Absolute Regression Chapter 465 : We Have to Find out the Amount

Chapter 465: We Have to Find out the Amount

Had he ever laughed so heartily in recent days?

Yong Jamyeong laughed out loud.

Asking if he had so money?

Asking such a question to the richest man in the Central Plains was no different from asking the Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult, ‘Do you know so martial arts?’ It was that absurd of a joke—and the one making the joke was none other than the current Young Cult Leader of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult.

While raising the Galaxy Trading Company, he had always been cautious of martial artists. Among them, he was most wary of the Heavenly Demon Divine Cult. Because when sothing went wrong, he didn’t think negotiations would work with them. They were a force that seed as if they would sweep in like a tidal wave.

Then ca the news from the Demonic Cult.

This young man standing right in front of him. It was about the Young Cult Leader of the Demonic Cult.

The information trickling in secretly was truly astonishing. Tales hard to believe were presented as truth.

Even as he kept hearing that the Young Cult Leader was different from all previous demons, he thought, How different could he really be? A demon is still a demon.

But this Young Cult Leader, whom he had t in person—was different. How different could he be? As you can see, too different. He was soone even more extraordinary than the rumors.

"How much would it take?"

At Yong Jamyeong’s question, Geom Mugeuk smiled and replied.

"The more, the better."

"That’s the one thing I can do well."

At his humble remark, Geom Mugeuk said sothing unexpected.

"But you don’t actually have to give it."

"What do you an?"

"Just pretend to give it."

Yong Jamyeong guessed Geom Mugeuk’s intent.

He likely ant that it would be enough to spread information that the Galaxy Trading Company had given a huge amount to the Seodo Sect.

"And the question of how much—it’s not sothing you should ask, Company Head. It’s a question for the other side."

Yong Jamyeong was impressed by Geom Mugeuk. It had been just a mont ago that he asked to stay here. And so he was granted three days.

In other words, in this short ti, Geom Mugeuk had already ford a plan.

The most extraordinary Young Cult Leader in history.

He was certainly living up to that reputation.

"Young Cult Leader."

"Yes, Company Head."

Now it was ti to formally express his gratitude.

"Thank you."

If not for Geom Mugeuk, he wouldn’t have realized that Geom Woojin was the benefactor.

If he hadn’t asked to hear the old story, if he hadn’t asked to see the portrait with the facial features, if he hadn’t seen Geom Woojin in Geom Mugeuk—

He would have never found out that Geom Woojin was the benefactor.

Even knowing Yong Jamyeong ant it that way, Geom Mugeuk smiled and said:

"To think I asked the richest man in the world for money and received a thank-you in return."

Yong Jamyeong liked Geom Mugeuk. What the Cult Leader had said—that it wouldn't be a bad thing for him either—he now understood clearly. No, it wasn’t just not bad. If he could continue building a good connection with a Young Cult Leader like this, it would be of great help not only to himself but also to the Galaxy Trading Company.

That must’ve been why. Why such words ca out so naturally.

"Those three days start counting from tomorrow."

He was soone for whom even a single day was too precious.

* * *

"Galaxy Trading Company is plotting sothing."

At Geum Arin’s words, the personal bodyguard Lim Hyuk nodded silently.

The fact that the Head of the Galaxy Trading Company had personally appeared here was proof enough. At first glance, it seed like the Galaxy Trading Company and the Seodo Sect had joined hands.

"Seodo Sect is no group of ordinary individuals."

Lim Hyuk recalled Hui, who had revealed himself from concealnt.

It was the first ti he had seen such a masterful stealth technique. The kind of stealth technique only soone who had trained in it could recognize—truly at the pinnacle.

He rembered the words Hui had said back then.

―Do you wish to protect your master? Then stop. Your thoughts, your actions. And close your mouth.

He had said that as a warning not to act rashly within that manor.

For so reason, it kept feeling like that warning should apply to everything going on now.

"That’s probably why the Head of the Galaxy Trading Company ca personally."

The figure nad Geom Yeon, and the deanor shown by his father and uncle—they were no ordinary people. Especially the presence exuded by his father—it was beyond description.

"If they really did join hands, then in the end, my subordinates fell victim to the Galaxy Trading Company."

This wasn’t just so random clash with a martial sect. It hinted at the possibility that the Galaxy Trading Company could be behind this entire incident. Of course, that possibility was slim.

If that had been the case, they wouldn’t have let them leave the manor peacefully that day.

"A ssage will co from the noble family."

She had already reported to the noble family that the Head of the Galaxy Trading Company was moving independently.

"But I can’t just wait for that ssage to arrive."

The situation here might be over before then.

She would have to investigate it herself. What kind of relationship the Galaxy Trading Company had with the Seodo Sect, and why the Head of the Galaxy Trading Company had co here in person.

