The fist flew straight and true. After twisting my head to dodge the punch, I threw my own fist mercilessly toward his face. The one who took the hit to the nose staggered backward.
In that moment, the two who had been watching rushed at me at the same time. Ignoring them, I closed the distance to the one called Hyeon-woo, grabbed him by the collar, and landed several punches.
Thwack! Thwack!
As he stumbled, the other two flinched and caught him.
“You son of a bitch!”
They shouted with even more malice and charged at me. I delivered an uppercut to the jaw of the one on the left. Blood sprayed from his mouth.
The one rushing from the right foolishly tried to kick. I shot out a short punch and struck his Adam’s apple.
“Gack! Gaaah… huff.”
The one hit in the throat grabbed his neck, letting out ragged gasps as if he were about to stop breathing.
“…Want more?”
The entire situation was over in just a few minutes.
“Brother Jiwon?”
Only when I called his name did Cheon Ji-won come to his senses, trembling as he looked at me.
“Brother, I’ll say this one last time. This is just uncomfortable for both of us. So let’s not get entangled. And stop playing gangster with bastards like these. What are you doing? It’s embarrassing. Isn’t it time to stop acting like a ruffian? You’re in your late twenties now. Get a grip, please.”
Cheon Ji-won stood there, utterly speechless. He looked so pathetic that I couldn't help but click my tongue.
“Haa… This is the absolute last time. If something like this happens again, I don’t care if you’re my cousin or what, I won’t let you off. Got it?”
The three who had attacked me were groaning, either sprawled on the floor or slumped down. I looked at them and spoke.
“You guys, too. Do you really want to clean up after a person like that just for some free drinks? It's pathetic, truly pathetic.”
I picked up the coat I had taken off and turned my back. On my way out, I didn’t forget to whisper to Cheon Ji-won.
“Brother, you clean this up. You’re an expert at that, right? Let’s make sure I don’t get any annoying calls about this. If I do, we’ll be seeing each other again.”
Leaving behind a speechless Cheon Ji-won, I walked out of the establishment. Outside the building, Myeong-soo and three others were waiting.
“Hey! Mu-hyeok! You alright?”
“What about? Let’s go now.”
“Huh? Oh. You’re not hurt, are you?”
“I just had a talk.”
I bowed toward the seniors.
“Well then, we’ll be on our way, Seniors.”
I walked with Myeong-soo to where the car was parked. The streets on a March night were still cold.
“He said that kid is living at the old man’s house, right? And learning the ropes under Manager Ha?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Haa… I have no idea what the old man is suddenly thinking.”
Cheon Su-man leaned back on the sofa, his brow furrowed in displeasure. The secretary who was reporting to him cautiously watched his expression.
“Manager Ha has been taking him to meetings with major corporations and introducing him to the real powers within them. If a rumor were to start that he’s the successor…”
At that, a loud voice boomed through Cheon Su-man’s office.
“What? What successor? When the eldest son is clearly alive and well right here, what bastard would dare say such a thing!”
“…My apologies.”
“So irritating, really.”
Cheon Su-man took out his frustration on the innocent secretary.
“What has Su-han been up to lately?”
“We’ve determined that he is working on Assemblyman Kim’s affair.”
“And you don’t know what it is?”
“No, it seems…”
“Haa… Right, if it’s Assemblyman Kim’s business, it won’t be easy. Look into that side a bit more. What about the movements of Myeon District’s four?”
“They haven’t made contact with Kim Mu-hyeok yet. It seems a meeting will likely take place soon. Shall I look into it?”
Cheon Su-man irritably scratched the back of his head.
“I’ll take care of that myself. You just dig into Su-han and Kim Mu-hyeok, and keep tabs on the old man’s condition.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Get out.”
Once the secretary left, the now-alone Cheon Su-man flipped through a notebook.
“Let’s see, Viper’s phone number is… ah, here it is.”
Cheon Su-man dialed the number and made a call. — This is No Ik-seon.
“Ah, Boss No. This is Boss Cheon from Myeon District. Do you have time? I was hoping we could meet today.” — Today, you say?
“Yes. I was thinking it’s been a while, and all the Myeon District family members should gather for a drink. You have time, right?” — Hmm, I understand.
“Great, great. I’ll call the others, so let’s meet at the usual place.” — Yes, Boss Cheon.
After hanging up, Cheon Su-man continued to flip through the notebook and called somewhere else. A few hours later, at a bar in Myeon District. Four men were waiting for Cheon Su-man.
“Hey! Bandit. You know why Boss Cheon wanted to see us?”
“I don’t know either. You don’t know, brother?”
“No. Why did he call for us again? Brother Hammer, do you know anything?”
“Nothing. He’ll tell us when he gets here. Let’s just wait.”
“Aish~ This is why I can’t stand it when they pull this crap every once in a while. Why do the two bosses torment us like this?”
Just then, the door opened and Cheon Su-man entered.
“So all four of you were here. It’s been a while, everyone.”
