Chapter 261: I Intend to Join Hands with Him

Upon arriving in Seoul, the agents from the National Intelligence Service were waiting for us.

“I’m so relieved you all returned safely.”

Chairman Song Chan-woo of Daehyeon, the oldest member of the delegation, spoke on behalf of the group.

“It felt like walking on thin ice.”

“You’ve all had a tough time. Please join us to share your detailed experiences from inside Pyongyang. It won’t take long.”

Neither the South Korean government nor the U.S. and other countries had a clear understanding of North Korea’s current situation.

But I, more than anyone here, knew the atmosphere inside North Korea well. However, I had no desire to follow them today.

“Everyone must be tired. Let’s keep this brief.”

“Yes, let’s meet with the chairpersons first. After that, we can speak with the others and send you home.”

“Understood. Is everyone okay?”

Chairman Song Chan-woo nodded and looked around at the group.

“Chairman Song, please exclude me. I need to take Manager Ma to the hospital first.”

“That’s not acceptable. No one can be excused. Everyone must attend.”

The agent from the National Intelligence Service, who was speaking with Chairman Song Chan-woo, said to me.

I turned to look at him. There was a sense of pride in his eyes as an agent.

Normally, I would have let it slide, but the timing was off.

“What’s your name?”

“Huh?”

“What’s your name, I said.”

“Why do you want to know that?”

This must be part of basic training for agents. I shook my head slightly at his refusal to give his name.

I took out my phone and made a call. A familiar voice came through the receiver shortly after.

“Secretary, it’s Kim Mu-hyeok.”

― Boss Kim, I’m relieved to hear you’re safe. I just received reports that the delegation has arrived in Seoul.

“Yes, but there’s an agent from the National Intelligence Service here with me.”

I brushed past the usual greetings from the Secretary and got straight to the point.

He understood what I meant and explained the situation to me.

― We need to gather information on the internal situation in Pyongyang, but we have no leads. Your cooperation would be greatly appreciated.

“I understand, but my secretary is injured. I think we need to go to the hospital, but the person here won’t let me.”

― Aah… Please provide your rank and name.

I spoke loudly to the agent without covering the phone.

“Please tell me your name and rank.”

The agent’s face showed surprise. Yet, he still refused to answer.

I showed my annoyance and said to the Secretary.

“He’s not talking. I’ll switch with you.”

― Okay, please do.

I handed the phone to the agent. I gestured toward him repeatedly as he looked at me and the phone with a confused expression.

Soon, the agent received the phone and began talking.

Unlike his demeanor with me, he acted humbly as if facing someone important.

“Yes, yes. Ah, I understand. I’ll do as you instructed.”

After finishing the call, the agent handed the phone back to me.

― Boss Kim, you’re free to go.

“Thank you. I’ll enter the Blue House tomorrow and speak directly with the President.”

― We’d appreciate that. I’ll confirm the schedule and get back to you.

I smiled at the agent, looking at his face.

The agent’s face was shadowed by defeat rather than confidence.

“Can I leave now?”

“Yes, I apologize for the inconvenience. You may go now.”

The agent quickly returned to a stony expression, lowering his head as if he’d received proper training.

I turned to Chairman Song Chan-woo and Chairman Kim Byung-woo.

“I’ll take my leave for now. You both endure a bit longer. Let’s meet again soon.”

“Sure thing, Boss Kim. Let’s meet next time.”

After shaking hands with Chairman Song Chan-woo, I extended my hand toward Chairman Kim Byung-woo.

“Chairman Kim, I’ll contact you in a few days.”

“Okay, Boss. I’ll see you next time.”

Just as I finished my farewells, Eva arrived with her bodyguards.

Worry etched on her face, she scanned me as soon as she arrived.

“Boss! Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine. But the Secretary is injured. Let’s hurry and go.”

“What?”

Eva was startled at the mention of Manager Ma’s injury, shouting to her men behind her.

“What are you doing? Hurry and help the Secretary!”

Her men rushed toward him, their voices revealing concern beneath their stoic faces.

“Brother, are you okay?”

Even being assisted, Manager Ma glanced at me first. Seeing my expression, he nodded slightly.

“Don’t make a fuss. It’s nothing serious.”

“Secretary, you take another vehicle and go comfortably. Eva, you move with me. Let’s head to Korea University Hospital first.”

The car carrying us quickly arrived at the hospital.

