Chương 114: Chapter 114: Now is the Time
That's not what you should be asking right now."
Kim Hak-gwon frowned, clearly dissatisfied with my response, glaring at me.
"Why are you asking what everyone already knows? You know the answer. I'm Kim Mu-hyeok."
"Don't play word games with me!"
Kim Hak-gwon slammed the armrest of his chair, shouting angrily.
I had to stifle a laugh.
"Who else, huh? If not me, then who? I'm the one who did everything to make sure the President got where he is. The money, the public opinion, even Han Gyeong-yeong was mobilized to support him. And what did I get in return?"
Kim Hak-gwon, realizing his mistake, softened his tone slightly.
"There was a shootout where you were, and several people died. We need to investigate, don't we? Don't assume I know everything just because I'm the President. I only found out later and called you to the Blue House. Isn't that right?"
"Correct, Your Excellency."
Lee Chan-jong, the Director of the National Intelligence Service, nodded in response to Kim Hak-gwon's glance.
It was amusing to watch him try so hard to hide his thoughts, not realizing I already knew everything.
"Fine, let's assume that's true. But why did you summon me to the Blue House? If I'm guilty, punish me. If I'm innocent, let me go."
"…"
"Getting dragged here out of the blue was bad enough, now I have to endure an interrogation at the Blue House?"
Kim Hak-gwon looked visibly flustered.
What, did he think I'd be happy about all this?
I thought he was a seasoned politician, but it seemed this unexpected situation had rattled him more than he could hide.
"What have you done? Ever since you got involved with the National Intelligence Service, all the American investors who came to Korea have been pulling out their money."
"Really? Looks like Korea's in for another rough ride. I wonder who will extend a helping hand now. Who would help someone with no trustworthiness?"
Kim Hak-gwon closed his eyes tightly.
"…Stop it. You were the one who started all this."
"I'm just a loan shark. I have a small connection with Han Gyeong-yeong, who made it big in the U.S. Do you really think I have the power to sway America?"
Even now, Kim Hak-gwon probably didn't know anything.
But his anxious face and shaking head betrayed him.
"There must be something you can do. You've been in politics for decades. You've got a good sense for these things. It must be one of your moves. I don't know how, but you've done something."
"I don't know what you're talking about."
Kim Hak-gwon's expression grew more agitated.
"Korea could collapse. You're talking about people being pushed to the streets. Can we really afford to push our struggling citizens even further?"
"That's for you, Mr. President, to handle."
"And that's why I'm asking you for help. What do you want? What can I do for you?"
Kim Hak-gwon seemed convinced that I orchestrated everything.
That was a bit unexpected.
He didn't know anything. Was he just going off a hunch?
"What I want, huh…"
"Yes, tell me what you want."
To make sure he wouldn't bother me again, I needed to show him a little of what I was capable of.
I flashed a cold smile, and Kim Hak-gwon's face stiffened.
"I want the Cheongpung Group completely eradicated from Korea. I don't care if they're tied to the Progressive Party or the Conservative Party. I want them all to face justice. Seize their assets, strip them of their power, take away everything they've enjoyed."
Kim Hak-gwon's eyes widened in shock before returning to normal.
"We can't get rid of all of them. Even though Lee Yong-hyun is dead, the roots of that group run deep in Korea. You know that, don't you?"
"Yes, I know. Lee Yong-hyun was the Chairman, but their members include people from the military regime, descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators, and those who simply chase power."
"Exactly. We'll have to settle for making an example out of a few of them."
Even now, he was prioritizing his political stance.
My frustration was starting to boil over.
"So what exactly are you offering me? Do you want me to take care of them myself?"
"You…"
"I'm not asking you to frame innocent people. The entire nation is already condemning them. And yet, because of politics, you're going to settle for cutting off a few tails?"
I didn't realize I had raised my voice.
"Now is the time. This is the perfect opportunity to cleanse the past. We can uproot the pro-Japanese collaborators and the corrupt politicians who follow them. The people are demanding it. If you show strong leadership, it's possible."
