Chapter 469: Find Proof That He's a Con Artist!

TL: FoodieMonster007

Geum Ajong simply couldn't understand the situation. Fine, let's concede a hundred times over that the man was a greater master than the money grubs. But to make those fierce, rough, and haughty men so obedient? How in the world? The man over there clearing away the broken stones on the ground usually didn't even bother to greet him. He was a truly haughty man who lived only for the moment. Today was the first time Geum Ajong realized he could even make such a simple, innocent expression.

Just then, Geom Mugeuk walked up to the two of them.

At that moment, one of the nearby money grubs dropped a stone he was clearing.

When Geom Mugeuk picked it up and handed it to him, the money grub shrieked in surprise. Thinking he was about to be struck, he fell on his butt.

Watching the scene, Geum Ajong was dumbfounded.

What a load of bullshit. Fucking bullshit.

This was what he couldn't understand. He would have understood if the money grubs' arms and legs had been cut off. That would mean they had suffered a truly terrible ordeal. They would have to crawl on the ground like insects, let alone clean it. But they were just beaten up a bit, and they're this obedient? Those foul-tempered bastards? What in the world did he do to them?

"This is my Senior Brother."

Geum Arin introduced her Orabeoni to Geom Mugeuk.

"A pleasure to meet you. I am Geom Yeon."

Geum Ajong's gaze toward Geom Mugeuk couldn't be friendly. However, with the money grubs cleaning up, he couldn't exactly accuse him by saying, 'I know you're a con artist'.

"I've heard about you from my sister."

"And what did your sister say?"

Geom Mugeuk's gaze naturally shifted to Geum Arin.

Her eyes, looking back at him, were filled with gratitude.

Thank you. For not running away, for not killing the money grubs.

The fact that he didn't run away meant that he wasn't a con artist like Geum Ajong claimed.

Geum Ajong, being selfish, was someone who cherished himself above all else. Naturally, he was selective about who he threw his temper tantrums at.

"That you are a man of incredible skill."

"It is said that a martial artist will risk his life for someone who recognizes his worth."

It's for the money!

Geum Ajong desperately held back the words that were about to burst out. And was that the only thing he wanted to pour out? You insignificant attendant! He was definitely a con artist. How on earth did a mere attendant subdue the money grubs? Did he use a trick? Is his so-called father a master? Yes, that must be it. The one inside that house must be the master. He's probably not even his father. Just someone he hired with money.

The one who answered his questions was Geum Arin. She didn't hold back.

"Did the Western Blade Sect truly produce a winner in the Young Dragon Tournament?"

It was a question she had to ask at some point. She was prepared to accept any outcome, so she was able to ask calmly.

"It did."

This was why Geom Mugeuk was using the name of the Western Blade Sect again. Because the Western Blade Sect had such a history.

When judging someone, one can only look at their appearance or the facts at first. The Western Blade Sect produced a champion? Geom Yeon is that champion's attendant? One couldn't help but focus on such facts.

However, facts are merely a shell. The truth that Geom Yeon was Geom Mugeuk would only be visible after peeling back all these shells and looking inside.

But it wouldn't be easy. The prejudice of him being an attendant shrouded their interest. The more sensational the surrounding facts, the stronger a shield they become, obscuring the truth.

"I heard the winner's name was Seo Ryong."

"That is correct. He's my Senior Brother."

"Senior Brother? I heard a story that you were Seo Ryong's attendant."

An answer she had never expected came from Geom Mugeuk's mouth.

"The Murim Alliance Chairman's granddaughter liked me, so I had no choice but to pretend to be an attendant."

Since Jin Haryong had taken him to the Chairman before, it would seem plausible.

"Ah! The greatness of love that transcends even status!"

Geum Ajong and the nearby money grubs who were listening wore expressions of disbelief.

One of the money grubs, in particular, blurted out, "Crazy!" without thinking.

Then he flinched in shock.

Realizing he had spoken rashly, he froze, and the money grubs next to him pulled him back.

Watching this, Geum Ajong found the money grubs' reaction even more absurd. They were practically fawning over Geom Mugeuk. To think he was paying these guys such an expensive monthly salary!

Geum Arin asked Geom Mugeuk.

"Is that true?"

The Murim Alliance Chairman's granddaughter liked this man? Well, she must have liked him to take him to the Murim Alliance Chairman. The fact that had swayed her now changed. From 'Geom Yeon is an attendant' to 'the Murim Alliance Chairman's granddaughter liked him'.

"I'll introduce you to Miss Jin next time. We've been like friends ever since."

