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 immediately took all the food out of his backpack before handing some

are merchants! We’re here in exchange for some goods and local specialties! If you still don’t believe us,

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

and seeing the food, the man lowered his guard slightly before taking the food that Gerald had handed

still inspecting the food, the other vampires were

quickly became the most welcome people in the village, it also caused their food supply to rapidly diminish as the villagers readily traded in gold for the

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

voice

that, everyone watched as a fat man fumbled forward with a few

hmm? What good things have you brought

Chapter 1754

and his group—, Gerald already knew that he was trouble. More accurately, he felt that the fat man was a bandit and a plain bully in

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

Since you’ve come to my village, you

to blackmail them for money. While the threats would surely fool the more gullible people, Gerald was experienced with

Nori for a while now—revealed a sinister

two girls before staring straight in the eye at Fane while saying, “Sir, we’re merchants

leaving, Gerald heard as Fane angrily shouted, “Stop right there! Did I say you could leave? I told you, if

expression instantly soured. Looking at Fane—who was glaring all high and mightily at him—Gerald was pretty sure

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

wish for me to leave behind?” asked Gerald in a casual

hand over all your money or leave those two women behind!” scoffed Fane

I’m reluctant to do

now? If you want to be this defiant,

Fane could say anything else, however,

this was because Gerald

had such ulterior motives on Juno and Nori! The combination of the two was definitely enough to warrant being taught a

seeing their boss getting beaten up, Fane’s subordinates

assaults with

but feel that they were all idiots for even daring to look

on the other hand, simply watched the scene play out in silence. After all, they knew that nothing bad would happen to them

Chapter 1755

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

food for a rainy day. Gerald had made sure to keep some

how large the meat was, all five of them

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

we’ll just take turns being on guard tonight. You can sleep first, and after two hours, we’ll switch

to be done. After all, they were currently in unfamiliar

and Nori’s safety. He swore to himself that he wouldn’t allow either of them to suffer from any injuries or get

naturally not against Gerald’s

each other. Old Flint himself could be seen meditating at

sat before the bonfire, keeping a lookout for danger while occasionally looking at the

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

enjoy in urban areas. With that in mind, the natural beauty—that could

was, the night was uneventful and ended

appeared that despite Fane and his gang’s rashness, they knew their limitations well. After all, that group of bullies hadn’t caused trouble for Gerald and his

that morning when he

had fallen asleep at dawn since he figured that nobody would be dumb enough

after, he came across a group of villagers who were discussing something while standing around a well. With how unpleasant their expressions were, Gerald could

them, they quickly surrounded him. Before Gerald could even ask what

in his bewilderment, Gerald

then harrumphed before furiously retorting, “Was it you

angry villager said that, the other villagers quickly pointed

he did, Gerald was instantly greeted by the sight of a massive floating corpse… With how fat it was, he

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

how did he die? Are you seriously pretending to be surprised that his body is here? You’re the

Chapter 1755

silent it was, the crackling of the bonfire—that Gerald and his party had

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

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

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

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

all, they were currently in unfamiliar territory. With that in mind, they needed

about Juno and Nori’s safety. He swore to himself that he wouldn’t allow either of them to suffer from any injuries or

Ray was naturally not against Gerald’s suggestion,

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

bonfire, keeping a lookout for

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

lights and street lamps in cities, such beautiful sights were impossible to enjoy in urban areas. With that in mind,

was, the night was

After all, that group of bullies hadn’t caused trouble for Gerald and his party

early that morning when he

the 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 have a

a well. With how unpleasant their expressions

could even

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

furiously retorting, “Was it

angry villager said that, the other villagers quickly pointed at the well, prompting Gerald to

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

dead in the well of all places—Gerald

do you 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 a grudge against him, you know? Who else could’ve

Chapter 1756

the house! How could I

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

explained why he and his gang hadn’t caused Gerald

character that deserved retribution sooner or later, Gerald had to admit that

the case was, Gerald then added, “…Look, before we start pointing fingers, let’s just get the corpse

villagers couldn’t argue with Gerald’s logic, so

face had been completely

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

back to his feet, Gerald 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

However, if that was the case, then who was the murderer? What happened

sudden, everyone suddenly heard a young voice

nervous boy who was running toward them, the villagers

have died at their home!” exclaimed the

hearing that, everyone instantly began trembling. Nobody could’ve

Upon closer inspection, all of them had died the same way Fane had, with bloody gashes on their necks. With

on earth could have caused

have come

“T-that’s impossible!”

Gerald didn’t bother about them. Instead, he quickly returned to where they were staying, only

“Where

face Old Flint before saying, “Old Flint, please, come with

that, the old man

Ray followed both of them out as well. While Ray had no idea what

Chapter 1757

wasn’t long before the trio arrived

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

Fane,

bothering to answer Ray’s question, Gerald simply kept his

Flint himself simply stared at the corpse, clearly analyzing it. After a

vampires?” repeated Gerald, surprised by

would 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 only signify that his blood had been sucked up!”

feral vampires in the forests around us? Why weren’t we attacked last night instead?” asked

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 in the middle of the night. Seeing that they couldn’t target us, the feral vampires must

deduction made sense to Gerald, so he bought his words. To think that all this had been the

linger around for any longer. We have

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

they were back 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 attempt to stop Gerald

they eventually managed to enter the old forest deep in the

enshrouded by trees, the group remained vigilant as