After finishing the martial arts training that had kept us up all night until dawn, we walked back together.
Father led the way, and one step behind him, Hwi and I walked on either side.
I had ordered Hwi not to conceal himself if possible on this journey, so he was walking with us. Though he had defeated the King of Assassins through concealment, a life without hiding was also Hwi’s life.
“By the way, Father. Before we return, I think I’ll need to settle matters with the Golden Dragon Clan.”
Father knew that I intended to give them a chance. He also knew I had the third child in mind as the successor.
“To be honest, this feels far more difficult than dealing with assassins, but if you give me just a few days, I’ll take care of it.”
Father looked at me with puzzled eyes.
“Can it be done in just a few days?”
“It would be impossible through ordinary persuasion.”
The family head and his three children.
This was a matter of sorting out each of their different hearts and desires.
“So I plan to use another method instead of persuasion.”
A flicker of interest passed through Father’s eyes, then vanished. He did not ask what method. He would find out soon enough anyway.
When Father returned to our quarters, he began working on his fishing rod again. He examined it this way and that, changed the line, shaved the rod with a dagger to adjust its balance.
“If a spy from the Murim Alliance or the Unorthodox Alliance saw this, the report would say: The Heavenly Demon is pouring his heart and soul into making an unidentified object. Judging from his concentration, it appears to be an extremely dangerous item, though it has been disguised as a fishing rod.”
Even at my joke, Father gave no reply and remained focused on the fishing rod.
He was more serious than when he had taught me martial arts earlier. In those careful hands was the will never to lose.
‘Still, I won’t deliberately lose for you!’
Rather, I had to win. Only then would there be another chance to go fishing.
* * *
A few days later, Geum Arin and Geom Mugeuk entered the Golden Dragon Clan’s Family Head Hall.
They had hurried over at her father’s urgent summons, and Geum Ahyeok and Geum Ahjong were already there.
Not only them, but all the clan’s experts had gathered. Everyone’s faces were tense, as if they were moments away from a decisive battle.
Considering that Geum Arin had been told to bring Geom Mugeuk and even her guard Im Hyeok, she could tell that something had happened to the clan.
When she arrived, the voice of a Golden Dragon Clan warrior rang out from outside.
“The guests have arrived.”
At those words, Geum Cheonbang’s face stiffened with tension. It was the first time she had ever seen her father look so nervous.
A moment later, four warriors entered.
The instant she saw them, Geum Arin understood why her father was so tense.
‘Demonic practitioners!’
The aura emanating from them was demonic energy. Moreover, they did not hide their demonic energy. In particular, the presence of the demonic practitioner walking in the center was anything but ordinary.
‘Experts!’
Just as she had expected, he was no ordinary man. The middle-aged man introduced himself in a cold tone.
“I am Tai Yang, Branch Master of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s Shaanxi Branch.”
Geum Arin was even more shocked. Astonishingly, it was not merely an expert from the Demon Cult, but the branch master responsible for the Shaanxi region himself who had come.
Only three experts followed behind Tai Yang as escort warriors, yet it felt even more oppressive than if he had brought dozens to intimidate them.
Geum Cheonbang stepped forward and greeted him courteously. A branch master of the Demon Cult was not someone who could be treated lightly.
“I am Geum Cheonbang, head of the Golden Dragon Clan.”
Geum Cheonbang was an expert who had mastered the Golden Dragon Divine Art, but since childhood, he had carried a fundamental fear of martial artists. And now, facing these demonic practitioners, that fear had awakened again.
Even so, he struggled to appear calm.
“Our family has had no dealings with your cult. May I ask what brings you here?”
That morning, an urgent message had arrived from the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult’s Shaanxi Branch.
It had instructed him to summon not only the family head but also the successors and wait. The way they handled matters was just like the Demon Cult. They had given no reason, only the time of their visit.
As soon as he received the message, Geum Cheonbang had asked the Murim Alliance’s Shaanxi Branch for help. But before the Murim Alliance experts could arrive, the Demon Cult had come first.
