The Returner

Chapter 329: I was too foolish (4)

“What is the current situation?” (Defense Minister)

“Unknown. It’s too unclear to tell you in exact detail.” (Unification Minister)

“Is that something you should say under the current circumstances?” (Defense Minister)

“The incoming information is limited at this stage, so what do you expect from me? It’s not just us, but the Japanese, the Americans, and even the Chinese are having the same issue.” (Unification Minister)

“But, things are not like this normally...” (Defense Minister)

The Defense Minister frowned and spat out a sigh.

“It’s all because of the d*mn monsters.” (Unification Minister)

“Monsters?” (Defense Minister)

“The majority of our agents had to escape from Pyongyang due to the monster wave. I mean, that whole city was about to be levelled flat if something went wrong somewhere, so it’s not realistic to order them to stick around and dig for more info, now is it?” (Unification Minister)

“M-mm....” (Defense Minister)

What the Unification Minister said had a point.

Even if the job of spies were to extract information, you really couldn’t ask them to throw their lives away and serve their country blindly. Because, this was no longer the Cold War, nor did the tension between the two nations run at an all-time high to necessitate such a drastic measure, either.

So, it was only logical that a mission requiring the agents to bet their lives unnecessarily had to be rescinded.

“Does that mean we must sit on our ar*es and do absolutely nothing?” (Defense Minister)

“We don’t have any other choice.” (Unification Minister)

“Don’t we have other channels?” (Defense Minister)

“Even Russia and China that exert the biggest influence to the North Korean government are taking a wait and see approach.” (Unification Minister)

“Hmm.” (Defense Minister)

The Defense Minister was in a serious dilemma, wondering how he should go about responding to this situation.

“What about the media?” (Defense Minister)

“Doesn’t look like they caught wind of the situation yet. Well, it wasn’t just the spies that escaped from the North this time, after all. All the correspondents dispatched there by news networks withdrew, too.” (Unification Minister)

“That means we still have some time.” (Defense Minister)

“The situation isn’t known yet only because the North is blocking all communication, but the moment the lines to China open up, I predict that this whole thing will blow up big time. The American media seemed to have sensed something has happened, but maybe they are considering their relationship with us, the American government has been gagging them for the time being.” (Unification Minister)

“There is a clear limit to gagging them, so we should expect our media to get a bead on this situation sooner or later.” (Defense Minister)

“Indeed.” (Unification Minister)

“Groan....” (Defense Minister)

The Defense Minister fished out a cigarette and stuck it between his lips.

“How are we supposed to report this to our President?” (Defense Minister)

“What can we do other than report it as is? It’s not like we have done something wrong here, anyway.” (Unification Minister)

“Will our citizens think that way, though? If it’s known that we didn’t inform the public about the coup in the North, and failed to even fully understand the unfolding situation up there, then hell, the opposition party will definitely try to crucify us all.” (Defense Minister)

“Well, the opposition will try to kick us down no matter what we do, so that doesn’t really matter.” (Unification Minister)

“True that. We’d probably try something even worse if we were in their shoes.” (Defense Minister)

“Ministers!”

It was then, the office’s door was flung open and an assistant rushed inside.

“What happened?” (Defense Minister)

“Representative Park Min-Cheol is requesting for a meeting with you, sir!” (assistant)

“Representative Park Min-Cheol?” (Defense Minister)

Wasn’t Park Min-Cheol the leader of the opposition party? So, why did such a man request for a meeting out of the blue....

“....I see.” (Defense Minister)

The Defense Minister’s quiet mutter brought about a hardened expression on the face of Choi Seon-Hyeong, the nation’s Unification Minister. There was no need to ask for a meeting, unless that man had sniffed out the current situation taking place in the North.

“When does he want to meet?” (Defense Minister)

“Apparently, he’s waiting in front of the building as we speak, sir.” (assistant)

“Groan.....” (Defense Minister)

They couldn’t even refuse while making an excuse now.

“What should we do?” (Defense Minister)

“You think I have an answer to that?” (Unification Minister)

The Unification Minister spat out a bitter retort.

The current President Yun Yeong-Min was adjudged to be rather lacking in the political sense. His plus points were his strong public image, and being perceived as incorruptible, but he wasn’t wily enough to endure the political world rife with all sorts of underhanded schemes and back-stabbings. Thanks to that, the Chief Secretary Park Du-Jin should be seen as in control of the political system at the moment.

Unfortunately, a man like the opposition party’s leader was definitely not someone that could be ‘controlled’ by a Chief Secretary alone. Indeed, not even the personal word or two from the President wouldn’t faze such a man, so with what method could they stop him?

“So, what must we....” (Defense Minister)

“For now, let’s pretend there’s nothing going on.” (Unification Minister)

“He’s here precisely because he knows what’s happening already, so what will pretending get us? If we keep our mouths shut and not share any info with him, then we might end up seeing the wretched sight of this whole thing blowing up in the media tomorrow.” (Defense Minister)

“Mm....” (Unification Minister)

Their words still held weight with major media publications, but if the other media houses that towed the opposition’s line broke the cover of this news first, then those major publications should suffer a huge blow, as well. When that happened, it was clear who would become the target of their resentment.

