Chapter 1146. Recommending (1)

“Whether it was your intention or not, you still stopped more blood from spilling on this land, sir,” said Lee Hyeon-Su. “That feat is far more significant than you think it is. Without you, half of the Assembly's members would've died by now.”

Kang Jin-Ho silently listened.

“That was how intense and large-scale the war between the two factions was, sir. A devastating conflict, indeed.”

If Lee Jung-Geol and Kim Seok-Il chose to fight till the bitter end in the war, the Korean martial society would've been reduced to half-unrecognizable rubble.

The Yeongnam Group under Kim Seok-Il’s leadership held some advantage in terms of raw strength, but it wasn't enough to make Lee Jung-Geol's Martial Assembly unconditionally surrender. Worse still, considering Lee Jung-Geol's non-compromising personality, blood would've been spilled figuratively endlessly, anyway.

Kang Jin-Ho obviously didn't mean it, but results-wise? His getting involved in the conflict between two Korean factions undoubtedly prevented even more deaths in the future.

Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes while sipping on soju. “However, we’re about to fight an even bigger war.”

Lee Hyeon-Su nodded. “Yes, sir. But that war was bound to happen sooner or later, anyway. And with everything you've done for us, we now stand a decent chance of winning.”

“

Mm

...”

Lee Hyeon-Su had a point. A full-on war with the Crimson King’s faction might still be asking for too much at this stage, but the mere likes of the Japanese martial artists no longer fazed the Martial Assembly. It had grown powerful enough to not lose in an open war against its island neighbor’s elites.

Better still, the Martial Assembly was still growing stronger even at this very moment, too!

“Also, sir, this event is a major milestone for the Assembly’s members,” said Lee Hyeon-Su.

“

Mm

?”

“Martial artists originally were unable to mingle with the rest of society, after all.”

Lee Hyeon-Su smiled bitterly.

Martial artists voluntarily isolated themselves from society. They constructed a world of their own and tried to live in it.

Depending on how one viewed this situation, one could say that the martial artists had set up their own perfectly fine society. On the other hand, one could also say this was proof of these martial artists' inability to function as normal citizens in the surface world.

“Martial artists usually make a lot of money, sir. Enough to never be envious of anyone. However, it's not the same as earning a living normally in the surface world. People operating various illegal ‘entertainment’ venues would never become subjects of envy nor could they stand proudly in public regardless of how wealthy they get, after all.”

“...Well, that’s true.”

“The Assembly's sources of income until now have not been what you'd call above board and moral, sir. Quite a few members have been suffering from a guilty conscience, wondering why they must resort to something so demeaning even though they should be proud martial artists. And those who married ‘regular’ people and started a family can't even tell their partners where their income comes from.

“Sir, keeping secrets like that will wear you down. A lot.”

Kang Jin-Ho already knew that since he, too, was well-experienced in that regard.

Of course, he never did anything shameful, income-wise, that could make him unable to look his family in the eye. So, his guilty conscience wasn’t as serious as the other Assembly members.

But the lower-ranked members had to deal with all the dirty work for the Assembly's continued existence. It was understandable how guilty and ashamed they must've felt while dirtying their hands like that.

“But now, the establishment of MK has given everyone hope, sir. In fact, everyone is rejoicing that the era has finally come where they can proudly flash their business cards in public.”

Kang Jin-Ho sheepishly looked away, somewhat embarrassed. “It wasn’t because of me, though. You and Miss Lee did all the hard work, after all.”

“Without you, sir, we wouldn’t even have dreamed of doing something like this.”

“That’s not true. Without you two, I also wouldn’t have done this either.”

“No, sir. Both Miss Lee and I are replaceable. However, you’re not. It’ll be impossible to find another you. Even if I wasn’t here, MK would’ve launched sooner or later. However, that would not be true without you.”

Kang Jin-Ho was not used to flattery or people praising him. That probably explained why he was getting progressively uncomfortable.

Lee Hyeon-Su continued with a deep grin. “I figured I should say this sooner rather than later, sir. You have this tendency to downplay everything you do, you see? It's only been a year since everything started, sir. But you've managed to transform everyone so much. And for the better, too. On behalf of everyone, thank you, Assembly Master.”

Lee Hyeon-Su deeply bowed again. And Kang Jin-Ho could only sigh deeply.

Many things had changed, hadn’t they? Way too many things to mention, as a matter of fact!

Back when Lee Hyeon-Ju first showed up without warning in front of his father's cafe, Kang Jin-Ho had no idea things would come this far.

His fate had changed so much after encountering the Martial Assembly. There was no denying that.

