Chapter 124: Chapter 124: There’s Nothing You Need to Know, Just Bring Mei Hong
Eric divided the teams into snipers, escorts, and reserves, meticulously reviewing every detail of the operation.
"Boss, no matter how perfect everything seems, we can't predict everything."
I nodded in agreement.
"The location isn't ideal. There are only a few sniper points, and if a fight breaks out, it could get dangerous."
Eric handed me a bulletproof vest he had prepared in advance.
"You should wear this too, Boss. It won't stop everything, but it'll increase your chances of survival."
He was the expert, so I silently put the vest on under my clothes.
Trusting his advice showed my confidence in Eric's judgment.
"Black, I'm sure you don't need any instructions, right?"
Manager Ma nodded silently.
Maybe it was because they had worked together as mercenaries before, but he seemed to understand without needing much direction.
"I'll leave it to your judgment, Boss."
"When I step in, take that as the signal."
If Manager Ma's negotiations went smoothly, we could avoid any conflict.
"Let's move out. The three of us—Boss, Black, and myself—will take the same vehicle. The rest of you, make sure no other cars get close by blocking them from all sides."
Everyone quickly dispersed to their assigned vehicles. I got into the one prepared for me.
* * *
"Stay alert. The enemy isn't someone to take lightly."
"Yes, Brother."
Zhang Linfeng had gathered every available member of his organization here.
"This guy's no joke. Apparently, he got the Hong Kong government's permission to hire Black Bear, a mercenary company, for VIP security."
"Even so, they're still just humans. Stick a knife in them, and they'll bleed. This isn't a battlefield, and they don't have much in the way of weapons. If it comes to a brawl, we're the experts."
One of his subordinates smirked, trying to ease Zhang Linfeng's concerns, but Zhang couldn't shake his uneasy feeling.
"What about the woman?"
"She's locked up inside."
"You made sure she's cleaned up and her wounds are treated, right?"
"Yes, ever since you gave the order, no one's laid a hand on her."
"Good. She's a valuable hostage; we need to treat her well."
Zhang Linfeng glanced at the darkening sky.
The sunset over the distant containers was unusually vivid.
"The weather's… It looks like we're in for some rain."
"The forecast didn't mention anything."
"It's just a feeling."
Zhang Linfeng shook his head.
"If we pull this off, we'll get a lot of backing from the mainland. That'll put us ahead of the other organizations. We have to succeed. If we fail, we're all dead."
"Understood, Brother."
Just then, a subordinate rushed in from outside.
"They're here."
"How many?"
"I'm not sure, but about ten vehicles are moving together."
"It's probably over 50 people, just as we expected."
Zhang Linfeng stared intently at the entrance after hearing the report.
Soon, a convoy of cars escorting Kim Mu-hyeok and Ma Seok-dae entred the dock area.
By now, the sun had already disappeared beyond the horizon.
The vehicles moved through without any interference, stopping in front of the warehouse as planned.
"Wait here for a moment."
Kim Mu-hyeok nodded, and Eric stpped outside.
Through the heavily tinted windows, I could see Eric talking with the team leaders.
"You can come out now. There are about 50 people outside. I'm not sure how many are inside."
Kim Mu-hyeok stepped out first, ollowed by Ma Seok-dae.
"This way, Boss."
Team Leader Jin's men formed a protective circle around Ma Seok-dae as they moved. Kim Mu-hyeok followed, blending n like one of the bodyguards.
With a loud creak, the warehouse doors swung open.
Inside, around 50 men stood armed with hatchets and machetes.
It was obvious they were trying hard to appear intimidating.
Eric spoke first.
"Who's in charge here?"
Zhang Linfeng stood up.
"I'm Zhang Linfeng. Who's your leader?"
Ma Seok-dae stepped forward.
"Where's Eva?"
"Is that why you're here?"
"Stop stalling. Bring Eva out."
"Wow, you're in a real hurry, aren't you?"
Zhang Linfeng signaled to one of his men with a glance.
A few men ran into a corner office, and soon they dragged Eva out.
Eva looked in better shape than Kim Mu-hyeok had expected.
"Have a seat."
Zhang Linfeng gestured to a chair.
With a blank expression, Ma Seok-dae walked over and sat down.
'I thought he was just a rich businessman…'
Zhang Linfeng couldn't shake a strange feeling about Ma Seok-dae.
"Sit down and tell me what you want."
The roles of guest and host had completely reversed.
Kim Mu-hyeok found this side of a Seok-dae quite interesting.
'Wow, the Manager's handling this pretty calmly.'
Zhang Linfeng watched Ma Seok-dae's expression closely before sitting down across from him.
"We want the money we invested in Peregrine returned."
"Legally, we acquired it fair and square, and all the debts were settled. You should be asking the people you originally invested with for your money, not me."
Ma Seok-dae glanced at Eva as he spoke.
Eva, who had been watching Kim Mu-hyeok, lowered her head a if she understood the situation.
Zhang Linfeng shrugged.
"That's not our problem. We invested in Peregrine, and now that you've taken over, we want our money back. Legalities? We don't live by those rules."
It was clear that reasoning wouldn't work with them. They didn't care about such things in the first place.
Ma Seok-dae raised an eyebrow, looking somewhat exasperated.
"So how much are we talking?"
"Three million dollars, plus two million for Eva's life. That's five million dollars total."
Ma Seok-dae's face twisted in disbelief.
"You think I'm some kind of idiot?"
"I don't know if you're an idiot, but the cost of hiring Black Bear and the five million you owe us should be around the same. There's no room for negotiation."
"You don't actually think I'm just going to hand it over, do you?"
"Then I guess Eva dies."
