Chapter 265: Answer the Questions

When told to call the organization, Jeong Min-woo looked up at me with a face smeared in blood.

"Let's see what kind of bastards we're dealing with. Go ahead and call."

Since he was beaten up badly, I dragged a chair over and sat in front of him as he struggled to lift his body.

"What kind of confidence do you have?"

"Just do it. I want to see what kind of bastards are coming here. Those thugs are harassing ordinary people; are they really someone to be taken seriously?"

Reading the mockery that appeared on my face, Jeong Min-woo grimaced and clenched his teeth.

His blood and grease-stained face crumpled so badly that it was hard to look at.

He'd been running around scaring regular folks while trying to act tough in this little organization, so it had been a while since he'd gotten beaten like this.

Letting out a sigh, I threw the towel that had fallen on the ground at Jeong Min-woo.

"Wipe your face. You look terrible."

Taking the towel, Jeong Min-woo wiped his face. After he roughly cleaned off the blood, he hesitated a moment before speaking.

"Hyung, you really might get killed like this. Just take Grandma and leave Busan. We're not exactly an organized group here."

"Stop talking and make the call."

"…Just don't regret it later."

Speaking quietly, Jeong Min-woo took out his phone and called someone.

Seeing him strike a pose even while on the phone just made me chuckle. I let out another sigh as I watched him finish his call.

"You idiot. Why are you striking such a dramatic pose when you're just making a call? You can try that with your mom. Or else, you'll really come to regret it later. Even beasts don't bite their own parents. Can you at least try to behave like a human?"

As I spoke, one person popped into my mind, and my words came out harsher than intended. Jeong Min-woo couldn't respond to what I said.

"You're not gambling like those guys outside, are you?"

"…"

"Tsk… Gambling too? We'll talk again when the guys you mentioned actually show up."

He wasn't this pathetic before. How did he end up in such a sorry state?

I looked down at Jeong Min-woo with disappointment. He only clenched his teeth in response to my gaze, unable to charge at me like before.

Ten years can make even the closest of friends feel awkward.

As I fell silent, an uncomfortable silence filled the store.

"Boss, you need to come out now."

After waiting a while, the door to the shop opened, and my subordinate spoke.

"Looks like they've arrived."

At those words, Jeong Min-woo stood up. He wore a face full of confidence and began to chatter excitedly.

"Hyung, we're in big trouble now. These guys aren't just regular folks. They kill people, you know? Once you meet them, you'll regret not listening to me. You'll think back and go, 'why didn't I listen.'"

Hearing him boast about how they kill people without a second thought made my head spin.

I shook my head slightly at his attitude and stood up from the chair, walking slowly.

Before stepping outside, I approached Jeong Min-woo and raised my hand. He flinched and closed his eyes as soon as I did.

How could he have hit Aunt Song, my mother, when he cowers like this after being threatened?

Seeing him so pathetic, I playfully tapped his cheek with my finger and said.

"Let's see just what kind of guys you call your brothers. I need to see for myself how scary they really are."

I took Jeong Min-woo outside the shop.

The market-goers and shoppers were still whispering among themselves, watching the scene unfold here.

Manager Ma's men and my bodyguards stood firm at the door, confronting a group of intimidating-looking men.

About ten men were provoking my subordinates guarding the shop.

"What's this? Where did you guys come from?"

"Ha, you've got to be kidding me. Just take a look at these punks trying so hard to act tough."

However, my subordinates showed no reaction whatsoever. Seeing the thugs get angrier because of that made me chuckle involuntarily.

"Are you laughing?"

"I was expecting something epic, but it's just a bunch of losers."

"…What did you just say? What did you mean by that?"

Ignoring the man who turned his attention to me, I asked Jeong Min-woo, who was standing next to me.

"Are these punks your brothers? No way, right?"

"…"

Jeong Min-woo, who had been so confident, couldn't say a word. It was only natural after confirming the situation outside the shop.

"Hey! Where are you guys from? Do you have any idea who you're messing with?"

"Keep barking…"

"Picking a fight with the Dong-soo faction is like declaring war on the Heavenly Group in Seoul."

The mention of the Dong-soo faction froze their expressions. Why is the name of the Dong-soo faction coming out of that guy's mouth?

With a cold expression, I asked him.

"Did you just say the Dong-soo faction?"

"Oh? Now you're scared, huh?"

