Descent of The Demon Master [EN]: Chapter 1385

‘They’ve blocked the withdrawals?’

‘Yes.’

Hwang Min-soo frowned.

‘On what grounds are they blocking withdrawals? A corporation has its own legal identity. It’s not subordinate to the representative of the corporation. How can they block withdrawals from a corporate account just because the representative of the corporation committed a crime! Moreover, there hasn’t even been a verdict yet, and they’ve only just started the investigation!’ Lee Hyun-joo sighed softly.

‘We’ve made inquiries with the bank and the authorities.’

‘Good grief.’

Hwang Min-soo slightly gritted his teeth.

‘After we inquire, they’ll probably release it quietly in a few days, saying it was a mistake.’

‘I think so too.’ Hwang Min-soo rubbed his face.

‘Those damn bastards.’

This was a way of breaking him.

No, to be precise, it was more like a petty act of spite than breaking him. The authorities couldn’t possibly not know that this was illegal. They can’t just seize an account or block deposits and withdrawals without a warrant.

Usually, there’s no point in arguing directly with the bank in such cases.

How many companies would dare to refuse when a powerful figure is openly ordering them to do something, citing illegality?

‘One thing is for sure.’

Lee Hyun-joo looked at Hwang Min-soo with a questioning gaze. Hwang Min-soo immediately continued, resolving Lee Hyun-joo’s question.

‘The Chairman is innocent.’

‘Of course.’

Hwang Min-soo sighed softly.

If Kang Jin-ho were really guilty, there would be no need for such petty actions. They could just wait patiently and apply for a formal warrant.

The fact that they were acting so spitefully meant they were trying to pressure Kang Jin-ho by any means possible.

‘Damn it, why now of all times?’

The franchise that Hwang Min-soo had been ambitiously preparing was just about to break ground.

Of course, it would be less of a loss than if the incident had happened right before the opening after all the preparations were complete, but the fact that the chairman was detained at a time when training and preparations should be in full swing was also a huge blow.

‘How are the franchisees? They must be very shaken.’

‘You don’t have to worry about that.’

‘They’re okay?’

‘Yes.’

Hwang Min-soo stared blankly at Lee Hyun-joo.

‘How could they be okay?’

From the franchisees’ perspective, it’s a business they’re starting with a large investment. But before they even open their stores, the chairman is arrested for violating the National Security Law, and the name of MK is constantly being mentioned in the media.

It wouldn’t be surprising if the franchisees collectively stormed the company and grabbed the officials by the collar.

But they’re okay?

‘Are you sure?’

‘It might sound strange, but they’re really okay. I’m actually worried they might go to the detention center or police station and cause a scene.’

When Hwang Min-soo looked disbelieving, Lee Hyun-joo shrugged.

‘It’s hard to explain in detail, but the franchisees’ trust in the Chairman is absolute.’

‘I see.’

Hwang Min-soo didn’t ask further. He had seen this kind of thing several times before.

‘Well, it’s the same here.’

The company’s chairman has been detained. And not for any other charge, but for violating the National Security Law, which is absolutely absurd.

Agitation?

Of course, there is.

But the problem is the direction of that agitation. In a normal company, they would be concerned about the company’s fate or what the chairman had done, but the employees of this company were furious that the chairman was in detention.

‘It’s more like a religion than a company.’

It’s ambiguous whether to call this trust or faith.

‘Hyun-joo.’

‘Yes, President.’

‘We’ll be okay for a while. We can somehow hold on.’

Hwang Min-soo spoke in a serious tone.

‘But if this situation continues, we won’t be able to proceed with new businesses. It’s not just a matter of the franchisees understanding. A franchise is a business that sells food or goods to consumers. If consumers develop a bad perception of the company, it will collapse in an instant.’

Even mid-sized companies that have already secured sales channels and customers are shaken by a single boycott. If consumers have a negative perception from the beginning, it’s obvious what the end will be.

Hwang Min-soo had no intention of ruining his first project since his return.

‘Has the defense team for the Chairman been formed?’

‘No. That’s not my side…’

‘Lee Hyun-joo.’

Hwang Min-soo opened his mouth in a cold voice.

Lee Hyun-joo flinched at the low voice she had never heard before.

‘I know that the Chairman has other affiliations besides this place. But isn’t Lee Hyun-joo’s affiliation here?’

‘That’s right.’

‘Then are you going to sit around waiting for others to solve the Chairman’s problems? If so, why are you working here?’

Lee Hyun-joo lowered her head.

‘I’m sorry. I was short-sighted.’

‘Your true abilities come out when the Chairman is not here. Move. Think about what’s the best you can do right now, and go out and do it yourself.’

‘Yes.’

Lee Hyun-joo bit her lip.

‘He’s right.’

Subconsciously, Lee Hyun-soo, and the General Assembly, were expected to solve this problem.

So, Lee Hyun-joo thought she only needed to help Hwang Min-soo and manage MK.

How foolish.

Even though she had been saying that MK was an independent corporation, not an organization under the General Assembly, when the incident actually happened, she tried to leave the work to Lee Hyun-soo and wash her hands of it.

She deserved to be criticized for being incompetent and for trying to take only the good parts.

‘I’ll try to form a defense team as quickly as possible.’

‘Good idea.’

Lee Hyun-joo looked at Hwang Min-soo with a renewed gaze.

‘Hwang Jung-hoo’s son…’

No, he’s too old to be called someone’s son now. It’s right to refer to him as Hwang Min-soo, the human being, not Hwang Jung-hoo’s son.

