Bab 568: Chapter 568: Delivering the Elder’s Perspective
I matched my pace with Grandma's slow, measured steps.
Seeing her age day by day tugged at my heart.
"It's nice to be together like this," I said.
"Is it now? I'm glad to hear it, dear," she replied.
Grandma gripped my arm tightly, and I held her warm hand in response.
It was too close to drive, yet quite a trek on foot, until we finally reached the market entrance.
"Oh my! Is that you? Mu-hyeok?"
From the market entrance, a familiar fruit shop ajumma recognized me and waved with her hands still drying.
"Yes, Ajumma. It's been a while, hasn't it?"
"Indeed. You should come around more often; I'm starting to forget your face. I see you've come down for the New Year, huh?"
"Yeah, it seems you're doing well."
"We're just the same as ever. What's different? You must have come with Grandma to do some shopping. Wait a moment. Let me pack some fruits for you."
The fruit shop ajumma grabbed a black plastic bag.
Then she filled it with various fruits and handed it over.
"Take this, no need to pay."
"Oh, it's fine. I can just buy some to eat."
"No, no, you don't get it. It's been a while, so I'm just packing up some for you. Take it quickly; my hands are hurting."
Grandma chimed in, encouraging me to accept, so I reluctantly took the plastic bag.
"I'll eat well, thank you."
The fruits were not expensive enough to justify free gifts after all.
Still, the kindness behind the gesture felt more valuable than any pricey fruit.
The weight of the bag felt heavy, a burden that carried their warmth and goodwill.
I turned to Manager Ma, who was next to me, and asked, "Everything's alright, right? No gangsters stirring trouble again?"
"Oh, no, nothing like that. Business has never been easier than it is now, I tell you. Thank you, Mu-hyeok."
His cheerful demeanor made me smile unconsciously.
"Well, that's a relief. If anything difficult arises, please feel free to contact me. The market folks are always welcome here."
Passing the fruit shop, more people in the market welcomed me as I walked deeper inside.
With time, the number of plastic bags that Manager Ma carried only grew heavier.
"Hey, Hyung!"
In the distance, Jeong Min-woo came running, waving his hands enthusiastically.
"I can hardly breathe!"
"Grandma, it's been a while!"
Jeong Min-woo bowed slightly to greet Grandma.
"Oh, you're back. Are you keeping your head in order working at the rice cake shop?"
"Yes, doing well!"
After greeting Grandma, Jeong Min-woo stood next to me.
"Have you been well, Hyung?"
I nodded and patted his shoulder.
"I'm the same as always. Have you stopped hanging out with the gangsters?"
Jeong Min-woo scratched his head awkwardly and nodded.
"I've just been working at the rice cake shop these days."
"Good job. You've gotta be a good son to Ajumma, right?"
"Yeah, of course. I don't know what got into me back then, I was losing it…"
Our conversation carried us to the rice cake shop.
"Oh, Mu-hyeok!"
Aunt Song, spotting me, rushed out with a big smile lighting up her face.
"Ajumma, have you been well?"
"Of course! Thanks to you, Mu-hyeok, I'm doing wonderfully. Thank you!"
After sharing a few casual exchanges, Aunt Song led Grandma by the hand into the rice cake shop.
"Grandma, step inside for a moment, will you?"
Once Grandma was inside, I turned to Jeong Min-woo and asked, "Are there any troublemakers in the market these days?"
"Not a single one. Ever since you came and stirred things up back then, this place has become a clean zone, just like that. Sure, there are a few punks causing trouble now and then, but Dong-soo's faction cleans up after them every time."
"Is that so? What a relief."
"Actually, there's a Dong-soo faction office here. They deal with troublemakers, you know? Want to check it out?"
I shook my head. I didn't feel the need since confirming my previous intimidation had worked.
"No thanks. There's no benefit in getting involved any further. If any issues arise, just contact me immediately."
"Sure thing. By the way, Hyung, has Myeong-su not come down yet?"
