Chapter 475: Smiling When Borrowing, Drawing a Sword When Repaying
Chapter 475: Smiling When Borrowing, Drawing a Sword When Repaying
The Immortals standing to Geom Mu-geuk’s left grew tense all at once.
If he was saying it was a relief there were no paintings on this wall, didn't that mean he intended to unleash his sword qi here as well?
Furthermore, Geom Mu-geuk’s aura had grown even colder. By cutting down twenty men in a single strike, he had pushed their fear to a new level.
“Stop!”
Yeom-je stepped forward to intervene. He was still harboring doubts.
‘Does he really have enough internal energy left to manifest such terrifying sword qi again?’
He doubted it, but what if he did? The subordinates on the left would be swept away in an instant. He wasn't worried about their lives, of course. He was thinking about the money those subordinates earned for him.
No matter how he calculated it, this was a losing prospect. The wealth they were currently bringing in was one thing, but the cost of training or recruiting such experts was also significant. Trying to save three million taels might result in losing even more in the long run.
Even so, he had no intention of handing over three million taels obediently.
‘I need to buy time first.’
Yeom-je’s gaze turned toward the Ten Immortals lined up in front—from the 1st to the 10th. It would be ideal if one or two of them stepped forward voluntarily to test the waters, but no one moved. Then again, it wasn't easy to volunteer after witnessing that sword qi.
Yeom-je sent a message via Voice Transmission to the 1st Immortal.
— 1st Immortal.
— Yes, Guild Master.
— Drain more of his internal energy.
— Understood.
The 1st Immortal, in turn, sent a Voice Transmission to the 6th Immortal. Whether it was leading by example or possessing sincere loyalty to the Guild Master—none of that existed here. They all knew that well. They hadn't expected it in the first place. These were people who moved only for desire and profit.
Because it was a gathering of such individuals, the 1st Immortal’s choice was naturally petty. The 6th Immortal was the person he disliked most among the Ten Immortals.
— 6th Immortal, gauge his skill and drain his internal energy.
The 6th Immortal did not want to step forward.
‘Damn it!’
The sword qi the opponent had just displayed was a technique he had never seen in his life. The image of lines being drawn with a sharp crack like a breaking mirror, followed by bodies being severed, flashed through his mind.
However, if he defied the 1st Immortal’s order, he would be dealt with first as an example. Yeom-je and the 1st Immortal were more than capable of that.
The 6th Immortal didn't intend to face the storm alone. As he stepped forward, he sent a Voice Transmission to the 11th Immortal.
— Help me, and I’ll put you in the Ten Immortals.
For the 11th Immortal, entering the Ten Immortals was a desire strong enough to overcome even the fear of death. He knew it was possible if the 6th Immortal helped him. Moreover, if he performed a great feat in this situation, he might even take a seat higher than the 6th.
The 11th Immortal stepped forward alongside the 6th Immortal. As the two approached, Geom Mu-geuk spoke to the 6th Immortal first.
“Who are you?”
“I am the 6th Immortal.”
Geom Mu-geuk pulled some documents from his robes and scanned them.
“The 6th Immortal, I see.”
As he read the entry on the 6th Immortal, Geom Mu-geuk’s expression soured.
“How could one person kill so many?”
This time, Geom Mu-geuk addressed the 11th Immortal.
“And who are you?”
“The 11th Immortal.”
His brow furrowed even deeper.
“It seems rank isn't determined by who has slaughtered more.”
In truth, the 11th Immortal was the one who had committed more atrocities. Geom Mu-geuk’s scowl wasn't just because of the high body count, however.
“You even killed children.”
The 11th Immortal neither confirmed nor denied it, but his eyes betrayed the truth. So? What are you going to do about it? That was the look in his eyes. He was considered a madman even within the Hundred Immortals Guild.
The 6th Immortal asked Geom Mu-geuk, “Just who the hell are you?”
Instead of answering, Geom Mu-geuk walked slowly toward the 11th Immortal.
As he approached, the 11th Immortal grew incredibly tense, preparing to strike at any moment. The 6th Immortal also made full preparations.
If you draw, we draw. With the two of us?
They certainly had that much confidence.
Swish! Sh-sh-swish! Swish!
Thuck! Thuck! Thuck!
Geom Mu-geuk’s sword pierced the 11th Immortal’s abdomen, chest, and throat in rapid succession. It was so fast that there was no time to dodge or block, let alone counterattack.
The moment the 6th Immortal instinctively tried to counter, his eyes met Geom Mu-geuk’s. Having already stabbed the 11th Immortal three times, Geom Mu-geuk was already looking at him.
‘He’s too fast!’
They had planned to face such a man with only two people? What kind of misplaced confidence was that?
Only after the 11th Immortal, who had died standing, toppled backward did Geom Mu-geuk speak.
“Oh, what did you ask me a moment ago?”
He was still polite, which made the scene even more chilling.
