Chapter 41: The Leash Tightens

We climbed into the car without looking back.

"Team Leader Yoo, let's go!"

"Everyone buckled up? Young Master, then we're off!"

Vroom.

Uncle Cheol-gu, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, chuckled.

"That Sogolmae guy, it didn't suit him at all to be so impressed one after another. Kid, what on earth did you whisper to him?"

"Well now, are you going to earn the Young Master's trust or satisfy your curiosity? Dense-headed Colonel Bak—no, Mr. Bak Cheol-gu, make your choice."

"······."

"For your information, I chose trust over curiosity."

Yoo Jong-tae grinned proudly.

"Well, I have to admit, I was surprised too. That old man, who always just clicks his tongue whenever he sees you, even slapped his knee today! I even rubbed my eyes and checked twice."

"That guy, he's always whining about how a smart disciple never just drops out of the sky."

"Who would've thought that strict old man had his eyes on our Young Master all along."

"When he asked the kid to come under him and learn the ropes, I couldn't believe my ears!"

"Of course! For that old man, only Secretary Kim would be barely worth his attention! But with our Young Master... tch, as expected, that's just how it is!"

Now that I think about it, when I first met my Master, he called me a blockhead.

He said my intuition was hopeless compared to my brain and that I just didn't have what it takes.

Thanks to that, I ended up stuck in the pawnshop for ten years!

"And to think he even volunteered to be the hype man without hesitation."

"It's the first time I've seen that stingy old man offer his services without asking for money."

Uncle Cheol-gu and Yoo Jong-tae burst out laughing together.

"Puhaha, our kid really is the best!"

"Kkhuh, our Young Master truly is the best!"

Then, at the exact same moment, Uncle Cheol-gu and Yoo Jong-tae suddenly stopped laughing.

They exchanged bewildered glances.

"Why are you saying the same thing as me?"

"I'm honestly just as confused!"

They both let out awkward laughs and snapped their heads in opposite directions.

Uncle Cheol-gu gazed out the window at the scenery flying by.

"Hey, kid. Would've been nice to stick around and watch that guy call and get all riled up. Why'd you pass up such fun and bolt out of there?"

"I'd rather not get caught in the crossfire while watching the fire from across the river."

Knowing my Master's personality, as soon as he hung up on Maljukgeori Horsehead, he'd already be talking about drawing up contracts.

‘Just like a bribe ledger becomes a shackle, you never leave evidence when doing shady deals.’

I'm someone who really hates leaving any traces when it comes to backdoor dealings.

I refuse to let those traces turn into shackles that strangle me.

"Young Master, where to now?"

"Please head to Jongno."

Both Uncle Cheol-gu and Yoo Jong-tae turned to look at me.

"Not going to Maljukgeori first?"

"You're not stopping by Maljukgeori?"

I shook my head.

"All you'd get there right now is a cold water shower in the dead of winter and slammed doors."

Maljukgeori Horsehead isn't someone with a mild temperament.

He really is a worthy disciple of the Namsan Leech.

He was known as my Master's arch-nemesis.

And now, right after my Master had called and thoroughly riled him up.

He's probably grinding his teeth and getting ready to take it out on the errand boy.

"Kid, why are you so hell-bent on collecting and handing out all these invitations?"

"Grandfather told me to bring Mom and myself to the year-end party."

"Sure, but you're an invited guest, not the organizer."

"What do you think will happen if Mom and I are introduced in front of all those people? Dad already has a fiancée. Do you think her side will just sit quietly?"

"Ah..."

"There'll be a lot of people pointing fingers at my mom, saying she ruined the marriage between the two families."

Uncle Cheol-gu's eyes took on a strangely deep look.

"I want to steal the spotlight so that no one pays cold attention to my mom—instead, I want everyone dazzled by the Taeseong subway construction."

I flashed a bright smile.

"Taeseong Construction doesn't have much money these days. If we manage to get sponsors at the event, everyone will believe Taeseong will win the subway project, right?"

Of course, I plan to squeeze those big shots I invited for a hefty sum.

In exchange for inside info about the subway station's location.

It's a win-win deal, benefiting both us and them.

"Kid, you think too much. You don't need to worry so much about grown-up affairs."

Uncle Cheol-gu roughly ruffled my hair.

"Your grandfather and father will take care of things, you know. Trust them, kid. Got it?"

"Yes."

I nodded.

Of course, I trust my grandfather and father.

If I set the stage, they'll make Taeseong shine brighter than anyone else.

But for that, we need people willing to enthusiastically sponsor Taeseong.

My Master readily agreed, and the only one likely to make trouble here is Horsehead.

‘Horsehead has a strong rebel streak. He acts out of spite more than gain. He can't stand seeing my Master get his way and will definitely throw a wrench in the works. If that happens, Taeseong could end up ridiculed and in deep trouble.’

Horsehead is the type who has to follow wherever my Master goes!

He'll barge into the year-end party even if he has to snatch an invitation.

If he causes a scene, not just Mom and I, but Grandfather and Father will be in hot water too.

‘Grandfather has decided to firmly support my parents' marriage, so I need to fully support this subway project—both with sponsorship and by stirring up attention.’

I've concluded that I need to deal with Horsehead early on.

I'm about to start a psychological battle with that guy.

‘If I wanted to invite troublemakers, I wouldn't have even prepared the invitation! Rather than persuade him, it's time to grab his leash!’

Maljukgeori Horsehead and the Namsan Leech.

