Absolute Regression

Chapter 472: Will It Rain Money or Will It Rain Blood?

"You’re asking for half?"

Geum Cheonbang couldn’t hide his surprise. It was a demand as excessive as his own unreasonable request.

"In cases like this, they usually give a labor fee—at most, they pay one-tenth and get the job done."

"That would be true, if the opponent were ordinary."

Rather, Geom Mugeuk upped the ante.

"Honestly, even if you gave me all of it, it would still be a gain for you, Family Head."

"And what sort of nonsense is that?"

In response, Geom Mugeuk raised his voice and spoke boldly.

"If you make a deal with the Golden Dragon Family, you must repay the money."

It was a statement that resonated pleasantly through the hall, a line that lifted the mood just by hearing it.

"You absolutely cannot get away with not paying back the Golden Dragon Family."

When thinking of all the debts he hadn’t been able to collect for one reason or another, how good would it be if things could work out just like that? The thought alone brought a smile to his lips.

Having been drawn with such pleasing words, Geum Cheonbang naturally leaned in to hear the next.

"And how about this rumor? Even the Hundred Immortals Gang repaid their debt, I hear."

What more needed to be said? It was a killer rumor.

"If that’s how it turns out, then from now on, no one will dare think of dodging the Golden Dragon Family’s money."

Geom Mugeuk stared straight into Geum Cheonbang’s eyes as he asked,

"How much do you think that is worth?"

Even someone as quick at calculations as Geum Cheonbang couldn’t answer right away. Not just in the present, but considering the future too—it was something that couldn’t be measured in money.

"All that only matters if you actually collect the money from them, no?"

To that, Geom Mugeuk responded with confident eyes.

"I’ll collect it—and I’m only asking for half."

‘Half’ had now become ‘only half,’ but Geum Cheonbang felt no resistance to the shift.

And to top it off, Geom Mugeuk added a touch of generosity.

"I made a special concession because of your daughter."

A flicker of curiosity passed through Geum Cheonbang’s gaze. He found it impressive. Yes, this is how a deal should be struck—with the boldness to be shameless and the persuasion to back it up. 𝙧ΑƝÖꞖƐ𝐬

‘Yes, the Galaxy Trading Company Head wouldn’t have met just anyone.’

Maybe? Maybe he really could collect the money.

But the thought was short-lived.

He knew the Hundred Immortals Gang well.

Ordinary folks tended to think of them as brutal, emotional, and recklessly violent—ignorant thugs you couldn’t reason with.

At first, Geum Cheonbang thought the same. But now he knew better. The gang’s leader was a clever man. Their revenge, their legal robbery—it all stemmed from meticulous calculation.

‘Can you really handle that difficult man?’

Though he didn’t see him as a real contender, the fact that he was still curious meant this young man’s demeanor had left an impression. It wasn’t easy to find this kind of boldness these days.

"What if you fail to collect?"

He had expected to hear something about returning the two million nyang given to him by his daughter.

"If I fail, then I fail. Would I really be able to recover money that even the Family Head couldn’t?"

Pulling him into the statement, Geum Cheonbang found himself unable to refute. He admired Geom Mugeuk’s response.

"Will you give me half?"

It was money he hadn’t been able to collect anyway. Even if he recovered just one and a half million out of three million nyang, it would be a gain.

And if he really did recover it, as that servant had said earlier, he would gain a reputation even more valuable than money.

’And if he fails?’

The Hundred Immortals Gang would rough him up a little and send him back. Since they owed the Golden Dragon Family, they wouldn’t escalate it.

If they broke this brat’s spirit, recovering the remaining two million nyang later would be easier.

That concluded Geum Cheonbang’s calculation.

"Fine, I’ll give you half."

Geum Arin, who had been watching, couldn’t hold back and interrupted.

"You can’t!"

She hadn’t meant to speak up, knowing her father was already upset with her, but if she didn’t stop it now, it would be too late later.

"Do you even understand how dangerous this task is before making such a promise?"

Geom Mugeuk looked at her and calmly replied,

"I know how large a sum two million nyang is. I also know that one and a half million nyang is still a great deal of money. And if you want to earn that kind of money, you must be willing to take on danger."

Geum Cheonbang liked what he heard. He disliked people who tried to make money without taking risks. To earn big, one had to risk big.

Geom Mugeuk’s gaze shifted from Geum Arin back to Geum Cheonbang.

"Indeed, to make money, one must throw themselves into the trading world. The moment I arrive, money rains down."

At Geom Mugeuk’s nonchalant attitude, Geum Cheonbang responded just as smoothly.

