One Step Toward the Alliance Leader (1)
Park Jin-ho took the wheel himself, with Jang Cheon seated beside him.
"It's been a while since I've driven at night. My hands are shaking a bit."
It wasn't really shaking from that, but Park Jin-ho was doing his best to steady his nerves.
He had learned that the assassination attempt on his father had started because of his meeting with the Alliance Leader.
So, meeting the Alliance Leader again tonight was truly nerve-wracking. If Jang Cheon, whom he could trust, hadn't come along, he might have made up an excuse and canceled.
"Does the chairman know? That I'm going to meet the Murim Alliance Leader?"
"Not yet."
"Haa."
Park Jin-ho let out a light sigh.
In this uncertain situation where he had no idea what might happen, he was putting all his faith in Jang Cheon to go meet the Alliance Leader.
If something went wrong, he'd end up dying a dog's death, with not even a body left to find.
Park Jin-ho glanced sideways at Jang Cheon.
"Hoo."
As Park Jin-ho unwittingly sighed again, Jang Cheon spoke.
"Don't worry too much. I'll protect you."
"I'll trust only you, Mr. Jang."
Born as the second son of a chaebol, he had lived without knowing the world's dangers until recently, when he was learning them the hard way.
Jang Cheon pulled out a prepared handkerchief, folded it, and tucked it into the breast pocket of Park Jin-ho's suit.
"What's this?"
"A recorder. It also has GPS tracking."
"This is a recorder?"
Park Jin-ho was startled. No matter how he looked at it, it was just a handkerchief. And a rather flashy one that stood out.
He didn't even ask if it might be detected. Even he, who had been told it was a recorder, couldn't believe there was any device hidden in that handkerchief.
"What if the Alliance Leader proposes a business deal?"
"Decide as you originally thought, Mr. Park."
"As I thought?"
"Accept what you want to accept, reject what you feel you should reject. Just be natural."
"Natural."
"But act like you still desperately need a joint venture with the Alliance Leader. That's the only way to uncover his intentions."
"Understood."
That was the purpose of tonight's meeting, after all.
By then, the car carrying the two had arrived at a small farm on the outskirts of the city center.
They got out and slowly walked toward the farm building.
At the entrance stood a man in a deeply pulled-down baseball cap, sword at his side. He was the martial artist who had guided Park Jin-ho to the underground chamber during his second meeting with the Alliance Leader.
"We told you to come alone."
Park Jin-ho said confidently.
"My father nearly got assassinated. I have no intention of moving without bodyguards."
The man raised his head and quickly sized up Jang Cheon. As a martial artist, he judged Jang Cheon's skill to be on par with his own or perhaps a notch above.
Exactly the level someone like Park Jin-ho would hire. Precisely as Jang Cheon had intended.
At that moment, a low voice came from inside.
"Just let them in."
"Yes."
The guard outside replied politely, then said to Park Jin-ho,
"Please go in."
Jang Cheon stood next to the baseball-cap martial artist by the door.
The door closed, muffling the conversation inside. Of course, Jang Cheon could hear everything through the earpiece linked to the handkerchief.
When Park Jin-ho entered, Cheon Myeong-jin was standing by a small window with his hands behind his back, gazing outside. It was pitch black out there, the moon hidden by heavy clouds.
Cheon Myeong-jin turned slowly. He had a robust build and sharp eyes.
Even without emitting any aura, his appearance made people flinch. And his gaze was intense.
If introduced as the Murim Alliance Leader, everyone would nod with an "Ah!"—that was the kind of face he had.
"I apologize for summoning you to such a place."
As at their first meeting, Cheon Myeong-jin didn't strut or boast about being the Alliance Leader. Despite his intense looks, he was exceedingly polite.
"Not at all. Anywhere is fine if I can meet you, Alliance Leader."
"Thank you for saying so."
"When I contacted you last time, you were in closed-door training."
"I truly apologize for that, Mr. Park. Martial artists are like that. When we fixate on something, we have to resolve it immediately."
"That kind of determination must be why you're Korea's top expert."
"Haha, you're too kind. There are hidden masters in the Murim world unknown to most. They are the true experts."
Hearing "hidden masters," Park Jin-ho immediately thought of Jang Cheon. He fit Cheon Myeong-jin's description perfectly.
"I'm just a mere errand boy for the Murim folk."
"Modest words. I know countless martial artists respect and follow you."
"Thank you. By the way, I heard Chairman Park nearly met with disaster recently."
"Yes, fortunately no harm came, but he's still quite shaken."
"I'll ensure nothing like that happens again."
"Your words alone reassure me."
Of course, Park Jin-ho's true feelings differed from his words. If he really cared, he should have ended his seclusion immediately upon hearing of the assassination attempt on Park In-hwan.
He hadn't even emerged when an Alliance elder was killed.
The vibe differed from their first meeting, now filled with doubt instead of respect and trust.
Fearing his anger might show, Park Jin-ho quickly steered to the main topic.
"Why did you want to see me today?"
"Do you remember what I told you last time?"
"Of course. You wanted to start a new business with us, for the Murim world and the Alliance."
"Correct. That's why I asked to meet."
"Please speak."
"There's a corrupt faction within the Murim Alliance. To purge them and establish justice in the Murim world, I need power."
"Aren't you Korea's top expert, Alliance Leader? Who would dare defy you?"
