Chapter: 665
The first place we arrived at after leaving with Mo Yong-hee wasn’t far from the downtown area.
I couldn’t help but wonder what on earth she was dragging me out for, but in reality, there wasn’t anything particularly special going on.
“Sales have dropped a little.”
At her light remark, the man in front of her wiped his cold sweat and replied, “Th-that’s… it’s happening because a new store opened up nearby…”
Swish…
Mo Yong-hee didn’t pay him any mind, focusing solely on the letter filled with dense writing instead.
“Are you saying it’s because of the competition, Mr. Guest?”
“That’s right. It seems that since it’s a guesthouse operated directly by the Alliance, some customers have diverted to them.”
“Hmm.”
Despite the man’s explanation, Mo Yong-hee continued to concentrate on the letter.
“That could be true. In fact, I have information that some guests who used our guesthouse are now visiting other famous inns.”
Myeonghwagaekjan was the name of the inn currently operated directly by the Murim Alliance in Hanam.
“Even though you said sales have dropped, I don’t plan to blame you, sir…”
Swish!
Just after reading the final page of the letter, she finally looked up at the man, her gaze chillingly cold.
“There’s something a bit strange, isn’t there?”
“…!”
The man flinched at her words, and I could clearly see cold sweat trailing down his thick neck.
“I understand that sales have decreased due to fewer customers… but the quantity of alcohol sold has increased, especially high-end drinks. Is there a reason for this?”
At Mo Yong-hee’s question, the man gulped nervously, immediately spilling out, “Hahaha, it’s because we’ve had quite a few big spenders visiting the guesthouse lately.”
“Big spenders, huh? Any details on that?”
“Here you go.”
Without a moment’s hesitation, the man pulled out a letter from his bosom and handed it to Mo Yong-hee.
She opened it right away, revealing a few names scribbled inside.
“Unseen Ark… Real Ark…”
While they weren’t exactly famous group leaders, they were individuals you might have heard of recently.
So-called.
They’re just the nouveau riche.
With the outbreak of the red monsters, they had exploited the chaos to export weapons.
Once the era of peace shattered, the importance of weapons skyrocketed, allowing those who had been prepared to profit immensely.
“I don’t know what kind of wind is blowing these days, but it seems these important people are showing up frequently. Thanks to them, our sales didn’t plummet too badly…”
“Hmm… I see.”
Nodding slightly while listening to the man, Mo Yong-hee appeared thoughtful.
Perhaps feeling that he had managed to convince her, a small sigh of relief brushed across the man’s face.
“Regarding the drop in sales… I’ll make an effort to recover them somehow—”
“No, it’s fine.”
Mo Yong-hee cut off his words with a smile.
Did he pick up on something? The man’s eyes flickered slightly.
“It’s hard to say the decline in sales is entirely the innkeeper’s fault. There’s no need to put so much effort into that. Just keep running things as you have.”
“B-branch manager…”
At Mo Yong-hee’s words, emotion welled up in the man’s eyes momentarily.
It was an unexpectedly warm comment.
“Oh, I will work hard to manage it properly from now on…!”
“Yes, please do.”
Mo Yong-hee replied with a smile to the guest’s shout, folded the letter neatly, and tucked it into her bosom as she stepped out of the inn.
Watching her back, I thought:
But perhaps, might you not have noticed something odd?
I had mused about that before too.
‘…This is the third time already.’
Thinking back on previous events, those worries had evaporated long ago.
Just look at her now.
Mo Yong-hee’s once smiley face had turned icy cold as she passed the letter to a nearby person with an elegant hand gesture.
And then she said:
“Dispose of this.”
Her voice was eerie.
Should I get rid of this letter, or should I deal with that innkeeper?
I didn’t question it because the answer was already clear.
“I heard you were a smart person, but I didn’t realize you’d be this foolish to embezzle money.”
Her expression resembled that of someone scowling at an insect.
The contempt was all too palpable.
“Did you think no one would notice if you kept such a sloppy ledger and rambled drunkenly?”
So insignificant.
That sentiment was glaringly clear in Mo Yong-hee’s tone.
“Please report the innkeeper to headquarters and clean house. Also, keep a close eye on those mentioned here.”
“Understood.”
The man, hearing her commands, cautiously accepted the letter back.
“I’ll get the list of new innkeepers in two days.”
“Thank you. Oh, and especially with Mihyeondanju, a few weaknesses have been discovered…”
It went smoothly.
In just a few words, the owner of a well-known inn in Hanam was about to change.
“I’ll report separately to the lord, so please just handle the matters I’ve asked you to.”
“I will keep that in mind.”
As the conversation wrapped up, the man slowly faded from sight with the letter.
“Whew.”
Soon, Mo Yong-hee exhaled deeply and lightly waved her fan.
I asked while observing.
“Is it over?”
