Free Web NovelA smile spread across Hao Xun’s face. He seemed pleased that words of Chinese had come out of Yoo Seongjin’s mouth.
“You can speak Chinese?”
“I can manage some conversation, but I don’t understand everything.”
“Seems I brought an interpreter for nothing.”
At those words, Yoo Seongjin smiled, released the grip of their handshake, and said:
“I brought an interpreter as well. Delivering opinions accurately is important, don’t you think? This is a meeting to decide whether to end the war or continue it. Let’s sit down and continue the discussion.”
Yoo Seongjin sat down first. Then he gestured toward the opposite side with his hand.
“Haha. You’re right.”
With a hearty laugh, Hao Xun walked over to the table and took a seat.
With their interpreters beside them, the two exchanged small talk while probing one another, but before long they got to the point.
“Let me ask just one thing. We’re not the only Chinese organization to enter Korea, so why have you been so fixated on targeting us? I’m curious about the reason.”
One of Yoo Seongjin’s subordinates whispered in his ear. He was apparently translating Hao Xun’s words.
“We made it clear to the Black Dragon Society. Don’t sell drugs in Korea. This is not China, it’s Korea. And yet you kept selling drugs without our permission. How could we tolerate that? If we spread drugs in Tianjin, would you just stand by and watch?”
Even before the interpreter passed on the words, Hao Xun’s face stiffened. He seemed to catch the firmness in the tone.
“······Until now you said nothing, didn’t you? Even when we contacted Geukseong Group and offered money, you refused. But now you change your stance?”
“I’m not like the previous chairman. Maybe he turned a blind eye, but I won’t. I’ll never tolerate foreign organizations running rampant in Korea.”
Yoo Seongjin continued to deliver his stance in a firm, forceful tone.
Hao Xun only stared into Yoo Seongjin’s eyes without replying.
After a moment, he let out a deep sigh and spoke.
“I heard the Southeast Asian groups gave up drugs. Instead, you divided up territory among them?”
“If they follow the rules we set, there’s no reason to spill blood and keep fighting. But if they won’t, then either they disappear, or we’re annihilated—one way or the other, it goes to the end.”
“As I heard, you are indeed warlike.”
Yoo Seongjin and Hao Xun glared at one another. A silent but fierce clash of wills unfolded.
At that moment, the door opened and a group of people entered the restaurant.
“Well now. Why the gloomy atmosphere? Did I come too late?”
Everyone turned toward the voice. There stood a fleshy man followed by several burly companions.
“Wang Wei! You’re too late.”
The instant he saw him, Yoo Seongjin stood and scolded loudly.
“Haha, sorry. The traffic was terrible. Don’t be mad, friend.”
Wang Wei, walking with a waddling swagger, patted Yoo Seongjin’s shoulder a couple of times before addressing Hao Xun.
“Vice Boss Hao Xun. This is our first time meeting face-to-face, isn’t it?”
Hao Xun nodded, stood, and extended his hand.
“Mr. Wang Wei, a pleasure.”
The two clasped hands firmly.
After the handshake, Wang Wei naturally walked to the seat of honor and sat down.
“Let’s all sit. Today, I want this war between your two organizations to end. The Black Society, and I, Wang Wei, personally step forward as mediator.”
Kim Muhyuk raised an eyebrow as he watched. He whispered to Ma Seokdae beside him.
“Didn’t you say Wang Wei’s Black Society is mainly based in Guangdong?”
“That’s right. They’ve established their base in Guangdong and extend influence over Hong Kong, Macao, and so forth.”
“Not exactly a good physiognomy······.”
The man named Wang Wei had a bloated, greedy-looking face.
To Muhyuk, a man with such a face claiming to have no interest in the Korean market was impossible to believe.
Though Wang Wei kept smiling and pretending to be hearty, °• N 𝑜 v 𝑒 l i g h t •° his eyes weren’t smiling at all.
While Muhyuk studied him, the others at the table began the main negotiations.
“Talking long won’t help. The Black Dragon Society will stop selling drugs in Korea, and instead Chunha Group will help you expand into Japan.”
Already tipped off by Wang Wei, Yoo Seongjin slightly nodded in agreement. Hao Xun frowned.
“Nonsense! Do you know how much blood we’ve shed to establish ourselves in Korea? And now you tell us to hand it all over to Chunha Group? I cannot accept such mediation.”
Clearly, the information Wang Wei had given was not the mediation plan Hao Xun had expected.
“Our business is built with the blood of Black Dragon Society brothers. And you say we must withdraw unconditionally? What kind of ridiculous mediation is this? Mr. Wang Wei, I distinctly recall offering Chunha Group thirty percent of the profits.”
Hao Xun’s voice rose in anger. But Wang Wei, with a broad smile, replied:
“Come now, Vice Boss. Do you think Chunha Group would accept that? If you asked us to mediate, then it’s right to accept our proposal. Isn’t that so, Chairman Yoo?”
Yoo Seongjin nodded, echoing Wang Wei’s words.
“Vice Boss, we are not refusing the drug trade because of a lack of money. Chunha Group started this war with the intention of doing the business directly in Korea. We won’t end the war for just thirty percent. There’s no reason to.”
“Chairman Yoo, if this war continues, both of us will suffer, and Chunha Group too will face hardship. Please turn a blind eye.”
