The Chairman of Pharmaceutical Company is a Poison King - Chapter 54

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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 54: Comrade Met in New Seoul (2)

Jo Mi-yeong, the Leaders Club manager, couldn’t understand the current situation.

‘Chairman Kim Tae-ju and the Prince knew each other?’

How?

How could someone who just came up from Gurye have any connection with the most noble imperial family member in New Seoul?

‘Jirisan monster subjugation operation comrade… Could it be?’

If that was true, it meant the Prince had participated in the Jirisan subjugation.

Originally, imperial events were conducted in utmost secrecy, so even well-informed sources couldn’t grasp the details.

‘So he met Chairman Kim Tae-ju there.’

Let’s say all her assumptions were correct.

But to show such intimacy like that?

The Prince even seemed to be taking a humble attitude.

While Chairman Kim Tae-ju appeared somewhat bothered.

‘Anyone watching would think Chairman Kim ranks higher than the Prince.’

Anyway, the two were definitely close.

Jo Mi-yeong quietly recalled her interview with Kim Tae-ju.

Whether she had done anything that could be criticized.

Whether she had said anything that would displease him.

‘…There wasn’t anything.’

She hadn’t.

She had treated him politely as she always did.

So she felt slightly relieved.

Meanwhile, Ryu Jin-cheol thought he had really come to the Leaders Club at the right time today.

Rather than being stuck in the boring imperial palace, he had come out to get some fresh air, and now he got to see such a welcome face.

His lifesaver.

Chairman Kim Tae-ju.

If he hadn’t appeared then, the Sancheong Unit’s Special Raid Team would have been annihilated, and he would have certainly lost his life too.

But that incident couldn’t be disclosed, nor could it be disclosed.

What would happen if it was revealed that the Prince had faced a life-threatening crisis during the subjugation operation? The achievements of the subjugation would have been buried.

Even after coming to New Seoul, he couldn’t go outside for a while.

But to meet like this in such an unexpected place.

On the other hand, Tae-ju found Prince Ryu Jin-cheol burdensome.

It was the same in Jirisan and now too.

Suddenly calling him brother?

In such a crowded place.

“Brother! Are you perhaps a member here?”

“I just became a member. And please refrain from calling me brother…”

“Oh! You became the same member as me. This is quite gratifying.”

“…”

“I was actually going to recommend membership to you… If I may ask, what was your purpose for joining?”

He remembered the Prince mentioning the Leaders Club in Jirisan.

And the purpose for joining.

Was there a need to hide it?

“I recently opened a Taehong Bio branch in New Seoul. So I came hoping it would help with business.”

“Haha! That makes sense. So you’re a businessman too, brother.”

Then he stared intently at the bronze-grade nameplate hanging around Tae-ju’s neck.

“…But bronze grade?”

“They said you originally start from the lowest grade.”

“Hmm. Did the club manager say that?”

“Yes, she explained it well.”

“Ah…”

Prince Ryu Jin-cheol seemed to be pondering something.

“Please wait a moment, brother.”

Then he gestured to call Club Manager Jo Mi-yeong.

“I have something to ask.”

“I will do my best to answer, Your Highness.”

“Was it you who assigned bronze grade to brother, no, Chairman Kim Tae-ju?”

“Yes? Y-yes, that’s correct.”

“What was the basis?”

“It was based on principles. Although he achieved great success as a military supplier, he’s a new entrepreneur who recently established his company, and there were no other notable achievements to highlight… Even so, we sent the invitation because we highly valued his potential.”

“Principles… I see.”

It wasn’t wrong.

On the surface.

But was the Leaders Club an ordinary social organization?

A place where the most abundant, high-quality information in the Empire flowed.

But if the manager of this club had only gathered that much information about Kim Tae-ju, there was a problem.

Whether she did it intentionally or by mistake, many parts were omitted.

Setting aside the fact that he saved his life as classified information.

Treatment almost equal to the corps commander from all units stationed in Jirisan, the key figure in eliminating the Mage that appeared in Gurye, decisive contribution in the monster subjugation operation.

These were facts that could be known with just a little legwork.

Especially with the Leaders Club’s intelligence network.

“When did you send the invitation? Before or after the Jirisan monster subjugation?”

“Before that.”

“Really? Have you ever heard the news about a Mage appearing in Gurye?”

“I have heard of it.”

“Then did you send the invitation before or after the Mage’s appearance?”

“Um… If my memory is correct, it was before that.”

“I see.”

The Leaders Club’s invitation was sent right after Chairman Kim Tae-ju established his company in Gurye.

That is, when the spore poison antidote was sold and Taehong Bio’s name became known in New Seoul.

“Was there no additional information gathering after sending the invitation?”

“…I don’t think there was.”

“Tsk, always talking about high-grade information, different quality information, but this place has become nothing special too.”

“Wh-what do you mean?”

Prince Ryu Jin-cheol removed the diamond-grade nameplate hanging around his neck and handed it to Jo Mi-yeong.

“I’m withdrawing from the Leaders Club starting today.”

“…What?”

