Episode 70

During the company dinner, Yeon-woo heard the news that the construction of the specialized set for filming the 12th episode of ‘The Star Beyond the River’ had been completed.

This drama consists of 17 episodes in total, including 16 main episodes and, if the ratings are good, an additional special episode, totaling 17 parts.

Currently, filming has been completed for the first half of episode 11 and part of the second half, including the desert racing ending that Yeon-woo filmed in advance.

So, a considerable portion of the remaining content to be filmed will be done at the Daejeon set.

“The director said he needs time to set up the shots even during this vacation. Since it’s in Daejeon, I want to go take a look.”

“Oh, are you going in two days then?”

“Nah, it’s not part of the filming schedule, and there’s no need for you to come. I’ll go alone.”

Min-soo laughed at Yeon-woo’s preemptive strike, understanding his intention, and replied that he would also take a good rest during his vacation.

Yeon-woo added after hearing that, nodding in agreement.

“Oh, by the way, when we start filming at the set, I’ll be commuting from home for a few days. Min-soo hyung, you can take a break during that time.”

“That won’t do. Not only for commuting, but also to take care of emergencies or other matters, I will definitely go and pick you up.”

Min-soo replied firmly, shaking at Yeon-woo’s words.

Ever since he first worked with Yeon-woo two years ago, he thought of him as someone with a strong sense of professionalism and responsibility.

“If you go down to your hometown tomorrow and watch the broadcast with your family, I’m looking forward to the reaction. Since the movie hasn’t been released yet, it’ll be the first time for your family to see the lead actor.”

Actually, Yeon-woo hadn’t thought much about it, but after hearing Min-soo’s story, he became curious.

When ‘Summer Promise’ aired, he was the supporting lead but had a relatively small role, and his younger sister So-hyeon was in puberty at the time, so she didn’t come out much at all.

“It does make me look forward to it when I think about it.”

While having a conversation, they arrived at the apartment and saying goodbye to Min-soo before heading up.

Even though he had plugged his smartphone into the charger and turned it on before taking a shower, Yeon-woo’s phone kept ringing even after he came out.

 

When he looked at the screen, there were dozens of missed calls and messages, mostly from acquaintances and broadcasting staff. Among them, there was an app with blinking numbers.

It was a message received through an information protection app that he only used when communicating with Han Hae-woon.

[Team leader Yeon-woo. I made contact with Baek No-ya.]

[I’ve found a clue about Baek Sol’s information.]

]There has been progress regarding the Plus Ten CEO, Byun Hak-gyu, as you mentioned before.]

[I’m heading to Seoul to report on the relevant content.]

[Please reply once you’ve checked the message.]

Since the first message was sent over four hours ago, considering that he left Busan at that time, it wouldn’t be long before he arrived in Seoul.

It seemed like he would have to postpone sleep for tonight.

As he got dressed again and left the house, Yeon-woo sent a message.

[I’ve checked the message. Let’s meet at the following address.]

Sending the address of a quiet park near the office building, Yeon-woo went ahead and waited. Shortly after, a silver SUV with headlights arrived at the parking lot of the park.

It was Han Hae-woon’s car.

As Yeon-woo approached, the driver’s door opened, and Han Hae-woon got out.

“Thank you.”

He nodded slightly in response to Yeon-woo’s first words as soon as they saw each other.

“It wasn’t easy to meet you.”

“Let’s talk as we walk.”

As Yeon-woo and Han Hae-woon walked through the park, Han Hae-woon began the conversation about the meeting with Baek No-ya.

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A few hours ago, when Han Hae-woon, wearing a mask, was being moved somewhere by Baek No-ya’s subordinate.

With his vision blocked, Han Hae-woon was sandwiched between two burly men in the front seats of the car, unable to move, and he heard a voice coming from Baek No-ya sitting in the back seat.

“What is your relationship with Mr. Jeon?”

“I’m helping him because of a personal favor I received.”

Since Han Hae-woon had already anticipated the scenario due to the script prepared in advance with Jeon Su-hwan, he replied immediately.

Then came Baek No-ya’s voice again.

“He usually acts on his own. He is not someone who orders others around.”

“Right now, he’s in a dangerous area, so he can’t come in easily.”

Not knowing whether he had completely dispelled suspicions about Han Hae-woon, Baek No-ya remained silent afterward, and the car continued to drive for quite some time.

‘From what I feel, the speed is not exceeding 70km/h. So, it’s probably only moving on the national highway, and judging by the number of turns, it’s not far from the previous location. They’re deliberately making it difficult because of me.’

Even though he was being kidnapped, Han Hae-woon calmly deduced while habitually reasoning, recording information in his mind one by one.

Baek No-ya sitting in the back seat occasionally received phone calls without saying a word, only listening to the conversation on the other end of the receiver amidst the vibrating sound.

Han Hae-woon also tried to listen to the conversation, but he couldn’t hear anything at all.

‘Perhaps they’re cross-checking to see if I’m lying while driving in circles.’

Before he knew it, the car stopped, and Han Hae-woon was held by the shoulders by the two men on either side and led up the stairs for a while.

Entering indoors, he felt the atmosphere change, and when the mask was removed, he saw elegant furnishings coming into view.

It felt like being in the living room of a chairman’s house that appears in dramas.