A feeling of doubt arose, but then her gaze turned to the money grubs.

Yes, if it's this man.

Geum Arin decided to believe him. Since she had already bet her fate on this man, she would believe.

On the other hand, Geum Ajong's thoughts were different.

He's a definite con artist.

Isn't it typical for con artists to flaunt their connections with famous people? The reason the Murim Alliance Chairman's granddaughter took this guy to the Chairman must have been an act of rebellion against the Murim Alliance Chairman. If not, why wouldn't he marry the Chairman's granddaughter and instead be here extorting two million taels? With such incredible skills, no less. That's why he's a con artist. He might have even extorted money from the Chairman's granddaughter.

While Geum Ajong was lost in all sorts of delusions, Geom Mugeuk called over the money grubs.

"Alright, if you're all done cleaning, gather around."

The money grubs then gathered there. They must have been ordered to look innocent. They were all trying their best to put on kind expressions.

Seeing it up close, Geum Ajong was even more flabbergasted.

That money grub's forearm over there is as thick as this Geom Yeon fellow's waist. Have you no shame?

Could it be? Were they all poisoned or something?

Otherwise, he couldn't believe they had been bested by this young man.

Seeing them acting so meek after being so haughty, Geum Arin felt a sense of satisfaction. It was okay to feel satisfied. Geom Yeon was her subordinate now.

Geom Mugeuk said to the money grubs.

"Well, you've all worked hard. You may go now."

The money grubs bowed deeply and left the place.

Geum Ajong glared at them.

He tells you to go, and you just go?

But they really left without a single look back. It was probably because their pride was hurt, but because of that, Geum Ajong's pride was hurt too. No matter how much they followed his father, he was still his father's flesh and blood.

Geom Mugeuk said to the two siblings.

"Come to think of it, you both sent people to kill me. It seems your bloodline is fated to not leave me alone. How many siblings are there? Surely it's not nine siblings, is it?"

Geum Arin's face flushed slightly at Geom Mugeuk's joke. Geum Ajong maintained a shameless expression, as if he wasn't the one who sent the money grubs.

Geum Arin replied to Geom Mugeuk.

"When will you depart? We're all ready to leave."

"Then let's leave right away. I'll be back here in one hour."

"Let's do that. If you lead the way, we'll follow the Young Lady's carriage."

"See you later, then."

Geum Arin had been about to turn and leave after her farewell, but she turned back again.

"Thank you," she said.

She didn't say what she was thankful for, but Geom Mugeuk smiled at her with a look that said he knew everything. At that moment, Geum Arin realized it anew.

So that was it.

Now she knew for sure why she was drawn to Geom Mugeuk. It was because of that composure. The reason she invested two million taels and even bet her own fate was because of that relaxed smile. Because of that man's composure, which seemed to know everything.

And so, Geum Arin and Geum Ajong left the place.

"That guy's a con artist," Geum Ajong said.

After a brief pause, Geum Arin asked.

"And you're not, Orabeoni?"

The rebuke that flew at the flinching Geum Ajong was sharp. "You act like you're doing this for me or the clan, but you're not, are you? If you were really thinking of me, you would have discussed it with me before sending the money grubs. You were convinced I made a mistake, and you were trying to correct it to score points with Father, weren't you?"

"What nonsense are you talking about?"

Hit right on the mark, Geum Ajong flatly denied it. If things had gone according to his plan, he would have replied to those words like this. Serves you right. You're completely out of Father's favor now.

"I'll see you at the main house. Oh, and if you get the chance, be sure to thank the attendant. If you had lost all the money grubs, you're the one who would have been out of Father's favor, Orabeoni."

Geum Arin left first.

Gazing at her retreating back, Geum Ajong looked toward the manor behind him.

Through the half-open gate, he could see Geom Mugeuk. Geom Mugeuk was looking up at the sky, and unfittingly, he seemed lonely.

Then, Geom Mugeuk sensed Geum Ajong's gaze, looked his way, and waved.

Geum Ajong pretended not to see, turned sharply, and quickened his pace.

His older brother had once told him that not only was he greedy, but he also had the makings of a con artist. Fine, he admitted it. It takes a con artist to know a con artist. That man was definitely hiding something.

I'll be the one to expose your true identity.

And to do that, he had a subordinate more skilled than anyone else.

"Lim Chu!"

A masked man then appeared.

"Find proof that he's a con artist as quickly as possible!"

"Understood."

Lim Chu was a man specialized in digging into people's backgrounds and gathering information, and he commanded the highest price among his subordinates.