Silence filled the office.
"Lower your voice. You're in the presence of the President."
Park Won-seop, the Chief Secretary, growled at me.
Of course, I didn't even bother looking at him.
"Make your choice: Korea's bankruptcy or the eradication of the Cheongpung Group. I'm fine with either."
The silence dragged on.
Kim Hak-gwon, who had been pondering in silence, finally spoke.
"Can you reverse the situation?"
"If you make the decision, it's possible. Rather than talk, let me show you. May I make a call?"
Kim Hak-gwon nodded.
I took out my phone and called Han Gyeong-yeong.
I held the phone a little away from my ear so everyone could hear the conversation.
"Hey, brother?"
― Mu-hyeok? How's it going?
"I'm with the President right now. Can we undo everything?"
― Of course.
Kim Hak-gwon closed his eyes tightly, clearly deep in thought.
His decision took a while, but his response was short.
"Do it. Reverse everything."
"Understood. I'll trust you one more time, Mr. President."
The expressions of the four people in the room were all different.
Park Won-seop, the Chief Secretary, looked humiliated.
Lee Chan-jong, the NIS Director, was expressionless.
Kim Hak-gwon, the President, looked resigned.
And I smiled.
"I'll follow the government's policies faithfully. Han Gyeong-yeong will purchase all the gold collected from the current donation campaign and deposit it in the Bank of Korea."
If I pushed too hard, it might only breed more resentment.
"I'll also tell Eva to speed up the bank acquisition process. We'll actively participate in the big deal you're promoting, Mr. President."
Despite my sudden change in attitude, Kim Hak-gwon's face brightened, likely due to the urgency of the situation.
After a brief hesitation, he asked me a question.
"…Can I ask one thing?"
"Go ahead."
"Are you the owner of Dream High and Future Investments? If not, none of this makes sense."
Kim Hak-gwon studied me with a probing gaze.
"I do know the people who invested in Dream High. But I'm not in a position to call myself the owner."
It was clear he didn't believe my answer, but he didn't press further.
Instead, he nodded, as though giving up.
"I'll order an immediate investigation into the Cheongpung Group. I'll mobilize the prosecution, the police, and the National Intelligence Service."
"Understood. I'll contact Dream High then."
As I was getting up to leave, Kim Hak-gwon asked me one last question.
"Are you sure you had nothing to do with Lee Yong-hyun's death?"
"Yes, when I got there, he was already dead."
"I'll have the investigation conclude it as a suicide. If word gets out that there were multiple shootouts, the public will panic. Keep quiet about it."
"Understood."
I gave Kim Hak-gwon a faint smile, despite his troubled expression.
"I hope we can maintain a good relationship."
No response came.
As soon as I left the Blue House, I headed to Korea University hospital where Chief Ha was recovering.
I also called Manager Ma from the National Intelligence Service to come to the hospital.
Chief Ha had just finished surgery and was in the intensive care unit.
"How is Grandfather?"
"He was too exhausted, so we took him back home."
"I heard Team Leader Jin was also seriously injured. He's at the police hospital, right?"
"Yes, but he's out of danger now."
"He should be discharged soon."
Though Chief Ha was unconscious, there was a bodyguard standing watch outside the ICU.
I went to find the surgeon who had performed the operation.
"How did the surgery go?"
"Fortunately, the injury wasn't in a critical location."
"When will he be moved to a regular room?"
"Once he regains consciousness, he can be moved."
"Please make sure he gets the best room available."
"Chairman Cheon already requested that as well."
Hearing the doctor confirm this, I felt relieved.
Even though it wasn't visiting hours, the hospital allowed me to briefly see Chief Ha in the ICU.
I stood by his bedside, staring at his face as he lay there, as if asleep.
If it hadn't been for him, Grandfather might not have survived, and the thought made me shudder.
"Thank you, Chief."
I bowed my head in gratitude to the unconscious Chief Ha and left the ICU.
"Call me when he wakes up and is moved to a regular room. Make sure no one but hospital staff is allowed near him."
