Chapter 1401. Reversal Of Fortunes (1)

The image currently being played on the screen belonged to a familiar Chinese leader announcing something in an official setting. Of course, he spoke in Chinese, making it nearly impossible for the Korean viewers to understand.

Thankfully, though, the announcement didn’t last for long. The image changed to a familiar setting of a news studio.

The news anchor turned her face away from the large screen in the studio and stared at a reporter sitting next to her.

“That was the emergency announcement from China’s President. The contents of that announcement were shocking, to say the least, wouldn’t you agree?”

The reporter nodded gravely. “Indeed, it’s incredibly shocking. The Chinese Communist Party made an official announcement earlier today that it had uncovered evidence of a member of the Central Military Commission accepting bribes from a foreign nation to assassinate a foreigner on Chinese soil.”

The reporter adjusted his glasses.

“What’s especially more shocking is that China has outright said South Korea is that foreign nation, and the person accused of bribing the Central Military Commission member was none other than our country’s Prime Minister, Kim Myeong-Chan!”

The news anchor’s face grew just as grave as the reporter’s. “If true, this is an earth-shaking development, isn’t it? However, how can we be sure of this allegation? The fact that China has announced this crime publicly seems so strange and maybe even unbelievable to me.”

“Yes, I agree. This does feel a little strange. But there is a reason to believe their announcement, since the Chinese authorities have already arrested Zhao Cun, who is a prominent member of the Central Military Commission.”

“Before we go on, can you explain what the Central Military Commission is to our viewers? And what being a member of it entails?”

The reporter nodded briefly, then glanced at the script on the teleprompter. “Of course. China is functionally a single-party state, in this case the Communist Party. Everyone should already know this, yes? But the central pillar of the Party is the Central Committee. This committee is further divided into several departments, and one of them is the Central Military Commission. It oversees the People’s Liberation Army and its operations.”

The anchor nodded, then asked another question. “I see. Then, is it the same as South Korea’s Ministry of National Defense?”

“It’s not quite the one-to-one comparison, but yes, you could say that.”

“Then, what does it mean to be a member of this Central Military Commission?”

“There are eight members in the Central Military Commission. These people are the core of political power in China with the authority to command the vast Chinese military. If you consider the fact that the current President of China, also known as the General Secretary of the Communist Party, is the member of the Central Military Commission, it should be easy enough to guess the power wielded by its eight members.”

“But now, one of the Commission’s members got arrested?”

The reporter nodded. “Yes, it seems so. We haven’t received a concrete explanation on what the charges are, but considering the grave nature of the accusation, it might even be branded as treason later on.”

“Treason? Now that’s terrifying. But the problem is that our own Prime Minister Kim Myeong-Chan has also been implicated, now isn’t it?”

“Indeed, that is so.”

“What are the Chinese authorities saying about the Prime Minister? What did he allegedly demand from the accused?”

“There have been no clarifications from their side yet. However, the official state news agency, Xinhua, has been running an article that states Kim Myeong-Chan had allegedly transferred a large amount of money in US dollars into the private bank account in the Central Military Commission member’s name in exchange for the assassination of a Korean who had been visiting China at the time.”

“Our Prime Minister has ordered a hit on a Korean citizen?”

“Yes, that’s what the Chinese are alleging at the moment.”

The anchor seemed lost for words. If true, this incident could go down as one of the biggest political scandals in history to rock this country.

“In your opinion, why would the Prime Minister even do this?”

“Unfortunately, I have no answers to give you yet as the Prime Minister’s office has not issued any statements, you see? Until we get more clarification, there isn’t much we...”

***

[Has the President’s office stated its position in the matter yet?]

The anchor asked, prompting the reporter to shake his head.

[Nothing concrete from that side, either, I’m afraid, other than that they are working as urgently as possible to uncover the truth. As this is an unprecedented case, I think even the administration isn’t sure about how to respond.]

“Well, I’ll be...” Wiggins chuckled hollowly while watching the news. “Just what is the meaning of this?”

The news anchor wasn’t the only one lost for words here. Wiggins, too, wasn’t sure what to make of this development.

He could confidently say he had experienced all sorts of trials and tribulations in his life, but this event still exceeded his ability to comprehend. He couldn’t even begin to guess how an event like this had happened.

Lee Hyeon-Su muttered quietly. “What they are saying has to be true, but...”

Wiggins stared weirdly at his disciple. “You think it’s true?”

