Taking his seat, Seong-ho Kim relayed to the two of them what had been said at the Blue House.

Unlike Tak-hyeon Lee, who said nothing when he had heard it all, Mun-jong Lee wore a deep smile and put a question to Seong-ho Kim.

"So they have decided to accept it?"

"Yes. Party Leader Han of the Mincheong Party and President Noh both accepted it. Only…"

Seong-ho Kim spoke in a careful voice.

"The Blue House attached one condition."

"What condition?"

Tak-hyeon Lee, who had been sunk in thought, raised his head and asked.

Seong-ho Kim glanced round at Mun-jong Lee, seated beside him, and then gave the condition the Blue House had demanded.

"They want Ilhyeon to make a public apology to the nation."

"A public apology to the nation? Have they lost their minds?"

Mun-jong Lee's face turned displeased.

Seong-ho Kim nodded slightly and explained to Tak-hyeon Lee.

"As you will know, Chairman, the mood at present is not to be taken lightly. If it is left as it is, the anger of the people will turn on Ilhyeon. The Blue House seemed afraid that the anger would reach as far as themselves."

"Isn't that why you said to fasten the whole thing on Sang-jong? You said it yourself. That if one man took it all, the matter could be settled."

Still displeased, Mun-jong Lee raised his voice.

"If he wants it done, let Min-gu Noh do it himself. Now he demands every last thing. A man who in five years will step down and be an old fellow in a back room — who is he to tell anyone do this, do that?"

That Mun-jong Lee should stand on his pride in such a situation left Seong-ho Kim so taken aback that a laugh of disbelief nearly escaped him.

He has no idea how serious the situation is.

He seemed to know of it only as far as the noise people outside were making about how serious it was.

Realizing there was no use talking with Mun-jong Lee, Seong-ho Kim kept his eyes on Tak-hyeon Lee and…