Reset Life with Infinite Talents - Chapter 171
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
Infinite Talent Reset Life Episode 171
Several photos posted on SNS by famous Korean actors caused an enormous uproar.
-Why is that thing in America?
└Sangju? Sangju edition? That’s… huh?
└Is that right? Is Hunminjeongeum currently in America?
└There’s also the Odaesan manuscript?
└Why did they leave out the royal portraits?
└There are even early Gyeongbokgung Palace blueprints…?
-Damn it! The Sinmiyangyo!
└America, these bastards! They swept everything away!
-Am I the only one moved by this right now?
└Whoa. So that’s what King Jeongjong looked like…
└What are you doing, Cultural Heritage Administration! Hurry up and retrieve them!
-The Sangju edition owner’s statement is out. Says it’s fake.
└It’s gotta be fake, damn it lol!
-There’s also a document about the Japanese king paying tribute to the Baekje king?
South Korea and Japan were turned upside down.
* * *
Langley, Virginia.
Thud thud!
Agent Lynch enters the lobby of CIA headquarters.
The eagle emblem symbolizing the CIA on the floor and the nameless stars carved into one wall.
After briefly looking at them, Lynch heads to the deputy director’s office.
Knock knock knock!
“I’m coming in.”
He enters without even waiting for an answer.
Glancing at the Elderly Woman in her 60s sitting at the desk, absorbed in something, he sits on the sofa.
Thud!
“Mine?”
“Buy your own.”
Hiss!
“Tsk.”
Clicking her tongue as she stands up, Eliza Deputy Director picks up the tumbler on her desk and sits across from Lynch.
“What do you think?”
The situation has become serious with the exhibition of Hunminjeongeum and other artifacts. Not only Korea, but Japan and China are also protesting, demanding the return of their national treasures.
Because of this, even CIA Director John Brennan has been summoned to the White House.
“What amount did they propose?”
Click! Hiss!
Cigarette smoke from Eliza Deputy Director’s mouth drifts toward the ceiling.
“First, friendly return for diplomacy between nations and friendship between allied countries.”
“Words not worth listening to.”
Korea alone was negotiating with the fake Hunminjeongeum owner based on 100 million dollars.
Even if they didn’t expect that much, returning them for free was impossible.
“The museum directors are also applying pressure.”
Famous museums in America, including New York museums, are red-eyed and pressuring politicians. They’re saying they’ll pay sufficient compensation, so please build bridges so they can display the treasures in their larger museums for the public good.
Soon, museums from various countries including Britain would also be making contact.
“Those words are also not worth listening to. What have they done for America to make such demands?”
On the other hand, the treasures Johann handed over to the CIA number over 64,000 pieces.
Not only treasures with enormous monetary value like bonds, gold bars, and real estate, but also treasures with historical value that cannot be converted to money.
“That’s not all.”
About 6 years ago, numerous materials found in a deceased agent’s secret safe house. Some of those materials made great contributions to eliminating Al-Qaeda remnants.
And the recent Chinese spy incident.
Starting with Linda Sun, who was a congressman’s chief aide, it greatly helped in completely destroying the base of Chinese spies hiding in New York State.
He protected America’s security.
“…Hoho. That’s right.”
Eliza Deputy Director’s eyes turn cold.
“But we can’t show no movement at all.”
Big shots that even the CIA found burdensome had applied pressure with stiff necks. Even if it ended as a formality, they had to show at least some attempt to try something.
“Understood. I’ll sound out his intentions.”
Fortunately, Johann had previously indicated his willingness to exchange the treasures he possessed with other treasures owned by museums in America, so the conversation might end more easily than expected.
However, regarding each government’s return requests, they would try to match conditions as much as possible, but if Johann refused, there was nothing they could do.
“Then… let’s wrap up this matter here.”
It would be awkward to leave too quickly, so he could just chat and then leave.
“Me with you?”
“I don’t like it either.”
Agents avoid conversing with each other. It’s tiring because they try to find meaning in each other’s every word and action.
“What’s the big star doing now?”
Big Star, the code name the CIA uses for Johann. It used to be Little Wolf.
“Currently experiencing being a concierge.”
“…Unpredictable.”
Sometimes a philanthropist who does what the government should do.
Sometimes a great explorer.
Sometimes a great inventor.
Sometimes a great investor, artist.
Ring!
“Wait.”
Lynch, checking his phone that only rings for important matters, bursts into hollow laughter.
