novelburst
Chapter 117
Chapter 117
The Hidden Dragon, Yun Hyun-chul
It was undeniable.
Yun Hyun-chul’s massive physique was not just bulky—it was a well-maintained, solid build. His body resembled polished armor.
However, despite his impressive frame, his sunken eyes and indifferent expression conveyed apathy, as though nothing in the world mattered.
But Su-ho knew better.
Though Yun Hyun-chul was known as the "Hidden Dragon" now, in the distant future, he would be called the "Mad Dragon," Yun Hyun-chul.
‘I must tame him and bring him to my side before he loses control and succumbs to madness.’
Now, and in the future, there was no other inmate in Cheongok Prison as strong as him.
Su-ho casually sat on the fallen Yun Hyun-chul like he was a cushion, smirking.
“You seem quite agitated. Should I start by calming you down?”
“Ughhh!”
“Wow, you’re really worked up… Anyway, let’s get straight to the point. I know why you’re on death row. You were sentenced to death for killing every single Hunter who gang-raped your girlfriend. Even here, you didn’t let anyone mess with you. You beat up every inmate who provoked you—some ended up disabled, while others… well, didn’t make it.”
If one were to tally all the people Yun Hyun-chul had crippled or killed, the number would already exceed ten.
That’s why he was now a death row inmate.
Su-ho continued.
“Still, I don’t think you’re a bad person. If the same thing had happened to my girlfriend, I’d have done exactly what you did. And if I ended up in prison afterward, I’d probably act like I’d lost everything, just like you.”
“Ughhh!”
This was no mere platitude—it was the truth.
‘No matter how many lives I’ve lived or how experienced I am as a civil servant, I’m no Buddha or saint.’
But Yun Hyun-chul seemed to want to scream, "What would someone like you know?" Despite having his pressure points sealed, he shook violently, struggling to express his defiance.
Su-ho ignored this and kept talking.
“Even though I don’t think you’re in the wrong, the world doesn’t share my sentiment. Neither does the law. But wouldn’t it be too sad to keep living like this, with dead eyes and no purpose in life?”
Rising from his seat on Yun Hyun-chul, Su-ho helped him into a chair. He adjusted the pressure points in his lower body so he could sit comfortably.
Although Yun Hyun-chul’s gaze was still filled with murderous intent, Su-ho paid it no mind and pressed on.
“You grew up in Aram Orphanage, didn’t you? You were admitted there with your younger sister.”
At that moment, Yun Hyun-chul stopped struggling entirely.
Seeing his reaction, Su-ho smiled.
“I understand your sister was adopted shortly after entering the orphanage, while you aged out. I also know you spent years trying to find her after leaving the orphanage.”
Su-ho released the remaining pressure points.
Yun Hyun-chul clenched his fists, but instead of lashing out, he sat properly in his chair, glaring at Su-ho.
“Your sister’s name is Yun Hyun-hee, correct? I know where she is. I know what she’s doing and where she lives.”
Su-ho took a folder out of his inventory. Inside were personal details and recent photos of a woman—Yun Hyun-hee.
Yun Hyun-chul’s eyes widened as he examined the photos, disbelief evident on his face.
“She’s still in Korea, fortunately,” Su-ho said. “But her life hasn’t been easy. Though she was adopted into a good family, she lost everything to Gate Shock when she became an adult. She married early to a man she met during those difficult times, but…”
Su-ho pulled out more photos.
The images were heart-wrenching—Yun Hyun-hee’s face covered in bruises, clearly the result of domestic violence.
“Her husband is an alcoholic and gambler. I hear he turned to gambling after losing his business to Gate Shock twice, and now he’s deeply in debt.”
Yun Hyun-chul’s face turned red, his expression resembling a volcano on the brink of eruption.
But Su-ho remained calm, rising to release his pressure points entirely.
This time, Yun Hyun-chul didn’t scream or curse. Instead, he sat quietly, suppressing his rage, and spoke in a low voice.
