From Within (2)
After calling Lee Yeon to meet in the lobby, Jang Cheon headed down while talking to Bishop on the phone.
Lee Yeon was waiting in the lobby.
"I just got a call from the chairman. You're sticking around for the job."
"Yeah, that's how it turned out."
"Let me know anytime if you need anything."
"Thanks. Looking forward to working with you."
As Jang Cheon turned to leave, she asked,
"I didn't pry before. But this time, I have to. What's the job we're taking on?"
"Feeling up for the risk now?"
"After going through it once, I get it. If you're already in danger, it's better to know how things are spinning."
"Wise words."
Jang Cheon smiled and told her.
"We're finding out who's behind this assassination."
She nodded as if she'd already guessed.
"Figured as much. Where do we start?"
Just then, Park Gwang-cheol came rushing in from afar. He seemed to be hurrying to meet Park In-hwan after hearing about the trouble at the year-end party.
Staring at Park Gwang-cheol's back, Jang Cheon said,
"Let's start there."
Lee Yeon was startled.
"That's the chairman's son."
"Which makes him our top suspect in this mess."
Lee Yeon had never once suspected Park Gwang-cheol—or his brothers, Park Dong-su and Park Jin-ho—of being behind it.
"When hunting the culprit, start closest to home."
"You're going to investigate all the chairman's sons?"
"Of course."
"Sad state of affairs. Having to suspect family first."
And if one of them really was guilty? If a son tried to kill his father? What good would tens of trillions in wealth be to such a wretched life?
"Could you pull files on the three sons? Personal details on each, plus everything related to their companies. The chairman promised full support, so you should get it from Chief Hong."
"Sure, I'll bring them by later."
"Appreciate it."
Jang Cheon headed back to the elevator.
Kwon Hyeok-su approached Lee Yeon, who was watching his retreating figure.
The entire Team 3 stayed on, and the operations room remained intact. Kwon Hyeok-su had informed the team they were assisting Jang Cheon to uncover the culprit. Now that it was public, the security team stepping in wasn't odd at all.
"Cops are starting with the black path."
"Makes sense. The dead assassin was probably from there."
Kwon Hyeok-su said cautiously,
"Could even be an assassin guild."
At "assassin," Lee Yeon's face stiffened.
In Murim, contract killers were called assassins. They were what ordinary folk feared most about martial artists.
Naturally, assassin guilds were illegal criminal outfits rejected by both government and Murim Alliance. They operated in secrecy, forming cartels among themselves for cooperation.
"Watch yourself, Yeon."
Lee Yeon sighed.
"Was supposed to be sweet romance, but it's turning into a crime thriller."
Park Gwang-cheol and Hwa-ran's car sped through the city.
The driver eyed the furious Park Gwang-cheol nervously, handling the wheel with care. One slip now, and lightning would strike.
"Cool it. Angry doesn't suit you."
Park Gwang-cheol turned to Hwa-ran.
"What're you on about?"
"You're not the type to bottle it up."
"So I'm a hothead, huh?"
"If you keep piling it on without venting, we're the ones who suffer. Let it out already."
Park Gwang-cheol snorted. But no one knew him like she did.
"Damn old geezer."
He'd gone to see Park In-hwan and gotten chewed out. Skipping the day it happened, showing up late the next afternoon—drunk off his ass, impossible to rouse.
"Still, your dad might not have given up on you."
"Bullshit."
"He keeps scolding you, doesn't he? Would he bother with a kid he's written off?"
"Stick to acting. Leave the scripts to pros."
He snorted and looked out the window, but his expression softened a bit.
"Where we headed anyway?"
"Dinner. I'm starving."
"Where exactly?"
"You'll see."
Moments later, the car pulled up to a downtown restaurant. Hwa-ran scowled upon recognizing it.
"Tae's place? Hate this spot."
"Why? Folks can't even get in 'cause it's too pricey."
One of the city's top restaurants—you needed reservations two days ahead.
Great food, stellar interior, top service. Still, she shook her head.
"Let's eat somewhere else."
"Quit nagging and follow."
Park Gwang-cheol strode in; Hwa-ran sighed and trailed after.
A man in a fine suit greeted them.
"Welcome. Been waiting."
This was why Hwa-ran hated the place.
Tae Jin-gu.
A Murim man, branch head of Guwolmun—one of Korea's three great black path factions—in Gangnam. Jumping into the underworld young, he'd risen to branch head at thirty through skill and ambition. Lately, Guwolmun's rising star.
"Tae, long time."
"Thought you'd ditched me, CEO Park—you're so busy."
