Chapter 142: The Big Picture
Liang Xiaojun stared blankly at Kim Minwoo.
What the hell had he just heard?
“Chairman? What do you mean…?”
“You don’t want it?”
“I do, but that’s not the point.”
Was the position of Chairman something you could just take because you wanted it?
It was the top seat in a nation with over a billion people.
And the current Chairman, Li Zemin, had held onto power for over twenty years. That meant his roots and foundation were deeper and vaster than anyone could imagine.
But what was Kim Minwoo’s attitude?
He was talking like it was some easily replaceable part. No wonder it felt absurd.
That was when it happened.
Kim Minwoo asked seriously.
“Is there any reason you couldn’t take that seat? From what I see, you’ve got a solid enough base.”
“…”
“China’s first SS-rank Awakener with achievements. You broke French records too. And the Nine Dragon Guild thinks highly of you, right? Sounds like you’ve proven your loyalty.”
“W-Well, yeah, but…”
“I’m not saying climb up there right this second. I told you, let’s think big.”
Li Zemin, the Chairman.
They were cooperating for now, but that wasn’t going to last forever. He was only footing the bill because he had no choice, crying over his weaknesses—not out of love or true sponsorship.
The moment a good opportunity arose, he’d betray them in a heartbeat. That much was clear from what Liang Xiaojun had shared about the internal atmosphere at Nine Dragon Guild.
Loyalty unto death.
Their motto was to endure until the chance came, but what more was there to see?
Better to have his own follower in that Chairman’s seat than someone he couldn’t trust.
‘Having a loyal subordinate who can never betray me as China’s Chairman? Doesn’t that paint a beautiful picture?’
A grin was already blooming on his lips.
“Of course, if you don’t want it, I won’t force you. Same with the Pyongyang oversight—if you don’t like it, forget it.”
Liang Xiaojun fell silent.
But one thing was certain.
His eyes were brimming with desire.
The Chairman of China, no less. Who wouldn’t crave it?
In truth, greed was already flickering to life in Liang Xiaojun’s heart.
Chairman?
Chairman!
Impossible on his own, obviously. But with a powerful backer like Kim Minwoo supporting him?
‘… It could work.’
What man hadn’t dreamed big at some point in his life?
He’d just worn down with age, conforming to reality.
Make him Chairman?
It was a spine-tingling, irresistible offer.
After a long silence, he spoke.
“Do you have a plan?”
“Of course. But first, you need to become a hero, right?”
No one pictured some random nobody becoming Chairman.
Liang Xiaojun needed to bulk up fast too. Only then could he step in as a replacement after ousting Li Zemin.
“If you help me, Mr. Kim Minwoo…”
“Naturally, I’ll do everything I can. When the time comes, I’ll shake up China’s upper echelons for you.”
Gulp.
Liang Xiaojun licked his lips, finally feeling the reality sink in.
“… Then, what I can offer you is…”
“Before that. What do you think of China?”
“Just… my homeland, I suppose.”
“Then from now on, think of Korea as your true home. Become Chairman and pay it back later. Easy, right?”
Honestly, there was nothing left to squeeze out of Liang Xiaojun right now. Better to nurture him diligently.
Fatten him up.
Then enjoy the feast when he’s plump and ready.
“I-I’ll do it!”
“Good. Write down the names of all your rivals in the Party. And any higher-ups you don’t like—add them too.”
For Liang Xiaojun to become Chairman?
He needed promotions within the Communist Party, victory in internal power struggles, and a seat on the Politburo Standing Committee.
Money, items, skills—they were already getting plenty from the Chinese side.
Better to provide indirect support, like dragging all his rivals and obstacles down.
Gulp.
Swallowing hard, he listed everyone who might get in his way. Most names were unfamiliar, but a few stood out.
Big shots in China, by the looks of it.
Even some Politburo Standing Committee members. Kim Minwoo nodded at the list.
“All from He Guochang’s faction, huh?”
He Guochang.
Politburo Standing Committee member, rank 5.
“Yeah. They don’t think much of me…”
“Oh dear. Must’ve been tough. No worries anymore.”
Rank 5?
Chopping off a head like that wasn’t hard. Especially now, with him cozying up to the US.
‘No clean ones among them.’
Dig a little, and dirt always turned up.
The bigger the scandal, the more Li Zemin would opt for disposal over protection.
Just paint that picture naturally.
“Got any solid connections?”
“… Not yet. I’ve been holding back, unsure who to pick. Our Guild Master Hong Tao is kinda neutral, at least…”
Nine Dragon Guild’s power dynamics were messy. Hong Tao, a high Party official with the Chairman’s absolute trust, managed it as representative.
But that didn’t mean other factions stayed away.
Especially the Standing Committee members.
A powerhouse national guild like Nine Dragon—who wouldn’t want tentacles in it?
Some guild members aligned with committee members, others stayed neutral like Hong Tao.
Liang Xiaojun had faced plenty of approaches too. But power games could cost your head, so he’d stayed neutral-ish.
“Still, better grab one line. Keeps you safe in the storm.”
“… Any recommendations?”
“Number 3, Zhao Ziang. He looks solid.”
From memory, he’d been in cahoots with Li Zemin for ages, milking it dry.
“Number 2…”
“Don’t even glance his way. He’s trash.”
“… Know something?”
“Heard some things.”
Game intel, technically. Couldn’t say that outright, so he kept it vague.
“Then I’ll go with Zhao Ziang’s line. Just worried about the Guild Master’s reaction…”
“Got close to Hong Tao lately?”
