CH73 | MCT

Master and Disciple (1)

Tae-soo etched Secretary Song’s words deep into his heart.

Thus, he never interfered with the secrets of Han Il-kwon and Han Cheong-ho.

Even when he learned about the existence of Han Cheong-ho’s secret ledger, he never let curiosity get the better of him.

Even when he noticed suspicious behavior from Han Il-kwon, he never attempted to uncover the truth.

"I have survived for a long time. But in return, I am left with bitter regrets."

He hadn’t realized that his family was dying at Han Il-kwon’s hands.

He had blindly trusted the police investigation results and the doctors’ diagnoses—that was his mistake.

"Yet, I still considered him a friend. I believed in his despicable act."

"Tae-soo, if it weren’t for you, I would have crumbled long ago. Thank you for staying by my side."

"Every time I see alcohol, I think of him. I miss that skinny fool."

"I heard Han-soo’s unborn child was nicknamed ‘Taeyang’ (Sun). I just placed a stuffed toy at Han-soo and his wife’s columbarium. A sun-shaped one."

For 45 years, he and Secretary Song had lived and worked together.

Of course, Tae-soo handled affairs within the company, while Han Il-kwon, who lacked managerial skills, spent his time outside, handing out bribes and indulging in pleasure.

"Secretary Song knew. He knew exactly what kind of man Han Cheong-ho was and what kind of bastard Han Il-kwon was."

That must have been why he had secretly offered him such advice.

"Kang Tae-soo, there’s something I’ve always wanted to ask you. Why are you fighting against Han Cheong-ho? Do you have a specific reason for starting such a reckless battle?"

"The reason doesn’t matter. What matters is where I stand now."

"Ah…"

Secretary Song immediately understood.

"If you are standing against Han Cheong-ho, then I am sure I can be of use to you."

He was well aware of his own position.

"I will prove my worth, just as you desire."

Looking straight at Tae-soo, Secretary Song continued,

"So… will you buy my life, Kang Tae-soo?"

He was still an intelligent man.

That was why Han Cheong-ho had kept him by his side for so long.

"He was far too valuable to be discarded."

He was a highly capable man.

"Secretary Song, unlike in my past life, you’ve now been tasked with delivering the Saudi minister’s money bag. That must be because I used Jang Jun-yong from Geumsan to stir up Han Cheong-ho."

As a result, Secretary Song’s death had been hastened.

"If Han Cheong-ho hadn’t grown impatient, you wouldn’t have been captured and killed by Khalid. But it seems your time hasn’t come yet. After all, I’m here."

Tae-soo spoke.

"I know exactly what situation you’re in."

Because he was intelligent, he was desperately struggling to survive.

On the surface, he remained calm—just like a graceful swan gliding across a lake.

"You know too much about Han Cheong-ho’s secrets. Your life must be in danger."

"You really do understand Han Cheong-ho."

"I know him well. But not as well as you do, Secretary Song."

"He is... a terrifying and despicable man."

"Even his son, Han Il-kwon, doesn’t understand him as deeply as you do."

"He is… a deceitful and ruthless man."

Secretary Song shuddered.

His reaction was the same as before.

The only difference was that, in the past, he had restrained himself from showing it in front of Tae-soo.

"Kang Tae-soo, you must already know why I’m doing this and what I am capable of."

"Yes, that’s why I came to you."

Tae-soo had distanced himself from Han Cheong-ho and his son, pouring all his energy into managing the company.

Though he was more like the true head of the corporation in the guise of a secretary, Secretary Song was a real executive assistant—no, more like a cleanup man disguised as one.

That meant he knew far more of Han Cheong-ho’s dirty secrets.

"I will give you what you want, Kang Tae-soo. So please, spare me."

"Are you sure about this?"

"If you understand what it feels like to see the edge of the cliff approaching yet be unable to stop walking toward it… then please, reach out your hand. I want to escape, and I need your hand to do it."

Tae-soo had expected this.

Secretary Song had always dreamed of escape.

In his past life, he had never managed to break free from Han Cheong-ho’s grasp. But this time, Tae-soo hoped things would be different.

"I will get you out of there. But you must do two things for me."

"Thank you. I will do whatever you ask."

At some point, one of Khalid’s men loosened the rope binding Secretary Song.

As he rubbed his wrists where the rope had been, he asked,

"My family is still in Korea. Can they escape from Han Cheong-ho as well?"

"Of course. And conveniently, we already have a perfect excuse for you to go to Saudi Arabia—the desert."

"Ah!"

Secretary Song was sharp.

He immediately grasped Tae-soo’s meaning.

"You're planning to declare me missing in the desert, aren’t you?"

"No one will be able to stop your family from traveling to a foreign country to search for their missing husband and father."

"Thank you. That means my family will safely escape Han Cheong-ho’s grasp."

"Go far away with them and live in peace. No matter how powerful Han Cheong-ho is, his reach won’t extend that far."

Tae-soo was offering him a way out.

Secretary Song bowed deeply in gratitude.

"Thank you for your kindness. However, I have yet to prove my worth. That means I haven't paid for my life yet. Tell me how I can do that."

Tae-soo raised a finger.

As he folded one finger down, he spoke.

"First, you must disappear and leave Han Cheong-ho in the lurch."

Secretary Song understood.

He knew just how insignificant he was to Han Cheong-ho.

He was no different from a long-serving chauffeur.

If Han Cheong-ho ever considered him a threat, he would discard him without hesitation—like cutting off a useless tail.

"It won’t affect him much. Do you really think Han Cheong-ho would bat an eye if I disappeared now?"

