Chapter 225 – (Episode 225) 32. Secret Struggle
(Episode 225)
The next morning in Korean time, Han Myeong-sik was facing Director William Gordon at the Psychic Countermeasures Headquarters shortly before work.
“I received related information from the NIS.”
“How far did you reveal it?”
“All photographic evidence and video of Chinese psychics found in North Korea.”
“What else?”
“You mean something more? This evidence alone should be enough to convince the White House.”
“There is important information that the director and our headquarters need to know, not the White House.”
“Can you tell me?”
Since he was on his way to discuss with his women in advance, Myeong-sik Han took a moment to catch his breath and confessed the truth.
“There was one thing that the Chinese psychic in the picture was different from us.”
“Something?”
“You are five years younger.”
“What… What? Is that true?”
As expected, Commissioner Gordon showed a startled reaction to the extent of shaking his butt as expected.
“Is there something strange even to the director?”
“It’s not just something, but isn’t it tremendous information that shakes up the criteria for searching for psychics that our headquarters has been applying so far?”
“Yes, but there is a bigger problem.”
“Are there any more?”
“I’m not sure yet because I haven’t used it in case China finds out, but there’s a chance my skills won’t work.”
“Mind… Oh my god…”
Shocked at the fact that Myeong-sik Han’s psychic powers, which he relied on as an absolute being, could not work, Director Gordon was speechless.
“How did the headquarters analysis come out?”
“Hmm… , In the end, it’s an evaluation that it’s not at the level of comparison with Agent Mia. It’s a result I agree with.”
“If strangling people is all you can do, then the analysis is right.”
“Do you think differently from those who witnessed it right next to you?”
“Well, it’s hard to say how…”
“Anything is fine, so tell me what you think.”
I was a bit hesitant to bring it up because I hadn’t even told NIS director Jeon Kwang-seok, but it would be better to tell it just in case, since Director Gordon is someone I can trust with my life.
“Hmm… My first impression is that I don’t seem to be a psychic.”
“I don’t think I am a psychic… , It doesn’t come to me right away.”
“It could be because the personality of the psychic is different, but if you compare it to when our agents use their abilities, you will feel the subtle difference.”
“Since you say you’re young, can’t it be because you don’t have experience yet? Wouldn’t it be possible to do that if you’ve just had supernatural powers?”
“It can be. But I became a psychic when I was 24. Would I have been good at it from the start?”
“Um… Maybe age doesn’t matter? No… That doesn’t explain why all five of them are the same age.”
He was the most expert on psychics among ordinary people, so his judgment was accurate.
“Isn’t it related to the information found out by the NIS?”
“If you add up the facts you told me, it seems related. However, I don’t want to make a hasty decision because it’s an issue that needs to be properly analyzed at the headquarters level.”
“Okay, let me know when everything is sorted out.”
“Yes, thank you for the important information.”
“Thank you, where are we?”
Hahayeah yeah, where are we normal? If the White House thought like you, things would be a hundred times better than they are now.”
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As soon as Han Myeong-sik returned to Korea, he entered the Blue House with Jeon Gwang-seok, who was waiting for him, but this time, the president was not the only attendee.
“Now that Chinese involvement has been confirmed by the evidence, it is time to decide what actions to take.”
The remarks made by the head of the National Intelligence Service at the end of the general briefing caused heavy silence in the Blue House conference room where the National Security Council (NSC) was in progress.
“I know some of you are heavy-mouthed, but today I have to speak. Everyone, openly express your thoughts.”
The atmosphere softened a little thanks to the witty step of the president sitting in the middle of the large conference table. The head of the Blue House National Security Office, who was sitting right next to him, opened his mouth first.
“I agree with the head of the National Intelligence Service that the time has come for action, but I think it is necessary to take a closer look at the internal situation in North Korea before that.”
“I wish that was the case, but the time has passed. China is mobilizing psychics to circulate front-line troops, but we haven’t even made an operation plan.”
When the Minister of Defense came forward and pointed out, the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff helped.
“I agree, we must immediately show the military action that we already know and prepare for in some form.”
“Is it really wise for us to move alone in a situation where the US is behind us?”
The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff immediately refuted the Foreign Minister’s point.
“The fire fell on our feet right away, but if we hesitate to pay attention to the United States, in the end, only we will see the damage intact.”
“However, if we take military action alone, we will lose one card to negotiate with North Korea. At the very least, we must receive the notice from the Chopyongtong and move on.”
The President asked a question about the Minister of Unification’s assertion.
“Do you think the Minister of Unification will send a notice from the Chopyungtong?”
“Now we are conveying our intention through various channels, so news will come soon.”
“You mean nothing is certain.”
“Ah… That is…”
“Ah, I’m not blaming the minister, so don’t worry. I am well aware that none of those gathered here today are to be held accountable for the current situation.”
Seeing the expressions on the NSC standing committee members’ expressions soften a little at the remarks made to evoke the heated atmosphere, the president smiled with a friendly smile.
“We were able to arrange this event thanks to Mr. Myeong-sik Han, who was specially present today, and secured valuable information. Thank you all for applause.”
Clap clap clap clap
I’d be lying if I said I didn’t expect anything in return, but I never thought I’d be recognized like this by the country’s most powerful people.
“I was going to help out and run away to America, but if I do this, he will be stuck.”
Haha!”
