Free Web Novel“You didn’t call me here to ask that, did you?”
Kim Hakgwon frowned, displeased with my answer, and glared at me.
“Why ask something everyone already knows? It’s as you know. I am Kim Muhyuk.”
“Don’t play word games with me!”
Kim Hakgwon slammed the armrest of his chair and shouted.
I had to suppress the urge to laugh.
“Who am I, then? I’m simply the man who did everything possible to put you in that seat, Mr. President. Money, public opinion, even Han Kyungyeong—I used everything to support you. And what did I get in return?”
Kim Hakgwon, realizing he’d misspoken, softened his tone a little.
“There was a shootout where you were, and several people died. Shouldn’t that be investigated? Don’t assume that just because I’m the president, I know everything. I learned of this late myself—that’s why I called you to the Blue House. Isn’t that right?”
“That’s correct, Your Excellency.”
At Kim Hakgwon’s glance, National Intelligence Service Director Lee Chanjong bowed his head in response.
Watching him trying to hide his thoughts, unaware that I already knew everything, was almost amusing.
“Fine, let’s say that’s true. But then why summon me to the Blue House? If I’ve committed a crime, punish me. If not, release me.”
“...”
“It was humiliating enough to be dragged here without warning, but to be interrogated at the Blue House? I didn’t expect that.”
Kim Hakgwon looked genuinely unsettled.
Did he think I’d be pleased with this situation?
I had thought he was a shrewd political player, but perhaps the unexpected turn of events had shaken him more than he could hide.
“What exactly did you do? Ever since you entered the NIS, every American investor in Korea has been pulling out their money.”
“Is that so? Then Korea will be shaken again. I wonder who will offer a helping hand now. Who helps someone who has no integrity?”
Kim Hakgwon closed his eyes tightly.
“...Stop this. You started it, didn’t you?”
“I’m just a loan shark. I happen to have a small connection with Han Kyungyeong, who made it big in the U.S. Do you really think I’m the one moving America?”
Even now, I was sure Kim Hakgwon didn’t know the full story.
Yet he shook his head, his face tense.
“There must be something you can do. I’ve been in politics for decades—I trust my instincts. This reeks of your handiwork, even if I don’t know how you did it.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Kim Hakgwon’s expression hardened.
“Korea could collapse. Millions of people could end up in the streets. Should we push our already struggling citizens into an even deeper corner?”
“That’s not for me to solve—that’s your job as president.”
“And that’s why I’m asking you now, isn’t it? What do you want? Tell me what you need, and I’ll make it happen.”
There it was—the conviction in his tone that I was behind everything.
That surprised me.
He had no proof. Was it just intuition?
“What I want, huh...”
“Yes. Tell me what you want.”
To stop him from bothering me again, I had to show him a glimpse of the power I held.
I smiled coldly, and Kim Hakgwon’s face stiffened.
“I want Cheongpunghoe completely eradicated from Korea. I don’t care if its members are in the Progressive Party or the Conservative Party—every last one of them should stand trial. Their assets confiscated by the state, their power stripped away, everything they’ve enjoyed destroyed.”
Kim Hakgwon’s eyes widened, then returned to normal.
“You can’t uproot them entirely. Even with Lee Yonghyeon dead, their roots run deep in Korea—you know that.”
“Yes, I do. Lee Yonghyeon was the Chairman, but the group includes former military junta members, descendants of pro-Japanese collaborators, and people who simply chase power.”
“Exactly. At best, I can set an example by putting a few of them on trial.”
Even now, his priority was his political position.
I was starting to get irritated.
“Then what are you offering me? Are you expecting me to punish them myself?”
“You...”
“I’m not asking you to frame innocent people. Every citizen of Korea already condemns them. And yet, because of political convenience, you’re telling me you’ll just cut off a few expendable tails?”
My voice rose without my realizing it.
“Now is the right time. This is the perfect opportunity to purge pro-Japanese collaborators and their corrupt political heirs. The people demand it. With your determination, it’s possible.”
The room fell silent.
“This is the president’s office. Lower your voice,” snarled Chief of Staff Park Wonseop, glaring at me.
I didn’t even look at him.
“Choose. National bankruptcy, or the eradication of Cheongpunghoe. I don’t care which.”
The silence stretched.
Kim Hakgwon studied me for a long moment, then finally spoke.
“Do you have the ability to reverse this situation?”
“If you make the decision, yes. I’ll show you, not just tell you. May I make a quick call?”
Kim Hakgwon nodded.
I pulled out my phone and called Han Kyungyeong, holding it slightly away from my ear so everyone could hear.
“Hyung?”
— Muhyuk? What happened?
“I’m talking to the president now. You can reverse everything, right?”
— Of course.
Kim Hakgwon closed his eyes.
His deliberation had been long, but his final decision was short.
“Do it. Restore things to normal.”
“Understood. I’ll trust you one more time, Mr. President.”
The four faces in the office each showed something different.
Chief of Staff Park Wonseop looked humiliated.
NIS Director Lee Chanjong was expressionless.
President Kim Hakgwon looked resigned.
And I was smiling.
“I’ll comply with government policy. Han Kyungyeong will buy all the gold collected from the National Gold Campaign and store it with the Bank of Korea.”
If I pushed too hard, it would only breed resentment.
“I’ll also have Eva expedite the bank acquisition process. I’ll tell her to actively participate in the big deals you’re planning.”
My sudden change in tone made Kim Hakgwon visibly relieved. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
After a moment’s hesitation, he asked me,
“...May I ask you one thing?”
“Yes.”
“Are you the owner of Dreamhigh and Future Investment? Without that, none of this makes sense.”
