Chapter 621: The Circumstances of That Land (3)
Tap, tap.
I whipped my head around at the sensation tapping my other shoulder again.
It wasn't a mistake on my part—no way I'd confuse something like that. As a super first-rate expert, there was no chance.
But nothing was visible, not even a trace of energy.
Whether human or beast, they always gave off some kind of presence... but there was absolutely nothing, which set my nerves on edge.
What the hell? A real ghost?
"Kkwi!"
Just then, Geum-ryeong poked its head out from my sleeve and pawed at the table while staring toward my shoulder.
"Kkwi! Kkwi!"
"W-what? Geum-ryeong? What's here?"
Nothing I could see, but Geum-ryeong reacting like that only made it creepier.
My voice must have carried, because the door opened and my escort warriors rushed in.
"What happened, young master?"
"You alright?"
I answered their questions.
"Something's here, but I can't see a damn thing. Geum-ryeong seems to, though."
Everyone turned to look at Geum-ryeong.
It still looked like it was facing off against some entity.
Where the hell is it?
That was when it happened.
"Oh? Something wrong?"
I spun around at the voice from behind. Seo-hyang Sojeo was peeking into the room, documents in hand.
Damn! I was so on edge I didn't even notice her coming.
And this place is dangerous!
"Gwak Vice Officer! Why'd you come here?"
"Had something urgent to ask."
"It's dangerous! There's some unknown presence here that could hurt you too."
"Unknown presence? You mean that white weasel?"
"Pardon?"
"Weasel... right?"
Her unexpected words left me staring blankly, repeating them.
"Yes. A weasel. Adorably cute one, too."
"......"
Come to think of it, Seo-hyang Sojeo had the Ice Crystal Eyes. Eyes that could see the hidden.
Which meant her words were true.
She knelt slightly and extended her hand.
"Good little thing? Come here."
At her call, Geum-ryeong's gaze shifted. And where it landed in her arms...
Huh?
A weasel nestled right there, plain as day.
Why reveal itself now?
I wasn't sure if Seo-hyang Sojeo had made it visible or if it chose to show itself, but relief washed over me knowing the thing that spooked us had a real form.
"A real weasel."
"Whoa... it is."
"Holy crap. Why's there a weasel here?"
That was exactly what I wanted to know.
Seo-hyang Sojeo's Ice Crystal Eyes didn't just see the future—they instinctively detected malevolent beings.
If this weasel were harmful, she wouldn't react like that.
I approached cautiously and raised a hand in greeting.
"Hey there?"
The weasel wagged its tail.
A friendly hello, probably.
"Ahem. Were you the one bothering the people who've lived here?"
At my question, the weasel looked downright dejected.
Huh?
Weasels could look bummed out?
As if answering my doubt, its tail drooped too.
"Kkwi!"
Geum-ryeong climbed up my body and perched on my shoulder.
"Kkwi! Kkwi!"
"Huh? You think this one's got some story? And you'll ask for me?"
"Kkwi!"
After a long chat with the weasel, Geum-ryeong reported back.
"Kkwi! Kkwi! Kkwiik! Kkwi!"
"It's the guardian of this land's vein?"
That made it a spirit beast.
"The folks who built here hid something, and it was trying to tell people about it—but since no one could see you, misunderstandings happened?"
The weasel nodded.
Phew, what a relief.
Not a real ghost like I feared.
But something hidden by the original manor lord who built here?
The haunted house legends started after that lord and his household were massacred...
His belongings?
"Can you show me?"
The weasel nodded and hopped out of Seo-hyang Sojeo's arms.
Then it vanished again, presence and all.
As I hesitated, she asked,
"Why aren't you coming?"
"We can't see the weasel."
"Ah! Right. Follow me, then."
She nodded and led the way.
She took us to one of the manor's buildings.
"Seems like it wants us to dig up the floor here."
The floor was wooden planks.
Meaning we'd have to rip them all up.
"We'll need tools."
I was about to call Palgap when Seo-hyang Sojeo spoke.
"The manor's warehouse has tools."
"How'd you know?"
"I saw it."
"Ah... I see."
Probably a future glimpse of us fetching tools from there.
A moment later.
We grabbed tools from the warehouse and got to work.
Tough labor, but the anticipation of finding something kept everyone digging eagerly, hauling stones and earth.
About an hour in.
Thud.
My shovel hit something hard.
"Something here!"
Yeo Eung-am Warrior carefully brushed away the dirt, revealing...
"Looks like an underground storage or tunnel."
A door leading downward.
"Dig around it safely first."
"Got it."
We widened the hole until the whole door was exposed.
It was bigger than expected—room for two to enter side by side.
"Let's open it."
Seo-u Warrior gripped the handle and lifted.
Creeeeak.
Stairs appeared inside.
Stale air wafted out, untouched for ages.
"Not going in right away. Let's air it out first."
