Absolute Regression Chapter 469

469
Geum Ah-jong couldn’t understand this situation at all.

Okay, let’s say that the opponent was more skilled than the money grubbers.

But how did you make those fierce, rough, and arrogant guys so obedient? How on earth?

The guy who is currently clearing away the broken rocks on the floor in front of me doesn’t even greet me normally. He really is a arrogant person who lives only for today. Today, I just realized for the first time that he can have such an innocent expression.

Meanwhile, Geommugeuk walked towards the two people.

At that moment, a nearby money bug dropped the stone it was moving.

When Geommugeuk picked it up and lifted it up, Donbug was startled, thinking that he was going to hit him, and fell on his butt.

Geum Ah-jong, who was watching the scene, was astonished.

‘This is fu*king, this is fu*king.’

This is what I can’t understand.

If the money bugs had their arms and legs cut off, I would have understood. They would have been in a really bad situation. Even if they were told to crawl on the floor like bugs instead of cleaning, they would still crawl.

But they were just beaten up, and they’re so obedient? Those dirty guys? How on earth did they beat them up?

“This is my brother-in-law.”

Geum A-rin introduced her older brother to Geommu-geuk.

“Nice to meet you, Geomyeon.”

The eyes of Geum Ah-jong, who was watching the sword dance, could not be kind. However, in this situation where the money bugs were cleaning up, it was impossible to ask, ‘I know you are a fraud.’

“I heard what my younger brother said.”

“What did your little brother say?”

Geommugeuk’s gaze naturally turned to Geum Arin. Her eyes looking at Geommugeuk were filled with gratitude.

‘Thank you. For not running away, for not killing the money bugs.’

The fact that he didn’t run away means that he’s not a swindler like Geum Ah-jong said.

Geum Ah-jong was a selfish person who cared for himself more than anything else. Naturally, he controlled his temper and used it wisely.

“I heard that you are a very talented person.”

“Since ancient times, it has been the custom of warriors to risk their lives for those who recognize them.”

It must be because of the money! Geum Ah-jong tried hard to hold back the words that were welling up in his head. Where else could he pour out all the words he wanted to say?

You insignificant servant!

It’s definitely a scam. How on earth did a servant subdue the money-grubbers? Did he use trickery? Is this man’s father a master? Yes, that must be so. The man in that house must be a master. He’s probably not the father either. He must have been hired with money.

The person who satisfied his curiosity was Geum A-rin. She couldn’t hold it in.

“You said that the Seodo faction produced a winner in the Soryongjeon?”

It was something I had to ask anyway, and I was prepared to accept any outcome, so I was able to ask calmly.

“It was like that.”

This was the reason why Geommu-geuk used Seodopa again. Seodopa has this kind of history.

When judging someone, we can only look at their appearance or facts first.

You said that the Seodopa produced a winner?

Is Geomyeon the winner’s attendant?

We can’t help but focus on these facts.

But in reality, it’s just a shell.

The truth that Geomyeon is Geommu-geuk can only be seen by peeling off all these layers and looking inside.

But it won’t be easy. The prejudice that they are always interested in is entangled with them. The more provocative the surrounding facts are, the more powerful the shield becomes to hide the truth.

“I heard that the winner is someone named Seoryong.”

“That’s right. It’s my death sentence.”

“Death penalty? I heard you were a servant of someone called Seo-ryong.”

An answer she had never expected came out of Geommugeuk’s mouth.

“The granddaughter of the martial arts leader liked me, so I had no choice but to act as her servant.”

It would seem plausible, since Jin Ha-ryeong once took him to the leader.

“Ah! The greatness of love that transcends even status!”

The gold-bellied beetles who were listening and the money bugs nearby looked dumbfounded.

In particular, one of the money bugs blurted out, “Crazy!” without realizing it.

Then he was startled. He realized that he had spoken carelessly, and the money bugs next to him took him away, freezing him.

The Geum Ah-jong who was watching was even more absurd at the reactions of these money bugs. They were even acting funny in front of Geommu-geuk. How can I pay such expensive monthly salaries to these guys!

Geum A-rin asked Geommu-geuk.

“Really?”

The granddaughter of the martial arts leader liked this person? Well, she must have taken him to the martial arts leader because she liked him. The fact that she was being seduced changed like this.

From ‘Black smoke is a servant’ to now ‘the granddaughter of the martial arts leader liked him’.

“I’ll introduce you to Miss Jin next time. We’ve been friends ever since.”

Her mind was half in doubt, but soon her gaze turned to the money bugs.

