The Chairman of Pharmaceutical Company is a Poison King - Chapter 176

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 176: Be Self-Reliant

Tsuchida Shohei was going through the palace entry procedures at the New Seoul Imperial Palace.

Today was the day of the Empire’s major figures banquet hosted by His Majesty the Emperor.

Political circles, business world, academia, cultural circles, military, master-level civilian Awakened, and almost all notable figures had received invitations.

The number of people gathering alone was a whopping 3,000.

Tsuchida had also come after receiving an invitation.

He was the chairman of Fuji Group and president of Fujii Construction after all.

Though the group’s scale couldn’t compare to Baekdu, in the construction sector alone, it was top-level in the Samhan Empire.

That Fujii Construction was now shaking.

No, it would be more fitting to say it was being torn to shreds.

A sudden tax and accounting audit had come in.

With just one investigation, the stock hit three consecutive daily limit downs.

That wasn’t all.

The Ministry of Land’s special safety inspection implementation.

Buildings constructed with shoddy work were being exposed one after another.

This was fatal.

It wasn’t just one or two places.

Mixing construction waste materials into concrete was discovered, and stealing rebar was also caught.

They received enormous fines and even demolition and reconstruction orders.

Whether fines or demolition orders, it was impossible to respond because everything was done according to legal procedures.

It was a clear fact that Fujii Construction had committed tax evasion and shoddy construction.

Short-selling forces jumped in, stock prices continued to plummet, shareholders and banks and creditors moved… even rumors of hostile takeover and merger were being heard.

The acquisition entity was TJ Group.

That woman called President Baek Seo-yeon was going around meeting shareholders and bank creditors.

If rumors spread that TJ would acquire Fuji, the stock price would rise, but the problem was the massive over-the-counter transactions – there was no way to stop this.

‘What on earth did I do wrong.’

The Imperial Palace and TJ Group are collaborating to steal his company?

‘Hyena-like bastards…’

Externally, it was because of that incident.

The attempted sexual assault case his son caused.

He had also tried to exert influence but got caught by Jeong Uk-cheol and Geum Su-ho.

His son couldn’t avoid detention.

Still, he didn’t resist and admitted everything.

He was going to pay for his crimes anyway.

But the entire Fuji Group was in danger.

Furthermore, it would disrupt the great cause.

The anti-Han independence struggle.

It meant problems with the funding source.

‘Huu, the Great Japanese Empire will definitely be revived.’

The scale of the anti-Han organization was surprisingly large.

They were scattered evenly across all fields.

There were some among Japanese-origin citizens who used Samhan-style names through surname changes, and some among those who didn’t change surnames and still used Japanese names as they were.

They had almost achieved their goal.

When Emperor Ryu Tae-hyeon was bedridden in the past, that was the golden opportunity.

Ryu Tae-hyeon, who hadn’t shown himself for several years due to a blow from a Mage. The absolute power that ruled the Empire was dying.

How could they miss this opportunity?

They approached Empress Lee’s faction to support the Third Prince, while uniting Japanese forces and allying with some Chinese to raise the banner of independence.

But the results weren’t good.

The Emperor who had been bedridden rose again in perfect health, and due to the Kyushu domain Honda Kazuo faction rebellion incident, many Japanese forces in the military were purged.

If they weren’t careful, the reality of the Anti-Han Independence Struggle Organization might be exposed.

Now they hid underwater, hoping for another opportunity to come.

Does an emperor live for a thousand or ten thousand years?

Even if he’s an Awakened, he’s still human in the end.

He will definitely die someday.

The power struggle for imperial authority will resume too.

The most important key point here.

Just independence alone won’t do.

Independence required enormous money.

Because currently the Japanese Archipelago cannot survive on its own strength.

The Samhan Empire had to become a straw for Japan’s independence.

Whether technology, capital, or military power, they had to suck up Samhan’s nutrients and transfer them to Japan.

But who would have thought such an absurd incident would occur.

Tsuchida Shohei entered the Imperial Palace Banquet Hall.

As soon as he entered, he looked around searching for someone.

‘There he is.’

That guy would naturally have received an invitation too.

Tsuchida quickly approached him.

“Chairman Kim Tae-ju, I’m Tsuchida Shohei.”

Tae-ju tilted his head.

This was someone he was seeing for the first time.

“Who are you?”

“I said I’m Tsuchida Shohei!”

“Hmm, do I know you?”

“…I, I’m the chairman of Fu, Fujii Construction.”

“Ah!”

He should have said that from the start.

How would anyone know who you are if you just come up and say your name?

Tsuchida approached Tae-ju closely with a flushed expression, growling.

“Why are you going this far?”

“What do you mean?”

“The scheme to steal my company by conspiring with the Imperial Palace. Tax audits, safety inspections, and you’re even meeting with creditors.”

