Free Web Novel— You have no idea how hard it was to keep a straight face in front of those bastards. Thanks to Muhyuk, I got to witness something truly entertaining.
“Is that so?”
— Where the hell did a treasure like that kid come from? I used to think there was nothing about your family to envy, but now I finally found something. Raising kids never goes the way you want, huh?
Chairman Cheon burst into laughter.
— Don’t laugh. So, are you really planning to step down completely?
“Not yet. Muhyuk still needs the weight of my name. I’ll need to stay in place for a while. What about you, Chairman Song? Still can’t let go?” freewebnøvel.com
— Once I die, my kids will probably tear each other apart.
“You’re a blessed man...”
— Chairman Cheon.
“No matter how neatly you try to hand things over before you die, it won’t be easy. That’s just how complicated Daehyeon Group is. Do your best to tie things up without leaving room for resentment.”
— I’ll try.
After hanging up with Chairman Song, Chairman Cheon stared at the receiver for a while before slowly lifting his head.
“Where’s Muhyuk?”
“He said he’d be arriving today.”
“Why did he go to Hong Kong?”
“I’m not sure of the details, but he said he was going to recruit someone.”
Chairman Cheon nodded, then muttered in a low voice.
“We need to make sure Jiwon and Jisoo don’t get any funny ideas. If they get greedy, there might be another bloodbath.”
“I’ll keep a close eye on them.”
“If, after I die, Muhyuk decides to get rid of them, Myeonghun, I want you to stop him—at least once.”
“...Chairman.”
Chairman Cheon waved his hand toward the somber-looking Manager Ha.
“That’s just how history works. Even if someone isn’t a direct threat, it’s not easy to just leave them alone. Let alone when they’re reaching for something they shouldn’t.”
“You’re still in good health, sir.”
“I’m not dying yet. But... just in case. Understood?”
“...Yes, Chairman.”
“What’s Sooman up to?”
“I’ve received reports that he’s slowly starting to become active again. Attending Korean community meetings, socializing with people.”
Chairman Cheon’s brows furrowed.
“No suspicious movements?”
“No, sir. He shouldn’t pose a threat to the young master.”
“I’m not worried about Muhyuk—I’m worried about Sooman. That bastard doesn’t know his place and might try to go after Muhyuk. What about Suhan?”
“...”
“What? Speak.”
“We may need to transfer him to a psychiatric hospital.”
“Tsk...”
Chairman Cheon clicked his tongue, but in the end, didn’t give the order to proceed.
That decision was Muhyuk’s to make. If he stepped in, it would be the same as giving Muhyuk justification...
“Have you figured out what he’s doing with the money in the U.S.?”
“Other than that it’s being managed by Han Kyungyeong, I haven’t been able to confirm specifics. But it seems he’s made considerable profit.”
“I see. You can go now.”
Once Manager Ha stepped out, Chairman Cheon was left alone in the study, staring silently out the window for a long time.
His silhouette looked less like a loan shark king and more like just an old man.
* * *
The bankruptcy of Hyunbo Group was a heavy burden for the government as well. Just days after the final declaration of bankruptcy, Chairman Jang was investigated and arrested the very next day.
Separate from the political and financial ripples of the Hyunbo scandal, the collapse of large corporations continued.
In March, the failure of Seommi Group—ranked 26th among Korea’s business groups—triggered a growing sense of urgency.
Then came a statement from IMF Director Michel Camdessus that the government used as a convenient shield.
“Korea is not in an economic crisis.”
His comment was plastered on the front page of the Koryeo Ilbo, and public talk of a crisis began to be dismissed as mere conspiracy theory.
And in April, Yoon Changho, then serving as Chief Prosecutor of Seoul, was appointed Prosecutor General.
“Congratulations, Chief.”
“Ha ha, your congratulations make me the happiest.”
A smile never left Prosecutor General Yoon’s face.
“You’re on your way to greater heights now.”
“The atmosphere isn’t great. There’s a lot of talk about an economic crisis, you know.”
“How’s the investigation into Hyunbo Group going?”
“The hearing’s coming up soon. I’m sure the Blue House will send down their orders then.”
The Hyunbo scandal led to the arrest of multiple bank executives.
Seven current and former bank presidents from institutions like Cheil Bank and Choheung Bank were summoned for questioning. Three of them were arrested.
Dozens of politicians from both ruling and opposition parties were investigated, with five arrests made.
With the presidential election looming, the political world plunged into chaos.
“Wasn’t the president’s eldest son involved as well?”
“Ha... your information network is something else. We don’t know exactly how the VIP feels yet, but it’ll be hard to avoid arrest. He took too much money.”
It was the fall of the man they called the “little president.”
“You must not remain just another mouthpiece for the Blue House. You have to think ahead.”
“You’re right. With the lame-duck phase in full swing, I don’t have to tiptoe anymore. Still, since I was appointed, I’ll do what they ask... but I’ll also do what I want.”
It was a glimpse into Prosecutor General Yoon’s ambition.
“Sir, I don’t think this economic crisis will end easily. Your role is going to be critical. With all the corruption and corporate collapses, economic criminals will flood in. Political pressure will mount. You’ll have to stay steady.” freewёbnoνel.com
“You mean the economic crisis isn’t the end?”
As Yoon widened his eyes, I nodded.
“Yes. It’s going to get worse. Worse than you can imagine. We could lose economic sovereignty—just like under Japanese colonial rule. If you hold firm and conduct truly impartial investigations during this time, you might just reach the Blue House after retirement.”
“Haha. Even if you’re just flattering me, I like it. I didn’t expect this kind of talk from you.”
Flattery?