“…What do you want from me?”
“I want you to become the king of Cheongok Prison.”
“The king?”
“Yes. Despite the chaos of our times, human rights laws still prevent prisons from treating inmates harshly. At best, their freedom is restricted. But I believe that’s not enough. The purpose of a prison is reform. Yet even here in Cheongok, rich inmates live comfortably while others suffer. How can reform happen in such an environment?”
Yun Hyun-chul frowned but said nothing.
“Let’s be honest. I want you to become Cheongok’s king not just to enforce discipline but to deal with inmates I don’t have time to handle personally. In exchange, I’ll take care of Yun Hyun-hee. I’ll ensure she lives a stable, safe life.”
“…”
Su-ho didn’t bother dressing up his intentions. If Yun Hyun-chul wanted to see him as manipulative, so be it.
This was a transaction, plain and simple.
For Su-ho, it was just one of many strategies to eradicate Gates more efficiently.
Yun Hyun-chul understood that too.
He was a man living each day without purpose, merely surviving. Yet, out of nowhere, Su-ho had given him a reason to live—a chance to protect his only family, Yun Hyun-hee.
“Think of it this way,” Su-ho added. “You’ll spend your life in here, but outside, I’ll take responsibility for your sister. All I ask is that you manage Cheongok.”
“…If I do this, will you really keep your promise?”
“Of course. I’m a public figure—I wouldn’t dare lie about something like this. If you’d like, I can even arrange for your sister to visit you.”
“…No. Don’t tell her about me. Just… take care of her like a shadow. Quietly.”
“Are you ashamed to face her?”
“…”
Yun Hyun-chul remained silent, and Su-ho didn’t press him further.
“Understood. I’ll do as you wish. Now, let’s discuss the specifics of your role.”
“What else do you want?”
“Think of it as improving efficiency.”
“…Go on.”
“Do you know Kim Goong-won?”
“Kim Goong-won?”
“The drug maker in Cheongok. I want him as your subordinate.”
“I don’t need him.”
“You do. Someone needs to handle the grunt work while you focus on bigger issues. Cheongok is vast, and you can’t manage it all alone. That’s why I want you to be not just a king but an efficient one.”
Su-ho pulled out two banana milk cartons from his inventory, handed one to Yun Hyun-chul, and said,
“Kings create laws, and laws establish order. I want you to be a terrifying tyrant—a king so fearsome that inmates dread returning here, and the outside world fears your reputation.”
“…That’s complicated.”
“It’s simple. Think of it as Hammurabi’s Code—‘an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth.’ Just follow that principle and handle any additional requests I might have. Oh, and Kim Goong-won isn’t just a drug maker—he can also produce healing and buff potions. He’ll be useful.”
Yun Hyun-chul stared at Su-ho for a long time before nodding.
“…Fine. I accept the deal.”
Su-ho smiled, extending his hand.
“Thank you. I’ll make regular visits to check in, so don’t worry.”
As they exited the room, Kim Geon, still disguised as Pi Seong-yeol, turned to Su-ho.
“Shall we move on to the next one?”
“Yes. Let’s go.”
Finally, it was time to meet the last target.
When they arrived at the third visitation room, a hulking man entered, laughing boisterously.
“Well, well! I wondered who’d call for me at this hour. You’re that guy from TV, aren’t you?”
“Cho Gwang-ho?”
“That’s me. But wait—aren’t you the Sword Saint, An Su-ho?”
“That’s right. And you’re one of Cheongok’s two monsters—‘The Iron Mace.’”
“Ha! Even someone as famous as you has heard of me?”
Su-ho didn’t reply.
Instead, he stood and began pressing pressure points on Cho Gwang-ho’s massive body.
[Pressure Point Activated.]
[Pressure Point Activated.]
[Pressure Point Activated.]
With each strike—
“Arrrgh!”
Cho Gwang-ho collapsed to the ground, writhing in agony as Su-ho watched calmly.