At Zhang Linfeng's signal, one of his men pressed a knife to Eva's throat.
"Then you die too."
Ma Seok-dae muttered without a hint of hesitation.
But Zhang Linfeng just laughed, his tattooed face twisting.
"Guys like us don't fear death. And you won't walk out of here alive either. You should've never come here. Close the doors!"
At Zhang's shout, more men flooded into the warehouse from outside.
"If you don't pay up, you're not leaving. The choice is yours. Hand over the money, and we'll part ways peacefully."
"Unbelievable. Bring Mei Hong here. I'll give you the five million."
"Don't you dare say the big boss's name so casually. If you cross that line, I'll kill you right here and now."
Zhang Linfeng, who had been sneering, growled when he heard Mei Hong's name, glaring at Ma Seok-dae.
"Oh yeah? Go ahead, do it."
Ma Seok-dae shrugged as if he didn't care.
But Zhang Linfeng didn't follow through. It was clear he didn't have the authority to make that decision.
"Call Mei Hong. Discussions like this are for the leaders, not a lapdog like you. Otherwise, we'll go to war."
Ma Seok-dae sneered, adding another jab.
He recalled Kim Mu-hyeok's instructions in hs mind.
'Manager, just make sure Mei Hong shows up. That's the only way to end this without anyone getting hurt. Zhang Linfeng doesn't have the authority to decide anything.'
That was what Kim Mu-hyeok had told him beforethey got out of the car.
Although he didn't fully understand, Ma Seok-dae followed Kim Mu-hyeok's orders to the leter.
When Zhang Linfeng didn't give in, Ma Seok-dae closed his eyes, signaling that he wouldn't say another word.
Zhang Linfeng motioned to the man holding the knife to Eva's throat.
"So, you'd rather watch her die?"
As the knife pressed into Eva's neck, blood began to drip.
Ma Seok-dae opened his eyes and glanced at Eva but quickly shut them again.
The bleeding worsened, and Eva's face turned pale.
Tears welled up in her eyes, but she refused to scream.
"Stop!"
Finally, Kim Mu-hyeok's voice cut throughthe tension.
The Black Bear mercenaries all drew their weapons.
"We could've ended this if you'd just brought Mei Hong out. Enough, Manager. Get up."
Ma Seok-dae stood and pulled out his gun.
Zhang Linfeng, still shocked by the sudden shift in atmosphere, opened his mouth to speak but quickly shut it.
Dozens of guns were now aimed at him.
Kim Mu-hyeok spoke in flawless Cinese.
"Call Mei Hong."
"What? You bastard…"
Just then, Ma Seok-dae fired his gun.
The bullet grazed Zhang Linfeng's cheek, drawing blood.
As Zhang froze, Kim Mu-hyeok reached out toward liver.
Oliver handed over a bag to Kim Mu-hyeok.
Kim Mu-hyeok glanced at Eva, the placed the bag on the table and opened it. It was full of cash.
"Here's a million dollars. Bring Mei Hong."
Zhang Linfeng didn't respond.
Kim Mu-hyeok pulled a Zippo ligher from his pocket, lighting one of the bundles of cash as he spoke.
"If you don't want to call him, fine. But the money you're after will keep going up in flames."
He tossed the burning cash into the bag, and in less than a minute, a million dollars was reduced to ash.
Oliver handed him another bag, as if on cue.
"Call Mei Hong."
The second bag was filled with just as much cash as the first.
As Kim raised the lighter again, Zhang Linfeng finally shouted.
"Wait! I'll call him. Just wait."
"You've got 30 minutes. Make the call right here in front of me."
Kim Mu-hyeok snapped the Zippo sut.
"And take the knife away from her neck. If you don't, this conversation is over. This isn't a negotiation. If Eva dies, everyone here dies—Mei Hong included. Every last one of you involved will die. And of course, you'll die too."
"Who the hell are you?"
"That's not your concern. Just call Mei Hong."
With that, Kim Mu-hyeok sat down heavily inthe chair.
Zhang Linfeng bit his lip and signaled his man to release Eva.
Kim Mu-hyeok and Eva's eyes met riefly.
Kim gave a barely noticeable nod. Eva just stared at him in a daze.
"What are you waiting for? Make the call. Time's ticking. Or you can all die here."
Kim Mu-hyeok looked over at Eric
"Eric, contact the sniper team. Anyone who moves without my order gets shot, especially the guy next to Eva."
"Yes, Boss."
Although most people couldn't understand Kim's English, Zhang Linfeng did.
Finally, Zhang pulled a mobile phone from his pocket and dialed Mei Hong.
After about three minutes, Zhang hung up and glared at Kim Mu-hyeok.
"The big boss is coming. Now put the guns away."
"Don't even try it. How those mercenaries outside act depends on what you do next."
Zhang Linfeng narrowed his eyes and asked.
"Are you the owner of Peregrine?"
But Kim Mu-hyeok didn't answer.
Fifteen more minutes passed in silence.
Eric approached and spoke.
"Three cars are coming. What should we do?"
"It's Mei Hong. Don't fire."
At Zhang Linfeng's words, Kim Mu-hyeok nodded.
"Let them through. Let's see what he looks like."
Soon, the doors opened, and Mei Hong walked in.
He glanced around and muttered in disbelief.
"What a mess."
Completely unfazed by the Black Bear mercenaries and their guns, Mei Hong walked over and sat down.
"So, are you the one who owns that woman?"
"Mei Hong?"
"Yes, I'm Mei Hong."
"Hah… You're harder to meet than I thought."
Mei Hong's expression hardened.
Kim Mu-hyeok didn't waste any tie.
"I'll give you ten million dollars. Kill Zhang Linfeng and every one of his men who laid a finger on Eva."
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