Chapter 292: If Only Every Customer Were Like This
Chapter 292: If Only Every Customer Were Like This
Luck was finally smiling on Pyeon Jung.
He had traveled from Jiangxi to Hubei as a coachman but hadn't been able to find a return fare for two days. Just as he was beginning to despair, he managed to secure a carriage heading back to Jiangxi.
The carriage rental agencies operated this way, connecting coachmen with passengers and taking a cut of the fare.
Pyeon Jung asked the agency manager, "How far is the passenger going?"
"To the Jiangxi Branch of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult."
Pyeon Jung lowered his voice, whispering, "Is he a demonic practitioner?"
"He didn't look like one on the surface."
Even so, Pyeon Jung felt a wave of tension and fear. He knew all too well how many coachmen had lost their lives after getting caught in the crossfire between members of the Unorthodox Faction or the Demonic Cult.
Pyeon Jung was cleaning the carriage and waiting anxiously when the passenger finally arrived. He was a young, handsome man.
"My name is Pyeon Jung. I will see you safely to your destination."
"I’m in your hands. It’s not an urgent matter, so there’s no need to push the horses too hard."
"Understood, sir."
Seeing the way the young man greeted him, Pyeon Jung felt a sense of relief.
He’s no demonic practitioner.
He had driven several demonic cultists before, but he had never encountered one so polite.
Of course, Pyeon Jung was mistaken. His passenger was the most infamous demonic practitioner of them all. The young man was none other than Geom Mu-geuk.
Geom Mu-geuk had rented the carriage for his journey to Jiangxi with a specific plan in mind. He intended to practice the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art inside the carriage and stop to enjoy the view whenever he came across a scenic spot. He wanted a leisurely, restful journey.
"Well then, we’re off."
With that, the carriage departed.
After driving for a long while, Pyeon Jung glanced back through the small window connected to the driver’s seat. Geom Mu-geuk had his eyes closed. It was impossible to tell if he was sleeping or lost in thought.
Yes, this is the best kind of passenger.
Inside the carriage, Geom Mu-geuk was indeed practicing the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art. Sometimes, it was actually easier to focus while on the move. The sound of the wind brushing against the wood, the distant chirping of birds, the idle chatter of passersby—at times, these ambient sounds served to sharpen his concentration even further.
When he grew tired of training, he would look out the window at the passing scenery, just as he was doing now.
This is what true rest feels like.
The "rest" Lee An had spoken of probably didn't mean taking short breaks while practicing the Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art, but in his current situation, even this much was a luxury.
After gazing at the landscape for a moment, Geom Mu-geuk closed his eyes again.
He began to recite the oral formulas of the incredibly tedious Heavenly Demon Body Protection Art with the same sincerity as if he were learning them for the first time. Another drop of water was added to the bucket.
*
That evening, the carriage stopped at an inn. Every coachman had their own preferred resting spots, and they all shared a common secret.
"I've heard that the inns where coachmen rest serve the best food," Geom Mu-geuk remarked.
"That's true, sir. Since we travel these roads so often, we know exactly which inns serve the tastiest meals."
The two of them entered the inn together.
"Well then, please get some rest," Pyeon Jung said, bowing slightly.
"Let’s eat together."
"Oh, I’m fine, really."
As a rule, coachmen ate separately from their passengers. While some passengers might buy them a meal, most ate and slept on their own until it was time to depart.
"I simply don't like eating alone. Join me."
Pyeon Jung sat down, pretending to give in. From his perspective, it was a blessing; a free meal meant he could save that much more money.
"Since you know this place well, please give me a recommendation. What’s the best dish they serve here?"
Pyeon Jung suggested a few local specialties. Geom Mu-geuk ordered everything he mentioned.
"Now, we’re both hungry, so let’s eat heartily."
Geom Mu-geuk was the perfect passenger.
He didn't invite the man over just to pester him with questions or nag him. There were people like that—those who acted as if they were doing a massive favor while bragging until one’s ears hurt, or those who asked about a coachman’s income only to offer unsolicited advice on how they should live their lives.
But Geom Mu-geuk simply stared blankly out the inn window.
If anything, it was Pyeon Jung who felt like starting a conversation. He wanted to ask what the young master did for a living and why he was traveling to a branch of the Demonic Cult.
Of course, Pyeon Jung kept his mouth shut. He was old enough to know that nothing good ever came from getting entangled with the people of the Murim.
A short while later, the food arrived, and Geom Mu-geuk ordered some liquor as well. He poured a cup for Pyeon Jung.
"Since I have to drive the carriage, I’ll have just this one cup."
Drinking liquor and eating delicious food for the first time in a long while made Pyeon Jung feel truly alive. Lately, he had been barely scraping by on the meagerest of meals to save every penny.
Honestly, if only every customer were like this, being a coachman would be a job worth having.
A coachman’s life was usually a series of anxious days rather than lucky ones like today.
Feeling it would be shameless to remain silent after being treated to such a meal, he cautiously asked a question.
"Is this your first time visiting Jiangxi?"
"No."
"I see."
