Free Web NovelWhile I was in the study checking crude oil prices on the computer, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in.”
Chief Ma opened the door and stepped inside.
“He’s arrived at Incheon Airport.”
“How many people?”
I rose from my seat, taking my eyes off the monitor.
“Five in total.”
“The NIS will be watching too.”
The Vice Boss of the Black Dragon Society had entered the country.
Before Chunha Group extended its hand into the drug trade, more than half the narcotics circulating in Korea had been supplied by the Black Dragon Society.
Thanks to that, even the NIS and the police were aware of their existence.
When Chunha Group began its war with the Chinese syndicates inside Korea, the police, prosecutors, and even the NIS lent a great deal of help from behind the scenes.
“Sit down.”
Taking a seat on the sofa, I held out my hand.
“Give me the file on the Vice Boss.”
Chief Ma sat beside me and handed over an envelope.
Inside were organizational charts, photographs, and extensive details on the Black Dragon Society.
“Hm······ Hao Xun? He looks young.”
“He’s the Vice Boss. The detailed profile is at the back. He’s thirty-seven years old. Rose to Vice Boss at a young age.”
“Must be capable.”
“They say he’s exceptionally sharp. More than half of the Black Dragon Society’s revenue passes through his hands. Drugs, prostitution, gambling, even organ trafficking.”
Just as Chief Ma said, when I turned the page, everything about him was written there.
Because he had been active publicly, they had managed to uncover more than expected.
“A Communist Party member? From the Communist Youth League too.”
“Yes. That’s why, even though he entered Korea, the NIS can’t arrest him. Nothing has been proven. There are suspicions, but no evidence tying him directly to crimes.”
The Communist Youth League—Gongcheongdan—was one of the three major factions inside the Chinese Communist Party. Hu Jintao, the designated successor to the premiership, was one of its representatives.
That made the Youth League the faction closest to power.
“A Black Dragon Society Vice Boss from the Youth League······.”
“The Society’s funds might be flowing into the Youth League. I’ve already ordered a closer look.”
“Could be. But to trace the flow of funds requires clarity, and China is so closed off it won’t be easy.”
With that, I silently read through the dossier on the Black Dragon Society for some time.
Then something struck me, and I looked up.
“What about the Boss? There’s nothing here ➤ NоvеⅠight ➤ (Read more on our source) about him.”
“Almost nothing is known. Even the details in there are scraps from the NIS. Because Hao Xun fronts most of the Society’s operations, few people even know the Boss’s face.”
“So in effect, Hao Xun is the real boss.”
“You could see it that way.”
I tossed the file onto the table. Something didn’t sit right.
“A man like that comes into Korea with no preparations, with only four men beside him? I can’t tell if he’s fearless or reckless.”
“He must have something to rely on.”
“Or perhaps, as we suspected, this meeting is a trap. They’re under surveillance, yes?”
Chief Ma nodded—just as his phone rang. The sound came from his inner pocket.
“My apologies.”
“No, go ahead.”
He turned and answered.
“······Yes. Report.”
Listening for a while, his brow furrowed slightly.
“I see. Don’t lose them. Report every move.”
Ending the call, he turned back to me.
“Your team tailing the Chinese?”
“Yes. But their behavior is strange. Instead of going to a hotel, they went into the Chinese embassy.”
“The embassy?”
“Yes. We can’t bug that place, so I ordered the men to wait outside.”
The Black Dragon Society’s Vice Boss’s first move in Korea was to head to the Chinese embassy. The stench of it was foul.
‘The Chinese embassy was in Myeongdong, wasn’t it?’
I recalled that the embassy sat inside my territory.
“The meeting between Chairman Yoo and the Chinese—wasn’t the venue changed to the Myeongdong Hotel?”
“Yes. You ordered it, Boss. We notified them of the change, and they accepted.”
I rubbed my chin, lost in thought.
‘The Black Dragon Vice Boss who seized Tianjin at such a young age. I’d like to meet him once.’
Of everything else, what interested me most was that a man not yet forty was effectively running a syndicate like the Black Dragon Society.
“Contact Chairman Yoo.”
“Yes, understood.”
Chief Ma used the phone nearby. The call connected quickly.
“This is Pyeongchang-dong. The Boss wishes to speak. ······ Please hold.”
He handed me the receiver. On the other end, Yoo Seongjin’s voice was subdued.
― You called, Boss.
“How goes the search for traitors?”
― ······My apologies.
“I’m not seeking apologies, Chairman Yoo. I asked to know how matters are progressing. You’ve been apologizing often lately.”
― Haa······. I thought looking outward would suppress internal discontent. But the war only bred more.
It was natural: an external enemy quells discontent within.
But a war dragged out too long only bred more resentment.
“Sounds like your men have grown complacent.”
― Shameful, but true. The treatment you and Brother Dongsu gave them has turned into poison.
“So, will it take long to resolve?”
I asked casually. Yoo Seongjin’s voice dropped even lower.
― No. Three directors have been identified. I’ll clear them out after this meeting with the Black Dragon Society.
