The Genius Decided To Live An Ordinary Life [EN]: Chapter 306

Plunk- Plang- Plunk- Twing-.

How out of place.

Even for the multi-talented Cheon Gillyong, a gayageum [a traditional Korean zither-like instrument] in the middle of the night?

Still, the melody was quite fitting for the ambiance.

A refreshing bamboo forest even in midsummer, with a full moon reflected in the sea below. The mischievous wind and restless waves shattered the light, only for it to gather again into a dazzling circle.

Jinhyuk, holding the two boys, simply gazed in a daze.

At Cheon Gillyong’s familiar playing, which he had grown accustomed to after frequent visits, and the spectacle created by the celestial bodies.

“It’s nice.”

Was there a need to embellish or evaluate it?

The world was a gift, and all one had to do was enjoy it.

Hehehek-.

Janggun, who had reached the level of enjoying the gayageum performance, also perked up his ears.

As the adults’ conversation dragged on, the little ones each took a leg of Jinhyuk’s as a chair and waited.

“Ung-ah-. No mosquitos here-.”

“Right? The bamboo forest is cool, so it seems mosquitoes don’t like it here.”

“Hyung, Too-hyuk is scawy-. The wind goes shush-shush-.”

“Our Suhyuk, if the wind sound is scary, should we go home?”

Uh-uh-.

Son Jeongwon and Hong Suhyuk shook their heads simultaneously.

It seemed they didn’t want to leave since their dads and grandpa were all here.

“Jeongwon, Suhyuk. Here you go-. Eat this.”

Yoojin peeled the persimmon skin she had brought from home and put it in her younger brothers’ mouths.

Jeongwon, who knew the taste, eagerly accepted the persimmon that his sister spoon-fed him, like a baby bird.

“Oong-, yummy-.”

Hong Suhyuk, who tasted the steeped persimmon for the first time, also widened his eyes.

“What’s this-?”

“It’s a persimmon.”

“Persimmon?”

Persimmons that should be on the persimmon tree fall for various reasons.

Because the stem is not strong enough, because it cannot bear its own weight, because it cannot withstand the wind and rain…

They are unripe persimmons that cannot be eaten raw.

They are steeped to remove the astringent taste. In other regions, they say they are steeped by leaving them in the air, but the adults in Jinhyuk’s neighborhood used the method of soaking persimmons in salt water or seawater.

‘It must be a method using osmosis?’

It was a method passed down from those adults to the children, and then to their children.

The unripe persimmons that floated in the salt water would sink in a day or two, and then they could be taken out, peeled, and eaten. If you don’t peel them, you might end up with a blocked butt like Choi Mikyung, the test taker.

They say that persimmons steeped in salt water are softer and sweeter, but Jinhyuk, who had never eaten persimmons steeped in other ways, just took it as a given.

“Suhyuk, it’s delicious, right? You don’t have this at your house, do you?”

“No. I don’t.”

“You should say, ‘I don’t have it.'”

Yoojin is starting to resemble her mother, Yoo Sera.

“I don’t have it-.”

Although he was gentle, Hong Suhyuk was not an easy one to deal with.

Remembering Hong Sujeong, who seemed docile but was stubborn, Jinhyuk chuckled and shifted his legs so that Hong Suhyuk could sit comfortably.

Ding- Twing- Dungdang- Twing-.

The sound of the gayageum strings being plucked while sitting on the porch with a pipe in his mouth, the moonlight, the sound of the waves, the harmony of the bamboo leaves. The sweet and soft persimmon that Yoojin fed him, telling him to eat too.

And the warmth of the children’s bodies, perfectly filling the gaps so that the coolness could not penetrate.

‘Kuh-, this is perfect healing-.’

In a delusion of becoming a divine being, Jinhyuk perked up his ears.

Towards the men sitting around the small pond in Cheon Gillyong’s house, sharing secrets.

“There’s no evidence left to deal with under the law. If the witness claims it’s fabricated, that’s the end of it, and the woman who first instigated it is missing. So, there are no witnesses at all.”

Even though he hadn’t studied it separately, Yoo Myungseon was the one who dealt with reality as if he had insight.

Although he felt a bit disappointed that he wasn’t taking his side, the perspective of someone who had gained a balanced view at the end of a long life was worth listening to. So far, it was a neutral opinion that he could nod along to.

“Even after cutting and cutting, the network of scholarship students is like a net. They’ve also used a lot of drugs, so a search and seizure is not an option. There’s no way such evidence would come out in a search and seizure.”

This was Hong Gijun, indirectly saying that it was difficult to obtain the ledger containing Park Woojeong’s misdeeds, even after trying various things.

The main people who offered opinions were Yoo Myungseon and Hong Gijun.

