Descent of the Demon Master-Chapter 1140. Proving (5)

“Senior?” Bak Gyu-Yeon asked quietly. “Didn’t you say this company was created by high-ranking politicians to secretly line their pockets?”

Ha Gwang-Sik clamped his mouth shut and didn’t say anything.

“But, uh, one of those high-ranking politicians has personally shown up here, you know?”

“...”

“Senior?”

“Argh, shut up for a second, will ya!”

Bak Gyu-Yeon mumbled, ‘What are you getting mad at me for?’ while sneakily backing away.

Ha Gwang-Sik’s frustration threatened to boil over, but he couldn’t think of anything to say.

‘What the f*ck?! None of this sh*t makes any damn sense!’

Why was the Prime Minister here? Why!

Actually, his presence shouldn't be seen as strange in this situation. Inviting a powerful politician or two to the launch of your company was an effective way to showcase your influence and power, so those with connections would always resort to it.

Although the Prime Minister was certainly very high up the politician hierarchy, no one said he was forbidden from attending the launch of some regular company. Ha Gwang-Sik wouldn't have had a problem accepting this version of events had he not come here with the preconceived notion that MK was nothing more than an ATM for the Prime Minister and the President of the country!

Bak Gyu-Yeon gasped loudly again. “Hang on a minute. Isn’t that the Minister of Strategy and Finance?”

“...”

Ha Gwang-Sik's trembling eyes caught the figure of Seok Dong-Sik getting out of his limo next. Unfortunately for him, though, things were only just getting started!

“Would you look at this, senior! Aren’t those folks National Assembly members? Holy sh*t. Don’t you think this situation is getting weirder and weirder? Anyone unaware of the situation might think a new state-owned company is about to open its doors!”

Ha Gwang-Sik groaned deeply.

His instincts still told him this whole thing stank to high heavens. However, at the very least, most of his assumptions regarding this situation had been proven false.

Ha Gwang-Si could now see Kang Jin-Ho and the Prime Minister sharing a cordial handshake next!

“Although it's rather awkward to say this, it’s a pleasure to finally make your acquaintance, Chairman Kang,” said the Prime Minister.

Kang Jin-Ho expertly smiled back. “It’s my pleasure as well, Prime Minister. I didn’t expect you to personally come, however.”

“Of course I should come. How could I miss the grand opening when we all had to go through such hurdles to get this place established? Besides, I should speak to you in person at least once, no? Hahaha!”

Kang Jin-Ho continued to smile affably. However...

‘This is getting annoying.’

Despite the warm smile, Kang Jin-Ho wasn’t feeling so good right now.

He wanted to wrap this up as soon as possible without making any splash whatsoever. However, uninvited guests kept showing up, and the matter was rapidly ballooning beyond what he’d like to see. Which would delay things by more than he’d like, too!

Still, Kang Jin-Ho realized he had come a long way since his Zhongyuan days. Even though he was greeting people he didn’t even want to be in the same room with, a smile still managed to remain on his lips. That had to be some kind of progress, no?

‘Hah. It’s like I’m becoming more and more like Azure Demon.’

When he remembered how he constantly dumped matters like this on Azure Demon's shoulders back then, Kang Jin-Ho suddenly felt a bit guilty. He swore to apologize to his former subordinate if they ran into each other in the netherworld someday.

“My apologies, Prime Minister. Had we known you'd be attending the launch, we could have prepared something more fitting,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“Oh, no. That’s not necessary, chairman. I’m already satisfied by being able to converse with you face to face like this,” the Prime Minister replied while smiling gently.

It was foolish to take a wily politician’s expressed emotions at face value, but for what it’s worth, the Prime Minister outwardly seemed quite pleased by this development.

‘I guess that makes sense.’

The creation of MK was certainly a tough endeavor for the Martial Assembly. And the story must’ve been largely the same for the Prime Minister’s side, too. In fact, it must’ve felt like a massive stone had lodged itself in the politician’s gut.