This bastard…

Has his liver swollen up?

“Is it my fault that your company ended up like that?”

“…Th, then it’s not?”

“Did I do the shoddy construction? Did I also do the tax evasion?”

“…”

Tae-ju chuckled.

Looking at it, he’s a pitiful guy.

He probably can’t even imagine how the future will unfold.

“Let me give you one piece of advice.”

“What…?”

“Sell me other companies besides Fujii Construction too. If the price is reasonable, I’ll buy them. If you’re interested, we can make a verbal contract here.”

Grrrr!

Tsuchida glared at Tae-ju with bloodshot eyes and gritted his teeth.

“Ho, how dare you!”

“If you want to salvage even a few pennies, this is your last chance.”

“…Not a chance.”

“Well, do as you please.”

Tae-ju knew the reason the Emperor held this banquet.

The 3,000 or so people gathered here, more than half of them were Japanese-descended Empire citizens.

He would probably make the announcement here.

The recognition of an independent Japanese nation.

Soon.

The banquet hall doors opened.

Imperial Palace Secretary Geum Su-ho entered first.

“His Majesty the Emperor will now enter. Everyone, show proper respect.”

People bowed their heads.

Step by step, Emperor Ryu Tae-hyeon crossed the banquet hall radiating an intense aura of imperial authority. He ascended the pre-installed podium and opened his mouth.

“Thank you all for attending despite your busy schedules.”

After the ceremonial greetings ended.

“I ask you. Is the Samhan Empire a democratic nation?”

Then someone stepped forward and answered.

“No, Your Majesty. The Samhan Empire is an absolute monarchy, therefore the owner of the Empire is Your Majesty.”

“Wrong. The owner of Samhan is the people. The former citizens of Daehan and Chinese, Japanese, Russian, Southeast Asian descendants – various peoples have come together to form Samhan.”

“We are deeply honored.”

“They are all precious people who form the foundation of Samhan. I am always grateful to them. However…”

After pausing briefly, the Emperor looked around with piercing eyes. Then he continued speaking.

“I have heard that among some Empire citizens, there are those who refuse to be people of Samhan.”

Murmur murmur, the banquet hall became somewhat noisy.

The Emperor drove the nail in completely.

“If there are any members of anti-Han independence struggle organizations here, raise your hands. Those who want Japan’s independence.”

In an instant!

Silence!

Silence fell over the banquet hall.

Especially cold sweat beaded on the foreheads of the major Japanese figures.

They thought it was a banquet invitation, but had they walked into a great purge with their own feet?

“Do not deny it. And do not worry. The reason I have singled you out in this place is not to punish you.”

Then what?

“By imperial decree, I command. From today, I shall recognize the independence of Japan. Those who wish may live as citizens of Japan, not as Empire citizens.”

A massive bomb had dropped on the banquet hall.

Suddenly?

“From now on, the Japanese Archipelago is not territory of Samhan. I will guarantee your safety, so if you wish to go, leave Samhan.”

The banquet hall remained silent.

Not a single person opened their mouth.

What exactly was the Emperor’s intention?

Did he really mean to recognize independence?

“Of course, I will give you a choice. Whether to remain as citizens of Samhan or become citizens of Japan.”

The Emperor’s words were not yet finished.

“However!”

In a terrifying voice filled with mana.

“Empire citizens involved in anti-Han independence struggles have no choice. You must settle everything and leave Samhan within 6 months without exception. If you ignore this and continue to remain, you will face capital punishment.”

Parliamentary member Kimura Takeshi, elected from Samhan’s southern regions where many Japanese citizens resided, spoke to the Emperor with trembling hands.

“…Your, Your Majesty.”

“Speak.”

“Then do you have plans for the Empire to provide support until Japan becomes a proper independent nation?”

“Support?”

The Emperor snorted.

“Are Japan and Samhan in a relationship where we support and receive support from each other?”

“…Pardon?”

“If you learned history, you should know well. Doesn’t independence mean inheriting the old Japan?”

“Uh, th-that’s correct, but,”

“After the mana invasion, when the Korean Peninsula fell into chaos, which country launched a preemptive invasion without even declaring war?”

“…Our, our ancestors also did it for sur-survival.”

“Do you realize how absurd your words are right now?”

Member Kimura could not refute.

“Remember this. The independent Japan that will be established in the future is not an ally of Samhan. Therefore, we will not establish diplomatic relations between us. Immigration will also be strictly regulated. Economic exchange, that is, imports and exports, will not be permitted. Achieve complete self-reliance with your own strength.”

People finally realized.

This was not recognition of independence.

It was a cruel banishment order.

Confining them in the massive prison called the Japanese Archipelago.

Tsuchida Shohei was completely out of his mind.

The anti-Han independence organization members were the same.

‘Self-reliance?’

By what means exactly?

