The conversation with Zheng Hongqin, the Central Committee (Executive Committee) member, proceeded smoothly.
I gave him a detailed explanation of how much profit the Shanghai faction was earning from the development of Mongolia's underground resources. He was visibly pleased and offered me a drink.
"Thanks to you, we'll be able to record another major achievement. The Elder will be very pleased."
"I'm always thinking about ventures that bring mutual benefit."
"Of course. If a project benefits only one side, the relationship can't be sustained, can it?"
There weren't many years left where such a relationship would be possible.
In just ten years, Sino-Korean relations were expected to deteriorate. Before that happened, it was necessary to extract as much as possible.
"I only hope that our current relationship can continue."
"I'll make sure of it. We could establish a hundred-year contract, couldn't we? If we make it in the Elder's name, even if the administration changes, they wouldn't dare touch it for fear of disrespecting him."
Zheng Hongqin was the one to offer what I had been hoping for.
If Sino-Korean relations were to seriously worsen, even such a contract could become meaningless—but until then, it would prove to be extremely useful.
"I'll do my utmost to show sincerity so as not to cause the Elder any trouble."
"Our Elder doesn't concern himself with petty money. As long as you continue to show sincerity like you've done so far, he will be satisfied."
"I'll strive to maintain our current relationship for as long as possible."
"I'll do the same. If anything ever gets in the way of your business, don't hesitate to let me know. If it's something I can handle, I'll help you in any way I can."
Now, it was time to deal with the pest.
I put on a troubled expression, paused briefly for effect, and then spoke.
"A bit of a problem has come up. Some members of the Triad have crossed over to Korea and are causing trouble for the Taewoo Group."
"What! The Triad? You're telling me those bastards are making trouble for Taewoo Group? Tell me everything—now."
I conveyed the relationship between SG Entertainment and the Triad to Executive Committee
Member Zheng Hongqin without withholding anything.
As he listened in silence, he suddenly slammed his fist on the table with a loud thud.
"Those rotten bastards have gone so far as to cause chaos in Korea now. We ought to sweep them away for good while we've got the chance."
"I understand the Triad is a massive organization with a lot of people. If it requires you to go to excessive lengths on my account, please don't worry about it."
"If I don't use my strength to help a friend, then when should I use it? Besides, the Triad isn't a single unified group. It's made up of several smaller factions. Eliminating only the ones embedded in Korea is something well within my reach."
From Zheng Hongqin's perspective, this wasn't such a bad situation either.
Governments always gain popularity by cracking down on organized crime.
The only thing missing was a justification—and we had provided him with both a reason and the promise of major benefits. Zheng didn't hesitate.
"Thank you. I've been struggling with how to deal with the Triad, and now that you're helping, it feels like I've gained an army of heavenly warriors."
"How long are you planning to stay in China?"
"If I don't have any other appointments, I was planning to return to Korea tomorrow."
"Don't do that. Stay in China for just three more days. I've got a very special gift for you."
If someone offers you a gift, it would be impolite to refuse.
So I postponed my flight by three days.
I spent three days at a hotel in China with Captain Kang.
While we stayed put, Captain Kang's team moved around gathering intelligence, and today, they returned with a massive scoop.
"Sir, we've just confirmed that the Chinese government mobilized the military to strike the Triad. They even brought in tanks."
"That's one thing communism is good for. If tanks had been deployed in South Korea, the whole country would've exploded in outrage."
"They reportedly wiped out a Triad faction in Tianjin. It's believed to be connected to the Yangji sect."
Zheng Hongqin certainly knew how to make a statement.
I had expected he might use the military, but I never imagined he'd go so far as to mobilize tanks and handle it all with such swift precision.
"I think I can guess what gift Zheng Hongqin plans to give me."
"You don't mean… he's going to give you the Triad boss's head, do you?"
"He wouldn't just send me the head, come on. Whether it's a fish or a wild animal, it's always worth more when delivered alive, don't you think?"
And sure enough, my prediction hit the mark.
In the late afternoon, several soldiers arrived to see me. Like they were dragging in some wild beast, they pulled in the Triad boss.
"This is a gift from the Elder. You may do with it as you please. We'll handle the cleanup, so don't worry about the consequences."
"Tell the Elder I'm deeply grateful for the generous gift. And please wait just a moment. This won't take long."
The soldier stepped back.
I lifted the head of the Triad boss, who belonged to the Yangji.
"Why! Why are you doing this to me? What did I do wrong? I paid my dues on time. I never did anything against the government!"
"You must think I'm some Chinese official. I appreciate the compliment—my Chinese must be better than I thought."
"Then… where are you from?"
"Korea. Just think of me as one of the victims of the mess your people made in Korea."
To become the boss of a Triad faction like Yangji, you needed to be quick on your feet.
Which is why he quickly caught the meaning behind my words.