Yeah, if it’s this guy.

Geum A-rin decided to believe. Since she had staked her fate on this person anyway, she believed.

On the other hand, Geum Ah-jong’s thoughts were different.

‘He is a definite scammer.’

Isn’t it common for scammers to use their friendship with famous people as leverage?

The reason the granddaughter of the Murim Alliance leader took Lee Ja to the Alliance leader was probably because of rebellion against the Alliance leader.

If not, why wouldn’t he be marrying the lord’s granddaughter and instead extorting two million nyang from her? With such great skills.

So he’s a conman. He might have even taken money from the lord’s granddaughter.

While Geum Ah-jong was having all sorts of delusions, Geommu-geuk called the money bugs.

“Okay, now that you’re done cleaning, let’s gather together.”

Then the money bugs gathered there. They must have been ordered to open their eyes nicely. They were all trying to look as good as they could.

Geum Ah-jong was even more shocked when he saw the sight up close.

Over there, that money bug’s forearm is as thick as this guy Geomyeon’s waist. Aren’t you ashamed?

No way? Was it some sort of group poisoning? If not, I couldn’t believe I was hit by this young guy.

Geum A-rin felt a sense of relief when she saw those who had been acting like they were arrogant cowering. She could feel relief. After all, Geomyeon was now her right-hand man.

The blacksmith said to the money bugs.

“Okay, you guys have worked hard. You can go now.”

Then the money bugs bowed and left the place.

Geum Ah-jong glared at them.

‘Are you really going when that guy tells you to?’

But they really left without looking back. It must have been because their pride was hurt, but because of that, Geum-A-Jong’s pride was also hurt. No matter how much they followed their father, they were still his blood relatives.

The sword dance spoke to the two people.

“Come to think of it, both of you sent people to kill me. It seems like your bloodline can’t just leave me alone. How many siblings do you have? Surely, the nine siblings wouldn’t do this?”

Geum A-rin’s face turned slightly red at the joke of the sword dance. Geum A-jong maintained a shameless expression as if he had not sent the money bug.

“When are you leaving? We’re ready to go.”

Geum A-rin answered the question of the sword dance.

“Then let’s leave right away. I’ll be back here in half an hour.”

“Okay, then. If you go ahead, I will follow your carriage.”

“Then see you later.”

Geum A-rin, who was about to turn around after saying hello, turned around again and spoke.

“thank you.”

Even though she didn’t say why she was grateful, Geommugeuk smiled at her with a look that said he knew everything. At that moment, Geum A-rin realized it all anew.

‘That was it.’

Now I know exactly why I was drawn to Geommu-geuk. It was because of that leisurely smile. The reason I invested two million nyang and even risked my fate was because of that leisurely smile. It was because of the leisurely smile of that person who seemed to know everything.

So Geum A-rin and Geum A-jong came out of there. Geum A-jong said,

“That guy is a scammer.”

After a moment, Geum A-rin asked.

“Not your brother?”

The reprimand that flew at the startled Geum Ah-jong was stinging.

“You act like you’re doing it for Nana Sega, but you’re not. If you were doing it for me, you would have discussed it with me beforehand and sent the money bugs. You were sure I made a mistake, and you wanted to correct it and earn points with your father, right?”

“What the hell are you talking about?”

Geum Ah-jong, who had been hit hard, caught it right in the eye. If things had gone as he had expected, he would have responded to that statement like this. You’re a total idiot, now you’re completely out of favor with your father.

“See you at your parents’ house. By the way, if you get a chance, be sure to thank the servant. If you lost all the money grubbers, you would have fallen out of favor with Father.”

Geum A-rin left first.

Geum Ah-jong, who was looking at her back, looked at the garden behind her.

Through the half-open gate, I could see the figure of Geommugeuk. Geommugeuk was looking up at the sky, and he felt an odd sense of loneliness.

Then, Geommugeuk felt Geum Ahjong’s gaze and looked in his direction, waving his hand.

Geum Ah-jong pretended not to see, turned around, and quickened his pace.

There’s something my brother said to me. You’re not only greedy, but you’re also a con artist. Yes, I admit it. A con artist knows a con artist. That guy is definitely hiding something.

‘I will reveal your true identity.’

And he had the best subordinates to do that job.

“Lee Chu!”

Then a masked man appeared.

“Find evidence that he’s a fraud as quickly as possible!”

“All right.”

Lee Chu was a man who specialized in tracking people down and gathering information, and he was the most valuable person among his subordinates.

