Chapter 122 – Intervention [Involvement]

Officially, Siguk holds three titles.

Vice Chairman of JH Group, concurrently serving as Master of JH Guild and General Manager of the Group’s Comprehensive Planning Office.

Secretary-General of the National Hunter Federation.

Secretary-General of the National Policy Advisory Council.

These titles were introduced one by one or all three in sequence depending on the location and nature of the event when he made official public appearances.

In unofficial settings or small gatherings, people usually called him Secretary-General.

When meeting executives of JH Group affiliates like Han Myeongho or Kang Bonggil, they typically addressed him as Vice Chairman.

Overseas, he was referred to as South Korea’s behind-the-scenes power broker or shadow ruler.

Despite the lack of concrete evidence, it had become an accepted fact among many national governments, media outlets, and corporations that he effectively controlled the National Policy Advisory Council and the National Hunter Federation, and furthermore, that even the cabinet and the National Assembly were under his control.

This was the extent of Siguk’s known public persona.

And Siguk strictly limited his public image to exactly this extent.

Titles like Chairman of the Asian Villain Cartel were identities he must never reveal, would never reveal, and intended to keep as eternal secrets.

However, he couldn’t simply hide his face all the time.

People like Yeo Jeongyeon, Kurokawa Minori, and Marcos were, after all, merely representatives of South Korea, Japan, and the Philippines.

There were clear limitations in many ways to pushing only them forward when opening new markets or when the Cartel would later move to take control of individual national governments.

Therefore, Siguk needed a face he could use to naturally represent the Cartel while still concealing his true identity.

That was the entire reason he sought the Mask of the Dead.

And Siguk was able to dredge up a very suitable person from his long memory.

May 3, 2017, early morning.

The man who became the first target of the regressed Siguk’s killing, a former figure who once threw his weight around in Guro District, a man who should have originally become a National Policy Advisory Council Advisor.

Kim Yanggi.

Officially, he was in a state of disappearance, making him a suitable person to bring out and use.

Siguk used his power to manipulate records concerning Kim Yanggi.

He appropriately laid smokescreens over a few inconsistent stories, even creating an aura of mystique.

Thus, Siguk once again brought Kim Yanggi into the world.

And now, aboard a first-class flight to Beijing, Siguk, borrowing Kim Yanggi’s face, was quietly in a deep sleep, with a major task ahead.

August 13, 2031, 20:00.

Shanghai.

A five-star hotel frequently used as lodging by high-ranking Chinese Communist Party members.

The living room of the largest and most luxurious suite in that hotel.

Men with serious expressions sat on high-end sofas arranged lengthwise to the left and right of a large single-seater sofa.

Li Kebao, the middle-aged man sitting on the single-seater sofa silently smoking a cigarette, let out a long sigh along with the cigarette smoke.

“Liu Yaofang, Chairman of the Superhuman Association, has finally declared neutrality. He just keeps repeating that he will do his best for the Association’s affairs solely as its Chairman.”

At the words of Bolai Wang, Li Kebao’s close associate and Shanghai Municipal Party Committee Secretary, sighs flowed from here and there.

“That bastard Liu Yaofang, in the end…….”

The words of a certain elder who contributed to the establishment of the China Superhuman Association in its early days represented the feelings of everyone gathered in this room.

Bolai Wang, with the lowest seniority here, carefully continued speaking while gauging the reactions of the elders, seniors, and Li Kebao.

“And it’s said the anti-Beijing faction within Bureau Zero of the Ministry of State Security has also decided not to join hands with us.”

This time, even Li Kebao spat out a sigh instead of cigarette smoke.

As if he himself were a criminal, Bolai Wang clenched his lips tightly, bowed his head deeply, and finished his report.

“And…… the commanders of the North Sea Fleet and the East Sea Fleet have officially expressed their support for Dong Xian.”

Finally, the elders and high-ranking officials closed their eyes tightly.

“Hmph.”

Suddenly, Li Kebao let out a hollow laugh.

After stubbing out the cigarette, burned almost to the filter, in the ashtray, he lit another cigarette.

