Free Web NovelI headed first to the room where Kim Gapsu was being held.
He had been sitting on the edge of the bed, and the moment I walked in, he stood as if he’d been waiting.
“President Kim Muhyuk.”
In just one day, his face had changed a lot.
“We verified everything you told us.”
The entry dates of the children of Chinese high-ranking officials matched perfectly, and we’d finished confirming the clubs and hotels where they’d caused trouble.
“Of course. I told you only the truth. I’m not a spy.”
“But pressuring the authorities to get them released wasn’t the right thing to do. And neither were the benefits you received for helping.”
“Th-That...”
No one ✧ NоvеIight ✧ (Original source) does favors that could become a problem later for free.
Maybe that was why Kim Gapsu’s eyes wavered.
“I can pretend I didn’t see it. I can also speak to the President for you.”
“What do I need to do?”
“Do you have proof you were asked? If you have evidence or testimony about crimes committed by those Chinese officials’ kids, hand it over. You won’t keep your position, but I’ll try to make sure you don’t carry legal responsibility.”
Kim Gapsu hesitated, then nodded.
“I have video and audio recordings. Evidence materials I received from the police. But...”
“Don’t worry. I’ll keep it confidential that it came from you.”
“Yes... then I’ll give it to you.”
The evidence he handed over could be used to pressure them.
Because in China, drugs are a major crime.
“Then go with our staff, hand over the files, and return home. After that, wait at the Blue House. The President will handle the rest.”
I gestured to Chief Ma, ordering him to assign someone to receive the files from Kim Gapsu and escort him home.
Then I left Kim Gapsu’s room and entered the one where Woo Youngsik was.
Unlike Kim Gapsu, Woo Youngsik smiled the moment he saw me.
“Well? Was there any lie in what I said?”
“It was all true. Though we still haven’t confirmed whether Ye Xiaotong is truly your daughter.”
Even Black Bear said it couldn’t be confirmed for certain that Ye Xiaotong was Woo Youngsik’s child.
Nothing at all was known about Ye Xiaotong’s father.
We had only verified that Woo Youngsik’s period of study abroad overlapped with the period of Ye Xiaotong’s mother, Ye Jooeol, and that Ye Jooeol gave birth to Ye Xiaotong after returning to China.
Woo Youngsik had no reason to lie, so I believed him.
“If you could find that out in one day, that would be a problem in itself. The fewer people who know a secret, the better. Even the President doesn’t know.”
“Is that so?”
“I want my daughter to live well. Even though I’ve never done anything for her. And I want China—where she lives—and Korea—where I live—to have good relations. I told you before. That’s my sincere wish.”
I didn’t think he was lying.
“You want a good relationship... or a relationship where we submit to China?”
Woo Youngsik’s brow furrowed.
“Submit? If both sides make concessions, we can maintain good relations. That’s why I want to resolve this incident smoothly.”
“If you bow once, you’ll have to bow deeper the next time. And after that, you’ll have no choice but to submit. Is that what you want?”
“Diplomacy doesn’t always flow that way. There’s no reason to waste ourselves on needless attrition. You didn’t live through the Cold War, so you don’t know—how pointless and exhausting it was for everyone.”
His words sounded nice. freewebnøvel.com
But they were unrealistic—empty clouds.
The stronger China’s national power became, the more it expanded its influence through economic, military, and diplomatic means.
The flagship example was Belt and Road—pushing massive debt onto other countries, then using it to hollow out their sovereignty.
“We won’t back down this time. I intend to use every method I can. But if the Blue House doesn’t match my steps and moves on its own, then nothing I do will function properly.”
“We can’t sacrifice national interest for personal gain. I don’t want to change my position.”
“Even if that choice gets you killed?”
My gaze was ice-cold.
Woo Youngsik didn’t flinch.
“Killed... Yes. Even if I die, I won’t change.”
“Is that because of your daughter? Isn’t that also personal?”
“...I won’t deny it. But China will keep growing. And as China grows, Korea will grow alongside it.”
“You would’ve been even better in politics.”
“Haahahaha. I’ll take that as a compliment.”
At his relaxed reaction, I simply laughed.
The more I talked with him, the more interesting he became.
Even in my past life, I hadn’t known he existed.
‘It’s stranger that a man like this accomplished nothing.’
Even if Woo Youngsik opposed me, I wasn’t worried.
Yoon Changho would be on my side.
“Handle China however you want. I’ll handle China my way. But the President won’t accept your opinion. And now that we know there’s been a Chinese spy inside, it’ll be even harder for him to.”
“...I know.”
Woo Youngsik wasn’t a fool.
He knew this couldn’t be covered up just because someone wanted it hidden.
“How about stepping down as Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs and trying politics instead? There’s a by-election seat up for grabs, isn’t there?”
“Politics... Can I do it just because I want to?”
“If the President wants it, you can. Or I can help you.”
He didn’t answer, but he looked like he was thinking.
The power of a senior secretary was finite.
A politician could do far more.
“Do you know what Ye Xiaotong does?”
At my sudden question, Woo Youngsik asked back, confused.
“What Xiaotong does?”
“So you don’t know.”
His face tightened.
“What is she doing that makes you react like that?”
“She’s a lobbyist.”
“What?”
Woo Youngsik stood up from the bed.
