Descent of the Demon Master

Chapter 565. Having a Discussion (5)

“The chief director position?” Hwang Jeong-Hu narrowed his eyes.

“Yes,” Kang Jin-Ho coolly nodded.

Jo Gyu-Min silently looked on while anxiously waiting for the chairman's response.

'It's not looking good...'

First of all, the tip of Hwang Jeong-Hu's cigarette; it was sizzling quietly away. That was definitely not a good sign.

“Okay, so... You want me to sit in the chief director position of the welfare foundation you're about to create. Did I hear that right?”

“Yes, Chairman.” Kang Jin-Ho nodded again while keeping his reply as concise as usual.

Unfortunately, that conciseness was causing massive heartburn in Jo Gyu-Min's chest today!

'Please be more thorough with your explanations! Please!'

How was he supposed to persuade anyone like that!?

And Hwang Jeong-Hu responded as Jo Gyu-Min feared. “I'm not interested.”

“Please reconsider, Chairman,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“There's nothing to reconsider here,” Hwang Jeong-Hu dismissively waved his hand, then stubbed his cigarette on an ashtray. “Don't get me wrong. I do understand what you're trying to do. And it's a commendable thing, running a welfare foundation. I have zero intentions of raining on your parade, too. However, that position doesn't suit me at all.”

“Chairman...” Jo Gyu-Min forcibly prised the proverbial baton from Kang Jin-Ho after realizing that things weren't going their way. “We understand that you're not interested in this kind of thing, sir. However, we're not hoping you'd roll up your sleeve and jump in with both feet. We will take care of everything if you give us permission to use your name.”

Jo Gyu-Min desperately tried to keep the nearly-severed rope connected no matter what, but Kang Jin-Ho had other ideas. He nonchalantly set the rope on fire!

“No, Chairman Hwang, we need you to do more than that,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

'Noooo! Why?!'

Jo Gyu-Min's emotions boiled up, but Kang Jin-Ho wasn't done and drove in even more nails.

“If you can, please be proactive in the role as well. You will definitely be a great help to us,” Kang Jin-Ho nodded assuredly.

“Hmm...?” Hwang Jeong-Hu cocked his eyebrow, unconvinced. “What would I be helpful in, anyway?”

“Trust me, you will be helpful.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu reached into his inner pocket and pulled out a cigarette packet. After mouthing a fresh cigarette, he lit it up.

Click...

“For now, why don't we enjoy a smoke break first? It'll be weird if I'm the only one smoking here.”

At Hwang Jeong-Hu's good-natured urging, Kang Jin-Ho and Jo Gyu-Min also mouthed cigarettes of their own. Soon, the chairman's office was filled with unhealthy smoke.

Hwang Jeong-Hu seemed to have settled down after getting more nicotine into his system. With a more relaxed expression on his face, Hwang Jeong-Hu addressed the two guests in his office. “So, let me reiterate it again. I get what you're trying to do here. This thing about setting up a welfare foundation... Yes, you're trying to do something good here. Since there's only so much the government can do, wealthy people should help out those without money. Yes, I get all that.”

Despite saying that, Hwang Jeong-Hu didn't seem convinced about something.

“But... I guess I'm getting too old for this. My head understands it, but my heart isn't moved. At all.”

“That's because you don't know,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

Hwang Jeong-Hu frowned slightly. Anyone else daring to say that to his face would've faced his fury. However, Kang Jin-Ho was an exception. Not because of the latter's abilities, though. Hwang Jeong-Hu knew that Kang Jin-Ho outstripped him in terms of wisdom and years of accumulated experience.

“...So, you think it's because I don't know anything?”

Kang Jin-Ho nodded. “It wouldn't be possible for your heart to stay still if your head truly understands something. It can only happen when you don't really understand.”

“I see. In that case…” Hwang Jeong-Hu leisurely leaned back against the couch. Even if Kang Jin-Ho's words contained a hint of provocation, the seasoned veteran of commerce wasn't going to fall for it... At least, that was what his gesture seemed to imply. “...Can you change my mind, then?”

Kang Jin-Ho smiled as if this challenge wasn't worth breaking a sweat over. And Jo Gyu-Min suddenly felt like a shrimp stuck between two massive whales.

'...Why did I even bother following Mister Jin-Ho?'

At this rate, the only thing Jo Gyu-Min was good for would be... to cheer Kang Jin-Ho on?

'Did I make a mistake with my calculations somewhere?'