I had Manager Ma admitted to the VIP ward and scheduled detailed examinations for tomorrow.

Afterward, I talked to Eva in a room connected to the ward.

“What happened? I saw the news about the North Korean army moving suddenly, but what exactly happened, Boss? Why was Manager Ma shot?”

“Eva, later. Let’s wait until one of the CEOs arrives, and we can all discuss it together. I’m just tired right now.”

Not long after, Han Gyeong-yeong, who had been waiting at the Myeong-dong office, arrived at the hospital.

“Mu-hyeok, what the hell happened?”

Han Gyeong-yeong reacted similarly to Eva. I recounted the events from Pyongyang to the two of them as they settled into their seats.

“You really had a near-death experience, didn’t you? You need to back off when it’s time to retreat. Sometimes I worry that you act recklessly without a thought, Mu-hyeok.”

Han Gyeong-yeong opened up with a concerned tone after hearing everything.

“Now, more people are following you. I hope you won’t directly participate in such dangerous acts anymore and send someone else instead.”

There was a palpable worry behind his words, making me smile faintly as his feelings reached me.

“Still, this time I had to do it myself. None of us expected a coup to happen so suddenly. I guess I should be thankful that I got to know Kim Jong-il’s true nature.”

What was revealed in this crisis was Kim Jong-il, a maniacal dictator.

If I partnered with him, business would surely come crashing down at any moment, depending solely on his whims.

There was no way I could walk the same path as someone like him.

“That may be true… But Boss, don’t overdo it. First and foremost, you need to survive to plan for the future.”

“Alright, Eva. Thank you for worrying about me.”

Knowing both of them were concerned for me made me sincerely grateful.

“Also, because of this incident, they said all matters between the North and South that were supposed to proceed have been put on hold.”

“What?”

“Kim Hak-gwon probably doesn’t know yet. I plan to tell him when I go tomorrow. It seems like there will be a bloodbath in Pyongyang for a while. We’ll have to wait and see who survives and who perishes.”

No one knew how far the ramifications of this coup would extend.

I couldn’t predict the chaotic movements of Pyongyang, now so twisted from what I knew of history.

“If Jang Seong-taek survives this purging, I plan to join hands with him.”

“Are you talking about Deputy Jang Seong-taek?”

I nodded slightly.

“What power does he hold? After all, North Korea is essentially a Kim dynasty. Being the second-in-command means his life is just as fragile, subject to Kim Jong-il’s temper.”

“I realized this time that there’s substantial resentment toward Kim Jong-il even within North Korea. It’s about as much as we understand. They may be attempting to install the Kim name as merely a figurehead, just like Japan, with real control falling to political figures such as Jang Seong-taek.”

Han Gyeong-yeong and Eva exchanged cautious glances before carefully asking.

“Hmm… Is that possible?”

“Only one way to find out. To carry out projects with Russia, the railroads between North and South have to connect eventually. But trusting Kim Jong-il is out of the question.”

This hope was shared by Chairman Song Young-ju, and despite being a topic Putin wished to bring up, it was also beneficial for me to connect the Eurasian continent via rail.

By bridging through land routes that connect China and Russia, things would run much smoother.

“So I need to swap him out for someone I can trust, one who shares my ideals.”

“If you decide to do this, Eva and I will follow, but it’ll be challenging. It’s impossible without help from the U.S., China, and Russia.”

Due to the unique situation on the Korean Peninsula, nothing could proceed without the tacit understanding of the U.S., China, and Russia. I acknowledged and lightly nodded my head.

“And Japan will likely try to meddle as well. We should completely disregard that. Let’s make sure everyone knows this for now.”

“Understood.”

“Okay, Boss!”

They knew that once I set my mind to something, I would do everything to achieve it. Ultimately, both of them gave me positive responses.

“For now, Eva should focus on Il-seong Group, and you, Brother, should only concern yourself with crude oil. Let’s take a vacation after Manager Ma is discharged.”

Eva and Han Gyeong-yeong both nodded at the same time. They looked desperate for a break.

“I need a rest too. You all can head back now.”

“Are you going to stay here?”

“Yeah, I’m staying here tonight. I’ll keep an eye on the examinations tomorrow before heading to the Blue House.”

Once I sent off Han Gyeong-yeong and Eva, I remained behind with Manager Ma.

