“Are you going to be okay?”

Im Hyeok asked with concern.

Geum Arin, having just returned from meeting Geom Mugeuk, immediately began drafting the contract. A clean contract with no hidden intentions—paying two million nyang and joining hands with them.

“Are you okay with that? It’s madness.”

At Geum Arin’s answer, Im Hyeok thought it was rather fortunate. At least she fully understood the situation.

“Why do you trust that man so much?”

Her answer was a single word.

“Instinct.”

Her hand paused briefly as she wrote.

“I didn’t know either. That I’d decide my fate by instinct.”

Contrary to her words, she began finishing the contract with a confident look.

The moment Geom Mugeuk signs the contract, they must pay two million nyang.

The life of the upper world depends on trust. No matter how secretive the organization is, since its head is the daughter of the Geumryong family head, it was like a contract with the Geumryong family.

“To pay two million nyang, we must gather not only this year’s operating funds but also all the profits our organization has earned. Even then, it might not be enough.”

“I’ll borrow money on the battlefield if I have to.”

Im Hyeok spoke anxiously.

“The second young master won’t stand by quietly.”

“Of course not.”

Objectively, not only the second brother but anyone would consider this decision rash.

She looked up and asked Im Hyeok.

“Do you think so?”

Though he had yet to see even a glimpse of their martial arts properly, Im Hyeok recalled Hwi. The gaze and calm advice he had given couldn’t be measured in money.

“No, I don’t.”

So Im Hyeok respected her instinct. Her feeling about Geom Mugeuk must have been the same.

“Yeah, me neither.”

Geum Arin revealed this choice aimed farther ahead.

“When he said he would definitely be on my side, I made up my mind. I must use them to become the successor.”

Im Hyeok thought the moment had finally come. She had been watching the Geumryong family’s succession fight from a distance, observing her two older brothers’ battle from across the river. Now, she was stepping into the real succession fight.

She called it instinct, but it was likely the pull of fate.

“Take this, get it signed, and pay the money.”

She handed over the completed contract.

“I didn’t buy our lives or Seodopa with these two million nyang. I bought the successor position itself.”

“I’ve brought the money!”

Geom Mugeuk placed three envelopes on the table.

“We received two million nyang and divided it into three. Sixty-six thousand six hundred nyang each.”

Geom Ujin confidently took the envelope containing the receipt first.

“Well done.”

Then Hwi revealed himself, breaking concealment.

He could not tolerate receiving the exact same amount as the leader, but the leader’s order to receive the money came first.

“Here, this is for you, uncle.”

“Thank you, Little Pill Master.”

Hwi treasured the envelope in his arms.

“Father, let’s come out often for uncle Hwi’s sake. What good is money if there’s no time to spend it?”

At Geom Mugeuk’s words, Hwi gave an awkward smile. Even without this money, he had saved a lot throughout his lifetime in the new sect. But like Geom Mugeuk said, there was no time to use it.

Geom Mugeuk said to Yong Jamyeong beside him.

“Say a word about how to spend money.”

Startled, Yong Jamyeong hesitated briefly. Though he could talk about money nonstop for days, since the leader was listening, he humbly replied.

“There are many who earn money well, but few who spend it well. I’m among those who earn well, not spend well.”

Then he asked Geom Mugeuk’s opinion.

“Do you have any special thoughts on this, Little Pill Master?”

“What could I do? Later, I’ll find someone who spends money well and make them my subordinate. That subordinate must be treated the best. That’s about it.”

“You already knew the answer to wise spending.”

The two laughed facing each other.

Geom Mugeuk expressed thanks to Yong Jamyeong.

“This was easy thanks to the Danju of Eunhasangdan.”

Because everything started when the Danju personally came to visit.

But the fact that things went well also meant it was time for him to leave. Since they had received the money from the other side, now this side must depart.

A few days had passed since the initial three-day plan. Geom Ujin had told him to stay longer, so he happily spent a few extra days.

It was truly a time like a dream.

Geom Ujin gave him plenty of time and many conversations.

He enjoyed the time spent with him very much.

“This was an unforgettable time in my life. Call on me anytime you need me.”

“Let’s do that.”

Geom Ujin’s final farewell to him.

“Contact us anytime you need.”

Where else could there be words more reassuring?

