Chapter 472: Whether Money Pours or Blood Pours
Chapter 472: Whether Money Pours or Blood Pours
“You want half?”
Geum Cheon-bang couldn't hide his shock. It was a demand every bit as unreasonable as his own initial request.
“In cases like this, the standard commission is ten percent. Even if one pays generously, the work is handled for twenty.”
“That would be true if the opponent were ordinary,” Geom Mu-geuk replied, doubling down. “In fact, it would be a gain for you even if you gave me the entire amount.”
“What kind of sophistry is that?”
At that, Geom Mu-geuk raised his voice, speaking with renewed vigor.
“‘If you deal with the Golden Dragon Clan, you must pay your debts.’”
The words, pleasant just to hear, echoed resoundingly through the hall.
“‘No one can ever default on the Golden Dragon Clan’s money.’”
Thinking of all the debts he hadn't been able to collect for various reasons, Geum Cheon-bang wondered how wonderful it would be if those words became reality. Just the thought brought a natural smile to his lips.
Having captured his interest with such enticing words, Geum Cheon-bang naturally leaned in to hear what came next.
“How about a rumor like this? ‘Even the Hundred Immortals Guild paid back their debt.’”
There was no need for further explanation. It was a fantastic prospect.
“If that happens, no one will ever dream of stiffing the Golden Dragon Clan again.”
Geom Mu-geuk stared into Geum Cheon-bang’s eyes and asked, “How much do you think that reputation is worth?”
Even Geum Cheon-bang, who was lightning-fast with calculations, could not answer easily. Considering not just the present but the future, its value was beyond measure in gold.
“All of that only applies if you actually get the money from them, doesn't it?”
To Geum Cheon-bang’s remark, Geom Mu-geuk replied with eyes full of conviction.
“I will get it. And I am only asking for half of that money.”
The phrase "as much as half" had shifted to "only half," but Geum Cheon-bang felt no sense of incongruity.
Then, Mu-geuk added a touch of magnanimity.
“I’m making a special concession out of consideration for your daughter.”
A flicker of curiosity crossed Geum Cheon-bang’s eyes. He thought the young man was quite impressive. Yes, this was how one should conduct a deal—bold to the point of being shameless, yet persuasive.
‘Indeed, the Silver River Merchant Group Leader wouldn't have gone to meet just anyone.’
Perhaps? For a moment, he thought the boy might actually recover the money.
But he quickly dismissed the idea. He knew the Hundred Immortals Guild all too well.
Usually, when people thought of them, they perceived them as cruel, emotional, and reckless—ignorant thugs who couldn't be reasoned with. At first, Geum Cheon-bang had thought so too. But now he knew better. The Guild Master who led them was a clever man. Their revenge and their legal extortions were all born of thorough calculation.
‘Can you really handle that difficult man?’
Even while thinking the boy was no match for them, the fact that he felt curious meant this young man’s performance was quite impressive. It was rare to see such spirit these days.
“And if you fail?”
He expected Mu-geuk to say he would return the two million taels he received from his daughter.
“If I don't get it, I don't get it. If even you couldn't get the money, would it be easy for me?”
By dragging him into the failure, Geum Cheon-bang found himself unable to argue. He marveled at Geom Mu-geuk’s responsiveness.
“Will you give me half?”
It was money he wasn't receiving anyway. Even if he only secured 1.5 million out of the 3 million taels, it was a gain. Furthermore, if he really did get it back, he would gain a reputation more precious than money, just as the brat had said.
‘And if he fails?’
The Hundred Immortals Guild would likely rough him up a bit and send him back. Since they owed a debt to the Golden Dragon Clan, they wouldn't escalate things too far. Breaking this fellow’s spirit would make it easier to recover the two million taels later.
With that, Geum Cheon-bang’s calculations were complete.
“Fine. I will give you half.”
Geum A-rin, who had been watching, could no longer hold back and intervened.
“You can't!”
She knew her father was angry with her and hadn't intended to step forward, but if she didn't stop this now, it would be too late.
“Do you realize how dangerous this task is before making such a promise?”
Geom Mu-geuk looked at her and spoke calmly.
“I know how large a sum two million taels is. I also know that 1.5 million is a vast amount of money. To earn big money, shouldn't one naturally take big risks?”
Geum Cheon-bang liked those words. He disliked people who tried to make money without paying a price. To earn a fortune, one had to shoulder a great risk.