Son Gwangyeon just sipped his tea and listened silently, refraining from speaking even though it was related to his own affairs.

“That’s right, Park’s son was quite cunning from a young age. If there was such a ledger, he wouldn’t have kept it in a bank vault. As my son-in-law guessed, even if there was such a will, what meaning would a non-existent document have?”

Doogu Elil presented a piece of paper in front of Jinhyuk’s consciousness, saying that he had found Park Wooncheol’s will. There was also a scene of middle-aged Park Wooncheol revealing his will in front of young Park Woojeong and a lawyer. It was more of a confirmation that Park Wooncheol, in a repentant mood, would bequeath half of his shares to Son Jeongwon’s bloodline, but anyway.

After confirming the confirmation, Park Woojeong secretly made a move against Jinhyuk’s grandmother, Moon Ye, and the lawyer who had notarized it was also killed in a staged car accident. The detective who investigated the accident also died in an accident.

That was all.

There was nothing new or noteworthy, and it remained within Jinhyuk’s expectations. That’s why Jinhyuk’s emotions didn’t waver. It was also because the grudges of the human world seemed trivial after finding his past.

Doogu Elil couldn’t bring the will because of some reason about the rules of time and space.

‘Incompetent and clueless bureaucrat.’

Still, Jinhyuk thought realistically and appeased Doogu Elil. Jinhyuk was the embodiment of generosity, after all.

He said that even if he had brought it, there would be no one to prove it was genuine, and even if he brought a document from the past, it wouldn’t be recognized as genuine because the document’s age wouldn’t be long enough due to the time jump.

– 【Th, that’s right. That’s why I didn’t bring it either. You’re so smart.】

You just couldn’t bring it!

Anyway.

Jinhyuk informed Hong Gijun that the will existed, and Hong Gijun brought up the opinion as a hypothetical in front of Yoo Myungseon and Son Gwangyeon.

“The Park family had a lot of greed, but they weren’t evil. They made money by clinging to power, but there were many people who benefited from it, weren’t there? In dark times, there are people who take advantage of the situation. It’s not just during the Japanese colonial era; whenever the country is in chaos and the world is turned upside down, such people appear countless times throughout history. Such people may be evaluated as thieves by later generations, or they may be packaged as heroes. I, too, may have unknowingly harmed or caused damage to people while running my business.”

Yoo Myungseon’s tone was not harsh, but his voice was tinged with discomfort.

It sounded like he was defending a comrade who had suffered in the same era.

“There’s also the saying, ‘truth and reconciliation,’ isn’t there?”

“Reconciliation is only possible after the truth is revealed and acknowledged. Leaving aside punishment, extending a hand for reconciliation without any compensation or apology is a logic that favors the perpetrator.”

And it’s mostly the perpetrators who extend their hands first. Jinhyuk blinked, agreeing with Hong Gijun’s words. Hong Gijun had gifted torpedoes instead of handshakes to perpetrators in other fields. It was inevitable that he would have a different opinion from Yoo Myungseon.

“The world has changed, darkness has receded, and a bright world has come, so we should abandon the conspiracy and look at the light.”

“Just because the attic is lit by sunlight doesn’t mean the mold’s sins disappear. The mold didn’t bring that sunlight, did it? I think we should do as the one who brought that sunlight intended.”

Who brought the sunlight? Jinhyuk pondered.

Everyone must have worked hard to bring it. If it was Hong Gijun’s logic, who was in opposition to Yoo Myungseon, who said that the economy developed due to the merits of some owners, that’s what he would be saying.

“So, are you saying that you’ll use dirty tricks just like those guys?”

If left alone, it seemed like it would turn into a fight between the son-in-law and the father-in-law.

Son Gwangyeon, who had been listening quietly, stepped forward.

Ahem-.

“Gijun probably doesn’t think your thoughts are wrong, sir. I also think that what you’re saying is not wrong.”

Ding- Twing-.

Cheon Gillyong’s gayageum played a slow tune at the right time.

The bamboo forest, which had been rustling busily, also held its breath.

“My wife said something like this. She said that the changes in the times happen without us knowing, like the sun setting and the moon rising. She said it’s hard to know. Unless you’re someone who lives by relying on the sun and the moon.”

As expected of those who graduated from literature, the adults were having a very literary conversation.

There must also be a reason why they didn’t directly mention anyone’s name or talk about their sins, as it was unpleasant.

Still, there was no difficulty in understanding.

As Jinhyuk wrapped blankets around the little ones who were starting to doze off and nodded, Son Gwangyeon’s voice flowed.

“I have no intention of evaluating Uncle Wooncheol. Social evaluations, historical evaluations, let the comfortable scholars do that. I’m satisfied as it is. I’m safe and happy enough. Park Woojeong can’t do anything because he’s watching Gijun’s every move. I heard his health has also deteriorated because of his son being in an American prison.”

