Chapter 119
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Translator: Ace
Chapter: 119
Chapter Title: Mr. Sunset (6)
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Have you ever seen the drama Age of the Wild Men?
Back when I was a kid, it was legendary. If you hadn't watched it, you couldn't even hold a conversation at school the next day. I'm talking about my second life at almost thirty, and I still remember Kim Doo-han versus Guma-jeok.
If you never had that "Who's stronger, Seya or Shirasoni?" power-scaling argument, don't even talk to me.
Why am I rambling like this? Because no matter how I look at our teacher Bang Jeong-hwan's face, I keep picturing Kim Moo-ok.
"Hey, you commie bastards! This here's a grenade!"
I thought for a second I might end up a eunuch, but thankfully, Teacher Bang—no, student Bang—hadn't brought a grenade or gun to blow off my balls. What a relief. Imagine the massive societal loss if I turned into Sim Young.
"—So, we crossed mountains and rivers to finally meet you here in this neighborhood, and those damn Japs asked what our names were. I quickly said, 'Yes, sir, my family name is Bang, first name Su-han-mu—turtle and crane, three thousand years of—'"
And Bang Jeong-hwan... was terrifying.
A demonic mouth.
Not just that he could talk like a politician. This guy had insane verbal charisma.
Mark my words: if Bang suddenly dropped into 2020 and I gave him a PC with a webcam, he'd be a million-sub YouTuber in a month.
I'd just casually asked in passing how they'd made it here, and twenty minutes later, I was entranced by this demonic folktale performance.
"And so, we finally got to meet the general!"
"Th-that's impressive."
What now?
Bang Jeong-hwan is a national icon in Korea—just his name alone—and Son Jin-tae is a new one to me, but he's studying high school here in Japan, so he'll probably end up an elite leader after liberation.
I did plan to round up these students like an old man with a net and drag them to America, but Bang has massive name value.
If I take Teacher Bang and Children's Day vanishes, won't kids across the nation stab voodoo dolls of Eugene Kim every May 5th? Nah, it wouldn't be "it existed but then it didn't"—it just never existed, so no curse.
On one hand, it felt iffy messing with history so ruthlessly, but on the other, dragging this miraculous super-influencer SNS star to America could make bank. My inner Ford exec was already crunching numbers.
What if I dropped Bang in Hollywood?
Hook him up with Chaplin, and something absurdly great might pop out.
Or... Disney's there. A man who lived for kids his whole life—pair him with Disney, and good things could happen.
Tempting.
Instead of showing up in Hollywood with cash-stuffed pockets and getting called a nouveau riche, packaging this folktale demon as a top celeb for maximum impact? That's cultural victory.
I pondered, then reached a decision.
"Seeing you all come across the sea to Japan and diligently pursue your studies fills my heart with fire."
"Thank you."
"Have any of you ever thought about going to America?"
Their eyes widened at my sudden question.
"There's a saying: Send words to Jeju, people to Seoul. Because Seoul's the biggest."
"That's... true."
"You came to Tokyo for the same reason—to learn what you can't back home."
I slowly rose and walked to the window.
"Tokyo out there might seem the most bustling city in the world to you, but to me—who's been to New York, Los Angeles, Paris, and London—it's sorely lacking. That's the difference in experience."
"Could we ever go?"
"I'll help you. If you want to learn more for our nation's future, I'll tear down barriers and pave the way. No worries. Just one thing to consider: Do you have the confidence to learn more in a bigger world?"
I asked them to spread the word to other Korean students, then added one last thing.
"From what I hear, the Japanese don't teach much that's practically useful."
"Seems that way."
"The 20th century is the age of machine civilization. Old Korea looked down on craftsmen and merchants, but now commerce and industry rule the world."
"No high or low in scholarship, of course, but I'd love for you to go to America and learn something that can actually help Koreans. That's my humble wish."
To fill the post-liberation need for top talent—administrators, bureaucrats—we need to cultivate them now.
Not ignoring pure academics, but... for a newborn nation fresh from war, do we need great scholars or bureaucrats more? Easier if they lean this way.
They left hugging confusion and hope. The moment they exited the mansion, our Jap friends rushed in, grabbing me.
"General Kim!"
"What's up?"
"Do you know who those guys were?"
