RM-Bab 465

Chapter 465 We need to find out the amount.

When was the last time he laughed so heartily?

Yong Jamyeong truly laughed out loud.

Asking if he had money?

Asking the richest man in the Central Plains such a question was no different from asking the Demon Cult Leader, “Do you know martial arts?”

And the one making such a joke was none other than the Young Cult Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.

While building up the Silver River Merchant Group, he had always been cautious of martial artists.

Among them, he was most wary of the Heavenly Demon Divine Sect.

Because when things went wrong, there was no negotiating with them.

They were like a tidal wave, ready to crash down at any moment.

Then came news from the Demon Cult.

The young man standing right before him.

It was news about the Young Cult Master.

The information that came in secretly was truly astonishing.

Stories too unbelievable to be true.

Even as he kept hearing that the Young Cult Master was different from the demons of the past, he thought, “How different could he be?”

A demon is still a demon.

But now, having met him in person, this Young Cult Master was indeed different.

How different could he be?

As you can see, he was far more different than expected.

He was even more special than the rumors said.

“How much would it take?”

To Yong Jamyeong’s question, Geom Mugeuk smiled and replied,

“The more, the better.”

“That’s the one thing I’m good at.”

At his humble words, Geom Mugeuk said something unexpected.

“But you don’t actually have to give it.”

“What do you mean?”

“Just pretend to give it.”

Yong Jamyeong understood Geom Mugeuk’s intention.

It meant that all they needed was for word to spread that the Silver River Merchant Group had given a large sum to the Western Dao Sect.

“And the question of how much should be asked not to you, Danju-nim, but to the other side.”

Yong Jamyeong was impressed by Geom Mugeuk.

It had only been moments ago that he had asked to stay here.

That’s how he got three days.

In other words, in that short time, Geom Mugeuk had already come up with a plan.

The most extraordinary Young Cult Master in history.

He was indeed living up to the rumors.

“Young Cult Master.”

“Yes, Danju-nim.”

It was time to express his gratitude properly.

“Thank you.”

If not for Geom Mugeuk, he would never have realized that Geom Woojin was Eungong.

If he hadn’t asked to hear the old story, if he hadn’t asked to see the sketch of the suspect, if he hadn’t seen Geom Woojin’s image in Geom Mugeuk’s face—

He would never have known that Geom Woojin was Eungong.

Even knowing what Yong Jamyeong meant, Geom Mugeuk smiled and said,

“Even though I asked for money, I still get thanked just for being with the richest man in the world.”

Yong Jamyeong liked Geom Mugeuk.

He now fully understood what the Demon Cult Leader meant when he said, “It won’t be such a bad thing for you either.”

No, it wasn’t just “not bad.”

If he could continue to build a good relationship with this Young Cult Master, it would be a great benefit not only to himself but also to the Silver River Merchant Group.

That must be why such words came out so naturally.

“Those three days start from tomorrow.”

Even a single day was precious to him.

+++

“The Silver River Merchant Group is up to something.”

At Geum Ah-rin’s words, her bodyguard Im Hyuk silently nodded.

The fact that the head of the Silver River Merchant Group had personally come here was proof enough.

From the looks of it, the Silver River Merchant Group and the Western Dao Sect seemed to be working together.

“The Western Dao Sect isn’t made up of ordinary people.”

Im Hyuk recalled Hwi, who had revealed himself after using stealth.

He had never seen such an incredible stealth technique before.

Only someone who had learned stealth could recognize it—this was truly a technique at its peak.

He remembered what Hwi had said back then:

—Do you wish to protect your master? Then stop.

Your thoughts, your actions.

And keep your mouth shut.

It was a warning not to act rashly in that manor.

But somehow, it felt like a warning that applied to this entire situation.

“That’s why the head of the Silver River Merchant Group came in person.”

The man named Geom Yeon, and the presence shown by his father and uncle, were not ordinary.

Especially the presence of his father—it was hard to describe in words.

“If they really joined hands, then my subordinates were taken down by the Silver River Merchant Group.”

This wasn’t just a case of getting into a scuffle with a martial sect.

It meant the Silver River Merchant Group might be behind the incident.

Of course, the chances were slim.

If that were the case, they wouldn’t have let them leave the manor so easily that day.

“There will be contact from the clan.”

She had already reported to the clan that the head of the Silver River Merchant Group was acting alone.

“But we can’t just sit around waiting for contact.”

The situation here might be over before then.

She had to investigate herself.

What kind of relationship the Silver River Merchant Group and the Western Dao Sect had, and why the head of the Silver River Merchant Group had come in person.

