Artifact Reading Inspector

Cheonman’s office at Korea University. In there, Cheonman was having a serious conversation with someone.

The man sitting opposite to him was in his 50s and, judging from how they talked, he appeared to be Cheonman’s superior.

“I must go to that site in Gimhae?” Cheonman asked.

The man then said, “As you must know, things are going bad in Japan. Political issues keep happening, and then a grave was robbed. Do you know that?”

“A grave was robbed?”

The man then explained, “My, my… you really know nothing. Ogura Takenoske’s tomb has been robbed. The archaeologists and historians in Japan were all shocked. And as you know, history is linked to a nation’s soul.”

The man tapped his head with his finger while Cheonman bowed after saying, “Of course. You are right, Senator Gang.”

“That tomb belongs to none other than Ogura, and it was robbed. This is a serious problem. There are rumors going around in Japan saying that the thief is Park Haejin, the owner of the museum that is leading the excavation tomb in Gimhae,” Senator Gang replied.

Cheonman then said, “Park Haejin… I think I’ve heard of him… oh! His museum got Picasso’s painting some time ago!”

“Ah, you are too slow. Yes, that museum!”

“But why would he go all the way to Japan to rob a grave? Bringing in Japanese artifacts would be suspicious,” Cheonman asked.

Senator Gang drank some cold water in front of him and gravely said, “The Double Dragon Sword.”

Shocked, Cheonman asked, “What? Do you mean the Double Dragon Sword which Park Haejin Art Museum just showed to the public?”

“Yes, that sword was in Ogura’s tomb,” Senator Gang explained.

“Oh… my…” Cheonman buries his head in his hands.

However, Senator Gang didn’t like this and openly expressed his anger, “He dared to steal General Lee Sunsin’s sword which was sleeping in Ogura’s tomb! How could he do that? You know what kind of man Ogura Takenoske was. He spent his entire wealth protecting Korean artifacts from being sent abroad! And he dug his grave and stole General Lee Sunsin’s sword. That is insane, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but…”

“What ‘but’? Huh?” Senator Gang glared at Cheonman who dropped his head.

“No, he insulted a great man. Yes,” Cheonman then replied.

“Hey, Professor Jeong, listen up. You do know that 80% of the research funds you get every year come from us, right?”

“Of course. I’m well aware of it.”

“Wouldn’t I be shocked if you change your mind after getting our money for so long? And then there’s money we gave to your son and daughter so that they could study abroad… then you should do the right thing. Don’t you think so?”

Cheonman bowed once again and said, “I am sorry, I made a mistake. That man must be punished for digging Ogura’s tomb.”

Senator Gang smiled only then. Next, he spoke in a soothing voice as if he was someone else now.

“You know I like you a lot, right? Let’s not do this. I don’t like arguing, either. We have drunk and had fun with girls so many times! Don’t we know each other so well?”

“Of course, of course,” Cheonman smiled awkwardly.

Senator Gang then took his hand and asked, “Your son is coming back soon, right? Did he get a job?”

“He… as you know, getting a job is hard these days.”

“Yes, yes. He majored in business administration, right?”

Cheonman suddenly brightened up at this, “Yes. He studied business administration at Goguryeo University. His grades are good, and now he speaks fluent Japanese.”

Although Cheonman’s son had graduated from a decent university, it wasn’t good enough to get a job during the economic depression. It must have been why his father had sent him to Japan to study more.

“You should… where was it… Korea Asset Management Corporation. Try applying there,” Senator Gang said.

“Korea Asset Management Corporation? That’s, that’s where the best elites go…”

Korea Asset Management Corporation was famous for being good even among public enterprises. If his son could get a job there, his life would be easy from there.

“Don’t be so modest… you’re the smartest person I’ve ever met. As the old saying goes, a tiger father will not beget a dog son. He is your son, so he must also be smart. I will tell them in advance, so make him apply there.”

Cheonman stood up and bowed deeply again and again, “Oh, thank you so much. I will never forget this.”

“Please, there’s no need for that between us. Sit, sit…” Senator Gang made Cheonman sit again and continued, “Anyway, to talk about what we were discussing again, you should go to Gimhae.”

Cheonman, who had looked troubled, now asked back with enthusiasm, “What should I do there?”

Senator Gang laughed and patted his shoulder, “Haha! This is the Professor Jeong I know. It isn’t that difficult. Just break the project.”

“Break the project?”

Senator Gang then explained, “You see… that Park Haejin guy has many friends. People that are fond of him are everywhere, including at the Cultural Heritage Administration, so we couldn’t stop them from getting permission to excavate. If we use force to get what we want, we won’t be able to get away with this… but Japan made it clear what we must do with this excavation.”

“Do you mean…”

“Yes, the excavation team funded by us must lead this excavation, and without any help from the other teams… now, your team is the only team that can take part in it without people getting suspicious. Go and break the project.”

“Then we will be able to start the new project,” Cheonman commented.

