Chapter 456: If You Kill Me, Someone Scary Will Come

TL: FoodieMonster007

There are days like this. Days when the stars look exceptionally lonely and the moonlight feels cold. Days when a sense of foreboding envelops your entire body, a strong feeling of discomfort that makes you feel like you're in a place you shouldn't be.

Right now was one of those times.

The source of this anxiety was the man lying in the hammock. The man who could evoke such a feeling just by watching the night stars with him.

A man with such a presence is merely the Sect Leader of a local sect? Impossible.

And one more thing. The three Money Ghosts he had sent ahead with Hwang In were nowhere to be seen.

I've walked into the tiger's den.

This wasn't because his own survival instincts were excellent. It was because of that man's presence, which drew out premonitions that weren't even there.

Stay calm.

Jeon Nak calmed his mind and controlled his inner qi. Yes, there had always been crises. He had somehow overcome them to survive to this day. He had to trust this instinct of his.

Then, he spoke to Geom Mugeuk, who had arrived with Hwang In.

"I've come with permission for our Trading Company to invest in your sect. Let's sign the agreement right away."

If he was quick witted, he would understand what he was saying right now.

Hwang In, for his part, was tense. He was still within arm's reach of Jeon Nak.

He pleaded with Geom Mugeuk with his eyes.

I brought him here, so hurry up and kill this man!

He was still standing in the middle of the scale. When it tipped decisively, he would throw himself to that side. Until one of them was dead, he was on no one's side.

Geom Mugeuk stepped forward and asked, "Who is this person who has come with you?"

Jeon Nak introduced himself humbly. "I am the one who serves Director Hwang."

Jeon Nak properly sized up Geom Mugeuk. If his premonition about the man in the hammock was correct, then he absolutely could not underestimate this young man either.

The bright first impression he had felt earlier now came across as the composure of a master.

Naturally, his resentment turned toward Hwang In.

Where has this bastard dragged me?

Though, to be precise, he had followed on his own two feet.

Geom Mugeuk said to Hwang In, "You command such a remarkable person, would you still need us?"

As he said it as if he had recognized his skill at a glance, Hwang In struggled to respond calmly. "Doesn't everyone have a different use?"

"You have a point. Well then, let's go inside and draw up the agreement."

About time. Hwang In felt a sense of relief and was about to step toward Geom Mugeuk when it happened.

"Please wait a moment."

Jeon Nak politely stopped Hwang In. He thought that in this situation, he couldn't hand Hwang In over to the other party.

"Director Hwang."

"What is it?"

"Didn't I say I left my subordinates here? But I don't see them."

At that, Hwang In asked Geom Mugeuk, "Where are those men?"

This was also a question he genuinely wanted an answer to. What on earth happened to them?

"They're inside the house, waiting for you to return. I asked them to watch the stars with me, but they ignored me and went inside."

Hwang In was inwardly dumbfounded by how nonchalantly he lied. He recalled the moment the Money Ghosts had disappeared earlier. That house was a man eating house. Once you go in, you don't come out.

"I'll go in to write the agreement and tell them you've arrived." Hwang In tried to hurry inside, while Jeon Nak tried to go outside.

"Please do. I will be waiting outside the manor, so please sign the agreement and come out together later."

Jeon Nak could only think of getting out of this place. It was the first time since becoming a martial artist that he had been so frightened when his opponent hadn't even made a single threat. That made it even more terrifying.

However, Geom Mugeuk did not let him go so easily. "Since you've come all this way, why don't you come inside and have a drink with us?"

Jeon Nak, setting aside all premonitions and survival instincts, could feel the danger he was in from this fact alone.

He wasn't the type of person someone would want to invite for a drink. He was someone people wanted to avoid. And this man was asking him for a drink?

"Shall I?" Jeon Nak turned and walked naturally to Hwang In's side.

If I go in, I die.

At the same time, Jeon Nak drew his sword.

At the signal of him drawing his sword, ten Money Ghosts who had been waiting outside leaped over the wall in unison.

Hwang In's worry outweighed his surprise that they had followed.

