The Chairman of Pharmaceutical Company is a Poison King - Chapter 48

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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 48: At New Seoul Station

New Seoul Mirinae Pharmaceutical Company.

President Lee Dong-woo was having a private conversation with his trusted subordinate, Jeon Ju-hak, Department Head of the headquarters’ Future Strategy Office.

“The factory being built on the outskirts of New Seoul right now is definitely Taehong Bio, right?”

“I’ve confirmed it. I heard they also purchased a 20-story branch building in Shinjongno District.”

“Have these bastards lost their minds? How dare they think they can come here.”

Taehong Bio’s expansion into New Seoul.

Until now, they were just a local company doing business only in Gurye, so he let them be even when they acted up.

But these country bumpkins should know their place when looking down on New Seoul.

“What about the Patent Office situation? Have applications for spore poison antidote and recovery medicine come in?”

“I’ve been asking around, but nothing has come in yet.”

“Really? What about the New Seoul Food and Drug Administration?”

“No news from there either.”

To sell medicine in regions other than Gurye, they need to get approval.

Even though the process has been simplified, it’s still much stricter and more complex than in Gurye.

“How is our research going?”

“I’m sorry, but we haven’t made any significant progress…”

The Mirinae Pharmaceutical Research Institute had been conducting countless studies.

To copy Taehong’s antidote and recovery medicine.

Once they succeeded in copying it, Mirinae Pharmaceutical could file the patent first.

But there had been no progress.

They had discovered that even with the same ingredients, it wasn’t exactly the same.

There was definitely a special processing procedure involved.

The problem was they couldn’t even begin to figure out what it was.

Jeon Ju-hak glanced at Lee Dong-woo’s expression and said,

“Actually, their expansion into Seoul might be an opportunity for us.”

“Why?”

“To sell medicine here, they need FDA approval, and they’ll obviously file patents too…”

“Should we bribe the officials to get the manufacturing formula?”

“Yes! Just leave it to me.”

Lee Dong-woo pondered.

For now, that method would be the fastest.

Besides, they were kings in New Seoul.

A web-like network of connections.

As for Kim Tae-ju, his only connections would be the military.

“Proceed quietly, don’t leave any traces.”

“Yes!”

This wasn’t their first time doing this.

There were already many officials at the Patent Office and FDA who received monthly salaries(?) from Mirinae Pharmaceutical.

“Oh! And there’s information that Kim Tae-ju will be coming to New Seoul soon.”

“When? For what purpose?”

“About a week from now. It seems to be for visiting the New Seoul branch and the factory opening ceremony.”

“Hah! So he’s crawling here on his own feet?”

New Seoul.

The center of culture and economy in the Three Han Empire.

In fact, it wouldn’t be wrong to say the Empire’s citizens were divided into two groups.

New Seoul citizens and provincial people.

It would be a mistake to think you could become a New Seoul citizen just by having money.

‘I need to show him his place.’

All this time, he had sent countless love calls to those Taehong Bio country bumpkins, suggesting they do business together.

But he had only been humiliated.

Royalty contracts, OEM production contracts, the best contracts in the industry – all rejected repeatedly.

He had really made huge concessions.

He had given them everything, heart and soul.

He could learn the production know-how later anyway.

He had even tried approaching Taehong Bio’s general manager directly.

Baek Seo-yeon, former manager of Mirinaei Group’s Future Strategy Office – he thought his persuasion would work on her.

He had even called her personally.

He promised to give her enough money to last a lifetime if she brought him the manufacturing formula.

But she didn’t even give him the time of day.

In the end, she even blocked his phone number.

Had he ever been so absurdly ignored like this?

‘Tsk tsk, this is why you shouldn’t treat slaves too well.’

He had promoted her to the youngest manager, but she forgot that favor, abandoned it, and now became an enemy of the group.

Fine.

Let’s see each other’s faces this time.

“Find out the exact schedule.”

“Yes!”

“Let’s go out to greet him.”

Would it be right to just sit still when a country bumpkin is coming to New Seoul?

He should give him a proper initiation ceremony.

* * *

Baek Seo-yeon was the general manager of Taehong Bio, but she was also Kim Tae-ju’s personal secretary.

‘I should move the opening ceremony schedule to the very end.’

Since the chairman said he would stay in New Seoul until the patents came out, the opening ceremony would be the last item on the agenda.

‘Hotel reservation complete. Vehicles are ready, and the awakened officer escorts can handle the driving.’

She could leave it to the secretarial office, but she was personally handling the schedule and protocol.

At least until she hired a competent secretary later.

Taehong Bio’s entry into New Seoul.

The moment of stepping up from a regional company to a nationwide enterprise.

That said, they weren’t planning to make a big fuss about it in newspapers or broadcasts.

They hadn’t distributed any press releases either.

If it was urgent, the media would come for interviews themselves, and even then, they weren’t planning to respond.

The main purpose of coming to Seoul was to meet the employees who would work in New Seoul and hold an event to encourage them.

