“Mu-hyeok. I'm scared of you.”
These words landed heavily. The Jo Hyeon-gu family, who were directly involved in Hyeon-seong's affair, fell to ruin. That wasn't all.
Everyone who was even slightly involved in this matter was made to retire from the world of judo. Whether by moving the prosecution to dig into their corruption and have them arrested, or if that didn't work, by threatening them.
“Scared…”
My voice trailed off as I stared at Hyeon-seong's face. Unlike his words about being scared, Hyeon-seong did not avoid my gaze at all.
“I heard from the captain. He said the judo team is in shambles. Senior Chan-seong has to live as a cripple for the rest of his life, the coach was arrested by the police for taking money to interfere with the national team selections, and the director quit to take responsibility.”
Just then, Hyeon-seong's mother opened the door and brought in some fruit.
“Here, eat this, Mu-hyeok.”
I stood up and took the plate from her.
“You're staying for dinner, right?”
“No. I'm eating out with Grandma tonight.”
“Oh? That's a shame. I was going to make you something delicious since it's been a while. Have fun before you go.”
His mother left the room again, and the door closed. Perhaps because of the brief interruption in our conversation, Hyeon-seong was hesitant to speak again.
“If you have something to say, say it all.”
“…Did you really have to go that far?”
Ha… this is annoying.
“Hey. Park Hyun-seong. I'm not in my right mind right now. This is the last time, so listen carefully. After today, I won't be the one to seek you out.”
I paused for a breath and looked Hyeon-seong straight in the eye.
“So what, did you think I would find those people and end things elegantly, with just words? Do you really think what I did was too much? Scared, you say? Of what? That I might do the same to you if things go wrong? I'm living a life where if I don't do that, I'll be the one who gets screwed over. I thought you knew that too.”
“…”
“A life where I can never stop being suspicious, even when surrounded by people. The path I'm walking now is that kind of fucked-up path. I have to live in fear, not knowing who will stab me in the back and when. That's why I asked you guys for help. Because you were my friends who were by my side even when I had nothing.”
“Mu-hyeok.”
“I'm going to Seoul tomorrow. Either come up to Seoul with me tomorrow and help with my work, or just stay here rotting in Busan and live a different life. You decide.”
I got up from my seat. Before I grabbed the doorknob to open the door, I looked back at Hyeon-seong one last time.
“I know you're having a hard time. I know, but I don't have the luxury to worry about that right now. I'm scared too. I hope we can go to Seoul together tomorrow. I'm leaving. Take care.”
I opened the door and walked out. Hyeon-seong remained silent until the end. The next day.
After I finished preparing to go to Seoul and came out of my room, I saw that Grandma had prepared a table full of food.
“Tell the person outside to come in, too. I've entrusted my grandson to him, but I haven't even treated him to a proper meal. Quickly now.”
I chuckled and called for Section Chief Ma, who was waiting outside. Section Chief Ma sat down at the table with me, looking stiff and uncomfortable in his seat. Grandma kept pushing side dishes toward Section Chief Ma with a smile.
“Please take good care of my boy. He's an immature kid, so it must be hard for you, but please, stay by his side and protect him.”
“I will.”
“I feel reassured. To have someone like you protecting Mu-hyeok.”
Section Chief Ma gave an awkward smile, as if unused to compliments. Even by the time we left the house in Busan, Hyeon-seong had not come. It seemed it was time to let go of any lingering feelings.
I, who had been staring out the window, finally turned my head away.
“Section Chief, it's going to get really busy when we go up. I've told Grandfather I'm going to do this properly, and I also need to look into my parents' case.”
“Understood.”
“Please have someone tail Cheon Su-man. I'm asking you to do this without Grandfather's knowledge. And when will it be possible to visit Cheon Su-han?”
“I will schedule it as soon as we get there.”
“Please schedule it as soon as possible.”
“Yes.”
