Chapter 306

***

Thud- clang- thump- ding-.

Weird.

Even though Cheon Gil-ryong is talented, playing the gayageum in the middle of the night?

Still, the melody suits the mood perfectly.

Even in midsummer, the bamboo forest feels cool, and the full moon hangs over the sea in front of us. The mischievous wind and unruly waves break the light, only for it to gather back into a dazzling circle.

Jin Hyuk, holding two boys, simply stared in admiration.

At Cheon Gil-ryong’s occasional performances, which had become familiar, and the spectacle created by the celestial bodies.

“It’s nice.”

No need to embellish or evaluate.

The world, given like a gift, is simply to be enjoyed.

Heheheh-.

Even Jang Gun-i, who had reached the level of enjoying the gayageum, pricked up his ears.

As the adults’ conversation dragged on, the kids waited, each claiming one of Jin Hyuk’s legs as a chair.

“Ugh-. There are no mosquitoes here-.”

“Right? The bamboo forest is cool, so mosquitoes probably don’t like it.”

“Hyung, the wind is scary- whoosh- whoosh-.”

“Should we go home if you’re scared of the wind, Soo-hyuk?”

Nuh-uh.

Son Jeong-won and Hong Soo-hyuk shook their heads simultaneously.

With their dads and grandpa here, they didn’t want to leave.

“Jeong-won, Soo-hyuk. Here-. Eat this.”

Yoo Jin peeled the persimmon skin she brought from home and fed it to her younger siblings.

Jeong-won, who knew the taste, opened his mouth like a baby swallow to receive the persimmon from his sister’s spoon.

“Ooh-, it’s sweet-.”

Hong Soo-hyuk, tasting the soaked persimmon for the first time, widened his eyes.

“What is this-?”

“It’s a persimmon.”

“Persimmon?”

Persimmons fall from the tree for various reasons.

Because the stem isn’t strong enough, because they can’t bear their own weight, because they can’t withstand the wind and rain…

They’re unripe persimmons that can’t be eaten as they are.

They’re soaked to remove the astringency. In other regions, they’re left in the air to soak, but in Jin Hyuk’s neighborhood, the elders soak them in saltwater or seawater.

‘Using osmosis, right?’

A method passed down from the elders to the children, and from those children to the next.

The unripe persimmons floating in the saltwater sink after a day or two, and then they’re peeled and eaten. If you don’t peel them, you might end up like Choi Mi-kyung, the exam student, with a blocked butt.

They say persimmons soaked in saltwater are softer and sweeter, but Jin Hyuk, who hasn’t tried persimmons soaked in other ways, just accepted it.

“Soo-hyuk, is it good? You don’t have this at home, right?”

“Nope. We don’t.”

“You should say, ‘We don’t have it.'”

Yoo Jin is starting to resemble her mother, Yoo Se-ra.

“We don’t have it-.”

Though gentle, Hong Soo-hyuk is no pushover.

Remembering Hong Soo-jung, who seemed obedient but was stubborn, Jin Hyuk chuckled and adjusted his leg for Soo-hyuk to sit comfortably.

Ding- ding- thud- ding-.

The gayageum strings, moonlight, waves, and bamboo leaves created a harmonious melody. The sweet and soft persimmon Yoo Jin fed her brother.

And the children’s body temperature perfectly filled the gaps, keeping the chill at bay.

‘Ahh-, perfect healing-.’

In the illusion of becoming an immortal, Jin Hyuk pricked up his ears.

Towards Cheon Gil-ryong’s house, where men sat around a small pond sharing secrets.

“There’s no evidence left to handle legally. If the witness insists it’s fabricated, that’s it, and the woman who initially ordered it is missing. So, there’s no witness.”

Even without formal legal study, Yoo Myung-sun spoke with such insight.

Though it felt disappointing not to take sides, the perspective of someone who had gained balanced thinking after a long life was worth listening to. It was still a neutral opinion worth nodding to.

“We’ve cut and cut, but the scholarship students’ network is like a web. They’ve also taken a lot of medicine, so a search and seizure isn’t even a consideration. Such evidence wouldn’t come out in a search anyway.”

Hong Ki-jun indirectly mentioned how difficult it was to obtain Park Woo-jung’s ledger, despite various attempts.