The 6th Immortal said nothing, merely channeling his internal energy into his sword hand. The opponent had already answered his question by killing the 11th Immortal.
I am the reaper who has come to kill you all.
That was the only thought in the 6th Immortal’s head.
‘Striking first is the only way to live.’
When they were within striking distance, the 6th Immortal’s sword flew out first, followed by Geom Mu-geuk’s. However, the sword that started later arrived first.
Slash!
Blood sprayed in all directions from the 6th Immortal’s severed neck. With the deaths of these two, the scent of blood in the hall grew even thicker.
Everyone’s eyes were fixed on Geom Mu-geuk. Villains were villains, after all. Even as their comrades were being killed off one by one, not a single person felt the slightest bit of regret.
That was when the 3rd Immortal burst forward.
“Stop prattling about money and fight me!”
Among the members of the Hundred Immortals Guild, he was the one who loved slaughter the most. Like a moth drawn to a flame, he could not suppress the killing intent rising from the thick scent of blood. If the 11th Immortal was a madman, the 3rd Immortal was a true lunatic.
“Isn't the world full of things that need killing?”
The 3rd Immortal released his sword qi without hesitation.
Screeeech!
Rough, jagged sword qi flew out, intending to tear Geom Mu-geuk apart. When Geom Mu-geuk dodged, the sword qi struck the Immortals behind him. Two of the men standing in the back were swept away, unable to dodge in time.
Screeeeee-ech!
Despite his comrades dying, the 3rd Immortal released his sword qi again. This time, it was even more violent and powerful.
Geom Mu-geuk could have neutralized it by releasing his own sword qi, but he left it alone. More Immortals behind him were swept up in the attack. Curses erupted from all sides.
Yet the 3rd Immortal continued to fire sword qi like a madman. He didn't care whether his comrades lived or died.
Swish! Swi-swish!
Boom! Bang!
Sword qi was fired to block sword qi. Other blades flew to intercept the stray strikes. The place instantly turned into a scene of carnage. Geom Mu-geuk moved through the chaos, dodging the incoming attacks with exquisite precision.
Puu-shuck!
The 3rd Immortal’s figure froze. The sword that had pierced through his heart belonged to Yeom-je.
“You stupid piece of shit.”
As Yeom-je spat out the cold curse and withdrew his blade, the 3rd Immortal coughed up blood and died instantly. Only after his death did the commotion in the hall finally cease. In that mad assault, about ten people had died from their own side's friendly fire.
Yeom-je spoke to Geom Mu-geuk.
“I lose. I’ll give you the money.”
He couldn't hold out any longer.
‘To kill this guy, I’d have to risk everything.’
And "everything" included his own life. To attack an opponent who displayed such divine might with a "do or die" attitude was a gamble where everyone died together. Even if he won, it was a business deal with no profit left.
‘I have to send him away for now. Revenge can come later.’
Yeom-je spoke calmly, hiding his rage.
“Now that the number of mouths to feed has decreased this much, the guild can be maintained even if I pay you.”
Geom Mu-geuk smiled. “That is a relief.”
“However, to give you a sum as large as three million taels, I need time. I have to liquidate some businesses. Take that first and give me some time.”
Yeom-je looked toward the table where the accounts were being settled. Bank notes were piled up there. Of course, that wouldn't work on Geom Mu-geuk.
“Isn't the money in the vault?”
“I don't have that much cash. How could I keep such a large sum in a vault?” Yeom-je denied it flatly.
Geom Mu-geuk stared at him intently and said, “What if I open it and it’s there?”
Yeom-je flinched.
“Can I have all of it then?”
Geom Mu-geuk saw it. Though Yeom-je put on a troubled expression, a flash of joy crossed his eyes.
“Fine, I promise.”
Yeom-je was confident that there weren't three million taels in the vault.
“The guild’s vault is right here in the main hall, where I spend most of my time.”
Yeom-je stood up and walked toward the back wall. He manipulated the carvings on the wall. Since he blocked the view with his body, it was impossible to see what he was touching or how.
“If you try to force the door open, a mechanism will trigger and kill the intruder.”
Rumble.
A moment later, a secret wall opened, revealing the vault.
“Now, come and see for yourself.”
Geom Mu-geuk walked up to it. The remaining Immortals followed, standing around Yeom-je to guard him. Yeom-je pulled out bank notes and gold bars from the vault.
“It’s a little over two and a half million taels in notes. Even if I sell all the gold, it’s far short of three million. Do you still think I deceived you?”
Yeom-je acted dignified, as if he hadn't lied.
“Bring the money from the settlement over there.”
At his command, the Immortals brought the notes from the table. The Immortals who hadn't settled yet also added their money to the pile. When all the money was gathered, it totaled three million taels.
“Fortunately, it seems I have enough to pay you. Take it and go. Today’s events were partly my fault for not repaying the debt, so I will forget this cleanly.”
“As expected! You are a man of great magnanimity.”
