The Imperial Hunter - Chapter 179: Doctor, Patriot, and Terrorist (6)
Look at this guy? Come out and sign already?
"Why should I?"
Why? You really don't know why? The governor responded sharply, feigning indignation.
Exterminating awakened aquatic hazards is essential to guarantee public safety. But you landowners start blocking the way from here on out, sticking up warning signs, building walls, and stringing up barbed wire. How are hunters who stepped up to do some good supposed to properly track their prey? If they chase blindly and get caught, it's property infringement or trespassing, and they end up in court battles.
"It's still a violation of property rights, isn't it?"
Hey now—listen here. A tsk-tsk sound of tongue-clicking.
Listen, sir. People's right to life trumps individual property rights—life! Right now, countless folks are living in fear, exposed to awakened threats! What's a few—what's that—how many hectares in this area's forest land?
The governor conferred with someone who sounded like his aide over the phone.
470 hectares? That's huge. Anyway, 470 hectares registered under your company! If the province's biggest private forest owner won't cooperate, how are we supposed to ensure residents' safety? That's why even I, the governor, came all this way to get your signature. You need to understand how desperate the public feels!
In short, he was here to boost his name recognition and popularity by exploiting that desperation.
"People's right to life over individual property rights... That's a fine sentiment."
Don't just say it—show it with actions. Let's keep this amicable, yeah?
What a clown. I kept my eyes on the screen while tossing out a question.
"One thing I'd like to ask. How much are you worth, Governor?"
Why do you ask?
"At least three billion, right? I think I saw something like that in the news last year. Up that much from the previous year."
So why bring that up...?
"That money could save a lot of lives. For instance, I hear thousands kill themselves every year in this country due to poverty. Three billion could at least cover their food worries. They'd be grateful for cheap government grain."
Hold on.
"Start by donating a billion yourself, Governor. You said people's right to life matters more than property rights—surely you won't refuse?"
That's completely different!
"What's different? It's all about sacrificing someone's property rights to save more lives."
It's different! My money's legitimately earned! Your land's ill-gotten gains!
What nonsense was this? Sure, I ran a criminal syndicate, but this guy had no clue. The company owning this land operated strictly legally. If my underworld dealings got exposed, it'd be SWAT or Round Table hunters at my door—not some governor. And claiming his wealth was legit? Laughable. I knew plenty of his corruption.
Somehow interpreting my silence as guilt, the governor pressed on triumphantly.
Got a guilty conscience there, sir?
"I have no idea what you mean."
What do I mean? You think I don't know you're in cahoots with pro-Japanese descendants? Me, Governor Kang Jungseong?
"...What? Pro-Japanese?"
Don't play dumb! I looked into it—the previous owner of this land was a pro-Japanese descendant! You knew the forest and mountain had issues and bought it anyway, right? Denying it just exploits the fact that the government can't reclaim it! The original owner scraped up the cash and fled overseas right after the deal!
"Is that so? First I've heard of it."
In truth, I knew and bought it anyway. The pro-Japanese heirs were desperate to dodge reclamation, selling the mountain and forest below market value—a steal. But the governor had no way to prove that. It was a fully legal transaction; he was just nitpicking.
"Please don't jump to conclusions based on circumstantial evidence, Governor. Lumping me in with pro-Japanese descendants is downright insulting. I just bought what's on the market."
Jumping to conclusions? The governor snorted.
It's established fact that many filing lawsuits over trespassing or forest damage are pro-Japanese descendants! Over half the executives in the National Private Forest Protection Association leading landowners' anti-government actions are too! Can you swear you have zero ties to them?
"First I've heard of that too. No interest in their group actions. I just want my rights respected."
Far from first—I knew all about it. No interest now, but I'd exploit them later if needed. I'd networked with some for business, so indirect influence was possible. But linking me to them now was pure bullshit.
The governor probed further.
Huh. Then what's with these ability users blocking me? You expect me to believe you're personally hiring and paying them all by yourself?
Admittedly, my guards looked suspicious.
