Chapter 720: Isn’t This Too Frugal?

Han Hyun-jin and Han Hyeon-woo were waiting for someone in a room salon.

A moment later, the door swung open, and a man dressed in a suit walked in.

“Oh, my! To think that you, Boss Han, would personally ask to meet me. It’s an honor for my family!”

The man greeted them with a casual swagger, but Han Hyun-jin and Han Hyeon-woo welcomed him with smiles.

Seated across from the two, the man filled a glass with ice and poured himself some liquor.

After downing the strong drink in one go, he finally spoke.

“But why did you want to see me? I remember being told that someone like me isn’t worth associating with.”

Han Hyun-jin offered an awkward smile in response to his sharp words.

“Boss Kim, when did we say we wouldn’t associate with you?”

“Did you not say you wouldn’t associate with a thug like me? Have you forgotten? Or am I just hilarious now?”

The man referred to as Boss Kim ground his teeth and slammed his glass onto the table.

“Ha ha. Back then…”

“You’re the one who invited me for a business collaboration, Boss, but then you said you couldn’t do it. Now, why are you searching for me again?”

“Because there’s a lucrative opportunity. An amount of money that Boss Kim has never even dreamed of. A chance to get your hands on that money.”

At the mention of money, Boss Kim’s eyes widened with a grin.

“Money? I, Kim Min-woo, would shake hands with an enemy for a chance at money. So, tell me, what’s it about?”

He might have seemed casual on the outside, but his aura was fierce.

Feeling thirsty, Han Hyun-jin moistens his lips with the liquor in front of him before speaking up.

“I need you to take care of a little job. In return, I’ll pay you 10 billion won.”

“10 billion?”

Boss Kim’s eyes widened at the unexpectedly large sum.

“Yes, 10 billion. And that’s just the beginning. Your company will be involved in every construction project our group undertakes.”

The reward Han Hyun-jin offered was so substantial that it was difficult for him to turn it down.

“What on earth would require such a hefty sum and give me all the future construction rights? This sounds a bit frightening, doesn’t it?”

“It’s nothing too complicated. Just need you to eliminate one person.”

“What? Kill someone?”

Boss Kim asked, though doubt lingered in his tone, questioning whether the reward was worth such a task.

Han Hyun-jin shook his head slowly.

“It won’t be an easy task.”

“Are you asking me to kill the President?”

“No, I need you to kill my brother.”

“You want me to kill your brother? What are you saying? Are you joking right now?”

“I’m dead serious.”

“You must mean Han Hyeon-woo, who’s right here? Or are you referring to Han Hyun-soo, the leader of Heaven Church?”

His reaction was one of disbelief, but Han Hyun-jin’s face remained resolutely serious.

“It will be impossible for you to carry out the task in the headquarters. We will lure him out, and when the moment is right, you can strike. He does have guards, but surely Boss Kim can handle that, right?”

“Killing someone isn’t something that can just be done easily. If anything goes wrong, both my organization and I will be in deep trouble.”

And considering that they were tasked with killing a cult leader, the risks were amplified.

However, the amount was far too large to simply walk away from.

After a moment of contemplation, Kim Min-woo filled his glass with liquor and drained it in a single gulp.

Setting down the empty glass, he turned the proposal back to Han Hyun-jin.

“How about 20 billion? I’ll kill Han Hyun-soo and disappear from Korea. Isn’t that better for both of us?”

“Alright, let’s do that. 20 billion.”

“The upfront payment will be 10 billion. The rest after it’s done.”

“That’s…”

Han Hyun-jin hesitated at the request for an upfront payment of 10 billion.

“Why? You can’t deliver? You know that when it comes to this line of work, an upfront payment is essential. Do you think you can take on such a dangerous task without it? Right now, Heaven Group is watching over Han Hyun-soo. Do you really think someone can take a jab at him in Korea against Heaven Group? I can’t even send my men for this. We’ll need to call in Chinese gangsters. That’s going to come at a hefty cost.”

Kim Min-woo was already aware of Heaven Group’s backing Han Hyun-soo.

A directive had long been issued to gangsters across the nation to avoid interference in Heaven Church matters.

However, for 20 billion, that was a sum that could tempt a disregard for that order.

