The Veteran's Test and the Protective Scheme
Ma Dong-sik muttered something incomprehensible before rising from his seat and approaching Suhyeon. Suhyeon disentangled himself from Yoo Ayoung's embrace and bowed deeply in greeting.
"Hello. I'm Suhyeon, sir."
After straightening up from his bow, Suhyeon stood tall. Suddenly, Ma Dong-sik, standing right in front of him, clenched his fist and swung a punch straight at his face. The blow came hurtling like a sledgehammer from a construction site—heavy and fast. Suhyeon made an instant judgment.
What's this now? Another piece of shit from my memories I don't remember? Sigh. This is annoying. Might as well take the hit and figure it out later—easier that way.
Suhyeon steeled himself and stood perfectly still. The incoming fist screeched to a halt right before his face, and Ma Dong-sik asked in a surprised voice,
"Why didn't you dodge?"
"A punch with no killing intent or weight behind it? What's the worst that could happen? A bruise for a few days, at most."
Ma Dong-sik's eyes widened at Suhyeon's calm dismissal, and he burst into hearty laughter.
"Hah! This kid's the real deal. Yoo Ayoung was telling the truth."
Yoo Ayoung, who had been watching from the side, jumped in with a chatter of agreement.
"Right? I told you! He's not just some thug who barely turned human. He's like an ugly duckling transformed into a full swan. If he wasn't, I wouldn't have called him for a cameo in my film. You think I'd drag him here for no reason? I know talent when I see it, but you wouldn't believe me. Even I have an eye for people..."
Ignoring Yoo Ayoung's nonstop nagging, Ma Dong-sik extended his hand to Suhyeon for a proper handshake.
"I'm Ma Dong-sik. Great to meet you. I've heard mostly bad rumors about you, so I tested you out—forgive me. We're shooting a quick action scene together today. Let's make it good."
"I'm Suhyeon. Looking forward to working with you today."
Phew. Looks like no shit-stirring needed here.
After this striking first encounter with Ma Dong-sik, Suhyeon filmed the simple action cameo. From the moment Suhyeon practiced the scene to the wrap, Ma Dong-sik kept letting out exclamations of admiration.
"Wow. You nailed the action choreography on the first try, and your form and lines are no joke. Suhyeon, you train in something?"
"I've studied Chinese martial arts a bit since I was young."
"Chinese martial arts! No wonder your movements are so fluid. Perfect. Let's do a double-lead action flick together."
"Double lead, sir? I'm still a rookie—my acting isn't there yet."
"I'll back you. Action movies are all about the stunts anyway. And with your face, who needs acting chops? This isn't some melodrama..."
Sigh. "Sir, once I've grown a bit more, I'll consider it then."
"Hey, if you get better here, your fees will skyrocket. Strike while the iron's hot, Suhyeon. I know a director looking for someone like you. Let's make a film together."
Suhyeon barely shook off Ma Dong-sik's half-pleading, half-threatening persistence and returned to the van. As he climbed in, Manager Baek Seongcheol grinned ear to ear.
"Bro, something good happen? You look thrilled. Oh, right—your wife came back from her parents' with the baby."
"She's been home with the kid for days now. Nah, that aside... Director Kim just cornered me, begging. Wants you for another cameo—increase your screen time and reshoot."
"Director Kim said that?"
"Yeah. I told him you're too busy. Not long ago, every place we went, I'd tense up and get chewed out by PDs left and right because of you. Now? I walk tall everywhere. Felt good. From what he said, seems like the film world will come knocking soon."
"Hah. Sorry, bro. You've been through hell because of me."
"Nah, Suhyeon. Managers eat the shit; stars get the praise. That's what I get paid for."
"I'll work harder so you can be even happier from now on."
"Just keep doing what you're doing. That's all I want."
"Got it."
"Come over sometime, see the baby. My wife's a huge fan."
"Your wife? We've been together over a year, and I've never heard that from you..."
"Couldn't exactly show her the old you. You know that. But now? You're good."
"I get it. I'll swing by when I have time to see the little one."
"She'll love that. Oh, and bro—since we're in Gangwon, mind swinging by a spot I mention?"
"Where to? Got it. Give me the address—I'll plug it into the GPS."
Suhyeon scouted a suitable location in Gangwon Province for the Water Qi Gathering Formation before heading back to the YK Building. He then went straight to meet Park Dongju, manager of the most trusted Actor Team 1.
