Chapter 200: Are You Ready to Borrow Money?
Chapter 200: Are You Ready to Borrow Money?
The Immortal’s Debt.
It was a term coined as the antithesis to the King Yama’s Debt, a notorious form of predatory private lending. Because it was money lent without interest—money granted by a celestial being, as it were—it was called the Immortal’s Debt.
I knew about it, of course. A major incident involving the Immortal’s Debt had occurred before my regression. The moment I heard the name, I thought to myself: So those bastards were already moving back then. The truth behind the Immortal’s Debt incident wouldn't be revealed to the world until much later.
Go Wol explained the concept.
“It’s a new term that has surfaced recently, referring to lending money without charging interest. It’s a rumor spreading secretly, primarily among young martial artists.”
The Immortal’s Debt.
It was a name that heralded the beginning of an atrocity so vile it would make even a demon recoil.
“When I first heard in Guizhou that people were lending money to young martial artists without interest, I simply thought some wealthy tycoon was performing an act of charity. However, I heard of it again in Chongqing, and then in Hubei. Of course, I wouldn't have known if I didn't deal in information. It’s spreading quite discreetly.”
And that was exactly where Go Wol’s suspicion began.
“Who on earth would lend money without taking a single cent of interest? And why only to young martial artists, of all people?”
It seemed Go Wol had already sensed that something was amiss.
“Upon investigation, I found a mysterious organization called the Mutual Aid Society was behind the loans.”
The name implied helping one another, but their true identity, revealed later, was the Dark Merchant World.
“There was one decisively strange point,” Go Wol added.
“What was it?”
“They say there is no repayment date on the promissory notes.”
“No interest and no repayment date? Then the borrowers would lose their sense of responsibility and never think to pay it back.”
“Exactly. That is why people have started borrowing more and more without ever intending to pay it back.”
It was a tactic designed to keep the targets borrowing. They were likely all bright young men, but they lacked the experience to handle the despicable cruelty of a "dagger hidden behind a smile" designed specifically to ensnare them.
“They must have been under a delusion. A lack of a repayment date doesn't mean you can postpone it forever; it means the lenders can show up at any moment and demand the principal in full.”
What if they suddenly appeared, presented a stack of accumulated promissory notes, and demanded the entire sum at once?
If the borrower couldn't pay, the lenders would immediately drop their friendly facade. Depending on the target’s disposition or personality, they would resort to violence or threaten to kill their family. They might appeal to the borrower's conscience or try to coax them with sweet words. In the meantime, they would have investigated every single weakness the target had. Since the borrower had freely taken money without even paying interest, public sentiment and justification would lie with the lenders.
“They use money to completely seize control of a person’s life. They probably never intended to recover the money in the first place. They’ll use that debt as leverage to make the borrower do their bidding. The moment someone commits a single crime in exchange for having their debt wiped clean, they become a slave to those bastards for life.”
Go Wol looked at me with admiration.
There was no need for such a look. I didn't figure this out because I was brilliant; I knew because it had actually happened. You’re the impressive one for catching onto this conspiracy without missing a beat.
The scum of the Black Realm used those indebted youths to commit countless atrocities. Because of that, many innocent people lost their lives. There were also many young people who committed suicide, unable to bear the agony.
The fact that the Dark Merchant World was behind all of this wasn't revealed until many years later—the truth of their heinous barbarity, of how they thoroughly toyed with people using money.
When dealing with those who used the King Yama’s Debt, one could at least be cautious from the start. But these people approached with smiling faces and sucked the very marrow from the bones of the youth.
By the time they were eventually branded as Public Enemies of the Murim, the leader of the Black Realm and the high-ranking officials had already vanished after amassing a fortune. In the end, they were never caught.
“I want to see just how much money they have to be pulling a stunt like this.”
I understood Go Wol’s intention. Since we were currently suffering from a lack of funds, he meant for us to deal with these villains and seize their capital. Since he was the one directly spending money to build the organization, he likely felt a sense of guilt toward me.
“Since we’re short on cash, shall we go get some help from these ‘immortals’?”
When I readily agreed, Go Wol’s expression brightened.
“May I mobilize the information network?”
“This organization isn't mine; it’s yours. Use your judgment, move first, and report to me later.”
I gave him full authority and my absolute trust in the matter. Go Wol bowed his head in gratitude.
“Show me what you can do.”
“Yes, sir!”
It was the moment Go Wol first moved against an external enemy.
