Episode 204.
Baek Seon-pyeong’s question about what he plans to do with Han Gwan-guk.
Han Tae-san had no answer.
An awkward silence fell.
After a while, Baek Seon-pyeong smiled slightly.
“It’s been a while since we last met, and I started talking about something heavy right from the start. I apologize.”
“No. Rather, I am more… sorry.”
Han Tae-san answered with his head bowed.
Baek Seon-pyeong silently accepted the bottle of alcohol in Han Tae-san’s hand.
“Take it.”
Han Tae-san hurriedly picked up his empty glass and received Baek Seon-pyeong’s drink.
“Let’s have a drink.”
Baek Seon-pyeong poured the wine into his mouth with gusto.
Han Tae-san slightly turned his head and emptied his glass of alcohol.
widely.
Baek Seon-pyeong’s glass was neatly emptied.
Han Tae-san picked up the bottle again and filled Baek Seon-pyeong’s empty glass with alcohol.
“Looking at you like this, you’ve gotten older. When I first met you, you were full of youthful energy.”
“Do you still remember that time?”
“How could I forget? You were the one who helped me get back on track so I wouldn’t go astray.”
Baek Seon-pyeong took Han Tae-san’s bottle of liquor and filled his empty glass.
“You were the one who blocked my path, when I was full of disillusionment with the world, and scolded me harshly.”
“I’m scolding you, Master. Your words are too harsh.”
Han Tae-san lowered his head, not knowing what to do.
Baek Seon-pyeong continued speaking with a small smile.
“I still can’t forget that day. The look in your eyes when you said that. Do you remember it?”
Han Tae-san nodded without hesitation and said.
“I told you that I would make this world, which you have protected, a world where I can live with justice and honor.”
“So you told me that you would create a world where evil people cannot exist and where good people can live in peace.”
With that one thought, Han Tae-san has come this far.
Of course, Han Tae-san did not have the same strength as Baek Seon-pyeong.
But strength did not simply mean physical strength.
More precisely, the power to change the world cannot be achieved through physical force alone.
You could tell that by looking at the Baekseonpyeong.
Power that cannot be handled only causes anxiety.
They are treated no different from nuclear waste, which is used only when needed and then thrown away.
So, Han Tae-san worked hard to gain the true power to change the world.
And finally, he was able to become the chairman of SH Group, which dominates the business and political worlds of South Korea.
You now have the real power to change the world.
But now.
“How do you think you kept your promise that day?”
Han Tae-san couldn’t bring himself to answer.
Because it was so… ugly.
I’ve been through so many ugly things to get to this point.
Moreover, Han Tae-san himself committed such ugly acts to get to this position.
In the first place, there was no such thing as a just and fair world.
If you live hard, it will work out.
All you have to do is try hard.
That’s how I taught and promised to create such a world.
When I looked back, I saw that the world was trampling on the dreams of young people.
I just passed on… the bad things.
“…sorry.”
I had no answer.
I was so embarrassed.
Deep, bowed head.
“It’s not your fault.”
Baek Seon-pyeong’s voice was heard.
“Even if you are at fault, I am not here to scold you.”
“……”
“I myself have failed to uphold my own justice, so who can blame anyone else?”
Baek Seon-pyeong calmly raised his glass.
Han Tae-san lifted his glass and emptied it.
“It’s not easy to change the course of the world. No, it’s impossible to change. It’s not easy for you, and it’s not easy for me. It’s something that just the two of us can’t do.”
“……”
Han Tae-san couldn’t say anything.
13 Heroes, Baek Seon-pyeong.
SH Group Chairman, Han Tae-san.
These two were giants among giants who could move not only Korea but even the world.
But even with these two’s strength, it was impossible.
I couldn’t change the world.
That would mean that it is impossible for anyone.
“It was arrogance.”
It was just arrogance.
The arrogance and presumption of one individual being able to change the world.
Han Tae-san was still unable to speak in the face of that miserable reality.
“The arrogance of believing that one could change the course of the world in an instant.”
