Chapter 477: Even When Cooking, You Must Know the Ingredients
Chapter 477: Even When Cooking, You Must Know the Ingredients
My confidence wasn't directed at my enemies.
Those words were meant for my father.
I was showing him exactly how much I trusted him. I didn't know how much strength that would give his heart; he had likely never heard such words from his child in his entire life.
Would I even have the chance to hear such words from my own child in this lifetime?
“Trusting in you, Father, I will handle things as I please, with full peace of mind.”
This was the core of the Shaanxi operation.
However, while these were my thoughts, my father’s perspective was different.
“Go and clean up the aftermath.”
“Understood.”
Hwi’s expression brightened upon receiving the order.
To 'clean up the aftermath' meant to completely erase any traces left at the Black Fan Guild. It was an order to make it appear as though they had simply packed up and abandoned the place.
Hwi’s mission was, first and foremost, Father’s safe return to the Cult. Since Father’s desire was to keep things as quiet and inconspicuous as possible, this was likely an order Hwi had been waiting to hear.
I felt like cracking a joke.
‘I thought you were the one who wanted to fight the entire Murim! Why are you being so cautious now?’
My tongue itched, but I held it back. It was best to avoid mentioning anything related to the Unification of the Murim if possible.
Instead, I spoke to Father about the current situation.
“The outcome of this incident will draw out the mastermind. They’ll move soon. They won't be able to give up on a source of funding like the Golden Dragon Clan.”
They might attack me or Father, or they might use an unexpected tactic. There was no telling how they would react.
“Move with caution.”
“Yes, Father!”
To think the strongest power in the Murim was saying this.
“Are you being this cautious because of me? Because you’re worried about your son?”
And then I saw it.
That smirk playing on Father’s lips.
Since we had left the Cult together, the atmosphere between us had been good, so I hadn't seen it often lately. I had forgotten. Seeing that smirk made me feel strangely good.
“That’s too much! You should worry about your son at least a little!”
Without a word, Father walked to the window and gazed at the sky.
I looked at Father’s back and the cloudless blue sky stretching out above him. It was an ordinary landscape, but their two solitudes mirrored one another.
‘I know well that you’re doing this for me.’
Father wasn't the type of person to clean up after himself out of concern for others. In the first place, if the situation required such care, he wouldn't have even drawn his sword.
So, I will be careful. Don't worry.
*
Geum Cheon-bang stared silently down at the banknotes worth 1.5 million taels. This wasn't just money. It was a signal that everyone’s fate had begun to change.
“Did he truly bring this money back from the Black Fan Guild?”
At her father’s surprised question, Geum A-rin replied calmly.
“Why are you so surprised? You entrusted him with the task because you expected him to succeed, didn't you?”
She felt a bit guilty saying this. In truth, she had been several times more shocked than he was.
“What about the Black Fan Guild?”
In response to his doubting gaze, a startling answer followed.
“He said they have vanished from this world.”
Geum Cheon-bang couldn't believe it. He had assigned the task only because of a sliver of hope that the man might pull it off, as his daughter suggested. The potential gain from success was simply too great to pass up.
But to think he had actually annihilated them and recovered the money?
“That is impossible.”
There had to be some trickery involved.
“Where is he? Why did he not come himself?”
He wanted to see the man and ask him directly.
“He is my subordinate. This matter is entirely my responsibility. If you have questions, please direct them to me.”
Geum A-rin had intentionally come alone. From this moment on, the battle with her father over the succession had begun.
“Have you confirmed the state of the Black Fan Guild?”
Geum A-rin flinched for a moment.
“You haven't.”
“I trust my subordinate.”
That wasn't the reason. She hadn't even thought about checking.
Was it because she trusted Geom Mu-geuk?
No. This wasn't a matter of trust. She had been so stunned by the result and so preoccupied with the man who had achieved it that she had neglected to send someone to verify the situation.
Because he said they had vanished from the world, she had idly assumed he had killed them all. What if those words were a lie? What if this entire thing was a scheme concocted between the Black Fan Guild and Geom Yeon?
While unlikely, failing to verify was a clear mistake.
‘I can't let this happen again.’
The reason she was reflecting so deeply was the realization that she had been captivated by Geom Mu-geuk. She had thought of nothing but him the entire way to meet her father.
“There is something else I must tell you.”
Geum A-rin informed her father of the task Geom Mu-geuk had undertaken—how he had recovered money for the merchant groups extorted by the Black Fan Guild and taken half as a fee. He had already spent yesterday and today visiting all the merchant groups to return the money.
Geum Cheon-bang didn't look surprised at all. From his reaction, she could tell he had known about it beforehand. After all, some of the merchant group leaders who had received their money must have checked with her father separately.
“Why did you not tell me this sooner?”
“I intended to tell you once the results were in. I was prepared to take the blame even if a problem arose later.”
