The Genius Grandson Of The Cash King Becomes A Tycoon [EN]: Chapter 185

#185

Just as the evergreen pine stands out in winter, adversity reveals true friends and enemies.

Jeong-hun is using this crisis to distinguish between the two.

A crisis?

He must be thrilled.

Unaware that he’s merely a puppet dancing on the stage I’ve prepared.

The early days of a new regime are when those in power are at their strongest.

Those who wore masks of friendship begin to shed their disguises, revealing their hostile intentions.

Because that’s how they try to grab even a sliver more of the pie.

Jeong-hun was closely monitoring the movements of the National Tax Service, the prosecution, and the police.

The National Intelligence Service and the Defense Security Command were also leaving no stone unturned to uncover any corruption within Shinwa Group.

But they won’t find anything easily.

Because there is no corruption.

Or, if there was, the traces have been perfectly erased.

He worked so thoroughly that they couldn’t possibly find any evidence with their level of expertise.

The National Tax Service arrived for a search and seizure.

‘Is it Investigation Bureau 4?’

The department known for catching slush funds and tax evasion.

Jeong-hun spoke into the intercom.

“Keep a record of all the employees who arrived today.”

“Yes, sir.”

Soon after, there was a knock.

He wasn’t in a good mood, but they were still guests.

He decided to treat them with courtesy.

“We’re from Investigation Bureau 4 of the National Tax Service. I’m Department Head Ha Tae-geon.”

Indeed, his hunch was correct.

Jeong-hun greeted him with a smile.

“Nice to meet you. I’m Yoon Jeong-hun. Please, have a seat. If you’re not in a hurry, let’s have some tea before we start. Oh, and rest assured, we don’t tamper with evidence here.”

“It’s fine. You can tamper with the evidence all you want. The dismantling of Shinwa Group is already a foregone conclusion.”

It was a blatant threat.

And coming from a mere department head from the National Tax Service, no less.

Jeong-hun burst out laughing.

“Pfft.”

‘Try it if you can.’

“Are you laughing? You seem younger than me.”

He frowned at Jeong-hun’s laughter.

Then, he raised one corner of his mouth in a bitter smile.

“Don’t come begging for mercy later, young Chairman!”

‘He’s crossing the line.’

Jeong-hun walked right up to Department Head Ha Tae-geon.

He got close and thrust his face forward.

“Did you think you could catch me? You, a mere department head from the National Tax Service?”

“Y-you impudent bastard… I’ll dig up everything from your grandmother’s Future Finance Group to Shinwa Group. Listen, it doesn’t even take us six months to destroy a group if we set our minds to it. You’re young, so you don’t know, but there were groups that disappeared in just six months in the past. And do you know how many companies have incurred our displeasure and been dismantled?”

How could he not know?

Star Group had grown by absorbing those groups and companies that had been dismantled.

That was their growth equation.

Star Group couldn’t forget the sweetness of that time.

It was clear they were trying to tear Shinwa Group apart and devour it whole.

But we’re too big for that.

The moment they open their mouths to eat, their jaws will be torn apart.

Jeong-hun’s phone vibrated.

A message had arrived.

He opened the phone and slowly read the message.

“Department Head Ha Tae-geon. Affair with the wife of your superior, Choi Man-deuk, in 2001. Heh, seems you like older women. And assault on new employee Lee Dae-soo in 2007, marijuana use at a bar in 2006, and more…”

“What nonsense are you spouting?”

“Nonsense? Should I keep reading? 100 million won in bribes from Youngsan Group, 50 million won from Star Group. Impressive. Shall I continue?”

Ha Tae-geon’s face was swollen as if it would burst, hearing his misdeeds.

But the gleam in his eyes, which had been so full of vigor at first, was already half-dead.

“What do you want?”

“Nothing. Just keep working hard. If you can.”

“Start the search and seizure.”

Just as Ha Tae-geon was about to start the search and seizure, Lee Pan-ho entered.

“Gentlemen, you can’t just do as you please like that. You need to discuss it with me while looking at the warrant. What is this ignorant behavior?”

