Chapter 150: You All Are Really Going to Die
Lee Sang-geun sprang into action the moment he received Kim Mu-hyeok's order.
His subordinates thought it wasn't necessary for him to get involved directly, but Lee Sang-geun believed it was better that way.
The Taiwan gang quickly accepted Lee Sang-geun's proposal.
He headed to the restaurant mentioned by the Taiwan gang.
"It's an honor. I'm Chen Jin-peng."
He ignored Chen Jin-peng's outstretched hand and took his seat.
"Just sit down already."
Chen Jin-peng stood there, his face slightly twisted in discomfort.
"I said sit down. Don't you understand Korean?"
"I do not. Sorry."
Although he finally sat down, Chen Jin-peng's stiff expression remained unchanged.
It clearly reflected his dissatisfaction, but Lee Sang-geun showed no emotion as if he were staring at an inanimate object since entering.
He had no intention of changing the subject either.
"About the Gimpo Airport incident a while back—send over the one responsible from Taiwan and a suitable guy from Korea."
"What?"
The next statement was even more shocking.
One of Lee Sang-geun's subordinates shouted at Chen Jin-peng from behind.
"Is this punk out of his mind? You're talking to the chairman! You want to do business in Korea?"
"Manager Kim."
At Lee Sang-geun's calm call, his subordinate lowered his head and stepped back.
Yet, the atmosphere inside the restaurant had already turned freezing cold.
"Are you calling that a request?"
"Request?"
"Then is it an order?"
"I won't say it twice. You have one week."
"Huh…"
Chen Jin-peng let out a long sigh, clearly taken aback.
"What if I refuse?"
"Then you'll have to close your business in Korea."
Lee Sang-geun spoke flatly, though his words carried heavy implications.
It felt like a declaration of war. It was, in fact, a warning.
Chen Jin-peng forced a smile, trying to mask his disdain.
"You really think you can win this? You're making a huge fuss trying to go legitimate. Do you have the guts to take us on?"
"You asking if I have guts?"
For the first time, a smile crossed Lee Sang-geun's face.
"You think we're leaving you alone because we're underestimating you? If you really want to challenge us, go ahead. But know this—"
"…"
"You have exactly one week. Bring them to Korea within that time. If not, don't think about what you'll do here anymore."
Without another word, Lee Sang-geun stood up.
Chen Jin-peng silently watched him leave the restaurant.
After Lee Sang-geun's side had exited and silence settled in, a teacup in front of Chen Jin-peng flew through the air.
Crash.
In an instant, pottery shattered loudly, and Chen Jin-peng erupted with curses.
"That bastard! Why the hell does he come here and act like this!"
But there was no reply.
His subordinates closed their mouths and cleaned up the broken teacup in silence.
After fuming for a while, Chen Jin-peng picked up the phone.
"This is Chen Jin-peng."
― What's going on?
He had called his superior back in Taiwan.
― Don't move recklessly. Talk to the chairman and keep in touch. Just in case, keep the boys on standby.
"Yes, brother."
Once he hung up, Chen Jin-peng faced his subordinates.
"Prepare all the extensions properly and stay on standby 24/7. And ban alcohol and gambling for a while."
"Yes, brother."
"Also, give a heads-up to the Chinese guys. If it turns into an all-out war, we won't be enough on our own."
Chen Jin-peng gritted his teeth, anticipating what was to come.
Meanwhile, Lee Sang-geun was en route to Pocheon City.
Manager Kim cautiously asked.
"Chairman, are we really preparing for war?"
"What, scared?"
"No, sir."
A fleeting smile crossed Lee Sang-geun's face.
"Manager Kim. No, Ho Jong."
"Yes, brother."
"Don't forget our essence. Just because we pretend to be businesspeople doesn't mean we're not gangsters."
"I know."
"Good. Then you understand the situation, right? Prepare for it. Keep track of anyone who raises objections."