Returning to the ward, I took a seat next to Manager Ma, who was sitting up in bed.

“Are you really okay?”

“Yes, I’m fine.”

Even if the gunshot wound to his thigh had been treated right away, I was still concerned because it was a close-range shot.

What if he had trouble walking? What if he got an infection and suffered pain?

Manager Ma was injured because of me. Perhaps reading my face, he smiled softly.

“I’m more of an expert with gunshot wounds than these doctors. Didn’t I show you my scars from before? I survived just fine. A thigh injury is nothing to worry about.”

While in Russia, Manager Ma had shown me the scars from his mercenary days and shared stories from that time.

He said there was no time to treat injuries while running for survival.

But since he was living well without aftereffects, he said not to worry.

I smiled bittersweetly at his words.

“Let’s at least have your exam tomorrow, then we’ll talk. And…”

I passed along what I told Han Gyeong-yeong and Eva. After listening to all of it, Manager Ma responded.

“If that’s what you want, then do it. But if it stems from a desire for revenge, please don’t go through with it.”

Manager Ma was worried I might overextend for the sake of his vengeance.

While there was indeed a mix of revenge in my feelings, this was a conclusion I had drawn from my recent experiences.

I couldn’t partner with someone like Kim Jong-il.

“I will. Now, please get some rest. I need to head inside and sleep myself.”

“Aren’t you going to Pyeongchang-dong?”

“I’ll stay here tonight and return tomorrow. I’ll only be here until the exam is done.”

I got up and lowered Manager Ma’s bed.

“Boss, sleep well.”

I replied to Manager Ma’s goodnight and went into my room.

Though my mind was busy, trying to think while tired only added to my fatigue.

I let out a big sigh, got up from my seat, and headed for the bathroom. I washed away my worries and tried to sleep.

The next day, examinations began early in the morning.

Fortunately, I accepted the doctor’s opinion that there wouldn’t be any aftereffects.

“That’s a relief.”

“I told you not to worry too much.”

“Still, you need to remain hospitalized for about a week. Think of it as an opportunity to rest.”

“But…”

Manager Ma hesitated, struggling to respond, but I firmly continued.

“Today, there’s nothing scheduled beyond the Blue House visit, so don’t worry. Once this is all over, I better make a trip to Busan.”

Hearing about my trip to Busan made Manager Ma finally accept.

“I need to get going. It’s time for my visit to the Blue House.”

“Have a safe trip, Boss.”

I lightly patted Manager Ma on the shoulder and left the hospital.

About thirty minutes after departing, I reached the main gate of the Blue House.

“Boss Kim, I’m glad you’re safe.”

Kim Hak-gwon’s first words upon meeting in the conference room.

“Fortunately, nothing serious happened.”

“Good, do you happen to know anything? I heard that others couldn’t even leave the hotel. If you know anything, please share it with me.”

As soon as he sat down, Kim Hak-gwon asked in urgency. I could sense his anxiety on his face.

“The coup did indeed occur.”

“I gathered as much. It wouldn’t make sense for the troops from the 2nd and 4th Corps, who are currently clashing with us, to mobilize otherwise. But the communications have been so cut off that even the U.S. hasn’t grasped the full picture yet.”

I recalled what Baek Cheol-soo had said at the villa. He had mentioned that due to the phone lines being severed, they approached via satellite communications, leading to a conflict.

“The coup has been suppressed. The outcome was inevitable from the moment we failed to secure Kim Jong-il’s safety.”

“I received reports that Kim Jong-il is safe. He appeared in an official capacity last night.”

Kim Jong-il needed to prove he was unharmed to ensure that the other corps wouldn’t develop other thoughts.

He made an exception and revealed himself at an official event quite swiftly.

“Yes, I took shelter with him in a secret bunker outside Pyongyang. After the coup was suppressed, we returned together to Pyongyang. Following that, I escorted the delegation back to Seoul.”

“What? You were with Chairman Kim Jong-il?”

Nodding my head caused Kim Hak-gwon’s face to drain of color. He seemed quite shocked.

“So, was Manager Ma’s injury a result of protecting Kim Jong-il?”

Kim Hak-gwon was already aware of Manager Ma’s injury.

“No, that’s not the case.”

“Then how did he get shot?”

I answered with utmost seriousness to his question.

“He was shot by Kim Jong-il.”

Upon hearing my response, Kim Hak-gwon shot up from his seat.