The car carrying me moved further and further away from Busan. With each familiar scene that passed by and faded into the distance, I let go of the things held in my heart, one by one. After finishing breakfast, I entered the study with my grandfather.
“I have something to tell you.”
My grandfather nodded, watching me.
“I want to check the documents related to the outstanding loans.”
“All of them?”
“Yes, I need to know exactly how your business operates so I can sort out what needs to be sorted out and keep what needs to be kept.”
“'Sort out what needs to be sorted out'? Sounds like you're thinking of collecting the money lent to the conglomerates as well?”
“Yes. It will depend on the collateral, but I plan to focus on the possibility of recovery.”
Seeing Chairman Cheon’s lips curve into a slight smile, I spoke with more confidence.
“I don't know what you saw in those companies to lend them money. There were probably other deals with the chairmen of each company besides what's on the surface, but an era is coming where we can only trust the documents.”
“Are you saying the people who borrowed money from me might run off without paying?”
“Yes. I believe there is a possibility.”
Chairman Cheon's laughter filled the study. After laughing for a good while, Chairman Cheon suddenly stopped and spoke.
“Do you know about the 8.3 private loan freeze?”
“Yes. I heard about it from Chairman Song.”
“Yes. Do you know what it was like back then? The bloodthirsty military regime cracked down on private lenders to save the companies. The state basically gave the people's pocket money to the corporations.”
Chairman Cheon's eyes gleamed coldly.
“An era when the banks had no money. An era when companies couldn't borrow money even if they wanted to. Why else do you think the chairmen of all those high-flying companies came to me, seeking loans with over 50% annual interest? But then the country converted only the loans with declared sources into low-interest loans. The amount I had lent out at the time was a whopping 30 billion won.”
In the 1970s, the total currency in circulation was around 500 billion won. And he was saying that he had over 30 billion won in cash back then.
“I poured endless bribes into the military regime. The KCIA director, the prime minister, politicians. I was about to lose 30 billion won; was there anything I wouldn't have done?”
“Yes. I can imagine.”
“The company chairmen and presidents who knew me promised to pay me back on their own. But a few of them had the nerve to say they couldn't. Do you know what I did then?”
“I heard you collected it, one way or another.”
A cold smile appeared on my grandfather's lips.
“That's right. If I couldn't get the money, I tore their companies to shreds. I proposed the same business to the chairmen of other companies and lent them all the capital at a low interest rate. Then I set fire to their factories and even went to their families and threatened them. Since then, no one has ever dared to not pay me back. Not a single person doing business in the Republic of Korea.”
In my grandfather's confident demeanor, I saw the image of a man who had reigned like a king in the Myeon District for decades. However, I knew. Once the IMF crisis hit and my grandfather suddenly collapsed, those words would all become a thing of the past.
A fear greater than the terror of the king of private loans, Cheon Tae-san—the fear that their companies could go bankrupt at any moment—would become ingrained in their minds.
“The world is changing. It was the same with the real-name financial system. No one can predict what will change or how. I think we need to change in step with those changes.”
“Change…”
“If we don't prepare in advance, we could be swept away by that change. I want to ride the wave of change to build an even greater empire. So that when the seat you're sitting in comes to me, it will be an empire of gold that no one can touch.”
Chairman Cheon narrowed his eyes and looked at me as if sizing me up. I met his gaze with eyes full of conviction. And after some time had passed…
“Is Myeong-hun outside?”
Manager Ha, who had been waiting outside, opened the door, entered, and bowed his head.
“You called, Chairman.”
“Show all the loan documents you manage to Mu-hyeok.”
“All of them, sir?”
“Yes, all of them. I'll deal with the ones I have separately later, so start with the ones you manage.”
“Understood.”
My grandfather looked back at me with an expression that seemed to ask if this was enough. I smiled and nodded my head.
“Let's see it then. This 'change' you speak of.”
“I will meet your expectations.”
The study door closed behind me. Section Chief Ma, who was waiting in front of the study, saw me and gave a small bow.