Yong Jamyeong showed a face full of gratitude as he said goodbye.

“Take care until we meet again.”

Geom Mugeuk saw Yong Jamyeong out to the gate.

“Thanks to you, I fulfilled a long-held dream. Truly, thank you.”

“Blessings of the Danju. Remembering your father is thanks to the Danju too.”

He wanted to fulfill this wish, and luckily, things went well. But it wasn’t just giving.

“Thank you sincerely for the teachings.”

At Geom Mugeuk’s request, Yong Jamyeong delivered a lecture on upper world affairs. Since their opponent was the Geumryong family, the more he knew, the better for the fight.

Thanks to his lecture, Geom Mugeuk learned much.

Giving, receiving. Now it was time to give again.

“Contact your father often.”

“To the leader?”

“He seemed to like being with the Danju.”

“That’s truly fortunate.”

“By the way, your father likes baduk. If you bring a good board and stones next time, he’ll be very pleased.”

“Thanks for the tip.”

Yong Jamyeong looked at Geom Mugeuk for a moment.

He had seen the rumored Little Pill Master and now could speak of the rumor. The rumor was diminished; the Little Pill Master was underestimated.

Climbing into the carriage, Yong Jamyeong gave his last greeting.

“Take care.”

The Little Pill Master, who had given a relaxed smile throughout his stay, was no exception until the end.

“Any final lectures?”

It must have been a joke, but Yong Jamyeong left words he wanted to say.

“Until the moment you die, money will try to reveal your true nature. Don’t let him catch it.”

With that, Geom Mugeuk disappeared from sight.

Baek Chong, riding with him, saw Yong Jamyeong lean out of the carriage to bid farewell for the first time. He usually sat sternly inside.

“I’m glad it ended safely.”

Until coming here, they had prepared to risk their lives with grim determination.

But the meeting with the Demon Sect leader had become a rare rest—for Yong Jamyeong and Baek Chong alike.

“When I return, I must meet my children.”

He did not remember the last time he talked with his sons. Business kept him busy, and meetings were awkward. So he kept postponing even seeing their faces.

But after meeting this Demon Sect father and son, he missed his children.

Yong Jamyeong suddenly thought.

Perhaps he had met the old grace and gained new grace at the same time.

“Prepare to return to the family.”

Giving the order to Im Hyeok, Geum Arin’s heart was already pounding. She had started boldly, but her father’s scolding was inevitable.

She even had nightmares, unable to sleep.

Dreams of them taking the money and disappearing. Another nightmare of them showing their skill in front of her father but performing terribly.

“I’ll meet that man, set the departure time, and come back.”

At that moment, someone entered.

“No need for that.”

Startled, she turned to see a man entering.

It was Geum Ajong, Geum Arin’s second older brother.

He was the person she had most worried about during this operation but had shown up first.

He resembled Geum Arin and was quite handsome, but his personality did not match.

Selfish and greedy, full of ambition for success.

“How did you get here?”

“How else? I came to stop the family’s money from leaking.”

Coming this fast meant he had been watching her every move.

“My brothers always just wait for me to slip up.”

Among the two brothers, especially Geum Ajong was unusually wary of her.

He suspected that their father might one day hand the family over to his daughter.

“Two million nyang? Are you out of your mind?”

Indeed, the older brother accurately grasped the situation.

“I’ll handle my own affairs. You do yours well.”

“Unaware that you’re being played by a conman.”

The word “conman” made Geum Arin flinch. It was unexpected.

“Conman?”

“You spent such a large sum without properly knowing the other party?”

She had no response. This decision had been purely instinctive.

“Did you know Seodopa produced the winner of the Small Dragon Tournament hosted by the Martial Alliance?”

Not knowing this, Geum Arin flinched. Until now, they had been a secretive sect; now they were becoming a realistic sect participating in the tournament.

Thinking they would surely win, as the tournament measures late bloomers.

“After fierce battles with the Martial Alliance leader’s granddaughter, they barely won.”

That made Geum Arin’s heart sink.

“The granddaughter of the Martial Alliance leader? And it was a close match?”

No matter how powerful the leader’s granddaughter was, she was still only a late bloomer.

A corner of her mind raised a worry.

“Could it be all talk and no skill?”

Suppressing the rising anxiety, she said.

