Chapter 91: Rest Well (3)
"I'm sorry."
Chief Han apologized.
Her expression was peculiar.
I didn't like the way she kept trying to dig things out of throughout our conversation.
"I'll be taking my leave."
"W-wait! There's more that His Excellency asked to relay."
She grabbed my hand and urgently conveyed President Park Jae-yeol's words.
"His Excellency praised the Naless Hero once again."
"……"
"He said you were remarkable. Unlike other sects that are registered corporations, the Red Dragon Gate operates as a sole proprietorship."
"……"
"Without the hassle of shareholder etings or legal complications, controlling Lee Won-ryong ans controlling everything."
"There are downsides as well. Raising capital is difficult, and the representative bears unlimited liability."
"Either way, isn't Lee Won-ryong the one bearing that liability?"
I smiled without a word.
A structure where I reap the benefits while Lee Won-ryong shoulders the responsibility.
Of course, even if I were to take on the role of Gate Master myself, there would be no difficulty.
Chief Han said,
"The top law firm in the Republic of Korea, Jang & Kim, is also a sole proprietorship."
"Is that so?"
At my indifferent response, Chief Han imdiately got to the point.
"That Jang & Kim has taken on a case this ti, it seems."
"……"
"A lawsuit for damages exceeding 100 billion won has been filed against the forr elders of the Red Dragon Gate—the likes of the now-vanished Hwang Mu-yeol."
"There's nothing you don't know."
"The amount claid as embezzlent exceeds all the assets held by those who disappeared, and then so."
"They really had been helping themselves quite generously."
"A lawsuit against the deceased naturally passes to their heirs. But all the heirs swiftly renounced their inheritance. Almost as if—"
Chief Han looked at and said,
"—they'd been threatened."
"There must have been circumstances."
"The judges issued their rulings with unusual speed. Naturally, every lawsuit ended in victory. The enormous assets of the deceased elders were absorbed by the Red Dragon Gate, and those assets are now at Kim Tae-yang's disposal."
"We're sharing them."
"With whom?"
"With your side. The coffee Chief Han is holding was bought with that money."
Chief Han parted her lips slightly and stared down at the coffee in her hand.
"It's patriotism. We paid all our back taxes in one lump sum as well. Co to think of it, Chief Han's salary this month also ca out of that money."
"It seems your master passed down his way with words, too."
She clicked her tongue as if she couldn't keep up.
I warned her again.
"You said you wouldn't investigate, yet you keep digging. We're not a gold mine."
"I didn't investigate. It just drifted into my ears."
"Thank you."
Chief Han stared at at my sudden expression of gratitude.
I said to her,
"The one who pressured the judges to hand down verdicts quickly—that was your side, wasn't it."
"……Was that obvious too? His Excellency gave the order."
"That's the face of soone who wants to be praised. The reason you brought up sothing we both already know must be for the sa reason."
"I felt a bit of desire today as well. The desire to be praised."
And yet this sa person pries into my past?
It was difficult to see it as re personal curiosity—she kept trying to cross lines.
But right now, I was a ssenger.
"Please convey to the President that I am grateful."
"Oh my, we're the grateful ones."
Chief Han showed a photograph.
A photo of 30 recovered climbers.
They were those who had been struck down on the 37th floor's Poison Valley.
"All 30 who had been poisoned have recovered. 6 of them have stopped climbing and will be working at the Gukmubon, and 24 are in rehabilitation to attempt it again."
"That is good to hear."
She shot to her feet and bowed at a full 90 degrees. Her ponytail swished and fell forward.
"We have received a debt of gratitude from the Naless Hero that we can never repay. Our Republic of Korea will not forget this grace."
"……I will be sure to convey it to my master."
She held her bow.
With only her head tilted slightly up, she said,
"Please convey it exactly like this. Gold Mine. Oh, and thanks for the paycheck too."
‘She has a subtle sense of humor, this woman.’
Her way with words and depth of mind were on par with the great female masters of the martial world in my past life.
Without realizing it, I ended up laughing.
‘……Ah.’
‘Laughing ans losing.’
* * *
[Red Dragon Gate Safe House]
I received a report from Lee Won-ryong.
A villa living room without a single piece of furniture—just one chair sitting there alone.
I sat in the chair with my legs crossed, while Lee Won-ryong stood.
Lee Won-ryong reported with his hands clasped behind his back and stood at attention.
"We are continuing to promote the establishnt of the foundation. It clearly worked—the number of applicants seeking to join the Red Dragon Gate has doubled."