The question of why he was going to the Demonic Cult branch rose to his throat, but he swallowed it down.
"That was a wonderful meal."
Geom Mu-geuk didn't force a conversation, sensing it might make the man uncomfortable. During his time as a ronin, he had learned well enough that sometimes, simply staying quiet was the best way to show consideration.
After finishing the meal, as Geom Mu-geuk was heading up to his guest room, he turned to Pyeon Jung.
"Why aren't you going?"
"I can just sleep in the carriage, sir. Please, go up and rest comfortably."
Pyeon Jung usually caught snatches of sleep in the carriage to save every cent he could.
Geom Mu-geuk paid for a room for him as well.
"I’m really fine, sir."
"I prefer to ride in a carriage driven by someone who has had a good night’s sleep."
When put that way, Pyeon Jung couldn't refuse again. Truly, if only every customer were like this!
Entering the guest room, Pyeon Jung felt wonderful.
How long has it been since I last slept in a proper bed?
He slept soundly that night. He wouldn't have traded places with the Murim Alliance Leader himself.
The next day, Geom Mu-geuk’s kindness continued.
He insisted they eat together and paid for his room again. Though Pyeon Jung waved his hands in refusal, Geom Mu-geuk argued that taking care of the man holding the reins was a matter of his own safety.
In the end, they ate together and Pyeon Jung slept in a comfortable bed once more.
On the first day, he had been happy just to eat and sleep well. But on the second day, as he ate the delicious food, he found himself thinking of his wife and children. The dish was something his children loved. It was the meal he had bought for his eldest’s birthday last year. Or was it the year before?
If only he could wrap this up and take it home. If it were at all possible, he desperately wanted to.
He looked up to find Geom Mu-geuk watching him. As if he had read his mind, the young man asked, "Do you have children?"
"I have two."
"How old are they?"
"Seven and nine."
"You must miss them."
Pyeon Jung gave a wide smile and nodded. Miss them? That didn't even begin to cover it. Sometimes, he felt a sudden, overwhelming urge to turn the carriage around and race back to them immediately.
That night, his children appeared in his dreams.
*
Occasionally, Geom Mu-geuk would have the carriage stop at places with beautiful views.
Far across the river, the sun was setting. The sight of the red glow spreading over the shimmering water was truly spectacular.
Geom Mu-geuk watched the scene in silence, his arms crossed.
Thanks to him, Pyeon Jung also took the time to look at a sunset for the first time in ages. Come to think of it, it had been a very long time since he had simply watched the sun go down. He couldn't even remember how long.
Usually, when the sun began to set, he was too busy rushing the carriage to reach an inn before dark. To him, the sunset had always been a signal that triggered anxiety. Today, he realized anew just how beautiful it was.
"My heart told me so. It said I looked tired and should take a rest. So, I intend to listen to my heart."
"Ah, I see."
Pyeon Jung responded as if he understood, but in truth, he had no idea what the man meant. His heart? What did that mean? He even began to wonder if the young man suffered from some kind of heart ailment.
They continued their journey until they were only one day away from their destination.
Pyeon Jung was caught by Geom Mu-geuk while he was trying to get a refund for the room the young man had paid for. Geom Mu-geuk, who had stepped out for some fresh air, happened to witness the scene. He pretended not to see and walked away.
"Ah...!"
Pyeon Jung let out a sigh of regret. Considering the other man’s sincerity, it was something he shouldn't have done. Even if the passenger understood, Pyeon Jung felt utterly miserable.
The next day, the incident weighed heavily on Pyeon Jung’s mind throughout the drive. When they stopped in a field to let the horses rest, he approached Geom Mu-geuk.
"I am truly sorry about yesterday."
"It’s fine."
He could have left it at that. But a thought suddenly occurred to him.
He would have been terrified of a cruel person and offered every excuse imaginable. It felt cowardly to offer nothing but a simple apology to someone so kind.
Yes, let me at least give him a proper explanation.
"Last year, my second child suffered from a terrible fever. I borrowed money to pay for the medicine. Since we were living hand-to-mouth, I was desperate and borrowed money I never should have touched."
"You borrowed from a Yama’s Debt lender, I see."
"That’s right."
Pyeon Jung let out a long sigh.
"It wasn't even a large amount. I borrowed ten taels for the treatment... but now, a year later, it has become seventy taels. And that’s despite the fact that I’ve already paid back over twenty taels in interest."
This was why he slept in the carriage. He had to pay the interest and keep his family fed. But the debt only continued to grow.
"It’s my own fault. I borrowed it even after hearing how high the interest was."
He didn't regret it, though. If he hadn't borrowed that money back then, his second child would have died or been left disabled.
Geom Mu-geuk spoke up.
"How could that be your fault, Mr. Pyeon? The fault lies with those who lend 'Yama’s Debt' with such nonsensical interest rates."
The way he was addressed as "Mr. Pyeon" made Pyeon Jung’s heart swell. No one ever addressed a coachman with such respect.
Furthermore, whenever he told people about the debt, they all said it was his own fault. They asked why he had borrowed from such people in the first place.
"What is the name of the place where you borrowed the money?"