The expressions of those who always held their shoulders high were distorted.

Some were red as if they were about to explode.

They all glared at Lee Pan-ho.

“Did I say anything wrong?”

Lee Pan-ho asked back, but no one could refute him.

“Ah, no, you didn’t.”

He wasn’t wrong.

They had expected to finish the search and seizure easily, but there were many obstacles.

If a lawyer got involved, things wouldn’t proceed smoothly.

Ha Tae-geon, looking at Jeong-hun, said quietly.

“Let’s proceed amicably. It would be better for both of us.”

In the end, he backed down.

“Alright. Then I’ll also think in a positive direction.”

As Ha Tae-geon retreated, a man who appeared to be his subordinate stepped forward.

“No, Department Head. What will become of the National Tax Service’s reputation if you do this? The pride of the National Tax Service and our Investigation Bureau 4 is at stake.”

Jeong-hun’s phone rang again.

Jeong-hun slowly read the new message.

“Section Chief Yang In-gyu? 100 million won in bribes from Star Group in 2007? And…”

His face turned ashen in an instant.

Suddenly, Ha Tae-geon shouted and struck him on the head.

-Thwack!

“You son of a bitch, you said you only received 20 million won, and you pocketed 100 million? How dare you lie to me?”

“No, Department Head.”

“Ahem, take your fighting outside.”

At Jeong-hun’s words, the two became quiet.

They looked embarrassed and didn’t know what to do.

Jeong-hun gave them a sneering look and then said.

“Pack up and get lost.”

“Ah, yes, sir.”

Ha Tae-geon and Yang In-gyu unconsciously bowed deeply to Yoon Jeong-hun, who was leaving the chairman’s office.

Jeong-hun paused for a moment, looked at their posture, and said with a smile.

“I don’t think I’m in a position to receive such a respectful greeting from our Department Head and Section Chief.”

Only then did Ha Tae-geon and Yang In-gyu realize that their posture had become very servile.

They were giving the deep bow they would give to the Commissioner to the person they had come to investigate.

They bit their lips tightly in shame.

And they stared blankly at Yoon Jeong-hun’s departing figure.

They couldn’t turn their heads, ashamed to face their subordinates.

But deep down, they were hoping.

‘Since we bowed our heads, he’ll turn a blind eye to the misdeeds we’ve committed, right?’

They harbored a desperate hope in their hearts.

The investigation, for now, would be done as carelessly as possible.

Because they had to save themselves first.

***

Jeong-hun drove the car with a roar.

He drove non-stop from Jongno [a district in Seoul] to Gangnam [a district in Seoul], where Shinwa Entertainment was located.

When people see a Bugatti, they make way.

The miracle of Moses often unfolds in front of a Bugatti.

Thanks to people’s consideration, Jeong-hun, who arrived quickly, parked the car on the side of the road in front of the building.

He stepped on the accelerator with all his might.

The roaring sound from the car made passersby glance at his car.

Envious gazes.

He stepped on it deeply once more.

-Vroooom.

A woman who was admiring the car up close was startled and covered her ears.

“Oh my god, you scared the shit out of me.”

Startled, she hurriedly went her way.

Eun-soo was running out of the building.

He waved at Jeong-hun and then shouted loudly.

“Stop it, you bastard! You’re going to make my ears fall off.”

As soon as Eun-soo got into the car, he stepped on the accelerator again with all his might.

The sudden acceleration caused both of them to be thrown back, their bodies buried in the seats.

Startled, Eun-soo gripped the handle tightly.

“Hey, what’s wrong? Are you crazy?”

“Crazy? I’m just in a good mood.”

“Why are you in a good mood? Aren’t we being thoroughly investigated here and there right now?”

“No. I’m just figuring out who’s the enemy and who’s the friend right now.”

Eun-soo clicked his tongue, looking at Jeong-hun.

“Tsk, tsk, you’re crazy. Boa told me to comfort you, but it looks like you need a lot of comfort.”

“Yeah, I need comfort. So let’s go comfort someone.”