He was just someone she thought would be helpful in business, but when a crisis struck, he exuded a charisma that overwhelmed people. Unlike Lee Hyun-joo, who was flustered.

‘I need to learn.’

There’s no need to be disappointed that the current Lee Hyun-joo is lacking.

There are plenty of people around her to learn from. If she learns and learns again, someday Lee Hyun-joo will be able to stand confidently in front of them.

Hwang Min-soo got up from his seat.

‘Then I’ll be gone for a while.’

‘Where…’

Hwang Min-soo sighed softly.

‘I need to meet someone who can help.’

Hwang Min-soo added an unnecessary remark.

‘It’s going to be a bit awkward, though.’

Slight sweat beaded on his forehead.

Hwang Min-soo, who had been confident and charismatic in front of Lee Hyun-joo, was nowhere to be seen. Instead, he looked restless, like a dog that needed to pee.

But this wasn’t because Hwang Min-soo was lacking.

Everything in the world is relative.

Hwang Min-soo may be a seasoned businessman in front of Lee Hyun-joo, but to the person sitting in front of him now, he’s just a naive kid with a lack of worldly experience.

That’s only natural, because the person sitting in front of him is none other than the infamous Hwang Jung-hoo.

Hwang Jung-hoo, who had been puffing on a cigarette without a word even after Hwang Min-soo came in and sat down, suddenly roared.

‘What the hell is going on!’

‘Chairman…’

He couldn’t even bring himself to say ‘father’.

‘National Security Law? Does that mean Jin-ho was a spy? What kind of dog-eating nonsense is this!’

It’s not easy for anyone to face Hwang Jung-hoo’s rage head-on. Even for his own child… no, it was even more difficult because he was his child.

‘Ahem.’

Hwang Min-soo cleared his throat loudly and cautiously opened his mouth.

‘Well… our company believes that the Chairman would never do such a thing.’

‘You’re stating the obvious. What kind of person do you think he is to do such a thing!’

‘…Yes?’

‘What kind of person do you think he is to do such a thing’ and ‘He’s not the kind of person to do such a thing’ have a distinctly different nuance.

‘A spy? Hah, that’s ridiculous. If he had set his mind to being a spy, they wouldn’t have been able to catch him! And! What would Jin-ho be lacking to be a spy!’

Cho Gyu-min tried to dissuade Hwang Jung-hoo.

‘Chairman, please calm down. I’m worried about your health.’

‘Is health the problem right now?’

Hwang Min-soo looked at Hwang Jung-hoo with a slightly bitter expression.

‘If I had gone through something like this, would my father have gotten this angry?’

No matter how much he thought about it, he didn’t think so. He might be secretly upset or heartbroken, but he wouldn’t openly express his anger like this.

Thinking that, a subtle jealousy towards Kang Jin-ho arose.

‘What am I thinking?’

Hwang Min-soo was startled and shook his head.

There are things that people should do and things that they shouldn’t do. To be jealous of someone who is imprisoned without any guilt.

‘Get a grip.’

He didn’t come to see Hwang Jung-hoo as Hwang Min-soo, Hwang Jung-hoo’s son. He came to see Hwang Jung-hoo, the chairman of Jae-kyung, as the president of MK Group.

Hwang Min-soo took a long, deep breath and opened his mouth.

‘Chairman.’

‘What?’

‘I know this is presumptuous, but there’s a limit to what I and MK can do to help Chairman Kang Jin-ho. Could you help us?’

Hwang Jung-hoo looked at Hwang Min-soo with a slightly displeased expression.

‘Is that something a company president should say?’

‘I’m sorry. But I think it’s also a way to quickly acknowledge our limitations and ask for help, rather than forcing things with insufficient abilities.’

‘Hmm.’

Hwang Jung-hoo nodded.

‘Alright, how can I help?’

‘Please make contact with the political world.’

‘The political world?’

‘Yes. We need to change public opinion. If the opposition party raises suspicions…’

‘I’ve tried.’

‘Yes?’

Hwang Jung-hoo lit a new cigarette.

‘I’ve already contacted them. They said it’s not possible.’

‘Already…’

Hwang Jung-hoo grimaced and blew out a puff of smoke.

‘Those rat-like bastards. They always act like they’d give you their liver if you had any trouble, but when I ask for help, they turn their backs? I knew politicians were the dirtiest people in the world, but this is too much!’

‘Please calm down, Chairman.’

‘Ugh.’

Hwang Jung-hoo threw his cigarette into the ashtray and leaned back on the sofa. Hwang Jung-hoo pressed his eyes with both hands and spoke in a slightly weakened voice.

‘First, I’ll try to gather the power of the business world, and then I’ll have to find at least one congressman who will help. I can’t just sit here and do nothing.’

‘Thank you.’

‘I’m not doing this because I like you.’

‘I know.’

Hwang Min-soo said calmly.

Hwang Jung-hoo looked at Hwang Min-soo with a slightly displeased expression and sighed.

‘I have to grab at straws. I’ve seen more than a few people go through this. The state is like a monster. The state, which was created to protect the people, is trying to devour them. I thought that era was over…’

Hwang Jung-hoo muttered bitterly.

‘Maybe it’s not the state, but the people who are the problem. In the end, people can’t live without tearing each other apart.’

A heavy atmosphere descended.

‘I have to save him.’

Hwang Jung-hoo said firmly.

‘I’ll use all of Jae-kyung’s money and power to save him. I’d rather die than see him suffer!’

The lion of the business world unleashed a quiet fury.

On the top floor of the Jae-kyung Group’s headquarters, Hwang Jung-hoo was stretching.