Chapter 420: 834
[Chapter 210]
[Life is Like Walking on a Blade's Edge]
Among the chairmen of the top 10 conglomerates in the business world, only one person called the first generation remained.
This was because Oh Man-jeong, the chairman of Samra Group, had also stepped down just recently.
Only Choi Yun-hye, the chairwoman of YH Group, was still holding her position.
This was because her children were not reliable, and she was an ambitious person.
"Hah... Why did you come when you must be busy."
But even she couldn't overcome time in the end.
Her aged body was deteriorating to the point where it was difficult to even hold herself up.
Eventually, she was secretly hospitalized at Galaxy Hospital, keeping it from the media.
"Still, it feels good to see your faces after a long time."
One day, the direct descendants of YH Group came to visit her.
They were all her children and grandchildren.
She spoke gruffly, but welcomed their visit.
When she was in good health, she would have scolded them and chased them away to do company work, but the long years had softened her heart too.
"I had a dream about your father today. Even that man who only started businesses and ruined them, and got scolded by me... It was nice to see him after a long time."
Choi Yun-hye gave a bitter smile.
Her husband was a good person.
But he wasn't good at work.
How could he be, when she married someone who was her bodyguard?
"It was my mistake to fall for him."
It was a love that wasn't good for either of them.
She neglected her family because she prioritized work more.
Her husband was just a nice person, but had no talent for business.
In the end, when the time of living on love passed and they started living on affection, there was constant friction between them.
Her husband was often mistreated, and as a result, his self-esteem plummeted and he lived a life despised by people in political and business circles.
"Now I miss your father so much."
""""...."""
"It's not just your father. My father, mother, older brother... There are so many people I miss."
Choi Yun-hye gave a bitter smile.
She had lived looking only forward too much.
So she couldn't take care of those around her.
Only money, money, money.
She certainly earned a lot of money, but in the end, there was nothing that came back from earning that money.
Just that she would have a lot of money even if she went bankrupt?
There was no value beyond that.
Nevertheless, she continued to work with ambition.
She had no choice.
Having already missed out on many things, she could only look forward and run.
"You must be busy too, so you can go now. I'm glad I could see your faces like this today. And... Ye-jin, stay for a moment."
"Yes."
Choi Yun-hye dismissed the guests.
Her children bowed deeply in greeting.
They sensed it was her last.
Soon only her granddaughter Choi Ye-jin remained, and the others left.
"Do you hate grandmother?"
"...No, grandmother."
"I know everything."
Choi Ye-jin approached Choi Yun-hye.
Choi Yun-hye asked abruptly.
Choi Ye-jin hurriedly shook her head.
"'You can't do it because you're a woman, it's not allowed.' I really hated those words in the past. I hated the words my father and brother casually said so much back then."
"..."
"And I was so frustrated by the fact that I couldn't rise higher in society because I was a woman."
Choi Yun-hye calmly brought up stories of how she had lived.
Choi Ye-jin listened quietly.
"While climbing to this position, I saw and experienced unspeakable things. Business, it's not something you do easily. It's turning my heart into money, and to turn it into money, you shouldn't hesitate to use any means. If you don't, you'll be eaten by other guys."
"..."
"And in exchange for doing business, I had to give up many things. I sent your grandfather off so lonely, cut ties with all my family, and... Even the children I gave birth to... didn't feel love from me."
"That's not true, grandmother. Why wouldn't we love you?"
"I'm grateful if you say that... But I understand even if those children don't love me. I didn't do anything for them as a mother. I only knew how to give them money."
"..."
"So I didn't want you to become like me."
As Choi Ye-jang lost the authority of the direct line.
Choi Ye-jin had said she wanted to succeed the group instead of Choi Ye-jang.
Each time, Choi Yun-hye opposed.
Because in Choi Yun-hye's eyes, she saw herself overlapping with Choi Ye-jin.
"But thinking about it now... Maybe that was a selfish thought. You have your own life too, but I tried to control your life arbitrarily."
"Grandmother was just worried about me. So it's okay."
"No. In the end, until now, I was only thinking about myself... I made excuses that it was for you, but I was overlapping myself who had resolved to walk this path. So I wanted to stop you, my past self."
"..."
"Ye-jin."
"Yes, grandmother."
"Are you confident you can do well?"
"..."
"It will be dirty, hard, and lonely. You might lose more than you gain in the future. Even if you regret it then, you can't turn back. Are you really confident you can do well? You might end up like me now too."