"Yes."
"When things become comfortable, ambition fades. And when it does, those below will strike. Never let your guard down."
Lee Sang-geun's words trailed off, leaving ambiguity whether he was speaking to Manager Kim or to himself.
* * *
"Chairman. We received a call from Chen Jin-peng."
"What did he say? Did he prepare everything?"
"He wants to meet in person in Taiwan. He'll be arriving tomorrow."
"Really?"
Lee Sang-geun, sipping coffee, looked intrigued.
"He also mentioned wanting to meet tonight right away."
"Who's coming?"
"Chen Jin-peng said someone from the association would be coming. But I don't think the chairman will come himself; it's probably one of the sub-leaders."
After a moment of contemplation, Lee Sang-geun placed his cup down.
"Shut down all routes for Red, Orange, Yellow. Set up a meeting tomorrow at that place. Just in case, tell the boys to gather the supplies."
"Understood."
Lee Sang-geun was curious about how the Triads would respond.
War? Or a negotiation?
One thing was certain: whatever choice was made, he had to fulfill Kim Mu-hyeok's order.
The next day, Lee Sang-geun arrived at the business venue under their jurisdiction with Manager Kim.
As soon as he got out of the car, the burly men lined up and bowed 90 degrees, shouting.
"Chairman, you've arrived!"
Astonished, Lee Sang-geun stood still for a moment before shaking his head.
"I told you not to do this kind of thing."
"I'm sorry."
Manager Kim rushed over to reprimand the subordinate responsible for the venue.
"You punk! Didn't I tell you to get rid of this gangster vibe?"
"B-but the chairman directly came!"
"That's precisely what the chairman hates the most! Do you want to die?"
"I'm sorry. I'll fix this right away."
The subordinate gestured for the others.
Lee Sang-geun let out a heavy sigh.
"Stop making noise and let's go inside."
The subordinate who let the men in showed him inside.
"This is the place."
It was the biggest VIP room in the establishment.
As Lee Sang-geun took a seat, he said,
"No drinks."
"Yes, Chairman."
"When they arrive, don't initiate any pleasantries. No need to create any tension unnecessarily."
"Understood."
Once the subordinate stepped outside, Manager Kim chimed in.
"Shall we take the host seat?"
"No need."
Lee Sang-geun recalled his phone call with Kim Mu-hyeok from yesterday.
"This is Manager Lee Sang-geun speaking."
― What happened?
"Someone from the Taiwan Triads is coming. We need to negotiate once we meet."
― ….
The response didn't come immediately.
"I will definitely bring back results, even if it involves waging war."
― Understood. I'll be waiting.
Compared to when Park Dong-su was present, both he and Kim Mu-hyeok felt markedly more usiness-like in their demeanor.
Just then, a knock sounded, and the subordinate who had left earlier returned.
"They've arrived."
"Oh?"
As Lee Sang-geun got up, two men entered the room.
One was Chen Jin-peng, and the other was an unfamiliar middle-aged man with a bald head and a sharp gaze.
Lee Sang-geun maintained his composure and greeted them.
"Welcome. You've traveled far to Korea."
As Chen Jin-peng interpreted, the middle-aged man responded.
"Nice to meet you. I'm Wang Jing-ming."
Lee Sang-geun and Wang Jing-ming sat across from each other.
"I'm the deputy leader of the Triads."
"I see."
"May I ask why someone who has shown no interest in our business is now involved?"
Wang Jing-ming wasted no time and got straight to the point.
Lee Sang-geun replied nonchalantly.
"It's not about reason. Just surrender the two people. I'll negotiate with the prosecutors and finalize it right there."
Wang Jing-ming's face changed slightly upon hearing Chen Jin-peng relay the message.
"You're speaking so easily about handing over a family member without an explanation?"
"There'll be no compromises."
The atmosphere felt like it was hanging by a thread.
Chen Jin-peng, translating, started to sweat.
