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Chapter 53




< I intend to build an empire of gold. >
#53
I intend to build an empire of gold.
“You scare me, Muhyeok.”
These words hit me hard.
The Jo Hyungu family, who had a direct connection to the incident in Hyunseong, fell into hell.
It wasn’t just them. Everyone even slightly involved in this matter was made to retire from the judo world.
Whether by having the prosecution investigate and detain them for corruption, or by threatening them if that didn’t work.
“You scare me...”
I trailed off, staring at Hyunseong’s face.
Despite saying he was scared, Hyunseong didn’t avoid my gaze at all.
“Jaejang called. He said the atmosphere in the judo club is a mess. Senior Chanseong will have to live with a disability for the rest of his life, the coach was arrested by the police for taking money to influence the national team selection, and the coach resigned to take responsibility.”
At that moment, Hyunseong’s mother opened the door and brought in some fruit.
“Here, Muhyeok.”
I got up and took the plate.
“Are you staying for dinner?”
“No. I’m going out to eat with Grandma today.”
“Is that so? What a shame. I was going to cook something delicious for you. Have fun.”
Mother left the room and closed the door.
Hyunseong, perhaps due to the pause in conversation, couldn’t bring himself to speak again.
“Say what you have to say.”
“...Did you really have to go that far?”
Ah... I’m getting annoyed.
“Hey, Park Hyunseong. I’m not in the right state of mind right now. Listen carefully, this is the last time. I won’t be the one to look for you after today.”
I paused for a breath and stared directly into Hyunseong’s eyes.
“Did you think I would handle those people elegantly, just with words? Do you really think what I did was too much? You said you were scared, but of what? Were you afraid I might do the same to you if things went wrong? I’m living a life where I get hurt if I don’t do it. I thought you knew that.”
“...”
“I’m always living a life where I can’t trust anyone, even if I have many people around me. The path I’m walking now is a fucking terrible one. I have to be afraid that anyone might stab me in the back at any time. That’s why I asked you guys. You were my friends even when I had nothing.”
“Muhyeok.”
“I’m going to Seoul tomorrow. You can either come with me to Seoul and help me with my work, or stay in Busan and live a different life. You decide.”
I got up.
Before opening the door, I turned to look at Hyunseong one last time.
“I know you’re having a hard time. I do. But I don’t have the energy to care about it right now. I’m scared too. I wish you would come to Seoul with me. I’m going. Take care.”
I opened the door and left.
Hyunseong didn’t say a word the whole time.
The next day.
After finishing my preparations to go to Seoul and stepping out of my room, I saw that Grandma had prepared a table full of food.
“Call the person outside too. I haven’t treated my grandson properly. Pfft.”
I chuckled and called Manager Ma, who was waiting outside.
Manager Ma, who sat down at the table with me, seemed uncomfortable and sat stiffly.
Grandma kept pushing the side dishes toward Manager Ma and smiled.
“Take care of my child. He’s a bit immature, so it might be tough, but please protect him.”
“I understand.”
“I feel relieved. With someone like you protecting Muhyeok.”
Manager Ma showed an awkward smile at the praise.
Hyunseong didn’t show up even as we left Busan.
It seemed time to let go. I kept looking out the window, but soon turned my head.
“Manager, things will get really busy once we get there. I told Grandfather I would do a good job, and I also need to look into my parents’ case.”
“I understand.”
“Please assign some people to the Cheonsuwan area. I’m asking you secretly. When can I visit Cheonsu?”
“I’ll set it up for tomorrow afternoon.”
I nodded slightly.
“Let’s go to my room.”
The real preparation was about to begin.
* * *
“The times have changed. My body isn’t what it used to be.”
“You’re still in good health, Chairman.”
In the study where Kim Muhyeok had left, Chairman Cheon and Secretary Ha were having a conversation.
“Take a look at how Muhyeok handles things. Let him do what he wants as much as possible. Only give advice when you think he’s gone too far.”
“I understand.”
Chairman Cheon’s eyes, which had seemed lost in thought, returned to the present.
“When are Ji-soon and Ji-soo coming?”
“Master Ji-soon will arrive tomorrow, and Miss Ji-soo will come next week.”
“I need to give them what they want too.”
“I’ll prepare it.”
“When will Suhan be released? Can he be out before the end of this year?”
“It’s difficult this year, but he’s promised to be pardoned during the 8.15 special amnesty next year.”
Chairman Cheon clicked his tongue.
Although his youngest son’s actions were far from satisfactory, it had been a long time since he had seen him.
“It’s too late. Try to get him out this year. Spend as much money as you need. The moment he’s out, have him sign the divorce papers.”
“I understand.”
After Secretary Ha bowed and left, a small smile appeared on Chairman Cheon’s face.
“An empire of gold... sounds good.”
* * *
I was waiting in the lawyer’s visiting room for Cheonsu.
Cheonsu, who entered the visiting room with a bright expression, saw my face and his smile disappeared.
“What, why are you visiting me?”
I got up and smiled.
“What’s so strange about a nephew visiting his uncle? Sit down first.”
“Screw that. I might get sick just looking at your face. Guard, I’m done.”
But the guard didn’t respond to Cheonsu’s words.
Cheonsu, sensing something was off, looked back and forth between the guard and me with an uneasy expression.
I sat down first and gestured for him to do the same.
“Sit down. If you don’t want to lose everything you have now.”
“Huh, you’re already acting like the successor. Disappointing.”
Cheonsu glared at the guard and sat down.
The guard, who met my gaze, left the room, leaving only three of us in the visiting room.
Cheonsu glanced at Manager Ma, who was standing behind me, and crossed his arms, staring at me.
“What do you want?”
“Why are you always so hostile? What have I done wrong to you? I don’t understand.”
“Huh, the wrong thing was you coming into this family. Just stay quietly in Busan. Why did you come and cause trouble in the family?”
“You knew I was in Busan? Even Grandfather didn’t know.”
Cheonsu’s eyes wavered for a moment, but I didn’t miss it.
“What are you talking about? Father told me, so I knew.”
“Is that so? That could be.”
Cheonsu glanced at my face, which was leaning back in the chair, with a suspicious look.
He seemed to suspect I had found something out.
You’re too transparent.
I couldn’t hide my sneer.
“But Uncle, are you really going to keep doing this? Just cleaning up after Big Uncle.”
“What? This brat, really!”
Cheonsu jumped up from his seat.
Manager Ma, who was standing behind me, took a step forward.
“What’s this brat doing? Not showing respect?”
“Sit down, Mr. Cheonsu.”
Cheonsu shouted in a fit of rage, but Manager Ma didn’t budge.
Cheonsu’s voice gradually quieted down, seemingly intimidated by Manager Ma’s imposing presence.
“Sit down, Uncle.”
Cheonsu’s eyebrows twitched, but he sat down again.
“Are you here to make me sick? Damn, why did you come here to cause trouble?”
“I heard some strange stories about my parents’ death. Do you want to hear them?”
< I intend to build an empire of gold. > End