Volume 5 Chapter 17 – Investment

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Translated by Rain

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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Swallowing down the curses that rose to his throat along with the tea, the Deputy Bank Director raised the corners of his mouth with effort.

“Surely zero interest and no collateral are difficult conditions, are they not? If you made it on the condition of short-term repayment, somehow…”

“Repayment is ten years later.”

At the absurd words, the Deputy Bank Director let out a long sigh.

‘I am not someone to fall for such a shallow trick.’

He judged that this demand of Yeon So-hyeon was intended to provoke him, who had rubbed him the wrong way until now.

Draining the remaining tea, he spoke in a subtle tone.

“I know it is rude, but it seems the Eldest Young Master needs to face reality a bit more.”

Yeon So-hyeon asked back nonchalantly.

“Is that so?”

“Naturally. Though the Eldest Young Master, as a direct bloodline of the Luoyang Sword Family, cannot help but have a unique financial sense.”

“Hmm. Continue.”

Lifting the teapot and pouring tea into his cup, he continued speaking.

“The Eldest Young Master’s name seems to be mentioned frequently among the main family’s elders lately. Elder Yeom has also broken out of his original weight class and is rapidly expanding his influence, producing results to the point where it’s hard to believe he has just ended his seclusion.”

Yeon So-hyeon wore an interested expression.

“Around here, it feels like words like ‘nevertheless’ would come out?”

The Deputy Bank Director gave a bitter smile.

“That is correct. Nevertheless, the Eldest Young Master’s stake in the main family is still far too small. While it is possible for the Eldest Young Master himself to stir the board with your innate cleverness. Well…”

Although the Deputy Bank Director was extremely obnoxious, the analysis he was doing now was fairly accurate.

“To be frank, you might feel offended, but there is practically no force that can be clearly seen as under the Eldest Young Master’s influence. In fact, rather than the stake in the entire main family, other…”

Stealthily reading Yeon So-hyeon’s expression, he chose his words.

“Even compared to the stakes of your other brothers, you still have a long way to go.”

“Indeed.”

When Yeon So-hyeon readily agreed, he laid out his analysis with a slightly lighter heart.

“To add, the Eldest Young Master currently has no share whatsoever in the main family’s businesses. Nor is the prospect of the business you are personally conducting now that bright. Furthermore, you have not yet proven your business talent…”

“Do you think so?”

“I also know that the Eldest Young Master possesses many outstanding talents, but in terms of business talent, how should I put it, well. It still needs proof. I cannot help but speak of it in that way…”

Twisting his words, he stole a glance at the Eldest Young Master’s expression.

“Well, changing the planned business site as a surprise was good, and the growth of external investment is also good. I also heard the rumor that you invited Tea Fan Maiden. However…”

“However?”

After contemplating for a moment, the Deputy Bank Director sighed and spoke frankly.

“Construction will be after the Dragon and Phoenix Gathering for the full opening at the earliest, and to shorten the period, you would need to borrow the strength of the Sword Family Construction, but their unit price is too high, so it would be impossible. And crucially…”

The Deputy Bank Director, who had been speaking smoothly, eventually withheld his words.

“No. In any case…”

Yeon So-hyeon smiled.

“Crucially, you wanted to say that the business will be run aground by the sabotage carried out by my brothers. Is that not so?”

“…Yes.”

The Deputy Bank Director smacked his lips.

“Anyway, therefore, a loan of zero interest, no collateral, and ten years repayment for the Eldest Young Master is impossible…”

Yeon So-hyeon cut him off with an indifferent expression.

“I have heard your analysis well.”

“Ah, yes. Then…”

Just then, the Bank Director, who had been keeping his eyes closed, opened his mouth.

“You want a loan of five times the amount?”

The Deputy Bank Director tried to say something.

“Bank Director? That is…”

“Indeed.”

At Yeon So-hyeon’s reply, the Bank Director opened his eyes and looked Yeon So-hyeon in the face.

“How about ten times the amount?”

The Deputy Bank Director jumped up.

“Bank Director?! That is absurd…”

The two ignored the Deputy Bank Director who was chattering beside them and continued their conversation.