I can't let them misunderstand and think I betrayed them!

So, Hwang In asked as if he had no idea, "Why did you bring your subordinates?"

Jeon Nak's gaze as he looked at Hwang In was cold. "I arrive here, and my subordinates don't even come out to greet me? Unless they are dead, such a thing would never happen."

He was still speaking politely.

That was why Hwang In found this Jeon Nak terrifying. He had always handled matters with that polite attitude. 'Please leave it to me.' With those words, the job was always finished.

Now, that terrifying politeness was directed at him.

"Please tell me what happened."

Despite the killing intent subtly rising in Jeon Nak's eyes, Hwang In flatly denied it. "They were here right up until I left. Weren't they?"

Hwang In's gaze toward Geom Mugeuk was desperate.

Please, just say they were.

Geom Mugeuk said to Jeon Nak, "I told you, the men who came with him are inside the house. If you're so suspicious, go in and check for yourself."

He said it so nonchalantly that it seemed to be true.

Jeon Nak's gaze shifted past Geom Mugeuk to Geom Woojin. He was lying in the hammock with his eyes closed. It was impossible to tell if he was asleep or lost in thought, but that sight alone was enough to command his attention.

"Go check."

Jeon Nak sent one of the Money Ghosts into the house. He sent him a voice transmission, telling him to check carefully if anyone was hiding.

However, he received no answer to his command. The Money Ghost who went in did not come out.

"It seems a drinking party has started."

At Geom Mugeuk's nonchalant words, Jeon Nak's gaze turned icy cold. It was the moment he confirmed that the enemies were not just the two in front of him.

They were all taken out.

The first three subordinates he had sent were among the most skilled of the Money Ghosts.

Jeon Nak asked Geom Mugeuk, "What is your identity?"

"I am Geom Yeon of the Western Blade Sect. And this is my father."

"No. You are not from the Western Blade Sect." Jeon Nak's sword pointed at the neck of Hwang In, who was standing beside him.

"Why are you doing this to me? I'm on your side!"

The reason he believed Hwang In was lying was simple. "There's no way such incredible people would agree to join hands with you. You lured me to them."

His polite demeanor changed. It was the first time since they had met.

"Even if I die, I will definitely kill you."

Hwang In was engulfed in terror, as he could feel it was not a simple threat.

The only person he could trust now was Geom Mugeuk.

Are you going to abandon me?

To that desperate gaze, Geom Mugeuk said something unexpected. "A great merchant buys this item and that item. He wouldn't leave his business to luck, would he?"

From those words, Hwang In understood. He was being reprimanded for playing both sides.

"I…"

The cold touch of the blade on his neck. The moment he said he was on Geom Mugeuk's side, Jeon Nak would kill him. This mad butcher had no mercy.

Whether he knew of the crisis or not, Geom Mugeuk's gaze from beyond the blade demanded an answer.

Are you really the heir of a mysterious family? Even if I choose you, can you save me?

He felt that now was the moment to risk his life and make his final judgment.

Since he wasn't a martial artist, he couldn't tell which side was stronger. He had to rely on his wits and intuition, making a purely instinctive choice.

Finally, Hwang In made his decision. "I have already chosen you."

The scale in Hwang In's heart tipped toward Geom Mugeuk.

"So please, save me."

Terrified that the sword at his neck might slice him down, Hwang In squeezed his eyes shut. But today, the butcher's sword was unusually cautious.

Geom Mugeuk demanded another answer. "Who are these people trying to kill you?"

You're really going to push me to the edge of the cliff.

He had already come this far, and there was no place left to retreat.

"These men deserve to die. Many innocent people have died at their hands."

"Wasn't it you who ordered it?"

"Since I joined hands with them, I can't say I bear no responsibility, but I never ordered anyone to be killed, nor did I ever wish for it."

"But thanks to them, the Yellow Road Trading Company must have grown."

At those words, Hwang In couldn't make any excuses. He was the one who had joined hands with them. Although he hadn't known they were so cruel.

He felt the sword at his neck grow even colder.

Hwang In could feel it. He had decided to kill him.

