Geom Mugeuk looked at Geum A-rin and smiled.

“Sorry for laughing again.”

Though he said sorry, it was clearly a smile meant to provoke her. She did not know that every casual word and laugh from Geom Mugeuk was calculated.

“I’m not joking.”

When she straightened her expression, Geom Mugeuk finally wiped off his smile.

“Are you asking sincerely?”

“Yes, I am serious.”

Unexpectedly, from Geom Mugeuk’s lips came a sum she never imagined.

“Thirty thousand nyang.”

Geum A-rin asked back with a puzzled look.

“Thirty thousand nyang?”

They sold themselves for a mere thirty thousand nyang?

She thought these martial artists, strong in martial arts but naive to worldly matters, had been deceived by the Silver Galaxy Guild. Learning this beforehand was a godsend.

“Did you say we’re worth only thirty thousand nyang? You were fooled by them!”

Geom Mugeuk showed no sign of agitation; instead, a strange smile played on his lips.

From that expression, Geum A-rin realized she had misunderstood something.

“It wasn’t that you contracted with them for thirty thousand nyang.”

“Of course not.”

“Then what is the thirty thousand nyang?”

“It means if you want to hear how much they asked for, you have to pay thirty thousand nyang.”

Geum A-rin’s face stiffened instantly.

On the other hand, Geom Mugeuk calmly explained why.

“You said you could offer more than the Silver Galaxy Guild. Then you have to show me you can pay about thirty thousand nyang as a fee for asking questions. Only then can I trust you.”

Geum A-rin was speechless. She could have argued that thirty thousand nyang was too much for a question, or demanded a refusal if unwilling to answer, or even gotten angry.

But such reactions would look utterly petty. From the start, trying to get such crucial information for free was a mistake.

This man before her seemed easy to handle but was actually not at all. Seeing how calmly he pressed her made that clear.

“Alright, let’s drink,” Geom Mugeuk said as he emptied his glass. Watching him, Geum A-rin sent a message to Im Hyeok.

—Go to the battlefield and find thirty thousand nyang.

—Miss, since we’re already investigating the continental battlefield, we will find out the amount.

—I know. This isn’t a question fee, it’s a show of strength. Bring it.

—Understood.

Shortly after, Im Hyeok came with a receipt for thirty thousand nyang.

They retrieved thirty thousand nyang from the battlefield. The money to run the secret organization was supported by the Golden Dragon Clan. Since the money couldn’t be spent without permission, this money was entirely her personal funds.

“Here it is. Thirty thousand nyang.”

Geom Mugeuk apologized with a look of regret.

“I seem to have hurt your pride. Sorry.”

“It’s not about pride.”

“Then what is it?”

“It is a sign of my sincere intention to bring you over.”

Her instincts whispered to make this man an ally.

If this inscrutable man became an enemy, no expert in the clans could face them. He was the type who could casually smile yet plunge a blade deep with a ‘What can you do?’ expression.

“Now tell me.”

Geom Mugeuk quietly stared at her and revealed the sum.

“Two million nyang.”

It was truly an enormous amount.

“To hire us, you must pay two ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) million nyang.”

Though the sum was surprising, Geum A-rin was not shocked as if she had expected it.

“You’re not surprised.”

“Because I think you’re worth that much.”

She tried to appease Geom Mugeuk somehow.

“Did the Silver Galaxy Guild offer two million nyang? Or is that what you asked for?”

“No. The money from the Silver Galaxy Guild was one million nyang.”

“Then why two million nyang?”

“We broke the deal with them and are making a new deal with you. We have to ask for double to justify the change.”

Geom Mugeuk looked at her and added,

“Can you pay two million nyang?”

Geum A-rin could not answer.

If it were her decision, she might have said,

—I will. From now on, you’re mine.

She might have really said that.

Even if they were not worth the money, she would have surely said so. Her instinct demanded it.

But the decision maker would consider two million nyang an outrageously large amount. No matter how important these people were, it would never be approved.

As if expecting this, Geom Mugeuk returned the thirty thousand nyang.

“Why are you giving it back?”

“I wanted to see your resolve; the money was not the purpose.”

After returning the money, Geom Mugeuk stood up.

“Then, see you next time.”

He even paid the bill before leaving.

