Geom-myeong Corporation (1)
“Cheers!”
Jang Cheon, Lee Yeon, Park Gwang-cheol, and Hwa-ran had gathered for a dinner drink. As a token of gratitude, Jang Cheon had offered to buy a round.
“That was an incredible stage! You dance so well, and your singing was spot on.”
Hwa-ran winked at Lee Yeon's praise and replied,
“The singing was lip-sync.”
“Haha.”
This time, Hwa-ran turned the praise on Lee Yeon. She said to Park Gwang-cheol,
“You should've seen it yourself. All these fresh-faced idols swarmed over, showering her with compliments on how pretty she is. It was chaos.”
“Sis, it wasn't that much. Just three or four said I was pretty.”
“Heh, so you were counting.”
“Ahh.”
“Anyway, you held your own against them—no slouch.”
“Sis, please.”
They teased Lee Yeon and swapped stories about the performance, the mood light and fun.
As the excitement died down, Park Gwang-cheol's expression turned a bit serious as he asked Jang Cheon,
“How'd things go today?”
“Thanks to you.”
Park Gwang-cheol shrugged happily at Jang Cheon's reply. He was thrilled to have been of help.
“Hit me up anytime you need assistance.”
“Will do.”
“Hahaha.”
He was so pumped that he felt like ringing a golden bell and declaring he'd cover the whole tab. Of course, that would've earned him an earful from Jang Cheon and ruined the vibe.
Hwa-ran whispered in his ear,
“It's been a while.”
“Huh? For what?”
“Seeing you smile so brightly.”
She glanced slyly at Jang Cheon.
“You really are a guy, after all.”
“I told you, no more fooling around.”
Park Gwang-cheol naturally assumed Hwa-ran meant it because of Lee Yeon.
But she was talking about Jang Cheon. Ever since meeting him, Park Gwang-cheol was changing.
“I'm thinking of really throwing myself into Park Enter from now on. So come by. You hear me?”
She could tell from his playful tone that he meant it.
Meeting Jang Cheon had made Park Gwang-cheol realize he still harbored a deep-seated longing for the Murim life, like a smoldering ember in his heart. But he wasn't about to dive into it now.
It was all because of Jang Cheon. Watching him, Park Gwang-cheol had realized he could never be like that.
That realization didn't lead to anger or despair. Instead, he decided to channel that unfulfilled passion into his work. He'd forget his wild days of booze and women and buckle down.
No one changes overnight, but his heart was in it right now.
“To everyone's future!”
Park Gwang-cheol raised his glass high, and Hwa-ran quickly lifted hers in support. It was the first time she'd heard “everyone” from his lips.
Lee Yeon raised her glass too. How could she not sense Park Gwang-cheol's transformation? As she did, she glanced at Jang Cheon.
'It's because of this guy.'
She was under his influence too, after all.
They were enjoying their drinks when Park Gwang-cheol's phone rang. It was his brother, Park Jin-ho.
“What wind blew you to call me? What? Uncle's dead?”
Park Gwang-cheol was stunned. It was news of Murim Alliance elder Song Tae-geun's death.
* * *
Song Tae-geun's death threw the Korea Murim Alliance into chaos.
The police came and went, followed by the Alliance's own investigation team.
The cause of death: myocardial infarction.
He'd been working alone in his office when it happened—that was the conclusion.
No signs of intrusion or foul play whatsoever.
Song Tae-geun had a solid reputation within the Alliance. Not quite a great hero of justice, but always the first to step up for Alliance matters.
Many martial artists mourned his passing.
The next day, Jang Cheon and Lee Yeon left the residence in a car.
Both wore black suits. They were heading to Song Tae-geun's funeral hall at the Korea Murim Alliance. That's why they were in a black sedan today.
Jang Cheon had no direct ties to the deceased Song Tae-geun, but he'd recognized him from a photo in the news article as the man he'd met at the Alliance's outer annex.
Coincidence, or fate—either way.
Of course, he wasn't visiting just because of that chance encounter or because he was Park Gwang-cheol's uncle.
Jang Cheon had one goal.
To see if the Murim Alliance Leader might show up.
The Leader was at the heart of these events.
Would the Leader break his closed-door training for Song Tae-geun's funeral?
“Can even Murim masters die from heart disease?”
Jang Cheon answered Lee Yeon's question.
“Of course. Martial artists are human, after all.”
“I thought Murim experts didn't get sick.”
“At the pinnacle, they can heal themselves.”