“Ten times. The conditions?”

“I will make it an investment, not a loan.”

“…Excuse me, did you hear my analysis? This business is bound to fail…”

“There will be profit distribution, but any interference in management or auditing is disallowed.”

“…Such absurd conditions?!”

The Bank Director nodded.

“Understood.”

“Good. In consideration of the Sword Family Bank’s sincerity, I will forget about the delay matter.”

“Thank you.”

Throwing his entire body onto the table, the Deputy Bank Director shouted.

“Wait! Please wait a moment!”

He shouted toward the Bank Director.

“Such a risky investment, as the Deputy Bank Director of this bank, I have no choice but to exercise the veto power granted to me!”

Thereupon, the Bank Director spoke in a firm tone.

“I will bear all responsibility for this matter. I will pass this investment proposal by my authority.”

“…Are you saying, Bank Director, that you will bear all responsibility?”

“Indeed.”

The Deputy Bank Director stepped back slightly from the table.

“…Since the Bank Director’s will is so firm, as a subordinate, I have no choice but to follow.”

He skillfully concealed the slight rising of the corners of his mouth.

The Bank Director was walking into his own grave, so there was no reason to stop him anymore.

For if he were dismissed, the next Bank Director would be himself.

As the Deputy Bank Director shut his mouth, the Bank Director spoke to Yeon So-hyeon.

“I will personally take measures so that you can receive this investment money at the earliest date.”

“Thank you.”

As the Bank Director rose from his seat, the Deputy Bank Director, who was already standing, greeted Yeon So-hyeon first.

“Then, we shall…”

Stepping back from his chair, the Bank Director bowed deeply toward Yeon So-hyeon.

At that extremely polite and well-mannered sight, the Deputy Bank Director’s mouth fell open.

“Thank you for using the Sword Family Bank, Eldest Young Master. Please continue to use our bank in the future.”

* * *

At that time, Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment’s meeting room.

In Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment, there were many pavilions that Yeon So-hyeon had closed off in the past because he had no use for them, and one of them was this meeting room.

In the center of the meeting room, neatly remodeled by the maid division, lay a straight-shaped extra-large table for meetings.

At present, three people who had arrived first were sharing a conversation in the meeting room.

“What a cool eyepatch!”

As Yeom Baek-ha marveled, Se-ah fiddled with her eyepatch and wore an embarrassed expression.

“Thank you…”

“By any chance, where do they sell eyepatches like that? Do you use a different eyepatch every day? Is it custom-made? Do you have a specific workshop you mainly use?”

At Yeom Baek-ha pouring out questions with sparkling eyes, Se-ah replied in embarrassment.

“Ah, yes. I mainly request an artisan directly to make them…”

Se-ah asked cautiously.

“Could there perhaps be someone around who needs an eyepatch…?”

Yeom Baek-ha replied with a bright laugh.

“No! I want to wear it!”

“Yes…?”

“Because the Lord of the Crescent Moon Pavilion is so cool! Your limbs are long, and with that dignified yet cool-headed expression, you are the very image of what I want to become in the future! I admire you!”

Although the age difference between the two was not great, there was a major difference between Se-ah, who succeeded with bare hands in the marketplace of Luoyang, and Yeom Baek-ha, who could not even go outside freely due to a chronic illness.

“Ah, yes. Hahaha…”

Feeling unsure of what to say, Se-ah took out her tobacco pipe and bit it as was her habit.

“Kya!”

“…Yes?”

Yeom Baek-ha sparkled her eyes twice as much.

“That pipe! That pipe is indeed the finishing touch! Where do they sell that pipe? Do I also have to smoke a pipe to become like the Lord of the Crescent Moon Pavilion?”

As her body became healthy and she was able to see the outside world, Yeom Baek-ha’s curiosity was exploding lately.

“No, th-that is…”

At the questions pouring in endlessly like that, Se-ah completely lost her usual calm and cool-headed appearance.

The beautiful woman sitting beside her covered her mouth with a sleeve and laughed elegantly.

