"Will you be alright?"
Im Hyeok asked with concern.
After returning from her meeting with Geom Mugeuk, Geum Ah-rin immediately began to draw up a contract.
A contract with clean terms, stating that she would pay two million Nyang to join hands with them, with no hidden intentions.
"Am I alright? I'm doing something crazy."
Hearing Geum Ah-rin’s answer, Im Hyeok felt a sense of relief.
At least she properly understood the situation.
"Why do you trust him this much?"
The answer was a single word.
"Instinct."
Her hand, which had been writing, paused for a moment.
"I didn't know either. That I would decide my destiny based on instinct."
Contrary to her words, she began to finalize the contract with a look of conviction in her eyes.
The moment Geom Mugeuk signed the contract, she would have to give him two million Nyang.
Trust is the lifeblood of the merchant world.
No matter that it was a secret organization, as long as its leader was the daughter of the Golden Dragon Clan's Clan Leader, it was the same as a contract with the Golden Dragon Clan.
"To pay two million Nyang, we'll have to combine not only this year's operating funds but also all the profits our organization has earned. We still might not have enough."
"I'll pay it even if I have to borrow from the treasury."
Im Hyeok said worriedly.
"The Second Young Master will not stand by idly."
"I suppose not."
Objectively, not just her second older brother, but anyone would consider this a rash decision.
She lifted her head, looked at Im Hyeok, and asked.
"Do you think so?”
Although he hadn't even seen a sliver of their martial arts, Im Hyeok recalled Hwi.
The look in his eyes and his calm advice could not be easily converted into money.
"No, I do not."
And so, Im Hyeok respected her instinct.
The impression Geom Mugeuk gave her must have been the same.
"Yes, I don't think so either."
Geum Ah-rin revealed that this choice was aimed at something much further.
"I made my decision when he said he would become my staunchest ally. I decided to use them to become the successor."
Im Hyeok felt that what was bound to happen had finally come.
She had taken a step back from the succession battle of the Golden Dragon Clan.
Until now, she had only been watching her two older brothers fight from across the river.
Now, she was intending to jump into the succession battle in earnest.
She had called it instinct, but this was likely the pull of fate.
"Take this, get it signed, and pay them the money."
She said, holding out the completed contract.
"What I bought with two million Nyang wasn't our lives, nor the Western Path Sect. It was the position of successor."
"I've brought back money!"
Geom Mugeuk placed three envelopes on the table.
"I received two million Nyang and divided it into three. That's six hundred sixty-six thousand Nyang each."
Geom Woojin, as if to make a point, took the envelope containing the promissory note first.
"Well done."
Just then, Hwi released his stealth and revealed himself.
It was truly unacceptable for him to receive the exact same amount as the Cult Master, but the Cult Master's order to take the money took precedence.
"Here, this is your share, Uncle."
"Thank you, Young Cult Master."
Hwi carefully placed the envelope inside his robes.
"Father, we should come out more often, if only for Uncle Hwi's sake. What's the point of having money if you have no time to spend it?"
At Geom Mugeuk's words, Hwi gave an awkward smile.
Even without this money, he had saved a lot during his lifelong service to the Divine Sect.
But just as Geom Mugeuk said, he never had time to spend it.
Geom Mugeuk spoke to Yong Ja-myeong, who was beside him.
"How about a word on how to spend money?"
At the sudden question, Yong Ja-myeong hesitated for a moment before answering.
He could speak about money for three days and nights without rest, but since the Cult Master was present, he answered humbly.
"There are many in the world who are good at earning money, but few who are good at spending it. I belong to the former, not the latter."
Then he asked for Geom Mugeuk's thoughts.
"Does the Young Cult Master have any particular ideas?"
"What can I do? I'll have to find someone who is good at spending money and make them my subordinate. I'll have to give that subordinate the best treatment. Something like that."
"It seems you already knew the answer to spending money wisely."
The two men looked at each other and laughed.
Geom Mugeuk expressed his gratitude to Yong Ja-myeong.
"This matter was easy thanks to you, Division Lord."
Everything had progressed smoothly from the moment the leader of the Silver River Merchant Group had come to visit personally.
However, the fact that things had gone well also meant it was time for him to leave.
Having received money from that side, it was now time for this side to depart.
A few more days had passed since the initial three.
At Geom Woojin's request to stay a little longer, he had pleasantly spent a few more days.
It was truly a dreamlike time.
Geom Woojin made a lot of time for him, so they had many conversations.
The time he spent with him was truly enjoyable.
"This has been an unforgettable time in my life. If you ever need me again, please call on me anytime."
"Let's do that."
Geom Woojin's final farewell to him.
"If you need us, contact us anytime."
What words in the world could be more reassuring than these?
With deep gratitude filling his face, Yong Ja-myeong bid farewell.
"Then, until we meet again, please take care."
Geom Mugeuk walked Yong Ja-myeong to the main gate to see him off.
