Chapter 11: Agreement with Wang Hao

POV of Suho Kang

"So? When will the boss lady arrive?" I asked, playing with Xiuren's hair.

My behavior seemed to put her in a black rage, but what could she do?

"I called the boss Cha Yu Hwa, she's coming," declared a Cheonung member in a nervous tone.

"Relax guys, I'm not an enemy," I said before sighing because of the atmosphere.

"Scum, you say you're not an enemy, but *cough* you're causing trouble here," Xiuren declared at my feet.

"Huh, didn't I tell you? I just wanted to talk to my new associate Cha Yu Hwa, but your men attacked me," I said, frowning.

"And I don't really like how you talk to me," I said, tapping her cheeks with the blade of my kukri knife.

"Uh, Suho... I think you should be more gentle," Rira Seo declared, looking at the enraged expressions of the Cheonung members.

"Don't worry, they know the winners have all power over the losers," I said, looking into Xiuren's fiery eyes.

"That is indeed true, kid," declared a voice coming from the restaurant entrance.

There were two people walking towards me: a middle-aged man dressed in a suit and sunglasses despite it being almost night, and a young girl wearing professional but surprisingly revealing clothing.

"You have very pretty tattoos miss, are you single?" I said to the woman beside the man who had spoken.

"Kid, you've got steel balls, flirting with the boss of Cheonung in front of her men," the man said, lighting a cigarette.

"I like doing what I want, I'm the leader of the Fantom Troupe and my name is Suho Kang," I said, roughly handing Xiuren over to PNG who surprisingly understood that I wanted him to hold her hostage for a moment.

I walked closer to the man who had lit the cigarette and the professionally dressed woman who was frowning at me.

"So? You're not introducing yourselves?" I asked, alternating my gaze between them.

"My name is Wang Hao and I'm just a humble worker at a nearby exchange office," Wang Hao declared nonchalantly.

If I didn't know his true identity, I could have believed his little lie and classified him as a subordinate of the woman beside him.

"I am Cha Yu Hwa, the current head of the Cheonung Trading Company and the Cheonung gang," she declared, crossing her arms and observing me attentively.

"Now that we've gotten acquainted, I suggested we take a table to better discuss," I said, motioning for them to follow me to an intact table.

"What business brings you to Cheonung?" Wang asked directly without beating around the bush.

"I invested a few million yesterday in the Cheonung Trading Company, so I find it logical to come take a look," I said calmly, observing their facial expressions.

"Wait, you're the Suho Kang who invested in the Cheonung Trading Company yesterday?" Cha Yu Hwa questioned in shock.

"Indeed, but unfortunately I wasn't received properly," I said, showing my blood-soaked shirt.

"I see the mistake comes from us," Wang declared, frowning.

"Sorry Mr. Suho for my subordinates' conduct," Cha Yu Hwa apologized in a sorry tone.

"I accept your apology and I should have also simply made an appointment instead of barging in impromptu," I said, embarrassed.

But I came impromptu on purpose, I knew there would possibly be a misunderstanding because of my age and I could make a show of force to facilitate my future cooperation with Cheonung.

Now that my assumption was confirmed and I was able to demonstrate that the Fantom Troupe is not weak, I will be able to discuss with them as equals.

"Besides coming to observe the Cheonung Trading Company's activities, I also came to obtain your help," I said directly.

"How so?" Cha Yu Hwa asked, observing me seriously.

"I just want Mr. Wang's help to train these guys behind me and of course myself for a certain period," I said, showing my subordinates.

My words had astonished not only Wang Hao but also my subordinates.

"I'll be frank with you Mr. Wang, I'm enormously interested in the darkness of these worlds and I want to establish myself in it," I said, a half-truth.

I not only want to establish myself in the darkness of these worlds but also devour it, and I'll start by devouring the Cheonung Trading Company.

This organization is currently one of the best in Seoul according to my research, but it has become fragile over time. The reason for this situation is simple.

According to my knowledge of the manhwa Baek XX, Wang Hao is the real boss of Cheonung, but legally it's Cha Yu Hwa.

The reason for this situation is complex, but in summary, it's due to the xenophobia of Korean gangs back then in Seoul.

So despite Wang Hao's great strength, he couldn't change the mentalities of all the gangs of that era.

So yes, the woman named Cha Yu Hwa is just a puppet who, surprisingly, was able to move some of the thugs here with her kindness and slowly gain influence.

"I see but why are you telling me this? She's the boss," he said, giving me a strange look.

"You think I'd invest that much money without investigating? I know you're the real boss here," I said in a low voice to avoid embarrassing Cha Yu Hwa.

It seemed Cha Yu Hwa had guessed that I didn't want to humiliate her by publicly stating her puppet status, but I could also see that my words had darkened her expression.

On the other hand, Wang Hao had just been surprised but he had quickly regained control of his facial expression.

"Not only are you strong but you're also a good strategist," he said, exhaling cigarette smoke.

"Besides training you and your subordinates, how can MY Cheonung help such a promising young man and what does he gain from it?" he said, leaning towards me on the table.

"Make it official that the Fantom Troupe is affiliated with you," I said, looking him in the eye.

My last request could be considered slightly exaggerated.

The reasons were varied, such as that I wouldn't be a real subordinate of Cheonung but I would benefit from their notoriety to do my "activities", but I would also technically be under their protection.

I would benefit greatly from that and at the same time, I wouldn't have a subordinate's obligations.

I could see from Wang Hao's facial expression that he had also understood the advantages I would gain from it.

"I accept, but you'll have to help Cheonung whenever it goes through a crisis and participate in our meetings," he said, extending his arm towards me for a handshake.

"I agree," I said, taking his hand.

I know the bastard essentially turned me into a Cheonung member in this agreement. I was technically in a similar case to Doflamingo and Kaido in One Piece.

I had an affiliation title with a major organization but I wasn't a member of it and I kept my individuality, but I had to provide them with help in case of problems and vice versa since I was officially one of theirs.

I wanted to participate in the Baek XX plot anyway, it had been a long time since I had obtained interesting techniques to copy and I was sure Mr. Jang Sungho would give me interesting techniques.

(Image here)

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POV of Wang Hao

"Are you sure we can let him go?" Xiuren asked in a bad mood.

"Can you even stop him??" I asked in a mocking tone to tease her.

I knew her pride had taken a hit after her defeat against Suho Kang, but this would teach her, she had greatly neglected her training for a few years because of Cha Yu Hwa.

"Grrr... damn it," she said, grunting before leaving.

I really hoped this defeat would push her to train more.

"Mr. Wang, is it a good idea to associate with them?" Cha Yu Hwa asked, clearly worried.

I understood her, we knew nothing about this kid named Suho Kang but he knew a lot about us.

It was a really unpleasant situation and even now, I have the feeling he's using us.

I will contact the informants of the black market and inquire about this Suho Kang, a person like him must have left a trace.

I was sure he hadn't given a fake name based on the facial expressions of his subordinates and given his personality, he didn't really seem the type to hide.

"Don't worry Cha Yu Hwa, I will manage the case of the Fantom Troupe," I said, getting up to leave.

I never thought I would have students again at my age, I'm starting to get too old for this shit.