Chapter 375: Cleaning Up (5)

Chapter 375: Cleaning Up (5)

“Wait... So, you all just... left?” Chairman Hwang Jeong-Hu blinked his eyes in disbelief.

“Yes, sir.” Jo Gyu-Min nodded.

Hwang Jeong-Hu leaned back in his chair while making an unreadable face. A lengthy silence descended in the Jaegyeong Chairman's Office, but Jo Gyu-Min didn't try to urge his boss. Even if Hwang Jeong-Hu wasn't personally there to witness everything, the report alone was still considerably shocking, anyway.

“Gyu-Min, don't you think that guy's boldness has gone over the top?”

“...Well, a lowly scrub like me can't comprehend a larger-than-life man like Mister Jin-Ho, sir.”

“No, Gyu-Min. That's not being larger than life...” Hwang Jeong-Hu massaged his forehead. “...Urgh. I don't know what to think anymore. I thought I had figured out pretty much everything about Jin-Ho, but he has this talent to catch you off-guard and flip everything on its head every now and then, doesn't he? Just what is he thinking?”

“Sir, that's my sentiment exactly.”

“Whew-woo...”

Two men, two victims tormented by Kang Jin-Ho's antics, exchanged gazes of compassion and understanding.

“By the way, is everything you said true, Gyu-Min? Every word of it?”

“Yes, sir. Every word,” Jo Gyu-Min grimly nodded.

Hwang Jeong-Hu looked stunned, his jaw slightly falling.

'That's an understandable reaction...'

Hwang Jeong-Hu already knew to some extent that Kang Jin-Ho was not a 'normal' human being. Didn't he warn Jo Gyu-Min in the past to stop thinking of Kang Jin-Ho as a naive young man? That a scary devil was hiding within Kang Jin-Ho?

However, this was still his first time hearing about Kang Jin-Ho killing people as if they were just insignificant insects. His shock at this revelation was understandable...

“Are you saying Jin-Ho is that strong?” Hwang Jeong-Hu asked excitedly.

“...Oh.” Jo Gyu-Min's expression became weird as he stared at Hwang Jeong-Hu.

'Oh. So, it was like that...'

How unfortunate it was, but it seemed Hwang Jeong-Hu didn't care about Kang Jin-Ho killing other people. Like, none at all!

“Yes, Chairman. Mister Jin-Ho is truly strong.”

“Now, that is odd. Doesn't this mean Jin-Ho's strength is in another realm compared to all the martial artists in South Korea?”

“Yes, sir. At least, from what I witnessed.”

“At his age? Now, that is surprising.”

“Sir, you know his age shouldn't be a factor. Mister Jin-Ho isn't really a young man, after all.”

“It's not as simple as that, Gyu-Min.” Hwang Jeong-Hu firmly shook his head. “Having done it before doesn't make it any easier to do it all over again. You might be able to reach greater heights on a firmer foundation, but your actual rate of growth shouldn't be much different.”

“Mm... You might be right, sir.”

“Hmm. Anyways... By any chance, have you heard about other countries?”

Jo Gyu-Min narrowed his eyes slightly. “Other countries, sir?”

“Yes. I want to know if Jin-Ho's strength can match up to other countries'. Isn't there a difference in strength between Korea and other countries?”

Jo Gyu-Min understood what Hwang Jeong-Hu was saying and nodded briefly. “Sir. I've already discussed this matter with Mister Bang Jin-Hun. From what he told me, it seems the Korean martial world's influence is severely lacking compared to our overseas counterparts.”

“Is that so?” Hwang Jeong-Hu cocked an eyebrow.

“Unfortunately, yes, sir. Considering South Korea's status on the international stage, our martial world's status is apparently on the level of trash in the eyes of international martial artists. Then again, our country historically has been looking down on martial arts, so...”

“Indeed. That is true.”

One of Joseon's many ironies was how poorly the notion of physical might had been received despite the country being founded by a king with a military background. In such a climate, the Korean martial artists would've found it challenging to continue their inheritance.

Hwang Jeong-Hu asked again. “In that case, what about Jin-Ho? Is he strong enough to get acknowledgment from overseas?”

“Sir. This isn't an accurate assessment, but...”

“But?”

Jo Gyu-Min smiled awkwardly. “Mister Bang Jin-Hun said that... He can't ever imagine Mister Jin-Ho getting beaten up by anyone.”

“Kekeke. That sounds about right.” Hwang Jeong-Hu cackled loudly. Even he couldn't picture such a thing ever happening. “Hmm... So, that's how it is, eh?”

Hwang Jeong-Hun took out a cigarette and mouthed it. After lighting it, he leaned back in his chair and leisurely exhaled the grayish smoke.

“Unification, huh. He’s unified them all..” Hwang Jeong-Hu muttered, sounding somewhat flabbergasted. “Gyu-Min, can something like this be bulldozed through, like how Jin-Ho has done?”

