Clean Company (2)
The memory card contained information on the clients behind various assassinations.
Not every contract handled by Clean Company was included—only the details of those clients they had managed to uncover.
Unfortunately, there was no data on the recent attempt on Chairman Park In-hwan's life.
"Should I just be satisfied with getting revenge?"
Finding the assassination client would require other channels. Still, Jang Cheon showed no sign of disappointment.
At that moment, one of his subordinates examining the memory card spotted something.
"Look at this, sir. There's information related to HT Group."
"What is it?"
"Three months ago, a Gangho Daily reporter posted an article about HT Group online, but it was taken down after just forty minutes."
Gangho Daily was a newspaper that primarily covered Murim news.
"Is the article content there too?"
"Yes. It was a speculative piece suggesting HT Group might be entering the Murim business. But it was removed after forty minutes, and no follow-up articles appeared afterward—that's how it was summarized."
Jang Cheon's eyes sharpened. The fact that Clean Company had archived this meant it was undoubtedly connected to the assassination attempt.
"Okay. Send all the memory card data to Bishop."
"Yes, sir."
Once the information was sent, Jang Cheon called Bishop.
Jang Cheon hung up.
In the meantime, Phone and the four-man team had efficiently cleared the building interior. The bodies were loaded onto a truck, the blood scrubbed clean. The place looked as if nothing had happened.
The building stood empty. It could have been lunchtime with everyone out, or perhaps an earthquake had sent them evacuating.
The safe's contents were left untouched and resealed, the computers likewise. The cartel would investigate later—no need to grab loose change or minor intel and leave a trail.
"We're done."
"Let's go."
As Jang Cheon got into the car, he called Lee Yeon.
"There's a place we need to go together."
"There's a place we need to go together."
* * *
Gangho Daily was the largest and most renowned newspaper covering Murim affairs.
Dealing with Murim meant facing immense external pressures compared to other outlets, yet it refused alliances with established Murim factions. Instead, it hired its own Murim experts to protect its reporters.
It had endured heavy sacrifices in its early days but was now the most respected name in Murim journalism.
Veteran reporter Lee Singi, with ten years on the job, checked Lee Yeon's business card again.
"What brings you here?"
The visit from an HT Group security staffer was unexpected. And he hadn't anticipated her bringing along a sword-bearing Murim warrior.
"I have some questions about an article you wrote."
"Which one?"
"The one about HT Group. Three months ago—the one that was online for just forty minutes before vanishing."
Lee Singi's expression hardened.
"Didn't it come from HT Group?"
"Yes, that's right."
"Then why are you curious about it?"
"Something came up that requires investigating it."
"It's your company's business—ask your bosses. I'm busy."
Until then, Jang Cheon had only listened. Now he spoke.
"Doesn't this visit feel like it has the scent of a scoop?"
Lee Singi looked at Jang Cheon. Yeah, this was no ordinary situation.
"You with security too?"
"No. I'm an outsider."
That explained why Jang Cheon stood out.
"Good luck with your investigation."
As he rose to leave, Jang Cheon added,
"Any articles related to Chairman Park In-hwan's assassination attempt? I'll provide them to you first."
Lee Singi froze mid-step, startled.
"Sit back down. At the very least, it won't hurt you."
Lee Singi slowly returned to his seat and asked Jang Cheon,
"You mean that?"
"Yes."
"How can I trust you?"
"It's all going to hit the papers anyway. As I said, I'm an outsider. It doesn't matter to me who covers HT Group stories."
In ten years of journalism, he'd developed a nose for lies versus sincerity. His instincts told him Jang Cheon was genuine.
It had been a frustrating memory from three months ago, now faded. Like Jang Cheon said, there was no downside.
"The article said HT Group was poised to boldly enter the Murim business. There'd been rumors before, but they always fizzled out. This time was different. I had evidence."
"What evidence?"
Then came a name neither had expected.
"CEO Park Jin-ho met directly with the Korea Murim Alliance Leader."
Park Jin-ho was Park In-hwan's second son.
"Couldn't that have been personal?"