Before entering the chairman's office, Jo Gyu-Min prepared a plan of action in his mind. In it, Kang Jin-Ho was supposed to cling to Jo Gyu-Min for assistance as Hwang Jeong-Hu became royally irritated. However, Kang Jin-Ho ripped that plan up without a shred of hesitation.

Jo Gyu-Min could only blink his eyes after his plan went down the drain.

“Chairman, the reason for you to take on the chief director role is extremely simple. The foundation will need your help. They will need you.”

“...Eh?” Hwang Jeong-Hu's brows rose up at that unexpected line of persuasion. Flabbergast was clearly visible in his eyes. “Fella, countless people need my help. And they are everywhere, too.”

Kang Jin-Ho contemplatively nodded. “I see. May I ask where they are?”

“Obviously, they are...” Hwang Jeong-Hu's lips parted only to clamp shut almost immediately. 'Wait... Is that still true?'

Did people really need him to be around? In the past, Hwang Jeong-Hu could confidently say yes. Who among Jaegyeong's workforce didn't recognize or respect Hwang Jeong-Hu's leadership capabilities? No one, that's who! Just the Jaegyeong employees alone were enough to say countless people needed Hwang Jeong-Hu to help them out.

However, what about now? Hwang Jeong-Hu couldn't think of anyone who'd desperately need his guidance.

Kang Jin-Ho watched Hwang Jeong-Hu visibly faltering, then quietly murmured to the chairman. “Until recently, I, too... believed doing only what I wanted to do was the right way to live my life. And I'd have advised anyone willing to listen to do the same, too. However, I now know that sometimes, certain circumstances can prevent us from doing so.”

“...What do you mean by that?”

Kang Jin-Ho gently smiled. “If I do what others want me to do, things might work out better than if I had insisted on doing what I wanted.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu looked frustrated by that explanation. “What? That doesn't make much sense!”

“Of course it does,” Kang Jin-Ho cut Hwang Jeong-Hu's counterargument before it could even start. “Until now, your life's path has been the same as what others wanted from you. What you wanted to do was what others expected from you, too.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu slowly nodded, at least for now. After all, Kang Jin-Ho was right about that. Hwang Jeong-Hu's desire was to turn Jaegyeong into a top corporation in the country, and his workers also wanted that to happen.

“However, what if you wanted to become a painter?” Kang Jin-Ho casually asked.

“...Eh?”

“Let's think about this for a second. Between living as a painter or working for Jaegyeong, which would be a better life for you?”

“...Hold on, fella. That doesn't even make any sense. Me, as a painter...?”

“It's a hypothetical scenario, Chairman.”

“Well, if you say so. In this hypothetical scenario, I could've been happy as a painter, sure. If that's what I wanted to do.”

“Then, does that mean working as the chairman of a large corporation would've made you miserable?”

“...!” Hwang Jeong-Hu grimaced, unable to answer.

As it turned out, this topic was surprisingly complicated. Between what he wanted and what he could achieve... Which was better?

“That is the crux of this issue. Humans can't let go of their desire to achieve something big. And so... There is a role that fits you like a glove. A role where you can shine the most.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu sounded incredulous. “You think I'll do well as a foundation's chief director because of that?”

“No. It's because you're an excellent businessman,” Kang Jin-Ho mouthed a fresh cigarette. “Stop thinking of the foundation as a charity but as another business entity. You should see yourself as a businessman maximizing the company's profits for your shareholders. By looking at things that way, I believe you'll be able to produce much more effective operational methods and results compared to other charities.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu stubbed the cigarette out, then mouthed another one. “Phew... Yes, I can be a bit too prideful about stuff like that. Since I'm still breathing and all... If I get serious about it, your foundation's management will end up markedly different from those run by rich and bored old men looking to pass their time.”

“That's what I think, too,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“Looks like we're back to square one, though. The question of why I should bother with becoming a chief director remains, fella.”

Kang Jin-Ho didn't say anything and quietly stared at Hwang Jeong-Hu. Unsurprisingly, the chairman of Jaegyeong also calmly held that gaze.

“...If you wish to hold on to something you're no longer interested in and waste your time that way, I won't stop you,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

Hwang Jeong-Hu's expression hardened rapidly. He couldn't let this statement slide, even if it came from Kang Jin-Ho. “Fella! You've crossed the line there!”

“Maybe I have. However, sometimes it's good to hear unpleasant things.”

“...Look here, fella!”

