Chapter 206: Are You Threatening Me?

“Not bad. It seems Boss Park has a lot of connections.”

Park Dong-su, who was surprisingly warm-hearted for a thug, might have gathered his younger associates like Yang Su-hyeong and Yoo Sung-jin beause of this trait.

“Do you still hold onto that thought?”

“Are you referring to my thoughts about Hyung-geun?”

Nodding, Yoo Sung-jin answered without a hint of hesitation.

“Yes. Now I understand why Dong-su chose this person. Hyung-geun possesses something that we, who earn our living through our fists, lack.”

Times had changed, and the thugs who lived solely by their strength were losing their foothold.

Park Dong-su grasped that, which is why he embraced my proposal to transform the organization into a corporate model. The best person for that task was Lee Sang-geun.

“I see.”

Turning my gaze, I observed Lee Sang-geun’s expression. He listened to the conversation without any change in demeanor.

I spoke to Manager Ma, who stood behind me.

“Please pass me what you’ve prepared.”

Manager Ma handed me the folder that was on the desk.

I slid the folder toward Yoo Sung-jin.

“Open it up.”

Yoo Sung-jin opened the folder and reviewed the details and photo of Gong Seung-yeon from the Atlantic law firm.

“We need to eliminate this person.”

After going through the materials, Yoo Sung-jin spoke.

“How should we handle it?”

“Do as you see fit. I want the maximum pain they can endure as a human being. I’m sure Director Yoo knows better than I do how to go about it.”

Placing the documents down, Yoo Sung-jin nodded silently, as if it was an everyday task for him.

“Understood.”

Yoo Sung-jin didn’t question why this person needed to die or how to clean up afterward.

“You don’t ask for reasons.”

“Is it something I need to know?”

He chuckled softly. I thought he resembled Park Dong-su, but he was definitely a different person.

I turned to Lee Sang-geun with a smile.

“Chairman Lee, it seems I can trust Yoo Sung-jin with this task.”

“Yes, Boss. I think so too.”

Unlike yesterday when he hesitated, he nodded decisively. He seemed to have a considerable amount of faith in Yoo Sung-jin.

“Chairman Lee, please prepare the distribution and report back to me. The share relations may be complicated, but I trust you can handle it neatly, right?”

“Yes, understood.”

Yoo Sung-jin was half-listening to our conversation while primarily fixated on the photo of Gong Seung-yeon in front of him.

Despite the subject being about him, he appeared completely uninterested.

“Aren’t you curious about what’s going on, Director Yoo?”

“I believe Hyung-geun will notify me when the time comes. It seems more important to focus on the tasks you’ve assigned for now.”

“That does make sense. We should stick to the task at hand.”

I had worried whether there might be someone else to replace Lee Sang-geun, but having Yoo Sung-jin in charge seemed to present no issues at all. It would be a fresh start.

“For now, Chairman Lee, start the distribution work, and Director Yoo, just focus on tidying up the tasks you’ve been assigned. You’re dismissed for now.”

Lee Sang-geun and Yoo Sung-jin stood up, bowed, and left the office.

I found myself liking Yoo Sung-jin more than I had anticipated.

“What do you think?”

Manager Ma, who had been silent behind me, replied.

“I see why Boss Park valued him.”

“I think I’m starting to understand too. We can observe how he handles the tasks we’ve set before making a final decision.”

“Yes, Boss.”

We’ll see if Yoo Sung-jin meets my expectations; I could make a judgment after observing his performance during this task.

I stared blankly at the door where the two had exited. The memory of Park Dong-su calling me a kid on the hospital roof flashed across my mind.

After wrapping up the tasks piled up from the North-South summit and my grandfather’s funeral, a week had surprisingly passed in the blink of an eye.

Manager Ma had departed for China along with Jang Dae-ho, and while he was away, Ha Myung-hoon decided to accompany me.

I headed to the Blue House for a lunch appointment with Kim Hak-gwon.

