The Chairman of Pharmaceutical Company is a Poison King - Chapter 81

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

Chapter 81: Resolution (1)

 

Samhan Empire colony, Kyushu Domain.

 

Domain Lord Honda Kazuo was furious beyond measure.

 

Due to his daughter’s clumsy handling of affairs, the century-long plan he had been carefully nurturing was about to crumble overnight.

 

“Fine, alright. Failure aside, what about the poison? You cleaned up the bowl properly, right?”

 

“I, I left it behind.”

 

“…What? You left it there with your fingerprints all over it?”

 

“I was in such a panic that I, I just…”

 

“You stupid girl!”

 

She had left the evidence behind.

 

There was no way the Feudal Lord’s Mansion wouldn’t have CCTV.

 

His daughter Mitsui bringing the poisoned Sipjeon-daebo-tang, even footage of her directly adding the poison might have been captured.

 

If Kim Woong-bang had died or collapsed from the poison, destroying the evidence would have been simple.

 

“Why did you bring the children?”

 

“They’re my children. Your grandsons, father.”

 

“Hah, how frustrating. Truly frustrating.”

 

She should have left the children behind.

 

Even if they divorced, having the children in Paju would maintain the connection, wouldn’t it?

 

That son-in-law he had thought was utterly pathetic.

 

To think he was actually a Master?

 

‘At this rate, I’ll really be ruined.’

 

Under Samhan Empire law, Japanese generals are prohibited from receiving domains in the Imperial Homeland.

 

They can only hold domains on the sinking Japanese lands.

 

Of course, individuals living in the colonies face no restrictions on migrating to live in the homeland.

 

They can own homes, possess property, and if necessary, change their family names to use Empire-style names.

 

Except for domain grants, all rights that should be enjoyed as Empire citizens were fully recognized.

 

But Honda Kazuo was not satisfied with that.

 

He was someone who waited for the right moment.

 

After the death of the powerful ruler governing the Empire, he wanted to seize the inevitable power struggle that would follow and recreate Japan’s forgotten past glory on Empire soil.

 

How much effort had he invested after marrying off his daughter Mitsui to Paju?

 

When budgets were insufficient, he lent money, and in return, he placed Japanese-suitable candidates and Awakened into the Paju Regional Army, even arranging for ordinary Japanese civilians to migrate to Paju Domain.

 

But now, divorce.

 

He could file a counter-lawsuit, but it would be extremely disadvantageous since his daughter Mitsui was at fault.

 

Still, with Taepyeong and Taecheon around, wouldn’t inheritance rights remain?

 

Kim Woong-bang was someone who had even struck his eldest son Kim Tae-ju from the family register—there was no law preventing him from doing the same to his two grandsons.

 

Divorce meant declaring separation from Kyushu Domain.

 

And he would drive out the existing forces that his daughter and he had built up.

 

His son-in-law Kim Woong-bang was practically a king, at least in Paju.

 

‘I need to kill him.’

 

It was a race against time.

 

He had to finish it with lightning speed.

 

Honda Kazuo planned to carry it out himself.

 

The scenario was quickly formed.

 

A father-in-law heartbroken by his daughter’s divorce declaration.

 

He would visit Paju to persuade his son-in-law, and naturally, an argument would break out.

 

Failing to persuade him and becoming enraged, the father-in-law would be unable to contain his anger and draw his sword, thus unintentionally stabbing his son-in-law to death.

 

Not premeditated murder, but manslaughter.

 

He might face trial and serve a prison sentence.

 

However, if Kim Woong-bang died, inheritance rights would unconditionally pass to his eldest grandson Kim Tae-pyeong.

 

It might even be a blessing in disguise.

 

‘I should have done this from the start.’

 

Serving a prison sentence?

 

That was something he could fully accept.

 

Hiring an expensive lawyer to reduce the sentence, or being released on probation would be even better.

 

‘I need to lay the groundwork first.’

 

Since it had come to this, he would make the first move.

 

Now, with the Empire’s political circles in turmoil due to rumors of the Emperor’s illness, was the perfect opportunity.

 

He would finish it before the victory ceremony was held.

 

Honda Kazuo instructed his son Jiro.

