Chapter 76

Chapter 76

The series of disturbances that began with the Shanxi Xingyi School in Xi'an and continued with the elimination of Bureau Director Wu Qinglin in Beijing finally came to an end when Lee Seung-uk and Yu Min-seon returned to Korea.

Yi-hyeon's original objective, identifying the people higher up, had been successful, at least for now.

Li Yongkou.

One of the seven members of China's highest governing body, the Politburo Standing Committee.

Membership in the Standing Committee alone conferred enormous status, but its members also occupied key positions within the Party and government, giving them practically limitless authority. In China, which formally maintained a system of collective leadership, each wielded influence approaching that of a head of state.

Li Yongkou was the first person Yi-hyeon had confirmed as the possessor of an OOPArt.

During their conversation, Sion had been unequivocal.

- That man has obtained a relic of the Mtray. The problem is that he isn't the only one. Several Mtray relics fell to Earth, and it appears that some have already encountered humans.

Sion had used the word 'encountered.' Then again, there was no better word to describe the meeting between Yi-hyeon and Sion, either. Yi-hyeon had obtained Sion's ring, which had come from a geological stratum two billion years old in the desert of northern Algeria.

'Then the people in America who were tracking the ring my father obtained, and who are still monitoring me, must be different from Li Yongkou's group.'

- Exactly!

Yi-hyeon asked another question.

'If we went to Algeria and searched around, do you think we might find another relic?'

- I understand what you're thinking, but going there now would cause problems on several fronts. 'My ring' wasn't excavated directly from that geological stratum. Didn't the chief of a nearby village possess it, having inherited it through several generations? That's how Dr. Song Su-yong managed to obtain it.

'You're saying those bastards would definitely notice if we went searching there now.'

- Naturally. They've already mobilized various legitimate organizations, including Columbia University, to search the surrounding area thoroughly for more relics. I doubt they've stopped watching it even now.

So those people had also been responsible for mobilizing the archaeology excavation team from Columbia University. That was why Dr. Song Su-yong had become a target after obtaining the ring from a nearby village.

'Still, it doesn't seem like they're certain my father acquired the ring. Otherwise, I would've already···.'

- That's certain. They don't know that you obtained the ring and encountered me.

That was what Yi-hyeon and Sion had established so far.

Sion spoke in a subdued voice.

- It seems I was the only member of the Etios race who successfully crossed dimensions and arrived on Earth.

'······It would be wonderful if there were more of your people out there, Sion.'

It really would. If another being like Sion existed and could join them, things would be so much better.

That afternoon, Yi-hyeon visited Lee Seung-uk in the hospital again. He was staying at the Veterans Hospital in Dunchon-dong. Originally, Yu Min-seon had spoken to NIS Director Lee Gyu-seong about admitting him to the Armed Forces Capital Hospital in Bundang, which operated under the Armed Forces Medical Command. But Lee Jung-ho had objected.

He argued that the NIS arranging such treatment for Lee Seung-uk, who had already retired from the military, would attract unnecessary attention. So they chose the Veterans Hospital instead. As a former long-serving noncommissioned officer in the Special Warfare Command, Lee Seung-uk was naturally eligible for admission.

Although he was hospitalized, Yi-hyeon was effectively handling his treatment personally. The hospital provided conventional surgical care, but the real healing was being accomplished through Yi-hyeon's qi.

"I'm telling you, it was incredible. The whole situation outside the alley just appeared in my mind."

The moment he saw Yi-hyeon, Lee Seung-uk began talking excitedly. He was describing his experience during the fighting in Macau.

"All right, I heard you. Stop going on about it. How many times have you told me this already? And if you've experienced such a breakthrough, how come you keep getting beaten half to death?"

"Well, that was because Sun Zhao was ridiculously strong."

Lee Seung-uk stammered, a little embarrassed that Yi-hyeon had brought up how close he'd come to dying at Sun Zhao's hands.

Yi-hyeon smiled at him, then slapped him on the back.

"All right, circulate your breathing once more, then go outside and walk around. You need to get better before you can be discharged."

"Ah, I keep telling you, I could go back to work right now. Especially after you've treated me, Representative. I feel like I could fly."

Yi-hyeon crossed his arms and lowered his voice.

"You can't stay the same as you were before. You need to grow stronger. The enemies we're going to face are far too powerful. You're the only person I can trust to watch my back."

"···I'll do my best, Representative."

Yi-hyeon gave a mischievous smile and continued.

