Debt of the Immortals.
The term was coined as the opposite of the vicious high-interest loans known as Yama’s Debt.
Money lent without interest, a gift from the immortals, was called the Debt of the Immortals.
Before my regression, I naturally knew about a major incident related to the Debt of the Immortals.
The moment I heard the name, I thought to myself, so they were already on the move back then.
The truth about the Debt of the Immortals incident was only revealed to the world much later than this.
Go Wol explained.
“It’s a new term that has appeared recently, referring to the practice of lending money without interest. It is spreading secretly, mainly among young martial artists.”
Debt of the Immortals.
It was also a phrase that signaled the beginning of an evil so great that even a demon would shake its head.
“When I first heard about lending money to young martial artists without interest in Gui Province, I thought it was just some wealthy magnate showing goodwill. But then I heard about it in the Central Capital, and in Hubei as well. Of course, if I didn’t deal with information, I wouldn’t have known. It’s spreading quite covertly.”
And Go Wol's suspicion began right there.
“Who on earth would be lending money without interest? And why only to young martial artists?”
It seemed Go Wol had already sensed that something was amiss with this affair.
“Upon investigation, I found that a mysterious organization called the Mutual Aid Society was lending the money.”
The name implied helping one another, but their true name, later revealed, was the Dark Merchant World.
“There was a decisively strange point.”
“What was it?”
“The loan slips apparently have no repayment date.”
“No interest and no repayment date? Then the borrower would have less sense of responsibility and wouldn't think of repaying.”
“That’s right. That’s why people have started borrowing again without paying back what they owe.”
It was a method to make the other party continuously borrow more money.
Although they were all young and intelligent, they still lacked the experience to handle the vile treachery of a dagger hidden behind a smile.
“They must have been mistaken. No repayment date doesn’t mean it can be postponed forever, but that they can come and demand the principal back at any time.”
What if they suddenly showed up, presented all the accumulated loan slips, and demanded the entire principal be repaid at once?
If the person couldn’t pay, the collectors would drop all pretenses.
Depending on the target's disposition and character, they would resort to violence or threaten to kill their family.
They might appeal to their conscience or try to placate them with kind words.
By then, they would have investigated every possible weakness, and since the money was borrowed without interest, public opinion would also be on their side.
“They completely control a person’s life with money. They probably never intended to get the money back in the first place. They’ll use the debt as leverage to make them do other things. The moment they commit a single evil act on the condition of having their debt forgiven, they become the villains' slaves for life.”
Go Wol looked at me with admiration.
There was no need for such admiration.
I didn’t figure it out because I was smart, but because it had actually happened.
You're the amazing one for catching onto this conspiracy.
Those black-hearted merchants use the indebted youths to commit countless evil deeds.
As a result, many innocent people lose their lives.
Many of the youths, unable to bear the torment, took their own lives.
The fact that the Dark Merchant World was behind all of this was only revealed after a long time had passed.
The viciousness of their deeds, how they thoroughly manipulated people with money.
When dealing with those who used Yama’s Debt, one could at least be cautious from the start.
These people approached with smiling faces and sucked the very marrow from the bones of the young.
By the time they were branded Public Enemies of the Martial World, the leader and the top brass of the black-hearted merchants had already amassed enormous fortunes and gone into hiding.
In the end, they were never caught.
“I’d like to see just how much money they have to be pulling a stunt like this.”
I could understand Go Wol’s intention.
We were currently struggling with funds, and his meaning was that we should deal with these villains and recover their money.
Since he was in the position of spending money to build an organization, he must have felt sorry toward me.
“We’re short on money, so shall we get some help from The Immortals?”
Go Wol’s expression brightened as I readily agreed.
“May I mobilize the information network?”
“This organization is not mine, but yours. You make the judgment, act first, and report to me later.”
I gave him full authority and my complete trust in his work.
Go Wol bowed his head to express his gratitude.
“Show me what you can do.”
“Yes!”
It was the first time Go Wol had made a move against an external enemy.
From now on, Go Wol would devise the plan himself.
All I had to do was swing my fists on the stage he set.
Wasn't this kind of peace of mind the privilege of a leader with a competent strategist?
After finishing our conversation, I returned to my room to find a quiet atmosphere.
