Free Web NovelYoon Hyungmin sat in the Seoul District Prosecutor’s Office chief’s room, sipping coffee with a smile.
Bae Beomgyu spoke, trying to hide his discomfort.
“I didn’t expect you to move personally, Mr. Yoon.”
“Neither did I. Who would’ve thought the prosecution would harass a businessman?”
“Harass? According to my report, there are clear charges.”
“Really? Then do it by the book. I suppose I should be in the interrogation room, not sitting here.”
Bae Beomgyu frowned.
“Mr. Yoon, why are you acting like this? You know how things work.” ƒrēewebnovel.com
“Let’s not play dumb, Chief Prosecutor. I know this is under Lee Yonghyeon’s orders. I have no bad blood with Cheongpunghoe, but when your own son causes such a mess, what parent can win against their child?”
“Khmm.”
Bae Beomgyu cleared his throat awkwardly, his hand tightening around his coffee cup.
Yoon Hyungmin smiled faintly.
“...I’ll be direct since you understand. I’ll keep the case tied up for a few months. Wouldn’t it be a good thing to drag Kim Muhyuk down with it while we’re at it? Just a few months.”
“Haha, my son will scold me for this. Trading sentences is our specialty, but this one isn’t something we can bargain over.”
“Mr. Yoon.”
Ignoring Bae Beomgyu calling his name, Yoon Hyungmin calmly lifted his coffee cup.
Bae Beomgyu’s expression stiffened further.
“Mr. Yoon, I know a significant portion of Yoon & Jang’s profits come from Japan. So why are you doing this? Don’t you know who’s really behind Cheongpunghoe?”
“I know. But my old instincts are telling me Kim Muhyuk is a bigger client than Japan. There’s nothing more to discuss. I’ll be taking Muhyuk with me.”
Yoon Hyungmin put down his coffee and stood. Bae Beomgyu, looking troubled, also rose from his seat.
Just then, the door opened, and Prosecutor General Yoon Changho entered.
“Prosecutor General? What brings you here...?”
“Why so cold? Can’t I visit? The room looks different—your style, Chief?”
Yoon Hyungmin nodded politely at Yoon Changho, who was casually looking around.
“It’s been a while, Prosecutor General.”
“Oh, I heard you were here, so I dropped by. Leaving already?”
“Since you came all this way, I’ll stay longer.”
Yoon Changho nodded and naturally took the seat of honor. Yoon Hyungmin followed, while Bae Beomgyu, the actual owner of the room, was left standing awkwardly.
“What are you waiting for? Sit down.”
At Yoon Changho’s words, Bae Beomgyu reluctantly sat, his face tight.
“What brings you here, Prosecutor General?”
“You really need to ask? You arrested one of our juniors. Did you think we’d stay quiet? Do you know how hard it was to stop all the prosecutors at the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office from rushing here?”
“What are you...”
“Bae, if you’re aiming at me, aim properly. Don’t shoot at random.”
“You misunderstand.”
“Misunderstand? Weren’t you the one who reassigned all Korea National University alumni from Seoul District? You seem to be getting along very well with the Senior Presidential Secretary for Civil Affairs.”
Bae Beomgyu grimaced, unable to hide it. The Senior Presidential Secretary and Bae had gone to the same school, same class.
“Personnel appointments are under my authority, Prosecutor General.”
“I know. That’s why I didn’t say anything. But don’t cross the line. Can you handle it? I know you’ve got Cheongpunghoe backing you, but Cheon Taesan isn’t dead yet.”
Yoon Changho’s calm words made Bae Beomgyu’s mouth tighten.
“That loan shark old man? Without Cheongpunghoe’s protection, he would’ve been in prison long ago.”
“Tsk. You still don’t get it. It bothers me, seeing you like this—it reminds me of my younger, stupider self.”
Yoon Changho clicked his tongue, then looked at Yoon Hyungmin.
“Ah, sorry. I’ve been talking prosecution politics in front of you.”
“Haha, no problem. It’s interesting to watch.”
“This is what the prosecution’s like these days. They don’t even report to the Prosecutor General. I’m treated like some old man in the backroom.”
“You seem quite sharp for a so-called backroom old man.”
“Mr. Yoon, you came to defend our junior, didn’t you? Must be tough.”
“You know how it is—you can’t say no to your kid.”
“Haha, no parent can beat their child.”
For a while, the two chatted, deliberately ignoring Bae Beomgyu.
Finally, Bae Beomgyu couldn’t take it anymore.
“What exactly are you doing here?”
“Talking. What does it look like?”
