Kapitel 122: Chapter 122: If It Must Be Done, Then It Will Be Done
For several days, I had been hiring professional detectives to locate Eva's whereabouts. Finally, I learned the identity of the last man she met.
"A triad? What on earth would make Eva get involved with a thug?"
"I don't know."
The triad…
Suddenly, Eva's last words flashed through my mind.
'I need to meet someone. They say he's an agent for a high-ranking official in China. Things have gotten complicated since the acquisition of Peregrine. I'll report back once I'm done.'
I swallowed down a sigh that threatened to escape.
"Have you located her?"
"The detectives say they can't get any closer. Taking on a triad in Hong Kong is a life-threatening gamble…"
"What kind of organization are they?"
"I thought the boss, Lee Sang-geun, would know better, so I called him."
True, a thug would know a thug better.
I nodded, frowning slightly.
'She should tell me. Why go meet those dangerous men alone? Was the money within Peregrine tied to the triads?'
Triads existed everywhere in the world. Wherever there were Chinese people, they were there.
Due to Hong Kong movies, they were relatively well-known in Korea.
But they were more brutal and tenacious than any gang in the world.
'Eva will be safe, right?'
Unintentionally, my expression hardened, and Manager Ma stood quietly behind me without a word.
At that moment, Lee Sang-geun arrived.
"Boss, you called?"
"Have a seat. I'm not in a state to greet you right now."
"Yes."
Seeing my tense face, the amusement faded from Lee Sang-geun's expression.
"You probably have a rough idea of the situation from Manager Ma. Please tell me about the triads in Hong Kong."
As soon as he sat, he urged me to continue.
"The triads in Hong Kong operate a little differently than those on the mainland. Since they were returned to China last year, they've maintained connections with high-ranking officials in the Chinese Communist Party, meaning mainland organizations won't enter Hong Kong."
"We'll save the history for later. What do you know about Zhang Linfeng's organization? Is it the Chaobang? Right, Manager?"
"Yes, Boss."
Lee Sang-geun murmured the name Zhang Linfeng, as if trying to recall something before continuing.
"Among the triads in Hong Kong, it's a mid-sized organization. There are no lower-tier factions in Korea, and it's deeply connected to the mainland underworld. Its leader is a person named Mei Hong. They run legitimate hotels but are infamous for their brutality. One of the three leaders of Kowloon Walled City, apparently…"
"Kowloon Walled City?"
"It's basically a slum, once a triad hideout until the early 90s. During protests against demolition, many people died there."
"So if they have legitimate businesses, there's a chance we could find something after all."
"I can't say for sure. That's about all I know. I apologize."
Lee Sang-geun bowed his head.
"No need to apologize, thank you."
"I will contact Hong Kong immediately."
Receiving my glance, Manager Ma quickly took out his phone and left the room.
"If they captured or killed someone there, what could be the reason?"
"It's probably for money. They love money more than anything. In Korea, relationships and reputations still matter, but the triads only see money and profit. Lives mean less than money to them."
Lee Sang-geun frowned and added.
"If they suffered a loss, they'll seek retribution from anyone involved, no matter the method. If it can't be family, it will be friends or whoever else."
It looked like there had been issues with the Chinese when acquiring Peregrine's entire stake.
"Ha, this is getting complicated."
I clicked my tongue aloud.
* * *
"That stubborn woman. She won't talk even to the end."
He spat at the woman lying unconscious. It was unclear whether she had lost consciousness or was merely unmoving.
Staring at her with a slightly anxious expression, the door swung open.
A man with tattoos creeping down from his face to his neck stepped inside.
Quickly bowing my head, a heavy voice came from behind.
"How long do you plan to keep the elder waiting?"
"But… I've done everything I could. Even when I offered her drugs, she wouldn't open her mouth. What should I do…?"
"Since when did we start making excuses?"
He paled and knelt, begging for mercy.
"I'm sorry. I'm sorry, Brother Zhang Linfeng. Please spare me…"
Looking down on him trembling in fear, Zhang Linfeng spoke in a flat tone.
"The elder is urging the boss. If that anger comes to me…"
"That will never happen, I swear. I'll do whatever it takes."
Zhang Linfeng sighed as he glared at Eva's bleeding face lying on the ground.
"I've tried every method available. Who was close to that woman?"
"I believe she's close with the president of Peregrine. Should I capture him?"
At that, Zhang Linfeng clicked his tongue disdainfully at the kneeling man.
"You're suggesting we kidnap the president of Peregrine in this climate? Are you out of your mind? We need to be cautious now. Even if the boss tries to protect us, we shouldn't escalate matters further."
"Yes, yes. I'm sorry."
"Did you find anything from her belongings?"
"There wasn't much."
"She's probably looking for her ex. Give me her mobile phone. I have to make contact myself."
"Uh…"
"What now?"
The hesitant man squeezed his eyes shut.
"It's just that… when we kidnapped her, she resisted so much that her mobile fell and got stepped on, and… the battery…"
At this, Zhang Linfeng kicked the man outright.
The man hit the floor without having the courage to defend himself.
"Damn it, can't you even capture a woman properly? How can I trust you with anything? You didn't go alone; you brought your lackeys, didn't you?!"
"I-I'm sorry!"
"Is saying sorry all you can do? Want to die? If you don't want your body surfacing in the Hong Kong sea tomorrow, then get it right."
The man curled up, trembling as he clutched his jaw.
"Is there a bodyguard you brought along? Cut off his head and toss it into the sea. That should send a message, right?"
"Yes, yes. I'll take care of it right away."
Zhang Linfeng shot a glance at Eva, still lying prostrate.
"She must be kept alive as a hostage, so just leave her. Looking at her, I doubt it'll help much anymore."
The next day.
A corpse with only the head remaining was discovered off the coast of Hong Kong.
* * *
"They found the body of the bodyguard? What about Eva?"
"She hasn't been found yet."
A warm sensation rose from within me.
"It must be a signal directed at me."
"If they were going to deal with it properly, by now, it would either be a meal for dogs or fish food. I believe this too, is a message for the boss."
"What about the detectives? Have they contacted you separately?"
"No, not yet…"
The longer this drags on, the less certain Eva's survival becomes.
'The situation is worsening.'
Ever since contact with Eva was lost, the merger of Je-seong Bank and Foreign Exchange Bank had been put on hold.
No, it should be said that Baek Seong-jin was meddling without a clue that I was behind Eva.
Since Baek Seong-jin was unaware of my connection to Eva, it would be difficult for me to step in.
"Let's run some ads. Put out advertisements not only in newspapers but also on billboards in key Hong Kong areas."
If I couldn't find her, I'd make them search for me.
"Understood."
"We must adequately compensate the bodyguard's family as well. I'll contact Team Leader Jin to take care of it."
"Yes."
"Also, ask Team Leader Jin to prepare everyone to head to Hong Kong. Contact Eric and tell him to send any available teams to Hong Kong."
"…Are you planning for war?"
"If it must be done, then it will be done."
Manager Ma spoke with a complicated expression.
"Hong Kong isn't a place where the boss's influence holds sway. Even if the U.S. tries to intervene, it's uncertain whether it will work."
Manager Ma's words held truth.
Hong Kong is a city where two systems coexist. With China backing it, even if the U.S. administration attempts to intervene, it's hard to say how effective it would be.
Initially, it was questionable whether the U.S. would even lend me a helping hand amid U.S.-China friction. No, it was a sure thing that they would outright refuse.
"Manager, I don't want my people getting hurt. Of course, I could find someone else to replace Eva. It's fine if she's discarded."
Still, I questioned how many people could match Eva's skills. Even if I found someone new, could I trust them?
Seeing Manager Ma biting his lip, I continued.
"But precedents are frightening. If I don't react when my people are touched and easily discard them, what happens then? Didn't I tell you? I will never be the first to abandon them unless they stab me first."
"Yes, you did mention that the first time we met."
"Eva's situation is similar. She is already within my territory. Even if she were to betray me, I must kill her myself."
Manager Ma was left speechless.
"Do you want me to think you're someone who easily discards their own?"
"That's not it, but… it's just too dangerous."
"If money can solve it, I will. If I need to exert power, I will do that too. Above all, I can't leave any future troubles. I need to find her body, regardless of how it ends."
"Understood. I will follow your orders."
Manager Ma stepped out to make the calls, and I pressed my fingers to my forehead.
'I'm still lacking the power to confront China.'
Common sense?
Law?
Such things don't apply in China.
It's a place where the nonsensical is the norm.
I had always avoided confronting China unless I was fully prepared.
'But now, there's no escaping.'
Avoiding becomes a habit.
In my past life, I ultimately lived my entire life avoiding confrontation until death.
I had no intention of leaving behind such regrets in a second life, even if it meant suffering significant losses.
I gathered my thoughts and called Han Gyeong-yeong.
"Hyung."
― "Hmm? Mu-hyeok? What's up?"
"Hyung, let's increase the bodyguard numbers."
― "Suddenly? Isn't Michael enough?"
"No, it's necessary even if it's a hassle."
Understanding the severity of the situation, Han Gyeong-yeong questioned with curiosity.
― "Why? What's going on?"
"You'll find out soon. Just let Eric know to increase the numbers."
― "Got it."
"Thanks. When will you be back in Korea?"
― "As soon as I wrap things up. Maybe next week at the earliest?"
"Alright. It'd be best if it were sooner rather than later."
After a brief pause, Han Gyeong-yeong asked.
― "Why's your voice like that? Is something really up?"
"Hyung, if anything happens, don't keep it to yourself. Absolutely tell me everything."
― "Hey, with the problem-solver Kim Mu-hyeok around, why would Iworry alone? It would be unfair to leave the cheat key unused."
His cheeky voice managed to bring a slight smile to my face.
"Let's meet in Korea."
― "Sure. I'll finish up quickly and head over, so bear with the loneliness, Kim Mu-hyeok."
The sun dipped below the horizon beyond the window.
I felt grateful for having chosen Han Gyeong-yeong.
On the third day since the body surfaced, I posted advertisements in every newspaper and prominent billboards across Hong Kong.
[Eva!]
There were no messages.
Just the name Eva.
If they're not getting anything from Eva, they will come looking for me.
"Eva probably hasn't said a word about me. If she did, I would have received contact by now, whether for negotiation or threat."
The likelihood of Eva still being alive was high.
Since the ads went up, if their goal is money, they will likely try to negotiate using Eva as a hostage.
But I couldn't be sure if she was in a normal state.
"Are all preparations complete?"
"Yes. The U.S. teams, including those from Oliver's team and the newly recruited, have gathered in Hong Kong. They should be arriving today."
Eric, acting on my orders, called back every personnel except the teams operating in Kosovo.
"What about the weapons?"
"We secured handguns. Other firearms are hard to acquire, and carrying them is a challenge as well…"
If we lacked weapons, the Black Bear team would struggle to operate.
"Eric said he would see to the rest. He's more specialized than we are."
I nodded at Manager Ma's additional explanation.
With Eric's connections, he should manage to gather other weapons as well.
"The personnel departing from Korea will set off tomorrow. As soon as we arrive, everyone will gather at the airport."
"Let's wait and see if any news comes in."
That evening.
A call came in for Manager Ma.
It was from Chaobang.
Wöchentlicher Energiestatus
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Rangliste 
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Stein