At my question, Mo Yong-hee turned to face me.
Her captivating, cat-like eyes caught my attention.
The light touch of makeup only enhanced Mo Yong-hee’s already extraordinary aura.
I could feel the eyes of those around us.
Even though she was subtly masking it, this was the effect.
’Bi Hyeon-hwa seems trivial in comparison.’
When comparing pure allure, both Bi Hyeon-hwa and Mo Yong-hee had their charms, but in terms of quality, the difference was evident.
While Bi Hyeon-hwa seemed to struggle to make herself more mesmerizing, Mo Yong-hee radiated an inherent, regal presence.
It felt like observing a precious gem.
As I inadvertently found myself staring, she answered my question.
“It’s half done.”
Half?
“Half? Now…?”
“Yes.”
It was now noon after I had been wandering around since early morning.
Time had flown, and she claimed we were only halfway through…?
As my face dropped in confusion, Mo Yong-hee burst into laughter.
“Master, your expression is just too funny right now!”
“…Only halfway? It’s already past lunchtime, and I haven’t eaten!”
“Did you think the work would wrap up quickly?”
“At the very least, I figured I’d have eaten something.”
“If you’re looking for rice, it’s everywhere.”
As we strolled past the lunch crowds, Mo Yong-hee moved ahead, somewhat curious about her destination.
She headed toward one of the street vendors set up in front, where they appeared to be selling skewers.
“Could I have two, please?”
“Oh… y-yes!”
The vendor seemed startled at Mo Yong-hee’s sudden approach, clearly shocked that she would choose his stall.
Well, who wouldn’t be surprised?
If I didn’t know Mo Yong-hee, I’d probably be taken aback as well.
Even at first glance, Mo Yong-hee exuded aristocracy.
Moreover, when a lady of her grace asked for skewers from a street vendor, the people previously watching couldn’t help but look surprised.
“Here you go…”
“Thank you.”
She took the two skewers with trembling hands and handed one over to me.
I raised an eyebrow and asked.
“…Is this lunch?”
“What’s wrong? It’s delicious. Does Sir not like street food?”
There are times when people from noble families show aversion to such food due to hygiene concerns, although most were just snobbish about it.
I could understand if it was for cleanliness, but that often appeared foolish.
I, too, had been like that when I was younger.
“Who doesn’t know this is tasty? Will this fill your belly?”
I’ve lived through everything.
The luxury of needing to belittle something like this is long gone.
I took the skewer and took a big bite.
After observing me, Mo Yong-hee took a bite as well.
“It’s delicious.”
“I agree. I might need to have a few more.”
It wasn’t a proper meal, but who cares? As long as it fills you up, it counts as a meal.
Nodding in agreement, I thought as much.
“By the way, oh, Sir— I didn’t bring any money with me.”
…Huh?
“Could you buy it for me?”
I couldn’t help but chuckle at her bold request.
“What would you do if I wasn’t around?”
“Well, I didn’t really think that through.”
Fortunately, I had cash in hand.
After having a few more just as she suggested, I paid and we continued on our way.
While moving, I managed to eat a few more skewers. Watching Mo Yong-hee dine, I couldn’t help but think.
“You eat better than I expected?”
“Is that so?”
She was definitely eating much better than I had assumed.
Of course, not as much as Wi Seol-ah, but she was savoring each bite accordingly.
“It’s delicious. Especially since it’s been a while since I had this.”
“How long has it been?”
“Oh, I don’t know…? About half a year, I guess.”
“Why wait that long? If you like it, just eat it whenever.”
Half a year? That’s quite the patience.
“It’s not like I have a grand reason. I tend to hold back when I really enjoy something.”
“For what reason?”
“If you just indulge without restraint, you might tire of it quicker. That’s rather unpleasant.”
Observing her closely, there was a certain peculiar expression as she spoke.
“That’s why I wait. It’s a precious feeling; it should be cherished.”
Is she implying you should savor delicious food?
I supposed that would be a fair understanding.
“And what about you, Master?”
“What about me?”
“Why are you so obsessed with meals?”
…Huh?
That was a question I hadn’t anticipated.
“If I say I haven’t eaten, you seem quite concerned.”
“Did I really do that?”
“Yes, you really do. It’s something you often ask— if I’ve eaten or not.”
“Hmm.”
Thinking back, I suppose that was the case.
“Could just munch a little and move on. What’s with the fuss?”
Mo Yong-hee muttered, seemingly perplexed.
My expression toward her had a hint of exasperation.
“Why do you look at me like that?”
“It’s nothing.”
And how could it be anything else?
I never imagined I’d hear such an inquiry from someone like Mo Yong-hee.
If I’ve come to regard meals as important, it would certainly be because of—
’You.’
Standing right in front of me is Mo Yong-hee. More precisely, it must be due to Seolbong.
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