"Suhyeon! Come in. Busy as you are, what's up without warning?"
"Something urgent for you, sir."
"Of course. If my Suhyeon's in a rush, I make time."
Once Suhyeon's long explanation wrapped up, Park Dongju let out a heavy sigh.
Sigh. "This is no small matter. Way too risky... One slip, and heads roll—mine included. Suhyeon, what do you want from me?"
"Sir, I don't want you overextending. No need to take risks. Just whatever you can manage."
"That I can do. What's the plan? You've got something clever cooked up."
"First, we publicize it aggressively. Drag them into the light. That secures Marvin's safety."
"How do we publicize?"
"On a variety show. News or info programs are risky—they could interfere. Talk shows too. So I picked the cooking variety Please Take Care of My Fridge."
"Smart. Solid choice. I handle booking?"
"Yes. I'll negotiate shooting details and secrecy with the PD. And... one more thing."
"What's that?"
"After Please Take Care of My Fridge airs, rumors about Marvin's birth will swirl. They might rush in before it blows up bigger—putting Marvin at risk."
"Hm. What then?"
"Send Marvin somewhere untraceable. He resurfaces after it's fully public. Too many eyes on him by then—they won't dare touch him."
"Makes sense. Where?"
"The boonies. Somewhere hard to follow even if they know."
"Boonies?"
"Book him on Law of the Jungle. Time it so he leaves Korea the day before Please Take Care of My Fridge airs. By the time he returns post-filming, the birth controversy will be old news."
"Brilliant! They can't touch him in the Amazon or Africa. Send assassins? Too obvious amid the crew—busted instantly."
Park Dongju gazed at Suhyeon with admiration.
"Damn. A 22-year-old plotting this meticulously?"
"One last thing."
"What now?"
"Arrange a press conference at the airport on Marvin's return. I'll lay out all the facts then—wrap it up and ensure his long-term safety."
"Hah. Suhyeon, you're terrifying."
"You're too kind. And drop the formalities."
"No, you deserve it. Speak up if you're ever unhappy with me. I don't want to end up your enemy..."
"...Understood."
"Any flaws in the plan?"
"No plan's perfect. Of course there are."
"Hm. Explain."
"First, booking and editing Law of the Jungle takes at least two weeks. Plenty of time for them to act. And another issue..."
"More?"
"Yes. Hanho Group Chairman Lee Young-ho's health is failing—who knows when he'll die. That's why I'm rushing. Must end this before he goes. Otherwise, we're fighting from a disadvantage."
"Solution?"
"Sadly, none for now. Some risk unavoidable. I'll stay vigilant, but... Man proposes, heaven disposes, right?"
"Hm."
"And one more thing for you to pass on."
"What?"
Suhyeon spent a good while in deep discussion with Park Dongju before leaving for the practice room, where he had an equally serious talk with Marvin. That evening, back home, Suhyeon sat at his computer, habitually tapping his palm with drumsticks as he reviewed his plan.
"Even the best scheme needs power to execute... and I lack that now. To pull this off, I need to build my strength fast."
He stared at the ceiling briefly, pondering.
"My power boils down to two things: being an entertainer and cultivating martial arts. Entertainment influence builds slowly—films or dramas take months, new songs even longer. For quick gains, all-in on martial arts."
Suhyeon jotted down ways to rapidly boost his neigong and advance his cultivation:
1) Utilize the Water Qi Gathering Formation
2) Consume qi-rich herbs
3) Train in qi-abundant areas
4) Check the Zhuge clan's secret cave
"One's halfway done, four's unlikely... Unless this is a parallel universe, it's been nearly 600 years since I died. No way the secret cave's intact."
He tapped his palm with the sticks, deep in thought.
"Hm. Secret cave's a long shot—check if I'm in China later. Can't hole up in Gangwon mountains for years as an idol. DMZ-style spots? Unrealistic. Leaves two: herb market tomorrow. No high-qi herbs like my old world, but gotta grasp at straws."
Sorting his thoughts, Suhyeon headed to his study for some studying.
The next morning, he visited Jegi-dong Herbal Market, famed for Korea's finest medicinal herbs. Masked and hat pulled low, Suhyeon eyed the lined-up stalls.
Hope I snag something decent.