Chapter 137

He only finished his morning physical routine today before returning indoors.

Could it be due to the Geoncheongsimgong ki that had been building up inside him recently?

Every single day, his physical form felt completely revitalized and bursting with vitality.

“Drill Sarge.”

• Yes, my lord.

“I have appointments today, so I must depart. Take charge of the training session for me. Aso is practicing independently since I will be away, so dedicate your attention to Dhampir and LG.”

• Understood, no issues at all.

Today marked the date of Daesung Group’s long-anticipated social gathering.

Baek Jinwoo, Yu Jia, and her grandfather Yu Byeongcheon — the three of them were scheduled to dine together at the family mansion.

Yu Byeongcheon.

Under ordinary circumstances, he was a figure Jinwoo would never have presumed to even look toward — an individual who possessed an incredible influence on South Korea’s economic advancement.

A self-made titan who, after another century passed, would undoubtedly be remembered as a monumental figure in history.

Naturally, Baek Jinwoo was no longer in an inferior position — if anything, he was more than qualified to share the same dining table now……

Even so, he is Jia’s grandfather.

Truthfully, that detail alone provided more than enough reason to meet with him.

The explanation for how Jinwoo had ascended to World Ranking 1st within a single year?

Yu Jia was responsible for over half of that achievement.

Without her backing, even if he had eventually reached that summit, wouldn’t the process have required significantly more time?

First, he cleansed himself thoroughly.

Not a single gram of superfluous fat remained on the physique displayed in the looking glass.

His entire frame was composed of sheer muscle.

I could actually benefit from a bit of body fat, though.

Regardless of how much food he consumed, his physical training volume was so incredibly immense that no adipose tissue could persist in his system.

Following that — garments.

Swish!

Unlocking the wardrobe area exposed row after row of premium designer suits.

He rarely had any reason to don such attire, but Jia had dispatched employees to fill the space with options.

“Ahem.”

Baek Jinwoo selected one randomly from the center of the rack.

As was always the case, garments of this nature felt awkward on him.

He had never occupied a standard corporate position in his entire existence.

Even so, one must demonstrate proper courtesy.

Once he slipped it on, the reflection actually appeared quite impressive.

Gesticulating with a pleased look, Baek Jinwoo retrieved a container.

A carefully wrapped, vacant container.

He placed a mid-rank skill selection ticket taken from his dimensional inventory within it.

It was the identical mid-rank skill selection ticket he had acquired five of previously — the very ones he had utilized on his father and mother, Baek Ajin, and Yu Jia.

He happened to possess one remaining token, and he did not exactly possess alternative gift concepts……

This ought to be more than satisfactory, right?

A subtle smirk.

The edges of Baek Jinwoo’s mouth tilted upwards.

“Jinwoo!”

He linked up with Yu Jia around four o’clock.

She had finished her corporate duties as rapidly as possible for this evening’s itinerary and had emerged fully dressed up for the occasion.

Oh.

Baek Jinwoo was silently struck by her appearance.

A graceful gown completely distinct from her typical professional wardrobe, and her cosmetics were unlike anything he had observed previously.

How to phrase it — she appeared more like a young woman in her twenties?

In place of her customary authoritative presence, there was a powerful air of youthful freshness surrounding her.

“Wow, you truly look remarkable in a formal suit, Jinwoo.”

“Do you believe so?”

“Absolutely. What is that container?”

“Merely a modest token.”

“Eh? A token?”

“One cannot arrive empty-handed at someone’s residence for an initial visit.”

“……A, a housewarming present?”

The two of them conversed casually as they passed through the grand gates of Yubaek City.

And there were individuals observing their departure intently.

“……No way!”

“Where are those two heading at this hour? A romantic outing?”

“I have never witnessed Ms. Jia arrayed in that fashion before.”

“And what about the leader? The individual who practically resides in athletic attire — since when does he don formal suits?”

It was the organization members.

With the median age leaning toward youth, they possessed abundant curiosity regarding the romantic affairs of others.

Particularly when those individuals happened to be the director of SKY and the ruler of Yubaek!

The pair had consistently been the focus of speculative talk.

They were both staggeringly good-looking, and they had been inseparable since the inception of the organization.

A young male and female in such proximity — the prevailing consensus was that romantic sentiments were bound to form.

However, the organization members understood the reality better.

Baek Jinwoo, who was fixated on nothing aside from physical training!

Yu Jia, who was fixated on nothing aside from corporate operations!

There simply had not been the opportunity for any romance to blossom between them.

That was precisely why this sight was so bewildering.

