Capítulo 636: Chapter 636: The Reason I Built the Fence
It's foolish to oppose everyone just because they disagree with me.
I negotiate with those who can be reasoned with, and if money can persuade them, then that's what I use.
Even with just this approach, most have bent to my will and cooperated with me.
However, one thing I cannot tolerate is anyone touching those around me.
I will protect those inside my fence at all costs.
That was my first promise in this second life.
I prevented my grandmother's death and stopped Myeong-su from getting into an accident.
And I exacted thorough revenge over Hyeon-seong's forced withdrawal from sports.
I eradicated the organization that kidnapped Eva and brought down Kim Jong-il, who injured Manager Ma.
I will never forget this promise.
"Is this a new suicide method? Have you lived enough to want to die so desperately? Do you not know who I am, or are you just showing off? I'm the one who took down the Cheongpung Group that you feared. I eliminated everyone who stood in my way and dismantled the Cheongpung Group. And now you have the audacity to defy me."
When the Cheongpung Group was thriving, you were on the ground, unable to breathe properly.
And now here you are, looking me squarely in the eyes.
"Killing you is trivial. In fact, it could be done easily. Yet, I'm a human being, so I'm here talking and negotiating with you, offering you vast amounts of money. Why are you trying to cross the line I've drawn?"
Caught off guard by my relentless tirade, Han Ji-ho stared at me in shock.
"Are you planning to act like the Cheongpung Group? Kidnapping families, removing those around you? Going so far as to painfully kill if they don't comply? Is that what you want? Is that your desire?"
You dared send a messenger to disturb my mood, and all you can say is that you want to die alongside Myeong-su?
I thought you had your wits about you, but it turns out you're just a senile, helpless old man.
"Answer me. What the hell are you thinking? If Myeong-su's political career collapses because of you, do you think I'll just sit back and take such a ridiculous threat?"
I was genuinely curious. Did you really think I'd cave under such a lowly threat?
I wondered if you were hiding an ace up your sleeve while mocking me, and I was intrigued by Han Ji-ho's true intentions.
"You could have at least begged for your life. I might have reconsidered, you know?"
My taunting made Han Ji-ho stiffen.
But still, as a politician who's survived for a long time, he quickly regained his composure.
Once his expression was back in order, he called my name in a stiff voice.
"President Kim Mu-hyeok."
"Stop with the nonsense and answer my question. I really want to kill you right now. I told you it wouldn't be difficult to snap your neck."
Han Ji-ho met my gaze as if trying to gauge my intent.
He then exhaled deeply, which was understandable.
Because I wasn't making idle threats; I was speaking from the heart.
"…You're serious, aren't you?"
"Why would I lie?"
"Hah… Is that the kind of person the chief of police considers precious? So precious that you'd want to kill me to protect them? Even if you have the media and legal circles backing you, turning on me will render you untouchable. I am nothing like I was with Cheongpung Group now."
Han Ji-ho furrowed his brow, as if genuinely displeased.
He was still hiding his true desires within his words. It seemed he hadn't snapped out of it yet.
"Representative, let me warn you one last time. Speak plainly. Don't beat around the bush, and don't use political jargon to leave loopholes. I'm asking you clearly. What were you thinking when you said that?"
"…"
Under my threat, Han Ji-ho hesitated to respond and could only move his lips.
Watching him, I smirked slightly.
"Is Myeong-su precious to me? Yes, he is. I'd gladly give up all my assets if the reason is justified. I'll do anything to keep those within my fence safe. That's the reason I built it."
As I declared firmly, Han Ji-ho bit down on his lip.
Myeong-su is a precious bond that has been passed down from my previous life.
He probably didn't expect such an intense reaction over what he perceived as just a friendly neighborhood friendship.
"Did you dare to test me? I've thought of you as someone who values their safety more than anyone else. You wouldn't throw your well-being away for such words, would you? Did you dare to test me? If so, you've succeeded. That single word has cemented my decision on how to treat you now."
