Absolute Regression

Chapter 471: Can you collect it on Water-Metal Day?

The carriage passed through Chongqing and headed toward Shaanxi.

Since they were traveling with Geum Arin, they decided to stop by the warehouse given as a gift by the Galaxy Trading Company Head on their return.

“Are you not curious about what’s inside?”

Even at Geom Mugeuk’s question, Geom Woojin simply stared out the window as if he had no interest at all.

“Please just give me thirty chances to choose!”

At the mention of thirty chances, Geom Woojin turned his head and looked at his son.

“I figured I should ask for that much from the start if I want to end up with at least three.”

Geom Mugeuk saw it—that his father’s lips were hesitating between rising or not. Yes, he would probably give him three.

Geom Mugeuk followed his father’s gaze and looked out the window.

“How long has it been since you last came to Chongqing?”

“It’s been a while.”

Geom Woojin recalled the Chongqing of the past, while Geom Mugeuk imagined the Chongqing of the future. Geom Woojin had once roamed this place with the Fist Demon King, and Geom Mugeuk had wandered here in search of materials for a great technique.

At that moment, Geom Woojin looked at an inn up ahead and spoke.

“Let’s rest there today.”

At his father’s words, Hui replied.

“Understood.”

Until now, his father had silently followed the schedule led by Hui and Lim Hyuk. If they went to an inn, he went. If they camped, he camped.

But today, it was his father who first suggested they rest at that inn.

After notifying the carriage ahead where Geum Arin rode, Hui brought their carriage to a stop in front of the inn.

Geom Mugeuk was curious. Could there be a special memory from this place? Perhaps the innkeeper still remembered his father. Maybe they’d say something like, “Thank you so much for helping me back then.”

But nothing like that happened.

‘Then why did he want to stay here?’

After unpacking, Geom Woojin took Hui and went outside. He didn’t take Geom Mugeuk along.

“You wait here.”

“Please take me too. Where are the two of you going alone?”

“You don’t need to know.”

Leaving only questions behind, Geom Woojin and Hui stepped out of the inn.

After walking for a long while, Geom Woojin asked softly.

“This is it, isn’t it?”

At Geom Woojin’s question, Hui looked surprised and asked.

“You knew?”

Geom Woojin nodded. This was none other than Hui’s hometown. Even Hui hadn’t expected that the Cult Leader knew this place was his hometown and had chosen to stop here because of it. 𝑅Ἀ𐌽𝘰₿ĚꞨ

“I left when I was young, so I feel nothing. I left right after my parents passed.”

“Still, it’s on the way. You should stop by at least once. Where’s your old house?”

“It’s in a mountain village over that ridge.”

Geom Woojin took the first step forward, and Hui quietly followed.

He was surprised that the Cult Leader remembered his hometown, and even more surprised that he had stopped here and was now walking with him.

‘The Cult Leader really has changed.’

It was Hui who had watched Geom Woojin more closely than anyone else by his side. The Cult Leader was a man of deep, sincere emotion, but he was not one to express it outwardly like this. And Hui knew better than anyone else where this change had come from.

Hui thought of Geom Mugeuk. The Young Cult Leader had constantly pushed him to take time for himself throughout this entire journey.

—Why are you going this far?

—A wave of change is sweeping through the cult these days, isn’t it? You’re trying to get me swept up in it too, aren’t you?

Yes, he knew better than anyone what kind of change it was. That’s why he could ask:

—Where is this change leading us?

The one who had created all those countless changes, the Young Cult Leader, had answered like this:

—I don’t know.

Hearing those words, “I don’t know,” brought Hui a sense of relief instead.

And so, the two of them arrived at the place where Hui had been born.

Surprisingly, the house was still there, though different people were now living in it.

No one remembered Hui. It would have been stranger if someone remembered the boy who left the village so young and had now returned as a grown martial artist.

He had said he felt no attachment to his hometown, but this wasn’t quite true.

His childhood came flooding back, wrapped in nostalgia.

What stood out the most was the image of his mother calling him in for dinner while he played with his friends in the alleyway in front of the house. He vaguely remembered the kids scattering and running off toward their homes.

After spending quite some time looking at the house and the alley, the two of them had noodles together at a small noodle shop in the village.

Geom Mugeuk always told him to change, to keep changing—but Hui thought he had already changed quite a lot. Wasn’t he now sitting across from the Cult Leader, quietly sharing a bowl of noodles?

Without a word, they finished their bowls of noodles and returned to the inn.

There hadn’t been much conversation, but even so, Hui could clearly feel Geom Woojin’s heart. He was showing his care in the way only the Cult Leader could.

At the entrance of the inn, Hui spoke.

“Thank you.”

To which Geom Woojin replied,

“No, I’m the one who should thank you.”

It was Geom Woojin’s heart for the one who had always stood by his side. He had finally begun to express himself—starting with the one closest to him.