 

“Jiro, throw some story material to the newspapers in New Seoul.”

 

“Yes, father.”

 

“Make it as sensational as possible.”

 

And the next day, gossip articles burst forth.

 

They were yellow journalism outlets, not major newspapers.

 

These would write any article as long as you paid them.

 

【General Kim Woong-bang of Paju Domain, known as the biological father of Taehong Bio Chairman Kim Tae-ju, suddenly announces divorce from wife.】

 

【Since the couple was known to have a good relationship, those around them are shocked.】

 

【Rumors abound regarding this divorce announcement—why did he abandon his devoted wife?】

 

【Mrs. Mitsui was known for her easygoing personality and mingling freely with domain residents.】

 

【Honda Kazuo of Kyushu Domain, General Kim Woong-bang’s father-in-law: “Marital disputes are like cutting water with a knife—I will persuade my son-in-law.”】

 

The atmosphere was gradually ripening.

 

First, he would take the appearance of going to meet alone.

 

However, this was about capturing a Master.

 

No amount of caution would be excessive.

 

Rather, he needed to prepare to an almost excessive degree.

 

“Jiro, tell the Awakened and suitable candidates we’ve planted in Paju Domain to prepare.”

 

“I’ve already contacted them. And I’ll go too, father.”

 

“No, you need to stay here. You might be suspected.”

 

“We need at least two Masters to capture him for certain. I’ll lead my trusted men and secretly smuggle in. I can enter Paju unofficially.”

 

“Hmm.”

 

Honda Kazuo pondered for a moment.

 

His son was right.

 

The job had to be done thoroughly.

 

“Good. You leave right now.”

 

“Yes!”

 

After confirming that his son Honda Jiro’s group had safely infiltrated the Imperial Homeland, Honda Kazuo departed from Kyushu Domain.

 

* * *

 

The Imperial Intelligence Agency had departments responsible for security, military secrets, and intelligence gathering on enemy nations, besides the Mage division.

 

Jang Sang-ho, Deputy Director of the Imperial Intelligence Agency’s Security Department, was reviewing information reports that had come in from various sources today.

 

Information was transmitted through various communication media and SNS.

 

To others, it would look no different from ordinary content.

 

Showing off clothes, travel, food eaten today, and ordinary hashtags.

 

But encrypted information was hidden within that content.

 

This was decoded and made into documents.

 

Then Jang Sang-ho read a report from an informant planted in Kyushu Domain. It was stamped with red letters reading 【URGENT】.

 

“Hmm,”

 

The content was as follows:

 

– Lieutenant General Honda Kazuo departed from Kyushu Domain, estimated destination Paju Domain.

 

Jang Sang-ho knew why Honda Kazuo was trying to go to Paju.

 

‘Is it because of his son-in-law’s divorce declaration?’

 

The gossip media and social circles are buzzing with talk these days.

 

This is on a completely different level from ordinary people’s divorces.

 

Especially since it involves the Paju Domain.

 

‘It seems they’re trying to persuade him.’

 

But that’s not the only information.

 

– Kazuo’s son, Honda Jiro, and Expert-level Awakened Guards have also left their posts in the Kyushu domain. Surveillance results show they boarded a fishing boat at the coast, likely heading to Paju as well.

 

This is a bit strange.

 

Then!

 

A thought suddenly flashed through his mind.

 

‘…Could these bastards be planning to?’

 

He needed to confirm it.

 

Jang Sang-ho knew the situation in the Paju Domain better than anyone.

 

Among the Ministry of National Intelligence’s key protected individuals, wasn’t General Kim Woong-bang classified as top priority as the biological father of Chairman Kim Tae-ju?

 

Jang Sang-ho immediately picked up the phone and gave orders to his most capable field agent.

 

“Go to Paju immediately and surveil General Kim Woong-bang’s surroundings. Also investigate the movements of Japanese-origin Awakened in Paju. Include both the Regional Army and civilian Awakened.”

 

If his speculation was correct…

 

‘Honda Kazuo intends to kill General Kim Woong-bang.’

 

Though not certain, the possibility was quite high.

 

If the divorce went through, he’d be left empty-handed like a dog chasing chickens.

