Chapter 701: I’d Like to Borrow It All.
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 701: I’d Like to Borrow It All.
Gnaw, gnaw.
Tang Jin-seol began to gnaw on her fingernails.
Her expression was twisted, as if she were locked in deep, agonizing deliberation.
‘How should I deal with this son of a bitch?’
She was submerged in thought, plotting her revenge against Lee Jae-won, the man who had so miserably discarded her.
‘Should I just expose everything?’
In truth, the best method was to reveal every single incident she had covered up for him until now. From the horrific serial rape and murder cases he had committed over the last twenty years to the way he had instigated the Head of the Eon Clan to keep the Tang Clan in check—all of it.
‘...No, that’s impossible.’
But soon, Tang Jin-seol slowly shook her head from side to side.
In the current situation, such an exposure could easily backfire.
The Tang Clan had already cast her out. Although the rumors hadn't spread yet, it was undoubtedly a decision already finalized internally.
If she tried to expose Lee Jae-won now, her words would carry no weight. People would simply assume she was framing him out of spite for being discarded.
‘...I regret not leaving any evidence.’
Furthermore, there was no proper evidence to support her testimony. When she had covered up his tracks, she had been thorough, eliminating not only witnesses but every scrap of related documentation.
At the time, it had been the best course of action to ensure total destruction of the trail, but now, that very thoroughness was her worst enemy. Because of her perfect cleanup, she had lost the opportunity to finish Lee Jae-won off for good.
‘But I can’t give up.’
Tang Jin-seol’s eyes glittered with venom, like a viper harboring a deadly grudge.
It was the worst possible situation, but she had no intention of surrendering. Lee Jae-won had to be punished. He had to pay for throwing her away so pathetically just to save his own skin.
‘I might not be able to end him, but I can certainly shake him.’
A snake-like smile began to spread across Tang Jin-seol’s face.
She might not be able to destroy Lee Jae-won socially, given that all physical evidence had been destroyed. However, she could still throw his world into chaos.
By using public opinion.
‘First, I need to get some money.’
Tang Jin-seol’s eyes flashed with a cold light.
Mangeum Bank, Chengdu Branch
"Yaaaawn~"
Seok Gyeom, the branch manager of the Mangeum Bank in Chengdu, let out a long yawn. A wave of lethargy had come crashing down on him after lunch.
Blink, blink.
His eyelids fluttered incessantly. The lethargy had deepened into a heavy drowsiness.
Seok Gyeom felt it instinctively. For the first time in a long while, he might actually be able to fall asleep.
‘I might actually get some rest today.’
A soft smile played on Seok Gyeom’s lips.
He had been suffering from chronic insomnia lately, unable to sleep a wink. But the afternoon sluggishness seemed to have temporarily quelled his condition.
‘Pillow... my pillow...’
Seok Gyeom pulled a small pillow out from inside his desk.
Thud.
He placed it on the desk.
Thud.
Then, without a moment's hesitation, he slumped forward. The plush sensation of the pillow pressed against his face.
Seok Gyeom wore a blissful smile.
"Zzzzzzz..."
How much time had passed?
Seok Gyeom began to snore, savoring his sweet slumber.
Bang! Bang! Bang! Bang!
"Branch Manager!"
Suddenly, someone began to pound violently on the office door. The voice was thick with urgency.
"Zzzzz..."
But Seok Gyeom, already deep in the throes of sleep, ignored the frantic calls and continued to drift through his dreams. He was out so cold that nothing short of someone physically shaking him would wake him up.
Creek!
"Branch Manager!!!"
The door swung open, and a middle-aged man burst inside. It was Do Il-chul, the Deputy Manager of the Chengdu branch.
He called out to Seok Gyeom with a desperate shout. Yet, despite Do Il-chul’s yelling, Seok Gyeom showed no sign of waking from his deep sleep.
‘Why the hell is he sleeping like a log on a day like this?!’
