Free Web NovelThe small countryside village in Chungcheong-do where Grandfather was born.
When he bought a low mountain there, he simply declared it our family burial ground. There were no other ancestral graves.
Born the son of a poor peasant, Grandfather lived through Japanese colonial rule, the American military administration, and the turbulent years of military politics in Korea—building his own kingdom in the process.
His coffin, simple and modest, was laid to rest in the graveyard despite the title of Loan Shark King of Myeongdong. We held our final moment of mourning.
‘Grandfather, I’ll come often. And later, I’ll bring Mother here too.’
Since Grandmother was still alive, I couldn’t yet move Father and Mother’s remains here.
As I lowered my head, sorting out the tangle of emotions inside, a gentle hand touched me and Grandmother’s voice followed.
“Muhyuk, your grandfather went smiling. Now those who remain must live smiling too. Only then can he rest peacefully in heaven.”
“Yes, Grandma.”
Hearing my faint reply, she slowly stroked my back.
“Good. That’s enough.”
She was right. The best filial duty I could offer now was to live well.
It was the very thing I had longed to hear throughout the funeral. My heart felt lighter.
When all the rituals ended, we came down from the mountain.
“I’ll be going now.”
“Yeah, you did well.”
Cheon Jiwon gave us a brief farewell and left with the people from Ilseong.
“I should get going too. I’ll call you later.”
At Cheon Jisoo’s words, I shook my head.
“No. Don’t call me. I don’t want to be entangled with you anymore.”
“...”
“This is a warning.”
It was over now.
I had no intention of involving myself with them again. Nor any desire to.
I wouldn’t go out of my way to drag them into account. Grandfather never wanted that.
But if they stood in my path, I would not forgive them.
“Take this to heart. Don’t dismiss it.”
My cold words froze Jisoo’s face.
“Jisoo.”
From afar, Seo Heekyung called her. Only then did Jisoo sigh as she looked back at me.
“Ha... You really haven’t changed, not then and not now...” fɾēewebnσveℓ.com
She swallowed the rest of her words and turned away.
She still looked like she had something left to say, but I didn’t stop her. Soon she and Seo Heekyung left the parking lot.
“Oppa.”
“Oh, Jiyoung.”
When I turned, Jiyoung spoke hesitantly.
“Could you... manage Grandfather’s deposits for me? I don’t really know what to do with that much money...”
I couldn’t help but smile faintly.
“Isn’t more money always better?”
I didn’t remember the exact amount of Grandfather’s domestic deposits.
But it was enough to last an ordinary person several lifetimes.
“I already can’t spend everything I earn.”
“Still, since it was passed down from Grandfather, I want you to hold it.”
“...Alright. But if you ever need money, tell me. I’ll lend it to you.”
That finally made me laugh.
I lightly patted her shoulder as she returned to her usual self.
“Ha, are you worrying about me now?”
“The most useless worry in the world, right?”
“You know me well. Still, thanks.”
“I’ll head off now. It’s still too hard.”
“Yeah, don’t force yourself. Rest for a while.”
She had just released a new album.
But in this state, working would be impossible.
“You’re right. I’ll handle it.”
“If you need anything, call me. And even if you don’t, call just to check in.”
“Okay, I will.”
Jiyoung ran toward her waiting managers.
They glanced nervously at me, bowing their heads. I gave them a small nod.
They knew who I was—there’d be no reckless behavior.
“Oppa! I’ll call you!”
Before getting into the car, she shouted brightly.
I could see she was forcing herself to act cheerful. I waved back with a large gesture.
“We’ll head out too. Once things settle, let’s all get together for a drink.”
Myungsoo, Hyunseong, and the rest of my friends who had stayed by me were now preparing to leave. I nodded.
“Thank you, all of you.”
“What nonsense. Enough of that. Hyunseong and I will take care of Grandma, so you finish things up here.”
Myungsoo took Grandmother’s hand as he spoke.
It was reassuring in a way I hadn’t realized until now, having people of my own.
“Thanks, all of you. I won’t forget it.”
They were each busy with their own lives.
And yet, they had stood by the funeral for days. I looked around at them one by one in gratitude.
“Just buy us a good round of drinks sometime.”
“Yeah, let’s do that soon.”
When even they left, the parking lot beneath the family graves was filled only with the sound of birds.
I gazed for a while at the mountain slope where Grandfather’s grave rested, then turned away.
“Let’s head back to Pyeongchang-dong.”
It was time to put aside grief and return to my place.
After a long drive, we arrived in the quiet neighborhood.
The study, empty of its longtime master, felt frozen in time.
I hung Grandfather’s photo on the wall behind the desk visible upon entering.
Staring at his stern face for a long while, I finally turned, sat in the chair, leaned back, and closed my eyes.
The funeral was over. Now I had to deal with everything else, slowly but steadily.
After gathering my thoughts, I pressed the bell at my side. Ha Myeonghun and Chief Ma entered from where they had been waiting.
“Chief, call in all the mercenaries stationed in Korea and assign them under Director Ha.”
“Yes, sir.”
Chief Ma immediately left the room.
“And Director, let’s finish this. Once the mercenaries arrive, handle the cleanup as you see fit. After this, avoid taking the field yourself.”
“But...”
“There are plenty of men with blades. I won’t use my people as disposable tools.”
I spoke firmly before he could continue.
“Of course, anything tied to Grandfather will be left to you. But aside from that, you should now act as befits the Chairman of Taesan Finance.”
“...Understood.”
At last, he nodded.
