The Secretly Rich Man

Chapter 1751

Chuckling in response, Xanry then smiled before saying, “Before that, I’d like to head to the washroom first!”

“Sure thing!” replied Gerald with a nod. While he knew that Xanry was trying to escape, Gerald didn’t feel the need to expose him.

Whatever the case was, Xanry then got up and quickly left for the washroom.

Now that he had finally managed to escape from Gerald’s evil grasp, there was no way in hell that he was going to dare offend Gerald anymore.

Soon enough, the classmate party ended smoothly and Gerald drove home together with Juno…

The second they stepped into her house, Juno instantly smiled as she turned to look at Gerald before saying, “You’ve teased Xanry so much today, Gerald!”

Laughing heartily in response, Gerald then replied, “He’s at fault for offending me in the first place! I certainly couldn’t just let him off after he did that, could I? Besides, you’re happy that I teased him too, no?”

Upon hearing that, Juno nodded before delightedly saying, “Of course I’m happy! That guy’s been pestering me since my university days, you know? At long last, someone humiliated him!”

Since Gerald had humiliated him so much, she was sure that Xanry wouldn’t pester her ever again. That was one troublesome person done with…

At that moment, a tiny creak was heard…

Turning to face the door that had opened, the duo watched as Ray slowly walked out…

Upon seeing them, he then quickly jogged toward them while saying, “Mr. Crawford! Miss Zorn! You’re back!”

“We are, but why are you still up, Ray?” asked Juno.

“I… I’ve been waiting for you to return! Old Flint sent you something!” explained Ray.

“What? He did? What did he send over?” asked Gerald curiously.

Upon hearing that, Ray re-entered his room before returning with a box and handing it to Gerald.

“It’s this unopened box with a letter attached to it! I’m guessing that Old Flint wrote the letter!” explained Ray.

Hearing that, Gerald then took the box and quickly opened it… only to reveal a perfume bag inside that constantly emitted a faint, pleasant smell…

“…That smells so wonderful! I wonder why Old Flint sent you a perfume bag of all things…” muttered Ray.

While the gift was a pleasant surprise to both Ray and Juno, they quickly realized that Gerald was instead, frowning. Did the perfume bag symbolize something…?

Not even bothering to reply to Ray’s statement, Gerald then quickly began reading through Old Flint’s letter… and by the time he was done, his frown was much, much deeper than before.

Seeing how furrowed Gerald’s brows now were, Ray—who had never seen Gerald show such an expression before—couldn’t help but ask in a concerned tone, “What’s wrong, Mr. Crawford? What happened? Your expression looks so unpleasant!”

“Indeed! What did Old Flint say, Gerald?” asked Juno.

“…First of all, this perfume bag… It’s called ghost-luring perfume, and as its name suggests, it’s used to lure ghosts. Moving on to the letter, Old Flint apparently wants to head to a place called Grimhelm to investigate some secrets regarding vampires. Though he’s asking me if I’m willing to go with him, since he sent me this perfume bag, I’m sure he means business. After all, I told him to only send this particular kind of perfume bag over if major issues came up!”

Chapter 1752

After hearing Gerald’s explanation, both of them finally got the whole story. As it turned out, the perfume bag really did symbolize something.

“…Still… couldn’t the ‘major issue’ be a good affair?” asked Ray.

Shaking his head, Gerald then replied, “Unfortunately, I’ve heard tales of Grimhelm before as well. It’s an extremely vicious place, so the fact that he’s gone there must mean that he’s bumped into some trouble.”

Gerald also knew that Old Flint was wise enough not to send such a perfume bag over under normal circumstances. He would’ve only posted it when he was in urgent need of help…

“…I see! Then… When are we leaving?”

“We leave at nine tomorrow morning!” declared Gerald, knowing how urgent the situation was.

Following that, he turned to face Ray and Juno before instructing, “Ray, Juno, go wake Nori up and detail her on all this. Once that’s done, start packing up. I’ll be needing you three to follow me there!”

With how serious the matter was, Gerald needed all the help he could get. After all, with every additional person they had, the more power their party would possess.

Hearing that, Juno then replied, “Got it!”

