Ch.303303. North Korea (2)

Not long after, a diplomatic delegation from Silla was formed to head to Pyongyang, with Jeong Dong-geon taking the lead as they entered the demilitarized zone.

Upon entering the DMZ, Jeong Dong-geon maintained his battlefield vigilance, taking precautions against potential ambushes by moving forward one step at a time. However, it seemed that North Korea… or rather, the Cult of Immortality, genuinely intended to engage in diplomatic activities with Silla this time.

Unlike the Ulsan battle where they had stubbornly fought to the bitter end, by the time Jeong Dong-geon’s party arrived at Panmunjom, they were welcomed with red carpets and North Korean soldiers stationed throughout the area to greet the delegation.

In contrast, Seoul Alliance forces deployed to escort the delegation faced off against the North Korean troops, but both sides carried only ceremonial weapons, having officially ceased hostilities some time ago.

“Welcome.”

“I am Jeong Dong-geon.”

“We know who you are, General. One of Silla’s heroes, right? Your reputation is widely known even in North Korea.”

As the Silla delegation arrived at Panmunjom, a representative group dispatched from Pyongyang welcomed them.

The North Korean negotiation representative appeared wearing the familiar People’s Army uniform, but Son Sang-hui, Jeong Dong-geon’s aide who had been observing carefully, reported:

“The negotiation representative is a Necromancer. Most likely a member of the Cult of Immortality.”

“I see. That’s troublesome.”

She indicated that they were likely Cult of Immortality members disguised as People’s Army soldiers.

Jeong Dong-geon’s face darkened at this news, but only momentarily. He quickly composed himself, smiled brightly, and extended his hand to the North Korean delegation for a handshake.

“Today we’ve come to talk with you for peace. So let’s set aside our long-standing grudges just this once and have a productive conversation.”

“…Let’s do that.”

The North Korean delegation briefly trembled at Jeong Dong-geon’s casual mention of “long-standing grudges” while pretending to be calm, but they too maintained their composure and lightly shook his outstretched hand.

On the surface, they appeared to be having a peaceful, ordinary conversation, but Jeong Dong-geon’s gaze toward the delegation was sharp, and likewise, the expressions of the Pyongyang representatives looking back at him were far from ordinary.

The atmosphere was gradually becoming tense, but the delegation members following behind maintained their composure without the slightest disruption as they proceeded with the negotiations.

They all understood that these negotiations would be crucial in changing the fate of both Silla and North Korea—or rather, the Cult of Immortality.

“Through this meeting, we will clearly see what the Pyongyang regime truly is, who we are negotiating with, and report back accurately.”

“Haha. As always, we are simply the Democratic People’s Republic working for the great Leader’s people.”

The conversational atmosphere of the meeting was like dancing on a knife’s edge.

It was only their first meeting, and the talks were scheduled to last a maximum of one week, but both sides seemed to believe that establishing dominance was important, as both maintained sharp, cutting remarks throughout.

After this official meeting, Jeong Dong-geon and his delegation arrived at the negotiation venue in Pyongyang… where they had been experiencing considerable difficulties in diplomatic negotiations through internal working-level officials for about three days.

“Isn’t Silla currently eyeing the Japanese archipelago along with Japan? How will you take responsibility if, after unifying the islands, your blade turns toward our North Korea?”

But this was because North Korea… or rather, the Cult of Immortality, was also seriously engaged in diplomatic negotiations, making progress difficult.

The Cult in North Korea sharply pointed out that if they were to agree to a ceasefire or peace treaty now, it would return in the form of an encirclement of North Korea in the future, and they were holding Silla accountable for this.

They argued that while they might smile and sign a ceasefire or peace treaty now, North Korea would be at an overwhelming disadvantage the moment war broke out again in the future—a claim that carried considerable persuasive power.

Lee Su-a, the Administrative Minister who participated in this delegation as a working-level official, exhaled briefly at this point and responded firmly:

“Silla does not seek expansion. We only wish to protect the land and order for those who survived the apocalypse. We hope you do the same.”

The truth was that they actually lacked the capacity to expand, but Lee Su-a explained this by portraying Silla as a moral nation.

From the Cult of Immortality’s perspective, they knew that Silla would use violence whenever necessary, making this claim laughable. Considering the apocalyptic reality where violence was justified, it was an overly idealistic and unrealistic assertion.

“Isn’t that just peace enforced by Silla?”

“…Yes. I won’t deny that.”

“I see. I understand.”

The North Korean side sharply pointed out that this was ultimately peace imposed by Silla, and after a moment of silence, Lee Su-a nodded in agreement.

This could have been seen as extremely arrogant, but surprisingly, the North Korean side didn’t use this admission to attack Silla further, seemingly satisfied just to have received confirmation.

In truth, admitting this didn’t give North Korea many means to attack, and might have provoked Silla instead. Rather, North Korea used this to:

“Silla no longer wants war. Even with the rumored Juwa money, the manpower and infrastructure lost in this war won’t return immediately. Hasn’t Silla actually reached its limit now?”

They began struggling to gain control of the negotiations by pointing out Silla’s weaknesses.

They mentioned that current Silla couldn’t open any more fronts, that there were limits to the Juwa money, and questioned whether what Silla needed most was time.

It was a diplomatic strategy thoroughly designed to counter Silla, and Lee Su-a seemed to be pushed back slightly by the Cult of Immortality’s… or rather, North Korea’s aggressive attempt to dominate the negotiations.

“That’s not true. It’s precisely because we haven’t reached our limit that we could boldly participate in the war to unify the Japanese archipelago, isn’t it?”

As if to prove that Silla still had strength remaining, she revealed that Silla was also involved in Japan.

It was true that Silla still had capacity left—they weren’t just sitting in Seoul but were also intervening in Japan. If they had been completely depleted, even Silla would have struggled to fulfill alliance obligations, and the Yamato Alliance would have hesitated to decide on war.

“But from what I hear, only 100 combat personnel are participating in that war. Those 100 are Hwarang, and they’re commanded by the Dragon Priestess, the leader of the Hwarang. Isn’t that too small compared to the scale Silla can currently deploy? In other words, our country understands that Silla has not yet completely pacified South Korea.”

“I see you’ve given this considerable thought.”

“Thank you for the compliment.”

The conference room had fallen so quiet during their fierce debate that even breathing was subdued.

Neither side was willing to back down, and as they continued to fight for dominance, Jeong Dong-geon began to intervene in their argument.

“We do not want any further conflict with North Korea. At the same time, we believe that the land that holds our waist must return to us.”

“Waist? What sudden nonsense is this?”

“I’m talking about Busan.”

Within South Korea, remnant forces had not been completely eliminated, reconstruction had not properly begun and was still in the maintenance phase, and above all, citizens were demanding sustainable stability rather than continued war.

So rather than continuing this fight, he thought it would be faster to convince the other side with one powerful move. The North Korean side was perplexed by Jeong Dong-geon’s sudden mention of Busan, yet:

“That seems unrelated to us.”

“Indeed.”

The North Korean negotiation representative frowned and firmly drew a line, saying this had nothing to do with North Korea.

This posture suggested that the Cult of Immortality was merely a guest or advisor to North Korea, not North Korea itself. Jeong Dong-geon smiled at the representative’s demeanor and said:

“Ah, of course. It’s unrelated to North Korea. This matter concerns the Cult of Immortality that has taken refuge with you. I’ve heard that North Korea has absorbed the remnant forces of the Cult of Immortality to strengthen itself. So…”

He corrected himself, saying this was indeed completely unrelated to North Korea and only concerned the Cult of Immortality that was indebted to North Korea.

This indicated Silla’s willingness to take a step back, and when he corrected himself to refer to North Korea rather than the Cult of Immortality, the North Korean negotiation representative changed his attitude and focused on Jeong Dong-geon’s proposal.

“Let’s have you hand over Busan, which is controlled by the Cult of Immortality, to us. In exchange, we will officially repatriate those belonging to the Cult of Immortality who are there.”

“…Are you serious?”

And so Silla presented a card that North Korea… or rather, the Cult of Immortality, could not refuse.

Although they had known such a proposal might come, the North Korean side seemed surprised that it was actually being put forward, staring at Jeong Dong-geon in bewilderment.

It was a generous offer and one that the Cult of Immortality needed most. Considering that Busan itself was impossible to govern due to border and distance issues, being able to fully absorb the remaining forces in Busan into North Korea made it a good deal.

However, for a ceasefire or peace treaty, this proposal was actually disadvantageous to Silla, and Jeong Dong-geon, seemingly well aware of this fact, attached one condition:

“In exchange, the condition is that Busan must be returned to Silla as an intact city. The moment there is any magical influence on Busan’s land or buildings, this proposal ends right there.”

“…So you want an intact Busan.”

The condition was to return Busan in its complete state.

Only then did North Korea realize that Silla wanted to recover Busan through negotiation rather than war. While offering a generous proposal to the Cult of Immortality, Silla intended to gain practical benefits.

From the Cult of Immortality’s perspective, using the cult’s infrastructure in Busan could greatly help in seizing power in the country, making it a difficult offer to refuse.

“Yes. We want Busan returned in its current state. A Busan free from the cult’s influence.”

“In exchange, you mean you will repatriate all members of the Cult of Immortality remaining in Busan to the North through diplomatic extradition?”

He promised safe repatriation in the name of the state.

This meant that the Cult of Immortality could show internationally that they would never abandon their comrades, so the North Korean representative’s deliberation was not long.

“That’s correct. So, what’s your answer?”

“…”

However, to understand the hidden intentions, the negotiation representative did not answer Jeong Dong-geon and remained silent for a while.

“We’re giving and taking. We receive Busan. In exchange, you receive your precious mages.”

“Very well. We accept that proposal.”

Finally, with those words from Jeong Dong-geon, an agreement was drafted and signed.

The agreement between Silla and North Korea included the following key points:

Article 1: Cessation of Hostilities

Article 2: Return of Busan

Article 3: Repatriation of Cult of Immortality Remnants

Article 4: Cessation of Espionage and Propaganda

Article 5: Establishment of Neutral Monitoring Body

Article 6: Schedule for Busan’s Return and Repatriation

With these provisions, Silla could claim to its citizens that all official combat with North Korea had ended, and North Korea could legally incorporate the Cult of Immortality within its borders while ending the war.

However, Jeong Dong-geon merely smiled coldly at these provisions, not showing much joy.

‘It’s just a ceasefire treaty that will last a few years anyway.’

It was merely a ceasefire treaty that would last a few years; the moment the deal ended, the treaty would instantly become meaningless, and war would break out again.

But for now, this was the best option, and thinking it was a decision for Silla’s future, he signed the agreement.

Thus, Silla and North Korea officially stopped combat operations and entered a ceasefire, news that brought relief to the citizens of Seoul on the front lines.

“This is wrong! Negotiating with North Korea? What nonsense! Northern unification is the answer!”

“Silla, which deals with North Korea—no, the Cult of Immortality—is communist!”

However, when hardliners and the Korea First Party found an opportunity to attack Silla, they immediately began their criticism, but there was no noticeable change in public sentiment…

The reality was that everyone was tired of war, desired peace, and wanted to end the fighting for some sweet rest.

“Well, that argument isn’t entirely wrong.”

“They didn’t keep their promises before the apocalypse. I don’t think they’ll keep them now during the apocalypse either.”

But no one could deny that this peace wouldn’t last long.

Even in the eyes of Seoul citizens yearning for peace, the northern sky was still shrouded in gray mist, and they sensed that this mist would someday return as a storm.