The Youngest Son of Sunyang

"Me?"

"That's right. Candidate Go Kyung-yeol has no intention of meeting me, and there's no reason to meet him in the future either."

Kim Gwanhyuk's mouth twitched slightly, and his gaze upon me sharpened even more.

"So, just putting in complaints through me is enough? For a foreign investment firm like you, you understand how Korean politicians operate quite well. The key is not meeting the party involved when it comes to requests."

A person who effortlessly conveys what they want to those in power. That's why they call someone like him a "real power player."

A real power player resolves requests made to them. Of course, the power to fulfill those requests lies with those in authority, but the ones in power often follow the advice of a real power player.

The person in the seat of power and the right-hand man they trust. It's often unclear who the real authority figure is.

"You misunderstand. I have no need to submit complaints to Candidate Go Kyung-yeol."

"Do I need to meet someone who doesn't even have to submit complaints, even though they're doing business? Ah, did I cut right to the point too quickly, so now you're being cautious?"

"No, not at all. As I mentioned earlier, my purpose is to meet Director Kim."

Kim Gwanhyuk refrained from having a drink, picked up his water glass instead.

"Let's hear what that purpose is. I guess I can afford that much for the expensive meal."

"Thank you, Director Kim. I still lack experience, so I'd like to ask. Have there been cases where a successor followed behind the top person?"

Once again, his eyebrows twitched. He realized that who the was the top person in question.

"The top person has always remained the top person. Of course, Noh Taewoo became president, but it wasn't something he inherited from Chun Doo-hwan. He pushed it to a direct election and won due to the Kim faction's division."

"So?"

His tone was getting slightly rougher. We were prepared for a heated exchange anyway.

"Powerful figures' right-hand men gradually descend and eventually become mere followers. It's their destiny to be severed from the powerful figure's body."

"Go on."

Kim Gwanhyuk's expression grew even more menacing.

"What makes you think phrases like 'top person' or 'right-hand man' are coined? It's not created to elevate such individuals in the eyes of the public. Its rhetoric designed to make the top person or the body treat subordinates like foot soldiers and extract loyalty from them. It's just a rhetorical tool to elevate them, let them indulge themselves to the fullest, and even if they're discarded later, to ensure they won't hold grudges."

I tried not to get emotionally involved.

The feeling of believing in someone, "You're the only one I trust," "Let's go together," ... How sweet is that? I was so intoxicated by this sweetness that I willingly became a servant and considered it part of loyalty, even when I hadn't committed any crimes myself and had wrongdoing falsely attributed to me.

Sitting in front of me now, the stiff and stern Kim Gwanhyuk seemed to be trapped in the same misconception. All I had to do was awaken him.

Making someone realize is not done through words, but initially, you must initiate it through words.

"In fact, Director Kim, you hold Go Kyung-yeol's political life in both hands. His future as a politician depends on how you decide to handle it, doesn't it?"

"Young friend, you have quite a sinister way of talking. I guess the person who introduced you can vouch for you."

He began to speak more freely. It wasn't a position he held on behalf of Go Kyung-yeol, so he didn't feel the need to maintain formalities.

"Enough with the beating around the bush. If I'm your objective, why don't you just state the conclusion? You're aware enough for that."

"Director Kim Gwanhyuk, I want to buy the rest of your life."

"What did you say?"

"The right-hand man of someone with a slight chance of becoming Seoul's mayor and possibly entering the Blue House. Of course, there's uncertainty even about ascending to the position of Seoul's mayor, and the path to the Blue House will be even more treacherous. Moreover, considering the chances of you inheriting that position... it's close to zero in my view. Instead of aiming for power with an extremely slim chance, how about selling your future to me at a very high price, Director Kim?"

"This... this guy...!" His expression was either bewildered or he felt insulted. It was hard to tell.

"Ah, I will take responsibility for your children as well. I will provide full support for everything your children want to do. If they want to lead a life of leisure, I'll take care of that too." Don't our parents often become incredibly weak in front of their children? The fact that Kim Gwanhyuk remained seated without getting up was already a small victory. "Please don't misunderstand. I'm not asking for anything grand. Just one word from you."

"And just because of that one word, I'm going to part ways with Go Kyung-yeol, am I?"

"That's right. However, if Candidate Go genuinely considers you his right-hand man, he won't discard you over a slip of the tongue. This might even be an opportunity to test whether you are a true right-hand man or just a servant."

If there were seeds of doubt and suspicion hidden deep within him, they would now begin to sprout. If there were none, then seeds would be planted today.

"Deliver one word that might make Candidate Go Kyung-yeol seem like he could lose in the mayoral election, and I'll give you 20 billion. I'll clean the money thoroughly and place it wherever you prefer, whether it's Switzerland or Virgin Islands."

I didn't wait for Kim Gwanhyuk to respond before continuing.

"Furthermore, as an additional offer, we'll appoint you as an executive in our Miracle Corporation. If you wish to live abroad, simply tell us the country's name, and we'll establish a branch there. Of course, you'll fully enjoy the benefits of being an executive."

In any negotiation, the price is always the issue.

To shake someone, you must throw an amount they could never anticipate.

I heard that when dealing with powerful figures, the easiest way is to offer a condolence payment of 100 million won during a family gathering. That's what Jin Yeong-jun said.

An amount that would betray the once-loyal Go Kyung-yeol - 20 billion.

With that amount, you could even consider running for proportional representative in the National Assembly by paying just a few tens of billions to the ruling or opposition parties.

It was a chance to turn someone from someone's right-hand man into your own top man.

I didn't miss the uncertainty in Kim Gwanhyuk's eyes.

I didn't expect him to respond in this setting anyway. He needed some time to think it over.

"I don't know who the person behind your introduction is, but please trust them. I'm not talking nonsense, and no matter what you say, it won't leak outside." I stood up from my seat. "I'll give you enough time to think it over. If I don't hear from you by this time tomorrow, I'll consider other options. In any case, someone will come forward to expose Candidate Go Kyung-yeol's vulnerabilities. Many people would be willing to offer 20 billion to take part in a campaign to collect gold, even if they have to unearth the gold hidden deep in their closets and sell their souls."