"It’s a place called the Message Center."
"Let’s stop there first."
"No, you mustn't! Those people are violent and cruel. Some of them are martial artists, and there are rumors that very scary people are backing them. They’ve been lending Yama’s Debt in this region for a very long time, yet they remain untouched."
Pyeon Jung felt a flicker of hope that he might escape this hell, but at the same time, he felt a wave of fear that this kind man might be killed by them.
Geom Mu-geuk looked at him blankly and said, "I think there’s been a misunderstanding. I’m going there because I need money."
For a moment, Pyeon Jung struggled with whether to believe him. This man had spent money so freely throughout the journey, and now he was going to borrow from a loan shark? Suddenly?
"Let’s go."
What could he do when the passenger insisted? The carriage changed direction, away from its original destination.
*
To Pyeon Jung’s surprise, upon arriving at the Message Center, Geom Mu-geuk actually borrowed money.
"How much can you lend me?"
Ju Yang, the man in charge of lending, looked Geom Mu-geuk up and down.
"We don't usually lend to outsiders..."
He didn't finish the sentence, trailing off instead. It was a hint that they would lend it, under certain conditions.
"Do you have collateral?"
"I don't. Should I leave this sword?"
"What’s a sword like that worth? We don't take swords as collateral."
Most swords martial artists tried to use as collateral were worthless junk. How many people had bought cheap blades and tried to pass them off as masterworks?
"My sword would be hurt to hear that."
Ju Yang glanced at the sword. Seeing the blade wrapped tightly in blood-stained cloth, he couldn't help but snort. He certainly dressed it up to look impressive.
"If you don't have collateral, you'll need someone to act as a guarantor."
At Ju Yang’s words, Geom Mu-geuk turned to Pyeon Jung.
"Would you mind being my guarantor?"
Pyeon Jung was startled. He wondered if the man had brought him here specifically to squeeze blood from a stone.
"I’m joking. My father always said you shouldn't even act as a guarantor for family."
Pyeon Jung let out a sigh of relief.
"If I have no collateral and no guarantor, how much can I borrow?"
"I can give you up to ten taels."
"Fine, I’ll take ten taels."
"Alright, write your details on this promissory note and leave your thumbprint."
Geom Mu-geuk did as he was told, writing his information and pressing his thumb down. The lending process was smooth—a quick and efficient transaction.
"If you don't pay it back on time, interest will start to pile up. There are always bastards who come back later and bitch about the interest being too high. Shameless pricks who come here on their own two feet to borrow and then talk that kind of shit."
Pyeon Jung lowered his head. Ju Yang had said it specifically for him to hear.
But then, Geom Mu-geuk spoke up in Pyeon Jung’s defense.
"They must have been desperate to borrow money even at such high interest. The truly shameless ones are those who exploit the hearts of the desperate."
Ju Yang’s expression hardened instantly. However, being a seasoned veteran of his trade, he didn't lose his temper. He knew better than anyone what happened to punks who acted tough like this.
You stupid bastard. Let’s see if you’re still talking like that later. I’ll show you what it’s like when you want to pay but can’t.
Ju Yang checked the details on the note.
"So your hometown is Guangxi. You’ve come a long way. I trust you’ve written your address correctly. Your father’s name is Geom Wu-jin... quite a grand name. In case you didn't know, we have branches in every province. We’ll be verifying what you’ve written very soon."
"Go ahead."
"I’m warning you now, don't even think about running away without paying. Your family will have to pay in your stead. That means we’ll be paying your father a visit."
"My father has plenty of money."
With that, he left the building with Pyeon Jung. Men carrying swords were coming and going throughout the courtyard. It was a Yama’s Debt operation of considerable scale.
Once they were outside, Pyeon Jung finally asked the question he had been holding back.
"Why on earth did you come here?"
He had been worried that a sword fight might break out. He had been both fearful and hopeful. He had hoped this young master would draw his sword, wipe them all out, and tell him his debt was gone. It was a selfish, materialistic hope, but he couldn't deny he felt it.
"Didn't I tell you? I came to borrow money."
"Did you really come all this way just for ten taels? A young master like you... surely you don't need that money?"
Considering how freely Geom Mu-geuk had spent money on the way here, borrowing ten taels made no sense.
"I need it very much."
He hadn't come solely because of the Yama’s Debt. He was beginning his undercover inspection of the Jiangxi Branch right here. Corruption was always linked to money.
Behind Geom Mu-geuk, two men began to follow them. It was an overt tailing, a clear message not to try anything funny.
"Isn't it a loss for them to lend ten taels and then use two men to keep watch?"
Geom Mu-geuk held up the ten taels in his palm and asked in return, "This isn't just ten taels, is it?"
Pyeon Jung let out a gasp. He realized exactly what Geom Mu-geuk meant.
Starting with these ten taels, those people would stick a straw into him and suck his blood for the rest of his life. Therefore, the money he had just borrowed wasn't ten taels. He had effectively borrowed hundreds, thousands of taels. Just like what was happening to Pyeon Jung himself.
"Let’s see how they try to collect these ten taels."