"Haha, no way. Year-end crunch, you know."
"Knew it. Sis-in-law's even prettier now."
"Thanks."
Hwa-ran bowed. Veteran of showbiz trials, yet Tae Jin-gu always creeped her out, scared her.
Even without knowing he was black path, instinct would scream it. Always polite smiles, but cruel and vicious to the core.
"This way."
Tae Jin-gu led them personally.
"Dinner first."
He treated Park Gwang-cheol like an elder brother, deference all around. Even Guwolmun valued him highly.
Before eating, Tae brought a bottle of wine—over five million won a pop.
"Just in. Worth it."
"Thanks. Smell that—prime. Perfect."
"Next one's even better."
"Haha, only you, brother Tae. Here, pour for the man."
"My thanks."
Korea's black path took many forms.
Big ones like Guwolmun grew via legit businesses: construction, investments, horse racing, films, entertainment, food, booze, chains.
Smaller outfits ran thugs for drugs, loansharking, hired muscle.
All factions held their own BSTs to train martial artists. Guwolmun commanded hundreds.
Once Tae withdrew, Hwa-ran spoke up.
"Did we have to meet that guy?"
"Or what? Let rivals poach our talent with muscle? Just hand 'em over?"
Park Gwang-cheol believed black path backup essential for entertainment.
"Not everyone uses them."
"To grow fast, you do."
"Gives me the creeps every time."
"Me too."
"Then why him?"
"'Cause my enemies feel the same. Keeps 'em off me. And hey, in business, results matter—not personality. Save humanity hunts for your 'friends'—bunch of soulless pricks swarming you. Friends, my ass."
"Hmph. Easy for you to say."
"What if we drag that keeper here?"
"Who?"
She got it quick. Lately, Park Gwang-cheol obsessed over Lee Yeon and Jang Cheon. Especially Jang Cheon.
"That goalkeeper?"
"Yeah. Wonder if he'd strut like that in front of Tae."
"What if he's a striker?"
"Even better."
Hwa-ran shook her head.
"Women around, and you get this petty."
Park Gwang-cheol drained his wine.
"Fuel for my fire."
That evening, Lee Yeon visited Jang Cheon's room with the requested files.
Jang Cheon, opening the door, wore a headset.
"Your files."
"Thanks."
"Whatcha listening to?"
Jang Cheon offered the headset.
"Give it a try."
Lee Yeon put it on. A deep male voice boomed.
"Nice. Sutra? Calming chant?"
"Hahaha. No. Martial arts incantation."
Lee Yeon jumped.
"Why so shocked?"
"Can you just share that? Heard Murim folk taboo teaching their arts."
"True. But this one's fine."
"Why?"
"Not mine. Public worldwide."
"Oh, like those YouTube martial arts lectures?"
"Similar. But different."
"Which one?"
"Sohyeon Ilgi-gong. Geum Sa-cheon's exclusive method, world-top absolute expert a century ago. Rumor says it grants shedding bones and muscles—not sure if true."
"That legendary? And public?"
"Yeah. On World Murim Alliance site."
"Mind-boggling."
"They studied it—too tough. Held thirty years, released seventy years back abruptly."
"No one's solved it in seventy?"
"Nope. Some call it fake."
"Like unsolved math problems."
"Exactly."
Curious, Lee Yeon asked carefully,
"Prize money?"
"Yep."
"How much?"
"Seven billion."
"Whoa!"
"Probably 7.1 now. Adds a hundred mil yearly since release. Symbolic, though. Art's worth hundreds, thousands times more."
"7.1's plenty for me! Members-only download?"
Jang Cheon turned serious at her playful tone.
"Why want to be Murim?"
"Dad dreamed of it. Failed, though."
"Carrying his dream."
"Not that grand."
But his influence was real.
"What's your dream, Jang Cheon?"
"Make bank, live like an Arab prince."
"Call me if you do. I'll be your Scheherazade."
"Heard she marries the prince day 1,001."
"Joking."
"Me too."
"Oh."
Lee Yeon scratched her head, chuckled. Corny jokes felt awkward with others, but not him. Some vibes just clicked.
"Dreams cycle too. Grand, humble, grand again."
"Yeah, I get that."
She'd dreamed big once. A stellar martial artist.
"Gonna make a quick call."
"Go ahead."
Jang Cheon went to the window, uploaded the files, then called Bishop.
Hanging up, Jang Cheon turned. Lee Yeon eyed the sword by the bed.
He said to her,
"Three chances. Make 'em count."
"Yes!"
Energetic reply, but BST weighed heavy.
Murim and her.
Maybe this was her life's real puzzle.