Li Kebao, who had been silently closing his eyes, smiling an inscrutable smile while smoking, soon let out a deep sigh and leaned his head back.

The expressions of the Shanghai Faction’s high-ranking officials and elders watching him were simply gloomy.

Silence fell for a while.

What broke the silence was the cautious suggestion of an elder who had led the Party alongside the fourth-generation leadership.

“How about thinking realistically?”

That short sentence made people think many thoughts.

Li Kebao was no different.

‘Realistically?’

There was only one realistic scenario.

Acknowledge the Beijing Faction’s hegemony, agree to appoint Dong Xian as the next Chairman, and secure the Shanghai Faction’s share within the seventh-generation leadership as much as possible.

But for Li Kebao, who knew that would only further deepen China’s isolation in the international community, it was a choice he simply couldn’t bring himself to make.

‘Realistically, the path China should choose is to fully acknowledge American hegemony, stop expansionism, and choose isolationism. At the very least, pursuing complete autonomous independence only within Chinese territory and growing stronger is the best and most realistic path the nation can take. But…….’

If Dong Xian, who advocates particularly hardline foreign policies even within the sixth-generation leadership—the successors of the fifth-generation leadership that officially declared external expansionism—becomes Chairman, China would make the most foolish choice.

Yet, realistically, there was also no way for the Shanghai Faction and Li Kebao himself to stop the Beijing Faction and Dong Xian from taking power.

‘Unless that bastard Dong Xian suddenly drops dead or something…….’

The influence of Dong Xian, who has been performing the Chairman’s role in practice since the national Chairman, the representative of the sixth-generation leadership, began secretly battling cancer, was like an immense wall he simply couldn’t overcome.

‘A realistic method…….’

Li Kebao only smiled bitterly and silently drew on his cigarette.

A five-star hotel suite in Beijing overlooking Tiananmen Square, the Forbidden City, and Zhongnanhai.

Gazing at the square shrouded in darkness, the Emperor’s residence, and Zhongnanhai—densely packed with the residences and offices of the Communist Party leadership guiding modern China—Siguk silently drank his coffee.

Behind him, Zhou Peiling stood at attention, giving the final briefing just before the operation’s execution.

“Li Xiangguo is currently at a retirement apartment complex located north of Zhongnanhai, and Dong Xian is staying at the Vice Chairman’s official residence within Zhongnanhai.”

Siguk silently took a sip of coffee. Zhou Peiling continued.

“Both Li Xiangguo and Dong Xian are under close protection by two B-Rank Superhumans each. According to information gathered so far, both sets of bodyguards are said to be of the Tanker type.”

“Tankers…… Well, Tankers who create Shields are more suitable for VIP protection than Dealers, I suppose. Continue.”

“Individuals suspected of being part of the Dragon Phoenix Society have already been identified by the Ministry of State Security to some extent. However, it’s all just circumstantial; there’s no material evidence. But regarding Liu Yaofang, Chairman of the China Superhuman Association, it has been confirmed that he definitely operates a secret organization, and the speculation that the secret organization he operates is the Dragon Phoenix Society is rampant within the Ministry of State Security.”

“Liu Yaofang…….”

“He is an A-Rank Magic Type Superhuman.”

“I know. I heard he’s a powerhouse on a similar level to Li Yixin?”

For a moment, Zhou Peiling flinched. But she soon regained her composure and answered.

“That’s correct. Master Li Yixin considered Chairman Liu Yaofang of the Superhuman Association his only true rival during his lifetime.”

“Hmm…… Let’s keep looking into that part for now. If the Ministry of State Security is also paying attention, digging a little deeper into internal data should yield considerable evidence.”

“Yes.”

Zhou Peiling continued the briefing thereafter.

The contents were nothing special.

That the factional conflict within the Chinese Communist Party is practically ending with the Beijing Faction’s advantage,

That the Ministry of State Security generally supports the Beijing Faction but has a considerable anti-Beijing faction within the organization, and if the Shanghai Faction achieves a balance of power with the Beijing Faction, they might join hands and lead a civil war, etc.