Do Il-chul’s face crumpled into a scowl. Usually, this man was prone to fits of irritation because of his insomnia, so seeing him in a dead sleep on the one day he was actually needed made Do Il-chul’s blood boil.
Shake, shake.
"Wake up! Branch Manager!"
Do Il-chul grabbed Seok Gyeom and began to shake him vigorously. He knew he’d get chewed out for ruining a rare moment of rest, but he had no choice. A figure so prominent had appeared that only someone of Seok Gyeom’s rank could handle them.
"Ugh... mmm..."
Perhaps responding to the violent shaking, Seok Gyeom let out a groan.
"Wake up!"
Do Il-chul bellowed directly into Seok Gyeom’s ear.
Twitch.
At the shout, Seok Gyeom’s body jolted.
Snap.
His eyes flew open.
"........."
He glared at Do Il-chul with bloodshot eyes. It was a silent, heavy pressure demanding to know what was going on.
"An... an urgent matter has arisen."
Overwhelmed by the intensity, Do Il-chul stammered as he spoke.
"Do Il-chul."
"...Yes, sir."
"If you woke me up for something pathetic, you’re dead."
Seok Gyeom began to growl. His fury toward Do Il-chul for ruining the first good sleep he’d had in three days was reaching a boiling point.
".........I believe the reason is more than sufficient."
"What is it?"
"A guest has arrived."
"A guest?"
"Yes. She is requesting a loan."
"Then take her ID and collateral and handle it yourself!"
Seok Gyeom continued, his face twisted in a scowl. The procedure for a loan wasn't that complicated. As long as there was verified identity and collateral, it could be processed easily.
"The thing is... she wants a credit loan..."
"A credit loan?!"
Upon hearing Do Il-chul’s words, Seok Gyeom’s eyes widened in surprise.
Under normal circumstances, it was rare for anyone to even apply for a credit loan. Unlike a collateral loan, the procedure for a credit loan was incredibly strict and complex. It involved lending money based solely on a person’s reputation and creditworthiness.
Consequently, the interest rates were higher and the repayment periods were much shorter compared to collateral loans, all to minimize the risk. Because of these hurdles, few people ever sought them out. Most preferred the peace of mind that came with using a house or land as collateral.
"........Tell her no and send her away."
Seok Gyeom spoke with a deep frown. Generally, credit loans were at the discretion of the branch manager. Based on his judgment, they could be rejected or approved.
Seok Gyeom rejected the request immediately. Credit loans carried a high probability of default. For a money exchange that lived and breathed on profit, it wasn't a type of business to be encouraged.
"........I’m afraid that won't be possible."
Do Il-chul mumbled.
"Why not? If the Branch Manager says no, it’s no!"
"I suspect... the guest might find that offensive."
"Whether she’s offended or not is none of my business."
Seok Gyeom spoke with a firm tone. His eyes were set with the determination not to grant the loan.
".........I really think it would be best if you went out there yourself."
"What, did the Cheonmu Alliance Leader show up? Why are you acting so subservient?"
Seok Gyeom asked, looking at Do Il-chul, who was still urging him. He found the deputy's humble attitude suspicious.
"......It’s not the Alliance Leader... but his wife is here."
"....Huh?"
"Madam Tang Jin-seol, the Third Madam of the Cheonmu Alliance Leader, has graced us with her presence."
"..............The Third Madam?!"
Seok Gyeom’s face was instantly painted with shock.
"I’d like to take out a loan."
Tang Jin-seol spoke with a cold expression.
"........By a loan... do you mean... a credit loan?"
Seok Gyeom asked her, his posture incredibly humble.
"Didn't you hear everything from that deputy manager?"
"I did... hear it... but, well... just to confirm one more time..."
"I don't like repeating myself, Branch Manager."
Tang Jin-seol spoke, her cold eyes glinting.
"I-I apologize."
Hearing her rebuke, Seok Gyeom apologized immediately. He knew nothing good would come from getting on her bad side.
‘Acting like she owns the place. That bitch.’