"Thanks to you, I've fulfilled a lifelong dream. Thank you so much."
"It's your good fortune, Division Lord. You were the one who remembered my father."
He had desperately wanted to resolve his long-held wish, and fortunately, things had worked out well.
But it wasn't a one-sided exchange.
"The teachings you've imparted, I am truly grateful."
At Geom Mugeuk's request, Yong Ja-myeong had lectured him on the affairs of the merchant world.
Since the enemy he had to face was a merchant clan, he figured the more he knew, the more advantageous it would be in a fight.
Thanks to his lectures, Geom Mugeuk learned a great deal.
Giving, and receiving.
Now it was his turn to give again.
"Please contact my father often."
"To the Cult Master?"
"He seemed to enjoy your company."
"If that's the case, I'm very glad."
"For your reference, my father enjoys Go. If you bring a fine Go board and stones next time you see him, he will be very pleased."
"Thank you for telling me."
Yong Ja-myeong looked at Geom Mugeuk for a moment.
He had seen the Young Cult Master of the rumors, and now he could speak about them.
The rumors had been downplayed.
The Young Cult Master had been underestimated.
As he boarded the carriage, Yong Ja-myeong offered his final goodbye.
"Farewell."
The Young Cult Master, who had maintained a relaxed smile throughout his stay, was no exception at the end.
"No final lecture?"
Though it was said in jest, Yong Ja-myeong left him with words he wanted to share.
"Until the very moment you die, money will try to reveal your true nature. Don't let it find you out."
And so, Geom Mugeuk disappeared from view.
Baek Chong, who was riding with him, saw Yong Ja-myeong lean out of the carriage to bid farewell for the first time.
He was a man who always sat with a stern posture once in a carriage.
"I'm glad it ended safely."
He had truly risked his life with grim determination when coming here.
But the meeting with the Demon Cult Master had been a long-overdue rest.
It was so for Yong Ja-myeong, and for Baek Chong as well.
"When I return, I'll have to meet all my boys."
He couldn't remember the last time he had a conversation with his sons.
The merchant group's affairs were busy, and when they did meet, it was awkward.
So he kept putting it off, and now even seeing their faces once had become a chore.
But after meeting this Heavenly Demon father and son, he missed his own children.
A thought suddenly occurred to Yong Ja-myeong.
Perhaps this time, he had met an old benefactor and, at the same time, gained a new one.
"Prepare to return to the clan."
Having given the order to Im Hyeok, Geum Ah-rin's heart was already pounding.
Although she had started this affair with great momentum, her father's scolding was inevitable.
She even had nightmares that kept her up at night.
A dream where they took the money and disappeared.
She had another nightmare, too.
They demonstrated their skills in front of her father, and they were utterly pathetic.
"I'll go meet him and arrange a departure time."
Just then, someone entered and spoke.
"There's no need for that."
Startled, she turned to see a man walking in.
Seeing him, Geum Ah-rin's expression hardened.
He was Geum Ah-rin's second older brother, Geum Ah-jong.
He was the person she had worried about most while carrying out this plan, and he had shown up here first.
He had a rather handsome appearance, much like Geum Ah-rin, but his personality did not match his looks.
Selfish and greedy.
He was full of ambition for success.
"How did you get here?"
"How do you think? I came to stop the clan's money from leaking out."
For him to have arrived so quickly meant he had been watching her every move.
"My dear brother is always waiting for me to make a mistake."
Of her two brothers, Geum Ah-jong was particularly wary of her.
He suspected that their father might one day pass the clan down to his daughter.
"Two million Nyang? You! Are you in your right mind?"
Indeed, her brother had a precise grasp of the situation.
"I'll handle my own affairs. You just worry about yours, brother."
"Fooled by a con artist and you don't even know it."
At the words 'con artist,' Geum Ah-rin flinched.
It was an unexpected accusation.
"A con artist?"
"You spent such a large sum of money without even properly investigating the other party, did you?"
She had no retort for that.
This decision had been entirely an instinctive one, based on her gut feeling.
"Did you know that the Western Path Sect produced a champion in the Young Dragon Tournament hosted by the Martial Alliance?"
Geum Ah-rin flinched, as this was news to her.
Until now, they had been a mysterious sect, but now, having participated in the Young Dragon Tournament, they became a tangible one.
It was a tournament to determine the best of the rising generation, so she thought, of course they would have won.
"He barely won after a fierce battle with the Martial Alliance Leader's granddaughter."
At those words, Geum Ah-rin's heart sank.
'He was evenly matched with the Alliance Leader's granddaughter?'
No matter that she was the Alliance Leader's granddaughter, she was still just one of the rising generation.
A worry raised its head in a corner of her mind.
'Could it be that he's all talk and no skill?'
Suppressing her surging anxiety, she said.
"He won, didn't he? He could have been hiding his skills."
Geum Ah-jong, as if he had been waiting for this very moment, raised his voice with a triumphant look.