Choi Yun-hye wearing an oxygen mask.
She asked while breathing uncomfortably.
Choi Ye-jin held her hand tightly.
"I don't know. But I want to do well, and I want to see how far I can go."
"I see... That's enough."
As if she heard a satisfactory answer.
Choi Yun-hye soon closed her eyes.
The death of YH Group's chairwoman was quiet, and news of her death was reported to the media.
☆
The chairwoman of YH Group passed away.
People around the world expressed deep condolences for her passing.
It's said that only people who had deep relationships with the deceased during her lifetime would pay their respects at her funeral.
It seems that was her wish.
"That might be the case, but... There must have been noise inside about who should be the next chairman. Probably if there's no unexpected change, the eldest son will succeed as planned."
Han Seo-hyeon sharply grasped YH Group's internal circumstances.
Eun-ha agreed with her insight, and his interest turned elsewhere.
"Could the passing of YH Group's chairwoman be a variable in this matter?"
"""Hmm...."""
Jung-gu, Pandora Clan Hall.
Eun-ha was spending intimate time with his wives in the office.
While doing so, they chatted about the topic that would come up in a few days.
It was the Northern Gyeonggi Development Conference.
In developing northern Gyeonggi, it's an important crossroads of whether the Fairy Government takes the initiative or the business groups do.
In a few days, the Fairy Government will call chairmen of business groups ranked within the top 100 to discuss northern Gyeonggi development.
There were quite a lot of issues in the conference.
Among them, what Eun-ha was most interested in was how much the private sector would intervene in development.
To be precise─
─The most important thing is who will own the railway to be laid in northern Gyeonggi.
Eun-ha's interest was in the railway business.
Looking at it in the long term, Uijeongbu and northern Gyeonggi were practically the central point that could lead to land further up.
Above that is Cheorwon in Gangwon-do where <Abyss Dungeon> is located, and going further up reaches the former territory of Korea.
North Korea.
North Korea, which was destroyed after the <End of Century Destruction>, had truly become no man's land, and it was unknown if people were living there.
However, one thing was certain: there was no ruling class in North Korea.
If the Fairy Government had the capacity, they could now recover North Korean territory.
Of course─
─In my previous life, northern development didn't progress beyond Cheorwon in Gangwon-do until I died.
It was something that took a long time.
Nevertheless, looking at the possibilities, the strategic and locational value of northern Gyeonggi couldn't be ignored.
A lot of resources would flow into northern Gyeonggi in the future.
Therefore, whoever lays the railway there can monopolize resources and information.
When the railway comes in, the station area will develop centered around it. Department stores, banks, shopping districts... All economic activities will unfold centered around there.
As Eun-ha subjugated Magoo this time.
The groups sponsoring Pandora Clan were able to enjoy considerable rights in Uijeongbu.
Let's assume Sirius Group takes Uijeongbu Station at this time.
Would it end with just the railway?
Sirius Group will create various things centered there like hospitals, banks, department stores.
People visiting there would have no choice but to buy goods made by Sirius Group even if they didn't like it.
Thinking extremely, Uijeongbu would practically become Sirius Group's kingdom.
In the previous life...
It was really bleak.
Soon Eun-ha recalled before the regression.
Before the regression, the Fairy Government's authority had greatly declined.
The army's bombardment made it so, and On Tae-yang's subjugation of Magoo gave strength to the business groups.
As a result, Im Ga-eul had no choice but to hand over many rights regarding northern Gyeonggi development to the business groups.
She had to give up railway construction rights too.
Because of that, Uijeongbu had to be taken by Galaxy Group, some parts by Sirius Group, and other parts of northern Gyeonggi by other groups.
The Fairy Government was able to recapture Uijeongbu which they had wanted for so long, but ended up not being able to get their hands on it.
The participation of business groups isn't bad.
But if the balance is struck wrong, the power of business groups will grow stronger.
Therefore, Eun-ha wanted to contribute to the Fairy Government having railway construction rights in this life.
So after subjugating Magoo, he kept pestering the direct descendants of business groups he was close with.
Of course Yoo Do-jun, and Han Seo-hyeon, Jung Ha-yang, and Lee Yu-jung were included.
Of course, unable to withstand their husband's pressure, they had to pester their families, and were able to get meaningful results.
Hana, Sirius, Alice, and Luminous Group agreed to support me.
It must have been unsatisfactory from their perspective.