“What are you talking about again?”

“Hyung-cheol is in Tongyeong [a coastal city in South Korea], you know.”

“What? Why did he go there?”

“As soon as the new Prosecutor General came in, Hyung-cheol got the axe right away. They were going to dismiss him, but Minister Park Hyeon-cheol pleaded and pleaded, so he barely maintained his position as a prosecutor and was sent to Tongyeong. Didn’t you know?”

“How would I know? But Hyung must be bored.”

“That’s why we’re going now.”

“Where? Tongyeong? You crazy bastard! No, I have a date with Boa today. Today is our, our first… Hey, you son of a bitch.”

Eun-soo was freaking out like a madman.

“You little punk, is your girlfriend more important? Hyung is lonely.”

“No way. I even booked a hotel…”

“What, a hotel?”

Today, the first time, erotic?

Jeong-hun looked at Eun-soo and gave off a sticky smile like a Hahoe mask [a traditional Korean mask].

“You’re disgusting, you bastard!… Hey, watch out.”

-Gasp

The rear end of a truck loomed large right in front of their eyes.

He turned the steering wheel completely and barely avoided the car.

It was a close call.

Being an expensive car, it quickly regained its position.

“Well, it’s good to have something expensive. Take a nap. I’ll wake you up when we get there.”

Eun-soo glared at Jeong-hun as if he would kill him, then took out his phone.

And he pleaded with Boa.

He looked like he would kneel if he weren’t in the car.

Fortunately, it seemed like things went well.

“I’ll kill you if we go to Tongyeong. Wake Hyung up when we get there.”

He said to Jeong-hun.

Eun-soo’s expression didn’t seem unpleasant either.

There was no reason to dislike going to see a friend after a long time.

“Yes, Hyung.”

After answering, a while later.

Eun-soo’s snoring shook the car.

“Oh, I can’t help but swear! Hey, hey, Jeong Eun-soo!”

He didn’t wake up.

***

Park Hyeon-cheol opened his eyes.

It was an unfamiliar room.

He remembered starting at a Dachi restaurant [a type of Korean seafood restaurant], a specialty of Tongyeong, last night, then passing by a street stall and even a convenience store in front of his house.

He didn’t remember anything after that.

It seemed like Kang Cheol-jung had cursed at him, and it seemed like he had cried his eyes out.

His memories were fragmented like broken glass.

He got up and looked around.

A young man was giving off a terrible bachelor smell.

The bachelor smell was disgusting, but the house was still clean.

It was well-organized, resembling the guy’s personality.

Side dishes, soup, and rice were set on the table.

‘Please heat it up before eating.’

A note written in a dry handwriting was attached.

Anyone would think he was his wife.

Cheol-jung was doing things that even his own daughter wouldn’t do for him.

A commendable guy.

He took a bite of the dried pollack soup that Cheol-jung had made.

‘Is he a chef?’

His skills were amazing.

It was qualitatively different from Da-hye, who had learned cooking from books.

He swept it into his mouth.

He wished he was his son.

Having only daughters, he had always thought that it would be nice to have a reliable son.

Thinking that, Park Hyeon-cheol gave a self-deprecating smile.

‘You crazy bastard, you need to come to your senses.’

After eating, he did the dishes and cleaned the room neatly.

He always felt sorry for him, as if he had been chased all the way here because of him.

And he also had a feeling that he might not see him again.

No, actually, he wanted to see the sea.

That’s why he came down.

It just so happened that Cheol-jung was here.

Park Hyeon-cheol packed his bags and went outside.

After getting in the car, he made a phone call.

“Yes, Minister.”

“It’s been a while since I quit being a minister, anyway, I enjoyed the meal yesterday.”

“No, it’s because I enjoyed the meal since I bought it all with the Minister’s card.”

It was a emotionless voice.

Park Hyeon-cheol thought about whether he had made a mistake yesterday and chuckled.

Cheol-jung’s existence itself was a mistake and a target of hatred.

“Yeah, you’re suffering in an unfamiliar place. Hang in there. I’m going back up now.”