Go Wol would handle the planning from here on out. I just had to throw my fists on the stage he prepared. Being able to feel this at ease was surely the privilege of a leader with a capable strategist.
*
When I finished the conversation and returned to the room, silence reigned. The Fist Demon and the Pungcheon Cult Leader were drinking tea without a word. The awkwardness was suffocating.
“What were you two talking about?”
At my question, the Pungcheon Cult Leader replied.
“I told him to take good care of our Second Young Master.”
“Even though you’re always cursing me behind my back?”
“You have to keep succeeding for me to have a reason to keep cursing you, don't you?”
“That’s true.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader seemed to be in a much better mood. Seeing his brightened demeanor, I glanced at Go Wol. Go Wol also had a look that said he didn't know why.
The reason was revealed that night.
I found myself inside the Space-Time Displacement Technique created by the Pungcheon Cult Leader. When I asked to talk for a moment, he had activated the technique. It was a field spread out under a blue sky—a truly beautiful and refreshing landscape.
“Master!”
“Master?”
“Have you forgotten? Didn't we agree that, at least inside here, I would consider you my master?”
The person who had passed the Space-Time Displacement Technique to me was none other than the Pungcheon Cult Leader. That was why we had previously discussed me treating him as a master within this space.
“Ah! That’s right.”
Instead of being happy, the Pungcheon Cult Leader let out a lament.
“What is it?”
He sighed and spoke.
“Since it’s you, I’ll be honest. When I heard the Fist Demon had become your master, I was actually glad. It wasn't because I was happy the two of you became master and disciple, but because I thought, So the Fist Demon got stripped bare by you too. I had been feeling depressed, thinking I was the only one you’d fleeced.”
Only the Pungcheon Cult Leader could say something like that so bluntly.
“But then I thought about it, and I’m your master too, aren't I? It wasn't the Fist Demon who got fleeced first; it was me. It was me!”
I couldn't help but laugh at his self-reproach.
“Are you mocking me?”
“Mocking you? You’re my master.”
“Fine, mock me all you want.”
“Cult Leader.”
“What is it?”
I gazed at him for a moment and spoke with total sincerity.
“Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For staying by my side. For staying by Go Wol’s side.”
“What’s gotten into you all of a sudden? I don't have any money!”
Why was I doing this? It was something I was trying hard to maintain in my relationships with people lately. Something just as important as looking a person straight in the eye.
Speaking up.
Don't save it for later; say it. Don't delay when the thought occurs; say it. I was putting that into practice right now.
“I’m truly grateful.”
When I expressed my gratitude sincerely once more, the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s gaze deepened.
“I’m doing fine, so you don't have to look after me like this.”
“No, I will. I’m only human, so I’ll make mistakes. If I ever neglect you, please keep cursing me. Tell me not to treat you like you did back then! Tell me not to treat you like a fish already caught! Just keep cursing me.”
A breeze blew past, fluttering our robes.
Watching the grass lie down in unison as it surrendered to the wind, the Pungcheon Cult Leader asked, “Go Wol told you to look after me, didn't he?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you young things looking after an old man like this? It’s wounding my pride.”
“Strategist Go said that he still dreams of the time he was bound in shackles. He said it seems truly difficult for someone to escape their past. He thought it would be the same for you, Cult Leader.”
“He should worry about himself. Listen, Second Young Master. Don't worry about me; look after your strategist. He’s been having a hard time lately.”
“Can't you look after him yourself?”
At that, the Pungcheon Cult Leader suddenly bared his inner thoughts.
“This was the place Go Wol loved most. He truly loved the fields and the sky here. But after he became a strategist, I became reluctant to bring him here.”
“Why is that?”
After a brief pause, the Pungcheon Cult Leader spoke.
“I’m afraid. I’m afraid that if he comes here, he’ll think: I was so oppressed back then that I actually missed this fake world.”
I understood the Cult Leader’s concern. Yes, the past has a way of stubbornly refusing to be shaken off.
“Bring Strategist Go here.”
“Bring him?”
“Just because he doesn't come here doesn't mean the memories will disappear. Would a man as brilliant as him have forgotten this place just because he hasn't visited?”
“...!”
“On the contrary, if he wants to forget it, he’ll have to do it here.”
Whoosh.
Was it reflecting the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s heart? An even stronger wind blew through.
“Well then, I’ll be going now.”
