Chapter 5

In reality, the power that drives this country comes from Daeho. This is true both economically and politically. If you know that most of the people eating at Yoido are graduates of the Daeho Scholarship Foundation, you should understand.

Daeho called out, “Understood. Let's go quickly.”

Bangu hurriedly drove the car to Daeho Hotel.

Jangchun, looking at his reflection in the window, straightened his clothes once more.

“Brother, I'll wait here. If anything happens, give me a signal right away.”

“Understood.”

Jangchun entered the hotel and stood at the front desk.

“Can you give me a memo pad with a tiger drawing?”

“Could you please repeat that, sir?”

“I said, can you give me a memo pad with a tiger drawing?”

“Yes, sir. Right away.” The front desk staff guided Jangchun to an elevator through an employee corridor. There were no floor buttons in the elevator.

“Have a pleasant stay.”

The staff's greeting ended, and the elevator doors closed.

The elevator moved to a floor with no indicator.

There were no windows, so it was impossible to tell which floor it was.

There was only one corridor and one room, so there was no chance of getting lost.

“No need to wander around.”

Jangchun stood in front of the only door and knocked.

“Is Team Leader Kim inside? I'm Jangchun, here as instructed.”

The door opened quickly.

“Pleased to meet you. I'm Team Leader Kim.”

Team Leader Kim, who opened the door himself, greeted Jangchun with a smile. At that moment, Jangchun caught a whiff of blood.

‘This guy, he’s definitely seen a lot of action.’

He had only heard about it, but it was true. In fact, the rumors seemed to have understated the reality.

“Oh, the honor is mine. You’ve even called someone like me from the Strategy Planning Team 3.”

“Hahaha, to be precise, we are just Team 3. The term ‘Strategy Planning’ is just a fancy name given by some people.”

“Ah, I see. I understand. I will keep that in mind.”

“Since we are both busy, let's get straight to the point.”

“Yes, I'll listen carefully.”

“Huh, yes, listen carefully. I understand that Mr. Yoo’s business has a significant connection to the underground market, is that correct?” There was no need to ask what the underground market was or what business he was referring to.

Jangchun immediately sensed that Team Leader Kim knew everything and had called him for a reason.

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Good. Then, may I ask you a favor?”

“Please tell me. I’ll find it even if it doesn’t exist.”

“Good.”

Team Leader Kim slid a piece of paper across the table. It was a memo pad from Daeho Hotel with something handwritten on it.

The memo was light, but the items listed were heavy.

Yongjeong, Gubulshin, and Gohwanggushin.

Each one was known as an elixir of immortality, and the items listed afterward were rare ingredients known as panaceas.

“These are valuable items. While panaceas can be found occasionally, elixirs of immortality are hard to come by even in the underground market.”

“Would we have sourced them ourselves if it were easy?”

Team Leader Kim smiled.

“Ah, yes. I understand. I’ll do my best.”

Team Leader Kim handed over a phone.

“If there are any issues, financial or procedural, don’t hesitate to contact me. The number is saved.”

“Yes. Then, how much time do I have?”

“Isn’t that an unnecessary question? If we had time, we wouldn’t have called Mr. Yoo.”

“Ah, yes. I’m being dense again. I’ll contact you as soon as possible. However, this will require a lot of manpower, hehehe.”

Jangchun rubbed his hands and laughed awkwardly.

“Once the job is done, the reward will be standard, and I’ll owe you a personal favor.”

“Oh, that’s enough. I’ll contact you soon.”

Jangchun bowed deeply and left.

“Brother, how did it go?”

“Bangu, this is a big deal. If we handle this one well, we’ll be set in Seoul.”

“Really?”

“Do I look like someone who makes idle talk after eating expensive meals?”

“What do you need from us?”

“Medicines.”

“Medicines?”

“Yes. A few years ago, Chairman Daeho collapsed, right? You know that?”

“Of course. Who in Korea doesn’t know that?”

“Right. The news said he was fine, but it’s clear he’s on his last legs. That’s why Daeho is trying to find medicines, even by using the likes of us.”

All substances produced in the Heart Region sell well, but those with medicinal properties are especially sought after, especially by foreign pharmaceutical companies.

“Then, should we head to Jongno first?”

“Yes, we should.”

They passed through the pawnshop district that lights up Jongno and entered a shabby building in what used to be a food alley.

“Mr. Park.”

“Mr. Jangchun, you’ve come without any notice?”

“It’s urgent. Sweep up all the medicines currently in the market.”

“Out of the blue? What about the ongoing deals? We don’t have enough cash for that.”

Jangchun took out the key to a private safe.

“Don’t worry about the money. Just get the goods.”

“Who’s hurt?”

“That’s none of your business. If you find an elixir of immortality, put a deposit on it first. I’ll arrange the funds.”

“Still, you need to tell me the order of things to get the job done.”

“That’s your problem. You always try to figure things out. Just do the job without asking questions.”

Jangchun firmly laid down the law and left. Then he went to Insadong.

Insadong is Kim Do-hoon’s territory.

They used to fight to the death, but now they call each other brother. While they can’t plant people, they don’t mind working directly.

“Bangu, don’t think about going home for a while.”

“Of course. I’ve already called home.”

