Free Web Novel“I’ve met a lot of politicians in my life, but this man might be the strangest of them all.”
After reviewing Luo Gan’s files for hours without stopping, my eyes began to ache.
I closed them and set the documents down. Pressing firmly against the bridge of my nose, I felt the tension build. Manager Ma quietly stepped forward and handed me a bottle of artificial tears.
“Thank you, Manager.”
A few drops later, I blinked slowly. The dryness eased a little.
Taking a sip of the tea he had brought along with the drops, I muttered,
“Back in the day, this wouldn’t have bothered me. I guess I really am getting old.”
At my half-joking complaint, Manager Ma gave a faint smile.
“But this Luo Gan... the deeper I dig, the harder he is to understand.”
He wasn’t the kind of politician who drew attention to himself. Yet it wasn’t as if he lacked power either.
Holding both the position of Secretary of the Political and Legal Affairs Commission and a seat on the Standing Committee, his real authority rivaled even Hu Jintao’s.
In China’s collective leadership system, absolute power simply did not exist.
After Mao Zedong, the Chinese Communist Party had insisted on maintaining collective leadership with near-religious rigidity.
It was a peace preserved by consensus among men who had once witnessed firsthand the devastation caused when all power concentrated in a single pair of hands.
“In a collective leadership structure like China’s, he wields enormous authority, yet has almost no visible weaknesses. He did spearhead the crackdown during the Falun Gong incident, but that’s not something I can touch...”
He wasn’t a man easily crushed by money or authority.
So how should I approach him?
“For now, I should arrange a meeting with Li Feng.”
The one who had elevated Luo Gan into the central political arena.
A tragic political figure who suppressed the Tiananmen incident, only to fall out of Deng Xiaoping’s favor and ultimately fail to ascend to General Secretary.
I had met him once before in Shanghai.
“If we go through Bo Xilai’s side, securing an appointment shouldn’t be difficult.”
“Understood. I’ll initiate contact.”
Manager Ma bowed slightly.
I stood.
“Oh, and keep feeding the Heaven’s Church issue. Make sure it never dies down.”
Public attention evaporated with time.
But if you kept throwing firewood onto the flames, the fire wouldn’t go out so easily.
I intended to maintain just enough heat to keep things burning under my control.
“And Yamamoto?”
“He remains in seclusion at headquarters.”
“I’ll need to meet him before I return to Korea.”
“I’ll prepare that as well.”
Once Manager Ma left, the room fell silent again.
A rare moment of quiet.
If I didn’t rest now, I likely wouldn’t have another chance. I moved straight to the bed and lay down.
* * *
The investigative net around Heaven’s Church tightened, and the internal conflict within its Japanese branch raced toward its conclusion.
Suspicious articles continued pouring out without pause.
Not only Japan’s political world, but the public’s eyes as well were fixed squarely on Heaven’s Church.
The Japanese branch now stood not at a crossroads of remaining loyal to the main sect or splitting off—but at the edge of survival itself.
“It has been a while, President Kim Muhyuk.”
Mun Gyeongdeok inclined his head slightly in greeting.
His previous visit had been unofficial. This time, he had arrived in Japan leading a special delegation in an official capacity.
“It has been a while. I didn’t expect you to seek me out the moment you landed.”
“I have come to deliver a message from Chairman Jang.”
A message from Jang Songthaek.
I was mildly curious what news he carried.
“Let’s hear it.”
“He conveyed his gratitude for this matter. He said relations with Japan were resolved under better terms than expected.”
“That was only possible because Chairman Jang made a bold decision. The abduction issue exposes North Korea’s sore spot.”
“There was internal dissatisfaction.”
“Of course there was. There are always those who fear admitting a ‘mistake.’”
Those who had led the abduction of Japanese citizens still occupied key positions.
“Chairman Jang has decided to consolidate and reorganize the related institutions.”
It wasn’t surprising. I had anticipated as much. Still, I feigned mild astonishment out of courtesy. Mun Gyeongdeok gave an awkward smile.
He continued speaking at length.
Too long.
I raised a hand and cut him off.
“The introduction is getting lengthy. Let’s move to the point.”
He glanced at me, sighed deeply, then spoke.
“...China is pressuring Chairman Jang.”
