeniable evidence that I cannot be harmed.
That was the reason I went to the inn with Miss Zhuge.
“Miss Zhuge, your help was incredibly significant this time.”
“I just helped Master Kang a bit.”
As I kept expressing my thanks, Miss Zhuge’s lips curled into a shy smile, her head nodding slightly.
“Hey, if you’re thankful, let’s go eat somewhere nice. No, let’s find a place to play together.”
Jeon Gil-san looked at us with a ridiculous expression before confidently making a suggestion to Miss Zhuge.
“Huh? Playing… together?”
“Since Hyang’s here, it feels off to have fun with courtesans… Alright! I’ll gather fun people for a drinking party! A huge group, making it lively! Don’t you think Hyang will also have fun?”
“Lively? Uh, um, that….”
Miss Zhuge couldn’t refuse Jeon Gil-san’s suggestion and kept shifting her eyes.
“You just go, Miss Zhuge. We’ll prepare a meal and enjoy it just the two of us.”
A noisy drinking party with strangers? It’s sure to ruin Miss Zhuge’s mood!
“Hehe. Alright then!”
As I blocked Jeon Gil-san, I looked at Miss Zhuge, who responded with a delightful smile, like white hydrangeas in full bloom.
“…….”
Such a surprise attack. It’s a little hard on my heart.
“Hey! By the way! Won’t you praise me?”
While I stood there dazed, Jeon Gil-san shook my shoulder, pointing to himself with his finger.
“Yeah. Good job. Take care.”
“Where am I going….”
Jeon Gil-san seemed to give up and sighed at my lifeless praise.
“You can just go home. You should rest. Since we all contributed today, let’s take a full rest.”
I’m grateful for his help, but hasn’t he been visiting a bit too often lately? I just want to enjoy a meal and rest with Miss Zhuge today.
As I tried to say something, Jeon Gil-san’s expression suddenly darkened.
“What’s wrong…?”
“…My mom is at home.”
Jeon Gil-san mumbled with a despairing expression, avoiding eye contact.
“…….”
It seems the resentment over Jeon Gil-san giving up on being a successor has lingered for quite a while.
“I heard her say, if it’s a lazy mood these days, then why not take the exam? This kid! This kid! While she slaps my back, I don’t know if I’m a person or a training mannequin! When I just stay at home, my blood dries up! If you don’t pass the second round, you and I both die at the hands of our mothers! Right now!”
So it seems that within his household, Jeon Gil-san’s treatment resembles that of a self-proclaimed exam candidate doing nothing but having fun.
“Wait, why am I dragged into this?”
“So, we handled one forbidden ledger, is that the end of it?”
Seems like for Jeon Gil-san’s sake, he won’t have time to rest.
“I gave you a month. One is not enough to satisfy. There’s still time left until the deadline. I want to challenge another one.”
The candidates who brought in different ledgers can still pull some strings if they succeed in a recovery. To be number one, he needed at least one or two more successes.
“The black-haired one in the ledger is the end of the Three-Eyed Sword. Is there a method? Honestly, there’s no clarity in sight.”
“I had already prepared beforehand.”
“What? When?”
“While handling the Three-Eyed Sword issue, I was also preparing on the side. I’ve set things in multiple places, but the concern is if this side doesn’t respond actively, I’m at a loss.”
Already anticipating the possibility of the Three-Eyed Sword’s failure, bait had been laid out immediately after receiving the ledgers.
“Who are you targeting? One person? Or several? Tell me.”
“Well, that is….”
Just as I was about to share the plan with Jeon Gil-san, an urgent voice rushed in.
“Master Kang, a guest has arrived who demands immediate attendance.”
“They’ve come.”
—–
The forbidden ledger.
Together with the Three-Eyed Sword Cho Cheol, questions filled the air about whether money could actually be collected.
Among them were numerous familiar names, mostly from the management in Wuhan, whom I had to encounter one by one due to last time’s Shadowless Thief activities.
Yet amidst those names, there was one particularly unexpected name.
Why is this person listed here?
“Inspector, may I ask why you’re here?”
“Hey, sorry, but do you happen to have some money?”
The Inspector was Jung Mun-won.