In the previous life, Yoo Do-jun did support the Fairy Government, but it was just a calculated action.
'Even if I support the government, I won't be able to prevent the situation where railway construction rights are handed over to business groups. So I'll oppose, what.'
In business, Yoo Do-jun had a knife-like aspect.
In the previous life, he said that and supported Eun-ha's side.
As a result, Yoo Do-jun was able to show his goodwill to the Fairy Government and lay railways in northern Gyeonggi.
But this life's situation was different, so his reaction was different too.
'Ugh... Do we really have to do this? Hey, if we get this, the profit we'll gain is...'
'Whose side are you on?'
'Your side. Whose side would I be on?'
'Then do as I say.'
'No, Eun-ha. But this...'
'Just listen to me.'
'...Wow, you're coming on strong. Alright.'
Unlike the previous life, it was unknown how the situation would unfold in this life.
The business groups were conflicted between standing on the Fairy Government's side and enjoying rights, or selfishly enjoying rights alone.
If we persuade Sirius, Hana, Luminous, and Alice, the groups associated with them will end up following too.
For now, it means 40% of the total groups have agreed to side with me.
So Eun-ha asked his wives if YH chairwoman's passing could be a variable in this matter.
They seemed to be lost in thought.
Eventually, Han Seo-hyeon, who finished thinking first, opened her mouth.
"It could be a variable. The power you've gained now is only about 40% of the total, right?"
"If Geum-jeon oppa had said he'd help, we wouldn't have to worry much, but it is a bit concerning."
Jung Ha-yang added.
Eun-ha agreed.
To think Donghae Group wouldn't be able to help, this was unexpected.
Eun-ha recalled the conversation he had with Jung Geum-jeon, a direct descendant of Donghae Group, recently.
At that time, Jung Geum-jeon said it would be difficult to grant the request.
The reason was as follows:
'I don't care who lays the railway. But as you know well, little Noh, I don't have much power in the group. Probably father and hyung will say we need to lay the railway privately to pursue the group's interests.'
In vulgar terms, Jung Geum-jeon was useless.
He wasn't helpful when it was important.
Eun-ha had failed to recruit Donghae Group.
"Hmm, how about we first find out which groups are opposing you? Assuming YH is neutral. Here, ah."
"Yam."
Then Lee Yu-jung fed him an apple.
Eun-ha ate the apple she gave and fell into thought.
The business groups opposing me now are Galaxy, KK, Samra, Donghae. This is completely divided.
40% supporting the Fairy Government's side.
40% supporting the business groups' side.
Eun-ha frowned.
The situation had become one where the remaining 20% would determine the choice.
"Pine Group will be a variable too."
This time Han Seo-hyeon put an apple in Eun-ha's mouth.
"Here, me too."
"""...."""
Jung Ha-yang went further.
She even fed him with her mouth.
The wives' gazes met each other.
Eun-ha grasped their mood and quickly put on the brakes.
"Since I feel bad just receiving, I'll feed you each one too."
"""With your mouth."""
"...Alright."
He had to treat everyone equally.
In the end, Eun-ha had to repeat the mother bird-like action three times.
Thanks to that, his wives' dissatisfaction was extinguished.
Inwardly sighing, Eun-ha spoke about the variable Han Seo-hyeon brought up earlier.
"We don't need to worry about Pine Group."
"How can you assert that?"
"Because Pine Group's tendency is neutral. They'll abstain because they don't want to get involved in troublesome things."
Han Seo-hyeon worried about Pine Group, but Eun-ha wasn't very worried.
It had happened several times in the previous life.
It was the same in this life too.
Pine Group usually cast abstention votes when there were meetings.
It was convenient to think of the business groups following Pine Group as all neutral.
So the biggest variable was which side YH Group would support.
"Well... It seems Yuseong's dad doesn't know exactly what neutral means."
Eun-ha's choices were always right.
So Han Seo-hyeon muttered that but didn't say anything more.
"Anyway, lend me some strength. I'd like you to use your connections to let me know which side YH Group will join."
A few days later.
YH Group conveyed to the Fairy Government that they wouldn't be able to attend the meeting due to succession work.
☆
Pandora Clan executive, <Gatherer> Lee Cheon-seo.
Unlike other executives, he didn't just dig one well in Pandora Clan.
Life was a series of unknowns.
Although Pandora Clan's influence couldn't be ignored now, who knew what would happen later?
So I shouldn't do the stupid thing of digging only one well. Isn't it better to know a little bit about everything?