"No. Just Korean students, so I gave them some kind words."
The Interior Ministry's Police Affairs Bureau rep—basically police chief—was freaking out.
"While you talked, I urgently checked their backgrounds."
"I see."
"First, Son Jin-tae: young, but did time for the 3.1 Uprising. A subversive."
Participated in the March 1st Movement? True patriot.
"As for Bang Jeong-hwan: son-in-law of Son Byong-hui, Cheondogyo leader—the anti-Japanese cult. Bang's already under surveillance; Son's quieted post-uprising but not fully reformed."
Really? Cheondogyo—that's Donghak, right? Didn't know Bang was connected. No wonder he's so fiery.
"So please don't take this the wrong way, but for your reputation—"
"Ah, I get it."
I decided to forgive this poor bureaucrat torn between duty and my gaze.
Yeah, tough job. I know. Eugene Kim pardons your sins.
"Let's be frank. Me, a Korean, hanging with undesirables must irk the bosses."
"...My apologies. No excuse."
"Didn't know they were that watched, but these are exactly the ones I targeted."
"What?!"
"I'm taking them to America. Probably never coming back."
He was shocked at first, then thoughtful, then smugly nodded.
"Indeed. No different from Shanghai exiles."
"What can they do across the ocean in America? Broaden their frog-in-a-well view, get jobs and families, and empty dreams fade."
"Exactly. Wise words."
"I'll meet lots of Korean students soon. Appreciate the consideration."
"Of course. We'll sort Koreans—especially students—and report to General Kim."
Perfect.
But ending here wouldn't be Eugene Kim. I reward hard workers.
"Know any promising youths? America study isn't easy. Even Japanese kids wanting the wide world—I'll help."
"Really?"
"Sure. A Police Affairs bigshot like you must know great ones."
He'll drag in sons, nephews, connections for favors.
Even better.
That's how you take 20th-century hostages.
We shook hands warmly, all smiles.
It'd been months hanging with my seal friends in Japan.
I played poker, hit theater shows, gave speeches, exchanged pleasantries, shot pool... everything except golfing and fighting, basically.
And the fruits were ripening.
"General Kim, know anything about the Washington naval conference? 500 more."
"I'm Army, haha. What would I know? Call."
Long time since I buddy-buddied with these bright-future Navy guys.
Their tension's gone; add booze and smokes, and every story spills—human nature.
"Word is, the bigwigs wanna scrap our imperial battleship Mutsu."
"That Mutsu must be something special, huh? You're so worried."
"We can't give up Mutsu!"
"Of course. The pride of the fleet is Nagato, but battleships need sister ships for ops—at least one or two. Arms limits or not, one Nagato might as well be zero!"
Japanese military... desperately wants to keep Mutsu... note to self...
"Quitting Mutsu must have reasons. Bigwigs have their logic."
"Logic? Just buckling to Anglo-American... ahem, sorry. Foreign pressure."
"Mutsu's basically done. They're exploiting treaty loopholes: 'Not finished yet—scrap it.' Breaking one arm of the Empire."
"Heard you connect with U.S. notables. If this unfair treaty passes, isn't a peace pact breeding one nation's grudge?"
See these guys?
Might not just venting—lower ranks distrusting brass, using back channels.
I know zilch about Navy, but Japanese military imploding? Always welcome.
"I thought this naval treaty was for Asia's lasting peace. But your words make it seem like Western powers bullying Japan?"
"Exactly!"
"Empire's Meiji Restoration over fifty years strong. Not their colony—how endure such injustice?"
"Please convey it. No imperial subject accepts one-sided treaties. Our views—"
"Don't worry. I'm certain Japan alone speaks for Asians."
Bull.
Only Eugene Kim speaks for Asians.
"I see this Japan trip as friendship for Asia-Pacific peace. How watch one nation's sacrifice?"
Bull.
I came for mushroom clouds and burning Tokyo. Bonus: make some cash.
"Rest easy. With Eugene Kim here, U.S.-Empire bridge always stands! Haha!"
Bull, of course.
This Eugene Kim's a bridge—for U.S. troops landing on Japanese islands.
But my rep as truth-justice-peace apostle wasn't hollow; beloved officers joyfully downed glasses nonstop.
1922 flowed most heartwarmingly.