Why hasn't he killed me yet?

He didn't know. The reason this cruel Jeon Nak hadn't struck his neck yet was to use him as a hostage, to gain even the slightest advantage.

Just then, hopeful words came from Geom Mugeuk's mouth. "I have a technique that can save you. It's a technique I've been practicing a lot lately. And as it happens, there are ten opponents."

No, why are you explaining that to the enemy? Use it now! Hurry!

But soon, that hope turned into a thunderbolt from a clear sky.

"However, its accuracy is poor, so you might die too."

A technique with poor accuracy? Is this the time to be mentioning such a shoddy technique!

How could Hwang In know? That shoddy technique was none other than the Nine Calamities Demonic Art the Fifth Technique the Soul Slicing Demonic Strike.

Listening to the conversation, Jeon Nak grew more and more anxious. He figured he wouldn't have mentioned the technique if he didn't actually have it.

"You were after me from the beginning, weren't you?"

There was no way such masters would target a mere Trading Company. To be precise, they must have been targeting not him, but his superiors.

He thought it might be for the best. Perhaps he could use that fact to escape this place.

"If I die, someone scary will come. Not even you will be able to survive then."

At that, Geom Mugeuk asked, "Who is this scary person?"

"Someone who can kill people like you with ease. If you kill me, that person will come."

With a look that said, 'Are you still going to kill me?', Geom Mugeuk asked Hwang In, "Are you a lucky person?"

Hwang In let out a sigh. "If I were lucky, would I be in a situation like this?"

"Then I'll have to trust my luck."

What on earth was he talking about.

"Close your eyes."

At Geom Mugeuk's words, Hwang In closed his eyes.

Blood trickled from Jeon Nak's sword where it touched Hwang In's neck.

"If you move, this man will surely die!"

He was confident he could kill the man whose neck his sword was at, no matter the opponent. If he attacked, he would slit Hwang In's throat and then fight.

The next moment!

Ten streams of sword qi struck down vertically.

These ten streams of sword qi, striking like lightning, plunged precisely into the crowns of the Money Ghosts' heads. The Money Ghosts each had different levels of skill, but before the Soul Slicing Demonic Strike, everyone was equal.

They collapsed simultaneously like bundles of straw.

When the first sound erupted, Hwang In thought he was dead.

This is the end!

His father had told him. That nothing good comes of a merchant getting involved with martial artists. He should have stopped me until the very end.

At the hot stench of blood, Hwang In slowly opened his eyes.

And before his eyes was an astonishing sight.

The Money Ghosts were all collapsed and dead. Blood flowed from the crowns of their heads. And Jeon Nak, who had pointed his sword at him, was also lying dead beside them.

Jeon Nak is dead? That terrifying Jeon Nak? How on earth?

It felt as if he were dreaming. Hwang In stood there blankly, completely stunned.

Just then, Geom Woojin, who had been lying in the hammock, sat up. "With that shoddy skill of yours, what would you have done if it had landed on that man's head?"

"Then you would have saved him, Father."

Sensing he was being sincere, Geom Woojin asked with an expression that said, 'Is that even a plausible thing to say?', "While lying in that hammock?"

"Yes. Because you're my father."

That familiar sneer formed on Geom Woojin's lips. But today's sneer held a pleasant feeling. His son's trust surpassed even the Nine Calamities Demonic Art.

"Only ten strands now. You still have a long way to go."

Leaving those words behind, Geom Woojin went inside the building.

"Sleep well, Father."

After loudly bidding his father goodnight, Geom Mugeuk walked over to the stunned Hwang In. "Are you alright?"

Finally coming to his senses, Hwang In bowed deeply on the spot. "Thank you for saving my life."

His gamble had been correct. Now, for better or worse, he had to trust and follow these people. There were many things he wanted to know and ask, but what filled Hwang In's mind right now was this worry.

"But… is it alright?"

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't he say that if you killed him, someone scary would come?"

"That's why I killed him."

Seeing Hwang In's eyes widen in confusion, Geom Mugeuk said, as if he were someone who wanted to see him, "Because he said they would only come if I killed him."