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“This is something. The behavior may not be top-notch, but for a bureaucratic level, it’s not too bad.”

Park Jinseong couldn’t help but laugh at this childish scheme.

It felt like someone in power was issuing unreasonable orders, and the underlings were just gritting their teeth to get the tasks done. He found it absolutely impossible to hold back a sneer.

Indeed.

This is exactly how it goes.

When someone in power gives absurd commands, you end up with results that are almost laughable.

They don’t want to break the law.

They lack power.

So inevitably, what results is time-wasting grumbling and pointless disputes.

Park Jinseong knew this all too well.

It was just like those greedy individuals who, after commissioning a job, didn’t want to pay for it, trying to wriggle out of giving the commission fee. They might reluctantly cough up the cash when cornered with threats, or they might stubbornly refuse to pay at all, ending up as corpses that couldn’t even be found amidst the ‘carnival’…

Ah, such a nostalgic tale.

“The spirit is also influenced by the body. Maybe it’s because of my young body, but I’m feeling this strange refreshment.”

He chuckled, pondering how to deal with this petty trickery.

“This is quite ambiguous…”

But there was too little information to come up with a good countermeasure.

All he could do was awkwardly piece together fragmented details to barely grasp the outline of the situation. Even that was little more than a low-probability guess that might differ substantially from the final product.

You could liken it to reaching out on a moonless night, fumbling to recognize objects in the dark.

But what can one do?

Planning and executing is the privilege of those who can.

While others remain in the dark about the plans, he himself is fully aware of everything, wielding the authority to control and amend them.

Yeah…

Park Jinseong was caught up in a certain plan.

Call it an operation, call it a task.

Someone was painting their own picture, wanting to throw Park Jinseong into trouble…

“Maybe they aren’t precisely targeting me.”

But this ambiguous action, neither fully a “plan” nor a “strategy,” hinted at something. It implied that such trivial acts could not possibly threaten a significant goal.

It was like knowing there’s an ant colony somewhere in the house but not knowing where, so you sprinkle ant powder everywhere, waiting for just one to trip it and give you a lead.

The ants were definitely visible.

You knew they had built a colony somewhere in the house.

There were definitely places they entered and exited, a swarm.

But since you couldn’t pinpoint the location, you spread the bait like a fisherman, hoping to track them down based on whatever marks they left behind.

“Bait.”

Yeah. Bait.

The kind that drags you right under the surface once you react, hooks embedded, becoming a captive.

Once you approach that delicious scent and take a bite, the trap closes immediately…

“Just not very skillful, though.”

Of course, their skill wasn’t refined—

Yeah.

Seeing such childish tricks reach even the passports, it couldn’t just be dismissed lightly.

No matter how clumsy they were, sheer size was still a form of power.

No matter how skilled a lynx is in battle, it can’t possibly defeat an unyielding elephant.

Power holds that sort of strength, in a world where order is maintained.

So, Park Jinseong decided not to directly respond to this crude baiting.

“I’m canceling my trip to America.”

He decided not to go to America.

Of course, if he canceled outright, suspicion would surely arise… Best to apply once more, then cancel, so that it would come off as irritation at having two consecutive cancellations, leading him to simply abandon the trip entirely.

But—

“Still, I must reach out to America somehow.”

But that didn’t mean he could completely let go of America.

In ways where Park Jinseong’s identity wouldn’t be revealed.

While at the same time, causing confusion for the power holders disrupting his work, and finding ways to deal with them.

Yeah.

That would stir chaos.

“Then, reaching out to America would also become easier, and if America falls into chaos, China would likely lower its guard. While America wobbles, they will focus on rising to take the top spot in the world…”

Yeah.

Everything would surely turn out quite well if that were the case…

* * *

Japan, once on the brink of war with Korea.

When Japan approached full-scale conflict with Korea, countless citizens feared war would break out, many worried about the potential confiscation of their bank deposits, rushing to withdraw their savings and convert their possessions into cash or precious metals in preparation for flight.

Those who usually championed the idea of reinstituting imperial glory through warfare seemed unwilling to join the military, loudly advocating for war bans and peace negotiations with Korea, while the overflow of warriors clamored for war, desperately trying to position themselves as spearheads through their connections.

A brief period.

Yet an enormous chaos.

After the storm of chaos settled, Japan, paradoxically, found peace.

Just like how a pond can become muddy when turned upside down but eventually returns to clarity.

Japan too transformed back into its peaceful state.

No, it seemed to have become even more peaceful than before.

Most who had extolled the imperial era shifted their stance when faced with conscription, now either keeping silent or passionately advocating for peace, their voices almost hoarse. Of course, while the right-wing still made a ruckus, their numbers had clearly diminished compared to when the atmosphere with Korea was tense…

The warriors, often itching for a fight?

They had built up some grievances.

They wanted to achieve renown for their martial feats and gain wealth and power, hoping to become impactful figures in Japan’s dominion.

But—

[“What do you expect to accomplish with such a low level of skill!?”]

[“Martial skills flourish amidst chaos, yet that paradoxically means we must tirelessly put in the effort for the beauty of those blooms. Plants have no feet, and only after flowers bloom and fruits grow can they bear seeds. Your actions are akin to trying to flower by drawing blood through roots; it’s quite the folly. You must reflect!”]

An admonishment from Japanese first-class warrior Soutaro and second-class warrior Kazuo stifled the grievances of the eager fighters.

They condemned those who hadn’t achieved much and were far from reaching their potential, scolding them for expecting to sever others could lead to their own glory. They also knocked down those revealing discontent, stating they would reform those whose minds were captivated only by the sweet rewards of martial prowess, instead of its essence, by putting the group through tough training.

Perhaps because of that.

The warriors who had often caused trouble in secret, those supporting the right-wing, had vanished entirely.

Powerful warriors resonating with Soutaro and Kazuo’s sentiments gathered, causing a stir over redefining the bushido spirit.

And ordinary citizens.

In an effort to escape the terror that once ruled all of Japan.

Or perhaps to compensate for what they had feared back then, they fervently began seeking out enjoyable activities.

For instance, audition programs produced in collaboration between Korea and Japan.

For instance, dramas created jointly by Korea and Japan.

For instance, animations and contests.

For instance.

[“To all the viewers nationwide! I, the adorable and lovely reporter, Akabane Hina, have come to cover the Higan Flower festival!”]

Festivals.

[“Everyone! Can you see the brilliantly blooming Higan Flowers? This place might be famous for Higan Flowers in Saitama Prefecture, but Hina had no idea they could be this beautiful!”]

On a farm in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.

Bright red flowers were blooming, setting the earth ablaze.

Swaying and dancing in the wind, the flames seemed to ripple, creating a visual illusion of red waves.

[“Here, numerous events based on the Higan Flower are taking place! Just thinking about it makes me feel high-tension!”]

Red flowers.

Spider lilies.

Higan blooms.

The most renowned name is, of course.

Higan Flower.

 

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