“Dismiss all household staff here except for the housekeeper. They’ve worked long enough—make sure they’re properly compensated.”
“Yes.”
Even long-term staff, like the gardener, could turn.
This was the time to clear everything out.
“New staff will be chosen by Chief Ma. You’ll stay in the penthouse atop the headquarters once you’re inaugurated as chairman.”
From now on, he had to be a figure worthy of Taesan Finance.
Though he had always served Grandfather from the shadows, hidden from public view, I knew Ha Myeonghun was sharper than any so-called economic expert.
“When this is finished, live under your own name, not as Grandfather’s blade. Live as Ha Myeonghun. You’ve done enough.”
“...”
A man who had lived his whole life as a shadow for Grandfather.
I wanted him now to step into the light under his own name—and stand with me.
That was why I entrusted him with the chairmanship.
“Go now. Before you wrap things up, find out everything Sooman knows.”
“Yes, sir.”
He bowed and left. Silence settled once more in the study.
For a moment, I imagined I could hear Grandfather’s familiar laughter from the photo hanging behind me.
* * *
“Hyung.”
When Ha Myeonghun stepped out of the study, Ma Seokdae approached him.
“When’s the mercenary team arriving?”
“In about an hour.”
“Then let’s talk until then.”
Ha Myeonghun clapped him lightly on the shoulder and led him to his room.
“Sit.”
Facing him across the table, Ha Myeonghun spoke gravely.
“Seokdae, my time is over. Once I finish with Cheon Sooman, I’ll leave this house. You must serve the boss well.”
Ma Seokdae had already guessed as much.
The role Ha Myeonghun had played for the chairman was now his to take.
“You’ll do it better than I did. I was the oldest among the orphanage brothers, that’s why I served the chairman. But you—you’re far more capable.”
“...Hyung.”
Ma Seokdae looked at him with a softness he had never shown anyone.
Ha Myeonghun chuckled playfully.
“If you’re ever struggling, come find me. Can’t I at least listen to my little brother’s troubles?”
But the talk soon grew serious again.
“And you’ll have to select the household staff yourself now. Choose only trustworthy people. Don’t repeat my mistake.”
“...Who could have guessed the gardener? He tended the Pyeongchang-dong gardens for decades.”
Ha Myeonghun always blamed himself.
Ma Seokdae frowned at his self-reproach.
“Still, it was my failure. Never trust anyone too much. If someone inside the house betrays us, the boss will be in danger.”
“Got it.”
“And look after the others well.”
“It’s not like we won’t see each other. Enough already.”
Ha Myeonghun smiled faintly.
Despite his words, he knew Seokdae would take good care of everyone.
Glancing at the clock, he rose from his seat.
“I should get ready.”
Seokdae stood as well.
“Once this is over, let’s all gather again.”
“Yeah. Take care of yourself.”
After patting his shoulder a few times, Ha Myeonghun wiped the smile from his face and walked out.
Ma Seokdae watched his back for a long time until he vanished from the house.
“Everyone, prepare.”
Outside, Ha Myeonghun rejoined the waiting men.
“The mercenary team will be here soon. Shake off as many tails as possible. If any still follow—cut their throats. I’m counting on you.”
Before long, the team arrived. After a quick exchange with their leader, Ha Myeonghun got into the car.
The moment they left Pyeongchang-dong and reached the main road, tailing cars appeared openly.
“Chairman Seo must be burning with anxiety.”
He muttered, leaning back in his seat and closing his eyes.
The convoy entered a national highway leading into Gyeonggi-do.
Half of the mercenary vehicles suddenly blocked both sides of the road.
Horns blared as bewildered civilians filled the air with noise and panic.
But unconcerned, Ha Myeonghun’s car slipped away.
After shaking off pursuers several times this way, night had fallen by the time they reached the holding site for Cheon Sooman.
It was a secret mountain lodge owned by Ha Myeonghun, deep in the forest.
No landlines. No cell reception. Perfect for what needed to be done.
“No one followed us?”
“No, we checked repeatedly.”
“Let’s go in.”
When he stepped out of the car, the mountain wind cooled his cheek.
He paused, staring up at the dark sky.
Inside the lodge, Sooman awaited. A faint sigh escaped his lips.
“When I go in, all of you wait outside.”
“Yes, sir.”
With his expression hardened, he entered.
The staff inside bowed deeply.
“No problems?”
“He suddenly went violent, so he got hurt a bit. I’m sorry.”
“It doesn’t matter. And?”
“He’s tied to a chair.”
He nodded and opened the door.
At the sound, Sooman raised his head.
The moment his eyes met Ha Myeonghun’s, his gaze shook violently.
“Leave us. I need to speak with him alone.”
“Yes, sir.”
The staff departed, leaving silence behind.
Ha Myeonghun dragged a chair over, sat directly in front of Sooman, and stared at him.
His eyes carried no warmth. No anger. Nothing at all.
“President Cheon... why did you do it? The chairman never gave up on you.”
Sooman, gagged, let out muffled noises.
When Ha Myeonghun removed the gag, he immediately began pleading.
“Myeonghun, it’s not what you think... I never wanted to... I tried not to...”
“President Cheon. No—Hyung. You’ve always been like this. You cause disasters without thought and then make excuses. And my brothers had to pay the price.”
Terrified, Sooman blurted,
“Myeonghun, think of Father!”
For the first time, a faint shadow of sorrow crossed Ha Myeonghun’s face.
He remembered the very first day he met Chairman Cheon.