Ray had no objections either, so the duo quickly parted ways with Gerald.

After that, all four of them quickly began packing up and readying themselves for the trip tomorrow morning…

While Gerald finished packing relatively early, he naturally had a restless night…

By early morning, all four of them were already up, and after cleaning themselves and having their breakfast, the party of four then set off.

With Ray being the driver, the party then drove all the way to the highway entrance—which took about half an hour—near the sea. According to the meeting time in the letter, Old Flint should be waiting for them there by then…

True enough, upon arriving at the highway entrance, all four of them saw an old person wearing a black windbreaker—as well as a black hat—sitting by the roadside, a sandalwood scepter in hand. It wasn’t hard to discern that that was none other than Old Flint. With that, Gerald then told Ray to stop the car next to him.

The second the car stopped, Gerald stepped out before respectfully greeting, “Old Flint!”

Nodding slightly with a grunt, the old man then got into the shotgun seat with Gerald’s help.

With that done, Gerald then told Ray that he would be driving next.

It wasn’t as though Ray had bad driving skills or anything, but the fact remained that only Gerald and Old Flint knew where their destination was. With that in mind, it would be better that Gerald drove rather than having to point out the directions to Ray throughout the entire journey.

Before leaving, Gerald made sure to ask, “Is there anyone else joining us, Old Flint?”

Shaking his head slightly, Old Flint then leaned against his seat, not saying a word…

Since he had a pair of sunglasses on, nobody truly knew whether his eyes were open or closed.

Regardless, seeing that he wasn’t going to get a reply, Gerald then stepped on the accelerator, driving straight into the highway…

“It’ll be about ten hours before we get to our destination. The three of you can get some rest if you want to. After all, we woke up pretty early!” suggested Gerald.

Hearing that, all three of them nodded. After all, there was not much else to do on the highway unless they came across any rest areas. With that, it wasn’t long before all three of Gerald’s companions dozed off…

When that happened, there was complete silence in the car. After all, Gerald was driving attentively whereas Old Flint remained as silent as ever.

Though such a situation would surely be tiresome for regular people—since a ten-hour drive was rather long—, it was a rather easy affair for Gerald. He wasn’t tired in the least…

Chapter 1753

It was at around eleven that night when Gerald and the others finally arrived at the Emerald Realm. The vampires’ territory was an old forest located on an ancient mountain there, and since ancient times, few had ventured into the forest to meet them…

Fortunately for the party, there were still some operating hotels and inns in the vicinity. With that in mind, the group of five could finally settle down and get some proper rest…

After booking some rooms, he allowed everyone to head to their respective rooms to get some well-deserved sleep. After all, they needed to be fully rested before officially entering vampire territory early the next morning…

By dawn, all of them checked out early and immediately began driving toward the old forest in the mountains…

After about forty minutes of driving, the car finally came to a halt at the foot of the mountain. Since the car couldn’t be driven any further, they had no other choice but to continue forward on foot.

Once they got their luggage, they began their journey up the mountain…

As they were walking, Ray couldn’t help but declare, “…I’m not sure about the rest of you, but the air here is amazingly fresh! It feels rather nice to be away from the hustle and bustle of the city!”

The others knew what he meant. After all, the environment here was definitely fresher compared to the city’s. Aside from the crisp air, they were also surrounded by the rejuvenating aura of the plants around them…

Regardless, after walking for about half an hour, the five of them eventually arrived at a village.

The village itself was built by the local vampires, and since they lived in such seclusion, their customs were naturally different.

With that in mind, the second the surrounding vampires noticed Gerald and his party’s presence, they instantly stopped whatever they were doing. As all the vampires stood up and stared vigilantly at the group, a man wearing a leather jacket walked up to Gerald, glaring at the youth as he asked, “Who are you people?”

Naturally stopping in their tracks, Gerald then smiled subtly as he replied, “Greetings! We’re merchants!”

“Hah! A merchant, you say? Look, I’ve seen tons of people like you, so cut the act already! Tell me, are you here for the treasure in the forest?” sneered the man.