Baek Seon-pyeong continued speaking slowly.
“You and I. We were so confident that we could change the world in our generation.”
A question arose in Han Tae-san’s eyes.
That would be the case, because Baek Seon-pyeong’s words just now were somewhat strange.
Baek Seon-pyeong slowly cast his gaze out the window.
The two eyes of the aged Baek Seon-pyeong.
A pine tree was visible inside, creating an old-fashioned atmosphere.
“Long ago, there lived a foolish old man named Woo-gong in the northern mountains.”
And then I heard Baek Seon-pyeong’s voice.
“In front of his house, there was a large mountain called Mt. Taehang, so it was inconvenient to travel to other regions.”
Baek Seon-pyeong started a story.
“So this foolish old man tried to move Mount Taihang, which was blocking his way.”
The method was to break the stones of the mountain and put the dirt in a basket and move it.
“Everyone laughed at him, saying he was foolish. How much dirt can one person move with a basket?”
“……”
“First of all, Yu-gong was close to 90 years old at that time. It was clear that Yu-gong, who was old as he was, would die before he could even destroy the mountain. However, Yu-gong laughed and answered like this.”
If I can’t do it, my son, my grandson, my great-grandson will do it.
My descendants will continue on for generations, but that mountain will never grow any bigger.
“When the mountain spirit of Mt. Taihang heard these words from Yu Gong, he was very surprised. It really seemed possible. In the end, the mountain spirit, fearing that he would lose his place, went to the Jade Emperor and asked him.”
Before that old man named Woo-gong destroys the mountain, please move the mountain.
“And the Jade Emperor granted the mountain spirit’s request.”
Baek Seon-pyeong’s gaze turned to Han Tae-san again.
“A weak and foolish old man who was almost 90 years old ended up moving a huge mountain.”
The foolish old man moved the mountain.
It was an anecdote that Han Tae-san also knew.
But why is this story suddenly… .
Han Tae-san asked Baek Seon-pyeong with a questioning look in his eyes.
“While going through this, this thought suddenly occurred to me.”
And Baek Seon-pyeong continued speaking in a calm voice.
“The world we were trying to change, the world I was convinced I couldn’t change. Wasn’t it actually like the mountain that Yu Gong was trying to move?”
A mountain cannot be removed by the power of one person.
Even if it were possible, Yu-gong, who had reached 90, would never see the mountain disappear.
But if you don’t give up on that meaning.
If its meaning continues infinitely from generation to generation.
A huge mountain that was thought to be impossible to move will eventually be moved.
“It wasn’t a waterfall that poured down in an instant that pierced the rock. It was a steady trickle of water, one drop at a time, over hundreds of years.”
Baek Seon-pyeong picked up the bottle of liquor and filled Han Tae-san’s empty glass.
“I decided to trust the next drop.”
And then I heard Baek Seon-pyeong’s words.
It was a word whose meaning was difficult to fathom.
It also sounded like something out of the blue, like chasing after clouds.
But for some reason, Han Tae-san was able to understand the meaning.
Han Tae-san received a bottle of alcohol from Baek Seon-pyeong.
“What kind of water drop is it that you, the Sword Master, have decided to believe in?”
“Well, it looked like a pretty strong drop of water.”
Baek Seon-pyeong showed a wrinkled smile.
Han Tae-san silently accepted the bottle of alcohol and filled Baek Seon-pyeong’s empty glass.
Han Tae-san and Baek Seon-pyeong.
The two old men met again after many years and poured drinks to each other.
* * *
The sudden presence of Senior Civil Affairs Secretary, Kim Min-woo.
It seemed that the government that was supposedly protecting Han Gwan-guk was me, Kim Min-woo.
That’s why Han Min-ah couldn’t say anything.
Even though Han Min-ah was a director of SH Group, she was not at a level where she could ignore the chief secretary.
The chief of staff is a staff member who assists the president.
Since they are not easily visible to the general public, there are many cases where people do not know what they do.
