Iron Wall
*** JK Group Chairman's Office
[Seoul's 29th Mayor Kang Beom-seong outlined his vision for a Seoul that we can dream of and build together in his inauguration speech.]
[Mayor Kang has installed CCTV in his office for a clean administration free of corruption and vowed unwavering resolve against any external pressure.]
Watching the inauguration ceremony at City Hall, Chairman Kang wore a satisfied smile.
"Seeing this, it feels like our grandson was right a hundred, a thousand times over."
He had been invited to the inauguration of the so-called "little president," the Seoul mayor, but following Min-ho's advice, Chairman Kang had declined to attend. As a father, he naturally wanted to be there for such a historic moment, but to the media and the public, he would have appeared not as a father, but as the JK Group chairman. To break free from the group's shadow, this was necessary. There was regret, of course, but for achieving their goals, it was the best choice.
Moon Sang-oh, gauging the chairman's thoughts, ventured a subtle question.
"It might be... a special day that won't come again. Aren't you regretful?"
"Before being chairman, I'm a father too—of course I'm regretful. But if I'd gone... as Min-ho said, those broadcast bastards would've plastered my face all over the screens..."
"We're ensuring the group isn't mentioned in any articles about Mayor Kang Beom-seong."
"That's how we get him out of the shadow. Keep at it for the time being."
"Yes, understood."
After a pause, Moon Sang-oh cautiously broached another topic.
"Young master mentioned something last time."
"Sounds like he's got another scheme brewing..."
"President Kang Myeong-seon and President Kang Beom-seong's positions are currently vacant. So the young master's opinion is..."
Chairman Kang raised a hand to silence him. Closing his eyes, he pondered deeply before speaking.
"Now that the thorns in our sides are gone, it sounds like the fox wants to fill those spots."
"Indeed. I haven't heard anything about future plans."
Managing two affiliates simultaneously wasn't easy. He asked Moon Sang-oh's opinion.
"What do you think?"
"The young master's managerial skills are beyond doubt. But... physically, time-wise, it's absolutely impossible."
"True... Handling two affiliates under Athena wouldn't be easy..."
Even for Min-ho, it would be no small feat. Contrary to expectations of refusal, Chairman Kang nodded with a pleased smile.
"He's not some run-of-the-mill gold badge holder—he made Beom-seong the Seoul mayor. Don't we owe him a reward?"
"Are you saying you'll give him the opportunity?"
"He planned for this from the start. Creating vacancies to plant his feet in the group and strengthen his influence. A very clever move."
Even if his skills were recognized at Athena, that was a separate company. To earn the respect of JK Group employees, he needed to prove himself here.
"No matter how he soared at Athena, I worried whether the staff here would follow him when he eventually takes my place."
"What about bringing in professional managers?"
"No need. If the math didn't add up, he wouldn't have breathed a word of this."
The more he chewed on it, the more he admired Min-ho's plan.
"I thought he'd just eliminate rivals, but he's put them in cement coffins and tossed them into the middle of the Pacific."
"You mean the perspective is different?"
"Others whine for the sweetest treats to be spoon-fed... but Min-ho creates the seat and takes it himself. And so politely, too..."
Now, only Du-seong remained. Considering his temperament, he wouldn't back down quietly. Moon Sang-oh subtly mentioned the concern.
"How do you anticipate President Kang Du-seong's backlash?"
"My son has had all his limbs severed—do you think Du-seong's personality would let that slide? He'll blow something up, no matter what it takes..."
"We'll prepare for all possibilities."
The gap between Min-ho and Du-seong was already too vast to explain. Whatever plan Min-ho had, he'd deemed it handleable. With a faint smile, Chairman Kang shook his head.
"Du-seong is like a fool climbing a tree he can't reach. When the typhoon comes, you dodge—not stand against it. That's foolish judgment."
"So you won't intervene?"
"The outcome is decided. No matter how Du-seong thrashes, he's in Min-ho's palm. No need to worry."
"Understood."
Moon Sang-oh folded the day's newspaper in half and handed it to the chairman for easy viewing, continuing his report.
"Former Assemblyman Choi Son-hwan passed away yesterday afternoon."
"That greedy bastard lived to a ripe old age... Cause of death?"
"Lung cancer. Funeral at Seongguk Hospital."
"The scum who left an indelible scar on our grandson-in-law... I'd love to go lay roses myself, but I can't..."
"I don't think you need to go in person or send a wreath. Frankly, he's not worth it."
"True. So we should give him a fitting gift, no?"
"What do you have in mind?"
"Send five trucks of salt and plenty of white steamed rice cakes. Enough for every patient in the hospital to share."
Chairman Kang couldn't do much about the dead man. Instead, he chose gifts meant not for mourning, but for insult: massive salt quantities and pure white rice cakes symbolizing a wish for clean living. This expressed his displeasure.
"I'd ask her myself, but I don't want to burden her... How's Eun-chae?"
"Young master has been taking good care of her, she called yesterday. Soseonjae opened for business normally today."
"At this point, they're more than casually involved. Eun-chae will lean on Min-ho quite a bit going forward..."
"Chairman, are you really planning to marry them off?"
Chairman Kang calling Eun-chae his "granddaughter-in-law" was serious intent disguised as jest.
