Chapter 1300. Making Deals (5)

“

Eiii

~, those folks ain’t no human, sir.”

“...”

Lee Hyeon-Su grew a little more somber while studying the trio of men before his eyes. One of the men with a somewhat unsophisticated appearance jokingly waved his hand.

Lee Hyeon-Su asked, “How bad?”

“It’s quite bad, sir. They ain’t no human. I was told never to associate myself with them.”

After returning to the Assembly, Lee Hyeon-Su started gathering information on the North Korean martial artists. Although Kang Jin-Ho wanted information on the drug victims, this matter wasn’t something Lee Hyeon-Su could yield on.

As long as the victims hadn’t died yet, they could be compensated later. Besides, the number one priority for Lee Hyeon-Su would always be Kang Jin-Ho’s safety.

He reached out to various sources for information, only to find hints from an unexpected place. And this source happened to be very close by, too.

Since Chang Min had in-depth knowledge of the Chinese criminal underworld, Lee Hyeon-Su wondered if he also had some information on North Korea and called him up on the phone. What Chang Min said took Lee Hyeon-Su by surprise, though.

“You know you can ask our people, right? The Ethnic Korean members of the cult, that is.”

Lee Hyeon-Su thought someone had hit him on the back of his head when he heard that.

When he thought about it, wasn’t the demon cult a gathering of “low-class” denizens of the Chinese martial society? That meant the Ethnic Korean Chinese, who were categorized as an ethnic minority group and treated poorly within China, must have joined the cult in some numbers.

Lee Hyeon-Su asked the cult for assistance, and less than an hour later, three people came to see him in his office.

“I heard those North Korean bastards don’t bat an eyelid while skinning people alive, sir. I’m sure you already know that we are pretty good at unsavory stuff like that.”

That was when the other men in the room unhappily yelled in a mixture of Chinese and Korean. “What the f*ck, man! Are ya stupid or something? Ya talking sh*t like this is why our image is in the f*cking pits!”

“Use the Assembly’s standard language, okay? You dumbsh*t. Your Korean is half-decent anyway, so stop with ya this and ya that already!”

“...What’s that got to do with anything?”

The demon cult member, whose name was Oh Ryong-Hyeon, shrugged casually.

“In any case, that’s the situation, sir. When you’re in that line of business, you inevitably run into those North Korean bastards.”

Lee Hyeon-Su nodded. “Sure, I guess.”

Even ordinary people knew how porous North Korea’s border with China was. After all, there wouldn’t be any escapees from that country had its borders been watertight. Of course, this issue wasn’t unique only to North Korea.

No country could effectively seal up such a large area. That was simply impossible. As proof, even the United States of America, proclaiming itself as the number one country in the world, racked its proverbial brain to solve the undocumented migrants issue.

Thanks to the porous border, the Ethnic Koreans living near North Korea were pretty up to date with the news flowing out of the secretive nation.

Oh Ryong-Hyeon chuckled. “We often get told how savage and unsophisticated we are, but compared to those bastards? We’re like saints compared to them.”

His companion yelled at him again. “What the f*ck?! Don’t call us savages, okay?”

“But that’s the truth, isn’t it?!”

“You dipsh*t, wanna have a go?!”

These two raised their voices and bickered right in front of Lee Hyeon-Su’s cramped face.

Why did these people always revert to speaking Chinese whenever they argued? Trying to figure it out triggered a migraine in Lee Hyeon-Su’s head.

Even though he was a fluent speaker of both Korean and Chinese, he still found it difficult to understand all the Chinese swear words brimming with boiling emotions. Especially more so when the barrage of insults flying out of their mouths sounded so creative, too!

After patiently sitting through a lengthy back-and-forth of insults, Lee Hyeno-Su groaned deeply while mouthing a cigarette. “You two.”

“Yes, sir?”

“Did you forget where you are just because you’re cult members?”

“...!”

The two bickering men instantly clamped their mouths shut.

Even if their affiliations were different, these two could never act rudely toward Lee Hyeon-Su, one of the top executives of the Martial Assembly. This was a part of the cult’s policy. Since both the demon cult and the Martial Assembly “belonged” to Kang Jin-Ho, the cult leadership naturally demanded from the cult members the same level of obedience toward the Assembly’s leadership.

Whether such a thing made sense or not was not important here. As long as that was what the cult had set as its policy, the cult members had to obey.

“Waste my time with more nonsense like this, and you’ll see how I’ll deal with you lot,” Lee Hyeon-Su growled menacingly.

“We apologize, sir.”

“Sorry. This idiot is always so brainless, that’s why...”

Oh Ryong-Hyeon subtly clenched his teeth and glared at his companion, but didn’t blow his top again after remembering Lee Hyeon-Su’s warning.

