Free Web NovelI spent several days in Busan, taking a good rest and organizing my thoughts.
Since I was already down here, I took Grandma—who refused no matter how much I insisted—to a university hospital.
— There are no particular issues. But given her age, small ailments are inevitable.
I was relieved to hear that she was healthy. I had been worried because she had been sleeping much more lately.
The doctor said it was a natural part of aging, which reassured me a little.
— However, since there was once a problem with her heart, there is a chance of recurrence. She must continue regular checkups and care, just like now.
At those words, I thought about bringing her to Seoul to live with me, but I quickly dismissed the idea.
I had already mentioned it several times before, but Grandma had always refused to leave Busan.
If I kept pushing, she would only feel pressured.
“Phew...”
Ever since I came back from taking a walk with her, I couldn’t stop thinking.
In the end, I could only let out a sigh rising from deep within.
After a while, I collected my tangled thoughts and checked the clock hanging on the wall.
‘They should’ve gathered by now.’
Even though I’d left it to Yoo Seongjin, it still felt wrong not ~Nоvеl𝕚ght~ to show my face. At least letting them hear my voice would be the right thing to do.
I called out to Manager Ma, who was chatting with Grandma.
“Manager, call Chairman Yoo. He’s probably in the meeting right now. If he doesn’t pick up, contact someone else.”
“Yes, Boss.”
Of course, Yoo Seongjin would handle it well on his own, but that bastard Usoyan was always such a smug-looking piece of work.
I needed to remind him that I was still watching from behind, even if just as a warning.
A moment later, Manager Ma handed me the phone.
— President, this is Yoo Seongjin.
I heard his voice through the receiver.
“How’s the meeting going? I’m not interrupting, am I?”
— Not at all, sir. We were just about to begin.
Just about to begin, huh? I nodded to myself.
Even after all this time, they hadn’t started yet. As expected.
“That so? Perfect timing. Would you put it on speaker for me?”
— Yes, sir. It’s on speaker now.
I cleared my throat and began to speak.
“How’s everyone doing? This is Kim Muhyuk.”
No one answered, but I continued anyway.
“I couldn’t make it in person, though I wanted to. But I trust Chairman Yoo Seongjin will handle things properly. This meeting will be a great opportunity for everyone. Let’s all make a few concessions and reach a good outcome together.”
There was no need to speak any longer than necessary.
All I needed to do was remind them that I was watching—and that I’d know the results myself.
I called out again. I trusted Yoo Seongjin; he would deliver.
“Chairman Yoo.”
— Yes, sir.
“I’ll leave it to you. Handle it well and make sure we get a good result. I’ll be waiting for your report.”
— Understood, sir. I’ll report immediately.
“Then let’s meet in person next time.”
I hung up and handed the phone back to Manager Ma.
Even though I’d said that, I was still a bit uneasy. Hao Xun and Yamamoto were fine, but dealing with Usoyan had caused no small amount of trouble in the past.
“Chairman Yoo will handle it, right?”
Manager Ma, taking back the phone, answered.
“Yes. He’s capable. And since the Boss laid the groundwork, if he can’t even lead this much, then he’s unfit for that position.”
I couldn’t help but laugh at that calm remark.
“You’re right. Let’s wait and see.”
All that was left was to wait for whatever result Yoo Seongjin would bring back.
* * *
As soon as Kim Muhyuk’s voice came through the phone, everyone in the room froze.
Only when the call ended did they finally exhale, tension melting from their shoulders.
Even Usoyan, who had been bristling moments earlier, sat stiffly, eyes darting around.
“President Kim couldn’t make it today, but he sent his regards through this call. I appreciate your understanding.”
Yoo Seongjin rose and gave a slight bow.
By presenting himself as Kim Muhyuk’s direct representative, he made his authority unmistakable. Usoyan swallowed dryly.
When Yoo Seongjin sat down again, the corner of his mouth tilted upward.
“Now then, shall we return to the agenda? What were you saying earlier?”
“...Nothing important. Just go ahead with your briefing.”
Heh. Acting tough when a single phone call nearly made him piss himself.
Yoo Seongjin smirked and began speaking.
“Then I’ll explain first. If anyone has objections, please speak after hearing everything.”
As soon as he finished, his assistant stepped forward and placed a file in front of each participant.
“I’ve had them translated for convenience, but they’re all identical. Let’s go over them together as we talk.”
Everyone opened the files at his cue.
“Let’s begin with Japan. Since the coup attempt by the Self-Defense Forces, Prime Minister Koizumi, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the SDF have been mobilizing all state power to purge the yakuza and criminal syndicates. Continuing this war under such conditions would be suicidal for you all.”
The first page in their hands detailed Japan’s current situation.
Along with known facts, it contained intricate insider information—so detailed that the participants looked up in disbelief.
“Fortunately, before the concentrated arrest operations began, we managed to smuggle out the man sitting before you—Boss Yamamoto Ken—into Korea. Most other yakuza bosses are dead, and their successors have either been arrested or are on the run.”
Yamamoto nodded grimly. The underworld of Japan, which had endured for centuries, was collapsing overnight.
No matter how large or wealthy a crime syndicate, without protection from the powerful, it could disintegrate in an instant.
For politicians who had seized power, purging the underworld was always the most alluring prey.
