Free Web NovelJang Songthaek would never dream of rebellion. From the conversation I had with him during his recent visit to Seoul, that much was clear.
What Jang Songthaek dreamed of was a collective leadership system like China’s. He could only hope to aim for that after Kim Jongil’s death, when one of his nephews would take the throne.
Such a man would never be the mastermind of a coup that laid the groundwork in favor of the military.
Unless China itself stood behind this incident, guaranteeing aid in seizing power.
But if that had been the plan, he would never have foolishly asked me in Seoul what Kim Jongil intended to do.
“He is confirmed to be with the Director of the General Political Bureau at present.”
“So is he involved or not? Speak clearly.”
“The truth will only come out once we capture and interrogate the rebel leaders. But for now, he appears uninvolved. If Deputy Director Jang were part of this coup, the Director of the General Political Bureau would not be able to defend Pyongyang.”
At that, Kim Jongil frowned, then clicked his tongue at me as if disappointed, before questioning Baek Cheolsu again.
“So, can it be suppressed?”
“The time it takes depends on how many are involved.”
“What nonsense is that!”
Kim Jongil raised his voice, but Baek did not flinch as he continued.
“I’ve heard both sides are hesitating to attack. The rebels have blockaded Pyongyang but halted for now, while the Director of the General Political Bureau has chosen to focus on defense until he can judge the situation more clearly.”
“What is this nonsense? Tell them to crush those bastards at once!”
“General.”
Baek Cheolsu called him, but Kim Jongil only drank again.
Setting down his cup, Kim Jongil’s voice turned icy.
“Listen, Cheolsu.”
“It is already daylight. The coup leaders must be in disarray now. We can suppress them with minimal bloodshed. If we wait a little...”
I understood what Baek meant.
The rebels were not planning to kill Kim Jongil, but to seize him alive.
Killing him would never secure power.
High officials might not worship Kim Jongil, but to the common people, Kim Il Sung and Kim Jongil were gods. Killing him would only spark backlash.
But Kim Jongil thought differently. He suddenly stood, cutting Baek off, and hurled his glass with a roar.
It narrowly missed Baek Cheolsu’s head and shattered on the floor.
“Bastards! I’m not dead yet!”
His eyes blazed.
The crisis enraged him precisely because things were not going his way.
Baek fell silent and dropped to his knees.
“General, when this is over, I will pay with my life for my insolence. But please, heed my plea. They are all soldiers of the Republic. Do not punish the innocent privates who know nothing.”
Prepared to sacrifice his life, Baek spoke the truth to Kim Jongil.
I covered my mouth with my hand, quietly impressed.
That a dictator should have such a loyal subject by his side—it was unsettling.
“Is that so? Cheolsu, can you take responsibility for your words?”
“Yes, General.”
Somewhat calmed, Kim Jongil sat back down.
“Stand.”
Without hesitation, Baek obeyed.
“I will give them one day. If the army turns back today, I will forgive them. But if the day passes, no matter how you beg me, I will crush them all. Understood?”
“Thank you, General.”
“Bring a cup.”
As Baek fetched a fresh cup, Kim Jongil gestured with the bottle.
“Cheolsu, have a drink.”
“Gladly.”
Even before Baek could set it down, Kim Jongil poured generously, filling it.
“Drink it in one go.” freewebnσvel.cøm
Baek turned slightly and drained it at once, then placed the cup down and stepped back.
While Kim Jongil refilled his own glass, I asked Baek,
“What of the South Korean delegates like myself? Are they all safe?”
“Not yet confirmed.”
“Senior Captain Baek, that is crucial. Check at once.”
If even one South Korean businessman was harmed, it would jeopardize the peace agreement I was working on.
“Suppressing the coup is the priority. That can wait.”
“To me, this is the priority. Confirm it quickly.”
Baek’s curt answer hardened my expression. If he was confident of suppressing the coup, then ensuring the businessmen’s safety was more important.
Noticing my reaction, Kim Jongil gave a faint smile.
“I am not your subordinate, Mr. Kim. Do not order me. I only obey the General.”
“Senior Captain Baek.”
But Baek said nothing more.
“Comrade Chairman.”
Kim Jongil swirled his drink, then shrugged nonchalantly, calm again.
“Mr. Kim, just wait.”
“It is not a difficult matter. Simply confirm their safety. Is this how the Republic treats your guests?”
“Mr. Kim!”
“If even one of the visiting businessmen is hurt, this could escalate into something grave. Can you bear that?”
“I told you not to wag your tongue! Do you think I will not kill you? Are you certain of that?”
His glare was ferocious, but I met it without flinching.
Baek stepped toward me, but Manager Ma blocked him.
Seeing this, Kim Jongil smiled cruelly.
“Cheolsu!”
At his call, Baek drew his pistol and pressed it against Manager Ma’s temple.
“What if I kill your subordinate first? Would that change your mind? What do you think?”
He sneered, watching Ma. Yet Ma showed no fear, no change of expression.