However, the chief secretary is the president’s right-hand man and a key figure who serves as a bridge connecting the president’s will to state power agencies.
In a word, he could be said to be the real power behind the South Korean government.
I knew that the government was protecting Han Kwan-guk, but I didn’t know that the chief secretary would step forward.
But Han Min-ah didn’t care.
Even if he was the chief secretary, he couldn’t ignore the administrative system itself.
Han Min-ah glanced to the side and nodded.
Then, as if she had been waiting, Lee Min-jung stepped forward and handed over the warrant documents from just now.
“This is an arrest warrant for Director Han Gwan-guk.”
The silence continued.
After a while, Kim Min-woo calmly got up from his seat and walked towards Lee Min-jung.
And then he received the warrant and, squeak, squeak.
He tore up the warrant on the spot.
“What the…!”
“This warrant will be dismissed.”
Kim Min-woo showed a small smile.
“If you understand, then go back now.”
Kim Min-woo turned his back like that.
Lee Min-jung rebuked him with a cold look.
“This is something that the Director of the Inspection Bureau personally took action on.”
Kim Min-woo stopped walking.
A slightly turned gaze.
“So?”
Kim Min-woo just said that.
Lee Min-jung couldn’t say anything more than that.
Inspection Bureau, under the Ministry of Public Administration and Security.
The inspection agency is an organization that maintains public safety and law and order in the Republic of Korea.
An agency of the government under the Ministry of Public Administration and Security that represents its administrative execution.
And Kim Min-woo, as the senior secretary to the president for civil affairs, was the one who held the reins of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security.
It could be said that it was an entity that could be called the government of the Republic of Korea.
“Please take your leave for today.”
Even if it was an inspecting country, it could not act against the government’s wishes.
That’s what power was.
A transcendent power that reigns above law and order.
In this country, the Republic of Korea, power is order and law.
“I’m sorry, Min-ah. It’s been a long way, and as you can see, I’m busy today.”
Han Gwan-guk’s voice was heard with a bitter laugh.
Although she wanted to rip that mouth off right then and there, Han Min-ah couldn’t bring herself to do it.
A country where victims have to bow their heads.
A country where you can live comfortably even if you commit a crime.
This was the reality of the Republic of Korea.
Past, present, and future.
It’s a world that never changes.
My clenched fist began to tremble.
But all that came was a feeling of helplessness and the inability to do anything.
Right then.
Groan, groan.
Suddenly there was a huge commotion outside the mansion.
Something I wanted to do for a moment.
“President…?”
Through the window, I could see the SH Group Chairman, Han Tae-san.
Soon, Han Tae-san entered the mansion.
At Han Tae-san’s sudden appearance, not only Han Gwan-guk but also Kim Min-woo looked greatly bewildered.
“What brings the Chairman here…?”
Han Gwan-guk asked, not knowing what to do.
Han Tae-san took a moment to catch his breath and then opened his mouth.
“Let’s stop now, Gwan-guk.”
“Huh? What do you mean…?”
Han Gwan-guk looked momentarily embarrassed.
Han Tae-san looked straight into Han Gwan-guk’s eyes and said.
“Now confess to all the crimes you committed and pay the price for them.”
A shock that comes to mind in an instant.
“……!!!”
Han Gwan-guk’s eyes widened.
In that story, of course, Han Gwan-gook, Han Min-ah, and Lee Min-jung.
And even Kim Min-woo looked quite surprised.
“What, what are you talking about, Chairman? No, Father.”
After a while, Han Gwan-guk spoke as if he knew nothing.
“The facts of the crime…? A confession? What on earth are you talking about…?”
“Did you think you could hide it from me?”
At Han Tae-san’s words, Han Gwan-guk kept his mouth shut.
A moment of silence.
Han Gwan-guk bit his teeth hard.
“I… I am your son. Are you saying that you will no longer recognize me as your son?”
“No. You are my son. Even if the world falls apart, that fact will not change.”
“But why on earth…!”
“It is a father’s duty to correct his son when he goes down the wrong path. But, all this time… I have not been able to do that.”