All the Gurye employees knew.

How amazing Chairman Kim Tae-ju was.

That’s why they were united with one heart and mind.

But New Seoul was different.

He would impress upon the new employees how amazing the company they worked for was.

Of course, excessive protocol wouldn’t be good.

It might give the impression of a country nouveau riche wanting attention.

Appropriately, with dignity.

But a troublesome matter had arisen.

Lieutenant Do Min-su came to see Baek Seo-yeon.

“Sigh, I asked you to select an appropriate number, didn’t I?”

“…Well, somehow word got out to the entire Jiri Mountain Army. And the awakened officers are quite free these days.”

The protocol escort list that Lieutenant Do Min-su brought.

She had requested 5 people, but he wrote down 10 names.

“Don’t worry. Five of these volunteered without pay. They also promised to cover their own accommodation and meal expenses.”

“Am I doing this because of money? The chairman isn’t some gang boss – what would people think if 10 people follow him around in a group?”

“…It won’t work out after all, will it?”

Lieutenant Do Min-su looked dejected.

This made his heart soften again.

They had become quite close since he was first dispatched to Taehong Bio and took on all the unpleasant tasks.

“…Alright. I’ll hire all 10 of them.”

“Th-thank you.”

“I’ll give you a card, so go to the department store and buy suits and shoes for each of them. Don’t forget to bring the receipts.”

“Understood. Um, but…”

“What is it?”

“What cosmetics do you use? Your skin has gotten so much better, you’re beautiful. Hahaha…”

After making a fuss, he flinched when he saw Baek Seo-yeon’s cold stare.

“I-I’ll return to the base now. I’ll conduct thorough escort training and come back.”

After Do Min-su left, Baek Seo-yeon took out a hand mirror from her pocket and looked at her face.

A face without any makeup.

Though she was in her thirties, her skin was enviable even to those in their early twenties.

‘Hmm, but it does feel good.’

Could Chairman Kim Tae-ju perhaps make cosmetics too?

She hoped so.

* * *

Finally, the day of departure.

Tae-ju arrived at Gurye train station with Baek Seo-yeon.

The train was the best way to get to New Seoul.

Tae-ju inwardly chuckled as he looked at Lieutenant Do Min-su’s group who had come to escort him.

Wearing black suits and standing stiffly behind Tae-ju.

They were all awakened officers of Junior Expert and Middle Expert grades.

There wasn’t a single junior officer of Regular grade or below.

They must have been pushed out due to seniority.

“I don’t look like a gang boss, do I?”

Baek Seo-yeon said with a sorry expression.

“Chairman, I’m sorry. Did I go overboard?”

“It’s fine. This is good too.”

“Yes!”

They rented an entire VIP car and Kim Tae-ju, Baek Seo-yeon, and 10 escorts departed for New Seoul Station.

It took about 12 hours to arrive.

New Seoul Central Train Station was also enormous in size.

Since trains are currently the most widely used means of transportation.

Screech, squeak!

The train carrying Tae-ju arrived at New Seoul Station.

The group got off at the platform and entered the station.

But their appearance was extraordinary.

It wasn’t some raid team, but 10 men in black suits with awakening tattoos on their faces surrounding and walking with just one person.

A rarely seen sight.

People glanced at them and whispered among themselves.

‘Is that a celebrity?’

‘Or a high-ranking politician?’

‘Can’t you tell just by looking? It’s obviously gangsters.’

‘What are the Empire police doing, not arresting guys like that?’

‘Shh! They might hear.’

The stares from people were piercing.

The awakened officer escorts seemed to secretly enjoy such attention.

Baek Seo-yeon hurriedly followed Tae-ju while saying.

“There’s a vehicle waiting outside the station.”

“What’s today’s schedule?”

“Nothing. We’re going straight to the hotel.”

“Is that so?”

He should go and get some good rest.

“General Manager Baek Seo-yeon, you should have some fun with the escorts since you’re in New Seoul after a long time.”

“I don’t have time to play.”

Baek Seo-yeon was always busy.

She had work to do even at the hotel.

She needed to receive reports on how Gurye Headquarters was running.

But right at that moment.

“Found him.”

“Over there!”

“Is that the right person?”

“Hurry, hurry, go.”

A group of people came rushing over with cameras, microphones, and recorders. They were all reporters.

Baek Seo-yeon responded quickly.

“Lieutenant Do.”

The awakened officers were already moving.

Four people surrounded Tae-ju on each side, and two moved forward, raising their hands to block camera shots.

Flash! Flash flash flash…

The sound of camera flashes going off.

“Chairman Kim Tae-ju! Please say a word about your expansion into New Seoul.”

“Do you plan to sell antidotes and recovery potions in cities other than Gurye?”

“There are rumors of connections with the military. Special treatment in the process of purchasing Jirisan monster byproducts…”

“Recovery potions are known to be essential for monster hunting, and many view monopolizing their production as against business ethics. What do you think?”

“Don’t you have any plans to collaborate with credible pharmaceutical companies to lower prices and increase production even now?”