Here was a matter he probably wanted to get over with as soon as possible, yet various things kept stalling it. That didn't mean he could stop caring about it until it was done, however.

So, he must be feeling so, so relieved, knowing this stressful matter would finally end today. Of course, there were still some minor loose ends to take care of. But those should get handled in due course, anyway.

That was when the Minister of Strategy and Finance, Seok Dong-Su, suddenly bowed ninety degrees toward Kang Jin-Ho. “Hello to you again, sir!” 𝓯𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

Kang Jin-Ho blinked his eyes in surprise. “Mm? Minister?”

When he heard Kang Jin-Ho's surprised tone, Seok Dong-Su jumped up in alarm.

“Your greeting is a little strange, wouldn’t you say?” Kang Jin-Ho chuckled while reaching out for a handshake.

Seok Dong-Su cautiously shook the offered hand, but his complexion was as pale as it could humanly get. “I-it seems I’ve made a small mistake...”

“It’s quite alright. You must be fatigued from dealing with the immense workload of a government minister, after all. Isn’t that right, Prime Minister, sir?”

The Prime Minister laughed loudly. “Ahaha, of course, Chairman Kang! It’s only human to make mistakes now and then.”

“Indeed, sir. Hello to you too, Minister Seok. I’m Kang Jin-Ho.”

“Y-yes, sir! I’m Seok Dong-Su!”

Beads of cold sweat trickled down Seok Dong-Su’s forehead. Kang Jin-Ho couldn’t help but sigh softly at this sight.

This here starkly demonstrated the problem of forcibly suppressing someone mentally.

Seok Dong-Su was no dummy, so he should know that he must act as naturally as possible. Well, as natural as a government minister chatting to a chairman of a company in public, anyway.

However, even though he understood his role, overcoming the fear engraved into his heart was another matter altogether! That was why he still bowed deeply like that in the presence of other politicians.

‘This is troublesome.’

It’d be great if no one here found this scene strange to behold, but...

‘But, that’s not going to happen, now is it?’

Kang Jin-Ho's gaze briefly shifted toward the reporters in the distance.

***

Bak Gyu-Yeon frowned deeply. “Senior, did we... witness something super weird just now?”

Ha Gwang-Sik muttered quietly, “...Yup, we sure did.”

“Also, doesn’t it feel like there’s a guillotine getting closer and closer to our necks the longer we stay here? At this point, it feels like the blade has begun cutting through our flesh.”

“Don’t chicken out on me, kid.”

“Senior?”

Ha Gwang-Sik shot back in irritation. “What now?”

“I’ll be honest here, I’m this close to wetting my pants.”

“...”

Bak Gyu-Yeon spoke gravely. “I don’t want to be an intrepid super journalist, senior. I just want to put food on my table, that's it. Instead of becoming a journalist who fights for truth and ends up as fish food just off the port of Incheon, I’d rather enjoy my life as a piece-of-trash reporter with no morals. That is my dream. And that’s why I gotta ask you this. Can I go now?”

“Go where, you brat! At least try to finish your assignment, will ya!”

“What the hell! Come on, senior! You want to write articles about a dude that even a government minister is sh*t scared of?! Articles on a bunch of people nobody has heard of?!”

“...”

“Look, that dude’s company is filled with burly fellas that can crush mob enforcers with their pinkies. And he’s got hundreds of them, to boot! Don’t forget that the Prime Minister and a government minister are here to congratulate him, too! Don’t you understand the implication behind all these things?! This is a f*cking minefield, senior! A minefield with nukes!”

Bak Gyu-Yeon kept yelling as his face became bright red. Until a few minutes ago, his whining was just that, whining. But now? He was genuinely agitated. Scared.

Ha Gwang-Sik grimaced deeply.

‘That kid...! Just who is he?!’

He could see Kang Jin-Ho greeting every National Assembly member coming to shake his hand. Behind him were the so-called employees standing in lines by the building’s entrance.