“Didn’t you hear? You can remove my name from the member list.”

“No, no! Your Highness! If you suddenly do this…”

“This isn’t the Leaders Club of old. I’ll speak to the club owner separately.”

Jo Mi-yeong looked flustered.

The Prince had taken issue with her grade assessment of Chairman Kim Tae-ju.

She was beside herself with anxiety.

If the Prince withdrew, would she be safe?

“Pl-please wait a moment, Your Highness. I, I will…”

“It’s already decided. Keep your mouth shut.”

“Aah!”

Tears burst forth from Jo Mi-yeong’s eyes.

How much she had struggled to climb this far.

The tower she had built with such effort was about to come crashing down in an instant.

Right at that moment.

Tae-ju spoke to Prince Ryu Jin-cheol.

“Your Highness.”

“Ah! I apologize. For showing you such a disgraceful sight. You should just quit this pathetic club, hyung.”

“…Hmm.”

“I’ll personally help you with the Achievement part. There’s nothing to expect from such a shoddy club.”

Tae-ju’s mind cooled down.

This was a kind of power abuse.

He understood it.

Honestly, wasn’t his very existence that of someone in power?

However, deciding to join the Leaders Club and accepting the Bronze grade were entirely his own choices.

‘Prince or not, who is he to tell me to quit or not quit the club?’

He had no desire to be associated with him as a fellow power abuser.

So.

“I plan to continue attending the club.”

“…Huh? What?”

“Club Manager Jo Mi-yeong explained the reasons for the judgment to me sufficiently. Very kind-ly! So I’ve already signed the registration form.”

“…Is, is that so?”

“Well, it’s unfortunate that I can’t be at the Leaders Club together with Your Highness, but I have no intention of withdrawing.”

Suddenly!

Killing intent surged from behind the prince.

It was his bodyguards.

They were probably members of the Imperial Guard.

His behavior must have seemed insolent.

Whatever the reason, he had ignored the goodwill the prince had shown.

But what could he do?

That level of killing intent wasn’t even laughable.

Prince Ryu Jin-cheol was flustered.

Surely Chairman Kim Tae-ju also knew that he had been treated unfairly.

‘Why?’

It wasn’t simply a refusal to withdraw.

It seemed to include an intention of gentle reproach toward him.

‘Was my way of handling things wrong?’

Only then did Ryu Jin-cheol look around.

Manager Jo Mi-yeong was still shedding tears, and the club employees looked lost, as if the sky had fallen.

‘Ah!’

It was a mistake.

He had been swayed by emotion.

So he hadn’t even tried to know what consequences would follow.

If he withdrew, most of the people here would lose their jobs or suffer disadvantages from the aftermath.

Mistakes should be corrected quickly.

Ryu Jin-cheol stared at Jo Mi-yeong intently.

After pondering for a long while, he opened his mouth.

“Manager Jo Mi-yeong.”

“Yes?”

“…I’m sorry. My thinking was short-sighted.”

“Your, Your Highness?”

“I treated you too harshly without thinking things through. That part was my oversight.”

“Not at all. I was the one who made a mistake.”

“As an apology, I’ll withdraw my withdrawal.”

Jo Mi-yeong showed a relieved expression at Ryu Jin-cheol’s words.

“However, I still have complaints about the grade assessment.”

“Please give me a chance to make amends. I’ll examine everything from the beginning and judge fairly.”

“Good. I’ll trust you.”

Then Jo Mi-yeong approached Tae-ju hesitantly.

“Ch, Chairman, please give me back the Bronze badge.”

“Huh? I’m satisfied with Bronze though.”

“Please….”

Tae-ju had no choice but to hand the badge back to Jo Mi-yeong.

When the prince had come this far, if he objected again, he would be the one abusing his power this time.

Only then did Ryu Jin-cheol show a satisfied face.

He didn’t forget to add a word.

“This is someone I call hyung, keep that in mind for the assessment.”

“I will definitely keep that in mind.”

Jo Mi-yeong turned her eyes to Tae-ju.

Her grateful expression was deeply felt in her bowing gesture.

When he gave her a slight wink.

Jo Mi-yeong’s face turned red in an instant.

‘…Huh?’

That wasn’t what he meant.

Anyway, where were those two Silver grade members?

They seemed to have already fled with their tails between their legs.

They probably wouldn’t be able to sleep properly for several days.

It was cute how hard they tried to live to catch the eye of important people.

Anyway, listening to the conversation between the prince and Manager Jo Mi-yeong, it seemed the Leaders Club was not only a social gathering but also served as a kind of information organization.

For example, like the Hao Sect in Gangho Murim?

As the prince said, the invitation was indeed sent when the company was just getting organized.

Then the Bronze grade wasn’t wrong either.

At that time, Taehong Bio was just at the level of a local Gurye company.

‘Well, now….’

Things had changed a lot.

To a degree that surprised even himself.

* * *

Tae-ju left the Leaders Club together with the prince’s party.

Since he had received help in various ways, he couldn’t just ignore the prince.