"What are you planning to do?"

"I need to figure out what’s going on through this man nad Geom Yeon."

Lim Hyuk looked at her with worry in his eyes. She had carried out all her tasks well so far. For her age, she clearly had remarkable qualities. But this ti, he had a bad feeling.

Geum Arin sensed Lim Hyuk’s concern.

"I know. He’s no easy opponent."

She recalled Geom Mugeuk. Whenever she thought of him, it was his smiling, joking face that ca to mind first. And she knew—only the strong could laugh like that.

Geom Mugeuk’s laughter ca from ease. And that ease ca from strength.

Just then, a subordinate ca to report.

"Geom Yeon and the Head of the Galaxy Trading Company have made a move."

"Just the two of them?"

"Yes, that’s correct."

"Where to?"

"Continental Money Exchange."

Geum Arin imdiately guessed the reason why.

If a rchant and a martial artist went to a money exchange, what other reason could there be? It was certain that the Galaxy Trading Company had handed money over to the Seodo Sect.

Geum Arin gave her subordinate an order.

"Find out, quietly, how much money was exchanged. You must uncover the exact amount."

That afternoon, Geum Arin ca to visit Geom Mugeuk's residence.

"What brings you here?"

"I ca because I had sothing to say to you."

"Co in."

"It's stuffy inside. Let’s go for a walk."

Geum Arin refused to enter the house. She knew the Head of the Galaxy Trading Company was still staying here. On top of that, this man’s father was inside as well. That place was a tiger’s den.

Geom Mugeuk readily accepted her suggestion.

"Very well, let’s do that."

It was because of this kind of attitude. Sohow, she felt she could draw sothing out of this man.

She needed to use his confidence. She had to insert a tube into that confidence and extract only the humility from it. When confidence loses humility, it turns into arrogance.

The two began walking slowly toward the marketplace. She walked at a slight distance from Geom Mugeuk.

"Why are you walking so far away?"

At Geom Mugeuk’s question, Geum Arin answered.

"Did you forget? Last ti we t, we were trying to kill each other."

"Let’s get it straight. Not ‘we,’ but you were trying to kill ."

"My subordinates’ blood must still be on your sword."

"You tried to kill first."

"Either way, you’re alive, aren’t you?"

Every word she spoke was cautious, and she was fully focused. She had never dealt with this kind of person before. Even a joke had to be approached with full ntal alertness.

"But there’s one thing that’s strange."

"What is?"

"As you know, I ran into the Head of the Galaxy Trading Company that day. Normally, the warriors of your trading company would’ve looked into afterward, but there’s been no movent at all."

She was probing to find out whether the Galaxy Trading Company knew about her identity.

In truth, the Head of the Galaxy Trading Company’s guards were known to be ironclad—if an unknown person ca into contact, they always investigated.

"I was the one who told them about you first."

"What did you say?"

"You heard it that day, didn’t you? That you’re a woman blessed with good fortune."

When Geum Arin gave him an incredulous look, Geom Mugeuk added with a smile,

"I said you’re soone I have a personal connection with. So, for my sake, they wouldn’t look into you."

Geum Arin briefly stopped walking. Naturally, Geom Mugeuk stopped as well.

"We have a hostile relationship."

She intentionally refrained from saying anything kind to Geom Mugeuk. He had said they had a personal connection. In other words, he was showing kindness. It was at tis like this that one had to respond coldly.

Sure enough, the other party didn’t see it as a hostile relationship.

"Isn’t that sothing we still don’t know? Our eting isn’t over yet."

The two resud walking. She subtly inserted a tube into him and drew out a sip of humility.

"The Head of the Galaxy Trading Company ca in person. You’re more impressive than I thought."

At that, Geom Mugeuk looked at her with a curious smile. His eyes at monts like this—felt as if they saw right through one’s heart.

"You seem more impressive."

"What do you an?"

"You ca to see soone that impressive without any fear, didn’t you?"

'Soone that impressive?'

It seed that previous line had drawn out humility quite effectively.

"Why did you co to see ?"

"To be honest, dealing with soone like you is a burden even for . But since the matter has already happened, it has to be settled one way or another."

As they conversed, the two entered the marketplace.

Geom Mugeuk was the first to make a suggestion.

"Let’s have a drink."

It was exactly the suggestion she wanted, but she deflected once. If she wanted to draw out information, she couldn’t appear eager. She had to approach this completely strategically.

"We’re not in a relationship where we sit across from each other and drink."

That was her confidence speaking.

A woman’s confidence that even if she brushed him off, the man wouldn’t back away. Until now, she had solved everything with a sword, so this kind of charm had simply been unnecessary.

