Chapter 478: If Necessary, Even War Must be Waged

As Ji-young engaged in conversation, the sun began to set beyond the bus window.

An employee who had been guarding outside entered and whispered something to Manager Ma.

Stopping mid-sentence, Manager Ma turned to us and said.

"The manager is safe."

"Really?"

"Yes. He needs surgery, but thankfully, his life is not at risk."

Hearing this, Ji-young's expression brightened as she asked.

"Uncle, the manager is okay?"

"Yes, miss. That's the message we received."

"Ah…"

As the tension released, Ji-young let out a small sigh and leaned back against the seat.

"Admit him to a private room and ensure he receives excellent care. He got hurt protecting Ji-young. Also, make sure to provide top-tier treatment for the bodyguards who were injured while guarding her. Oh, and contact Black Secret to issue bonuses. If there are any fatalities, make sure to compensate their families in addition to the funds provided by Black Secret."

Such matters needed to be compensated for. It was essential to ensure they'd risk their lives to protect my people.

A faint loyalty bought with money could be solidified through financial means.

If these situations repeated, they would eventually pledge their loyalty willingly.

"Understood."

Lowering his head, Manager Ma left the bus to make the call.

Moments later, he returned, approaching and whispering to me.

"Boss, he's arrived. The people with him are cleaning up the scene. They mentioned they'd wait for you to come out front."

I checked my watch.

He said he arrived in Shenzhen, but he came sooner than I thought.

"He arrived early. Tell them to wait for now."

Manager Ma nodded again, lowered his head, and stepped off the bus.

I turned to Ji-young, deciding to give her a partial explanation to ease her worries.

"Ji-young, I'm going out to finish up. Once we wrap things up here, we're heading to Guangzhou. We'll spend a few days there to figure out how best to ensure your safety. Do you understand?"

Ji-young nodded.

I then shifted my attention to Jo-mi, who still hadn't left and remained in her seat.

"Things seem to be settling down, so shouldn't you be on your way?"

"What? You expect me to leave after this? Are you telling me to go die?"

Jo-mi's eyes widened with shock.

What was she saying? I chuckled slightly and replied.

"Am I obligated to protect you? Whether the Triad controls the Chinese entertainment industry is none of my business. If you have complaints, take them up with your agency. I only took out those people to protect my sister. You just happened to be saved in the process."

Jo-mi, seemingly offended by my nonchalance, bit her lip tightly.

With a resentful look, she spoke again.

"If you leave like this, those people will come after me! It's your fault I'm in danger, so take responsibility!"

I raised an eyebrow, responding casually.

"So if I hadn't shown up, you wouldn't have been in danger?"

"Well, that's…"

Keep your words straight.

With her pleas and threats failing to sway me, Jo-mi shifted her target to Ji-young.

Perhaps due to Ji-young's limited proficiency in Chinese, she called out to Ji-young in hesitant Korean.

"Ji-young."

Ji-young looked back and forth between Jo-mi and me, her face troubled.

"Ji-young, can you explain this to me? If I go back like this, I'm dead."

"…Unnie."

Unable to refuse, Ji-young just fidgeted her hands awkwardly.

But ignoring it wasn't an option for Ji-young.

"Oppa, I'll stay with Jo-mi unnie, okay? Is that alright?"

That kind-hearted girl. I couldn't help but smile.

So even in this life, she feels sorry for me. That's why I was always grateful to Ji-young.

I nodded slightly and asked.

"You won't feel uncomfortable being with her?"

"No, it's better. I'd feel more anxious alone. Also, you won't be around to stay with me anyway…"

That was true. I wanted to be there with her, but I also feared she might end up seeing something ugly.

If Ji-young wasn't uncomfortable, I didn't mind Jo-mi tagging along.

"Alright, do as you wish."

"Thank you, Oppa."

Ji-young smiled. I left Ji-young as she was and stood up.

"Just wait a moment longer. People are here to help with the cleanup. I'll be back shortly."

"Okay, got it."

At that moment, Jo-mi, staring out the window, muttered to herself.

"What's happening? Why is that person here?"

Her words made me pause.

"Do you know Hao Xun?"

"Who are you? Why is he here…"

She kept talking in circles.

Her incessant chatter was starting to annoy me slightly.

"I asked if you know him."

"Of course I know him. He's the vice-chairman of the Black Dragon Society, one of the most influential groups in the Chinese underworld. He's got considerable sway even in the entertainment industry. I've heard rumors he's connected to the highest echelons of the Communist Party. It's not something you'd expect him to come all this way for…"

I frowned. Significant influence in the entertainment industry, huh?

"Is this guy involved in kidnapping celebrities or something?"

"No, not at all. He just invests. No matter how many actresses try to seduce him, he never falls for it. That's why movies and dramas funded by the Black Dragon Society have actors lining up to participate."

"Oh, I see. That's a relief."

Jo-mi, seemingly disbelieving, looked back out the window and asked me.

"What exactly does he do?"

"You don't need to know that."

I replied firmly and turned back toward the bus entrance.

"Ji-young, Ji-young! What exactly does your oppa do?"

I could hear Jo-mi rush over to Ji-young, asking her something, but I paid it no mind.

As I stepped off the bus, I saw Hao Xun rushing toward me.

"Boss Kim! It's been a while!"

Hao Xun bowed deeply in greeting. A small sigh escaped me unexpectedly.

"As I mentioned last time, please don't greet me like that."

"…I'm sorry."

Raising his head, he slightly bowed in apology.