They just had to make sure it hit him hard.

"You said you delivered a money bag to the Saudi Minister of Finance, correct?"

"Yes, that’s true, but…"

"If Han Cheong-ho went through the trouble of sending money all the way to Saudi Arabia, he wouldn’t have sent just one bag."

"That’s correct. I brought a total of three."

"Good. Then let’s send a little gift to the Saudi Minister of Construction—a small, hand-sized box of cash."

"What? Ah!"

Suddenly realizing Tae-soo’s intent, Secretary Song burst into laughter.

"Are you deliberately sending only a small sum to the Saudi Minister of Construction?"

"As expected, you’ve caught on."

Secretary Song had always been on the same wavelength as Tae-soo.

"A brilliant strategy to sow discord. Han Cheong-ho is going to be in serious trouble. How satisfying! Hahaha."

It was clear that Secretary Song had completely turned his back on Han Cheong-ho.

Hearing this plan, instead of worrying about his former boss, he felt a sense of relief.

Excited, he started rambling on his own.

"Han Cheong-ho sent large money bags to both ministers, thinking it would secure him the Jubail Industrial Port project."

"But while the Finance Minister received a massive bag of cash, the Construction Minister will only get a small gift box with a handful of money."

"Now, what do you think will happen when the Construction Minister finds out?"

"He’ll be furious."

The Minister of Construction was the fourth son of the founding king—

A younger brother of the current king and the most likely candidate to be the next ruler.

Yet, despite that status, his younger brother was being treated with more importance.

Already known for his jealousy and inferiority complex, he would grow resentful.

After all, his younger brother was holding the more prestigious position of Finance Minister, which only deepened his frustration.

"To him, it will seem as though Han Cheong-ho values the Finance Minister more than the one actually overseeing the Jubail Industrial Port project."

"And once he realizes that Han Cheong-ho specifically chose his younger brother over him, wouldn’t he start to resent him?"

"It’ll drive a wedge between them."

Clap!

Caught up in excitement, Secretary Song clapped his hands.

"A flawless strategy. Division always begins with the smallest of details. Brilliant."

His admiration for Tae-soo was just like in the past.

"But… isn’t this too small a price to pay for my life? All I’m doing is sending a tiny gift box to the Construction Minister."

"The outcome won’t be small. It will be the beginning of a rift between two Saudi ministers."

Secretary Song had always cared for Tae-soo as if he were his successor.

That’s why he had generously shared his wisdom and given him endless advice.

Tae-soo thought,

"I am repaying that kindness now. But an unearned favor would only be a burden to you—so I present it as a small proposition instead. I will help you escape safely."

Pleased with Tae-soo’s plan, Secretary Song smiled.

Tae-soo smiled back.

"Then, what is the second task I must complete? I assume it will be quite difficult?"

"Secretary Song, you’ll need to prepare a bomb."

It was a task only someone like Secretary Song—who knew all of Han Cheong-ho’s darkest secrets—could accomplish.

"A bomb?"

"I need you to gather solid evidence of Han Cheong-ho’s wrongdoings. It would be best if you could collect as much as possible. You won’t even need to return to Korea to do it, right?"

"Of course. I’ve already prepared something for that."

Secretary Song recalled the secret ledger he had hidden away.

"When the news of my disappearance in the desert reaches my family, I’ll pass them a message in secret. That way, they can bring it here."

If everything went according to plan, it would be an earth-shattering revelation.

"With this, you’ve paid both prices for your life."

"Wait…!"

Secretary Song’s mouth fell open.

He had expected Tae-soo to demand something nearly impossible.

If necessary, he was even prepared to return to Han Cheong-ho’s side and act as a spy.

But Tae-soo was simply letting him go.

"Now, you are completely free from Han Cheong-ho’s grasp."

Han Cheong-ho wouldn’t even dream of it—

That the very man he thought dead would deliver the most devastating blow against him.

"Take the money Han Cheong-ho so generously provided and live happily with your family."

"Pardon?"

One suitcase filled with cash had already been sent to the Finance Minister.

A tiny gift box with a meager sum was on its way to the Construction Minister.

But what about the other two suitcases?

"With two trunks full of cash, you and your family will never have to struggle, no matter where you go."

"You’re even giving me the money bags? Thank you… truly, Tae-soo."

A wave of emotion welled up in Secretary Song’s chest.

The superior he had dedicated his entire life to had discarded him without hesitation—

Yet, a man he had only just met was showing him such immense kindness.

"I swear, one day, I will repay this debt."

Secretary Song vowed.

'Han Cheong-ho's Black Ledger... I will entrust it to him.'

While handling Han Cheong-ho’s dirty work, Secretary Song had secretly compiled another black ledger of his own.

‘This is another bomb—one even Han Cheong-ho doesn’t know about.’

In his past life, he had never gotten the chance to use it.

But now, the weapon Secretary Song had once kept hidden was finally about to see the light of day.

‘This man is extraordinary. At this level… he might actually stand a chance against Han Cheong-ho.’

And so young, too.

His every move was meticulous, calculated.

His body carried the marks of someone who had undergone rigorous and refined training for years.

‘Where did someone like him suddenly appear from? Who in the world raised him to be this formidable?’

In his past life, Secretary Song had spent five years shaping Tae-soo.

Even after his own death, he had prepared an entire educational program to ensure Tae-soo’s continued growth.

Now, as he observed Tae-soo, his gaze deepened.

‘I’ve never seen someone trained to near perfection like this before.’

Just then, Khalid—who had been listening to their conversation through an interpreter—spoke up.

[Han Cheong-ho’s subordinates, listen well.]