If need be, he could always leave Korea after the job was done, so Kim Min-woo decided to gladly accept the request.

“Do you understand how dangerous this task is? Going against Heaven Group means we could do nothing.”

“Why would Heaven Group be backing Han Hyun-soo… ?”

At the mention of Heaven Group’s involvement, Han Hyun-jin fell into confusion.

But Kim Min-woo simply shrugged.

“I don’t really know. It’s just a directive from above. I’m thinking of bringing in the Chinese gangsters. They have no fear whatsoever.”

Han Hyun-jin asked again.

“So the guards around Han Hyun-soo are actually from Heaven Group?”

“No. Heaven Group is merely observing for this incident. They just instructed us not to interfere. If Heaven Group’s strike team had moved, you two wouldn’t still be here sipping drinks with me.”

It was a calm yet chilling statement. Han Hyun-jin and Han Hyeon-woo exchanged stunned glances.

Kim Min-woo raised his glass and offered it forward.

“So, what’ll it be? Will you provide the upfront payment? No, wait. Hand over the money. Otherwise, I’m going to slip this story right into Han Hyun-soo’s ears.”

The way Kim Min-woo grinned looked infuriatingly contemptible.

“Regardless of whether I take this job or not, you’ll owe me 10 billion. That’s how much it takes to keep my mouth shut.”

“You crazy…”

“Why? Don’t like that idea? Well, too bad.”

Kim Min-woo set his glass down and stood up without hesitation.

Desperate, Han Hyun-jin reached out to stop him.

“…Can you guarantee this?”

Kim Min-woo grinned widely.

“Money can summon even ghosts. With 10 billion, I could summon dozens, no, hundreds in China. Those guys cherish life so little they’d think it worthlessly expendable. How about it?”

“Alright. I will provide 10 billion as upfront payment.”

At that, Kim Min-woo sat back down.

“After the job is complete, you need to pay me the remaining 10 billion. I plan to leave Korea immediately afterward. If I stay, my life would be in danger as well.”

“That works. I’d prefer if you disappear too.”

Kim Min-woo raised his glass once more, and Han Hyun-jin and Han Hyeon-woo clinked their glasses against his.

* * *

Han Hyun-soo was quickly beginning to reclaim control of the headquarters.

Among the head pastors, those who sided with Kim Seon-ja and his two brothers had vanished without a trace.

The returned Han Hyun-soo displayed a different attitude than before.

Yet until now, no actions had been taken against his family.

“Mother.”

Han Hyun-soo was having a discussion privately with Kim Seon-ja.

“Yes, Hyun-soo.”

“Why did you do that?”

“What? I don’t understand what you’re talking about.”

“You’re really going to keep this up? Did I get adopted or something? How could you even think about killing your own son?”

“What are you talking about? I gave birth to you with pain. How could I even entertain such a thought?”

Kim Seon-ja desperately denied, but Han Hyun-soo paid her no mind and threw a stack of documents at her.

Inside were pictures and evidence fully documenting Kim Seon-ja’s actions.

The moment Kim Seon-ja recognized the documents, her face turned pale.

“You were the one who introduced my secretary to the Japanese sect! And you also ordered me to kill you! Don’t deny it. You’re truly restraining yourself from killing me right now!”

“H-Hyun-soo.”

“Well, couldn’t you just live contentedly? What’s changing here? How much longer do we have to live that you’re being so greedy?”

“It’s not that…”

Kim Seon-ja tried to make excuses, but Han Hyun-soo shook his head.

“You refuse to apologize even till the end. I’ve moved on now. Things are going to go your way as you wanted. Everyone will perish. That’s the future of our family. Wasn’t that what you wished?”

Coldly spoken, Han Hyun-soo got up and turned away.

“You won’t kill me right away. You’ll want to see how your brothers die and how I change Heaven Church. That will be worse for you than dying.”

“H-Hyun-soo, wait…”

Kim Seon-ja stood up, inching closer to Han Hyun-soo, but she was blocked by the mercenaries.

Leaving her behind, Han Hyun-soo stepped outside.

The mercenary captain stood next to him.

“Make sure she doesn’t get outside.”