“China? On what grounds?”
“They are using the development of the Sinuiju Special Economic Zone as a pretext. In reality, they are leveraging aid supplies meant for our Republic to shake Chairman Jang.”
I see.
China was pressuring South Korea—while simultaneously pressuring North Korea.
It seemed they had decided to move decisively, fearful that their influence on the Korean Peninsula might wane.
“I understand the situation. What does China want?”
“They have made no demands. That is what troubles us most. Do you know anything?”
“No demands at all?”
Mun Gyeongdeok frowned in frustration.
“If they presented conditions, we could at least negotiate. But there is nothing. If aid from China were cut off now, our Republic would descend into serious turmoil.”
“That won’t happen. It’s pressure tactics. Even if they threatened to cut aid, it wouldn’t be China’s unilateral decision. The six-party agreement includes the United States, Russia, and Japan. They cannot simply tear it up on their own.”
“But...”
His voice trailed off as he exhaled again.
I knew what worried him.
With no tangible achievements yet, any rupture in relations with China would invite doubts about Jang Songthaek’s competence.
“Oil is the most urgent issue, isn’t it?”
“Yes.”
“I’ll handle that through Russia.”
His face brightened immediately.
“Thank you. President Kim Muhyuk truly is a hero of the Republic.”
I let out a small scoff at the scripted flattery.
Hero, my ass.
I simply disliked China’s behavior.
“It’s nothing. Tell Chairman Jang not to be dragged around by China. If he yields once, they’ll demand more. That’s how they operate.”
“We understand... but it is not easy. The pro-China faction holds key posts.”
“Well, Chairman Jang himself was once pro-China. Still, now that he holds power, being led around isn’t wise.”
“He shares your view. He will gradually reassert balance.”
I understood why Mun Gyeongdeok had brought up China.
Jang intended to secure supplies through me.
With South Korea also under pressure from China, the timing to raise the issue was ideal.
“And coordinate more closely with the South Korean government. What China wants is influence over the Peninsula. If both Koreas stand united, even China won’t pressure so easily.”
“Chairman Jang said the same.”
Simply knowing China was pressuring both Koreas was a significant gain.
Once you understood the situation, responding became simple.
“Anything else?”
“Do you have some issue with Heaven’s Church?”
“Heaven’s Church? Why ask that suddenly?”
“Stories related to Heaven’s Church surfaced simultaneously in both Korea and Japan. And you have remained in Japan throughout. Chairman Jang believes this matter may be connected to you. He instructed me ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) to offer assistance if needed.”
Unnecessary.
I had no intention of introducing new variables now.
I merely smiled.
“What assistance could there be?”
“Our Republic also has Heaven’s Church congregations. If you wish, we can close them.”
“Oh, right. Han Sungjin was quite enthusiastic about North Korea. No. Leave them.”
My tone was gentle—but firm.
Mun Gyeongdeok nodded.
“I will handle Heaven’s Church. Focus on negotiating North Korea–Japan relations decisively. This visit is laying groundwork for a summit, correct?”
“Yes.”
“It would benefit both sides to move quickly while Japan is distracted by scandal. Don’t drag it out. Conclude matters according to the agreement reached.”
Mun Gyeongdeok continued the conversation for another thirty minutes before finally taking his leave.
“China pressing both South Korea and North Korea at the same time... This just became far more difficult than I expected.”
“What are your orders, Boss?”
“We may need to consider withdrawing from China.”
Letting go of the Chinese market—with its enormous long-term growth potential—would cost me dearly.
But being dragged along like this would cost even more.
“This isn’t the time to place faith in Hu Jintao or Wen Jiabao. If Jiang Zemin has moved personally, neither Hu nor Wen can stop him. Not yet. And we can’t even say with certainty that Hu disagrees with Jiang.”
“Understood, Boss. I’ll prepare accordingly.”
“What about Li Feng?”
“They are refusing the meeting.” freёwebnovel.com
“Even through Bo Xilai?”
Manager Ma lowered his head slightly, as if apologizing.
“They responded that there is no reason to meet.”
I frowned involuntarily.
Li Feng reconciling with Jiang Zemin? Unlikely.
On this matter, Li Feng might very well share Jiang’s view.
