Bab 353: Chapter 353: Are You Really Going to Open That Door?
Representative Huh Tae-min looked up at me without bothering to stand, his gaze steady as I entered.
If we're going to play this game of intimidation, I should respond in kind.
Ignoring the invitation to sit, I faced Huh Tae-min directly and took my seat.
I caught a slight furrowing of his stubborn brows, but the words that followed were quite different.
"You're younger than I expected."
Huh Tae-min regarded me with a slight smile, as if questioning when he'd frowned.
"Why would a businessman dabbling in money matters want to meet with an old man like me? I could have sworn I turned down your offer twice… Yet you managed to forcibly arrange this meeting with the President's help. I'm curious about your reasons."
Each time his sharp gaze swept over me, it felt like being sliced by a keen blade.
This isn't going to be an easy encounter…
When I offered no response, Huh Tae-min opened the lid of a large pot on a portable burner, releasing a plume of steam.
"Well then, let's take our time and talk. Let's eat first. I skipped breakfast, and I'm quite hungry. This place specializes in Nurungji Baeksuk, and it's my go-to spot."
Huh Tae-min scooped a bowl of Baeksuk and offered it to me.
I accepted the bowl and set it down in front of me. Huh Tae-min served himself too.
"Let's eat. You need a full stomach for a good conversation, right? Give it a try. It should be delicious."
He was smiling as he spoke, but his eyes revealed no joy.
After tasting a spoonful of Baeksuk, Huh Tae-min let out a small gasp.
"This is the taste! You can't find this in Seoul."
His exaggerated reaction seemed intended to lighten the mood and steer the conversation.
Watching him, I picked up my spoon and followed suit, taking a bite of the Baeksuk.
I gave a nod of approval and spoke.
"It's good."
"Right? This is a hidden gem that I don't tell just anyone about."
Huh Tae-min jested as he poured some makgeolli from a large ceramic jar and offered it to me.
"How about some wine?"
"Sure. That sounds fine."
"I enjoy drinking, but I can't handle too much. I have commitments this afternoon, so let's keep it to just a glass of makgeolli for today."
After that, the conversation died down.
Throughout the meal, though we were silent, our eyes engaged in an unspoken contest.
How much time passed? It was Huh Tae-min who laid his spoon down first.
"I think I've had enough to eat. Now, let's get down to business. What's the reason for asking to meet me?"
I set my spoon down in reply.
"Please approve the arrest motion for Jeong Chan-seong."
"Haha. What a request from a businessman. Let's forget that conversation."
"Enough with the banter. You know why I'm here. You understand the investigation into Jeong Chan-seong by the Prosecutors' Office, don't you?"
Huh Tae-min glared at me, then burst into laughter.
"You're amusing. Speaking so candidly in front of me. It's no lie that you have some control over President Kim Hak-gwon."
After a hearty laugh, Huh Tae-min abruptly stopped, and what followed was chilling.
"President Kim Hak-gwon may owe you a significant debt and be willing to grant you favors, but I owe you nothing. The political funding I received when Chairman Cheon was still alive? You think that's enough to keep me shackled? Go ahead and try. I won't be the only one going down; political and media forces will collude to capture Kim Mu-hyeok. What will you do ten?"
His provoking gaze forced a deep sigh from me.
"I'm not sure what you're misunderstanding. I'm simply asking for you to vote in line with your conscience, Chairman."
"Even when Jeong Chan-seong's arrest motion comes up, the Progressive Party has instructed us to vote according to our beliefs."
Huh Tae-min continued to repeat the same answers.
He sure knows how to play coy like a true politician.
"Representative, he's a person who has colluded with the Chinese underworld and spread drugs within our borders. Isn't it shameful to share the same National Assembly with such a person? He should be in prison, not here!"
"I agree with that sentiment. I might vote in favor, but I won't force the Open Uri Party's members to follow suit. I'm not playing into your vengeance plan."
I shook my head.
"The troubles with Lee Song-hee are a separate issue. I didn't foresee Jeong Chan-seong being tied up with Lee Song-hee either."
"What does that have to do with it? That was the catalyst for this whole chain of events."
He was just as stubborn as his harsh expressions, Huh Tae-min paused thoughtfully, then continued.
"Listen here, Kim Mu-hyeok. I know how powerfu your connections are in the U.S., Russia, and China. But this is Korea. Don't think you can manipulate people to fit your whims. That's a dangerously arrogant idea."
I remained silent, simply observing him.
"And don't assume that all politicians act for money. I did take political funds from the chaebols, including Chairman Cheon, to campaign. But that was a necessity for survival. Since democratization, I have not accepted money from anyone, so don't think you can budge me with pathetic threats. That's why I came to meet you, Kim."
Still silent, I kept my gaze fixed on him. He's dangerous.
Dealing with someone who thinks their own distorted sense of justice is the only truth is near impossible.
"I've said everything I needed to. I'll take my leave now. It was nice meeting you."
Huh Tae-min stood up.
"I might not see you again, but don't ever think of using President Kim Hak-gwon to call me again. I'll let this one slide, just this once."