The Fist Demon and the Wind Heaven Sect Leader were silently sipping tea.
The suffocating awkwardness was palpable.
“What were you two discussing?”
At my question, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader answered.
“I was just asking him to take good care of our Second Young Master.”
“While you curse me behind my back all the time?”
“Don’t I need you to keep succeeding so I can keep cursing you?”
“You have a point.”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader seemed to be in a much better mood.
Seeing his bright demeanor, I glanced at Go Wol.
Go Wol also had a look that said he didn't know why.
The reason was revealed that night.
I was inside the Space-Time Displacement Art created by the Wind Heaven Sect Leader.
He had opened it when I suggested we talk for a moment.
It was a field stretching out under a blue sky, an incredibly beautiful and refreshing landscape.
“Master!”
“Master?”
“Have you forgotten? We agreed that within this place, I would consider you my master.”
The one who had taught me the Space-Time Displacement Art was the Wind Heaven Sect Leader.
That’s why I had told him before that I would treat him as my master within this space.
“Ah! That’s right.”
Instead of being pleased, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader sighed.
“What’s wrong?”
He sighed and said, “Since it’s you, I’ll be honest. When I heard the Fist Demon became your master, I was truly happy. Not because you two became master and disciple, but because I thought, ‘The Fist Demon got completely fleeced by you too.’ I was feeling down because I thought I was the only one who had been taken for everything by you.”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader was probably the only person who could say something like this so openly.
“But then I thought about it, and I’m your master too, aren’t I? The one who got fleeced first wasn’t the Fist Demon, it was me. It was me.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at his self-reproach.
“Are you laughing at me?”
“Laughing at you? You’re my master.”
“Fine, laugh all you want.”
“Sect Leader.”
“What is it?”
I gazed at him for a moment and then said with sincerity, “Thank you.”
“For what?”
“For being by my side. For being by Go Wol’s side.”
“Why are you being like this all of a sudden? I don’t have any money!”
Why am I being like this? It’s something I’ve been trying to practice in my relationships these days.
Something as important as seeing people for who they truly are.
Speaking my mind.
Don’t save it for later, just say it.
When the thought comes, don’t put it off, just say it.
I was putting that into practice right now.
“Thank you, truly.”
As I expressed my sincere gratitude once more, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader’s gaze deepened.
“I’m fine, so you don’t have to look after me like this.”
“No, I will. I’m human, so I’ll make mistakes. If I ever become neglectful, please keep cursing me. Tell me not to treat you like I did back when you were the Cult Master! Tell me not to take you for granted! Please, keep cursing me.”
The wind blew, making our clothes flutter.
Watching the grass surrender to the wind and lie down in unison, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader asked, “Go Wol told you to look after me, didn't he?”
“Yes.”
“Why are you youngsters so concerned about an old man? It hurts my pride.”
“The Grand Strategist told me he still dreams of the time he was bound in chains. He said it seems really difficult for someone to escape their past. And that it would be the same for you, Sect Leader.”
“He should worry about himself. Hey, Second Young Master. Look after your strategist, not me. He’s been having a tough time lately.”
“Why don’t you look after him yourself?”
At that, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader suddenly revealed his true feelings.
“This was Go Wol’s favorite place. He truly loved the fields and the sky here. But after he became the Grand Strategist, I became reluctant to bring him here.”
“Why is that?”
After a brief pause, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader spoke.
“I’m afraid. I’m afraid that if he comes here, he’ll think, ‘I was so oppressed back then that I longed for this fake world.’”
I understood the Wind Heaven Sect Leader’s worry.
Yes, the past is a damn hard thing to shake off.
“Bring the Grand Strategist here.”
“Bring him here?”
“Just because he doesn’t come here doesn’t mean the memory will disappear. Do you think a man that smart would forget this place just because he doesn’t visit?”
“!”
“If anything, to forget this place, he must do it here.”
Whoooosh.
Was it a reflection of the Wind Heaven Sect Leader’s heart? An even stronger wind began to blow.
“Then I’ll be on my way.”
Even after I left, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader remained in the Space-Time Displacement Art for a long time.
*
The next day, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader was still inside the Space-Time Displacement Art.
In the same place, but with a different person.