Tai Yang looked slowly around at the people in the hall. Those whose gazes met his grew inwardly tense. Regardless of their level of martial arts, they all knew that if one became entangled with the Demon Cult in the wrong way, one could not avoid the calamity of extermination.
Tai Yang’s gaze stopped on Geum Ahyeok. One of the warriors who had come with him had informed him through sound transmission that this was Geum Ahyeok.
“Are you Geum Ahyeok?”
“I am.”
Though he had been acting sharp and rebellious toward his father lately, he did not dare behave recklessly before these demonic practitioners.
“Do you know a man named Myeongsin?”
“Who is that?”
“Do not think of playing dumb. We have evidence that you frequently visited his ironworks and met with him.”
Only then did they understand. The real name of the man Geum Ahyeok had followed while calling him elder was Myeongsin.
“We also have evidence that an enormous amount of Golden Dragon Clan funds flowed to him.”
Geum Ahyeok explained calmly.
“That is correct. That man helped our family with various matters.”
At that, Tai Yang spoke coldly.
“He was an assassin of the Netherworld, a man upon whom our cult had issued a kill order.”
Not only Geum Ahyeok, but Geum Cheonbang as well was startled. It was shocking that he was an assassin of the Netherworld, but what was even more shocking was the fact that they were enemies of the Demon Cult.
Geum Cheonbang hurriedly stepped forward on behalf of his son.
“We did not know that.”
Tai Yang fixed Geum Cheonbang with a cold gaze.
“That is something we will discover through investigation. We will take Geum Ahyeok with us.”
Geum Cheonbang’s face turned ashen. If his son was dragged away by the Demon Cult, there was no telling what would happen to him.
On the other hand, Geum Ahyeok first asked after Myeongsin.
“Where is that gentleman now?”
“That gentleman?”
Tai Yang’s expression hardened. He had just said the man had been under a kill order, and yet Geum Ahyeok still referred to him respectfully.
Just as the startled Geum Cheonbang was about to step forward in his son’s place, Tai Yang delivered astonishing news.
“Not only Myeongsin, but all the assassins of the Netherworld have been eliminated by our cult.”
At the news that Myeongsin was dead, Geum Ahyeok’s expression stiffened.
Geum Cheonbang, however, was inwardly pleased. His son had been so taken with that man that he had even mobilized assassins. And now the man who had been exerting a bad influence over his son was dead. In that sense, the Demon Cult was his benefactor.
“You killed him?”
Geum Ahyeok raised his voice. The news of Myeongsin’s death had agitated him. He was the person who had taught him more than anyone else. Geum Ahyeok had genuinely liked and respected him.
Geum Cheonbang quickly stepped forward and stopped his son.
“You be quiet.”
But Geum Ahyeok spat out words he should not have said.
“The Demon Cult framed that man and killed him!”
“I told you to shut up!”
“He was not that kind of man. This is a plot by those Demon Cult bastards……”
Geum Cheonbang quickly sealed his son’s mute and paralysis acupoints. Even in that state, Geum Ahyeok glared fiercely, his face twisted. The clan experts present frowned at Geum Ahyeok’s rashness.
“Please forgive my son’s discourtesy.”
Tai Yang merely sent him a cold look.
Now that matters had come to this, he could all the less send his son with them. If he went in this agitated state, he would be dead before a day had passed.
Just then, the people Geum Cheonbang had been waiting for arrived. The warriors of the Murim Alliance’s Shaanxi Branch had arrived.
“Welcome!”
Geum Cheonbang greeted them gladly. However, the branch master, with whom he was ordinarily acquainted, had not come personally; only a few of his subordinates had arrived.
“We have come to convey the branch master’s words.”
Surprisingly, the Murim Alliance already knew about the situation here. And the words that came from them struck like a bolt from the blue.
“The assassins of the Netherworld are also listed as public enemies of murim by the Murim Alliance.”
The fact that the Murim Alliance’s Shaanxi Branch Master had sent only his subordinates to convey this meant that he would not involve himself in this matter.
