The Patriarch's Shocking Go Triumph
The world was in an uproar.
And it wasn't for any other reason. It was all because of our Chairman Go Yeong-man.
An amateur beating a pro 9-dan? Of course it was going to blow up.
"Our chairman is incredible. Shaking up the whole country with Go."
Even people who don't know much about Go have a rough idea of the massive gap between pros and amateurs. That's why this story was spreading like wildfire.
It was even dominating the main news broadcasts—what more is there to say?
"But what's this about him being possessed?"
Sharp observation, huh?
"Tsk tsk. Doesn't know the value of his own life, spouting such truths. This is Korea, you know—a country with defamation by factual assertion laws. Where does he get off mouthing off like that?"
And the opponent is Chairman Go Yeong-man... Even I couldn't handle that kind of event.
Farewell. I prayed for the anonymous commenter I didn't know.
That's when Sua approached.
"Master, here are the secretary candidates from Prestige. I narrowed them down roughly, but I thought it best for you to select the team leaders yourself."
"Oh."
The total size of my rebuilt secretary corps from Prestige was supposedly around 100 people. Of course, that's just the secretaries—the subordinates handling grunt work or executing tasks numbered far more.
"Four team leaders, right?"
"Yes. Protocol team, security team, strategy team, and execution team. Each has one team leader and two deputy leaders. Per protocol, one team leader from each must always stay by your side."
"...The names all sound so similar. What's the difference?"
"The protocol team—"
"Ah, never mind. Just talking to myself."
Sua closed her mouth again and clasped her hands and legs together demurely. Her pretty, gathered legs stood out especially today.
...I should prepare a spot for our Aram (the heroine) in advance too.
"Leave the protocol team leader position vacant for now. I'll appoint Seo Aram once her training's done."
"Yes."
"And the rest..."
I carefully flipped through each file, deliberating. All of them had stellar resumes and specs, with no flaws in face, figure, or height—which made me pick even more meticulously.
For the protocol team's deputy leaders—where Seo Aram would rise to team leader—I chose two model-tall stunners with long, slender legs. For security team leader and deputies, ones with some muscle and healthy tanned skin. Strategy and execution teams, I went by specs.
Not that it meant much. I just wanted them sorted by image.
"Done. Go with this."
"Yes."
"And you said total secretaries are 100?"
"Yes."
"Hmm... By this Saturday, the corps should be complete?"
"Probably."
"Let's visit Prestige HQ on Saturday then. Check on Aram's status, give the secretary girls some pocket money. 3 million for team leaders, 2 million for deputies, 1 million for regulars—pull cash and stuff envelopes."
"Yes, Master."
"For the staff under the secretaries, just blanket 500k each."
"Yes."
Loyalty is bought with money, after all. Shower them from the start, and they'll think, This is my master, and bow properly.
"How's the artificial island coming?"
"Almost there. Near Baengnyeongdo."
"Oh... Then once we get it, we can finalize the prison land acquisition and construction plans?"
"Yes. Transferring ownership to the special correctional corporation might bottleneck a bit, but nothing major."
The prison puzzle was finally coming together. Just approvals left now.
"As soon as the island arrives, call in engineers for consultations and draft the prison construction plan."
"Yes, Master."
"Once the plan's done, submit for review—then start construction immediately without waiting for approval. It'll get approved anyway."
Who in their right mind would deny it? It's me doing it.
"Talk to Goryeo Militaris and Goryeo Medical early for tenancy agreements too. Can't use the inmates freely without those two companies on board."
"Shouldn't we include chemicals too?"
"Oh, right. Once the secretary corps is set, work out a strategy with them."
"Yes."
Next up...
"How much of Namdong Industrial Complex land have we bought?"
"...Sorry, still tracking down the owners."
"In your opinion, how much to buy it all?"
Briefing said around 280 billion at 100k per pyeong, but the more I thought, the crazier that sounded.
"Honestly, even 100 billion's too much? It's worthless shit-land right now, and clearing the squatters costs extra..."
"Hmm."
My goal: buy all of Namdong Industrial Complex land, then negotiate perks and support from Namdong-gu.
But talking to Namdong-gu means leaks, and owners jack up prices.
So, secure all land first, then play hardball with the district.
Mu-yeol Finance approval takes about two months—better wrap this by then.
Should I hand it properly to Sua?
She's swamped, but once the secretary office rebuilds, it'll ease up. Plus, she's my number-one jotjip, closest aide, and first lay—time to treat her right.
Treatment means cash rewards.
It's been almost three months since we met. Time for a big one.
But hand it over raw, and she might get spoiled. I don't want that.
"Chief Secretary Im Sua."
"Y-yes??"
She straightened her spine at the unfamiliar title.
"That 100 billion budget you mentioned. Handle it within that."
"..."
"As fast as possible."
"U-understood."
Her voice trembled slightly. Didn't expect me to lock in that budget.
"But if you finish under 100 billion? The rest is yours."
"!!!"
"No questions on methods. Just bring me deeds to every scrap of Namdong Industrial Complex land."
"R-really, Master?"
"You doubting me right now?"
"N-no! Sorry. I'll do my best!!"
"Start next week. This week's too packed. Once the corps is ready, go full throttle."
"Yes!!"
Her response brimmed with energy. Confident, huh.
I said no limits on methods... She'll probably just kill and steal them?
Recalling how she blew off a prosecutor's head without hesitation, or planned to wipe her team if needed—she might actually do it.
March in, no price talk, kill the owner, forge a thumbprint. Done.
Normal backup means chaos, but only Goryeo Group scale pulls that off.
"Got the Nokono-go Girls' movements tracked?"
"Yes. Deployment prep complete."
"Good. So... Tonight's the night?"
"Yes."
"I'll be waiting."
"I won't disappoint you, Master."
After wrapping their grueling schedule, the Nokono-go Girls members boarded the van, utterly drained and slumped in their seats.
The near-month-long forced march had worn out even these peak-condition girls.
"Too... exhausting..."
"Feels like I'm gonna die..."
"I just wanna sleep peacefully for five straight hours..."
They'd always been close friends, chatting endlessly about everything, but lately even that had tapered off.
They craved any scrap of rest, every extra minute of sleep.
But one topic overshadowed even that.
"But us... we're really only doing this through the week?"
The gal-girl concept member's words made everyone lift their heads.
"Our families are thrilled right now... Honestly, going to America at this point feels wrong..."
The hesitant tone carried clear meaning.
They didn't want to leave. They wanted to stay and keep going.
And who could blame them? Their current success was a once-in-a-lifetime golden opportunity.
Just abandon it and bail? Even debuting in America—with language barriers, different tastes, and more—no guarantee of this level of success.
"Can't we just offer our bodies outright and keep performing??"