“A fine subordinate you have. Is it loyalty that makes him fearless, or simply denial of reality...”
Ma blinked twice rapidly. A signal: don’t worry.
Keeping my face hard, I answered Kim Jongil.
“If you kill him, then you must kill me as well. If I live, I will use every resource to destroy your Republic. Even if it means my own ruin.”
“What? You, destroy the Republic?”
Anger flared across his face.
Baek’s finger tightened slightly on the trigger.
“Mr. Kim, do you truly think that if you die, President Putin or President Kim Hakgwon will declare war on the Republic? Don’t be naïve. Once you are dead, it ends.”
He slammed his glass down.
“Your money only matters while you live.”
He was right.
Putin would not go to war for me. Nor would Kim Hakgwon.
My wealth only had meaning while I breathed.
But I never trusted them anyway.
“You are right. Once I die, it ends. That is why I said, if you kill my man, kill me too. If I live, I will take vengeance with my wealth and men. Even if I perish.”
My firm words made him shake his head in disbelief.
Refilling his glass, he asked,
“Mr. Kim, is pride worth more than life?”
Nothing is worth more than life. But if I bent here, both Manager Ma and I would die.
“Life is more important.”
“Then why not bow just once? I told you to watch your tongue. If you only say ‘yes,’ I will let this go. What do you say?”
He drank, eyes searching mine.
“Comrade Chairman, I have never spoken a false word.”
“Again with this.”
“Do you want me to flatter you with pleasing lies like others? Should I deceive you to soothe your pride? Is that what you want? Would that satisfy you?”
Kim Jongil’s face twisted.
He even lashed out at loyal aides when they spoke the truth. How could my words not grate on him?
“If you will kill me for displeasing you, then do it. I will not speak only what you want to hear.”
“...Mr. Kim.”
No one had ever spoken to him this way.
Speechless for a moment, he called me with a baffled expression.
“The South Koreans here in Pyongyang carry the nation’s economy on their shoulders. If they are harmed, do you not know what will follow?”
Of course he knew. He just refused to admit it.
The U.S. and South Korea were allies. If South Korean businessmen were harmed, America would intervene too.
A state exists to protect its citizens. But even among citizens, some lives weigh more heavily.
“Surely you know, Comrade Chairman. America will not stay silent. After the axe incident at Panmunjom, can you swear they will back down again?”
America now would gladly go to war with North Korea if given the excuse. Kim Jongil knew that.
Even he had once uncharacteristically sided with the U.S., condemning terrorism, out of fear of their wrath.
“China? Russia? None can stop the U.S. now. You know this.”
“...”
His brows twitched.
“I have said all I must. If you will kill me, then kill me.”
I folded my arms and closed my eyes. To claim I was unafraid would be a lie.
My heart pounded. Memories of death in my past life surfaced.
‘Another man might yield now. But who knows what Kim Jongil will do.’
The die was cast. All that remained was to see the number.
Sweat trickled down my back as I waited, eyes shut.
Even knowing he would not dare kill me, I could not stop the tension.
“Cheolsu, lower the gun.”
Kim Jongil chose to step back.
“Mr. Kim, open your eyes. You have won.”
“General.”
Baek Cheolsu’s hollow cry rang as I opened my eyes.
“You are right. If anything happens to you, today’s America would seize it as pretext and make war to kill me. But Mr. Kim...”
Kim Jongil extended his hand.
Baek understood and gave him the pistol.
Kim Jongil’s face hardened to ice as he accepted it.
“I cannot just let this pass, can I?”
“Comrade Chairman.”
Bang!
Before I could speak, the gunshot rang out.
Manager Ma collapsed, blood pouring from his thigh.
Yet ❖ Nоvеl𝚒ght ❖ (Exclusive on Nоvеl𝚒ght) he clenched his teeth, not even groaning. My chest tightened at the sight.
Unconcerned, Kim Jongil handed the pistol back to Baek.
“Take him and get him treated.”
“Yes, General.”
Baek accepted the weapon, his eyes cold as he looked at Ma.
I clenched my fists, barely stopping myself from gouging his eyes out.
“Also, check on the South Koreans in Pyongyang. No—connect me to the Director of the General Political Bureau now.”
“Yes, General.”
I bit my lip hard, tasting blood. My fists clenched so tightly that blood seeped from my palms.
When Baek tried to help Manager Ma up, he brushed the hand away. ƒrēewebnoѵёl.cσm
Looking at me, he sighed faintly.
Because of me, my man was hurt. I could not just stand in anger.
“Chief, please go with them and get treated.”
My voice trembled. At last, Manager Ma accepted Baek’s arm and left.
“You care for him deeply?”
At his casual question, I glared with bloodshot eyes.
“He is like a brother.”
Kim Jongil nodded, unsurprised.
“Consider yourself lucky it ended here. Truth be told, I want to kill both your man and you.”
Hearing him speak of killing so lightly, I resolved within myself—
‘I will never walk the same road as this man.’