Watching Ha Myung-hoon sitting in the passenger seat, an odd feeling washed over me. In my previous life, he had vanished after my grandfather’s death.

“Manager, the chairman’s inauguration ceremony is finally next week. Congratulations.”

“It’s thanks to you, Boss.”

“Not at all. Since the moment I thought of Taesan Financial, that position was always meant for you, Manager.”

From the moment I resolved to acquire the bank and create a comprehensive financial company, the thought of anyone other than Ha Myung-hoon for the chairman position never crossed my mind.

“By the way, it’s been ages since it was just the two of us hanging out like this. It’s a nice trip down memory lane.”

“Yes, Boss. I feel the same way.”

A slight smile began to form on Ha Myung-hoon’s usually stoic face as we chatted and made our way to the Blue House entrance.

After a brief wait, we moved to the dining room, where we were greeted by Yoo Sung-jin, the chief secretary, who had come to welcome us.

“The President will arrive shortly.”

As Ha Myung-hoon and I attempted to enter the dining room together, Yoo Sung-jin stopped us.

“Mr. Ha Myung-hoon will dine separately with me. The President requests a private meeting with Kim Mu-hyeok.”

Ha Myung-hoon glanced at me instead of responding. Nodding, he finally followed Yoo Sung-jin.

The dining room door closed behind us. I sat alone for a while, waiting, until Kim Hak-gwon entered the room.

I stood and bowed my head.

“It’s been a while, Mr. President.”

“Ha ha, come in. Sit down, sit down.”

Kim Hak-gwon looked pleased. Of course, having concluded the much-anticipated North-South summit during his tenure must be a source of pride for him.

“How did you see Chairman Cheon off?”

“Yes. Thanks to you, I could witness my grandfather’s passing. I truly appreciate it.”

“I was surprised myself. When Chairman Kim mentioned it, he didn’t seem to hesitate in agreeing. I didn’t expect I could oppose it.”

It was indeed a funny sight, Kim Hak-gwon rejecting something that Kim Jong-il had permitted.

“Thank you both for considering this matter.”

Kim Hak-gwon laughed heartily, showing sincerity rather than pretense. Still, he watched my expression closely.

“I knew you had met with Jang Seong-taek, but I didn’t expect Chairman Kim to be so forthcoming.”

While casually conversing, the Blue House chef brought in two bowls of cold noodles.

After placing the bowls of cold noodles down, the chef bowed to the President and left the room. We were left alone once more.

“I was reminded of the cold noodles I had in Pyongyang. Is it alright?”

“Yes, I think of it occasionally too.”

“Then let’s dig in.”

Kim Hak-gwon picked up his chopsticks first, savoring the cold noodles, and I followed suit.

The cold noodles tasted quite similar to the ones I had in Pyongyang.

We finished our meal while chatting lightly and were served fragrant coffee for dessert.

“So, why did you want to see me?”

Kim Hak-gwon asked while sipping his dessert coffee.

It was time to broach the topic. I raised my cup to savor the aroma before speaking.

“I came to express my gratitude for allowing me to witness my grandfather’s passing.”

Kim Hak-gwon set his coffee cup down, his gaze sharpening.

“A thank you can easily be expressed over the phone. Surely there’s something else that prompted you to come all the way to the Blue House? Speak up.”

He didn’t even let me finish my coffee. Lowering the cup I held, I got straight to the point.

“I plan to take down Chairman Seo of Il-sung this round.””

“…… Hm. I wonder why you’re telling me this. It’s something you should handle yourself.”

With seasoned poise, Kim Hak-gwon took a step back.

“I don’t know what kind of deal you’ve made with Chairman Seo, but I know Il-sung supported you durinng the recent general election.”

Without changing his expression, Kim Hak-gwon sat there, merely listening to me.

However, I could see his lips tighten, showing I was getting through to him.

“Whatever promises you made, don’t stop me this time.”

Kim Hak-gwon didn’t respond. He simply tapped the table with his fingers, seemingly assessing me.

I raised my coffee cup again, maintaining my smile as I sipped.

