Chapter 129 : There Even Seemed to Be Restaurants
There Even Seemed to Be Restaurants
Hakushikijou, Tengu, Hannya, and Hyottoko's gazes gathered on her.
In the increasingly heavy atmosphere, Kwon So-jeong did not think for long before she spoke up.
"I heard about that matter as well. I was also told that had it been Aoshika, there wouldn't have even been a need to ask."
TMT was created within UID, a military development project.
Also, it had already begun when Aoshika served as the original headquarters of the Hongu Society, so it was impossible he didn't know.
Hannya then asked a question.
[TMT is an extremely important matter. I understand you do not ignore speculation, but why did Chairman Baek hide it?]
"The connection with Aoshika is extremely important to us. Chairman Baek is aware of this as well, which is why he intended to investigate internally and give a report to avoid any confusion."
[So, was there a result?]
Skull had already driven a significant number of members within the organization to their deaths.
Just for that fact alone, it would have been difficult for Kwon So-jeong to prevent whatever punishment descended on Baek Ji-woong for hiding that information.
"I feel regretful as well. If punishment must be meted out, I'll accept it humbly."
A short silence followed.
This was because Baek Ji-woong, along with Kwon So-jeong, managed the Hongu Society's operating funds through W&W Group.
[What does Tengu think? Is it alright to leave Chairman Baek as is?]
He was being asked because Baek Ji-woong's faction belonged to him.
Hakushikijou had Hyottoko and Hannya; Tengu had Kitsune and Shojo.
It was balanced 3 to 3 within the organization.
But with Shojo's death, that balance was already broken.
As Baek Ji-woong was not an elder, his voting rights were not significant.
However, if this situation also reduced Kitsune's position, Tengu could become isolated.
Hakushikijou obviously knew what decision Tengu would make and thus asked first.
[...... He still has much to do. I cannot leave it all to Kitsune, so how about we just partially restrict his authority within the organization until then?]
[That seems reasonable. What does everyone else think?]
At Hakushikijou's question, the other elders paused to contemplate.
Then the previously incensed Hannya stepped forward.
[Will that suffice? Granting Chairman Baek, who isn't even an elder, rights equivalent to one in the first place was a problem. On top of that, the chaos was caused because he recommended Shojo for elder, and there was even information concealment with unknown intent. Is simply restricting his authority enough?]
[So, are you saying we should carry out punishment ahead of important events?]
True punishment, in the position of elder, was singular.
It was dismissal. This meant the Hongu Society would take one's life by its own authority.
Kwon So-jeong found it difficult to take anyone's side and thus kept silent.
Meanwhile, Hakushikijou spoke again.
[Let's all calm down. Like Hannya says, it isn't something to be brushed off lightly. But as Chairman Baek has planted more than a few seeds, punishing him would result in a significant loss for our society.]
As the mood quieted, he continued.
[Tengu's point has merit, so just this once let's have Hannya yield. Of course, Chairman Baek's authority will be restricted until things are restored. Manpower will also be reduced to the minimum currently deployed. Kitsune, if you don't want to be implicated, it'd be best to refrain from unnecessary actions.]
It was a reminder for her to properly manage her underlings.
"...... Understood."
[Then the issue remains of who will replace Shojo... Earlier, Tengu, you suggested a law firm? Did you have a particular place in mind?]
Returning to the main agenda, Tengu cleared his throat.
[Ahem... First, I think we should consider Yulmyung Lawfirm and M&B.]
[They're the second and third largest in the country.]
[They should at least be that big to exert influence. It's not that I didn't also consider Lawfirm Heonwoo, the top in the industry, but that place is just too formidable...]
[It can't be helped. Then, is the groundwork ready to connect with either of them?]
This was the most important point. If the firm's CEO wasn't willing to side with the society, these discussions were pointless.
[Would I have made the proposal unprepared? I've spoken at length with the CEOs of both firms. Especially Yulmyung Lawfirm acts as legal advisor for AMK Partners' Korea branch. If things go smoothly, won't this benefit us?]
AMK Partners was a company that had inflicted great humiliation on them. Moreover, for the society's objectives, it was a place they absolutely had to contact by any means.
[So, between the two, you're saying Yulmyung is preferable?]
[For now, yes.]
The atmosphere settled again.
Everyone waited for Hakushikijou, who was next to respond.
[What is the percentage chance for connection?]
[Over 80%. I've already spoken sufficiently with their vice CEO, and as soon as a decision is made, we intend to expel the current CEO.]
Upon Tengu's explanation, Hakushikijou's expression became subtly complicated.
[This time, I shall support Tengu. How about the others?]
In the end, the matter was put to a vote, with even Hakushikijou's agreement included.
A gaze full of suspicion leaked from behind Tengu's mask.
But unless the replacement for Shojo became his own person, the balance in the Hongu Society would break. Even if Hakushikijou's actions seemed suspicious, he had no choice but to accept.
Hannya quietly raised his hand, signaling his agreement to the vote.
After that, Kitsune—Kwon So-jeong—and lastly Im Deok-chang, who followed Hakushikijou, raised their hands in succession.
[It is decided. Tengu, proceed with connecting to Yulmyung Lawfirm's vice CEO. Once the vice CEO secures the CEO position, we'll discuss conferring the status of elder.]
