The moment Seong-ho sat down, Tak-hyeon put his question.

"So how would you have me test Sang-jong with this?"

"It's simple."

Seong-ho sat on the sofa and looked Tak-hyeon straight in the eye.

"Entrust the negotiation with the Shinpyeong Party to Second Brother. All of it — the amount to be given, the method, everything. An opportunity this good won't come often."

"An evaluation for what purpose?"

Tak-hyeon asked, feigning ignorance.

Seong-ho met his gaze and answered.

"A test for choosing your successor. The Shinpyeong Party matter will be an excellent opportunity for that."

At the answer, Do-beom was aghast.

Because he knew better than anyone how dangerous it was to speak of the succession to Tak-hyeon's face.

"President Kim. What are you saying? The succession? You can't—"

As Do-beom moved to stop him, Tak-hyeon raised a hand and stopped Do-beom instead.

"No. It's fine. Leave him. I want to hear what he has to say."

Do-beom fell back, unable to say more, but shot Seong-ho a look, desperately trying to warn him off.

Because succession talk was, to Chairman Tak-hyeon Lee, very like touching a dragon's inverted scale.

"So. Make the Shinpyeong Party matter an opportunity?"

"Yes. There will never be a better occasion to see how a man can control the political world."

Tak-hyeon's mouth curled up.

"But why the second? Couldn't I test Mun-jong, the eldest, first?"

"Because Eldest Brother's test is already finished."

"What?"

"I heard from him about the Shinpyeong Party meeting. You conducted your test then. Or do you feel a further test of him is needed?"

"Ha ha ha."

Tak-hyeon laughed for a good while.

"Impudent boy. Very well. There's the third, and the fourth— no, Chang-jong doesn't exist, let's say. And there's your wife, Gyeong-eun. So why the second? Because you must work down in order?"

"No."

Tak-hyeon regarded him with interest.

"Then why?"

"Because the greenbelt is the matter most closely connected to Second Brother."

Seong-ho paused, then continued.

"So he'll work all the harder at it. He'll strain not to let the chance slip, and to produce a result. Which…