"Whether it rains money or blood—you’ll only find out at the end."

The two men stared at one another. What could have been a mere feeling-out encounter now carried a heavy promise.

"Then, I’ll return once I’ve collected the money."

Geom Mugeuk bowed respectfully and was about to leave when Geum Arin spoke up.

"Please wait outside for a moment. I have something to speak with my father about."

"Very well."

When Geom Mugeuk exited the Family Head’s Hall, only Geum Cheonbang and Geum Arin remained inside.

Geum Cheonbang already had a good guess as to what his daughter was about to say.

"You know that he absolutely can’t succeed, don’t you? And yet you’re sending him anyway—this is just your way of punishing me, isn’t it? That’s too cruel."

Geum Cheonbang responded coldly.

"The one being cruel is you."

"What do you mean?"

"Bringing a future threat into the main house—that’s what I mean."

"The Galaxy Trading Company was trying to bring them in to crush my organization. I couldn’t just sit by and do nothing."

Strictly speaking, this was a matter of life and death.

Her life was on the line—how could he lose his temper over money?

She held back the words rising to her throat with great effort. After all, it had been a mistake to spend two million nyang without permission.

“When you found out the truth, you should’ve returned to the main family right away and discussed it with your father.”

Geum Arin had something to say in response.

“If I had, my older brothers would have seized on it to criticize me. They would’ve said I couldn’t handle my own affairs and came running to hide behind Father.”

“Even so, you were reckless. What if that man turns out to be a spy the Galaxy Trading Company planted in our family?”

“Have you ever seen a spy who causes such a commotion?”

Geum Cheonbang said nothing more.

Geum Arin left him with one last remark before turning away.

“He’s not a future threat—he’s a blessing. And you threw that blessing into the gutter.”

Geum Arin exited the Family Head’s Hall.

Her chest felt tight. Of all places, it had to be the Hundred Immortals Gang.

Geom Mugeuk was waiting for her outside the building.

“You’re really going through with this?”

Geom Mugeuk nodded and began walking. The two walked side by side, talking as they went.

“Do you even know what kind of place the Hundred Immortals Gang is?”

“What kind of place is it?”

Geum Arin, wearing an I knew it expression, described the people she hated even thinking about.

“It’s a place where human scum gather. And they’re not just local thugs—they’re top-tier experts. The one who leads them is known as a peerless master.”

Geom Mugeuk simply continued walking in silence.

“And that’s not all. The truly terrifying part about them is that when one of their own dies, the others swarm in to get revenge. They’re the kind who even kill their victims’ families and friends.”

That wide-reaching vengeance was the main reason the Hundred Immortals Gang had become a symbol of fear—and also why many thought they deserved to die.

“How have such people survived until now? Did the Martial Alliance just leave them alone?”

“They never leave behind any evidence. If anyone does manage to gather proof, they eliminate that person and sever the tail. So in the end, only rumors about them spread.”

In his life before regression, the Hundred Immortals Gang was eventually purged by the Martial Alliance. The alliance uncovered evidence of their atrocities and launched an attack. The gang resisted fiercely and was wiped out. He remembered that even the Martial Alliance’s top fighters suffered heavy casualties during that battle.

The fact that the Hundred Immortals Gang had become involved with him in this life made him feel once again that fate would inevitably lead those who must die to their deaths.

“Are you listening to me? They even kill innocent families.”

“My family is fine.”

Geom Mugeuk smiled as he added.

"You’re too fine—that’s the problem."

Geum Arin understood where that confidence of his came from.

"I know you trust your father, but…"

As they continued walking silently for a moment, she made a bold decision.

"Fine, then I’ll go with you."

It was a life-risking decision, but she was rejected instantly.

"You want to give them more reason to squeeze money from us?"

"What do you mean?"

"If you show up there, you think they’ll just let you be? They’ll find some excuse to pick a fight, capture you, and then demand your father pay up to get you back. ’Bring money if you want your daughter.’ That’s what they’ll say."

They were certainly capable of doing just that—she couldn’t deny it.

"Then what about you? Are you going to be alright?"

"I’ll be fine. My father won’t give a single penny for me anyway."

A joke? In this situation? She felt Geom Mugeuk’s nonchalance was excessive. He could at least calmly explain what he was planning, but instead, he started heading in a different direction than where the guest quarters were.

"Where are you going? The guest quarters are this way."

"I’ve got a place to be. See you later."

Geum Arin let out the sigh she’d been holding back as she watched Geom Mugeuk stride away.

Now she understood—why he had said those words.

How far can you trust me?

