Chapter 399: Do Not Do Anything

The only thing Choi Seon-man held was a photo of his granddaughter.

She must be around eight years old. The picture showed the little girl playing with the bodyguards.

In the close-up, Choi Seon-man’s face was frozen in a grimace.

“You seem to be trying to hide this, but it won’t matter. Once I set my mind to it, the President’s family will all be dead.”

Choi Seon-man’s hand trembled as he held the photo.

“Do you really think you can just waltz into enemy territory unprepared? After all the blood spilled to put the President on the throne?”

“Don’t give me those petty threats.”

“Threats? President, do you know what sets us apart?”

I playfully shaped a gun with my hand and aimed it at Choi Seon-man.

“Unlike you, I have never backed down, not once. So stop with the weak threats.”

“You think I’ll just stand idly by? Your grandmother…”

“If you wish to die a miserable death in your twilight years, then go ahead. My grandma is my lifeline. A mad dog with a broken leash is bound to bite someone.”

The moment Choi Seon-man mentioned my grandmother, the smile faded from his face.

I hated hearing her name cross those filthy lips.

Our gazes clashed fiercely in the air.

How much time passed? Eventually, Choi Seon-man was the first to look away and raise his hands.

“Hyuk, put away the gun.”

“Sir.”

“Put it away. This man is the real deal.”

“I can do it right now…”

“Hyuk!”

Choi Seon-man shouted, cutting off Jang Min-hyuk mid-sentence.

“Understood, Sir.”

Jang Min-hyuk bit his lip as he lowered his gun. Choi Seon-man gestured him to step out.

“You step aside. I’ll call you back when the discussion is over.”

No way was I letting Choi Seon-man send Jang Min-hyuk away.

“You need to hear this too, Manager Jang. I won’t fall for tricks.”

The moment Jang Min-hyuk stepped out, it was clear he’d be reaching out here and there, checking on his family’s safety.

Is that how ugly people get dull as they age?

“President, let’s not waste our strength unnecessarily.”

“…I understand. Fine. I’ll pull back from this election.”

Choi Seon-man appeared to take a step back.

Everyone can claim they’ll back down. I didn’t trust this man at all.

He would merely feign retreat while plotting something behind the scenes.

I had to ensure he was firmly subdued this time.

“Do you think that by letting this moment pass, everything will be over?”

“What do you mean?”

“Once your family’s safety is assured, it’s clear you’ll start scheming again.”

Choi Seon-man grit his teeth in response.

“Knowing everything, what more could I possibly do against you? I’ll pull back from this election.”

“This isn’t the end, is it?”

“…”

How underestimated must they view me to still be lying?

Had you been honest, we wouldn’t have sunk so low.

Ultimately, I decided to play my hidden card first.

“No matter what, relying on Japan is too much. Did you really think to mobilize the Self-Defense Forces? Were you not scared of the people’s gaze? Let’s see… The Dae Dong-hui, the specter of JapJapanese imperialism, isn’t it?”

Choi Seon-man’s eyes widened. So he believed in the Dae Dong-hui after all.ll.

He lifted the corners of his mouth as he continued.

“I never thought a group like the Dae Dong-hui could survive and nd nestle as Japan’s shadows. Are you still placing your faith in them?”

“You even know about the Dae Dong-hui? How impressive. Do Do you have something else to surprise me with? Spill it. What else do you know?”

If you’re curious, you better let me know. I shrugged in reply.

“I only know about the scenario you’ve laid out. If the Self-Defense Forces forcibly occupy Dokdo, Korea’s military will panic. When all attention is drawn to the East, we move our forces. If we seize key facilities like the Blue House and National Assembly, we declare martial law. Well, I think I know most of what would occur after that, if not all.”

“…”

Choi Seon-man glanced at Jang Min-hyuk in my words. The two stared at each other with dopey expressions, blinking.

“No matter how good power is, how could you think about handing over Dokdo?”

Feigning an exaggerated, deep sigh, I slanted my gaze towards Choi Seon-man and Jang Min-hyuk.

It’s pitiful how soldiers and politicians covet their own power, not the national interest.

“Must you desire power so wretchedly? I can’t understand it at all.”

If this incident ever comes to light, who will take responsibility?

Choi Seon-man, the ringleader, would never take the blame.

“There is no eternal secret in this world. Did you really think this matter wouldn’t come to light? Were they satisfied with just Dokdo?”

Choi Seon-man glared at me, gnashing his teeth.

“Things aren’t like before. As long as the U.S. is watching, if we hand over just Dokdo, we can be with them.”

“Hah…”

I let out a deep sigh, yet Choi Seon-man continued with his poison-laced words.

“You don’t understand! If they set their hearts to it, Korea will have no choice but to dance to their tune. They’ll once again cast a shadow over Asia. The power, capital, and influence Japan has, we cannot win against it. I joined forces with them for my homeland. That’s the only way to…”

Such a ridiculous excuse, practically verbose.

I interrupted his speech. If I listened any longer, my ears would get dirty.

“That’s just self-justification. How does selling the country betray the nation? It’s treason, and nothing more or less.”

His voice surged as he raised his tone at the accusation of treason. His face, veins bulging on his forehead, was quite impressive.

“What do you know to accuse me! Before you were even born, I spilled blood for my country in Vietnam. Do you think you know how hard I’ve worked for economic development since I became President? If you lived in those times, you wouldn’t dare speak to me like that!”

But that doesn’t erase the fact that you attempted to sell the country.

