The Chairman Who Came by Helicopter
At that moment, Chairman Cho’s phone rang.
“Oh? Secretary Yi. What is it?”
His face creased into a frown. It didn’t sound like good news.
“I see. Well, that’s a relief, at least.”
The call didn’t last long.
“It’s about the news just now. I happen to have some ties with Cheonjo Group, and apparently the chairman’s wife was caught up in it. She suffered severe fractures, but her life isn’t in danger.”
“......”
Kang-to’s expression hardened for a moment.
It was the oracle he had delivered to Chairman Lee Tae-seop. If he were some small-time hack of a shaman, he’d have been shouting from the rooftops that it was his prophecy coming true, but Kang-to wasn’t that sort. One of a shaman’s purposes was to ward off or escape calamity.
Lee Tae-seop’s face flashed through his mind.
By now, the report would have reached him. Maybe the whole family had already rushed to the hospital. The most pathetic sort of person in the world was the one so blinded by his own opinions that he couldn’t swallow the rice cake handed to him. And this wasn’t just any rice cake.
[Shamanism = something that becomes a disaster if you believe in it.]
For many people, that equation held. But their nature was not necessarily so simple. There were plenty of things in the world that science could not neatly explain. Shamanism was the science of what was unscientific to them. More than that, there was a time when it had been this land’s official medicine.
[]
That was the character for doctor.
But it wasn’t the only one.
[]
This, too, meant doctor, as the dictionary tells us.
Doctor ui
1: doctor ui
2: physician
The word for doctor, ui, came in two forms, and . Their usage differed slightly. The former dealt with disease; the latter healed the illnesses of fate and soul.
Once a person acknowledged that, they were bound to reach out to shamanism.
And in that one moment, a life could be decided. Just as it had for that chairman.
“Well then, shall we at least toast with cola?”
Chairman Cho lifted his glass of cola.
“To the prosperity of our law-master Kang-to’s team.”
“To prosperity.”
“Now then, Dr. Cho, why don’t you show us your plans?”
When the toast was over, Chairman Cho turned to the architect.
“I’ve only looked at the big picture so far, but the route around the lighthouse is really ideal. If it’s connected well to the dock, it’ll be more than worthy of a top-class tourist destination.”
As the architect explained, more people gathered outside. It was because of the helicopter. Now that it had come back, everyone was hoping development might begin again.
“Hey, Captain Song.”
When Captain Song came out, Village Chief Choi waved him over.
“What is it? Why is Chairman Cho having dinner with Lee Kang-to?”
“Not just having dinner. He’s treating him like some sacred treasure.”
“Seriously?”
“From what I hear, when that helicopter crashed last time, Kang-to’s rite saved them from the jaws of death. Seems he came here to repay that debt.”
“What about our island’s development?”
“No talk of development. Looks like he’s going to do landscape work from the dock all the way to Kang-to’s lighthouse shrine.”
“So it’s not island development, it’s lighthouse shrine development?”
“That’s what it sounds like. We’d better make sure to stay on Kang-to’s good side from now on.”
“What?”
“Use your head a little. Kang-to’s shrine is already no ordinary place, and if Chairman Cho lays roads and does landscaping for it, wouldn’t it become a famous landmark among all the nearby islands? And the center of that is obviously Kang-to, the law-master.”
“You go on and on about Kang-to the law-master. What, are you Captain Song’s devoted disciple or something?”
“I’m saying he’s extraordinary, aren’t I? He went to college on the mainland, came back to his hometown, opened a shrine, and drew mainland people in...”
“Well, because he only went to some no-name school...”
“Then isn’t your own daughter the same, Village Chief Choi? She went to some no-name school and still landed a job at Seongsan Group.”
“Hey now, who are you comparing my genius daughter to?”
Just as the annoyed village chief was about to snap again, he shut his mouth. Chairman Cho had finished eating and stepped out of the restaurant.
“You there, Chief.”
Chairman Cho called to Village Chief Choi.
“Y-yes... about our island’s development...?”
Choi asked in a voice that had shrunk to the size of a thread.
“My judgment was lacking. This island is a natural treasure. I came here thinking I’d develop it with a bunch of bulldozers, but perhaps Heaven struck me down for that. It would be best to develop the island in a way that preserves its original character.”
“Pardon?”
“I’ll take care of the landscaping along the path to the dock and the lighthouse.”
“......”
“And this is fifty million won for the island development fund. I hope you’ll continue to help our law-master Kang-to.”
Chairman Cho held out an envelope.
“......?”
Village Chief Choi’s head started spinning like a helicopter propeller. The development was a lost cause anyway. If this was how it ended, then a chicken was better than a pheasant. And fifty million won, no less?
“Everyone, Chairman Cho has generously donated to the island development fund. And he’s also promised to do landscaping work starting from the dock. Let’s give him a round of applause.”
Village Chief Choi changed his position at once.
“F-fifty million?”