“And what about Director Kang Junwoo when you meet at the Myeongdong Hotel?”
― If I exclude him from everything at once, he’ll strike immediately. So I’m letting him continue for now, but I kept him out of this meeting. Instead, I sent him to monitor Chinatown.
Just this meeting? His leniency made my voice sharp without realizing.
“You won’t eliminate him right away? You’re making this too complicated.”
― This is the chance to root out all discontent. That’s why I’m waiting. I’ll clean house soon and report back.
There was a lethal edge in Yoo Seongjin’s voice. Exactly what I wanted from him.
“Fine. I’ll watch.”
― Thank you. I won’t disappoint you again.
“Good. Ah, Chairman Yoo. Tomorrow, when you meet the Black Dragon Society in Myeongdong, I’ll be there too.”
― You yourself, Boss?
“Yes. I’d like to see that man’s face once.”
― ······It could be dangerous, Boss. We don’t know what he intends, or what plots lie beneath.
The worry in his voice almost made me laugh.
He worried for me this much? It had been a while.
“Chairman Yoo, you worry too much. I won’t be in danger. It’s the Myeongdong Hotel. Do you think anyone would dare touch me there?”
― True, but still······.
“I’ll seal the hotel myself. Don’t fuss. I’ll only observe from behind. Treat me like just another attendant. Don’t stir up trouble unnecessarily. See you tomorrow.” ƒreewebηoveℓ.com
I ended the call and set the phone down.
“Won’t it be dangerous?”
So much worry today. At Chief Ma’s question, I smiled darkly. freēwēbnovel.com
“Will you make it dangerous?”
“No.”
At my teasing, Chief Ma shook his head stiffly.
So earnest, it wasn’t fun to tease him. I shrugged.
“Then it’s fine. Clear the hotel of all guests and fill it with our men. Once Hao Xun enters, the Myeongdong Hotel is sealed. Alert Jungbu Police Station too. Tell them no matter what, they must not respond. If reports come in, they’re to pretend only.”
“Yes, I’ll see to it.”
“Go prepare.”
Bowing, Chief Ma left the study.
In the silence that followed, I organized my thoughts slowly.
* * *
“Boss, Chairman Yoo has arrived.”
“Good. Let’s head out too.”
The next day, Yoo Seongjin came to the Myeongdong office to move together to the hotel.
We left the building and walked toward his car.
As he reached for the door, I stopped him.
“Be careful from now.”
“Understood. Please get in.”
I nodded and boarded his car.
The vehicle carried us toward the Myeongdong Hotel at a slow pace.
“You have few men with you.”
“Most are already waiting around the hotel, ready to intervene instantly. They’re men who’ve been with me for years, not Kang Junwoo’s people. Chief Ma and I already arranged it.”
In the passenger seat, Chief Ma gave a small nod.
“Then I can rest assured. I’ll rely on you, Chairman Yoo.”
“Yes, Boss.”
I smiled and patted his stiff shoulder.
“By the way, did you meet that man Wang Wei yesterday?”
“Yes, last evening.”
“And what did they demand? You’re not mediating blind, are you?”
No mediator between crime syndicates could be ignorant of the terms.
After a pause, Yoo Seongjin answered.
“They say they’ll give up domestic drug distribution. Instead, they want the rights to drugs funneled through Korea into Japan. They’ll pay us a cut.”
“Surprisingly meek.”
“Yes. At least that’s what Wang Wei said. But whether it’s true, I don’t know. Other societies besides the Black Dragon are also eyeing Korea.”
Yoo Seongjin seemed to truly consider Wang Wei a friend.
Hopefully Wang Wei thought the same of him.
“Is Wang Wei trustworthy?”
“I think of him as a friend. I believe he thinks of me as one too.”
“I hope so.”
“Pardon?”
“Nothing. We’re nearly there.”
As we spoke, we arrived at the Myeongdong Hotel.
“From now, I’m your attendant. I’ll get out first. Follow slowly.”
Chief Ma and I stepped out first. He opened the door for Yoo Seongjin.
Yoo Seongjin exited and entered the hotel with his men from another car.
We followed behind into the hotel.
In the restaurant, the meeting place, we took seats.
Chief Ma and I sat at a table behind Chairman Yoo.
I whispered to him.
“You said you booked a suite here yesterday?”
“Yes.”
I gave a small nod, eyes fixed on the restaurant door.
Before long, it opened, and five men entered.
Leading them was the man from the photographs—Hao Xun.
Yoo Seongjin rose to meet him.
The two faced each other in tense silence. Even the sound of breathing seemed absent.
Between them, it was Hao Xun who spoke first.
“Pleasure to meet you, Chairman Yoo Seongjin. I am Hao Xun.”
As if naturally, he greeted in Chinese.
“Yoo Seongjin. Vice Boss of the Black Dragon Society, welcome to Korea.”
Yoo Seongjin extended his hand.
And to my surprise, he spoke in halting but comprehensible Chinese.
That flicker of surprise reached Hao Xun’s eyes.