"Good."
"We will continue to make efforts. Division Chief Bong Ju-min will be in charge of training."
"Division Chief?"
"Yes, I gave him the title of Division Chief. Elder Jo Je-bin recomnded him."
I nodded.
Either way, titles like Section Chief or Division Chief were all just empty shells.
"Well done."
Lee Won-ryong moved his hands forward and presented approval docunts.
"These are our mbers who will be entering the Super Climber K competition this ti."
I read through the list.
Roughly 20 nas.
"That's a lot entering."
"Yes. The prize is nothing small, is it."
A competition with the Iron Instrunt God's Sword—a national treasure—on the line.
It was natural to have high hopes.
"Are they all capable?"
"Yes. I gathered only climbers who have reached the 30th floor and above. They're all quite skilled."
"What rank do you think they'll place?"
"I'm not sure. Still, shouldn't they at least manage the top tier? Since Chief Han from the Gukmubon won't be entering, we might even take first place—"
It seed everyone saw an opportunity and was entering in large numbers.
Instead of acknowledging that, I snapped the docunt folder shut.
Lee Won-ryong asked,
"What's the matter?"
"The Red Dragon Gate will not be entering the competition."
"Excuse ?"
Lee Won-ryong asked again, visibly flustered.
"Didn't you hear ? Don't enter."
"But still, the expectations of our mbers are rather—"
"It's nothing but a spectacle in the end. The only advantage would be the Iron Instrunt God's Sword, but these n can't win it."
I tapped the docunt folder.
Well-prepared climbers were aiming to win the competition.
The Choi brothers of the Goryeo Sword Sect had already decided to enter as well.
I knew the brothers' abilities well.
I had spent considerable ti honing them myself.
The brothers were already on the verge of reaching the 37th floor.
Victory might just be theirs.
"The Iron Instrunt God's Sword—a prize we can't even keep. Then there's no point. We'd only be needlessly exposing our abilities and our hand."
"Understood."
Lee Won-ryong nodded.
His expression held a hint of dissatisfaction.
"I'll handle soothing the mbers who had planned to enter."
"Tell them to keep training. I'll be holding a different competition."
"Pardon?"
"We'll hold a competition of our own, exclusively within the Red Dragon Gate."
Lee Won-ryong's expression changed.
"I'll prepare the prizes myself."
"C-could it possibly be that armor—"
What Lee Won-ryong pictured was the Scarlet Centipede Armor he had received not long ago.
Within the Red Dragon Gate, it was sothing bestowed only upon Lee Won-ryong and Jo Je-bin.
20 sets had been made, and though still in production, 15 remained.
I intended to select 10 of the Red Dragon Gate's finest elite.
"There is no restriction on floor number. Only ability and talent. Prepare accordingly."
"Yes! I'll see to it."
The report continued.
"The asset settlent is in its final stages. However, the lower-ranking mbers don't seem to have adapted to the changes yet."
"Is that so?"
"In the past, lower-ranking subordinates would skim a little money here and there—it seems that habit hasn't been corrected yet. It's small change, but I'll make sure to set it right."
"Very well."
I glanced through the docunts and asked him,
"The tribute collected from the lower branch sects is still ongoing, I see?"
"About that……"
Lee Won-ryong bit his lip, looking uncomfortable.
"Speak."
"I gave the order, but the branch sects are still paying tribute. It seems they're trying to curry favor now that the Red Dragon Gate's standing has changed—but even when told to stop, they go ahead and transfer the funds, which puts in a difficult position."
"That tribute is money extorted from local rchants. I told you to put an end to it."
I had no intention of turning the Red Dragon Gate into so virtuous charity.
But after what happened with grandmother, sothing about it had stayed with .
The tribute itself was also an extrely small portion of the Red Dragon Gate's inco, and I had thought that eliminating the protection fees dressed up as tribute would also earn so Happiness Points.
"I'm aware. But their circumstances are what they are……"
Lee Won-ryong furrowed his brow.
The suffering inflicted by the Gu Poison I had planted was tornting him for failing to properly carry out my orders.
He wiped away a nosebleed and said,
"Our Red Dragon Gate may be a full-fledged climbing sect, but the branch sects are not. These are n who still live as thugs more than climbers. If that path is cut off, there's no way for them to survive."
It was a tone laced with concern.
An unexpected side of him.
Had the Gu Poison I planted altered his mind?
Or had I been seeing him wrong this entire ti?