“He mistakes my luck for something else. Been extra friendly these past few days.”
“Then play both sides.”
“… Both?”
“They’re not openly at war, him and the committee. So hook both. Easy.”
Both Number 3 and the Nine Dragon Guild Master wanted Liang Xiaojun in their pocket. Play it smooth between them, build up his weight.
Soon, Kim Minwoo drew his sword.
“Alright, time for some special training?”
Unlike the others, Liang Xiaojun was a VIP case.
He planned to boost his skills with unstinting advice and instruction.
And so, pitiful screams echoed through the training room.
* * *
[(Breaking News) Captain’s Match Rematch! Nine Dragon VS Ilsung! This one’s at Sangam Stadium…]
[(Breaking News) Captain’s Match ends 6:4, Korea wins again!]
[(Breaking News) Ilsung Guild Master Nam Cheolmin says this was way tougher than last time…]
[(Breaking News) Hong Tao returns to China, rues the one-point difference. But no regrets this time…]
[(Breaking News) Chairman Li praises Nine Dragon Guild! Notes massive growth in short time… promises even more top-grade elixirs…]
That night, after the Nine Dragon-Ilsung rematch, one story dominated every news outlet.
—Breaking news. Ilsung Energy announces new magic stone battery. Claims it crushes US batteries… now interviewing lead developer Dr. Kim Seokjin…
Dr. Kim Seokjin appeared on TV, face flushed with excitement.
—First, thanks to Guild Master Kim Minwoo. Without his invaluable advice, this battery might never have happened.
He then explained the new magic stone battery.
Cutting to the chase.
—Passed every test. Verified with the government. I’m confident—no battery in the world beats this.
—With Ilsung Group’s full backing, mass production is ready. For the name, Guild Master Kim Minwoo graciously let me… ‘Slime Battery.’
Slime Battery.
It literally used slimes in production.
Not the whole story, though.
From lithium, cobalt, manganese, nickel basics to Dr. Kim’s proprietary special materials.
Optimal blend ratios produced it.
Those ratios? Trade secret.
The result? Mind-blowing performance.
Domestic magic stone batteries: ~1,000km per charge.
Slime Battery?
Announcement specs: a whopping 3,000km.
Even crazier: weight slashed despite the power.
Not just cars—miniaturization for all sorts of products.
Journalists bombarded with “how?!”
—Plenty of questions, I’m sure. We’ll prove it tomorrow at Yeongam International Racetrack demo. New Ilsung vehicle debuting too. Pure performance, no tricks. Guild Master Kim Minwoo will announce…
—?
—What did I just see?
—Makes sense? This gap bankrupts every US battery firm?
—Just specs so far. Could be hype.
—Lol, hype and he drops Kim Minwoo’s name? Lol
—Morning bois lol Ilsung stock mooning tomorrow lol
—Fuck, US shareholder, what’s a circuit breaker lol
—Hold tight lol
—Battery stocks crashing rally lol
—Apples tanking too lol
—Gotta buy lol mini version on Ilsung phones = game over lol
—Joking? Circuit breakers on rumor news?
—Kim Minwoo’s name = rumor-killer? lol
—(Info) Kim Minwoo hobnobs with China’s Chairman, US Prez, Saudi King. Global VIP.
—All in lol
—Yeah panic-selling over? Dumbasses who dumped in frenzy all cut lol
—Still not learned? US invincible lol
(Robert President grinning photo)
—Believe it asshole lol
—For real tho even if real US gets in on it~
Barely a minute after announcement, S&P hit -7%, circuit breaker tripped.
Fifteen minutes later, post-reset: +2% rebound. Rollercoaster city.
Tortured aliens?
They really made that?
Nah.
Probably inflated specs.
US can’t just flop.
The night of tears and cheers for stock traders ended, dawn breaking.
Yeongam International Racetrack was swarmed.
CNN, FOX, ABC.
Top US networks to global press—all there.
No surprise.
Prepped them days ago: big exclusive, come early.
Kim Minwoo stepped up.
“Glad you’re here. Kim Minwoo. You’ve heard the specs. Demo’s simple. This beauty beside me? Ilsung’s new ride. Voltron. Cool, right? Stuffed with Slime Battery—gonna run till it drops.”
Voltron.
Sleek SUV.
Brief specs on battery and vehicle, then he glanced somewhere.
“Korean government will verify weight and more. No tampering—don’t worry. Not my style for cheap tricks.”
Government officials verified.
He scanned the crowd.
“Ten Voltrons ready. Filming inside and out the whole run. Long haul, so drivers matter. Stamina, focus—ideal traits. So we got some prime candidates.”
With that.
Figures emerged from backstage. The crowd’s eyes widened.
Nine were no shock—Ilsung guildmates.
Familiar faces.
But one stood out.
“… Isabella?”
Isabella.
She’d vanished after visiting Sword Sea Pavilion in Korea.
Now popping up here out of nowhere.
“Pleased to meet you. Isabella. I’ll promote Ilsung’s Slime Battery. Voltron itself took no ads—don’t misunderstand.”
Casually claiming promo duties.
Shocking.
She only endorsed the absolute best. Her pickiness infamous.
First time for an Eastern corp product… Slime Battery.
Voltron? No thanks.
Meaning…
‘Huh?’
‘Slime Battery’s the best, right?’
Unofficial seal of approval before demo even started.
Scenting the scoop, reporters hammered laptops.