Why were those two stepping out in such a manner?

These were individuals who never traveled anywhere in tandem unless it concerned an official function!

“See? I am telling you all, they are romantically involved.”

Kang Jiho crossed his arms and nodded with total certainty.

“I agree completely.”

Ki Jaehyeok concurred.

“Our organization leader Hyungnim…… Truthfully, I assumed he was, you know, emotionally unavailable.”

“Hey, that is practically heresy.”

“No, I am merely speculating! Merely speculating.”

Ki Jaehyeok and Kang Jiho — resolutely participating in the ‘they are definitely a couple’ faction!

“Not a chance.”

“No matter what occurs, that cannot be the reality. Dawn, afternoon, dusk…… even at the break of day, he is practicing breathing techniques. That is our organization leader for you.”

Hwang Jiwoo and Song Yeonhui — resolutely participating in the ‘they are definitely NOT a couple’ faction!

Hwang Jiwoo specifically had her facial features twisted into a disgruntled expression.

Right as they were disputing back and forth.

A formidable aura manifested behind them.

Song Yeonhui, endowed with a natural perceptiveness toward ki signatures, pivoted her head before the others.

EEEEEEK!

Every single strand of hair on her physical form stood upright.

The entity observing the four of them with an unblinking gaze was none other than Drill Sarge.

• The rest period has concluded. What precisely are you all performing here?

“Hup!”

“W-wait, has it already reached this hour?”

“We apologize profoundly!”

They offered expressions of regret with extreme rapidity, but Drill Sarge was not the sort of instructor to overlook infractions.

• Standards of discipline: deficient. All four of you — zero relaxation for one entire week. Additionally, nighttime physical conditioning sessions.

NOOOOOOO!

Every individual shrieked internally.

They absolutely could not manifest it on their countenances.

That training-obsessed fanatic Drill Sarge standing right before them…… possessed a warped desire to enjoy those precise cries of despair.

Hannam-dong. A premium residential sector.

This zone was celebrated as an affluent neighborhood where foreign diplomats and conglomerate executives maintained residences.

And the crowning jewel among the properties was none other than Daesung Palace.

A magnificent estate where impeccably sculpted grounds blended classical Korean aesthetics with contemporary features.

Whoooosh!

There was even an aquatic fountain inside the grounds, its mist catching the illumination to capture a spectrum within the spray.

So this is what the residence of a conglomerate tycoon looks like.

He did not experience any notable trepidation.

Yubaek City possessed grounds that were nothing to disregard either, and he currently commanded the financial resources to purchase hundreds of properties of this caliber.

“Please proceed this way.”

Escorting Yu Jia down a passageway decorated with sculptures and artistic creations, they entered an expansive dining hall.

The dining platform was overflowing with every culinary luxury conceivable.

“Ho ho ho, you have arrived?”

An aged gentleman emerged from the chamber, cane in hand, welcoming his granddaughter and Baek Jinwoo.

“I am profoundly grateful that the champion designated World Ranking 1st would grace such a modest residence.”

“It represents an honor to encounter you.”

Baek Jinwoo lowered his upper body in a respectful gesture.

False modesty was inappropriate for an occasion such as this.

An air of confidence was far more suitable.

“I ought to be the individual expressing gratitude, sir, for welcoming me to such a prestigious residence.”

“Ohoho! Is that the case?”

Yu Byeongcheon chuckled robustly.

He was genuinely delighted.

He likewise appreciated that the young man had not spoken to him as the commander of Daesung, but simply as ‘sir’ — in the capacity of a grandfather.

He is indicating he arrived because he is Jia’s grandfather.

Yu Byeongcheon held a deep affection for Daesung Group.

Daesung by itself was his authentic creation, and he would likely contemplate nothing aside from its advancement until the hour of his passing.

That was precisely why this occurrence delighted him.

My granddaughter has secured one incredible asset for Daesung!

Virtually the milestones his granddaughter had accomplished within a single year carried greater significance than everything he himself had constructed over an eighty-year existence.

Nonetheless.

Matters could not remain stagnant.

If they persisted as mere professional associates, then that is the maximum the association would ever achieve.

Historical records had demonstrated this reality repeatedly.

My beloved granddaughter.

Simply entrust the matter to this elderly man.

I shall solidify the bond between you two this very evening, regardless of what is required.

“Come, take your places! Ah, I understand you possess an appreciation for premium spirits? Observe this collection.”

Where the elder pointed stood an exhibition of rare production whiskeys.

Yu Byeongcheon attentively raised one of the containers.

