Preparations for the Great Leap

The emperor hadn't just swung the blade of demotion.

After Taeju, a medal ceremony was held for the true meritorious retainers.

Those listed on separate rosters prepared by the emperor, Geum Suhu, and Joint Chiefs Chairman Kim Songgyeom.

And with that, the victory celebration came to an end.

There was no separate audience with the emperor.

According to Geum Suhu, he was planning to restore discipline to the imperial house and would be extremely busy as a result.

Taeju left the venue under Seo Pilmyeong's guidance.

"Chairman Kim, if you head out now, it'll be a huge hassle. Why don't you spend some time quietly here before leaving?"

The moment he stepped out of the imperial palace, reporters would swarm him—no doubt about that. And they wouldn't be the only ones.

Every Tom, Dick, and Harry eager to meet Kim Taeju, the empire's new power player, would come rushing.

So they slipped into an office attached to the venue.

Taeju ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠took the opportunity to casually probe Seo Pilmyeong.

"Do you happen to know? About the possible dispatch to Paju."

"Yes, I just heard ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠from Chief Secretary Geum."

"Sorry about this. Because of me, you're suddenly leaving New Seoul."

"Not at all. Leaving the bustling city for a leisurely few years in the countryside sounds like a fresh experience to me."

Leisurely life, huh.

Would it really turn out that way?

"I think you're misunderstanding something... It won't be leisurely at all. You'll be incredibly busy soon enough."

"Pardon...?"

"I'm planning to turn Paju into one of the empire's top southern metropolises."

"Ah!"

He had plans in mind.

It would require massive initial investment, but success would bring back multiples in profit.

"I'll need a lot of help from you, Administrative Officer Seo Pilmyeong—not Secretary Seo anymore."

"...I'll do my best."

"In return, I'll double your current salary."

"Hm. That won't do."

Seo Pilmyeong shook his head as if it were impossible and continued.

"I'm still a civil servant. Even on dispatch, it'll be the same. I can only accept the standard pay."

"Then quit public service and come over. Settle in Paju, and I'll give you triple the pay. Negotiable annually."

"Pardon? ...The imperial palace secretary's salary is already quite high—department head level at a major corp."

"Doesn't matter. Triple, no question. Plus lifetime employment guarantee."

"...Uh."

Seo Pilmyeong's eyes shook wildly.

Just a little more push.

"Quarterly bonuses too. Kids? Tuition covered. Company car, free housing."

A man recognized for his talents even in the imperial palace.

Had to go big to recruit him.

But no need to rush it.

"Take your time deciding. I'll wait."

"Ah, yes, sir."

"Oh! One more thing to ask."

"Anything."

"Could you get me a bag? Big enough for two bowling balls, with a lock."

"Right away."

Once Seo Pilmyeong left, Taeju spent the time alone.

Paju...

Gurye was where his new life began, but Paju was his birthplace and hometown.

First, kick off large-scale construction to build the infrastructure.

Need a pharma factory too. Production of Fresh Flesh Growth and Vitality Surge is way short anyway.

People still had to line up at pharmacies and marts from dawn to buy Vitality Surge drinks.

Exports were out of the question.

Couldn't even meet half the Samhan Empire's demand.

Expand the territory too.

Paju was a coastal territory hugging the West Sea.

Bordered Yeoncheon to the east, DMZ monster dense zone to the north.

Territorial expansion meant clearing the monster dense zone.

By imperial law, land fully purged of monsters became territory immediately.

The DMZ... even two or three hundred Yi would be...

He could handle it solo.

No monsters stronger than two or three hundred Yi except Beyond Elite Monsters.

And the disciples training hard in Gurye.

Suddenly swamped with tasks, but he felt good.

Back and forth between Paju and Gurye will be hectic.

Suddenly!

Knock knock.

A knock at the office door.

Bag already?

The door opened, and in came one person.

"...Huh?"

"Hyungnim!"

It was Fifth Imperial Prince Ryu Jincheol.

"Your Highness."

"Nah, call me Jincheol. I'm totally broke now."

"How'd you get here?"

"Heh heh, saw you leaving the venue and followed secretly."

