"It seems the one we're looking for has a deep connection with an assassination organization."
First, I had to accurately inform my father and Hwi of the situation.
"Why do you think so?"
Hwi was asking if it wasn't possible that the Golden Dragon Clan had simply placed the contract.
"From what I know, a large assassination organization like the Underworld Ledger prioritizes a thorough investigation of the contract target. Especially for a large-scale assassination mission like today's."
At Geom Mugeuk's words, Hwi nodded and replied.
"You are correct."
"Considering the date we arrived here, they wouldn't have had time to investigate properly. It also doesn't seem like they sent them knowing our identities."
This time, he looked at his father standing by the window and added.
"If they had known the contract target was Father, they would never have accepted the contract. If they had insisted, every top-tier assassin in the Central Plains would have had to come."
Would Father ever like getting entangled in a fight with assassins? He would surely be annoyed by the smell of blood coming from the window right now.
That's why I said it.
To cheer him up, even if just a little.
"Therefore, this isn't a routine contract. The one behind this must have a deep connection with the assassination organization. Whoever it is, they must be in a position to mobilize the assassins of the Underworld Ledger in a short amount of time, skipping the investigation."
Hwi nodded as if in agreement.
“Uncle, you are the expert on assassins, so I'll be in your care. Please teach me about assassins in particular.”
If he had learned about the merchant world from the Silver River Merchant Group Leader, he now intended to learn about assassins from Hwi.
Normally, he would have politely declined, but given the situation, Hwi readily accepted.
“I will.”
Geom Mugeuk didn't miss this opportunity and threw a joke at his father standing by the window.
“Father, Uncle Hwi will handle everything. Let's just go fishing."
At Geom Mugeuk's joke, Geom Woojin spoke without turning around.
“If you're going to put Hwi in front, you take responsibility for protecting him."
Geom Mugeuk was surprised by the unexpected words, and so was Hwi.
There were times when his father would surprise people, and this was one of them.
“No, please take a joke as a joke! How can I protect the person who is the best at protecting in this world?"
His father looked out the window as if it wasn't a joke, and Hwi gave Geom Mugeuk an awkward smile.
This was the first time the Cult Master had expressed concern for his well-being with such direct words.
The heart of the man named Hwi could not be moved no matter how much money he was given, even if it were split three ways or given entirely to him.
But a single sentence like this from the Cult Master genuinely pleased his heart.
He was grateful to the Cult Master, but he had to acknowledge this one thing.
This is all thanks to the Young Cult Master.
“Uncle, now you'll have to teach me not only about assassins but also about Escort Martial Artists, won't you?”
Looking troubled, Hwi tried to leave.
“I will clean up the bodies.”
Then, Geom Mugeuk stopped him.
“Just leave the bodies.”
Geom Mugeuk's gaze turned towards the Clan Leader’s Hall far outside the window.
"We should make the one who sent them clean them up."
“You sent assassins?”
Geum Cheonbang was truly dumbfounded.
His son had learned martial arts, but only to the extent expected of the eldest son of a prosperous Merchant Group.
In fact, Geum Ah-rin was stronger in terms of martial arts skill.
“How could you..."
There was no need to hear the answer. 'He' was surely involved in this absurd affair.
But he hadn't known his son was so influenced that he would call upon assassins without hesitation.
“You mean to say you committed such an important act without discussing it with your father?"
Geum Cheonbang shouted angrily, but his son showed no sign of remorse.
“It was to protect him."
Geum Cheonbang was aghast, but what was important now was not the reason, but the result.
“Fine, let's say that's true. But do you even know what kind of people assassins are? They are the kind who use the contract as a weakness to extort money from you for the rest of your life."
“Only third-rate martial artists do that. The people I sent are not such third-rate types.”
“You have no experience using assassins, do you?"
Geum Ah-hyuk looked into Geum Cheonbang's eyes and asked back.
"Why do you think I have none?"
“You brat!”
Geum Cheonbang bellowed.
He was so angry he didn't know what to say.
He was a man who didn't get easily agitated despite all the disputes in the merchant world.
After all, he had spent his life fighting battles where the one who got excited first lost.
But now, he had lost.
It was a complete defeat to his own son.
Unlike the agitated Geum Cheonbang, Geum Ah-hyuk was calm.
“By now, they should be dead.”
As if the matter was already over, Geum Ah-hyuk rose from his seat.
"Please get some rest, Father.”
The moment his eyes met his son's, who was bowing politely, Geum Cheonbang's heart sank.
An utterly cold and frigid gaze.
He had seen that unfamiliar look several times recently, but today it was the most unfamiliar.
And so, Geum Ah-hyuk left the Clan Leader’s Hall.
Crash!
The teapot and teacup on the table fell to the floor and shattered.
It was the first time he had broken something out of anger.
He was a man with great patience, but when it came to his son's problems, it was hard to endure.
Geum Cheonbang took a bottle of wine stored in a side cabinet and drank it straight from the bottle.