Jo Gyu-Min tilted his head. “I'm pretty sure Mister Jin-Ho is somewhat interested in Jaegyeong, sir.”

“No. That rascal views Jaegyeong as too small of a pond for him to swim around. It seems... I've finally lost that one thing that helped me stay on the same level as Jin-Ho. Eiii, dang it.”

Jo Gyu-Min grinned softly. “Sir, do you need to be on the same level as Mister Jin-Ho?”

“Mm?”

“How about riding on his back, sir? Wouldn't Mister Jin-Ho take you to those heights you couldn't have reached on your own?”

“Kekeke... I must be getting old. Instead of getting angry at what you said, I'm actually looking forward to what might happen!” Hwang Jeong-Hu shook his head before closing his eyes.

'And he's... gone for good, huh.'

Hwang Jeong-Hu never really considered Kang Jin-Ho to be under his influence. However, he still felt bitter and sad after realizing that, from today onward, that notion would be even truer than before.

“Jin-Ho has probably experienced something similar in the past, so nothing much might change with his life, but... Even so, you need to be careful, Gyu-Min.” Hwang Jeong-Hu spoke in a grave voice. “Power is a wicked thing. You might think your power isn't controlling you. However, one day you will wake up and realize that your power has been controlling you all this time. This is why the role of advisers is so crucial. Gyu-Min, from now on, you will have to pull your socks up and keep your wits about you at all times.”

“Understood, sir!”

Hwang Jeong-Hu faintly smiled while listening to Jo Gyu-Min's determined reply.

'It seems our world will soon face an upheaval.'

Soon, this world would have to contend with a storm named Kang Jin-Ho. Not even Hwang Jeong-Hu could predict what might happen next.

***

“Chairman Hwang is right,” Jo Gyu-Min muttered to himself as he climbed into his car early in the morning. His expression was stiff, determined.

Hwang Jeong-Hu was completely correct. There was figuratively nothing to stop Kang Jin-Ho now. In that case, Jo Gyu-Min needed to stay wide awake and act as Kang Jin-Ho's conscience.

'If he wishes to acquire hegemony, his position allows him to get it without any problem.'

Anyone possessing such power would dream about becoming the absolute ruler of all at least once in their lives.

Jo Gyu-Min parked his car in front of Kang Jin-Ho's pizzeria and stepped outside. After taking a deep breath, he opened the door and stepped inside. He couldn't help but think that a different Kang Jin-Ho would be waiting for him.

“...!”

And that was when Jo Gyu-Min witnessed the truth. He saw the... 'different' Kang Jin-Ho.

“Mop that place properly, okay?” said Ju Yeong-Gi.

“Yes, I got it,” Kang Jin-Ho testily replied.

“Look at all the dust! Can't you see how dirty it is down there?!”

“I'm cleaning properly here. You know I'm a clean freak.”

Ju Yeong-Gi tutted, unimpressed. “And that's the story from when? Since when does a clean freak abandon his messy kitchen to fool around outside?”

“...I wasn't fooling around.”

“Stop yapping and clean that part properly, will ya? And when you're done here, go back to the kitchen and wash the dishes, too.”

Kang Jin-Ho sourly asked, “Didn't you tidy up the store last night before going home?”

“Ohhh, I'm sorry~. You're right, it's the job of us, the poor employees, to tidy up the place since our boss is having fun outside doing who-knows-what. Yup, sorry. I couldn't tidy up anything last night 'cuz I felt a bit down and wanted to share a few drinks with my dear friend Park Yu-Min. But, you know what? I should've gotten my act together and managed the store properly since our boss is shirking his duties and having fun outside!”

“...I'll do the dishes, okay?” Kang Jin-Ho sighed while making a tearful face.

A bright smile bloomed on Jo Gyu-Min's face as he watched Kang Jin-Ho in a cute apron trudge toward the kitchen.

'Hegemony, my foot...'

Yes, that was what Kang Jin-Ho was like. That was how...!

“Oh? Chief Jo? I didn't see you there,” Ju Yeong-Gi waved at Jo Gyu-Min.

“O-oh. Hello there, Mister Ju.”

“I heard you were hanging out with Jin-Ho yesterday.” Ju Yeong-Gi suddenly narrowed his eyes.

“Oh... Yes, that is... true.”

“If you have business with Jin-Ho, you'll have to wait a bit. After doing the dishes, he's gonna carry the ingredients inside, too, you see?”

“Oh. I, uh, I see.”

Jo Gyu-Min glanced at the sight of Kang Jin-Ho and drooping shoulders busy washing the dishes and quickly wiped away the '108 Plans to Assist Kang Jin-Ho' from his mind.

“Nothing's changed, has it?”

Although Jo Gyu-Min was ever-so-slightly disappointed, a smile kept trying to break out on his lips.

Meanwhile, warm rays of sunlight continued to flood through the store's windows.