Chapter 483: What Comes When You Let Your Guard Down
Chapter 483: What Comes When You Let Your Guard Down
It was a lesson passed down by Hwi.
"The moment you lower your guard, you die."
A simple truth delivered by the greatest guard of the current era.
Geom Mu-geuk knew it well. He knew exactly how difficult it was to uphold that single line. He understood that the truths most difficult to maintain were always the simplest ones.
"Ah! This is a disaster."
Geom Mu-geuk exaggerated his distress, though it wasn't entirely in jest.
"There are far too many moments in my life where I let my guard down. My life is practically built on leisure, drinking, and even dancing!"
He spoke those words, but in truth, there were only two instances where he truly released his tension.
"When I’m with my father, I’m the definition of careless. Whether an assassin comes or not, Father will handle it!"
In reality, he was tense even when with his father. Not because of a potential ambush, but because of the man himself. The better their relationship became, the more nervous he felt. It meant the time for him to make a mistake was drawing near.
The only time he truly released all tension was when he was within the Space-Time Displacement Technique.
Ah, just thinking about that place made him feel good. The comfort of lying on that scorching sandy beach. The sound of seagulls and waves, and a single crab crawling across the sand.
Of course, another place had been added recently. Soaking his body in a hot spring surrounded by snow on all sides made him forget every worry in the world. Thinking of that place while keeping assassins in mind made him realize anew just how precious it was.
"Ah, even now, as I listen to you, Uncle, I’ve let my guard down."
Hwi laughed. He had offered faint smiles many times, but this was the first time he had laughed so heartily.
"You let your guard down just now too, didn't you, Uncle?"
Hwi nodded readily. "You are right. Had an ambush occurred just now, I would have died."
"We would have died together, then."
Hwi spoke softly. "I would have died first."
It was the one thing a true guard never wanted to see. Even if they witnessed the most horrific and terrifying things in the world, even if they watched a sword pierce their own heart, there was one sight they absolutely refused to behold: the death of the person they were meant to protect.
Just as Lee An had thrown her body for him, Hwi was a man prepared to die first.
"Perhaps that is the only blessing granted to a guard."
What more needed to be said? He had already proven himself through death once before. Mu-geuk liked this man, who had protected his father for a lifetime and stayed by his side until the very end.
That was why he could make a promise.
In this life, that will never happen.
The reason he had gone through the hardship of regression was right here.
That is why I will never let my guard down.
"Uncle."
"Yes, Young Cult Leader."
"I will keep what you said today in mind so that I can eventually tell you this: 'I survived because of what you told me, Uncle Hwi!'"
He would surely deliver those words after returning from killing the Murder King. Whether his sincerity reached him or not, Hwi wore a smile.
"You must be tired. Please go in and rest."
"Yes, you rest as well, Uncle."
As he entered the building and walked down the hallway, he could see Hwi still standing in the yard through the window. He was looking up at the night sky, his face lost in thought.
Come to think of it, this was the first time he had seen Hwi standing under the moonlight.
*
Geum Cheon-bang arrived at Geom Mu-geuk’s residence.
Lately, he hadn't been able to sleep at all due to worries about his son. The fact that his son had contracted assassins had been a massive shock to him. Whatever else happened, he could never forgive the influence that had led his son to hire killers.
Of course, he did not know the full scope of the situation. He didn't know that the outcome had already been decided regardless of his son. He didn't realize that from the beginning, they were merely herbivores caught in a clash between apex predators.
He had considered confronting the man behind it all. However, having left all dealings with him to his son until now, he felt burdened by the prospect of meeting him at this late stage. So, even if he were to meet him, he intended to see Geom Mu-geuk first before making a decision.
I have to settle this somehow.
Even if the contract was made because of that person's influence, his son could not escape responsibility for the hit. That was the core of today’s visit.
Does he really know who put out the contract?
When Geom Mu-geuk had visited him, he seemed to have an inkling of something. He had come to confirm that for certain. The reason he had come alone, without even bringing his subordinates, was in case that was the truth.
If all else fails, I’ll have to resolve it with money.
He had yet to even greet the father and uncle of the man named Geom Yeon. He was curious to see what kind of people they were.
When he knocked on the door, Hwi greeted him.
"What brings you here?"
"Are you perhaps Geom Yeon’s father?"
"No. I am Yeon’s uncle."
