The Grand Opening Ceremony
Grand Opening
The patent office review was finally complete.
Taehong Vitality Surge and Taehong Fresh Flesh Growth had their patents officially recognized.
Taeju turned to Baek Seoyeonn.
"We're all set now."
"We still need the food and drug administration's sales approval."
"That'll go smoothly too. Time to start production, right?"
"I'll prepare the grand opening ceremony."
Choi Dongil, the branch manager, chimed in.
"We'll kick off marketing right away. We need to secure distribution and sales networks too."
"There might be interference."
"We know. Mirinae Group, you mean?"
"Yes. It might get a bit tiring..."
"Hell, nothing scares us. Interference with distribution and sales? We'll crush it with our product's efficacy alone."
"Whoa, that's some confidence."
"If you get a royal straight flush at poker and fold, you're an idiot. We're going all-in with the max bet."
And so, the new factory's grand opening ceremony proceeded.
In the industrial complex on the southern outskirts of New Seoul.
This was the site of Taehong Bio's new pharmaceutical manufacturing plant.
But the atmosphere was disappointingly subdued.
A typical opening ceremony would buzz with excitement, but there wasn't even a single reporter in sight.
No employees, no big-shot VIPs, no media outlets, no announcer host, no celebratory performances—nothing, despite how they'd need to spread the word far and wide.
The venue held only Taehong Bio's New Seoul branch staff, the new factory hires, and skilled technicians dispatched from Gurye. They sat in chairs before the stage.
Roughly a hundred people.
The newly hired factory workers, mostly from New Seoul, felt a twinge of unease.
What's this? They hyped it up, then left us hanging.
Right? Why's it so dead?
Dude, it's not a big corp. Who shows up for a newbie company's factory opening in New Seoul?
It's 'cause the chairman's from Gurye. No connections here.
Hope the company doesn't go bust.
Me too. Conditions were too good to pass up.
Then!
Cars approached the stage from afar, pulling up one by one. Men and women in black suits stepped out first.
The crowd began murmuring.
Baek Seoyeonn and Choi Dongil followed, then a strikingly young man emerged from the last car.
That's Chairman Kim Taeju?
Our boss looks young.
Yeah? And handsome too.
Hmm, if he looked older...
Hired awakeners to make him stand out. At least he's loaded.
Shh! Quiet.
Taeju ascended the stage and stood before the crowd.
He spoke.
"I won't drag this out. Starting with this factory, Taehong Bio will dominate New Seoul's pharmaceutical market."
Standard fare.
Everyone said it.
The employees just listened quietly.
"I know many of you are skeptical. Will it really work? Will we just rack up losses and shut down the factory and branch? But I tell you firmly: that won't happen."
Anyone could say it.
Results mattered.
"Uh, and..."
Taeju trailed off.
"Truth is, Branch Manager Baek wrote me a speech, but I couldn't memorize it all. Even if I poured out my heart, who would believe it? I wouldn't."
Taeju glanced at Baek Seoyeonn.
She nodded.
Do Minsu and the awakener officers moved.
"We didn't need a fancy ceremony, but I wanted to see you all and hand out gifts."
The crowd stirred.
Gifts?
Some big corps gave out the latest smartphones to staff.
What about us?
The awakener officers hauled out large boxes and set them down.
Taeju pulled a small paper box from one.
"Come up one by one and grab yours."
Employees approached, each taking a flat paper box slightly larger than a palm from Taeju.
One couldn't resist and peeked inside.
Purple bills.
No way...
"Gasp!"
The first opener yelped loudly.
"M-money?"
Inside: a hundred 100,000-won bills bearing the emperor's face.
"Whoa, ten million won..."
"F-for real?"
"Holy crap!"
"Jackpot!"
Taeju smiled.
"This is your first performance bonus. Success is guaranteed, so let's take it upfront. Second round's coming too—stay tuned."
Trust starts with money.
An unchanging truth.
Every employee got a box: New Seoul branch staff, new factory hires, even those dispatched from distant Gurye.
And...
"Us too? Oh, no, we're fine."
When Taeju offered boxes, Do Minsu and the awakener escorts waved them off.
"It's okay. Everyone's getting one—if you're empty-handed, it'll bug me."
"B-but it's too much."
Right then!
Cars approached the venue.
Doors opened, and imperial army officers in uniform poured out.
"Already over? We came on time."
Oh Jinhyeong and the generals.
Taeju went out to greet them.
"You could've just sent a telegram—why come in person?"
"Hmph! Can't I want to sightsee New Seoul?"
"Thanks for coming."
"Truth is, we're here to check if those punks are slacking."
The awakener escorts flinched.
Up to now, no one was too shocked.
Everyone knew Kim Taeju was tight with the military thanks to the antidote.
But this was just the beginning.
Another car pulled in.
An elderly man with white-streaked hair stepped out and approached Taeju.
"Pleasure to meet you. Jeong Ukcheol."
"Ah! Baekdu Group chairman? Heard so much. Kim Taeju. And drop the formalities—makes me nervous."
"Hahaha, really? Anyway, welcome to New Seoul for Taehong Bio."
Jeong Ukcheol offered his hand first.
Taeju gripped it firmly.
"Thanks for coming."
"No, I'm grateful. You kicked Lee Gieon out of the Leaders Club—feels great."
"So you joined?"
"Me and my affiliates' presidents. We're members now—take care of me. And..."
Jeong Ukcheol lowered his voice.
"Watch out for Lee Gieon. Don't underestimate him—he has no morals. Does anything for his greed."
"Don't worry. I cross lines myself sometimes."
Way too far, usually.
But Lee Gieon should worry more.
"Heard you met my granddaughter..."