The four men hurriedly stood up and bowed toward Cheon Su-man.
“Yes, Boss Cheon. It has been a while.”
“Let’s all sit first. Let’s talk sitting down.”
Only after Cheon Su-man sat at the head of the table did the four take their seats.
“First, let’s all have a drink. Let’s finish our talk after one drink, then call the girls and have some fun. How about it?”
“Yes.”
Everyone lifted the glass in front of them and drank it in one shot.
“Ah! It’s good to drink together after so long.”
Hammer, who had been watching Cheon Su-man’s expression, took the lead and asked.
“By the way, sir. What is it? To call all four of us like this.”
“Boss Yu, are we the kind of people who only meet when there’s business? Why are you being so distant?”
“We might meet one on one, but all of us gathering like this only happens once or twice a year, doesn’t it?”
Cheon Su-man scratched his chin. The others all seemed to agree, as they were looking at Cheon Su-man.
“Aish~ I can’t beat around the bush with you Myeon District bosses. That’s right, I called you here because I have something to say.”
“Please, speak.”
After drinking another glass of whiskey, Cheon Su-man opened his mouth.
“You all know there’s a new brat in the Chairman’s house these days, right?”
“Are you referring to the Chairman’s grandson?”
“Grandson, my ass. Anyway, I heard that brat is following Manager Ha around and learning the business. But if that’s the case, wouldn’t strange rumors start spreading when I’m clearly right here? So I called you all here because I was hoping to get some help from our bosses here.”
“Help?”
The bosses exchanged glances. With a relaxed expression, Cheon Su-man watched their eyes darting about.
“I mean, honestly, the Chairman doesn’t have much time left, so shouldn’t I, the eldest son, be more attentive? Is it right for some strange bastard to stick to him and cloud the Chairman’s vision? That’s what I’m saying.”
At that, Bandit Shin Seong-il, who had been listening, suddenly spoke up in anger.
“Boss Cheon. Watch your words. How can you say the Chairman doesn’t have much time left? He’s still hale and hearty.”
Cheon Su-man scowled at Shin Seong-il.
“It’s just a figure of speech!”
“Still, he’s your father, isn’t he? I don’t think it’s right for you to speak that way.”
Cheon Su-man clicked his tongue internally.
‘This dense oaf…’
He put on a fake smile and shrugged his shoulders.
“Haa… I apologize for the slip of the tongue. Anyway, Boss Shin, you think about it too. For the Chairman’s sake, shouldn’t we get rid of the presence that is blocking his eyes and ears?”
“Hmm…”
No one answered. The first to speak was Twin Blades.
“Are you certain he is the grandson?”
“According to my father, it’s certain. He said he’s the son of Mi-sook, the youngest.”
“If it’s certain… then we have no justification to intervene. It’s a family matter, so what could we do even if we were to help you?”
Twin Blades, Kim Ho-sik. He was an elite who had graduated from Yeonseong University. But due to debt, he had no choice but to start working under Chairman Cheon.
With his brilliant mind, he had quickly risen to the position of a boss. It was a sharp point, but upon hearing Kim Ho-sik’s words, Cheon Su-man let out a short laugh.
“Hoo~ Boss Kim. No, Ho-sik. This isn’t a family squabble. Do you think I’m doing this because I’m scared of that young punk? I’m doing this because I’m worried my father will make the wrong decision.”
None of the four men listening believed Cheon Su-man’s words.
“Anyway, Manager Ha will bring that kid to see you all soon. When he does, don’t just grovel because he’s the Chairman’s bloodline. Test him. You can at least do that, can’t you? Aren’t you all men who have rolled in this world under the Chairman for at least ten years?”
Twin Blades, Kim Ho-sik. Bandit, Shin Seong-il. Hammer, Yu Ji-kang.
Viper, No Ik-seon. All four were lost in thought. The first to finish his thoughts was Shin Seong-il.
“I cannot test something the Chairman has decided. I will simply listen to what Manager Ha says and decide then.”
Cheon Su-man didn’t seem to expect Shin Seong-il’s support anyway and nodded his head.
“Fine, Boss Shin, you do that. What about the rest of you?”
“I’ll test him. It’s a request from you, Boss Cheon, and frankly, it’s ridiculous to take orders from a young kid. This world isn’t a walk in the park. Am I wrong?”
Hammer, Yu Ji-kang, being the oldest, broke the ice and looked at Twin Blades and Viper. Kim Ho-sik and No Ik-seon nodded as if in agreement.
“I agree with Brother Hammer. What does a twenty-year-old pipsqueak know about this world? We can show him respect since he’s the Chairman’s grandson, but when it comes to work, he needs to be tested. What about you, Ho-sik?”
Twin Blades, who received No Ik-seon’s glance, also spoke.
“Seeing as he got into Korea University’s law department at the top of his class, he seems to have a good head on his shoulders, but this isn't a job you can do with just brains. You brothers know how much I had to struggle in this world after I graduated from university. Getting beaten by Brother Bandit, cursed at by Brother Viper, and being comforted by Brother Hammer to get to where I am today…”
At his words, the other bosses recalled the old days.