Frowning slightly upon hearing that, Gerald couldn’t help but think that the vampires were a bit more difficult to deal with than he had initially anticipated.

a slight pause, he then ordered, “Ray,

took all the food out of his backpack

here in exchange for some goods and local specialties! If you still don’t believe

this to avoid

hearing Gerald’s words and seeing the food, the man lowered his guard slightly before taking the

was still inspecting the food, the other vampires were already rushing

the most welcome people in the village, it also caused their food supply to rapidly diminish

worried. After all, if they had no food left, what were they going to eat when they ventured deeper into

voice

watched as a fat man fumbled forward with a few shabbily-dressed

Outsiders, hmm? What good things have you brought

Chapter 1754

was staring at Gerald and his group—, Gerald already knew that he was trouble. More accurately, he felt that the fat man was

subordinates, he still put on a smile as he replied,

boss of this village! Since you’ve

was merely a gangster trying to blackmail them for money. While the threats would surely fool the more gullible people, Gerald was experienced with people like Fane. With that in mind, he

Gerald could even reply, Fane—who had his gaze fixed on Juno and Nori for a while now—revealed a sinister smile before saying, “Oho,

instantly stepped in between him and the two girls before staring straight in the eye at Fane while saying, “Sir, we’re merchants who are here to do business! Now that we’ve sold all our goods, we should

begin leaving, Gerald heard as Fane angrily shouted, “Stop right there! Did I say you could leave? I told you, if you wish to leave, you have to leave something behind! Otherwise, don’t

high and mightily at him—Gerald was pretty sure that the fat

only think, ‘How absolutely shameless… To think that he so badly wants to stand against me! Well, that’s just

to leave

either hand over all your money or leave those

I’m reluctant to do either?”

dumb now? If you want to be

however, he quickly found himself flying

Gerald had

vulgar toward him, but he even had such ulterior motives on Juno and Nori! The combination of the two was definitely enough to warrant

beaten up, Fane’s subordinates instantly rushed toward

course, Gerald simply countered their assaults with lightning-fast kicks

feel that they were

out in silence. After all, they knew that

Chapter 1755

With how silent it was, the crackling of the bonfire—that Gerald and his party had started in the yard

dinner—that was currently cooking over the bonfire—, it was evident that Gerald had saved some food for a rainy day. Gerald had made sure to keep some rations in his own bag, anticipating the possibility of the villagers exchanging all of the food in

how large the meat was, all five of them were sufficiently full by the time

a slightly worried tone, “…Do you think Fane and his gang will come looking for trouble with us tonight,

two hours,

Gerald would’ve still suggested for the same thing to be done. After all, they were currently in unfamiliar territory.

worried about Juno and Nori’s safety. He swore to himself that he wouldn’t

Ray was naturally not against Gerald’s suggestion, and

fell asleep, their shoulders leaning against each other. Old Flint himself could be seen meditating at the side while Ray eventually dozed

the bonfire, keeping a lookout

bright

cities, such beautiful sights were impossible to enjoy in urban areas. With that in mind, the natural beauty—that could only be witnessed out here in the wilderness—would surely

was, the night was uneventful and

his gang’s rashness, they knew their limitations well. After all, that group of bullies hadn’t caused trouble

abruptly awoken early that morning when he heard

that, the awakened Gerald—who had fallen asleep at dawn since he figured that nobody would

of villagers who were discussing something while standing around a well. With how unpleasant their expressions were, Gerald could only assume

villagers noticed that Gerald was curiously walking toward them, they quickly surrounded him. Before Gerald could even ask what they were

bewilderment, Gerald

hearing that, the villager then harrumphed before furiously retorting, “Was it you who killed Fane? After all, he offended you

the other villagers quickly pointed at the well, prompting Gerald to walk over and look

the sight of a massive floating corpse… With

would die so suddenly—and be found dead in the well of all places—Gerald then faced the villagers before asking, “How…

seriously pretending to be surprised that his body is here? You’re the only one here who has

