Chapter 717: This Place is a Mess Too

A week had passed since Hiroyuki’s death.

Despite the time that had gone by, suspicions and controversies showed no signs of fading.

It was officially announced that the two corpses found alongside Hiroyuki were members of the Yakuza.

The police department concluded that Hiroyuki had died in an unfortunate accident during a conflict among Yakuza factions, and gathered the media for an interim report on the investigation.

— Thus, Chief Cabinet Secretary Hiroyuki is assumed to have died due to a stray bullet in a Yakuza conflict.

Most people didn’t take the police’s announcement at face value.

The media was no different, raising suspicions, but it was little more than a vague impression with no solid evidence.

However, the online world in Japan was a whole different story.

All sorts of conspiracy theories were circulating, with unverified plots being treated as facts.

Koizumi had killed Hiroyuki.

Hiroyuki was originally Yakuza.

Hiroyuki isn’t dead.

“Interesting. Everyone really has a vivid imagination,” I muttered as I browsed through posts on a Japanese portal from my laptop.

In the midst of this, I stumbled upon a rather intriguing post.

[Hiroyuki’s Death and the Heaven Church]

Hiroyuki’s death is presumed to be deeply connected to the Heaven Church. He wanted to seize control of the Heaven Church and was assassinated by believers displeased with him. The Heaven Church is currently in extreme turmoil.

The not-so-long post was quick to read.

It was written in a disorganized manner, lacking proper logic or structure.

But upon closer inspection, it contained information that only someone within the Heaven Church would know.

“It’s already starting to leak out, and we haven’t even begun yet,” I thought.

Of course, the comments on the post were mostly negative.

There were those warning against disparaging the Heaven Church and others criticizing the absurd conspiracy theories regarding Hiroyuki.

I closed my laptop with a smirk and turned to Manager Ma, who was standing beside me.

“Manager, is today the day?”

“Yes. The special envoy from Korea has arrived. Talks are already underway.”

If the news about re-exploring the Seven Islands got out, public opinion would be unfavorable.

If the public feeling erupted, Hiroyuki’s death might be easily buried. That couldn’t happen.

“Is Yamamoto still at headquarters?”

“Yes. He finished his police questioning and returned home. They say he is holed up at the headquarters. The organization connected to his friend Suzuo has already been targeted. Most members have been caught, but the higher-ups are said to be on the run.”

As I listened to Manager Ma’s report, I tapped my fingers lightly on the desk.

The negotiations over the rights claims with North Korea and the situation at the Seven Islands still loomed large.

No matter how I thought about it, I needed to address the pressing issue of the Chief Cabinet Secretary’s death amid the chaos of Yakuza conflicts.

As much as they’d tried to use me, they were going to exploit Hiroyuki’s death to its fullest.

“For now, let’s hand over just the parts of the recordings between Hiroyuki and Takayama that exclude any reference to the Heaven Church to the media.”

Now wasn’t the time to release anything connected to the Heaven Church.

“Understood, Boss. Do you have somewhere specific in mind to send it?”

It was more effective to have one place release an exclusive story rather than multiple outlets exploding at once.

That way, other media would scramble to write follow-up articles.

“The journalist who posed that question to Koizumi was from Yomiuri, right?”

“That’s what I believe.”

“Pass it along to that journalist. He seems like someone who wouldn’t pull any foolish tricks.”

“Understood. I’ll organize and send it by the end of today.”

“Manager Ma, don’t handle this yourself. Pass it on through someone else. We can’t expose our identities.”

“Yes. I’ve already arranged it.”

I couldn’t help but smile at his response.

Thanks to Manager Ma, who seemed to anticipate my thoughts without me needing to give detailed instructions, everything was proceeding smoothly.

He really read the room well.

Nodding in satisfaction, I lifted the file beside me and said,

“Well done. The current state of the Heaven Church indicates it’s time to bring Han Hyun-soo into Korea.”

