Free Web Novel“Haa... so that’s what happened.”
“Yes, Father.”
“I’m glad you returned safely. If something had happened to you, I wouldn’t have been able to endure.”
Hearing Chairman Song Youngjoo’s words, a faint sadness crossed Song Chanwoo’s face.
Noticing it, Song Youngjoo lightly patted his son’s shoulder.
“So, what did you discuss with President Kim?”
“Nothing of importance.”
“You fool, didn’t I tell you to ask him for his support? I told you not to waste this chance.”
“...”
Song Youngjoo deliberately ignored that while he was in the hospital, his retainers were swearing loyalty one by one to Song Chanseong.
He already knew that without Kim Muhyuk’s help, Daehyeon Motors and other affiliates could not be prevented from splitting off.
To stop that, Kim Muhyuk’s cooperation was essential.
But since every move of Song Chanwoo was being reported back to Chanseong, he had told Chanwoo to ask Kim for help this time, in Pyongyang where {N•o•v•e•l•i•g•h•t} no eyes were watching.
“What is it? Did he say he wouldn’t help? Or did you fail to even ask properly?”
“He looked at me with distrust. How could I ask a favor from such a man?”
“You idiot. Of course a man like that wouldn’t be impressed with you. Do you even hear yourself?”
Song Youngjoo let out a weary sigh.
He silently reproached himself for not speaking more clearly, even though he knew his son was prone to feeling persecuted over small things.
“Father...”
“He’s a man who, at such a young age, even the President doesn’t dare handle carelessly. Do you think anything would satisfy eyes like his?”
“That’s only because he’s Chairman Cheon Taesan’s heir...”
Cutting off his son’s quiet reply, Song Youngjoo thundered,
“You fool! Even Chairman Cheon had to pay bribes and watch the President’s mood. But that boy? He’s turned it so that the President watches his mood. Do you still not understand that Muhyuk is not sitting there just because of the Cheon family’s shadow?”
He coughed dryly in the middle of scolding, his breathing suddenly heavy.
Startled, Song Chanwoo rose when he saw his father struggling for air.
He was about to call for a doctor, but Song Youngjoo stopped him.
“It’s fine. Just my blood pressure spiking. Don’t make a fuss—sit.”
“But—”
“Sit down.”
At his father’s quiet command, Chanwoo sat again. He could feel his father’s hand grasping his own.
“The only one who can stand on your side is Kim Muhyuk. No matter what it takes, no matter what you must give, hold onto him tightly.”
“Father, wouldn’t it be enough just to hand some affiliates over to my brother? Why are you trying to give everything to me? I’m afraid. I don’t think I can bear it.”
“Daehyeon is me, and I am Daehyeon. And you want me to let it be torn apart and divided? Who dares say that?”
Even as his son poured out his burden, Song Youngjoo replied firmly.
Though an old man bedridden, he was still unyielding.
“Father... then entrust Daehyeon to my brother. I’m not fit for it.”
“You fool. Once I’m gone, that man will erase you from Daehyeon. And you want me to hand it to him?”
“If this is out of guilt toward my mother, you don’t have to. You’ve already given me enough.”
At last, Chanwoo brought up his mother.
“Chanwoo...”
“I know you want me to carry on the North Korea business. But that’s not all, is it?”
He had long realized that part of his father’s stubbornness came from guilt toward him.
Even in his fifties, Chanwoo’s trembling voice revealed tears.
“Honestly, I can’t take it. I hate the contempt in my brothers’ eyes. I’m afraid that everything you pass to me will be stripped away by them.”
He gripped his father’s hand tighter, the hand faintly trembling.
Sensing that anxiety, Song Youngjoo spoke softly.
“Chanwoo.”
“Can’t you give it to my brother instead of me? You could persuade him on the North Korea business...”
Song Youngjoo had always known his son’s weak nature.
But he had already made up his mind that Chanwoo would be his successor. freēwēbηovel.c૦m
“No. The next master of Daehyeon will be you, Song Chanwoo. That is my will. As always, you will follow it. Understood?”
“But Father—”
“You dare defy me—!”
He lashed out again, but before he could finish, he collapsed unconscious.
“Father! Father!”
Chanwoo shouted, shaking his father’s body, but he did not wake.
Soon the hospital room was filled with frantic medical staff.
* * *
When Kim Hakgwon heard me say that Manager Ma had been shot by Kim Jongil, he shot up from his seat.
His face was stricken with shock as he looked down at me.
“You heard right. Yes, Manager Ma was shot by Kim Jongil.”
“President Kim! Do you realize how great a storm those words would cause? Kim Jongil firing a gun at one of our citizens?”
Even in a time of peace, North Korea was still an enemy.
If the news spread that a South Korean had been shot by Kim Jongil himself, Hakgwon’s government would suffer a massive blow.
Not long ago, the North Korean delegation had visited Seoul in a cordial atmosphere, and then the South Korean delegation had gone to Pyongyang.
And now one of them had been shot by Kim Jongil.