"Understood."
As I stepped out of the hospital, fatigue washed over me.
"Boss!"
Just then, Manager Ma arrived.
"Chief Ha is out of danger. I'll go see Grandfather and get some rest. Then tomorrow, we'll head to Busan."
Hearing that Chief Ha was safe, Manager Ma's expression brightened.
"If you want to stay by Chief Ha's side, go ahead."
"No, my place is with you, Boss."
"Then let's head to Pyeongchang-dong."
When we arrived in Pyeongchang-dong, the yard was still in disarray, but the interior had already been cleaned up.
As I entered, the housekeeper who had prepared our meals greeted me.
"Young Master."
"You must've been so scared."
"I didn't leave my room the whole time."
"How's Grandfather?"
"He had a light meal earlier and went to bed. Would you like something to eat?"
"No, I just want to rest."
Leaving the housekeeper behind, I headed to my room on the second floor.
"Take a rest too, Manager. If Grandfather asks for me, wake me up."
"Understood."
Too tired to even shower, I collapsed into bed and drifted off to sleep.
It finally felt like something had come to an end.
* * *
While Kim Mu-hyeok slept, Han Gyeong-yong was meeting with Rubin, the U.S. Secretary of the Treasury.
"You can resume supporting Korea now."
"Good to hear. The State and Defense Departments were starting to apply pressure."
The State Department, concerned about diplomatic issues, and the Defense Department, worried that North Korea might use Korea's crisis to act, were aligned in their thinking.
The Treasury couldn't withstand their pressure for much longer.
"I kept my promise. Now it's your turn to keep yours."
"The Boss will be in the U.S. soon."
As part of this deal, Kim Mu-hyeok had agreed to help he Treasury when they needed assistance.
A smile never left Rubin's face.
The reward he received far outweighed the effort he'd put in.
"The economic crisis spreading across East Asia is shaking the Russian bear. The IMF, Japan, and the U.S. government are all negotiating with them, but they're stubborn."
"Yes, I'm aware."
"The U.S. has invested heavily in Russia, not just in government bonds but in everything. Now it's coming back to bite us."
"In the end, they'll surrender."
Just as Rubin feared, Russia's defiance was unlike that of other countries.
The IMF had left Russia without achieving anything.
The international situation was becoming increasingly tense.
* * *
"Boss, the Chairman is asking for you."
Manager Ma's voice woke me up.
"What time is it?"
"It's 4 a.m."
I got up and shook my head a few times to clear the drowsiness.
"Let's talk to Grandfather and then head to Busan. Get everything ready."
When I went downstairs, the door to the study was closed, but Grandfather was sitting in the living room.
"Mu-hyeok, come sit."
"Yes, sir."
As soon as I sat down, Grandfather suddenly reached out his hand.
I took it, and he bowed his head.
"Thank you. Thank you so much."
"Huh?"
"You avenged Mi-sook for me."
Grandfather's eyes were red with tears.
"It's nothing. It's what I wanted to do."
"I got to see it before I die… Thanks to you."
Grandfather kept thanking me.
I felt a lump in my throat, and my voice trembled a bit.
"Don't worry about anything anymore. Just focus on staying healthy. I'll take care of everything, starting with Myeong-dong."
"Yes, yes…"
Grandfather had lost his child, and I couldn't imagine his pain being any less than mine from losing my parents.
Now that he had let go of both his desire for revenge and his guilt, he looked much weaker, and it weighed heavily on me.
"I heard Chief Ha is out of danger. Did you hear that?"
"Yes, thanks to Myung-hoon."
Grandfather murmured bitterly under his breath and then spoke to me.
"Now, bury Mi-sook's death in your heat and live your life. That's my last request."
With those meaningful words, Grandfather retreated to his room.
On the road to Busan after leaving Pyeongchang-dong.
'Grandfather knows that after he passes, I'll kill Cheon Su-man.'
Despite the whirlwind of thoughts in my mind, the car sped smoothly towards Busan.
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