Even after I left, the Pungcheon Cult Leader did not emerge from the Space-Time Displacement Technique for a long time.
*
The next day, the Pungcheon Cult Leader was still inside the Space-Time Displacement Technique. He was in the same place, but with a different person. Go Wol stood where I had been.
“It’s been a while since you were here, hasn't it?”
At the Cult Leader’s words, Go Wol nodded with a somber expression. Watching Go Wol’s reaction warily, the Pungcheon Cult Leader asked, “What’s wrong?”
“What do you mean? Being here just reminds me of the old days. I don't have a single good memory here, do I?”
Hearing those words directly from Go Wol made the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s heart ache.
“Why did you bring me here? To tell me that I’m still wearing your invisible shackles? Is that it?”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader was flustered by Go Wol’s cold reaction.
“No. I just, after all this time...”
“Let me out.”
“Fine.”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader, who was about to release the technique, suddenly flared up. Thinking about it, he felt a surge of anger.
“Hey! Why are you getting so serious and angry? Are our old memories nothing to you? I’ve apologized several times for what happened back then! Do you really have to be this prickly? I just wanted to...”
The Pungcheon Cult Leader trailed off. What exactly did he want to do with him? Did he want to reminisce? Because Geom Mu-geuk told him to? Or did he want to hear Go Wol say that he was okay now? Dammit! He shouldn't have opened this place.
It was then. Go Wol’s soft voice reached him.
“Cult Leader. Were you worried I’d act like I just did?”
Startled, the Pungcheon Cult Leader looked up. The Go Wol who had been angry just a moment ago was gone, and he had returned to his usual self. The Pungcheon Cult Leader realized that Go Wol had been acting on purpose.
“What do you take me for, worrying like that? You’ve known me all this time and you still don't know me?”
“To be honest, the more I see you, the less I know. I don't know you, and I don't know myself.”
Go Wol looked around and said, “I wanted to come here. I’ve never been as happy as I was when I was here. I’m traveling all over the Central Plains now, but I liked it better when I was standing here with you. So I was waiting for when you’d finally ask to come here.”
At that, the Pungcheon Cult Leader roared.
“What kind of crazy talk is that? Take that back right now! You liked this pathetic, fabricated world better? Are you insane? This place is just... forget it! I told you to forget it! How can you like this trashy place that was nothing more than a breathing hole in that miserable life? Is that all your life amounts to now? If you’re that unhappy, what’s the point of an information network? Forget the Second Young Master and everything else, just quit!”
Seeing the fiery intensity in the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s eyes, Go Wol felt a surge of hot emotion welling up. To have one person like this in one's life—what more could one ask for?
“Aaaaah! This is great!”
Go Wol began to run through the field just like in the old days. Then, he sprawled out on his back.
“It’s good.”
“What’s so good about it?”
“Because you finally seem like that foul-tempered Cult Leader again. Did your anger dissipate a bit today?”
“Dissipate? My suppressed rage just built up all over again.”
But contrary to his words, the Pungcheon Cult Leader’s expression was more relaxed than it had been before entering the technique.
Go Wol, who had been lying down, sat up.
“Cult Leader, let’s go. I’m busy.”
“Stay a bit longer. Rest more. Forget about that trivial work. Forget about the Second Young Master, too.”
At that, Go Wol’s gaze turned toward the sky again.
“It’s definitely better. The sky here is better.”
At least for this moment, they were of the same mind, but the Pungcheon Cult Leader said something different from what he felt.
“I’m never opening this place again. Look your fill and roll around all you want.”
*
While Go Wol was setting the stage regarding the Mutual Aid Society, I practiced my martial arts with the Fist Demon.
This time was truly precious. We had finally begun to spar using only fist techniques.
Thunder Asura Fist versus Thunder Asura Fist.
The Fist Demon had begun to teach me with his own body. Since he had officially become my master, it was unthinkable for us to simply fight. Instead, we could spar as much as we wanted using the Thunder Asura Fist.
Even if I were to win later, it would mean I had defeated him using his own martial art, so there was nothing much to worry about.
And a few days later.
Go Wol showed results faster than expected. He had succeeded in establishing a connection with the Mutual Aid Society.
“Are you ready to borrow money from the immortals?”
I grinned at Go Wol. I intended to pay those bastards back exactly for what they had done to the youth. Those demonic scoundrels—I was going to strip them of everything, down to the last man.
“Our dear immortals seem to have so much money. Shall we go see for ourselves?”