"I'll be careful next time. Still, it's good to see a familiar face. Shall we walk?"

I intended to move far away from the bus so Ji-young wouldn't see anything. I began walking toward the filming location as I spoke.

"Manager, bring that guy over here."

Manager Ma signaled to an employee, and one of the staff members quickly moved.

"Hao Xun, did you get Chairman Hu Jintao's permission?"

"Yes? Oh! Yes, I did."

"What did he say?"

"…Nothing much."

Hao Xun hesitated to respond.

It's clear, I thought, smiling slightly and providing the words Hu Jintao might have said myself.

"I don't have to hear it. If the Shanghai faction's involved, the vice-chairman probably told you to stand down."

"I'm sorry."

"No problem. I would've said the same thing. From Hu Jintao's perspective, it's not time to go head-to-head with Jiang Zemin."

"Still…"

Though Hao Xun looked still uneasy, I hadn't expected much from him anyway.

I knew Hu Jintao's future better than anyone.

If he were someone capable of seizing a crucial opportunity and drawing a weapon decisively, he wouldn't have been swayed by Jiang Zemin for a decade.

An employee brought Wei Dabao over.

"This is him."

"Vice-Chairman! It's an honor to meet you! I'm Wei Dabao!"

Having already received treatment, Wei Dabao had his hand bandaged.

Upon seeing us, Wei Dabao bent at the waist. Then he spoke loudly enough to hurt my ears.

Watching him bow repeatedly made me chuckle slightly.

"Boss, may I ask a question?"

I nodded, so Hao Xun asked Wei Dabao.

"Is the 14K leader Zhou Zhuhua? Did Wan Kuok-koi pass the reins to him?"

"Not officially, but since the arrest of the chief, most of the members have been following Leader Zhou Zhuhua."

Though I heard this answer, Hao Xun remained skeptical.

"…Does Zhou Zhuhua have the qualifications for that? I've heard he's starting a casino business in Macau. Is he really involved in such matters?"

"I don't know the details. I just follow orders as given."

Nodding, Hao Xun asked again.

"Did Zhou Zhuhua give the order? Did he personally command to take away actress Ji-young and Zhao Wei?"

"No, it was Gao Jun'er. He informed us following the leader's directive."

"Gao Jun'er? That punk is in 14K too? Since when? It can't be. Why is he with 14K?"

Hao Xun muttered with a frown. The conflicting statements from the two piqued my interest.

Was the power dynamic shifting rapidly, or was Hao Xun's informant simply lazy?

"I don't know much either."

"What do you mean you don't know? Are you trying to get yourself killed?"

"I'm sorry."

"You know where the vice-chairman is waiting, right?"

"Yeah, I do! After taking them, I'll show you and educate you…"

Before Wei Dabao could finish his sentence, Hao Xun kicked him.

He seemed to understand what 'educate' meant.

"You filthy bastard! Even if you live in the shadows, there are things you can do and things you shouldn't!"

Wei Dabao, rolling on the ground, knelt and bowed his head.

"I-I'm sorry! I'm so sorry!"

Hao Xun turned towards me and asked.

"What should we do with this guy?"

What should we do with him? I paused to think for a moment.

I could see Wei Dabao's eyes trembling as he looked at me.

"If the location he showed is accurate, just cut off one of his arms and send him back. As promised, I'll spare his life. But if even one word he said is false, kill him on the spot."

"Understood."

"Are you short on manpower? We'll be getting reinforcements from Korea and Russia tomorrow. Should I lend them to you?"

"Boss, are you really considering war? This isn't Korea."

Manager Ma reached out to the Black Bear branches in Korea and Russia.

Every available person on hand, excluding those deployed elsewhere, was to gather in Guangzhou.

"If necessary, we might have to wage war."

If Hao Xun could handle everything, then those arriving could enjoy a short vacation…

Otherwise, there would be nothing left but true warfare.

"Hao Xun, I said I would erase 14K from this world. They tried to kidnap my family."

"But they probably don't know what they're doing. They probably don't even know you exist. I also wasn't aware Ji-young was your sister."

"That doesn't matter. The fact that they attempted a kidnapping is crucial. If you're scared, should I step in? If not, make sure to handle things well so I don't have to."

When I spoke firmly, Hao Xun swallowed hard.

However, he quickly regained his composure and answered.

"I'll capture Zhou Zhuhua and Gao Jun'er by tomorrow. I'll make sure you can have a direct conversation with them."

Hao Xun seemed confident. He even boldly claimed he could handle the Triad, based in Guangzhou, Hong Kong, and Macau, within a day.

"By the way, do you know which broadcasting station is producing the drama currently being filmed?"

"Oh, yes. I checked before coming here. What should we do?"

"First, make sure everyone keeps quiet about what happened today. If articles are published or rumors circulate online…"

"Don't worry about that. I'll handle the hush money myself."

Hao Xun seemed reliable in this regard.

Even if nothing happened, it wouldn't be good for the actress to end up caught in any gossip.

"I'd like the directors and staff from the drama to be replaced as well."

"I can take care of that too."

I found his quick response quite reassuring.

Nodding in satisfaction, I lightly patted his shoulder.

"Thanks to you, Vice-Chairman, I feel at ease. I'll head to Guangzhou first. Contact me once everything is sorted out."

I left Hao Xun and took Ji-young with me to Guangzhou.

And not long after, I received contact from Hao Xun.

"Boss! We've captured both of them. However… the situation is a bit strange."