It wouldn’t mean war, but reconciliation would freeze over instantly.
“But it’s the truth. Please, sit. I’ll tell you everything.”
Hakgwon let out a heavy sigh before sinking back into his seat.
“What I’m about to say must remain with you alone. Not even your Chief Secretary or other ministers can know.”
“What do you mean by that?”
“Will you promise?”
I looked at him silently, waiting. His eyes scanned me.
After decades in politics, Hakgwon weighed his reply.
But he had no choice.
“Fine. I promise.”
“Good. Then I’ll trust you.”
I sipped my tea before explaining the peace treaty negotiations between the U.S. and North Korea—Kim Jongil’s proposal, America’s counter-conditions, everything.
“...Is that true?”
“Yes.”
Hearing it all, Hakgwon’s face hardened. He pursed his lips, deep in thought.
I waited as I finished my tea. At last, he spoke.
“So did Chairman Kim Jongil accept? Sending troops to fight for the U.S.?”
I shook my head and set down the cup.
“The coup broke out before any real progress. We didn’t even finish the talks.”
“I see... But why would the U.S. entrust such a thing to you? The Republic of Korea is here. To bypass the government, to exclude me, the President, from such a matter...”
He frowned deeply.
Telling him outright that it was beyond his ability would only offend.
So I gave the answer I’d prepared.
“In matters like this, the fewer who know, the better. There are always those—whether in America, North Korea, or here—who don’t want peace. If Japan or China found out, what do you think they would do?”
“They would block it at all costs. Still—”
“It was Kim Jongil who asked me directly, and I was the one who carried the message to the U.S. Only a handful of people know this. It’s nothing for you to resent.”
After listening, Hakgwon reluctantly nodded.
Unfortunately, I had worse news.
“Mr. President, something even more important.”
He frowned, already tired.
“What now?”
“Kim Jongil said to tell you: not only the U.S. talks, but every project agreed with you—with South Korea—will be put on hold.”
“What did you just say?”
His face filled with disbelief. I repeated it kindly.
“He said everything with South Korea is suspended.”
“Impossible! I’ve spent years preparing this. Just as the fruit is ripening, who dares freeze it?”
For once he lost his temper openly. I waited for him to calm before continuing.
“I only conveyed Chairman Kim’s words. You may of course discuss this with your staff.”
His throat dry, Hakgwon drained a glass of water.
“So, everything with the South is on hold. That’s what he said?”
“Yes. Likely the official channel will notify you soon. I wanted you to prepare first.”
“...Thank you. At least now I know. But what is going on in the North that he would make such a drastic choice? Can you explain?”
I nodded and told him what I knew.
“There seems to be a strong faction opposed to Kim Jongil. People like People’s Armed Forces Minister Kim Ilcheol, his son, and young officers under him were the ringleaders. It’s much like our own country forty years ago.”
“The Armed Forces Minister was a figurehead?”
Seeing his disbelief, I added detail.
“I don’t know everything. Maybe Kim Ilcheol was manipulated by his son’s clique, or maybe he sought power himself. This is all I know.”
If it had happened in the past timeline, I’d have known more. But this was new. I could only deduce from what I’d seen.
Hakgwon stayed silent, his face stiff.
‘His head must be spinning.’
He had poured everything into improving North-South relations.
Now it was crumbling before him.
“So why did Kim Jongil shoot your secretary?”
“While in the secret bunker outside Pyongyang, we had a disagreement. In anger, he fired at Manager Ma. That’s all.”
“...I see. Thank you. Can you keep that incident secret?”
Even if he hadn’t asked, it wasn’t something I’d spread.
I nodded slightly, and he let out a sigh of relief.
“If it’s the President’s request.”
“Yes. Please, I beg you.”
“Understood. But eventually it will come out. Too many saw that he was injured.”
“I’ll handle it. As long as it doesn’t become known that Kim Jongil pulled the trigger.”
His casual dismissal made me smirk bitterly inside.
‘So you’ve become a man who values his own safety above the people’s. You weren’t always like this. You had ambition, yes, but your heart for the people was real...’
No doubt this was another distortion caused by the future I had changed.
Suppressing my bitterness, I stood.
“I’ve taken enough of your time. I’ll see you again, Mr. President.”
With a slight bow, I left the conference room.
The Chief Secretary was waiting outside.
“Thank you for yesterday.”
“No thanks needed. Knowing what you’ve endured, of course I offered help. But... what did you discuss?”
His curiosity was plain. I only smiled.
“It would be best to hear it from the President directly. He’ll call you soon. Now, I’ll take my leave.”
After exchanging farewells, I exited the Blue House.
No matter how many times I visited, the weight of that name never seemed to fade.
With a sigh, I got into the waiting car.
“Let’s head down to Busan.”
“Yes, Boss.”
While Manager Ma remained hospitalized, I wanted nothing more than to rest body and mind.
I longed for the people around whom I could be fully myself.
As the car carrying me departed for Busan, I closed my eyes.