She spoke solemnly, but the truth was she hadn't told him because she feared he would stop her. Since she was the one who stood to gain the most if this succeeded, she wanted to show him the results first.
That was why she had come to her father last, after returning all the money to the merchant groups. She had entered the room feeling like a triumphant general.
She hadn't expected this kind of interrogation, even if she didn't expect a "Well done, my daughter."
“Because of this, many merchant groups and sects that suffered under the Black Fan Guild will feel great goodwill toward our clan. If you utilize that well, you will see immense profit. I didn't waste that money, did I?”
Her father’s reaction remained cold.
“Did I make a mistake?”
She thought he was angry because she hadn't told him in advance, but that wasn't it.
“Do you wish to become the successor?”
Geum Cheon-bang saw right through why she hadn't spoken up sooner.
She answered honestly. “Yes, I do.”
Then, a bolt from the blue fell from her father’s lips.
“Give up on the succession.”
“!”
She never imagined her father would say such a thing directly.
“Why?”
Geum Cheon-bang did not give her a reason. “You may leave now.”
“Father!”
Geum Cheon-bang looked at his daughter coldly. Usually, when he was this angry, it was terrifying, and she would leave quietly. But not today.
“Are you angry because I didn't tell you beforehand? Or are you angry because I'm greedy for the succession?”
Geum Cheon-bang gave no answer.
“Did you never intend for me to be the successor from the start?”
She raised her voice, but Geum Cheon-bang remained silent. To her, his silence sounded like an affirmation. Naturally, a wave of resentment washed over her.
‘Is it because I’m a daughter? Or because I lack ability? Do you like my older brother more?’
Her resentment made it impossible to judge rationally.
“I will become the successor, no matter what.”
She spoke as if declaring war and marched out of the room.
The gaze of Geum Cheon-bang, who stood with his back turned, deepened. Had she seen it, she would have surely realized there was a reason for his behavior.
Exiting her father’s residence, Geum A-rin stood in the middle of the courtyard for a moment, trying to compose her emotions. She was so hurt and angry.
Just then, a certain person came to mind. She didn't know why she thought of him at a time like this, but her feet naturally moved toward his quarters.
*
Geom Mu-geuk was in his room when Geum A-rin came to visit.
“Do you have a moment?”
“Of course. If the leader calls, I must make time even if I have none.”
Geom Mu-geuk’s martial robes were drenched in sweat.
“Please wait a moment. I’ll wash up and change my clothes.”
Geum A-rin was inwardly puzzled. ‘What was he doing in his room to sweat like that?’
Then she was startled. ‘Could it be?’
Standing in the courtyard, she couldn't contain her curiosity and entered the building. She walked down the hallway without making a sound and reached Geom Mu-geuk’s room. She peered inside through a gap in the window. No one was in the room. Seeing the empty bed with the bedding neatly arranged, she felt a strange sense of relief.
As she turned to leave, she jumped in fright. Someone was standing behind her. She hadn't heard them approach.
It was Geom Wu-jin.
He was staring intently at her, and she was so startled she almost screamed.
“Ah, I wasn't peeping, I just came to see Young Master Geom. Ah, he went to wash up. No, that’s not it…”
Flustered, she rambled incoherently.
“Go inside and wait.”
“No, I can wait outside. Well then, I’ll see you later.”
She gave a quick bow and ran outside as if escaping.
Once in the courtyard, she let out a long sigh. She didn't know why Geom Wu-jin was so difficult to deal with. Besides, she had been caught peeping into the room.
A short while later, Geom Mu-geuk returned. The image of him in clean martial robes overlapped with the memory of him returning in blood-stained clothes.
‘Which one is your true self?’
Even though she didn't quite know what kind of person he was, she found herself seeking him out because her heart was confused and angry.
“You were sweating quite a bit.”
“I was practicing my martial arts.”
“In your room?”
“Training in a confined space is actually more difficult and consumes more mental energy. You should try it sometime, Miss Geum.”
Of course, that wasn't the real reason. He had been training using the Time Heaven Secret Technique after deploying the Space-Time Displacement Technique in his room.
He made use of every spare moment. For Geom Mu-geuk, those weren't just spare moments.
“You look depressed. Did something happen?”
She was grateful to Geom Mu-geuk for accurately reading her mood. He made it easy for her to state her business without having to worry about how to bring it up.
“Our efforts were in vain. My father has no intention of making me the successor.”
Geom Mu-geuk showed no particular reaction to her words.
“Why aren't you surprised? Did you also think I wouldn't become the successor?”
After snapping at him, Geum A-rin immediately regretted it. She realized she had reacted irritably out of a sense of inferiority. Geom Mu-geuk, on the other hand, remained calm.
“If it were something that could be achieved easily, would you have paid such a high price to hire me?”