He followed him to a luxurious and discreet restaurant, shared a meal, enjoyed warm tea together, and each time responded to the endless chatter that poured out.

But this person just wouldn’t leave.

Even when he subtly suggested they part ways for today and meet again next time at the club, whether he was oblivious or pretending not to hear.

How hard must it be for the Imperial Guards following the prince around?

He wished he would leave, but why won’t he go home?

“I have some urgent business to attend to.”

“What kind?”

“I need to go to the company.”

“Haha, then shall I take a look at your company too?”

“Pardon?”

“A comrade from the Jirisan monster subjugation and my life’s savior has established a company in New Seoul, yet ignoring that wouldn’t be proper human conduct.”

“….”

Fine, let’s go all the way.

“If you come to the company, could you please hide your identity….”

“Understood. Would it be fine if I act like a younger brother you know?”

“Let’s do that.”

Tae-ju entered the company together with Ryu Jin-cheol.

Naturally, the Imperial Guards came along too.

“Chairman! Welcome!”

Team Leader Song Su-hui brightened up and welcomed him.

“Yes, did you get home safely yesterday? You seemed to have had quite a bit to drink.”

“The Vitality Boost medicine works so well. I think I’m still feeling the effects the next day.”

“Haha, that’s good to hear.”

“President Baek Seo-yeon and Manager Choi Dong-il are in the conference room.”

Then Prince Ryu Jin-cheol smoothly interjected.

“Hello! I’m Jin-cheol, Tae-ju hyung’s younger brother.”

“…Ah, yes. I’m Song Su-hui, Marketing Team Leader.”

Song Su-hui was flustered.

When Chairman Kim Tae-ju entered the office, she had seen a handsome young man come in with him.

He looked quite familiar, so she thought he was one of the attendants who used to follow the chairman around.

But a younger brother he knows?

And besides that.

‘Where have I seen him before?’

No matter how she looked, he seemed familiar.

That’s when it happened.

Baek Seo-yeon and Choi Dong-il came out of the conference room carrying bundles of documents.

They greeted Tae-ju warmly upon seeing him.

“Chairman, how was the club?”

“Welcome, Chairman. Actually, I was just about to report on patent-related matters…”

“Right! How did it go? Were there any problems?”

I need to get the patent quickly so I can leave New Seoul.

“It’s complicated. The Patent Office is demanding all sorts of things – not just the medicine’s components, but manufacturing processes, raw material sources, and other ridiculous attachments.”

“Hmm.”

“They don’t usually go this far. I suspect other pharmaceutical companies might be putting pressure on them.”

It was as expected.

They’re probably trying to establish their territory.

That’s when it happened.

One of the awakened officer attendants following Baek Seo-yeon was staring blankly in Tae-ju’s direction.

After tilting his head for a moment, rubbing his eyes once, and muttering to himself…

“Gasp!”

He suddenly screamed and shouted in a startled voice.

“Pr-Prince?”

Prince Ryu Jin-cheol, who had been listening to the conversation between Tae-ju and Baek Seo-yeon, also looked up at the sound of someone calling him.

“Hmm? You are?”

“I’m Colonel Kim Cheong-seok from the Sancheong Unit. I fought alongside Your Highness in the Special Raid Team…”

“Oh! To meet another comrade here. Good to see you, so good to see you. Aha! You came following hyung, no, Chairman Kim Tae-ju.”

“Y-yes, that’s right.”

A moment of silence fell over the office.

This person in front of them was apparently a prince.

‘…What?’

‘My goodness!’

‘Is he really a prince?’

‘I thought I’d seen him somewhere before…’

‘Oh, so he’s a prince.’

Although the Samhan Empire is based on an imperial system, people don’t prostrate themselves when a prince appears.

They just need to show polite respect.

Just bowing at the waist is enough.

But no one moved.

They were too shocked and just stood there with their mouths agape.

How many of the employees in this office had ever seen a prince at such close distance?

And the employees clearly heard the prince call Chairman Kim Tae-ju “hyung.”

‘Just what is our chairman’s true identity?’

Baek Seo-yeon was also shocked.

He has a prince in his network?

Chairman Kim Tae-ju does?

But the surprise was brief.

Prince Ryu Jin-cheol looked at Baek Seo-yeon and said.

“Could I hear the details about the patent issue from earlier? You said they’re demanding ridiculous things?”

Her eyes sparkled.

* * *

The Heavenly Realm.

Until just a moment ago, Poison Immortal Danggumak had been anxiously opening and closing the infinite space repeatedly.

But now he decided to stop doing that.

Instead, he sat cross-legged and quietly meditated.

The sharing of infinite space is, in a way, like a soul connection.

Then there must have been some signal when the connection was made.

‘It might have been too faint for me to notice and I missed it.’

He intended to figure that out.

So he concentrated his mind.

One day passed, two days passed, three days, four days…

Suddenly!

Zzzzzt!

A very faint signal rang in his head.

‘Is this it?’

Danggumak opened the infinite space.

It was glowing.

“It’s here!”

A resounding cheer echoed throughout the Heavenly Realm.

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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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