“You must be pleased, Lord of the Crescent Moon Pavilion?”

At her words, Se-ah swallowed a sigh inwardly.

It was not that she lacked subordinates who admired her around, but the other party was Elder Yeom’s only daughter and the Law Enforcement Envoy of the Luoyang Sword Family.

‘I would rather deal with merchants who have a hundred sly snakes inside them…’

“And this lady is…?”

As Yeom Baek-ha’s attention turned to the woman who accompanied her, Se-ah breathed a sigh of relief.

“I am the lowborn Seo Rim-cheong~. It is an honor to meet you, Law Enforcement Lady.”

The woman’s actions, with charm so naturally melted into her gentle tone, went perfectly with the extremely splendid gisaeng clothes she wore.

“Are you a gisaeng…?”

At Yeom Baek-ha’s question, eyes sparkling at the glittering accessories, Seo Rim-cheong covered her mouth and wore a soft smile.

“Since I live by selling talent, couldn’t it be said to be similar?”

“…?”

For Yeom Baek-ha, Se-ah supplemented the explanation.

“She is a person whom the Eldest Young Master ordered to hire for this business plan. A proper introduction would be best made where the Eldest Young Master is present.”

“Ah, I see! Then, this lady is the one I heard of before…”

Just then, the meeting room door burst open, and a man ran in panting.

“Pant, pant. I am not late yet, right? I’m not tardy, am I?”

Seeing the man gulping down the cold water brought by a maid, Se-ah wore an absurd expression.

“No, Advisor Yeon. Just what is that attire…?”

As Yeon Ha-eung, who wore European aristocratic attire, scratched the back of his head, the gold wig, which had come loose due to running, flipped off completely.

“Well, I don’t know why, but this is suddenly in fashion in Luoyang’s high society lately…”

“Oh! High society! I want to go too!”

“Haha! If it is the Law Enforcement Lady, you would be able to become the main protagonist at any banquet.”

“Advisor Yeon! Advisor Yeon! If I go there, can I wear that kind of attire too?! That strange wig as well?”

“Just trust me! I will prepare as many sets as you like personally! There are many pretty wigs for ladies!”

“Kya!”

The noisy people doubled.

Se-ah sighed for who knew how many times inwardly, then voiced the doubt that suddenly occurred to her.

“…Advisor Yeon. Did you perhaps run through the Sword Family in that state?”

“Yes? Since one cannot ride a carriage inside the main family, naturally, to not be late, I had to run. Is it not something that cannot be helped?”

Yeon Ha-eung looked at her with a face that asked what the problem was instead.

“…”

Se-ah gave up on thinking and leaned back.

Amidst the endless chatter of those two, Yeom Baek-ha and Yeon Ha-eung, she felt as if she would suffocate.

“Hohaho. It is a far more interesting meeting than what I heard~.”

Beside her, Seo Rim-cheong was laughing with a joyful expression.

Just then, the voice of the maid waiting outside the meeting room was heard.

“The Fourth Young Master of the main family and Elder Yu are entering.”

At that sound, everyone rose from their seats.

The door opened, and the Fourth Young Master entered the meeting room with Elder Yu.

And the Red Venom Spider followed behind.

“My, we are a bit late…”

The Fourth Young Master, Yeon Bi, who was about to offer some greeting, stopped speaking and looked at those gathered in the meeting room.

“…?”

Yeon Ha-eung, dressed in European aristocratic attire, looked at the Fourth Young Master as if asking what was the matter.

Next, the woman wearing the extremely splendid gisaeng clothes covered her mouth and wore a soft smile.

And his gaze directed toward Yeom Baek-ha.

“…Ah, this attire. Lately, there have been so many people recognizing me that I tried wearing this.”

Yeom Baek-ha was wearing Pavilion of Perfect Enlightenment’s maid uniform.

The Fourth Young Master tilted his head for a moment, then clapped his hands as if understanding the situation.

“Aha!”

And he spoke to Elder Yu with a bright smile.

“Elder Yu! How about we also go quickly and change into other clothes?”

“…”

Elder Yu let out a deep sigh.