The Genius Grandson of the Loan King - Chapter 55 (55/840)
< I won't ask you to kill me. >
#55
I won't ask you to kill me.
It happened a few months ago, around the time when Chairman Cheon had asked Manager Ha to look into the matter of Cheon Misook.
"Chairman, it's Myeonghoon."
"Come in."
Manager Ha, who entered the study with a stiff face, was an unusual sight for someone who rarely showed any signs of distress.
"What's the matter? Why is your face so stiff? Did something happen in Myeongdong?"
Chairman Cheon asked, slightly surprised, but Manager Ha couldn't bring himself to speak easily.
"Hey, Myeonghoon, why are you being so hesitant? What's going on?"
"Chairman..."
"No, this guy. Why are you acting like this today? What's the matter?"
"It's about Miss Misook."
As Manager Ha mentioned Cheon Misook's name, Chairman Cheon's face immediately stiffened, as if he had a premonition of what he was about to hear.
"I found the only surviving police officer who was involved in the case after a thorough search. He's living abroad."
"Was it a contract killing?"
Chairman Cheon might have had a vague idea. Even if he had turned a blind eye, blood ties don't just disappear.
"I'm sorry. I should have been more attentive."
"No, it's not your fault. Before we blame anyone, tell me who it was."
"It was Mr. Biao who was involved. That means the Cheongpung Society was behind it."
As the name Cheongpung Society was mentioned, Chairman Cheon closed his eyes silently.
Manager Ha stood in front of him like a sinner.
After a long silence, Chairman Cheon opened his eyes. His voice was trembling.
"What could the Cheongpung Society have gained by eliminating Misook? Is it something so significant that they would risk a war with me? Did I do something to them?"
Manager Ha didn't answer.
"Surely... not?"
"I'm sorry."
Manager Ha couldn't bring himself to mention that President Cheon Suwan was involved.
But it wasn't something that needed to be said to be known.
Chairman Cheon's expression crumbled.
"Tell me everything. Don't leave anything out or add anything. Just the facts."
"According to the man my staff met, he conducted a formal investigation under orders from his superiors. However, after all the investigators were killed, he was so scared that he immigrated. So we started investigating domestically."
While listening to this, Chairman Cheon interlocked his fingers and rubbed his thumbs together.
Manager Ha, who had been watching this, added with difficulty.
"They had infiltrated the upper echelons of the police force... and it was confirmed that President Cheon Suwan was involved."
Chairman Cheon's fingers stopped moving.
"It seems he didn't directly participate, but by intentionally blocking information from reaching the Chairman, it appears there was a prior agreement. If anyone would benefit from Miss Misook's death, it would be the presidents."
Even Manager Ha, who rarely showed emotion, had a trembling voice at the end.
Chairman Cheon's hands were visibly shaking.
"The two men who directly killed Miss Misook are currently being tracked. They are believed to be in the country, and we will capture them as soon as we find them."
Chairman Cheon didn't hear Manager Ha's words anymore.
The fact that his sons were involved in his daughter's death was enough to make him feel like the world was collapsing.
It was his fault for not paying enough attention to his sons.
The study, where their conversation had stopped, was filled only with the sound of their breathing.
"There's no need to capture them. Kill them. Don't let them die easily. Make them suffer the most painful death in the world... Yes, throw them to the dogs like in the old days."
"Understood."
"This must never reach Muhyuk's ears. Thoroughly find and eliminate everyone involved. As for Suwan... leave him alone for now."
"But..."
"I know you think of Misook like a sister. You were especially fond of the children when they were young. But... I can't kill my own blood with my own hands. Did Suhan know about this too?"
"From all the evidence, there's no sign of President Cheon Suhan's involvement."
"That's a relief."
Chairman Cheon sighed in relief upon hearing that there was no evidence of Cheon Suhan's involvement.
Manager Ha watched as Chairman Cheon, lost in thought, rubbed his chin.
After a long time, Chairman Cheon spoke.
"Myeonghoon."
"Yes, Chairman."
"If we were to go to war with the Cheongpung Society, what are our chances of winning?"
"War, you say?"
"Yes. If we go all out, with the intention that one of us will disappear, what are our chances?"
"Our chances of winning would be less than 20%."
"Damn..."
A sound came from Chairman Cheon's mouth, whether it was grinding his teeth or sighing, it was hard to tell.
"What if we use the ledger?"
"If we use it, we can increase our chances to 50%. However, Chairman, the moment you use it, all the power you have will turn to nothing. If you win, you'll lose everything—your family, your money, and even your life."
Chairman Cheon had a ledger that listed all the bribes he had given to politicians, bureaucrats, and military officials, including the Cheongpung Society, throughout his life. Even with that, the chances were only 50%.
Realizing that even if he risked everything, he couldn't guarantee victory, Chairman Cheon was at a loss for words and closed his eyes.
"Why would they team up with Suwan? What are they thinking?"
"They seem to have considered what would happen after you're gone. Haven't you been reducing support for the Cheongpung Society since the new military government? To them, President Cheon Suwan would be an easier opponent than you."
"Right, that makes sense. Now everything is clear. I thought they were just trying to get money, but they had their reasons. They had no choice but to give money."