"Yes, at the hotel."
"Treat her well. She's been through a lot."
"Great fundamentals... I mean, sharp and talented. Business savvy too."
"Hahaha! Really? I'd keep her close, but she enlists in five days. Guess I wait till discharge."
Jeong Ukcheol laughed heartily, in high spirits.
"I wanted to see you anyway."
"Oh? Why?"
"As you know, Taehong Bio's new to New Seoul business—short on everything."
"Ah, that? I'll help. Use Baekdu's distribution for sales—no issue."
"What if we go further? Like partnerships or strategic alliances?"
"...Partners."
Taeju pointed to the massive new factory.
"Honestly, this plant alone won't meet demand."
"Huh? That confident?"
"Yes."
"Ho, anyone else and I'd scoff. But you? I believe it."
"Don't wanna drag this—I'll prep a proposal and visit."
"Good. Come anytime."
The crowd gawked at Taeju and Jeong Ukcheol chatting.
Generals were one thing—but the Baekdu chairman?
For a mere pharma factory opening?
Not even his company.
And they seemed close.
This a hidden camera?
Actors? That's really Jeong Ukcheol.
Whoa—another car.
Who now?
License plate... gasp!
Vrooom!
A car with the imperial crest entered.
Who else?
"Brother! Ceremony hasn't started, right?"
Fifth Imperial Prince Ryu Jincheol.
Then, more cars in a line.
Leaders Club members from politics, business, academia, culture.
Household names.
Igor Baranov must've spread the word.
Reporters from major outlets swarmed next.
They hadn't planned coverage but rushed at rumors of VIPs.
Whoa, epic. What's going on? Imperial event?
...Network flex? Who the hell is Chairman Kim Taeju?
Glad I joined this company.
Ten mil sealed it—I'm in for life.
Same.
The new factory opening concluded triumphantly.
Typically, immortals who ascended were granted an attribute.
Like Poison Immortal, shaped by their mortal life's pursuits during ascension.
Duplicates happened sometimes.
Multiple Poison Immortals or Alcohol Immortals possible.
Though only one Poison Immortal so far.
Immortals had private nicknames among themselves.
They chose their own.
Sword Immortal was called Three Peaks Immortal; Alcohol Immortal, Great White Immortal.
The celestial realm had an old-timer: Immortal Dongbin.
His ascension title: Sword Immortal, Geomseon.
Geomseon Dongbin soared through the skies atop his sword.
He'd visit the spirit beast realm on swordback, commune with divine beasts, or hit the yokai realm for epic brawls.
His way to kill time in the boring, lonely celestial realm.
But even that grew stale.
Geomseon returned to the celestial realm.
Time to hang with fellow immortals.
Maybe a game of baduk.
Then, something odd at his feet.
Hm?
A square tent.
New setup.
...What's that place?
Geomseon landed via sword.
He tried entering the tent.
Thud!
Blocked.
Barrier.
Ahead, forlorn immortals squatted outside.
"Hey there."
"Oh? Dongbin? Long time. Where've you been?"
"Joyride. What's that tent?"
"Ah, well..."
One immortal explained: Dang Gunak the martial artist ascended as Poison Immortal, brought wild stuff from other worlds, the tent's purpose, what went on inside.
What...?
Geomseon gaped in disbelief.
Movies?
Light on a white screen conjures another world—no need to descend to watch mortals live.
But odd.
Why were these immortals outside?
"Why not go in? Why huddle here?"
"Admission. 25 celestial coins a month. We got none."
"Sigh, ate mine as I got 'em."
"Argh! Why won't Poison Immortal buy my treasures?"
"Priced too high?"
"Even at 25 coins, no."
"Shouldn't have peeked. Could've resisted."
Geomseon burned with curiosity.
But no coins.
Eaten or given to spirits.
Guess I gotta see for myself.
Can't enter? Force it.
Geomseon approached.
Raised his sword.
Vroooom!
Beyond mind sword: immortal sword realm.
A mere barrier? One slash.
Screeech!
Rip!
Barrier shattered.
Tent split.
The sight:
"Ah!"
Just as described.
Rivers and lakes on the white screen.
Pulsing battles with strange music.
Onlooking immortals.
Geomseon's eyes locked on the screen.
Real people.
Moving vividly inside.
Instant shock.
But.
"Hey? That's Geomseon."
"No shame. Freeloading without coins?"
"What're you doing? Gwigok, handle it."
"Hmph! Touching my barrier?"
Odd Immortal Gwigok Seonin flicked his sleeve in fury.
Whoosh!
"Gah!"
Geomseon flung back.
Barrier and tent restored.
"Damn!"
Gwigok was here?
Now hard to re-enter...
Geomseon stood dazed.
Immortals sidled up slyly.
"Ahem, Geomseon. Wanna go in?"
"...Obviously. Driving me nuts."
"Got a way. Hear it?"
"Spit it out."
One glanced around, whispered:
"Raid the Peach Garden."
"...Peach Garden? Where celestial and immortal peaches ripen?"
"Yeah. Skip celestial—we just need immortal peaches."
"How?"
"You handle the divine generals. We loot peaches. Split even."
"How to carry that many?"
"My treasure: bottomless gourd. Fits infinite stuff. Poison Immortal passed—now perfect."
No raids since Son Ohgong's Buddha days.
Peaches must number in hundreds of thousands.
Geomseon pondered, nodded.
"Deal."
"Smart choice."
Divine generals? Manageable.
Taoist Lord might scold later—worth it.
Needed peaches now.
Desperate to enter that tent.
Son Ohgong uprooted trees and stole celestial peaches.
Just peaches? No crime.
Grand Opening End