“Oh my, thank you.”
No one was a match for money. The women’s association chairwoman, the fisheries chief, and the rest all rushed forward with both hands raised in gratitude.
Clap, clap, clap.
Pitiful applause broke out.
Meanwhile, Chairman Cho stopped in front of the helicopter.
“Law-master.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“Please formally serve as an advisor to our company.”
“I don’t mind, but if people start saying the company is being run by shamanism...”
“Those kinds of people will swallow their own tongues and come running after just one taste of your oracle, law-master Kang-to.”
“If you say so...”
“I’ll invite you to the company sometime soon. Please do come.”
After shaking Kang-to’s hand, Chairman Cho left instructions for the landscaper and climbed aboard the helicopter.
Thud-thud-thud-thud.
The helicopter rose into the air.
[Official Advisor to the Chairman of Taebaek Construction]
Kang-to had just set down a fine stepping-stone.
As the helicopter receded into the distance, Village Chief Choi and the fisheries chief looked at Kang-to. It was because of the nightmare from earlier.
“There’s no problem now.”
Kang-to smiled. The helicopter had safely flown around Gyecheong Island and away.
“Shall we go up?”
Kang-to gestured toward the lighthouse for Madam Gyeongsin and Baby Bodhisattva.
“Um... Kang-to... law... master...”
Village Chief Choi came closer. His attitude was completely different now.
“Did you want to say something?”
“Is it really true that Chairman Cho is going to do the landscaping work for our island?”
“That’s what he promised.” Kang-to nodded toward the remaining landscaper. “That gentleman will work out the actual plan for the project.”
“You really did a lot.”
The village chief suddenly reached out as if they were old friends. He was terrible at hiding his expression, so his intentions were written all over his face, but Kang-to took his hand anyway.
“Make some time when you can. I’d like to talk about the island’s future.”
“All right.”
“Sister, hurry up!”
Having already climbed to the middle of the hill, Sol-bi waved both hands toward Baby Bodhisattva.
“Goodness, that child really is full of spirit.”
With Choi’s praise added on, the island’s war of nerves finally seemed to be settling down.
“Our Heavenly Sea Goddess...”
At the entrance to Chiluijae, Madam Gyeongsin fell into thought. A precious shamanic child. At the same time, the pillar she leaned on.
“You left behind such a fine son, burning yourself up like a candle to light the world.”
Madam Gyeongsin joined her hands in prayer again and again. Baby Bodhisattva Chae-rin beside her did the same. She had heard a great deal about the Heavenly Sea Goddess too.
“Law-master Kang-to, take this.”
Back at the shrine, Madam Gyeongsin held out an envelope.
“Aunt?”
“The ritual fee Chairman Cho gave us—I divided it into three after deducting the expenses. For me, for Baby Bodhisattva, and for law-master Kang-to.”
“I can’t accept it. I didn’t really do anything.”
“From where I’m standing, law-master Kang-to was the main one.”
“Me?”
“You saved Chairman Cho and sent off all those vengeful spirits to the afterlife, didn’t you? Just thinking about it gives me the creeps. If those spirits had started running wild in Korea...”
“Auntie.”
“If it hadn’t been for law-master Kang-to, why would Chairman Cho have come to me with such a huge request? And what about Baby Bodhisattva here—who was the one who helped recover her gift? If you look at it from every angle, the hero of this memorial rite was law-master Kang-to. So we can’t divide it among ourselves. If we do, we’ll invite disaster.”
“That’s right. So please accept it.”
Even Chae-rin joined in.
“I really can’t. This is the offering you two received after so much hard fighting.”
“Then are you going to spit back every last penny of the offering you received from the ferryman before?”
“Miss Chae-rin.”
“And I need to get out to the mudflats soon anyway. My private tutor, Sol-bi, is already getting all fidgety.”
“You should be taking care of your body too, Aunt...”
“Child, what better self-care is there than guiding souls and settling old grudges? That pride alone is enough to keep a body going.”
“If you insist...”
Kang-to gave in. Judging by the mood, there was no helping it.
“Waaaah!”
Once Chae-rin went out, Sol-bi was filled with excitement.
“Should we go too? There are lots of clams and shellfish out there, right?”
Madam Gyeongsin rolled up her sleeves as well.
“Sis!”
Sol-bi’s voice took command of the wide mudflat. She grabbed Chae-rin’s hand and practically flew across the shore.
“Somehow, they look closer than her own father.”
Madam Gyeongsin laughed.
“Seems that way, doesn’t it? I’m jealous, honestly.”
Kang-to played along.
“We found a giant clam.”
Triumphant, Sol-bi hauled up a clam. In the meantime, the island children who had finished class joined in.
“From now on, the Chilui Island clam contest begins. The person who digs up the biggest clam and the person who digs up the most will win ice cream.”
As Chae-rin announced the impromptu event, the children bounced up and down with delight.
“Sol-bi found a crab.”