“I’m sorry, but I think it will help you to judge if I tell you the atmosphere of the White House that I know.”
As I looked at it in agreement, the president nodded and responded with a gesture of invitation.
“Evidence of China’s involvement in North Korea has been officially reported to the White House through William Gordon, director of the Psychic Countermeasures Headquarters, where I am active.”
“A response to that would be a real help.”
In response to the Minister of Foreign Affairs’ response, Han Myeong-sik shook his head slightly.
“Sorry, but that information is still there. If you can afford diplomatic problems if you are discovered, I will go to the White House right now to find out.”
Haha!”
He laughed lightly, but everyone in the meeting was well aware of the terrifying meaning of this remark.
“I don’t know if it’s inappropriate to convey it because it’s Director Gordon’s personal opinion, but the White House doesn’t seem to have any intention of directly intervening in the North Korean issue, let alone China.”
“Can you tell me why?”
“It must also be because of nuclear weapons.”
Then the foreign minister gave his opinion in a more cautious voice.
“I don’t think we can blame the US attitude. If it intervenes incorrectly and North Korea makes the wrong decision, the United States will eventually have to step in and deal with it.”
“It’s really frustrating why Mr. Han Myeong-shik is stepping up like this, but why is he ignoring a problem that can be solved by working together?”
When the Minister of National Defense lamented, Han Myeong-sik, the director of the National Intelligence Service, exchanged glances before speaking.
“That is… It may be that the United States is not stepping out because of me.”
“You need to explain what you mean?”
“I can’t answer because it’s the president’s point.”
“Whoop whoop”
The president laughed lightly, but the other members of the standing committee did not respond as they were concentrating on what Han Myeong-shik would say.
“Because I am Korean.”
“Are you saying that the White House believes that Mr. Han Myeong-sik will betray the United States?”
“If you had read the Senate Armed Services Committee’s hearing report properly, you wouldn’t think so, but the Neocon’s criteria are different from ours, so we don’t know.”
“Then, I ask this for the first and last time as president. If the moment comes that you have to do that, which country will you choose, Korea or the United States?”
Those who attended the meeting had different expectations depending on their beliefs and positions, but Han Myeong-sik gave an unexpected answer.
“I will make sure that such a moment does not come.”
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“Aren’t the president and the head of the National Intelligence Service using his brother to eat?”
On a date where the two volleyball players were separated from each other, Lee already brought out her concerns that she had in her heart.
“Why do you think so?”
“Is it normal to call a meeting that the general public cannot enter and applaud?”
“Isn’t that proof that my brother is great?”
“Who says not great? There is no other man in the world like you.”
The conversation was interrupted for a moment as the waitress served dessert. Han Myeong-sik held the hand of Lee Mi-ri, who was slightly crying.
“Considering my positions as president and director of the National Intelligence Service, it might be right to use me.”
“So what?”
“But those two really depend on me.”
“There is a saying that a seat makes a person, right?”
“There is a saying that a seat reveals who you are.”
“You mean you’re such a great person that you really want to help?”
When I scooped a spoonful of ice cream from her dessert and put it in her mouth, Lee Mi-ri ate it regardless of the serious mood.
“Probably, without me, these two would not have been the president or the director of the National Intelligence Service.”
“I don’t think the position is at a level where you can feel a sense of responsibility.”
“That’s right, so it’s not just once or twice that I want to step out.”
“I don’t want you to feel responsible or obligated.”
“Do you hate me being a great person?”
Lee Mi-ri scooped up her own ice cream and shook her head softly as she put it in her mouth.
“It meant that if my brother really wanted to, he would not oppose any choice or action.”
“It’s something I really want to do.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, that decision has become stronger this time.”
“Can I ask why?”
I checked the surroundings by stopping time to see if anyone was listening, but there was no problem.
“I got the feeling that the person behind the psychic I met in North Korea was the real villain.”
Lee Mi-ri seemed to be lost in her thoughts for a moment, then put her spoon down and gave her opinion with a serious expression.
“To be honest… Except for Faduma, Mia, Naima, and Marisa were originally villains, but I don’t know what’s different.”
“That’s right, but what can I say… Should I say it feels like meeting a real opponent beyond my ability?”
“You don’t know about your brother’s existence yet, do you?”
“So you want me to pretend you didn’t know?”
As if she had decided on something, Lee Mi-ri took a deep breath and looked straight at her Han Myeong-sik and said.
“I have nothing to say even if I am a snobbish and selfish woman, but I want my brother to be a playboy who chases after women, not a superhero dedicated to the cause or justice.”
“What if I said I was tired of that kind of life?”
“Really?”
“It can’t be, I like the best thing in the world to chat with Miri.”
“But why are you so active?”
“Honestly, if China hadn’t touched North Korea, I don’t know if it would have come forward like this.”
“Is it a big deal in North Korea? It’s like any other country, only bordering.”
“What about unification, and North Korea is our territory to be recovered?”
“They say that unification has something good for us. I just want my family to be healthy and happy.”
If she hadn’t already known Lee, she might have believed what she said. Han Myeong-shik moved to her side and comforted her by hugging her shoulders.
“I know what you’re worried about, I’ll think of you and the other family members in advance and be as careful as possible.”
She didn’t want an answer that she would quit, but neither did she want an answer like this. Lee Mi-ri prayed and prayed in her heart that the thoughts of her weighing heavily on her heart would end in worry.
(Continued on next episode 226)