"...I swear, I really don't know anything. All I did was invest in a Korean company and organization. I only agreed to help expand one of their celebrities into the Chinese market."
"But the ones you backed didn't play by the rules. They used the Triad's name to steal away one of our company's artists—and they even resorted to threats. So, I had no choice. I had to respond like this. I do feel a little bad, honestly. The real culprit caused the damage, but now you're the one paying the price."
The Triad boss nodded fervently.
He hadn't even committed the offense himself. All he'd done was invest in a company whose
CEO had gone rogue—how unfair that must have felt.
"Let me ask you one last time. Are you absolutely certain you had nothing to do with what happened in Korea?"
"Yes! My only intention was to help SG Entertainment's singers enter the Chinese market. Honestly, how would I know anything about the Korean entertainment scene? All I did was support a few kids and invest some money. And even that money didn't go directly to SG Entertainment—it was funneled through the Yangji sect."
How could I possibly trust the word of a gangster?
Only after I checked his detailed background and any notable records did I even begin to consider believing him.
"This is a bit troublesome. I was all set on retaliating since you lot made the first move, but I can't exactly kill someone who had nothing to do with it."
"If—if you just spare me, I'll take care of everything!"
"Oh? And how do you plan to do that?"
"I'll sever all ties with the Yangji sect and stay far away from Korea for good."
"That's not quite enough."
"I'll destroy SG Entertainment. I have a number of dirt files prepared in case SG tried to launch successfully in China. Dirt that could put their CEO behind bars for at least ten years. I also have incriminating material on several of SG's executives."
Why should I dirty my own hands dealing with garbage?
After all, phrases like poison countered by poison or controlling one foe with another exist for a reason.
In nature, the bigger bugs always eat the smaller ones. That's just how it works.
"How much time do you need? If I'm going to refuse the Elder's gift, I at least need a solid excuse."
"One week is more than enough. Actually, if I fly back to Korea right now and personally expose SG's weaknesses, I can wrap it up in three days."
"Three days, huh. That might be short enough for me to explain it to the Elder."
"Thank you! Truly, thank you. Once this is over, I won't even look in Korea's direction again."
"That's your business. As long as you leave me alone, we won't have a problem."
"Understood. And if anyone in my organization ever slips up and causes trouble for you, I'll be the first to take care of it."
The human instinct to survive is truly pitiful.
As a Triad boss, he probably held considerable power.
But now? He was desperately trying to evoke sympathy, just to stay alive.
"You have exactly three days. If things don't go the way I want them to in that time, I'll have no choice but to go back to the Elder. There won't be another chance. Remember that."
"I'll keep my word! I'll personally rip the SG CEO's head off!"
"Oh, and don't go killing anyone once you're back in Korea. That's a bit excessive. I could overlook a few broken bones—but anything more would be a problem."
"Understood. I'll just crush their arms and legs to powder."
Can a person really change so drastically in an instant?
Just moments ago, the Triad boss had eyes filled with desperation, trying to provoke pity.
Now, they were burning with deadly resolve.
It was exactly the kind of look I wanted to see—so I gave the order to the soldiers waiting behind me to release him.
Three days had passed since I returned to Korea.
After a regular day at work and finishing up as usual, I didn't go home—I went straight to Captain Kang's office.
"How are things unfolding?"
"Like a viper in winter, he struck with deadly precision. He wiped out the Yangji sect in just two days. I've heard the Black Society was ruthless, but this was beyond imagination."
Captain Kang's team had been providing live updates on everything.
Just as promised, the Triad boss entered Korea the very next day, leading a large number of his members—and immediately launched an assault on the Yangji sect.
"There haven't been any fatalities, right?"
"Not yet. But he's been breaking at least one limb per target. It's gotten to the point where Yangji members are practically holding gatherings at a general hospital near Seoul."
"What about SG Entertainment?"
"They're in absolute chaos. A flood of reports has hit the prosecutor's office, and there's evidence accompanying each whistleblow—documented proof of all sorts of corruption."
SG Entertainment was now like a kite with a cut string.
The Triad could no longer protect them, and even if they had some ties to the prosecution, hard evidence changes everything. No one could protect them now.
"Make sure to provide full backup. Mobilize our people in the prosecution and the National Tax Service—leave nothing behind."
"We've already begun support. I've also released the evidence I'd been gathering. No matter what top law firm Kang Su-gi hires, he'll be behind bars for at least ten years."
Everything was going exactly the way I wanted.
All that was left was the final puzzle piece—but I had no intention of going to find it.
Because that final piece was already on its way to find me.
"Sir! Kang Su-gi is on the move—he's heading toward Taewoo Group."
"Looks like he finally realized the fire's at his feet. Tell him to meet me in Myeongdong. He'll know the restaurant—I've taken him there before."
"I'll pass your message through one of our staff tailing him."
As expected, I was the only person Kang Su-gi had left to rely on.
Even the densest man must've realized by now exactly who's holding the leash around his neck.