"Ah, I see. It is a pleasure to meet you. I am the Head of the Golden Dragon Clan."
This was a subordinate his daughter had brought along. Strictly speaking, there was no need to be this polite. Yet, the moment he saw Hwi, he felt intimidated in spite of himself.
"I would like to see Geom Yeon’s father."
"Please wait a moment. I will go inside and ask."
"Please do."
Normally, if a Great Family Head visited, shouldn't he be ushered inside immediately? Was he suggesting he might turn him away if the man was sleeping?
As he was lost in these thoughts, Hwi emerged again.
"Please, come in."
Hwi guided him to Geom Wu-jin.
"The Head of the Golden Dragon Clan has arrived."
"Bring him in."
Geum Cheon-bang entered the room. Hwi followed him in. For now, he was there as an uncle, not a guard.
Geom Wu-jin, who had been standing by the window looking outside, turned around and looked at Geum Cheon-bang. The moment their eyes met, the hair on Geum Cheon-bang’s entire body stood on end. He felt a presence incomparable to the pressure he had felt when meeting Hwi earlier.
"I am Geum Cheon-bang, leader of the Golden Dragon Clan."
Geum Cheon-bang offered a fist salute more polite than his usual greetings. Though he had the cover identity of the West Blade Sect Leader, Geom Wu-jin introduced himself like this:
"I am Yeon’s father."
Geum Cheon-bang had seen countless people while leading his merchant group, but he had never met anyone who gave off such an intense impression.
"Regrettably, an incident that should never have happened occurred recently within my family. I offer my apologies for that."
He apologized first before asking after their well-being.
"Are you physically unharmed?"
"I am fine."
"Do you have any idea who might be behind it?"
"I do not."
He could learn nothing from the short answers, so he tried to discern the man's true intentions from his expression. But far from discerning anything, the moment their eyes met, he reflexively lowered his head and averted his gaze.
He is no easy opponent.
The same went for his son, Geom Yeon. They were no ordinary father and son. Had these people really come as his daughter’s subordinates?
An awkward silence flowed. He was skilled at leading conversations because he had met so many people, but strangely, he couldn't find the words. He hadn't uncovered anything. At this rate, he was on the verge of being asked to leave.
Then, he suddenly remembered what Geom Mu-geuk had said to him.
"Your son suggested I visit his father and seek advice."
"Me?"
He seemed to be hearing this for the first time.
"He told me to visit and learn how to be a parent who wins against their child. He said you were the best in that field."
Only then did a strange smile form on Geom Wu-jin’s face.
"How can a parent ever truly win against their child?" After a brief pause, Geom Wu-jin answered. "I am losing as well."
Hwi lowered his head slightly. He couldn't dare show himself laughing at the Cult Leader's words. A declaration of defeat from the Cult Leader? It was a joke, but Hwi knew it wasn't entirely a joke. The Cult Leader had been 'losing' quite a bit lately; he had even lost at fishing.
Seeing Hwi smile with his head bowed, Geom Wu-jin asked him: "What do you think?"
"How would I know, having no children of my own?"
"That is why I am asking."
It sounded as if he were saying one couldn't find the answer if they actually had children. Hwi was flustered by the unexpected question, but how could he give a half-hearted answer when the Cult Leader had asked?
"I do not know about the matter of winning or losing against a child. However, I once heard something like this."
The question had come from the Cult Leader, but the answer was directed at Geum Cheon-bang. Because those were the words he needed.
"A child grows up watching their parent's actions, not listening to their words."
Geum Cheon-bang’s heart grew heavy. How could he not know the meaning behind those words?
If you cannot win against your child, it is because you cannot win against yourself.
In that regard, Geum Cheon-bang felt deeply ashamed. As for what he had shown his son—his son was answering with the conviction that there was nothing money couldn't solve.
Geom Wu-jin said to Geum Cheon-bang: "So it seems."
"I have taken your wise words to heart."
He hadn't confirmed whether they knew about his son’s contract. However, his visit today hadn't resulted only in the regret of having raised his child poorly.
As he was about to bow and turn away, Geom Wu-jin said something unexpected.
"It seems my son thinks well of you all."
"!"
To Geum Cheon-bang, those words sounded like this: My son intends to give you a chance to be forgiven.
The moment he heard that, he felt a small breathing hole open in his suffocatingly tight chest. He prayed that was what it meant. Geum Cheon-bang bowed his head slightly in greeting once more and left the premises.