At that moment, Tengu's brow furrowed beneath his mask. This was the result he had suspected from the beginning.
'So if I fail to install him as CEO, I'll have to be prepared for the consequences. Outwardly, it looks like he's only acting for the society's benefit, but he's plotting to take control of internal interests for himself.'
However, with the decision already finalized, there was no going back.
Nor could he refuse to put the law firm into Shojo's old seat as he had planned—for then it might end up being filled by Hakushikijou's person.
* * *
【Prosecutor General Kim Jeong-heon wields the sword against prosecution corruption! After the death of Supreme Prosecutors' Office senior prosecutor Jeong ○○, the Prosecutor General ordered the immediate establishment of a special anti-corruption team, and the investigation is underway....】
【18 prosecutors, 28 charges. Numerous other corruption allegations are also being internally investigated... Prosecutor General Kim Jeong-heon announced directly to the people that he would take the lead in eradicating corruption....】
【With armed corpses found at a Gyeonggi Province cleaning company, a connection was discovered between Jeong ○○ of the Supreme Prosecutors' Office and contacts stored in the phone he possessed....】
【In the Gyeonggi Province C Corporation shooting incident, it has been confirmed that Supreme Prosecutors' Office prosecutor Jo Moo-yeol was abducted....】
.
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Investigations into prosecution corruption, previously stalled, began to accelerate.
The death of deputy general manager Jung Yoon-ju and the publication of follow-up articles kept the topic in the spotlight.
Articles were even tying the prosecution corruption and deputy general manager Jung Yoon-ju together, so the Prosecutor General had no choice but to act.
In-hyuk, riding in the car's backseat, set down a tablet displaying those articles.
"How much farther?"
"About ten minutes to go."
Currently, he was in a car driven by Baek Si-hwan, headed toward Incheon International Airport.
Baek Si-hwan glanced at him in the rearview mirror before asking carefully.
"I didn't get a chance to ask... Are you leaving the country?"
"No. I'm just going to meet someone."
The car kept moving.
As they reached the vicinity of the airport, In-hyuk handed him a slip of paper.
"From here, please go to this place. Ah, and don't put it in the navigation—just find your way there."
Rather than an address, the note contained a hand-drawn map.
At In-hyuk's odd request, Baek Si-hwan double-checked the map on the slip and then drove on.
After driving about twenty minutes farther, they arrived at Yongseungsa, a Buddhist temple at the far western edge of Yeongjong-do.
"I'll go alone. Please wait here."
"Isn't it still dangerous?"
"There was no tail as we came. And Manager Baek, you didn't leak our movement either, did you?"
At that strangely nuanced remark, Baek Si-hwan hesitated for a moment.
Meanwhile, In-hyuk got out, left the parking lot in front of the temple, and walked inside.
It was a modest-sized temple. Past the one-pillar gate stood only a small Avalokitesvara Hall and the main hall.
He walked around to the back of the main hall, where a foreign man stood with his hands behind his back.
"It's a pleasure to meet you."
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.
.
Meanwhile, still in the car, Baek Si-hwan circled around through the forest to approach the area near Yongseungsa.
He looked around in search of Kang In-hyuk and, seeing him head toward the rear of the main hall, cautiously followed.
"Who did he come all the way out here to see?"
Such clandestine movement was something he'd never seen in Kang In-hyuk's routines before.
Baek Si-hwan drew closer to the area behind the main hall.
Soon after, he glimpsed Kang In-hyuk's profile and, partially blocked by a tree, another man.
"Is he a foreigner?"
He wanted to get closer to overhear their conversation, but paused, worried that stepping on twigs or walking through the undergrowth would make noise.
Instead, he took out his phone and zoomed in as much as possible to capture images of Kang In-hyuk and the other man.
The two seemed to move in roughly the same space.
'What language are they speaking?'
He tried to read Kang In-hyuk's lips, but it wasn't Korean at least.
At that moment, the other man turned sideways, revealing his face.
'That, that man—!'
Shocked, Baek Si-hwan nearly cried out but barely suppressed the sound.
The person Kang In-hyuk was meeting was none other than Gordon Grimes, CEO of AMK Partners.
'How could he be here? Kang In-hyuk clearly said he had never met him...'
His curiosity only grew about what the two of them were discussing.
With his mind in a whirl, Baek Si-hwan started to message Baek Ji-woong, but hesitated.
Even if he reported the situation, there probably wouldn't be any immediate reaction, but if word of this meeting got out, he would be the first to be suspected.
'Still, better to mention it now than have it come out later.'
Making his decision, Baek Si-hwan messaged Baek Ji-woong.
【KARAS: Kang In-hyuk in secret contact with Gordon Grimes. Do not mention this incident. High risk of exposure. No reply necessary.】
He only included the crucial points. Not long after, a reply came back.
【Code 007: Investigate and report the situation in the greatest possible detail.】
Baek Si-hwan wanted the same.
But there were no extra personnel—nor had he ever imagined those two would meet.
While Baek Si-hwan was agonizing, behind the main hall Kang In-hyuk and Gordon Grimes continued their conversation in French.
This was because the language contains many similarly pronounced words compared to others.
"Kang! After business, what do you want for lunch?"
"How about grilled clams or seafood kalguksu in Eulwang-ri? On my way here, it even seemed there was a restaurant nearby famous for marinated crab."