Chapter 719: Thanks to You, Things Got Easier

Han Hyun-soo, who had been missing, suddenly reappeared.

He was accompanied by dozens of men wearing masks and hats, concealing their faces.

The first thing Han Hyun-soo did upon returning was to find the chapel.

Inside, Kim Seon-ja was leading the service.

“Lord! Have mercy on our poor Hyun-soo…”

Kim Seon-ja exploited Han Hyun-soo thoroughly.

Acting the role of a grieving mother who lost her son, she sought to win over the hearts of the congregation.

Though her two sons had briefly put her in a tight spot by releasing the recordings, there was no part where she directly ordered anyone to kill Han Hyun-soo.

It merely contained pleas to take good care of Han Hyun-soo while he was visiting Japan.

Thus, Kim Seon-ja boldly confronted this recording.

Thanks to that, the Heaven Church was now divided, with members cursing each other.

As Kim Seon-ja conducted the service, the chapel’s giant door swung open.

During the service, using the small side doors was the rule.

However, Han Hyun-soo deliberately slammed open the central door.

The sudden noise startled the congregation, prostrated in prayer, causing everyone to turn and look.

Numerous members of the Heaven Church observed him stride confidently into the main chapel.

Han Hyun-soo stepped boldly through the wide-open door.

While everyone gasped, the most shocked was Kim Seon-ja, who could only stare wide-eyed, lost for words.

‘I thought I killed him for sure?’

Seeing the perfectly fine Han Hyun-soo left her feeling like her brain had frozen.

Grinning, Han Hyun-soo stepped closer, lifting one corner of his mouth as he called out loudly.

“Mother! I’ve returned! Your son has come back!”

At Han Hyun-soo’s voice, the eyes of the congregation shifted back to Kim Seon-ja.

With everyone’s gaze now on her, she offered a somewhat awkward smile and replied.

“Yes, my son is alive! Do you know how worried I was? What on earth happened?”

Though she seemed flustered, her voice unmistakably bore the tone of a mother worrying about her son.

This made Han Hyun-soo curl his lips in a smile.

“Surely, you know what happened better than I do, Mother. By the way, why are you leading the service? When did I grant you such authority?”

“…”

Kim Seon-ja found herself speechless.

As he maintained a steady gaze on her, Han Hyun-soo began to walk towards the chapel’s platform.

Dozens of men followed closely behind.

“Hold back.”

Han Hyun-soo ordered the mercenaries to wait, slowly ascending the stairs to the platform.

Next, he approached Kim Seon-ja, leaning in to speak softly, just above a whisper.

“Mother. It’s really over now.”

Kim Seon-ja’s face turned pale in an instant.

He pushed the stunned Kim Seon-ja aside and stood in front of the microphone.

“Everyone has been so worried, haven’t you?”

The congregation was left speechless. Because of Kim Seon-ja’s prior behavior, they had assumed Han Hyun-soo was definitively dead.

“I died once. I had a meaningless death in Japan. But God did not abandon me and brought me back to life like this.”

The mere mention of resurrection caused a stir among the congregation.

Some were crying, while others shouted that it was a miracle.

Thus, Han Hyun-soo returned to the Heaven Church as a resurrected Messiah.

* * *

I was reading the report sent by the mercenaries.

I had assigned a team of mercenaries to assist Han Hyun-soo, but it was reasonable to view this effort as excessive manpower dedicated to this cause.

I needed to report everything happening close to Han Hyun-soo.

A week had passed since Han Hyun-soo’s return. The report meticulously detailed his activities hour by hour.

I carefully read through the report. The Heaven Church in Korea needed to be organized before we could consider refining the Japanese church.

After finishing the report, I laid it down with a small smile.

“Han Hyun-soo is determined.”

The claim that Han Hyun-soo had resurrected attracted believers from across the nation to the main church.

While normal religions believe in God, cults operate differently.

They served the founder and ministers as living Messiahs.

The believers had originally placed their trust in Han Seong-jin. Many still believed in him, even after Han Hyun-soo ascended as the new leader.

Yet, the situation had reversed. While Han Seong-jin didn’t return, his son and second-generation leader, Han Hyun-soo, had returned from the dead.

This alone was enough to assure them that their faith had not been misplaced.

“I didn’t expect anything like this.”

I murmured as I tapped my fingers on the report.

As the church’s influence was divided, I assumed it would take Han Hyun-soo a while to reclaim the leadership position.

However, he was organizing the church far more swiftly than I had anticipated.

Although Kim Seon-ja and his siblings were still resisting, it appeared that would soon come to an end.

Of course, many people had vanished without a trace without anyone knowing.

Setting the report aside, I asked Manager Ma.

“What about the media’s response?”

“For now, the Goryeo Daily has blocked relevant articles at the desk level. However, they’re hitting their limits. News has already leaked online, and they believe they won’t be able to stop it any longer.”

There was no avoiding that. It was a time when the media could no longer decide what information to share with the public.

The development of the internet was gradually eroding journalists’ power over public opinion.

Raw information flooded online without any processing, leading to utter chaos regarding what was true and what was not.

“In time, it’ll become impossible to discern the truth from lies.”

“That’s sufficient for now. Let’s start reporting relevant news. However, I want the articles to be written with a favorable bias toward Han Hyun-soo.”

“I’ll convey that. Additionally, there may be issues relating to illegal immigration as well.”

That was something I had already predicted.

“It’s not a matter of a death penalty. Han Hyun-soo can sort that out himself. Let’s leave it alone. There’s no need for us to resolve that.”

“Understood. I’ll handle it.”

Now, Han Hyun-soo’s choices were clear.

To either kill his entire family or spare them.

