I Became a Scoundrel of a Chaebol Family-Chapter 96

“I suppose I might have let my guard down a bit, seeing as my opponent was an amateur. It wasn’t intentional, of course... but the thought crossed my mind, which made me a bit too relaxed. But one thing is clear: our Chairman is at a professional level. I can confidently say that.”

“Oh, so you let your guard down?”

“When he opened with 33, I felt myself loosening up. I thought, ‘Ah, he must be nervous, playing defensively like that. Maybe I can be a bit more assertive.’ I figured that was the safe bet... but in hindsight, maybe that was the root of the problem.”

“Which moment took you most by surprise?”

“Well... when he cut off my move in the lower left early on, that caught me off guard.”

“Honestly, that’s not an easy move to spot, is it?”

“No, it’s not. Even if you do see it, reading through the sequence is incredibly meticulous. Even most professionals would choose to connect rather than cut. But he went ahead and made that bold move.”

“After that, Chairman Go Yeong-man launched a fierce offensive. What was going through your mind then?”

“Well... once the momentum’s shifted, coming up with a countermeasure becomes extremely tough. And then there’s this thought that keeps nagging: ‘Is this really happening?’ Since you’re facing an amateur, it’s hard to shake off the surprise.”

“Ah, so you couldn’t focus?”

“More like I got caught up in his smokescreen tactics... Haha. He’s hardly someone who should be considered an amateur.”

In a later interview, 9-dan Cho Ki-han shared his thoughts on the grandfather’s skill. He made some excuses about losing focus, but in truth, his words seemed less like excuses and more like an honest assessment.

No matter how legendary the Go master Han Gyeong-young was back in the day, a true icon of the Go world, it’s been fifty years. Defeating the current strongest player in a serious match would be no easy feat.

“Facing an amateur and trying not to let your guard down... it’s harder than it sounds.”

A pro player should be able to win even if they’re taking it easy against an amateur. In that sense, the impact of this event on the Go community will likely be immense.

“A conglomerate leader in Asia debuting as a Go professional... It’s an unimaginable scenario, and it really makes me look forward to what’s ahead. Who knows what might happen next.”

If he truly has the passion to pursue this and joins the professional league or even enters national or international tournaments, it would be quite exciting to see.

“I had already been looking into it myself.”

“Oh, really?”

“It seemed too good to pass up, so I made a proposal to the Chairman. I told him about the different ways he could qualify and suggested he give the pro debut a try.”

“Oh, so you’re the one who made the first suggestion?”

“Absolutely, absolutely. I approached him first. I practically begged him, even got down on my knees.”

“Oh, I see.”

“For the development of the Go community, we need fresh talent like the Chairman. Think about how sensational it would be! Asia’s top conglomerate leader joining as a professional Go player? Who could resist that?”

“I don’t think I could resist it either.”

Following 9-dan Cho Ki-han’s interview, there were more interviews with the Chairman of the Go Association and then my grandfather himself. While most of the comments were pretty standard and a bit dull, I felt a sense of pride when Grandpa mentioned me, saying that the Go board I had gifted him played a big role in inspiring him to take on this challenge.

After all, if he truly enjoys it, that’s what matters. Perhaps that’s what it means to feel a family bond. It’s strange.

“To think I’d feel a sense of family with the most notorious corporation in the world...”

It’s a bizarre but amusing situation. I know I shouldn’t, but I feel like I’m starting to relax around my family.

“...Stay focused, Go Muyeol.”

I keep telling myself to stay alert... but something keeps drawing me in.

The entire event eventually wrapped up. Grandpa, with recommendations from 9-dan Cho Ki-han and the Go Association President and Vice President, joined as a special talent, officially becoming a Go professional.

From now on, in the Go world, Grandpa would no longer be known as Chairman Go Yeong-man but as First-dan Go Yeong-man. He’d probably prefer that title anyway.

Grandpa held onto the Go board tightly all the way back to the Taeyang Palace. He must really love Go.

“Our father, when did he get so good at Go?”

As we walked toward the dining hall for dinner, Min-young asked. Others also seemed curious, watching for Grandpa’s answer.

“When, you ask! It’s the result of my persistent efforts. Do you think skills like this come easy?”

“Still, no one expected you to have professional-level skills. It’s honestly unbelievable. Our father, with a professional’s skill in Go...”

“Well...”

Grandpa trailed off. It seemed his skill wasn’t entirely his own.