After a lifetime of clashing with that wretched master-disciple pair, just hearing their names makes my teeth grind.

Every time I remember what those two did, conspiring to harm my Master...

Grrr.

‘I can gladly be the money source for my Master, but not even a penny for Horsehead!’

Carrots for my Master, but the stick for Horsehead!

‘This is my chance to shake down Horsehead's wallet!’

If I set my mind to it, I can squeeze out anything!

When it comes to money, I rarely lose.

"He'll be the last one on the list."

And there are plenty more guests to deliver invitations to anyway.

Disrupt Horsehead's composure first, then make my move.

That's the start of my plan.

---

At that moment, Maljukgeori Horsehead was in his office.

On the office wall hung a taxidermied horse's head, and next to it, a framed photo of Ttukseom Seoul Racecourse. Below that, on traditional Korean paper, the company motto was scrawled in brush script.



A wooden plaque he gazed at ten times a day, vowing to fulfill his grand ambition.

As always, Horsehead glared at the racecourse photo and motto, grinding his teeth.

"Sogolmae, that bastard dared mock me?"

True to his nickname, he was lanky and had a long jaw.

"What? An invitation to the year-end party? Damn, I'm pissed!"

He slapped his palm with a riding crop, pacing back and forth in the office.

The house manager glanced at him nervously.

"What should we do? Should I call Myeongdong again?"

"Forget it! That Sogolmae bastard won't pick up anyway!"

That was why Horsehead was fuming mad.

"How dare they give the invitation to Myeongdong Sogolmae before me!"

Horsehead ground his teeth furiously.

"As for that damned errand boy, douse him with a bucket of cold water and chase him off!"

"Yes, sir."

Having raged all he wanted, Horsehead flopped down on his horsehide sofa.

Quite some time had passed.

Yet, no word of any visitor.

Riiing.

Horsehead quickly answered the phone.

"Hello?"

-It's me, Gold Tooth from Jongno. Horsehead, you going to the year-end event too?

"What?"

Horsehead scrunched his brow.

"You got an invitation too?"

-Myeongdong Sogolmae got one. Why shouldn't I?

A bizarre laugh sounded over the phone.

Horsehead immediately pictured Jongno Gold Tooth grinning from ear to ear, flashing his rows of yellow gold teeth.

-I never thought the day would come when folks like us would be invited to a high society event packed with political big shots. This is something to see before we die. See you there. Let's have a drink for old times' sake.

Click.

"This can't be! I got beat by both Myeongdong Sogolmae and Jongno Gold Tooth?"

Horsehead snorted.

"Well, Gold Tooth deals with so many dollars and gold bars. All his clients are big shots from that crowd, I suppose."

His mouth felt dry, and a bitter taste lingered.

"Guess it's true—blood's thicker than water. He went to Gold Tooth first because they know each other... tch!"

Honestly, don't I have more cash on hand than Gold Tooth?

"When that errand boy shows up, douse him with cold water and add a scoop of rock salt!"

Horsehead flopped back onto the horsehide sofa and picked up a racing magazine.

"I'm next. That's for sure. That's a fact!"

Tick, tock.

Another hour had passed, yet still no news.

This is getting on my nerves.

Riiing!

"Hello!"

-It's Ggachisan here.

It was Madame Bang from Ggachisan.

-I'm calling about the year-end party. You never run short of cash, do you? As you know, I have too much tied up in real estate, so my cash flow is blocked right now.

Madame Bang from Ggachisan mostly swept up the real estate and apartment pre-sale markets, dealing with wealthy housewives and realtors.

She was known as the "flying room" operator!

She also laundered money through real estate for tax evasion and speculation.

With the current Gangnam development boom, Madame Bang was so busy she barely had time to breathe.

-There's some prime land in Gangnam and some nice apartments for sale, cheap. Want them? Let's close quickly. Hmm?

"If you have no cash, just go home and wash your feet! Who cares about the sponsorship committee!"

Bang!

Horsehead slammed down the phone, nearly breaking it.

"Madame Bang from Ggachisan got an invitation too, but I was left out?"

Her specialty was selling real estate for sky-high prices.

Her hobby was joining savings clubs with wealthy housewives and skimming the pooled funds.

So it's obvious she isn't really short on cash—who does she think she's fooling, treating me like a bank vault?

"Right, Madame Bang's main customers are those wealthy wives and heiresses. That means she got the inside track, too... I'm even losing out to her?"

Of all of us, I've got the most cash on hand.

It's just that I don't have the same network as those guys, huh?

"When I meet political big shots, it's always with my hands around their collars in a scuffle."

Still!

When they're desperate for money, all those punks come crawling to me on their knees...

Tick, tock.

Time kept ticking by mercilessly.

"If anyone comes looking for me today, tell them I'm not here! I didn't get an invitation because I'm out! Got it?"

"Yes, sir."

"Give them some gambling money and tell them to play cards to kill time! Bring in the pros to keep them company!"

"Yes, sir!"

Horsehead sneered nastily.

"Strip that guy of everything—his wallet and his pride! Throw him out penniless and broken!"

---

Uncle Cheol-gu, having stepped out of the car, stiffened.

"What is this smell of blood?"

"Sabong, dog fighting, bull fighting, cards. The so-called house gambling."

Maljukgeori Horsehead was running an illegal gambling house on the outskirts of Maljukgeori, his main business.

"That's Horsehead's main line of work."

"What? That bastard runs gambling pits?"

The only gambling den Horsehead hadn't taken over was the official racetrack operated by the Korea Racing Authority.