Of course, he was cursing her out in his head.
".....What amount... did you have in mind?"
Seok Gyeom asked, maintaining his apologetic expression.
"How much can you give me?"
"......As you know, a credit loan isn't as simple as it sounds. Credit isn't something visible to the eye... so there are many things to consider, and the screening process takes time... and the interest rates are high..."
"Enough. Just tell me how much you can give me."
Tang Jin-seol cut him off, looking as though she didn't want to hear another word.
‘Rotten wench!’
Seok Gyeom cursed again internally. Her abrasive attitude was making his irritation flare.
"Given your status, Madam Tang, we can offer approximately fifty thousand Nyang."
Seok Gyeom spoke after arriving at what he felt was a reasonable calculation. Based on her credit, fifty thousand Nyang seemed possible. In truth, her personal reputation was negligible, but her status as a blood relative of the Tang Clan and the mistress of the Cheonmu Alliance boosted her creditworthiness immensely.
"That’s less than I expected."
Tang Jin-seol spoke, her disappointment blatant. She seemed genuinely let down by the amount.
"You don't exactly have a profession, do you, Madam Tang? This amount is actually quite high, all things considered."
Seok Gyeom began to coax and soothe her. He was worried she might start a scene.
"If it weren't me, but the credit of the Cheonmu Alliance itself, how much could you lend?"
Tang Jin-seol asked, sounding curious.
"Excuse me?!"
Seok Gyeom blinked, looking at her in confusion.
"I asked how much the name of the Cheonmu Alliance is worth."
".........If it’s the name of the Cheonmu Alliance... I believe a million Nyang... would be easily possible."
"I’d like to borrow it all."
Tang Jin-seol spoke boldly.
"What?!"
Seok Gyeom asked again. He wondered if he had misheard her.
"Give me the full million Nyang. On the credit of the Cheonmu Alliance."
She spoke with an alluring smile.
"But... what could you possibly need a million Nyang for..."
"Do I really need to tell you that?"
Tang Jin-seol glared at Seok Gyeom with sharp eyes.
".........My apologies. I overstepped."
Seok Gyeom apologized immediately. He realized he had crossed a line.
"I’ll forgive you. I’m a merciful woman, after all."
Tang Jin-seol spoke with a snake-like smile.
"Now then, hurry up and process the loan."
".....There is one thing I must verify first."
"And what is that?"
Tang Jin-seol asked.
"You must prove that you have the authority to take out a loan using the credit of the Cheonmu Alliance."
Seok Gyeom’s eyes sharpened as he spoke.
"Is my status as the mistress of the Cheonmu Alliance not enough?"
"It is not. Please provide more definitive proof of your authority."
"Fine."
Tang Jin-seol nodded at Seok Gyeom’s words. She began to rummage through her robes.
Clack.
She pulled something out and set it down on the table.
Seok Gyeom focused on the object. His expression quickly turned to one of pure shock.
What she had placed on the table was a token. A dazzling silver token embossed with a soaring dragon.
Seok Gyeom knew exactly what this was.
"The... the Heavenly Dragon Token?!"
Indeed. This was the Heavenly Dragon Token. It was the token of delegated authority, signifying that the bearer acted on behalf of the Alliance Leader.
"Is this sufficient?"
Tang Jin-seol spoke, looking amused. A snake-like smile played on her lips.
"It is... more than sufficient!"
Seok Gyeom began to nod his head incessantly. The Heavenly Dragon Token was an identity plaque that symbolized the delegated power of the Alliance Leader. Its mere existence was a guarantee. How could a loan possibly be denied?
"Then, what about the money?"
"I will go and bring it immediately."
Seok Gyeom bowed politely and spoke. He quickly turned and hurried out of the room, intending to fetch the funds himself.
"Take your time."
Tang Jin-seol watched his retreating back with a satisfied smile. Everything was going according to plan.
‘This is alimony, Lee Jae-won.’
A vile, bottomless venom began to swirl in Tang Jin-seol’s eyes.