The thick file contained detailed reports on the internal situation of the Heaven Church.

Mother and my two brothers were at each other’s throats.

The believers of the Heaven Church had already split into factions, cursing each other as demons.

“So it was Kim Seon-ja who colluded with the Japanese denomination to kill Han Hyun-soo.”

I had expected it, but it still shocked me that Kim Seon-ja was the culprit.

It seemed the Heaven Church had coveted my son’s death enough to orchestrate it.

“While it’s karma, I feel sorry for Han Hyun-soo.”

Han Hyun-soo could kill Mother and both brothers.

But, due to the bonds of blood, he nearly met a meaningless end on Japanese soil.

Well, knowing that the one who bore him was behind all the plans wouldn’t leave him feeling like he was living either.

“The smuggling route is already prepared. With your go-ahead, we should be able to reach Busan by tomorrow.”

“Alright. Since everything is ready…”

I imagined the scenarios that would unfold once Han Hyun-soo returned to Korea.

‘Once Han Hyun-soo appears, the game will be properly flipped upside down.’

Han Hyun-soo would return alive.

Then he would unite the divided believers and drive out Kim Seon-ja and his two brothers.

This time, they would come prepared and ready for an intense power struggle.

They would all do their utmost to kill each other, resulting in a bloody storm within the denomination.

“Black Bear is ready, right?”

“Yes. I’ve assembled a team comprised of Koreans. Once we receive Han Hyun-soo in Busan, they’ll stay with him at all times.”

“Just in case, have the Heavenly Group prepare as well. For this kind of matter, the Heavenly Group might be a better fit than Black Bear.”

If it were simply about killing someone, it was better for Black Bear to take action.

However, if I couldn’t wipe everyone out, I had to instill fear that could return to haunt me at any moment.

There’s a saying that justice is far and the fist is near. No one fits these dirty dealings better than thugs.

“Yes. I’ll contact them ahead of time.”

For now, I would leave the Heaven Church in Korea to Han Hyun-soo and focus on the Japanese Heaven Church.

“This place is in complete disarray too,” I remarked.

With Hiroyuki’s death, the Heaven Church was engulfed in internal strife.

“What’s with religious organizations being so chaotic?”

With Hiroyuki, a powerful figure, gone, the Japanese denomination had ultimately split into two.

They were fiercely debating whether to separate the Japanese denomination as planned or to abandon the roots of the Heaven Church.

When Hiroyuki was around, the main faction couldn’t show its full might, but it was different now.

The power had clearly divided into two factions, neither able to claim dominance over the other.

“Let’s lend our support to one side. It’s time to meet this man,” I said, holding up a photo.

The picture showed Kitamura, who had once allied with Hiroyuki to dominate the Japanese denomination, along with the face of the lead pastor glaring at the camera.

“Are we meeting him directly?”

“Of course.”

“Understood. I’ll arrange it.”

“No, not right now. Let them fight it out for a bit before we intervene.”

The sweetest proposals work best when both sides are backed into a corner.

Besides, the believers aren’t exactly rational thinkers.

“Let’s go meet Han Hyun-soo.”

By the time we arrived at Kobe Port, the night was thick with darkness.

We reached the warehouse where Han Hyun-soo was staying.

Despite the headquarters being searched and officials being captured, they had maintained tight security here.

The Yakuza guarding the warehouse recognized me and opened the prison gates.

After getting out of the car, I walked towards the warehouse. Inside, Han Hyun-soo was eating.

The Yakuza seemed to be taking good care of him, as he was feasting on high-quality sushi.

I couldn’t help but let out a soft chuckle, drawing his attention as he raised his head to meet my gaze.

When he saw me, he lit up, sushi still in his mouth.

“Oh! Our Kim Mu-hyeok, the boss!”

I shook my head at his exuberance and sat down across from him.

“Keep eating while listening.”

I stopped him from putting down his chopsticks.

“Right now in Korea, your mother Kim Seon-ja and your two brothers are fiercely competing against each other over inheritance issues.”