“It’s still only the beginning, Chief Lee,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“Yes, sir. It is. And we’ll have to deal with endless things in the future, too.”

Pretty soon, they would have to wrap up their business with Japan. And then, next up on the agenda would be wrapping up the postponed conflict with the Crimson King’s faction.

The Crimson King’s side was strong enough to destroy everything the Martial Assembly had built in one go. That made them especially more dangerous than the Japanese.

“I’m not naive enough to think everything will go well, sir,” said Lee Hyeon-Su. “Maybe, things will get dozens of times more challenging than now. Even so...”

A smooth smirk floated up on Lee Hyeon-Su’s face.

“I still believe things will work out in the end, sir.”

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled as well. Something about the contents of their discussion didn't make much sense. However, he still realized that sitting down with Lee Hyeon-Su for a chat was a good move.

Truth be told, the person who had it the hardest after the Yeongnam Group was absorbed into the Martial Assembly was undoubtedly Lee Hyeon-Su. No one could dare deny that.

While other directors and executives did what they wanted to do to contribute to the Assembly's prosperity, Lee Hyeon-Su willingly took up the job no one wanted to touch.

By doing so, he ensured that his contribution would easily rank the highest among the Assembly's members excluding Kang Jin-Ho. And unsurprisingly, everyone tacitly agreed.

Despite all that had happened, though, Kang Jin-Ho had never sat down to chat like this with Lee Hyeon-Su. Sure, they had conversed during meetings and briefly chatted here and there, but today was still the first time the two men sat over a drink and earnestly discussed these kinds of things.

Kang Jin-Ho ruefully licked his lips.

‘I should’ve paid more attention...’

This was why being a leader of people was so hard. Or at least, for Kang Jin-Ho. Other people might find it comparatively easier but not him.

“Then, what about you, Chief Lee?”

“Sir?” Lee Hyeon-Su tilted his head.

“I'm wondering if you have any dissatisfaction unrelated to the Assembly."

“Oh. No, sir. Nothing to report in that regard,” said Lee Hyeon-Su with a quick shake of his head. “Although I’ve been handling a lot of work, that’s more to do with how I am rather than any indications of issues in the Assembly. If I’m being honest, I’m the type who can’t trust what others have done and must confirm with my own two eyes before I feel reassured.”

In other words, he was a sorrow-inducing type of

‘Team Leader who handles the group project all by himself!’

“Since I’ve been alone for so long, things happening to me lately kinda make me miss those days, but

uh

, for now...”

When Lee Hyeon-Su muttered that, Kang Jin-Ho narrowed his eyes and leaned closer. “What about marriage?”

“...I think it’s still too early to discuss that, sir.”

“Early? How so?"

𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

“In two ways, sir. Firstly, our relationship hasn't reached the point where we can discuss marriage. And then, there's the work, too. We both have bet our everything on the success of this project, so...”

“Is that all?”

Lee Hyeon-Su stared at Kang Jin-Ho, his expression still. “It’d be a lie if I said the thought didn’t cross my mind, sir. The truth is... I am conscious of being complicit in Lee Jung-Geol’s death. That won't ever change no matter what I do. She and I haven’t said anything yet, but... Sorry, sir. It’s still a bit too much to talk about it yet.”

“

Mm

, I wonder. I don't think you need to worry about that,” said Kang Jin-Ho, his expression more serious. “If Lee Jung-Geol was still alive, he wouldn't have opposed this relationship. He was definitely worthy of the label, great man, after all.”

“...That might be true, sir. But a dead man can't voice his opinion. Besides, even if the person in question is cool with it, their acquaintances might not feel the same way.”

Kang Jin-Ho silently nodded. What a difficult problem to overcome this was.

‘I should stop here.’

Kang Jin-Ho thought that to himself. Talking any more about this subject would be against etiquette. Both Lee Hyeon-Su and Lee Hyeon-Ju were smart people, so they should be able to sort out whatever problems they faced without Kang Jin-Ho's interference.

“I only said it out of concern, so don’t worry about it,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“Yes, I know, sir. You’re actually old enough to be nosy, after all.”

“...”

“...”

Why did that feel like an undeserving gut punch to Kang Jin-Ho?

“Besides that, sir? Don’t you also have something to say to your girlfriend?”

“

Mm

? Say what to her?”

Lee Hyeon-Su grew even more serious. “I’m talking about your age, sir. Your actual age. Shouldn’t Miss Choi Yeon-Ha... I mean, Director Choi should know the truth sooner rather than later, wouldn’t you say? Telling her only after you’ve grown very close might only worsen her sense of betrayal, you see?”