"What if we refuse?"
"Then it's war."
"…You're a man who fears nothing."
Lee Sang-geun sensed that Chen Jin-peng was interpreting as delicately as possible.
Despite the formal tone, it was clear from the stiffness in his face that he wasn't saying anything pleasant.
Though words could only convey so much, he showed no signs of backing down.
"This isn't Taiwan. In Korea, we follow Korean law. Do you think you could operate without our consent?"
"So why are you acting this way now? Do you need money? Want a share of the profit? Be honest about what you really want."
Clang!
In that moment, a loud crash echoed.
A blue sashimi knife had been slammed into the table, quaking slightly.
Chen Jin-peng and Wang Jing-ming's expressions hardened in shock, unable to react.
"Do I sound like I'm joking? The Triads might care about money, but I don't. Bring them here. You've got three days. If you don't, then trust me, you will all die!"
Lee Sang-geun slowly pulled the sashimi knife from the table.
Chen Jin-peng swallowed hard, glancing at Wang Jing-ming.
Though Lee Sang-geun's expression hadn't shifted since their entrance, it now felt as though the sashimi knife was lingering dangerously close against their necks.
The tense atmosphere cracked when Wang Jing-ming burst into laughter.
"Seems you guys shouldn't listen to the Yakuza. They say Koreans are spineless, but you seem the opposite."
Before Chen Jin-peng could translate, Wang Jing-ming waved his hand.
"Don't translate what I just said, tell him we're willing to comply. It's not fear; consider it a favor. If our business is disrupted again, it'll be the end."
Chen Jin-peng struggled to relay the words accurately to Lee Sang-geun.
"This is what Chairman Wang wants to convey: out of respect for you, we will comply this time."
"Alright."
"But he insists this is the last time. It's not fear; he won't tolerate any future disruptions."
Lee Sang-geun nodded blankly.
* * *
"Hello."
From beyond the partition in the visiting room, Cho Seong-hee, wearing a prison uuniform, cocked her head when she saw my face.
"Oh, you're Mu-hyeok!"
After a moment, recognizing me, she clapped her hands and smiled.
I had no recollection of her.
"Look how much you've grown! Was it when you were six? I played with you at the playground while waiting for the grandmothers."
"Really? I don't remember much."
For Cho Seong-hee, it was a memory frrom 20 years ago, but for me, it felt like a lifetime ago.
To be honest, how much could I remember from when I was six, even if it had been 20 years?
"Wow! That's disappointing."
"I'm sorry."
Cho Seong-hee looked genuinely diisappointed, her face scrunching up as she smiled.
"You really don't remember? Haven't we met after that?"
"Probably? I moved to Seoul and started university, so it's possible."
At a loss for words, I hurriedly got to the point.
"Anyway, I'm going to change lawyers. Please sign this."
I brought out the attorney appointment document and placed it in front of her.
Cho Seong-hee didn't respond immeediately.
"You won't be able to clear your name with a public defender."
"Did your grandmother ask you to?"
"Yes, she's really worried about you."
After hesitating, Cho Seong-hee finally signed the document.
"It's been a while since we last saw each other; thank you for going out of your way to help."
"It's nothing."
"I'd like to say it's okay, but my grandmother is too worried. Thank you."
I could see her discomfort, but I ignored it and inquired about the case.
"What exactly happened that led to the drug transport?"
"I wasn't thinking. It was my first trip abroad, and I was swayed by the offer of money."
"Do you remember their faces?"
"Of course! I never forget a face."
"If we bring them in, will you be able to identify them?"
Cho Seong-hee nodded..
"The lawyer will be coming tomorrow. Be as detailed as possible when explaining what happened then. They'll probably try to get you released on bail or something."
"Really?"
"You should be able to be released in a few days, so just wait."
If it's Yun & Jang, I wouldn't need to step in at all for a bail transition.
"Let's meet again soon."