Chapter 116
Chapter 116
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 116
Chapter Title: Part 16: Sword Family Treasury
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Luoyang Sword Clan, Won-gak Pavilion.
Burly men sweated profusely as they carried massive chests.
Even as they set them down with utmost care in a straight line, sparks flew across the stone-paved courtyard from the sheer weight of the ironwood chests.
With no time to admire the otherworldly scenery of Won-gak Pavilion, they frantically scooped cold water from the buckets brought by the pavilion's maids.
The transportation supervisor stood by the chests, stroking his beard as he asked Jeong-a.
"Shall we verify them now?"
The twin maids bristled at the clerk's rude tone, as if he meant to challenge Jeong-a's authority.
"Your speech is rather curt."
"This is the chief maid of Won-gak Pavilion, the Eldest Young Master's head attendant, and the pavilion's management overseer."
"Just who do you think you are to wag your tongue so freely?"
The clerk, merely a transportation supervisor, involuntarily stepped back from their fierce momentum.
"...Urk?!"
He hurriedly glanced at the warriors of the transport escort.
But despite his pleading eyes, the warriors just stood there blankly, none stepping forward.
If this were outside the Luoyang Sword Clan, it might be different, but when it came to matters among their own Sword Clan kin, there was no reason to get involved in some mere transport supervisor's ego clash.
"H-Hey, you lot...."
Besides, those maids on the other side looked more than capable of handling a single warrior.
Instead, the men were busy stealing glances at the young, beautiful swordswomen.
"Why look back?"
Sensing the warriors' subtle gazes, the twins pressed the supervisor without mercy, noses held high.
"The direction you should apologize to is this way, you know?"
"Having some trouble with your neck vertebrae, perhaps?"
The supervisor cleared his throat awkwardly and changed the subject.
"Ahem. Then let's begin the verification process..."
Ilryeong's eyes gleamed coldly.
"...."
Iryeong and Samryeong's hands inched toward their swords.
Finally, the supervisor bowed deeply toward Jeong-a in apology.
"S-Sorry!"
With no response from Jeong-a, he felt even greater pressure.
"Forgive me! Chief Maid! This lowly one overstepped without knowing his place!"
The status of a steward or maid follows that of their master.
It was clear that Yeon So-hyeon's current position had changed dramatically compared to the past, even in the eyes of the Sword Clan's mid-level clerks.
"Please forgive me...!"
As his head nearly touched the ground and cold sweat dripped onto the stones, Jeong-a finally spoke.
"Begin the verification process."
He inwardly sighed in relief, then shouted at the distant clerks to avoid any backlash.
"E-Everyone, get moving!"
The clerks inwardly cursed him for stirring trouble as they took positions by the chests and rummaged in their robes.
What they drew out were heavy black keys gleaming with luster.
The heads of those keys were all sealed with paper stamped with the red seal of the Sword Family Treasury Chief, the overall overseer.
After meticulously confirming the seals' integrity with Won-gak Pavilion's maids, they tore them open in unison.
"T-Then, we'll open the first locks."
Confirming Jeong-a's nod, he called out.
"Number one locks—open!"
The waiting clerks simultaneously unlocked the first lock on their assigned chests.
The glue-smeared seals tore as the keys turned.
Locks larger than a grown man's fist clattered onto the stones, sparking.
Next, the escort warriors stepped forward, each drawing their keys.
After seal confirmation, the supervisor shouted.
"Number two locks—open!"
More locks hit the ground, and the warriors retreated to formation.
Now only one lock remained per chest.
"Then, the key box you received earlier..."
The maids carried over a metal box.
Its entire lid was sealed with stamped paper. After confirmation, the supervisor drew a key from his robe and unlocked it.
Inside appeared keys matching the number of chests, each sealed.
These were for the final locks.
With Jeong-a's permission, the maids took one key each, broke the seals, and unlocked the last locks.
"Treasury chests—open!"
The burly men strained mightily to lift the lids.
Golden reflections burst forth in all directions.
Even the Won-gak Pavilion maids, trained not to flinch, blinked at the glare.
Each chest brimmed with gleaming gold coins, exuding immense presence.
"...."
The supervisor glanced at the pavilion staff, hoping to savor their awe, but his face fell.
Not a trace of surprise on any face.
Wealth belongs to the master.