“Never fail! You have failed enough today.”

* * *

The carriage ran towards Seomseo, where the headquarters of the Geumryongsega family was located.

The two carriages ran at a distance, and Geum A-rin told Im Hyeok, who was driving the carriage, not to worry even if Geommu-geuk’s carriage did not follow closely behind.

In the carriage, Geommu-geuk reported to his father what he knew about the Geumryong Sega. His father must have heard all the information from Tongcheon-gak, but this information was received from Eunwol.

“There are three children of the Geumryong family. Geum Ah-jong and Geum Ah-rin, whom we met earlier, are the second and third, respectively. Grand Duke Geum Ah-hyeok (金芽革) is currently the most likely successor. If we were to put a number on the possibility, I would say Geum Ah-hyeok is sixty-five percent, Geum Ah-jong is three-five percent, and Geum Ah-rin is one-five percent.”

Geommugeuk understood Geum Arin’s intentions exactly.

“The ultimate reason Geum A-rin dragged us in this time is probably to use us in her succession fight. It’s a fight she’s lost anyway, so she’s dreaming of a final comeback.”

Geom Woo-jin listened silently to the report of Geommu-geuk.

“Once we get to the Golden Dragon Sega, I plan to investigate Segaju first. I think he is connected to the mastermind.”

“Why?”

The reason was because of Geum A-rin.

“The money earned by the secret organization went to the mastermind. But since the head of this secret organization is the daughter of the head of the Geumryong Sega family, it must have been the head of the family who sent the money.”

If the head had been someone else, there would have been a slim chance that someone in the leadership had planned this without the Sega family knowing, but since it was Geum A-rin, it was clear that the Geumryong Sega family’s Sega family was involved.

“The question is how they are connected. Are they completely their subordinates, or are they sympathizers, or maybe they are being blackmailed. Or maybe they are being deceived.”

There was a concrete plan there too.

“But this time, because you gave us two million nyang, there was a problem with the payment. It was a big problem because we had to pay them money. I plan to pay attention to that. I think we can infer our relationship with them from the reaction of Segaju.”

A spark of light passed through Geum Woo-jin’s eyes.

“Did you think that far ahead when you received the money?”

The sparkling eyes of the swordsman were already answering yes.

Then Geom Woo-jin said.

“Is it really necessary for me to go that far?”

What I was saying was, do you really need my help to see through this situation?

“I need to show them once.”

“What?”

Then Geommugeuk said calmly.

“That my father is in this martial arts world.”

“!”

Geum Woo-jin looked at his son silently and then turned his head out the window of the moving carriage.

He added a word to such a father.

“Of course, Father would like to inform you in some other way.”

* * *

I stayed at an inn that day.

At dawn, when everyone was asleep, a masked man quietly appeared. He was none other than Lee Chu, sent by Geum Ah Jong.

He sneaked into the stables, not the rooms where people were sleeping.

He made no sound of footsteps, and he made no sound when he opened the carriage door. He made movements that would have been believed even if he had been a thief, and even if he had been a murderer.

Leechu did not enter the guest room where they were sleeping without caution.

First, I looked at the carriage.

He carefully examined the carriage room and then looked at the coachman’s seat. There was nothing special about the luggage, as if it had been moved to the guest room.

Yichu felt an inexplicable sense of discomfort in this unremarkable carriage.

‘Something feels strange.’

After looking around for a moment, he realized what this sense of discomfort was.

‘The carriage is too old for the horse.’

The horses are truly fine horses, but the carriage is very old.

Yichu slowly looked around the carriage. He looked around and knocked.

As a result, I noticed that the outside of the carriage had been newly covered with thin plywood, deliberately to make it look like an old carriage.

This piece of plywood was slightly split open by scraping the end with a razor blade.

Looking through the gap, I could see that there was a painting on the carriage.

When I looked closely, it was shaped like a crescent moon.

“crescent?”

He spoke softly, as if talking to himself. Was there a sect in the martial arts world that used the crescent moon?

I think I might be able to tell if I peeled it off a little more. But I thought that if I did that, it would leave a mark where the plywood had been removed. I thought I would have to find some material to reattach the plywood and try to remove it completely.

At that time, I was looking at the painting through the gap in my window to check it one more time.

“!”

Yichu was startled. It wasn’t because of the picture. Someone had come next to him without a sound and was looking through the gap between the plywood together. It was Geommu-geuk.

“It’s not a crescent moon, it’s more like a horn?”

Absolute Return Episode 470