Senator Gang smiled with satisfaction, “Yes, we are planning to make a new team enter the tomb.”

“And after that…”

Senator Gang snapped Cheonman’s curiosity, “You don’t need to know more.”

“Then, which will be in the new excavation team?” Cheonman asked.

“You don’t have to know that, either. You only have to do your part well. Understood?”

Cheonman looked a little disappointed, but he soon smiled and bowed, “Yes.”

Senator Gang grabbed his knees and slowly stood up, “Oh… you must work out as well. I am younger than you, but my body is already getting heavy.”

“You should take care of your body,” Cheonman said.

“Yes, yes. Let us get a drink later. That girl you liked… who was she? Yaerim, right? Her name is pretty, too. Right?” Senator Gang then asked.

“Hahaha!” Cheonman smiled, embarrassed.

Senator Gang patted his shoulder and then turned around, “Let’s drink with her. Then goodbye.”

“Thank you for everything, senator.” When Cheonman straightened his back again, the senator had already left.

“Huu…” Cheonman plopped down on his chair while letting out a sigh, he then thought about something for some time and picked up his phone.

“Hey, Jeongtae, it looks like we will have to excavate in Gimhae. Pick about five students to work. How long? Umm… not that long. No, this excavation will end very soon. Don’t ask more.”

Haejin stared at the old professor’s face. The professor was enraged as Haejin had taken his glasses, and he was being restrained by the guards.

Haejin did think that there was a chance of something being wrong. In fact, Cheonman was insisting too much on nonsense that Haejin thought there must be something behind it, and there really was a dirty deal behind all that.

What was he supposed to do? If he just ignored him and went back, that old professor, who was willing to sacrifice the artifacts for his son’s future, would get what he wanted.

However, arguing there wasn’t going to help, either, especially as Cheonman’s assistant was recording everything with his camera from afar. Acting without care could cost the government’s permission to excavate.

Actually, Haejin didn’t really have to excavate. He had come all this way because he wanted to exhibit the artifacts from the tomb at his museum, but he thought if that didn’t happen, he wouldn’t care much.

However, letting the artifacts fall into their hands was a different matter. They valued their well-being and wealth more than the nation’s legacy.

“Okay, you can have it,” Haejin stopped the guards and gave the vase to Cheonman.

“You, you should have given it to me sooner…”

“However, my researchers will lead the restoration process. Is that fine?” Haejin asked.

Cheonman then replied, “This is an important legacy of this country! Anyone who isn’t good enough cannot lay a hand on it!”

“Yes, of course. The best expert will lead the process.”

Haejin was thinking of hiring the best restorer in Korea if needed.

“Khmm… if you say so…” Cheonman nodded and was about to back off. He was probably thinking what had happened was enough to win the public.

With Senator Gang’s power, making a few reporters write about it wouldn’t be hard…

Haejin then said, “But can I ask you something instead?”

“Ask me what?”

“Who was it? Who gave you orders to disturb this project?”

“What, what the… Senator Gang Yongjin.” In the next second, Cheonman covered his mouth quickly. However, he had already confessed. Haejin nodded and went away from him.

As he had used the magic to make people confess the truth, he could have made Cheonman confess everything if he wanted, but he thought it would not be good.

Strange things occurring to so many people would drag too much attention, and it was not good.

That was enough. Now, it looked like Cheonman had made a mistake… and everyone makes mistakes.

Now, people were going to think that the old professor said something he shouldn’t have as he was getting older and less sharp.

“Oh… I see… Senator Gang Yongjin, okay.”

“Wa, wait. Wait!” Cheonman called him, but Haejin ignored that and got on his car. As the restoration researchers, including Sujeong, were watching, the artifacts that had been hidden in the dark for a long time were about to see the light again.

Additionally, that video Cheonman’s assistant had filmed was never going to be shown. What the professor had said was already leaving the site with shock…

“Senator Gang Yongjin…”

A senator who takes Japan’s money and steals the artifacts from their own country for Japan could exist.

However, it wasn’t like Haejin was a hero. He didn’t want to bother going to him and bring about social justice.

Even with his magic, he wasn’t invincible. Additionally, he could be tracked by that secret organization that was after vestigiums.

Nevertheless, he had to know who he was. Since he was openly standing in his way, one day, they were going to meet, although he didn’t know when.

Buzz…

When Haejin was on the highway, his phone buzzed. It was Eunhae. When he took the call, he could sense that she sounded a little tense.

“It’s me.”

“Yes, I know. What is it?” Haejin asked.

Eunhae then explained, “Prosecutor Ha Yeonjin called in the morning. The white porcelain pillow from China showed up in Insadong. So, I looked into it, and a friend of mine told me that she just got an invitation. 8 p.m. today, Baekje Hotel.”

Haejin could see how it was going on. But… those criminals were so bold.

“Then, I guess I will get to see some wealthy people at the hotel. It’s been a while since I did that.”

Eunhae then let out a heavy sigh, “Hu… okay. I’ll find you a way to get in, although we have no invitation.”