"I apologize, but would it be acceptable to handle it this way? I'll drastically reduce the tribute paid to us to one-third, and similarly cut the protection fees collected from rchants."
"What path do the branch sects have to survive?"
"We are in the process of acquiring the entertainnt establishnts that were paying protection fees. The illegal loan operations are also being worked toward converting into legal lending businesses with reduced interest rates. The branch sects are gradually shifting their inco structure toward climbing as well."
"Hmm……"
I folded my arms.
He was a sharp man, as expected.
The experience and capability that built one of the great sects hadn't gone anywhere.
‘Good thing I kept him alive.’
Lee Won-ryong said,
"The bosses of the branch sects are n I carved out positions for—they're like younger brothers to . I may not be a good person, but I at least know how to look after a few brothers I care for."
There was sincerity in his words.
I turned them over in my mind.
For so reason, it felt like words he was saying to .
"Master. Trust just this once. I'll take responsibility and manage it."
He bowed.
A nosebleed dripped down from him in a stream.
A request made to despite enduring the pain.
It was worthy of respect.
"Do as the Gate Master sees fit."
"A-are you serious?"
"My thinking was narrow. If things change too drastically all at once, everyone will be thrown into confusion. You've managed subordinates for far longer than I have—you know the situation better than I do. I receive that sincerity with appreciation."
I nodded.
Lee Won-ryong wiped away his nosebleed and broke into a wide grin.
"And that matter you ntioned earlier—about the lower-ranking subordinates skimming money—leave that be as well."
"Pardon?"
I smiled and said to him,
"If what the Gate Master says is true, these are n who have lived for that sort of thrill. Even a young child throws a fit when told they can't have what they used to have. You may turn a blind eye until they've had ti to adapt."
"Thank you so much!"
"I'll give them 3 months. If there are still complaints after that—you understand? Don't harass the people who are trying to live decently."
"Yes! I'll make absolutely sure they don't cross any lines."
"Make certain to reward those who properly follow orders—handsoly, in monetary terms. I'll leave that to you."
"Yes!"
"You've handled this well. I've appointed a good Gate Master."
"Th-thank you."
I finished reading the report and uncrossed my legs.
I asked Lee Won-ryong casually,
"Do you still smash your phone these days?"
"No. I heard so unpleasant things last ti……"
The mockery he had heard from the Bell Tower Sect Leader.
As if that mory was surfacing, Lee Won-ryong's complexion darkened.
The Bell Tower Heavenly King had at the ti let it slip—seemingly to provoke Lee Won-ryong fully—that she had t with Lee Won-ryong.
Rumors had spread far and wide that Lee Won-ryong had been completely played.
"You must want to pay it back."
"My heart burns for it, but the Bell Tower Sect is a formidable force. It could be sothing that puts the Red Dragon Gate's very survival on the line……"
His tone was cautious.
Though the Red Dragon Gate was growing stronger, the Bell Tower Sect's power was still above the current Red Dragon Gate.
I said to him,
"Behind you, I stand."
"……!"
Lee Won-ryong's eyes went wide.
"Go ahead and prepare for it."
"Are you serious?"
"Have you ever seen speak empty words?"
"Thank you, Master. Rest well!"
"Wh-what—"
Lee Won-ryong answered vigorously, but I, for my part, felt my heart montarily drop.
"What's the matter?"
"A-ah, never mind. Go attend to your work."
* * *
Lee Won-ryong was deeply moved.
Sitting in the car his driver was piloting, he bit his lip tight.
He asked his driver,
"How many years have you worked with ?"
"3 years and 7 months."
"You ntioned before that there were chairn you served before becoming my driver, yes?"
The driver answered,
"Yes. I served so of the heads of large companies as well, and there was also a sect's Gate Master."
"Let ask you sothing. In your mind, what does the best boss look like?"
The driver thought for a mont, then answered,
"I'm not sure."
"What about this? Soone who coolly acknowledges their own mistakes, holds nothing back when praising a subordinate for doing well, and pours out rewards in excess?"
"That would be the best boss."
This ti the answer ca imdiately, without hesitation.
The driver asked,
"But……Why do you ask all of a sudden?"
"Because I've t the finest master there is."
Lee Won-ryong turned to look out the window and curled the corners of his mouth upward.
Then he asked the driver again,
"By the way—is 'Rest well' really such a strange thing to say? He was suddenly startled by it."
"……Pardon?"
"Should I have said 'Sleep well' instead?"
Lee Won-ryong tilted his head and gazed out the window.
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