“Right. If we handle this well, Daeho will back us. We can take over Seoul and plant a stake in Gyeongsang. Then, the whole country will be in our hands.”

Jangchun believed that with Daeho, they could achieve this goal quickly.

“Brother, something seems off.”

“Off?”

“I called Mr. Park, but the number is disconnected.”

“What? What do you mean?”

Jangchun quickly took out his phone and called Mr. Park. Sure enough, it said the number was disconnected.

His eyes blazed with anger.

Jangchun had been busy with the Insadong market and other major markets, so he had left the Jongno market entirely to Mr. Park.

Now, he couldn’t reach him.

“This damn bastard!”

Jangchun, unable to control his anger, threw his phone.

“Changbeom!”

Jangchun called out to Changbeom, his action leader.

“Yes, Brother!”

“Go to Mr. Park’s house right now.”

“His house?”

“Yes. Bring his parents. If Mr. Park is there, bring him too, but cut off his legs first.”

Changbeom knew how busy Jangchun had been, having driven him on business trips. He could tell this was a big deal.

“Understood, Brother.”

“Bangu, let’s go to Jongno now!”

“If he’s cut off the number, he’s probably fled. Do you think he’s still at the shop?”

“Do you think I’ll just sit around? We need to search for any clues.”

“Understood.”

Bangu drove aggressively, honking continuously, and parked the car in front of the pawnshop, forcing his way through the narrow alley.

“Bangu, get the knife. If we leave his legs intact, we won’t catch him. We need to cut them off before he runs.”

“Understood.”

Bangu opened the trunk and took out a katana. He needed to use a two-handed sword, so he had to take out the blade.

Jangchun was bare-handed. His specialty was iron fist, so he was powerful enough without a weapon.

“Since the lights are on, someone must be inside. Let’s go in.”

“Understood, Brother.”

Jangchun’s fists were blood-red and swollen.

His muscles were so inflated that his shirt was torn.

Bang!

Jangchun broke down the front door and stormed in.

“You damn bastard. How dare you stab me in the back!”

He was ready to crush Mr. Park, but there was no familiar face in the shop.

“Hey, you tiger-striped bastard! Who’s Mr. Park?”

Mijoo naturally stepped in front of Mijoo, who was shouting.

“You don’t seem like a customer. Leave nicely.”

“What the hell? A kid who hasn’t even bled yet is talking to an adult.”

Jangchun stepped forward and raised his hand. If only he had stopped there, but he swung his hand.

Smack!

Mijoo blocked Jangchun’s hand.

“What? You blocked it?”

Strangely, his hand hurt. It shouldn’t have hurt since he was using iron fist.

“Hey, Brother. My, my hand.”

“What? Why is it shaking?”

Jangchun’s wrist was dangling.

“This guy is a bear. How thick must he be to not even notice his wrist is broken, tsk tsk.”

“What? This crazy woman!”

Jangchun tried to push past Mijoo.

Thud.

‘Why am I lying on the floor?’

Jangchun looked at the old fluorescent light and tried to get up. He couldn’t.

“Hey, Brother, Brother, are you okay?”

Bangu’s large face filled his vision.

“Bangu, what’s going on?”

“Brother, it’s...”

“Son. I’ll sew the mouths of these bastards shut. Who are you calling a woman? Who? I’m still a lady to some people!”

“Mom, that’s a bit much.”

“This brat! You should take my side!”

Mijoo hit Mijoo’s back.

“Ouch, mom, why aren’t you taking my side?”

Jangchun couldn’t understand what was happening.

‘What is this...? Is it a hidden camera show?’

“Hey, Bangu. Am I dreaming...”

“Brother, stay still. I’ll handle this.”

Bangu laid Jangchun down gently and adjusted his grip on the katana.

“You seem capable. Listen up. We’re the Iron Fist Gang. I don’t know who you belong to, but if you go any further, it’s war.”

“Iron Fist Gang? I’m the Taechun Apartment Women’s Association, you bastard. My son caught a demon king when he was young! Who are you talking about war with!”

Mijoo waved her arms and shouted. Taesik held her back.

“Mom, stop! He has a sword, a sword! Look at those tattoos, they’re gangsters. How can you not be afraid of gangsters?”

“You have a sword too, take it out. What’s it called? A tomato or something? There’s a lot in that magic bag of yours!”

“Oh, our lady is really angry.”

Taesik snapped his fingers, opening a warp gate to his living room. He picked up Mijoo and threw her inside.

“Who are you calling a woman, who? Hey, am I your woman? My husband never called me that!”

“Mom, put your hand in, hand. You’ll cut your finger. Hand!”

Taesik barely managed to close the warp gate.

“Hmm, this is embarrassing. Understand? Mothers are just very protective of their sons, hahaha.”

Bangu, half-dazed, blinked his eyes.

Daeho’s Eldest Daughter (1)

“Alright, let’s clear the awkward atmosphere.”

Taesik clapped his hands.

Bangu shivered and came to his senses.

He’s the one who opened the warp gate.

This isn’t a matter of being capable or not.

Clang.

Bangu threw his sword and knelt on the floor.

“I’m sorry. I mistook you for someone else.”

“Among acquaintances, there’s no need for such formalities.”

Taesik pulled a folding chair and sat in front of him.