"The Alliance Leader avoids personal ties with corporate figures. And these two had zero prior contact."
It certainly backed the article.
"Did Chairman Park In-hwan know?"
"Couldn't confirm that. The first article got blocked, so no follow-up."
"Why was it pulled?"
"Sudden order from above. Probably pressure from Park Jin-ho's side? I thought our paper was exempt, but not from HT Group's clout."
Jang Cheon stood.
"Thank you. I'll keep my promise."
As Jang Cheon and Lee Yeon walked to their car in the parking lot, they talked.
"Do you think this assassination ties to that article?"
"What do you think, Yeon?"
"It's been three months, the article was down in forty minutes, and facts weren't verified. I'm not sure."
"Right. It might be unrelated. But we should check it thoroughly."
Jang Cheon didn't reveal the info's source to her.
"Something fishy, huh?"
"Murim business is massive. A new player entering that market—especially a behemoth that could devour it all?"
"You'd kill over that?"
"People die over pennies. HT Group's Murim venture? Trillions at stake. War wouldn't surprise me."
"Money, in the end."
"Not confirmed yet. Like you said, it might just be a blip."
"Did the chairman know?"
"We'll find out."
"How?"
"Ask directly. Let's meet CEO Park Jin-ho."
"Okay."
The car sped away from the newspaper office.
* * *
Given the times, security at HT Logistics—run by CEO Park Jin-ho—was tighter than usual.
Suit-clad guards were posted everywhere, Murim staff armed and ready in the lounge.
Lee Yeon had never been to HT Logistics. She'd glimpsed Park Jin-ho from afar a few times, but this was her first direct meeting.
Park Jin-ho greeted them.
"Come in."
"Sorry to bother you when you're busy. Couldn't handle this over the phone."
"No matter how busy, protecting the chairman comes first. Good timing."
He still called his father "chairman," not "Dad."
"Have a seat."
They sat. Park Jin-ho had heard from his father that Jang Cheon was exceptional—key in foiling the assassination at the party.
"So, what brings you?"
"To the point, then. Are you planning to enter the Murim business?"
Park Jin-ho flinched. His reaction was answer enough.
"What brought that up?"
He denied it, but his voice trembled slightly.
Jang Cheon stared steadily.
"Then why meet the Korea Murim Alliance Leader?"
Park Jin-ho was speechless.
"Never happened."
"Be honest."
"I said it didn't."
His tone sharpened defiantly.
Jang Cheon remained as calm as his first question.
"As you know, I'm an outsider. Lee Yeon here is security staff. We have no interest or intent in HT Group's business."
"I said no—why keep pushing?"
Under Jang Cheon's gaze, Park Jin-ho shrank back. It wasn't a glare, yet fear stirred.
"This assassination might connect to it. Without pinpointing the culprits, the chairman remains at risk. Is that what you want? If it's later revealed his death traces to you—could you bear it?"
As he hesitated, Jang Cheon rose to leave.
He knew better than anyone: cornering someone blindly wasn't always best.
As he turned silently, Park Jin-ho blurted,
"Wait!"
Jang Cheon's final words had hit home. His father's death was beyond what he could shoulder.
Park Jin-ho sighed.
"Yes. I plan to enter Murim business. I believe our future lies there—that it'll save HT Group. Sorry for not mentioning it sooner."
"I'm not here for apologies. Just facts. What did you discuss with the Alliance Leader?"
"That... I can't say."
Clearly, some crucial secret talk.
"You think the attempt on the chairman was really about that?"
"I do."
The possibility struck Park Jin-ho like a blow.
"No, it can't be. If so, they'd target me—not the chairman."
"They'll get to you too."
"What?"
"It's a warning first. Showing who they've provoked—and what happens if you cross them. Retribution. Now I see why they struck at the year-end party, with everyone gathered. Remember the assassin's words? 'You've strayed where you shouldn't. Forget not: greed's price is death.'"
Park Jin-ho was too stunned to speak.
Jang Cheon continued calmly.
"The Murim you see as the group's future is the world's most insular, conservative group. And... extremely radical. That's Murim's terror."