*         *         *

At that time, Geom Mugeuk was using the Temporal and Spatial Transference Technique and cultivating martial arts through the Heavenly Time Secret Art. Every spare moment during this journey, he had immersed himself in martial training.

He always believed that his true strength lay not in techniques but in the relationships he built with people—but that was only possible when one could withstand the attacks flying toward them. To make the days spent with others shine, he had to sweat blood during the night.

That was why Geom Mugeuk’s nights were long.

The carriage traveled and traveled until it finally arrived at the Golden Dragon Family in Shaanxi.

Geom Mugeuk parted ways with his father at a spot where the manor buildings could be seen in the distance.

“I’ll go ahead as a scout.”

He had judged there was no need to enter the Golden Dragon Family alongside his father from the beginning.

“Isn’t it proper for the protagonist to make a later entrance?”

No matter how much he tried to conceal it, how could one possibly hide his father’s presence?

Besides, since they didn’t know how the Family Head would react, it was wiser to go in alone first and assess the atmosphere.

Geom Woojin also understood his son’s intention, so he accepted it without resistance. Moreover, he had to receive reports from the Heavenly Communication Pavilion and take care of his overdue matters.

“I’ll wait at the safehouse.”

Since the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult had a safehouse not far away, he could come quickly if needed.

“I’ll send word.”

The carriage carrying his father departed in the opposite direction.

Geom Mugeuk then joined Geum Arin’s carriage.

Geum Arin was about to suggest that the two of them should go together, but held her tongue. Trust him—trust this man. He must have his reasons.

The carriage arrived at the entrance of the Golden Dragon Family.

Above the grand gate, a golden signboard was affixed, its calligraphy so powerful it looked like a dragon sweeping across the sky.

The gates opened, and the carriage rolled inside.

The guards stationed at the entrance were as disciplined and imposing as martial artists from a renowned family, their eyes sharp and well-trained.

Inside the gates, a wide courtyard, flower gardens, and a pond were arranged in harmonious and beautiful fashion. The buildings were majestic, and golden dragon carvings symbolizing the Golden Dragon Family adorned various places.

There was a clear intention to overwhelm visitors with grandeur, but for Geom Mugeuk—who had grown up gazing upon the colossal Demon Statue of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult—it had no effect.

As they drew closer to the Family Head’s Hall, Geum Arin’s growing tension became palpable.

“Nervous?”

At Geom Mugeuk’s question, Geum Arin nodded. Now wasn’t the time to hide her emotions—it was time to prepare for her father’s reaction.

“My father might yell at you.”

“You needn’t worry about that. When it comes to ‘scary fathers’, I’ve had more than enough training.”

“That’s not what I meant!”

Aren’t you worried at all? How can you be this carefree?

Second son Geum Ajong, who had arrived first in front of the Family Head’s Hall, was waiting for them.

“You’ve arrived?”

Having thoroughly misunderstood Geom Mugeuk’s identity, he now looked at him with completely different intentions than before.

‘You con artist! You adorable bastard who’ll change my destiny!’

His heart brimmed with desire to pair this con artist with his older brother and drag him down into ruin.

“Was the journey difficult?”

“It was fine.”

“When you have time later, let’s have a drink. You’re a guest at the main house, so I’ll treat you.”

“Let’s do that.”

Geom Mugeuk readily accepted his offer.

After parting ways with Geum Ajong, Geom Mugeuk and Geum Arin entered the Family Head’s Hall.

As they walked down the corridor, Geum Arin spoke.

“This is suspicious.”

“What is?”

“My brother has no reason to be kind to you. This is too much.”

She certainly had sharp instincts.

“There’s no harm in getting along, is there?”

“You just saw it. Someone for whom getting along is harmful.”

And so, the two of them entered the Family Head’s Hall.

There, the Family Head, Geum Cheonbang, was waiting.

Unlike the typical great merchants who had good impressions and a commanding presence, Geum Cheonbang had a rather small build and slightly irritable features. Thankfully, both Geum Arin and Geum Ajong seemed to have taken after their mother.

To think someone with such an appearance had elevated the Golden Dragon Family to be among the top five in the Central Plains—it only made his capabilities seem more impressive.

Geum Arin thought her father might explode the moment he saw her, but unexpectedly, he remained composed.

“I’ve returned, Father.”

“You’re back?”

Geum Cheonbang’s gaze turned to Geom Mugeuk.

“I’m Geom Yeon of the Seodo Sect.”

As Geom Mugeuk respectfully greeted him with a fist salute, Geum Cheonbang returned the gesture with a gentle welcome.

“It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Geum Arin became even more tense at the sight of her father smiling at Geom Mugeuk. He was not someone who would smile at a man who had taken two million nyang from him.

On top of that, the young man had come alone, without his father or uncle. In other words, Geum Cheonbang might think that after taking such a vast sum, they’d sent only the young one in their place.

But her father showed not the slightest hint of displeasure. That only made it more unsettling. Both her brother and her father—this was all too unexpected.

“I heard the story. You’ve agreed to help our Arin?”