"Murim affairs can't be changed by one person's strength alone."
Cheon Myeong-jin answered vaguely, dodging details on the corrupt faction.
Park Jin-ho's expression hardened slightly. He didn't hide his honest feelings. Jang Cheon had instructed naturalness, after all. Soon, he relaxed and nodded.
"I suppose I must understand. As the one leading the Murim world, you can't reveal everything casually."
As Park Jin-ho yielded, Cheon Myeong-jin lightly performed a Murim-style fist salute to express gratitude.
"Thank you for understanding."
"How can I help?"
"I'm planning to form an organization. One that follows only my orders—a secret society of sorts."
"With enemies inside, can you even create an organization?"
"I plan to recruit experts secretly from outside."
"Ah! So that's your strategy."
"I'd like your investment in this plan."
"Very well. Since you're being so open with a Murim outsider like me, I'll ask freely too. Don't take offense."
"Speak comfortably."
"What do I gain from this investment?"
"Within three years, I'll secure 10% market share in the Korean Murim industry for you."
Park Jin-ho was stunned.
"Are you serious?"
"Yes."
"Can you put that in writing?"
"I can't. You must trust me."
Park Jin-ho hesitated.
"If you help, I, the Alliance Leader, will never forget it."
Soon, with a resolved expression, Park Jin-ho said,
"Very well. I'll trust you, Alliance Leader, and follow your greater cause."
Cheon Myeong-jin grasped Park Jin-ho's hand.
"Thank you truly."
"I look forward to working with you."
The two discussed more details before parting.
On the way back from the farm, Jang Cheon said,
"The Murim Alliance Leader deceived Mr. Park."
"Deceived me how?"
"Forming a secret organization under this kind of pressure is impossible."
"Didn't he say he'd hire from outside?"
"Same issue. No, it's even harder."
"Is it?"
"If he's gathering truly skilled people as he claims, wouldn't they have to be top-tier?"
"Probably."
"Martial artists of that caliber are usually entangled in complex relationships. It's not like they can keep secrets just because they want to."
Park Jin-ho nodded. He could understand that all too well.
Even he couldn't handle many things alone. Like this secret deal that led to the current mess.
"Even independents at the level the Alliance Leader wants wouldn't tangle with the Murim Alliance without reason.
To lure them, you'd need massive sums, but from what he said, he's not recruiting just one or two."
"Definitely not."
"Even if you gather them with huge capital, secrecy becomes impossible with numbers.
Especially outsiders. And to control them, you'd need powerful martial arts and charisma as a leader, but capable subordinates would be under surveillance.
In the end, building a secret organization isn't easy. The Alliance Leader, who's lived his life in the Murim world, surely knows this."
Park Jin-ho nodded at Jang Cheon's words. They rang true.
"Then why deceive me?"
Jang Cheon's answer came swiftly.
"He needs money urgently. Enough that HT Group must step in, even if it means burning bridges once the deception is revealed."
"What could be so important?"
As Park Jin-ho asked, Jang Cheon gazed out the car window.
"Now we find out."
Jang Cheon went with Park Jin-ho to see Chairman Park In-hwan.
He couldn't handle investing in the Murim Alliance Leader independently.
Park Jin-ho explained the meeting to Park In-hwan.
"First tranche: 200 billion won, then second tranche of 300 billion in three months. The funds will go to the Alliance Leader's secret account via the market."
It wasn't a small sum. And there was a high chance it could all be lost. Yet Park In-hwan didn't deliberate long.
"It stemmed from the Murim Alliance Leader in the first place, so proceeding as is seems best.
Even if the money's gone, think of it as tuition for our clumsy entry into Murim business."
Chairman Park In-hwan proceeded without hesitation. He asked Jang Cheon,
"What's your take?"
"I think it's the right call. If you proceed, I'll assist with what follows."
"Good. If you're stepping up, we have no reason to hesitate. I count on you."
Park Jin-ho, who had been listening, bowed his head.
"I'm sorry, Father."
"It's in the past—let it go. To resolve this, we must entangle with Murim folk, so follow Mr. Jang's words absolutely.
Trust and obey him more than me. Understood?"
"I'll keep it in mind."
Suddenly, Park Jin-ho recalled Jang Cheon's earlier words. That he was still at the starting line. That opportunity remained.
Handling this well could restore his father's trust. Hope swelled within him.
Park In-hwan asked Jang Cheon,
"The Alliance Leader needs money, right?"
Without the detailed explanation given to Park Jin-ho, Park In-hwan had pierced the situation accurately.
"Yes."
"Is he inherently corrupt?"
"I don't believe so."
Park In-hwan offered advice from long experience.
"I don't know much about Murim affairs or what martial artists think.
But at my age, there aren't many reasons to risk one's values and reputation with wrongdoing."
With a meaningful look, Park In-hwan added,
"Things like entrusting your son's matters to someone like you. Probably something similar for the Alliance Leader?"
Jang Cheon grasped the intent perfectly.
"I understand. I'll check that first. Thank you for the insight."
"No thanks needed—just an old man's guess."
Moments later, leaving Park In-hwan's office, Jang Cheon called Bishop.
"You said the Alliance Leader's son died in an accident?"
"Yes, six years ago."
"Dig into that incident in detail. Especially the daughter-in-law and granddaughter."
"Got it."
Jang Cheon was taking one step closer to the Alliance Leader—and his secrets.