Chapter 391: Choose Your Words Wisely

Jung Tae-hoon carefully accepted the glass.

I tilted the pitcher and filled his glass to the brim with liquor.

“Drink it and then answer me, please.”

After a moment of hesitation, Jung Tae-hoon turned slightly andd downed the drink in one go.

Setting his glass down, he spoke in a solemn voice.

“I’ll do whatever you ask of me.”

There was a sense of desperation in his tone. Those with nowhere to turn are easy to manipulate.

I nodded in satisfaction.

“You seem uncomfortable; please sit more comfortably.”

“No, I’m fine.”

“It’s me who’s uncomfortable.”

Only then did Jung Tae-hoon adjust his posture once again.

“This might become difficult. I will do my best to shield you from pressures from above, but there will still be people applying pressure.”

“…”

“The evidence is solid, and the media will help cover it. However, it is connected to a religious organization… it might get messy. Are you sure you can follow through?”

This is related to Heaven Church.

Choi Seon-man might take direct action, and even if he doesn’t, no one knows how Heaven Church operates internally.

“Religion…”

“More precisely, it involves Heaven Church.”

At the mention of Heaven Church, Jung Tae-hoon’s face showed a gliimmer of confidence.

“If it’s Heaven Church, it’s not an official religion and more of a cult, right? That’s something I can handle.”

“Really? Can I trust you?”

“Yes! Just tell me what to do and I’ll do it.”

Jung Tae-hoon raised his voice, llike a disciplined recruit.

Yes, people with this kind of ambition are useful. If I fulfill their desires, they’ll give me everything in return.

He’s not a one-time use type; I can utilize him a few more times.

With that thought, I nodded slightly.

“Alright. I’ll整理 the documents when you leave. We will proceed as an investigative case, and the informant must remain absolutely anonymous. The moment my name comes up, every opportunity will vanish.”

“…Yes! I understand.”

He seems to grasp my words well. I could see Jung Tae-hoon’s expression hardenn at the word ‘opportunity.’

With a gentle smile, I lifted the pitcher.

“Have another drink.”

Just as I was about to engage in a deeper conversation, a loud noise came from outside.

“Hyeon-woo, I’m sorry, but couuld you go out and check what’s going on…?”

Before I could finish my sentence, Oh Hyeon-woo stood up and walkedd toward the door.

When he opened the door, Manager Ma’s subordinates were holding onto a man with both arms restrained.

Manager Ma had a furious expression as he berated the man.

“What do you think you’re doing right now?”

“I was told the restroom was this way…”

This room is the innermost in the restaurant. Yet, a restroom?

The man gave an absurd excuse while attempting to hide his face, turning his head away.

However, Oh Hyeon-woo recognized him and raised his voice.

“Hey, Reporter Hong! What are you doing here?”

Upon noticing Oh Hyeon-woo, the man known as RReporter Hong spoke hastily.

“Officer Oh! I was searching for the restroom and suddenly these guys grabbed me…”

“Stop with the nonsense, Reporter. You know how things operate here. Were you trailing us?”

“No, Officer Oh. That’s not it! Are you threatening a reporter right now?”

When his excuses fell flat, the man suddenly shouted.

“You have some nerve! Do you know who I am? I’m now assigned to be a part of the mainland office!”

“…”

“Are you serious? Do you want me to expose you, Reporter Hong? I know you’re not clean either.”

“No, Officer Oh. That’s not it…”

As Oh Hyeon-woo responded firmly, tthe man immediately trailed off and lowered his head.

“Hyeon-woo, who is it?””

The conversation was getting long, so I stood up and moved next to Oh Hyeon-woo..

After glancing at the man still turned away, I asked.

“Ah, he’s a reporter from the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office. It seems he’s been trailing me.”

“A reporter? Why would he be looking for you?”

“I have no idea. Ah… this is unsettling.”

Oh Hyeon-woo replied with annoyaance as he looked down at the man.

I also looked at the man with curiosity.

But something felt off. He couldn’t even look me in the eye.

Was he after Hyeon-woo and not me? I mutteered in disbelief.