Geom Mu-geuk’s gaze shifted from Geum A-rin back to Geum Cheon-bang.
“As expected, one must jump into the world of commerce to make money. The moment I arrive, money starts pouring in.”
To Geom Mu-geuk’s composure, Geum Cheon-bang responded with his own.
“Whether it’s money that pours or blood that pours, we’ll only know once it’s over.”
The two men faced each other. In a first meeting that could have ended as a mere probing session, a massive promise had been staked.
“Then I shall see you after I find the money.”
As Geom Mu-geuk bowed politely and prepared to leave, Geum A-rin spoke.
“Wait outside for a moment. I have something to discuss with my father.”
“Very well.”
Once Geom Mu-geuk left the Family Head’s hall, only Geum Cheon-bang and Geum A-rin remained. Geum Cheon-bang already guessed what his daughter was going to say.
“You know he can never pull this off, don't you? You only gave him this task to punish me. You're being too much.”
Geum Cheon-bang reacted coldly.
“The one being 'too much' is you.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“I mean you brought a liability back to the main house.”
“The Silver River Merchant Group tried to use them to strike at my organization. I couldn't just stand by and watch.”
Strictly speaking, her life had been on the line.
My life was at stake, and you're throwing a fit over money!
She barely suppressed the words rising in her throat. She was in the wrong for spending two million taels without permission.
“When you learned of that fact, you should have returned to the clan immediately and consulted with your father.”
Geum A-rin had a rebuttal for that as well.
“Then my brothers would have used it against me. They’d say I couldn't handle my own affairs and hid behind my father’s robes.”
“Even so, you were reckless. What if that man is a spy planted by the Silver River Merchant Group?”
“Is there such a loud and flashy spy in this world?”
Geum Cheon-bang said nothing more. Geum A-rin left the room after leaving one final remark.
“He’s not a liability; he’s a lucky charm. Though you’ve just thrown that lucky charm into the gutter.”
*
Geum A-rin stepped out of the hall. Her chest felt tight. Of all places, the Hundred Immortals Guild.
Geom Mu-geuk was waiting for her outside the building.
“Are you really going to do this?”
Geom Mu-geuk nodded and began to walk. The two talked as they walked side by side.
“Do you even know what kind of place the Hundred Immortals Guild is?”
“What kind of place is it?”
With an expression that said I knew it, Geum A-rin described the people she didn't even want to think about.
“It’s a place where the dregs of humanity gather. And those dregs aren't just local thugs; they are high-flying masters. Especially their Guild Master—he’s known as a peerless master.”
Geom Mu-geuk simply walked on in silence.
“That’s not all. The truly terrifying thing about them is that if one member dies, the rest swarm in to ensure revenge. They are cruel bastards who kill even the target's friends and family.”
That extensive vengeance was the biggest reason the Hundred Immortals Guild had become a symbol of terror. At the same time, it was a reason they deserved to die.
“How have such people survived until now? Did the Murim Alliance just leave them be?”
“Because they never leave evidence. I heard that if someone does leave a trail, they eliminate them themselves to cut the tail. In the end, there are only rampant rumors about them.”
In his life before the regression, the Hundred Immortals Guild was eventually subjugated by the Murim Alliance. The Alliance found evidence of their atrocities and attacked; the bastards resisted fiercely and were annihilated. He knew that in the process, many masters of the Murim Alliance were also injured or killed.
Seeing the Hundred Immortals Guild cross his path in this life, he felt once again that those destined to die would eventually meet their end.
“Did you hear me? They kill even innocent family members.”
“My family is fine.” Geom Mu-geuk added with a smile, “They’re so fine it’s almost a problem.”
Geum A-rin thought she knew where that confidence came from.
“I know you trust your father, but...” After walking in silence for a moment, she made a big decision. “Fine. Then I’m going with you.”
It was a major decision involving her life, but she was rejected instantly.
“Do you want them to extort even more money?”
“What do you mean?”
“If you visit, do you think they’ll just sit still? They’ll pick a fight, capture you, and then demand your father bring money if he wants his daughter back.”
They were exactly the type of people to do that, so she couldn't argue.
“Then what about you? Are you going to be okay?”
“I’ll be fine. My father won't give them a single penny.”
A joke in this situation? She thought Geom Mu-geuk’s composure was excessive. She wished he would at least explain his thoughts calmly, but Geom Mu-geuk headed in a direction different from where they were supposed to go.
“Where are you going? The Guest Hall is this way.”