Chapter 1755

how silent it was, the crackling of the bonfire—that Gerald and his party had started in the yard and were currently

of a very large piece of meat for dinner—that was currently cooking over the bonfire—, it was evident that Gerald had saved some food for a rainy day. Gerald had made sure to keep some rations in his own bag, anticipating the possibility of the villagers exchanging

large the meat was, all five of them were sufficiently full

couldn’t help but ask in a slightly worried tone, “…Do you think Fane and

You can sleep first, and after two hours, we’ll switch places. That way, nobody

After all, they were currently in unfamiliar

of Old Flint, Gerald was more worried about Juno and Nori’s safety. He swore to himself that

was naturally not against Gerald’s

against each other. Old Flint himself could be seen meditating at

the bonfire, keeping a lookout for danger

sky looked utterly picturesque. Soon enough, a bright crescent moon—that had earlier

all the neon lights and street lamps in cities, such beautiful sights were impossible to enjoy in urban areas. With that in mind, the natural beauty—that could only

the case was, the night was uneventful and

they knew their limitations well. After all, that group of

that morning when he heard

awakened Gerald—who had fallen asleep at dawn since he figured that nobody would be dumb enough to attack them in daylight—instantly

a well. With how unpleasant their expressions were, Gerald could only assume that something

him. Before Gerald could even ask what they were doing, one of the villagers pointed at him before asking,

bewilderment, Gerald then replied, “…Was it me,

retorting, “Was it you who killed Fane? After all, he offended

that, the other villagers quickly pointed at the well,

of a massive floating corpse… With how fat it

Fane would die so suddenly—and be found dead in the well of all places—Gerald then faced the villagers before asking, “How… Did

seriously pretending to be surprised that his body is here? You’re the only one here who has a grudge against him, you know? Who else could’ve killed him?”

Chapter 1756

didn’t even leave the house! How could I

the truth, he knew the villagers weren’t going to buy it so easily. With that in mind, the best way to

hadn’t caused Gerald

definitely a villainous character that deserved retribution sooner or later,

we start pointing fingers, let’s just get the corpse up first to

with Gerald’s logic, so they began tugging

everyone saw that his face had been completely ruined. With how badly his face had

to get a closer look at Fane’s corpse, Gerald eventually found a deep gash in Fane’s

then turned to look at the villagers before displaying his hands while saying, “From what I can see, whatever killed Fane had sharp claws. I mean, just take a good look at his mangled face! There’s a deep gash in his neck too that could’ve only been inflicted by extremely sharp claws! With

wasn’t the killer. However, if that was the case, then who was the murderer? What happened the previous night? Also, why

heard a young voice shouting, “S-something terrible has happened!

running toward them, the villagers exchanged

have died

everyone instantly began trembling.

and the villagers then hurried over to where Fane’s subordinates were staying. Upon arriving at the shabby-looking yard, everyone could see their dead bodies lying all over the yard. Upon

earth could have caused all this

could… could the ghost have come

“T-that’s impossible!”

them. Instead, he quickly returned to where they were staying, only to find that Ray and the

to ask, “Where did you head off so early

Ray’s question, Gerald instead turned to face Old Flint before saying,

old man quickly followed Gerald

as well. While Ray had no idea what was happening, judging

Chapter 1757

wasn’t long before the trio arrived

Fane’s corpse—that was now lying on the ground—Gerald then said, “Please have a look at this corpse, Old Flint! Something attacked him yesterday

Fane, Mr. Crawford? We just met him yesterday! How could he

even bothering to answer Ray’s question, Gerald simply

stared at the corpse, clearly analyzing it. After a short

repeated Gerald, surprised by Old

have such sharp claws that could easily kill. What more, if you pay closer attention, you’ll be able to see bite marks on his neck! It can

are feral vampires in the forests around us? Why weren’t we attacked last

his claim, Old Flint then replied, “That’s because the feral ones are afraid of fire. We had a bonfire burning last night, remember? That’s why the feral vampires didn’t go after us. My guess is that this Fane person must have gone out

Flint’s deduction made sense to Gerald, so he bought his words. To think that all this

the case was, Old Flint then added, “We mustn’t linger around for any longer. We have

one final glance at Fane’s corpse before

home, they quickly packed their stuff and silently left the village. After all, if the villagers knew that they were leaving under such short notice, they’d surely

after walking for a bit, they eventually managed to enter

trees, the group remained vigilant as