“A lobbyist? No—why would Xiaotong do something like that?”
In Korea, lobbyists weren’t welcome.
But China was different.
As long as guanxi existed, people like that were necessary—and Ye Xiaotong would keep growing.
“The real owner of a secret high-end bar used by China’s top officials is Ye Xiaotong. A lot gets said inside that place. And this economic and diplomatic pressure against Korea likely came out of there as well.”
“...I don’t understand.”
Woo Youngsik sat down again.
“In China, there still aren’t many things a woman can do. But she found the best possible path within that system. I plan to approach her.”
“...You.”
Woo Youngsik glared at me.
“If necessary, I’ll even let her know her biological father exists.”
“What?”
“If she becomes hostile to Korea, what will you do?”
“....”
“Knowing her father exists—what would that change? Would she suddenly yearn for a father she’s never met? She’s a cold-blooded woman who doesn’t hesitate to use any means for her goals. She’ll probably use her father as a tool too.”
“....”
Woo Youngsik couldn’t say a word—he just stared.
“Thanks to you, I’ve gained a very useful card.”
“President Kim Muhyuk. If you use my daughter—”
Finally, fire lit in Woo Youngsik’s eyes.
I smiled leisurely.
“It’s cooperation. I’m not using her one-sidedly.”
“...You really know how to talk.”
“Even if I do nothing, Ye Xiaotong will walk that path. If I help her, it might become easier. If I obstruct her, it’ll become harsher.”
“....”
“Think carefully. About what path truly benefits your daughter.”
I stood.
I’d thrown out all the bait I needed to.
Now it was time to wait for his choice.
“Our staff will escort you. And I’d appreciate it if you kept what happened here to yourself. If you tell anyone—even one person—then this won’t remain such a pleasant meeting.”
Woo Youngsik nodded, his face heavy with thoughts.
“Oh—and it’s fine to fight Minister of Justice Choi Taemin. But... leave Oh Hyunwoo alone. This is a warning.”
I left the room.
* * *
A few hours after Kim Gapsu and Woo Youngsik were released, several black vans rolled into the villa.
“We’re from the National Intelligence Service.”
Chief Ma brought Ban Jangwoo out and handed him over to the NIS agents.
President Yoon Changho had no intention of letting Ban Jangwoo go.
His plan was to make this bigger—and use it to pressure China.
As Ban Jangwoo climbed into the van, a man in square glasses spoke to me.
“I’m Lee Taehyeok, Second Deputy Director of the NIS.” freewebnøvel.coɱ
“I’m Kim Muhyuk.”
“Thank you for stepping up for the country.”
At his words, I smiled.
“Someone had to do it.”
Lee Taehyeok nodded.
“Let’s have a meal sometime.”
“Yes. Let’s.”
I signaled Chief Ma with my eyes.
Chief Ma handed Lee Taehyeok a briefcase.
“Ban Jangwoo’s statement, and the materials we gathered separately.”
Lee Taehyeok took it and let out a hollow laugh.
“This will cut down my workload. Thank you.”
He dipped his head slightly, then climbed into the van.
When the vans carrying Ban Jangwoo disappeared from sight, I erased my smile.
“This villa is burned. Dispose of it. Leave no trace.”
“Yes, boss.”
* * *
A few days passed after Ban Jangwoo was dragged to the NIS.
Kim Gapsu, Senior Secretary for Public Relations, left the Blue House in the form of a voluntary resignation.
Woo Youngsik, Senior Secretary for Civil Affairs, kept his post.
It was President Yoon Changho’s choice, so I didn’t argue.
He likely needed Woo Youngsik to keep Minister of Justice Choi Taemin in check.
Then the news leaked to the press:
Ban Jangwoo, Senior Secretary for National Security, had been arrested by the NIS on suspicion of leaking state secrets.
“Hey! Does that even make sense? A senior secretary at the Blue House doing traitor work?!”
Myungsoo showed up at the Myeongdong office without a word.
I laughed as I watched him stomp around in rage.
“You’re laughing? I heard the President say there might be a Chinese spy among the senior secretaries and I still thought, ‘No way...’ And now this? How is this possible?!”
Myungsoo ranted for a while.
“The National Security Secretary—do you know what that job is? Advising the President on national security policy. And that guy was a traitor? You just let him live? I would’ve killed him.”
“Killing him wouldn’t solve anything.”
“Still...”
“You heard about the PR Secretary, right?”
Myungsoo finally cooled down a little and nodded.
“He leaned on the police and wiped the records of Chinese officials’ kids. Seriously, people are unbelievable. They say the President’s ending it with a ‘voluntary resignation.’”
I nodded, opened the drawer beside me, and slid the envelope of documents Kim Gapsu had given me across the desk.
“What’s that?”
“Evidence of what Kim Gapsu got released, what records he erased. Who asked him, who he pressured—cleanly organized by date. He was thorough.”
“Seriously?”
Myungsoo picked up the envelope.
“We’ll check it later. None of them are top-top figures—just middling ones. Still, it’ll be useful depending on how we use it.”
“It will.”
He set the envelope down again and asked,
“So what now? The President doesn’t look like he’s backing down. You’re the same, aren’t you?”
I answered with a cold smile.
“We keep going until one side backs down.”
Even if the Korean government faltered—