At the man's mockery, the others behind him laughed out loud.

"Answer the question directly. Did you say Dong-soo faction?"

"Who would dare to lie about that on this turf? Do you even know what kind of power that person has in this business?"

These idiots claim to be part of the Dong-soo faction? I was more than well aware of what that name meant.

It was I who told the Heavenly Group's Busan branch to use the name Dong-soo faction.

The Heavenly Group had branched off from the most illicit activities while staying away from construction-related business.

It was Dong-soo Hyung's organization, and I had given it so much significance since it was the base of the Heavenly Group, which currently dominated the dark underbelly of Korea.

The current chairman, Yoo Sung-jin, was aggressive, completely different from Lee Sang-geun.

He had full control over the organization and didn't hesitate to threaten or even cripple anyone who got in his way.

But he let in these losers into the organization?

I had definitely advised him to avoid causing any trouble for ordinary citizens. Yet, now, these thugs from the Heavenly Group's Busan branch were harassing the market-goers.

"Is the organization you're in really the Dong-soo faction?"

"What? Are you asking that now? Didn't I warn you earlier? You're in big trouble now."

I couldn't hold back anymore. Believing Yoo Sung-jin would control it well as I had left it to him was my mistake.

Gritting my teeth, I asked my subordinate.

"Did you contact Seoul?"

"Yes, I received the location as well."

"…I'll talk to Grandma, so you take every single one of these bastards and subdue them without fail."

At my order, Manager Ma's subordinates responded in unison and began to move immediately.

"Min-woo, you're coming with me."

"Hyung, this is going to escalate. I could just apologize and take a few hits…"

I didn't want to hear it anymore. Cutting off whatever Jeong Min-woo was about to say, I spoke sharply.

"I'd love to drag those guys along with me, but I'm holding back for Aunt Song. If you ever disrespect me again without my permission, I swear I won't hold back, so just shut up and follow me."

At my words, which were completely different from before, Jeong Min-woo's eyes flickered.

Whether it was because the name Dong-soo faction wasn't working or because of my chilling warning, he followed me without further complaints.

In the background, I heard the sounds of men shouting and a chaotic brawl. But I didn't care at all.

These pathetic punks wouldn't stand a chance against Manager Ma's subordinates.

I arrived at the place where Grandma and Aunt Song were with Jeong Min-woo.

"Grandma, please go home first. I'll take care of things with Min-woo and then come back. We'll eat sashimi tomorrow, okay?"

"…Isn't it dangerous?"

Grandma's face was filled with worry. To reassure her, I forced a smile and ugly expression.

"It's not dangerous at all. I'll be back home soon, so just stay there."

"Okay. Come home early. I'll be waiting."

Aunt Song looked at Min-woo's face and nearly cried. Seeing that beastly creature was also her son seemed to hurt her.

I spoke to Aunt Song as she held Grandma's hand tightly.

"Auntie, I'm thinking of sending Min-woo home even if it's a bit late. So, for today, please close the shop and go home. I'll make sure he won't end up back with those thugs ever again."

"…"

Aunt Song's gaze flickered. She seemed hesitant at my mention of making sure he would be a better person.

Gently patting her shoulder, I tried to comfort her.

"Don't worry, Auntie. I'm Kim Mu-hyeok. The one you alwaysbrought delicious rice cakes for. I won't let anything bad happen to Min-woo."

"…Thank you. Mu-hyeok, really thank you."

In the end, Aunt Song burst into tears.

Even though he had laid a hand on her, she was devoted to him just because he was her son. That made me feel a bit sorry for her. For her sake, I had no intention of settling this matter casually.

After leaving Grandma with my bodyguards, I left the market and headed to the location provided by Seoul.

"Please get in touch with Chairman Yoo."

"Yes."

From the moment he got into the car, Jeong Min-woo had been silent. Maybe he sensed that the atmosphere was strange; he just kept his mouth shut.

"We're connected now."

"Hand it over."

The subordinate in the passenger seat turned around and handed me the phone.

Through the phone I received, I could hear Yoo Sung-jin's voice.

— Have you been looking for me?

"Chairman Yoo, are you wishing for death? Or do you think I'm easy to deal with?"

—······.

I had never spoken informally or rudely to Yoo Sung-jin until now.

The same went for Lee Sang-geun, the previous chairman.