“Yes, I have.”

“My daughter has a good eye for people.”

“Judging by her choice of me, I’d say that’s true.”

Even Geum Mugeuk’s joke was received with a smile by Geum Cheonbang.

“But I heard there were three of you?”

“My father and uncle had somewhere to stop by briefly. They’ll join us later.”

“I see.”

What made Geum Cheonbang cautious was precisely this point.

‘So the Galaxy Trading Company Head came to meet them himself?’

He knew better than anyone what kind of status the Galaxy Trading Company Head held. No matter who the opponent was, he was the kind of man who summoned people to his place.

If such a man had personally come to them, then these individuals must be extraordinary.

And as if to prove that, they had fearlessly broken their contract with the others and made a new one with his daughter.

‘Just how skilled must he be?’

Geom Mugeuk, too, was carefully observing him.

For Geom Mugeuk, the core of this entire matter lay with Geum Cheonbang.

‘Do you even know who your money is going to?’

Before long their mutual scrutiny came to an end.

The first to speak was Geum Cheonbang.

“I am a merchant. It is my principle to buy at a fair price and sell at a fair price.”

And such a man is running a secret organization trying to absorb the Joo Clan Sword Family?

“With principles that sound, no wonder you’ve built such a great enterprise.”

“Thank you for saying so. On that note, may I ask you for a favor?”

It was his way of saying—since you took two million nyang, you ought to give value worth the price.

“What kind of favor?”

“The Golden Dragon Family conducts countless transactions. Even now, as we speak, deals are being made somewhere. Some are good, but naturally, some are bad. There are even places that’ve dealt us serious losses and pretend it’s none of their concern. Among them, there’s one that’s troubled us for a very long time.”

Geum Cheonbang narrowed his eyes at Geom Mugeuk.

“Could you collect from them?”

“Who are these shameless people?”

Geum Cheonbang let out a feigned sigh before answering.

“The Hundred Immortals Gang.”

The Hundred Immortals Gang. A sect claiming to gather a hundred immortals, but if such divine figures truly gathered, they wouldn’t have chosen such a name.

In truth, the Hundred Immortals Gang was a den of fiends. Geom Mugeuk had heard of them as well.

Now Geum Arin understood why her father had been so unusually kind. He wasn’t planning to end it with yelling or scolding.

‘He’s trying to kill this man.’

The Hundred Immortals Gang wasn’t just a long-standing headache for the Golden Dragon Family—they were truly wicked and dangerous.

Even the Golden Dragon Family still hadn’t recovered the money extorted by them. Sending this man to retrieve it wasn’t just a test of skill—it was a request laced with ill intent.

“Father, entrusting him with such a task is…”

At that moment, Geum Cheonbang gave her a chilling glare. Geum Arin fell silent, sensing the depth of his anger.

In contrast, Geom Mugeuk remained composed.

“How much do they owe you?”

“Over the years, the amount piled up to three million nyang.”

It was money taken from them under various pretexts. The Hundred Immortals Gang didn’t even recognize it as borrowed—so collecting it was close to impossible. The gang was crawling with masters and filled with the vilest of men.

Geum Cheonbang was curious to see how Geom Mugeuk would respond.

‘Even under these conditions… will he still accept?’

This was both a probe and a test—to see how he’d react.

Geum Arin hurriedly sent a voice transmission to Geom Mugeuk.

—Refuse! Not even you can deal with them!

She had staked everything on this man. She couldn’t lose him like this. She would even throw herself forward to stop it.

But of course, Geom Mugeuk was not the kind of man to act according to her wishes.

—When you asked me to make you the successor, what did I say?

She remembered those words Geom Mugeuk had once asked her.

How far can you trust me?

Even so, to throw you into a trial like this already...

While she hesitated to answer, Geom Mugeuk spoke first.

“I’ll retrieve it.”

Geum Cheonbang gave a peculiar smile.

‘He’s going through with it? Does he not know who the Hundred Immortals Gang is? Or does he know and still accept?’

Of course, Geom Mugeuk wasn’t the type to accept such a task without conditions.

“Then what percentage will you give me in return?”

“What?”

Surprised, Geum Cheonbang watched as Geom Mugeuk calmly explained.

“I’m not your subordinate, Family Head. I’m someone who partnered with Lady Geum, am I not? And now, I’m being asked to do something my own leader advised against. Naturally, I should be compensated appropriately. Am I wrong to ask?”

Geum Cheonbang couldn’t refute it. It was a fair argument. Strictly speaking, Geom Mugeuk wasn’t someone he had personally hired.

But to ask for more money after already receiving two million nyang? Normally, such a demand would’ve been out of the question—but this situation was different.

“How much do you want?”

“You said it’s been a long time since you got anything from them, so it’s a bad debt. You’d already written it off. And if even the Family Head couldn’t collect it, that speaks to how dangerous they are.”

Laying down his groundwork like that, Geom Mugeuk made a bold move.

“I’ll need half.”