"Prepare yourself. I'm going to put you through training that makes your days in the 707th look easy."

"Whaaat!"

Lee Seung-uk looked utterly dumbfounded. Training even harder than in the 707th? Was that actually possible?

* * *

Although Lee Jung-ho's arrival had greatly strengthened the organization's security systems, Yi-hyeon was now attracting attention from another direction. It was because of his personal investments in Korea. Apparently, the smell of money traveled far, because people he'd never heard of were beginning to approach him.

Of course, the funds moving through investment corporations and private equity funds in America weren't easily detected from Korea. Yi-hyeon had left those entirely to Sion and rarely bothered checking them, so he didn't even know how large they'd grown by now.

But the money managed domestically was another matter. As the representative of his Korean corporations, Yi-hyeon couldn't avoid overseeing those funds and therefore knew their details. Naturally, even with his domestic investments, he simply followed Sion's instructions.

His Korean corporations were divided between a REITs company that managed and invested in real estate and another company that invested exclusively in stocks, bonds, and financial instruments. The REITs company primarily managed the real estate assets he'd inherited from his parents. Of course, he'd also acquired additional properties recently after consulting Lee Jung-ho.

"Who did you say?"

Yi-hyeon asked through the intercom, and Senior Associate Seo Mi-yeon answered briefly.

"Director Lee Ji-hun from the Business Support Office of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry."

Seo Mi-yeon was a recent hire recommended by Lee Jung-ho. She had nearly ten years of experience in the management support department of Seoryung Group, a major conglomerate. After thoroughly verifying her background through several channels, Lee Jung-ho had recruited her to work in the support division of S&K Investment.

Senior Associate Kim Yu-ri, who had been acting as a spy for the MSS, was no longer allowed anywhere near Yi-hyeon's office. Lee Jung-ho had identified her as a spy and placed her under strict supervision. When Yi-hyeon asked why he hadn't simply gotten rid of Kim Yu-ri, Lee Jung-ho smiled and answered,

"A spy we've already identified is an extremely valuable asset. We should manage her carefully and use her for counterintelligence operations."

He'd said it with a smile, but Yi-hyeon had found the answer rather chilling.

"Anyway, why does the Chamber of Commerce want to see me?"

Seo Mi-yeon answered calmly.

"To be precise, it's the Chamber's Financial Committee. Now that the performance and size of our corporation have become known, it seems they want to formally invite us to join their association. They've actually been contacting us regularly for some time."

While Yi-hyeon hesitated, Sion offered a suggestion.

- You should attend, Yi-hyeon. Influential figures from Korea's business community will be there. It looks like a good opportunity to expand your influence.

"Put the call through."

"Yes, sir."

The call was transferred shortly afterward.

"Good afternoon, Representative Song. My name is Lee Ji-hun, and I'm the Director of the Chamber of Commerce's Business Support Office."

"Hello, Director Lee."

"As I've mentioned to your secretary before, I'm calling to invite you to our regular quarterly gathering. As you may know, our meetings are attended by owners and representatives of Korea's leading financial corporations, along with officials from the American Chamber of Commerce. I believe attending would be of considerable benefit to your business."

His tone was polite, and his purpose was clear.

"I'll attend."

When Yi-hyeon agreed, Director Lee Ji-hun thanked him repeatedly.

* * *

Friday, eleven in the morning. Yi-hyeon arrived at the Chamber of Commerce building beside Seoul City Hall.

Lee Seung-uk dropped him off at the entrance before driving down to the underground parking lot, while Senior Associate Seo Mi-yeon accompanied him inside. Yi-hyeon considered it unnecessarily troublesome, but Lee Jung-ho had insisted so firmly that he'd had no choice.

"From now on, Representative, you need to build your reputation as a businessman. You can't go around as though you're attending neighborhood meetings. And before you go, visit a department store with Senior Associate Seo. You need to pay more attention to how you dress."

"No, I can take care of that myself."

Surely that was going too far···. Yi-hyeon had found the idea troublesome and tried to refuse, but Lee Jung-ho's expression remained resolute.

"I know you grew up wealthy, Representative, and that you already dress reasonably well. But that world is different. Senior Associate Seo has experience handling such matters for the inner circle of a major conglomerate's owner, so take her with you."

In the end, he'd followed Seo Mi-yeon to a department store. As expected of a professional, she'd completely transformed his style.

