Free Web NovelAs soon as he received Kim Muhyuk’s orders, Lee Sanggeun began moving swiftly.
His subordinates offered to handle it instead, saying it wasn’t something he needed to personally take care of, but Lee Sanggeun believed that it was right to do it himself, just as Kim Muhyuk instructed.
The Taiwanese Zhuliánbāng accepted Lee Sanggeun’s proposal without hesitation.
Lee Sanggeun headed to the Chinese restaurant the Zhuliánbāng representative had named.
“It’s an honor. My name is Tian Jinpeng.”
He ignored Tian Jinpeng’s outstretched hand and sat down.
“Go ahead and sit.”
Tian Jinpeng stood there with his expression slightly twisted.
“I said sit down. Don’t you understand Korean?”
“I do.”
Though he sat, his hardened expression didn’t change.
His attitude clearly showed displeasure, but Lee Sanggeun remained as expressionless as if he were staring at an inanimate object from the moment he walked in.
Naturally, he had no intention of dancing around the topic.
“That thing at Gimpo Airport. Hand over the punk from Taiwan who tossed it and someone in Korea who can take responsibility.”
“What?”
The next words were even more outrageous.
One of the subordinates standing behind Lee Sanggeun shouted at Tian Jinpeng.
“You crazy bastard! You dare talk down to our chairman? You don’t wanna do business in Korea?”
“Manager Kim.”
At Lee Sanggeun’s quiet call, the subordinate bowed his head and backed off.
But the mood inside the restaurant had already turned ice cold.
“Are you seriously calling that a request?”
“A request?”
“Then is it an order?” freeωebnovēl.c૦m
“I won’t say it twice. You’ve got a week.”
“Ha...”
Tian Jinpeng let out a long, incredulous sigh.
“And if we refuse?”
“Then you can forget about doing business in Korea.”
Lee Sanggeun’s tone was indifferent, but his words weren’t light.
He was ready for war. It was practically a declaration.
Tian Jinpeng forced a sneer and fired back.
“You sure about that? You’ve been working real hard trying to go legit, and now you want a war with us?”
“You asking if I’m sure?”
That was when a smile appeared on Lee Sanggeun’s previously unreadable face.
“You think we’re easy just because we’ve been leaving you alone? You’re the ones threatening war. If you wanna fight, then fight. Isn’t that right?”
“...”
“You’ve got exactly one week. Bring them to Korea. If not, don’t even think about doing anything here.”
Without another word, Lee Sanggeun stood up.
Tian Jinpeng silently watched him leave the restaurant.
After Lee Sanggeun’s people exited and silence returned, the teacup in front of Tian Jinpeng flew into the air without warning.
Crash.
The sharp shatter of porcelain echoed through the room, followed by Tian Jinpeng’s explosion of profanity.
“That son of a bitch, what the fuck was that?! Just storms in and throws a tantrum!”
But no answer came.
His subordinates remained silent as mice, quietly cleaning up the broken teacup.
After fuming for a while, Tian Jinpeng made a call.
“This is Tian Jinpeng.”
— What happened?
He had called his superior in Taiwan.
— Don’t act rashly. Talk to the Boss and wait for instructions. Just in case, keep everyone on standby.
“Yes, hyungnim.”
After hanging up, Tian Jinpeng turned to his men.
“Make sure all the tools are ready and stay on alert 24/7. No drinking, no gambling for now.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Just in case, give the heads-up to the Chinese side too. If this really turns into a war, we won’t be able to handle it alone.”
Grinding his teeth, Tian Jinpeng vowed they’d settle things later.
Meanwhile, Lee Sanggeun, now outside, was in a car heading to Pocheon.
Manager Kim asked carefully,
“Chairman, are we really preparing for war?”
“Why, are you scared?”
“No, sir.”
Lee Sanggeun allowed a slight smile.
“Manager Kim. No—Hojong.”
“Yes, hyungnim.”
“Don’t forget who we really are. Just ‘cause we act like businessmen doesn’t mean we’re not gangsters.”
“I understand.”