Though the world had collapsed and been rebuilt, many things remained unchanged.

One of them was these trashy reporters.

Right then!

Step, step.

A group of people appeared from the opposite direction.

They suddenly hesitated upon seeing Tae-ju’s group, then quickly approached and blocked their path.

Not wanting to miss this scene, the reporters kept pressing their shutters.

A portly man extended his hand toward Tae-ju and stepped forward.

“I wondered who it was, but to meet here. You’re Kim Tae-ju from Taehong Bio, right? Did you come to sightsee in New Seoul?”

What’s this about now?

Just as Tae-ju was about to speak, Baek Seo-yeon stepped forward first.

“President Lee Dong-woo?”

“Ah! It was Manager Baek. You look good after quitting our company. Nice to see you. It’s heartwarming to see a former employee who once shared meals with us succeed like this. Hahaha!”

Lee Dong-woo laughed heartily, putting on an act.

However, Baek Seo-yeon’s expression turned cold.

So it’s because of this bastard.

The reporters hadn’t simply come out for coverage either.

They must have been commissioned by Lee Dong-woo.

“What kind of rudeness is this? Blocking the Chairman’s path, didn’t you learn any manners? And I’m not Manager Baek, I’m the General Manager of Taehong Bio.”

“Oh! General Manager! How impressive.”

“Move aside! Stop being a nuisance.”

Tae-ju was truly impressed.

This is what girl crush is all about.

But Lee Dong-woo wore a sly, slippery expression.

“Section Chief Baek, you’ve grown up a lot. Anyway, I have something to discuss with Mr. Kim Tae-ju.”

“I believe I told you to move aside?”

“What if I can’t move aside?”

This bastard has been subtly provoking me from earlier.

Do Min-su and the awakened officers walked forward in a group.

“Now, now, let’s step back. Don’t block the way.”

Still, Lee Dong-woo didn’t move.

He had also brought awakened attendants with him.

“What are you? Won’t you get out of the way?”

“Hah, just sweep them all away!”

“Who’s talking!”

Do Min-su’s anger rose to the top of his head.

These punks who weren’t even worth a punch were glaring with their heads held high, but he couldn’t bring himself to touch them.

Click click click! Flash, click click click!

The continuous barrage of reporters’ flashes.

Tae-ju also frowned.

The atmosphere became strange.

A confrontation that suddenly broke out.

Tae-ju slowly looked around.

And he figured out Lee Dong-woo’s scheme.

‘Look at these guys?’

Lee Dong-woo appearing at New Seoul Station as if he came to greet them. And reporters swarming over supposedly for coverage, pressing their shutters.

There was also one Expert-grade awakener secretly mixed among the reporters.

He even wore a mask to hide his tattoos.

Tae-ju chuckled.

And while making eye contact with President Lee Dong-woo.

“Hey!”

“…What? Did you just call me ‘hey’?”

“Move aside by the time I count to three. Then I’ll just let it slide. One!”

Lee Dong-woo’s eyes widened.

Then he burst into laughter.

“Kekekekeke, oh my stomach! You’re really a funny guy? Kekeke, what? Let it slide? You must think this is Gurye…”

“Two!”

“Hehehe, well, I understand. I heard you didn’t even get a proper school education? In Paju you were holed up in your room like a cripple.”

“Three!”

“Oh! You counted all three. Now you won’t just let it slide? What are you going to do, hit me… huh? W-wait!”

President Lee Dong-woo suddenly started backing away mid-sentence.

“Huh?”

But Tae-ju didn’t even go near Lee Dong-woo.

With both hands in his pants pockets, he simply sent killing intent toward the guy from afar.

Did only demonic beasts know how to use fear?

There were so many martial arts that utilized killing intent.

There happened to be an appropriate martial art.

Though it fell far short of the intent-form killing technique that could kill people by infusing energy into one’s mind, it could at least humiliate someone.

Lee Dong-woo kept hesitantly backing away.

Others wouldn’t know why he was acting like that.

Because Tae-ju’s killing intent was directed solely at Lee Dong-woo.

The killing intent grew even fiercer.

Lee Dong-woo’s breath became choked.

His legs trembling.

‘Why is this happening?’

Eventually.

Thud!

He ended up falling to both knees.

Whoosh!

The killing intent reached its peak.

“Uuugh…”

Tae-ju’s killing intent instantly stiffened all the muscles in Lee Dong-woo’s body.

And when he suddenly released all the killing intent at once…

Pop!

“Hieek?”

The tense muscles instantly relaxed.

Trickle!

Lee Dong-woo couldn’t control his sphincter.

His pants became thoroughly soaked.

Not only that, it flowed like a river on the tile floor of New Seoul Station.

This was why weak-hearted people often wet themselves when hit by an elite demonic beast’s fear.

Click click click click click click click!

The camera flash sounds seemed particularly loud.

Before long, even Baek Seo-yeon was taking pictures of the scene with her smartphone.

—————
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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