“Is it me?”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

I pointed my chin at the man, asking Oh Hyeon-woo curiously..

“That guy. He recognized me and came here for me, not you.”

“What?”

Oh Hyeon-woo looked bewildered aas he stared at the man.

“Reporter Hong?”

“…”

Seeing the man silent made Oh Hyeon-woo frown..

“Hah… it is him.”

With a deep sigh, Oh Hyeon-woo turned his head towward me.

Oh Hyeon-woo knew my aversion too reporters all too well.

“What should we do? But he is a reporter…”

It was a dilemma. Manager Ma’s expression had already solidified into a cold glare.

However, if a reporter known to Oh Hyeon-woo suddenly went missiing, it could cause quite a stir.

“Hmm. Which newspaper does he belong to?”

“To Seshin Ilbo.”

“Seshin Ilbo?”

Seshin Ilbo? Now this is turning into an interesting situation.

“How did you know to come looking for me? Did Heaven Church send you a directive? Or perhaps Hwasung?”

“…”

“If you don’t talk, the guy next to you might get rough with you.”

The man simply clamped his mouth shut.

I raised the corners of my mouth as I asked again.

“Whose order is this?”

“…Personal curiosity.”

“Curiosity? How do you know about me?”

“Who among reporters wouldn’t know who Kim Mu-hyeok is?”

For a reporter, he certainly wasn’t good at lying. How could a mere journalist know about me?

“That’s not right. It would be unusual not to know me. If you know me, then you must be at least a department head, and you don’t seem like one.”

“I’ve worked as a reporter at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office for quite a while. I was formerly in the political department. By chance, I saw you heading this way and unconsciously followed you. I never expected you to be with Officer Oh.”

As he said this, Reporter Hong glanced inwards with a shocked face.

“I didn’t expect that person to be here too.”

“Do you know him?”

“If he’s a reporter at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office, how could I not know him? He’s a typical elite prosecutor who rose from the gutter.”

Since this had turned out this way, should I use this man as well? I spoke while looking at Manager Ma.

“Let him go.”

Despite his displeased expression, Manager Ma signaled to his subordinates.

The subordinates released Reporter Hong’s arms, and he stumbled as he regained his balance.

I gestured for him to come closer.

“Come on in for now. This encounter feels like fate; let’s sit together.”

“Re-really?”

“Yes. Come in.”

Had this been another newspaper, I would have ignored him.

But since Seshin Ilbo had connections with Heaven Church, it was different.

“Are you alright with this?”

Oh Hyeon-woo whispered, to whichh I nodded subtly.

“Manager, could you please reset the table? We have a journalist here. Could you serve what we’ve been having? Oh, the meal is nearly done, but let’s have some snacks to go with our drinks.”

“Understood.”

The man who had been struggling to take off his shoes entered with a bright smile, as if he hadn’t just been detained.

“Haha, I’m Hong Jun-seong, a reporter from Seshin Ilbo. It’s a true honor to meet you, Kim Mu-hyeok.”

“Come in.”

I ignored his outstretched hand and turned my body.

Oh Hyeon-woo warned Hong Jun-seoong softly.

“Whatever is said here is under embargo. If you publish it, you will find yourself in my interrogation room. I know plenty about you, Reporter Hong.”

Hong Jun-seong wiped the smile off his face instantly.

“Stop with the threats, Officer. Don’t underestimate journalists. Even if you’re a top brass, there are lines we do not cross. Is that clear?”

“Looks like you have some shred of pride… but you’ll regret it. Can you handle this? Do you really think Seshin Ilbo will protect you while you go against me?”

Oh Hyeon-woo was well aware of hhis position.

He no longer felt troubled by his grandfather’s influence.

In his twenties, he might have felt embarrassed, but now that he’s in the prosecution service, emotions were a luxury.

Still, it was quite impressive to see him assert his pride against someone elite in the prosecution.

“Hyeon-woo, that’s enough. Lett it be.”

As I lightly intervened, Oh Hyeon-woo acknowledged and toossed out a comment.

“Handle it as you see fit. I’m saying this for your sake, Reporter Hong.”