“Good. Then you get what’s going on, right? Be ready. And keep track of anyone who resists.”
“Yes, sir.”
“When your body gets comfortable, your edge dulls. The moment you let your guard down, someone from below will climb over you. Never relax.”
Whether he was speaking to Manager Kim or himself, it wasn’t clear. And with that, Lee Sanggeun said nothing more.
* * *
“Chairman, we’ve heard back from Tian Jinpeng.”
“What did he say? They ready?”
“He said Taiwan wants to meet and talk directly. They’ll be entering the country tomorrow.”
“Yeah?”
Lee Sanggeun, sipping his coffee, gave an amused expression.
“He also said they want to meet right away in the evening.”
“Who’s coming?”
“According to Tian Jinpeng, someone from Zhuliánbāng will be coming personally. Doesn’t seem like the Boss will come himself—likely one of the deputy heads.”
After a moment of silent thought, Lee Sanggeun set down his cup.
“Shut down Rainbow Red-Green. Set the meeting location there for tomorrow. And just in case, tell the boys to bring tools and prep.”
“Understood.”
Lee Sanggeun was genuinely curious how Zhuliánbāng would respond.
War? Or negotiation?
One thing was certain—whatever the outcome, he had to carry out Kim Muhyuk’s orders.
The next day, Lee Sanggeun arrived at one of the shops under their control with Manager Kim.
As soon as they stepped out of the car, a lineup of beefy men greeted them with deep 90-degree bows.
“Chairman, welcome!”
Lee Sanggeun paused, dumbfounded, then shook his head.
“I told you not to do this kind of crap.”
“Apologies, sir.”
Manager Kim rushed ahead and scolded the subordinate managing the venue.
“You little shit, didn’t I tell you to get rid of the gangster stench?”
“B-but the chairman was coming personally...”
“That’s exactly what he hates most! Do you have a death wish?!”
“Sorry! I’ll fix it right away.”
The subordinate gestured with his eyes to dismiss the other men.
Lee Sanggeun let out a deep sigh.
“Let’s not make a scene. Just go inside.”
One of the subordinates who had cleared the place guided him inside.
“Right this way.”
It was the largest VIP room in the establishment.
As he took a seat, Lee Sanggeun said,
“Don’t prepare any drinks.”
“Yes, Chairman.”
“When they arrive, don’t start any trouble. Just let them in. No need for showy tension.”
“Got it.”
After the subordinate left, Manager Kim spoke.
“Please, sit at the head of the table.”
“No need.”
Lee Sanggeun recalled his phone call with Kim Muhyuk the night before.
“Chairman, it’s Lee Sanggeun.”
— How’s it going?
“One of the deputy bosses from Taiwan is coming. I’ll try negotiating first.”
— ...
The response didn’t come immediately.
“I’ll make sure to get results, even if it means going to war.”
— Understood. I’ll be waiting.
Compared to when Park Dongsu was still around, both he and Kim Muhyuk had become more businesslike, he thought.
Just then, a knock came and the subordinate who had gone out returned.
“They’re here.”
“Alright.”
As Lee Sanggeun stood, two men entered the room.
One was the familiar Tian Jinpeng. The other was a bald, middle-aged man with an intimidating gaze whom Lee Sanggeun had never seen before.
Without showing any emotion, Lee Sanggeun greeted them.
“Welcome. It’s a long trip to Korea.”
When Tian Jinpeng translated, the man nodded.
“Nice to meet you. I’m Wang Jingming.”
Lee Sanggeun and Wang Jingming sat facing each other.
“I’m one of the deputy bosses of Zhuliánbāng.”
“I see.”
“May I ask why someone who previously had no interest in our business is suddenly behaving this way?”
Wang Jingming got straight to the point.
Lee Sanggeun answered just as casually.
“What reason do you need for something like this? Just hand over those two. I’ve spoken to the prosecutors—once we get them, it’s over.”
Wang Jingming’s expression changed slightly as Tian Jinpeng relayed the words.
“You ask for family members without even a proper explanation. That’s pretty heartless.”
“There will be no compromise.”