“Fine. Leak a few of Li Feng's vulnerabilities through Murdoch. He’ll contact us on his own.”
“Yes. I’ll reach out to Murdoch.”
“We’ll deal with that slowly... How is the Japanese branch?”
“The main-sect faction has secured the upper hand.”
“Good. Provide them with whatever support they need.”
It was finally time to bring this long journey to a close.
Just then, the television—left running—broadcast a news report.
— A North Korean special delegation has arrived in Tokyo. This visit is said to be preliminary negotiations toward normalization of diplomatic relations between North Korea and Japan...
Listening to the report about the North Korean delegation, I sank into thought.
* * *
Han Hyunsoo broke his seclusion at the main headquarters and headed toward the harbor where Han Hyunjin and Han Hyunwoo were being held.
Just as scripted, the investigation into Heaven’s Church flowed in the direction of placing all responsibility on Han Sungjin, Kim Sunja, and the missing Han Hyunjin and Han Hyunwoo.
“Power really is a wonderful thing. Isn’t it?”
The mercenary captain said nothing.
But Han Hyunsoo hadn’t expected an answer, and he continued speaking.
“I can pin even what I did on someone else. This time, I’ll wipe everything clean and start over.”
The larger the scandal, the more Heaven’s Church would shrink.
But once everything was neatly cleared away, rebuilding its size would be simple.
“It’s time to finish this. For a new beginning.”
His tone was calm.
But his face was anything but bright.
Clouds covered the moon, casting the harbor into deep darkness.
Avoiding public eyes, Han Hyunsoo stepped out of his car late at night.
As he walked slowly forward, the warehouse door creaked open.
All eyes inside turned toward him.
The three men lying bound on the floor reacted violently when they saw him.
“I’d like everyone to step out.”
At Han Hyunsoo’s quiet remark, the mercenary captain approached the Chunha Group supervisor.
“We would appreciate some privacy.”
The supervisor, cigarette dangling from his lips, curled one corner of his mouth upward.
“And why should we? Our orders were simple—keep those three alive and guard them.”
“We’re not here for a pointless contest of pride. It’s time to conclude this, isn’t it?”
The supervisor’s expression hardened. He flicked the cigarette butt to the ground and crushed it beneath his shoe.
“Wait. I’ll call upstairs.”
He pulled out his phone and made a call.
“Yes, Director. Han Hyunsoo is here. Yes. Understood.”
After the brief conversation, he said,
“They want us to handle the cleanup. We’ll wait outside. Call us when you’re done.”
Without waiting for the mercenary captain’s reply, the supervisor led the Chunha Group men out.
The heavy steel door slammed shut.
Inside remained only the mercenaries, their captain, Han Hyunsoo—and the three bound men.
Han Hyunsoo dragged over a chair, sat down, and tossed a newspaper onto the floor in front of them.
“See this? Every illegal act committed by Heaven’s Church has been pinned on you three. Even what I did.”
“Mmmph—!”
“If you’re alive, that becomes inconvenient for me.”
“Mmm! Mmmph!”
“So I came to finish it. I wanted to see the end with my own eyes. So...”
His voice faltered.
He had meant to sound calm, but the tremor irritated him.
“Why did you make me go this far?”
At that moment, Han Hyunjin and Han Hyunwoo crawled across the floor like worms, dragging themselves to his feet.
“Mmmph!”
They tried to speak, but the gags in their mouths reduced everything to muffled noise.
Han Hyunsoo, however, seemed to understand.
“It’s too late to turn back. For me. For you. For Mother... I gave up too much to get here.”
He stood.
“Let’s end this. Eldest Brother. Second Brother. I’ll see you in hell.”
He turned and walked toward the exit.
“Mmmph! Mmmph!!”
The steel door opened.
The Chunha Group supervisor waiting outside approached.
“Finished talking?”
Han Hyunsoo said nothing.
The mercenary captain answered instead.
“It’s ready to be concluded.”
“Fine.”
Once Han Hyunsoo had completely exited the warehouse, Chunha Group personnel entered.
The steel door shut again with a thunderous clang.
Han Hyunsoo looked up at the moon hidden behind clouds.
“...I suppose it’s time to send Mother as well.”
The next day.
Kim Sunja was found dead at the Heaven’s Church headquarters.
