Return of the Sword God-Rank Civil Servant

Chapter 117

Hidden Dragon, Yoon Hyun-cheol.

It was clear.

Though he was large, his body wasn’t soft like the water; instead, he maintained a sturdy, well-conditioned physique.

However, despite his armor-like build, his hollow eyes and face carried a detached, indifferent expression, as if nothing in the world could interest him.

But Suho knew.

Though he was now called a Hidden Dragon, in the distant future, he would become the Mad Dragon, Yoon Hyun-cheol.

‘Before he spirals out of control as the Mad Dragon, I need to tame him and make him my ally.’

Both now and in the future, there was no inmate within Cheongok as strong as he was.

Suho sat on top of the fallen man, using him as a cushion, and spoke.

“You seem quite worked up, so let me start by saying this, okay?”

“Ughhh!”

“Wow, you’re really overreacting… Anyway, to get to the point, I know why you’re on death row. You received a death sentence after beating to death all the Hunters who gang-raped your girlfriend. Even after being imprisoned here at Cheongok, you assaulted any guy who picked a fight with you, some ending up disabled, and others even dead.”

By now, the number of people he had crippled or killed likely exceeded ten.

That’s why he was sentenced to death.

Suho continued speaking.

“But I don’t think you’re a bad person. If my girlfriend had been through something like that, I’d have acted exactly like you did. And if I ended up in prison, I’d probably carry myself as someone who had lost everything, too.”

“Ughhh!!”

He meant it.

‘No matter how much of a public servant and returnee I am, I’m no Buddha or bodhisattva.’

Yet Yoon Hyun-cheol, restrained at the acupoints of A-hyeol and Gu-sim-hyeol, still managed to tremble, resisting, as if to say, ‘What do you even know?’

Suho continued speaking.

“But just because I don’t think of you as a bad person, it doesn’t mean everyone in the world will sympathize with you. That’s how the law works too. But, wouldn’t it be too sad to go on like this with lifeless eyes, without any purpose in life?”

Suho stood up and helped Yoon Hyun-cheol to his feet.

Then, he seated him properly in a chair, loosening the lower acupoints of Gu-sim-hyeol so that he could sit comfortably.

Yoon Hyun-cheol’s gaze still radiated a fierce intensity. But Suho, undeterred, continued speaking.

“You’re from the Aram Orphanage, right? And you entered the orphanage with your younger sister, if I’m not mistaken?”

At that moment, Yoon Hyun-cheol, who had been resisting violently, stopped trembling.

Seeing him calm down, Suho smiled and spoke.

“I understand your sister was adopted shortly after arriving at the orphanage. In contrast, you stayed until you aged out and graduated. I also know that after leaving, you traveled around in search of her.”

Continuing, Suho unlocked the remaining acupoints in Gu-sim-hyeol.

With those points now released, Yoon Hyun-cheol refrained from swinging his fists and instead sat straight, glaring at Suho.

“Your sister’s name is Yoon Hyun-hee, correct? I know where she is. I also know what she’s doing and where she’s living now.”

Suho took an envelope from his inventory.

Inside were the personal details and recent photos of a woman, all belonging to Yoon Hyun-hee.

Yoon Hyun-cheol, unable to believe what he saw, widened his eyes as he examined the documents and photos.

Suho spoke.

“Fortunately, I found she’s still living in Korea. But her life didn’t seem easy. Though she was adopted into a good family, on the year she became an adult, she lost her entire family in the Gate Shock incident, leaving her suddenly homeless and struggling through a difficult life. Eventually, she met a man and got married early…”

Suho showed him a few more photos.

Photos of Yoon Hyun-hee, her face covered in bruises.

Anyone could see it was the result of physical abuse.

“Her husband is reportedly abusive, an alcoholic, and recently even started gambling. It seems that his debts have piled up after their business failed twice due to Gate Shock.”

After seeing the second photo, Yoon Hyun-cheol’s face turned red.

He looked ready to explode at any moment.

But Suho, unfazed, stood up and undid the acupoint restraints.

This time, Yoon Hyun-cheol didn’t scream or swear. He sat calmly, controlling his anger, his voice low.

“…What do you want from me?”

“I want you to become the king of Cheongok.”

“The king?”

“It’s the era of great upheaval, but due to human rights concerns, our country still doesn’t treat inmates harshly. The most they do is limit their freedom. But I don’t think that’s enough. The essence of prison is reformation. Yet, even in Cheongok, those with money can sleep soundly with both legs stretched out… How can any real reformation happen here?”

Yoon Hyun-cheol frowned at Suho’s words.

Then he spoke.

“Your words sound nice, but it seems you just want me to become the head of Cheongok so you can control certain inmates through me.”

“Yes, well. It’s just packaging if you think of it that way. I’m too busy to manage every criminal myself. So, I’d like you to take care of things here on my behalf. In return, I’ll take responsibility for your sister, Yoon Hyun-hee.”

“…”

Suho didn’t bother trying to sugarcoat it.

If that’s how the other saw it, he didn’t mind.

What’s the big deal?

It was just a deal.

It was simply one of many plans to end the Gate incidents, an efficient arrangement that would drastically shorten the process.

Yoon Hyun-cheol knew.