They defined themselves as the master's possessions, thus indifferent to riches.
"T-Then, please proceed with the count verification..."
Jeong-a cut him off.
"Verified. Move to the next step."
Her "dragon eyes" had already tallied everything before the chests opened.
"Y-Yes...?"
Dumbfounded, as he'd expected the maids to swarm and count.
"Didn't the chief maid say it's verified?"
"Perhaps his eyesight and hearing aren't what they used to be."
The supervisor's face twitched.
"T-Then, for the final confirmation..."
Since they skipped precise counting, any issue would be their responsibility.
He drew three receipts from his robe. A warrior approached leisurely from afar, arms crossed—the escort captain.
"Please review the contents and stamp and seal each receipt."
The three stamped and sealed documents—one each for the three parties—were pocketed.
"Then, with this, all procedures are complete..."
Jeong-a interrupted.
"And the promissory notes for the remaining half?"
"For the notes..."
The supervisor bowed his head.
"The Treasury Chief will deliver them personally to the Eldest Young Master."
* * *
Won-gak Pavilion's VIP reception room.
"Well then, Eldest Young Master. Please confirm the amount and sign here."
As Yeon So-hyeon reviewed the notes, a sly-voiced middle-aged man proffered a receipt.
"...."
Meeting Yeon So-hyeon's silent gaze, the man slapped his forehead as if just realizing.
"Oh dear, how rude of me toward the Eldest Young Master. Please forgive my impertinence."
A twisted smile played on his lips.
"No receipt needed—surely the great Eldest Young Master of Luoyang Sword Clan wouldn't later deny it and demand duplicates."
He chuckled to himself, haha.
Yet he left the receipt on the table.
"Deputy Treasury Chief."
A heavy voice from behind addressed the sly middle-aged man—the Deputy Treasury Chief.
"Yes, Treasury Chief. Speak."
Turning, he saw an elderly man with white-streaked hair sitting ramrod straight.
"Apologize to the Eldest Young Master."
The voice allowed no leeway, as if revealing his temperament.
"Oh, how regrettable. Please show mercy and forgive this fool, Eldest Young Master."
"...."
The Deputy bowed slightly, his apology subtly grating.
Then, without waiting for acceptance, he rose slyly.
"Well then, business concluded—we'll take our leave..."
The Treasury Chief, seated opposite Yeon So-hyeon, cut in.
"Eldest Young Master, first: despite the emergency order, our Treasury's delayed response caused you undue wait. My apologies."
The Deputy half-sat again, waving dismissively.
"Oh, how is that our fault? The Elders' Council decreed punitive compensation via internal summons..."
Yeon So-hyeon interrupted, addressing the Chief.
"I accept the apology."
"Thank you."
The Deputy's mustache quivered at repeated slights.
"...."
But given the occasion, he dared not act rashly.
The Chief straightened again, speaking to Yeon So-hyeon.
"In that vein, if the Treasury can show sincerity in apology, please name it."
Polite yet dignified, without a hint of servility.
"Oh, Treasury Chief, an apology suffices, no? As I said, it wasn't our error—the Elders' Council..."
"That was after the Council's decision."
The Chief's low voice resounded.
"It took twice the usual time to prepare the amount. What else is that but our responsibility?"
"Ah, well. As mentioned, some staff's personal deviations caused delay—not the Treasury's overall fault."
He finished despite the Chief's sharp glare.
Even though he himself was those staff's direct superior.
"No intentional delay, after all. Haha."
"You...!"
Yeon So-hyeon's voice interjected.
"Did the Sword Family Treasury ask how it might show me sincerity?"
The Chief replied politely.
"Yes, Eldest Young Master."
Before the Deputy could babble, Yeon So-hyeon spoke.
"Then how about extending me a loan?"
"A loan, you say."
Sensing profit, the Deputy nodded and jumped in.
"Oh, loans anytime. For Sword Clan kin, no issue. What amount?"
Yeon So-hyeon answered.
"Five times today's gold delivery."
"...!"
The Deputy's face spasmed briefly.
After mental abacus work, he spoke.
"Possible, but interest would be high, collateral firm..."
"Interest-free, unsecured."
"...."
The ever-chatty Deputy's mouth clamped shut.
At that, Yeon So-hyeon's impassive face curved into a faint smile.
"Is that difficult?"