I called for Manager Ma. He bowed as if he had been waiting.
"I'm at your command, Boss."
"Manager, hand over all the information we have on Han Ji-ho to the Prosecutors' Office. Everything related to the current investigation and the Conservatives, too—gather it and blow it open to the media. I'll speak with Myeong-su separately."
Kicking out the Conservatives right now would be a bad move for the Moderates.
But since things had come to this, I had to cut ties properly. Otherwise, I'd be dragged around by them forever.
There's still plenty of time until the presidential election, and the National Assembly elections just ended.
Now is the perfect time to strike down the Conservatives.
Originally, I intended to issue a warning by setting an example out of those who left the party, but that's no longer the case.
"K-Kim President."
Han Ji-ho called my name in panic. I smirked disdainfully at him.
"Do as you will. Spread whatever you know; create rumors. I will mobilize everything I have to crush it. It disappoints me to see someone who knows well how I brought down the Cheongpung Group saying this. You still don't understand me well."
At my cold words, Han Ji-ho hurriedly bowed his head.
"I misspoke, President Kim. Please forget what I just said. As I get older, I tend to be forgetful."
"Forget it? I couldn't help but laugh at that."
You know the weight of words from a politician, right?
"Representative. Once spilled, water cannot be retrieved. Especially words from someone in a prominent position carry even greater weight. I'll let it slide today, but how can you expect me to believe you won't say something like that again?"
"President Kim. No, that's not what I meant at all. I just wanted you to know how much pressure I've been under. There's no way I'd ever say something like that sincerely. I sincerely apologize again."
Han Ji-ho bowed his head as if ready to slam it against the table again.
You sure can talk your way out of things. But can you really be trusted? I scrutinized him with my arms crossed.
"I can't trust you. It would be best to settle things right now."
"President Kim…"
If left alone, he would likely stir up the Conservatives again and create chaos.
It might be wise to deal with this opportunity.
Seeing my icy glare, Han Ji-ho squeezed his eyes shut.
"Please, President Kim. I will do everything you say. Just spare my life. I don't want to end my political career like this. I have no interest in being president either."
That man clearly isn't presidential material.
Everyone knows he isn't fit for the presidency. However, he could still serve as support from behind the scenes.
Although he can't become a king, he can firmly establish himself as a kingmaker. That was Han Ji-ho's role.
There's a saying that the strong don't survive, but the survivor is the strong one.
I looked down at Han Ji-ho, who kept his head bowed.
Those who only care for their own safety often end up leaving their names in the margins of history.
But these kinds of people are most dangerous when they bow their heads like this.
Once they get out of this situation, who knows what tricks they might pull.
"So you'll do what I say?"
Han Ji-ho kept bowing his head and begging. I let out a deep sigh and called for Manager Ma again.
"Manager, hold on to my last orders for a moment."
"Yes, Boss."
Upon giving my orders to Manager Ma, I took out my phone and contacted Myeong-su.
Before the signal could ring too many times, Myeong-su's voice came through.
—What's up? Why did you call?
"Where are you?"
—Me? I'm at home. Just had dinner with my parents and I'm lying in bed. Why? Want to grab a drink with Hyeon-seong tonight? But I don't know if the sister-in-law would allow it.
Hearing Myeong-su speak so calmly somehow drained my energy.
That carefree punk. Some are getting ready to draw swords around here.
"I'm currently with Representative Han Ji-ho."
—Oh… Right. I did say I was meeting with Representative Han Ji-ho today? I totally forgot. Coming home can be a hassle…"
If I leave them to it, they'd ramble on forever. I cut off Myeong-su mid-sentence.
"No time for filler. Get to the hotel, now."
—Why the hell would I go there? What? Did the situation turn sour?
"That's for you to listen and decide. I mentioned before that I respect your opinion. So, you need to hear what Representative Han Ji-ho has to say and form your own judgment on it."
Noticing the unusual tone in my voice, Myeong-su quickly agreed to come over.