“Big Star has brought a Middle Eastern big shot this time.”
“…?”
Eliza Deputy Director blinked her eyes.
* * *
“T-there was such a painting!”
The Korean section on the 3rd floor of ENU Museum.
Cultural heritage officials from Korea are shocked looking at a painting hanging in the space where early Joseon kings’ portraits and the Hunminjeongeum Sangju edition are displayed.
A family painting of King Taejo Yi Seong-gye and Queen Sinui Han, along with their first son Yi Bang-wu, Jeong Jong Leebang-gwa, Prince Ikan Yi Bang-ui, Prince Hoean Yi Bang-gan, King Taejong, Prince Deokan Yi Bang-yeon, Princess Gyeongsin, and Princess Gyeongseon.
Looking at this family painting from their young days, with their bright smiles and awkward grins, they couldn’t help but feel their hearts might burst with overwhelming emotion.
A painting not even recorded in history. Not only the Hunminjeongeum manuscript but these paintings were also historical materials that needed to be retrieved.
“Please! I beg you! Let us meet the owner of this museum!”
“If we can’t meet them, at least give us contact information!”
“I told you it’s impossible. If you continue causing a disturbance, we’ll take forcible ejection measures.”
“No! Don’t do that!”
‘Hmm.’
Among the spectators who flocked here because of the incredible treasures, Johann, who had been watching the commotion caused by the Korean People, turns around.
He had come to check after hearing news that people had flocked here from Korea.
‘There shouldn’t be any particular problem.’
Even if a few genuine pieces were mixed in, he probably wouldn’t think to authenticate them.
‘Those are fake-looking real ones that I drew.’
Everything from King Taejo Yi Seong-gye to the family portraits. Johann had drawn them and aged them with time.
‘It was also Yi Bang-gwa’s regret.’
‘Jeong Jong Yi Bang-gwa’ had greatly regretted not being able to preserve the image of when all the family brothers relied on each other. So he had drawn it for him and displayed it like this.
“Hmm. Mason, should we think of those paintings as equivalent to a family photo of President George Washington for us Americans?”
Mason nods at Emily’s words.
Mason Moon had come with Johann and the others, seeing an opportunity after hearing that old Korean artifacts were being displayed.
“More precisely, it should be seen as a family photo from before he became president, perhaps?”
But imagine that hanging in a British museum.
“…Wow. I understand immediately.”
“Why? Do you think it should be returned?”
At Emily’s serious expression, Johann casually asks.
“Huh? Not really.”
She could understand the sentiment, but had no intention of making judgments about it. That decision was entirely up to the current owner.
“If they really want it, they’ll try to pay a fair price for it.”
Of course, whether to make a deal or not would also be the owner’s decision.
Johann nods at those words.
“They’ll probably decide what to do after seeing the atmosphere at today’s auction.”
“Huh?”
“There’s an auction at the hotel today.”
The second step to promote the hotel. That was the antique art auction being held today, Saturday of the hotel’s third week of opening, in the grand banquet hall on the 19th floor.
“The auction being held today… Right! The organizer was ENU Museum!”
The memory of seeing it while copying documents comes back.
Auction participation is limited only to guests staying in rooms on the 20th floor and above, and 50 items are being put up for auction. Most of the winning bid amounts will be used for disadvantaged people in LA and California.
Johann, who had recited the document contents in detail, lets out a chuckle.
“You didn’t look at the document contents in detail, did you?”
“I’m not you.”
Emily cuts off Johann’s words while frowning.
“Why are you getting angry?”
It was then that Johann and Emily were bickering like that.
Suddenly, a hand reaches toward Emily.
Smack!
Johann strikes away the hand trying to grab Emily.
“Ahhhhh!”
A man in his 30s rolls on the floor clutching his wrist.
“What’s this?”
Johann’s coldly sunken eyes glare at the man who had been among the Korean people just moments before.
“You’ve got some nerve. Daring to touch my girlfriend…”
“No! It’s not that! I, I just wanted to ask something! Young people! Is, is what you just said really true?! About holding an auction?”
Questions that echo throughout the exhibition hall and focused gazes.
‘Bingo.’
Johann twisted his lips.
* * *
Pinch!
“Ugh?”
Inside the car racing toward the hotel.
Johann looks at Emily in surprise as his side is suddenly pinched mercilessly.
“I’m letting this slide just this once.”