When we first met, I didn’t have those thoughts. But with the level of public support he had now, Prosecutor Yoon was a viable candidate for the next presidency.
This election was a poisoned chalice.
“And I have a request.”
“Go on. I’ll do anything.”
“I’d like you to start an internal investigation into Joongwoo Group.”
Joongwoo Group collapses after 1998. But by then, their debt was so astronomical that there was nothing left worth taking.
Their massive accounting fraud and slush funds destroyed all public trust.
I needed to accelerate that timeline.
“Joongwoo Group?”
“Yes. The charges of embezzlement and breach of trust should already be more than enough for immediate arrest. I just ask that you time the summons to match my plans.”
“Hm... that’s a heavy burden. You understand that, right?”
“I do. That’s exactly why I’m asking. But if you move before Joongwoo Group becomes an even bigger bomb, it’ll go down as one of your greatest achievements.”
“Are you trying to eat Joongwoo Group? Do you even have the money for that?”
“I’m not the one who’ll eat it. My friends will.”
Yoon studied me like he was trying to read something deeper.
“There won’t be any blowback on me, right? If I want a shot at the Blue House, I can’t afford a single blemish.”
“Of course. I’ll lay down a road of roses for you. Just walk it, and the Blue House will be yours.”
Though once he got there, he’d be my puppet.
“Alright. I’ll start the investigation right away.”
“Be sure to use people you can trust.”
“Don’t worry. You know that guy.”
The one who was sent ★ 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 ★ all the way down to Jeju District?
“You brought him back to the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office?”
“There was a lot of pushback, but I placed him in a key position within the Central Investigation Department.”
“If it’s him, he’s more than capable. He always gets more than what you expect.”
“His path’s clear now.”
It was true. Even now, politicians from both parties were trying to court him.
“Fill the Supreme Prosecutors’ Office and Seoul District Office with your people. Never share power. A new era is coming—one where the prosecution’s strength will be unmatched.”
The prosecution may be called the regime’s hunting dog, but if anyone could withstand that pressure and still listen to me, it was Prosecutor Yoon.
“Alright. Let’s eat.”
As he picked up his spoon, I did the same.
The warm meal came to an end, and Yoon rose from his seat first.
“A new crop of apples just came in. I had three boxes loaded into your trunk. No pesticides—totally clean. You can eat them as-is.”
There were surely three boxes of 10,000 won bills, disguised as apples, already sitting in his official car’s trunk, courtesy of Chief Ma.
“Always grateful.”
After that meeting, I began preparing—step by step—for what would come after the IMF.
“Grandfather. I have a request.”
“A request?”
A rare moment alone with my grandfather.
“Yes. A favor.”
“Ha... what’s with that serious face? You’re gonna give this old man a heart attack.”
Maybe it was because he’d finally let go of everything, but his expression was lighter, and he even joked now and then.
A side of him I had never once seen in my previous life.
“Next year, the Interest Rate Limitation Act is going to be abolished.”
“What?”
His voice rose sharply.
It was that shocking.
“The odds are very high. And when it happens, an enormous amount of Japanese capital will flood in. Korea’s crisis has always been Japan’s opportunity.”
After liberation, what opened Japan’s lungs after their wartime defeat was the Korean War.
Back then, thanks to U.S. and Allied support, Japan achieved explosive economic growth.
Now, Japan’s boom was over. It would soon enter what would later be called the Lost 20 Years.
South Korea’s economic crisis would be another opportunity for them.
“Cheongpunghoe will make their move.”
Once the Interest Rate Limitation Act is scrapped, the Myeongdong loan market will fall into chaos.
Illegal loan sharks will spring up like mushrooms after the rain, and Japanese funds backed by Cheongpunghoe will soon seize control of half the market.
To eliminate competitors, Cheongpunghoe will push for the Private Money Lending Act.
But despite their efforts, the law won’t be established until 2002. That needs to happen sooner. The law must come first, to set legal boundaries before chaos erupts.
I had no intention of giving them that opening.
“I’d like you to help support that bill, Grandfather. To make sure it passes quickly.”
“What? Why?”
His expression clearly showed he didn’t understand.
With the interest rate cap gone, we had the golden hand. Why would we willingly restrict ourselves again?
“It’s an opportunity for us—but also for Cheongpunghoe. I won’t give them even the tiniest opening. I plan to establish legal loan firms in Myeongdong through Hyunseong, who’s close with Twin Blades. We’ll offer lower interest than our competitors. As for the underground market, I’ll have Snake oversee that.”
“Hm...”
“Just because there’s no interest limit doesn’t mean companies will borrow at sky-high rates. The major clients of the private lending market are ordinary people and small businesses. Corporations are handled differently. I told you before—eventually, they’ll bow their heads to you again.”
The holding company above all the loan firms would be fronted by Hyunseong.
Kim Hosik—Twin Blades—would run the operations, and his men, seasoned veterans of the Myeongdong loan market, would each be placed in charge of their own licensed lender.
I continued persuading my grandfather, who still had doubts.
“If we miss this chance, it’ll be hard to contain Cheongpunghoe. They’ll prop up Japanese capital. We have to disrupt their plans.”
By slightly accelerating history, I would tilt the outcome in my favor.
I wouldn’t give them a single opening—and I wouldn’t miss the chance to seize first place.
I didn’t know what kind of butterfly effect this would cause, but there was no need to repeat failure.
“Please, Grandfather.”
He was silent for a long while.
A man who spent his entire life in the shadows of the loan shark world—it wasn’t easy for him to make a snap decision, even if it was to check Cheongpunghoe.
I simply waited for his answer.
“...Alright. I’ll do as you ask.”
In the end, Grandfather agreed.
< This place is delicious no matter when you come. > End.