After ending the call, I informed Han Ji-ho sitting across from me.
"I've called Congressman Lee Myeong-su over."
Han Ji-ho's face tensed slightly but quickly shifted to a servile expression.
I pretended not to notice and continued speaking.
"The treatment of you will be determined by Congressman Lee Myeong-su's opinion. If he agrees with your requests, I will forget everything that happened in today's meeting with Representative Han Ji-ho. But if you refuse, I will proceed as I said earlier. Know that there's no room for negotiation here."
Is it hurting his pride to leave his fate to Myeong-su? Han Ji-ho bit down his lip.
"If you don't like it, say so."
When stepping on someone, you must do so decisively. If you hesitate, they may wriggle free.
Deep down, I wanted to retire him and then finish him off right away. But since Han Ji-ho had bet on Myeong-su's life, I needed to heed his opinion.
Han Ji-ho still just chewed on his lips and did not respond to my inquiry.
"I'll take it positively. Think carefully while you wait."
As I waited for Myeong-su to arrive, silence enveloped the hotel room.
How much time had passed? Myeong-su walked in, opening the door.
Myeong-su greeted me with a nod and bowed respectfully to Han Ji-ho.
"Representative. It's been two days. I never expected to see you in Busan."
"Heh heh. Yes, Congressman."
Han Ji-ho, glancing at me, wore a congenial smile.
"Come sit here with me."
I relinquished my seat facing Han Ji-ho to Myeong-su and moved to an upper seat.
Myeong-su sat to my left, while Han Ji-ho took the right.
"Representative Han Ji-ho has agreed to all your conditions."
"What?"
Amidst trying to assess what happened, Myeong-su's face turned pale with surprise.
He turned his head toward me and quickly back to Han Ji-ho, clearly flustered.
Such commotion… I stifled a laugh at him.
"You have the conversation, then decide. I'll follow whatever you want."
Myeong-su swallowed hard. I wanted him to not just be a puppet but rather my political partner.
In this situation, I hoped to gauge just how he would handle himself, to be honest.
"Representative, are you truly saying you will adhere to all my conditions?"
Han Ji-ho turned to look at me.
I merely stared at him with a blank expression, unmoving.
Han Ji-ho swallowed, dry, and nodded at Myeong-su.
"I will follow the terms you present. But I desire that newly elected congressmen be exempt from this investigation and likewise, return to the party."
Despite the circumstances, I chuckled inwardly at Han Ji-ho, unyielding even now in setting conditions.
He prostrates himself in front of me but considers Myeong-su fair game?
"Didn't I tell you? No reinstatement. If it sets a precedent, it will happen again. The Conservatives and Progressives always accept their former members, leading to chaos during elections. No reinstatement. This was made clear before and there's no leeway for negotiation here."
Myeong-su said firmly. His posture conveyed an unwillingness to yield in negotiations.
I'd often seen Myeong-su dealing with politicians, but this was quite interesting.
"I'll assist with the prosecution's investigation as far as I can. I'll talk to the President to coordinate, but that's the limit. No reinstatement. If you wish to atone, you may support us from outside. That would be the right form of assistance."
Seeing Myeong-su's resolute tone and expression, Han Ji-ho faltered.
Myeong-su, glancing back at Manager Ma, feigned ignorance.
"Manager, could you get me a bottle of water?"
"Yes, Congressman. I'll fetch it right away."
Manager Ma retrieved a bottle of mineral water from the fridge.
What a performance! He's showing off how he can get Manager Ma to acquiesce.
Showing Han Ji-ho his upper hand. Lee Myeong-su has truly grown.
"Thank you."
Taking the water, Myeong-su quickly drank half the bottle at once.
Setting the bottle down, he raised an eyebrow, looking at Han Ji-ho.
"What will you do, Representative? If you agree to my proposal, I'll share my terms as well."
I couldn't help but admire. Myeong-su was clearly enjoying both the situation and the position.
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