“This represents a Macallan 1926. A scarce vintage — a mere forty containers across the entire globe.”

Roughly 23 billion won in domestic currency.

He had acquired it at a competitive bidding event five years ago, so the valuation had likely ascended even higher since that time.

“An esteemed visitor has honored us this evening, so I shall unseal this vessel.”

“Oh, thank you immensely.”

Gulp.

Baek Jinwoo swallowed with anticipation.

He had sampled spirits on the private aircraft on a previous occasion.

The complex, enduring profile as it traveled down his throat had left a significant mark on him, and it had since transformed into his solitary recreation.

Furthermore, I must accumulate some body mass regardless.

And nothing contributed to mass quite like spirits.

“Grandfather, Jinwoo brought an item as well. Would you care to examine it?”

“Oh? Ho ho! A presentation exists for me as well?”

“Naturally.”

Yu Byeongcheon’s resonant laughter rapidly put all parties at ease.

The container was opened.

“What does this represent?”

Yu Byeongcheon elevated the slip of parchment.

“A mid-rank skill selection ticket?”

“It is the identical item I provided for Jia and my household. You register an ability designated Desperate Call upon your connected summon and designate me as the objective.”

• Desperate Call: Once per cycle, instantly summons the specified combatant.

“Good heavens.”

Yu Byeongcheon was legitimately startled.

“That is virtually equivalent to having the planet’s premier bodyguard on permanent standby, is it not?”

The variety of offering any conglomerate head would desire above all else.

And what Yu Byeongcheon appreciated far more than the token itself was something completely different.

‘Jia and my household.’

Those specific words.

Did that not imply he regarded his granddaughter as part of his family?

And he was even integrating her grandfather within that boundaries?

“Ha, hahaha. This evening truly constitutes a marvelous occasion!”

Yu Byeongcheon was beaming with intense happiness.

“Come, come, consume your drinks! Jia, do not even contemplate remaining abstinent this evening.”

“Of course, Grandfather.”

And thus the dining experience commenced.

A dining experience that would transform into quite the pivotal moment in Baek Jinwoo’s existence.

Yu Jia was incapable of managing her spirits well.

On the private aircraft, when every organization member aside from the two adolescent students had engaged in a drinking gathering, she had been the solitary individual to decline. That recounted the entire narrative.

However.

“Now, now! You would decline a beverage of this valuation?”

This evening, her grandfather was behaving peculiarly.

He was bound to recognize her limits, yet he persisted in offering beverages to her.

Potent ones, at that……

He is excessively stimulated.

Even so, a significant duration had passed.

Since she had witnessed her grandfather displaying such joyful expressions.

He was notoriously unyielding — even extended family avoided approaching his presence.

He even appeared quite affected by the alcohol himself.

An individual who ordinarily never permitted his authentic sentiments to be visible……

“Heh heh, do you recognize something? Prior to my passing, I am bequeathing all my corporate holdings to our Jia. That Daehwan youngster is not terrible either, but tsk tsk, he is no rival for my granddaughter. Not a chance!”

He was candidly uttering declarations that would constitute front-page news stories the moment they departed this property.

“If Daesung intends to endure, that represents the optimal path.”

“Please, Grandfather. There is no requirement for such actions. I have my responsibilities entirely occupied with Yubaek alone.”

“What! Are you asserting Yubaek is all that carries weight to you? You possess Daesung lineage in your circulation as well. Do not injure this elderly man’s emotions in that fashion.”

Notwithstanding what her grandfather stated, Yu Jia possessed no aspiration to manage Daesung.

Operating as a primary shareholder was acceptable, naturally.

She would merely function as the proprietor on documentation while assigning operational duties to corporate executives.

The hours glided past.

One hour, two hours, three hours.

Baek Jinwoo had been maintaining the pace with Yu Byeongcheon’s consumption, and before he realized it, the intoxication had subtly influenced him.

The chamber was beginning to rotate.

That was the moment Yu Byeongcheon arose from his seating location.

“I must utilize the washroom for a brief duration. Neither of you depart from this space! I have had a chamber readied over in that direction! This evening, you dine, and subsequently you rest here.”

Having delivered his command to the two young individuals, the look on his countenance as he stepped toward the washroom was entirely calculating.

The moment has arrived for me to depart from the table.

Throughout historical eras, alcohol had consistently occupied a crucial position in dictating historical occurrences and societal culture.

There existed a justification for why consumers revered it like a higher power.

And this evening.

The legacy of Daesung would surely be authored with alcohol.

Ohahahaha!