"What are you talking about? The man named Geom Yeon, to whom you gave two million Nyang, did not participate in the Young Dragon Tournament. The one who won the tournament was a man named Seo Ryong."
"Then what about Geom Yeon?"
A bolt from the blue came from Geum Ah-jong's mouth.
"Geom Yeon is Seo Ryong's servant."
"What!"
Geum Ah-rin shot up from her seat.
Her pupils trembled.
That man is a servant?
"The fact that the Martial Alliance Leader's granddaughter caused a commotion by bringing a servant and declaring she would marry him is already known to many. Like that granddaughter, you must have been tricked too."
He treated him like a con artist who went around deceiving women.
But what if it were true? What if he really was just a servant?
The image of Geom Mugeuk rose in her mind.
Was the reason she couldn't read him because he was a con artist? Was her nightmare becoming a reality?
"I have to see him."
Geum Ah-jong stopped her as she was about to rush out.
"Don't be hasty. I've already sent people to retrieve the money."
Geum Ah-rin was shocked.
"Who?"
"The Money Bugs have gone."
"No!"
The words of denial truly burst out on their own.
The original name of the Money Bugs was the Golden Insects.
They were masters of the shadows raised by the clan, deployed for rough jobs.
They were mainly deployed for tasks that could not be revealed to the world, such as finding and annihilating those who attacked their merchant group, or fighting over interests when pioneering new commercial territories.
They handled truly rough and dangerous work.
Because of that, they were arrogant and lawless within the clan.
The workers and martial artists feared and disliked them.
Crucially, what made the Money Bugs terrifying was that they would not shy away from any means to achieve their goal.
Moreover, they did not even value their own lives.
So, dislike them as they might, they were also indispensable to the Golden Dragon Clan.
"They'll all be killed."
"By whom? A servant?"
She was confused, but her belief in Geom Mugeuk was still strong.
"Yes, by a servant."
"Are you sick? Then again, you wouldn't have done something like this if you were in your right mind."
Geum Ah-rin launched herself out of the residence.
Geum Ah-jong matched her pace with his lightness arts.
"You'll completely fall out of Father's favor because of this."
Geum Ah-jong's words didn't register.
Various scenes flashed through her mind.
She imagined Geom Mugeuk, a true con artist, beaten to a pulp and dead at the hands of the Money Bugs.
Then, she imagined the Money Bugs reporting that he had already fled.
Conversely, she also imagined a scene where all the Money Bugs were dead, their bodies strewn about.
If he killed them all, her father would never forgive the Western Path Sect.
In other words, her plan to use them to become the successor would also be ruined.
Every single imagination was the worst-case scenario.
"Sending them without consulting me was your mistake, brother."
"The mistake of giving them money without consultation was yours first."
The two, who had rushed like the wind, arrived at the estate where Geom Mugeuk was staying.
The inside was quiet, as if the situation was already over.
As they cautiously approached the main gate, a sound came from within.
Swish, swish.
What is that sound?
It sounded like something being swept across the floor.
Scrub, scrub.
There was also the sound of something being wiped.
Then, a whispering voice was heard.
Don't touch that.
Not just Geum Ah-rin, but even the confident Geum Ah-jong wore a puzzled expression.
He wondered if they had come to the wrong place.
"Is this the right place?"
"I'm sure of it."
Geum Ah-rin carefully opened the gate.
When the gate slowly swung open, a scene unfolded that was truly beyond imagination.
The Money Bugs were sweeping the courtyard with brooms.
Other Money Bugs were wiping the walls with rags.
They were clearing away broken furniture and filling in holes in the ground.
Their eyes were bruised black, and one was limping while carrying a load.
Another, with a bandage wrapped around his forehead to stop the bleeding, was retrieving a hammock from a tree.
Another was carrying luggage out of the building.
The Money Bugs' actions came to a sudden halt, and their gazes all turned towards the two who had entered the gate.
The Money Bugs had awkward and perplexed expressions.
Geum Ah-jong felt as if he were seeing things.
"What in the world are you doing?"
At Geum Ah-jong's question, a Money Bug near the entrance bowed deeply and said.
"He said he would be leaving soon and told us to clean it up nicely."
This was the first time the Money Bugs had ever worn such good-natured expressions.
"Who? Who on earth!"
Just then, Geom Mugeuk emerged from the building up ahead.
Seeing Geum Ah-rin, he spoke cheerfully.
"Thanks for sending people to clean."
At that moment, a wave of emotion washed over Geum Ah-rin.
All the bad thoughts she had harbored on her way here were washed away by that emotion.
She was so grateful that he had only beaten the Money Bugs and not killed them.
Whether he was a servant or not was no longer important.
She would not doubt him anymore.
Yes, my choice was right.
Geum Ah-rin, with a bright face, said to Geum Ah-jong standing beside her.
"Thank you, brother. I just couldn't bring myself to make a two-million-Nyang servant do the cleaning."