As for Lee Hyeon-Su, he was groaning deeply again. It felt as if not a single person in this place was sane.

After witnessing all these things, Lee Hyeon-Su was genuinely tempted to start research to find out whether people went insane after mastering martial arts or only the lunatics were attracted to mastering martial arts.

“Okay, so... Those North Korean bastards have entered China before?” Lee Hyeon-Su asked.

“Yes, sir. Many times. And we even had fought them before, too.”

“Is that right?”

“Yes, sir. Although, they beat the living daylights out of us every time.”

“...”

“What’s so weird about that is how the Public Security Bureau people kept their mouths shut and swept everything under the carpet, even though lots of folks died in those fights. They usually raise a lot of hullabaloo over stuff like that, you see? And they are pretty ruthless about North Koreans causing a scene in China, too...”

“

Hmm

...”

Lee Hyeon-Su nodded.

Looks like they are being classified as military personnel, not civilians.

Things as described wouldn’t have been swept under the proverbial carpet if the North Koreans causing trouble were viewed as civilians or martial artists by the Chinese authorities.

Does that mean the Chinese government is extending their protection to the North Koreans to some degree?

Lee Hyeon-Su’s migraine grew stronger in intensity just then.

The relationship China had with North Korea was rather complicated. As such, trying to decipher the situation with only assumptions could lead to a massive disaster. For now, Lee Hyeon-Su should just listen to the information.

“What about their strength?”

Oh Ryong-Yeon frowned slightly. “Sir... It’s kinda difficult for us to say for sure. As you know already, we aren’t strong enough to do that.”

“

Mm

...?”

Lee Hyeon-Su smirked subtly while studying the trio before his eyes.

‘I might be able to take them on, though...?’

The only people in the Assembly Lee Hyeon-Su could spar with and potentially win against were these demon cult members. Of course, an additional qualifier of “Weaker among the cult members” must be in play, too, but these three still managed to fulfill that rare criterion.

Whether it was Lee Hyeon-Su or these three, comprehending the realm of their stronger opponents would always be a difficult task.

Lee Hyeon-Su nodded again. “I see. Makes sense.”

“But they were really strong, sir. All the idiots pouncing on them got blown away in one hit, after all. And they were very cruel, too. So much so that they couldn’t be human like us.”

“As cruel as our Assembly Master?”

“Nah, sir. This and that are a bit different.”

Oh Ryong-Hyeon waved his hands again.

“Okay, so, our liege is, uhm, I meant the Assembly Master... I’m not sure I can say this out loud, but... You know how our Assembly Master starts feeling like a devil whenever he gets serious?”

“Yeah, I get what you mean.”

The more correct term to describe the feeling would be “Dissonant,” however.

The unsettling feeling that Kang Jin-Ho’s mindset differed drastically from ordinary people...! Only those who had personally experienced such moments would understand this bizarre vibe.

Oh Ryong-Hyeon rubbed his chin. “But those North Korean bastards? They were cruel, sure, but rather than a devil, it was more like watching machines at work, sir. That, uh, whatchamacallit, sir?”

“...Like inorganic substances? Or robots?”

“

Uh

, something like that? It’s not that they are like cold, unfeeling metal, but... It felt like their souls were not there? Like a totally blank sheet of paper?”

“

Hm

...?”

Lee Hyeon-Su contemplatively scratched his chin.

That sounds more dangerous than I thought?

These demon cult members must’ve lived a life full of dangers, so for them to feel this threatened? It might be safer to assume that the North Korean martial artists had zero humanity left. For them to be this broken, the training they received must’ve been quite inhumane.

The more I investigate, the more dangerous it all sounds.

Lee Hyeon-Su sighed deeply. He couldn’t help but think that maybe it was a mistake to take up on this mission from the government, after all.

He glanced at the demon cult members. “Got it. You can leave now.”

“Yes, sir.”

Oh Ryong-Hyeon got up to leave, only for him to stay and fidget instead.

Lee Hyeon-Su cocked an eyebrow. “What is it?”

“Sir,

uh

... If you’re planning to get involved with those bastards, I think you should consider it again.”

Lee Hyeon-Su’s cheeks twitched slightly. “Why?”

“Those bastards aren’t dangerous because they are strong and cruel, sir. At least we have that minimum line, the bare-minimum rules, that we don’t cross, right?”

“...What are you saying?”

“You know. Even if we want to rip some bastards apart, we don’t touch their families. Or we hold ourselves back no matter what happens if we’re in public.”

Lee Hyeon-Su nodded once.

