Chapter 55: I Won’t Ask You to Kill

It happened a few months ago when several dozen days had passed since Chairman Cheon asked Chief Ha to look into Cheon Mi-suk's case.

"Chairman it's Myung-hoon."

"Come in."

Chief Ha's face was tense as he opened the door and entered the study. It was unusual for someone who rarely showed emotion.

"What's wrong? Why the grim face? Did something happen in Myeong-dong?"

Chairman Cheon asked with slight surprise but Chief Ha couldn't bring himself to speak.

"Hey Myung-hoon this isn't like you. Why the suspense? What's going on?"

"······Chairman."

"What's with you today? What could possibly be the matter?"

"It's about Miss Mi-suk's case."

As soon as Chief Ha mentioned Cheon Mi-suk's name Chairman Cheon's expression hardened.

As if he already sensed what he was about to hear.

"We found the only surviving police officer who was in charge of the case. He was abroad but we managed to track him down after extensive searching."

"······Was it a hit?"

Chairman Cheon might have vaguely known. That blood ties don't simply disappear even if he turned a blind eye.

"I'm sorry. I should have paid closer attention."

"No it's not your fault. Before we start pointing fingers tell me quickly. Who was it?"

"······Teacher Pyo was involved. That means Cheongpung Group was behind it."

Chairman Cheon closed his eyes quietly when he heard Cheongpung Group mentioned.

Chief Ha stood before him like a guilty man.

After a long silence Chairman Cheon opened his eyes.

His voice trembled when he spoke again.

"What could Cheongpung Group possibly gain from eliminating Mi-suk? Is it worth going to war with me? After all I've done for those bastards."

Chief Ha remained silent.

"Don't tell me······ No it can't be?"

"I'm sorry."

Chief Ha couldn't bring himself to say that President Cheon Su-man was involved.

But it wasn't something that needed to be explicitly stated to be understood.

Chairman Cheon's expression crumbled.

"Tell me everything exactly as it is. Don't add or omit anything just the facts as they are."

"······The man our employee met said they conducted a perfunctory investigation under orders from above. But when everyone involved in the case died he got scared and emigrated. So we started investigating domestically."

Chairman Cheon listened to his words while rubbing his interlocked thumbs together.

Chief Ha who had been staring at this action added with difficulty:

"We dug deep into the upper echelons of the police force······ and confirmed President Cheon Su-man's involvement."

Chairman Cheon's fingers stopped abruptly.

"While it seems he didn't participate directly the fact that he intentionally blocked information from reaching you suggests there was a prior deal between the two sides. After all the only ones who would benefit from the young miss's death are the presidents."

Even Chief Ha who rarely showed emotion had a trembling voice by the end.

Chairman Cheon's hands were also visibly shaking.

"We're currently tracking the two men who directly killed Miss Mi-suk. We believe they're still in the country and we'll capture them as soon as we locate them."

Chairman Cheon no longer heard Chief Ha's words.

The fact that his sons were involved in his daughter's death was enough to shatter him.

It was his fault for not seeing his sons for who they really were.

For a while only the sound of Chairman Cheon and Chief Ha's breathing could be heard in the silent study.

"No need to bring them in. Kill them right away. Don't make it easy make it the most painful death possible······ Yes throw them to the dogs like we used to."

"Understood."

"This must never reach Mu-hyeok's ears. Find everyone involved and kill them thoroughly. As for Su-man······ leave him be for now."

"But······"

"Myung-hoon I know you thought of Mi-suk as a sister. You were especially fond of them when they were young. But······ how can I kill my own flesh and blood? Was Su-han involved too?"

"······We found no trace of President Cheon Su-han's involvement in any of the evidence."

"I see. That's a relief at least."

Chairman Cheon let out a sigh of relief at the news that no traces of Cheon Su-han were found.

Chief Ha silently watched Chairman Cheon who was lost in thought stroking his chin.

After a long time Chairman Cheon spoke:

"Myung-hoon."

"Yes Chairman."

"If we were to go to war with Cheongpung Group prepared to destroy one or the other what would our odds be?"

"······War sir?"

"Yes if we fight with the resolve that one of us will be eliminated."

"Our chances of winning would be less than 20%."

"Hm······"

A sound that could have been grinding teeth or a sigh escaped Chairman Cheon's lips.

"What if we use the ledger?"

"If you use that we could raise our odds to 50%. But Chairman the moment you use it all the power you hold becomes worthless. Even if you win you'll lose everything – your family your money and even your life."

There was a ledger that recorded all the bribes Cheon Tae-san had given to Cheong Group politicians bureaucrats and military officials throughout his life. Even using that the odds were only 50-50.

Hearing that victory couldn't be guaranteed even if he threw away everything Chairman Cheon closed his eyes at a loss for words.

"Why on earth did they join hands with Su-man? What were they thinking?"

"I think they were planning for after your passing Chairman. Haven't you been reducing support for Cheongpung Group since the new military regime? For them President Cheon Su-man must have seemed an easier partner to deal with than you."

"······I see. Now I understand everything. There was a reason he kept bringing money even when I told him not to. I thought it was just to gain Il-sung but he had no choicce but to pay."

Everything was falling into place.

Cheon Su-man's obsession with Cheongpung Group.

And the reason he was excessively wary of and displeased with Kim Mu-hyeok.