That makes sense, right? No matter how talented an amateur is, beating a pro would be nearly impossible. He must’ve had some help from Master Han Gyeong-young’s spirit.

“Ahem, of course, I didn’t know either. I just kept playing diligently, and somehow my skills improved to this point.”

“Then what gave you the confidence to hold this event today?”

“Well... it was all thanks to Muyeol here.”

Me?

“The Go board he gave me awakened my dreams. It told me, ‘Go Yeong-man, your true passion is Go!’ So I went for it, come hell or high water. Satisfied?”

“...”

Aunt Min-young looked a bit skeptical. But if Grandpa insists, what else can anyone say? Unless the spirit of Han Gyeong-young pops up right here.

While the adults talked, the usual suspects started bickering again.

“Ugh. I thought I’d die of boredom.”

“Well, you don’t have much patience, so it must’ve been hard.”

“It’s not that I lack patience. It’s that Go is as dull as dirt.”

Read lat𝙚st chapters at fɾeewebnoveℓ.co๓ Only.

“Should I tell Grandpa that?”

“Oh, this little punk. Are you trying to tattle on me?”

“Who’re you calling little?”

“She really has no filter.”

It’s such a peaceful, harmonious family. There doesn’t seem to be any hidden agendas or political maneuvering. As I felt during Chuseok, this family harmony is almost enough to give me cognitive dissonance.

“Are the direct descendants genuinely close?”

Maybe it’s really like that...

“Muyeol, is there anything you want?”

At the dinner table, Grandpa asked me again. He’d said something similar when I gave him the Go board, so this was the second time. I suppose he’s that proud of me.

“But I can’t think of anything...”

It’s easier to desire something when there’s an obstacle or a challenge, but right now, everything is going well. I turned 75 billion won into 16 trillion. Is there anything I need to ask Grandpa for?

It’s probably best to say something that will warm his heart. That way, he’ll remember it with interest and eventually reward me even more.

Perhaps...

“Grandpa, I’d like to grow on my own.”

“Hm?”

“I’ve decided to live properly, and I want to see how far I can go. I’ve already received a lot from you.”

“Haha, is that so? You always say the most admirable things!”

Grandpa laughed heartily, and the others looked on with endearment.

“Indeed, a man should have that much confidence!”

With a proud laugh, Grandpa tapped the table.

“But kid, don’t refuse Grandpa’s offer so easily, okay?”

Even if he says that, I really can’t think of anything...

Money, I can earn on my own. If there’s something I’d really need, it’d be power.

Right now, the two projects that involve state power are the takedown of an agency with Naeun’s help and the development of the Namdong Industrial Complex.

Of these, the one with the least progress is the Namdong development. I haven’t even bought the land yet, and I’ll need to deal with the city later to get all the necessary permits and benefits.

So if I were to ask Grandpa for something that would have a more immediate impact, it would be the Namdong project. However...

“I can negotiate that with the city myself. They stand to gain as well. But the special prosecutor situation... that’s different.”

I want to keep Naeun’s special investigation ongoing for as long as possible. It’s an unbelievable power, with authority over summary judgment.

However, a special prosecutor is a limited-term position, focused on a specific issue. Legally, it can’t extend beyond 100 days, and it’s difficult to wield as I please.

Even if I try to bypass the rules, the prosecutor’s office will inevitably dissolve it once it draws too much attention. Therefore, to make it a permanent tool with broader applications, the system itself needs reform.

That, of course, would be much more challenging than persuading the city on the Namdong project. So if I’m going to ask Grandpa for a favor, this would be it.

Making Naeun’s special prosecutor permanent and expanding its scope!

“Setting up a permanent special prosecutor’s office with judges included would be ideal.”

If that happened, I’d control a significant part of Incheon’s judiciary...

“Why so quiet?”

“Well then, Grandpa, I’d like to make the special prosecutor position permanent.”

“Hm? Special prosecutor?”

“Yes. I’d like you to help establish a permanent special prosecutor in Incheon, centered around the prosecutors I work with.”

I explained my vision to Grandpa.

He chuckled.

“So... you want Incheon?”

“...”

“Alright. I’ll propose a bill in that direction to the council.”

“Thank you, Grandpa!”

Grandpa called Secretary Jung to give the order. Now, Jung’s team would refine my idea into a concrete blueprint and submit it to the Incheon council.

It’ll take time with all the new laws, amendments, and institutions that need establishing. But the fact that it’s possible is what matters.

“Oh, and set up a new office for Muyeol’s secretarial team.”

“Yes, Chairman.”