"Daughters of businessmen, daughters of politicians... Marrying them means endless obligations and unnecessary entanglements."
"Indeed. Marriage alliances inevitably lead to such situations."
"That's part of it, but none of those politicians' or businessmen's daughters catch my eye."
"Not to your taste?"
"What I hate most is their arrogant faces. Piling on expensive clothes, shoes, cars—like pearls around a pig's neck..."
Marriage alliances with other conglomerates inevitably bred complications. To block that at the source, Chairman Kang had his own children marry ordinary people.
"It's not the clothes that matter—it's the hanger. Min-ho's handsome, Eun-chae's a knockout beauty. Their great-grandkids will be pretty and outstanding. That's enough for me."
Checking the time, Moon Sang-oh rose quietly.
"Time to head to Daejeon—sorry, but I'll take my leave."
"Namgwang Reservoir in Daejeon, right?"
"Yes."
"Time flies. Everything prepared?"
"Police are present; operations start soon."
"Go on. And don't forget the salt when it's done."
***
Daejeon Namgwang Reservoir.
If former Assemblyman Choi's words were true, traces of the missing aide should surface here. Arriving early, Moon Sang-oh greeted Senior Detective Park Do-seop.
"Sorry to bother you when you're busy."
"We've been scanning the bottom for three hours already."
"How long until it's done?"
"Who knows... Got all the best divers in the area, so it'll wrap before sunset. But Sang-oh, how'd you tame that sly fox into giving up that testimony?"
"I don't know the details. But as his dying words, it's highly likely true."
Exhaling cigarette smoke with a grimace, he said,
"Just between us old-timers—this case weighed on me... Should've pushed back, but survival got in the way... Bowed my head... Even now, it's shameful..."
"Defying orders wouldn't have helped at your level. Better to see this as a blessing in disguise—you're helping big now."
"Yeah, let's think positive like you say. No choice now anyway. But that daughter of Yoon Gwi-young—is she really coming?"
Glancing around, Moon Sang-oh replied,
"She's just arriving over there."
Her standout beauty, even from afar, left Park Do-seop speechless in admiration.
"Whoa! Unreal!"
"What is it?"
"Not just gorgeous—she looks just like Yoon Gwi-young alive and walking. Blood tells; prettier than any actress. Who's the guy next to her?"
"Chairman Kang's grandson, young master Kang Min-ho."
"Ah... That Athena genius CEO?"
"Yes."
"Moments like this make the world feel unfair. Young, handsome, and grandpa's the chairman. Enviable life."
Moon Sang-oh approached Min-ho with a greeting.
"You've arrived?"
"Has the search started?"
"If Assemblyman Choi was truthful, police expect results soon."
Regardless of findings, Eun-chae's heart would be heavy.
"Sorry for the trouble, Executive Director Moon."
"This is nothing. I'll guide you where you can see best."
As the group moved, a shout rang out.
"Detective! Found it!"
"What? Found something?"
"Yes. A drum barrel—probably the missing person."
Sensing trouble, Park Do-seop yelled,
"Sang-oh! Over here, quick!"
The reservoir, harboring ugly truths, lay eerily still. Police and divers conferred briefly. Soon, a waiting crane was deployed. Its chain slowly wound up.
If the contents matched the missing aide, Choi's every word was fact.
-Gonna be dark before it comes up. How long?
-Detective says ten minutes.
-Open the lid once it's up.
Moments later, the ancient drum barrel emerged.
-Alright! This way, yeah!
As water drained, a cop with a crowbar checked it. Just as expected. Park Do-seop, covering his mouth with a handkerchief for a peek, approached Eun-chae.
"Forensics will confirm, but we'll contact you. Here's my card."
Eun-chae asked the unexpected.
"Is the person inside?"
"If you can call it a person... Better for your mental health not to look."
Knowing full well, Eun-chae strode toward the barrel. Normally, civilians would be barred, but Park Do-seop signaled approval.
Eun-chae peered intently inside. The dead told no tales, but Choi's words rang true. Nothing more to do. Scarce remains, yet the killer of her mother. Eun-chae spat into the barrel. She didn't forget her tearful curse.
Under Park's orders, the scene wrapped. The long-unsolved disappearance was thus revealed. Workers withdrew, but Eun-chae, still gazing at the reservoir, spoke.
"Truth is... once I found mom's real killer, I planned to die too."
"Classic Eun-chae. But you've changed your mind now?"
"Mom wouldn't want me suffering from heaven, right? It hit me. So... I'll try living well from now on."
To lighten the somber mood, Moon Sang-oh said,
"Daejeon has lots of friends—I know some famous bakeries. Shall I show you?"
Aimed at cheering her, but wildly off-topic. Jokes didn't suit him. Still, knowing his intent, Eun-chae laughed long and hard. Whether genuine or forced, who could tell.
The gloom lifted; her bright smile returned.
"Oh! Executive Director Moon knows jokes too?"
"Ah... No, real bakeries. Their soboro bread is savory and delicious."
"Since you mentioned it, let's go. Time to eat well and live well."
As the three headed to the bakery, Kang Du-seong was plotting with Chief Secretary Jeong Dong-gyun.