"For now we'll postpone revenge. It's not time yet. We need the odds to be over 70% before we can seek vengeance."

"······Understood. What should we do about the president?"

"Leave him be. I plan to send him down to Jeju Island after I hand everything over to Mu-hyeok. I'll say it again but this must never reach Mu-hyeok's ears. We must prevent bloodshed between kin at all costs."

"Understood."

"I want to be alone now. You may go."

Chief Ha carefully closed the door and left the study.

In the silent study only the old man's soft sobs could be heard.

* * *

Grandfather with tears in his eyes ultimately couldn't answer.

"Grandfather please······ I don't want to hate you too."

"Mu-hyeok I won't ask for forgiveness. But can't you just let it go?"

"You're asking me to let it go? Who will give me back my childhood spent without parents? I have to avenge my parents who died unjustly. Don't you understand? If we don't settle this now they'll eventually try to take my life too."

"But······ how can I kill my own children with my own hands? Not before I'm in my grave."

It was exactly as I expected.

The reason I had postponed revenge against the Cheon Su-man and Cheon Su-han brothers was because of Grandfather.

Even the iron-willed Grandfather was weak when it came to family.

"I won't ask you to kill them. Please remove them from my sight. Send them somewhere I'll never cross paths with them again. Take everything they have and make them realize what they've done wrong."

I could have killed them anytime.

Even now if I wanted to I could kill them.

But I didn't want to inflict the pain of losing family on Grandfather again.

I wanted to believe in Grandfather's sincerity one more time.

"How did you find out?"

"That's not what's important right now Grandfather."

"······Would it be enough if I send Su-man abroad?"

"If you take away everything you've given him."

Grandfather's inability to answer angered me.

"If not I'll leave Grandfather's side. I'll go abroad and return when I have the power to take revenge on them myself."

If Grandfather couldn't let go of his attachment I was prepared to let go of mine.

"I'll leave Korea with Grandmother. Thank you for everything Grandfather."

For the first time a look of bewilderment crossed Grandfather's face at my firm words.

"Mu-hyeok."

For the first time in two lives I turned my back ignoring Grandfather's call.

As the study door opened I was ready to abandon all attachments and build the strength to take revenge with my own hands even if it took a long time.

It was entirely possible in this life.

"······Alright stop. Your old man was wrong."

I stopped in my tracks towards the door.

When I turned back Grandfather no longer looked like the formidable Chairman Cheon but just a powerless lonely old man like Grandma.

"I promise I won't shed my uncles' blood with my own hands as long as you're alive Grandfather."

"······Did Su-han know too?"

"Yes I heard it from him. Whether he found out late or knew from the beginning he knew."

"······Don't hate Ji-soo Ji-soo and Ji-young."

I wasn't afraid of Grandfather anymore.

"Okay I promise."

"Myung-hoon come in."

Chief Ha's face was also grim as he opened the door and entered.

"You heard everything right? Take back everything we gave those two bastards. I'll call the chairman of Il-sung you go find Ji-younng's mother and get her signature on the divorce papers."

"Chairman are you alright?"

Grandfather didn't answer Chief Ha's question.

"And after you've taken everything send them abroad. Give them just enough to settle down. They still need to live after all."

"Chairman······"

As expected Grandfather was Grandfather to the end.

But I didn't say anything about that either. There was no need to push further here.

"Put everything else on hold and do this first. As for Su-han remove all the privileges he's receiving there now and when he comes out send him abroad like Su-man."

"Understood."

"Is that enough? Is this sufficient?"

"Yes."

"Both of you leave now. I want to be alone."

After dismissing me and Chief Ha Grandfather turned to look out the window.

We came outside.

"Chief Ha you went too far. How could you not tell me about Mom's case?"

"I'm sorry. I too am deeply saddened by Miss Mi-suk's case."

"······I'll believe you."

Leaving Chief Ha behind I left the house.

It was a day I couldn't bear with a sober mind.

"Manager Ma take me to Myeong-su's house please."

Manager Ma silently started the car.

Soon we arrived at Myeong-su's house.

When I rang the bell Myeong-su came out.

"What's this? No call or nothing?"

Myeong-su who was speaking as he opened the door stopped when he saw my face.

"Why you looking like that? Something happen?"

At those words my vision finally blurred.

"Why this bastard crying and shit? Come on in first."

I entered the house with Myeong-su.

Myeong-su brought a glass of cold water and held it out.

"Really now this guy never cries usually but shows up outta nowhere bawling. What's going on? What happened?"

"Got any booze?"

"Yeah I do."

"Give it to me."

Myeong-su looked at my face once sighed and brought soju.

I snatched the soju bottle from Myeong-su as he was about to open the cap and pour it into a glass.

I downed an entire bottle without stopping.

"Has this guy really lost it?"

The pungent smell of alcohol enveloped my nose and descended down my throat.

"Myeong-su let's just stay like this today. I'm sorry."

I held onto Myeong-su and poured out all my remaining emotions.

I cried until I was exhausted and fell asleep.

When I opened my eyes the next day I made a resolution.

That I wouldn't be sad anymore.

Just being sad wouldn't get me what I wanted.

'Always stay alert. Live in fear not knowing when you might die.'

What I promised Grandfather was that I wouldn't kill them.

Right as long as I don't kill them that's all that matters.