Broke for sure.

The princes and princesses were all about to get booted from the palace.

But as far as Taeju knew, Fifth Prince Ryu Jincheol had stayed far from the throne succession fight.

Still getting kicked out?

The emperor was dead serious.

"Father keeps his word once spoken. No exceptions for me."

"Must be tough. Got any plans?"

"Yes! That's why I'm here."

Here for that?

Ryu Jincheol dropped to his knees before Taeju.

"Chairman! Hire me, please."

"Uh..."

"If you don't, I might starve."

So that's why.

"I'll do anything. Stick me anywhere. Pay? Room and board's enough."

"..."

What could he do?

Ryu Jincheol had helped a ton breaking into New Seoul.

Not a handout—just a job.

"Anything, really?"

"Anything but bad stuff."

"Got it. You're hired. And from now on... your title."

An awakener, expert rank at that.

"Team Leader Ryu."

"Yes, sir!"

Right then! The door opened, and Secretary Seo Pilmyeong entered.

"Chairman, got the bag... Huh? Your Highness, why here?"

"Not Highness anymore. Call me Team Leader Ryu from now on."

"..."

"I'll work hard."

Team Leader Ryu could work with Seo Pilmyeong in Paju for now.

New Seoul Central Station.

Major General Kim Ungbang finished preparations to depart.

Destination: Siberia Pioneer Division, the empire's front lines.

Geum Suhu had pulled strings.

No assignment yet.

No plans to slack off comfortably.

Intended to fight monsters on the front lines no matter what.

He'd begged His Majesty to forgive his ex-wife Honda Mitsui and their two sons.

The emperor agreed readily.

Blood ties were blood ties, after all.

Had to give them a path to live.

Train time approached.

Kim Ungbang grabbed his bag and headed to the platform.

But right then!

"Major General Kim Ungbang?"

"Hm? Who?"

"Imperial Secretary Seo Pilmyeong. I'll be working with Chairman Kim Taeju from now on."

"Ah! ...Please take care of me."

"Don't worry. And this— from Chairman Kim Taeju."

Seo Pilmyeong handed him a bag.

"He said give it only to you and eat it alone... I'll be off."

Food?

A lunchbox, probably.

Kim Ungbang smiled faintly as he ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠took the bag.

Then boarded the train.

Sat down and opened Taeju's bag.

Huh? Peaches?

Two bowling-ball-sized peaches.

And a small bottle.

Looks like liquor...

Come to think of it, he and Taeju had never shared a drink.

One day, when his heart felt lighter, they'd have one for sure.

The bag was stuffed with meds too.

Thirty vials of Taehong Recovery Potion at five million won a pop.

Hoo.

Don't die out there, basically.

No matter how he thought, he'd been a lousy father.

The train departed for Siberia.

His heart felt warm anyway.

Taeju was at New Seoul Station too.

Hope it got delivered safe.

He'd wanted to hand it to his father personally, but Dad seemed uneasy about meeting him. They both needed more time.

He'd sent Seo Pilmyeong and Team Leader Ryu Jincheol straight to Paju.

They'd take handover from the lord's office staff there.

Taeju planned to head to Gurye, meet folks, discuss future plans, then go to Paju.

Paju was close anyway.

Back and forth between the two to lay foundations for a while.

A quick ride on Manri Bigeom.

He took the train alone and got off at Gurye Station platform.

Entered the waiting room.

...What's this?

Gurye Station packed with people.

"He's here!"

"Congratulations!"

"Chairman Kim Taeju—no, Mayor Kim! Hooray!"

Banners and signs everywhere.

Baek Seoyeonn and Baek Hongpyo, the disciples, former standing committee members like Guild Master Lee Jeonghak, and autonomous committee folks too.

Clap clap clap clap!

Applause rang nonstop.

A flower bouquet went around his neck.

Tsk, embarrassing.

Taeju went first to Taehong Bio HQ with Baek Seoyeonn.

"We need a factory in Paju."

"Yes, I was about to suggest it. Land prices are rising here in Gurye and New Seoul too—Paju's the perfect spot."

Baek Seoyeonn replied as if she'd been waiting.