Han Hyun-soo focused on my words, even while chewing.

I figured he had expected this much, as he didn’t react significantly.

“The traitor was Kim Seon-ja.”

“…What?”

Han Hyun-soo paused with his chopsticks lowered. I repeated myself for emphasis.

“Your mother, who gave birth to you, ordered your death. Are you having trouble understanding what I’m saying?”

“…My mother asked for me to be killed? Is that real?”

“Yes. All evidence has already been revealed by Han Hyeon-woo. It’s in a recording.”

I glanced at Seo Jin-joo, who was crouched in a corner, burying her head in her knees, before continuing.

“Kim Seon-ja was the first to act when no news of you reached Korea. She also bought Seo Jin-joo off.”

Han Hyun-soo simply stared blankly at me, as if struggling to grasp the shock.

“Your mother wants to kill her son, while the sons want to team up to kill their mother. That’s the current reality for the Heaven Church, Han Hyun-soo. No matter how much you believe in blood ties, there’s nowhere left for you to retreat. Will you still go back to Korea?”

Han Hyun-soo set down his chopsticks.

Then he spat out the food in his mouth onto the ground.

His previously dull eyes ignited with a fiery intensity, like a demon.

“Is it true that my mother tried to kill me? If not, then…”

“What do you think I’d gain from lying to you? Your life could be extinguished with the slightest flick of my finger.”

“…”

“So let go of the pointless fantasies. I’ll ask you again. Will you return?”

Han Hyun-soo nodded resolutely.

“I must. My place is with the Heaven Church.”

“It will be very different from before. You may have to walk a blood-stained road. So prepare yourself. Abandon both human emotions and blood ties while firmly seizing control of the Heaven Church. That’s the reason I’m keeping you alive. If you repeat the same mistakes, I’ll personally see to your end.”

“…It will be different. I’m sure.”

Judging by his fierce gaze, he seemed determined to follow through.

That’s how people have to suffer.

“Alright. Rest well tonight and head to Korea tomorrow.”

Having concluded my business, I stood up without a second thought.

“Wait a moment.”

Han Hyun-soo grabbed my arm.

His gaze was directed not at me, but at Seo Jin-joo.

“What do you plan to do with her?”

“Who? Seo Jin-joo?”

“Yes. Allow me to handle it personally.”

I burst out laughing loudly.

“Han Hyun-soo. I seem to recall telling you not to worry about Seo Jin-joo.”

“But…”

“I’ll let her live. But I’m not planning on letting her back to Korea, so consider her dead. And don’t think about trying to find her later. This is not a request; it’s a warning.”

I looked down at Han Hyun-soo with an indifferent expression. He flinched at my gaze.

“Forget her.”

I left that last warning and turned away.

Then I walked toward where Seo Jin-joo was.

“Seo Jin-joo.”

She raised her head from the ground.

There was a deep resentment directed at me in her eyes.

“Han Hyun-soo is returning to Korea tomorrow. But, you cannot go back.”

“Kill me. Just kill me.”

“I can’t do that. If you really want to die, end your own life.”

“…”

“Or perhaps, should I offer you a chance to kill Han Hyun-soo?”

I signaled Manager Ma with a glance.

Manager Ma pulled out a knife from his jacket and threw it in front of Seo Jin-joo.

The sharp blade clanged loudly as it hit the cement floor.

I could feel everyone inside the warehouse’s eyes turn towards us.

“Use that to kill yourself. Revenge must be carried out with your own hands. You could do it now; nobody would come to your aid.”

Upon hearing that, Han Hyun-soo shot up from his seat.

But the Yakuza holding him down made him sit back again.

Seo Jin-joo stared at the knife with hollowed eyes.

“Kill me. It could be your last chance.”

Seo Jin-joo picked up the knife with trembling hands.

“I can do it. I really can.”

She staggered slowly towards Han Hyun-soo like a zombie.