Chapter 62: Apply Now!

    Is this even real? My eyes trembled as I opened the account ledger and a chaotic swarm of numbers spewed out. I deciphered what I could and ignored the rest.

    Anyway, to sum it up We only have just enough money to scrape by right now Bok Man-Chun started, watching my expression carefully.

    BAM!

    I slammed my hand onto the table in disbelief. How the hell is this possible? I inherited a fortune, not a mountain of debt! Where did all that money go?

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    Originally, Old Man Heos inheritance didnt belong to me, but Cheong Cheon transferred the will and its rights to me, making it my personal fortune. Yet, here Bok Man-Chun was claiming that my precious wealth had vanished into thin air.

    Could this middleman have embezzled the money I squinted at Bok Man-Chun.

    Bok Man-Chun, his senses sharpened by years of freelancing, twitched in protest, I swear I didnt do what you think I did! Werent you the one who told me to invest in various businesses, Young Master!

    I did say that, but this still doesnt add up.

    Young Master, think about it, Bok Man-Chun pleaded, exasperation creeping into his voice. You gave up on the loan shark business, Old Man Heos primary source of income. Not only that, you ditched the brothels, and all the other shady businesses too. Wheres the money supposed to come from now?

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    Were only left with legit businesses like inns, restaurants, bars, and smithies. Im planning to register us as a trading company and an escort agency to cut our taxes, but these were never our main moneymakers. Well have to expand them all. Can we agree on that?

    Well, yeah. I nodded, folding my arms. It made sense.

    Bok Man-Chun brandished some papers, waving them before me. Now look at this. You recently bought a store in a prime location called the Hidden Dragon Restaurant, splurged on a mansion in front of the Azure Dragon Academy, and poured a fortune into its renovation. Plus, that old geezer you recommended may be a master craftsman, but he only fancies the priciest equipment!

    Recalling Wiji Yeols insistence on top-notch equipment for top-notch craftsmen, I sighed inwardly, He did mention something along those lines.

    See? Spare cash in this scenario? You mightve started with a fortune, but at the same time, you also need to invest heaps to ensure our long-term financial security.

    Still

    Fear not, though. Im not the kind of man who would let the businesses go into debt without letting you know beforehand, Bok Man-Chun shamelessly reassured me.

    If youre seeing this, you are at the wrong place.

    I sighed and stared at him, asking, But emptying the coffers, isnt that a tad excessive?

    I swear to my wife and kids, I have not made a single bad investment, Bok Man-Chun declared solemnly. Your inheritance is a hefty responsibility, but Im confident Ive made the right financial decisions. Once your businesses are firmly established, we can hire people to manage them for us, and the steady profits will guarantee that well be able to live comfortably for the rest of our lives. Of course, I wont work in that direction if youre not willing, Young Master.

    I locked eyes with Bok Man-Chun. The man possessed the temperament and foresight of a true merchant. He invested generously in the present, not for small short-term profits, but for grand long-term gains.

    Hes an honest man, and after our trip to the Freelancers Bazaar, I know that I can trust him with my money.I do feel a bit guilty about hiding my identity and fooling him, but I cant confess when hes burning with ambition like that.

    After a brief silence, I collected my thoughts and asked, How long till the business turns a profit?

    Bok Man-Chun beamed. Well break even in a year, and then its smooth sailing all the way!

    Y arent you reading this at ?

    One year. A pain in the neck right now, but a small price to pay for substantial future gains. I nodded and said, Alright, go for it. I entrust everything to you, Administrator Bok.

    Thank you. You wont regret it!

    As for the trading company and the escort agency

    Yes?

    Lets name them while were at it.

    What names do you have in mind?

    How about the White Dragon Conglomerate and the White Dragon Escort Agency? I said, grinning. Establishing the White Dragon Academy was out of the question now, but Id grown fond of the name.

    The White Dragon Conglomerate I like it. Sounds like itll become the biggest and richest in the Central Plains one day, Bok Man-Chun chuckled.

    Anyway, due to certain personal circumstances Im dead broke right now.

    This is a non-profit translation. Ads? What ads?

    Huh? Ak Yeon-Hos ears perked up, eager to hear my story.

    Wait Does that mean Myeong Il-Oh, who believed I was treating them to food and drinks, tensed up.

    This isnt enough. Its a significant sum, but nowhere near enough to buy elixirs or the stuff Wiji Yeol needs. Like Bok Man-Chun said, long-term investment is the way to go, but for now, Im penniless, and paydays a ways off.

    All Ive got is a big house, myself, and two freeloading students.

    Sigh

    Why the long face?

    Money is so easy to spend but so hard to earn.

    Suddenly, Myeong Il-Oh, his face puffed up with alcohol, scratched his chin. Hyung-nim, if youre that strapped for cash, how about doing some private tutoring? I know its time-consuming, but

    Private tutoring?

    If youre seeing this, you are at the wrong place.

    Myeong Il-Oh blinked incredulously. You know, one-on-one martial arts instruction for a fee. Youre an Azure Dragon Academy instructor, so there must be loads of folks eager to learn from you.

    Huh? Oh yeah, the Azure Dragon Academy entrance exam is just a month away. Nows the perfect time to offer exam prep classes, Ak Yeon-Ho, half-slumped on the table, chimed in.

    Bingo! Thats it! Why didnt I think of that sooner?

    I pressed Myeong Il-Oh, Have you tutored before? How do you go about it?

    Before Myeong Il-Oh could open his mouth though, Jaegal So-Yeong answered, her speech slightly slurred from alcohol, I usually do it a couple times a week, about an hour each. Sometimes I get paid per lesson, sometimes monthly. I wouldnt recommend it, but

    Why not?

    Jaegal So-Yeong pouted. Private tutoring is mostly for rich kids, so they can be

    Spoiled?

    Yeah. I did it a few times at the Heavenly Martial Academy

    If youre seeing this, you are at the wrong place.

    I contemplated Jaegal So-Yeongs words. If it was just dealing with spoiled kids, then tutoring didnt seem too hard. The real question is, can it pay the bills?

    I asked bluntly, Whats the tutoring rate?

    It varies In this field, every tutors different, so averages dont mean much

    Im not concerned with averages. I want to know the top dogs rates. What does Namgoong Su charge?

    Jaegal So-Yeongs eyes widened. Namgoong Su wasnt just her senior instructor, he was also the sole Star Instructor at the Azure Dragon Academy. Naturally, his tutoring fees would be sky-high.

    Namgoong-oppa should be able to get at least three hundred silvers a month per student?

    Three hundred silvers? I gaped. A hundred silver coins could sustain an average family for a year. Three hundred silvers were three times that.

    He rakes in that much cash just tutoring martial arts twice a week for a month?

    I clicked my tongue, remembering Namgoong Sus aloof demeanor. Hmph, so he was a money-grubber after all.

    Why arent you reading this at northbladetl.com?

    In any case, it was promising. I grinned absentmindedly, lost in my fantasies. With that kind of money, I can do whatever I please, heheh~

    Uhm, Hyung-nim. You mustve missed it, but Miss Jaegal said that new instructors dont make much

    What do you mean? If its me, I should be earning more than Namgoong Su. I looked at the three of them in confusion.

    What?

    How does that make any sense?

    Whod pay that much for a rookie instructor!

    They looked at me in disbelief.

    Y arent you reading this at northbladetl.com?

    I smirked at them. Dont worry, my lessons are well worth every cent.

    The next day, my two students and I scoured the city, posting flyers everywhere.

    Translators Note: This is the 200th chapter on northbladetl.com! Yay! (I know Im slow)