 

Originally, His Majesty the Emperor never granted domains in the Imperial Homeland to Japanese-origin generals.

 

This was related to the Empire’s founding history.

 

The first nation His Majesty the Emperor established was the Daejin Kingdom.

 

Over 100 years ago, he established his base in North Gyeongsang Province.

 

At that time, even the national system wasn’t well established.

 

It was an era when countless nations coexisted in chaos. Simply a state of great turmoil where might made right.

 

Then frequent earthquakes and global warming caused Japan to begin sinking.

 

The Japanese despaired.

 

The land they lived on was disappearing.

 

They absolutely had to find new land.

 

Where?

 

Naturally, the closest Korean Peninsula.

 

Without even declaring war, Japanese Awakened, Suitable candidates, and military forces launched a surprise landing on the Korean Peninsula through the East Sea and South Sea.

 

His Majesty’s Daejin Kingdom was a nation that grew while confronting those Japanese invaders.

 

With terrifying military might, they repelled Japan’s attacks while simultaneously subjugating neighboring nations.

 

And when they were about to unify the central and southern Korean Peninsula, the Emperor launched a campaign to conquer Japan.

 

Countless nations were scattered throughout Japan as well.

 

Subjugating them one by one, achieving the occupation of Japan and unification of the Korean Peninsula, while simultaneously conducting northern expeditions, he established the foundation of the Samhan Empire in just 40 years.

 

Afterward, the Samhan Empire’s territory extended to Japan, Manchuria, the Central Asian Steppe, and even Siberia.

 

His Majesty the Emperor embraced Japanese-origin imperial citizens as part of his great unification policy.

 

Since China had disappeared as a nation entirely, he accepted the displaced refugees on humanitarian grounds.

 

However, some Japanese descendants who still couldn’t forget their past glory were absolutely untrustworthy.

 

The same went for some Chinese who were still caught up in delusions, babbling about Chinese supremacy.

 

Therefore, monitoring the movements of Chinese and Japanese persons of interest within the Empire was the most important matter handled by the Imperial Intelligence Agency’s security department.

 

‘This is only because the divorce hasn’t happened yet, right?’

 

A father-in-law meeting his son-in-law wasn’t strange.

 

Moreover, who would stop him from trying to resolve his daughter’s divorce?

 

But what if he couldn’t prevent the divorce?

 

‘The only solution left for Honda Kazuo would be General Kim Woong-bang’s death.’

 

Let’s assume an unfortunate accident occurred.

 

For example, a terrible accident where the father-in-law kills his son-in-law after an argument.

 

Honda Kazuo would go to prison, but the domain inheritance rights would pass to his grandson.

 

And his daughter Mitsui would continue to wield influence in Paju as a widow.

 

The more he thought about it, the more the puzzle pieces were fitting together.

 

What else could be the reason for the sudden gossip articles?

 

Though the cause of the divorce was unknown, the article content cleverly highlighted Kim Woong-bang’s faults.

 

It must be intended to secure justification for what they were about to do.

 

If all his predictions actually came to pass…

 

They dare try to advance into the Imperial Homeland through underhanded means?

 

If His Majesty the Emperor were still active, they never would have dreamed of such a thing.

 

Moreover, Honda Kazuo had strong backing.

 

Namely, Empress Yeon.

 

Though she had changed her surname, she was of Japanese origin.

 

If she intervened after the incident occurred…

 

‘Paju would fall into Honda Kazuo’s hands.’

 

Of course, he would stop it before that happened.

 

Anyway, let’s wait and see.

 

He had dispatched a reliable field agent, so results would be reported soon.

 

* * *

 

Tae-ju’s current concern was just one thing.

 

The news of his father’s divorce being sensationalized by the tabloids?

 

He had already severed ties with his father.

 

Also, if he had decided on divorce, there must be a reason.

 

In any case, it was a story unrelated to him.

 

Rather, his main concern was what items to prepare as return gifts for the precious Seondo that Dok-seon was providing.

 

Diversification of return gifts.

 

Though Dok-seon said to send anything, that’s not how people’s hearts work.

 

Meanwhile, changes occurred in the Infinite Space.

