BRDM 67

chapter 67

Peng Jinghao, Chairman Peng, was a man who deeply enjoyed the art of tea.

Whenever he drank tea, he could clear his tangled mind and arrange his thoughts with ease.

It was also an excellent time to listen to reports.

“Sir, we’ve found traces of the ‘item.’”

Zhao He, who had recently been promoted to secretary in place of Liu Xin—who mysteriously disappeared during the last major audit—bowed his head.

At that moment, Peng Jinghao gave a kindly smile.

“Oh, really? They’ve worked hard then. It can’t have been easy, adjusting to the environment while working abroad.”

“Wasn’t this the plan you’ve been preparing for years, sir? That’s why we must give it our all.”

“Hehe. What does it matter to grant the request of an old man who doesn’t have many days left to live?”

Peng Jinghao let out a hearty laugh and asked:

“So, did they find the dungeon that fellow is hiding in?”

“Yes, sir. The location is right here.”

Zhao He brought out a tablet PC and showed it to Peng Jinghao.

It displayed the middle of Ulleungdo, focusing on the Seomyeon area. A tall mountain stood against the backdrop of a deep blue sea.

“Haha. The location isn’t bad. This way, even the people of that small country won’t easily notice.”

“Small country” was the term Peng Jinghao often used when referring to Korea.

“I’ve instructed them not to neglect guarding the surroundings.”

“Well done. There’s nothing to be gained by letting this matter spread noisily outside.”

Peng Jinghao’s smile grew wider.

“—At least, not until after we’ve retrieved the ‘item.’”

“I’ll give the order accordingly.”

Zhao He retrieved the tablet, bowing again.

He fully understood the meaning hidden in those last words.

…Of course. Sir wants every trace erased—down to the faintest lingering mark—so that nothing remains.

He must be worried that if even a hint of a trail was left behind, it could someday be discovered by another country or power.

Considering the nature of the item, it can’t be helped.

Thinking of what that “item” was, Zhao He let out a dry laugh.

The Heavenly Star, Demon Horse King… the Demon King who was sworn brother to Sun Wukong. Who could have imagined he’d fall into such a pitiful state?

It was a truth known only to a rare few in the world: the war between the Seven Heavenly Stars and the Lord Gods ended with the downfall of the Stars.

The Committee had swiftly acted and succeeded in capturing two of the fallen Heavenly Stars—
the Demon Horse King and the Ox King.

The Committee used them as experimental subjects.

To discover the origin of divine power, the structure of divine energy, how it worked…

But one day, a mistake allowed the Demon Horse King to escape the laboratory.

From then, the Committee launched a relentless pursuit.

The Demon Horse King, however, brazenly roamed the world, seeking traces of Journey to the West.

This led to incidents, such as the destruction of the Indian-held Wind Monkey King.

Then, for a long while, she vanished completely, thought to be lost.

But now her traces have resurfaced… on this tiny peninsula.

Zhao He himself didn’t quite understand.

Just like Sha Wujing, traces connected to Journey to the West were strangely often found in Korea.

The lab speculated recently that perhaps the disciple of Sun Wukong—the very root of Journey to the West—might emerge in Korea. Even if that’s not true, it’s not a theory to dismiss lightly.

In any case, the Central Hero Committee dispatched large forces to Ulleungdo, where traces of the Demon Horse King had been discovered.

If this were exposed—especially after the Pied Piper incident had already caused diplomatic friction with the Korean government—America might intervene as well.

Which means, put simply, as long as no evidence remains, we’re safe.

That was why Peng Jinghao had just issued the order for “cleanup.”

A dungeon break.

After retrieving the Demon Horse King, collapse the dungeon she had hidden in and erase every trace.

Of course, during this process, monsters would spill out, and there was a high chance Ulleungdo would be devastated.

But the bigger the break, the better. That way, there will be no trace left behind at all.

After all, to Peng Jinghao and Zhao He, this was a foreign country. None of it mattered to them.

