Free Web NovelJust because someone stands against me, or holds a different position, doesn’t mean sharpening blades against everyone is the right move. That would be foolish.
Anyone I could negotiate with, I negotiated with. Anyone I could persuade with money, I persuaded with money.
That alone was enough to make most people bend their stance and cooperate with me.
But there was one thing—one thing I would never forgive.
Touching the people around me.
Anyone inside my fence, I protect no matter what.
That was the very first vow I made when I began living my second life.
I stopped my grandmother’s death.
I prevented Myungsoo’s accident.
And I exacted complete revenge for what happened to Hyunseong that forced him to quit sports.
I wiped out the organization that kidnapped Eva, and I dragged Kim Jongil—who injured Manager Ma—down from his seat of power.
I will never forget that vow.
“Is this some new kind of suicide method? Have you lived long enough that you’re trying this hard to die? Or are you acting out of blind bravado because you don’t know who I am? I’m the one who destroyed Cheongpunghoe with my own hands—the group you people were so terrified of. I eliminated every single person who stood in my way and brought Cheongpunghoe down. That’s who I am.”
When Cheongpunghoe was still intact, you were lying flat on the ground, barely able to breathe.
Yet now, in front of me, you dare to raise your head and rebel.
“Killing just one person like you would be easy. Easier and simpler, in fact. But I’m human, so I meet people like you, talk, negotiate, and even shove massive amounts «N.o.v.e.l.i.g.h.t» of money your way. So why are you trying to cross the line I drew?”
Under the nonstop barrage of my words, Han Jiho stared at me blankly, unable to regain his composure.
“If I acted like Cheongpunghoe, would that make you behave? Kidnap your family, eliminate the people around you, and if you still don’t listen, kill you painfully. Is that what you want? Is that what you’re asking for?”
You even sent a messenger just to provoke me, and the best you can come up with is threatening to die together with Myungsoo?
I thought you were a sharp man. Turns out you’re nothing more than a senile, powerless old man.
“Answer me. What the hell are you thinking? If Myungsoo’s political life collapses because of you, what did you think I would do? Did you really think that pathetic threat would make me bend?”
I was genuinely curious. Did he really believe I’d cave in after hearing something that low?
Or was he hiding his real hand and just toying with me? I wanted to know what Han Jiho truly thought.
“You should’ve begged for your life instead. If you had, I might have reconsidered.”
When I snarled mockingly, Han Jiho stiffened completely.
Still, perhaps because he’d survived so long in politics, he quickly regained his senses.
After straightening his expression, he called my name in a rigid voice.
“Kim Muhyuk.”
“Stop playing games and answer my question first. I want to kill you right now. I already told you—snapping one neck like yours is nothing.”
Han Jiho locked eyes with me, as if trying to read my intentions.
Then he let out a long, heavy sigh. Understandable.
I wasn’t threatening him. I was being sincere.
“......You’re serious.”
“Why would I lie?”
“Hah...... Is Lee Myungsoo really that important to you? Important enough that you’d decide to kill me over him? No matter how much influence you wield over the media and the legal world, killing me wouldn’t be something you could just brush off. Cheongpunghoe and I are completely different.”
Han Jiho frowned, clearly displeased.
He was still hiding what he wanted behind his words. This man still hasn’t come to his senses.
“Chairman, this is my final warning. Speak plainly. Don’t dance around it, and don’t leave room with political phrasing. I’m asking you directly—what possessed you to say something like that to me?”
“.......”
Faced with my pressure, Han Jiho couldn’t answer right away, only his lips twitching.
Watching him, I pulled up one corner of my mouth.
“You asked whether Myungsoo is important to me? Yes. He is. If he asked for all the wealth I possess and had a valid reason, I’d give it to him without hesitation. Anyone inside my fence, I protect no matter what. That’s why I built that fence.”
When I said it firmly, Han Jiho bit down hard on his lip.
Myungsoo is a precious bond carried over from my previous life.
He must have thought Myungsoo was nothing more than a childhood friend—that I wouldn’t react this violently.