“We don’t have to pledge blind loyalty just because he’s the Chairman’s grandson. We follow you, Boss Cheon, because you’ve rolled in this world.”
All the bosses except Shin Seong-il agreed and smiled. As things seemed to be going his way, Cheon Su-man was pleased and clapped his hands.
“Hahaha. You truly are the Chairman’s loyal servants. My father really has a good eye for people. I’ll have to show my nephew that this world isn’t so easy. Now, now~ let’s stop with the boring talk and have a drink.”
Their drinking party continued for a long time.
I met many people while accompanying Manager Ha. As I quickly absorbed what he told me, Manager Ha couldn’t hide his surprise.
“You learn very quickly, Young Master.”
“Hahaha. It’s because you explain things so well, Manager Ha.”
I laughed it off, but Manager Ha shook his head from side to side.
“No. This is an innate talent. The ability to see through the flow of money, and the ability to find the hidden picture within documents. These are things that are difficult to learn in such a short time, no matter how much someone explains them. One must realize it for oneself. It took both bosses quite a long time to grasp it.”
Of course.
I spent years learning from you; it would be strange if I couldn’t do it. I brushed off Manager Ha’s praise and entered Chairman Cheon’s study with him. My grandfather, who had been sitting alone at his desk looking at documents, raised his head.
“How is the work? Is it manageable?”
“Yes, I am enjoying learning.”
Chairman Cheon’s gaze shifted to Manager Ha. Manager Ha reported in a steady stream without being asked.
“He has a natural gift for it. If I teach him one thing, he understands two or three things, even the parts I haven’t explained. He is already at a level where there is no need to mention how to read documents or the flow of funds.”
“Hoh, is that so?”
Manager Ha was not a person who would make a fuss and lie about such things. My grandfather, who knew this better than anyone, scanned me with a look of intrigue.
“Then… can I entrust the Myeon District affairs to you? What do you think?”
At that, Manager Ha looked at me with a slightly worried expression.
“Hmm… Isn’t it still too early? The Myeon District bosses are not your average crafty old foxes… Would they even acknowledge the Young Master?”
“Is their acknowledgment necessary? I am the one entrusting him with the work.”
“Still…”
I subtly inserted myself into their conversation.
“I will give it a try. If I have to clash with them someday, it is better to do it early. Even if my head is broken and I bleed, there will be something to be gained, will there not?”
“Young Master!”
Manager Ha looked at me in surprise. My grandfather stopped him with a gesture and stared at my face for a long time.
“Are you confident?”
“I am always confident.”
My grandfather’s lips twisted into a smirk.
“Hoh? Those men are not so easy to deal with. They are people even your uncles find it difficult to handle. Do you think you can face them?”
My grandfather asked as if to test me. I met his gaze with a defiant look.
“If once is not enough, I will try twice. If twice is not enough, three times… I will keep clashing with them until I succeed.”
At that, Chairman Cheon threw his head back and began to laugh. Seeing this, Manager Ha could not hide his surprised expression.
“Hahaha! Thanks to you, there are many interesting things in my final years. Fine, go ahead and clash with them. If it gets tough, you can always tell me.”
“Even if it gets tough, I will have no need to tell you. I will bring you good news.”
At my words, my grandfather soon stopped laughing and looked at Manager Ha, asking.
“Who would be good to start with?”
“Let us start with Boss Shin. After all, isn’t he the most loyal to the Chairman?”
“Hmm…”
Chairman Cheon, who had been pondering, quickly made up his mind and turned back to me with a face full of anticipation.
“No, that’s no fun. Start with Ho-sik. He’s the smartest one, so send him there first.”
“Boss Kim is…”
Manager Ha looked back and forth between me and my grandfather with a worried expression. But my grandfather waved his hand as if to dismiss it.
“Send him to Twin Blades first and handle the transfer. Hand over the authority over the ledgers and all the shell accounts they manage to Mu-hyeok.”
“I understand.”
“Mu-hyeok, you may leave for now.”
“Yes.”
As soon as Kim Mu-hyeok left the study, Chairman Cheon’s expression changed completely.
“I heard the firstborn met with the bosses?”
“Yes.”
Chairman Cheon’s already hardened face contorted even more.
“Tsk, tsk. Is he doing that because he’s already scared?”
“I was unable to determine what they discussed. It is certain that a meeting took place.”
At Manager Ha’s words, he pressed his temples with his hand as if his head ached. A moment later, with a sigh, Chairman Cheon spoke.
“Haa… For now, take Mu-hyeok to Twin Blades first. You keep an eye on things. Make sure he doesn’t overdo it. Understood?”
“Yes, Chairman.”
A few days later. Kim Mu-hyeok headed to the office of Twin Blades Kim Ho-sik in Myeon District with Manager Ha.