The main speakers were Yoo Myung-sun and Hong Ki-jun.

Son Kwang-yeon sipped tea silently, refraining from speaking even though it concerned him.

“Right, Park’s son has been cunning since he was young. If such a ledger existed, he wouldn’t keep it in a bank vault. As my son-in-law guessed, even if such a will existed, what meaning would a non-existent document have?”

Dugu Elil presented a piece of paper to Jin Hyuk, claiming it was Park Un-cheol’s will. It showed middle-aged Park Un-cheol revealing the will to young Park Woo-jung and a lawyer. More like a pledge than a will, Park Un-cheol promised to inherit half of his shares to Son Jeong-won’s kin out of remorse.

After confirming the pledge, Park Woo-jung secretly contacted Jin Hyuk’s grandmother, Moon Ye, and had the notary lawyer killed in a staged car accident. The detective investigating the accident also died.

That was all.

Nothing new or noteworthy, staying within Jin Hyuk’s expectations. Thus, Jin Hyuk’s emotions remained unshaken. After finding his past, the grudges of the human world seemed trivial.

The will couldn’t be brought due to some space-time rule.

‘Incompetent and useless advisor.’

Still, Jin Hyk consoled Dugu Elil realistically. Jin Hyk, after all, is the embodiment of magnanimity.

Even if brought, there was no one to prove its authenticity, and bringing past documents wouldn’t help as their age wouldn’t be recognized.

– 【Right, right. That’s why I didn’t bring it. You’re indeed wise.】

You didn’t bring it anyway!

Anyway.

Jin Hyk informed Hong Ki-jun of the will’s existence, and Hong Ki-jun presented the opinion in front of Yoo Myung-sun and Son Kwang-yeon as if it were a hypothesis.

“Park’s family was greedy but not evil. They made money by clinging to power, but many benefited from it. Dark times bring people who exploit the situation. It’s not just during Japanese rule; such people emerge countless times throughout history when the country is in chaos and the world is turned upside down. Future generations might judge them as thieves or glorify them as heroes. I, too, in my business, have unknowingly harmed people.”

Yoo Myung-sun’s tone wasn’t harsh, but discomfort lingered in his voice.

It sounded like defending a comrade who suffered through the same era.

“There’s also the saying, ‘Truth and Reconciliation.'”

“Reconciliation comes after revealing and acknowledging the truth. Punishment aside, extending a hand for reconciliation without any compensation or apology is the logic of the perpetrator.”

And it’s usually the perpetrators who extend their hands first. Jin Hyk agreed with Hong Ki-jun, blinking. Hong Ki-jun, who gifted torpedoes instead of handshakes to perpetrators in other fields, naturally disagreed with Yoo Myung-sun.

“The world has changed; darkness has receded, and a bright world has come. We should abandon conspiracies and embrace the light.”

“Sunlight in the attic doesn’t erase the mold’s sins. The mold didn’t bring the sunlight, did it? We should act according to the intentions of those who brought the sunlight.”

Who brought the sunlight? Jin Hyk pondered.

Everyone’s efforts, probably. If Hong Ki-jun’s logic, opposing Yoo Myung-sun’s view that economic development was due to some owners’ contributions, then that’s what he’s saying.

“So, you’re saying you’d use dirty methods like them?”

It seemed like it would escalate into an emotional fight between son-in-law and father-in-law.

Son Kwang-yeon, who had been silently listening, stepped in.

Ahem-.

“Ki-jun, you don’t think the elder’s thoughts are wrong, do you? I also don’t think the elder is wrong.”

Ding- ding-.

Cheon Gil-ryong’s gayageum played a slow tune.

The bustling bamboo forest also held its breath.

“My wife once said, ‘Changes in era happen like the sun setting and the moon rising, unnoticed unless you rely on them.'”

These adults, being humanities graduates, speak quite poetically.

Mentioning someone’s name and dealing with sins itself is unpleasant, so they avoid saying it directly.

Still, it’s not hard to understand.

As Jin Hyk nodded, wrapping a blanket around the dozing kids, Son Kwang-yeon’s voice flowed.