He shook his head, evidently discontent with my calm demeanor.

“Yes, we had a deal. It’s true that support was given. But did I need to ask you for approval for that?”

“I think you misunderstood my words. I’m giving you an opportunity, President. If you want to sink with Chairman Seo, you can stop me anytime you wish.”

Kim Hak-gwon frowned. His face contorted in disapproval as he rebuked me.

“Sink with you? Do you really trust the U.S. and say such things to me?”

“Of course not. I’m not foolish enough to play the same card again. I’ve already seen how you’ve prepared for it, haven’t I?”

Whether it was the humiliation of being defeated or a genuine desire to stabilize the national economy, Kim Hak-gwon was doing his utmost to break free from the IMF regulations.

Thanks to that, he stabilized the economy sooner than I had expected.

“Once I made a mistake with you, so I let it slide then. But not a second time.”

“You let it slide?”

I raised an eyebrow, finding his presumption quite amusing.

“Yes. If I had truly wanted, you would have rotted away in prison for the rest of your life.”

It almost made me chuckle; it seemed Kim Hak-gwon was not surrendering, but rather claiming to have forgiven me.”

“If that were the case, don’t you think the President is aware of what would occur?”

“Do you think the U.S. would abandon Korea to save you? Delaying time was the only thing you could have accomplished then.”

Kim Hak-gwon must have had extensive discussions with experts after being pressured by me. Indeed, my analysis back then was merely to stall for time.

“I’m letting go of the notion of overturning Cheongpung Group, which is like a cancer in Korea, and the fact that I played a part in making you President—it’s an apology for my foolishness trying to put a leash on you.”

The old fox, who had survived decades in politics, was definitely not an easy opponent. Yet he still barked without assessing his opponent’s strength, as before.

“Don’t kid yourself. Even now, if I make up my mind to tie you down, I could do it anytime.”

I erased the smile from my face. It looked like we crossed a line here.

“Are you threatening me now?”

“Depending on how you act, this might either remain a threat or become a reality. So I’d prefer if you didn’t awkwardly attempt to pressure me.”

Perhaps convincing him was beyond the realm of possibility. If Kim Hak-gwon aided Seo Yong-geon, taking down Il-sung would become a reall challenge.

I let out a sigh without realizing it. I was annoyed that I would have to take the longer route again.

“You’re portraying me as the bad guy, Mr. President.”

I shook my head slightly.

Reluctantly, I had no choice but to reveal my ultimate card. This would surely end any relationship I had with Kim Hak-gwon.

“Understood. I take it you’re willing to sink with Seo Yong-geon aboard the same ship.”

Kim Hak-gwon’s voice rose slightly.

“Watch your words.”

“The moment I leave the Blue House, I will tip off the media about your interference in this election. Simultaneously, I will mobilize the Moderate Party to draft an impeachment motion against you.”

“What did you just say?”

Kim Hak-gwon’s face contorted in disbelief. Seeing his expression lightened my spirits a bit.

“The timing of the North-South summit announcement before the general election could definitely be understood as implicitly supporting the Progressive Party.”

“You must know there are things one should say and things one shouldn’t.”

Despite the rage in Kim Hak-gwon’s voice, I continued unabated.

“And the deal made with Chairman Seo, the funds given for your election, and also my possession of dirt on your corruption—there’s plenty on you, President. It’s not just limited to you, by the way.”

To impeach Kim Hak-gwon, a two-thirds majority in the National Assembly was required.

However, if the Conservative Party aligned with the Moderate Party, even the Progressive Party’s opposition wouldn’t matter; the impeachment motion would inevitably pass.

A political veteran like Kim Hak-gwon was undoubtedly aware of this.

To Kim Hak-gwon, who valued his honor above all, undergoing an impeachment trial would be a total disgrace.

“With Oh Jeong-seok’s influence, there will be no way the Constitutional Court will dismiss the impeachment motion.”

I propped my chin on the table and gazed at him with a sardonic smile.