He stared at me searchingly.
“I do know the people who invested in Dreamhigh. But I’m not in a position to call myself the owner.”
Kim Hakgwon didn’t seem convinced, but he didn’t press further.
Instead, he nodded in resignation.
“I’ll order an immediate investigation into Cheongpunghoe. I’ll mobilize the prosecutors, the police, and the NIS.”
“Understood. I’ll contact Dreamhigh.”
As I stood to leave, Kim Hakgwon asked one last question.
“You’re certain you had nothing to do with Lee Yonghyeon’s death?”
“Yes. He was already dead when I arrived.”
“I’ll have it ruled a suicide. Multiple shootouts in different locations would only make the public panic. Keep this to yourself.”
“Understood.”
I gave him a small smile.
“I hope we can maintain a good relationship.”
He didn’t respond.
Leaving the Blue House, I headed straight to Korea National University Hospital, where Chief Ha was hospitalized.
I had also called Manager Ma at the NIS to meet me there.
Chief Ha had undergone surgery and was now in the intensive care unit.
“How’s Grandfather?”
“He was exhausted, so we took him back home to rest.”
“I heard Team Leader Jin was badly injured too. He’s at the police hospital, right?”
“Yes, but his life isn’t in danger.”
“He’ll be released soon.”
Chief Ha was unconscious, but a bodyguard stood watch outside the ICU.
I sought out the surgeon.
“How did the surgery go?”
“Fortunately, the injury wasn’t in a critical area.”
“When can he be moved to a regular room?”
“As soon as he regains consciousness.”
“Please place him in the best room available.”
“Yes, Chairman Cheon requested the same.”
Relieved, I obtained permission to briefly visit Chief Ha.
He lay there as if sleeping.
The thought that my grandfather would have died without him sent a chill through me.
“Thank you, Chief.”
I bowed my head to the unconscious man before leaving.
“Call me as soon as he’s awake and moved to a regular room. And don’t let anyone near him except hospital staff.”
“Understood.”
As I stepped outside, fatigue washed over me.
“Boss!”
Manager Ma had arrived.
“Chief Ha’s life isn’t in danger. I’ll stop by Grandfather’s house and rest for a bit. Tomorrow, we head to Busan.”
Manager Ma’s face brightened at the news.
“If you want to stay with Chief Ha, stay.”
“No, Boss. My place is at your side.”
“Then let’s head to Pyeongchang-dong.”
When we arrived, the yard was still in disarray, but the interior had been cleaned up.
Inside, the housekeeper greeted me.
“Master.”
“You must’ve been frightened.”
“I stayed in my room the whole time.”
“How’s Grandfather?”
“He ate a little and went to bed. Would you like to eat?”
“No, I just want to rest.”
Leaving her behind, I reached my room on the second floor.
“Take a break too, Manager. Wake me if Grandfather asks for me.”
“Understood.”
Too tired to even wash, I collapsed onto the bed.
Finally, it felt like something had ended.
* * *
While Kim Muhyuk slept, Han Kyungyeong was meeting with U.S. Treasury Secretary Robert Rubin.
“You can resume supporting Korea now.”
“Good. The State Department and the Pentagon were pressuring us already.”
The State Department’s diplomatic concerns and the Pentagon’s worry that North Korea might take advantage of Korea’s crisis aligned perfectly.
The Treasury Department couldn’t resist their pressure much longer.
“I kept my promise. Now it’s your turn.”
“The Boss will be arriving in the U.S. soon.”
Kim Muhyuk had promised to grant the Treasury one favor in return for their help.
Rubin was smiling broadly.
The reward far outweighed the effort.
“The economic crisis that started in East Asia is now shaking the Russian bear. The IMF, Japan, and even the U.S. government are negotiating with them, but they’re stubborn.”
“Yes, I’m aware.”
“America has heavily invested in Russia—not just in bonds, but in everything. But it’s about to backfire.”
“They’ll surrender eventually.”
Russia’s defiance, unlike other nations, had even driven the IMF to the point of leaving without results.
The international situation was volatile.
* * *
“Boss, the Chairman wants to see you.”
I woke to Manager Ma’s voice.
“What time is it?”
“Four a.m.”
I shook off my drowsiness and got up.
“After I speak with Grandfather, we leave for Busan. Be ready.”
Downstairs, the study door was closed, but Grandfather was sitting in the living room.
“Muhyuk. Sit.”
“Yes, sir.”
As I sat, Grandfather suddenly reached out his hand.
When I took it, he bowed his head.
“Thank you. Thank you.”
“Sir?”
“You avenged Misook for me.”
His bloodshot eyes spoke volumes.
“No. This was something I wanted to do.”
“I lived to see it before I died. Thanks to you.”
He kept repeating his gratitude.
My voice trembled slightly.
“Don’t worry about anything anymore. Just focus on your health. I’ll handle everything, starting with Myeongdong.”
“Yes, yes.”
Losing a child must have hurt him far more than losing my parents hurt me.
Now freed of both vengeance and guilt, Grandfather seemed frailer than ever.
“Chief Ha’s life isn’t in danger. You heard, right?”
“Myeonghun saved me.”
Grandfather muttered, almost to himself, then spoke more firmly.
“Now, bury Misook’s death in your heart and follow your own path. This is my last request.”
Leaving those weighty words behind, Grandfather ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) returned to his room.
As we drove out of Pyeongchang-dong toward Busan, a single thought echoed in my mind.
‘Grandfather knows I’ll kill Cheon Sooman after he’s gone.’
Despite the storm in my head, the car sped smoothly toward Busan.