Johann had deliberately explained the auction details in detail in a public setting.
This auction, featuring as many as 50 precious treasures from various countries, was bound to attract public attention. Add to that the meaningful gesture of returning most of the winning bid amounts to society.
If it became known that such an auction was being held within the hotel, they could enjoy tremendous promotional effects.
Emily, who realized Johann’s intention behind this and that she had been used as a chess piece, glares at Johann demurely.
As expected, she’s quick-witted. It was fortunate it ended with just this much.
“…Sorry. And I love you.”
“But what could the owner of ENU Museum be thinking? Tax evasion? Illegal fund creation? The idea that things from that country should return to that country?”
Usually, once treasures enter a museum, they rarely come out. Even if they’re quite minor items.
But the owner of ENU Museum had unhesitatingly held an auction with those items. Even though it had only been three weeks since the museum opened.
“The idea that there’s some connection between our hotel and ENU Museum… that’s just my speculation, right?”
It’s a reasonable speculation.
While this auction would help promote the museum, the hotel would benefit more.
No, considering that museums only gain value when they possess treasures, and that most of the winning bid amounts are being returned to society, this auction brings no benefit to the museum at all.
It’s a situation that can’t be understood without some connection between the hotel and museum.
But he can’t give a definitive answer. Sometimes it’s better not to know.
“Well, there must be good reasons for it.”
“Hmm… Won’t the hotel face any damage?”
“Not at all.”
‘Japan will be suspicious, but they can’t make a scene.’
The CIA had created fictional characters to approach Larry, Edward, and Mr. Kellner, presenting massive money and blueprints for profits from the auction to buy partial stakes, then dispersed those partial stakes under multiple names.
One of them is the owner of ENU Museum, a fictional character put forward by the CIA, and they’re currently spreading information about this deal underwater. Information that the owner of ENU Museum acquired hotel stakes to comfortably launder money.
‘Of course, they wouldn’t be an intelligence agency if they stopped here.’
But if they dig deeper than this, they’ll not only face suspicions that the US government is behind it, but also suspicions that major powers like Japan and China are involved in this matter.
It becomes a secret that shouldn’t be dug into further.
‘From this point on, it’s essentially a hell of distrust that unfolds.’
They start thinking that someone within their country is secretly collaborating with America to smuggle in national or personally owned treasures and convert them to cash.
Sudden cash conversion means there’s some ulterior motive.
That’s how small cracks form among the ruling classes of major powers.
The CIA completed such a scheme by merely creating a few fictional characters.
‘This is why the CIA is scary.’
How could they trust other countries when they don’t even trust their own citizens?
The CIA’s primary goal is always America’s security. Since they don’t care what happens to other countries, they can carry out such schemes without hesitation.
‘The CIA still remembers, and will continue to remember, the cold winter winds of the Cold War.’
“Then that’s fine.”
Emily grabbed Johann’s hand on the gear stick, and Johann pulled his hand away to wrap around her shoulders and pull her close.
Kiss!
“I love you.”
“Yeah.”
The two shared warmth for a moment.
“Right. Today you’re working front desk duty, how do you feel about it?”
“…I feel like I’m going to die.”
Even in the office, the constant refrain is ‘the lobby is the hotel’s first impression.’
Moreover, today is the day when guests who casually pay over $10,000 per night for rooms on the 20th floor and above are flocking in to participate in the auction.
“If I make a mistake…”
“It’s okay. You won’t make any mistakes. Because you’re Emily Sherman.”
“Haaa… Whew!”
As Emily’s expression became determined, Johann smiled, and the car carrying them arrived at the parking lot.
“Good work.”
“You too!”
Johann parts ways with Emily in front of the changing room and heads to the concierge office on the second floor.
Flinch!
‘What?’
A stranger is standing inside the office.
‘Arab descent. Smell of gunpowder.’
He senses an unmistakable battlefield aura from behind the sunglasses.
Johann’s eyes measure the distance to the man and scan the surroundings for something to grab.
“Ah, Johann! You’re here?”
The concierge approaches with a bright smile.
Johann relaxes about halfway.
“Who is this?”
“Hehe. A VVVIP’s security guard.”
The concierge holds out the accommodation reservation list.
“…Wow.”
They’ve come. The Middle Eastern wealthy person they were trying to attract.
‘Emily’s in big trouble.’
A prince from the Al Nahyan Royal Family of Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, has rented out the entire 29th floor. All four penthouses on the 29th floor that cost $50,000 per night.