“What are we supposed to do in this situation....?!” (Defense Minister)

“What do you mean, what? Is the opposition party even allowed to demand any information on North Korea?” (Song Jeong-Su)

“Hul?” (Defense Minister)

The Defense Minister realised who was entering the office this time and gasped out in sheer shock.

“P-party leader-nim??” (Defense Minister)

Was that really him?

Or not?

But, he kinda look like him, though?

“Why do you act as if you’ve never seen me before?” (Song Jeong-Su)

“N-no, that is....” (Defense Minister)

How could he not be shocked, though?

Song Jeong-Su was known for being quite virile for a man in his age group, but that was only when considering his actual age. In reality, he was an old man in his sixties.

His original physique couldn’t be called small, sure, but other than that, he was just about what you’d expect from a man in that age group. However, didn’t he change waaaay too much in the last couple of days he wasn’t seen in public?

“Y-your thighs, sir. They might burst out of their seams.” (Defense Minister)

“Hmm, I need to get my sizes taken again, but.... The timing is a bit off.” (Song Jeong-Su)

Song Jeong-Su stared at his formal suit, which was indeed threatening to burst at the seams, and tutted unhappily. He purchased this expensive set from a famous tailor, but now, it looked like he’d have to throw it away.

“W-what’s wrong with your shoulders, too?” (Defense Minister)

“What about my shoulders?” (Song Jeong-Su)

“It’s, it’s like you have another person underneath there, sir.” (Defense Minister)

“Fufufu, is that so?” (Song Jeong-Su)

Song Jeong-Su lightly chuckled and strode into the office. The Defense Minister hurriedly got up from the seat of honour and offered it to his party leader.

He might be a minister of the nation, but it wasn’t right for him to occupy such a seat when Song Jeong-Su was around. Unless you were a President, who’d dare to sit on a spot higher than him?

“So, then. That wily old fox requested for a meeting, is that it?” (Song Jeong-Su)

“Yes, sir.” (Defense Minister)

“I’ll take him on.” (Song Jeong-Su)

“Ohhh, party leader-nim!” (Unification Minister)

The Unification Minister was startled by that declaration and stared at Song Jeong-Su.

If one took into consideration Song Jeong-Su’s life experience, status, and his political prowess, then the current leader of the opposition party couldn’t even come anywhere close. If he did step up here, then sewing shut the opposition shouldn’t be all that difficult.

However, it was well-known that Song Jeong-Su had been taking an antagonistic stance towards the current administration. He might be showing the outwardly facade of lending an aid to the rest of the country’s citizens, but everyone in the political scene knew that he had a cat-and-dog type relationship with Yun Yeong-Min.

So, it was truly surprising to see such Song Jeong-Su voluntarily step up as a shield for the current administration.

“Will you really do that, sir?” (Unification Minister)

“It’s not going to be difficult, anyway.” (Song Jeong-Su)

Song Jeong-Su widened his shoulders and leaned against the chair’s back.

Riiiip.

It was right then. The suit’s seams burst wide open, and Song Jeong-Su’s massive thighs, and shoulders that made you suspect if pads had been secretly inserted there, revealed their bronzed skin. (TL note at the end)

“Heo-urhk??” (Defense Minister)

The Defense Minister witnessed that spectacle and shuddered uncontrollably.

He too was a military man, so when it came to the matters of his body’s sturdiness, he felt quite proud of his achievements. Sure, he was a commander-level official so he didn’t get to partake in the action himself, but his belief said that a soldier with a gut wasn’t a real soldier, so he diligently looked after his physique.

However, Song Jeong-Su’s figure revealed within the torn clothing was more than enough to completely smash apart the Defense Minister’s pride in an instant.

“D-did you juice up on something, sir??” (Defense Minister)

“Juice up?” (Song Jeong-Su)

“Such as steroids, or....” (Defense Minister)

“Huhuh.” (Song Jeong-Su)

Song Jeong-Su chuckled bitterly as he took off the torn rags off his body.

“Never mind steroids and stuff, please call someone and tell them bring me new clothes. I can’t waltz outside looking like this, now can I?” (Song Jeong-Su)

“I’ll get right on it.” (Unification Minister)

The Unification Minister picked up the phone and ordered the secretary to go and purchase off-the-rack business suit. Not just any, but a XXXL size, too.

“This, well, how embarrassing.” (Song Jeong-Su)

Song Jeong-Su smiled awkwardly.

“Now that I look at you, sir, your face seems to be younger somehow, as well?” (Defense Minister)

“You think so?” (Song Jeong-Su)

“If cameras take a look at you, soon the search engines will be lit up with the topic of Song Jeong-Su party leader-nim’s cosmetic surgery.” (Defense Minister)

“Groan.... Although any publicity is good, I would like to avoid such a publicity if I can.” (Song Jeong-Su)

Song Jeong-Su sighed and continued on.

