NOVEL WEB Chapter 7: Seven
The low hum of the private jet filled the cabin, a steady white noise as we soared through the skies toward Busan. Seated across from me was my father, Hyun-Seok Lee, the current Chairman of the Union and the patriarch of the Lee family. Even now, dressed sharply in his dark suit, his presence was overwhelming—unshakable, authoritative, and exuding a quiet yet undeniable power.
Beside us, three Union agents sat in silence, their expressions unreadable behind their tinted glasses. They were our escort, ensuring our safe arrival, but given my father's sheer presence, I doubted anyone would be foolish enough to make a move against us.
Father took a sip from his coffee before setting it down and shifting his attention to me. "Son, you've already met my younger brother, Hwan Lee. He inherited the title from our grandfather's younger brother, who was ambushed and assassinated by unknown awakeners years ago. Since then, Hwan has taken over as head of the Busan operations, managing all of our family's businesses in the region. As such, he is the official cadet branch leader."
I nodded, listening attentively. This was information I needed to remember.
"However," father continued, his eyes sharpening slightly, "while Hwan may oversee all of the Lee family's businesses in Busan, he still answers to me."
That made sense. My father wasn't just any figurehead—he was the Hyun-Seok Lee, Chairman of the Union and the undisputed patriarch of the Lee family. His authority was cemented, not just by bloodline but by sheer strength, ranking within the Top 83 globally. His power wasn't just political—it was tangible, a force that couldn't be ignored. A man who held both political and combat superiority was naturally the one who dictated the family's course.
"But you don't have to worry about Hwan," he continued. "He is loyal to a fault." He paused, his gaze darkening just slightly. "His wife, on the other hand, is another matter entirely."
I leaned back into my seat, mulling over his words. A political marriage, most likely or a marriage gone south. A woman with her own ambitions, leveraging her husband's position for greater influence. Nothing unusual in powerful families like ours.
Father then shifted gears, beginning to list the various cadet branches of the Lee family. Each one specialized in a different business sector, controlling key industries that kept our family's dominance intact.
The Hae-Seong Branch - Maritime & Shipping Industry
Head: Joon-Wook Lee (Elder, former CEO of Hae-Seong Group)
Current Leader: Min-Sik Lee (Joon-Wook's eldest son, CEO of Hae-Seong Logistics)
Specialization: Maritime trade, shipping, and fisheries
Influence: Holds key naval contracts with the government
"Hae-Seong has always been one of our most reliable branches," he said. "With Busan being a coastal city, they control the ports and shipping lanes, making them crucial to our logistics. However, Joon-Wook is old-fashioned—too cautious at times. It's why his son, Min-Sik, now handles the bulk of operations. Min-Sik is competent, but he lacks vision. He follows the path laid before him rather than carving his own."
The Dae-Yang Branch - Finance & Investment Sector
Head: Jong-Ryul Lee (Elder, former chairman of Dae-Yang Financial Group)
Current Leader: Tae-Hyun Lee (Jong-Ryul's son, CEO of Dae-Yang Bank)
Specialization: Banking, private equity, and venture capital investments
Influence: Manages the family's offshore accounts & financial assets
"The Dae-Yang branch ensures our wealth flows smoothly," father continued. "Jong-Ryul was a shrewd financier in his prime, but he's since stepped down. Tae-Hyun, however, is aggressive, expanding our financial reach beyond Busan. He's useful, but his hunger for power makes him unpredictable."
The Gyeong-Rak Branch - Medical & Pharmaceuticals
Head: Yeon-Seok Lee (Elder, renowned medical awakener)
Current Leader: Ji-Hoon Lee (Yeon-Seok's son, head of Gyeong-Rak Pharmaceuticals)
Specialization: Biotechnology, medical awakeners, and pharmaceutical development
Influence: Operates private hospitals and clinics in South Korea
"The Gyeong-Rak branch is invaluable," he admitted. "Yeon-Seok was once one of the best medical awakeners in Korea, and his research into awakeners' physiology remains groundbreaking. His son, Ji-Hoon, has continued that legacy, ensuring our family always has access to the best medical advancements. Their importance cannot be overstated, but their idealism can be… tiresome."
The Cheon-Il Branch - Heavy Industries & Manufacturing
Head: Seung-Ho Lee (Elder, former chairman of Cheon-Il Industries)
Current Leader: Do-Hyun Lee (Seung-Ho's nephew, CEO of Cheon-Il Heavy Industries)
Specialization: Automotive, shipbuilding, and weapon manufacturing
Influence: Supplies the Union with specialized military-grade awakeners' gear
"Cheon-Il arms the Union and keeps our industries running," he said. "Seung-Ho was ruthless in his prime, and his nephew, Do-Hyun, inherited that streak. They know the power of leverage, and they never hesitate to remind people of their value. Trustworthy, but only because it benefits them."