“What about the visit?”
“I’ve scheduled it for tomorrow afternoon.”
I gave a small nod and said, “Let’s go up to my room.” The real preparations were just beginning.
“The times have certainly changed. And my body isn't what it used to be.”
“You are still vigorous, Chairman.”
Chairman Cheon and Manager Ha were talking in the study after Kim Mu-hyeok had left.
“Keep an eye on what Mu-hyeok does. For the most part, let him do as he pleases. Only advise him when you judge that he's gone too far.”
“Understood.”
Chairman Cheon's gaze, which had seemed distant as if lost in thought, returned to the present.
“When are Ji-won and Ji-soo coming?”
“Young Master Ji-won will arrive tomorrow. Miss Ji-soo will arrive next week.”
“I have to give those rascals their share too.”
“I will prepare it.”
“When will Su-han be getting out? Can he get out before the end of the year?”
“It will be difficult this year. We have a promise that he'll be pardoned during the August 15th special amnesty next year.”
Chairman Cheon clicked his tongue. Though he was thoroughly displeased with the actions of his younger son, it had been ages since he had last seen his face.
“That's too late. Try to get him out this year. It doesn't matter how much money it takes. And have him stamp the divorce papers the moment he gets out.”
“Understood.”
After Manager Ha bowed and left, a small smile lingered on the lips of the now alone Chairman Cheon.
“An empire of gold… I like the sound of that.”
I was waiting for Cheon Su-han in the attorney visiting room. Cheon Su-han, who entered the visiting room with a bright expression, lost the smile on his face the moment he saw me.
“What, why are you here to see me?”
I stood up and responded with a smile.
“What's so strange about a nephew coming to see his uncle? Please, sit down first.”
“Forget it. You think I want to get indigestion from looking at your face? Guard, I'm leaving.”
However, the guard did not respond to Cheon Su-han's words. Sensing that something was off, Cheon Su-han looked back and forth between the guard and me with anxious eyes. I sat down first and gestured to him again.
“Sit. If you don't want to lose everything you're enjoying right now.”
“Ha~ Acting like you're already the successor. What a disappointment.”
Glaring at the guard beside him, Cheon Su-han sat down. The guard received my glance and went outside, leaving only three people in the visiting room. Cheon Su-han, who had glanced at Section Chief Ma standing behind me, crossed his arms and stared at me.
“What's your business?”
“Why are you so hostile towards me? Have I done something wrong to you, uncle? I don't understand.”
“Ha, the fact that you entered this family is what's wrong. You should have just stayed holed up quietly in Busan. Why did you have to come here and stir up trouble in the family?”
“So you knew I was in Busan? Even Grandfather didn't know about that.”
I didn't miss the momentary flicker in Cheon Su-han's eyes.
“What are you talking about? I knew because Father told me.”
“Is that so? Well, I suppose that's possible.”
Cheon Su-han kept glancing at my face as I leaned back leisurely in the chair. His face was full of suspicion, as if wondering if I had found something out. You're so easy to read.
I couldn't hide my sneer.
“But, younger uncle, are you going to keep living like this? Cleaning up after your older brother.”
“What? This bastard, really!”
Cheon Su-han shot up from his seat. Section Chief Ma, who was standing behind me, took a step forward.
“And who's this bastard? You're not going to lower your eyes?”
“Sit down. Boss Cheon Su-han.”
Cheon Su-han shouted as if in a frenzy, but Section Chief Ma did not flinch. Eventually, as if intimidated by Section Chief Ma's imposing presence, Cheon Su-han's voice grew smaller.
“Sit down, uncle.”
Cheon Su-han's eyebrows twitched, but he sat back down in his seat.
“Did you come here to piss me off? Fuck, why did you come all the way here to pull this shit.”
“I heard a strange story about my parents' deaths. Would you like to hear it?”
< I Plan to Build an Empire of Gold. > End