“Have you figured out the North’s current situation yet?” (Song Jeong-Su)

“Not at all.” (Defense Minister)

“I thought as much. What about the President’s opinion?” (Song Jeong-Su)

“His opinion, sir?” (Defense Minister)

“Didn’t he give you an order regarding the direction we should take?” (Song Jeong-Su)

“Thing is... he, uh, hadn’t given us any concrete orders. Since we just don’t have much info to go on, he ordered us to gather more intel first, but other than that....” (Defense Minister)

Song Jeong-Su tutted again, this time with a visibly unhappy expression.

“That’s why people under him can’t do their jobs properly, what with such a lackadaisical approach to his role. Who would worry about their directions once they have all the info? You don’t know what to do because you don’t have enough info, so when things are like this, a leader is supposed to issue a coherent, consistent direction for our policy and attitude we must take.” (Song Jeong-Su)

‘That’s what I’ve been saying all along.’ (Defense Minister)

‘I completely agree with you.’ (Unification Minister)

Both ministers were in full agreement with what the party leader Song Jeong-Su was saying, although they didn’t dare utter that out loud.

“I’ll have a chat with the President for more details later, so for now, do what he says and gather more intel. As for our direction, go with ‘indifference’.” (Song Jeong-Su)

“Indifference, sir?” (Unification Minister)

“Don’t make any rash moves. You must definitely not make a move at all. Doesn’t matter what actions we take, the fallout will be major. So, in such a case, pretend to be idiots who didn’t know anything and failed to understand anything.” (Song Jeong-Su)

“Oh.....”

“In times like this, it’s wiser to play the fool. Rather than being accused of keeping your mouths shut even though you knew everything, just say you didn’t know diddly-squat, instead. Don’t you two already have other jobs lined up after your terms at the office comes to an end?” (Song Jeong-Su)

“....Well, sure, we do.” (Defense Minister)

“See? Don’t try to show off and instead, support the higher-ups. Isn’t that what being patriotic means?” (Song Jeong-Su)

“We’ll do that.”

The two ministers nodded their heads after listening to Song Jeong-Su.

It wasn’t just anyone but none other than Song Jeong-Su. He was asking them to back Yun Yeong-Min here, so the sincerity of that statement hit home pretty hard.

“By the way, Minister of Defense.” (Song Jeong-Su)

“Sir?” (Defense Minister)

“I need all the necessary information pertaining to Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk and the NDF. I know it’s top national secret, but I shall go and get permission first, so please have them ready right away.” (Song Jeong-Su)

“You mean, that Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk....?” (Defense Minister)

As if he was troubled by the request, the Defense Minister blurred the end of his sentence. Even if Song Jeong-Su was asking for it, he was just a leader of the ruling party and not someone holding a government office, so it was not feasible to hand over the nation’s number one top secret to him.

“That’s why I said I’ll go and get permission first. I’m not asking you to give them to me now but at a later date, so just have them ready ahead of time, that’s all.” (Song Jeong-Su)

“I see. I shall do that. But, why Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk, all of a sudden?” (Defense Minister)

“Well, it seems that I was under the mistaken assumption all this time.” (Song Jeong-Su)

“I don’t quite follow?” (Defense Minister)

“Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk, he was not the key factor supporting this nation.” (Song Jeong-Su)

“Pardon?” (Defense Minister)

“Mister Yi Ji-Hyuk, he doesn’t need a government, but the nation needs him. In that case, what should the government do?” (Song Jeong-Su)

“Well, that....” (Defense Minister)

“You should discard all overbearing attitudes of an authoritative figure towards him. First of all, our job is to support that man to our fullest.” (Song Jeong-Su)

The Defense Minister blinked in surprise.

He was beginning to question whether this muscular old man before his eyes was really Song Jeong-Su he knew. The thing was, the party leader was known to be famously unfriendly towards ability users. Yet, such a man was now considering a full-on support of Yi Ji-Hyuk.

“No need to suspect anything or be puzzled by it. Anyone fully knowing the situation will come to the same conclusion as me. I’m just a bit late to the party, that’s all.” (Song Jeong-Su)

Song Jeong-Su stood up from his seat.

“Okay, then. Will you make the necessary report, then? Oh, and tell the sly fox from the opposition to wait a bit longer. I must speak to the President first.” (Song Jeong-Su)

“U-understood.” (Unification Minister)

Song Jeong-Su watched the Unification Minister rush outside to make the secret call, and calmly waited for his business suit to arrive.

“....Wait, will those off-the-rack suits even fit me?” (Song Jeong-Su)

He looked at his rippling muscles and could only sigh.

< 329. I was too foolish -4 > Fin.

(TL: The ‘pad’ bit refers to the shoulder pads inserted under the business suits to make your shoulders look straighter. They were a huge fad back in the height of the 70s and 80s.

Also, this scene reminded me of the old “Angry Obama” skit from the Saturday Night Live and I couldn’t help but chuckle to myself....)

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