“Why are you two having a conversation in my office? Just state your business and leave.”
“Well, would you look at that, Mr. Yoon.”
Yoon Changho shook his head with exaggerated innocence, but then his smile disappeared.
“Release Kim Muhyuk immediately. That’s an order.”
“I can’t. He’s being charged with involvement in a criminal organization and even incitement to murder. He’s a serious criminal.”
“Got evidence? Get a warrant then. Why are you doing things that’ll bite you later? Do you plan to drag the whole prosecution into disrepute just because of your ambition?”
Bae Beomgyu’s face twisted.
“I suppose you’re worried about your own safety, Prosecutor General.”
“Fine. Starting today, the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office will launch an audit on you. Do whatever you want.”
“We won’t just sit back.”
“Haha, good. One of us will leave in disgrace, then. I’ve already reached the top. I’ve got nothing left to lose. Let’s see how this ends.”
The atmosphere was getting more tense when a knock interrupted. An assistant prosecutor entered.
“Prosecutor General, Chief Prosecutor. A guest is here.”
Bae Beomgyu snapped irritably.
“Who told you to barge in? Do you want to die?”
“Calm down, Bae.”
Through the open door, supported by Manager Ha, Cheon Taesan walked in.
Everyone, including Prosecutor General Yoon Changho, ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ stood up immediately.
“Chairman.”
“Yoon Prosecutor General, it’s been a while. Mr. Yoon, it’s been a year, hasn’t it? Bae, it’s been ages.”
Bae Beomgyu’s face twisted further. Both Yoon Changho and Cheon Taesan deliberately called him “Bae” instead of “Chief Prosecutor.”
“Chairman, what brings you here? You don’t look well.”
“Haha, just an old man waiting to die. I wouldn’t have come unless Bae dragged me out. May I sit?”
“Please, this way.”
Yoon Changho quickly vacated his seat of honor.
“Thank you, Prosecutor General.”
“You honor us, Chairman.”
Cheon Taesan sat, his face tired but his presence overwhelming.
“Sit, everyone. I don’t have the strength to keep looking up.”
“Yes.”
As everyone sat, the air turned icy.
The frail old man was gone; this was Cheon Taesan, the man who naturally ruled over others.
“Bae, do you know who you’re dealing with?”
“Kim Muhyuk’s charges are too clear.”
“Lee Yonghyeon’s orders?”
“If he’s innocent, he’ll return home.”
Cheon Taesan’s expression hardened at Bae Beomgyu’s evasive answers.
“Are you sure about this?”
“Yes.”
“So, Yonghyeon ignored my warning. I told him—never touch my grandson while I’m alive.”
“Chairman, without the Hoeju’s protection, you wouldn’t even be here. Everything you have is thanks to him.”
Cheon Taesan chuckled darkly, then turned to Yoon Changho.
“Prosecutor General, I’ll send you something fun for the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office.”
“What...?”
“You have less than a year left in your term, right?”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Then enjoy one last dance with your sword. I’ll send you the list of people who took Cheongpunghoe’s money. Bae’s name is on it.”
“Chairman!”
Bae Beomgyu’s face went pale, but Cheon Taesan didn’t even blink.
“Whose money do you think it was? All mine. I’m a businessman. Do you think I wouldn’t keep records of who I paid? Yonghyeon ignored my warning, so I’m simply keeping my word.”
Yoon Changho’s face tightened too; he knew he wasn’t free from that list. But Cheon Taesan just smiled as if it meant nothing.
“I won’t give you the original. I’ll only send the names of Cheongpunghoe officials. If you won’t handle it, I’ll find someone else.”
“No, Chairman. I’ll do it myself.”
“Right. Looks like I’ll be spending my final days in prison, somewhere I’ve never set foot in my entire life. Hahaha.”
Manager Ha stood silently behind him, but the sorrow in his eyes was evident as he looked at Chairman Cheon.
Cheon Taesan, his face calm, added flatly,
“Tell your master this—either release my grandson or take this to the bitter end. I’ll be waiting.”
Bae Beomgyu glared at him, then snatched up the phone and hurried out of the room.
“Mr. Yoon, you came here yourself?”
“Haha. He’s practically like a son to me. Of course I had to come personally.”
“Thank you.”
After those words, Cheon Taesan leaned back against the chair, closing his eyes as if exhausted. Yoon Changho, Yoon Hyungmin, and Manager Ha all watched him silently.
Moments later, Bae Beomgyu returned, his face flushed with humiliation.
“We’ll release him now. We must have misunderstood. I apologize, Chairman.”
At that, Cheon Taesan slowly opened his eyes.