As if that were true.
Yeom-je was already planning his revenge. He would kill not only this man but his family, friends, and neighbors as well. He wouldn't leave the Golden Dragon Clan alone either. He would kill ten times the number of people who died today to show the Jianghu what kind of place the Hundred Immortals Guild was—even if he had to hire every assassin in the Murim.
It would have been wonderful if Mu-geuk had just taken the money and left, but...
“Oh, I almost forgot. I’m sorry, but there’s more money I need to collect.”
Geom Mu-geuk pulled a sheet of paper from his robes and held it out. It was a paper densely packed with numerous names and amounts—a record of all the money the Hundred Immortals Guild had extorted from various merchant groups.
“I was also asked to collect this money.”
Yeom-je’s eyes narrowed into slits.
‘These bastards!’
Killing intent surged within Yeom-je. He was being told to hand over all the money he had plundered until now? It was an amount he could never repay, even if he died. Suppressing his boiling rage with effort, Yeom-je spoke.
“As you can see, the vault is empty. Come back next time.”
Then, words that pushed Yeom-je to the edge of the cliff flowed out.
“Doesn't our Guild Master have a private vault?”
Only then did Yeom-je realize for certain.
‘He came here with a plan from the start.’
If he had known this, he wouldn't have opened this vault either. No, it didn't matter. Even if he died, he had no intention of giving up this money now. Yeom-je glared at Geom Mu-geuk with cold eyes.
“You came here to take all my money.”
“Two things about that statement are wrong. First, it’s not your money. Second, I wouldn't be taking all of it, would I? You must have grown that capital quite a bit while borrowing it without paying interest.”
It was true. He had built all sorts of businesses based on that capital.
“Repay the borrowed money and run your business honorably from now on.”
Of course, Geom Mu-geuk was certain Yeom-je would never do that. If he were that kind of person, he wouldn't have started this in the first place.
For a very brief moment, Yeom-je hesitated. ‘Should I just give it all and wait for another day?’
But he could not make that decision. It wasn't just because he had to repay the borrowed money. If this young punk saw what was inside the private vault, he would surely get greedy and strip him of everything. If it were Yeom-je himself, he certainly would.
In the end, this final choice was a reflection of the life he had lived.
“To the one who kills that man, I will give the position of 1st Immortal and those three million taels!”
The Immortals simultaneously released their killing intent. Even though they had seen the opponent’s skill, the reward of the 1st Immortal’s seat and three million taels made them willing to face death. In this situation, the atmosphere wasn't one where they could defy the Guild Master’s orders anyway.
“Smiling when borrowing money, and drawing a sword when repaying it. Isn't this a bit much?”
Ignoring Geom Mu-geuk’s words, Yeom-je shouted, “Kill him!”
Immortals rushed in from all sides. As sixty experts charged at once, their momentum was formidable. The thought that as long as I don't die dominated them. They only thought about how they could claim the three million taels if they were lucky enough to survive.
For some reason, Geom Mu-geuk was pushed back by them. Seeing this, Yeom-je shouted, “His internal energy has run out! Kill him!”
Even as he said this, he did not step forward. He was a man for whom only money and his own life mattered.
Thus, Geom Mu-geuk was cornered against one wall, and all the remaining Immortals gathered before him. If it were true that the opponent’s internal energy had really run out, the one who killed him first would become the owner of the three million taels.
The 1st Immortal stepped forward to protect his position, and the rest stepped forward to take both the money and the seat. Gathered like a pack of hyenas, they watched for an opening.
Because his eyes were too clear and deep for someone cornered, the 1st Immortal, standing in the front row, wanted to retreat. An ominous premonition struck him!
‘Could it be? Did he gather us in one place on purpose?’
Geom Mu-geuk spoke calmly to the greed-filled men.
“I hope there is no next life for you all.”
The moment those words ended, the most terrifying evil ghost appeared before Geom Mu-geuk.
At that horrific sight, those in the lead screamed. They had never seen such a terrifying specter. And that terrifying ghost split into twelve.
Through recent blood-sweating training, the number had increased from ten to twelve—it was the Great Annihilation Form of the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.
The moment they faced the ghosts, their entire bodies froze.
Rumble-rumble-rumble!
The ghosts showed neither mercy nor hesitation. They charged forward, sweeping away everything that blocked their path. No technique, no Body Protection Qi was of any use. They were all shattered into pieces and annihilated.
Thus, the sixty-odd villains left behind nothing but a pool of blood.
Yeom-je, left alone, stared with wide eyes. Paralyzed by terror, his entire body shook like an aspen leaf. He had never seen such terrifying martial arts. He felt as if he would never be able to forget those ghosts, even in death.
“Wh-who the hell are you?” His voice, filled with fear, trembled violently.
Splash, splash.
“You already know. I’m the man who came to collect a debt.”
Geom Mu-geuk spoke politely as he walked over the blood.
“Pay up.”