Did he think he was denied a chance at life? Choi Seon-man trembled slightly.

In such moments, he seemed less like a charismatic former President and more like an obstinate old man.

“I won’t deny your presidency. After all, you are a chapter of history. But this time, you’ve crossed the line.”

“This country has no future as it is. Just the other day, Kim Jong-il killed our soldier. Yet everyone was too absorbed in soccer to care! Is this a nation?”

Choi Seon-man seemed oblivious to what he had done wrong.

“Do you know how furious I was at the memorial service for the fallen? No one remembered them! Everyone was watching Kim Jong-il like hawks. Kim Hak-gwon forced them to death with the combat guidelines!”

“I’m not sure why the conversation is heading that way. Their deaths are regrettable, but that doesn’t justify what you’ve done. You’d allied with Japan before they died.”

Choi Seon-man slammed the table again as I firmly responded.

“Why can’t I trust Kim Hak-gwon! Why can’t I trust the progressive regime! You don’t understand! Six young navy soldiers lost their lives, yet all they hold onto is a peace policy. This is a nation we’ve fought to protect with our blood! They’re ruining it! I can’t stand back and watch!”

I smirked at his scream of excuses.

He sure knows how to stretch things when he’s in the corner.

“President, do you realize you’ve dragged the conversation too long?”

“…”

“Let’s be honest now. Just admit you were yearning for power. If you say you still cling to power, I can at least understand it. Isn’t that human nature?”

Seeing the bitter smile on my face, Choi Seon-man let out a hollow laugh.

“And what of you? Aren’t you doing this to grip power? Don’t act innocent! You dare… You dare smile in front of me!”

“Well, you relinquished nuclear weapons for U.S. approval, and now you’ve allied with Japan just to seize the regime. No, more accurately, you’ve gushed over them.”

Choi Seon-man’s fist trembled.

“Twice even. There’s no room for excuses. For your country? To benefit your country, it’s best you do nothing now. The times have changed, President. The specters of the old era must vanish now. You asked me what’s different, didn’t you?”

I met Choi Seon-man’s furious gaze.

“I bow to no one. Not to the U.S., Russia, or Japan… I won’t bow to any superpower.”

“Do you think a mere loan shark can do anything? What can that paltry money do! Without strength, what you possess will be snatched away by anyone powerful!”

Is there anything money can’t do? If not, then maybe it’s a lack of funds.

I purchased strength with money. No, I gained strength, power, and people all through money.

“This loan shark has brought Japan’s government to its knees. I’m friends with Putin, and soon to be companions with Hu Jintao, who’s about to become the president of China.”

“Yeah, I’ve heard that before. You call yourself friends with Putin? That can’t be true.”

“You already know. There’s no way someone like me would have such connections. But you wish to believe, don’t you?”

I replied nonchalantly, causing Choi Seon-man to grind his teeth.

“I’m not like those Presidents who were always watching the U.S. I owe them nothing. So I have no need to watch my back. Unlike you, who lived in suppression, I can do whatever I want. If anyone stands in my way, I’ll trample them, no matter who it is.”

I checked my watch. It was almost time to raid Daigo Tadashige’s mansion.

“Do you know the Chairman of the Dae Dong-hui you’ve allied with?th? It’s Daigo Tadashige.”

“How do you know him?”

“Him? Hah!”

A former president calling someone who’s not even the Prime Minister by that title, how amusing.

“You denied it, but now you want to admit he’s your subordinate? But that doesn’t matter. His time is about to end today.”

Having not understood my words, Choi Seon-man asked with a puzzled expression.

“What do you mean? The Chairman’s time is about to end?”

“Do you think the ongoing gang war in Japan is merely a coincidence? Think about how Koizumi is personally sending troops into battle. Does it all seem like chance?”

Choi Seon-man, speechless, gaped at me.

“It can’t possibly be all coincidental, can it? Don’t you think the timing is too coincidental? Why now? Why did they decide to swap commanders, when they easily could have mobilized with the Self-Defense Forces?”

“Do you want to claim this is all your scheme? That’s delusional; your paranoia’s gotten worse.”

That was his reaction. I tipped my teacup into the cup as I continued speaking.

“I heard all the yakuza chiefs have gathered at Daigo Tadashige’s house. They may have been observed by the Russian mafia and the Chinese underworld, who are currently at war with them. So what do you think will happen?”

I lifted my teacup to my mouth.

It was surely good tea; even cold, the aroma lingered.

“…You don’t mean?”

“In the clash between the yakuza and foreign organizations, a stray bullet might hit Daigo Tadashige in the head. Of course, as you said, that’s just my thought.”

“…”

“Considering so many are gathered, it’s possible Daigo Tadashige’s heir might perish alongside him. Those remaining might have to worry about how a Dae Dong-hui, crippled by the lo loss of its key personnel, survives.”

“You… What the hell are you up to? Are you planning war?”

War? I think the delusional one is you. I set down my teacup and smiled sardonic.

“I haven’t done anything. I merely pulled out their avarice. The fact they gathered is their choice.”

“The Japanese government won’t let you off easily for this. This is terrorism!”

“Well, if Koizumi knows, things will be different. He’s most eager for the Dae Dong-hui’s disappearance.”e.”

It was time to wind down. I silently stared at Choi Seon-man, who couldn’t utter a word but glared at me.

“President, do not do anything. Just live your remaining years like a lifeless corpse. If you dare to step forward again, it won’t just end with words. If you want to lose everything you have, then go ahead and take a step forward.”