"Myeong-su? He'll probably come down tomorrow."
"I haven't seen Myeong-su's face in ages. Every time I see him on TV, I'm shocked. The Myeong-su I know would never be someone to deal with government affairs like that…"
"Back in the day, we all used to mess around like that. You're older now, so just be good and stay out of trouble."
Myeong-su's awkward smile made me chuckle involuntarily.
Just as our conversation was wrapping up, Grandma emerged.
She had two plastic bags in her hands. Naturally, Aunt Song grinned as she received the bag.
"I packed your favorite rice cake and some other goodies. Take it home!"
"Thank you very much!"
"No need to feel so grateful! If it weren't for you, I would've closed up shop! Min-woo, get back to work! We're busy!"
Jeong Min-woo sighed, a slightly disgruntled look on his face.
"Understood, Hyung. If you have time, let's grab a drink with Myeong-su. Get it?"
"I'll make time if I can, but I'm not sure if I'll have the chance."
"I know you're busy. Call me if you can find the time."
Aunt Song and Jeong Min-woo stepped back into the rice cake shop.
"Let's stop by the butcher and pick up some meat before we head home. I'm feeling a bit worn out."
"Sure, let's do that. Let's take the car on the way back."
The idea of feeling worn out made me panic, so I quickly agreed.
Grandma nodded, and I guided her toward the butcher shop.
* * *
I spent a few days in Busan.
Finally, after quite a long time, I gathered with Myeong-su's family and Hyeon-seong's family to share a meal together.
After finishing my long-awaited break, I returned to Seoul to begin my New Year greetings.
"Chief Justice, wishing you a Happy New Year!"
After the bow, Oh Jeong-seok replied with a furrowed brow.
"What do you want now!?"
"Nothing in particular, just came to greet you for the New Year. I've been busy recently, so I haven't had the chance to visit, but I've heard about you."
"Tsk. If you can't speak properly, you'll only come off as annoying. Sit down."
Oh Jeong-seok lifted his teacup and began drinking.
As I sat down, I did the same.
"The aroma is nice."
"Someone brought it as a gift. Make sure to take some with you when you leave."
After taking a sip of tea, Oh Jeong-seok began to speak.
"So, Boss Kim, how is work treating you?"
"Its going too well, it's a problem."
"Well, who could ever stop you? Even the President must be twiddling his thumbs while you run the show, right?"
At Oh Jeong-seok's words, I put down my teacup.
"Elder, please don't say things like that in public. It could create a real problem."
"Oh, come on. That's not going to be an issue, is it?"
Oh Jeong-seok countered with a slightly sharp tone, his irritability evident.
"Elder, is there something that's got you upset?"
"Nope."
Even as he tilted his teacup, I knew why he was upset.
"Were you bothered by the prosecutor reform?"
"Hmm…"
He sighed, putting down the cup, then asked with a serious expression
"In recent days, many came by to pay their New Year greetings. Among them were some who are now retired. They all joined in saying that the prosecution reform is just the beginning."
I found myself agreeing with that sentiment.
I figured it was the President's intention to reform the prosecution first and use that momentum to push for judicial reform.
But I hadn't heard anything regarding it.
"…Is that so?"
"Stop playing dumb. There's no way you don't know. Do you think that Yoon Chang-ho would even attempt to reform the prosecution without your help? Sorry, but I doubt he'd take such a gamble without consulting you first."
"His influence over the prosecution is far greater than mine. I know nothing about the current events. Just as I don't tell him everything, Yoon Chang-ho certainly isn't going to fill me in on every single detail either."
Oh Jeong-seok fiddled with the teacup. After thinking for a moment, he said
"Boss Kim, you know as well as I do that in South Korea, the judiciary, legislature, and executive must keep each other in check. If the executive tries to reform the judiciary, it naturally invites strong backlash. Prosecutorial reform? I agree with that. But if the blade turns toward the judiciary, I will inevitably confront Yoon Chang-ho. What then will you do?"