‘And it had to be today.’
The Abu Dhabi prince will surely come swarming with attendants in tow.
“To breathe properly…”
‘Wait. Doesn’t the Arab side practice polygamy?’
Emily, who is clearly a beauty.
Johann’s expression hardened stiffly.
* * *
“All clear.”
As the security guard who went inside comes out, a man in his 40s with thick facial features shakes his head.
“Why go to such lengths to protect a concubine’s son with no real power…”
‘Because you are Tarun bin Zayed Al Nahyan.’
Al Nahyan, the surname of the Abu Dhabi royal family.
And bin Zayed, a middle name that currently only one direct lineage in the United Arab Emirates can use.
Tarun was a direct descendant of Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the first president of the United Arab Emirates and 13th Amir, who died in 2004.
‘And…’
Scratch! Scratch!
“Meow!”
As the secretary remains silent and Tarun’s face crumples, the sound of a cat scratching wood or something comes from behind them.
Then Tarun’s face becomes urgent.
“Let it out quickly.”
“Yes.”
A large attendant struggles to carry a big portable case and opens the door.
Then…
“Meow!”
A large Savannah cat that shot out like an arrow becomes confused in the unfamiliar space.
“Bibi.”
“Meow?”
The Savannah cat looks at Tarun with wavering eyes.
But that’s only for a moment.
Sniff? Sniff sniff?
“Meow!”
The Savannah cat suddenly dashes into the penthouse.
“Hm?”
Tarun and the attendants’ eyes widen as they take large steps in surprise.
“Purr. Purr!”
Scratch! Scratch scratch!
The secretary approaches the gold thread scratcher placed in one corner of the spacious living room, watching the happy pet, then gets surprised.
“It seems catnip has been sprinkled.”
There’s a very faint smell of catnip.
At those words, Tarun looks around the penthouse living room in surprise.
“They said they allow wild animals…”
Toys clearly meant for large feline animals are placed here and there, and dozens of luxurious rugs with wood grain patterns are connected to make the floor soft.
Consideration can be felt in what might seem trivial details.
“There’s also an Islamic restaurant that uses only halal-certified ingredients, so dining won’t be inconvenient.”
“This is my first time at such a hotel.”
Arabs whom the whole world avoids because of extremist Muslims.
Yet it was hard to believe they even had a restaurant for Muslims.
“What time is the auction?”
“It starts at 8 o’clock.”
“Got it. You may go.”
“Yes.”
As the attendants quickly disappear, Tarun sits on the sofa and his eyes become languid.
He runs his hand through his hair.
“Doing all sorts of things to survive.”
There’s an item he must win at today’s auction.
A treasure he wouldn’t have known existed if not for the auction catalog sent by ENU Museum a few days ago.
‘And…’
“Our nephew needs to breathe too.”
Thinking of his nephew who would have unpacked in the penthouse at the opposite end, he watches his pet rolling on the floor and closes his eyes.
‘I feel like I can breathe a little too.’
Leaving the stuffy and brutal Abu Dhabi, he felt like he could live a little.
* * *
“Excellent skill.”
“Th-thank you!”
Tarun pats the chef’s shoulder, gets up, and heads to the auction hall on the 19th floor.
The door opens when he shows his room key.
‘Oh?’
There are people wearing traditional Islamic clothing like himself, as well as white people, black people, and many Asians.
‘What I need, others need too.’
Today’s auction seems like it will be quite interesting.
“The owner of ENU seems like a fictional character?”
“It seems… the US government is behind it.”
It had the scent of CIA.
“The US government holding an antique art auction… Is it a slush fund channel?”
“That’s why I’m telling you.”
The LA branch manager of BlackRock, who essentially handled the 2009 subprime mortgage crisis on government request, is one of the major shareholders here.
“Kellner, the actual owner family of Boeing, is also a major shareholder.”
Boeing, one of the defense companies.
“My prediction was correct.”
If that’s the case, there shouldn’t be any worry about thieving scoundrels. At least for today when the auction is being held, America will protect this place.
“Contact my nephew and tell him to go for a night walk or something. He’s at that age now.”
“…Yes.”
The secretary who had no choice but to nod picks up his mobile phone.
But…
‘What?’
He’s not answering the phone. Even though he must answer.
The secretary looked at Tarun with trembling eyes.
—————
This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
—————
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE
