CH46 | MCT

The Scorching Desert Night (1)

Tae-soo pulled a document from his coat.

It was a copy—an excerpt from an unofficial letter sent by the Saudi royal family to Park Jung-hwan.

He had pestered Kim Jung-rim relentlessly to get his hands on it.

[This project was personally requested by the Saudi royal family.]

[What?]

The Saudi royal family meant everything to these people.

Their bravest warriors had once fought alongside the first king, helping him establish the nation.

Even now, their descendants served as the elite royal guards, protecting the king and his family.

Despite being a small tribe, they wielded tremendous influence within the royal court—acting as one of its most powerful allies.

[Are you certain this came from His Majesty?]

[See for yourself. Is there anyone here who can verify the royal seal?]

[There isn’t a single person among us who wouldn’t recognize it.]

The chieftain examined the document, his gaze lingering on the seal.

Then, he closed his eyes.

[It’s authentic. The contents confirm what this man says.]

A wave of shock swept through the Bedouins.

[So you truly intend to give all this… for honor alone?]

[All you want is to complete a road project? That’s… remarkable.]

To think that someone would come all this way—summoned by the royal family—just to finish a road.

"Water is a gift. Wells are goodwill. Roads are for the honor of my homeland…"

To sacrifice for honor—

That was no easy thing.

[It seems everything you said was true. I apologize for my doubts. It was simply… too unbelievable.]

[I understand.]

The misunderstanding had been resolved.

The Bedouins now looked at Tae-soo with a subtle mix of admiration and respect.

They recalled how they had cornered him, pressing him with suspicion—yet not once had he even furrowed his brow.

The more they thought about it, the more impressive his composure seemed.

If the desert had great warriors worthy of reverence, surely they would be like this man.

[I accept your goodwill, as it is for the honor of your homeland. Truly, I feel ashamed. I was small-minded.]

[Not at all. I appreciate your understanding.]

Tae-soo felt a pang of sympathy.

He understood why they had reacted this way.

These were men who had fought to the death over a single well—

Because without it, they wouldn’t survive.

"Wild animals that have been rescued don’t trust humans easily. Why would they be any different?"

The idea of a tanker filled with water arriving at their doorstep—

It must have felt like a dream.

And on top of that, someone was offering to build their wells and canals for them?

Even in their wildest dreams, they wouldn’t have dared to hope for such a thing.

"Even their own country never built them roads or water systems. They must have barely scraped by each drought."

It had been a lonely battle for survival.

"Take what they need. Offer what I need. Water for workers. Wells and canals for limestone mines and a cement factory."

This deal was a win-win for both sides.

"I get to monopolize the limestone and cement industries and make a fortune. The Bedouins get water and jobs. We prosper together."

And that wasn’t all.

"Once this road project is complete, I’ll receive a massive payout. Seventy percent of the $12.5 million contract—that’s $8.75 million."

With that money, he could buy oil—quadruple the profits—secure funding for his apartment construction plans.

Opportunities like this didn’t come every day.

"Seize the opportunity. Make money. And if I can uplift those in need along the way—why not?"

Secure What You Need, Share What You Can

That was how Tae-soo wanted to live.

That was why he was here.

Looking around at the Bedouins, Tae-soo spoke honestly.

[Droughts are natural disasters. You've fought desperately to survive them, to endure until now. None of you fought because you wanted to, did you?]

They had all been forced onto the battlefield—they had no choice.

[Even the Saudi royal family must have been powerless. Other desert tribes likely faced the same struggles.]

This wasn’t a conflict that could have been stopped by mere words.

The real problem was that there was no solution.

The entire nation was suffering from drought—finding water was a struggle for everyone.

[But the situation has changed. I came here from afar, bringing a tanker filled with water. Enough water for both tribes to drink freely and survive for months.]

The tanker had arrived.

With that water, they could endure this crisis together.

[The swords you raised—weren’t they drawn because you had no choice? Then let’s put them down now.]

The Bedouins stole glances at the opposing tribe.

For months, they had fought over water, losing countless lives.

To survive, they had accepted those losses.

They thought of the friends, brothers, and comrades they had buried in the sand.

[Even though the problem is solved, will you keep holding your swords just because of lingering hatred? When the rains finally come, will you even have anyone left to celebrate with? If all your loved ones are gone, what will it all be worth?]

The Bedouins imagined it.

Standing in the rain, staring at the well they had fought to claim…

Yet alone.

With no one left.

[Wasn’t it for survival? Isn’t that why you picked up your swords?]

Their grips on their weapons weakened.

[Let go of the hatred. For the children, for your wives, for your parents. For the future that you will live together.]

A heavy silence settled over them.

From somewhere, a low sigh echoed.

Then—

VROOOOM.

A vehicle returned from the harbor.

As soon as it stopped, Bedouins leaped out, their faces flushed with excitement.

They shouted in exhilaration.