Yoo Myungseon sighed lightly.

“What do you think? What can we do about it? If we use our power to seek revenge, wouldn’t we become the same as them? That’s my honest feeling. If my son-in-law, Chairman Hong, steps forward, it could be seen as suppressing the weak by using the power of the family. I don’t want my son-in-law to be pointed at.”

Although it had fallen to a fraction of what it was compared to the world, the expression that the family had declined was an excessive exaggeration.

Although they had closed down a few businesses such as semiconductors early on, Daejeong was a large corporation that had a foot in the entire domestic industry, from daily necessities to home appliances and automobiles.

Jinhyuk tried to guess what Yoo Myungseon was implying.

‘It must be because he’s a friend. He’s taking the criticism of Park Wooncheol as a criticism of himself, who lived in the same era.’

Park Wooncheol had already died several years ago.

According to Moon Seokil’s investigation, the hospital bed was empty and the body was being cryopreserved.

Although he was a friend’s son, Park Woojeong was only 17 years younger than Yoo Myungseon.

They were proud people who had built the economy during a turbulent period, so why wouldn’t they have a sense of camaraderie?

“We also have to think about the people who make a living at Daejeong. If the waves of the world sweep over them, where will those people complain?”

Jinhyuk shook his head as he listened to Yoo Myungseon’s protest.

Not because his words were wrong, but because he was saddened that his consciousness had become rigid.

It was a problem that could never be solved by appealing to pity like that.

Frankly, was it reasonable to refrain from resolving grudges because they might lose their jobs?

That was a logic for the perpetrators who were holding the weak hostage.

‘I need to use Park Hyunsoo and Park Sarang. And Hammond too.’

Jinhyuk carefully reviewed his plan.

Because Park Wooncheol’s body was being cryopreserved, he had also suspected that there might still be evidence that would be revealed when Park Wooncheol died.

But the reason was different.

‘They’re having a headache over the inheritance issue.’

They were trying to secure even a small share and reduce taxes, but the world had changed and the eyes watching them were sharp, so they couldn’t act easily.

Ding-!

The gayageum performance stopped.

Heaving a long sigh, Cheon Gillyong tucked his bare feet into his white rubber shoes.

No one was unaware that it was because of his uncomfortable feelings.

Since he wasn’t directly involved, he had only listened, but Cheon Gillyong must have felt uncomfortable while listening.

Everyone glanced at each other and followed Cheon Gillyong.

Cheon Gillyong, walking along the path in the bamboo forest, smiled contentedly at the sight of the little ones sleeping with blankets wrapped around them.

“Ohoho-, the young masters are sleeping so soundly.”

“Yes. It’s a pleasant place, so they’re sleeping well.”

“What if those guys get nightmares sleeping in a place like this? Ah, but Jinhyuk is here, so there’s nothing to worry about. Jinhyuk’s grace is extraordinary.”

“Hehe-.”

Cheon Gillyong, passing by Jinhyuk, stood at the edge of the cliff with his hands behind his back.

His caterpillar eyebrows twitched as he nodded, looking at the full moon shimmering in the full sea.

“It’s a moon in the water-. A moon in the water that breaks and gathers. A moon in the water that doesn’t break no matter how much the waves lash at it. But in the end, it’s a moon in the water.”

The men who followed Cheon Gillyong just blinked.

“The old man likes it because it’s bright, and the young man runs to catch it. Seeing that, Li Bai [a famous Chinese poet] was young. He lived with it and ended up jumping into it-.”

That old man is throwing riddles again.

Jinhyuk’s lips curled up meaningfully.

Yoo Myungseon, Hong Gijun, and Son Gwangyeon all furrowed their brows to figure out what Cheon Gillyong meant.

Because his voice was too loud to be considered a soliloquy.

Yoojin, who had inherited the writing from Cheon Gillyong and was still learning from him, sucked on her persimmon-stained fingers and parted her lips.

“A moon in the water means the moon reflected in the water-, it also refers to something that is visible but cannot be grasped-. In a good way, it’s used to mean chasing a dream-, and in a bad way, it means a futile effort. Ahem-.”

“Aheoheo-, that’s right. Son Yoojin is the only disciple I’ve found in my entire life-. She’s better than Jinhyuk. Or is she not? That guy Jinhyuk has a snake-like side, so he pretends not to know even if he does. Tsk-, that sly fellow.”

Cheon Gillyong, looking back and forth between Yoojin and Jinhyuk with a clear smile, soon hardened his expression and looked back at the sea.