Sol-bi, who had been on a roll, veered off the track. She had spotted a crab crawling out from between the rocks.
This couldn’t be ignored.
“Where? Where?”
“Move aside. I’ll catch it.”
Hong-seo stepped in, but the crab was faster. It darted back into the crack between the rocks. Fifth-grader Jeong-woo did the same.
“Dad, help!”
Sol-bi sent out an SOS. In the end, they had to mount a joint operation.
“One, two, three.”
As Kang-to and Chae-rin tilted the rock, the crab shot out.
“There it is!”
The children rushed in.
“I caught it.”
The winner wasn’t Sol-bi but Jeong-woo. Sol-bi had the enthusiasm, but Jeong-woo had the skill. He’d spent more time on the mudflats than Sol-bi had.
“Dad?”
Having lost the big catch, Sol-bi’s lips quivered.
“Look again. There’ll be another crab somewhere.”
Fortunately, this oracle(?) proved true. From farther off, Chae-rin, who was checking the rocks, found Crab No. 2.
“Sol-bi, there’s a crab here.”
“Really?”
With tear drops hanging from her eyes a moment ago, Sol-bi dashed toward Chae-rin as if nothing had happened.
“I caught one too...?”
Just as Sol-bi raised the crab and cheered, her expression changed at once. Crab No. 2 had pinched her.
While they were administering first aid(?), the passenger ferry came into view.
“The boat’s coming in!”
When Hong-seo shouted, the children ran toward the dock. For the island kids, the passenger ferry was always something new to see.
“Wow.”
Watching the stir-fried fiddler crab being prepared, Chae-rin clicked her tongue in admiration.
It was because of the guests who had come to the lighthouse shrine.
More than twenty people had arrived on the afternoon ferry alone. Even though notices had gone out saying there was no room for lodging, they had come prepared to sleep in tents or in their cars. They had no choice. These were people who had received Kang-to’s oracles. And as their social media posts piled up day by day, the rumors were spreading faster than the speed of the internet.
“Fiddler crab dish, clam dish—done.”
Sol-bi, who had been helping Kang-to, threw both arms up in the air.
“Huh?”
“Oh?”
That was Madam Gyeongsin and Chae-rin’s reaction to the tasting. The soy-braised, sweet-and-spicy fiddler crab stir-fry was a rice thief, and the clam dish was refreshingly clean and savory.
“You could shut down the shrine and open a restaurant instead.”
Chae-rin’s praise flew out.
“Right? My dad’s a great cook, isn’t he? So you should come live with us too.”
As if she’d been waiting for the chance, Sol-bi crossed a line without hesitation.
“Should I? Maybe I should buy a house down below and move here?”
“No, there’s an empty room in our house too.”
“Good. Let’s think about it.”
“Waaah!”
Sol-bi’s cheer never stopped.
Early the next morning, Kang-to offered his morning prayer. The place of prayer was his mother’s Chiluijae. Among the seven hills of Chiluijae, it was the second—like Mizar and Alcor in the Big Dipper. His mother had liked this place too, which was why people called it a fine spot in the heavens for granting human wishes.
At Chiluijae, he drew in the energy of sky, earth, and wind. Kang-to’s mind cleared. The vibrations that welcomed the gods also quickened. When that resonance aligned with the gods’ own frequency, he opened his eyes.
“......?”
A heavy premonition.
Kang-to’s gaze turned toward the seven hills of Chiluijae.
Mother.
It seems you’re coming today.
He whispered to himself.
Bwoooon.
The day’s first ferry emerged over the horizon.
Kang-to was at the shrine. It was because of the reservations that had come in yesterday. Some people left smiling, others left in tears. Whatever expression they wore, they all found comfort. They had resolved worries no one else had ever been able to heal.
“Manager.”
After finishing the morning oracle session, he called for Manager Seo.
“Want to take on more customers?”
“No. I think someone’s coming.”
“Someone?”
“Someone from Cheonjo Group in Seoul, I think. If they ask for me, send them up to Chiluijae.”
“Got it.”
Manager Seo didn’t argue. He knew Kang-to’s abilities.
Kang-to walked back toward Chiluijae. The visitor was arriving by ferry, but his own steps headed in the opposite direction. From Chiluijae, his mother’s domain, he looked out toward the ferry. It was far away, but still clear to see. The man who had come looking for Kang-to. The stench of selfishness and hypocrisy clinging to him had already drifted all the way to Chiluijae.
Money is omnipotent.
It accomplishes everything.
So which is stronger, divine power or money power?
People said that even a spirit-lowered oracle was ultimately bought with money.
No.
Kang-to shook his head.
Kang-to would not be swayed by something as trivial as money. Not with the body-spirit that dwelled in him. He stood above transcendents.
While he was thinking, a sedan drew near. It stopped near the lighthouse, and a man got out.
Kang-to’s guest.
It was Chairman Lee Tae-seop.