The air turned razor-sharp.
Sweat began to bead on Tian Jinpeng’s forehead as he translated.
“And if we don’t agree?”
“Then it’s war.”
“...You’re not afraid of anything, huh.”
Lee Sanggeun could tell Tian Jinpeng was sugarcoating the translation as much as he could.
The translated words were polite, but one look at their hardened faces made it obvious—it wasn’t anything nice.
Not that it mattered. He had no reason to back down.
“This isn’t Taiwan. In Korea, you follow Korean law. Do you think you’d even be allowed to do business here if we hadn’t turned a blind eye?”
“Then why now? You want money? A share of the profits? Just tell me what you really want.”
Crack!
A piercing sound ✪ Nоvеlіgһt ✪ (Official version) rang out.
A sashimi knife, its blade gleaming blue, had been slammed into the table and was now quivering in place.
No one even saw where it came from.
Wang Jingming and Tian Jinpeng froze.
“You think I’m bluffing? Maybe money matters to you guys, but it doesn’t to me. Bring them. You’ve got three days. If not—then you’re all really gonna die.”
Lee Sanggeun slowly pulled the knife from the table.
Tian Jinpeng swallowed hard and looked toward Wang Jingming.
Lee Sanggeun’s expression hadn’t changed at all from when they first walked in, but that sashimi knife in his hand might as well have been at their throats.
The tension shattered when Wang Jingming burst out laughing.
“Guess you can’t trust those damn Yakuza types. They said Korean punks had no guts—but I guess that’s not quite true.”
Before Tian Jinpeng could translate, Wang Jingming waved him off.
“Don’t bother translating that. Just tell him we’ll do what he wants. Not ‘cause we’re scared. But if he interferes with our business again, that’s the end of it.”
Tian Jinpeng struggled to keep his voice steady as he translated.
“Out of respect for Chairman Lee, he says they’ll comply with your demand.”
“Alright.”
“But he also says this is the last time. They’re not doing it out of fear. So there won’t be a next time.”
Lee Sanggeun gave a blank nod.
* * *
“Hello.”
On the other side of the partition in the detention center, Jo Seonghee tilted her head at the sight of me in the visitor’s room.
“Oh, you’re Muhyuk, huh.”
A moment later, she clapped her hands and laughed as she recognized me.
Even though I had no memory of her.
“You’ve grown so much. Was it when you were six? I used to play with you at the playground while waiting with the grandmas.”
“Really? I don’t remember that well.”
It must’ve been a memory from twenty years ago for Jo Seonghee—but for me, it was even further back.
Honestly, who remembers anything clearly from when they were six?
“Wow, that kinda stings.”
“I’m sorry.”
Jo Seonghee grinned as if she were genuinely disappointed.
“You really don’t remember? We never met after that?”
“Maybe not? I moved to Seoul and started college soon after.”
With nothing else to say, I quickly got to the point.
“First, we’re switching out your lawyer. Please sign this.”
I placed the retainer form in front of her.
Jo Seonghee went quiet for a moment. ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
“You won’t clear your name with a public defender.”
“Did Grandma ask you?”
“Yes. She’s been very worried.”
After a moment of hesitation, Jo Seonghee signed the papers.
“Feels strange seeing your face after all these years. Thanks for helping.”
“It’s nothing.”
“I’d like to say I’m fine, but Grandma’s so worried... So thank you.”
She looked clearly uncomfortable, but I pretended not to notice and moved on.
“How did you end up transporting drugs in the first place?”
“I wasn’t thinking. It was my first trip abroad... and the money offer was tempting.”
“Do you remember the face of the person who asked?”
“Of course. I never forget faces.”
“So if we bring them in, you can confirm it?”
Jo Seonghee nodded.
“A lawyer will visit you tomorrow. Tell them everything in detail. I think we’ll get you released without detention—whether it’s bail or something else.”
“Really?”
“You’ll probably be out in a few days. Just hold on.”
If it’s Yoon & Jang handling it, I won’t even need to step in to get the charges changed to non-custodial.
“I’ll see you again once you’re out.”