A crisis of having everything taken away and being banished.

Meanwhile, Tae-ju was impressed.

‘He really has charisma.’

Even though when meeting with him personally, he was a scatterbrain who just spouted nonsense.

He had cornered them completely.

Even if an independent Japan was established, what could they do?

War?

How could they attack the Samhan Empire, one of Earth’s superpowers?

In the end, it was no different from choosing isolation themselves.

In fact, realistically speaking, cutting off communication so coldly like this in ordinary countries or human relationships is never satisfying.

That would be a disaster.

Rather, it’s close to self-harm.

You also suffer tremendous damage yourself.

Because in community society, people are often entangled in complex relationships with each other.

However, in this case, it’s not a problem at all.

From Samhan’s perspective, Japanese territory was like a burden.

Is there oil there, natural gas? At best it’s a monster-infested area, and the land itself is disappearing.

Cutting it off is much more beneficial.

Moral responsibility?

Since they gave choices to those unrelated to this situation, there would be no problem.

‘By the way, I should tell Seo-yeon to shop to her heart’s content.’

He had planned to be satisfied with just Fujii Construction, but it would be fine to buy a few more.

* * *

Hwangcheon-gye.

Jacques Deluane’s soul had ascended.

Swift punishment was delivered and he was processed as a sinner.

Following that, Vincent Moretti’s soul also ascended to Hwangcheon-gye in the same manner.

Their names were not written in the ledger of fate.

Was there a need to write them?

Also, there was no need to write them.

Yama judged Vincent with the Pangwan’s scales.

“Vincent Moretti, you know your own sins.”

Naturally, the scales moved toward evil.

Vincent and Jacques.

How many people had they killed?

Vincent had massacred the Emperor and the armies of the European Empire, and Jacques had led his world to destruction.

No matter how different the world was, the sins they committed would be carved into their souls.

Under the pretext of pursuing truth, they killed people without any guilt.

They were worse than psychopaths or sociopaths.

They were no different from demons.

They were demons among demons.

“Jacques Deluane, I sentence you to hell!”

Bang!

The magistrate’s gavel was swung.

Then.

Swoosh.

A human body was created and Vincent’s soul entered it.

“Is it done?”

“It’s done.”

“Done!”

“So now we can beat him up and he won’t die?”

“Can we take him with us?”

Yama waved his hands dismissively and said.

“Take him away quickly.”

It was a soul that had come up through loopholes anyway.

It could be seen as temporarily deceiving the eyes of the heavenly deities.

Even Tae-ju, who had ties to the Immortal Realm, couldn’t stay long.

It was the same principle as Earth pushing out the Swordsman. The natural order of the world could never be defied.

In other words, as time passed, the souls of Jacques and Vincent would naturally perish.

They had to extract everything quickly before that happened.

The sinner Vincent Moretti was brought over to the Immortal Realm.

As if he had been waiting, the Swordsman casually threw down 10 locked subspace bags and said.

“Open them.”

“….”

“Oh? Being rebellious?”

Then he looked at Kang Rim.

“Hey, he’s not listening.”

“Got it.”

Originally, sinners couldn’t resist the Chasa at all.

High-level souls like Cheonma or Hyeolma might be able to rebel, but Vincent Moretti hadn’t reached that level.

“Open them.”

When Kang Rim commanded, Vincent Moretti touched the formulas of the subspace bags with trembling hands to unlock them.

“Yes!”

The subspace bags opened.

Various golems and crystals poured out from inside.

“Ooooh!”

“What are all these?”

“They look like construction equipment,”

“…But how do we use these?”

“The smart immortals will figure out a way.”

The two immortals known to be the smartest in the Immortal Realm.

Demon Valley Immortal and Galhong Immortal were in Hwangcheon-gye.

Yama shook the soul-summoning bell.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Then Jacques Deluane’s life unfolded like a movie.

From entering enchant magical engineering to finally becoming a grand magical engineer, the countless memories and events Jacques had experienced in his world.

Gwi-gok and Gal Hong were studying Jacques’ life through indirect experience, with notebooks and writing instruments prepared.

But Danggumak was also dragged along.

Also with writing instruments in hand.

“…Why do I have to learn magical engineering,”

“Oh my, Dok-seon! Why are your thoughts so short-sighted?”

“What?”

“You need to learn magical engineering and pass it on to Kim Tae-ju. Then on Earth too, they can make subspace bags, and golems, and dimensional gates too….”

“No, wait, how could I? It’s not like I can go to Earth.”

“Tsk tsk, did you forget about soul connection? When connected, knowledge is automatically transmitted. So let’s study magical engineering diligently. I’ll teach you well.”

“….”

Danggumak wasn’t stupid either.

‘…I became an immortal and now I have to study?’

But there was no choice.

If it would benefit Tae-ju, he had to do it.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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