In a way, this scene looked like a typical opening ceremony of a new company. However, it no longer looked typical in Ha Gwang-Sik’s view!

***

After greeting all the National Assembly members, Kang Jin-Ho smartly stepped back while maintaining his smile. He silently glanced at Lee Hyeon-Su, prompting the latter to come closer.

Kang Jin-Ho cocked an eyebrow and quietly whispered, “Chief Lee, did you tell all these people to show up today?”

Lee Hyeon-Su quickly shook his head. “No, sir. I would never. All I did was provide them with our launch date. I swear. But these people just showed up on their own accord.”

“You told them the date? Why?”

“...As a professional courtesy, sir.”

Kang Jin-Ho sighed deeply. That was when a slimy smile floated up on Lee Hyeon-Su’s face.

‘That’s how this side of the world operates, sir.’

Lee Hyeon-Su hadn’t told a lie. He only told the politicians the time and place. And he certainly didn’t say anything about how nice it’d be for them to attend nor how they should make time in their busy schedules.

Of course, he already knew that the politicians would show up on their own if they knew the crucial information of 'when and where'! But there was no need to let Kang Jin-Ho know that.

The public believed that the rumors traveled the fastest in the entertainment industry. But that was not true. That honor belonged to the political world, at least in South Korea.

While rumors morphed into gossip in the entertainment industry, rumors floating around in the political scene often became factors deciding the country’s future direction. That was why politicians were very keen to find out what others were doing.

By now, the story of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Strategy and Finance, plus a whole host of National Assembly members attending MK's grand opening should be racing across all corners of the South Korean political scene.

Lee Hyeon-Su was a big believer in utilizing one's connections. Even if such connections didn't yield any tangible benefits, the story of the Prime Minister attending your company's grand opening would surely help out with your business in the future.

“Hmm...” Kang Jin-Ho glanced at Lee Hyeon-Su, clearly not pleased by this development. As a matter of fact, his expression even said, ‘I know what you’ve done, okay?’

“Ahahah, what can we do, sir?” Lee Hyeon-Su affably chuckled. “It’s not like we can politely chase away the Prime Minister.”

“...You and I will have a talk about this later.”

“Yes, sir. Understood.”

...And that talk would happen much later. Much, much later! Preferably late enough for both men to have forgotten all about it!

“Sir, I think everyone who wants to be here has arrived. It’s time we get started.”

“Hmm... Yes, we should,” Kang Jin-Ho sighed deeply again.

He wanted to get this annoying matter over with as soon as possible. He felt so awkward in this suit. And it sure felt uncomfortable, too. Worse still, his hair, neatly combed back with wax, left him feeling a bit weirded out and not his usual self.

Kang Jin-Ho glanced at the road. “No one else is gonna show up, right?”

“I swear, I really didn’t call for anyone. However, have you asked anyone to come, sir?”

“Who, me?”

Lee Hyeon-Su smiled brightly and nodded after remembering how tiny Kang Jin-Ho's circle of acquaintances was. What a non-surprise this was. Who could Kang Jin-Ho have called in this situation, anyway?

“Oh, what about your younger sister, sir?”

Kang Jin-Ho casually shrugged. “Told her not to come.”

“Really? That’s too bad, sir. It would’ve been nice to have her show up.”

“Why?”

“A celebrity like her showing up to our grand opening ceremony would've done wonders to improve the atmosphere in this place, you see? And it could have been even better with her performing in celebration, too.”

“...”

Did that mean Kang Eun-Yeong was right all along?

To Kang Jin-Ho's logic, a company's launch event shouldn't be celebrated with a performance from an idol as the two didn't seem to mix at all. He tilted his head this way and that in confusion.

Lee Hyeon-Su curiously asked again. “Are you sure you didn’t call anyone, sir?”

“Yeah,” Kang Jin-Ho nodded.

“Really?”

“Yes, really. What is it?”