“But they won, right? They might have hidden their true skill.”

Geum Ajong, as if waiting for this moment, shouted triumphantly.

“What are you saying? The Geom Yeon who ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) gave two million nyang didn’t enter the Small Dragon Tournament. The winner was someone named Seo Ryong.”

“Then who is Geom Yeon?”

Out came thunderous words from Geum Ajong.

“Geom Yeon is Seo Ryong’s retainer.”

“!”

Geum Arin jumped up.

Her eyes trembled.

His retainer?

“It’s well known that the Martial Alliance leader’s granddaughter caused a fuss saying she’d marry her retainer. She must have been conned like you.”

He treated her like a conman deceiving women. But if it were true? If he really was just a retainer?

Her mind pictured Geom Mugeuk’s face. Was he a conman after all? Was the nightmare becoming reality?

“I have to meet him.”

Geum Ajong stopped her as she tried to rush out.

“Don’t rush. We’ve already sent those who will collect the money.”

Geum Arin was shocked.

“Who?”

“The money bugs went.”

“No!”

The word came out involuntarily.

The money bugs’ real name was Hwanggeumchung (Golden Bugs). They were the underground masters raised by the family, deployed for rough jobs.

Usually sent to matters that must not be exposed, such as annihilating attackers on the commerce group or fighting over territory when pioneering new regions. Truly harsh and dangerous tasks.

Thus, they were arrogant within the family. Even workers and martial artists feared and disliked them.

What made the money bugs frightening was that they spared no means or method for their purpose, even life was worthless to them.

For these reasons, they were hated but essential to the Geumryong family.

“They will all die.”

“By whom? The retainer?”

She was confused but still had great trust in Geom Mugeuk.

“Yes, by the retainer.”

“Are you sick? Well, if you were sane, you wouldn’t be doing this.”

Geum Arin sprang out and left the residence.

Geum Ajong followed closely with light steps.

“You will completely fall out of favor with father because of this.”

Geum Ajong’s words did not reach her. Various scenes floated in her mind.

She pictured Geom Mugeuk as a conman, brutally killed by the money bugs. Then the money bugs reporting they had fled.

Or alternatively, all the money bugs lying dead in heaps.

If they all died, her father would never forgive Seodopa. In other words, her plan to become successor using them would be ruined.

Every imagination was the worst.

“Sending them without consulting me was your mistake, brother.”

“Giving money without consulting was your mistake first.”

The two who came rushing like the wind arrived at the manor where Geom Mugeuk stayed.

Inside was already quiet as if everything was over.

Approaching the gate cautiously, they heard sounds from inside.

Scraping.

What was that sound?

It sounded like sweeping the floor.

Swish, swish.

They heard sounds of cleaning as well.

Then a whisper came.

“Don’t touch that.”

Both Geum Arin and the confident Geum Ajong wore puzzled expressions. They wondered if they had come to the wrong place.

“Is this the right place?”

“Definitely.”

Geum Arin carefully opened the door.

When the door slowly opened, an unimaginable scene unfolded inside.

The money bugs were sweeping the courtyard with brooms. Others were wiping the walls with rags. They were clearing broken furniture and filling holes in the ground.

Their eyes had dark bruises; some limped while carrying loads. One wrapped bleeding forehead with bandages while collecting a hammock hung on a tree. Others were carrying loads out of the building.

The money bugs stopped abruptly and all their eyes turned toward the two who entered.

Their awkward and embarrassed expressions.

Geum Ajong felt like he was seeing things.

“What on earth are you doing now?”

A money bug near the entrance bowed and said.

“We were told to clean thoroughly since you’ll be leaving soon.”

It was the first time the money bugs had such kind faces.

“Who? Who told you that?”

At that moment, Geom Mugeuk came out of the front building. Seeing Geum Arin, he greeted warmly.

“Thank you for sending people to clean.”

A surge of emotion rose in Geum Arin’s heart. All the terrible imaginations she had on the way here washed away.

She was so grateful he had only beaten the money bugs, not killed them.

Whether he was a retainer or not no longer mattered. She would no longer doubt. Yes, her choice was right.

Geum Arin turned to Geum Ajong with a bright face.

“Thanks, brother. I couldn’t have made a two million nyang retainer clean.”