[Water!]
[The tanker is full of water!]
[The man speaks the truth!]
[There’s an enormous supply! We don’t have to worry about water anymore!]

Hope had arrived.

The Bedouins who heard the news—

[Uwaaaaaah!]
[Woooooooo!]

They roared in jubilation.

[Water! Finally, we don’t have to worry about it anymore!]
[We can survive until the rainy season!]
[No more senseless fighting!]
[The tribal war is over!]

Tae-soo clenched his fist and shouted internally.

"It’s over. The war is over."

The Bedouins looked at Tae-soo with a new light in their eyes.

As if he were a savior.

As if he were the one who had brought peace.

[This is a miracle!]

The Bedouins embraced each other in joy.

These were the same people who, until yesterday, had watched their wells dry up with dread.

Now, they celebrated.

For months, it had been this way.

That was why their joy was beyond words.

[Chieftain, it’s water! The drought is over!]
[We are saved! We no longer have to fight over water!]

Even the chieftain’s aged eyes shimmered with tears.

[I will welcome him as an honored guest. From this day forward, he will be treated as a noble visitor.]

Good.

Very good.

To the Bedouins, a guest is someone sacred.

And now, he would always be treated as one.

There was no greater honor.

[Very well. Do the two chieftains understand my intentions?]

The two chieftains understood immediately.

At the same time, they nodded.

[Korino and Harkonnen shall reconcile. We welcome this noble man as a guest of both tribes.]
[Since we welcome him together, we should also share the gifts of hospitality.]

Tae-soo turned to look at the Bedouins.

They hurriedly performed the rituals of greeting a guest.

[The chieftain’s will is the tribe’s will.]
[We welcome you as the honored guest of both tribes.]

Everyone followed their chieftain and bowed deeply.

As one.

The warriors, once divided, now stood together.

Facing Tae-soo, who stood at the center of the road.

Tae-soo, too, bowed deeply at a 90-degree angle, the formal greeting of his homeland.

[I am truly honored to be welcomed so warmly. It is my privilege to be the guest of both tribes. Thank you.]

The desert warriors chuckled at the sight of his bow.

They instinctively understood—he was returning their hospitality in his own way.

Seeing this, the warriors nodded in approval.

A little further away, Tae-soo’s companions whistled.

Standing next to Tae-soo, Holjjugi turned back with a grin.

“See? What did I tell you? Just trust Tae-soo. He pulled it off beautifully.”

Even Song Chang-jun, the interpreter, was flushed with excitement.

He flashed a thumbs-up.

“That was incredible. This fight had dragged on for months, and you ended it in an instant. It’s an honor to witness this.”

Tae-soo, who had kept his bow for a long moment, slowly straightened his back.

VROOOOM.

Just then, the jeep they had parted with at the airport came speeding toward them, kicking up a cloud of dust.

The truck bed was overflowing with food.

Everything Tae-soo had arranged in advance.

Seeing this, Song Jin-gu shouted in excitement.

“Damn, that timing is perfect! Right on the dot, you bastard. How the hell did you pull that off? You a fortune teller or something?”

“Fortune teller, my ass. I was watching from the hill with binoculars, you idiot.”

Second Secretary Song Chang-jun looked on in surprise.

“So that’s why you told the next truck at the airport to come to the meeting point? How did you even come up with the idea to prepare all this food?”

As if it was some great feat.

“People are naturally generous to those who satisfy their three basic needs. Hunger is one of them. Throughout history, the best conversations have always happened over a meal.”

Of course, Song Chang-jun knew this.

After all, the foundation of any good negotiation often started with food, drinks, or… other pleasures.

“I called them family. And isn’t sharing a meal what family does? Even strangers form bonds when they eat together.”

A warm sentiment, wasn’t it?

“Once they’ve eaten well, goodwill and trust will follow naturally. The water issue is resolved, but now we need to discuss the construction plans properly.”

Sharing a meal with those you want to grow closer to.

Letting go of resentment while breaking bread together.

Tae-soo turned to the Bedouins and addressed them.

[The two tribes have ended their long war and reconciled. On a day as joyous as this, a shared meal is only fitting. This is how we celebrate peace in Korea—so please, enjoy this feast I’ve prepared with a glad heart.]

A cheer erupted.

Seeing the truckload of food, energy surged through the crowd.

[Chieftain, look at all this meat!]
[There’s bread and milk for the children too.]
[Fresh vegetables and mountains of fruit!]
[I see jerky and even fish—enough to feed the entire tribe!]

But what they all really wanted to say was simple.

[We must have a feast tonight!]
[Chieftain, a day like this calls for a grand celebration, doesn’t it?]

Even the dignified chieftain couldn’t hide his grin.

The once fierce desert warriors now looked like big brothers from the village.

This was exactly the atmosphere Tae-soo had wanted.

‘Reconciliation isn’t complicated. You eat together, celebrate together, and share together.’

At last, a smile spread across Tae-soo’s face.