Whenever he heard that raising a child was the hardest thing in the world, he thought it didn't apply to him.
He had been so proud of raising a child whom others envied.
But his son had changed drastically, as if to make him pay the price for every moment he had boasted to others.
He resisted the urge to throw the wine bottle as well and placed it on the table.
Now was not the time for breaking things, but for damage control.
'How do I handle this?'
It was a problem if the assassination mission succeeded, and a problem if it failed.
If it succeeded, his son would try to solve future difficulties with this method.
No, perhaps he was already in that state.
What if it failed? And what if it was revealed that his son had hired assassins? He didn't want to imagine either scenario.
Just then, the door to the great hall opened.
Creeak.
Looking at the door, Geum Cheonbang hoped.
He hoped his son would return and say, 'I'm sorry for handling this without consulting you, Father.' Then they could somehow work together to find a solution.
“There's no one guarding outside.”
The person who entered was Geom Mugeuk.
Seeing him, Geum Cheonbang's eyes widened in shock.
'The assassination mission failed.'
Geum Cheonbang tried his best to calm his heart and greeted Geom Mugeuk.
"I had my men step away for a moment.”
He had dismissed all his subordinates to have a private talk with his son.
'Could it be? He didn't overhear our entire conversation, did he?'
What if he heard that his son sent assassins? If so, his son's life was in danger.
"I happened to see him on my way. A young master was leaving the Clan Leader’s Hall. Is he perhaps the First Young Master?"
“That's right, I was talking with my eldest son."
When Geom Mugeuk mentioned his son, Geum Cheonbang's heart pounded.
'Is he testing me? Or is he implying he overheard our conversation?'
His guilt made him think all sorts of unnecessary thoughts.
“He was as handsome and striking as I'd heard. I could truly feel the air of a great warrior about him.”
These were words that always made him feel good, but not today.
He was reminded of that unfamiliar gaze his son had given him.
“So? Did you exchange greetings?"
“No, I only saw him from a distance."
“And yet you saw his face in such detail.”
“I have good eyes.”
Geom Mugeuk looked around and pointed to a distant wall.
"Do you see the leaves on the flower pattern on that wall?"
“It's too small, I can't see it.”
“There are nine. Go and check for yourself.”
This man had collected money from the Hundred Immortals Gang and made the assassination mission fail.
And now he was telling him to go count the number of petals.
This unknowable specialness truly seemed to exist in a realm that was, quite literally, unknowable.
“Forget the petals. What brings you here at this hour?"
“I came because I have something urgent to tell you.”
“What is it?"
“Assassins entered my residence.”
Geum Cheonbang pretended to be startled.
“Assassins? Is that true?”
He acted like someone who knew nothing at all.
He was a man who had experienced all sorts of things in the deceptive merchant world.
He was more confident than anyone in hiding his inner thoughts.
“Are you hurt anywhere?”
“Fortunately, I'm fine.”
“And the assassins?”
“I took care of them all.”
“I will send people immediately to clean up the bodies. I'll give you a new guest hall as well.”
“Thank you.”
Normally, he should have said he would investigate the bodies to find out which organization the assassins came from.
But he omitted those words.
He was in a situation where he had to hide even the existing evidence.
Geum Cheonbang called his subordinates and hurriedly sent them to the guest hall.
"Clean up the bodies and move the people there to a new guest hall.”
“Understood.”
Before the subordinates could leave, Geom Mugeuk stepped forward.
“But shouldn't we investigate the bodies to see which organization they came from, rather than just cleaning them up?"
Geum Cheonbang was inwardly flustered but tried to speak calmly.
"Of course, we must."
"You should also sound the alarm and strengthen the security around the Clan Leader's Hall."
"I was just about to.”
As if he really meant it, he repeated Geom Mugeuk's words as an order to his subordinate.
A moment later, the loud sound of a bell could be heard from outside.
Geum Cheonbang felt as frantic as the ceaselessly ringing bell.
Even though he knew full well it was his son's doing.
'Assassins in the main house?'
The very fact that assassins had infiltrated made his whole body tremble.
To think that those who made a living killing people for money had roamed inside the Golden Dragon Clan made his chest feel tight.
Anger and bewilderment.
At least these two emotions did not need to be faked.
“From now on, the Clan Leader must also be careful.”
“What do you mean?”
"There were quite a number of assassins. If someone didn't allow them to enter, doesn't that mean the Golden Dragon Clan's security was breached?"
Were those words meant to test him? Or was it a warning? Geum Cheonbang couldn't read Geom Mugeuk's inner thoughts.
It seemed like he knew nothing, yet it also seemed like he knew something.
“I will thoroughly strengthen the security from now on.”
Geum Cheonbang originally had a pathological fear of martial artists.
No matter how difficult the dealings with merchants were, he was confident he could overcome them somehow, but getting involved with martial artists made him too anxious.