Left alone, Geum A-rin drank the glass in front of her.

Her instinct to capture him and the reality of inability tangled her heart.

Sensing her mood, Im Hyeok sat where Geom Mugeuk had been.

“The Silver Galaxy Guild invested as much as one million nyang.”

Compared to surprised Im Hyeok, Geum A-rin was calculating differently.

“No, they were outplayed by those people.”

“Outplayed?”

“If it was just one person on a single mission, it would be a huge sum, even record-breaking. But they are three people.”

The other two were no ordinary men. One was his father, hard to describe in words, and the uncle was a master of invisibility techniques.

“Maybe there are others, but even counting only these three, it’s about three hundred thirty thousand nyang each.”

“Right.”

“And did you hear what that person said earlier? They plan to remove the secret organization and take over its place. Meaning, they are thinking about the future. At least three or four years, maybe more. So they didn’t even get one hundred thousand nyang per person. They can use that level of experts freely and also gain the income we used to get. Considering that, it’s a really cheap hire.”

Im Hyeok nodded. Hearing her explanation, he realized it wasn’t such an expensive deal.

He cautiously asked,

“The secret organization the Silver Galaxy Guild assigned… is it us?”

It was a question if it meant their organization.

Geum A-rin nodded.

“Yes, it’s definitely us.”

Though she expected it, realizing they became the target made Im Hyeok serious.

He remembered Hwi’s invisibility technique. If he approached silently to kill Geum A-rin, could he protect her?

“We have fire on our heels.”

For the first time in a while, Im Hyeok craved alcohol.

“What will you do now?”

Her contemplation was short.

“We have to bring them to our side. If we leave them be, it’s just a matter of time before we lose.”

Im Hyeok did not say he would protect her, nor to worry.

“Two million nyang. The clan head will never approve.”

“I’ll try to bargain. After all, I’m a branch family.”

At that, Im Hyeok knew she was sincere. She really wanted to recruit them.

“There is one more problem. Even if the clan head approves and we succeed in bringing them over, what about the Silver Galaxy Guild? Will they just stand still after losing them?”

“What if they don’t? Will they try to kill them?”

“The Silver Galaxy Guild values pride highly.”

But she was certain the Silver Galaxy Guild could do nothing.

“They value money more. How much would it cost to eliminate those three? They valued them at one million nyang, so eliminating them would cost at least that much. And if they fail? Those experts would surely seek revenge. How much would it cost to stop them?”

She shook her head firmly.

“The greatest guild would never make a losing business. It means nothing will happen even if we bring them in.”

That was why Im Hyeok trusted her. She judged wisely.

His last worry was,

“The Silver Galaxy Guild must know that the Golden Dragon Clan is behind us.”

That was something even she could not avoid.

“Do we have the luxury to worry about the clans now? Let’s just save our lives first.”

Geum A-rin poured a drink for Im Hyeok.

“Just one glass. Still a congratulatory drink. We got all the information we wanted and even got the money back.”

Though they clinked glasses happily after recovering money and info,

Im Hyeok’s drink tasted bitter for the first time in a while.

‘But why do you think we lost?’

Yong Ja-myeong strolled through the courtyard.

He took a few steps, looked at the building, took a few more steps, and looked again.

He was looking at the room where the Demon Sect Leader stayed.

He wanted to see Geom Woojin. He wanted to meet and talk but lacked the courage to approach him.

‘Only three days left.’

As he paced the courtyard, Geom Woojin came out of the building.

“Leader!”

“Yong Danju.”

Seeing Geom Woojin’s face stirred emotions in Yong Ja-myeong. Who would have thought in his old age he’d feel this way seeing someone?

“Going out?”

“Just to get some fresh air. Will you come?”

“Won’t I just get in your way?”

“Not at all. Let’s go.”

Yong Ja-myeong happily followed Geom Woojin.

The three experts of the guild were told to wait at the residence, not to follow. Normally not allowed, but since Geom Woojin was revealed as a hidden martial artist the martial artists complied.

The two walked slowly toward the market street. Though the situation could have been very awkward, they surprisingly had a good conversation.

“How many children do you have?”

“Three sons.”

“Not easy.”

Yong Ja-myeong guessed what Geom Woojin meant: the succession battle would be fierce.