“Even diseases? Like, what, cancer too?”
“Yes.”
She'd asked half in jest, but his affirmative stunned her.
“Whoa, really?”
“They'd need to be world-class, though.”
“The world of martial arts is so mysterious.”
“It is.”
“And you, Jang Cheon... No, never mind.”
She'd almost asked about his level of attainment.
Asking about someone's martial prowess was rude—right up there with peeking at their training. It was a staple question on the BST theory exam prep.
Upon arriving at the Murim Alliance, Lee Yeon gasped.
“Ah!”
Cars lined up endlessly in front of the main gate. A massive crowd of mourners was pouring in.
Song Tae-geun had spent decades with the Alliance—a veteran through and through. It was only natural.
“The killer could be among them.”
Lee Yeon jumped at Jang Cheon's quiet words.
“Killer?”
“Remember what I told you about Murim? Nothing happens by coincidence.”
“You think Elder Song was murdered.”
“Yes.”
If he hadn't met Song Tae-geun that day at the outer annex, maybe. But Jang Cheon had sensed no omen of death. The man hadn't seemed the type to drop from a heart attack.
“Who could do such a thing?”
“Likely tied to the ones we're chasing.”
Lee Yeon nodded.
Jang Cheon had infiltrated as Hwa-ran's manager sensing something off in the Alliance. And now Elder Song's death.
“If you're right... Murim really is terrifying.”
She'd felt this chill before, but it hit fresh each time. With her BST exam looming, the dark side of Murim loomed larger.
Jang Cheon's words echoed:
Murim wears many faces. His Murim was like this.
Instead of feeling guilt over killing, you'll ponder how to dispose of the body and exact revenge on the mastermind.
This was the Murim Jang Cheon lived in.
Where an elder gets murdered inside the Alliance.
After paying respects at the funeral hall, Jang Cheon and Lee Yeon ate in a quiet corner.
Even after finishing, Jang Cheon lingered with her, scanning mourners for word on the Leader.
The news came from an unexpected source.
Park Gwang-cheol plopped down and downed a beer in one go. His face was furious.
“Damn it!”
“What?”
“Just got word from the Leader's office. He's in the middle of critical training—can't leave seclusion.
This is insane! Is this okay? After slaving like a dog his whole life, they just toss him aside like trash?”
Jang Cheon nodded.
“Yeah, you're right. Someone dies, you break seclusion and show up.”
* * *
That night, Jang Cheon was watching the news in his room.
It covered Song Tae-geun's death briefly—just the facts, no deep dive.
No mention of the Leader skipping the funeral.
Then Bishop called.
“Any market chatter or external intel?”
“Geom-myeong?”
“The Alliance is blatantly backing them.”
"Yeah, looks that way."
"Company status?"
"Spotless. Too clean—suspiciously so."
"CEO a martial artist?"
"If he was, it'd make sense. But he's a civilian."
"Civilian?"
"Name: Im Yeon-sin. Korean national, 50, single. Before Geom-myeong, did business in China."
"What kind?"
"No records. Returned five years ago, started Geom-myeong."
"That much favoritism? Must've pissed off the old guard."
"Right. Top dog was Murim Factory Co., Ltd.—30% share, down to 22%. No. 2, Daehan Murim Co., Ltd., 25% to 20%."
"They didn't sit idle."
"Nope. Two years back, Murim Factory rallied the incumbents, pressured the Alliance."
"Said they'd cut all support unless the favoritism ended."
"And?"
"Negotiations ongoing—then Murim Factory's chairman drops dead."
"Heart attack?"
"Yep. And two months later, Daehan Murim's CEO couple's plane crashes. Everyone aboard dies."
"Those bastards!”
Jang Cheon's face hardened.
"No coincidence, huh."
"What're the odds? Leader's reaction?"
"Nothing. Old guard froze."
"Leader's got a major weakness. Wouldn't have courted HT Group if they were allies."
"And Geom-myeong's not alone. One businessman can't touch the Leader."
"China Murim?"
"Maybe."
Im Yeon-sin had business history in China—plausible.
"What's the play?"
"Start with Im Yeon-sin. Squeeze him."
Of course, solid evidence first. So far, just circumstantial.
"Heading in tonight. Send address. Prep Phone just in case."
"Got it."
He hung up, and Im Yeon-sin's address pinged in right away.
Jang Cheon extended his hand. His sword, propped by the bed, sliced through the air and flew to him.
He strapped it to his waist and left the room.