After Oh Hyeon-woo made that remark, hhe turned back and returned to his seat.

Hong Jun-seong made a face that said he had no idea what was happening.

“Please, take a seat.”

I pointed to the space next to Jung Tae-hoon. As Hong Jun-seong sat down, he greeted him.

“Prosecutor Jung Tae-hoon. I’m Hong Jun-seongg from Seshin Ilbo. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

Jung Tae-hoon quietly nodded in rreturn. Hong Jun-seong, feeling awkward, opened his mouth again.

“I didn’t expect this combination. A top prosecutor like Officer Oh and a low-born prosecutor like Jung Tae-hoon meeting Kim Mu-hyekk at the same table? What’s going on here?”

The mention of ‘low-born’ made Jung Tae-hoon turn to the side, llooking fierce.

“Hey! Why do you have to say that? It’s true, but still.”

Seeing Hong Jun-seong laugh it off and wave his hand, I couldn’t help but chuckle. A reporter from Seshin Ilbo indeed seems to enjoy poking fun.

“You’re an interesting guy. But given the setting and atmosphere, you should be careful with your words.”

As I filled Jung Tae-hoon’s glass with liquorr, Hong Jun-seong turned his head away.

“What? Are you talking to me?”

“Who else could it be? Calling someone low-born while sitting next to them, does that really mean anything good? If you call a low-born, who is sitting in front of you, a lower reporter than those from Goryeo Daily, how would it make him feel?”

“…”

Just as there are ranks in the prosecution, the same applies to reporters.

If they aren’t from a mainstream outlet like Goryeo Daily, they tend to get looked down upon.

“I brought you here out of interest, not to listen to dull jokes. If you’re not interested in this, feel free to leave. No one will stop you.”

As the door opened, a waiter came in and began to clear the table.

It took no time at all for the dishes to be set.

“Let’s drink at our own pace.”

Saying that, I topped off Oh Hyeon-woo’s glass..

“But by the way, Reporter Hong, how do you know me?”

“I was following President Yoon Chang-ho, and your name popped up.”

“It couldn’t have been easy.”

“I’ve got some experience in the legal reporting game. It’s not a big deal.”

His words dripped with pride, making me crack a smile.

He must know I can see through his flattery, yet he’s bold enough to maintain it.

“So you know who I am, then?”

“I know enough. I didn’t dive deep, felt it wouldn’t be right. Today, I just followed my curiosity.”

“This place shouldn’t be that easy to breach security-wise.”

This venue was upscale enough to attract high-ranking officials.

Thus, it wouldn’t allow just anyone inside.

If reservations aren’t confirmed, one gets turned away right at the entrance.

“I visit this place regularly. A call is all it takes to get through.”

So I guess I can no longer come to this place. It must have been spoiled already.

As I poured more liquor into my glass, I clicked my tongue lightly.

“By the way, right when I heard Seshin Ilbo, you mentioned Heaven Church and Hwasung Group. You know about Heaven Church?”

“I’ve taken a bit of interest in it lately.”

“Interest? Oh, come on, there’s no way Heaven Church is of interest to someone like you, is there? It’s the kind of cult nobody wants near them.”

He certainly had a way with words. I thought he might be a journalist obsessed with religion, but perhaps he’s not after all.

“Are you okay saying that? You get a paycheck from them, maybe you shouldn’t be spreading rumors about your employer.”

“Just because I cover my eyes, does that make it disappear? Everyone who needs to know, knows what’s up.”

This is interesting. I smiled and lifted my glass.

“But hey, Reporter. This feels strange. We were just discussing Heaven Church, and suddenly a Seshin Ilbo reporter is trailing me. Quite a curious coincidence, isn’t it?”

“What? Heaven Church? What do you mean…?”

“You’ll see. In a few days, there will be a bombshell.”

I said, placing my empty glass down. Hong Jun-seong still looked bewildered.

“I can’t reveal it because it’s exclusive to Goryeo Daily. Even if I did tell you, Seshin Ilbo wouldn’t be able to publish it.”

I smiled as I filled my glass again.

“It’s certainly an incident that will turn Heaven Church upside down.”