This country needs private high-risk hunting legalized soon too. Chinese-style private hunting squads or American militias.
Then my organization could defend its turf without suspicion. This transitional phase allowed high-risk hunts regardless of quals, but no legal private guilds existed yet—just ad-hoc government and local extermination teams.
I rubbed my temple and replied.
"They're hunters I hired as the landowner to fulfill my duties. Proof? No major awakened complaints around here, right?"
Let's be precise. Not duty—profit. You hate the government monopolizing high-risk hunt results, so you're selling direct to Chinese herb dealers, Southeast Asian, African, Caribbean shamans! Way more lucrative!
"You're going too far."
You're the one overstepping. Officials say they've visited you over twenty times! So here I am, Governor Kang Jungseong himself! Just the other day, an official in Cheongju handling this killed himself from workload!
Enough with the governor schtick.
Try sending me away again! Tax audit, poaching and smuggling probes—whatever! If you're clean as a whistle, send me packing! I'll do my best as governor to ensure resident safety!
"Then leave."
What?
"I am clean, so go. Taxes paid exemplary—got awards. All awakened caught on my land turned over to the local environment office for bounties. Nothing to hide, nothing to fear."
...Hmm.
My calm confidence deflated his bluster. He figured even if sued for defamation, threats, or abuse of power, stirring public outrage and headlines was a win. But if I was truly clean, losses might outweigh gains. He probably thought rich folks like me always had dirt, and my stubborn refusal hid something—likely ties to other landowners.
Not many private owners, and plenty pro-Japanese descendants. Linking me was easy if I coordinated with them. Facts be damned—stir the masses, and they'd overlook later corrections. Oh, that's it? Lame.
But if this blows up, the National Private Forest Protection Association will chime in—whether I actually contact them or not.
Public would assume I'm in with pro-Japanese heirs. Head says no, heart says yes. Risky for a presidential hopeful, but if aiming as kingmaker via endorsement, dirty fights were fine. Resignation-endorsements just lent enthusiastic voters without the hate.
Image of a pol unafraid to smear pro-Japanese landlords for the masses. Stir class resentment against the wealthy—perfect.
Sir, let's talk face-to-face. The cheap populist softened his tone.
I'm governor for 13 million—show some courtesy, yeah?
Phone-only exit wouldn't fly—gao wouldn't hold, Kyung-tae-style. Officials got no call; governor gets a meet. Effort pays off. He wanted packaging.
I was too busy for that nonsense.
"Said all I need to. Face-time changes nothing. Go audit taxes, send teams for poaching/smuggling checks—whatever. I'll cooperate where obligated."
Hey. He tsked arrogantly again.
Sir! I'm talking courtesy to the public—courtesy! Brushing off a life-or-death issue via phone is rude—inhuman! Get it?
"Did you show me courtesy?"
What?
"Life over property—true. But this ain't China or North Korea; bullying doesn't fly. As a democratic rule-of-law official, you should've requested cooperation procedurally."
That's why I'm here for the signed consent—with procedure! Me, Governor Kang Jungseong!
"Signatures by intimidation? Then Japan's Eulsa Treaty was legit too. Am I talking to Yi Wan-yong, not the governor?"
What? Yi Wan-yong? You've gone too far—insult!
"Didn't know one-on-one calls constituted insult. Thought I lived in Korea—turns out some alien law applies."
You—you're hopeless. Younger than me, and—
"You started, pinning me as pro-Japanese crony. You can smear me, but I can't compare you to Yi Wan-yong? Governorship come with impunity cards?"
You really—
"This call's recorded too. Choose words wisely."
......
Cut off repeatedly with no rebuttal, the governor just grumbled, unable to retort.
I knew him privately—via a gambling alias. Even raging boar-like now, he wasn't dumb enough to pick losing fights over mood. Rational: chuck personal grudges for profit. Capitalist beast, slick politico.
Koreans cursed rulers' stupidity from appearances, but those "dumb" antics hid self-interest. Politicians aren't that stupid—just different thinking, different worlds.