“What are you planning to do?”

“I’ll find out what’s going on through that man named Geom Yeon.”

Im Hyuk looked at her with concern.

She had done well in every mission so far.

She was clearly exceptional for someone so young.

But this time, he had a bad feeling.

Geum Ah-rin could feel Im Hyuk’s worry.

“I know. He’s not an easy opponent.”

She thought of Geom Mugeuk.

When she thought of him, the image of him smiling and joking came to mind first.

She knew.

It’s always the strong who can afford to smile.

That smile of Geom Mugeuk’s came from confidence.

And that confidence came from strength.

Just then, a subordinate came to report.

“Geom Yeon and the head of the Silver River Merchant Group have moved.”

“Just the two of them?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“Where to?”

“To the Continental Battlefield.”

Geum Ah-rin immediately guessed the reason.

If a merchant and a martial artist went to the battlefield together, what other reason could there be?

The Silver River Merchant Group must have handed over money to the Western Dao Sect.

Geum Ah-rin gave an order to her subordinate.

“Find out how much money changed hands. We must find out the amount.”

+++

That afternoon, Geum Ah-rin visited Geom Mugeuk’s residence.

“What brings you here?”

“I came because I have something to say to you.”

“Come in.”

“It’s stuffy inside. Let’s take a walk.”

Geum Ah-rin refused to enter the house.

She knew the head of the Silver River Merchant Group was still staying there.

And his father was there too.

That place was a tiger’s den.

Geom Mugeuk readily accepted her suggestion.

“Alright, let’s do that.”

It was exactly this kind of attitude.

Something about this man made her feel like she could get something out of him.

She had to use this man’s confidence.

She needed to tap into that confidence and draw out his humility.

Because when confidence loses humility, it turns into arrogance.

The two of them slowly walked toward the marketplace.

She walked a little distance away from Geom Mugeuk.

“Why are you walking so far away?”

To his question, Geum Ah-rin replied,

“Did you forget? The last time we met, we were trying to kill each other.”

“Let’s be clear. It wasn’t ‘we.’ You were trying to kill me.”

“My subordinates’ blood is probably still on your sword.”

“Because you tried to kill me first.”

“Still, you lived, didn’t you?”

Each word she spoke was careful and focused.

She had never dealt with someone like this before.

Even a single joke required her full attention.

“But there’s one thing that’s strange.”

“What’s strange?”

“As you know, I ran into the head of the Silver River Merchant Group that day. Normally, his guards would’ve looked into me, but there’s been no movement.”

She was testing him to see if the Silver River Merchant Group knew about her.

She knew that if someone unknown approached, the guards would always investigate.

“I told them about you first.”

“What did you say?”

“You heard it that day, didn’t you? That you’re a woman with good fortune when it comes to food.”

When Geum Ah-rin gave him a look of disbelief, Geom Mugeuk added with a smile,

“I told them you were someone I had a personal connection with. So, for my sake, they wouldn’t investigate you.”

Geum Ah-rin stopped walking for a moment.

Naturally, Geom Mugeuk stopped too.

“We’re enemies.”

She deliberately didn’t say anything nice to him.

He had said they had a personal connection.

In other words, he was showing her goodwill.

At times like this, it was better to respond coldly.

But he didn’t take it as enmity.

“Isn’t it too early to say that? Our story isn’t over yet.”

The two of them started walking again.

She subtly tapped into his confidence and drew out a bit of humility.

“The head of the Silver River Merchant Group came in person. You’re more impressive than I thought.”

Geom Mugeuk looked at her with a strange smile.

At times like this, his gaze felt like it could see right through her.

“I think you’re more impressive.”

“What do you mean?”

“You came to see such an impressive person without any fear.”

Such an impressive person?

Looks like that comment drew out the humility just right.

“Why did you come to see me?”

“To be honest, dealing with someone like you is a burden for me too. But since things have happened, we need to settle them somehow.”

As they talked, they entered the marketplace.

Geom Mugeuk made a suggestion first.

“Let’s have a drink.”

It was exactly what she wanted, but she played hard to get.

If she wanted to get information, she couldn’t appear desperate.

She had to approach strategically.

“We’re not exactly drinking buddies, are we?”

This was her confidence speaking.

Confidence that even if she played hard to get, he wouldn’t refuse.

Until now, she had always dealt with men using her sword, so she never needed this kind of charm.

“But we’re not exactly enemies either, are we? Come on, let’s go.”

Geom Mugeuk led the way into the inn.

Geum Ah-rin followed with a faint smile on her lips.

So far, everything was going according to plan.