Thus, Pingxin, who was operating in secret, was preparing to trigger a massive break—
even larger than the Gangneung incident four years ago.

“Hehe. But don’t rush things too much. If you suffer too much in youth, you’ll regret it when you’re old.”

“Thank you for your concern, sir. Then, if you’ll excuse me—”

Just as Zhao He was bowing to withdraw—

Bam!

The door suddenly flew open.

Han Zhi, one of their subordinates, rushed in, sweating profusely.

“S-sir! We have a problem!”

“What is the meaning of this? To act so rashly before the chairman—”

“It’s…!”

“Don’t scold him. Well, young man, what’s the matter?”

Han Zhi bowed hurriedly.

“Deputy Director Wei Gangning’s movements have been exposed.”

“…What!?”

“Explain, now.”

Peng Jinghao’s eyes sank, sharp and heavy.

“Please look at this.”

Han Zhi turned on the TV in the meeting room.

A Korean news channel was broadcasting a breaking news clip—showing Ma Ryong engaged in battle.

Zhao He felt a strange dizziness.

“Hehe. Our Mr. Ma Ryong has suddenly become a superstar. Making such a dazzling debut in the neighboring country.”

Only Peng Jinghao chuckled.

After that came a suffocating silence.

Zhao He snapped at Han Zhi.

“…How did this happen!? Deputy Director Wei was supposed to be on Ulleungdo—why is he there!?”

“We’re still investigating, but the two operatives who were with him are missing, presumed dead.”

“….”

“It appears he filed a false report of moving to Ulleungdo, but in truth remained in Seoul…”

Unable to meet Zhao He’s twisted expression, Han Zhi continued:

“We also lost contact with Deputy Director Wei. Agents in Seoul are being mobilized to urgently assess the situation.”

“…What’s Korea’s reaction?”

“The NIS has demanded an explanation through the hotline.”

“Damn it! That means his identity’s already been confirmed. Stall them! What matters now is the current situation! Did the U.S. say anything?”

Zhao He’s insides burned.

Their Ulleungdo plan might be exposed before it even began.

“No word from the U.S. yet. But suddenly, the City Cartel and Zeus’ Sons have—”

“Hehe. Everyone’s so busy, and this old man’s just here getting in the way.”

Tap!

Peng Jinghao struck his cane against the floor and slowly rose.

“S-sir…”

“Don’t overwork yourself. Whether it’s that small country or us, aren’t we all just trying to live well together?”

“I—I’ll remember your words…”

As he patted Zhao He’s shoulder with warm encouragement, Zhao He shivered.

Because behind those words was a clear command: protect not only the Ulleungdo plan but also all the foundations Peng had established in Korea over the past years.

Wei Gangning was an important executive of the Committee.

If he said too much, much could be endangered.

The chance of the “Gag Seal” breaking was slim, but when it came to people, nothing was ever certain…

“Well then, do your best.”

Peng Jinghao brushed past Zhao He’s bow and slowly left the conference room.

His smile was gone now.

That scene on the news just now… it looked familiar. I need to check where Ma Ryong stirred up trouble.

Countless thoughts whirled in his mind.

…Meanwhile

The moment Lee Hyun finished the interrogation, he came outside.

Lee Gunsan and Go Jinwoo hurried up to him.

“Did you learn anything?”

“Chairman Peng has been up to some very interesting schemes behind the scenes.”

“Interesting schemes…?”

Lee Gunsan’s expression hardened.

To him, Peng Jinghao was one of his lifelong enemies.

Lee Hyun nodded.

“To get straight to the point—Pingxin is plotting a dungeon break on Ulleungdo.”

“A dungeon break…!?”

“Yes. And even larger than the Gangneung incident.”

“…!”

“…!!”

Both men were struck speechless.

Having lived through the Gangneung disaster firsthand, they couldn’t even form words.

They must be stunned. I was too, when I first heard it.

The Demon Horse King was in that Ulleungdo dungeon.