Han Tae-san continued speaking with a bitter expression.
“I’m trying to correct that mistake even now.”
“Come now… Come now… .”
Han Gwan-guk continued speaking, gritting his teeth.
“Are you saying you will act as a father?”
“……”
“Ha! It was none other than my father who made me like this! The incompetence of management is a sin. If you can’t even win a fight between brothers, you can’t win a management war. It was my father who taught me that!”
“……”
“If this is what it’s going to be like now, why did you just stand by and do nothing? Why didn’t you correct it then, but now…!”
“I’m sorry. I’m too late.”
Regret filled Han Tae-san’s eyes.
At this, Han Min-ah, who had been quiet, shouted.
“Isn’t your delusion of persecution too extreme? It’s true that your father turned a blind eye to the fight between brothers, but he didn’t teach you to commit a crime.”
“He said to win the fight regardless of the means and methods. Doesn’t crime also fall into that category?”
“Don’t be so quick to jump! When did your father ever say something like that! That’s just an overinterpretation to justify your brother’s actions!”
Han Min-ah and Han Gwan-guk had a sharp confrontation.
But that was only for a moment.
“Both of you, stop it.”
Han Tae-san stood between the two.
The expression on Han Tae-san’s face as he looked up was filled with regret.
“It’s all my fault.”
“father!”
Han Min-ah shouted, and Han Tae-san just shook his head quietly.
After a while, he slowly opened his mouth towards Han Gwan-guk.
“Even so, Gwan-guk-ah, your actions have gone too far. A fight between brothers should have ended between brothers. Do you know how many people would have been sacrificed if Hunter Maeng Si-woo and Master Geom-seon had not made sacrifices?”
“that…!”
“Let’s stop now.”
“…I don’t like it. I can’t admit it.”
Han Gwan-guk clenched his teeth and shouted.
“How did I get to this point! And now you’re telling me to give up everything? Chief Secretary! Say something!”
Han Gwan-guk urgently looked for Kim Min-woo.
But Kim Min-woo said nothing.
Soon, Han Tae-san’s gaze fell on Kim Min-woo.
“Does Your Majesty know you are here?”
“……”
Kim Min-woo did not answer.
I couldn’t give an exact answer.
If I say the wrong thing… I won’t be able to handle it.
Even if he is Kim Min-woo, he is no match for Han Tae-san.
Han Tae-san is a person who exists beyond the government of the Republic of Korea.
If Kim Min-woo reigned above law and order, Han Tae-san was the true power holder who coordinated that law and order.
There is no one in the Republic of Korea who can do anything to Han Tae-san.
“You must be suffering from complicated family matters. However, aren’t family matters supposed to be resolved within the family?”
Han Tae-san’s voice was heard again.
“If you go back now, I won’t say anything more.”
“Thank you for your consideration, Mr. Chairman.”
Kim Min-woo bowed his head 90 degrees toward Han Tae-san.
And then, without a moment’s hesitation, he went out of the mansion.
“Now, just a moment! Chief Secretary!”
Han Gwan-guk cried out pitifully, but Kim Min-woo did not return.
“This can’t be happening! Chairman! No, Father!”
“…I don’t intend to make you shoulder everything on your own. I have sins too.”
Han Tae-san took a deep breath.
After a while, Han Tae-san slowly turned his head.
In front of Han Tae-san’s silkworm, Han Min-ah was seen with a bewildered expression.
“Thank you, Min-ah. For growing up so well under such a bad father.”
Han Tae-san’s eyes looking at Han Min-ah were different from Han Gwan-guk’s.
A sense of pride and regret.
Han Tae-san opened his mouth again.
“And Min-ah.”
“…Yes, Father.”
“I know it’s shameless, but I have a favor to ask of you.”
Taesan Han’s eyes, looking at Minah Han, became slightly cloudy.
And for a moment.
“Min-ah, can you lead SH Group as its president in the future?”
Truly shocking words came from Han Tae-san.
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