Kang Jin-Ho did as asked and stared straight at Hwang Jeong-Hu. “Your career ended the moment you said there isn't much you can do for your company, Chairman. And now, you're just holding down the fort on this... honorary position.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu tightly clenched his fists. He wanted to argue right back, but no words came to his mind. That was because he had been feeling this way for some time as well!

“The bigger issue here is that…” Kang Jin-Ho sighed softly. “Chairman, you yourself think there isn't much you can contribute to the company. Whether that's the reality of your situation or just your passion has fizzled out, who really knows?”

Hwang Jeong-Hu's complexion became considerably redder. That one thing he didn't want anyone to know was accurately preyed on by Kang Jin-Ho.

“This is why we ask you to become our foundation's chief director. Work with us, Chairman.”

“...Didn't you say this is a separate issue?”

“No, they are the same. For other business leaders, yes. But for you, it's the same issue.”

“How?”

Kang Jin-Ho's gaze locked on to Hwang Jeong-Hu became sharper. “Tell me, Chairman. Why did you build Jaegyeong up from nothing?”

“...?”

“You don't have any materialistic desires. You don't feel the need to boast about your wealth, either. Yet, you poured every fiber of your being into this company, even at the cost of sleep. Why was that? What motivated you to do so?”

Hwang Jeong-Hu couldn't immediately respond. Even he... didn't know why.

He lived his life as if every day was his last. He kept charging ahead with the sole desire to turn Jaegyeong into the world's top corporation. But what would it mean for Hwang Jeong-Hu even if Jaegyeong became the best in the world? What would change for him?

Hwang Jeong-Hu's accumulated wealth was so great that his remaining life wasn't long enough to spend every dime to his name. In other words, he'd gain nothing significant even if Jaegyeong grew even more.

“Honor... No, it's not quite right to bring that up now.” Hwang Jeong-Hu slowly shook his head.

“Indeed. You never cared about what other people thought about you, after all,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“Yeah, I don't. After you die, the only thing you get is a paragraph of some random stranger's evaluation of you. What does it matter if that paragraph is more flowery than usual when I'm already dead?” Hwang Jeong-Hu closed his eyes after muttering that out loud.

Neither Kang Jin-Ho nor Jo Gyu-Min wanted to interfere with Hwang Jeong-Hu's contemplation, so they kept quiet for a while.

“I wanted to live a good life,” Hwang Jeong-Hu finally broke his silence after a lengthy contemplation. “Everyone was dirt poor after the Korean War. We couldn't even afford to eat a bowl of gruel back then. We had to eat tree bark and sh*t diarrhea, but that was the only to survive. That's why I wanted to live a good life. Make enough money that poor folks could enjoy a plate full of warm food. Not just me, but with everyone…”

“Sounds like a grand ambition,” said Kang Jin-Ho.

“...Yes, in a way, it was. A grand ambition,” Hwang Jeong-Hu smiled wryly. “But now... I can't say that's my current mindset. I'm just as materialistic as any man, after all. I've changed, no doubt. However, I did want my family to live a good life when I started this whole thing. And Jaegyeong was my family. If I diligently lead this family even if I'd lose my temper and start hurling insults around, I thought folks could make one more coin, but…”

Hwang Jeong-Hu sounded lonely just then. Maybe even bitter.

This had been his story until recently. However, it seemed everything and everyone had changed. In the middle of all this change, Hwang Jeong-Hu had lost sight of his original goal.

Kang Jin-Ho chuckled softly. “As I said before, it's the same thing.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu looked back. “...What is?”

“What I'm trying to do here is. That's the same thing. There are people going to bed hungry and weak every night. And I wish to help them. Isn't that what you dearly wished for all these years?”

“...”

“It's just the difference in approach. As long as your heart remains the same, it will be the same kind of work. And that is precisely why we need you, Chairman Hwang. You know better than anyone what those people in need require from us. And you are the expert in knowing what we need to do to help them.”

Hwang Jeong-Hu's eyes powerfully quaked. It was as if he had finally understood what Kang Jin-Ho was saying.

“H-however...!” Hwang Jeong-Hu faltered several times.

Undoubtedly, Kang Jin-Ho had accurately pointed out Hwang Jeong-Hu's inner turmoil. Even so, there was this one hurdle he just couldn't get past.

“I... I'm still opposed to this idea. The more I think about it, the less I'm willing about this,” said Hwang Jeong-Hu, his expression getting stiffer. “How can we hand over money to folks who didn't work for it?”