Hearing his answer, Geum A-rin’s heart settled. Yes, he was right. It wasn't an easy task to begin with. She had been acting as if she had already become the successor.
“You sound like someone who has been through a fierce succession battle yourself. Even though you haven't.”
Geom Mu-geuk smiled. If she knew what the struggle with his brother had been like, she would realize her own battle didn't even qualify as a friendly sparring match.
“Did he tell you why you can't be the successor?”
Geum A-rin shook her head.
Considering he had entrusted her with the secret organization, he clearly trusted her. But she couldn't be the successor?
Geom Mu-geuk thought the reason might be related to the masterminds behind the scenes. From meeting Geum A-rin, he could tell she had no idea where the money she earned was being drained. The second son, Geum A-jong, also seemed entirely focused on the succession battle.
If so, the mastermind would be somewhere around the Family Head of the Golden Dragon Clan or the eldest son, Geum A-hyuk.
‘Where are you hiding?’
Just then, there was a new visitor. It was the second son, Geum A-jong.
“Sister, what are you doing here?”
Geum A-rin showed her wariness as he approached Geom Mu-geuk’s quarters.
“There are promises between men that you wouldn't know about,” Geum A-jong said, looking at Geom Mu-geuk. “You haven't forgotten our promise to have a drink, have you?”
Geum A-jong was only thinking of how to introduce this scammer to his older brother. If I can ruin my sister and then ruin my brother too, I’ll carry you on my back and do a lap around Shaanxi.
However, before proceeding with the plan in earnest, there was one question he needed to resolve. He had come today determined to find the answer.
“How about today? Let’s have a drink.”
“Fine. Let’s go.”
Geom Mu-geuk readily accepted his proposal.
“I’m coming too.”
She didn't want to leave Geom Mu-geuk alone with her brother. There was no telling what kind of tricks he might pull.
But Geum A-jong wouldn't let her join. “This is a pre-arranged meeting.”
She looked to Geom Mu-geuk for help, but he ignored her. It was easier to handle Geum A-jong if they were alone.
*
The two of them sat down for drinks. Since both had clear objectives, the atmosphere was excellent.
Geom Mu-geuk knew very well that Geum A-jong considered him a scammer. Previously, his subordinate Lee Chu had come to inspect the carriage and had been caught. Geom Mu-geuk had used that to his advantage, making Geum A-jong believe he was a fraud.
At that time, Lee Chu had reported to Geum A-jong that he had overheard them talking about going to the clan to pull off a big score. Thus, he was viewed entirely as a con artist.
Conversely, Lee Chu had informed Geom Mu-geuk of Geum A-jong’s intentions.
— He plans to introduce you to the First Young Master and have you ruin him.
Geum A-jong raised his glass high. “If you have any lingering ill feelings toward me, please forget them.”
In response to Geum A-jong’s concern, Geom Mu-geuk spoke as if he didn't care at all. “If there’s bad blood between us, let’s just pour some fresh drinks to wash it away.”
“Well said!”
“Now, let’s drink!”
The two of them drank merrily. Geom Mu-geuk boasted of his tolerance and drank one glass after another. Knowing the other was trying to get him drunk to find something out, he played along.
As they continued to drink and Geom Mu-geuk began to slur his words, Geum A-jong asked casually.
“What did you do to those Money Grubs back then?”
This was the question he needed to resolve. There had to be a reason those fierce men had become so polite and started cleaning.
He couldn't find out through the Money Grubs themselves. Their pride had been so wounded that they were liable to draw their swords if the subject was even mentioned. Unless his father asked, they weren't the type to speak freely to him.
He wanted to know if they were truly such skilled scammers or if they had used some other trick. Geum A-jong was determined to find out. Even when cooking, one must know the ingredients.
“Are you curious about that?”
“Of course I am. It’s all in the past now, so can’t you tell me?”
With his face flushed from the alcohol, Geom Mu-geuk held up his fist. “It was this. What other reason could there be?”
If that were true, there was a problem. What if he didn't leave after pulling a score on his brother? What if he tried to swallow the entire clan? What if they were scammers with that kind of skill?
Right then, a voice transmission from Lee Chu arrived. He had gone to search Geom Mu-geuk’s quarters while he was away.
— I found empty medicine vials in his room. I checked the residue, and it’s a drug I recognize.
— What kind of drug?
— Have you ever heard of the Black Concubine?
Geum A-jong had heard of it. It was a remarkable Energy-Scattering Poison created by the Unorthodox Path Alliance, known as the Black Concubine.
That’s it! Since their internal energy vanished, the Money Grubs couldn't do a thing.
Now the secret was revealed! Everything was falling into place. As if fate were pushing him toward the succession, Geom Mu-geuk asked casually.
“What kind of person is the First Young Master?”
Thinking of proceeding with the next phase of his plan with a light heart, Geum A-jong broke into a wide grin.
‘You cute little scammer!’