“Let’s observe Korea for a bit longer. I think we can start contacting the Japanese church as well. Set up a meeting.”

Manager Ma nodded and answered.

I picked up the Yomiuri newspaper next to the report.

The front page featured a prominent photo of Hiroyuki meeting Takayama.

“The Yomiuri really moves fast.”

“Yes. It seems they completed all verifications just two days after receiving the information.”

It was as if the Yomiuri had planned for it; they dedicated five pages to a special article.

The article detailed how many times Hiroyuki and Takayama had met, along with their conversations presented verbatim in the form of recordings.

[Hiroyuki: What is this?
Takayama: This is a gift we offer to commemorate your inauguration as Chief Cabinet Secretary.]

In this manner, the amounts of money Takayama had sent to Hiroyuki were all meticulously covered.

“This should quiet the public noise surrounding the Seven Islands issue, right?”

Following several days of discussions, the joint exploration and development agreement for the Seven Islands between Korea and Japan was announced.

Over the next five years, the governments of Korea and Japan would jointly explore and develop the Seven Islands.

It was also reported that companies from Russia and the U.S. would be conducting the exploration on behalf of both nations.

The plans for the Seven Islands exploration faced considerable backlash from Japanese right-wing forces.

Various right-wing groups took to the streets to denounce the cabinet and insult Koizumi.

Accusations of humiliation in diplomacy and claims that Koizumi sold out Japan surfaced.

Although the Japanese right was staunchly supportive of Koizumi, their attitude towards issues involving Korea was always adverse.

For the right-wing groups, the importance of a death involving Hiroyuki was secondary.

They simply abhorred any notion of collaborating with Korea.

Protests from right-wing groups were featured in the Yomiuri as well.

“It’s fascinating how some people can dislike others for no reason.”

Were the rightists aware that the Seven Islands issue was a trivial matter?

I raised one corner of my mouth in a grin. Japan’s formal diplomatic recognition of North Korea still lay ahead.

“Keep fueling the fire. I want all of Japan’s attention focused on Hiroyuki.”

“Understood.”

“Regarding the Heaven Church information, let’s first consult with the main faction before making decisions.”

“Yes. I’ll arrange that swiftly.”

“Watch closely. I’ll organize my thoughts.”

After Manager Ma left the hotel room, Kim Sun-kyung entered.

“Boss. Let me serve you a cup of tea.”

I nodded instead of answering.

Kim Sun-kyung quietly began preparing the tea, almost as if she were there and not.

As I collected my thoughts, the pleasant aroma of the tea wafted to my nose.

‘It’s about time to wrap this up and return to Korea.’

What was supposed to be a brief trip to Japan had turned into quite an extended stay.

“Boss. It’s Pu-erh tea.”

Her soft voice pulled me from my reflections.

Before I knew it, a steaming teacup was placed before me.

I lifted the cup she offered and savored the aroma.

“This is nice. Thank you.”

After sipping from the cup, I set it down.

Kim Sun-kyung was softly smiling at me.

She seemed more lively than when I first met her, yet still carried a calm and quiet demeanor.

“So, what do you think? Watching me handle all this from the sidelines?”

“I didn’t know a world like this existed.”

“Isn’t it fascinating?”

“Yes. It’s surprising how much happens in the shadows instead of the spotlight. The once-scary members of the Mustache organization are being captured just by a word from you. And…”

I purposefully revealed my true nature somewhat to Kim Sun-kyung.

Since she had decided to work with me, there were parts of me that I needed to show her eventually.

“I have a feeling that if I follow you, I’ll grow strong one day. That way, I’ll have my chance to take revenge myself.”

Indeed, she was quite sharp. Satisfied with her response, I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“That’s right. If you diligently fulfill your role, strength will naturally follow.”

“Yes, Boss.”

“We’ll be heading back to Korea soon, and you’ll be off to the UK right after. From then on, I won’t be able to assist you. You’ll have to learn everything there solely on your own. Do you think you can manage that?”

Even when I intentionally tried to intimidate her, Kim Sun-kyung emphatically nodded.

“Yes. I’ll learn properly as you trust and entrust me.”

“Good. I’ll believe in you. Learn everything you can and help me out effectively.”

“Yes, Boss.”

After finishing the remaining tea, I spoke with a smile.

“Thanks to you, things have gotten easier. I enjoyed the tea.”

Kim Sun-kyung, slightly bowing her head, got up from her seat.

As she placed the empty cup and teapot on the trolley and turned away, I still heard no sound of the door opening after waiting.

“Why? Is there something else you want to say?”

Kim Sun-kyung, hesitating for a moment, turned back to face me.

“Boss.”

Her voice calling my name quivered slightly.

I tipped my head to urge her to speak, and after another moment of hesitation, she cautiously said.

“Once I go to London, I probably won’t see you again, will I?”

“Probably not.”

Her eyes flickered ever so slightly.

Seeing that look in her eyes, I could guess her feelings.

She must have held onto a sense of gratitude for saving her from the muck.

Perhaps she feared being discarded, thinking I wouldn’t need her anymore.

Given the filthy sights she had witnessed under the Yakuza, I could somewhat understand her anxiety.

“Boss, I don’t want to be alone tonight.”

Watching her face, filled with trepidation, I gently shook my head.

“You have no reason to harbor such feelings just because I helped you. I see you not as a woman, but as a capable subordinate.”

However, she showed no signs of backing down.

Instead, with determination, she asked me.

“Boss, have you never taken a subordinate as a lover?”

“…”

“If you have, then please take me in as well.”

I quietly gazed into her eyes. She was serious.

“…Okay, come tonight.”

After she nodded, she left, and I let out a deep sigh.

“People’s hearts are so unpredictable.”

And that night, Kim Sun-kyung came to find me.