Lee Hyeon-Su responded with a dismayed look on his face. “Of course, master. There’s no doubt in my mind now that Kim Myeong-Chan had handed over the information on the Assembly Master to the Chinese. The Chinese being ready for us back then makes perfect sense in that case.”

“Yes, that’s... logical, indeed.”

“So, Kim Myeong-Chan also must’ve paid the Chinese to kill our Assembly Master. That’s also obvious, isn’t it?”

“Yeah, it is. Still...” Bang Jin-Hun couldn’t just eavesdrop anymore and butted in. “Why would the Chinese publicly reveal that, though? Wouldn’t it be too humiliating for them?”

“...”

Of course, even Lee Hyeon-Su couldn’t figure that one out.

One of the things the Chinese placed a high premium on was “saving face.” And most governments around the world tended to follow the inclinations of their citizens. Which shouldn’t come as a surprise, since the people forming the governments came from the citizens, after all.

So, for such people who valued “saving face” so much to openly admit to their shame? And even openly revealing the guilt of a Prime Minister of another country, even at the risk of creating a diplomatic row?

Wiggins muttered with a heavy frown. “It seems what I hold as common sense is no longer common anymore. Or sensible, for that matter.”

Wiggins had spent many years as Britain’s Knight to oversee and maintain relationships between different countries, yet this situation was still well beyond the realm of his imaginations.

“Anyways!” Bang Jin-Hun urgently asked, “What’s gonna happen now?”

“Well...” Lee Hyeon-Su tried to say something several times, only to falter. He, too, had no idea what would happen next.

One usually made predictions by relying on their common sense and analyzing prior behavioral patterns. However, this situation didn’t match any historical events that he knew of.

While Lee Hyeon-Su got lost in his confusion, Wiggins came to his rescue.

“China wouldn’t have started this without solid proof. They must’ve...

secured

that proof by now. And I suspect that this proof, whatever it is, will be revealed soon enough.”

“I guess so.”

Wiggins rubbed his chin. “Which means Kim Myeong-Chan will get arrested. This incident cannot be swept under the carpet like the usual, after all.”

An event happening within South Korea could be “dealt with” quietly by the powers that be. Doing so might lead to severe blowback, but the authorities could just suppress the media and rig the judiciary, then wait until the public’s memories and interest had faded away.

But that story didn’t apply to China. Could the Korean government demand the Chinese to gag themselves, then lie to cover up Kim Myeong-Chan’s misdeeds?

Now that would be in the realm of a political fantasy novel!

Bang Jin-Hun asked again. “What’s gonna happen to the Assembly Master now?”

“It’ll depend on how this situation plays out. If the evidence says Kim Myeong-Chan had ordered the assassination of my lord, the media will have no choice but to say he was wrongfully accused, that it’s a grand conspiracy. Even if that doesn’t happen, well...!”

Wiggins tightly clenched his fists.

“Either way, this is an incredible opportunity for us. We must capitalize on...”

Bang Jin-Hun poured cold water on Wiggins’ enthusiasm just then. “No, hang on a minute! Why would those Chinese bastards do this for us?! They have no reason to, right? You can’t be seriously suggesting that their righteousness has compelled them to do this! You know that’s utter bullcrap, right?”

“Well,

uh

...”

The people in this office exchanged glances with each other as the realization dawned on them. And it was none other than Vator who voiced that realization for everyone to hear.

“Looks like my master has done something.”

“...”

“Bloody hell. He’s not even giving us a chance to help him. Him solving this problem by himself inside a prison cell is like turning us into a bunch of useless trash, no?”

“...But the result-wise, this is an encouraging development, is it not?” Wiggins shook his head. “Still, nothing is concrete yet. We need to speak to my lord to get clarification. Only by knowing what he has done can we move to the next phase of our response.”

Bang Jin-Hun nodded and got up. “Sounds like a good idea, so let’s not waste time waiting. We should go visit him right now.”

Vator got up as well. “I’m coming with you.”

Lee Hyeon-Su joined in. “Me too!”

Wiggins glanced at his companions. “I see. Then, I’ll go ahead first and...”

“Wait, master! Don’t teleport in there by yourself! We gotta go together. I’m sure

that side

must be in an uproar right now, too, so let’s not give them any ammunition to use later on.”

“

Mm

... Yes, you have a point.”

The Martial Assembly’s directors rushed outside the building.

***

Inside the office of a certain prison...