“Did you think you could test me? I thought you, of all people, valued your own safety above everything else. You’re not the kind of man who’d throw away his own life to say something like that. Were you testing me? Then congratulations—you succeeded. With that single sentence, I made up my mind about how to deal with you.”
I called out to Manager Ma. As if he’d been waiting, Manager Ma bowed his head.
“Give the order, Boss.”
“Manager, hand over all the information we have on Chairman Han Jiho to the prosecution. And compile everything related not just to those currently under investigation, but to the Conservative Party as a whole, and leak it to the media. I’ll speak to Myungsoo separately.”
Cutting off the Conservative Party now was also a bad move for the Centrist Party.
But since it had come to this, it was better to sever things cleanly. Otherwise, we’d keep getting dragged around by Conservative figures.
The presidential election was still far off, and the general election had just ended.
With no elections on the horizon, now was the perfect time to strike the Conservative Party.
Originally, I’d planned to simply make an example of the defectors and let it go. Not anymore.
“P-President Kim.”
Han Jiho called out to me in panic. I sneered and glared at him.
“Do whatever you want. Spread what you know, fabricate rumors—I’ll mobilize everything I have and crush it all. Of all people, you should know better than anyone how I destroyed Cheongpunghoe. I’m disappointed. You still don’t understand me.”
At my icy words, Han Jiho hurriedly bowed his head.
“I misspoke, President Kim. Please forget what I just said. I’m getting old—my mind keeps slipping.”
Forget it? I let out a short laugh. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
He should know better than anyone how heavy a politician’s words are.
“Chairman. Once water is spilled, you can’t scoop it back up. Especially words spoken by someone in your position—they carry even more weight. Let’s say I let it slide today. How am I supposed to trust that you won’t do it again?” freewebnøvel.coɱ
“President Kim. No. That wasn’t my intention. I was just trying to show how cornered I am. How could I truly mean something like that? I apologize again.”
Han Jiho bowed again, as if he might smash his forehead into the table.
He really does know how to talk. Too bad politicians’ words aren’t something you can trust.
I looked down at him with my arms crossed.
“I don’t trust you. I think it would be better to clean everything up properly this time.”
“President Kim......”
If I let him go like this, he’d just stir things up again by shaking Conservative figures.
Wouldn’t it be better to deal with him now?
Seeing my cold gaze, Han Jiho shut his eyes tightly.
“Listen, President Kim. I’ll do everything you tell me to do. Just spare me. I don’t want my political life to end like this. I have no interest in becoming President.”
For someone not even qualified to be President, he sure talks a lot.
Everyone already knows he’s not presidential material. Still, he could prop someone up from behind.
A man who can’t be king himself, but can secure his position as a kingmaker. That was Han Jiho’s role.
They say it’s not the strong who survive, but those who survive who are strong.
I looked down at Han Jiho, his head bowed.
People who cling only to their own safety and stretch their lives thin and long sometimes still manage to leave their names in a corner of history.
But men like this are most dangerous when they bow their heads.
Once they escape the immediate danger, there’s no telling what schemes they’ll try.
“I’ll do whatever you say.”
Han Jiho pleaded repeatedly, bowing again and again. I let out a deep sigh and called Manager Ma once more.
“Manager. Put the previous order on hold for now.”
“Yes, Boss.”
After giving the instruction, I took out my phone and called Myungsoo.
Before the ringtone could even play a few times, Myungsoo picked up.
— What is it? Why are you calling?
“Where are you?”
— Me? I’m home. Eating with my parents, lying in my room now. Why? Want to grab a drink with Hyunseong tonight? Though I don’t know if my sister-in-law will allow it.
Hearing Myungsoo’s carefree voice drained the strength from me.
That clueless bastard. While I’m sharpening blades because of him.
“I’m with Chairman Han Jiho right now.”
— Ah...... right. You said you were meeting Chairman Han Jiho today, didn’t you? I totally forgot. That’s what happens when you come home—everything feels like a hassle......
If I let him go on, he’d never stop. I cut him off.
“Enough. Come to the hotel right now.”
— Why would I go there? Why? Did things not go well?