"Don't fail! I've had enough failure for one day."

The carriage headed for Shaanxi, where the Golden Dragon Clan's Headquarters was located.

The two carriages traveled at a distance from each other. Geum Arin had told Lim Hyuk, who was driving her carriage, not to worry even if Geom Mugeuk's carriage didn't follow closely.

Inside the carriage, Geom Mugeuk reported what he knew about the Golden Dragon Clan to his father. Although his father was likely hearing all the information from the All-Knowing Hall, this information was from the Hidden Moon.

"The Golden Dragon Clan has three children in total. Geum Ajong and Geum Arin, whom we met earlier, are the second brother and the third child, respectively. The First Young Lord, Geum Ahyuk, is currently the most likely successor. To put it in numbers, our analysis is that Geum Ahyuk has a sixty percent chance, Geum Ajong has a thirty percent chance, and Geum Arin has a ten percent chance."

Geom Mugeuk had accurately grasped Geum Arin's intentions.

"The ultimate reason Geum Arin brought us in this time is likely to use us in her succession battle. It's a losing fight anyway, so she's dreaming of a final reversal."

Geom Woojin listened silently to Geom Mugeuk's report.

"When we arrive at the Golden Dragon Clan, I plan to investigate the Patriarch first. I believe he's connected to the mastermind."

"Your reason?"

The reason was Geum Arin.

"The money earned by the secret organization flowed to the mastermind. However, since the leader of this secret organization is the daughter of the Golden Dragon Clan's Patriarch, it must be the Patriarch who sent the money."

If the leader had been someone else, there might have been a slim chance that someone in the upper echelons had orchestrated it without the Patriarch's knowledge, but since it was Geum Arin, the Golden Dragon Clan's Patriarch was definitely involved.

"The problem is how they are connected. Are they completely their subordinates, or are they accomplices, or they could be being blackmailed. They could also be being deceived."

He also had a specific plan for that.

"However, because she gave us two million taels this time, that payment has been disrupted. It's a big problem for them, as they were in a situation where they had to pay them money. I plan to focus on that point. We should be able to deduce their relationship from the Patriarch's reaction."

A strange light flickered in Geom Woojin's eyes.

"Did you think that far ahead when you accepted the money?"

Geom Mugeuk's sparkling eyes were already answering yes.

Then, Geom Woojin said.

"Is there really a need for me to go?"

He was asking if his help was really necessary when his son could see through the situation so clearly.

"We need to show them once."

"Show them what?"

Geom Mugeuk then said calmly.

"That you, Father, exist in this murim."

"!"

Geom Woojin stared at his son in silence for a moment before turning his head to look out the window of the moving carriage.

He added one more thing to his father.

"Of course, I know you'd prefer to make your presence known in a different way."

That night, they stayed at an inn.

In the dead of night, when everyone was asleep, a masked man quietly appeared. It was Lim Chu, sent by Geum Ajong.

He didn't slip into the guest rooms where people were sleeping, but into the stable.

His footsteps made no sound, and the carriage door made no noise when he opened it. One would believe him if he were called a thief, and one would believe him if he were called an assassin.

Lim Chu didn't rashly enter the guest room where they slept.

He checked the carriage first.

After carefully examining the inside of the carriage, he then checked the driver's seat. The luggage seemed to have been moved to the guest room, so there was nothing special.

From this unremarkable carriage, Lim Chu felt an unidentifiable sense of unease.

Something's strange.

After looking around for a moment, he realized the source of this unease.

The carriage is too old for the horses.

The horses were truly fine steeds, but the carriage was too shabby.

Lim Chu slowly inspected the carriage. He looked it over, tapping it here and there.

As a result, he discovered that the exterior of the carriage had been newly covered with thin plywood. It had been deliberately made to look like an old carriage.

Lim Chu used his dagger to scrape the edge of the plywood, prying it open slightly.

Peeking through the gap, he could see that there was a picture drawn on the carriage.

Looking closely, it was a shape like a crescent moon.

"A crescent moon?" he muttered to himself.

Was there a sect in the murim that used a crescent moon?

If he tore off a little more, he might be able to recognize it. But doing so would leave a trace that the plywood had been removed. He decided he would have to get materials to reattach the plywood and then take it off completely.

Before that, he tried to check the picture one more time, peering through the gap.

"!"

Lim Chu was startled. It wasn't because of the picture. Someone had silently come up beside him and was also peering through the gap in the plywood. It was Geom Mugeuk.

"Looks more like a horn than a crescent moon, don't you think?"