“Yes, please go up carefully, Minister…”

“Yeah.”

“And, I don’t want to see you again now.”

“Ah, yeah, I’m sorry. Thank you for helping me all this time. And… I’m sorry. I came to my senses too late.”

“…Please go up carefully.”

The phone hung up with a click.

“Huh, that guy. Yeah, you have to be healthy. Everyone should get along well.”

He smiled bitterly to himself.

After being in the car for a while, he slowly stepped on the accelerator.

He headed to Seoul.

He had to persuade the legal cartel, including Haesong.

He had to strike Lee Seok and Ha In-seon with their power.

That way, Da-hye, Jeong-hun, and Cheol-jung could all live.

Park Hyeon-cheol bet everything on his last negotiation with them.

***

“Hyung, stop drinking! You said you drank a lot yesterday.”

“Hey, there’s nothing to do here except drink.”

“There’s nothing to do?”

“Hey, I’m a prosecutor! Not someone who catches petty thieves.”

Indeed, his brilliant mind was rotting here.

“Listen, do you know how great the work I’ve done so far is? I caught a serial burglar last week. He serially stole a whopping 10 bicycles. The damage was a whopping 300,000 won [approximately $225 USD]. But when I caught him, he turned out to be a middle school student. And I caught some bullies who were committing school violence and handed them over to trial, and I handed over a husband who beat his foreign wife… Kang Cheol-jung is doing this, damn it! What should I do, Jaeja?”

Kang Cheol-jung looked at Jeong-hun and sobbed.

His expression wasn’t because of the work.

He’s not the type to cry because of work.

There’s another problem.

“Stop eating, you’re too drunk, Hyung.”

Eun-soo, who was more drunk than Kang Cheol-jung, stopped Hyung-cheol.

And immediately slammed his head on the table.

“Hoo, are you okay? What happened?”

Jeong-hun asked.

Kang Cheol-jung drank cold water and shook his head violently.

“That son of a bitch Park Hyeon-cheol came. So I feel like shit.”

“Why did he come here?”

“He said he wanted to see the sea. Does he come all the way to Tongyeong to see the sea?”

“He came all the way here, which takes 5 hours?”

“He says that, but it seemed like he came because he was worried. He asked me this and that. If I’m okay.”

“Ha, that old man must be crazy. Who is he to worry about someone when he’s about to go to jail?”

Kang Cheol-jung’s expression changed subtly at Jeong-hun’s harsh words.

“Well, he might have come because he was worried. He’s been working with me for quite a long time. You cold bastard.”

“Is that why? Is that why you’re like this, Hyung?”

“It hurts. We shouldn’t get close. That son of a bitch takes care of him like his own son.”

He knew why Kang Cheol-jung was having a hard time.

“Hoo, it’s already been 8 years since my father has been lying in the hospital. Time flies, doesn’t it?”

“Hyung, do as your heart tells you. Punish him if you want to punish him, and forgive him if you want to forgive him.”

“I don’t know, shut up!”

Kang Cheol-jung let out a long sigh and then collapsed onto the table.

Jeong-hun emptied the glass in front of him.

Living his second life, he gained immense wealth that others could not obtain.

Friends, and a woman he loves.

He had everything.

He also finished his revenge.

The forces that are eating away at this land will soon be annihilated.

It’s a brief ordeal, but he can be happy once this winter passes.

He hoped that those around him would also be happy.

He was sincere.

Jeong-hun filled the empty glasses of Cheol-jung and Eun-soo.

And his own as well.

They were supporting their heads on the table and sleeping.

In an instant, they raised their heads and held up their glasses high.

“Cheers!”

The three shouted loudly.

They emptied their glasses cleanly.

And bowed their heads again like zombies.

It was funny.

At that time, the phone in his pocket rang.

“Da-hye.”

“Jeong-hun, I can’t reach Dad. His phone is also turned off.”

“What?”

He visited Tongyeong and met Kang Cheol-jung.

Was Park Hyeon-cheol preparing for the end?

King of Cash’s Genius Grandson, Becoming a Tycoon.