“The father is a good person and knows contentment, so he might be able to forgive, but will his son stay still…? Will he try to keep alive the one who tried to harm his father…? If Son’s president’s mother had died a violent death, he wouldn’t stay still either… Even in this old man’s dim eyes, things are vaguely visible, things that only need to be seen… They don’t try to see, but try to catch, so it’s truly a moon in the water. Because they can’t see properly, they try to catch it.”

Cheon Gillyong clicked his tongue.

Yoo Myungseon carefully took a step closer, looking at his feet.

“Didn’t you say they were people with the virtues of a gentleman?”

The two old men were talking about Son Gwangyeon and Jinhyuk.

Cheon Gillyong was usually busy praising Son’s president to the skies.

Saying that they were the ones who had revived the declining land.

“Many people mistake a gentleman for just a kind person. If you’re just kind, you’re a pushover, so how can you be called a gentleman…?”

At Cheon Gillyong’s words mixed with a hollow laugh, Jinhyuk’s mouth stretched wide from side to side.

But Jinhyuk was the only one laughing.

“That’s why it’s even more so. How can a gentleman live under the same sky as his enemy? He may sharpen his sword for revenge and endure hardship, but he will not give up. Isn’t there a saying, ‘A gentleman’s revenge is not too late in ten years’? It’s not just because they are kind and virtuous that they are called gentlemen. Forgiving an enemy is something Jesus would do, not something a great man would do.”

“Heo-, since it’s not my business, I can’t tell them to forgive. But still…”

Tsk. Yoo Myungseon smacked his lips.

It was because he had finally empathized with the Son family.

He had only tried to lecture them with his arms crossed, acting like an adult.

“A man who just eats and grows old while his enemy is alive cannot be called a gentleman. A gentleman’s job is to wait for the right time and hone his skills. With the determination to destroy that family and even swallow the country. You have to take away what your enemy cherishes and loves the most. That’s why a gentleman’s revenge is more cruel and terrifying.”

Tsk-.

Cheon Gillyong rubbed his lips hard, as if his mouth was dry.

“If you’re a parent, it’s normal not to want your child to suffer. Even if they get their hands dirty, they want their child to touch gold, isn’t that what a parent is? Even a dog will hold its puppies and tremble when it rains-.”

Cheon Gillyong tapped Janggun’s head with his pipe.

Hehehek-.

Janggun wagged his tail as if he didn’t dislike it either.

“That’s why Chairman Yoo couldn’t abandon his incompetent children, and entrusted the grand plan to his trustworthy son-in-law, wasn’t it? Wouldn’t there be a heart that said, ‘Please take care of my children’ in that? Son’s president also built his fortress for his children. Why don’t you understand that? You’ve become stronger, but your wisdom has become dim, so it’s a pity… Night has come into your brain, but the moonlight doesn’t enter, that’s what getting old is.”

Tsk tsk-.

Since Hong Gijun and Son Gwangyeon were there, he didn’t openly criticize Yoo Myungseon, considering his face. But he was a senior who made Yoo Myungseon feel ashamed enough. You’re old.

Yoo Myungseon bit his lip tightly.

“From a different perspective, we also need to reflect on why Lee Bangwon [a Joseon Dynasty king known for his ruthlessness] caused such a bloodbath. If there hadn’t been that bloodbath, would Sejong [a Joseon Dynasty king known for his wisdom] have been able to promulgate the Korean alphabet? No way. Isn’t Chairman Hong also living so diligently to become Lee Bangwon?”

Although he was still facing the sea, Cheon Gillyong’s voice was directed at Hong Gijun.

Finally, Hong Gijun smiled silently.

As a returnee who had experienced a bigger and stranger world, there was no reason to be creeped out by Cheon Gillyong’s sharp eyes.

Hong Gijun said as if for Yoo Myungseon to hear.

“I requested this meeting because it’s an important issue, but it’s not something I should be at the forefront of. Don’t worry.”

Even as he said that, his gaze was directed towards the moon in the water.

His friend, Son Gwangyeon, didn’t know the truth.

Revealing the truth without evidence would only hurt his friend.

Son Gwangyeon, who only knew the reality of the threat and not the truth, had made the best choice, which was to defend.

Since the attack had to be led by someone who knew the truth, there was a suitable person.

“Tsk-, I should drink some rice wine. The moon is so beautiful-. The times are good, so let’s drink heartily and play some music-. With the bamboo leaves, the moon is bright, so let’s go-. Eolssu-.”

Everyone turned around, following Cheon Gillyong.

Hong Gijun brushed Jinhyuk’s shoulder as he passed by.

“Do as you plan. I’ll back you up. Graduate first.”

Yes. Time is on my side. Jinhyuk replied with his eyes.

Because he was young.

Jinhyuk’s youth had not even begun yet.