“But those bastards don’t have that, sir. To them, carrying out their orders takes priority above all else. They don’t care about their surroundings at all. And we don’t know how they’ll retaliate if we carelessly provoke them. Of course, I’m sure you know what you’re doing, but still...”

“No, wait. You did good by telling me all this.”

“

Oh

, I see. Then, excuse us.”

Oh Ryong-Hyeon led the others outside the office and closed the door behind them.

Lee Hyeon-Su re-lit his half-smoked cigarette. The bitter taste circulated in his mouth.

Maybe we were too rash?

If they had understood the level of danger, maybe Lee Hyeon-Su and Kang Jin-Ho could have pondered Kim Myeong-Chan’s request a little more.

No... The outcome would have still been the same.

Many people thought that a trade was a process to extract as many benefits as possible, but doing so was not always the best thing for the parties involved.

Usually, the one about to perform the request should hold the advantage. However, they would be under pressure if the requester had promised an excessive amount of rewards for the successful completion.

Why? If the trade was refused for some reason, bad blood would inevitably be created, that was why.

Various unhelpful emotions would start interfering once the requester started thinking,

They still refused us despite all these rewards? Just what the hell do they want from us, then?

This was one such case.

Despite holding the Martial Assembly’s weakness in his palm, Kim Myeong-Chan was the first to lower his head and ask for help. And he was this country’s Prime Minister, no less!

Not accepting his request for help would only worsen the relationship between the administration and the Martial Assembly. That was not something Lee Hyeon-Su wanted to see happen.

Seriously, man. These politicians can be so...!

They all tried to turn things to their advantage in some way. Of course, it was Lee Hyeon-Su’s job to prevent the Assembly from getting suckered into their schemes.

Since things had come to this, the best option available was extracting as many benefits as possible. After all, a government could offer so, so many things if it was in a generous mood.

Lee Hyeon-Su could demand backing for MK’s expansion into Japan. Or get the government to eliminate all the red tape when changing the business type of one of MK’s branches, allowing them to earn money from it.

I guess I should talk to Hyeon-Ju about this.

MK was now in charge of the Martial Assembly’s revenues, so it might be a better idea to consult Lee Hyeon-Ju and Hwang Min-Su.

Lee Hyeon-Su got up and headed to the exit. However, before he reached his destination, the doorway was flung open first.

“

Eh

?”

The Martial Assembly’s executives were trying to flood into Lee Hyeon-Su’s office for some reason.

“...?”

Vator was the first to speak. “

Oii

, Chief Lee! I heard we’re going to China again?”

“Sorry?”

Lee Hyeon-Su flinched slightly. Who leaked this information already?

Of course, he could think of one person, but Lee Hyeon-Su was working extra hard to

forget

about that man for now. Suspecting his boss was a sign of disobedience and disloyalty. Besides, what would change by knowing the truth, anyway?

It wasn’t as if he could sanction his own boss or something, after all!

Vator asked again impatiently. “Who will go with my master?”

“...”

“Very well! I volunteer!”

Bang Jin-Hun cried out, “Sir Vator, you stay out of this! Didn’t you hear that this mission isn’t about wrecking stuff?”

“What?! I can also do stealthy stuff, I’ll have you know!”

“

Hah

! An elephant might be stealthier than you, sir! Stop writing fan fiction and stay out of this one, okay? This stage isn’t for you. I, Bang Jin-Hun, will go instead!”

Wiggins chimed in just then. “But Mister Bang, don’t you have mountains of work in your office even as we speak?”

Bang Jin-Hun tutted. “Same goes for you, Mister Wiggins.”

“Even so, my workload situation is far less burdensome than yours. That’s why it’s better for me to...”

“Mister Wiggins, a Westerner like you will stand out like a sore thumb in China!”

“Bloody hell?! If only I wasn’t white...!”

While listening to this bickering, Lee Hyeon-Su groaned under his breath.

Please, please! Please, just focus on what’s on your plate instead!

Why were they so passionate like this? And why was their passion burning so hotly for something utterly unnecessary?!

Vator roared. “You two, stand down! I’ll be the one going!”

Bang Jin-Hun sharply retorted, “Excuse me, can’t you be more self-aware?!”

“

Hah

? You are in no position to call me out on that! Especially with your face of a Triad captain! They won’t even let you into the country!”

“Are you serious?! When your face is no better?”

“What’s wrong with mine?” Vator harrumphed. “I’m quite good looking!”

Bang Jin-Hun snorted. “Yeah, right! I’m sure mama bears will go crazy about you!”

“Come outside, now!”

“You think I won’t?!”

Lee Hyeon-Su grinned brightly while blocking his ears.

Please, please! Let me work in peace! Please!

You... You sorry excuses for grown-ups!