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.

then ordered,

hearing that, Ray immediately took all the food out of

merchants! We’re here in exchange for some goods and

course, Gerald was saying this to avoid the man from further being

words and seeing the food, the man lowered his guard slightly before taking

leather-coated man was still inspecting the food, the

also caused their food supply to rapidly diminish as the villagers readily traded

they had no food left, what were they going to eat when they ventured deeper into the

voice could be heard shouting,

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

hmm? What good things have

Chapter 1754

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

too keen on getting into contact with him or his subordinates, he still put on a smile as he replied, “It’s just some food, but all of it has already been exchanged

village! Since you’ve come to my village, you should hand

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

his gaze fixed on Juno and Nori for a while now—revealed a sinister

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,

Fane angrily shouted, “Stop right there! Did I say you could leave? I told you, if you wish to

and mightily at him—Gerald was pretty sure that the fat man wasn’t about to take him seriously anytime

that he so badly wants to stand against me! Well, that’s just great! I won’t hesitate to deal with you too, then! Daring to even have ulterior motives against me… You

do you wish for me to leave behind?” asked Gerald

or leave those two women behind!” scoffed Fane

reluctant to do

mother*cker! Are you playing dumb now? If you want to be

anything else, however, he quickly

Gerald

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

boss getting beaten up, Fane’s subordinates instantly rushed toward Gerald to

Gerald simply countered their assaults with lightning-fast kicks without

taken out in a single hit, Gerald couldn’t help but feel that they were all

the other hand, simply watched the scene play out in silence. After all,

Chapter 1755

entire area was completely engulfed in darkness. With how silent it was, the crackling of the bonfire—that Gerald

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 all of the food in

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

two hours, we’ll

done. After all, they were currently in unfamiliar territory. With that in mind, they needed to be on guard at all

and Nori’s safety. He swore to himself that he wouldn’t allow either of

not against Gerald’s suggestion,

asleep, their shoulders leaning against each other. Old Flint

a lookout for

utterly picturesque. Soon enough, a bright crescent moon—that had earlier been blocked by clouds—revealed itself along with countless dazzling

areas. With that in mind, the natural beauty—that could only be witnessed out here in the wilderness—would surely be able to

the night was uneventful and

that despite Fane and his gang’s rashness, they knew their limitations well. After all, that

early that

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

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

noticed that Gerald was curiously walking toward them, they quickly surrounded him. Before Gerald could

his bewilderment, Gerald then replied,

villager then harrumphed before furiously retorting, “Was

quickly pointed at the well,

instantly greeted by the sight of a massive floating corpse… With how fat it was, he had no doubt that the body

found dead in the well of

mean, how did he die? Are you 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 sitting around—was

it was evident that Gerald had saved some food for a rainy day. Gerald had made sure to keep some

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

filled, Ray couldn’t help but ask in a slightly worried tone, “…Do you think Fane and his gang will come looking for trouble with us tonight,

sleep first, and after two hours, we’ll switch places. That way, nobody will be able to sneak up

still suggested for the same thing to be done. After all, they were currently in unfamiliar territory. With that in mind, they needed

to himself that he wouldn’t allow either of

Ray was naturally not against Gerald’s suggestion, and he nodded

their shoulders leaning against each other. Old

keeping a lookout for danger while occasionally looking at the

the night sky looked utterly picturesque. Soon enough, a bright crescent moon—that had earlier been blocked by clouds—revealed

urban areas. With that

night was uneventful and ended

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

abruptly awoken early that morning when he heard

Gerald—who had fallen asleep at dawn since he figured that nobody would be dumb enough to

villagers who were discussing something while standing around a well. With how unpleasant their expressions were,

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

slight brow in his bewilderment, Gerald then replied, “…Was

retorting, “Was it you who killed

pointed at the

the sight of a massive floating corpse… With how fat it was, he had no doubt that the body

die so suddenly—and be found dead in the well of all places—Gerald then faced the

be surprised that his body is here? You’re the only one here who has a grudge against him, you know? Who

Chapter 1756

I didn’t even leave the house! How could I have killed him?”

weren’t going to buy it so easily. With that in mind, the best way to clear things out would be by investigating how

explained why he and his gang hadn’t caused Gerald and his party any trouble

later, Gerald had to admit that

added, “…Look, before we start pointing fingers, let’s just get the corpse up first to see how

that, the villagers couldn’t argue with Gerald’s logic,

was out in the open, everyone saw that his face had been completely ruined. With how badly his face

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

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 that in

quickly accepted that he wasn’t the killer. However, if that was the case, then who was the murderer? What happened the

a young voice shouting, “S-something

the nervous boy who was running toward them, the

have died at

that, everyone instantly began

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 closer inspection, all of them had died the same way Fane had, with bloody gashes on their necks. With that in mind, Gerald knew

on earth could have caused all

could the ghost have come out of the

“T-that’s impossible!”

the current events among themselves, Gerald didn’t bother about them. Instead, he

Ray was prompted to ask, “Where did you head

Ray’s question, Gerald instead turned to face Old

hearing that, the old man quickly followed Gerald

no idea what was happening, judging from Gerald’s expression, he

Chapter 1757

long before the trio arrived

at Fane’s corpse—that was now lying on the ground—Gerald then said, “Please have a look at

then shouted in disbelief, “…I-isn’t that Fane, Mr. Crawford? We just met him yesterday! How could he

to answer Ray’s question, Gerald simply kept his

clearly analyzing it. After a

repeated Gerald, surprised by

claws that could easily kill. What more, if you pay closer attention, you’ll be able to

saying is that there are feral vampires in the forests around us? Why weren’t we attacked

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

to Gerald, so he bought his words. To think that all this had been the work of feral

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

then turned to leave, Gerald took one final glance at Fane’s corpse before following Old Flint

the village. After all, if the villagers

bit, they eventually managed to enter the old forest

group remained