Yoon Chang-ho and Oh Jeong-seok opposing each other? They were two men who understood each other far too well.
I had no idea how far the aftershocks of that would reach.
I lowered my gaze on the teacup I had put down, then looked up at him.
"Elder, I don't know if you're aware, but I've recently found myself dealing with some significant issues. I've just finished wrapping up that matter and was hoping to get a little rest… If you two end up taking aim at each other, wouldn't the backlash reach me too?"
Oh Jeong-seok met my gaze.
Yoon Chang-ho had no significant weaknesses aside from the political funds I had received from him.
Before entering politics, I had tidied up any loose ends that could become problematic, and thereafter, all political funds had solely come from me.
Surely if he were attacked, naturally my name would surface as well.
Even if my name wasn't mentioned, both Eva and Han Gyeong-yeong would certainly find themselves under scrutiny.
"The President hasn't been in office for long. His approval ratings may have dipped a bit these days, but they're still relatively high. Even if you attempt to find some flimsy weakness and try to shake things up, it will be tough for the Chief Justice as well."
Yoon Chang-ho was now at the pinnacle of power. There was no way Oh Jeong-seok didn't understand the strength of a President backed by the people's approval ratings.
"Elder, what is it that you genuinely want?"
As Oh Jeong-seok poured tea into my cup, he said, "I want you to help stop this matter."
"You want me to step in…"
"I understand the need for prosecutorial reform. However, I cannot allow anything that shakes the foundations of the judiciary."
I had a clear idea of why Oh Jeong-seok was asking me to intervene.
I gazed down at the nearly full teacup and cautiously raised it to my lips.
Inhaling the aroma at my nose, I sank into thought.
How could I turn this to my advantage? Which side would be beneficial for me?
Only after completely emptying the teacup was I able to finish my deliberation.
"I came to deliver New Year greetings, and instead, I find myself wrapped up in a complicated issue."
"I feel I must pass on the power I hold to Hyeon-woo. That way, it would be beneficial for you too. The same goes for my grandchildren, after all. Yoon Chang-ho may only serve five years, but those kids will be around for decades to come."
His emphasis on Hyeon-woo and Han Min-kyung made it clear what he wanted to achieve.
Even though he was hinting that it would be beneficial to me, Oh Jeong-seok's ultimate goal was only that.
"Understood. I will convey your perspective when I enter the Blue House this time. However, Chief Justice, there will be things you need to concede as well."
"Thank you. I appreciate this greatly."
The moment Oh Jeong-seok's expression brightened, I realized that he was counting on me to take charge and halt the situation.
"Let's stop talking about troublesome matters for now."
Oh Jeong-seok nodded quickly and shifted the topic.
"So you still aren't seeing anyone, huh?"
I had been hearing that everywhere while in Busan too. Looks like I would hear it again now.
Letting out a small sigh, I began with the line I had prepared earlier.
"I haven't come across anyone who's caught my eye yet."
"Come on! For you to not find a girl appealing, I don't believe that. Surely some would be willing to introduce someone to you!"
"I'm not looking for a forced encounter."
My last marriage had been a failure, and now I wanted a relationship on my own terms.
It felt like he would definitely try to set me up if I let him be, so I intentionally brought up a topic I knew would activate his excitement.
"By the way, I want to be a doting uncle too. Hyeon-woo doesn't have any plans yet, does he?"
"How dare you even mention that? Now is not the time to be having kids, you know? That's what got me riled up! Is that even appropriate to bring up right now? And that kid didn't even pay attention to what I said, it's infuriating!"
Oh Jeong-seok ranted about Hyeon-woo for a while, throwing in some prideful comments too.
A few days later, I entered the Blue House to meet with Yoon Chang-ho.
"Mr. President. Happy New Year!"
"Wishing you a Happy New Year as well."
After the customary greetings, we dove straight into the matter at hand.
"I met with Chief Justice Oh Jeong-seok a few days ago. He seemed a bit worried about the reform you are planning."
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