Tai Yang emitted cold demonic energy and pressured Geum Cheonbang.
“May we take him now?”
Geum Cheonbang could not protest. His son had formed ties with someone who was both an enemy of the Demon Cult and listed as a public enemy of murim by the Murim Alliance. One wrong move, and the entire Golden Dragon Clan could be plunged into danger.
“Since the situation is like this, you should send Elder Brother for now.”
The second son, Geum Ahjong, stepped forward. Geum Cheonbang frowned at him. Geum Ahjong stopped wagging his tongue and withdrew. Inwardly, he was delighted. This was the moment his elder brother was finished.
At that moment, Geum Arin felt Geom Mugeuk’s gaze beside her. He was looking at her calmly, as if he had expected this to happen. His eyes asked, Are you just going to stand there?
—What should I do?
She sent a sound transmission.
—What do you want to do? Do you want to step forward and save your elder brother?
—Honestly, no.
—Even so, you’ll have to stop them from taking him away. If you want to become the successor.
It was advice from Geom Mugeuk that seemed to see through the situation.
There was no time to deliberate at length. The demonic practitioners were already approaching to take Geum Ahyeok.
She was afraid to step forward in this situation and did not want to do it, but she mustered her courage. She trusted Geom Mugeuk’s advice.
“Branch Master, I have a request.”
Everyone’s gazes focused on her. Geum Arin spoke calmly to Tai Yang.
“Even if you investigate this matter, I ask that you conduct it within our family.”
“Do you know who we are and still say such a thing?”
“I say it because I do. We are not a murim sect, but a faction belonging to the merchant world. If the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult were to barge in without restraint and take away a blood relative of our family, it would provoke outrage not only from the entire merchant world, but from murim people as well. Furthermore, I am not saying we will refuse an investigation. I am asking that you allow him to be investigated here.”
Though her voice trembled, she said everything she had to say to the end.
“And if I refuse?”
If she was going to act weak, she should not have stepped forward in the first place.
“I will do everything I can to make this matter public throughout murim. I cannot say for certain, but it may also bring dishonor to your reputation, Branch Master.”
A taut tension flowed between the two.
Geum Arin was certain the Demon Cult would not attack rashly. Warriors of the Murim Alliance were here as well, so they would not start a fight. If they did, it truly could escalate into a major incident.
“This is a matter involving the blood relative of a family head. I ask that you handle it with just a little caution.”
She asked courteously and lowered her head. The clan members watched her with surprise. If she were fighting for succession, she should have tried to send Geum Ahyeok off with the demonic practitioners like the second son had.
Tai Yang also knew their situation well.
“I hear you are competing with your elder brothers for the succession. Why did you step forward?”
Geum Arin answered calmly.
“The succession struggle is important, but our clan’s honor is even more important.”
Geum Cheonbang and the clan experts looked at her with astonished expressions. Geum Cheonbang, in particular, was deeply moved. His daughter was trying to save her elder brother while also protecting the clan’s honor. At least in this moment, she was better than him, and better than anyone else present.
After gazing at her for a moment, Tai Yang took a step back.
“You are the best of his children.”
Along with this unexpected praise.
“Very well. We will conduct the investigation here. For now, we will withdraw, and tomorrow I will send investigators.”
Geum Arin expressed her gratitude with a courteous cupped-fist salute.
“Thank you for your consideration.”
Tai Yang looked at Geum Ahyeok and warned him coldly.
“Do not leave this place. If you leave, a kill order will be issued against you.”
Leaving those words behind, all the demonic practitioners withdrew.
The Murim Alliance warriors also left soon after. At least regarding this matter, they showed no intention of involving themselves deeply.
Geum Cheonbang looked at Geum Arin and nodded with an expression that said she had done well. The expressions of the clan experts as they looked at her were also gentle.
By contrast, their gazes toward Geum Ahyeok were cold. He had nearly plunged the Golden Dragon Clan into great danger.
As the chaotic situation in the hall was being settled, Geom Mugeuk and Geum Arin spoke separately in front of the Family Head Hall.