“I have no intention of evaluating Uncle Un-cheol. Social evaluation, historical evaluation, let the comfortable scholars do that. I’m satisfied as it is. I’m safe and happy. Park Woo-jung can’t do anything because he’s wary of Ki-jun. His son is in an American prison, and his health has deteriorated.”

Yoo Myung-sun sighed lightly.

“What do you think? What can be done? If someone with power seeks revenge, wouldn’t they become the same? If my son-in-law, Chairman Hong, steps in, it could be seen as the strong oppressing the weak. I don’t want to see my son-in-law being pointed at.”

Though reduced to a mere shadow of its former self, saying the family has declined is an exaggeration.

Despite exiting some businesses like semiconductors early, Daejeong is a conglomerate spanning from daily necessities to home appliances and cars.

Jin Hyk guessed Yoo Myung-sun’s underlying message.

‘He’s probably thinking of his friend. Criticizing Park Un-cheol feels like criticizing himself, having lived through the same era.’

Park Un-cheol died years ago.

According to Moon Seok-il’s investigation, the hospital bed was empty, and the body was in cryopreservation.

Though Park Woo-jung is his friend’s son, there’s only a 17-year age gap with Yoo Myung-sun.

They’re proud people who boosted the economy during turbulent times; why wouldn’t they have a sense of camaraderie?

“We also have to think about the people making a living at Daejeong. If the storm sweeps through, where will they turn to?”

Jin Hyk shook his head at Yoo Myung-sun’s protest.

Not because he was wrong, but out of pity for his hardened mindset.

Appealing to sympathy would never solve the problem.

Frankly, fearing they’d lose their jobs and thus avoiding resolving grudges doesn’t make sense.

That’s the logic of perpetrators holding the weak hostage.

‘We need to use Park Hyun-soo and Park Sa-rang. And Hammond too.’

Jin Hyk pondered the plan.

He had suspected that Park Un-cheol’s body being cryopreserved meant there might be evidence of his death.

But the reason was different.

‘It’s about inheritance issues.’

They’re trying to secure even a little more shares and reduce taxes, but with the world’s sharp eyes, they can’t act easily.

Ding-!

The gayageum stopped.

Phew-. Cheon Gil-ryong let out a long breath and stuffed his feet into white rubber shoes.

Everyone knew it was due to his discomfort.

Though not directly involved, Cheon Gil-ryong must have felt uneasy listening.

Everyone followed Cheon Gil-ryong, sensing the mood.

Walking the bamboo forest path, Cheon Gil-ryong smiled warmly at the kids wrapped in blankets, sleeping soundly.

“Ohoho-, the young masters are sleeping so sweetly.”

“Yes. It’s a comfortable place, so they sleep well.”

“What if they get nightmares sleeping here? Ah, with Jin Hyk here, no worries. Jin Hyk’s favor is no small thing.”

“Hehe-.”

Passing Jin Hyk, Cheon Gil-ryong stood at the cliff’s edge, hands behind his back.

Looking at the full moon shimmering in the sea, his caterpillar-like eyebrows twitched.

“Like the moon on water-. Breaking and gathering like the moon on water. No matter how the waves claw, the moon remains unbroken. Yet, it’s still the moon on water.”

The men who followed Cheon Gil-ryong blinked in confusion.

“The old rejoice in brightness, the young rush to grasp the moon on water. Seeing that, Yi Tae-baek was young. Living with it, he eventually jumped in-.”

That grandpa’s throwing riddles again.

Jin Hyk’s lips curled meaningfully.

Yoo Myung-sun, Hong Ki-jun, and Son Kwang-yeon furrowed their brows, trying to grasp Cheon Gil-ryong’s meaning.

It was too loud to be a soliloquy.

Yoo Jin, who had received Cheon Gil-ryong’s teachings and was still learning, sucked her persimmon-stained fingers and pursed her lips.

“The moon on water means the moon reflected in water, something you can see but not grasp. It can mean chasing dreams in a good way, or futile efforts in a bad way. Ahem-.”

“Hohoho-, right. Yoo Jin is the best disciple I’ve found in my life-. Better than Jin Hyk. Right? Jin Hyk has a snake-like side, pretending not to know even when he does. Tsk-, that guy.”