"This logo is far too conspicuous. It looks vulgar. Tomorrow's gathering will be attended by some of the biggest names in the business world, so you need something sophisticated without being flashy. Yes, this one···."

Seeing how earnestly she worked, Yi-hyeon couldn't bring himself to complain. When she approached to adjust his tie, he caught the faint scent of her perfume.

She was already in her mid-thirties, wasn't she? And unmarried, if he remembered correctly. He recalled the résumé Lee Jung-ho had shown him. From her appearance, she could easily have passed for someone not yet thirty.

As a result, Yi-hyeon's appearance today was more than merely presentable. He looked like a fashion model. He'd always been handsome, and now his skin almost seemed to emit a soft glow from his continued training with Sion. As his cultivation deepened, even his physical appearance was changing.

His eyes, in particular, were growing deeper and brighter, as though stars had been set within them.

When he reached the large hall on the second floor, staff members were waiting at the entrance to welcome guests. They verified his identity, attached a large name badge to his clothing, and directed him to his seat.

After sitting down, Yi-hyeon noticed that the tables closest to the podium appeared to be the equivalent of head tables. The arrangement wasn't explicitly marked, but the hierarchy was subtly apparent.

"Excuse me, but which company are you from···?"

The man already seated beside him initiated a conversation. When Yi-hyeon turned, he saw someone wearing a dark gray suit, with his hair carefully styled using some kind of product. His accessories were conspicuous, including an expensive-looking watch and cufflinks. He looked to be around forty.

"I'm from S&K."

The man had asked where he was from, so Yi-hyeon had answered. He didn't like the man's tone, but he'd responded calmly for the moment. At his reply, the man tilted his head.

"S&K··· Never heard of it. You people in finance, too?"

Was he asking whether Yi-hyeon worked in finance? The man's manner had grown even more condescending. Yi-hyeon's youthful appearance was probably partly responsible, and S&K was a newly established investment firm that the man had never heard of.

But if he knew anything about S&K's internal circumstances, he wouldn't dare speak like that.

S&K was a corporation established exclusively for financial investments, separate from the REITs company. Its assets under management were already approaching one trillion won. More astonishingly, it had yet to accept a single outside investment. In other words, every won it managed was part of the company's own capital. And its liabilities were zero.

Outside investment was generally considered essential for expanding a financial firm's size, but Yi-hyeon had no interest in that. He'd simply recruited the personnel and established the infrastructure necessary for a professional investment company.

After all, Sion handled the actual investing.

More importantly, accepting outside capital would require reporting investment results to investors every quarter, or even every month in some cases. What a nuisance. Naturally, such obligations could be modified through contractual agreements, but it would still feel like working with someone constantly looking over his shoulder. That arrangement didn't suit Yi-hyeon at all.

It was an approach that directly contradicted the conventional financial playbook. Other financial firms, accustomed to the principle that investments should be made with OPM, would consider it madness.

What was OPM? Other People's Money.

Investing other people's money allowed a firm to shift the risks onto someone else. Of course, it also greatly reduced the investment profits it could retain. In some cases, there were hardly any profits to speak of beyond the management fees collected.

Things were somewhat different in America, though. Reputable funds could retain a considerable share of the profits they generated. That was part of the appeal of private equity funds.

Annoyed by the man's manner, Yi-hyeon turned away without bothering to answer.

There was no reason to deal with someone like him.

The man himself had already lost interest in Yi-hyeon's answer and was busy greeting someone who had just arrived.

"Oh! Chairman Lee. It's been a while."

"Well, well. Chairman Jeong, it's good to see you again."

An elderly gentleman sat down nearby and shook hands with the rude man, apparently named Chairman Jeong.

The older man glanced at Yi-hyeon, seemingly curious about the young man sitting beside them.

Just then, an event official who looked to be in his forties hurried over.

"My apologies for being late. It's good to see you again, Chairman."

The man bowed deeply to the older gentleman, who smiled.

"Ah, yes. Still as busy as ever, Director Lee."

After exchanging greetings, Director Lee turned toward Yi-hyeon.

"You must be Representative Song Yi-hyeon. I'm Lee Ji-hun, the man who called you."

As he introduced himself, he bowed at precisely the same angle he'd used when greeting Chairman Lee. Yi-hyeon rose from his seat and lightly shook his hand.

"So you're Director Lee."

Seeing the extraordinary courtesy Director Lee Ji-hun showed Yi-hyeon, the eyes of the two men sitting beside him began to gleam.

Just who the hell was this young fellow?

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