「…」

「…」

Even Sun Wukong and Sha Wujing had gone silent.

In part, it was an unspoken trust—leaving this matter entirely to Lee Hyun’s judgment.

“…That old bastard—”

Lee Gunsan clenched his teeth and was about to make a call when Lee Hyun stopped him.

“Calm yourself. It’s not so simple.”

“Don’t tell me there’s more?”

“Why do you think Chairman Peng dares to attempt such madness?”

The moment he met Lee Hyun’s icy eyes, Lee Gunsan snapped to attention.

“…Of course. He has a strong foothold here at home. Damn it… has he really cemented his power so firmly in just four years?”

The Central Hero Committee’s domestic plots had always been thwarted by Lee Hyun and Lee Gunsan.

But after the two left the military four years ago, things had changed.

It wasn’t strange, but still—the speed was shocking.

“Does he have a collaborator here?”

“White Burn’s executive director—Jung Kyuhan.”

“…Night Lantern. I always suspected he’d cause trouble one day, but to think he’d really… ha!”

Jung Kyuhan, known as Night Lantern, was one of Korea’s handful of high-rankers.

As a fellow high-ranker, Lee Gunsan knew him well.

“Director Jung lends his own name and his associates’ to support the Committee’s ventures.”

“They’re pulling every trick.”

“Recently, he even built a secret laboratory.”

“A lab?”

“Ma Ryong didn’t know the exact details either, but apparently there’s been a lot of activity there lately.”

“Then something important must be inside.”

“Yes.”

Lee Gunsan’s eyes gleamed.

Lee Hyun continued:

“I’ve identified every one of Chairman Peng’s bases Ma Ryong was involved in. If we’re going to strike, we should take them all at once.”

Wipe them out in a single sweep.

Lee Hyun believed they had to move like a storm.

“With the Committee distracted by the Ma Ryong incident, this is our best chance. I’ll take Night Lantern.”

“Then I’ll handle Ulleungdo and the other provincial bases.”

Lee Gunsan grabbed his jacket.

“There’s no time, so I’ll go ahead. But what about Ma Ryong?”

“He’s still useful. Leave him to me.”

Lee Gunsan gave a dry laugh.

“You plan to squeeze him dry. Fine. Then, let’s meet again when it’s over.”

“Stay safe. Good luck.”

“You too.”

Go Jinwoo gave Lee Hyun’s arm a friendly pat before leaving with Lee Gunsan.

The room sank into silence.

Lee Hyun took a deep breath, then bowed his head toward Sun Wukong.

“I apologize, Great Sage.”

For choosing to go after Director Jung first instead of rushing to Ulleungdo, where the Demon Horse King was.

Sun Wukong shook his head calmly.

「It disappoints me, yes… but I understand. From your perspective, the priority lies there.」

“If I don’t cut off Peng’s limbs now, we’ll never cripple him fully.”

No matter how dire Ulleungdo was, Peng Jinghao himself was only the master behind the curtain.

Even if they cut off his pawns, new ones would grow.

But Jung was different.

Night Lantern is essentially Peng Jinghao’s body itself. If I sever him now, it’ll be far harder for Peng to regrow his forces here.

Even if he did, infiltrating Korea again wouldn’t be so easy.

Stripping away Peng Jinghao’s influence in Korea—
that was Lee Hyun’s first target.

With General Lee handling Ulleungdo, it’ll be resolved cleanly. We can deal with the Demon Horse King after.

And the people Lee Gunsan would likely call to move were…

Lee Hyun shook off his thoughts and pulled out his phone.

To hunt Director Jung, he needed an ally.

Fortunately, there was someone willing to throw themselves into this with him.

But before that—

I need to know the Mountain God’s intentions.

Lee Hyun was certain the Old Seer already knew Director Jung’s true identity.

Riiing—click.

The call connected.

And a voice came through:

“Yes, Team Leader Im. Do you have a moment to talk?”