He looked down at Bae Beomgyu’s bowed head and spoke, his voice heavy.
“Bae, don’t think for a second that you could’ve kept Muhyuk locked up if I hadn’t come here. My grandson isn’t someone you could ever hold.”
“...”
“Myeonghun, let’s go.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
Manager Ha helped him to his feet. Bae Beomgyu, unable to withstand that cold stare, looked away.
“I’ll be leaving now.”
“Take care, Chairman. I’ll visit once I retire.”
“Haha, I’ll hold you to that.”
Cheon Taesan began to walk away, Manager Ha matching his slow pace.
* * *
“Ha... damn it. Just leave already.”
“Next time, contact Yoon & Jang first.”
“I said I get it! Just go!”
I walked out of the interrogation room past the annoyed senior prosecutor, Yoon Jaeha by my side.
As soon as we stepped into the parking lot, Manager Ma rushed over.
“Are you all right, sir?”
“Yeah. I wasn’t even in there for long.”
“The Chairman came here.”
“My grandfather?”
I widened my eyes in surprise at the unexpected news.
“Yes, but he already left.”
“He’s not even in good health...”
“Should we head to Pyeongchang-dong?”
“Yes, we should.”
I turned to Yoon Jaeha.
“Thanks for today. I’ll buy you a drink next time.”
“Make it an expensive one.”
“Haha, deal.”
After saying goodbye to him, I got into the car.
The Seoul District Prosecutor’s Office slowly disappeared from view outside the window, but the ride felt unusually slow—probably because I was worried about my grandfather.
“How’s the Chairman?”
As soon as I entered the house, I asked Manager Ha.
“He’s resting. Must’ve been tired.”
“I didn’t even tell him. How did he know?”
I hadn’t planned on telling him; I didn’t think he needed to get involved. But he’d come all the way to the Seoul District Prosecutor’s Office himself.
“I tried to stop him, but he insisted.”
“Could you ever win against him? What did the hospital say? Still the same?”
“Yes. They keep saying it’s just age. Feels like nothing but quacks.”
Manager Ha’s face showed clear displeasure—he was just as worried about the Chairman’s health.
“Stay close to him. You’re the only one I trust.”
“Of course. I haven’t left his side lately. But... are you sure you’re all right?”
“I wasn’t even there long. I’ll pay them back for what they did.”
“Do you have a plan?”
“You’ll see. I’ll start by shaking Cheongpunghoe’s backing.”
At my cold words, Manager Ha nodded.
Leaving him, I went upstairs to my room with Manager Ma.
“Manager, what about Go Miju?”
“She’s hosting a drug party tomorrow at a hotel in Gangnam.”
“Go there yourself. Don’t delegate this.”
After he left, I immediately called Han Kyungyeong.
“Hyung, what did Rubin say?”
— “Ah, Muhyuk? At first, he was furious, said it was impossible. But I told him most of the profit would go to Wall Street banks. Then I reminded him of the promise I made to you, and he reluctantly agreed. He just asked us to keep it moderate.”
“Japan and Korea are both crucial to the U.S. They don’t want to see them collapse simultaneously.”
— “True.”
“Let’s move up the schedule.”
— “Huh? Why?”
“They came after me first.”
I explained what had happened over the past few days. Han cursed loudly.
— “These lunatics don’t even know what they’re doing. Just leak everything and end it.”
“Do I have to explain again?”
— “Sigh... fine. When do we move?”
“Coordinate with Wall Street and do it as soon as possible. A Japanese bank just went bankrupt. That’ll shake Japan’s markets, making it easier to hit them.”
— “All right. I’ll come back to Korea once everything’s set.”
“No, you handle Japan. I’ll take care of things here in Korea.”
— “Got it.”
After hanging up, I stared at the phone for a moment.
“It’s about time to start cleaning up.”
A few days later, holding the evidence Manager Ma had gathered, I headed to my meeting with Go Hosun, the CEO who effectively controlled Koryeo Daily and its subsidiaries on behalf of honorary chairman Go Eungsu.
In the car, Manager Ma handed me an envelope with photos of Go Miju.
“Clear shots, sir.”
“I can imagine the rest. No need to show me the video.”
“Understood.”
The photos alone were enough to paint the picture.
Soon, we arrived at Koryeo Hotel, owned by Koryeo Daily.
“Welcome. So, what’s this about? You said you had something to discuss privately.”
Go Hosun looked relaxed, a hint of curiosity on his face—clearly unaware of what was coming.
“I brought you something interesting, Mr. Go.”
< The Beginning of the Counterattack > End.