Kang Jin-Ho was reclining leisurely in his chair. Smoke wafting from the cigarette dangling between his lips lazily scattered in the air.

As for Kim Myeong-Chan, he was staring silently at the smoke.

The tangible smoke lazily scattered before disappearing completely. It was as if he was looking at a mirage. Or a fading dream. And it seemed to symbolize Kim Myeong-Chan’s current situation.

Kang Jin-Ho asked, “So? What brings you back here so soon?”

Kim Myeong-Chan bit his lip at that relaxed-sounding question. “You know why I’m here, Assembly Master.”

“No, not really. I’m locked up in jail, after all. It’s hard to find out what’s going on outside these walls. News doesn’t travel fast, at least in this place.”

“However, you already know, don’t you? Because you’re not sticking to your promise of killing me the next time we meet.”

Kang Jin-Ho smirked softly. “There’s no point in doing that.”

“And... why do you say that?”

“Tell me, do you feel

alive

?”

“...”

Kang Jin-Ho dragged in a deep puff of his cigarette. The unhealthy smoke scraped the inside of his lungs before lazily leaking outside.

“I might sound like a boomer for saying this, but... Death itself isn’t all that special. I should know, since I’ve experienced it before.”

“...”

“But what truly tortures you is the road that takes you to your death. After all, death is just an outcome.” Kang Jin-Ho stared at Kim Myeong-Chan without moving an inch, then spoke again. “So, let me ask you again. Do you feel alive?”

“...!”

“Don’t feel like answering me? That’s fine. Let me. Yes, you are alive. For now, however...”

Kang Jin-Ho suddenly bared his fangs in a ferocious smirk.

“...Soon, you will be neither living nor dead.”

Kim Myeong-Chan’s hands gripping the table trembled powerfully. He could feel the hatred and resentment meant for him in every word coming out of Kang Jin-Ho’s mouth!

“I told you, didn’t I? That I’ll make you suffer as much as possible before killing you.”

“So, this... You admit this was your doing?”

“I’ve run into people like you a few times before. So I know that physical pain means nothing to you. Of course, I can physically hurt you. Beyond your wildest imaginations, no less. But such a thing pales in comparison to this type of suffering. What people like you fear the most aren’t some physical injuries, but pain from something else.”

Kang Jin-Ho stubbed the cigarette out before mouthing a new one. He flicked his finger to light up the cigarette.

“Things that have been propping up your life until now will crumble. Since you’ve been standing in such a lofty place, your fall will be just as long and hellish. The thing you’re so proud of, your power? It’ll turn into dust.

“People who looked up to you like a pillar of strength will desperately scrub your name off their memories. The power you were so proud to wield will become a noose tightening around your neck. And those who tried to protect you will do whatever they can to deny your existence and bury you somewhere deep.”

A chilling smirk spread on Kang Jin-Ho’s face.

“So, try to survive.”

“...”

“You told me that this was for the country. If that’s true, the country will surely forgive you and protect you. So, do your best to survive. Try as hard as you can to find excuses. Run as far as you can to escape my reach. Meanwhile, I’ll be here, watching everything unfold.”

Grit, craaack!

Kim Myeong-Chan’s clenched teeth cracked, and crimson blood trickled down his chin.

“How...! What did you do to make the Chinese do that?!”

“That’s a strange thing to ask. What makes you think I can’t do something you can?”

“...!”

Kang Jin-Ho leisurely got up. “Looks like we’re done here. Go home. Don’t worry about me, since I’m enjoying my restful stay in this place.”

“...! W-wait, Assembly Master!”

Kang Jin-Ho stopped heading toward the exit and slowly turned his head to look back. His eyes were... icy.

Those weren’t eyes reserved for looking at a fellow human being. No, it was as if Kang Jin-Ho was staring at some inorganic substance!

Looking at those eyes helped Kim Myeong-Chan realize that it was pointless to talk anymore.

“Have you ever gone through Hell?” Kang Jin-Ho coldly asked.

“...”

“Soon, you’ll experience it. Do your best to endure. We’ll talk again at the end.”

A subtle smirk floated on Kang Jin-Ho’s lips as he knocked on the door.

Kim Myeong-Chan collapsed on the floor while watching the guard lead Kang Jin-Ho down the corridor. He kept staring at the now-empty doorway for what seemed like an eternity before a pained gasp-like whisper leaked out of his mouth.

“This... it... It can’t end this way. No, it can’t...”

Unfortunately for him, this hell had only just begun.