"But we’re not in a relationship where we can’t drink either, are we? Co now, let’s go."

Geom Mugeuk took the lead and entered the inn.

Following behind, a faint smile appeared at the edge of Geum Arin’s lips. So far, the plan was going smoothly.

"There are plenty of other taverns, but you seem to like this one."

"Isn’t this where I t you? It’s a place that holds aning with you."

At the unexpected line, Geum Arin flinched slightly.

She stared quietly at Geom Mugeuk, but couldn’t tell whether he ant it sincerely or was just joking.

"Bring us so liquor."

Geom Mugeuk ordered one dish for her, and one for himself.

After a sip of liquor, Geom Mugeuk asked with a curious expression,

"Let ask just one thing. Where do you belong?"

"Why do you assu I belong sowhere?"

"Because for soone doing sothing like this…"

Geom Mugeuk trailed off, and Geum Arin finished the sentence for him.

"You think I’m too young."

But Geom Mugeuk shook his head.

"No. I was going to say, you don’t seem like soone suited for this kind of work."

"What kind of person is suited for this kind of work?"

"Soone who can steal another’s family business without blinking. Soone who has no hesitation in killing those who try to stop it."

The corner of Geum Arin’s lips curled slightly at the sharp jab. With her perceptiveness, there was no way she didn’t understand.

'He’s talking about .'

He said she wasn’t suited for this kind of work, but in the end, it was a rebuke directed at her.

She was inwardly angry, but pretended not to be and changed the subject. She hadn’t co to fight—she had co to gather information.

"Your father truly seems extraordinary. I used to think that only a Leader from one of three factions could have a private audience with the Head of the Galaxy Trading Company."

She deliberately praised his father. After all, few things strip humility from soone like stirring up jealousy.

And just as she expected—

"I was the one who suggested calling the Galaxy Trading Company."

"For what reason did you call them?"

As if it weren’t much of a secret, Geom Mugeuk explained it to her.

"The Galaxy Trading Company was secretly looking to hire a martial master. One not known by na in the Central Plains. In that regard, my father was the perfect candidate. After all, it’s been ages since he last appeared in the martial world."

It wasn’t a lie. His father had indeed returned to the martial world after a long absence.

Geum Arin’s mind raced, trying to process the unexpected piece of valuable information.

'The Galaxy Trading Company is secretly looking for a master? But why?'

The company already had a lineup full of martial experts.

As if he had read her thoughts, Geom Mugeuk spoke again.

"I was also curious why they needed a master in secret, so I asked them directly."

Geum Arin waited for the answer, tense on the inside.

But Geom Mugeuk didn’t answer right away and deliberately took his ti. He called over the server and ordered more liquor, along with a new dish.

As if he had forgotten what he was saying, he drank and shifted the conversation to food.

After a few more drinks, she asked,

"So what did the Galaxy Trading Company say about why they were seeking a martial master?"

"Oh, I didn’t tell you that yet?"

The way he told the story like that scattered her suspicion—Why is this man telling all this so easily?

"They said there’s an organization moving in secret within the trade world. A group that disregards trading ethics and disrupts order. They asked us to eliminate them."

"!"

Geum Arin was truly shocked but forced herself to act calm. That secret organization—there was no doubt it referred to her own. She had expected the Galaxy Trading Company to eventually catch on, but she never imagined they’d respond like this.

"Then why don’t they deal with it themselves and instead involve outside forces?"

"Isn’t that obvious?"

Geom Mugeuk spoke with confidence, as though he had already seen through everything.

"They must be trying to take over the vacancy that’ll be left after those people are gone."

"That can’t be. They’re The Greatest Trading Company Under the Heavens."

After emptying his glass, Geom Mugeuk replied,

"That’s probably how they beca The Greatest Trading Company Under the Heavens."

After a mont of silence, Geum Arin asked,

"Why are you telling such secrets so easily?"

"You seed curious. At this point, can we say it’s not bad blood but a kind of connection?"

Geom Mugeuk stared directly at Geum Arin.

She still couldn’t figure out what this man was thinking. In any case, whether it was true or not, she could confirm it later. Since he was already speaking so freely, she figured she might as well ask everything she needed to.

"How much did they offer you?"

If what Geom Mugeuk said was true, then she had to stop them from joining hands. The loss would be far greater than the money spent to hire them. No—more importantly, her own life would be at risk.

Until now, Geom Mugeuk had answered without hesitation. But this ti, he held back.

"Why do you ask?"

"Because if I offer more, you might co to our side instead."

Geom Mugeuk laughed outright.

"Forgive . I didn’t an to mock you."

It must’ve seed like she was trying to buy off soone facing the richest man in the world.

'Hey, we rank among the top three too.'

"Tell —how much would it take?"