The captain nodded in understanding.

“Understood. But are you planning on leaving her alive?”

“I’m still debating whether to kill her or let her live.”

“I respect your decision.”

“Always grateful.”

The stoic captain’s words made Han Hyun-soo smile. That trust made people more reliable.

“But I have to kill your brothers. They’ve just proposed a meeting to me from outside. Trying to reconcile, they say.”

“Isn’t that a bit dangerous?”

“Not really. If you guys are skilled enough, whoever shows up won’t even reach you right?”

There was a reason that Han Hyun-soo was so calm. The mercenaries sent by Kim Mu-hyeok were exceptionally skilled.

“That’s obvious. Whoever comes won’t be able to reach you, no matter who it is.”

“Then what’s the problem? They can just dig their own graves, right?”

“Let me know ahead of time when the meeting place is set. We need to prepare ourselves.”

“Sure thing.”

Their conversation felt strangely serene.

“You’ll kill them then?”

“Of course. It’ll all be settled that day.”

Even if it was a conversation plotting murder.

Han Hyun-jin intended to kill his brothers.

If he didn’t, again this would all happen someday.

* * *

Japan’s attention has focused entirely on Hiroyuki, just as I wished.

Among them, the black money exchanged by the Yakuza became a major topic.

The opposition party was in an uproar, revealing the Liberal Democratic Party’s dark connections, while Koizumi distanced himself, stating it was Hiroyuki’s independent action.

Yet the fact that they had accepted money from the Yakuza became a significant blow to the current cabinet that had declared war against them.

[War with the Yakuza? The backstory.]

[The Yakuza, refusing to vanish. Money can buy a life.]

After the Yomiuri’s exclusive report, several follow-up articles emerged.

Black dealings between politicians and the Yakuza.

Where could there be more interesting occurrences than this?

All the media outlets that grabbed good scoop quickly delved into the incident, soon uncovering politicians involved with the Yakuza within Hiroyuki’s faction.

The matter regarding the re-investigation of the Seven Islands with Korea entirely vanished from the newspapers.

Though far-right groups were still protesting, they didn’t receive much attention.

“The one who set up the meeting was Nagano Shoji, right?”

“Yes, that’s correct. He’s a key figure of the headquarters faction.”

While the Heaven Church in Korea was gradually getting sorted out, Japan still couldn’t determine who held the upper hand.

After what felt like an eternity, we finally arrived at the meeting spot.

“Good day, Pastor Shoji.”

Shoji was already waiting for me in front of the church. He extended his hand first, inviting me to shake.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Kim Mu-hyeok.”

As he shook my hand, he wore a friendly smile.

“Really? What kind of things have you heard?”

“You’re the one who spared Leader Han Hyun-soo, right?”

“Why do you think that?”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Shoji replied firmly.

“If that weren’t the case, it wouldn’t explain anything. You took control of the headquarters so quickly. While it might be possible for President Han Seong-jin, Leader Han Hyun-soo lacks that ability.”

“Wow, isn’t that too frugal for someone so respectable?”

“I serve President Han Seong-jin, after all.”

“Hmm…”

I thought he would back Han Hyun-soo, being from the headquarters faction, but it seemed not.

Knowing that I helped Han Hyun-soo but still bringing up Han Seong-jin shows a rather stubborn personality as well.

“Let’s head inside for now. We have much to discuss today.”

I followed Shoji into the church.

As soon as I sat down in the position he guided me to, he dove straight into the subject without small talk.

“I’ve heard that you oppose the Japanese church separating from the headquarters.”

“That’s right. It’s Heaven Church to uphold President Han Seong-jin’s teachings. If we veer away from that, it ceases to be Heaven Church.”

“Are you sincere with that? You aren’t using President Han Seong-jin just to seize the initiative, are you?”

He must have hit a nerve, as Shoji clammed up.

“Let’s be frank. Do you truly believe Han Seong-jin is the real Messiah? No, you don’t, do you? Regular believers might think so, but you, as a responsible pastor, wouldn’t hold such beliefs.”

“…I respect President Han Seong-jin.”

“Of course, respect is one thing. But I’m asking if you hope to stay a part of the headquarters without any ulterior motives?”