“I will be leaving this place immediately.”
“What?”
“I’ve done everything I came to do, so I should leave.”
Done everything he came to do? In that instant, one thought surfaced in Geum Arin’s mind.
“Don’t tell me. What just happened—was it something you set up?”
“If not, do you think the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult would have withdrawn so obediently? Even praising you?”
“!”
She was confused.
“How on earth?”
He had moved the Demon Cult? And the Shaanxi Branch Master at that? How on earth?
Could this man be a demonic practitioner? But I can’t sense even a trace of demonic energy from him. Or did he move the Murim Alliance and use it to move the Demonic Cult? Does the granddaughter of the Murim Alliance leader truly like this man? All sorts of thoughts flashed through her mind.
“Because of this incident, your elder brother, who had been the leading candidate, has been pushed away from the position of successor. Conversely, you have become the likely choice. You collected the debts owed by the various merchant groups of Shaanxi and helped those in need. And this time, you stepped forward, saved your elder brother, and even preserved the honor of your family.”
“But my second elder brother is still there.”
Geom Mugeuk stared at her and said,
“Do you wish for even that much?”
For an instant, Geum Arin flinched. Geom Mugeuk’s eyes were saying it: Should that not be something you accomplish yourself? Show everyone, with your own hands, the capabilities of a successor.
“No. I should do it myself.”
What weighed on her mind now was not Geum Ajong.
“Even so, drawing in the Demonic Cult was a mistake.”
Geom Mugeuk looked up at the sky. His gaze deepened, and only then did he say what he had meant to tell her before leaving.
“You, your father, and your brothers are not good people. You joined hands with evil to increase your wealth. You even tried to drag places like the Ju Clan Sword Family into unfair contracts. You have probably committed other wrongs as well.”
Geum Arin could not offer any excuse. It was true.
“Do you know why I am still trying to give you a chance?”
Geum Arin asked in a trembling voice,
“Why?”
“Because the assassins of the Netherworld deliberately targeted you. Those bastards are so vicious that they would have dragged you in one way or another. Of course, that does not mean the sins of those who fell for it disappear.”
Geom Mugeuk’s gaze turned to her. Unlike the eyes she had seen until now, they were stern.
“Correct all the wrongs you committed while running your secret organization. And that is not the end. After you become the successor, and later the head of the family, you must live with the heart of repaying your past mistakes. I chose you because I believed you were at least capable of that.”
Only now did Geum Arin understand. The successor’s seat he had promised her was not a reward, but a punishment. He had chosen her because she seemed the person most likely to bear that punishment well.
“I asked you before whether you could kill your elder brothers. At the time, you answered that you did not know. Now, answer me again. Can you kill them?”
After pondering for a moment, she shook her head.
“I don’t think I can.”
Geom Mugeuk eased her worry.
“That is why the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult will, rather, be of help to you. As long as they are watching your family, your elder brothers will not dare covet your position. In the meantime, build your strength. So that even without outside surveillance and management, you can protect yourself.”
Geum Arin felt as though she could faintly see how she ought to live from now on.
This incomprehensible man was far greater than she had thought. He was someone who had eliminated the Netherworld, drawn in the Demonic Cult, and given her this opportunity.
“Then I shall be going.”
Geom Mugeuk strode away at once. Realizing he was truly leaving just like that, she was flustered.
“Thank you so much!”
Geom Mugeuk, who had already walked quite a distance away, looked back and shouted,
“Keep living as someone blessed with good food fortune!”
Geum Arin laughed. She had once jokingly introduced herself to the head of the Eunha Trading Company as a woman blessed with good food fortune, but to think he would use those words as his final farewell.
“Just who are you?”
“I am Geom Yeon.”
He had said it was not Yeon as in fated bond, but Yeon as in smoke. And just as he had said, he was truly disappearing like smoke.
Geum Arin could not leave that spot until Geom Mugeuk vanished from sight.
‘Next time, let’s meet not with Yeon as in smoke, but Yeon as in fated bond.’
Absolute Regression, Chapter 494