Go Wol stood where Geom Mugeuk had been.
“It’s been a while since you’ve been here, hasn’t it?”
At the Wind Heaven Sect Leader’s words, Go Wol nodded with a sullen expression.
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader watched Go Wol’s reaction and asked, “What’s wrong?”
“What do you mean, what’s wrong? Coming here brings back old memories. There’s not a single good one, is there?”
Hearing those words from Go Wol himself pained the Wind Heaven Sect Leader’s heart.
“Why did you bring me here? To tell me I’m still bound by your invisible chains? Is that it?”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader was flustered by Go Wol’s cold response.
“No. I just, after a long time…”
“Let me out.”
“Fine.”
Just as he was about to release the Space-Time Displacement Art, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader flared up.
Thinking about it, anger surged within him.
“Hey! Why are you being so serious and angry? Do our past memories mean nothing? I’ve apologized so many times for what happened back then, haven't I? Do you really have to react so sharply? I just wanted to… with you…”
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader trailed off, at a loss for words.
What was he trying to do with him, really? To reminisce about the past? Because Geom Mugeuk told him to? Or did he want to hear Go Wol say that it was okay now? Dammit! This was a place he should never have opened.
It was then.
Go Wol’s gentle voice was heard.
“Sect Leader. You were worried I would act like I just did, weren’t you?”
Startled, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader raised his head.
The angry Go Wol from a moment ago was gone, and he had returned to his usual self.
The Wind Heaven Sect Leader could tell.
Go Wol had been acting on purpose.
“What do you take me for, to worry about something like that? After knowing me for so long, you still don’t get it?”
“Honestly, the more I see you, the less I understand. I don’t understand you, and I don’t understand myself.”
Go Wol looked around and said, “I wanted to come here. I’ve never been as happy as I was when I was in this place. I’m traveling the Central Plains now, but I preferred being here with you, Sect Leader. So I was waiting, wondering when you would suggest coming here.”
At that, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader shouted, “What kind of crazy talk is that? Take that back right now! You prefer this damned fabricated world? Are you mad? This place is just… Forget it! Forget it, I said! How can you say you prefer this miserable place that was barely a breathing hole in that agonizing life? Is that all your life is now? If you’re that unhappy, what’s the point of the information network? Forget the Second Young Master and everything else, just quit!”
Faced with the Wind Heaven Sect Leader’s fiery gaze, Go Wol felt a hot passion welling up inside him.
To have one person like this in his life, what more could he ask for?
“Aaaah! This is great!”
Go Wol started running across the field like he used to.
Then, he lay down on his back in the middle of the field.
“This is nice.”
“What’s so nice about it?”
“You seem like your old, damn self again. Did you let off some steam today?”
“Let off steam? The frustration I had let go of has just piled up again.”
But contrary to his words, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader’s expression was more at ease than before he had entered the Space-Time Displacement Art.
Lying down, Go Wol sat up.
“Sect Leader, let’s go. I’m busy.”
“Stay a little longer. Rest a bit more. Forget about all that work. Forget about the Second Young Master too.”
At that, Go Wol’s gaze turned to the sky again.
“It’s definitely better here. The sky is better here.”
Though for this moment, at least, the Wind Heaven Sect Leader felt the same, he said something different from what was in his heart.
“I’m never opening this place again. Look your fill and roll around all you want.”
*
While Go Wol was laying the groundwork regarding the Mutual Aid Society, I trained in martial arts with the Fist Demon.
This time was truly precious.
We had finally begun to spar using fist techniques.
Thunder Asura Fist versus Thunder Asura Fist.
The Fist Demon had begun to teach me with his body.
Now that he was officially my master, just fighting was out of the question.
However, we could spar as much as we wanted with the Thunder Asura Fist.
Even if I were to win later on, it would be a case of defeating him with his own martial art, so there was little to worry about.
And a few days later.
Go Wol showed results faster than I expected.
He had succeeded in making contact with the Mutual Aid Society.
“Are you ready to borrow some money from the immortals?”
I looked at Go Wol and smiled broadly.
I intended to give them back exactly what they did to those youths.
Those demonic villains, I would strip them clean, leaving not a single one behind.
“Let’s go see just how much money our dear immortals have, shall we?”