Chapter 227.2: The Guys That Are In My Heart (2)

𝙧𝙚𝙚𝔀𝒆𝓫𝓷𝙤𝓿𝒆𝙡.𝒄𝙤𝓶

“Mr. Kang Chan, Vasili won’t be able to openly stop you. Since the denadite has to be transported by railway, you can visit the site under the pretext of expanding the Unicorn. You can then change the denadite mined there into sulfuric compounds and export it. There will be initial costs for establishing a factory, but it will likely yield yearly profits upward of three hundred billion Korean won,” Yang Bum said.

“Under the condition that I eliminate the Russian mafia,” Kang Chan interjected.

“That is the very reason mining companies from the United States and Canada haven’t been able to rush in.”

“I’m sure the United States isn’t too afraid of Vasili.”

“The United States and China are collaborating to stop Russia from combining the cetinium with denadite. However, if the military or intelligence bureaus interfere for any reason, Vasili will use that as justification to exert his authority.”

“What about former special forces? The Russian mafia is composed of former military or intelligence agents anyway, aren’t they?”

“That should be fine.”

“How much will it cost to set up the factory?” Kang Chan inquired.

“About sixty billion Korean won,” Yang Bum answered.

“Is this an urgent matter?”

“The Russian mafia is openly taking the denadite as we speak.”

Kang Chan nodded, then asked, “What makes you think I won’t combine denadite with cetinium once I get my hands on it?”

Lanok turned to Yang Bum with a masked expression.

“You wouldn’t be able to. No one knows what the resulting energy it emitted could do. Moreover, Russia and China can determine if you’ve combined them based on the energy waves the reaction produces,” Yang Bum replied.

These people know everything!

Kang Chan was once again impressed by the people in intelligence bureaus and disappointed of the National Intelligence Service, which couldn’t even decide about what to do with Wui Min-Gook without their opinions clashing.

He steeled his resolve again, having already thought of the perfect person to take care of this matter—a gangster punk who was just right for something like this.

“How will you proceed with the contract?” Kang Chan asked.

“We will have the Mongolian Ministry of Resources contact the company of your choosing. However, before you sign the contract, you should negotiate the basics with Vasili first,” Yang Bum advised, looking directly into Kang Chan’s eyes. “That is the best way to reduce sacrifices, even if that means saving just one person. Would you help us?”

Yang Chan raised his wine glass to Kang Chan.

At times like these, Kang Chan wanted to put Lanok forward, especially since this was China they were talking about, the very country that had kidnapped him. Noticing Kang Chan’s gaze, Lanok smiled as if to say that he should do what he wanted.

Hence, Kang Chan lifted his wine glass. “Thank you for recommending this great business to me.”

Lanok smiled in amusement and lifted his glass as well.

Clink!

The meal, which they hadn’t even finished halfway, ended on that note.

They decided to stay at the table since they were already there anyway. The staff cleared the table and prepared some coffee, tea, and ashtrays for them.

“I wonder why this doesn’t taste the same when I drink it in China,” Yang Bum remarked.

“I noticed that with pu erh tea as well. I remembered how marvelous it tasted and brought some back, but it didn’t have the same taste as the ones I had here,” Lanok agreed.

Kang Chan didn’t know any teas he could speak of, and the instant coffee that he drank tasted the same anywhere he went—Delicious and sweet.

“Mr. Ambassador, I believe the United States will move the UN soon,” Yang Bum suddenly opened. “There will be a large-scale civil war in the Horn of Africa.”

Lanok looked at Yang Bum with interest. Kang Chan knew that meant the sly snake wasn’t aware of this yet.

“You must be talking about Somalia,” Lanok responded.

Yang Bum nodded in affirmation.

“I assume they plan to gather special forces from various countries, starting with the French Foreign Legion, in the Horn of Africa to have them confront the civil war. As you all have probably guessed by now, their target is…” Yang Bum trailed off, turning to Kang Chan. “It seems they dislike having a new hero.”

Kang Chan hadn’t even gotten started with the Mongolian business yet. Why would he bother himself by going to Africa because of those damn Americans?

Reading into the look in Kang Chan’s eyes, Yang Bum continued, “People who also find you burdensome within the Korean government and military will likely agree to your deployment. If they do, it’s safe to say that many of the agents and special forces who follow you will also be deployed.”

Pft.

Kang Chan tilted his head.

South Korea dispatching soldiers to Africa? And a combat unit, at that? That would be a sight to see.

Nevertheless, Kang Chan thought he still had to be careful.

The National Intelligence Service and the military really had to step up their game to deal with these kinds of people.

The look on Yang Bum’s face seemed to say that he had told them everything he wanted to say. Perhaps that was why he offered Kang Chan a cigarette with a relaxed expression.

“Would you like to smoke together?” he asked.

Click.

Kang Chan felt as if there was more room to breathe after they took turns lighting up their cigarettes.