How far will you make me worry?

*         *         *

That night, Geum Arin visited Geom Mugeuk’s quarters.

It was late, but Geom Mugeuk was still awake.

"Did I disturb your sleep?"

"It’s fine, come in. We’re people who are busy at night."

"What?"

Geom Mugeuk simply smiled enigmatically.

Geum Arin stepped inside. Seeing the bottle of liquor on the table, it looked like he had been drinking.

"Would you like a drink?"

"Pour me one."

She truly felt like drinking.

Never in her dreams had she imagined going through something like this after returning to the main family.

"Did you contact your Father and Uncle?"

"Contact them about what?"

"About the Hundred Immortals Gang. They need to be informed."

She asked with a hopeful heart, though she feared the answer.

"Don’t tell me you plan to go alone?"

Even the three of them together would be walking into danger.

"I’m going alone."

Geum Arin was startled. One look at Geom Mugeuk’s calm eyes told her this wasn’t a joke.

She downed the drink she had been given in one gulp, then slammed the empty cup down on the table with a clack.

"A two-million-nyang worth of drinking session, huh."

A joke about this being her last time seeing him. A joke—but not a joke.

"Fine, let’s say you really are some hidden peerless master."

It was possible. He had killed Jeon Nak, and he had made those Money Bugs obedient.

“No matter how confident you are, you still need a proper plan. You’re dealing with nearly a hundred people! You should know who to approach first, what to say when you get there, and what to do if they refuse to pay. Actually—no, they will refuse to pay, so you need to be prepared for that.”

“I’m already making one.”

“Or at the very least, find their weaknesses—wait, what did you say?”

“I said I’ve already been making a plan.”

Only then did her eyes notice the stack of papers on the table. On the top sheet, the words Hundred Immortals Gang were clearly written.

“What’s this?”

“Information on the Hundred Immortals Gang.”

“Where did you get it?”

“I bought it from an informant.”

In truth, the documents had come through Hidden Moon. Naturally, the Hidden Moon’s Shaanxi Branch had already compiled extensive intel on the Hundred Immortals Gang, one of the highest-risk groups in the area.

“When?”

“I went out earlier and bought it.”

“Can I take a look?”

When Geom Mugeuk nodded, Geum Arin began reviewing the materials.

They really were documents about the gang—detailing who the leader was, what martial arts he used, who his close associates were, and how much they trusted one another. Their personalities, assigned roles, and all the crimes they had committed were carefully listed.

And that wasn’t all. The documents showed which trading companies they had borrowed money from, how much they defaulted on, and what kinds of ventures they were investing that money into. They were deeply entangled in various profit streams and were reaping enormous gains.

“Do informants really sell this kind of detailed information?”

“If you’ve got money, there’s no information you can’t buy.”

She felt embarrassed. Here she was, telling him to come up with a strategy, yet he had already prepared all this. If she had truly been concerned, she should’ve been the one to buy these documents and give them to him. Instead, she had merely worried without action—a worrier without initiative, not a strategist.

“So, you’ve made a plan?”

“I have.”

Really, no one could match how refreshingly direct his answers were.

“Tell me.”

“It’s a secret.”

Seeing him like this, she began to wonder—maybe he really would succeed in collecting the money. A useless, fleeting hope began to take root.

“But I do have a favor to ask you.”

“What is it?”

And that favor—was something she never could have expected.

“Go visit the trading companies and sects listed in those documents. Tell them you’ll collect the money the Hundred Immortals Gang owes them—and in return, you’ll take half as your fee.”

“What?”

So shocked that she couldn’t help herself, Geum Arin shot up from her seat. It was one of those moments—when you’re too surprised, your body just reacts.

“You going instead of me would be more convincing.”

Geum Arin was too stunned to respond, standing there blankly. Meanwhile, Geom Mugeuk continued speaking.

“I could just keep all of the money for myself. But this is a better way. You’ll gain a reputation for retrieving lost money, they’ll recover money they thought was gone forever, and I’ll earn half as my share.”

He made it clear that this task had a different significance—especially for her.

“This will play a big part in your path to becoming heir. Your name will rise across Shaanxi.”

Geum Arin could feel he was sincere.

“You really plan to collect all that money, don’t you?”

All of it? Every nyang owed to those swindled by the Hundred Immortals Gang?

“Yes. I’ll retrieve it for everyone who wants it back.”

“We couldn’t even get back our money…”

And then, a single thought struck her like a lightning bolt to the skull.

“You’re not…”

It was the most shocked she’d been since meeting Geom Mugeuk.

“You’re planning to kill them all.”