Cheon Gil-ryong smiled brightly at Yoo Jin and Jin Hyk, then hardened his expression and looked back at the sea.

“The father was a good man, content and forgiving, but would the son stay still… Would he spare someone who tried to harm his father… Son, if your mother had died screaming, would you stay still… What this old man’s dim eyes see, what should just be seen… Not seeing but trying to grasp, that’s the moon on water. Not seeing properly, thus rushing to grasp.”

Cheon Gil-ryong clicked his tongue.

Yoo Myung-sun cautiously stepped closer, looking at his feet.

“Didn’t you say he was a man of virtue?”

The two elders were talking about Son Kwang-yeon and Jin Hyk.

Cheon Gil-ryong often praised Son Kwang-yeon tirelessly.

For reviving a declining family.

“Many mistake virtue for being merely kind. Being kind alone makes one a fool, not a virtuous man…”

At Cheon Gil-ryong’s wry smile, Jin Hyk’s mouth stretched wide.

But Jin Hyk was the only one laughing.

“A virtuous man is even more so. How can a virtuous man live under the same sky as his enemy? He sharpens his sword for revenge, enduring hardships, but never gives up. Isn’t it said, ‘A gentleman’s revenge is never too late’? Being virtuous and noble doesn’t alone make one a gentleman. Forgiving enemies is for Jesus, not for a true man.”

“Huh-, it’s not my place to say forgive. But still…”

Tsk. Yoo Myung-sun grimaced.

Finally realizing he had sided with the Son family.

Trying to lecture as an elder with arms crossed.

“A man who just eats and grows old while his enemy lives can’t be called virtuous. A virtuous man waits, hones his skills, and prepares to topple his enemy’s house, even swallowing the country. He must take what the enemy cherishes most. That’s why a virtuous man’s revenge is more cruel and terrifying.”

Tsk-.

Cheon Gil-ryong pursed his lips hard.

“Normally, parents don’t want their children to suffer. Even if it means getting blood on their hands, they want their children to touch gold. Even a dog shivers with its pups in the rain, right?”

Cheon Gil-ryong tapped Jang Gun-i’s head with his pipe.

Heheheh-.

Jang Gun-i wagged his tail, not minding.

“Chairman Yoo, that’s why you couldn’t abandon your unworthy son and entrusted the family to your reliable son-in-law, right? Weren’t you thinking, ‘Take care of my children’? Son, you built your fortress for your children. Why don’t you understand? You’ve grown strong but your wisdom has dimmed, that’s aging…”

Tsk tsk-.

With Hong Ki-jun and Son Kwang-yeon present, he didn’t openly scold Yoo Myung-sun. But he sufficiently shamed him. You’re old.

Yoo Myung-sun bit his lip.

“Another perspective, why did Yi Bang-won cause such a bloodbath? Without that bloodbath, could Sejong have proclaimed the Korean alphabet? No way. Chairman Hong, aren’t you striving to be like Yi Bang-won?”

Still facing the sea, Cheon Gil-ryong’s voice aimed at Hong Ki-jun.

Finally, Hong Ki-jun laughed silently.

As a returnee who experienced a grander, stranger world, there was no reason to be spooked by Cheon Gil-ryong’s sharp gaze.

Hong Ki-jun spoke as if for Yoo Myung-sun’s ears.

“We convened for an important matter, but it’s not for me to take the forefront. Don’t worry.”

Yet his gaze was towards the moon on water.

His friend Son Kwang-yeon doesn’t know the truth.

Revealing the truth without evidence only hurts the friend.

Knowing only the threat’s reality, Son Kwang-yeon chose defense as the best option.

The attack must be led by those who know the truth; the right person is elsewhere.

“Tsk-, let’s drink some makgeolli. The moon is too good-. The times are good, let’s play a tune-. The moon is bright, let’s sing-. Eolssu-.”

Following Cheon Gil-ryong, everyone turned their steps.

Hong Ki-jun brushed Jin Hyk’s shoulder as he passed.

“Proceed with your plan. I’ll back you up. Graduate first.”

Yes. Time is on my side. Jin Hyk answered with his eyes.

Because I’m young.

Jin Hyk’s youth hasn’t even begun.