“Then, how do you explain that, sir?”

“Mm?” Kang Jin-Ho followed Lee Hyeon-Su’s gaze and turned his head. That was when he spotted a familiar black van stopping next to MK’s building.

“...Oh.”

And then, the van’s sliding door speedily opened, allowing a familiar figure of a woman to step outside. When he confirmed who that was, sweat beads quickly formed on Kang Jin-Ho’s forehead.

“Ah, you're right, sir. You didn't call your sister,” Lee Hyeon-Su cackled, clearly amused by this situation. “Makes sense, though... If anyone’s gonna attend your opening ceremony, it should be the madam of the house, not your little sister. However, I had no idea the announcement would be this explosive and sudden, sir. Will it be... alright?”

Clack, click!

The woman exiting the van, Choi Yeon-Ha, made a straight beeline toward Kang Jin-Ho. “Oh, my~? You look very stylish today, Mister Kang. Oops, I mean, Chairman Kang.”

“It’s great to see you again!” Lee Hyeon-Su quickly greeted Choi Yeon-Ha when Kang Jin-Ho became too stupefied to say anything. “It’s an honor to meet you again like this, madam!”

“Eii, please don’t call me madam here.”

“I beg your pardon?”

Choi Yeon-Ha smiled brightly at Lee Hyeon-Su. “We’re in public, after all. Rather than madam, please refer to me as a director.”

“D-director, you say?”

“Of course,” Choi Yeon-Ha coolly shrugged. “It sounds like you haven’t been informed of it yet. I’m scheduled to join MK, you see? More correctly, I’ll be overseeing MK's entertainment division. Isn’t that right, Chairman Kang?”

Lee Hyeon-Su turned his head slightly to glance at his side, although the angle of his head was rather crooked, to say the least!

Naturally, that was where Kang Jin-Ho was, his face caked in cold sweat.

“Well, I'll be... Now that's a very interesting story, isn't it, sir?” Lee Hyeon-Su asked with a stiff smile.

His probing gaze continued to poke at Kang Jin-Ho’s face, obviously asking for answers. To his credit, though, Kang Jin-Ho resolutely refused to lock eyes with Lee Hyeon-Su. He desperately feigned ignorance like a little kid who got caught after eating snacks hidden by his mom!

“Oh, no! Chairman, are you hot? Look at all the sweat!” Choi Yeon-Ha took out a handkerchief from her bag, then lightly dabbed at all the sweat trickling down Kang Jin-Ho’s forehead. “Maybe it’s because you’re wearing unfamiliar clothes?”

Kang Jin-Ho frowned slightly. “Mm, well... Maybe?”

“Still, you look great in your current appearance. Passersby might fall in love with you in an instant, you know?” Choi Yeon-Ha grinned meaningfully. “Looks like a lot of people are waiting for you over there, so how about we hurry on along? Judging from their faces, I think they are all very busy people. Which means it won't do for us to dilly-dally~. Wouldn’t you say?”

“Mm...” Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded, a cramped expression still etched on his face.

Choi Yeon-Ha also nodded, but her expression leaned far closer to that of a prim lady. “Shall we postpone our detailed discussion to sometime after the opening ceremony? We still have plenty of time today, after all.”

Lee Hyeon-Su grinned deeply. “Madam... No, director! With your presence bringing light to this occasion, I have a strong hunch that today’s grand opening will be an even greater success!”

“Eii, no need to butter up to me like that. You're embarrassing me, you know? Ohohohoho~!”

Kang Jin-Ho's expression grew desolate at the sight of Choi Yeon-Ha laughing away heroically, her head jerked back theatrically.

“Okay, shall we get going? Chairman Kang?”

After studying Choi Yeon-Ha walking ahead of him, Lee Hyeon-Su glanced at Kang Jin-Ho, his gaze loaded with all sorts of meanings.

“Sir, it seems your good days are coming to an end.”

“...”

Don’t say that, okay?

I’m already sad as is!