Baek No-ya, sitting on the sofa in the living room, raised his arm and gestured for Han Hae-woon to take a seat.

“Have a seat. Looking up like that makes my neck hurt.”

Han Hae-woon sat down and started the conversation based on the information and precautions relayed by Ryu Yeon-woo.

“Team Leader Jeon Su-hwan has instructed No-ya to repay the debt.”

Baek No-ya’s eyes widened briefly upon hearing Han Hae-woon’s words, then quickly returned to an expressionless state as he nodded his head.

“So, I can finally repay the debt.”

As he tapped the armrest of the sofa, lost in thought, Baek No-ya spoke again.

“By the way, that person was a team leader, wasn’t he? I don’t know where he’s from or what he does. I just occasionally make deals with him.”

As Han Hae-woon was about to respond to Baek No-ya’s words, he interrupted him, preempting his words.

“Enough. I don’t even want to know. The reason this old man has survived this long is because he knows a lot.”

Raising his single arm, Baek No-ya continued speaking.

“This situation arose because of my excessive greed.”

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Yeon-woo’s eyes flickered as he quietly nodded along to Han Hae-woon’s story.

“The arm story? He has aged a lot since I last saw him, talking about personal matters like that.”

“It’s not just about getting old; he were brimming with vigor.”

Yeon-woo chuckled at Han Hae-woon’s words.

“So, did you ask about ‘Baek Sol’?”

Han Hae-woon nodded heavily at Yeon-woo’s question.

“I didn’t find out much, but I got some clues. It was as I suspected.”

“Is that so?”

“Yes. It’s related to the National Intelligence Service.”

Although they had already guessed to some extent based on the fact that Jeon Su-hwan and Baek Yoo-hyun had died in their past lives, when it became certain, both Yeon-woo and Hae-woon wore bitter expressions.

Their dedication and sacrifices for their country had suddenly turned into a mere dedication note.

Then Yeon-woo raised his head with a smirk.

“But if it’s related to the National Intelligence Service, it’s strange that Baek No-ya knows about it and I don’t, isn’t it?”

Han Hae-woon nodded at Yeon-woo’s words.

Of course, Baek No-ya would also be speculating, but since he didn’t know Yeon-woo’s past life as ‘Jeon Su-hwan’ was or what he did, it was strange that Baek No-ya knew about ‘Baek Sol’, which was even more shrouded in mystery.

“However, strictly speaking, it’s a bit different.”

“Different?”

After pausing for a moment, Han Hae-woon continued speaking.

“I think it’s more accurate to call it the Department of Safety Planning.”

Department of Safety Planning

It was the predecessor of the National Intelligence Service, which was the intelligence agency of South Korea from 1981 to 1999.

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“So, you mean to say that this person or organization called ‘Baek Sol’ is known to you?”

The word that came out of Han Hae-woon’s mouth was quite shocking and unexpected, causing Baek No-ya, who had been lost in thought, to speak up.

“I didn’t expect to hear that name just now, but if that’s the information he wants, then I’ll have to dig up this old man’s long-standing memories.”

According to Baek No-ya, about 30 years ago, just when he had barely shed his rookie status in the underworld, a large-scale crime eradication operation known as the ‘War on Crime’ took place.

At that time, fortunately, Baek No-ya was already in prison, so he could evade investigation. When he was released, all the connections and acquaintances he had in the underworld either crippled or disappeared without a trace.

“The name I heard back then was ‘Baek Sol.'”

A man approached Baek No-ya, who was consolidating his power by rallying the remaining thugs. The man, who identified himself as an agent from the National Intelligence Service that had once scared him, threatened that if Baek No-ya lived only according to the orders under the name ‘Baek Sol’, he could spare his life.

However, Baek No-ya, who had barely shed his rookie status before going to prison, flourished after his release, expanding his influence and arrogantly confronting his enemies.

“That might be the thing I regret most in my life, and at the same time, it might be the best thing I’ve ever done.”

“What do you mean?”

Baek No-ya nodded as if reminiscing about that day upon hearing Han Hae-woon’s words.

“They’re all dead. Several people came that afternoon and pulled the trigger without hesitation. That day, I also took several shots to the shoulder and arm and barely managed to escape.”

The power of the state was terrifying.

Even with gunshot wounds, he couldn’t go to any hospital, so he sought out an unlicensed doctor in the underworld, eventually surviving only after going to him and having his arm amputated.

“After that, I’ve never stepped out into the open again. But still, I haven’t lived as their slave.”

That’s why he said it might be the thing he regretted most and the best thing he’d ever done.

“I thought the mountains and rivers changed so many times and disappeared into the back alleys of history, but I never thought I’d hear that name again from a young man’s mouth.”

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After listening to Han Hae-woon and Baek No-ya’s conversation, Yeon-woo pondered deeply.

Looking at Yeon-woo lost in thought, Han Hae-woon spoke up.

“I don’t think the ones Baek No-ya mentioned have disappeared. We don’t know how they’ve changed their appearance.”

“I’ve been working for the National Intelligence Service for 20 years since I joined the year after it changed its name. I’ve never even heard of them once. They’re probably hiding meticulously.”

It was almost 30 years ago…

Since it was information from the past, it’s hard to say how they’ve changed now.

Still, for the first time, they had a clue and a rough idea about their opponent.