They didn't listen to reason, couldn't be reasoned with through calculations, and drew their swords first.
He had feared and disliked them since he was young.
He was even afraid of the martial artists of his own Clan.
What if someone, bribed by a rival merchant group, suddenly drew their sword and stabbed him? This life he was so afraid of losing would end with that single act.
It was probably because of this fundamental fear.
His desire for his sons to handle matters with martial artists in his stead.
The reason he hired an expensive martial arts master for his daughter, who had a talent for it among his three children.
The reason he entrusted this matter with him to his eldest son.
Even though he knew full well that escape always demanded such a high price.
"Are you alright?"
“I'm fine. Just a little surprised.”
Geom Mugeuk asked as if talking to himself.
“I wonder who on earth tried to kill me?"
At Geom Mugeuk's meaningful question, Geum Cheonbang tried his best to answer calmly.
“Wouldn't you know that better than I?”
“True! I have lived a life with many enemies.”
Geom Mugeuk's reason for coming here at this hour was to confirm if Geum Cheonbang was involved with sending the assassins.
If he showed up alive and well on the very day the assassins were sent, right after the mission was carried out, he would surely reveal some clue.
And Geom Mugeuk could tell who had sent the assassins.
It wasn't because of Geum Cheonbang's bewilderment, which he couldn't completely hide no matter how experienced he was.
It was because of that.
Geom Mugeuk's gaze fell on the shattered teacup and teapot on the floor.
“Did you throw them?”
"No. I dropped them by mistake.”
“It's not easy for them to shatter like this, is it?"
He could tell from the broken teacup.
The person who sent the assassins was the son, Geum Ah-hyuk.
Geum Cheonbang, who had just realized this fact, must have revealed his anger.
“Raising children isn't easy, is it?"
Geum Cheonbang was flustered by the sudden question.
“What do you mean all of a sudden?”
He must think I threw it because I was angry at my son!
Unlike Geum Cheonbang's desperate attempt to keep the topic from focusing on his son, Geom Mugeuk turned the topic to himself.
“I was talking about myself. Because I often trouble my father."
“A truly troublesome son doesn't even know he is one. But what can you do? No matter how much trouble they cause, they are still your child, aren't they? It's said that no parent can overcome their child."
Then Geom Mugeuk suddenly said.
“But aren't there times when a parent must overcome their child?"
"..."
The moment he heard those words, Geum Cheonbang was certain.
'He seems to know something.
He thinks Hyeok sent them.'
All this pressure was Geom Mugeuk's intentional act.
Mistakes are always made when one is rushed and flustered.
And that mistake would lead him to the one behind it all.
“In that regard, my father is the best."
"Your father?"
"You should try asking for his advice next time.”
Geom Mugeuk smiled and added.
“When it comes to the field of parents overcoming their children, he's the greatest.”
The next day, Geum Ah-hyuk greeted the two people entering his office with a stiff expression.
“I know you usually don't like me, but is there a need to scowl like that?"
Geum Ah-hyuk's expression had stiffened not because of his younger brother.
It was because of Geom Mugeuk, who entered with Geum Ah-jong.
The man who should have been dead had come.
Last night, when the emergency bell rang, he had felt good.
He thought that news of the Western Path Sect members staying in the guest hall being annihilated would soon arrive.
But the news that all the assassins had died was something he had never imagined.
“This is the expensive two-million-nyang person my brother brought. You know him, right?"
At Geum Ah-jong's introduction, Geom Mugeuk politely cupped his fist and greeted him.
"A pleasure to meet you. My name is Geom Yeon.”
Geom Mugeuk was acting as if nothing had happened last night as he faced Geum Ah-hyuk.
“I have heard much about the First Young Master. That's why I've been wanting to meet you.”
"What have you heard?"
“That you are the most likely candidate for the next Clan Leader?”
Geum Ah-hyuk glanced at his younger brother.
That brat would never have said anything good about him.
“That is something we'll know when it happens. I'm busy today."
He was being dismissed right after greeting him.
Geum Ah-hyuk looked back down at his desk and didn't raise his head.
Geum Ah-jong knew his brother's personality well and knew it was useless to say anything more.
So he gave Geom Mugeuk a look that said they should leave for today.
“Well then, let's meet again next time.”
As he turned to leave, Geom Mugeuk turned back as if he had just remembered something.
“Ah, our First Young Master isn't asking?"
Geum Ah-hyuk looked at Geom Mugeuk with a gaze that asked what he was trying to say.
“Did you not hear the news that assassins broke into the guest hall where I was staying yesterday?"
"I heard."
The emotion in Geum Ah-hyuk's cold gaze was this: So you want me to worry about you?
“Aren't you curious? What kind of assassins they were, why they came to kill us. What kind of stupid fool sent them.”
Seeing the power enter Geum Ah-hyuk's eyes for a moment, Geom Mugeuk attached the bait of curiosity and leisurely cast his fishing line.
“I think I know who it is."