“Mr. Kang Chan, the world of intelligence has many ups and downs. It might be inappropriate to say this while the ambassador is present, but in this world, no one can guarantee their survival. That holds even truer for those in leadership positions,” Yang Bum said.

Lanok exhaled the smoke from his cigar as he listened to Yang Bum.

“The same goes for me as well. I got this role with your help, but I have no idea when I will get shot in the back. Moreover, many within my country’s intelligence bureau have developed a level of resentment toward you with the recent incident with Wui Min-Gook,” Yang Bum added.

Kang Chan exhaled a cloud of smoke as he nodded. It was only natural that the Chinese found it difficult to like him. After all, he blew up their airport and killed Wui Min-Gook, one of their agents.

“I support Mr. Ambassador. That’s why you have to grow stronger faster, Mr. Kang Chan. Our immediate common enemy is the United States, but in our current state, if the enemy hiding behind them starts to make their move, we won’t be able to handle them.”

“Is it because of the Unicorn?” Kang Chan asked.

“Yes. That issue involves the economy of the entire world, after all.”

“I find it hard to believe that there’s a more powerful enemy than the US.”

“You’ll easily figure it out if you know who controls their money.”

Kang Chan just laughed. Formidable enemies were lying in wait all around him. He thought it might be a good idea to convince Ethan to give him a subterranean shock device and install it in South Korea.

I’m going to let earthquakes rip where all those annoying punks are! Well, that would hurt innocent civilians too, though. They don’t know anything and didn’t do anything wrong.

Lanok and Yang Bum burst out laughing at the same time as if they had read what was on Kang Chan’s mind. Kang Chan took it as a sign that he still wasn’t adept at wearing a proper mask.

“On another note, your performance in Afghanistan has created quite a commotion among our White Wolves. Jiang Kanglin seems to have become a fervent fan of yours, which is making me a bit anxious. Hearing about what you did to one of our airports did not really help me understand the extent of your operations, but when I saw it for myself, I must admit I felt a little scared,” Yang Bum added in a lighter tone. He didn’t look scared in the slightest, though, so Kang Chan just chuckled.

“Ah, I’m afraid I have to get going now,” Yang Bum said regretfully.

“So soon?” Kang Chan asked in surprise.

“Now that I’ve had a delicious lunch and an informative conversation, I should return to my house. If I leave my seat empty for too long, my desk will be taken and replaced with a casket.”

Yang Bum didn’t sound as if he was joking, making his words all the more frightening.

Kang Chan and Lanok stood up to see Yang Bum off. Considering how he was behaving, he seemed to just be heading over to the Chinese embassy in the next neighborhood.

“Mr. Ambassador, thank you for lunch today,” Yang Bum said as he gave Lanok a French farewell. He then turned to Kang Chan.

“Mr. Kang Chan, know that I, the Director of the Chinese intelligence bureau, support you. Please don’t forget that. During my most difficult times, when I’m at my lowest, I’ll think of you.”

Kang Chan’s smile disappeared as he stared straight into Yang Bum’s eyes. Yang Bum just chuckled good-naturedly.

“I feel strangely reassured when I look into your eyes. I will stop by to see those eyes occasionally,” Yang Bum said.

Kang Chan thought Yang Bum was going to shake his hand, but Yang Bum gave him a French embrace instead.

After seeing him off, Lanok took Kang Chan back up to his office.

“It seems you have a lot on your plate now.”

“Looks like it,” Kang Chan agreed.

“It makes me quite envious,” Lanok joked.

“Then I’ll have to think of a way to take you around with me,” Kang Chan grinned.

Lanok smiled in return. He had removed his mask now.

“Mr. Ambassador, is it really okay to leave Anne and Louis at the DGSE?”

“It should be okay. At least for now, I’m holding my position safe.”

Kang Chan saw no reason to doubt Lanok.

Kang Chan only had lunch, yet he felt as if he was given a mountain-load of assignments in return.

“Mr. Kang Chan,” Lanok called, making Kang Chan raise his gaze.

“If you want, you can use your authority as the Deputy Director-General. It’s hard to endure when you have too many enemies. You may even end up giving up important people around you as payment.”

“Are you telling me to order an assassination?”

“You have to figure out the best way to handle this yourself.”

It had been a while since Kang Chan saw Lanok look so serious. Hence, he decided to ask what he was truly curious about now. If he left this question unanswered any longer, he would end up making his own conclusions and imagining things.

“Mr. Ambassador, can you tell me your exact position?”

Lanok looked at Kang Chan without any surprise on his face.

“Not yet,” he replied leisurely. “When I feel that you have truly become powerful, I will let you know then.”

Kang Chan found comfort in that answer. This man had also found his way to his heart. He trusted him.

Seeing the look in Kang Chan’s eyes, Lanok gave him a smile that was quite difficult to read.