 

Not only was the internal space expanding, but the size limit of items that could be stored had also increased.

 

Upon checking, he found that objects up to 2 meters in length, width, and height could now be stored.

 

Moreover, the total volume of the Shared Warehouse had increased more than threefold from when it first appeared.

 

‘Now I can send TVs.’

 

85-inch ultra-high-definition large TVs, that is.

 

No matter how good a beam projector’s performance, could it compare to a TV monitor?

 

He prepared three units for now.

 

And top-quality soundbars so they could hear proper audio.

 

Additionally, one more generator that ran on Elite mana crystals, various cables and power strips that could connect to the TVs.

 

Plus 10 smartphones packed full of downloaded video content.

 

Though they couldn’t make calls or communicate, they were better than tablets for video storage.

 

Suddenly!

 

Zzzirrrrr.

 

“It’s here!”

 

“Meow?”

 

Ilbaek tilted his head at Tae-ju’s sudden cheer.

 

Tae-ju immediately opened the Shared Warehouse and took out the items.

 

Seondo came pouring out.

 

But the color was extraordinary.

 

Along with a liquor jar containing divine wine.

 

“Oh!”

 

He had just finished the last of it too.

 

He filled it thoroughly and completely with the items he had prepared.

 

Three large TVs and a soundbar, generator, snacks and alcohol, easy-to-cook food, treats….

 

Now shall I read the letter?

 

The content was about the identity of the sent items and two requests.

 

‘Hmm, beer and soju mix, that’s not difficult,’

 

Dok-seon says he wants to build a multiplex theater in the Immortal Realm.

 

‘…Is that possible?’

 

With the abilities of immortals who transcend humanity, building a structure wouldn’t be difficult, but a theater is a slightly different matter.

 

The exterior might be manageable, but the interior design requires specialized knowledge.

 

‘I should get some advice.’

 

This seems like it will take some time.

 

So he wrote that content in his reply.

 

After putting the letter into the Shared Warehouse, Tae-ju took out one of the highest-grade Seondo that Dok-seon had sent.

 

“Whew.”

 

“Meow! Meooow!”

 

Just taking it out releases a strong immortal energy.

 

Ilbaek also got excited and flicked his tongue.

 

“Not for you.”

 

“Meooow….”

 

“Have some regular Seondo instead.”

 

“Meow!”

 

Tae-ju took out three regular Seondo and distributed them to Ilbaek, Ibaek-i, and Sambaek-i in turn.

 

Then he chewed on the highest-grade Seondo.

 

‘Ahhhhh….’

 

It truly deserves to be called the highest grade.

 

The taste is also excellent.

 

Just eating one makes him full.

 

From now on, he plans to eat the highest-grade and premium ones alone.

 

The immortal liquor made from 200 Seondo too.

 

It can’t be helped.

 

Why do the Infinite Space and Shared Warehouse keep growing?

 

It’s because of the increasing immortal energy.

 

There’s no other reason besides that.

 

Let’s keep eating to expand the space.

 

Then he can send more items to the Immortal Realm.

 

That’s when it happened.

 

Bzzzzt!

 

The vibrating smartphone.

 

Looking at the incoming number.

 

‘It’s Chief Moon Gyeong-sik from the Ministry of National Intelligence?’

 

Is it about the Mage investigation?

 

Tae-ju answered the phone.

 

“Hello? Ah! It’s Chief Jang Sang-ho… What? Oh, really?”

 

Tae-ju’s expression instantly hardened.

 

“Yes, yes… Thank you for letting me know.”

 

An incident had occurred at Paju Domain.

 

Right after Honda Kazuo and General Kim Woong-bang met.

 

They say a battle broke out with strange roars.

 

The current situation is unknown at this point.

 

They urgently sent troops, but it will take time.

 

‘Father….’

 

In the end, can family bonds not be severed?

 

And.

 

‘Honda Kazuo.’

 

Subtle anger appeared on Tae-ju’s face.

 

The poison in his danjeon also stirred.

 

“I-baek, let’s go!”

 

“Roar!”

 

Tae-ju came out of the house and took out the Manli Flying Sword from the Infinite Space and mounted it.

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