Everything was falling into place.
Cheon Suwan's behavior, which seemed to be overly concerned with the Cheongpung Society.
And the reason why he was so wary and uncomfortable with Kim Muhyuk.
"Put the revenge on hold for now. Not yet. We can only take revenge when our chances of winning are over 70%."
"Understood. What about the presidents?"
"Leave them alone. I plan to send them to Jeju Island after transferring everything to Muhyuk. I must prevent bloodshed among family members. This story must never reach Muhyuk's ears."
"Understood."
"I need to be alone. You can go now."
Manager Ha carefully closed the door and left the study.
In the now silent study, the only sound was the old man's quiet sobs.
* * *
The grandfather, with tears in his eyes, couldn't answer.
"Grandfather, please... I don't want to hate you too."
"Muhyuk, I don't expect forgiveness. Can't you just let it go?"
"Let it go? Who can give me back my childhood without parents? I have to avenge my parents who died unjustly. Don't you understand? If we don't settle this now, they will eventually try to take my life too."
"Even so... how can I kill my own child with my own hands? Absolutely not, not until I die."
As expected.
The reason he had put off avenging the Cheon Suwan and Cheon Suhan brothers was because of his grandfather.
Even the iron-fisted grandfather was weak when it came to family.
"I won't ask you to kill them. Just remove them from my sight. Send them to a place where I will never see them again. Take away everything they have and make them realize their mistakes."
I could have killed them at any time.
I could still kill them if I wanted to.
But I didn't want to cause my grandfather the pain of losing another family member.
I wanted to believe in my grandfather's sincerity one more time.
"How did you find out?"
"That's not important now, Grandfather."
"Would it be enough to send Suwan abroad?"
"Only if you take away everything you've given him."
I was angry at the grandfather's inability to answer.
"Otherwise, I'll leave you. I'll go abroad and come back when I have the strength to take revenge on my own."
If the grandfather couldn't let go, I would let go.
"I'll leave Korea with Grandmother. Thank you for everything, Grandfather."
My firm words made the grandfather look bewildered for the first time.
"Muhyuk."
For the first time in two lifetimes, I turned my back on the grandfather's call and walked away.
The moment the study door opened, I decided to let go of all my attachments and build the strength to take revenge, even if it took a long time.
It was a feasible goal in this life.
"...I understand. Stop. I was wrong."
I stopped walking towards the door.
When I turned around, the grandfather was no longer the powerful Chairman Cheon, but just a powerless, lonely old man.
"I won't let the blood of my uncles stain my hands as long as you're alive. I promise."
"Did Suhan know too?"
"Yes. I heard it from him. Whether he found out late or knew from the beginning, he knew."
"Don't hate Jiwon, Jisu, and Jiyong."
I wasn't afraid of the grandfather anymore.
"Understood. I promise."
"Bring in Myeonghoon."
Manager Ha, who entered with a stiff face, had heard everything.
"Did you hear everything? Take back everything you've given to those two. I'll call the chairman of Ilseong, and you go to Jiyong's mother and get her to sign the divorce papers."
"Chairman, are you sure?"
The grandfather didn't answer Manager Ha.
"And when you've taken everything, send them abroad. Give them enough money to settle down, but not too much. They still need to survive."
"Chairman..."
The grandfather was still the grandfather, even to the end.
But I didn't say anything more. There was no need to push further.
"Put everything on hold and do this first. Take away all the privileges Suhan is receiving now. When he comes out, send him abroad like Suwan."
"Understood."
"Is this enough?"
"Yes."
"Both of you, leave. I need to be alone."
The grandfather, who dismissed us, turned to look out the window.
We left the room.
"Manager Ha, you went too far. How could you not tell me about my mother?"
"I'm sorry. I was also deeply affected by Miss Misook's case."
"...I believe you."
I left the house, leaving Manager Ha behind.
It was a day I couldn't bear to face with a clear mind.
"Take me to Myeongsoo's house."
Manager Ma drove the car without a word.
A short while later, we arrived at Myeongsoo's house.
When I rang the doorbell, Myeongsoo opened the door.
"What are you doing here without even calling?"
Myeongsoo, who was speaking as he opened the door, stopped when he saw my face.
"You came? What's wrong?"
At his words, my vision blurred.
"Why is this guy dragging it out? Come in first."
I went into the house with Myeongsoo.
Myeongsoo, who brought a glass of cold water, handed it to me.
"Seriously, this guy never cries, and now he's here making a fuss. What's going on? What happened?"
"Do you have any alcohol?"
"Yeah, I do."
"Give it to me."
After looking at my face, Myeongsoo sighed and brought out the soju.
I took the bottle from him as he was about to pour it and drank it all in one go.
"Is this guy really crazy?"
The sharp smell of alcohol filled my nose and throat.
"Myeongsoo, let's just be like this today. I'm sorry."
Holding onto Myeongsoo, I poured out all the emotions I had left.
I cried until I was exhausted and fell asleep.
The next day, when I woke up, I made a resolution.
I wouldn't be sad anymore.
Being sad wouldn't get me what I wanted.
'Always stay on guard. Live in fear of when you might die.'
The promise I made to the grandfather was not to kill them.