“I do not intend to leave my legacy to my children.”

Geom Woojin looked at him with some surprise.

“None have the qualities to lead the guild. Even if they did, I wouldn’t leave it to them.”

He probably did not lack greed despite lacking ability.

Was the inheritance large? He knew how many around the sons would poke and prod, so he planned to announce he wouldn’t leave it to anyone.

“I will divide the inheritance so they live comfortably but forbid them from interfering with guild affairs. The guild will be entrusted to someone trustworthy and capable. The livelihood of the many working in the guild and their families depends on it.”

Geom Woojin looked at him calmly.

“Excellent.”

The praise was sincere. How difficult that decision was, he understood. Yong Ja-myeong was a man with admirable thoughts as well as reputation.

Then Yong Ja-myeong revealed his honest feelings.

“If I had a son like the Little Pill Master, I’d leave him everything. He’d handle things well. I envy you in that.”

When had he ever revealed such honesty? Especially about children, no one could easily talk.

“He’s still reckless and immature. Please watch over him well.”

Though he said that, Yong Ja-myeong felt Geom Woojin was proud of his sons. How could he not, being a father himself?

Then a cart came their way.

Their eyes naturally followed the cart.

An old man was driving a donkey-drawn cart. Inside sat an adult and a child. The adult was Geom Mugeuk; the child was the old man’s granddaughter.

“Here, it’s all done.”

Geom Mugeuk handed over a small wooden doll.

Considering he had made it quickly with a dagger from the market to here, it was quite well made.

“I like it!”

The child happily accepted the doll.

As the cart passed by Geom Woojin and Yong Ja-myeong, Geom Mugeuk got off.

“Farewell!”

He waved goodbye to the child holding the doll as the cart disappeared.

After sending the cart off, Geom Mugeuk explained to the two.

“Ah, the cart got stuck in a pit; I pulled it out.”

Yong Ja-myeong looked at Geom Mugeuk with newfound respect.

Pulling a cart out was one thing, but making a doll for the child and bringing it along was not easy.

Yong Ja-myeong glanced at Geom Woojin, who looked at his son as if saying, ‘Always meddling in everything,’ but the expression was warm. He was envious.

“Where are you two going?”

“Out for some fresh air with the leader.”

Geom Mugeuk guessed how much Yong Ja-myeong wanted to prolong the moment. And how difficult it must have been to arrange.

“What about the matter you handled?”

They had treated it as if they received one million nyang at the continental battlefield. Hearing that, a woman came.

“They asked for two million nyang. Of course, considering the father, they’d ask for about one billion nyang.”

Yong Ja-myeong was inwardly surprised. Wasn’t that a sign of having already gotten the upper hand?

“You make more money than me.”

“Unfortunately, we have to split it.”

Geom Mugeuk said to his father,

“We will divide the earnings exactly into thirds.”

From the air came Hwi’s voice.

“I’m fine with that.”

By his nature, he wouldn’t dare ask for the same money as his father.

“The money is for selling the three of us as a bundle, so you must accept it.”

The firm refusal came again.

“I don’t need it.”

“I know. You are the most expensive bodyguard in the martial world.”

Hwi probably never heard such words from anyone.

That was why he was told on purpose. A symbol of loyalty who had never bragged about his excellence. Even never had the chance.

Sharing the money was a token of gratitude. The only chance to reward him materially for giving his life for his father.

“In guarding, you’re the Heavenly Demon and Silver Galaxy Guild leader, aren’t you?”

“Please don’t say that.”

Hwi’s embarrassed voice was rare.

A faint smile spread on Geom Woojin’s lips as he looked at Geom Mugeuk. It was a ‘Stop teasing him’ smile.

“You’ve earned a lot, and you don’t even have time to spend it. So you should accept it. You don’t have time to spend it, but you live knowing you have so much. Oh, and when my father steps down as leader, you’ll retire and spend it all freely.”

After a pause, Hwi said,

“I will serve the leader until the last moment.”

Meaning he would serve until his death even after the father retires. Hwi was a symbol of loyalty.

The father finally spoke.

“Accept it.”

No persuasion was needed. With that word, he could no longer refuse.

“Understood.”

Then he gave an order to his son, a father’s wish for Hwi.

“Extract as much as possible.”