Yoo Seongjin and Hao Xun clashed over their stances, the atmosphere heating.
Meanwhile, Wang Wei, who had come supposedly as mediator, only sipped tea and watched without lifting a finger.
“If it goes like this, we’ll have no choice but to focus all our strength in Korea. The Black Dragon Society cannot give up drugs. It’s our main source of income—how could we abandon it?”
“Then it’s war. We don’t mind. At least in Korea, we won’t be losing ground to anyone.”
Even as the discussion ran parallel, Kim Muhyuk’s gaze stayed fixed on Wang Wei.
‘Doesn’t look like he came to mediate at all. For a mediator to push one side’s stance so forcefully—that’s not proper.’
He kept his suspicions and continued watching Wang Wei.
“If you only push your own stances, will the war end? Don’t be like that. Follow the mediation I suggested. Chairman Yoo, you agree?”
“If that’s the mediation, I’m willing to accept.”
Of course, it was a mediation Yoo Seongjin could only accept.
He nodded, while Hao Xun glared sharply at the two.
With a broad grin, Wang Wei addressed Hao Xun.
“Chunha Group agrees. What about Black Dragon Society? Will you accept, or reject?”
“······What are you trying to pull?”
“What else? If you refuse, it means you’re declaring war on us too. So? Will you accept?”
“Wang Wei, you bastard······.”
Hao Xun growled with killing intent at Wang Wei.
But Wang Wei’s expression didn’t change. His easy smile remained.
“Wasn’t it you who asked me to mediate? I think I’ve offered a good compromise. It doesn’t please you?”
“Quit the tricks! I am Hao Xun!”
“And who here doesn’t know that? Now! Decide. Will you accept, or will you reject and go to war with us as well?”
Grinding his teeth, fists clenched, Hao Xun spat out:
“······So you planned to screw me from the start! I’ll never accept this shit mediation. War? Fine, I’ll oblige.”
“Haha! Vice Boss, your guts I’ll acknowledge. But do you really think you’ll walk out of here alive after saying that?”
The atmosphere suddenly shifted ominously. Yoo Seongjin could not just watch.
“Wang Wei.”
When he called, Wang Wei answered casually.
“What is it, friend?”
“What the hell are you doing? You came to mediate, didn’t you? You’d better not cross the line.”
Turning from Hao Xun, Wang Wei looked at Yoo Seongjin.
“What’s the problem, friend? As long as the war ends, isn’t that enough? Aren’t you exhausted too? Why else would your underlings be plotting to get rid of you? When Park Dongsu was around, no one dared such thoughts.”
Yoo Seongjin’s face twisted. Very few in the group knew of Director Kang Junwoo’s coup plot.
It was being carried out in utmost secrecy, yet the words came out of Wang Wei’s mouth.
“······So it was you, Wang Wei?”
“I don’t know what you mean.”
Even after letting it slip, he only shrugged, infuriating Yoo Seongjin.
“You bastard······. The Chinese dog that joined hands with Director Kang—it was you. You’re insane. How could you do this to me!”
At that, Wang Wei’s smile disappeared.
His face turned cold, finally showing his true nature.
“Friend, only now you realize? What a disappointment.”
“You crazy bastard······. Do you want to die?”
Even Yoo Seongjin stood and glared at him.
The restaurant air grew explosive.
“The ones dying today aren’t me. They’re you and Hao Xun here.”
The men behind Wang Wei suddenly drew pistols from their jackets, aiming at Yoo Seongjin and Hao Xun.
“Sit, friend. Unless you want holes in your head. And your men—put all your guns down on the floor.”
Hao Xun’s men obeyed instantly, pulling out pistols and lowering them.
But Yoo Seongjin’s men didn’t understand the Chinese.
Wang Wei sneered scornfully.
“Coming into enemy ground without even bringing guns? You’ve really let yourself go.”
“······Since when?”
Biting his lip, Yoo Seongjin sat back down.
“What good will it do you to know? Even if you find out now, there’s nothing you can do.”
The situation had turned grim. Watching it unfold with interest from behind, Kim Muhyuk gave Ma Chief a signal.
Recognizing it, Ma slipped a hand into his pocket and pressed the call button on his phone.
“My concern right now isn’t you, friend. It’s Hao Xun here.”
Clearly, Wang Wei’s true target was the Black Dragon Society.
Turning from the enraged Yoo Seongjin, he fixed on Hao Xun.
“Our Black Society wants to move into Beijing, but you Black Dragon people sit tight in Tianjin and block us. Then, what luck, you ask us to mediate with Chunha Group. So I came up with this splendid plan. How do you like it?”
On the surface, Wang Wei’s scheme put Hao Xun in dire straits. freewēbnoveℓ.com
But Hao Xun looked utterly at ease.
“You think I came to Korea without any countermeasures? I am Hao Xun.”
“In this situation, what can you do? The barrels are aimed at your head.”
“Are they really?”
Suddenly, the sound of shattering glass rang out, and the gunmen aiming at Hao Xun and Yoo Seongjin toppled sideways.
“What the hell. Who says Korea is a gun-free country? Everyone and their dog waves guns around.”
With a heavy sigh, Kim Muhyuk rose from his seat and muttered.