Kang Jin-Ho was instantly rendered speechless. He had never thought about this. He clamped his slack jaw and sobered up before cautiously asking, “Should I?”

“Of course. Maybe if your relationship was neither here nor there, then sure, you could've maintained the status quo. But now you two are business partners, of sorts, so keeping a bombshell of a secret like this could become massive trouble later on. Personally speaking, even I wouldn't want trouble like that when business is going well.”

“

Hmm

...” Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded. Lee Hyeon-Su had a point.

Kang Jin-Ho didn’t think it’d lead to trouble in the future, but if there indeed was one, even he agreed that taking care of it before the business could grow was for the best.

“...Got it. I’ll tell her.”

“Please. You must, sir.”

Having taken jabs at each other's painful points, the two men affectionately (?) stared at the other while reaching out for their drinks.

“Come on. Let’s drink.”

“Yes, sir.”

They talked about sundry stuff afterward.

Although sitting down like this to talk meant a lot for both men, they still didn't have new things to discuss since they had already spent so much time in each other's company. The best they could do was chat about miscellaneous stuff and pass the time.

After chatting about this and that, Lee Hyeon-Su sneakily got closer. “By the way, sir?”

Kang Jin-Ho cocked an eyebrow. “Mm?”

“Do you mind if I ask you about something?”

“Depends, but go ahead.”

“I was wondering when you’ll proceed with what you’ve been postponing for a while now.”

“...What is that?”

“I meant the welfare foundation, sir.”

Kang Jin-Ho slowly nodded at that.

His foundation was almost ready to launch, and he was waiting for the right time to do so. He figured launching it and MK around the same time would be too much even for him.

He didn’t expect Lee Hyeon-Su to bring it up first, though.

“It sounds like you want me to get on with it as soon as possible,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“May I be frank with you, sir?”

“Sure.”

Lee Hyeon-Su lightly tapped on his soju cup, his expression wry. “I would have preferred that you didn’t go through with this thing, sir.”

“...”

“I get that you're doing it out of good intentions. However, we mustn't forget how much of a burden it will place on you, too. Even if we overlook everything else, I still have a problem with how it'll eat into your free time, sir. Because of your style, you probably wouldn't dump the responsibility of running that place on someone else.

“That's why I tried not to say anything until now, sir. If you're dead-set on doing this, then as the Assembly’s chief of administration, I'd advise you to postpone it at least for two years.”

“As the chief of administration, is it?”

Kang Jin-Ho realized that those words stood out like a sore thumb and stared openly at Lee Hyeon-Su, prompting the latter to sigh deeply.

“As the Assembly's chief of administration, that is the correct advice to give you. However, as a fellow man, my opinion is slightly different, sir. As your acquaintance, I hope you can proceed with it as soon as possible.”

“Why?”

“Well, that’s...” Lee Hyeon-Su grew a little sheepish. “I don’t have any noble reasons, sir. It’s,

uh

, how should I say it? While I bet my fate on your strength and leadership qualities, your other quality, specifically this side of you, has given me a sense of... ‘serenity’. That's probably it. If I'm being honest, all the people I've worked for until now only cared about securing benefits and fighting for supremacy.”

“

Mm

...”

“But then, watching you care so much about Seongsim Orphanage made me think.

Aha

, so this guy is different! I know it's kinda embarrassing to say this out loud, but still.”

“It’s not what you think, though,” Kang Jin-Ho shook his head. “It’s just that that place is home to one of my acquaintances. And I know many of the kids staying there. That’s all. I'm someone who kills people if they get in my way. I obviously wouldn’t have the heart to do something so selfless.”

“We don't have a choice but to be callous like that, sir. Actually... I think not losing that side of you is crucial precisely because of what we are.”

Lee Hyeon-Su sighed deeply while toying with the empty soju cup.

“We’ll undoubtedly grow even more heartless and become even more obsessed over potential benefits. Even if that happens, I hope you won’t lose this kind side to you, sir. Even if this isn’t something the chief of administration should be saying to his boss.”

“It’s fine,” Kang Jin-Ho chuckled. “This is an unofficial private chat between two men, anyway.”

“Ah, I see. My apologies for bringing work into a private setting, sir.”

“Let’s have another round,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“Yes, sir.”

Lee Hyeon-Su filled Kang Jin-Ho’s empty cup, then Kang Jin-Ho did the same to Lee Hyeon-Su. The two men chuckled while lightly clinking their soju cups.

It had been a good night for both.