Yet, upon my sudden provocation, Yoo Sung-jin couldn't even respond.

"What did I say when I entrusted you with the Heavenly Group? Didn't I say to not harm ordinary people?"

The people I grew up with, Grandma's acquaintances, the ones who took care of me when I was struggling were all trembling in fear because of the thugs under my command.

I absolutely didn't want this.

"Is it too hard to fight against the Triad and the Southeast Asian mafia? Are you short on manpower? Or is it money that you're lacking?"

— I apologize. I will come down to Busan immediately.

Understanding the coldness in my voice, Yoo Sung-jin didn't ask why but agreed to come down.

"Quickly send the leaders of the Busan branch over. Who is currently in charge of the Busan branch?"

— It's a fellow named Bulgo, who used to work under Dong-soo. The president has probably seen him once or twice.

Bulgo, huh? I couldn't recall him at all.

I had no memories attached to that name. But since Yoo Sung-jin said so, he must have significant standing in the organization.

"Just send them immediately. I'm on my way too."

— Yes. I'll make sure to pass on the message. I'll also leave right away.

After ending the call, I closed my eyes. The headache that had been nagging me started to intensify.

Have I really made the right choice?

'Dong-soo Hyung, is this the correct way?'

Even if I create a stage for them to move freely in the light, could a thug ever stop being a thug?

Lost in thought, the car carrying me reached the warehouse at Gamman Port.

"Boss, we've arrived."

Upon hearing that we had arrived, I opened my eyes.

The sun had already set, leaving the sky completely black. I inhaled the scent of the sea blowing in from the night sea, trying to calm my heart.

I walked towards the warehouse with a noticeably anxious Jeong Min-woo at my side.

The men guarding outside recognized me and opened the door.

As the door opened, light spilling from inside the warehouse illuminated the wharf.

I sat in the prepared chair and spoke to Jeong Min-woo.

"You go over there and kneel with them."

"…Hyung."

Jeong Min-woo seemed like he wanted to say something, but upon seeing my stiff expression, he zipped his lips shut.

Finally dragged over like a cow to the slaughterhouse, Jeong Min-woo shuffled over to kneel alongside the men who had been brought in.

Those men looked beaten up by my subordinates, with hardly a whole part left on them.

I splashed some water on my face and asked.

"Those who lynched the young chairman, step forward."

But nobody moved. One of the men being dragged here opened his mouth.

"Can we just call it even here? If this escalates, it'll be burdensome for everyone, right? If you let us go now, we'll pretend it never happened."

He looked like he was the most qualified to take charge among the men here.

Instead of responding, I pointed him out with my chin.

"Are you the highest-ranking punk here?"

"…We're just fighters."

"Ha, you've gotta be kidding. You're just spouting nonsense. Fighters?"

Even when Dong-soo Hyung called himself a fighter, I always referred to them as thugs. Terms like fighter or warrior are just empty words.

"So where do you stand in the Dong-soo faction? Are you an action leader? A middle manager?"

He couldn't answer. He was nothing more than a pup barking out of his league.

Letting out a deep sigh, I raked my fingers through my hair. Where did everything begin to go wrong?

"Seeing how you can't answer, you must be a low-ranking member."

"Even if I'm low-ranked, I'm family! The Dong-soo faction doesn't discriminate in that regard! Don't look down on me!"

"Tsk…"

Another deep sigh escaped my lips.

Dong-soo Hyung had a dream. To have everyone in the family live without discrimination.

That's why after Dong-soo's death, the Heavenly Group made sure even the lowest members had at least a minimal lifestyle.

These days, loyalty can be purchased with money. Now, strength is equivalent to the hierarchy of thugs.

To see Dong-soo Hyung's thought process return like this is baffling.

"One last time, I'll ask. All of you who lynched the young chairman, step forward. If you don't come out now, I'll take it as everyone being involved and cut each one of your tendons, so if there's anyone willing to take responsibility, step forward now."

"Is this because of the lynching of the young chairman? We were wrong. We just got mad that Min-woo was beaten. We apologize. Let's drop it there."

Seeing nobody step up, a ghostly mirth appeared on my face.

Apologizing? If it could be resolved with just an apology, I wouldn't have come this far.

I recalled the terrified faces of the market traders, my anger reaching its peak.

I felt the urge to show these wimps just what kind of apology I desired.