"Vitality Surge and Fresh Flesh Growth extra production is urgent. Baekdu Pharma's running full lines day and night but can't even meet existing orders."

Thus, no new orders accepted.

Yet sales and profits were skyrocketing.

Time to reinvest fast.

"Overseas exports too, so let's build big if we can."

"Got it. I'll plan with that in mind."

Paju was too underdeveloped.

Charge in thinking new city from scratch.

For that, select a construction firm for the megaproject.

Taeju called Jeong Ukcheol.

Baekdu Group's mainstay was construction.

"Chairman Kim! Been waiting for your call. You saved me. Imagine if I'd sponsored that Third Prince! Other corps are in ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠chaos now."

Just as Jeong Ukcheol said.

Major corps that bet on the emperor's illness or early death rumors, clinging to princes and princesses, were getting shredded.

"Haha. Glad to hear it. Anyway..."

Taeju explained the Paju development plans.

"Got it. Baekdu Construction will take the contract. No skimping on profits—we'll pour our heart into it. Sending a survey team to Paju soon."

"Thanks."

"No, thank you. Been ages since a mega-project. Oh! Mind if I invest in Paju too? It's gonna be a metropolis soon. Apartments, marts, department stores, hotels."

"I'd welcome it."

"Heh heh heh, let's go all the way together. ...By the way, any marriage plans? Got a girlfriend?"

"...Too busy for dating."

"Really? Perfect."

Perfect? Was that an insult?

Time to head to city hall.

Officials awaited the new mayor.

Taeju left the company and got into the waiting sedan.

"Chairman! Where to?"

"Gurye City Hall."

"Yes, sir!"

Right then!

Riiiing!

Delivery complete signal in his head.

Yes!

Been waiting for this.

The subspatial bag from the emperor.

Pre-loaded to the brim.

It held a full container's worth.

Much bigger than the shared warehouse.

But size-limited, so only smaller items.

First test done.

Whether this subspatial bag fit in infinite storage.

Result?

Success!

Slid right in without issue.

Test-retrieved, checked contents intact.

Now just store in shared warehouse and done.

Pull celestial items first.

Immortals' stuff, letters, hidden weapons too.

Oh!

Fearsome just looking at them.

Weapons made from Beyond Elite Monster mana crystals.

But something unexpected too.

Why's this...

The tablet he'd sent Dang Gunak.

Sent two or three each time.

Did they watch everything inside?

No need to resend then.

Now to test.

Subspatial bag into shared warehouse?

Shh!

Yes!

Taeju clenched his fist.

Fill remaining space with goods.

And the pre-written letter.

Massive shipment.

More than everything sent before combined.

Why didn't he test sooner?

Could picture Dang Gunak's joy.

Time to read the letter?

Didn't know contents, but longer than before.

First line seemed daily life in the celestial realm.

Read slowly.

Suddenly!

...What?

Taeju's eyes widened round.

No way!

The tablet was that?

Never imagined.

Hurriedly pulled out the tablet, checked album videos.

An immortal there.

Wow!

Solemn, noble Geomseon's bearing.

Respect welled up just seeing him.

Dang Gunak's commentary with Demon Subduing Sword forms demonstrated.

Truly beautiful.

The sword immortal's lofty swordsmanship realm.

Not big on swordplay, but this moved Taeju deeply.

Who could've dreamed?

Seeing celestials frolicking via tablet.

Another video too.

What now?

Taeju played it.

Aaaah!

Tears welled; he looked up.

Vision blurred.

The immortals were so pitiful.

Trapped in celestial prison—how much they'd suffered?

Desires limited to cola, cocktails, encyclopedias, motorcycles.

Prep thoroughly.

Top priority before all else.

Honestly, Taeju earned to send stuff to the celestials.

But,

Harley bike's the issue...

Not sure if it'd fit infinite storage.

If it did, shared warehouse too.

If not, make it so.

From today, top goods: premium celestial peaches.

Thirsty? Chug immortal brew.

Harley motorcycle?

Would stuff it in somehow.

Reset infinite storage zones too.

Quick stow when signal comes.

Meanwhile, massive construction was underway in the Celestial Realm too.