He gave me one last warning and walked slowly toward the door.
Am I really going to have to use this?
Using it would undoubtedly ruin this relationship, but I have no choice.
I confirmed he had grasped the doorknob before speaking.
"You claimed you're someone who never owes anyone, didn't you? But do those around you share the same sentiment?"
Him opening the door is entirely his choice. I turned my head back to face forward once more.
I no longer heard the sound of the door opening. Was he hesitating?
"That man named Oh Cheol outside has received a significant sum from a construction company in your district of Gwangju. This doesn't pertain to me, so I can hand it over to the Prosecutors' Office anytime. If you leave this room right now, I'll take it directly to them."
"…"
"Several other representatives affiliated with your faction, like Jeong Chan-seong, are also tied up with a record of receiving money from the underworld. What will you do now? Are you truly going to walk out that door?"
I didn't look back. Feeling a prickling sensation at the back of my head, I chugged the unfinished makgeolli.
Representative Huh Tae-min is someone who can't abandon his own men.
If he's heard this, he would never consider leaving that door.
"Choose. Will you negotiate with me, or will we draw our swords against each other? I have the advantage; what about you, Representative?"
An awkward silence filled the room. I kept my mouth shut, amplifying the tense atmosphere.
It was Huh Tae-min who finally broke the prolonged silence.
After a deep sigh, he returned to his seat.
"Let's talk."
Sitting across from each other again, he glared at me.
"I'll just call my secretary for a moment."
I dialed Manager Ma, and a moment later, he walked in.
"Manager, please hand over the documents you brought."
Manager Ma passed me the briefcase he held and exited the room.
Watching the door close, I laid out the bribery evidence concerning Oh Cheol before Huh Tae-min.
"Here it is. The true nature of the man you trust, Oh Cheol."
Huh Tae-min's hands trembled. He must've realized the pain that comes from trusting the wrong ally.
After hesitating, he nervously began flipping through the documents one by one.
Huh Tae-min's expression shifted with each page, turning increasingly red.
"Is this all real?"
"Yeah, well, there are a few minor offenses as well, but those probably won't make it to the news. Would you like those too?"
"…"
After viewing the last page, Huh Tae-min's face paled.
Looks like he's really angry. I inwardly laughed while outwardly maintaining my composure.
"This is quite a bombshell. I know you're not involved, Chairman. During my investigation to obtain this, I confirmed that already. But will others think the same? A junior aide who assisted you from your first term received funds from a huge construction company in your district. Following that, the land owned by said company was repurposed, and they constructed apartments, raking in massive profits. Quite the scenario, isn't it?"
I paused and studied Huh Tae-min. He was glaring at the door.
Looks like he valued Oh Cheol more than I thought.
"This could become a major issue in the upcoming presidential primaries. No, it could potentially end your political career. Whether it's true or not, the most critical point is that you know that better than anyone, Representative."
As if his throat was dry, Huh Tae-min quickly downed his makgeolli before saying.
Seems he had fully shed any pretense now, and a casual tone slipped out.
"Show me the rest of the documents."
If he asks, I'll deliver. I shrugged my shoulders and handed over the briefcase filled with evidence of his associates' malpractices.
He hurriedly opened the bag and began passing the papers across the table.
For a long while, the only sound in the room was that of Huh Tae-min flipping through the papers.
"Hoo…"
After a lengthy perusal, Huh Tae-min sighed deeply and set the papers aside.
"Is all of this real?"
"Yes, it's all real. You've seen it all, so you should know."
"…"
"What will you do? Are you changing your mind now?"
"Just this once. If you use this evidence to pressure me again, I will mobilize all my strength to take you down one way or another."
I nodded. Playing a card once makes it lose its effectiveness in the future.
"I'm not that foolish either."
"When the arrest motion for Jeong Chan-seong comes up, I will ensure that everyone in the Progressive Party votes in favor of it. The rest, you can handle yourself."
"That alone should easily pass in the National Assembly. Thank you."
Huh Tae-min slowly placed the documents I had handed over into his briefcase one by one.
"I'll take this with me."
"Of course. There are no copies. I won't threaten you with this matter again."
"Hehe… I thought you were just a young businessman, but it turns out you've got the cunning of a century-old snake. Now I see why President Kim Hak-gwon is so subservient to you. Would you like to share one last drink of makgeolli?"
I offered my glass instead of answering.
Huh Tae-min poured some makgeolli into my glass, then filled his own.
"After drinking this, let's erase everything about today and the documents in your mind."
We locked eyes and emptied our glasses in one gulp.
"I'll be on my way now."
"Representative, may I ask one last question?"
I stopped Huh Tae-min from rising right after he drained his glass.
"What? What else is on your mind?"
I shot him a straightforward question.
"What exactly is your relationship with former President Choi Seon-man? No matter how I dig, I can't find any reason for you two to team up. If anything, it seems more like sworn enemies. Since you said this was the last question, could you answer it?"
The look of incredulity washed over Huh Tae-min's face.
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