After seeing him out, Geom Wu-jin spoke to the returning Hwi.
"Do you have a hidden child somewhere?"
It was praise for answering the previous question well. Hwi simply smiled without a word. After staring out the window with Geom Wu-jin for a moment, Hwi spoke cautiously.
"The assassin in the shadows does not seem to be an ordinary person."
Geom Wu-jin nodded silently.
Hwi knew. Even if the Cult Leader seemed as peaceful as the heavens, he knew much. He received reports from the Chief Strategist every time. He was aware of which assassins were moving and how. He knew that the best of the best were in motion.
Yet, despite knowing this, the Cult Leader was merely watching. How did the Cult Leader view the Young Cult Leader? He was likely seeing something even deeper that Hwi himself could not perceive.
Because Hwi could not see that far, he felt compelled.
"I have a request, Cult Leader."
Geom Wu-jin looked at Hwi for a moment with an expression of surprise. "Have you ever asked me for anything before?"
At Wu-jin's question, Hwi answered politely. "This is the first time."
"What is the request?"
"It is something I should not dare to say. Please forgive my insolence."
Geom Wu-jin waited quietly for Hwi to speak.
"I wish to take charge of the Young Cult Leader’s protection for the time being."
He was the guard of the Heavenly Demon, not anyone else. He was a man who should never take his eyes off the Heavenly Demon for even a single moment. Even if the Heavenly Demon was eating here and the Young Cult Leader was facing death over there, he was a man who must not go there.
He had lived his life with that mindset, yet here he was, making such a request.
Geom Wu-jin spoke firmly to Hwi. "I refuse."
Hwi bowed his head respectfully. "Yes, Cult Leader. I apologize for speaking out of turn. I will gladly accept any punishment for this great insolence."
Then, unexpected words flowed out.
"Hwi, I command you."
"Yes, Cult Leader."
Hwi tensed, his hands coming together in a sharp fist salute. It had been a very long time since he had received a formal command.
"Guard the Young Cult Leader until this matter is concluded."
A startled Hwi looked up at Geom Wu-jin.
Geom Wu-jin looked into his eyes and said: "I cannot let you use the first request you've made in your entire life on something like protecting my son."
"!"
"Save it, and use it for a request for yourself."
Hwi looked at Geom Wu-jin with burning eyes and answered more vigorously than ever before. "I obey your command, Cult Leader!"
*
"You’re going to be my guard from now on, Uncle?"
I was startled by Hwi’s words.
"It is the Cult Leader’s command."
"Father suddenly gave such an order? That can't be right. You know as well as I do, Uncle. He’s not the type to kick his son off a cliff only to spread a safety net at the bottom."
I stared intently at Hwi. "You volunteered to protect me, didn't you, Uncle?"
"No. It was the Cult Leader’s command."
He wasn't a man skilled at lying, so I could tell by his voice and eyes. This was something Hwi had requested himself. I had wondered what he was brooding over under the moonlight that night; he had been worried about me.
"Had it not been a command, I would never have left the Cult Leader’s side."
Hwi denied it to the end. He was trying to make it seem like Father was looking out for me.
"You do not need to be conscious of me. From now on, I am a person who is with you, Young Cult Leader, yet does not exist."
I’m sure he would be. There were only a handful of people who could find Hwi when he was hidden. Would the Murder King notice?
Then, a thought Father once shared occurred to me.
— If you’re going to put Hwi in the lead, take responsibility and protect him.
Father had sent Hwi to me not just to protect me, but because he trusted that I would protect Hwi. Hwi might only be thinking of protecting me, but we had to protect each other.
"Uncle, I’ll be in your care."
"I look forward to serving you as well."
Of course, a joke couldn't be missing in this situation. I raised both hands high in joy.
"Then from now on, I’m going to let my guard down with total peace of mind!"
It was at that very moment, as Hwi smiled. Our gazes turned toward the door simultaneously.
Hwi vanished without a sound, demonstrating what the greatest stealth technique of the era looked like. Soon after, a knock was heard at the main gate.
When I opened the door, to my surprise, Myeong Sin was standing there. He spoke with transparent eyes that hid his true intentions.
"I don't have ten million taels, but I have enough money to buy a round of drinks. What do you say? Will you have a drink with me?"
You were right, Uncle. The moment you let your guard down, the assassin finds you.