In fact, what Suho believed in or pursued didn’t matter at all.

He was just a man living each day as if he couldn’t die.

But suddenly, a stranger appeared, showing him an unexpected beacon of hope.

His younger sister, Yoon Hyun-hee.

His only remaining family.

He had promised as a child.

Even though their parents had left them, they would live together as family for the rest of their lives.

But due to a series of misfortunes, he lost everything, and even that promise had been broken.

“If you need anything, I’ll provide it. Think simply. While you have to spend your life here, there are things outside you want to take responsibility for. I’ll handle those for you. In return, I want you to take absolute control over Cheongok.”

“…If I do that, you’ll really keep your promise?”

“Of course. I’m even on TV. Lying about this could ruin me. Oh, and if you want, I’ll arrange for your sister to visit you here.”

A visit.

At those words, Yoon Hyun-cheol fell silent for a moment.

Then, he shook his head.

“No need for a visit. Also, please don’t mention me to my sister. Just… just take care of her quietly, like a shadow.”

“Are you embarrassed to stand in front of your sister?”

“…”

Yoon Hyun-cheol held back from answering.

Suho didn’t press him for a response.

He’d need some time to think it over.

Alright.

That was enough.

What mattered was that their deal was now in place.

“Understood. I’ll do as you wish. Now, let me go over the conditions of my request in a bit more detail.”

“What else is there?”

“Think of it as requirements to improve operational efficiency.”

“…What is it?”

“Do you know a man named Kim Goong-won?”

“Kim Goong-won?”

“There’s a junkie in here who likes to throw money around. He’s not an addict because he uses drugs—he’s an addict because he makes them.”

“And?”

“I’ll assign him to work under you.”

“Not necessary.”

“You need him. You’ll need someone to handle the menial tasks.”

“Why would I need that?”

“Cheongok is vast. There are a lot of people. How do you expect to manage everything I order all by yourself? I told you earlier—I want you to become the king of Cheongok. That wasn’t just about taking control through force alone.”

Suho took out two banana milks from his inventory.

After inserting straws into each one, he offered one to Yoon Hyun-cheol and continued.

“When a king is established, laws follow, and laws bring order. The type of law and order that forms depends on the kind of king in power. I’d like you to be an intimidating tyrant. A king so terrifying that inmates are reformed, desperate to avoid coming back here, and outsiders are cautious because of their fear of you.”

“If that’s the kind of king you want, Cheongok already has one.”

“The Iron Monster? He’s somewhat similar, sure. But he’s just carving out power for his own comfort. He favors those who bring him money and beats those he feels like beating. I want a king who is fair and just… yes, like King Yeomra, a ruthless but righteous ruler.”

“…Sounds complicated.”

“It’s not that complicated. You’ve heard of the Code of Hammurabi, right? An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. Just rule through a straightforward, tit-for-tat system. And if I have any additional orders, just handle those as they come. For your information, Kim Goong-won is a pharmacist who can make both healing and buff potions. He won’t just be handling simple tasks.”

Kim Goong-won would need at least seven years to get out of Cheongok.

He’d likely qualify for parole reviews here and there, but Suho planned to use his influence to have them all rejected.

‘And if I find more charges against him, I’ll drag him back to court.’

That would ensure he stayed in Cheongok indefinitely.

Suho spoke.

“I wouldn’t make this request to just anyone. I’m asking you because I know you have no interest in tormenting others. It’s the circumstances that made you a criminal; you’re inherently a good person.”

“I don’t need to hear that, and I don’t believe it either. Anyway, I’ll accept the deal. Do I need to report progress or anything like that?”

“Kim Goong-won will handle that part. Oh, and I’ll personally visit once or twice a month, so don’t worry too much.”

Suho extended his hand as he continued.

“Well, then, I’ll be counting on you. I’ll make sure to add funds to your account regularly, so use them as you need.”

“…I don’t need it.”

“Suit yourself.”

Suho stood up.

At that, Kim Geon, who had been waiting, also rose and followed him out of the meeting room, where Kim Gil-yeon was waiting to greet them.

When Suho nodded to Kim Geon, Kim Geon spoke.

“Then, shall we go meet the last one?”

“Yes, understood.”

It was finally time to meet the last individual.

They would meet him in the third visitation room, and once they were seated in their respective spots, a much larger man than Yoon Hyun-cheol appeared, laughing heartily as he entered.

“What’s this? I wondered who was looking for me so late at night, and it’s you? Isn’t that guy the one on TV?”

“Jo Gwangho?”

“Yes, I’m Jo Gwangho. But, wait, aren’t you that famous guy, the Sword God Ahn Suho?”

“Yes, that’s me. And if I’m not mistaken, you’re one of the two monsters living in Cheongok? The one known as the ‘Iron Monster.’”

“Kuhaha! So even a bigshot like you knows of my reputation?”

Suho didn’t answer.

Instead, he stood up and pressed various acupoints all over Jo Gwangho’s body.

[ Acupoint Strike activated. ]

[ Acupoint Strike activated. ]

[ Acupoint Strike activated. ]

The Acupoint Strike skill activated repeatedly.

And at the same time—

“Gyaaahhh!!”

Jo Gwangho began rolling on the floor, screaming in pain.