“You decide after you hear it yourself. I told you before—I respect your opinion. So listen to what Chairman Han Jiho has to say and make your own judgment.”
Sensing something off in my voice, Myungsoo replied that he’d come right away.
After ending the call, I informed Han Jiho.
“I’ve called Assemblyman Lee Myungsoo.”
Han Jiho’s face stiffened briefly, then quickly turned servile.
I pretended not to notice and continued.
“Your treatment will be decided based on Assemblyman Lee Myungsoo’s opinion. If you comply with what he asks, I’ll cleanly forget everything that happened in today’s meeting. But if you refuse, I’ll do exactly what I said earlier. Understand—there is no room for negotiation.”
Perhaps the idea of having his fate decided by Myungsoo wounded his pride. Han Jiho clenched his lips tightly.
“If you don’t like it, say so.”
When you step on someone, you have to step down properly. Half-measures only make them squirm.
I wanted nothing more than to force him into retirement and kill him on the spot, but since he dragged Myungsoo into this, I needed to hear Myungsoo’s opinion.
Han Jiho kept chewing on his lips, offering no answer.
“I’ll take that as a yes. Think it over carefully while you wait.”
While we waited for Myungsoo, silence filled the hotel room.
After some time, the door opened and Myungsoo walked in.
He nodded to me, then bowed politely to Han Jiho.
“Chairman. It’s been two days. I didn’t expect to see you in Busan.”
“Heh heh. Yes, Assemblyman Lee.”
Glancing at me, Han Jiho put on a genial smile.
“Sit here.”
I gave up my seat facing Han Jiho to Myungsoo and moved to the seat of honor.
Myungsoo sat on my left, Han Jiho on my right.
“Chairman Han Jiho says he’ll accept all the conditions you want.”
“What?”
Trying to grasp what was going on, Myungsoo stared at Han Jiho’s face, then whipped his head toward me, then back again in a panic.
Honestly, such a fuss...... Watching him, I let out a small chuckle.
“Talk it out and decide. I’ll follow whatever you decide.”
Myungsoo swallowed hard. I wanted him to be more than a puppet—to become my political partner.
To be honest, I was testing him here.
“Chairman. Are you really saying you’ll do everything I want?”
Han Jiho turned to look at me.
I met his gaze without a trace of emotion, making no move at all.
After swallowing dryly, Han Jiho looked back at Myungsoo and nodded.
“I’ll comply with whatever conditions you propose. But the lawmakers elected this time should be excluded from the investigation, and they should be reinstated into the party.”
Even now, trying to tack on conditions. I laughed inwardly.
So he grovels before me, but thinks Myungsoo is manageable?
“Didn’t I tell you reinstatement is off the table? Once a precedent is set, the same tactic will be used again. Both the Conservative and Progressive parties keep accepting independents back, which is why every election people rebel against nominations and leave the party. Reinstatement is absolutely not happening. I said this last time as well—there’s no room for negotiation.”
Myungsoo spoke firmly. From his stance, even the word “negotiate” seemed off-limits.
I’ve seen him deal with politicians before...... but this was interesting.
“I’ll help with the prosecution investigation as much as I can. I’ll coordinate with the President. But that’s as far as it goes. Reinstatement is absolutely not happening. If you want to atone, support us from the outside. That’s how you help.”
Faced with Myungsoo’s firm tone and expression, Han Jiho hesitated.
Seeing that, Myungsoo deliberately turned his head and looked at Manager Ma.
“Manager, sorry, but could you bring me a bottle of water?”
“Yes, Assemblyman. I’ll get it.”
Manager Ma took a bottle of mineral water from the fridge and brought it over.
Look at that—he’s deliberately showing that Manager Ma listens to him.
A clear display to Han Jiho of who holds the upper hand. Lee Myungsoo has really grown.
“Thanks.”
Myungsoo took the bottle and drank half of it in one go.
Setting it down, he pulled up one corner of his mouth and looked at Han Jiho.
“So, Chairman. What will you do? If you accept my proposal, then I’ll state my conditions.”
I admired him inwardly.
Myungsoo was enjoying this—this place, this situation.