The Hwa-Rang Branch - Entertainment & Media
Head: Soo-Jin Lee (Elder, media mogul in retirement)
Current Leader: Eun-Seok Lee (Soo-Jin's niece, CEO of Hwa-Rang Entertainment)
Specialization: Film, television, and idol industries
Influence: Dominates Busan's entertainment sector and holds top-five status in South Korea
"Hwa-Rang controls the narrative," he said simply. "Soo-Jin built an empire out of stories and influence. Now, Eun-Seok carries on that tradition. Her control over the media makes her one of the most dangerous members of our family—not through brute force, but through perception. Information is power, and she knows it."
I absorbed all of this carefully. Each branch had its own role, ensuring that the Lee family remained one of the most powerful families in Korea. While father stood at the pinnacle, the cadet branches ensured that no single industry was beyond our reach.
After listing the branches, my father moved on to another important part of our family structure—the Elder Council.
"The Elder Council consists of retired yet highly influential figures within the Lee family," he explained. "They may not hold official titles anymore, but they remain advisors with significant influence. Some of them have held power longer than I have been alive."
I nodded, mentally committing their names to memory. If I was going to be its future leader, I needed to understand every piece of the gameboard—and every player on it.
Father leaned forward slightly, his eyes locking onto mine with a serious expression. "The Lee family is vast, and the Elders' Council still holds influence over many family decisions. Your grandfather, Sang-Hoon, is one of the most respected figures among them."
I met his gaze head-on. "I understand."
"Good." He leaned back in his seat, finally relaxing. "You'll need to familiarize yourself with every one of them, Rheon. These are the people who hold the power behind the scenes. Some will support you, but others will challenge you in the future."
A smirk tugged at the corner of my lips. Challenge me, huh? Let them try.
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The private plane of the Lee family touched down smoothly on the runway at Gimhae International Airport in Busan. As the aircraft taxied to a stop, the door opened, and Hyeon-Seok Lee with his eight-year-old son, Rheon Lee, by his side. Three Union agents, their sharp eyes scanning the surroundings, followed closely behind, their presence a quiet but firm reminder of the family's stature and the need for security.
Inside the VIP terminal, Hwan Lee stood waiting with his family. His wife, Ji-Soo Lee, maintained a composed expression, though her sharp eyes reflected her keen awareness of the occasion. Their three children stood beside them—Yu-Jun Lee, the eldest; Ha-Yoon Lee theie middle child; and their youngest, Seongha Lee.
The air inside the terminal was thick with anticipation. Seongha, shifting on his feet, finally broke the silence.
"Are they almost here?" he asked, his voice filled with excitement.
Hwan Lee glanced at his phone and nodded. "They've just landed," he informed his son.
Seongha's face lit up. "I can't wait to see Rheon again! Now that I'm awakened, maybe we can practice cryokinesis together," he said eagerly.
Yu-Jun, standing beside him, sighed. "You should act more mature, considering you're older than him," he chided.
Before Seongha could respond, Ji-Soo placed a gentle hand on his shoulder. "It's fine," she said with a small smile. "That just means you'll develop a strong friendship quickly."
Yu-Jun didn't reply, instead keeping his gaze averted. His relationship with his mother had become strained ever since he told he that his going to focus on becoming his father's heir, learning directly under him. Ji-Soo had always been ambitious for her children, but Yu-Jun's growing distance from her had created an unspoken tension between them.
Meanwhile, Ha-Yoon Lee remained silent, observing the interaction between her brothers with a neutral expression. Unlike her older siblings, she preferred to watch and listen rather than engage in their usual back-and-forth.
Then, at a distance, they spotted Hyeon-Seok Lee and Rheon, their figures unmistakable as they walked forward with the three Union agents trailing behind them. As they approached, Hwan Lee stepped forward, his formal demeanor slipping slightly into something warmer as he greeted his older brother.
"Brother," he said with a respectful nod.
Instead of responding with mere formality, Hyeon-Seok closed the distance and pulled his younger brother into a brief but firm embrace, clapping him on the back. "It's been a while, Hwan."
He then turned to Ji-Soo, offering a courteous nod. "Ji-Soo, it's good to see you."
Ji-Soo returned the gesture with a polite smile. "Likewise."
Turning his attention to Hwan's children, Hyeon-Seok ruffled Seongha's hair, earning a slight protest from the boy. "You've grown, haven't you?" he remarked, amusement in his voice.
Meanwhile, Rheon stepped forward to greet his uncle and aunt. He was formal yet relaxed, offering a polite bow to Ji-Soo before acknowledging Yu-Jun, Seongha, and Ha-Yoon.
"The two of you must be hungry," Hwan noted, checking his watch. "It's already noon."
Hyeon-Seok glanced at his son before offering a slight smile. "Yes, we are."
Hwan nodded. "Min-Sik just arrived at the family estate with his three children. Elder Sang-Hoon is also there."
"Then let's go," Hyeon-Seok announced.
Without further delay, the family moved towards the exit, where a four-car convoy awaited them. The first and last vehicles carried additional security, while the two middle cars were designated for the adults and children, respectively.
As they settled into their respective cars, the convoy pulled away from the airport, heading towards the Lee family estate in Busan.