There's a saying in stocks.
Don't put all your eggs in one basket.
Lee Cheon-seo thought life was no different.
Therefore, whenever he had the chance, he would meet with notable people from other famous clans and exchange information.
It's been 8 years since joining Pandora Clan.
He had become well-connected.
"So you want to know how Pandora Clan will act in preparation for this meeting."
"Ahaha, you could say that."
Today, Lee Cheon-seo was having a meal with Joo Seok-hyun, the sub-lord of Samra Clan.
He regularly met with him and informed him about Pandora Clan's movements.
Of course, Lee Cheon-seo kept boundaries.
He would share information that wouldn't cause much harm if revealed, but wouldn't share information classified as confidential.
The other party also hadn't asked Lee Cheon-seo for confidential information so far.
Just like connecting a thin thread, they were preparing to lend strength to each other when needed someday.
And that day had come.
"I'm telling this to <Gatherer>-nim, but Samra Group's current situation isn't very good."
"So you're going to try to achieve results at the northern Gyeonggi development meeting somehow. Among that, you're determined to get the railway construction rights."
"Yes, that's right. So Samra Group is mobilizing all its resources and information. But it's difficult to get information on the movements of groups associated with Pandora Clan."
"So you want me to spy?"
"Hahaha, not to that extent... I'm just curious how Pandora Clan will act."
He avoids direct mention.
But Lee Cheon-seo quickly grasped the point like a cockroach with keen ability to sense danger.
Then he blurted out.
"With empty hands? If this goes wrong, I might get fired..."
"Would I not know the situation? I prepared. I'll take care of you sufficiently. How about coming as our clan's technical advisor in the form of a special dispatch?"
"Technical advisor..."
Lee Cheon-seo sank into the sofa.
It wasn't a bad proposal.
He thought about how far he could rise in Pandora Clan.
At best, executive would be the limit.
Bruno holds the technical advisor position, and he can't become sub-lord because he doesn't have the trust of the executives.
"I do have some regrets about the clan I'm in now. I worked my ass off but everyone ignores me, or there were times I wasn't rewarded as much as I struggled."
The 8 years had made Lee Cheon-seo a person adapted to the industry.
There was no trace of naivety left.
Now he had become someone who could objectively and deeply weigh things for his own benefit.
"Technical advisor... not bad. They say life is like walking on a blade's edge, it's not lacking for adventure."
"Haha, don't worry, we'll treat you with good conditions. Technical advisor is just the beginning."
"Is that so. Then I'll trust you."
If only the Pandora Clan members hadn't ignored him this much.
If they had treated him well.
If they just hadn't used him like this.
Lee Cheon-seo would have thought about dedicating his life to the clan like other clan members.
But what came back to him while working at Pandora Clan was ignorance and contempt from clan members.
That's why he came to make this choice.
"Then I should prepare to sell my Pandora Clan shares soon."
"Haha, sell those shares to Samra too. We'll buy them at a high price."
"That's good too."
"It seems Pandora didn't treat <Gatherer>-nim well."
"Don't even mention it. The Clan Lord just uses people, and the others treat me like a guinea pig, it was so terrible... The guys below are pouring in passion even though it's not their clan. I couldn't live like that."
"I understand. <Gatherer>-nim has made a big decision this time."
Lee Cheon-seo grasped Joo Seok-hyun's hand.
He raised the corners of his mouth.
Eun-ha. And you guys.
You've been treating me like I'm nothing all this time?
Just you wait and see how I stab you in the back.
There was no trace of the emotion of being friends with Noh Eun-ha's group from the academy days.
8 years was enough to make him forget that emotion.
He moves according to interests, not affection.
Lee Cheon-seo no longer thought of those guys as friends.
No, rather he wanted to ask.
Did you ever think of me as a friend even once?
I've just been used all this time.
I won't live like that anymore.
Lee Cheon-seo sharpened his knife of revenge.
☆
Darkness lurks everywhere.
Especially Jung-gu and Yongsan-gu, which Pandora Clan dominates, were completely under the control of darkness.
Therefore, what they say naturally flows to the darkness.
"Hah..."
Han Chang-jin, who was eavesdropping on the conversation with earphones, let out a long sigh.
He opened his eyes.
"Why couldn't he just keep exchanging recent news like he's been doing all this time... Or just move to another clan... Did he have to stab us in the back and leave like this."
In a bitter tone.
Han Chang-jin muttered.
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