"Wise."
Once the smell cleared and it was ventilated enough, I took three inside.
The rest stood guard outside.
I distributed silk pouches with night pearls, which we hung around our necks.
No light visible within.
Step, step, step.
Down the stairs, a vast cavern opened up.
Shining the night pearls, we froze.
"......"
"Kkwi! Kkwiieee!"
Geum-ryeong bounced with joy at the mountains of gold and silver.
A few artifacts too, it seemed.
Likely the original lord's secret vault.
I could guess what this place was, but not why the weasel wanted it revealed.
It guarded the land's vein—why show it to humans?
Spotting something off while examining, I realized:
This was a vein of pure earth energy.
But part of that pure energy wasn't rising upward.
Why? Something on the floor?
I crouched and swept the ground.
Bricks? No—gold!
The floor was paved with gold bricks.
Were these blocking the vein?
I carefully lifted one.
Whoosh!
Pure energy surged instantly upward.
You rascal! That's why you were so desperate to show us.
The blocked vein wasn't functioning right, and it hated that.
So it revealed this to get the gold cleared.
Then the vein could flow freely.
"First, let's clear these gold bricks from the floor."
"Understood."
We hustled to remove them. But why couldn't the weasel move them itself?
It'd stymied experts before.
Once cleared, the vein pulsed properly.
Satisfying.
"Young master. Something here."
Yi-pil Warrior called me over.
"Looks important."
He pointed to a scroll wrapped in layers of oiled paper.
What is it?
As I reached for it, he stopped me.
"I'll check first, young master."
"Ah, sure."
Yi-pil pulled on green leather gloves and examined it closely.
Makes sense—no one handles poison better than the Sacheon Tang Clan.
"No issues."
"Good."
He unwrapped it and handed it over. I unrolled the scroll.
"Hm? This..."
"What is it?"
"Looks like..."
"Kkwiik!"
Geum-ryeong's reaction confirmed it.
"A map marking a sword mound."
I frowned at the location.
"This is... Yunnan Province, right?"
"Yes."
"Specifically, Chunggyeongseong in Yunnan."
"And this note... if true..."
"......"
I tucked it into my sleeve.
"Keep this secret for now."
"Yes, sir."
Geum-ryeong, who sniffed out money like a pro, missed this vault...
Why?
Something's up.
Heading out with those questions, the waiting group greeted us with relief.
"Everyone safe?"
"Yes."
I glanced at the weasel in Seo-hyang Sojeo's arms.
Utterly content.
"This what you wanted?"
It nodded.
"You did us a solid, so here's a reward."
I offered a gold brick I'd pocketed.
Squeeeal!
The weasel recoiled in disgust and turned away.
"Kkwi! Kkwi!"
"Hates gold? So if we're tossing it, you want it?"
Classic Geum-ryeong—never misses a chance.
That explained why it couldn't clear the gold itself.
It despised gold—couldn't even touch it.
Needed outside help.
"Gasp! What's that?"
Palgap eyed the brick in my hand. I shrugged casually.
"Piles of it down there."
"For real?"
"Whoa!"
"But it's not ours yet. Gotta follow procedure to avoid trouble."
I immediately sought the Jegal Supreme Patriarch.
"I'll buy the manor."
"Oh? Decided?"
"Yes. Now I see why your old friend liked it so much."
"My hunch was right. Contract through me."
I paid and signed.
As he sealed the contract in an envelope, he smiled.
"He'll be thrilled to hear it's sold."
"Win-win."
"The ghost there—it's alright?"
"Yes. No malice. A little appeasement, and it'll be fine. Great location too—grows on you."
I continued,
"Could you clear the area for a bit?"
He nodded at my serious look and dismissed everyone.
"Alright. Why the privacy?"
"I found a vault there."
"A vault?"
"Yes. So, where's the heir of the original lord?"
"No idea why you're asking, but he's dead."
"Pardon?"
"Ten years ago."
"Cause of death...?"
"Illness. Was a vice officer."
"I see. How'd you know so well?"
"Famous playboy in Luoyang. Got rich somehow, hung with rogues till he became one."
"......"
"Unclaimed wealth goes half to the new owner—but since he's dead, it's all yours."
"Then..."
"All yours."
"Got it."
"Struck gold. Congrats."
I didn't mention the vault's size or contents.
Not to deceive him—secrets are safer with fewer knowing.
[...Through the aforementioned series of operations, once Chunggyeongseong falls into our hands, we begin full-scale excavation.]
Especially since the sword mound map pointed to Chunggyeongseong—and it had been handled by someone before.
The scroll detailed an operation to excavate it.
In my past life, I never understood why Chunggyeongseong was so ruined.
Now I did.
Was the original lord's household massacre tied to this map?
Quite possible.
Questions lingered, but I'd gained unexpected wealth and prime land.
Time to start expanding the Luoyang branch?