Mostly, the briefing covered the Chinese political situation, and by the time it ended, Siguk had finished his cup of coffee.

“Good. Since nothing major has changed, we’ll execute immediately.”

“Immediately, sir?”

“There’s a Korean saying: ‘Strike while the iron is hot.'”

Saying so, Siguk grinned.

August 14, 2031, 00:30.

30 km north of Zhongnanhai.

The retirement apartment complex where Communist Party elders reside.

The apartment complex, consisting of 30 buildings, was tightly guarded by public security officers maintaining ironclad vigilance at the entrance and every major intersection within the complex.

But their vigilance was easily neutralized before the Atomization Skill Siguk deployed.

Passing by a public security officer struggling to suppress a yawn while watching the front, Siguk immediately entered Building 22 and quickly made his way to Li Xiangguo’s apartment on the 13th floor.

Siguk entered the interior through the minute gaps of the firmly locked door.

The moment he stepped into the entrance hall, he released the Atomization Skill.

As if he had been there from the beginning, Siguk, wearing Kim Yanggi’s face, revealed himself.

『News is coming in that the agreement regarding the selection of China’s next leadership at the recently concluded Beidaihe Conference has fallen through.』

Sitting in a rocking chair in the spacious living room, Li Xiangguo was watching CNN news.

“Seems old men having trouble sleeping is a universal constant.”

Siguk, who had quietly approached him, spoke.

Li Xiangguo looked at Siguk, startled.

Simultaneously, the door of the room facing them opened and two men rushed out.

‘Medusa’s Eye.’

A chilling green halo emanated from Siguk’s eyes.

“……!”

The moment they met that gaze, the two B-Rank Superhumans turned to stone and froze on the spot.

‘Familiar Summoning.’

With sinister dark red smoke, a four-meter-tall Familiar tore through the air and revealed itself.

A demon boasting a ferocious appearance let out a silent roar and looked at Siguk.

‘Now, your meal.’

Siguk’s will was directly transmitted to the Familiar.

The Familiar bowed its head lightly to Siguk, then extended its tongue, wrapped it around the two Superhumans—turned to stone but still alive, breathing, and thinking—and brought them to its maw.

Crunch-! Crunch-!*

Leaving behind the sound of the two Superhumans being chewed, Siguk turned his gaze to Li Xiangguo.

Li Xiangguo was looking up at Siguk with disbelieving eyes.

“……An assassin sent by that fool Li Kebao?”

Siguk gave no answer to Li Xiangguo’s question.

“Or…… could it be that imbecile Dong Xian?”

This time too, Siguk gave no particular answer.

“If not Dong Xian, then……”

Siguk cut off his words.

“If Li Kebao sent you, it’s karma. If Dong Xian sent you, it’s discarding the tool after use.”

At Siguk’s words, Li Xiangguo glared at him with trembling eyes.

Siguk continued.

“Anyway, I have no business with you.”

With those final words, Siguk grabbed Li Xiangguo’s neck with one hand and strangled him.

“Kkhhk! Kkhk! Kkheuk……”

Unable to offer proper resistance, Li Xiangguo gazed at Siguk with resentful eyes, an expression full of lingering attachment to the world, and soon breathed his last.

Siguk looked indifferently at the clear handprint left on his neck.

‘Mysterious Death.’

The Mana that left his body soon enveloped Li Xiangguo’s entire form.

Instantly, the handprint Siguk left on his neck disappeared.

Looking at Li Xiangguo, who appeared like an old man who had died naturally while watching television without any external trauma, Siguk turned his gaze to the Familiar.

After sending back the Familiar, which was licking its lips with a pleased expression, Siguk used the Atomization Skill again to conceal his form.

An assassination carried out in an instant.

『Next news. There is news that Russia will publicly support South Philippines’ national recognition at the United Nations General Assembly in September……』

As CNN news continued to play, the Communist Party elder who once dominated an era and sought to influence the composition of the seventh-generation leadership passed away without any external injuries.