“I have a place to go. See you later.”
Geum A-rin watched Geom Mu-geuk’s receding back as he strode away and let out a long-held sigh. Now she understood why he had said those words.
How much can you trust me?
How much are you going to make me worry?
*
That night, Geum A-rin visited Geom Mu-geuk’s quarters. Despite the late hour, Geom Mu-geuk was awake.
“Did I disturb your sleep?”
“It’s fine, come in. We’re people who are busy at night.”
“Pardon?”
Geom Mu-geuk merely gave a cryptic smile. Geum A-rin stepped inside. Seeing a bottle of liquor on the table, it seemed he had been drinking.
“Would you like a glass?”
“Please.”
She truly felt like she needed a drink. She had never dreamed she would face such things upon returning to the clan.
“Did you contact your father and uncle?”
“What contact?”
“About the Hundred Immortals Guild. You should let them know.” She asked with a sliver of hope. “Surely you aren't planning to go alone?”
She had thought it would be dangerous even if the three of them went together.
“I’m going alone.”
Geum A-rin was startled. Looking at Geom Mu-geuk’s calm eyes, she could tell he wasn't joking. She downed the drink he gave her and set the empty glass down with a thud.
“This is a two-million-tael drinking session, then.”
It was a joke implying this was the last time she would see him. It was a joke, but it didn't feel like one.
“Fine. Let’s say you’re some peerless master I don't know about. Even so, you need a plan. There are at least a hundred of them. Who will you seek out first? What will you say when you get there? What will you do if they don't just hand over the money? No, they definitely won't, so you have to think in advance how to respond.”
“I am making one.”
“Or at least find the opponent’s weakness, and—wait, what?”
“I said I was making a plan.”
Only then did the papers piled on the table catch her eye. On the top sheet, she saw the words Hundred Immortals Guild.
“What is this?”
“Data on the Hundred Immortals Guild.”
“Where did you get this?”
“I bought it from an information broker.”
In truth, this data had been received through Eun-wol. The Shaanxi Branch of Eun-wol had naturally conducted an investigation into the Hundred Immortals Guild, a major organization of interest in the area.
“When?”
“I went out and bought it earlier.”
“May I see?”
When Geom Mu-geuk nodded, Geum A-rin examined the materials. It was indeed data on them. Who the Guild Master was and what martial arts he possessed, who his subordinates were and how much they trusted each other. Their personalities and what roles they held. Every atrocity they had committed was recorded.
That wasn't all. It also detailed which merchant groups they had borrowed money from, how much they had stiffed them for, and what businesses they were running with that money. They were involved in all sorts of lucrative interests, reaping massive profits.
“Information brokers sell such detailed information these days?”
“If you have money, there’s no information you can't get.”
She felt embarrassed. She had come to a man who was preparing like this just to tell him to make a plan. If she had truly been worried, she should have bought this information and given it to him. She wasn't an armchair intellectual; she was just an armchair worrier.
“So, have you made a plan?”
“I have.”
Truly, no one could match these crisp, clear answers.
“Tell me.”
“It’s a secret.”
Seeing him like this, a faint hope arose that he might actually bring back the money.
“Instead, I have a favor to ask of you.”
“What is it?”
The favor was something she hadn't expected at all.
“Go to the merchant groups and sects listed there and tell them you’ll recover the money the Hundred Immortals Guild stole from them. In exchange, ask for half as a commission.”
“What?”
Startled, Geum A-rin jumped to her feet. It turned out a person really could leap up when they were that surprised.
“It’ll be more credible if you go rather than me.”
Geum A-rin stood dazed, not knowing what to say. Meanwhile, Geom Mu-geuk continued.
“I could take all their money for myself. But this is a better way. You gain the reputation of having recovered the money, they get back money they thought was lost, and I get half the profit.”
Geom Mu-geuk pointed out that this task held a different meaning, at least for her.
“This will play a big role in you becoming the successor. Your reputation in Shaanxi will soar.”
Geum A-rin could tell Geom Mu-geuk was serious.
“You really intend to take all that money back.”
Take it all back? All the money from everyone victimized by the Hundred Immortals Guild?
“I do. I will recover the money for everyone who wants it.”
“It’s impossible even to get our money back...”
Suddenly, a thought struck her mind like a bolt of lightning.
“Wait, are you...?”
It was the most shocked she had been since meeting Geom Mu-geuk.
“You’re planning to kill them all.”