Japan was no exception—and neither was Korea.
When the first military regime came to power, it launched an anti-gang crackdown.
Under the second, they created the so-called “Samcheong Education Camp” in the name of social purification.
And when the Sixth Republic began, they started the “War on Crime” to divert political crisis.
Every change of government brought another cleansing of the gangs—it was practically a ritual.
That was why Korea never had one dominant crime organization, only countless small ones scattered everywhere.
But after Kim Muhyuk appeared, the tide shifted.
He and Park Dongsu unified the Korean underworld and used immense wealth and influence to confront the authorities.
As a result, Chunha Group could transform itself into a legitimate, respectable conglomerate on the surface.
“In this situation, continuing a war in Japan would be suicide. Consider this a tactical retreat for long-term gain. Taking a step back can also be a move forward. Even the authorities will realize that completely wiping out the yakuza isn’t in their best interest.”
If the yakuza were wiped out, others would simply rise to fill the void.
As long as humanity existed, so would those who lived off crime and darkness. freewёbnoνel.com
“That’s why we’ve chosen Yamamoto Ken of Kobe-Yamaguchi-gumi.”
After glancing at Yamamoto, Yoo Seongjin continued.
“The Russian Mafia, the Black Dragon Society, and Kobe-Yamaguchi-gumi—these three will divide Japan’s underworld among themselves. That is the core of this meeting’s agenda.” ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
Even after he finished speaking, the others remained focused on reading the documents.
After a while, Usoyan spoke first.
“Why Kobe-Yamaguchi-gumi? There were others—Yamaguchi-gumi itself, and plenty of larger groups.”
“You’re aware that Kobe-Yamaguchi-gumi split off from Yamaguchi-gumi, correct? Our Chunha Group was involved in that split. To be precise, President Kim Muhyuk was personally connected. That brief connection is why Yamamoto is sitting here today.”
“A brief connection...”
Usoyan mulled over the words.
“If everyone here supports him, Yamamoto will have no problem taking control of Japan. The only issue is legitimacy...”
Yamamoto spoke up in turn.
“That won’t be a problem. I was designated as Yamaguchi-gumi’s successor before. Once this war ends, Kobe and Yamaguchi-gumi will reunite, and the reorganized syndicate will be handed over to me. That should take care of legitimacy.”
Yoo Seongjin already knew this, but nodded as if hearing it for the first time.
“Then that resolves the issue of legitimacy. Does anyone else know about it?”
“...Aside from me, everyone present at that meeting is dead. Oh, there is one—Araki, who had been chosen as Daedonghoe’s next leader. But his whereabouts are currently unknown... If he’s found, he can testify.”
Araki, who should have died there, had vanished without a trace.
No body was found, and despite ongoing pursuit, the authorities had yet to locate him.
“Araki, huh. If he’s still alive, could Daedonghoe be revived?”
After a moment of thought, Yamamoto replied,
“I can’t say for sure. Even if he was named successor, he probably didn’t inherit full authority. And now that the Prime Minister himself has exposed Daedonghoe to the world, it’s unlikely they’ll ever regain their former power.”
Listening quietly, Usoyan interjected.
“What exactly is this Daedonghoe? I’ve heard bits and pieces, but I still don’t understand what all the fuss is about.”
Yoo Seongjin gave a faint smile.
So greedy, yet so ignorant. Now he understood why Kim Muhyuk had chosen this man.
“Think of them as the hidden power behind the yakuza—the shadow, or perhaps the godfathers who supported them.”
“Heh. I had no idea such an organization existed. So that’s why all the yakuza bosses were gathered in one place.”
“Exactly. Thanks to Daedonghoe’s leader, our work was much easier. All the major bosses were gathered together—and wiped out at once.”
Usoyan swallowed hard. The way Yoo Seongjin knew every detail made him seem entirely different.
Hao Xun, who had been quietly flipping through the pages, finally spoke.
“All good so far. But there’s one thing. In these documents you’ve given us, Chunha Group doesn’t gain anything.”
Yoo Seongjin tilted his head slightly.
“That’s correct. Is that a problem?”
“As the Russians said earlier, an alliance where one side bears all the loss can’t last. I don’t fully agree with Boss Usoyan on everything, but on that point, I do. If Korea gains nothing from Japan, there’ll be problems later.”
Usoyan nodded in agreement.
“If one side suffers losses, it can’t last long. Even the receiving side would feel burdened.”
Despite the conversation, Usoyan's real target was clearly Yamamoto. Yoo Seongjin smirked inwardly.
“I understand your concern. But this was President Kim Muhyuk’s decision. He instructed that Chunha Group not take a single profit share from Japan. In return, none of you may conduct business in Korea. Do you understand now?”
Only then did all three representatives nod.
“Then let’s finalize the details.”
As the discussion continued, night deepened.
The moon slipped behind clouds, the darkness grew heavier—yet the meeting showed no signs of ending.
* * *
Two weeks passed since I came down to Busan.
Unless something was urgent, I postponed most matters and spent time with Grandma.
She was delighted, and I, too, enjoyed a brief escape from all the complications.
But even sweet rest must end.
It was time to deal with Ilseong Group.
As summer faded and the air began to cool, I left Busan and arrived back in Seoul.
